Chapter 227 – Has Immortal Taiyi Fallen?

Just as the magic treasures and divine abilities of numerous Golden Core cultivators were shattered and fell into the Sea of Merit Fire, the stars above trembled. Several stars transformed once more into black chess pieces that descended to the earth, carrying away six of the Golden Core Realms whose lamps had run dry.

From the original fourteen, six more had been removed, leaving only eight Golden Core cultivators remaining.

The Four Symbols Gate, empowered by the seed of Supreme Divine Ability, was simply too powerful—almost replicating the divine might of the legendary Xuanpin Gate, which could suppress all techniques.

But the fundamental difference between the Four Symbols Gate and the Xuanpin Gate was that the former was but a crude imitation. It could only seal divine abilities and treasures that belonged to the Four Symbols—earth, water, wind, and fire.

Within these four elements, the Four Symbols Gate was nearly omnipotent.

But once divine abilities strayed into the domains of metal, wood, or the Dao of Yin and Yang, the power it could exert became extremely limited—only capable of suppression through brute force.

Earth, water, wind, and fire may have been the most common attributes, but with fourteen Golden Core cultivators working together, there logically should have been techniques of other attributes present.

Had those other techniques been fully employed, the Four Symbols Gate—while powerful—would not have achieved such an effortless victory, even with the aid of the Supreme Divine Ability Seed.

And yet, Lu Yan had won this battle with ease, barely facing any resistance.

The real reason was simple: the so-called unity of the fourteen Golden Core cultivators was only a façade. Some had already harbored ulterior motives.

The true purpose of this trial was to select four true inheritors, and the moment Lu Yan traversed a hundred miles in an instant and descended, many of the Golden Core cultivators had already made their decision.

Often, one did not need to be the strongest in a trial; one simply needed to survive longer than the others to claim a true inheritance.

A smirk full of intrigue curled at Lu Yan’s lips as his gaze pierced through the void toward the depths of the Sea of Merit Fire.

Lin Xiao had been among the first to fall into the sea. Though his cultivation was the highest, he had not claimed a Terrestrial Fiend Divine Ability. When Lu Yan broke those abilities with the Four Symbols Gate, Lin Xiao immediately recognized that he was no match.

At this point, fleeing was impossible. With Lu Yan maintaining control over the Four Symbols Gate, even if Lin Xiao attempted a desperate blood escape, he would not be able to flee.

So Lin Xiao hid himself in the fire, using a fire-avoidance incantation he had once cultivated and relying on the strength of his Golden Core peak body to endure the Xuanhuang Merit Fire.

To avoid detection by Lu Yan, Lin Xiao constantly shifted his position and dared not slack off for a moment.

Just as he circled around a forest burned to white ash and was about to catch his breath, a pale lunar-colored ray of light suddenly shot from the flames. Its aftershock carved a deep trench into the scorched earth.

Lin Xiao’s hairs stood on end. His peak Golden Core divine sense reacted instantly, and a fractured seal manifested from within his body. A torrent of chilling energy surged downward, barely deflecting the attack. Still, new cracks formed on the already damaged seal.

Glaring toward the forest depths, he roared:

“Lin Lu, you fool! Instead of using this chance to flee, you dare ambush me? Have you given up on competing for the true inheritance?”

From within the fiery mountains, Lin Lu emerged, surrounded by a dim light, holding a treasure mirror that reflected Lin Xiao’s image.

Lin Xiao’s expression immediately darkened. “Your magic treasure wasn’t damaged?”

“No—wait! That wasn’t your natal treasure in the earlier assault against Lu Yan, and you didn’t even use your real light technique. You’ve been hiding your strength!”

Lin Lu smiled coldly. “Seems you’re not as dumb as you look.”

Furious, Lin Xiao’s uncontrolled mana surged like waves, yet it couldn’t disturb the burning Xuanhuang Merit Fire that scorched the land.

“Damn it! You from the Tai Xuan lineage instigated this whole alliance against Lu Yan, but at the crucial moment, you hid your strength. You even held back your Terrestrial Fiend Divine Ability!”

