Chapter 117: The Aloof Immortal and the Wealthy Prince 06

The illusion of inner demons continued.

The green-robed youth, with a jade-like appearance, came to a halt. His calm eyes exuded an unperturbed serenity, and a gentle smile graced his lips.

“It’s been a long time since I recalled those past events. It’s becoming increasingly intriguing,” he murmured.

He strode forward, watching as his past self in the illusion moved steadily toward the future.

After returning to the demon realm, Lu Yan, having witnessed many extraordinary immortals, became even more determined to strengthen himself. He began pursuing greater power.

He mastered various demonic arts and ventured into perilous secret realms to push his limits, then returned to his clan to consolidate his strength.

Lu Yan’s progress was rapid, yet he still couldn’t compare to the innate advantages of beings from other realms.

This was because the demon race was the lowest among the six realms, even weaker than the ghost race of the underworld and the Asura race of the Asura realm.

If not for the demon god’s banner, the demon race would have long been reduced to mere mounts or delicacies.

Although the demon god Zhu Ming remained reclusive, his existence ensured the safety of countless demons.

Every demon knew of the demon god.

Unlike the two ancient deities who openly ruled the underworld and the Asura realm, Zhu Ming was low-key, yet no one could ignore his presence.

After all, before the divine realm fell, the demon god was known for his recklessness and arrogance. Killing demons in the demon realm where he resided was akin to courting death.

Thus, the other four realms had no choice but to coexist peacefully with the demon race, leading to the current harmony among the five realms.

Initially, Lu Yan was active among the deer clan and various secret realms. Whenever his cultivation improved, he would go out to gain experience. After reaping the rewards of his trials, he would return to his clan for secluded cultivation. Later, he began challenging powerful demons to deepen his insights.

For this, he endured many beatings…

Although many powerful demons, swayed by his handsome appearance and the deer clan’s favor, refrained from killing him, they didn’t hold back either.

Once, when he challenged the nine-tailed fox of Qingqiu, the alluring demoness advised him to abandon his pursuit of immortality. “Rather than striving so hard to ascend to immortality, why not stay in the demon realm and enjoy a carefree life?”

Lu Yan responded, “My pursuit of immortality isn’t driven by a desire for the celestial realm, but by the wish to enhance my strength, undergo transformation, and grow. I want to step out of my comfort zone, expand my abilities, and explore a broader world. I wish to witness the diverse landscapes beyond the demon realm.”

The nine-tailed fox was deeply moved, gazing at Lu Yan for a long while before finally suggesting he try the path of dual cultivation through union to achieve immortality.

After all, Lu Yan possessed a face that seemed a gift from the heavens. If he chose the path of union, he wouldn’t have to endure such hardships.

But Lu Yan refused to rely on dual cultivation for immortality, insisting on following his own path.

To cultivate oneself as the path, refining both the heart and the self.

In simpler terms, to prove the Dao through oneself—I am I.

He endured the tedious period of enlightenment and achieved immortality at the age of ten thousand, becoming the Fate Star Lord of the celestial realm, never once failing in his duties.

At sixty thousand years old, Lu Yan encountered a bottleneck in his cultivation. He turned to the Quick Transmigration Bureau to earn merit and break through, finally advancing from a Luo Tian Immortal to a Xuan Xian.

In the following sixty thousand years, he made another breakthrough, progressing from a Xuan Xian to a Taiyi True Immortal, and then to a Da Luo Golden Immortal, reaching the upper echelons of the celestial realm.

The top-tier immortals in the celestial realm were mostly at or above the Da Luo Golden Immortal level. Though few in number, each was a deeply profound immortal.

This elite group numbered only a handful.

This was the direction of Lu Yan’s efforts.

All the tasks he completed at the Quick Transmigration Bureau, all the merit he earned, were for this purpose.

No one could hinder his progress.

The green-robed youth strode to the end of the illusion, shattering all the memory mirrors around him and seizing the world consciousness lurking behind the scenes.

“I had the system remind you,” he said coldly. “But it seems you didn’t take it to heart, daring to trouble me again.”

“What gave you the illusion that I appear easy to bully?”

He shook the black orb in his grasp, his silver immortal power sealing all its vitality, forcing it to beg for mercy.

“I… I admit my mistake…”

Lu Yan chuckled softly, looking down at the trembling black orb in his hand.

“I give people and matters only one chance, because those who make the same mistake twice will make it a third time, and countless times more…”

“You won’t learn.”

The black orb trembled even more violently. “I truly… truly will change this time.”

Lu Yan raised an eyebrow. “Little one, if you knew today, why did you act as you did before?”

“Having seen so many of my memories, you should know I’m not a novice at tasks. I have no fear of world consciousness.”

“Spare me!!!” the black orb wailed, its shrill cries grating.

The black orb’s heart was in tatters.

If only it could defeat him, it would have acted long ago! How could it be reduced to such a pitiful state!

Lu Yan tightened his grip on its lifeline, gradually increasing the pressure.

“Ahhh!” The black orb, in a desperate bid, blurted out, “I can help you and Jin Muhan stay together in this world until old age.”

“I can extend Jin Muhan’s lifespan…”

Lu Yan replied softly, “I can do that too. Elixirs of longevity aren’t hard to craft.”

The black orb hurriedly added, “Jin Muhan has no destiny for immortality in this life. I can grant him an immortal bone, allowing him to cultivate and achieve immortality.”

Lu Yan paused, fixing his gaze on it.

“Deal.” He tossed the black orb onto a cloud, then cast a spell upon it.

“If you attempt to harm me again, this spell will end you.”

His words carried an otherworldly chill, causing the black orb to shiver uncontrollably on the cloud.

“I promise I won’t…”

Dear heavens! This immortal is terrifying!

Wuwuwu, I just wanted to eliminate Zhongli  Mingji to advance the world’s main plot. Who knew this tasker would be so ruthless!

Lu Yan waved his hand, flinging the wailing black orb out of his sight, then transformed back into Zhongli  Mingji’s form and returned to his host body.

His fluctuating cultivation stabilized at the Yuheng realm the moment he returned.

Immortals in this world were divided into four realms.

From lowest to highest, they were the Tianshu realm, Kunling realm, Yuheng realm, and Fuyao realm.

Immortals of the Fuyao realm had only appeared in the celestial realm ten thousand years ago, such as the founder of the Zhongli family and the progenitor of the Lingxiao Sect…

Now, the highest an immortal could reach was the Yuheng realm, and only those at the Yuheng realm could be respectfully addressed as “Immortal Lord,” such as Xuan Shuang Immortal Lord Zhongli  Mingji.

Apart from him, there were four other Immortal Lords in the celestial realm, all nearing or surpassing a thousand years of age.

One was Zhongli  Mingji’s mother, Zhongli  Jiang. The other three were the ancestors of the three great immortal sects: Wuxiang Temple, Tiangang Pavilion, and Qingyun Sect.

These four Yuheng realm immortals were all striving to break through, yet only the youngest, Zhongli  Mingji, had touched the edge of the Fuyao realm due to the world consciousness’s schemes.

Unfortunately, the original host failed the thunder tribulation and didn’t truly break through to the Fuyao realm.

Thus, Zhongli  Mingji’s current realm could only be restored to the Yuheng level.

To ascend further, he would need to continue his enlightenment and breakthroughs.