Chapter 521: Chapter 427: A Hundred Years in the Blink of an Eye

A hundred years passed in the blink of an eye, beside the celestial river, a palace crafted from celestial river stones stood, grand beyond compare.

Twelve jade-carved celestial generals stood outside the palace, all puppets of True Immortal Perfection cultivation, surrounded by a subtle aura of military prowess and celestial grace.

At this moment, outside the palace doors, eight figures in green robes stood solemnly like pine trees, their long swords gleaming with cold light, blocking an elder. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"Halt! This is the residence of the Celestial River Commander’s office, no entry without invitation!"

The leading cultivator in green spoke with a voice like gold and stone, sword-like brows and starry eyes, emanating a stable late-stage True Immortal’s aura.

The seven behind him also had condensed auras, with the weakest being mid-stage True Immortal cultivation, the eight’s positions subtly aligned with an array, though they didn’t strike, they formed an invisible pressure.

Five Poison True Immortal gazed at the eight spirited cultivators before him, feelings mixed within his heart.

After years of exhausting effort, he barely attained late-stage True Immortal, yet among these eight, two had already matched his level of cultivation, while the remaining six were not far behind.

He, after all, ascended to True Immortal through his own efforts.

Yet, the eight before him, though also from the Lower Realm, were brought up decades ago through connections and background.

Suppressing the waves in his heart, he cupped his hands with a smile:

"The Eight Celestial Immortals of Heaven-Cutting that catches the attention of the Celestial River army, I presume? Remarkable aura for each, no wonder the Commander would teach with full devotion."

"I am Five Poison, an unorthodox True Immortal ascended from Ming Light Realm, an old acquaintance of the Commander, here to pay respects today."

Qing Xuan slightly raised his brows, withdrew the pressure, and nodded: "Daoist, please wait, I will immediately inform my master."

With that, his figure flickered and stepped into the palace, leaving the seven to continue guarding.

Deep within the Heaven-Cutting Palace, in a tranquil chamber filled with swirling mist, Chen Sheng sat cross-legged on a jade throne of black water.

Clad in a silver armor embroidered with celestial river waves, his visage unchanged from a hundred years ago, though the dignity between his brows was more imposing.

His body absorbed the grand momentum of his surrounding, akin to an expansive celestial river, clearly seated within the palace, yet seemingly intertwined with the workings of the celestial river.

Upon hearing Qing Xuan’s report, he slowly opened his eyes, a hint of understanding flashed in his gaze, his voice calm:

"Let him in."

...

A hundred years of time, a mere instant in the Immortal Realm, yet for Chen Sheng, it was a path paved with painstaking ascension.

Eighty years ago, during a certain Lower Realm expedition, he deliberately chose a Small Thousand World amidst the upheaval of origin power, abruptly demonstrating his Dao Principle during the army’s peril.

Using Sword Qi, he severed the power of origin of the enemy Demon Immortal, saving the entire Celestial Soldier squad, and naturally advancing to Profound Immortal, overseeing hundreds of Celestial Soldiers.

Returning to the Celestial Court, Chen Sheng spent his merits, bringing Li Xuan from the Lower Realm along with the eight disciples of Heaven-Cutting sect to the Immortal Realm.

Li Xuan had a solid foundation, long having achieved great success in his spiritual cultivation, and with Chen Sheng’s guidance, quickly broke through to True Immortal, joining Chen Sheng’s ranks as a powerful aide.

In the decades that followed, the eight disciples of Heaven-Cutting sect, with Chen Sheng’s guidance, also achieved True Immortal status, known as the "Eight Celestial Immortals of Heaven-Cutting."

Over the years, Chen Sheng guided his disciples in cultivation while cooperating with his Lower Realm avatars in "staged battles"!

Occasionally he deliberately fell into peril only to strike back, or led teams to destroy the "Demon Nests" controlled by his avatar, each expedition earning remarkable merits.

Not long ago, he ascended to the pinnacle of Profound Immortal, and by his accumulated illustrious military accomplishments, was recommended by the Celestial River Immortal King as a fourth-rank Celestial River Commander, commanding three thousand Celestial River naval forces, his power comparable to ordinary Heavenly Immortals.

...

After a short time, Five Poison True Immortal followed Qing Xuan into the tranquil chamber, immediately enveloped by a vast and profound aura.

He looked up to see Chen Sheng seated on the jade throne, the silver armor reflecting the glazed lamp light in the palace, celestial grace flowing around him, far exceeding the pinnacle of Profound Immortal like He Sha Celestial Immortal.

