Chapter Twenty-Four: The Path to Immortality

“Ding-dong, congratulations to Host Wang Ran for causing a moderate psychic shock to the powerhouses of the Nine Provinces, awarding ten thousand Dao Validation Points!”
“Ding-dong, congratulations to Host Wang Ran for causing a moderate psychic shock to the powerhouses of the Nine Provinces, awarding ten thousand Dao Validation Points!”
“…”

After breaking open the Spirit Gate and entering the Foundation Establishment stage, the system resumed its operation, and a series of prompts sounded in his mind one after another.

Wang Ran was not surprised, and the reward of over ten thousand Dao Validation Points was within his expectations. After all, any cultivator capable of such soul-probing techniques was certainly not weak; anyone present here could probably rival the hidden ancestors of the Sole Self Sect.

Even now, Wang Ran could sense terrifying auras swirling around the summit of the Sea of Clouds, clearly belonging to those powerful beings of the Nine Provinces.

“This child is extraordinary. If he does not perish young, he is bound to achieve greatness in the future.”

“In this world, everything depends on fate. How far he goes will ultimately be determined by his own choices.”

“An interesting youngster. Traveling the Nine Provinces is a path every true powerhouse must walk. I shall await you in Dan Province; one day, our paths will cross.”

“Hmph, I, Sword, will wait for you to grow. Even if you don’t come to Sword Province in a thousand years, I will seek you out for a duel!”

“Tsk, tsk, what a promising seedling. Soul Province is in need of such exceptional material!”

“…”

In their hearts, the powerhouses of the various provinces all remembered Wang Ran’s name, and some even felt a desire to befriend him in the future. Though they were revered figures, in the presence of such a genius, they did not think themselves superior.

At their level, their perspective was far-reaching. Although Wang Ran was only at the Foundation Establishment stage now, a thousand years from now, he might surpass them. Thus, none dared to underestimate him.

However, this was all on the condition that he did not die prematurely.

In this world, too many geniuses shine only briefly; few can survive the perils of the cultivation world and walk the entire path.

No one attempted to take him as a disciple, nor did anyone reveal themselves to speak with Wang Ran. Within a few breaths, all returned to their respective provinces.

Standing atop the Sea of Clouds, Wang Ran clearly felt those terrifying auras vanish one after another. He smiled faintly and paid them no further mind.

At this moment, beams of golden light gathered in the sky, eventually coalescing into a scroll before Wang Ran.

This was his Life Dao Scripture, yet unnamed.

Wang Ran pondered for a moment. Since this technique was condensed from his contemplation of all the Daoist arts in the system, its name should also be related to the system.

At this thought, Wang Ran stepped forward, lightly traced his finger, and a line of large golden characters appeared on the scroll—The Eternal Indestructible Dao Validation Divine Art!

“In the system, I have studied and fused all the laws of the myriad worlds and comprehended the path of eternal life. From this day forth, my life technique shall be—the Eternal Indestructible Dao Validation Divine Art!”

As his words fell, the golden scroll transformed into a stream of light and shot into Wang Ran’s mind. He closed his eyes, savoring the insights he had just gained.

This technique fused the essence of all Daoist arts from the myriad worlds within the system, drawing on their strengths to create the most powerful art under heaven!

True to its name, this technique could grant one…eternal life!

---

All who cultivate immortality do so for the sake of longevity, yet even longevity has its limits; birth, aging, sickness, and death spare no one.

Only eternal life is true immortality, but who would dare claim they can attain it?

No one dares to dream of it; no one ever considers it.

All things in this world must one day fade; even sun and moon are not everlasting, nor are heaven and earth immune to decay.

Yet today, Wang Ran fused countless paths and comprehended…the Way of Eternal Life!

Whether this path could truly grant eternal life, Wang Ran did not know. Only practice would tell.

But he understood that the potential of the Eternal Indestructible Dao Validation Divine Art was virtually limitless.

“Ding-dong, congratulations to the host for creating the Daoist art ‘Eternal Indestructible Dao Validation Divine Art.’ You are awarded ten thousand Dao Validation Points!”

Hearing the system’s prompt, Wang Ran was momentarily stunned.

Then he saw that the system had actually compiled the characteristics of this art for him.

