Ascension to the Primordial Immortal Realm

"Have you all arrived?"

"Master, why did you summon us here this time? Has something happened?"

"I'm not sure, but given the recent commotion in the Tai Xuan Realm, something must be going on. Perhaps it’s related to the Patriarch?"

"Most likely. In the Tai Xuan Realm, no one else but our master would have the capability."

"Still, it’s odd that Master had the Tianji Pavilion send for us without explaining the reason."

Chen Yunxuan and the other four had all received summons from the Tianji Pavilion, gathering them at the same location.

Yet, none of them could quite figure out why Chen Chang'an had called them together.

However, an uneasy feeling lingered in their hearts. After all, if it weren’t something significant, Chen Chang'an wouldn’t have done this.

They didn’t have to wait long. Just a day after assembling, Chen Chang'an appeared in their sight, accompanied by Da Huang.

"Patriarch."

"Master."

"Master."

"Chang'an Gege."

Seeing Chen Chang'an, their excitement was palpable. Though their last parting hadn’t been long ago, every reunion with him stirred uncontrollable joy in their hearts.

Chen Chang'an nodded at them with a smile. "You must be curious why I called you all here, right?"

"Patriarch, is there something you need us to do?" Chen Yunxuan asked.

"No. I just wanted to say goodbye."

"I’m leaving."

Leaving?

At these words, Chen Yunxuan and the others paled. They never expected that Chen Chang'an had summoned them for a farewell.

They weren’t fools—his departure couldn’t just mean a temporary separation, as they’d already been apart before.

There was only one possibility: Chen Chang'an… was ascending to the Upper Realm!

"Master, you… are ascending so soon? The Heavenly Rankings will conclude in less than ten years. By then, I…" Gu Xian'er gazed at him with reluctance.

The others shared her sorrow, though they struggled to contain their emotions.

"Partings are inevitable. With your talents, it won’t be long before you ascend as well."

"Perhaps we’ll meet again someday."

"Don’t be so sad. I’m leaving, not dying," Chen Chang'an said with a chuckle.

Even so, the thought of this world no longer having Chen Chang'an in it was unbearable for them.

"Before I go, aside from seeing you and bidding farewell, there are some things I need to explain."

Chen Chang'an briefly outlined the matters of the Heaven, Earth, and Mortal Rankings, as well as some information about the Zhou Family.

Chen Yunxuan and the others were stunned. They hadn’t realized that the so-called "Heavenly Dao" was merely a powerful family from the Primordial Immortal Domain.

At that level, one could control an entire minor world—and possibly more than one.

"The Zhou Family assured me that the cultivation techniques and martial skills they gifted you are flawless."

"So if you wish to practice them, do so without worry."

"As for their recruitment, the choice is yours. Don’t let my influence sway you."

"Do as you wish. Be true to yourselves."

"The right to choose will always belong to you."

Chen Yunxuan and the others were still digesting this revelation. As for their future decisions, none had a clear answer yet.

"Master, when… will you leave?" Ye Zhiqiu asked, his voice thick with reluctance.

"Anytime."

Anytime?

Did that mean Chen Chang'an could depart at any moment?

"Master, how vast is the Primordial Immortal Domain?"

"If I ascend, how can I find you?"

Gu Xian'er had only one thought: wherever Chen Chang'an went, she would follow. Once she found him, she would stay by his side as his attendant and never leave again.

"Waaah!"

"Chang'an Gege, I haven’t even married you yet! How can you just run away?"

"Are you trying to escape the wedding?" Gu Fengyao wiped her tears, her gaze filled with resentment.

Escape the wedding?

Hearing those words, Chen Chang'an thought of his master, Mu Yunyao. He wondered if she had returned to the Mu Family and whether she’d faced any punishment.

Looking at Gu Fengyao, he smiled. "Silly girl, don’t take the engagement too seriously."

"You don’t need to feel burdened. If you still wish to marry me, we’ll discuss it in the Primordial Immortal Domain."

"But if you meet someone you truly love, forget about our engagement."

Truthfully, Chen Chang'an hadn’t felt much about the engagement with Gu Fengyao. While he cared for her, it wasn’t deep affection, let alone love.

There was no need to bind her to him because of it.

"No!"

"I will marry you!"

"I don’t care—you’re my fiancé, and you have to marry me!" Gu Fengyao declared stubbornly.

"Alright." Chen Chang'an didn’t argue, simply nodding with a smile.

After chatting a while longer, Chen Chang'an lifted his gaze to the sky.

"It’s time to go."

He knew his window was narrow—he had to leave before the Wang Family arrived in the Tai Xuan Realm.

"Master, must you leave so soon?"

"Patriarch, can’t you stay a few more days?"

"Master…"

Chen Chang'an understood their reluctance, but whether he left now or later, the outcome was the same. He shook his head gently.

"Da Huang!"

He tossed the mysterious crystal-like object he’d obtained from the Beast God Continent to Da Huang, who swallowed it whole.

The object transformed into pure energy within Da Huang’s body.

Roar!

In the next moment, Da Huang revealed his true form—a Qilin!

Even Chen Yunxuan and the others had never seen Da Huang’s true body. Though Gu Xian'er and Gu Fengyao had been in the Beast God Continent, they’d remained in Beast God City and never ventured into the Beast God Mountains.

As Da Huang’s cultivation broke through, the rift in the sky reappeared.

"That rift… It appeared twice before."

"Could this be ascension?"

"Then who were the two who ascended earlier?"

Chen Yunxuan and the others were astounded. They hadn’t realized the rift was a sign of ascension.

"Da Huang!"

"Let’s go!"