Dao Equaling the Heavens
Chapter 245 - 170: Appearance of the Immortality Pill, All Parties Converge

Chapter 245: Chapter 170: Appearance of the Immortality Pill, All Parties Converge

Yu Hua had vanished.

Gu Wen immediately noticed someone was missing, and his mind sharpened as he pulled out the Life-saving Pearl. A guess formed in his heart.

The Immortality Pill had appeared.

Only this could have made Yu Hua leave, as it was her purpose for entering the Immortal Land. As long as she obtained the Immortality Pill, all their problems would be resolved, and they could end their days of hiding.

Now all I needed to do was protect myself, and with my strength at least at the Thirteen Level Heavens, plus Chi Yu Zi, Jun Yan, and Chan Xi, it shouldn’t be a problem.

Gu Wen steadied his mind, finding the current situation much better than it had been a month ago at Heavenly Spring Mountain.

True Monarch level great powers no longer posed a threat to him, ordinary Venerables might not be able to defeat their small group, and Demi Immortals had yet to make a move.

Even if they did, it would likely be to target the Immortality Pill.

I wonder if the Immortal Sword’s scabbard would be of any use?

A spark of spirit light appeared in Gu Wen’s mind as he took out the Immortal Sword’s scabbard and drove it with his Divine Thought. The remnant of the Immortal Sword nurtured within was three parts stronger than before.

A strain of Dao charm flew out, directly pointing towards the Immortal Sword, but he could no longer contact it. This meant he couldn’t initiate contact with the Immortal Sword, nor did he know if it could summon help in real danger.

Not as reliable as Yu Hua.

Emerging from the Grotto Heaven, Gu Wen faced the gathered crowd and asked, "What happened?"

"The Heavenly Girl suddenly disappeared; we only realized something was wrong when it had already become like this," Jun Yan replied, shaking his head. Then he asked back, "Is that the real Immortal Sword?"

A thousand-li sword, visible to the eye yet unfathomable to the Divine Thought.

Jun Yan and others could see the sword’s shadow, but their Divine Thought couldn’t detect anything amiss, as if these sword shadows were mere clouds.

This was entirely different from the feared might of Immortals they had imagined, but this undetectable, silent nature was what truly terrified them, already defying common sense.

How could a thousand-li giant sword not cause any ripples?

Ao Tang also transmitted, "The Second Ancestor has announced the appearance of the Immortality Pill, and the Daoist Sect can no longer be contacted, probably turned into a total mess. Now that Yu Hua has left to contend for the Immortality Pill, don’t stray too far from me later, and also stay away from this Xuan Yue."

Before Gu Wen could respond, Xuan Yue next to him inquired, "Young friend, your strand of Divine Thought was whisked away just now, was it pulled by the Immortal Sword?"

Initially considering whether to tell the truth or how much to divulge, Gu Wen’s eyes shifted and he candidly responded, "Junior did indeed encounter the Sword Master just now."

"What did the Sword Master say to you?"

"He asked my name, then spoke a ’good’ and stated that once my Dao Foundation reaches nine levels, I may wield the Immortal Sword."

Gu Wen answered with nine truths and one falsehood, which Xuan Yue Demi Immortal believed without a second thought.

Prior to this, at a level unknown to Gu Wen, many had been paying attention to him. It just so happened that with the Immortal Sword’s ascension and him being one of the only two practitioners of the True Sword Dao, Gu Wen was already designated the future Sword Immortal.

Otherwise, Sword Mountain wouldn’t have been clamoring all this while, and the Nine Level Dao Foundation being of the Demi Immortal realm, nine fully completed levels allowed for Immortal Ascension.

Gu Wen’s Nine Level Dao Foundation could borrow the Immortal Sword to complete the last level, thereby achieving the Nine Full Levels. This last bit of falsehood was a hint given by the Ancestor Tree to Gu Wen, so it wasn’t entirely deceitful.

Now with the Immortal Sword hovering above, surely Xuan Yue Demi Immortal wouldn’t turn against him?

Xuan Yue Demi Immortal, his face still serene like dry stone or old trees, praised, "Young friend can indeed use this to achieve Immortality, but I still wouldn’t recommend it."

"I shall consider it carefully."

Gu Wen bowed, when suddenly a burning sensation transmitted from above his head.

The Angri True Fire within him slightly stirred, the eight cycles of the Golden Core vibrated, calming the Angri True Fire down. If he ever needed to learn Alchemy, Angri True Fire would count as a top abnormal fire, doubling the efficiency of Alchemy.

If there were still a future to consider.

Looking up, the sky seemed engulfed by boundless flames, the morning clouds transforming into an evening glow. A massive Fire Bird slowly spread its wings, its wings like clouds hanging from the heavens, vast and boundless.

Demi Immortal, Angri Demon Saint.

To the left, a fox demon with nine tails unfolded, each shimmering with distinct divine lights, weaving a thousand-zhang illusion within its eyes.

