The mightiest stand at the highest peak of all between Heaven and Earth, looking up to which is only a dream for countless cultivators.
To many cultivators, if they were lucky enough to win the favor of the mightiest, then their cultivation journeys would sail smoothly and rapidly.
However, in thousands of years, most of the strongest devote themselves to cultivation and seeking the Immortal Path, not paying much attention to taking disciples. Even many brilliant descendants fail to capture their favor.
It was enviable for many that someone as ordinary as Pang Hong managed to become a disciple of such a powerful master, even more so as the only legitimate disciple.
Now, to have the chance to challenge this disciple of the mightiest, if one can defeat him, the victory would prove to be an incredible opportunity and honor, ultimately becoming famous across Heaven and Earth.
When Pang Hong stepped forward to say they could challenge him, quite a number of cultivators at the Spirit Realm Third Level took a step forward to challenge Pang Hong.
Those who could stand here, whether qualified or simply aspiring, were all exceptional and were the cream of the crop amongst their peers, otherwise, they wouldn't have reached this level of strength.
"I'll go!" One cultivator at the Spirit Realm Third Level immediately leaped forward and landed in front of Pang Hong.
This was a prodigy from the Xuantian Sect, though not as brilliant as the true disciples of the Xuantian Sect, he held substantial power amongst his peers.
Unfortunately, this prodigy from Xuantian Sect couldn't bear a single stroke from Pang Hong.
Clang!
The Shenxiao Sword was unsheathed
Holding the sword, unsheathing it, cutting with smooth and uninterrupted movements!
A dazzling sword light flashed. Almost instantly, an intense sword will seeped through when the sword was drawn out.
Once Pang Hong sheathed his sword, that prodigy from Xuantian Sect had already been eliminated.
"Who is next!" Pang Hong's face was calm as his gaze swept over the others.
From a distance, people like Zhao Baiyang looked at Pang Hong and thought to themselves, "This child indeed has bits of Pei Xuanjing's demeanor."
"I'll go!"
"…"
Despite Pang Hong's easy victory over his previous opponents, the truly strong would not shrink back, but would only fight bravely.
However, the outcome remained the same.
These people kept entering the ring, the ultimate conclusion had been determined, almost no one could handle Pang Hong's strike.
Not until a young prodigy from a sword sect appeared. This prodigy who wielded a divine sword from the sword sect, and Pang Hong were both at the Spirit Realm Fifth Level. Their confrontation set off fearsome combat power, causing many cultivators around them to be filled with awe.
Many cultivators at the Spirit Realm Fifth Level were extremely shocked by the spectacle because by looking at the strength these two were displaying, they realized that if they were in their position, even though their realms were higher, many of them couldn't be sure of their victory.
In the end, Pang Hong and the sword sect's prodigy ended in a draw. They unleashed their killer moves and eliminated each other from the tournament in the Forbidden Place.
"Master, I lost." Pang Hong spoke to Pei Xuanjing with a bit of shame.
He felt that he had been too conceited. Originally, he thought that by conserving his strength, he could challenge cultivators at the Spirit Realm Fifth Level. So, when he initially faced the prodigy of his own realm from the sword sect, he didn't really put his all into it, otherwise the outcome should not have been like this.
Pei Xuanjing didn't take it to heart. Pang Hong's performance today had already made him very satisfied. He flicked his sleeves lightly, Life Essence descended onto Pang Hong, helping him to recover from his injuries.
"You performed very well today, and I'm very satisfied with you." He said to Pang Hong to put him at ease.
He then told Pang Hong to recover from his injuries and not to think too much. There was no harm in losing this time; he could try harder next time and win back.
After comforting Pang Hong, Pei Xuanjing once again focused his attention on the ongoing contest on the battlefield. The contest didn't stop even during the time they were speaking, and although the cultivators there might not be as strong as him, Pei Xuanjing was watching it with great interest, observing the skills and divine powers each used.
After all, even after advancing to Pei Xuanjing's realm, the chances of him having a proper bout with the cultivators of the Sky Wasteland were less frequent. So, even though the cultivators here had lower strength levels, their skills and divine abilities were still novel for Pei Xuanjing. Watching them fighting could inspire him. Even if the chances are one in ten thousand, as long as he gains something, it is a win for Pei Xuanjing.
The lower-tier cultivators aside, confrontation with cultivators like Zhao Baiyang at the Spirit Realm Sixth Level was indeed beneficial to Pei Xuanjing.
Once basics are solidified and they have reached this state, whether individuals were independent practitioners or cultivators from big forces, none of them was weak. The divine abilities they wielded were all quite profound.
After all, cultivators who made it this far, and managed to remain victorious among so many cultivators, are the elite amongst their peers. Most of the cultivators of the Spirit Realm Sixth Level standing in the fighting area now had an eighty percent chance to, despite not guaranteeing a hundred percent chance that they could form their Taoist Foundation on their own and enter into the Spirit Realm Seventh Level.
