At the heart of the Jade Lake Immortal Domain, Han Yi plunged into the lake's depths, entering the Divine Power World. There, he began to recover his Ancient God System's cultivation.
For the past sixty-five years, while his Immortal Power had reached perfection, his progress in the Ancient God System had been minimal. He had merely restored the divine power within his body, without even replenishing the Divine Power Crystals in his Divine Aperture World.
His purpose in coming to Jade Lake this time was to restore his Ancient God System to its peak, and even advance his Ancient God cultivation further, pushing past the Supreme Truth Realm's peak.
Sixty-five years ago, during the battle in the Endless Void, Han Yi had unleashed only a single strike with the Yueguang Divine Spear. Yet this single strike had drained him completely, pushing him further than he had anticipated.
He had initially believed that at worst, he would exhaust his divine power. However, with his multi-track cultivation, even without divine power, his Immortal Power could still sustain him in battle or flight. In dire circumstances, he even had Demonic Power as a last resort.
The Heartstone of the Ancient Demon Desolate Glutton served as his ultimate deterrent. In critical moments, Han Yi would detonate it to halt enemies in their tracks. Though this would destroy his Demon Sea, making further Monster Dao cultivation nearly impossible, his life took precedence over any Dao.
Yet, to his surprise, the Yueguang Divine Spear had completely absorbed all three of his power sources.
The moment the Yueguang light struck, Han Yi clearly felt the Divine Spear, having absorbed the three forces, unleash power far surpassing the sum of its parts.
Within the Yueguang Divine Spear, the three forces underwent a profound transformation.
Han Yi didn't yet understand this change, but given his current cultivation realm, he knew he was far from being able to verify his theories.
Beneath Jade Lake, within the Divine Power World...
Han Yi first harvested Divine Power Crystals, filling the hundreds of thousands of Divine Aperture Worlds within his body. He then refined them until he felt utterly "stuffed."
Next, he settled cross-legged within the sea of divine power, beginning to refine the power within his body. The process started rapidly, but after ten years, it gradually slowed. Five more years passed before Han Yi finally left the sea of divine power and emerged from the Divine Aperture World.
After these fifteen years, his recovery of the Ancient God's cultivation had not only reached its peak but even advanced further. Only after this short-term stability did he feel safe enough to relax.
By now, it had been a full eighty years since his battle with the Black Realm Immortals in the Endless Void.
Instead of returning to the Branch Sect after leaving the Divine Aperture World, Han Yi headed straight for the Immortal Court.
Since even a Star Lord had been dispatched by the Black Realm, any Immortal who still wanted him dead would undoubtedly be at the Star Lord level.
Apart from Azure Shu Mountain, the most likely place where Han Yi could be killed was the Jade Lake Branch Sect.
For smaller factions, investigating the location of the Profound Pill Branch Sect might be impossible, but for the Black Realm, it was child's play.
Han Yi dared not take any risks.
Moreover, as long as he remained hidden, neither the Azure Shu Main Sect nor the Jade Lake Branch Sect could harm him.
Upon returning to the Immortal Court, Han Yi headed straight for the Myriad Tribulation Heaven.
In the Sui Zhu Immortal Court, the Myriad Tribulation Heaven was a special Boundary Heaven.
After the appearance of the Myriad Tribulations Dao Ancestor, this Boundary Heaven had attracted the attention of countless Immortals.
When Han Yi arrived at Myriad Tribulation Peak, he deliberately checked and confirmed that the Dao Shadow, which had previously sat facing away from the masses before the peak, had vanished.
That Dao Shadow was likely the Myriad Tribulations Dao. The reason for the hesitation was that the Myriad Tribulations Dao Ancestor had never explicitly confirmed or denied this.
Climbing Myriad Tribulation Peak, Han Yi noticed it was far more bustling than when he had come here years ago to transcend his Primordial Divine Tribulation. Immortals came and went in a constant stream.
Around the perimeter, countless low-level cultivators meditated in the Void or ascended the peak, hoping to gain enlightenment from this Immortal Peak once graced by a Dao Ancestor.
