Modern World's Martial Dao Human Immortal

Time flowed by.

As the day of the Dao struggle approached, the Northern Sea Star gradually became more lively.

Almost every few years, new Dao Lords would return to the Northern Sea Star from the vast starry sky.

Most of these returning Dao Lords kept a low profile to avoid becoming targets and attracting undue attention, which would lead to being besieged at the onset of the Dao struggle.

However, a minority who had gained great fortune and adventures in the vast starry space were high-profile, forming alliances and preparing for the upcoming Dao struggle.

In addition, some Dao Lords who had grudges against each other couldn't help but fight upon meeting.

Such collisions between Great Daos caused tremors throughout the Northern Sea Star and the surrounding starry sky.

Had it not been for the Gate of the Immortal Realm suppressing the Northern Sea Star, it would have likely been turned to cosmic dust during the clash of Dao Lords long ago.

...

The arrival of many foreign Dao Lords drew the attention of the crowd, slightly reducing the focus on Alkaid.

He stayed quietly within the Heavenly Dao Sect for two hundred and thirty years.

At this moment, within the Abandoned Heaven Valley that the Heavenly Dao Sect used specifically for Artifact Refining.

Two figures were bustling about.

These two figures appeared slightly different in appearance, demeanor, and even the fluctuations of the Great Dao emanating from them varied, as if they were two completely different beings.

However, if a Dao Lord skilled in the Soul Dao were to carefully inspect with Soul Dao Technique, they would discover that the soul essence of these two figures had the same origin.

They seemed to be two people, but in reality, they were one.

This was indeed Alkaid's true body and the Time clone that he had refined over the past two hundred years.

In a moment of ceaseless activity, a mist with a mysterious aura suddenly spread out from the center of Alkaid.

This mist appeared ordinary, yet it seemed to evolve into a world of its own.

Inside and outside the range of the mist, two different sets of rules were followed.

Anyone entering would have not only their perception of the outside world changed, but also their understanding of the rules of the Great Dao interfered with.

One might be exerting all their strength to invoke the Great Void Path, but in reality, they would be connecting with the Great Path of Destruction.

Unfortunately, with their souls shrouded, they wouldn't realize it and would continue trying to harness the power of the Great Path of Destruction with the identity of having Integrated Dao with the Void, inevitably leading to being backfired upon by the Great Path of Destruction.

"The Ten Direction Heavenly Realm... No, now it can only be considered the Eight Desolates Heavenly Territory," Alkaid said with a hint of emotion as he sensed the world of mist around him, "After transforming the Endless Tower a hundred years ago, it took a full hundred and thirty years... to finally succeed."

In one hundred and thirty years, he had finally upgraded the Eight Desolates Mirror from a top Dao Artifact into a Semi-Immortal Artifact.

"I underestimated the difficulty in refining soul-based Semi-Immortal Artifacts; had it not been for 'Shao Hua' being cultivated twenty years ago, and with the combined efforts of the two of us re-refining the Eight Desolates Mirror, the transformation of the Eight Desolates Mirror might have taken up to a hundred and fifty or even two hundred years," Alkaid said, glancing at the Time clone he had named "Shao Hua."

Shao Hua responded, "Stop looking, we've only progressed 39% on Artifact Refining. The Soul Dao is one of the most difficult paths to cultivate within the Core Dao; to transform a top Soul Dao Artifact into a Semi-Immortal Artifact in just one hundred and twenty years is quite an achievement. Besides, you've been refining top Dao Artifacts and cultivating other Dao Techniques for the past two hundred years, so it's just a few decades more than originally planned. You should be content."

Alkaid paused slightly upon hearing this.

He wore a somewhat strange expression.

It seemed that his oddness was contagious to Shao Hua.

In the end...

Both figures became somewhat speechless.

They were even closer than "One Body, Dual Souls."

One Body, Dual Souls could still be considered as two different thinking entities, but he...

It was more akin to separating a part of his own soul and having the part that belonged to "Su Alkaid" carry it.

This was not a clone, but more like a borrowing of the body to return the soul.

Alkaid or Shao Hua — it didn't matter — they shared one thought process; there was no need for dialogue to understand what the other was thinking or experiencing.

It was like having two screens on a monitor, but the person checking the display was still the same.

Their conversation with each other was tantamount to talking to oneself.

The fact that their exchange seemed so proper and natural...

This kind of mischief...

Made both the original body and the clone speechless.

Shao Hua directly entered the depths of the Abandoned Heaven Valley.

Having experienced the various wonders of the Eight Desolates Heavenly Territory, Alkaid was satisfied and nodded, "Worthy of being a Semi-Immortal Artifact, not only does it have the ability to reflect the surroundings, but the created Heavenly Domain also delivers continuous soul assaults to any enemy. Those who cannot withstand such soul assaults will have their perceptions distorted."

Of course, these functions were all supplementary.

The most important aspect of the Eight Desolates Heavenly Territory was its ability to suppress the soul and largely immunize against soul and curse attacks.

In other words, it was a defense Semi-Immortal Artifact.

First refine the Endless Tower, then the Eight Desolates Mirror.

Only lastly, the Limitless Sword.

To survive one must have defense before considering attack.

"Now that the Eight Desolates Heavenly Territory is complete and my mood is good, I'll call Jun Tian Dao Lord over and share the good news that the Book of True Words is ready," Alkaid announced, sending a Divine Sense to summon Tang Fenghua, who was waiting outside.

Tang Fenghua quickly set off upon receiving the order.

While Alkaid tidied up the Eight Desolates Heavenly Territory and took out the Book of True Words, which had already been refined for some time, he went to a pavilion on the outskirts of the Abandoned Heaven Valley designed specifically for receiving guests. By the time he arrived, Jun Tian Dao Lord had come in a hurry, filled with joy.

