The Immortals cared not for the painted canvas of the soul, nor did True Immortals seek solace in the echoes of experience.

This, Wang Lin knew.

Within the Ascendant Pool, emerald waters rippled, stirred by the nascent whispers of immortal essence. They wafted outwards, a tempting, yet treacherous mist. Around the pool, the assembled cultivators stood in hushed contemplation. To enter, or to abstain? The Ascendant Pool offered both blessing and bane, and the choice weighed heavily upon their hearts.

Yan Leizi, the Thunder Immortal, offered no coercion, but merely watched these fledgling warriors with a placid gaze.

Not only he, but all who observed – the myriad emissaries of the Thunder Immortal Temple and indeed, the very denizens of the vast Luotian Starfield – held their breath in anticipation. A silence descended upon the cosmos, a moment of profound stillness wherein every cultivator upon every star system held their fate in trembling hands.

This was a crossroads, a diverging of paths where right and wrong held no dominion.

One path led to Immortality, a shimmering ascent paved with celestial artifice. The other, to the Way, a winding pilgrimage into the self.

Which was stronger? Only the tapestry of time could reveal the answer.

In ages past, the Ancient Qi Refiners yearned for eternal life, for ascension to the Immortal Realms. To enter the Ascendant Pool was a mark of highest honor, a transformation that transmuted mortal Qi into the ethereal power of the Immortals. This was the ultimate pursuit of the ancient ones.

They sought not the depth of meaning, nor the blossoming of understanding. Their power was built upon the bones of celestial treasures and the nectar of immortal elixirs.

But the Immortal Realms shattered, and from the debris arose a new breed of cultivator, one who sought not Immortality, for the Immortal Realms were no more. They pursued the Way. They sought understanding.

Enlightenment, epiphany, revelation – all bloomed from the seed of “Wu,” understanding. The Way was a pilgrimage into the self, a mastery of insight.

To grasp the secrets of the heavens, either by submission or defiance. To cultivate without comprehension was to remain forever tethered to the earth.

And now, before Wang Lin and the one hundred and nine others, lay these two divergent roads. Choose the ancient ways, or embrace the new.

Qing Shui regarded Wang Lin with a placid gaze, hoping that he would enter the Thunder Pool, shed his mortal trappings, and become a true Immortal, a true disciple of his master, Bai Fan.

Xu Ting, after a moment of contemplative silence, cast a glance towards Wang Lin. With a grit of his teeth, he stepped forth, his resolve unwavering. Arrogance coursed through his veins; he had never held any equal in esteem. Since leaving the Eastern Forest Star, he had known no true defeat.

But here, amidst the Sealed Immortal Battle of the Thunder Immortal Temple, he had been humbled, broken before Wang Lin in the trials of the First Line Sky. This defeat gnawed at his soul.

Yet, mingled with his resentment, was a sliver of respect for Wang Lin, a respect that paled in comparison to his burning desire for vengeance. He knew that if he continued on this path, he would never truly surpass his rival. He needed a radical transformation, a leap into the unknown.

Thus, he relinquished his understanding and chose the path of Immortal ascension.

As Xu Ting entered the Ascendant Pool, a searing agony assaulted his senses, a torment beyond comprehension. The waters churned around him, their essence probing deep within his being.

Beads of sweat trickled down his brow, blurring his vision as the pain threatened to consume him. It felt as if a thousand blades were flaying his flesh, scraping his bones, drawing out the very marrow of his being, and with it, the understanding he had cultivated for a thousand years.

Yet, as his comprehension faded, waves of immortal power flooded his being, merging with his mortal Qi, birthing a force he had never known.

After what felt like half a season, Xu Ting roared towards the heavens, his hair swirling in an unseen wind. Explosions echoed from within his form as a torrent of immortal Qi erupted outwards.

His power was now far greater than before.

Xu Ting’s eyes crackled with newfound energy, and a wave of blissful sensation washed over him. He clenched his fists, feeling as though he could grasp the very fabric of reality. The immortal arts he had learned flashed through his mind, now liberated, pliable, and entirely under his command.

“Wang Lin, one day, we shall settle this!” Xu Ting emerged from the Ascendant Pool, his eyes burning like torches, cast a final glance upon Wang Lin, then turned away.

Xu Ting’s display emboldened many who had been wavering. One by one, they stepped into the Ascendant Pool. Their agonized cries echoed through the chamber as their power soared to new heights. They emerged from the water, wreathed in immortal Qi, faces radiant with triumphant joy. The feeling of mastery, of absolute control over their abilities, banished all regret.

Wang Lin watched the Ascendant Pool with a solemn gaze, his thoughts a tangled web. He had glimpsed the Third Step of cultivation, and he had witnessed the mad ravings of the Immortal Emperor Bai Fan within the Thunder Immortal Realm.

Everything was shrouded in mystery. Immortality was not simple. To him, it was neither right nor wrong, only a path he could not bring himself to tread.

Furthermore, Wang Lin noticed that the venerable elders upon their meditation cushions paid scant attention to the Ascendant Pool. This solidified his resolve.

