Cultivating with Top Enlightenment Chapter 1016 - 439: Golden Immortal Sect

Nestled within the Sea of Realms, beyond the reach of mortals, stands the Silver Immortal Sect. This barrier separates the immortal from the mundane, impassable for any who have not yet attained immortality.

A cascade of silver light descends from above, bathing the Mountain Ancestor before the sect's entrance in its glow. The Mountain Ancestor is enveloped by the spectral form of Buzhou Mountain, a powerful 'mountain' shaped Dharma Seal manifesting upon his forehead, projecting outwards to imprint itself upon the lintel of the Silver Immortal Sect.

"Still not enough!" the Mountain Ancestor declared with a cold voice.

His aura became one with Buzhou Mountain, as if he, at this very instant, embodied the legendary peak. The mountain-shaped mark blazed with light, transforming into a sigil that branded itself onto the Silver Immortal Sect.

In the subsequent moment, the sigil acted as a key, fully absorbed by the sect's entrance. A deep rumbling sound echoed as the Silver Immortal Sect quaked violently, its great doors creaking open. Amidst the silver radiance it emitted, a subtle golden hue began to emerge.

Ning Qi and the two others observed with bated breath as the gate's immortal radiance underwent its transformation.

A faint smile finally graced the usually impassive face of the Mountain Ancestor. "Transform into the Golden Immortal Sect for me!" he commanded.

As his words faded, the silver immortal radiance of the Silver Immortal Sect was entirely replaced by a soft golden glow. The entire gate surged in size, reaching a height of ten zhang. This nascent golden hue then began to spread, coating the Silver Immortal Sect in a layer of gold.

A sizzling sound filled the air as the Silver Immortal Sect, seemed to be enveloped by a faint golden energy emanating from within the gate, undergoing a profound and terrifying transformation. Ning Qi experienced a strange sensation, as if the Immortal Sect itself were a massive Magical Artifact, with the immortal radiance serving as the Dao Flame, forging it anew.

Similar to the earlier Bronze Immortal Sect, the exterior of the Silver Immortal Sect began to shed its silver plating, impurities were purged, and only pure gold remained. The entire Immortal Sect was bathed in a sacred golden light, illuminating the Dharma Body of the Mountain Ancestor standing guard at the gate.

Gazing upon the majestic Golden Immortal Sect, the Mountain Ancestor murmured, "Only this can truly reflect the status of a descendant of Buzhou Mountain. With the gate of the Immortal Path thrown open, welcoming all with golden radiance, it signifies that any who achieve immortality here are sufficiently qualified to attain the status of an Immortal Golden Immortal."

The Mountain Ancestor finally appeared content with the transformed Immortal Sect before him. Hearing his words, Ning Qi and the other two finally grasped the significance of the Immortal Gate's varying levels. From bronze to the current gold, these tiers seemed to correspond directly to the future potential of an Immortal Cultivator. The higher the tier, the greater the inherent promise.

Clearly, as the Mountain Ancestor stated, he was indeed qualified to become an Immortal Golden Immortal. However, Ning Qi and the others remained uncertain about what exactly an Immortal Golden Immortal represented. Their own inheritances did not delve into the realms beyond achieving immortality. Only the Mountain Ancestor, drawing upon the legacy of Buzhou Mountain, seemed to possess a deep comprehension of the post-immortality state.

Ning Qi and his companions couldn't help but swallow hard as the Mountain Ancestor's Dharma Aspect began to stride towards the Golden Immortal Sect. Within the Sea of Realms, the Mountain Ancestor's Dharma Aspect advanced, moving purposefully towards the Golden Gate.

With a great splashing sound, his enormous feet, like oars, churned through the waves of the Sea of Realms. Behind him, the energy waves of the Sea of Realms receded step by step, parting from his colossal form as if an ebbing tide. The golden light emanating from within the Golden Immortal Sect completely engulfed the Mountain Ancestor's immense Dharma Aspect.

The Saint Ancestor suddenly spoke, "One of the signs of achieving immortality is to leave the sea of hardship."

"Hmm?" Ning Qi was slightly taken aback; this was the first time he had encountered such a notion. As for the Sea Ancestor, her expression turned distinctly bewildered. She questioned, "You assert that leaving the Sea of Realms is a sign of achieving immortality?"

The Saint Ancestor furrowed his brow, equally uncertain. "In the legacy I received from the Ancient Saint, there is a phrase: 'The Sea of Realms is boundless, cross the gate to become immortal.' It is said that the Sea of Realms is the most corrupted place in all existence. Thus, all our worlds have erected Boundary Walls to automatically repel invasions from the Sea of Realms. They even exile the most wicked cultivators, driving them out of our worlds and into this Sea of Realms."

"The Sea of Realms is immensely vast; even we are unaware of its true expanse, as it conceals countless malevolent entities."

Ning Qi’s confusion deepened upon hearing this revelation.

He questioned, "But wasn't our world conceived from the Sea of Realms? If the Sea of Realms itself is tainted, then our world, being born from it, should inevitably carry the same impurity."

The Saint Ancestor responded with a shake of his head.

"The specifics of our world’s origin elude me; this knowledge was imparted by the Ancient Saint. However, it can be summarized by a single metaphor..."

"And what is that metaphor?" Ning Qi and the Sea Ancestor inquired in unison.

The Saint Ancestor slowly articulated, "A lotus emerges from mud unstained; the Sea of Realms is this mud. We persist within this boundless mire, and only by attaining immortality can we break free!"

Ning Qi and the Sea Ancestor were profoundly astonished by these words.

They exchanged a look, mirroring the shock evident in each other’s eyes.

Despite their divergent cultivation paths, they shared a commonality: they had both assimilated the Qi of the Sea of Realms into their beings.

If the Saint Ancestor’s assertion held true – that achieving immortality meant transcending the Sea of Realms – would they then be barred from reaching that ultimate state?

At the very least, it implied a necessity to completely purge themselves of the Sea of Realms’ Qi!

The Sea Ancestor’s glacial gaze flickered with uncertainty, a seed of doubt sprouting within her heart: had she been treading the wrong path all along?

In her quest to vanquish the Mountain Ancestor, she had gambled by absorbing the Sea of Realms’ power, harboring a colossal ambition.

She viewed the Sea of Realms not as a source of impurity, but as an ocean under her dominion, the Sea Ancestor.

Ning Qi, meanwhile, rubbed his chin, a persistent feeling that something was amiss gnawing at him.

Noticing the subtle shift in the Sea Ancestor’s captivating expression, he offered words of comfort, "Perhaps this represents merely one avenue to immortality. Sea Ancestor, you need not trouble yourself unduly."

The Saint Ancestor, now aware of the profound effect his pronouncements had on both of them, quickly amended his statement.

"That may have been the path followed by the Ancient Saints. Millennia have elapsed since then, and it is possible these ancient doctrines no longer apply."