Xiuxian: Start with the medicine boy

Achieve godhood!

These words, like a pebble thrown into a still lake, stirred ripples in the hearts of all the half-respecters.

This is the goal they have pursued throughout their lives.
This is also the key to breaking the current delicate balance.

Lingxiao, a half-saint, raised his hand and pressed down, silencing the whispers and discussions among the crowd.

“What Brother Qingwei said has already pointed out the general outline.”

The details could be further considered.

Of course!
The most urgent task is to respond to the imperial edict.

He said in a deep voice,

"Since the general direction is to temporarily comply and observe the situation, we should not delay any longer and should hurry to Zhenhai Alliance to show our 'sincerity'."

“Brother Lingxiao is absolutely right.”

Master Miaofa nodded.

"Going early may not guarantee an immediate meeting with the senior, but showing the right attitude can give us a slight advantage."
At least it won't give others a pretext or provide them with a handle to use against us.

"That's right!"

"We can look after each other while traveling together."

"Without further ado, let's set off!"

soon.

Streaks of clear light, sword rainbows, and immortal clouds rose from the Immortal Alliance headquarters, their immortal energy surging, heading straight for the giant teleportation hall in the center of the island, their target being Zhenhai City overseas.

Just as the two major powers, the demonic path and the immortal path, were making their decisions...
Throughout the cultivation world, countless sects and forces that received the imperial decree also stirred up huge waves.

For those sects that were fortunate enough to produce a half-saint but lacked the inheritance of a divine transformation,

And for some top-tier forces with late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators in charge,

The shock and choices brought about by this sudden decree of the Nascent Soul stage were even more direct and intense.

"The Venerable One of the Transformation Realm summons you!"
This is a golden opportunity!

Many half-saints who did not have a complete Divine Transformation inheritance were overwhelmed by the immense temptation after a brief moment of surprise and doubt.

To receive personal guidance from a living Nascent Soul cultivator, even just a few words?
Perhaps then we can glimpse the light at the end of the tunnel and break through the bottleneck that has bound us for so many years!

Faced with such an opportunity that could potentially change one's destiny...
Without any hesitation, they immediately put down all their affairs and set off for Zhenhai City as quickly as possible.

Even those forces with strong foundations dared not be negligent in the slightest after learning that the giants of the demonic and immortal paths had already made their moves.

The power of a god is beyond comprehension.

Even those two terrifying alliances have chosen to temporarily yield; if I dare to openly defy them, I fear I won't even need a Nascent Soul cultivator to personally intervene...
Those semi-saints eager to show their loyalty will rush to make their move, offering themselves up as a "pledge of allegiance."

That's exactly why!

Within just a few days, the strongest figures from all sides of the cultivation world, whether openly or secretly, converged on Zhenhai City, the core of the Zhenhai Alliance overseas, at top speed.

Of course, there are also a few truly isolated and information-deprived reclusive forces that, due to the special nature of their secluded locations, have not received the decree.
They remained immersed in their own world, oblivious to the changing world around them.

anyway?

A decree, and the sudden appearance of a Nascent Soul cultivator, acted like a stabilizing needle thrown into a boiling lake, temporarily calming the turbulent and turbulent cultivation world with overwhelming force.

However, beneath the surface calm lies a deeper and more turbulent undercurrent.

With different intentions, calculations, and expectations, various forces gathered in Zhenhai City, which was about to become a place of great change.

Compromise, observation, dependence, calculation, forbearance, expectation...

Various emotions and plans intertwined and fermented in this overseas city that was about to undergo tremendous changes.

A cataclysmic upheaval is about to unfold, affecting all the top forces in the cultivation world and reshaping the格局 (geju, a term referring to the overall landscape or destiny) for the next ten thousand years...
Beneath the calm surface of the sea, a heavy yet magnificent prelude has already begun.

The eye of the storm has already taken shape.

As time goes by...

One after another, figures exuding astonishing power emerged from the various teleportation halls of Zhenhai City's teleportation palace.

Then!
They transformed into streaks of light and sped towards the Zhenhai Alliance headquarters.

These incredibly powerful figures, some riding the clouds and mist, others soaring through the air on swords, each figure sweeping across the sky caused the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to tremble slightly.

Within a few days, the once solemn and dignified headquarters of the Zhenhai Alliance became more bustling than ever before.

Looking down from above, the once orderly palace complex is now bustling with people and glimpses of spiritual light, no longer as quiet and solemn as it once was.

What comes into view—

There was a kind-faced, white-bearded old Taoist priest holding a whisk, sitting opposite someone playing chess. His conversation was as harmonious as heaven and earth.
There were also monks dressed in fine clothes, with big bellies, looking like wealthy old men, squinting and waving fans, as if they were sizing up the people coming and going.
Even more striking are those with flowing Taoist robes, long beards reaching their chests, and an air of otherworldly elegance, standing with their hands behind their backs, gazing at the sea of ​​clouds, exuding a refined and otherworldly aura.

besides···
There were also some demonic cultivators, their bodies shrouded in a cold aura and their eyes filled with chilling intent, standing alone in a corner, their malevolent energy barely noticeable, keeping strangers at bay.

