Slaying Demons: Starting with Upgrading my Calligraphy-Chapter 379 - 346: Immortal Peach

"No wonder those major sect cultivators all like to roam Outside the Domain. This place is treacherous and dangerous, yet it is also a blessed land of treasures."

Qi Xiu cupped his hands towards the direction where Chen Wangyue had disappeared and let out a long, murky breath.

Outside the Domain was vast and stretched on. Over several eras, countless members of the Human Race at the Primordial Spirit Level had wandered here, leaving behind their precious legacies in various worlds. Although most of these involved considerable danger and crisis, if one could successfully navigate them, the rewards started at the Primordial Spirit Level. The risks were high, but so were the returns.

It was like his trip to the Longevity Star Realm this time. Although he risked being trapped forever Outside the Domain, he had obtained the Taibai Sword Sect’s unique Sword Control Technique, the "Heavenly Sovereignty Sword Skill."

It could be said that blessings and misfortunes are intertwined.

However, the lands Outside the Domain weren’t places one could come and go as they pleased. Those who were not Primordial Spirit Bosses could only travel there using special formations or magical treasures. If any mishap occurred, they could be stranded Outside the Domain forever. Therefore, cultivators who ventured Outside the Domain were, at the very least, Dao Experts. Someone at the Blood-Stained Realm like Qi Xiu was likely a rare, if not unprecedented, case.

The root of the problem has been eliminated; what follows should happen naturally.

Moving his arm, which still felt a bit sore and swollen, Qi Xiu slowly raised his head. With the Great Asura’s head slain, the Longevity Star Realm was visibly shifting in a positive direction. The first sign was the gloomy, dark sky gradually becoming clear and bright. Compared to the blue sky and white clouds of the Tianyuan Main Realm, the sky of the Longevity Star Realm was a rare pink, and even the floating clouds were pale yellow.

"Immortal, you... you’ve succeeded!"

Sensing the murky, ominous, bloodthirsty, and savage aura that had pervaded the world for two thousand years finally dissipate, Tao Guyun hurried over, his face alight with joyous surprise. For the past two years, while Qi Xiu diligently practiced the Heaven and Earth Imperial Sword Skill, I’ve lived each day in trepidation and unease, terrified that some mishap might occur. But now it seems my eight hundred years of bitter wandering in the Tianyuan Main Realm truly weren’t in vain.

"I suppose so," Qi Xiu replied, exhaling a long breath. His eyes flickered as he suddenly sensed something profound.

It was as if time itself had stopped in the boundless expanse between heaven and earth, solely to witness a grand miracle.

Suddenly, like celestial music, myriad peach blossoms burst into bloom, swaying gently in the spring breeze. They cascaded down like a torrent of pink clouds, blanketing the earth and dyeing the sky crimson. Each blossom, laden with morning dew, was crystalline and translucent, seemingly imbued with endless Life Force.

Amidst this ocean of resplendent flowers, an immense peach tree emerged, as if sprung from a painting. Tall and majestic, with robust branches and deep roots, it resembled a wise, kind old woman who had weathered the vicissitudes of eons, standing silently in the world, her gentle gaze fixed upon Qi Xiu. The tree was wreathed in an auspicious radiance tens of thousands of zhang high, the light seeming to emanate from its every cell, warm and sacred.

「At that moment!」

From the treetop, an Immortal Peach quietly descended. It was entirely crystalline, exuding an alluring luster. Purple patterns wove across its surface, resembling the very fabric of the Great Dao, pregnant with infinite mysteries. The fragrance of the Immortal Peach was invigorating yet mellow, intoxicating to all who perceived it. As auspicious light swirled around it, the Immortal Peach, seemingly bearing the essence of heaven and earth, was gently cradled by an invisible hand and slowly proffered to Qi Xiu.

Is this... a thank-you gift?

