From a martial arts disciple to a god through countless trials and tribulations

Chapter 273 The Ji Family Sends Their Heads Away from Home

Amidst the thick fog, Little Black True Monarch's sleeves fluttered as he floated in the air, his body radiating light interwoven with the yin and yang energies, his aura ethereal, as if he had transcended the Three Realms and Six Paths.

“Very dangerous…” it muttered to itself. Chen Xuan, while activating the Heart-Cleansing Immortal Technique, had casually thrown a punch that injured its main body, the Great White, which was located outside of countless dimensions.

Chen Xuan did not turn around, but his extraordinary perception of Xinzhaitian allowed him to sketch the scenery behind him, and Xiao Hei Zhenjun arrived.

"Is the reason why Shanggu Xinzhai can completely wipe out its enemies by using its own body as a cage to imprison all the causes and traces of the fallen?" Chen Xuan pondered in his heart, then put away the Human Emperor Banner and ended the "Invite the Ghost to Possess" technique that could not be maintained for long.

Having sensed the lingering resentment of the White Rhinoceros Palace True Lord, it was completely annihilated.

"Om..."

The earth returned to peace, and Chen Xuan completely shattered the lingering resentment that the White Rhinoceros Palace True Monarch had created in the Heart-Cleansing Heaven.

Even a fully-fledged mourning child would avoid Chen Xuan's sharp edge, let alone the remnant of the White Rhinoceros Palace True Lord who had only stolen half of his power.

"These True Monarchs are truly heaven-defying; their methods are outrageous," Chen Xuan thought to himself. The True Monarch of the White Rhinoceros Palace perished in the Heart-Cleansing Heaven, yet he was resurrected like a celestial being in a mirror or a divine stone embryo, and in an instant at that. He even plundered the power of the Heart-Cleansing Heaven—it's outrageous enough.

"..." In the sky, Little Black True Monarch was also stunned. If it weren't for Chen Xuan, it might have been caught off guard and capsized today.

The Chosen One is suppressed by Xinzhai, so it cannot fight against the remnant of the White Rhinoceros Palace that has plundered the power of Xinzhai. It will avoid Xinzhai... It doesn't mean that it will definitely lose, but the price it pays will be very heavy. Even if it is lucky enough to win, its destiny [Yin Yang Couple] will definitely be destroyed.

If it loses its destiny, its fate is self-evident.

"Could the fallen True Lord Zhao and True Lord Jinchandong also be resurrected in Xinzhaitian?" Chen Xuan became alert. Each True Lord was the pinnacle of their respective path, and it was not surprising that they could do anything.

But probably not...

Chen Xuanxin said that although Xinzhai had dominated many eras, the time in the world of immortals and ghosts was too long, and it was impossible for all the True Lords to have mastered some kind of strange power specifically targeting Xinzhai Heaven, like the True Lord of Baixi Palace.

However, a sense of crisis arose in his heart. The True Lord was too strong and had mastered a lot of the ancients' experience in dealing with Xinzhai. And this was just a True Lord of the White Rhinoceros Palace.

It is said that in the world of immortals and ghosts, there are some ancient forces that have a connection with Xinzhai and specialize in studying Xinzhai!

“Old laws are hard to control people today… Each generation of Xinzhai is better than the last…” Little Black True Lord floated down, seemingly seeing the hidden worries in Chen Xuan’s heart.

It told Chen Xuan that both the Heart Fasting and the Heavenly Mandate Immortal Seed are becoming more "perfect" with each generation, and the weaknesses and mistakes of the previous generation will not reappear in this generation.

"Your fasting... is stronger than any of the past generations..." Little Black True Monarch thought for a moment, then said, "It's different..."

"..." Chen Xuan nodded silently. His "growth period" Xinzhai was able to control the Xinzhai Heaven of the Immortal level, which must be for this reason.

