Feng Ting pondered for a while, looking towards Moonlight, noticing the hope in her eyes, he furrowed his brow:
"Moonlight, are you..."
"Feng Ting, you should not interfere with what I want to do."
Moonlight Immortal Ancestor's smile slightly faded, and she spoke solemnly:
"The Heavenly Destiny True Spirit may recognize bloodline, but I do not. My time left is not much; I only want to do things that please me. Chu Zheng, I will protect him. Before I die, you must not harm him."
Feng Ting took a deep breath but ultimately did not say more, only letting out a sigh:
"I hope what you do today is right and won't lead to regret in the future."
Regarding Moonlight's nature, he understood well; if he disagreed, she would turn against him immediately.
"Done is done, what is there to regret."
Moonlight Immortal Ancestor turned directly, her expression cold: "As for after my death, let the floods come!"
Under the blazing sun of the Golden Crow, the sea of clouds surged into waves, forming a dazzling golden sea, lifting the inverted fairy palace.
With the ups and downs of the clouds, cold light gleamed atop the white jade immortal steps.
Chu Zheng ascended the steps, his footsteps slightly heavy, exhaustion evident between his brows.
The fairy palace's great door opened itself, immortal qi rolling out, reflecting a rainbow-colored glow.
Chu Zheng walked in slowly, bowed respectfully:
"Chu Zheng, pays respect to Moonlight Immortal Ancestor."
Moonlight Immortal Ancestor nodded slightly, raising her hand.
Chu Zheng felt a loosening at his waist, as the pale blue Monitoring Jade Order was taken into Moonlight Immortal Ancestor's hand.
In the next instant, divine radiance burst forth from the Monitoring Jade Order, like a rising sun, spreading myriad golden rays, and in the blink of an eye transforming into a dazzling Gilded Token, with 'Immortal' on the front and 'Punishment' on the back.
Moonlight Immortal Ancestor raised her hand to return the token to Chu Zheng, speaking softly:
"Now that you have become a Great Immortal Venerable, you are qualified to advance to Heavenly Judge. From today onward, you are the Heavenly Judge of the Punishment Authority, within the Immortal Domain you have the power to enforce judgments in the Great World Heavenly Dao. If you encounter lawlessness, you may act first and report later on behalf of the Punishment Authority."
Great Immortal Venerable?
Looking at the Heavenly Judgment Order before him, Chu Zheng felt a slight confusion, but through careful sensing, he finally realized.
Unknowingly, his Immortal Path Cultivation had advanced further, stepping into the Realm of Great Immortal Venerable, with an additional Immortal Mark in the Ancestor Blood within him.
Most of his attention was drawn by the memories in the Heart Burning Corridor, leaving him unaware for a time, presumably receiving benefits therein.
"Thank you, Immortal Ancestor, for your support."
Chu Zheng put away the Heavenly Judgment Order, his mind calm.
For him, the identity within the Punishment Authority was insubstantial; only cultivation was fundamental.
"You crossed the Heart Burning Corridor this time, causing quite a stir in the Great Immortal Realm. Thereafter, many clans may try to win you over. Do not bother with them, nor fear offending people; reject all offers, I will handle the aftermath for you."
"The junior understands." Chu Zheng nodded in agreement, he had no desire to deal with the trivial matters from all sides, with Moonlight Immortal Ancestor holding back, it couldn't be better.
"After you leave the Great Immortal Realm, try not to go anywhere else, head straight to the Boundary."
Moonlight Immortal Ancestor's expression slightly darkened, she spoke solemnly: "In Martial Hall, your portrait has already caused an uproar, try not to reveal your true appearance, or I fear Fu Pinglan, that mad dog, will bite."
"Thank you, Immortal Ancestor, for the advice." Chu Zheng's heart sank; he indeed initially planned to make a trip to the Chaos Sea's outskirts to retrieve his avatar, but seeing Moonlight Immortal Ancestor's words, it seems now unadvisable.
Currently, Moonlight Immortal Ancestor is his only support; acting in defiance would not be beneficial to him, it's best to heed advice.
Now that he is free of Tribulation Qi, he is unable to predict sudden dangers, and must act with greater caution.
After a long silence, Moonlight Immortal Ancestor finally spoke:
"My time is nearing its end."
Upon hearing this, Chu Zheng was momentarily stunned, his heart immediately tense. At this critical juncture, if something happened to Moonlight Immortal Ancestor, it would likely be difficult for him to escape alive.
"There is a major tribulation destined in my life, at most I have four or five hundred years."
Moonlight Immortal Ancestor's demeanor was extremely calm, as if discussing someone else's matter, showing no emotional fluctuation:
"This tribulation, I cannot overcome, I suspect it may be related to the Dao War."
Before Chu Zheng could speak, Moonlight Immortal Ancestor continued: "Should anything happen to me, I hope you will inherit this half of Heaven's Fortune in the Immortal Path, provided you can become the Immortal Emperor within four or five hundred years."
"Immortal Ancestor, this..."
Chu Zheng's expression slightly changed; he never expected Moonlight Immortal Ancestor truly valued him to this extent.
Half of Heaven's Fortune, this is the ladder to the ancestors, enough for countless Immortal Emperors to fight over.
"I have no clans behind me, this half of Heaven's Fortune has been eyed by various clans in the Immortal Path for a long time. Rather than giving them a chance, I might as well leave it to you."
Moonlight Immortal Ancestor slightly shook her head, sighing:
"I originally wanted to leave it to Shang Cangyun, but now it seems, you have far more promise."
Dual cultivation in both paths, yet able to maintain such progression speed, Chu Zheng's potential surpasses Shang Cangyun too much.
Chu Zheng remained silent; he did not rashly refuse, half of Heaven's Fortune is not something he can push back and forth. The ultimate decision depends on Moonlight Immortal Ancestor herself.
Moreover, this half of Heaven's Fortune might very well be his sole chance of turning things around in the future.
"Do not worry too much; the situation will be unpredictable by then, you and I cannot foresee it at the moment."
Moonlight Immortal Ancestor glanced at Chu Zheng, noticing the exhaustion he could not hide between his brows, she raised her hand to release a ray of Immortal Light:
"Rest peacefully for a while, after waking, you can leave the realm."
Immortal Light like mist, swiftly blended into Chu Zheng's brow, and suddenly, he felt a strong wave of drowsiness surging, his eyelids seemed weighed by a thousand jin, his Qi Strength ebbed away like the tide, his knees softened, making him fall towards the ground.