Life span plundered, I became a detective and achieved immortality

Chapter 1089 A Feast for the Gluttons

A roar of excitement exploded at the edge of the misty sea, like a thunderclap shattering the silence, carrying an irrepressible excitement and greed that instantly ignited the emotions of tens of thousands of cultivators. The voice carried the pressure of a First-Rank Golden Immortal; though not top-tier, it was like a spark falling into a chaotic void piled high with dry tinder, bursting into a raging inferno with a deafening roar—

"Hahaha... It's here! It's finally about to open!"

"After waiting for so long, it wasn't all for nothing!"

"If I can find half a piece of immortal Dao bone on this trip, I will be able to break through smoothly and prove the Dao of immortality!"

......

A chorus of agreement surged forth, the auras of tens of thousands of half-step immortals and hundreds of thousands of ninth-grade true immortals simultaneously stirred, even the divine senses of hundreds of immortal golden immortals rippled with intense heat, as if they were about to burn through the sea of ​​mist. Countless gazes were cast into the depths of the sea of ​​mist, some eager, some wary, some greedy... The dense gazes intertwined into an invisible net, locking onto the direction where the spiritual light of the tomb-protecting immortal array was fading, waiting only for the moment that barrier completely loosened, so that they could pounce and tear it apart like hungry wolves.

Then, under the breathless gaze of everyone, the billowing fog of death dimmed at a visible speed. The fog, which was originally as thick as ink, seemed to have been ripped out of its soul, gradually becoming thin and transparent. The decaying and deathly aura it carried dissipated rapidly like the receding tide, revealing the chaotic currents that were faintly visible beneath the fog. Floating in these currents were countless tiny fragments of white bones, the remains of intruders from previous generations.

The terrifying power that had once sent chills down Su Mo's spine was now flowing out like a flood, weakening the formation with overwhelming force. Even the luster of the protective tomb array dimmed by three points, and the speed at which the array patterns flowed became slower and slower, like a candle flickering in the wind.

In less than a century, the Sea of ​​Fog has transformed from a place where one cannot see their own hand in front of their face to one where the outlines of its depths can be vaguely discerned. The protective immortal array that even a sixth-grade Golden Immortal dared not trespass upon now possesses less than one-tenth of its former power, posing only a fatal threat to a second-grade Golden Immortal. Yet, it is dissolving at a visible rate, the golden light on the array patterns fading away like ink washed away by rain, as if it were about to completely collapse at any moment.

"go!"

A low shout came from the outer edge of the sea of ​​mist, like the sound of a starting gun, carrying an undeniable authority. The Third-Rank Golden Immortals, who could no longer contain themselves, finally broke their slumber and revealed themselves from their hiding places.

Leading the group was a red-faced old man clad in a fiery divine robe, his entire body enveloped in endless divine flames. His peak third-grade aura was as deep and abyssal as a prison, and every step he took caused the chaos to tremble. With a wave of his hand, the two second-grade, five first-grade Golden Immortals, and hundreds or even thousands of half-step Golden Immortals and ninth-grade True Immortals following behind him instantly transformed into streams of light and rushed into the depths of the Death Mist. Wherever the divine flames passed, the remaining Death Mist instantly evaporated into nothingness.

Almost simultaneously, the rest of the Third-Rank Golden Immortals also moved. Some wielded ferocious beast-shaped immortal artifacts, with phantoms of Qilin, Xuan Turtle, and Roc roaring in the mist, tearing through it to clear a path; others used teleportation abilities, each step covering tens of thousands of eons, their figures flickering in the mist, so fast that only afterimages remained; still others gathered together, forming a battle formation that combined offense and defense, their array patterns glowing like giant shields, blocking all the surrounding chaotic currents and residual array power, steadily advancing.

Behind them, their respective forces surged like a tide, with second-grade Golden Immortals leading the way, first-grade Golden Immortals bringing up the rear, and half-step Immortals and ninth-grade True Immortals following closely behind like a swarm of bees, densely packed into the sea of ​​mist, stirring up a chaotic airflow that even slightly distorted the space itself.

In an instant, the once deathly still fog of death became bustling with activity. Various colors of immortal light weaved through the fog, the roar of colliding magical treasures, the shouts and curses of cultivators, and the occasional small-scale conflicts all blended together, as if the entire chaos was being stirred up by this frenzied wave, and even the remnants of the tomb-protecting immortal array were violently shaken by this torrent.

......

Azure Dragon Immortal Boat, Azure Dragon Immortal Palace.

On the pillars of the Chaos Sinking Wood Palace, the Primordial Runes still flowed, but they were more restrained and serene than before.

Su Mo sat upright on the Yin-Yang Dao Platform, his gaze passing through the half-closed blue eyes of the dragon head, taking in the chaos within the sea of ​​mist. He watched as those third-rank Golden Immortals charged ahead like lions, their followers following closely behind like a leech. A cold, sharp smile curved his lips, but his eyes remained completely calm, as if he were watching a farce that had nothing to do with him.

He was in no hurry to set off.

His fingertips gently tapped the edge of the platform, producing a soft "tap-tap" sound. The black and white energies rippled slightly with Su Mo's movements, spreading out like ripples before quickly returning to calm, revealing a calm and composed demeanor.

"Perfect First Grade..."

Su Mo muttered to himself, seemingly savoring his cultivation level. Joining that group of third-grade Golden Immortals now would be like lighting a lamp in the darkness. Those who could break through to True Immortality and attain immortality were all chosen ones, rare among millions of immortals, their lives filled with extraordinary encounters. While his concealment method was profound, he couldn't guarantee it would fool the discerning eyes of the Golden Immortals present.

A first-rank Golden Immortal possesses power comparable to a third-rank Golden Immortal. If this were to spread, it might attract the attention of some old monster.

