I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals 371

## Chapter 367: Battle of the Minefield

The first year of Lu Chang’an’s tenure as the head of the Teng Ling Minefield passed peacefully.

During this time, the Ye family and the other branch of the Tie family did not attack the minefield. It was mainly their scouts, engaging in secret competition, occasionally causing friction.

The spiritual energy environment of the Teng Ling Minefield was not as good as the Yunxia Sect’s training grounds, but it still offered some convenience for Lu Chang’an.

Being away from the Nascent Soul Zhen Jun (Nascent Soul Stage cultivator), Lu Chang’an had more freedom to go out and purchase supplies privately.

He found it easier to obtain high-quality ores at the Teng Ling Minefield, which were essential for perfecting his puppet army.

This wasn’t limited to newly mined ores.

The Teng Ling Market held a large ore trade every year.

As the de facto ruler of the minefield, Lu Chang’an could purchase any third-grade ore suitable for crafting puppets at preferential prices.

Just the “tribute” he received a year ago had allowed him to significantly progress in the deployment of his puppet army.

In his secluded study at Yin Zhu Pavilion, Lu Chang’an’s eyes suddenly turned towards the courtyard.

“Elder Xiang, I just received a message from Master.”

Outside the pavilion, Xiu Yu Zhen Ren, wearing a plain blue dress, performed a graceful bow. After receiving Lu Chang’an’s permission, she passed through the open formation portal.

Inside the bamboo building, they sat down.

Lu Chang’an took a message jade slip and broke the inscription on it.

Xiu Yu Zhen Ren looked curious, observing the changes in Lu Chang’an’s expression.

Although she was a direct disciple of Zi Xia Zhen Jun, she wasn’t authorized to view the message from the Grand Elder beforehand.

At the Teng Ling Minefield, Elder Xiang was the decision-maker, and her task was to assist and communicate.

After reading the message, Lu Chang’an nodded in understanding.

He and Zi Xia Zhen Jun actually had an emergency communication method, allowing them to instantly cross thousands of miles of space.

However, the cost of such communication was high, and it was only used in critical or emergency situations.

“The dispute between the Yunxia Sect and the Ye family over the minefield has reached the ears of the Great Yu Imperial Family. Both sides will send a Nascent Soul Zhen Jun to the Imperial Palace to negotiate a peaceful solution.”

Lu Chang’an relayed Zi Xia Zhen Jun’s message.

At the time they received the message, Zi Xia Xian Zi (Zi Xia Zhen Jun) had already left for the Great Yu Imperial Palace.

“Negotiation?”

Xiu Yu Zhen Ren was stunned. The news felt sudden but expected.

The Ye family and the Yunxia Sect were both Nascent Soul-level forces, and they couldn’t engage in a full-blown war. Negotiation was inevitable.

“The Grand Elder has instructed that the situation here at the Teng Ling Minefield is crucial before the negotiation. We must never lose control, and we cannot suffer another defeat or loss like last time.”

Lu Chang’an added.

“This period is indeed critical.”

Xiu Yu Zhen Ren agreed, stating solemnly, “Our performance at the Teng Ling Minefield will affect Master’s negotiating leverage and interests. We cannot be careless.”

After some discussion, they decided to increase the defense of the Teng Ling Minefield.

“Elder Xiang, we’ve been at a disadvantage in intelligence, constantly being suppressed by the Ye family. Would it be possible to provide us with a few puppets to enhance our sect’s scouts?”

Xiu Yu Zhen Ren asked with some hesitation.

“There’s no need for that.”

Lu Chang’an shook his head, declining the request. “If our intelligence is suppressed, we should reduce the scope of our control. We only need to defend the Teng Ling Minefield and not hold back the Grand Elder.”

Upon hearing this, Xiu Yu Zhen Ren pursed her lips, slightly disappointed.

When Elder Xiang first arrived at the Teng Ling Minefield a year ago, she had acted decisively, cleaning up internal issues. Xiu Yu Zhen Ren had hoped for further expansion.

However, he subsequently lived in seclusion, acting extremely conservatively.

The branch of the Tie family, backed by the Ye family, had established a camp and outpost five hundred miles away from the minefield under the leadership of their clan head, Tie Dan Xin.

Although they hadn’t attacked the minefield, they had set up a forward post on the edge of the Yunxia Sect’s influence.

Xiu Yu Zhen Ren thought Elder Xiang would at least retaliate and regain some face for the sect.

