Chapter 457 – Finally Reaching Peak Golden Immortal Great Perfection, Preparations for the Extortion Plan Begin!

“However, ever since I started simulating… each simulation lasts at most just over two thousand years…”

“Under ordinary means, I’m afraid I’ll never be able to survive the five signs of celestial decay…”

Su Xing narrowed his eyes and continued:

“Therefore, I must use extraordinary means to shorten the duration of the five signs of celestial decay. Only then will I have a chance to survive them!”

For ordinary cultivators, the hardest part of breaking through from Golden Immortal to Supreme Unity wasn’t actually the five signs of celestial decay.

It was the accumulation of cultivation and the advancement of Great Dao comprehension.

But for Su Xing, neither cultivation nor Great Dao comprehension posed any problems.

The only issue was the five signs of celestial decay, which required hard time—3,600 years to survive each tribulation.

All five decays required at least 18,000 years to complete, which was impossible for Su Xing within a simulation under ordinary means.

“Next simulation, I’ll go ask the Celestial Secrets Pavilion Master… see if she has a method to survive the five signs of celestial decay ahead of schedule?”

Su Xing thought to himself.

“But the greatest gain from this simulation might not just be the advancement in cultivation and understanding of the future…”

“The truly critical thing is that I’ve confirmed the existence of that individual among the alien races… Originally I was in the open while the enemy was in the shadows, which was extremely disadvantageous for me… But now we’re back on the same footing!”

Su Xing rubbed his chin.

In the three-plus years since Su Xing had begun simulating, the alien races had always been in the open while he remained in the shadows.

But after his strength increased, Su Xing had to take on certain risks in order to acquire energy faster.

As a result, the situation shifted to Su Xing being in a semi-exposed state.

Until that individual among the alien races possibly became aware of Su Xing’s existence—yet Su Xing knew nothing about them.

At that point, Su Xing was in extreme danger.

But after this simulation, Su Xing had confirmed the existence of that individual among the alien races.

The situation had returned to an even footing…

“Before that individual notices me… I need to advance my cultivation as quickly as possible!”

Su Xing looked at his one remaining simulation attempt and wasted no time, directly initiating the simulation.

“Begin simulation!”

【Simulation #166 initiated. Current remaining origin energy: 24,791,392 points… Remaining simulation attempts: 0.】

【Simulation begins!】

【Drawing a talent costs 1 point of origin energy. Draw?】

“Yes!”

【Ding! Congratulations, you have drawn the gold talent Dragon-Phoenix Body. Next draw gold talent probability: 80%, red talent probability: 20%…】

【Dragon-Phoenix Body】: Gold talent. One of the Hundred Great Divine Physiques. Possesses a trace of ancient Dragon Race and Phoenix bloodline, granting an extraordinary constitution and exceptional Body Tempering talent.

“Hmm? Another divine physique…”

Su Xing nodded slightly. This Dragon-Phoenix Body was a decent attribute-stacking talent.

However, Su Xing’s Body Tempering aptitude was already quite high. Unless it was a red-level talent, the boost to Su Xing would be rather limited.

“Even the smallest mosquito is still meat!”

Su Xing murmured, then began contemplating his plan for this simulation.

“Advance Qi Refinement cultivation to Peak Golden Immortal—that’s a certainty…”

“Push the Great Shaman Body Forging Art as far as possible… advance the Dao of Speed to the sixth realm… push alchemy skills to the Paragon level if possible.”

“And ask the Celestial Secrets Pavilion Master whether there’s a method to survive the five signs of celestial decay ahead of schedule…”

Su Xing went over the rough plan for this simulation in his mind, then turned his gaze to the simulation panel.

