Chapter 62: Return of the Immortal King
Wang Mian vaguely sensed that something was off. He glanced at Wang Heng's primordial spirit and immediately understood the root of the issue.
The Primordial Spirit Sword Technique, hailed as one of the three supreme sword techniques alongside the Immortal Calamity Sword Technique and the Grass Character Sword Technique, is an unparalleled attacking secret art concerning the primordial spirit, a treasure coveted by all beings.
Now, the fragments of this supreme art's inheritance lie scattered within Wang Heng's primordial spirit. For the five immortal kings present, these inheritance fragments are within easy reach, requiring just a probe of their divine senses to perceive them all.
Wang Mian believed that there must have been a moment when the five immortal kings were tempted. They clearly understood how terrifying the power of the Peace Disorder Technique was.
However, being in the same universe, and considering the trip was to repay the Wang family immortal king's kindness, seizing the opportunity to steal the supreme art by exploiting a person's vulnerability would be unethical. Moreover, the five immortal kings couldn't possibly reach a consensus quickly; they weren't nearly close enough to each other for such an accord. Therefore, the idea of seizing the inheritance fragments was abandoned.
At this moment, the Immortal Monk King volunteered to help Wang Heng resolve the disorderly state of his primordial spirit, so naturally, there was no opposition.
They all came to return a favor, and it would be improper to handle everything themselves and deny others the opportunity to take action.
It's known that every immortal king has lived for several epochs, if not longer, with unfathomable wisdom. It's impossible they'd commit such socially inept acts.
Receiving the assurance of the other kings, the Immortal Monk King sat cross-legged without another word, suspended in mid-air, hands clasped together. Behind his head, a brilliant halo emerged, his eyes slightly closed, exuding solemnity. Lotus flowers of Buddhist enlightenment bloomed around him, elucidating the supreme mysteries of his doctrine.
Next, a radiant light burst forth from the Immortal Monk King's forehead, a vast primordial spirit wave spreading out, stunning all the gathered immortal kings.
It is well known that the master of Mount Sumeru has perfected an unrivaled sixteen-foot golden body, his physique supremely strong and sacred, unmatched among immortal kings. Yet, it was unknown that his primordial spirit was equally formidable.
There was no time to indulge in shock; the Immortal Monk King began to chant scriptures.
This time, he recited one of the supreme scriptures of the ancient monk lineage, the Sutra of Deliverance.
Unlike the Universal Deliverance Sutra, which guides all beings, the Sutra of Deliverance is a supreme method specifically targeting the primordial spirit. All supreme principles are condensed into scriptures, concentrated within the fonts.
Should a powerful being chant it, the invocation can unleash immense power, usable both for combat and healing.
The Immortal Monk King chooses to chant the healing aspect.
His lips part slightly, and with a voice tinged with ancient weariness, he recites the mystical "Divine Passage Scripture."
As the chant resonates, an indescribable wave of spiritual energy spreads swiftly, enveloping the entire chaotic secret land.
Wang Mian feels his soul refreshed, instinctively exuding a soft glow, as if latent potential is being unlocked, leaving him spirited and invigorated, with all fatigue vanished.
Not only a true immortal, but even the present immortal kings find their souls notably enhanced, a feat enough to defy the heavens despite no fundamental change.
Understand, the soul of an immortal king already possesses certain immortal characteristics, bolstered by the reverence, offerings, and prayers of countless beings, growing stronger and unbreakable through time.
To enhance an immortal king's soul with external means in a short period is exceedingly difficult, yet the "Divine Passage Scripture" of the ancient monks achieves this, largely due to the person chanting it.
The scripture's power predominantly focuses on Wang Heng's soul.
Under the cleansing waves of spiritual energy, the chaos within Wang Heng's soul begins to abate, as if an unseen hand governs all, harmonizing three forces into one.
The Immortal Monk King's voice is penetrating, echoing the "Divine Passage Scripture" throughout the entire Wang estate, dispelling all negative emotions residing within the immortal palace.
This expansive immortal palace thus returns to its long-lost tranquility and peace.
Before long, the chanting ceases, and the Immortal Monk King rises from his meditative posture, hands still joined in respect.
Meanwhile, Wang Heng's soul is now refined and unified, with no trace of chaos remaining.
All the fragmented inheritance of the Calming Chaos Art and the extinguished Supreme Soul Seed merged into Wang Heng's primal soul.
This was astonishing, making Wang Heng—who was already extraordinary, with a soul far superior to his peers—even more formidable.
The dark primal soul child was densely inscribed with intricate Daoist symbols, faintly visible, exuding a mysterious and profound aura. These were the essences of the Supreme Soul Seed, originally meant to remain hidden within, playing a role in its owner's growth.
Yet now, as the Supreme Soul Seed was eroded by the dark curse and was on the brink of destruction, it surfaced from the cursed abyss, beside Wang Heng's primal soul. After being chanted over by the Immortal Monk King's 'Divine Passage Scripture', it completed its journey, transferring all its principles and mysteries to its host.
