Immortal Road.

"After I was taken to the Black Lotus Cult, I was subjected to eight rounds of torture!"

The Black Skull Demon Lord spoke with grief and indignation, probably saying that the child had never suffered such torment in his entire life.

Lin Shan was very surprised.

"The Black Lotus Cult cares about you that much? What's so special about you that makes them go to such lengths to interrogate you?"

"Of course because"

The black robe was suddenly lifted!

A shiny skull was revealed, with raging soul fire burning in its eye sockets, and its face covered with deep whip marks.

"I am a creature of hell. They are curious about my origins and want to find a way to get to the hell world so that the Black Lotus Cult can find a way out!"

"But how is that possible? The two worlds are so far apart that no one in the lower realm can traverse the void and jump across it, unless they rely on that powerful immortal who spread the curse and bestowed soul sources!"

"We hellish creatures are able to travel across the heavens on orders thanks to the power of curses; we have never heard of anything else that can cross realms."

"But who knew they actually had a way to cross boundaries?"

Ok?
Is the Black Lotus Cult seeking a way out?
That makes sense, since the situation in this realm has become quite serious, and the upper realm has also taken notice and dispatched patrolling celestial envoys to set things right.

Although the Azure Lotus Fairy has been resurrected and regained her strength with a primordial spirit, causing chaos on the continent, in all honesty, this world is still dominated by the major holy lands, and the Black Lotus Sect could easily be overthrown.

Therefore, it makes sense to prepare an escape route in advance.

Lin Shan became interested and quickly asked it how to cross boundaries.

"I don't know about that. They said they roughly figured out how extraterrestrial demons crossed realms 120,000 years ago."

Evil from outside?

Another life form from a technologically advanced universe can cross boundaries by relying on a powerful mechanical civilization. How could the Black Lotus Cult do that?
He had his doubts, wondering if he was just trying to fool the Black Skull Demon Lord!

"And then what happened? Did they find anything useful during the investigation?"

"What did you say?"

The Black Skull Demon Lord began to wail and howl again, sobbing and complaining about the abuse he had suffered, and how he only regretted that Lin Shan hadn't come to rescue him sooner.

"I am just a mere Nascent Soul stage skeleton, how could I possibly know anything about interdimensional techniques? Their repeated interrogation by different people is nothing but a waste of time."

"And who cares about the dirty business of the Black Lotus Cult and the Joyful Cult? I just happened to overhear it, and they suspected me of being a spy for the Pure Lotus Hermit!"

"What nonsense! I don't even know Layman Jinglian! How dare they slap this label on me like that? I'm speechless!"

Lin Shan heard it spewing profanities in prison, clearly indicating that it had been driven to the brink of collapse by the Black Lotus Cult.

A spy planted by Layman Jinglian?
That's a really unique way of thinking!
“You and Layman Jinglian are indeed innocent. They shouldn’t have been able to extract the information they wanted from you. So what did you say in the end?”

"Confess? What could I possibly have to confess!"

The Black Skull Demon Lord was seething with anger, so he could only spout nonsense.

"If they press me too hard, I'll just talk about the Fifth World of Hell; if they use torture, I'll talk about the cursed powers and the Seven Arrows of Nailhead; if they use severe torture, I can only talk about my experiences in this world; if they insist on getting information from Layman Jinglian, I can only bring up the matter of the Ancient Seeking Sect and clarify it."

"and many more!"

Lin Shanteng stood up abruptly!

You old bastard, you actually revealed all about my Search for the Ancient Sect to the Black Lotus Sect?

He was trembling all over, not from fear, but from anger.

This guy is outspoken and has no integrity whatsoever. When people ask you about Layman Jinglian, if you don't know, you don't know. Why do you have to spill the beans about Xun Gu Sect?

"How can I prove my innocence if I don't speak up?"

The Black Skull Demon Lord raised his head, his demeanor measured and his tone confident.

"What did you say about the Seeking Ancient Sect?"

Lin Shan felt heavy-hearted. He hadn't expected that although the fourth illusion was not dangerous and he had seen his long-lost subordinates, it had also given him a huge, unpleasant experience.

The Black Skull Demon Lord scratched his head sheepishly.

"I told you everything."

"I already said that???"

His initial feelings of guilt vanished instantly!

A traitor is a traitor, he can't be trusted at all!

"You've told me everything about me?"

"Uh, that seems to be about the same?"

Boom~~~
Lin Shan couldn't hold back any longer.

He gripped the iron bars at the door tightly with one hand, then twisted them into a pretzel, startling the Black Skull Demon Lord!
"you"

This is an iron cell specially used by the Black Lotus Sect to imprison prisoners. It is made of fifth-order mixed spirit metal. You just broke it open with your bare hands so easily.
"Who within the Black Lotus Cult knows about this?"

Lin Shan, clinging to his last shred of reason, asked one more question, unwilling to give up.

The Black Skull Demon Lord weakly replied that it didn't know either.

