I conquer the immortal with my strength.

Chapter 589 A First Glimpse of the Immortal Realm
"My affairs..."

Xingyi's gaze dimmed slightly, as if recalling the past. After a moment of hesitation, she slowly spoke:
"Two thousand seven hundred years ago, I offered a wisp of my true spirit into the Myriad Spirits Banner, which allowed me to ascend to the Immortal Realm. When I first arrived in this realm, I was neither lucky nor miserable. I was assigned to the Jiqi Division and first served in the City God Pavilion of Biyuan County."

After accumulating merits step by step, he survived the eighth heavenly tribulation three hundred years ago and was finally appointed as the Jade Stream God Land by the Conferred God Platform, barely managing to govern a region.

However... the situation in Biyuan County is complex and complicated, with evil cultivators and ferocious demons emerging one after another, while the power of the Heavenly Court is extremely weak, often unable to do its best and lacking sufficient deterrence.

My Jade Stream, on the surface, is a place of verdant mountains and clear springs, and its territory is not small. However, because it is far from the county seat, it has become a place where demons roam and hidden dangers lurk everywhere.

Three hundred miles to the east lies Cangxiu Mountain, which has been a dwelling place for demons since ancient times. Tiger demons and ape demons roam in groups, often causing havoc on nearby villages.

The stream to the south meanders into the 'Azure Abyss River,' where aquatic creatures thrive. Among them lurks a vicious dragon, possessing profound cultivation and unpredictable ferocity.

The most troublesome of them is the bear demon that has emerged on Zhu Pi Ridge in recent years, calling himself "Lord Zhu Pi Mountain". This demon is incredibly powerful and possesses profound demonic abilities. He is also extremely cruel and often plunders and slaughters people at will.

I once went to Zhu Bi Ridge to persuade him to restrain himself and not commit such atrocities. However, after only a few exchanges, I was forced to descend the mountain and returned in a sorry state.

Left with no other choice, I repeatedly sent messengers to the City God Temple in the prefecture to request assistance, but the City God Temple has been reluctant to send troops. If the situation continues to deteriorate, the people under my jurisdiction will inevitably be scattered, the incense offerings will gradually cease, and the local earth god temples will lose their worship. In that case, let alone 'refining the void to return to the true self,' I fear I will even struggle to save my own life.”

As she spoke, her expression turned somewhat sorrowful.

Xia Daoming raised his hand in a gesture of apology, and said with a wry smile, "I'm a little confused by what you've just said. I'm new here and know nothing about the affairs of the Immortal Realm. Tell me first, what is 'Refining Emptiness to Return to Truth'?"

Xingyi was stunned for a moment, then said softly with self-reproach, "I was confused and forgot that Master Xia is new to this world."

She paused, then slowly explained:
"Refining the Void to Return to Truth is a unique path for cultivators like us who have undergone the Body Removal Technique. Ordinary cultivators who have undergone the Body Removal Technique and reached the Nascent Soul stage, after passing the ninth Heavenly Tribulation, are called Void Immortals because they have no physical body. Although Void Immortals also serve in the Heavenly Court and are called immortals, they are ultimately illusory and not real."

To rebuild one's physical body, just like those who achieve immortality through physical means, there are two paths: one is to find a supreme treasure of heaven and earth, but such spiritual objects are rare and unattainable for cultivators without power or support; the other is to rebuild one's true body with incense offerings, which is known as 'refining the void to return to the true.' If one succeeds, one can be called a true immortal.

A true immortal undergoes one tribulation every 18,000 years, totaling twelve tribulations. Only after passing through twelve tribulations does one enter the ranks of Golden Immortals, becoming a legendary figure.

As for that Crimson Bear Demon, it is nearing the end of its Nine-Nine Heavenly Tribulation in the Nascent Soul stage, with one foot already on the threshold of True Immortal; its strength is beyond my reach.

Upon hearing this, Xia Daoming nodded and sighed, "I see."

With a slight thought, he recalled that Cang Hong's clone was a true immortal back then, and couldn't help but secretly speculate on the depth of his cultivation.

He then asked, "What kind of Heavenly Court office is the Jiqi Division? This Earthly Immortal Realm is vast, what is its layout? Have you ever heard of the location of Lingzu Mountain?"

Upon hearing this, a hint of bitterness flashed in Xingyi's eyes.

"I am but a humble landowner, governing only a small corner of the Jade Stream region, and my knowledge is limited. My understanding is roughly as follows:"

The Jiqi Division was the Heavenly Court's office specifically responsible for managing local deities, overseeing matters such as incense records, sacrificial rites, land taxes, public order, and civil administration. The Earth God Temple was the lowest-ranking office under the Jiqi Division.

