Chapter 144: In the Limelight
Both of the immortal kings' mentors uttered similar words; they seemed casual and offhand. However, as a direct descendant of the Immortal King, Heng Jin understood their significance.
Whether in the Primordial Ancient Realm, the Immortal Domain, or even in the alien domains, only a king-level being would take on an apprentice so freely, unless exceptionally fond of them. Otherwise, disciples would not be allowed to enter the king's seclusion grounds at whim.
Typically, outside the Immortal King's seclusion, a mighty guardian beast would stand watch. Without the king's permission, any creature intruding upon the domain during seclusion would be mercilessly slain by this ancient beast. Only direct immortal descendants of the king could send messages inside under special circumstances, such as when significant events impacting the Immortal King occur.
Who would dare disturb an Immortal King's silence otherwise?
Yet, Luo Mo and the Five Elements Immortal King granted Heng Jin unimaginable privileges, allowing him to enter their abodes anytime without prior notice or consulting anyone.
Such treatment, even if one's heart were as cold as iron, would surely be moved.
After bidding farewell to Luo Mo, Heng Jin stepped out from the Immortal King's dwelling, unable to suppress a long sigh from within, experiencing firsthand what it means to be torn.
It was hard to imagine how he should face it if, in the future, these two mentors became the executioners of the Primordial Ancient Realm.
His heart was not cold, nor icy, but warm, full of blood and flesh.
The saying 'Repay even a small drop of kindness with a spring of gratitude' was not spoken lightly.
At this moment, Heng Jin's mind raced, thinking of how to achieve the best of both worlds. People always dream of not having to make choices when faced with dilemmas, wishing they could choose everything.
But often, it's beyond one's control.
After much contemplation, he concluded that he must become stronger!
When that day comes, without strength, he could only watch helplessly as everything unfolds, powerless to change a thing.
Only with sufficient strength can one interfere with the course of history and alter the destinies of certain individuals.
With this realization, his gaze sharpened, and his steps grew more resolute.
Just as he exited Luo Mo's dwelling, he was met with an unfamiliar gaze, tensing his entire body as if a primordial beast had locked its eyes on him.
Fortunately, the feeling vanished like snow melting instantly in the next moment.
The source of the gaze was a lazy ancient beast, its body covered in dark green scales, resembling a qilin but slightly different, possessing three spiked tails resembling a crocodile's.
Upon recognizing Heng Jin, the ancient beast lost interest, its slightly raised head dropping immediately, and its three tails gently scraping against the ground, sending sparks flying.
“An immortal ancient beast.”
Heng Jin wasn't surprised. It was common practice for every Immortal King to have a trusted being guard the entrance of their cave abode.
In the past, it was the Chaos Immortal Vine that had guarded his father's cave, not only watching over Wang Gen's abode but also the entire Wang family's immortal estate.
Unfortunately, it was devoured by the Origin Blood Curse, its life extinguished, returning to chaos.
Heng Jin shook his head, paying no heed to the immortal ancient beast as he walked straight outside.
Before long, he left the Luo Mo Cave's domain, the area protected by the immortal ancient beast.
He arrived at the dwelling place of the Luo clan beings, where the landscape was breathtaking, with clear mountains and flowing rivers. Fields of medicinal herbs radiated with brilliance, their fragrance thick in the air. Numerous divine herbs swayed enticingly, among which were the rare ancient immortal medicines equivalent to elixirs of immortality.
In the distance, several peaks stood tall, crowned with clusters of mighty ancient halls, imposing and majestic. These served various purposes, some as scripture halls, others as armory halls, and still others as places of cultivation for the emperors' race.
Usually, not many people resided here, as the dominant bloodline of the emperors' race made it difficult to produce offspring, resulting in very few core members. Only the core members could reside near the Luo Mo Cave, while those with slightly diluted bloodlines had to live on the outskirts.
However, at this moment, a group of beings stood gathered there, evidently awaiting Heng Jin. Among them were men and women, old and young, all greeting Heng Jin as he approached.
Heng Jin did not dare to slight them, immediately returning their greetings. These were the most core members of the Luo clan, pure in blood, and among them were esteemed immortals and supremes.
