Immortality Cultivation

As soon as that line of golden, glowing characters appeared on the pagoda gate, the plaza erupted like a boiling pot, filled with the sounds of sighing and cursing.

Those Cultivators whose bone age exceeded fifty or whose cultivation had not yet reached the Golden Core stage turned green in the face, staring longingly at the pagoda gate just within reach, feeling as if their own flesh were being sliced away.

A few who refused to believe it tried to sneak through the gap in the gate, but as soon as they got close, they were repelled by the halo surrounding the pagoda body, thrown back even more miserably than the previous ones, nearly fainting from the impact. Now, no one dared to move recklessly.

Fang Hao felt steady in his heart. Since he met the conditions, it was just a matter of how to get in. He narrowed his eyes, activating his Clear Spring Spirit Eyes to the limit, and carefully observed the pagoda gate and the surrounding halo. Upon looking, his heart sank again.

Although the pagoda gate was slightly ajar, behind it was not the passage he had imagined, but a twisted, swirling expanse of multicolored light! It looked like a vortex, or perhaps a kaleidoscope; it was impossible to see what was inside. A chaotic, violent force of space emanated from within, feeling as if anyone who entered would be torn to shreds!

"Not a direct entry? There’s another trial?" Fang Hao frowned. He knew it wouldn’t be that simple! This heaven-reaching pagoda was clearly meant to weed out those just trying to muddle through; only true Geniuses and experts were qualified to enter!

Sure enough, on the Mu Family’s side, a middle-aged Cultivator who appeared to be the leader (his bone age definitely exceeded the limit, he couldn’t enter; he seemed to be some kind of guardian) stepped out, cleared his throat, and spoke in a voice that wasn’t loud but reached the entire plaza: "Fellow Daoists, I presume you have all seen it. This is the ’Chaos Primal Light Barrier’ of the heaven-reaching pagoda, the first trial set by an ancient master! Only by relying on your own strength to force your way through can you truly step into the pagoda! Those who meet the criteria for bone age and cultivation may attempt it themselves! However, I must state the ugly truth in advance: this light barrier is exceptionally dangerous, and the force of space is chaotic. Once trapped within, life and death will be up to fate! If you are not confident, do not force it!"

Once he said this, those who met the criteria turned grave. Force their way through? It sounded terrifying!

"Hmph, a mere light barrier, what is there to fear? My Mu Family Disciples will take the first step!" In the Mu Family camp, a youth wearing bright yellow brocade robes with an arrogant expression stepped out from the crowd; it was the same one who had sneered at the Loose Cultivators earlier. His name was Mu Tianying, a highly regarded prince of the Mu Family, with an Early Golden Core Stage cultivation! He was seen surrounded by a brilliant golden light, with a Dragon-shaped jade pendant emitting a powerful protective spiritual light, firmly shielding him. Then, with a loud shout, he transformed into a golden rainbow and charged directly into the multicolored vortex!

Hum—! The golden light collided fiercely with the Chaos light barrier! The light barrier fluctuated violently, tearing at the golden light! The protective spiritual light on Mu Tianying flickered unsteadily, but he was extremely fast, gritting his teeth and holding on. After a few breaths, he actually forced his way through, his figure disappearing behind the light barrier!

"Good!" The Mu Family members cheered, their morale greatly boosted.

With someone taking the lead, the others couldn’t sit still anymore.

"Senior Brother Soaring Wind, let’s go too!" On the Heavenly Sword Sect’s side, Soaring Wind nodded at Nether Child and the others. Several of them simultaneously transformed into sharp sword lights, forming a small sword formation, and pierced toward the light barrier like a drill! The sword light was sharp, and they actually managed to tear an opening in the light barrier, struggling as they passed through!

"Let’s go!" Disciples from major Sects like the Thunder Sword Sect and Green Wood Sect also displayed their various Divine Abilities. Some sacrificed defensive Magic Treasures, while others used combined attack techniques, all rushing toward the light barrier. Most of them successfully made it through, but a few who were slightly weaker or unlucky had their protective spiritual light torn apart by the light barrier, screaming as they were swept away by the chaotic force of space, their fate unknown, leaving those outside horrified.

On the side of the Loose Cultivators and small sects, those who met the criteria looked at each other, none daring to move. This light barrier was too terrifying; without some trump cards, entering was just seeking death!

Fang Hao hid in the crowd, his mind calculating rapidly. This Chaos Primal Light Barrier likely tested a Cultivator’s purity of spiritual power, the strength of their Physical Body, and their ability to adapt to the force of space. He had the Chaos Derivation Art as a foundation, so his spiritual power was of extremely high quality; he had just finished the first level of the Hundred Refinements Golden Body Art, making his Physical Body formidable; and he also had the Ethereal Art to slightly sense spatial fluctuations. Getting through shouldn’t be a big problem. But he couldn’t be too conspicuous; he had to hide his true strength.

He was just pondering what posture to use to pass the trial in a low-key manner when suddenly, a somewhat familiar voice came from beside him: "Ning... Fellow Daoist Ning?"

Fang Hao’s heart skipped a beat. He turned his head to look and saw Liu Yunfeng and Mu Wanqing from the Green Wood Sect standing near him, looking at him with some surprise. Mu Wanqing’s complexion was much better than when they were in the Ten Thousand Poisons Marsh; it seemed her Junior Brother’s poison had been cured.

"Uh... Fellow Daoist Liu, Fellow Daoist Mu." Fang Hao bit the bullet and cupped his hands in greeting, inwardly cursing his luck. How did these two recognize him? He had changed his appearance; did the Green Wood Sect have some special identification method?

