Chapter 86: A Successful Withdrawal

Chi Li's eyes held a mix of astonishment and envy.

The supreme legacy seed bestowed by a True Immortal was ultimately no match for a perfect ancient seed born innately; the gap between them was vast.

Vast enough to bridge the disadvantage of realm disparity, of course, Gu Wudi's natural talent was also a crucial factor allowing him to contend across levels.

"Regardless, we stand in the Dao Origin realm, one full realm higher than him. If three against one cannot prevail, it would be a laughing stock."

A prodigy from the Scarlet Fire Sect spoke, their fiery robe fluttering fiercely, as a torrent of flames surged.

They activated their Dao Seed and simultaneously unleashed the forbidden art of the Scarlet Fire Sect.

"Scarlet Fire Melts the Heavens!"

They shouted, and immediately, heavenly flames swept across the sky.

The crimson divine fire burn through the void and collapsed the firmament, instantly transforming the passage into a world of flames.

The terrifying heat even caused signs of melting on Gu Wudi's azure canopy.

"Since that's the case, I won't hold back either. Grand Scorching Heaven Technique."

Chi Li from the Great Red Heaven Sect whispered coldly, casting the sect's ultimate art.

This was an extremely ancient heavenly technique, reputed to annihilate all evil within the world.

Also a red flame, yet distinctly different from the Scarlet Fire released by the Scarlet Fire Sect's prodigy.

With the addition of the Grand Scorching Heaven Technique, the azure canopy immediately struggled, melting at a visibly rapid pace under the relentless blaze.

"Southern Ming Departure Fire!"

A youth from the Southern Ming Valley joined the fray, releasing a sea-like white flame.

"Boom!"

The azure canopy was thoroughly breached, charred into blackness with three massive holes appearing.

Seeing this, Gu Wudi's eyes narrowed slightly with a hint of gravity.

The Dao Seed technique, once reaching the Dao Origin realm, was no longer as simplistic as at the beginning.

This realm signified cultivators truly embarking on their path, divided into several stages and sub-realms, with noticeable differences among them.

Three young beings battling fiercely with him all stood in the final sub-realm of the Dao Origin realm, greatly surpassing him.

Even with the perfect ancient seed and the gift of Immortal Prince level talent, defeating three formidable inheritors from major forces was a daunting challenge for Gu Wudi.

To overcome them, he had to take a dangerous gamble.

"Boom!"

A chaotic halberd cleaved through the air, falling like a meteor with unparalleled speed, appearing before the Southern Ming Valley prodigy in an instant.

Suffocating, crushing pressure surged like a tidal wave, making it hard for the Southern Ming Valley prodigy to breathe and forcing a change in their expression.

They hadn't anticipated Gu Wudi would disregard the other two and charge straight at them.

Close combat is exceedingly perilous, often resulting in irreversible disaster with heads rolling.

Particularly, facing off against a formidable opponent like Gu Wudi at close range brings an indescribable sense of oppression.

"Annihilate!"

With a thunderous shout, a cascade of white flames erupted like an endless torrent toward the chaotic halberd ahead, seeking to slow its advance for a moment's respite.

Yet Gu Wudi, determined to grievously wound his foe, unleashed his full power with an inexorable force, crushing all resistance.

"Boom!"

The chaos exploded, casting endless light while the white flames quivered and collapsed, dissipating into fragments.

In a heartbeat, the anguished screams of Southern Ming Valley's prodigy echoed as his white armor was shattered by Gu Wudi's devastating strike, reducing half of his body to ashes.

Blood gushed like a spring, spurting out as the prodigy went pale, completely drained of color.

At that moment, a single thought filled his mind: avoid melee with this being, as his physical defense was far inferior.

Then, Chi Li and the Scarlet Fire Sect's prodigy arrived, jointly attacking Gu Wudi's back with incredible speed, leaving no time for him to react.

Forced to endure the assault, Gu Wudi spat blood, his battle attire shattered, and his back scorched and bloodied, radiating intense pain.

Yet he didn't turn back, continuing to wield the halberd fiercely against the Southern Ming Valley prodigy with relentless fury.

"Ah!"

Several strikes later, the prodigy screamed, pupils dilating in terror, nearly severed in half by Gu Wudi, intestines spilling to the ground, narrowly missing the Dao Seed in his dantian.

Had the chaotic halberd struck that, his path would have shattered entirely.

In that moment, he made the swift decision to flee, pushing himself to the limit to create distance from Gu Wudi, then darting back the way he came without hesitation.

Gravely wounded, he was no longer a contender for the Cyan Moon Flame, and staying meant only working for others to reap the benefits, or worse, facing death. In this scenario, escape was the wisest course.