Above Myriad Tribulation Peak, the Myriad Tribulations Realm Heaven only permits Immortals to undergo Tribulation Crossing. Otherwise, low-level cultivators would swarm in to explore.
Han Yi's arrival went largely unnoticed among the Immortals. After all, the last news of him had been over sixty years ago. The Immortal Realm saw major news every year, and Han Yi's popularity had long since faded.
Moving with incredible speed, he glanced at the Dao Shadow above Myriad Tribulation Peak, only to find it vanished. Without hesitation, he blurred into motion, shooting into the upper reaches of the sky. Piercing through a spatial barrier, he used an Escape Technique to enter the Myriad Tribulation Heaven.
Though the Myriad Tribulation Heaven is a Boundary Heaven, it is divided into countless smaller spaces, each a Tribulation Transcending Grounds. These spaces can also be called Cave Heavens.
Moreover, the size of the Cave Heavens and the hardness of their barriers adjust according to the Immortal Tribulation the Transcender must face. For example, a True Immortal Tribulation is assigned the smallest and weakest Cave Heaven, while a Golden Immortal Tribulation receives the largest and strongest.
Additionally, this Boundary Heaven is not sealed off but connected to the outside world. Its connection points are particularly advantageous for attracting Immortal Tribulations, making the Tribulation Crossing process even more thorough within this realm.
Moreover, after undergoing Tribulation Crossing within the Myriad Tribulation Heaven, one could immediately cultivate on-site, benefiting from a ten-year weakened state buffer period that reduced the likelihood of Human Tribulations arising.
Han Yi chose this place primarily for its superior Immortal Tribulation attraction capabilities.
Space shifted, and Han Yi found himself within a Boundary Heaven, isolated within a Cave Heaven realm.
He then drew three Immortal Swords, established a Sword Realm, and suspended the Green Ripple Sword before him. Settling into a meditative posture, he began his final breathing adjustments.
Two years later.
Having finally optimized his condition, he began attracting the Immortal Tribulation.
This Immortal Tribulation unfolded like a Profound Immortal Tribulation, initially manifesting as a dense field of Immortal Tribulation Lightning. The Thunder Tribulation gradually expanded until it completely filled the Cave Heaven space.
Looking up, one could no longer discern the Cave Heaven; it had become a world of Immortal Tribulation Lightning.
Within the vast ocean of lightning above, various Divine Lightnings converged and intertwined, their laws thick and boundless, infinite.
No other Golden Immortal had ever received such treatment. The overwhelming power of this Immortal Tribulation Lightning stemmed entirely from Han Yi's deliberate provocation of the Profound Immortal Tribulation during his earlier crossing, triggering a Mutated Profound Immortal Tribulation.
The Immortal Tribulation, remembering his aura, had unleashed this vast sea of Divine Lightning in response.
Han Yi raised an eyebrow, but he wasn't afraid. In fact, he felt a surge of excitement. Every time he faced a Tribulation Crossing, it had been the most formidable of its kind: the Heavenly Tribulation, the True Immortal Tribulation, and the Profound Immortal Tribulation had all been the same.
Now, facing the Golden Immortal Tribulation, its intensity had increased, but he was confident he could handle it.
Golden light radiated from his entire body, the Supreme Ancient Immortal Divine Body making him seem like an ancient deity. A bolt of thunder crashed down, but he casually dispersed it with a flick of his palm.
The gesture was so casual, it was as if he wasn't dispersing a bolt of Divine Thunder of Law.
High above, the surging thunder suddenly froze. Han Yi's casual attitude had thoroughly enraged his opponent. After a moment's pause, the thunder erupted down like a tempestuous deluge.
Not one bolt, not ten, but thousands upon tens of thousands.
It was as if the entire Cave Heaven's thunder had descended in unison, determined to strike Han Yi dead in this Tribulation.
Under the Immortal Tribulation Lightning, Han Yi spread his arms wide, his body emitting a crimson-golden radiance—the golden light of his Supreme Ancient Immortal Divine Body. He didn't activate the Four Origins Dao Technique; Dao Techniques isolate against thunder tribulations, preventing them from refining Immortal Power. His Immortal Divine Body, however, didn't isolate; it absorbed the full force head-on.
