Above the Great Dao

The Heavenly Luck Treasure Chariot traveled to Welcoming Immortal Pavilion at Despair Slope, the first stop to enter Despair Slope. Outside Heavenly Dao Practitioners and Heavenly Dao Immortals will undergo screening by the Heavenly Dao Divine Eye here when returning to Despair Slope.

The Heavenly Dao Divine Eye is upstairs at the Welcoming Immortal Pavilion, a vertical eye over a yard tall, rolling and rotating, shooting divine light, capable of discerning all transformations, seeing through spells like transformation techniques and talismans, examining soul and primordial spirit, verifying true body, and only then can one enter Despair Slope.

Zhong Wuwang held Fang Zhenxiu's hand, stepped down from the chariot, and stood in front of the Welcoming Immortal Pavilion as the glow of the Heavenly Dao Divine Eye shone over. Zhong Wuwang appeared a bit careless, yet his mind remembered Yang Bi's words.

"Will the first person I meet at Despair Slope really be the Heavenly Venerate?"

He hesitated internally; Yang Bi, although clever and resourceful, wasn't infallible and could be wrong.

After the sweep of the Heavenly God's Eye, the doors of the Welcoming Immortal Pavilion opened, and Zhong Wuwang led Fang Zhenxiu inside.

At that moment, a familiar voice came, "So it's Wuwang."

Zhong Wuwang's heart tightened, yet he showed a hint of joy, quickly turning to look, a greater expression of joy blossomed, bowing deeply, "Wuwang greets the Heavenly Venerate!"

Holding Fang Zhenxiu's hand, he fell to his knees; Fang Zhenxiu felt the young master's hand tremble and unknowingly grip tightly, almost crushing his finger bones.

Fang Zhenxiu felt tears well up in his eyes, endured the pain silently, and followed Zhong Wuwang in bowing.

Kneeling on the ground, only then did Zhong Wuwang realize he was nervous, causing pain to his disciple, and quickly relaxed his grip slightly.

Before them stood an elder with white hair and brows, not taller than Zhong Wuwang, yet appearing grand and imposing.

His eyebrows were long and extended far more than normal, trailing down his cheeks to his earlobes.

He wore a simple round-collared robe with gold-threaded fish-dragon patterns at the cuffs and a black python belt, appearing modest and simple, his white hair falling casually over his shoulders, giving an unkempt impression.

This was the Heavenly Venerate, kind-eyed and gentle, smiling, looking at Zhong Wuwang and Fang Zhenxiu, slightly raising a hand, saying with a smile, "Rise."

Zhong Wuwang stood, even as waves surged in his mind, maintaining composure and still appearing joyful, "Heavenly Venerate, why are you at the Welcoming Immortal Pavilion? It's been a long time since I've heard your teachings; today, may I ask for guidance in my practice?"

The Heavenly Venerate smiled, "I was with Friend Feng to investigate the Demon Emperor, and have just returned."

"Uncle Feng is back?"

Zhong Wuwang was both surprised and pleased, smiling, "This time, with the Heavenly Venerate and Uncle Feng taking action, the Demon City must be eradicated!"

The Heavenly Venerate shook his head, "Your Uncle Feng is still investigating the Demon City matter; I sensed something at Despair Slope and returned early. The Demon Emperor hides and lurks; if we act on the Demon City without finding him, it would alert him. Hence, I've not moved against the great master and others. Wuwang, where did you go? Is this your disciple?"

Zhong Wuwang promptly replied, "This is my newly accepted disciple, named Fang Zhenxiu, a disciple from the Yan Family among the Thirteen Families. The Yan Family was wiped out by Chen Shi, so he changed his name to Fang Zhenxiu. Zhenxiu, quickly greet the Heavenly Venerate!"

Fang Zhenxiu hurriedly bowed again.

The Heavenly Venerate smiled, "Good child, rise quickly."

He took out a piece of light green jade pendant from his sleeve, handed it to Fang Zhenxiu, and smiled, "A small meeting gift for you."

Fang Zhenxiu looked at Zhong Wuwang; Zhong Wuwang smiled, "It's from the Heavenly Venerate, you should accept it. Thank the Heavenly Venerate!"

Fang Zhenxiu bowed hard, saying, "I ask the Heavenly Venerate to uphold justice for my Yan Family!"

The Heavenly Venerate shook his head, "Despair Slope does not meddle in worldly affairs. The Yan Family's destruction is also due to karma. Since you have joined Despair Slope, concentrate on learning. Whether you can avenge them depends on your skills."

Fang Zhenxiu acknowledged respectfully and stood up.

The Heavenly Venerate remarked in surprise, "This child handles things like an adult."

Zhong Wuwang said, "Having experienced drastic changes young, he had to grow up quickly; otherwise, he would perish at the hands of that old thief Chen."

He paused and said, "Heavenly Venerate, due to this child, I encountered Chen Shi and had some dealings. This time during the training, I made an astounding discovery."

He recounted their findings, keeping Chen Shi and Yang Bi's speculation that the culprit might be the Heavenly Venerate hidden, worry written on his face, "The culprit perished with the Great Shang Immortal. I fear he might not be truly dead, hence the attacks on us. I'm worried the moon might be polluted and threaten the True God."

The Heavenly Venerate stared at him, pondering, "It's a tumultuous time. External gods, the Demon Emperor, and now an evil-changing culprit emerges. These beings constantly aim to overthrow the True God and bring the world under their dominion. Without Despair Slope, countless souls might have perished."

He shook his head and asked, "Wuwang, do you think the culprit is alive or dead?"

Zhong Wuwang paused, then shook his head, "I am unsure. This person might be alive, controlling flesh to attack us, or he could be dead with remnants in the flesh. Heavenly Venerate, the place is truly dangerous, do not go!"

The Heavenly Venerate looked at his face and laughed, "I will proceed cautiously. Wuwang, do you think that Great Shang Immortal is alive or dead?"

Zhong Wuwang thought for a moment, saying, "This predecessor might have a slender chance, but after resisting flesh attacks, the Dao Pattern may be obliterated, I'm afraid..."

The Heavenly Venerate sighed, "Such a mighty being quietly perishing is truly pitiable. Where are his remains?"