Breaking Through the Golden Body Realm

In this third simulation, had Chen Yi not lived to the age of eighty, dying in his fifties like the last time, how could he have possibly encountered an event like the great war between the two races?

It was also fortunate that he had not committed any wicked deeds after obtaining the Ten Thousand Souls Banner in this life.

Otherwise, he would have either been hunted down by the righteous factions, failing to live to eighty.

Or the Sword Master would have used martial force to coerce him as a demonic cultivator, rather than treating him with such friendliness now.

"Speaking of which, this peach that only bears fruit once every thousand-plus years is inherently meant to aid in breaking through to the Martial King Realm. Does this mean I can use this peach for all my major realm breakthroughs in the future?"

It felt as though he had suddenly discovered a shortcut.

Demon race invasion -> Chaos in the rear -> Sword Master invites me out of seclusion -> I ask for peaches.

Perfect.

To achieve this perfect closed loop, he first had to reveal his unique physique to the Sword Master.

This wouldn't be difficult either.

He could simply go straight to the Limitless Sword Sect to seek apprenticeship and declare his special physique.

Once the Sword Master learned of it, given his deep foresight, he would leave a mark on him just like this time.

"Being a sword cultivator is great. I definitely need to learn the ways of the sword, haha..."

[ On this day, your entire body radiated a brilliant golden light, illuminating half of the Divine Weapon City. ]

[ Martial artists in the city gathered around, observing with curiosity. ]

[ "Someone has broken through to the Golden Body Realm!" ]

[ "I'm so envious! I've been stuck in the Soul Tempering Realm for forty years. Why don't I have such fortune!" ]

[ "A Golden Body martial artist is a true master of the martial Dao!" ]

[ "But looking at this person's age, he already has one foot in the grave. Whether he breaks through or not probably doesn't mean much anymore." ]

[ "You're just bitter! A breakthrough in realm might just extend his lifespan!" ]

[ "Without reaching the Martial King Realm, extending his lifespan is bullshit!" ]

[ The Pavilion Master of the Divine Weapon Pavilion, master of the two great spirit monkeys, Zhuge Zhujin, also hurried over to offer his congratulations. ]

[ Zhenpin took one look and was astounded. A Sword Master was acting as a protector for your breakthrough, and the Pavilion Master of the Divine Weapon Pavilion, respected by martial artists worldwide, was congratulating you. ]

[ Does this make any sense? ]

[ Zhenpin realized he had still underestimated you; your identity was absolutely not simple! ]

[ "Sword Master, is this the Grand Marshal for Demon Eradication in the rear that you have chosen?" ]

[ The Sword Master nodded. ]

[ "Brother Zhuge, it is time we return to the frontlines at the Azure Ridge. We can leave the rear to Chen Yi." ]

[ The Sword Master spoke with such breezy calmness. The trust and validation in his words made your elderly heart inexplicably ignite with passion. ]

[ Zhuge Zhujin sighed. ]

[ "It is a pity that my treacherous disciple has yet to be captured. However, Fire Monkey reported earlier that he has chased the traitor overseas and will not give him any chance to return to the Five Regions to wreak havoc." ]

[ The Sword Master informed you that the Demon Eradication Army responsible for the territories within the Five Regions had already been assembled and was on its way. You only needed to remain in the Divine Weapon City and wait. ]

[ As soon as they arrived, you could take up the seal of command and march to war! ]

[ "This is an Earth-rank flying spiritual artifact, the Cloud-Topping Skiff. It can be used for your army's long-distance travels. The Five Regions are vast; relying solely on legs and horses will not suffice." ]

[ The Sword Master then handed you a tiny wooden boat. ]

[ This item could enlarge and fly through the skies. It was a genuine Earth-rank spiritual artifact! ]

[ "Many thanks, Sword Master. By the way..." ]

[ You thought of something and wanted the Sword Master to give it a try. ]

[ The Nine Provinces Cauldron, Da Chun! ]

[ Currently, the great war between the two races was in a critical state. The Sword Master had helped you break through, placed immense trust in you, and entrusted you with a heavy responsibility. ]

[ If Da Chun was an artifact spirit and could help the Sword Master activate the Nine Provinces Cauldron, the human race might just be able to secure victory in this inter-racial war! ]

[ Letting the Sword Master try would mean that if Da Chun wasn't the spirit, you wouldn't have to waste a trip bringing Da Chun along in the next simulation. ]

