One Year

The Xuanhuang Great World had already undergone a profound transformation—one that was earth-shaking, yet imperceptibly gradual.

The spiritual energy between heaven and earth was no longer a flowing mist. It had nearly transformed into warm, jade-like nectar, and every breath brought with it an increase in cultivation.

The laws of the Great Dao had never been clearer. Obstacles that had once been obscure and difficult to comprehend could now often be understood in a flash of inspiration, leading to sudden enlightenment.

For true geniuses, the path of cultivation had become as smooth and natural as eating and drinking.

The cultivation civilization of the entire world had entered a genuine era of explosive growth.

The older generation of powerhouses were breaking through the shackles of lifespan and cultivation realm one after another, while middle-aged cultivators became the pillars of their sects.

The younger generation was even more dazzling, with geniuses rising like bamboo shoots after the spring rain and breaking through realms at an astonishing pace.

In the Eastern Region, a successor who had remained hidden from the world awakened an Ancient Desolate Battle Physique. On the day he emerged, he stirred up waves that soared ten thousand zhang into the sky, becoming unmatched among his peers.

In the Buddhist Kingdom of the Western Region, the reincarnated holy child attained enlightenment in a single day. As he chanted sacred mantras, golden lotuses bloomed across the ground, and his cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds.

In the Snowy Domain of the Northern Plains, the obscure son of a wandering cultivator encountered a Frost Chi in a ten-thousand-year-old ice cavern and was acknowledged as its master. From then on, he soared to prominence.

The Central Continent was even more turbulent, with dragons and tigers converging and geniuses emerging in profusion.

The heir of the Primordial Sword Mound emerged from seclusion with an unnamed ancient sword on his back. His sword qi soared into the heavens, and he defeated every sword cultivator in the same realm.

Meanwhile, the Yaochi Sovereign, Sacred Lord Lingxiao, and the leaders of other top-tier forces had all seized this rising tide and stepped into the Quasi-Emperor Realm in a single stroke.

They looked down upon their respective domains and were regarded by the world as the most dazzling trendsetters of this Golden Age.

It was said throughout the world that the return of the Great Emperor might no longer be a distant possibility.

Yet no one knew that beneath this sweeping tide engulfing the world, a force truly capable of overturning the established order of the ages had already quietly taken shape within the Qingxuan Sect.

Nourished by the Cangyun Secret Realm personally established by Gu Changge and tempered by the purest essence of the world’s origin, the Qingxuan Sect’s rise was nothing short of astonishing—far beyond anything the outside world could imagine.

The five ancestors who had long since withdrawn from worldly affairs and possessed unfathomable foundations, along with the sect master, Xuanyangzi, had quietly crossed the heavenly chasm that had trapped countless heroes throughout the ages.

They had attained the Great Emperor Realm.

Shi Wanshan, Ye Guying, and the other peak masters had also lived up to expectations. In the extreme cultivation environment of the Myriad Tribulations Battlefield, combined with the acceleration of time, they had all risen to the peak of the Quasi-Emperor Realm, with foundations incomparably solid.

All that remained was to temper their realms until they were perfectly rounded and flawless. Then they would be able to summon their Emperor Tribulations and attempt to break through that final barrier.

Xiao Ruobai, Fang Hanyu, Fatty Wang, and the others had also advanced by leaps and bounds, all stepping into the Great Sage Realm.

Ling Xi had advanced even faster, astonishingly reaching the Quasi-Emperor Realm.

As for the true disciples of the various peaks, each of them possessed profound cultivation, with most having reached the Saint King Realm.

The first hundred disciples to enter the Cangyun Secret Realm had likewise all stepped into advanced realms.

The overall strength of the Qingxuan Sect had thus reached an unprecedented height.

Seated atop Purple Bamboo Peak, Gu Changge merely stirred his divine sense, and every change within and beyond the sect became clear to him.

On this day, after finishing his guidance of Xiao Ruobai, Fang Hanyu, Ling Xi, Fatty Wang, and Mo Yu, his gaze inevitably settled on Ling Xi.

At this moment, Ling Xi wore a plain white dress, and the youthful naivety of the past had faded from her cool and beautiful features.

Yet deep within those eyes, clear as a cold pool, there remained a faint anxiety and longing that she could never quite dispel.