Liu Yunfeng looked him over a few times and laughed: "It really is Fellow Daoist Ning! I felt your aura was somewhat familiar just now, but I didn’t expect it to actually be you! Fellow Daoist, your disguise technique is truly brilliant; I almost didn’t recognize you." His tone was very polite and carried gratitude. "Regarding the matter in the Ten Thousand Poisons Marsh, I haven’t properly thanked you for saving our lives!"

Mu Wanqing also bowed gracefully: "Thank you for your help that day, Fellow Daoist Ning."

So they recognized him by his aura... Fang Hao breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed the people of the Green Wood Sect had keen senses. He waved his hand: "It was a mere trifle, you two Fellow Daoists need not be so polite." He didn’t want to chat much, fearing he might slip up.

Liu Yunfeng, however, seemed to want to team up, whispering: "Fellow Daoist Ning is also going to try to pass this light barrier, right? This barrier is dangerous; why don’t we go together? We can look out for each other." Seeing Fang Hao alone and thinking he was a Loose Cultivator (as he assumed), he kindly suggested it.

Fang Hao smiled bitterly inside. Team up? That would make an even bigger target! Just as he was about to politely decline, a sinister voice came from the side: "Yo? Isn’t this Senior Brother Liu and Junior Sister Mu of the Green Wood Sect? What’s this, mingling with a sneaky Loose Cultivator?"

Fang Hao turned his head to look and frowned slightly. The speaker was that horse-faced Cultivator from the Yougui Sect! He and four fellow Sect members also met the criteria and were glaring at them with ill intent, his eyes scanning back and forth between Fang Hao and Liu Yunfeng with resentment. It seemed their ambush in the Ten Thousand Poisons Marsh had failed and people had died, so this feud was firmly established.

Liu Yunfeng’s expression darkened: "Ma Kui! Who my Green Wood Sect associates with is not for your Yougui Sect to point fingers at!"

Ma Kui gave a sinister laugh: "Hehe, Liu Yunfeng, don’t get cocky! We’ll see in the pagoda!" He glared fiercely at Fang Hao again, "And you! Kid, don’t think I can’t recognize you just because you changed your skin! You ruined my plans in the Ten Thousand Poisons Marsh; I’ll settle this score with you after we enter the pagoda!" He had clearly also recognized that Fang Hao was the one who caused trouble that day.

Fang Hao cursed inwardly; what he feared most had come to pass! He remained expressionless, too lazy to bother with this mad dog.

After leaving his threat, Ma Kui took his people and charged toward the light barrier, sacrificing a large, ghostly banner to protect himself, and barely managed to force his way through.

After this interruption, Liu Yunfeng couldn’t bring up the idea of teaming up again. He cupped his hands to Fang Hao and said: "Fellow Daoist Ning, the interior of the pagoda is dangerous, take care! We will take our leave first!" After saying this, he and Mu Wanqing used the Green Wood Sect’s secret techniques, turning into two green rainbows and disappearing into the light barrier.

Fang Hao watched their retreating figures, then looked at the few remaining Loose Cultivators who were still hesitating, knowing he couldn’t wait any longer. He took a deep breath and activated the Chaos Derivation Art, with pure Chaos Spiritual Power surging within his body; he secretly operated the Hundred Refinements Golden Body Art, a barely perceptible bronze luster appearing beneath his skin; and the Ethereal Art carefully sensed the energy flow of the light barrier.

He didn’t use any flashy Magic Treasures, simply spreading his spiritual power all over his body to form a solid layer of Protective Aura, then moved his figure, transforming into an inconspicuous green light, shooting toward the Chaos light barrier at a moderate speed!

Upon contacting the light barrier, Fang Hao felt as if he had crashed into a mass of thick, sticky glue filled with tearing force! All around him was twisted, swirling multicolored light, and powerful forces of space squeezed and tore at his Protective Aura from all directions! The Protective Aura fluctuated violently, emitting a "sizzling" sound!

"What powerful force!" Fang Hao was secretly alarmed; the power of this light barrier was even greater than he had anticipated! He didn’t dare to be negligent, operating his Cultivation Technique with all his might to stabilize his Protective Aura, while simultaneously relying on the faint sensing of the Ethereal Art to struggle to find "gaps" where the energy in the light barrier was relatively calm, moving forward with difficulty like a swimming fish.

His speed looked much slower than Mu Tianying, Soaring Wind, and the others, and his protective spiritual light wasn’t dazzling, even looking a bit precarious, causing the few remaining Loose Cultivators outside to shake their heads, thinking this kid was definitely done for.

But Fang Hao knew what he was doing. He was hiding his true strength, passing through in the most effortless and inconspicuous way. Although it was slower, it was safer and consumed less energy.

It took him two or three times as long as the others, but Fang Hao finally felt his body lighten, and his vision suddenly cleared! He had passed through the light barrier and landed on a wide stone staircase leading into the pagoda!

Looking back, the light barrier was still slowly rotating, and the people in the plaza outside could no longer be seen clearly.

Fang Hao let out a long sigh of relief and examined the environment inside the pagoda. Before him was a huge stone staircase leading upward, with no end in sight. On both sides were cold stone walls carved with ancient murals and runes, exuding an aura of vicissitudes. The Mu Family, Heavenly Sword Sect, and others who had entered earlier were long gone, presumably having already moved upward.

"Finally made it in..." Fang Hao’s eyes sharpened. The trial of the heaven-reaching pagoda had only just begun!