Invincible Starts From Dao Fruit-Chapter 141 - 112 Return to the Mysterious Nether Sea! 【Last Day, Request for Monthly Pass!】

Chapter 141: Chapter 112 Return to the Mysterious Nether Sea! 【Last Day, Request for Monthly Pass!】

"So it’s the two Mr. Qians!"

Chen Jichuan turned around, clasped his hands, and displayed a pleasantly surprised expression.

In front of him, the brothers Qian Jibang and Qian Jimin stood shoulder to shoulder, their faces also lit up with joy. "We didn’t expect to meet Mr. Chen again on the Qingshan."

What an undeniable twist of fate.

Years ago.

When Chen Jichuan left the Mysterious Nether Sea, it was on the Qingshan that he first met these two brothers.

They had even exchanged insights on swordsmanship aboard the ship.

When they reached Shamen Island, the two brothers had invited Chen Jichuan to join them in traveling inland. However, Chen Jichuan, ever cautious by nature, politely declined.

Who would’ve thought that after thirty-three years, they’d meet again on the Qingshan?

"Haha!"

"Reuniting with old friends calls for a celebratory drink!"

Chen Jichuan laughed heartily and immediately instructed Wun Shouyang and others to prepare wine and food, inviting the Qian brothers to drink and revel together.

After three rounds of toasting.

Chen Jichuan asked curiously, "Why do the two of you only now return to the Mysterious Nether Sea?"

He remembered.

Back then, the Qian brothers told him they were going back to visit their family and would be returning to the Mysterious Nether Sea in just a few days.

Yet this "few days" turned out to be thirty-three years?

"Sigh!"

Upon hearing this, Qian Jibang sighed, shook his head, and said, "Mr. Chen, you’re unaware. When my brother and I returned home, we originally planned to stay for only a few months. But before we even got back, our elder brother had already passed away due to illness, leaving behind our elderly mother, widowed sister-in-law, and two nephews without anyone to care for them, constantly bullied by others. My brother and I felt deeply ashamed, so we stayed to care for our mother and helped raise our two nephews into capable men. Three years ago, our mother passed away. Only then did we settle everything at home and prepare to venture overseas once again."

Qian Jibang spoke with sincerity and emotion.

Beside him, Qian Jimin appeared downcast, gulped down two cups of strong wine, and his eyes reddened slightly.

"I didn’t mean anything by asking. Please forgive me."

Hearing this, Chen Jichuan also grew solemn and quickly downed three cups as self-punishment.

The Qian brothers naturally did not hold it against him.

The matter was brushed aside.

The Qian brothers and Chen Jichuan continued drinking and chatting, discussing topics ranging from distant lands to mundane tales. Eventually, after falling into a slight drunken haze, the two brothers bid their farewell and left.

...

Back in their room.

Qian Jibang set up three small flags in the corner, raising a barrier to isolate sound and perception.

Once the formation activated.

The drunkenness on his face vanished instantly.

Beside him, Qian Jimin also showed no signs of intoxication anymore. With a serious expression, he said, "Meeting him like this by coincidence—it feels too suspicious."

Encountering him back then was one thing.

But for this randomly chosen return date to also coincide with crossing paths with Chen Jichuan—it was truly uncanny.

This naturally aroused concern.

"Don’t overthink it."

"Mr. Chen is traveling with his family; he’s bound for overseas opportunities. It just so happens that our paths crossed."

Qian Jibang also found it to be a coincidence but didn’t think Chen Jichuan had done it on purpose.

"That’s true."

Upon hearing this, Qian Jimin also felt he might have been overthinking things.

After all, they hadn’t revealed their return plans to anyone beforehand. How could Chen Jichuan have known ahead of time to board the same ship in advance?

He shook his head.

Qian Jimin gave his elder brother a bitter smile and said, "I’ve just been too paranoid."

One couldn’t blame him.

With a precious treasure in their possession yet minimal strength to defend it, the brothers had spent their entire lives acting with extreme caution.

They had even fled from the Mysterious Nether Sea to the mainland. Finally, they had managed to reach the Innate Extreme. This time, as they ventured back out to sea, they were preparing to break through to the Qi Refinement Realm and investigate the secret location their late master, Yun Yazi, had mentioned on his deathbed.

At this critical juncture, any slight anomaly could send shivers through their hearts.

Carrying such a rare treasure.

And coincidentally running into Chen Jichuan not just once, but twice.

It wasn’t surprising that Qian Jimin became paranoid, constantly feeling as if the entire world was coveting their treasure.

"Relax."

"Chen Jichuan is heading for White Jade Island, while we’re bound for Fengyuan Island—there’s a distance of four to five thousand miles between us. It has nothing to do with us. After all these years, we’ve finally reached Innate Extreme. Once we return this time, we’ll push for Qi Refinement. If we succeed, we’ll finally have a solid foundation in the Mysterious Nether Sea!"

Qian Jibang reassured him.

