I looked back at Gǔlóng Shu. She was no longer watching me. She had returned to her perch on the high ground, welcoming the new disciples— her gaze sweeping over the crowd below, as if I had never stood apart.
She spoke, and I listened. "Welcome, everyone. I am Gǔlóng Shu, and this is the Blackdragon Sect. As you know, this sect was founded in the name of Emperor Genesis Stormend— The True Immortal. Of course, he is a legend. No one truly knows if he ever existed, or if he still walks among us in the Mìngjiè Xiānlù Realm."
"This place was once one of his countless residences.
The last one he created—before he disappeared, more than aeons ago.
One reason he was so revered and feared
was that he had no cultivation.
Yet he was immortal.
His species was known as the True Immortals.
And though he possessed no cultivation,
he forged this realm—Mìngjiè Xiānlù—
and filled it with countless lifeforms.
Of course, he was not alone in this creation. He had formed the ancient clans who stood beside him when he created this realm. However, back to the topic at hand: I must emphasise that it won't be easy. After all, this sect is known as one of the most challenging to remain in due to the numerous obstacles it presents. Our sect ranks first in this province, which means we have many competitors."
"Be prepared for significant backlash and danger while involved in this sect, as other sects may want to see you eliminated. We only focus our full attention on those who remain alive. If you die, your family may receive certain benefits, but of course, this only applies to the unfortunate ones who do not survive. You have been warned. Please think carefully before you join this sect. Trust me, if you stay alive, you will have the opportunity to reach step 1000 of the divine realm."
I observed that no one had left. Gǔlóng Shu was smiling. "Well then, that's good; much better than last year when quite a few people left. I do look forward to seeing you all again. Hopefully, the sect elders will now inform you about what you need to know. After this, you will be selected by your masters, one by one."
As I waited to see who would be my master, Gǔlóng Shu stood in front of me. Naturally, I felt jealous looks from those chosen by the sect master herself. She smiled at me, and in her eyes, I could see her longing and happiness at the sight of me again. Unlike Mìngjiè Xiānlù and her sister, who were upset with me for leaving, Gǔlóng Shu seemed more understanding of my situation. I honestly felt bad for leaving them all, especially her. She wasn't angry; she looked more like a wife waiting for her faithful husband, while the actual husband she married was someone she had fallen out of love with. She remained married for her reasons, despite the distance between them.
I bowed to her out of respect, and she smiled even more upon seeing me do that. Before I knew it, I found myself in her residence. She looked at me with such happiness that she hugged me immediately. "I've missed you so much, Ren! I'm so happy to see you back. It has been too long. My sister might be upset about your return, but I am joyful about it!"
"Have you missed me as much as I have missed you, dear husband? She called me 'husband' even though we weren't married. "Of course, I missed you; after all, I'm not a heartless man, even though it might seem that way from afar."
She hugged me tighter and began to cry. I held her close, wiping the tears from her face. I remember the first time I saw her— how lifeless she seemed, how hopeless. She never showed it in her eyes or her expression, but I could tell. I noticed the scars she tried to hide. They're gone now. I healed them long ago— along with the wounds in her mind. Everything that once threatened her future, her cultivation, her refinement— I removed it—or helped her rise beyond it.
After all this time—through tears, scars, and silence—she has surpassed more than one quadrillion steps in her cultivation. It is not just a journey; to others, she may appear to be at peak step 5000, but in my eyes, I can see her actual cultivation level.
About her sister Gulong Yao: Why didn't she protect her sister? She did many times, but her husband did not fear her enough, despite her being the clan's ancestor. The only one he truly feared was me. He never touched her again since he knew I was the real father of her children in her flat belly, which made him furious. However, he knew I would kill him in a heartbeat if he ever laid a hand on her again, even after I left.
In this world, cultivators no longer need to pursue lifespan once they reach one billion steps. At that point, death no longer follows them. They are free. But most continue. Why stop when you can live forever and grow stronger with every breath? She didn't need to cultivate anymore. I made sure of that. The ones I cared about— I made them truly immortal. Not just long-lived. Unbound. And still, they continued, not for survival, but for strength. And I understood why.
"You've gotten so much stronger, and I'm really happy for you," I said. "How has life been treating you?" I teased. She blushed and replied, "It's been fine, even better now that you've returned. I've missed you." She hugged me even tighter, and I continued to embrace her as we talked. She mentioned her big sister, saying that she wasn't doing so well since I last saw her. I understood; I had left her feeling unloved and abandoned, among other things, just like little... Xiānlù.
"She wishes you would die, husband. She wants to forget; she wants to be free. But she knows you can't leave. So she waits—waiting for the day she falls out of love with you, so she can finally feel free from you. But I know her well. She won't be able to do it. She's loved you since she was a child, husband, and that kind of love doesn't easily die, even when you don't."
I stayed silent, listening as she shared everything I needed to know. After that, she took her role as a master seriously. There was no softness, no indulgence. "Cultivate diligently," she said. "No slacking, no laziness, and don't take your time like you always do. Don't do it halfway. Use your true potential." Then her tone shifted—sharper, heavier. "Expect people to try to kill you for this. Expect blood, expect trials. But also—expect resources. Expect inheritances. This province holds more than you realise."
"Yes, Master," I replied, bowing low. I turned to leave, but before I could, she stopped me. "Stay here. You'll be sleeping in my residence. No one will know, and no one would dare to question what happens here."
Morning light found her skin—soft, luminous, like carved jade. She lay bare. So did I. I drew her close. She shifted gently, nestling against the shoulder she'd slept on. Still asleep. Still quiet. If only for this breath—so she remains in peace.
As I left her bed and residence, I returned to Dragonhold. There, I saw my little Xiānlù, and she looked angry. "You left me again, Ren! You're a terrible person. I said not to leave my side. I want to stay with you always, never without you beside me!"
"You're in my sanctum," Ren said. "You can always feel my presence here. I left you with Dread—he kept you company while I was gone. Just for a little while. Did he forget to tell you I'd return?" Ren turned to Dread, his Blackdragon. Dread met his gaze and spoke, voice deep and unwavering. "Of course I did, Master. I would never forget your orders. Never." Then Xiānlù's voice broke through—soft, trembling. "Of course, he told me. I just… I didn't see you. Eternity passed last time. I was afraid like a stupid little girl. I'm not usually like this. But when it comes to you… I am. I hate you, Ren." She punched his chest. Ren didn't move. He took her hips and pulled her close, holding her tightly. "Thank you," he whispered, "my little Xiānlù… for loving someone like me—wholeheartedly."
She hugged me tighter. "Fine. I forgive you. But don't stay away too long, okay? If you do… I worry that— Forget it. You promised you wouldn't. And you always keep your promises. Even if you take your time with it. That's the annoying part about you, Ren." She hit me again. I let her. And held her tighter. We stayed quiet for a while. Then I spoke. "You can come out if you like. I won't stop you." She shook her head. "No. I'm staying. This is the only place I get to have you without the world clawing at you. Here, you're mine. And I don't have to share."