Upheaval in the Boundary Sea, Heaven Realm Upper Immortals Descend!

Within the cave dwelling, there were no assorted immortal treasures. Nor were there any immortal spirit items. Instead, there was only pitch-black darkness. Beyond the opened gates lay an expanse of absolute dark. This darkness and this aura could not have been more familiar to Lu Changsheng and the black-robed man. "The Road to Ascending Heaven..." The two exchanged a glance, their eyes brimming with shock. A Road to Ascending Heaven! To think that inside this cave dwelling lay a Road to Ascending Heaven! It was simply incredible. Who could have imagined it? Inside such an enormous cave dwelling—one dating back to the Archaic Era, no less—was hidden a Road to Ascending Heaven. "Fellow Daoist Lu, this Road to Ascending Heaven is very strange." "I have visited other Roads to Ascending Heaven before, and without exception, every one of them was severed." "Yet this one runs unimaginably deep, and there is even a rich presence of immortal spirit qi." "Could it be that this Road to Ascending Heaven has not been severed?" As the black-robed man spoke, his voice trembled—not out of fear, but sheer excitement. A Road to Ascending Heaven! A place countless practitioners dreamed of, yet sighed over in despair. Ever since the Roads to Ascending Heaven had shattered, the Boundary Sea and the Heaven Realm had been permanently cut off from each other. No one had been able to enter the Heaven Realm since. Even the few Immortal Realm mighty figures born within the Boundary Sea in the past had been unable to journey there. If this Road to Ascending Heaven was truly unbroken, the frenzy that would erupt if news leaked out was unimaginable. "All the Roads to Ascending Heaven across the Boundary Sea are severed. There is no reason this one alone should remain intact." "Fellow Daoist Lin, we still must proceed with caution," Lu Changsheng warned with a solemn tone. For reasons he could not pinpoint, Lu Changsheng felt a faint, nebulous sense of danger emanating from this path. Although that foreboding sensation did not seem intense, the fact that it could make someone at his current level sense danger proved that whatever lay inside was extraordinary. Lu Changsheng cast a glance at his attribute panel. Host: Lu Changsheng Comprehension: 41,080,000 (Peerless Through the Ages) Mortal Immortal Dao: 70% (Enter the Dao) Myriad Spirits Immortal Body Foundation: 64% (Not yet perfected) Physical Immortal Dao Foundation: 83% (Not yet perfected) Annihilation Divine Eye: Supreme Ancestor Realm Level Slaughter Dao: Six Revolutions Flesh Martial Dao: Ten Growths (Ancestor Realm) Comprehension Deduction: Massive amounts of comprehension can be consumed to perform deductions Having spent three years parsing the array formation, his comprehension had once again surpassed forty million. However, the greatest change lay in the progress of his Mortal Immortal Dao. It had been at sixty percent before, but now stood at seventy percent. In other words, parsing an Immortal Realm formation had directly advanced the Mortal Immortal Dao by ten percent. Such an increase was remarkably substantial. Over those three years, Lu Changsheng's raw combat strength had not grown, but the advancement in the Mortal Immortal Dao provided him with a measure of confidence. No matter what he faced, as long as the analytical capability of a Mortal Immortal remained, he had a trump card. Especially when facing this unfamiliar Road to Ascending Heaven. Who knew what might appear along it? After considering the matter, Lu Changsheng decided caution was the best course. In any case, he and the black-robed man had already agreed on the division of spoils: whatever treasures they discovered would be split equally. Giving up on exploring this Road to Ascending Heaven was out of the question—Lu Changsheng was definitely not willing to walk away. He would not quit, but he had avatars. He could send an avatar to explore. "Fellow Daoist Lin, I intend to send an avatar into the dwelling to explore this Road to Ascending Heaven. Even if danger lurks within, at worst I will merely lose an avatar. How about my avatar goes in first to scout ahead?" Lu Changsheng suggested. The black-robed man naturally understood that the path might be perilous. However, he was not entirely comfortable letting Lu Changsheng explore it alone. After all, while there was danger, there was an even greater possibility of tremendous opportunity. If he did not go and Lu Changsheng claimed all the opportunities for himself, his loss would be immense. With that in mind, the black-robed man gritted his teeth. "No need. I will accompany your avatar to take a look," he said firmly. "Very well." Lu Changsheng did not try to dissuade him. He then separated a portion of his flesh and blood, coalescing it into an avatar. This sight filled the black-robed man with envy. He possessed no such technique, and had no avatars at all. "Let us proceed." Lu Changsheng's avatar and the black-robed man stepped directly onto the Road to Ascending Heaven. *Whoosh.