Emperor Zun Invites Me to Become Immortal

Emperor Zun took out the juice of the Immortal Medicine. He had long since consumed the Humanoid Immortal Medicine and lived a new Lifetime; consuming another Immortal Medicine could no longer extend his life.

However, its effects in healing injuries and restoring him to his peak state were simply excellent.

Emperor Zun instantly recovered to his full peak condition.

He did not dare let his guard down in a battle against the Demon Venerable.

Both of them were now in the prime of their vitality, and the ripples of the Great Dao produced by their collisions were terrifying.

They were both Heavenly Venerables who had crushed all opposition throughout their lives, possessing immensely formidable strength.

Their battle now could be said to have shaken all ages.

Emperor Zun should have been at his peak, yet when facing the Demon Venerable, he fell into a disadvantage in the blink of an eye.

Even without using the Heavenly Demonic Saber, Emperor Zun was still no match for him.

Every attack sent Emperor Zun's blood splashing across the starry sky.

Li Ming exchanged a hundred moves with Emperor Zun.

Within the first ten moves, Emperor Zun was coughing up blood.

Over the following ninety moves, Emperor Zun's body was blasted apart every single time.

No one had expected this peak battle to end like this.

Emperor Zun's blood stained the stars, while the Demon Venerable remained completely unscathed.

Li Ming put away the Heavenly Demonic Saber and silently watched Emperor Zun heal his injuries.

Emperor Zun struggled to reassemble his body, which remained covered in blood.

He was painstakingly treating the Great Dao injuries within himself.

He had been wounded far too severely in this battle against Li Ming.

Without a century, he would find it difficult to recover completely.

He had truly underestimated the Demon Venerable and underestimated everyone under heaven.

Whether it was the saber qi of the Heavenly Demonic Saber or Li Ming's unique Flying Immortal Power, once they entered the body, they would inflict severe Great Dao injuries.

Fortunately, he had been in peak condition.

Had his vitality been depleted, Li Ming might already have beaten him to death.

At that moment, an Immortal Source exploded within a mysterious Chaos Small World.

A young man stepped out.

It was Chuan Ying.

Sensing Emperor Zun's critical condition, he hurried over.

At this time, Chuan Ying was only a Quasi-Emperor and had yet to achieve Alternative Enlightenment.

He stood protectively before Emperor Zun, staring nervously at Li Ming.

Although he knew Li Ming could crush him to death with a single finger, he still bravely stood in front of Emperor Zun.

"An ignorant junior actually dares bare his teeth at me."

With a smack, Li Ming sent Chuan Ying's head flying with a slap, hurtling into the Chaos Sea.

Several days later, his head finally flew back.

"Emperor Zun, you're quite impressive!"

"You're very strong!"

Li Ming said, "I heard you intend to establish the Heavenly Court and forge an Immortal Weapon. The Ninety-Nine Dragon Mountains within the Kunlun Mountain I occupy have been abandoned, and those ninety-nine dragon mountains inside have shattered. You can repair them and use that place to forge the Immortal Ascension Cauldron, turning it into a true Immortal Weapon."

"I possess an Immortal Treasure Map. Part of it records what the true Ninety-Nine Dragon Mountains looked like. I'll copy it for you so you can study it carefully."

As Li Ming spoke, he copied the Immortal Treasure Map and casually tossed it to Chuan Ying.

Then, with a flicker of his body, he vanished.

Chuan Ying caught the Immortal Treasure Map and watched the departing Demon Venerable, not daring to say anything more.

"Emperor Zun!"

Chuan Ying turned around and looked at the blood-covered Emperor Zun with deep concern.

As the foremost divine general of Emperor Zun's Ancient Heavenly Court in the original story, Chuan Ying shared a rather special relationship with Emperor Zun.

They could be considered both master and friend.

Emperor Zun had discovered him when he was still ignorant and inexperienced, then led him onto the path of cultivation.

Though they had never formally become master and disciple, their close relationship was genuine.

Seeing Emperor Zun beaten into such a miserable state by the Demon Venerable, looking gravely wounded and liable to die from the slightest mishap, filled him with worry.

"Emperor Zun, shall I take you back to the Chaos Small World?" Chuan Ying said as he prepared to carry Emperor Zun away.

Emperor Zun shook his head and remained motionless, seated cross-legged in the Chaos Sea at the Cosmic Frontier Wasteland.

Though badly injured, he was not on the verge of death.

Endless amounts of heaven-and-earth essence surged toward him from throughout the universe and the Chaos Sea.

Countless starfields dimmed.

The power of innumerable suns, moons, and stars was drawn in and entered his body.