Looking at the peach tree and the Immortal Peach before him, Qi Xiu couldn’t help but let the corners of his mouth curve upwards. This peach tree before me is the Heavenly Dao of the Longevity Star Realm, what is also known as the world’s will. The Longevity Star Realm is just one of innumerable Hengsha Microcosms. Compared to a Great World like the Tianyuan Main Realm, which can staunchly defend against countless Outer Realm Evil Gods and even crush any stowaways who are discovered, the world’s will of the Longevity Star Realm appears considerably weaker. It couldn’t even expel the Great Asura’s head that was eroding the world’s core. This might also be related to the inherent attributes of the Longevity Star Realm itself. Since I slew the Great Asura’s head, helping the Longevity Star Realm excise this malignant tumor, its world’s will naturally wishes to express its gratitude. This divine and extraordinary, fragrantly alluring Immortal Peach before me is that thank-you gift.

"This is the Purple-Patterned Yellow Core Peach from the Taizu Holy Tree, which bears such a fruit only once every ten thousand years. If a mortal eats it, they can extend their life by ten thousand years and remain eternally youthful. Immortal, if you were to consume it, you could instantly reach the Blood-Stained Peak, bypassing countless years of arduous cultivation, and your lifespan would increase by at least three thousand years!"

Gazing at the Purple-Patterned Yellow Core Immortal Peach, Tao Guyun’s eyes were wide with shock. This Immortal Peach can be considered the ultimate treasure of the Longevity Star Realm. Although, according to the records of the Taogong Clan, the Taizu Holy Tree can nurture and bear one such fruit every ten thousand years, almost every Purple-Patterned Yellow Core Immortal Peach is then offered by the Taizu Holy Tree as a sacrifice to the Longevity Star Realm to strengthen this world. Even our Taogong Clan has only read descriptions of this Immortal Peach in our ancient records; no one has ever seen the actual fruit.

Blood-Stained Peak?

A hint of surprise flickered in Qi Xiu’s eyes. He hadn’t expected this Purple-Patterned Yellow Core Immortal Peach to be so potent, allowing him to leap five minor realms, from the fourth level of the Blood-Stained Realm directly to the Blood-Stained Peak. This means if I eat this Immortal Peach, I’ll be standing at the threshold of the Dao Body Realm. Just one more step, and I can enter the realm of Dao Experts.

Thinking this, Qi Xiu felt his trip Outside the Domain had been incredibly worthwhile. Not only had he obtained the "Heavenly Sovereignty Sword Skill" from the Taibai Sword Sect, but he had also received such an Immortal Peach.

He reached out and took the Purple-Patterned Yellow Core Immortal Peach. Streams of incredibly pure Spiritual Power emanated from it, forming a fragrant mist. Merely inhaling its aroma, Qi Xiu felt his internal cultivation stir, showing signs of an impending breakthrough. If he were to consume it, he would undoubtedly, as Tao Guyun had said, ascend directly to the Blood-Stained Peak.

A world-class gift is truly extraordinary. However, now is not the time to eat a peach...

With a flip of his hand, Qi Xiu stored the Purple-Patterned Yellow Core Immortal Peach away. He then raised his gaze to the colossal peach tree before him, a manifestation of the world’s will.

On its trunk, which seemed to support the very heavens, vortex-like patterns were clearly visible. Purple light swirled in Qi Xiu’s eyes as, under his special black-and-white intertwined vision, a True Dragon, seemingly slumbering within the tree’s core, its Dragon Claws tightly gripping a mysterious stone book, slowly materialized before him.

Finally... I’ve found it.

Seeing the True Dragon hidden within the peach tree manifested by the world’s will, Qi Xiu’s eyes lit up. Indeed, every peck and every drink is preordained by fate. If I hadn’t softened and agreed to help the Taogong Clan eliminate their scourge, I could have turned the entire Longevity Star Realm upside down and still likely wouldn’t have found this peach tree.