“You really think that after betraying us, your Tai Xuan line can escape unscathed?”

Lin Lu remained unmoved, even showing a trace of pity in his gaze.

“You still don’t understand the true nature of this trial, do you?”

“I don’t need to defeat Lu Yan, or even surpass you. I just need to survive longer.”

“This is a survival game. The First True Inheritor must have realized Lu Yan’s strength was unstoppable, which is why they changed the traditional secret realm trial into a month-long survival challenge—to give us all a sliver of hope.”

“Too bad you were all too stupid to understand the point.”

As he spoke, the mirror in Lin Lu’s hand displayed three other images.

Three Golden Core cultivators of the Tai Xuan line, still in perfect condition, were hunting other trial participants through the Sea of Fire.

From the moment they attacked Lu Yan, Lin Lu had secretly sent them a plan.

As the fourth wielder of a Terrestrial Fiend Divine Ability, Lin Lu hadn’t used his true offensive power. Instead, he used his light technique to shield his allies.

The magic treasures used in the joint assault weren’t their true natal weapons either—so even when suppressed by the Four Symbols Gate, their foundations remained intact.

This allowed them to preserve their strength and immediately begin hunting other cultivators the moment they were cast into the flames.

In this short time, the number of Golden Core cultivators in the fire had dropped from eight to six—four of them from the Tai Xuan lineage.

“Junior Brother Lin, you’re only in your eighties—you’ll have another chance to fight for a true inheritance.”

“This time, leave the spot to your senior brother.”

Step by step, Lin Lu approached. His light technique condensed into swords that hovered in the air, about to strike Lin Xiao, who had less than one-tenth of his strength remaining.

Just then, Lin Lu’s mirror let out a scream. Fire surged within its reflection—Tai Xuan cultivators had suddenly been engulfed by an explosion of Merit Fire.

The Merit Fire, though not fatal, was unbearably hot. It neither harmed their souls nor damaged their foundations, but its searing pain was unbearable.

Because their lives weren’t in danger, the trial’s overseer spells did not activate. The Tai Xuan cultivators could only suffer helplessly in the fire.

“What’s going on?”

Lin Lu’s pupils contracted. Then, another scream echoed from the mirror—it was his junior sister Lin He.

She, only at mid-Golden Core, couldn’t withstand the explosion of Xuanhuang Merit Fire. Her clothes were incinerated, her natal treasure lost its spirit, and her body had become charcoal.

“It’s Lu Yan!”

“Lu Yan made his move!”

“Senior Brother, help!”

Screams of agony filled the mirror.

Lin Lu’s heart shook violently. Gritting his teeth, he ignored the cries and focused all his energy on Lin Xiao, unleashing a rain of light swords.

But just then, a figure descended from the sky—Lu Yan!

With a flick of his hand, he invoked the Supreme Divine Ability Seed again.

Heavenly Spell: Yin Wind Curse!

A ghostly wind howled from the depths of the earth, colliding with Lin Lu’s light swords and dispersing them, clearing a swath of flame.

Lu Yan landed, eyes glinting as he appraised the technique Lin Lu had used.

This light technique was far more than defensive or reflective—it could attack as well. More importantly, it belonged to the Dao of Yin and Yang, not the Five Elements.

Had Lin Lu used this from the beginning, the Four Symbols Gate wouldn’t have been able to suppress it. Lu Yan wouldn’t have had such an easy time.

But Lin Lu’s scheming backfired, giving Lu Yan the perfect opportunity.

Now, with only Lin Lu left, even a Terrestrial Fiend Divine Ability couldn’t save him.

Lu Yan flicked his finger again. Another demonic technique, bolstered by the Supreme Divine Ability Seed, emerged.

This was the Three Yin Killings!

Heaven, Earth, and Man—the intent to slay all manifested at once. Lin Lu felt as if all creation had turned against him.

His soul trembled. His light technique veered off course—piercing through his own body.

Spiritual energy scattered, his technique backfired, mana corroded—he vomited blood. His rain of swords vanished instantly.

Ignoring the stunned Lin Xiao, Lu Yan calmly approached Lin Lu.

