132: The sound of the zither transcends eternity; that is true art.

"Boom—!!!"

A vast torrent of information, as deep as an abyss and seemingly from the Nine Heavens' Immortal Realm, surged in the moment Li Daoxuan's fingertip touched Gai Jiuyou's brow!

That was no ordinary Cultivation Technique Legacy.

It was a... supreme Immortal chapter containing "life" and "death", "destruction" and "creation"!

Gai Jiuyou's wizened body trembled violently!

For the first time, a look of shock appeared on his ancient, calm face.

He "saw" it.

Within his Sea of Consciousness, countless golden Immortal runes were manifesting the birth and death of a Universe.

From the beginning of Chaos to the proliferation of all things.

From blooming prosperity to withering descent.

Finally, amidst a dead silence, it underwent Nirvana and Rebirth!

"This... this is..."

"An Immortal art! A true Immortal art!"

Great waves of shock surged within Gai Jiuyou's heart.

He had exhausted his entire life seeking the path of an Emperor to no avail.

He thought there was no more hope for him in this life.

He never expected that at the end of his life, he would actually... witness an Immortal art?!

"Fellow Daoist..."

He trembled, wanting to say something.

"Concentrate."

Li Daoxuan's voice, like a morning bell or evening drum, rang out in his ears.

"Guard your heart, draw the Immortal melody into your body, and cleanse your dao wounds!"

"Yes!"

Gai Jiuyou did not dare to be negligent.

He knew this was his only, and last, chance in this life!

He no longer hesitated.

He sat cross-legged on that worn-out tea house bench.

His hands formed seals, appearing solemn and dignified.

In an instant, he entered a deep state of enlightenment.

"Buzz—"

A strange Dao sound emanated from within his body.

It wasn't the sound of a zither, nor was it the sound of a huqin.

It was a... more ancient, more profound... heavenly sound!

As if the Great Dao was harmonizing, and an Immortal was whispering!

The "Immortal Tribulation Melody" began to circulate!

The surrounding tea patrons and passersby were already dumbfounded by this divine scene; they knelt on the ground one after another, kowtowing frantically, thinking a god had descended to the mortal world.

Li Daoxuan stood with his hands behind his back, watching quietly.

At the same time, he waved his large sleeve.

An invisible barrier instantly enveloped the entire tea house, isolating all auras and prying eyes.

What a joke.

A Quasi-Emperor undergoing Nirvana was no small matter.

If he didn't restrain it, the Dragon Veins of the entire Central State would likely be sucked dry.

Within the barrier.

The changes in Gai Jiuyou became more and more astonishing.

His skin, originally as withered as old tree bark, actually began to peel off bit by bit.

Replacing it was newborn skin, as tender as a baby's and full of vital energy!

His head of white hair also changed from white to gray, and from gray to black at a speed visible to the naked eye!

His originally hunched body slowly straightened, standing like a pine or cypress!

Most astonishing of all was what was happening inside his body!

That Azure Emperor's dao wound, which had occupied him for nine thousand years like a maggot on a bone and could not be expelled.

Under the cleansing of this domineering and peerless "Immortal Tribulation Melody"...

It actually... began to be... worn away bit by bit! Purified!

"Roar—!!!"

A long roar, suppressed for nine thousand years, erupted from Gai Jiuyou's mouth!

That sound was full of resentment, full of relief, and full of... the joy of being reborn!

"Rumble!"

A Quasi-Emperor aura, terrifying enough to make the heavens and earth change color, erupted from his body!

That aura was too strong!

It was countless times more powerful than the aura the Taichu Old Ancestor had released by burning his Lifespan!

If not for the suppression of Li Daoxuan's barrier...

This aura alone would have been enough to level everything within a million-mile radius!

"Not bad, not bad."

Li Daoxuan nodded with satisfaction as he watched Gai Jiuyou's aura steadily climb.

As expected of a fierce person who could challenge the Azure Emperor.

His foundation is truly deep.

Half a day later.

When the last wisp of the dao wound was completely worn away...

Gai Jiuyou's aura also climbed to an unprecedented Peak!

He slowly opened his eyes.

Within those eye sockets that had been hollow for nine thousand years...

Two points of... divine light, as brilliant as stars... actually condensed once more!

His eyes regained their sight!

Although he still looked old, the Death Qi that had shrouded him had been swept away!

Replacing it was life essence as vast as the sea!

He had not only returned to his Peak!

He had even... taken a step further from the top!

Touching that... threshold of the Great Emperor that had troubled him his whole life and left him with regrets for nine thousand years!

As long as he was given a little more time and an opportunity...

He might not be unable to... attain the Dao against the heavens!

"Whew..."

Gai Jiuyou let out a long breath of turbid air.

When that turbid air hit the ground, it actually corroded a large hole into the hard bluestone slab.

That was the last trace of Death Qi within his body.

He slowly stood up.

The worn-out gray cloth robe he wore fluttered without any wind.

A supreme pressure, though restrained, still made the Great Dao submit, flashing by for an instant.

He looked at the Youth in White Robes before him who had changed his destiny.

His gaze was extremely complex.

There was gratitude, shock, and awe... which finally turned into a... long sigh.

He straightened his robes.

Then.

Facing Li Daoxuan.

He bowed deeply, all the way to the ground.

That posture was not one of equals.

But rather... a Disciple paying respects to a teacher!

"The grace of being remade is beyond repayment."

Gai Jiuyou's voice was no longer hoarse and old as before, but became full of vigor and magnetic.

"Senior's great kindness, Jiuyou... will never forget it as long as I live."

"From this day forth, should Senior have any orders, Jiuyou will not hesitate even at the cost of ten thousand deaths!"

He paused, a flash of determination in his eyes.

"I am willing to join the Kaoshan Sect."

"To protect the Dao for Senior... for the Kaoshan Sect... for a hundred years!"

"To repay Senior's... grace of being remade!"

These words were spoken with powerful conviction!

A supreme Quasi-Emperor, infinitely close to being a Great Emperor, was actually willing to... be a Dao Protector for someone?!

If this were to get out, the entire Cultivation World would go crazy!

However.

Li Daoxuan merely smiled.

He stepped forward and helped Gai Jiuyou up.

The action was natural, as if it were only right.

"Senior, you overstate things."

"We Cultivators should naturally help one another."

"What's more, Senior is a hero of the Human Race; this Junior has only done what should be done."

He looked at Gai Jiuyou's face, which was still full of gratitude, and changed the subject, revealing a "kind" smile.

"However..."

"Since Senior is so sincere, then this Junior... will not decline."

He patted Gai Jiuyou's shoulder with an expression that looked very much like a black-hearted boss who had just abducted a top-tier talent.

"Welcome to the team."

"From now on, we are family."

"By the way, Senior, do you know how to farm?"