Immortal Taoist

Left alone, Meng Lin finally looked at the manual in her hand, information about it appearing before her eyes.

[Discovered Qing Yue's Secret High-Tier Soul Technique: Stellar Soul Shield]

[Do you wish to Learn?]

Qing Yue? 

'Is that the name of that woman' Meng Lin wondered as she noticed the name in the panel, it was also the first time she had seen a technique which has a name attacked, rather than an affiliated sect.

That means the woman created this technique. 

"Yes," she affirmed mentally, her eyes focusing on the manual as a rush of information flooded her mind.

Near her stomach, within the small sphere in her Dantian, her soul shook slightly as its size slowly decreased while a small layer of white light covered its form.

Meng Lin felt the subtle shift within her soul and took a deep breath, feeling more protected than ever before.

She looked around, realizing she was still on the 36th step. A thought crossed her mind and she lifted a leg to ascend.

However, she realized that the moment she lifted her leg, she couldn't place it down onto the next step, it was as if there was a layer of space blocking her step.

'It seems I can only go down' Meng Lin thought with a bitter smile as she began to descend, each step feeling lighter, her soul more at ease with the pressures.

As she reached the base, she was greeted by the familiar sight of the All Heaven Pagoda's entrance.

Stepping outside, Meng Lin took a moment to appreciate the change around her, her eyes adjusting instantly and her body feeling as light as a feather. 

The sky was dark, and she realized that a lot of time had passed since she first entered the pagoda.

A sense of urgency filled her and she quickly made her way back to her villa, her mind racing with thoughts and plans. As she entered, she quickly figured out the situation through one of the girls, Xi Lin who she met along the way.

Apparently two days had passed since she had entered the pagoda, it surprised her a little as she felt it all happen almost instantly, now she didn't have the luxury to rest, "but i wasn't that fatigued anyway" , she said to herself as she went towards the Alchemy Room.

If she wanted to gain an even better benefit from the secret realm then she should be at her best. She decided to solely focus on making pills, but her goal is still the Top Grade Pill: Spirit Rejuvenation Pill.

"System", seated within her alchemy room Meng Lin called out to her system, her menu appearing before her.

[Meng Lin]

[Soul Wondering Stage (Early)]

[Experience points:30>45%]

System coin: 1080

Immortal Jade: 3

Taoist Gacha wheel: unavailable

Spiritual Roots: [Water>Fire>Gold>Wood>Earth]

Variant Elemental Qi: [Mud] [Erosion] [Water] [Darkness]

[ Heavenly Dao ]

[Death]

Comprehension 0.02%

Main Cultivation Method: [Elemental Qi Convergence Method]

Side Cultivation Methods: [Basic Qi Gathering] [Formless Cultivation Method] [Brute Vortex Cultivation Method] [Black Tortoise Essence Art, 5th Layer] [Imperial Water Art]

Techniques: [Celestial Moonlit Sword Art] [Hundred Unity Techniques] [Wrath of Thunder] [Physique Cleansing Sutra] [Vital Essence Exchange] 

Secret Techniques: [Stellar Soul Shield]

Skills: [Immortal Flesh]

Ancient Spirit Seals: Black Tortoises, Gong Fu - Golden Lizard.

[Market] [Blacksmith] [Alchemy] [Daily Mission]

Meng Lin looked over her system panels and noticed how her cultivation had increased by 15%. She marveled at the boost, realizing that using the Pagoda of All Heaven just once had increased it that much. Now she understood why its usage was restricted to only once a year.

Although she didn't understand why, she felt that it was for the best, her attention quickly shifted to her alchemy panel, where a sense of calm determination settled within her. She had to make that pill.

****

**The Palace**

On a giant platform, surrounded by ancient runes, the air shimmered with stillness as a figure suddenly materialized on the platform.

It was an old man, draped in regal robes that seemed to flow like liquid light and his presence commanded immediate attention. 

As he appeared, the four beings who were already present on the platform instantly fell into a respectful silent bow, their demeanors changed.

"Father Emperor," they said in unison, their voices filled with reverence and happiness.

The old man nodded slightly, acknowledging their greeting. "I have little time," he began, his voice carrying the weight of countless years. "I hope you all are doing well. Nightsky, you have gone and gained weight" 

Empress Night Sky's cheeks flushed slightly, but she maintained her composure, a small, knowing smile playing on her lips. "Thank you for noticing, Father Emperor," she replied gracefully in a bid to save face. "It is only proof that I am improving"

" Hahaha..."  The old man laughed and his eyes softened for a brief moment before returning to their usual penetrating gaze. "It's good that you are well, now where is that abomination," he continued, his expression becoming serious. 

The thought of that monster still leaves him in a bad mood. "I can only come here for a short time, it won't be until five years that I will be able to come again"

" Ah, Father Emperor, what about the threads, did you not come because of that". Emperor Eternal Fate said with a worried expression.

