Sun Erlang was hiding, observing the battle between the Five Elders' cultivators and the great ape. Gradually, a sense of seriousness couldn't help but arise in his heart.
"Very strong..."
That was his assessment of the cultivators before him.
With no fluctuations of spiritual power and both parties' techniques destructive range confined within a certain space, Sun Erlang couldn't sense their specific cultivation levels.
But just from the cultivators' coordination in combat, as well as their bravery and calmness in the face of various crises, their level of skill was something he had rarely seen in his lifetime.
Even including those he had encountered in the simulation world of the Stone of Transformation, these cultivators were still extremely top-notch.
What surprised Sun Erlang even more were their attack methods and healing techniques.
Apart from various magic tools, the cultivators occasionally used some quite peculiar items, such as books, wine cups, and even necklaces. These items provided benefits to themselves while inflicting various negative effects on the great ape.
Moreover, their healing speed was frighteningly fast.
New Law Cultivators regenerating in Cave Heaven would need at least a few moments to be reborn after their bodies were destroyed.
But this group only needed a flash of white light, and even the heaviest injuries could be instantly healed. One moment they were on the brink of death from the great ape's attack; the next, in the glow of the white light, they were lively again.
No matter how tough the great ape's hide, it couldn't withstand such relentless wear.
And strangely, this demonic beast stubbornly refused to run away.
It fought until the last moment of its life and then thudded to the ground.
Turns Out Famous Politicians Don't Mind Tasting These DelicaciesOpen
The moment the great ape died, it turned into a dazzling golden light, flowing into the bodies of the monks who killed it.
The group burst into cheers.
"This boss that spawned this time has a really thick health pool. Good thing we had enough supplies; otherwise, we'd have definitely been in trouble."
"That gave a lot of experience; I'm about to break through to the next realm."
"It's a pity that the [Snow Ape Holy Armor] in the pictorial didn't drop; otherwise, we'd have really hit the jackpot."
These words caused nods and sighs among the team members.
Sun Erlang, however, listened to this completely nonsensical conversation with a somewhat complicated expression.
"Let's go, there's nothing good around here. Let's head back to [Happy Land] first."
"This [Mystic Yellow Realm] really isn't a place for people to stay; if it weren't for the mission, I wouldn't want to come here at all."
The monks of the small team flew into the ship in the sky one after another, chatting away.
The ship was covered in a blaze of colored light and, as if teleporting, disappeared from the vault of heaven.
Sun Erlang stared at the place where they had departed, while the Stone of Transformation in his spirit consciousness kept replaying the scenes he had just recorded.
"Happy Land..."
"That must be under the influence of the Worry-Free Celestial. It seems somewhat different from other places in the Mystic Yellow Realm."
"Actually calling the Mystic Yellow Realm 'not a place for people'... interesting."
"This matter might need to be reported to Master."
As Sun Erlang thought so, he still didn't pursue the peculiar ship.
Remembering the task his Master had entrusted to him, he continued towards [The Kingdom of Reality].
Three days later, upon crossing the White Mist Barrier, Sun Erlang distinctly felt that something had changed between heaven and earth.
"The state region I was just in belongs to the [Human Dao Sky Realm]. As for this place, it should be [The Kingdom of Reality]."
Sun Erlang knew that within The Kingdom of Reality, enveloped by the law of the Heavenly Monarch's Principle, all cultivators couldn't fabricate lies.
Thus, he became even more cautious.
Being new and unfamiliar with everything here, Sun Erlang decided to first scope out the situation before finding a way to meet with the Heavenly Sovereign.
Compared to the Human Dao Sky Realm, The Kingdom of Reality seemed much more peaceful. He seldom saw Five Elders' Monks patrolling.
The boundary between mortals and cultivators within the realm was also not particularly clear.
He could see from afar that they lived together within the same city.
"Those indeed are mortals without any cultivation base. It seems that the power of the Immortal-Ordinary Miasma is being suppressed here."
After careful observation, Sun Erlang concluded.
What he found somewhat novel was that status here was not determined by the level of one's cultivation base.
He even saw a young Golden Core Cultivator paying respectful homage to an elderly mortal, which prompted his amazement.
After secretly observing for three days, although he had a general understanding of The Kingdom of Reality's local customs and people, he still didn't find any suitable breakthrough.
"Surely I can't just shout in the streets that I've come to seek an audience with the Real Celestial Sovereign, can I?"
Just when Sun Erlang was at a loss, on that day, he suddenly noticed several outsiders like himself.
"People from the Alliance of Thousands of Immortals?" Sun Erlang narrowed his eyes.