"Greetings, Commander!"

Five Poison True Immortal hurriedly bowed, his attitude extremely respectful.

He sighed internally, truly a favored child of heaven who comprehended top-level Dao Principle, no wonder he caught the attention of the Celestial River Immortal King.

Reflecting upon himself, cultivating to late-stage True Immortal over a hundred years was normal speed, yet the gap with the other seemed insurmountable.

Chen Sheng nodded slightly, raised his hand to dispel the pressure, his voice softened a bit:

"Long time no see, Five Poison Daoist, faring well I hope? Is there any urgent matter for your visit this time?"

Over the years, engrossed in cultivation, campaigns, and ascension, Five Poison had sent invitations through emissaries multiple times, inviting him for banquets to reminisce, only for him to decline.

Back in the Lower Realm, Five Poison and others were formidable figures, carrying a certain pride in their bones, after repeated refusals, they no longer actively contacted or offered allegiance.

However, different times called for different measures, and now with Chen Sheng’s status approaching that of Heavenly Immortals and his new stature, wasn’t the other now actively seeking him out?

Listening to Chen Sheng’s gentle tone, Five Poison True Immortal felt relieved and quickly stated his purpose:

"Commander, in your wisdom, I have now reached late-stage True Immortal, according to Celestial Court regulations, I can serve in the military."

"Although treatment varies little across armies, without backing it is difficult to stand firm."

"Senior He Sha serves the Changlu army as a sixth-rank deputy, but his lifespan is running thin, thinking it over, the Celestial River army is the best choice, I humbly request the Commander to accept me!"

He spoke and then bowed his head awaiting a reply, his heart quite uneasy.

Given the disparity in power and status between them now, would they accept his unsolicited allegiance?

Chen Sheng nodded, then with Divine Thought, he comprehended Five Poison’s foundation thoroughly: a solid Dao Foundation, a stable temperament, while not extraordinary, still a competent True Immortal in battle.

He smiled faintly, directed towards Li Xuan who stood at the side:

"Junior brother, handle this matter, arrange Daoist Five Poison under your command."

Li Xuan, clad in purple robes, stepped forward and cupped his hands in assent: "As you command, senior brother."

In recent years, he accompanied Chen Sheng, repeatedly achieved notable merits, also reached Profound Immortal status, now serving in the Celestial River army as a seventh-rank deputy.

Five Poison True Immortal, upon hearing this, rejoiced greatly and quickly bowed again: "Thank you, Commander, I appreciate Deputy Li’s assistance, I will undoubtedly serve diligently!"

Chen Sheng waved his hand, signaling Qing Xuan to take Five Poison for the procedures.

A few days later, two old friends arrived outside the Heaven-Cutting Palace, none other than Mi Tian and Fen Shan.

"Greetings, Commander!"

"We heard that Five Poison Daoist has joined the Celestial River army, and came to pledge allegiance. We are willing to serve diligently under the Commander, and hope the Commander takes us in!"

Chen Sheng nodded and glanced at the two.

Indeed, ascended True Immortals from the Lower Realm, talent noteworthy, among True Immortals, considered good battle force, thus accepted under his command.

...

Meanwhile, on the other end of Chonglou Heaven, within Cold Cloud Palace, the atmosphere was suffocatingly tense.

"Acknowledged by the Immortal King, Celestial River Commander... why is he so hard to kill!"

Cold Nether Daoist rubbed his aching temples, filled with helplessness and indignation.

Over the years, he tread cautiously, orchestrating two attempts, each thought to be a certain deadly scenario, yet each was effortlessly evaded by the other.

Just then, a jade scroll emitting milky white celestial light drifted from outside the hall, landing on the jade desk.

Cold Nether Daoist saw this, his pupils constricted—the exclusive Communication Jade Scroll of his master, White Cloud Heavenly Immortal.

An ancient and majestic voice entered his consciousness: "Yu’er, regarding the Heaven-Cutting matter, I’m aware. Come to White Cloud Palace to meet me."

Cold Nether Daoist, after hearing this, exhaled deeply, the tension on his face finally loosening, replaced by deep fatigue.

Slumping into his jade throne, he murmured:

"Ultimately, my master must step in... this matter has exceeded my capabilities, whether to fight or ally, all shall be decided by master."

He clearly understood, with Chen Sheng’s current power, no longer someone a Profound Immortal like him could challenge.