I Secretly Cultivate Immortality in the Martial Arts World

In ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍the blink of an eye, ten years passed.

Deep ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍within the cave dwelling on Longevity Peak, Gu Yan sat cross-legged, his aura already completely different.

Ten ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍years ago, he was at Tribulation Crossing Ninth Layer.

Ten ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍years later, he was already at Human Immortal First Layer.

In ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍these ten years, he had only done one thing—transform all the spiritual power within his body into immortal essence.

This ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍process was far longer than he had expected.

For ordinary cultivators breaking through to Human Immortal, transforming mana into immortal essence would take as little as a few months, at most a year.

But Gu Yan was different.

His foundation was too profound.

How profound?

So profound that while others took one cycle of time, he took a full ten years.

During these ten years, every strand of mana within his body had been compressed, refined, and transformed.

The process was like refining an entire river of water into the volume of a single drop.

But that single drop weighed more than the entire river.

This was immortal essence.

From this moment on, he was no longer a mortal cultivator, but truly a practitioner of the immortal path.

Of course, this “immortal” was still only the beginning stage—the Human Immortal.

But regardless, once this step was taken, the difference was like heaven and earth.

Gu Yan opened his eyes and observed himself internally.

Within his dantian, the vast ocean-like spiritual power had completely disappeared, replaced by a mass of extremely condensed immortal essence.

That immortal essence displayed faint five-colored hues, quietly floating, yet containing power capable of destroying heaven and earth.

Gu Yan nodded slightly.

Not bad.

With a thought, his perception extended toward heaven and earth.

Then, he sensed that pulling force.

It came from the Immortal Realm—a summoning, the Heavenly Dao’s rule that forcibly ascended those who broke through to the Human Immortal Realm.

Any cultivator, upon breaking through to Human Immortal in the Spirit Realm or mortal world, would be drawn by this force and forcibly ascend to the Immortal Realm.

This was the law of the Heavenly Dao—none could defy it.

With a shift of thought, that pulling force disappeared.

More accurately, it was concealed.

The two entries, Body Without Self and Form · Red and Traceless Dao Concealment · Gold, activated simultaneously, perfectly hiding his existence.

The Heavenly Dao could not perceive him, nor could the Great Dao.

If he could not be perceived, there would naturally be no forced ascension.

......

Spirit Realm, Eastern Continent, Azure Wave Sect.

Within an unknown secret realm.

Nether Soul and Dragon Lord.

At this moment, both of their cultivation realms were also at Human Immortal First Layer.

Gu Yan was not surprised.

External Incarnations and the main body were originally one. When the main body broke through, the incarnations naturally followed.

Moreover, he had intentionally extended the effects of the entries to his incarnations, so like him, they would not be detected by the Heavenly Dao and would not need to ascend.

Gu Yan pondered for a moment.

Now that he was at Human Immortal, but honestly speaking, in the Immortal Realm, Human Immortal was only the starting stage.

The path ahead was still very long.

However…

His gaze fell upon that Nine Qi Returning to Origin tree.

With this tree, cultivating in the mortal world might not be inferior to the Immortal Realm.

Gu Yan planned that after his strength increased by a few more stages, he would have Nether Soul and Dragon Lord go to the Immortal Realm first to scout the way.

Whatever good things existed in the Immortal Realm—things that enhanced spiritual energy, assisted cultivation—could all be collected.

Such things were never too many.

Gu Yan withdrew his thoughts and continued cultivating with closed eyes.

Having just broken through, he still needed time to stabilize.

……

Spirit Realm, Eastern Continent, Azure Wave Sect.

In a picturesque valley at the back mountain, streams murmured, birds sang, and flowers bloomed.

On a green stone by the stream, Nether Soul lay lazily, one hand behind his head, the other holding a wine gourd, occasionally taking a sip.

Not far away, a guqin lay horizontally, its strings still carrying the lingering resonance of recent playing.

He had just played a piece, “High Mountains and Flowing Water.”

After finishing, he felt unsatisfied and played the flute for a while.

He played “Phoenix Seeks the Phoenix.”

After that, he felt even more bored.

So he started drinking.

This kind of life was truly comfortable.

Ever since stepping down from the Sect Master position, Nether Soul had completely let himself go.

Sect affairs? Ignored.

Disciple instruction? Ignored.

Elder meetings? Did not attend.

His current identity was Supreme Elder—by definition, an elder who was above because he was too idle.

