A conversation with Longevity

"So it was Fellow Daoist Longevity. I am Wuliang, and I offer you my greetings. May I ask what business you have with me?"

He Mu looked at the old Daoist before him and asked at leisure. As the Current Heavenly Venerable, he was in the prime of his life. Though Longevity would be counted alongside him as one of the Nine Heavenly Venerables in later ages and possessed formidable strength, He Mu could still regard him with little concern now.

Longevity Heavenly Venerable remained calm and composed, in no hurry to answer. He had something of a charlatan's air of smug inscrutability about him.

He extended a hand in invitation and smiled at He Mu.

"No need for haste, fellow Daoist. Please come inside first, and we can talk."

He Mu considered himself the Current Heavenly Venerable, and his own Nine Secrets: Dou reigned supreme throughout the cosmos with its immortal-shocking combat power. Thus, he did not hesitate.

In truth, in this age without a Heavenly Emperor, He Mu could already be called invincible throughout the cosmos. Unless all the Forbidden Zone Supremes emerged together, he had nothing to fear and could act without restraint.

He Mu took a single step toward the North Sea Eye, and in an instant, he seemed to have entered another world.

An entirely different realm lay within the sea eye. Unlike the apocalyptic scene of Guixu outside, which seemed ready to tear the heavens apart, the interior resembled an ancient cavern, its sights all the more extraordinary.

Within the ancient cavern, streams of color shimmered everywhere, and myriad radiant glows filled the air. This was the natural result of overflowing Immortal Essence diffusing through the surroundings. It could be said that if a mortal were fortunate enough to come here, a single breath might suffice for them to shed their mortal form and ascend as an immortal.

Precious herbs and spiritual materials carpeted the cavern floor, and even the legendary king of medicinal herbs could be found everywhere. One could imagine how many so-called powerhouses would fight until their heads split and blood flowed to seize such an opportunity if these treasures were brought into the outside world.

At the center of the ancient cavern stood an enormous piece of immortal source, ceaselessly drawing in and releasing the cavern's boundless spiritual energy. Each breath seemed to turn heaven and earth, threatening to rob the sun, moon, mountains, and rivers of all their splendor.

A Dao Body within the source met He Mu's gaze. His face was identical to that of the old Daoist He Mu had just seen. He was none other than Longevity Heavenly Venerable.

"When I underwent my tribulation earlier, I sensed you watching from afar, fellow Daoist. Afterward, you invited me through your divine sense. I do not believe we have met before, so may I ask why you summoned me?"

The Immortal Essence within the cavern gathered, and a moment later, a man manifested before the immortal source. This was a Dao Body that Longevity Heavenly Venerable had created outside his true body.

Though he was only a Dao Body, supreme divine might surged around him, making the myriad Daos bow their heads. Even a powerhouse at the ninth heaven of the Quasi-Venerable realm, on the verge of attaining the Dao, would likely fall short of him.

This incarnation could almost be said to have stepped into another domain. At a stretch, he could even be described as having achieved alternative Dao attainment.

Longevity Heavenly Venerable first offered He Mu a Daoist salute before speaking.

"It was rather presumptuous of this old man to invite you here so abruptly. However, I invited you because I have a favor to ask, and because this is also an opportunity for you."

Hearing Longevity's words, He Mu felt a flicker of surprise. He was already an exalted Heavenly Venerable, invincible in the present age. Even Forbidden Zone Supremes such as Longevity before him would have to retreat three leagues in his presence, not daring to contend with him lightly. What in this world could still be called an opportunity for him? Could it have something to do with "immortals"?

Seeing He Mu's doubts, Longevity understood at once what he was thinking and smiled.

"You need not be so wary, fellow Daoist. I have good reason to say this matter offers you an opportunity as well. You should know that in the present age, attaining the Dao is the limit. Yet even the rank of Heavenly Venerable grants no more than ten thousand years of glory. Only the legendary immortals can remain imperishable through the ages, enduring as long as the world itself. The matter I wish to discuss today concerns precisely that immortal Dao."

It really did concern immortals. He Mu was inwardly shaken. This was the Mythological Age, adjoining the Chaotic Ancient Era. The previous era had not yet drawn to a complete close, so it was hardly inconceivable that legacies of the immortal Dao had survived to this day. But what could this matter be, that Longevity, who had already sealed himself away, would go so far as to invite him, the reigning supreme? Though He Mu's expression betrayed nothing, a little more vigilance arose in his heart.

To put it bluntly, He Mu's understanding of the previous era likely far surpassed that of anyone in the Mythological Age. Even the legendary Desolate Heavenly Emperor, and the formidable enemy that Heavenly Emperor was doing everything in his power to confront, were no secrets to him. Yet achieving longevity in this universe was truly difficult, and becoming an immortal seemed as illusory as a dream or a bubble. Now that an opportunity to glimpse the immortal Dao might lie before him, He Mu naturally could not let it slip away.

With that thought, He Mu gave Longevity a faint smile.

"Oh? It concerns the immortal Dao? Heavenly Venerable, you must not deceive me. If this is such a momentous matter involving the immortal Dao, why would you so readily tell a complete stranger like me? Would that not merely introduce more uncertainty?"

Seeing that He Mu appeared unconvinced, Longevity did not grow annoyed. He merely smiled calmly.

"You do not believe me, fellow Daoist? As the Current Heavenly Venerable, how could the truth or falsehood of anything in this world escape you? When the time comes, a simple investigation will tell you all you need to know. Would you be willing to hear me out first? You can judge its truth for yourself."

Hearing this, He Mu cupped his hands and smiled at Longevity.

"Then the fault was mine. I would gladly hear the details. Please explain it fully, Fellow Daoist Longevity."

Longevity stopped keeping him in suspense and asked He Mu a question.

"Have you ever heard of Heavenly Venerable Lingbao, fellow Daoist?"

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