I have changed my destiny and become an unparalleled immortal.

The Yan Jin Dynasty, the Gu Prince's Mansion.

High-ranking officials and nobles all came to pay their respects, and the wealthiest merchants all knocked on the door.

At the grand and solemn gate of the Prince's mansion, servants carried in one rare treasure after another, along with precious medicines, and chests of gold and silver were continuously carried in like miscellaneous items.

The concierge, responsible for calling out drinks and gifts, tirelessly called out:

"The Prime Minister has gifted me a single piece of the precious medicine, a thousand-year-old He Shou Wu!"

"The Minister of Personnel has presented me with three rare luminous pearls from the South China Sea!"

...

And all these powerful and influential figures who came and went entered with smiles on their faces.

Today, he is a veteran of the dynasty, a king of equal rank, and the most powerful man in Yan Jin today, the old King Gu.

Gu Yun's 80th birthday.

Not only did he wield great power and prestige, but his protégés and supporters were also widespread throughout the court and the country, making him arguably superior to even the current "Little Emperor."

Inside the banquet hall of the Prince's Mansion.

Gu Yunduan sat in the main seat, with only a bronze mirror on the golden nanmu wood table in front of him.

He was now very old, with graying temples and deep wrinkles on his aged face. Even his eyes were cloudy and dim, making it difficult for him to see clearly.

After all the guests had been seated, he looked at the seats where not a single familiar face was present and couldn't help but sigh.

I have been living in this world for over sixty years.

He started as an ordinary young man in a chaotic world, but now he is the powerful and influential Prince Gu, who commands respect throughout the dynasty.

Not only did it outlive the two old emperors who had helped establish the Yan Jin dynasty, but it also outliveed many of its former comrades who had fought alongside it and shared drinks with it.

In truth, he only has one old friend left now, but they are now separated by death!

"Can't mortals without a karmic connection to immortality embark on the path to immortality and seek eternal life?"

Suddenly, the old King Gu, who had enjoyed all the riches, power, beautiful women and strong liquor, sighed.

Upon hearing this, the expressions of all the guests present changed.

This old King Gu still longs to seek immortality through the Path of Immortality.

Everyone knows that those without a karmic connection to immortality cannot cultivate immortality; even meeting a celestial master is a rare and precious opportunity.

To be honest, Gu Yun initially thought this was just an ordinary ancient world.

It wasn't until he and the old emperor of Yan Jin overthrew the previous dynasty and browsed through the royal library that he learned there was a path to immortality there.

Beyond Yan Jin lies a vast and true world, where immortals exist.

According to records, there were three instances of immortals appearing in the previous dynasty over its three hundred-year history.

One instance was ten years after the founding of the nation, when an immortal rode a sword through the territory of the previous dynasty, witnessed by countless people.

Another time was on the centennial of the founding of the dynasty, when an immortal descended to the capital, took the crown prince as his disciple, and left the previous dynasty.

Another time, more than 230 years after the founding of the nation, a flying boat passed through the territory, and three people from the previous dynasty were taken away by immortals.

From then on, he became obsessed with the path of immortality, seeking to attain immortality.

Unfortunately, the immortals were nowhere to be found, and there was a vast, misty forest on the border of Yan Jin, where anyone who touched it would die, let alone cross it.

But he could not attain immortality and could not be granted immortality, while one of his old friends had a predestined connection with immortality.

About fifty years ago, an immortal flew through Yan Jin and took away his old friend. He was there and wanted to leave as well, but the immortal said: You and I have no affinity for the path of immortality.

Fifty years later, as he grew old and near death, Gu Yun still hadn't found his destiny in the immortal realm, proving he was destined to be without it.

"How vast is heaven and earth! Immortals nourish their spirits and live forever, riding the wind and soaring through the sky, traveling to the North Sea in the morning and Cangwu in the evening. Why can't I attain the path of immortality?"

"If one cannot live forever, what use are wealth, power, and beautiful women?"

Even in their twilight years, heroes still cherish lofty ideals!

The world is so vast, yet he is trapped in this secular dynasty shrouded in misty forests.

Like a frog in a well or a bird in a cage, unable to see the vast blue sky.

Even at eighty years old, this old King Gu still wanted to embark on the path of immortality and achieve eternal life.

Suddenly, the entire room fell silent.

The guests were all stunned by these words and didn't know what to say.

In the minds of most of them, what does it matter if they don't attain immortality?

Are immortals truly free? Are they above others? Are they not bound by rules?

In this mundane dynasty, living a carefree and happy life, doing whatever one pleases in one's own little corner of the world, isn't that wonderful?

How can a sparrow know the ambition of a swan? How can a quail understand the heart of a giant roc?