Simply put, of these people, nearly half could even go toe to toe with some cultivators at the Spirit Realm Seventh Level, and possibly overpower them if a real life and death battle were to ensue.
The subsequent battles were absolutely exhilarating. Even a mighty person like Pei Xuanjing saw these remaining cultivators displaying their learning, each showing off their varied divine abilities, only in the name of competing for the final reward.
A cultivator of the Spirit Realm Third Level challenged a cultivator of the Fourth Level of the Spiritual Realm and won, a Spirit Realm Third Level one challenged the Spirit Realm Fifth Level, and even a Spirit Realm Fourth Level one challenged the Spirit Realm Sixth Level, barely losing in the last challenge. There were countless instances like these.
"Indeed, there are quite a few hidden gems among these independent practitioners. Although some real monster-like disciples from large forces have not yet appeared, the strength these independent practitioners are displaying now is indeed quite remarkable." Pei Xuanjing marveled in his heart.
Among the cultivators of this world, independent practitioners were the majority. These major forces seemed to have nearly eighty percent of the resources and recruited countless genius disciples. In this huge number of cultivators, there will always be some extraordinary ones.
After all, cultivation hinges significantly on oneself. There will always be people, or strong ones, who can do what others can't. They rise step by step, breaking the monopoly of power and making a future for themselves.
This was one of the things about this world that Pei Xuanjing appreciated. Even if powerful forces controlled everything, the world would still retain a ray of life. Because when it came to the talent for cultivation, it was unpredictable. There would always be strong practitioners who would emerge, rise, and break everything.
The development of the world and heaven and earth only continues to grow stronger if it maintains vitality and vigour.
However, if a world becomes rigid and stagnant, it will lose the opportunity to continue to develop.
The current situation in the Daming World is so. If these great forces across heaven and earth monopolize everything and deprive ordinary people, or say independent practitioners, of the possibilities of advancement, this world will become as stagnant as a dead pool, void of even the slightest chance of development.
When Pei Xuanjing initially pushed for the development of the Taoist Academy, he did so not only to give himself a profit, gather broad benefits, and utilize the wisdom and thoughts of many people to gain more Taoyun points, but also to give more opportunities to the people of the world and allow more people to have chances of advancement.
This world is different from the world of his previous life. In the Daming World, as long as cultivation exists, even if these top forces occupy 80% of the interests among heaven and earth, they would not devolve into a dead pool. The layout of this world will not remain rigid and unchanged forever.
Because the talent in cultivation is unpredictable and uncontrollable, even if many geniuses born into great forces are valued and nurtured from birth, receiving the teachings of countless strong people.
However, there will always be some truly strong individuals who, despite starting from insignificance with not much resources, can still rise and stand at the pinnacle of Heaven and Earth.
"A vibrant world can continue to evolve. If it is a stagnant world, there will inevitably be people who will appear to break it," Pei Xuanjing thought to himself.
The competition on the stage has already reached its climax, and these cultivators have contended for the victors of each realm and received the rewards they need.
Next, the real meat of the competition will begin – the duel between cultivators of the seventh and eighth levels of the Spirit Realm. Their victories or losses will determine the respective shares of benefits each party can get after the Sky Wasteland merges into the Daming World.
Originally, the contest of the cultivators at the seventh level of the Spirit Realm should have started immediately. However, taking into account that the several people from the ancestral land who participated in the competition just finished their moves and need some time to recuperate, the waiting period was extended by a month.
During this month, Pei Xuanjing also had conversations with many strong individuals, each expressing their way of cultivation, which is a benefit to many cultivators.
Of course, the act of many strong individuals conversing is a rarity in the Sky Wasteland, and for these ordinary cultivators, it is an opportunity. For Pei Xuanjing and the rest of the strong individuals, it is also a good chance to exchange and confirm what they have learned.
The strong individuals from all sides immediately narrated their own way, discussing the Tao with each other.
As the Master of Mystiq Sky explained, the Tao of Mystiq Sky Sect is heaven, also the natural Tao.
The essence of the cultivation of the Xuantian Sect is the Xuantian Scripture, which explains the Tao of nature, conforms to the will of Heaven, and is in accordance with the Tao.
The Sword Sect, which pursues the truth with a heart only for the sword, espouses straightness over bentness. They believe everything but heaven, earth, and themselves – the heart of self-improvement is their way.
Taisu refers to the start of nature's essence. In reference to the five Taisu principles of Taoism, Taisu is the fourth stage after Taiyi, Taichu, and Taishi. Taisu is the formation of Taisu from Taishi, a form with essence but not yet a solid body, hence Taisu.