From its perspective, its own experiences, as well as those of Linshan and Xun Gu Jiao, are simply insignificant when it comes to major issues like crossing boundaries or the Pure Lotus Hermit.

The other party probably won't pay much attention to this; it's just something to prove something.

But in Lin Shan's eyes, he had so many little secrets, and if the Black Lotus Sect were to dig deep into them, they could easily find some sensitive issues.

Because they share a common competition: the supply of incense!

"So, you actually betrayed me? All these years of friendship couldn't withstand torture. I went to great lengths to find you and came all this way to rescue you, and this is how you repay me?"

The Black Skull Demon Lord dared not speak, and when he saw Lin Shan's sudden outburst of anger, he was so frightened that his heart almost jumped out of his chest.

Having no idea that Lin Shan had simply stumbled upon this place, she genuinely believed that he had gone to great lengths to infiltrate the Black Lotus Sect and rescue her, and couldn't help but feel ashamed and lower her head to admit her mistake.

After much persuasion and explanation...

Lin Shancai then decided to save it.

In reality, there would be many reservations about saving this guy.

Not only did he try every means to infiltrate the Black Lotus Cult, but after the rescue, the Black Lotus Cult would definitely suspect whether Lin Shan was the one who rescued him, based on the information they had previously obtained and his motives.

When we investigate the Ancient Sect, the truth will be revealed. What if the Black Lotus Sect comes to retaliate?
Therefore, if you want to save someone, you need to plan it well. For example, after the spiritual tide ends, follow Layman Jinglian to the Black Lotus Sect. With a big shot leading the way, he can hide behind and not be a very obvious target.

Since it's just an illusion, he doesn't need to consider the consequences. He should just save them first and see what happens next.

He picked up the skeleton, hoisted it onto his shoulder, and walked out of the prison to head back the way he came. The journey went surprisingly smoothly!
Where are the Black Lotus Cult members?

He dared not be careless in the slightest, and furtively looked around along the way, but he didn't see a single person.

Until a light appeared ahead.

Upon reaching the cave entrance, they found themselves in a desolate, deserted wilderness, utterly uninhabited.

Just as he relaxed slightly, a gust of wind suddenly swept over his head, accompanied by a surge of powerful true energy and billowing black mist that instantly engulfed the cave entrance.

"roll!"

At the critical moment, Lin Shan activated the Wind Tunnel Thunder Elephant, instantly merging the two supernatural powers to defeat the two figures who were sneaking up from the black mist above.

Two muffled groans, tinged with a hint of horror, came from within the black mist.

After the wind tunnel swept away the black mist, he discovered that two gray-robed men with black lotuses embroidered on their chests were looking at him with suspicion. However, they did not run away or make another move, but simply stood quietly opposite him as if waiting for someone.

A wisp of green mist rose from the ground and transformed into a woman in a lotus-patterned dress.

Azure Lotus Fairy!

"I told you long ago that Leader Lin is a guest who has come from afar, and we should treat him well. How can we resort to violence?"

Lin Shan stared wide-eyed at what was in front of him in disbelief.

This ethereal and beautiful fairy actually knew and called out my name, and even brought two powerful beings to guard the gate!
He suddenly turned around and looked at the Black Skull Demon Lord beside him, his eyes flashing with cold light.

"You knew all along, didn't you?"

"No, no"

The Black Skull Demon Lord couldn't understand why the Azure Lotus Fairy would bring people to guard this place. Did she already know that Lin Shan was coming?
Was I just bait?
A lure to entice fish to take the bait?
Lin Shan was tense all over, even more nervous than when he faced the Holy Lord of Penglai last time. He had realized it!
He may appear to be a powerful being who can roam the world freely, but in reality, dangers lurk everywhere, with all sorts of overt and covert threats converging on him.

The mystery of Sailor Moon's inheritance from the Ice Serpent, the surprise attack of the Penglai army on the Luosong Mountains, and the Black Lotus Sect's Azure Lotus Fairy lying in wait for the Black Skull Demon Lord.
If these events were to happen in real life, and someone were to personally jump into the fire, a great calamity would await them!
Especially this time, he didn't expect that the Black Skull Demon Lord would expose him and actually attract the attention of the immortals.

"Was all of this planned by the fairy?"

His voice was hoarse as he began to survey the terrain, looking for any possible escape routes.

The Azure Lotus Fairy smiled and nodded frankly.

“That’s right. I came here specifically to wait for Leader Lin, so when I discovered that this place had been broken into, I immediately brought people to the scene of the crime.”

"Are you trying to stop me from saving people?"

"No, let's be friends."

Surprisingly, Fairy Qinglian did not make a move.

Lin Shan was taken aback, and then realized something.

Right!

My relationship with the Black Lotus Sect is not as hostile as it is with the Penglai Holy Land. There is a lot of room for reconciliation on ideological grounds, and we are even like-minded people!
The Azure Lotus Fairy must have obtained some information about herself from the Black Skull Demon Lord, and with her deliberate efforts to gather information, she may have mastered many unknown secrets.

