As Huang Wu vanished from his palace, a woman in white quietly appeared near the spot where he had stood. Shrouded in a gentle halo of moonlight, she looked like a vision conjured by the night itself.
It was Han Yue.
Su Chen had encountered her once—briefly—on the waiting platform before the colossal Immortal Gate. Even then, she had stood out. She was one of the few who had sensed his presence despite the strange outsider aura cloaking him that day.
"So… the dragon that crossed tribulation has vanished," she murmured, her voice soft and melodious.
Han Yue hadn't come here out of idle curiosity. She had merely sensed the disturbance from a distance. Normally, she would never interfere in someone else's tribulation—it was a dangerous matter. To intervene was to risk karmic backlash, or worse.
But the moment she heard that ancient, thunderous dragon's roar… something stirred within her. She couldn't help but come.
True dragons were nearly extinct in the Upper Realm. There were whispered rumors of dragon clans dwelling deep within the Eastern Sea, but no one had ever confirmed their existence. Even the smallest fragment of a dragon—a scale, a tooth, a drop of blood—was a treasure beyond measure. For a cultivator, such materials could transform their fate.
After a long moment of quiet thought, Han Yue sighed softly.
"I'll complete what I came for first… then I'll search for that creature."
With that, her figure shimmered—like moonlight dissolving on water—and disappeared into the darkness, heading back the way she had come.
Huang Wu stood still, his eyes narrowing as he examined the surroundings. The cave he had entered seemed ancient, its walls glowing faintly with traces of spiritual runes. Despite its remote location, the entire palace was filled with dense spiritual enegy.
But before he could explore further, a sudden chill ran down his spine.
It wasn't the cold of the cave—it was the feeling of being watched.
As if something… no, someone… was observing him.
He quickly turned, scanning the darkness around him. Yet, there was nothing.
"Who's there?" Huang Wu called out, his voice calm but firm, guarded.
"Hehe… Little one, I didn't expect you to sense me."
A low, almost playful chuckle echoed through the cavern. Then, without warning, an old man in flowing blue robes appeared before him—half-transparent, hovering in mid-air like a lingering soul.
Huang Wu didn't flinch or take any defensive stance. If this man had the power to bring him here unnoticed, then killing him would've been effortless. But he hadn't done so—which meant… he didn't intend to harm him. At least not yet.
His eyes studied the old man carefully. Though the elder wasn't releasing any aura, the oppressive majesty surrounding him couldn't be concealed. He smiled like a gentle grandfather from the neighboring village. But Huang Wu had once known such a man—Old Jack, through the memories he had inherited from Su Chen.
A kind smile, a warm voice… and a heart darker than night.
So, he wasn't sure about this old man. But he didn't care. At most, this old man might kill him—but that didn't seem to be the case right now.
Still, he stepped forward, clasped his hands respectfully, and bowed.
"This junior greets Senior."
The old man chuckled again, stroking his beard thoughtfully as his gaze pierced through Huang Wu like an x-ray.
"Not bad. You not only have an unshakable Dao Heart… but also a clever mind. You know how to show proper respect to your elders."
Huang Wu's expression remained composed, but inside, he felt as if his entire being was being laid bare. He could sense it—the old man wasn't just looking at him, he was completely seeing through him… directly into his sea of consciousness.
But he was certain this old man couldn't know that he was a secondary body of Su Chen. The system must have hidden that secret too deeply for anyone to uncover.
"This junior is honored by Senior's praise," Huang Wu said steadily. "Though I was born an orphan and have no noble bloodline, I still understand the basics of etiquette."
The old man chuckled again, but this time, a glint appeared in his eyes.
"So… not from any known sect or clan in the Upper Realm? I see…"
He stroked his beard slowly. Initially, he had assumed that such a talented youth must be the heir of some hidden ancient force. But now… things were clearer.
This boy had no backing. No protection.
And that made him the perfect candidate.
As the old man smiled kindly, a hidden thought flashed behind those serene eyes:
"Unless a above true immortal cultivation intervenes… no one can stop me from taking this body. Which is totally impossible..."
That thought alone made his face bloom with satisfaction.
"Hehe... little one… first, let me introduce myself to you. I am the patriarch of the Celestial Race, from the last era."
The old man's voice echoed softly, tinged with pride and nostalgia.
"As for what the Celestial Race is… you can understand it like this: if a person with a special physique is considered favored by heaven and earth, then every single member of the Celestial Race possesses such a physique."
He smiled faintly, continuing in a tone of quiet arrogance.
"We are blessed by the heavens with the greatest talent and the most powerful bloodlines. Though we may look like humans, we are far superior to them. Every child born to our race can absorb the qi of heaven and earth while still in the womb… and when we undergo tribulations, the punishment we face is far gentler than what others must endure."
The old man continued speaking, weaving a tale filled with the glory of his ancient bloodline. He spoke at length, painting a grand picture of his race, his voice full of longing and pride.
Huang Wu listened quietly, never interrupting. His expression remained calm and unreadable, his thoughts hidden.
At last, after a long silence, once the old man had finished his lengthy introduction, Huang Wu bowed respectfully and asked in a composed tone,
"Senior… may I ask why you brought me here and are telling me all this?"
The old man let out a soft laugh.
"Oh, of course—it's because I wish to pass on my inheritance to you. Little one, I also want to give you my purest Celestial bloodline and turn you into a supreme being—a Celestial. Along with that, all of my techniques will be yours, if you're willing."
He smiled warmly, like a benevolent grandfather offering the world.
[I want to talk honestly about this story.]
[If you're feeling bored or uninterested, please don't hesitate to tell me. To be honest, I've started doubting it myself. If readers feel it's not working, I'll find a proper way to bring it to a close.]
[I've seen that many new authors—especially first-timers like me—often end up dropping their first story. I've been thinking along the same lines lately.]
[But if even a few of you are still enjoying it, then I'll keep going, no matter what.]
[Your feedback truly means a lot to me.]
[Thank you for staying with me this far.]