Invincible Starts From Dao Fruit
Chapter 163 - 131 Ancestor Master Long Live! [Requesting Monthly Votes!]

Chapter 163: Chapter 131 Ancestor Master Long Live! [Requesting Monthly Votes!]

Here is the requested translation:

Contemplating for a while.

Chen Jichuan closed the Immortal Record and resumed his meditative cultivation.

Advancing to Qi Refining is a joyful milestone, a significant event worth celebrating.

But it does not mean smooth sailing from here.

Such is cultivation.

One peak reveals yet another, higher peak.

Each time one ascends a summit, only then does one realize that there are loftier mountains waiting to be climbed. This cycle repeats endlessly, with no foreseeable end.

The Innate realm compared to Postnatal is a peak.

The Qi Refining realm compared to the Innate is another.

At this moment, having achieved Qi Refining, there still lie realms such as Enlightenment, Divinity Transformation, and even higher levels ahead.

Breaking through is joyous, but cultivation does not allow for even a moment of relaxation.

"I’ve just entered Qi Refining; my mana has not yet completely transformed."

"The first layer of Qi Refining entails further attuning to the natural order and continually solidifying past realms. It is also the process of converting True Yuan into mana. When True Yuan fully transforms, the first layer will be complete."

"Then comes the Second Layer, marked by mana filling the dantian, while the dantian expands further to accommodate more mana; at the third layer, mana reaches fullness, the dantian reaches its utmost capacity, and True Fire can be generated. At that time, both alchemy and artifact refining will become more effortless."

Chen Jichuan carefully studied the "Sword Map."

It explains each layer of Qi Refining in profound detail, including the external signs and internal principles, allowing Chen Jichuan to gain clearer insight into Qi Refining.

"The first to third layers of Qi Refining are termed as the ’Mana Realm.’"

"The fourth to sixth layers are called the ’Flying Heaven Realm.’"

"The seventh to tenth layers are referred to as the ’Foundation Establishment Realm.’"

"Each has its own mysteries, each builds upon the other, and none can be skipped."

Chen Jichuan looked forward to the ’Flying Heaven Realm’: Sword Flight, Wind Manipulation!

He yearned for the ’Foundation Establishment Realm’: Qi Meridians connected, blessings bestowed upon future generations!

But for now.

He must start his cultivation in the ’Mana Realm.’

"To transform mana requires the aid of natural laws and is closely tied to one’s own comprehension of realms."

"Most cultivators fall behind in realm comprehension."

"For my first cultivation attempt, I will certainly encounter the same bottleneck. But after cultivating once, whether in the Dao Fruit World or in the real world, I may very well face slow mana transformation each time I rebuild."

"I must learn how to refine Spirit Pills like the ’Raising Yuan Pill’ as early as possible."

As Chen Jichuan planned his next steps, he simultaneously outlined his cultivation regimen.

He made sure to have a clear path ahead.

...

Mysterious Nether Sea.

Cold Smoke Island.

A flicker of thought brought realization that seventy-three years had passed since Chen Jichuan first brought eleven disciples here.

The years flowed by like smoke.

The first-generation disciples of Echo Valley, such as Wun Shouyang, Wang Wenqing, Yu Fang, and Miaoo Dayou among the ’Twelve Swords,’ along with Zhong Dahai, Bian Cheng, and Kang Jiuhua among the ’Thirteen Grand Protectors,’ were nearing the end of their lives, most of them over a hundred years old, with some exceeding a hundred and twenty.

Now in Echo Valley, power had passed to the third generation, while fourth- and fifth-generation disciples were active in and around Cold Smoke Island and Four Spirits Island.

The sect’s internal, external, and alchemy branches supported each other mutually.

With Chen Jichuan continuously providing pills and Spirit Stones from outside, Echo Valley had produced many experts, and Innate cultivators seemed as common as rain.

Though no disciple had yet advanced to Qi Refining, within the territory of Four Spirits Island, Echo Valley remained a dominant force with formidable strength.

On this day.

Chen Jichuan returned to Cold Smoke Island, and all disciples and high-ranking members of Echo Valley came to greet him.

"Master."

"Meet the ancestor."

In the vast hall, countless people gathered.

Aside from first-generation disciples like Wun Shouyang, Zhong Dahai, and others who were white-haired and carried an aura of immortality, the notable representatives among the second and third generations, whose cultivation was at least Innate Fourth Realm or Transforming Strength Fourth Layer, or who were Great Alchemists, were present.

