"What’s going on?" the outer layer of Qi Refinement Cultivators looked dumbfounded as the earth shook and the mountains quaked.

"What happened?"

"I don’t know, it’s been over two hundred thousand years since the Chi Xiao Ancient Realm was discovered, and I’ve never heard of such a thing."

It was not just the Ancient Stone Hall; the entire ancient realm was shaking, causing alarm and panic among everyone, unsure whether this incident was a blessing or a curse. They all stopped what they were doing, no longer caring about competing for the Ancient Foundation Establishment Grass.

The two at the center of the incident didn’t know what had happened either.

The last wisp of Chaos Qi dispersed, revealing an ancient coffin that continued to shake, emitting strands of terrifying aura.

"Is it, is it reviving the dead?" Yu Youlan shivered as she looked at the ancient coffin.

In the Green Blade Sword Small World, Lu Yang was full of question marks, thinking, who rewards with their own self?

As Xin Ding and Yu Youlan’s heartbeats quickened, a bony hand suddenly shot out from the coffin, clinging to the edge of the coffin.

With a lift of the bone hand, the coffin lid burst open, swirling in the air twice before crashing to the ground, creating a large pit!

"After a long dream, emotionally unattached, who would have thought I would have a day to reappear in the world," the corpse muttered.

The skeleton stood up, its gaze empty except for two flickering green ghostly fires.

As the skeleton rose, the Tribulation aura was controlled, and the ancient realm stabilized.

Looking at Xin Ding and Yu Youlan indifferently, the skeleton asked, "Which year is it now, and which fellow Cultivator rules the world?"

Xin Ding and Yu Youlan looked at each other, unable to understand as the skeleton spoke in the language of Ancient Times.

The language of Ancient Times that Xin Ding spoke while controlling the ghosts in the Separation Hall was actually taught on the spot by Lu Yang.

The Heavenly Venerate slightly frowned, puzzled as to why the two had no reaction. Had they been frightened into stupidity?

Just then, Xin Ding lowered his head, then looked up again, appearing like a completely different person in an instant, his eyes deep as if he had seen through the vicissitudes of life, to whom all worldly matters were but fleeting clouds.

"Haha, Xuan Tianzi, I didn’t expect to find you here."

"What went wrong with your hiding technique that your flesh could not withstand the wear of three hundred thousand years, leaving only this skeleton behind?"

Xin Ding also spoke in the language of Ancient Times!

The Heavenly Venerate was stunned, not expecting that even in his skeletal state, the other could recognize him and know his name. He politely asked, "Who are you, fellow?"

He must indeed be a fellow Cultivator from the Ancient Times.

"Who am I?" Xin Ding laughed twice as if finding the question absurd, as well as mocking the Heavenly Venerate for his ignorance in not recognizing a True Immortal.

"Zhu Tian holds me in high regard, Xiao Ling and Lianyi call me Senior Brother, Yingtian Immortal calls me friend. Who do you think I am?"

The Heavenly Venerate’s heart churned with shock. How could this be possible, and who exactly was this great figure?

If what the other said was true, he wasn’t even qualified to call him "fellow."

"Don’t believe it?"

"Fair enough, words alone are no proof, how about this then?"

The Tofu Heavenly Venerate chuckled lightly as a terrifying aura rose behind Xin Ding—only the Heavenly Venerate could feel it!

Immortal!

Sensing this aura, the Heavenly Venerate showed a look of horror and took several steps back!

Identities can be faked, but this aura is absolutely undeniable!

It was then that the Heavenly Venerate noticed the Green Peak Sword wrapped in coarse cloth that Xin Ding carried on his back.

Though he did not recognize the Green Peak Sword, being a being from Ancient Times who often heard Yingtian Immortal lecture, he recognized it at a glance as a true Immortal Artifact!

"This esteemed predecessor..."

The Heavenly Venerate of the Firmament approached with genuine trepidation, not daring to show the slightest hint of negligence.