However, after cleaning up the internal issues, Lu Chang’an focused entirely on defense, ignoring the outside world.

The disappointment was inevitable, especially since she believed that Elder Xiang, as a third-grade top-tier puppet master, surpassed ordinary Jie Dan cultivators in strength. Even with a few puppet techniques, he could have turned the situation around.

“Don’t worry, Xiu Yu Zhen Ren. Everything will work out in the end.”

Lu Chang’an smiled gently, reassuring her.

Leaving Yin Zhu Pavilion, Xiu Yu Zhen Ren wore a worried expression, sighing silently.

“The Ye family is steadily advancing. If we remain passive and continue to shrink back, we’ll be further eroded…”

There was nothing she could do; she couldn’t influence Elder Xiang’s decision.

She understood that if they only managed to defend the minefield and remained passive, it wouldn’t meet Master’s expectations.

…

In truth, Lu Chang’an also understood Zi Xia Zhen Jun’s expectations.

If a perfect score was one hundred, passively defending the minefield would only earn them sixty to seventy points, barely passing.

If they could not only defend the minefield but also repel and drive away the Ye family’s cultivators, maintaining the sect’s prestige, it would be the ideal outcome.

Lu Chang’an’s conservatism stemmed from his own considerations.

Firstly, Lu Chang’an had been focusing on improving his puppet army in recent years and had no desire to expand or take initiative for the Yunxia Sect.

He could have done it easily, but he was lazy and disliked unnecessary trouble.

Secondly, as a master of divination, Lu Chang’an had a clear understanding of the situation.

For the past year, the Ye family had intentionally shown weaknesses, and counterattacking or driving them away would have easily led to a trap.

Lu Chang’an wasn’t afraid, but the cultivators at the Teng Ling Minefield and the Yunxia Sect might suffer losses.

“It’s been a year, and the Ye family’s strategy has fallen far short of their expectations. How long can they endure?”

Lu Chang’an was in no hurry, his gaze fixed on the area north of the Teng Ling Minefield, hundreds of miles away.

Recalling the negotiation news he just received, Lu Chang’an calculated for a moment.

“They finally can’t take it anymore.”

A smile appeared on Lu Chang’an’s lips.

Endurance?

In the world of cultivation, how many people could outlast him?

…

Two days later.

The Ye family’s outpost, hundreds of miles away, experienced a surge in spiritual energy.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Flying boats, spirit beasts, and countless streams of light converged in the sky above the Ye family’s stronghold.

A third-grade spirit ship, dozens of feet long, exuded immense spiritual pressure, causing the clouds to tremble and roared as it left the outpost.

Four Zhen Dan cultivators, nearly ten Jia Dan (Fake Dan Stage) cultivators, and over two hundred cultivators at the Zhu Ji (Foundation Establishment Stage) and Lian Qi (Qi Refinement Stage) gathered on the spirit ship.

“Elder Ye, we have gathered our forces. The time is right. We will use our overwhelming force, which surpasses all schemes.”

A hoarse voice echoed from the top deck of the ship.

The speaker was a strange-faced man with metal prosthetic legs, whose Zhen Dan cultivation contained an unusual puppet force fluctuation.

He was a guest cultivator recruited by the Ye family, a third-grade mid-tier puppet master.

“Alas, we must fight a hard battle.”

Elder Ye, wearing a scholar’s cap and a blue silk robe, sighed, his usual carefree demeanor gone.

He didn’t want a hard battle.

His wish was to achieve the Ye family’s strategy with the least cost.

In a head-to-head confrontation, even with twice the strength, they could still suffer heavy casualties.

However, for the past year, Elder Xiang had remained on the defensive.

He had turned the minefield into an impregnable fortress, ignoring all of Elder Ye’s subtle strategies.

Apart from establishing an outpost on the border, suppressing intelligence, and minor harassment, Elder Ye dared not venture deeper and take more aggressive actions.

After all, the Teng Ling Minefield was within the Yunxia Sect’s territory, even if it was on the edge. The Yunxia Sect’s main base could provide reinforcements faster than the Ye family.

“Elder Ye, the Yunxia Sect’s only Grand Elder has gone to the Imperial Palace for negotiations. Taking the minefield head-on is a good opportunity, exactly as you planned.”

Tie Dan Xin, a short, dark-skinned man, spoke with a cheerful laugh, flattering Elder Ye.

Among the four Zhen Dan cultivators, Tie Dan Xin was the lowest in cultivation and status.

