Bai Xiaosheng added another sentence: "Of course, if it's against an irresistible enemy, Brother Pei does not need to make a move."
Although the two were allies, Bai Xiaosheng was aware of the formidable strength of his enemies. He could not, and did not wish for Pei Xuanjing to fight knowingly against an insurmountable adversary.
Bai Xiaosheng was not one to act on impulse. If they were truly facing an invincible enemy, Pei Xuanjing's intervention would only result in a futile sacrifice, which carried no meaning whatsoever.
At that point, he would willingly face death, and would absolutely not implicate Pei Xuanjing.
It was not because his relationship with Pei Xuanjing had reached the point where he was willing to sacrifice his life to save Pei. Instead, his rationality told him that the best outcome under such circumstances would be for Pei Xuanjing to survive.
Given Pei Xuanjing's talent, he might very well reach the highest level of the Nine Realms of Spirit in the future and could perhaps avenge him. But if both of them perished, he would not have even the hope of vengeance.
"This is a befitting sentiment, I will naturally intervene when the time comes." Pei Xuanjing nodded, not refuting.
This was an agreement they had made from the beginning. After the return of the ancient powers in the Sky Wasteland, they shared a mutually protective responsibility.
Hearing Bai Xiaosheng's additional remark, Pei Xuanjing solemnly responded: "If such a day comes, I will definitely avenge Brother Bai."
Pei Xuanjing was naturally aware of Bai Xiaosheng's concerns. And the fact that Bai Xiaosheng could say such words in this situation showed his rationality.
With Pei Xuanjing's current strength, he could indeed counteract those at the Spirit Realm Eightfold, but the Sky Mechanism Pavilion was a top-tier power, possessing an invincible entity within the Nine Realms of Spirit.
Normally, the invincible entity in the Nine Realms of Spirit would not make a move casually. Hence, if it was any other member of the Sky Mechanism Pavilion, Pei Xuanjing could take them on.
However, Master Tianji was a man of exceptional wisdom. No one knew if he would follow the usual course in the future. If the ancient powers returned in thirty years, and Pei Xuanjing still did not possess the strength to match the invincible entity within the Nine Realms of Spirit, if the enemy made their move with overwhelming force, even Pei Xuanjing might struggle to counter.
Moreover, Pei Xuanjing wanted to restrain all strong individuals from freely opposing ordinary Martial Artists and cultivators. In such a situation, Pei Xuanjing was destined to walk a path where the rest of the world would be against him.
At that time, Pei Xuanjing's situation might be more dangerous than Bai Xiaosheng's.
"Brother Pei, you…" After hearing Pei Xuanjing's words, Bai Xiaosheng's face turned grave, his gaze on Pei Xuanjing filled with disbelief.
Originally, he thought that the situation he would face in the future was already challenging enough. But if Pei Xuanjing was truly adamant about implementing his plans, then the situation Pei Xuanjing would face would be even more difficult than his own.
If his situation could be described as barely surviving, Pei Xuanjing attempting to restrain all strong individuals was equivalent to having the world as his enemy, and virtually impossible to achieve.
"Such actions, even the original Divine Dynasty at its peak, couldn't do. How could you, Brother Pei?" Bai Xiaosheng tried to dissuade: "Although the world always had sages and wise men talking about equality of all beings, there has never been true equality. Humans, from the moment of their birth, are destined for future inequality."
Bai Xiaosheng suddenly felt as though he had never truly understood Pei Xuanjing's heart. Initially, he saw Pei Xuanjing as a hero rising with the tide. Later on, as Pei Xuanjing formed the Taoist Alliance with the help of various Taoist Schools, promoted the Divine Dynasty Plan, then took over the Divine position, and implemented the Taoist Academy. Bai Xiaosheng only saw him as a sage full of benevolence and virtue.
But seeing Pei Xuanjing now wanting to stand for the common people and oppose the countless powerful, Bai Xiaosheng wondered if Pei Xuanjing was just too idealistic and naive.
This world has never been equal. The will and trend of the world have always been controlled by the people at the top. They control and drive the waves of the era, and in their eyes, the common people, the Martial Artists and the cultivators, are but insignificant beings.
Even the Buddha, who always talks about equality among all beings, wouldn't truly agree to that. If all beings were equal, where would the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Arhats come from?
And Pei Xuanjing, who should have been one of those people, chose a different path, a path that was almost impossible to succeed.
"Humans are indeed born unequal," Pei Xuanjing did not deny Bai Xiaosheng's words, but he also solemnly replied, "Still, I don't think this is right. No one is born inferior, there should not be any hereditary nobility. Kings and lords should be of merit."
Indeed, some people are born in Rome, and some people are born to serve.
For such a situation, Pei Xuanjing was not surprised, he had seen and experienced it for himself.
But so what? Never forget: kings and ministers, are they born of the same seeds?
People currently look down from the Nine Realms, looking over all beings. But never assume this will last forever. One day, the bones of the nobility could be trampled down on the Heavenly Street, and luxurious courts burned to ashes. It is not impossible.
