Chapter 574: Qinghua's Ascension to Immortality?

Chapter 574: Qinghua's Ascension to Immortality?

The Immortal Chariot of the Southern Seven Sons shone like a dazzling sun, suspended in the heavens above the seven sacred lands below.

Numerous cultivators rose into the air, their gazes fixed on the faint silhouettes within the glowing clouds.

The sect leaders gathered and headed towards the Dragon Palace for the banquet.

After only half a night, they returned at the first light of dawn, finding the situation quite different from the anticipated feast of betrayal. The changing colors of the sky and the sudden turbulence in the heavens seemed to proclaim the fall of a mighty being.

The aura of the seven sect leaders was robust, indicating they had emerged unscathed. The fallen creature was likely a revered entity within the Dragon Palace.

At this moment, the entire Southern Flood region was eerily quiet.

They didn't even dare to make a sound!

As this thought crossed their minds, the cultivators swallowed hard, suddenly feeling an indescribable excitement welling up from deep within. Though they bowed beneath the Immortal Chariot, they inexplicably felt their spines straighten.

The Seven Sons emerged from seclusion, stabilizing the Southern Flood!

"We respectfully welcome the Sect Leader's return to the sect."

Their harmonious voices echoed through the mountains, piercing the clouds, as if to disperse the mist and reveal the radiant Southern Flood.

"These juniors are indeed overjoyed."

The Lingyun Sect Leader shook his head, acknowledging Shen Yi's earlier response.

As cultivators, they were well aware that the path ahead was fraught with unpredictability. Even the Western Dragon Palace had lost a Heaven Realm dragon prince, clearly indicating the turbulent times.

Perhaps he had indeed been too timid.

Seeking refuge in a secluded corner to protect the seven sects' lives also depended on whether others would grant them this opportunity.

Shen Yi's actions seemed risky, but they had seized the initiative.

It was time to reflect on the audacity he had seemingly lost—the courage to stake his life in a desperate gamble.

"..."

Ye Jiu, rarely silent, was ignored. Those who knew the Tianjian Sect Leader understood that his concern wasn't solely for the Seven Sons' future.

It was merely that he had just exchanged moves with the Southern Dragon King, and his itching hands longed for a life-or-death battle with the ancient dragon.

At that moment, Ye Jiu suddenly lifted his head, gazing in a particular direction.

Confusion crept onto his face.

At this time, the Immortal Chariot of the Seven Sons was the most dazzling sight in the Southern Flood, but in the direction Ye Jiu looked, a golden light suddenly soared into the sky. With a speed beyond the naked eye, it traversed the Southern Flood like a golden curtain or a colossal tapestry, extending all the way to the Western Flood.

Its appearance seemed to pierce through the entire Hongze region.

Beneath this golden light, the Immortal Chariot instantly paled in comparison.

The sect leaders fixed their gazes on the source of the golden light. The once tranquil waters churned with waves, subtly revealing the Southern Dragon King's emotions.

Ye Jiu slowly rose from his throne, scanning the many fellow disciples. He asked in surprise, as if confirming, "Ascending to Immortality through Merit and Virtue?"

Ji Jingxi's red lips parted slightly, and Qi Yan Sheng's expression froze.

Even these three Heaven Realm powerhouses showed such reactions, let alone the other sect leaders.

Shen Yi, seated on his throne, raised his eyebrows in puzzlement. "What do you mean by ascending to Immortality through Merit and Virtue?"

Ji Jingxi exhaled gently, gazing at the broad golden light. "This guiding golden light is a direct path to the Immortal Court."

"Is there such an ancient being hidden from our eyes?"

Ye Jiu hissed, but before he could finish, Qi Yan Sheng glared at him. The Ling Yue Sect Leader, who hadn't spoken to Ye Jiu in the Dragon Palace, now spoke sternly, "Mind your manners."

What had the Southern Flood endured to accumulate such supreme merit and virtue, forming this golden light? After much thought, it could only be the countless souls left behind from the ten-thousand-year slaughter calamity.

Among these souls were even those of the former Nanyang Sect disciples.

In other words, they were the saviors of the Seven Sons.

"..."

Ye Jiu also realized this, suppressing his discontent. He sighed and bowed reluctantly towards the source of the golden light. "Your magnanimity is great, my words were rude, please forgive me."

For cultivators, ascending to Immortality and becoming ancestors were even more significant than becoming ancestors.

After cultivating for so long, witnessing someone achieve this before them evoked complex emotions, which was understandable.

"So, there are now two Immortals in Hongze?"

Shen Yi asked again, and only then did everyone notice that he was still leaning back. Ji Jingxi pursed her lips, subtly pulling him up.

Not bowing was one thing, but basic respect was necessary.

Seeing this, Ye Jiu smiled silently. He genuinely liked this little Shen Yi. If not for the fact that this future Immortal was the savior of the Seven Sons, he wouldn't have bothered with politeness.

Ever since the destruction of Nanyang, they, as fellow disciples, had all harbored thoughts of slaying Immortals themselves. However, their strength was too weak, so they could only think about it.

