53: Chapter 53 The Immortal Emperor: The Emperor is still alive?!

Undying Mountain.

When Chu Tianjiao brought the Immortal Emperor into the quiet courtyard swirling with Chaos Qi, Xiao Shitou, who was guarding it, suddenly tensed his muscles. Golden blood Qi surged within his body like a hidden Dragon, almost bursting out!

He stared fixedly at the figure dressed in imperial robes embroidered with a fire-bathing Phoenix, his eyes as sharp as blades, filled with undisguised hostility and vigilance.

Immortal Emperor—an ancient figure who had survived since the Mythological Era, the founder of the Primordial Era, a terrifying existence who had ambushed multiple Great Emperors in their later years and bathed in imperial blood to prolong his own life!

If he hadn't seen his teacher standing calmly to the side, Xiao Shitou would have already attacked regardless of the consequences. Even knowing he was no match, he would have fought to the death—because it was this person who had ambushed his teacher five hundred years ago, causing his teacher to "fall in battle after being heavily wounded"!

"So this is the Physique of Perfection? Truly extraordinary."

The Immortal Emperor seemed completely unaware of Xiao Shitou's hostility, instead regarding him with a gentle gaze, his eyes revealing sincere admiration.

He had lived too long and had seen too many amazing Physiques, but a Physique that could truly break the shackles and attain the Dao to become an Emperor was rare throughout history. This young man before him had not only achieved it, but the solidity of his Foundation and the vigor of his blood Qi made even the Immortal Emperor take notice.

"If this Physique grows up, it will be enough to suppress an era." Chu Tianjiao added with a smile, his tone tinged with the pride of a teacher for his Disciple. "Xiao Shitou, go make some tea."

Xiao Shitou suppressed the hostility surging in his heart and respectfully replied, "Yes, Teacher."

He turned and walked towards a corner of the courtyard—where an ancient tree, crystalline throughout with leaves flowing with the patterns of the Dao, grew quietly. It was the undying divine medicine obtained by Chu Tianjiao after conquering Undying Mountain: the ancient tea tree of enlightenment.

Five hundred years of nourishment by Chaos Qi had made this ancient tea tree even more miraculous, with every leaf seemingly carrying the ultimate truths of heaven and earth.

Xiao Shitou carefully plucked three tea leaves and brewed them with the spiritual spring water from the depths of the Nine Heavens star core. The moment the spring water entered the pot, the fragrance of tea permeated the air, and the Dao rhythm flowed, shrouding the entire courtyard in a profound atmosphere that made one's heart and mind serene.

Soon, three cups of clear tea were served.

Chu Tianjiao and the Immortal Emperor sat opposite each other, while Xiao Shitou stood quietly behind his teacher, his gaze still locked tightly on the uninvited guest.

"The ancient tea tree of enlightenment... It has been a long time since I tasted it."

The Immortal Emperor picked up the jade cup, took a light sip, closed his eyes to savor it for a moment, and could not help but sigh with emotion.

The tea fragrance turned into fragments of Dao laws flowing within his body. This experience of resonating with heaven and earth was a rare enjoyment even for an ancient existence like him.

Chu Tianjiao also took a sip of tea, put down the jade cup, and looked at the Immortal Emperor with a calm gaze.

"Sometimes living a long time is not necessarily a blessing." He said slowly, his tone devoid of joy or anger. "The longer you live, the more rise and fall you witness, and the heavier the Karma you accumulate."

The Immortal Emperor raised his eyes to meet his gaze.

"The Dao is impartial." Chu Tianjiao continued. "Even for a Great Emperor, the lifespan does not exceed ten thousand years. This is the balance of heaven and earth—allowing the glorious to step down at the right time, giving later generations a chance to rise."

"Unfortunately, there are always those who fear death, who cut themselves to seek immortality, falling into Forbidden Zone Supremes, using the blood and Qi of all living beings to prolong their lives, and inciting one Dark Turmoil after another."

His voice grew colder. "And you, Senior, although you did not personally start the turmoil, because you ambushed the Great Emperors in their later years, causing the world to lose its suppression, you indirectly indulged those Supremes to run rampant. The Karma on your hands is no lighter than theirs."

The atmosphere in the courtyard suddenly became heavy.

Xiao Shitou stood behind Chu Tianjiao, his fists clenched quietly, and golden blood Qi surged in his Meridians like a river.

But after hearing these words, the Immortal Emperor was not angry, but smiled elegantly instead.

"It is rare to be called 'Senior' by you." His tone was peaceful, as if chatting casually. "As for the Karma you mentioned... you will understand once you have lived long enough. On the road to immortality, many things are just smoke and clouds."

