Invincible Starts From Dao Fruit

"Tenth Realm of Enlightenment."

"Third-order in both Alchemy and Artifact Refining."

"Twenty-two super-level techniques."

"A True Sect Level cultivation method: Sword Map."

The gains in this lifetime were enormous, tantamount to elevating himself to an entirely new tier.

Cultivation and knowledge.

Techniques and skills.

Alchemy and artifact refining.

Every aspect saw immense improvement, each worthy of being recorded in detail.

In reality—

In the Ten Thousand Sword Sect, one of the Four Great Immortal Sects of Panlong Mountain, the sect's ultimate skill, Sword Map, was only at a refined level. Chen Jichuan had already advanced it to a True Sect Level, surpassing it by two tiers, with unfathomable profundity.

When techniques reach a high level, they can be considered "secret techniques," meaning 'secrets never revealed' and 'concealed from outsiders.' Even for the Four Great Immortal Sects, they would not have many high-level techniques. It's rumored that the most powerful sword techniques of the Ten Thousand Sword Sect, the most profound ones, might just be high-level techniques, yet the sect only publicly acknowledges three techniques as such.

Meanwhile, on Chen Jichuan, the super-level techniques worthy of being called "absolute skills" numbered twenty-two.

As for high-level techniques—

"Too many to count!"

Chen Jichuan smiled.

Low-level, middle-level, high-level techniques swarmed around him like countless stars in the sky.

Over the years, traveling through various 'Dao Fruit worlds,' he had returned to reality, where cultivation methods, techniques, and knowledge were his most precious treasures.

...

Taking the time to carefully organize himself.

Joy welled up in Chen Jichuan's heart as he turned to look at the fifth Dao Fruit.

The 'Dao Fruit' began to coalesce.

This time, he could form sixteen 'affiliated Dao Fruits.'

In the Central Continent world, he had been secretly slandered by some, earning a few unflattering nicknames. Though displeased at the time, he endured it, all for this very moment.

"Low-level and middle-stage True Persons are out of consideration."

"Evil Gods and Demon Kings are out of consideration as well."

"Ten-layered Heaven True Persons—"

The targets for the 'affiliated Dao Fruits' had long been decided by Chen Jichuan—

"The first choice is the ten-layered heaven."

"Prioritize Grandmasters of Alchemy, Artifact Refining, Arrays, and Talisman Making."

Chen Jichuan had lived for 1,900 years and had interacted with countless top-tier figures. Even second-order True Persons had been sent on their way more times than he could count.

Though their cultivation was only at the second order,

there was still plenty of room in their expertise for Chen Jichuan to sift through and choose.

However—

[Do you wish to consume 1.6 billion Source Power to form sixteen affiliated Dao Fruits?]

"No."

"No way."

"Absolutely not."

Chen Jichuan glanced at it and flatly declined, his face instantly darkening.

1.6 billion Source Power?

This was equivalent to 1.6 million Standard Spirit Stones!

In the Central Continent world, Chen Jichuan could casually gather this sum—it would be only 16,000 Spirit Crystals after all. The spoils he and Luo Pu embezzled back then probably exceeded this amount by dozens of times.

Mere pocket change.

But in reality—

Chen Jichuan was just a Qi Refining cultivator.

"1.6 million?"

Chen Jichuan rummaged through his Storage Bag, his expression growing even darker.

And when he checked his available Source Power—

Immortal Salary: 200

Source Power: 6,913,100

Even the accumulated "Immortal Salary" from over 900 years in the Central Continent world only added up to a bit over 6 million—far short of forming even one affiliated Dao Fruit.

Next, he looked at the Source Power required to open a new Dao Fruit world—

[Do you wish to consume 100 million Source Power to initiate the blooming of a new world?]

"Yes."

[Insufficient Source Power. Please try again next time, Master!]

"..."

Chen Jichuan let out a wry smile and exited his consciousness sea.

...

In reality, Panlong Mountain, Fire Dragon Cave—

By calculation—

Chen Jichuan had already been at Panlong Mountain for nearly eight years—

"When the Qinling World had just been opened for twenty days, I came to Panlong Mountain with Hann Jin. After we parted, I settled at Fire Dragon Cave."

"Qinling World and Great Hui World combined spanned 1,106 years, equating to two years and nine months in reality."

"After the Qinling World ended, there was a four-month gap during which I returned to Great Chu to bring Shaohe along."

"Then came the 1,882 years in the Central Continent world, which spanned four years and eight months in reality."

"Altogether, I've been at Panlong Mountain for seven years and nine months."

"It really has been nearly eight years."

Time passed too quickly.

In the Dao Fruit worlds, time flew by; in the real world, the years were relentless as well.

Chen Jichuan remembered—

When he first obtained a Dao Fruit with Chen Shaohu in the Black Prison, he was 18 years old and Chen Shaohu was 16.

When he opened the Da Liang World, his second Dao Fruit world, he distinctly recalled being 19 years old.

And now—

At the end of the sixth Dao Fruit world, he was already 29.

"Before I knew it, I'm almost 30."

"Shaohe is now 27."

Chen Jichuan couldn't help but sigh.

Turning to glance at the wall behind him, Chen Jichuan collected his thoughts and shifted into the adjacent cave dwelling.

...

"Fourth Brother!"

In the neighboring cave dwelling, Chen Shaohu sat on a stone stool, absentmindedly flipping through a Pill Book. When he saw light ripple across the dwelling's wall and a figure step through, Chen Shaohu immediately grinned, stood up, and called out.

"Have I kept you waiting?"

Chen Jichuan also smiled, walking up to Chen Shaohu and glancing at the stone table laden with dishes.