The reason the Luo clan's core members had gathered was to see for themselves the newly accepted disciple of their progenitor—a human who had miraculously defeated Qing Wu of the Devouring Emperor Clan, capturing the favor of not one, but two immortal kings, one accepting him as a formal disciple and the other as a registered disciple. Such an occurrence was unprecedented in the long history of the Outer Realm.
In recorded history, which immortal king had ever been willing to share his disciple? More importantly, what kind of prodigy could compel two immortal kings to compete for apprenticeship rights?
Heng Jin achieved this feat, his extraordinary talent reverberating through ancient and modern times, making his name resound throughout the Outer Realm.
Meeting him in person now, it was evident that this human youth was exceptional, exuding an extraordinary aura while displaying eloquence and humility interwoven with an indomitable grandeur. Even the descendants of the emperors' race felt somewhat inadequate in his presence.
Within the crowd was a youth named Luo Yi, similar in age to Heng Jin, who possessed outstanding talent and limitless potential, previously confident and determined to reach immortality.
Yet now, after meeting Heng Jin, Luo Yi became acutely aware of the gap between them, unable to suppress his admiration.
After a round of exchanges, Heng Jin bid farewell to the Luo clan's core members and departed. This meeting had served to break the ice, making future visits less daunting.
Shortly thereafter, he encountered the peripheral members and chatted with them for a while.
Finally, Heng Jin emerged from the ancestral land of the Luo clan and headed toward the War God Academy. As soon as he got close, the people of the academy recognized him and began loudly calling out his name. Word spread rapidly among them, from ten to a hundred...
Soon, all nine hundred and ninety-nine students had gathered, and with Heng Jin, they numbered precisely one thousand.
Among them were familiar faces like the eight-armed youth and the royal member Ziye from the Purple Lightning clan, standing out prominently.
As the group of students saw Heng Jin, they all crowded around him with expressions of excitement, including not only the young students who had joined with him but also seasoned students on the verge of attaining supreme status.
They were all thrilled by Heng Jin's glorious achievement of powerfully suppressing the imperial successors during the battle of Xia Abyss.
Defeating the imperial clans was an incomparably distant aspiration for them, something unachievable in their lifetimes. Yet today, Heng Jin had accomplished it, and attending the same academy as him was naturally an honor.
"He... has already reached the Great Perfection stage of Refining Organs?" the startling realization of Heng Jin's current level left the eight-armed youth astounded.
He recalled when Heng Jin first came to the War God Academy, he hadn’t even completed the phase of refining Qi and relied solely on his physical strength to fight others. Who would have thought in the blink of an eye he’d reach such heights?
Previously, the eight-armed youth could still compete with him, but now, that was no longer possible.
Ziye from the Purple Lightning clan also marveled at how swiftly this being had risen, leaving others far behind, erasing any drive to catch up. He felt fortunate for his earlier decision to concede; had he been more stubborn, he might be on the path of reincarnation by now.
The academy students present congratulated Heng Jin one after another. The battle at Xia Abyss had made him famous throughout the ancient world, now known by all.
However, what they didn't know was that Heng Jin was no longer a student of the War God Academy; he had become a disciple of the Immortal King. Otherwise, they wouldn't dare to approach so casually.
"Thank you."
"Eh? Did Heng really come out from the Luo clan's ancestral land? He must have been summoned by the Luo clan and received numerous rewards.
To be favored by the imperial clan, Heng’s future is boundless and truly envious," a youth from the royal family lamented.
The surrounding beings echoed this sentiment. Their purpose in coming to the War God Academy was to establish relations with the imperial clans, knowing their ancestral founders are immortals. Cultivating in their clans wasn’t much inferior to training at the academy.
"Yes, I was summoned by the imperial clan," Heng Jin nodded with a smile.
"Were you fortunate enough to meet the Immortal King?" someone inquired.
Heng Jin nodded slightly.
Those around him inhaled sharply. For a mortal being to have the honor of meeting the Immortal King Luomo, it was an esteemed glory indeed.
"Master Luo Mo, please have mercy and accept me as your student," Heng Jin's unexpected words left the academy students in shock.
They all thought they must have misheard—had this prodigy of humanity truly become the disciple of the Immortal King Luo Mo?
Given the gravity of the situation involving the Immortal King, no one dared to joke about it. In other words, Heng Jin was speaking the truth, and he was now a disciple of the Immortal King.
