SWNOVELXO Chapter 8 - The Scarlet Sun Immortal, A Seeker of Longevity!
Chapter 8: The Scarlet Sun Immortal, A Seeker of Longevity!
The Heavenly Pit.
“What is this place?”
Standing within the vast pit, Ying Zheng gazed at the swirling mist before him, his heart brimming with curiosity.
After Zhao Gao described the pit’s peculiarities in detail, Ying Zheng led his trusted generals, Wang Ben and Zhao Gao, to investigate. The pit, plunging tens of meters deep, was an insurmountable obstacle for most. However, for Grandmasters of the Tianxiang realm, such a descent posed no challenge.
Thus, the group descended with ease, their curiosity growing with each step.
“Your Majesty,” Wang Ben stepped forward and said with unwavering resolve, “allow me to scout ahead.”
As a loyal servant of the Qin Empire, Wang Ben’s allegiance to Ying Zheng was absolute. Without hesitation, he volunteered to uncover the mysteries that lay ahead.
“Go,” Ying Zheng replied after a moment’s pause.
Taking a deep breath, Wang Ben cautiously approached the mist. Though he was a formidable Tianxiang Grandmaster, the pit and its strange fog had appeared too abruptly, warranting the utmost vigilance.
Hummm!
As soon as Wang Ben touched the mist, it churned violently, reacting to his presence.
“What’s this?” Wang Ben muttered, sensing an invisible force repelling him. Instinctively, he activated his qi to push back against the mist.
After a brief but intense struggle, the mist eventually dispersed before Ying Zheng and his retinue’s watchful eyes.
Phew. Wang Ben exhaled deeply, his face slick with sweat. The effort of dissipating the mist had consumed more than half his qi—a feat unimaginable for an ordinary martial artist.
For a Tianxiang Grandmaster like Wang Ben to be nearly exhausted simply by driving away mist was nothing short of terrifying.
“Your Majesty!” Zhao Gao’s sharp voice interrupted the stunned silence. “There is a stone stele ahead!”
Ying Zheng, intrigued, approached the stele under the watchful protection of his entourage. Wang Ben bowed respectfully before stepping aside.
When Ying Zheng’s gaze fell upon the stele, his expression froze, as did those of Zhao Gao and the others.
The writing on the stone was entirely unfamiliar, bearing no resemblance to the script of Qin or the other four continents. Yet, inexplicably, they could understand it perfectly.
The Inscription on the Stone Stele read, “To future generations, I am the Scarlet Sun Immortal, a practitioner who reached the peak of the Refining Essence into Spirit realm.
[Scarlet Sun Immortal (赤阳真人, Chì Yáng Zhēn Rén): A fictional character whose title reflects his mastery of cultivation and pursuit of the Immortal Dao.].
“Unfortunately, my progress was limited by the absence of advanced cultivation techniques. At the age of 260, I encountered the Creation Immortal Codex, a peerless scripture whose origins remain unknown.
[Creation Immortal Codex (造化仙经, Zào Huà Xiān Jīng): A supreme cultivation scripture, representing a path to immortality and immense power.].
“The codex charts a path directly to the Immortal Dao, and through arduous trials, I claimed it as my own. However, this came at a steep price.
“Practitioners of the Refining Essence into Spirit realm enjoy a lifespan of 500 years, yet my body began to fail me at 350. Even elixirs to prolong life could not save me.
“Despite this, I have no regrets. The road to the Immortal Dao is one of struggle. Without the Creation Immortal Codex, what use is living for 500 years?”
“I cannot let the codex perish with me. Hence, I have left behind three trials within this pit. Those who succeed will inherit my treasures.
“Pass all three trials, and you shall become the rightful master of the Creation Immortal Codex.
“The First Trial: Dispel the mist.
“This mist is a minor creation of mine. Reaching the peak of the Refining Essence into Qi realm is sufficient to overcome it. Those unworthy of this strength will fail.
“Upon success, you will receive the Heavenly Essence Pill, which extends life by ten years.
[Heavenly Essence Pill (天元丹, Tiān Yuán Dān): A mythical elixir that grants an additional ten years of life.].
“The Second Trial: Ascend the Altar.
“I have laid a formation around the altar that tests one’s character and determination rather than martial strength.
“Pass the formation, and you shall receive the Creation Immortal Codex.
“The Third Trial: Engraved upon the codex itself, it will reveal itself upon passing the first two trials.”
Reading the inscription left Ying Zheng and his followers dumbfounded.
“Refining Essence into Spirit?” murmured Han Zhang, commander of the Shadow Guard. “What sort of realm is that?”
[Refining Essence into Spirit (练气化神, Liàn Qì Huà Shén): A higher cultivation realm beyond martial arts, likely part of the Immortal Dao.].
In his understanding, martial cultivation spanned five stages: Houtian, Xiantian, Zhi Xuan Grandmaster, Tianxiang Grandmaster, and Land Immortal. This new realm was entirely foreign to him.
“Practitioners at the Refining Essence into Spirit realm can live for 500 years?” Ying Zheng’s eyes gleamed with hope. For the first time, he glimpsed a potential path to the longevity he so desperately sought.
“But only the peak of the Refining Essence into Qi realm can dispel the mist? Doesn’t that mean my Tianxiang cultivation is merely equivalent to that level?” Wang Ben muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief.
The mist, which had nearly drained him of all his qi, was deemed a mere “minor creation” by the stele’s author. This revelation left Wang Ben awestruck.