Seeing the Southern Ming Valley prodigy flee, Gu Wudi immediately turned, unleashing a storm of azure light with his halberd, confronting Chi Li and the Scarlet Fire Sect prodigy.

Earlier, in his bid to first critically injure one opponent, Gu Wudi had taken substantial hits, with the gashes on his back deep enough to expose bones and even reveal pulsating organs, including the heart.

Nevertheless, possessing a body of Immortal Monarch level bolstered his resolve, and quickly consuming a few divine fruits notably alleviated his suffering, granting him strength to face his remaining foes.

A clash of prodigies erupted, with two kinds of crimson flames overshadowing the sky, scorching and collapsing the world, engaging in a deep-level confrontation with a part of the firmament.

"Puh!"

Gu Wudi staggered backward, blood continuously oozing from the corners of his mouth. He had taken on three opponents alone, and although his strategy of inflicting critical damage on one initially was sound, his injuries were too severe, with organs scorched by the terrifying flames. Moreover, the pressing assault from his two other adversaries gave him no moment to catch his breath.

Even with the essence of divine fruit and his regenerative abilities, his injuries kept worsening.

However, Chi Li and the Scarlet Fire Sect prodigy were also not faring well. By the time they realized they shouldn't engage Gu Wudi in close combat, it was already too late.

Trying to widen the distance had become a mere dream.

Gu Wudi wielded his heavy Chaos Great Halberd, descending relentlessly from the sky. Every strike required two beings to jointly resist, yet even so, they were left with churning blood and reddened faces.

"Kill!"

Gu Wudi unleashed his true fury, with a bare chest, disheveled hair, and eyes exuding dominance, he charged into a frenzy, bringing a violent and ferocious momentum to bear.

Faced with this relentless assault like a torrential storm, Chi Li and the Scarlet Fire Sect cultivator found it increasingly untenable. With their strength, they might suppress Gu Wudi from a distance, but being caught in close quarters, they could only watch as they descended into the abyss of defeat.

"Ah!"

Chi Li screamed as an arm was sliced off by the great halberd, soaring high and drenched in blood.

Simultaneously, the Scarlet Fire Sect prodigy also suffered a calamity, with a gaping wound appearing on his neck, hot blood spurting out and splattering three meters away.

It was at this moment that the entire valley began to tremble lightly, countless Immortal Dao symbols lighting up with azure light.

Amidst the blue moon hung a peerless beauty, her figure long and graceful, with alluring poise; her long legs fair and entrancing, her dark hair cascading to her waist, truly a paragon of elegance. Her eyes shone brilliantly like stars, resembling an immortal goddess descending from the heavens to the mortal world.

"Qingyue..."

Gu Wudi ceased his assault, gazing at the blue moon, knowing that this was the manifestation of Qingyue's successful Dao cultivation, indicating that the overall situation was settled, and there was no longer any need for a life-and-death battle.

Had he continued fighting, he was highly confident in killing the two young men before him.

However, this was the Great Red Heaven, the headquarters of the Great Red Heaven Sect and the Scarlet Fire Sect. Killing the successors of the two sects' Path Origin realm would be tantamount to a provocation, especially since supremes from both sects were waiting outside the valley. Conflict with them would likely incite action from these supreme beings.

Although Gu Wudi wasn't afraid, having Wang Geng backing him, he preferred to avoid unnecessary trouble.

Besides, as the saying goes, "One doesn't know each other without fighting"; they didn't necessarily have to become enemies.

Seeing Gu Wudi cease his attack, Chi Li and the Scarlet Fire Sect prodigy hurriedly pulled back, keeping a safe distance while facing him.

"It seems that mortal woman has successfully integrated with the Qingyue Flame," Chi Li sighed softly, recognizing that the situation had changed, and the perfect ancient seed now had a rightful owner, making further struggle meaningless.

They looked at Gu Wudi with complex expressions, still finding it somewhat hard to believe.

As leaders of two top-tier sects in the Dao Origin realm, they ended up being defeated by a Rooting realm creature, who even fought against three all by himself.

This outcome was difficult to accept, yet they had to admit that in the entire thirty-three heavens, this young man named "Gu Wudi" was among the top prodigies, capable of competing with the descendants of Immortal Kings and the strongest heirs of super-factions.

After a brief moment of reflection, they no longer lingered, and respectfully saluted Gu Wudi.

"Our elders always said, 'The vast Primordial Ancient Realm is teeming with prodigies beyond count, and there is always someone better.' Back then, I wasn't convinced, taking pride in my insignificant achievements.

