Translator: Fate Proofreader: Silavin The re-emergence of the Successor of Demonic Arts in the Immortal Academy had affected all its disciples. Be it Elders, Ranked Disciples, Unranked Disciples, Inner Disciples, or Outer Disciples, everyone fell into a state of panic as the strange disappearance of the young prodigy with a unique physique in his own cultivation cave left many terrified and frantic with fear. Since the Successor of Demonic Arts was hiding among them, none could tell which disciple would be the next target. Even the Phoenix Lady and the rest of Ranked Disciples grew alert of the Successor of Demonic Arts in hiding. After all, the Successor of Demonic Arts had the capability to escape from Gu Changge’s grasp, possessing daunting abilities and a Sacred Emperor Grade Weapon. Thus, no one could guarantee their own safety if they were to face the true Successor of Demonic Arts. “Ying Shuang was once the Successor of Sky Emperor Mountain. Yet, he cultivates Forbidden Demonic Arts hence betraying Sky Emperor Mountain. And now I, the Heir of Sky Emperor Shen, as the current Successor of Sky Emperor Mountain, must search for him and restore peace to the world.” On his Four-Spirit Battle Chariot, Prince Ying soared through the high sky with an illuminating aura surrounding him, blinding and eye-catching, as if he was a young god, sternly speaking his intention to subdue the Successor of Demonic Arts. As of late, the young prodigies of Sky Emperor Mountain, including Ying Shuang’s younger sister, Ying Yu, had been scouring the entire Immortal Academy for any traces of Ying Shuang, who was allegedly hiding in the academy. However, even with the Elders of Immortal Academy helping, nothing came out of their search. “Ying Shuang has walked down the path of Demonic Arts. In his eyes, you, his sister, no longer exists. Do you think he’ll show mercy to you when he comes for you?” Sensing the perturbation in Ying Yu’s eyes, Prince Shen spoke in a chilling voice, not allowing her any space for optimism. Hearing that, Ying Yu grew visibly more dejected. “I know. I won’t show mercy to him if I see him.” She nodded, aware that Prince Shen was warning her out of concern that emotions might overtake her. “Glad that you understand. I hope there won’t be any betrayal when the time comes.” Prince Shen’s bloodline was not inferior to that of Ying Shuang, and might even be superior to it. If it weren’t for Ying Shuang’s treachery against Sky Emperor Mountain, he wouldn’t have gone out of his state of being sealed. Furthermore, his father was a being even more ancient than Sky Emperor Ying, possessing a higher position than the latter in the eyes of the Ancient Immortal Races. Thus, young prodigies were reassured by Prince Shen’s speech and involvement. Followingly, Gu Changge, as the recognised champion among all young prodigies, naturally stood out and made a declaration. “The Successor of Demonic Arts is the most atrocious being in existence. I shall work with all the Elders to pursue him and bring justice to the fallen youths.” Upon his speech, young prodigies were relieved as if his words were calming pills. After all, now that Gu Changge was dragged into it, the Successor of Demonic Arts in hiding should know to limit himself. Moreover, many perceived the Successor of Demonic Arts’ action as a challenge to the people, so that made Gu Changge’s response an open acceptance to that challenge. “This brat is stealing my spotlight. I was the one who said it first, though…” Prince Shen subconsciously frowned. Unfortunately, he came to the outside world rather late, so he wasn’t as prestigious as Gu Changge. Other than that, lately, he would overhear young prodigies comparing him and Gu Changge, and he would always be the runner-up. Despite acknowledging Gu Changge’s strength, he couldn’t help but feel irritated being treated as second place to him. Looking at his face, Ying Yu and the rest immediately grew concerned. Ever since Prince Shen came out, every method of his was proven ruthless. Due to Ying Shuang’s actions, Sky Emperor Ying’s side got greatly oppressed. Thus, currently, Ying Yu could only obey Prince Shen’s orders and refrain from making decisions on her own. And so, the entire Immortal Academy gradually grew agitated. But of course, the Elders had expected such an outcome. Thanks to the uncanny methods Ying Shuang