https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-741-True-Fire-Anomaly-Dan-Sheng-s-Ascension/12942750/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-743-Seven-Elders-Decision-Temporary-Guest-Scholar/12942752/
Chapter 742: I am Zhu Yan, the Alchemy Sage of the Mountain and Sea Realm
Chapter 742: I am Zhu Yan, the Alchemy Sage of the Mountain and Sea Realm
The Ascendant, none other than the Alchemy Sage Zhu Yan!
After Luo Chen arrived in Zhongzhou, Fu Chaosheng no longer hid this secret, but instead solemnly informed Luo Chen and the others.
To be honest, when Luo Chen first heard this news, he was shocked.
He had heard about this person since childhood, and among alchemists, the name of the Alchemy Sage was as famous as thunder.
People admired his exquisite skills in alchemy, but they also had mixed opinions about his decision to leave the Ming Yuan Sect and join the Heavenly Yuan Dao Zong.
But now it seems that everything was worth it! He has surpassed the Soul Transformation realm and is about to ascend, which is the ultimate goal of all those who strive for longevity.
Countless efforts were made for this outcome.
But it is evident that the conclusion of the Alchemy Sage's story shows that sometimes choices can be more significant than hard work.
If he had stayed in the Ming Yuan Sect, could he have ascended? It would have been difficult, as there hasn't been news of any cultivators ascending in the Eastern Wilderness for over a thousand years.
When Fu Chaosheng solemnly shared this secret with them, it was apparent that he also intended to encourage them to join the Star Gate.
Although they didn't directly join the Heavenly Yuan Dao Zong, entering the Star Gate would still open up vast opportunities.
With the rumored Great Power of the Southern Frontier and the Eastern Wilderness Alchemy Sage both cultivating in the Star Gate and reaching the Soul Transformation realm, it's clear that the Heavenly Yuan Dao Zong does not discriminate against outsiders.
This is also why, as soon as they arrived in the Zhongzhou realm, Winter Mountain Man and Lu Qiuzhen couldn't wait to head straight to the Heaven Earth Peak. They were already eager.
At this moment, Luo Chen stood in the Zhi Gu City, gazing at the faint outline of the Heaven Earth Peak, feeling a surge of anticipation.
Fu Chaosheng noticed his eager expression and smiled gently.
"Let's go, straight to the Heaven Earth Peak!"
...
Although they were going directly there, they were in a fairy city with an anti-flight formation, so they had no choice but to walk out of the city step by step.
As they strolled along the wide street, the conversations of the surrounding cultivators drifted in and out of Luo Chen's ears.
It wasn't intentional, but his spiritual sense was so powerful that unless he deliberately shielded himself from external information, all the messages in the world would unconsciously converge on him.
From this perspective, it makes sense that the Primordial Spirit of cultivators is easily assimilated by the world.
The stronger the spiritual sense, the less they feel a boundary with the world, and over time, they may even lose their sense of self, questioning, "Who am I?"
The phrase "merging with heaven and earth" is no joke.
"Let's go, quickly to the Cen River, we can't miss this grand occasion!"
"What's happening?"
"Isn't Li Daoyou aware that the Five Heroes of Shang Jun have gathered at the Axehandle Mountain to challenge Tianyuan Linxian by the Cen River! By now, the game has probably already begun."
"Wow, first the Mo Yuan Seven Sons challenged Mingren Daoyin, and now the Five Heroes of Shang Jun are here to challenge Tianyuan Linxian. I really can't understand the go world anymore."
"What's there to not understand? Before every hundred-year grand tournament, outstanding talents from all sides gather at the Axehandle Mountain. It's both a ceremony and an opportunity to showcase their prowess and gain recognition from their sects. In martial combat, it's hard to control the intensity, but in the game of go, there's less to worry about. On the chessboard, within the confines of the game, it's a battle of wits and blades, a life-or-death struggle, and the best way to prove one's strength! And now, the three figures at the pinnacle of the go world are the most dazzling targets. Defeating them means inheriting the glory that has shrouded them for years, a quick path to fame."
"Tsk tsk, that's one way to put it, but for several people to challenge at once, it's a bit lacking in manners."
"Why are you worrying about that for them? Those three, if they want to stop the constant stream of challengers, they should do something unique to deter those eager to test their skills."
"Mingren Daoyin took a month to defeat the Mo Yuan Seven Sons. I wonder if Tianyuan Linxian can win against the Five Heroes of Shang Jun this time."
...
As Luo Chen walked, he listened with great interest.
