Spiritual energy surged, coalescing at the center of the Dao Platform into three indistinct, humanoid forms, their features obscured in a haze. Lu Fan regarded the trio with mild curiosity. The Dao Platform could randomly draw in the wills of three individuals—there was no doubt these were the fortunate ones chosen.
Narrowing his eyes, Lu Fan found the mechanics of the Dao Platform increasingly intriguing. At this moment, a thought stirred within him, recalling the summary of the Creation Profound Qi Refinement Manual. It stated that aside from consuming one's soul strength to absorb spiritual energy, another method was to link with the Dao Platform.
Perhaps, these three drawn into the platform held the key to acquiring spiritual energy.
With this realization, Lu Fan saw two paths before him: The first—to feign ignorance like the others, pretending to be another "victim" pulled into the platform. The second—to utilize his knowledge and control of the Dao Platform to craft an enigmatic, transcendent persona, guiding the others and extracting spiritual essence from them.
The first option was unnecessary. With his authority over the platform, there was no need for pretense. A decision flashed like lightning through his mind—he would take the second path.
Composed and poised, Lu Fan seated himself at the heart of the yin-yang array. Misty spiritual energy enveloped him, enhancing his aura with an air of profound mystery.
"The Son of Heaven of the Great Zhou, and the Prefect of the Western Commandery..." The platform's prompt caused Lu Fan's expression to shift subtly.
If his deduction was correct, the current Son of Heaven was the newly crowned eleven-year-old Emperor, still facing skepticism from feudal lords across the realm. And the Prefect of the Western Commandery? The notorious rebel leader igniting chaos across the empire.
An emperor and a rebel general—individuals who should only meet in a grand battle—now appeared together in this strange space. Coincidence? Or deliberate orchestration by the Dao Platform?
"Where is this place?" Yu Wenxiu frowned, casting a wary gaze around the uncanny realm. Though unsettled, he struggled to maintain the dignity befitting an emperor.
But as he spoke, he froze, clutching his throat in shock. His once-youthful voice had become deep and aged.
Beside him stood two other shadowy figures, their faces indistinct. Vigilance overtook Yu Wenxiu's heart. Just moments ago, he had been reading in his study—now he was inexplicably transported here. Who could so effortlessly abduct him from the heavily guarded imperial palace?
The other two seemed equally bewildered.
Suddenly, a soft, ethereal laugh echoed across the space.
"You've all awakened?"
The voice drew their attention to the center of the array, where a lean figure slowly rose from a seated position. As he stood, spiritual mist coiled around him, rising like a divine aura. The spectacle resembled a deity descending from the myths.
"Where are we?!" one of the figures demanded before Yu Wenxiu could speak.
"Cease your clamor," Lu Fan said calmly, raising his hand in a gentle wave.
Buzz—Countless streams of spiritual energy surged, intertwining to form a massive, ethereal visage above the speaker's head—its silent gaze like that of a divine sentinel.
Xiang Shaoyun stiffened, eyes wide. The words he meant to speak choked in his throat.
Lu Fan's expression remained unreadable, his gaze fathomless as he worked to deepen the mystery around his identity.
"This is the Sacred Realm of the Dao—a land of immortal ascension. You have all received its grace. Remember this well: never reveal your true identity here, lest the Heavenly Dao punish you with eternal torment in the Nine Hells."
His voice was tranquil, yet each word struck like thunder.
Yu Wenxiu and Xiang Shaoyun were utterly shaken.
A sacred realm? A path to immortality?
But the pork butcher, Nie Changqing, simply chuckled. "What nonsense—immortals? Sounds like a con."
Lu Fan gave Nie Changqing a sidelong glance. For someone with such a humble identity to be chosen by the Dao Platform, he clearly wasn't ordinary.
Nie narrowed his eyes. "Immortal or not, I've got twelve pigs left to slaughter. I don't have time for your babbling."
Yu Wenxiu and Xiang Shaoyun were momentarily speechless.
Lu Fan raised an eyebrow but maintained his serene and enigmatic demeanor.
"Since the collapse of the Heavenly Dao and the sealing of the immortal path, no one has walked the road to ascension. Your arrival signifies its reawakening. The era of spiritual resurgence dawns once more, and those who enter this realm are all destined for greatness."
His tone was slow and measured, and the swirling spiritual energy he controlled enhanced his appearance—he seemed like an immortal sage from legend.
Yu Wenxiu and Xiang Shaoyun were visibly shaken, sensing a strange depth and world-weariness in Lu Fan's gaze.
Could it be… he recognized them?
Yu Wenxiu, the current emperor. Xiang Shaoyun, the rebel general leading twelve provinces. Their mortal identities were significant, even paramount.
Even Nie Changqing fell silent. Though merely a butcher, he was the most renowned pig-slayer in North Luo City—a master of his trade, worthy of respect.
Lu Fan smiled faintly. This was precisely the effect he desired.
If only a palace of immortals built among the clouds could manifest now, it would perfect his performance.
Just as the thought crossed his mind, symbols of the Eight Trigrams began to shimmer and float, moving according to his will, forming intricate patterns.
The surroundings began to transform.
Yu Wenxiu, Xiang Shaoyun, and Nie Changqing all sensed the shift. The black void around them faded. Lofty pavilions and celestial towers rose from the clouds, their splendor beyond mortal comprehension.
"Heavenly Jade Capital above, twelve towers and five cities…"
"An immortal touches your crown—thus begins your eternal life…"
A voice, ethereal and divine, echoed across the sky.
Even Lu Fan, stunned by his own creation, concealed his awe. With an expression as calm as still water, he murmured a verse, adding another layer of mystery to his persona.
Three meditation cushions appeared out of thin air. The trio sat cross-legged in silence, overwhelmed by the surreal vision before them.
A celestial city among the clouds, and a sage descending to enlighten them—was this a dream?
Lu Fan's lips curved into a faint smile.
Perhaps this was what it meant… to truly act the part of a celestial.
He cast a serene gaze over them and spoke softly, "To enter the Realm of Ascension... you must be reincarnated immortals with broken wings."
Reincarnated immortals with broken wings?
The three looked at each other in bafflement, their expressions torn between reverence and disbelief.
Lu Fan coughed lightly. His first time playing an immortal… he may have gotten a bit carried away.
"You are the chosen of fate. With the return of the immortal realm and the resurgence of Heaven and Earth, I am merely fulfilling my duty today—granting you the seeds of immortality."
Though the spiritual energy within the Dao Platform could not be absorbed or refined, Lu Fan could still manipulate it at will. Here, he truly was akin to an immortal.
He raised his hand, and torrents of spiritual mist surged like waterfalls. They transformed into five-clawed dragons soaring through the air, then into phoenixes born of qi, radiant and elusive.
This was no mere act. Lu Fan meant to astonish.
The three were dumbfounded.
After a long silence, Xiang Shaoyun finally asked in a hoarse voice, "Great Immortal, what blessings do you offer? And what must we sacrifice in return?"
He paused, eyes narrowing. "Or… is this all some illusion conjured by those charlatans of Yin-Yang Sect?"
As a martial grandmaster, he, like Lu Changkong, believed only in blood and strength—not in immortals.
"The spiritual energy of the world has yet to fully awaken. Any cultivation method I give you now would be fruitless…" Lu Fan said calmly, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"But if you each share your existing cultivation techniques, I can revise them, attuning them to the ambient energy, allowing you to progress on the immortal path."
Xiang Shaoyun sneered faintly. Yu Wenxiu shook his head.
"Cultivation methods are a warrior's lifeblood—the foundation of their life. How can they be so casually offered up? Might you be trying to deceive us into revealing our secrets?"