On the outskirts of the Heavenly Dao Immortal Sect, outside a latrine.
A large, golden ant sat cross-legged on a bluestone slab beside the pit, a dried immortal herb dangling from its mouth.
It radiated the aura of a Golden Immortal, yet its eyes held a shifty, streetwise look utterly at odds with its cultivation.
This was one of the Heavenly Dao Immortal Sect's founding elders. Once an ordinary ant, it had accidentally eaten a few scraps and set foot on the path of cultivation.
It was also the first ant to join the sect, the current leader of the Ant Clan—the Ant Golden Immortal!
Hundreds of little ants surrounded him, all talented juniors of the Ant Clan.
"Last time, I told you how I followed the sect master into the sky to battle a golden roc, then into the sea to grapple with a sea dragon."
"Children, back in the day, your ancestor fought his way up from nothing alongside the sect master!"
"What storms haven't I weathered?"
"Why, back then, I devoured True Immortals one after another! Their gnawed bones could've formed a mountain!"
"True Dragons, fire phoenixes—they were all appetizers for these iron teeth of mine!"
As they listened to the Ant Golden Immortal's "glorious exploits," the hundreds of little ants hung on every word, their eyes shining with admiration and longing.
"Ancestor, you're right!"
"Our leader is mighty! Our leader is invincible!"
Several little ants cheered in agreement.
The Ant Golden Immortal nodded smugly and was about to boast some more when he turned his head and spotted the Universe King and Ancient Monk King beneath the latrine pit.
His eyes lit up.
Ha! More work!
For the Universe King and Ancient Monk King, this was undoubtedly a day spent in hell.
A nauseating stench