Immortality Begins With The Alchemical Master Chapter 970: The Divine Lord Ascends, Southern Frontier Settled - Novel Cool

Chapter 970: The Divine Lord Ascends, Southern Frontier Settled

Chapter 970: The Divine Lord Ascends, Southern Frontier Settled

The butterfly fluttered, its path a dreamlike trail.

With each beat of its wings, a series of ethereal lights rippled, causing the surrounding primordial energy to surge and churn.

At the sight of this creature, Luo Chen couldn't help but feel a surge of joy, instinctively wanting to possess it.

But in the presence of a revered Divine Lord, he dared not act rashly.

Suppressing his desire, Luo Chen swallowed hard and asked, "Is this the Blessing Worm?"

"Yes, it is."

"But isn't the Blessing Worm supposed to bring good fortune and abundant opportunities to cultivators?"

"Have you forgotten what I said earlier?"

Luo Chen was taken aback, recalling what Divine Lord Yuli had said.

When fortune is too great, it can turn into a curse.

This was not hard to understand, much like how a commoner carrying a precious gem invites trouble, or a child holding gold in a bustling market can lead to disaster. When one's power is weak, overly valuable things can be harmful.

But could Divine Lord Yuli and the Life and Death Sect be considered weak?

Luo Chen's gaze swept over the omnipresent primordial energy, his face showing a thoughtful expression.

As Divine Lord Yuli manipulated the Blessing Worm, he looked at Luo Chen with approval and explained further.

"The Life and Death Sect has three divine worms: the Blessing Worm, the Curse Worm, and the Life and Death Companion. Throughout history, the Blessing Worm and the Curse Worm have always existed together. If they are separated, it can lead to uncontrollable calamities."

"Back then, my senior brother, who held the Curse Worm, had important matters to attend to in the Mystic Realm. He left the Mountain and Sea World through the Heavenly Origin Dao Sect's star gate. Before he left, to aid my cultivation, he entrusted me with the Curse Worm."

"However, the Curse Worm was lost outside."

Luo Chen frowned, "Was it taken by Feng Jiang, a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Eastern Wasteland Abyss Sect?"

"Yes!"

Luo Chen shook his head, "Though Feng Jiang is powerful enough to dominate the Five Continents, how could he possibly take the worm right under your nose?"

"Ha ha." Divine Lord Yuli laughed heartily, his tone light. "I let him take it."

"Uh?" Luo Chen was stunned.

Divine Lord Yuli was straightforward, saying, "Back then, my cultivation was stuck at the mid-stage of the Flower Deity realm, and I couldn't break through for a long time. The Blessing Worm was restrained by the Curse Worm, preventing me from taking the crucial step. Therefore, I handed the Curse Worm to a junior disciple under the guise of passing it down, and I even ignored Feng Jiang taking it. This way, the Blessing Worm was no longer suppressed, and my cultivation advanced rapidly."

So that's how it was!

Some of the doubts that had weighed on Luo Chen's mind were now resolved.

Though Feng Jiang was powerful enough to dominate the Five Continents, how could he possibly take a treasure from a Flower Deity?

Divine Lord Yuli chose to let Feng Jiang take the worm instead of a disciple within the sect, likely because the Curse Worm, if separated from the Blessing Worm for too long, would bring too many disasters.

In that case, Feng Jiang had become a tool.

As for how to recover the worm, it would be no difficult task for the accomplished Divine Lord Yuli. Or perhaps, he didn't even need to act personally, as Luo Chen had now returned it to him.

While Luo Chen was pondering, the red butterfly circled the Primordial Cauldron for a long time but still couldn't draw out the gray butterfly.

Divine Lord Yuli frowned instinctively.

As he changed his technique, he continued talking to Luo Chen.

"But the events that followed were beyond my control. The Blessing Worm not only deepened my understanding of the true essence of the law and helped me condense my Spirit Core Dharma Image, but it also attracted a massive influx of primordial energy, affecting the entire Southern Frontier cultivation world."

"The overwhelming primordial energy made it difficult for high-level cultivators to maintain their inner peace, and they easily fell into madness."

