Invincible Starts From Dao Fruit

"Black Killing Demon King."

"Cultivation of the Eighth Layer Heaven."

"Carries the ancient bloodline of the 'Death Messenger Bird' and possesses the lifebound technique 'Seven Saints Calling Name Divine Spell.' This spell visualizes the seven saints within the mind, confuses the enemy's spirit through their divine power, and calls out the enemy's name. Whoever responds to the call immediately falls under the curse. Seven days later, their body will inevitably disintegrate and perish."

Chen Jichuan stood before Sect Master Gu Feng and said with a faint smile, "'Among the eight demon kings imprisoned within the 'Dragon-locking Well,' the 'Seven Saints Calling Name Divine Spell' of the 'Black Killing Demon King' is the one with the highest potential of being mastered."

Chen Jichuan had spent several months in the 'Dragon-locking Well,' forming a close acquaintance with the 'Black Killing Demon King.' Upon emerging from the depths of the Dragon-locking Abyss, he was summoned by Sect Master Gu Feng to discuss the matter.

Unreservedly, Chen Jichuan disclosed everything as it was.

"A method involving curses?"

"It seems a bit unbecoming, far too sinister."

Gu Feng frowned slightly as he looked at Chen Jichuan.

"If it cannot be used righteously, then shelve it and leave it be."

"Additionally, the Heaven Mending Sect lacks any powerful spell techniques for curse analysis. Allow me some time to decipher it. If by chance I succeed, the sect can later entrust a virtuous elder with its use, specifically to combat evil demons and heterodox factions."

"Such a technique, used with righteousness, serves righteousness. Why should the Sect Master concern himself with its superficial form?"

Chen Jichuan's resolve was firm, unwilling to alter his course over external opinions.

The eighteenth level of 'Dragon-locking Well' imprisoned a total of eight demon lords, each boasting diverse bloodlines and unique techniques. Still, Chen Jichuan's fascination was wholly fixated on the 'Seven Saints Calling Name Divine Spell.'

The ability to call out a name from thousands of miles away and guarantee death.

This spell is strange and nearly impossible to defend against, rendering it perfect for ambushes. Once Chen Jichuan deciphers its mysteries and enhances it further to a super-level technique, its power would become unfathomably venomous.

How could he easily cast aside such a treasure?

"Very well."

"But after deciphering it, do not share this technique recklessly, as it may invite infinite disasters."

Gu Feng sighed deeply.

"Understood."

Chen Jichuan responded verbally while secretly amused. Though the Sect Master appeared upright, he was hardly bound by rigid rules. Once the Heaven Mending Sect gained a curse-related supreme technique, Gu Feng would undoubtedly be delighted.

His current moral objections were mere surface-level displays.

If Gu Feng truly wished to keep the sect away from such poisonous methods, why bother capturing the 'Black Killing Demon King,' imprisoning him within the 'Dragon-locking Well,' and granting Chen Jichuan access?

"Typical pretense."

Chen Jichuan chuckled inwardly and took note of the posturing.

Such performative righteousness, he thought, might also prove useful to him someday. Paying attention to these skills would never hurt.

Gu Feng had no idea how the new Hall Master silently criticized him in his mind. With hands clasped behind his back, he stood beside Chen Jichuan atop the mountain peak, gazing over the majestic scenery of Mount Tailao and observing the vast phenomena of the world.

After a leisurely chat, Gu Feng finally broached the day's second matter: "Have you truly decided to take on the role of principal commander in the expedition against the evil god?"

"Our paths diverge; the evil god will inevitably become a great calamity one day."

"I, Dai, am willing to lead an army to defeat the evil god and cleanse the Earth Cave."

Chen Jichuan nodded in agreement.

His initial reason for emerging from the No.2 Cave was to return to the Heaven Mending Sect and partake in the campaign against the evil god.

But due to Luo Pu's corruption scandal, he was compelled to unveil his true capabilities.

This led to his offering of two supreme techniques out of shame.

As a consequence, he unexpectedly ascended to the position of Dharma Transmission Hall Master.

Everything had unfolded unpredictably.

Initially, he thought his involvement in the battle was assured; now, with his new station, he unexpectedly gained eligibility to compete for the principal commander's role.

However, this status came with its risks.

