Next came the Dao Palace.
The five organs glowed. Within Ye Xuan's heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys, five divine figures identical to him sat in meditation.
They looked solemn and dignified as they recited scriptures. Their chanting was so mighty that it passed through his body and rang out into the world, making the surrounding void resonate.
After that came the Four Extremes and Dragon Transformation.
Ye Xuan's limbs grew crystalline, as if forged from the hardest Immortal Gold. The slightest movement of his hands or feet could tear apart the firmament.
Meanwhile, the great dragon that was his spine underwent an astonishing transformation.
"Roar—!"
A desolate, ancient dragon's cry rang out within him.
The dragon devoured the Yellow Middle Plum's medicinal power at a furious pace. Its scales became distinct, and its horns rose in imposing splendor.
It was no longer an ordinary True Dragon manifestation. Instead, it became a Chaos Ancestral Dragon, coiling behind Ye Xuan and radiating a terrifying pressure that commanded all living beings.
As his Secret Realms continued to ascend, Ye Xuan's aura climbed at an inconceivable pace.
Golden Immortal Middle Stage...
Golden Immortal Late Stage...
He surged forward like a force that nothing could stop!
In the Primordial Wilderness cultivation system, crossing each minor stage of the Golden Immortal Realm usually required tens of thousands of years of arduous cultivation.
But before a heaven-defying treasure like the Yellow Middle Plum, time seemed to lose all meaning.
No one knew how long had passed.
"Boom!"
A thunderous crash rang out within Ye Xuan as he broke through a bottleneck.
Upon his Immortal Platform, his Primordial Spirit shone with boundless light, while his body radiated undying splendor.
An aura powerful enough to change the color of heaven and earth erupted from him.
Golden Immortal Perfection!
By the standards of Perfect World, Ye Xuan's combat strength was now at least on par with that of a Heavenly Emperor who had lived through seven lifetimes—or even eight.
Even against a True Immortal from Perfect World, he was confident he could suppress them with one hand.
Every drop of his blood was as heavy as a mountain, capable of crushing the stars and the universe. His body, meanwhile, had reached a state where it could endure countless calamities without perishing.
As long as he did not face a Great Power at the Da Luo Level who could erase him from existence, ordinary methods could not harm him in the slightest.
On Penglai Island, the Three Xiāo Fairies were meditating with their eyes closed.
Suddenly, a terrifying fluctuation came from the center of the island.
The aura was ancient and domineering, as if an Ancient God Demon were awakening.
The surrounding Innate Spiritual Qi went wild, forming a massive Spiritual Qi Funnel that poured into the island's center.
"What is that...?"
Bixiao's eyes flew open. She stared in shock toward the Yellow Middle Plum tree.
"What immense pressure! How could a Golden Immortal possibly give off an aura like that?"
She could clearly sense that Ye Xuan's aura had undergone an inconceivable transformation in an incredibly short time.
"He's already reached Golden Immortal Great Perfection?"
Bixiao clicked her tongue in astonishment. "I knew the Yellow Middle Plum was powerful, but he refined it far too quickly! How many days has it been? When I was in the Golden Immortal Realm, it took me hundreds of thousands of years to reach Perfection!"
Yun Xiao Fairy stood as well, her beautiful eyes glimmering with wonder.
She was focused not only on his improvement in cultivation, but also on Ye Xuan's unique aura.
"That's not all."
Yun Xiao spoke with a hint of admiration. "The cultivation system Daoist Ye created is truly remarkable. He doesn't cultivate the Five Qi in the Chest or absorb the laws of heaven and earth into his body. Instead, he continually strengthens himself, turning his body into an independent microcosm."
"This path bears some resemblance to the legendary Pangu's Prove Dao with Strength. His body is unimaginably powerful, with the potential to become a saint through physical cultivation. Truly terrifying."
Even Qiong Xiao, who was usually quiet, gave a slight nod and praised him highly.
"That's right."
Qiong Xiao gazed at the Chaos Qi Pillar soaring into the heavens and said softly, "If Daoist Ye can prove the Great Luo Dao in the future, transcend the river of fate, and perhaps even become a Quasi-Saint... With this domineering method, he might become a Dao Ancestor in his own right, establishing a sect and guiding all living beings."
