Chapter 310: Hongmen Banquet
When Shen Daoxing returned to the surface, he found Elder Mu and Xin waiting for him outside.
"Big brother, you’re finally out!"
Seeing Shen Daoxing, Xin ran over joyfully.
"Young Master Shen."
Elder Mu approached, offered a soft greeting, and sized up Shen Daoxing carefully before breaking into a laugh. "Young Master Shen, if this old man remembers correctly, you were only at the first layer of the Spirit Transformation Realm when you entered Tianze. Now, after just a few short days, you’re already at the ninth layer of the Spirit Transformation Realm. With such a terrifying cultivation speed, it’s no wonder the Celestial Profound Sacred Land is so wary of you."
Elder Mu couldn’t help but throw his head back and laugh heartily.
"I had a few fortunate encounters," Shen Daoxing explained with a faint smile.
To be honest, even Shen Daoxing himself hadn’t expected his cultivation to advance so quickly. After all, even with enough Spirit Stones laid out before him, it would have taken a considerable amount of time to refine them and reach the Ninth Layer.
But this Creation Pill was the product of Xu Hong spending ten years refining an entire Celestial Essence Mine, extracting its very essence. It was originally meant to break through the shackles of the ninth layer of the Earth Profound Realm.
In truth, it had still taken a very long time.
On the summit of Ancestor Mountain, atop a massive boulder, He Qian and He Yu stood, watching Shen Daoxing’s departing figure from afar.
He Yu turned his head and couldn’t help but ask, "We waited all night for him, but now that he’s out, you’re just leaving quietly? Are you really not going to see him?"
Gazing at Shen Daoxing’s back, He Qian slowly shook her head. "He is destined to be a man of a different world, and I can never leave Tianze. Why meet again only to add to the sorrow?"
He Yu nodded and looked back toward Shen Daoxing. "But he really is different. Different from all those other people from the outside world."
At the foot of Ancestor Mountain, Shen Daoxing walked along, glancing up at the magnificent Tianze imperial palace in the distance. But he didn’t hesitate, turning to walk away from Tianze.
Beside him, Elder Mu glanced back at the palace. "Young Master Shen, you seem to be on good terms with them. Are you really not going to say goodbye before you leave? I saw the princess of Tianze waiting for you outside all night. I’m just not sure why she suddenly left right when you came out."
Shen Daoxing faltered for a moment but didn’t stop walking, simply shaking his head.
But just then, an old eunuch suddenly appeared before the three of them.
"Young Master Yang, our Old Ancestor has invited you."
The old eunuch stepped forward and spoke slowly.
"Who is this Old Ancestor of Tianze?"
Shen Daoxing was stunned.
Elder Mu came to Shen Daoxing’s side and explained, "Young Master Shen, it’s said that besides the Tianze Emperor, who is a master at the ninth layer of the Earth Profound Realm, there is one other: the grandfather of the current emperor. He is supposedly over two hundred years old. Because his lifespan is nearly at its end and he’s been unable to achieve a breakthrough, he has been in a deep slumber."
Countless Practitioners roam the East Continent. Many pursue power, but even more pursue long life.
However, one does not simply gain a lifespan beyond that of a normal person just by stepping onto the path of cultivation.
Before the Earth Profound Realm, a Practitioner’s lifespan is no different from an ordinary person’s. Only by entering the Earth Profound Realm can one break the shackles of fate and obtain a lifespan that surpasses the mundane.
That is why many say that entering the Earth Profound Realm is the true beginning of cultivation. All those beneath the Earth Profound Realm are nothing but ants, mere Martial Artists.
However, even upon reaching the Earth Profound Realm, one’s lifespan is not infinite—it’s merely over two hundred years. If one still cannot achieve a breakthrough when their time is up, they will die all the same.
And such was the case for this Old Ancestor of Tianze. His lifespan was ending, yet there was still no hope of a breakthrough. His only option was to use a Secret Technique to remain in a deep slumber, hoping for some twist of fate or opportunity in the future.
"Young Master Yang, you are the great hero who saved our Tianze. If you leave so quietly, both His Majesty and the Old Ancestor will be displeased."
The old eunuch said earnestly.
Seeing that the old eunuch would not clear the path, Shen Daoxing hesitated for a moment before nodding.
"Young Master Yang, please follow me."
The old eunuch gave a faint smile and then walked ahead to lead the three of them.
Following the old eunuch, Shen Daoxing returned to the Tianze imperial palace.
Passing through one grand hall after another and walking down long corridors, Shen Daoxing saw a magnificent palace of jade pavilions and exquisite towers.
The old eunuch pushed open the doors, revealing a spacious grand hall before Shen Daoxing’s eyes.
At this moment, rows of low tables were already set up inside the hall, laden with fine delicacies and imperial wine. The ministers of Tianze were seated at them.
And on the main seat of the hall sat a man ancient and wizened. His body was so frail and emaciated that he looked like nothing but skin and bones, as if a gust of wind could topple him over.
The old man appeared ordinary, but his status was exceedingly high; even the Tianze Emperor could only sit obediently below him.
’This must be that Old Ancestor of Tianze.’
Upon seeing Shen Daoxing, the Tianze Emperor immediately stood up. With quick steps, he walked to the entrance of the hall. "Yang, you are the great savior of my Tianze! How could you leave without a word? Come, come! Today, Tianze must host a banquet to treat you properly and see you off!"
With that, the Tianze Emperor grabbed Shen Daoxing, pulled him inside the hall, and led him all the way up to his own table, seating him beside him.
Shen Daoxing turned his head and looked down at the reverent civil and military ministers. As someone who had always been a loner, he suddenly felt a little out of place.
"So, this is Yang Xing? Yang? We truly have you to thank for this crisis in Tianze."
The ancient, wizened old man on the main seat suddenly spoke. As he talked, he lifted a wine cup toward Shen Daoxing with a withered hand. "Hahaha, truly, a hero emerges from the young. To have such strength at such a tender age... Come, let this old man toast you."
The Tianze Old Ancestor chuckled, revealing a kind smile.
Shen Daoxing hurriedly picked up a wine cup and respectfully raised it in a toast. "It was merely a fluke! Just a fluke!"
"Aah..."
The Tianze Old Ancestor quickly waved his hand, smiling kindly. "Yang, no need to be so modest. With your level of strength, even Dugu Sheng—the greatest genius in the history of our East Continent—was likely no more impressive when he executed his Sword Slash against Xu Xiong back in the day."
At this, the Tianze Old Ancestor paused. "However, I’m afraid the name ’Yang Xing’ is not your real name, is it?"
Then, the Tianze Old Ancestor, who had been so kind and amiable just a moment before, suddenly wore a glacial expression. "I am right, aren’t I... Shen Daoxing? The great scourge of our East Continent, the Celestial Slaughter Demon Star!"
The moment these words were spoken, the hall fell silent for an instant before erupting in an uproar.
"Shen Daoxing? The Celestial Slaughter Demon Star that the Celestial Profound Sacred Land has been hunting?"
"The great scourge prophesied by the Celestial Secret Elder? The one who will one day destroy our entire East Continent?"