Invincible Starts From Dao Fruit

Two lifetimes and ten thousand years.

Chen Jichuan sensed that his foundation was solid, and his insights into Heaven and Earth were deep, yet he was still slightly short of achieving a breakthrough.

Indeed.

In the final century of his current lifespan nearing its end, he returned once again to Sumeru Immortal Sect's Seven Treasures Pond, using the Eight Dharma Water to re-cultivate his Divine Transformation Realm.

It had been seven to eight thousand years since the Eight Dharma Water was completely depleted back then.

Over the years, the Seven Treasures Pond had accumulated a considerable amount of Eight Dharma Water.

Chen Jichuan used it to re-cultivate, while also deriving new magic and cultivation techniques in passing.

The fourth cultivation technique "Xuanwu Black Water Scripture" was easily derived to the True Sect Level.

Afterwards, he began deriving the 'Najia Divination Method.'

Logically speaking.

Chen Jichuan should have prioritized derivation of techniques like 'Daluo Heavenly Sleeve' and 'Wind Thunder All Heavens Great Escape.'

But in the end, he chose 'Najia Divination Method.'

Simply because of the surrounding Mysterious Realm in reality—if he could elevate the 'Najia Divination Method,' which calculated cosmic fate, to the level of Divine Skills, his chances of breaking through the Mysterious Realm would greatly improve.

This pertained to the crux of everything and naturally needed to be prioritized.

However.

Elevating super-level techniques to Divine Skills was even more challenging and vast in difficulty than the leap between side door level and True Sect Level.

Chen Jichuan expended his entire Divine Transformation cultivation and only managed to derive 'Najia Divination Method' seven times.

To this day, it hasn't reached the level of Divine Skills.

As his lifespan approached its end, he could only temporarily set it aside and revisit it in the future.

His re-cultivation in the Seven Treasures Pond was merely incidental to his derivation efforts.

The true focus was cultivation itself.

Nonetheless—

"Re-cultivating has consolidated my foundation significantly."

"But alas, with limited time remaining, I still see no hope of achieving Fourth-order."

Chen Jichuan shook his head, his face showing a bitter smile. "It seems I can't avoid embarking on the path of the Independent Immortal after all!"

He truly did not desire this path.

Because it demanded far too much time.

One tribulation costs a thousand years.

Ten tribulations amount to nearly ten thousand years.

Sufficient to re-cultivate for two lifetimes.

But at this juncture, he had reached the end of the road. Unless he started anew, that would similarly take a considerable amount of time, without any guarantee the next or the subsequent lifetime would lead him to Fourth-order cultivation.

Thus.

It was better to attempt a different path, embrace an alternative approach that might yield unexpected results.

"Independent Immortal!"

"Might as well give it a try!"

Having long prepared his resolve, now that his lifespan was ending, Chen Jichuan wasted no time. Rising decisively, he left the Seven Treasures Pond to seek an isolated place.

Clang!

The Divine Sword rose, radiance illuminating the world.

Unlike his previous life.

This time, success came in one stroke. He self-sacrificed via Soldier Dissolution—

Rumble rumble!

Tribulation clouds gathered, thunder roared, and the first round of Independent Immortal Tribulation descended.

...

Time flowed swiftly.

In the Starry Sky World, the river of time in his second lifetime reached its flood stage, flowing faster than ever before.

Five thousand years passed in the blink of an eye, swiftly ushering him into the Independent Immortal stage.

During the prior five thousand years, Chen Jichuan, like in his previous life, focused on comprehending the Heaven and Earth Dao and cultivating himself.

Magic techniques.

Arrays.

Alchemy.

None were neglected.

Among them, magic techniques remained his highest priority.

This lifetime, at the age of 1,400, 'Wind Thunder All Heavens Great Escape' became the first super-level technique Chen Jichuan mastered to the sixth realm.

By the age of 3,200, 'Guiyuan Hiding Method' also achieved the sixth realm.

By the time his lifespan reached its end, 'Five Elements Escape Technique' barely made it to the sixth realm.

Thus.

On the eve of Soldier Dissolution to become an Independent Immortal, Chen Jichuan had already mastered three sixth-realm super-level techniques.

His survivability greatly increased.

Super-level.

Sixth realm.

This was a level of cultivation that even the apex of Third-order Divinity Transformation cultivators under the starry sky struggled to reach.

Take Xiao Lan for instance.

