After the Primordial Era, humans began to awaken and have awareness of their true potential in cultivating. Within ten thousand years, they reached beyond the mortal realms and found the Heavens. Before becoming a genuine god, they must pass through the levels of mortals and immortals. The mortal realm has Body Training, Qi Refining, Qi Integration, Foundation Building, and Core Formation. As for the immortal realm, it has the levels of Nascent Soul, Nirvana, Celestial Life, and Celestial Death. Once one had taken control of their life and death, one will enter Ascension to Immortality.
The world of Wu had produced tens of immortals who ascended to immortality. The world became more prosperous until an 'unlucky' prick was born. It was Shen Mo, the founder of the Tao Supreme Sect. Because of his extreme inner and external luck, Shen Mo became the most powerful immortal of Wu. He refused to enter Ascension and enjoyed the carefree life of a founder. It is either Wu is unfortunate or not to have this shameless lazy immortal as its protector because the Will of Heaven started targeting them just to corner him!
Another perfect day arrived in Tao Supreme Sect. The disciples are striving hard to train the immortal arts. However, the sunny weather was suddenly blocked by ominous dark clouds. Tao Supreme Sect's prime elders felt their hair stand. Though they are almost as powerful as the sect leader, they are afraid of the damage this occurrence will bring.
"First Elder, is this the last for this month?"
"I don't think so. Heavens seemed to be so mad with our Founder. Fifteen supreme beings have been harassing the sect for a month."
"Wu Patriarch can handle it. Disciples, continue your practices!"
The students who paused then ignored the catastrophe. They are used to this experience. A thousand years ago, before the Founder of Tao Supreme Sect became the Wu Patriarch, he was caught off guard by a sudden Ascension. Everyone knew how lazy the Founder was and he doesn't even need much effort to become a god. However, he destroyed the tribulations and harnessed the Tao from it, only adding the Tao to strengthen his powers. He refused to become a full-fledged immortal.
It eventually angered the Will of Heavens. Thus, it sent more tribulations that even shook the World of Wu. In the end, the attempt failed. The Founder Shen Mo just became stronger than ever and the fiercest tribulation was nothing to him.
A thousand years later, the Will of Heaven gave up cornering him through tribulations. Instead, it embodied a woman almost alike with Shen Mo's face. She warned him that if he doesn't join Heaven, she will destroy the world. Shen Mo, who was unstoppable, ignored her and continued his daily routine. That was to sleep, eat and peep at beauties.
Will of Heaven was frustrated she sent powerful divine beasts to deal with the World of Wu. Fortunately, Shen Mo was there to protect them. Unfortunately, he didn't become a god so the Will of Heaven continued harassing the world.
That is the legend of the Wu Patriarch.
"It's so nice of you to visit me, Will of Heaven." Shen Mo spoke while pouring tea for two empty jade cups.
The door opened on its own and a petite girl in a thin white dress entered barefoot. She has an imposing but elegant aura, her beauty unparalleled and her eyes seemed to be the universe.
Will of Heaven scoffed in disdain but she still sat across him. Her fiery glare though never left his kind face.
"What did you bring this time?" Shen Mo calmly asked and sipped tea.
A thousand years of dealing with this stubborn Will of Heaven made him understand it better. Every time the Will of Heaven appears, that means menial trouble.
"Oh, nothing. Just the Sun God's Celestial Beast who's going to burn your sect to the ground." Will of Heaven revealed a sinister smile but her words completely shocked Shen Mo.
"What the hell?! You sent a Celestial Beast just to attack my sect?!" Shen Mo didn't bother to be polite with the Will of Heaven leisurely sipping tea in front of him.
"Hehe, will you give up now and enter Ascension so you can be the next Heavenly Emperor? That Celestial Beast is a strong phoenix. Its feathers are high-grade immortal materials that can be turned into a weapon." Will of Heaven asked with a cheeky smile. She will do her best to corner the hope of gods.
The ominous clouds became bright red and flaming stones were rapidly falling. The disciples were alarmed and the chilling supreme elders were stunned. This attack is not the same as the previous divine beasts. It's a hundred times powerful!
"Protect the sect! Someone notify Wu Patriarch!" First Elder Gu Cheng commanded. Something is wrong today. If they are not vigilant enough, the sect will receive heavy casualties.
Gu Cheng used sword lights to crush the meteors into rubbles. The constant flashing of sword lights attracted the main enemy. The Celestial Beast had formed a body of a man with tanned skin. His hair was fiery red and his eyes glowed orange. Phoenix-like feathers adorned his armor.
Without the need for a weapon, the Celestial Beast appeared before Gu Cheng. He didn't have enough time to react and the Celestial Beast grabbed his head.
Bam!
Gu Cheng was instantly thrown to the ground. If he wasn't a Celestial Life cultivator, he would have received severe injuries. Gu Cheng hastily healed himself and avoided combat against the Celestial Beast. His fellow elders are evacuating the feeble students from the battleground. He must stall more time for the Wu Patriarch. They also can't disturb the sect master who will soon enter the Peak Stage of Celestial Death.
"Does Wu Patriarch give a care for us at all?!" Gu Cheng thought and tried his best to lure the Celestial Beast out of the sect's core zone.
If the Wu Patriarch had ascended, this wouldn't have happened!
It was so foolish of them to believe his words when he said, "I, Shen Mo, will live to guard this world and die being its protector! Will of Heaven, you can't force me to become a god because I will belong to this realm forever!"
