An Opportunity Far Beyond Imagination

Night fell.

Nangong Yifang hurriedly returned to the cloud platform. After sending the message, he paced anxiously in the pavilion. The once lofty Star Lord was now visibly overjoyed, his eyes filled with excitement, constantly rubbing his hands together as he walked back and forth.

Finally, ripples stirred in the void outside the pavilion.

Qing Huan Xiang and Gui Shoutian stepped out steadily. Seeing Nangong Yifang's agitated state, they both wore expressions of suspicion.

"Star Lord, why have you sent such an urgent message again?"

"Have you already settled all your affairs?"

Before they could ask more, Nangong Yifang hurried out of the pavilion and clasped his hands in salute!

"Fellow Daoists, I have dealt with all my worldly matters. I am ready now to accompany you to seek this opportunity. I sincerely hope you will not reject me and will generously take me along!"

"This title of Star Lord, I dare not claim it from now on. If you two do not disdain my lowly cultivation, please address me by my true name..."

His eyes brimming with expectation and his attitude sincere, Nangong Yifang's eagerness was written all over his face.

Qing Huan Xiang and Gui Shoutian, however, were stunned by his words.

They exchanged a quiet glance, their eyes filled with even greater surprise and doubt.

"You've truly given up your position as Star Lord...?"

"This is a destiny bestowed by the higher star officials. Can it just be discarded so casually? And what about the karma with that cultivator? Was it resolved so quickly?"

They knew Nangong Yifang was earnest in his pursuit of the Dao, but they hadn't expected this guy's efficiency to be so high, and his understanding to have progressed so rapidly. He had actually passed the test, and done so with unbelievable speed!

This matter was simply too hard to believe immediately.

Facing their suspicious gazes, Nangong Yifang laughed heartily, then spoke again with a clasped fist.

"Hahaha..."

"You have keen eyes, fellow Daoists. As cultivators seeking the Great Dao, we can abandon everything. A mere position like Lord of Lan Star is nothing more than a chicken rib—what is there to cling to?"

"To be perfectly honest, I have already handed the Star Lord's command token to that cultivator. All karma has been transferred to him, and I have incidentally cast off the shackles of being Star Lord. Now, without any more restraints, I feel utterly light and free!"

"That is why I contacted you two immediately, wishing only to accompany you to this opportunity. I hope you can let bygones be bygones. I would be eternally grateful!"

After this speech.

Qing Huan Xiang and Gui Shoutian were completely dumbfounded.

This guy really is a piece of work...

He actually gave the Star Lord position to that cultivator. Not only did he successfully pass the buck, but he also completely settled the karma with that person. This kind of clever maneuver that kills two birds with one stone is definitely not something just anyone could think of.

Putting aside everything else, just the determination to relinquish the Star Lord position—few on the entire Lan Star could muster it.

But this Nangong Yifang? He didn't even seem to give it a second thought.

With a slap on his backside, he left with carefree abandon, truly disregarding everything, achieving a state of lightness and freedom. His Dao heart was uncommonly firm.

Although the method was a bit unorthodox, it was enough to show this person's single-minded focus.

This test could be considered perfectly passed.

Even Gui Shoutian was startled by this ruthless decisiveness, smacking his lips as he looked at Qing Huan Xiang.

Qing Huan Xiang gave a helpless light laugh and had no choice but to nod in agreement according to their prior arrangement.

"Enough..."

"Since you possess such a heart for seeking the Dao, this old man will certainly not break my promise. However, let me be blunt upfront: if you truly wish to return with us, from now on you will be an ordinary cultivator. You will no longer have the glory and status of a Star Lord. You must act humbly and be loyal to our sect. Everything will have to start from the beginning."

"All the accumulation and honor of most of your life swept away in an instant—are you truly willing?"

Nangong Yifang immediately clasped his fists, his eyes full of solemnity.

"I will certainly conduct myself well and will never fail to live up to the kindness of your guidance!"

Seeing his spirited demeanor, the two old men finally nodded in satisfaction.

Qing Huan Xiang waved his long sleeve, and ripples once again stirred in the void before them.

Watching the two step into it, Nangong Yifang's expression grew even more excited and yearning. He carefully followed them in, his heart racing faster and faster, feeling more nervous and thrilled than when he first entered his sect tens of thousands of years ago.

When they stepped out again.

The three figures stood steadily in mid-air. After flying for a few moments, they then traveled by boat, finally arriving at the outskirts of a strange city.

