Lord Daoyi, Celestial Venerable of the Great Dao, snorted, his immortal mind easily discerning the veiled intent in Wu Feng’s words. Yet, to withdraw his offer now stung with regret.

*”Too early…”* he thought. *”I should have waited, allowed the others to reveal their incentives. Then, I could have judged accordingly. The only reason I rushed here was the belief that I was first to offer a boon to Wang Lin. I thought I knew what he desired, and that a preemptive strike would secure him.”*

But Wu Feng’s unexpected pronouncements had thrown his strategy into disarray.

“The matter is not yet concluded! I have one final gift to bestow!” Determination flared in Daoyi’s eyes. His right hand clenched into a fist, causing his robes to ripple momentarily before falling still. Slowly, he unfurled his fingers, revealing a shimmering crystal, swirling with a kaleidoscope of colours. It hovered gently in the air.

“Wang Lin,” Daoyi proclaimed, “This is a fragment of my very Dao-essence. Should you merge it within your spirit, know this: your death would wound me, yet my undoing shall not harm you. It is a one-sided bond, favouring you alone.”

“With it, who dares to lay a hand upon you? They would be answering to me, Daoyi!” Inwardly, Daoyi writhed. This was his final, ultimate offering. He had hoped to avoid revealing it, but Wu Feng’s words had forced his hand, compelling him to reveal his most valuable treasure.

At the sight of the crystal, Wu Feng’s expression turned grave. He glanced at Daoyi, then back to Wang Lin.

“Celestial Venerable, few would offer such a Dao-crystal. It would certainly safeguard you. Yet, I urge you to tarry, and hear what Lord Jiudi, Celestial Venerable of the Eternal Age, has to say.”

“Wu Feng!” Daoyi thundered. “Do you despair of recruiting him, and thus feign benevolence, hoping to curry favour?”

“And if I do?” Wu Feng replied with a disarming smile. Indeed, this was his intent. He reasoned that should Wang Lin choose to follow him, he would be treated with utmost respect. And even if he declined, this act of goodwill might foster a beneficial connection. A double-edged advantage, offering benefits either way.

“I wonder what paltry trinket *you*, Wu Feng, could possibly offer!” Daoyi spat, frustration laced in his voice. Yet, as their standings were equal, and Wu Feng was set in his course, he could offer little resistance.

“My gifts are not as grand, nor do the Ancient God Realms hold the same wonders as yours,” Wu Feng said calmly, his gaze fixed on Wang Lin. His eyes shone with clarity, radiating sincerity.

“But if you join me, you will not be a mere subordinate. I shall, on behalf of my esteemed master, take you as my own disciple. Though our cultivations differ, our status will be equal! What is mine will be yours. This is my sole, unwavering offer.” Wu Feng gazed at Wang Lin, recognizing his extraordinary potential. He believed Wang Lin had an unmatched likelihood of becoming a Celestial Venerable, a prospect worth such a profound commitment.

Wu Feng’s words stunned Daoyi into silence. Such a promise carried far more weight than any of his treasures.

*”That fool Wu Feng! This youth, though exceptional, has not earned such a sacrifice. My Dao-crystal was already the limit of my Celestial Venerable power! Yet he recklessly gambles, offering such a price to bet on this child’s ascent to become a Celestial Venerable!”*

*”To declare one’s status equal to his own, to accept him as a disciple; had he offered this to Lord Ming Dao back then, even Ming Dao might have been tempted away from the Immortal Emperor, choosing instead to become Wu Feng’s brother! The advantages Wang Lin would gain were immeasurable!”*

Wang Lin inhaled sharply, stunned by Wu Feng’s words. His demeanour was sincere, suggesting his words were not rashly spoken, but carefully considered.

“I speak with truth and sincerity! I swear this upon the very blood that flows within my veins!” Wu Feng declared, each word resonating with conviction.

“Has Wu Feng gone mad?!” Daoyi muttered, his face darkening with disbelief.

Wang Lin, conflicted, looked at Wu Feng, his silence growing heavier. Were he truly to remain within the Immortal Clan for the long term, Wu Feng’s offer would be the most advantageous path. But…

“Lord Wu Feng, I am deeply grateful for your generosity. Allow me to consider this matter further.” Wang Lin sighed inwardly, cupping his fist in salute to Wu Feng.

“Do not fret. Lord Jiudi, Celestial Venerable of the Eternal Age, is the mightiest amongst us. Perhaps he shall offer you an even greater boon.” Wu Feng sighed softly, casting a final, gentle glance at Wang Lin before smiling.

“He arrives.”

Even as Wu Feng spoke, the heavens rippled, and two figures emerged from the shimmering portal: Hai Zi, Celestial Venerable, and her own esteemed master.

“Wang Lin!” Hai Zi exclaimed, her voice filled with delight. She strode forward, standing at Wang Lin’s side.

“You vagabond! To vanish for so long, only to reappear at the Celestial Ascension trials and ascend to the seventeenth level!” Hai Zi gazed at Wang Lin, her happiness unconcealed.

