Chapter 43

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

During these three days, the entire Gu Family Divine Island,

were all immersed in an unprecedented,

in a frenzied yet solemn atmosphere.

The patriarch's edict, on the day Gu Yuan emerged from seclusion,

was personally conveyed to every corner of the Divine Island by the family head, Gu Lin Tian.

Also "Divine Island" appears again; we already have Divine Island.

Investiture of the sole Young Lord!

This news was like a twelfth‑level superstorm,

instantly sweeping across the hearts of all Gu family members.

At first, some elders from the collateral branches felt the matter was too hasty.

After all, Gu Yuan was only eighteen years old, and his cultivation was still shallow.

directly elevating him to such a lofty position,

whether it would invite criticism, or even… a deadly backlash?

But when they heard from clansmen who had participated in the Triumphal Ceremony,

they learned that Gu Yuan had condensed the legendary Ten Thousand Dao Emperor Body upon reaching the Pi Qiao Realm, a feat unheard of throughout the ages.

All doubts,

all worries vanished in an instant, like smoke dissipating.

leaving only endless shock,

and a fervent, heartfelt zeal and support!

Upon reaching the Pi Qiao Realm, he condensed the Heavenly Emperor Body!

What does that mean?

It means that, as long as he does not fall midway,

Gu Yuan's future achievements will at the very least reach the level of Heavenly Emperor!

Indeed, there is a great possibility of surpassing the Heavenly Emperor,

and stepping into the legendary realm of the True Immortal!

A future True Immortal!

Using the entire family's resources,

to nurture a future True Immortal,

Is this deal a loss?

No loss!

It's a huge profit!

And the reason this spread so quickly,

first, to build momentum for Gu Yuan,

second, the matter of the Heavenly Emperor Body cannot be concealed,

The Gu family still has a living True Immortal!

Even if Gu Yuan bears the semblance of a True Immortal,

the Gu family is confident it can protect this youthful True Immortal!

For a time, the entire Gu family was united, with no dissent whatsoever.

All clan members eagerly awaited, looking forward to three days later,

the grand Investiture Ceremony destined to be recorded in the Gu family's annals.

…… (ellipsis, no names)

Three days later, at dawn.

Gu Family Divine Island, the Supreme Hall.

This ancient hall, symbolizing the highest authority of the Gu family,

today, is shrouded in countless divine lights and auspicious colors.

Celestial music echoes, and divine flowers drift down.

Tens of thousands of core Gu clan members, dressed in their most solemn attire,

are arranged according to rank and status on both sides of the boundless White Jade Plaza before the Supreme Hall.

Each one bears a solemn expression, their eyes betraying restrained excitement and anticipation.

At the very front of the plaza, near the Supreme Hall, an observation area has been set up.

Those eligible to sit here are none other than prominent figures from the Immortal Domain.

The Dragon Emperor of the Ancestral Dragon Nest, the Imperial Lord of Ancient Emperor Mountain, the Holy Lord of the Jade Pool Holy Land, and the Family Head of the Ancient Ji Clan…

These individuals, whose mere stomp would make the Immortal Domain tremble, the stewards of the Eternal Inheritance,

now, however, sit obediently like elementary school students, daring not even to breathe heavily.

Behind them stand the Holy Sons and Goddesses of their respective forces,

each of them observing propriety, eyes lowered, noses aligned with hearts, daring not the slightest impropriety.

There's no choice; they must not show fear.

Who made them sit on someone else's turf at this moment?

Moreover, just not far above their heads,

That piece, just now dragged back by the Gu Family from another realm,

A huge diamond-shaped land still emitting faint traces of the world's primordial qi,

It just hung there, shining brightly.

That thing, like an invisible great mountain, weighed on everyone's hearts.

It constantly reminded them of the Gu Family's strength and that they must not be provoked.

"Ah, thinking of my Ancestral Dragon Nest, back then it was also one of the hegemons of the Immortal Realm, when had it ever suffered such petty resentment?"

The Dragon Emperor of the Ancestral Dragon Nest,

Looking at the equally dejected heads of each family around him, he secretly sighed.

Not long ago, these eternal inheritances,

Although on the surface they respected the Gu Family as supreme, in private each had their own little schemes, none submitting to another.

But now, after the Gu Family brought back a world from another realm,

This balance was completely shattered.

The Gu Family's strength had become so great that just looking up made their necks sore.

"Congratulations, Head of the Gu Family, on obtaining a Qilin son!"