Every day was spent wandering mountains and waters, playing the guqin and flute, occasionally going down to nearby towns to see if there was anything new.

As for brothels…

Cough, the proper kind.

He only went to listen to music, drink tea, and appreciate the talents of the ladies.

Absolutely no other intentions.

Was he, Nether Soul, that kind of person?

Although the main body usually did not care about such trivial matters, if one day it remembered and accused him of neglecting duties, he would not be able to refute it.

After all, he was indeed quite neglectful.

But then again, as an External Incarnation, what was wrong with neglecting duties?

Serious matters were the main body’s concern.

His task was… was…

Nether Soul thought for a long time but could not recall what his task actually was.

It seemed there was no specific task anymore?

Anyway, if the main body told him to do something, he would do it. If not, he would continue enjoying himself.

As Nether Soul was thinking, a faint sound of breaking air came from afar.

Moments later, a figure landed by the stream.

The newcomer wore a green robe, with an honest appearance—it was the current Sect Master of the Azure Wave Sect, Wu Chang’an.

Wu Chang’an stepped forward and bowed. “Greetings, Supreme Elder.”

Nether Soul waved lazily. “Alright, enough with the formalities. What do you want?”

Wu Chang’an straightened, his expression somewhat solemn. “Supreme Elder, something has happened.”

Nether Soul remained lying down, only raising an eyebrow. “What is it? Speak.”

Wu Chang’an took a deep breath and organized his words. “In the Southern Region, there is a demonic sect called the Myriad Tribulations Demon Sect.”

“The sect master was originally only at the early Tribulation Crossing stage, but it is said he obtained the inheritance of an ancient great expert. His cultivation advanced rapidly, and he is now at the Great Ascension Realm.”

Nether Soul paused mid-drink.

“And then?”

Wu Chang’an continued, “The Myriad Tribulations Demon Sect has already unified the entire Southern Region. All forces have either submitted or been destroyed.”

“Now that sect master has declared that he will continue expanding and unify the Eastern Continent.”

Nether Soul fell silent for a moment, then shook his head.

“These demonic cultivators… why do they love fighting over territory so much?”

Wu Chang’an gave a bitter smile. “This… I do not know either.”

Nether Soul looked at him. “Then you came to me—what does the sect plan to do?”

Wu Chang’an carefully said, “After discussion with the elders, many mid-tier forces in the Eastern Continent have already begun relocating. Some are moving to the Central Lands, some to the Northern Plains, all to avoid disaster.”

“After discussion, we feel… perhaps our Azure Wave Sect should also consider relocation?”

Nether Soul raised a brow. “Relocation? To the Central Lands?”

Wu Chang’an nodded. “Yes. If the Myriad Tribulations Demon Sect truly attacks, our Azure Wave Sect likely cannot withstand it.”

“That sect master is at the Great Ascension Realm. It is said even Tribulation Crossing experts are no match for him.”

Nether Soul did not respond directly, but asked, “What about the major sects of the Eastern Continent? What are their reactions?”

Wu Chang’an sighed. “That is precisely the problem.”

“There are many major sects—Tianyan Dao Sect, Rising Cloud Sword Sect, Taixu Immortal Sect… all have Tribulation Crossing ancestors.”

“But the problem is, that Myriad Tribulations Demon Sect master is too strong. Ordinary Tribulation Crossing experts are likely no match.”

“And there are grievances between the major sects. Getting them to cooperate is difficult.”

“If they act separately, they fear being defeated one by one.”

“So the situation is deadlocked. The major sects remain still, mid-tier forces are panicking, and small forces either submit or await destruction.”

Nether Soul nodded.

Just as he expected.

He asked again, “If we remain in the Eastern Continent, what happens?”

Wu Chang’an smiled bitterly. “If the Myriad Tribulations Demon Sect comes, as an Eastern Continent sect, we will definitely be required to contribute.”

“The major sects will summon all forces to resist. Whoever does not contribute will be branded a traitor and purged afterward.”

“But if we do contribute… with our strength, we will most likely be cannon fodder.”

Nether Soul looked at him. “So you want to move?”

Wu Chang’an nodded. “Relocation is the best option. Though the losses are great, it is better than the sect being destroyed.”

Nether Soul fell silent for a while, then asked, “You are willing to abandon all sect assets?”

Wu Chang’an sighed. “Even if unwilling, we have no choice. Assets can be rebuilt; if the sect is gone, it is truly gone.”

