My son is about to break through.

There was a long silence.

Gu Qingfeng said, "I need to consider this matter carefully."

"Yes, the Immortal Realm is ultimately dangerous. It would be best if you considered it carefully."

Ancient Barbarian Celestial Venerable did not intend to force Gu Qingfeng.

Because he knew very well that the immortal secret realm left behind by such beings was destined to be extraordinary.

Even a fallen Immortal Realm Eleventh Stage cultivator should not be underestimated.

The residual power of the Great Dao rules in such places is so powerful that even someone like him, who has reached the eighth realm of immortality, finds it difficult to set foot there, which shows how terrifying it is.

and so.

Gu Mantianzun was not surprised by Gu Qingfeng's answer.

The next period of time.

The Ancient Barbarian Celestial Venerable settled down in the Xuan Tian Immortal Realm.

According to the other party, he had been in seclusion for many years and was already feeling very bored. Now that the Xuan Tian Immortal Realm is prosperous and bustling, it can be considered a different kind of enlightenment.

Upon hearing this, Gu Qingfeng naturally did not object.

After all, in his view, it was a good thing that such an immortal celestial being was willing to stay in the Xuan Tian Immortal Realm.

If the evil god clan truly has an immortal member who intends to take action against the Xuan Tian Immortal Court, then it's a case of ironclad opposition.

Gu Qingfeng was well aware of the strength of the Ancient Barbarian Heavenly Venerable.

The Eighth Realm of Immortality.

The third strongest human.

Of the many immortal gods of the evil god race, only two immortals could truly be their match.

and so.

How could Gu Qingfeng refuse such a thing?

With the Ancient Barbarian Celestial Venerable present, he need not fear even if an immortal invasion by the evil god race were to occur.

but.

On this very day.

Gu Qingfeng, who was giving a sermon to the younger generation of the Gu family, suddenly stopped and looked towards the void outside, his brows furrowing.

The other younger members of the Gu family were all shocked when they saw this.

They rarely saw Gu Qingfeng like this.

Especially at Gu Qingfeng's level, a single joy or anger is enough to affect the minds of other cultivators.

The subtle pressure made these younger members of the Gu family afraid to even breathe, and none of them dared to ask a question.

After a while.

Gu Qingfeng withdrew his gaze and waved his hand: "This lecture ends here. You should all go back and cultivate diligently, and strive to break through to the Heavenly Venerable Realm as soon as possible in order to attain immortality."

"Junior, please resign!"

Upon hearing this, many of the younger members of the Gu family hurriedly bowed and turned to leave.

Inside the Immortal Palace, as the younger generation of the Gu family quietly withdrew, the atmosphere returned to silence.

Only Gu Qingfeng remained here. His previous aura of detachment and peace had dissipated, replaced by a sense of calm and solemnity.

Just now, he clearly sensed that the blood essence mark he had given to Gu Xiu had been triggered.

This means that Gu Xiucheng has encountered a fatal crisis, forcing him to instantly activate his essence and blood power.

"The fact that they are using their trump cards so urgently... suggests that the dangers of that Immortal Realm are far beyond the ordinary, and it is definitely not just a few restrictions and dangerous places."

Gu Qingfeng muttered to himself, a cold glint in his eyes.

Gu Xiu was meticulous and methodical in his actions. He would never have used this last trump card so hastily unless he had truly encountered an insurmountable predicament.

He tried to glimpse the scene Gu Xiu was experiencing through the mysterious connection between their essence and blood.

However, when the divine sense reached out, it seemed to have bumped into an endless, incredibly thick wall, flowing with chaos and ancient Daoist charm.

That was the supreme rule barrier left over from the Immortal Secret Realm itself, which even blocked powerful beings like the Ancient Barbarian Heavenly Venerable who were at the eighth level of the Immortal Realm.

Aside from vaguely sensing that the blood essence mark had been activated and that Gu Xiu's aura was still present, he could not obtain any specific images or information.

This sense of powerlessness caused Gu Qingfeng to feel a rare sense of irritability and unease.

He slowly closed his eyes, his fingertips unconsciously tracing patterns in the void, leaving faint traces of the underworld.

A few breaths later, Gu Qingfeng reopened his eyes. The turmoil in his eyes had subsided, leaving only an almost icy resolve.

"It seems that this secret realm... is ultimately unavoidable."

He sighed softly, yet with an undeniable firmness.

Initially, Gu Qingfeng weighed the pros and cons and was unwilling to take the risk lightly.

But now, with their blood relatives in danger, the pull of blood ties and kinship has overwhelmed their fear of the unknown risks.

Throughout his cultivation journey, Gu Qingfeng has always been driven by a sense of justice and a desire to protect those around him; this has always been an integral part of his Daoist heart.

