I seek immortality by chance

Chapter 800: The Dao is the Sword, the Most Powerful Backer in the World!
The token was empty and hazy, but Gu Yuan could clearly sense a vast space hidden within it.

This space is of an exceptionally high level, seemingly surpassing the entire universe and even a notch above the Heavenly Palace when it was still in its prime. If the Heavenly Capital Immortal Venerable hadn't taken out this token, even with Gu Yuan's strength, he would have had difficulty discovering it.

However, despite his high rank, he did not possess many extraordinary abilities.

It's just a hidden space, unnoticed by outsiders.

However… a purple figure in that space gave Gu Yuan a jolt.

He wore a purple robe, had white hair but a youthful face, and his eyes sparkled with electricity.

It was none other than the founding patriarch of his Qingfeng Dao Academy—Immortal Zixiao!
The Purple Cloud Immortal traveled through the universe countless years ago, disappearing without a trace and all information about him has long been lost.

Gu Yuandu believed that the patriarch was dead.

But unexpectedly, it was hidden in this secret space.

However, Gu Yuan accepted all of this in an instant, because although the Purple Cloud Immortal had an extremely high realm, he was only at the Jade Void Realm.

Of all the Great Luo Immortals alive in the world today, there are only nine in the Heavenly Palace and eight in the Dragon Court.

If Immortal Lord Wangji succeeds, he will be one of the ten in the Heavenly Palace.

This is the true pinnacle, possessing unparalleled power.

This is also why Gu Yuande remained calm despite knowing that Guo Canglongying was present.

The Great Luo is a permanent proof. Even if all his previous cultivation was secretly planned by others, it all became real on the day he attained enlightenment.

When tribulation precedes the path, it is still difficult; when tribulation precedes the path, there is still hope.

However... the Heavenly Capital Immortal Venerable's actions were so confident and as if everything was within his expectations, which calmed Gu Yuan down a bit, while also arousing a strong sense of curiosity.

Does the Heavenly Palace seem to have a backup plan?

He bowed to the Heavenly Capital Immortal and the others, then took the token, and vanished from the spot in a flash.

When it reappeared, it was already in that empty and strange space.

Opposite him stood the Purple Cloud Immortal, his hands clasped behind his back, smiling as he looked at him.

"Gu Yuan pays respects to the Ancestral Master!"

Gu Yuan bowed deeply in greeting.

This scene left Gu Yuan somewhat dazed, as if he had returned to the moment when he first entered Qingfeng Taoist Academy and knelt before the portrait of the founder.

However, what I worshipped back then was the image in the painting, but today it is the real person.

He was no longer the Qi Refining cultivator of yesteryear, but a Great Luo Immortal Venerable who wielded a Dao that could alter the universe!
In terms of spiritual attainment, he surpasses even the patriarch before him.

Gu Yuan was also unsure whether the "patriarch" before him was actually "Immortal Lord Jade Void".

Because in this space, he sensed an indescribable, vast aura that surpassed even that of the Great Luo.

This aura was supreme and noble, yet it was not oppressive.

It still possesses a captivating charm that compels one to submit unconsciously.

Gu Yuan felt that... his "Dao" was also being suppressed.

"In the path of cultivation, those who attain enlightenment come first. Although I am the founder of the Qingfeng lineage, in terms of cultivation, you have already surpassed me..."

Despite this, the Purple Cloud Immortal accepted Gu Yuan's bow without flinching.

He was not a "halfway ancestor" of the Linchuan Immortal Lineage or the Milky Way, but rather Gu Yuan's first ancestor when he first entered Qingfeng. There was nothing wrong with accepting this bow.

However, he did not hesitate. After accepting the bow, he immediately used his gentle magic to help Gu Yuan up.

At the same time, as if knowing what Gu Yuan was thinking, the Purple Cloud Immortal immediately smiled: "You don't need to overthink it. I am indeed the ancestor of Green Peak and the one who opened this lineage, but apart from that, I am just a Jade Void Immortal, not comparable to your esteemed position..."