Meat and vegetables, with drinks to match.

Everything looked appetizing, brimming with color, fragrance, and flavor.

"Not long."

"It's just that it's so rare for Fourth Brother to take a break in these four years. I personally cooked a few dishes and brewed this wine myself. Tonight, we must drink to our hearts' content!"

Chen Shaohu set aside the Pill Scripture and smiled at Chen Jichuan.

Over four years—

To be precise, 1,717 days—Chen Jichuan had been constantly switching between the Central Continent world and reality.

In the real world, he could only stay for half a day at most.

This half-day was spent on cultivation, alchemy, artifact refining, and occasionally guiding Chen Shaohu's cultivation.

The two brothers had no real chance to sit down, share a meal, and have a genuine heart-to-heart conversation.

When Chen Jichuan planned to finish his journey in the Central Continent world a few days prior, he informed Chen Shaohu. The latter immediately began preparations, ensuring that as soon as Chen Jichuan returned, the table was set with an impressive spread.

"Alright!"

"Tonight, the two of us brothers will drink to our fill."

Chen Jichuan was in high spirits.

Although forming affiliated Dao Fruits and opening a new Dao Fruit world required substantial Source Power, for a third-order Alchemist and Artifact Refiner, it wasn't insurmountable.

Only the method of gathering funds needed careful consideration, as rushing might invite trouble.

"How long can Fourth Brother rest this time?"

Chen Shaohu sat down with Chen Jichuan, clinking glasses. As they ate, he asked curiously.

Years of experience—

From the immature youth of the past, Chen Shaohu had grown through trials and tribulations.

It wasn't just his cultivation that had improved but also his temperament and maturity.

Practicing Alchemy,

living in the Fire Dragon Cave Market for over four years, Chen Shaohu had fully integrated himself into this Immortal Cultivation World, capable of handling many matters with ease.

He had become steadier,

more independent.

Although he lived right next to Chen Jichuan, his elder brother didn't have much time for him. Thus, Chen Shaohu cultivated on his own, diligently studying Alchemy. He also wandered the market, making friends easily. Despite arriving a few years later, Chen Shaohu now had more friends in the Fire Dragon Cave Market than Chen Jichuan did.

Hearing Chen Shaohu's inquiry, Chen Jichuan casually replied, "At least three months."

Even if the Source Power were sufficient, opening a new Dao Fruit world required over 90 days for analysis.

At the very least, he could enjoy three months of leisure.

And if he wished, Chen Jichuan could extend this break further.

"In the Dao Fruit world, I've already cultivated to the Tenth Realm of Enlightenment."

"But in reality, I've only just reached the Qi Refining Seventh Layer."

"The disparity is significant."

"Rushing to conquer the next Dao Fruit world isn't necessary."

Still, idle hands serve no purpose. Once Source Power was accumulated, Chen Jichuan intended to set off again as soon as possible. Despite the gap between reality and the Dao Fruit worlds' cultivation levels, as one progressed further, unexpected bottlenecks could arise at any juncture.

For example, in the Central Continent world—

Chen Jichuan had been stuck at the Tenth Realm of Enlightenment for 200 years.

"It's good to be ahead in the Dao Fruit worlds."

"The more, the better."

Chen Jichuan had his plans lined up in his heart.

But there was no need to explain all this to Chen Shaohu. The latter never asked for exhaustive answers anyway. On hearing that his Fourth Brother had three months to rest, Chen Shaohu couldn't hide his delight.

Together with Chen Jichuan, they soon drained the first pot of wine.

Neither brother showed signs of drunkenness, so they continued to drink.

...

Name: Chen Shaohu

Age: 27

Level: 11

Cultivation: Qi Refining First Layer

Cultivation Methods: Sword Map (Side Door Level) (Eleventh Layer); Primordial Skill (Side Door Level) (Eleventh Layer)

Magic: Five Elements Escape Technique, Seven Elements Relieving Calamity Ruyi Tiangang Splitting Light Sword Technique, Three-in-One Indestructible Golden Light Body Protection Technique, ... (omitted)

...

When Chen Shaohu first arrived at Panlong Mountain, he had only reached the Innate Second Layer.

After years of diligent cultivation and guidance from Chen Jichuan, he smoothly broke through to become a Qi Refining cultivator, gaining 300 years of lifespan and a much greater sense of ease.

The techniques and skills he cultivated also underwent upgrades.

Refined-level methods were replaced with side door level ones.

Middle-stage techniques were upgraded to high-level techniques.

While Chen Jichuan had even stronger cultivation methods and techniques, Chen Shaohu's current cultivation level was low, and understanding high-level methods would be quite challenging. It was better for him to climb step by step.

Most of Chen Jichuan's cultivation methods and techniques were systematically developed along a continuous lineage, with clear progressions.

Starting with lower-tier methods and upgrading later ensured a solid foundational understanding, making it easier to transition into higher-level techniques compared to abruptly practicing advanced ones.

"Panlong Mountain is no match for the Central Continent."

"The Central Continent, though diminished from being a high-tier world after a great catastrophe, still has some cultivation methods, techniques, and magical treasures that have survived. Therefore, their quality tends to be significantly higher."

"After experiencing a lifetime in the Central Continent, returning to reality is like a dimensional downgrade!"

Chen Jichuan understood just how terrifying his current accumulation was.

He also knew that if his True Sect Level Sword Map and over twenty super-level techniques were to be exposed, it would provoke catastrophic consequences.

Before possessing enough power to protect himself, it was better this way. As for Chen Shaohu, he should continue cultivating side door level methods and high-level techniques for now.

These were more than sufficient.

...