Above the Great Dao

Chapter 1228 573: No Saint

Chen Shi gasped in shock, swallowing a hundred thousand heavenly soldiers in one gulp?

Open his mouth and devour immortals from the Ascension Land Immortal Realm?

He deeply suspected whether Xiao Dululu was deceiving him.

He thought, immortals are very powerful. Others aside, at the very least, he counted as a skilled individual.

How could someone like him be devoured in one breath along with a hundred thousand?

Who possesses such an ability?

"I should have realized, heavenly soldiers are immortals. Fairy Gong used the Qiankun Rebuilding Furnace to refine a batch of heavenly soldiers, and their strength is nearly equivalent to the Fifth Uncle at that time, all belonging to the immortal level."

Chen Shi hesitated a moment; it seemed reasonable that the Demon King could swallow one hundred thousand heavenly soldiers if the Qiankun Rebuilding Furnace could refine five hundred immortal level heavenly soldiers in one batch.

"The Earth Immortal Realm seems even more perilous than the West Bull New Continent!" he thought to himself.

Bai Fangfang said, "I've heard about this too. Great Demons often emerge from the Dark Sea, extremely formidable, and whenever one appears, they muster the heavenly soldiers and generals from the Heavenly Court to suppress them, costing the lives of us minor foot soldiers."

Xiao Dululu laughed, "But such events of Great Demons emerging are very rare, perhaps occurring every few hundred or thousand years. We needn't worry. We only need to stay for ten years, then we can leave the Heavenly Court with a great sum of wealth and live as carefree immortals!"

They arrived at the military supply department of the Heavenly Court, where they were issued immortal armor and each received a copy of the "Mixed Yuan Dao Scripture."

Xiao Dululu was so excited his hands trembled slightly, "Mixed Yuan Dao Scripture! From the name alone, you can tell it's a remarkable immortal law!"

Bai Fangfang smiled, "The heavenly soldiers have the Mixed Yuan Dao Scripture. Though the name of this cultivation technique sounds grand, it is actually quite ordinary. It merely allows immortals to enter the True Immortal Realm."

Chen Shi examined the immortal artifact, which was a sword box nurturing one hundred and eight strands of Sword Qi. When the sword box was opened, the Sword Qi inside could be seen clashing and honing against each other.

He looked around and noticed that all the heavenly soldiers received identical immortal artifacts – all were sword boxes, presumably mass-produced. However, by observing the honing of the Sword Qi within the box, Chen Shi discerned a rather remarkable sword technique, far more exquisite than the Xuanwei Sword Scripture. Thus, even mass-produced, the immortal artifacts still held significant power.

As for the armor, it was also forged with remarkable craftsmanship. Each piece was inscribed with Dao Patterns forming protective formations, and they could form into a Light Armor when worn by the Primordial Spirit, providing it with protection.

Regarding the Mixed Yuan Dao Scripture, after perusing it, Chen Shi indeed found it held extraordinary aspects. It was a methodical cultivation technique that didn't take shortcuts, but so long as one diligently cultivated and put in effort, they would surely achieve considerable progress.

However, the Mixed Yuan Dao Scripture is also a technique that takes time to yield results, requiring a slow and steady accumulation to enhance cultivation. Only when the technique is cultivated to a highly advanced state does the speed of improvement begin to compete with that of other immortal laws. But Chen Shi estimated that one would need to cultivate at least to the Golden Immortal Realm to match the enhancement speed of other immortal laws.

By the Taiyi Golden Immortal level, the cultivation speed of the Mixed Yuan Dao Scripture surpasses other techniques significantly.

It's just that, in the initial stages, it requires too much time. Most individuals practicing this technique might spend tens of thousands of years just reaching the Heavenly Immortal Realm, far slower than other cultivation techniques.

"The Heavenly Court only provided the Heavenly Immortal Chapter and True Immortal Chapter of the Mixed Yuan Dao Scripture, with no subsequent techniques."

