I seek immortality by chance

Chapter 704 Sweeping Away Five, Unrivaled Among Mortals

The escape light of a half-immortal is incredibly swift, easily tearing through the void.

In just a few dozen breaths, Gu Yuan and his companions traversed an unknown distance and arrived at a mountain cliff.

"boom!!"

Within this cliff, a section of the cliff face shone brightly. Beneath the radiant light, the surface was smooth, like a mirror reflecting the entire sky. Within it, mysterious streams of "qi" flowed faintly.

This "Qi" is extremely mysterious, seemingly transformed from the Dao, and any cultivator in the mortal world who sees it will feel joy in their heart.

At this moment, there were already eleven cultivators standing on this cliff.

These eleven people stood there without using any magic seals or immortal techniques, yet the spiritual energy in the void stagnated, becoming completely silent.

Eleven people stood in four directions, with three people in the other three directions and only two people in one direction, which looked rather thin.

However, the cultivators here are all highly skilled, so losing one person wouldn't be a big deal. The four sides are in opposition, and the atmosphere is solemn.

From within the cliff, a young man with red lips and white teeth, and a jade pendant at his waist, spoke loudly: "Fellow Daoists, the Ascension Stele is a gift from heaven. Its sudden appearance is an opportunity for us. However, if this stele is not used properly, there is also the danger of death and the dissipation of one's Dao."

"Fellow Daoists, you are all seeking immortality and the path to immortality. Fighting and killing would be unwise. How about we have a literary contest? The winner can demonstrate his skills before this stele, and the rest of you can observe."

Upon hearing this, some people frowned, while others remained calm, and so on.

The "half-immortals" who cultivate in seclusion at the Ascension Platform do not have a very large range of activities. They often discuss the Dao, so they have long been familiar with each other.

The so-called "literary contest" is a competition of comprehension of the Great Dao. Both sides stand on a stage, each presenting a self-created immortal scripture. Whoever can comprehend and cultivate it first will win.

Or, using the celestial constellations as a chessboard, play a game of "The Great Way," and whoever wins in the end is the winner.

These two methods require no magical battles, do not harm harmony, and will not result in injury, making them perfect for a "half-immortal" who is focused on cultivation.

However, not everyone is willing to fight using this method.

"We cultivators have experienced countless battles, both large and small, and fought countless battles of magic throughout our cultivation, but have we ever fought for enlightenment?"

"This isn't some alchemy or weapon-forging competition. Judging solely on comprehension of the Great Dao is probably not very fair!"

After a brief silence, a middle-aged Taoist priest with his hair tied up with withered vines suddenly spoke.

“Indeed, we cultivators should settle this through competition. However, there’s no need to spoil the harmony. After all, it’s just an Ascension Stele, not some Nine-Turn Immortal Pill. Let’s stop here. The winner can demonstrate his technique in front of the stele, and we can just watch.”

As soon as the middle-aged Taoist priest with his hair tied up with withered vines spoke, the people beside him echoed his words.

Some wanted to argue intellectually, while others wanted to fight physically; for a moment, the atmosphere became somewhat tense.

But at that moment, everyone's gaze turned to the sky.

Ripples appeared in the void, and the figures of Gu Yuan, the other two, and the Supreme Lord of the Purple Mansion appeared in the cliff.

While traveling, Gu Yuan and the Supreme Lord of the Purple Mansion exchanged Daoist titles and learned about each other's origins.

"Brother Zifu!"

Upon seeing the Supreme Lord Zifu, two people on the cliff lit up and greeted him loudly.

One of them wore an old gray robe with a straw rope tied around his waist. His wrinkles were like engraved marks, but his eyes were as clear as a baby's.

There was another person, a middle-aged beautiful woman with eyebrows like distant mountains and a gentle smile, who was looking at the Supreme Lord of the Purple Mansion with a faint smile.

"These are my good friends whom I met at the Ascension Platform. They all come from the Realm of Soaring Clouds. This is Fellow Daoist Bu Xu, and this is Fellow Daoist You Lan."

The Supreme Lord of the Purple Mansion led Gu Yuan to land beside the two of them and introduced him with a smile.

"This is Fellow Daoist Donghua of the Xuanhuang Dao lineage, a newcomer to Guizang. These two are Fellow Daoist Donghua's Daoist partners."

