On the cliff, clouds and mist swirled. The white-robed middle-aged man had been staring intently at the chessboard before him, his brow furrowed in thought, as if trying to determine how to place the next piece. For this, he seemed to have pondered for countless years. Lin
Gu Xian'er and the group of elders and disciples from the Crescent Moon Sect all stood silently to the side, no one daring to disturb him.
Although Song Yu did not introduce him, they could all see that the white-robed middle-aged man before them was immensely powerful and unfathomably deep.
If the Dao Realm elders of the Crescent Moon Sect closed their eyes, they could not even sense his presence—before them was like a void, a space that did not exist within the present time and space.
This alone was enough to demonstrate the white-robed middle-aged man's strength.
They had just set foot in the Nine Heavens, and they had no idea what levels of existences lay ahead.
Song Yu waited respectfully to the side, also not daring to make a sound. It was clear that he held this white-robed middle-aged man in great reverence and seemed to know his identity and origins.
Gu Xian'er's delicate brows were tightly furrowed as she watched coldly from the sidelines.
On the journey to the Nine Heavens, she had already realized that Song Yu had deep ties to the Nine Heavens—in fact, he was originally from the Nine Heavens.
He had been lying low in the Crescent Moon Sect all this time, precisely for the inheritance of the Nine Heaven-Restraining Forbidden Arts. Now that the Crescent Moon Sect had been destroyed, Song Yu would certainly turn his attention to her.
After all, that Mad Granny was the last successor of the Heaven-Restraining Sect.
When Mad Granny had temporarily regained her sanity, she had taken her away in front of everyone, and afterward vanished without a trace. The only person connected to Mad Granny was her.
Naturally, Song Yu would want to learn clues from her.
During the subsequent journey, Song Yu had occasionally probed and tried to inquire about matters related to Mad Granny, and he did not shy away from openly discussing the Nine Heaven-Restraining Forbidden Arts.
Although Gu Xian'er had evaded and ignored him many times, as they drew closer to the Nine Heavens, she noticed that Song Yu was gradually no longer hiding his intentions.
The elders and disciples of the Crescent Moon Sect, though they could guess Song Yu's designs, all pretended not to see, considering it a private matter between him and Gu Xian'er that they had no place to interfere.
Moreover, once they arrived in the Nine Heavens, they might need to rely heavily on Song Yu, and offending him along the way would not be wise.
Still, many elders advised Song Yu, for the sake of their former sect ties, not to go too far.
Song Yu's attitude remained gentle, saying he was merely curious about Mad Granny's origins and had no other intentions.
To this, Gu Xian'er merely watched coldly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Of course, Song Yu knew she was connected to the Heaven-Slaying Alliance, so he dared not entertain other schemes.
Not to mention the white-robed woman by Gu Xian'er's side—rarely speaking and of mysterious origin—made even his protector, Uncle Lan, quite wary.
Throughout the journey to the Nine Heavens, Song Yu had been very well-behaved.
Still, Gu Xian'er was well aware that once they set foot in the Nine Heavens and entered Song Yu's territory, many things became uncertain.
Who knew whether Song Yu would try any tricks.
As for the Nine Heaven-Restraining Forbidden Arts that Mad Granny had imparted to her, she had been studying them this period. But unfortunately, she could not even grasp the threshold of the first restriction. Because she had not yet reached the Dao Realms, her comprehension of the first restriction was still at a muddled and half-understood level.
That concept was profoundly mysterious, like a dense fog—hazy and abstruse. It truly seemed that only after she reached the level of the Dao Realms could she genuinely penetrate, understand, and master it.
Gu Xian'er finally understood why Mad Granny had said back then that only when one's cultivation reached the Dao Realms and one had undergone the first Heavenly Decline Tribulation could the first restriction be executed.
Each subsequent restriction required at least one more Heavenly Decline Tribulation to be executed.
In other words, to successfully execute the ninth restriction of the Nine Heaven-Restraining Forbidden Arts, one must undergo nine Heavenly Decline Tribulations and touch the realm of the End of the Path.
This art was extremely domineering. Once performed, there was no turning back; one must remember never to force its execution before reaching the corresponding realm, otherwise not only would it fail, but it would also invite boundless backlash, with terrifying consequences.
"Although the path ahead is uncertain after arriving in the Nine Heavens, this place is unaffected by the chaos and turmoil outside. It is indeed the best place for me to break through to the Dao Realms," Gu Xian'er murmured in her heart, her clear eyes exceptionally resolute.
Ever since she had firmly defined her Dao Heart the last time, she had understood the path she must take from now on.
Thus, she was full of confidence in breaking through to the Dao Realms and was only waiting for the right opportunity.
"After so many years, someone has set foot in the Nine Heavens again. But unlike the last one who found his way here on his own, this time, it is actually someone you brought."
Just as everyone's thoughts were in turmoil, the white-robed middle-aged man seated on the cliff seemed to finally come back to his senses.
He glanced at Song Yu, apparently recognizing him, and then his gaze swept over the members of the Crescent Moon Sect one by one. It then paused in turn on Gu Xian'er, the white-robed woman, and the green-robed woman named Qing Nan, revealing a hint of surprise.