Then, he asked in confusion, "Lord Xiao Hei, it is said that most of the True Lords in the world are of immortal lineage, so why haven't we seen these few demon True Lords use the Golden Egg?"

"Golden egg...what is that?" Little Black True Monarch was stunned for a moment.

"That golden egg of the Golden Core Immortal." Chen Xuan concisely described the scene of his battle with the immortal seed Su Fuyao.

It is widely believed in the cultivation world that being listed on the Immortal Register is like obtaining a ticket to the "Conquering the Mortal World." Eighty percent of those who can be listed on this register can successfully conquer the mortal world... while among the top-tier cultivation vessels that cannot be listed on this register, not even one in a hundred can conquer the mortal world.

The immortal-level prodigies were even hailed as true lords in their youth.

Immortal beings follow the orthodox path of Qi cultivation, and many are backed by major sects, making it less likely for them to perish halfway through.

Chen Xuan thought that, given the lifespan of human True Monarchs, which can easily span four or five thousand years, this would mean two or three hundred eras... How many Immortal Seed Golden Eggs would be born? Even if only half of them eventually become True Monarchs, then among the True Monarchs in the present world, there should be at least half of them being Immortal Seed-level True Monarchs, right?
In fact, Chen Xuan thought he was being quite conservative... After all, True Monarchs occasionally fall, which would dilute the proportion of Immortal Seeds.

Some practitioners of Qi even believe that eight or nine out of ten true lords in the world are of immortal lineage.

“Some domineering ancient dojos will hunt down outstanding talents such as immortals from other forces, such as the Thunder Attribute Little Dragon Palace.”

True Monarch Xiao Hei told Chen Xuan that the Little Dragon Palace monopolized the entire Thunder Attribute Purple Qi Path, preventing the immortal talents of other races from rising to prominence. Therefore, even a second-rate, useless Dragon Attribute Divine Traveler from the Little Dragon Palace could become a True Monarch once the right opportunity arose.

"What about the other paths?" Chen Xuan asked, frowning. The Thunder-attribute Purple Qi path was an exception.

But other paths to immortality are a vibrant arena where a hundred schools of thought contend and ten thousand paths vie for supremacy.

"During the divine calamity 100,000 years ago, all the Heavenly Mandate Immortals perished. After it ended, within just a few decades, the vacant positions of the 288 True Monarchs were quickly filled."

Little Black True Monarch spoke up, saying that after the cataclysm, a wave of people became True Monarchs, but by then, there were very few Celestial Immortal Seeds left in the world.

Chen Xuan suddenly realized that what Zhao Zhenjun had said—that the "forbidden immortality" network targeting young immortals, which many veteran Zhenjuns had tacitly agreed upon—was probably born from this kind of suitable environment.

For example, the Black and White True Lords are very likely to be the first Heavenly Mandate True Lords in 100,000 years.

"But as time goes by, the number of Immortal Seed True Monarchs has gradually increased... Many ancient lineages have nurtured Immortal Seed True Monarchs."

Little Black True Monarch pondered for a moment, then lowered his gaze to stare at the transparent thread at his elbow joint. His eyes seemed to follow the thread to the end of time and space, and he slowly said:
“Zhao Zhenjun… has a broken golden egg.”

"This..." Chen Xuan was surprised to hear this: "Why didn't he use it? He already used it?!"

He followed the direction of Little Black True Monarch's gaze and vaguely seemed to hear the sound of some kind of wind breath. His heart sank. Had the Golden Egg crawled out along these threads to find the true destined [Yin-Yang Couple]?!
Chen Xuan immediately activated the power of the Heart Fasting Technique.

"Wow!"

Little Black True Monarch immediately flew away nervously, avoiding Chen Xuan's gaze, and said, "After we settle down in the mortal world... we'll talk about it later..."

It refused Chen Xuan's help for two reasons: firstly, although Xinzhai was highly skilled, Chen Xuan himself was not strong enough, and the risk of dealing with a True Lord was too great; secondly, if Chen Xuan used Xinzhai, it would also affect its destiny.

