Immortality Begins With The Alchemical Master Chapter 974: Dao Sect's Ambition, Unifying Mountains and Seas - Novel Cool

Chapter 974: Dao Sect's Ambition, Unifying Mountains and Seas

Chapter 974: Dao Sect’s Ambition, Unifying Mountains and Seas

Time slowly passed.

On the desolate and lifeless Soulcutter Cliff, where no trace of spiritual energy could be found, Luo Chen silently calculated the passage of time.

In the fifth year, he split out his seventh soul.

In the sixth year, after decades of diligent practice, he finally achieved mastery of the Soulcleaving Art. However, he sensed a subtle flaw in the perfected technique, though he couldn’t pinpoint exactly where it lay. This was likely due to the missing parts in Han Zhan’s memories.

Luo Chen didn’t delve deeper into this issue.

He was well aware that when he first obtained this technique, the system had marked it as an incomplete version.

Moreover, because of its high level, it couldn’t be naturally perfected just by increasing proficiency.

To complete it, he would either need to invest a massive amount of achievement points or find some auxiliary treasure that even Han Zhan didn’t know about.

“My goal is to split into nine souls, breaking through the nascent soul realm’s limitations. The current level of the Soulcleaving Art is sufficient for now!”

When the seventh year arrived, Luo Chen wasted no time and began the process of splitting his eighth soul.

The principle behind the Soulcleaving Art’s soul refinement is based on the idea of quantitative changes leading to qualitative improvements. When the main soul can no longer be enhanced, the overall improvement comes from the collective enhancement of the numerous split souls.

Thus, the more split souls, the better.

This was evident from the fact that Han Zhan had split into nine souls at an early stage.

If Luo Chen hadn’t been burdened by mundane affairs in his early years, he would have reached that stage long ago.

However, it wasn’t too late now!

Especially with the abundance of soul stones to aid him, the process was much more efficient.

If Han Zhan were still alive, seeing Luo Chen practice the Soulcleaving Art like this, he would likely be envious to the point of turning red with jealousy.

Tonight.

His main soul was plump and radiant, and the split souls were vibrant. Even the seventh soul, which he had split just last year, had grown to the mid-nascent soul stage after a year of cultivation with soul stones.

It was time to split the eighth soul.

Luo Chen focused his mind, Shenxi transforming into a blade, and began the process of splitting his main soul.

However, what had once been a familiar and smooth process now seemed to be more challenging.

The suppressed cries of pain continued for a long time before finally subsiding.

In a daze, three days had passed.

Luo Chen’s face was pale, and he was mentally and physically exhausted as he looked at the newly formed eighth split soul in his sea of consciousness.

"How could this be?"

"The later stages are more difficult, which contradicts the records in the technique."

"Could it be that this technique is better suited for splitting into nine souls as early as possible, like Han Zhan did?"

Luo Chen was puzzled.

He didn’t believe that the difference would be significant, especially since he had already pushed the Soulcleaving Art to its perfected level. Logically, it should have been easier.

Even if there were bottlenecks, they shouldn’t appear at the eighth or ninth soul.

He couldn’t figure it out!

Luo Chen could only absorb the wisps of green smoke to recover from his current weakened state.

Suddenly!

Buzz...

A dull sound echoed, then continued unabated.

The sound was faint but reached deep into his soul. Luo Chen, puzzled, stepped out of his cave abode.

What he saw was a vast expanse of sky and sea, with clouds rolling and surging.

The Yellow Springs Sea, with its tumultuous waves, was surging outward.

Seeing this, a thought instinctively came to Luo Chen’s mind.

"It’s moving again!"

In recent years, the Yellow Springs Sea had been relatively calm.

Based on Luo Chen’s deductions, it had been lingering near the Southern Frontier, hidden in the Southern Ocean.

The current commotion was reminiscent of the first time he encountered the Yellow Springs Sea.

"Where will it go this time?"

Luo Chen muttered to himself.

But his muttering gradually turned serious.

His pale face, already drained from splitting the eighth soul, now showed signs of uncertainty.

His gaze shifted from the Soulcutter Cliff beneath his feet to the black-stone beach, and then through the vast Yellow Springs Sea to the distant horizon, his lips tightly pressed together.

"Could it be...?"

A hypothesis suddenly sprang to mind!

If the Soulcutter Cliff and the Yellow Springs Sea were the transformation of a top-tier ancient beast, where did the countless soul stones come from?

Initially, he thought they were brought by the Yellow Springs Sea, but later discovered they actually came from the Soulcutter Cliff.

