Eternal Emperor's Path to Ascension

Chapter 376: Yun Jiang Visits the Eternal Peak

Several months later.In the Qingyun Region, a gentle breeze swept across the mountains and rivers.

Compared to centuries ago, the entire region had changed beyond recognition.

Countless flying ships traveled through the skies every day as Immortal Cultivators continuously entered and exited from all directions while large cities expanded several times over.

Markets, sect branches, Dao lecture halls, cultivation academies, spirit herb plantations, and countless businesses stretched throughout the region.

The reason was simple: the Eternal Peak.

Ever since Tian Yongheng rose to prominence by slaying the Archaic Forbidden Demon God and later became a legendary existence capable of suppressing Immortals, the Qingyun Region had gradually transformed into one of the most prosperous cultivation regions on the Eastern Continent.

Although ordinary cultivators could not enter the Eternal Peak itself, simply cultivating nearby brought enormous benefits.

Even the environment outside the Dao Field had transformed due to the influence of the Immortal Qi, traces of it drifting endlessly throughout the surrounding lands, making cultivation much easier.

Many cultivators even believed that the very soil near the Eternal Peak contained traces of Immortal fortune.

Whether that was true or not hardly mattered anymore, the results spoke for themselves.

Over the centuries, countless experts had emerged from the Qingyun Region.

Wandering Tribulation Transcendence Realm cultivators occasionally appeared, Immortal Ascension Realm experts were no longer unheard of, and there were even rumors that several Half Immortals had quietly established temporary cave abodes nearby in hopes of obtaining enlightenment through observing the Eternal Peak.

As for causing trouble?

Nobody even dared entertain the thought.

Everyone knew that the overlord of the Qingyun Region, the Qingyun Sword Sect, had an extraordinary relationship with the Eternal Lord.

Even ancient inheritances would think twice before offending them. No one wanted to get beaten up and be made an example of for no reason.

At this point, the Qingyun Region had already become one of the most prosperous regions in the entire Eastern Continent.

Only territories directly governed by the Grand Sun Sect and the Great Path Holy Land still surpassed it, not because they possessed stronger current experts, but because their foundations spanned countless millions of years.

...

At this moment, a monk quietly walked along a mountain path.

He had a handsome appearance, wearing a simple gray robe as long black hair draped behind his shoulders, a wooden Buddhist staff resting upon his back.

His steps were calm and unhurried.

It was none other than Yun Jiang, the battle maniac monk from the Benevolent Buddha Hall, the last personal disciple of the Truth Endeavoring Arhat.

Compared to centuries ago, he had changed significantly.

The youthful sharpness once hidden within his eyes had long disappeared, instead, replacing it was only tranquility, a tranquility that could only be obtained after witnessing countless joys and sorrows throughout the mortal world.

His cultivation had likewise risen tremendously.

He was already at the peak Void Refinement Realm, only one step away from the Nascent Soul Realm.

Although it was nothing special in the current Eternal Peak and the wider cultivation world, such cultivation would still allow him to become a top tier disciple of a major faction and already qualify him as an ancestor in many Dao Lineages with tens of thousands of years of history.

Yet throughout his journey, Yun Jiang still maintained the his same old habits.

Whenever he encountered evil spirits, he eliminated them.

Whenever he encountered suffering, he helped when possible.

Whenever he encountered injustice, he acted according to his heart.

He had never changed; in fact, if previously he used to do those things for fame, now he genuinely did them because it was the right thing to do.

Several days ago, he had personally exterminated a Qi Condensation Realm evil spirit terrorizing a small town.

The strongest cultivator within that town had merely been at the Third Stage of Qi Condensation Realm.

To Yun Jiang, the matter was insignificant, yet he still handled it personally not because he had to, but because he wanted to.

At this moment, he stopped walking and raised his head.

The endless, misty mountains appeared before him, as if straight out of a myth or legend.

For a brief moment, Yun Jiang’s body completely stilled as his eyes widened slightly.

Even though he had already mentally prepared himself, the sight still shocked him.

Immortal Qi, genuine, boundless Immortal Qi.

It churned throughout the heavens and earth like endless clouds.

The entire Eternal Peak appeared like a supreme Immortal paradise detached from the mortal world.

Ancient spiritual trees towered into the skies, and countless spirit beasts wandered freely.

Immortal light occasionally flickered throughout the mountain range, it seemed as if the very worldly laws, natural elements, and heavenly rules were different from the rest of the world here.

For several moments, Yun Jiang remained silent.

Then, he clasped his palms together.

"Amitabha."

Even his Dao Heart couldn’t remain completely calm.