Fu Chaosheng was by his side, casually explaining the situation.
He was already familiar with the three peak figures of the go world.
However, he didn't know much about the so-called Seven Sons and the Five Heroes.
With Fu Chaosheng's explanation, Luo Chen learned that these people came from various large and small families.
Due to regional connections and their exceptional go skills, busybodies categorized them by region, giving them these titles.
The Mo Yuan Seven Sons, from several families near the Mo Court Grassland, each had their unique playing styles and had reached the nine-dan rank, some even achieving a ranked status.
The Five Heroes of Shang Jun, on the other hand, referred to five go players who became famous together during a competition held in Shang Jun City, even though they were from different places.
However, these were all young talents who had only become famous within the past one or two hundred years.
They couldn't be compared to the three peak figures.
Luo Chen was more interested in another piece of information he heard.
"I understand the nine-dan rank in go, but what does the nine-ranked system mean?"
Fu Chaosheng stroked his beard and smiled, "In the Zhongzhou go world, players' skills are divided into nine ranks. But above the nine-dan rank, there's an additional nine-ranked system corresponding to their go realm. For example, the Mo Yuan Seven Sons and the Five Heroes of Shang Jun, it's not surprising for them to reach nine-dan within one or two hundred years, but reaching a ranked status requires more time."
Luo Chen blinked, "What about the three of them? Have they achieved a ranked status?"
"Of course, they have, and they are among the top in the nine-ranked system. For example, Gu Daoyin has at least reached the Gate-Penetrating Realm!"
Luo Chen listened with awe.
In the Mountain and Sea Realm, there were countless cultivation skills, but it seemed that none could compare to the game of go in Zhongzhou, which had developed to such a refined level.
No matter if it was the ubiquitous Go academies teaching the art of Go, the Dao pavilions where Go players competed, or the various shops selling Go sets, manuals, and even the ranks and realms clearly marked—
The Go Dao's nine-rank, nine-grade system? If the Alchemy Path were to adopt this system, how would it be categorized?
"Fellow Luo, do you want to go to the Cen River to witness this grand gathering of the Go world?" Fu Chaosheng suggested.
Luo Chen shook his head, "I'm not interested in these matters. Let's go to Heaven Earth Peak as soon as possible to finalize my position as a guest scholar of the Star Gate."
"Yes, we should prioritize important matters!"
The old man and the young man moved against the flow of the crowd, quickly leaving the city.
Wherever they passed, even in the most crowded areas, an unconscious path would open up for them.
Soon, the two of them stood by a vast river flowing eastward.
The axe handle had withered away, and the river of time flowed on.
Beyond the Cen River was the true mountain gate of the Dao Sect, located in the Wuzhi Mountain Range.
On the banks of the Cen River stood the Heaven Earth Peak, a solitary and majestic peak connecting heaven and earth.
Luo Chen gazed across the river, feeling insignificant beneath the towering peak. He felt like an insignificant mayfly in the vastness of heaven and earth, or a grain of sand in the Ganges River.
He hadn't felt this way since advancing to the Nascent Soul Realm.
But in his memory, he had experienced a similar illusion before.
Where was it?
Fu Chaosheng's voice sounded in his ear.
"Our sect treats outsiders very generously. In fact, Heaven Earth Peak is one of the few fifth-rank Spirit Lands in the world. The establishment of the Star Gate here means that as a guest scholar and offering of the Star Gate, you can enjoy a rich spiritual environment. Even if you cultivate to the Soul Transformation Stage, Heaven Earth Peak can still serve as your cultivation mansion!"
Indeed, a fifth-rank Spirit Land.
The Eastern Wilderness Yu Clan's sacred land, Cangwu Mountain!
That place was also a Spirit Land with a fifth-rank Spirit Vein.
This Heaven Earth Peak was no less impressive than Cangwu Mountain.
Luo Chen felt a sense of awe and admiration for the Heavenly Yuan Dao Sect. It was rare to find such a generous act in the world, offering a fifth-rank Spirit Land to visiting cultivators.
"Let's go up the mountain. I'll help you finalize your position as a guest scholar of the Star Gate. Don't worry, with my recommendation, there shouldn't be any problems. When the Seven Elders of the Star Gate ask about your situation, just answer according to what I taught you."
The Seven Elders of the Star Gate refer to the seven representatives sent by the nineteen elders when a new member joins the Star Gate.
Usually, there are five elders from the Star Gate, one from a noble clan, and the last one from the Twelve Great Halls.
The final decision-making power often rests with the elder representative sent by the Twelve Great Halls.
