Chapter 1007 : Words Still Ringing in the Ears

He then pointed toward the North Abyssal Sea, drew a deep breath, and said, "The Heaven Devouring Roc Demon Saint (Demon Saint) possessed unparalleled talent. Though the mortal realm’s illusions could not aid his ascension to immortality, he too endured countless trials amidst the great calamity."

"In my estimation, his chances of attaining immortality should be no less than 50 percent."

The Palace Lord of the Dao Palace listened quietly. Watching Eldrin (Person Name) successively designate 3 great demonic powers, he couldn't help but voice his concern with a worried tone, "Among the 3 great demonic powers, 2 are almost certain to attain immortality, while the third has a 50 percent chance."

"Which among our human race holds the promise of ascending to immortality?"

"Our human race..."

"Among the human race, there should be quite a few with the potential to attain immortality."

Eldrin lifted the fragrant tea and took a delicate sip.

He set it down unhurriedly before finally smiling. "Across the 5 Domains and 4 Seas of this world, our human race occupies more than half. Talented geniuses and outstanding heroes emerge in an endless stream."

Caelum the Wavestrider (Person Name) of the Eastern Sea possesses a 20 percent chance of attaining immortality, while Lin Tianqi of the Eastern Wastes, having weathered countless tribulations, is estimated to have no less than a 50 percent probability of ascension.

The Divine Monk of the Western Desert, subduer of demons, may tread the path of attaining immortality through physical cultivation. Should the Tribulation-Transcending Monk recover his memories, his chances of achieving immortality would be no less than 50 percent.

"The master of the Northern Plains' Drifting Snow Palace, the lord of the Southern Sea's Glazed Glass Palace, the ruler of the Southern Wildlands' Blazing Fire Palace, the Hall Master of the Starry Abode, and even your own lineage's Daoist Mingyuan—each possesses a sliver of possibility to ascend as an immortal."

Although the Netherworld Old Ancestor trod the demonic path, with the fall of the Outer Realm Demon God, his road to becoming a True Demon now lay completely unobstructed.

Eldrin spoke with measured grace, pointing out 1 exceptional talent after another—each 1 a supreme powerhouse among humankind.

These individuals had endured countless hardships, each having cultivated a touch of immortal bearing. Though none could guarantee they would ultimately ascend, they had at least grasped a sliver of possibility.

Indeed, this was to be expected. Those cultivators capable of reaching the ninth level of the Primordial Spirit realm—were they not all peerless geniuses rarely seen across millennia?

Not to mention, these individuals had weathered countless battles and survived hundreds of fights through that terrifying demonic tribulation—their methods were truly extraordinary.

Setting aside prodigies like Eldrin, even when compared to immortals of the same realm, they would hardly be at any significant disadvantage.

According to Eldrin's (Person Name) estimation, among these individuals, 1 or 2 might truly ascend to become immortals.

After speaking of these individuals, Eldrin continued, "Within our lineage, my clansman Kael has mastered the essence of Buddhist, Daoist, and Demonic traditions. I fear his potential may extend far beyond merely attaining immortality."

"Nephew Ethan has gained insight into the profound mysteries of life and death. Should he comprehend the laws governing existence, achieving immortality would undoubtedly be within his grasp."

Among the disciples, the eldest disciple Qingfeng (Person Name) underwent tribulation and entered the Eastern Barren Bloodspring (Location). With his Pure Yang Dao Body (Cultivation Physique), he shall achieve perfection in his cultivation within tens of thousands of years, and attaining immortality would then be a matter of course.

"My second disciple, Lu Wenyuan (Person Name), possesses the 4 Symbols Dao Body (Spiritual Root). His foundation is fairly solid, giving him about a 30 percent chance of attaining immortality."

The remaining disciples, Chen Fusu and Gu Lanshan among them, have all received my meticulous guidance. In time, they too may harbor a glimmer of hope to ascend as immortals.

Listening to Eldrin’s vivid narration, the master of the Dao Palace found himself captivated, realizing that there were many in the Violet Realm qualified to glimpse the realm of immortality.