"The Void Star Alliance is aware of the situation," the old man said, his voice resonating with authority. "However, the stronger beings of Realm Clusters have not been able to do anything about it, so it's beyond our reach at the moment."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the assembled beings. "The realm of fate is unreliable anyway, it's best to not even try to glimpse into them"

Emperor Eternal Fate's expression was grim. "I understand" 

With a final, the old man began to dissolve into a swirl of energy, his form fading from view. The platform fell silent, the weight of his words hanging in the air.

****

[Congratulations! You have successfully created one High-Grade Pill: Sense Expanding Pill]

[You have gained Experience]

10 hours had passed and Meng Lin was still diligently working in her alchemy room. The room was filled with a strong fragrance of herbs and the soft glow of her spiritual flame.

The freshly created Sense Expanding Pill lay before her, its shimmering surface a swirl of qi. She carefully stored it with the other ones and took a deep breath, refocusing her thoughts on the next pills.

- Soul Heart Pill x8

- Golden Aura Pill x15

- Bone fortification Pill x11

- Earth Scale Pill x8

- Sense Expanding Pill x2

Meng Lin went through the pills she had created so far, although nonstop work was harsh, it has its benefits. Her mind was now a tranquil place that only held her task, she looked at the alchemy panel, and a small excitement spun in her heart.

[Alchemy Advanced 89>90%]

Pill slot: none

Ingredients: none

Chance of success: 70%

Her chance of success had increased tremendously, considering where she first started. Now she only had to steadily continue and her percentage would increase to a hundred.

She was about to continue when she suddenly felt a fluctuation in the air, it was a wild untamed fluctuation, as if coming from an ancient beast.

'Purple is awake' Meng Lin thought, her tranquil mind shattering into happiness.

She was about to get up from her crossed-legged position when she felt something behind her. A small smile formed on her face as she reached out in a flash, grabbing the head of a small Crystal Serpent.

"You thought you could sneak up on me," Meng Lin said with a playful grin, her fingers gently gripping the cool, crystalline scales of the newly transformed Purple.

Before her was a two-meter-long serpent that radiated an ancient aura. Purple had shrunk down considerably during its transformation, and its new form was a crystal serpent, a clear white crystal serpent.

The serpent's eyes, once shimmering with a purple hue now changed to a purple slit eye, it met Meng Lin's gaze with a loving gaze as it began to move around her body.

Hiss

Meng Lin gently patted the coiling snake around her body, feeling the cool, cold texture of its scales. "Look at you, if not for your eyes I would have considered how bad of an idea it was to name you Purple," Meng Lin said softly, her voice filled with affection. "You've become stunning."

Hiss

Purple flicked its tongue, tasting the aroma filled air and taking in its surroundings. It seemed to be testing its new senses, the crystalline structure of its body seemed to catch light and Meng Lin felt the aura of a rank 3 beast in its body.

It had successfully advanced, Meng Lin felt happy for her companion, as Purple settled comfortably around her shoulders, Meng Lin's mind once again turned to her alchemy panel.

"Let's see what we can achieve now," Meng Lin murmured. She had not forgotten the urgency of the situation, she would have to get a clear understanding of Purple's new powers later.

Her hands moved with precision as she began to prepare the ingredients for her next batch of pills.

The room began to be filled with the familiar, comforting scent of herbs and Purple responded with understanding, closing its eyes while coiling around her body. It made sure to loosen its body, giving Meng Lin the required ability to move.

***

 

Within the Core Areas of the Soul Shattering Sect, a majestic giant swirl of water gathered to form a gate that floated slightly off the ground, its ancient aura faintly vibrating and glowing under the sunlight.

Eighteen core disciples gathered on a platform next to the giant gate, their faces a blend of excitement and determination.

Ruan Lee stood near the front, his eyes reflecting both curiosity and resolve as he looked at the giant water gate, his thoughts a mystery.

"It's finally time. It's been seven days," a voice sounded, prompting him to turn his head. Xu Wei held a gleeful expression as he gazed at the same thing.

"You sound like you've been waiting for years, Xu. It's only been a few weeks since the sect mentioned it," Ruan Lee said.

Xu Wei laughed and said, "Days can feel like years when you're preparing for something as significant as this. It's you that's weird for not showing any reaction to something like this."

He continued, turning his head towards the very front. "Look over there, even the strongest core disciples have a serious look on their faces."

Ruan Lee followed Xu Wei's gaze to the trio at the forefront: Li Feng, Zhao Yu, and Chen Wei. The three men in different robes exuded a formidable aura of the Soul Wondering Realm, their eyes held seriousness as they gazed at the gate with resolve.

Xu Wei glanced at Ruan Lee with admiration. "Both Li Feng and Chen Wei are in the middle stage, and Zhao Yu has a lot of influence over the other disciples here, yet they are still so serious"

"You've got a point," Ruan Lee admitted. "Even the strongest among us aren't taking this lightly."

Xu Wei nodded. "Exactly" he was about to continue when he suddenly noticed the attention of everybody seemed to have shifted to six newcomers arriving the platform. "Oh, they're finally here, the core disciples with Luan's Soul".

Ruan Lee's heart skipped a beat as he turned his gaze toward the new group, his gaze lingering on the girl in a clear white robe.