This is tantamount to denying Gu Yuan's conjecture.

He immediately looked up, his eyes showing confusion.

In this space, there was a force that suppressed everything, and his eyesight was not as sharp as before.

If the patriarch is only a patriarch, why would he be here?

"I am merely acting on His Majesty's orders to guard his tomb. To be honest, I am just a tomb keeper..."

Although the Purple Cloud Immortal was only at the Jade Void Realm, his thoughts were greatly enhanced in this space, undergoing incredible changes. Gu Yuan didn't need to speak; he seemed to know what Gu Yuan was thinking.

"Hoohoo!"

As if in response to the words of the Purple Cloud Immortal, a sudden gust of wind arose, stirring the universe and blowing away all the "clouds and mist" that "concealed" this place, revealing a jade throne located at the center of heaven and earth.

On the jade throne, a corpse that had been dead for a long time sat quietly cross-legged.

Although he had no breath and his eyes were closed, his complexion was rosy, just like when he was alive. Most importantly, around him, countless brilliant "Dao" had materialized, like thousands of streams of light, hovering around him, unwilling to leave.

Supreme! True Immortal!
The founder of the Heavenly Palace, an unparalleled being who defeated countless geniuses and giants and obtained half of the Longevity Seal!
Is such a being truly dead?

Is this his body?

Upon seeing the corpse of the Supreme Being, even someone with the composure of a Great Luo Immortal was shaken. Gu Yuan immediately bowed three times and withdrew his gaze.

However, even with just a glance, Gu Yuan still noticed something amiss.

Outside the Supreme Corpse, on the real body, which resembled a ray of light, wisps of golden threads floated and landed on the body of the Purple Cloud Immortal.

The supreme path resides within Zixiao.

Is Zixiao still Zixiao? Is the Patriarch still the Patriarch?
Noticing Gu Yuan's gaze, the Purple Cloud Immortal immediately sighed, "Heaven and earth are incomplete, and the Seal of Immortality is only half-formed. Although my teacher was a true immortal, he was not a true supreme being and still had to endure the tribulation of lifespan. Therefore, he perished. This is the price of obtaining the power of a supreme being."

"But although the Master is dead, the Dao endures. He could have allowed the Dao to fall into the mortal world and return to the universe, but he knew that the One was unwilling. Therefore, he could only use my body to temporarily preserve the Dao, just in case, and also to leave the last bit of foundation for my Heavenly Palace..."

At this point, the Purple Cloud Immortal was also filled with emotion, and bowed to the jade throne.

Gu Yuan also bowed in response.

But at the moment he bowed, a voice also arose in his heart.

The true immortal's path, the true immortal's spiritual light, exists eternally by borrowing the disciple's body. The soul perishes, but the path remains. Truly profound and mysterious methods, preserving the last supreme power. It's just a pity that the true immortal ultimately perishes and cannot exist forever...

Annotating the Immortal Seal, Gu Yuan still used the Annotating Immortal Seal to examine everything before him.

The moment the voice annotating the immortal seal rang out, Immortal Zixiao smiled slightly, but said nothing more. He simply looked up at the boundless depths of the void, then glanced at Gu Yuan, and sighed softly.
"Even the Supreme Being is bewildered and unable to see through the impermanence of life and death..."

"Or perhaps it is anger—to attain this fruit of enlightenment but not to achieve immortality, one is naturally unwilling to accept it."

"All these causes have led to your attainment of enlightenment today..."

At this point, Immortal Zixiao paused slightly and asked Gu Yuan, "Do you know which of the various factors in cultivation is the most important below the Supreme level?"

Gu Yuan hesitated for a moment, then replied, "A powerful backer!"

Immortal Zixiao immediately burst into laughter, clapping his hands in praise: "Concise and to the point!"

