Chapter 599: Chapter 599: The Secrets of the Upper Realm
Lantuo Temple, Master Wuxiang!
When it comes to the Buddhist Sect, everyone knows of the Western Celestial Buddha Domain, and the names of the famous great monasteries such as the Heavenly Dragon Temple, Guangji Temple, Red Lotus Temple, and Spirit Mountain Temple, which are widely renowned.
Lantuo Temple could be said to be unknown.
However, this mysterious temple has an extremely special status within the Buddhist Sect, a status that is not at all inferior to the Holy Land of Spirit Mountain Temple in the Western Celestial Buddha Domain.
Even if there is only one monk and one temple in Lantuo.
As a Cultivator at the pinnacle of the Golden Core, Ninth Uncle certainly knew about Wuxiang.
He looked at Wang Chen with profound eyes, “So that’s how it is.”
If any other monks had said that Wang Chen had to leave the Mountain and Sea Realm to avoid the death tribulation, Ninth Uncle would have certainly not believed it.
The Buddhist Sect loves to put on airs and play tricks.
But Wuxiang is different.
This Golden Core Cultivator believed about seventy to eighty percent of what Wang Chen said.
He closed his eyes for a moment, as if recalling something, or as if brewing something.
Then he opened his eyes and said with a sigh, “Young man, you must understand that the Upper Realm is not the Immortal Realm you’re imagining.”
Wang Chen answered respectfully, “Junior would like to hear the details.”
This Golden Core True Person of the Yin Family initially talked about the Upper Realm, which was more or less the same as what Wang Chen already knew.
For instance, there are mainly three ways to reach the Upper Realm.
These were all known to Wang Chen.
But the inside information Ninth Uncle had was certainly much more and more secret.
“With your current Cultivation Realm, it’s impossible for you to ascend to the Upper Realm before the age of forty.”
Ninth Uncle said bluntly, “Without connections in the Upper Realm, don’t even hope for someone to guide you up there.”
Ascending on one’s own requires effort, and being guided not only needs connections but also a hefty price.
Being guided to the Upper Realm isn’t something that can be done casually.
Ninth Uncle unreservedly told Wang Chen that when he was taken to “play” in the Upper Realm for a few years and then came back, nearly forty percent of the Yin Family’s entire wealth had been used up!
It crippled the family’s finances for decades.
“Your only option is to go through a Ferryman and take the Path to the Heavens to the Upper Realm.”
Ninth Uncle said seriously, “But those who go up like that are regarded as blacklisted, without an Immortal Register, they are just wild cultivators.”
In the Upper Realm, wild cultivators are regarded as the lowest of the low, fair game for anyone to kill or capture, and once caught, they either become “material” or slaves!
The so-called “material” is used for crafting Magic Artifacts, Pills, and for sacrifices!
Human hunting, material cultivation, such acts are in theory condemned by both gods and men, but in the Haotian Realm, the wild cultivators who sneak in and meet such a fate have no one to seek justice for them.
In comparison, being captured and made into a Cultivation Slave is somewhat more fortunate.
At least you can barely survive for a few decades, until the last bit of life and Mana is extracted from you!
Given Wang Chen’s disposition, he couldn’t help but slightly change his face after listening to Ninth Uncle’s narration.
Indeed, as the Golden Core had said, the reality of the Upper Realm was far different from what he had imagined, crueler!
Seeing the look in Wang Chen’s eyes, Ninth Uncle showed a trace of pity, “Guess why the Path to the Heavens exists?”
Wang Chen was keenly aware!
The Path to the Heavens was not some loophole; its very existence was to create opportunities for some delusional people, allowing the latter to become nourishment for the Upper Realm.
Material, Cultivation Slave!
Wang Chen hadn’t yet truly seen the glory of the Upper Realm but had already seen its ugliest side.
Seeing Wang Chen remain silent, Ninth Uncle smiled, “Amidst the myriad realms and the countless Lower Realms, there exists the Path to the Heavens, a thought away from immortality, a thought away from purgatory, all depending on your own choice.”
