Chapter 260: The Struggle for Golden Ascension
Chapter 260: The Struggle for Golden Ascension
Within the secluded chamber, Suo Huan’s robes billowed as he stood motionless, his amiable smile fixed like a mask that never wavered—not even as he moved his hands in ritual.
“Gratitude, fellow cultivator,” he said, his voice calm.
As Miao Yin’s True Man projection appeared before him, fleeting memories stirred in Suo Huan’s mind—the clandestine meeting in the Overseas Dominion with True Monarch Zengcai Qiluo, shadows darkening his expression.
Bargaining with tigers… but I had no choice.
As an outsider from the celestial realms, without a True Monarch as patron, my only hope of golden ascension lies in securing the silent approval of these sects’ sovereigns.
In this regard, I should thank Chongguang. Had he not exposed that Golden Core Late-Stage True Man, I’d never have found an opening. At least now Holy Sect’s True Monarch permits me to validate the Everflowing Water and even offers to refine a Sea-Stabilizing Pearl for me.
Yet no joy lit Suo Huan’s face. As an outsider, his path to golden ascension was exponentially harder than Chongguang’s—requiring three near-impossible conditions.
First, he needed to invoke the Fruit Position’s power.
Everflowing Water… endless as the primordial tides. Using the Sea-Stabilizing Pearl to capture its essence should draw the Fruit Position’s attention.
That was condition one.
Second, his Ling Xu Fortune Ground remained incomplete. He’d have to perfect it through Spirit Harvesting, elevating it to the threshold of transforming into a Cave Heaven.
Third, his cultivation rank.
“Technically, I’m merely a Great True Man, comparable to Foundation Building Late-Stage. Without reaching Foundation Building Perfection, my foundation remains flawed,” he admitted bitterly.
His home realm, Jie Tian, had only nurtured a fledgling Fruit Position—not even as strong as the Myriad Martial Realm here. No wonder it became a battleground during the Dao Contention War. Born into such a realm, his cultivation carried an innate deficiency.
My peak is Foundation Building Late-Stage. Unless I reincarnate, I’ll never reach Perfection… let alone refine golden essence to elevate my Fortune Ground.
Three impossible hurdles.
But my lifespan is nearly spent. Everyone from Huan Xu Realm is dead—only I remain. If I die too, my realm will vanish forever!
At this thought, Suo Huan’s hesitation hardened into resolve. Barefoot with nothing to lose, he had only two choices: breakthrough to Golden Core and survive, or perish. For a rootless cultivator like him, risk was the only path forward.
He began arranging formations immediately. Borrowing Miao Yin’s Void Heaven Mirror, he modified its arrays effortlessly. Soon, radiant light bloomed across the mirror’s surface.
“Amitabha…”
The light coalesced into a bald, benevolent monk. Suo Huan bowed deeply.
“Honored audience with Mahasthamaprapta Sovereign.”
The monk, a Pure Land True Man, was a revered Bodhisattva aspirant. His gaze pierced Suo Huan.
“Have you decided, cultivator?”
“I have.”
Suo Huan’s voice firmed. “I seek to validate Everflowing Water. Should I ascend to True Monarch, I’ll merge my Cave Heaven and Fruit Position into Pure Land.”
Seizing a Fruit Position was suicide. He knew this—ordinary realms struggled to maintain one, yet this world held thirty? Let alone the Nascent Soul Formation Sovereign above, a force he couldn’t fathom.
Claiming it temporarily will revive Huan Xu Realm within my Cave Heaven. Later, I’ll return it—merging with Pure Land is a fair price.
As for Pure Land’s restrictions, once I reach Bodhisattva, autonomy comes. For now, survival matters most. Hesitation serves nothing.
He bowed again.
“Begging your grace—invite Bodhisattva to build a temple within my Ling Xu Fortune Ground, empowering it through Mahayana teachings to hasten my Fortune Ground’s completion.”
A calculated move—granting Pure Land a foothold in his realm to ensure their trust.
Mahasthamaprapta’s approval was immediate.
“The Buddha-way is enlightenment.”
“Your awakened heart guarantees success.”
With that, he produced a thick scripture—the Mahayana Perfect Enlightenment Root Sutra, its golden script glowing with Fruit Position energy.
“This scripture, personally transcribed by Bodhisattva, holds the essence of Fruit Position’s power. Bury it within your Fortune Ground, refine it through Essence Absorption, and your Fortune Ground will complete naturally. Now… how will you pursue golden ascension? Perhaps we may aid you.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Suo Huan declined, guarding his secrets.
The monk merely chanted, then vanished.
Undeterred, Suo Huan shifted the array’s patterns. Moments later, another figure materialized—the Dao Court’s Prime Martial Commander Du Tian, regal in vermilion robes, his crown adorned with talismanic scrolls.
“Honored audience, Minister,” Suo Huan bowed, this time in formal court etiquette.
Du Tian’s gaze was sharp. “Contacting me directly… finally decided to pledge loyalty to the empire?”
“I have.”
“Then grant me the First Grade Title to aid my golden ascension, and I’ll become the Dao Court’s Eternal Border Sea Guardian.”
“Excellent,” Du Tian’s smile widened. “I’ll petition His Majesty.”
“Gratitude, Minister.” Suo Huan bowed, then subtly sent a spirit-storing pouch through the mirror. “Treasures from my Overseas Dominion journey. Pray examine them… my vision lacks discernment.”
“You flatter me. Next time, no gifts,” Du Tian chuckled, accepting the pouch before severing the connection.
At last, Suo Huan straightened his spine, as if reclaiming every inch of his bent dignity. True joy flickered in his eyes—not the practiced mask he wore, but the first genuine emotion in ages.
Hope… is real.
Everflowing Water had opened doors—Pure Land empowered his Fortune Ground, Holy Sect provided the Sea-Stabilizing Pearl, and Dao Court elevated his cultivation.
Alliances secured, karma obscured by borrowing Miao Yin’s mirror here in the Myriad Martial Realm…
Only one vulnerability remained.
He turned to Miao Yin’s paralyzed projection—her delicate face frozen in rage, helpless as a pawn in his schemes.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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