Chen Shi thought to himself, "This technique stands out for its stability. Among the three main techniques I excel in, the Blood Lake Scripture is the most explosive, where cultivation is aggressive and proceeds with a risk of deviation, ending many lives. The Great Wilderness Ming Dao Collection is the most balanced, excelling in no particular aspect but progressing evenly without shortcomings, and can even cultivate the Demon Path. Whereas the Mixed Yuan Dao Scripture earns praise for its solid depth. Cultivated to a profound level, it is extraordinary."

He continued to read on; the Divine Skills that paired with the Mixed Yuan Dao Scripture were the Mixed Yuan Sword Scripture.

Chen Shi studied it carefully, finding that the Mixed Yuan Sword Scripture perfectly corresponded to the one hundred and eight strands of Sword Qi in the sword box, suggesting that they were part of the same set of techniques, with exquisite methods and formidable power.

"I actually feel that what the Heavenly Court provides the heavenly soldiers isn't bad, or perhaps my previous knowledge was too limited?"

Chen Shi was somewhat perplexed. Bai Fangfang and Xiao Dululu were still commenting on how meager the treasures from the Heavenly Court were; could it be that the cultivation techniques they practiced were superior to the Mixed Yuan Dao Scripture?

However, judging from the aura the few exuded, their techniques weren't particularly advanced, merely counted as ordinary immortal laws.

"The Mixed Yuan Dao Scripture, cultivated over eighty thousand years, surely yields phenomenal results." Chen Shi reminded the two.

Bai Fangfang and Xiao Dululu looked back at him and after a moment, the two glanced at each other and burst into laughter.

"Mr. Chen, we're only staying in the Heavenly Court for ten years, and after that, we leave to live freely."

Xiao Dululu laughed, "The Heavenly Court belongs to the deities, not to the immortals. By then we'll venture to various immortal realms, seeking renowned mentors, learning techniques far superior to those taught by the Heavenly Court."

Chen Shi gave it some thought and found their words indeed made sense.

Bai Fangfang, noticing his youthfulness, said, "Ten years will pass quickly. By then, once we've accumulated some wealth, we can travel together. Mr. Chen, if you're interested, you might join us in our journeys. In Yuanzhou, I have several acquaintances who have already ascended as immortals, and perhaps you could apprentice with them and learn better techniques."

Chen Shi thanked them and smiled, "I too must soon harmonize with Heaven and Earth to become a true immortal."

The two were greatly astonished, with Bai Fangfang blurting out, "You haven't harmonized yet? Did you truly ascend with a black pot?"

Chen Shi laughed, "Why would I deceive you?"

The two found it unbelievable.

Soon a Heavenly General arrived, assigning them to the Geng Guard and Chen Institute.

There are twelve guards among the heavenly soldiers, arranged according to the heavenly stems, and each guard is divided into twelve divisions, based on the earthly branches.

Each division has five camps, divided by the five elements.

Chen Shi, Bai Fangfang, Xiao Dululu, and others belong to the same camp, the Fire Camp.

The Fire Camp has over a thousand immortals, all of whom have ascended to the upper realm.

In their respective worlds, these immortals were outstanding individuals, but on their first day of ascension to the Earth Immortal Realm, they became heavenly soldiers and generals. Of course, to become a heavenly general is not easy; one must either make great contributions or be skillful in handling relationships.

This time, more than two hundred immortals were added to the Fire Camp, making Chen Shi curious. He asked an old soldier, "Adding more than two hundred immortals at once, did so many leave the camp?"

"Leave? No, they died!"

The old soldier said, "Last time, during the rebellion, our Fire Camp was reduced to just over ten people left, and it took quite a few days to replenish to this extent. It will probably take a few more days to be fully staffed. Remember, your life is precious."

Chen Shi felt a chill and asked, "What happened? Why did so many die?"

The old soldier didn't reply.

Chen Shi looked at the black pot. The black pot understood, moved forward, and when the old soldier met its eye, he seemed to have met a family member and recounted the Fire Camp's experiences. The Fire Camp was ordered to Nightmare Valley to investigate. Nightmare Valley is an ancient relic left by The Three Pure Ones when they created the Dark Sea. Because one would have nightmares upon arriving there, it was named Nightmare Valley.

