Chapter 549: Fragments of Hell (1/2)

“What a pity, the connate yang metal that Xing Chen shot out just now is nothing more than extremely diluted energy. He’s nowhere near materializing real yang metal.”

It was indeed a little unfortunate. If Lu Yun had access to true yang metal and refined it into flying swords, or perhaps fashioned immortal armor, it might be possible to take the golden Scarlet Ape’s staff head-on.

“No matter, his energy is comparable to terrifying rays of unstoppable sword energy. Nothing will be indestructible in front of him! My replica has nothing to fear even from a dao immortal.” Lu Yun’s lips curved up in a smile.

……

Meanwhile, Xing Chen sat down cross-legged, his chest moving up and down in a steady rhythm as his body gradually merged with the lungs.

The Enneawyrm Coffinbearers floated above him, radiating a black light that flowed steadily into Xing Chen’s figure. In doing so, it sealed the lungs’ power and kept it in harmony with the replica’s body.

But sealed or not, the giant lungs’ strength was truly too great.

Though a mere replica, Xing Chen had been refined from the shamans’ sacred treasure, the Nine Yin Soul-Parting Wood, bequeathing him tremendous potential.

While the greatest part of the lungs’ power had been sealed away, what little was left of it was extraordinarily pure, far surpassing Xing Chen’s current strength. Thanks to this pure energy, his strength and realm began to increase explosively.

As a replica, Xing Chen didn’t need to slowly build his foundations or grasp comprehension of cultivation realms. As long as he could access sufficient power, his strength could rise at a rapid clip. His cultivation had already reached peak returned void realm in the first place. And now, thanks to the giant lungs, it was increasing once again.

Hummm...

Xing Chen shook as a black hue flared from his figure.

“He’s… ascended to immortality!” Lu Yun’s eyes sparkled. After absorbing the lungs’ power, Xing Chen made the final leap and became an immortal!

Inside Xing Chen, Lu Yun’s second nascent spirit also began changing from a cultivator’s nascent spirit to an immortal’s nascent spirit, while the energy coursing through his body evolved into immortal force.

Cultivation was impossible inside hell, whether for Lu Yun or for his replica, but the lungs’ phenomenal power had thrust Xing Chen directly into the immortal realm. And it hadn’t stopped there—the replica’s cultivation was still rising exponentially.

True immortal, empyrean immortal, august immortal… golden immortal!

Eventually, Xing Chen’s growth halted at the golden immortal realm.

“From a void realm cultivator to an immortal, and a golden immortal to boot! In the current world, he’s already an absolute powerhouse! At the very least, I don’t need to be afraid of arcane dao immortals anymore!” Elation appeared on Lu Yun’s face. Although his own body wasn’t an immortal yet, Xing Chen’s newfound strength was another major asset in his arsenal.

“That said… the golden and silver scarlet apes are clearly beyond the dao immortal realm. There’s no telling if Xing Chen can withstand their blows!” Apprehension still lingered in his heart.

Meanwhile, Xing Chen was in the middle of meditation. His chest rose and fell in accordance to the breathing method, strengthening his body, forging muscles and tendons, and strengthening his newly formed respiratory system even further.

“When seen from the outside, breathing methods look very different from conventional cultivation, but they serve the same purpose in the end. It’s entirely possible for immortals or cultivators to use both at the same time, comprehending the dao while enhancing their physique. And if you match a boxing method on top of that for inner and outer cultivation…”