Gu Yun didn't expect these people to understand.

Every living being has its own ambitions, but he insisted on being a bird that gazes at the sky.

"Jun'an, how have you been lately?"

Just then, a voice came.

The newcomer had cascading black hair, a face as bright as a star, wore a white robe, stood upright, and had incredibly clear eyes. He possessed an indescribable air about him, unlike any ordinary person.

Gu Yun, courtesy name Jun'an.

He never imagined that in his twilight years he would be able to see his old friend, who had already attained immortality, again.

He was old, but age did not diminish his youthful appearance; he remained as young as ever!

"Yu Zhixian?"

Another fifty years passed, and Gu Yun called out that name again.

Those who rose up together in their youth and enjoyed themselves together in their prime have now embarked on the path of immortality, a path both familiar and strange.

Another thought suddenly popped into his mind.

Could it be that this old friend is his destiny, guiding him onto the path of immortality?

The assembled generals, ministers, and high-ranking officials were greatly astonished. The legend from decades ago, that the person who ascended to immortality from Yan Jin had returned, was now a shocking revelation.

Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, the green-haired immortal cupped his hands and bowed to Gu Yun.

"Brother Gu, are you well?"

...

Gu Yun dismissed the guests, leaving only himself and Yu Zhixian in the main hall.

Old friends meet again and chat.

"I know what Brother Gu wants to say, but I am not destined to be with you in the immortal realm."

"I have come here only to see you, my only remaining old friend, and to settle our worldly ties."

Yu Zhixian said, and took out a small, peculiar pill from his sleeve.

"This is a longevity pill, which can extend one's lifespan by ten years. I present it to Brother Gu."

Immediately afterwards, he placed the pill in Gu Yun's palm.

"Zhi Xian, I only want to know if it is possible to ascend to immortality even without a karmic connection, and what the outside world is like."

Upon hearing this, the old King Gu simply said indifferently.

Isn't that right? It seems he truly has no affinity with immortality.

This longevity pill can extend one's lifespan by ten years.

I am already eighty years old and nearing the end of my life. What difference would it make if I lived another ten years? Wouldn't I eventually turn into dust and withered bones?

"As far as I know, all living beings have their own destiny, and those without the affinity for immortality cannot ascend to immortality."

Looking at his old friend's expression, Yu Zhixian remained silent for a moment before finally speaking.

The vast land of Yanfu, the four great divine continents.

All living beings have their own destiny, and those who seek immortality must have a predestined affinity with immortality.

Only then can one be guided by someone, or have a miraculous encounter that leads to the path of immortality.

Upon hearing his old friend's words, Gu Yun's aged body trembled.

Do all living beings have a life?

Does lacking a connection to immortality mean one is destined never to embark on the path of immortality?

But... he didn't believe it, he was unwilling to accept it!

Is fate truly unchangeable?!

"Alright, then tell me about the outside world."

Knowing that his old friend couldn't do anything about it, Gu Yun had no choice but to change the subject: what was the real world like?

"The vast land of Jambudvipa, the four great divine continents..."

An old friend said.

He spoke at length, explaining that this world was called the Vast Land of Jambudvipa, containing four divine continents, where immortals and Buddhas stood in the void, where all beings strived for immortality, and where great cultivators traveled to the Northern Sea in the morning and attained enlightenment in the evening...

This world of immortals is truly magnificent.

But all living beings have their own destiny, and Gu Yun, who has no affinity with immortality, cannot see it.

After finishing his story, Yu Zhixian reminisced with Gu Yun about the past, then bid farewell and left. Immortals are not the same as mortals; after all, there is a difference between immortals and mortals!

Yu Zhixian's purpose this time was also to sever his worldly ties.

He had received kindness from Gu Yun in his early years, and he always felt guilty for not repaying it.

His mind was not perfect, so he could not break through to supernatural powers. Fortunately, he managed to pass through the Misty Forest and settle this matter.

Now that he has received his due, he feels at peace and should leave.

His future awaits him on the path to immortality, for he cannot linger in the mortal world.

As he watched that departing figure, Gu Yun's desire to ascend to immortality grew even stronger.

Knowing how vast the world is, he no longer wants to be a frog in a well or a bird in a cage; he also wants to look up at the vast blue sky!

At this moment, his obsession with ascending to immortality reached its peak.

Is fate unchangeable? Without a karmic connection to the immortals, one cannot ascend to immortality?!

Suddenly, a thin book with three ancient seal characters on its cover appeared in Gu Yun's mind, and he slowly turned to the first page of the prologue.

[The Book of Changes in Fate: Manipulating Cause and Effect, Altering Destiny]