Immortal of the Ages

Chapter 485: Changes in the Primordial Ruins!

"What are these paintings of?" Yun Xiao asked.

"The Great Dao Celestial Realm," Punisher Lu explained, pointing at the images. "This is the Thunder Ministry's Mansion, this is the Battle Ministry's Sun Palace, and this is the Divine Gate..."

"How magnificent," Yun Xiao remarked, his eyes filled with a boundless yearning.

"Don't worry, with your talents, you're destined to break through and ascend," Punisher Lu encouraged him.

"I hope so," Yun Xiao responded.

"Speaking of which, it's been a long while since anyone from the Blue Star Mortal Realm has ascended to true immortality. Maybe you'll be the one everyone watches," Punisher Lu said with a chuckle.

Yun Xiao smiled, then asked, "May I borrow this sketchbook to study it for a while?"

"That’s fine," Punisher Lu paused, "but the latter half contains my brother's diary, don't read that."

"I understand, I'll respect his privacy." Yun Xiao nodded. With that, he took the album and left first.

Meanwhile Punisher Lu closed himself off to recover. When he was suffering from the Viscera Devouring Gu, it was like he'd been poisoned. But now that the toxin was cleared, his body visibly began to recover at a remarkable speed.

In about half a day, Punisher Lu emerged, vibrant and full of life. He adjusted his platinum armor and said to the waiting crowd, "Lead the way. I am off to the Primordial Ruins to rid the people of this scourge."

"Yes!"

Yun Xiao, Lian Xi, and Dean Yu were all present.

"This is a Pursuit Mirror, distribute these, and by activating it with immortal energy, it can record visuals and gather evidence for me," Punisher Lu handed out ruler-shaped magical treasures to everyone.

These devices were similar to Projection Orbs but clearly superior in function, providing clearer images and even recording sound.

"Let's set out!"

After distribution, they all ascended to the sky.

The issue with the Nine Hells was resolved, leaving only the Primordial Ruins.

"Upon this ruin, about two-thirds of the people have recovered. As for the remaining third, make sure you record their every word and action before I confront the Human Zenith Immortal. I’ll need this evidence when I report back to the Celestial Court," Punisher Lu reminded them again.

It was clear he was a man of many words. But indeed, he was a good man, like an older brother. Yun Xiao had been quite wary of him before.

"Make sure everything about the Celestial Sourecore is well documented. Once I report back, I expect we'll be able to secure a new one for you all, so everyone can rest easy," Punisher Lu said with a smile.

"Thank you, Punisher Lu!"

Yun Xiao had not shared with everyone that he'd found a Celestial Sourcecore in the Blood Devil Ruins. And so, Punisher Lu's words brought a true glimmer of hope to the people.

Everyone was thrilled! With the death of the Sky Source Immortal, and the thought of many being freed, their spirits lifted considerably.

"The Primordial Ruins are just ahead!"

The party returned in glory!

Yun Xiao too wore a smile, but as he looked towards the Primordial Ruins, a sense of foreboding crept into his heart.

Looking ahead, the Primordial Ruins were engulfed in a vortex of Heavenly Decay, making it impossible to see the structure itself. Surrounding it, a vast storm was brewing, with countless dream-like voices faintly audible.

"Has the decay from the Celestial Sourcecore grown so strong already? We don't have much time left…" Punisher Lu remarked.

"Those two-thirds who are awake inside must be suffering. We need to find a way to evacuate them first," Dean Yu suggested.

"Alright, I'll leave that to you," Punisher Lu nodded.

"As long as they regain consciousness, there's still a chance for them, it's just going to be tough for a while," Shen Cang added.

They talked as they descended from the sky and plunged into the storm of decaying force.

Before long, the fog-shrouded Primordial Ruins gradually came into view.

"Hmm?"

The group had just landed near the Jade Immortal Tower, and everyone, including Yun Xiao, suddenly looked alarmed.

"What's going on?"

Yun Xiao frowned deeply! He looked around and saw that the area near the Jade Immortal Tower was crowded with people.

They were all sitting on the ground, eyes wide open, bloodshot, nearly everyone was silently chanting the mantra of the Three Immortals and practicing the Ascension Technique!

It was normal for some to be practicing the Ascension Technique.

But for everyone, without exception, to be practicing was definitely not normal!

What was more suffocating was that all the practitioners before them had their eyes dripping with blood, with worms crawling within them—clearly showing they were all afflicted with the All Life Devouring Gu!

"You all said that with the Sky Source Immortal's death, two-thirds of the people would be freed. How come they're all afflicted now?" Punisher Lu frowned deeply and asked in a stern voice.

"I don't know..." Dean Yu shook her head, then looked towards Yun Xiao.

Yun Xiao had already taken flight. The others had no choice but to follow.

Soon, Yun Xiao reached the Mystic Zenith Temple at the Primordial Academy.

In the main square of the Mystic Zenith Temple, over 100,000 people were gathered, mostly young ones.

Without exception, their eyes were bloodshot, their fervor reaching the skies as they practiced their cultivation frenetically!

"Yue Molin?" Yun Xiao grabbed a child.

"Three Immortals, Three Immortals, boundless fortune!" Yue Moelin laughed maniacally.

"Lil Xiu..." Yun Xiao turned to another girl.

"Human Zenith Sword Immortal, boundless joy!" Lil Xiu chirped cheerfully.

The blood in their eyes told Yun Xiao that all were ensnared.

"Impossible! The Human Zenith Sword Immortal is the weakest of the Three Immortals. It took them hundreds of years to gather so many followers. It's impossible that with two gone, their influence has still intensified," Shen Cang gritted his teeth.

"Are you suggesting that someone new has joined? Someone who helped him?" Yun Xiao asked coldly.

Punisher Lu glanced at the condition of the people, then looked up toward the direction where the faith in the Three Immortals was concentrated.

"Where is that?" Punisher Lu asked.

"The Human Zenith Ruins," Yun Xiao replied.

"That's where the answers are," Punisher Lu declared.

"Right!" Everyone nodded.

Punisher Lu swept his gaze over the group. "Spread out and follow closely. Take out the Pursuit Mirrors and record everything. No matter what happens, do not interfere."

The group exchanged looks, finally nodding in agreement.

"First and foremost, you must protect yourselves. There's hope for the mortal realm only if you survive. If you die, everything ends, and there will be no one left to report back. Understand?" Punisher Lu said gravely.

"Understood!"

With heavy hearts, they each took a Pursuit Mirror and silently dispersed.

"Punisher Lu," Yun Xiao followed behind him and asked, "You're very cautious. You're also certain that the Three Immortals have support in the Celestial Court, right?"

"Not just support, they're probably already here," Punisher Lu replied, his gaze sharp as he looked towards the direction of the Human Zenith Immortal.

"Can you guess who it might be?" Yun Xiao asked.

Punisher Lu suddenly moved toward the Human Zenith Immortal, leaving behind the words, "We'll know once we get there."

Yun Xiao looked ahead. The entire Primordial Ruins were swirling with malevolent energy, tens of millions laughing maniacally, chanting, the whole world plunged into an endless abyss.

"This decay and malevolence carrying the All Life Devouring Gu must have already spread to the myriad worlds. The Nine Hells are the closest..."

With this thought, a fierce anger burned within him.