Immortal of the Ages

The Great Mother's abdomen seemed a pit without a bottom, from which surged an odor of decay that had gathered over countless years, like a fountain spewing forth from the earth itself.

Even after the Prison Warden Sigil had cleansed much of it, the stench of death billowed up into the sky, mingling with flecks of blood that transformed into crimson, contorted faces resembling those from a dramatic play—vivid, gruesome, and savage.

Piercing shrieks filled the air, causing shivers down one’s spine.

“What’s happening?” The millions of Immortals murmured, their voices a buzzing chorus.

“Lu Yao must be subduing the corpse demon!”

“The Great Mother is a scourge of the Great Dao Celestial Realm. If he can subdue her, his virtue will be boundless!"

“He’s already earned boundless merit by slaying those who perpetrated the incense offerings!”

Amidst this fervent discussion, the Great Mother, like a fountain, underwent a transformation that could only be described as a rebirth. Her previously pallid skin slowly took on the luster of polished jade. Her dull, waist-length hair turned black, glossy, and supple. Her features—eyes, ears, mouth, and nose—brightened and flushed with color, as if bathed in divine nectar. From her once foul-smelling body now emanated a subtle fragrance.

Crucially, the bloody, centipede-like wound on her abdomen healed, leaving her stomach smooth and firm, the muscles defined with a delicate strength.

As Yun Xiao withdrew the Life Sigil in the final moment, the Great Mother let out a long, sonorous sigh, resonant like a great beast yet tender in its echo.

She gasped violently, her red lips parted, her eyes red-rimmed and streaming with tears, her voice trembling as she spoke, "Ascension… There were wicked Immortals wreaking havoc. I begged the heavenly Immortals to save us, to save... no, no, no..."

Her greatest rage, long buried deep within her heart, was unleashed in that moment of clarity, springing from the depths of her bitterness.

"So this was your deepest, earliest resentment—your core being is that of an ascender from the mortal realm," Yun Xiao remarked, somewhat surprised.

He had heard that the Great Mother's creation was tied to incense offerings, and had been somewhat skeptical—after all, the tale was too brutal to easily accept. Yet everything she now revealed served as proof.

"Exalted Immortal Yun..."

The Great Mother's tall, delicate frame shuddered, her tear-filled eyes gazing upon the pure, flawless young man in white before her. Her voice quivered as she bowed deeply and said, "Thank you for pulling me from the mire of my resentments. I have nothing to offer in return, except..."

"Enough," Yun Xiao interrupted her gratitude, "Your rage was born from the incense offerings, and I've slain Immortals over it. We end up in the same place by different paths, bound by fate, with no need for thanks. Now, to extinguish the sins of the incense offerings and restore peace to the common folk, only one step remains. Your corpse energy is purified, stronger than before. If you wish to do something, assist me."

"I would face a thousand deaths without hesitation," the Great Mother said, her lips tight, her eyes intense and clear, no longer clouded but as pure as those who had ascended to the Celestial Court, ready to face death.

Yun Xiao gave her another look, his heart touched by pity for people like her. The Celestial Court was once their faith. When they exhausted everything to seek help here, they ended up as mere fodder for that faith, first to the Gu, then to the horses.

The merciless trampling of their lifelong beliefs and ideals was a profound tragedy.

The Great Mother bore so much of such anger and grief; she reminded Yun Xiao of those pitiful ascenders who had entered the Great Dao Celestial Realm with him.

"What is your name?" Yun Xiao asked, pursing his lips.

The Great Mother paused, a name long sealed away slowly bubbling up from the depths of her memory. With a trembling voice, she opened her red lips and said, "Bai... Susu."

Yun Xiao couldn't help but cover his forehead with a hand, glancing at the pale figure beside her and commenting wryly, "With that name, it seems you were destined to cling to me!"

"Hmm?" The Great Mother was puzzled.

"My real name is Bai Youyou." The little maid with the twin ponytails smiled gently, clearly delighted at having found a companion. She held only reverence and admiration for Yun Xiao, with no trace of romantic affection. So, her joy came solely from seeing more and more people join in following him.

"Youyou and Susu, the two pale corpse demons," Yun Xiao muttered, somewhat accepting the formidable demon before him. After all, she could serve well as a shield.

The only thing he found hard to tolerate was the sight of the Great Mother standing beside him, with Pale Revenant looking like her daughter—one tall and striking, the other small and endearing. The contrast between them was indeed striking.

Just as Yun Xiao was feeling satisfied with his creation, a cool voice came from behind, "If she'd been a male corpse demon, you'd have slain him on the spot, wouldn't you?"

Turning around, Yun Xiao saw Divine Dawn pouting, clearly a bit displeased. He never hid his human and male flaws. Nodding, he admitted, "Perhaps. From my perspective, girls are indeed more pleasing to the eye."

Divine Dawn was taken aback by his honesty, leaving her momentarily at a loss for words.

"Let's get moving," she said.

