Invincible Starts From Dao Fruit

"Haha!"

"What wind brings the esteemed East River Fairy here today?"

Chen Jichuan deactivated the array formation with a hearty laugh and stepped out of his cave abode to greet her.

Xiao Lan stood outside, clad in a green robe.

Name: Xiao Lan (True Form)

Race: Immortal Vine·Moyun Vine

Age: 1533

Level: 35

Cultivation: Divinity Transformation·Heavenly Human Realm Fifth Layer

Cultivation Technique: "Swallowing Star Mysterious Skill"

Magical Skills: Beast God Seven Kills, Undying Green Vine, ..., and others

...

Chen Jichuan had arrived at Magic Sound Mountain sixty-six years ago, and fifty-six years ago, he reconnected with Xiao Lan.

In over fifty years.

The two hadn't gone out of their way to interact, but they'd met plenty of times, including conducting some transactions. Over time, they could be considered half-acquaintances.

Yet, for Xiao Lan to visit his abode, this was a first.

Chen Jichuan warmly invited Xiao Lan inside, marveling inwardly at her cultivation progress each time he saw her, thinking to himself: "Her progress is extraordinarily fast!"

As an Immortal Vine subspecies, Moyun Vine's cultivation greatly differed from human cultivators of Divinity Transformation Stage.

They could devour various minerals, Spirit Crystals, and Primordial Stones to quickly boost their cultivation, enhance their power, and grow exponentially—at a speed that was shockingly fast.

Especially in the early stages.

Take Xiao Lan for example.

When she had first left Wuhe Star, she was only at the Heavenly Human Realm Second Layer. By the time they encountered each other outside Dual Star, she had reached the pinnacle of Second Layer. When they reunited at Magic Sound Mountain, she had already advanced to the Third Layer.

After fifty or sixty years.

Now, she had reached the Fifth Layer.

"Too fast!"

Chen Jichuan couldn't help but sigh in awe.

It was a combination of her innate talent and her destiny. Even if he poured immense resources into cultivation, he couldn't compare.

Chen Jichuan's aptitude ranked somewhere in the middle to lower range among Second-order True Persons. In the realm of Third-order Divinity Transformation cultivators, he could likely only be considered mediocre.

His cultivation advancement after achieving Divinity Transformation also reflected this reality.

Even with an annual investment of two to three million Spirit Crystals, his progress only managed to keep pace with certain prodigies. To compare with someone like Xiao Lan, a "Child of Great Fate," was simply out of the question.

"The disparity in the Cultivation World is truly like heaven and earth."

"Some remain trapped in the Postnatal realm for their entire lives, incapable of achieving Innate."

"Others can ascend rapidly, attaining immortality."

The former was forever denied Innate.

The latter became celestial ancestors.

Born as humans themselves, their disparities were far greater than those between Chen Jichuan and Xiao Lan.

Chen Jichuan, however, had a sound mindset.

Gaining the Dao Fruit was already a monumental stroke of fortune, providing him at least a fighting chance. It was far better than those pitiful souls who could only sigh at their helplessness and limitations.

...

Chen Jichuan led Xiao Lan into the cave abode.

The two took their seats.

Chen Jichuan glanced at Xiao Lan and exchanged pleasantries, "Fairy, your grace has surpassed the past; it seems you've recently made quite the harvest."

Unlike Chen Jichuan.

After arriving at Magic Sound Mountain, he mostly stayed within, cultivating and refining pills, rarely stepping outside.

Xiao Lan, on the other hand, was often out and about.

In fact, most cultivators resembled Xiao Lan.

Jade-like sanctuaries such as Magic Sound Mountain were regarded as retreats and treasure troves. Living there was far from easy; many cultivators spent much of their time adventuring in the starry sky.

Only when fatigued or wounded did they return to Magic Sound Mountain to rest and recover for a while.

This time, Xiao Lan had just returned to Magic Sound Mountain.

"Scurrying around everywhere, it's hardly a harvest."

"Compared to Master Xu's leisurely way of life, I am simply far behind."

Xiao Lan's face was cold, her voice frigid, but her words were agreeable to hear.

"Refining pills all day, I bear the toil of fate," Chen Jichuan joked.

"Master Xu's alchemical prowess is extraordinary; comfortably seated in Magic Sound Mountain, wealth flows to you like water and cultivation surges forward. I would gladly trade places to share such burdens!"

Xiao Lan shifted topics repeatedly without getting to the point.

Chen Jichuan was happy to play along, engaging in idle chatter as they discussed all manner of things: "Haha, Fairy, you jest."

