After repelling five Immortals from the Heavenly Illusion Immortal Sect with a single sword strike, Han Yi stood poised in the void, his gaze fixed on Tai Li Mountain below.
The Profound Immortal Tribulation was nearing its end. This was a standard tribulation, unaltered and unmutated, with the Divine Thunder of Law falling within the range tolerable by True Immortals undergoing Tribulation Crossing.
Under the onslaught of the Immortal Tribulation, Pang Wan endured the final trial, plummeting into Tai Li Mountain and carving out a deep crater. Yet from this pit, a profound Dao resonance began to radiate outward.
"He's done it."
"Truly worthy of the Emperor of Great Qian. His strength is remarkable."
A triumphant laugh erupted from the crater, growing louder until it shook heaven and earth, causing Tai Li Mountain to tremble incessantly.
The laughter gradually subsided after ten breaths.
Fifteen minutes later, Pang Wan slowly ascended from the crater. His figure swayed unsteadily, his movements sluggish. Though his aura carried the resonance of a Profound Immortal, it was dangerously weak. In such a vulnerable state, even encountering a True Immortal could prove perilous.
No wonder Dao Protectors were typically required for Profound Immortal Tribulations. The newly ascended Immortal would inevitably be left utterly exhausted, making the Dao Protector a crucial safeguard.
If not for Han Yi, Pang Wan would have undoubtedly sought out Fu Qiong as his Dao Protector. Had that failed, he would have concealed his aura and fled the Profound Heaven Immortal Domain, perhaps even crossing the Luo Tian Immortal Court to reach the lands of the Eastern Sovereign Demon Court, or journeying north beyond the Imperial Court Immortal Court to the Sui Zhu Realm for his Tribulation Crossing.
This was to evade his numerous enemies within the Profound Heaven Immortal Domain.
Having witnessed Han Yi's immense power, Pang Wan knew that even a coordinated assault by his rivals would be no match for him. This conviction was precisely why Pang Wan dared to undertake his Tribulation Crossing on Tai Li Mountain.
As Pang Wan emerged, Han Yi greeted him with a smile. "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Pang, on attaining the Profound Immortal realm! A truly joyous occasion."
Though utterly drained, Pang Wan's face beamed with delight. He clasped his hands in response. "My successful Tribulation Crossing owes entirely to your aid, Fellow Daoist Han. I am deeply indebted to you."
"Should you ever require my assistance in the future, I will answer your call without hesitation."
Pang Wan had sensed the arrival of the Heavenly Illusion Immortal Sect's Immortals earlier. However, with the Immortal Tribulation imminent, his entire focus had been on it. Only momentarily did he glimpse them being swiftly repelled by Han Yi's overwhelming power.
He was well aware of the debt he now owed Han Yi.
Han Yi explained, "When Fellow Daoist Pang was undergoing his Tribulation Crossing, several True Immortals from the Heavenly Illusion Immortal Sect arrived. I've already driven them away."
"Fellow Daoist Pang, your feud with the Heavenly Illusion Immortal Sect is something you must resolve yourself."
A cold glint flashed in Pang Wan's eyes as he nodded. "Of course. My grudge with the Heavenly Illusion Immortal Sect runs deep. One day, I will personally settle this score."
Unwilling to involve himself in Pang Wan's conflict with the Heavenly Illusion Immortal Sect, Han Yi used his Immortal Power to carry Pang Wan as they fled toward Heavenly March Immortal City.
The entire ordeal, including the Tribulation Crossing, had only taken a few hours—remarkably swift. Their return to Heavenly March Immortal City was uneventful, and upon their arrival, the city appeared normal, both inside and out.
After entering the city, Han Yi set Pang Wan down. Pang Wan thanked Han Yi before retreating to his palace. He needed time to stabilize his cultivation realm, a process that would take about a year before he could begin to recover from the post-tribulation weakness and tentatively wield the combat power of a Profound Immortal.
According to Han Yi's agreement with Fu Qiong, once Daoist Tianxuan—another Peak True Immortal currently in secluded cultivation—successfully weathered his Profound Immortal Tribulation and emerged from his recovery period, Heavenly March Immortal City would boast four Profound Immortal-level combatants. At that point, Han Yi could freely decide whether to stay or leave.
Returning to his Immortal Palace, Han Yi pondered the situation. He could sense that the aura within one of the two palaces closest to Fu Qiong's residence was growing increasingly potent, steadily approaching the threshold of a Limit True Immortal.
