Chapter 1

In the vast expanse of Spectral Heaven, where the heavenly harmony once graced every corner, now lay the ruins of what was once the magnificent Heavenly Court. Its grandeur had been irrevocably shattered by a cataclysmic explosion, the devastating aftermath of the Qi Harvest Fruit's detonation. The fragments of Grotto Heaven, akin to the fiery eruption of a voluble volcano, were scattered indiscriminately, leaving in their wake a desolate landscape of destruction. The remnants of the immortal aperture entrance clung precariously to existence, a feeble thread connecting the remnants of a once mighty symbol of power and authority. Yet, even this tenuous remnant bore witness to the merciless assault it had endured, with gaping holes and deep fissures marring its once impregnable facade. The Heavenly Court, once resplendent and inviolable, now stood exposed and vulnerable amidst the unforgiving surroundings.

A somber gust of wind swept through the desolation, its mournful whistle carrying with it a scent both sinister and haunting—a lingering reminder of the bloodshed and carnage that had befallen this grotto heaven. As the winds intensified, Star Constellation Immortal Venerable stood frim, her long, raven tresses danced fervently in the wind, serving as an outward testament to the tempest that raged within her soul. A faint crease formed on her delicate brow as her gaze fell upon the ravaged Heavenly Court—a once-glorious bastion of divine authority now reduced to a mausoleum of fallen immortals. The lifeless bodies of these immortal beings, shattered and broken, bore witness to the tragic toll of the calamity that had befallen their realm.

The weight of this profound loss and destruction bore heavily upon her heart, for never before had the Heavenly Court endured such an unrelenting onslaught. The magnitude of their suffering etched itself into her memory, leaving an indelible mark of sorrow and grief that no passage of time could erase.

The wind whipped through the desolate landscape, its gusts carrying the echoes of heavy fists pounding relentlessly. Within the shattered remnants of a court, a three-headed giant waged a furious assault on an invisible wall. Trapped within the confining embrace of the star-raising veil, the Spectral Demon Venerable unleashed a primal howl that pierced the stillness, his fury and madness escalating with each thunderous strike. Driven solely by the commanding will of the heavens, his colossal form thrashed incessantly against the unyielding barrier.

Thousands of his massive hands pounded upon the ethereal veil in desperate attempts to shatter the shackles of his cruel captivity. Each blow reverberated through the air, a symphony of defiance and frustration. Yet, despite his relentless onslaught, his efforts proved fruitless, for the veil remained unbroken—an impenetrable barrier mocking his yearning for freedom.

In the desolated scene, the wind whispered tales of anguish and despair. The three-headed giant's relentless assault gradually subsided, giving way to a haunting silence that hung heavy in the air. With each passing moment, the fury diminished, replaced by a profound stillness. The once-thunderous strikes softened into a quiet rhythm, as if the giant's tumultuous rage had been pacified. The wind, carrying a mournful melody, delicately weaved through the ruins, its lament echoing through the desolation.

As Star Constellation Immortal Venerable surveyed the ruinous aftermath, she knew that ensnaring the mindless Titan had not been overly challenging, thanks to the wisdom of the Path Dao marks in the Heavenly Court. However, any semblance of triumph eluded her countenance, for she understood that the primary instigator of this catastrophic event was not the spectral demon Venerable. Instead, her suspicions gravitated towards the Giant Sun or, more prominently, the Heaven Refining Venerable.

She ‌floated ‌in‌ ‌the‌ ‌sky‌ ‌quietly,‌ ‌she‌ ‌watched‌ ‌as‌ ‌Fang‌ ‌Yuan ‌and‌ ‌Giant‌ ‌Sun‌ ‌made their way to the heavenly court. Her attention gazed past Giant Sun, fixating upon the Fang Yuan. Her voice, cool and precise, carried an undercurrent of inquiry as she addressed the enigmatic figure before her.

"Heaven Refining Demon Venerable, your mastery in the refinement path is undeniably unparalleled. It was your manipulation of the qi harvest fruit that caused the catastrophic explosion. Yet, I must inquire: How did you manage to elude the revival arrangements made by my master ?"

