Yuan’s Ascension

This scene sent ripples of surprise through the crowd. Hundreds of Amethyst Cradle/Shambhala cultivators below looked over in astonishment.

It was widely known that there were several foreign trial participants, five of which were Void Refiner Eminences. Yet Mu Xin had chosen to greet a mere Shambhala cultivator first? In a way, this seemed to confirm Wu Yuan's prestigious background.

"Daoist Mu Xin, you flatter me," Wu Yuan responded coolly as he rose to his feet.

Mu Xin? He had never heard of her before this moment. But based on her grand entrance alone, Wu Yuan could deduce that Mu Xin likely held a top-tier position among the Amethyst Cradle cultivators of the Longstar Immortal Sect, perhaps comparable to the elite hereditary disciples of the Dragon Star Immortal Sect.

As for her captivating beauty? Merely skin-deep. And the air of seduction Mu Xin exuded, capable of enticing ordinary Amethyst Cradle cultivators? To Wu Yuan, whose Dao Heart rivaled that of High Immortals after surviving the Apotheosis Yuan Soul Tribulation, it was nothing more than a joke.

Sensing the calm in Wu Yuan's gaze, Mu Xin's lips curled into a smile, her charm intensifying. "Shadow Blade, you truly are extraordinary."

Internally, she was quite surprised. She was used to the hereditary disciples of her sect finding it difficult to remain composed in her presence. However, Wu Yuan displayed no sign of being affected in the slightest. After all, one's eyes were the windows to the soul.

Unconsciously, her impression of Wu Yuan rose a notch.

Suddenly, the youth in luxurious teal robes let out a cold snort, casting a glance at Wu Yuan before returning to his seat with a stony expression.

Afterwards, Chi Chang introduced the other trial participants one by one. At the end, Chi Chang introduced the teal-robed youth – Nie Le.

"Nie Le is the son of a veteran elder. I hope you all can offer him assistance if possible once we enter the Thunder Marsh World," Chi Chang said with a smile.

"Of course."

"Certainly." Yun Ya, Yun Ling and the others responded in kind, extending goodwill towards Nie Le. Wu Yuan gave a slight nod as well.

This only served to further displease Nie Le, his expression growing colder. Chi Chang was essentially implying that he was a wastrel with powerful connections, even if that was the truth.

At that moment, a muscular man clad in black armor flew into the hall, heading straight for the VIP area. His aura was incredibly formidable, drawing the gazes of all present. He was an eighth-stage Elysian Field cultivator, a powerful body refiner.

His arrival caused Chi Chang and Mu Xin's expressions to flicker briefly before they smiled and greeted him, "Protectorate Fang."

"Elder Fang." Nie Le's face lit up with delight.

"Young Master." The black-armored man bowed slightly to Nie Le before turning to Chi Chang. "Protectorate Chi, as not all six foreign trial participants are Void Refiner-level cultivators, a spot has opened up. Therefore, the veteran elder has ordered me to protect the Young Master as he ventures into the Thunder Marsh World."

"Haha, excellent! Please, have a seat, Protectorate Fang," Chi Chang responded with a beaming smile, his body language quite welcoming.

The black-armored man took a seat beside Nie Le.

As time passed, most of the immortal cultivators set to enter the Thunder Marsh World had arrived, and the banquet officially began.

Throughout the feast, Mu Xin frequently raised her cup to Wu Yuan, her gestures filled with unmistakable admiration.

This sight ignited a quiet fury in Nie Le's heart. He had pursued Mu Xin for decades, yet never received such treatment. On rare occasions, Mu Xin might offer him a faint smile, but she was mostly indifferent to him.

"Elder Fang, what exactly is this Shadow Blade's background?" Nie Le coldly transmitted his voice.

"He is a formal disciple of the Autumn Lake Hall. Young Master would do well not to offend him," the black-armored man replied via transmission. "I'll send the information we have on the Autumn Lake Hall to you.

