C11: Ascension to the Higher Realm

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The golden portal of ascension closed behind Lin Xiao with a thunderous boom that echoed across dimensions. The sensation was like being torn apart and remade at the same time — chaotic energy surging violently through every meridian.

When the light faded, Lin Xiao found himself standing on a vast ancient platform floating in the clouds. The air was incredibly dense with immortal spiritual energy, so thick it felt almost liquid. Towering jade mountains stretched endlessly into the distance, and massive immortal ships sailed across the sky like migrating dragons.

This was the Immortal Ascension Realm– the Upper World that all peak cultivators of the Tianyuan Continent dreamed of reaching.

Lin Xiao’s body had undergone a complete transformation. His cultivation base had stabilized at the early Immortal Ascension Stage (equivalent to early Nascent Soul but far more profound). The red and black chaotic lightning around him had evolved into true Immortal Chaos Lightning, crackling with destructive immortal laws. His long black hair, still tied in that signature high ponytail, now shimmered with faint golden-red threads.

Su Mei and Murong Xue appeared beside him, looking slightly disoriented but excited. A small group of his most loyal followers also made it through.

【System Notification】

【Welcome to the Immortal Realm. Eternal Grind System has upgraded to Immortal Version.】

【New Functions Unlocked: Immortal Plunder, Destiny Stealing, Realm Quest Board, Harem Cultivation Link.】

【Main Quest Updated: “Eternal Grind – Immortal Path”. Conquer or destroy the major powers of the Immortal Realm. Reach the peak of Immortal Emperor within 5 years.】

Lin Xiao clenched his fist, feeling the overwhelming new power. A cold, arrogant smile spread across his face.

Finally. A worthy stage. The Lower World was just the tutorial. Here… I will grind gods.

Flashback – The Moment of True Awakening.

Lying half-dead in the Lin Clan courtyard, blood pooling beneath him. The System’s voice had not just given him power — it had given him purpose. No more enduring. No more forgiveness. Only endless ascent through the suffering of his enemies.

Before he could fully orient himself, a group of immortals in luxurious robes descended from a nearby immortal ship. Their leader, a handsome man at mid Immortal Ascension Stage named Young Master Zhao Tian, looked at Lin Xiao’s group with open disdain.

“New ascenders?” Zhao Tian sneered, fanning himself with a jade fan. “How rare to see such a small and shabby group. You there — the one with the chaotic aura. Hand over your ascension treasures and storage rings as tribute. This is my Zhao Clan’s territory. Newcomers must pay respect.”

His companions — several Immortal Ascension experts and two beautiful female servants — laughed mockingly.

One of the women covered her mouth. “Look at that ponytail and those cheap Lower World robes. How barbaric.”

Lin Xiao’s eyes turned ice-cold. Red and black immortal lightning sparked violently around him.

Even in the higher realm, arrogant young masters dare look down on me? Good. The grind never stops. I will make an example of them immediately.

“I suggest you kneel,” Lin Xiao said arrogantly, his voice carrying immortal pressure. “Or die.”

Zhao Tian’s face twisted in rage. “Insolent ant! Do you know who I am? My father is a Grand Elder of the Zhao Immortal Clan!”

He attacked instantly, summoning a powerful immortal palm technique that formed a gigantic golden hand capable of crushing mountains.

Lin Xiao didn’t even draw his sword at first. He raised one hand and activated his evolved **Heaven Defying Slaughter Domain**. The red and black immortal lightning domain exploded outward, far stronger than before. The golden palm shattered like fragile glass upon contact.

Then he moved.

Shadow Step had evolved into Immortal Phantom Shift. He appeared directly in front of Zhao Tian and delivered a casual palm strike infused with Immortal Chaos Lightning.

BOOOOM!

Zhao Tian’s protective immortal armor exploded. He flew backward like a broken ragdoll, crashing through several jade pillars on the platform. Blood sprayed from his mouth.

The other experts attacked together in fury.

Lin Xiao laughed darkly and unleashed the Chaos Emperor Sword Art — Immortal Version. His spirit sword (now upgraded with immortal materials from the previous plunder) sang as red and black lightning dragons manifested with every slash.

The fight was completely one-sided.

He dismantled the Zhao Clan group with ruthless efficiency. Limbs were severed. Dantians were crushed. Plunder after plunder fed the System.

【Immortal Plunder activated repeatedly!】

【+85,000 Immortal Points. Multiple talent fragments and immortal laws acquired.】

【Cultivation breakthrough to Mid Immortal Ascension Stage!】

In under ten minutes, only Zhao Tian remained alive, kneeling and trembling in terror. His arrogance had completely shattered.

“M-mercy… Senior, I was blind! Please spare my life! I can introduce you to my clan and offer beautiful women—”

Lin Xiao stepped on his head, pressing his face into the ground.

“Mercy?” he said coldly. “I showed mercy for eighteen years in the Lower World. It earned me nothing but beatings and humiliation. In this life, I only take.”

He fully plundered Zhao Tian, then executed him with a casual slash. The two female servants who had mocked his appearance immediately knelt and begged to serve him.

Lin Xiao looked them over indifferently. “You two will serve my concubines for now. Prove your worth or die.”

Su Mei and Murong Xue smiled with satisfaction as the new servants lowered their heads in submission.

News of the slaughter spread rapidly across the nearby immortal cities. A monstrous new ascender had arrived and immediately killed a Zhao Clan young master and his elite guards.

Lin Xiao claimed the Zhao Clan’s flying ship as his own and headed toward the nearest major city — Cloud Immortal City.

Along the way, the System issued its first major quest in the Immortal Realm.

【Quest: Establish Dominance. Destroy or subdue one major power within one month. Reward: Immortal Emperor Scripture Fragment + Massive Luck Boost.】

Lin Xiao stood at the bow of the ship, ponytail whipping in the immortal winds, red and black lightning coiling around him like loyal dragons.

“This realm thinks it’s superior,” he said arrogantly. “I will show them what a true grinder looks like.”

In Cloud Immortal City, countless powerful clans and sects took notice of the newcomer. Some laughed. Others prepared to suppress him. A few ancient existences sensed the chaotic destiny surrounding him and grew wary.

But none of them understood yet.

The man who had risen from the biggest joke of the Lower World had ascended.

And he brought the Eternal Grind with him.

That very night, Lin Xiao infiltrated a grand auction hosted by the city’s overlord — the Mystic Cloud Pavilion. When a arrogant bidder tried to steal a rare Chaos-grade immortal pill that Lin Xiao wanted, he killed the man in public and plundered everyone who tried to stop him.

By sunrise, the Mystic Cloud Pavilion had a new master.

Lin Xiao sat on their highest throne, Su Mei on his lap and Murong Xue massaging his shoulders. New beautiful immortal maidens attended him.

He looked out at the vast Immortal Realm stretching before him and smiled with pure ruthlessness.

“The heavens gave me a second chance. I will not waste it on righteousness or mercy.”

The Eternal Grind has entered the Immortal Realm.

And the Upper World will soon bleed.

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