Immortal Road.

The Formless Star Cocoon!

This was the second time he had heard this name. The last time, the message he received from the Annihilation Avatar seemed to indicate that the ancestor of the Star Palace Hundred Clans was searching for this item.

"It is said that a person must undergo many transformations in his life before he can ascend to immortality. Among them, there are only a few transformations that come from the inside out and originate from the source."

"For example, the spiritual transformation of a mortal embarking on the path to immortality, the foundational transformation of Qi cultivation before Foundation Establishment, and the subsequent Golden Core and Nascent Soul are all internal aids, not yet reaching the true tapping of one's own potential, while the transformation of the Primordial Spirit..."

"It's the prelude to truly soaring through the void!"

The patriarch of the Kong family was erudite and had a profound family tradition. After all, he came from a Confucian family that came from the upper echelons of the holy land, and he had a deep understanding of many things.

"The primordial spirit is a hurdle that not everyone can attempt easily. It requires the complete integration and balance of all previous realms, and the absence of any mishaps during the transformation of the soul, in order to pass through safely."

"The seven steps of the primordial spirit are further subdivided into: Transformation of the primordial spirit, Nourishing the divine essence, Forgetting the self and the external world, Traveling beyond the heavens, Shattering the void, the Six-Nine Thunder Tribulation, and Splitting the mind into an incarnation. Each step is a matter of life and death, and once you take the wrong step, you will be doomed forever!"

"If any hidden injuries, setbacks in training, long-accumulated inner demons, unresolved obsessions, or various shortcomings and flaws are not addressed in time before breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage, they will all become flashpoints that explode at every step afterward!"

"Therefore, cultivators must examine themselves three times a day. Only when they have thoroughly reached a state of perfection and clarity can they begin the process of breaking through their primordial spirit."

Only after laying this groundwork can we connect what was said above.

"There is something in the world called the Formless Star Cocoon."

"This item can help people transform and be reborn from the inside out, a double baptism of body and mind, achieving a state of complete harmony and unity!"

"The Sacred Land of Vastness has records that during the spiritual tide that erupted ten thousand years ago, there was a secret realm beneath the earth's veins. It was formed by the melting of the mantle by a meteorite and became the Red Dust Star Sea. After overcoming numerous difficulties, someone from the various sacred lands finally retrieved this item from it."

"What's astonishing is that he didn't come from the Holy Land, but from a rogue cultivator with great supernatural powers. This person is named True Monarch Yuxing!"

Lin Shan was able to stand up, unable to hide the shock in his heart.

Yu Xing Zhenjun?

This great supernatural being from ten thousand years ago has a significant connection with him and has always played a role in propelling his past journey. His name can be heard in many places, and his fame is beyond imagination!

This is still in the present day; if it were in the last Wan Hui era, it might have been a household name!
"And then what happened? With the Formless Star Cocoon, wouldn't True Monarch Yuxing be even more powerful? And in the end..."

The patriarch of the Kong family sighed deeply.

"Logically speaking, given Yu Xing Zhenjun's reputation and strength at that time, his transformation and rebirth from the Wuxiang Star Cocoon would certainly have made him a strong contender for breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage, though it's not a sure thing."

"Unfortunately, just after he had transformed within the star cocoon for eighty-one days, and had just emerged from the cocoon, the moment he was born!"

"At the same time, they were attacked by a surprise attack. Four powerful cultivators from the Holy Land descended from the sky and captured them all at once. It is said that the battle was extremely terrifying. The mantle shook, causing thousands of miles of mountains and rivers on the surface to collapse, and countless lives were lost."

"In the end, True Monarch Yuxing was no match for him and was suppressed by the Holy Lord of Penglai."

When I talk about this past event, a tragic scene inevitably comes to mind.

The most powerful cultivators among the rogue cultivators, facing the encirclement and suppression of the Nascent Soul stage cultivators from various holy lands, struggled to rise but could not escape their fate. How tragic!

No matter how outstanding or exceptionally talented you are, without a background or powerful backer, you will ultimately be buried by the holy land that dominated that era.

Lin Shan could easily combine what he had predicted back then.

Yu Xing Zhenjun went to participate in the Spirit Tide Battle with the determination to die, thinking that he would either become a powerful primordial spirit and live a carefree life, or be crushed into dust by the behemoth of the holy land!
That's why, before leaving, he specifically relocated the Star Palace's hundred races, leaving behind the Jade Star Secret Treasure's inheritance, and plunged alone into the once-in-ten-thousand-years great struggle.

Its glorious finale became an eternal echo.

Every Wanhui year has its trendsetters, and Yuxing Zhenjun is one of them. The eighth generation patriarch of Penglai, Zang Yan, is an even greater mountain that stands above everyone else!
"No wonder, I see."

The fact that the Star Palace Hundred Clans know the secret of the Formless Star Cocoon today suggests that other holy lands must have secretly helped them in the investigation of the death of True Monarch Yu Xing.

