Chapter 764

Chapter 764: Invitation from the Expert

"The Cleansing Immortal Heart Technique… So you remain my final obstacle." Ye Yun reopened his eyes, his gaze icy with a fury that nearly shattered his restraint. With his current inheritance, breaking through to the Eighth Level Earth Immortal realm should’ve been effortless. Yet this accursed technique shackled his advancement.

"Damn it!!"

A shockwave exploded from his feet, scattering nearby onlookers as cyclonic winds tore through the space. Just as his suppressed demonic aura threatened to erupt, the Ancestor’s Soul Power clamped down like celestial chains.

The Ancestor’s laughter echoed in his mind. *"Foolish boy. Did you think demonic influences could be tamed through brute force? Forcing comprehension of extreme cold power? Reckless."*

"My impatience betrayed me." Regaining clarity, Ye Yun surveyed the trembling bystanders. White light pulsed within him, returning him to where he’d first met the Qian Ying twins. As he sat cross-legged, an unusual presence prickled his senses nearby.

With his demonic side subdued, he called out calmly, "Why does this fellow cultivator lurk behind curtains?"

"Sharp as winter’s edge." A melodious voice answered. The curtain parted to reveal a woman adorned with phoenix-shaped hairpins. Her steps held regal poise as she appraised him. "But I’m more curious—where have you hidden my little maids?"

*Eighth Level Earth Immortal realm!* Ye Yun’s mental energy brushed against her aura. He chuckled, "This junior pays respects to Red City’s ruler. Forgive any unintended disrespect."

"Clever tongue." Her phoenix earrings swayed as she tilted her head. "What revealed my identity?"

"Your bearing outshines common cultivators." In truth, the Ancestor had identified her palace-origin aura moments earlier.

She studied him before sighing. "Rules bind me from pressing further. Simply swear the girls remain unharmed."

"They’re safe," Ye Yun stated evenly.

After prolonged scrutiny, she relaxed. "They’re mere servants, but hands off. Let doddering elders flirt—cross that line, and we’ll quarrel."

"Then have your attendants bring more Moonlit Pond wine. This pavilion’s Phoenix Feast merits proper appreciation." Ye Yun changed topics, disliking her piercing gaze that seemed to strip his secrets bare.

Satisfied with his answer, she withdrew. Her true concern wasn’t the maids—their lives meant little. This test merely gauged his character. Even had he killed them, only his potential value stayed her hand.

*A Nascent Soul cultivator rivaling Earth Immortals?* She mused while departing. *Only monumental backing explains this. No mere talent achieves such without ancient sects or hidden masters supporting him.*

Alone again, Ye Yun ordered another jug of wine. As he sampled jade-hued delicacies carved like living art, the Ancestor’s voice resurfaced.

*"Fretting over merging pure-heartedness with demonic aspects? First survive being hunted by an Eighth Level expert!"*

Ye Yun swirled his wine. "No conflict exists between us."

*"Fool! Each Earth Immortal realm breakthrough demands repeating prior ascensions!"* the Ancestor snapped. *"Seventh to Eighth requires re-conquering all seven previous levels! Few reach Tenth Level—perhaps one in this era. As for the Demon Race? Only sealed remnants linger on Lingyao Continent."*

A serving girl interrupted, offering a crimson token. "The master invites you to tomorrow’s Red Stained Pavilion event."

Ye Yun accepted the blood-hued plaque. "Your mistress anticipates needs well." Once alone, he crushed the hidden tracking mark with mental energy.

*"Destroying her seal? That’s declaring war!"* the Ancestor warned.

"Better than permitting surveillance." Ye Yun reclined, savoring distant zither music.

The phoenix-adorned ruler watched through hidden wards, lips pursed. *Pure-heartedness of a child… The legendary path to Heavenly Immortal realm.* Her anger cooled. *Let him be. No gain comes from antagonizing heaven’s chosen.*

The zither’s melody drifted softly, lulling Ye Yun into a subconscious slumber. The Ancestor sat nearby, humming a discordant tune he believed to be fine accompaniment – a childish yet earnest display.

Such peaceful moments proved rare for both. After brief respites, they’d inevitably return to life-and-death struggles. Ye Yun treasured these fleeting chances to rest, finding simple contentment in temporary reprieves.

