162: Chapter 162 Three Days, Undercurrents Flow

Stepping out from the secluded pavilion beside the Ascension Tower, Lin Wan immediately felt countless gazes focused on him. There was awe, envy, jealousy, curiosity, and undisguised scrutiny.

He ignored these gazes, his figure moving as he transformed into a streak of light, flying toward the temporary Immortal Cave that Donghua Immortal City had arranged for him. He urgently needed a quiet place to digest his gains from the "Dao Origin Palace," consolidate his surging cultivation, and contemplate his future path.

He was now number one in the Ascension Tower, famous throughout Donghua, so Donghua Immortal City naturally arranged the best residence for him—an independent immortal mountain located in the core area of the immortal city, where the Spiritual Qi was most abundant. On the immortal mountain, there were pavilions, flowing springs and waterfalls, dancing cranes, and wandering Spirit Beasts; it was truly a Holy Land for cultivation.

The Immortal Cave was protected by powerful Restrictions, strictly prohibiting entry without invitation, ensuring absolute privacy and safety.

Lin Wan entered the Immortal Cave, activated the Restrictions, and cut off all prying eyes from the outside. He sat cross-legged on a jade prayer mat in the cultivation chamber and slowly closed his eyes.

His mind sank into his Sea of Consciousness, and the first thing he "saw" was the "Chaos Reincarnation Divine Kingdom," which had become more solid and expanded a hundredfold in range. The gray Chaos Qi, like the primordial ocean before the creation of the world, flowed and swirled slowly.

Within it, the clear and the turbid separated, and the embryonic forms of land, ocean, and sky faintly appeared. A phantom of a long river, illusory and running through the Divine Kingdom, flowed quietly; that was the shadow of Reincarnation, representing the flow of life and death, Karma, and destiny.

A soft and eternal light, like the sun of the Divine Kingdom, shone on every corner; that was the light of existence, maintaining the stability and reality of the Divine Kingdom. At the very edge of the Divine Kingdom, in the deepest part of time, a faint wisp of darkness lurked; that was the darkness of the end, symbolizing the conclusion of all things and nurturing the possibility of new life.

The four embryonic forms of supreme dao rhyme were no longer distinct and separate but intertwined and resonated with a mysterious rhythm, forming the Foundation of this Divine Kingdom.

"The Dao Origin baptism has truly caused a qualitative change in the Divine Kingdom," Lin Wan thought with joy. He felt that his control over the "Chaos Reincarnation Divine Kingdom" had become more proficient, and the power of the Divine Kingdom he could mobilize had also surged several times over.

This Divine Kingdom was no longer just a phantom of a Divine Ability but was truly beginning to develop in the direction of an "inner world."

"Perhaps, when I break through to Earth Immortal, or even Heavenly Immortal, this Divine Kingdom can truly transform from virtual to real, becoming a real world within me." This realization welled up in Lin Wan's heart. An inner world was a supreme Divine Ability possessed only by some top-tier experts in legends, the ultimate manifestation of one's own Dao. Possessing an inner world was almost equivalent to possessing a Foundation for immortality, with endless power and infinite potential.

Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Lin Wan began to check other changes in himself.

His Physical Body was crystalline like jade, with faint seven-colored precious light restrained within, and its strength had reached a shocking level. He tried to mobilize the strength of his Physical Body, throwing a casual punch, and the air actually emitted a "crackle" of sonic booms, causing the space to faintly ripple. Relying solely on this Physical Body, without using any Immortal Yuan or Divine Ability, he was confident that he could go head-to-head with an ordinary Earth Immortal Early Stage Cultivator!

His Immortal Yuan was vast as the sea and pure as mercury, containing a faint trace of Chaos Qi; its quality was far superior to that of the same level. At this moment, the lake of Immortal Yuan in his Dantian had expanded more than tenfold and was more condensed, faintly showing a trend of solidifying.