So, if we take a serious look, the Otherworldly race should also be part of the resistance against the Penglai Holy Land, and they might even be on the same side as the Red Lotus Ancestor.

But Xing Jinshu, the ancestor of the alien race, is said to have already reached the Nascent Soul stage, so why does she still need something like the Formless Star Cocoon?

Since the patriarch of the Kong family was able to tell him such important information, it would be impolite not to reciprocate. Lin Shan also told him the information he had heard from the alien race.

As for their origins, it's easy to bluff; just say you had an informant among the Inhumans who overheard them.

"Oh?"

The patriarch of the Kong family stroked his beard, and the two of them began to quietly gather information about the two sacred grounds below from the upper two levels.

The Xun Gu sect and the Confucius family can be said to be the most powerful local factions in the State of Lu. If the two were to unite, they would be enough to stir up the situation at the top.

"The Formless Star Cocoon is an unparalleled spiritual object, and it must be of great use to those in the Nascent Soul stage. Perhaps its effects are even better than those in the Infant stage, but we have no way of knowing."

"However, the known benefits of the fifth layer of the Red Dust Star Sea are the Illusionary Refinement and the Formless Star Cocoon, which are also accompanied by great dangers."

"One wrong step and you could easily get lost in it, forever adrift in the mantle!"

"Since this is the ultimate goal of the Inhumans, their ancestor might descend upon this level. The situation is not good."

Lin Shan was startled.

It would be a lie for Wuxiang Xingjian not to want it, but thinking of what Yuxing Zhenjun had experienced ten thousand years ago, the scene of the primordial spirits of various holy lands descending and fighting to the death, she couldn't help but worry.

However, judging from the tone of the patriarch of the Confucius family...
"What, Brother Kong, you also have designs on the fifth floor?"

Surprisingly, Confucius's ancestor would definitely have to agree.

"Have!"

He abandoned his usual reserved demeanor and became incredibly domineering, revealing the style of the former number one cultivator in the Lu Kingdom.

"Master Lin, I have come to you today to form an alliance!"

"This is the first year of the cycle, which happens once every 120,000 years. It's not an ordinary year. Wouldn't it be a lifelong regret to let this opportunity slip through our fingers?"

“There is only one spiritual tide in a typical year, leaving no room for hesitation. Countless past geniuses have perished due to insufficient preparation.”

"But there have been three spiritual tides in the first year of this year! I have hesitated for so long, and missed the first two. I absolutely cannot miss the third one!"

"This time, I will openly and honestly tear off a piece of flesh from the sacred land and lay the foundation for the eternal prosperity of the Confucius family."

An aura surpassing even that of a Nascent Soul cultivator flashed by, blooming only within this room before disappearing.

Lin Shan's eyes widened, his whole body trembled, and he pointed with his finger, stammering:

"You...you..." The patriarch of the Kong family swept away his arrogance.

"Stop pretending. I've known for a long time that you're also a powerful expert. Let's not hide anything from each other. We either work together or we each find our own way. Success or failure depends on your word!"

Lin Shan immediately regained his composure. He hadn't expected the Kong family patriarch to have such a keen sense of smell, actually seeing through his strength. It must have been tested during their last encounter in the Dark River Layer.

However, it's not a big problem, because the other party came here this time and took the initiative to show the aura of a great supernatural being, which is obviously to make friends and intend to challenge the authority of the major holy lands together!

Unexpectedly, the patriarch of the Kong family had such a powerful family behind him that he was able to make such a bold decision. If he failed, the Kong family would be doomed!
"Is this your intention, or the intention of the entire Confucius family, or perhaps the intention of all the Confucian families in the State of Lu?"

"just me."

The patriarch of the Kong family remained calm and composed, as if he had already planned his escape route.

"No one in the clan knows that I have become a great supernatural being, and no other Confucian family knows either. Right now, only you and I know."

"As for success or failure, that's not something to consider beforehand. A true man lives in the moment, seizing every opportunity, regardless of what lies ahead."

"As long as I can achieve the Nascent Soul stage, the Kong family will naturally stand proudly in the world. If I fail, it will only mean death and the extermination of the clan. What is there to say about that!"

Lin Shan sincerely admired the courage of the ancestor of the Kong family. Sometimes, a clan is the cornerstone of a person's growth, but at a certain stage, it can also become a burden.

It's a big gamble.

We're risking the lives and future of our entire clan!
If it succeeds, a brand new sacred site of Confucianism will soon rise.

"Let me tell you a secret: beneath the mantle, there is a terrifying geomagnetic interference that can even affect the void. In other words, even with a location, a Nascent Soul cultivator's Yuan Shen cannot directly descend."

The patriarch of the Confucius family still had the leisure to chat and laugh.

"In other words, we are not without opportunities; on the contrary, this place is more suitable for us to make our mark! Otherwise, how did True Monarch Yuxing manage to snatch food from the mouths of the various holy lands back then?"

"Oh, is that so!"

A glint of light flashed in Lin Shan's eyes.

This is indeed very important news, which can dispel many of his concerns, and he will no longer have to be timid and hesitant in doing things in the future.

