Chapter Forty-Nine: The Path to Immortality

"...So that's your story. Though you were down on your luck, fortune finally turned in your favor." Lan Yi watched Xiao Hongzhuan with great interest as he devoured his meal.

At that moment, Xiao Hongzhuan resembled a genuine hungry ghost from the realm of famished spirits—not caring if he might burst from overeating, he ravenously stuffed himself with fish and meat piled high on the table. Had he not possessed some reserves of strength, after days of starvation followed by such gluttony, he might well have met his end.

Even after freshening up, Xiao Hongzhuan still looked like a refugee.

In height, bearing, speech, appearance, and ability, Xiao Hongzhuan seemed utterly unworthy of being associated with Immortal Master Lan Yi—a roadside nobody at best. If Lan Yi hadn't admitted it himself, none of the martial artists present would have believed that such a character could hail from the same hometown as the Immortal Master. Frankly, for someone like Xiao Hongzhuan, there was no need for a celestial-level warrior to deal with him; any practitioner of basic martial cultivation could subdue him single-handedly.

Might makes right.

Strength here was not merely physical power; knowledge that could benefit one's domain or cultivation that favored the destiny strands was equally respected among martial artists.

Clearly, Xiao Hongzhuan had a bit of talent, but not nearly enough to command the respect of this assembly of fierce warriors and dragon-like masters.

At this moment, many martial artists stood around the dining table.

Zhao Jian, Zhao Sikong, Liu Baiyuan, Guo Decheng—these familiar faces were joined by several newcomers who had recently arrived in Jinling, seeking to join the martial community and to receive weapons and training. Among those qualified to enter the inner circle were Gun King Kuang Yimin, Divine Marksman Li Shuwen, Sword Immortal Li Jinglin, and Tiger-headed Young Master Sun Lutang.

These were individuals who had reached the pinnacle of martial arts even before the resurgence of spiritual energy.

Upon entering the region of Jinling, they advanced in martial cultivation at a pace far beyond ordinary mortals. Even without Lan Yi bestowing the true transmission of the martial path, they could slowly forge their own extraordinary path of innate energy.

Now, these martial art masters stood quietly, listening.

The more they heard, the more astonished they became.

Secrets of the Immortal Realm, the path of conquest, martial cultivation in the void, stellar Daoist arts—each piece of esoteric knowledge was, to the people of this era, a revelation capable of shattering their worldviews.

Lan Yi did not prevent their listening.

Firstly, the conquest space was unlike certain spineless, cowardly transmigrators who guarded the origins of spiritual cultivators with utmost secrecy. Once the path of conquest opened, it was as if the barriers of the artificial divine realms were breached, allowing access to the main world. If the spiritual cultivators of the main world lacked the courage to wage war across the multiverse, they would inevitably be devoured in turn.

But if they possessed the strength and the daring, then the resources of all worlds would become theirs, overwhelming the myriad forces of the artificial divine realms and ascending to the pinnacle of power.

Indeed, history proved this.

Later, the spiritual cultivators of riverine civilization and oceanic civilization joined forces to construct Two Realms Mountain—a feat akin to stabilizing the world, solidifying the main world's unassailable position.

Not only the main world.

Lan Yi had never concealed information about spiritual energy, innate one-qi, destiny strands, Daoist arts, and so on.

This was one of the unwritten codes among the first generation of spiritual cultivators.

The transmission of the Dao was permissible. Among the artificial divine realms, Lan Yi prioritized riverine civilization, then oceanic civilization, next human civilization, and lastly Homo sapiens as a whole. The Dao is imparted to you; how much you learn is up to your own ability. If you truly catch up, you may join the civilization and wage war in the artificial divine realms.

Another principle of the first generation.

For main world spiritual cultivators stranded in the artificial divine realms, if there were neither grudges nor conflicts of interest, lending a helping hand was optional, not obligatory.

There was another rule.

Rivalry between riverine and oceanic civilizations was the norm within the artificial divine realms.

Regardless of which side, when modifying the artificial divine realms, they would favor their own civilization, but would not seek the utter annihilation of the other. Of course, 'not annihilating' still left much room for maneuver—how it played out depended on the skill and integrity of the spiritual cultivators.

Yet, if the human civilization was on the brink within the artificial divine realms, this rule would automatically shift: all differences set aside, aid the human civilization through the crisis first, then deal with other matters.

The love-hate relationship between riverine and oceanic civilizations had become habitual.

Not to mention leaving Earth.

Even venturing beyond the artificial divine realms, into the enigmatic borderlands, or the more bizarre and shattered far frontiers, this rivalry engraved in the souls of both civilizations would endure.

So much information.

Not only Zhao Jian and the others, but even Xiao Hongzhuan—the unfortunate from the main world—sat in stunned silence.

"Lan, you're truly incredible," Xiao Hongzhuan finally admitted.

Comparing oneself to others only breeds frustration.

Initially, Xiao Hongzhuan felt a twinge of envy—everyone entered the artificial divine realms together, so how could Lan Yi be so overwhelmingly powerful? After their conversation, his envy dissipated entirely, replaced by deep admiration.

This was a golden opportunity.

Would anyone pass up the chance to cling to such a benefactor and win without effort? Was he insane to think he could rival Lan Yi?

Having been thoroughly schooled by harsh reality, Xiao Hongzhuan was one step away from openly begging to be taken in.

Lan Yi did intend to accept him, but not without compensation. Xiao Hongzhuan carried a destiny strand—Earth Fiend—which happened to be exactly what Lan Yi needed.

"This Immortal Realm is truly..." Guo Decheng muttered, his worldview overturned.

"Immortal Realm indeed lives up to its name. As for Immortal Master Lan Yi, I suspect his status there is exceedingly high," Gun King Kuang Yimin observed shrewdly.

Just by listening in, he pieced together Lan Yi and Xiao Hongzhuan as projections in the conquest space—descended immortals undergoing tribulations, differences in immortal ranks, and factional struggles within the Immortal Realm.

Kuang Yimin's analysis, while familiar to Lan Yi, made it easier for the martial artists to digest the vast new information.

Their gaze toward Lan Yi grew ever more reverent.

In their eyes, Lan Yi's immortal rank had to be that of a Grand Supreme Immortal!

As for Xiao Hongzhuan, he was likely an insignificant lesser immortal, barely able to survive his descent, utterly lacking Lan Yi's divine might.

"In that case, we martial artists not only may restore the Divine Land and vanquish the barbarians and foreign devils, but even have hope of ascending the immortal path!" Sword Immortal Li Jinglin's face flushed, his words rousing the blood of many valiant warriors.

Were Lan Yi not present, their excitement would not have been merely enthusiasm—they might have launched into martial demonstrations on the spot, venting their fervor.

They could enter the Immortal Realm! Not only enter, but as direct disciples of a true immortal with the highest rank. This opportunity was so rare that their ancestors' graves must have smoked, coffins bursting into flames!

"Ascending to immortality aside, right now, I'm feeling rather restless," Li Shuwen grinned as Lan Yi gave him an encouraging glance, his eyes locking onto Guo Decheng.

"In front of the Immortal Masters, shall we spar?"

"Fist of steel and mountain tiger—before, I couldn't match you, but now..." Guo Decheng glanced at his silent master Kuang Yimin, then smiled, accepting Li Shuwen's challenge. "Divine Marksman, Master, you may join him if you wish."