Immortal Druid

Preparations for the expedition to the Ten Great Sects were already underway.

According to Hu Gang, the sects marked for destruction by the Four Sovereign Flags were the Divine Trinity Sect, the True Origin Sect, the Renewal Sect, the Purple Flame Sect, and the Clear Harmony Sect. We still had a month before the ultimatums reached their intended recipients and the Four Sovereign Flags began their grand display of force. None of us knew how much time would pass between the delivery of those declarations and the actual invasion, but Hu Gang was convinced the enemy intended to erase each sect almost as soon as the warnings arrived. It was a campaign designed not to negotiate, but to spread terror before resistance could properly gather.

Hu Gang, having severed his ties with the Four Sovereign Flags, volunteered to march his army toward the Purple Flame Sect. To every pair of watching eyes, he would appear to be carrying out the sovereigns' orders, but beneath that convincing facade, he intended to negotiate an alliance right under their noses. To strengthen his credibility, I dispatched representatives from both the Willow Order and the Serenity Cliff Sect to accompany his delegation. Their presence would prove that Hu Gang truly stood apart from his fellow sovereigns and that we were sincere in seeking cooperation instead of conquest.

The morning of their departure arrived beneath a clear sky. Cultivators gathered around the massive spatial gate array linking the Hermit Sage Forest to Stone Sky Cave. The ancient formation hummed with profound spatial energy, its intricate runes glowing one after another until the entire gateway shimmered like a pool of liquid light.

I stepped forward and smiled at the departing group. "Travel safely. The fate of countless lives may rest upon the words you carry. We will be waiting here for your return, so come back with good news."

Hu Gang cupped his fists deeply toward me. "Sage Wo Li, thank you for your generosity and the trust you have placed in me. I swear upon my cultivation that I shall return with good news for all of us."

With those final words exchanged, Hu Gang, Consul Chen Lin, Guo Yimu, and the rest of their delegation entered the spatial gate array. Their figures vanished into the rippling veil of light, leaving only the fading hum of the formation behind as the ancient array slowly fell silent once more.

After seeing them off, I turned toward Hao Lei, who had remained patiently at my side throughout the departure.

"Hao Lei, I have another task for you. Travel to the Divine Trinity Sect, the True Origin Sect, and the Clear Harmony Sect. Inform them anonymously of the impending invasion and the scale of the forces marching against them, but do not reveal your identity or our involvement. They must have enough time to prepare without exposing our hand."

Hao Lei bowed respectfully. "My lord, your will shall be done."

I nodded with satisfaction. "Thank you for your good work. Return safely."

Without another word, Hao Lei disappeared into the distance with remarkable speed, leaving behind only a faint disturbance in the surrounding spiritual energy.

Once silence returned, I reflected upon the countless discussions I had shared with the Circle over the past couple of days. After weighing every possibility, I had finally decided which sect I would personally visit first. If I truly wished to unite the Ten Great Sects beneath a common cause, then I would eventually have to stand before every single one of them. No messenger or written invitation could replace the sincerity of appearing in person. More importantly, my presence would make it considerably easier to persuade, if necessary, to pressure them into joining the Circle before the enemy achieved their objectives. Politics had never been my favorite battlefield, but if it prevented rivers of blood from flowing, then it was one I was willing to fight.

As those thoughts settled in my mind, Li Qing approached with her usual composed demeanor. The elderly woman carried herself with quiet dignity, though I noticed the concern lingering within her eyes.

"My lord," she began carefully, "is it truly acceptable that we are not sending reinforcements to the other sects marked by the Four Sovereign Flags, as well as the Heavenly Domain Sect?"

I let out a slow breath before answering. "Our enemies possess immortals. Sending ordinary reinforcements would only increase the number of corpses left behind. I dislike making that decision, and I wish we could protect everyone at once, but that simply isn't possible. There is a reason I consulted the Circle before deciding which sect to visit first. If the invasion reaches their gates while I am there, I can personally defend them and earn their trust. That goodwill may become the foundation for the alliance we need from them."

Li Qing quietly lowered her head. She understood the weight behind those words.

The reality was painfully simple. Ever since confronting the Dark Order, I had gained a far clearer understanding of the overwhelming destruction immortals could unleash. Compared to beings of that realm, cultivators below immortality were little more than ants standing before a tidal wave. Numbers alone meant nothing when overwhelming individual strength entered the battlefield. I had little doubt that the Four Sovereign Flags and the Heavenly Domain Sect intended to descend upon the Ten Great Sects with crushing force. Their massive armies likely existed not because the immortals required assistance in battle, but because someone had to seize the secret techniques, ancient inheritances, and priceless treasures left behind after the slaughter. An immortal could annihilate a sect with frightening ease, yet occupying and searching every corner of its territory was another matter entirely.

