Unrivaled Comprehension: From Mortal to Immortal King

Outside the Scripture Hall, Old Sheep stood with an excited yet anxious heart, waiting.

He was deeply grateful to the senior in the Scripture Hall. If it weren't for their generosity in revealing the method to break through the Ninth Forbidden Realm, Old Sheep would have never been able to achieve his breakthrough and regain his youth.

Having practiced the sword his whole life, Old Sheep once thought that breaking through the Ninth Forbidden Realm would be a simple task for him. However, no one had anticipated that it would become his greatest adversary.

For hundreds of years, he had been trapped within the Ninth Forbidden Realm, and the relentless passage of time had dulled his once grand ambitions and fiery spirit, leaving him with nothing but a will to survive, drifting aimlessly.

The world had long whispered of the Feathered Gate's method to break through the Ninth Forbidden Realm, with rumors of celestial treasures hidden within. Many elders, like Old Sheep, who were trapped at the peak of the Eighth Forbidden Realm, had come seeking a glimmer of hope. He too came hoping to catch a lucky break.

The moment the Sword Sea fell, Old Sheep was deeply moved. The way Lin Jiufeng exuded such vigor reminded him of his younger self. When had he lost that spark? When did he become so different?

The pain of that realization stung, pushing him to act decisively when others were still hesitating. He was the first to enter the Sword Sea, burning his lifespan to gamble for a slim chance at life.

He refused to live on in such a pitiful state any longer. Even if he failed to find a way to break through the Ninth Forbidden Realm, he at least wanted to reclaim the person he once was.

Fortunately, he succeeded.

With his decades of swordsmanship, he struck down with the power of the Ninth Forbidden Realm and gained the breakthrough method.

In that moment of breakthrough, Old Sheep clearly sensed two overwhelming forces inside the Feathered Gate, radiating like the scorching sun, blinding and brilliant. These were the powers of the Ninth Forbidden Realm.

The Ninth Forbidden Realm was a stage for comprehending the Dao. Both Lin Jiufeng and Bai Yunfei had deeply grasped many aspects of the Dao, making their presence unmistakable. Unless they intentionally concealed it, there was no hiding their auras in the Feathered Gate.

Old Sheep knew that Bai Yunfei, the headmaster of the Feathered Gate, was at the Golden Peak Hall. He had already met him before.

So, he came to the Scripture Hall, knowing that the senior who had severed the Sword Sea was hiding here. Old Sheep wanted to express his gratitude in person.

Inside the Scripture Hall, upon hearing Old Sheep's voice, Lin Jiufeng stopped his cultivation. After a moment of thought, he walked out of his study and into the great hall. Brewing a pot of tea, he calmly said, "Come in."

Outside the Scripture Hall, Old Sheep heard Lin Jiufeng's voice and, overwhelmed with excitement, took a deep breath to calm himself. He quickly checked his appearance for any flaws before walking in.

Upon entering the Scripture Hall, he saw rows of neatly arranged bookshelves filled with ancient texts. The aroma of tea and books wafted through the air. In the center of the hall, a tall and handsome man dressed in white robes was brewing tea.

With a refined demeanor and a presence that radiated calm, every movement exuded the charm of the Dao, leaving Old Sheep in awe.

"Such is the demeanor of a celestial being," Old Sheep thought.

He approached respectfully and bowed. "Thank you, senior, for granting me the method to break through."

Lin Jiufeng, with a gentle smile, replied, "Your accumulation was already sufficient for the breakthrough. It was just a matter of opportunity. Now that the chance has come, you seized it yourself. This is your own effort; there's no need to thank me."

Old Sheep, deeply impressed, said, "Senior, your selfless act of revealing the method to break through the Ninth Forbidden Realm is an inspiration to all of us. I deeply admire you."

Lin Jiufeng smiled and invited Old Sheep to sit. "Would you like some tea?"

Old Sheep, thrilled, sat down carefully and said, "To drink tea brewed by senior is a rare honor."