The Supreme Lord of the Purple Mansion then introduced Gu Yuan to the two of them.

"You are polite, fellow Taoist."

The group exchanged greetings and pleasantries, thus becoming acquainted.

At this moment, many eyes in the cliff fell on Gu Yuan.

The Venerable Zifu and the others were all familiar faces, so there was no need to pay much attention to them. Only Gu Yuan was a stranger, someone I was seeing for the first time.

But his completely different aura instantly attracted everyone's attention.

Especially since he even brought two low-level cultivators with him, such a ostentatious display made it impossible for him not to attract attention.

"Fellow Daoist Zifu, who is this fellow Daoist? Why don't you introduce us?"

Just then, an old man carrying a guqin on his back called out to the Supreme Lord of the Purple Mansion with a smile.

"This is Fellow Daoist Mu Yun from the Xuanji Realm. He entered the Dao through the zither, and his strength is unfathomable. He has been living in seclusion on this Ascension Platform for a thousand years."

Upon hearing this, the Venerable Zifu first introduced Gu Yuan to the Venerable Muyun, and then said to the Venerable Muyun, "This is Fellow Daoist Donghua from the Xuanhuang Ancient Land, a top figure under the rule of the Heavenly Palace. Today, he has come to observe the Ascension Stele at my invitation."

"The Ancient Land of Xuanhuang?"

Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback.

The Xuanhuang Ancient Land has only been connected to the Eight Realms for a short time, yet people have already come to the Guicang Realm, preparing to ascend to immortality?
The Xuanhuang Ancient Land, that is the true orthodox Heavenly Palace!

Don't be fooled by their unrestrained and reckless behavior in the mortal realm; it's just youthful arrogance. The deeper their cultivation, the more awe they will have for the Heavenly Palace.

"So it's Fellow Daoist Xuanhuang. Zhenliu greets you!"

"Yunmiao greets fellow Daoist!"

Immediately, several people bowed and greeted Gu Yuan, hoping to establish a good relationship.

Gu Yuan returned the greetings one by one.

The others, though mindful of their status, nodded slightly, acknowledging that they had met him.

While performing the ceremony, Gu Yuan also observed the crowd.

However, a slight smile appeared on his lips a few breaths later.

"Buzz!"

Within his dantian, the precious tree trembled rapidly, and seven-colored light appeared, indicating extreme excitement.

"One, two, three, four, five, six..."

"As expected, this place can meet the needs of magical duels and can yield Dao fruits..."

Gu Yuan's thoughts sank into the precious tree, and he was filled with emotion.

Before he came here, he already knew about the Ascension Platform. He knew that it was a fairly vast area where more than a dozen "half-immortals" lived in seclusion and rarely went out. If he wanted to find seven suitable opponents, it would take quite a while even if he visited them one by one.

However, he has plenty of time and is not in a hurry, so he plans to take it slow.

Unexpectedly, the emergence of this Ascension Stele brought all these extraordinary figures together, making things much easier.

"This stele is mysterious. Although I am new here, I would like to take a look at it. I wonder if my fellow Daoists would be so kind as to do so?"

Having already harbored a competitive spirit, Gu Yuan spoke without hesitation, asking the crowd a question.

"If you wish to see it, fellow Daoist, that is certainly possible!"

The Supreme Lord of the Purple Mansion was the first to speak, echoing Gu Yuan.

Behind him, Venerable Buxu and Venerable Youlan also nodded in unison, showing their support for him.

Although neither of them knew why the Supreme Lord of the Purple Mansion would bring an unfamiliar person to share the spoils, they still gave him face out of the trust they had built up over the centuries.

"Those who have entered this realm are all fellow Daoists. Since Fellow Daoist Donghua wishes to observe, we have no objection. However, to avoid damaging our relationship, shall we compete in a literary contest to secure a spot?"

Upon hearing this, the Venerable Muyun, who was carrying a guqin, smiled slightly and said to Gu Yuan.

He assumed that Gu Yuan, being new to the area, would agree to Wen Zheng's method.

He entered the Dao through the zither, possessing the best comprehension; if it were a literary contest, he would have the greatest chance of winning.

Gu Yuan, however, simply waved his sleeve and refused on the spot, saying, "Fellow Daoist, please don't joke around."

"We cultivators are destined to undergo the Heavenly Tribulation!"

"Under the calamity of heaven, how can a contest of wits avoid the tribulation?"

