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ArabicThe Protagonists' Chat Group: Beyond the Boundaries — Chapter 339
Chapter 339: You Cultivate with the Immortal Severing Curse?
“What… what did you say?”
Shi Wang, the ancient Stone King, guardian of the Primordial Imperial Pass for countless epochs, was completely stunned.
What generation was he? The progenitor of the Stone Clan! And this descendant was telling him… to spread his branches and leaves? To sire children like a stud horse?
Was that even a human thing to say to an ancestor of his stature?
Shi Jian sighed dramatically, adopting a tone of profound disappointment. “Old Ancestor, you can’t be selfish!”
“I’m selfish?!” Shi Wang was even more confused, almost sputtering. “I alone have guarded the Primordial Imperial Pass for millions of years, never slacking for a single moment! I fought until my oil ran dry, until my very soul was nearly extinguished… and you call me selfish?”
“Exactly!” Shi Jian pressed, completely unreasonable but with unshakable conviction. “Now that the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands are at a critical juncture, desperately in need of experts… and a heaven-defying Bloodline Power like the Great Bloodline Technique exists… you only need to spread your branches and leaves to become stronger! What kind of opportunity is this?”
[Inorin’s Note: The ‘Great Bloodline Technique’ is a cultivation method introduced in this story, allowing cultivators to grow stronger based on the number and strength of their descendants who share their bloodline.]
“To have the opportunity to become stronger, yet not use it for the sake of the world… what is that if not selfish?” Shi Jian’s logic was twisted, but his Qi was undeniably strong.
“As an Immortal King, you have no ambition at all! Look at the Undying Kings of the Expanse Realm—each one more desperate than the last, doing all sorts of insane, taboo things just to advance further!”
“You have the chance to become stronger simply by having many descendants, a path paved with pleasure, yet you don’t cherish it… Alas!”
Shi Jian looked at Shi Wang with a genuine hint of disappointment, as if he were looking at a piece of priceless immortal iron that refused to be forged into a divine weapon.
After being lectured so thoroughly by his own descendant, Shi Wang wanted to retort, but he found himself momentarily speechless.
Shi Jian’s words weren’t entirely illogical, however absurd they sounded coming from him.
The Great Bloodline Technique was indeed a heaven-defying opportunity. Become stronger by having many descendants.
Whether it was the Immortal Kings of the Immortal Domain or the Undying Kings of the Expanse Realm, if they knew such a Divine Ability existed, they would probably fight tooth and nail for it, causing rivers of blood to flow.
The Immortal King Realm. For those who reached this realm, it was incredibly difficult to break through further. It might take millions, even tens of millions of years, to make even a small step forward.
But the Great Bloodline Technique… In just a few million years, used correctly, it could cultivate an incredibly terrifying Imperial Clan.
At that time, the immense Bloodline Power would feedback into oneself… It wouldn’t be a dream to dominate among the Immortal Kings then.
There was perhaps no easier way to break through at the Immortal King level. This was indeed a huge, unprecedented opportunity.
Shi Wang contemplated. Shi Wang reflected. His ancient heart, which hadn’t considered such matters in eons, felt a strange stirring.
Seeing the conflicted, thoughtful expression flicker across Shi Wang’s face, Shi Jian made a firm decision, striking while the iron was hot. “It’s settled then! In a while, they will select consorts for you, Ancestor…”
“The path to becoming stronger is urgent! There are so many Undying Kings in the Expanse Realm. You can currently only hold back a few with the help of the Heavenly Abyss.”
“Without the Heavenly Abyss, with your current strength… it would be tough to face even one or two Undying Kings head-on. You must break through, and break through fiercely!”
Shi Wang heard this and didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “You boy… you haven’t even achieved Immortal Ascension yet, and you’re already looking down on me, an Immortal King!”
Shi Jian spoke with a dead serious expression.
“It’s not disdain, Old Ancestor, it’s just the truth. Don’t look at yourself as the current face of combat power here in the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands. Within ten years, I will achieve Immortal Ascension.”
“With the path I’m currently on, once I achieve Immortal Ascension, I’ll at least possess quasi-Immortal King combat power… perhaps even true Immortal King combat power upon breakthrough!”
“Within a hundred years… I will become an Immortal King!”
“And it’s not just me. Shi Hao, and some of my friends… within a hundred years, they will at least possess Immortal King combat power. At that time, if you’re still stagnant, then…”
Shi Jian’s words were very clear, hanging heavy in the air.