"When I left the Nine Heavens last time, I was greatly indebted to you, Senior, for your guidance," Song Yu said with a respectful bow.
The white-robed middle-aged man shook his head. "Since you are that fellow's disciple, it is only natural that I look after you a bit."
Song Yu's attitude grew even more deferential.
To the Nine Heavens, the white-robed middle-aged man before them was akin to a guardian deity. His power was unfathomable, and his existence dated back to times immemorial, unknown to anyone.
In the Nine Layered Heavens of the Nine Heavens, no matter what level of cultivation one possessed, before this white-robed middle-aged man, one had to address oneself as a junior.
"This is the first time in my life that I have encountered such a situation—three existences that I cannot see through have appeared at the same time."
"Who exactly are you?"
The white-robed middle-aged man's gaze fell upon Gu Xian'er's exquisitely beautiful face, and he asked with a trace of surprise.
He looked at the three women before him, his eyes calm and profound. At that moment, it seemed as though myriad profound scenes flashed within them—the myriad worlds of the universe, the years of fate, all transformed into blurred and bewildering rivers.
But as he probed and investigated, a vast fog began to surge upon those rivers, incomparably hazy. It was as if a terrifying great hand reached out and instantly shattered all prying gazes.
Especially when his gaze lingered on Gu Xian'er and the woman named Qing Nan, his brow furrowed, as if even more astonished.
As for the white-robed woman who had been veiled in plain gauze, remaining cool and silent, he briefly pondered and deduced, seeming to have thought of something, and said nothing more.
Gu Xian'er had never encountered such a situation before and was equally surprised and bewildered.
Who exactly was she? Wasn't she Gu Xian'er? The pride of the Longevity Gu Family of the Dao Prosperity True World?
Or had the white-robed middle-aged man before her sensed something?
Was it because of Gu Changge behind her?
Song Yu was also seeing the white-robed middle-aged man show such surprise and bewilderment for the first time, and his heart was greatly shaken.
That Gu Xian'er came from the Heaven-Slaying Alliance and was valued by that Mad Granny made her special and understandable.
But why did this Senior Gravekeeper say the same about the woman beside her, who wore a long green robe, spoke little along the way, and gave the impression of a simple, ascetic cultivator?
The people present, including the white-robed woman whom Gu Xian'er had always addressed as Senior, also turned their gaze toward Qing Nan.
"Senior, what do you mean by that?"
Seeing this, Qing Nan could not help but ask aloud.
Her face also showed surprise and bewilderment, as if equally puzzled and completely ignorant.
At that moment, as her thoughts stirred, a vast and mysterious power surged within her, causing the fog she had deliberately shrouded over herself to dissipate considerably.
The white-robed middle-aged man looked at her deeply, his gaze profound, as though he wanted to see through her completely.
"Have you ever been tainted by darkness?" he asked, seemingly casually.
Qing Nan paused, thought for a moment, then nodded. "I once fought against the Dark Clans and was hunted by them. If Miss Xian'er had not had that senior intervene to save me, I would have perished at the hands of the Dark Beings."
Encountering such a strange fellow before the entrance of the Nine Heavens was somewhat surprising to her.
However, it seemed that this fellow could not see through her identity either.
Hearing this, the middle-aged man seemed to understand, his expression calming. "The Dark Clans are clever, using you as bait to cast a long line and catch a big fish..."
As his words fell, he reached out, and from the void behind Qing Nan, a sharp and furious roar seemed to emanate.
A thread-like sinister mist, resembling a black thread, was seized by him, then directly crushed into ashes.
"This is..."
At this sight, everyone from the Crescent Moon Sect, including Song Yu, trembled all over, their faces filled with terror and disbelief.
Throughout this entire journey, they had sensed nothing at all?
The Dark Clans were truly despicable—deliberately leaving a mark on Qing Nan, betting that she would be rescued by them?
A look of lingering fear and shivering timely appeared on Qing Nan's face. She then bowed respectfully to the white-robed middle-aged man before her. "Thank you, Senior, for your intervention."
The white-robed middle-aged man's gaze swept past her and shook his head. "It seems the situation outside has become so turbulent that the Dark Clans have become completely unrestrained. But their target is likely not you, but you…"
He turned to look at Gu Xian'er, seemingly wanting to see through the fog that shrouded her as well.
Gu Xian'er was utterly perplexed. Given her current knowledge and understanding, she truly could not fathom the meaning of these words.
Why would she become the target of the Dark Clans?
She had clearly never had any contact with those Dark Clans.
"However, this is only my speculation. I have not left the Nine Heavens for a very, very long time and have no desire to meddle in the external situation."
The white-robed middle-aged man said, his words carrying a deep sense of detachment and transcendence.
Gu Xian'er did not commit. Although she felt that this white-robed middle-aged man was indeed unfathomably powerful, why did his words always seem so vague and elusive? Why couldn't he just speak plainly?
"The last fellow who came to the Nine Heavens should hail from the same place as you," the white-robed middle-aged man continued to himself.