【Please select a Plus One talent…】

“I choose to enhance Late Bloomer…”

【In the spirit field grotto-heaven, you realize you are in a simulation.】

【You travel to the Thousand Isles Realm and engage in a great battle with the Advent Cult cadre Blood Four…】

【This battle lasts a year and a half, and ultimately you slay him.】

【You leave behind the Dao name Spirit Dragon Golden Immortal… Your reputation begins spreading across the Three Thousand Worlds.】

【You travel to the Lesser Azure Cloud Realm. To help the human race hold out longer, you share your intelligence with the Celestial Secrets Pavilion.】

【Next, you trade with Qingyunzi, guide Fairy Ziling in spirit cultivation techniques, collect Luotian Sect legacies… and travel to the Heavenly Secrets Domain…】

【The plan proceeds smoothly, and several hundred years pass in the blink of an eye.】

【Time reaches the 300th year!】

【This year, the Celestial Secrets Pavilion’s Celestial Vessel descends upon the White Cloud Realm.】

【In the 320th year, the Celestial Vessel Defense War erupts…】

【Relying on your formidable strength and your reputation as the number one on the Earth Ranking, you earn a chance to use the Mirror of The Void.】

【In the 330th year, you successfully arrive at the Celestial Secrets Realm…】

In the Real World, Su Xing’s heart stirred when he saw this, and he silently intoned:

“Use immersive simulation… for 100 years!”

【Ding… Remaining origin energy: 24,791,392 points…】

As the Chime faded, Su Xing’s consciousness entered the simulated world.

With practiced ease, he brewed a pot of Dao-Enlightenment Tea, took out numerous Dao essence treasures related to the Great Dao of Speed, and began comprehending the Great Dao.

In the blink of an eye, over fifty years passed…

Su Xing, deep in immersive closed-door cultivation, slowly opened his eyes on this day.

The Dao essence of the Great Dao of Speed around him instantly converged, returning to simplicity in the blink of an eye.

“On this day, the Great Dao of Speed… advances to the sixth realm!”

A gleam of light flashed in Su Xing’s eyes. He could feel that after the Great Dao of Speed ascended to the sixth realm, his flight speed had surged once again!

“Mm… overall flight speed is roughly three times faster than before!”

“The effect isn’t noticeable for short-distance travel… but for medium and long-distance journeys, the effect is astounding!”

Su Xing made a brief calculation.

After advancing the Dao of Speed to the sixth realm, the time it would take him to cross the Endless Sea from the Azure Origin Domain to the Heavenly Secrets Domain would be cut in half!

What originally took ten years would now only take about five…

“Excellent. The Great Dao of Speed truly lives up to its reputation as an offense-and-defense-in-one Dao… and it’s tremendously useful for me in reality!”

“If I need to collect the Luo Tian legacy later, it’ll be twice as efficient!”

Su Xing said with satisfaction.

“Now then, I still have a few leaves of Dao-Enlightenment Tea and over seventy perfect-quality Dao-Hearing Pills left to consume… Which Great Dao should I advance?”

Su Xing pondered briefly, then turned his gaze to the Dao of Cause and Effect and Destiny!

“In the face of potential risks… the Dao of Cause and Effect and Destiny urgently needs advancement!”

“And I’ve already obtained the Greater Celestial Cycle Star Observation Method… It’s time to test the difficulty of this supernatural art…”

Su Xing didn’t hesitate. He drank the Dao-Enlightenment Tea and began comprehending the Greater Celestial Cycle Star Observation Method.

…

Stars shifted and moons changed, the sun and moon alternated.

In the blink of an eye, over forty years passed.

In the ninety-fifth year of the immersive simulation, Su Xing had used up all his Dao-Hearing Pills and Dao-Enlightenment Tea.

“The Dao of Cause and Effect and Destiny… is truly difficult to comprehend!”

Su Xing frowned slightly.

After over forty years of immersive simulation, even with the aid of Dao-Enlightenment Tea and Dao-Hearing Pills, Su Xing’s comprehension of the Dao of Cause and Effect and Destiny was still stuck at the entry level of the fifth realm!

And the Greater Celestial Cycle Star Observation Method hadn’t even reached the introductory stage…

“Sigh, the Dao is long and the road is arduous… It seems the Dao of Cause and Effect and Destiny will require considerable time…”

Su Xing shook his head, not rushing things.

“For now, it’s time to visit the Mirror of The Void…”

With that, Su Xing stepped forward and quickly appeared at the Celestial Secrets Pavilion headquarters.

Smoothly entering the Mirror of The Void, Su Xing requested his enhancement selection from the Artifact Spirit.