The Bottleneck of the Peak Human Immortal stage no longer existed; he even felt that as long as he was willing, he could immediately trigger the Earth Immortal Tribulation. But he still suppressed it; he wanted to wait for a better Opportunity to accumulate a stronger Foundation and trigger the strongest "Nine Heavens Tribulation" to forge a supreme dao Foundation.

His Divine Soul was powerful and condensed, and his Divine Sense range had surged, enough to cover a radius of a thousand miles! Within a thousand miles, every movement, every insect chirping or ant walking, could not escape his perception. Moreover, deep within his Divine Soul, that vague embryonic form of the Primordial Spirit had initially stabilized, which brought his thinking speed, deduction ability, and premonition of danger to a whole new level. He even felt that he could try to Cultivate some secret techniques that required a powerful Divine Soul to execute.

"My strength has increased significantly, but it still needs consolidation, especially the comprehension of the 'Dao,' which needs to be properly sorted out," Lin Wan pondered. The Dao Origin baptism was not just an improvement in strength, but a comprehensive sublimation of his Dao comprehension. Many things that were previously vague were now clear. Many dao rules that were previously incomprehensible now had a lead.

"It just so happens that there are three days of rest. I will use these three days to consolidate properly, and at the same time, I can study that 'dao source mark' and 'donghua token'."

Lin Wan took out the "donghua token" given by Immortal Lord Tianhua and the "dao source mark" rewarded by the Ascension Tower.

The donghua token was neither gold nor jade, feeling warm to the touch. On the front, the two characters "Donghua" were engraved with vigorous brushwork and natural dao rhyme. On the back were some complex cloud patterns, containing powerful defensive Restrictions. Lin Wan input a trace of Immortal Yuan and immediately sensed that the token contained three powerful defensive forces inside, each of which was enough to withstand a full-strength blow from an Early Stage Heavenly Immortal expert. Moreover, the token seemed to be a token of trust, a symbol of identity.

"Immortal Lord Tianhua… or rather, the Donghua Immortal Sect, is showing goodwill to me and also trying to win me over," Lin Wan thought, playing with the donghua token. This token was both a protective amulet and an olive branch.

He looked at the "dao source mark" again. This was a diamond-shaped token the size of a palm, crystal clear throughout, as if carved from the purest crystal. Inside the token, a wisp of gray airflow, as if from the beginning of Chaos, seemed to be flowing slowly, emitting a mysterious and profound aura that seemed to point directly to the Origin of the Dao.

"With this mark, one can Cultivate once in the 'Dao Origin Pool' of the Donghua Immortal Sect…" Lin Wan recalled the words of Immortal Lord Tianhua, a trace of expectation flashing in his eyes. The Dao Origin Pool, a Forbidden Ground of the Donghua Immortal Sect, opened once every hundred years and contained pure Dao Origin power. This would definitely be of huge benefit for him to consolidate his cultivation and deepen his Dao comprehension. It seemed that regardless of whether he joined the Donghua Immortal Sect, he had to go to this Dao Origin Pool.

Putting the two items away, Lin Wan collected his mind and began to sort out and consolidate the gains from this Ascension Tower. The first thing he needed to do was to take complete control of his surging strength, making it as easy to use as his own arm. Secondly, he needed to sort out and digest the Dao comprehension brought by the "Dao Origin baptism," especially the understanding of the four supreme dao rhymes: "Chaos," "Reincarnation," "existence," and "the end." Finally, he needed to familiarize himself with, deduce, and perfect his Divine Abilities, especially the new Divine Ability based on the "Chaos Reincarnation Divine Kingdom." Time passed quietly in cultivation.

…Just in these three days while Lin Wan was in seclusion to consolidate his cultivation, the entire Donghua Immortal City, and even the entire Donghua Immortal Domain, were surging with undercurrents because of him.

Number one in the Ascension Tower, 1.7 million points, reaching the 100th floor, perfectly passing the Dao Origin baptism… Any one of these achievements, if taken out, would be enough to shock a region; when concentrated on one person, the sensational effect produced was unimaginable.