"That's right. Apart from the beings created at the beginning of time, below the Supreme Being level, the most important thing in cultivation is having a powerful backer!"

"Those in positions of honor and attainment have already been granted access. If one does not obtain the permission of those in positions of honor and attainment, then no matter how exceptional one's talent may be, or how many generations one may reign supreme, it will be of no use!"

“The Mandate of Heaven is the most powerful tool for cultivation, but the supreme position of the Mandate of Heaven has already been seized by others. Without the Mandate of Heaven, how can one attain the Dao? And if one obtains the Mandate of Heaven, whose Dao will one attain?”

"Your cultivation has progressed so rapidly because you have received the Mandate of Heaven. In the great battle of the Dragon Court Heavenly Palace, none of the immortals achieved enlightenment, but only you did!"

"Or rather, whoever possesses the 'Destiny of Devouring Dragons' will stand out and attain enlightenment..."

"Because... Your Excellency has spoken and granted this order."

Before Gu Yuan could ponder, the Purple Cloud Immortal continued, “What is destiny? It is intertwined with fate, predetermined. If it is an ordinary destiny, one can change it by attaining the Great Luo realm, or one can let it pass without attaining the Great Luo realm. But the destiny of devouring dragons is different. This destiny can lead to the Dao Fruit. When you devour your first true dragon, this destiny has already become entangled with you, inseparable for eternity.” “The power of the Great Luo realm cannot be resolved, because it is the power of the Supreme, and only the power of the Supreme can resolve it.”

"But if you attain the supreme position, then this destiny will also attain the supreme position, or even... one step ahead of you."

At this point, the Purple Cloud Immortal sighed again: "Now that I've said it, everything is clear."

"Back then, even I, your teacher, didn't know what methods that person would use. But when that person fell, they didn't enter the Heavenly Palace to fight to the death for the Dragon Court. That's when I knew that the life and death of the Dragon Court was no longer on that person's mind."

"There will be a second dispute."

"Therefore, the teacher also left a backup plan."

"It's also because of our meeting today..."

The Purple Cloud Immortal spoke in a deep and complex tone, but when he looked at the jade throne, his eyes were filled with admiration.

"There are supreme beings in the world who are afraid when faced with death, who use the mandate of heaven to hide their true spirit in order to seek the next generation and seize the fruit of humanity, but there are also supreme beings who preserve the Dao as a sword and want to open up the world for the human race and all living beings!"

Immortal Zixiao suddenly turned around and looked at Gu Yuan, his eyes filled with sternness.

"Donghua, the True Dragon forbids your path, but your teacher approves!"

"Since you kneel before me on Mount Qingfeng, I will surely protect you!"

"Today I'll show you what the greatest support in this world really is!"

"boom!!!"

Accompanied by a chilling and awe-inspiring voice from the Purple Cloud Immortal, the myriad points of light that had been hanging above the "Supreme Corpse" on the jade throne exploded, transforming into endless streams of light that suddenly fell upon the Purple Cloud Immortal.

"boom!!"

It seemed as if the universe had exploded and the primordial chaos had shattered. In that instant, Gu Yuan felt his body hunched over, as if an immeasurable weight was pressing down on his shoulders, making it hard for him to breathe.

This is the bright moon, an unparalleled power that sweeps across all paths and traverses the passage of time!

Supreme power!

The strongest, most domineering, most supreme and most victorious authority in the world.

Thousands of purple lights swirled behind the Purple Cloud Immortal. In that instant, the light in his eyes changed completely, as if it had traversed from the barbaric ages, ancient and weathered, making it difficult to look directly at him.

Humanity is supreme!

In that instant, the body of the Purple Cloud Immortal was no longer his own.

It is the most powerful "Tao" in the world that is flowing.

"hold head high!!"

At that very moment, Gu Yuan heard the roar of a dragon in his mind.

The dragon's roar resounded throughout the universe, like the sound of creation, vast and boundless. Upon awakening, Gu Yuan felt—this dragon's roar seemed to have originated from him.