Yet inwardly, he remained vigilant, worried that Qian Jimin’s excessive caution might inadvertently draw attention.

"Alright."

Qian Jimin also recognized this, nodding in agreement and working to steady his mindset.

...

Elsewhere.

"Serving their elderly mother, caring for their widowed sister-in-law and nephews."

"Even observing mourning for three years after their mother’s passing—those two truly embody filial piety."

After seeing off the Qian brothers, Zhong Dahai, who had accompanied Chen Jichuan, couldn’t help but sigh upon their return.

For the sake of filial devotion and familial bonds, after experiencing the grandeur of overseas life, they were willing to remain in the dusty mortal realm of the mainland for over thirty years. Such character was indeed rare.

Moreover, these brothers had advanced to Innate Extreme even in the barren lands of the mainland. If they had been cultivating in the overseas Immortal Cultivation World, they likely would’ve already become Qi Refinement Immortal Masters.

Their sacrifice was no small feat.

It made their dedication all the more commendable.

"Filial piety?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Jichuan scoffed inwardly.

In the Da Liang World, he had studied Daoist Skills and explored fates, destinies, and physiognomy. Though he wasn’t an expert, he could discern a rough outline using the Circular Light Skill.

Judging by the Qian brothers’ physiognomy.

They didn’t resemble men who had recently lost their mother or undergone mourning rites.

There was a high probability they were lying.

In the vast sea of people, telling such a fabricated tale—who could verify its truth? Only someone like Chen Jichuan, with some specialized skills, could see through it to an extent.

"Why lie?"

Chen Jichuan maintained a neutral expression while pondering inwardly.

He recalled that when he first met the Qian brothers, they had only been at the Postnatal Sixth Layer—merely two ordinary Postnatal Cultivators.

They were also over thirty years old, with limited potential.

Thirty-three years later.

Who would’ve thought that their progress would be so astonishing—they had now reached the Innate Extreme.

It defied common logic.

Considering their deliberate decision to stay inland and concocting a noble, admirable excuse—

"There’s definitely a secret here."

Chen Jichuan thought to himself.

Just like him.

"For me, cultivation progress inland and at the Mysterious Nether Sea isn’t much different."

"But for others, the gap is vast."

"Plus, I often need to return to the real world, which is why I’m reluctant to stay at the Mysterious Nether Sea for long."

The Mysterious Nether Sea was teeming with cultivators and had a far richer cultivation environment than inland. Coupled with spirit pills, spirit lands, and magical resources, it offered far greater benefits for cultivation than the mainland could.

If it weren’t for concerns about safety and the difficulty of traveling back and forth, Chen Jichuan would’ve been content to cultivate in the Mysterious Nether Sea as well.

"That’s my reason."

"But what about them?" freёnovelkiss.com

Chen Jichuan frowned, attempting to deduce the brothers’ reasons for leaving the Mysterious Nether Sea to cultivate inland.

Within moments, he thought of more than a dozen possibilities.

As his thoughts raced.

Chen Jichuan suddenly chuckled. "Why think so much? Whatever secrets they hold, they’re their opportunities, unrelated to me."

Despite his occasional indulgence in opportunism, Chen Jichuan was fundamentally kind-hearted.

The Qian brothers hadn’t wronged him or provoked him—in fact, they shared some rapport. While they spun lie after lie, as long as they didn’t harm him, even if he knew they carried valuable treasures, Chen Jichuan wouldn’t stoop to stealing or robbing them.

Overanalyzing would be futile and self-inflicted worry.

"As long as they don’t harm me, we can coexist peacefully."

Chen Jichuan put the matter out of his mind.

Beside him.

Zhong Dahai was still dwelling on the Qian brothers, unable to resist sighing, "Both brothers have reached Innate Extreme. If they head to the Mysterious Nether Sea and both achieve breakthroughs to become Qi Refinement Immortal Masters, that would be a rare and beautiful story."

Reaching Innate Extreme in the barren lands of the mainland suggested that their chances of breaking through to the Qi Refinement Realm in the Mysterious Nether Sea were indeed higher.

"Qi Refinement Immortal Masters?"

"It’s not that easy!"

Wun Shouyang shook his head.

In the entire Echo Valley, even their master, who practiced dual cultivation of inner and external skills, remained stuck at the Ninth Layer, still some distance from Innate Extreme, let alone Qi Refinement.

Achieving Innate Extreme was already difficult.

It was evident how much greater a challenge breaking through to the Qi Refinement Realm would be.

Even though the Qian brothers had reached the Innate Tenth Layer, attaining Mana through refinement seemed a distant dream.

Listening to Wun Shouyang and Zhong Dahai’s idle chatter, Chen Jichuan found it amusing. He waved his hand and said, "The ship hasn’t even set sail yet—everyone, go back to cultivate. If your mind isn’t steady, how can you pursue immortality?"

Each of them had yet to reach the Innate Extreme but were already daydreaming about Qi Refinement.

Truly ambitious beyond their means.