...

After three rounds of tea.

Xiao Lan couldn't hold back anymore and finally revealed her purpose: "To be candid with Daoist Xu, East River has come today with a reluctant request."

"Fairy, go ahead without hesitation."

Upon hearing this, Chen Jichuan's expression grew solemn. He thought to himself, "Here we go."

Xiao Lan sighed lightly and spoke earnestly, "Years ago, East River fell victim to deceit, forming a mortal vendetta with another. I've been tracking this foe for years, and a few years ago, I finally unearthed their whereabouts. However, this person possesses extraordinary skills, making it exceedingly difficult for me to kill them alone. As I have no close allies in Magic Sound Mountain, I now boldly seek Master Xu's support!"

"A vendetta?"

Chen Jichuan gazed at Xiao Lan, genuinely surprised she would bring up such a matter.

Xiao Lan had only entered the starry sky a little over a hundred years ago. How could she already have such a bitter vendetta or have suffered betrayal?

"Deceit?"

"Mortal feud?"

"Could it be—"

Chen Jichuan speculated inwardly, his thoughts suddenly churning, though his face betrayed nothing. He simply responded with a wry smile, "Fairy, your trust honors me, but I must confess my inadequacies. I'm only a mediocre Pill Master, and my humble cultivation is likely insufficient to assist in this matter."

Their cheerful conversation notwithstanding, their relationship was only lukewarm.

If Xiao Lan had come seeking his help, she would need to reveal her bargaining chips first.

"Master Xu underrates himself too much."

"To subdue the Dual-element Immortal Spider, such a feat would earn the admiration of even Second Realm and Third Realm cultivators. With your assistance, my foe will have no escape!"

Xiao Lan's captivating gaze locked onto Chen Jichuan.

"Fairy, you misunderstand."

"Back then, I had only recently arrived at Dual Star, and the Immortal Spider was nowhere to be seen, leaving me to collect scraps of its legacy by chance."

Chen Jichuan waved his hand, denying her claim.

Xiao Lan's ability to deduce his capture of the Dual-element Immortal Spider wasn't too surprising.

When they had first crossed paths outside Dual Star, Xiao Lan had just departed Wuhe Star, her knowledge still limited, incapable of recognizing the essence of the Five Elements Spirit Spiders on Dual Star.

However, in the years since arriving at Magic Sound Mountain, with a bit of inquiry, it would become crystal clear.

Moreover, Chen Jichuan had sold off quantities of Five Elements Beads and Five Minerals Essence over the decades. All Xiao Lan needed was a rumor or two to piece things together.

But suspicion alone wouldn't be enough.

"I've been frank with you, Master Xu—why deceive me?"

Xiao Lan looked earnestly at Chen Jichuan, her eyes sincere.

She was eighty percent certain that Master Xu had subdued the Dual-element Immortal Spider.

Not only because of the Spirit Spiders on Dual Star or the sale of treasures like the Five Elements Bead and Five Minerals Essence at Magic Sound Mountain.

But because Chen Jichuan had sold her the Universe Spirit Shuttle outside Dual Star.

"Xu Ning hails from Wuhe Star and inherited Nine Peak Daoist's legacy—there's no way he'd have spare Universe Spirit Shuttles."

"And yet, outside Dual Star, he sold me one."

"Barely twenty years later, he reached Magic Sound Mountain; surely, this was due to the Dual-element Immortal Spider's speed."

Xiao Lan studied Chen Jichuan, recalling the scene from Wuhe Star in the Galaxy Academy. With those memories reinforcing her certainty, she concluded that Chen Jichuan's abilities were extraordinary: "His Fire Manipulation Technique back then was already terrifying. If he assists me, the chance to reclaim the Supreme Bone increases significantly."

Xiao Lan's expression turned earnest as she spoke to Chen Jichuan, "Master Xu, rest assured; no word of the Dual-element Immortal Spider will ever leave my lips. Regardless of success or failure, East River will reward you handsomely."

As she spoke.

Xiao Lan retrieved a Storage Bag from her waist and handed it to Chen Jichuan.

"I truly don't possess a Dual-element Immortal Spider,"

Chen Jichuan continued denying, but when he accepted the Storage Bag, his voice faltered. Inside, he saw mountains of Primordial Stones piled high—it was a staggering twenty thousand pieces.

The equivalent of two million Spirit Crystals.

Unquestionably a massive fortune.

