Chapter 1018 The Netherworld Theory

After hearing the tale of the 6 Stars Immortal, a faint frown creased Eldrin’s brow.

As the direct grandson of the Crimson Dragon Ancestor, Crimson Dragon Child had cultivated for over 900,000 years. Though his cultivation had not yet reached the Half-Step Earth Immortal realm, it had soared to the ninth level of the Ascension Realm.

Such a supreme immortal who had ascended through the 9 Heavenly Ascension Realms was the only 1 in the entire Crimson Dragon Sea. Although the 6 Stars Immortal was hailed as 1 of the 3 great powerhouses of the Crimson Dragon Sea, even he could not compare to this figure.

Now that Elder Chilong had arrived in person, he was likely to intervene, filling everyone with grave apprehension. As expected, the 9 Phoenix Immortal Carriage paused briefly before halting mid-air,

Seated atop it, the Crimson Dragon Master glanced down, his gaze sweeping over the assembly before finally settling on Eldrin (Person Name).

"All the immortal islands across the Crimson Dragon Sea are the assets of our Crimson Dragon Clan."

"In years past, the Fire Mulberry Island was occupied by the demon race, so this venerable 1 never intervened. Now that it has fallen into human hands, it is time for this venerable 1 to reclaim it."

"Fellow Daoist Red Dragon, you exaggerate."

Just then, an ethereal immortal melody drifted from the heavens. As everyone looked up, they saw an elder with hair and beard white as snow strolling through the clouds. "It's him."

The immortals present exchanged subtle glances, their eyes flickering with recognition as they identified the newcomer's origins.

The newcomer was none other than Qian Xuande. His gaze swept across the assembly before finally settling on Eldrin (Person Name), to whom he offered an apologetic smile. "This old man has arrived a step late. I beg your forgiveness, Fellow Daoist."

"You flatter me."

Seeing Qian Xuande arrive, Eldrin couldn't help but reveal a faint smile,

Unexpectedly, even Scarlet Dragon Child furrowed his brow at the sight of Qian Xuande.

A faint glint narrowed Red Dragon’s eyes as he regarded Qian Xuande. "So it’s a fellow cultivator from the Setting Sun Sea," he remarked coolly. "Do you intend to involve yourself in today’s affairs?"

Qian Xuande did not answer, but smiled instead, “Today marks the joyous occasion of Fellow Daoist Guixu establishing his own sect. As his close friend, I naturally came to offer my congratulations.”

Everyone understood the implicit meaning—it was an endorsement for Eldrin to claim this mountain.

Eldrin’s brow furrowed slightly. Across the entire Crimson Dragon Sea, he was the sole cultivator at the 9th Level of Ascension,

Apart from him, although the 6 Stars Immortal was extraordinary, he was merely at the Eighth Immortal Realm. Even the strongest of the Divine Lineage, the "Violet Radiance Divine Spirit", was no more than this.

1 could say that even if the 6 Stars Immortal and the Amethyst Radiance Deity were to arrive today, he would not fear them in the slightest. Yet this Qian Xuande who now stood before him was extraordinary.

Although this individual had only reached the seventh level of ascension, he had in fact lived for over a million years—a Tribulation Transcendent who had survived 1 heavenly ordeal.

Over a million years of accumulation, coupled with a fortuitous encounter during a heavenly tribulation, had endowed Qian Xuande with extraordinary divine abilities, mastery of laws, and even a remarkable life-bound immortal treasure. His power likely approached the Ninth Heaven of Ascension, enough to give him some pause. "If this were my own spiritual mountain, it would be 1 thing. But this Fire Mulberry Island is the immortal sanctuary of the Crimson Flame Qi (Spiritual Root) lineage of the Divine Eagle. There's no need to provoke a confrontation with Qian Xuande over this."

Chilongzi (Person Name) murmured inwardly, then spoke coldly: "Since you've spoken, I shall grant this favor."

"I shall not intervene in today's matter."

As Elder Crimson Dragon’s voice faded, 9 phoenixes soared into the sky, pulling the immortal carriage. In the blink of an eye, they vanished beyond the horizon.