“Then let me try… the Mirror of The Void’s enhancement for the Dao of Cause and Effect and Destiny.”

…

Illusory images flashed before Su Xing’s eyes. After the power that severed the Long River of time faded, numerous insights flooded his mind, and he fell into unconsciousness…

When Su Xing woke again, the first thing he did was check his progress in the Dao of Cause and Effect and Destiny.

“Hmm… still at the fifth realm Beginner-level?”

Su Xing raised an eyebrow.

He could feel that his comprehension of the Dao of Cause and Effect and Destiny had advanced significantly.

But whether it was cause-and-effect or destiny, both were top-tier Great Daos. Without a renowned master’s guidance, Su Xing had only the still-obscure Greater Celestial Cycle Star Observation Method to work with.

Trying to make progress in a short time… was simply too difficult…

“I’ll just have to grind it out slowly for now… According to plan, I won’t be short on simulation attempts for the coming period…”

Su Xing said, his eyes flickering slightly.

…

In the Primordial Void Realm, Su Xing addressed the illusory figure of the Celestial Secrets Pavilion Master before him:

“Senior, I want to know… is there a method to save time and survive the five signs of celestial decay?”

Su Xing posed his question to the Celestial Secrets Pavilion Master before him.

Upon hearing Su Xing’s words, the illusory figure frowned slightly and said:

“The five signs of celestial decay arrive naturally once one reaches Peak Golden Immortal Great Perfection. Each tribulation takes 3,600 years to experience… This is decreed by the heavens. Wanting to experience the five signs of celestial decay ahead of schedule is no easy matter…”

At this point, the Celestial Secrets Pavilion Master shifted her tone and continued:

“However, it’s not entirely without method…”

“Between heaven and earth, there exists a decay poison called the Defilement Pill. Consuming it can make the five signs of celestial decay come more fiercely while shortening the duration to just 360 years…”

“Besides that, there are also Floral Edge Stones, Qiuye Powder, Foul Stench Pills, and Self-Loathing Water—all of which serve the same purpose…”

“These five poisons were originally supreme toxins refined by ancient cultivators. Even Golden Immortal cultivators who accidentally came into contact with them would suffer a massive reduction in strength, losing ninety percent of their cultivation… and even risking death!”

“However, the heavens always leave a thread of hope… Later, cultivators discovered that if one could successfully withstand these poisons, they could pass through the five signs of celestial decay in just over three hundred years, and with even greater effect!”

Su Xing’s eyes lit up at this, and he hurriedly asked:

“Senior, where can these five decay poisons be obtained?”

The Celestial Secrets Pavilion Master replied:

“Our Celestial Secrets Pavilion has them… Since few cultivators exchange for these five poisons and they’re rarely needed, the prices aren’t particularly expensive…”

Su Xing carefully noted down everything the Celestial Secrets Pavilion Master said.

…

Soon the immersive simulation ended, and Su Xing returned to the Real World.

“The five signs of celestial decay—one cycle every 3,600 years, requiring 18,000 years to fully pass through…”

“And the decay poisons… compress the timeline of the five signs of celestial decay by tenfold, while making the effects ten times more intense?”

“An ordinary Peak Golden Immortal would never risk such a thing—they’d rather pass through the five signs of celestial decay safely and steadily…”

“But this medicine is of great use to me!”

“After reaching Golden Immortal Perfection, I can take it and break through to the Supreme Unity Golden Immortal realm as quickly as possible!”

After a pause, Su Xing continued:

“Now, it’s time to leave the Heavenly Secrets Domain… and head to the Celestial Demon Domain!”

His gaze turned to the simulation panel.