While the Three Xiāo Fairies were discussing him, the strange phenomena at the center of the island gradually faded.
The winds and clouds dispersed, and everything returned to calm.
A figure dressed in white walked slowly out from beneath the tree.
By now, Ye Xuan no longer gave off the slightest trace of oppressive power. All his vitality, essence, and spirit had been perfectly drawn back within him.
He looked like an ordinary man with no cultivation at all, his eyes clear and his bearing gentle.
He had returned to simplicity.
It was the mark of having mastered his power to the utmost.
"Congratulations, Daoist. Your cultivation has reached great heights."
Yun Xiao approached with her two younger sisters and offered her congratulations with a smile.
Ye Xuan smiled faintly. Feeling the boundless power surging through him like an endless sea, he was in excellent spirits.
If he encountered the Red Dragon King again now, he would not need to risk his life by using the Chaos Heavy Pupils and Grass Character Sword Art.
A simple punch would be enough to blow him apart.
"Thank you, Fairies, for protecting me during my cultivation."
Ye Xuan cupped his hands. "I gained a little from this seclusion. Now that my strength has stabilized, it's time for me to leave the island."
Yun Xiao nodded, then took the opportunity to invite him.
"Daoist Ye, you've now reached Golden Immortal Perfection and are just one step away from the Great Luo Realm. Since we're leaving the East Sea, if you have no urgent business, why not come with us to Golden Ao Island as our guest?"
At the mention of Golden Ao Island, Bixiao eagerly joined in.
"Yes, yes! Daoist Ye, come visit us! My elder brother Zhao Gongming loves meeting heroes. If he learns how powerful and generous you are, I'm sure you'll hit it off. He'll drag you into a drinking session that lasts three days and three nights!"
Ye Xuan's thoughts stirred.
Golden Ao Island was the headquarters of the Interception Sect and a Sage's sacred ground.
It was hailed as the gathering place of "ten thousand immortals." Though the sect's disciples varied greatly in ability, it was indeed home to many hidden talents.
Besides, he had already received the Three Xiāo Fairies' kindness and taken the Chaos Bead. He would have to repay that debt sooner or later.
A visit to the Interception Sect would let him meet the bold and generous Zhao Gongming. And if he had the chance to meet Tongtian Jiaozhu as well, it would only benefit his plans for the future.
"Since the Fairies have so kindly invited me, it would be discourteous to refuse."
Ye Xuan accepted readily.
"Then I'll trouble you with a visit to Golden Ao Island. I'd also like to see for myself the splendor of the Interception Sect's ten thousand immortals."
"Wonderful!" Bixiao cheered.
Before they left, Yun Xiao took out a Jade Talisman. She formed hand seals, drew on the power of Penglai Island's formation, and channeled it into the talisman. Then she split it into four pieces.
"Penglai Immortal Island is an extraordinary treasure trove of opportunity. Though we've already searched it thoroughly, its abundant spiritual energy and the Yellow Middle Plum tree make it an ideal place for a secluded residence and cultivation ground in the future."
Yun Xiao handed one piece of the Jade Talisman to Ye Xuan and said solemnly:
"This is the token that opens the formation."
"Daoist Ye, the precise location of Penglai Immortal Island is of great importance. To avoid unnecessary trouble, I propose that only the four of us know about it."
"We must swear a Dao Oath never to reveal the island's coordinates to anyone else. Otherwise, our Dao Hearts will be tainted, and we won't be able to prove the Dao."
Ye Xuan accepted the Jade Talisman, his expression serious.
He understood what Yun Xiao meant.
A man's crime was having a treasure, even if he had committed no other crime.
Even among fellow disciples of the Interception Sect, knowledge of the Yellow Middle Plum could cause trouble.
"Of course."
Ye Xuan immediately swore, "I, Ye Xuan, swear by the Great Dao that I will never reveal the secret of Penglai Immortal Island to outsiders."
Seeing this, the Three Xiāo Fairies also swore their oaths.
Once everything was done, the four exchanged smiles, their bond growing closer in a way none of them could see.
"Let's go!"
Ye Xuan swept his sleeve, and a golden cloud appeared beneath his feet.
"Off to Golden Ao Island!"
Four streaks of light soared into the sky, leaving the immortal island hidden in the depths of time.
They sped toward the even grander Sage's sacred ground in the East Sea.
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