Without a second thought, Luo Chen's Nascent Soul trembled, manipulating the heaven and earth's spiritual energy to transform into a hazy spiritual light that enveloped him, and he flew towards Heaven Earth Peak like an arrow leaving the bowstring.
Fu Chaosheng followed beside him.
Although they moved quickly, in the eyes of others, they seemed as insignificant as mayflies flying towards a mountain.
But everyone knew that only Nascent Soul Realm cultivators could fly freely on Heaven Earth Peak.
This was actually an invisible test.
Without the Nascent Soul Realm, it was impossible to withstand the immense spiritual pressure naturally emitted by this fifth-rank Spirit Mountain.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Two streaks of light descended onto a vast square paved with white jade, enveloped in mist.
As soon as they landed, a domineering divine sense swept over them, especially focusing on Luo Chen, the unfamiliar cultivator.
Fu Chaosheng's expression remained unchanged, and he bowed respectfully.
"Fu Chaosheng, the current head of the Fu Family, recommends the addition of a Northern Sea Loose Cultivator to the Star Gate. The relevant information has already been reported in advance."
Upon hearing these words, the domineering demeanor of the divine sense softened slightly, but it still hovered over Luo Chen.
A coarse, aged voice echoed around the two of them.
"Go to the Welcoming Immortal Hall to wait. In three days, the Seven Elders will jointly decide on the Northern Sea Loose Cultivator's entry into the Star Gate."
Hearing this, Fu Chaosheng heaved a sigh of relief and gave Luo Chen a glance before leaving the square.
Before leaving, Luo Chen curiously looked into the mist.
There, a grand gate stood.
Above it, the stars shone brightly, as if leading to the unknown.
Was this the Star Gate?
...
The Cen River's waves rolled.
On the riverbank, a crowd gathered.
Five Go boards were set up, with five people seated at each.
A middle-aged man with a wild and unrestrained demeanor walked between the five, drinking wine as he went. With each hearty drink, he would place a stone with a grand gesture.
His expression was carefree, but the five players were uneasy.
Outside the game, countless onlookers had sickly red faces.
No one expected this match by the Cen River to be faster than the one at the Go Sage Pavilion.
In just three days, Tianyuan Linxian had pushed Shang Jun Five Great Heroes to their limits. At this moment, the game had reached the endgame, and Linxian's victory was evident.
In the crowd, Fu Qinglan's face was flushed, her usual cold demeanor replaced by excitement.
Yu Xu didn't understand. Although Tianyuan Linxian and Mingren Daoyin had similar reputations, the latter had taken a month to defeat the Mo Yuan Seven Sons, while the former had established his victory in just three days.
Could there be a huge gap between the two?
Fu Qinglan whispered, "This is due to different Go styles. Brother Daoyin is a fourth-rank nine-dan, in the Gate-Penetrating Realm. He excels at Shape Barriers and Good Adaptation, specializing in Countering Techniques. That's why it took him a long time. Brother Linxian is also a fourth-rank nine-dan, but his style is more aggressive, favoring the seventh-rank Combat Techniques."
As soon as they move, they fight, opposing the enemy, so once there is a slight difference in chess skills, it will be magnified to the extreme, causing an avalanche-like flood..."
Yu Xu listened in a daze, her face full of bewilderment.
When Fu Qinglan finished speaking, she simply spread her hands.
"No wonder you are the pride of the Great House, the Tan Family!"
Mingren Daoyin is from the twelfth Great House, the Gu Family.
Tianyuan Linxian is also from one of the twelve Great Houses, the Tan Family.
Fu Qinglan was helpless, as her favorite thing was something she couldn't talk about with others.
"Let's go!"
Yu Xu was puzzled, "Aren't we going to watch the endgame?"
Fu Qinglan shook her head, "Under such a grand and majestic chess style, with its expansive and harmonious moves, we can't see the intricate subtleties, and we can't keep up here either."
As she said this, she pointed to her head.
Indeed, high-ranked and high-level chess players consider hundreds of future moves with each step, and in a short period of time, they can't understand the intricacies of their Go Dao cultivation.
Speaking of which, Fu Qinglan also felt sorry for the Shang Jun Five Great Heroes.
Their challenge to Tan Linxian was indeed a wrong choice. It's fine if they were killed and stripped of their defenses, but the time was too short, and they couldn't learn much.
It's better than the Mo Yuan Seven Sons, who could slowly learn some ranked techniques during their one-month battle with Gu Daoyin.
