Unrivaled Comprehension: From Mortal to Immortal King

As Bai Ling entered the Sutra Repository, peace gradually returned within the Yuhua Sect.

The recent downpour had triggered Bai Ling's breakthrough from the Fifth Restriction to the Sixth. At the same time, the three young disciples—Wen Xinyun, Yue Dashan, and Zhou Tianzi—had also advanced to the Fifth Restriction.

Although the Yuhua Sect had few members, each possessed immense potential.

Lin Jiufeng and Bai Yunfei had both reached the Eighth Restriction, followed by Bai Ling at the Sixth, and then the three younger disciples at the Fifth. With this lineup, their combat strength was comparable to that of first-rate sects.

After all, Lin Jiufeng and Bai Yunfei alone could easily overwhelm ten Eighth Restriction cultivators.

Only the truly elite sects posed a threat—such as the Supreme Dao.

Of course, as long as Supreme Dao's Ninth Restriction Patriarch remained in seclusion, Yuhua Sect had nothing to fear.

Time flew by like an arrow; days passed like a fleeting shadow.

In the blink of an eye, ten days had passed.

During this period, the Yuhua Sect remained tranquil. Every disciple focused on their cultivation, consolidating their recent breakthroughs.

The outside world, however, was not so peaceful.

Especially within Supreme Dao.

At the Supreme Dao's sacred mountain, within the Grand Hall of the Sect Master, the atmosphere was oppressive.

The hall's predominant black hue lent it an aura of solemnity and ruthlessness.

At this moment, Supreme Dao's Sect Master, the True Mystic Master, wore an ashen expression as he glared at the trembling spy before him. Gritting his teeth, he asked, "Are you certain the Yuhua Sect remains completely undisturbed?"

The spy, quivering under the oppressive aura, stammered, "Y-yes, my lord. I disguised myself as a rogue cultivator and observed Yuhua Sect for days. I can confirm that everything appears calm—completely tranquil."

Boom!

The True Mystic Master's rage erupted like a volcanic explosion. His aura surged uncontrollably, his face darkening with fury. "Then what of our eight Dao Patriarchs?"

Silence.

The spy shuddered, unable to provide an answer.

He truly had no idea where the eight Dao Patriarchs had gone.

"If you can't even gather proper intelligence, what use do I have for you?" The True Mystic Master, consumed by fury, thrust out his palm. The spy exploded into a cloud of blood mist, which was promptly swept away by an approaching figure dressed in black robes.

The black-robed man had deep-set eyes and a hooked nose—a menacing countenance that made him easily recognizable. He was Chang Ying, an elder of Supreme Dao.

"Calm yourself, Sect Master," Chang Ying consoled.

"How can I remain calm? Those eight Dao Patriarchs were personally cultivated by our Old Patriarch. They practiced the Unseen Dao and were spiritually interconnected, making them one of our sect's hidden aces. This was their first mission," the True Mystic Master seethed, his robes billowing from his surging inner energy, his rage palpable.

Chang Ying frowned deeply. In a hushed voice, he said, "Sect Master, this only proves that Yuhua Sect is far from ordinary."

"Now everyone knows that!" the True Mystic Master roared. "Our sect has lost nine Dao Patriarchs in total! When the Old Patriarch emerges from seclusion, how do you expect me to explain this? Those eight Dao Patriarchs were crucial for his breakthrough to the Tenth Restriction. Now they've vanished without a trace! If the Old Patriarch unleashes his wrath, none of us will escape punishment."

Chang Ying's frown deepened, realizing the gravity of the situation.

"The Old Patriarch has been in seclusion for nearly fifty years. No one knows when he will emerge. When he does, we should kneel before his door and beg for forgiveness. The pressing matter now is: What do we do about Yuhua Sect?" Chang Ying said gravely.

The True Mystic Master took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, his face grim. "The eight Dao Patriarchs have vanished, yet Yuhua Sect remains untouched. How, then, do you propose we retaliate?"

Chang Ying sighed. "We had believed our plan was flawless… Who could have foreseen this outcome?"

The True Mystic Master was puzzled. "Those eight Dao Patriarchs were raised together, their minds as one. When they joined forces, they were invincible among those below the Ninth Restriction. How could they have vanished without a trace?"

"Unless…" A terrifying thought struck him, and he looked at Chang Ying in shock.

Chang Ying immediately shook his head. "Impossible. If Yuhua Sect possessed a Ninth Restriction expert, they wouldn't have declined to such a state."

"If not the Ninth Restriction, then who could make them disappear so completely?" the True Mystic Master demanded.

"Could it be that another Ninth Restriction cultivator from outside intervened to aid Yuhua Sect?" Chang Ying speculated.

Although the cultivation world was far weaker than it had been three millennia ago, Ninth Restriction experts still existed. Most, however, lived in seclusion, avoiding worldly affairs—just like Supreme Dao's Old Patriarch.

The True Mystic Master found this theory plausible. Otherwise, there was no logical explanation.

He refused to believe that Yuhua Sect itself had eliminated the eight Dao Patriarchs.

"So, how should we deal with them?" Chang Ying asked.

"The Eighth Restriction Dao Patriarchs are no longer a threat to Yuhua Sect. I believe we should consult the Old Patriarch," the True Mystic Master replied.

"The Old Patriarch warned us not to disturb him unless absolutely necessary," Chang Ying hesitated. "While Yuhua Sect is important, it pales in comparison to his breakthrough."

"The Old Patriarch's seclusion is set for fifty years. That time is nearly up. Once he emerges, we will report this matter to him," the True Mystic Master said coldly.

Chang Ying's eyes gleamed. "Those eight Dao Patriarchs were his personal disciples. If he learns of this, he will surely annihilate Yuhua Sect. At worst, we will suffer minor punishment."

The True Mystic Master nodded, turning toward Yuhua Sect's direction. His eyes were icy. "Let them bask in their moment of triumph. The future is uncertain. Once the Old Patriarch returns, everything will be settled."

That night.

At Yuhua Sect, Lin Jiufeng did not immerse himself in scriptures or contemplation for once.

He sat cross-legged on a massive bluestone outside the Sutra Repository, channeling his cultivation technique.

He still primarily practiced the Yuhua Ascension Sutra, with other techniques serving as secondary support.

As he cultivated, the surrounding spiritual energy surged into his body, flowing steadily through his meridians, nourishing his flesh, bones, and internal organs. His entire being radiated a soft jade-like glow.

From a distance, he resembled a divine jade statue—a living embodiment of Daoist mysticism.

Perched on the eaves of the Sutra Repository's second floor, Bai Ling silently observed him, her gaze warm. After finishing her own cultivation, she found herself drawn to watching Lin Jiufeng.

Whether he was training, drinking tea, reading, contemplating Dao, or writing—she enjoyed simply watching him.

Because in him, she always found a profound sense of tranquility.

As if even the collapse of the heavens was unworthy of concern.

She adored that serenity and was gradually drawn closer to him.

Under her watchful gaze, Lin Jiufeng reached a critical juncture in his cultivation.

A thunderous roar echoed as boundless spiritual energy was absorbed into his acupuncture points, forming a dazzling constellation within his body.

Simultaneously, the starlight from above cascaded upon him, infusing him with celestial and lunar essence.

Lin Jiufeng's body and soul transcended in that moment, harmonizing with the heavens.

This was the Eighth Restriction: the Dao Patriarch Realm.

Even if his limbs were severed, he could now regenerate them using the energy of the world.

This was Flesh Energy Manifestation.

Unlike others who relied solely on personal energy or ambient spiritual power—Lin Jiufeng could regenerate from any energy source.

His power was boundless.