Immortality Begins With The Alchemical Master Chapter 750: A Millennium Plan, The Endgame Approaches - Novel Cool

Chapter 750: A Millennium Plan, The Endgame Approaches

Chapter 750: A Millennium Plan, The Endgame Approaches

Small as a clam, large as a mirage dragon.

Swallowing clouds and spitting mist, stirring up wind and summoning rain.

When gathered, it forms a mountain, and when dispersed, it becomes a flowing sea.

In the intangible gathering and scattering, it contains the vastness of the universe within its body, forming a unique world.

This beast is known as the Mirage Dragon!

In ancient legends, the Central State Continent was home to numerous wild beasts, among which the Ancient Sea Dragon was the most renowned.

It was formless and elusive, appearing and disappearing unpredictably.

At times, it would manifest as running beasts and flying birds, and at other times, it would blanket the Central State Continent like clouds and mist.

Due to its existence, the Heavenly Yuan Dao Sect had endured countless hardships and sacrifices of blood and life during the establishment of the Central State.

And now, after thousands of years of its death, it opens its mouth once again.

Gazing at the deep and mysterious opening on the shore of the Vanishing River, the crowd, who had been immersed in the grand ascension of the Alchemy Sage, suddenly had their attention diverted.

A commotion of voices arose.

"So, the entrance to the Mirage Dragon's Heavenly Cavern is right beneath our Heaven Earth Peak!"

"That makes sense. Such a top-tier ancient beast couldn't have been easily eliminated. According to the characteristics of the Mirage Dragon, one wrong move could lead to death and resurrection. Only a rare blessed land like Heaven Earth Peak could suppress it for generations, preventing it from ever rising again!"

"Does that mean the disciples of the Heavenly Yuan Dao Sect will enter for the once-in-five-hundred-years grand competition?"

"That's most likely the case."

"I'm curious, though. Why is the qualification to enter the Heavenly Cavern restricted to Nascent Soul Cultivators who formed their Nascent Soul within a hundred years? If there are truly valuable treasures inside, wouldn't it be better to let the older generation of Nascent Soul True Immortals with longer cultivation time and stronger power enter?"

"Who knows? The Heavenly Yuan Dao Sect's explanation is to give opportunities to the younger generation and bring more hope to the sect's future."

"It's just a pity that we, the True Immortals of the Star Gate, are all old and frail, missing the chance to witness the true face of the Heavenly Cavern."

"Who says there's no chance? Look, that person has become a bodyguard cultivator for the Fu family."

In his ears, the discussions of the nearby guest scholars from the Star Gate kept echoing.

Luo Chen's expression changed slightly.

Especially, he could sense the gazes of those people, always fleetingly falling on the glowing orb in his hand.

The Heavenly Fate Pill?

Luo Chen scoffed and quietly put it away.

He raised his head and looked towards the noble clans on the opposite side.

Fu Chaosheng seemed to understand and nodded slightly.

But just before the nod, Luo Chen clearly saw a hint of disappointment flash in his eyes.

"Is he also thinking about the Heavenly Fate Pill in my hand?"

Luo Chen remained calm and then stepped forward, away from the crowd.

He wasn't the only one making such a move.

One by one, figures emerged amidst the crowd's anticipation.

Leading them were thirteen individuals, the most outstanding generation of the Heavenly Yuan Dao Sect in the past hundred years!

Behind each of these thirteen stood a Nascent Soul True Immortal with distinct auras and styles, their bodyguard cultivators.

Luo Chen observed them one by one.

Among the three from the Great Hall, behind Gu Yuan stood a man in golden robes named Gu Chen, a loyal servant specially cultivated by the Gu family, who was even granted the Gu surname.

Mingren Daoyin's younger brother, Gu Daosu, stood silently, accompanied by a young married woman. If his memory served him right, this woman was also surnamed Gu, a relative of Gu Daosu. She had married outside the clan, and after her husband's passing, she returned to the Gu family, only to become Gu Daosu's bodyguard cultivator.

Shi Ju...

Luo Chen frowned, recalling that this person hadn't planned to bring a bodyguard cultivator.

But at this moment, Qi Xiongcheng, whom he had met once before, stood behind Shi Ju with a stooped back.

As their eyes met, Qi Xiongcheng stared back with composure.

Luo Chen pursed his lips, and his gaze continued to wander.

Xiang Qi, the genius of the Xiang family, the head of the thirty-sixth generation, had a bodyguard cultivator named Angry-Eyed Vajra from the Western Desert's Buddhist sect.

Yu Xu's bodyguard cultivator was a Nascent Soul True Immortal shrouded in a black robe, known as the Heavenly Mountain Immortal. Rumor has it that he was the last leader of a lost major sect in the Southern Frontier.

Lin Bufan's bodyguard cultivator was named Lin Jingtang.

...

Dragon Spring True Man Liu Yuan had a bodyguard cultivator named Mingyan.

When Mingyan stepped out from behind the Heavenly Yuan Sect Master and stood behind Liu Yuan, the gathering was complete.

Luo Chen withdrew his gaze, matching each person with the descriptions in the intelligence report, gradually gaining a clearer understanding.