【Year 430: The immersive simulation ended. From the Celestial Secrets Pavilion Master, you learned a method to pass through the five signs of celestial decay as quickly as possible.】

【You began preparations to cross the Endless Sea and travel to the Celestial Demon Domain.】

【Year 460: In merely thirty years, you successfully arrived at the Celestial Demon Domain.】

【You activated the Celestial Demon Token, and the Celestial Demon General soon appeared…】

【Over the following centuries, you promoted the Rebirth Pill, strengthening the Celestial Demon Domain’s overall power… You trained diligently, advanced your own cultivation, and searched for traces of Celestial Sun Grass in the core region…】

【Time quickly reached Year 800!】

【This year, your cultivation successfully broke through to Golden Immortal Ninth Stage, late phase.】

【The Primordial Energy Tree within your body reached eight zhang (26.64 m) and two chi (66.6 cm).】

【Several years later, while you were far away in the Celestial Demon Domain, you received news that a great war had erupted in the Heavenly Secrets Domain.】

【This war, as before, lasted a hundred years…】

【By Year 900, the great war ended, concluding with a pyrrhic victory for the human race of the Heavenly Secrets Domain…】

【Year 900: You finished exploring the second planned area but still found no trace of Celestial Sun Grass. You began exploring even deeper into the core region.】

【Year 1,000: Your Spirit Realm range reached 58,000 li (29,000 km), and your cultivation improved slightly.】

【…】

【Year 1,300: The Southern Barbarian Domain fell.】

【Year 1,500: The Azure Origin Domain fell…】

【This year, the crisis facing the Celestial Demon Domain was more severe than ever before, as alien armies from other domains poured in as endless reinforcements.】

【Even you suffered several assassination attempts…】

【But fortunately, with the Celestial Demon General guarding your path, you did not face mortal danger.】

【Several years later, your cultivation finally entered the Golden Immortal Ninth Stage Peak!】

【At this point, your realm could advance no further—you had achieved Peak Golden Immortal Great Perfection.】

【To advance any further, the only path was to step into the Supreme Unity realm…】

In the Real World, Su Xing’s emotions were somewhat complicated as he read this.

“Although the future situation still doesn’t look optimistic… the good news is that I’ve finally reached Peak Golden Immortal Great Perfection!”

“Next, I need to consider what’s required to break through to Supreme Unity Golden Immortal…”

“The five signs of celestial decay… and enough origin energy?”

Su Xing murmured.

The five signs of celestial decay, given Su Xing’s Dao foundation, shouldn’t be difficult.

But the origin energy needed to advance to Supreme Unity Golden Immortal… that was definitely an enormous number!

“The alien deity disguise plan needs to be implemented as soon as possible…”

“The lesser demon disguise’s strength also needs to reach the first-tier deity level quickly!”

His gaze turned to the simulation panel.

【Year 1,600: The Celestial Demon Domain suffered a massive alien invasion…】

【Having foreseen the danger in advance, you left the Celestial Demon Domain’s core region and transformed into the appearance of a lesser demon deity.】

【Crossing the Endless Sea, you returned to the Heavenly Secrets Domain.】

【Afterward, using the blood essence provided by the alien races, you began cultivating followers.】

【Year 2,000: You had amassed enough apostles and began collecting the power of faith…】

【Year 2,600: You used all your power of faith to enhance your divinity.】

【The power of faith was insufficient, and your divinity level had not yet reached the first-tier deity level…】

【Several months later, you were hunted down by the White Emperor…】

【You died!】

【Ding! This simulation has ended!】

“Another simulation… and I’ve finally reached Peak Golden Immortal Great Perfection!”

Su Xing’s expression was somewhat excited.

Now, the only thing standing between him and becoming a Supreme Unity Golden Immortal was the five signs of celestial decay…

And he already knew the method for overcoming the five signs of celestial decay.

As long as he had enough origin energy, it would only take Su Xing a few more simulations to achieve Supreme Unity Golden Immortal!

“But the headache is the origin energy!”

Su Xing rubbed his brow. Based on his experience, breaking through to the Supreme Unity Golden Immortal realm would require at least one to two hundred million origin energy!

And Su Xing currently couldn’t produce anywhere near that amount!

“The only option is to transform into the lesser demon deity and extort the alien races…”

Su Xing blinked, pondering where it would be most suitable to transform into the lesser demon deity.

“But before that, I should extract my cultivation first!”

His gaze turned to the reward list.

【Dragon-Phoenix Body】: Gold talent. Price: 10 origin energy.

