Mei Ruolan had only ever heard that Monarch Chixiao had cultivated at Shangqing Sect for nine years, rising from nothing to finally achieve Earth Immortal. Yet she could never have imagined the truth was so earth-shattering—Monarch Chixiao had actually progressed from Foundation Establishment to Earth Immortal in just nine days and nine nights. She found it hard to believe it was true.
"How come... I've never heard of this before?"
"It was deliberately concealed by some within Shangqing Sect."
"Why would they conceal it?"
"Back then, Monarch Chixiao, with his Earth Immortal cultivation, beat a host of Shangqing Sect's experts, including many of its Immortal Elders, black and blue. That in itself was an utterly humiliating affair. If the world were to learn that Monarch Chixiao achieved Earth Immortal in just nine days, where would those Shangqing Sect Elders hide their faces?"
"This..." Mei Ruolan's face was filled with shock as she looked at Wuya. "Senior Brother, is this true?"
Wuya nodded.
He knew it was fact.
Because this wasn't the first time he had heard Ghost Elder speak of this. The first time Ghost Elder mentioned it, he too couldn't believe it. Only after investigating did he discover it was actually true. Precisely because of this, he admired Monarch Chixiao immensely. And precisely because of that admiration, he had always wanted to cross blades with Monarch Chixiao.
Admiration was one thing.
Admiration did not mean Wuya's heart was truly convinced.
Moreover, he didn't believe he was inferior to Monarch Chixiao in any way.
Even if there was a gap, he had to know exactly how much of a gap remained between himself and the other.
Perhaps sensing Wuya's resolve, Ghost Elder did not continue to dissuade him, merely saying, "If Young Lord is truly determined to meet Monarch Chixiao, then when the time comes, you must not reveal your true strength."
"This world may appear calm on the surface, but undercurrents have long been stirring. With Monarch Chixiao making a comeback, the situation grows even more chaotic. And you, Young Lord, bear the Stellar Fate. Many are watching from the shadows, covetously. If you do not reveal your strength, none can gauge your depths, and they will not dare act rashly. But if you once expose your power, those lurking in the dark will stop at nothing to seize your Stellar Fate. Although you have obtained the Stellar Fate, you have not yet truly ascended as a Great Dao Star Lord. It could be taken from you at any time."
Ghost Elder cautioned, "Therefore, even if you wish to test Monarch Chixiao, you must make him understand your sincerity. Remember, harbor no hostility whatsoever, and certainly do not stir any killing intent. Although Monarch Chixiao's nature is aloof and domineering, he is not an unreasonable man. If you approach him with respect, he will certainly not make things difficult for you. But if you harbor killing intent towards him, he will absolutely show no mercy."
Wuya said lightly, "Ghost Elder seems to have studied Gu Tianlang quite thoroughly."
"As Young Lord says, Monarch Chixiao is a mountain pressing down upon this world. For such a mountain, this old man had no choice but to devote considerable effort to studying him in depth."
As he spoke, Ghost Elder seemed to remember something else, a trace of worry appearing in his expression. He shook his head. "Young Lord, upon further reflection, this old man still feels it is unwise."
"What is unwise?"
"If possible, Young Lord should refrain from personally testing Monarch Chixiao."
"What? Does Ghost Elder lack confidence in me?" Wuya laughed. "Rest assured, I merely wish to know the gap between myself and Gu Tianlang, nothing more."
"No, it is not that this old man lacks confidence in you, Young Lord, but rather..." Ghost Elder frowned. "But rather, this old man suddenly recalled a matter."
"What matter?"
"Does Young Lord know how Monarch Chixiao obtained his Peerless Immortal-Demon Throne back in the day?"
As these words fell, Wuya's heart skipped a beat. He immediately understood Ghost Elder's concern. "Is Ghost Elder worried he might seize my Stellar Fate?"
"Better safe than sorry. Back then, Monarch Chixiao dared to seize even the Immortal-Demon Throne. Who dares guarantee he wouldn't seize your Stellar Fate?"