Back then, the Eternal Peak’s reputation was as resounding as the Turquoise Lake Sword Manor, which was why he wanted to visit it and challenge the Eternal Lord.

However, due to many matters, he could not do so for a long time.

Now that he finally had the time to visit the Eternal Peak, he truly saw its appearance for the first time.

It genuinely resembled a sacred land from ancient legends.

Even the Benevolent Buddha Hall couldn’t compare to such a scene in terms of the celestial atmosphere and Immortal Qi.

Soon after hesitating for a few moments, he finally stepped inside.

Naturally, Tian Yongheng had already noticed his arrival, which was why he could step inside the Dao Field at all.

He still had somewhat of an impression of this battle maniac monk, and besides, he also knew Sun Hao and Zhao Ye.

They could entertain him for the time being.

At the same time, this guy’s master, the Truth Endeavoring Arhat, was the granddisciple of a True Immortal. He still hoped to understand more about the existence of True Immortals.

Inside the Dao Field, Yun Jiang wandered leisurely throughout the mountains and rivers.

The surrounding scenery continuously amazed him.

The closer he got to the central area where the Eternal Peak was located, the stronger the beings he encountered.

Golden Core Realm cultivators, Void Refinement Realm cultivators, and occasionally, even Tribulation Transcendence Realm aura fluctuations occasionally appeared, probably to probe him before they retracted.

Yet at the same time, none of them displayed arrogance.

The atmosphere remained peaceful as he sometimes caught glimpses of Void Refinement Realm cultivators preaching the Dao to cultivators.

At this moment, Yun Jiang found a quiet pavilion and sat down.

Then, he began waiting.

After all, although this was his first time visiting the Eternal Peak, he knew one thing or two about the course of events these past few centuries.

He knew certain people still lived here whom he knew.

Sure enough, less than an hour later, a familiar figure approached from the distance.

The moment Yun Jiang saw him, recognition dawned in his eyes.

The dark skinned, handsome young man, seemingly surrounded in an invisible net of Sword Intent at all times, approaching likewise revealed a surprised expression.

"Fellow cultivator Yun?"

Sun Hao stopped in place.

A smile immediately appeared on his face, carrying a faint hint of teasing and mockery.

"You took quite long to come here and challenge the Peak Master."

Yun Jiang laughed softly, though his laughter sounded somewhat awkward.

"It has been quite some time."

Sun Hao nodded, "Several hundred years."

The two quickly sat down together.

After exchanging greetings, Sun Hao carefully examined Yun Jiang before he nodded approvingly, "Peak Void Refinement Realm, looks like you’ve obtained quite a few opportunities."

Yun Jiang smiled.

"Nothing compared to the Eternal Peak."

Sun Hao immediately laughed.

"That’s true."

The two chatted casually, speaking about their experiences and cultivation throughout the years, the atmosphere remaining relaxed.

Eventually Sun Hao asked:

"Fellow cultivator Yun, what is your current goal?"

Yun Jiang thought for a moment.

Then he answered honestly.

"Nascent Soul Realm, and after that, continue walking."

Sun Hao blinked.

"That’s all?"

Yun Jiang nodded.

"That’s all for now."

For a moment, Sun Hao seemed somewhat speechless.

Other cultivators constantly spoke of dominating regions, becoming Immortals, establishing supreme sects, or pursuing eternal life, but this fellow...

At this moment, Yun Jiang suddenly looked at Sun Hao.

His expression became strange as if he had realized something.

"Fellow cultivator Sun..."

Sun Hao blinked.

"What?"

Yun Jiang hesitated briefly before asking, "You could tell my cultivation base at a glance, could it be that you have entered the Nascent Soul Realm?"

Sun Hao nodded naturally.

"It’s been a few decades."

As soon as he said those words, silence fell around them.

Yun Jiang stared at him, and Sun Hao stared back.

The atmosphere suddenly became awkward.

Several moments later, Yun Jiang couldn’t help taking a deep breath.

Back then, when they first met, Sun Hao had only been at the Innate Realm, while Yun Jiang had already entered the Golden Core Realm.

At that time, Yun Jiang’s cultivation was higher.

Now, Sun Hao was already a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, an entire major realm ahead of him.

The difference felt somewhat surreal.

Seeing his expression, Sun Hao immediately understood.

He scratched his head awkwardly.

"Actually, it’s mostly because of the environment here."

Yun Jiang looked around.

Immortal Qi drifted everywhere, cultivation resources were practically limitless, Dao rhymes and Dharma charms flowed around...

After observing everything once more, Yun Jiang slowly nodded.

"...Fair enough."

Honestly speaking, under these conditions, not advancing quickly would be the truly strange thing.