Chapter 78: Green Moon

Gu Wudi sighed with a sense of resigned acceptance.

"It's nothing really, just sowing seeds of goodwill.

I've been wandering around the Great Red Heaven for five or six years now. During this time, I've participated in no less than a dozen battles over top-tier Dao seeds. I've witnessed some lucky individuals rise overnight, gaining the favor of prominent sects thanks to a supreme Dao seed, soaring to great heights. Yet for me, success remains elusive; I am perpetually the runner-up.

Who knows when my luck will turn? I hope this trip to the valley will yield some fruitful gains. I'm not aiming for a perfect ancient seed, but even a top-tier accompanying seed or some heavenly materials would suffice. As long as fate decides to favor me, anything is possible.

You're young, with plenty of time ahead, unlike me. Once you surpass the prime age for cultivation, climbing further becomes as difficult as ascending to the heavens. My potential from the fusion of seeds was never great." The young cultivator sighed deeply.

For a rogue cultivator, the path of cultivation is exceptionally challenging. Without fusing with a Dao seed, one remains an ordinary mortal, and even pursuing cultivation becomes a luxury. After merging with a Dao seed to become a cultivator, insufficient resources and limited seed potential often leave one stagnating, unable to advance further.

Moreover, once a seed is fused, it becomes an inseparable part of life, making replacement impossible. In the Great Red Heaven, rich in fire seeds, seeking Dao seeds is a viable path, but luck is crucial. If one is fortunate enough to obtain a top-tier Dao seed, there are two options: exchange it for resources or keep it to nurture future generations.

The second option is almost never feasible, as top-tier Dao seeds choose their hosts. Without extraordinary talent, a top seed simply won't select you. Forcing a seed onto a descendant not only fails but may even lead to disabling or, in severe cases, death.

Thus, the only viable path for them is as the young cultivator mentioned: acquire a good Dao seed and exchange it for resources from a major sect.

Gu Wudi considered himself fortunate not starting from the bottom but beginning as a Celestial Prince, lacking nothing in cultivation resources or perfect ancient seeds, possessing supreme bloodline talent, and supported by an imposing background that allowed him to pursue his ambitions.

Otherwise, he too would be struggling at the bottom like the young cultivator before him.

"Do not worry, fellow Daoist. The day of achievement will come. Luck arrives when least expected, doesn't it?" Gu Wudi offered a word of comfort.

"Ha! I take your words to heart. I have a feeling I won't return empty-handed this time."

Gu Wudi bid farewell and found a quiet spot. Like the other cultivators present, he sat cross-legged, waiting patiently.

Even though he had already fused with a Sky Seed and had no need for another, the allure of a perfect fire seed intrigued him.

The heavens are unpredictable, and misfortunes can arise unexpectedly. Having previously merged with the Supreme Soul Seed, he never anticipated that his seed would be eroded by a dark curse to the point of destruction, nor could he have foreseen later fusing with the Sky Seed.

Hence, carrying an extra perfect seed offered an additional layer of protection.

Nevertheless, to successfully acquire a perfect fire seed from the hands of these powerful factions is no easy feat. Gu Wudi's storage items, however, hold numerous top-tier treasures gifted to him by Wang Geng.

These might not be effective against true immortals, but they should suffice for escaping from beings in the realm of human dao.

Even though Gu Wudi is reluctant to overly rely on these treasures, when the time comes and he must use them, he won't hesitate.

Thus, Gu Wudi waited for an entire day and night. During this period, more and more cultivators arrived upon hearing the news, each finding empty spots to sit. Among them were individuals from various factions as well as lone wanderers, a diverse group indeed.

The so-called scenario of 'many monks for little porridge'; there's only one perfect fire seed, yet so many cultivators have come, certainly not enough to go around. This has made the atmosphere outside the valley tense and heavy.

As night fell, the valley grew quiet, and the outside was so still that even a pin drop could be heard. Most cultivators fell into a state of pseudo-sleep, conserving their energy for the impending struggle for the fire seed.

Gu Wudi intended to do the same, but suddenly, a gut feeling suggested that the night would not be so calm, so he opened his eyes.

Tonight, the sky was exceptionally clear, not a cloud in sight, and even the starlight appeared dim. Only a radiant moon hung high, like a glowing disc, casting its bright moonlight continuously upon the earth.

Gu Wudi glanced at that round moon and then looked towards the misty valley.

After a whole day of waiting, the mist in the valley had thinned significantly compared to when he first arrived. From the current situation, it seemed that waiting for the mist to completely dissipate would take at least two more days.