"I am Tofu Heavenly Venerable."

The Heavenly Venerate of the Firmament racked his brains, trying to recall which of the Four Ancient Immortals might have used the title ’Tofu Heavenly Venerable,’ but he couldn’t think of anyone.

This naming style did not seem like it belonged to any of the Four Ancient Immortals.

Even though he didn’t know the identity of Tofu Heavenly Venerable, he didn’t neglect the courtesies, "Xuan Tianzi pays respect to Tofu Heavenly Venerable!"

"Let’s talk about you. Why have you remained asleep until now?"

"To reply to the predecessor, I actually had not intended to preserve my physical body; my soul resides in this skeleton, which was indeed my intention."

"Oh?"

The Heavenly Venerate of the Firmament sighed bitterly, "With a cultivation level such as the predecessor’s, it’s probably hard to comprehend the troubles of the younger generation. I am merely at the Late Tribulation Stage, my cultivation level is insignificant. In ancient times, it was hard to ascend, and even concealing my identity could lead me to encounter others doing the same.

It was always awkward, and should I encounter a Semi-Immortal, it would be even more embarrassing."

𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"I am ashamed that I could not completely follow the teachings of Yingtian Immortal Venerate."

"I came up with a brilliant plan, to sleep for hundreds of thousands of years, reviving within the body of a junior cultivator just starting out, and guide his cultivation, making his future bright."

"Considering my limited lifespan of less than two thousand years left, and having nothing to hold onto, I chose to sleep in this secret realm, waiting for a fated junior cultivator to arrive in the Inner Hall."

"I did not expect to encounter a predecessor here."

Lu Yang: "..."

Can’t you ancient cultivators focus on something serious, like learning from someone...?

Lu Yang was stumped, it seemed like there was no one worth learning from in the ancient times, even the Five Ancient Immortals led in frivolity.

"Carrying a multitude of causality, I need to possess this junior to dissolve these karmic ties. Although this junior’s aptitude is mediocre, his nature is excellent, and he will surely achieve great things. After I leave, you can continue to possess this junior."

Lu Yang had inquired about the character of the Heavenly Venerate of the Firmament from Fairy Eternity, who had given a good account, calling him a genuinely good person.

Lu Yang indeed believed that Xin Ding had the potential to become great; the Western Paradise Temple was blind not to see it. He was a talent worth nurturing and would surely accomplish much.

By helping the Western Paradise Temple nurture talent, they should be thanking him.

"Thank you, predecessor!"

The Heavenly Venerate of the Firmament was thrilled; he needed someone like Xin Ding, whose outstanding qualities made his own life more interesting.

And being so highly praised by Tofu Heavenly Venerable, he surely couldn’t be wrong.

"For now, wait in the secret realm."

"Yes!"

With the matter concluded, Lu Yang retreated back to the Green Peak Sword Small World and returned control to Xin Ding.

Yu Youlan stood there stunned, unable to calm her emotions for a long time.

What had just happened? Facing the Heavenly Venerate of the Firmament, Xin Ding showed no fear and conversed using ancient languages; although she didn’t understand what they discussed, from the Heavenly Venerate’s respectful bow toward Xin Ding, his identity must be more terrifying than she had imagined!

He is indeed the man I fancied.

Coming back to his senses, Xin Ding did not understand what Tofu Heavenly Venerable had said, but seeing the respectful attitude of the Heavenly Venerate of the Firmament towards him, he knew that what Tofu Heavenly Venerable had mentioned before was true, making him nothing but a junior in comparison to Transcendence Tribulation Stage.

This convinced him further not to disclose the matters regarding Tofu Heavenly Venerable, to avoid bringing disaster to the Western Heaven.

"Benefactor Yu, let us go."

Lu Yang did not allow Xin Ding to choose any inheritance. After all, with the Heavenly Venerate of the Firmament staying, the inheritance of the secret realm would eventually belong to Xin Ding.