276: I will not save the common people, but only you.

At the same time.

Immortal Domain, 9527 mine.

A long queue, stretching from the entrance of a hidden mine tunnel far into the distance, consisted of about a hundred people.

At this moment, a burly man walked out of the mine tunnel.

He raised his hand and declared boldly, “Brothers, relax and enjoy yourselves! Today is the one thousandth anniversary of the Brave Heroes Gang’s founding. Go wild, don’t hold back.”

“I’m covering all the expenses.”

The subordinates shouted excitedly, “Thank you, Boss!”

The burly man waved his hand and walked away.

The subordinate at the front of the line saw this, turned to the crowd, and said, “Brothers, I’ll go first.”

Before long.

This subordinate walked out of the cave with a look of satisfaction.

The second member of the Brave Heroes Gang in line silently walked in.

Time slowly flowed by.

A few hours later, the entrance was completely empty.

In the deepest part of the mine tunnel, Gu Qingtian lay motionless on the cold ground.

His clothes were ragged and covered in sweat stains and filth.

He stared blankly at the uneven rock above his head, unable to even lift a finger.

An indescribable foul stench permeated the air, and every breath made his chest ache.

Silence reigned all around, broken only by the faint sounds of mining drifting from a great distance, reminding him of his location.

After a long time, a trace of weak Qi finally returned to his chest.

Gu Qingtian’s eyeballs rotated stiffly, tears of humiliation welling up in his eyes.

Immediately afterward, an extremely suppressed sob echoed within the mine tunnel.

“Wuwuwu... Mother, your son misses you so much!”

...Twenty days later.

Inside the Lingxiao Courtyard cultivation room.

Through relentless effort, Cao Bu finally conquered Shen Mengmeng physically.

That arrogant Aunt Shen now looked at him with a hint of indescribable submission.

As for complete mental subjugation?

That would require more time and methods.

The next morning.

Cao Bu stood mid-air with the three women—Su Li, Leng Yue, and Luo Qingcheng—overlooking the rebuilt Gu Clan Territory below.

At this moment, this brand new behemoth was completely empty.

Su Li linked arms with Cao Bu’s sturdy arm and softly asked, “Cao Bu, will we ever come back here?”

Cao Bu looked down, slowly shook his head, and cast his gaze toward the distant horizon: “No, let it stay here.”

“From now on, the four seas are our home. Where can we not settle?”

As his voice faded, Yin-Yang Two Energies surged around him, enveloping the three women, transforming into a brilliant black-and-white stream of light that sliced through the sky, speeding toward the Myriad Laws Forbidden Abyss.

Since the Yin-Yang Heavenly Emperor could retrieve a damaged Immortal Artifact from within, perhaps there truly was a chance for Immortal Ascension there.

He is currently at the Great Emperor Fourth Level. If he wants to improve quickly, ordinary methods are too slow; he must take shortcuts.

The periphery of the Myriad Laws Forbidden Abyss.

Black clouds hung low, never dispersing year-round.

The dense Evil Qi had almost solidified, rolling in the air and producing a wailing wind sound.

The entrance to the Abyss was like the gaping, ferocious maw of an ancient giant beast, bottomless, swallowing light and Spiritual Qi for thousands of miles around.

Only the strange Runes occasionally flashing along the edge of the entrance illuminated the surrounding jagged rocks and twisted dead trees.

When Cao Bu arrived with the three women, more than a dozen Great Emperors were already waiting there.

They were either sitting cross-legged to regulate their breathing or gazing at the Abyss, their expressions extremely solemn.

Sensing Cao Bu’s arrival, they all stood up and looked over.

When they sensed the vast aura, completely different from a month ago, all the Great Emperors were simultaneously shaken.

“Clan Chief Cao!”

“Fellow Daoist Cao!”

Everyone stepped forward, cupped their hands, and bowed in greeting.

When their eyes met Cao Bu’s, a trace of unconcealed shock flashed in their depths.

In just one month, he went from the Great Emperor First Layer to the Great Emperor Fourth Level?!

Such a terrifying Cultivation speed was simply unheard of.

Great Emperor Xuanji cupped his hands with a smile: “Clan Chief Cao truly possesses heaven-defying talent—no, he is a genius unprecedented throughout the ages! I have lived for over three hundred thousand years, and I have never seen such terrifying cultivation speed!”

War Emperor Chu Kuang’s eyes sparkled, his Battle Intent flickering momentarily: “Clan Chief Cao’s improvement in cultivation is so terrifying that he must have a greater certainty for this trip into the Forbidden Abyss. We hope Clan Chief Cao can look after us.”