"Are you really alright?" Chen Xuan asked worriedly. Zhao Zhenjun was completely shattered and removed from the Book of Life and Death in the Lesser Underworld, but there was still a glimmer of hope? Was the rank of the Immortal Seed Golden Egg really that high?

“Nothing for now… I’ll think of something first…” Little Black True Monarch shook his head and said. The sages of past generations had a deep understanding of the Heart Fasting method, and their research on the Heavenly Mandate Immortal Seed, which has existed in every generation, would only be ten thousand times greater.

It told Chen Xuan that it would not leave Xinzhaitian until Zhao Zhenjun was completely dealt with.

Chen Xuan nodded silently. Although Xinzhaitian had the help, it was still too difficult to completely kill a True Lord in a short period of time, especially a top True Lord like Zhao Zhenjun who was a Dao Lord.

Soon, True Monarch Xiao Hei grabbed all the low-level cultivators who had mistakenly entered Xinzhai Heaven, examined them from head to toe, and after confirming that there were no accidents, kicked them all out of Xinzhai Heaven.

Not long after, Chen Xuan, along with Lu Zhuan, Zhang Dongxuan, Xuanmao, and others, left Xinzhaitian.

Outside, the sun is high in the sky, the weather is disordered, and daylight arrives several hours early, requiring a longer period of time to adjust and rebalance.

"The Dao Lord of Little Azure Heaven is very close to becoming an immortal." Lu Zhuan looked up, his face full of melancholy, staring at the sky that had returned to calm. He had already learned from Chen Xuan about the Southern Region's True Monarchs' rebellion against the Immortal Palace.

The immortals, in harmony with the Dao, have created the universe; this Little Azure Heaven Dao Master possesses such a grand and majestic aura. And according to legend, the [Eternal Venerable] Immortal Pill, which arose in response to this destiny, was a True Monarch-level Immortal Pill chosen by the Little Azure Heaven Dao Master, originally intended for an unconventional path to immortality.

"Senior Lu, the Tongtian Daoist Temple should also have True Lords? Are they Immortal Seed True Lords?" Chen Xuan asked curiously. The Tongtian Daoist Temple has a profound foundation, teaches without discrimination, and is a major sect that walks the path of both righteousness and evil.

"No, there's no such thing as being that lucky as to find a Celestial Seed-level successor in every generation."

Lu Zhuan shook his head, paused for a moment, and said with a hint of regret, "I vaguely remember that in my previous life, I was fortunate enough to wield a golden core of an immortal seed..."

……

...Qingnang Mountain was cloudless for thousands of miles. In three months, countless magnificent palaces and pavilions had been built in the mountain through the means of immortals. A white jade staircase extended into the depths of the white clouds, and the precious flowers on the stone roadside shimmered with light.

The sun is shining brightly, and the auspicious time for reopening the herbal medicine pouch has arrived.

Beneath the towering mountain gate, where jade light shone.

"You all stand behind me and greet me from both sides."

A woman in a plain white dress stood gracefully and dignifiedly beneath the mountain gate inscribed with the words "Qing Nang." She was none other than Hua Liuli, the mistress of the two realms.

Behind her stood a dozen or so children, mostly only six or seven years old. They were all carefully selected little geniuses from the blessed lands of the two realms, with impeccable backgrounds, and were cultivating the Earth Virtue "Dang Kang True Scripture".

These were among the first disciples of the Qingnang Dojo.

"Aunt Liuli looks so beautiful today!" said a sweet-talking little girl.

"You should address her as Your Highness Xuan Nu!" another steady young cultivator, like a stern little scholar, reminded him in a low voice.

Hua Liuli covered her mouth and laughed, her expression calm. The reopening of Qingnang was a fait accompli, and after what happened last night, there wouldn't be many hostile forces that would deliberately cause trouble.