"Fairy, this—"

Chen Jichuan stared at the Storage Bag in his hand, then shifted his gaze to Xiao Lan, feeling utterly numb. Xiao Lan had spent only a short time in the starry sky, yet she seemed to possess mountains and seas of Primordial Stones.

She had casually taken out thirty-two thousand pieces at Dual Star.

Now, it was another twenty thousand.

Twenty thousand Primordial Stones.

This was equivalent to seven or eight years of his own earnings.

Lending a hand in a fight and earning this much—it wasn't massively lucrative, but it certainly wasn't a loss.

"This is merely the initial payment."

"Once the foe is subdued, East River will provide additional rewards."

With a flip of her hand, Xiao Lan summoned two flames—one deep blue and one faint yellow.

"Sea Heart Flame."

"Stone Fire."

Chen Jichuan's eyes lit up at the sight.

The two flames clearly originated from unique Exotic Fires. The former, the "Sea Heart Flame," was born within vast oceans, imbued with water's essence.

The latter, the "Stone Fire," emerged from mountain stones, bearing the spirit of earth.

Chen Jichuan practiced the Daluo Heavenly Fire, a technique that required the absorption of multiple Exotic Fires. If he could collect Five Elements Fire, its power would surely ascend to greater heights.

Moreover, "Stone Fire" was a vital component for refining the Samadhi True Fire.

Making it of extraordinary significance to him.

"I know Master Xu, as an Alchemist, has a special affinity for Exotic Fires. Over the years, East River has kept an eye out specifically for flames that stand out and found these two exceptional fires."

"If Master Xu has the time, East River could accompany you on a journey to help tame them."

With another flip of her hand, Xiao Lan dissipated the flames and continued, "There's also an ancient ruin I've yet to breach. After handling this business, I would greatly appreciate Master Xu's assistance there as well."

Twenty thousand Primordial Stones.

Two Exotic Fires.

An ancient ruin.

Xiao Lan had gone all-in this time, showing her resolve to get Chen Jichuan on board.

Chen Jichuan had already been inclined to help, but now he cast aside any hesitation, responding with vigor, "Fairy honors me; how could I not oblige?!"

...

Chen Jichuan agreed to Xiao Lan's request, and the two arranged to set out in half a year.

After Xiao Lan departed.

Chen Jichuan also left his cave abode, heading straight to the Four Directions Sect.

"This journey will take considerable time, not to mention the return trip to Wuhe Star afterward. The Dual-element Immortal Spider's speed still falls short."

Chen Jichuan didn't want to waste too much time traveling.

Moreover, during the trek, constant alertness limited his ability to focus entirely on cultivation. With time so precious to him, upgrading his travel treasure was a necessity before departure.

In the starry sky.

The most common travel treasure was the "Universe Spirit Shuttle," which sold for twenty-five million Spirit Crystals at the Four Directions Sect.

Beyond the Universe Spirit Shuttle, there was the "Galaxy Walking."

"The Universe Spirit Shuttle's speed ranges from twice to 2.2 times the speed of light."

"However, Galaxy Walking is far more unique."

Chen Jichuan entered the Four Directions Sect.

The sect's business had a vast reach, yet their storefronts maintained an unadorned simplicity. Chen Jichuan had been there many times over the years and was thoroughly familiar with the process.

Taking a catalog of goods, he quickly flipped to the "Treasures—Speed" category and found Galaxy Walking.

"Galaxy Walking."

"Transforming oneself into a starry sky exotic beast for travel."

"Numerous exotic beasts excel at traversing the starry sky. Over countless years, many have studied their mysteries, eventually creating Galaxy Walking."

"Galaxy Walking involves refining the essence blood of exotic beasts alongside Starry Sky Treasures such as the Three Thousand Star Spots Stone to acquire a portion of the beasts' speed."

"The Nine Rivers Beast Atlas records 47,644 exotic beasts within the Jiulong River System capable of traversing the starry sky with great speed."

"The Nine Rivers Treasure Map lists 224 types of Galaxy Walking techniques that have been developed so far."

"Of these, Four Directions Sect sells 48 of the most common types."

"Among them, the fastest is 'Golden Light Walking,' created by refining the bloodline of the Starry Sky Exotic Beast 'Golden Light Immortal Fox.' The Golden Light Immortal Fox is renowned for its speed—able to reach ten times the speed of light in pure travel. Golden Light Walking allows Divinity Transformation cultivators to transform into the Golden Light Immortal Fox, achieving 70% of the beast's speed, or seven times the speed of light."

"But the price is staggering, and I can't afford it."

...