Eternal Indestructible Dao Validation Divine Art: A Daoist technique created by the host, of limitless potential and unfathomable power. However, because it is composed of the refined essence of all Daoist arts within the system from the myriad worlds, every breakthrough in a realm requires nourishment with different amounts of Dao Validation Points.

Reading those last lines, Wang Ran couldn’t help but twitch at the corner of his eye.

“System, what do you mean by this?” An uneasy premonition rose in Wang Ran’s heart.

“Ding-dong, as this technique was born from a system loophole, Dao Validation Points are required for its cultivation.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Ran immediately became anxious. “Hey, what does a system loophole have to do with me? I worked hard to create this myself!”

“Ding-dong, this Daoist art is too difficult. With the host’s current strength, you are unlikely to master it. Using Dao Validation Points to nourish it is the fastest and most reliable method. The host may consider this for himself.”

This time, the system did not argue but instead reasoned with him.

After hearing this, Wang Ran was stunned for a moment, then asked, “How many Dao Validation Points do I need to reach the perfected stage?”

“Ding-dong, the system is compiling statistics…”

“Statistics complete. The data is as follows.”

Immediately, a table appeared before Wang Ran.

Eternal Indestructible Dao Validation Divine Art - Cultivation Parameters:

Initiation: 100,000 Dao Validation Points.

Minor Achievement: 1,000,000 Dao Validation Points.

Proficiency: 10,000,000 Dao Validation Points.

Major Achievement: 100,000,000 Dao Validation Points.

Mastery: Data unavailable.

Perfection: Data unavailable.

After reading the chart, Wang Ran was utterly petrified.

The next moment, he almost wanted to curse out loud—this was outright daylight robbery!

One hundred thousand just to start, then tenfold increases with each step, and in the end, even the system could not calculate the required amount. Wasn’t this terrifying to the extreme?

Because Wang Ran’s technique was simply too heaven-defying—its potential so vast even he could not fathom it—when the system calculated it, the result was these near-insane figures.

“Ding-dong, the system detects that the host’s Dao Validation Points have exceeded one hundred thousand. Would you like to upgrade to Initiation?”

The system’s prompt sounded again. Wang Ran’s face was full of pain, and after a long sigh, he said, “Upgrade.”

His words were filled with despair; the Dao Validation Points he had just painstakingly earned from the Nine Provinces powerhouses would be gone before they had even warmed his hands.

With a flash of golden light, Wang Ran felt power fill every part of his body. He could clearly sense a vast and boundless vitality constantly nourishing him from within.

Compared to ordinary cultivators, he was now incomparably stronger.

It must be known that vitality is the very source of one’s existence. Ordinary people have limited vitality; a cultivator’s increases with their cultivation.

But Wang Ran’s current vitality had leapt at least an entire major realm, reaching that of a Golden Core stage cultivator.

Wang Ran felt that as long as he wasn’t killed in a single blow, he was nearly impossible to kill. Even if his chest were pierced through, he could still survive.

It had to be said, though one hundred thousand Dao Validation Points was a steep price, this Eternal Divine Art was indeed terrifyingly powerful!

His lifespan increased by at least two cycles of sixty years, now equal to that of a Golden Core cultivator. Wang Ran realized that the potential of this art was limitless—with each new stage, new boons awaited. This was only the beginning.

Savoring the strength within, Wang Ran’s soul stirred, and he leapt from the Sea of Clouds, eager to return to his body.

His spirit traversed the endless layers of clouds, shooting into the First Mountain on the southern shore of the Sole Self Sect. With a swift glance, he saw Feng Yazi standing guard over his physical body, and warmth filled his heart.

This was the blessing of the sect. Wang Ran had no family in this world; the Sole Self Sect was his only home.

Here, he had his little junior sister, Zhao Xiaobai, his cold senior sister, and his protective master.

Without another thought, his spirit instantly returned to his body. A wave of invisible force swept in all directions, and the overwhelming purple aura in the sky gradually dispersed.

All the disciples looked up in astonishment and awe.

At the same time, after a thunderous boom from the high platform, Wang Ran stepped out from within the stone wall, brimming with energy, his robes fluttering as he clasped his fists and bowed to Feng Yazi.

“Disciple Wang Ran, having comprehended the Heavenly Dao, has created the Eternal Dao, achieved Ten-Star Foundation Establishment, and has come to…report!”