Shi Wang suddenly laughed when he heard this, a genuine, hearty laugh that hadn’t been heard in ages. “You truly give me hope, boy. If it weren’t for you, I might have truly despaired over this endless war!”
Before his recovery, Shi Wang had actually already despaired.
A million-year campaign. The enemies grew more numerous, while his own side dwindled. What a despair-inducing reality was that?
Before meeting Shi Jian, Shi Wang was completely relying on his physical body’s instincts and sheer willpower to hold on. He hadn’t even thought about winning, only about killing a few more enemies before he finally died.
Sometimes he even doubted if his persistence had any meaning. Because in the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands, there truly was no hope to be seen.
Fortunately, however… his persistence was not meaningless.
He had waited for Shi Jian. He had waited for Shi Hao.
To achieve Immortal King status within a hundred years… such aptitude was unheard of. Shi Wang saw hope for the first time in millennia.
“Hope… perhaps!” Shi Jian acknowledged with a nod. He did not discuss this matter further, instead bringing up another topic that had been on his mind.
“I heard of a Divine Ability called the Immortal Severing Curse. It is said to be able to sever even Immortals. Once afflicted by the curse, there is no way to resolve it, and it is extremely malicious. One’s entire Daoist Magic will be cut off, and their Divine Power will slowly dissipate into the void, completely crippling a True Immortal until they eventually become a mortal.”
[Inorin’s Note: The ‘Immortal Severing Curse’ (Zhan Xiān Zhòu) is a terrifying technique from Perfect World, known for its ability to cripple Immortals by cutting off their connection to the Dao and draining their power.]
“There is indeed such a curse,” Shi Wang confirmed after a brief thought. “During the Immortal Ancient era, this curse was thought lost… However, that crippled Immortal from the Immortal Palace happens to know this technique. Why do you ask?”
“You know it?” Shi Jian inquired, his eyes lighting up.
Shi Wang nodded slowly. “I faced it once in the past. I understand its principles.”
“Give me one,” Shi Jian stated bluntly. “I want to contend with the Immortal Severing Curse and use it to transform into a Battle Immortal!”
This was his plan. For him, the Immortal Severing Curse was a perfect means of tempering himself. A constant, internal debuff.
Being afflicted by this curse was equivalent to being in a state of constant battle against a corrosive force. He wanted to use the Immortal Severing Curse to temper himself, to push his limits, to walk the path of the Battle Immortal.
Shi Wang listened to his words thoughtfully. He didn’t refuse but nodded after considering it. “This is indeed a… bold cultivation method!”
Although the Immortal Severing Curse was terrifying, to an Immortal King, it was merely so-so. It was indeed feasible for Shi Jian to use it to temper himself.
With Shi Jian’s current strength and uncanny methods, he should be able to contend with the Immortal Severing Curse.
And even if Shi Jian couldn’t handle it… Shi Wang could step in to help him remove the curse. This was not a big problem for an Immortal King.
“Get ready… I will control the power of the Immortal Severing Curse!”
Shi Wang lightly pointed a finger at Shi Jian.
Vast fluctuations twisted the space between them, and a single, chilling silver light flew towards Shi Jian, attempting to penetrate his physical body.
A burst of Divine Light instantly erupted from Shi Jian’s body. The Robe of the Gods, the Dominator Domain, the Five Emperors Canopy, and various other defensive Divine Abilities instinctively activated and displayed themselves.
Brilliant divine rings pulsed, emitting dazzling, multi-colored light, forming layers of absolute defense.
They forcefully blocked the silver light, preventing it from entering.
Shi Wang was somewhat surprised by this. “These few Divine Abilities of yours are extraordinary. The Immortal Severing Curse can erode even Immortal Dao power, yet it couldn’t break through your defenses…”
Shi Wang applied a little more force, concentrating the curse’s power into a single point, and only then did he manage to inject the curse into Shi Jian’s physical body.
As the chilling silver light entered his body, Shi Jian carefully sensed the marvel and malice of the Immortal Severing Curse.
This curse was indeed extraordinary. He could clearly feel a unique, insidious power constantly attempting to disintegrate his physical body, sever his connection to the Dao, and drain his divine power.
The divine power within his body was constantly, automatically fighting against this corrosive force.
This was a very unique state. Constantly tempering himself, moment by moment.
His idea was not wrong. The Immortal Severing Curse was indeed beneficial to his current cultivation path.