Those present immediately looked at Heng Jin with newfound respect and deep reverence.
The status of a disciple of the Immortal King was unimaginably prestigious, far above their level.
Subsequently, Heng Jin could distinctly feel the shift in the attitudes of those around him, even the young member of the Eight-Armed Race who had previously been relatively friendly now treated him with deference. This was unavoidable in a realm where the hierarchical system was so rigid and a great chasm of power had opened between them, making their past camaraderie no longer possible.
Not long after, Heng Jin left with an immortal from the War God Academy, heading to an ancient hall.
The place was filled with shadows—Supremes and immortals—virtually the entire upper echelon of the War God Academy was present, including Gu Mo who followed closely behind Luo Mo and Heng Jin.
"How are you, senior?" Heng Jin immediately approached with concern upon seeing Gu Mo.
In his early, modest days, Gu Mo was the first being to invest in him, enabling Heng Jin to cultivate the immortal scriptures and quickly rise to prominence, later protecting him. Heng Jin felt deep gratitude and refused to become estranged from Gu Mo.
Seeing this, Gu Mo appeared gratified, feeling that his efforts to protect Heng Jin had not been in vain.
"No need to worry, I'm much better," he replied with a smile.
Gu Mo then asked, "Is what you said earlier true? Did Master Luo Mo accept you as his disciple?"
Hearing this, the surrounding immortals all turned their attention, clearly interested.
Heng Jin confirmed it with a nod.
"Yes, not only am I Master Luo Mo's disciple, but I'm also a registered disciple of Master of the Five Elements," he added.
"What? Both ancient patriarchs have become your masters?" An immortal exclaimed, unable to contain his shock.
Heng Jin nodded.
Upon receiving confirmation, the immortals and supremes exchanged amazed glances. The War God Academy had truly nurtured a prodigy of unparalleled talent, attracting the favor of two great ancient patriarchs—truly unimaginable.
Even the immortals' attitudes had subtly shifted.
They not only equated Heng Jin with themselves, but also harbored a trace of respect for him. Given the present circumstances, it seemed inevitable that Heng Jin would achieve kingly status in the future.
The immortals had faith in the foresight of the Immortal King.
Amidst the congratulations of the immortals and supremes, Heng Jin expressed his gratitude one by one.
Only Gu Mo did not step forward. Standing quietly at the back, with a genuine smile, he sincerely rejoiced for Heng Jin's success.
“At this moment, your name resounds throughout the ancient realm, shining bright with unparalleled glory. Remember, all this rests upon your formidable strength. Do not become arrogant or complacent, lest you squander your bright future.
Before you become a king, all praise is but hollow words. I hope you keep this in mind.” Gu Mo conveyed in a warning tone.
Heng Jin nodded solemnly.
In times of glory, countless praises are less valuable than a single warning. The path of cultivation has always been fraught with danger, and though everyone claimed he could become an Immortal King, until it happened, such talk was mere illusion.
Once the immortals and supremes dispersed, Heng Jin and Gu Mo walked side by side along the paths of the War God Academy.
Suddenly, Heng Jin took out a storage artifact filled with a vast amount of cultivation resources, enough to make any powerful family envious.
“If it weren't for the Four-Armed Tribe taking me in, teaching me their ancient scripts, languages, and cultivation methods, and sending me to the War God Academy, I would likely still be surviving primitively in the wilderness. I am very grateful for this.
These are a token of my appreciation, please have Gu Mo convey them on my behalf.”
Gu Mo nodded at his words, taking the storage artifact, he then said: “In fact, our War God Academy should also thank the Four-Armed Tribe for sending us such an exceptional prodigy. Leave it to me; you may focus on your secluded training.
Once you have reforged the first three realms, your strength will undergo a monumental transformation. Even heirs of the emperors will look up to you.”
Although Gu Mo was an immortal with far superior cultivation, Heng Jin's status had evolved. To help with something like transferring the storage artifact was something Gu Mo was more than happy to do, as he saw it as a gesture of their close relationship.
“Well then, thank you, Immortal Gu Mo.”
“Haha, it's a small matter, really.” Gu Mo waved his hand.
He understood clearly that once Heng Jin became an immortal king, their relationship would become his strongest reliance.
Among immortals, one who is closely connected to the Immortal King naturally holds more strength than others.