Nuclear-powered Sword Immortal-Chapter 603 - 595: The Answer

The entire Immortal Country consisted of one Super Cave Heaven and several smaller Cave Heavens.

Among them, the owners of the smaller Cave Heavens were all True Immortals, and the sizes of the Cave Heavens they established varied.

Some of the larger ones reached hundreds of miles in diameter.

The smallest met the basic requirement to construct a Cave Heaven—stretching ten miles across.

The Cave Heavens, large and small, formed the core layer of the Immortal Country; beyond them were the Sects and Holy Lands that relied on the existence of the Immortal Country.

Although these Holy Lands and Sects depended on the Immortal Country, it did not mean they were weak.

In fact, some Holy Lands possessed strength that was actually greater than that of a Cave Heaven.

After all, after years of constant warfare, especially with the intensity of battles escalating in recent years, the number of True Immortals who had fallen was not insignificant.

In contrast to those Holy Lands, although they hadn’t established Cave Heavens due to the lack of True Immortals, many individuals had embarked on the path of Divine Weapons; with the power bestowed by Divine Weapons, three to five people could contend against a real True Immortal.

At this moment, Zhang Tianye, leading Gu Jinlai and others, was shuttling above one Cave Heaven after another.

As they advanced, he explained, "A Cave Heaven is the foundation of an Immortal Master. To become an Immortal Master, one must first establish a Cave Heaven. Creating a Cave Heaven requires a Cave Heaven Stone, then stabilizes the Cave Heaven with the essence of the Five Elements to ensure the operations of the Five Elements within the Cave Heaven. Ordinary Cave Heaven Stones can support a Cave Heaven up to two to three hundred miles in diameter, which is the limit. If one wants to create a larger Cave Heaven, they must either master more exquisite techniques for creating Cave Heavens or use more precious Cave Heaven Divine Crystals. However, theoretically, the bigger the Cave Heaven, the better; but if a Cave Heaven is too large, it significantly increases the difficulty for a True Immortal to advance."

Gu Jinlai thought of several Immortal Masters that Zhang Tianye had mentioned—their Cave Heavens...

They were barely thirty miles in diameter.

The strongest among them, the Immortal Master from Central Heaven Purple Light Immortal Country, seemed to have a Cave Heaven of only about fifty-something miles?

Such a Cave Heaven...

"Could it be like condensing a Saint Body and leave hidden dangers?"

Gu Jinlai said, "I remember that a weak Saint Body cannot withstand the Heavenly Tribulation, allowing its own Dao to complete its transformation."

"Hidden dangers? I can’t give you a definite answer to that, as the strongest in our Immortal Country now are the Immortal Masters,"

Zhang Tianye said.

"What about the Ten Thousand Stars Sword Sect, then? It should contain records of realms above that of an Immortal Master, meaning above the Heavenly Immortal realm,"

Gu Jinlai said.

"Ten Thousand Stars Sword Sect..."

Zhang Tianye looked at Gu Jinlai, "To be honest, I know that the biggest difference between us and you all lies in the Ten Thousand Stars Sword Sect. I’m not trying to prove anything for the Ten Thousand Stars Sword Sect, I just want to say that, back then, the internal debates in our Immortal Country were incessant about whether to fight or stay. If it were not for the choice made by the Ten Thousand Stars Sword Sect, there could have been a civil war leading to division within the Immortal Country."

"So..."

"We understand that,"

Zhang Tianye nodded, "We chose a better outcome from the lesser of two evils."

The moment Immortal Master Zhao would meet them, he continued, without saying more, "he will reveal the truth to you."

Gu Jinlai listened and also fell silent.

Soon, the group arrived in front of a massive Cave Heaven.

This Cave Heaven was so vast that one could not see its end at a glance.

Because Immortal Master Zhao Xi had fused with this Cave Heaven, it stood upon the earth almost like a Fierce Beast, releaseing a terrifying aura with every breath it took,

as if...

there indeed was a planet-level gigantic beast lying on the ground, quietly sleeping.

Waiting for it to awake, it would unleash an apocalyptic power capable of shattering stars.