"It's fine for the younger generation to compete in a literary contest, but this kind of thing that leads to immortality must be decided by a magical contest!"

Venerable Mu Yun's face stiffened, but he still suppressed his anger and said, "If we fight and really get into a fight, not only will we damage the earth's veins and mountains, but we will also be injured. Wouldn't that be a great loss? A literary contest contains the understanding of the principles of heaven and is of great benefit to cultivation. It is the foundation of cultivation and the armor to avoid calamity. How can you say it is useless?"

"wounded?"

"If you don't even dare to get injured, how can you survive the tribulation?"

"No matter how high your comprehension is, in the end it still comes down to cultivation. If you can win in cultivation, then you win in everything!"

Gu Yuan's voice was cold, and he scoffed at Wen Dou. "Fellow Daoist, your words are far too arrogant."

Upon hearing this, Venerable Muyun's face immediately darkened.

Those who ascend to the Immortal Platform are all people with the highest level of cultivation, who only want to become immortals. They are usually very polite when discussing the Dao. When did they start speaking so bluntly?

"Hahaha, fellow Daoist, you've been in seclusion for too long. Don't you know that becoming an immortal requires a certain arrogance?"

"Only by being invincible among mortals can one break through the natural barrier and ascend to immortality!"

"Let me see what you've been cultivating all these years, fellow Daoist!"

Gu Yuan laughed loudly, his posture unrestrained. He pointed his finger, and countless bolts of lightning fell down, crashing towards the Venerable Mu Yun.

He has come here today to challenge me, so his actions will naturally be arrogant.

But what he said was not unreasonable.

Only by being invincible among mortals can one ascend to immortality.

If they can't even dominate in human battles, what are they supposed to do about overcoming heavenly tribulations?!

"Insanity!"

Upon seeing this, Venerable Muyun was furious and immediately roared.

"boom!"

His angry roar contained the ultimate sound, as if an ancient giant elephant was raising its head and roaring to the sky. The greatest sound is silent, and without any visible change, the thunderbolts that were attacking him all dissipated.

Upon seeing this, the surrounding cultivators retreated slightly, even Mu Yun Shangzun's friends did not stop them.

There's bound to be some kind of struggle over this Ascension Stele. Since the two of them have started fighting, let's wait and see.

"Humph!"

Seeing this, Venerable Muyun didn't say anything more, but just looked at Gu Yuan with a cold gaze and snorted.

This sound was like a thunderbolt exploding inside Gu Yuan's body, the boundless vibration penetrating straight into his lungs, threatening to shatter his body.

Gu Yuan simply stood with his hands behind his back, a smile playing on his lips, completely still.

The so-called method of sound did not even cause his clothes to tremble.

"This is……"

However, after a brief probing, Venerable Muyun realized that something was amiss.

Gu Yuan's body is incredibly resilient, having completely surpassed the limits of the Mahayana stage, and it is not the result of the Immortal Foundation stage.

"A celestial body!"

The onlookers were all taken aback.

"Let me see how you overcome this tribulation, fellow Daoist!"

Gu Yuan felt the energy emanating from the treasure tree in his dantian and burst into laughter. Then, with a thought, a cloud of mist exploded behind him, and a thousand-foot-long hand suddenly appeared, as if heaven and earth were closing in, and suddenly grabbed towards Mu Yun Shangzun.

The Primordial Qi Capture Seal is itself a celestial seal, extremely terrifying. Most importantly, this seal can mobilize the power of a celestial body, which is equivalent to Gu Yuan's entire strength being integrated into this seal.

The power of an immortal body—this is truly the power of an immortal.

On that misty giant hand, the immortal patterns shone brightly and had already solidified into a tangible form. It was truly an immortal's palm descending from the sky, about to suppress all cultivators in the mortal realm.

Venerable Mu Yun's expression changed drastically on the spot.

This was the first time he had ever felt such power since he had achieved the realm of a half-immortal; it truly felt like an immortal had descended upon him.

"Zheng!!"

Without a second thought, he reached out and made a gesture, and the ancient zither on his back immediately floated in front of him. The strings were plucked, and a resounding clang suddenly rang out, as if the heavens and earth were collapsing and the universe was exploding. The terrifying sound waves shattered the void, trying to shake off the restraints of the misty hand.