The Ancestor Celestial Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain spoke about the wonderful method of Dragon Tiger Mountain – the Great Clarity Mysterious Origin Wonderful Method. It is based on the Tao Te Ching and the commentary it compiled by itself, propagating that Tao is one, Qi is scattered, and when gathered it becomes the supreme truth.
…
The Blood Fiend Ancestor of the Demonic Cult propagates the principle of the Demonic Way: using heaven to replenish man, plundering heaven and earth to complete oneself.
…
Many of the most powerful practitioners of the Buddha Way adhere to the doctrine of karma and good and evil…
These most powerful practitioners have come this far, regardless of the skills and scriptures they have once cultivated, but they have now forged their own path, opening up their own annotations within the path of their predecessors, explaining their philosophy.
Although they did not speak to them about their method of cultivation, just talking about their Tao and their understanding of heaven and earth, was already a precious thing for many practitioners.
After all, it's said that a real transfer can be summarized in one sentence, while a false transfer requires a thousand volumes of books. Sometimes, many people's perplexities' answers can be found in one sentence.
After these most powerful individuals finished narrating their own Tao, all eyes inevitably fell on Pei Xuanjing, looking forward to the National Teacher narrating his own Tao.
As for these people's expectations, Pei Xuanjing naturally would not refuse. He smiled slightly, and then slowly began:
"There are nine heavens, the highest of which is Shenxiao, referred to as: The Supreme Shenxiao, a million miles from the earth. The Tao of Shenxiao is: the resonance between Heaven and man, integrating the internal and external. The vital energy of man is interconnected with heavenly timing, and Yin and Yang's five elements. This resonance must be an application of the essence, the spirit, and the changes of the four seasons and Yin and Yang are also interconnected. Those who practice this Tao have profound internal cultivation, and can call the wind and rain at will…"
What Pei Xuanjing first talked about was the esoteric teachings of the Shenxiao Sect. As a practitioner of Shenxiao and the Head Teacher of Shenxiao, he naturally has extensive research on these things. After all, these wisdoms offered by his predecessors are very beneficial to Pei Xuanjing.
While speaking, Pei Xuanjing extended his clean white hand, the primordial Qi rolled, and the essence Qi of Heaven and Earth began to converge towards his palm, with thunder rumbling as if countless thunders were being born.
Huh?
The many powerful individuals present were also surprised.
It should be known that for the so-called Tao discussion, many strong individuals basically just expound their own Tao methods, but they do not really demonstrate some divine abilities.
After all, the so-called Tao can be transmitted, but not lightly transmitted in a casual manner.
The Tao is their understanding of cultivation and their comprehension of heaven and earth. The more people cultivate, the more they recognize it, but divine abilities are an application of this Tao, they are the means and techniques, and even general disciples will not teach them lightly.
But now Pei Xuanjing is actively demonstrating for everyone. For many cultivators, it is undoubtedly equivalent to teaching this divine ability, which can be described as shocking everyone.
"The national teacher has a broad mind, I am inferior." The Ancestor Celestial Master praised aloud.
Even a person like him, who wants to spread the Tao to the world, would not lightly pass on divine abilities when teaching the Tao, let alone casually demonstrating it to all cultivators in the world.
The grandness shown by Pei Xuanjing at this moment shocked the Ancestor Celestial Master, making him gasp in admiration.
The other powerful cultivators were also shocked. They were feeling complicated, and it was hard to describe in words because they seemed unable to do what Pei Xuanjing just did if they were in his shoes.
Create the Taoist Academy and then promote it around the world. Provide support for martial artists and cultivators everywhere to practice within it, so that all mortal martial artists have a chance to advance.
Such a grand endeavor. All these powerful beings are aware of it, even if they did not know it before. After Pei Xuanjing rose to prominence, it became universally known.
Even though they all knew that Pei Xuanjing originally established the Taoist Academy in the ancestral land and promoted it throughout the world, even generously sharing countless practice skills for his disciples to follow.
However, they believed that the power of the incense fire faith which Pei Xuanjing relied on to establish his Small Thousand World was originated from this, so they merely considered it as a means and strategy of Pei Xuanjing.
Now, Pei Xuanjing's actions had somewhat shocked them, making them feel that Pei Xuanjing's vision and magnanimity were beyond their imagination.
"The National Preceptor is magnanimous, I am ashamed…" the strongest figure in the Buddha Way also sighed.
The Buddha talks about salvation for everyone. But they discovered at this moment that this Pei Xuanjing's actions surpassed theirs by a multitude.
Just by Pei Xuanjing's actions alone, countless creatures in the world have been aided, and their original fate has changed for the better.
"Now I understand that the National Preceptor's reputation for benevolence is not false." Master of the Mystiq Sky looked complicated.
At first, when they received the news that countless ordinary martial artists and cultivators of this ancestral land were praising Pei Xuanjing as a saint and as a benevolent man, the strongest figures didn't believe them.