"This...this is the Cave Heaven fused by Immortal Master Zhao Xi!?"

"Such power..."

Duanmu Chengyun, Su Xin, and other people behind Gu Jinlai couldn’t help but hold their breath.

Even when they had faced the Aries Star Lord, the Spirit Realm Body of the creator, the visual impact was incomparable to the sight of this Super Cave Heaven.

"Our Immortal Country’s founder, a thousand years ago, was a great being who once prevented the creator from advancing, the first Heavenly Immortal Immortal Master of the Longevity World, truly the number one person of the modern world!"

Zhang Tianye proudly introduced with exuberance.

"An Immortal Country extending over thousands of miles... what immense power must it provide to that Immortal Master?"

Gu Jinlai’s expression was also filled with solemnity.

"Buzzing!"

Just at that moment, a light shadow emitted from this Super Cave Heaven.

Followed by surrounding rainbow light, a huge palace was projected above the Cave Heaven and rapidly unfolded.

It looked like...

a powerful Dao Artifact.

The Dao Artifact unfolded, and a silhouette formed at the palace’s entrance, eventually taking the shape of an elder who appeared to be in his sixties, exuding an air of immortal grace.

Seeing this elder, even though Zhang Tianye was a True Immortal and one of the Nine Great Immortals, he immediately stepped forward to reverently greet and bow, "Emperor Immortal Lord."

Clearly!

This elder was the founder of the Immortal Country, the pioneer of the path of the Immortal Master, the number one person in the world today, Emperor Immortal Lord Zhao Xi.

"Thank you, everyone, for your righteous assistance. It is because of your help that our Immortal Country has managed to persist until today,"

This peerless individual had not a trace of arrogance on his face, rather, he wore a warm smile, gesturing with an open hand, "Currently, our Immortal Country is at a critical period nurturing the Heavenly Dao, and it is inconvenient to entertain guests, thus I must ask you to graciously visit this palace, forgive us for any inconvenience, please come inside."

"Emperor Immortal Lord Zhao Xi..."

Duanmu Chengyun, Su Xin, Zhang Yingzhen, and Dong Xuanzi, the four Supreme Void Immortals, felt inexplicably tense at this moment.

Even Gu Jinlai appeared solemn.

The number one person of the current era.

And...

Compared to others whose Cave Heavens were only tens or dozens of miles across, his Cave Heaven was a staggering thousand miles in breadth.

There was a thousandfold difference between thousands of miles and a few hundred miles,

not to mention those Cave Heavens less than a hundred miles in size.

From this alone, one could see just how formidably powerful the founder of the Immortal Country was, an ancient being who had lived for countless years.

Gu Jinlai took a deep breath.

Zhao Xi’s Grotto Heaven...

He was indeed somewhat reluctant to enter.

For any Immortal Master, the Grotto Heaven was a battlefield that belonged solely to them.

Their Dao Fruit combined with the Grotto Heaven could unleash incredible power.

But outside the Grotto Heaven...

"Immortal Master Zhao is too kind, I disturb your peace,"

Gu Jinlai clasped his hands together and took the lead toward the palace.

Duanmu Chengyun and the others exchanged glances and followed closely behind.

The palace itself was a Dao Artifact. It wasn’t too ostentatiously luxurious, but like the Aries Star Palace, it contained a considerably vast space within.

Upon stepping inside, Gu Jinlai saw flowers, streams, and artificial mountains everywhere, as if he had entered a refined garden.

In the garden, several people were moving about. After giving a distant greeting, they led Gu Jinlai and the others to their seats.

From the way they addressed Zhao Xi, it was evident they were all his disciples.

"Immortal Master Zhao,"

Gu Jinlai didn’t partake in much small talk and went straight to the point. "I’ve just been discussing outside with Immortal Zhang Tianye about my concerns regarding the Ten Thousand Stars Sword Sect. We don’t want a situation where, after we’ve exhausted ourselves defeating the Devils from the Blood Moat Demon Abyss, people from the Ten Thousand Stars Sword Sect emerge and deliver a fatal blow while we are wounded from the battle."