He is the true dragon, he is the true dragon.

In a daze, he seemed to want to transform into a true dragon and roam the universe.

"Zheng!"

But just as he was about to activate the Transcendent Seal, he suddenly heard a sword's cry, and a deep, ancient voice that transcended the river of time.

"Since our bodies are already crippled, why fight any longer? Let us go together..."

The dragon roared, carrying an anger that shook the heavens and the earth.

"Yi Tian, ​​can you accept this?!"

"The path to immortality has flowed eternally, encompassing countless beings. For one person to reign supreme is not my desire..."

"Don't be confused, we can still fight for each other for another lifetime!"

The dragon roared repeatedly, attempting to salvage the situation.

But it was too late.

Once you grasp the true spirit and enter the Heavenly Mandate, you will lose the ability to perceive everything in the world. Once you enter this realm, it will already be too late.

"bass!"

Gu Yuan opened his eyes and saw a sword light illuminating the world.

In a daze, it seemed that this sword strike was not from the Purple Cloud Immortal. The jade throne before him was surrounded by the flow of time, as if he had returned to the day when the Heavenly Palace had never lost its dignity. The Supreme One sat on the jade throne with a deep gaze, seeing this day across endless time.

Then he unleashed a sword strike!
"call!!"

Without a great commotion, everything vanished like smoke.

Gu Yuan felt light and agile all over, as if the shackles had been removed. Although his Dao Fruit had not changed, he felt a sense of peace.

The boundless purple light behind the Purple Cloud Immortal rapidly diminished and gradually dissipated.

But the divine light in Zixiao Immortal's eyes had not completely dissipated. He looked deeply at Gu Yuan and said, "The Seal of Longevity cannot be obtained even halfway. Otherwise, one will only gain the power of the Supreme Being, but not the position of the Supreme Being, and will surely perish."

"Your attainment of enlightenment is not only due to the mandate of heaven, but also to other merits..."

"Perhaps the scene of everyone ascending to immortality can be realized in your life, I only hope that you will not forget your original intention..."

After speaking, the purple light surrounding the Purple Cloud Immortal completely dissipated, and the supreme corpse on the jade throne also vanished like dust.

Only a faint, aged voice echoed in the sky.

"As long as the Tao exists, the spirit will never die; even when the calamity ends, I will still live on..."

As these words were spoken, the heavens shook, and the vast space created by the supreme power could not withstand it and began to collapse.

However, for Gu Yuan, the collapse of any realm could not affect him.

He sighed softly, his heart filled with countless emotions, which ultimately turned into a deep bow as he bowed to the empty jade throne.

At this moment, the divine light in the eyes of the Purple Cloud Immortal slowly dissipated. His body trembled violently, his face turned pale, and it seemed that even his immortal foundation had been drained. He was like a fallen leaf in the wind, hanging in the sky.

Bearing the power of the Supreme One is no easy task.

If he hadn't guarded the tomb for countless years beforehand, and hadn't attained enlightenment and resided there, he simply wouldn't have been able to endure it.

"Ancestor..."

Fortunately, golden light emanated from Gu Yuan's body, supporting him and providing gentle nourishment to his immortal foundation.

"Is it done?"

The Purple Cloud Immortal looked at the empty jade throne, then glanced at Gu Yuan, and asked in a deep voice.

With such a powerful backer, success is assured!

Gu Yuan sighed deeply.

He never expected that becoming a Great Luo would also bring him protection.

The Purple Cloud Immortal also sighed, his tone complex: "It's good that it's accomplished, but from this day forward, my Heavenly Palace will no longer have a supreme backer. Everything will depend on you..."

"Rest assured, Master, with me here, this battle will surely be won!"

Gu Yuan looked up, peering through the shattered and collapsed void, at the "bright moon" hanging high in the sky, his eyes shining brightly.

(End of this chapter)