If one can sit idly by and watch even one's own bloodline face a life-or-death crisis, then there's no point in cultivating the path to immortality!
"Besides... if Yulan finds out that Xiu'er is in trouble, and I just stand by and do nothing..."

The image of Xu Yulan appeared in Gu Qingfeng's mind.

Although he rarely saw his Daoist partner, who had been with him until now, due to his long-term seclusion and busy affairs of the Celestial Court, their deep affection for each other never changed.

Gu Xiu is their child.

He could imagine how heartbroken Xu Yulan would be if something happened to Gu Xiuzhen, and how much resentment she would feel towards him.

This is not the situation he wanted to see.

All worries and hesitations were completely swept away at this moment by the throbbing in their blood.

"Since we have no choice but to go, we must make thorough preparations."

Gu Qingfeng's mind raced, and he instantly sorted out his thoughts.

The Immortal Realm itself has powerful rules that restrict immortals from entering, which may actually be his opportunity—at least inside the realm, he is unlikely to directly face the true form of the Immortal God.

The real threat comes from the top-tier Celestial Venerables of the Evil God faction who have also entered the secret realm, as well as the Great Dao restrictions within the secret realm itself that might even trouble Immortals.

Thinking of this, Gu Qingfeng's divine sense, like an invisible tide, instantly covered the entire Xuan Tian Immortal Realm.

Everything within the Celestial Court's territory, encompassing countless living beings, was reflected in his mind. In the next instant, Gu Qingfeng took a step forward, his figure seemingly merging into the folds of space, disappearing silently into the empty Celestial Palace.

……

In the Xuan Tian Immortal Realm, on the southern border, lies a city called Qingyan.

This city is not large, but it is home to millions of cultivators. It has a strong local atmosphere, with shops lining both sides of the street, and the sounds of vendors hawking their wares, bargaining, and children playing can be heard all the time.

The air was filled with the mixed smells of food, spices, and various goods.

At the entrance of a relatively quiet but bustling alley, there is an inconspicuous meat stall.

The stall owner was a middle-aged man who looked to be in his early forties. He was burly, with broad shoulders and a thick waist, and was wearing a faded coarse cloth short jacket with some oil stains.

He had a ruddy complexion and a stubble beard. His large, fan-like hands were skillfully wielding a heavy, gleaming butcher's knife, cutting and deboning a huge piece of meat from the hind leg of an unknown ferocious beast.

"Old Gu, give me three pounds of pork shoulder, the lean kind!"

"Okay, Aunt Zhang, please wait a moment, it'll be ready soon!"

"Butcher Gu, the bone broth yesterday was really good, give me two more pork bones!"

"Alright, Old Li, pick one yourself, I'll give you a discount!"

The middle-aged butcher—or rather, the ancient barbarian deity in disguise—handled his business nimbly while greeting his regular customers warmly, a simple and content smile on his face.

His movements were fluid and graceful, his cutting precise, his weighing efficient, and his taking money and giving change without hesitation. He was just like an old butcher who had been in business for decades. Where was there any trace of the majesty and transcendence that belonged to the Immortal Celestial Venerable?

If Gu Qingfeng hadn't already known his identity, it would have been extremely difficult for him to connect the butcher before him, whose aura was completely concealed and who carried a faint smell of blood and grease, with the top human immortal who was renowned throughout the endless immortal realm.

The stark contrast caused Gu Qingfeng, who had quietly appeared not far from the stall, to display a helpless and strange expression.

Who would have thought that a great figure who has lived for countless trillions of years and whose stomp could shake the endless immortal realm would have such a peculiar hobby, willingly hiding in the mortal world to experience the most basic life of ordinary people.

Just as Gu Qingfeng appeared and his gaze fell upon him, the Ancient Barbarian Heavenly Venerable paused slightly in his hand, then continued to cut off a piece of meat as if nothing had happened and handed it to an old woman who was waiting.

Gu Qingfeng simply watched this scene quietly.

Ancient Barbarian Celestial Venerable quickly dismissed the last guest, and then with a "bang," he slammed the seemingly ordinary but actually extraordinary pig-slaughtering knife in his hand into the thick wooden chopping board, the blade disappearing all the way to the handle.

He straightened up, clapped his hands, and waved his hand gruffly at the few neighbors who hadn't yet dispersed from the stall or had just gathered around after hearing the news.

"Alright, alright, everyone disperse! A distant relative came to visit today, and we have some important matters to discuss, so we're closing up shop early! If you want to buy meat, come early tomorrow!"

"Hey! Butcher Gu, you're doing business like this, you can just quit like that!"

"That's right, my family is waiting for the meat to be cooked!"

Several regular customers grumbled discontentedly.

The Ancient Barbarian Celestial Venerable glared, feigning a fierce expression: "What? This is my own stall, I can open it when I want and close it when I want! If you keep making a fuss, I won't sell you any more bones!"

