Chapter 520: Chapter 426: Tianma Stable Supervisor

Inside the Cold Cloud Palace, on the jade desk shrouded in icy mist, a Communication Jade Scroll was emitting a faint cyan glow.

The Cold Nether Daoist crushed the jade scroll, and upon learning the news from the merit department, his face suddenly darkened, and he said coldly:

"White Brow truly is useless! A Profound Immortal, yet unable to handle a True Immortal."

"Not only did he fall in the Lower Realm, he even allowed Shi Jian to earn a first-grade merit!"

The female cultivator "Cloud Sleeve Immortal" standing by his side was startled and exclaimed:

"First-grade merit?"

Within the Celestial Soldier system of Feathered Forest, it is quite rare for a ninth-grade Celestial Soldier to earn such a merit; this merit is not only an honor but also a solid promotion capital.

"Doesn’t this mean Shi Jian can at least be promoted to eighth-grade Celestial Soldier next?"

The Cold Nether Daoist sneered, waved his robe sleeve, and the icy mist in the hall surged violently:

"Humph, eighth-grade? At the very least?"

"I’ve asked my contacts in the merit department to inquire clearly, the Giant Spirit Celestial Immortal seems to value him highly, speaking many good words."

"This merit is enough to allow him to leap to seventh-grade, enjoying the same treatment as Profound Immortals, and even expand his residence in the heavy-floor heaven selection ground!"

Cloud Sleeve Immortal’s expression grew more solemn:

"Seventh-grade... this is already mid-level in the Celestial Soldier sequence, let alone catching the eye of the Giant Spirit Celestial Immortal, it will be much more cumbersome to target him in the future."

"That’s why we must strike him down in one blow!" A hint of ferocity flashed in Cold Nether Daoist’s eyes:

"This youngster possesses such wisdom and courage at such a young age, if he advances steadily, he will surely become a hindrance to us."

"Without absolute certainty, we’ll hold our ground for now, but when the opportunity arises, he must be annihilated completely!"

...

The news quickly spread among the side path cultivators and the lower and mid-level Celestial Soldiers in the heavy-floor heaven.

Inside the Five Poison Immortal Palace, the three True Immortals, Five Poison, Mi Tian, and Burning Mountain, sat around a table, looking at the Communication Talisman in their hands, with varied expressions.

"First-grade merit, promotion to seventh-grade Celestial Soldier, enjoying Profound Immortal treatment!"

Burning Mountain True Immortal slapped his thigh, his voice as loud as a bell:

"Fellow Daoist Jie Tian truly has great courage and ambition!"

"Senior Hesand advised us to avoid Lower Realm expeditions, yet he saw the opportunity and volunteered, his boldness is admirable!"

Mi Tian True Immortal held a jade brush, also feeling quite emotional:

"I finally understand why Fellow Daoist Jie Tian could ascend."

Back then, when he ascended, Jie Sect was newly established, comparing to other top side branch Venerables, commanding a thousand-year sect, it seemed unlikely to produce a True Immortal!

Now, he vaguely comprehends some reasons; this Fellow Daoist Jie Tian dares to gamble, to venture, to struggle, indeed has the ability to seize opportunities.

No wonder he could break through among a group of side branch Venerables!

However, Five Poison True Immortal shook his head, took a light sip of the green immortal tea in front of him, and spoke cautiously:

"Although it may be so, don’t forget, this expedition in the Lower Realm resulted in over three thousand Celestial Soldiers out of five thousand being lost, ten do not remain four!"

"We struggled in the life-and-death Lower Realm for hundreds of years, finally managed to ascend to the Immortal Realm, seeking longevity and cultivating the Carefree Dao Fruit."

"Such perilous work, one small mistake and we could be shattered, hundreds of years of cultivation ruined instantly. Fellow Daoist Jie Tian’s choice may allow rapid advancement, but it’s not my desire."

Upon hearing this, Burning Mountain True Immortal and Mi Tian True Immortal fell silent.