“If you can’t hold on, come find me immediately,” Shi Wang admonished, after checking Shi Jian’s condition and finding no major immediate problems. “This concerns cultivation; remember not to be careless!”
Shi Jian nodded. “I know my limits.”
After receiving the Immortal Severing Curse “buff,” Shi Jian took his leave. “Old Ancestor, please consider what I said carefully… The Shi Clan’s future spreading of branches and leaves depends entirely on you!”
He added with a grin, “With the Great Bloodline Technique, it’s not impossible for you to become a quasi-Immortal Emperor in the future…”
“Quasi-Immortal Emperor!” Shi Wang felt a bit helpless hearing this audacious claim.
“You boy, you really dare to dream. For so many epochs, no one has ever achieved the quasi-Immortal Emperor Realm…”
Shi Jian just smiled, said nothing more, and directly took his leave.
He left Shi Wang alone in the vast hall, pondering in place.
Becoming stronger by having many descendants… This path seemed very promising. Should he really put some thought into this area?
However… he was tens of millions of years old. Taking wives and concubines now… it just didn’t feel right, no matter how he thought about it.
…
After leaving Shi Wang, Shi Jian began to cultivate diligently, adapting to the constant drain of the Immortal Severing Curse.
He once again entered the Projection of the Heavens and challenged Ye Fan’s Sixth Incarnation.
His strength had greatly increased after reaching the Supreme Realm and undergoing his first transformation. He had even slain a half-crippled undying being. Now, the gap between his combat power and Ye Fan’s Sixth Incarnation was already small.
However, due to the constant internal battle against the Immortal Severing Curse, Shi Jian’s effective strength had decreased somewhat. As a result, he failed to kill Ye Fan in several challenges, though the fights were closer than before.
But he wasn’t in a hurry. Whether it was the Immortal Severing Curse or Ye Fan’s projection, both were excellent trials for him.
In this process, he continuously underwent transformation, perfecting his cultivation after the first transformation, adapting his techniques to function under the curse’s influence.
Once his state reached a level of perfection, he began to impact the second transformation.
“Using the essence of an undying being to impact the second transformation… once the transformation is successful, my strength will experience another rapid increase!”
Shi Jian unfurled his Dominator Domain. Within it, a highly pure, condensed energy pulsed – the refined life essence left behind by that undying being he had killed.
He had stored it in his Dominator Domain all this time, without absorbing it, saving it for this moment.
Now, it was time to break through again.
Shi Jian began absorbing the power of heaven and earth. The billions upon billions of giant elephant particles within his physical body stirred, roaring as if about to fully awaken.
The Dominator Domain began to digest the essence left behind by the undying being.
A unique, higher-level transformation occurred.
An endless stream of energy was absorbed by him, and he once again formed a cocoon of light and shadow.
This cocoon frantically absorbed the surrounding essence. This continued for several days.
Then, a clear, melodious singing sound suddenly emerged from within the cocoon.
The Pure Land of the Gods unfolded around the cocoon, and wherever its light enveloped, the singing echoed.
Eternal Heavenly Song!
[Inorin’s Note: The ‘Eternal Heavenly Song’ (Yǒnghéng Tiāngē) is one of the ultimate techniques of the Divine Elephant-Suppressing Prison Strength. It manifests as powerful halos granting various buffs.]
Another top-tier Divine Ability of the Divine Elephant Suppressing Prison Strength finally emerged.
This was the true Eternal Heavenly Song, like countless gods singing praises in the void, inscribing ancient epics into the fabric of reality. Praising the Lord who created many planes, endless truths, and laid out laws as numerous as the sands of the Ganges.
Eternal Heavenly Song. This was a song dedicated only to the Dominator. Only the Dominator deserved the word ‘Eternal’.
And now, Shi Jian was that Eternal Lord.
As soon as the Eternal Heavenly Song condensed, the cocoon Shi Jian had formed began to wriggle, and he awakened amidst the divine singing.
One light ring after another enveloped the cocoon, pulsing with power.
These light rings contained the Light of Calm, the Light of Blessing, the Light of Prayer, the Light of Glory, the Light of Guardianship, and the Light of Primordial Origin. Hundreds of layers, stacked behind his head like a divine mandala.
This was the Eternal Heavenly Song.
Shi Jian awakened amidst the singing, and he opened his eyes.
“I didn’t expect to actually awaken the complete Eternal Heavenly Song?”
