Invincible Starts From Dao Fruit

"Hah!"

Chen Jichuan extended his finger, and the Seven-star Sword Diagram surged forth like a heaven-opening treasure sword, seven stars swaying as it pierced toward a spot in the void.

Bam!

A loud noise.

The Seven-star Treasure Sword seemed to collide with a wall, and a figure emerged, tumbling backward. Once stabilized, it was none other than Ma Jian.

…

"This lad is unexpectedly formidable!"

Amid the heated battle, Ma and Dai clashed fiercely.

On Trial Sword Peak, Zhangg Wuya watched the ongoing fight. Observing Chen Jichuan's ease as he battled the 'River Flipping True Person', he couldn't help but sigh again.

This time, he had a clear view.

Back at Qingniu Peak, Chen Jichuan had indeed shown restraint. From start to finish, he only used the 'Five Thunders True Skill.' Had he unleashed the 'Seven-star Sword Diagram,' Zhangg would surely have been defeated even more miserably.

Thinking back, he glanced again at the solitary Black Kill Demon standing in the distance, recalling the techniques Chen Jichuan demonstrated in the Dragon-locking Well, and felt a chill rise in his heart. He couldn't help but remember the words spoken by the Supreme Elder on that day—

"In the future, the one who leads Central Continent will surely be Dai Zong!"

Zhangg Wuya sighed again: "Indeed, it must be him!"

…

Zhangg Wuya was not the only one.

Everyone observing the battle on Trial Sword Peak was equally stunned by Chen Jichuan's combat prowess.

In the field:

Chen Jichuan wielded the Seven-star Sword Diagram, with Wind Thunder Wings sprouting from his back, his figure darting like a phantom. From time to time, he would summon bolts of lightning, striking Ma Jian into unsteady steps.

The Sword Diagram and lightning alternated.

Ma Jian, who initially held a slight advantage, soon found himself on the defensive, unable to threaten Chen Jichuan any longer.

"Dai Zong still hasn't used his 'Daluo Heavenly Sleeve' or the 'Sixfold Golden Lotus,' nor has he touched other magical treasures he carries."

"But against Dai Zong, Ma Jian doesn't dare to use his own treasures at all."

It was clear to everyone present that Ma Jian was completely outmatched in this battle. The decisive defeat wasn't solely due to differences in cultivation techniques or magic—Chen Jichuan was simply far too powerful.

Moreover, Ma Jian was not particularly limited in his techniques and magic.

Even his cultivation in the Ninth Layer Heaven was not significantly inferior to the Ninth Layer True Persons of the Heaven Mending Sect. Comparing to Zhangg Wuya's Eighth Layer Heaven, he was clearly a step ahead.

Yet, he still lost to this Fifth Layer Heaven True Person?!

"I'm done! I'm done!"

As the crowd remained in astonishment, a sudden outcry from the battlefield echoed.

Soon after—

Ma Jian was seen waving his arms and leaping out of the combat circle, unwilling to continue.

Evidently, he realized there was no hope for a comeback. Witnessing Chen Jichuan's overwhelming strength, he wanted to avoid further humiliation.

"True Person Ma's water skills are indeed remarkable. Dai Zong is impressed."

Seeing this, Chen Jichuan also stopped, clasping his fists toward Ma Jian in a gesture of respect.

This 'River Flipping True Person' might be slightly inferior in strength, but he was still undeniably impressive. Although Chen Jichuan hadn't gone all out this time, Ma Jian had surely held back as well.

However, for a mere duel, this battle was sufficient to reveal to Guu Feng and others his true capability—

"Not weaker than the Ninth Layer Heaven!"

"Hall Master Dai is truly a rare genius through the ages!"

Ma Jian, holding no grudges, was rubbing his arms while giving Chen Jichuan a thumbs up, lavishing him with praise.

"I wouldn't dare."

"A great deal of credit goes to True Person's generous restraint."

Chen Jichuan humbly replied.

"Haha!"

Hearing this, Ma Jian laughed loudly and waved his hand: "Hall Master Dai is far too modest."

Seeing their lighthearted exchange, the surrounding onlookers also began smiling. Guu Feng and others flattered Ma Jian, while Wang Ying showered compliments upon both of them.

For a moment, no sharpness could be felt on Trial Sword Peak, as laughter and camaraderie filled the air.

…

Not long after the Trial Sword Peak duel.

The Heaven Mending Sect officially finalized the selection of Three-route Commanders.

…

At the heart of Slaughter Ring Sea lies Central Continent.

Central Continent, bearing the flags of the Seven Immortal Sects.