The words of Gu Jinlai made Zhao Xi’s expression pause slightly.

He looked at them. "I thought all of you had come here to support us after understanding what’s urgent and what’s important."

"Does Immortal Master Zhao also share the same thoughts as others, believing that involving the Ten Thousand Stars Sword Sect under such circumstances was the right choice?"

Gu Jinlai asked.

"No, I do not think so,"

Zhao Xi responded directly.

Gu Jinlai was slightly taken aback. "You do not think so?"

"Yes, I do not think my choice to involve the Ten Thousand Stars Sword Sect was correct,"

Zhao Xi answered Gu Jinlai’s unexpected question plainly.

He had assumed that this leader of the Immortal Country would present some strong evidence in response.

But the outcome...

Zhao Xi didn’t elaborate further and seemed to fall into contemplation.

After some time, he said, "Ancient True Immortal, do you know the most dangerous scenario I’ve faced in my life?"

"I am curious to learn more."

Gu Jinlai spoke solemnly.

"In my life, I’ve only faced two life-threatening dangers. Once was during the Creator’s era, when I confronted a Ruins Beast! The second time..."

Zhao Xi paused slightly, "was twenty-four years ago, at the Battle of White Dragon Gorge."

The Battle of White Dragon Gorge was something Gu Jinlai had heard of.

It was the most brutal battle the Immortal Country had fought in the past century. It was said that in that great battle alone, twelve True Immortals perished, and even more Void Immortals and Saints were uncounted.

However, in the end...

The Immortal Country won.

With this battle, the unparalleled reputation of the Immortal Country was established.

Also, because of this battle, the Devils started to see the Immortal Country as their greatest threat, mobilizing all their forces against it.

"The scale of the Blood Moat Demon Abyss Battlefield is actually larger than the Battle of White Dragon Gorge, but, now that we possess the Power of the Spiritual Mechanism, the situation we face is far from being as desperate as when all the True Immortals and Void Immortals fought with a determination to die,"

Zhao Xi said this and looked calmly at Gu Jinlai. "So, I ask you to first go there, to the Blood Moat Demon Abyss to see, to see those brave men who fight fiercely to defend our world, shedding their blood and lives. When you see their unyielding will, their un-extinguishable courage, and their everlasting faith, you will understand why I firmly believe that victory will ultimately be ours."

This foremost figure of the current era smiled, "Because when I survived the battlefield at White Dragon Gorge, when I fought side by side with many from the Immortal Country at the Blood Moat Demon Abyss, I knew that in this world, there is nothing else that could make me, nor us, fearful."

Gu Jinlai looked at Zhao Xi, but he did not smile.

At this moment, he faintly understood something.

No matter what he was worried about, hesitating over, or fearing, none of it mattered to Zhao Xi.

He didn’t even care.

Because the enemy wouldn’t remain indifferent to their worries, hesitations, or fears.

Regardless of their thoughts or whether what they were doing was right or wrong, it wasn’t important. What mattered was that someone had to step forward and do something.

Even if they were walking on the wrong path, merely delaying the enemy’s assault...

It was rather he, who unjustly criticized without understanding the reasons...

What position did he have to represent?

When everyone in the Longevity World felt lost about the future and had no choice but to take a desperate stand, who could claim they were absolutely correct?

Even if Zhao Xi, the founder of the Immortal Country and the strongest person of the current era, could only steadfastly proceed on the path he believed to be right.

That was all.

And it was precisely because of Zhao Xi’s unwavering conviction to stand at the forefront, his insistence on righteousness without concern for right or wrong, that he, Gu Jinlai, the Holy Dynasty, and even the Yinglong Sacred Land and Qiantian, had the right to strategize from behind, to judge the actions of Zhao Xi and criticize whether he was doing things rightly or poorly.

If the Immortal Country finally lost, as its leader, Zhao Xi would be irredeemably doomed and become the sinner who doomed the Longevity World.

If in the end the Immortal Country won...

He would be the legend and myth who paved the way of hope in an era of confusion and turmoil within the Longevity World.

This...

was the reality that the Immortal Country was currently facing.

And it was the only answer the Immortal Country could provide.