Yun Xiao's eyes narrowed slightly as he nodded, "Hmm..."

He could feel the looming threat of the Taiwei Imperial Palace. Now, with Moon Fairy fused back with him and the addition of the Great Mother, supported by millions of ordinary Immortals ready to bear witness... it was time!

"Lil Xi."

Yun Xiao glanced again at the girl in the white dress beside him, his heart steady.

Because he could sense that she was now Chen Xi, a woman of immense strategy and courage. Although she was the incarnation of transcending calamity from the lowest realm, she was the one Yun Xiao respected the most.

With her presence, an inexplicable peace settled over him.

Perhaps foreseeing the upcoming tempest, even the air fell into a hush.

Yun Xiao looked towards the Taiwei Imperial Palace, then began to move forward, his eyes resolute, marching towards the last bastion of sin in the Celestial Court!

BOOM! Divine Dawn, now with the Chen Xi personality in control, dragged the two massive Primordial Doom Stars beside her. Her eyes, devoid of any thoughts of gender, blazed with the tumult of battle, the spirit of camaraderie, a heart that loathed evil, and a supreme sense of mission!

Behind them, the twin pale corpse demons, their gazes firm, followed the man and woman in silent procession.

This group, though seemingly composed of just four, actually included Moon Fairy and the War Princess—six warriors in total. Yun Xiao had cultivated this formidable force over time, and now they were all in place!

Their deadly intent stirred the heavens, igniting a fire-like fervor among the millions of Immortals.

"To vanquish the wicked emperor, to execute heaven's will!"

Such a rallying cry could be shouted by anyone, but when it came from those with clear consciences, it carried more power and impact, constantly reverberating through the heavens!

The atmosphere was intensely charged and tense.

In a blink, the four had positioned themselves above the Taiwei Imperial Palace. Even without striking, the palace walls, covered in elaborate magical formations, trembled.

"It's here!" the Nian suddenly spoke coldly.

As it spoke, Yun Xiao could already feel a fierce and violent aura bursting forth from within the Taiwei Imperial Palace, like the earlier surge of necrotic air, tinting the palace with a bloody hue.

"What’s the name of that cellmate of yours downstairs?" Yun Xiao asked.

"Ancient Xiao, it calls itself the Yaksha Ancestor. It's a ghost-faced monkey, always howling, drives me crazy!" the Nian replied, glaring ahead.

The Nian's gaze told Yun Xiao that despite its contempt, it still held considerable wariness for this notorious cellmate.

BOOM! The Taiwei Imperial Palace, once the pearl of the Celestial Court, was stripped of its sacred and exalted façade. From within, it burst outward, the opulent and elegant palace tiles and glass shattering into fragments and dust, exploding in all directions!

Billows of thick smoke rose, and malice filled the air!

Yun Xiao, Divine Dawn, and all the onlookers fixed their eyes on the scene unfolding before them. From within the churning dust of the Taiwei Imperial Palace, a hunched figure sat, slowly raising its head while leaning on a blood-red staff!

Blood-red hair and eyes once again tainted the view.

But this time, what struck the hearts of all was the sight of the White Emperor, his face half-human, half a vivid, grotesque, and fierce black and red monkey face. This face, somewhat theatrical, bore an eye with the word Yaksha imprinted on it.

BUZZ! His emergence sent a brutal and cruel aura sweeping across the Celestial Court, causing the hearts of millions of Immortals to tremble. They involuntarily gasped, stepping back, their scalps tingling.

The White Emperor slowly stood up, supporting himself with the sanguine staff of the Immortal Asylum. His body trembled, but his overwhelming malice still chilled the bravest souls.

SWOOSH! He swept his gaze across the sky, and as he looked at each face that opposed him, the corner of his human face seemed to curl into a smirk, while the demonic monkey face on his right side bared half of its crimson fangs in a snarl!

"The mighty White Emperor of the Celestial Court, half-human, half-monkey, reveals his true beastly heart to all. Today, the heroes of the Great Dao Celestial Realm have gathered to judge you, to give solace to the troubled mortals," Divine Dawn said with icy eyes and a grand tone, "At this point, what more can you say?"

"All heroes of the Great Dao Celestial Realm…" the White Emperor covered his face with one hand and chuckled darkly, "Just a bunch of weaklings who can't control their destiny or break their chains, only capable of complaining about the circumstances, thriving only when fed with lies."

His truthful words displayed a disdainful view of the elites toward the grassroots, instantly infuriating the millions of Immortals, their nostrils smoking with rage.

"Backed into a corner and still defiant at death's door!"

No amount of cursing could vent their indignation, only action!

And at that moment, the White Emperor's gaze finally rested on Yun Xiao.

"You are the root of this calamity…"

Baring his crimson fangs, he gripped the staff of the Immortal Asylum, his eyes blazing with murderous intent like a volcano about to erupt!

BOOM! With a roar like a giant ape shaking the heavens, the White Emperor charged towards Yun Xiao!