As the Crimson Dragon Child soared into the sky, Eldrin’s gaze shifted toward the Crimson Flame Qi Spiritual Root. The Vermilion Condor Emperor, enveloped in flowing flames, felt a chill run down his spine. He stared intently at Eldrin for a long moment before finally letting out a cold snort. Without uttering a word, he led his followers into the void. Eldrin had braced himself for a fierce battle today, only to witness it end so abruptly and anticlimactically. He couldn’t help but feel a twinge of surprise.

After a fleeting thought, he turned his gaze to the crowd and cupped his hands in salute. "My gratitude to you all for your assistance today."

"Not at all, not at all. Within the Crimson Dragon Sea, the human race holds a weakened position, so it is only natural that we must support and assist 1 another."

Celestial Feather Immortal couldn't help but smile faintly, then gazed at Qian Xuande and said, "Speaking of today's matter, it's primarily Fellow Daoist Qian's prestige that carried the weight."

Hearing this, everyone smiled faintly. The Crimson Dragon Sea had been Crimson Dragon Ancestor’s territory just a 100 1000 years ago, and now all the immortals present had only arrived here recently. Naturally, it couldn’t compare to a sea like the Setting Sun Sea, which had remained stable for a million years.

If not counting the Crimson Sunset Blessed Land, there should be no more than 10 Tribulation Transcendent Immortals in the Crimson Sunset Sea.

An ancient immortal like Qian Xuande, who had lived for over a million years, was likely an exceedingly rare sight even within the Sea of Setting Suns.

At this thought, Eldrin cupped his hands once more with a light laugh. "Since the unwelcome guest has departed, let us resume our banquet. Esteemed guests, please follow me."

Establishing a new sect was a joyous occasion. To express his gratitude to the guests, Eldrin specially procured numerous rare immortal brews and acquired celestial delicacies accompanied by spirit peaches and exotic fruits to feast the assembly.

The grand feast lasted for 3 days and 3 nights before the crowd gradually dispersed.

Before parting, Qian Xuande took Eldrin by the arm and said with a smile, "Though the immediate crisis has been resolved, I sense the Crimson Flame Qi Divine Eagle Emperor remains unwilling to accept defeat. I fear he will seek another opportunity to strike again in the future."

"You must be cautious, and do not give him any opportunity to strike."

"Many thanks for your consideration, Fellow Daoist. I shall be cautious."

Eldrin nodded slightly, then paused in contemplation before speaking again, "As I ascend to the immortal realm this time, there remain some unresolved mortal affairs that require me to make a journey to the Netherworld."

"Fellow Daoist, having spent many years in the immortal realm, you must be familiar with the Netherworld. I humbly request your guidance on this matter."

Qian Xuande’s brow twitched almost imperceptibly at those words.

A moment later, he nodded and couldn't help but smile. "You've entered the Netherworld—is it to seek the reincarnated forms of past loved ones, or to guide departed companions through the cycle of rebirth?"

Eldrin smiled faintly at the sight. "You have keen eyes, fellow cultivator."

“It’s not a matter of keen eyesight.” Qian Xuande shook his head with a wry smile. “Even the likes of us, 9 Heavens Immortals, are not omnipotent. Most of us carry regrets from our early years that remain unresolved.”

"Moreover, for those like you who have just ascended, it is often the case that worldly attachments remain unresolved. A journey to the Netherworld is to be expected."

Qian Xuande stroked his long beard and spoke with a measured cadence, smiling as he said, "But in this matter, you’ve come to the right person by seeking out this old man."

"I have an old friend who failed his heavenly tribulation in his early years and descended into the Netherrealm. Now, within the Netherrealm of the Qingcang Celestial Domain, he has established the Ghost Banquet Underworld Palace. You may take my token and seek him out."

"Given my modest standing, I believe he would lend you a helping hand within his means."

Eldrin was overjoyed to hear these words and promptly cupped his hands in salute. "In that case, I offer my sincerest gratitude, Fellow Daoist."

