Chapter 195: Reuniting with Gu Daoshi
Upon learning that they would be entering the Azure Heaven Secret Realm, Luo Qianxue and the others rushed into emergency Seclusion.
They knew the Azure Heaven Secret Realm was a top-tier secret realm, and virtually everyone who entered were prodigies from hegemon-level forces.
If they didn't push themselves harder, their chances of dying inside the Azure Heaven Secret Realm were extremely high.
Lu Xunxian was naturally pleased to see their dedication.
"By the way, does the Vermilion Bird Race have any prodigies entering the Azure Heaven Secret Realm?"
Lu Xunxian turned to Zhu Qingyan, who was following beside him, with some curiosity.
Zhu Qingyan's face lit up with pride. "But of course. As one of the Immortal Realm's Ten Great Races, the Vermilion Bird Race always sends prodigies into the Azure Heaven Secret Realm."
"From what I know, the Ten Great Races collectively hold one thousand entry slots, with each race getting one hundred. The remaining five hundred are divided among the other forces."
"If you want, I can arrange a few from our race's quota for you."
Were it not for Lu Xunxian, the Vermilion Bird Race probably wouldn't have survived much longer.
Let alone preparing a few slots for Lu Xunxian — even surrendering all of their race's Azure Heaven Secret Realm entry qualifications to him wouldn't be excessive.
Lu Xunxian gave it a brief thought and didn't refuse, nodding in agreement.
"Much appreciated."
"Do we really need to be so formal? I'll go arrange it right now."
Zhu Qingyan closed her eyes and contacted the Patriarchs of her race.
Before long, she opened her eyes again.
"It's done."
Things went exactly as Zhu Qingyan had anticipated. The moment those old fogies in the race learned the slots were for Lu Xunxian, they agreed without a second word.
The Vermilion Bird Race always repaid their debts of gratitude, let alone to the great benefactor who had saved their entire race.
Lu Xunxian nodded lightly, then turned his attention away from Zhu Qingyan and closed his eyes to rest.
He had been trying to cultivate on his own during this time, hoping to break through to the Late Dao Practitioner Realm.
Unfortunately, the Immortal Realm lacked the Dao Power required for a Dao Practitioner to advance. If he wanted to break through on his own, he would still need to make a trip to the Dao Realm.
Seeing that Lu Xunxian had thanked her and promptly gone off to cultivate on his own, Zhu Qingyan's cheeks puffed up in annoyance, but in the end, she couldn't bring herself to stay angry at him.
In the blink of an eye, two months had passed.
"Senior, it's time to set off, isn't it?"
Ye Wushuang had long been champing at the bit and was the first to approach Lu Xunxian.
Looking over at Lu Xiaoyao, Luo Qianxue, and Fu Qitian, all three were already prepared.
"Then let's go."
"But first, let's swing by the Ancient Wood Sect next door."
Lu Xunxian gazed beyond the boundless expanse of space toward the Ancient Wood Sect, and the instant the thought formed, he brought Lu Xiaoyao and the others to Holy Maiden Peak.
Sensing familiar auras, Lu Qingyun opened her eyes.
"Sister Qianxue, Brother! Father! You're here!"
At the sight of the familiar faces, a surge of excitement welled up inside Lu Qingyun. She rushed forward and threw her arms around Luo Qianxue.
Nearby, Gu Feng had also been waiting for quite some time. When Ye Wushuang arrived, the two immediately struck up a conversation to catch up.
Meanwhile, the Dao Spirit walked up to Lu Xunxian.
"Master."
"Mm, you've done very well."
Seeing that the Dao Spirit had broken through all the way from the Peak True Immortal Realm to the Peak Immortal King Realm, even Lu Xunxian couldn't help but show a hint of surprise.
The Dao Spirit's talent was truly terrifying.
After everyone had exchanged pleasantries, Lu Qingyun approached Lu Xunxian as well.
"Father."
"Mm, you've already done very well. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."
Lu Xunxian smiled, his tone sincere.
"I understand, Father."
Lu Qingyun nodded gently, though from her demeanor, Lu Xunxian could tell the girl hadn't taken his words to heart.
"Alright, since everyone's here, let's go."
"The Azure Heaven Secret Realm is about to open."
Zhu Qingyan looked up toward the Thirty-Second Heaven and urged.
The Azure Heaven Secret Realm was located on the Thirty-Second Heaven.
With a wave of his hand, Lu Xunxian swept everyone up and transported them all to the Thirty-Second Heaven — to the Azure Heaven Secret Realm.
At that very moment, before the Azure Heaven Secret Realm on the Thirty-Second Heaven.
As its opening drew near, the major forces of the Immortal Realm had already arrived with their disciples in tow.
"Why haven't the Clan Chief and the Profound Immortal Senior arrived yet?"
The Vermilion Bird Race's Patriarch furrowed his brow, a note of unease in his voice.
Given the Clan Chief's temperament, she wasn't the type to be late.
But just then, Lu Xunxian finally arrived with Lu Xiaoyao and the others.
"Clan Chief, Profound Immortal Senior."
The Vermilion Bird Race's Immortal Emperor Patriarch hurried over to greet Lu Xunxian and the Clan Chief with utmost respect.
This commotion drew surprised looks from the powerhouses nearby who had been keeping an eye on the Vermilion Bird Race. All of them couldn't help but wonder just who this Lu Xunxian was — the intelligence they had on the Vermilion Bird Race didn't seem to include anyone like him.
Lu Xunxian paid them no mind. At that moment, tremors rippled from the Azure Heaven Secret Realm's entrance, and in the next instant, a powerful suction force erupted from it.
"Go on. Be careful inside the secret realm."
Lu Xunxian offered a word of caution to Lu Xiaoyao and the others, then watched as they entered the Azure Heaven Secret Realm alongside the other prodigies of the Immortal Realm.
The suction force didn't last long. After drawing in all the Immortal Stage disciples, it gradually subsided until the Azure Heaven Secret Realm closed.
Seeing it close, the elders from the surrounding forces all departed one after another.
"Profound Immortal Senior, Clan Chief, I'll take my leave now."
After addressing Lu Xunxian and Zhu Qingyan, the Patriarch set off back to the race's territory.
Even an Immortal Emperor couldn't afford to wait here idly for a hundred years.
Once everyone had left and only Lu Xunxian and Zhu Qingyan remained, they were just about to leave when a figure approached.
"Profound Immortal Senior."
"Fellow Daoist Gu, you've finished your Seclusion?"
The newcomer was none other than Gu Daoshi. He had already finished his Seclusion, having fully refined the insights from his Discourse on the Dao with Lu Xunxian.
Gu Daoshi nodded, then changed the subject.
"Who were those people just now?"
"My children, old friends, and disciples."
Lu Xunxian didn't harbor much wariness toward Gu Daoshi, so he didn't bother hiding anything.
At this, Gu Daoshi wore an expression of sudden realization. His gaze then turned solemn as he looked at Lu Xunxian. After a moment, he cupped his fists and spoke with deep respect.
"Profound Immortal Senior, I beseech you — please teach me how to break through to the Dao Practitioner Realm!"
The moment Gu Daoshi's words fell, Zhu Qingyan beside them was instantly stunned.
She had been by Lu Xunxian's side day and night for so long, yet she'd had no idea that he was the very person who had broken through to the Dao Practitioner Realm that time.
After some deliberation, Lu Xunxian nodded.
"Very well."
For Lu Xunxian, this wasn't some unshakeable secret.
Moreover, Gu Daoshi had shown him goodwill, and he might prove useful down the road.
Teaching him the method to break through to the Dao Practitioner Realm was perfectly acceptable.