The name "Lin Wan" swept through every corner of the Donghua Immortal Domain like a storm. Countless factions were frantically inquiring about everything regarding this suddenly emerged peerless Prodigy.

"Investigate! Investigate clearly for me! Which Lower Realm did this Lin Wan ascend from? Who is his Revered Master? What is his background?"

"At all costs, win him over! As long as he is willing to join us, he can set any conditions!"

"If this child cannot be used by me, he must never fall into the hands of other factions, especially those rival Sects! If necessary…"

"Perfect evaluation of the Dao Origin baptism… There must be a huge secret on this child! Perhaps he is the Reincarnation of some ancient great expert, or he possesses a Heaven-Defying treasure…"

In Donghua Immortal City, inside a hidden manor. A few Cultivators with deep auras, wearing different clothes but clearly of extraordinary status, were gathered together, talking secretly.

"Have you found out clearly? What is the background of that Lin Wan?" An old man wearing a black robe with a sinister face asked in a deep voice.

"Reporting to the Elder, it has been found out clearly. This person comes from a Lower Realm called 'Lingxu Realm,' seems to have no clear Revered Master, and is from a background of a Loose Cultivator. When ascending, he caused the 'Nine-Colored Ascension Pool' anomaly and was personally received by Immortal Lord Tianhua," a black-clothed Cultivator reported respectfully.

"Lingxu Realm? Never heard of it. A Loose Cultivator background? How is that possible!" Another middle-aged man wearing a brocade robe, with a kind face but deep, shrewd eyes, frowned and said, "How could a mere Loose Cultivator reach the top of the Ascension Tower and obtain a perfect Dao Origin baptism? Either he is hiding his identity, or he has obtained a Heaven-Defying Legacy!"

"Regardless of which one it is, the value of this child is immeasurable." The sinister old man's eyes flashed with greed. "The secret of the 100th floor of the Ascension Tower, the insights from the Dao Origin baptism, and the Legacy or treasure on him… any one of these is enough to let us go further, and even have hope of peeking into that supreme Immortal King realm!"

"That old fellow Tianhua has already personally received him and even bestowed the donghua token. The Donghua Immortal Sect is likely determined to have him," the middle-aged man in the brocade robe pondered.

"The Donghua Immortal Sect is too powerful; grabbing him openly will likely not be easy. Besides, Yaochi Immortal Palace, Divine Weapon Pavilion, and Wanxiang Tower are all watching," said another burly man with a fierce aura, carrying a giant sword on his back.

"If we can't do it openly, then we'll do it in the shadows." A cold glint flashed in the eyes of the sinister old man. "Once he leaves Donghua Immortal City, or enters the Donghua Secret Realm... there will always be an Opportunity."

"Elder, do you mean..." the black-robed Cultivator asked cautiously.

"Keep a close watch on this boy's movements. Additionally, send the news back to the Sect and ask the Sect Master to make a decision. This boy must absolutely not fall into the hands of the Donghua Immortal Sect! If necessary..." The sinister old man made a throat-slitting gesture, his killing intent chilling.

The same scene was playing out in many hidden corners of Donghua Immortal City, and even the entire Donghua Immortal Domain. Lin Wan, this suddenly appearing piece of 'fat meat' dripping with oil, had attracted countless greedy, covetous, and malicious gazes. The Immortal Realm was never a peaceful place. Interests were the eternal theme.

Inside another magnificent palace in Donghua Immortal City.

"Saintess, the news has been confirmed. That Lin Wan really did reach the hundredth floor of the Ascension Tower and received the perfect dao source baptism. His points reached as high as 1.7 million, far surpassing Qin Wushuang." A woman dressed in white palace attire with a cold temperament reported respectfully to a slender figure behind a curtain.

Behind the curtain, a voice as melodious as a clear spring, yet carrying a hint of majesty, rang out: "I understand. Does Revered Master have any instructions?"

"The Palace Revered Master has ordered to recruit Lin Wan at any cost. If he can be recruited, you may... may offer him the position of Saintess's Dao Companion." The woman in palace attire paused slightly at the end.