He paused and continued, "I ambushed the Great Emperors in their later years because their time was already short. Even without me, they would have been devoured by the Forbidden Zone Supremes. Rather than benefiting those who live on in disgrace, it is better to fulfill me—at least, I can take their Dao and blood and go further."

Chu Tianjiao shook his head.

"The weak are prey to the strong, and profit is paramount—this is your Dao." He said with a faint mockery in his tone. "But I invited you here today not to discuss the Dao or assign blame."

A trace of surprise flashed in the Immortal Emperor's eyes.

Chu Tianjiao said frankly, "Although I have taken that step, if I really want to kill you, I will have to pay a huge price. And this price is likely to let a certain 'oriole' hiding in the dark reap the benefits."

The moment the word "oriole" was uttered, the gentle smile on the Immortal Emperor's face completely disappeared.

His expression was solemn, his gaze as sharp as a knife, staring fixedly at Chu Tianjiao.

"Is he still alive?" The Immortal Emperor's voice lowered, carrying a trace of imperceptible fluctuation.

Both of them knew who this "he" was.

Chu Tianjiao did not answer directly but asked in return, "You can live from the Mythological Era to the present, why can't he? Do not underestimate that person—if it weren't for fearing his existence, why would I need to invite you here for tea?"

He picked up the jade pot, refilled the tea for the Immortal Emperor, and added a cup for himself.

The tea fragrance curled, but the atmosphere in the courtyard was as cold as an abyss.

"I invited you today for cooperation." Chu Tianjiao finally got to the point. "He wants to reap the benefits, I am unwilling, and you must certainly be unwilling as well—after all, it was you who personally 'ambushed' him back then."

The Immortal Emperor's pupils contracted slightly.

Chu Tianjiao continued, "And he also used your hand to 'fake death' and escape the world, hiding behind the scenes. His resentment towards you is probably not shallow. If my guess is correct... he has taken that step earlier than you."

"Transforming into a Red Dust Immortal in the Mortal World—he may have already walked ahead of us."

"Di Zun..." The Immortal Emperor whispered the name, a complex light flashing in his eyes. "He really hid deep."

Back then, Di Zun established the Heavenly Court and wanted to ascend with the whole sect, but the Immortal Emperor saw through his plot and launched an "ambush," causing the Heavenly Court to collapse and Di Zun to "fall." Now it seems that everything was likely within Di Zun's calculations—he used the Immortal Emperor's hand to move from light to dark, lurking in the depths of the Universe's Origin, waiting for the opportunity.

"How to cooperate? Seek him out directly?" The Immortal Emperor asked in a deep voice.

"Seek him out?" Chu Tianjiao laughed. "He is hidden in the cracks of the Universe's Origin, assimilated with the Dao. Unless he appears voluntarily, even if you turn the Universe upside down, it is difficult to find his trace."

He held up three fingers, his expression serious. "I want to make a contract with you: First, before achieving the Red Dust Immortal, we will not invade each other and will each go our own way; Second, as long as you do not ambush my Human Race Great Emperors and do not trigger Dark Turmoil, I will not trouble you; Third, after we both become Red Dust Immortals, we will join forces to deal with Di Zun. After that is done, we will settle our old scores."

Chu Tianjiao looked at the Immortal Emperor. "This is the best choice for both of us. If you are not at ease, I can let my Disciple also take an oath—he will not actively look for trouble with you either."

He paused and added, "Naturally, with his current Realm, it is difficult for him to pose a threat to you anyway."

The Immortal Emperor was silent.

He picked up the tea cup, drank it slowly, and weighed the pros and cons with this action.

Not attacking Human Race Great Emperors, not triggering turmoil—these two were not difficult for him. He did not need to rely on devouring living beings to prolong his life; he only needed to bathe in imperial blood at the right time to extend his Peak. Chu Tianjiao's condition clearly stated "as long as it is not a Human Race Great Emperor," he would not interfere—this meant he could still take action against Great Emperors of other races.

And the condition in exchange was that Chu Tianjiao, this terrifying existence who had stepped half a foot into the True Immortal Domain and was very likely to become a Red Dust Immortal in the future, would no longer be his enemy on the road to immortality.

More importantly—Di Zun was still alive.

That man was older, deeper, and more terrifying than Chu Tianjiao. If he had really walked on the path of the Red Dust Immortal, facing him alone, the Immortal Emperor had no chance of winning.

Joining forces with Chu Tianjiao was the only wise choice.

Thinking of this, the Immortal Emperor put down the tea cup, and a decision flashed in his eyes.