Starting Immortal Cultivation from a White Dog

"Establish a nation?" A hoarse, cold laugh, like the grinding of iron stones, came from the starlight. The person was surrounded by poisonous miasma, manifesting as a snake; he was clearly a Nascent Soul cultivator from the Miao village.
"Leaving aside the monsters of the Undying Palace, the Fire God Palace alone has influence throughout the three southern provinces. To want to establish a country like that is just a pipe dream."

“Yes!” someone else spoke up, their voice seemingly coming from the bottom of the abyss, echoing, “With just us? The Fire God Palace would be the first to object, and the demon race of the Hundred Thousand Mountains wouldn’t stand idly by either.”

"Not to mention the chaotic situation in the southern border region during this period. Even the Black Mountain Demon has been eyeing us. Without a true immortal to suppress us, our aristocratic families can barely stand on their own. If we want to establish a country, we will only become a laughing stock."

The atmosphere inside the hall grew increasingly tense, with almost no one optimistic about the so-called establishment of a state by the Zhu Rong, Cao, and Bai families.

This is not something that can be accomplished simply by having a large number of people. Without a celestial being to suppress the destiny of the nation, the so-called establishment of a country is nothing but a joke.

The Black Mountain Demon cultivated diligently for two thousand years, creating his own fighting techniques. In one day, he broke through, adorning the stars with his inner core, which condensed into the Tai Sui Star. The star soared straight to the sixth heaven, and his cultivation strength was equivalent to that of the most outstanding True Immortal.

Such a powerful demon is a terrifying being who can truly stop a child from crying, and even the Lord of the Great Sun Palace of the Fire God Palace must be wary of him.

Black Mountain Demon, Golden-Winged Roc, and Great Sun Palace Master are the three True Immortal-level powerhouses currently visible in the Southern Frontier.

Even if the six great families joined forces, they would be utterly crushed by a single True Immortal, without any power to resist.

"What if...we have true immortals!" On a throne next to Lady Zhurong, starlight swirled and transformed into the image of Kui Mu Xingjun, clearly the heir of the Cao family, Cao Xuande.

He spoke slowly and deliberately, each word seemingly carrying the weight of stars: "My ancestor is only half a step away from becoming a true immortal, and will soon break through to become a true immortal and attain enlightenment on the spot."

What a fairy!

These two words struck like thunder, resounding in everyone's soul.

Above the primordial spirit is the wandering immortal, and above the wandering immortal is the true immortal!

That is the realm that truly touches the threshold of immortality and is as long-lived as heaven and earth. In the entire Southern Frontier, there is only one true immortal, the Lord of the Great Sun Palace. The Black Mountain Demon and the Golden-Winged Roc are both demon saints.

The entire hall erupted in uproar. The primordial spirit cultivators were horrified, and the various strange phenomena that appeared around them also trembled. The entire hall was filled with howling winds, rising flames, starlight, and poisonous miasma.

Cao Xuande's words were like a large stone thrown into a silent deep pool, stirring up a thousand huge waves.

Is what the Crown Prince said true?

"Is the Cao family patriarch really about to break through to the True Immortal realm?"

"This is too sudden! We didn't receive any prior notice!"

For a moment, many people found it difficult to sit still and began to ask questions.

"This news is certainly true," Cao Xuande said calmly. "If my ancestor had not been about to break through to the True Immortal realm, we would not have been able to begin the process of establishing a nation."

"This is also the opportunity for my Cao clan, Zhurong clan, and Bai clan to join forces, and my Cao clan has already made contact with the Lord of the Great Sun Palace."

Before him, starlight coalesced, transforming into a more concealed spectacle. In a remote and desolate place in the Hundred Thousand Mountains, a blazing sun and a soaring star joined forces to besiege a colossal roc with outstretched wings that blotted out the sky and shone with golden light.

"I want to fight the Golden-Winged Roc so that I can break through in one fell swoop and firmly establish myself in the True Immortal realm."