* The moment they entered, the difference was immediately palpable. Dense immortal spirit qi permeated the entire passage. "This is... immortal spirit qi?" The black-robed man was stunned. Actual immortal spirit qi! Lu Changsheng wore a solemn expression. He was all too familiar with immortal spirit qi, yet such rich concentration was practically unheard of. Never before had Lu Changsheng encountered immortal spirit qi this dense. Even the qi within immortal treasures could not compare. Lu Changsheng estimated that if he cultivated in this environment, his Myriad Spirits Immortal Body could improve significantly without needing to consume any immortal spirit items. Perhaps in several thousand or ten thousand years, it could reach complete perfection. Though that sounded like a long time, it meant advancing the Myriad Spirits Immortal Body purely through meditative cultivation—an environment practitioners could only dream of. In the Boundary Sea, where there was not a trace of immortal spirit qi, let alone thousands or tens of thousands of years, one could cultivate until their lifespan expired without the Myriad Spirits Immortal Body advancing even slightly. Of course, this was merely Lu Changsheng's speculation. Why was the immortal spirit qi here so concentrated? Was this place stable? Could it sustain his bitter cultivation for thousands or tens of thousands of years? All of these were unanswered questions. The two continued forward. One day, two days, three days... The Road to Ascending Heaven seemed exceedingly long. After roughly seven or eight days, the two came to a halt. They had reached the end. "This is..." Both men gaped in astonishment. What did they see before them? At the end of the Road to Ascending Heaven, a colossal gateway loomed indistinctly. However, this gateway appeared extremely unstable. It collapsed periodically, only to slowly reform again. Wisps of immortal spirit qi continuously drifted out from within the gateway. Lu Changsheng and the black-robed man looked at each other, their eyes filled with shock. "Fellow Daoist Lu, could the place leaking this immortal spirit qi be the legendary... Heaven Realm?" The black-robed man's voice trembled. The Heaven Realm! This was the destination that countless Ancestor Realm cultivators and factions across the Boundary Sea dreamed of day and night. The Heaven Realm was not merely a name, nor was it just a place. It was the hope of every cultivator in the Boundary Sea! Even Lu Changsheng, normally composed, could no longer maintain his calm. Taking a deep breath, he said in a heavy voice, "The Roads to Ascending Heaven were severed long ago. Why would this one alone remain intact? There might be something amiss here; we must be careful." "Moreover, a place leaking immortal spirit qi might not necessarily be the Heaven Realm. It could also be some supreme immortal spirit item..." Lu Changsheng voiced his conjecture. Yet he also knew very well: what kind of immortal spirit item could continuously emanate such vast quantities of immortal spirit qi? Furthermore, if the other side truly was the Heaven Realm, ancient records stated that only cultivators who had reached the Immortal Realm could traverse a Road to Ascending Heaven and ascend. Anyone below the Immortal Realm attempting to step through a gateway to the Heaven Realm would meet instantaneous death upon contact! In that case, could it be tested? Both Lu Changsheng and the black-robed man arrived at the same thought. The black-robed man would never dare try it himself. If something went wrong upon touching it, regret would come too late. Lu Changsheng, however, was different. He had avatars and could afford to test it. Taking a deep breath, Lu Changsheng immediately separated a weaker flesh avatar. As long as he possessed flesh and blood, he could create as many avatars as he wished. The miniature flesh avatar marched straight toward the gateway at the end of the Road to Ascending Heaven. Soon, the avatar drew near. Without hesitation, it reached out a hand and thrust it forcefully into the gateway. *Sizzle.