Chapter 5: The First Earthbound Immortal to Fall

“Grand Completion stage? Haha, the Grand Completion stage!”

Transcending tribulations was a hurdle all cultivators had to face. Without enduring the lightning tribulation, one could never truly ascend to immortality.

Only by overcoming this trial could one shed their mortal coil, forge an immortal golden body, and extend their lifespan by tens of thousands of years.

This was the Grand Completion stage, also known as the Earthbound Immortal.

Legend spoke of a realm beyond the Earthbound Immortal, one that no one had ever confirmed: the Grand Unity Golden Immortal.

Yet, it remained merely a legend. The Earthbound Immortal stage was already the ultimate goal for nearly all cultivators.

However, this dream and objective, which had been utterly unattainable for Lu Yuan in his previous life, was now achieved with such startling ease.

Perhaps this was a blessing from the heavens.

“’I wonder what my fellow Daoists, who embarked on this path alongside me, would think if they saw this now.’”

Lu Yuan’s mood was buoyant, the lingering trace of displeasure from his rebirth in a foreign land having completely vanished.

Ohm—!

An ear-splitting cry echoed from the distance.

Lu Yuan watched as a colossal whale, a hundred zhang in length, swiftly navigated through the clouds.

“’Oh? Is that one of the unique fierce beasts of this world—a demonic beast?’”

The giant whale glared coldly at Lu Yuan from afar, its eyes glinting with ferocity.

“’Is it trying to attack me? Assaulting an enlightened Earthbound Immortal?’” Lu Yuan chuckled softly. “’Vile creature, depart at once, and I shall spare your life.’”

The giant whale paid no heed to Lu Yuan’s threat. After scrutinizing him for a long moment, it suddenly slapped its massive tail and charged directly towards him.

“’Utterly ignorant. This is a perfect opportunity for me to test the power of a Grand Completion Immortal Sword.’”

Lu Yuan fixed his gaze on the oncoming whale, his eyes devoid of fear. He merely formed a sword incantation with his fingers and let out a low cry.

“’Appear—! Immortal—! Sword—!’”

Within his Violet Palace, the golden scholar, who had been meditating, abruptly opened his eyes. A sharp glint shot forth, and the small sword in his hand hummed softly before instantly bursting out of Lu Yuan’s Violet Palace like a bolt of lightning.

Clang—!

A sharp, piercing sound abruptly exploded in the air as golden Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi surged like a thin mist towards Lu Yuan’s palm.

Lu Yuan’s expression suddenly shifted. He felt his cultivation rapidly draining away. The Golden Body Immortal Sword, acquired upon his ascension to the Grand Completion stage, was devouring his True Essence relentlessly, like a bottomless black hole.

In the brief moment Lu Yuan was stunned, the giant whale had already reached him, its formidable maw suddenly gaping open, intent on swallowing him whole.

“’Tch!’”

In his haste, Lu Yuan had no choice but to immediately channel all his True Essence into the Immortal Sword and unleash it with a sudden thrust!

This Immortal Sword was the culmination of sixteen Dao-thought Immortal Swords Lu Yuan had prepared in his previous life to contend with the lightning tribulation. Thus, he could wield it freely without needing to refine it anew.

Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi from all directions surged madly towards the Immortal Sword, sending massive waves of energy rippling through the air like an ocean tide.

Like a golden bolt of lightning, the Immortal Sword, moving at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye and with an unstoppable momentum, pierced directly through the giant whale’s body, entering through its mouth.

The giant whale let out a mournful roar as vast amounts of blood rained down from the sky.

Lu Yuan’s face paled. He realized that the single sword strike had completely depleted all his True Essence.

However, he had no time to ponder why the True Essence of a Grand Completion stage cultivator couldn’t withstand a single sword strike. The giant whale’s corpse was already hurtling towards him.

With his True Essence exhausted, Lu Yuan couldn’t even manage sword flight and could only watch helplessly as he was sent flying by the impact.

Creak…

He heard the sound of his bones groaning under the impact, unable to bear the strain. Then, he began to freefall from the sky.

“’No way…’”

Lu Yuan wore a wry, helpless smile. He couldn’t muster even a trace of True Essence within his body.

“’I finally reached the Grand Completion stage, and now I’m about to become the first Earthbound Immortal to die from a fall?!’”