After following and listening in for a while, he immediately understood.
These four cultivators had been captured in the conflict between the Five Elders Organization and the Immortal Alliance and were now being tested for assimilation.
Their freedom was not restricted, and they were allowed to travel throughout the three realms of the Five Elders, except for Worry-Free Paradise.
"Brother Xu, how do you think the Five Elders compare with the Immortal Alliance?"
All the cultivators were dressed in conspicuous blue uniforms like prisoners. One middle-aged man with a long beard turned to his companion and asked.
The Xu-surnamed cultivator seemed to be still recovering from serious injuries, his complexion pale. After a slight cough, he answered, "Compared with the Immortal Alliance, there's indeed more freedom, more leisure."
"Though we have to sign that Divine Soul Contract, when we were in the Immortal Alliance, even without a contract, could we refuse any orders from the Alliance? In my opinion, there's really not much difference."
Another young cultivator chimed in, "Moreover, once you sign a contract here, you will have no lack of Techniques resources. As long as your talent is sufficient, there is endless room for development, and no one will stop or suppress you. Unlike the Alliance of Thousands of Immortals, hmph..."
The bearded man, although his expression was somewhat ugly, could not help but agree with the others' views.
"It seems Brother Wang Yang still harbors illusions about the Alliance of Thousands of Immortals!" The man surnamed Xu, seeing the expression of bearded Wang Yang, could not help but sneer.
"Do you remember the Alliance of Thousands of Immortals, does the Alliance of Thousands of Immortals remember you? I have never heard of any cultivator captured by the Five Elders Organization who has successfully escaped and returned to the Immortal Alliance. Moreover, even if you were to escape by chance, the Alliance of Thousands of Immortals would likely treat you as a spy and arrest you straightaway."
Wang Yang's expression fluctuated, and in the end, he could only sigh heavily, unable to refute.
The four fell into an awkward silence for a moment.
"By the way, that esteemed person who introduced the situation of the Five Elders Organization once mentioned that every cultivator in each region here has the opportunity to meet the Heavenly Sovereign directly. I wonder if that's true or false." The young cultivator stood up to break the ice.
"Brother Zhang, rest assured, I have inquired about this before, and it is absolutely true. However, the methods to meet the Heavenly Sovereign vary from place to place, and without exception, they are all extremely difficult. Only a Peerless Genius can do it."
"For example, in the [One-Heart Immortal Sect], if someone continuously wins twenty battles and is unmatched, there is a high probability that they will be brought before the [One-Heart Heavenly Sovereign]."
"Another example is here in the [Kingdom of Reality], where it is said that one only needs to sit under the Tree of Truth and meditate. The longer you persist, the greater the chance of receiving guidance from the Heavenly Sovereign." The man surnamed Xu explained enthusiastically.
"I have also tried the test of the Tree of Truth..." said the man surnamed Xu, pausing intentionally.
When the other few had all their attention focused on him, he continued, "Difficult! Difficult! Difficult!"
"As you all know, there are no lies in the Kingdom of Reality. But the test of the Tree of Truth is to weave as many lies as possible!"
The cultivator surnamed Xu had a strange look on his face, "Sitting under the fruit, it's as if you become an omnipotent Creator God. You need to create something from nothing, constructing a false, alternate world. The richer and more real the details of the world, the longer you can withstand the washing of the Tree."
You Won't Believe It! These Plants Can Poison Your Whole Family!Open
"Wait a minute..." Wang Yang interrupted the cultivator surnamed Xu.
"Are there any restrictions on this world-weaving? Otherwise, wouldn't it be very easy to just use the unique scenery of Small World from the Xuanhuang World?"
The cultivator surnamed Xu shook his head, "At the very least, the Small Worlds that truly exist within the Xuanhuang World cannot be presented in the Illusory Realm of the fruit. It's like..."
He pondered for a moment and slowly continued, "It's somewhat like the rule of 'Incompatible Cultivation.' An imitation world, fashioned in the manner of the gourd, would dissipate into ashes the moment it takes form. Only completely fictional worlds can stably exist and withstand the test of the fruit. It may sound mystical in description, but you will understand once you experience it for yourselves."
"Even if I ultimately cannot meet the True Celestial Sovereign, sitting in meditation under that Tree of Truth is a great opportunity for us cultivators. The weaving of worlds involves myriad laws of the Tao. It is extremely hard to achieve using a cultivator's own power. During the test, much depends on the power of the Tree. It's like the Heavenly Sovereign lending a brush, aiding us in splashing ink and painting..." The cultivator surnamed Xu's expression was fluid, as if reliving that magical experience.
