Chapter 719: Sworn Brotherhood?!

is aura, rolling over to Xie Yujia's side.Bang!The sixth heavenly thunder struck where Hao Ren had been standing, creating a half-meter-deep crater!Fortunately, this was on a sparsely populated beach....Chapter 719: Sworn Brotherhood

"This..."

Hao Ren had just finished eating the ten-thousand-year ginseng fruit and was wiping his mouth with his palm, looking at Zhenyuanzi in shock.

Su Han, still holding half a ginseng fruit in her mouth, looked at Hao Ren and Zhenyuanzi in surprise. She had studied the classics extensively and knew that there were some scattered cultivators and even great cultivators who lived as long as heaven and earth within the Ocean of Ten Thousand Demons.

Due to the increasing prosperity of humans on land and the thinning of spiritual energy, these great cultivators all hid in the dense spiritual energy of the Ocean of Ten Thousand Demons, while major sects had relocated above the fifth layer of heaven.

Su Han was secretly shocked when the ugly short Daoist introduced himself. She thought his name was too famous and when she ate the ten-thousand-year ginseng fruit, she knew her guess was correct—this really was Zhenyuanzi, the forefather of earthly immortals!

He was one of the cultivators who had reached a level where they could transcend heaven in human cultivation circles! He was on par with the Queen Mother of the West from Kunlun Mountain and his status was even slightly higher than hers. In terms of seniority and lineage, he wasn't inferior to Quniu!

According to legend, before a successful earth-crossing immortal could ascend to heaven, they had to first pay respects to King Gong on Penglai Island, then the Queen Mother of the West in Kunlun Mountain, and finally Zhenyuanzi. Only after passing these three tests would one truly ascend to the heavenly realm as a celestial immortal, proving his lofty status—overseeing earthly immortals and overseeing ascension!

However, in recent millennia, cultivators who had perfected their cultivation no longer ascended to heaven, and this procedure gradually faded into obscurity. But regardless of that, Su Han found it hard to believe that Zhenyuanzi, who was even higher in status than the Queen Mother of the West from Kunlun Mountain, would want to establish a sworn brotherhood with Hao Ren.

"Senior, you are high up there, and I have been favored by Senior many times. How dare I overstep my bounds!" Hao Ren quickly reacted and hurriedly said.

"Your mind is stable; sooner or later you will be able to ascend to the heavenly dragons. In terms of cultivation realm, I am merely in the Spirit Transformation stage, so what's the problem with overstepping" Zhenyuanzi stroked his beard with a smile while looking at Hao Ren.

Hao Ren was drenched in sweat as he thought that according to human cultivators' realms, reaching the Spirit Transformation stage already put one at the level of earthly immortals. What Zhenyuanzi said wasn't strictly wrong, but there were huge differences between different levels within the Spirit Transformation stage!

Probably even fifty or sixty Spirit Transformation stage cultivators combined couldn't beat Zhenyuanzi!

"Master..." The two little servants became anxious when they saw that Zhenyuanzi was really going to establish a sworn brotherhood with Hao Ren.

A thousand years ago, a small demon king broke through Zhenyuanzi's Seven Killings Formation and he then established a sworn brotherhood with him. But that small demon king truly had astonishing strength and nearly sank the Penglai Mountain. Yet this Hao Ren only managed to break through by sheer luck, and his actual cultivation realm hadn't even reached the Spirit Transformation stage! Their master Zhenyuanzi didn't put on airs in front of other cultivators, but did he need to lower himself like this

However, with their limited perspective, they only knew that Zhenyuanzi was a person of high status while Hao Ren was ordinary. They had no idea about the heavenly opportunity or how everything aligned with the Dao.

Hao Ren returned to the Ocean of Ten Thousand Demons much earlier than expected and came back to Penglai Mountain again, all according to heaven's will. As Zhenyuanzi, the forefather of earthly immortals, naturally followed heaven's will; he had already sensed that all the opportunities in these thousands of years were centered around Hao Ren.

