Fang Han did not hear a single word of what the Linglong Blessed Land's Heaven Punishment Elder, Qiu Xiyu, had said. Naturally, he also did not know that the strand of hair wrapped around his fingertip was the "Ten Thousand Calamities Emotion Thread." Immortal Venerable Linglong, this master who dominated heaven and earth at the ninth or even tenth tier of the Longevity Mystic Realm, a supreme existence no less than the Yellow Springs Great Emperor, surprisingly had her final emotional calamity respond to his person.
However, even if he had the intention, he could not have heard Qiu Xiyu's words.
This was because atop the Sumeru Golden Mountain, all disciples of the Linglong Blessed Land could utilize the Great Sumeru Immortal Divine Light. This was equivalent to relying on the power of the grotto-heaven.
Exactly because of this, Qiu Xiyu was able to discern the conversation between "Daoist Dragon" and "Daoist Wood," and even let Fang Han watch it, warning him to be vigilant and not fall prey to the schemes of the two ancient giants of the Longevity Mystic Realm.
"Ten Thousand Calamities Emotion Thread, what exactly is it? Should I throw this hair away? But this hair contains powerful force, and Immortal Venerable Linglong said this hair could save my life in my most dangerous moment. It is definitely not a lie. Furthermore, this hair is the only chance to be connected with Immortal Venerable Linglong. If discarded, everything done before would be in vain, and perhaps the three supreme divine abilities—the Zuma Ancient God Energy, the Great Pudu Zen Light, and the Great Sumeru Mountain King Fist—might not fall to me."
While utilizing his dharma power to fly toward the peak of the Sumeru Golden Mountain, Fang Han looked at the dark hair wrapped around the index finger of his left hand.
This single dark hair of Immortal Venerable Linglong flickered faintly, lingering like strands of water. Wrapped around his fingertip, it gave him a soothing feeling of being immersed in the misty rain of Jiangnan, within a dreamlike world; it could wash away the glitz of the mortal world, making one constantly pursue the heavenly Dao.
Although he knew this dark hair had some improprieties, after thinking for a moment, Fang Han still was unwilling to discard it.
What kind of figure was Immortal Venerable Linglong? She would absolutely not help him for no reason, nor would she prepare three supreme divine abilities specifically for him. This dark hair was a symbol, and also a choice presented to him. If he threw it away, it would signify rejecting her goodwill. Those three supreme divine abilities would definitely be taught to someone else, and presenting the Golden Core of the Taiyi Sect's Song Weiyi would also lose its meaning.
Better to secure enough benefits first; even if it meant death, that would have to wait until after reaching the Longevity Mystic Realm and becoming an ancient giant. Right now, his strength was shallow; he would grab whatever he could, and deal with any future troubles later.
Having settled on a plan, Fang Han's heart relaxed.
He flew upwards for fully close to ten thousand feet before reaching the dazzling peak of the Sumeru Golden Mountain.
Immediately, Fang Han saw that at the peak of Mount Sumeru, there was a canopy emitting a thousand streams of auspicious qi and ten thousand rays of rosy light. On the canopy, three large words were written: "Brightness Peak." Beneath the canopy, a figure sat upright on a Crystal Throne, and curled beneath the Crystal Throne was a Heavenly Dragon reaching a thousand feet in length.
It was indeed a Heavenly Dragon—not an ordinary Flood Dragon, nor a Hornless Dragon, nor a Horned Dragon, but a true Heavenly Dragon! A Heavenly Dragon that had cultivated to the Longevity Mystic Realm, equivalent to an ancient giant!
When a member of the Dragon Race cultivated to the Longevity Mystic Realm, they could be called a "Heavenly Dragon."
The eyes of this Heavenly Dragon were the size of water vats, and its pupils were entirely an archaic color, with lines resembling an ink wash landscape painting. With just a casual movement of its body, it exuded a powerful dragon might that brooked no profanation. Heavenly Dragons were all extremely proud existences, even prouder than ancient giants of the Longevity Mystic Realm; they would rather die than be subdued by anyone.
But right now, this Heavenly Dragon was prostrating beneath the Crystal Throne, guarding the person on the throne.
The person on the Crystal Throne was merely a shadow, whose specific form could not be clearly seen. However, her entire body emitted a piercing brilliant light, as dazzling as the scorching sun, shining with boundless radiance. If one concentrated their eyesight and managed to look, they could see successive halos of light penetrating directly into the depths of distant space and time. There was a female shadow that seemed to be an existence evolved from some unseen rule between heaven and earth.
Though seemingly close at hand, this female shadow was actually deep within the vast hundreds of billions of parallel space-times; even if one searched for a lifetime, they would not be able to find her.
Moreover, Fang Han did not even dare to approach the halos of light, because he sensed that deep within those halos, the flow of time was different from the outside world, much like inside the Taiyuan Immortal Mansion.
If someone were to attack this female shadow at this moment, it was to be feared that before even getting close to the main body, the suddenly flowing time would completely drain away that person's lifespan. Or time might stop, freezing them within it.
This already involved highly profound laws of spatial transformation as well as the flow of time.
This figure on the Crystal Throne was Immortal Venerable Linglong.
It was completely different from the beautiful youth cross-dressing as a man that Fang Han had seen last time. Who knew which was her true physical form; having reached Immortal Venerable Linglong's realm, where one could have millions of incarnations, even turning into a man was not unusual.
"Truly brilliant, Immortal Venerable Linglong. Rumor has it that cultivating to the realm of attaining the Dao and becoming an immortal allows one to accelerate time with a flick of a finger, causing countless stars to be born and destroyed. Inside Immortal Venerable Linglong's halos of light, there faintly seems to be a bit of such overbearing might. Truly great dharma power, boundless divine abilities, spanning across all heavens and myriad worlds."