* The avatar's hand disintegrated into fine dust in an instant. Both men grew tense and excited. No longer hesitating, Lu Changsheng's flesh avatar threw itself headlong into the gateway, intending to step completely through. *Boom!* A thunderous rumble shook the passage, and the gateway shuddered violently. Lu Changsheng's flesh avatar plunged into the portal. Yet that was all. Through his sensory link, Lu Changsheng knew clearly that the moment the flesh avatar entered the gateway, before it could see anything at all, it had been pulverized into dust. Even so, the venture was not entirely without gain. His avatar had sensed at least one thing: Immortal spirit qi! An unimaginable concentration of immortal spirit qi! It was hundreds, thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of times denser than the qi present on this Road to Ascending Heaven. Only one place could possibly possess such concentrated immortal spirit qi. The Heaven Realm! The end of this Road to Ascending Heaven could only lead to the Heaven Realm! "The Heaven Realm..." the black-robed man murmured excitedly. How could he not be thrilled? To think he had actually found an intact Road to Ascending Heaven! In truth, there was nothing else along this road—only this single gateway. Yet what did this gateway represent? It meant that once they attained the Immortal Realm, they would be able to ascend to the Heaven Realm. Ascending to the Heaven Realm signified limitless potential and hope. "Wait." "Fellow Daoist Lin, I recall records stating that Ancestor Realm cultivators might also be able to reach the Heaven Realm via a Road to Ascending Heaven. Is that true?" Lu Changsheng asked suddenly. The black-robed man paused, then nodded. "Indeed, ancient records do mention that. A few exceptionally fortunate Ancestors were able to ascend to the Heaven Realm via a Road to Ascending Heaven, but the likelihood is minuscule—virtually nonexistent." "Besides, you saw it just now. Anyone below the Immortal Realm who attempts to enter the gateway dies upon contact." "Unless someone at the Ancestor Realm possesses the ability to withstand that terrifying crushing force, only then might there be a sliver of hope to pass into the Heaven Realm..." Hearing this, a strange light flickered in Lu Changsheng's eyes. That seemed reasonable. Withstand the crushing force? It was not entirely impossible. If one's physical body was naturally robust to an unimaginable degree, could they enter the Heaven Realm? Could those "fortunate Ancestors" in ancient records have had unique fortuitous encounters that allowed them to withstand the channel's shredding force and cross over? *Buzz.* Just as Lu Changsheng was pondering the gateway, it suddenly began to tremble. A terrifying wave of immortal spirit qi surged forth like an overwhelming tidal bore, rolling outward with majestic force. Simultaneously, a dread aura radiated from the gateway. Even the slightest taste of it struck terror into the soul. The Immortal Realm! That was an Immortal Realm aura! "Could an Immortal Realm mighty figure be coming to the Boundary Sea?" "Even in the Archaic Era, Immortal Realm figures faced immense obstacles trying to reach the Boundary Sea. How could..." The black-robed man was seized by utter terror. In the next instant, a massive hand reached out from within the gateway, grasping directly toward Lu Changsheng's avatar and the black-robed man. Both the black-robed man and Lu Changsheng's avatar found themselves completely frozen, unable to move in the slightest. "Detonate!" Without hesitation, Lu Changsheng blew his avatar apart. *Boom!* The avatar exploded, reducing completely to dust. As for the black-robed man, Lu Changsheng had no leeway to care about him. Outside the Archaic cave dwelling, the true Lu Changsheng's expression shifted drastically. "Go!" Without a second's hesitation, Lu Changsheng immediately mobilized his underwater manor and fled far from the Archaic dwelling. His avatar had been nearby, allowing his true body to perceive everything clearly. Initially, discovering the unbroken Road to Ascending Heaven had thrilled him. It suggested that one might not need to achieve the Immortal Realm to enter the Heaven Realm; an Ancestor Realm cultivator might manage it. Although it required withstanding that terrifying crushing force, Lu Changsheng felt it was not hopeless. His Physical Immortal Dao endowed his flesh with immense resilience. With further preparation, he might well endure it. Yet the moment that colossal hand reached through the gateway and effortlessly pinned his avatar and the black-robed man, Lu Changsheng abandoned all such thoughts. Danger! Tremendous peril lurked beyond the gateway at the end of the Road to Ascending Heaven! That terrifying aura undeniably belonged to the Immortal Realm. Furthermore, the entity had attacked immediately, treating them like ants to be crushed underfoot. It was obvious to anyone that this visitor harbored ill intent. Remaining there would be courting death. Thus, Lu Changsheng made no delay and fled at once. *Boom!