Having located the peach tree to which the ancient Dragon Scale had pointed, Qi Xiu scanned it up and down. Although this colossal peach tree appears incredibly real, it is ultimately a manifestation of the Heavenly Dao Will, not a physical object. So how am I to enter it?

After a moment’s hesitation, Qi Xiu retrieved the dark aquamarine ancient Dragon Scale. The one who tied the bell must be the one to untie it.

Cradling the ancient Dragon Scale, Qi Xiu strode towards the sky-supporting peach tree. As if sensing the slumbering True Dragon, the Dragon Scale in his hand began to tremble faintly, wisps of ancient, profound light flickering across its surface.

Will this work?

Drawing closer to the peach tree, Qi Xiu’s gaze grew intense, his expression solemn. Just as doubt began to creep into his heart, the Heavenly Dao peach tree before him suddenly shuddered. The vortex-like pattern on its trunk slowly began to unfurl, revealing a pitch-black, gaping hole from which chilling gusts of wind howled.

In the next instant, the ancient Dragon Scale in Qi Xiu’s hand erupted with an incomparably pure radiance, enveloping him. It then transformed into a streak of Divine Light and shot into the black hole in the center of the Heavenly Dao peach tree.

WHOOSH—

The moment he entered the Heavenly Dao peach tree, Qi Xiu felt an endless, biting cold wind assaulting him from all directions. Each strand carried an extreme chill, as if capable of freezing time itself!

As Qi Xiu observed this frigid, deathly still void, a burst of light suddenly erupted before him. A vast, wondrous spectacle quietly manifested.

It was an enormous Immortal Peach, more dazzling than any star, more eternal than time itself. It floated in the cold darkness, like a singular, vibrant hue from the dawn of creation. Its sheer size defied imagination, yet its gentle radiance held the encroaching void at bay. This was no ordinary fruit; it was a miniaturized world, a microcosm of an entire realm.

Upon closer inspection, the patterns on its skin were revealed to be undulating mountain ranges—some majestic and imposing, others delicate and graceful. They were like the very veins of the earth, chronicling the passage of eons. Tiny rivers, like silver ribbons, meandered across its surface, traversing valleys and flowing into deep oceans. These oceans, like blue gemstones embedded in the Immortal Peach’s skin, shimmered with a mysterious light.

On the surface of this Immortal Peach, life existed in minute yet vibrant forms. Forests, grasslands, and deserts each occupied their own niche, nurturing innumerable lives.

Could this be... the Longevity Star Realm?

Staring at the Immortal Peach that resembled a miniature world, a flash of Spiritual Light sparked in Qi Xiu’s mind. I understand now! This is the world core of the Longevity Star Realm. And this Immortal Peach is the complete embodiment of the Longevity Star Realm.

Rounding to one side of this Immortal Peach, Qi Xiu’s gaze suddenly sharpened. There, on the "back" of the Immortal Peach, an emaciated, withered True Dragon was sunk in a deep slumber. Its foremost Dragon Claw still tightly clutched an ancient, mysterious stone book.

His eyes fixed on the sleeping True Dragon, Qi Xiu cautiously maintained a safe distance. This is a genuine True Dragon. Although it appears to have been aged and weakened to an extreme by the relentless erosion of countless years, even so, this gaunt frame still harbors power sufficient to shatter heavens and sunder earth. After all, this is the sole ancient race that, upon reaching maturity, possesses the might of the Primordial Spirit Realm—truly deserving the title of Heaven and Earth main character. Though I can be considered part of the True Dragon Clan, it’s merely nominal. If I were to rashly awaken this True Dragon, and it happened to be ill-tempered upon waking, I’d be courting death.

Just as a myriad of thoughts flooded Qi Xiu’s mind and he pondered fruitlessly, he looked up again at the slumbering True Dragon before him.

A pair of vast, dark-gold, translucent Dragon Eyes, filled with an indifferent divine light, were staring motionlessly at him.

...