Eternal Emperor's Path to Ascension

Chapter 378: Su Yanlan’s Past Life, Yun Jiang’s Challenge

For a brief moment, Tian Yongheng seemed somewhat surprised."Su Yanlan?"

The next instant, the tightly sealed stone gates of the cave abode rumbled softly before opening automatically, Immortal mist drifting inward.

Soon afterward, a graceful figure stepped inside.

It was indeed Su Yanlan.

Compared to several decades ago, her cultivation had become considerably more profound. The aura of the middle stages of the Nascent Soul Realm emanated from her body while her presence become increasingly mysterious.

The most obvious change, however, was her eyes.

There seemed to be something hidden within them, like a mixture of confusion, curiosity, and a trace of uncertainty.

At this moment, Tian Yongheng looked at her calmly.

"You came looking for me. Is there something on your mind?"

Su Yanlan nodded.

For several moments, she appeared hesitant before finally speaking, "Peak Master, I wish to ask you something."

Tian Yongheng immediately understood; most likely, it involved her past life memories.

Over the years, he had occasionally paid attention to Su Yanlan’s condition.

It seems the Violet Heavenly Jade Fairy is starting to awaken.

He mused inwardly.

At this moment, Su Yanlan took a deep breath as she spoke.

"I’ve been having the same dream for many years, it becomes clearer every time. I see endless worlds, countless living beings, ancient battles, and a woman standing above everything."

As she spoke, her voice gradually became quieter.

Then, she raised her head, her gaze landing directly upon Tian Yongheng.

"Peak Master, do you know who she is?"

For a moment, silence filled the cave abode.

Tian Yongheng looked at her quietly, his expression remaining unchanged.

But inwardly, he was contemplating how much he should reveal.

After all, the Violet Heavenly Jade Fairy’s existence was no simple matter, and even now, Tian Yongheng could not determine the exact limits of that person’s cultivation.

The only thing he knew was that she was incomparably terrifying, at least an Immortal Sovereign level existence, and possibly far stronger than the Myriad Paths Divine King of Zhu Dong’s past life.

The main reason was that he truly did not know what kind of powers an Immortal Sovereign truly possessed; those were beings completely beyond his comprehension for the time being.

At this moment, Su Yanlan continued.

"Every time I wake up, I remember almost nothing, but somehow, I gain cultivation insights, my comprehension improves, my understanding of Dao deepens, and lately..."

She paused briefly.

"I’ve begun feeling that woman might be related to my past life."

The cave abode became silent once more.

Then, Tian Yongheng finally nodded.

"It is related to your past life."

The moment those words left his mouth, Su Yanlan’s pupils contracted slightly.

Although she had suspected it already, hearing confirmation from Tian Yongheng was entirely different.

After all, this was the Eternal Lord, an existence capable of suppressing Immortals, a genuine Immortal in the Mortal World.

If even he confirmed it, then her suspicions were almost certainly correct.

At this moment, Tian Yongheng continued, "But that is all I can tell you right now."

Su Yanlan blinked, a trace of disappointment appearing in her eyes.

"Why?"

Tian Yongheng smiled faintly.

"Because knowing too much too early is not necessarily a good thing, especially since the answers you seek are extremely distant from your current realm. Some truths cannot be understood just by hearing them, and some heavenly secrets cannot be pried into."

At this moment, he raised his gaze slightly.

His eyes seemed to penetrate countless worlds, as if containing heaven and earth themselves.

"When your cultivation reaches a sufficient level, maybe when you become an Immortal, many things will naturally reveal themselves."

Su Yanlan remained silent.

Although she wasn’t completely satisfied with the answer, she understood what Tian Yongheng meant.

After all, the difference between a Nascent Soul cultivator and an Immortal was simply too enormous.

Some truths might genuinely exceed her current ability to comprehend.

For a long while, neither of them spoke.

Eventually, Su Yanlan slowly nodded.

"I understand."

Although she still possessed countless questions, she no longer asked them.

If even Tian Yongheng was unwilling to explain further, then there was little point in pressing the matter.

Soon afterward, she bowed respectfully before turning around and leaving.

The stone gates closed once more as the cave abode returned to silence.

At this moment, Tian Yongheng rubbed his forehead slightly.

"The Violet Heavenly Jade Fairy..."

Even now, he felt somewhat curious.

What exactly had happened to such an existence?

The system only said the reasons behind her death were unknown, but he felt it must be related to the Jade Heaven Monastery.

A force capable of nurturing beings at the level of peak Immortal Sovereign as merely successors...

Then how powerful must the true experts be?

After thinking briefly, he shook his head.

There was no point dwelling on the matter any further; the truth would eventually reveal itself.

Soon afterward, Tian Yongheng stood up.

This time, he finally left the cave abode.