* Just after Lu Changsheng departed, a gigantic hand emerged from the Road to Ascending Heaven. The surrounding Boundary Sea shook violently. Unfortunately for the intruder, the area was already completely deserted. "Hm?" "Fled rather quickly." "No matter, merely a lower realm Ancestor." "This lower realm passage has finally been restored. Perhaps I am the first to arrive down here; I must make haste..." The unfamiliar voice faded, and the gigantic hand vanished as well. The Boundary Sea returned to peace, as if nothing had ever happened. *** "I'm back..." After journeying for nearly a year, Lu Changsheng finally returned to Sky City. Everything in Sky City was normal, unchanged. Yet Lu Changsheng remained uneasy. He harbored a faint premonition that a monumental event was brewing. An intact Road to Ascending Heaven; An opened passage to the Heaven Realm; A terrifying powerhouse who had intervened and seemingly crossed into the Boundary Sea... With all these factors combined, Lu Changsheng knew beyond doubt that major upheaval was coming to the Boundary Sea. "First, I must figure out what happened in the Archaic Era." Lu Changsheng's heart tightened, and he immediately ordered people to collect ancient records regarding the Archaic Era. After all, it was during the Archaic Era that Immortal Realm mighty figures had first descended from the Heaven Realm to the Boundary Sea. It was also during that era that they had disseminated cultivation methods. Later, for unknown reasons, the Roads to Ascending Heaven had been severed, and much knowledge had been lost over time. While archaic texts needed to be gathered, intelligence regarding current events in the Boundary Sea was equally vital. Lu Changsheng ordered his subordinates to monitor Boundary Sea developments closely, especially news regarding the three major factions and the Secret Alliance. The ancient texts stored within Sky City were quickly assembled. There were many volumes, but few specifically addressed the Archaic Era, and even those were vague. Nevertheless, piecing together various clues, Lu Changsheng drew a few deductions. During the Archaic Era, numerous Immortal Realm mighty figures had descended to the Boundary Sea, seemingly competing for something. There appeared to be an item in the Boundary Sea that drove countless Immortal Realm figures mad with desire. Was it a treasure? Or some kind of inheritance? Lu Changsheng did not know. The ancient records gave no details, and it remained his speculation. Back then, many Immortal Realm figures had clashed. But for unknown reasons, the Roads to Ascending Heaven were severed, and those figures ceased to appear thereafter. From that point forward, the Boundary Sea entered the "Immortal-Severed" era, devoid of Immortal Realm figures. Of course, Lu Changsheng knew the Boundary Sea was not entirely barren of immortals; they were simply extraordinarily rare. At the very least, he knew of two: the Mortal Immortal and the Giant Spirit Primordial Ancestor. The corpse of the Kui Cow dated back to the Archaic Era and did not count. Now that an Immortal Realm figure had emerged from the Road to Ascending Heaven, Lu Changsheng doubted the newcomer would remain quiet for long. Once they made a move, word would naturally spread. Lu Changsheng had no intention of actively investigating; waiting quietly was the wiser choice. Days slipped by, and the Boundary Sea appeared peaceful. Yet Lu Changsheng sensed that this was merely the calm before the storm. Three months later, the Boundary Sea finally stirred. First, the four major factions—the Ascending Immortal Alliance, the Supreme Sanctuary, the Heaven Realm Association, and the Secret Alliance—publicly declared their submission to an Immortal Realm mighty figure: Upper Immortal Huilong. Then, in the name of the four factions, a conscription edict was issued. Every supreme Ancestor Realm cultivator in the Boundary Sea was ordered