Invincible Starts From Dao Fruit-Chapter 578 - 451: Meeting Liu Hechuan for the First Time after 500 Years!_2
Among the Daoist Upper Immortals, there is a concept known as the ’Nine Refinements.’
The Inner Realm focuses on refining mana.
The External Realm focuses on tempering the physique.
The Dharma Body Realm focuses on fortifying the Primordial Spirit.
The ’Nine Refinements’ is not a literal count, as ’nine’ symbolizes the utmost perfection—referring to refining cultivation to its peak.
Within the Daoist Upper Immortals, there is a variety of individuals.
Some dedicate themselves to earnest cultivation.
Yet others pursue extremities.
Some do so due to stagnation in their cultivation, others seek unparalleled strength at the same realm; still, others aim for a solid foundation. During the first three realms of immortality, they often search for secret techniques, expending vast resources to repeatedly refine their mana, physique, and Primordial Spirit in the Inner Realm, External Realm, and Dharma Body Realm.
The Inner Realm’s mana becomes more pure.
The External Realm’s physique grows increasingly robust.
The Dharma Body Realm’s Primordial Spirit becomes exceptionally fortified.
Thus.
Combat power naturally surpasses the norm.
Moreover, once they open the ’Qi Origin Technique,’ ’Essence Origin Method,’ and ’Divine Origin Skill,’ the Qi Yuan, Essence Yuan, and Divine Essence obtained from the three techniques will far exceed that of other Upper Immortals at the same level, making subsequent cultivation more effortless.
However, such an approach is entirely unnecessary.
Over-pursuing perfection, exhausting resources, yields benefits disproportional to the effort.
Even for Daoist True Inheritors.
Take Shi Ze for example.
Or Xue Gu.
Or Meng Qing.
They adhered to systematic cultivation practices, refraining from the path of ’Nine Refinements.’ They are confident in achieving the Fourth-order Peak. By then, their spirit will be harmonious and complete, refined in Absolute Skills, unleashing formidable combat power.
Rather than investing time in the earlier realms, it is better to accelerate progression to the Four Realms.
Even for Daoist Chiefs.
Take Shen Mo for instance.
Or Liu Hechuan.
They did not expend efforts or resources in this direction either.
Initially, Chen Jichuan had no intention of pursuing this path.
However, since he needs to maintain cultivation in the Inner Realm and possessing free time, coupled with the impending ’Dayan Victory Conference’ where he must compete against other Daoist Inner Realm Immortals, refining his mana to even greater purity and enhancing his strength is surely beneficial.
He’s determined not to falter or lose to other Inner Realm Immortals and miss out on opportunities due to negligence.
Against equally matched cultivation.
Without unleashing Divine Skills.
Chen Jichuan chooses to hone his techniques, mana, and every other aspect to perfection to ensure absolute security.
In the sect, he secluded himself in preparation for the ’Dayan Victory Conference.’
In the Golden Wind Mountain and Sea, there are Upper Immortals who have long anticipated this event, making their final strides.
Outside the sect.
Across the Eastern Continent.
Selections for Upper Immortals from the Central Continent were also well underway.
The One Origin Dao Sect established five arenas in the Eastern Continent, inviting Upper Immortals far and wide. Arena duels were supervised by True Immortals to filter the strongest individuals at each level—Inner Realm, External Realm, Dharma Body, and Heavenly Ladder—for top-tier contenders. At the ’Dayan Victory Conference,’ these finalists would exchange blows with top Upper Immortals from the Central Continent, Northern Continent, and Southern Continent.
The Dayan Victory Conference.
This is not just a gathering of the Immortal Court but also a contest among the Four Great Daoist Sects and the Four Continents.
Its deeper significance is understood only by the Daoist True Immortals. As for the Upper Immortals from the Four Great Daoist Sects and Four Great Continents, they need not delve into the higher implications—they merely need to enhance their combat prowess and aim for a favorable outcome in the conference.
As the conference draws near.
As arena battles reach their peak.
The atmosphere across Shenzhou grows increasingly fervent due to this event.
From his sect, Chen Jichuan could also sense the fiery enthusiasm. The once sparse visitors to Trial Sword Peak have surged exponentially in recent years.
Within the One Origin Dao Sect, disciples—whether ordinary Upper Immortal disciples, True Immortal True Inheritors, or Daoist True Inheritors—all could apply to participate in this grand conference.
Yet for the sect’s reputation, certain prerequisites must be met by these disciples.
Inner Realm Immortals must conquer the Sixth Peak of Trial Sword Peak, wielding combat power equivalent to the later stages of External Realm Immortals from the Four Great Daoist Sects.
External Realm Immortals must conquer the Eighth Peak, possessing mid-stage Dharma Body combat prowess from the Four Great Daoist Sects.
Dharma Body Realm Immortals must conquer the Tenth Peak, exhibiting early-stage Heavenly Ladder capabilities from the Four Great Daoist Sects.
Heavenly Ladder Realm Immortals, including those at the Fourth Realm Peak Enlightenment Realm, must conquer the Fourteenth Peak to qualify. This condition effectively excludes ordinary Heavenly Ladder Realm cultivators.