But now, even powerful figures like the Master of Mystiq Sky couldn't help sighing, feeling mixed emotions.
Judgment of a saint depends on his actions, not on his heart. Regardless of Pei Xuanjing's plan and arrangement, look at what he is doing now, benefiting innumerable people. This is indeed benevolence.
For these powerful individuals, each had their own path. Even if they wouldn't do something like Pei Xuanjing did, they wouldn't deny his actions.
"…"
Even the demonic ones like the Blood Fiend Ancestor looked somewhat complicated and full of wariness when they looked at Pei Xuanjing.
A person who integrates knowledge and action like this must be firm in resolve. If he were an enemy, he would indeed be hard to…
"Why must you all overthink this? It's just some divine power skills." Pei Xuanjing laughed and shook his head.
He didn't think that what he did was particularly amazing and couldn't figure out why it would lead these people to be so moved.
Teaching the way and demonstrating the skill is what Pei Xuanjing usually does when he explains the Taoist Skill to others. After all, talking alone can seem too abstract. Only by truly demonstrating could the principles be better explained.
As for today, even if these people were all present, Pei Xuanjing didn't care about these things getting exposed. Instead, he hoped everyone would learn from it and even spark new ideas based on it.
Pei Xuanjing was not a secretive person. His belief has always been that many hands make light work. A solitary effort could not cultivate a True Immortal, especially considering the current situation.
Just as he had once said, he wished to pioneer the path and lead everyone to a new world. Yet at the same time, he needed everyone's support and the sparks of their collective wisdom to enlighten him.
Therefore, handing out these divine power skills today was nothing to him. In time, he would put all his materials into the Taoist Academy for everyone to exchange and learn from each other.
Even though Pei Xuanjing used the power of incense fire faith accumulated by the Taoist Academy to create his Small Thousand World and fulfill his plan, that did not mean he would abandon the Academy.
On the contrary, he would try even harder to promote the Academy in the future. He intended to involve all the major influences of Heaven and Earth as it was part of his plan.
Pei Xuanjing didn't care about people's praises. He continued to teach and demonstrate skills, exhibiting many divine power skills of the Shenxiao Sect to the numerous cultivators present.
However, describing these as divine power skills passed down by Shenxiao Sect might not be accurate. Even in its heyday, the Shenxiao Sect was limited by the world's constraints. The martial studies of Shenxiao Sect were considered the pinnacle among mortal martial artists, but they fell short among cultivators in the Spirit Realm.
In fact, the divine power skills that Pei Xuanjing demonstrated today were all based on the principles left behind by the predecessors of the Shenxiao Sect, and were suitable for cultivators in the Spirit Realm.
Shenxiao Thunder Palm, Five Thunder Method, the skill to call upon wind and summon thunder…
Apart from the Shenxiao Thunder Palm which Pei Xuanjing frequently used, other divine power skills like the Five Thunder Method and the skill to call upon wind and summon thunder were derived by Pei Xuanjing based on the original martial studies.
Although because of time and energy constraints, the divine power skills that Pei Xuanjing derived weren't exactly top-notch. They might be useful to regular cultivators, but for him, the power of his own strength was greater.
Therefore, the reason he discussed these divine power skills today was to have these people practice them and verify them, using their wisdom to push forward these divine power skills.
After discussing Shenxiao Sect's Thunder Path, Pei Xuanjing changed the topic and started discussing Body Refining.
Body Refining is one of the three main branches of cultivation in the Sky Wasteland. Countless cultivators endeavour to practice it. Although it's easy for beginners, it's extremely difficult for those who want to master it. Many powerful cultivators only practice it as a subsidiary path, very few actually reach the end.
Today, a supreme being like Pei Xuanjing willing to talk about Body Refining naturally attracted a lot of attention.
Pei Xuanjing's Body Refining started with the Dragon Elephant Art. Later, he merged the martial studies from the Shenxiao Sect into the Dragon Elephant Art to create his own method of Body Refining.
Later, with Thunder Forging Body, after Pei Xuanjing reached the Spirit Realm, he started to refine his body's cavities, making his body store more power, constantly refining and evolving.
Up to now, even if Pei Xuanjing has condensed an invisible nine-turn Shenxiao Golden Core by integrating essence and spirit into one, he has not stopped his body refining. On the contrary, his physical body is even stronger now.
Now, Pei Xuanjing is talking about the technique and caution of refining cavities as well as his understanding of Body Refining.
The human body is a small universe which mirrors the big universe that is Heaven and Earth. He refines the body's cavities by making them correspond to the stars of Heaven, subtly aligning with the heavenly way.
This idea of Pei Xuanjing opened up a new perspective for these cultivators. Even the most powerful figures showed keen interest, especially those who were refining their bodies, as a new door was opened for them.