Invincible Starts From Dao Fruit

"Small Spirit Void Shifting Formation."

"The Nine Peak Daoist actually hid this move?!"

Chen Jichuan was overjoyed.

Originally, he had planned to act suddenly, suppress the Ten Layer Heaven under the tree with one sleeve, collect the Immortal Vine Fruit Tree with the other, and then escape swiftly to another place to refine it.

He didn't expect such a pleasant surprise instead.

"A Ten Layer Heaven True Person under three hundred years old."

"This is a top-tier genius under heaven."

"In the thousand-year history of the Galaxy Sword Sect, aside from me, there's only been one other."

"Even in the True Martial Immortal Sect, such cases are rare."

"For such a genius to reach Ten Layer Heaven, then coincidentally arrive at Yan Mountain Island before turning three hundred, and encounter the True Person Tree."

"The odds are too slim."

"It seems the Nine Peak Daoist's criteria for selection not only accounts for talent and aptitude but also luck and fate."

Chen Jichuan discerned some of the Nine Peak Daoist's thoughts.

What a coincidence.

He happened to be the chosen one with the destined opportunity.

"I'm not interested in the inheritance of the Nine Peak Daoist. If I had to search deliberately, it'd be like finding a needle in a haystack, and I wouldn't be too willing."

"But if it's right in my face, brought to my door, there's no reason not to take it!"

Chen Jichuan was in a cheerful mood.

He examined the Immortal Vine Fruit Tree inside and out, and also scrutinized the figure named 'Cui Yan' under the tree until he understood everything.

Only then did he decisively make his move—

He unleashed the 'Five Elements Escape Technique,' silently burrowing into the ground. Skillfully avoiding the underground formations and carefully calculating the positioning, he approached the location of the Immortal Vine Fruit Tree. Chen Jichuan quietly emerged. With the 'Guiyuan Hiding Method' still active, he lurked behind the tree, sneaky and unseen, using the Immortal Vine Fruit Tree as cover to block Cui Yan's sight.

Both were at the Ten Layer Heaven, but Chen Jichuan was exceptionally monstrous—

The Fourth Realm's super-level technique, the 'Five Elements Escape Technique.'

The Fourth Realm's super-level technique, the 'Guiyuan Hiding Method.'

This was a total and absolute suppression. Even though Cui Yan had immense fame within the True Martial Immortal Sect and ranked among the top of thousands of True Persons in strength, he was still no match for Chen Jichuan.

But Chen Jichuan was ultimately kindhearted.

Since the Nine Peak Daoist had already prepared the 'Small Spirit Void Shifting Formation,' there was no need to deal with Cui Yan further.

He would simply hitch a ride, plain and simple!

Pressing himself against the Immortal Vine Fruit Tree, he spread his arms wide, allowing the formation set up by the Nine Peak Daoist to inspect him—

A hundred and fifty-nine years old.

A True Person at Ten Layer Heaven.

Such qualifications fully met the Nine Peak Daoist's requirements.

The formation activated and ran incomparably smoothly. A flash of brilliance enveloped Chen Jichuan and the Immortal Vine Fruit Tree. In an instant, they vanished together, tree and man, leaving behind nothing but a massive crater.

"..."

"..."

Cui Yan was meditating under the tree and hadn't detected Chen Jichuan's silent approach. But when the 'Small Spirit Void Shifting Formation' activated, its Spiritual Energy and spatial fluctuation obviously couldn't escape his notice.

Yet everything happened too quickly.

Just as he opened his eyes, he saw the void ripple. Then he watched the 'True Person Tree' leap into the air, seemingly sprouting flowers and lively vines, bound off, and vanish entirely.

When he finally reacted—

Before him was only a crater, nothing more.

"This—"

Cui Yan's eyes bulged wide. Stunned for half a moment, he finally came to his senses and let out a long howl toward the heavens: "The True Person Tree has gained sentience! Quickly, seal off Yan Mountain!"

The howl alarmed everyone within and outside Yan Mountain Island.

One after another, formations lit up simultaneously.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

Forty-nine True Persons rushed over, only to see Cui Yan boiling with rage, veins bulging around his eyes.

They were all shocked.

Looking toward Cui Yan, they muttered—

"What the **!"

"Where's the True Person Tree?!"