However, as the leader of the breakaway Tie family, he was supported by the Ye family, providing a “righteous” cause for the conflict over the Teng Ling Minefield.

Otherwise, the Ye family’s attack would be unjustified.

Elder Ye glanced at Tie Dan Xin. Their current choice was only a last resort, a backup plan.

“Fan Chen.”

Elder Ye finally turned to Ye Fan Chen, who was sitting with his eyes closed.

Ye Fan Chen, a late-stage Jie Dan sword cultivator, was the key to their victory.

“Call me when we arrive, Uncle Xiang.”

Ye Fan Chen responded without opening his eyes, closing his eyes to nap.

Elder Ye’s face twitched, and he chuckled. “A third-grade spirit ship is incredibly fast.”

If not for the Teng Ling Minefield’s strict defense, which never relaxed, this operation could have been a surprise attack.

…

“Enemy attack!”

“The Ye family’s spirit ship, along with the Tie family traitors, are attacking the minefield!”

The third-grade spirit ship was incredibly fast. As it entered the thirty-mile range, it triggered the Teng Ling Minefield’s formation alarms.

Due to the intelligence suppression, the minefield’s defending cultivators hadn’t fully assembled when the Ye family’s attack began.

Boom!

The spirit ship’s front cannons blasted out several dark red crystal beams, the size of pillars, striking the Teng Ling Minefield’s third-grade formation.

The purple-blue formation barrier violently shook, dimming locally and becoming unstable.

“Form a defensive formation!”

Lu Chang’an flew out of Yin Zhu Pavilion, briefly observing the spirit ship’s cannons, slightly surprised.

A third-grade spirit ship was incredibly expensive, and mounting such powerful spirit crystal cannons was rare, even during the Great Qing’s invasion war with the demonic cultivators.

Fortunately, Lu Chang’an, who was solely focused on defense, had already practiced beforehand.

Without needing his direct command, several Jia Dan cultivators, under Xiu Yu Zhen Ren’s coordination, deployed to the formation’s base and pushed the third-grade formation’s defense to its limit.

Meanwhile, the Ye family’s Zhen Dan cultivators, including a group of Jia Dan cultivators, flew out of the spirit ship, unleashing their magic treasures and preparing their spells and techniques.

Boom! Zz!

Elder Ye, a mid-stage Jie Dan, swung his feathered fan, summoning a vast torrent of fire, thunder, and boulders, like a catastrophic natural disaster, bombarding the third-grade formation.

The two cultivators beside him, Tie Dan Xin and the strange-faced man, attacked without hesitation, each employing their own techniques.

“Elder Xiang, the formation is consuming spiritual energy rapidly. The spiritual vein here and our manpower may not last a stick of incense.”

The third-grade formation master, an old man in the Jia Dan Stage, urgently transmitted a message.

“A stick of incense? The enemy’s Jie Dan cultivators haven’t even made a move yet.”

Lu Chang’an, also a third-grade formation master, with more advanced skills, knew the real situation was even more precarious.

At that moment, a fierce sword intent locked onto Lu Chang’an.

He felt a slight sense of threat.

Lu Chang’an looked towards the spirit ship, behind Elder Ye and the other two.

On the ship’s deck, a bearded man stood with two swords on his back. He opened his eyes, and it felt like invisible blades were slicing through the void.

A chill ran through Lu Chang’an’s entire body.

He had only felt this kind of pressure from Jie Dan cultivators in this life, from Kong Que Sheng Nu (Peacock Saintess) and Jing Wu Feng (Scene Without Maple).

Clang!

Ye Fan Chen drew one of the swords on his back. The spiritual energy around them vibrated with piercing shrieks.

Even before the sword light appeared, the clouds above automatically split and parted.

The cultivators on both sides, including the Jie Dan cultivators, felt their hearts tremble with anxiety.

In an instant.

Between the split clouds, a seemingly soft green sword wind, pulling a massive storm, slashed at the third-grade formation.

Crack!

The thick barrier of the third-grade formation instantly cracked open a gaping hole.

Moreover, the green sword wind still possessed three-tenths of its power and swept into the minefield, causing the rocks to shatter.

“Elder, save me!”

A mid-stage Jia Dan, one of those guarding the formation’s base, was caught off guard, his protective magic shield shattered, and he was about to be shredded.

Just then, a mountain-like Jie Dan spiritual pressure descended upon the area where the formation had broken.

Whoosh!

