Immortals and mortals are worlds apart.

What makes an Immortal so powerful? And what gives them the right to scorn mortals?

Besides possessing Immortal Power—a higher grade of Energy—it is because they have joined the ranks of the divine, their mortal flesh transformed into an Immortal Body.

As for what it means to join the ranks of the divine, that is a story for another time. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

The Divine Sea Realm is the realm of so-called Demi-Immortals.

It is a transitional stage between being a mortal and becoming an Immortal.

During this period, a Cultivator must absorb and condense Immortal Power, using it to irrigate the Three Flowers, temper the Five Viscera, and nurture the Five Qis.

In other words, a Demi-Immortal in the Divine Sea Realm can already store Immortal Power and cast some Immortal Techniques.

"Impossible! He was clearly only at the Peak of the Void Realm!"

Aboard the Flying Magical Artifact, Shi Hao stared at Li Shimu, his face a mask of astonishment.

’I remember with perfect clarity that just two days ago, when we met and fought, Li Shimu hadn’t even touched the threshold of becoming a Demi-Immortal.’

’He was a world away from becoming a Demi-Immortal, to say the least. How could he have suddenly broken through?’

’This makes no sense!’

’No, that’s not right. He drew upon the Power of Fortune back then. He should be suffering from the backlash right now. How could he be completely unharmed? Where would he have found the opportunity to achieve a breakthrough?’

Shi Hao was utterly baffled.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

The moment Li Shimu appeared, most of the people in the Imperial City found their resolve, bowing in salute one after another.

"All of you, stand back," Li Shimu said, his expression grave.

No one dared to defy his command, and they all retreated far from the Flying Magical Artifact.

"I have arrived. Is it not time for you to show yourself?" Li Shimu said, looking toward the Flying Magical Artifact, his gaze meeting Huangfu Yu’s across the distance.

"Insolence!"

Before Huangfu Yu could respond, Shi Hao leaped forward and snapped, "Lord Yu has graced you with his presence! Kneel and beg for an audience at once!"

Li Shimu looked at Shi Hao—covered in wounds, his energy depleted, yet still acting the part of an enthusiastic lackey—and said coolly, "You lost to me once. Scram."

Shi Hao flew into a rage at his words and subconsciously moved to attack, having apparently forgotten that Li Shimu was no longer the man he had once been.

Now at the Divine Sea Half-Immortal Realm, Li Shimu could crush him without even needing to rely on the Power of Fortune.

By the time he realized this, it was already too late.

"You dare attack me? You’re courting death!" A cold glint flashed in Li Shimu’s eyes. "I have just set foot in the Half-Immortal Realm. I might as well use you to consecrate my very first wisp of Immortal Power!"

As he spoke, Li Shimu flicked a finger, and a minuscule, almost imperceptible stream of power shot out from his fingertip.

Shi Hao’s face fell in terror. He recognized it—it was Immortal Power!

Although he himself had touched the threshold of becoming a Demi-Immortal and could wield a tiny speck of Immortal Power, he could barely control it.

Compared to a true cultivator in the Divine Sea Half-Immortal Realm, the difference was like that between heaven and earth.

That wisp of Immortal Power from Li Shimu might seem insignificant, but it was more than enough to annihilate Shi Hao ten times over.

"No!"

Shi Hao let out a defiant roar, forcefully twisting his body in an attempt to dodge Li Shimu’s attack.

But the wisp of Immortal Power was simply too fast. In the blink of an eye, it closed in on the space between Shi Hao’s eyebrows.

Another half-inch forward, and Shi Hao would have been utterly obliterated.

In the nick of time, a large, wrinkled, and withered hand appeared. It snatched the wisp of Immortal Power and clenched it tightly.

POP!

The Immortal Power crumbled and dissipated into the air.

The owner of the withered hand was shrouded in a massive cloak, concealing his face and figure.

Having narrowly escaped death, Shi Hao felt as if his heart was about to leap out of his chest. He was drenched in a cold sweat, his limbs weak with fear.

Still, he forced himself to perform a deep bow to the cloaked man, offering his thanks.

"Thank you for saving my life, my lord."

