Invincible Starts From Dao Fruit-Chapter 584 - 454 My Disciple Zhou Yan Has the Bearing of a True Immortal!_2
But Shen Mo managed to break into the top hundred.
While cultivating in seclusion within East River Palace, many of the younger Upper Immortals in the One Origin Dao Sect had never even heard of the illustrious ’Shen Mo of East River.’ Yet, through this battle, all of them bore witness to his prowess.
Chen Jichuan himself finally beheld the brilliance of this senior disciple of his sect.
Of the two chief disciples of this era within the East River Palace lineage, Liu Hechuan’s ascension to the chief position was primarily due to being Shen Mo’s junior disciple. Acknowledging no further progress in his own cultivation as chief, Shen Mo feigned defeat to pass the title on to Liu Hechuan.
The latter’s tenure as chief was thus somewhat lacking in genuineness.
But Shen Mo was different.
Before him, when it was his turn to strive for the chief position, no previous chief of East River Palace stepped down for him. He relied solely on his own ability, defeating one of the seated chiefs of another peak and forcefully ascending to the position.
At the time, Shen Mo was only twenty thousand years old.
To become chief at twenty thousand and step down at thirty thousand—this period marked the height of Shen Mo’s brilliance. After reaching thirty thousand years, Shen Mo entered self-imposed seclusion within East River Palace, rarely showing his hand, allowing his fame to gradually fade.
But now, at forty-four thousand years old, as he reemerged, his invincible posture still commanded awe and respect.
Chen Jichuan fought battle after battle, pressing ever forward, his sword aiming for the top. He also hoped that Shen Mo could secure the Fourth Realm and seize the opportunity to enter the ’Dayan Chessboard’ for enlightenment.
As the final round of the top hundred competition began, Chen Jichuan had little attention left for other matters, focusing entirely on dueling his opponents.
In this final round, each of the top hundred Upper Immortals had to fight against each of the other ninety-nine contenders.
The one with the most victories and the highest points would claim the title of First Realm Leader.
Ten battles.
Twenty battles.
Thirty battles.
Chen Jichuan continued to win, making miracle after miracle.
Heavenly Yin True Qi.
Daluo Heavenly Fire.
Green Lotus Descent.
Six Ding Mountain Opening Skill.
Chen Jichuan’s cards were gradually revealed.
Initially, merely deploying ’Heavenly Yin True Qi’ was sufficient for victory, but as he encountered stronger and more troublesome opponents, he was forced to reveal more of his hand, wielding his most hidden super-level techniques.
These super-level techniques, which he had mastered to perfection, had all been refined into Divine Skills through derivation; even when used in their original state, they retained traces of their profundity, wielding unparalleled power.
He pushed the interplay of the Five Elements to its very limits.
But that alone was not enough.
In two of the matches, Chen Jichuan finally encountered opponents wielding Immortal Artifacts. One was a Daoist Upper Immortal, and the other, an independent cultivator from the North Continent. Both had fortuitous encounters, inheriting Immortal Artifacts while still in the Inner Realm. With Immortal Artifacts in hand, their combat strength surged by several tiers.
Chen Jichuan was inevitably pushed to the brink, finally forced to summon the ’Daluo Heavenly Sleeve’ to sweep away their Immortal Artifacts after a few exchanges, thus securing victory.
Regrettably, within the secret stage of the ’Dayan Victory Conference,’ on the platform of the ’Dayan Chessboard,’ it was impossible to permanently claim another’s Magical Treasures or Immortal Artifacts—
Even if it were otherwise, it wouldn’t matter in the end.
As a True Immortal Inheritor of a Daoist sect, he could never brazenly seize someone else’s Immortal Artifact in full public view.
He wasn’t afraid of disgrace.
But the One Origin Dao Sect could not afford to lose face, nor could East River Palace Master bear such a scandal.
Fortunately, having reached the top hundred, East River Palace Master had promised him an Immortal Artifact as a reward afterward, so there was no need to envy others’ possessions.
As these two battles concluded, the outcome of the top hundred competition was no longer in doubt.
Zhou Yan of the One Origin Dao Sect claimed the Inner Realm’s top spot with an undefeated record.
Zhou Yan of the One Origin Sect.
His name shone brightly at the Victory Conference.
...
"Excellent!"
"Truly outstanding!"
"Congratulations, Brother Donghe."
"Haha! Zhou Yan, the Inner Realm’s top contender, is a disciple of Brother Donghe from East River, isn’t he? Incredible. This young man has the potential to become a True Immortal!"
As the rankings for the Inner Realm’s top hundred were finalized, with the First firmly decided, the name ’Zhou Yan of the One Origin Sect’ entered the radar of countless Great Powers. A little investigating revealed that Zhou Yan hailed from the One Origin Dao Sect and was a disciple under the tutelage of East River Palace Master.
One after another, they offered their congratulations to East River Palace Master.
Securing the top position in the Inner Realm of the Four Realms granted access to the ’Dayan Chessboard’ for enlightenment.
This was an opportunity that even many True Immortals might never encounter.
Although Zhou Yan was currently still in the Inner Realm, achieving enlightenment this time made proving the Dao in the Fourth Realm Peak significantly more hopeful in the future.
Having such a disciple was indeed a cause for celebration.
East River Palace Master’s face lit up with delight.
This disciple of his had truly brought him honor. The pride on his face was one thing, but more importantly, this disciple’s opportunity and the hope of becoming a True Immortal filled East River Palace Master’s heart with joy.
