Immortal Me Can Infinitely Add Points For Myself

　　Over the subsequent two months, nary a remarkable event unfolded within the precincts of the Little Elixir Hall.

　　The solitary transformation was the ceaseless ascension of Chen Xia's eminence. Even the Sect Master of the Little Elixir Hall would address him with profound deference as "Sir" upon every encounter.

　　The Sect Master's countenance bespoke of utmost veneration, as though on the very brink of prostrating himself and acknowledging Chen Xia as an ultimate sovereign.

　　His own standing had soared in direct proportion to Chen Xia's exalted status. At present, he wielded a position of significant sway throughout Qingzhou. Those ancient denizens who had once regarded him with utter contempt now didn't even dare to utter a syllable in his presence with the slightest hint of disrespect.

　　If one were to evoke the adage "When one person attains the celestial Dao, even the fowls and canines in his abode ascend to ethereal heights,"

　　he would be the very fowl or canine in this metaphorical construct.

　　Yet, perhaps in Chen Xia's discerning eyes, he was even beneath the stature of such humble creatures.

　　The Sect Master of the Little Elixir Hall was acutely perceptive of his own station. Consequently, his reverence for Chen Xia was profound and unwavering. Every aspect of Chen Xia's accommodation was elevated to the pinnacle of opulence.

　　Chen Xia, being of an affable and genial disposition, fostered an increasingly amicable rapport between them.

　　During this interlude, the patriarch of the Qiu family paid a visit to the Little Elixir Hall. Escorted by Qiu Yi, he engaged with Chen Xia in a meeting imbued with great solemnity.

　　The patriarch of the Qiu family was a paragon of propriety. He arrived bearing a profusion of gifts and addressed Chen Xia with the most profound respect.

　　"Sir, as kindred members of the human lineage, I earnestly beseech you to accept these humble tokens of esteem."

　　Chen Xia, never one to spurn offerings, graciously accepted all the gifts. Subsequently, he engaged in a convivial discourse with the patriarch of the Qiu family.

　　The dialogue predominantly revolved around the notion of an alliance. The patriarch expounded that among the eight preeminent powers in Qingzhou, the Qiu family, the Huang family, and the Little Elixir Hall, all being human - oriented forces, ought to forge an alliance. By doing so, they could fortify their position in Qingzhou and truly vie on an equal footing with those ancient and formidable demonic entities.

　　Chen Xia, however, regarded this as nothing more than a puerile endeavor, reminiscent of children engaging in a make - believe power struggle. He offered no definitive commitment, merely responding with perfunctory assent such as "Very well, very well, very well."

　　As the conversation reached its denouement, with nothing further to expound upon, the patriarch of the Qiu family cast a fleeting glance at Qiu Yi, then redirected his gaze to Chen Xia, and took his leave with a profound bow.

　　Chen Xia shook his head in mild bemusement. He deemed the patriarch of the Qiu family overly ambitious. How could the combined might of these three forces hope to rival the other five powers in Qingzhou?

　　What conceivable factor could endow them with such audacity?

　　It was, of course, solely attributable to Chen Xia.

　　Absent his influence, the notion of three superseding five was nothing short of preposterous.

　　Nonetheless, the patriarch of the Qiu family refrained from articulating these underlying verities explicitly. Doubtless, he harbored his own latent motives or perhaps failed to accurately appraise his own position.

　　Chen Xia dismissed these musings with a wave of his hand. Rising to his feet, he commenced the meticulous task of sorting through the herbs he had procured, intent on refining some elixirs in the impending days.

　　By then, his corporeal form would be nearly fully restored, and he could contemplate embarking on a journey beyond Qingzhou and venturing into the so - called Outer Domain.

　　————

　　In the desolate and somber expanse of the starry firmament, a moderately sized ferry glided serenely forward. Conversations resonated from within its confines.

　　"It is rumored that the vestiges of the Celestial Sword Sea lie within this expanse. Let us conduct a comprehensive search. Should we manage to unearth the vestiges and procure some treasures, we shall amass a fortune beyond measure," one voice proclaimed with palpable anticipation.

　　A voice tinged with skepticism interjected, "Truly? Yet this locale bears no semblance to the site of a once - flourishing sect. It is eerily desolate and forlorn, with scarcely a meteorite in sight."

　　Another, more assertive voice retorted, "The Celestial Sword Sea met its cataclysmic end eons ago. Inevitably, it is in a state of desolation. Moreover, the cartographic indications unequivocally place it in this vicinity. We cannot be in error."

　　Upon hearing this, the voices of doubt subsided. However, a cautious voice emerged, "It is whispered that the Celestial Sword Sea was sealed by the seven august sects. Might there not be some malevolent horror lurking within?"