The higher one's cultivation level, the more difficult it is to fight against opponents of higher levels.

At least, in the memories of the Purple Origin Golden Immortals that he had intercepted, he had never heard of any Immortal Golden Immortal who could challenge a Third-Rank Golden Immortal without the help of external forces.

......

Sixty years have passed in the blink of an eye.

The deathly mist had thinned to a veil, the deathly stillness that once devoured divine consciousness almost completely dissipated, revealing the faint outline of a colossal tomb deep within the sea of ​​mist—its dark blue walls soaring into the chaos, seemingly piercing the void. The runes inscribed on the walls were long since faded, worn smooth by time, yet a faint golden light still flowed, proclaiming its former glory, powerful enough to suppress eternity. The tomb's top was hidden in the chaos, its height unknown, only a few broken stone carvings, resembling dragons and phoenixes, exuding majesty and desolation, could be vaguely seen.

The power of the protective array had been weakened by a significant amount over the past sixty years. The remaining array power could only barely hinder the steps of a first-grade Golden Immortal, forming some minor spatial folds and energy thorns. To a second-grade Golden Immortal, it was nothing; a slight exertion of force was enough to shatter it, and it no longer posed any substantial danger.

"it's time!"

A long howl rang out from the middle of the sea of ​​mist, breaking the brief silence and carrying the unique, powerful pressure of a Second-Rank Golden Immortal. Hundreds of Second-Rank Golden Immortals, who had been lying in wait for so long, could no longer restrain themselves and revealed themselves from their hiding places. Some wielded radiant immortal swords, their sword cries like dragon roars; others rode in various shaped immortal boats, their hulls engraved with intricate Dao patterns. The pressure emanating from them spread out like waves, forcing the surrounding First-Rank Golden Immortals to give way, daring not to confront them.

"set off!"

It's unclear who made the first move, but they transformed into a streak of purple lightning and rushed forward. Immediately afterward, hundreds of dazzling immortal lights, like ignited sparks, instantly pierced through the thin sea of ​​mist and sped toward the Immortal Tomb.

.....

"The second-grade Golden Immortal has entered the arena, and the first-grade Golden Immortal will be here soon. When that time comes, it will be my time to reap the rewards."

Inside the Azure Dragon Immortal Boat, Su Mo took in everything. He lightly touched the Yin-Yang Dao Platform with his fingertip, and the black and white energies surged again, condensing into a Tai Chi pattern before quickly settling in his palm, transforming into a thin streak of light. A sinister smile gradually appeared on his face, a smile devoid of warmth, filled only with the scrutiny of prey and the chilling anticipation of victory, like a hunter lurking in the shadows, finally finding the perfect moment to strike.

In order not to reveal any flaws, these two Yan Jilai's group of illusory spirit bodies only targeted the ninth-grade true immortals who were beside the first-grade golden immortals, while they did not harm the second-grade and third-grade teams at all.

......

Time passed year after year in Su Mo's anticipation. In the chaos, there was no sun or moon, only the spiritual light of the tomb-protecting immortal array gradually dimmed, like an hourglass counting down, marking the approaching harvest time. Soon, another hundred years passed.

The power of the protective immortal array had finally weakened to its lowest point. The remaining runic light was like a candle flickering in the wind, easily torn apart even by a first-grade Golden Immortal. Those layers of restrictions that once terrified them could now be resisted and repelled with just a single Golden Immortal's pressure, no longer posing a fatal threat.

"Come on!"

Suddenly, a shout rang out, as if igniting a long-suppressed powder keg. The group of first-rank Golden Immortals, who had been waiting patiently for two hundred and sixty years, could no longer contain themselves. Hundreds of figures rushed out from all directions of the misty sea at the same time, their various colors of immortal light intertwining into a sea of ​​light, rushing towards the direction of the Immortal Tomb.

Some fought alone, transforming into streaks of light that shot straight into the tomb entrance; others joined forces, forming a temporary alliance to support each other as they charged forward; still others kept a close eye on the trails left by the Second-Rank Golden Immortals ahead, clearly hoping to catch any who slipped through the net. In an instant, the once somewhat empty sea of ​​mist was once again filled with immortal light, even more turbulent than when the Second-Rank Golden Immortals had entered, resembling a grand migration converging towards the giant tomb.

......

one year later.

"That's about enough. It's time for me to enter the Immortal Tomb." As all the first-grade Golden Immortals led their teams into the Immortal Tomb, Su Mo muttered to himself, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement.

If he can capture all these hundreds of immortal golden immortals, his advancement to the third-grade golden immortal will be a sure thing. If he's lucky, his Primordial Immortal Golden Immortal Body might even allow him to reach the fourth grade.

At that time, even without using his illusory spirit body, his true form alone would be no less powerful than a sixth-grade Golden Immortal.

Cultivating both internally and externally requires ten or even a hundred times more resources than cultivating only one path, but once successful, the combat power is far more than just one plus one equals two.

The later the stage, the more terrifying the price increase often becomes.

The next second...

"Ow..."

A clear dragon's roar suddenly resounded through the sea of ​​mist. Unlike the previous jubilation, this dragon's roar carried a sharp edge that was about to be unleashed. Like a sword being drawn from its sheath, it instantly overwhelmed the surrounding deathly mist that was still churning, causing the remaining mist to freeze.

Immediately afterwards, the Azure Dragon Immortal Ship transformed into a condensed azure light, like a bolt of lightning tearing through chaos, piercing through the thin layer of mist, and hurtling towards the Immortal Tomb. Its dragon head was raised high, its eyes flashing with azure light, carrying an unstoppable momentum, as if it wanted to smash through all obstacles.

"A gluttonous feast is about to begin!"

......