The inheritance fragments of the Calming Chaos Art, imbued with the power of an Immortal King, exhausted themselves in battle against the curse, ultimately fusing entirely into Wang Heng's primal soul.
This meant he fully acquired this supreme art.
Wang Mian, along with the other kings present, silently observed Wang Heng's primal soul, still comatose, yet their hearts could not remain calm. Was this truly the primal soul of a Realm of Cultivation creature? For his age and state, it was unbelievably powerful.
With a completely new primordial physical body, the potential of this youth was immeasurable, far surpassing his peers. The only regret was the dark threat lurking within his body.
The kings remained silent, perhaps recognizing that together they had inadvertently helped create such a monstrous talent.
The other four Immortal Kings had similar thoughts but didn’t leave immediately, instead quietly standing by, as if waiting for the Wang Family's Immortal King to return.
Wang Mian, uncertain of the Wang Family's Immortal King's situation, hurriedly asked, “Esteemed Immortal Kings, how fares my lord?”
“Friend Wang single-handedly quelled the rebellion on the frontier, drove all foreign intruders back beyond the Imperial Pass, and even eradicated an Undying King—a deed truly monumental in scope.
However, his condition is dire, afflicted by a most dreadful dark curse,” the Golden Taoist responded, his golden eyes imposing as they gazed towards the frontier, as if witnessing the earth-shattering battle that unfolded there firsthand.
"They have vanquished an Immortal King!"
Wang Mian was in shock. To him, beings at the level of the Immortal King were supposed to be eternal and invincible. Even if two such beings were to engage in battle, it should be exceedingly difficult for either to annihilate the other, at least not in a short period without thorough preparation.
This was a secret he learned when listening to an Immortal King's teachings.
Unexpectedly, the Wang family’s Immortal King had straightforwardly destroyed an Eternal King during a great battle, demonstrating his formidable power.
Yet, such a powerful Immortal King fell victim to an insidious otherworldly plot, struck by an incurable dark curse.
“The otherworldly forces have retreated. Over ten Eternal Kings chose to withdraw, no longer engaging with the ancestors of the frontier tribes. The demise of one Eternal King severely diminished their morale," declared the Immortal King of Heaven and Earth, revealing the current situation at the frontier.
"All the kings have returned to the Imperial Pass, mending the damaged pathways between worlds, crafting layer upon layer of seals. It seems that the outcome of the frontier war is now determined," noted the True Dragon.
"The war is over, the branches of the World Tree have withdrawn from the frontier, returning to their origin. King Daoist is also bound to return."
With these words, a mighty power, at the level of an Immortal King, swept through the realms, arriving swiftly at the Wang Family Immortal Mansion.
Wang Mian's immortal body trembled. He was deeply familiar with this power; it was the Supreme Immortal King of the Wang family.
During the frontier battle, he had showcased awe-inspiring might, executing the Primordial Spirit Sword Technique to decisively slay an Eternal King, forcing the others to retreat helplessly. Despite being afflicted with a dark curse, destabilizing all ten directions, he survived the ordeal.
However, the terrifying dark curse had ravaged the body of the Immortal King, inflicting unimaginable damage and putting him in grave danger.
Before Wang Mian could react, the Wang family’s Immortal King had already returned to the Immortal Mansion, descending directly into the secret chaotic lands.
He was an ancient, majestic being of utmost power. Even gravely injured and on the brink of death, he exuded an overwhelming aura of authority.
Especially after having just vanquished an Eternal King, he carried with him an air of grim determination, surrounded by burning droplets of the King's blood, evidence of his supreme might in crushing the foe. Were it not for the dark curse afflicting him, he would not have been so weakened.
As soon as the Wang Family Immortal King arrived at the Secret Chaos Land, he witnessed the death of an old friend who had battled by his side for years, now leaving only a solitary corpse standing there.
His heart was heavy with sadness as he realized the cause of the Immortal Vine's demise was the King's blood from years past, which brought forth the dark curse.
However, instead of approaching immediately, he turned his gaze to the five Immortal Kings present.
"I thank you, my fellow Taoists, for your assistance in curtailing the Wang family calamity and saving young Wang Heng’s life."
Wang Mian bowed to the Immortal King of Heaven and Earth, the True Dragon, the Golden Taoist, and others, showing his gratitude.
If not for these Immortal Kings arriving in time, Wang Heng’s life would have been forfeit, leading to dire consequences.
"There’s no need for such thanks, Wang fellow Taoist. Every cause has its result; each drought or period of plenty is preordained," they replied, acknowledging this was merely a repayment for past actions.
Wang Mian nodded in agreement, acknowledging the balance of cause and effect, thus settling the debt between them.
"Fellow Taoist Wang, your condition seems dire. The dark curse within you is intense, alarming us all. If not suppressed soon, there is a danger of demise."
"As a fellow Immortal King of our realm, you were afflicted due to the invasion of the otherworldly. We cannot stand by; we offer to help suppress the dark curse."
Today, it will be a ten-thousand-word update. The rest will be released once completed.