This palace was none other than Daoist Tianxuan's secluded cultivation chamber, while the adjacent one belonged to Pang Wan.
"It won't be long," Han Yi mused. "Judging by the aura, Daoist Tianxuan will likely draw down the Profound Immortal Tribulation within three months at the earliest, or no more than six years at the latest."
"Once he overcomes the Profound Immortal Tribulation, I'll return north."
The Big Dipper Immortal Palace had invited him here to fulfill a specific agreement. Once that was done, Han Yi had no intention of lingering. While he was willing to lend his strength, he couldn't remain permanently; his true homes lay with the Sui Zhu Immortal Court and the Profound Pill Immortal Sect.
Yet, in the third year of his cultivation, Han Yi suddenly sensed a terrifying aura erupting from the nearby Big Dipper Council Hall.
The aura was chaotic and multifaceted, dominated by Fu Qiong's power, followed by that of Pang Wan, who had recently weathered his own Profound Immortal Tribulation. Li Changsheng and Daoist Tianwu were also present within the hall.
The aura surged violently, but it carried no intent of destruction. Instead, it seemed to erupt unconsciously, driven by shock and even terror.
This complex burst of aura persisted for a full three breaths before gradually subsiding.
Han Yi's heart sank. He knew something serious had happened. After a moment's thought, he left his palace and headed toward the council hall.
Since arriving at Heavenly March Immortal City, Han Yi had intervened several times, each time to repel incursions by Sacrificial Daoists or Profound Immortals. He typically had little interest in the Big Dipper Immortal Palace's daily affairs and had declined Palace Master Fuqiong's invitations to attend council meetings.
This reluctance stemmed partly from a desire to avoid suspicion. As the most powerful immortal in the palace, his presence at council meetings might make the original Big Dipper Immortal Palace leadership uneasy, perhaps fearing he would seize power.
By staying aloof and only acting against Sacrificial Daoists or when Pang Wan requested his aid as a Dao Protector, Han Yi had managed to avoid getting too entangled in the palace's internal affairs.
But this time, something truly extraordinary must have occurred. For Fuqiong, a Peak Profound Immortal, to lose control over his aura was exceedingly rare.
As Han Yi entered the Big Dipper Council Hall, the grim expressions of the assembled immortals confirmed his worst fears.
Over a hundred immortals were present, including the three Profound Immortals—Fu Qiong, Ming Su, and Pang Wan—twenty-seven True Immortals, and the rest Demigods.
Apart from Daoist Tianxuan, who was in secluded cultivation to break through, the True Immortals on duty in the Immortal Cities, and a dozen Demigods, this gathering represented nearly the entire core leadership of the Big Dipper Immortal Palace.
Yet every immortal present, even Profound Immortal Fu Qiong, wore an expression of profound dismay.
"What has happened?" Han Yi asked, his voice low and serious.
Fu Qiong's face softened slightly at Han Yi's arrival, though his demeanor remained grave. He used his Immortal Power to send a spirit jade slip to Han Yi. Understanding immediately, Han Yi infused the slip with his own Immortal Power. Multiple messages materialized within the slip, flowing into his mind.
The moment Han Yi processed the information, his entire body shuddered. His pupils contracted violently, and horror involuntarily seized his face.
"This...?"
"How... how is this possible?"
Fu Qiong nodded heavily, his voice hoarse with emotional strain. "It is as you see."
Han Yishen took a deep breath, slowly calming his turbulent emotions.
No wonder the Immortals of the Big Dipper Immortal Palace couldn't restrain their fluctuating auras. The news from the front lines was truly shocking.
The first report was that Doumu Primordial Sovereign, the master of the Doumu Primordial Palace, had fallen in battle against Sacrificial Daoists on the front lines three years prior, around the same time Pang Wan underwent his Tribulation Crossing.
The second report was that Qingxuan Immortal Venerable, despite not being a Sacrificial Daoist, had announced the Azure Profound Dao Field's allegiance to the Blazing Flame Dao Court a year ago.
The third report was that the Luo Tian Immortal Court had ordered the recall of all Immortals from the Profound Heaven Immortal Domain, the evacuation of all Immortal Cities, and the surrender of the entire domain to the Blazing Flame Dao Court.
