Immortal of the Ages

"What's wrong?" Yun Xiao inquired gently upon noticing her distraction.

Zhao Xuanran paused, her eyes still fixed on a lotus flower, and slowly said, "Such a beautiful lotus flower…"

"That's because it's dead," Yun Xiao explained. "Alive, it would have devoured all life in the mortal realm."

"Ah, another grand treasure of creation wasted on me, it's a travesty," Zhao Xuanran replied, embarrassed.

"You're overexaggerating. It's just the third piece of trash that I've discarded," Yun Xiao said, laughing, as he steered the Azure Rain Sword Vessel into the Great Dao Celestial Realm.

As the sword vessel glided through the misty clouds of the Celestial Court, Zhao Xuanran caught her first glimpse of this magnificent world, her beautiful eyes shimmering.

"The Celestial Court is indeed beautiful, the most beautiful being the Heavenly Palace. But sadly you're out of luck," Yun Xiao remarked wistfully.

"Why's that?" asked Zhao Xuanran.

"I destroyed it," Yun Xiao admitted.

Even though it was now a war-torn wasteland, this was still the richest and most tranquil part of the Celestial Court, ideal for growth.

Yun Xiao couldn't even let Zhao Xuanran step out of the Azure Rain Sword Vessel right away; the celestial energy outside was too overwhelming for her—a single drop of mist would incinerate her in a flash.

BOOM! The Azure Rain Sword Vessel returned, and the Celestial Court was abuzz with activity.

The father and son duel between Lu Yao and Lu Fan had concluded, the good news had already spread throughout the Great Dao Celestial Realm, and a new Celestial Court was rising—a moment of universal celebration.

Zhao Xuanran could hear it—the countless Immortals cheering for the young man in white by her side.

In her eyes, the light of her junior brother shone even brighter.

"Come inside," Yun Xiao called out.

Soon, a tall, fiery young devil princess appeared in the Azure Rain Sword Vessel. It was the War Princess.

At her first sight of Zhao Xuanran, the War Princess quickly said, "Hello, Big Sis."

This address made Yun Xiao feel a bit odd. He introduced the War Princess to Zhao Xuanran, "Her name is Yao Yao. She's my little servant. I have her help me out every now and then."

"This…" Zhao Xuanran, looking at this exceptionally talented young devil princess, took a moment before saying to Yun Xiao, "Junior Brother Yun, a true man must not bully a girl. If she's willing to serve you, how can you call her a servant?"

"Exactly! The true face of this stinking man is clear!" the War Princess cleverly discerned, murmuring to herself, "This kid is lawless, but I guess there really is someone who can tame him."

At that moment, the War Princess' admiration for Zhao Xuanran knew no bounds.

This woman was certainly a mortal. Yet, she was like a sea that embraced all rivers, exuding a gentle and expansive aura… unlike the aggressive Divine Dawn, which greatly annoyed the War Princess.

Though puzzled, she did not dwell on it…

"Senior Sister, let's re-enter the Cosmic Pagoda to buy some time," Yun Xiao suggested.

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"Alright."

Operation Soaring Mortal was in full swing, and Zhao Xuanran was somewhat nervous.

She summoned the Cosmic Pagoda. This time distorting artifact stood within the Azure Rain Sword Vessel.

"This pagoda…" For the first time, the War Princess felt the force of time and was astoundingly surprised.

"Indeed, the woman who could subdue him is no simple figure." She silently pieced together Zhao Xuanran's background in her mind.

"Get ready to start." Yun Xiao placed the Chaos Emperor Lotus outside to save time while he and Zhao Xuanran entered the Cosmic Pagoda.

"You hold the fort outside, let no one disturb us," Yun Xiao instructed the War Princess.

"Got it," the War Princess responded.

"Be serious. My Senior Sister is bearing my child; there can't be any mistakes," Yun Xiao said sternly.

"Don't worry!" The War Princess cast an envious glance at Zhao Xuanran, thinking to herself, "A man about to be a father really is different…"

Inside the Cosmic Pagoda…

"This girl is quite good, suitable…"

Before Zhao Xuanran could finish, Yun Xiao pinched her lips, raising an eyebrow. "Focus on the task at hand."

