Chapter 522: 426 Zhangg Immortal_2
All worthy events are meticulously recorded in the annals, for Chen Jichuan to review from time to time.
"The competition for holy artifacts here is incredibly fierce."
Wang Yan flipped through a few pages of records, filled with information about the holy artifacts.
Struggles and disputes.
Bloodshed and chaos.
The sheer rarity and preciousness of the holy artifacts could be glimpsed even from just these few pages.
For a single holy artifact, even the death of a Legendary Mage is not unheard of.
"The Immortal Gate Realm spans a vast territory; some holy artifacts have owners, while others scattered across the lands remain unclaimed. Even with overwhelming power, acquiring numerous holy artifacts quickly is no easy feat."
"What is your plan, my lord?"
Wang Yan, realizing the difficulty of obtaining holy artifacts, couldn’t help but feel curious.
"Holy artifacts are indeed rare treasures."
"However, in this world, both Legendary Mages and Immortals have demands for holy artifacts, as well as various magic materials."
"Holy artifacts are not entirely indispensable."
Having managed the ’Summoning Cottage’ for over three thousand years, Chen Jichuan was already adept at strategizing ways to acquire more holy artifacts.
The key lies in mastering resources coveted by both Legendary Mages and Immortals.
For instance, the ’Magic Sound River’ controlled by the ’Dawn Era’.
For instance, the ’Demon Casting Corridor’ governed by the ’Silver Alliance’.
For instance, the ’Taiyang Basin’ owned by the ’Magic Martial Holy Hall’.
These critical locations either produce invaluable resources or significantly aid Legendary Mages in magic comprehension. In certain aspects, they rival holy artifacts.
While holy artifacts are hard to find, these treasures and strategic territories have established roots. With sufficient strength, they are relatively easy to claim.
"Dominate these resource-rich treasures and utilize them to exchange for the spare holy artifacts held by Legendary Mages in the Immortal Gate Realm."
"In addition, some exceptionally precious magic materials can be used to forge holy artifacts."
The resources from these treasured spots not only enable the exchange for holy artifacts but can also be employed to cultivate more Legendary Mages, who can then be dispatched across the continent to search for additional holy artifacts.
This creates a sustainable, virtuous cycle, the hallmark of sound strategy.
This is the orthodox approach.
Chen Jichuan also had unconventional methods.
However, Wang Yan was still far from her lifespan’s end, and her demand for holy artifacts wasn’t urgent. Her current focus remained on mastering more powerful Divine Skills.
By the time only one or two millennia of her life are left, if her Holy Mark count isn’t sufficient, then proactive measures would have to be taken.
But deploying unconventional strategies often comes with dramatic repercussions—mountains shattered, enemies multiplying, the entire world standing against you. By then, no retreat would be possible; the endeavor must conclude swiftly and decisively.
For now, there was ample time, and such drastic measures were unnecessary.
...
Having reviewed all the accumulated documents, Chen Jichuan gained clarity regarding the next stage of development for the ’Summoning Cottage.’
"To dominate resource-abundant territories, if I can personally reside in the Immortal Gate Realm for an extended period and the strategic points are relatively close to one another, conquering twenty or thirty sites wouldn’t be difficult."
"But I also need time for cultivation and cannot remain in the Immortal Gate Realm indefinitely."
"So, the ’Summoning Cottage’ must enlist an Immortal to oversee it in my absence."
"Ideally, it should be an Immortal proficient in magic like ’Dimensional Travel,’ ’Space Jump,’ or ’Long-Distance Teleportation.’"
Chen Jichuan took out the registry of the thirty-four Legendary Mages under ’Summoning Cottage’ for this generation, flipping through each page, scrutinizing each individual, before stopping on a particular entry: "It shall be him."
Wang Yan, observing from the side, was deeply moved. "Cultivating within the Immortal Gate Realm is arduous; the difficulty of becoming a Legendary Mage rivals that of an Immortal within the Immortal Dao. Those stuck at the Legendary stage, unwillingly aging away, are countless. With just a stroke of your finger, the threads of fate for these Legendary Mages seem to quiver. When your finger halts, their destinies are already sealed."
Fate is unfathomable, yet it appears astonishingly apparent.
Wang Yan was momentarily touched.
Even at their elevated level, as husband and wife, they too found themselves ceaselessly struggling against fate, unable to discern where their future path would lead.
"Precisely for this reason, one must tirelessly seek clarity, maintaining reverence at every moment."
Chen Jichuan closed the registry and rose to his feet.
...
Months later.