possessed as the Successor of Demonic Arts, he needed only to disguise himself to infiltrate the Immortal Academy. Therefore, it would be difficult to uncover the identity of the Successor of Demonic Arts. After all, Successors of Demonic Arts would even give the Mortal Palace, who often combated against them a major headache. In a flash, numerous days passed. Dong! Dong! Dong! Following three strikes of the bell, white mists and vibrant rays occurred on the stage as a white-haired old man sat on it with his ambiguous body covered in Chaos Qi. He was an Elder with unparalleled wisdom, giving the disciples below him a lecture about the Great Dao. At once, wondrous sounds occurred throughout the sky as golden lotuses and heavenly flowers brightly bloomed in the air. It was an occurrence of wonders. Meanwhile, on the nearby mountains filled with merriness, packed silhouettes gleamed. The disciples were intoxicated as they were astounded by the sensation upon feeling the might of Immortal Academy and its many Elders. The lectures alone harboured immense Principles of the Great Dao. Just by listening to it, young prodigies were greatly enlightened, undergoing epiphanies and had a drastic boost in their cultivation level. Before entering Immortal Academy, they never had the opportunity to encounter any cultivators in the Sacred Emperor Realm. Yet, now, they had one giving them lectures everyday. Such a distinctive treatment could only be provided by the Immortal Academy, which was why every young prodigy was fighting with their lives to get in. “Changge, why is the Successor of the Mortal Palace staring at you? Did something happen between the two of you?” Standing on a giant boulder, Gu Changge, who possessed a slender figure and stunning face, was fascinated as he listened to the lecture of the Elder on the stage with his hands resting behind his back. To the disciples that were new to the Immortal Academy, these daily lectures were certainly good cultivation contents. Although Gu Changge didn’t quite care about the lectures, he figured it was a good time to look for some preys since there were so many disciples attending the lecture. All of a sudden, he heard Yue Mingkong’s bland question, to which he leisurely replied, “Perhaps she knows who I really am and is trying to figure out how to expose me.” Standing right beside him, Yue Mingkong doubtfully asked, “Really? I wouldn’t have come to that judging from her expression.” The two Successors of Mortal Palace, Wang Zijin, the Gifted Lady of the Wang Family, and Jiang Chuchu. In her past life, Yue Mingkong had never met Wang Zijin. Nonetheless, she knew that Wang Zijin was only a pawn to Gu Changge, hence wasn’t bothered by her presence. Meanwhile, for the other Successor, in her previous life, had almost succeeded in exposing Gu Changge’s identity. Currently, the way that Successor was staring at Gu Changge seemed to suggest that she discovered something. Jiang Chuchu’s expression was complicated and evasive, as though she didn’t want to be noticed by Gu Changge, and that drew Yue Mingkong’s confusion and suspicion. [But since the Mortal One is now gone, the Successors of Mortal Palace are no longer an issue.] Arriving at that idea, Yue Mingkong was finally at ease. “What’s wrong? Are you worried that I have done something to her?” Gu Changge turned to Yue Mingkong with a look of intrigue and asked. Although Jiang Chuchu and Wang Zijin were in the Immortal Academy, he had no intentions of approaching them since they were of no use to him now. Apart from their uselessness, their Fortuity was also in no way more important than that of Sky King Zhi Yang. Be it Wang Zijin or Jiang Chuchu, there was no need for Gu Changge to spend too much time on them. “Definitely possible.” Yue Mingkong did not deny the possibility of what Gu Changge mentioned. In response, Gu Changge chuckled. “She’s the Successor of the Mortal Palace. Do I even have the capabilities to do anything to her?” Needless to say, Yue Mingkong wouldn’t believe his nonsense. In fact, the way he answered must mean that something indeed had happened between him and Jiang Chuchu. Still, even if she knew that, Yue Mingkong did not pursue the matter any further. Recently, she finished investigating the siblings, Qing Xiaoyi and Qingfeng, and discovered their cultivation habits as well as the fact that they