The figure behind the curtain seemed to tremble slightly as well. After a moment of silence, she said, "I understand. You may withdraw first."

"Yes." The woman in palace attire bowed and withdrew.

The curtain was lifted, and a stunning woman walked out. She wore a light cyan dress, her figure graceful and her face peerless. Her temperament was as cold as a Fairy from the Moon Palace, yet between her brows, there was a trace of natural allure and liveliness. It was the current Saintess of Yaochi Immortal Palace—Saintess Yun Qingyao.

"Lin Wan..." Yun Qingyao walked to the window and looked in the direction of Lin Wan's Immortal Cave, a trace of complexity flashing in her beautiful eyes. Recruitment? And even offering the position of Saintess's Dao Companion? Revered Master had really gone all out this time. However, given the talent and potential Lin Wan had displayed, it was worth it.

But... a Dao Companion?

A faint blush appeared on Yun Qingyao's stunning face. She had grown up in Yaochi Immortal Palace since she was young, focused solely on the Dao, and had never considered the matter of a Dao Companion. Now, she had to recruit a strange man by offering the position of Dao Companion... This inevitably made her feel somewhat strange inside.

"I must see just what kind of sacred existence you are to make Revered Master value you so much..." Yun Qingyao muttered to herself, a trace of curiosity flashing in her eyes.

Donghua Immortal Sect, on a mountain Peak surrounded by clouds and mist.

Immortal Lord Tianhua stood with his hands behind his back, gazing into the distance towards Donghua Immortal City, his brows slightly furrowed.

"Senior Brother, you seem to be paying extra attention to that Lin Wan?" A gentle voice sounded behind him. The person who arrived was an old man wearing hemp clothes with an ordinary appearance, looking like an old farmer in the fields, but his eyes were as deep as the starry sky, and his aura was unfathomable.

"Junior Brother Tianji, you are here." Immortal Lord Tianhua did not turn around and said calmly, "This boy is no small matter. The hundredth floor of the Ascension Tower, the perfect dao source baptism, 1.7 million points... these are all just appearances. I felt a trace of... unusual aura on him."

"Oh?" The old man called "Tianji" flashed a look of surprise in his eyes. To be able to make his Senior Brother, who was already at the Peak Immortal Lord stage and a Half-step Immortal King, say the words "unusual," that Lin Wan was probably truly not simple. "Has Senior Brother divined him?"

"I have divined him, but the heavenly secrets are a Chaos, as if obscured by some powerful force." Immortal Lord Tianhua said in a deep voice, "Either he possesses a supreme treasure that obscures heavenly secrets, or his destiny itself is not within the Heavenly Dao, or... he is involved in something significant."

The old man Tianji's expression also became solemn: "Does Senior Brother mean..."

"When a tree stands above the forest, the wind will surely destroy it." Immortal Lord Tianhua said slowly, "This boy's talent is too monstrous; it will inevitably attract the attention of various forces, and even... the attention of some ancient existences. Those rats hiding in the shadows are likely already restless."

"Does Senior Brother wish to protect him?" The old man Tianji asked.

"Such an uncut jade, if damaged due to internal strife, would be a loss for our Donghua Immortal Domain, and even the entire Immortal Realm." Immortal Lord Tianhua sighed, "I have already bestowed the donghua token to show my stance. But... I fear it is not enough. Some people, for the sake of profit, will stop at nothing."

"Is Senior Brother worried about the Donghua Secret Realm?" The old man Tianji understood.

"Yes." Immortal Lord Tianhua nodded, "Although the Donghua Secret Realm is a place of Opportunity, it is also fraught with danger and is beyond our direct control. Taking action there is the best choice."

"Then what does Senior Brother mean..."

"You go there secretly to ensure this boy's safety in the Donghua Secret Realm. Additionally, notify the Sect Master that the time to open the 'dao source pool' can be moved forward. With this boy's Comprehension Ability, if he can enter the dao source pool to Cultivate, perhaps he can grow faster and have the power to protect himself." Immortal Lord Tianhua instructed.