A quick count revealed.

Twenty-eight individuals in total. Far surpassing what Jade Spring Mountain had in those earlier times.

Chen Jichuan scanned them one by one. Emotion stirred in his heart. Originally, he had hoped that among his numerous disciples and descendants, someone might advance to Qi Refining ahead of him, thereby enabling them to aid him in his breakthrough.

But he had still underestimated Qi Refining.

In the hundred years since founding Echo Valley, not a single person had advanced to Qi Refining.

Instead, it was he who broke through first.

"Qi Refining is indeed difficult."

"Even I cannot offer assistance."

Chen Jichuan gazed at the crowd, his eyes landing on his leading disciples from the internal and external branches, Wun Shouyang and Zhong Dahai. With a wave of his wide sleeves, two Immortal Almonds appeared in the air.

One seemed entwined with wind, while the other flickered with electric light.

[Spirit Fruit: Wind Thunder Immortal Almond]

[Grade: First-order]

[Description: The Wind Thunder Immortal Almond Tree blooms every thirty years, bears fruit every thirty years, and ripens every thirty years. It takes ninety years to produce two fruits, one ’Wind Almond’ and one ’Thunder Almond,’ each containing abundant Spiritual Energy and distinct attributes. They can serve as the primary ingredient in Wind Thunder Pills, aiding late-stage Qi Refining cultivators in their practice or increasing the chance of breaking through to the Qi Refining Realm. Consumed directly, they may grant insight into the Wind and Thunder Realm and assist in the breakthrough to the Qi Refining Realm.]

...

In the Liyun Immortal Mansion, there were two Spirit Trees.

One of them was the ’Wind Thunder Immortal Almond Tree,’ which bore the Wind Thunder Immortal Almond. When Chen Jichuan entered the mansion, the tree had already bloomed and fruited.

After Chen Jichuan broke through to Qi Refining, it took two more months for the fruits to fully ripen.

Believing he had no need for them, he brought them back: "Shouyang, who mainly practices the ’Thunderbolt Sword Skill,’ can consume the ’Thunder Almond’ to attempt comprehending the Thunder Realm. Dahai, who practices the Six Sand Palm Skills, may consume the ’Wind Almond’ to attempt comprehending the Wind Realm."

The Thunderbolt Sword Skill embodies the essence of thunder, its sword momentum akin to the unstoppable force of lightning.

The Six Sand Palm Skills combine hardness and softness, with techniques such as the Mellow Sand Palm, famously known as the Hundred Steps Windward Palm, and the Cinnabar Palm, also called the Plum Blossom Tornado Palm—all utilizing gentle forces inspired by the essence of wind.

Both of them had long reached the Innate Extreme and Transforming Strength Extreme.

Yet the final step remained elusive; they could not grasp the gateway.

Consuming the Immortal Almond might help them. If fortune was kind and they broke through successfully, a lifespan extension of three hundred years awaited.

As mentor and disciple.

This was all Chen Jichuan could do for now.

"Wind Thunder Immortal Almond?"

Both Wun Shouyang and Zhong Dahai were now visibly aged, their hair white, emitting an aura of seasoned leadership cultivated over years of guiding Echo Valley.

Yet at this moment, staring at the remarkable Immortal Fruit before them, even these two figures—seen as ancestral-level characters—could not help swallowing hard.

Immortal Fruit.

Immortal Fate.

Who wouldn’t be tempted?

Both of them were now a hundred and twenty years old, seeing this life reaching its limits. Presented with this glimmer of hope, fiery anticipation naturally ignited within them.

And not just them.

Other disciples in the hall couldn’t help but breathe heavily.

Almost everyone in the hall had reached the Innate Extreme.

Although the Wind Thunder Immortal Almond had only a sliver of possibility of assisting someone in advancing to Qi Refining, they all conveniently ignored that and clung to the idea that consuming the Immortal Almond would directly lead to Qi Refining breakthrough.

Wun Shouyang and Zhong Dahai became the focal points in the hall.

What seemed like an eternity.

Was, in fact, only a brief moment.

Wun Shouyang managed to tear his gaze from the ’Thunder Almond,’ bowed deeply to Chen Jichuan, and said, "Master’s kindness is immeasurable. Your disciple is overwhelmed with gratitude but does not dare accept such a precious Immortal Almond. Master, please reclaim it."