From my observations, Shadow Blade shows no interest. Young Master need not be overly concerned," the black-armored man advised.

He understood his young master's desire to become Dao companions with Mu Xin. Mu Xin was not only bewitchingly beautiful, but also formidable in her own right. Her Dao comprehension level was so advanced that she could already step into the Void Refiner phase.

"The Autumn Lake Hall is truly so formidable?" Nie Le's consciousness skimmed through the information in his voidrealm.

He was shocked by the Autumn Lake Hall's might, but it only upset him further. In terms of strength, Wu Yuan clearly surpassed him. In terms of background, a formal member of the Autumn Lake Hall was likely not far behind the son of a High Immortal.

And now, Mu Xin seemed quite taken with Wu Yuan.

In the blink of an eye, nearly four hours passed. As Chi Chang delivered some final words of encouragement, the Amethyst Cradle and Void Refiner cultivators began to disperse. Nie Le and the black-armored man rose as well.

Suddenly, a calm voice echoed in Nie Le's mind. "Daoist Nie Le, I am Shadow Blade."

Hmm? Nie Le's brow furrowed slightly as he looked towards Wu Yuan.

He saw Wu Yuan smiling and raising a cup in his direction, an action that only confused Nie Le further.

What was he up to?

"Daoist Nie Le, I am but a dedicated cultivator. My purpose for coming to the White Sea Immortal Continent is to explore the Thunder Marsh World. Once our expedition is complete, I will naturally return to Autumn Lake Hall," Wu Yuan calmly conveyed through voice transmission.

"As for Mu Xin? I care not for her. I hope you won't be swayed by provocations. I have no wish to antagonize you, but neither should you view me as an enemy.

For this journey, we are both members of the same team of the Longstar Immortal Sect. We are comrades." With a smile, Wu Yuan set down his cup.

He turned and departed, leaving behind a dumbfounded Nie Le who stood in a daze, seemingly lost in thought.

"What's the matter, Young Master?" the black-armored man asked in a low voice.

"Elder Fang, you were right." Nie Le suddenly spoke, his tone even. "There's no point in provoking Shadow Blade."

"I'm glad you understand, Young Master." The black-armored man's face broke into a smile. His greatest concern had been Nie Le antagonizing Wu Yuan in the Thunder Marsh World.

Though a mere ninth-stage Shambhala cultivator, any formal disciple of the Autumn Lake Hall was likely not someone to be trifled with.

…

In a meditation chamber within the Hundred Jades Courtyard.

As expected, where there are people, there is strife. Wu Yuan shook his head slightly. Matters of the heart are truly the most vexing.

Having experienced much, Wu Yuan's understanding of human nature was incredibly deep. After a moment's reflection, Wu Yuan had grasped the situation.

This Mu Xin, there's a ninety percent chance she intends to use me as a spear, leveraging the Autumn Lake Hall's reputation to draw fire? Wu Yuan mused. She and Chi Chang seem unwilling to have Nie Le and Protectorate Fang join the expedition?

There's a minuscule chance she's truly smitten with me at first sight? Wu Yuan shook his head.

The probability was far too low. Powerful immortal cultivators all possessed strong Dao Hearts and understood that outward appearances were merely skin-deep, inconsequential. How many would fall in love so easily?

Even if charm techniques were employed, they would only stir carnal desires, not true emotions! Love and lust were fundamentally different.

However, whether Mu Xin had ulterior motives or genuine feelings, Wu Yuan harbored not the slightest interest. He had no desire to get involved in unnecessary conflict.

Wu Yuan had but one goal – reaching the coordinates of the Immutable Land’s entrance!

I hope that Nie Le keeps a cool head. Otherwise, it doesn’t matter who stands in my way. I will kill them all. A flash of cold indifference passed through Wu Yuan's eyes.