【Spirit Realm 60,000 Li (30,000 km)】: Spirit Domain metamorphosis, reaching the Spirit Realm level. Massive boost to supernatural arts and spatial Dao power within the Spirit Realm’s range; the Spirit Realm gradually evolves toward a real world. Price: 500,000 origin energy.

【Peak Golden Immortal Great Perfection Cultivation】: Price: 1 origin energy.

【Great Shaman Body Forging Art Cultivation Results】: Great Shaman Body Forging Art, Sixth Layer Major Mastery. Primordial Energy Tree at eight zhang (26.64 m) eight chi (2.66 m). Primordial energy flows endlessly. Price: 5,500,000 origin energy!

【alchemy insights】: One thousand years (real time) of alchemy experience. Capable of refining up to fifteenth-tier pills. Has reached the Alchemy Paragon realm. Price: 1,000,000 origin energy.

Looking at this simulation’s rewards, Su Xing didn’t hesitate and extracted all five rewards.

The simulator’s Chime sounded in his ears.

【Ding! Congratulations on extracting Peak Golden Immortal Great Perfection cultivation… Remaining origin energy: 24,791,390 points…】

【Congratulations on extracting Great Shaman Body Forging Art cultivation results… Remaining origin energy: 20,241,392 points…】

【Congratulations on extracting Spirit Realm 60,000 Li (30,000 km)… Remaining origin energy: 19,791,392 points…】

【Congratulations on extracting alchemy insights… Remaining origin energy: 18,691,392 points…】

【Congratulations on extracting the Dragon-Phoenix Body talent… Remaining origin energy: 18,691,381 points…】

As the simulator notifications fell silent, Su Xing’s aura transformed once more.

His cultivation realm had finally advanced to Peak Golden Immortal Great Perfection, with no room for further progress.

The Primordial Energy Tree within his body had grown by one zhang (3.33 m) and one chi (33.3 cm)…

The alchemy insights, Spirit Realm comprehension, and Dragon-Phoenix Body were all extracted one by one…

After spending some time adapting to his new cultivation and realm, Su Xing nodded with satisfaction.

“In the short term, there’s no way to advance my Qi Refinement cultivation further…”

“Once the Primordial Energy Tree within my body grows to nine zhang (29.97 m), nine chi (3 m), and nine cun (29.97 cm), the Great Shaman Body Forging Art will also reach sixth realm Perfection.”

“If both break through simultaneously… that would mark a true step into the Supreme Unity realm!”

The advancement in cultivation was within Su Xing’s expectations.

However, what Su Xing needed to consider now was a new method for obtaining origin energy!

“Whether it’s the origin energy provided by Earth or the Lesser Azure Cloud Realm, for the future me, it would be a drop in the bucket…”

“Only the Star Stones from the Star Realm can provide large quantities…”

“But Star Stones are finite after all, and tribal tributes take time… and I can’t afford to wait any longer!”

Su Xing took a deep breath and glanced at the simulation panel.

There were still three days until the next simulation cooldown refreshed…

And for Su Xing’s lesser demon disguise to break through to the first-tier deity level, he would need at least several simulations.

Moreover, Su Xing would need to simulate for over two thousand years in his lesser demon identity to accumulate that amount of power of faith.

“Well then, for the next month, I’ll settle down first, then work on deepening my Great Dao comprehension and advancing the lesser demon deity’s realm!”

After a pause, a gleam of sharp light flashed through Su Xing’s eyes.

“However… before that…”

“I need to draw the alien races’ attention over here first!”

Su Xing scratched his head, feeling somewhat regretful about killing those Advent Cult officers and alien race members who had come searching for him.

If he hadn’t killed them, after Su Xing transformed into the lesser demon deity, they would surely have been attracted over quickly.

“Sigh, I was careless!”

“But it’s too late for regret now… To attract the alien races to come find me as quickly as possible, I’ll need to leak some of my aura!”

With this thought, Su Xing’s figure flickered and appeared on a desolate, uninhabited wasteland in the Star Realm.

Then, with a thought, the Xenomorph talent activated!

Immediately after, Su Xing’s form began to gradually transform…

At the same time, the aura of a lesser demon deity enveloped the entire Star Realm…