Invincible Starts From Dao Fruit

Galaxy Academy.

Located at the southeastern corner of Sword City, this expansive area nearly covers an entire block and belongs solely to the academy.

It is the highest academy of the Galaxy Sword Sect, gathering the most exceptional talents among the billions of students from ninety-eight main cities and seven hundred and eighty-four guard cities.

Only those under seventy years old who have reached the Qi Refining Seventh Layer are qualified to enter the Galaxy Academy.

Among Chen Jichuan's twenty-eight formal disciples, they were meticulously selected from Shiwu City and its surrounding few cities. Whether in aptitude or character, they were among the best.

Furthermore, they cultivated directly under him, receiving his personal guidance and instruction.

Even so, only eight managed to meet the qualifications to enter the Galaxy Academy. Others, such as Huang Quan and Huang Biao, failed to make it.

This illustrates the strict requirements.

However, the Galaxy Sword Sect ultimately boasts vast lands and numerous people, with countless prodigies among them.

Established nearly a thousand years ago, the Galaxy Sword Sect built the Galaxy Academy around the same time.

Initially, it had only a few dozen to a hundred odd students.

Now, the Galaxy Academy registers a total of one thousand six hundred and four students on its rolls.

Each year, some come, and some leave, but the numbers remain roughly around fifteen to sixteen hundred. Depending on each student's focus and future aspirations, the academy is divided into twelve institutes, corresponding to the sect's Ten Halls and Two Prefectures.

Xiao Lan from Golden Corner City is currently in the 'Alchemy Institute' of the Galaxy Academy.

...

On this day.

Xiao Lan was cultivating in her private chamber. Around her, clusters of flames coiled, exuding terrifying might. The flames transformed—at times like wolves, at times like leopards—agile and lifelike.

Occasionally, the flames morphed into a lion, but it was hard to maintain, quickly dissipating and shattering.

Xiao Lan tried again and again, and though she failed each time, she lasted longer, condensed faster, and the forms became more vivid.

After finishing her cultivation session.

Xiao Lan opened her eyes. Suddenly, a fleeting shadow of a ring appeared on her right index finger. From it, a wisp of smoke drifted out, landing in the chamber and transforming into an elderly gray-haired woman with kind eyes.

Upon seeing the elderly woman, Xiao Lan immediately stood up and greeted, "Granny Gan."

The elder Xiao Lan called 'Granny Gan' seemed ethereal, neither ghost nor pure spirit, exhibiting an unusual state. She bore some resemblance to the artifact spirits in legends, but she was also distinct.

There was an indescribable peculiarity about her.

But Xiao Lan was accustomed to this, clearly having been with her for a long time.

"The Five Wheel Fire Separation Technique consists of five layers, distinguished by beast traits: wolf, leopard, lion, tiger, and flood dragon."

"If you cultivate to the third realm, 'Lion Form,' you can ascend to the Enlightenment Realm."

"Now that you've reached the threshold, it's only three to five years before you succeed. At that time, relying on the wolf, leopard, and lion fire spirits to locate and define acupoints, advancing to the second order will be effortless!"

Granny Gan smiled kindly at Xiao Lan, her face full of gratification and admiration.

"Without Granny's guidance, Lan'er might still be wandering around Golden Corner City," Xiao Lan replied.

"The Five Wheel Fire Separation Technique is truly profound. It surpasses even the few top-level Magic Skills stored within the academy. Its third transformation can already enable a breakthrough to the second order. With transformations at the fifth layer coming from the heart, it might even allow one to charge into the Third-order God Transformation Realm."

"Perhaps it may not yield much to the Galaxy Sword Scroll," she continued.

Xiao Lan, typically cold and distant to others, showed much more warmth and vitality in front of Granny Gan.

Speaking of the Five Wheel Fire Separation Technique, her eyes glimmered with fascination.

The achievements she had today—

The Qi Refining Peak.

Second-order Pill Master.