Just gazing from afar at the forest of towering skyscrapers, Nangong Yifang's eyes widened!

"Hiss..."

"These palaces actually pierce the clouds! I don't know what precious materials they are made from, shining so brilliantly. Truly, it's the work of gods and ghosts!"

His tense exclamations of amazement never ceased. The journey felt like a dream.

After entering the city and walking for a long time, this former Lord of Lan Star felt his horizons vastly broadened.

The roar of a motorcycle whizzed past, startling him so much he stood there dumbstruck!

"Hiss!"

"What kind of mount is this? I can't detect even a trace of a living creature's aura, yet it can speed off towards the horizon like an immortal steed! I have never heard of such a thing existing in this world!"

They had only been walking on the road for a few moments, yet the sound of him sucking in cold air never stopped.

It seemed even the air temperature had risen from all that inhaling. The city at early sunrise actually felt somewhat like a heatwave.

Qing Huan Xiang and Gui Shoutian walked steadily ahead, shaking their heads with helpless smiles.

They weren't laughing at Nangong Yifang—they hadn't been much better themselves back in the day. They just felt it was quite poignant to see a Star Lord of a generation so astounded by everything. Truly, the world was unpredictable.

Just as the three were about to cross the street, Master Lu, leading a group of people, also arrived at the traffic light intersection.

With just one glance.

The old man approaching had an aura so profound it was unfathomable; even divine sense couldn't probe his cultivation level. Nangong Yifang immediately jumped in fright, his hand trembling.

Noticing the group of people behind him, each one also had a terrifying presence.

Nangong Yifang was so scared his face suddenly changed color, and he cried out in a trembling voice!

"This, this..."

He was, after all, a master of the Desolate Realm, a supreme sovereign who once ruled Lan Star. Suddenly seeing a whole group of people stronger than him was simply unbelievable!

Before he could react.

That group of people had already steadily crossed the intersection. They seemed very busy, their figures disappearing from sight like ghosts, using the ability to shrink the earth to inches so fast it was hard to see clearly...

Shocked!

Nangong Yifang was utterly shocked, his legs going weak involuntarily!

Frightened, he quickly turned back, his words stumbling!

"T-t-two sirs, th-th-this!"

"What great personages are these? Their cultivation is so terrifying, I can't even see their backs!"

Qing Huan Xiang smiled without speaking, shaking his head with a look of helplessness.

Gui Shoutian shot him a speechless glance and finally couldn't hold back from lecturing him!

“Look at you, with your provincial air...”

The one leading just now was Master Lu. Isn't it normal for his cultivation to be stronger than yours? As for the subordinates following him, on our Shadow Island, they are a dime a dozen. Who can remember them all?

“Just those not inferior to Master Lu—there are plenty more where that came from on Shadow Island. Don't go around making a fuss over nothing all day. Otherwise, if people find out we brought you here, us two old brothers will have nowhere to hide our faces.”

A dime a dozen?

Plenty more where that came from?!

Beings of that level actually amounted to nothing on Shadow Island? This terrifying strength truly far exceeded imagination!

These few short words.

Completely shocked Nangong Yifang, making his heart surge with emotion. He nodded repeatedly in response!

"Yes, yes, yes..."

After obediently agreeing several times, Nangong Yifang completely put away his former bearing. Now he became extremely humble, like a junior disciple.

Even when stepping across the street intersection again, his movements became several times more cautious!

He followed the two closely, not daring to look around anymore.

Until they entered the city center.

The bustling street stretched before his eyes, a terrifying spectacle of people of all kinds coming and going. Nangong Yifang actually felt a sense of country bumpkin inferiority. Clinging closely to his two fellow Daoists, he only dared to secretly suck in cold breaths!

When a young man in a tracksuit with a shaved head walked towards them, he was so frightened he didn't even dare to breathe heavily.

Terrifying!

Absolutely terrifying!

That seemingly harmless young man with dead-fish eyes had not a single flaw on his person. Not even a wisp of Dao power leaked out. His realm had already surpassed Nangong Yifang's understanding!

As Qing Huan Xiang and Gui Shoutian bowed in greeting.

"Lord Bai."

He also hurriedly nodded and bowed, incomparably humble!

"I... I pay my respects to Lord Bai!"

Long after the dead-fish-eyed young man had left, Nangong Yifang's heart was still filled with lingering fear. He quietly leaned closer to his companions, his tone full of reverence.

