First Immortal of the Sword

Immortal Sovereign Sky Killer, Chu Shentong!

He was one of the top powerhouses who’d joined forces to ambush Wang Ye during the Battle of Eternal Night and a founding member of the Eastern Seas Jade Firmament Immortal Palace.

He was also a member of the Kui Ox Spirit Race!

When Su Yi left the Black Dragon Market, he told the Red Dragon Market that she was to accompany him when he left for the Eastern Seas. He wanted to borrow her innate power to determine Chu Shentong’s whereabouts.

This was necessary because Great Realm experts like Chu Shentong had all gone into hiding to avoid the so-called “divine misfortune.”

Now, a descendant of Chu Shentong had appeared on the list of participants. This naturally drew Su Yi’s attention!

I was right to come here. I couldn’t have guessed I’d learn of the Gong Family seeking refuge with the Church of the Pure One, and I certainly wouldn’t have guessed I’d encounter one of Ol’ Chu’s descendants. Su Yi stroked his jaw and sank into thought.

……

“Seventh Uncle, what are you thinking? You seriously want a Universe Realm Immortal to impersonate an Immortal Lord and participate in the Divine Hunt?”

Tang Yuyan’s beautiful eyes widened. She was completely flabbergasted. She almost suspected she was hearing things.

Tang Lingqi said solemnly, “Yuyan, later, I’ll naturally explain the reasons behind this, but for now, you just have to cooperate. You are not to divulge a word of this!”

Tang Yuyan just found this incomparably concerning. “Seventh Uncle, are you trying to send him to his death?”

Tang Lingqi’s expression darkened. He took out a dark golden medallion and said, “Do you recognize this?”

Tang Yuyan’s pupils constricted. She exclaimed, “Is that… Ancestor Jinhong’s personal command token?!”

“That’s right.” Tang Lingqi’s gaze was deep and solemn. “All I can say is, Ancestor Jinhong has approved Shen Mu’s participation in the Divine Hunt, and he too has commanded that none are to divulge any of this!”

Ancestor Jinhong!

His full name was, of course, Tang Jinhong. He was an older-generation Immortal King with extraordinary seniority, and he was just one step away from reaching the Great Realm!

Tang Yuyan finally grasped how extraordinary this situation was, but she was still confused. Just who is this Shen Mu person, for a secluded, older-generation expert like Ancestor Jinhong to take an interest in him?

“Yuyan, earlier, you were rude to Fellow Daoist Shen. You cannot repeat your mistakes during the Divine Hunt,” Tang Lingqi said warmly. “Furthermore, I hope you can work with him during the Divine Hunt.”

Tang Yuyan frowned. “Seventh Uncle, are you asking me to ensure his safety?”

“No, I’m asking you to follow his arrangements,” said Tang Lingqi. “You should obey him without question and take him as your leader.”

“????” Tang Lingqi was dumbstruck. She couldn’t even imagine how an older-generation expert like Tang Lingqi could say such a thing. She was an unrivaled Immortal Lady, but she was supposed to follow a Universe Realm Immortal’s every command?

What could have been more absurd than that?

Tang Lingqi continued, “If you’re with him, you needn’t fear for your safety, and you can establish a positive karmic connection certain to prove endlessly valuable in the future!”

“!!!!” Tang Yuyan was dumbstruck. A long time passed before she could speak. Establish positive karma? With a Universe Realm Immortal? And it'll be ‘endlessly valuable’?

Is he insane?

Tang Lingqi fixed his gaze on Tang Yuyan and said, “I can tell that you’re struggling to believe me, but no matter what, you must remember that this is of the utmost importance to the entire Tang Family. You cannot be negligent!”

Tang Yuyan took a deep breath and forced herself to stay calm, “Seventh Uncle, can’t you give me a reason?”

Tang Lingqi said, “I’ll tell you later.”

Tang Yuyan: (ー_ー)!!

……

Five days later, an ancient altar a short distance from Divine Hunt Demon Mountain.

Weng!

Spatial ripples spread outward, and a treasure ship appeared over the altar and instantly expanded until it was ten thousand feet long.

Numerous figures shot overboard, led by a group of Immortal Kings from top factions like the Tang Family, the Church of the Pure One, and Lotus Temple.

The Immortal Lord participants in the Divine Hunt followed shortly after.

Su Yi was there too. He was still dressed in those simple, dark Daoist robes, with his hair in a topknot. He looked entirely unassuming, and his aura was withdrawn. He showed no trace of a cultivation base whatsoever.

His robes weren’t the ones he’d come here in; they were a replacement woven from Divine Illusion Ice Silkworm threads, and they could transform into any style the wearer liked.

“Those are the Divine Hunt Demon Mountains! A perilous forbidden zone that’s existed since before the Age of Fallen Immortals. People pale at the mere mention of its name!” someone whispered.

Beneath the distant, overcast skies, a stretch of towering mountains continued as far as the eye could see. Baleful mists churned around peaks crackling with electricity. It was like a sinister demonic domain.

“To the general populace, this is indeed a malevolent, forbidden ground home to countless unknown demonic creatures. But to us, it’s a land of good fortune, with endless treasures just waiting to be discovered!” someone said as they rubbed their hands together with eagerness.

