Translator: Fate Proofreader: Silavin “Master, it turns out all my men were killed by a powerful cultivator who is apparently hiding in Northern Mountain Village. According to our informant, it was a silver-haired old woman who was in strict hiding, and she even displayed the might of the Honoured King Realm!” In the stronghold, the first leader of Black Storm Gang reported with a wary look, fearing that he might upset Gu Changge. Essentially, it was solely his negligence that caused such a mistake in an insignificant village. Though, to be fair, none would ever expect such an expert to hide in such an unremarkable village. However, what surprised him was the fact that Gu Changge didn’t seem to be bothered as the latter wordlessly stood still with his hands behind his back. As such, the first leader of Black Storm Gang grew uneasy as he was drenched in cold sweat. Being in front of the young master, he felt more tormented for every one more word he spoke, and his entire body was trembling as if he was suffocating. “Oh, a silver-haired old woman? Honoured King Realm?” Gu Changge revealed an uncanny smile. “Rest assured, Master, I shall tend to it myself and capture everyone in the village,” the first leader of Black Storm Gang cautiously replied as he wiped off the drop of cold sweat dripping down his forehead, assuming that Gu Changge was interrogating him regarding his failure caused by that Honoured Lord Realm cultivator. “No need. That is all. Leave.” Hearing that, Gu Changge retained his unaffected expression and waved his hand to signal the first leader of Black Storm Gang to leave. In fact, he was rather pleased to hear about the news. Ever since he came to this Lower Realm, he finally had a solid hint to the whereabouts of the Mortal One’s reincarnation. A daunting expert hiding in a small village decided to conceal her true powers for some reason, and only used it to unexpectedly overwhelm the invading thugs. Gu Changge was quite familiar with such a cliche. If the Mortal One’s reincarnation, as the Fortuitous One, didn’t have someone who possessed a rich background by his side, he wouldn’t even be an actual character in the story, and perhaps the silver-haired old woman who took in the Mortal One’s reincarnation would be causing some drama very soon. “Hold. There’s something I want you to do…” All of a sudden, as though he remembered something, Gu Changge stopped the first leader of Black Storm Gang with an enthralled look. If he guessed right, the mysterious little girl he had been looking for should probably be in this little Northern Mountain Village. Under his instructions, a group of invasive thugs assaulted the small village, which were temporarily defended by the Honoured Lord Realm cultivator as expected. After all, without Gu Changge’s intervention, Northern Mountain Village would indubitably still be able to protect themselves from even stronger threats. Nonetheless, the coming of Black Storm Gang, a formidable force, was totally out of their league. And that was what an aberration was. “Please, Master.” Followingly, the first leader of Black Storm Gang hastily returned and gratifyingly bent his back, adding, “I will fulfil it with everything I have.” “No captive is required. All you need to do is send some men to massacre the village. Once that is done, you shall be free.” Gu Changge then revealed a fascinated grin. “If that fails, Black Storm Gang has no purpose of existing.” “Massacre?” The first leader of Black Storm Gang frowned, but he didn’t dare to question Gu Changge’s reason. Essentially such a small village should bear no significance to the master. [Perhaps an unknown secret lies within the village? Well, massacre is no big deal either way.] Upon Gu Changge’s command, the first leader of Black Storm Gang speedily gathered all of his henchmen and prepared to annihilate Northern Mountain Village in the name of justice and revenge. Boom! A terrifying black energy carrying an intimidating aura gushed out of the mountains, charging towards Northern Mountain Village. Along the way, residents of nearby cities and villages were startled as they were all aware of the terror of Black Storm Gang. As such, the people of Northern Mountain Village would have to face their horrendous fate despite having someone in the Honoured King Realm as their protector. Seeing that, many cultivators grew compassionate towards the village. [Why would Black Storm Gang attack Northern Mountain Village out of nowhere?] After giving his orders, Gu Changge brought his puppet with him and disappeared from Black Storm Stronghold. After all, it was the best opportunity for him to play the white knight, and nothing could please him better. Although his method might be old-fashioned, him acting as the protagonist himself should make a wonderful scene. Though, he was considering what kind of identity he should present himself with in order to make his appearance flawlessly convincing. Essentially, the little girl seemed to bear an extent of connection to the peach tree supporting Gu Xianer. Moreover, his discreet descent to this Lower Realm just might be exposed upon carelessness. “However, with my cultivation level by then, I no longer have to worry about such a trivial