Sweeping across the heavens, starting with the first emperor of the ancient times.

After being dormant for countless ages, the four swords of Zhuxian suddenly revived on their own, traversing endless void and rushing toward the star field where their master's corpse was located!

At this moment, all the heavens and myriad realms were alarmed.

"Those are... the Four Swords of Zhuxian? The Celestial Weapons of the Celestial Venerable Lingbao!"

"Weren't they scattered throughout the universe after Lingbao Tianzun's fall? How could they all resurrect at the same time, and even fly in the same direction?"

"That direction leads to... the deathly star field where Lingbao Tianzun's corpse transformed. What happened there?"

Countless cultivators were shocked and began to use various methods to observe and deduce the situation.

However, the trajectory of the four swords contained the supreme essence of swordsmanship, and their speed was so fast that it was beyond reason. Even ordinary quasi-emperors could hardly catch a clear trace of them, and could only feel the murderous sword energy that made their souls tremble as it swept across the starry sky.

Deep within the forbidden zone of life, the ancient supreme beings were once again alarmed.

Cold divine thoughts intertwined and collided in the starry space.

"The four swords of Zhuxian are moving simultaneously... This is impossible. Lingbao is already dead. Who is summoning them?"

"Unless his deity is completely revived and seeks a master on his own... but the Dao of Lingbao Tianzun has long been extinguished."

"There's something strange about that star field. It's shrouded in a great formation, and my divine sense can't even penetrate to its core."

"Lingbao... could there be a backup plan for its return?" A divine thought wave, filled with disbelief, resounded.

After these words were spoken, the restricted area fell silent for a moment.

"Absurd! The true spirit has dissipated, and the physical body has transformed into the Dao. How can it return? From the mythological era to the present, no Heavenly Venerable or Ancient Emperor has ever been able to do this. Spiritual treasures are powerful, but they cannot achieve this either." A Supreme immediately retorted, his tone intense, as if trying to convince himself.

"But how do you explain these four swords? They clearly sensed something!"

"I don't know, but Lingbao's return is unrealistic."

"Wait and see. This matter is strange; do not act rashly!"

Lingbao Tianzun was infamous during his lifetime. Among the various celestial beings of the mythological era, he was known for his strong fighting power, ruthless killing intent, and unpredictable methods.

Now, with this strange turn of events, coupled with the mystery surrounding the fall of the Chaos Emperor, these supreme beings are even more hesitant to act rashly, and can only raise their suspicion and vigilance to the highest level.

Within the core of the humanoid star field, in the Sendai small world, the radiance has already been contained.

In Sendai Pond, the dazzling ball of spiritual light suddenly contracted, condensed, and took shape.

The traces of the Dao converged from all directions and merged into it.

Several more years passed, the light faded, and a figure became clearly visible.

He was a middle-aged Taoist priest, dressed in a simple Taoist robe. He had a thin face, slightly high cheekbones, and his eyes did not have a piercing light when they opened and closed. Instead, he appeared somewhat calm and reserved.

But if you look closely, you can see that deep within its eyes lies an endless world, with scenes of stars rising and falling and eras ending.

He stood there, his posture not particularly upright, yet he gave the impression of being the embodiment of the universe's slaughter and end.

Buzz buzz buzz!

Four streams of light, each a different color, pierced through the barrier of the small world almost simultaneously, shooting towards the middle-aged Taoist, hovering beside him, circling him affectionately, and chiming softly. These were the Four Swords of Zhuxian, which had returned from crossing the Milky Way.

The sword's radiance flowed and merged seamlessly with the Taoist's aura.

"Old friends, it's been a long time," the Taoist priest said, his voice calm and carrying a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a feeling of deep emotion or reflection) after experiencing countless ages.

He gently stroked the blades of the four swords, his movements as tender as if he were caressing a long-lost friend.

Just then, a cheerful voice rang out not far from him:

"Congratulations, fellow Daoist, for enduring countless tribulations and returning to the world."

Lingbao Tianzun suddenly turned his head, and for the first time, a true sharp glint flashed in his usually calm eyes, like the first ray of sword light that opened the heavens and the earth.