Lin Jiufeng shook his head. "No need for flattery. Now that you've reached the Ninth Forbidden Realm, you and I are peers. There's no need to be so humble."

Old Sheep shook his head, sipping the tea. A sense of ease spread through him, and he sighed, "Even though I've broken through the Ninth Forbidden Realm, no matter how much I've gained, I still can't match the Sword Sea. The gap between us is like a chasm."

Lin Jiufeng took a sip of his tea and said softly, "The Ninth Forbidden Realm is about comprehending the Dao of Heaven and Earth. How you interact with the world is the key. Once you resolve that, the Sword Sea will be nothing."

Old Sheep nodded. "Thank you for your guidance, senior. This breakthrough to the Ninth Forbidden Realm is a great debt to the Feathered Gate. I wonder if there's anything I can do for the Feathered Gate in return?"

Lin Jiufeng shook his head. "The method for breaking through the Ninth Forbidden Realm was never intended for repayment."

Old Sheep immediately replied, "That won't do. I don't know what others will do after breaking through, but I, Old Sheep, have spent my life practicing the sword. I live with honor. I repay grudges and repay kindness. I've heard that Taishang Dao and the secretive Wen family have set their sights on the Feathered Gate. Though I am not worthy, I have broken through the Ninth Forbidden Realm and consider myself a force to be reckoned with. If you don't mind, I'd like to join the Feathered Gate as an elder, to fight for you and the Feathered Gate."

Lin Jiufeng was stunned, staring at Old Sheep in disbelief. He didn't expect the man to say such words.

A Ninth Forbidden Realm expert asking to join the Feathered Gate?

For the currently beleaguered Feathered Gate, this was a welcome turn of events.

Moreover, Old Sheep was a renowned swordsman, his strength undeniable. His joining would be a significant boost to the Feathered Gate's strength.

However, Lin Jiufeng still reminded him, "You know the situation of the Feathered Gate. We're likely to be squeezed out by both Taishang Dao and the Wen family. Joining now is risky."

Old Sheep laughed heartily. "Senior, you're underestimating me. I've been a solitary cultivator since the beginning. Over the past few hundred years, I've made both friends and enemies. Some I've defeated, some I had to flee from, but I've never been scared off."

"As for joining the Feathered Gate, I do so because, with you here, the Feathered Gate won't fall."

Old Sheep's gaze was steady, full of trust in Lin Jiufeng.

Lin Jiufeng smiled at Old Sheep's trust, and without further hesitation, he called for Bai Yunfei.

The Feathered Gate, in its current state, truly needed a Ninth Forbidden Realm expert like Old Sheep.

After all, the combined pressure from Taishang Dao and the Wen family made the situation precarious. The Feathered Gate lacked sufficient top-tier experts.

Soon, Bai Yunfei arrived, practically running into the Scripture Hall.

"Where's the Ninth Forbidden Realm expert?" His voice arrived before he did, and once he saw Old Sheep, his eyes lit up.

"Old Sheep, the number one swordsman of the past few centuries, a model for all solitary cultivators. Your swordsmanship is unparalleled, and you're truly terrifying. Welcome to the Feathered Gate. From this moment on, you are the Enforcer Elder, responsible for enforcing the gate's rules."

Bai Yunfei enthusiastically grabbed Old Sheep's hand, inviting him into the fold.

Old Sheep, slightly bashful, chuckled. "Master, do you trust me so easily? You're handing me such an important position right away?"

Bai Yunfei laughed boldly. "Right now, many are waiting for the Feathered Gate to fall. You joining is like a lifeline. Besides, who better to be the Enforcer Elder than a Ninth Forbidden Realm swordsman?"

"From now on, the three of us will be the three giants of the Feathered Gate. With three Ninth Forbidden Realm experts, I don't believe Taishang Dao and the Wen family will dare act recklessly anymore." Bai Yunfei said with a grin.