matter.” Gu Changge thought that given the current pace of his breakthrough, he could probably achieve Sacred Noble Realm by the time he returned to the Lower Realm or perhaps even arrive at the doorway of Sacred Lord Realm. … “Grandma Yin Hua, Black Storm Gang has declared a massacre against us. What should we do? The first leader of Black Storm Gang is of Enlightened Noble Realm. There’s no way we can run from this. We’ll all die at his hands!” In the meantime, within Northern Mountain Village, the current chief of the village was venting to the silver-haired old woman at the door to Yao Yao’s home with a dejected grimace. Behind him stood the rest of the villagers, who donned the same sorrowful expression. The thugs from Black Storm Gang menacingly came once two days ago and intended to capture every girl under the age of fifteen. Thereupon, villagers grew reluctant and hopeless, yet none of them dared to object, let alone raise their voice. Back then, despite using mud to hide her face, Yao Yao was eventually recognised by the thugs and was almost taken away. She was absolutely frightened as her brother was nowhere to be found, and she did not want to be abducted by the leader of Black Storm Gang. At the most critical moment, out of anyone’s expectation, Grandma Yin Hua, who had a tremor and always needed help walking, suddenly burst out with aggression. She exhibited her true strength, which was in the Honoured King Realm. Turns out, she was a cultivator, and a dreadful one at that. The thugs were immediately murdered without any survivor as the strongest among them was merely Mighty-Transcendent Realm, which was two whole Realms below Grandma Yin Hua’s Honoured King Realm cultivation. At once, the witnesses, all the residents of Northern Mountain Village were left dumbfounded, including Yao Yao who was thoroughly stunned. Naturally, Grandma Yin Hua then became an important figure to the people of Northern Mountain Village as everyone put their hopes on her. Prior to that, none ever expected that she would be a powerful cultivator in hiding. However, the delight ended soon as atrocity quickly followed. After all, Black Storm Gang most definitely comprised a larger number of more potent, terrorizing experts, and their doom was only inevitable. Swiftly, the entire Northern Mountain Village fell into a state of despair. Looking at the disheartened, praying faces of the villagers, Grandma Yin Hua bitterly grinned. “Well, even I have my hands tied now. The first leader of Storm Gang Gang is a superior cultivator in the Enlightened Noble Realm, and their nine vice leaders are in the True Enlightened Realm, while I am only in the Honoured King Realm. Even at my peak, I wouldn’t be able to fend them off.” She was speaking the truth. If Black Storm Gang actually decided to slaughter all the villagers, she wouldn’t be able to battle them despite her attachment towards the villagers. By then, she would surely run away with Yao Yao, unable to be bothered by the death of the others. Of course, she never wanted such an abyssal day to come. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have hidden here, concealed her strength, and become an ordinary old woman. After all, her hunters were remarkably more powerful than the thugs of Black Storm Gang, and if she were to expose any of her trails, she would be facing endless pursuit from everywhere. Hearing that, the people of Northern Mountain Village grew devastated as their very last hope was heartlessly shattered. This time, there wouldn’t be any more miracles. “Granny…” As Yao Yao clutched Grandma Yin Hua’s sleeves, worry and fear surged in her big glistening eyes. She was visibly saddened. Although she was merely a kid, she was certainly tactful as she understood what Grandma Yin Hua implied. The arrival of the thugs of Black Storm Gang indicated annihilation, and all they could do now was await their death as escaping or resistance would only result in aggravating torture. Despite being a cultivator, Grandma Yin Hua could only think of ways to escape with her, but the chance of them fleeing from the grasp of the enemies remained minuscule. “Don’t worry, Yao Yao. Granny will protect you!” Sensing Yao Yao’s fear, Grandma Yin Hua subconsciously comforted, though she was truly depressed. Let alone resisting, they wouldn’t even make it out alive. In that instant, she could only hope for Jiang Yang, Yao Yao’s older brother to return with the experts of Celestia Holy Land to subdue Black Storm Gang, but that was virtually impossible. “Mm, I believe you, Granny.” Yao Yao nodded rapidly like a woodpecker, staying calm unlike the other wailing children. Evidently, she was much more mature than those of her age. Grandma Yin Hua responded with a relieved smile, willing to protect the little girl from Black Storm Gang even if it meant sacrificing herself. “Granny, do you think Brother’s coming back to save us? He went to cultivate in Celestia Holy Land so he must be very strong right? I am sure Brother will appear and kill every bad guy from Black Storm Gang!” Yao Yao seemed immersed in her fantasy, remembering how her brother used to drive a poisonous snake away from her, and she believed he would come to her rescue whenever