“Luck played a part,” Wang Lin said softly. Hai Zi stood close, a subtle fragrance drifting from her. Wang Lin did not step back. He remembered her words, spoken in his defence when all others had condemned him within the Celestial Ascension trials.

“Enough of that. Do you remember the Emperor’s Mountain I told you about? I wish to visit the autumn leaves, will you come with me?” Hai Zi asked softly, looking directly at Wang Lin.

Wang Lin hesitated, a sigh escaping his lips as he gazed at the beautiful woman before him.

“I will go.”

“But not now?” Hai Zi asked, biting her lip.

Wang Lin remained silent. With his experience and age, he could not mistake the meaning in her words. This beautiful woman might not harbour true love for him, but she was certainly beginning to care for him.

That fondness might eventually blossom into something deeper.

But Wang Lin could not allow things to progress in that direction. He could not let her suffer the same grief and unhappiness that had befallen those women within the Cave World.

Wang Lin’s silence caused Hai Zi to sigh inwardly, but she smiled nonetheless, and playfully struck Wang Lin on the shoulder with her right hand.

“Oh, you. I merely invited you to the Emperor’s Mountain to introduce you to a few female dual-cultivators. Hmph, forget it then, I’ll ask someone else!”

Wang Lin merely offered a wry smile.
“Haizi, cease this foolishness!” From the heavens, Grand Empyrean Jiu Di appeared unchanged, yet his countenance held a solemnity unseen before. The regal authority of a Grand Empyrean was absent, replaced by an almost commonplace gravity.

“Wang Lin, will you accept me as your master?” Jiu Di, a contemporary of the Immortal Ancestor, spoke without arrogance. Even Wu Feng, standing nearby, felt no offense.

“If you agree,” Jiu Di continued, “I vow to you that when the Ancient God Realm opens, I will send you within! I will dedicate myself to assisting you in becoming a Grand Empyrean!” Such a promise was rare among Grand Empyreans, its cost known only to those of their station.

He had once offered this same pledge to Empyrean Underworld, but under what terms from the Immortal Sovereign, the Empyrean chose another path.

“With my aid, your chances of ascending to Grand Empyrean upon the opening of the Ancient God Realm will increase by threefold! Furthermore, as my disciple, even the Immortal Sovereign would dare not strike against you!

Whatever animosity exists between you, I will erase it completely!

Among Grand Empyreans, only the fallen Dong Lin and the Twins could rival me. But the Twins, upon reincarnation, suffered a mishap. Their souls have fractured, reverting to their earliest state, leaving them exceedingly weak.

I am your wisest choice!” Jiu Di concluded, his voice measured.

Wang Lin considered the scene before him. Dao Yi, Wu Feng, and now Jiu Di – each had offered a different path. Dao Yi offered ancient treasures, Wu Feng equality, and Jiu Di security.

If he intended to remain amongst the Immortals, Jiu Di offered the surest path. Even Wu Feng could grant him influence. But Dao Yi was a choice Wang Lin would not make lightly, knowing the history between his master and Dao Yi, and that the Celestial Pearl was obtained by the Seven-Colored Immortal during their struggle.

Yet, choosing Dao Yi would not burden Wang Lin with guilt. His artifacts were tempting, but whether he could protect Wang Lin from the Immortal Sovereign remained uncertain.

‘Jiu Di is the Immortal Clan’s mightiest Grand Empyrean…I must tread carefully in his presence…Yet, his presence in the Central Continent would offer immense protection during my journey!’ Wang Lin mused, clasping his hands in a respectful bow towards Jiu Di, preparing to speak.

But suddenly, Jiu Di’s head snapped upward. Simultaneously, Wu Feng and Dao Yi looked to the skies, their faces grim. Three streaks of light howled through the heavens, descending with blinding speed.

“Little Wang Lin! Ah, it really is you!” A joyous laugh echoed from the approaching lights. From within emerged the Twin Grand Empyreans and the solitary Gu Ya Empyrean.

With a playful skip, the girl named Wawa appeared at Wang Lin’s side, clapping her hands and circling him.

“Little Wang Lin, do you remember me?!” “Little Wang Lin, do you remember him?!” The girl named Hanhan, standing beside Wawa, clutched a cultivator whose face was buried in his hands, before flinging him aside.

Wang Lin stared at the cultivator, who, upon releasing his face, wore a look of utter misery.

“Greedy Wolf…”

“Uh… Fellow Daoist Wang, long time no see…” Greedy Wolf stammered, tears seemingly welling in his eyes.

“Alright, Baldy, Masked Man, and you, you old codger! Begone! Little Wang Lin is ours now!” Wawa declared, hands on hips, striking a pose of mock authority, pointing at each of them in turn.

“Yes! He’s ours! Anyone who disobeys… hmph… I’ll hit you!” Hanhan added, mimicking a threatening gesture.

The sudden shift left Wang Lin bewildered.

Gu Ya Empyrean, with a wry smile, retreated, powerless to interfere with the whims of the two young progenitors.