Since the day 'True Person Jade Face' Dai Zong assumed the role of Hall Master of the Dharma Transmission Hall in the Heaven Mending Sect, the landscape of Central Continent began shifting rapidly, grabbing the attention of many.

Within the Seven Immortal Sects, a transition from old to new took place—elders retreated to the background while younger talents stepped into the foreground, fueling endless change.

Such as the Heaven Mending Sect.

Following the Dharma Transmission Hall.

The Law Enforcement Hall's Zhangg Wuya also voluntarily stepped aside, handing over the position of Hall Master to one of its four Vice Hall Masters, Chen Ming.

This newly appointed Hall Master was merely six hundred and thirty years old, only twenty years older than Dai Zong.

But while Dai Zong was at the Fifth Layer Heaven, Chen Ming had ascended to the Eighth Layer Heaven more than a decade ago.

At first glance.

Chen Ming seemed more dazzling.

Yet insiders and outsiders of the Heaven Mending Sect alike knew—

In terms of genuine combat strength, Dai Zong utterly surpassed Chen Ming. Long before this, Chen Jichuan had defeated Zhangg Wuya once in combat. Moreover, just days prior, news broke of Dai Zong's duel with 'River Flipping True Person' Ma Jian, dominating every step of the way.

The battle announcement spread from Mount Tailao and resounded across Slaughter Ring Sea.

In comparison.

Chen Ming, with his eight hundred years and Eighth Layer Heaven cultivation, seemed far less radiant.

But both Dai Zong and Chen Ming ascending to critical positions marked the Heaven Mending Sect's transition to the younger generation, signaling a new era of leadership for the sect.

It wasn't limited to Heaven Mending Sect.

The senior leadership of the Six Great Immortal Sects also gradually grew younger.

A 'changing of the guard' swept across the land.

Soon after.

The Seven Immortal Sects formally announced plans to select elites throughout Slaughter Ring Sea to form three united armies, advancing into the Earth Cave to battle the Evil Gods.

The Earth Caves!

The Evil Gods!

These topics had been widely discussed in Slaughter Ring Sea for nearly four centuries.

Secrets could no longer hold.

Seven Immortal Sects jointly excavated the Earth Caves, and True Persons emerged one after the other. In just four centuries, the number of mid-stage True Persons and high-level True Persons exceeded prior records.

Their numbers soared; their strength surged.

Which sect or loose cultivator in Slaughter Ring Sea wouldn't envy such power?

Over the years, many groups sought affiliation with the Seven Immortal Sects, all in hopes of gaining scraps from their exploits in the Earth Cave and against the Evil Gods.

Yet the sects were stingy, yielding little bounty.

Watching the sects feast while growing envious and resentful, the loose cultivators and minor sects suddenly found their grievances addressed when the Seven Immortal Sects announced wide participation, inspiring enthusiasm instead.

In an instant.

The entire Slaughter Ring Sea was mobilized—

The Seven Immortal Sects flung open the gates, screening rogue cultivators and smaller sects, and inducting them into the Expeditionary Army.

Recruitment points across Slaughter Ring Sea saw throngs of applicants day and night.

The Seven Sects chose only the best, repeatedly filtering excess, but still found themselves overwhelmed.

No wonder people were so eager.

The Earth Cave had been portrayed too enticingly; treasures like Spirit Crystals seemed ripe for plucking.

Moreover, 'True God Pills' and 'Mystic God Pills' emerging from the Seven Immortal Sects stirred cultivators into madness.

Once unattainable.

This time, participants could earn their share by slaying Evil Gods—what cultivator wouldn't fight for such an opportunity?

Spanning three years, the recruitment frenzy swept Slaughter Ring Sea.

Three years ago.

The Seven Immortal Sects initially planned to recruit eighteen thousand cultivators each, supplementing their forces with another twelve thousand from their own sects, forming an army of thirty thousand per sect: ten thousand per route.

But expansion persisted! Expanded and expanded further!

Three years later.

Each sect ultimately recruited thirty-three thousand cultivators, maintaining their original quota of in-house members.

In total, each sect now commanded an army of forty-five thousand cultivators, reaching 315,000 combined.

These cultivators were split into three forces, entering three Earth Caves.

Each force led by seven Commanders, overseeing sect cultivators. A total of 21 Commanders, all top-tier figures renowned across Slaughter Ring Sea.

Within the Heaven Mending Sect.

The newly appointed Hall Master of the Dharma Transmission Hall, 'Dai Zong,' was one of the Three-route Commanders.

…

Slaughter Ring Sea, Tan State.