her life was in danger. Grandma Yin Hua forced a grin. She had no idea what to tell Yao Yao. No matter how exceptional Jiang Yang’s Talent was, he was at most at Honoured Nobility Realm, and there was no way he could protect the entire village all by himself, unless a miracle actually occurred. [If push comes to shove, I’ll draw my last ounce of life force to conjure the secret tool to teleport Yao Yao to somewhere safe, where she wouldn’t be found by Black Storm Gang!] Looking at Yao Yao’s innocent face, Grandma Yin Hua declared in her heart. “How dare the puny Northern Mountain Village challenge Black Storm Gang! I shall now demonstrate the consequences of your action!” All of a sudden, a thundering voice came from the sky as a huge gang of ferocious thugs were storming towards the village. Dressed in black, their leader was covered in an alarming aura as he was sitting on a black dragon, he was one of the True Enlightened Realm vice leaders of the Black Storm Gang. Gazing down at Northern Mountain Village, he coldly yelled his words, though he couldn’t fathom why the first leader would send him to massacre the village. Even if there was a Honoured King Realm hiding in Northern Mountain Village, there wasn’t a need for him to deal with it. Nonetheless, since it was an order from the first leader himself, he could only obey. Besides, it wouldn’t take much time to slaughter a village of people. “Black Storm Gang is here! They have come to slaughter us all! It’s over, it’s over… I guess this is it for us all…” In that instant, every resident of Northern Mountain Village lost their hope. Hearing news about the massacre was one thing, but to actually face it was a different story. “Granny…” Yao Yao tensely bit her lips, trembling as she hid behind Grandma Yin Hua. Nevertheless, the fact that she was able to hold in her urge to cry proved how courageous she was. “Don’t be afraid, Yao Yao. Granny is here,” Grandma Yin Hua comforted Yao Yao as she was staring forward with her stony face. In the sky, a massive number of members of Black Storm Gang were approaching, and their silhouettes hid the sun, as though they were a grey cloud floating in the air. Except for their True Enlightened Realm vice leader, all of them possessed formidable strength as they were elites of Black Storm Gang. In order to obliterate the village, the first leader of Black Storm Gang sent forth a huge number of his men, which left Grandma Yin Hua deeply perturbed, but she regretted nothing. If she were to let Yao Yao be captured by Black Storm Gang previously, she would be living in limitless remorse and guilt. “You deserve death for killing our men, old hag! You’ve angered each one of us! Learn your place once we’re done with you! Black Storm Gang is not who you should offend!” Standing in the sky, the ninth leader of Black Storm Gang let out a scoff as he glared at Grandma Yin Hua. Speaking, he drew his hands as the first leader stated that the massacre of Northern Mountain Village had to be accomplished or he would have to die. Boom! The ground started shaking as though there was an earthquake. As if the mountains were about to collapse on us, the villagers of Northern Mountain Village were frantic with dread, hopelessness and shock. Under such an aura, they were nothing but ants. “Halt!” Grandma Yin Hua shouted with a scowl. Surrounded by gleaming runes, her body started to glow as she exerted all her strength, intending to take the blow head on. However, the next moment, she was heart spewing blood. As her entire body was stained by blood, she was sent flying from the impact and half of her body almost exploded. Given the power gap between her and her opponent, she was obviously no rival of his. Peering at the exchange stupefied, the people of Northern Mountain Village could sulk where they stood, while some of them fainted to the ground. “It seems you were once a competent cultivator given how you withstood my attack with your own flesh.” The ninth leader was dazed for a second before chortling out loud as he regained his senses. He was somewhat taken aback by Grandma Yin Hua’s robustness. However, she couldn’t let him have it his way as receiving another blow from the man could kill her. “Let bygones be bygones. I am now simply a grandmother who wishes to protect her granddaughter.” Half of her body was drenched in blood as blood gushed out of her mouth; her face was incomparably miserable and pale. “Granny!” Seeing this, Yao Yao’s petite face turned pale as she screamed out of immense concern, gripping the hem of her shirt. The Black Storm Gang was too powerful, and Grandma Yin Hua’s resistance would only hasten her death. Yao Yao prayed in her heart that her brother would show up and save her and her grandmother, but no saviour came to their rescue. As such, she, too, grew hopeless. “What a drag, old hag! Why can’t you just stay still and await your death? Why do you have to resist?” Seeing as the silver-haired old woman was about to engage again, the ninth leader of Black Storm Gang let out a snicker as he was about to obliterate her. [Does she not realise the difference in our might? There’s literally no use resisting! Though, why would the first leader order a massacre upon the