He shook his head, and after a long while, let out a sigh. "If only our old comrades—Brother Taiyuan and the Lord of the Tai Xuan Hall—had not fallen back then, they might have cultivated to the Half-Immortal realm by now, gaining a sliver of hope to glimpse the boundary between Immortal and Demon."

Taiyuan, Taixuan...

Eldrin couldn't help but let out a soft sigh upon hearing this.

Not only Taiyuan and Taixuan, but even the former master of the Endless Sky Pavilion possessed a spark of the aptitude to ascend to immortality.

"From this mortal world I take my leave, no knowing when I might return."

"I only pray that after countless lifetimes, I may meet you again in the immortal realm, or perhaps encounter you once more amidst the mortal dust."

"Perhaps by that time, we shall still recognize each other and sit together to discourse upon the Dao."

He still remembered the parting lament of the Island Master of the Horizon Pavilion when his time came to depart this world. A dull ache throbbed within Eldrin's heart.

If the master of the Endless Sky Pavilion had survived, with his peerless and immortal-dazzling demeanor, tempered through the trials of calamity, his chances of attaining immortality would likely have been no less than 30%.

"I still remember those words spoken then, unforgettable for a lifetime."

Eldrin's heart was heavy with sorrow, and he could not bear to speak further.

He glanced at the Master of the Dao Palace, then took a deep breath and said, "The lineage of the Dao Palace possesses an extraordinary heritage. Throughout the ages, spanning over a million years, it has successively produced 17 immortals."

"Now that you have regained your memories, it is akin to being reborn from ashes. You have finally ascended to greater heights at the pinnacle of cultivation, proving yourself worthy to become the eighteenth immortal elder enshrined within the Dao Palace."

Hearing this, the Master of the Dao Palace remained composed, giving a slight nod.

In his hand, specks of light shimmered into view—it was actually the nascent form of a Law.

Although this nascent law was insignificant and would still require considerable time to transform from illusory to tangible, it had already crossed the critical threshold of materialization.

The Palace Master now only needed to gradually refine the embryonic laws to summon the heavenly tribulation and ascend as an immortal.

In truth, the reason Eldrin had come to the Dao Palace Sanctuary and sought out the Master of Dao Palace in person was precisely because he had sensed the emergence of this nascent law from the Master of Dao Palace.

"After 26,000 years of arduous cultivation and enduring 20 great tribulations, taking this final step was truly no easy feat."

The Master of the Dao Palace spoke with measured grace. Though he had weathered countless tribulations to reach this stage, by the standards of many immortals throughout the ages, his breakthrough could still be considered a late bloomer's achievement.

For most immortals, blessed with prodigious talent, cultivate a path to ascension within their very first lifetime.

Eldrin gave a slight nod and inquired, "When do you intend to ascend to immortality? If you plan to achieve it within a 1000 years, I can leave behind some contingencies to lend you a hand."

"No need."

The Lord of the Dao Palace shook his head, yet a faint luminescence kindled within his pupils.

His gaze was fixed upon the boundless firmament, his eyes reflecting the ever-shifting clouds and the vast, timeless transformation of seas into mulberry fields.

After a long while, he took a deep breath, his gaze carrying a hint of amusement as he said, "Our Dao Palace lineage has successively produced 17 immortals. Among them, only 1 patriarch cultivated 2 distinct paths to immortality. That patriarch is the sole Earth Immortal patriarch of our Dao Palace lineage."

"Though I fall short of the innate brilliance displayed by our ancestral founders through the ages, nor can I match the transcendent enlightenment of all esteemed predecessors."

"Yet the path of cultivation is not solely determined by astonishing comprehension or extraordinary talent. I believe great perseverance and unwavering determination may hold greater importance."

The Master of the Dao Palace spoke unhurriedly, and after a long while, he sighed, "No matter what, I still wish to give it a try—to see if I can venture further and become the second Earth Immortal Patriarch of our Dao Palace lineage."

"Insight, Talent, Perseverance, and Fortitude."

Eldrin (Person Name) murmured softly, and after a long while, he nodded and said, "You are right. Among the prodigies of ancient and modern times, countless individuals with astonishing talent and comprehension never attained enlightenment and ascended to immortality."