Back then, the small demon king who broke through the Seven Killings Formation a thousand years ago eventually almost changed the heavens and earth. If not for Zhenyuanzi establishing a sworn brotherhood with him, the world might have collapsed. As the forefather of earthly immortals, Zhenyuanzi could also be called the most precious chess piece heaven left in the mortal realm; one move could decide everything. How could these two little servants understand such mysteries

"Senior..."

Hao Ren was about to refuse again when Su Han lightly bumped him and whispered, "Be decisive!" Hearing this, Hao Ren's face turned slightly red. He wasn't afraid of establishing a sworn brotherhood with Zhenyuanzi; he just didn't want to look like he was trying too hard.

"Hahaha... Today we're going to establish a sworn brotherhood twice," said Zhenyuanzi when he saw Hao Ren and Su Han looking at each other again.

Hao Ren looked at Zhenyuanzi, wondering if Zhenyuanzi was also planning to establish a sworn brotherhood with Su Han.

He then had another thought. Su Han didn’t break his Seven Star Killing Formation; how did Master Subodhi make a blood brotherhood with Su Han What he mentioned about making a blood brotherhood… could it be that he was talking about a blood brotherhood between him and Su Han

Su Han, who had been encouraging Hao Ren to become blood brothers with Master Subodhi, immediately understood this situation. Her face turned red on the spot. In her view, for the legendary Ancestor of Earth Immortals, Master Subodhi, to want to make a blood brotherhood with Hao Ren was an unattainable blessing that even eight generations of ancestors would have difficulty asking for. This was just like a cultivation opportunity; once it passed by, there wouldn’t be another chance to obtain it.

Yet from the sound of Master Subodhi, he wanted to make blood brothers with Hao Ren under the condition that Su Han and Hao Ren first became blood brothers

"An opportunity passes by; when hungry, find food. Go anywhere you like. Regardless of how busy you are or how time flies, take it easy in this mortal world. After achieving success, there will be another period to look forward to. When I leave, the bright moon will shine down upon me as I alone walk towards the Jade Pool." Master Subodhi waved his feather duster and softly recited a few lines.

"The smoke dissipates, the clouds scatter; in this solitary autumn season, my spirit is revealed clearly. I often follow an honest path and silently drink the elixir of immortality. In the treasure cauldron, auspicious smoke gathers together as qi and spirit meet to form a divine mushroom. Leisurely walking about, it’s nice to travel through the clouds and water, seeking out acquaintances beyond the mundane world."

A pleasant voice suddenly rose up from outside the island.

"Great Sage Subodhi, you don’t welcome me, this little demon, to be your guest" This pleasant voice immediately asked another question.

“It’s Fairy Zhen!”, Master Subodhi chuckled and waved his sleeves. The Penglai Mountain then sank from high up into the Demon Sea.

Fairy Zhen stepped onto the island gracefully, holding an oiled paper umbrella and wearing a colorful scholar’s skirt. She took a few light steps forward, seemingly turning into a phantom as she floated over several hundred meters to enter Peach Garden.

“This humble one greets Great Sage Subodhi,” Fairy Zhen slightly bowed towards Master Subodhi.

Master Subodhi nodded and looked at Fairy Zhen with a smile, asking, “Fairy Zhen, what brought you to this desolate island as my guest” The two little boys standing behind him withdrew respectfully when they saw Fairy Zhen. Meetings of such level didn’t require their presence to serve. However, they were relieved that Fairy Zhen had appeared in the Demon Sea; it seemed their master wouldn’t be making a blood brotherhood with Hao Ren after all.

“My two little friends from overseas are guests here and unfamiliar with the surroundings. They came to Penglai Immortal Mountain by mistake, disturbing your meditation. Please don’t blame them.” Fairy Zhen said.

"How can they be disturbing me I have a special connection with these two young friends," Master Subodhi waved his hand and cheerfully replied.

“Well… If it’s not troublesome for Great Sage, this humble one will take the two of them away.” Fairy Zhen glanced at Hao Ren and Su Han before turning to Master Subodhi and smiling calmly, twisting her fingers around the oil paper umbrella.

