69: Chapter 68: The trial is over, and I see the Karma Reincarnation Immortal for the first time

Chapter 68: Trial Ends, First Meeting with the Immortal King of Karma and Reincarnation

Vast Expanse Great World.

As Gu Shengge's consciousness returned to his main body along the threads of Karma, and he slowly opened his eyes, he found himself in a void space.

The next moment, a crystal-clear skull, stained with traces of golden blood, entered his vision.

The skull was as translucent as Glass glass, glowing brightly, permeated with a majestic aura of Karma, and inscribed with several Dao characters, profoundly mysterious.

“Awake,” a gentle voice resonated from within the skull, and immediately after, a grey-robed figure materialized.

However, Gu Shengge could not discern his true appearance, yet he felt his presence everywhere—in the past, in the future. He was the Incarnation of Karma, the true self of Reincarnation, the beginning and end of heaven and earth.

Gu Shengge dared not be negligent and quickly cupped his hands in a respectful bow, saying, “Junior Gu Shengge greets Senior.”

“No need for such courtesy. I have fallen countless eons ago; what you see is merely a wisp of my lingering thought.”

The grey-robed figure gently raised his hand, and an inexplicable force lifted Gu Shengge, indicating that he need not bother with such formalities.

“Senior, are you an ancestor of the Forgotten River Holy Courtyard?” Gu Shengge couldn't help but ask.

The grey-robed figure shook his head and said indifferently, “No, the Forgotten River Holy Courtyard you speak of was merely established by someone who obtained a Legacy from me. If we were to truly discuss Karma, it does have a slight connection to me.”

“Junior understands.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Shengge was slightly surprised. This seemed to be different from what was stated in the Jade Slip.

The Jade Slip mentioned that those who passed the trial would automatically receive a reward, but it never mentioned encountering this Senior.

The grey-robed figure saw through Gu Shengge's thoughts, smiled slightly, and explained:

“No need to be surprised. Those who passed the trials in the past did not meet my requirements. But you are different; your Heart-Nature and Aptitude both satisfy me, which is why I am willing to appear before you.”

With that, the Glass skull circled Gu Shengge once, while emitting sounds of praise.

“Innate Human Race, Qi cultivation reaching the thirty-third layer, Foundation Establishment with the Origin of Heavenly Tribulation, condensing twelve flawless Saint Pills, and even evolving seven Heavenly Dao Divine Nascent Souls. Honestly, if my true remnant soul were still here, I would even want to Possess you.”

“Especially that supreme treasure in your Sea of Consciousness, it truly makes my Heart-Nature stir.”

Having his Origins and trump cards revealed one by one, and even hearing words of Possession, startled Gu Shengge, who immediately became wary.

Seeing Gu Shengge's wariness, the grey-robed figure was not displeased; instead, he chuckled and said:

“Hahaha, no need to worry. I no longer have the ability to Possess. Otherwise, why wait until now? I would have acted the moment you entered.”

Gu Shengge: “It was Junior's discourtesy.”

The grey-robed figure shook his head: “Anyone who hears another person express an intent to Possess them will instinctively become alert. This is not your fault.”

“Senior, may I ask for your venerable title?”

Gu Shengge asked tentatively. The grey-robed figure was slightly stunned. His venerable title? After countless years, does anyone in this world still remember him?

“This Seat, Immortal King of Karma and Reincarnation. It's normal that you haven't heard of me, as I have fallen for countless eons.”

Immortal King of Karma and Reincarnation! Although Gu Shengge had never heard of this venerable title, anyone with 'Immortal King' as a suffix must be a powerful Immortal Cultivator, a grand existence in the Immortal Realm.

“Eh~ you little brat, don't slander me. I am not like those cowards from the Primordial Immortal Realm; I am a native-born creature of Azure Expanse.”

Unexpectedly, the words of the Immortal King of Karma and Reincarnation directly stumped Gu Shengge. A native-born Immortal King Cultivator?

