Within the Daogu Imperial City, in a high tower, the Emperor, adorned in resplendent robes, stood with his back to the window. His hands, hidden behind him, clenched into fists. A shadow of grim displeasure clouded his face as he stared at the distant, dissipating wisps of cerulean smoke on the horizon, a silence stretching for an eternity.

Behind him, an ancient elder dared not even draw a full breath. Though his own heart mirrored the Emperor’s unease, he suppressed it, not daring to betray the slightest tremor of fear.

“I sensed the aura of Soul Blood…” the Emperor finally broke the silence, his eyes hardening with a deadly glint. A suspicion, a sliver of dread, had been festering in his heart for centuries. This conjecture, like a thorn, had lodged itself deep within his soul.

“Those chosen consorts… they must be Soul-Forged soon!” After a long pause, the Emperor’s voice, like the grinding of stones, echoed in the chamber.

“As you command!” The elder immediately prostrated himself, the silken fabric of his robes already damp with chilling sweat. He had witnessed too many souls extinguished for far less, by the whim of this volatile Daogu Emperor.

With a flick of his voluminous sleeves, the Emperor vanished, leaving no trace.

Far to the south of the celestial city, before the grand Daogu Hall, Wang Lin strode forward, undeterred by the wide-eyed astonishment of the Daogu clansmen. He stepped towards the imposing doors, yet did not enter. Instead, he simply dissolved into nothingness before the threshold.

When he reappeared, he stood in a place beyond the mountains, a hidden sanctuary of serene beauty. Beside him, a crystal-clear stream chuckled and gurgled as it tumbled over moss-covered stones, its waters teeming with darting, playful fish.

Nestled by the stream, a humble thatched cottage stood amidst the verdant landscape. A simple stone table and chairs graced its front. Upon one of the chairs sat a youth, clad in robes of jade-green. Though his face bore the freshness of youth, an ancient weariness permeated his very being, hinting at countless ages endured.

He smiled at Wang Lin, a welcoming light in his eyes.

Upon the stone table, a kettle simmered over a charcoal brazier. At the very moment Wang Lin materialized, the water reached a fever pitch, frothing and steaming with anticipation.

“Lin’er, welcome. I have been brewing this water for you, to steep a fragrant tea. Come, share a cup with your master.”

Wang Lin returned the smile, approaching the table and pouring two half-filled cups, one for himself, and one which he offered with both hands to the green-robed man.

The man accepted the cup with a gentle smile, his eyes filled with a loving and familiar gaze.

Wang Lin sat beside him, lifting his own cup to his lips. He closed his eyes as the warm aroma enveloped him, and he tasted the ancient tea. As it flowed through him, a soothing heat spread throughout his body, banishing the chill.

“How does it taste?” the green-robed man asked, amusement dancing in his eyes.

“It tastes of home,” Wang Lin replied, opening his eyes and smiling.

The green-robed man erupted in hearty laughter, a joyous sound that echoed through the idyllic valley. He had waited patiently for his disciple to return, eager to offer him this simple comfort, to show him that here, at last, was a place he could call home.

For the tea warmed not just the body, but the soul, kindling a sense of belonging.

Centuries had passed since their last meeting, yet no barrier stood between them. An easy harmony settled over them. The green-robed man regarded Wang Lin with growing pride and affection.

“When I departed the Immortal Clan, I had little choice. But when I sensed your presence within those lands, I knew that one day, we would reunite. This tea… I began preparing it for you long ago.” The green-robed man was none other than Xuan Luo!

“I have watched over you throughout your time with the Immortal Clan, though I could not reach you. Had I intervened, the Great Celestial Sovereigns would have surely detected my presence…” Xuan Luo explained, his eyes fixed on Wang Lin.

“But I had faith in my only disciple, faith that he would rise above the Immortal Clan and find his way to my Daogu bloodline!”

Wang Lin placed his teacup on the table, meeting Xuan Luo’s gaze.

“This disciple vowed to come here, to protect the Daogu bloodline, Master…”

“White-Haired Leap-Celestial, second only to the Great Celestial Sovereigns… good!” Xuan Luo declared, rising from his chair, a smile playing on his lips.

“Wang Lin, rest for a few days. In three days, I shall take you to places that will greatly enhance your cultivation. Consider it my first gift as your Master!”

With a final, knowing smile, Xuan Luo vanished.

“Wang Lin, this sanctuary is yours!”

Wang Lin rose and bowed towards the heavens, then looked around, his expression a mix of emotions. He stood there for a long moment, until the turmoil in his eyes slowly faded.

“So be it. I shall remain with the Daogu bloodline…” Wang Lin sighed softly, returning to the stone chair and resuming his silent contemplation.

He intended to stay here indefinitely, barring unforeseen events… he would honor his promise to Xuan Luo and safeguard the Daogu bloodline, even though this place still felt foreign.

Three days passed in a blink. Wang Lin reveled in the pristine air, watched the sun rise and set over the tranquil landscape. On the fourth day, he felt Xuan Luo’s summons. Stepping out of the cottage, he moved forward, ripples of space distorted around him, and the idyllic valley faded from view.

He found himself before the Daogu Hall, on a crisp morning with the mountain slopes shrouded in mist. Xuan Luo stood waiting, accompanied by nine others.

Seven men and two women, their auras radiating power, each had attained the coveted title of Daogu after achieving perfection within the twenty-seventh star realm. As Wang Lin appeared, all nine turned their gaze towards him.

Wang Lin met their eyes, his expression calm, his gaze passing over each in turn. One among them, an elderly man, possessed a power that resonated with that of the Leap-Celestial Xiu Shi of the Immortal Clan. The other eight were comparable to Celestial Sovereigns.