After three thousand five hundred and five years, following the ascension of the ’Windwalking Magic King,’ another Immortal emerged from the ranks of the ’Summoning Cottage’ and forged their throne.
This time, the individual was a disciple with a pure lineage from the ’Summoning Cottage.’
His name was ’Beirut.’
Beirut had enrolled as a youth and had once received guidance from the Dean on one occasion and had been granted three separate audiences with him.
This was the fourth time he was meeting the legendary Dean, striking fortune once more at the brink of his lifespan’s end, receiving the Dean’s direct guidance again.
Enlightened and inspired, he merged his comprehension of Rule Profound Meaning, devised an Immortal Forbidden Curse, and used four source-linked holy artifacts to forge his throne, ascending directly to the heavens and becoming an Immortal. Exceptional in space magic and adept at short-range instant teleportation, he dances as though weaving through dimensions. Thus, he earned the title—
’Space Rhythm’ Beirut!
...
"Dean."
Beirut, typically poised, found it difficult to contain his emotions when facing the esteemed Dean after freshly attaining immortality. His honest face flushed bright red.
"You are now an Immortal; there’s no need to remain so formal."
Chen Jichuan offered a reassuring smile and invited Beirut to sit.
Yet Beirut, visibly uneasy in the Dean’s presence, seemed as though sitting on burning coals, his face glowing red as he exclaimed, "I truly didn’t anticipate becoming Immortal. Eight hundred and sixty years ago, I ascended as a Second-Level Mage and met the Dean for the first time. By the age of three hundred and seventy, I had stagnated at Level 3 Late-Stage magic and thought my life would end that way. But at that very moment, I received a handwritten letter from the Dean, calling sixty-two Great Mages back for his personal guidance. As a result, seven of us achieved breakthroughs to become Legends, and I was one of them."
"Then this time."
"Now at nine hundred and forty years old, it’s once again thanks to the Dean’s direction that I could effortlessly ascend to Immortal status."
"This is truly..."
"I am profoundly grateful, deeply grateful to the Dean."
Initially recounting his story, Beirut slipped into heartfelt sentiment. Gradually, his voice grew increasingly fervent until utter gratitude made him restless once more, causing him to leap up and bow repeatedly before Chen Jichuan.
For someone who once struggled to even reach the Legendary level as a mage, the same individual had twice been rescued during crucial points by the same guiding hand.
Moreover, ’Immortality’ is fundamentally distinct from ’Legendary.’
The latter, however impressive, caps its lifespan at a thousand years. Throughout the Summoning Cottage’s millennia, generations of Legendary Mages have risen and faded, leaving only one everlasting figure—the Dean.
Now, Beirut has joined the ranks of Immortals, achieving eternal life.
Beirut, inherently an individual of gratitude, found himself so overwhelmed he could only express his thanks through bows.
"Sit, sit, sit."
"Relax."
Chen Jichuan urged him, though inwardly he nodded in affirmation.
Although his appearances in the ’Summoning Cottage’ were few, Chen Jichuan had a firm grip on its operations.
Those who displayed commendable character and potential invariably caught his attention, and at pivotal moments, he ensured he supported them in meaningful ways.
Take Beirut, for instance.
Despite having less aptitude compared to his peers, his temperament stood out—steady, responsible, and dependable. This earned him a place in Chen Jichuan’s consideration.
Years ago, Chen Jichuan assisted him in achieving Legendary Mage status.
This time, he orchestrates his ascension to Immortal.
Everything unfolds within Chen Jichuan’s meticulous planning.
Chen Jichuan has maintained a roster since each era, beginning from individuals before their enrollment. As they progress through studies and later serve the ’Summoning Cottage,’ the roster gradually narrows down.
Those who ultimately reach Legendary Mage status are those who remain on this exclusive list.
If the ’Summoning Cottage’ faces a shortage of Legendary Mages, Chen Jichuan selects one ranked highly on the list, providing the ’Enlightenment’ required to achieve Legendary status.
The ’Summoning Cottage’ currently boasts thirty-four Legendary Mages; fourteen joined from external affiliations, while twenty were nurtured internally. Among these twenty, fourteen were directly enlightened by Chen Jichuan.
Every single one of them has at some point been listed on his roster, and many remain so to this day.
Beirut, for instance.
Had the ’Summoning Cottage’ not urgently required a second Immortal, he would have likely lived out his days as a Legendary Mage on the roster, much like numerous other Legendary Mages over the last three millennia.
But Beirut’s fortune coincided with the ’Summoning Cottage’s’ timely need for an Immortal. Thus, as Chen Jichuan glanced through the roster of Legendary Mages, Beirut, with his lead position, seized the mantle of Immortal.
...