This third report had arrived six months ago. Around that time, rumors spread that the aura of the Luo Tian Dao Ancestor had briefly manifested aboard the Grave-Crossing Dao Vessel before vanishing again. Shortly after, the Immortal Court issued its decree to withdraw from the Immortal Domain and recall all Immortals.
These three reports had completely reshaped the geopolitical landscape of the southern and central Great Luo Immortal Realm, plunging the future of Great Luo into greater uncertainty.
But Han Yishen's thoughts raced further.
"Even if the Luo Tian Dao Ancestor was truly defeated by the Sacrificial Daoists hidden within the Blazing Flame Dao Court, what about the other Dao Ancestors in the Immortal Realm? Dao Ancestor Huangting, Lingxiao, the Imperial Court, Donghuang, and the Supreme Unity Dao Ancestor—why would they so readily cede such a strategically vital Immortal Domain?"
"Unless... unless the Sacrificial Daoist of the Blazing Flame Dao Court far surpasses ordinary Dao Ancestors, perhaps even reaching the cultivation of a Heavenly Venerable. But if they were a Heavenly Venerable, why would they need to be so secretive?"
"I can't figure it out," Fu Qiong muttered. "It simply doesn't make sense."
"Qingxuan Immortal Venerable's decision to join the Blazing Flame Dao Court must be related to the Sacrificial Daoist's purpose. And the Daoist's primary action after descending was to oversee the massive construction of the Grave-Crossing Dao Vessel—that mysterious ship capable of traversing two Immortal Domains. That vessel must be the key to their objectives."
"As for Doumu Primordial Sovereign's demise, that's the most direct cause of alarm among the Beidou Immortals. After all, the Big Dipper Immortal Palace is subordinate to the Doumu Primordial Palace. With their Palace Master's death, the immortals of the Big Dipper Immortal Palace would naturally be terrified."
Han Yi turned to Fu Qiong, but before he could speak, Fu Qiong said, "The Immortal Court has issued an edict ordering all immortals of the Big Dipper Immortal Palace in Heavenly March Immortal City to relocate within a month."
"This must be an agreement between the Immortal Court and the Dao Court. During this period, no more Sacrificial Daoists should arrive."
"Han Yi, if you have urgent matters, you may depart immediately."
Fu Qiong wasn't trying to dismiss Han Yi. Rather, the situation in the central and southern Immortal Realm was so unpredictable that returning to the ancient Immortal Court in the north as soon as possible would be the best course of action for him.
Han Yi pondered for a moment, then shook his head slightly. "It's fine. I'll escort you back to the Luo Tian Immortal Court before departing."
He believed in seeing things through to the end. At this critical juncture, Han Yi didn't want any unexpected setbacks and decided to lend the Big Dipper Immortal Palace one last hand.
Fu Qiong's eyes filled with gratitude as he bowed solemnly to Han Yi. Turning to the other True Immortal Vice Palace Masters and the numerous Demigods, he took a deep breath and straightened his expression.
"Fellow immortals," he declared, "though our Palace Master has fallen, the indomitable spirit of the Doumu Primordial Palace has been deeply ingrained within our Big Dipper Immortal Palace."
"No matter the time, no matter the place, we must never yield. We must steel our resolve and persevere!"
"Now, let us arrange for the evacuation of Heavenly March Immortal City. With our combined efforts, we will overcome this calamity."
This time, Han Yi remained to observe from the sidelines, gaining a basic understanding of the Big Dipper Immortal Palace's internal organizational structure.
Three days later, the Heavenly March Immortal City officially began its relocation. Though massive, the city's transport proved manageable. The Big Dipper Immortal Palace alone had dozens of True Immortals, and several Immortal Sects and Cultivation Clans within the city also possessed True Immortals. With the combined might of these immortals, moving the city was merely laborious, not impossible.
After leaving Heavenly March Immortal City, Fu Qiong led the assembled immortals eastward along the predetermined Immortal Path. Following a journey of over half a month, they departed the Profound Heaven Immortal Domain and entered the Ten Thousand Blessings Immortal Domain.
Afterward, in Thousand Stars Immortal City within the Ten Thousand Blessings Immortal Domain, Fu Qiong arranged for the resettlement of the cultivators, sects, and aristocratic families who had relocated from Heavenly March Immortal City.
With this, the brief city relocation journey came to an end.
It was time for Han Yi to depart.