received guidance from the many Elders by their side. Thus, she would need to wait for a more timely opportunity to seize the Flask of World Domination in Qing Feng’s possession. Besides, she wasn’t quite informed of Gu Changge’s scheme, though Gu Changge seemingly was still focused on making Ying Shuang his scapegoat without any other plans in his mind. Some time later, the lecture of the Elder on the stage ended while young prodigies were still drowned in astonishment. “Half a month later, Immortal Academy shall hold its first trial since enrollment, which shall determine the resources delivered for each disciple. Simultaneously, Elders will also pick their disciples based on the trial.” The Elder made an announcement instead of leaving right away. Since most of the young prodigies just entered the Immortal Academy, they were grouped by their cultivation levels, but their cultivation levels were by no means equivalent to their actual combat abilities, hence the trial was created. Upon the news, many were dazed before getting exhilarated about it. As young cultivators, competition was absolutely essential since making a name was their very goal. In fact, prior to that, they had been frustrated as they had no means to display their abiltiies. At last, the trial, the very opportunity for them to flaunt their skills, came. Regarding the commencement of the first trial in half a month, words speedily spread, causing major turmoil all over the world. Thereupon, young prodigies began their preparations, wishing to drop the jaw of their audience during the trial in fifteen days. Even the Ranked Disciples were inclusive in making preparations for the sake of the trial. “Although they haven’t disclosed how the trial will proceed, it sure is another timely opportunity for me.” Gu Changge’s gaze fell upon a mountain far away, where purple steam vaporised. There, a man in purple stood, resembling a purple miniature sun, seemingly extraordinary and nobly heroic. That man was none other than Sky King Zhi Yang himself. Not long ago, Gu Changge sent his men to look into his origin. His original name was Zhi Yang and he was born in Purple Mansion, an Immortal Sect. Furthermore, he wasn’t an individual of the current era, but a young prodigy of an even older generation. He once triumphed over his peers and became the champion of the world, and since then, he sealed himself, only it was not until recently that he returned to the outside world. Theoretically, Sky King Zhi Yang shouldn’t bear any connection with Gu Xianer, but upon the investigation of his origins, Gu Changge found out that on the day Sky King Zhi Yang was born, dense purple energy surged thirty thousand kilometres around him. Moreover, he was born with a mysterious Dao Bone and terrifying Talents. He was also far more mature than his peers. [Born with wisdom and a mysterious Dao Bone, huh? Gu Xianer was born with a Dao bone as well…] Gu Changge’s eyes grew strange as various thoughts flashed across his mind. Although such an event was rare, it wasn’t unfamiliar to him. [In Sky King Zhi Yang’s previous life, he might have something to do with Gu Xianer. In this life, if I had not seized Gu Xianer’s Dao Bone, she might have experienced some kind of awakening, and regain some of her past life’s memories.] [So, here’s another weird side to Gu Xianer. Just what is she? Some kind of boss in her previous life?] Gu Changge’s grin grew enthralling. With all sorts of adversities coming at him, it was as though the gods loved opposing him, treating him with deep malice. Though, since his prey presented itself, he could only accept it with a smile. [System, Sky King Zhi Yang’s characteristics fit those of a Fortuitous One, and his Fortuity is high enough as well, but why hasn’t a relevant mission been triggered?] Gu Changge asked the System in him, as he was rather concerned and curious about the matter. [By right, a being like Sky King Zhi Yang is supposedly considered as a regressor and a Fortuitous One. Nonetheless, he’s certainly a rare one, compared to the unremarkable, insignificant Fortuitous Ones I have met. Is that the reason?] Gu Changge pondered. Automatically, the System replied, <Fortuity of Sky King Zhi Yang was insufficient to trigger a System mission. As of late, Fortuity levels have been fluctuating, thus the number of individuals with high Fortuity rose. The Fortuitous One to trigger the mission is someone else.