As Gu Wudi was about to avert his gaze and close his eyes to rest, he suddenly caught a glimpse out of the corner of his eye. There, in the mist, a moon vaguely hovered in the sky—silent, tranquil, holy, high-reaching...

But importantly, this moon was green, appearing incredibly pure, flawless. Beneath its calmness lay unimaginable terrifying power.

"This is..." Gu Wudi was astonished. Could it be that the perfect fire seed in the valley was actually a green moon?

"The Green Moon... the Green Moon Flame?" He couldn't help but think of the illustrious Green Moon Flame from the Immortal Ancient Era.

Its master was reputedly the Green Moon Fairy, exceptionally talented, a friend to the likes of Wu Zhong, the Six Paths Reincarnation Immortal King, and others. Furthermore, she was the ninth disciple taken in by the master of the forbidden zone.

Gu Wudi carefully recalled that since arriving in this world, he hadn't heard of the name "Green Moon Fairy."

Could it be the green moon in the valley is indeed the legendary Green Moon Flame?

If so, it would imply that the Green Moon Fairy has not yet appeared—at the very least, she hasn't sown the dao.

As these thoughts ran through his mind, a voice as melodious as celestial music suddenly echoed in Gu Wudi's ear, ethereal and lively, with a hint of mischief.

"Young man, do you believe in destiny?"

Gu Wudi was momentarily stunned. Who was this? Starting off by asking if he believed in destiny. His answer was, of course, no.

Just as he was about to respond, a graceful figure appeared before him.

Since the person bore no malice, Gu Wudi did not stop her.

She was an unbelievably beautiful woman, with skin like ice and jade, and an exquisite visage. Her eyes shone like stars, and her long black hair danced in the breeze. Her green dress fluttered with the wind, exuding an indescribable ethereal and holy aura.

Since arriving in the era of the Immortal Antiquity, Gu Wudi had seen many naturally beautiful women, like the descendants of the Immortal Kings from the Southern Sea's Purple Bamboo Forest and true immortal offspring. All had faces that could enchant nations.

However, the temperament of those women could not compare to the mortal woman before him.

Indeed, Gu Wudi was not mistaken. The stunning woman before him was mortal, having not fused with a Dao Seed. Yet, strangely, waves of Dao rules fluctuated from her, suggesting she carried some kind of treasure.

"True strong ones never believe in destiny. Thus, I do not believe in it either.

However, who are you, and what do you want from me?" Gu Wudi asked.

The woman in green smiled slightly at Gu Wudi's response, incredibly pure, like a celestial maiden fallen to the mortal world.

"What you say has merit. Strong ones defy destiny because they change it with their might. But when we are weak, we have no choice but to believe."

As she spoke, she pointed to the object in her hand.

Gu Wudi looked and saw her slender jade fingers holding a few turtle shells in her palm. They seemed ordinary, but he sensed an unusual aura from them, as if they concealed a divine secret.

"What do you mean, fellow Daoist?"

Upon hearing this, the woman in green replied with a laugh, "Fate led me to find you."

Gu Wudi fell silent. From all appearances, she seemed like a charlatan. If not for her extraordinary demeanor and difference from ordinary folk, he wouldn't have bothered to continue the conversation.

"Alright, when fate directed you to me, did it also reveal what you sought me for?" he asked nonchalantly.

It was meant as a casual inquiry, to see what strange tale this beautiful "goddess trickster" might concoct. Unexpectedly, she pointed to the valley nearby and uttered words that left Gu Wudi astonished.

"Help me acquire the Green Moon Flame." The woman in green spoke without a hint of embarrassment, getting straight to the point.

Gu Wudi initially intended to refuse outright, but he found himself asking her a few questions against his better judgment.

"What's your name? Why should I help you obtain the Green Moon Flame? What's in it for me? And how do you even know the flame inside is the Green Moon Flame?"

The woman in green brushed her hair away from her forehead. Her gaze was captivating, exuding an extraordinary grace.

"My name is Qingyue. I request your help not only because of the guidance of fate but also for other reasons. For instance, your identity is not simple, and you carry the aura of a perfect ancient seed. It seems that you aren't lacking in cultivation resources, so whether or not you obtain the Green Moon Flame shouldn't affect you much.

If you help me secure the Green Moon Flame, you'll earn a significant favor from me. In the future, when I've achieved something, I will repay you generously.

As for how I know the flame inside is the Green Moon Flame, that's a secret, but rest assured, it's not a mistake."

Upon hearing her name, Qingyue, Gu Wudi felt a slight tremor in his heart. By now, he was certain that this woman was the future legendary Green Moon Fairy.