Fang Yuan's visage betrayed a flicker of surprise before contorting into a mirthless grin, revealing the depths of his intricate schemes,"Star Constellation Immortal Venerable, you certainly hold a lofty appraisal of my capabilities. However, it's important to acknowledge the evolution of our world from its ancient state. The unification of the five regions and the advent of the Spectral Heaven have ushered in an irreversible transformation of the every febric of heaven. Thus, it should come as no surprise that the revival techniques formulated by the Primordial Origin Immortal three million years ago would falter within this new paradigm."

A moment of silence hung in the air before Fang Yuan pressed on, resolute in his determination. "You are entitled to hold your beliefs, but I shall not grant you any more time to stall. Take this!"

Fully aware of his guilt, Fang Yuan was keen on securing the support of Giant Sun Venerable, understanding the gravity of the situation. He could not allow Star Constellation Immortal Venerable to continue speaking, for the consequences would be dire.

With a flourish of his mastery over his primordial essence, Fang Yuan unleashed a formidable Immortal killer move—the Shocking Departure of Year Dream Wave and Dang Hun Sound. From his mouth and ears, a torrent of pink fog erupted, coalescing into a miniature replica of the majestic Dang Hun Mountain. Propelled by an inexorable force, the ethereal mountain hurtled towards Star Constellation Venerable, its impact seemingly inevitable.

However, she stood resolute in the face of imminent danger, her countenance unyielding. An ethereal veil covered her, halting the incoming waves of pink fog.

The sound of crystalline collisions resonated throughout the battlefield, as waves of vibrant pink sound undulated and spread across the terrain.

Tha veil of star fog started to disintegrate stroked by the pink fog , it only managed to stabilize after enduring a thirty percent weakening. Rumbling intensely, it appeared to adapt and withstand the onslaught of the formidable pink sound waves.

Witnessing the unfolding events, Giant Sun Immortal Venerable emerged from the sidelines, offering his assistance with a measured stride. With calculated precision, he unleashed his Immortal killer move—Soft Gold Crashing Pillar—a spectacular manifestation of cascading golden light transformed into a series of crashing pillars. These pillars relentlessly pummeled into the resolute star fog, causing it to tremble with an intensity that reverberated through the grotto heaven.

Within the realms of heaven and earth, the profound essence of heavenly and earthly luck flowed through all living things, be it the grass underfoot or the unyielding rocks. This inherent fortune encapsulated within the star fog became the focal point of Giant Sun Immortal Venerable's assault, its penetrating force disrupting the star fog's operations and influencing the fabric of its existence.

Even though Giant Sun Immortal Venerable had previously employed this formidable move against Fang Yuan, the perfected state of his attack posed a considerable challenge. However, under the masterful control of Star Constellation Immortal Venerable, the star fog quivered momentarily but managed to withstand the relentless waves of assault. This sight caused both Fang Yuan and Giant Sun to feel a sinking sensation in their hearts, realizing the overwhelming might wielded by Star Constellation Immortal Venerable within the realm of the Heavenly Court.

Despite the combined force of these two formidable killer moves, it became evident that Star Constellation Immortal Venerable, empowered by the vast number of wisdom path dao marks imbued within the court, possessed an awe-inspiring strength. While the star fog was not her most formidable move, she wielded it with mastery, effectively resisting the combined onslaught of Fang Yuan and Giant Sun Immortal Venerable.

"In the boundaries of the Heavenly Court, I stand invincible," declared Star Constellation Immortal Venerable with a plain yet resolute tone, brimming with unwavering confidence and resolve.

"Giant Sun Immortal Venerable, join me," she beckoned, her voice resolute. "You know that if we allow the Heaven Refining Demon Venerable to grow unchecked, it will be the end of us. With the sovereign immortal aperture, his potential is immeasurable. None of us Venerables will be able to contain him. He has already ascended to Venerable rank, and his aperture will require a rank 9 aperture to sustain it. Do you think you won't be turned into a food?"

The Giant Sun Venerable furrowed his brow, recognizing the truth in Star Constellation's words. He knew that at some point, he would have to set aside his reservations and unite with others to eliminate Fang Yuan. However, he was hesitant to disrupt the fragile settlement among them, uncertain about the fate of the Primordial Origin Venerable. He did not believe that Star Constellation Venerable was benevolent enough to spare him once her master was revived.