> [Someone else?] Gu Changge contemplated with a scowl. [Now that the System gave such an obvious hint, it must mean that the so-called Fortuitous One must be nearby. In other words, in the Immortal Academy?] [The Wondrous Stone from Nine Realms?] Swiftly, Gu Changge locked in on his target. After all, other than the Wondrous Stone, the Fortuity of other young prodigies were nowhere close to that of a Fortuitous Ones. Even Prince Shen, Jin Chan the Chosen Monk, and the Phoenix Lady merely possessed high Fortuity. [Perhaps he’s a formidable being that came from Nine Realms?] Gu Changge slightly shook his head. Essentially, a person playing the role of a pig eating the tiger. An act he was too familiar with. [The man that came out of the Wondrous Stone must not be merely in the Enlightened Noble Realm, but most likely a terrifyingly daunting expert. He makes himself seem ordinary, to the point he would draw in mockery and condescension.] [If this follows the usual cliches, he should be someone of this world, and due to some accident, he fell into Nine Realms and was stuck in it for years before sealing himself within the Wondrous Stone, only to resurface now…] Gu Changge’s grin grew intriguing as he assiduously analysed the situation and quickly identified Qin Wuya’s origin. [And now, things have become much simpler. Return of a formidable expert, huh? This typically happens to a returning immortal emperor, who finds his daughter living in a shithole and then summons out millions of divine soldiers to crush and…] Naturally, Gu Changge knew he was not going to meet this co-called ‘immortal emperor’ like the one in that novel. Nonetheless, the key point which he kept in mind, was that the strength of this mysterious man should not be underestimated. <Ding! ‘The Returning One,’ Fortuitous One triggered. The great senior that returned from Nine Realms.> At that moment, after Gu Changge sorted his thoughts out, the System, as he expected, notified him. [A great senior from Nine Realms?] Gu Changge tensed his brows. He then questioned, [Is that all the System is going to give me as a hint?] Whoosh! Right when Gu Changge was finished, a familiar sensation occurred as a vision popped up before his eyes. … On the grand gates, an ancient writing of ‘Borderless Sect’ was written, seemingly magical and ancient. Although the ancient writing wasn’t of this era, Gu Changge could immediately discern it, after which he grew baffled as he was reminded of something. “Master, Senior Wuya has disappeared for so long. There won’t be any good news. Please… just grieve with us…” In front of the gates, a young disciple in a purple robe bitterly stated. “Impossible! Wuya’s Soul Lamp has yet to extinguish. There is no way he’s dead. He must be trapped somewhere. He will return, and I shall wait here until he comes back!” A steady, unaffected Elder shook his head in response. His eyes were full of determination as he wouldn’t believe what the disciple said. After all, Qin Wuya was his favourite disciple, and he was also his foster parent. Qin Wuya was calm and mature, shouldering the responsibility of restoring the Borderless Sect, so there was no way he would vanish without reason. “Father, if Senior Wuya is unharmed, he will return for sure. Please do not worry,” a gentle woman with perfect features advised the Elder. However, when Qin Wuya’s name was mentioned, she couldn’t help but feel sorrowful and depressed. “Even without Senior Wuya, we still have Junior Sister Dao Xian. Master and Senior Sister should not be so dejected. I believe that Senior Wuya’s good heart will be recognised by the gods. He will be fine,” the young disciple in purple robe hastily added, amending his statement. As usual, the Elder shook his head and heaved a sigh as he turned his gaze to somewhere far away. There, a woman in green covered in celestial energy, was sitting on a boulder. Her face was calm; no traces of emotions to be seen as she was focused on cultivating. “Dao Xian certainly never disappoints me…” Relief and satisfaction surged in the Elder’s eyes. Boom! All of a sudden, a deafening explosion thundered from a universe far away, leaving the three at the gates stunned. Quickly, the sky was torn apart, followed by a gargantuan rift, as if it was melting snow slowly dissolving. From the rift, a