Chapter 53: Young Master, Do You Call This a Portal?

When the Ancestor's decree, imbued with supreme celestial authority, spread across the Divine Island,

the entire Gu Family—this war machine that had lain dormant for less than a month—

once again roared to life in a far more terrifying and efficient manner.

Unlike the previous campaign against the Profound Heaven Continent,

the frenzy and clamor that had swept the whole clan then,

this time, the Gu Family's mobilization appeared unusually solemn and restrained.

There was no gathering of a million troops, no thunderous war drums or trumpets.

Instead, there were only terrifying auras, each awakened from the forbidden abysses scattered across the Divine Island, enough to make ten thousand paths shudder.

Each such aura's master,

had once been a legend of an era,

an unparalleled being who had once suppressed an entire epoch.

They are the true foundation of the Gu Family, the lion slumbering in the river of history.

In ordinary days they remain behind the scenes, watching the winds of change and the turnover of affairs, only a threat of clan annihilation can rouse them.

But today, merely because the Ancestor said, "The junior of the house is going on a trip," they did not hesitate to awaken from their slumber.

In less than the time it takes for half a stick of incense to burn.

In the Ancestor's inner universe, before the Bronze Immortal Coffin,

ten figures silently materialized.

They each bore different forms: a towering elder clad in ancient battle armor, whose aura was as massive as a sea of blood;

a refined middle‑aged man holding a formation disc, his eyes seeming to contain the birth and death of countless stars;

and a stooped old crone, as if a gust of wind could topple her, yet she was surrounded by a sinister black mist capable of poisoning a Supreme…

Among these ten, Gu Yuan recognized, for example, Grand Elder Gu Linjiang,

the newly‑Supreme Gu Zhangfeng and Gu Yunlan,

as well as a clan elder whom Gu Yuan had only ever seen in records.

Without exception, they were all unrivaled giants who had entered the Supreme realm of the Eighteenth Realm!

Among them, three possessed auras so profound and cultivation so lofty,

that they had already reached the pinnacle of Supremacy,

just a step away from the Heavenly Emperor Realm.

Outside the hall, a hundred cultivators in standard black armor, their auras as deep as the sea, stood respectfully.

They are the Gu Family's true elite—the Dark Guard!

Each one,

possesses cultivation ranging from the Seventeenth Realm to the Saint Realm!

Ten Supremes of the Eighteenth Realm!

One hundred from the Seventeenth Realm to the Saint!

Such a force, if unleashed upon the outside world, could sweep away any immortal legacy in the Celestial Realm, sending history back by a million years.

But at this moment, they behaved like the most obedient soldiers,

all at once kneeling before the Ancestor atop the Bronze Immortal Coffin,

and, beside him, Gu Yuan, on one knee.

"We, bow to the Ancestor! Bow to the Young Master!"

Their unified roar, emanating from the depths of their souls, coalesced into a terrifying torrent, causing the starry sky of the entire inner universe to freeze.

Gu Yuan stood beside the Ancestor,

watching this heart‑stirring scene before him,

though his temperament was steady,

his heart still hammered uncontrollably a few times.

Is this the Gu Family's true power?

Beyond the dozen Supremes of the elder council,

there were also—

"All rise."

The Ancestor spoke lightly, his voice not loud yet clear in every ear.

"Today I have awakened you all for a single purpose."

"This one is the Gu Family's sole Young Master, Gu Yuan."

The Ancestor gestured toward Gu Yuan, introducing him to the crowd.

"Bow to the Young Master!"

The ten Supremes and the hundred Saints again shouted in unison, their gazes at Gu Yuan filled with curiosity and scrutiny.

Most of them had slept too long to know what had transpired outside.

But they knew that for the Ancestor to be so solemn,

even to the point of awakening them all to escort and protect the young boy,

his identity and importance were beyond any imagination.

"From today onward, your task is to serve as the Young Master's personal guard, protecting him fully."

"The Young Master will venture to a ruined ancient realm called Three Thousand Dao Prefecture to seek a providential opportunity. Your job is to clear all obstacles, ensuring his journey is flawless."

"The Young Master's safety supersedes all! His will is the highest command!"

"Did you understand?"

"By the Old Ancestor's decree! We swear to die protecting Young Master Zhou Quan!"

Everyone answered in unison, their voices shaking the universe.

The Old Ancestor nodded in satisfaction,

then turned his gaze toward the ten Supremes,

the refined middle‑aged man holding a formation disc.

"Gu Xuan Ce."

"Old Ancestor."

The refined middle‑aged man stepped forward a pace and replied respectfully.

He is the foremost of the Gu Family's Formation Path, his cultivation already at the peak of the 18th realm,

and his understanding of spatial laws is considered a leader throughout the entire Immortal Realm.

Last time, based on the teleportation coordinates provided by Gu Yuan, he was the one who designed the Heavenly Gate.

"This matter will be coordinated by you."

The Old Ancestor instructed,

"This expedition should prioritize secrecy and avoid open warfare. The coordinates of the Three Thousand Dao Prefecture are bizarre, wrapped in chaotic turbulence; how long will it take to construct a stable Heavenly Immortal Gate?"

Gu Xuan Ce, upon hearing this,

immediately activated the formation disc in his hand,

countless intricate runes raced through his eyes in rapid calculation.

After a moment, he answered in a deep voice, "Reporting to the Old Ancestor, based on the coordinates supplied by Young Master Yuan'er, that world's Great Way is fragmented, its laws chaotic, like a loft built upon quicksand—extremely unstable."