Li Qing remained silent for several moments before bowing once again.

"My lord, forgive me if I overstepped my bounds. There was actually another reason I wished to see you."

She carefully raised both hands, revealing a crystal orb that shimmered with layers of flowing light. Countless tiny stars seemed suspended within its transparent core, drifting endlessly through an endless night sky.

"My lord," she said gently, "this artifact is known as the Heavenly Eye. It possesses the extraordinary ability to peer into the future. I believe there is no one more deserving of wielding it than you, so I have decided to offer it into your care."

I studied the artifact before looking back at her. "Such a treasure cannot be given away lightly. Is there something you wish to ask of me in return?"

Li Qing smiled warmly and slowly shook her head.

"I ask for nothing beyond what you have already given us. I only wish for you to continue looking after my people and to grace them with your blessing. As long as they may continue living peacefully beneath your protection, this old woman shall have no further regrets."

Her sincerity left me without words for a brief moment.

I accepted the Heavenly Eye with both hands and inclined my head respectfully. "Thank you, Elder Li Qing. I cannot promise perfection, but I do promise this: I will do everything within my power to protect everyone who lives beneath the shade of my leaves."

A relieved smile spread across her aged face.

"That is more than enough for this old woman."

She offered one final respectful bow before quietly taking her leave, allowing me a moment alone with the remarkable treasure.

Turning the crystal orb over in my hands, I admired the mysterious lights swirling within its depths before storing the Heavenly Eye safely inside my storage ring.

On second thought, I might still have been underestimating immortals.

The question of whether I should bring anyone with me continued to trouble my mind. I did not want history to repeat itself. The memory of the Dark Order remained painfully vivid. I had only turned around for a brief moment, and by the time I looked back, everyone who had accompanied me had already died. Their deaths still lingered like an invisible weight upon my conscience.

I summoned the Heavenly Eye from my storage ring and held the crystal orb in my palm. I felt just as conflicted about whether to use it or not. Countless specks of light drifted within its depths like stars suspended in an endless night, inviting me to look deeper into the unknown.

A gentle voice echoed directly into my mind.

"If you merely wish to know the future, then ask, and I shall answer."

It was the Heavenly Eye, speaking to me. Of course, it was the work of the Voice of the World ability. However, it was quite unexpected how eloquent it sounded. Not to mention the way it was addressing me.

"Will I suffer misfortune if I peer into the future?" I asked.

"You will," the Heavenly Eye replied calmly. "Such is the price for glimpsing fate before its appointed time. Knowledge carries a burden, and misfortune is simply the payment required."

Its answer made me pause.

I finally understood that the misfortune I had carried for so long had never been unique to me. Every living being accumulated traces of misfortune throughout their lives. Most simply lacked the ability to perceive it. Elder Li Qing had undoubtedly accumulated her own share as well. Since the Dark Sun of Misfortune no longer resided within my mental realm, perhaps it would be acceptable to test fate once more.

"Show me what shall happen during my journey to the Renewal Sect."

The Heavenly Eye answered without hesitation.

At once, a tremendous jolt struck my consciousness.

The world around me vanished.

My surroundings dissolved into an endless torrent of shifting images, each one flowing seamlessly into the next. I no longer felt like an observer. I became a participant, so thoroughly immersed that I mistook the vision for reality itself.

"The Heavenly Eye is an artifact whose true power may only be fully harnessed by an immortal," its voice echoed throughout the vision. "Do not mistake possibility for certainty. Should you allow the future to dictate your present, the consequences may prove every bit as terrible as the calamities you seek to avoid."

I watched towering walls crumble beneath overwhelming force.

The Renewal Sect burned.

Ancient halls collapsed one after another while countless disciples fought desperately against an enemy they could never hope to overcome. Spiritual mountains split apart. Rivers of flame consumed sacred forests. The cries of dying cultivators blended into a single heartbreaking lament as immortals descended like divine punishment upon the battlefield.

I desperately searched for a way to change what I witnessed.

Then another voice pierced through the vision.

"Wo Li!"

Everything shattered.

I blinked several times before realizing I had returned to reality. The Heavenly Eye rested quietly in my hand, while Mab stood beside me with unmistakable concern written across her face.

"That artifact is dangerous," she warned softly. "It tempts people with terrible futures. Before they realize it, they stop living in the present and become prisoners of what they believe must happen. Many have destroyed themselves that way."