Before her fall, her status was on par with the Great Red Heaven Lord. She was a close friend of the Six Paths and Wuzhong, renowned for her unmatched brilliance. Had the Ancient Fairy Era not been obliterated, she might have had the chance to become a Celestial King.

Naturally, Gu Wudi wanted to befriend such a talented woman, but he wasn't about to agree easily.

"Generously repay, you say? How exactly?"

Gu Wudi's eyes gleamed as he glanced over Qingyue. He was curious about her background. She looked about fifteen or sixteen and hadn't started cultivating yet. Perhaps she was waiting for her destined Dao Seed.

Noticing Gu Wudi's peculiar gaze, Qingyue wasn't offended. Instead, she smiled warmly, "Young man, what are you thinking? At your age, you should focus on the Dao; don't let your mind wander.

Remember, beauty fades, and even someone unparalleled will eventually turn to dust. Aim higher, beyond this worldly existence."

Gu Wudi shook his head slightly. "Transcendence doesn't conflict with worldly emotions. If you must eliminate these emotions, then it's not true transcendence."

"I didn't expect someone so young to have such profound insights," Qingyue chuckled.

"You're too kind. Alright, I agree to help you, as long as it's within my power, to seize the Green Moon Flame." After exchanging a few more words, Gu Wudi decided not to tease her further and agreed swiftly.

He arrived at this valley intending to challenge the outstanding talents and hone himself. Obtaining the Green Moon Flame wasn't his priority.

Now that the genuine young Green Moon Fairy had appeared, Gu Wudi didn't mind lending her a helping hand.

Just like his father, Wang Geng, who could call upon favors at critical moments to summon five Immortal Kings, these favors were accumulated one by one for future use.

"It seems the guidance of fate was not wrong," Qingyue said with a gentle smile. Her red lips parted, revealing pearly white teeth that glowed like a divine moon, possessing an ethereal and lively charm.

Gu Wudi thought to himself, "Fate, my foot. If it weren't for you being called Qingyue and this flame being named Green Moon Flame, I wouldn't believe in such fate nonsense."

"Never mind fate or whatever, are you sure I can help you?"

Currently, outside the valley are numerous powerful beings, with dozens even at the Combined Path Realm, and countless others in various realms of power.

I'm but a minor cultivator at the Rooting Realm and can't snatch chestnuts from the fire under the noses of so many powerful figures.

Helping is one thing, but risking my life? No way. I'm still young with extremely long years ahead," Gu Wudi stated indifferently.

Qingyue didn't answer immediately but muttered in contemplation, tossing the tortoiseshell in her hand until finally, she obtained a hexagram. "Young man, rest assured. Your fate is long, with no signs of an early demise."

Gu Wudi was speechless. Can this divination be trusted? The other party didn't even know his name, so how was this calculated? Was it just a careless guess, filled with nonsense?

Sensing Gu Wudi's skepticism toward the tortoiseshell divination, Qingyue continued, "Rest assured, the immortal array within this valley has a restriction that only allows beings of the Dao Beginning Realm and below to enter. Though there are many Dao Beginning realm geniuses from major factions present, they do not possess the strength of someone with a Perfect Ancient Seed like you."

The Dao Beginning Realm, also known as the Sprouting Realm, is the third realm of the Dao Seed Method. Cultivators in this realm see their Dao Seed sprout new buds, symbolizing the nascent stage of their great path and formally embarking on their journey.

Thus, Gu Wudi must face those geniuses from the Dao Beginning Realm with his Rooting Realm cultivation. "You seem to have great confidence in my abilities. Very well, if it is truly as you say, then I shall protect your path this once."

After deliberating carefully, Gu Wudi assessed that dealing with those Dao Beginning Realm geniuses shouldn't pose much of an issue given his combat prowess, unless the offspring of a powerful Immortal King were present. "By the way, how did you know about the Perfect Ancient Seed in me? I have been quite discreet, and even those at the Combined Path Realm couldn't detect it."

Qingyue gave a knowing smile and answered, "Would you believe me if I said I guessed?" "I don't believe it." "Alright then, I have a special artifact that can sense the aura of a Perfect Ancient Seed. If I'm not mistaken, the seed within you is likely the renowned Heaven Vault Seed."

Upon hearing this, Gu Wudi was startled. "What kind of magical artifact is this? It's incredibly powerful, capable of sensing the aura of a Perfect Ancient Seed and even distinguishing what type it is."

Following this, the three figures each called out their own names, just as mentioned in earlier chapters.