"Got it."

Seeing how prepared Yun Xiao was, a warm current surged through Zhao Xuanran's heart. The more nervous he was, the more it showed he cared.

"Are you still practicing the Nine Heavens Star Technique?" Yun Xiao asked.

"I'm still cultivating it, just struggling to absorb the next Cosmic Star," Zhao Xuanran confessed.

"No worries, today might just be your day," Yun Xiao comforted her, helping her sit cross-legged before continuing, "Let's see your Sword Soul, shall we?"

Zhao Xuanran extended her palm, and a nine-colored Sword Soul, which could disrupt space, shone like a rainbow inside the Cosmic Pagoda, casting her in black as if she were the final, vital stroke on a dragon painting, instantly radiant.

Even though the Sword Aura was somewhat weak, merely at 10,000 layers, one could still sense the Sword Soul's extraordinary nature.

"Have you been practicing the Divine Sky Sword Arts?" Yun Xiao asked.

"I have, but it's so complex and difficult," Zhao Xuanran admitted, sticking out her tongue slightly in embarrassment.

"No matter, I'll teach you slowly. Moreover, once your Genesis Spirit undergoes its transformation, your insight will surge, making cultivation no issue at all."

Yun Xiao then instructed her to retract her Sword Soul and said solemnly, "With the Cosmic Pagoda, Divine Cosmic Sword, Nine Heavens Star Technique, Divine Sky Sword Arts, along with the Chaos Emperor Lotus and Karmic Soul Ordinance, you'll wield great power once your cultivation advances."

Among these, the Chaos Emperor Lotus was key.

"All these soul techniques aren't, but Lu Yao used them just to charm the opposite sex, truly a waste of significant talent," Blue Star chimed in from Yun Xiao's embrace, disdainfully.

"Bro, if your senior sister has a child, could I have any of the leftover mi…" Red Moon also popped up, but was cut off mid-sentence as Yun Xiao forcibly pushed him back into his robes.

"You wish! He hasn't even gotten to enjoy them yet! So, why should you?" Blue Star mocked.

"No fair! There's only us three brothers in this life! Stop hogging all the milk to yourself!" Red Moon lamented, unable to hold back a mournful wail.

"You little cat is, uh, interesting…?" Zhao Xuanran couldn't help but laugh and cry at the absurdity.

"Schizophrenia, don't mind it, let's begin," Yun Xiao said.

He sat behind Zhao Xuanran, his hands on her back, fingers moving delicately. Simultaneously, his Buddha's Treasure Spirit materialized and entered Zhao Xuanran's body directly.

"First, let's say hello to my kid!"

The golden Creator Immortal condensed into a point of light and approached the residing place of the fetus.

"Is this it?"

Looking at the tiny entity before him, Yun Xiao struggled to feel a burst of fatherhood. Indeed, who knew if the world would still be standing by the time this little bugger grew up...

"With my Genesis Spirit, I embrace your soul, guiding your spirit's growth."

The First Dao Tribulation was simple; Yun Xiao could carry Zhao Xuanran through it swiftly. But the Second Dao Tribulation required the growth of the Dao Heart!

Yun Xiao, with his Buddha's Treasure Spirit, nurtured Zhao Xuanran's soul, a feat perhaps only he could achieve under heaven and earth.

The cultivation of the Dao Heart was the first step. The birth of the Genesis Spirit was the second. Finally, the projection of the spirit outside the body was the third.

"Junior Brother…" Zhao Xuanran gradually succumbed to the embrace of the Great Dao, finding herself amidst a golden sea, upheld by a supreme being who showed her the bustling splendor of the human world.

Within this vast essence of the Dao, her own Dao Heart slowly took form.

At the moment her Dao Heart solidified, Yun Xiao felt a tremendous stir within.

"The Worldly Dao Heart…"

This Dao Heart was identical to Yun Xiao’s.

"Is it because I've led the way from the start, or because she, like me, harbors the same heart?"