Among them were those who appeared young but whose eyes held a world-weary look, like those of an ancient well.
There were also elderly men with withered faces, nearing the end of their lives, yet still exuding an awe-inspiring presence.

There were people of all ages and appearances, some old and some young.

However, without exception...
These cultivators, from all corners of the world and from various sects, were almost all powerful cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage.

As for those below the Nascent Soul stage, they are almost nowhere to be found here.

The number of high-level cultivators was far greater than the number of low-level cultivators that could usually be seen. Such an exaggerated scene was actually playing out in the Zhenhai Alliance headquarters.

Not bad.

These Nascent Soul cultivators, and even the "half-Saint" level beings among them whose auras were even more obscure and profound, subtly influencing the power of heaven and earth...
All of them were the strongest individuals who rushed to the scene from various forces after receiving the decree issued by Venerable Cheng Buzheng.

Wherever the decree was issued, none dared to disobey.

Even the patriarch of a clan or the head of a family must personally visit to show respect.

Of course, there are also some sects located deep inland, too far from the Endless Sea, whose messengers may find it difficult to cross the endless mountains and rivers to convey their orders in a short time.

Perhaps because the forces that advocated seclusion failed to receive the news, they were naturally unable to come.

therefore!

Although there are many powerful individuals at the Zhenhai Alliance headquarters, it still does not encompass the top figures of all forces within the human race's territory.

It was precisely because of Cheng Buzheng's decree that these powerful figures, who usually either guarded their own territories or remained in seclusion, were able to gather together in a rare manner.

In the intervals while waiting to meet the senior Nascent Soul cultivator...
This solemn place spontaneously evolved into a grand gathering for high-level cultivators to trade and discuss Dao in a very short time.

What was once a solemn and tranquil sight was now revealed in front of the palaces, along the corridors and squares...

Even beside the jade steps, small stalls were set up wherever possible.

Most stall owners sit cross-legged on prayer cushions or smooth, jade-like floors, with a brocade cloth spread out in front of them or a light screen hanging in front of them.
Displayed on it were various treasures radiating a mystical aura:
There were ancient and incomplete magical artifacts, well-preserved jade slips, strange elixirs contained in jade bottles, and spiritual minerals and materials brimming with spiritual energy.
There were even some ancient objects with strange auras that were difficult to identify.

The sounds of bargaining have replaced the usual morning bells and evening drums, rising and falling here and there.

“Fellow Daoist, your ‘Nine Apertures Cold Jade Bead’ is excellent, but one of its array patterns has a slight flaw!”
The power unleashed by this treasure will likely be somewhat diminished.

Isn't this price a bit too high?

An old Taoist priest, with a face as rosy and delicate as a baby's but a full head of silver hair, stroked his long beard and spoke.

Hear the words.

Behind the stall, the middle-aged cultivator, whose aura was as obscure as an abyss, slightly raised his eyelids, his voice flat and emotionless:

"Fellow Daoist has excellent eyesight."

This bead does have a slight flaw, but its core 'Ten Thousand Year Ice Soul' is intact, making it an invaluable auxiliary spiritual object for those cultivating extreme cold supernatural powers.

Price... negotiable.
However, if you wish to exchange it for ordinary thousand-year-old spiritual herbs, that is not possible.

A glint flashed in the silver-haired old Taoist's eyes, as if he had expected this, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly:

“Spirit stones and elixirs, I know you all look down on them.”

With a flick of his wrist, a red light suddenly appeared on his palm, and a leaf, shaped like a beautiful jade but as red as blood, with faint golden threads flowing around its edges, emerged.

The moment the leaves appeared, the surrounding temperature subtly rose.

A pure and scorching fire elemental aura spread out, attracting the attention of several nearby cultivators.

"What do you think of this item, fellow Daoist?"

The silver-haired old Taoist priest said slowly,
"This is the Fire Spirit Jade Leaf that I obtained by chance in a secret realm called Fire Abyss many years ago. It is not a leaf of grass or trees, but a jade-like spiritual object formed by the essence of earth fire over ten thousand years."

It contains a pure yang fire intent, which is beneficial for cultivating fire-based techniques and refining the pure yang energy of the nascent soul.
It even has remarkable effects in refining certain top-tier fire-attribute magic weapons.

"That should be more than enough to exchange for your Jade Bead, shouldn't it?"

The middle-aged cultivator, who was sitting cross-legged, was finally completely captivated, and he intently observed the crimson jade leaf for a moment.
Especially the faint, shimmering golden light within it.

After a glance, he slowly withdrew his gaze, his face still expressionless. He merely nodded slightly and uttered a single word:

"can."

The deal is done.

Neither of them said anything more, and each carefully completed the exchange of items and treasures.