...

Deep in the South Sea, there was an island known as 'Sumei Island.'

At the heart of Sumei Island, within the volcanic mountain's fiery belly, rested a palace atop searing, molten magma. This palace, resembling nine connected mountain peaks, bore a plaque above its gates reading 'Nine Peak Palace.'

At the moment, the palace gates were sealed.

Flashes of light rippled chaotically, and the nine peak-shaped formations outside barred eight individuals from entering further.

Climbing over one peak revealed another.

Crossing another peak introduced yet another.

The nine peaks wound together, forming a grand formation. Though the palace was visible, lifelike in detail, it was always just out of reach, unattainable.

"Still no progress!"

"We can't get past the Five Peak barrier. Anything beyond that is impassable."

The True Martial Ancestor, donned in a dignified black robe, appeared righteous and upright, looking like a man in his forties or fifties.

Next to him stood the Galaxy Ancestor, wearing the Star Magic Robe and wielding the Star Treasure Sword. His brows were likewise furrowed tightly: "The senior who left behind the Nine Peak Palace had strength far beyond ours. Even if he has already passed away, this cave dwelling left behind is no easy feat to enter."

As the only two humans to achieve Divinity Transformation on Wuhe Star, the True Martial Ancestor and the Galaxy Ancestor had a good relationship, always presenting a united front. Together, they could roam Wuhe Star without resistance.

As for the Demon Race—

Even the Four Seas Dragon Palaces harbored mutual conflicts, much less the Demon Palace and the Nine Nether Palace.

Among the six Divinity Transformation Demon Emperors, each was equally proud and arrogant.

Though collectively referred to by humans as the 'Demon Race,' they themselves didn't see it that way.

The Demon Palace's Moyun Demon Emperor, for instance, considered himself of Immortal Vine lineage, disdainful of associating with the other five Demon Emperors.

The Nine Nether Demon Emperor of the Nine Nether Palace, being a Nine Nether Demon Ape, would never treat four Flood Dragons and a vine as kin.

Furthermore, the Four Seas Dragon Kings, though all Flood Dragons, had risen in cultivation only later. Each had different origins and thus lacked unity. Being aquatic creatures ruling the seas, they stirred up storms and disaster, causing more strife and hatred among themselves.

It was precisely due to this disunity among the Demon Race that humans could survive and, under the leadership of the two ancestors, occupy the Four Continents, becoming arguably the strongest among Wuhe Star's eight great powers.

The two ancestors advanced and retreated as one, confident in facing anyone else.

However, this time—

Not only were they contending with the six Demon Emperors, but cracking the formations outside the cave dwelling itself posed an even greater challenge.

Even the two ancestors had been at an impasse for centuries.

"We'll have to take it slow and steady."

"A cave dwelling left behind by a senior who once roamed the stars must have considerable inheritances within. If we can obtain it, we won't have to blindly explore the path forward. It could even serve as extra insurance for us once we, too, step into the starry heavens."

The True Martial Ancestor sighed deeply.

His life may have been illustrious, but the hardships endured were known only to him and the Galaxy Ancestor.

As Wuhe Star's first two human cultivators to reach Divinity Transformation, they had no guidance from predecessors, no inheritance to follow—everything had been carved out on their own, through trial and error.

It was unimaginably difficult.

Every step demanded extreme caution and vast effort, without even knowing whether they might have taken a wrong turn.

Now, with a predecessor's cave dwelling before them, they couldn't let this opportunity pass.

Both ancestors spent several days cultivating in the midst of the formation before resuming their attempts to break through, hoping to enter the dwelling soon.

For over five hundred twenty years, this had been their life. After the volcanic eruption on Sumei Island that revealed the Nine Peak Palace to the world, the eight Divinity Transformation cultivators on Wuhe Star—humans and demons alike—had been tirelessly working to crack it.

Barring unforeseen developments, this struggle was likely to continue for many years to come.

...

This day.

The nine peaks still surged and shifted, but suddenly, a burst of light rippled forth.

"Just now—"

The two ancestors exchanged a glance, clearly sensing a spatial disturbance cutting across the heavens, directly entering the Nine Peak Palace.

"Someone went in?!"

The True Martial and Galaxy Ancestors were startled, flying out of their positions within the formation to observe the palace grounds.