village? Eh, he must be in a bad mood or something.] “Blargh!” Under such a suppressing aura, expectedly Grandma Yin Hua once again spewed blood as she fell from the sky. Yao Yao hastily dashed over with tears all over her face as she intended to help the old woman up. “Don’t worry about me, Yao Yao…” Grandma Yin Hua coughed a mouthful of blood as she was in grave injury. Back when she was at her peak, she was also nearing Enlightened Noble Realm, and given how she had yet to die upon receiving two major blows, her durability was extremely astounding. “Don’t hurt Granny!” Yao Yao opened her arms in front of Grandma Yin Hua, wanting to stop the ninth leader of Black Storm Gang as she glared at him with her resolute eyes. “Come back, Yao Yao…” At once, Grandma Yin Hua was startled and immediately reached out to pull the little girl left. “Child, I shall remind you of your place!” At that moment, the face of the ninth leader of Black Storm Gang turned cold as he drew his hands. Then, a terrifying palm surged in the sky and plummeted towards the ground. He intended to slaughter the ignorant little girl after how the five-year-old so boldly came to block him off. Feeling as though his pride was provoked, he revealed an even icier expression. “Yao Yao!” The villagers started shouting as reluctance and vexation were all over their faces. Some of them even turned their eyes away as they were too timid to witness what was about to happen, feeling that Yao Yao would inevitably die upon getting hit by the palm. Bang! Nonetheless, the picture they imagined in their heads wasn’t actualised. Following a somewhat helpless sigh, the sky was filled with silence as a mysterious, mystical aura drifted in the air. It was as though all sorts of Principles: time, space, and reincarnation, were crystallised. “I wanted to enjoy the show longer, but how vicious of you to lay your hand on such a delicate little girl.” A man’s voice echoed through the sky; none could reckon the age of its owner yet it sounded rather youthful. Nonetheless, the voice bore a strange entity that was watching over all lives as if the world was an admirable painting. A masculine figure surrounded by celestial energy with his face concealed walked out of thin air as the frightening sceneries of the ruining of the world and universe were reflected in his deep eyes. Anyone who looked him in the eyes would feel their mind exploding before dying. Of course, the figure belonged to Gu Changge, who arrived at Northern Mountain Village some time ago and was observing the entire event in hiding as he awaited for an opportune time to show himself. Instantly, the ninth leader of Black Storm Gang shivered in fright and shock. As if freezing water was filling his cracked-open skull, he could feel nothing but chills. Although he had never met the man who suddenly appeared, the latter was undoubtedly an all-powerful cultivator as he evidently possessed the ability to tamper with the Principles of Nature. Quickly, he recalled the news that recently came from the Wonder Realm. [Is he perhaps that mysterious Immortal?] “Are you… Mister Immortal?” Peering at the man in white who suddenly appeared before her, Yao Yao was stunned. After she came to her senses, curiosity and confusion filled her big, innocent eyes as she warily asked. “Mister Immortal?” Gu Changge, who showed up out of thin air, was momentarily dazed before letting out a soft chuckle. “What a refreshing title. Say, little one, do you wish to become my disciple?” Accordingly, he looked down at her with his abyssal eyes; his voice bore a horrifying aura that quaked the world and even trembled under the Principles shown. Everyone else was shocked, surprisedly watching as the two interacted, and that included the countless thugs of Black Storm Gang, who were uncontrollably shaking. As if their souls were frozen, they could hardly make a move under the tremendous pressure. As silence followed the vast voice, the villagers of Northern Mountain Village were thoroughly dumbfounded, unable to believe what their eyes. At that moment, while Yao Yao had yet to realise what was happening, Grandma Yin Hua, who was behind her, was visibly stupefied. From shock to dismay and eventually joy, she, enduring the suppressing aura, said to Yao Yao with her shaky voice, “Yao Yao, agree to the Immortal. This opportunity comes once in a lifetime. Don’t miss it!” Although Northern Mountain Village was based in a rather isolated region, she was informed that lately, an unimaginably mysterious Immortal went to the Wonder Domain. As a matter of fact, Illusion Gates, the most dominant force in the Wonder Domain, was able to conquer all factions in the domain instantaneously with the help of said Immortal and successfully actualised the chaotic battle of hundred thousands of years. Given the quality and capabilities of the man in white before her, his identity was unquestionable. Realising that, Grandma Yin Hua was awfully thrilled, such much so that she was nervous for Yao Yao. “What rare Celestial potential. Undiscovered for years, yet I am so fortunate to have found you as I pass by. A second later and you would have been destroyed, and no sin could be greater than that.” At that moment, Gu