Immortality begin with Alchemy Grandmaster Chapter 2740 - 1012

Welcome to the Eastern Wasteland! The year is 3667 of the Mountain Sea Calendar. While demonic beast incursions still occur sporadically, the Immortal Cultivation world of the Eastern Wasteland has finally found a semblance of peace.

The calamitous Demon War, which raged for two centuries, appears to have receded. However, the haunting memory of desolate lands, with nine out of ten homes empty, serves as a stark reminder to Eastern Wasteland cultivators that the demon race dwelling in the Million Mountains could launch another assault at any moment.

Nevertheless, such grand concerns are for the high-ranking figures to ponder. For cultivators of lower orders, this epoch represents an unparalleled golden age!

The once-invincible great sects have either crumbled into ruin or vanished entirely. Even those that endure pale in comparison to their former glory. More than half of the vast thirty-six domains lie unclaimed.

Scattered across the land, the remnants of battlefields and the ruins left by fallen cultivators are replete with opportunities for achieving immortality and enlightenment. Consequently, as the major sects nurse their wounds and strive for recovery, smaller factions have seized this chance to ascend and assert their dominance.

Even the most humble rogue cultivators have capitalized on this period, pushing relentlessly towards higher cultivation. In bygone days, a rogue cultivator achieving Foundation Establishment was a cause for significant celebration. Yet, over the past two centuries, cultivators reaching the Golden Core stage have emerged repeatedly.

There are even whispers of a few exceptionally powerful Golden Core rogue cultivators who have brushed against the precipice of forming a Nascent Soul, mere steps away from this monumental breakthrough. This year, the very opportunity to take that final step has presented itself!

Within the misty swamps of the Fireworks Ancient Domain, the air thrums with vibrant treasure light and surging Qi. Figures converge upon the area, locked in an intense and fierce battle.

Finally, amidst an explosive eruption that tears apart a section of the swamp, sending countless fragments of debris airborne, a man whose skin is as pale as frost emerges. He bears no fewer than seven storage bags!

Each of these seven storage bags is stained with blood, a testament to the spoils taken from several Golden Core family cultivators who attempted to ambush him, only to meet their own demise and enrich him instead.

With a casual gesture, a six-winged centipede emerges from the swamp and slithers into his sleeve. Having accomplished his objectives, the man cannot help but exhale a breath of relief.

He surveys his surroundings, a flicker of ferocity crossing his eyes, but ultimately shakes his head, suppressing the urge to eliminate any witnesses. His aura is quickly concealed, and the man departs at a swift pace.

Shortly after his departure, the sound of spatial distortions echoes from nearby. Soon, several figures clad in the attire of Golden Core cultivators, bearing distinct family emblems, materialize within the swamp.

Gazing upon the tragic scene of devastation within the swamp, each of their faces contorts with grim expressions.

"Bao Hanjun has escaped!"

"Seven Golden Core Ascendant Masters laid siege to him, including an expert like Old Ghost Li. How could they possibly fail?"

"Indeed, Bao Hanjun, the rogue cultivator renowned for adeptly wielding the strengths of various families. The traces on this battlefield clearly indicate he pre-established an array, concealed numerous talismans, and employed that six-winged centipede, which likely possesses Demon Emperor bloodline, enabling him to contend against seven Golden Core cultivators single-handedly!"

"Let it be. We cannot hope to seize the sect heritage he now possesses. Furthermore, he is exceedingly meticulous regarding retribution; he is bound to seek vengeance. Let us each return to our respective families!"

After a brief exchange, they reach a unified understanding, electing to abandon pursuit. After all, Bao Hanjun is infamous for repaying 'every drop of kindness, every grudge tenfold'—his reputation precedes him.

Were he to seize this opportunity for revenge against their families, it would undoubtedly lead to considerable trouble.

However, just as they prepare to depart, an elder who had lingered, reluctant to leave empty-handed, begins to exhibit signs of growing agitation.

Those nearby initially assume his distress stems from the death of their own elder and attempt to console him. Yet, he ultimately reveals a crucial piece of information.

"The Shouyang invitation was in our elder's possession, but it has now vanished, taken by Bao Hanjun!"

A collective gasp of astonishment ripples through the group, followed swiftly by dawning comprehension.

"Shouyang invitation?"

"Could it be the invitation to the Shouyang Mountain auction at Lingtian Xiongguan?"

"That is the preeminent auction in the Eastern Wasteland following the Human-Demon War, hosted by Master Taiyue of the Taishan Sect. Rumor has it that only Nascent Soul Ascendant Sects and a select few exceedingly powerful Golden Core families receive invitations."

"Your Zhang Family, even with hired guest elders, only commands three Golden Core cultivators. How could you possibly qualify for such an invitation?"

Confronted by a barrage of skeptical inquiries, the Supreme Elder of the Zhang Family clenches his fists, "Our Zhang Family maintains certain connections with a deacon elder of the Taishan Sect, which is how we obtained an invitation. We had originally intended to leverage this opportunity to acquire cultivation resources at the Shouyang auction."

A woman standing nearby scoffed, "I suspect it's more than just gathering cultivation resources, isn't it?"

"Lady Liu, what exactly do you imply?" the man inquired.

"From what I've gathered, this auction will host an abundance of Nascent Soul formation materials. Moreover, rumors suggest a Nascent Soul Formation Pill will be present, one that bypasses all cultivation thresholds and ignores technique limitations. Your true objective is likely that very pill, correct?"

The Zhang Family Supreme inhaled deeply, his eyes admitting, "You have hit the mark!"

A flicker crossed his gaze as he scanned the assembled individuals. "Bao Hanjun's might surpasses our initial estimations; merely pursuing him individually might prove futile. As esteemed lords of your respective territories, I propose a collaborative effort to pursue him relentlessly and reclaim the invitation. Subsequently, we can pool our resources for the Shouyang auction. Should fortune favor us and we secure the Nascent Soul Formation Pill, irrespective of who among us ascends to the Nascent Soul True Master realm, we shall forge an Ascendant Sect, establishing dominion over a vast region for our seven families to cultivate in unity."

Upon hearing his proposal, an air of eager anticipation filled the group.

Meanwhile, deep within the mire, a man with skin as pale as frost was seated in a meditative posture, his attention fixed upon a storage bag.

"Could the invitation be concealed within?" he mused.

...

Jiuling Domain.

A woman adorned in opulent attire, her trinkets chiming with each movement, swiftly ascended Nine Elements Peak, clutching an invitation.

The patriarch residing within was already apprised of her approach, thoughtfully parting the veil of the Guardian Mountain Array to welcome her.