Shi Jian was somewhat pleasantly surprised.
After the second transformation, his strength had improved roughly as he had expected. Promoting with the flesh and blood essence of an undying being, his current combat power was already considered to have one foot firmly planted in the Immortal Dao Domain.
He could likely contend with an uninjured, ordinary True Immortal for a short period. He probably couldn’t defeat one yet, but he wouldn’t be instantly killed either.
In Shi Jian’s estimation, after absorbing the power of the crippled Immortal and undergoing the third transformation, he would then possess true, stable True Immortal combat power.
But now, he had awakened the complete version of the Eternal Heavenly Song.
With the complete version, he felt he could now truly contend with True Immortals.
Eternal Heavenly Song. This was a truly divine technique recorded in the Divine Elephant Suppressing Prison Strength. It was conceptually equivalent to a weakened version of Fang Han’s “Three Thousand Great Daos.” Having three thousand halos meant having three thousand Great Daos manifesting their power.
Without the Eternal Heavenly Song, he couldn’t kill a True Immortal, and a True Immortal likely couldn’t easily kill him either due to his defenses.
But once the Eternal Heavenly Song was unleashed… it would be a decisive battle, determining both victory and death.
Shi Jian emerged from his cocoon, surrounded by countless, complex halos of light.
Among these halos, one halo was a sharp, piercing platinum color. Faintly, the shadow of a Primordial Geng Metal White Tiger appeared on it. Countless White Tigers roamed within the light ring, and an incredibly sharp aura was bestowed upon Shi Jian.
Shi Jian casually struck out with a finger, creating a strand of Sword Qi. The Sword Qi instantly tore through the void, leaving a clean, black rift that refused to heal.
“The power has increased several times over…” Shi Jian’s face showed joy. This was the Light of Sharpness from the Eternal Heavenly Song. One of the three thousand halos.
This was the strongest Daoist Magic for enhancing sword technique power and cutting sharpness. It itself had no direct attack power, but it could multiply the cutting power of his sword techniques by thousands of times.
Such halos… Shi Jian still had nearly three thousand more.
Among the countless halos, there was a deep blood-red one. With the blood-red halo added to his body, Shi Jian felt his physical strength instantly surge exponentially.
This was the Light of Strength. It was also a Primordial Divine Ability. As the name suggested, it could enhance raw physical strength.
Shi Jian’s strength was already terrifyingly powerful after multiple transformations and cultivating the Divine Elephant Suppressing Prison Strength. Now, he had also awakened the Strength Halo. One punch down… even a True Immortal would likely cough up blood.
Another halo was like solid, unyielding rock, emanating an aura of indestructibility.
This was the Guardian Halo. It could enhance defensive capabilities.
This halo could simultaneously be applied to his Dominator Domain, the Five Emperors Canopy, and the Robe of the Gods. These were already top-tier defensive Divine Abilities. And now, with an additional Guardian Halo buff…
Shi Jian dared not imagine how strong his defense was.
Without using the Eternal Heavenly Song, a True Immortal might be able to break his defense eventually.
But once the Eternal Heavenly Song was unleashed… Shi Jian felt he could probably stand still and let a True Immortal attack… and the True Immortal still wouldn’t be able to harm him. At most, they would just get him covered in saliva.
Besides the Light of Strength, the Light of Sharpness, and the Light of Guardianship, Shi Jian also had densely packed halos behind his head, each representing a different concept, a different Dao.
Each of these halos was terrifyingly powerful.
Shi Jian retracted his cultivation technique, the halos fading slightly. A look of regret appeared on his face. “Although the second transformation allows me to use the Eternal Heavenly Song, I can’t make its power last long, nor can I increase its power beyond the base level yet.”
“Currently, using the Eternal Heavenly Song can at most double my strength, luck, comprehension ability, and bone structure… and it only lasts for a few dozen breaths!”
“The divine power consumption of this Eternal Heavenly Song is too terrifying. Although I have a large capacity and can continuously reapply it, I can’t directly fix the buff permanently yet.”
Shi Jian felt a bit regretful. The Eternal Heavenly Song was powerful, but its consumption was also terrifying.
With his current accumulation, his mana pool was like a self-healing ocean. But even so, when he used the Eternal Heavenly Song, he still felt a significant strain.
“I wonder if I can directly make the buff permanent after achieving Immortal Ascension?” Shi Jian thought to himself, already planning his next steps.