Ling Xi Takes a Disciple

For these seven days, she traveled across the mountains and rivers of her homeland. Though she appeared to be at leisure, she was in truth measuring the passage of time with her footsteps and soothing the ravines between her past and present lives with her spirit.

She had personally witnessed that the world she had once protected remained full of vitality, its legacy unbroken.

She had heard with her own ears that her legend had become part of this realm’s bloodline, inspiring generations to come.

The subtle sense of estrangement born from reincarnation and rebirth, that faint distance between herself and her homeland, had quietly vanished over the course of those seven days.

More importantly, she had seen that Ye Lingxiao was now capable of standing on his own. She had seen the vitality and promise of Canglan Realm’s younger generation.

The obsession and concern buried deep within her soul—the devotion of the Devouring Heaven Dao Emperor to protecting this realm—could finally be laid to rest.

With no lingering attachments, her Dao Heart was clear and unobstructed.

The foundations accumulated in her previous life and the solid groundwork she had established in this life had finally fused together completely.

Her cultivation had long since reached its critical point. The only thing she had been lacking was that final perfection of the heart.

Now, everything had fallen naturally into place.

Ling Xi met Gu Changge’s gaze and spoke clearly. “My homeland remains, and its legacy continues in good order. My heart is at peace.

“The Dao Fruit of my previous life has fully merged with the foundation of this life. Only one final step remains: to provoke the Emperor Tribulation and return to the Emperor Realm.”

Yet a hint of imperceptible gloom and worry immediately flickered through her eyes.

The laws of this realm seemed capable of supporting only a single Great Emperor.

Little Ye had already attained the Dao here. If I provoke the Emperor Tribulation in this place, the heavens and earth may change, causing the backlash to strike me—or even implicating the entire realm.

This meant that after finally returning, she might soon have to leave once more.

Moreover, once she departed, Canglan Realm would have only Ye Lingxiao, a single Great Emperor, to hold the fort. What if the Hundred Immortals Alliance attacked again...?

Gu Changge watched the reluctance and concern in Ling Xi’s eyes. His expression remained as calm as still water, as though he had already seen through everything.

He spoke in an indifferent tone. His voice was not loud, yet it carried a power that could soothe every disturbance.

“Do not worry.”

His gaze seemed capable of piercing through the void and seeing the unseen threads of karma.

“When I erased those extraterrestrial immortals, I searched their souls.”

As soon as these words were spoken, Ling Xi, Ye Lingxiao, and even Xiao Ruobai and the others standing nearby were instantly invigorated. They focused intently on his words.

The information their master had obtained through soul-searching was of vital importance!

Gu Changge continued, “Those who came this time were merely an ordinary squad under the Hundred Immortals Alliance, acting under orders.

“Within their alliance, plundering lower realms is as commonplace as shepherds harvesting their flocks.”

He paused briefly before revealing the most crucial information.

“There are generally two methods of plundering a world’s origin.”

“The first is to extract it by force. Though fast, it is no different from draining a pond to catch its fish.

“This method is violent. Not only does it provoke fierce resistance from the world’s will, but a large amount of the origin will also scatter and be lost during the extraction process. Less than half remains. It is truly wasteful.”

“The second is to establish a great formation and draw upon it slowly. This allows one to reap a steady harvest over time, causing the world to gradually wither away without ever realizing what is happening.

“The method they are using this time is the latter.”

“This formation is exceptionally profound, and several years of work are required before it can be completed.

“Furthermore, the chaos is vast and the distance immense. Ordinary soul lamps can only sense things vaguely. In the short term, the Hundred Immortals Alliance will have difficulty detecting anything unusual here.”

His gaze swept over Ling Xi.

“Your foremost task now is to cultivate diligently and increase your strength. When the storm truly arrives, you must possess the power to protect this realm.”

Gu Changge’s words were like a stabilizing pillar, instantly dispelling the greatest worry in Ling Xi’s heart.

They were safe in the short term!

Not only did she have enough time to travel to the Xuanhuang Grand World and undergo the tribulation to return to the Emperor Realm, but Canglan Realm had also gained precious time to recover and develop.

Brilliant, resolute light erupted in Ling Xi’s eyes. She exchanged a glance with Ye Lingxiao, and both of them saw the determination in each other’s eyes.

She bowed deeply to Gu Changge. “This disciple understands! I will not fail your expectations, Master. I will return as soon as possible!”

At that moment, the sorrow of parting in her heart had been replaced by soaring battle intent.

She had to become stronger as quickly as possible if she wanted to protect this homeland!

Xiao Ruobai also stepped forward. With the spirit of youth and the decisiveness of a drawn blade, he said, “Junior Sister, you have us as well! We will settle the Hundred Immortals Alliance’s debt together!”

