"I truly didn't expect you all to reach the Great Sage realm in such a short time!" Lu Fan smiled. "This way, even if I'm forcibly bound by the Heavenly Dao and compelled to ascend to the Heavenly Realm, you can all come with me!"
"We're not like you!"
The Young Master of the Tao Family shook his head. "You are no ordinary person, which is why you are bound by the Heavenly Dao. We are merely ordinary Great Sages. Even at the Great Sage realm, it will likely take a long time for us to truly ascend!"
"Brother Tao, why be so modest!"
Lu Fan shrugged. "With your talent, you are destined to walk the Great Dao one day. This is an unchangeable trend!"
The Young Master of the Tao Family smiled slightly. "I hope so!"
After receiving the baptism of heaven and earth, Hu Xian'er's figure arrived at Martial Emperor City. She appeared full of energy, with a bright light flashing in her eyes. "I never imagined I could break through to the Great Sage realm so quickly. With this, my Desolate Ancient Hu Family can finally boast a Great Sage!"
"Looking at you, are you planning to revitalize the family?" Lin Fan teased.
"I don't have that many ambitions. I just want to cultivate properly and, like you, ascend to the Heavenly Realm!" Hu Xian'er said solemnly.
Lu Fan nodded slightly at her words. "With your current strength, you cannot yet tear through the spatial rifts. It will likely take some time to enter the Heavenly Realm. I had wanted to go with you, but it seems I cannot wait any longer!"
"What do you mean by that?"
Hu Xian'er's expression changed slightly, a bad premonition suddenly dawning on her.
At the same time, the aura around Lu Fan could no longer be suppressed. His entire figure slowly rose into the air, exuding a powerful presence.
Seeing this scene, the Young Master of the Tao Family was slightly surprised. "Brother Lu is about to ascend?"
"I've stayed in Martial Emperor City for a hundred years, and I've suppressed myself for a hundred years. Unfortunately, the power of the Heavenly Dao is too strong. Despite my best efforts to resist, there's nothing I can do," Lu Fan said with a wry smile.
Upon hearing this, the Young Master of the Tao Family felt a sense of helplessness. He truly wished he could ascend to the Heavenly Realm with Lu Fan, but his strength was ultimately insufficient.
"Are you really leaving?"
Hu Xian'er stood frozen, a sense of loneliness in her eyes. She didn't want Lu Fan to leave, but the situation had reached this point, and it was difficult to resist the power of the Heavenly Dao.
"When you get to the Heavenly Realm, you must contact me!" Lu Fan said. "I'll scout the way for you first!"
Hu Xian'er nodded solemnly. "Don't forget me! I will always remember you, and I will cultivate diligently to one day follow in your footsteps!"
As she spoke, Hu Xian'er couldn't hold back her tears. A solemnity filled her eyes. Lu Fan's departure brought her an indescribable pain.
Observing the scene, the Young Master of the Tao Family's expression also turned serious. He didn't say anything more. This was all fate, and they could not stop it. However, Lu Fan's ascension might not be a bad thing.
At least in the Heavenly Realm, he could continue to grow and achieve the supreme Great Dao, which was also their goal in embarking on the path of cultivation.
Across the entire human race, people looked up at the sky. A rift had opened in the heavens, and Lu Fan was heading towards it.
"Great Sage Lu is ascending! Great Sage Lu is ascending!"
The people of the human race finally reacted, shouting out. Their eyes were filled with reluctance. Lu Fan was like a god in their eyes. Without him, the entire human race would likely have perished long ago. Therefore, in their hearts, Lu Fan had long become a guardian deity. Now, with Lu Fan ascending to the Heavenly Realm, it naturally stirred many emotions.
"Great Sage Lu, journey well! We thank you!"
The people of the human race knelt down, gazing towards the heavens with excitement. Perhaps their faith in Lu Fan had reached an insurmountable level, which was why they were so solemn.
Hu Xian'er stood to the side, watching everything silently, tears sliding down her cheeks. Her feelings for Lu Fan were something she dared not express until now, only able to bury them deep in her heart.
Many Desolate Ancient families and Holy Lands also watched, their hearts touched. The young man from the past had actually broken through the calamity of heaven and earth and ascended directly to the Heavenly Realm, a dream unattainable for so many.
Elder Wuming and Elder Bandao stood on the mountaintop, looking at the scene with sighs of emotion.
"I truly never imagined that this kid, in less than a hundred years, could no longer suppress the power of the Heavenly Dao and was about to ascend to the Heavenly Realm!" Elder Wuming sighed. "We old geezers have been Great Sages for thousands of years, yet there's still no sign of ascension. It's truly a case of comparing people to death!"
"You can't say that. We are different from him after all!" Elder Bandao smiled. "After all, we have a conviction in our hearts, which is to protect the human race. Moreover, after the great battle a hundred years ago, we burned our vital blood, making ascension to the Heavenly Realm even more hopeless!"
"Ascending to the Heavenly Realm is nothing to me!" Elder Wuming waved his hand. "It's just that I won't be able to see the Dean anymore, which makes me feel a bit emotional!"
Elder Bandao stood there stunned and also sighed. This was indeed a touching moment for them.
They had been raised by the Dean since childhood, even learning martial arts from him, which allowed them to reach the Great Sage realm and manage the Central Continent Academy. Unfortunately, ever since they took over the Central Continent Academy, the Dean had never reappeared, leaving them with a sense of melancholy.
After Lu Fan had completely ascended, the entire human race returned to peace. Cries echoed through the crowds. The people were reluctant to see Lu Fan leave, but there was nothing they could do. Lu Fan's image was deeply etched in their hearts.
"We respectfully invite the Young Lady to return to the Hu Family!"
Outside Martial Emperor City, a voice rang out. Several figures stood outside the city, each exuding a powerful aura and a fierce demeanor, with golden light flashing in their eyes.
They knew that Hu Xian'er had broken through to the Great Sage realm, which was a momentous occasion for the entire Hu Family. Among all the Desolate Ancient families, only the Tao Family and the Hu Family had Great Sages. This meant that these two families would prosper in the future, surpassing many other families, and even many Holy Lands would have to bow down to them.
"When did I say I would return?" Hu Xian'er asked, looking towards the elder.
"The Young Lady has broken through to the Great Sage position and should return to the family to pay respects to the ancestors and proclaim to the world that the Hu Family has a Great Sage!" the elder said, cupping his fists.
"As a dignified Great Sage, do I need to take orders from you?"
Hu Xian'er's voice was cold as she stared directly at the elder.
"I dare not!"
The elder was slightly startled and quickly cupped his fists.