"I believe it won’t be long before he steps into the Seventh Realm and begins to truly comprehend the essence of the Dao. At this rate, he’ll likely become the fastest person in the history of the Profound Yellow Realm to reach the Eighth Realm."

"You flatter me, Fellow Daoist Xuanhuang."

Chen Wangu smiled.

"Furthermore," the Profound Yellow Elder added, "this Postnatal Demon God at your Direct Disciple’s side has quite a remarkable background. Its potential is boundless, and it may even have a chance to glimpse the Immortal level."

"And yet, your Direct Disciple managed to subdue such a powerful Postnatal Demon God."

"Oh."

Chen Wangu raised an eyebrow. He had noticed the Level 10 Twisted Demon God beside Xu Qing, and after observing it carefully, he couldn’t hide his surprise.

"So it is."

Chen Wangu said.

"Fellow Daoist Xuanhuang."

Chen Wangu took a deep breath and continued, "I came here to take Xu Qing with me. There’s no need for him to continue with your trials."

"Because Xu Qing is my Direct Disciple. He is destined to inherit the position of Sect Leader of Shushan, not your Xuanhuang Guardian City."

"But of course."

The Profound Yellow Elder replied without hesitation, "Xu Qing is your disciple. If you want him to return, that’s fine, of course. You can act now and bring him back."

"However," the Profound Yellow Elder added, "Xu Qing has performed exceptionally well in every trial. He has also improved his Cultivation and Realm through them."

"Therefore, I think it would be best to let Xu Qing continue. That way, he can keep rapidly improving his cultivation and power. What do you think, Fellow Daoist Chen?"

"That won’t be necessary."

Chen Wangu waved his hand. "I have my own way of teaching my disciples. Although your trials are indeed excellent, Fellow Daoist Xuanhuang, I will handle my disciple’s training myself."

"Very well."

The Profound Yellow Elder felt a touch of resignation. "Since that’s your decision, I will say no more."

"Please."

The Profound Yellow Elder stepped aside, making way.

"Mm."

Chen Wangu walked forward, looking down at the entire Xuanhuang Guardian City. With a single thought, he stretched out his right hand, manifesting infinite Sword Qi that condensed into a colossal, sky-blotting hand.

At the same time.

In Xu Qing’s Task Universe.

Within the Skeleton Realm.

VMMMM! VMMMM! VMMMM!!!

Suddenly, the world warped and twisted. Above, in the heavens, infinite mysteries gathered, slowly coalescing into a colossal human face that looked down upon the entire Skeleton Realm.

"Th-this..."

Xu Qing was utterly horrified.

"Master! Be careful!"

The Level 10 Twisted Demon God shot in front of Xu Qing. "A being of immense power is here!!!"

"Master!"

But Xu Qing’s expression was one of shock, because the colossal face looking down upon the entire Skeleton Realm was the spitting image of his master, Chen Wangu.

Xu Qing was utterly astonished, scarcely able to believe his eyes.

"Xu Qing."

Chen Wangu saw Xu Qing, and a smile appeared on his face. "It’s time for you to return."

"Master, you’ve come out of seclusion?"

Xu Qing couldn’t help but ask.

"Mm."

Chen Wangu nodded. "There is no need to continue the trials here. Return with me."

"Yes, Master."

Xu Qing lowered his head and replied respectfully.

"Good."

CLANG!

The next moment, the ring of a sword echoed.

Then, a beam of azure Sword Light tore the entire Skeleton Realm asunder, ripping open a massive rift that formed a swirling portal.

SWOOSH!

Immediately after, Xu Qing took a deep breath and glanced back, discovering that the entire Skeleton Realm had been frozen in time by a supreme power.

"Let’s go."

Xu Qing looked away, turned, and led the Level 10 Twisted Demon God into the black vortex, their figures slowly vanishing.

Xu Qing walked through the darkness of the passage, following a path guided by a light ahead. Only when he had completely exited the vortex did his vision return to normal.