"With my abilities, I could only protect the cultivators of the Life and Death Sect; I was powerless to help other sects."

"To prevent the situation from worsening, I had to close the sect's gates and prevent the sect's cultivators from interfering in secular affairs."

As he spoke, he suddenly grunted.

"Come out!"

With a flick of his finger, the Primordial Cauldron emitted a deep, resonant hum.

The gray butterfly finally broke free from its restraints, emerging from the cauldron.

Was this the Curse Worm?

Luo Chen looked up at the gray butterfly, seeing it for the first time.

As soon as it emerged, it entangled with the Blessing Worm.

The dense primordial energy around them seemed to calm down.

This change left Luo Chen's mind in turmoil.

"The path of the worms is truly miraculous!"

Divine Lord Yuli, watching this, also let out a sigh of relief.

"Though miraculous, it is not the orthodox path for cultivators. It was an accidental discovery by the main sect of the Mystic Realm and brought down during the opening of the Mountain and Sea World, gradually growing stronger. Because of this, there is currently no method to break through to the Ethereal stage, which is why my senior brother had to go to the upper realm to seek the main sect's help to advance to the Ethereal stage."

As he spoke, he casually tossed it over.

The Primordial Cauldron spun through the air and landed in front of Luo Chen.

"Your life-bound treasure is quite extraordinary!"

Seeing the other party return his life-bound treasure willingly, a weight was lifted from Luo Chen's heart. However, he kept his composure and was more curious about the ancient secrets hinted at in the other's words.

After retrieving the Curse Worm, Divine Lord Yuli seemed to be in a better mood and generously shared some secrets that were hard for the world to know.

"Why does the Mountain and Sea World have the tradition of territorial wars?"

"Because the process of the human race growing powerful is itself a large-scale territorial war!"

Ten thousand years ago, under the leadership of the Heavenly Origin Dao Sect, the five great sects of the Mystic Realm descended upon the Mountain and Sea World, launching a campaign to conquer and develop this realm.

The transition from the ancient to the primordial era took place during this period.

When the five great sects of the human race established their dominance over the five continents of the Mountain and Sea World, the history of this realm officially moved past the bloody era of human and demon wars.

"The star gate of the Heavenly Origin Dao Sect is not just an organizational name; it is also a powerful celestial treasure with the ability to traverse space and explore the universe. It is said to have been personally crafted by a powerful demon for the Great Venerable Tianyuan."

"It was thanks to this treasure that our five sects were able to cross the void and arrive in the Mountain and Sea World."

"But for some unknown reason, after the primordial era, the star gate's passage became extremely unstable and was difficult to use under normal circumstances. Only when a cultivator ascends and triggers the vast spirit energy of this realm can the star gate be activated to return to the Mystic Realm."

"As a result, the Heavenly Origin Dao Sect became increasingly protective of this treasure and rarely lent it to the other four sects. This led to a gradual estrangement between the five sects, and even the connection with the main sect in the Mystic Realm was completely severed."

"In this situation, the five great holy lands that remained in the Mountain and Sea World became more fiercely competitive in their pursuit of interests within this realm. The current campaign by the Heavenly Origin Dao Sect to conquer three continents and dominate the world was a predictable outcome."

Hearing these ancient secrets, Luo Chen was deeply moved. He had similar suspicions in the past, and now they were finally confirmed. The history was even grander and more magnificent than he had imagined.

Five great sects from beyond the heavens descended upon a realm, slaying demons and clearing the wilderness to establish the five continents.

"If you want to learn more, you can read this jade scroll in your free time."

As he spoke, Divine Lord Yuli took out a jade scroll.

Luo Chen respectfully accepted it and glanced at the title—Secret Records of the Mystic Realm.

He felt a bit embarrassed and said, "Such a valuable item must be a precious inheritance of your sect. I feel unworthy to accept it, sir!"

Despite his words, he held the jade scroll tightly.

Divine Lord Yuli smiled, "No need to worry. I'm only giving you a copy. Besides, you returned the Curse Worm when I couldn't move, so it's only fair to give you some compensation."

