Inside the Heaven Monitoring Tower.
Dragon Lord gently stroked the Fate Gu, silent, tears streaming down his face.
The Fate Gu was shaped like a spider, colored in black and white. Its aura had once been feeble, bearing a crimson wound that had nearly sliced it in half. This was damage inflicted by Red Lotus Demon Venerable.
But now!
The crimson wound had vanished without a trace. The perfectly restored Fate Gu lay still, its aura healthy and vibrant.
Life and death are governed by fate; success and failure rest with the Heavens!
All things in the world have their own predetermined life trajectories, unalterable.
This is fate.
For the Heavenly Court, the Fate Gu represented far, far more.
Relying on the Fate Gu, as people's hearts shifted, Primordial Immortal Venerable led humanity to rise, and the Heavenly Court was founded!
Relying on the Fate Gu, Star Constellation Immortal Venerable schemed, and the Heavenly Court withstood the three great Demon Venerables!
Relying on the Fate Gu, Primordial Lotus Immortal Venerable carried on the legacy, and the Heavenly Court always maintained its seat as the number one Gu Immortal force under heaven, immovable, unshakable!
The Fate Gu, to the Heavenly Court, was never merely a Ninth Transformation Gu Insect — it was spirit, the banner that had always flown in the hearts of generation after generation of Heavenly Court Gu Immortals!
"How many years... how many years has it been..." Dragon Lord murmured to himself.
The surging of his heart gradually subsided.
Dragon Lord no longer trembled with excitement. He felt as though a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
Yes, a great weight lifted!
Unlike most of the Heavenly Court's Gu Immortals, repairing the Fate Gu held far deeper meaning for Dragon Lord.
Because the one who had damaged the Fate Gu was none other than the disciple he had carefully nurtured!
In other words, he too was one of those who had harmed the Fate Gu!
For years upon years, Dragon Lord had carried the weight of guilt. To repair the Fate Gu, to atone, to repent, he had risked his life, activating the Dragon Imperial Ascension killer move.
Even during his slumber, he had been restless, consumed by dread.
"Can I truly repair the Fate Gu completely?"
"I must repair it — I must!"
"Otherwise, how can I face the other two Lords? How can I face the common people? How can I face the generations of Heavenly Court juniors? How can I face this grand way of humanity?!"
These were the voices that had echoed in Dragon Lord's heart for years on end.
And now, Dragon Lord had finally done it!
"It was not just me — it was thanks to all my fellow Daoists! Every sacrifice was worth it." A smile appeared on Dragon Lord's face, filled with deep gratification.
At this moment, his dragon horns had been broken off, his hair hung loose, and his entire body was bathed in blood.
His injuries were severe. More terrifying still, his lifespan was nearly spent.
He was about to die completely, with not even a shred of soul remaining.
In these final moments of his life — though not the happiest he had ever felt — they were absolutely the most relaxed, the most liberated.
And so, naturally, he felt tired.
Tired.
Utterly exhausted.
Body and mind, both drained.
Years of torment, the burden in his heart finally lifted, the explosive battle, the wounds on his body — all of it left him utterly spent.
"I really wish I could just rest for a while." Dragon Lord's breathing slowed, his dragon eyes deep as the sea, brimming with emotions that were infinitely complex and profound.
He slowly withdrew his hand, cast one last lingering glance at the Fate Gu, and then slowly turned around.
His gaze pierced through the Heaven Monitoring Tower, sweeping across the battlefield.
There was still fighting, but the Calamity Fate Altar had already retreated far into the distance.
"It's time to end this... this great battle." Dragon Lord drew a deep breath, his voice suddenly rising to carry across the entirety of the Heavenly Court. "Eternal Life — you think you can simply retreat like this? Heh, aren't such thoughts a bit too naive?"
Dragon Lord controlled the Heaven Monitoring Tower, slowly ascending into the sky.
This Immortal Gu House, renowned across the Five Regions, was now a true Ninth Transformation Immortal Gu House!
Under the gazes of every Gu Immortal in the Heavenly Court, the Heaven Monitoring Tower began to radiate brilliant light that pierced the heavens, like a sovereign descending upon the battlefield.
Heaven Monitoring Tower, Heaven Monitoring Tower!
It would monitor all under heaven, align with the will of the Heavens, and carry out justice on their behalf!
"This is the true Heaven Monitoring Tower!"
"How many years... it has finally reappeared..."
"I am truly fortunate to have witnessed such a sight in my lifetime."
Countless Heavenly Court Gu Immortals wiped their misty eyes. In this moment, many had reached the end of their lives, yet they wore smiles of profound satisfaction.
"Retreat —!" Bing Saichuan's voice came out hoarse and strained.
Even for the valiant Eternal Life, their retreat now showed signs of panic.