Emperor Zun continuously adjusted his condition, Great Dao radiance emanating from his entire body.

All his spilled blood was drawn back and flew into his body.

Very soon, his body returned to its original state, and all his wounds healed.

Yet although he appeared recovered, he had not truly recovered.

The Great Dao injuries in his body would not heal in less than a century.

He had never expected the Demon Venerable's strength to be so formidable.

If Li Ming had not held back, Emperor Zun might truly have been beaten to death.

Emperor Zun silently healed his injuries there.

With the battle over, the entire world erupted into uproar.

Many wore complicated expressions.

Emperor Zun had lived a new Lifetime and become exceptionally powerful.

He challenged the Netherworld Venerable, defeated him, and shook the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands with his might.

Yet in the blink of an eye, he had been defeated by the Demon Venerable again.

The Demon Venerable's strength was certainly not an empty boast.

And Emperor Zun's strength could not be underestimated either.

People had essentially confirmed that, beneath the Demon Venerable, Emperor Zun was now the strongest.

As for Lingbao Tianzun, his strength should also be tremendous, perhaps comparable to Emperor Zun's.

Daode Tianzun was also very powerful.

"The Demon Venerable is truly terrifying. He has lived for so many years without dying and remains at his peak."

"His strength is truly overwhelming. He defeated Emperor Zun so effortlessly."

People discussed the two divine battles fervently.

Over the next century, Emperor Zun sat motionless in the Chaos Sea at the Cosmic Frontier Wasteland, healing himself while cultivating and comprehending the Dao.

He had gained far too much from this battle.

A century passed in the blink of an eye.

Suddenly, Emperor Zun's location erupted with boundless blood qi, shaking the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands and every living being between heaven and earth.

The myriad Daos of heaven and earth wailed, and countless people sensed Emperor Zun's powerful aura.

Within that vast sea of blood qi, Emperor Zun slowly rose to his feet.

His incomparably vigorous blood qi and powerful life force made him seem as though he had been reborn through Nirvana.

He had erased all his Great Dao injuries and returned to peak condition once more.

In the days that followed, people witnessed Emperor Zun's power firsthand.

He first announced the establishment of the Heavenly Court, then began conquering all directions. Apart from the forbidden zone factions, he conquered nearly every life-bearing planet.

He joined forces with the Netherworld Venerable and actually restored the Ninety-Nine Dragon Mountains.

Although this rendered countless life-bearing planets incapable of cultivation, they ultimately did not kill the living beings upon them.

After the Ninety-Nine Dragon Mountains were restored, they truly forged the Immortal Ascension Cauldron into an Immortal Weapon.

There was even a little strength left over, allowing the Netherworld Venerable's Heaven-Piercing Spirit Treasure to become a Half-Immortal Weapon, only one step away from becoming a true Immortal Weapon.

Emperor Zun then announced that he would forge Nine-Revolution Immortal Elixirs and invite the various Supremes to emerge together at the proper time and ascend as an entire sect.

Li Ming continued cultivating quietly and did not interfere with anything Emperor Zun did.

To Li Ming, as long as no one interfered with his path toward becoming a Red Dust Immortal, everything else was negotiable.

He had always watched the world's operation and development with cold detachment.

He even wondered when Emperor Zun had become corrupted.

One day, Emperor Zun suddenly came to the Reincarnation Sea to visit Li Ming.

That imposing and heroic man descended from the starry sky with the Immortal Ascension Cauldron above his head, arriving at the Reincarnation Sea.

Many people saw Emperor Zun along the way, and countless cultivators erupted with excitement.

Emperor Zun was the current lord of the Heavenly Court and an idol worshipped by many.

Unlike the Demon Venerable, who was rather aloof and rarely accepted others' allegiance, making it difficult for people to seek his protection.

Emperor Zun was different; he welcomed almost everyone.

As long as they passed the trials and joined the Heavenly Court, they would become part of the All-Sect Ascension Plan and might one day be fortunate enough to enter the Immortal Domain and become immortals together.

It could be said that the grand promise Emperor Zun offered attracted countless cultivators.

Whenever many people saw Emperor Zun, they would cry out that Emperor Zun would live forever and never perish.

Endless Faith Power converged like a vast ocean and was all absorbed into the Immortal Ascension Cauldron.

This made Emperor Zun's strength and prestige unrivaled for a time.

Netherworld Emperor Duan De had now mysteriously disappeared.

Meanwhile, Emperor Zun was attempting to gather various Immortal Medicines and heavenly treasures to refine Nine-Revolution Immortal Elixirs.

He had also personally visited the major forbidden zones to invite the Dark Supremes.

Thus, it was hardly strange for him to come looking for Li Ming now.