Lingbao Tianzun was deeply shocked, because he had not realized that someone was so close!

His gaze fell on Jiang Hao, who had suddenly appeared, and a deep look of doubt appeared in his eyes.

He couldn't sense the other person's specific realm, but felt that the other person seemed to be one with the surrounding world and universe, unfathomable, yet without any hostility.

"Who are you?" Lingbao Tianzun asked calmly. The four swords of Zhuxian slightly adjusted their positions. Although they did not point at Jiang Hao, their auras were already faintly connected.

He has just returned to his primordial spirit, and his strength has not yet recovered, so we must be careful.

Jiang Hao smiled slightly and bowed: "Jiang Hao, a cultivator from a later generation, greets Lingbao Tianzun. During your slumber and revival, the outside world has passed through the mythical and ancient eras."

By sheer chance, I received a portion of the Lingbao Scripture from my fellow Daoist, and I also witnessed my fellow Daoist's body disintegrate into a realm, with his true spirit having the opportunity to scatter and reunite.

Unable to bear the thought of a Celestial Venerable's complete annihilation, he set up an array here thousands of years ago, gathering the power of heaven and earth and remnants of the Dao to help nurture your true spirit, awaiting your return today.

He explained the cause and effect concisely, with a humble yet confident attitude, and remained calm and natural.

Lingbao Tianzun listened quietly, and with a slight movement of his divine sense, he instantly sensed the complex and exquisite array patterns within this small world of the Immortal Platform, which contained the great Dao of chaos and vitality.

Indeed, it complemented his own Dao traces, greatly accelerating the condensation of his true spirit.

Considering that the Four Swords of Zhuxian were able to return smoothly, it is probably also related to this person stabilizing the laws of this place.

The sharp glint in Lingbao Tianzun's eyes faded. He cupped his hands and solemnly returned the greeting: "I see. Lingbao thanks you, fellow Daoist, for saving my life and giving me a second chance. This kindness is as heavy as a mountain, and I will remember it forever."

His tone was sincere, without the slightest arrogance befitting a mythical deity.

"Fellow Daoist, you flatter me. It was just a small favor, and it was all due to fate," Jiang Hao said with a smile. "Besides, being able to witness the return of the Mythical Celestial Venerable is a rare opportunity for me as well."

Lingbao Tianzun shook his head, scrutinizing Jiang Hao again, his eyes filled with growing astonishment:

"Fellow Daoist is too modest. Although I have just returned, my eyesight is still sharp. Your bone age is only a little over ten thousand years, but your life essence is as vigorous as the rising sun, far exceeding the scope of an ordinary emperor... Moreover, the depth of your Daoist charm and the wonderful harmony with heaven and earth make me feel a faint pressure."

It is truly astonishing that such an extraordinary figure as you, fellow Daoist, has emerged in later generations.

He said it from the bottom of his heart.

He had lived several lifetimes and seen countless geniuses, but he had never seen anyone as young and unfathomable as Jiang Hao.

Even the Daoist master of the invincible mythical era was inferior to the person before him at the same age.

Jiang Hao said frankly, "It was by chance that I made a slight progress. However, it was you, Fellow Daoist, who laid out your plan in the midst of annihilation, using your corpse to transform into a star field to nourish your remnant spirit, and using the energy of the Four Swords of Zhuxian to guide it, thus completing this heaven-defying return. That is the real grand scheme, which I admire."

He meant it sincerely. The method of Lingbao Tianzun's return was completely different from what he knew about the elixir of immortality to live a second life or to sever one's own life and lie dormant.

It focuses more on the tempering and reorganization of the primordial spirit and true soul, and is of great reference value.

Upon hearing this, Lingbao Tianzun looked at Jiang Hao with a profound gaze:

"Fellow Daoist, it seems... you didn't live a second life through the elixir of immortality? I observe that your Qi, blood, and Dao foundation are perfectly integrated, like the rising sun, yet containing a sense of the vicissitudes of eternity."

Could it be... that you, fellow Daoist, actively transformed during the prime of your first life, thus living out your next life?

Even he found it hard to believe. What profound knowledge, what strong confidence and courage that required!