"Don't fall for her sweet talk," Fang Yuan cautioned, his expression remained indifferent. "She was injured from resisting the explosion of the Qi Harvest Fruit. It halted the revival of the Primordial Origin Venerable; but did not kill him. She is trying to mislead you. Do you think that after her master's revival, she will spare you? It will be your turn after me."

As their argument continued, a voice echoed through the air, Immortal Killer Move—Reverse Origin. They turned their attention toward the source, only to witness the colossal three-headed form of the Spectral Demon Venerable shrinking, transforming into a 7-foot-tall figure. His thousands of hands dispersed, leaving only a pair, and his long midnight black hair floated in the air as he hovered before them. The blue flames burning in his dark eyes pierced their souls as he fixed his gaze upon Fang Yuan.

"Eons upon eons were spent to scheming against the heavens, seeking to break free from its shackles," muttered the Spectral Demon Venerable, his voice a chilling echo in Heavenly Court. Standing tall, his otherworldly presence palpable, he regarded Fang Yuan with a mix of disdain and somber resolve. "As an otherworldly demon, you once served a purpose, but now you have become naught but a liability—an entity too perilous to be overlooked. Even the Will of Heaven has reached its consensus. The time has come to put an end to your existence."

A surge of power rippled through the Spectral Demon Venerable's hands, causing them to radiate an ominous blue glow. With a resolute motion, he unleashed an arc of searing blue light, its intensity cutting through the shadows and hurtling towards Fang Yuan with unforgiving precision.

The Giant Sun and Star Constellation Venerables exchanged a nod of understanding, realizing that the time for hesitation had passed. They swiftly joined forces, their own immortal killer moves surging forth in unison with the Spectral Demon Venerable's attack. As a unified front, they launched their own formidable strikes towards Fang Yuan, seeking to eliminate the treacherous threat that stood before them.

The battlefield quaked under the immense convergence of their formidable powers, the clash of energies resounding through the desolate ruins of the Heavenly Court. Brilliant hues of blue, green, and golden light intertwined, painting the heavens with a mesmerizing display of immortal prowess and heavenly principles.

Fang Yuan, confronted by the unyielding onslaught of the three venerables, could no longer maintain his stoic facade. His countenance turned grim as he summoned the full force of his abilities, unleashing the immortal killer move- "Heavenly Web Protection Veil."

A colossal milky veil enveloped him, a tapestry woven from the delicate yet unbreakable threads of a rank 9 Heavenly Web Gu. Each thread delicately interlinked, forming an intricate lattice that strained against the overwhelming barrage.

The battle raged unabated, the atmosphere charged with an electric tension and the imminent taste of victory or defeat. Every strike reverberated with the weight of countless years of cultivation, as each combatant fought with unyielding resolve to safeguard their existence.

In the face of the combined might of the Giant Sun, Star Constellation, and Spectral Demon Venerables, Fang Yuan's defenses gradually began to crumble. The once impenetrable veil began to falter, its delicate threads snapping one by one under the relentless assault.

In the climactic confrontation that unfolded, Fang Yuan found himself teetering on the precipice of defeat. A potent mix of rage and disappointment flickered in his eyes, a testament to the frustration that engulfed him. Yet, amidst the depths of his turmoil, a resolute determination surged through his veins, a flicker of hope in an otherwise bleak scenario.

Summoning every ounce of energy residing within his being, Fang Yuan unleashed a symphony of immortal killer move. The Shocking Departure of Year Dream Wave and Dang Hun Sound emerged, birthing a dense wave of ethereal pink fog that billowed forth with an unrestrained force. Its arrival marked a brief respite, neutralizing the onslaught that threatened to consume him.

Yet, the Spectral Demon Venerable, a figure draped in an aura of ominous intrigue, was undeterred. A sickle, wreathed in an otherworldly blue flame, materialized in the Venerable's hands with a fluid grace. With an arc as swift as the swiftest of fates, the sickle released a chilling blue light, hurtling through the air with deadly precision, aimed directly at Fang Yuan.