As for the territory, the Immortal Realm is vast and boundless, divided into nine major domains and seven great seas. Each domain is divided into prefectures, each prefecture governs counties, and each level has its own government offices, all nominally under the control of the Heavenly Court.

However, the Earthly Immortal Realm is teeming with powerful figures and numerous super forces. Although they claim to submit to the Heavenly Court, they actually govern themselves independently and are rarely commanded. I dare not speak of such forces, nor do I have any opportunity to come into contact with them.

Our place belongs to the Desolate Marsh Region, Biyuan County of Chijiang Prefecture. Since my ascension, I have been responsible for the land and have not been allowed to leave my post without permission. My footsteps have never crossed Biyuan County. In terms of power, even the larger sects and families in the county are more than enough to overshadow me.

As for Mount Lingzu… I have been inquiring about it everywhere since my ascension, but I have never heard of it. It must be in another state, another immortal realm, or perhaps far away in the Seven Seas.” As she spoke, her expression became even more somber. Merfolk are known for their deep affection and loyalty, and although Xingyi had ascended to the immortal realm, she remained alone. Thinking of the Palace Master and her clan, she couldn't help but feel saddened.

However, the Earthly Immortal Realm is vast, and its gravity far surpasses that of the Profound Realm.

In the Xuanhuan Realm, Nascent Soul cultivators can easily fly tens or even hundreds of thousands of miles using their magical treasures, but in this realm, even if a Nascent Soul cultivator flies using their magical treasures, they will only consume a huge amount of energy after flying a few hundred miles.

Let alone traversing the Immortal Realm, even crossing prefectures and counties is difficult. Legend has it that only Golden Immortals can freely roam the Nine Realms and Seven Seas.

Xia Daoming listened quietly, a heavy feeling welling up in his heart.

Although he was new to the place, after observing many things along the way, he realized that even with his cultivation level, it would not be easy for him to travel a long distance in this realm.

Not to mention, his knowledge of the Earthly Immortal Realm is extremely limited now, like a headless fly, so how easy is it for him to find Lingzu Mountain?

However, the thousands of years of drifting through the chaotic space had long since tempered his Dao heart into something indestructible.

In the blink of an eye, Xia Daoming regained his spirits.

"In that case, let us start from Yujianzhi and proceed step by step. One day, I will find Lingzu Mountain and reunite with my wife and my sect!"

After regaining his spirits, he pressed for more details about the Immortal Realm. But as Xingyi had said, her knowledge was limited, mostly consisting of what she had seen and heard within the territory of Biyuan County.

Xia Daoming wasn't disappointed. After a detailed conversation with her, he at least had a general understanding of the Earthly Immortal Realm, no longer as clueless as when he first arrived.

"Please arrange a quiet place for me first; I need to heal my injuries," Xia Daoming said calmly, putting aside his distracting thoughts.

"Master Xia, please heal and cultivate here! If you need any healing elixirs or medicines, just give me your orders," Xingyi said without hesitation.

“This is your residence. It’s not appropriate to heal and cultivate here. Just find me a quiet place in this local temple,” Xia Daoming said, shaking his head.

“Even my life was given to me by Master Xia. What’s wrong with Master Xia healing and cultivating in my residence? Besides, this place is where the spiritual energy of the Jade Stream River converges, and the water spirit is most suitable for healing,” Xingyi said urgently.

Xia Daoming pondered for a moment, and seeing her earnest expression, he nodded in agreement: "Since you have this intention, then so be it. As for healing elixirs, I don't need them. If you have any immortal stones on hand, you can spare some for me for now. Also, try to gather some blood-nourishing tonics for me."

The innate Ren water and the Nirvana sacred fire are the best healing medicines, far superior to ordinary healing elixirs and medicines.

However, his Crimson Palace Blood Sea and Yellow Court True Essence were still extremely depleted. Relying solely on the Fire Phoenix Tree and his own methodical and slow absorption of the immortal spiritual power of the Earthly Immortal Realm, it would take a considerable amount of time to fully recover.

The Immortal Realm is teeming with powerful figures, and countless unknown dangers lurk within. Naturally, the faster one recovers their strength, the safer it will be.

Upon hearing this, Xingyi quickly took out all the immortal stones from her storage ring and presented them to Xia Daoming. She then bowed and said, "I do not have a physical body and do not usually need tonics to replenish my qi and blood, so I do not have any at the moment. However, please rest assured, Master Xia, the mountains and rivers of Biyuan County are rich in spiritual veins and there is no shortage of tonics to replenish qi and blood. I will immediately procure them."

"Okay, thank you for your hard work." Xia Daoming accepted the immortal stones without refusing, secretly planning how to recover his energy as soon as possible.

　That concludes today's update.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)