Seventeen from the ranks of the Vice and True Thunder Immortals, and the Thirty-Six Celestial Generals chose to enter the Ascendant Pool. Aside from Wang Lin, those who abstained included Nangong Han, Shen Gonghu, Zhan Konglie, and a handful of others.

“These are your choices. Let no one regret them in the days to come!” Yan Leizi swept his gaze across the remaining cultivators, then raised his hand. With a deafening rumble, the Ascendant Pool rose into the heavens and vanished from sight.

“Summon the Sealed Immortal Stone!” Yan Leizi commanded, his voice laced with respect. As he spoke, the clouds above began to churn, coalescing into serpentine dragons that writhed in the sky.

An awe-inspiring pressure descended upon the land, enshrouding all in its wake. Every cultivator in the Luotian Starfield watched with bated breath.

Moments later, one of the cloud dragons plunged from the heavens, and with a resounding roar, disgorged a stone the size of a small hill. As it landed, the very foundations of the Thunder Immortal Temple trembled with a thunderous impact.

The benevolent immortal Qi transformed into a tempest of raw power, surging outwards in all directions.

“Vice and True Thunder Immortals, and Thirty-Six Celestial Generals, you are granted the chance to carve your names upon the Sealed Immortal Stone!”
The glint of anticipation flashed in Xu Ting’s eyes. He stepped forward, approaching the Sealing Stone, his gaze fixed upon its ancient surface. A sudden jolt ran through him.

He saw the Sealing Stone was covered in a dense tapestry of names, each radiating an aura of immense power. Many belonged to figures celebrated throughout the Roaming Starfield. This sight only solidified his resolve to etch his own mark. He raised his right hand, searching for a blank space, and with a savage surge—

A wave of emerald light erupted from the stone, a force of pure energy slamming into Xu Ting, throwing him back. Xu Ting sneered. He channeled his celestial power with furious intensity, and from the center of his brow, tendrils of dark energy spiraled forth, weaving into the tip of his finger. He pressed it against the Sealing Stone, determined to carve his name.

He managed to scratch his name upon the stone, but the effort left him utterly drained. He staggered back, his face ashen.

Wang Lin, observing Xu Ting, saw the reason for his exhaustion. A significant portion of his very soul had been absorbed by the Sealing Stone. An alarm echoed within him.

Yan Leizi nodded in approval. All who could mark the Sealing Stone were individuals of extraordinary cultivation. He was pleased with Xu Ting, certain he would prove a valuable asset in the coming war against the Alliance.

Following Xu Ting, the Thirty-Six Celestial Guardians each stepped forward. Yet, save for Nangong Han, the Six-Fingered Ascetic, and the Large-Headed Child, none could leave their mark.

Wang Lin was the last. His gaze was calm as he slowly approached the half-zhang Sealing Stone. He regarded the names etched upon it in silence. Wang Lin was cautious by nature. He had chosen not to enter the Ascension Pool for numerous reasons, and now, this Sealing Stone gave him pause.

His hesitation drew the attention of all around him. Wang Lin had become a focal point in this ceremony. His refusal to enter the Ascension Pool had already sparked much discussion. Now, his silence before the Sealing Stone fueled speculation.

Not only those present, but across the Roaming Starfield, those watching through their Transmission Stones held their breath, their eyes fixed on the scene.

They wondered if Xu Mu would yield. If he did not, could he truly carve his name upon the Sealing Stone? Though, in truth, almost none knew the legend or origin of this ancient artifact.

In the midst of his deliberation, Wang Lin’s eyes narrowed. He raised his right hand, his index finger pressing against the stone. Instantly, he felt an immense force surge from within, throwing his hand back.

A slight frown creased his brow. Wang Lin channeled his vital energy, his index finger again striking the stone. This time, the opposing force was stronger, but as it made contact, his own energy erupted to meet it.

As Wang Lin’s finger moved, the resistance grew ever more intense. By the final stroke, thunderous cracks echoed, as if the stone were about to shatter.

Blinding light pulsed from the point of contact. At the very moment his finger completed its carving, he felt a portion of his soul rush toward his fingertip.

But just as his soul was about to merge with the Sealing Stone, Wang Lin abruptly withdrew his right hand, using the force of the backlash to propel himself backward. Only then did he stop.

Yan Leizi’s gaze sharpened, a knowing look in his eyes. He saw that Wang Lin’s soul had not been absorbed, and the name etched upon the stone was neither Wang Lin nor Xu Mu, but rather, the name of the Demonic One!

“This Xu Mu is truly a warrior of the Alliance. He acts without greed, prioritizing caution above all else!” Yan Leizi turned away.

“Now, as a final reward for the Vice and True Thunder Celestials, and for the Thirty-Six Celestial Guardians, each of you thirty-eight may make a single request. The Thunder Celestial Hall, the Xiang Family, and the Gongsun Family will do everything within our power to fulfill it! But be warned, those who make frivolous demands will forfeit this reward!”

Wang Lin’s heart pounded in his chest. He took a deep breath, forcibly calming his racing pulse. His eyes shone with newfound determination. He had come to the Thunder Celestial Hall seeking this very reward!

“Wan’er…”