Gu Changge’s gaze slowly descended. He first looked at Ling Xi, and an extremely faint trace of approval—almost impossible to detect—passed through his eyes.

Then his gaze swept over Xiao Ruobai, Fang Hanyu, and the other disciples. He saw the passion burning in their eyes, their determination, and their anticipation of the road ahead. His expression shifted slightly.

Ling Xi had already reached the threshold of the Emperor Realm, while Xiao Ruobai and the others were advancing at astonishing speed. Their futures were bright.

Yet over the years, no matter what turmoil or danger they encountered, it had always been Gu Changge who raised a hand and smoothed everything away.

Though the disciples had experienced trials, they had always lived beneath his invisible wings.

They had never truly faced a desperate situation capable of overturning everything on their own, nor had they personally severed the most troublesome karmic entanglements.

Constant protection might instead be hindering them.

A true powerhouse had to comprehend the Dao between life and death and forge an invincible heart amid blood and fire.

This shattered immortal domain, where danger and opportunity coexisted, was the perfect proving ground!

Gu Changge had already made up his mind.

It was time to let go and allow them to fight beneath the true heavens and earth. Only then could they transform into true dragons of the Nine Heavens.

Once his decision was made, he said nothing more and prepared to leave.

At that moment, the usually composed and mountain-steady Canglan Emperor unexpectedly took a step forward.

His voice was hoarse, and the panic in his eyes was impossible to conceal. “Great Emperor, are you really leaving?”

During the days since Ling Xi’s return, he had unconsciously begun relying on her once more.

Just as that sense of security had taken root, he was about to lose it again. His reluctance cut straight to the depths of his heart.

Ling Xi felt a warmth in her chest. She gently pulled her wrist free and spoke in a soft yet resolute tone.

“Little Ye, I am leaving to undergo the Emperor Tribulation and strengthen myself. Only then will I be able to protect Canglan better.”

Ye Lingxiao’s throat bobbed. As if he had made the most important decision of his life, he raised his eyes to look at her. His gaze was filled with sincerity and hope.

His voice carried a trace of barely detectable anxiety. “Great Emperor... may I call you Master?”

Ling Xi’s entire body stiffened slightly, and clear surprise flashed through her eyes.

She had never imagined that Ye Lingxiao, who had become a Great Emperor and shaken an entire realm, would take the initiative to make such a request.

Thousands of years had passed, yet he seemed never to have changed. That deep filial admiration had remained hidden within his heart all this time.

Before she could respond, Ye Lingxiao hurriedly added, his tone filled with unprecedented earnestness and a faint tremor.

“Back then, you took me in from the ruins and patiently guided me in comprehending the Dao and cultivating. All these years, I have long regarded you as my master in my heart.”

Ling Xi returned to herself. Her gaze instinctively turned toward Gu Changge, her expression carrying a hint of inquiry.

As Gu Changge’s disciple, she naturally had to seek her master’s permission before accepting a disciple of her own.

Gu Changge stood where he was and glanced at the two of them before speaking calmly.

“You may decide this for yourself.”

Seeing that her master did not object, the surprise in Ling Xi’s eyes gradually melted into pure warmth.

She looked at Ye Lingxiao and nodded gently. Though her voice was soft, each word carried the weight of a mountain.

“Very well. From this day onward, you are my disciple.”

“Your disciple, Ye Lingxiao, pays respects to Master!”

Ye Lingxiao no longer hesitated. He stepped back, straightened his robes, and bowed deeply to Ling Xi.

After completing the rite, he did not immediately rise. He remained bent at the waist...

Turning to Gu Changge, who stood quietly to one side, Ye Lingxiao adopted an even more respectful and solemn bearing before bowing deeply once more.

“Your disciple’s grand-disciple, Ye Lingxiao, pays his respects to Grandmaster!”

His voice was steadier and more resonant than before, every word filled with sincere reverence and a deep sense of belonging.

This bow was not merely an expression of awe toward this supreme existence. It was also a formal declaration that he had entered this lineage and become part of its succession.

It likewise established his identity as Gu Changge’s grand-disciple.

Gu Changge said nothing. He merely gave a slight nod.

That simple gesture was enough to signify his acknowledgment—

an acknowledgment of the bond between master and disciple that had crossed the span of countless years and already taken root.

Ye Lingxiao then turned his gaze toward Xiao Ruobai and the others.

His expression grew solemn. With the respect due to his elders, he cupped his hands toward them once more and spoke in a clear voice:

“Lingxiao pays his respects to all of you, Martial Uncles.”

“Martial Uncles?!”

Ye Lingxiao’s form of address left Xiao Ruobai and the others dumbfounded.

They had still been thoroughly enjoying the sight of the Great Emperor taking a disciple. It had not even occurred to them that they had suddenly become Martial Uncles themselves—Martial Uncles to a Great Emperor, no less.