Recently, the Dao in Nightmare Valley was unusual, so the higher-ups ordered the Fire Camp to investigate the source of the anomaly.

Upon entering the valley, they encountered alien races and almost suffered total annihilation, with only a dozen escaping.

"What happened next?" Chen Shi asked.

"Afterwards? Just recruit more heavenly soldiers to fill the vacancies," the old soldier said.

"I mean, what happened to Nightmare Valley afterwards?"

"Well, it seems that the Heavenly King went and pacified the area."

Chen Shi didn't continue to inquire, thought for a moment, and then asked, "I have a friend who also ascended to the Immortal Realm; I want to inquire about him. His name is Zhong Wuwang, nickname Zhong Erniu, always looking proud, like one you'd want to beat up."

"When did this friend of yours ascend?"

"It's been two and a half years."

"Then he's likely already dead. New heavenly soldiers rarely survive past two years."

"Hmm, hmm."

Chen Shi bid farewell to the old soldier and returned to his residence. Despite being immortals, heavenly soldiers needed to meditate and cultivate, practice alchemy and treasure refining if they were not in training or on duty. Therefore, each heavenly soldier had a residence called the Heavenly Dao Residence.

Chen Shi arrived at the Heavenly Dao Residence and muttered, "Zhong Wuwang is really dead? Good people don't live long, while scourges last for a thousand years. He must live longer than anyone else. Also, Chen Tang, my mother, I don't know where they are. And my grandfather, whether they have found the resurrection method for Fifth Uncle? Now that the officials have discovered my unexplained departure, are they planning to establish a new king? And Wu Qi, has he resurrected…"

He also thought of Lady Houtu's true body, certainly in the Earth Immortal Realm, but didn't know how to visit.

Also, Zhong Wuwang carried the Flask of Yin and Yang Essence; surely its owner is quietly observing Zhong Wuwang. Would they really let him die?

"Grandfather also carries the Qiankun Rebuilding Furnace; I wonder if its owner is secretly watching over him too?"

His mind was bustling, and he thought about whether the Heavenly Net Blood Transformation Divine Sword also had an owner. Was the owner of the sword lurking in the shadows, watching him?

Chen Shi gathered his thoughts, tossed the immortal armor to the black pot, telling it to change into new clothes, then grabbed some immortal qi spirit liquid from his stipend and threw it to the black pot as well.

He possessed the Purple Heaven Vine, which could absorb nature's spiritual energy and transform it into Taiqing Purple Qi, making the immortal qi spirit liquid unnecessary.

Chen Shi took out the Mixed Yuan Dao Scripture, carefully studying it, running its cultivation steps through his mind repeatedly, causing the Immortal Yuan within him to unconsciously operate according to the Mixed Yuan Dao Scripture.

After countless cycles, Chen Shi had the Mixed Yuan Dao Scripture well internalized, thinking to himself, "This Dao Scripture cultivates the Mixed Yuan Dao and can indeed integrate with my Yin Yang Essence, evolving into the wonders of Yin Yang Mixed Yuan."

His Yin Yang Essence had already comprehended the Yin Yang Harmony, Yin Yang Transformation, and Yin Yang Balance, these three major principles. If he could comprehend Yin Yang Mixed Yuan, surely his accomplishments in Yin Yang Essence would progress significantly!

The cultivation of the Mixed Yuan Dao Scripture could also advance by a great level!

He calmed himself, focusing so intensely that he ignored the outside world.

At Jade Balance Gate, a scholar hurriedly approached, stopping an immortal official, asking, "Did the recent batch of ascending immortals have anything special?"

The immortal official, the one who initially greeted Chen Shi, tried to recall and said, "Nothing special. Heavenly Mechanism Scholar, has something happened?"

The scholar said, "While checking the Heavenly Mechanism Strategy, I found a Golden Immortal of exceedingly powerful cultivation hidden among them. This person has been repeatedly summoned but never came. This time, they were forced to come to the Heavenly Court. I fear he is not a benign character!"