Zhuoguang Lake.
A thin mist drifted across the lake's surface like a veil of gauze. Towering trees stood along the shore, their indistinct reflections mirrored in the water as though countless illusions rippled there.
At times, the lake water was as graceful as the rising sun, gleaming with a faint orange-red hue. At others, it was as deep as the violet before nightfall, exuding a mysterious tranquility.
A figure gradually emerged within the lake's reflection. He appeared like a phantom upon the water, slowly taking shape—it was the dignified Three-Eyed Imperial Venerable.
The domineering gaze and battle intent he once possessed were gone from his eyes, replaced by a boundless calm that bore the sediment of countless years.
Tap...
Light footsteps sounded. A white-robed man wearing a Spirit Stone pendant approached, his brows slightly lowered as he cupped his hands. "Chen Xun greets the Three-Eyed Imperial Venerable."
The Three-Eyed Imperial Venerable's gaze deepened, though he did not turn around. "Five-Elements Dao Ancestor, now that I have seen you today, it seems the rumors from the Star Sea Borderlands were true. A mere avatar fought for ten years and slew two hundred Heavenly Venerables of the Tribulation Transcendence Realm."
A faint gleam like lake light surfaced in Chen Xun's eyes. He merely smiled. It was all in the past; why bring it up again?
"Have you already seen through my identity?"
The Three-Eyed Imperial Venerable clasped his hands behind his back and slowly turned. Every word he spoke rang full and firm. "It is rather rare to see a Dao Ancestor lower his brows."
"Your Imperial Venerable is an Immortal. In this Immortal Cultivation Great World, one naturally must honor the rites of the immortal path."
Chen Xun's voice was ethereal, and beside the lake, his bearing seemed exceptionally detached. He