Venerable fox demon, combining the Magic Skills of both the human and demon races, possessed formidable strength.

A thunderous boom echoed.

The ground trembled slightly, as a Qing python wound its way along the mountains, appearing as if the mountain range itself were moving, its scales flashing with a metallic, cold luster.

The Ba Snake Demon Saint, whose aura was considerably weaker than the former two, was still an entity that Gu Wen could not fully comprehend at a glance.

With the arrival of the three Demon Saints, everyone felt as if facing great adversaries.

"Little friend, it seems you have many enemies," Xuan Yue said with a smile, "How about I do you a favor and hold them back for you?"

Gu Wen asked, "Does senior not need to compete for the Immortality Pill?"

This was an opportunity to become an Immortal; could it be that a Demi Immortal truly does not die?

Xuan Yue had come just to hinder Chi Ling, but claiming no interest in any benefits, especially the Immortality Pill, seemed far-fetched, especially considering that the dog Emperor and Yun Miao Venerable were on par with each other in their Eighth Level of Dao Foundation; he should also be a Demi Immortal, who had grown desperate for the Immortality Pill.

"Hehe, I once scorned even the Immortal Sword, why would I need an Immortality Pill? Demi Immortals are divided into three ranks, third rank manifests the great Dao, second rank transcends life and death, and first rank establishes a Dao Arena."

Xuan Yue showed a trace of disdain. Above, the Angri Demon Saint spat out a fireball as large as the sun; the Daoist waved his sleeve, and the dome above flickered with stars.

In an instant, sword light fell like rain, punching holes through the fiery clouds.

The voice of the Angri Cave Heaven Master, sounding slightly annoyed, came through.

"Xuan Yue! Do you truly wish to be my enemy?"

Xuan Yue did not respond, still looking at Gu Wen and spoke lightly, "This old bird is just third rank, probably unable to survive the impending millennium calamity. As for myself, I am unrivaled among the second rank. In the future, entering the Nine Level Dao Foundation, you could well be first rank."

Three Immortal Skills—designated by the Immortal Sword for the sword master; any of these would be worth selling a favor for.

He had refused the Sword Master, but that did not mean the Immortal Sword was unacceptable; it was just pride. The actual situation was quite the opposite; Sword Immortals were definitely the strongest when it came to mystical combat, standing shoulder to shoulder with that past monster known as Qingcang.

Gu Wen bowed with hands clasped, "Thank you for your efforts, senior."

"No problem."

Xuan Yue stepped forward; a stroke of ink swept across the sky as if a brush had crossed over this painting of heaven and earth, covering up the raging inferno and transforming it into a vast scroll.

Inside, a world of its own formed where the three fought with Xuan Yue.

It was very much like Lan Yongning’s Daoist Skills, or it could be said, like his own ancestor.

"Let’s go."

Gu Wen withdrew his gaze and said, "We’ll head to the Ninth Grotto Heaven, the Golden Core Arena, to help Chi Yu Zi capture the final Heavenly Soul."

"I suggest we run now; without the Heavenly Girl here, we could be crushed by some unknown Demi Immortal at any moment."

Jun Yan once again contradicted Gu Wen at his decision-making moment, not for the first time. Compared to Chi Yu Zi, he was another extreme, highly opinionated and rebellious.

"Chi Yu Zi, now that you are left with only one soul, your problem should have greatly improved, right?"

The pressure suddenly shifted onto Chi Yu Zi, who answered directly and concisely, "I have not yet fully absorbed my sister’s soul; my lifespan is now even shorter than before. If I don’t complete the Heavenly Soul, I only have half a year left."

Changing tone, Chi Yu Zi shook her head at Gu Wen, "But I think it’s indeed time to leave; I can go alone. Red Dust, you still have a great future ahead; you shouldn’t risk it with me."

Jun Yan had no moral pressure with regards to others, but for Chi Yu Zi, it weighed heavy as Mount Tai.

Jun Yan always countered, but Gu Wen found this increasingly important for the team. Without the contrast of evil, there would be no definition of good.

He wasn’t sure if he could now rely on Chi Yu Zi to risk her life, but having come this far, Gu Wen wouldn’t give up the strength of an Eight Level Dao Foundation due to some risks.

"Have we said all we need to? If so, it’s time to go."

Gu Wen clenched his fist and extended it towards Chi Yu Zi, his voice calm and firm.

"Misfortune depends on blessings, and blessings depend on misfortune. But what I want to say more is, ’As I swallowed a Golden Core, I knew my fate was not dictated by heaven.’ We cultivators contend with heaven for our fate; even if a True Immortal came today, we would still strive."

Chi Yu Zi no longer spoke, her expression resolute as she bumped fists.

"Jun Yan, you too; after this is over, I will help you solve your problems."

Jun Yan sighed, waving his hand, "What else can I say; I’ll just follow your lead."

Chan Xi was cold and seldom spoke, but her thoughts were still very active.

’Doesn’t anyone want to ask for my opinion?’