This question remained unanswered. Yet at that moment, as their Dao Hearts aligned, the warmth of their union resonated through them, bringing an even greater sense of comfort.

Yun Xiao felt a surge of exhilaration, as if proclaiming, 'My path is not solitary!'

He could hardly wait to see what form her Genesis Spirit would take once manifested. Did her ancestors possess Genesis Spirits?

But there was no rush for that.

With her Dao Heart established, Yun Xiao slowly began to replenish her strength. From the Second Dao Tribulation onward, within her Dantian, the Fate Ocean and Heaven Sanctuary emerged...

Soon after, the nascent Genesis Spirit of Zhao Xuanran was born!

A delicate, youthful version of herself, the spirit of Zhao Xuanran sat atop her Worldly Dao Heart, mirroring her own visage.

This was normal; everyone’s Genesis Spirit resembled themselves, including Yun Xiao's that reflected his appearance back when he was a mortal

"Are you alright?" Yun Xiao whispered into her ear.

Entering the Genesis Spirit Realm, Zhao Xuanran felt a bit dazed and responded, "A bit confused, but physically, I'm fine."

"Then let's continue, and speak up if anything feels wrong." Yun Xiao, eager for her to absorb the Chaos Emperor Lotus, was mindful of time.

Next, he embraced her nascent Genesis Spirit with his Buddha's Treasure Spirit, nurturing it like a father would his daughter, gradually fostering the fragile young spirit.

Meanwhile, within Zhao Xuanran’s Dantian, a Sacred Wheel structure formed, slowly giving birth to Yin-Yang celestial power.

Then the Five Calamities, not the Five Decays, descended!

Zhao Xuanran endured some hardships but ultimately prevailed over the tribulations.

Under Yun Xiao's vigilant escort through the Yin-Yang Immortal Realms, Zhao Xuanran's celestial power flourished smoothly.

At last, the most crucial step was just before them.

The projection of the spirit outside the body, the achievement of true Immortality!

Zhao Xuanran exhaled deeply. This strange, vast power had come upon her suddenly.

"Cosmic Stars!"

Under the influence of her newfound strength, two Cosmic Stars descended from within the Cosmic Pagoda.

The first Cosmic Star, which had long anchored her power, now shone within the Sacred Wheel.

The second and third Cosmic Stars, meanwhile, merged into her Worldly Dao Heart and her nascent Genesis Spirit, infusing both her Dao Heart and spirit with the mysteries of time.

Before projecting her spirit, the integration of the Cosmic Stars came at the perfect time.

"Wait!" she suddenly said.

"What is it?" asked Yun Xiao.

"I think I can project my spirit by myself now... Divine Cosmic Sword Soul!"

Something miraculous occurred.

Her Sword Soul appeared within her Dantian, and her spirit, standing upon the Sword Soul, transcended the confines of space in an instant, bringing her spirit out into the world!

Although this utilized the spatial techniques of the Divine Sky Sword Emperor, it counted as a successful projection.

Once the spirit was outside, Yun Xiao had a way to help her absorb the Chaos Emperor Lotus.

With absorption, her insight and innate talent would undergo a complete transformation. And from then on, even without Yun Xiao's assistance, she could cultivate at a pace that integrated the legacies of the Cosmic Pagoda, Divine Cosmic Sword, and Chaos Emperor Lotus.

"Bluey, Reddy." Yun Xiao handed the next steps over to them.

The little black creature left the Cosmic Pagoda, fetching the Chaos Emperor Lotus inside. As they stood beneath the Chaos Emperor Lotus, they said, "Big Lanterns Zhao, we can't see your spirit; you'll have to come closer yourself."

"Big Lanterns Zhao?" Zhao Xuanran paused, her mind conjuring the image of white lanterns hanging from an osmanthus tree, recalling a night she swayed atop a stone table, the reflections rippling like plump white lanterns swinging in the wind...

Her cheeks flared red, and with a scowl at Yun Xiao, she retorted, "Junior Brother, you're quite mean, aren't you?"

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