"To construct a Void Stealth Path Gate capable of safely and secretly spanning realms, at least thirty days are required to ensure absolute reliability."

Thirty days?

Gu Yuan's eyebrows twitched ever so slightly.

That's a bit slow.

According to the system prompt, the Ancient Immortal Ruins will open soon; if we go thirty days later,

what if someone else seizes the World Tree sapling first?

Thinking of this, Gu Yuan stepped forward and cleared his throat.

"Um… Grandfather, Uncle Xuan Ce."

Everyone's gaze instantly converged on him.

"Regarding the Teleportation Gate, perhaps… I can be of some help."

"Oh?"

The Old Ancestor looked at him with interest.

Gu Xuan Ce was also taken aback,

and looked toward the newly appointed Young Master with some confusion.

The complexity of Formation Path and the profundity of space are no child's play,

even though this Young Master has high talent, his cultivation is still only at the Pi Qiao Realm; what help could he possibly offer?

Gu Yuan, facing the crowd's curious eyes, did not withhold anything and simply gave a faint smile.

"Last time it was for the Gu Family's great army; actually, my journey to that world does not require the clan to build a Teleportation Gate."

The Supremes and Supreme Saints present,

had not yet reacted.

But the Old Ancestor instantly understood.

In his clouded old eyes,

a light of disbelief burst forth.

"Yuan'er, do you mean… that your connection to that world can autonomously open a passage to it?!"

"Hmm, roughly."

Boom!

At those words, the entire hall gasped!

The ten Supremes, including the foremost of Formation Path Gu Xuan Ce and the deepest cultivated Gu Linjiang,

all stood as if struck by lightning, frozen on the spot!

Each of them stared at Gu Yuan.

Self… opening a Cross‑realm Passage?!

What a joke!

That's a Cross‑realm Passage!

Even a Supreme like Gu Xuan Ce, at the pinnacle of Formation Path, needs thirty days and countless resources to barely construct one.

Of course, this also relates to avoiding attention.

But now, this eighteen‑year‑old,

Young Master whose cultivation is only at the second realm,

actually claims he can open it with a flick of the hand?

"Yuan'er, is that true?"

"Of course."

Gu Yuan gave a slight smile and offered no further explanation.

Fact beats eloquence.

His thought flickered, interfacing with the system in his mind.

"Xiao Ai, open the portal."

【Ding! The vacation line to Sanqian Daozhou has been opened; wish you a pleasant trip!】

Buzz—

At the instant his words fell.

The void before him rippled in concentric circles.

Immediately,

A gate woven from countless brilliant starlight and chaotic runes,

a circular light gate brimming with mysterious, ancient, transcendent aura, materialized out of thin air!

The gate was not huge, only enough for a few people to pass.

But as soon as it appeared, a wave that surpassed the myriad paths of this realm,

even transcending the very laws of the Dao of Immortals, a terrifying spatial fluctuation,

spread out from it!

Before this fluctuation,

Gu Xuan Ce, the supreme at the pinnacle of formation Dao,

felt himself as tiny as an ant.

He stared dumbfounded at the flowing symbols on the gate's surface,

each of which could keep him researching for a million years without deciphering, his legs went weak, nearly collapsing to his knees.

"Dao... the trace of the Great Dao! This is... this is the true primal power of the Great Dao!"

"This... this is no longer a gate! This is... this is a divine miracle that walks among the heavens!"

He looked like a mad demon, his words incoherent.

And the other nine supers also turned pale with horror, their souls trembling.

From that gate,

they sensed an unspeakable supreme and absolute.

The Elder Ancestor's pupils also contracted sharply; from that gate he felt a breath... that even made his own heart flutter.

It was a power of a higher tier than his true immortal strength!

"Good kid... how many secrets are still hidden within you?"

The Elder Ancestor looked at his grandson's calm side profile,

his heart roiled with towering waves,

but then turned into boundless pride and exhilaration.

Truly worthy of being my grandson!

That's just how awesome!

"Grandpa, elders, the gate is already open."

Gu Yuan turned around, made a beckoning gesture toward the stone‑petrified crowd.

"We can depart at any time."

The Elder Ancestor inhaled deeply, forcibly suppressing the shock in his heart,

He waved his hand grandly and shouted, "Fine!"

"If so, what are we waiting for?"

"All forces, depart immediately!"

"No! We cannot depart just like that!"

Suddenly, Gu Xuan Ce, looking frantic, rushed out, pointing at the gate, his words excitedly incoherent.

"Elder Ancestor! Young Master! This gate is a divine miracle! It is the supreme Dao classic! Allow me... to observe here for three days! Just three days! Then I will be confident to elevate our Gu family's Tongtian Immortal Gate to a brand‑new height!"

His gaze at the gate was more fervent than seeing a naked peerless celestial maiden!

The Elder Ancestor, hearing that, felt a stir in his heart.

He looked at Gu Yuan, casting an inquisitive glance.

Gu Yuan thought for a moment; the ancient celestial ruins were about to open, yet three days wouldn't hurt.

Being able to raise the family's formation Dao level was also an unexpected joy.

"Allowed."

He nodded,

"Then after three days, we will set out again."

"Thank you, Yuan'er!"

Gu Xuan Ce was overjoyed; a dignified supreme of the 18th realm, a formation Dao supreme half‑stepping into the Celestial Emperor realm, performed a grand master‑apprentice ceremony!

In his mind, this Young Master who could summon a Great Dao gate at will was no longer merely a Young Master.

But rather, in his lifetime, on the path of formation Dao,

the Dao Ancestor he must spend his whole life to revere and pursue...!