Despite the daily erosion, the Soulcutter Cliff showed no signs of collapse, and the soul stone beach showed no signs of depletion.

So, what about the large number of soul stones he had consumed over the past seven years?

"Out of nothing? Impossible!"

"There must be some other source of replenishment!"

Luo Chen reviewed all the information he had about the Soulcutter Cliff, arriving at a startling conclusion.

If this place was indeed an ancient beast, its favorite food must be living souls!

And not just a few, but the countless living souls that permeate the world.

Wherever there are more souls, it would move there and linger, slowly absorbing them and converting them into part of the Soulcutter Cliff.

Among the five continents of the Mountain and Sea Realm, the Northern Sea was the most vast, and the endless demon sea was always filled with battles. Therefore, the Soulcutter Cliff had long been lingering deep in the demon sea.

With the fall of the Primordial Demon Sect and the mutual attacks among the three major powers of the Northern Sea, as well as the human-demon war and the Dao Sect’s invasion of the Northern Sea, the number of souls from the dead had increased, causing the Soulcutter Cliff to gradually move away from the deep demon sea to the edge of the human realm.

Thus, he had stumbled upon it by chance years ago.

The Soulcutter Cliff’s move to the Southern Ocean near the Southern Frontier was clearly attracted by the great battle between the Life and Death Gate.

When the Yuli Godmaster ascended, he killed a million cultivators with a single strike, filling the Southern Frontier with an unimaginable amount of fresh souls that didn’t dissipate quickly.

So, the Soulcutter Cliff came.

Now, six years had passed, and the seventh year had arrived.

If there were no more major battles in the Southern Frontier, the Soulcutter Cliff would have had its fill.

Its departure at this moment must mean there was a more attractive destination.

"Is there another war erupting, one that rivals the chaos of the Northern Sea and the Southern Frontier's great battle?"

"Or is it about to happen, or has it already occurred?"

Several names surfaced in Luo Chen's mind, but he ultimately settled on the most familiar one: Dong Huang.

In recent years, the wars in Dong Huang had claimed countless lives.

With the downfall of the Abyss Sect, the depths of the Netherworld could no longer protect Dong Huang's maritime territories. Perhaps the Soulcutter Cliff was leading to Dong Huang.

If that were the case...

A glimmer of hope began to rise in Luo Chen's eyes.

He had long observed the ebb and flow of the Yellow Springs Sea, noticing that it didn't just follow the cycle of day and night but also the passage of time.

The further it progressed, the calmer it became.

It was like eating; at the beginning, it always started with a frenzy, causing strong winds and waves.

Later on, when it was full, the intensity would lessen.

To leave, he needed to seize the moment when the winds and waves were at their strongest!

With this thought, Luo Chen made his decision.

"Before that day arrives, I must separate my ninth soul and prepare thoroughly!"

...

A white light flickered in the sky.

moments later, a dull thunderclap echoed in his ears.

On Lankeshan's Zuowang Peak, a figure leaned against the railing, gazing calmly at the dark clouds gathering in the Jiu Tian Above.

The sound of hurried footsteps approached, and soon a figure appeared behind the old man, bowing respectfully.

"Grandmaster, everything is ready!"

Heavenly Dao Sect's Grandmaster Mo Shouzhuo nodded slightly and turned to enter one of the grand halls on Zuowang Peak.

In the spacious hall, four beams of light gradually illuminated as he entered.

One of the beams, still unstable, eagerly spoke up.

"Senior Brother, why won't you let me return to the Southern Frontier?"

Mo Shouzhuo glanced at the hazy figure and replied calmly, "The Life and Death Gate has gathered all its forces. Can you defeat them?"

The figure who had spoken was momentarily speechless.

The other three beams of light stabilized, and a gentle female voice spoke from one of them.

"Junior Brother Lian Cheng, why the rush? With Yuli having ascended, the Southern Frontier is now a land without a master. Let it cling to life a few more days."

Lian Cheng grumbled, "Without Hua Shen to lead them, the Life and Death Gate can be defeated; it would just take more time."

Mo Shouzhuo countered, "Aren't you afraid of the means Yuli Godmaster left behind before his ascension?"

Lian Cheng spat, "He only managed to defeat me by leveraging the vast spiritual energy during his ascension. Now that he's gone, what's there to fear?"

An elderly voice, not Mo Shouzhuo's or the woman's, laughed.

"Little Lian Cheng, don't underestimate the heroes of the world. Yuli Godmaster's strength is far beyond your imagination."

