Cultivation: When you take things to the extreme - Chapter 571

Chapter 571: Chapter 347: Sea Realm

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The Pill Origin Gathering began, and again three years passed.

After the three years, once the grand event concluded, Xu Yang bid farewell to everyone, not even delaying for long with close Mahayana associates like the Peony Fairy.

There was one exception alone.

“Star Lord!”

When Xu Yang returned to his abode, he saw someone waiting and immediately asked with a light laugh, “How was the gathering?”

“Exquisite, exquisite!”

The person in question looked like an elder, his flowing robes and immortal-like presence, with white hair and a long beard, his face bearing a smile and his eyes expressing kindness. He leaned on a dragon staff and held an immortal peach, the very image of a virtuous True Monarch, the South Pole Longevity Heaven Immortal.

“What a Pill Origin Gathering, truly a reputation well deserved!”

He laughed heartily and praised, then sat down with Xu Yang and got straight to the point, “Zhen Yuan, my friend, with your vast knowledge and profound understanding, you will surely become a True Immortal in the future. Isn’t remaining in this earthly realm just wasting time? Why not ascend to heaven and take a post? I daresay, if my friend ascends and takes a position, you are certain to be granted a Star Lord title.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Yang shook his head, “I, a humble cultivator, have long grown accustomed to freedom and truly do not wish to be bound by such constraints. I must ask for the Star Lord’s understanding.”

“This…”

Such words left the elder in a difficult position, unsure how to persuade further.

With a smile, Xu Yang made no effort to rush him.

Having been in the South Observance Continent for more than seven hundred years and having hosted the Pill Origin Gathering three times, reactions from various quarters were inevitable.

In fact, already three hundred years ago, during the second Pill Origin Gathering, the Heavenly Court sent a Mahayana True Immortal to recruit him, hoping to offer him a position as a Star Lord or even as a palace master, but all were declined by him.

However, the Heavenly Court was unwilling to give up just like that; after all, with each Pill Origin Gathering, his influence in South Observance continued to grow. Added to his mastery of Alchemy Dao, Dao of Talismans, Dao of Tools, and Array Formation, such a talent had significant value. For the sake of both fame and interest, it was imperative to bring him into their fold.

Therefore, at the time of the third Pill Origin Gathering, the Heavenly Court sent the Longevity Star Palace Master to persuade him once more.

This Longevity Star Palace Master was one of the Four Auxiliary Imperial Lords under the South Pole Great Emperor, nearly a Calamity Immortal in age, his strength surpassing that of the Buddhism’s Cloth Sack Arhat and the Pagoda-carrying Arhat. Not only was his status revered, but he was also a gentle soul, much like True Person Ziyang, a well-known good Samaritan who often doubled as a Heavenly Court emissary to scout for talent in the Lower Realm.

Although Xu Yang harbored grievances against the Heavenly Court, the collective was one thing, and the individual another. He held great respect for such virtuous and good-hearted personalities, treating the visitor as an honored guest without the slightest neglect.

But while he was hospitable, he still politely declined the invitation to ascend to heaven.

Such a response left the Longevity Star Palace Master feeling helpless.

Despite being the premier sect in the Earth Immortal Realm, the Heavenly Court could not always do as it pleased, especially in a chaotic place like the South Observance Continent.

For Integration cultivators, it was easier—the Heavenly Court could directly confer titles and accept oaths, regardless of whether the individuals consented or not, they had to carry a title. In the event of a demon invasion or a great battle between Immortal Gods, the Heavenly Court also had the right to conscript.

Lord Chu Shan and Lord Lutu were such examples—despite being cultivators from the earthly realm, they still had to hold positions in the Heavenly Court and accept conscription in the face of demon invasions, contributing to the military force at the frontline.

But this only applied to those at the stage of Integration. Mahayana cultivators were not included in this arrangement because they were at the pinnacle of conventional combat strength, hard to be coerced by anyone in the absence of Calamity Immortals.

Although the Heavenly Court possessed numerous Mahayana cultivators, most were required to oversee the East Victorious Divine Continent and could not be all summoned to suppress South Observance, coercing the local cultivators into submission.

Such actions, not only painstaking with little to show for it, might also provoke some South Observance cultivators to join the Demon Abyss of the Monster Nation. Should they become Calamity Immortals in the future, they would rise as great enemies to the Heavenly Court, creating numerous hidden dangers.

The Heavenly Court had already endured such bitter lessons several times over and naturally would not repeat them.

Thus, in the case of Mahayana cultivators from the South Observance State, the Heavenly Court could only let them be. As long as they did not join the Monster Nation or Demon Abyss, there were generally no attempts to restrain or conscript them—it was all voluntary.

Therefore, with Xu Yang refusing to ascend, the Longevity Star Palace Master was left with no choice and dared not force the issue.

If coercion failed, what about enticement?

That had already been tried, to no avail.

With no alternatives, the current state of the Heavenly Court was clear to all—what benefits could they offer?

With only average benefits and yet under constraints, not to mention the risk of being dragged into the transparent struggles and factional disputes between the Jade Emperor and the Four Auxiliary Imperial Lords, how could that compare to roaming freely and unbound within South Observance, utterly untroubled?

Not to mention, he also had the capability to host the Pill Origin Gathering. So long as he was not struck down by calamity midway, he was destined to be an Immortal God—why bother wading into the murky waters of the Heavenly Court?

The Heavenly Court, ah…

Reflecting on this, the Longevity Star Palace Master felt a sense of helplessness but could not show it, and could only force a smile and say, “Since brother Xu has no intention of ascending, then I shan’t insist too firmly. My words just now remain valid—if someday brother Xu has a change of heart, just send a letter, and I will certainly lead you into court!”

“Haha, Star Lord, your kind intention is engraved in my heart!”

Xu Yang laughed and thus forged a good bond.

“Be it as it may!”

Seeing his resolute decision, the Longevity Star Palace Master shook his head and chose not to continue on the matter. Instead, he changed the topic, “I’ve heard that you’ve had some dealings with the Great Mercy Bodhisattva of Buddhism?”

“Oh?”

Hearing this, Xu Yang’s interest piqued, “Indeed, there was some grace and grievance. By mentioning this, does the Star Lord perhaps imply…?”

“Indeed!”

The Longevity Star Palace Master nodded, “I have heard in the Heavenly Court that the Great Mercy Bodhisattva is about to undertake the Eightfold Buddha Tribulation.”

“I see.”

Xu Yang smiled, “No wonder it’s been over six hundred years of calm seas—it seems my days of peace are numbered.”

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