"Once our ancestor breaks through, and the two True Immortals join forces, even the Black Mountain Demon will be no threat." Cao Xuande's voice was filled with undisguised ambition. "At that time, the demon race's fortune will collapse, the Fire God Palace will occupy the Hundred Thousand Mountains, and we... will establish an eternal kingdom in these three southern provinces!"

The hall fell into a deathly silence for a moment.

Everyone is still processing the earth-shattering meaning behind that statement.

"So that means..." a Nascent Soul cultivator said, "that the so-called attack on Bai Qian was a pretense, and the real purpose was to fight the Golden-Winged Roc?"

"Yes and no." In Cao Xuande's starlight, the illusory map shifted, revealing the scenery deep within the Hundred Thousand Mountains. "If Bai Qian wants to kill him, this woman also has the bloodline of the ancient Howling Celestial Dog and is burdened with great fortune."

“We need offerings to establish our nation, and the bloodline of the Howling Celestial Dog is the best offering.”

"Moreover, Bai Qian seems to have some connection with the Black Mountain Demon, and is being protected by that demon."

“Once we surround and kill Bai Qian, it will inevitably attract the attention of the Black Mountain Demon. As soon as that demon arrives, my Cao family patriarch and the Great Sun Palace Master will immediately take action to fight the Golden-Winged Roc.”

"At that time, we will achieve our goal in one battle, causing the Golden-Winged Roc to perish completely. The demon race will only have the Black Mountain Demon left, who will be unable to hold on alone."

"Bai Qian will also face certain death at that time..."

Cao Xuande's eyes swept across the entire scene like stars: "At that time, we will use the Howling Celestial Dog to sacrifice to the heavens, and we will establish our kingdom. The Cao family will be the emperor and rule Nanzhao; the Zhurong family will guard Kunming and be the queen family; and the Bai family will rule Xiangxi and inherit the title for generations."

"As for the Li family, the Miao village, and the Lu family..."

He paused, his voice softening but becoming even more authoritative: "If you are willing to follow orders and assist in this great undertaking, you will all be granted titles and honors after the mission is accomplished."

"With the blessing of territory, resources, and the fortune of an ancient nation, you will not be shortchanged. Your path may be able to advance further."

Inside the hall, you could hear a pin drop.

Only heavy, suppressed breathing could be heard. Even a Nascent Soul cultivator was shaken to their core by this earth-shattering scheme.

Lu Nanxi's palms were ice-cold. She never expected that the Cao, Zhurong, and Bai families would have such a sudden scheme, which was simply going to completely overturn the situation in the Southern Frontier.

Moreover, at this time, not only the six great families were involved, but even the Fire God Palace had reached an agreement with the Cao family.

I originally thought that the confrontation between the Vulcan Palace and the Undying Palace in the Southern Frontier was so intense that it would be difficult for either side to gain the upper hand in the short term. But I never expected that there would be so many schemes going on behind the scenes.

If they succeed in their plan, the situation in the southern border region will likely change drastically.

“What a grand scheme.” A Nascent Soul True Person spoke again, his voice devoid of emotion. “Using the entire Southern Frontier as a chessboard, our aristocratic families as pawns, and even including the Fire God Palace, the Black Mountain Demon, and the Golden-Winged Roc in his calculations… Young Master Cao, the Cao family patriarch, truly possesses the ambition to swallow the universe.”

"Not a pawn, but an ally for a great cause." Cao Xuande said gently, "Brother Li's 'Eight Directions Devouring Abyss True Body' has been stuck at the first level of the Nascent Soul stage for a long time, hasn't it? If you receive the blessing of the ancient kingdom's fortune and massive resources, breaking through to the second level, or even touching the threshold of the Loose Immortal, is not an illusion."

The tidal waves surrounding Li Yunchao rippled slightly, then fell silent.

"Heh heh... confer a title of nobility?" The Nascent Soul True Person from the Miao village in the southern borderland sneered again, amidst swirling poisonous miasma. "We live a carefree life in the Miao village, why should we become dogs for your Cao family?"

