Chapter 1732 : Farewell to Taicang Diyang

Throughout the countless eons, those predecessors who had pledged allegiance to the various Great Luo Ancient Sects and the 3 Heavenly Courts remained terrifying existences, even if their cultivation progress had stagnated.

These individuals were all Ancient Immortals hailing from the Vast Azure Immortal Realm, naturally possessing the qualifications to contend for the 100 Tribulations Rebirth opportunity.

"The Ancestor has sent word."

Rumor has it that the ancient ancestor of the Golden Crow Grotto-Heaven has likely achieved the realm of a 7-Tribulation Ancient Immortal. He now holds a high position within the Demon Imperial Court and has even garnered the favor of a Demon Emperor.

"If he has truly returned from this opportunity of surviving a 100 calamities, then we may have no choice but to join forces with the human race to confront it."

The Ancient Frost Deity murmured slowly, his brow etched with profound gravity.

Upon hearing this, Goddess Bing Lingtian’s face paled slightly. As the sect master of the Ancient Immortal Grotto-Heaven, she naturally understood how terrifying a 7-Tribulation Ancient Immortal truly was.

Every time an Ancient Immortal Great 1 survives a Karmic Calamity, they must slay at least 1 other Ancient Immortal Great 1 of the same realm. Those capable of enduring 7 consecutive Karmic Calamities must have eliminated at least 7 beings of equivalent tribulation rank.

Considering that many Ancient Immortals perished unexpectedly, and many others sought refuge under the protection of Great Luo powers after their cultivation stagnated, thus avoiding tribulations, it often occurred that among over a 1000 Ancient Immortal mighty figures, scarcely 1 could advance to the Seventh Tribulation realm.

Such 7 Tribulations Ancient Immortals are so rare that even 1 in a 1000 would be an understatement. Throughout the entire history of the Vast Azure Immortal Domain, no more than 1 or 2 have ever reached this level.

With this thought in mind, the Frost Sky God took a deep breath and said somewhat unwillingly, "The opportunity of 100 Calamities Rebirth should have been ours to claim. These ancient predecessors from over a billion years ago should have perished long ago."

"To think they not only survived to this day under the ancient sect Celestial Court's protection, but now dare to seize our destined opportunities as well."

Hearing this, the Frostbone Ancient God shook his head and said, "Speak no more of this. If we lack the confidence to transcend the heavenly tribulation in the future, we may have no choice but to seek the protection of the Frost Deity, just as the Progenitor did."

Meanwhile, high above in the Void Abyss Grotto-Heaven, the banquet continued.

After seeing off the uninvited guest, Eldrin (Person Name) drank freely with the various Celestial Immortal mighty ones at the immortal banquet. Such festivities lasted for 3 full years before concluding.

By the time the celestial banquet concluded and the immortals had departed, Eldrin noticed a single Celestial Immortal powerhouse had remained behind.

The visitor’s cultivation was merely at the early Celestial Immortal stage. Upon seeing Eldrin, he seemed hesitant, as if withholding words. After a moment, he finally clasped his hands respectfully and said, “I am Tai Cang Yu Jia. It is an honor to meet you, Fellow Daoist of the Returning Abyss.”

"Tai Cang Yu Jia?"

Eldrin (Person Name) froze for a fleeting moment before speaking, "Have you come for the sake of Taicang Diyang?"

"Indeed."

"Tai Cang Yu Jia spoke, his face somewhat pale."

Even as the guardian of the Tai Cang Imperial Clan, his strength ultimately fell short. Facing Eldrin now, he found himself utterly devoid of confidence.

Seeing this, Eldrin nodded and said, "I understand your purpose. Wait here for now."

"Many thanks."

Upon hearing this, Taicang Yu Jia immediately revealed an expression of pleasant surprise.

Eldrin arranged for someone to receive Tai Cang Yu Jia, then proceeded into the depths of the Return Abyss Sea. There, he beheld Tai Cang Di Yang, who had been sealed away for countless years.