A pale green hand appeared, blocking the Jia Dan cultivator who was guarding the formation. The pale green hand gently brushed aside the green sword wind, then closed its fist and crushed it.

“Thank you, Elder Xiang, for saving my life.”

The rescued Jia Dan cultivator, pale and breathless, stood behind Lu Chang’an, looking like he had just escaped death.

The power of that sword strike was almost at the threshold of the Nascent Soul Stage. Even with the formation’s buffer, the remaining power could have killed a early-stage Zhen Dan cultivator.

“This person’s cultivation is profound, comparable to a Nascent Soul cultivator from a major sect…

Ye Fan Chen, holding his green ancient sword, his eyes flickering.

Elder Xiang’s spiritual power was even more pure and powerful than he expected.

Otherwise, it was a dangerous move to attach his spiritual power to his hand and forcefully crush the remaining sword energy. It was easy to injure himself physically.

“Ye Fan Chen, you are a cultivator of the Sword Pavilion, sent to carry out a mission in the Central Domain. Why are you interfering in the dispute between these two forces?”

Lu Chang’an looked at the man with the two swords, his voice calm as he revealed his identity.

Upon hearing this, Elder Ye, Ye Fan Chen, and the others’ expressions changed slightly.

“How did Xiang Da Long (Great Dragon Xiang) know Ye Fan Chen’s background, even knowing about his sect mission?”

Elder Ye was secretly startled.

Ye Fan Chen hadn’t returned to the Central Domain for many years, and the forces in the Great Yu Kingdom had little knowledge of him.

This time, the Ye family had kept his return a secret, known only to a few high-ranking members.

It was understandable for forces like the Great Yu Imperial Family to have some knowledge, but the Yunxia Sect, Xiang Da Long’s side, had their intelligence suppressed.

After taking over the minefield, Lu Chang’an had adopted a conservative defensive strategy, limiting his intelligence gathering. Where did he get this information?

Outsiders wouldn’t know that Lu Chang’an had a fourth-grade puppet clone traveling around, collecting intelligence along the way.

Using the intelligence leads, combined with divination, Lu Chang’an, even without leaving his house, had discovered Ye Fan Chen’s background.

…

“Ye doesn’t intend to be an enemy of Elder Xiang.”

Ye Fan Chen was only slightly surprised to have his identity exposed, maintaining his calm composure.

“In today’s battle, as long as Elder Xiang can withstand my attack for a hundred breaths without defeat, Ye will no longer participate in attacking the minefield.”

“A hundred breaths?”

Lu Chang’an chuckled. “Ye Dao You (Friend Ye) is worthy of being a disciple of the Great Abyss’s strongest sword-cultivation sect, surpassing those of the same level. I will learn from you today. Please show mercy, Ye Dao You.”

After saying that, Lu Chang’an left behind two ordinary third-grade puppets at the minefield to assist Xiu Yu Zhen Ren in defense.

Whoosh!

Then, he flew out of the breach in the formation, soaring into the clouds, facing Ye Fan Chen from afar.

Both sides were tacitly aware of the situation and didn’t participate in the duel between the two Jie Dan cultivators.

Lu Chang’an could only choose to fight Ye Fan Chen.

There was no other option; the man’s swordsmanship was too powerful, and the minefield’s third-grade formation couldn’t withstand it.

The Teng Mountain Minefield’s third-grade spiritual vein was far inferior to the Golden Cloud Valley’s top-tier third-grade spiritual vein. The maximum power of the formation they could maintain was limited.

In terms of attack, Lu Chang’an’s conventional techniques couldn’t match Ye Fan Chen.

Of course, cultivation battles weren’t solely about comparing the strongest aspect. The principle of the weakest link applied.

Clang!

Ye Fan Chen drew his sword again, this time using the other golden ancient sword on his back.

A dragon’s roar echoed, golden scales shimmering, reflecting in the sky pool.

“Be careful, Elder Xiang. This time, Ye is using the ‘Golden Scale Sword Pool,’ a golden attribute sword that counters wood attribute techniques.”

Before Ye Fan Chen finished speaking, the golden sharp sword energy, adorned with dragon patterns, like transparent crystals, ripped through the hundred-foot sky, slashing towards Lu Chang’an.

Lu Chang’an struck before Ye Fan Chen, but the latter’s attack was faster.

Lu Chang’an’s robe fluttered, and his spiritual pressure soared, a rich green light illuminating a few feet around him.

He formed hand seals, muttering incantations, and countless semi-transparent green leaves materialized and danced around him.