In a desperate bid to protect himself, Fang Yuan invoked the abilities of the Heavenly Web Veil. Its mystical threads, deemed to be impervious to the most ferocious of attacks, wrapped around his form in an intricate dance of protection. Alas, the veil's defenses proved futile against the sickle's malicious intent. With a shattering blow, it bypassed the veil's safeguards, slicing through the veil of existence itself, its mark firmly planted on Fang Yuan's very soul.

Agony, insidious and all-consuming, coursed through Fang Yuan's being. The devouring of his soul commenced with an unyielding voracity, each passing moment bringing him closer to the precipice of oblivion. Time, cruel and unrelenting, seemed to conspire against him, allowing mere breaths to remain before his soul would fade into nothingness.

Yet, amidst the encroaching darkness, Fang Yuan refused to surrender to the hand of fate. With unwavering determination etched upon his features, he cast his gaze upon the Spring Autumn Cicada, a rank 9 gu that held the key to his salvation. But as his trembling will reached out to grasp its power, he discovered, to his dismay, that a mystic chain held the gu captive within his aperture, rendering it inert, its life-giving potential inaccessible.

His hope flickered, threatened to wane beneath the weight of his dire circumstances. The cold, unwavering gazes of the three Venerables, their presence a testament to their unmatched power, bore down upon him, stripping away any semblance of control or agency. In that moment, a profound helplessness settled upon Fang Yuan, whispering words of surrender.

But surrender was not in his nature, for Fang Yuan was a soul forged in the crucible of adversity. As the final chapter of his journey loomed before him, he spoke with a voice infused with a resolute resolve. "Though it seems that this is the end," he declared, his words resonating with a clarity that defied the encroaching darkness, "remember that death is just another beginning for me."

Summoning forth every vestige of his disintegrating soul, Fang Yuan unfurled the wings of his last gambit—the Heaven Path killer move- the Reverse Current through the Heaven. Within the depths of his sovereign immortal aperture, a symphony of cosmic energy erupted. One by one, the nine heavens detonated, their celestial bodies exploded in a cataclysmic display. The five continents followed suit, crumbling in majestic devastation.

Jagged cracks, like veins of crimson lightning, spiderwebbed across Fang Yuan's body, radiating a transcendent hue. It was as if the very fabric of existence quaked beneath the weight of his resolve. The overwhelming surge of energy shattered the chains that bound the Spring Autumn Cicada, propelling it into the swirling currents of the timeless river.

And in a resounding boom, Fang Yuan's corporeal form erupted, an epitaph to his existence, a testament to his unyielding spirit. The detonation of his sovereign immortal aperture unleashed a cataclysmic wave of energy, reverberating through the very heart of the Heavenly Court. The ground quaked beneath its raw power, the world trembling in acknowledgment of the ferocious battle that had transpired.

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Since ancient times, the river of Time has flowed through the realm of Gu, a powerful force interwoven with the fabric of existence itself. It transcends the boundaries of Heaven and Earth, orchestrating the ceaseless dance of change. All living beings, without exception, derive their sustenance and find their very essence within the crystalline waters of this majestic river. Despite its intangible nature, Time is not a distant celestial entity but a force that flows in close proximity to every individual. Its ever-present influence shapes our lives, propelling us forward in an unyielding current.

Like humble fish in this vast river, humanity finds itself perpetually swept along, unable to resist the relentless flow. Yet, there are rare moments when a fortunate fish breaches the surface, breaking free from the embrace of the currents, and catching a fleeting glimpse of the mysteries that lie beneath.

The river of time is a dynamic tapestry, teeming with roaring currents and undulating ripples, each representing a tale, an event that transpired in days long gone. These ripples carry the echoes of the past, resonating with the whispers of heaven.

In the depths of the tempestuous waters, defying the norms and odds stacked against it, a diminutive Gu worm fearlessly embarked on an upstream journey. With wings gracefully unfurled, it skillfully navigated through the treacherous currents, displaying unwavering determination. Despite the perilous waves that threatened its very existence, it pressed onward, resembling a flickering candle flame, unwavering amidst the gusts of wind. A delicate aura of yellow-green radiance enveloped its fragile figure, providing a subtle shield against the forces that sought to extinguish its presence. Within its fragile form resided a wisp of soul, an essence of ego, and a collection of memories.