“With your Cao family patriarch absent, we will surround and kill Bai Qian. The Black Mountain Demon’s wrath will first burn us.”

"We paid such a high price just to pave the way for your Cao family?"

Lady Zhurong spoke, her voice indifferent, "Does your Five Poisons Miao Village have a problem with this?"

"This matter is top secret. If it is leaked, it will surely bring disaster, so..."

"Everyone present today must sign a contract to join us in this great undertaking. If you refuse..."

Suddenly, an incomparably blazing flame rose from her body, transforming into a fire phoenix that emitted an incomparably clear and melodious cry.

"Hiss, ah!!"

The primordial spirit in the Miao village let out an extremely shrill scream. The seven-colored poisonous miasma around him, resembling venomous snakes, churned like boiling water, its color rapidly dimming and becoming turbid.

The withered figure at the core of the poisonous miasma could be vaguely seen convulsing violently. Although the fire phoenix did not directly attack his body, it possessed a terrifying will, more frightening than raging fire, resonating with the laws of heaven and earth, scorching his primordial spirit like a furnace. In just a few breaths, the poisonous miasma subsided, its color turning gray and turbid, and its size shrinking by a full thirty percent.

The primordial spirit master of the Five Poisons Miao Village was silent. Only the poisonous miasma rippled slightly, indicating that he was still alive, but his aura had weakened considerably.

Inside the hall, the chill was bone-deep.

A seasoned True Person at the second level of the Nascent Soul stage couldn't even resist for three breaths under the will of a Loose Immortal!
"Our noble families must unite as one in order to accomplish great things together," Lady Zhurong said coldly. "Anyone who disobeys today will become our mortal enemy, and we will fight to the death."

She raised her hand, and in the void, a scroll covered with endless incantations appeared, supported by auspicious clouds and radiant light, exuding a terrifying aura.

"This is a contract jointly signed by my Zhurong clan, Cao clan, and Bai clan."

Lady Zhurong's eyes were sharp. "Signing this contract means we are one of our own, sharing the destiny of the ancient kingdom and bearing the risks of this great undertaking together. If we break this oath or leak secrets... then we will die and our bloodline will be severed."

"You, sign or not?"

Lady Zhurong's final cry, "To sign or not to sign?" was like a red-hot branding iron, searing into the very souls of everyone present.

As soon as he finished speaking, the golden oath shone even brighter, and the incantations on it seemed to come alive, writhing and swirling, exuding the cold and twisted aura unique to oaths.

Inside the main hall, time seemed to stand still.

The figures of the various Primordial Spirit True Persons remained silent, like ancient, unyielding rocks.

Lu Nanxi could clearly feel that the surrounding primordial spirit auras, whether blazing, icy, or strange, had all fallen into extreme stagnation and suppression at this moment.

There was no whispering, no telepathic communication, and even the slightest fluctuations in breathing and magical power seemed to be deliberately suppressed to the minimum.

But this deathly silence is not submission, but rather the silence of the earth's crust enduring unimaginable pressure before a volcanic eruption.

Each of the Primordial Spirit True Persons has lived for hundreds of years, weathered many storms, and controlled a region. They have long regarded their own path of cultivation and the rise and fall of their families as more important than their own lives.

Now, they are being asked to entrust everything, including their own lives, to this "contract" which is jointly controlled by the wills of the three great families and the two wandering immortals.
This is tantamount to voluntarily extending one's neck into shackles created by others, from which point on, life, death, honor, and disgrace are no longer in one's own hands!

The tragic example of the Miao village's primordial spirit master is a stark warning.

A cultivator at the second level of the Primordial Spirit realm was a figure who could shake the entire region with a stomp of his foot in the Southern Frontier. Yet, before the will of a Loose Immortal, he was as fragile as an infant, utterly powerless to resist, and was severely injured in an instant, his prestige completely shattered.

If they do not comply, the consequences will be even worse: they will be killed on the spot, their bodies and souls destroyed, and their entire clan may even be implicated!