"On the contrary, it was those with extraordinary determination and perseverance who, relying on their unwavering resolve, successfully cultivated the Dao Fruit of Immortality, thereby ascending to the celestial realm."

He spoke eloquently, affirming the Dao Heart of the Palace Master.

After a long while, he pondered slightly and spoke, "There are many in the Violet Realm with the potential to attain immortality. A single divine fruit from the Violet God Tree once every 3,000 years will likely be insufficient."

"After this parting, I shall journey to the Central Ancestral Domain to restore the Violet God Tree for you all. Consider this my contribution to your ascension to immortality."

Chapter 1 The biting mountain wind whipped through the valley, carrying with it the scent of pine and decay. A lone figure sat cross-legged upon a weathered boulder, his robes of coarse blue cloth fluttering around him. This was Lin Feng, a humble outer sect disciple of the Verdant Cloud Sect. 1 100 years had passed since his transmigration into this world of cultivation, yet his progress had been painstakingly slow. He slowly opened his eyes, a faint, wry smile touching his lips. "A dozen or so years in the Qi Refinement stage... truly, my talent is abysmal." Reaching into his modest storage pouch, he retrieved a small, porcelain bottle. Unstopping it, he carefully poured a single, pea-sized pill into his palm. It was a Basic Qi Gathering Pill, its surface shimmering with a faint, milky luminescence. This single pill had cost him nearly all of his savings—a full 500 spirit stones, painstakingly accumulated over countless months of performing menial sect tasks. "Just this 1 pill. I must not waste a single iota of its energy." Closing his eyes again, he placed the pill on his tongue and began to circulate the crude "Verdant Cloud Art" cultivation technique he had been taught. A thin, barely perceptible stream of spiritual energy began to coalesce around him, drawn from the world into his dantian. *** Deep within a secluded courtyard nestled among the clouds, a young woman of breathtaking beauty stood before an ancient, gnarled plum tree. Her name was Su Lingshan (Person Name), a prodigy of the inner sect, renowned for her peerless talent and cold demeanor. She wore robes of pristine white silk, embroidered with silver thread that depicted swirling snowflakes. In her hand, she held a slender sword, its blade pale as moonlight. This was the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure), a famed heirloom of her clan. With a flick of her wrist, the sword came to life, tracing elegant, deadly arcs in the air. Each movement was precise, controlled, and brimming with immense power. The air itself seemed to hum in response, the temperature fluctuating between searing heat and biting cold as the sword's dual nature was revealed. A faint, almost imperceptible sigh escaped her lips as she sheathed the blade. "The third bottleneck of the Foundation Establishment stage... it is more formidable than I anticipated." Her clear, cold eyes looked towards the distant, mist-shrouded peaks. "The Grand Sect Competition approaches. I cannot afford to falter." *** Meanwhile, in a dimly lit cave dwelling, an elderly man with a long, grey beard sat in deep meditation. The air around him crackled with palpable energy. Arrays of glowing runes were carved into the stone floor, forming intricate patterns that pulsed with a soft, golden light. This was Elder Guo (Person Name), a respected figure within the sect, rumored to be nearing the end of his lifespan. His weathered face was a mask of intense concentration. "The Heavenly Tribulation draws near," he murmured, his voice a dry rustle. "This final Calamity... it will either grant me a 1000 more years of life and a chance to form the Nascent Soul, or it will reduce my centuries of arduous cultivation to ashes." He opened his eyes, their depths holding a mixture of profound fear and unwavering resolve. "I have prepared for this moment for over 3 100 years. I will not yield." A spatial ring on his finger glimmered, and several treasures materialized before him: a small, bronze bell inscribed with coiling dragons, a set of 9 crimson flags, and a single, iridescent feather. Each item radiated an aura of immense power, artifacts meticulously gathered over a lifetime for this single, defining trial. Countless disciples could only dream of possessing even 1 such treasure. He knew the statistics were grim. Of every 100 Core Formation experts who attempted to face the Heavenly Tribulation, fewer than 10 would succeed. The rest would perish, their Dao severed forever. Yet, the path of cultivation was 1 of relentless defiance against the heavens themselves. There was no turning back.