"However, you should not be careless. The example of True Monarch Yuxing is right before your eyes."

Regardless, the experiences of their predecessors weighed heavily on their hearts. Even brilliant talents like True Lord Yuxing had fallen at the hands of the Holy Land, so they had to be even more careful.

"I suspect that the fourth level will be the prelude to the great holy lands' battles, with the accompanying powerful beings making their appearances to seize the final advantage."

"Until the Yin-Yang Mystic Ladder reaches its fifth level, and we truly arrive at the Red Dust Star Sea, then there will definitely be Nascent Soul stage experts descending from the Thunder Wave Sea, infiltrating the battlefield to seize an opportunity to strike!"

"What we need to do is simply sit back and watch the tigers fight, fish in troubled waters, and avoid being besieged so that we can still survive. But we must be especially careful that each holy land may also have powerful people assisting them."

The patriarch of the Kong family's conjecture was not without reason, and Lin Shan deeply agreed.

Since the mantle layer is so magical that it can block cultivators in the Nascent Soul stage from descending through the void, they must have come down from the Thunder Wave Sea in advance.

They lay in wait at various holy sites, ready to reap the rewards.

The fourth layer, with its mutual interference and protection of the exposed Yin-Yang Mysterious Ladder, is not the final trump card; from the perspective of a primordial spirit powerhouse, it's just so-so.

Having learned a great deal, Lin Shan had already tacitly agreed to form an alliance with the Kong family patriarch.

Having another helper like this is not a bad thing, and one starts to pay attention to the other party's interests and demands to see if they conflict with one's own.

The patriarch of the Confucius family spoke frankly about this.

"I dare not covet the Formless Star Cocoon. What I really want is the treasure on the fourth floor. You may tell Master Lin. It is called the Yin-Yang Profound Core."

"The Yin-Yang Mystic Core? There are treasures on the fourth level too?"

Lin Shan realized that he still knew too little. The Kong family patriarch was really well-informed and definitely had an inside source in the upper echelons of the Haoran Holy Land. This was much better than his clone messing around down there!
"Hehe, of course. Each level has treasures, but the focus is different. The first level has micro-moss, the second level has ice jade essence, the third level has earth vein essence stone, the fourth level has yin-yang mystic core, and the fifth level has formless star cocoon."

The patriarch of the Confucius family was very self-aware.

"The Formless Star Cocoon is a huge temptation even for those in the Nascent Soul stage. I know I can't handle such a hot potato, and I can't compete with so many powerful Nascent Soul cultivators. So it's better to seize the Yin-Yang Profound Core on the fourth level. At least those who have appeared so far are all great supernatural beings."

The patriarch of the Kong family didn't reveal much about the effects of the Yin-Yang Mystic Core, because he had already shared enough information today and even revealed his goals, so Lin Shan naturally wouldn't ask any more questions.

Regarding how the two should cooperate.

"If Sect Leader Lin can help me seize the Yin-Yang Profound Core, then I will do my best to assist you. I can't guarantee anything at the Nascent Soul stage, but I can help you get involved with other powerful figures from other holy lands. We will share all information and clues, and we will cooperate in the charade in the first two levels. What do you think?"

"Okay."

Lin Shan thought for a moment and then agreed.

The Yin-Yang Mystic Core sounds like something useful for breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage, but if the patriarch of the Kong family hadn't mentioned it, he wouldn't have known.

Today, the other party showed great sincerity, telling him so much top-secret information. If I were to forcefully interfere again, it would be too unseemly and a truly low-class move.

Compared to cooperating with the Ghost Valley Holy Land, I feel safer working with the patriarch of the Confucius family because they are in the same situation as me.

"So, how should we arrange and decorate the upper two floors? Brother Kong, do you have any ideas?"

"Hehe, of course I have. I've already thought about that."

The patriarch of the Kong family had clearly been planning for a long time. Seeing that the fourth level was in full swing, it was finally time to stop watching the show and start making his move. He then revealed his next plan in detail.

"Before we go down, let's restart our war, open up battle lines in the Dark River Layer and the Jade Shattered Cold Pool, and put on a grand show for the four holy lands below."

"Then send the envoys from the upper holy lands to guard the outside, away from our side, to prevent them from monitoring us. The two of us should also show our faces more often, arrange the battle locations and methods in advance, and have our subordinates expose a place every once in a while to create the illusion that we are always fighting on the upper two levels."

"In reality, they traversed the magma sea, penetrated the earth's veins to infiltrate the fourth layer, and secretly participated in the battle for the Yin-Yang Core!"

"Once the dust settles on the fourth level, and before the major holy lands open up the mortal star sea, we will secretly return to the second level to welcome the primordial spirits of the various holy lands as the new holy land reinforcements pass by and spy on us. This cannot be faked; we need to make it real."

"Once the Nascent Soul experts descend to the fifth level, we'll launch a surprise attack and head to the fifth level together, venturing bravely into the mortal world and starry sea!"

"what do you think?"

(End of this chapter)