"This is..."

Xu Qing looked around and found that he had arrived outside Xuanhuang Guardian City. Before him stood two figures: the Profound Yellow Elder and his master, Chen Wangu.

"Disciple Xu Qing pays respects to Master!"

Startled, Xu Qing quickly came to his senses and bowed to Chen Wangu with cupped hands.

"Mm."

Chen Wangu nodded, sizing up Xu Qing. With his Realm and Cultivation, Chen Wangu could tell at a glance that Xu Qing had already reached the Second Heaven of the Daoist Venerate Realm.

"This is Elder Xuanhuang."

Chen Wangu said.

"Yes."

Xu Qing nodded, then bowed to the Profound Yellow Elder. "Greetings, Elder Xuanhuang."

"Good."

The Profound Yellow Elder smiled. "Xu Qing, I’ve been watching your performance in the Xuanhuang Guardian City. You are truly worthy of being Fellow Daoist Chen’s Direct Disciple. Very impressive indeed."

"You flatter me, Elder Xuanhuang."

Xu Qing said humbly.

"Let’s go."

Chen Wangu’s expression was calm. "Return to Shu Mountain with me."

"Master."

Xu Qing paused for a moment, then asked, "Don’t we need to stay on the Three Realms Battlefield to face the enemy? What is the current situation there?"

"Our Profound Yellow Realm has been targeted. I fear the situation is grim."

"You don’t need to worry about that."

Chen Wangu’s tone was calm. "I have already taken that step and become a true Immortal. So, on the very day I came out of seclusion..."

"I personally acted, annihilating all enemies on the Three Realms Battlefield and executing nine Dao Level existences."

"Not only that."

"I entered the Dark Forbidden Land for a second time, delved into its depths, and after a hundred years of fierce battle, I slew the Forbidden Land Life known as the Dark Dragon King."

"And with that, the crisis facing the Profound Yellow Realm was resolved."

"Th-this..."

Xu Qing’s eyes widened in utter disbelief. Hearing what Chen Wangu said felt like listening to an impossible tale, as if he were in a dream.

"That’s right," the Profound Yellow Elder added. "I have guarded the Xuanhuang Guardian City, eking out my existence under the protection of the Profound Yellow Realm for a whole Era of Chaos. But I wouldn’t have been able to last through this one. The Chaos Great Tribulation would have inevitably come for me."

"Furthermore, in my current condition, the Chaos Great Tribulation would descend the moment I stepped outside the Xuanhuang Guardian City. I could neither dodge nor avoid it."

"That is why I have never intervened. Only if they invaded the Xuanhuang Guardian City itself could I act without restraint."

"Of course, that came with its own risks. Other Origin Worlds also possess beings at the Immortal Level. If they had chosen to act, I would have been at a severe disadvantage."

"This time, however, your master, Chen Wangu, successfully broke through. He took that final step and achieved Immortal Will, completely upending all their plans. He allowed the Profound Yellow Realm to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Not only did he slay all our powerful foes, but the standing of our entire world was even elevated by a small degree."

"And all of this was brought about by your master, Chen Wangu."

"You could say that across countless Eras of Chaos, your master is the most talented, most powerful, and has obtained the most Creation of anyone in the Profound Yellow Realm. Even I am not his equal."

"I never knew you were so powerful, Master," Xu Qing said in awe.

"Let’s go."

SWISH! SWISH!

Chen Wangu didn’t say anything more. With a wave of his right hand, he took Xu Qing and left the Three Realms Battlefield. In the blink of an eye, they had returned to the Profound Yellow Realm.

And when Xu Qing came to his senses, he found himself already back on Shu Mountain.

"Xu Qing," Chen Wangu said, his voice suddenly grave, "I will give you one thousand years. After a millennium, I will abdicate and pass the position of Sect Leader of Shushan to you. However, if you fail to reach the Eighth Realm within that time, you will no longer be my disciple."