As for the other three hundred-plus Foundation Establishment disciples, he didn't pay much attention to them.

The two sides were not even on the same playing field.

Everyone stood quietly, as if waiting for something.

They didn't have to wait long.

The Heavenly Yuan Sect Master, Mo Shouzhuo, slowly released his finger, which had been pressing down on the chessboard.

With a flick of his wrist, countless white starlight dots appeared in the air, and upon closer inspection, they were chess pieces condensed from pure spiritual power.

With a snap of his fingers, the chess pieces landed in front of each person.

"These are my spiritual power combined with the power of the Mirage Dragon, one piece each."

"It will allow you to act normally within the Mirage Dragon's Heavenly Cavern."

"Even if you perish within, you can use this illusionary chess to be reborn outside."

"But remember, you only have one chance. Once resurrected, you lose the qualification to re-enter the Heavenly Cavern. Moreover, while the illusionary chess can ensure your survival, after rebirth, you will fall into an extremely long state of weakness and may even hinder your cultivation."

"If you truly encounter an unbeatable foe, it's advisable to voluntarily activate the illusionary chess and leave the Heavenly Cavern on your own accord, rather than reaching a point of no return."

The ancient voice of the Heavenly Yuan Dao Sect Master, like a gentle spring rain, resonated in everyone's ears.

Luo Chen took the white chess piece.

It felt incredibly soft and lacked a sense of reality upon touch.

However, he knew that this was the guarantee of safety that Fu Chaosheng had mentioned, ensuring no threat to their lives on this journey! Was this a combination of the power of Soul Powerhouses and the strength of the Mirage Dragon?

It seemed there was more to it than met the eye.

For instance, the Spirit Acumen that had gathered from all directions, though only a tiny fraction of it.

"The Mirage Dragon has awakened. Enter and seek your own opportunities!"

After the Dao Sect Master closed the chessboard and handed it to the Chess Saint, Ke Lianshan, he spoke his final words.

Without further hesitation, Luo Chen and the others transformed into streaks of light and rushed towards the mountain, fearlessly entering the deep, dark mouth.

After they left, various thoughts filled the minds of those remaining on the Cloud Sea Square.

Some showed anticipation, while others remained unmoved.

Some wandered around, while others remained seated.

The opening of the Mirage Dragon's Heavenly Cavern would last for several months to a year or more; it was difficult to estimate accurately, as it depended on the specific time the last cultivator spent inside.

Not everyone was willing to wait that long for the results.

Especially the True Cultivators of the Star Gate and the observing cultivators from other continents.

The young man from the Abyss Sect was the first to bid farewell.

The Dao Sect Master did not try to keep him, allowing him to leave.

The mysterious black-robed cultivator from the Southern Frontier also left, but before departing, he curiously glanced several times at the deep, dark mouth that was spewing clouds and mist.

The Western Desert monks, unbothered by others' strange gazes, approached the Dao Sect Master with worried expressions.

"The Western Desert and the Demon Realm have joined forces, and the Holy Land of the Floating Temple has closed its gates, ignoring worldly affairs. We lack Soul Powerhouses to preside over our sect, so we humbly request your sect's assistance!"

Mo Shouzhuo's calm, aged face broke into a smile upon hearing these words.

"There's no need to rush. Let's discuss the matter of sending troops after our sect's centennial competition concludes."

The Heavenly Yuan Dao Sect held the power to control the world! Among the five Holy Lands, it had always been the most powerful.

After more than three thousand years of recovery and development, with control over the resources of an entire continent, its current strength was immeasurable.

The fact that no one had ascended from the Mountain Sea Realm in hundreds of years, yet an outsider Alchemy Sage like Dan Sheng could cultivate to the point of ascension, was a testament to its power.

Currently, the other continents were in turmoil, facing great challenges.

It was time for the Heavenly Yuan Dao Sect to make its move.

Mo Shouzhuo nodded to the Chess Saint behind him, who slightly nodded back and infused his spiritual power into the chessboard.

A mysterious space suddenly appeared.

In the next moment, figure after figure appeared within it.

Noble clans, poor clans, and great hall leaders.

The 19th Elder of the Star Gate, Deputy Elder Hui Yuanhong, also appeared, looking anxious.

Moreover, high-ranking members of the Heavenly Yuan Dao Sect also arrived at the first opportunity.

Everyone looked up.

At the highest point of the space, five mysterious and noble figures appeared, with Mo Shouzhuo in the center.

He spoke with a loud voice, exuding boundless confidence, completely devoid of his previous aged demeanor.

"After a thousand years of planning, the time for execution has come. Are you all prepared?"

...

Confused and dazed, Luo Chen woke up from a series of throbbing headaches.

Before him was a place filled with birdsong, fragrant flowers, clear waters, and lush mountains, completely different from the desolate and dangerous place he had imagined.

"Is this the Mirage Dragon's Heavenly Cavern?"

"Fellow cultivator, you're awake!"

Luo Chen subconsciously looked to his side, where Fu Qinglan stood, watching him with concern.

Seeing her expression, Luo Chen frowned.

It wasn't because of her concern, but her state.

