CHAPTER 1087: CHAPTER 1087: THE MYSTERY OF THE IMMORTAL REALM

The white-haired man hurriedly left, without paying much attention to Xu Nian.

However, Xu Nian gleaned an important piece of information from the white-haired man’s words.

The news about the Ancient Sage Sect is known by quite a few, and it seems that many have tried to exploit it.

Clearly, they all failed in the end.

This made Xu Nian understand that the Ancient Sage Sect is probably even more dangerous than he had imagined.

Nevertheless, Xu Nian decided to first rendezvous with Liu Bai Ru and the others.

So, following the direction indicated by the Tracking Talisman in his hand, he headed towards Liu Bai Ru’s location.

...

While the Undying Devouring Sky Beast Avatar was roaming in the Hell Sea, Xu Nian had already arrived near Shendang Mountain.

Looking at the majestic and desolate Shendang Mountain, Xu Nian’s face showed a hint of surprise.

Inside the mountain range of Shendang Mountain, he clearly sensed a strong aura of the Dragon Clan bloodline.

This aura undeniably belonged to a True Dragon.

"The trial at Shendang Mountain is the most difficult of the nine, defeating this True Dragon would be impossible even for a late-stage Earth Immortal," Chu Xiong sighed as he looked in the direction of Shendang Mountain.

Xu Nian did not speak; others might not be capable, but he might be.

He possessed the Nine Dragons Supreme Body, which could exert a strong suppression on the Dragon Clan bloodline.

However, he had never encountered a True Dragon, so he did not know how effective the suppression would be.

Thus, he did not dare to act rashly.

"Brother Chu Xiong, what kind of force is this Shendang Mountain exactly, to have a True Dragon guarding a token? Is Shendang Mountain the strongest among the Nine Great Forces?" Xu Nian asked.

In fact, he was very curious about the powers in the Immortal Realm and what the Nine Great Forces represented there.

Upon hearing Xu Nian’s question, Chu Xiong exchanged a glance with Lu Feng, and a hint of amusement flashed in their eyes.

"Actually, we don’t know much about Shendang Mountain either, but we’ve heard some legends. It’s said that Shendang Mountain is a mysterious and powerful force that once produced a super powerhouse who killed seven Peak Immortal Emperors. As for the rest, we don’t know much since Shendang Mountain is a very mysterious force in the Immortal Realm," Chu Xiong explained with a smile.

Hearing this, Xu Nian’s face showed an expression of surprise.

Killing seven Peak Immortal Emperors, how strong must one be to achieve that?

"Senior Brother Chu Xiong, why is it that when entering the Immortal Realm, one must join one of the Nine Great Forces? Isn’t there any Loose Cultivator in the Immortal Realm?" Xu Nian asked again.

This was a question he had always been curious about.

Previously, Wentian Demon Sovereign hadn’t told him, so he was always very curious.

Hearing this, Chu Xiong laughed.

Beside him, Lu Feng also laughed and said, "This question is actually quite simple. In the Immortal Realm, if you don’t join one of the Nine Great Forces, you’ll find it difficult to even take a step forward, and cultivation becomes exceptionally hard."

"Why?" Xu Nian still asked.

"The Immortal Realm is even more brutal than we imagined. The Immortal Qi isn’t gentle, and in most regions, it’s volatile. Only the Immortal Arrays set up by the major forces can absorb gentle Immortal Qi, that’s one reason," Chu Xiong continued.

Xu Nian nodded, he had suspected this for some time.

"Secondly, the Immortal Realm is exceptionally harsh, adhering to the law of might makes right, where banditry is rampant. Basically, unless one is a Loose Cultivator, they will be slain, thus forming a notorious group known as Hunters, who specifically prey on other immortals to obtain resources," Chu Xiong continued.

Xu Nian was somewhat surprised, he had not expected the Immortal Realm to be like this.

To him, the Immortal Realm, even if not a sanctuary, should at least be a bastion of righteousness.

How could there be such beings as Hunters?

"Thirdly!" Lu Feng stated.

Xu Nian was startled, there was more?

Lu Feng smiled and continued, "Thirdly, in the Immortal Realm, if you don’t join a major force, your strength simply cannot increase. Because upon reaching the Heavenly Immortal Realm, to break through your cultivation, you need something called Immortal Marrow. This can only be supplied by the Nine Great Forces, otherwise without joining a force, one would have to become a bandit to rob the members of the Nine Great Forces."

Upon hearing this, Xu Nian showed a look of confusion.

Immortal Marrow?

What is that?

Why would breaking through a level in cultivation require such a thing?

"Senior Wentian Demon Sovereign, what exactly is this all about? What is this Immortal Marrow?" Xu Nian transmitted his voice to Wentian Demon Sovereign in his mind.

"Kid, I’ve already told you not to worry about these things. Once you reach the Immortal Realm you will naturally find out. I didn’t expect your curiosity to be so strong. Since you already know, I might as well tell you," Wentian Demon Sovereign’s voice echoed.

Xu Nian listened quietly, indeed he was very curious.

"Actually, this is related to your cultivation after reaching the Heavenly Immortal Realm. Whether immortal or demon, upon reaching the Heavenly Immortal Realm or Heavenly Demon Realm, an Immortal Embryo will be born within you. It is this Immortal Embryo that you need to cultivate. Every time you want to make a major breakthrough, your Immortal Embryo will undergo a complete transformation, and this transformation requires Immortal Marrow and Demon Marrow to temper it. Otherwise, you cannot break through," Wentian Demon Sovereign’s voice resounded in Xu Nian’s mind.

Xu Nian somewhat understood what Immortal Marrow was.

It is actually the treasure that causes a complete transformation of the Immortal Embryo.

"Where does this Immortal Marrow come from then? Why is it that only the Nine Great Forces have it?" Xu Nian continued to ask.

"To put it simply, Immortal Marrow is a special energy that is born from heaven and earth. There are nine Immortal Pools, and Immortal Marrow is born from these pools. The Nine Great Forces are established over these nine Immortal Pools. Additionally, the quality of Immortal Marrow is divided into many grades, the higher the grade, the better it is for tempering the Immortal Embryo. Of course, it also depends on the Immortal Embryo’s capacity," Wentian Demon Sovereign transmitted his reply.

"I see, no wonder one must join the Nine Great Forces, it seems they control the Immortal Pools and only they can provide it," Xu Nian mused to himself.

"What about Body Cultivation, then? The Immortal Embryo is a method for Spirit Cultivators, and my Divine Demon Refining Body Technique seems to lack a method for condensing an Immortal Embryo," Xu Nian seemed to think of something and hurriedly asked.

"It’s the same. For Divine Demon Body Refiners, there’s no need for an Immortal Embryo because their body itself is one. When breaking through, they still need Immortal Marrow, and the amount required is even greater," Wentian Demon Sovereign answered.

Xu Nian nodded; indeed, after Divine Demon Body Refining reaches the Gang Immortal Realm, the soul will be integrated into the flesh and blood.

This is extremely similar to how Spirit Cultivators integrate the soul with Immortal Essence to condense the Immortal Embryo.

Thus, if he wants to cultivate better in the future, joining the Nine Great Forces is a necessary step.

If that’s the case, wouldn’t Shendang Mountain be the best choice?

Thinking of this, Xu Nian lifted his head to look toward Shendang Mountain, his eyes reflecting a hint of fervor.