It is said that among the Seven Sons, three of them closed their cultivation after the battle in the Mingren Pavilion, and it is very likely that after they come out of seclusion, they will enter the Small Seventh Rank Three Realms.
The two squeezed out of the crowd, and Yu Xu stretched lazily, feeling a bit bored.
"Before we enter the Mirage Dragon Cave Heaven, we can't cultivate, which is indeed a bit hard to endure."
The fervor on Fu Qinglan's face faded, and she smiled, "Can't we pass the time by searching for mountains, visiting friends, drinking tea, and playing chess?"
Yu Xu sighed. She couldn't stay idle.
"The Elder of the Clan said that we, as new Nascent Soul Cultivators, still have a thin Purple Mansion Barrier, and our Nascent Soul also has a sense of closeness to the heavens and earth. In this state, we are most suitable to sense the laws of heaven and earth within the Mirage Dragon Cave Heaven. But if we don't open the Heavenly Cavern for a day, we can't cultivate for a day, and it's too much of a waste of time."
Fu Qinglan nodded.
Once they cultivate, they will subconsciously deepen the Purple Mansion Barrier and sever the connection with the heavens and earth.
Therefore, there is the restriction of a hundred years for new Nascent Soul Cultivators.
However, in her opinion, compared to the opportunity to comprehend the true meaning of the laws and directly reach the future Soul Transformation, this time can still be wasted.
Sharpening the knife won't hinder chopping wood!
Just as the two were talking, someone in the crowd poked their head out and ran towards them.
"Oh, it's Uncle Seven," Fu Qinglan recognized the person.
Although his cultivation was only at the Middle Core Formation, he was an elder of her family.
The middle-aged man breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Fu Qinglan.
"The head of the family has arrived at Heaven Earth Peak, and that person has also come. Qinglan, you should come with me!"
Fu Qinglan's eyes lit up.
Yu Xu, who was standing next to her, wanted to go with them, but since Fu Chaosheng had his intentions, she couldn't accompany them.
"Sorry, Xiao Xu. I'll introduce you to him after I meet him," Fu Qinglan apologized.
Yu Xu nodded, not insisting further.
However, after the two left, Yu Xu's eyes lit up, and she quickly flew in another direction.
Fu Qinglan was eager.
Even though her feelings were conflicted, she also wanted to meet the Wilderness Loose Cultivator as soon as possible.
But when they arrived at the Welcoming Immortal Hall, they didn't see anyone.
The cultivators in the hall informed them that the person had just arrived and was undergoing the assessment of the Seven Elders of the Star Gate.
Fu Qinglan let out a sigh of frustration, "I've been waiting for a long time, and I'm not in a rush now."
...
Luo Chen finally crossed that starry gate.
He came alone to a space filled with countless stars.
Seven ethereal figures slowly appeared as soon as he stepped in.
At the moment when the seven pairs of eyes turned to him, Luo Chen felt as if he had a sharp blade on his back, and his body grew cold.
Each of them was at a higher cultivation level than him!
Each of them gave him the same sense of oppression as the Moon Ascendant had!
Among the seven, there was a slender figure that made him feel uneasy, yet he instinctively felt a sense of closeness.
"Oh, is that a pill cultivator?"
A gentle and pleasant voice sounded, surprising the others and dispelling the pressure the other six had given Luo Chen.
Only then could Luo Chen raise his head and look directly at the seven ethereal figures.
He took a deep breath and introduced himself.
"Luo Chen, a Northern Sea Wanderer, greets the seven elders."
A Wanderer?
Even though they already knew his background from the information provided by the Fu Family, when they saw his appearance and the vibrant vitality that seemed to overflow, the seven Star Gate elders were still amazed.
To be able to condense a Nascent Soul so quickly as a Wanderer is truly an amazing cultivation achievement!
Just then, the woman who had spoken before spoke again, as if no one else was around.
"Can you refine fifth-rank pills?"
This statement surprised everyone, and Luo Chen's heart trembled.
"The elder is joking. Although Luo knows a little about pill refinement, how can I refine fifth-rank pills at the Nascent Soul stage?"
The woman's tone was filled with regret.
"What a pity, to leave without a fellow cultivator to see me off."
Leaving?
Luo Chen's heart stirred, and he cautiously asked, "May I ask the elder's name?"
"How dare you..."
Someone nearby rebuked.
But the woman smiled softly, "It's fine, telling you my name won't cause any trouble. I am Zhu Yan, known as the Alchemy Sage among the cultivators of the Mountain and Sea World."
(End of Chapter)
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