Phantom Leaf Sword!

Lu Chang’an’s eyes shone with an extraordinary light. His hand seal transformed into a magic seal, and the surrounding green leaves suddenly transformed into numerous illusion leaf swords, both real and illusory, confronting Ye Fan Chen’s golden sharp Dragon Scale Sword energy.

Puchi! Puchi! Puchi!

In his field of vision, the illusion leaf swords shattered and withered, easily suppressed and destroyed by the ‘Golden Scale Sword Pool.’

As if confirming Ye Fan Chen’s words, his metal-based ancient sword, the ‘Golden Scale Sword Pool,’ was counteracting Lu Chang’an’s wood attribute techniques.

“That’s not ordinary wood attribute secret technique!”

Ye Fan Chen’s ‘Golden Scale Sword Pool’ struck with unstoppable power in the first half, but it encountered an invisible force in the latter half.

The latter half of the golden sharp Dragon Scale Sword energy was entangled by countless green, emerald-like illusion leaf swords.

Even though it destroyed many illusion leaf swords, Lu Chang’an, whose body was enveloped in a green glow, continuously generated new green leaves that transformed into illusion swords.

Moreover.

These swords were real and illusory, and some of the illusory ones penetrated through, directly targeting his mind, causing Ye Fan Chen’s consciousness to feel a slight sting.

The mental sting interfered with him, affecting his sword intent and indirectly weakening his combat effectiveness.

“Using leaves to form swords, turning the swords into illusions and reality, with a mental invasion illusion embedded in it. What kind of wood attribute technique is this?”

Ye Fan Chen’s first strike didn’t gain any advantage and was directly countered by Lu Chang’an.

Lu Chang’an’s wood attribute Phantom Leaf Sword technique was not as powerful, but it was persistent, strange, and capable of weakening his sword intent.

“Just a minor wood attribute Phantom Leaf Sword technique. It can’t compare to the supreme swordsmanship of the Heaven Sword Pavilion.”

Lu Chang’an smiled, the green glow surrounding him spreading out, forming countless illusion leaf swords, real and illusory, counterattacking Ye Fan Chen.

Having experienced several reincarnations, with memories of several Nascent Soul Zhen Jun, Lu Chang’an had naturally mastered several compatible divine techniques over his long life.

‘Phantom Leaf Sword’ was one of the compatible wood attribute techniques that Lu Chang’an had cultivated in his free time since arriving in the Great Abyss, based on his own strengths.

This technique required a significant expenditure of both spiritual power and mental energy. Even if an ordinary late-stage Jie Dan cultivator mastered it, they wouldn’t be able to sustain it for long.

However, Lu Chang’an’s soul transcended the Jie Dan Stage, and his spiritual power, drawn from the Everlasting Green Technique, was long-lasting and suitable for protracted battles, allowing him to unleash its full potential.

“Combining a side branch illusion sword technique with a wood attribute technique… It’s quite interesting.”

Ye Fan Chen smiled, his fighting spirit ignited. He immediately activated the ‘Six Emperor Slashing Heaven Sword,’ a famous technique from the Heaven Sword Pavilion.

Whoosh!

In an instant, Ye Fan Chen controlled his ‘Golden Scale Sword Pool,’ which transformed into a twenty-foot sword, splitting into two transparent Golden Scale Sword shadows on either side.

Puchi!

The real and two illusory giant sword lights, shimmering with golden scales, like a landslide or a thunderbolt, shattered the countless illusion leaf swords.

Then, for a few breaths, Lu Chang’an was suppressed by Ye Fan Chen’s ‘Six Emperor Slashing Heaven Sword.’ The green glow surrounding him began to shrink.

“You can’t sustain such a technique that consumes so much spiritual power and mental energy. How long can you last?”

Ye Fan Chen’s eyes narrowed, repeatedly launching attacks for over ten breaths, aiming to defeat Elder Xiang in one go.

Protracted battles were not the forte of sword cultivators.

Earlier, when Ye Fan Chen mentioned a hundred breaths, he wasn’t being arrogant, but rather engaging in a rational gamble.

If Elder Xiang could withstand him for a hundred breaths, it meant their strength was comparable, and they would have to fight to the death to determine the winner.

Ye Fan Chen came from the Ye family’s branch clan and didn’t feel a strong connection to the Ye family’s main clan. He wouldn’t risk his life for them.

His most powerful dual-sword form required a significant burden and would only be used in a life-or-death battle.