Cao Bu’s expression was calm. He cupped his hands in return: “Fellow Daoists are too polite. The Forbidden Abyss is unpredictable and dangerous, so we must naturally help each other and weather the storm together.”

His gaze swept over the crowd.

The twelve Great Emperors present were all long-established powerhouses in the Spirit Realm.

Besides Great Emperor Xuanji and War Emperor Chu Kuang, there was Great Emperor Heavenly Array, who specialized in Formation; Great Emperor Myriad Beasts, who was skilled in Beast Taming; and Great Emperor Shadow, who Cultivated the Shadow Law... Su Li and the two other women stood quietly behind Cao Bu, their faces expressionless.

The Great Emperors exchanged glances, all noticing something significant.

This Clan Chief Cao had, without anyone realizing it, become the backbone of this group.

Looking at the way Su Li and the two other women looked at Cao Bu, these old fellows who had lived for tens of thousands of years understood perfectly.

However, no one exposed it; they all pretended not to notice, though they couldn't help sighing internally for Gu Qingtian, who had already Ascended.

Just as everyone was exchanging pleasantries, a stream of light streaked across the sky.

Liu Ruyan arrived gracefully.

Dressed in white, spotless, with stunning beauty and a cold, aloof temperament, she seemed like a Mysterious Maiden of the Nine Heavens descending upon the Mortal World.

Her gaze immediately fell upon Cao Bu.

Her pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.

Great Emperor Fourth Level?!

She remembered clearly that a month ago, when Cao Bu first Attained the Emperor Status, he was only at the Peak of the Great Emperor First Layer!

But now, he was already at the Great Emperor Fourth Level!

Such a Cultivation speed completely overturned all common Cultivation sense in the Spirit Realm throughout history.

“Empress.” Cao Bu smiled and nodded, acknowledging her.

Liu Ruyan suppressed the turbulent waves in her heart, nodded slightly, and her cold voice sounded: “Cao Bu, your Cultivation speed is too unbelievable.”

“Just luck,” Cao Bu replied modestly.

The Great Emperors looked at each other, knowing only a fool would believe that.

But matters of cultivation involve personal secrets, and they wouldn't be tactless enough to pry.

Liu Ruyan glanced at Su Li and the two other women, then returned her gaze to Cao Bu, suddenly asking, “Cao Bu, do you remember when I asked you for a poem about love back at Cangfeng Residence? Do you have anything in mind?”

Hearing this, all the Emperors looked curious.

Liu Ruyan was famous for her cold aloofness and never showed kindness to men. Yet, she was actively asking Cao Bu for a poem?

Cao Bu pondered slightly, seemingly recalling something.

After a moment, he slowly spoke:

“A few days ago, I dreamed of a story during a break in Cultivation. After waking up, I felt inspired, and I think I can compose a poem.”

He stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the black mist rolling deep within the Forbidden Abyss, his voice carrying a strange rhythm:

“A Monk's Search”

“Mountain temple bells chime as twilight descends, crimson gates and embroidered windows lock spring deep within.”

“Before the Buddha, I vowed a wish for three lives: Not Saving the Masses, Only Saving You.”

“The blood-stained Kasaya is heavy; the severed black hair, relinquishing thought, is light.”

“A hundred lifetimes of Reincarnation, yet I couldn't find you; I only see Bodhi, but not my lord.”

“In this life, I shall not be a guest before the Buddha, preferring to fall into the Mortal World and walk as a ghost.”

“If I catch a glimpse of your fleeting shadow again, I will welcome ten thousand calamities upon myself with a smile.”

When Cao Bu’s voice fell silent, the entire area plunged into stillness.

All the Great Emperors stood rooted to the spot, motionless.

They seemed to see: a mountain temple at twilight, bells echoing, a young monk and a Young Miss of a wealthy family looking at each other across the temple gate.

He swore before the Buddha: In this life, he would not save the masses, only save her alone.

The day the Kasaya was stained with blood, he died saving her, and she, too, cut off her black hair, severing her attachment to the Mortal World.

A hundred lifetimes of Reincarnation, she knelt before the Buddha, copying all the scriptures, but sadly, she could never find a trace of him again.

Finally, she vowed that she would rather fall into the Mortal World and become a ghost, enduring ten thousand calamities, just to see him once more.

Liu Ruyan stood frozen, ripples rising in the depths of her beautiful eyes, eventually solidifying into a raging storm.

The deep affection in the line “Not Saving the Masses, Only Saving You,” and the determination in “I will welcome ten thousand calamities upon myself with a smile,” resonated with her Soul!

Her delicate body trembled slightly, and her Qi became slightly disordered.

“Cao Bu.” Liu Ruyan spoke, her voice somewhat strained: “Does this poem have an ending?”