scenery of a war between Immortals occurred, and it was terrorizing to tremble the sky. An Immortal Palace, which stood in the centre of the borderless universe, instantly collapsed, turning into dust, an ancient being with an intimidating aura donning a golden crown was seen being hacked by a halberd and his blood uncontrollably splashed. “What is this… Immortals drenched in blood, an Immortal Palace brought to ruin, and an great Immortal dead…” Seeing that, everyone was dumbfounded as their hopelessness, dread, and shock were written on their faces. In the vision, an absolutely frightening giant hand surrounded by unimaginably dense demonic energy was visible, as if it came from a universe infinitely far away, wreaking havoc, obliterating all worlds. Even the legendary River of Time was shredded into pieces. Innumerable factions and races were disintegrated at the blow of the giant palm, as million lives were instantaneously lost. The palm of annihilation destroyed all lives of every single realm. The vision then ended. … Having seen that, Gu Changge remained unaffected. “Borderless Sect? No wonder I could understand the ancient writing. So it was from the epoch that sank in the River of Time…” He muttered to himself upon realisation thanks to the System’s hint. The woman that was concentrating on cultivation on the green boulder must be Gu Xianer in her previous life, while the young disciple in purple was obviously Sky King Zhi Yang. And as for the missing Senior Wuya, he must be the man who fell into Nine Realms and reappeared from the Wondrous Stone. In that instant, everything became connected. [I believe the System’s hints are actually dug out from my subconscious memories. Hell, the System’s origin might even be related to it.] Gu Changge quickly arrived at another inference. [Judging from my memories, the Demon Lord’s devastation of worlds was inescapable. Still, his motives for doing so aren’t really that important. The more pressing issue is those clones of his that had come to this current era. Troublesome. No wonder Lao Shi, who holds a grudge against him, is still so frightened of him.] [Pretty sure the final boss of the Forbidden Epoch was the Demon Lord himself. Yet, as the River of Time flows, none dared to speak of his name. Meanwhile, Borderless Sect’s destruction was only collateral damage. After all, who’d ever care about a stepped-on bug?] Following the vision, Gu Changge sensed a tremble deep within his soul, as if something within his memories was about to awaken. Even the Eight Barren Demon Halberd grew lively and excited, shivering in his storage space. “What is to come will eventually come. For I am the Demon Lord,” Gu Changge softly stated as he felt his Demonic Heart palpitating before slowly calming down. With that, as his body flickered, he transformed into a divine rainbow and left to prepare for his next plan. The harvesting of the Fortuitous One was a must. However, since this was the ‘The Returning One’ archetype, it would be more troublesome. [Dealing with Sky King Zhi Yang should be easy, but unfortunately, he is no fool and is patient enough to refrain from starting any conflict with me. So, it is impossible for me to engage him without any good reason. Even if I can defeat him, the Elders of the Immortal Academy and the Purple Mansion behind Sky King Zhi Yang, wouldn’t allow me to go any further than that.] [As usual, I still need to approach the matter with righteousness. I can carry the flag of justice and disclose his intentions to the public in the name of justice so none would be able to stop me. And of course, I can dirty his name by dragging him to have some kind of relationship with the Successor of Demonic Arts. This would strip Purple Mansion’s protection from him.] … After listening to the lecture, Gu Xianer hurried back to her cultivation cave while still carrying a face of epiphany. Only when she saw Gu Changge was leaving in the opposite direction to where she was headed, did she leave the cave. As of late, she had been avoiding Gu Changge, not wanting to meet him, while Gu Changge was even more straightforward as he had no intentions of entertaining her. As such, despite feeling relieved, Gu Xianer couldn’t help but feel disaffected and somewhat angry at Gu Changge. She clearly got what she wanted, but for some reason, she felt as though she was at a loss.