The overwhelming Immortal Tribulation descended upon him, completely engulfing him.
After half an incense stick's time, the Thunder Tribulation finally began to dissipate slowly.
Han Yi, who had been blasted downward, soared back into the air, tilting his head defiantly upward with a reckless grin.
Now hovering in mid-air, Han Yi's Immortal Robe was scorched black, and his skin had darkened, though he bore no wounds. The Golden Light emanating from his body was now barely perceptible, a faint glimmer compared to its original brilliance. While not outright tragic, it was clear that this half-incense stick's duration of the Immortal Tribulation hadn't even scratched him.
Within his body, his once three-fold perfected Immortal Power had been significantly compressed by the Thunder Tribulation.
Under the onslaught, Han Yi's laughter caused the fading Immortal Tribulation to coalesce anew, swelling to more than double its original size.
With a deafening roar, the Thunder Tribulation descended again.
This time, it lasted a full incense stick's time.
After the duration of an incense stick, Han Yi rose unsteadily, his posture more battered than before, yet still far from severely injured. He tilted his head upward, his silent defiance carrying a clear provocation.
This time, the Immortal Tribulation Lightning merely paused briefly before dispersing rapidly instead of reforming. Within three breaths, not a trace of thunder remained, leaving behind only a pure white void.
"What a pity," Han Yi thought to himself.
He had deliberately provoked the Immortal Tribulation Lightning to strike again, hoping to further solidify his Golden Immortal foundation.
However, the Immortal Tribulation possesses a spirit. Having been deceived once, it now realized that Han Yi, though appearing devastated, was unharmed and had even restrained the Golden Immortal's Dao Might.
Thus, the Immortal Tribulation Lightning dissipated completely.
Han Yi withdrew his gaze.
In the next moment, a profound transformation occurred within him. His threefold-perfect Immortal Power seemed to break through a barrier, reaching a new level of perfection. Simultaneously, a resplendent radiance of the Dao surged from Han Yi, shaking the entire Cave Heaven.
The Five Realms of Immortals:
True Immortals are as numerous as woven threads,
Profound Immortals are elusive and rare,
Golden Immortals radiate resplendent glory,
Grand Unity Immortals transmit the Dao,
Great Luo Immortals reign supreme.
The term "Golden Immortals radiate resplendent glory" refers to the fact that upon achieving Golden Immortal status, an Immortal's power undergoes a metamorphosis, imbuing their Immortal Body with the awe-inspiring might of the Dao. This radiance exerts overwhelming pressure on lower-level Immortals.
Under normal circumstances, the power a Profound Immortal can unleash under the Golden Immortal's Dao Might is reduced to less than thirty percent of their full potential.
But this didn't apply to Han Yi. During his Profound Immortal Tribulation, he had triggered a mutation, granting him a sliver of the Dao's majesty. This made him nearly immune to the Dao Might of Golden Immortals.
Han Yi suppressed the Golden Immortal's might and calmly declared, "Golden Immortal!"
His ascension to Golden Immortal status barely stirred his emotions. In his view, this was an inevitable, unshakable progression.
He resumed his meditative posture in the void, sensing the transformation of his Immortal Power and comprehending the profound mysteries of the Golden Immortal Realm. He paid particular attention to the evolution of the resplendent Dao's majesty, a change of paramount importance.
Having surpassed the Golden Immortal stage, his cultivation shifted from Immortal Power to the Laws of the Dao.
Once he mastered these Laws, the Immortal Spirit Realm would evolve into a Small Realm Heaven. At that point, he could seek his Great Unity Path, undergo the Immortal Monarch Tribulation, and attain the status of Grand Unity Immortal Monarch.
However...
The leap from Golden Immortal to Grand Unity had stumped countless prodigious Heaven's Chosen throughout the Immortal Realm's history.
Until he reached that threshold, Han Yi couldn't accurately gauge his chances of successfully crossing the Great Unity Immortal Monarch Tribulation.
For now, he focused solely on the immediate.