His entire cultivation lies in his zither; within the zither lies the immortal seal, and within the zither lies the path to immortality.

"boom!!"

But that misty giant hand was truly the palm of an immortal, containing all of Gu Yuan's strength. The terrifying sound of the zither shattered the sky, but when it landed on that misty giant hand, it could only shatter wisps of mist, like flying skin flakes, while the flesh and bones remained indestructible.

Moreover, this hand covered the heavens and earth, isolating all escape techniques. In just an instant, it landed on the head of Venerable Muyun, carrying endless shadows.

"How can it be?!"

Venerable Mu Yun was greatly alarmed, for this misty giant hand was no longer a human hand; it had transcended a dimension.

The immortal seal within his body trembled, and the music of the zither was so intense that it almost exploded, but it still could not break free from the restraint of the giant hand, which held it firmly within.

"boom!"

The large hand closed, imprisoning all sound within, not a single utterance could escape.

Those who witnessed it were all horrified.

Who is Venerable Mu Yun? He is a peak cultivator in the Xuanji Realm, a terrifying figure who has condensed half of his immortal foundation. Almost all of his magical power is immortal power. When he plays the guqin, he already has the style of Bi Youxian. Yet, he cannot even withstand a single palm strike from this person.
"how?"

Gu Yuan chuckled lightly before releasing his grip and freeing Mu Yun Shangzun.

Venerable Mu Yun's face was gloomy, as if he could not believe that he had been defeated.

But when that giant hand closed, the world fell silent, locking away even his immortal power and all spiritual energy. He was trapped within it and could not escape at all. If Gu Yuan had any murderous intent, he would probably die instantly.

fear! horrible!

Is this person truly not an immortal?

Gu Yuan sensed the energy emanating from the precious tree and felt a slight joy in his heart.

"The Record of Heavenly Laws and Startling Journeys..."

Having succeeded in the battle, the Precious Tree attained one more of its seven Dharma bodies.

"Fellow Daoists, my immortal body is complete, but I still lack the tempering of immortal techniques. How about we engage in a duel? The victor will receive this monument!"

Overjoyed at the victory, Gu Yuan turned to look at the five people in the arena.

Fighting one battle at a time is too slow; it's better to fight all at once.

Those present possessed incredibly sharp eyesight and senses. With just one glance from Gu Yuan, they knew he was referring to them, and a surge of anger immediately filled their hearts.

"Fellow Daoist, although you have achieved immortality, you are far too arrogant..."

"You want to take on five people all by yourself?!"

Someone immediately narrowed their eyes, their voice turning cold.

"Those who are not mad cannot become immortals!"

Gu Yuan laughed loudly, and then a storm of lightning surged across the sky, engulfing the five people.

These five people are indeed powerful, but he has already formed an immortal body and possesses the Cave Heaven and Reincarnation Seals. Both of these seals are top-tier immortal seals, and even though their power has greatly diminished, they still possess incredible might.

Fighting one person alone is not enough to unleash the power of these two seals. Five people fighting together is just the right time to test the power of these two seals, so that they won't never have used them in the human world.

"How brave!"

"Such arrogance, where is the bearing of an immortal?!"

"Then I'll have to learn from your superior skills, fellow Daoist!"

Of the five, three spoke in cold voices, while the other two remained silent, yet unleashed their Immortal Foundation power, their Immortal Seals blazing in the sky with boundless radiance.

"boom!!"

In an instant, an earth-shattering battle broke out. Gu Yuan, relying on his immortal body, withstood all kinds of immortal techniques and immortal seals, and then used the power of his cave heaven to envelop his entire body. Although the immortal light in this place was crisscrossing and countless immortal patterns were like chains trying to suppress him, he was completely unharmed.

Moreover, within his dantian, the Seven-Colored Treasure Tree trembled rapidly, and wisps of energy emerged, like firewood, burning vigorously.

"boom!"

Gu Yuan was overjoyed, his hair flying in the wind. With his immortal body, he moved through the void, his fists like divine mountains, striking out one after another.

"boom!!"

The heavens and earth trembled, countless beams of immortal light annihilated everything, the void shattered, and gusts of fierce wind swept through.

Those watching all paled, staring in disbelief at the figure.

Despite being afflicted by all laws, he remains indestructible.

Unfettered beneath the celestial light, is this truly a mortal being?
(End of this chapter)