Moyun, the Nine Nether Demon Emperor, and the other six Demon Emperors had likewise sensed the disturbance.

One after another, they flew out, their expressions varied.

After confirming that all the other Divinity Transformation cultivators were present, their expressions relaxed slightly. Yet their brows remained furrowed as they gazed at the Nine Peak Palace, pondering the unusual occurrence.

"Something's off."

"Fellow Daoist, be cautious! Under no circumstances can we let the Demon Race gain the upper hand!"

The Galaxy Ancestor's expression turned grave as he surreptitiously transmitted this warning to the True Martial Ancestor while remaining alert inwardly.

"Understood."

The True Martial Ancestor also recognized the stakes.

The two stood guard outside the Nine Peak Palace. The six Demon Emperors similarly remained vigilant, each harboring their own schemes.

...

"Whew!"

Chen Jichuan followed the Immortal Vine Fruit Tree as the space shifted, and in the next moment, they appeared within a mountain range.

As soon as the Immortal Vine Fruit Tree entered this area, it transformed into a lustrous green fruit that landed in Chen Jichuan's palm.

It was an 'Immortal Vine Fruit.'

Like the fruits of the Immortal Vine Fruit Tree, this fruit also appeared human-like, its features lively and expressive, sometimes crying, sometimes laughing, alternating between anger and delight.

"Truly marvelous."

Chen Jichuan didn't immediately consume it; instead, he stored the fruit away and began surveying his surroundings.

Nine towering peaks stretched skyward.

Streams flowed between valleys.

The place seemed like a paradise removed from the mortal world.

He landed upon one of the mountains, right at the front of a mountain gate. Above the gate, there was an inscription: 'Nine Peak Mountain.'

"Granny Gan."

Chen Jichuan lifted the Fire Phoenix Ring's barrier and called out.

For a moment, the ring remained silent.

Soon after, a wisp of green smoke rose from the ring, descending by Chen Jichuan's side. An elderly woman with silver hair materialized.

It was Granny Gan.

She glanced at the surrounding mountain peaks before turning to Chen Jichuan and asked, "This is the Nine Peak Daoist's cave dwelling—Nine Peak Palace—refined from his very essence, containing its own spatial world. How did you get in here?"

Not long ago, she had been firmly convinced that Chen Jichuan couldn't possibly make it into the depths of Yan Mountain Island.

Yet, in the blink of an eye, he had entered the Nine Peak Palace.

Even Granny Gan couldn't help but feel a bit bewildered.

"The Nine Peak Daoist set up a 'Small Spirit Void Shifting Formation' at the Immortal Vine Fruit Tree."

"So I came in."

Chen Jichuan responded straightforwardly.

"I see."

Granny Gan seemed to understand.

She didn't ask how Chen Jichuan had navigated through Yan Mountain Island. Instead, she focused her attention on observing the Nine Peak Mountain. This was the foundation of the Nine Peak Daoist's power, and it was her first time entering as well. She was filled with curiosity.

Legend had it that the Nine Peak Daoist was a mountain spirit that had gained enlightenment.

Judging by the surroundings, this didn't seem far from the truth.

"Granny, do you know how to obtain the inheritance left by the Nine Peak Daoist?"

Chen Jichuan inquired.

"No need to rush."

"He should show himself very soon."

Granny Gan continued surveying the area without much concern.

Chen Jichuan felt a twinge of confusion and was about to press further when suddenly, the nine peaks trembled—

Buzz!

From the mountain gate, a Daoist appeared out of thin air. Black-haired and black-bearded, with a robust frame, he looked at Granny Gan and smiled, "It has been a long time, Poisonous Granny."

"Hmph!"

Granny Gan snorted coldly at the address and turned her head away.

Though not directly caused by the Daoist before her, her current state was inevitably tied to him, serving as the starting point of her downfall.

Now that they met again, it was only natural for her to greet him with hostility.

Besides—

This Daoist had already long since perished. What stood before them was merely a residual thought, not worthy of further interaction.

"Granny is still the same as ever."

The Daoist didn't seem offended. He chuckled, then turned his gaze toward Chen Jichuan, offering words of praise: "Granny, your fortunes are impressive. In a little over a thousand years, you've managed to guide such a remarkable talent. I pale in comparison."

...