He recognized the cloaked man; it was one of Huangfu Yu’s personal Guards, a man of profound Cultivation.

The cloaked man did not respond, nor did he even spare Shi Hao a glance.

After crushing Li Shimu’s Immortal Power, he returned to his position directly behind Huangfu Yu.

Li Shimu was slightly taken aback, not by the cloaked man’s strength, but by the fact that he had bothered to save Shi Hao.

’The cloaked man’s actions clearly reflect Huangfu Yu’s will. Huangfu Yu actually cares about a mere servant?’

It wasn’t just Li Shimu who found it baffling; even Huangfu Jun thought it was unbelievable.

’Is this still the same ruthless, vicious, and capricious Huangfu Yu?’

’Since when did he become so benevolent?’

RUMBLE...

Just then, a high platform began to rise from the main hall of the Flying Magical Artifact.

Six figures stood upon the platform.

Huangfu Yu, Huangfu Jun, three cloaked men, and... Niu Kexin!

The moment he saw Niu Kexin, Li Shimu’s expression darkened, turning incredibly grim.

’I never imagined that Niu Kexin, whom I had mobilized the entire Empire to find, had been intercepted by the Hall of Envoys.’

’What am I going to do?!’

With barely a moment’s hesitation, Li Shimu made his decision.

’I have to rescue Niu Kexin, no matter the cost!’

’Why was I able to shake off the backlash from the Power of Fortune so quickly, and even advance my Cultivation to the Half-Immortal Realm?’

’The root cause was the Rice Flour Ball Mo Qi had given me.’

’A single tiny ball had such a miraculous effect. If I could get my hands on a few more, couldn’t I help the Li Family establish an entire legion of Demi-Immortals?’

’At that point, as long as no Immortals intervened, the Hall of Envoys would never dare to treat us with disrespect again.’

’The Mountain and Sea Empire would become the undisputed leader of the Mortal District. When the time is right, it might not even be impossible to advance into the Immortal Region.’

’So, in the end, it all came down to Mo Qi.’

’Besides, heaven only knows if Mo Qi has even more powerful Medicinal Cuisine.’

’Perhaps even something that can help a person become a full-fledged Immortal!’

For reasons both public and private, Li Shimu could not simply abandon Niu Kexin.

"Emperor Li, I am Huangfu Yu of the Huangfu Family, from the Hall of Envoys. I have come today concerning three matters."

Huangfu Yu held up three fingers.

"First, the Saint Ancestor has decreed that every Empire is to select one hundred of its most exceptionally talented people to be tempered in the Demon Spirit Battlefield for fifty years! After those fifty years, the Immortal Realm will host a grand festival for the entire continent. They—and we—will be the stars of this celebration!"

"Second, you will devote the full power of your empire to assist me in exploring the Wailing Abyss."

"And third, hand over Qin Daye!"

Li Shimu was not surprised by the first two demands, as he had already learned of them through other channels.

What caught him completely off guard was the third demand: Huangfu Yu wanted him to hand over Blessed Qin Daye.

’Logically, those two should have absolutely no connection to each other!’

But when his gaze swept over Niu Kexin, it suddenly dawned on him.

’So that’s what this is about!’

"You of the Huangfu Family, the first two demands are acceptable. But as for the third, forgive me, but I cannot comply."

Huangfu Yu snorted. "That’s not for you to decide!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, the three cloaked men behind him moved.

Their figures flickered, and they vanished, reappearing an instant later to surround Li Shimu.

Li Shimu showed not a hint of fear. Instead, he smiled. "As I understand it, your Saint Ancestor also issued another decree: you are forbidden from using Immortal Level Power in the Mortal District."

"Without an Immortal Level Power to counter me, if I were to once again draw upon the Power of Fortune, which of you could possibly stop me?"

Huangfu Yu paused for a moment, then smiled. "You know quite a lot. A pity you missed one crucial detail. The prohibition on using Immortal Level Power only applies so long as we do not encounter Immortal Level Power."

"The moment you draw upon the Power of Fortune and your strength reaches the Immortal Level, we will be granted the authority to strike back!"