Nether Soul stood up and brushed off the grass on his clothes.

“No need to relocate.”

Wu Chang’an was stunned. “What?”

“I said, no need to relocate.”

Wu Chang’an could not help but say, “Supreme Elder, that is a Great Ascension existence!”

“And not an ordinary one—one capable of killing Tribulation Crossing experts across realms!”

“He has unified the entire Southern Region and commands countless experts!”

Nether Soul nodded. “I know.”

Wu Chang’an: “Then you…”

Nether Soul waved his hand, interrupting him. “Let me ask you—what is my current cultivation level?”

Wu Chang’an was stunned, instinctively replying, “Supreme Elder is… at the Transformation Spirit Realm.”

“Are you sure?”

Wu Chang’an froze again.

Of course he was sure.

Nether Soul’s cultivation—everyone in the sect knew—mid-stage Transformation Spirit.

That was what he had stated when Wu Chang’an took over as Sect Master.

But now…

What did this mean?

Wu Chang’an hesitated. “Could it be that Supreme Elder is not at Transformation Spirit?”

Nether Soul did not answer directly, only said, “I will say this clearly—the Azure Wave Sect does not need to relocate.”

“If you still wish to leave, then go. As for me, I will not leave.”

His expression remained calm, but his eyes carried a kind of confidence.

A confidence that did not care at all about Great Ascension or demonic sects.

Wu Chang’an opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but did not know where to begin.

After a long while, he bowed. “Understood. I will return and discuss further with the elders.”

Nether Soul nodded. “Go.”

Wu Chang’an turned and left, his figure disappearing into the sky.

Nether Soul lay back down on the stone, lifted the wine gourd, and took another sip.

He truly did not take that Myriad Tribulations Demon Sect seriously.

Great Ascension?

Very strong?

In the Spirit Realm, indeed strong—Tier 1 below the absolute peak.

But so what?

He, Nether Soul, was now a Human Immortal.

Though only Human Immortal First Layer, though only seventy percent of the main body’s strength—Human Immortal was still Human Immortal.

Moreover, what did that seventy percent represent?

When the main body was at Tribulation Crossing Ninth Layer, it could strike across the barrier between the mortal world and the Spirit Realm and kill over a thousand Nascent Soul to Void Refinement cultivators with a single lightning strike.

Now the main body was Human Immortal—and so was he.

Even at seventy percent, dealing with a Great Ascension was as easy as playing.

So Nether Soul was truly not worried at all.

He simply could not be bothered to relocate.

Over the years, while he had not developed much attachment to the Azure Wave Sect, he had still invested some effort.

Now to move to the Central Lands and start over?

What a joke.

He had finally become free, finally living a life of music and leisure.

To rebuild everything from scratch?

Impossible.

Absolutely impossible.

Nether Soul took another sip of wine, squinting at the sky.

As for that Myriad Tribulations Demon Sect…

Let them come.

He could use it as a chance to stretch his muscles.

……

Azure Wave Sect, Sect Master Hall.

After Wu Chang’an returned, he immediately gathered all the elders.

He relayed Nether Soul’s words exactly.

The hall fell into silence.

After a long while, one elder spoke, “Does Supreme Elder mean… he is confident?”

Another frowned. “But he is only at Transformation Spirit. How could he deal with Great Ascension?”

Another said, “When Supreme Elder asked if you were certain, Sect Master… could it be his cultivation is not just Transformation Spirit?”

Everyone looked at each other.

How old was Nether Soul?

Even if he had broken through another major realm to Void Refinement, what difference would it make?

If not cultivation, then where did his confidence come from?

Another elder spoke, “Then what do we do now? Move or not?”

All eyes turned to Wu Chang’an.

After a long moment of thought, he slowly said, “Since Supreme Elder has spoken, we cannot ignore it. But… we also cannot rely entirely on him alone.”

“How about this—leave part of the sect in the Eastern Continent, and select a group of disciples to bring part of the inheritance to the Central Lands. We hedge both sides.”

The elders thought for a moment and nodded.

This was indeed the safest method.

Leave people behind—if Nether Soul could truly hold, the sect would remain.

Send disciples away—if the Eastern Continent fell, the sect would not be destroyed.

Seeing no objections, Wu Chang’an said, “Then it is settled. Starting tomorrow, select disciples and prepare for relocation.”

The elders accepted the order and departed.

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