to report to the four factions and submit to Upper Immortal Huilong's commands. Those who refused would be hunted down and slain by Upper Immortal Huilong. The moment this news spread, the entire Boundary Sea was shaken. An Immortal Realm mighty figure! An Immortal Realm figure had appeared in the Boundary Sea once more. Moreover, he had reportedly descended directly from the Heaven Realm. Many practitioners were both shocked and overjoyed. Rumors claimed that Upper Immortal Huilong had arrived via a Road to Ascending Heaven. Did that not mean an unbroken road existed? Did it mean cultivators of the Boundary Sea might have a chance to ascend to the Heaven Realm? Yet why was he conscripting all supreme Ancestors? The exact purpose remained unknown; perhaps only Upper Immortal Huilong himself knew. Lu Changsheng received the news as well. "Upper Immortal Huilong..." Lu Changsheng narrowed his eyes slightly. An Immortal Realm figure appearing publicly right now with such high-profile dominance, hailing from the Heaven Realm—there could only be one explanation. It was almost certainly the entity who had crossed over via the Road to Ascending Heaven in that Archaic cave dwelling. Upper Immortal Huilong's emergence soon attracted swarms of Ancestor Realm cultivators. Many rushed toward the four factions. After all, receiving even a word of guidance from an Immortal Realm mighty figure who descended from the Heaven Realm could yield supreme benefits for an Ancestor. Who wouldn't want to meet an Immortal Realm figure? What if it allowed them to ascend to heaven in a single bound? Lu Changsheng, however, had no intention of going. Upper Immortal Huilong was too dangerous. Given the immortal's conduct, leaving after meeting him would likely prove difficult. In truth, many others shared Lu Changsheng's view—mostly supreme Ancestors. Every supreme Ancestor was exceedingly cautious. Even before an Immortal Realm figure, they maintained their composure. After all, they were only one step away from the Immortal Realm themselves, so there was no need to rush recklessly. Yet while the supreme Ancestors were in no hurry, Upper Immortal Huilong made his move. Only three months after the four factions issued the proclamation, Upper Immortal Huilong executed Ancestor Sansheng, a supreme Ancestor, on the charge of defying orders. The Boundary Sea was thrown into an uproar. Countless beings looked on in horror. A supreme Ancestor had fallen! And slain by a Heaven Realm Upper Immortal, no less. Instantly, the fervent enthusiasm across the Boundary Sea froze into icy dread. Only then did many realize that this Heaven Realm Upper Immortal had not come to bestow benevolence. A Heaven Realm Upper Immortal could kill! He had struck down a supreme Ancestor without a second thought. Inside the City Lord's Manor in Sky City, Lu Changsheng felt a chill upon hearing the news. "As expected, Upper Immortal Huilong's descent from the Heaven Realm harbors foul intent." "If he can kill Ancestor Sansheng, he can kill me." "It seems I can no longer remain in Sky City..." Lu Changsheng's heart grew grim. Though he possessed many avatars, he had only one true body. If his true body was slain, even though he could "revive" through another avatar, all the treasures on his true body would be lost. His Physical Immortal Dao and Myriad Spirits Immortal Body would collapse with it, likely leaving only his Mortal Immortal Dao intact. That was the advantage of the Mortal Immortal Dao—even across avatars, it remained unaffected. Lu Changsheng had originally planned to operate Sky City in Ancestor Qingtian's style to steadily accumulate Great Dao fragments. Now, that plan was unfeasible. He could not afford to be exposed to Upper Immortal Huilong's gaze; it was far too perilous. Sky City had to be closed. Consequently, Lu Changsheng notified all factions and merchant guilds within Sky City: Those who wished to stay could do so, but they would automatically be incorporated into the Immortal Martial Palace under his banner and had to obey his commands. Those unwilling were required to depart immediately, as Sky City would be sealed. This announcement triggered an immense uproar. Nevertheless, Lu Changsheng possessed sufficient prestige and power to keep the city in order. Roughly ninety percent of the occupants chose to leave. A portion chose to remain, willing to follow Lu Changsheng and join his ranks. Lu Changsheng accepted them. He then drew Sky City into his body and sped toward the Immortal Martial Palace. A few months