He bid farewell to Big Dipper Hall Master Fu Qiong (a Profound Immortal), Vice Hall Master Pang Wan, Li Changsheng, Steward Dong Chang, and the other immortals. Then, he left Thousand Stars Immortal City and journeyed north, crossing the Imperial Court Immortal Court before returning to the Age Candle Immortal Court.
Upon arriving at the Sui Zhu Immortal Court, Han Yi inquired extensively about the recent upheaval in the south. However, the information he gathered was only marginally more detailed than what he had learned in Heavenly March Immortal City.
News of the events along the borders of the Azure Profound Immortal Domain, Brilliant Flame, and Luo Tian had shaken the Sui Zhu Immortal Assembly. Rumor had it that several Immortal Monarchs had jointly sought an audience with the Dao Ancestor, only to emerge with solemn expressions, maintaining a profound silence on the matter, never mentioning it again.
The implications of this news were deeply intriguing, and speculations abounded. Han Yi listened to several theories, but without concrete evidence, relying solely on speculation could easily lead to misconceptions. He decided to temporarily set aside all assumptions and await further developments.
While gathering information about the southern regions of the Immortal Realm, Han Yi noticed scattered reports.
The most concerning was the complete lack of news from the Extraterritorial Battlefield since the Great Expedition to the Wisdom Realm. It was as if the Wisdom Clan and their subordinate races had vanished without a trace, sparking localized discussions within the Immortal Court.
However, Han Yi knew the truth: the battlefield had shifted, moving first from the Extraterritorial Battlefield to the World Barrier, and finally into the depths of Chaos.
Afterward, Han Yi returned to his Primal Art Dao Field's Immortal Pavilion to resume his cultivation.
For the next thirty years, the entire Immortal Realm experienced an unexpected period of stability. Whether in the Extraterritorial Battlefield, Luo Tian, the Imperial Court, Brilliant Flame, or Azure Profound, all regions remained at peace, untouched by even a ripple of conflict.
Thirty years later.
At the Sui Zhu Immortal Court, atop the Ninth Layer Immortal Pavilion of the Primal Art Dao Field, Han Yi's eyes flashed. A pale crimson panel cascaded down like a waterfall:
Name: Han Yi
Lifespan: 632/129,600
Immortal Technique: Great Unrestrained Cosmic Light Profound Scripture (Profound Immortal Chapter 56/100)
Life Seed Units: 1,389
Cultivation Realm: Profound Immortal
Skills:
- Sword Flight (Fifth-Rank Immortal Art 1/100)
Thought Realm (Third-Tier Immortal Art 46/100)
Shape Transformation (Second-Tier Immortal Art 97/100)
Chaotic Stars (Second-Tier Immortal Art 48/100)
Primordial Cosmos (Second-Tier Immortal Art 53/100)
Four Origins Dao Technique (Black Tortoise)
Ten Thousand Realms Destiny Unification Divine Canon (Primordial Realm 86/100)
Great Freedom Cosmic Light Sword Canon (Overturning Sea, Dawn-Breaking, Heavenburning, Twilight, Eternal Night)
Sword Realm (Third-Tier Immortal Art 78/100)
Ancient Flame Moon God's Nine Transformations (Primordial Realm 99/100)
Over the past thirty years, the Panel had undergone two significant changes.
First, his Sword Control Immortal Art—his most formidable technique, the one he relied upon to slay peak Profound Immortals—had broken through from Fourth-Rank to Fifth-Rank.
Second, his Life Seeds had been drastically depleted. Combining the years before his seclusion with the past four decades, Han Yi's Life Seeds had plummeted from over thirty thousand to just over one thousand—a frenzied consumption.
These remaining thousand-plus Life Seeds were his emergency reserve.
As for his other Immortal Arts, apart from Thought Realm and Sword Realm, his most frequently used and impactful techniques, which had advanced to Third-Tier, the rest remained at Second-Tier.
Observing the Panel's evolution, Han Yi withdrew the silver light from his fingertip. The radiance condensed into a fragment of the Heavenly Demon Halberd, which he grasped tightly in his hand, his heart stirring with anticipation.
"Fifth-Rank."
"Finally, Fifth-Rank."
"Fifth-Tier Sword Control Immortal Art has completely transcended to a new level."
"Now, I might even stand a chance against an ordinary Golden Immortal."
"However, while my other skills and Immortal Arts have also progressed decently during this half-sexagenary cycle, compared to Fifth-Rank Sword Control, they're clearly lagging behind."