Although the Heavenly Dao Sect possessed the Great Dao Golden Book, that Semi-Immortal Artifact belonged to the sect as a whole and not to any individual, including Dao Lords.

Of course, Dao Lords could choose not to follow the rules and take away the Great Dao Golden Book by force.

But should they ascend to the Immortal Realm and encounter an elder of the Heavenly Dao Sect, they better be prepared for the consequences after the autumn harvest.

In such circumstances, one can imagine the significance of having a top-tier Dao Artifact that wholly belongs to oneself.

"The Dao Lord has arrived."

Alkaid greeted him.

"Alkaid, I heard..."

Jun Tian Dao Lord asked impatiently.

Alkaid promptly handed over a book.

Jun Tian Dao Lord took the book, and his Power of the Great Dao quickly immersed itself within it. The Great Dao resonated with this Book of True Words, instantly enhancing his strength.

Within moments, the Dao Lord's face was filled with joy, "At the very least, it boosted the power of my Mantra Dao Technique by sixteen, perhaps even seventeen percent. Good, truly excellent."

"I'm glad you're satisfied," said Alkaid with a smile.

Overjoyed, Jun Tian Dao Lord responded, "Satisfied? I am extremely satisfied! Alkaid, your Artifact Refining Technology is truly astonishing! Not only have you created a Book of True Words with such excellent effects, but the efficiency of its crafting is also remarkably swift."

Jun Tian Dao Lord, invigorated, said, "During the last True Principle Great Dao competition, there were only three competitors. I lost to the Dao Lord who secured the spot in the Immortal Realm by just a hair. If this competition's opponents are still the remaining two, with the Book of True Words, I will undoubtedly stand out and ascend to the Immortal Realm with ease."

"Then, let me congratulate you in advance for your entry into the Immortal Realm, becoming a True Immortal, and living as long as the heavens," Alkaid said, smiling as he clasped his hands together.

"All this credit goes to Sect Leader Alkaid, thank you," said Jun Tian Dao Lord earnestly.

Alkaid nodded slightly.

He soon began to envy the Dao Lords of relatively obscure Great Daos like Jun Tian. These Dao Lords had only three or five competitors in each struggle, and as long as they defeated their opponents, who were reluctant to fight to the death, they would automatically give up, making the victor naturally ascend effortlessly.

In contrast, popular Great Daos like the Great Void Path or the Path of Streaming Light would have dozens of challengers that made the competition extremely difficult.

Alkaid was even considering simply letting his clone, Shao Hua, ascend to the Immortal Realm when the time came.

If Shao Hua could succeed in Integrate Dao, becoming the Dao Lord of the Path of Time...

Without any competitors, he could directly walk into the Gate of the Immortal Realm.

"There are only a limited number of spots for Integrate Dao. Because there is no Dao Lord of the Path of Time, I dare not rashly let Shao Hua attempt to integrate," Alkaid sighed inwardly.

He recalled the Star Chart he had sorted out from Abyssal Ruins Dao Lord...

Perhaps it was time to take a look at that gate to the Immortal Realm.

There were no Dao Lords of the Path of Time on the Northern Sea Star. He wondered if there were any at the gate of the Immortal Realm 3 billion light-years away.

Furthermore...

There were three other recorded Stellar Sects among the top forces of the Northern Sea Star.

Without exception, all three were monopolized by overlord forces, and ordinary Dao Lords simply didn't qualify to approach the Gate of the Immortal Realm.

He wondered if there were any Dao Lords of the Path of Time among these overlord forces.

As Alkaid pondered, Jun Tian Dao Lord had already mastered the mysteries of the Book of True Words and gradually calmed down.

"Now that the Dao Lord's Dao Artifact is complete, why not go out and show it off? It could also serve as publicity for me," Alkaid said with a smile. "It's been over two hundred years; the Dao Lords from the Ten Great Immortal Paths are almost all back, right? I would like to take on a few more commissions to test my skills."

"What about Pill Cauldron Dao Lord and Qing Ya Dao Lord?" Jun Tian Dao Lord asked.

"No hurry," Alkaid responded with a smile.

Jun Tian Dao Lord immediately understood his meaning.

Highest bidder wins, after all.

Although the prices offered by Pill Cauldron Dao Lord and Qing Ya Dao Lord were not low, they were only at market value.

But now, with the Dao competition imminent...

There might be Dao Lords willing to pay a high price for him to rush a top-tier Dao Artifact to better compete for a spot to ascend to the realm of immortals.

Especially since everyone had just returned from their starry trials, accumulating treasures over thousands of years.

When people have money, they tend to spend it readily.

Perhaps there would be a Dao Lord willing to offer something remarkable in exchange for his service.

"I'll go visit the fellow Dao Lords with the Book of True Words right away," said Jun Tian Dao Lord.

For such a minor matter, Jun Tian Dao Lord readily agreed.

"Thank you for the trouble," replied Alkaid.

Jun Tian Dao Lord laughed and waved his hand, quickly leaving.

Alkaid then focused and turned his attention to the final top-tier Dao Artifact that needed upgrading—the Limitless Sword.

But just as Alkaid had spent a few days beginning to upgrade the Limitless Sword, his communication Jade Talisman buzzed.

He glanced at it and saw a message from Penglai Dao Lord.

"Alkaid, there's a bit of business that I think you might be interested in."

"Oh? What is it?"

"An elder of the Dashang Immortal Dynasty, one of the Four Great Immortal Dynasties, Shang Tianming, offended the Destruction Divine Venerable over a treasure during his starry trial. Now, the Destruction Divine Venerable has left the Divine Race territory with five major Divine Venerables to intercept Destiny Dao Lord in space."