"Has it ended? Or will everything quieten?" Ye Yun studied his ice-entombed reflection wreathed in demonic energy, contrasting sharply with his current form bathed in sacred light. The dominant consciousness seemed obvious.

Yet he secretly hoped his demonic side could claim control. Should his pure-heartedness and darker nature fail to merge, he’d face an irreversible choice – sealing the demonic aspect with extreme cold power, condemning himself to solitary immortality’s barren path.

The prospect dissatisfied him, yet appeared unavoidable without Heavenly Immortal-level fortune. Choosing emotionless ascension would make him his own first opponent – ironic, given immortality’s coveted status. His hesitation would seem laughable to outsiders.

But Ye Yun understood his path. Endless solitude promised only monochrome existence. He’d avoid emotionless immortality unless utterly compelled, knowing such choice would reduce his past to dissipating smoke – rendering his life tragic comedy.

Beyond these calculations lingered deeper uncertainties. After each rest, resisting cultivation’s agonies grew harder. Part of him wished to sleep eternally. "What have I gained through this suffering?" The Ancestor remained silent as Ye Yun chuckled bitterly at his own decadence. Was this Mo Wenxian’s fabled immortal-seeking demeanor?

Unlike others, Ye Yun walked alone save the Ancestor’s witness. Though his potential shook heavens, his combat power flared briefly as fireworks. Recognizing his precarious mentality, Ye Yun mused: "Overthinking helps nothing. Perhaps I should sink back into slumber." Yet waking brought such crushing despair it frightened him – how to fill this void within cultivation’s endless march?

"Cease these thoughts." The Ancestor’s voice cut through. "Should true calamity strike, I’ll bear it. This old bones yet stir." He recognized Ye Yun’s critical Heart Calming phase demanded more than passive observation.

Left unchecked, such spiritual erosion could destroy cultivation resolve – any immortal’s deepest fear. Though similar confusion once plagued him, the Ancestor now viewed it distantly. Unfinished business anchored him; even if doomed, he’d complete duties first.

"Merely farce. Should I truly falter, heaven itself would protest." As loneliness threatened to drown him, razor-edged will resurged – remnants of one who’d touched immortality’s zenith. Current weakness couldn’t justify such frailty!

"My will bows to no trivial weakness. Pathetic, these attempts to break me." Dual radiance flashed in Ye Yun’s eyes before settling into ancient well’s tranquility, his pure-hearted nature reaffirmed.

"Heart Calming indeed brings trials." Ye Yun marveled at his stabilized psyche. Forcing his will to peak had averted disaster. "Flaws remain reparable." Breathing eased as he regarded the lavish feast before him. Appetites meant little now; sampled with pure-hearted detachment, flavors turned bland.

Recalling the crimson token, its blood-hued surface stirred strange detachment. Upon touch, it shifted from soft jade to rough stone – perplexing tactile dance. Ye Yun chuckled despite himself. Dead object mirroring its master’s heart? Amusing paradox.

Another sip of Moonlit Pond. Below, cultivators swarmed like oversized ants. From his height, their struggles mirrored mortals’ – all equally crushable. Perspective revealed cultivators and mortals as life’s two faces. Remembering past contempt, Ye Yun refilled his cup ruefully.

"Who lives better – mortal or cultivator?" Red City teemed with practitioners; rare mortals languished in bottoms, laboring for sect recognition. Ye Yun shook his head at their delusions – had ascension been easy, why his own arduous path? Even genius proved insufficient.

Such inadequacy’s remedy eluded him. Mortal hopes were moonlit water reflections – prayers to uncaring heavens. "Mirage." Ye Yun drained his cup. Faint white light cloaked him as he vanished into crowds, having paid with top-tier Immortal Spirit Stone to avoid future disputes.

An Eighth Level Earth Immortal didn’t merely surpass Seventh Level – they crushed three such opponents effortlessly. Yet breaking through required scaling heaven’s heights. Ye Yun knew this well, having used Heavenly Demon essence after abandoning Cleansing Immortal Heart Technique. His demonic physique explained indifference towards the fading "demon puppet" – its energy already absorbed.

Infused with primordial demonic energy and ghostly face’s mental power, claiming Heavenly Immortal realm seemed inevitable. What need for mortal concerns?