Master Subodhi looked at Fairy Zhen; there didn’t seem to be a reason for him to continue keeping Hao Ren and Su Han here.

The two of them were guests of Fairy Zhen who just happened to make a round around Penglai Immortal Mountain by chance. Now that their host had personally come to pick them up, it wouldn’t be proper for Master Subodhi to hold onto them.

“Thank you for Great Sage’s help with the two of us. We’ll definitely visit your place another day,” Fairy Zhen glanced at Hao Ren and Su Han before slightly bowing towards Master Subodhi again.

"Wait!" Seeing that Fairy Zhen was about to lead Hao Ren and Su Han away, Master Subodhi suddenly shouted.

The oil paper umbrella in Fairy Zhen’s hand turned a bit as she gracefully turned around to look at Master Subodhi.

“Fairy Zhen, the Heavenly Dao has its own cycle; don’t recklessly create killing karma.”

Fairy Zhen looked back at Master Subodhi and silently nodded after a few seconds of silence. “This humble one understands,” she said solemnly.

Seeing that Master Subodhi didn’t say anything further, Fairy Zhen asked, "Is Great Sage giving me any instructions

Zhen Yuanzi sighed slightly and turned to Hao Ren, saying, "I have a great deal of緣分with this young friend and am just about to become sworn brothers. How about you, Miss Zhenfei, acting as a witness"

"Great Immortal, your praise is overwhelming me. Given Great Immortal Zhen Yuan's status, even the Three Purities and the Four Emperors are merely his peers. I am just a minor demon from the Sea of Ten Thousand Demons; how can I dare to vie with heaven and earth for glory"

Zhenfei hurriedly said. Her words seemed addressed to Zhen Yuanzi, but were actually meant for Hao Ren, deliberately informing him about Zhen Yuanzi's background as the progenitor of earthly immortals.

Zhen Yuanzi was the progenitor of earthly immortals, standing far above mere 'earth', thus placing him just below 'heaven' in stature.

How could she compare herself to heaven and earth to serve as a witness for Zhen Yuanzi's brotherhood with Hao Ren

Beneath the Tao of Heaven stands Zhen Yuanzi. If the progenitor of earthly immortals, Zhen Yuanzi, were to become sworn brothers with Hao Ren, this would be an event recognized by the Tao of Heaven.

After this act of brotherhood, even if Hao Ren did not reach the realm of a True Immortal, he would still attain the status thereof!

Zhen Yuanzi waved his sleeves, and on the stone table appeared a gray tripod cauldron. In the forest, a scroll with winding seal script characters reading 'heaven' and 'earth' hung in midair.

"Go ahead!" Su Han gently pushed Hao Ren toward Zhen Yuanzi.

She didn't know why Zhen Yuanzi wanted to become sworn brothers with Hao Ren, but she believed there must be a reason for this. Having someone like him as a sworn brother could only benefit Hao Ren.

But Su Han couldn’t have known that Zhen Yuanzi had previously mentioned becoming sworn brothers with Hao Ren in the hopes of motivating him to cultivate into a Celestial Dragon. If not for her perilous situation in the Sea of Ten Thousand Demons and the connection between her and Zhen Yuanzi which necessitated his intervention, Hao Ren wouldn’t have easily encountered Zhen Yuanzi again.

From Zhen Yuanzi's perspective, this was the will of heaven. Since it was so, he had to become sworn brothers with Hao Ren.

So in a sense, Hao Ren benefited greatly from Su Han's influence.

Zhen Yuanzi wished to act on behalf of heaven and earth as matchmaker for them, also out of alignment with the will of heaven.

In an instant, Zhen Yuanzi led Hao Ren to bow three times before the floating characters 'heaven' and 'earth' in midair.

A flash of golden light appeared in the sky, and the scroll was retrieved.

Peaceful clouds rose around Mount Penglai. Hao Ren felt a layer of indescribable divine power enveloping his body, making him feel incredibly clear-headed.

