Chapter 466

The old man's words made Gu Yuan's true self shudder.

The foundation of this Ancient Immortal Court was indeed not to be underestimated; it could actually see through the essence of things by resonating with the Heavenly Dao, bypassing the System‑issued 【Heaven‑Deceiving Cloak】!

Since he'd been seen through, Gu Yuan couldn't be bothered to keep up the act.

The demonic aura on the clone instantly retracted, obediently retreating behind the true self like a lifeless puppet.

Gu Yuan's true self casually pulled down his hood, revealing his true face, and calmly looked at the old man: "Since you've seen through me, senior, why didn't you call it out earlier? Instead, you went along with me and gave me twenty million War Seals."

The old man looked at Gu Yuan; the gold‑red flame in his eyes flared violently, his tone revealing an uncontainable excitement and sorrow.

"Because... I, old man, have seen in you the hope of rebuilding the Immortal Court!"

"Hope?" Gu Yuan raised an eyebrow, noncommittal.

"Do you know, little friend, how this Primordial Immortal Domain, this so‑called True Immortal Battlefield, came to be?"

The old man didn't answer directly, but instead posed a counter‑question.

Without waiting for Gu Yuan's reply, the old man's voice suddenly rose, filled with hatred: "Those high‑and‑mighty bigwigs of the Primordial Immortal Domain—Yaochi, Thunder Emperor, Supreme… back then they were merely my Immortal Court's lowliest servants, even slaves!"

"At that time, the celestial court was the supreme celestial court that governed all realms and upheld cosmic order! The Celestial Emperor resided beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens, overlooking all ages, with countless supreme, titan Immortal Kings under his command, and Jue Dian Immortal Kings emerging in endless numbers—how flourishing, how glorious!"

"The Primordial Immortal Realm, at that time, was merely an inconspicuous middle-tier world under the celestial court's command."

"However, a sudden dark turmoil swept across all realms; the Celestial Emperor led the celestial court's main forces on a campaign to the ruins of the Realm Sea, engaging that forbidden existence in a protracted bloodbath that shattered heaven and earth, until the Heavenly Emperor fell and the myriad gods withered. Our celestial court's vital essence was gravely wounded, and we retreated to defend this great thousand-world to rest and recuperate."

"The old man's voice was filled with a tearful accusation: 'But! Those vile traitors! Not only did they fail to feel gratitude for the celestial court's protection, they instead took advantage of the celestial court's weakness, banded together, and launched a rebellion!'"

"They broke through the Southern Heaven Gate, slaughtered the remaining heavenly troops, divided the celestial court's foundations, and established today's Primordial Immortal Realm! And this Sending Heaven Hall, this so-called True Immortal Battlefield, is essentially a prison they formed by shattering the celestial court's core mainland and sealing it up."

"They periodically send the heaven's pride of the immortal realm here, calling it a trial, but in truth they treat this place as a gu farm, constantly extracting the celestial court's remaining laws and fortune to nourish their corrupt dao lineage."

"The old man stared fixedly at Gu Yuan, then suddenly bent his knees—this puppet representing the last dignity of the celestial court actually knelt heavily before Gu Yuan!"

"Young friend! You possess the posture of world creation; your inner world is flawless, not lacking even compared to the Celestial Emperor himself. I, the old one, wish to represent the ancient celestial court and acknowledge you as lord! I only ask that you inherit the celestial court's dao lineage, and one day trample the Primordial Immortal Realm, slay all those traitors who betrayed teacher and ancestor, and restore the celestial court's glory."

"The old man's plea, each word dripping with blood, echoed in the empty Di Wu Ceng."

"However, facing such a 'mandate of heaven' that could make any cultivator's blood boil and even bring tears of gratitude, Gu Yuan's reaction was calm to the point of being frightening."

"Gu Yuan's true self listened quietly, and then understood clearly in his heart."

"It turned out to be a case of 'watching the store and stealing from it, occupying the magpie's nest'."

"No wonder the rules of the Sending Heaven Hall are so strange, bearing both the celestial court's inheritance and the Primordial Immortal Realm's imprint."

"No interest."

"Gu Yuan uttered those three words indifferently, without even lifting his eyelids."

"The old man suddenly lifted his head, his face full of shock and disbelief: 'Why... why? This is the supreme dao lineage of the ancient celestial court! As long as you agree, you will be the rightful new Celestial Emperor!'"

"Celestial Emperor? An empty title whose ancestral home has been seized—what use is it?"

"Gu Yuan snorted, 'Old man, I'm a pragmatic person; I came here to loot, not to be a savior.'"

"The conduct of those bigwigs in the Primordial Immortal Realm—I know it better than you; I will eventually clash with them, but that's for my own family and my own dao, not to avenge you lot of dead people."

"I have a mess to clean up; where would I find the time to bear the celestial court's deadly heavy karma? So, don't talk about acknowledging a lord to rebuild the celestial court—that's just painting a big pie."

"The old man, or rather Shou Zheng, seemed to have anticipated his reply; he lifted his head, a flash of resolve in his eyes."

"New lord, I dare not hope that you would agree right now."

"But, as a congratulatory gift for your obtaining the celestial court's origin recognition, and as my investment in you, the celestial court's final treasury will be opened solely for you!"

"Not only are all the remaining treasures of this Di Wu Ceng, but also… the true core origin of the Sheng Xian Chi, and the pivotal disc that controls the entire True Immortal Battlefield!"

"With that pivotal disc, you can completely refine this shattered world into your inner world!"

"Upon hearing this, Gu Yuan's pupils contracted sharply."

"Control the pivotal disc of the entire True Immortal Battlefield?! Pack up and take away this vast relic with five layers of space directly?!"

"This temptation is far more substantial than any empty title of Celestial Emperor!"

"What are your conditions?" Gu Yuan asked in a low voice, suppressing his excitement.

"My condition is only one."

"The old man looked at Gu Yuan and said, word by word,"

"Do not let the celestial court's fire of inheritance be completely cut off. You may not raise the celestial court's banner, you may not seek revenge for us, but please, in your inner world, find a suitable person to pass on the celestial court's techniques, formation arts, and refining methods."

"Let the world know that in this world, there once existed an ancient celestial court."

"The old man's request was humble to the extreme."

"He has already given up revenge, given up restoring glory; he only asks that the traces of the celestial court not be completely erased by time."

"Gu Yuan fell silent for a moment."

"This deal is a sure profit, no loss."

"It's just about leaving the fire of inheritance; the Gu Family has many descendants—picking a few with good talent to cultivate the celestial court's techniques is simply a matter of course."

"\"Deal. \" Gu Yuan nodded, his eyes firm."

"\"Good... good! \" Upon hearing Gu Yuan's agreement, the old man's wooden-carved face finally broke into a relieved smile."

"He suddenly waved his hand."

"That enormous golden light curtain underwent another change."

"At the top, the second line, which had turned gray, 【Taigu War Seal (Supreme Celestial Emperor artifact fragment)】, suddenly burst forth with brilliant, dazzling light!"