Chapter 516: Chapter 422: Gathering of the Heterodox Sects

Not long after, Chen Sheng followed the guidance of the Communication Jade Talisman and arrived at the Five Poison Immortal Hall located on the side of Dubhe Peak.

This immortal hall was completely different in style from his Segment Immortal Hall; the hall walls were made from multicolored poisonous jade.

Upon reaching the hall door, two jade sculptures of poisonous toads automatically emitted a verdant immortal light, transforming into the appearance of an immortal attendant:

"Please enter, my master is waiting inside the hall."

Before the voice fell silent, a hearty laugh came from inside the hall, accompanied by a faint exotic fragrance:

"Friend, do come in, this old man has prepared some old tea of bright light."

Chen Sheng stepped inside, only to see the hall eschewed the complex arrangements typical of ordinary Immortal Palaces, with only a Five Elements table in the center, beside which sat three cultivators radiating deep concentration.

The elder at the head seat wore a dark green Daoist robe, his hair and beard white yet his complexion rosy, precisely the Five Poison True Immortal who first achieved ascension.

Seeing Chen Sheng enter, the elder rose, cupped his hands, and smiled warmly: "I am Five Poison, greetings to my friend of the Segment Path!"

He turned slightly and pointed to the two individuals to his side, continuing the introduction:

"This is the Myriad Heaven True Immortal, who has led the Myriad Sect for many years and was a dominant lord in the Lower Realm; this is the Burning Mountain True Immortal, who I believe my friend has heard of as well."

Chen Sheng’s gaze swept over them, noting the cultivator on the left wore an apricot-yellow Daoist robe, holding a jade whisk carved with scripture, surrounded by harmonious fortune, was indeed the Myriad Heaven True Immortal who founded the Myriad Sect.

The one on the right was draped in a red cape, with flame-like runes covering the exposed arms, exuding a scorching aura, none other than the Burning Mountain True Immortal.

"Greetings to both friends."

Chen Sheng cupped his hands in return, his expression calm.

Although he had not met the two before, he had heard of their names, both were Side-door True Immortals who ascended from the world of Bright Light.

In the Lower Realm, they had each commanded their own fortune, roamed their domains with formidable strength.

"No need for Five Poison to introduce them!"

The Burning Mountain True Immortal laughed heartily first, his voice resonating like a great bell, causing the immortal vine within the hall to tremble slightly:

"Friend ascended early, not knowing of Segment Path Friend, even though we did not face each other in the Lower Realm, we have heard each other’s renown."

"With the body of a Loose Cultivator, founding the Segment Sect, ruling over the East Sea’s fortune for seventy years, defeating several seasoned Venerables, such means are truly impressive!"

The Myriad Heaven True Immortal nodded in agreement, lightly waving his jade whisk, his tone carrying a hint of nostalgia:

"Indeed, I distinctly remember, Five Poison Friend had only ascended three years when I heard of the rise of a Segment Venerable in the East Sea, gathering cultivators of all tribes under the principle ’no teaching without distinction’."

"To think it was someone as remarkable as Friend!"

He recalled founding the Myriad Sect, best at gathering fortune, and deeply understood how difficult it was in such a time of great competition to create from scratch a sect that ruled over one territory.

He clearly did not expect that when he ascended, the Segment Sect, which was quietly resting overseas and not conspicuous, would actually give rise to a Side-door True Immortal.

"Haha, it seems this old man was negligent!"

The Five Poison True Immortal laughed, waving his hand, personally pushing a dish of pastries refined with immortal gu poison honey towards Chen Sheng.

Then, his gaze shifted, putting aside the pleasantries and moving to the main topic:

"Today I invited you here for no other reason."

"I just feel that we are all ascended from the world of Bright Light and are all Side-door Loose Cultivators. It would be good to frequently keep in touch for warmth and to support each other."

Chen Sheng nodded and replied: "What Friend says is extremely true."

The Myriad Heaven True Immortal lightly coughed, pointing with his jade whisk to the celestial map hanging on the hall wall:

"You have just entered the Celestial Court, perhaps you are not yet familiar with its structure."

"In the past, in the Lower Realm, True Immortals were limited, but having ascended, it is known that the influence of the Four Major Sects in the Upper Realm is even more terrifying than in the Lower Realm."

He paused, adding:

"Suspended Mountain is directly under the Celestial Emperor, fundamentally in a different league from us, hence in the Immortal Realm, it is only referred to as the Four Major Sects."