In the mirror, the remaining three Tai Xuan cultivators still howled in agony, but Lin Lu’s eyes were locked on Lu Yan.

“There are only six Golden Core cultivators left. Four inheritances—at worst, we get one spot. We still hold power in the True Inheritor Hall!”

“This time, your Four Seasons lineage won, but you can’t win forever!”

“Once Mu Chunqiu ascends to Nascent Soul and leaves the mortal world, your line won’t be able to stop the elders of my Tai Xuan lineage!”

Lin Lu coughed blood, then forced a smile.

“Lu Yan, our lineages don’t have deep grudges. Even if we’ve taken many resources over the years, your Four Seasons line couldn’t have protected them anyway.”

“Why not reconcile here and now?”

“You eliminate Lin Xiao and one other. Let us keep three inheritance spots, and we’ll follow your lead. We can even help your branch reclaim its Dao lineage.”

Lu Yan narrowed his eyes, face indifferent.

“I never said I was of the Four Seasons lineage.”

Lin Lu froze.

“You’re not Mu Chunqiu’s disciple?”

“I’m from the Mang Mountain branch. I only joined the trial because of a deal with True Lord Mu.”

Lin Lu sifted through his memory. Mang Mountain—just a minor southern branch without even a Nascent Soul elder.

Hope sparked in his heart. “Then you’ve no reason to tie yourself to the Four Seasons line!”

“Help us claim the inheritance, and we’ll honor our promises—perhaps even make you head of Mang Mountain!”

“Tempting offer,” Lu Yan sneered. “But I refuse.”

Lin Lu’s smile froze. “Why?!”

Lu Yan said nothing. He raised his hand.

The Merit Fire flared again. Another Tai Xuan cultivator, pushed past her limit, was taken by a descending star.

Lu Yan raised his hand again. Flames surged.

Though the Merit Fire didn’t kill, the pain was unbearable.

Lin Lu shrieked: “Why?!”

Lu Yan replied coldly, “Maybe I just don’t like your faces.”

With a clenched fist, the fire erupted once more. Another Tai Xuan cultivator was eliminated.

Only four cultivators remained: Lu Yan, Lin Lu, Lin He, and He Dongsheng.

No matter who was eliminated next, the final spot would fall to the other.

Lin Lu’s eyes turned bloodshot.

“Don’t think you’ll always win! Even if you dominate the Golden Core stage, in front of Nascent Soul elders, you’re just a slightly larger ant!”

Lu Yan said nothing. With another gesture, Lin He, burned nearly to death, was finally removed from the trial.

Lin Lu glared with seething hatred, awaiting the end.

But… the trial didn’t end.

“Why?! Why hasn’t the trial ended?”

“I’ve counted every eliminated person! There are only four left! Why?!”

The calm Lin Lu finally panicked.

He had betrayed allies, suffered pain, risked everything—all for this inheritance.

If he failed, punishment would follow—from his own lineage and those he’d betrayed.

Lu Yan finally laughed.

“Do you know why the trial hasn’t ended?”

He waved his hand. The sea of fire vanished, leaving scorched white earth.

Far above, a figure emerged.

A small Foundation Establishment cultivator—weak spirit, impure mana, clumsy in flight.

Yet this minor figure had become the fifth survivor—and the reason the trial hadn’t ended.

“No… impossible!”

Lin Lu stared, eyes bloodshot.

From the beginning, Lu Yan had sensed an extra presence using the Perception of Calamity and Cause technique.

That person was He Dongsheng, who had accidentally entered the trial.

Lu Yan had warned him to avoid the battlefield—and that one decision had ruined all of Tai Xuan’s schemes.

With five survivors, one more needed to be eliminated.

The choice was obvious.

Lu Yan was about to finish it—but hesitated. He gestured for He Dongsheng to descend.

“What is it, Brother Lu?”

He Dongsheng descended eagerly, having watched the entire battle from afar. He was full of admiration.

He’d just landed a spot as a true inheritor—barely thirty years old, meaning seventy years of cultivation resources awaited him.