He himself had briefly lost consciousness upon entering the Mirage Dragon's Heavenly Cavern, and even his divine soul had experienced pain. Yet, she, with a lower cultivation level than him, seemed completely unaffected.

Perhaps sensing his confusion, Fu Qinglan quickly explained, "Every cultivator who enters the Mirage Dragon Cave Heaven will be washed by the residual consciousness of the Sea Dragon. If not defended by Illusionary Chess, they would be trapped in endless illusions. I'm different. I've experienced the Sea Dragon's aura within the sect beforehand, so I was prepared."

Luo Chen stood up from the green stone, displeased. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

Indeed, he had encountered many illusions before, leaving him in a daze.

If not for his previous cultivation experiences, he might have remained unconscious for even longer.

Fu Qinglan smiled slightly, "It's not good to reveal this too early. Once you're on guard, you'll unconsciously resist the illusions, and you might sink deeper into them. On the contrary, with the help of the sect master's Illusionary Chess, you'll wake up even faster."

Luo Chen subconsciously raised his hand, and the soft white chess piece came into view.

Indeed!

What she said was true. In the illusions, although he was somewhat affected, this white chess piece had been emitting a gentle glow, protecting him all along.

The scene was somewhat similar to his experience in the Demon Slayer Land's Forgetfulness Heaven.

However, the Worn Chessboard black chess piece he refined there shattered silently, without any effect compared to this white chess piece.

"Hmm?"

Luo Chen uttered a soft sound, noticing a black spot on the chess piece.

Fu Qinglan was also startled by this.

"Within the Mirage Dragon Cave Heaven, countless Illusionary Beasts are born, each with extraordinary and infinite power. If we're stained by them too deeply, the Illusionary Chess protecting us will gradually turn black. When it completely changes from white to black, it means we've reached the limit of our stay in the Cave Heaven. At that time, we must activate this chess piece to transmit out. Otherwise, we might be assimilated into Illusionary Beasts, trapped in the Cave Heaven forever."

"Fellow cultivator, you've been invaded!"

Luo Chen silently examined the white chess piece in his hand, the black spot occupying only about one or two percent.

Not a big issue.

Now that he had some free time, his mind was filled with the many doubts he had from the outside world.

Why did Alchemy Sage Zhu Yan, before leaving, give him one of the five pills?

Was it merely because they were both pill cultivators?

It's unlikely. In the vast Heavenly Yuan Dao Sect, there must be many powerful pill cultivators!

Moreover, the Heavenly Fate Pill, its refining technique, and the displayed pill technique, even if it was just a casual effort by the Alchemy Sage, seemed very familiar to him.

"It's a Fifth Rank Evolutionary Alchemy Pill!"

Luo Chen finally remembered.

When he refined the Fifth Rank Evolutionary Alchemy Pill in the Demon Slayer Land's Pill Realm, his technique was very similar to the Alchemy Sage's.

Combining the pill's name, Heavenly Fate... Evolutionary...

Luo Chen pondered.

But this pondering didn't last long, as more doubts filled his mind.

He clearly saw that the Alchemy Sage's ascension was not normal!

The star gate above the nine heavens didn't lead to the legendary Immortal World!

Where did she go?

Why did she abandon the vast Spirit Acumen of this world, leaving it to be intercepted by the Heavenly Yuan Sect Master?

Where did the intercepted Spirit Acumen go?

These doubts filled Luo Chen's mind, like countless mists, leaving him perplexed.

Seeing Luo Chen's silence, Fu Qinglan thought he was worried about being invaded by the Sea Dragon's aura.

"Fellow cultivator, there's no need to worry. I'll absorb all the Illusionary Cores obtained from hunting Illusionary Beasts. Just be careful, and you won't be invaded further."

"In general, our Heavenly Yuan disciples will reach the limit before you bodyguard cultivators."

"At that time, we'll leave together."

Luo Chen glanced at her and nodded.

Hunting Illusionary Beasts was the content of the grand competition.

The only downside was its monotony.

Below the Nascent Soul Realm, among the lower-ranked disciples, the more Illusionary Beasts they hunted and the more Illusionary Cores they obtained, the higher their ranking, and the greater the sect's rewards upon leaving.

However, among the Nascent Soul Realm true disciples, victory wasn't determined by the number of Illusionary Cores.

There was no concept of ranking or competition.

The true victory depended on who could make further progress within the Mirage Dragon Cave Heaven!

Fu Qinglan and the other Nascent Soul Realm true disciples would refine and absorb the Illusionary Cores hunted by their bodyguard cultivators, using the Sea Dragon's power to comprehend the true meaning of the laws.

Once they achieved a breakthrough, they would become so-called Divine Transformation Seeds.

This was the real competition!

As for Luo Chen and the other bodyguard cultivators, their tasks were twofold: to help hunt Illusionary Beasts and to protect the Nascent Soul Realm true disciples during their refinement and absorption, shielding them from the disturbances of Illusionary Beasts and other competitors.

That's all!

"Let's go. I also want to see what these Illusionary Beasts are like," Luo Chen said indifferently.

(End of Chapter)

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