As he spoke, his tone paused, and he suddenly produced another item.

"I'll give you this as well!"

Luo Chen looked closely and saw the Yin-Yang Fish.

The Life and Death Companion Worm!

"This..."

Luo Chen was truly hesitant.

He politely declined, "This is one of the three major heritage divine worms of your sect. I cannot accept it."

"There's nothing to worry about. It hasn't reached the fifth stage; it's only at the fourth stage", Divine Lord Yuli said calmly, his dislike for the Life and Death Companion Worm far outweighing his fondness. "A fifth-stage Life and Death Companion Worm is a shortcut for cultivators, enhancing combat power and aiding cultivation. But every shortcut has its price. My senior brother, Yin-Yang Zi, who had a promising life, met his early demise after a thousand years, due to the burden of this worm. Leaving this fourth-stage worm behind, there will surely be ambitious junior disciples within the sect. Not to mention the future, just the process of cultivating it from the fourth to the fifth stage will cause much turmoil."

Luo Chen was still hesitant.

Divine Lord Yuli smiled, "You don't need to worry. At its current fourth stage, it cannot form a contract with a Hua Shen. And I have a secret technique that can help you survive if the contract target dies. I believe this worm can be a great help in a critical moment."

Hearing this, Luo Chen's eyes lit up.

A secret technique to avoid the negative effects of the Life and Death Companion Worm?

He could tell that Divine Lord Yuli was in a talkative mood, so he asked, "If such a technique exists, why didn't Senior Yin-Yang Zi use it back then?"

"Because it didn't exist back then!" Divine Lord Yuli smiled wryly.

Luo Chen was taken aback. Clearly, this secret technique had only been developed over the past two thousand years.

"Senior Yin-Yang Zi had studied such techniques before setting up the Yin-Yang Realm, but time was too short, so he had to abandon it and seek a false death and rebirth. Unfortunately, the false death became real, and the rebirth was just a malevolent spirit. The only gain was a young Netherworld Dragon, which, over the years, barely reached the fifth stage."

"My secret technique is derived from his earlier research."

"But don't rely on it too much. Its effectiveness is limited to the fourth-stage nascent soul. Once both parties surpass this level, its effectiveness will greatly diminish."

"Of course, you don't need to worry about the situation after the nascent soul stage. Once both the contract target and you break through the nascent soul stage, this fourth-stage Life and Death Companion Worm won't have much effect, at most causing some minor backlash."

After a lengthy explanation, Luo Chen finally accepted the gift.

In reality, he had no choice but to accept it.

Who could possibly refuse a gift from a being as powerful as a Flower Deity?

After sealing the Life and Death Companion Worm and the secret technique with a ban, Luo Chen curiously inquired about the initial fifth-stage Netherworld Earth Dragon.

Divine Lord Yuli's response was simple: "Let it be!"

Luo Chen was quite puzzled by this answer.

Although the Netherworld Earth Dragon had only just reached the fifth stage, it still met his basic expectations for its strength. But it was a fifth-stage beast, after all!

If properly tamed and cultivated, it could become a guardian spirit beast for the Life and Death Sect.

Why let it go?

Divine Lord Yuli briefly explained.

"Once I leave, there will be no one left in the sect capable of taming this beast. Keeping it would only endanger the sect."

"Leave?" Luo Chen was taken aback.

Divine Lord Yuli smiled. "Yes, my realm has long been achieved. The reason I lingered was because the Essence Qi Ocean, drawn by the Blessing Worm, suppressed me. Now that the Blessing and Curse are intertwined, this Essence Qi Ocean can no longer hold me back. My only option is to leave."

Luo Chen instinctively looked up. "Are you returning to the Mystic Realm?"

But he quickly realized the impossibility.

To return to the Mystic Realm, one needed the assistance of a star gate.

This was the Southern Frontier Life and Death Sect; there was no star gate of the Dao Zong here.

Thus, there were only two possible explanations for his departure.

One was to pass away, the other to ascend.