Although the two had fought an earth-shattering battle back then, they bore no hatred toward each other.

Moreover, Li Ming had generously lent Kunlun Mountain to Emperor Zun.

Though he had also used Emperor Zun and the Netherworld Venerable to repair the damaged Ninety-Nine Dragon Mountains, they had indeed gained countless benefits.

Emperor Zun had wanted to attack Kunlun Mountain back then, but unfortunately, he lacked the strength.

Now that he had become immensely powerful and possessed the strength to attack Kunlun Mountain, he was surprised to discover that it had already fallen under Li Ming's control.

Fortunately, Li Ming was not especially invested in Kunlun Mountain and instead regarded the Reincarnation Sea as his home base.

Emperor Zun could understand that.

After all, repairing the Ninety-Nine Dragon Mountains had been exceedingly troublesome. Now that they had been restored and the Immortal Ascension Cauldron forged, he could return the Ninety-Nine Dragon Mountains to Li Ming.

It could be considered repayment for this favor.

When people saw Emperor Zun, lord of the Heavenly Court, streak through the sky and enter the Reincarnation Sea, cries of alarm rang out.

"Emperor Zun really entered the Reincarnation Sea!"

"The Reincarnation Sea is no good place. I heard that when someone ventured inside, they instantly lost all their life essence and turned into a pile of bones."

"Yes, the Demon Venerable's Dao is simply too strange and terrifying."

"The Demon Venerable nearly killed Emperor Zun back then. Could Emperor Zun be challenging the Demon Venerable again?"

"Fool. Emperor Zun and the Demon Venerable have long since reconciled. How could they possibly fight another battle to the death?"

"Yes, I heard Emperor Zun was able to forge the Immortal Ascension Cauldron into an Immortal Weapon thanks to the Demon Venerable lending him Kunlun Mountain."

Although many people were fanatical worshippers of Emperor Zun, many were also fanatical worshippers of the Demon Venerable. Naturally, they did not wish for the two to fight to the death.

Within the Reincarnation Sea, the silver ocean boiled, and countless Immortal Dao Runes flowed through it.

Emperor Zun walked upon it as though on level ground, because he had received permission to come here.

Although Emperor Zun had lived for more than ten thousand years in this Lifetime, he still appeared as a young man.

He was handsome and dashing, yet carried an intense air of authority—the distinctive bearing acquired only by occupying a high position for a long time.

Though his features could not be called exquisitely beautiful, they still surpassed those of ordinary people by far. Combined with his unique temperament, they gave him an impressively heroic charm.

Furthermore, having transformed through the Saint Spirit Method in this Lifetime, his body was enveloped by boundless Great Dao divine charm and chaotic qi.

The aura of one nurtured by heaven and earth was exceptionally distinctive.

He eagerly surveyed the Reincarnation Sea.

Though the renowned Reincarnation Sea was extremely dangerous, he was confident that the Demon Venerable would not strike at him in secret.

Li Ming opened his eyes and looked toward Emperor Zun as he slowly approached.

"Emperor Zun!"

"Demon Venerable!"

The battle from more than ten thousand years ago had made Emperor Zun see himself clearly.

Though he had lost, Emperor Zun had not become discouraged. Instead, he turned it into motivation for cultivation, and he was now even stronger.

Yet upon seeing the Demon Venerable, he still sensed the unfathomable aura surrounding him.

He had to admit that the Demon Venerable was stronger than him.

The Demon Venerable, that legendary Chaotic Body, was truly far too powerful.

"We haven't met in years, yet you've become even stronger," Li Ming praised.

"I am still inferior to the Demon Venerable," Emperor Zun replied politely.

"What brings you here?" Li Ming asked directly.

Emperor Zun nodded. "With cultivation as profound as yours, Demon Venerable, do you truly intend to spend your whole life in the Reincarnation Sea?"

"Do you plan to keep transforming within the Reincarnation Sea?"

"Have you ever considered joining the Heavenly Court and pursuing Mortal-World Ascension together?"

"If you are willing to join, Fellow Daoist, I am willing to relinquish the top seat of the Heavenly Court," Emperor Zun said gravely.

Li Ming was taken aback when he heard this.

The Emperor Zun of the original text had been a figure like a ruthless overlord. Now that he had established the Heavenly Court, he was actually willing to give up the position of leader.

But Li Ming knew that the Heavenly Court was ill-omened. Anyone who established a Heavenly Court would meet a bad end.

It would always inexplicably collapse.

Other than the Desolate Heavenly Emperor and the Heavenly Emperor Ye, no one could bear its karmic consequences.

Even their relatives and friends would suffer calamities because of it.