Seeing Gu Shengge's confusion, the Immortal King of Karma and Reincarnation patiently explained:

“Countless eons ago, Azure Expanse was also an Immortal Realm…”

Countless eons ago, Azure Expanse was not merely a Major Thousand Worlds, but one of the thirteen top-tier Immortal Realms among all the heavens and myriad realms. Unfortunately, due to a realm war, Azure Expanse lost.

Not only was ninety percent of its realm Origin plundered, countless territories were divided, its status plummeted, and it was even coerced by the Primordial Immortal Realm, becoming a Major Thousand Worlds under it.

The Immortal King of Karma and Reincarnation fell in that realm war, besieged and killed by three foreign realm kings.

After listening to the Immortal King of Karma and Reincarnation's narration, Gu Shengge felt his scalp tingle.

Was this something a mere Nascent Soul Cultivator like him was supposed to hear?

The Immortal King of Karma and Reincarnation saw Gu Shengge's astonishment and comforted him:

“Hahaha, don't be afraid. This is not some great secret. Even if I don't tell you now, you will know it once you reach a certain level.”

Gu Shengge: “Senior, this is the first time Junior has heard such secrets; it's only natural to be a little scared. Did you personally appear this time because you wish to take Junior as your Disciple?”

“Indeed. I have searched for hundreds of millions of years. Although I have encountered many prodigies with astonishing talent, compared to you, whether it's Aptitude or Opportunity, they are far inferior. Even I have to admit that my own talent is slightly less than yours.”

The Immortal King of Karma and Reincarnation sighed softly. He too was once known as an unparalleled Prodigy, a peerless Prodigy who suppressed an era.

But compared to Gu Shengge, he was still a bit lacking.

If placed in his era, perhaps he would have been qualified to challenge the supreme Immortal Emperor realm.

If they had been able to cultivate a supreme Immortal Emperor back then, even if they hadn't won, at least they wouldn't have lost so miserably.

Although an Immortal Emperor is powerful, he cannot contend with human Heart-Nature!

Gu Shengge hadn't expected his casual question to actually come true.

“Little fellow, don't be surprised. To encounter a Junior with such excellent Aptitude and Luck, if I don't take you as my Disciple and inherit my mantle, it would truly be a waste of heavenly resources,” the Immortal King of Karma and Reincarnation chuckled.

He had waited for countless eons, and finally found a being who exceeded his expectations, one whose Heart-Nature, Luck, and Aptitude were all highly satisfactory. Not taking him as a “Disciple” would truly be an unforgivable offense.

Gu Shengge: “Aren't you afraid that I am inherently evil, a demonic Cultivator who harms the world?”

The Immortal King of Karma and Reincarnation shook his head: “I have seen everything you did in the Primordial Immortal Realm, and I am very reassured.”

“Primordial Immortal Realm!”

Hearing these four words, Gu Shengge was startled again. Was Earth the Primordial Immortal Realm?

“Not so. The Earth you are thinking of is merely a tiny fragment of the Primordial Immortal Realm. The Primordial Immortal Realm has long been shattered, even more tragically than Azure Expanse, with only a few remnants still existing.”

The Immortal King of Karma and Reincarnation sighed with a hint of melancholy. The Primordial Immortal Realm was once ranked first among the thirteen Immortal Realms. Unfortunately, precisely because it was too powerful, it suffered a siege from eight Immortal Realms and eventually, outnumbered, was defeated and perished.

Mentioning the Primordial Immortal Realm, the Immortal King of Karma and Reincarnation thought of the supreme treasure in Gu Shengge's Sea of Consciousness, which was very similar to the jade disc of creation of the Primordial Immortal Realm.

However, he had never seen the jade disc of creation himself, only heard older Immortal Kings mention it, as the Primordial Immortal Realm was already damaged when he was born.

Gu Shengge fell silent.

He had only participated in a trial, yet he encountered a remnant of an Immortal King and heard so many secrets.

No, he needed to digest this, lest he choke!

~

PS: This also explains the Origin of the jade disc of creation. If any great masters have opinions on the plot, feel free to share them, so I can make revisions, hehehe.