　　"Pah!" the assertive voice scoffed. "What horror? After they had pillaged to their heart's content and could carry no more, they naturally sought to preclude others from reaping the same benefits. Hence, they sealed it.

　　Were I in their stead, I would have done the same, safeguarding the remaining treasures for future appropriation."

　　The ferry continued its unhurried journey through the celestial expanse. Guided by the map, it soon reached a desolate star system.

　　The skeptical voice piped up once more, "Is this the Celestial Sword Sea? It appears more like a defunct star system!"

　　"Indubitably," the assertive voice replied. "The Celestial Sword Sea endured a cataclysmic termination. It is, without a doubt, a defunct star system. What else could it be?"

　　While the logic was irrefutable, the occupants of the ferry eyed the defunct star system with trepidation, none daring to make the initial foray.

　　Gradually, figures emerged from the upper deck of the ferry. In total, there were thirty - six cultivators, led by a towering figure. Gazing intently at the defunct star system, the leader's resolute voice reverberated,

　　"Who among you will volunteer to explore?"

　　Silence descended like a shroud. After a protracted moment, a faint voice murmured, "I've heard that there are... the spectral remnants of cultivators lingering within the defunct star system..."

　　The towering leader furrowed his brow in disdain. "What folly! You, a peak cultivator of the Mountain - Moving Realm, cowering in fear of mere spectral remnants? You could vanquish them with a single, decisive blow."

　　"But... but..." the faint voice attempted to protest.

　　The leader waved his hand dismissively. "Enough! We have traversed half the star field. We are all here in pursuit of treasures. None of us wishes to return empty - handed, I presume?"

　　"Therefore, we shall enter en masse. I am loath to believe that with thirty - six of us, thirty at the zenith of the Mountain - Moving Realm and six in the Sea - Overturning Realm, we should be daunted by the spectral remnants of fallen cultivators!"

　　"Those who dare to follow me, let us proceed forthwith!"

　　With that, the leader strode forward with unwavering resolve, adding, "Let it be unequivocally clear: those who do not accompany us will have no claim to any treasures we may uncover."

　　Some of the cultivators, particularly those of the Sea - Overturning Realm, rallied behind the leader.

　　The remaining peak Mountain - Moving Realm cultivators, after a moment's deliberation, steeled their resolve and trailed in their wake.

　　All thirty - six cultivators advanced towards the defunct star domain.

　　The instant they set foot within the defunct star domain, they beheld the spectral forms of cultivator remnants flitting about.

　　To their astonishment, instead of attacking, the spectral remnants of the cultivators fled in abject terror at the sight of them.

　　The towering leader let out a hearty laugh. "As I surmised! These spectral entities pose no threat. It is they who should fear us!"

　　This display bolstered the morale of the other peak Mountain - Moving Realm cultivators. Their visages brightened with newfound bravado, and their initial trepidation began to wane.

　　The group of thirty - six continued their descent into the defunct star domain. However, instead of treasures, they encountered only a series of strange, desiccated dead stars.

　　The deeper they penetrated, the more they sensed an underlying malevolence.

　　The number of spectral remnants gradually diminished, with more concentrated on the outer fringes.

　　Finally, they reached the heart of the defunct star domain.

　　Before them lay an expanse of desolation.

　　Tens of millions of spectral remnants had amassed, piling upon one another like a colossal, awe - inspiring edifice.

　　The thirty - six cultivators stared in sheer horror at the apex of this edifice of spectral remnants.

　　There, seated atop the mass, was a figure. It was as if this being were the divine arbiter of these countless spectral remnants, exuding an air of supreme sovereignty.

　　The figure's features were veiled in obscurity, its expression enshrouded in mystery, as if lost in a profound slumber.

　　The cultivators held their breath, too terrified to utter a sound. Their instincts screamed at them to flee.

　　The towering leader had just taken a step backward when the figure suddenly lifted its head. In an instant, the millions of spectral remnants beneath it began to convulse and writhe.

　　The figure's gaze fixed upon them, and a simple greeting resonated through the void.

　　"Hello."

　　In an instant, the millions of spectral remnants unleashed a deafening cacophony!

　　The thirty - six cultivators were paralyzed with fear, their very souls shattered by the sheer horror of the encounter.

　　Thirty years later.

　　The thirty - six cultivators who had ventured to the Celestial Sword Sea in search of treasures returned to their respective stars. Their memories of the expedition were fragmented and nebulous. All they could recall was the paralyzing fear, stammering that there was an indescribable horror within the defunct star system.

　　In the time that followed, the terrifying entity within the defunct star system became known to countless cultivators as——

　　The Ancestor of the Dead Star.