Centered around Cangyan Mountain, this once scenic range had now become surrounded on all sides by vast military camps like an ocean.

Slaughter Ring Sea saw the orderly yet distinct armies of the Seven Immortal Sects encircling the Earth Cave entrance.

Over 105,000 cultivators amassed, far exceeding Cangyan Mountain's capacity.

Thus, camps radiated outward in an 800-mile expanse centered on Cangyan Mountain.

For mortal armies, such dispersal would be unthinkable. But for cultivators, even those at the Qi Refinement stage could complete an 800-mile journey in just a few hours.

Over a million cultivators continued arriving, undergoing final rounds of integration and adjustment outside Cangyan Mountain.

The priority was squad formation.

Unlike mortal soldiers, cultivators varied greatly, making traditional formations and battle rehearsals impractical.

No matter the army's size, everything ultimately boiled down to small units.

Squad assignments had mostly been completed prior to arrival at Tan State. Only final adjustments and verifications remained.

Such tasks fell to the appropriate personnel.

As the Commander, Chen Jichuan arrived at Tan State's Cangyan Mountain, awaiting the other six sect leaders to gather for their first meeting.

Behind him were eleven followers.

Among them, Wang Ying and Ma Jian stood out with the highest cultivation, both at the Ninth Layer Heaven—their roles were to assist him during this campaign.

Three years ago at Trial Sword Peak, Ma Jian experienced Chen Jichuan's immense strength firsthand.

During the subsequent three years, the trio often interacted. Wang and Ma gained deeper insight into Chen Jichuan's capabilities and temperament, and even learned of nicknames circulating among Heaven Mending Sect cultivators about Chen Jichuan—

'Funeral True Person,' 'Funeral Vanguard,' and 'Crying Tomb Palace Master.'

After learning more, their admiration for him soared.

Through careful observation, Chen Jichuan also developed trust in the two, believing they wouldn't hinder him in the upcoming battles.

Besides Wang Ying and Ma Jian, Chen Jichuan brought nine other high-level True Persons for this campaign, all in the Seventh Layer Heaven.

Six hailed from the Heaven Mending Sect, serving as preaching elders or vice hall masters.

Three came from outside the sect—two from middling sects allied to Heaven Mending Sect, and one as a loose cultivator affiliated with the sect.

With Chen Jichuan at the helm, this force included 12 powerful Seventh Layer Heaven True Persons. The Heaven Mending Sect held numerical superiority, while allies were carefully chosen to ensure stability.

"Just in this force alone, the Heaven Mending Sect has deployed six Seventh Layer True Persons."

"Leading them is Dai Zong, whose combat prowess rivals the Ninth Layer Heaven."

"Terrifying!"

Following closely behind Chen Jichuan, Hann Zongyuan clicked his tongue in awe.

A loose cultivator of Slaughter Ring Sea, Hann Zongyuan inherited profound legacies and managed to cultivate to the Seventh Layer Heaven, fostering ties with Heaven Mending Sect. When the Seven Immortal Sects called for allies against the Evil Gods, he eagerly volunteered and was accepted into one of the forces under the command of Hall Master 'Dai Zong.'

Previously, Hann Zongyuan only held a general impression of Heaven Mending Sect, recognizing its strength and abundant experts, fortified by twelve ancestral treasures protecting its destiny across countless millennia.

But only now did he realize the true extent of its might.

The old ancestor-tier Seven Layer Heaven cultivators, just in Dai Zong's force, numbered six. Across the three forces combined, the Heaven Mending Sect deployed 18 Seventh Layer Heaven elders.

To put this perspective, the duo 'Mao Yan' and 'Liuu Yu,' relatively well-known in Slaughter Ring Sea, were also Seventh Layer Heaven cultivators who single-handedly elevated their sects to mid-tier status.

But compared to Heaven Mending Sect, they were insignificant.

"Too powerful!"

"Simply too powerful!"

Trailing behind Commander 'Dai Zong,' Hann Zongyuan marveled at the sect's dominance. Before long, they arrived at the grand hall atop Cangyan Mountain.

Already inside the hall was a crowd.

Hann Zongyuan scanned around—

"Seventh Layer Heaven!"

"Seventh Layer Heaven!"

"Another Seventh Layer Heaven!"

Even as a loose cultivator of ancestor standing, Hann Zongyuan felt overwhelmed by the scene inside the hall.

Every visible figure was a Seventh Layer Heavenly True Person.

Dozens stretched across the space.

"Such grandeur!"

Hann Zongyuan became ever more cautious.

…