Perhaps Qing and Chi could do it too, but in their early years, they traveled through time by chance and arrived in the era of the Ancient God Clan. Because of their obsession with power, they transformed themselves into artificial Supremes.

As for Gu Jianlin, he is not human to begin with.

Only Taihua possesses this qualification.

Candle Light Division, Venerable Xi He!

"No, it’s not like that."

Taihua’s voice echoed in the silence like thunder.

Gu Jianlin’s silent eyes were illuminated by the sunlight, yet he felt no sting. The sound lingering in his ears wasn’t stern; instead, it was as gentle as a spring breeze.

Just like a distant nursery rhyme.

He remembered.

Back when he encountered a crisis on Penglai Fairy Island, his essence was nearly falling into demise, and the faint singing he heard suddenly made him unafraid.

No matter how dark the future was.

Or how fierce the wind and rain.

"I once thought that death was my end. I was prepared for betrayal by the world, prepared to be killed by my own student. It was the conclusion I chose for myself, my punishment for killing my husband. I bore the mission of protecting the world, sacrificing my life to end the curse of the Candle Light Divine Tree."

Taihua whispered: "In this way, I could willingly lay down the burden I’ve carried for more than four hundred years, with no regrets towards my ancestors, no regrets towards the sages of the past... except for owing this foolish child."

Even a woman as strong as her would feel heartache being betrayed by the world.

When the entire world wanted her dead, she felt lonely.

When tortured by the curse, she felt pain.

Luckily, there was you.

All this time, both Taihua and Qing Chi had been desperately trying to hide his identity, yet he himself revealed his divine power due to anger, fearless of the abyss or the flood.

Ultimately, that big boy fought valiantly through obstacles, pursued by Ascenders of the world, betrayed by the most intimate woman, yet he still braved thorny paths to stand before her.

At last, Taihua saw not the Eternal Fruit, but her salvation.

She could have taken the Eternal Fruit, and started anew as an ordinary person.

But as the saying goes.

Humans are the sum of all social relationships.

At that moment Taihua suddenly felt that restarting had no meaning.

Her husband was gone, her children were gone, and her old comrades mostly had died. Would living a vindicated life bring her joy after four hundred years as a Guardian?

Without those people, are you still yourself?

When you see that boy standing before you after hardships, how do you feel?

Does your promise to him still count?

Without power, how can you protect him?

If you’re gone, what happens if he’s bullied?

Thus Taihua stayed, in the strongest state.

She left her last vitality in the Candle Light Divine Tree and then fell into a slumber.

That Buddha Bead is the key to awaken her.

Just as she promised.

When you suffer great grievances.

When you cannot bear the unbearable weight of life.

When you are at your most desperate and helpless.

I will return.

In truth, Taihua had already glimpsed the resolution of the future before her death, and knew what the poor child would face. Still, she was overwhelmed by roaring anger... when she witnessed everything in the tree.

Her grief and anger also broke through the limit.

This planet finally responded to her will, granting her supreme power.

Taihua returned as Supreme.

Just as Gu Jianlin redeemed her.

In the end, Gu Jianlin was also redeemed.

Back then, he reclined under the Golden Tree for a nap, and when he woke up, he lost that elder.

Now he still reclined under the Golden Tree, about to fall into slumber again, but this time he knew clearly he would never awaken: "Grandmaster, I’m leaving."

Everything remained unchanged, as if they were still at their parting.

Except this time, it was him leaving.

Even if reluctant, powerless to turn back.

Moreover, this time he really wished to sleep.

Not a weary sleep, but a satisfied eternal slumber.

Gu Jianlin felt the warmth inches away but could no longer see the glowing woman before him. He couldn’t tell if he was crying or smiling, but at the end of life, he finally felt at peace.

"I don’t want you to die."

Grandmaster’s voice was still so fierce and domineering, filled with undeniable majesty.

Taihua raised her hand, placing it atop his head.

Like thunder and lightning.

Like a gentle breeze brushing the face.

This scene was much like the Zen legend’s initiation method.

Taihua was the world’s most devout believer of Buddhism, practicing it not for superstition but to find Zen and calm her mind.

Though no one knew what kind of enlightenment allowed her to teach the group of lunatics and madmen.

A resounding boom.

Gu Jianlin closed his eyes, his body enveloped by radiant light flowing like water over every inch of skin, seeping into organs and bones, nourishing his soul.

His shattered physique healed, his fractured soul reborn.

Magnificent spirituality burst forth, advancing to the Eighth Rank domain!

A heaven-defying act, a miracle never recorded in history.

Taihua showed no sign of fatigue, her solemn eyes filled with affection.

As if that were her child.

Blood kinship, soul connection.

"That is your authority, truly remarkable."

The Vermilion Bird Venerate did not stop the process, calmly saying: "Your birth makes Father God’s awakening nearly impossible. At least on Earth, he cannot awaken. So, if he can survive, it is also good, at least a resolution."

If it were a typical villain in a story, he should be hysterical, angrily roaring.

For the planning of billions of years being destroyed would cause anyone to collapse.

But for gods, this is nothing.

For he possesses infinite life, and can simply find another planet to start anew.

Earth is a miracle itself.

But amidst the vast universe, who can say there isn’t a second miracle.

The Candle Dragon Venerable merely hummed the song named ’Innocent yet Malevolent,’ as if wandering outside the world.

Taihua raised her right hand, the Heavenly Person’s Wedge fell into her hand, like a transparent and smooth jade Shariputra flowing with scorching light, yet devoid of Candle Light’s aura.

For it had become a Wedge belonging to the Seventh Supreme.

"You ambushed successfully the last time because I didn’t see through your identity back then, allowing you to stay by my side for so many years and learn so much."

She raised murderous phoenix eyes, word by word: "This time won’t be so easy."

The Supreme’s eyes suddenly transformed into burning suns, the spreading flames were wings spanning the earth, surging upwards into the sky, reaching the highest point of the world.

"For my rebirth, you indeed are my predecessor."

The Vermilion Bird Venerate knew she chose him as her opponent and replied calmly: "Please."

Amidst the cry of birds, the sky-darkening Vermilion Bird perched in the sky.

Taihua hovered at the utmost height of the sky, an ancient, formidable half-god illuminated half the sky, her eyes like burning torches, magma-like scorching light flowing, surrounded by ten sun-like stars, opening terrifyingly stern eye pupils.

That was her Mythical State.

Xi He!

And the path derived from her is called... Zen.

·

·

The Candle Dragon Venerable gazed at the two Supremes confronting in the Sky Dome, those charming enchanting eyes devoid of emotion, softly humming a song, walking barefoot on the burning ground.

Even though the boy under the tree was asleep, she had no intention to act.

Even if Xi He was born, she remained the strongest Supreme.

The Primordial has perished, yet she has her own means.

The withering Candle Light Divine Tree dropped endless ashes, and the ancient mighty Candle Dragon somehow perched on its corpse, entwining dragon bodies seemingly ready to devour it entirely.