Zhong Dahai, hearing this, was also jolted awake. After some inner struggle, he finally gritted his teeth and said, "This disciple dares not accept, either. Echo Valley’s future still depends on Master. It is better for Master to keep the Immortal Almond for yourself!"

Both knew the value of the Immortal Almond.

Yet their Master had not yet fully achieved Qi Refining, and he was offering the Immortal Almond to them. How could they possibly accept?

"Reclaim it?"

Chen Jichuan couldn’t help but laugh aloud.

He had accepted disciples like Wun Shouyang and Zhong Dahai when he was just over twenty years old, at Three Realms Pass. At the time, they were barely over ten, following him to learn literacy and martial arts.

Years of companionship.

Had undoubtedly fostered deep affection.

Yet even when faced with the allure of Qi Refining immortality, the two could resist temptation and instinctively think of him first, which made Chen Jichuan feel profoundly touched.

Coupled with the joy of advancing to Qi Refining, Chen Jichuan couldn’t help but beam with delight.

"Master."

"Grandmaster."

As the disciples in the hall watched Chen Jichuan’s enigmatic smile, confusion filled their eyes.

Chen Jichuan activated his will, releasing a trace of mana from his dantian—

Boom!

In an instant.

An overwhelming sense of pressure radiated from Chen Jichuan, weighing down everyone’s hearts with dread, as though a shadow had descended over the hall.

Both Wun Shouyang and Zhong Dahai staggered back three steps in rapid succession before barely stabilizing themselves.

"Master, is this—"

The two were completely oblivious to their involuntary retreat; their wide eyes fixed on Chen Jichuan, their gazes ablaze with excitement: "Master, could this be—"

"Qi Refining!"

Wun and Zhong looked between their Master and each other, brimming with ecstatic surprise.

How could they not understand?

This Master of theirs, elusive as a divine dragon, had successfully ascended to Qi Refining and could now be called an immortal master.

"Qi Refining!"

"It definitely is Qi Refining!"

The flash of mana was fleeting.

Wun Shouyang and Zhong Dahai were forced back.

The other disciples in the hall also regained their senses, shaking off their enthrallment with the Immortal Almond.

All of them burst into jubilance, one after another bowing to Chen Jichuan, enthusiastically shouting, "Congratulations, Master (Grandmaster) (Ancestor), on advancing to Qi Refining!"

Their voices boomed, shaking the heavens.

Outside Sword Qi Pavilion.

A disciple stationed to guard the entrance heard the commotion and was instantly stunned: "Qi Refining?"

He reacted immediately—

"The Ancestor has ascended to Immortal Master!"

Overjoyed, he discarded formalities and dashed straight into the hall.

Inside, he was greeted with the sight of countless elders prostrated on the ground.

At the front, the Ancestor, robed in simple blue garments, wore a radiant smile.

Truly the demeanor of an immortal master!

...

The news of Chen Jichuan advancing to Qi Refining quickly swept through Echo Valley.

It wasn’t long before the entire mountain range reverberated with waves of jubilant shouts.

"Long live the Ancestor!"

"Long live the Ancestor!"

"Long live the Ancestor!"

Even people outside the mountain could hear the euphoric cheers erupting from Echo Valley.

...

Chen Jichuan did not make deliberate efforts to conceal his breakthrough to Qi Refining.

Such a joyous event.

He preferred to celebrate it together with everyone rather than alone; a lively atmosphere was welcome.

The news first spread within Echo Valley, followed by Cold Smoke Island and Four Spirits Island. Soon, it reached beyond the Four Spirits Island territories.

Many cultivators and immortal masters came to know—

Within the domain of Four Spirits Island’s Cold Smoke Island, a sect called Echo Valley had an Ancestor who had advanced to Qi Refining.

Soon after.

More detailed news emerged, revealing that this newly risen immortal master was once a disciple of Jade Spring Mountain.

This master had left Jade Spring Island after the passing of Wuk Yuan Immortal Master, establishing Echo Valley alone. Fifty-three years later, Jade Spring Mountain had weakened and already lagged behind Echo Valley; now that the latter produced a Qi Refining Immortal Master, the difference was irreconcilable.

Those familiar with the matter couldn’t help sighing.

A few days later.

The current Mountain Master of Jade Spring Mountain, Peng Guanhai, brought three elders of the sect to Cold Smoke Island.

...