"Senior Brother Buxiu, why mock me?" Lian Cheng said angrily. "In the battle with the Life and Death Gate, your War family also suffered heavy losses! Even your most promising disciple, Zhan Bingtao, is still recovering. And Senior Brother Tan, your family's little girl, her remains haven't even been recovered yet."

Zhan Buxiu's tone faltered, and he scolded, "The Southern Frontier is your responsibility. How can you speak of such failures so lightly?"

Tianyuan Five Elders' Tan Fengyue sighed.

"This campaign against the four continents was meant to train the younger generation. The little girl's death can only be attributed to her ill fate and the great tribulation she was destined to face. Yuli Godmaster's capabilities truly exceeded our expectations."

The hall buzzed with discussion, and Mo Shouzhuo seemed annoyed.

Bang!

He lightly tapped the table and said sternly, "Yuli Godmaster's decision to act without regard for the consequences was indeed unexpected. But he has ascended and left this realm, which is an undeniable fact. In the short term, the Life and Death Gate won't produce another Huashen powerhouse. The Southern Frontier falling into our Dao Sect's hands is only a matter of time. Lian Cheng, be patient; you will have your chance to return to the Southern Frontier."

"Humph!" Lian Cheng coldly snorted, though he was dissatisfied, he didn't press further.

After all, the Heavenly Dao Sect's campaign against the four continents had been smooth sailing everywhere except for his front.

But he felt wronged!

Who could have predicted that Yuli Godmaster, with his limited lifespan and impending end, would suddenly ascend and even force himself to act, eradicating the Dao Sect's army despite the backlash?

Mo Shouzhuo quelled the discussion and began inquiring about other fronts.

"Senior Sister Chunya, how is Dong Huang?"

The gentle female voice spoke again, clearly and methodically describing the situation in Dong Huang.

"Large and small sects have submitted to us under the threat of the demon army."

"During the battle, I observed Cangwu Mountain from a distance. The heavenly tribulation has been hanging high for over a decade, terrifyingly intense."

"The three fellow daoists from the Abyssal Mire were truly resolute, using such means even in their final moments."

Mo Shouzhuo's expression relaxed, "So, the Demon Phoenix truly cannot act?"

Elder Chunya softly replied, "Yes."

Mo Shouzhuo sighed with relief, "In that case, accelerate our efforts to unify the Dong Huang cultivation world. But remember, our reach must remain within the original human territories of Dong Huang. We must not touch the Great Mountains or Cangwu Mountain."

Someone in the hall, confused, asked, "The Demon Phoenix is already severely wounded and suppressed by the heavenly tribulation. Why be so cautious?"

This confused person was none other than Elder Lian Cheng.

Mo Shouzhuo waved his hand. "Junior Brother, you don’t understand. The Demon Phoenix was originally even more powerful than Yuli Godmaster. Even with the suppression of this world and various constraints, she is not someone we can easily provoke. If it weren’t for the sudden disappearance of the Abyss Sect, our Celestial Dao Sect would never have set foot on Dong Huang’s territory."

Patriarch Lian Cheng was in a state of shock. "If she is truly that formidable, wouldn’t she become a great enemy of our Dao Sect?"

"She has always been an enemy", Mo Shouzhuo said calmly. "But she is an enemy of the main sect. In this Mountain and Sea Realm, we avoid provoking her, and she had better not step onto Central State. Otherwise…"

A faint murderous intent emerged in his words, but it dissipated as quickly as it came.

Mo Shouzhuo then inquired about the situation in the Northern Sea.

Patriarch Chun Yuan had more to say.

"Senior Brother, there are two individuals in Dong Huang that we might need to pay attention to."

"Who?"

"One is Qing Shuang, the Demon Emperor, who possesses the true meaning of spatial law!"

"I know of this demon. We’ll ignore her for now. Who is the other one?"

"Luo Chen!"

"Hmm?" Mo Shouzhuo’s face showed surprise. "You mean the Luo Chen who shone brightly in the great competition five hundred years ago and then returned to Dong Huang to display his alchemy mastery?"

Patriarch Chun Yuan nodded. "Yes, that one. At first, I only paid attention to him because of my disciple Qing Lan. However, I discovered that he is not as you early assessed, that he was a failure. Instead, he has comprehended another essence that suits him, the Fire Essence."

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent.

Everyone present was a Huashen powerhouse and remembered the great competition in the Mirage Dragon Grotto.

Luo Chen, who had shone brightly, was unforgettable.

