Chapter 178: The Immortal

The Cult Master had not expected the Immortal to truly appear.

He had indeed sensed the Immortal's resurgence earlier, but he never imagined the Immortal would manifest so quickly. This was a complete and joyous surprise.

Overjoyed, the Cult Master introduced himself: "Congratulations, Immortal, on awakening from the annals of history. My name is Xie Bingzhi, and I am the Cult Master of the Immortal Cult. The current era is three hundred thousand years removed from the one you knew. Oh, perhaps you are unfamiliar with the Immortal Cult. We are one of the Four Demonic Cults, and our purpose is to awaken you from your slumber..."

The Immortal listened quietly as the Cult Master rambled on. When the Cult Master finally stopped speaking, the Immortal chuckled twice and slowly said, "My child, calm down. I am already aware of everything you just said."

The Cult Master calmed down, realizing he had overstepped and lost his composure: "The Immortal is omniscient."

The Immortal shook his head. "It's not that exaggerated. Who dares claim omniscience? Even Ying Tian and Qilin cannot be called all-knowing, let alone myself, who has been departed for three hundred thousand years. Seas have turned into mulberry fields, stars have shifted, and the world has changed. Who could have foreseen today's events?"

A golden droplet materialized out of thin air in the Immortal's hand. With a flick of his finger, he sent it into the Cult Master's hand.

The Cult Master could feel the terrifying life force contained within it.

"You were wounded by a formidable enemy; it would take a century to heal. This drop of Immortal Nectar can help you recover your injuries faster."

"This... this is the legendary 'Immortal' Dao Fruit?" The Cult Master's hands trembled. This was his first time experiencing the immense power of an Immortal.

The Immortal smiled kindly. "An Immortal's Dao Fruit does not easily manifest. This is merely a drop of dew from the 'Immortal' Dao Fruit."

The Cult Master immediately consumed it. As soon as the golden liquid entered his mouth, it transformed into a strange energy, filling his entire body, from his limbs to the smallest capillaries.

The Cult Master could distinctly feel his injuries healing at an accelerated rate.

He had heard that an Immortal's Dao Fruit was the fundamental essence of every Immortal, never easily revealed. The Immortal truly lived up to his reputation as a savior of humanity, selfless enough to allow him the privilege of glimpsing a trace of its power.

"I know why you awakened me. The struggle among prodigies, and becoming an Immortal—these are timeless topics..."

The Immortal stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes slightly closed and somewhat cloudy, as if recalling ancient memories. He ultimately let out a long sigh, shook his head, and did not comment further on the past.

He murmured, "Does humanity need me to save them... again?"

The Cult Master quickly said, "Immortal, the Great Ancient Era is upon us once more. Cultivators are awakening everywhere. If war breaks out, only your intervention can save humanity!"

"Very well. Perhaps saving humanity is my destiny. What harm is there in saving them one more time?"

Just as the Cult Master was about to speak, the Immortal interrupted him: "However, I am currently only a soul body, and my Dao Fruit is still incomplete. I can only temporarily reside within this statue, unable to protect you as I did at the end of the ancient era. To restore my peak state, I need a physical body to inhabit."

"Could I be that body?" the Cult Master volunteered.

The Immortal shook his head. "Your body is already fixed, and you took many wrong turns in your cultivation. The damage is extensive and irreversible, making your chances of condensing a Dao Fruit very slim."

"I heard that Yun Zhi of the Dao Inquiring Sect is considered the strongest among the Five Great Immortal Sects. Would her body suffice?" the Cult Master suggested again.

The Immortal shook his head. "Heh, the strongest among the Five Great Immortal Sects? As far as I know, the Five Great Immortal Sects are merely five sects with some foundation in the Central Continent. Leaving aside the four regions of East, West, North, and South, the overall strength of the Five Great Immortal Sects is probably still inferior to the Great Xia Dynasty, which rules the Central Continent."

"In such circumstances, how strong could the 'strongest' of the Five Great Immortal Sects truly be to allow me to become an Immortal again?"

The Cult Master quickly bowed his head in apology.

"There's still some time before the true outbreak of the Great Era's conflict, enough for me to cultivate back to my peak. I need a body that has just begun cultivation. By inhabiting their body, I can return to the Immortal realm. If luck is on my side, I might even surpass Ying Tian, Qilin, and others, becoming the foremost among the Five Ancient Immortals."

"By then, even if I protect humanity, the risk of my demise will be significantly reduced."

"Your wisdom is clear."

"Go and gather all the Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining stage believers. I will personally choose who is worthy of being possessed by me."

"Yes."

"Immortal, I have a question for you."

"My child, ask away."

"Who was it, originally, who refined all the scattered stars into continents?"

Legend had it that the Immortal personally witnessed this grand event that brought the Ancient Era to an end.

The Immortal closed his eyes and shook his head. "Your cultivation is too low. This is not something you should know."

The Cult Master was somewhat disheartened but admitted that he was indeed far too inferior compared to the Immortal.

Before leaving, the Cult Master hesitated, then asked, "Your name seems... not an ordinary one?"

The Cult Master actually wanted to say that he had simply made up the name "Bu Yaolian" (meaning "shameless") because he couldn't think of anything else, and he wondered why an Immortal would have such a peculiar name.

The Immortal's face darkened, and he remained silent.

Realizing his question was inappropriate, the Cult Master bowed and left.

After leaving the secret chamber, the Cult Master immediately summoned the three Vice Cult Masters and the elders. However, only Vice Cult Master Jin appeared. Upon inquiry, he learned that Vice Cult Masters Liu and Gao had gone to the Dao Inquiring Sect with Immortal Treasures, essentially throwing their lives away.

"They're throwing their lives away just to seize power?!" The Cult Master gnashed his teeth. He could guess the two fools' intentions: nothing more than wanting to make a name for themselves at the Dao Inquiring Sect to contend for the Cult Master position.

"But of all places, why the Dao Inquiring Sect? You might enter alive, but will you leave alive?"

"How long has it been since the Five Elements Sect's visit to the Dao Inquiring Sect concluded?"

"Just half a day. There's been no reply yet."

The Cult Master took a deep breath. "No need to wait for news. They've definitely been captured by the Dao Inquiring Sect. It's possible the Dao Inquiring Sect already knows the location of our headquarters!"

"There's only one course of action left."

"Surrender?"

The Cult Master was furious. "Surrender my ass! Have you ever seen a demonic cult surrender to the righteous path?!"

"So, we'd be making history?"

The Cult Master suppressed the urge to strangle the elder and said, "Quickly, relocate! Head to backup stronghold number five!"

"Oh."

To prevent high-ranking members from being captured and revealing the locations of the headquarters and backup strongholds, the Cult Master had ensured that each Vice Cult Master only knew the location of one stronghold.

For example, Vice Cult Master Liu knew about backup stronghold number three, and Vice Cult Master Gao knew about backup stronghold number four.

In just two short months, they would have to move from their second stronghold to their third, all because of the Dao Inquiring Sect.

The Immortal Cult moved swiftly, quickly packing their belongings and heading to backup stronghold number five.

The Cult Master poked his head into the secret chamber. "Immortal, shall I carry you, or will you walk yourself?"

The Immortal: "..."

What was this feeling of constant precarity?

(End of Chapter)