Sealed away for tens of thousands of years, Tai Cang Di Yang's aura had grown exceedingly feeble, yet his unyielding pride remained steadfast and unbroken. Upon seeing Eldrin (Person Name), he declared,

"Though I was imprisoned, I have heard tales of your deeds."

"To be able to sweep through the entire Qingcang Immortal Domain, it seems my defeat at your hands was not unjust."

Eldrin did not reply, merely releasing him.

Tai Cang Di Yang rose to his feet, gazing at Eldrin as he spoke, "By releasing me today, do you not fear I shall return to trouble you again someday?"

Eldrin gave him a measured look before stating calmly, "Since I could suppress you once, I can suppress you a dozen times, a 100 times over."

"That day, after you were defeated by me, you lost all qualification to ever be my rival again."

"Insolence!"

Tai Cang Di Yang's face bulged with veins, yet he suppressed his fury in an instant.

He shook his head, his expression resolute as he declared, "I may be no match for you now, but if I devote myself to cultivation, the day will come when I can defeat you."

Seeing this, Eldrin (Person Name) fell silent for a moment before adding, "In my 1 million years of cultivation, I have never measured myself against others."

"My path of cultivation has always been about transcending myself, never about surpassing others."

Transcending the Self?

Tai Cang Di Yang was slightly taken aback, falling into a daze of bewilderment.

Eldrin nodded and replied calmly, "In this world, there are many stronger than you or me, but ultimately, there will always be that 1 who stands above all."

"If 1 day I surpass the strongest, then I shall have reached the end of the path."

"Only by constantly transcending oneself, becoming stronger with each passing moment than the version that came before, can 1 tread the boundless path of eternity."

Tai Cang Di Yang felt a sudden buzzing in his mind, as if an ancient bell of primordial chaos had descended to suppress his very heart.

Throughout his cultivation journey, he had always measured himself against others, constantly striving to surpass 1 stronger opponent after another. Little did he realize this very mindset had trapped him in a demonic obsession.

The true path of immortality has always been 1 of self-reliance and inner conviction—a perpetual metamorphosis of the self in pursuit of transcendence.

Awakened by Eldrin’s words at this moment, Taicang Diyang couldn’t help but glance at Eldrin before sinking into silence once more.

His Dao Heart was already solidified; how could the mere words of others sway his cultivation principles?

Eldrin gazed at him calmly, understanding his thoughts, and asked serenely, "The question I once posed to you in the past, I shall ask again today: Are you willing to follow me and become the foremost Divine General under my command?"

Chapter 1 The First Divine General?

Tai Cang Di Yang was momentarily taken aback, his gaze involuntarily shifting toward Eldrin.

Seeing this, Eldrin spoke calmly, "I know your talents are extraordinary, possessing the bearing of an Ancient Divine Sovereign. Your future is limitless, and you are qualified to become the foremost Divine General under my command."

"You wish to surpass me, don't you? I'll grant you this opportunity—follow by my side and challenge me whenever you see fit."

"As long as you can defeat me, you may leave at any time."

Tai Cang Di Yang: "..."

In that moment, Tai Cang Di Yang found Eldrin utterly incomprehensible—it was the first time he had ever encountered someone as audacious as Eldrin.

Fully aware that he was a True Seed of the Yin-Yang Divine Emperor, endowed with the potential to attain the primordial status of Divine Sovereign, they still sought to subjugate him as a Divine General under their command.

This was sheer arrogance beyond measure, yet it also signified Eldrin’s absolute confidence.

You must understand, the Primordial Divine Emperor was a figure of unparalleled stature—1 who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the 3 Heavenly Emperors of the Demon Race and matched the might of humanity's Dao Ancestors and Immortal Sages.

With such innate talent, Tai Cang Di Yang possessed a slim but not insignificant chance of attaining the Great Perfection Realm, even if the odds of success were less than 1 in 10 1000.

In such circumstances, how dare Eldrin still take him under his command as a Divine General? Was it not sheer arrogance, believing he could forever remain superior—that even if the other cultivated into an Ancient Divine Emperor, he could still firmly suppress him?