They recalled the desperation in the Lower Realm with dwindling life force, remembered the comfort of bathing in immortal light upon ascension, the envy in their hearts gradually faded away.

Indeed, in the Lower Realm, one could risk all for a chance of survival, but now enjoying immortal lifespan, why take such great risks again?

The two exchanged a glance, both nodding in agreement with Five Poison True Immortal’s words.

...

Meanwhile, inside the Hesand Treasure Hall, Hesand Profound Immortal was sitting cross-legged within the Spirit Gathering Array, surrounded by a thick, earth-yellow celestial light.

The Communication Talisman landed in front of him, he opened his eyes to glance over it, his expression calm, merely sighing lightly:

"Such overt talent may not necessarily be a blessing."

He had lived for over two thousand years, witnessed countless exceptionally talented individuals, among whom many Celestial Immortals emerged.

But more fell to factional conflicts, others perished in dangerous tasks.

On the contrary, the "mediocre talent" like him, steadily progressing, reaching the peak of Profound Immortal, though stuck at a bottleneck, he preserved his life and cultivation.

"Hopefully this young friend Jie Tian can have some luck to weather through this wave of glory."

He raised his hand, the Communication Talisman turned to ash, and he resumed his cultivation with closed eyes.

...

Inside Jie Tian Hall, Chen Sheng was reclining on a sandalwood couch, playing with a palm-sized red gold seventh-grade jade seal in his hand.

It felt smooth to the touch, and a power much more immense than the previous ninth-grade seal flowed into his body from the palm.

"The power of a seventh-grade seal is truly different!"

He chuckled softly, flicking the jade seal with his fingertips.

A golden rune floated out, transforming into a secret technique—precisely the "Yunchao Zhenyuan Jue," the reward this time.

This technique can utilize the power of the Celestial Soldier seal to refine the immortal foundation, and when confronting an enemy, it can use the might of the imperial power to suppress the Dao Rhyme of the opponent, enhancing both cultivation and magical combat.

On the jade desk, other rewards beneficial to cultivation were also placed.

Dozens of "Zhi Xuan Treasure Pills," capable of accelerating cultivation, a "Heavy-floor Immortal Sword," a standard immortal weapon yet more powerful than the previous Splitting Sky Spear...

Also included was a land deed for the "Red Mist Valley" on the western side of the heavy-floor heaven, usable for expanding his residence, these rewards were sufficient for him to rapidly elevate his cultivation overtly without arousing suspicion from others.

...

Fingers snapping, thirty years passed in a flash.

In the quiet room of Jie Tian Hall, the Spirit Gathering Platform was enveloped in celestial energy so dense it nearly liquified, and the nine Gathering Immortal Beads simultaneously burst with dazzling brilliance.

Chen Sheng sat cross-legged on the platform, with celestial enchantment flowing around him, his blue robe fluttering despite no wind.

Suddenly, all the celestial energy around him condensed sharply, flowing entirely into his body, and the True Immortal mark on his brow flashed with a perfect golden glow.

"True Immortal Perfection."

Chen Sheng slowly opened his eyes, a hint of comprehension flickered through his gaze.

Due to the unique cultivation path of this realm, the demand for mana is relatively low.

So-called True Immortal Perfection is actually equivalent to mid-stage Divinity Transformation; he stood up, flexing his muscles, causing a slight cracking sound of immortal bones to echo.

"Next, I should advance to Profound Immortal!"

He calculated silently in his heart:

"Just need to showcase a Dao Principle at an appropriate time, then naturally advance to Profound Immortal."

"At that moment, I could free myself from idle duties, seeking a position closer to the core of the celestial court."

Even though he holds a seventh-grade official position now, enjoying the same treatment as Profound Immortals, due to his cultivation remaining at the True Immortal stage, he is only assigned an idle role as "Heavenly Horse Garden Overseer."

His main tasks are managing menial workers at the Heavenly Horse Garden, with occasional interests in roaming Tianma, unable to access the core of imperial power.

The next step, only by advancing to Profound Immortal and changing duties, can pave the way for subsequent plans.