Eight years later.
Han Yi was expelled from the Cave Heaven. The Myriad Tribulation Heaven allowed a maximum stay of ten years. Any longer, unless undergoing a Tribulation Crossing, and the cultivator would be forcibly ejected.
Han Yishen cast a deep look at Myriad Tribulation Heaven before turning to leave.
For him, he would never set foot in this Boundary Heaven again. Whether it was the Great Unity Immortal Monarch Tribulation or the Ancient God's Void Extremity Tribulation, this realm could no longer withstand his power.
After eight years, Han Yi had fully recovered from the weakness caused by his Golden Immortal Tribulation Crossing. Upon leaving Myriad Tribulation Heaven, he immediately teleported to the Void Realm and began to ascend the Void Tower.
The tower's Golden Immortal-tier levels span from the 2001st to the 2999th. Ordinary Golden Immortals can reach the 2799th level, Senior Golden Immortals can ascend to the 2899th, and Peak Golden Immortals can climb to the 2949th. Starting from the 2950th level, it is said that only Limitless Golden Immortals, those who can challenge Immortal Monarchs, can progress further.
Beyond the 2990th level, even more terrifying strength is required, capable of slaying ordinary Immortal Monarchs.
In the most recent Golden Immortal Ranking, no such ferocious figures topped the list; the highest rank achieved was the 2938th level.
Han Yi had two objectives for the Void Tower. The first was to enhance his reputation and expand his influence, which would greatly benefit his Immortal Ease Pavilion's business.
A strong reputation, formidable power, and thriving business—these were fundamental principles Han Yi naturally understood.
The second objective, naturally, was Immortal Marks.
Whether it was the sword heart needed to upgrade the Green Ripple Sword to a Seventh-Tier Immortal Artifact, or the massive purchase of Fifth-Rank and Sixth-Rank Immortal Artifacts, even when he reached the peak of Golden Immortal, he planned to exchange for a Seventh-Rank Immortal Sword if possible.
All of this required vast quantities of Immortal Marks or corresponding influence.
Moreover, once he cleared the Void Tower and reached a shocking level, he might even obtain the authority of an Immortal Monarch.
Though the hope was faint, Han Yi understood one principle: without striving for it himself, no opportunities would ever fall from the sky.
The 2001st floor held only an ordinary Golden Immortal, but this was a Heavenly Demon, and it had already manifested its True Form. Han Yi wielded the Green Ripple Sword, and with a gentle flick, its sword light, shimmering like the Milky Way, swept across and pierced through the colossal True Form of the Heavenly Demon. Only a small fragment of the massive corpse plummeted downward; the rest dissolved completely within the sword light.
Han Yi stepped forward, passing through the open gateway to the 2002nd floor.
When Han Yi's name vanished from the Profound Immortal Ranking, the numerous Profound Immortals of the Immortal Court immediately reacted.
"Did Profound Immortal Han die?"
"No, that can't be right. I heard he went into seclusion. If that's the case, it means..."
"It means he successfully crossed the Golden Immortal Tribulation and became a Golden Immortal."
"It also means he entered the Void Tower and reached the 2001st floor, the floor belonging to the Golden Immortal Realm."
"And it means he's now challenging... the Golden Immortal Ranking!"
The immortals recalled how Han Yi had once left the True Immortal Ranking only to quickly appear on the Profound Immortal Ranking. They also remembered how, at the peak of the Profound Immortal Realm, he had evaded the Heavenly Fiend Killers of the Black Realm. They even recalled a controversial rumor that had later been proven false—that Han Yi had, as a Profound Immortal, directly clashed with a Black Realm Immortal Monarch Star Lord.
If even a sliver of truth remained in that rumor, then Han Yi's current assault on the Void Tower would undoubtedly lead him to the Golden Immortal Ranking, recreating his legendary feat of moving from the True Immortal Ranking to the Profound Immortal Ranking in one fell swoop.
This chain of speculation not only drew the attention of the Profound Immortals but even some Golden Immortals, and even some Immortal Monarchs began focusing on the Golden Immortal Ranking.
It was truly as the saying goes: