This sword immortal was someone Wu Yuan had only heard of but never met. When he first joined the Dragon Star Immortal Sect, he had hoped to become his disciple. Unfortunately, the sword immortal didn’t accept him.
“He didn’t just stop the intruder.” High Immortal Nan Yin chuckled, “In a fit of rage, Sword Immortal Dong Yang fought Archimmortal Huo Gao and even killed him.”
“Killed an Archimmortal?” Wu Yuan was stunned, finding it hard to believe.
That was an Archimmortal, a great Archimmortal!
“Shocked?” High Immortal Nan Yin sighed, “Even I find it astounding. Sword Immortal Dong Yang is indeed formidable, his strength has reached a mind-boggling level, I fear he’s almost on par with the immortal ancestor.”
Wu Yuan nodded instinctively.
The immortal ancestor was an Archimmortal, while Sword Immortal Dong Yang could slay Archimmortals. He might even be more formidable than the immortal ancestor.
“Of course, that was just the Archimmortal’s mana body.” High Immortal Nan Yin added with a chuckle.
“Oh?” Wu Yuan nodded in understanding, though he couldn’t help but add, “I heard that the strength of a mana body is comparable to an immortal’s true self.”
According to the records Wu Yuan had looked through, once one reached the level of a Divided Soul Earth Immortal, they could cultivate a mana body.
Most immortal cultivators were only willing to send their mana bodies on risky expeditions. Rarely anyone would risk putting their true self in danger.
If the mana body perished, a new one could be created by the true self. But if the true self perished, death was certain.
“Killing an Archimmortal’s mana body is incredibly difficult, and it’s even harder to kill a true Archimmortal.” High Immortal Nan Yin laughed, “Immortals are all cunning. Their true selves often hide in secret locations, like lairs and so on. They don’t reveal themselves casually.”
Wu Yuan couldn’t help but nod.
He began to think about his two true selves cultivating a mana body and an ether body respectively in the future, which could be dispatched to fight simultaneously. That would be truly terrifying.
“You were lucky to be saved by High Immortal Dong Yang this time round. Don’t forget it.” High Immortal Nan Yin earnestly advised.
“I will remember this debt,” Wu Yuan nodded seriously. “Master, should I meet Sword Immortal Dong Yang in person to thank him?”
“There’s no need.” High Immortal Nan Yin shook his head, “Sword Immortal Dong Yang has been in seclusion for a long time. He would not have emerged if he hadn’t sensed the aura of an Archimmortal.”
Wu Yuan nodded slightly, finding it plausible.
“Master, why would an Archimmortal come after me, a mere Golden Core cultivator?” Wu Yuan couldn’t contain his curiosity.
An Archimmortal! According to his master, only the mana body of this Archimmortal had been eliminated. Didn’t this mean that there was a possibility of another attack? Who wouldn’t be worried? Naturally, Wu Yuan wanted to understand the reason behind the ambush.
“There is no reason,” High Immortal Nan Yin sighed. “This Archimmortal is an enemy of Sword Immortal Dong Yang. He probably suspected that you are Dong Yang’s disciple, hence he came here to kill you.”
“After all, your performance has been very brilliant,” High Immortal Nan Yin smiled.
Wu Yuan was taken aback.
How deep did his hatred run? An Archimmortal had actually stooped so low as to try to kill a little fledging like him over a mere suspicion?
Wu Yuan didn’t know whether he should feel proud or cry.
Archimmortal Huo Gao? Wu Yuan recited in his mind, remembering this name.
A flicker of deadly intent flared within Wu Yuan. The sensation of teetering on the edge of life and death, it had been so long since he had experienced it.
It was almost comical for him, a Golden Core cultivator, to harbor killing intent towards a great Archimmortal. After all, how many immortal cultivators could truly rise to the level of Archimmortals?
Even the smallest insect feels wrath, and the tiniest bird dreams of greatness. Who can say how far I can go, what limits I cannot surpass?
Inspired by the legendary feats of Sword Immortal Dong Yang, Wu Yuan felt a yearning deep within him. Sword Immortal Dong Yang is a role model to all who walk the path of the sword, slicing through Archimmortals with a single stroke!
Though he had not witnessed the epic battle between Sword Immortal Dong Yang and the Archimmortal, just the mere thought of it ignited a fire within Wu Yuan.
Defying the heavens and slaying an Archimmortal! What an awe-inspiring feat.
“Don’t stand there daydreaming. And don’t worry,” High Immortal Nan Yin remarked with a smile. “After this conflict, few will dare spy on our Dragon Star Immortal Sect.”
“Though an Archimmortal’s mana body can regenerate after death, it would take them millions of years to cultivate a powerful one, so there’s no need to worry too much.”
Millions of years? Wu Yuan was inwardly astonished.
Only an Archimmortal, with their seemingly unlimited lifespan, could afford to wait so long.
“Sword Immortal Dong Yang has expressed his desire to compensate you for this ordeal,” High Immortal Nan Yin said as he revealed a withered branch in his palm.
What is this?” Wu Yuan’s eyes widened in surprise.
At first glance, the branch appeared to be nothing more than a dried piece of wood, perhaps chopped off from a dead tree.
Yet, upon closer inspection, Wu Yuan could feel a faint but undeniable surge of vital aura emanating from it. It was as if the branch was not withered at all, but rather brimming with vitality.
Simultaneously, Wu Yuan could sense that the withered branch contained a mysterious profundity of the Dao. It felt strangely familiar and profound.
“The profundity of the Wood Dao,” Wu Yuan figured it out.
Over the years, he had studied the Extended Life Sword Codex. Although he hadn’t truly mastered it, he had gleaned some insights. At least, it was discernible to some degree.