His behavior was exactly like that of a rough, uncouth man from the streets, which drew a few laughs and curses from the neighbors, but they could only leave dejectedly, muttering, "This butcher's temper is getting worse and worse."

Once the crowd dispersed, the Ancient Barbarian Celestial Venerable finally raised his eyes and looked directly at Gu Qingfeng. The worldly air in his eyes instantly faded, replaced by the profound and insightful gaze befitting an immortal celestial being.

He grinned, revealing a set of white teeth: "This isn't the place to talk. Let's find somewhere else to avoid disturbing the peace."

Before he finished speaking, and without making any move, Gu Qingfeng felt the surrounding scenery ripple and distort slightly like water.

The cacophony of sounds, the mingled smells, the flow of people... all vanished in an instant, becoming blurred.

In the next instant, he found himself in a completely different environment.

This is an ancient and simple cave dwelling, yet it exudes an extraordinary aura in every aspect.

The space was not large, about a hundred feet square, and the four walls were made of uncarved chaotic raw stones, exuding a heavy and solemn aura.

In the center of the cave, there is a naturally formed jade platform, on which several stone benches are casually placed.

Wisps of chaotic energy descended from the cave ceiling, transforming into a hazy light that illuminated the area.

The air was filled with an ancient, wild, yet pure Daoist aura, as if returning to the beginning of time.

Clearly, this was a temporary residence created by the ancient barbarian celestial being using supreme means, completely isolated from the outside world.

The Ancient Barbarian Celestial Venerable sat down on the stone bench with an air of superiority, pointing to the seat opposite him: "Sit down. What brings you here to see me? Have you perhaps come to your senses and decided to venture into the Immortal Realm?"

Hear the words.

Gu Qingfeng didn't hide anything and nodded directly: "What the Heavenly Venerable said is right. My good-for-nothing third son encountered trouble in the Immortal Secret Realm, so I had no choice but to go in and take a trip."

However, the Immortal Realm is ultimately dangerous, and encountering other evil gods or immortals would also be a problem.

So, I would like to ask if you have any means of protecting your life?
If I have any, I'll shamelessly ask for it!

He didn't beat around the bush and stated his purpose directly.

When facing an existence like the Ancient Barbarian Celestial Venerable, any hypocrisy and scheming seem laughable. Only honesty and straightforwardness may be able to gain the other party's understanding and support.

After listening, the Ancient Barbarian Celestial Venerable did not answer immediately. The smile on his rugged face faded, and his fingers gently tapped the jade platform, producing a soft "tap, tap" sound, as if he were pondering or weighing his options. The cave fell silent for a moment, with only the faint light of the descending chaotic energy flowing silently.

Gu Qingfeng didn't urge him, but waited quietly. He knew that with the Ancient Barbarian Heavenly Venerable's status and vision, the "life-saving means" he sought were by no means ordinary treasures. This was a matter concerning the game at the immortal level and his own core interests, and the other party needed to consider it carefully.

After a long pause, the Ancient Barbarian Celestial Venerable stopped tapping the stone platform. He raised his eyes, looked at Gu Qingfeng, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, and slowly spoke:
"A means of survival..."

His voice was deep and powerful.

"Since you've decided to venture into that dangerous place, it would seem petty of me to refuse to give you anything."

After all, you are the future hope of my human race, and a junior whom I have high hopes for.

At this point, the Ancient Barbarian Celestial Venerable smiled again, but this smile now carried a hint of solemnity and a touch of heartache.

He stretched out his right hand, palm up, fingers slightly clenched.

The next moment, the chaotic energy within the cave seemed to be drawn by an invisible force, slowly converging towards his palm.

At the same time, an indescribable, domineering aura, seemingly capable of splitting the heavens and earth and severing eternity, began to emanate from his palm.

Under Gu Qingfeng's solemn gaze, the chaotic energy in the palm of the Ancient Barbarian Heavenly Venerable condensed to its extreme. Then, with a flash of light, an object slowly materialized and appeared.

It was a small bronze axe, about the size of a palm.

The small axe has an extremely simple and rustic design, even somewhat rough, like a tool casually crafted by ancient ancestors.

The axe has a dark bronze color and is covered with fine, natural patterns that look like the marks of time, without any fancy decorations or runes.

The axe blade didn't look very sharp either; it was even somewhat blunt.

However, the moment this seemingly insignificant, even somewhat dilapidated, bronze axe was fully revealed, the entire space inside the cave seemed to freeze for a moment.

The ancient, sharp, and all-destroying aura that permeated the air suddenly intensified tenfold, even a hundredfold.

Gu Qingfeng seemed to see the beginning of time, when chaos was cleaved and the clear and turbid separated; he heard the roars and wails of ancient gods and demons, and felt their resolute will to annihilate all paths. (End of Chapter)