Given his current rank and reputation, failing to secure the commander role would likely strip him of his qualification to join the battle altogether—

As the master of an entire hall and wielder of the 'Sixfold Golden Lotus,' if Chen Jichuan was neither the commander nor an independent force, what position could he hold in the military under the direction of a different commander?

It would be inappropriate.

The sect would never permit such an incongruity.

Over these past two years, the Heaven Mending Sect had convened numerous top-level meetings, with the campaign against the evil god dominating discussions. And among the deliberations, the selection of three commanders was the centerpiece.

Within the sect, the nine Supreme Elders and six Hall Masters were all potential candidates.

Yet among the Supreme Elders, some were too advanced in age.

Like Sun Jiuzhang.

Like Chen Pu.

Both were figures with one foot already in the grave, making them unsuitable for military leadership.

Among the remaining Supreme Elders were individuals like Mu Rong, optimal in alchemy and cultivation yet average in combat, also unsuitable for command.

With such exclusions, few of the nine Supreme Elders stood viable.

As for the six Hall Masters—

Law Enforcement Hall Master Zhangg Wuya lacked sufficient cultivation and, being responsible only for the 'Dragon-locking Well,' would be unfit for field command. Besides, he had previously lost to Chen Jichuan and lacked the standing to compete.

Danyi Hall Master Zhang Zheng, while capable in cultivation and masterful in wielding the 'Fire Dragon Immortal Banner,' also stood as an Alchemy Grandmaster and was therefore better kept away from direct combat.

Among the six Hall Masters, the genuine competitors were Five Directions Hall Master Ji Liuyun, Immortal Hall Master Bai Nianyun, Examination Hall Master Meng Dajiang, and Chen Jichuan as Dharma Transmission Hall Master.

"Ji Liuyun, Bai Nianyun, and Meng Dajiang—each boast cultivation reaching the Ninth Heaven."

"Ji Liuyun commands the 'True Essence Scissors,' a formidable force."

"Bai Nianyun wields the 'Evil Extermination Blade,' equally impressive."

"Meng Dajiang, though armed merely with the 'All Living Beings Ring,' upon being designated commander, would receive the 'Xuanguang Ruler' from the Sect Master, making his strength comparable to Ji and Bai."

"As for myself, commanding the 'Sixfold Golden Lotus,' I too possess a competitive edge."

Four Hall Masters, along with three Supreme Elders—a total of seven contenders potentially vying to be among the three commanders.

"The three Supreme Elders have labored for a lifetime, with the Great Elder and Second Elder advising that we not consider them."

"But Ji, Bai, and Meng, all of whom are Ninth Heaven cultivators and profoundly cautious, might prove difficult to bypass with regard to public approval."

Gu Feng cast his gaze at Chen Jichuan.

Gu Feng truly did not want Chen Jichuan to assume military leadership. Many could lead an army for the Heaven Mending Sect, but individuals like Chen Jichuan, capable of deciphering and developing supreme techniques, were singular.

If he headed to the battlefield—

Whether he suffered injuries or squandered time on trivialities—either scenario hindered the sect's desire for his mastery over supreme techniques, which was the last thing they wanted.

"The sect's resources are wholly at your disposal. Why insist on the hardships of war—expending effort and shouldering concerns?"

Gu Feng advised.

"I understand Sect Master's position."

"However, for me, secluded cultivation is of little use. I require a sequence of real battles to stimulate my potential and hone my skills, accelerating progress."

"Additionally, deciphering supreme techniques also demands extensive combat as empirical groundwork; a purely theoretical approach is unfeasible."

"Furthermore—"

"I am already six hundred years old, yet only at the Fifth Heaven."

"If I don't push myself now, I may never reach the Ninth Heaven or the Tenth Heaven in this lifetime, let alone ascend to the Third-order God Transformation Realm."

Chen Jichuan's tone was earnest.

He truly longed for battle, not only to temper himself but also to grasp the critical opportunity for advancement. The evil god presented a rare and priceless opponent—one he could not bear to forfeit.

"Alas."

"War is perilous; fortune and catastrophe coexist!"

Gu Feng sighed, finding himself unable to argue further.

Chen Jichuan was contending not just for a commander's position but for supremacy over his cultivation path.

