194: Chapter 194 The Secrets of the Chaotic Ancient Era and the Situation of the Lesser Immortal Realm

Jiang Hao gazed at the spot where the image had vanished, remaining silent for a long while as thoughts raced through his mind.

Was that figure the Chaotic Ancient Heavenly Emperor?

That invincible demeanor, that unparalleled domineering aura, seemed vaguely similar to what he had glimpsed in the ruins back then.

If it was the Chaotic Ancient Heavenly Emperor, who was he fighting? Someone from the side of the Mysterious Immortals?

And what passage was he opening?

The true passage to the Immortal Realm?

But aren't the Immortal Realm and us on the same side?

Why would someone from the Immortal Realm try to stop him?

Could it be that the Immortal Realm itself is not a monolithic bloc, or that there are other hidden circumstances?

Jiang Hao felt as if he had touched the edge of an even darker truth.

"The Chaotic Ancient Era holds far too many mysteries," Jiang Hao finally spoke slowly, his tone carrying a trace of emotion and gravity.

"That Senior's ambitions were vast, and the enemies he encountered were terrifyingly formidable. What we have done today, in comparison, is but a trivial act. The road ahead is long, and formidable foes may not come from just one place."

Everyone fell silent, their hearts shrouded in a layer of shadow. The enemies were more terrifying and powerful than imagined.

Yet, they also felt an even deeper admiration for that possibly existing Chaotic Ancient Heavenly Emperor.

He was a true pioneer and warrior, advancing through even more dreadful enemy territory.

Having composed themselves, the four continued forward and finally reached the end of the passage.

Beyond the light screen ahead lay the world of the Lesser Immortal Realm. The rich aura of immortality and spiritual energy could already be faintly sensed through the screen.

"It is indeed extraordinary," Jiang Hao turned and looked at Xiao Fan.

"Once you pass through, be cautious in everything. Focus on reconnaissance, do not recklessly take risks. If there is an emergency, you can try to use the faint connection through the Dao traces you left on the jade disc of creation, or look for an opportunity to send a message. Once you are stable, we can plan the next steps."

Primordial Heavenly Lord said gently, "Take care of yourself!"

Xiao Fan nodded, "Rest assured, three Seniors. This Junior will not fail your trust!"

He took a deep breath, hesitated no longer, turned, and resolutely stepped forward, crossing the seven-colored light screen. His figure was instantly swallowed by the dense aura of the Lesser Immortal Realm and vanished from sight.

Jiang Hao and the other two watched the spot where Xiao Fan disappeared, standing quietly for a moment.

"I hope he succeeds," Primordial said softly.

"This young man's will is tenacious, and he is clever. He should be able to handle it," Lingbao said.

Jiang Hao nodded. He was relatively confident about Xiao Fan.

His strength was formidable, his character steady. Over these ten thousand plus years, he had learned much from him, Lingbao Heavenly Lord, and Primordial Heavenly Lord, and his power had greatly increased.

Saying no more, the three retraced their path. After leaving the passage, Jiang Hao, together with Lingbao and Primordial, once again joined forces to close the passage.

The earth-shaking commotion on the Kunlun Ancient Star subsided.

Powerhouses across the Heavens and Myriad Worlds observed with suspicion and uncertainty. Soon, they discovered that from that day forth, the aura of the Qiankun Great Emperor, Xiao Fan, had completely vanished from their world!

Meanwhile, the auras of the Chaos Heavenly Emperor, Lingbao Heavenly Lord, and Primordial Heavenly Lord still existed within the Heavenly Court.

"The Qiankun Great Emperor is gone!"

"Could it be... he was sent into that newly opened passage?"

"That must be it. Could the other side of that passage be the Immortal Realm?"

"The Heavenly Emperor and the others actually have the ability to send someone into the Immortal Realm? This..."

"Why not send us? We are willing to go too!"

The Life Forbidden Zone immediately erupted in an uproar.

Envy, jealousy, longing, resentment, indignation...

All sorts of emotions intertwined.

Hadn't they endured self-mutilation and hibernation, waiting precisely for the Path to Immortality to open, to enter the Immortal Domain and achieve longevity?