As cultivators ourselves, we should be respected!

"It's not that bad. We just heard rumors, to be honest. After the Dao Fusion, we'll have the chance to ascend to the Immortal Court and receive Immortal provisions. But in reality, it's just talk."

"Either you have extraordinary talent, like you, or if you weren't in Hongze, and after achieving Dao Fusion, you'd have connections to those with heavenly influence, who could introduce you to Immortal officials and help you ascend."

"Or perhaps you have a powerful background. After all, these influential figures also have their own children and descendants. Once they cultivate to a certain level, they can send them upward."

"As for us ordinary folks..."

At this point, Ye Jiu glanced indignantly at Bei Hong, "There are also those who deliberately suppress us, leaving us to wander in the mortal world, trying to make a name for ourselves, enhance our cultivation, and hoping for a chance to ascend to the Immortal Court one day. If luck isn't on our side, at least we can stay below and become an old ancestor, being respectfully addressed as a Terrestrial Immortal."

Ye Jiu pointed at the golden light in the sky, "As for that path, it's extremely difficult. They don't cultivate much and aren't on the same path as us. They use all sorts of strange methods to attract the attention of the Immortal Court."

"But even if they follow that golden light and ascend to the Immortal Court, they'll still need to be assigned a specific Immortal position. Right now, in terms of strength, they might not even compare to a random disciple of yours."

"I can understand where this hardship comes from. Indeed, these ten thousand years in Hongze haven't been peaceful. I'm just puzzled as to how he managed to dissolve all these grudges and resentments within a short ten thousand years."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yi fell silent, gazing at the source of the golden light.

Ten thousand years? How could it have taken that long?

When he had to choose between the Infant and Yin Spirit stages, it seemed like he had chosen the wrong path.

Qinghua, you should have died!

...

"Hmm?"

In the secret territory behind Taoyuan Mountain Villa, a vassal of the Nanyang Sect.

A massive figure with a dark golden body sat against the mountain, its dark golden feathered cloak fluttering slightly, exuding an air of supreme authority.

But in the next moment, it opened its eyes, and within its terrifying pupils, there was a hint of adorable bewilderment.

Lady Qinghua trembled with fear, "Master, what did Qinghua do wrong? Qinghua won't dare anymore!"

"It's nothing."

A sigh echoed in her mind.

Shen Yi remained silent for a long time, suddenly understanding how others must have felt when looking at him, "How did you do it?"

He was genuinely curious as to how the other party had attracted the attention of the Immortal Court in such a short time.

Qinghua pondered for a moment, her bewilderment deepening, "Wasn't this the method you taught me? The Golden Body Imprisonment Dharmic Body..."

She then proceeded to carefully recount her recent experiences to Shen Yi.

Initially, Shen Yi had left her in Taoyuan Mountain Villa, intending for her to dissolve the grudges of the innocent mortals who had died unjustly.

For Qinghua, who had already digested countless stray thoughts in the Nanyang Holy Land, this task was relatively simple.

The problem arose from the method they had discussed at the time.

It involved using the souls of demons and monsters as a prison to forcefully suppress stray thoughts.

Qinghua habitually used the same method and soon discovered something amiss.

After she condensed the resentful souls within Taoyuan Mountain Villa into something akin to a "Demon Soul," they began to wander outside, digesting the grudges of those who had perished in the waters of Nan Hong and even more distant places.

One became ten, ten became a hundred... Soon, the situation spiraled out of control.

Rather than saying she was dissolving grudges, it was more like she was nurturing a gu. The entire process had nothing to do with her. It was as if the cultivators who had died once were engaging in a second life-and-death struggle in a realm invisible to the naked eye.

Only the victors would be qualified to merge into the Golden Body Imprisonment Dharmic Body, becoming the purest soul thoughts.

The most challenging task in the world is reversing time.

Qinghua gave these souls the opportunity to dissolve their grudges. The victors sought revenge, and the losers... Well, the losers disappeared, along with their souls, naturally dissolving their grudges.

This was truly a great virtuous deed.

Even if others wanted to follow this path, they would have to guide each soul individually.

With the blessing of this peculiar method, which carried a hint of demon and monster aura, the ten thousand years of slaughter in Hongze was ultimately condensed into an elixir for a single person within a short period.

"..."

Shen Yi's silence was deafening.

This should have been his opportunity.

After all, this method was one of the few times he had figured something out on his own.

What kind of nonsense Immortal Technique is this? This is the real Ascension Technique! If I, Shen, had created this method, I would have the talent to become an Immortal!

"Forget it, you can go first."

Shen Yi sighed with a sense of loss. Sometimes, choices are more important than effort, even more so than cultivation levels.

Oh well, at least he now had someone above to rely on.

Might as well think positively... Damn it, he couldn't bring himself to do that.

"Master—"

Qinghua felt that her master was acting strangely today, but the situation was urgent, so she spoke softly, "Qinghua can't leave. I'm being watched."

The golden light in the sky gradually dimmed, and although this path was deeply etched in her mind, the slowly recovering sky seemed to be announcing something.