As Wang Lin studied them, they, in turn, scrutinized him. But unlike Wang Lin’s composure, each of the nine experienced a jolt of shock upon seeing him.

To their perception, Wang Lin seemed a massive vortex, consuming their gazes and even threatening to pull at their own intrinsic Daogu power.

“We greet the Young Sovereign!” After a moment of stunned silence, the nine bowed in unison before Wang Lin.

“Wang Lin, these nine have served me faithfully for many years. From this day forward, they shall obey your commands,” Xuan Luo announced with a warm smile, watching the nine pay homage to Wang Lin.

“Thank you, Master,” Wang Lin replied calmly.
玄羅’s smile faltered, the words upon his lips arrested as a sudden furrow etched itself upon his brow. He turned his gaze skyward, a sense of unease prickling at his skin. Wang Lin, attuned to the ancient power that thrummed in the air, followed suit, his eyes drawn to the celestial canvas above.

The nine warriors, until now oblivious, finally stirred, their attention caught by the subtle shift in the atmosphere. They looked up, and what unfolded before them stole their breath away.

Ripples materialized in the heavens, expanding like the echoes of a forgotten song. From the heart of these ripples, a violet light bloomed, coalescing into a thick, ethereal haze that shrouded the firmament. A low growl reverberated through the air as a colossal hand, wreathed in the violet mist, punched through the veil. Then, with earth-shaking stride, a giant of a man, hundreds of feet tall, emerged.

Hardly had the dust settled when another figure materialized – a minotaur of similar gargantuan proportions, its eyes glowing with ancient power. In a cascade, nearly a hundred beings poured forth from the violet gateway, each radiating an aura of formidable strength. Though few could claim the title of Celestial Sovereign, almost all were comparable to Golden Immortals, a host comprised of Ancient Gods, Ancient Demons, and Ancient Fiends.

Upon their arrival, the assembled host arranged themselves in perfect order, their gazes fixed upon the violet mist. With a single, synchronized motion, they knelt, their voices booming in a unified roar.

“Hail the Ancient Emperor!” The sound, akin to the bellow of a primordial beast, crashed through the land, shaking the very foundations of the world.

The violet mist churned and roiled, as if stirred by some unseen hand. Then, from within its depths, a figure stepped forth. He was clad in imperial robes, a crown of ancient design adorning his head. His face, though serene, radiated an undeniable majesty. With hands clasped behind his back, he advanced slowly, his every step measured and deliberate.

Trailing behind him were two wizened elders, their forms hunched, their faces masked by years of unwavering service. Wang Lin’s gaze lingered upon these two, a flicker of recognition sparking in his eyes. Their auras, subtle yet potent, bore an uncanny resemblance to that of the Celestial Fleet from the Immortal Realm.

“Hail the Ancient Emperor!” The nine warriors stationed before the Dao Palace, their faces alight with reverence, dropped to one knee as soon as the violet mist appeared. Now, as the Emperor strode into view, their reverence blossomed into ardent devotion.

Only玄羅 and Wang Lin remained standing, their expressions calm and unyielding as they observed the spectacle.

“燁道 pays respects to Venerable玄,” the Emperor spoke, a disarming smile gracing his lips. His regal bearing melted away, replaced by an almost palpable aura of warmth and approachability, a charisma that could charm the most hardened of hearts.

Wang Lin remained silent, studying the Emperor. He knew his identity from the reverent pronouncements of those around him: the Dao Emperor himself!

Comparing him to the Immortal Emperor連道真, Wang Lin found him lacking in both cultivation and presence. However, the Dao Emperor possessed something the Immortal Emperor did not: the genuine, unreserved respect of his subjects, a fact evident in the zealous veneration displayed by 玄羅’s nine warriors.

“His cultivation is merely that of a Celestial Sovereign,” Wang Lin noted, his own composure unruffled. The Dao Emperor’s imperial authority might hold sway over his people, but it held no power over him.

“What brings you here?” 玄羅 asked, his voice even and devoid of inflection.

“Three days past, 燁道 sensed the fragrant smoke rising from this place, a sign that a powerful new figure had emerged within our Dao lineage. Thus, I came to see if it were so. Venerable Xuan, is this individual the one?” The Dao Emperor gestured towards Wang Lin with a gracious nod.

“He is my disciple,” 玄羅 replied evenly. “You have likely heard tell of him: the white-haired Celestial Sovereign of the Immortal Realm, Wang Lin! He will stand in my stead, guarding our Dao lineage when I depart to reincarnate.” 玄羅 cast a knowing glance at the Dao Emperor.

“Wang Lin, this is the Emperor of our Dao lineage!” 玄羅 continued, addressing Wang Lin directly. “He is the one you must protect in the future. If he abdicates his throne, you will choose one of the numerous princes to succeed him as the new Emperor. This is the right afforded to a Grand Celestial Sovereign!”

Wang Lin maintained his outward calm, though his mind raced. This was the first time he had learned that the choice of Emperor rested with the Grand Celestial Sovereign!

“The Emperor’s authority and the Grand Celestial Sovereign’s power have coexisted for countless ages… Perhaps this is the reason! No wonder the Prince of the Ancient Lineage,計都, sought my aid. My power is said to be second only to the Grand Celestial Sovereign. He must have some unknown link that might assist him in getting the Ancient Grand Celestial Sovereign’s favor.”

As Wang Lin pondered, a sharp rebuke echoed from one of the elders standing beside the Emperor.

“Though he is a disciple of the Grand Celestial Sovereign, he is still of the Dao bloodline! According to our ancient laws, all Dao, save for the Grand Celestial Sovereign, must kneel before the Emperor!

You, have you no respect?!” The elder’s eyes blazed with icy fire, his words dripping with venom.