Even within the Galaxy Academy, Xiao Lan's reputation was immense. Ranked first on the Ascending Immortal List, she was widely acknowledged as the academy's most likely candidate to ascend to the title of True Person and was respectfully referred to as 'Lan Fairy.'

Much of this was owed to Granny Gan.

Seventy-nine years ago, after activating the Fire Phoenix ring left by her mother, her life underwent a dramatic transformation.

Enduring three years of uselessness as a so-called failure, Xiao Lan developed extraordinary determination and mental resilience. The ridicule she suffered during those three years taught her the importance of strength, making her capable of enduring the tedium of lengthy meditation.

Under Granny Gan's tutelage within the ring, she studied alchemy, cultivation techniques, and magic skills. With her unyielding will, she stood out continuously in middle schools, high-class universities, and the university-level academies, eventually dominating her peers.

Now at the Galaxy Academy, she wasn't running far ahead of all others, but she wasn't outmatched either.

Without Granny Gan, she would never have achieved what she had today.

In her heart, Xiao Lan felt immense gratitude toward Granny Gan.

"Granny could only offer limited guidance."

"The main reason is your own diligence and hard work."

"You've just celebrated your centennial birthday, yet you're already on the verge of the second order. Such talent, even across the vast celestial realms, would rank among the finest. Were it not for the distraction of alchemy, you'd have ascended to the second order even earlier."

Granny Gan looked at Xiao Lan. As she spoke, a touch of nostalgia surfaced in her eyes, reflecting on something in the past.

"If I didn't know alchemy, where would I get the money for cultivation?"

Xiao Lan, aware that alchemy had diverted much of her focus, accepted this as the reality of her situation. Unlike Duan Zhengming, she lacked a privileged background; she had to earn her own cultivation resources, making her path inevitably more arduous.

"I heard that soon, a newly ascended True Person will arrive at the academy—someone who reached the second order by one hundred years of age. What's more, they're known as the 'Four Extremes,' being a second order in alchemy, artifacts, talismans, and formations."

"In the entire history of the Galaxy Sword Sect, their talent ranks as the fifth. Overall, they might even rank third or second."

Initially feeling a small sense of pride, Xiao Lan lost that in an instant upon hearing of a peer and contemporary of such caliber. Her pride disappeared entirely.

"I have Granny's aid and personal guidance, yet I'm still a step away from the second order," she admitted to herself.

"That person trains alone, yet stands unrivaled among our generation."

"At least for now, I am not their equal."

Xiao Lan felt a keen interest in the arrival of this True Person.

"Sharpening the axe doesn't delay the woodcutting," Granny Gan reassured her.

"Learning alchemy will prove invaluable, even when traveling across the cosmos in the future."

Seeing Granny Gan's subtle sadness in speaking of the cosmic journey, Xiao Lan quickly comforted her. "Granny, rest assured! Once Lan'er ascends to the Divinity Transformation Realm, I will bring you back to our homeland to settle the score with that treacherous disciple!"

...

In the second month after arriving in Sword City, Chen Jichuan officially joined the Galaxy Academy faculty.

There wasn't much formality involved.

After meeting the Dean and receiving his class schedule, he was considered one of the academy staff.

His position was Deputy Dean of the Alchemy Institute. In addition to teaching some alchemy classes within the institute, he also delivered lectures on cultivation across the twelve institutes.

Some courses discussed cultivation techniques.

Others addressed realms and breakthroughs.

Still others delved into magic skills.

The content varied widely.

Moreover, his teaching load was light—just twelve lectures per year, each lasting two hours, all concentrated within one month.

This arrangement ensured minimal impact on the cultivation of faculty members like Chen Jichuan.

On this day.

Near the year's end, it was finally time for Chen Jichuan's first lecture.

Early that morning, Chen Jichuan arrived at the Galaxy Academy and made his way straight to the Alchemy Institute. His lecture was a large class combining all four groups of the institute—Groups A, B, C, and D—with a total of 120 students, most of whom had already returned after receiving the announcement.