Her warning prompted me to examine my mental realm.

Sure enough, floating quietly in the distance was a small Dark Sun of Misfortune. It was nowhere near the monstrous size it once possessed, but its return confirmed that the Heavenly Eye's price had not been an empty threat.

I released a quiet sigh.

"I'll be fine."

Mab continued studying me for several moments before changing the subject.

"Have you decided who you're bringing?"

"I've definitely decided on Zhen Ai," I answered. "Her speed even surpasses mine, especially for long travels. If something unexpected happens, having her nearby will greatly increase our chances of surviving."

She nodded before asking, "Can I come with you?"

I smiled apologetically.

"Someone has to stay behind and watch over the Hermit Sage Forest."

"Hao Lei could stay instead."

I slowly shook my head.

"I'd feel much more assured if it were you."

Mab stared at me for a moment before smiling faintly.

"I trust you, so I'll stay."

"Thank you for understanding."

With our conversation concluded, I looked down at the Heavenly Eye one final time.

I had seen enough.

The crystal orb disappeared back into my storage ring, and I began carefully deciding who would accompany me on this expedition. The vision had shown me enough to understand that brute strength alone would not determine success. Survivability and utility mattered far more than overwhelming numbers.

While I organized my thoughts, Xing Mei approached from the nearby path.

"Sage Wo Li," she greeted with a respectful bow. "If it pleases you, I would like to accompany you to the Renewal Sect. I share a measure of friendship with their Sect Leader, so my presence may help smooth over any misunderstandings."

I had actually been planning to ask someone from the Circle to accompany me.

The future shown by the Heavenly Eye revealed that the Renewal Sect had been highly suspicious of my sudden arrival. Considerable persuasion had been required before they even permitted me to step onto their grounds. Xing Mei's relationship with their Sect Leader would spare us much unnecessary trouble.

"I was hoping someone from the Circle would join us," I said with a smile. "We shall depart as soon as everyone finishes their preparations. Return to the Steely Sky Sect, gather whatever you need, and come back as soon as you're ready."

She cupped her fists respectfully.

"I shall return without delay."

After Xing Mei departed, I began visiting everyone I wished to recruit for the expedition.

My first stop was Zhen Ai's tree house.

Inside, Tao Wolong stood obediently while Zhen Ai packed several travel necessities into her storage ring.

She gently rested a hand upon his head.

"Wolong'er, take care of yourself while I'm away. Behave yourself, and listen to Jia Ping. Don't cause her any trouble."

"I understand, Mother," Tao Wolong answered obediently.

Once our farewells were finished, we escorted him to Jia Ping's workshop. The young Chronicler welcomed him warmly, assuring us she would look after him until our return.

From there, I made my way toward Xuanwu's cave. The sly striker emerged in his humanoid form before I even had the chance to speak. "I already know why you've come," he said with a grin. "Of course I'm coming."

I laughed.

"I figured you'd say that."

My next destination was Old Crow.

The elderly crow was already feeding his murder when I found him beneath the branches of a towering tree. Hundreds of black crows watched me with bright, intelligent eyes.

“Old Crow, would you come with me on this journey to the Renewal Sect?” I asked.

"Sage," Old Crow said with an eager smile, "I've been hoping you'd let me join this journey. Of course, I'll come."

"You're more than welcome," I replied. "Bring your crows with you. I'd also like the Shadow Elementals to accompany us."

Old Crow's eyes brightened immediately.

"It shall be done."

I deliberately chose not to summon Hao Lei's subordinates who had formed contracts with crows or Shadow Elementals. I wanted our group to remain light and mobile. Besides, the Ignoble Sect had better use for its human resources than accompanying me across the continent.

Not long afterward, Xing Mei returned once more, though this time she was accompanied by several elders of her Steel Sky Sect and the Willow Order.

She bowed respectfully.

"Sage Wo Li, before we depart, I wish to send my son here for safety."

Li Qing stepped forward beside her and nodded in agreement.

"I share the same wish. I'd like to leave my granddaughter here as well, along with several elders of the Willow Order."

For a brief moment, I considered the implications.

Gathering so many Shén in one place carried undeniable risks. I glanced toward Mab. With her remaining behind to watch over the Hermit Sage Forest, that danger might as well not exist.

I turned to her with a grateful smile.

"I'll leave this place in your good hands. Take care."

Mab returned the smile without hesitation.

"You take care too."

With every arrangement finally falling into place, all that remained was to embark upon the journey toward the Renewal Sect and face whatever future awaited us there.