"Hahahaha, good, you remember old me. It wasn't in vain that I gave you a念力种子 (nian li zhong zi - thought-force seed) back then."
Seeing this, Tian Suanzi immediately bowed and paid his respects,
"Disciple pays respects to Master. Disciple will never forget your grace in imparting knowledge back then."
Regardless, it was better to establish a connection first. If the other party could be persuaded not to invade the Lei Feng Realm out of師徒 (shi tu - master-disciple) sentiment, that would be even better.
Tian Zun nodded and looked at the crowd below,
"Alright, everyone, no need to be nervous. Not all outsiders are bad people, nor do they all intend to invade you. Did the six great immortals back then not leave you with vast wealth?
The people behind me are an army from the Five Elements Hall of the Immortal Realm. We have been ordered to defend the Lei Feng Realm and form a unified defense line with other cosmic planes. You no longer need to worry about demonic incursions.
They will not interfere with any internal affairs of the Lei Feng Realm. You continue cultivating as you always do; they will only be responsible for defending the Lei Feng Realm from external enemies.
You can simply establish a mountain stronghold in the Lei Di Hall for them to reside in."
Upon hearing this, the hearts of the crowd stirred. With the other party's strength, they could be crushed with one hand. There was absolutely no need for them to say so much, to establish connections, and to make guarantees.
Since they have arrived, let us make them welcome. Since the other party is not making a move, they will treat the newcomers as guests.
Xi Ren clasped his hands and said,
"Senior, please come into the hall for a chat. This junior has prepared some tea and a banquet. We hope you will do us the honor and allow us to fulfill our duties as hosts."
"No, old man. I will leave once my task is done. I don't have time to linger.
Let me introduce you first. The Five Elements Hall is the supreme leader of the Endless Righteous Plane. All plane universes must obey the commands and directives of the Five Elements Hall of the Immortal Realm.
These are the defense armies of the Five Elements Hall. They are different from the expeditionary forces; their primary responsibility is the defense of various plane universes. If you have any questions about your cultivation, you can also ask them."
As Tian Zun spoke, several cultivators flew over. With a wave of his hand, boxes were piled up on the entire square of the Lei Di Hall.
"These are gifts from our Five Elements Hall to you. They contain weapons, magical treasures, top-grade spirit stones, and some divine abilities and cultivation techniques.
Consider it compensation for our lack of aid to you over the years.
Do not blame us. We have been observing your universe all along. The reason we did not come was solely to test Wan Lei and Fang Xiaoyu.
Now that they have completed their trials, ascended to immortality, we must also complete this missing link in the defense line.
The invading enemies are also within your scope of应对 (ying dui - response). Of course, if truly demon gods or demon emperors invade, we will not stand idly by."
Upon hearing this, the crowd had no intention of complaining. After all, they had no obligation to help them. Now they were apologizing and giving gifts with a sincere attitude. They really had nothing to criticize.
"Thank you, Senior."
Although the crowd still harbored some wariness, since the other party had shown goodwill, they could not be foolish enough to rebuke them.
They were all shrewd individuals. Faced with an irresistible force, they knew how to preserve themselves.
Tian Zun laughed and looked at Tian Suanzi,
"Disciple, do you remember what you asked me back then, when you could go to the Immortal Realm with me? How did I answer you?"
Tian Suanzi thought for a moment and replied,
"You said back then, 'When the wind and thunder accompany each other, the day of tribulation and ascension to immortality will come...' "
Suddenly, Tian Suanzi was greatly shocked and blurted out,
"Could it be... 'wind and thunder accompanying each other' refers to Wan Lei and Fang Xiaoyu? And 'the day of tribulation and ascension to immortality' is this day when they defeated the demons, resolved the calamity, and ascended to immortality!"
"Yes. Master has come with a promise. Today, I will take you to cultivate in the Immortal Realm."
"Um... Master, does disciple dare to ask if you are... the legendary Sage?"
Tian Suanzi asked cautiously.
"What, you don't look up to me if I'm not a Sage? Not only am I a Sage, but I am also the first Sage of the Immortal Realm. I founded the Qi Refining school. Your current cultivation system and realms were all opened up by me. Da Feng Novel Network.
I have experienced three immortal-god wars, and then the righteous-negative immortal-demon wars. I have lived for hundreds of millions of years, making me the oldest antique in the Immortal Realm."
Everyone present gasped, never expecting this old man to have such a distinguished status.
"This time, I will not only take you, but also some young prodigies whom I will also take to cultivate in the Immortal Realm."
Tian Zun still had a smile on his face, his attitude kind. His gaze swept over the assembled crowd, as if selecting satisfactory junior disciples.
Among those present, the veteran powerhouses were fine, but the younger disciples were all at a loss.
Especially the young disciples like Wan Liuchuan, Liu Yuxin, and Qian Duoduo, who were renowned in the Central Region, were all somewhat bewildered.
What the hell is going on? Suddenly a Sage appears and wants to take us away? And to cultivate in the Immortal Realm?
Is this a joke?
Even His Majesty Lei Di didn't have such a great opportunity. How could it fall upon us? Are they trying to trick us?
In fact, if they knew that His Majesty Lei Di was personally cultivated by the Five Great Immortal Venerables and the Lord of the Ghost Realm, they would understand that their opportunity was nothing compared to His Majesty Lei Di's.
At this moment, Tian Zun's gaze swept over them one by one. They felt as if they had been stripped bare from the inside out, as if everything about them was completely transparent. Not only were they left without their underpants, but the very appearance of their souls was also completely clear to him.
After a moment, Tian Zun looked at Tian Suanzi,
"Disciple, are all the strongest young prodigies in your world here?"
Tian Suanzi was startled by the question. After a moment, he quickly nodded,
"Reporting to Master, the strongest prodigies in our Lei Feng Realm are Wan Lei and Fang Xiaoyu. Perhaps after we arrive at the Immortal Realm, we can call them over..."
Before Tian Suanzi could finish speaking, Tian Zun waved his hand,
"The Immortal Venerables have decreed that no one shall interfere with the two of them, not even me.
Master is only willing to take a few young disciples to cultivate in the Immortal Realm because this realm is rather special.
It's a pity, after looking for so long, only three individuals are quite satisfactory."
After speaking, Tian Zun pointed at Wan Liuchuan and Liu Yuxin,
"That pair of young couple is barely acceptable to follow old man. And that one, has some talent in alchemy. He's not old, and his aptitude is not shallow. He can also come with me.
When we get there, if you have the opportunity to enter the Five Elements Hall, it will be your great fortune. If the Five Elements Hall does not want you, going to my Tian Zun Pavilion is also a good option."
As soon as these words were uttered, Wan Liuchuan, Liu Yuxin, and Sui Xiaohang were all dumbfounded and backed away in succession.
Who the hell are you, to want to take people away just like that? What if you're a骗子 (pian zi - swindler)? We don't even have enough kidneys for you to harvest.