Now, a seemingly stable Ascension passage was right before their eyes, yet the Heavenly Emperor had excluded them, sending only that Qiankun Great Emperor. How detestable!

"Jiang Hao, he intends to Cultivate his own direct lineage, monopolizing the Immortal opportunity!"

"Hateful, truly hateful!"

"Perhaps the passage is perilous? Perhaps only a new Great Emperor with that level of strength and state can pass through safely?"

"Even so, if there's even a sliver of hope, I would be willing to risk it! Better than lingering on in this world, constantly worrying about being settled!"

"Sigh... but what can we do? Do you dare go to the Heavenly Court to question them? Or can you find and open that path yourself?"

By the end of the discussion, only a dispirited and painful silence remained.

Hope was within reach, yet unattainable. This feeling tormented the Dao Hearts of many Forbidden Zone Supremes.

...

Lesser Immortal Realm.

Xiao Fan stepped out of the light screen, his feet landing on solid ground.

Instantly, an overwhelmingly dense spiritual energy assailed him, mixed with a strange yet gentle substance.

Drawing it into his body, he even felt a wave of comfort.

It seemed his Lifespan had faintly, ever so slightly, shown signs of stabilization.

"Is this the Immortality Substance?"

"Truly marvelous. Although it cannot grant true immortality, being immersed in it for a long time must have wondrous effects on slowing aging and stabilizing one's Dao foundation."

Xiao Fan cautiously restrained his aura and surveyed his surroundings.

This seemed to be a vast, uninhabited mountain range.

The Great Dao Laws between heaven and earth were clearer than in the Origin Realm. Clearly, cultivation here would be easier.

Just as Xiao Fan was about to investigate further, the sound of something tearing through the air came from the distant horizon.

A powerful divine sense swept over without any courtesy, locking onto him.

The next moment, a middle-aged man in magnificent brocade robes appeared not far away, his face wearing an expression of arrogance.

His aura was vast and mighty—he was actually also an existence at the Great Emperor level!

The middle-aged man scrutinized Xiao Fan, frowned slightly, a flash of confusion in his eyes, which then transformed into a condescending demeanor.

"Who are you? Where do you come from? Your aura is so strange; you are not a Cultivator from our realm, are you?"

The brocade-robed man spoke, his voice cold, carrying a tone of interrogation. "Did you sneak up from some Lower Realm?"

Xiao Fan's heart tightened. Indeed, beings from different worlds had subtle differences in aura, which couldn't escape the perception of a powerhouse of the same level.

Xiao Fan suppressed his thoughts, his expression calm, and countered:

"How does Fellow Daoist discern that I am not from this realm? Is the difference in aura so apparent? Are all Cultivators in this realm as sharp-eyed as you, Fellow Daoist?"

His tone was neither servile nor overbearing, carrying a hint of inquiry.

Hearing this, the brocade-robed middle-aged man's arrogant expression intensified, even revealing a trace of disdain:

"Hmph, a country bumpkin from a Lower Realm, shallow in knowledge. Cultivators from our realm have long resided in the Upper Realm, nourished by supreme Immortal Spiritual Energy and the Great Dao. Our foundational auras are naturally pure and lofty. How could those from your turbid, filthy Lower Realms compare?

One look at your unsophisticated appearance and the aura around you, different from our realm, reveals your roots!"

Xiao Fan frowned deeply upon hearing this. A different aura was understandable, but what was with this superior, regionally discriminatory attitude?

Was there discrimination between worlds?

Moreover, this person was also at the Great Emperor level of cultivation. How could his temperament still be so shallow and arrogant?

With such a state of mind, in the Origin Realm's heaven and earth, it would be impossible to reach this step.

Was the atmosphere in this Lesser Immortal Realm so poor?

Or was this person just an isolated case?

Xiao Fan felt some doubts in his heart but couldn't be bothered to waste words with such a person.

Clearly, with someone so hostile and prejudiced, asking directly wouldn't yield anything valuable.

Without another word, Xiao Fan's figure flickered, directly vanishing from the spot.

With someone like this, beating them up would settle it.

Beat them up, then ask for information.

Upon arriving in a new place, understanding the situation was very important—the crucial first step. This was something Elder Jiang had taught him back in the Ancient Emperors Tomb.