"What is the purpose of the Heavenly Sovereign in doing this?" Wang Yang asked with a slight frown.
The cultivator surnamed Xu smiled wryly, "Purpose? Why worry about that? I only know that by completing the test, not only will there be no loss, but there is a very high possibility of enlightenment and breakthrough. Such a good thing is only available to a few in the Alliance of Thousands of Immortals. But here, in the Five Elders Organization, everyone has the opportunity to try it."
"That Tree of Truth sprouts from illusion and blooms in every city. Anyone interested can sit and meditate under it."
"The manifestation of this fruit also seems not far off. You all might as well experience it for yourselves. If it wasn't that one person only gets one chance in their lifetime, I would definitely try again to taste the opportunity of creation," said the cultivator surnamed Xu with some regret.
The other three had varying expressions.
Meanwhile, Sun Erlang, who was eavesdropping from a distance, narrowed his eyes.
"What a coincidence? Just as I'm dozing off, someone comes to bring a pillow? Could it be that I've been discovered and this is some kind of plot?"
That was the first thought that flashed through Sun Erlang's Spirit Consciousness.
"No, it must be that Master knew in advance that the Five Elders Organization has methods to directly meet the various Heavenly Sovereigns everywhere, so he asked me to make this trip. Otherwise, under normal circumstances, how could an outsider cultivator have the chance to meet the supreme ruler of the Immortal Realm?" Sun Erlang pondered for a while and then suddenly realized.
"The Fruit of Truth, huh?"
A thought struck Sun Erlang.
In his Spirit Consciousness he had the Stone of Transformation, and he had experienced another life in a simulated world. Participating in this so-called creation under the Tree might give him an edge.
"Let's just try and see, and if it doesn't work, I'll think of other methods."
With this plan in mind, Sun Erlang patiently waited.
Twenty more days passed, and on this day, the calm city suddenly became somewhat noisy.
On the ground, a shadow quickly spread from the center of the city.
Enveloping the entire range of the city.
And then a lush, vigorous tree rose from the shadows.
Seeming real and unreal.
On the treetops hung many tender fruits, dripping with vitality, a single glance at which could captivate the onlooker's gaze.
"The Tree of Truth appears in this world, lasting seven days and seven nights. All living beings within this realm may seek enlightenment beneath it."
Ding!
The clear sound of a bell ringing echoed, spreading into the distance.
A sonorous voice came from the sky, resonating in everyone's ears.
"Thank you for the grace of the Heavenly Sovereign!"
Within the Kingdom of Reality, countless beings simultaneously expressed their gratitude.
This was repeated three times, the echo lingering.
After the formalities of the ceremony concluded, cultivators began walking to the shade of the Tree of Truth and sat down with closed eyes in meditation.
The city also became instantly quiet, fearful of disturbing those who were undergoing the trial.
The group of returnees from the Immortal Alliance Sun Erlang had previously met also slowly made their way toward the Tree of Truth.
Sun Erlang hurried to follow.
Along the way, they encountered no one to question them.
It seemed the Heavenly Sovereign's promise that all beings could attempt was indeed not an empty one.
Reaching the base of the tree, Sun Erlang even saw not only humans but also insects and beasts occupying a spot under the shade.
This unusual scene made Sun Erlang somewhat reflective.
"It is said that ancient saints taught without discrimination. Not just humans, all creatures of the world could receive their teachings. This Real Celestial Sovereign seems to embody that ethos," he mused.
Sun Erlang then sat down on the ground as others did.
He closed his eyes.
In an instant, Sun Erlang felt as though the surrounding world had disappeared.
The slight rustling sounds within the city vanished completely at this moment.
Though his eyes were shut, Sun Erlang felt as if he had opened them again.
Before him was a vast expanse of white nothingness.
"Creating a world…"
A flux of rules and information began to surface in Sun Erlang's Spirit Consciousness.
"First, the general appearance of the world."
Sun Erlang then set up the world as he had experienced in the Simulation using the Stone of Transformation.
The blank world began to take on color.
However, contrary to his expectations, just as the world was about to take shape, it collapsed like a sand sculpture.
And then reverted to blankness.
"Even a world model based on the Xuanhuang World doesn't work?"
"A completely fictional world?"
Sun Erlang couldn't help but frown slightly.
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And then reverted to blankness again.
"Even a world model based on the Xuanhuang World doesn't work?"
"A completely fictional world?"
Sun Erlang couldn't help but frown slightly.