With this thought in mind, Tai Cang Di Yang finally spoke, "If that is the case, then I shall follow in your footsteps until the day I completely surpass you."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 1 The Azure Cloud Sect's recruitment ceremony had just concluded. On the vast testing square, a young man in blue robes stood silently, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. "Lin Xuan, inferior spiritual root, unqualified!" The deacon's cold announcement still echoed in his ears, each word striking his heart like a sharp blade. He had traveled a 100 1000 miles, crossing 3 mortal kingdoms, only to receive such an outcome. "Next!" The deacon's impatient voice rang out. Lin Xuan took a deep breath, suppressing the bitterness in his heart, and stepped aside. Just then, a burst of exclamation arose from the crowd. "Heavenly spiritual root! It's actually a heavenly spiritual root!" Lin Xuan followed the voices and saw a girl in white standing proudly before the testing stone. A brilliant golden light soared into the sky, illuminating half the arena. "Excellent! From today onward, you shall be my personal disciple!" An elder descended from the sky, his face filled with delight. The crowd erupted in commotion. "A personal disciple! This is a great opportunity!" "That's a Nascent Soul Stage elder!" Lin Xuan watched this scene, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. The gap was truly like an insurmountable chasm. He turned and prepared to leave. "Wait!" A clear voice called out to him. The girl in white walked over, her gaze complex. "Brother Lin, long time no see." Lin Xuan was startled, carefully examining the girl's features, and finally recognized her. "You are... the little beggar from that year?" 3 years ago, he had once given a steamed bun to a little beggar on the streets. He never expected that 3 years later, they would meet again here, their fates already vastly different. The girl nodded, took out a storage pouch from her sleeve, and handed it to him. "This contains 1,000 spirit stones and a Foundation Establishment Pill. Consider it my repayment for your kindness back then." The surrounding disciples gasped in unison. "A Foundation Establishment Pill! That's worth at least 10,000 spirit stones!" "This kid is so lucky!" Lin Xuan looked at the storage pouch, then at the girl's calm eyes. He slowly shook his head. "Thank you for your kindness, but I cannot accept this." He turned and left, his back straight and resolute. The girl watched his retreating figure, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. ... At the foot of the mountain, Lin Xuan found a simple inn to stay in. He sat cross-legged on the bed, carefully examining a black ring in his hand. This was a family heirloom, and his parents had said it was left by his grandfather. "Could it be that I am destined to live an ordinary life?" He sighed softly, a trace of unwillingness flashing in his eyes. Suddenly, the black ring emitted a faint glow. A stream of information surged into his mind. "9 Revolutions Mysterious Art, cultivating the path of the body, reversing fate against the heavens..." Lin Xuan's eyes widened, hardly daring to believe what was happening. This ring actually contained an ancient inheritance! According to the records, the 9 Revolutions Mysterious Art did not rely on spiritual roots but instead used spiritual energy to temper the body, opening up acupoints to communicate with the heavens and earth. Each revolution increased 1's lifespan by a 100 years, and at the peak of 9 revolutions, 1 could achieve immortality! He took a deep breath, forcibly calming the excitement in his heart, and began practicing according to the method described. A faint spiritual energy gathered around him, seeping into his body through his pores. This feeling was completely different from the spiritual root absorption he had experienced before—it was as if every cell in his body was greedily devouring the spiritual energy. Time passed slowly, and when Lin Xuan opened his eyes again, it was already the next morning. He felt the power flowing within his body, his eyes sparkling. Although he had only just stepped into the First Revolution, his physical strength had already surpassed that of an ordinary Qi Refining Stage cultivator. "This path... is viable!" A confident smile finally appeared on his face. He stood up, packed his things, and prepared to leave the inn. Just as he stepped out of the room, he heard noisy voices coming from downstairs. "Search carefully! That kid definitely hasn't gone far!" Lin Xuan's heart tightened. Could they be after him?