Chapter 56: The Great Prophet’s Fortune

"Let me grant you some more fortune..."
The elder's voice echoed in their minds, and Gu Zhiping and Yun Yi were both bewildered, unable to fathom what luck they had stumbled upon today to receive such an opportunity.

Moments later, both dropped to their knees and spoke in unison, "Thank you, elder, for your gift. We humbly express our gratitude!"

In the Immortal Realm, kneeling was not a common gesture; clasping one's hands and bowing sufficed to show respect to a senior.
Yet the grace of imparted teachings was equal to the bond of master and disciple—even if one was not formally a disciple, the sentiment remained. Thus, the Great Prophet's words deserved such reverence.

Seeing their sensibility, the Great Prophet nodded with satisfaction. But in the corner of his eye, he spotted another youth standing dumbly in place, unmoving, picking his nose.

Shen Wan knew nothing of these customs. The last time he met Tian Xuanzi in the Ten Prisons Tower, the old man had explicitly recruited disciples, so performing the disciple’s rites made sense.
But now, was it necessary to kneel just for a bestowed fortune?
People from Earth didn’t do this; besides, whether this fortune was useful to him was still uncertain.

The Great Prophet stroked his beard, calming himself.
"Don’t be angry, don’t argue with children!"

After a moment of internal adjustment, he raised his hand and gently pointed at Yun Yi.

Yun Yi felt her body suddenly float, rising before the elder.
With another point, a golden light entered her mind. Yun Yi jerked her head up, her eyes shone like daylight, and spiritual energy surged throughout her body.

"Qingluan’s strand, myriad methods in one sect—child, your foundation is good, but your luck is average, and unless your fate changes, greatness will elude you. I bestow upon you the Hun Tian Ascension Technique: each day you cultivate, your spirit ascends a foot; in its minor stage, you command spirits; in its grand stage, you reach heaven!"

"Receive!"

The Great Prophet’s long beard rippled like waves; with a single finger, Yun Yi’s five senses burst forth with white light, shooting to the cave’s ceiling and shattering the surrounding ice threads.

The ice stars began to spin in reverse, swirling around her like cosmic halos.
This spectacle lasted nearly the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, when suddenly a wave of energy erupted from Yun Yi, scattering ice stars and shaking the earth.

Shen Wan was startled; although he couldn’t see Yun Yi’s transformation, he could see the swirling ice halos and marveled at them, but when the ground shook, he thought an earthquake had struck, quickly crouching in fear of falling.

Yun Yi still hovered in the air, her gaze regaining clarity. She exhaled a breath of turbid air and slowly lowered her head.

The Grand Elder smiled kindly, flicking his sleeve.
"Go."

Yun Yi’s body floated back to her original spot.

Sensing the changes within, she found the surrounding spiritual energy much denser, as if attracted to her—even without actively cultivating, she could feel it flooding into her body.

"This..."

Yun Yi was astounded. The Immortal Realm had many techniques, but the highest she’d learned was only of Earth rank. What she’d received today was akin to the Heavenly rank, no—perhaps even comparable to Immortal rank.

Now, she was truly an Absorption Body!

Gu Zhiping noticed as well, feeling the spiritual energy around him diminish.

Yun Yi gasped deeply, finally calming down. She looked at the elder once more.

"Thank you, elder, for your guidance. I am forever indebted!"

Another kneeling gesture, showing her sincerity.

The Great Prophet smiled faintly and turned to Gu Zhiping.

Seeing the elder's gaze, Gu Zhiping’s breath became rapid, his mouth agape—a sight reminiscent of something...

The Great Prophet raised his hand again, and Gu Zhiping’s body floated up to stand before him, just as Yun Yi had earlier.

"Hmm..."

The Great Prophet sensed Gu Zhiping’s foundation, deliberating over what technique to bestow, but after several moments of pondering, he said nothing.

Gu Zhiping looked at him, unsure what to do.

A breeze called awkwardness drifted through the air.

The cave was silent, everyone holding their breath, listening to the Great Prophet’s ‘hmm.’ No one dared speak.

At last, the Great Prophet sighed lightly.
"Child, your bloodline is not ordinary, yet your foundation is poor. Never mind, today I shall temper your body. Brace yourself!"

With that, the Great Prophet grabbed Gu Zhiping in his massive hand.

Gu Zhiping was terrified, unsure what was happening, when suddenly his body was wracked with agonizing pain as if his muscles and bones were being torn apart.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhh!"

His scream shook the cave, startling Shen Wan again.

"Damn! Did he... crush him?"

The Great Prophet did not clench his fist, only closed his eyes and manipulated his other hand over his chest, muttering something unintelligible.

The ordeal lasted almost fifteen minutes, with Gu Zhiping’s screams never ceasing.

Finally, Gu Zhiping stopped yelling—he had no breath left to scream.

His eyes stared vacantly at the ceiling, as if his soul had left him, limp in the Great Prophet’s palm.

The Great Prophet opened his eyes slightly and released his grip, sending Gu Zhiping back to Shen Wan with a push.

Gu Zhiping sprawled on the ground, chest heaving, gasping for air.

"Good, he’s alive."

Seeing this, Shen Wan exhaled in relief.

Yun Yi hurried forward to check on him, and upon inspection, gasped, covering her mouth.

"Heavenly-grade spiritual root?!"

This root was even stronger than hers.

The Great Prophet sighed again.
"I did my best."

Yun Yi stared at him blankly. If this was his best, what would Gu Zhiping have become if he’d done more? She dared not imagine.

Seeing Gu Zhiping lying on the ground, needing time to recover, the Great Prophet finally turned to the last youth.

Shen Wan felt that gaze and shivered.

"Boy, it’s your turn."

Hearing this, Shen Wan swallowed hard. Looking at Gu Zhiping on the ground, he stammered, lips trembling,
"Can I... not do this?"

"No!"

The Great Prophet, as if afflicted by compulsion, was determined to proceed. The first two had finished, and now this one wanted to refuse? Hmph, he would not allow it!

Shen Wan, frightened, trembled again. "Isn’t this old man a bit much? Forcing fortune on someone who doesn’t want it—why is he so eager?"

Shen Wan scanned the area for a place to hide; the only exit was the stone door behind him. He wondered if it was still possible to escape.

Just then, the Great Prophet uttered a soft "Hmm."

"Child, step forward so I may take a closer look."

As if he had discovered something, Shen Wan panicked, "Damn, has this old man found out my secret?"

He retreated two steps, searching for a chance to run.

Suddenly, the Great Prophet’s eyes flickered. He raised his hand and swept his sleeve toward the air, and the entire cave shifted as if the scene had changed. The icy cavern became shrouded in mist.

The environment seemed familiar; Shen Wan frowned, feeling he’d seen it before.

"You old rascal, hiding all this time just to watch me make a fool of myself?"

The Great Prophet stroked his beard, his voice resonating in the mist.

After a while, a spectral voice responded, distant yet close, impossible to discern.

"Old Ling, it’s been ten thousand years—how have you been? Hahaha!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Wan shuddered. That voice was all too familiar!