Chapter 423: Golden Immortal

“Heavenly Sun Calamity Poison Pill? You obtained its formula? And plan to use it to visit the Netherworld?” Immortal Elder Changcun had barely rested for a few days before Jiang Li came knocking again for advice.

“This is indeed an immortal-grade pill formula. The Soul-Severing Water mentioned can only be found in the Netherworld or Celestial Realm, with no substitute materials.”

“In the past, some immortals shared your idea and visited the Netherworld out of curiosity using this method. None returned.”

“Why?”

“Some speculate the Netherworld only permits the dead to enter, with no leaving allowed.”

“The Netherworld doesn’t even spare face for Celestial Realm immortals?” Jiang Li felt newfound respect for the Netherworld.

“Life and death represent the universe’s supreme order. The Netherworld is the final defense of this order—it cares not who comes. Earthly Immortals, Celestial Immortals, even Golden Immortals cannot return. Entry means death.”

“Three flowers gather atop, five energies return to origin, reverting to primordial chaos, achieving perfect enlightenment—this defines a Golden Immortal.”

Like Immortal Elder Changcun’s fabricated Mahayana Stage representatives—Netherfire Immortal Lord and War Immortal—they belong to this tier.

Among Nine Provinces cultivators who ascended, few reach this realm. Such beings become Celestial Realm overlords, roaming freely without constraints.

This explains why many flattered Jiang Li, claiming he’d surely become a Celestial Realm overlord after ascension.

Precedents exist.

Above Golden Immortals stand figures like Dao Ancestor—cultivators who reached the pinnacle, earning the title “Ancestor.”

“What about figures at Dao Ancestor’s level?”

“Who knows? I’m no Dao Ancestor.”

Immortal Elder Changcun understood Jiang Li’s temperament—once set on visiting the Netherworld, no persuasion would work.

He suspected Jiang Li could likely return. Worst case, couldn’t he fight his way back?

Wait—no, how could he entertain such thoughts?

Remembering something, Immortal Elder Changcun said, “Earlier you asked what incident caused someone to breach the Netherworld, allowing souls to escape. I claimed internal conflict among the Ten Yama Kings.”

“Right, you said that. Also mentioned the Ten Yama Kings were former immortals with conflicting ideologies, even suggesting the Netherworld planned to attack the Celestial Realm. I remember everything.”

“I made it all up.”

Jiang Li nearly choked.

“Elder, be honest—how many times have you deceived me?”

Immortal Elder Changcun sighed helplessly. “From your description then, I immediately suspected fallen immortals’ involvement. But I dared not reveal the truth.”

“Had I said Outer Realm Demons attacked the Netherworld, you’d question why the Celestial Realm didn’t intervene, eventually realizing the Celestial Realm itself had fallen—that the demons were immortals.”

“In desperation, I spun wild tales to cover the lie.” The elder marveled at how his lying skills had improved since meeting Jiang Li.

Jiang Li had trusted him too much. Upon reflection, those qualifying as Ten Yama Kings possessed immense hidden virtue—how could they disregard Netherworld safety and disrupt reincarnation order?

Only external assault could explain it.

“How much of what you said about the Netherworld was true?”

“At minimum, the Ten Yama Kings exist.”

“…So everything else was false!” Jiang Li wanted to flip a table. Even folk tales mention the Ten Yama Kings.

“Regardless, the Celestial Realm likely located the Netherworld and launched an attack.”

“Isn’t the Netherworld in danger then?” Jiang Li sprang up—the Netherworld governed life and death across all realms. Its safety was paramount.

Immortal Elder Changcun remained calm. “Don’t underestimate the Netherworld. While many immortals chose reincarnation, countless others with hidden virtue remained. Accumulated over eons, ghost immortals there may outnumber the Celestial Realm’s Earthly Immortals. In war, the Netherworld holds advantage.”

“After deceiving you, I monitored recent newborns in the Nine Provinces—no missing souls, dual-soul phenomena, or past-life memories. The Netherworld still functions normally.”

“That’s good.” Jiang Li relaxed. Though deceitful, the elder handled matters thoroughly.

“So no need to rush your death.”

Jiang Li found the phrasing odd.

“Oh, I meant feigned death,” Immortal Elder Changcun clarified.

…

Departing Secluded Cave, Jiang Li encountered someone rarely seen at Dao Sect—Confucian Sect Master Dong Zhongren.

“Human Sovereign! You’re here?” Delighted, Dong Zhongren had come to invite Bai Hongtu. Their usual banter had left him sulking—meeting Jiang Li was a surprise.

Confucianism emphasizes self-cultivation, family regulation, state governance, and world peace—their ultimate pursuit. Yet throughout history, no Confucian achieved this.

Dong Zhongren believed Jiang Li accomplished world peace—a monumental feat worthy of sagehood, and studied him accordingly.

“I consulted the elder. What brings you here?”

“Confucius Sage’s birthday approaches. Our sect plans grand celebrations.”

Though Dong Zhongshu founded Confucianism, its doctrines originated from Confucius Sage—the pinnacle Celestial Realm figure.

Legend says after ascension, Dong Zhongshu studied under Confucius Sage, gaining great prestige.

The Great Scholar’s Manuscript was also obtained through Dong Zhongshu’s senior brother, becoming the sect’s treasure.

Confucius Sage equals Dao Ancestor in stature. Given current Celestial Realm conditions, he’s either dead or surrendered to Heavenly Dao.

But Jiang Li saw no need to mention this to Dong Zhongren.

Let them celebrate—the Celestial Realm receives no news from the Nine Provinces anyway.

“Understood. I’ll attend.”

Dong Zhongren respectfully presented an invitation before leaving.

“Another argument?” Jiang Li asked Bai Hongtu, who’d been hiding nearby.

“Trivial matters.” Bai Hongtu dismissed it. He and Dong Zhongren went way back—five centuries ago as rival wandering cultivators constantly competing, with even results.

Despite frequent clashes, they maintained decent relations.

But during the Human Sovereign selection, the Earth Veil chose Bai Hongtu as candidate, not Dong Zhongren.

Bai Hongtu concluded Dong Zhongren preached sacrifice for the world but lacked genuine commitment—otherwise he’d have been selected.

A hypocrite.

“Will you attend?”

“Absolutely. I heard they created a ‘Land of Gentlemen’ for the occasion. Curious to see it.”

“Don’t cause trouble,” Jiang Li warned.

“Me? When have I ever caused trouble?”