Gu Xian'er knew who he was referring to.
Previously, when the Dao Prosperity True World faced the covetous invasion of the Immortal Spirit Civilization, the man named Qingfeng had embarked on a journey to find the Nine Heavens, seeking those seniors who had once left the Dao Prosperity True World, hoping to bring them back to protect it.
On the eve of the great battle, a Dao Realms existence named Ape Zen Elder Monk had indeed led several disciples to provide assistance.
It appeared that when Qingfeng had arrived in the Nine Heavens, he had also encountered this white-robed middle-aged man.
However, she did not know that Qingfeng well and had no contact with him. At this moment, when the white-robed middle-aged man spoke these words, Gu Xian'er did not respond.
The white-robed middle-aged man smiled, as if he did not mind, and simply said, "It has been a long time since fresh faces have arrived in the Nine Heavens. Here, I welcome you all."
As he spoke, he flicked his sleeve. A vast fog surged and swept forth, directly casting everyone present to another mountain range.
Standing on this mountain range, Gu Xian'er and the others finally saw the full panorama of this land. What met their eyes were vast continents floating in the sky, boundless and limitless, with roiling seas of clouds and no boundaries in sight.
Clouds and mist curled, immortal light surged—it truly was like the immortal-seeking land beyond the world that mortals pursued.
As if knowing everyone's confusion, Song Yu explained, "Anyone who wishes to enter the Nine Heavens must first obtain the approval of the Senior Gravekeeper."
"And the Nine Heavens are vast and boundless. The Nine Layered Heavens are located in different regions, each layer separated from the others, overlapping like the tiers of a pagoda. The place we are heading to now is located in the ninth layer of the Nine Layered Heavens."
At that very moment, at the highest point of the Nine Heavens, where the ninth layer of the Nine Layered Heavens lay.
Within a grand palace that seemed to stand amidst the vast cloud realms.
A figure clad in a Grand Luo Daoist robe, with deep and unfathomable features as if shrouded in endless chaotic mist, sat within.
His eyes encompassed boundless myriad heavens, where all kinds of terrifying visions flashed before returning to silence, like a bottomless abyss, making one shudder.
It was precisely the current ruler of the Heaven-Overthrowing Sect in the Nine Heavens—Eternal Life Dao Lord.
"Ji Yu has returned?"
"It seems his schemes have fallen through, but the people he has brought back to the Nine Heavens this time are somewhat special."
This figure's gaze was profound, and in an instant, he cast it across boundless dimensions of space-time, landing upon the group from the Crescent Moon Sect who were just leaving that mountain range.
"This woman? Although her aura is chaotic, she is definitely an existence who has undergone at least seven Heavenly Decline Tribulations. Her origins are rather complicated. Is it purely an accident that she appears in the Nine Heavens?"
"No, her aura bears some resemblance to Senior West Sage…"
"Could it be her?"
He sized up the white-robed woman among them, seemingly lost in thought.
Likewise on another vast ancient land within the ninth layer of the Nine Layered Heavens.
Cities were established, dynasties rose together, various clans stood in great numbers, and countless sects and traditions contended—extremely prosperous.
The Heavenly Dao's aura receded. All rules and order here were created by the founder of this ancient land. Even Eternal Life Dao Lord, the current ruler of the Nine Heavens, would be suppressed and interfered with upon stepping into this place, not daring to show the slightest disrespect or overstep.
In the deepest part of this ancient land, there existed an extraordinarily ancient clan. Its origins were said to trace back to the birth of the Vast Expanse…
There was even a saying that this clan had actually separated and emerged from the Land of Truth and arrived in this realm, thus being acclaimed as the Most Ancient Clan of the Vast Expanse.
The progenitor of this clan had once come into contact with the Land of Truth and, relying solely on his own strength, blocked a world-destroying Epoch Cataclysm that had swept across the myriad heavens of the Vast Expanse.
There were actually many similar legends, but today none of them could be verified, nor could their truth or falsehood be distinguished.
Once, this clan was called the Ancient Clan.
Now, this clan was called the Gu Clan.
Deep within the Gu Clan, sacred islands were countless, immortal mountains and ancient peaks loomed majestically, and endless heaven and earth essence roamed and permeated the surrounding void like soaring true dragons.
After an ordinary person arrived here, nourished by such heaven and earth essence, even without cultivating, they could easily live for thousands or tens of thousands of years.
All kinds of rare immortal herbs, immortality medicines, and imperishable divine trees rarely seen in the outside world were almost everywhere here.
On the cliffs, immortal fungi took root in crevices; purple mist flowed, and rosy clouds intertwined. It was like the Innate primordial lands from the deepest reaches of chaos.
"The Ancestral Shrine just trembled…"
"What is going on?"
Suddenly, an overwhelmingly powerful aura spread, as if awakening from the River of Time, disrupting the myriad ancient heavens.
An old man with graying hair, a stooped and aged figure, dressed in a loose gray robe, awoke from a mountain summit covered in accumulated dust and withered grass.
His eyes were incomparably weathered, as if all worlds had withered and aged behind him, as he sat observing the collapse of the universe and the decay of all ages.