It wasn't until I met Fellow Daoist Gu that I realized there truly are hidden dragons among us.

We lost this battle, and we concede wholeheartedly. Let us part ways here. Next time we meet, I'm sure Fellow Daoist Gu's name will have spread across the thirty-three heavens."

"Indeed, with your talent and combat prowess, it won't be long before you dominate the Ancient Realm and become a revered power." The Scarlet Fire Sect prodigy advised.

The two had seen the unfathomable potential in Gu Wudi, not only defeating them but also the heir of the Supreme Hall. Unless his path was cut short, he would become a formidable power in the future. Such a person should not be an enemy but a friend.

Those who understand history never go against the tide.

Thus, their words were peaceful, intending to turn hostility into friendship.

As for missing out on the Green Moon Flame, neither minded, for even if they had it, they could not integrate it, making it no great loss.

Seeing this, Gu Wudi also tempered his arrogance and respectfully bowed to them.

"Thank you for the advice."

"Farewell then, until we meet again, when we shall no longer be adversaries but friends, sitting together, drinking and celebrating." Chi Li extended with goodwill.

The Scarlet Fire Sect prodigy did likewise.

To forge ties with a being destined to become immortal could only bring benefits without drawbacks.

Gu Wudi nodded, watching them depart.

He then turned his gaze towards a certain void, pointing his halberd.

"Fellow Daoist, what does it mean to leave and then return? Your ancient mirror can deceive others but not me."

Upon hearing this, a startled man emerged, a flash in his hand as he stowed away an ancient mirror filled with profound ancient script, vanishing from sight.

"Ah, Brother Gu, truly a reincarnated immortal. With your power alone, you defeated heirs from three major sects a realm higher, such power in the Rooting realm is indeed unprecedented." He praised with a smile.

Gu Wudi ignored the flattery, focusing on the man's eyes, and said with a stony expression, "Do you have business with me?"

The man, upon hearing the words, showed a look of surprise on his face. "Truly worthy of Brother Gu, your spiritual intuition is so keen that this Void Mirror might as well not exist in front of you."

He first expressed his admiration and then informed Gu Wudi that he indeed had matters to discuss with him.

...

"Celestial King Secret Abode?"

After listening to the man's narration, Gu Wudi was somewhat startled. The man actually invited him to explore a deeply hidden Celestial King Secret Abode at the border of the Great Red Heaven.

Such a sudden invitation made his first reaction a refusal. He didn't know the man's identity or true intentions, and besides, he was merely at the Rooting Realm, while the man was only at the Dao Initiation Realm. Such frailty made the exploration of a Celestial King Secret Abode seem too dangerous and reckless.

In Gu Wudi's view, one should at least reach the Unity Realm Qualification. Thus, he planned to decline the offer.

At that moment, a blue moon approached, with a stunningly beautiful woman of refined temperament standing upon it, none other than Qingyue, who had just successfully planted her Dao.

"A Celestial King Secret Abode? Since you invite a Rooting Realm cultivator like him to visit, you must have some understanding of that secret abode. Why not share it, to avoid any misjudgments on our part," Qingyue spoke, her voice ethereal like heavenly music.

The man, seeing Qingyue arriving gracefully, was momentarily dazed but quickly regained his composure. "What the fairy says is absolutely right..."

...

In a valley, Gu Wudi and Qingyue stood side by side on a teleportation formation. Soon, a surge of blue light flowed, activating the formation. After a flash, the two disappeared.

When they reappeared, they were on an endless wasteland, far from the valley.

Just as they left, the valley was enveloped by a blue radiance, slowly sinking into the endless turbulence of space under the gaze of all the cultivators.

"Those two beings didn't come out, so it seems they left via the teleportation formation," sighed the supreme being from the Great Red Heaven Sect.

"What a pity, a perfect ancient seed slipped away just like that," shook their head, sighing in regret.

Meanwhile, Chi Li and his comrades gathered to chat about topics related to Gu Wudi.

Gu Wudi had already been strong enough, and now with a companion who had fused with the Qingyue Flame, such a duo commanded respect. The three had a premonition that in the years to come, this duo would undoubtedly be renowned throughout the Thirty-Three Heavens.

...

On an unknown distant wasteland, Gu Wudi and Qingyue walked side by side, discussing the Celestial King Secret Abode mentioned by the man in the valley.

In other worlds, these fundamental principles surely exist as well, since no world is devoid of the myriad paths.

However, they might manifest differently, such as an innate primordial purple energy or a beam of celestial light.

The reason why the ancient primordial world appears as a seed is that this realm favors the Dao Seed system.

Of course, other worlds can also have seeds; it's not an absolute.