Modern World's Martial Dao Human Immortal

The materials in the Storage Treasure of Penglai Dao Lord were extraordinarily valuable. But... The value also had its advantages. That was, they were useful. After investing materials worth over two billion Pure Yang Great Pills, in less than five years, both the Two Realms Ruler and the Heaven-Sealing Stele transformed into Superior Dao Artifacts one after another. "It's done." Alkaid looked at the two Superior Dao Artifacts with joy in his eyes. The transformation of a Superior Dao Artifact is not as exaggerated as that of a top-notch Dao Artifact, but when combined with the corresponding Dao Techniques, it becomes even more effortless to wield. "Indeed, you get what you pay for; it's half a year ahead of the five years I had anticipated." Alkaid thought to himself as he held the two artifacts and felt them carefully. "Top-notch Dao Artifacts are difficult to refine. Either I must be willing to invest more than a hundred billion in materials or put in a hundred years. Otherwise, if I continue to consider the cost-effectiveness like before and nurture the Two Realms Ruler and the Heaven-Sealing Stele into top-notch artifacts, it would take at least a few hundred years. If not careful, by the time these two artifacts are refined, the Gate of the Immortal Realm might also be open, thus wasting a significant amount of cultivation time." A hundred billion in material costs! With the current earning capabilities of the Southern Region, it's estimated that it would take a hundred years to save up one hundred billion. But if he could pull all the Artifact Refiners from Heavenly Dao Sect, and greatly increase the production capacity of warships and Flying Swords... A hundred years might well be reduced to sixty years, or even thirty years. Furthermore... Some top-notch refining materials not available outside might not necessarily be unobtainable within Heavenly Dao Sect. So... This position of Sect Leader of Heavenly Dao Sect, he was set on it. The next step was to wait another half year. After retrieving the Limitless Sword, he would start preparing to return to Heavenly Dao Sect, getting ready to vie for the position of Sect Leader. "Summon Wan Liugui to see me." Tang Fenghua, residing at the foot of Hundred Refinement Peak, complied upon receiving the message and quickly conveyed it to Wan Liugui. Soon, the Hollow Void War Immortal appeared atop Hundred Refinement Peak. "Sect Leader." Wan Liugui greeted with a fist and palm salute. "I have completed the Shattered Void and will hold a grand Shattered Void Feast on Nine Cauldrons Peak at Heavenly Dao Sect one year from now, inviting all the friends from the Ten Great Immortal Paths, the Three Immortal Martial Sects, and the Four Great Immortal Dynasties to attend." Alkaid curtly said, "This time, we must do it on a grand scale to make my name as the Shattered Void known throughout the world." "Shattered Void!?" Wan Liugui was startled. Though he had never doubted that Alkaid would achieve the Shattered Void. And he even felt that it wouldn't take Alkaid too long to do so. If quick, a hundred years; if slow, a few hundred years. But... How much time has passed since then? Thirty years! It's been just over thirty years since he reached Refining Void! And now he's achieved Shattered Void!? "Go, make the arrangements as soon as possible, and send out invitations to those Hollow Void and Refining Void cultivators who are friendly with us, as well as forces we have had business dealings with. Finish this task within half a year, leaving another half a year to prepare for this grand feast." Alkaid commanded. Electric with energy, Wan Liugui swiftly came to his senses, "Yes." After all, he had been mentally prepared enough for Alkaid's ascension to Shattered Void, and even if the timing was much earlier than expected, he quickly recovered. "Half a year is enough. I'll arrange it right away and won't disappoint you, Sect Leader." This Hollow Void War Immortal responded emphatically. In his tone, not only was there solemnity but also an indescribable eagerness. In ten years, from Hollow Void to Refining Void! And thirty years from Refining Void to Shattered Void! At this rate, within a hundred years, won't he have Integrated Dao? Perhaps in the future... Their Cangwu lineage might give birth to a Dao Lord!? A glorious being who could leave behind a top-tier legacy on Northern Sea Star and be considered a ruler of a star system in the Universe? With this fiery passion, Wan Liugui left swiftly. As the news of Alkaid's intention to hold the Shattered Void Feast became public, Wan Liugui and others didn't particularly conceal it, and the news quickly spread throughout the Southern Capital, gradually reaching beyond, to the rest of the Southern Region. Like Wan Liugui, everyone believed that Alkaid would inevitably ascend to Shattered Void. But... There's no comparison between advancing to Shattered Void in hundreds of years and doing so in thirty years! The prowess Alkaid had shown was no less impressive than that of a Dao Lord candidate, and it likely wouldn't be long before he had a place on the Dao Lord reserve list. Even though he had just advanced to Shattered Void. As the news that thrilled everyone in the Southern Capital slowly spread to the Southern Region, something else happened within the Territory Lord's Mansion, an event not as big as Alkaid's ascension to Shattered Void but still causing widespread joy among many. Li Hanqiu successfully completed the Stellar Ring Nine Refinements! And not just that! After fully stabilizing his Chaos Void state, he was blessed with inspiration and used the Limitless Sword's profound perceptions of the Great Void Path, which seemed like a projection of the Great Dao itself, to make a sudden breakthrough and step into the Hollow Void Realm. As his promotion to Hollow Void triggered a celestial phenomenon, all the higher-ups in the Territory Lord's Mansion were astir. Alkaid even appeared in person, protecting Li Hanqiu with the power of Shattered Void. In just ten days, the process of opening Cave Heaven was completed, crossing from death to life, and Li Hanqiu, reborn anew, reappeared before everyone. When they saw his Cave Heaven, which was indistinguishable from an official Hollow Void, Wan Liugui, a veteran "Divinity Transformation" who had long been a Hollow Void War Immortal, couldn't help but burst into laughter, "Hahaha! Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!" Alkaid also congratulated Li Hanqiu with a smile, "As of today, True Monarch Li truly deserves his reputation! Congratulations to True Monarch Li for truly opening Cave Heaven and stepping into the Hollow Void Realm!" And the likes of Huang Tianhao, Lou Yuyu, and Shen Qinglian, who originally belonged to the Nine Cauldrons Sect, were even more exhilarated as they shouted loudly, "Congratulations to the Supreme Elder for attaining Hollow Void, henceforth may you roam the starry seas and enjoy boundless longevity!" Although Li Hanqiu was modest, at this moment, he still accepted everyone's congratulations. The lineage of Cangwu... It was too difficult. Especially during those initial years on Northern Sea Star, they lived with great caution and as if treading on thin ice. But now, having attained Hollow Void, he truly entered the ranks of the powerful within Northern Sea Star. Even if Alkaid were to ascend to the Immortal Realm through the Gate of the Immortal Realm later on, and changes occurred within the Heavenly Dao Sect, the vast world could be explored with confidence as long as they had him, a Hollow Void, to lead the Nine Cauldrons Sect. "Thank you." Li Hanqiu looked at Alkaid and sincerely expressed his gratitude. "There's no need to thank me; this is the reward you deserve from years of arduous cultivation." Alkaid responded with a smile. Li Hanqiu covertly glanced at Wan Liugui who was full of envy. However, he did not bring up the request hoping that Alkaid would lend the Limitless Sword, a treasure of immense value, to Wan Liugui. Even though... With Wan Liugui's more profound foundation in the Stellar Ring Nine Refinements and as a Hollow Void War Immortal, he would certainly be able to reach Hollow Void if he could obtain the Limitless Sword. But Li Hanqiu was very aware of the Limitless Sword's preciousness. Such a treasure containing the power of the Great Dao... Would be enough to drive any Shattered Void mad with desire. Once exposed... There would undoubtedly be countless Shattered Voids who would target Alkaid. Alkaid trusted him to cultivate with this treasure and to help him in his Shattered Void cultivation; he could not betray this trust. Li Hanqiu thought as much, and Alkaid had no intention of lending out the Limitless Sword either. If he could become a Dao Lord in the future, creating a top-grade exclusive dao artifact for them to use was within the realm of possibility. But for now... He could not afford to attract too much attention from other Dao Lords. Even if Penglai Dao Lord had already agreed to become his Protector, it was no different. "Attaining Hollow Void is a major event for any force; we could hold a Hollow Void Ascension Banquet ahead of time for you in Southern Capital, as a warm-up for my own Shattered Void Ascension Banquet and also as a response to the other members of the Cangwu lineage," Alkaid suggested with a smile. "We don't need a Hollow Void Ascension Banquet," Li Hanqiu shook his head: "With your Shattered Void Ascension Banquet coming up, I think that would be sufficient for those from the Cangwu lineage to feel regret." "It's different. You are a true Hollow Void, having transitioned from being a Hollow Void War Immortal," Alkaid said with a smile. "Your Shattered Void Ascension Banquet will be a grand affair, and people from the Taiyi Immortal Sect will surely come. Who knows, the Cangwu lineage might have attendees, too. When they see me and realize I have achieved Hollow Void, this sudden surprise... um, delightful surprise, wouldn't that have an even better effect?" Li Hanqiu responded cheerfully. "Alright then," Seeing this, Alkaid didn't insist further: "We'll do as you suggest." He glanced around: "In the future, you will handle all the matters here in Southern Capital. After attaining Hollow Void, dealing with these things should be somewhat easier." Li Hanqiu nodded. Currently, the trivial affairs of Southern Capital were indeed being managed by both Li Hanqiu and Wan Liugui. But... After all, they were Hollow Void War Immortals. Even with Alkaid's reputation overhead, all the forces dared not show a hint of dissatisfaction, yet when dealing with outsiders, they still encountered some unintentional disrespect. Previously, when Wu Changfeng, a Refining Void, assisted them, things were somewhat better. However, since Wu Changfeng took full responsibility for the Heaven's Net system in the Southern Region, Wan Liugui and Li Hanqiu encountered more difficulty in handling some matters than before. Perhaps the other party had no malice, but sometimes the attitude they displayed... Was not as committed as when Wu Changfeng was present. A Hollow Void War Immortal was always a Hollow Void War Immortal! Now that he had achieved true Hollow Void... From then on, heaven and earth were different. ... After Li Hanqiu achieved Hollow Void, he returned the Limitless Sword to Alkaid and went into seclusion to stabilize his cultivation. Alkaid didn't refuse. It was almost time to return to the Heavenly Dao Sect. He needed to re-refine the Limitless Sword quickly to ensure that upon his return to the Heavenly Dao Sect, he could use the information he held to strike fear, deter the sect, and further complete his absolute control over the Heavenly Dao Sect. While he was re-refining the Limitless Sword, the news of Alkaid's promotion to Shattered Void and the impending grand ascension banquet spread from the Southern Region, sweeping across the entire Human Race territory. Although many had heard Alkaid's name more than once over the years and were mentally prepared for his eventual promotion to Shattered Void, him achieving this in just thirty years was astonishing... When cultivators from Southern Capital arrived at various forces with invitations, the news still shocked all human cultivators. Especially since Alkaid was still barely over a century old! This speed, even compared to Penglai Dao Lord back in his day, was considered more remarkable. For a time, some people began to regard him as the second Penglai Dao Lord. Others called him the first master of the newer generation. Even the alien races from territories outside the Human Race took note of this name for the first time. In this moment, the name Alkaid truly ascended onto the grand stage of the whole Northern Sea Star, staunchly standing at the pinnacle of Northern Sea Star on his own strength.