But Wang Chen had no choice!
He suddenly asked, “Senior, is there a way for wild cultivators to obtain an Immortal Register?”
Ninth Uncle replied without hesitation, “There are several ways.”
The simplest and most direct way is to gain the favor of an Immortal Clan after ascending and register to become an Immortal Citizen.
Alternatively, one could hide and avoid being caught, and upon reaching the Nascent Soul Realm, go to any Immortal City to register and acquire the status of an Immortal Citizen.
Most Immortal Clans welcome the addition of a Nascent Soul True Immortal.
There is one last method.
The Immortal Cities of the Haotian Realm issue several Ascension Orders each year, and obtaining one would grant citizenship.
Although Ninth Uncle did not explicitly state it, Wang Chen was very clear that none of these methods were easy to achieve.
Especially the last one, which seemed simplest, was probably the most difficult.
It’s like winning a multimillion-dollar prize with a two-dollar lottery ticket!
In the end, Ninth Uncle said, “If you insist on going to the Upper Realm, I can help you contact a Ferryman for a spot to ascend, and with that, our Yin Family’s debt to you would be settled.”
This was precisely what Wang Chen wanted!
He had traveled thousands of miles to the West Sea Spirit Domain and joined the West Sea Sect to find the Ferryman that Chang Chun had mentioned.
Wang Chen suddenly wondered if his mentor was aware of his “Heavenly Demon” identity.
Which is why he advised him to sneak into the Upper Realm?
With this doubt weighing on his heart, Wang Chen stood up and bowed, saying, “Thank you, senior!”
Ninth Uncle waved his hand with a wry smile and said, “I’m not sure if I’m helping you or harming you.”
As he spoke, he took out a Storage Talisman and handed it to Wang Chen, “Inside are three Treasure Talismans that you can use in the Haotian Realm. Whether you’ll be able to gain citizenship as you wish depends on your own fortune and opportunity.”
Wang Chen’s eyes flashed, “So the talismans from the Mountain and Sea Realm cannot be used in the Haotian Realm?”
Ninth Uncle’s smile carried a hint of “you’ve discovered something astute,” and the Golden Core True Person nodded in response, “That’s right, the rules are different.”
Not just talismans—the Pills from the Mountain and Sea Realm could turn into poison if taken to the Haotian Realm!
As for Magic Artifacts and Spiritual Artifacts, they would not work either. Magical Treasures were barely acceptable, though their power would be greatly diminished.
The only things unaffected were Spirit Stones and various other heavenly materials and earthly treasures!
The value of Spirit Stones from the Mountain and Sea Realm would not change much in the Haotian Realm.
Wang Chen was speechless.
He was fortunate for Ninth Uncle’s warning because if he snuck into the Upper Realm and found himself in danger, only to discover that his Pills, talismans, and Magic Artifacts were all unusable, that would be truly disastrous.
He also wondered if his Heaven-Ensnaring Punisher Net, Creation Cauldron, and other treasures would be affected.
Especially the Dragon Abyss Sword he had gone to great lengths to refine earlier.
Wang Chen thought to himself as he solemnly accepted the Storage Talisman.
The Treasure Talismans inside could be life-saving!
Ninth Uncle cautioned, “Do not take them out in the Mountain and Sea Realm or it will affect their efficacy.”
Wang Chen took this to heart.
Then the Golden Core True Person shared with him many details about the Haotian Realm, giving him a clear and comprehensive understanding of the Upper Realm.
This secret knowledge of the Upper Realm might save his life in the future!
The two talked for a full two hours.
Mostly Ninth Uncle speaking, with Wang Chen listening attentively.
The conversation only ended when Yin Sulan came up with Spiritual Tea.
Wang Chen felt deeply that the Reverse Spirit Red Fruit he had paid was worth it.
After returning to Long River Island, he diligently practiced and cultivated while quietly waiting for news from the Yin Family.
The first update is here.