56: Chapter 56 Emerging from Seclusion: A Surprising glimpse into Little Nannan's growth.

Within Undying Mountain.

Chu Tianjiao and Xiao Shitou awakened from deep seclusion almost at the same time.

Six thousand four hundred years had passed, and both of their auras had changed significantly.

The Chaos Qi around Chu Tianjiao had completely transformed into "colorless Chaos," and when his eyes opened and closed, it seemed as if a Universe was being born and destroyed; clearly, his deduction of the path to the fourth life had reached a critical moment.

Xiao Shitou had become more steady and reserved; within his golden Holy Body blood-Qi, purple-gold patterns faintly flowed—a sign that the Origin of the Holy Body was undergoing a qualitative change and evolving to a higher level.

The first thing Chu Tianjiao did after waking up was to raise his hand to conjure a water mirror to check on Xiao Nannan's status over these years.

When he saw the images in the mirror—Xiao Nannan charging into restricted areas, slaying Supremes, and seizing divine bodies time and again over the past six thousand years—a flash of gratification, pride, and a hint of heartache crossed Chu Tianjiao's eyes.

"This child... she really chose this path," he sighed softly, "Nurturing war through war, proving the Dao through slaughter. It is remarkably similar to my path of the Tyrant Blade."

Xiao Shitou was also watching from the side, his eyes filled with pride: "Little Sister has done very well. She has not only avenged Teacher but also intimidated the restricted areas and protected the common people."

Chu Tianjiao nodded, his gaze falling on the blood-stained white clothes and determined eyes of Xiao Nannan in the mirror, and a satisfied smile could not help but appear at the corners of his mouth.

"Teacher, this Disciple may need to go out for some time," Xiao Shitou suddenly spoke, his tone carrying a hint of anticipation, "I sense that my Opportunity for the second life may be somewhere in the outside world."

Chu Tianjiao was not surprised. After a Holy Body proves the Dao, wanting to live out a second life requires training in the Mortal World and searching for an Opportunity. Xiao Shitou had been in seclusion for six thousand four hundred years; his foundation was sufficient, and it was time for him to go out and walk about.

"Hmm, go ahead," he nodded in agreement, but cautioned him again, "Remember, conceal your aura, do not expose yourself. Especially... do not let Nannan discover you."

"This Disciple understands," Xiao Shitou responded solemnly, bowed respectfully to his teacher, turned, and left Undying Mountain silently.

After Xiao Shitou left, Chu Tianjiao turned his gaze back to the water mirror.

In the mirror, Xiao Nannan had just returned from Immortal Mausoleum, holding a Supreme divine body in her hand, and was sitting cross-legged in the small mountain gate of Qingshi Town to heal and refine it.

"All five restricted areas have been 'visited'..." Chu Tianjiao's mouth curled into a playful smile, "Next, it should be the turn of Undying Mountain, right?"

He knew Xiao Nannan too well. That child did things methodically and had a pattern; since she had taken action against all five restricted areas, she would never miss Undying Mountain—even if this place was where her teacher had last fought before his "fall."

Sure enough, one hundred years after Chu Tianjiao emerged from seclusion, the familiar figure was reflected in the water mirror.

A figure in white, wearing a silver mask, with hair like a waterfall, stood above Undying Mountain.

...

Outside Undying Mountain.

Xiao Nannan stood in the air, her gaze calmly overlooking the forbidden area shrouded in faint black mist below.

Unlike other restricted areas, Undying Mountain gave her a feeling... that was somewhat strange. In this dead silence, there seemed to be something deeper hidden, making her instinctively feel vigilant.

"Senior Tyrant Blade, Senior immortal peach tree," she spoke softly, "How much do you know about this Undying Mountain?"

From her sleeves, Tyrant Blade and the immortal peach tree manifested simultaneously.

Tyrant Blade pondered for a moment and replied: "Undying Mountain was once one of the seven great restricted areas, and the number of Supremes here is no less than in other restricted areas. The master of this restricted area is named Stone Emperor, who is a natural Holy Spirit that achieved the Dao; his combat power is among the top even among Supremes."

The immortal peach tree swayed its branches and leaves, adding: "Back then, Master... Emperor Jiaoheng fought his last battle at Undying Mountain in his later years, engaging in a fierce battle with Stone Emperor and other Supremes, and was ultimately ambushed by Immortal Emperor and dealt a finishing blow by Emperor Yuhua... This place is where Master 'fell'."

Hearing this, the eyes beneath Xiao Nannan's mask suddenly turned cold.

The place where Teacher "fell"...

She slowly clenched her fists, but quickly loosened them.

"I know," her voice was calm, yet contained biting coldness, "Then today, I will come and see what is so special about this Undying Mountain."

As her voice fell, she took a step and charged straight into the interior of Undying Mountain!

Almost at the same moment she stepped in—

"Hum!"

Deep within Undying Mountain, several terrifying auras erupted simultaneously! Black mist churned, Imperial Dao Laws intertwined, turning into a net of heaven and earth, enveloping Xiao Nannan!

The leader was a ten-thousand-foot-tall stone giant, covered in ancient stone skin, its palm lines like mountain ranges, and raging flames burning in its eyes—it was none other than Stone Emperor!