She possessed astounding talent and extraordinary fortune, yet she too was unable to cultivate super-level techniques to the sixth realm during the Divinity Transformation Stage.

Only Fourth-order offered such possibilities.

Yet Chen Jichuan had already mastered three—

Wind Thunder All Heavens Great Escape.

Guiyuan Hiding Method.

Five Elements Escape Technique.

Following these three, he originally should have turned to cultivate 'Daluo Heavenly Sleeve' to enhance his combat power. But due to the Mysterious Realm in reality, 'Daluo Heavenly Sleeve' was pushed back, while 'Najia Divination Method' was prioritized.

[Magic Technique: Najia Divination Method]

[Level: Super-level]

[Derivation: Seven iterations]

[Description: A method to calculate cosmic fate. When mastered to its pinnacle, it can predict the present, past, and future, encompassing all persons and things within the Three Realms.]

The movements of cosmic fate were unfathomable.

'Najia Divination Method' could calculate these movements, foretell the present, past, and future.

The solving of a mere Mysterious Realm should theoretically pose no issue.

Yet, constrained by his low cultivation, Chen Jichuan's proficiency in the 'Najia Divination Method' remained lackluster, unable to illuminate the path forward or reveal the details of the Mysterious Realm.

"Cultivation cannot be hurried."

"Nor can level advancement be rushed."

"But my proficiency in the 'Najia Divination Method' can be improved now."

After transitioning to Independent Immortal through Soldier Dissolution, Chen Jichuan adhered to his disciplined routine, immersing himself in diligent cultivation and focused study of 'Najia Divination Method.'

The years passed.

One thousand years.

Two thousand years.

Three thousand years.

Chen Jichuan, who had been unrivaled in the previous life, accumulated unthinkable wealth and connections.

In this lifetime, although the Dao Fruit provided him a new identity, Chen Jichuan still roamed the Starry Sky under his previous life's name—Xu Ning.

Unmatched in strength.

Invincible in the Starry Sky.

Chen Jichuan possessed the confidence, unafraid of speculation or envy from others, nor fearing anyone targeting him or attempting to defeat him.

He even anticipated it excitedly.

After all, invincibility was unbearably lonely.

To fight against others was endlessly entertaining.

Should anyone plot against or harm him, Chen Jichuan would celebrate with three bowls of wine.

And indeed.

In the vastness of the Starry Sky, there was no shortage of self-righteous figures defying common sense—whether openly challenging him or sneaking around using underhanded methods to probe Chen Jichuan and confront him.

Chen Jichuan's response was singular—

Kill!

Kill until rivers of blood flowed, kill until terror swept the land, kill until the sun and moon dimmed.

With a spree of exhilarating slaughter, he could enjoy one to two thousand years of tranquility.

Besides, it established his authority.

During battles for treasures in the Starry Sky, fewer inconveniences arose as few dared to compete with him.

When interacting with others in the Starry Sky, it afforded him greater respect.

Seeking someone to spar with or establish connections—none dared decline.

Visiting major factions in the Starry Sky—

To borrow Magical Treasures, Pills, various Magic Skills, or engage in Dao discussions.

Instances of being denied hospitality or turned away became exceedingly rare.

Observing tribulations was another matter altogether.

Of the pinnacle experts in the Starry Sky, everyone knew that Xu Ancestor cared deeply about face; if his close friends quietly underwent tribulation without inviting him, it meant they didn't treat him as a friend.

A Xu Ancestor incensed became a menace even Eleventh Tribulation Independent Immortals couldn't withstand.

Still, whenever Xu Ancestor observed tribulations, he behaved extremely honestly, so those pinnacle figures begrudgingly accepted it.

Thus.

Chen Jichuan roamed far and wide without much slowing down.

The years stretched endlessly.

Yet remained thrilling—

Cultivation.

Treasure hunting.

Combat.

Slaughter.

Heavenly Tribulations.

Chen Jichuan lacked for no resources, possessed profound Daoist skills, and passed the Independent Immortal Tribulations as easily as drinking water.

First Tribulation.

Second Tribulation.

Third Tribulation.

The Independent Immortal Tribulations, feared like tigers by ordinary cultivators, were simply routine cultivation for Chen Jichuan.

They tempered his Primordial Spirit.

They refined his Mana.

They deepened his understanding of Heaven and Earth.

They enhanced his mastery of magic techniques.