"Now that you are disciples of the Great Sect, you should be more mature and composed in your dealings with others."

Hua Liuli said softly, "Many of the children's fathers died during the rise of the two realm lords."

As the group chatted and laughed, the distant sky trembled, the Great Void opened wide, and the first group of friendly forces to congratulate the reopening of the Azure Bag arrived.

A massive magical artifact, resembling a jade Bagua diagram, slowly emerged from Taixu, its earth element aura permeating the air. Within the array stood a group of Qi practitioners dressed in luxurious robes, who gently descended before the gates of Qingnang Mountain.

"It's them!" Some of Hua Liuli's subordinates who cultivated other immortal qi were currently acting as errand boys. When they looked up, their hearts tightened.

Hua Liuli greeted him with a smile and said:

"Originally from the Great Li Dynasty! I am Hua Liuli..."

"congratulations!"

The leading man, dressed in a bright yellow Qilin robe, was clearly of royal blood from the Great Li Dynasty of the Central Plains. He was tall and straight, with a fair complexion, no beard, and dark circles under his eyes. After exchanging a few polite words, he said:
"I am Ji Youbing of the Ji family. I have met Fairy Liuli."

This cultivator from the Ji family of the Central Plains was very polite, but behind him, a bright and elegant young girl ran out with a happy expression, tugging at Hua Liuli's sleeve and laughing:
"Sister Liuli! After many years, you have finally achieved your wish and are now safe in the ancient training ground!"

Hua Liuli smiled and hugged the girl, saying, "Princess Yaojia, congratulations! Please come up the mountain with His Highness, who is ill!"

She had traveled throughout the Central Plains of China and engaged in business, displaying great social skills and thus making acquaintances with many outstanding individuals of her generation.

In reality, she wasn't very familiar with the Ji siblings; they were just nodding acquaintances. However, since they were giving her face now, she spoke to them in a way that suited them.

"The Emperor True Lord Ancestor has specially prepared a grand gift to present to the Great Mysterious True Lord."

Ji Youbing arrived with lavish gifts. According to the etiquette between ancient Daoist temples, at the very least, Tao Hongchen cultivators should have been sent to offer their congratulations today. However, the grand gifts and Qingnang were in competition, so sending two princes and princesses to the event was not considered a compromise for Qingnang.

After all, although Qingnang was an ancient Taoist temple, it had fallen into decline, and only Zhang Dongxuan, the Divine Traveler, was openly in charge.

Hua Liuli beamed and thanked her repeatedly. A gift from a True Monarch should at least be a spiritual object of the Mortal Realm level, right?
A gift for Tai Xuan Lao Zhang? Wouldn't that be for her and Chen Xuan to use?

Moreover, the Great Li Dynasty is the source of the Earth element of the human race. The old emperor Zhenjun, who is nearing the end of his lifespan, has profound Taoist skills and was once a top figure in the Earth element, on par with the Tai Xuan Zhenjun of the Southern Region. The congratulatory gift he personally selected must be extraordinary.

She smiled and invited the several distinguished guests from the Great Li Dynasty to go up the mountain together.

"Hua Xuan Nu, I've heard that the True Monarchs of the Southern Region have launched a full-scale war?"

"The affairs of the important figures are all within the Taixu, and I don't know much about them."

"The Central Plains of China are also in chaos..."

Mount Qingnang is over 100,000 feet high, shrouded in clouds and mist, and full of spiritual energy. After the revival of the Earth element, this mountain gradually took on the appearance of a celestial being.

The pavilions and towers are piled up in the mountains, hidden in the clouds, with a spiritual atmosphere. Many jade springs gush forth, flowing along the corners of the palaces and temples, and flowing down the stone steps of the mountain path until they reach the bottom of the mountain.

New lanterns have been erected along the mountain path, all painted with mountain and array patterns. Many cultivators from the two major forces come and go, creating a joyful and lively scene.