Beside her, Fang Hanyu’s gaze also lingered involuntarily for a fleeting moment on her cold profile.

Hidden deep within his eyes was a complicated emotion—perhaps concern, perhaps the loneliness of one who shared her feelings.

But in the next instant, that light vanished, replaced by a frigid intent buried deep within his eyes.

His gaze seemed to pierce through endless voids and fall upon a certain place in the Central Continent.

There lay the Dayan Sacred Land, which had been silent for a long time.

“Soon…”

Fang Hanyu silently repeated the words in his heart, his fingers clenching unconsciously.

Chaotic sword qi surged soundlessly through his body, only to be forcibly suppressed and returned to stillness.

“Once I have completely mastered the origin of the Chaotic Sword Physique and stepped into the Quasi-Emperor Realm, it will be time to settle the grudge against the Dayan Sacred Land.”

Fang Hanyu intended to avenge this hatred with his own hands. He sought to leave nothing to chance and did not wish to trouble the sect.

He had more than enough patience to continue growing.

At Purple Bamboo Peak, he had learned the most important things of all: caution and wisdom.

He would not rush recklessly because of hatred. What he wanted was to completely settle every account while crushing his enemies with absolute superiority.

Gu Changge caught Fang Hanyu’s fleeting killing intent and the restraint that followed, but he did not expose him.

The fledgling eagle’s wings were already fully grown, and its talons had been honed. The map in its heart had long since been drawn.

All he needed to do was quietly await the arrival of that thunderous strike.

His gaze returned to Ling Xi.

The knot in her heart had already become the greatest obstacle on her path of cultivation.

If she could not resolve her longing for her homeland, she might develop inner demons when attempting to break into the Emperor Realm.

Relying on external assistance was ultimately an inferior path. Only a perfectly harmonized state of mind could serve as the foundation for proving one’s Dao.

With this thought, Gu Changge no longer hesitated. He looked toward Ling Xi.

“Ling Xi.”

Hearing his voice, Ling Xi awoke from her daze and hurriedly bowed.

“This disciple is here.”

Gu Changge’s gaze seemed capable of seeing through every disguise and reaching directly into the depths of her soul.

“Your mind is unsettled, and your longing has grown too deep. Such a state of mind hinders your cultivation and is even less suitable as the foundation for proving the Dao.”

Ling Xi’s delicate body trembled slightly, and she lowered her head.

“This disciple knows her mistake.”

“There is no mistake.”

Gu Changge waved a hand lightly and slowly rose to his feet. His robes fluttered without wind, while the aura around him faintly resonated with the entire Xuanhuang Great World.

“Make your preparations.”

“Your master will take you beyond the realm, into the chaos, to seek traces of the Canglan Great World.

“Whether it has fallen into slumber, perished, or been reborn, you must witness it with your own eyes. Only then can you resolve the knot in your heart.”

The moment these words were spoken, Ling Xi abruptly raised her head. For the first time, her face revealed excitement and disbelief that she could no longer suppress.

“Thank you, Master!”

The instant her words fell, Xiao Ruobai stepped forward and spoke in a respectful yet resolute tone.

“Master, may I go with you?”

Fatty Wang immediately crowded forward as well.

“That’s right, that’s right! Master, please take us along too! We can also go and see the place where Senior Sister used to live!”

Gu Changge’s gaze swept over the disciples before him, taking in the concern and curiosity blazing in their eyes.

After pondering for a moment, he slowly spoke in a calm voice.

“Very well. Seeing the worlds beyond this one will also benefit your Dao hearts.”

“Sooner or later, you will have to adapt to the world outside.”

His gaze swept over them once more, and his indifferent tone carried a hint of expectation that was difficult to detect.

“You will all come along.”

“Thank you, Master!”

Xiao Ruobai and the others immediately beamed with delight and bowed in unison.

Ling Xi looked at the senior and junior disciples beside her, and warmth surged through her heart.

Gu Changge nodded slightly and flicked his sleeve.

An invisible ripple spread outward.

“Gather at the summit of Purple Bamboo Peak at this time tomorrow. Go and prepare yourselves properly. Do not slacken your efforts.”

“Yes! This disciple obeys!”