Lu Yan smiled and pointed at Lin Lu.

“This is Senior Brother Lin of the Tai Xuan line. Since our clans are close, shouldn’t you thank him?”

He Dongsheng understood instantly.

Straightening his clothes, he bowed solemnly.

“I am He Dongsheng of the Four Seasons line.”

“Thank you, Senior Brother Lin, for helping me gain a true inheritance!”

Lin Lu spat blood. A star descended, carrying him away.

The moment he vanished, a great voice echoed over the mountains.

“The True Inheritor Trial is now complete!”

On the Immortal Island, all eyes were on the returning participants.

As the battle’s details emerged, awe filled every gaze toward Mu Chunqiu—and even more toward Lu Yan, who had claimed the inheritance with only Foundation Establishment cultivation.

But among the four Nascent Soul elders of Tai Xuan, faces turned ashen.

They’d hoped to at least gain two inheritance spots—but now had only one.

Elder Qin Zhongzheng finally spoke.

“…One is enough. At least we keep a foothold.”

“But—why hasn’t the trial ended yet?”

At that moment, blood-soaked Lin Lu fell from the sky. The voice boomed again:

“The True Inheritor Trial is now complete!”

“What?! He was eliminated?!”

The Tai Xuan elders were furious.

Elder Ku Dao rose and bowed to the heavens.

“Esteemed Tenth Inheritor, why was Lin Lu eliminated when only four trialists remained?”

On his mat, the Tenth Inheritor sat like a sun radiating through the world. He casually plucked a star.

As he dropped the white chess piece, his cold voice echoed:

“Noisy.”

A burst of Daoist resonance accompanied the falling piece. Space collapsed. Elder Ku Dao was flung into the chaotic void, banished from the realm.

Only then did the Tenth Inheritor speak again.

“The four true inheritors have entered the Ancestral Hall. The rest of you—wait.”

The survivors were transported by stars to a desolate mountain.

There, atop a decrepit slope, stood a single ancient temple.

The plaque above its gate bore three faded golden characters:

Ancestral Hall.

“This… is the place to meet an Immortal?”

They were stunned.

They’d imagined palaces, mystic realms—not this dusty shrine.

Even Lu Yan frowned slightly, but said nothing.

Golden Core peak Lin Xiao stepped forward.

“Who enters first determines the ranking.”

“Naturally, Senior Brother Lu should lead.”

The others quickly followed suit.

Lu Yan nodded and stepped through the ancient gates.

The door creaked open.

Decay and age wafted out. Dim light trickled in from the roof.

Crumbling statues, torn murals, shattered incense burners—it was a hall lost to time.

Broken tablets with fading Daoist titles dotted the altar, surrounded by the scent of forgotten glory.

At the end of the inner sanctum, a single plaque remained:

Immortal Taiyi.

In that moment, the name became a gateway.

Lu Yan’s consciousness was drawn into the river of time.

He saw a being shaping the cosmos—earth, water, fire, and wind dancing in his palm. Stars orbited him, each containing a cave-world.

It was the Primordial Genesis Diagram—a vision of creation.

Lu Yan was about to bow—when a blinding sword light cut across eternity.

It bore the intent of entropy, extinction, heat-death—the end of all things.

The illusion shattered. Immortal Taiyi’s image blurred. Worlds crumbled.

The sword not only severed the plaque—but sought to erase Immortal Taiyi from existence.

When Lu Yan returned to himself, he saw the plaque cracking. The golden characters dimmed.

He tried to speak the name—but couldn’t.

“…He’s fallen?”

The hope he’d chased for so long had crumbled.

Then a voice echoed in the shrine.

“If you’re looking for that old bastard Taiyi, then yeah—he’s dead.”

Lu Yan snapped his head up.

There, atop the altar, sat a young man like a statue, replacing the divine image.

Handsome, robed in pale white, his aura blended with the world.

He sat on a straw mat—carelessly woven.

Lu Yan’s heart stirred. “Who are you?”

The young man smiled.

“In life, I was Jiang Zhiwei.”

“And also… the one you sought.”

“An Immortal.”

(End of Chapter)