Changge said to Yao Yao with subtle joy in his voice Staring at the man, Yao Yao felt at peace and warmed by the man’s side. It was an intuitive feeling, as though she wouldn’t be scared even if the sky were to collapse. A few seconds ago when she was about to be slammed to death by the thug from Black Storm Gang, it was the Immortal who suddenly appeared to rescue her and even voiced his desire to take her in as his disciple. And he even said that she bore ‘Celestial potential’. On the other hand, her brother, who she was praying to return, never showed up. Without the Immortal, Yao Yao and her grandmother would have died along with the rest of the villagers right away. “Thank you for saving our lives, Immoral! This old one is indescribably grateful!” Then, Grandma Yin Hua, with glee and immense gratefulness all over her face, knelt down and thanked Gu Changge. Upon his words, she was nothing but shocked. [The Immortal was passing by the domain? There are only eight domains in Heavenly Star Realm! That shows how effortless it was to him to travel across Heavenly Star Realm as kilometres needed merely a couple of steps for him! What an unprecedented capability!] Slightly nodding, Gu Changge pulled Grandma Yin Hua up with his telekinetic powers, but he seemed to have no intention of chatting with her. Not surprised, Grandma Yin Hua found nothing strange about it. After all, it was already an honour to lay her eyes upon the Immortal, so speaking to him was out of the question. In her eyes, Yao Yao’s identity was more than meets the eye. Back when she took her in from the wilderness, there wasn’t any wild creature within a wide proximity around her, but she never found the truth behind that. Given the knowledgeableness of the Immortal who came from the Upper Realm, his wisdom must exceed that of any mortals, so there wasn’t any issue in him discovering Yao Yao’s extraordinariness. “Immortal, do you really want me as your disciple? Everyone said I am a normal child who is not suitable for cultivation. Even the cultivators who took Brother away said I would only become a labourer if I were to follow…” Yao Yao muttered. She seemed to be five years old, yet she was obviously more intelligent than most. Despite her desire for a mentor, she couldn’t help but feel that she, as a lowly little girl who had a disease that forbade her from growing up, didn’t deserve an Immortal as her mentor. Furthermore, previously, she didn’t think that was a bad thing as she could accompany her grandmother as they awaited for Jiang Yang’s return once he completed his cultivation training. Alas, after realising the cruelness of the world today, she subconsciously felt that cultivation was of utmost importance, and only by becoming strong could she protect her loved ones. “Only because they are insightless, as blind as a bat. After all, how could true Celestial potential be perceived by ordinary men and women?” Gu Changge shook his head as he calmly claimed. His eyes seemed to grow more approving of the little girl. But of course, back when he was hiding in the void, he already had a thorough observation on Yao Yao. She was indeed a Fortuitous Lady, and the amount of Fortuity she possessed was simply flabbergasting as it exceeded 10,000. Thus, he grew more confident with his inference. This Yao Yao was somehow related to the mysterious peach tree. She was nothing like the familiar ruthless little foolish girl, following the cliche path towards being an empress. Although there was some resemblance between the two, she wasn’t exactly the same. However, Gu Changge’s plan remained unchanged, given that things came as they should. Without a little bit of manipulation, Yao Yao, as the Fortuitous Lady, wouldn’t have agreed to him so easily, and he wouldn’t have put so much effort into setting up the white knight act. “Please take me as your disciple, Immortal!” Upon Gu Changge’s offer, Yao Yao replied with her melodious voice as her eyes were filled with unwavering determination. She looked very compliant with that tear-stained face of hers. “Obedient indeed. As for these burdens, I, as an Immortal, no, as your mentor, should deal with these lowlives who almost destroyed such a precious treasure.” “Know this, death is only mercy for your sins,” Gu Changge said with a grin, as an uncanny sensation flashed across his eyes, after which he swung his arm. Boom! As though the entire world was shifting, a vast energy that resembled an ocean turned into a heavenly furnace and dived from the sky. Thump! The large group of thugs, whose silhouettes covered the sunrays, that seemed extremely menacing early on instantaneous disappeared from the sky, as if they were wiped off by an invisible, terrorizing palm. It was if their presence was merely an illusion. Seeing that, the people of Northern Mountain Village widened their eyes in stupefaction. To them, such strength bore no difference to that of the Immortal mentioned in the rumours. [The Immortal’s strength truly exceeds the threshold of the world…] Grandma Yin Hua shivered at the sight, unable to regain her consciousness for a long while. And before she realised it, she was overwhelmed with delight as the Immortal agreed to take Yao Yao in as his disciple.