"In the Upper Realm, these Four Sects each have a Heavenly Immortal Patriarch presiding, such figures in the Celestial Court are commanders, able to establish official residences and lead thousands of celestial troops."

The Burning Mountain True Immortal took over the narrative, his tone carrying a touch of envy:

"True Immortals ascending from the Four Sects are immediately greeted by celestial officials under the Patriarch upon exiting the Ascension Platform, directly incorporated into the system under their command."

"Nowadays, each bears an office rank of eighth grade, significantly better in treatment than us celestial soldier sequence cultivators."

The Five Poison True Immortal spoke slowly, comforting:

"However, we do count ourselves fortunate, initially choosing to join the celestial soldier sequence, allowing us access to the orthodox cultivation techniques and full celestial stipend of the Celestial Court."

"Such treatment is an opportunity many Loose Cultivators seek but cannot acquire, offering a prospect for promotion."

Upon mentioning this, the Myriad Heaven True Immortal’s expression darkened:

"It is rather that Friends Xuan Shui and Brahma Sound find themselves in dire straits now. The two of them are unruly by nature, unwilling to be constrained by the Celestial Court, insisting on traveling to the Earth Immortal World to live as carefree Loose Cultivators after ascension."

"Recently, this old man contacted them with a Communication Jade Talisman, only to learn that the Earth Immortal World, seemingly free, in reality, has monopolized resources."

"For Loose Cultivators, resources are scarce, and the transmission of cultivation techniques is fragmented, not much better than in the Lower Realm, now regretting it is too late."

...

As Chen Sheng listened quietly to the words of Five Poison, Myriad Heaven, and Burning Mountain, a clear outline of his fellow cultivators’ characters and circumstances formed in his mind.

Just as he was about to raise his cup and echo a few words, a bold laughter like a great bell suddenly came from outside the hall.

"Little Friend Five Poison knows how to enjoy life, gathering so many compatriots and juniors without including this old man!"

The Five Poison True Immortal changed expression upon hearing this, rushing to the hall entrance:

"Senior He-Sand! This junior heard you are secluded, attempting to break through the Heavenly Immortal bottleneck, how could I dare to disturb?"

The Myriad Heaven and Burning Mountain True Immortals also quickly rose to greet the visitor.

Only to see a figure clad in a dirt-yellow cloth robe walking slowly into the hall.

The elder’s hair and beard were all gray, yet each strand was distinct, his eyes opening and closing, with earth-yellow immortal light swirling as if encompassing mountains and rivers.

"Secluded for many years with little progress, may as well come out to walk, to catch some of the sharp energy of you young people."

The He-Sand Profound Immortal laughed heartily, his gaze sweeping over Chen Sheng, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes, he gestured with cupped hands actively:

"And this is young Friend of the Segment Path, is it? This old man is He-Sand, ascended from the Bright Light world 2,300 years ago, counted as your senior compatriot."

The Five Poison True Immortal hurriedly supplemented, his tone full of awe:

"Senior He-Sand has now reached the peak of Profound Immortal, holding the post of sixth-grade Metropolitan General in the Celestial Court, just a step away from the Heavenly Immortal realm!"

"Oh, little Friend Five Poison, do not boast for me."

He-Sand Profound Immortal waved his hand, showing a bit of wistfulness, he seated himself on the stone stool beside the head seat:

"It seems like a short step, yet practically a world apart."

"In the Celestial Court, Profound Immortals are as numerous as carp crossing the river, yet throughout eternity, those able to break through from Profound Immortal to Heavenly Immortal are less than one in a hundred. That immortal barrier has thwarted countless heroic figures."

He paused, his gaze passing over the four within the hall, his tone carrying a touch of the timeless:

"This old man has been stuck at the peak of Profound Immortal since achieving it, trapped at this step for a thousand years."

"Back then, those cultivators who ascended alongside me either perished or long proved the path to Heavenly Immortal, only I remain faltering at this juncture."

"I now have less than four hundred years of life left, if I cannot breakthrough before exhausting my life span, I will have to self-resolve — this step, it is difficult!"

He-Sand Profound Immortal shook his head, then let go of the wistfulness, once more showing a hearty smile, his gaze fixed on the four, filled with expectation:

"You are all immensely gifted and full of potential!"

"Cultivate well, if someday among you someone proves the path to Heavenly Immortal and establishes an immortal sect of your own, perhaps you could turn the five major immortal sects of Bright Light into six!"

Back then, when He-Sand Profound Immortal ascended, there were only four major immortal sects; the White Cloud Ascendant who ascended at the same time mastered the path to Heavenly Immortal, thus becoming five major immortal sects.