Chapter 990: Chapter 47: Encountering Fellow Seekers
This is the legendary Qixia Immortal!
Truly has the demeanor of an Immortal.
However, Xiao Jie’s eyebrows slightly furrowed. He had seen “Immortals”, at least in his memory; whether it was Shen Jizi, Xuanxuzi, Dangmo Real Man, or the Martial Arts Immortal… those people were either cool and aloof, mysterious and dignified, or unrestrained, but without exception, all appeared extremely young and handsome, at most exhibiting a calm and mature middle-aged appearance.
The old man before him, with white hair and beard, appearing old yet full of ‘Immortal’ aura, sharply contrasted with the Immortal figures in his memory, making him instinctively feel a bit strange.
But strangely enough, in terms of appearance and atmosphere created, this old man seemed even more like the “Old Immortal” envisioned by common folk compared to those “Immortals” in his memory.
Could it be that his past memories were merely dreams?
At this moment, Xiao Jie actually began to doubt himself.
The assembly began. The seekers stepped forward one by one, respectfully offering their treasures. However, Qixia Immortal did not even glance at the treasures, his seemingly cloudy eyes, actually containing inner brilliance, only scanned the treasure presenters.
For most people, he merely nodded slightly, and the Daoist Child beside him would then wave a hand, signaling them to step aside and wait. Only when encountering those with powerful auras, blood energy like dragons, extraordinary talents, spiritual light pouring from their heads, or those with deep, profound aura that made them instantly recognizable as masters, would the Old Immortal show a slight expression of approval, nodding slightly. At that time, a Daoist Child would step forward and quietly guide that person to stand in a specially marked area on the other side of the Magic Altar.
Every time this happened, the selected person could not hide their joy, feeling extremely excited. Clearly, these were the lucky ones who had obtained “Immortal Fate” and were to be “transcended”.
Xiao Jie watched coldly, finding the growing oddity stronger and stronger. There were simply too many “transcendable” people! Although still a minority in proportion, amongst the hundreds, there were already as many as twenty or thirty people guided to the special area! If they could all truly become Immortals, wouldn’t that be a joke?
His gaze swept over a burly figure with two horns on his head and a fierce aura in the special area. His pupils suddenly shrank! That person was surprisingly Niu Dali—the infamous Demon King, “Mountain Splitting Rhinoceros,” from the rebellion years ago!
This person had fought against Xiao Jie on the battlefield, later fled and disappeared after being defeated, and now suddenly appeared here!
Niu Dali seemed to recognize Xiao Jie too, baring his teeth in a sinister and provocative smile, muttering in a low voice: “Hehe, don’t look at your Grandpa Niu like that! Xiao Yue that wench acts smug only because she has an Immortal backing her, right? Wait until this old Niu becomes an Immortal, let’s see how she jumps around then!” He gestured with his mouth toward someone behind him.
Following his gaze, Xiao Jie was even more shocked! In the special area, there were quite a few renowned leaders from the rebels of yore and top Great Demons! Some of them even had portraits still posted on the State Mansion’s bounty lists! The bounties were outrageously high! Fortunately, here on the “Immortal Mountain,” fearing the Immortal’s power, they dared not act rashly for now.
Xiao Jie’s heart suddenly fell into intense struggle: should he immediately descend the mountain to report and bring the State Capital Army to rout these major offenders? Or… Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on novelFirｅ.net
“Next! Number 197!” The Daoist Child’s clear voice rang out.
Xiao Jie glanced at the wooden plaque in his hand marked with “197,” it was his turn.
Well, since it has come to this, it’s better to first see what kind of trick this “Immortal” has up his sleeve, and then consider later. He took a deep breath, broke through the crowd, and walked toward the old man on the lotus dais.
Upon approaching, the originally half-closed eyes of the Qixia Immortal suddenly opened, scrutinizing Xiao Jie with a cloudy gaze that actually showed a trace of imperceptible surprise and… greed? His face broke into a warm smile, nodding slightly before whispering a few words to the sword-carrying Taoist beside him.
The sword-carrying Taoist immediately took a step forward, gesturing for Xiao Jie to “please”, and said in a indifferent tone: “You, follow me this way.”
Xiao Jie was surprised: Did he actually get selected too?
The long “Ascension” assembly lasted nearly an entire morning before ending. Including Xiao Jie, a total of thirty-eight “destined individuals” were selected. Xiao Jie could clearly perceive that these people all had strong auras and formidable strength, standing as mighty figures in Canglin State.
“Hahaha! This is awesome! Once truly an Immortal, let’s see how Xiao Yue that wench can flaunt herself before me!” Niu Dali couldn’t suppress his excitement, quietly laughing to his companions.
“Brother Niu, don’t get happy too soon.”
Nearby, the sinister Snake Demon Bi Lin Jun poured a basin of cold water, “With so many people, how can there be ‘Immortal Fate’ for everyone? I believe there must be a stringent test ahead! The legend states that in each assembly, only one or two truly achieve ‘Ascension’. Whoever laughs last is the real winner!” His eyes flickered with cunning calculation.
Listening to their discussion, the uneasiness in Xiao Jie’s heart grew stronger.
Led by the two Daoist Children, the group passed through a misty spiritual glow, arriving before a magnificent stone palace constructed against the mountain at the rear of the summit platform. The stone palace doors were wide open, deep and dark inside.
Just as everyone was preparing to step into the stone palace with various feelings—
“Hahahahaha——!” A deafening, boastful, and mocking loud laughter suddenly erupted from deep within the stone palace! The laughter was wild and unrestrained, starkly different from the celestial mien previously on the Magic Altar that was sagely and ethereal!
All the Demons froze in astonishment! The laughter sounded… so unfriendly! Some who were slow to react even chuckled awkwardly in response.
“You bunch of hairy, horned mountain spirits and wild monsters!” The crazy laughter abruptly stopped, replaced by a cold, disdainful chastisement, “You’ve eaten lard and dulled your wits! With your filthy kind, you dare to dream of becoming Immortals? You’re in your Spring and Autumn dreams!”
Before the words finished, a sudden change occurred inside and outside the stone palace!
“Boom!” The stone palace doors slammed shut! Simultaneously, the spiritual light around the platform fluctuated intensely, and the dozens of previously statue-like Yellow Turban Warriors suddenly came to life! Their eyes shot golden light, their heavy golden hammers and axes raised high, moving with heavy steps, converging from all directions, tightly encircling the thirty-eight “destined” in the blank area before the stone palace! Leading them was a Golden Armor Warrior, nearly three feet tall, like a small mountain cast in gold and iron, his giant hammer sparkling with dazzling thunder light! Xiao Jie looked at his indistinct yet resolute silhouette, and his heart jumped fiercely — he vaguely felt a sense of familiarity!
I wish to… become Immortal?
“What?!””Immortal you…!” The Demons were shocked, instantly falling into chaos!
The Qixia Immortal on the lotus dais slowly stood up, a cruel and greedy smile on his face, looking down on the panicked “prey” below: “You all are merely materials for my refining of the Nine-Turn Immortal Pill, but, I suppose I didn’t lie to you. Once your blood, flesh, and souls are refined into Dan and absorbed into me, aiding me in achieving the Immortal Path, you naturally will also be ‘one with me,’ ‘sharing in the blessing of immortality!’ Hahahaha!”
Xiao Jie shuddered violently, as though struck by lightning! An occupation name, long sealed and filled with boundless chill, suddenly broke through the blockade of memory, clearly surfacing in his mind!
Demon Refiner! This person was no Immortal, but a Demon Refiner adept at refining demons and seizing their essence!
Seems like I’ve encountered a fellow practitioner.