The Master of Beasts

After some conversation and waiting, Chen Chen eventually arrived.

The Chen Family mansion was more like a small city. Within it, various branches of the Chen Family were further divided. This included many new branches rising from the descendants of ancestors who lacked cultivation talent, making the internal structure of the Chen Family quite complex.

In this small city, many Chen Family members might only recognize a few of their relatives living nearby throughout their entire lives.

Chen Jiuge's family courtyard was situated in a location that wasn't particularly remote, nor was it prime; it was merely below average.

Of course, they could have moved to the core family area by now, but Chen Chen and Hua Yu had declined, as this small courtyard held many memories for the family.

Looking at the familiar Spirit Jujube Tree, Chen Jiuge reached out to touch it, a hint of reminiscence on his face.

Hua Yu appeared behind Chen Jiuge at some point and said, "Remember how every year when the spirit jujubes ripened, you used to fuss about wanting to eat them? After you joined the Myriad Beasts Sect, Xiao Yu behaved just the same way. You two siblings are really alike."

"Now both of you have grown up, and your cultivation has even surpassed us old folks."

Chen Jiuge turned around and said, "No matter how high my cultivation, am I not still your son?"

"The greatest fortune your father and I have had in this life was having you two little ones," Hua Yu said, her face showing a trace of the passing years.

"Mother, your and Father's lives are far from over. I've brought back many good things this time," Chen Jiuge said, shaking his head. He continued, "There are even greater fortunes for you to explore yourselves."

Chen Jiuge's return caused a great stir within the Chen Family; Clan Leader Chen Haohai even made a personal visit.

During the previous Demon Clan invasion, the Spiritual Beast Chen Jiuge had his parents bring back had been a great help, significantly reducing casualties among the clan members. Moreover, most of the resources the Chen Family had acquired over the years were obtained due to the respect shown towards Chen Jiuge.

Although these resources were mere scraps from the larger families, they provided ample sustenance for the Chen Family.

Chen Jiuge rejected the relatives who came with their juniors, trying to establish connections. He then selected some Spiritual Beasts with rather good talent from those he had gathered during his travels and handed them to Chen Haohai, saying, "Clan Leader, I don't wish to be disturbed during this visit."

"These Spiritual Beasts can be considered my contribution to the family. Their potential is quite promising. If any junior has outstanding talent, let them form a Contract. It will make their path of cultivation smoother."

"Good, I will give the order. Jiuge, if there's anything you need, just speak with me," Chen Haohai readily agreed, his face beaming.

After that, Chen Jiuge's life quickly settled into tranquility.

He chatted with his mother about family matters and shared a few drinks with his father.

With the addition of Yue Meng and the others, the once peaceful courtyard began to brim with the warmth of home. Chen Jiuge was very happy with this and even started to slowly forget that he was a Cultivator. Chen Jiuge's parents, already aware of his intentions for this trip, were very supportive.

Years flew by like an arrow.

「Three hundred years later」

At a Spirit Lake of the Chen Family, Chen Jiuge, wearing a raincoat, quietly fished in the drizzle.

He had been fishing for three days. During this time, countless fish had taken the bait, yet Chen Jiuge remained motionless. A closer look revealed he had entered a state of Sudden Enlightenment, his aura continuously climbing.

Nearby, Da Bai, somewhat bored, was fiddling with some blades of grass. "When will Master finish? It's already been three days."

"Yeah, yeah, I haven't eaten for three days!" Jiao Yue said pitifully, rubbing her stomach. The Sea God had by now completely turned into a glutton.

Yue Meng shook her head. "It should be over soon."

Chen Jiuge, deep in Sudden Enlightenment, had not comprehended any Divine Skills, nor had he been actively cultivating. He was simply enjoying this blissful, untarnished clarity.

In the eyes of Yue Meng and the others observing from the outside, Chen Jiuge's body began to exude copious amounts of Earth Fire, while gusts of Yin Wind swirled around him. The most terrifying aspect was that the Heart Demon Tribulation also appeared at the same time.

His potent physical Life Force and innate dual soul Origin allowed him to easily withstand the first two tribulations. The Heart Demon Tribulation, usually the most difficult, could not affect him in the slightest due to his state of Sudden Enlightenment.

The three tribulations dissipated invisibly, but Chen Jiuge had not yet awakened.

Next, the Heavenly Human Five Decays and the Heavenly Tribulation descended simultaneously.

The Heavenly Human Five Decays was an invisible and lengthy tribulation of transformation. Its initial impact was not significant; rather, the sudden Heavenly Tribulation posed the greater threat.

A vast Tribulation Cloud materialized above Chen Jiuge's head, and rolling Thunderbolts cleaved down from it.

Abundant qi and blood, along with Spiritual Power, coalesced into a massive Dharma Image.

It turned out that Chen Jiuge had finally awakened at the critical moment, further perfecting the Divine Skill he had originally created.

Let's call it the Spirit Blood Phenomenon.

The Spirit Blood Phenomenon differed from ordinary Dharma Images. It was primarily formed from Chen Jiuge's robust physical qi and blood, combined with the potent Life Force inherent to his Green Vine Immortal Body. This Dharma Image existed between the ethereal and the real. As Chen Jiuge's strength increased, it would grow increasingly tangible, eventually possessing a true physical body.

The newly manifested Spirit Blood Phenomenon was formidable. It endured until the second-to-last Thunderbolt of the Heavenly Tribulation finally destroyed it.

Chen Jiuge looked up at the final Thunderbolt. It had taken the form of his family members: on one side were his family from his past life, and on the other, his family from his current life. Between them stood a figure identical to Chen Jiuge himself.

Just as I expected, the ultimate form of the Heavenly Tribulation would be this.

As the stray thoughts in his mind shattered one by one, all that remained was a crystal-clear Dao Heart.

Facing the approaching crowd manifested by the Thunderbolts, Chen Jiuge let out a hearty laugh. "Only today do I truly know myself! Today, I shall attain carefree immortality!"

A gigantic figure with Three Heads and Six Arms rose from the ground. Its six arms concentrated an immense amount of qi, blood, and Spiritual Power, then struck the Thunderbolt as one: "Heavenly Tilt!"

The Heavenly Tribulation dispersed, yet the colossal figure remained standing beneath the Tribulation Clouds. Torrential golden rain poured down upon Chen Jiuge's body.

His body, which had originally suffered greatly from deploying this Divine Skill—one that only a True Immortal could typically wield—rapidly recovered, strengthened, and underwent a transformation.

So this is what it means to be an Immortal? Chen Jiuge sensed the Mana within his body. Though still Mana, it now contained a unique power. This was the reason True Immortals were so formidable—the Power of Laws.

Chen Jiuge's Power of Laws manifested as Strength and Life.

This was also the cultivation path after becoming a True Immortal: to comprehend one's own Law, condense the Tao Fruit, and achieve the rank of Heavenly Immortal.