[ However, after listening to your explanation, the Sword Master offered a bitter smile and shook his head. ]

[ "There is no need to try. The Nine Provinces Cauldron has been lost." ]

[ "Lost? Lord Sword Master, I must speak my mind on this. Even if the Nine Provinces Cauldron cannot be used, it is still a Great Dao Immortal Artifact with an intact vessel. How could you lose it? Where was it lost?" ]

[ Where was it lost? I'll go pick it up in my next simulation! ]

[ "I mean to say, it was stolen by someone." ]

[ Your eyes widened in disbelief. ]

[ "How could anyone steal something so massive, which cannot even be stored in a spatial artifact, from the Limitless Sword Sect? Was it the demon race?" ]

[ "It actually wasn't the demon race. It was a human." ]

[ "What faction within the human race possesses such power?" ]

[ "I do not know. There is always a higher mountain, and always a stronger expert. As long as the Nine Provinces Cauldron did not fall into the hands of the demon race, its theft is acceptable. Treasures belong to the capable; there is nothing wrong with that." ]

[ The Sword Master, Zhuge Zhujin, and a group of high-realm martial artists departed from the Divine Weapon City together. ]

[ The Sword Master also left you a Marshal's Seal, a set of General's Armor, and a Marshal's Banner as tokens of authority. ]

[ The Sword Master and the others were not national leaders; they were simply acting as commanders responsible for coordinating the various martial factions in this war against the demons. ]

[ Even the most supreme figures in the secular world—such as the Empress of the Southern Frontier, the Emperor of the Central Plains, and the Khan of the Northern Wastes—had to submit to their command during this great war. ]

[ They couldn't just fight their own separate battles and turn everything into a chaotic mess. ]

[ Therefore, your Demon Eradication Army did not belong to any nation or regime. It was purely an armed force composed of martial artists, dedicated to traveling around and pacifying the rampaging demons. ]

[ Regimes across the lands had already received instructions to support your logistical and supply needs, so you didn't have to worry about such trivial matters. ]

[ Your only concern was to fight! Slay the demons! ]

[ During the period while waiting for the Demon Eradication Army to assemble. ]

[ "Monk, why don't you be my Deputy Marshal?" ]

[ "Amitabha. Grand Marshal Chen, this poor monk is afraid he lacks the capability." ]

[ "What if I told you it was the Sword Master's intention?" ]

[ "Monks hold compassion in their hearts. Eradicating demons for the people and safeguarding the peace of the realm is only natural. This old monk is duty-bound to accept the role of Deputy Marshal!" ]

[ "You old bald donkey, you're just blindly worshipping the Sword Master!" ]

[ My trust was misplaced after all! ]

[ The Ten Thousand Souls Banner reminded you. ]

[ "Buddy, even though you broke through, I must remind you that given your aptitude, if you want to continue raising your cultivation, you'll still have to rely on earth veins." ]

[ "I still have to go looking for earth veins?" ]

[ "Of course! You look pretty hale and hearty to me. Put in some effort, and who knows, maybe you'll break through to the Martial King Realm before you die and extend your lifespan!" ]

[ "With the way you say it, do you think I even believe you..." ]

[ The Ten Thousand Souls Banner shut its mouth. ]

[ It truly was absurd; even it didn't believe its own words. ]

[ Having taken another's gift, your hands are tied; having eaten another's food, your words are softened. ]

[ You accepted the fortuitous encounter of the Immortal Peach, so fulfilling your promise was only right. ]

[ Year 64, 82 years old. ]

[ The Demon Eradication Army finished assembling in the Divine Weapon City. ]

[ They were all martial artists who had rushed over from all corners of the Five Regions. Half of them hailed from minor sects and small families, while the other half were rogue cultivators. ]

[ The mid-to-large-sized factions were currently all on the frontlines. ]

[ As for the smaller factions and rogue cultivators in the rear, a portion of them initially intended to play it safe and stay out of trouble. ]

[ But seeing how protracted this war had become, with the demonic scourge right at their doorsteps, combined with the forceful summons from top-tier factions like the Limitless Sword Sect... ]

[ Not participating was no longer an option. ]

[ However, there were also some within the Demon Eradication Army who had volunteered to join the fight. ]

[ While some sought to protect themselves, naturally, there were also those who wished to do their part. ]