Rather than fearing them, he eagerly anticipated them.

Chen Jichuan even contemplated deriving magic techniques to drain his cultivation and thereby experience more rounds of Independent Immortal Tribulations.

But unfortunately.

Independent Immortal Tribulations arrived according to a fixed timeline instead of cultivation state.

A thousand years per tribulation, no more, no less.

No sooner, no later.

This left Chen Jichuan feeling somewhat regretful.

...

Time passed quickly.

Four thousand years.

Five thousand years.

Six thousand years.

Years flew by.

Independent Immortal Tribulations grew increasingly formidable.

Seventh Tribulation.

Eighth Tribulation.

Ninth Tribulation.

Even Chen Jichuan began to feel the pressure.

Especially during the ninth round of Independent Immortal Tribulation, which managed to leave him somewhat battered. This surprised and delighted Chen Jichuan.

Pressure inspired progress.

Chen Jichuan cultivated with even greater diligence.

A sudden realization.

The tenth round of Independent Immortal Tribulation was fast approaching.

...

"Ten months from now."

"The Independent Immortal Tribulation will arrive."

On this day.

Chen Jichuan felt a sudden surge of intuition, sensing that the tenth round of Independent Immortal Tribulation would descend in ten months.

He simultaneously felt nervous and excited.

"Survive the tenth round of Independent Immortal Tribulation, and I'll stand as a peer to Fourth-order beings."

"Primordial Spirit, Mana, Daoist attainment."

"All will match that of Fourth-order cultivators."

"If I can push further, pass two more rounds of Independent Immortal Tribulation, I can reshape my physical body, restoring my Primordial Spirit to life."

"If I fail, I'll still be able to ascend to Fourth-order easily in the next lifetime."

Chen Jichuan felt simultaneously tense and excited.

The anticipation stemmed from the connection between 'Ten Tribulations' and 'Fourth-order.' Successfully surviving would signify his victory in breaking free from the Peak of Divinity Transformation bottleneck that had trapped him for two lifetimes in the Starry Sky World.

The tension arose from the anticipated power of the tenth round of Independent Immortal Tribulation, which he feared might exceed expectations.

"Independent Immortal Tribulations test overall strength."

"Including foundation, Primordial Spirit, Mana, Daoist attainment, Daoist heart, and more."

"Any weakness could make the tribulation exceptionally difficult."

"My foundation is stable, my Primordial Spirit is condensed, and my Mana is both refined and abundant. My Daoist attainment has long reached the Peak of Divinity Transformation."

"Nine centuries as an Independent Immortal."

"Smoothly surviving nine rounds of Independent Immortal Tribulation thus far. Only the ninth tribulation left me somewhat battered, but not to a fatal extent."

"This tenth tribulation—"

In his previous life, Chen Jichuan had been trapped at the Peak of Divinity Transformation; this lifetime, though starting over, saw him similarly constrained, leading him to turn to the path of Independent Immortal.

Before undergoing Soldier Dissolution, he had a rough measure of his Daoist attainment, understanding the gap between himself and Fourth-order cultivators.

But after transitioning into Independent Immortal, everything became more ambiguous.

Impossible to grasp clearly.

Unable to gauge accurately.

Before surviving each Independent Immortal Tribulation, no one could truly predict whether they would succeed.

The twelve Independent Immortal Tribulations were akin to twelve trial stones, continuously testing the true measure of a tribulation crosser.

"The tenth round!"

Chen Jichuan felt about 60-70% confident, yet until the final moment, a sense of unease was inevitable.

...

Ten months swept by.

On this day.

Wooooo~

Wind and clouds whirled, and the tenth round of Independent Immortal Tribulation finally descended.

"It has arrived!"

Chen Jichuan stood, his expression solemn.

From his previous life, he had been preparing for each upcoming round of Independent Immortal Tribulation; this lifetime was no different. The preceding nine rounds had been manageable, with much of his preparation remaining unused.

This time, however, for the tenth round, he brought all his preparations with him.

Ready to stake everything.

"Pass this, and the horizon opens wide."

Chen Jichuan waved his hand, deploying eight Immortal Flags to arrange the 'Inverted Eight Gates Immortal Suppression Formation.'

In this lifetime of 14,000 years of painstaking cultivation, Chen Jichuan's array proficiency had steadily advanced. Now, with Fourth-order formation flags at his command, the formations he deployed boasted even greater power.

...