Chapter 515: Chapter 421: Ninth-Rank Yulin Celestial Soldier

Chonglou Sky, the eastern Ascension Platform is perpetually shrouded in mist.

The platform base is forged from millennia-old cloud essence, its surface etched with flowing guiding runes.

Four silver-armored cultivator guards stand by the platform, their armor emitting a faint celestial glow.

At this moment, seeing the rune array at the center of the Ascension Platform suddenly light up with dazzling golden light, the lead silver-armored cultivator’s eyes flickered as he whispered to his companion:

"Another newcomer has ascended."

The other raised his hand, summoning a Water Mirror, which vaguely reflected the fate trajectory of the Lower Realm, he glanced at it and put away the magical artifact, chuckling lightly:

"From the Mingguang Lower Realm, no one has come to guide him, seems like he’s a Loose Cultivator."

While they were whispering, the golden light of the Ascension Platform suddenly contracted, and a figure in a cyan robe slowly walked out.

The newcomer was Chen Sheng, who had just ascended from the Lower Realm, dressed in a cyan-patterned Daoist Robe, his long hair tied up with an ordinary wooden hairpin, his features refined yet not ostentatious.

As he stepped off the stairs, he sensed the dense celestial aura around him, almost tangible.

"Friend, halt."

The leading True Immortal stepped forward, wearing a cloud-patterned Purple Robe, with a Jade Token inscribed with "Celestial Soldier Guide" hanging at his waist, exuding a presence more intimidating than the other guards.

His gaze calmly assessed Chen Sheng, silently evaluating the foundation of this new ascendant.

He cleared his throat: "Congratulations on your Ascension, may I ask which sect you hail from in the Lower Realm? Do you have a patriarch from the Upper Realm to guide you?"

Seeing Chen Sheng shake his head, he understood, then offered an olive branch:

"I am Lihu, the Celestial Soldier Guide, currently extending an invitation from the Heavenly Court to you—would you be willing to join our Celestial Soldier ranks?"

He paused, preparing to list the benefits of the Heavenly Court.

Such as receiving a fixed immortal stipend, cultivating with the resources of the Heavenly Court, participating in immortal world missions to accumulate merits and advance celestial rank, and gaining a patron in this diverse Immortal Realm.

But before he could speak, Chen Sheng nodded: "I am willing."

This straightforward response left Lihu momentarily stunned, his prepared words caught in his throat.

"Hmm... you agreed, my friend?"

In his view, Lower Realm cultivators were all significant figures in the mortal world, were there ever who wouldn’t value freedom and weigh pros and cons?

Especially Loose Cultivators, who are particularly sensitive to "control"; such a straightforward agreement was unprecedented for him.

Chen Sheng, however, already had a plan.

Although he had just ascended, in reality, many of his avatars were now scattered across the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.

He was already very familiar with the faction divisions of the Immortal Realm, the operational mechanisms of the Heavenly Court, and the pros and cons of various cultivation paths.

For this newly ascended avatar, joining the Heavenly Court and becoming a Celestial Soldier was undoubtedly the best choice.

Chen Sheng smiled faintly and explained:

"The Heavenly Court is the legitimate authority of the Immortal Realm, governing the order of the Nine Heavens; joining it is an opportunity for me."

"As for regulations and benefits, I trust that you will explain them in detail later. I have faith in the fairness of the Heavenly Court."

Lihu, hearing this, came to his senses, and his admiration for the person before him doubled, he laughed heartily:

"Rest assured, my friend, your choice today will not be regretted in the future!"

He immediately called over a guard:

"Escort our new friend to the Celestial Registration Office for documentation, collect the initial immortal stipend and Identity Jade Token. I’ll come by after handling matters here to explain the specifics of the Celestial Soldier duties."

Chen Sheng cupped his hands in thanks to Lihu and turned to follow the guard towards the Immortal Bureau outside the Ascension Platform.

...

Half a month later.

Chonglou Sky, the clouds cascade down like a waterfall, veiling the Immortal Palaces within them.