But if they sign... they'll be bound to the mad chariot of the three great families, and failure will mean utter ruin.

If they win, the vast majority of the benefits will be divided among the three families; but if they lose, the Cao family might be able to barely withstand the Black Mountain Demon's overwhelming wrath with their newly promoted True Immortal.

These families, which don't even have any immortal cultivators, are bound to suffer a terrible calamity.

Signing the contract means facing an uncertain future, with life and death in someone else's hands.

Refusing to sign means immediate death and the demise of the entire clan.

Lu Nanxi stood in the corner, feeling as if the invisible pressure was about to crush her Dao Embryo.

She could even sense the silent screams of countless thoughts colliding, deducing, and struggling beneath that silence.

The fear, anger, and resentment contained in this collective silence almost solidified, making the air feel incredibly thick.

Just as this suffocating oppression was about to reach its peak, as if someone was about to break down or explode at any moment...

"Ugh……"

A soft, yet clear sigh broke the deathly silence, reaching everyone's ears.

It is Cao Xuande.

His warm, starlike aura swayed gently, his tone carrying just the right amount of regret and understanding: "I understand the concerns of my fellow Daoists. Entrusting one's life and Dao path to a contract, even I would hesitate..."

He changed the subject, his voice becoming even more earnest in his starlight, “But please think carefully, if we do not use this pact to ensure our unity, how can we dare to reveal the top-secret plan that concerns our lives, our families, and the survival of our people? And how can we entrust our backs to each other in the dangerous battles to come?”

"This contract, though binding, is also a protective talisman!" He raised his voice slightly. "By signing this contract, one becomes one of the founders of the ancient kingdom, receiving initial protection from its destiny, and can even enjoy some resources ahead of time. For example..."

His gaze seemed to be directed towards Li Yunchao of the Toad-Swallowing Li family: "Brother Li, in my Cao family's secret vault, there happens to be an inner core of an ancient demon saint, the Golden Toad-Swallowing Sea, which is extremely compatible with your Li family's bloodline."

"If Brother Li is willing to be an ally, this item can be presented immediately as a token of our sincerity."

Li Yunchao's aura fluctuated violently.

The inner core of the Golden Toad that Swallows the Sea is an invaluable treasure to the Li family bloodline, and is the key to potentially unlocking a higher realm.

Then, Cao Xuande turned to the five Nascent Soul True Persons from the Miao village, "Fellow Daoists of the Miao village, my Cao family has the recipe for the Six-Winged Golden Cicada Gu. Legend has it that this Gu is involved in the passage of time. What does this mean? I don't need to say more, do I?"

The five clusters of light trembled simultaneously.

The six-winged golden cicada, according to legend, was the last disciple of the Buddha Mahavairocana, and touched the existence of time...

This is blatant enticement, but also an irresistible temptation, pointing directly to the key bottleneck in everyone's path!

Before anyone could speak, Lady Zhurong's icy voice rang out again, "Young Master Cao's intentions are good, you should all cherish them, my patience is limited."

Flames surged around her, and the phantom of the fire phoenix reappeared. Her cold eyes swept across the entire scene, and her terrifying pressure as a rogue immortal was like a tangible furnace, scorching every primordial spirit: "Within three breaths, those who do not sign will be considered traitors and executed!"

The single word "execute" is filled with murderous intent!
"one……"

The pressure suddenly increased, and Lu Nanxi felt a sweet taste in her throat, almost vomiting blood. The illusory image of the Heavenly Pillar behind her let out a mournful cry of unbearable pressure.

"two……"

The violent collapse of the sea tide around Li Yunchao reveals his extreme inner struggle and fear.

"three……"

Just as Lady Zhurong's devastating final syllable was about to fall, and the fire phoenix was poised to pounce...

"Roar!"

"His!"

"Gugua!"

Five distinct roars, yet all equally filled with violence, madness, and determination, suddenly erupted from the location of the five people in the Miao village.

The five orbs of magical light, like trapped beasts driven to the brink of despair, erupted with a deafening roar. (End of Chapter)