Painting of the Nine Immortals
chapter-721

The City of Sin disappeared.

Such simple words created a shocking wave that washed over the Yuezhou at an insane speed.

Though the name City of Sin does not sound as bright or loud as the last era, it was still one of the 10 ancient cities and was one of the cities that the majority of people knew of. Therefore, after learning about this news, they were shocked to a point of no return.

Remember that the City of Sin was built with heavenly gold as well as more than 10 different heavenly materials. Therefore, its defensive properties were next level strong.

Though after so much time, its defensive array has been destroyed, its foundation was still there, who could change it? Who could make it disappear?

Yet before their eyes, the ancient city that stood for hundred thousands of years actually disappeared. Why wouldn't everyone feel shocked at this?

After all the shock, the entire Yuezhou boiled.

Perhaps they had the mentality of watching and enjoying the show, or perhaps they had the mentality of finding out what happened. Regardless, countless of people converged from all directions and descended to this seemingly indestructible land.

Then, everyone became even more shocked.

Because none of could them could even sense the City of Sin's atmosphere. If they weren't for certain to have seen the city before, they would be questioning themselves and wondering if their memories were serving them wrong.

Even the original leveled cultivators who arrived after hearing the rumors, reacted this way!

These original leveled cultivators weren't the only ones. Even Fu Di and Zhe Xian, these two superpowers, rushed over. The result was not what they expected.

They couldn't find it!

There was nothing to find!

Even the most powerful figures in Yuezhou couldn't find the City of Sin!

There wasn't the slightest trace left, nor did any Qi remain. The entire City, as if it evaporated from the world, did not leave behind any indication of itself.

Thus, everyone became even more surprised.

It was extremely difficult to be able to make the City of Sin disappear, but it wasn't impossible. However, to be able to hide the city from all the cultivators in Yuezhou was a feat that was harder than climbing the heavens. It was basically impossible.

Yet the city escaped and hid from everyone's investigation!

Even the powerhouses of the fifth level could not find a single remain of the city. How unbelievable was this?

It was impossible to believe this!

Because of this, the entire Yuezhou fell into a state of awe like never before.

Some people searched for a long time but since the result ended up being fruitless, they gave up the idea of continuing to try and accepted this reality. Some people did not want to give up and continued their search while vowing to dig up the city.

Powerhouses of the fifth level, in particular, refused to give up. After realizing that their Qi could not sense the city, they used techniques to crack open the ground and dove inside to search.

Sadly, the result was all the same – fruitless.

What a joke!

The Heaven Shadowing Array was created by two real immortals and was awakened by Ling Xian's ancient majestic blood. Its ability to conceal was considered to be number one in the world, how could the array be discovered by these people after all that?

Not just them, even if a real immortal was here, he may not be able to find it!

After a few unsuccessful attempts, the fifth level powerhouses also slowly gave up on this thought and drifted into a state of bitterness and astonishment.

They couldn't figure out nor imagine what kind of heavenly being could make the almost indestructible ancient city disappear while escaping their searches!

….

Just as the entire Yuezhou was in a state of shock, Ling Xian, this originator of the whole conspiracy, once again entered his relaxed way of living.

He watched the flowers in his front garden bloom with a smile on his face and stared at the cloud as they dissipated slowly.

The casual and relaxed way he lived induced much jealousy from his bystanders.

If the people from the outside found out that he was the reason the City of Sin disappeared, and saw his at ease way he was living, they would all be lining up to kill him.

The people were shocked to a point of no return and were scared to the extreme. He, on the other hand, was living so easily like there was nothing going on in his life. Anyone would want to kill him right now.

Luckily, nobody would find out about this.

Therefore, Ling Xian continued living his days as if nothing was going on.

Of course, he wasn't fully indulged in enjoying himself. He was more enlightening himself and working on improving his mentality.

His goal was to break through to the undefeatable realm of the completion level and make his foundation sturdier.

If he was merely trying for the original level, then he was already at a spot where he could try to break through. Though there was no certainty that he will get to the original level in one shot, at the very least, he qualified to try.

However, if he cannot get to the undefeatable realm of the completion level, then even if he lands himself in the original level, he would be much weaker than the strongest in the community.

Thus, Ling Xian was not going to break through to the original level right away.

What he wanted, was to pave an undefeatable path, and be a pioneer.

Thus, the undefeatable realm was a must!

"To be completely undefeatable, break down before you rise."

Ling Xian stood on top of the mountain peak. His robe was white like snow as he linked hands behind his back, looking like a real immortal.

Under the dash of pink sky, his temperament appeared even more unparalleled and extraordinary.

As he watched the sunset, he was pondering over the entire deal with the breakthrough.

As for burying the City of Sin, ever since he returned, he never thought about it again. As for breaking through to the undefeatable realm… to him right now, watching the sunset was more important.

Luckily, nobody knew what he was thinking, or else they would be puking out blood and attempting to kill him!