Twenty breaths later.

“Ding!” A sound of sparks flying.

Ye Fan Chen’s ‘Golden Scale Sword Pool,’ its spiritual light dimmed by half, flew back, its tip trembling.

“Almost broken through! This person truly has a third-grade top-tier puppet.”

Ye Fan Chen’s breathing quickened, and a few drops of sweat appeared on his hairline.

Bang!

The green glow surrounding Lu Chang’an burst, sending shockwaves rolling for several miles.

In front of him appeared a shield magic treasure and a winged golden tiger puppet.

The winged golden tiger puppet was a new third-grade top-tier puppet that Lu Chang’an had crafted recently. It was not as powerful as the other two puppets of the same grade.

“Heh heh, I’ve long been fascinated by Elder Xiang’s puppet techniques.”

As soon as the winged golden tiger puppet appeared, the strange-faced man below the clouds let out a strange, excited laugh.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The strange-faced man patted his storage bag, and three wolf puppets appeared in the void.

Then, a gust of cold, black wind blew, creating a black wind escape technique, as fast as a late-stage Jie Dan cultivator, charging towards the winged golden tiger puppet.

“A set of puppets, using a combined attack technique!”

Lu Chang’an’s eyes lit up, glancing at the three wolf puppets.

The three wolf puppets shared a unified spiritual power. One was the size of an elephant, a third-grade mid-tier. The other two were third-grade lower-tier, but exceptional, nearly reaching the mid-tier.

Whoosh! Bang!

The golden tiger puppet flapped its wings, golden flames surrounding it, transforming into a blazing golden sun, clashing with the three wolf puppets. They tore and struck each other, emitting continuous collisions and explosions.

The newly crafted winged golden tiger puppet, although a third-grade top-tier, was being held back by the three wolves. Even though it was gaining the upper hand, it couldn’t quickly decide the outcome.

As a set of puppets, the three wolves formed a combined attack, greater than the sum of their individual parts.

“Elder Xiang, your strongest puppet has been exchanged, and your illusion sword technique has consumed a lot of power.

You’ve done your best in this battle. Why don’t we call it a draw? The fate of the Teng Ling Minefield should be left to the battles below.”

Ye Fan Chen sheathed his ‘Golden Scale Sword Pool’ confidently, smiling lightly.

Without the protection of a third-grade top-tier puppet, Elder Xiang would have been injured and defeated.

At this moment, Ye Fan Chen was giving Elder Xiang a way out, avoiding a life-or-death duel while showcasing the demeanor of a true disciple of the Heaven Sword Pavilion.

Every time I stop updating, I feel guilty. It’s meaningless to explain the reasons. It feels like I’m going back to the sloppy writing style of my previous book.

This time, it’s not related to my family. I’ve sorted out my family matters, and my wife is now very supportive.

The main problem is that writing is too tiring. I can’t sleep well, and I get stuck frequently. Unless I write a mediocre story, I have to force myself to write, but that’s also tiring, mentally exhausting. Once I stop, I don’t want to write anymore.

The past ten days, I’ve mostly been reading novels, looking for inspiration.

I’ve read a few books that I found interesting, but most of them were only engaging for the first hundred thousand or a few hundred thousand words. The rest was bland, poorly written, or full of filler.

Most books on Qi Dian (a Chinese online writing platform) are like that. Compared to those books, my story feels more confident, like I can just write whatever and it’ll still be better than their mid-to-late stages.

…

I resumed updates last month and said I’d finish the book next year (in the second half). That was based on the assumption that I’d update regularly in December, and the protagonist would reach Nascent Soul before the New Year.

Because reaching Nascent Soul is the fourth stage. It’s halfway through the eight major stages of becoming an immortal from a mortal (excluding the tribulation stage). Plus, the ‘Nine Seal Monument’ has also occupied four seals, almost half.

The snowball will start rolling later on. Each stage will be easier to level up, and the word count will be slightly less. It’s not intentionally accelerating, but avoiding repetitive plots, aesthetic fatigue, like building a tall building. The foundation takes longer, but the construction is faster later.

This book has two major maps. The first is the ‘Human Realm Tian Heng Chapter,’ and the other is the ‘Fallen Immortal Realm Chapter,’ similar to the Spirit Realm.

From what I see, even if I slack off, the Human Realm chapter can be finished. As for the Fallen Immortal Realm chapter, I’ll try to finish it around the end of 2024.

(End of Chapter)

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