“Competing for good fortune is all about skill. No small number of Immortal Lords have lost their lives in past Divine Hunts!” someone said with cold sternness. Many of the others were solemn.

Su Yi was examining the distant Divine Hunt Demon Mountains.

He had never participated in a Divine Hunt in his past lives, but he’d heard of these mountains. They said that numerous natural-born giant devils were buried beneath the mountains, and that their slopes were soaked in their blood. As a result, the entire area was shrouded in baleful mists that could corrode the bodies of even immortals.

Furthermore, the depths of the mountain wilderness were home to numerous demonic creatures. No matter how many you killed, there was no end to them!

The places occupied by particularly powerful demonic creatures were forbidden zones. No one dared draw near!

But although the Divine Hunt Demon Mountains were perilous, they hid numerous treasures not seen elsewhere, including both divine medicines and divine materials.

Even just hunting the demonic creatures could lead to unimaginable benefits; to immortals, every inch of their bodies was a treasure. Their bones, hides, teeth, organs, and claws were all top-grade materials.

Some of them even condensed demonic cores. Their cores and blood were extraordinarily useful for refining pills.

Hunting these beasts was the primary purpose of the Divine Hunt!

At the end of each Divine Hunt, the Immortal Lords in the top ten received a generous reward. The higher their ranking, the greater the prize.

But Su Yi was here, first to explore the hidden realm from the Primeval Era, second to seek an opportunity to prove his Dao and break through. He wasn’t concerned with his ranking or the rewards.

“Shen Mu, Seventh Uncle told me to follow your orders after entering the Divine Hunt Demon Mountains, but it seems to me you’d be better off listening to me.” Tang Yuyan suddenly approached and said coldly, “What do you think?”

Su Yi smiled. “Do you know where in the mountains the hidden realm from the Primeval Era is?”

“Of course I do,” said Tang Yuyan, not even pausing to think. “I read numerous ancient tomes and asked for details of every prior divine hunt from my seniors. I know the Divine Hunt Demon Mountains like the back of my hand.”

Her voice was full of confidence and pride.

“Alright,” said Su Yi. “It’s settled.”

When she saw how cooperative he was, Tang Yuyan’s expression mellowed considerably. She took out a talisman and handed it to him. “After we enter the mountains, you can use this to find me. Remember: you have to come find me as soon as possible!”

Su Yi casually accepted it.

The Divine Hunt Demon Mountains were unique due to the barrier of baleful mist surrounding them. It was only with the talismans participants in the Divine Hunt carried that one could pass through the barrier. Upon entry, participants were immediately teleported into the mountains’ outer perimeter.

The additional talisman Tang Yuyan gave him was only for making contact and reconvening as a group.

As they conversed, the Immortal Kings led the group to an enormous ritual ground not far from the Divine Hunt Demon Mountains.

Su Yi swept his gaze across the area before finding the man he was looking for.

He was tall and thin, with a mustache shaped like a halberd. He had a stern, forceful air about him and a spear across his back. When his eyes opened and closed, they flashed like gold lanterns.

The terrifying power of his qi and blood bore down on the surrounding skies, making them tremble. He was like an almighty barbarian god.

Many of the other Immortal Lords moved further aware, not daring to approach.

There was no need for others to point him out. Based on his bloodline power alone, Su Yi knew that this was Chu Batian, the unrivaled Immortal Lord of the Eastern Seas’ Jade Firmament Immortal Palace.

As well as Chu Shentong, Immortal Sovereign Sky Killer’s descendant!

As if sensing Su Yi’s gaze, Chu Batian looked over. A tyrannical, forceful pressure bore down on Su Yi.

But soon, he retracted his gaze; it seemed he’d decided that Su Yi wasn’t worthy of his attention.

Su Yi took a sip from his jug of wine and muttered, The kid’s aura is a lot like his ancestor’s. He’s tyrannical, fierce, and vicious.

Before long, Su Yi turned his attention to Gong Nanfeng.

He was dressed in golden robes, with a tall hat and youthful features. He was tall and sturdy, and even just standing there casually, his presence seemed to fill heaven and earth. He seemed as unshakeable as a mountain.

Standing among the other Immortal Lords, he was like a crane among chickens.

His foundations in the Grand Dao are firm and well tempered, and his essence, qi, and spirit are a perfect, cohesive whole. It’s no wonder he’s a famous, unrivaled Immortal Lord. Su Yi saw through Gong Nanfeng’s foundations at a glance. After we’ve reached the mountains, I need to find an opportunity to chat with him.

He still had quite a few questions about the Misty God Mountain Gong Family’s decision to submit to the Church of the Pure One.

Suddenly, an Immortal King of the ancient Tang Family solemnly announced the start of the Divine Hunt. His voice boomed throughout the surrounding area.

“The time has come. You can now proceed to the Divine Hunt Demon Mountains!”

The Immortal Lords instantly rose into the air and shot toward the mountains.

Before Tang Yuyan set off, she took a moment to transmit Su Yi a reminder. “Remember what I told you. You have to find me within three days. Otherwise, don’t blame me for not looking after you.”

Seth's Thoughts

Yes, the emoji really appears in the raws. (ー_ー)!!