"I have a general direction and idea as to what I want to do. But to actually attempt a breakthrough…"

Ling Xian stood on top of the mountain peak proudly as he watched the colorful clouds and mumbled to himself, "Even if I fail, I am merely losing a clone and my original self wouldn't be hurt."

As he spoke, he frowned and analyzed the possibility of that happening.

Ever since the change in Heaven and Earth, the meditational undefeatable realm was comparably easier. But the undefeatable realms after the foundational level were extremely difficult. Even with his natural talent, he may not find a way to breakthrough.

Luckily, he found a method while inside the Cliff of Enlightenment.

Breakdown before you rise.

This was a method but was a risky one.

To anyone, breaking through after breaking down was a risk and a trial between life and death. The slightest carelessness would result in death.

After all, not everyone possesses the Phoenix's ability to be reborn or know techniques that allow them to escape death.

Because of all this, despite everyone's knowledge of the great gains one can get from breaking down before breaking through, very few have the guts to try. Only those who are near death in age or in battle would take the risk to try this.

However, to Ling Xian, the possibility of actually dying did not exist.

Because he had an original self and also an identical clone. If he uses it to attempt the breakthrough, then whether he fails or succeeds, his original self wouldn't be hurt.

Thus, he decided to attempt it.

"Using my ancient majestic blood and with the breakthrough as my only goal, I believe I can successfully breakthrough."

Ling Xian revealed a soft smile and his confidence lit up the entire sky. Even the clouds paled next to him.

He knew very well that he had only unlocked half of his majestic ancient blood and it was getting increasingly difficult for him to break another layer of inhibition. However, if he breaks more of his inhibition spell then breakthrough to the undefeatable realm, then his chances of succeeding would increase drastically.

"Compared to my last breakthrough, more than a year has passed. It is time for me to breakthrough. Plus, the great fortune is right around the corner. I need to increase my capabilities in order to face the unpredictable future."

Ling Xian murmured and his gaze turned more determined.

Luckily nobody else was there. If they have heard what he had just said, they would be puking out blood again.

What did he mean by there's been more than a year since he had his last breakthrough?

Was a year long? Very long?!

To majority cultivators, the speed of breaking through after 10 years was considered fast.

Perhaps only someone as insane as Ling Xian would find a year long.

"Let's go. It's time to go into isolation."

Ling Xian softly smiled. He spun around and disappeared amongst the mountains.

By the time he reappeared, he was already inside his own palace.

This place was very spacious with simple decors. It was lit up by two light pearls and other than that, there was only one tatami.

"Seal!"

Ling Xian flapped his sleeve and instantaneously set up an array. He saw seven spiritual stones emerge and after he applied his technique, a small scaled protective array appeared.

"Alright, now that I have set up my array, it's time for my breakthrough."

Mumbling, Ling Xian's eyes shone with anticipation.

He has been waiting for this day for a long time.

If he can break through to the completion undefeatable realm, then he will truly be named undefeatable out of everyone in his realm!

"Completion undefeatable, wait for me."

Smiling softly, Ling Xian summoned his clone. He then forced out his ancient majestic blood and fused it into the clone along with his own Qi.

Immediately, the clone exploded with an infinite amount of heavenly light. Like the undying Sun, it was blinding and attention snatching.

Though this clone was no different than his original self, the majestic ancient blood was unique and cannot be replicated. Therefore, Ling Xian had to inject his blood into the clone in order to minimize bad things from happening.

Even if he fails, his clone would be the one destroyed. His Qi and his blood will not be killed.

"I am now all prepared. Let's begin the first step of 'destruction before rising'. I have to break myself down."

Ling Xian sat down on his tatami and his expression turned determined. He was full of resolve.

Then, gritting his teeth, he crushed the golden Dan inside his body!

HOMMMM!

The golden Dan was crushed and the spiritual energy from the peak of the completion level leaked out, washing over his organs and shot through his veins. Then, various meridians ripped apart, and fresh blood splattered out, turning him into a bloody person.

The heart-wrenching agony made him, someone so determined, shriek out in pain.

"AH!"

Ling Xian screamed out of pain. He was so hurt that even his face looked twisted.

His golden Dan had been crushed, his meridians were ripped and all of his organs were in pieces. Only his soul remained but if possible, he rather his soul be destroyed as well.

Though only seconds have passed, he no longer wanted to experience the pain he was experiencing.

It was far too agonizing. The feeling of his body breaking down. It was really comparable to being dragged to the 18th level of hell and being tortured by all cruel methods!

Agony!

An indescribable amount of pain!

He was in so much pain his face twisted and his body trembled. He even had the urge to die. However, he knew very well that he has to force himself through this first stage, or else all his previous efforts would go to waste.

Break down before rising. If he doesn't' break down, how will he rise?

"Come at me! I do not believe that I cannot handle whatever comes my way!"

Ling Xian clenched his teeth tightly and with his indestructible resolve and determination, he fought against the pain of his body being shredded to pieces and waited for his metamorphosis.