At the moment, more than eighty students were gathered in the hall awaiting the lecture.

Among them was 'Lan Fairy' Xiao Lan.

Outside the Scripture Hall, students from other institutes, having heard the news, gathered as well, preparing to listen in on the lecture.

Duan Zhengming was among them.

"'Four Extremes True Person' Xu Ning."

"From Shiwu City, ascended to True Person by one hundred years of age."

"The name and age match, but it's too coincidental to believe this could be him—there must be plenty of people with the same name born on the same day!"

Duan Zhengming felt a flicker of unease.

Seventy years had passed in a flash.

The same 'Xu Ning' who escaped from Golden Corner City under his nose so many decades ago had been etched in his mind. However, after steadily advancing to the university level and the Galaxy Academy, those memories gradually faded.

Backed by the Yuanchen Chamber of Commerce, with its immense wealth, Duan Zhengming progressed rapidly.

But not everyone enjoyed his combination of talent and fortune.

Even someone like Xiao Lan was an exception, a rarity.

As Duan Zhengming's status and cultivation advanced, so too did his confidence.

Until now—

"Xu Ning!"

"Born a century ago!"

It was too much of a coincidence.

The wastrel who had once escaped from Golden Corner City was also named 'Xu Ning.'

This year marked a century since then.

It was common enough to share names.

But sharing the same name, age, and intersecting once more—such chances were remarkably slim.

Ever since hearing the news a few days ago, Duan Zhengming had been shaken, investigating every available lead on this 'Four Extremes True Person'—his background, his appearance.

Unfortunately, due to the short span of time since Xu Ning's arrival in Sword City, there was little information available.

Duan Zhengming couldn't find anything more conclusive.

Feeling restless, he resolved to uncover the truth during Xu Ning's inaugural lecture at the academy, anticipating it eagerly—

"I must see for myself if it's really him!"

Duan Zhengming waited in tense silence.

Alongside him, countless students waited.

At last, as the sun climbed higher in the sky, a puff of azure smoke drifted in. Within the Scripture Hall, at the lectern, a young man in green robes appeared without anyone noticing.

His presence was extraordinary, his bearing sublime. His features were handsome and refined.

He commanded instant admiration.

"Greetings, True Person Xu!"

Dozens of students stood up simultaneously and respectfully saluted the young man on the dais, addressing him as 'True Person.'

Seated closest to the front due to her advanced cultivation and prominent alchemy accomplishments, Xiao Lan also stood and bowed in greeting to the youth above.

When she raised her head—

She gazed at this True Person Xu, sensing his remarkable presence. Yet, for reasons unknown, there was something faintly familiar about him, though she couldn't pinpoint why.

Years had passed.

Chen Jichuan's appearance had significantly evolved from his sixteen-year-old self. Combined with changes in his aura and cultivation, even old acquaintances standing before him would fail to recognize him.

This was expected.

However, outside the hall, Duan Zhengming stared fixedly for a long time, his face turning increasingly pale.

"It can't be—"

Duan Zhengming was utterly stupefied, panic-stricken.

In his youth, he had entertained himself by tormenting the weak, reveling in manipulating destinies. Among the records of his past victims were lifelike portraits of Xu Ning.

Even after Xu Ning's escape, Duan Zhengming had seared his image into the deepest recesses of his memory.

Seventy years later—

Though Chen Jichuan's features had changed considerably, and his demeanor transformed utterly, Duan Zhengming could still detect faint traces of the teenager's essence, with roughly three or four points of resemblance.

Same name, same age.

Even his appearance bore similarities.

Duan Zhengming felt no more room for doubt.

"I can't stay!"

"I must send word to Golden Corner City without delay!"

Breaking out in a cold sweat, Duan Zhengming turned abruptly and hurried off.

Yet just as he took a few steps, a faint laugh echoed through the hall, accompanied by a voice—

...