"Forever..."
That word haunted Gu Cheng's mind. He regretted cheering for Shen Mo that day. He must have been blinded by his survival instinct that he supported Shen Mo's decision!
"Die!" The Celestial Beast ran out of patience and pointed at Gu Cheng.
Feathers emerged out of nowhere that surrounded the Celestial Beast. In no time, the feathers became golden swords and were shot at Gu Cheng.
"Shit!" His pupils dilated, thinking it was the end. The sharp edge of the blade is about to reach his forehead but someone intervened.
A person in a dark cloak and white robes appeared. With just a hand, he was able to collect the glowing gold swords and stuffed them into his space ring. Gu Cheng can't be more familiar with this mysterious-looking man. Most people describe him as a man wearing a black cloak and white robes, his hair as white as snow, his face fair and young but his dark purple eyes are indifferent. Most importantly, he is often mistaken as a woman because of his feminine face.
This man is Wu Patriarch!
"Who are you?" The silent Celestial Beast finally spoke with its raspy and demonic voice.
No one other than Heavenly Immortals can dispel his attack as easily as that. Who on earth is this guy?
"Greetings esteemed Celestial Beast. I am Shen Mo, the founder of this sect, also known as Wu Patriarch." Shen Mo amiably waved his hand. No fear can be seen or heard from him. He can even smile so happily facing such a formidable foe. "I heard you are the precious pet of the Sun God and your feathers can be turned to a Celestial Weapon with its extreme concentration of Fire Dao. Amazingly, I got ten feathers of yours."
"Amazing?! It almost killed me!" Gu Cheng yelled in his head. Not only was Wu Patriarch lazy, but he can also be eccentric sometimes.
"I will let you see the true power of a Sun God's pet!" The Celestial Beast won't dare underestimate Shen Mo and turned into a majestic phoenix.
Will of Heaven had warned the Celestial Beast that one thousand years of providing Shen Mo a great source of Dao brought him immeasurable strength. He had killed a dozen of Divine Beasts in a blink. If the Celestial Beast is not careful, it might end up the same as them.
"Little Cheng, go back to the sect. If something wrong happens to you, my disciple will cause a rampage." Shen Mo turned to Gu Cheng. He snapped his fingers and Gu Cheng reappeared in the safest zone of the sect.
"Wu Patriarch... I will not regret being your supporter!" Gu Cheng nearly cried in gratitude for being saved. He forgot he just cursed Shen Mo a while ago...
"Now that it's the two of us, show me what a Celestial Beast is capable of." Shen Mo's carefree mood vanished. His rosy lips arched to a haughty smile and his purple eyes became sharp.
"Wu Patriarch, see you in your next lifetime!" The Celestial Beast rose on the horizon like a fiery beam formed from its beak.
Meanwhile, in Unfettered Villa within the Founder's Peak, Will of Heaven is enjoying the greatest tea of the human world. She can't help but sigh in satisfaction. Her mood changed when she felt the increase of Fire Dao in their surrounding.
"Heh, I gave you chances, Shen Mo. You are just so arrogant I got tired of being merciful." Will of Heaven muttered.
The Celestial Beast she brought is the strongest pet of the Sun God. Only high-ranking immortals can defeat it. Will of Heaven can almost taste victory that dreamy bubbles surrounded her.
Boom!
A loud explosion rang and strong gusts of wind blew in all directions. The doors, windows, and curtains around her waved in accordance. Will of Heaven smiled happily.
"Ah, my promotion, I can't wait, hee hee. Shen Mo will finally bow down and-"
Her words were interrupted when Shen Mo arrived across her. What's more shocking, he is unscathed!
The sweet taste of tea from her tongue became extremely bitter she wanted to spit it out.
"I thought you got tired of being lenient. Is this your strongest Celestial Beast in Heavens? A mere Celestial Death cultivator can defeat it without effort!" Shen Mo tossed a white pearl to the stupefied Will of Heaven.
Tonk!
The pearl hit her head but she didn't react. Shen Mo won't bother with her and explained, "I sealed the Celestial Beast in a space I created there. Thanks for the gift though, I appreciate it."
"Why the hell aren't you crippled yet?!" Will of Heaven banged her hand on the table while Shen Mo tried to fill another teacup for him. Unfortunately, the table was destroyed and he spilled the tea instead.
"Strange little weirdo, go back to where you came from. I told you millions of times I won't waste my moment in your realm." He kept his brows high and his eyes hooded as if judging the Will of Heaven.
If it was an ordinary Celestial Death cultivator, they will praise the Will of Heaven. But who is Shen Mo? He's the shameless and lazy Wu Patriarch.
"Humph! I will come back! Remember this, Shen Mo, I won't stop until you become a god!" The Will of Heaven angrily said and she stomped out of Unfettered Villa.
Shen Mo only smiled in bliss. His eyes glowed like stars when the Will of Heaven was gone. "Heehee. That phoenix sure is a blessing in disguise!"
"Damned Shen Mo. Why did the Great Dao create a monster like him? It can't be our universe is in danger that the Great Dao wants him to be our leader? Humph! He can easily defeat that phoenix. Speaking of which, I should check if it is healed." Will of Heaven was talking to herself on her travel upwards the Heavenly Realm. She took out the pearl Shen Mo gave her and checked the Celestial Beast. "Eh?! What is this bald chicken doing here?!"
It turns out, Shen Mo took all of its feathers for his sect's purpose. The Sun God will surely not forgive her...