Immortal Druid

“What makes a strong nation?” asked the old man. “Is it their military might? Their economic power? Their population?”

His voice echoed throughout the ancient ruins.

The place had once belonged to a civilization so old that even the Heavenly Domain Sect possessed only fragments of its history. Broken pillars rose from the earth like the bones of a fallen giant. Weathered statues stared sightlessly into the distance, while shattered roads disappeared beneath centuries of dust and vegetation.

Standing at the center of the ruins was an old man with a long white beard and flowing white robes. Despite his advanced age, there was a manic energy burning behind his eyes. It was the gaze of a man who had spent eighty thousand years clawing his way through the cultivation world and had emerged victorious every single time.

This old man was none other than Sect Leader Yu Gan of the Heavenly Domain Sect.

“What defines a strong nation is neither wealth nor armies,” Yu Gan continued. “A strong nation is defined by a strong ruler. Remove the ruler, and the nation crumbles. Remove the nation, and a capable ruler can simply build another. Such is the truth of this world.”

He swept his gaze across the gathered experts.

“Allow this old man to offer his salutations to the Four Sovereign Flags. I thank all of you for answering my Sect's invitation and making the journey here today.”

His smile widened.

“Your presence honors the Heavenly Domain Sect.”

From the far north of the continent sat Cloud General Woon Yong of the Steelfrost Fortress.

He was a giant among men, broad enough to make ordinary cultivators seem like children. Thick muscles bulged beneath layers of snow-white fur, while cloud-like tattoos stretched across his exposed skin. Even seated, he carried the oppressive presence of a mountain.

“Honors?” Woon Yong snorted. “If this is how the Heavenly Domain Sect treats its friends, I'd hate to see how you treat your enemies. We traveled halfway across the continent to gather in a pile of ruins.”

Laughter escaped Yu Gan.

“My apologies,” he said, the words sounding harmless enough at first. Then his smile sharpened as he added, “Though I must remind everyone present that without me and my Sect, none of you would be sitting here as Immortals.”

The atmosphere instantly grew colder.

The Four Sovereign Flags had once stood at the peak of the Soul Transformation Realm. They had ruled vast territories and commanded countless cultivators, yet they still remained beneath the Ten Great Sects.

Everything changed when the Heavenly Domain Sect secretly approached them, offering resources, techniques, guidance, and opportunities. Thanks to this support, each ruler finally broke through the barrier that had trapped them for centuries.

Now every sovereign present had transcended mortality. Every one of them had become an Immortal.

“Hahaha!”

A burst of laughter interrupted the tension.

“Why be so cautious, Sect Leader Yu?”

The speaker appeared to be a young man. He possessed a slim build, short dark hair, and a long sword hanging casually from his waist. His eyes remained half-closed, giving him the appearance of someone perpetually amused.

This was Sword King Hu Gang of the Horizon Kingdom from the western continent.

“Everyone here already knows the reason for today's gathering.”

His grin widened.

“It's almost time for us to topple the Ten Great Sects.”

The declaration hung in the air without restraint.

A few centuries ago, such words would have been madness.

Now they sounded increasingly plausible.

From the eastern side of the gathering, Storm Queen Ou Ning crossed her legs elegantly.

She possessed beauty capable of shaking the hearts of righteous and demonic cultivators alike. Luxurious robes draped over her alluring figure, embroidered with flowing patterns that resembled ocean currents. Her dark blue hair cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall beneath moonlight.

“Stop playing games, Yu Gan,” she said. “There is no reason we needed to meet in this location specifically.”

Her beautiful eyes narrowed.

“You are hiding something.”

Yu Gan’s smile remained unchanged. “As expected of the Storm Queen.” He clasped his hands behind his back and continued, “We simply need to exercise caution. Not long ago, news reached my Sect regarding a Willow Order cultivator who attacked the Sea Dragon Palace like a madman. The incident was unexpected. We had long believed the Willow Order lacked the strength to produce an expert of that caliber. As such, my Sect would prefer to minimize unnecessary losses.”

"Is that really it?" asked Ou Ning cautiously.

“At present, there are only two variables capable of disrupting our plans,” added Yu Gan. “The first is that mysterious new Sect that appeared within the Serenity Lake Domain. The second is whatever hidden strength the Willow Order has left and how much it would affect our plans.”

The silence that followed lasted only a moment.

“There is no need to cater to us,” suddenly remarked the southern ruler, who moments ago had deigned to remain silent. "Speak more frankly."

The Bleeding Emperor, Lu Li of the Sunblood Dynasty, sat with both hands resting on his knees. Long crimson hair flowed behind him like a lion's mane, while cold eyes observed everything around him with detached indifference.

“We are fully aware that you look down on us.”

Yu Gan simply smiled, neither confirming nor denying the accusation.

Truthfully, there was little reason to deny it.

The Heavenly Domain Sect had existed for countless eras. Compared to its history, the Four Sovereign Flags were little more than ambitious upstarts that happened to be useful.

“Enough nonsense,” said Woon Yong as he folded his arms, sounding impatient as he flexed his qi and caused spiritual pressure to rise. “Get straight to the point, Yu Gan.”

Yu Gan nodded slowly.

“Very well. Let us speak plainly.”

The old Immortal swept his gaze across the rulers gathered before him.

“The Heavenly Domain Sect believes it is time to begin the grand plan. We have spent centuries preparing. We have spent centuries gathering strength. Continuing to delay serves no purpose.”

His eyes narrowed.

“Each nation shall be responsible for destroying one of the Ten Great Sects.”

Silence immediately descended upon the ruins.

Yu Gan knew precisely why.

The Four Sovereign Flags had become increasingly difficult to control.

