Hundred Immortals Forest

Hundred Immortals Forest . . .

In the serene solitude of his cave, Qin Wentian devoted himself to cultivation, the stillness broken only by the rhythmic flow of his breath. Today, however, a sense of purpose filled the air as he finally emerged from the cavern's depths, ready to depart from his secluded sanctuary.

As he ventured out into the open, his gaze fell upon Sorrowless, the monk hailing from the Western Desert Prefecture. The monk remained engrossed in profound contemplation, seemingly oblivious to the world around him. He pursued the elusive essence of a technique with unwavering dedication, capturing Qin Wentian's admiration. Sorrowless had an unparalleled focus that left Qin Wentian in awe. His unwavering commitment to this single technique, even in the face of tempting alternatives within the Eastern Sage Cliff, marked him as extraordinary. Such temperament, Qin Wentian surmised, likely stemmed from Sorrowless's harsh upbringing in the unforgiving Western Desert Prefecture.

Beyond the cave's entrance, lingering onlookers hesitated to intrude, their resolve tested by the grim presence of lifeless bodies strewn about. This sanctuary had already been claimed by two formidable figures, effectively sealing its doors to all others.

Many days had passed since they had entered the Eastern Sage Cliff. Such scenarios were not uncommon, as numerous geniuses occupied hidden sanctuaries to hoard their newfound opportunities, unwilling to share the spoils. This tyranny was enabled solely by their overwhelming power.

At this juncture, Qin Wentian's emergence drew the attention of the remaining geniuses. His eyes gleamed with a sharpness akin to swords, sending ripples of wariness and trepidation through their hearts. Then, in a breathtaking spectacle, he transformed into a majestic wind roc and soared through the sky.

In the aerial vista, Qin Wentian's eyes beheld the sprawling majesty below. The Eastern Sage Cliff Mountain Range stretched out limitlessly, harboring countless hidden treasures and secrets. He harbored no interest in the geniuses who populated this place. His sole aspiration was to leverage this opportunity to further fortify himself.

Qin Wentian had gained some insight into why the Heavenly Talisman Realm had assigned this mission. The Eastern Sage Immortal Sect hosted a centennial banquet, during which they sought to recruit the most exceptional and formidable disciples. They spared no effort in ensuring that participants did not grow too strong before their selection. Successfully completing this mission would bestow benefits from both the Heavenly Talisman Realm and the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect upon him and his fellow disciples.

Participating in this selection test had transcended the mere pursuit of solitary cultivation.

However, daring to soar high in these skies was a risk few would take, as it made one an easy target for potential adversaries. After all, this was a selection test, and only a thousand participants would advance to the next stage.

As Qin Wentian ascended, he observed the multitude below. Among them were geniuses who held dominion over secret sanctuaries, solitary cultivators absorbed in their own pursuits, and fierce combatants vying for exclusive access to coveted immortal techniques. There were even those who fought with no clear purpose. Qin Wentian paid them little heed, swiftly passing by in silence. Though some noticed his presence, none dared to launch an attack, perhaps due to his lightning-fast speed.

In a moment that seemed to stretch into eternity, Qin Wentian found himself gazing down upon an ancient peak, its time-worn grandeur echoing through the ages. Upon this peak lay numerous stone platforms, each etched with runic inscriptions that transformed the mountain walls into a symphony of enigmatic diagrams.

As if guided by an unseen force, Qin Wentian's silhouette flickered, bringing him to rest on one of these stone platforms. His eyes fixated on the mountain walls, and to his astonishment, they radiated a resplendent golden light. This luminescence emanated from a myriad of runic diagrams, converging into a circular seal that guarded the entrance to a concealed cavern within the ancient peak. It was apparent that this cavern held secrets of profound cultivation, but entry required the breaking of the sealing diagram—an endeavor that no one seemed inclined to undertake.

Standing there, Qin Wentian contemplated the seal, a silent exchange of intent passing between them. He extended his hand, fingertips brushing the circular seal, and as if responding to his touch, streams of runic inscriptions pulsed with a mesmerizing glow. In the blink of an eye, a radiant eruption of light burst forth, the runic diagrams coalescing to form a door that swung open, granting Qin Wentian passage.

With his entry, the door sealed shut once more. The interior of the cavern opened up before him, revealing a breathtaking expanse. Another stone platform awaited him, flanked by cascading waterfalls on either side. A subtle mist hung in the air, imbuing the surroundings with an ethereal quality, akin to stepping into a celestial realm.

At the center of it all, a modest and unadorned statue exuded an aura of immortal qi, as though the very essence of the Great Dao was etched within its form. The statue sat serenely in a cross-legged posture, with a collection of immortal scrolls neatly arrayed before it.

"Junior apologizes for any inadvertent transgressions," Qin Wentian murmured, his gesture a sign of respect to the senior immortal whose sanctuary he had entered. He approached the scrolls and gingerly took them in hand, immersing himself in their profound wisdom. In moments, a flood of words danced before his eyes, etching themselves into his consciousness.

These immortal scrolls did not contain innate techniques or cultivation arts; instead, they offered a meticulously detailed account of the immortal's experiences and insights into cultivation.

After a lengthy interlude, Qin Wentian set down the first scroll, his gaze now fixed upon the statue with a newfound reverence. Few senior-level cultivators took the time to record their experiences for future generations. Most preferred to pass down immortal techniques and arts, seeking successors who could guarantee success and advantage. Documenting their views and experiences often felt like an exercise in futility.

