Da Luo is Just the Beginning

Within the Boundless Realm, the Great Dao was in its nascent state, forming a world of its own. At the center of this land, derived from the Chaos Treasure—the Myriad Phenomena Profound Ring—an ancient being, whose aura was as timeless as primordial mountains, expounded the principles of the Dao.

This was none other than the Great Love Divine Venerable of the former Divine Realm, the Primordial Venerable Hu Fangyuan, a figure who once rivaled the Dao Ancestors.

Seated cross-legged before him was a young man—Fang Fan, the acting Civil God of Wealth of the Violet Star Celestial Court and the master of this realm.

Hu Fangyuan’s voice was hoarse and low, yet every word he uttered resonated with the fundamental truths of heaven and earth, causing the Great Dao of the Boundless Realm to hum in harmony.

The Dao’s melody permeated the air, and countless profound runes coalesced from the void, transforming at times into a gentle spring breeze and rain, at others into towering mountains and rivers. The secrets of the Great Luo were laid bare, dissected and presented before Fang Fan’s eyes.

Immersed in the Dao’s resonance, Fang Fan entered a deep meditative state.

He could see within himself—his True Immortal foundation, once flawed and restless, was now being purified, its essence growing ever more solid.

In his mind’s eye, a grand portal slowly creaked open, revealing towering figures standing beyond it—manifestations of his future Dharma Bodies, ready to be summoned!

Such an opportunity was rare even for the sons of Celestial Emperors across the cosmos!

Hu Fangyuan watched the meditating Fang Fan, the tension in his expression easing slightly.

This young man’s talent and temperament were exceptional—a seedling of great promise.

He had expected Fang Fan to require at least a century to digest his teachings, yet in just a few days, the youth had already grasped the mysteries of breaking through to the next realm.

At this rate, within ten thousand years, the Violet Star Celestial Court might gain a new Great Luo!

Nurturing this boy was both part of his deal with Chen Yi and an investment in a future bond.

After all, it was clear that Fang Fan’s potential extended far beyond the Great Luo—perhaps even the Great Luo was merely his starting point!

Buzz!

But at that moment—

The tranquil Dao rhythms of the Boundless Realm suddenly stilled, as if a stone had been cast into a placid lake.

In the next instant, Chen Yi, who had been "away," abruptly reappeared, materializing right before Fang Fan.

The moment Chen Yi’s avatar solidified, the natural order of this realm twisted in disarray. Even though this was the interior of Fang Fan’s Chaos Treasure, its laws were forcibly suppressed. The once-harmonious Dao fluctuations turned turbulent, like a fighter jet skimming the ocean’s surface and churning up towering waves.

The Dao runes surrounding Fang Fan flickered like fireflies bereft of their souls, their glow dimming rapidly before crumbling into dust.

Hu Fangyuan’s lecture came to an abrupt halt, his eyelids twitching uncontrollably.

This monster is back again!

Whenever he shows up, trouble follows!

"Pfft!"

The Dao runes swirling around Fang Fan lost their vitality, their radiance fading before disintegrating into nothingness.

Fang Fan opened his eyes, confusion and pain flashing across his face for only a moment. But when Chen Yi’s figure entered his vision, he instinctively straightened his back as if the interruption to his Dao path meant nothing. His eyes burned with unwavering determination.

"Venerable!" Fang Fan struggled to rise and bow.

"Enough with the formalities," Chen Yi waved a hand dismissively, his gaze fixed on him. "Your foundation’s solid. Seems Black Earth here put in real effort."

Hu Fangyuan’s lips twitched violently.

Of course I did! I’m a Primordial Venerable, personally spoon-feeding your protégé! Do you have any idea how close you just came to crushing this promising seedling with your sudden appearance?!

But he dared not voice his thoughts aloud. Instead, he adopted a tone laced with anguish and resentment.

"Why are you here? He was on the verge of a breakthrough. Waking him now undoes all progress—what a waste!"

"So what?" Chen Yi smirked. "No matter how much theory you absorb, it’s all just words on paper. True power is forged in battle, not lectures."

He patted Fang Fan’s shoulder, his voice earnest.

"Little Fang, I’ve got a better training opportunity for you—one that’ll do more for you than a thousand years of listening to lectures."

Fang Fan’s blood surged with excitement. The disappointment of his interrupted breakthrough vanished instantly.

A trial personally arranged by the Venerable? This was an unparalleled opportunity!

"Your orders, Venerable! Fang Fan would gladly die a thousand deaths to fulfill them!" He dropped to one knee, his voice resolute.

Hu Fangyuan rolled his eyes.

This kid… he’d happily count the coins while being sold!

Chen Yi’s twisted logic somehow always left people spellbound.

"Rise." Chen Yi nodded approvingly before turning to Hu Fangyuan.

"Black Earth, since we’re allies, I’ll be straight with you. Things have changed. The Infinite Celestial Court has sent a covert team down—they’re up to no good. I need someone I trust to lead a squad and intercept them."

He paused, his gaze piercing as he locked eyes with Hu Fangyuan.

"The team’s leaders are Chen Ye and Liu Xiaoyao. Reliable intel suggests they’re survivors of the Divine Realm."

"What?!"

Hu Fangyuan’s initial shock gave way to silence.

Chen Ye and Liu Xiaoyao!

The Infinite Celestial Emperor’s most trusted enforcers—the Seal-Bearing Immortal Official and the Hall Guardian General, both half-step Dao Ancestors wielding immense authority!

They were Divine Realm survivors?!

After the Divine Realm’s collapse, its remnants bore deep hatred for the Celestial Clan. How could any of them side with their enemies, let alone rise to such heights?

"What do you think?" Chen Yi’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. "You can lie to allies, but don’t lie to yourself."

Those two names struck Hu Fangyuan’s mind like thunderbolts, leaving him momentarily dazed.

His thoughts raced. Chen Yi’s words rang true… Were they traitors? Or… infiltrators?

If infiltrators, what were their goals?

And who had planted them?

Fine. No more pretending.

"I see." Hu Fangyuan looked at Fang Fan, his expression complicated. "If we’re dealing with them, this boy’s current strength is far from sufficient."

Without warning, Hu Fangyuan formed a sword-seal with his fingers and sent a beam of pure divine light—imbued with his foundational insights—straight into Fang Fan’s brow.

"Ahhh!"

Fang Fan let out a pained roar as torrents of knowledge and raw power exploded within him, shattering his meridians and churning his sea of consciousness.

This was brute-force enlightenment—a merciless infusion!

Crude, yet undeniably effective!

A crisp snapping sound echoed from Fang Fan’s body, as though an invisible shackle had shattered. The surrounding qi reversed its flow, and his aura skyrocketed, ascending to an entirely new level in mere moments.

Chen Yi watched silently, making no move to intervene.

This was Hu Fangyuan’s way of declaring his stance.

At last, the light faded.

Covered in blood, Fang Fan’s presence blazed brighter than ever—like a newborn star—now brushing against the peak of the Celestial Immortal realm.

Without bothering to recover, he bowed deeply to both men.

"My gratitude, Elder! My thanks, Venerable!"

Chen Yi chuckled and tossed him a pill and a token.

"This is the newly established ‘Special Operations Division’ commander’s badge from the Celestial Pivot Bureau. Recruit your own team. I have only one demand."

His gaze sharpened.

"Uncover every detail about that Infinite squad. And if necessary… replace them!"

Fang Fan gripped the token, its cold weight a solemn reminder of his mission. He nodded firmly.

"As you command!"