The Third-order God Transformation Realm—

Every Heaven Mending Sect True Person yearned for it, without exception. Gu Feng had no grounds nor courage to obstruct Chen Jichuan's ambitions.

However—

"You're still only six hundred years old; you could easily wait another century or two, improving your cultivation further and increasing your chances of survival."

"The pursuit of enlightenment is arduous."

"Only by preserving one's life can one aspire to greater heights."

The evil god is no trivial foe."

Gu Feng conveyed half-hearted warnings, yet upon noticing Chen Jichuan's steadfast refusal, he gave up and chuckled bittersweetly, refraining from further advice.

Looking at Chen Jichuan, Gu Feng sighed and said, "Since you've resolved to proceed, I won't dissuade you anymore. However, commanding an army of ten thousand cultivators will require more than just strategy. You will also face relations with allied Nine Heaven True Persons and interact with commanders from the other six sects. While 'Sixfold Golden Lotus' grants you potent support, your actual cultivation only reaches the Fifth Heaven, which may make commanding credibility difficult."

The selection of three commanders was not a decision Gu Feng could unilaterally make.

It depended on the collective choices of Heaven Mending Sect's upper echelon and the approval of allied two Nine Heaven True Persons under the armies.

Deep down, Gu Feng believed that given Chen Jichuan's current cultivation and strength, winning the position seemed unlikely. Preemptively discussing this topic, he sought to avert potential dissatisfaction in case of failure.

When considering combat strength—

Chen Jichuan could confidently rival any opponent using the 'Sixfold Golden Lotus.' But as a commander, earning the trust and respect of subordinates and allies was imperative.

Given the high stakes of this battle, Gu Feng and other top leaders tolerated no flaws.

"Earn their trust?"

"Then why not face the other Hall Masters in combat?"

Chen Jichuan glanced at Gu Feng.

Power and combat strength were difficult to express verbally and often gauged solely through cultivation tiers.

Chen Jichuan had reached only the Fifth Heaven. While valid combat prowess transcended mere cultivation rank, his contested trial against Zhangg Wuya at Qingniu Peak simply marked him out as Eight Heaven equivalent.

But his full scope of strength remained mysterious.

Chen Jichuan's tenure as Hall Master spanned just two brief years. Over these years, he juggled adapting to the Transmission Hall's duties, persisting with personal cultivation, and semi-annual isolation ('Death Seclusion').

All these limited opportunities to showcase his authentic potential.

Now that he competed for commander, this turned into a disadvantage for him.

"Battling among our own sect is inappropriate."

Gu Feng, leading as Sect Master, dismissed the proposal outright: "In the coming days, Qingye Island's Island Master 'Wang Ying' and Long-Armed Cliff Old Ancestor 'Ma Jian' will visit Mount Tailao for military consultation and to prepare for the upcoming expedition. When they arrive, you may spar with them to clarify your standing and bolster your prestige as Dharma Transmission Hall's Hall Master."

Island Master 'Wang Ying,' known as the 'Fire Eye Immortal Monarch,' possesses extraordinary skills with his 'Eyes of Golden Flame.'

Long-Armed Cliff's Old Ancestor 'Ma Jian,' famed as 'River Flipping True Person,' wields unmatched abilities to overturn rivers and seas.

Both figures, renowned throughout Slaughter Ring Sea, are long-established powerhouses closely tied to the Heaven Mending Sect, practically 'Guest Elders.'

This time, as part of the Seven Immortal Sects' campaign against the evil god, the sects engaged not solely their own cultivators but sought to ally with numerous additional forces.

First, to bolster overall strength.

Second, to rally external figures and preclude the violent counter-campaigns from Slaughter Ring Sea's scattered powers while combating the evil god.

Lastly, given the uncertain battlefield outcomes, drawing external parties alongside ensures mutual losses even in defeat.

Consequently, sects conducted massive mobilization.

The Seven Immortal Sects had initiated recruitment efforts, arousing interest among diverse secondary organizations and itinerant cultivators eager to partake in battling the evil god for rewards.

Wang Ying and Ma Jian represented outstanding external allies invited into Heaven Mending Sect ranks.

They were the first to arrive—more allies and experts followed closely behind.

"Very well."

"A sparring match it is."

Chen Jichuan readily consented.

...