Chapter 657: The Undefeated Emperor

Sixteen years later, a major event occurred in Qiankun Sect. A sixteen-year-old disciple was personally accepted as a direct disciple by the Sect Master, an unprecedented decision. It was even said that the Sect Master intended to cultivate him as the next Sect Master, and this matter had been unanimously approved by the four Great Elders.

Rumors spread rapidly within the sect and soon reached the entire world.

The disciple’s name was Yuan Luo, though that was not his original name. After his first attempt at absorbing spiritual energy, he changed his name to Yuan Luo.

On his very first attempt at cultivating Qi, he successfully established his Foundation, astonishing the supervising cultivators. News of this remarkable feat quickly reached the upper echelons of Qiankun Sect.

In just one year, Yuan Luo had already condensed a Golden Core, and by the age of sixteen, he had advanced to the Nascent Soul Realm. His rate of cultivation was beyond comprehension.

"Yi Qingshan and the others deliberated for several days and finally decided to nurture Yuan Luo using the methods employed by the Dao Court for training supreme prodigies. Their goal is to raise him into a peerless genius on par with Zhao Rushen and Tianhong Emperor. However, if you ask me, they are relying too much on Wushi Dao Field’s protection. Without Wushi, showering such favoritism on a disciple will only lead to an untimely demise."

An Xin stood beside Gu An, speaking her mind as she watched him fish at the edge of a serene lake.

This lake was an artificial creation of the Ephemeral Blossom Ghost Mother, filled with various lively spiritual fish for Gu An’s amusement.

"It doesn't matter. Whether we acknowledge it or not, the outside world already views Wushi Dao Field as Qiankun Sect’s protector. And truthfully, we have indeed done a lot for them," Gu An said, his gaze fixed on the rippling surface of the water.

As his cultivation reached ever-greater heights and the passage of time stretched endlessly, Gu An’s mindset had also undergone subtle changes. He was becoming more attuned to his own thoughts and emotions.

An Xin grew curious and asked, "Master, what exactly is Yuan Luo’s origin? With such exceptional talent, he must be a reincarnation of some great power, right?"

"Yes. In his past life, he was known as Chaos Wraithfiend—a being that brought catastrophe upon countless Grand Thousand Worlds. The previous mortal calamity was a result of his power. He was likely captured by the Immortals and Gods, cast into the cycle of reincarnation, and ended up in such a state," Gu An replied without concealment, summarizing Yuan Luo’s history in a few simple words.

An Xin frowned and asked, "The work of Immortals and Gods? For such a malevolent being to be reincarnated within Qiankun Sect, could this not be some elaborate scheme?"

Gu An glanced at her with a smile. "Of course, it might very well be a scheme. But schemes such as these have never ceased. If you cannot see through them on your own, it only proves that you are still not strong enough."

Seeing Gu An’s composed demeanor, An Xin knew that everything was under his control. She hesitated for a moment before asking, "Master, do you need me to do anything?"

"Let things take their natural course."

Gu An did not elaborate further—he trusted An Xin to understand his meaning.

After so many years together, the two of them shared a deep tacit understanding. There was no need for unnecessary repetition.

Since the conversation about Yuan Luo was over, An Xin shifted the topic toward Tianhong Emperor and Zhao Rushen.

"I heard that the Dao Court is preparing to cultivate Zhao Rushen into a Dao Sovereign Emperor. But Master, didn’t you say that one must prove their Dao Sovereign Emperor status on the Path of the Grand Dao? Does this mean that Zhao Rushen will be heading there soon?"

An Xin was deeply interested in Dao Sovereign Emperors, especially regarding whether one at that level could stand against her Immortal Emperor Eyes in the same realm.

"He will go, and he is destined to become a Dao Sovereign Emperor," Gu An replied calmly.

At the mention of Dao Sovereign Emperors, his thoughts inevitably shifted toward the Path of the Grand Dao, where he observed Ji Xiaoyu and Xiao Lan.

Ji Xiaoyu had battled through numerous conflicts, accumulating great fate energy, and was growing ever closer to achieving the status of a Dao Sovereign Emperor. Meanwhile, Xiao Lan had only recently begun to tread upon the Path of the Emperor.

Now that they were competing for the position of Dao Sovereign Emperor, their cultivation levels had skyrocketed. Through constant battle, they had become significantly stronger.

Xiao Lan had already reached the Divine Thought True Immortal Realm, nearly catching up to Tian Hao in the distant Ethereal Immortal Court.

Ji Xiaoyu, on the other hand, was striving to break through into the Vast Heaven Free Immortal Realm. In terms of raw power, she had already surpassed Yuan Songzi.

After years of fighting side by side, Yuan Songzi had finally convinced Ji Xiaoyu to join the Dao Court. If both Ji Xiaoyu and Xiao Lan succeeded in their pursuits, then the Dao Court would possess two Dao Sovereign Emperors—a formidable advantage that would enable them to challenge the Three Thousand Grand Worlds beyond Heavenly Spirit Great World.

