Chapter 505: The First Immortal After the Celestial Ascension Ladder's Disappearance

The method for refining Merit Gold Bricks was simple enough that even Jiang Li could master it.

Soon, mountains of Merit Gold Bricks were completed, with two-thirds of the merit being reclaimed by the Heavenly Dao.

Even Emperor of Mengjiang had never seen so many Merit Gold Bricks.

The Mengjiang Dynasty’s Merit Gold Bricks were only enough to elevate someone to the peak of Tribulation Transcendence Stage, completely incomparable to what Jiang Li had refined.

Actually, the first Emperor of Mengjiang had left behind many Merit Gold Bricks, enough to produce several immortals. However, before the Celestial Ascension Ladder broke, successive Emperors of Mengjiang couldn’t restrain their inner greed. Relying on their cultivation talent after reaching Tribulation Transcendence Stage, they extravagantly squandered the Merit Gold Bricks to become immortals themselves, causing the number of bricks to sharply decrease until there weren’t even enough for ascension.

“Only those who have already passed the Ascension Tribulation can become immortals?” Old Dragon King felt that immortality had little to do with him.

Who could become an immortal less than two hours after reaching Tribulation Transcendence Stage?

Jiang Li shook his head: “No, I have a Nine Revolutions Immortal Pill here. Anyone who takes it can become an immortal, whether they’re at Tribulation Transcendence or Unity Stage. Considering that rashly becoming an immortal at Unity Stage would hinder subsequent cultivation, I only called all Tribulation Transcendence cultivators here to discuss.”

“I just reached Tribulation Transcendence Stage and haven’t even stabilized my realm yet. It’s not the time to consider immortality.” Old Dragon King refused. In the past, he would have craved becoming an Earthly Immortal with a hundred-thousand-year lifespan, but now he had grown indifferent to matters of longevity. Life and death follow fate, all is destiny.

Moreover, his becoming an immortal wouldn’t bring great benefits to the Nine Provinces.

“I don’t need it either. We sword cultivators would never rely on pills to enhance our cultivation.” Sword Sovereign refused even more directly.

“Not needed.” Yu Yin said indifferently, unconcerned about this opportunity. That the Nine Provinces and Immortal Realm had become enemies was already decided—the Immortal Realm would definitely send people to attack the Nine Provinces. By that time, there would be an endless supply of merit power.

She also didn’t want to become an immortal now, wishing to continue polishing her Tribulation Transcendence Stage.

“…You all are making me feel rather unaccomplished.” Jiang Li was speechless. Everyone was so selfless—someone unaware might think merit power was some kind of garbage.

Now only Commander Liu who had passed two Ascension Tribulations, and Li Er and Bai Hongtu who had passed one Ascension Tribulation hadn’t stated their positions.

“I don’t need it either. With the Nine Provinces Spirit Plant Array enhancement now, I’m comparable to a Celestial Immortal. Whether I become an immortal or not doesn’t matter to me. I propose letting Commander Liu become an immortal.” Bai Hongtu said.

“I agree with Sect Master Bai’s view. Commander Liu has worked hard for the Nine Provinces for six thousand years, serving as deputy to dozens of Human Sovereigns. He has worked diligently and made significant contributions, not to mention he’s the strongest among Tribulation Transcendence cultivators. Both emotionally and logically, he should become an immortal.” Li Er stated his position.

“Right, Commander Liu should become an immortal.”

“Let Commander Liu become an immortal.”

“Same.” Yu Yin was sparing with her words.

Jiang Li looked at Commander Liu who hadn’t yet reacted and said with a smile: “Commander Liu, everyone says so. What do you think? By the way, I share the same view as everyone else.”

“Originally I wanted to give this opportunity to you all. After all, I’ve already lived six thousand years—not a short time. But seeing your stance, even if I refuse, I’m afraid you’ll forcefully push me to become an immortal.”

Commander Liu said with a helpless smile: “Very well, I’ll become an immortal then.”

“Here, the Nine Revolutions Immortal Pill.”

The Nine Revolutions Immortal Pill could help one achieve an immortal body. Combined with immortal power, ascension would happen naturally.

“Thank you for your kindness, Hall Master, but please keep the immortal pill for those who need it. I’ve recently gained some insights in my cultivation, and my Ascension Tribulation is approaching. Since we’ve chosen the day, why not today? I’ll summon my Ascension Tribulation today.”

Commander Liu practiced how to convert Merit Gold Bricks into immortal power, then flew above the Human Sovereign Hall, released his suppression, and summoned the heavenly tribulation upon himself.

Instantly, tribulation clouds gathered, slowly transforming into a vortex shape with the vortex tail pointing toward Commander Liu.

Everyone present except Jiang Li felt this overwhelming pressure.

Li Er swallowed hard. The Ascension Tribulation was indeed stronger each time. In recent years, his cultivation had advanced, giving him sixty to seventy percent confidence to pass the second Ascension Tribulation. But facing this third Ascension Tribulation, he only had twenty to thirty percent confidence to pass.

With a deafening roar, five-colored tribulation flames surged from the vortex tail, pouring down scorching heat that swept through the world. Blistering waves of fire rushed toward everyone.

Everyone used their magic power to block the residual power of the Ascension Tribulation, while Jiang Li casually waved away the fire waves, protecting Emperor of Mengjiang.

“Fire overcomes wood. This is the worst possible tribulation for Commander Liu.” Li Er frowned and murmured.

