Shen Zhen heard An Xin's words and looked at her deeply. She suddenly felt that An Xin might be the one who would achieve the highest cultivation among the group of disciples.
How many of them could calm their hearts to cultivate after experiencing the mortal world?
An Xin turned to look at Shen Zhen, smiling as she asked, "Senior Shen, what about you? Why aren't you going out?"
Although Shen Zhen's cultivation realm wasn't particularly outstanding, and she hadn't competed with them, with the Dao Treasure in her possession, she wouldn't face any danger while going out to experience the world. Moreover, Gu An wouldn't turn a blind eye.
"Even if I stay in this Dao Court, I can still experience the mortal world," Shen Zhen replied with a soft smile, then turned and left.
An Xin stared at her back, feeling that she was somewhat inscrutable.
"While they are out, I must cultivate well and distance myself from them." An Xin silently thought, her face showing a smile. She didn't stay for long, and after chatting briefly with Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother, she returned to cultivate.
She was different from Chen Chuan, Lu Xian, and the others. She carried a bigger goal and a firmer path ahead.
...
Tai Cang Continent, Northern Sea Mountain Range.
The Mountain God Temple was located in a dense forest, and Xuanmiao Zhenren was watering the plants in the herb garden.
Over eighty thousand years had passed, and he had become a Heavenly Immortal, revered by the creatures of the Northern Sea Mountain Range as a celestial being. Many sects and royal families had tried to recruit him, but all of them were rejected.
No one knew why he stayed at the Mountain God Temple, though many speculated that he was, in fact, the Mountain God. He had hidden away during the peaceful era, waiting for the time when the world would fall into chaos and he would descend to help.
It was nearly noon.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps approached from outside the temple. A thin, ragged man rushed inside, his hair disheveled and his face covered in bloodstains. Upon seeing Xuanmiao Zhenren, he collapsed to his knees.
"Immortal, please save me!" the man cried out in a piercing voice.
Xuanmiao Zhenren did not look at him. Instead, he casually said, "Don't underestimate the power of the Tai Cang Dynasty. And I do not possess the power to save the world."
Upon hearing this, the man stopped crying and lifted his head to look at Xuanmiao Zhenren, asking, "Then can you call upon the Mountain God to help?"
Xuanmiao Zhenren paused in his actions and turned to look at him, his gaze calm.
"You've come three times, and this is the third. Are you really so sure that the Mountain God exists?" Xuanmiao Zhenren said indifferently.
He was no longer the naive person he once was. He would mention the Mountain God, but only as a legend, not like before when he would fervently promote the Mountain God.
It wasn't that he no longer respected the Mountain God, but he understood the Mountain God's intentions.
The Mountain God was only one of that being's identities, and the Sword Master of the Dao was also one of them.
Compared to endlessly protecting the common people, the Mountain God should have hoped they possessed the ability to protect their own world.
Moreover, Xuanmiao Zhenren didn't truly believe that the Congenital Human Race was such a terrifying existence. Compared to the past world-shaking calamities, today's situation felt more like a meticulously prepared trial.
Perhaps it was the work of the celestial beings, as rumored among the world.
In any case, Xuanmiao Zhenren didn't believe the legends about Xuan Su Immortal Lord, Golden Extreme God, or the other celestial beings.
Under Xuanmiao Zhenren's gaze, the thin man showed signs of panic.
"Stop pretending. Tell me, who exactly are you, and why are you here?" Xuanmiao Zhenren asked coldly, his immense pressure from his Heavenly Immortal aura bearing down on the man.
Boom!
A loud rumble echoed in the distance. Looking up, Xuanmiao Zhenren saw blood-colored rainbow lights appearing at the horizon.
The evil beings of the Congenital Human Race were clashing with the Tai Cang Dynasty in a great battle, one that would affect the entire Tai Cang Continent.
The intensity of the battle in the distance did not affect Xuanmiao Zhenren. He gazed coldly at the thin man kneeling on the ground, his eyes like two blades, piercing through the man's heart.
The thin man lowered his head and slowly stood up.
"The world rarely has a believer like you, serving a vague and ethereal Mountain God here for tens of thousands of years. Your devotion has moved me."
The thin man spoke, his tone changing as though he had become someone else. No longer was he frantic as he had been earlier.