By offering Li Ming the position of Lord of the Heavenly Court, Emperor Zun was in fact placing Ji Ming over a fire.

Naturally, Li Ming would not agree.

Thus, although Emperor Zun looked generous, Li Ming still firmly refused.

"We cultivators draw our great power from ourselves. I truly have no interest in establishing a faction or founding a Heavenly Court."

"However, when the Road to Immortality opens, it would still be useful to go in and explore."

"But I have no intention of entering the Immortal Domain through the Road to Immortality. I have resolved to walk the Red Dust Immortal Path in this world."

"Presumably, the Netherworld Venerable has mentioned the Nine-Life Red Dust Transformation Path to you before. We have discussed it many times as well."

"It can be said that our ambitions differ. You walk your Road to Immortality, and I walk my Red Dust Path."

Emperor Zun was clearly delighted upon hearing this.

Obviously, Emperor Zun still placed great importance on the position of Lord of the Heavenly Court.

He had originally worried that if he made himself Lord of the Heavenly Court, the Demon Venerable would be displeased and might even come looking for trouble.

Now, it seemed that the Demon Venerable truly was as the Netherworld Venerable had said. He had resolved to walk the Red Dust Immortal Path and did not intend to enter the Immortal Domain through the Road to Immortality.

Emperor Zun continued with some pleasantries, but Li Ming still refused.

"Establishing a Heavenly Court and building a vast faction have never been my wishes."

"If I truly wished to rule the world, I would have established my own faction long ago."

"In fact, apart from Ziwei Holy Land and Sun-Moon Holy Land on Ziwei Star, which have some connection to me, I truly do not care about any other factions."

"On the other hand, you have established such a vast Heavenly Court because you harbor an obsession."

"Although you successfully lived out a new lifetime through the Saint Spirit Transformation Method, it is clear that your heart is not on the Red Dust Immortal Path."

"By now, you presumably know that something has most likely happened to the Immortal Domain. It should have shattered into countless fragments."

"Even if you successfully enter the Immortal Domain now, you may not meet a better end. You may very well encounter even more powerful enemies!" Li Ming said after some thought.

Emperor Zun nodded upon hearing this. "The Demon Venerable's aspirations are lofty. I cannot compare."

"No wonder the Demon Venerable has lived in seclusion within the Reincarnation Sea all these years."

"But the Red Dust Immortal Path is simply too difficult. Every transformation may end in death."

"Even if you are powerful, Demon Venerable, and your attainments rival Fortune itself, can you guarantee that every transformation will succeed?"

"I came here because I have already gathered nearly all the materials needed to refine the Nine-Revolution Immortal Elixir. I heard that Fellow Daoist has three kinds of Immortal Medicine, so I wished to exchange for some and make the Nine-Revolution Immortal Elixir even more potent."

"This Nine-Revolution Immortal Elixir is enough to keep a Dark Supreme at peak condition for two thousand years. Perhaps it can also allow Fellow Daoist to live out a new lifetime."

"After entering the Immortal Domain, we will certainly face stronger enemies. Those of us who ascend from the Lower Realm must naturally band together for warmth."

"I still hope Fellow Daoist will consider it carefully and ascend together with the entire sect. After all, such an opportunity is rare, while the future of the Red Dust Immortal Path is uncertain."

Li Ming looked at Emperor Zun's earnest expression and carefully sensed him. He did not detect any strange aura from Emperor Zun, so Emperor Zun was clearly still normal and had not been corrupted.

Then when exactly had Emperor Zun been corrupted?

The Nine-Revolution Immortal Elixir was extremely difficult to refine. Li Ming had obtained its refining method from the Netherworld Venerable, Lingbao Tianzun, and Daode Tianzun, but he had found it too troublesome and had not refined it.

Now that Emperor Zun was willing to be the workhorse and labor willingly, Li Ming was naturally happy to offer some Immortal Medicine in exchange for a few Nine-Revolution Immortal Elixirs.

With a casual wave, he took out the fruits of the Flat Peach Divine Medicine, the White Tiger Divine Medicine, and the True Dragon Elixir, and gave them to Emperor Zun.

"Once you successfully refine the Nine-Revolution Immortal Elixir, just save a few for me. There is no need to exchange other materials."

"Also, the Humanoid Immortal Medicine in your possession should have borne fruit many times. If you harvest it once every four or five thousand years, there should already have been many harvests. Give me some; I want to study it."

"I have long heard that the Humanoid Immortal Medicine has two forms: tree-shaped and grass-shaped. Give me one of each."

Emperor Zun indeed possessed quite a few good things, and Li Ming did not hesitate to ask for them outright.