Since Hao Ren became Zhen Yuanzi's sworn brother, his fortune had become linked with heaven and earth in some way. By staying in the earthly realm as the progenitor of earthly immortals, Zhen Yuanzi stabilized the cosmic qi and wasn't merely holding a title without substance.

Over these thousands of years, changes occurred in the Tao of Heaven. Zhen Yuanzi calculated with his fingers and found that it was time for someone to appear, but who exactly would emerge among all those with potential remained unclear.

The Tao of Heaven drew on numerous individuals possessing opportunities, and ultimately, the one who stood out was usually the most diligent and steadfast.

In other words, if Hao Ren were fickle in his nature or committed grave mistakes, or was overly cynical and shortsighted, then the person appearing at Mount Penglai to become sworn brothers with Zhen Yuanzi wouldn't be Hao Ren but someone else.

The saying that one's life is controlled by oneself rather than heaven has its truth.

Hao Ren was able to break the Seven Killer Formation, greatly increasing Zhen Yuanzi's hope in him. Originally, Zhen Yuanzi had planned to confirm Hao Ren as a key player in this cycle of Heavenly Dao only after he broke through to the Divine Dragon Realm, but now this confirmation has come earlier than expected.

"Congratulations!"

Seeing Hao Ren and Zhen Yuanzi become sworn brothers, Consort Zhen smiled gently with her eyes smiling as well.

Hao Ren becoming sworn brothers with Zhen Yuanzi means that she needs to be more cautious in dealing with him. However, overall their relationship is still quite good, so it's not a bad thing for Hao Ren to become Zhen Yuanzi’s sworn brother.

With her vast experience as the Demon King of Ten Thousand Generations, she can vaguely sense what this swearing of brotherhood might signify.

She never imagined that this young man would turn out to be so crucial… From today on, won't the opportunities and fortune in Heaven and Earth start favoring him

"I bid farewell for now. I'll come visit again another day."

A layer of white feathers rose under Consort Zhen’s feet, lifting Hao Ren and Su Han steadily before flying off towards the deep sea.

Wearing simple Taoist robes, Zhen Yuanzi stood with his hands behind his back, emitting a glow from head to toe. He looked up at the white feather that was flying farther and farther away, lost in thought.

The workings of Heaven are hard to predict. Hao Ren's realm is still too low. If I were mistaken and this cycle of Heavenly Dao isn't centered around him, then it would truly be a disaster.

I haven’t made any mistakes for over ten thousand years; there’s no way I could miss the mark now. Zhen Yuanzi heaved a long sigh, shook his head, and entered into his cave residence.

Whether or not it is Hao Ren, whether or not my calculations are wrong, cultivation ultimately depends on Hao Ren himself. Forcing him to break through to the Divine Dragon Realm would be foolishness that Zhen Yuanzi wouldn’t do.

The little demon king from over a thousand years ago has now become the strongest being in Heaven; it’s hard to say where Hao Ren will end up.

Hum!

Penglai Immortal Mountain, floating on the Sea of Ten Thousand Demons, suddenly vanished without trace. The surrounding dozens of small islands also disappeared.

Hao Ren stood on the white feather controlled by Consort Zhen and gradually felt the thick divine power around him slowly dissipating.

At the same time, Su Han's spirit energy had completely replenished, making her look radiant.

"You killed Xuhao" Consort Zhen suddenly asked.

"That red-robed evil ghost... yes, I used thunder power to kill him," Hao Ren answered.

"Heh heh, you’ve solved a small problem for me." With a relaxed smile, Consort Zhen’s fingertips emitted a beam of light that surrounded the white feather and plunged into the sea.

This area, stretching millions of meters to the east and west and thousands of kilometers north and south from here, is all under Consort Zhen's direct control!

A magnificent city akin to the Tang Dynasty’s Chang'an appeared before Hao Ren and Su Han!tting down to observe its situation.Zhao Yanzi blinked her large eyes, curious as well. She squatted down beside Hao Ren, staring at Little White intently.Lu L琳琳 and Lu ll also squatted down around th...