However, back then, although Luo Chen unexpectedly comprehended the true meaning of a law, it was clear to discerning eyes that he had taken a wrong path and had no hope of reaching Huashen.

If it weren’t for the subsequent news of his achievements in the Dan Sect and his betrayal of the Celestial Dao Sect by joining the Star Gate, which damaged the Dao Sect’s reputation, people wouldn’t have remembered him so vividly.

But they remembered him nonetheless.

Now, Patriarch Chun Yuan said that he had comprehended another law essence, one that suited him, the Fire Essence. This was quite unexpected.

Mo Shouzhuo furrowed his brow for the first time. "Really?"

Patriarch Chun Yuan affirmed, "There’s no doubt. I personally went to the ruins of the Five Elements Divine Sect and found traces of the Fire Essence law. Moreover, Shiju, who went there earlier, felt it even more deeply."

This was undeniable.

Shiju, a junior who had also comprehended the Fire Essence, would find it hard to mistake it due to the repulsion between like essences.

Mo Shouzhuo pondered for a moment and slowly asked, "Where is he now?"

"I don’t know!" Patriarch Chun Yuan replied but quickly added, "I heard that a new body cultivation expert has emerged in the Southern Frontier. I suspect it might be Luo Chen, as he once displayed an extremely strong body cultivation realm, even surpassing the Great Demon Emperor in a battle!"

Patriarch Lian Cheng was surprised. "Qitian?"

"Yes! Could Junior Brother Lian have met him?"

"No, but according to Zhan Bingtao, the Dead Gate was likely opened with his help."

Everyone was taken aback. To open the Dead Gate, his body cultivation must be extremely advanced.

Mo Shouzhuo asked, "Where is he now?"

Patriarch Lian Cheng was speechless.

Mo Shouzhuo frowned. "Never mind. If he remains anonymous for life, that’s fine. But if he appears, he will ultimately return to our Dao Sect. Let’s discuss other matters. Senior Brother Zhan, how is the situation in the Northern Sea?"

Zhan Buxiu laughed heartily. "Everything is going smoothly. Li Canghai is cooperating with us. I’ve also sparred with the Sea Emperor Whale and the Great Sage of the Northern Departure, though only from a distance. They are no match for me. The Northern Sea is under our control, and the rest is just a matter of the younger generation."

Mo Shouzhuo’s frown eased as he asked about the Western Desert.

Tan Fengyue also brought good news.

"The Floating Temple continues to keep its gates closed, giving us a good pretext to attack. The only concern is that while I found traces of the Crimson Sand Ancient Scorpion, the Golden-winged Great Roc, who was collaborating with it, has mysteriously disappeared."

The leading figures in the Western Desert’s chaos were these two.

One was the ancient demon, the Crimson Sand Ancient Scorpion, and the other was the Golden-winged Great Roc, a wild beast once enlightened by the Buddhist sect.

Although one was now missing, it was good news for the Celestial Dao Sect.

After understanding the situation in the four continents, Mo Shouzhuo had a clearer picture.

The Northern Sea was under control, the Southern Frontier was within reach, and Dong Huang was a part of the human cultivation world. The Western Desert was about to be invaded.

It had been fifty years since the initial campaign.

To fully conquer, it might take another fifty years.

Three thousand years of preparation, a hundred years of conquest.

After the conquest, there would be centuries of governance.

Before his ascension, perhaps he could witness the grand unification of the Mountain and Sea Realm under the Dao Sect.

A smile spread across his face. "Ladies and gentlemen, considering the variables, we might truly achieve the unification of the Mountain and Sea Realm before we hand over our responsibilities and ascend. Let’s work hard together!"

The hall echoed with agreement.

"Agreed!"

"Let’s work hard together!"

The telepathic gathering across the continents ended with laughter and cheers.

Mo Shouzhuo rubbed his temples, left the hall, and walked outside.

Breathing in the more concentrated spiritual energy of Zuowang Peak, his smile never faded.

Although there were some unexpected events in the battles across the continents, with his central command and the efforts of his four senior and junior brothers, everything was moving in the right direction.

Even with variables, they were under control.

What the predecessors failed to achieve was finally being accomplished in his generation.

When the time came, even ascending to the Xuan Realm and returning to the main sect would be a great achievement.

Looking into the distance, Mo Shouzhuo calculated the approximate time, but his expression gradually darkened.

Why did those dark clouds linger?

"Wrong!"

"Variables that can be controlled are never variables!"

"The great calamity of the Dao Sect is here!" (End of Chapter)

Chapter end

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