Facing the third Ascension Tribulation directly, Commander Liu whispered: “The third Ascension Tribulation is so terrifying. To think Venerable Sumeru Buddha actually passed it, truly enviable…”

Before Jiang Li, Venerable Sumeru Buddha was the only one who had passed the third Ascension Tribulation.

“…Fortunately, this level of tribulation is still within my ability to handle.”

Commander Liu’s white hair turned green, his green pupils growing increasingly profound. He formed a single-handed seal and struck at the tribulation flames.

World-Shaking Seal!

After being weakened, the tribulation flames’ power sharply decreased, but their direction remained unchanged, still charging toward Commander Liu.

Commander Liu burned within the tribulation flames—from his body to his Spirit Platform to his soul, everything was burning.

Commander Liu didn’t cast any spells either, engaging in a tug-of-war with the tribulation flames using pure life force. This was both tribulation and opportunity.

The tribulation flames could strengthen his physical body, purify his Spirit Platform, and perfect his soul.

Finally, the tribulation flames couldn’t match Commander Liu’s life force, gradually diminishing and extinguishing.

As the tribulation flames disappeared, Commander Liu hovered between life and death, looking as if he might lose consciousness at any moment, making everyone anxious.

Jiang Li showed no intention of intervening either, knowing Commander Liu had more methods up his sleeve.

Sure enough, a hundred-zhang illusory green willow appeared behind Commander Liu, gently waving its branches and leaves, restoring Commander Liu to peak condition.

Then thunderbolts struck toward Commander Liu in the form of nine dragons holding pearls, directly shattering the green willow illusion. Commander Liu vomited blood continuously.

The nine thunder dragons pursued their advantage, tempering Commander Liu with their powerful thunderous momentum.

Finally, Commander Liu survived this tribulation, hanging on by a thread, unable to summon the green willow illusion to restore himself again.

Everyone thought Commander Liu had failed the tribulation and wanted to rush over, but were stopped by Immortal Elder Changcun.

“Watch carefully, everyone. This is what becoming an immortal looks like.”

As if responding to Immortal Elder Changcun’s words, the charred skin formed a cocoon. Commander Liu underwent a metamorphic transformation—his heart regained vitality, supplying blood to his limbs; his skin, flesh, bones, blood, marrow, Spirit Platform, soul… all transformed, becoming extremely powerful.

With a cracking sound, a small opening appeared in the carbon-colored cocoon shell. Commander Liu clenched his fist forcefully, making the entire cocoon shatter.

Commander Liu converted the Merit Gold Bricks into immortal power, replacing the spiritual energy within his body with immortal power.

He shed his mortal body and ascended to the immortal realm.

With a casual wave of his hand, Commander Liu compressed the air into a sharp blade that pierced through the clouds.

“So this is what an immortal is like. No wonder successive Human Sovereigns fought so hard. An immortal’s physical body is just this powerful.”

“Fellow Daoist Liu, you’re not an ordinary Earthly Immortal—you’re at the late Earthly Immortal stage.” Immortal Elder Changcun came forward to congratulate him.

“What?”

“It must be due to the foundation you accumulated before and the Ascension Tribulations you passed that allowed you to skip the early and middle Earthly Immortal stages and directly reach late Earthly Immortal stage.”

“Do you feel a certain indescribable sense of deficiency now?”

Commander Liu thought for a moment and nodded.

“This is because the immortal power converted from merit power is only enough for middle Earthly Immortal stage use—it can’t fill your late Earthly Immortal stage requirements.”

“No matter. I can refrain from using immortal techniques from now on, relying only on my physical body.” He was stationed at the Human Sovereign Hall and didn’t need immortal techniques.

Everyone came forward, congratulating Commander Liu on becoming the first immortal after the Celestial Ascension Ladder broke.

“Congratulations, Commander Liu. With a hundred-thousand-year lifespan after becoming an immortal, you can continue to be stationed at the Human Sovereign Hall.”

“…”

Commander Liu suddenly realized—Jiang Li, at Mahayana Stage, had a terrifyingly long lifespan. If he kept serving as Human Sovereign, wouldn’t that mean Commander Liu would have to remain stationed at the Human Sovereign Hall forever?

“Hall Master, tell me honestly—is there any connection between making me become an immortal and making me continue stationed at the Human Sovereign Hall?”

Jiang Li looked somewhat embarrassed: “I can’t say there’s no connection at all…”

Jiang Li quickly switched to a smiling expression, patting Commander Liu’s shoulder: “Becoming an immortal is a good thing. Let’s not talk about these emotionally hurtful matters. I might die for a while recently—please take good care of my body for me.”

Commander Liu was speechless. Although he had long heard that the Hall Master wanted to take poison pills to go to the underworld, this was the first time he’d seen someone so cheerful about going to the underworld.

From when Jiang Li was summoned to the Fanting World to when Commander Liu became an immortal, exactly half a day had passed. Su Wei completed her task on time, refining the Heavenly Sun Calamity Poison Pill surrounded by Pill Clouds with nine pill patterns.

Jiang Li suspected this was the best pill Su Wei had ever refined in her life.

…

After arranging his final affairs, Jiang Li took the pill and peacefully fell into deep sleep.

Bai Hongtu secretly came to the Human Sovereign Hall and ran into Commander Liu.

“Sect Master Bai, what are you doing here? You’re holding a writing brush—don’t tell me you’re planning to draw something on the Hall Master’s face?”

“Hahaha, how could that be? I just came to pay respects to the great Human Sovereign Jiang’s remains.”

Commander Liu took out the precautions Jiang Li had left. The first item clearly stated: “Prohibit Bai Hongtu from approaching my corpse.”