Similar scenes were playing out repeatedly throughout the headquarters.

Some people are arguing over a rubbing of an ancient secret technique;

People gathered around a strange piece of iron, discussing its origin and uses;

Some people set up soundproof barriers in secluded places and whispered their cultivation experiences.

Or explore certain unusual celestial phenomena and legends of secret realms.

The solemn headquarters of the Zhenhai Alliance...
At this moment, it resembles a huge and open high-level marketplace.

It was also like a unique Dharma discussion.

The air was filled not only with rich spiritual energy from heaven and earth,

There were also faint fluctuations of various treasure auras and divine thought transmissions.

Meanwhile, in certain side halls where spiritual light flowed and restrictions were quietly lifted...

After exchanging cultivation experiences, the atmosphere among some familiar or like-minded cultivators of the same level gradually relaxed.

The conversation inevitably turned to the core issue that had brought them together.

Seated upright on a black jade chair, an elderly man with a gaunt face, wearing a faded blue robe, played with a warm jade slip in his hand, his gaze sweeping over the seven or eight figures in the hall with profound auras.

suddenly!

He spoke as if unintentionally, his voice sounding somewhat low under the influence of the restriction:

"Fellow Daoists, let us discuss the Dao privately and not involve ourselves in external affairs."

However, I have a question that I must ask myself...

Do you think that senior has really a grand ambition to cleanse the world and unify the cultivation world by making such a big fuss and summoning us all here?
Or... is there some deeper calculation that we cannot fathom?

With this remark,
The hall, which had been filled with whispers, suddenly became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

An invisible pressure seemed to permeate the air, causing the eyelids of several Nascent Soul cultivators to twitch slightly and their eyes to flicker.

follow closely.

Sitting opposite the old man was a middle-aged cultivator dressed in a dark brocade robe, with an imposing and dignified expression, his brows furrowed deeply.

He put down the spirit tea in his hand, the bottom of the cup touching the jade table with a crisp yet heavy "tap".

The voice was cold, carrying a hint of warning:

"Fellow Daoist Qingxu, be careful with your words!"

The senior's skill was profound and his mind was as deep as the ocean, beyond our comprehension.

Whatever arrangements the predecessors made, they had their reasons.

Now that we have been summoned, we should simply keep to our duties and await the instructions of our seniors.

Discussing it privately might be considered disrespectful.

The words just fell,

Beside him, an elderly man dressed in an ochre-colored Taoist robe, whose aura had reached the peak of the late Nascent Soul stage, slowly nodded and spoke in agreement, his voice powerful and resonant:

“What Fellow Daoist Xuanming said is absolutely right.”

However, what Fellow Daoist Qingxu is puzzled by may also be the thought of many other Daoists present.

Let's consider this from a different perspective.

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, and continued:
"Although most of you here have come from sects, the sects have limited inheritance."

Compared to those top-tier sects with deep-rooted traditions...
How fundamentally different are the predicaments we face on the path to higher realms from those of those independent, powerful cultivators who have no one to rely on?
If we are fortunate enough to break through to the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm, it is almost the end of our path.

Even if... even if one were to have an extraordinary stroke of luck in the future, and by chance find a necessary element for refining one's domain, such as innate罡煞 (罡煞, a type of powerful energy) or 県緣气 (県緣气, a type of turbid earth energy), without the corresponding refining secret method that directly points to the Great Dao...
It remains like trying to quench thirst with a mirage; one will never have the chance to glimpse the 'half-life' of enlightenment.
Even the threshold to a higher realm.

His tone carried a barely perceptible hint of bitterness and longing:
"But now, this senior has suddenly emerged, which may be an unprecedented opportunity for us."

As long as we serve sincerely and do our utmost, the realm of Nascent Soul may be elusive, but... if the senior would be willing to bestow some guidance or inheritance,
That 'half-saint' realm, perhaps there's still a glimmer of hope!

"Fellow Daoist Chiyang's words resonate deeply with me!"

Another late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, with a sinister face but a restrained glint in his eyes, clapped his hands and sighed softly.
"The emergence of a senior figure is a significant event for those core cultivators of top sects who possess complete lineages and have the potential to reach the Nascent Soul stage..."
Perhaps it simply means there's one more supreme being to be revered; the pros and cons are hard to predict.

But for cultivators like us, whose lineage is incomplete and whose path forward is blocked, it is nothing short of a beacon in the darkness, a true opportunity!

"Exactly this!"

Another person spoke, their voice filled with reminiscence and resentment.
"Back then, in order to obtain a sliver of opportunity for a breakthrough, I almost exhausted all my connections and the wealth I had accumulated over hundreds of years."

He even promised to guard the border for a major sect for a thousand years, only to be told in return, "It cannot be passed on to anyone but the direct descendant"...

They didn't even have a chance to catch a glimpse of the secret refining technique from afar.

"What you have experienced, fellow Daoist, is none other than what we have gone through."

"..." (End of this chapter)