Having experienced years of carnage on the Eldritch-Immortal Battlefield and survived the Apotheosis Yuan Soul Tribulation, his Dao Heart was nigh unshakeable. Amidst all matters, only the pursuit of the Dao mattered!

After perusing various intelligence reports, Wu Yuan understood that once they successfully entered the Thunder Marsh World, the chances of encountering High Immortal-level powerhouses would decrease.

As for Archimmortals?

On an immortal continent, there may be as few as several dozen Archimmortals or as many as over a hundred, but most would be out adventuring. Wu Yuan pondered.

Besides, as long as one doesn't perform too outrageously, why would one attract the attention of Archimmortals?

In behemoth factions like the Cang Feng Eldritch World or the Voltari Temple, ordinary Archimmortals were indeed unremarkable, their numbers countless. But on a single immortal continent, Archimmortals were still greatly revered and considered immensely powerful.

…

Half a day later.

Wu Yuan, Yun Ya, Yun Ling, and the other three trial participants joined Chi Chang, Protectorate Fang, and the rest of Team 3 – over three hundred Amethyst Cradle/Shambhala cultivators in total – as they assembled at a designated location.

Shortly after, all six teams from the Longstar Immortal Sect, comprising thousands of immortal cultivators, gathered in a teleportation array under the orders of an Earth Immortal.

In an instant, they were transported to the outskirts of the mysterious Thunder Marsh World.

…

Untold ages ago, an Astral Monarch chose the Thunder Marsh World as his abode. At great cost, he had expanded a small worldlet into a vast territory spanning billions of li, shielding it within a formidable thunder array.

Though the Astral Monarch eventually perished, the Thunder Marsh World endured, its defense array continuing to function.

The Thunder Marsh World lay beyond the mainland of the White Sea Immortal Continent.

Suspended in the endless void of outer space, an imposing temple stood. Suddenly, a violent ripple of heaven and earth’s power surged, accompanied by a brilliant flash of light.

Six teams, comprising thousands of cultivators, emerged from the teleportation array into the star-studded expanse of outer space.

Even the weakest among these immortal cultivators were Amethyst Cradle/Shambhala cultivators, with the ability to survive in the harsh environment of outer space.

"Is that the Thunder Marsh World?"

"It's enormous. I've never seen such a vast worldlet.”

"Neither have I," Whispers echoed throughout the groups as thousands of immortal cultivators gazed in astonishment at the planet looming hundreds of millions of li away.

Wu Yuan's eyes were similarly drawn to the spectacle.

Despite the immense distance, the sheer scale of the Thunder Marsh World made it appear deceptively close, occupying nearly half their field of vision. Even to the naked eye, the entire world seemed shrouded in a layer of dark clouds, crackling with countless bolts of lightning.

"Remain silent and wait here," commanded the Earth Immortal named Qi He, clad in crimson robes as he hovered in space.

His gaze swept across the assembled cultivators, instantly silencing the crowd.

As an Earth Immortal, he possessed the power to annihilate all the thousands of Amethyst Cradle cultivators present with a single strike, should he so desire.

"These are the talismans that will allow you safe passage into the Thunder Marsh World," Qi He intoned dispassionately. "Remember, they are single-use items. You must exit the Thunder Marsh World within six months at most."

With a wave of his hand, thousands of glowing talismans materialized before the cultivators.

The crowd hurriedly claimed their tokens.

Wu Yuan accepted his, inwardly coming to a realization as to why no one attempted to breach the Thunder Marsh World without the aid of the six major sects.

The first reason was that the six major sects of the White Sea Immortal Continent had established a barrier around its perimeter.

The second reason was that over countless eons, the Archimmortals of the six major sects had repeatedly explored the Thunder Marsh World, gaining detailed information at great cost.

At the very least, they could now produce a steady supply of talismans. Without these talismans? Entering the Thunder Marsh World would be a near-certain death sentence.

The defense array laid down by an Astral Monarch, even after the passage of untold ages, still retained its terrifying power.

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