"F-fellow Daoists."

"I venture to ask, what kind of existence is that lord?"

Gui Shoutian nodded faintly, a trace of admiration also in his eyes.

"That is one of the Master's personal disciples, one of the few on Shadow Island who can be addressed as 'Lord'. If you see him in the future, you must not show the slightest disrespect."

"Otherwise, even we, who brought you here, cannot guarantee your safety."

Whoosh!

Nangong Yifang was shocked to the core, his eyes filled with awe.

Such a terrifying existence was only a personal disciple!

Good heavens...

He had thought this place was full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers, frightening enough as it was. He never imagined the true depth of its foundation was so horrifying. Calling it a divine land wouldn't be an overstatement. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, it would be hard to imagine such a transcendent, otherworldly, and terrifying power existed in the world!

Nangong Yifang nodded repeatedly, not daring to straighten his body anymore.

After all, this guy had once been a Star Lord, an existence with some level of awareness. Now he roughly understood his own insignificant weight, so there was no need for further worry.

Only then did Gui Shoutian give a slight nod and offer a casual reminder.

"You have arrived at Shadow Island. From now on, you just need to work hard, and naturally, your wishes will come true. First, familiarize yourself with the environment of our Shadow Island, and start from the beginning."

Nangong Yifang immediately clasped his fists in acknowledgment, his attitude ten thousand times more sincere.

"Yes! I will definitely redouble my efforts!"

Qing Huan Xiang shot him a glance, offering pointed advice full of meaning.

"Brother Gui has said all that needs to be said."

"However, for the sake of our many years of friendship, I must still remind you: whether you came here truly seeking the Great Dao or have some other ideas, I advise you to carefully weigh your own capabilities. Think thrice before you act in all matters."

"My words end here. From now on, take good care of yourself."

"Of course, if you really have ideas of stirring up trouble, that's also up to you."

Nangong Yifang had long since seen the situation clearly. How could he dare have any extra ideas?

In this terrifying Shadow Island, he was now truly a worthless piece of trash littering the streets, really nothing at all. That someone of his meager weight was still offered advice by Qing Huan Xiang was already a kindness as weighty as a mountain.

Filled with gratitude, Nangong Yifang looked at them and bowed deeply.

"Thank you for your guidance, Fellow Daoists. I will definitely not fail your kindness in raising me up!"

Seeing the guy respond honestly, his attitude and demeanor greatly changed, the two old men said nothing more. Taking out their fishing rods, they strolled off into the morning sun towards the park where captivating songs and music could be heard.

Nangong Yifang watched their leisurely figures from afar, full of envy and gratitude.

Looking back at the surrounding prosperous buildings, excitement overflowed from his heart onto his face.

Opportunity!

This is an immense opportunity I dared not even dream of!

From now on, I must cultivate diligently, striving to catch up to my two fellow Daoists as soon as possible and attain that carefree, effortless demeanor of a true master.

As he secretly cheered himself on, a call came from the roadside not far away.

"Recruiting! Recruiting!"

"Urgently needed: laborers, skilled workers, bricklaying masters! Excellent benefits!"

Hearing the call, Nangong Yifang looked over. Seeing the terrifying magical artifacts those people wore, especially the attire of the leader sitting calmly behind the table, his eyes couldn't help but grow hot.

Even though he didn't fully understand the deeper meaning of their words, he couldn't resist moving closer!

Taking a deep breath, he bowed towards the leading young man.

"May I ask, Fellow Daoist, what level of cultivation is required to serve here?"

Xiong Zhong heard him and looked him over.

Seeing the newcomer was somewhat unfamiliar but possessed profound cultivation, he couldn't help but reveal a look of pleasant surprise in his eyes.

He sneakily moved closer to his father and excitedly made the introduction!

"Father!"

"A good one has come. I think we can make him a bricklaying master!"

Xiong Fen, seated at the long table, lifted his safety helmet with one hand and focused his gaze as directed.

After just a few glances, he slapped the table authoritatively.

"Hmm, not bad!"

"You seem like a talent. From now on, follow this Captain and work hard. I guarantee you'll live well and prosper on our Shadow Island!"

Hearing this, Nangong Yifang bowed in delight, his whole body filled with drive!

"Thank you, Captain!"

"I will serve diligently and will not fail your kindness in recognizing my worth, Captain!"