451: Chapter 54 All is ready, except for BOSS_2 451: Chapter 54 All is ready, except for BOSS_2 “I never expected that just reaching the fifth realm would grant immortality…

If it weren’t for the fact that one’s realm could decline, training up to the fifth realm might actually be quite enough.

Survive for a few thousand years in the real world and with the speed of technological development, who knows, you might even survive until brain-computer interfaces exist, enabling mechanical ascension.”

Unfortunately, this so-called immortality is ultimately illusory; without Spiritual Energy, the realm will inevitably decline, reverting one back to a mortal.

It seems that in the way of immortal cultivation, if you don’t advance, you retreat.

The Sixth Layer, Tiger Body Dragon Shape, I have no idea what effect that has…

It does sound pretty cool though.

“Senior, have you managed to master Tiger Body Dragon Shape?”

The Ancient Spirit replied, “Of course I have mastered it.

Tiger Body Dragon Shape, Iron Bones and Essence Muscles, can leap the leaping dragon’s abyss, roam the mountains and forests, with extraordinary physical strength far surpassing that of mortals.

It’s easy to split open stone tablets and it’s easy to cross mountains for days without fatigue.

One could truly say it’s a physique that possesses both the vigor of the dragon and the fierceness of the tiger.”

Xiao Jie instantly understood—this was an increase in Basic Attributes.

“And what about this Gods and Ghosts Avoid?”

“Gods and Ghosts Avoid—neither gods nor ghosts can steal one’s spirit, nor can evil spirits approach.

Even though it is a mortal body, it can withstand Divine Magic and Ghost Curses.”

So that’s an increase in Magic Resistance then.

Xiao Jie integrated the effects of these Talents and had an epiphany; it seems that nearly all the ten realms of the Qi Refining Skill strengthen the body, adding various passives, and this appears to be the process of ascending to immortality.

From the outside to the inside, transforming the blood, bones, skin, organs, right down to spirit, thus eventually forming the Golden Core, and finally achieving Ascension to Immortality.

Once all ten BUFFs are applied, naturally, one would be no different from an Immortal.

No, that’s not right, there must be one final and special realm at the end.

Immortals do not fear the decline of their realm, meaning that the very last step of Ascension to Immortality must be different—it will turn decay into magic, directly evolving beyond the ordinary, and becoming a being that is special and transcends mortals.

Just thinking about it is very exciting.

But then, the feeling of powerlessness surged in my heart; just the first four levels of the Qi Refining Skill consumed over a dozen Monster Inner Cores, for which I had to go through a lot of trouble.

For the following six layers, the amount of Spiritual Energy needed will increase exponentially.

5000 + 6000 + 7000 + 8000 + 9000 + 10000 = 45000 points.

That’s a lot of Spiritual Energy.

How many inner cores will it take to fill that up, not to mention the daily natural dissipation of Spiritual Energy?

The higher the level of the Qi Refining Skill, the more Spiritual Energy dissipates each day, and there’s also the energy consumed when casting Skills during combat…

The thought alone makes my scalp tingle.

But no matter how hard it is, one has to continue to cultivate.

The Ancient Spirit was right; if becoming an Immortal were so easy, it wouldn’t be such a rare occurrence.

The Ancient Spirit seemed to notice something and asked with a smile, “What’s the matter, young friend?

Feeling discouraged?”

“Heh, not at all.

Though the task is heavy and the road is long, I have never given up hope.

I will definitely cultivate to immortality.

Even if it is extremely difficult, I will contend for that sliver of Heavenly Secret—Senior, I shall take my leave now.

Thank you for teaching me your secret technique.

If there is a day when I attain immortality, I will undoubtedly repay you handsomely.”

The Ancient Spirit chuckled and shook its head, clearly not taking it to heart; it probably had already given up hope.

Xiao Jie signaled to Ying Baiyu to leave the cave.

As for that black stone stele, that would have to wait for another time to study.

A bird and a man returned to Duan Hun Forest.

Xiao Jie had Ying Baiyu drop him off outside the forest.

“Thank you for today, Brother Ying.

With this secret technique, I believe I’ll make twice the progress with half the effort.

I will bring people over tomorrow morning to capture the Demon Star Tower Envoy in one fell swoop.

Brother Ying, you will naturally be reinstated, and might even be promoted further.”

“I don’t have much expectation for being promoted in rank, but to be able to return to the court is more than I could ask for.

So, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Xiao Jie then remembered something, “Oh, and what about those demons in Duan Hun Forest?

Do you have a plan for them, Brother Ying?”

Ying Baiyu replied proudly, “Young brother need not worry.

Those stubborn and unruly demons have already been eliminated.

What’s left are merely the cowardly ones, which I can easily control.

When the time comes to battle the Demon Star Tower Envoy, these demons can also lend us a helping hand.”

Xiao Jie thought to himself that this was good news—subduing a boss and getting a bonus army of Little Monsters.