Even the named and renowned cultivators of the Four Floods showed confusion on their faces. Up until now, they still couldn't see the figure of the Virtuous Immortal in the golden light curtain.

"Hmm?"

On the Immortal Carriage, Shen Yi frowned, not caring about the presence of several sect leaders beside him, and directly asked about Qing Hua's body.

When he opened his eyes again, his vision was filled with the clearer view of the Peach Spring Estate. He slowly stood up; it had been too long since he had made a similar movement, and this height of over ten zhang still made Shen Yi feel a little uncomfortable. Moreover, this body was so frail that it was a bit excessive.

In the instant he entered the Golden Body Imprisonment Dharmic Body.

Shen Yi felt the terror of being "targeted" as Qing Hua had described.

It was as if his body was covered with bone-chilling frost, and as if a sharp blade was pressed against his lower back. If he took another step, he would be completely chopped into pieces.

"Huff."

Shen Yi regulated his breathing, as if guessing something, he forcefully raised his head and looked up at the sky.

The next moment, even with his current knowledge and experience, he couldn't help but tense up.

In the vast sky, the terrifying White Rhinoceros Bull had completely awakened. Standing on the land of the Four Floods, its broad head lowered, and its enormous eyes seemed to encompass the heavens and earth.

At this moment, this eye was less than a thousand zhang away from Shen Yi.

In the eyes, there was only this dark golden body, over ten zhang tall.

The White Rhinoceros Bull was silent like a lifeless object, without even a breath. It slowly lowered its head, as if the waters of the Four Floods were pouring down on Shen Yi, forcing him to sit back down and be suppressed again.

The expression on the Golden Body Imprisonment Dharmic Body became increasingly indifferent, as if the white-robed, snow-like elegant young man within it was gritting his teeth, his eyes filled with a murderous intent that couldn't be described, yet he had no means to do anything.

Virtuous Immortal, Virtuous Immortal, only in the Immortal Court can you truly be an immortal.

Before that, sit down! The White Rhinoceros Bull didn't speak, but Shen Yi inexplicably felt this way.

He stared directly at the enormous eye, exhaled, and finally closed his eyes.

After all, he had once been an official in Baiyun County, and this simple truth was actually quite easy to understand.

Hongze was the territory of that immortal, a fiefdom entrusted to him by the Immortal Court.

So, in this situation, the emergence of a Virtuous Immortal in the Southern Flood, formed by dissipating grudges and killing intent, what did it mean? Under your watch, where did this slaughter and countless grudges come from?! It was as if a county official's city had a great philanthropist who set up a soup kitchen, saving countless starving people, preventing corpses from littering the streets, and his good deeds spread far and wide, reaching the imperial court.

And this county was originally a prosperous place.

If the imperial court learned of these good deeds, would they praise this county official for his good governance?

For the first time, Shen Yi saw a hint of fear in the eyes of the White Rhinoceros Bull. Although a treasure was definitely without emotions, this fear must have come from its master behind it.

With his Earth Realm cultivation at its peak, he had made a true immortal feel fear.

It seemed like something worth boasting about.

A rare hint of helplessness appeared on Shen Yi's lips. Realizing the reality that the Golden Body Imprisonment Dharmic Body was trapped here, he knew that struggling was futile.

But even if he wasn't familiar with the Immortal Court, he couldn't believe that the Great Immortal Hongze would dare to take action against a Virtuous Immortal who had caught the attention of those above.

Things indeed turned out as Shen Yi had expected.

After seeing the Golden Body Imprisonment Dharmic Body sit back down, the White Rhinoceros Bull stopped lowering its head and returned to the sky, falling back asleep... Even in its sleep, it kept one eye open, staring at the Peach Spring Estate.

Surely, that immortal hadn't decided how to deal with this future "colleague."

In the Immortal Carriage among the Seven Sects of the Southern Flood.

Ye Jiu rubbed his neck and withdrew his gaze. "Could it be that damn thing causing trouble again? What's this Virtuous Immortal waiting for? If it doesn't quickly ascend while the golden light hasn't dispersed, does it want to wait for the Immortal Court to forget about it? How strange!"

Hongze wasn't a big place, and even if the Virtuous Immortal was formed from ten thousand years of slaughter, it wasn't a big deal for the Immortal Court.

To enjoy a good immortal's salary, one must strike while the iron is hot.

The other sect leaders also slowly furrowed their brows, "It is a bit strange."

In front of the crowd, Shen Yi's eyes regained their divine light. He quietly stared at the sky as the golden light completely dissipated, and in a calm, unwavering voice, he muttered, "Strange?"

"It does seem a little strange."

Shen Yi took a deep breath, concealing the turmoil in his deep eyes.

To cut off someone's wealth is like cutting off their parents, and to block someone's path to immortality is even worse. Although they hadn't met face to face, this grudge was huge.

"Hmm?"

Ye Jiu looked over with a hint of confusion, not understanding why, when he had been calm and composed while killing earlier, there was now a hint of murderous intent in Shen Yi's voice.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end