"It is said that thousands of years ago, the Qingnang Palace was guarded by the immortal grotto-heaven [Huangshi Heaven], but unfortunately it has been lost..."

The Ji siblings ascended the white jade steps, each step engraved with patterns of mountains and seas, derived from Zhang Dongxuan's divine travel power. These patterns were incredibly mysterious and captivating.

They were all Earth-element cultivators of extraordinary origin, capable of discerning the mysteries of every blade of grass and every stone in Qingnang Mountain. Cultivating the Earth-element method in such a place of ascension to godhood would definitely be of great benefit.

"Senior Zhang Dongxuan is indeed extraordinary. My family's Divine Travelers are far inferior to him..." Ji Youbing thought to himself. The Qingnang Dojo was once the strongest Earth Virtue Dojo in the Southern Region. It was astonishing that a mere disciple of his had such strength back then.

Before long, a magnificent hall appeared before us, with the words "Huangshi Hall" written on the plaque.

As the group entered the Huangshi Hall, where guests were being received, they saw three people inside. The first one to catch their eye was Zhang Dongxuan, who looked like a god.

Chen Xuan, dressed in a simple blue outfit, was huddled together with the disheveled Old Zhang in a corner of the hall, engrossed in studying something.

“Old Zhang, look, your name is nowhere to be found in ancient history.” Chen Xuan was flipping through a history book, his expression serious and earnest. “Old man, you’re finished. You’re an evil spirit that appeared out of nowhere.”

"Nonsense! What do you know, you young cultivator?!" Old Zhang was getting impatient, scratching his head and scolding repeatedly, "Go to Xinzhai Heaven and go into seclusion to practice the demon race's true scriptures that you stole!"

The Ji siblings glanced around, taking in the situation in the hall. Without looking further, they first bowed respectfully to Zhang Dongxuan in unison.
"The Princess of the Great Li Dynasty is ill. She has met with Senior Zhang."

"Yaojia greets Senior..."

Although they came from the highest lineage of the Earth element of the human race, when meeting a powerful Divine Traveler, they would not be lacking in proper etiquette and would not show any disrespect.

Zhang Dongxuan gently raised his hand, indicating that they did not need to be so polite, and said with a smile, "You two juniors should first pay your respects to the Dao Master Taixuan."

The Ji siblings quickly turned around and bowed respectfully in the direction of Old Zhang and Chen Xuan.

"Greetings, Lord Tai Xuan Zhenjun!"

"Greetings, Venerable Tai Xuan!" Ji Yaojia performed a standard lady's curtsy. As her hairpin swayed, her gaze secretly swept over Chen Xuan, thinking to herself, "This must be the Heart Retreat..."

"Hmm, they are all polite children..." Old Zhang immediately straightened up, head held high and chest puffed out, and then unceremoniously stretched out his hand and said, "Quickly present the congratulatory gifts. This True Lord wants to see them, and I won't accept anything inferior!"

The Ji siblings looked at each other in dismay. Was this Old True Lord Tai Xuan in such a hurry to make a move?
Seeing this, Chen Xuan found it hard to keep his composure. He glanced at Hua Liuli, who had come with him and had a serious expression, and thought to himself, "It must be her who told Lao Zhang to speak like that!"
"The Supreme True Lord of Tai Xuan..."

Ji Youbing moved respectfully, took out a gift box about a foot square, opened it, and Chen Xuan and Hua Liuli looked over and their pupils shrank immediately. It was a bloody head!
The head of a true lord of the Ji family dynasty, wearing a Qilin crown and in his prime!
"In the past thousand years, there has been no new Earth Virtue True Lord. Today, the only Earth Virtue in the world is in the Ji family and... the Immortal Palace."

Ji Youbing paused for a moment, then slowly said, "The Emperor's original words were—Fellow Daoist Taixuan, there is no need to wait any longer."

(End of this chapter)