"My disciple Zhou Yan has the makings of a True Immortal!"
East River Palace Master was brimming with confidence, supremely satisfied. Only when he glanced at the Heavenly Ladder Realm rankings did his mood slightly dampen, and his elation dim somewhat.
...
As the demonstrations of the Upper Immortals in the Dayan Victory Conference concluded, the event reached its finale.
This time, among the Upper Immortal Four Realms—
Inner Realm Leader: Zhou Yan of the One Origin Dao Sect.
External Realm Leader: Huang Zhi, an independent cultivator from the Central Continent.
Dharma Body Realm Leader: Chi Chang of the Luosheng Daoist School.
Heavenly Ladder Realm Leader: Liangqiu, an independent cultivator from the Southern Continent.
The leaders of the Four Realms had been decided, with independent cultivators from the Four Great Continents claiming two titles. Among the Four Great Daoist Sects, only Chen Jichuan emerged victorious in the Inner Realm. Meanwhile, the Dharma Body Realm was won by an Upper Immortal from the secondary Luosheng Daoist School.
The leaders of the Four Realms now had their rightful places.
Chen Jichuan achieved his goal, claiming the Inner Realm’s title, and felt a surge of happiness. But when he saw the rankings for the top hundred in the Heavenly Ladder Realm, he couldn’t help but sigh, feeling regret on behalf of his senior disciple Shen Mo.
"Seventh place."
"What a pity."
Shen Mo had ranked seventh in the Heavenly Ladder Realm—a remarkably high placement.
In the battles of the top hundred, Shen Mo had displayed the full extent of his abilities.
Magic.
Divine Skills.
Even the Immortal Artifact he had kept hidden until now.
His strength had likely already reached the level of the twenty-second or twenty-third peaks of Trial Sword Peak. Within the peak’s hierarchy, he could have competed for the summit, standing among the supreme Fourth-order powers.
But ultimately, he still lost two matches and tied in two.
With his final points, he could only place seventh, narrowly missing the chance to enter the ’Dayan Chessboard.’
At forty-four thousand years of age, though seventh place came with substantial rewards, missing the rare opportunity of the ’Dayan Chessboard’ greatly diminished his hopes of proving the Dao as a True Immortal.
After all, if he had any real chances left, East River Palace Master would already have stepped in. But even for East River Palace Master, finding an opportunity comparable to the ’Dayan Chessboard’ was almost impossible.
"What a pity."
Chen Jichuan sighed, and East River Palace Master sighed as well.
Chen Jichuan’s triumph in claiming the Inner Realm’s title was certainly a cause for joy. But Shen Mo’s outcome left him lamenting.
Just a little more.
If only he could have claimed the top spot and entered the ’Dayan Chessboard,’ then, with Shen Mo’s foundation, he might have achieved a breakthrough into the True Immortal Realm on the spot.
A sense of regret.
And a lingering sorrow.
Chen Jichuan felt regretful, East River Palace Master felt sorrowful, and many Daoist Upper Immortals and True Immortals acquainted with Shen Mo or close to East River Palace shared their sighs.
But nothing could be done.
What was lacking was simply lacking.
What was missed was permanently missed.
The ’Dayan Chessboard’ opened only once every forty-nine thousand years; having missed it this time, Shen Mo would never live to see the next.
...
With the top hundred rankings settled, Chen Jichuan did not get the chance to see East River Palace Master or Shen Mo.
Within his cave abode, he suddenly found himself transported to a secret realm.
Accompanying him were three others—the four leaders of the Four Realms.
Huang Zhi.
Chi Chang.
Liangqiu.
Being able to claim the title of a realm leader, they were undoubtedly extraordinary.
But at this moment, their hearts were also not calm, especially Liangqiu, the independent cultivator who claimed the top position in the Heavenly Ladder Realm. Having surpassed Shen Mo, outshone the chief disciples of the Four Great Daoist Sects, defeated the most elite group of Upper Immortals in the Enlightenment Realm from the Four Great Continents, his Dao cultivation was already at the pinnacle of the Fourth-order.
One more step forward, and he would become a True Immortal.
Now, with Shenzhou’s greatest opportunity for enlightenment before him, True Immortality seemed within reach. Even with Liangqiu’s lofty state of mind, he couldn’t help but feel excitement.
Not just Liangqiu—all four of them were filled with anticipation, silent in their thoughts. Shortly after their arrival, four Immortal Fruits manifested mid-air, descending before each of them. Chen Jichuan cast his gaze—
[Name: Tonghe Immortal Fruit]
[Level: Fifth-order]
[Description: A fruit borne of the Heavenly Tonghe Divine Tree in the Immortal Court, which blooms every thirty thousand years, bears fruit every thirty thousand years, and matures every thirty thousand years—taking ninety thousand years to yield nine ’Tonghe Immortal Fruits.’ When consumed, it clears the mind, harmonizes the spirit and Qi, and grants the state of sudden enlightenment.]
...
"Tonghe Immortal Fruit!"
Chen Jichuan’s eyes lit up.
What a magnanimous gesture by the Immortal Court and the Daoist sects.
Allowing the four realm leaders to enter the ’Dayan Chessboard’ for enlightenment was already remarkable, but to bestow upon them a treasure like the ’Tonghe Immortal Fruit’ for enhanced enlightenment demonstrated unparalleled generosity.
This undoubtedly increased Liangqiu’s chances of proving the Dao as a True Immortal.
...
