Blazefire Immortal Lord, you should go into closed-door cultivation for a while. I want you to break through to the Immortal Emperor realm. I know how many Immortal Stones it takes to make that leap—so I’ll personally set aside a stash just for you.
You’ll be in seclusion for a hundred years. For you, a hundred years might seem too short—maybe you won’t even get close to breaking through. But nothing’s set in stone. As long as you’ve got enough Immortal Stones, I believe you can make it happen.
Thank you, Boss! Following you is honestly the best choice I’ve ever made. I swear I won’t let you down!" Blazefire Immortal Lord immediately dropped to one knee, his voice full of respect for Evan Chu.
Blazefire, get up! We’re brothers—don’t treat me like an outsider. Since you call me Boss, helping you is only right. Leave Frostbane Imperial Palace’s routine matters to the other elders.
Dad, what about me? Am I supposed to go into seclusion too?" Lynn Chu piped up, not even surprised anymore by Evan Chu’s status in the Immortal Realm.
When Lynn Chu first set foot in Frostbane Imperial Palace, the way everyone stared when they found out she was Evan Chu’s daughter nearly scared her out of her wits—especially when they started calling her Grand Princess. She was so stunned she didn’t react for half a day, but now she’s starting to get used to it.
Of course you have to go into seclusion, and not just for a short stint either. The Immortal Realm’s nothing like the lower worlds—everyone here’s a powerhouse. Only if you’re stronger than the rest will you avoid getting bullied and earn true respect.
Just look at me—if I didn’t have absolute strength, nobody here would listen, and Frostbane Imperial Palace wouldn’t even exist in the Immortal Realm. So work hard, Lynn! You’re the first of your siblings to ascend. Don’t let your younger brothers and sisters who come after you surpass you, or you’ll lose face.
But I only have one brother! Where are all these siblings coming from? Dad, you’re just messing with me!" Lynn Chu protested, genuinely confused.
In the Netherworld, you’ve got two younger brothers and a younger sister. Their talent’s every bit as monstrous as yours—and they’re all about to ascend. You’d better be ready!" Evan Chu said, grinning.
Lynn Chu’s eyes lit up and she puffed out her chest, instantly declaring, "No way I’m letting them outdo me! Tomorrow, I’m locking myself in the same closed cultivation room my aunties use—and I’m not coming out until the Immortal-Beast War breaks out. No way am I losing face as the eldest!"
Alright, Blazefire, go set up a banquet! Tonight’s the first proper father-daughter meal we’ve ever had in the Immortal Realm—we need to celebrate!" Evan Chu announced.
During the feast, Evan Chu made a point of handing all palace affairs over to the Second Elder and Third Elder. As for the Protectors seated at the table, he didn’t mention anything about going into seclusion—he just told them he’d be disappearing for a while.
The next morning, Frostbane Imperial Palace felt almost deserted. The gate guards and hall guards were still in place, but the Immortal Lord–realm experts who’d gone into seclusion were nowhere to be seen.
Blazefire Immortal Lord and Lynn Chu had both started their seclusion. Evan Chu gave each of them ten Immortal Crystals and hundreds of top-grade Immortal Stones. Seclusion isn’t just endless energy absorption—if you keep absorbing without burning it off, you’ll hit saturation and your body could explode.
Most of the time in seclusion is spent meditating and seeking enlightenment. Sometimes, all it takes is a single flash of insight to break through a realm. Afterward, absorbing energy from Immortal Stones helps stabilize your power. The higher the grade, the faster the absorption—and the less time it takes.
After hanging around Frostbane Imperial Palace for about three days, Evan Chu finally set out for Martial Spirit Dominion. He’d just returned, and it was only right to visit the big brother who’d helped him so much.
Nolan Nangong was thrilled to see Evan Chu show up, but Evan was floored—Nolan’s cultivation had obviously dropped. Now he felt like he was just at the peak of mid-stage Immortal Emperor.
Brother, what’s going on? Why has your strength gone down?" Evan Chu asked, cutting straight to the point.
It’s nothing, really. I just ran into a bit of qi-deviation while cultivating, that’s all. I’ll recover after some time in seclusion, so don’t worry about me," Nolan Nangong replied, waving it off.
Evan Chu wasn’t fooled—he could tell instantly that Nolan Nangong was hiding something. With his cultivation level, real qi-deviation was almost impossible. There had to be some secret pain he couldn’t talk about.
Brother, don’t treat me like an outsider. If you’ve got something you can’t say, just spit it out. What really happened to you?" Evan Chu pressed, voice full of concern.
Master, don’t push him. If he won’t say, he’s got his reasons. If I’m guessing right, it’s probably linked to you and the lower world. Opening a passage to the lower world takes a massive amount of Immortal Spirit Force.
But that’s not the main thing. I remember you have to drop a whole cultivation rank, too. You went down to the lower world thanks to Nolan and the Grand Elder’s help, right? So the Grand Elder probably dropped a rank as well. That’s a favor as big as the sky!
Breaking through the first time is easy, but the second time gets way tougher—especially once you hit late-stage Immortal Emperor. Trying to claw your way back to your old strength is insanely difficult, all thanks to the heavenly laws," Emerald Immortal Empress chimed in.
Evan Chu’s heart skipped a beat. "Wait, seriously? How does breaking through realms tie into the heavenly laws?"
Once you reach late-stage Immortal Emperor, you’re basically forced to ascend to the God Realm—or tribulation lightning will fry you. Dropping a cultivation rank dodges that bullet for now, but the pain and risk you’ll face later are brutal.
Recovering your strength gets way slower. Some people actually prefer it—they’re scared of God-Tribulation. But someone like Nolan Nangong? No way. If he tries to face God-Tribulation in the future, his odds are slim, and the tribulation lightning will be way worse than normal.
Back in my day, I dropped my cultivation once and failed to ascend to the God Realm. The Nine-Heaven Divine Thunder struck, and the last bolt killed me—luckily, I managed to leave a remnant soul behind in the Immortal Realm," Emerald Immortal Empress said.
So I ended up harming him… That’s a kindness I’ll never be able to repay," Evan Chu murmured, guilt heavy in his voice.
Lin Feng, what’s got you so lost in thought? Are you worrying about me again?" Nolan Nangong asked, concern in his voice.
That’s right, Brother. Your kindness is something I’ll remember for the rest of my life. Please accept my bow!" Evan Chu said respectfully, about to kneel and bow to Nolan Nangong.
Lin Feng, what are you doing? I haven’t done anything for you! Don’t be like that—we’re brothers!" Nolan Nangong said... (To be continued at midnight. If there’s a second update, check the support level.)