"Yes yes, I heard the Young Master of the Gu Family is heaven‑endowed and divine‑martial, an auspicious sign unseen since ancient times; seeing him today, his reputation is indeed deserved!"

Just then, a commotion came from the spectator area.

It was the head of the Gu Family, Heavenly Emperor Gu Lin Tian, personally coming out to receive these guests.

The heads of each family hurriedly rose, their faces full of smiles, spouting all kinds of flattering words at the drop of a hat.

"Hahaha, fellow cultivators, you are too polite."

Gu Lin Tian wore a purple‑gold dragon robe, donned the Heavenly Emperor Crown, moved with dragon‑like stride and tiger‑like steps, his aura immensely imposing.

He cupped his hands in salute, though his face bore a smile,

but the pressure of his status as Heavenly Emperor,

yet made everyone present feel a sudden difficulty in breathing.

"My unworthy son does not deserve such false praise from you all."

"I invited you all here merely to be witnesses, so that my family's good‑for‑nothing son could come out and see the world."

Gu Lin Tian spoke humbly,

but in his brow,

the pride and conceit he could not hide were obvious to everyone.

Everyone inwardly complained.

"Good‑for‑nothing?"

"Unruly?"

You dare call the one who stirred up storms in another realm,

forcing even a True Immortal ancestor to act personally,

a monster that in the Pi Qiao Realm condensed a Heavenly Emperor Body—do you still call it good‑for‑nothing?

What are our families' holy sons and daughters then?

Are they just clumsy chickens and dogs?

This is too humblebrag!

Just as everyone was grumbling inwardly,

A melodious bell rang from the depths of the Supreme Hall,

Clang—!

The bell was not loud, yet it seemed to strike directly into everyone's souls.

The noisy square fell silent in an instant.

Everyone knew the main character was about to appear.

Only see the Supreme Hall's immensely heavy gate, carved with sun, moon and stars, slowly opening.

A gaunt figure appeared, seeming able to uphold the whole heaven and earth,

soundlessly appearing on the highest step before the hall's gate.

It was the Gu Family's True Immortal ancestor!

"Welcome the ancestor!"

On the square, tens of thousands of Gu Family members knelt in unison, their voices like a mountain‑calling, sea‑roaring tide that echoed to the clouds.

The custodians of the eternal inheritances in the spectator area also shuddered, hastily bowing in salute, not daring to raise their heads.

This is a living True Immortal!

He is the true Divine Sea‑Stabilizing Needle of the entire Immortal Realm!

The ancestor merely glanced around indifferently, saying nothing.

But that invisible immortal might,

yet made everyone feel an awe that sprang from the very level of life.

Immediately after, behind the ancestor,

a figure in white robes stepped out, his bearing outstanding and handsome,

his black hair flowed like a waterfall, his eyes like stars, his temperament transcendent and unworldly, as if he were not of this mortal realm.

Behind him followed that terrifying‑aura dark Qilin that made even Saint Realm experts glance sideways.

But this dark Qilin at the moment,

had long lost its former ferocity, instead resembling a docile big cat.

He followed the boy step for step, not daring to even wag his tail.

The newcomer is indeed today's protagonist—Gu Yuan!

The moment he appeared, the entire plaza, everyone's gaze, focused on him.

Astonishment, curiosity, awe, envy…

Countless complex glances intertwined.

Gu Yuan, however, pretended not to see, his expression calm as he walked to the Elder Ancestor's side and gave a slight nod toward the dense crowd below.

"The time has arrived."

The Elder Ancestor's hoary yet imposing voice slowly resonated.

"Today, we gather the entire clan and invite all Daoists of the Immortal Realm to witness the ceremony, solely to announce something."

His gaze fell upon Gu Yuan; in those cloudy old eyes shone love and pride.

"The one at my side is my Gu Family's legitimate eldest grandson, Gu Yuan."

"He bears an immortal body of eternal life, his fortunes at their peak, and has achieved unparalleled feats for our Gu Family."

"His talent is one in ten thousand ages, his temperament steady and magnanimous."

"After consultation between me, Family Head Gu Lin Tian, and the clan elders, a unanimous decision was reached."

"From today onward, Gu Yuan is hereby enfeoffed as the Gu Family's sole Young Master!"

"His status equals that of the Family Head! His commands are the clan's edicts!"

"All members of the Gu Family, upon seeing the Young Master, shall see me!"

"Respect this!"

The Elder Ancestor's voice, empowered by immortal power,

spread across the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, resonating in everyone's ears!