At the southwest foot of Chixia Peak, a Cultivation Palace constructed entirely of red-veined jade stood.

Above the palace’s main entrance, a black jade plaque with the three characters "Jietian Hall" written in a flamboyant style, this was Chen Sheng’s Cultivation Palace.

He had already been officially integrated into the Heavenly Court, bestowed the title of "Ninth Rank Yulin Celestial Soldier."

In the hall, ten powerful warriors stood at both sides, standard servants of the Heavenly Court, responsible for cleaning, delivering messages, and other chores.

A celestial servant in a green garment walked in lightly, bowing to report:

"Sir, today’s immortal stipend has been delivered to the side hall, and the Heavenly Court-issued standard Celestial Soldier equipment has been polished and placed on the weapon rack."

Chen Sheng nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the weapon rack at one side of the quiet room.

On the rack leaned a silver-white long spear, its body engraved with "Suppressing Mountain" runes, the spear tip emitting a faint cold light, it was the Heavenly Court’s standard immortal weapon for Yulin Celestial Soldiers, the "Sky-Shattering Spear."

Beside it was a set of Sky Feather Armor, the armor pieces surrounded by a faint defensive celestial glow, capable of withstanding the full force of an ordinary Profound Immortal’s attack.

Though not top-tier, these standard immortal weapons were pure in material and exquisite in rune craftsmanship.

If placed in the Lower Realm, they would undoubtedly cause a bloodbath.

In the side hall, an amber-colored "Jade Essence Immortal Brew" filled a Glazed Cup, alongside several "Qi Gathering Immortal Pills" neatly arranged inside a Jade Box, this was his monthly fixed stipend.

The Immortal Brew could nourish the immortal body, and the Immortal Pills could accelerate cultivation.

It must be said, the treatment for a Ninth Rank Yulin Celestial Soldier was already excellent!

However, this was only normal; after all, being at the Divinity Transformation stage, be it in this world or the Spirit Realm, one is a significant figure, far from being a pushover.

If a Primordial Spirit True Immortal were unwilling to join the Heavenly Court, although unable to descend again, they could go to the Shi Fang Land Immortal Realm.

Though not invincible like in the Lower Realm, they could still, with their cultivation, occupy a place and live carefree in the Land Immortal Realm.

Chen Sheng walked slowly to the Jade Desk in the quiet room.

On the desk lay a cultivation technique scroll woven from Celestial Silkworm Silk, the cover inscribed in gold lacquer with five ancient seal characters:

"Chonglou Finger to Profound Immortal Mantra."

This was the cultivation technique bestowed by the Heavenly Court according to rank upon becoming an official Celestial Soldier.

It was Chonglou Sky’s exclusive orthodox celestial law, extending from the early True Immortal stage straight to the peak of Profound Immortal, with a clear structure and limitless subtle techniques, a dream cultivation manual for countless lower-level cultivators.

Chen Sheng, his heart stirred, and the scroll automatically unfolded, a vast sea of golden runes floating before his eyes, accompanied by a surge of pure celestial essence into his consciousness sea.

He closed his eyes and concentrated, taking less than half an incense stick’s time to grasp the essence of the entire cultivation technique.

For him, this technique was naturally nothing noteworthy, but compared to the many subtle techniques of the Mingguang Realm, it was incomparably profound!

For ordinary cultivators, this "Chonglou Finger to Profound Immortal Mantra" could allow them to avoid centuries of detours, and with this technique, so long as they accumulated merit with opportunity, advancement to Profound Immortal would be a natural result.

"Good cultivation at the Six Gates, for regular cultivators, it’s indeed a substantial privilege."

While pondering, a glistening white communication immortal light suddenly floated in from outside the hall.

Chen Sheng raised his hand to grasp.

The immortal light dispersed, a Jade Talisman inscribed with "Yulin Guards" floated in mid-air, runes flickering as a gentle male voice entered his consciousness sea:

"All out of Mingguang, please meet—the Five Poison Daoist!"