Given the length of time he had lived, his lifespan had likely already surpassed the two-thousand-year limit of a Flower Deity.

Luo Chen carefully asked, "May I ask what realm you have attained, sir?"

Divine Lord Yuli countered, "Do you know why the world calls me a Divine Lord?"

Luo Chen blurted out, "Could it be that you have reached the realm of a True Lord of the Void?"

"Not quite. In this world, apart from some native top-tier beasts, no being can break through to the True Lord realm. However!" Divine Lord Yuli's tone shifted, and his spiritual energy rippled like a tidal wave, "If I ascend successfully, reaching the True Lord realm will be as easy as turning my hand!"

Under the immense spiritual energy, Luo Chen involuntarily stepped back.

His eyes widened with amazement as he stared at the old man in the green robe standing atop the cloud sea.

A massive Spirit Core emerged from above his head.

The remaining Essence Qi Ocean, which had not yet dissipated, transformed into myriad rays of light, surging into the Spirit Core.

Moreover, under Luo Chen's crimson eyes and golden pupils, a vast amount of spirit energy was converging on Divine Lord Yuli's Spirit Core.

In just a moment, the originally somewhat ethereal Spirit Core became incredibly solid.

Its form and state began to change mysteriously, with faint traces of true law swirling around it, forming the image of a colossal giant.

In the blink of an eye, the giant towered a hundred zhang tall, like a titan surveying the world.

Radiant light pierced through the cloud sea mist, like sunlight illuminating the land below.

This transformation was even more spectacular than when Dan Sheng Chu Yan ascended.

Considering Divine Lord Yuli's realm and his earlier words, Luo Chen had a vague idea.

"A Dharma Image!"

Cultivating the Way of Qi involved the transformation of both spiritual energy and soul.

Especially the latter, which spanned all stages of cultivation!

Soul, spirit awareness, Shenxi, nascent soul, and then the transformation of the Spirit Core when advancing to the Flower Deity realm.

What came after the Flower Deity realm?

It was said that to break through to the Void Condensation stage, one must form a Dharma Image to replace the physical body, allowing one to traverse the Essence Qi Ocean without fear of being assimilated by the heavens.

As for how to form a Dharma Image, Luo Chen did not know.

But from what he could see, Divine Lord Yuli had indeed accomplished this.

"No wonder he said that if he ascends successfully, he can reach the Void Condensation stage. He has already begun to form an initial Dharma Image."

Beneath the cloud sea summit.

In the Life and Death Sect's battlefield, which resembled a hellish realm.

Countless cultivators sensed the change in the heavens.

Light pierced through the fog, and the sky was bathed in a radiant glow.

A colossal, ethereal giant stood atop the cloud sea, overlooking the mountains and seas.

Everyone was stunned, unsure of the meaning of this scene.

But the cultivators of the Heavenly Origin Dao Sect reacted the fastest!

They had seen this scene decades ago.

"An ascension!"

"Someone is ascending!"

"Who could be ascending at this time? Could it be the Life and Death Sect's patriarch, Divine Lord Yuli?"

A figure suddenly appeared before the crowd, one of the five great patriarchs of the Heavenly Origin Dao Sect, Lian Cheng.

At that moment, he looked up with a mixture of surprise and doubt.

"It is an ascension, but why would Divine Lord Yuli manifest a Dharma Image? It was rumored that he had been stuck in his realm to extend his life, unable to move freely and confined to the Life and Death Sect."

At this thought, Elder Liancheng felt an inexplicable sense of danger.

Why had the other chosen to ascend now, just as the enemy forces were bearing down?

Elder Liancheng began to retreat.

But it seemed to be too late.

The illusory giant standing amidst the cloud sea suddenly opened its eyes.

Those were eyes that contained the sun, moon, stars, and the eons of time.

Its gaze turned downward, and with a casual press of its hand—

Boom!

The Essence Qi Ocean, still lingering, abruptly sank.

Terror-inducing primordial qi poured into the Life and Death Sect.