Along with their group of players, how could they lose when battling the Demon Star Tower Envoy?

“That’s excellent.”

Upon returning to Jumu City, Xiao Jie immediately gathered his people.

Everyone had already returned, and seeing Xiao Jie, they immediately asked.

“How did it go, did the Profession quest go smoothly?”

“Okay, but it’s a pity that I can’t use any of the skills I was given, except for one, but no matter, we have a BOSS and some little monsters, plus us; ganging up on one BOSS is just like playing.”

Xiao Jie relayed the situation of Ying Baiyu to everyone, and after hearing it, their confidence was brimming.

Previously, they had won despite being outnumbered; this time, with numbers on their side, it would be unthinkable not to win.

As long as they could take down this powerful BOSS, the rewards would certainly be huge, even Purple Equipment might drop.

Flipped Cake suddenly said, “Unless…”

“Unless what?”

“Unless one of the Demon Star Tower Envoys is a BOSS over 40 levels.”

For every 10 levels a monster’s level increased, its strength would surge significantly; a 40-level BOSS’s strength was already beyond the limits of what our team could handle.

It wasn’t that it was entirely impossible to fight, but the outcome would then depend on sheer desperation.

And, in a deadly game like Old Soil, needless to say, the less one had to resort to desperation, the better.

Jiu Jianxian cursed, “Damn it, Flipped Cake, don’t jinx us, okay?

It won’t come to that.”

Hao Mie added gravely, “It shouldn’t come to that.

Judging from the mission description, I’d lean towards it being a BOSS over level 30.

While there is some risk, with our strength, plus the help of a BOSS, the odds are in our favor, and the risk is within a manageable range.”

Xiao Jie thought to himself that this guy seemed to see eye to eye with him; he had the same assessment.

“But we still need to prepare more, if we win this battle, we feast, but if we lose…

fortunately, we have allies this time.

If it really comes down to it and we can’t win, we can have the BOSS hold them off while we escape; after all, our lives matter the most.”

Hao Mie agreed, “That’s right, so don’t skimp on life-saving items or supportive talismans; spend the money when it’s needed.”

An Ran hesitated, “Should we not arrange the tactics in advance?”

Hao Mie replied, “The BOSS’s capabilities are unknown, so it’s difficult to plan for, but there are still some basic principles that we can confirm.

First, the Demon Star Tower Envoy can fly, that’s for sure.

Secondly, the Demon Star Tower Envoy has minions for backup, which means there will be little monsters.

So the first priority is, once the fight starts, to pull the BOSS to the ground; otherwise, if we can’t beat the BOSS and it flies away, we’d be foolish.”

Flipped Cake said, “I have a ‘Beast Trapping’ skill that can hold the BOSS for a while, but pulling it to the ground might be a bit difficult.”

“I’ll do it,” Zishan suddenly said, “I have a spell that can blast things out of the sky, though it takes some time to cast.”

Xiao Jie smiled, “I also have a skill that can keep it from flying after it lands.”

An Ran laughed, “Ha ha, don’t we already have a plan then?

When the time comes, Flipped Cake nets the BOSS, Zishan casts a spell to bring the BOSS down, Sui Feng keeps it from flying, and once the BOSS is on the ground, we can do whatever we want with it.”

Hao Mie stated, “That’s the plan then.

When the time comes, we’ll need someone to hold off the BOSS while the others quickly take care of the little monsters, then everyone gangs up on the BOSS…”

After some discussion, accounting for several different possible scenarios, they quickly came up with a few backup plans and finally settled on a course of action.

The next morning, everyone arrived early at the edge of Duan Hun Forest.

The eight-person party was fully armed to the teeth, with backpacks packed to the brim with all sorts of items.

Xiao Jie glanced over the group and noticed that I Want to Be Immortal had purchased a Shield—a huge dark-gold shield adorned with a dragon motif, lavish and imposing.

“Where did you get that?”

“The auction, it cost me more than a hundred taels!” said I Want to Be Immortal, full of confidence.

The [Dragon Flower Empire Barrier] was Top-Grade Equipment, with a Durability as high as 3000 points, but it was quite heavy; however, his Talent for Divine Power of Thousand Catties made it effortless to wield.

With a Shield in one hand and a Giant Axe in the other, clad in heavy armor, he looked utterly formidable.

“Feng, I think I can take the front row now,” I Want to Be Immortal said, eager to try.

After some thought, Xiao Jie said, “Okay, let’s wait and see the BOSS’s strength.

If it seems manageable, then you can take the front.

We have a Healer, so we can afford to be a bit bold.”

Not only were the players well-equipped, but even their pets were all summoned, not one was left behind.

Xiao Jie’s Big Orange, Flipped Cake’s Crow Spirit, An Ran’s Giant Eagle, and even Ye Luo summoned the Zombie Crow he had defeated the day before.

With everyone fully prepared, all they had to do now was wait for the monstrous bird to appear.