...

At this moment, inside a quiet pavilion within the Eternal Peak.

Two figures sat opposite each other.

They were indeed Sun Hao and Yun Jiang.

Compared to years ago, Yun Jiang’s aura had changed considerably.

The aura of the Nascent Soul Realm flowed naturally around him.

Clearly, this fellow had indeed broken through to the Nascent Soul Realm.

At this moment, Yun Jiang was discussing Buddhist teachings with Sun Hao.

Suddenly, both of them paused.

A familiar figure dressed in flowing white robes appeared nearby.

It was none other than Tian Yongheng.

The moment he appeared, both individuals immediately stood up.

"Peak Master."

"Senior."

Tian Yongheng nodded slightly, his gaze landing on Yun Jiang as a faint smile appeared on his face.

"Looks like you’ve finally entered the Nascent Soul Realm."

Yun Jiang was somewhat stunned seeing Tian Yongheng smile, a hint of confusion appearing on his face before he also smiled.

He felt the Eternal Lord had changed greatly, but as for what the changes truly were, he couldn’t figure them out.

"Fortunately, I managed to make a breakthrough."

At this moment, Sun Hao looked somewhat amused.

Back when Yun Jiang first arrived, he had been stuck at the peak Void Refinement Realm.

Who would have thought that after remaining in the Eternal Peak for only a decade or so, he would actually break through?

The environment here truly was outrageous.

At this moment, Tian Yongheng examined Yun Jiang briefly before nodding.

This fellow’s foundation was solid and aura stable.

Not bad.

Soon afterward, Tian Yongheng sat down casually.

The three began chatting.

The atmosphere remained relaxed.

Eventually, Tian Yongheng suddenly remembered something.

A trace of amusement appeared on his face.

"Speaking of which, years ago, didn’t you want to come here to challenge me?"

The moment those words left his mouth, Sun Hao immediately laughed.

He clearly remembered that matter.

Back then, Yun Jiang was practically obsessed with fighting powerful opponents.

He had fought his master, the Turquoise Lake Sword Master, who was at the Void Refinement Realm while only being at the Golden Core Realm himself.

Even the Eternal Lord had become one of his targets.

Hearing this, Yun Jiang also smiled awkwardly.

The memories were admittedly somewhat embarrassing.

Back then, he truly had possessed the courage of a newborn calf unafraid of tigers.

At this moment, Tian Yongheng looked at him.

"So, do you still want to fight?"

Sun Hao immediately turned toward Yun Jiang.

His expression became strange.

Surely not, right?

The current Tian Yongheng wasn’t merely stronger than before.

He had already become an Immortal; this news was no secret in the Eternal Peak.

He was a genuine Immortal.

On the other hand, Yun Jiang was only a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator who had just made a breakthrough.

The difference between them was no longer measured by cultivation realms alone.

At this moment, silence briefly descended.

Then, to Sun Hao’s complete surprise, Yun Jiang actually nodded.

"Yes."

The answer came without hesitation.

Even Tian Yongheng seemed mildly surprised.

"You still want to?"

Yun Jiang smiled, his expression remaining calm.

"I do."

Sun Hao stared at him as though looking at a madman.

The gap between Yun Jiang and Tian Yongheng wasn’t just one or two realms.

Between the Nascent Soul Realm and the legendary Immortal Realm lay the Tribulation Transcendence Realm, Immortal Ascension Realm, then the Half Immortal Realm, and finally immortality itself.

Not to mention Tian Yongheng wasn’t an ordinary Immortal, but a being who could suppress Immortals with a mortal body back then; surely, his strength had only grown even more after actually attaining immortality.

Now, Yun Jiang wanted to challenge someone standing three major realms and an Immortal boundary above him, it was simply absurd.

At this moment, Tian Yongheng looked at Yun Jiang carefully before he asked with a smile, "Why?"

Yun Jiang thought for several moments, and then, he answered.

"Because I want to experience it."

"Experience what?"

Tian Yongheng pressed.

"The methods of an Immortal."

The answer was straightforward, containing zero hesitation, fear, or concern about victory or defeat, only curiosity and a desire to witness a higher realm.

Tian Yongheng couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle.

This guy really hasn’t changed much after hundreds of years even when his temperament, understanding of Dharma Dao, and cultivation have all undergone great changes.

He’s still the same battle maniac monk from back then.

At this moment, Tian Yongheng slowly stood up, the smile on his face widening slightly.

"Interesting."

His gaze met Yun Jiang’s.

"Since you’ve come all this way, I’ll grant your wish."

The moment those words fell, Yun Jiang’s eyes immediately brightened.

Even Sun Hao couldn’t help becoming excited.

After all, who wouldn’t want to witness a battle involving the Eternal Lord?