He slowly lifted his eyes, revealing silver-blue pupils, which were quite eerie, causing Xuanmiao Zhenren to frown.
"The Mountain God you believe in does not exist, but there is a true immortal deity worthy of your worship." The thin man spoke in an inexplicable tone.
Xuanmiao Zhenren sneered, "What? Do you also believe in Xuan Su Immortal Lord? How do you prove the existence of Xuan Su Immortal Lord?"
The thin man shook his head and replied, "Not at all. I worship not Xuan Su Immortal Lord, but another Immortal Lord. His name is Tai Yi Immortal Lord, and he is even greater than Xuan Su Immortal Lord. He created the heavens and the earth and saved them. He ascended to the Immortal realm through great virtue, while Xuan Su Immortal Lord merely inherited his position."
Tai Yi Immortal Lord?
This was the first time Xuanmiao Zhenren had heard of such a name. He furrowed his brows and asked, "Who exactly are you?"
The thin man answered, "Who I am is unimportant. I am merely a follower of Tai Yi Immortal Lord. My life once fell into darkness, and I saw no hope. It was he who saved me. There are many others like me in this world. I am not the first you've encountered. Tai Yi Immortal Lord's followers are not like Xuan Su Immortal Lord's lapdogs, blindly proclaiming Xuan Su Immortal Lord's greatness. They are ignorant."
"Are you not doing the same as them?" Xuanmiao Zhenren coldly snorted.
The thin man smiled and replied, "Naturally not. I only speak of Tai Yi Immortal Lord to like-minded people. Immortal Lord said that once he truly saves the world, his immortal name shall be sung. The greatest difference between him and Xuan Su Immortal Lord is that he does first and seeks fame later."
Xuanmiao Zhenren fell silent.
He pondered what Tai Yi Immortal Lord's true purpose was.
Could it be that both Xuan Su Immortal Lord and Tai Yi Immortal Lord truly existed, and they were in a subtle struggle to capture the hearts of the people?
He thought it was very possible, and this made him feel disdain for both Immortal Lords.
Such actions were no different from those of mortals.
In his heart, immortals and deities were above all, free from any mortal traits.
The thin man stepped forward and said, "The so-called Congenital Human Race is actually a group of slaves raised by Golden Extreme God, who serves under Xuan Su Immortal Lord. Their madness is a result of struggling for a slim chance at survival. The world of humans has become a sea of suffering. Whether we are Tai Yi Immortal Lord's followers or the Congenital Human Race, we all struggle painfully. Only by believing that Tai Yi Immortal Lord will descend will we have a slim chance at survival."
Xuanmiao Zhenren asked, "Since Tai Yi Immortal Lord is in charge of this matter, what need is there for you and me?"
"The Dao has rules," the thin man said. "Tai Yi Immortal Lord cannot descend directly unless someone in this world believes in him and petitions the heavens with great aspirations. Only then will the Dao allow his descent. Our collective wishes do not require numbers, but sincerity. My faith is insufficient, perhaps because my cultivation is too weak or my life too short. You have served the Mountain God for who knows how many years. Your great wish will undoubtedly surpass mine."
As the thin man spoke, his gaze toward Xuanmiao Zhenren grew even hotter.
Upon hearing this, Xuanmiao Zhenren lost interest. "Whether what you say is true or false, I only believe in the Mountain God. Go find someone else."
Since the Dao does not allow Tai Yi Immortal Lord to descend, there must be a deeper reason.
The Mountain God was not subject to such restrictions!
In comparison, Xuanmiao Zhenren's admiration for Gu An reached new heights.
Immortals and deities seek fame, seek belief, while the Mountain God asks for nothing.
The thin man furrowed his brows, his expression displeased.
Xuanmiao Zhenren snorted coldly. "Could it be that you want to force me?"
He didn't even regard the thin man as a threat.
Could a Mahayana Realm cultivator really threaten him?
The thin man stared at Xuanmiao Zhenren, gritting his teeth as he said, "My cultivation is not as high as yours, but I can curse you. Your disrespect for Tai Yi Immortal Lord will bring misfortune. Your family will die one by one in this great calamity, and you will be tormented by demonic thoughts. Your later years will be filled with torment, like living in a hellish furnace."
As he spoke, the surface of his body began to crack, blood seeping out and quickly transforming him into a blood-like figure. His joints revealed ghastly white bones.