As Fang Han stared at Immortal Venerable Linglong, he also heard quite a lot of animated discussions.
Turning his head, he saw that the person discussing was a wood-like Daoist. It was exactly "Daoist Wood," and along with "Daoist Dragon," they were exactly the two ancient giants Qiu Xiyu had told him to pay attention to inside the Great Sumeru Divine Light. These two Daoists were the masters of the Dragon Wood Star, having established a sect; although not comparable to the Ten Immortal Sects, they also dominated a region.
Seemingly sensing Fang Han's gaze, Daoist Wood looked over at him. His gaze was eerie and dark, flashing with green light, sizing Fang Han up and down. That look was like a hungry wolf locking onto a fat rabbit, wanting to swallow it in one gulp, practically drooling.
"This Daoist is a Cyathea tree that gained sentience, cultivated into a demon, and then step by step became an ancient giant. I have the World Tree on me, and furthermore, I cultivate the Azure Emperor Wood Sovereign Art. If he could obtain the World Tree and then plunder my cultivation method of the Azure Emperor Wood Sovereign Art, he would definitely cultivate into the second tier of the Longevity Mystic Realm, the Immortal Body, or perhaps even advance further. No wonder he is glaring at me like a tiger watching its prey. However, old monster, if you dare plot against me, I will definitely make sure you bite off more than you can chew."
Fang Han did not continue looking at Daoist Wood's eerie light. He turned his head away, chuckling darkly in his heart.
"How about it? Daoist Wood, what do you think?"
Seeing Fang Han turn away, Daoist Dragon sent out a wave of spiritual fluctuation, transmitting it into "Daoist Wood's" sea of consciousness. "This child is not that easy to deal with. Behind him is the Yuhua Sect. Moreover, he is quite favored by Immortal Venerable Linglong."
"It matters not. This child Fang Han is of immense benefit to the breakthrough of my cultivation! The wood-attribute sacred object on his body makes me feel the aura of heaven and earth's origin. And his Azure Emperor Wood Sovereign Art, I must get my hands on it. If I cultivate the Azure Emperor Wood Sovereign Art, I will be able to absorb the primeval energy of myriad woods, trace back to the origin, refine my main body, and truly cultivate an immortal body. Or even take a further step."
Daoist Wood said coldly, "Such an opportunity cannot be missed. As for the Yuhua Sect, we are not cultivators of the Xuanhuang Great World, what is there to fear? At worst, we abandon our Daoist ashram and hide directly within the deeper extraterrestrial stars. With our cultivation, even if we can't defeat others, could it be that we can't escape? Daoist Dragon, you must help me this time. Once this birthday celebration assembly is over and this kid leaves the Linglong Blessed Land, we will scheme to make our move. After the deed is done, I will hand over all control rights of the Dragon Wood Star Core to you."
"Is this true?" Daoist Dragon's entire body shook.
"Of course it's true." Daoist Wood sounded devoid of any emotion, truly like a piece of wood: "We have joined hands and established our sect for so many years; the dragon does not leave the wood, and the wood does not leave the dragon. Can it be that you still don't trust me?"
"I believed you back then, it's just that we have sacrificially refined the Dragon Wood Star Core for five thousand years. Just as it is about to transform and refine this star into a High Grade Dao Artifact, you suddenly let go. I merely felt surprised." Daoist Dragon laughed: "Then this matter is settled between us."
"It's a deal."
These two ancient giants finalized a scheme in an instant.
"These two Daoists, muttering and whispering. They are definitely discussing a scheme on how to deal with me. However, inside the Linglong Blessed Land, they won't dare to make a move." Fang Han had long since guessed it in his heart.
Dong! Dong! Dong!
At the very peak of the Sumeru Golden Mountain, three earth-shattering thunderclaps abruptly transmitted over, shaking space continuously. Everyone present quieted down, including the ancient giants.
With a sweep of his eyes, Fang Han saw that at the summit of this Sumeru Golden Mountain, aside from Immortal Venerable Linglong's Crystal Throne being the highest, the surroundings were an endless golden plaza. On the plaza, individual chairs manifested out of thin air, filling up with guests. Numerous people coming to offer congratulations flew over one after another, and were then arranged into corresponding seats by the female disciples of the Linglong Blessed Land.
Those female disciples of the Linglong Blessed Land shuttled back and forth, flying through the air, bearing immortal peaches and fruits, looking like legendary flying celestial maidens, providing a feast for the eyes.
"Senior Brother Fang Han, your seat is over there. In a short while, you will be able to go present your birthday gift." Several true female disciples of the first and second tiers of the Divine Ability Mystic Realm had long since flown over to act as guides. They were extremely polite, standing beside Fang Han, making him feel like a great figure surrounded by stars.
"You Junior Sisters have worked hard. Take these little trinkets." Seeing this, Fang Han felt pleased in his heart. Flicking his fingers continuously, a burst of treasure light flew out; fully dozens of pieces of Mid Grade Treasure Artifacts flew out.
"These Mid Grade treasures are not top-tier goods, just for some amusement. Each of you can pick ten pieces." As he spoke, his voice was very loud, broadcasting outwards, instantly causing many people who had come to offer congratulations to freeze.
Those who came to offer birthday congratulations were all people of some status. When being received by the female disciples of the Linglong Blessed Land, they would also give some gifts; this was an unwritten rule and a matter of face.
However, even the Golden Core masters, eternal minor giants who came to offer congratulations this time, would only give some Spiritual Artifacts or medicinal pills. The ancient giants of the Longevity Mystic Realm would only give some Low Grade Treasure Artifacts. Absolutely no one was like Fang Han, who gave out ten Mid Grade Treasure Artifacts for each person right off the bat.
Compared like this, the ancient giants looked mortifyingly shabby in front of Fang Han.