Yet, the wisdom born of personal cultivation experiences held immeasurable value for those who followed in their footsteps.

Without hesitation, Qin Wentian retrieved the second scroll, losing himself in its depths. The more he read, the deeper he delved into the immortal's insights. Time ceased to have meaning as he absorbed the wealth of knowledge.

Qin Wentian's eyes glittered with newfound understanding as thoughts raced through his mind. He offered another bow to the statue, a mark of his profound respect. Then, he moved to the stone platform and assumed a cross-legged position.

In an instant, a violet-gold radiance enveloped him as he summoned his fifth astral soul. The cavern was bathed in the shimmering hues of violet and gold, casting a resplendent aura upon the surroundings.

Behind him, a corporeal form of his violet-gold astral soul materialized, its essence intertwined with intricate runic inscriptions that exuded awe-inspiring suppression.

According to the immortal's notes, those who could condense a violet-gold astral soul below the immortal-foundation level were considered supreme geniuses, one in a billion. Such individuals were highly sought after, and their rarity ensured that experts from various realms vied to nurture them, recognizing the potency of the violet-gold astral soul.

The sheer strength of a violet-gold astral soul was universally acknowledged. However, the reasons behind its power remained shrouded in mystery. Aside from the higher quality astral energy it contained, the immortal believed that violet-gold astral souls possessed their own inherent law energy—a network of runic patterns that constituted a form of natural law. Unfortunately, Celestial Phenomenon Ascendants remained too weak to fully tap into this latent potential.

Furthermore, the immortal postulated that individuals with strong bloodline powers also carried within them the latent power of law energy. This potential remained dormant until they reached a certain level of strength, at which point the law energy within their bloodlines would manifest, bestowing them with newfound abilities.

Qin Wentian's interest was piqued by these revelations. Alongside these, the immortal's observations on cultivation held immense value for his own path of growth.

Thus, Qin Wentian embarked on a profound journey, delving deeper into the intricacies of his astral soul. He honed his ability to sense the latent power within his bloodline, achieving a state of unparalleled harmony with himself. The turmoil of the external world faded into obscurity, its conflicts and struggles holding no sway over him.

Beyond the boundaries of his solitary sanctuary, the flames of combat raged unabated. Geniuses clashed in fierce battles, each wielding an arsenal of innate techniques. With the passage of time, their strength surged ever higher. But for Qin Wentian, ensconced in his transcendental state, the cacophony of battle remained an alien concept.

Days turned into weeks as Qin Wentian's cultivation persisted, culminating in a momentous day when he finally emerged from the cavern. Seated on a stone platform just outside, he began to practice his swordplay and bell technique, infused with the newfound insights he had gleaned. Occasionally, he contemplated the intricate law energy enchantments of this place.

As he honed his skills, even his casual strikes gained a surge in power. Yet, his focus remained undiverted, fixed solely on his relentless experimentation. Meanwhile, the ranks of participants within the Eastern Sage Cliff Mountain Range continued to dwindle, a testament to the relentless nature of the selection.

Outside the boundaries of the Eastern Sage Cliff Mountain Range, the luminaries of the Eastern Sage Immortal Sect, including immortal kings from various prefectures, congregated.

"How many participants still remain within the range?" inquired one of them. A venerable figure responsible for overseeing the selection process replied, "Presently, there are still over three thousand participants. It will take another month or two to conclude the first selection round."

"Very well. I wonder about the caliber of this batch of geniuses," murmured another, the anticipation evident in their voice.

"I cannot speak for others, but the geniuses from the Eastern Prefecture exhibit remarkable prowess."

"The talents from my Western Desert Prefecture are equally formidable. At the very least, they surpass the previous generation by a considerable margin," added the immortal king representing the Western Desert Prefecture.

"Hehe, the same holds true for the talents hailing from my Underworld Prefecture."

The prefecture lords exchanged observations, their competitive spirits bubbling beneath the surface. Idlecloud Immortal King, the envoy from Cloud Prefecture, chuckled, "Cloud Prefecture may not have produced a top-ranking genius in the recruitment event before, but this time, we have promising talents."

"Cloud Prefecture? Has it ever nurtured a genius who could secure a top-three spot in the recruitment event?" countered the immortal king from Blazing Sun Prefecture, his words brimming with impertinence. Idlecloud Immortal King could only snort in response, as the truth of the matter stung.

When these prefecture lords gathered, their banter was often laced with friendly competition.

"That's true. Let's wait and see. It's been quite some time; they should have already discovered the Hundred Immortals Forest. If the first test location were within the Hundred Immortals Forest itself, the selection process would conclude more swiftly, and we might witness the elimination of some formidable contenders due to clashes with equally mighty opponents."

In the heart of the Eastern Sage Cliff Mountain Range lay the Hundred Immortals Forest—a place of profound significance.

Within this forest, 360 immortal statues stood sentinel. Each emanated an awe-inspiring immortal will, while stone platforms before them beckoned aspiring cultivators to contemplate the essence of immortality.

In the present moment, countless geniuses stood upon the stone platforms, their proximity to the front indicative of their rankings. However, what truly captivated attention was the grim scene that unfolded—the forest floor littered with the lifeless bodies of over a thousand participants. Within the vastness of the Eastern Sage Cliff Mountain Range, this grim spectacle transformed the Hundred Immortals Forest into a haunting graveyard, a testament to the unrelenting ferocity of the trials. Amidst the carnage, yet another fierce battle erupted, its thunderous echoes resounding through the air.

"BE GONE!" A thunderous roar reverberated, as Jun Mengchen.