"I know that Leader Lin is exceptionally strong. He has become a great master at a young age and even captured my capable subordinate, You Meiji. I greatly admire your talent and ability."

The Black Lotus Sect should have investigated the capture and imprisonment of You Meiji in the Jiuli region; they couldn't have let it go unpunished.

As the fog was gradually lifted, Linshan naturally emerged from the water!

The Azure Lotus Fairy knew his abilities, so she didn't simply send someone to guard him. She understood that ordinary people couldn't stop her, so she showed herself in person.

The two powerful cultivators from the Black Lotus Sect just now made a move to test him, clearly to prove his strength!

Now they are standing there motionless, one on the left and one on the right.

"You flatter me, fairy. How could my meager skills possibly meet your discerning eye?"

He was just being modest, but he didn't expect the Fairy of Green Lotus to wave her hand.

“I’ve seen plenty of geniuses. There are many extraordinary talents in the immortal realm. Indeed, there are people who are far superior to you in terms of talent, cultivation, and age, but that’s just because they have a privileged environment.”

"In the lower realm, those who can climb to the top step by step through their own efforts are truly one in a billion!"

"With your current qualifications, if you are able to ascend to the Immortal Realm in the future, not to mention that various religious dynasties will be vying to recruit you, the Golden Palace Ascension Platform will also offer you a reserved spot in the Immortal Ranks."

"Never underestimate yourself."

What exceptionally favorable conditions does the Immortal Realm possess?
Cultivating outstanding talents is incredibly easy; compared to the country bumpkins in the remote corners of the lower realm, it's an absolute crushing victory.

If people in the lower realm can ascend to heaven in such a barren environment, then once they come to the grand stage of the immortal realm, they will naturally seize the opportunity to rise up and soar to the sky!
Gold shines wherever it is; the environment shapes the strong, and the strong adapt to the environment.

Ascended cultivators who have undergone rigorous training have always been highly sought-after by various powerful forces.

As for the preparations for becoming a celestial being?

Lin Shan understood the meaning as soon as he heard the word.

They're just candidates for the ranks of immortals in Heaven!
And such good things?

The Azure Lotus Fairy seemed to be able to guess his thoughts, and slowly parted her lips, as if everything was under her control.

"But in recent years, the number of people who have become immortals in the celestial realm has accumulated, and the Heavenly Court's quota is not enough. The review process has become increasingly strict, and the quotas for the immortal class are reserved early by those with connections, leaving unaffiliated cultivators with no background to wait in vain."

"Not counting other departments, just the Golden Palace alone has an unknown number of candidates for the Immortal Rank!"

"Many ascending cultivators, seeing no hope of joining the ranks of immortals, simply left the Heavenly Court to seek another path. The Immortal Realm is vast and boundless, and the starry sky is even more expansive!"

"Many of the great sects and religions that rose to prominence later were founded by ascended cultivators, who dominated the Immortal Realm and carved out their own territory, thus becoming famous throughout the world."

"But many more people, lacking resources and connections, can only gradually fade into obscurity and are subsequently eroded by the five signs of decay."

As Lin Shan listened to a living immortal recount stories of the upper realm, he was filled with longing and his blood boiled with excitement.

Of course, wherever there are people, there are social customs and interpersonal relationships.

The Heavenly Court is now full of people with connections, so there's no chance for independent cultivators to rise up? That's normal, and it's to be expected.

If even a star deity can buy an official position, what about other official posts?

With such a turbulent environment and so many people, who wouldn't want to get out of poverty, and who wouldn't want a government job!

But why did the Fairy Qinglian tell me all this?

"My sister has connections in the Heavenly Court: the Northern Army's Xuanwu Camp, the Five Capitals Preparation Bureau, the Wei River Naval New Army, and the Earth Elephant War Puppet Bureau."

"If you don't want to ascend to heaven alone and helpless in the future, I can also introduce you to a position that will take you straight to the top, without having to wait in line. As long as the conditions permit, you can directly join the ranks of immortals!"

"I can even lend you a hand in the mortal realm regarding your ascension."

"The condition is that you have to be on my side!"

Lin Shan was shocked and almost couldn't take it anymore. His legs went weak and he wanted to kneel down at the feet of the rich woman. How wonderful it would be to live off her!

However, the Azure Lotus Fairy is a wanted criminal by the Heavenly Court. If he were to aid and abet evil, he would still face considerable risks in the future.

The consequences are too great; I fear I cannot bear them.

"Ahem, fairy, you flatter me too much. Now that you have recovered to the Nascent Soul stage, what in the lower realm could possibly pose a threat to you?"

The Azure Lotus Fairy said calmly:
“The Pure Lotus Hermit is secretly recruiting people, preparing to unite with powerful figures to surround and kill me. How can I sit idly by and wait for my death?”

"It is said that many Nascent Soul stage cultivators and great supernatural beings in holy lands are more or less influenced by the upper realm or misled by the promises made by it."

"You wouldn't happen to be one of them, would you?" (End of Chapter)