later, Lu Changsheng arrived at the palace. All was peaceful there. However, Lu Changsheng had no intention of lingering. The situation this time was dire. Upper Immortal Huilong had arrived aggressively. Having killed Ancestor Sansheng, he would surely continue killing. Any supreme Ancestor who dared disobey would be executed. As for submitting and obeying his commands, Lu Changsheng did not consider that a wise choice. Who knew what Upper Immortal Huilong was plotting? Submitting now meant surrendering one's life into his hands. Unless backed into an absolute corner, Lu Changsheng would never do that. Upon arriving at the Immortal Martial Palace, Lu Changsheng announced his decision to his people: He was leaving, and anyone willing could accompany him. With his underwater manor and Sky City, he had ample room for everyone. Those who preferred to remain could stay, but there was significant risk. If Upper Immortal Huilong investigated Lu Changsheng, he might very well descend upon the Immortal Martial Palace, and there was no telling how he would deal with those left behind. In the end, Ancestor Juding, Ancestor Powang, the Three Martial Ancestors, and several others chose to follow Lu Changsheng. Conversely, a number of Mahayana cultivators preferred to remain. Lu Changsheng did not force them. He brought the willing followers into his underwater manor and departed the Immortal Martial Palace, vanishing without a trace. "Where should I go now?" Lu Changsheng drifted aimlessly through the Boundary Sea. This time, he truly had become a wanderer, drifting across the vast expanse. "What about the Kunwu World?" Lu Changsheng recalled the Kunwu World. It had been sealed off by the combined efforts of supreme Ancestors. Inside lay a Road to Ascending Heaven, and it seemed subtly connected to the Archaic Era. Many secrets appeared tied to that place. Thus, Lu Changsheng hurried toward the Kunwu World. Yet before he could reach it, while still en route, he encountered numerous Ancestor Realm cultivators. Judging by their flustered demeanor, they were fleeing in panic, as if some monstrous terror pursued them. They bolted forward with all their might. After a brief thought, Lu Changsheng intervened to halt one of them. *Whoosh.* Stopping an Ancestor, Lu Changsheng asked directly, "Fellow Daoist, you seem in great haste. What has happened?" The Ancestor was about to erupt in anger, but sensing the supreme Ancestor aura radiating from Lu Changsheng, his fury evaporated instantly. He urged in a panicked rush, "You should flee quickly as well, Fellow Daoist! A catastrophe has struck the Kunwu World!" "The severed Roads to Ascending Heaven inside have suddenly all been restored! Several Heaven Realm Upper Immortals have emerged from them and unleashed slaughter across the Kunwu World! They have even broken out of the realm, butchering cultivators in the surrounding regions. Anyone who defies their commands is executed without mercy!" "I was lucky just to escape with my life!" Lu Changsheng was shaken. "Are you certain? Several Heaven Realm Upper Immortals?" "There is no mistake, truly several Heaven Realm Upper Immortals..." Lu Changsheng fell silent, his heart churning in shock. He knew the world had truly changed. If this continued, the Boundary Sea would descend into absolute chaos. In truth, chaos had already arrived. From a single Heaven Realm Upper Immortal arriving in the Boundary Sea to several descending now, would even more arrive in the near future? This evoked a faint sense of familiarity in Lu Changsheng. The scene was eerily similar to ancient records of the Archaic Era. Had it not been like this back then? One Heaven Realm Upper Immortal after another descending, clashing violently across the Boundary Sea and unleashing catastrophic bloodshed! Had the corpse of the Kui Cow not died during the struggles of those Archaic Upper Immortals, only for its remains to benefit Lu Changsheng in the end? Yet a recurrence of Archaic Era turmoil would mean a cataclysmic disaster for the entire Boundary Sea. "What on earth are these Heaven Realm Upper Immortals seeking in the Boundary Sea?" Lu Changsheng murmured softly. Unfortunately, he had no way of contacting them, and their true purpose remained a mystery. "Let's go!" Lu Changsheng had no desire to linger here. What if the Heaven Realm Upper Immortals from the Kunwu World swept toward this area? He had to leave immediately. First, preserve his own safety; he could slowly uncover the true purpose behind the Upper Immortals' descent later!