At this moment, the primordial qi seemed to possess a will of its own, bypassing all the sect's cultivators and striking the enemies.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

A series of sounds echoed, each one accompanied by a burst of blood mist, marking the end of a life.

The cultivators of the Stiff Mountain Alliance, the Heavenly Origin Dao Sect...

Elder Liancheng watched this scene with eyes burning with rage.

"Yuli! How dare you attack my sect’s cultivators? Don’t you fear the retribution of the Dao Sect?"

In the cloud sea, Luo Chen, who had been hiding in a corner, suddenly realized the gravity of the situation.

That's right!

With Divine Lord Yuli on the verge of ascending to his peak state, few in the world could match him. Eliminating all the invading enemies would be effortless.

But once he successfully ascended, the Life and Death Sect would no longer have a powerful Hua Shen.

The main forces of the Stiff Mountain Alliance were here, and if they were wiped out, so be it.

But the Heavenly Origin Dao Sect still existed. Wouldn’t Divine Lord Yuli fear the sect’s retaliation afterward?

Was he so cold-hearted, only concerned with the present?

Luo Chen didn’t think so!

From the way he had closed the sect's gates and protected his disciples for hundreds of years, it was clear that he had a deep concern for them.

Why was he doing this?

Divine Lord Yuli did not respond to Elder Liancheng. As he pressed down the Essence Qi Ocean, he pointed into the air, his target being Liancheng.

Whoosh!

With a single point, the void exploded, and a black line stretching for thousands of miles appeared, spanning the heavens and earth.

Elder Liancheng's soul was seized with fear, and he did not hesitate to flee into the void.

But moments later, he was forced back out, as if this sky was no longer under his control.

A thumb-sized blood hole appeared in his chest, and his mana leaked uncontrollably.

His face contorted with madness, he fled at an unparalleled speed, vanishing from everyone's sight in the blink of an eye.

Silence reigned.

The only sound was a faint warning from Divine Lord Yuli.

"Enter the Southern Frontier again, and you will die!"

The Dharma Image in the cloud sea slowly retracted its hand, seemingly unwilling to make another move.

Within the Life and Death Sect, a few enemies still lingered, such as Alliance Leader Songyang, Zheng Bingtao, and Elder Zangsheng.

Their strength far surpassed that of ordinary cultivators, and they had managed to survive the overwhelming attack from Divine Lord Yuli.

But even so, they had lost all their courage.

When the world’s most powerful Hua Shen struck, killing a million cultivators with a single blow and forcing Elder Liancheng to retreat with a single finger, how could they dare to continue their assault?

One by one, they fled without a second thought, retracing their steps.

The cultivators of the Life and Death Sect made a token effort to intercept them but soon gave up.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on their own elder, as if they feared losing something precious.

A sigh drifted through the air.

"From now on, it's up to you."

Three beams of light descended from the cloud sea, one red, one gray, and one green, each landing in the hands of the three late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators of the Life and Death Sect.

Divine Lord Yuli withdrew his gaze and looked toward Luo Chen.

"Little friend, I have removed the Curse Worm, but your little cauldron is extraordinary, and a trace of the Curse Worm’s aura remains. This may bring a great calamity in the future. I have left a method for you to use. By activating the residual Curse Worm aura, you might be able to summon a heavenly tribulation to defend yourself."

"Now, I will send you on your way."

A gentle current of primordial qi surged toward Luo Chen, pushing him away.

Luo Chen's gaze was complex. His interactions with this powerful figure had been brief, but the other’s genuine kindness and guidance were unmistakable.

Now, as the other was about to ascend, he had even taken the time to send him on his way. How could this not be touching?

He bowed deeply.

"Thank you, Senior. If Luo Chen has the means in the future, I will do my best to support the Life and Death Sect."

Divine Lord Yuli smiled faintly. "Your intentions are noble."

"Congratulations on your ascension, may the Dao flourish!"

In the cloud sea, only Luo Chen’s words lingered.

Below, amidst the mountains and fields, a chorus of farewells echoed.

"Send off the elder to ascend!" (End of Chapter)

Chapter end

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