"Ruthless Emperor! You dare to intrude into my Undying Mountain?!" Stone Emperor's voice sounded like thunder, shaking the Void Realm.

Xiao Nannan's gaze swept over, her heart tightening.

There were actually six Supremes who had awakened before her! And each of their auras was more solid and dangerous than the Supremes she had slain in other restricted areas!

Especially Stone Emperor—that surging blood-Qi of a natural Holy Spirit made even her feel a hint of pressure.

But she did not retreat.

"Today, I take your lives to pay tribute to my teacher."

Her voice was cold, Tyrant Blade was unsheathed, and her Chaos energy erupted fully!

The battle instantly entered a white-hot stage!

Stone Emperor took action personally, his stony giant palm slapping down, evolving an ancient Star Domain in his palm, with billions of stars turning into a torrent of destruction! The other five Supremes provided support from the side, blocking Xiao Nannan's retreat and unleashing various Imperial Dao killing techniques!

Xiao Nannan was plunged into a bitter battle.

Stone Emperor's combat power far exceeded her estimation.

This ancient Emperor who was a natural Holy Spirit that achieved the Dao, even after self-mutilation, had a terrifyingly deep foundation.

Every strike was as heavy as a star, and his defense was astonishing; Tyrant Blade slashed against his stone body, but could only leave faint white marks!

And the cooperation of the other five Supremes was extremely tacit; clearly, it was not their first time fighting together.

"Cannot fight for long," Xiao Nannan judged quickly in her heart.

She changed her strategy, no longer attempting to attack Stone Emperor head-on, but turning her target to one of the Supremes with a relatively weaker aura—that was an existence shrouded in shadow, with a form as illusory as a ghost.

Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art operated to its limit! Chaos Body erupted! Tyrant Blade turned into a brilliant blade beam tearing through the Void Realm, ignoring other attacks, and went straight for the shadow Supreme!

"Puff—!"

The blade beam pierced through the body, and the shadow Supreme let out a shrill scream, his form instantly solidifying; it was an ancient Supreme who Cultivated strange Laws and was adept at stealthy assassination!

Xiao Nannan did not let up, pressing forward, placing a palm on his crown, and the Heaven-Swallowing Demonic Art frantically devoured his Origin!

"You dare!" Stone Emperor roared, his stony giant palm slapping down again!

But Xiao Nannan was prepared, her form flickering like a ghost, and carrying the Supreme divine body whose Origin had been mostly devoured, she retreated rapidly, wanting to withdraw from Undying Mountain.

As long as she could take this divine body out, this battle would have achieved its goal.

However—

Just as she was about to rush out of the range of Undying Mountain, a strange light flashed in Stone Emperor's eyes.

He did not pursue Xiao Nannan, but instead grabbed backhand, forcibly snatching back the Supreme divine body that had been severely injured by Xiao Nannan but had not yet completely died!

"Trash, might as well fulfill this Emperor!"

Stone Emperor sneered and inhaled!

"No—!!!" The shadow Supreme let out a final desperate wail, and the entire divine body, along with the remaining Primordial Spirit, was swallowed alive by Stone Emperor!

An even more terrifying aura erupted from Stone Emperor! His stony body showed blood-colored patterns, and the flames burning in his eyes turned into a strange dark red!

Xiao Nannan stopped at the edge of Undying Mountain, her brows beneath the mask tightly furrowed.

Devouring one's own kind...

Such conduct was extremely rare even among Supremes. This Stone Emperor was indeed as ruthless and merciless as rumored.

And what made her even more vigilant was—after devouring the Origin of a Supreme, Stone Emperor's aura had faintly approached a certain critical point. If the battle continued, I fear...

She remembered her teacher's warning: Do not underestimate any Supreme, especially those old monsters who have lived for countless years; no one knows what kind of trump cards they are hiding.

This Stone Emperor before her was clearly an extremely dangerous existence.

Xiao Nannan took a deep look at Stone Emperor, then swept her gaze over the other four covetous Supremes, and finally snorted coldly, no longer hesitating, turned, and transformed into a stream of light, disappearing into the horizon.

...

Deep within Undying Mountain.

Chu Tianjiao watched Xiao Nannan's departing figure and dispersed his control over the "Stone Emperor" and the other "Supreme" Clones. Those Physical Bodies, which he had fabricated and infused with corresponding auras and Laws, turned into Dao rhymes and returned to himself.

"Very good," a gratified smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, "Knowing how to assess the situation, knowing when to advance and retreat, understanding gains and losses. Nannan, you have truly grown up."

He looked in the direction Xiao Nannan had left, his eyes gentle and expectant: "Continue to grow, I will be at the peak, waiting for you."

After Xiao Nannan's aura completely disappeared, Chu Tianjiao withdrew his gaze and turned to walk toward the quiet room.

Xiao Shitou had gone out to search for an Opportunity, and Nannan should not break into Undying Mountain again in the short term. For the next period of time, he could finally seclude himself in peace and perfect that self-created Supreme Imperial scripture concerning the path to the fourth life and even the True Immortal path—[Return of the Three Immortals]