The Old Immortal smiled faintly, and with a flick of his sleeve, he penned a letter. He then handed it along with a jade pendant to Eldrin, adding a final reminder: "To cultivate the path of the Netherghost Immortal, 1 must draw upon the power of mortal incense and devotion."

"If the matter you wish to entrust proves particularly challenging, you may bring some Incense Fire Heavenly Silver. I'm certain he would not refuse."

Eldrin listened attentively, then nodded. "Understood."

Seeing this, Qian Xuande cupped his hands in farewell and took his leave.

After Qian Xuande had departed, Eldrin sought out the Refined Void Immortal who had been left behind alone.

Upon meeting, his expression immediately steadied, and he cupped his hands with a smile, saying, "Might I ask if you are the Third Ancestor of the Zijie Clan, Senior Ji Lianxu?"

Chapter 1 The biting cold wind swept across the mountain peaks, carrying with it the scent of frost and decay. Lin Feng tightened his tattered robe, his fingers trembling as he clutched the last remaining spirit stone in his palm. The faint glow within the translucent crystal pulsed like a dying heartbeat. "Just 1 more day," he whispered to himself, his breath forming mist in the freezing air. "The sect will expel me if I don't break through to the second layer of Qi Refining before tomorrow's assessment." His gaze fell upon the distant training grounds where dozens of outer sect disciples practiced their sword forms, their movements fluid and precise. The shimmering aura around their bodies spoke of cultivation bases far surpassing his own. Among them, Zhao Shan (Person Name) stood out like a crane among chickens, his crimson robe fluttering in the wind as he demonstrated the Flaming Cloud Palm technique. "Look who's here," a mocking voice cut through Lin Feng's thoughts. "The waste who's been stuck at the first layer for 3 years." Lin Feng didn't need to turn around to recognize the speaker. It was Li Hao (Person Name), Zhao Shan's lackey, who had recently broken through to the fourth layer. "Still clinging to that broken cultivation manual?" Li Hao sneered, snatching the ancient text from Lin Feng's grasp. "The Basic Qi Refining Art? How pathetic. Even the cleaning servants practice better techniques." A crowd began to gather, their laughter echoing through the mountain pass. Lin Feng's knuckles turned white, but he remained silent. He knew any response would only invite more humiliation. "Brother Zhao has taken pity on you," Li Hao continued, tossing the manual back with contempt. "He's willing to give you 1,000 spirit stones if you voluntarily withdraw from the sect. That's enough for you to live comfortably as a mortal for the rest of your life." The offer hung in the air like a poisoned temptation. Lin Feng's eyes swept across the faces of his fellow disciples - some pitying, most mocking, all certain of his eventual failure. Suddenly, a brilliant flash of light erupted from the main peak, followed by a thunderous roar that shook the very foundations of the mountain. An enormous pressure descended upon them, forcing several weaker disciples to their knees. "Elder Minghe (Person Name) has broken through to the Nascent Soul stage!" someone shouted in awe. As the magnificent phenomenon unfolded in the sky above, Lin Feng felt something stir within his dantian. The rusty bronze mirror he had inherited from his deceased parents, which had shown no reaction for 10 long years, suddenly grew warm against his chest. A mysterious energy began flowing through his meridians, and the world around him seemed to slow to a crawl. The complex sword techniques being practiced in the distance suddenly appeared simple and clear, their essence unfolding before his mind's eye like blooming flowers. "What's happening to him?" someone exclaimed. "His aura is changing!" Lin Feng closed his eyes as countless cultivation insights flooded his consciousness. The Basic Qi Refining Art he had practiced for thousands of hours suddenly revealed hidden depths he had never perceived before. When he opened his eyes again, the world had transformed. He could see the spiritual energy flowing through every leaf and stone, could sense the subtle vibrations of the laws governing heaven and earth. A faint smile touched his lips as he looked at the stunned Li Hao. "Tell Zhao Shan to keep his 1,000 spirit stones. Some things cannot be measured by wealth." The crowd fell into stunned silence as Lin Feng turned and walked toward his humble dwelling, his steps firm and confident for the first time in years. The setting sun cast his long shadow across the mountain path, as if foreshadowing the legend that was about to begin.