Take Xue Gu for instance.
Although she is at the Heavenly Ladder Realm and is even preparing for her bid as Daoist Chief, she has only conquered the Twelfth Peak, still far from reaching the Fourteenth Peak.
For seasoned Enlightenment Immortals like Meng Qing, only they possess the ability to conquer the Fourteenth Peak.
Furthermore, legendary figures mastering Divine Skills, such as senior brother Shen Mo and current chief Liu Hechuan of the East River Palace, wield combat power that stands far above the rest.
Though all are Heavenly Ladder Realm. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂
Individuals like Xue Gu are exceedingly weak.
The One Origin Dao Sect indeed places stringent requirements for its Upper Immortals participating in the Dayan Victory Conference.
And some True Immortals impose even stricter standards on their direct disciples.
Take the East River Palace Master.
He requires Chen Jichuan to conquer the Seventh Peak within the Inner Realm, before being eligible to attend the Dayan Victory Conference.
Among the direct disciples of the East River Palace.
Chen Jichuan is qualified.
Shen Mo and Liu Hechuan are also viable candidates.
Though Meng Qing and Bo Yin have conquered the Fourteenth Peak, fulfilling the One Origin Dao Sect’s criteria, they fall short of the East River Palace master’s expectations. If they don’t conquer the Fifteenth Peak before the Dayan Victory Conference takes place, they’ll lose their invitation to the event.
As for Wuy Qi, Xue Gu, and Shi Ze.
Despite being Upper Immortals, their strength is insufficient for the competition. They, however, could attend alongside the Palace Master as observers but would be excluded from the fights among the Four Great Daoist Sects and Four Great Continents.
Nonetheless, Xue Gu and Shi Ze are both occupied with opening Daoist Schools in the Barbaric regions, making their attendance unlikely.
The selection process heats up.
As the conference approaches, Chen Jichuan emerges from seclusion, conquers the Fifth Peak, Sixth Peak, and Seventh Peak, meeting the East River Palace master’s requirements.
...
Five hundred years flit by.
With the Dayan Victory Conference imminent, streams of light pierce the azure sky and ascend to the boundless heavens, entering the Immortal Court.
On this day.
Chen Jichuan arrives at Fahua Palace first. Aside from him, the hall remains empty.
"Senior sister Xue Gu and senior brother Shi Ze won’t join us."
"I wonder if senior brother Meng Qing will return in time."
In the deserted palace, Chen Jichuan silently stands and waits, pondering to himself.
Today marks the departure for the Immortal Court. Xue Gu and Shi Ze have already declared their absence, focusing on establishing Daoist Schools.
Yet there’s no news of senior brother Meng Qing.
Three millennia ago, he had already conquered the Fourteenth Peak. If he has achieved further advancements over the years, conquering the Fifteenth Peak and earning the East River Palace master’s approval, his participation in the Dayan Victory Conference isn’t out of the question.
But given his prolonged absence, he’s likely given up.
By these calculations.
Of the eight direct disciples, only three will attend.
Liu Hechuan and Bo Yin remain out and about. Perhaps it will be just Chen Jichuan, Shen Mo, and Wuy Qi heading to the conference.
While lost in thought.
Suddenly.
Voices echo from outside.
"Junior brother Liu, this is Zhou Yan, the youngest disciple of our teacher. It’s been seven hundred years since he joined; this is your first meeting, isn’t it?"
Turning his gaze, Chen Jichuan sees Shen Mo entering alongside a black-faced youth and introducing them from afar. He calls out to Chen Jichuan, "Junior brother, this is your senior brother Liu. Hurry and pay your respects!"
The black-faced youth is none other than the East River Palace master’s eighteenth direct disciple and One Origin Dao Sect chief—Liu Hechuan.
"Zhou Yan greets senior brother Liu."
Chen Jichuan promptly steps forward to greet him.
He had been thinking about him just moments ago, and now his senior brother Liu has arrived.
To be expected.
As one of the twelve contemporary chiefs of the One Origin Dao Sect, senior brother Meng Qing—a Fourth Realm Peak cultivator—not attending the Dayan Victory Conference could be excused; but for a chief representing their sect’s reputation, his attendance is mandatory.
"Junior brother."
Compared to Shen Mo and Meng Qing, Liu Hechuan appears far more reserved, speaking sparingly.
Yet his strength is undeniable.
To secure the position of chief among True Inheritors is no mean feat.
This time.
Both he and Shen Mo will represent the One Origin Dao Sect’s Fourth Realm Upper Immortals in the battles at the Dayan Victory Conference.
Upon their arrival.
Shen Mo mediates the conversation, easing any tension.
Yet Wuy Qi remains absent, leaving Chen Jichuan perplexed: "Is senior brother Wuy not attending this time?"
The Dayan Victory Conference is an unparalleled event held only once every 49,000 years across Shenzhou; so rare an opportunity is seldom encountered even across ten generations of Upper Immortals. Given his knowledge of senior brother Wuy Qi’s character, the latter is known for reveling in such grand occasions. How could he miss out?
...