"As for defeating Gu Tianlang, I may lack confidence. But as for seizing my Stellar Fate..." Wuya took a light sip of fragrant tea, speaking slowly. "Ghost Elder should know I have already fused the Stellar Fate with my very being. For others to try and seize it... heh... I imagine it wouldn't be so easy."
"Does Young Lord know from whose hands Monarch Chixiao seized the Immortal-Demon Throne back then?"
"I've only heard it was seized from two long-sealed old Immortal-Demons. As for who those two old Immortal-Demons were, no one seems to know."
"Precisely because it is unknown, it is all the more terrifying."
"How so?"
"Those two old Immortal-Demons might merely have been guarding the Heavenly Destinies of the Immortal and Demon Thrones. But what if they were not guardians, but were themselves Immortal Kings and Demon Emperors from the Primordial Era?"
Wuya furrowed his brows, skeptical. "That... shouldn't be possible, should it?"
"With matters concerning Monarch Chixiao, nothing is ever impossible. If Monarch Chixiao's Immortal-Demon Throne was truly forcibly taken from Primordial Era Immortal Kings and Demon Emperors, then never mind you merely fusing the Stellar Fate with yourself—even if you truly achieved the status of a Great Dao Star Lord, I fear you would still..."
Originally, Wuya had only wanted to test Monarch Chixiao's depths.
He hadn't thought it a particularly big deal.
But after hearing Ghost Elder say so much, his heart gradually couldn't help but grow concerned.
"Ghost Elder, is Monarch Chixiao truly that terrifying? Ruolan has never seen you so worried before."
Mei Ruolan had followed by Wuya's side all these years and naturally knew what kind of person Ghost Elder was. In her impression, Ghost Elder seemed omniscient, always profound and unfathomable, earning her great admiration. Why was it that today, merely mentioning Monarch Chixiao, Ghost Elder not only repeatedly advised against it but also wore a face full of worry?
"Ghost Elder, in previous years, whether dealing with our Shangqing Sect's Great Heir Apparent or the Immortal Dynasty's Third Prince, you handled them with ease. Why is it that facing Monarch Chixiao now, you are so worried? Could it be that Monarch Chixiao is more terrifying than the Great Heir Apparent, more terrifying than the Immortal Dynasty's Third Prince?"
"The Third Prince is the Third Prince, the Great Heir Apparent is the Great Heir Apparent, and Monarch Chixiao is Monarch Chixiao. The three cannot be mentioned in the same breath. The Third Prince and the Great Heir Apparent are certainly terrifying, but at least we know where their terror lies. But Monarch Chixiao? Aside from some past events, we know nothing about him. We have no idea how terrifying he truly is. That is the truly terrifying part."
Ghost Elder said solemnly, "Humans are not terrifying. Immortals and Demons are not terrifying. Even Gods... are not terrifying. What is truly terrifying between heaven and earth is the unknown."
Ghost Elder's words seemed directed at Mei Ruolan, and also at Wuya.
Only, Mei Ruolan frowned in deep thought, as if she did not understand.
While Wuya closed his eyes in contemplation, as if he had comprehended.
Seizing this moment, Ghost Elder continued his persuasion. "Moreover, Young Lord, since you wish to test Monarch Chixiao's depths, surely others share this idea. For example, the Third Prince and the Great Heir Apparent. They themselves may not appear, but they will certainly arrange for others to find opportunities to test Monarch Chixiao's depths. Given that, why must you take action personally?"
Hearing this, Wuya shook his head slightly, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth—a smile that seemed like a helpless, bitter laugh. He did not speak, lowering his head to drink his tea.
It wasn't that he didn't understand the reasoning. On the contrary, he understood it better than anyone.
He simply did not want to miss this opportunity, nor did he want to leave behind such a regret.
He truly, deeply wished to seize this chance to cross blades with that peerless overlord who once shook the heavens and earth in the Ancient Era.