"Yes, Senior Brother." The old man Tianji bowed in agreement, his figure slowly dissipating into the clouds and mist.

Immortal Lord Tianhua continued to gaze in the direction of Donghua Immortal City, a trace of worry and a hint of expectation flashing in his eyes.

"Lin Wan... I hope you do not disappoint me. This Donghua Immortal Domain has been peaceful for too long; perhaps it needs a variable like you to stir up the winds and clouds."

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

During these three days, Lin Wan had been in seclusion in his Immortal Cave, sorting through his gains and consolidating his cultivation. He had thoroughly mastered his surging power, and his understanding of the four dao rhymes of "Chaos," "Reincarnation," "existence," and "the end" had become even clearer. He even attempted to derive several new rudimentary Divine Abilities; although they were not yet perfect, their power was already quite considerable.

More importantly, after three days of settling down, his state of mind, which had been somewhat restless due to the continuous Breakthroughs and the dao source baptism, had completely calmed down. His Dao Heart was more stable, and his aura was more restrained. At this moment, standing there, he seemed like an ordinary person, but upon careful sensing, he was like a deep abyss or ocean, unfathomable.

"It is time."

Lin Wan slowly opened his eyes, the color of Chaos flashing and vanishing in them, returning to clarity. He changed into a clean green shirt, pushed open the door of the quiet room, and walked out.

Outside the Immortal Cave, the sun was bright, immortal cranes were soaring, and it was a scene of peace.

But Lin Wan knew that beneath this peaceful appearance were surging undercurrents.

He ignored them, his figure moving as he flew towards the center of Donghua Immortal City, to that towering, ancient, and massive arena exuding ancient Battle Intent—the Douxiantai Platform.

Today was the combat ranking battle, which would determine the final ranking of this Ascension Conference and would also determine who was qualified to enter the "Donghua Secret Realm"!

When he arrived near the Douxiantai Platform, it was already a sea of people, even livelier than when the Ascension Tower opened three days ago. Millions of Cultivators had gathered from all directions, surrounding the massive Douxiantai Platform until it was impassable. In the sky, countless pavilions, flying boats, and immortal palaces were floating; these were the viewing platforms for the various major forces.

On the high platform, representatives from the four major forces, including Immortal Lord Tianhua, were already seated. Their gazes, coincidentally, all fell upon the newly arrived Lin Wan.

Top prodigies like Qin Wushuang, Saintess Ye Qingxue, and Xiao Zhan had also arrived. When they saw Lin Wan, their expressions were different, but they all implicitly regarded Lin Wan as their greatest opponent.

Lin Wan's arrival also caused a commotion among the watching Cultivators.

"It's Lin Wan! He's here!"

"I haven't seen him for three days, and I feel he is even more unfathomable!"

"I wonder how his actual combat is? The Ascension Tower tests comprehensive ability, but actual combat is a real, brutal fight!"

"If he can take first place in the Ascension Tower, his combat ability surely won't be bad. However, Qin Wushuang, Saintess Ye Qingxue, and Xiao Zhan are all battle-hardened veterans, especially Qin Wushuang, who is said to have already mastered several of the Donghua Immortal Sect's Sect-protecting Divine Abilities, and his strength is unfathomable!"

"Now we're in for a good show!"

Amidst the discussion and attention of the crowd, Lin Wan's expression was calm as he found his own spot and stood waiting quietly. His gaze swept across the massive Douxiantai Platform, across the big shots with profound auras on the high platform, and across opponents like Qin Wushuang, Saintess Ye Qingxue, and Xiao Zhan, his eyes calm and waveless.

He knew that the real test was only just beginning.

First place in the Ascension Tower was just a beginning. To establish a foothold in this Immortal Realm, to obtain more resources, and to protect everything he wanted to protect, only strength was the Foundation.

And actual combat was the only standard for testing strength.

"Combat ranking battle, I, Lin Wan, have arrived."