Chen Jichuan had high hopes for his disciples, wishing for them all to achieve Qi Refinement someday to better support their master in the future.

At present, he naturally had to push them to remain diligent.

"Understood."

The previously enthusiastic Wun Shouyang and Zhong Dahai were caught off guard by the reprimand, their expressions growing sheepish as they dispersed hurriedly.

...

The Qingshan docked at Shamen Island for an entire month.

During this time.

Numerous passengers boarded in succession. Among them were quite a few who had connections to Echo Valley and were acquainted with Wun Shouyang and Zhong Dahai.

Facing an impending journey, reuniting with old friends carried a unique sentimentality.

Even bonds that had previously been superficial, or merely casual encounters, grew noticeably stronger over the month. Each passenger harbored thoughts of relying on these connections when they found themselves in a foreign land.

Chen Jichuan occasionally ventured out as well, catching up with familiar faces.

Those who associated with him were generally from the older generation when compared to Wun Shouyang and Zhong Dahai.

So it went.

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

Once the sailors and guards aboard the ship rested, and supplies like fresh water, vegetables, fruits, and grains were replenished, the ship finally set sail, departing Shamen Island for the Mysterious Nether Sea.

...

Hoooooo!

Amid the sound of the ship’s horn, Chen Jichuan had already returned to his cabin and sat cross-legged.

"My Primordial Qi is yet to recover."

"I must use the six-month journey to restore it as much as possible."

A sense of urgency filled Chen Jichuan’s heart.

The use of the Plow Head Curse had cost him an unknown amount of his lifespan, but the depletion of his Primordial Qi was what had been most palpable. He’d been recuperating for seven months already and still hadn’t fully healed.

By a conservative estimate, he needed another four to six months to recover.

Altogether, that was a full year.

During this recovery period, although he could still immerse himself in studying swordsmanship and magic, pondering cultivation’s various challenges and bottlenecks, his cultivation level remained stagnant.

Without restoring his Primordial Qi—without replenishing his foundation—blindly advancing his cultivation could lead to bitter consequences down the line.

While Chen Jichuan lamented over the loss of a precious year, he also dared not neglect his foundation out of impatience.

"However."

"Once I recover."

"Many of the insights from ’Elephant Armor Skill’ and ’Overlord Armor’ will be clearer, allowing me to advance my Transforming Strength to the Tenth Layer."

"Daoist Skill must progress step by step, it can’t be rushed."

"As for inner strength—"

Chen Jichuan settled his mind, mapping out the future path of his cultivation.

Transforming Strength and Daoist Skill.

Both paths, once reaching the Tenth Layer, offered no clear precedents beyond.

Among these, Transforming Strength provided not even a distant landmark to aim for. Progress would depend on his own exploration and the combined wisdom of the disciples of Echo Valley, as well as the collective insights of an increasing number of external skill practitioners, to chart the road ahead.

That said, Daoist Skill was slightly better.

In the archives of Da Liang’s Daoist sects, there were numerous records and theories concerning the path following the third realm, "Soul Emergence," even though no one had yet succeeded. These records had been preserved over generations within the Daoist community.

Using those as a reference, Chen Jichuan could at least follow some sort of guideline.

Of course.

By comparison.

Neither Transforming Strength nor Daoist Skill had as clear a roadmap as inner strength—

"The Innate Four Realms—"

"First Realm Internal Power."

"Second Realm True Qi."

"Third Realm True Yuan."

"Fourth Realm Liquidification."

"Step by step, expanding and refining the ’Qi’ inside the body—from the Innate Internal Power stage to Liquid True Yuan. Once both its ’quality’ and ’quantity’ have reached their peak, one attains comprehension of nature and the world. At that point, when the True Yuan transforms into mist, one forms Mana."

"This marks the accomplishment of Qi Refinement."

To cultivators, both the Postnatal and Innate stages involved the process of Refining Essence and Transforming Qi.

It was about refining Essence Qi into Internal Power or True Yuan, then tempering Internal Power or True Yuan into Mana.

Mana was the very "Qi" that cultivators sought to refine.

Once this "Qi" was successfully formed—

The process of "Transforming Qi" would reach completion, marking a natural entry into the Qi Refinement Realm.

"I am currently at the Innate Third Realm. The next step is to condense my True Yuan into Liquid True Yuan, thereby achieving Innate Extreme."

"This step is not difficult."

"What’s difficult lies in gaining insight into nature and transforming True Yuan into mist to form Mana."

As he nourished his body and recovered his Primordial Qi, Chen Jichuan mulled over the difficulties of cultivating both external and internal skills.

He aimed to be fully prepared to break through as soon as his Primordial Qi was restored.

...

Time flowed on.

Soon enough.

Another half-year passed.

It felt like the blink of an eye, yet also stretched endlessly long.

One day.

Chen Jichuan emerged from his cabin and stepped onto the deck. Looking ahead, he saw a landmass resembling pure white jade appear in his line of sight.

White Jade Island.

They had arrived!

...

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