“No, it’s not just the profundities of the Wood Dao, there’s another mysterious profundity,” Wu Yuan faintly sensed a fierce and fiery energy that seemed on the verge of erupting from the branch. Yet, it remained concealed and subdued.
“The core is still the profundities of the Wood Dao,” Wu Yuan’s consciousness immersed into it.
The more he perceived, the more mystical the withered branch seemed. It was undoubtedly a great treasure.
“Disciple, do you sense it?” High Immortal Nan Yin chuckled.
Wu Yuan nodded firmly.
“The worth of this withered branch is comparable to that of a piece of celestial equipment,” High Immortal Nan Yin stated with a bright smile.
Celestial equipment? Wu Yuan’s eyes widened in astonishment as his heart raced.
In Wu Yuan’s understanding, above first-grade spirit equipment lay spirion equipment, categorized as low, mid, and high grades.
High-grade spirion equipment was considered a great treasure, capable of driving even an Earth Immortal to madness.
As for celestial equipment? In most sects across the Redmoon Immortal Continent, any celestial artifact was significant enough to become a heirloom treasure of the sect.
“He’s giving such a treasure to me?” Wu Yuan blurted.
“Yes, this is Sword Immortal Dong Yang’s way of compensating you,” High Immortal Nan Yin said with a sigh, “It’s much better than the treasure I originally prepared for you.”
“With this treasure, your cultivation will progress much more smoothly.”
“This treasure has two uses. First, it can help you upgrade your lifebound flying swords. This branch contains the essence of Wood. As your lifebound flying swords absorb this essence, they will be able to establish stronger foundations,” High Immortal Nan Yin said.
Wu Yuan listened.
“Second, this withered branch will greatly aid you when you create your mana body in the future. Moreover, it contains the profundities of the Longevity Dao,” High Immortal Nan Yin said with a smile. “By contemplating it, you’ll gain far more than contemplating the various treasure lands of the sect.”
Wu Yuan nodded solemnly.
Even though he only observed it for a short while, he sensed that this withered branch was a top treasure of the Wood attribute.
“Hold on to it, but you are not allowed to bring it out of the world residence for now,” High Immortal Nan Yin ordered. “Once you have reached the initiate threshold of the Longevity Dao and begin to refine it, you’ll be able to conceal its aura. Then, you may carry it with you.”
“Understood,” Wu Yuan said in a low voice, finding this arrangement entirely reasonable.
Although he was safe within the sect, a treasure on par with celestial equipment, once exposed, could attract the envy of many immortals.
There was no guarantee that none of the sect’s immortals would take their chances.
The main reason they didn’t betray the sect was because the benefits didn’t outweigh the losses. No matter how strict the rules of the sect were, traitors still arose throughout history whether due to treasures, breakthrough opportunities, or other special reasons.
“Take it,” High Immortal Nan Yin casually tossed the withered branch to Wu Yuan.
Wu Yuan caught it and tried to keep it in his storage artifact. However, it wouldn’t go in.
“The artifact’s level is too high, ordinary storage artifacts can’t hold it,” High Immortal Nan Yin reminded him. “After you are able to refine it, you’ll be able to store it in your qi sea.”
“Understood,” Wu Yuan nodded, inserting the withered branch in his inner armor.
“How is your body refiner self doing at Summerpeak?” High Immortal Nan Yin asked.
Wu Yuan swiftly reported all the incidents that had occurred within Summerpeak in the past few days to High Immortal Nan Yin.
“A bit reckless, but indeed, you had no choice,” High Immortal Nan Yin sighed. “But I must remind you, if Reverend Huo Yan truly comes after you, don’t resist if you can’t fight.”
“When it’s time to flee, you must flee,” High Immortal Nan Yin looked at his disciple.
Wu Yuan nodded, but he remained silent.
Flee? If he fled, Middle Land would certainly fall. Of his friends, family, and seniors, few would likely survive.
“As long as you’re alive, there’s hope.” High Immortal Nan Yin abruptly changed the topic, “But according to your intel, there should be others from the Summerpeak World who have also joined the Bloodforge Devil Hall.”
“Therefore, if you want to fight Reverend Huo Yan and preserve the safety of the Middle Land, the best method is to join Bloodforge Devil Hall and become the ruler of Summerpeak, or even the World Master of the Summerpeak World,” High Immortal Nan Yin said.
“The ruler of Summerpeak?” Wu Yuan muttered to himself.
According to the rules of Bloodforge Devil Hall, becoming the ruler of a worldlet would allow one to propagate Faith as they wish. But one still had to deliver resources on time, including manpower.
Becoming a World Master, on the other hand, was almost equivalent to being an independent lord.
As long as the World Master lived, the entire world would be free from the interference of the Bloodforge Devil Hall. However, the path to becoming a World Master was extremely difficult.
It was similar to the Redmoon Immortal Continent, where numerous sects might appear powerful on the surface, but those who truly obtained a permanent fief, free from any intervention from the Redmoon Immortal Hall, were limited to the four prince-rank families and the Dragon Star Immortal Sect.
The same rules applied within the Bloodforge Devil Hall.
Becoming the World Master of a worldlet might not be as difficult as establishing a first-rate sect, but it was not something a typical Void Refiner cultivator could achieve.
“I will strive to become the ruler of Summerpeak,” Wu Yuan solemnly declared.
Facing the Bloodforge Devil Hall, this was the best path Wu Yuan could take.
“If news of your battle at Summerpeak reaches the Bloodforge Devil Hall, you must be careful.” High Immortal Nan Yin warned, “The Bloodforge Devil Hall will surely demand your participation in the Bloodforge Battle.”
“Be mentally prepared.”