They were far more cunning than most cultivators realized. Every one of them had found excuses to postpone the coming conflict. They spoke of preparation, logistics, and opportunities, yet the truth was obvious. The longer the peace endured, the more time they possessed to strengthen themselves to confront the Heavenly Domain Sect.

It was regrettable.

The Heavenly Domain Sect had elevated them to Immortals, only to discover that it might have created future rivals.

Each ruler possessed extraordinary talent. Even Yu Gan found himself envious of certain gifts they possessed. Had they been born within the Heavenly Domain Sect, they would undoubtedly have become terrifying figures.

“The Divine Trinity Sect shall belong to us,” declared Yu Gan. “The Heavenly Domain Sect shall personally erase them from existence.”

No one objected.

Among the Ten Great Sects, the Divine Trinity Sect stood at the forefront. It was only natural that the Heavenly Domain Sect would claim the strongest prey.

Ou Ning was the first to speak.

“In that case, I shall take the True Origin Sect.”

The beautiful queen rested her chin upon her hand.

“Their techniques have always interested me. If their inheritance survives the war, I imagine there will be arts and methods suitable for my cultivation.”

More importantly, the True Origin Sect occupied territory closest to the Azure Queendom.

The campaign would be convenient.

Woon Yong grunted.

“The Renewal Sect.”

Hu Gang blinked.

“Seriously?”

The Sword King laughed openly.

“Out of all the sects available, you're picking a bunch of healers and herb farmers?”

A vein bulged on Woon Yong's forehead.

“You fool.”

The Cloud General glared at him.

“Anyone with common sense understands that support specialists are among the most dangerous enemies. I was originally deciding between the Renewal Sect, the Clear Harmony Sect, and the Silver Soul Sect.”

The others listened attentively.

“The Renewal Sect possesses medicinal arts and hidden hermits. The Clear Harmony Sect specializes in shamans and alchemists. The Silver Soul Sect controls metallurgy and smithing. Of the three, the Renewal Sect represents the greatest threat.”

“Because of their healing?” asked Hu Gang.

“Because of resurrection.”

The atmosphere grew slightly heavier.

“Their secret medicinal arts allow them to return the dead to life under certain circumstances. Any enemy capable of reversing casualties must be eliminated first.”

Yu Gan secretly approved.

As expected of the Cloud General.

Unfortunately, his preference remained unchanged.

The Cloudy Mist Sect and the Isolation Path Sect were among the oldest organizations in existence. Both were nearly as ancient as the Divine Trinity Sect itself. Yu Gan would have preferred someone to take responsibility for destroying them.

Unfortunately, nobody was interested.

The Four Sovereign Flags possessed reliable intelligence networks. They understood exactly how dangerous those sects truly were.

“I was thinking about targeting the Touch Grass Sect,” Hu Gang said.

Several heads turned. The Sword King shrugged casually. “While they have not yet been formally acknowledged as one of the Ten Great Sects, they are practically one already. They also possess ties to the Willow Order.”

Lu Li immediately shook his head. “I advise against it. As long as diplomacy remains possible, we should keep that rising power restrained. There is no need to create another enemy when we could just keep them in check.”

Hu Gang considered the words before nodding. “A fair point.” He raised both hands in surrender. “My apologies.” A grin returned to his face. “In that case, I’ll take the Purple Flame Sect instead.”

Ou Ning’s eyes narrowed slightly. “What made you think about targeting the Touch Grass Sect in the first place?”

“My spies have uncovered something rather intriguing,” Yu Gan said, his smile deepening with smug satisfaction. “The Touch Grass Sect appears to have acquired a legacy from the Age of Supremacy itself—a flying city, no less. Imagine that.”

He let the revelation linger for a moment before continuing, voice laced with mocking amusement. “Witness reports have grown increasingly common throughout the region, speaking of an Immortal capable of resurrection arts. The most fascinating detail is how the Willow Order has been working so diligently to suppress all information about this figure… and now the Ten Great Sects have begun following the same trend. One might almost suspect they are desperately trying to protect him—or perhaps hide him from the rest of us.”

Every gaze immediately shifted toward Yu Gan. The old Immortal suppressed any visible reaction, though the Four Sovereign Flags watched him with careful scrutiny. After all, when powerful cultivators heard the phrase “flying city,” only one thing came to mind: the Heavenly Domain Sect, whose sacred grounds were literally a flying city. The coincidence was far too suspicious.

“I see,” Lu Li remarked, his tone neutral. The Bleeding Emperor appeared completely uninterested in the revelation. “I shall take the Clear Harmony Sect.”

The discussion continued, but Yu Gan found himself increasingly distracted. A flying city. The possibility troubled him deeply. He regretted not deploying spies to the Serenity Lake Domain decades earlier. Unfortunately, the region had been too dangerous and too isolated at the time for his Sect to establish reliable intelligence networks.

Still, the development was alarming. His first thought was that the inheritance must have originated from the Willow Order, yet the theory quickly fell apart. If the Willow Order had possessed such a legacy, they would have used it during the secret war nearly fifty thousand years ago.

No. The source had to be something else, something unknown, and something worthy of investigation.

Eventually, the meeting drew to its conclusion. Yu Gan clasped his hands behind his back and spoke with a dignified nod.

“This old man thanks the Four Sovereign Flags for their cooperation. I shall excuse myself here. Good luck in your endeavors, and may the next time we meet be to celebrate our glorious victories.”

One by one, the rulers vanished from the ancient ruins.

Yet even after they departed, Yu Gan’s thoughts remained fixated on a single matter: a flying city. For the first time in a long while, the old Immortal felt genuinely uneasy.