Gu An could hear the hidden thoughts of Yuan Songzi. Although he appeared calm, his heart was brimming with excitement.

At this moment, Ji Xiaoyu was cultivating in preparation for her upcoming battle. Her next opponent was a peerless prodigy who had achieved a thousand consecutive victories on the Path of the Grand Dao, an invincible genius from the Tai Chu Divine Domain—The Undefeated Emperor.

The Undefeated Emperor was ranked among the top five supreme prodigies in the Tai Chu Divine Domain, with an unstoppable momentum.

Gu An had already foreseen the outcome of this battle, so he wasn’t surprised in the least.

The original owner of Yongsheng’s Immortal Emperor Eyes, Dao-Thief Emperor, also hailed from the Tai Chu Divine Domain. This man had founded the Dao-Thief Immortal Sect, even drawing the relentless pursuit of the Heavenly Court, which alone proved the terrifying depth of his Dao.

The heritage of the Tai Chu Divine Domain was not something the Grand Thousand Worlds could compare to.

"Master, do you think Wushi Dao Field should cultivate a Dao Sovereign Emperor of our own?" An Xin asked expectantly.

Although Wushi Dao Field wasn’t a sect in the conventional sense, as Gu An’s first disciple, An Xin naturally hoped for it to grow stronger.

"It depends on individual ambition. I won’t force anyone. Dao Sovereign Emperors are undoubtedly powerful, but the path to that level is exceedingly difficult," Gu An said softly.

With Yongsheng’s memories, he understood how grueling the path of a Dao Sovereign Emperor was.

Looking across all the disciples of Wushi Dao Field, to be honest, he had yet to see anyone with the potential to truly become a Dao Sovereign Emperor. Even Xiao Lan, who was currently out in the world, was still relying on his protection from the shadows.

If she had to walk this road alone, she would have died long ago.

Moreover, Gu An could feel that if he kept intervening to help Xiao Lan, no matter how many battles she won, she would never become a Dao Sovereign Emperor.

The will of the Path of the Grand Dao was far beyond mortal comprehension.

Hearing this, An Xin fell into deep thought. She faintly understood the deeper meaning behind Gu An’s words.

At that moment, Gu An’s fishing rod suddenly twitched. He exerted force to lift it, his arms trembling slightly.

Watching her Master struggle as if he were a mere mortal, An Xin covered her mouth and giggled. She felt that her Master truly enjoyed acting.

Inside a brightly lit grand hall, Ji Xiaoyu sat cross-legged before a blue crystal, her reflection mirrored on its surface.

Yuan Songzi approached and stopped in front of Ji Xiaoyu, hesitating to speak.

Without opening her eyes, Ji Xiaoyu said, "Palace Lord, if you have something to say, speak freely."

Taking a deep breath, Yuan Songzi finally said, "Give up. Your next opponent is unbeatable."

Hearing this, Ji Xiaoyu slowly opened her eyes and stared at him.

Yuan Songzi continued, "I have investigated thoroughly. The Undefeated Emperor has not only won a thousand consecutive battles, but he has also swept through all the prodigies of his generation in the Tai Chu Divine Domain. A Dao Sovereign Emperor once fought him in the same realm—and lost."

To defeat a Dao Sovereign Emperor before even setting foot on the Emperor’s Path, even if that Dao Sovereign Emperor had suppressed their cultivation, was an unimaginable feat.

Just thinking about it sent chills down Yuan Songzi’s spine. He feared Ji Xiaoyu might still refuse to believe him, so he added, "On the Path of the Grand Dao, everyone is convinced that The Undefeated Emperor is destined to become a Dao Sovereign Emperor. The will of the Grand Dao has arranged for you to face him—it is sheer misfortune. Avoiding this battle may erase all your past achievements, but at least you will survive."

The struggle for Dao Sovereign Emperor was no trivial matter—ninety percent of the losers would die.

Over the years, countless prodigies had perished at Ji Xiaoyu’s hands.

But Ji Xiaoyu remained unfazed and asked, "Palace Lord, have you ever considered that the Path of the Grand Dao is inherently ruthless? There will never be an easy path to the top. If I abandon this battle now, the next time I reach this point, I will face another opponent no weaker than The Undefeated Emperor. If I keep retreating every time, then what is the purpose of my journey on the Path of the Grand Dao?"

"If I want the Grand Dao to recognize me, I must defeat the opponent it has chosen for me."

These words made Yuan Songzi furrow his brows. He couldn’t deny the logic behind them. Perhaps he had truly underestimated the harshness of the Dao Sovereign Emperor’s Path.

At the thought that Xiao Lan might also face an opponent like The Undefeated Emperor, Yuan Songzi suddenly felt uncertain.

Perhaps he had been too impatient—perhaps the Dao Court was still not ready to produce a Dao Sovereign Emperor.

Looking at Yuan Songzi, Ji Xiaoyu suddenly smiled, radiating confidence. She said leisurely, "Besides, Palace Lord, how can you be so certain that I will lose?"