Bai Xiaosheng rebutted, "Does Brother Pei remember that you are now different from ordinary people? You are also a part of those in power. If the world truly becomes what you wish for, will you also be overthrown?"
No wonder those people hated Pei Xuanjing to the bone. Because Pei Xuanjing's actions were indeed infringing upon their interests and also damaging his own.
When the time comes for the ordinary people of the world to rise, and when they want to reclaim their own interests, they will not remember all that Pei Xuanjing has done. Instead, for their own interests, they will topple Pei Xuanjing and besmirch him with eternal infamy.
Upon hearing this, Pei Xuanjing remained unmoved. He calmly said, "I have naturally considered this possibility. But what of it? What I have done does not require their praise or tribute, I am merely doing what I believe ought to be done. Besides, I do not believe that day will come, for I am always the one leading, and I have the power to ensure these things are carried out."
Humans are always forgetful. Once they obtain something, they easily forget those who helped them, forgetting that without that person's help, they would not have today.
Even to the point of attributing all blame to the person who originally helped them as a way to uphold their sense of morality and superiority.
This situation is something Pei Xuanjing has witnessed firsthand. It is not a possibility but an inevitable occurrence.
Even if that's possible?
But so what? When he chose to do this, it wasn't for honor or for his name to reverberate through the ages. He did what he did simply because he wanted to.
Moreover, Pei Xuanjing is different from his past life. With his absolute power and enduring life, he can dictate his own path without concern for any insults thrown his way.
Bai Xiaosheng was silent as he remembered who he was dealing with. His opponent was a powerhouse of the Seventh Level of the Spiritual Realm, unmatched in the present world. Unlike the reformers of the past who, despite their talents and charisma, were bound by life and death. When they died, all they had done was overthrown, and the blame placed on their shoulders.
However, Pei Xuanjing is different. Perhaps in the future, Pei Xuanjing will ascend to the Strongest Realm at the Ninth Level of the Spiritual Realm, or even become a True Immortal, living eternally.
As long as Pei Xuanjing remains powerful, his laws and doctrines will continue to exist. Even if countless people harbor resentment, as long as they cannot resist, they must silently endure.
This is what sets Pei Xuanjing apart from the previous reformers.
"In that case, I can only wish for your continued strength, Brother Pei." Bai Xiaosheng wore a complex expression and sighed.
What Pei Xuanjing has done doesn't really matter to him, after all, he has never aimed to manipulate the people, to treat people callously.
The laws and doctrines that Pei Xuanjing wants to implement do not greatly impact Bai Xiaosheng. His previous persuasions weren't out of objection, but the path seemed too idealistic.
If he couldn't persuade him, then he could only wish Pei Xuanjing well.
Because he was clear that once Pei Xuanjing started down this path, there could be no stopping or turning back.
Either he remains eternally powerful, maintaining his own laws, his own doctrines, or his future will be obliterated and forever vilified. Even worse, he could completely disappear, becoming a taboo, unknown to any, as if he had never existed at all.
"I thank you, Brother Bai." A faint smile appeared on Pei Xuanjing's face.
After all, if Bai Xiaosheng was truly the type to disregard people, he would not have collaborated with him for so long. Thus, Bai Xiaosheng's attitude was expected by Pei Xuanjing.
"Now, it's time for you, Brother Bai, to spread the news." said Pei Xuanjing.
He brought this up intentionally, hoping for Bai Xiaosheng to disseminate his thoughts, to serve as a probe to gauge the reactions from all corners of the world, especially those returning from the Sky Wasteland.
After so many years, countless forces have returned from the Sky Wasteland. Some concealed themselves, and some openly traversed the world. However, with Pei Xuanjing, the unparalleled powerhouse of the ancestral land, there haven't been any significant chaos so far.
Of course, the absence of major disorder doesn't mean peace. Those who were used to the law of the jungle in the Sky Wasteland might fear provoking Taoist School followers due to Pei Xuanjing's presence, but that doesn't mean they will treat ordinary forces and Martial Artists kindly.
They might fear Pei Xuanjing but they hold a sense of superiority over others. They didn't even regard the people of the Great Ming Divine Dynasty highly, not to mention the rest of the forces and Martial Artists.
In recent years, countless small forces and ordinary Martial Artists have suffered at the hands of those returning from the Sky Wasteland. The Great Ming Divine Dynasty has even had several covert conflicts with them.
Besides, there was the recent event of the Demonic Cult followers who descended with the intention of killing Xue Wuheng and regaining control of the Demonic Cult.
All these incidents have one thing in common, they don't accept Pei Xuanjing's established rules, and they don't acknowledge the rule of the Great Ming Divine Dynasty.
Their temporary submission is merely recognizing the current disparity in strength and understanding that they are no match for Pei Xuanjing. However, when the powerful beings return in the future, they will no longer accept the current situation.
Isn't their avoidance of Pei Xuanjing, and their hostile actions against other forces, a hint of their true intentions?
"Let's give them a warning first, to make them behave." Pei Xuanjing voiced his thoughts.
He was making his stance clear to them, regardless of their intentions, they only had one thing to do now – to follow his rules.
In the Daming World, Pei Xuanjing didn't care about who they were, what they had done, they must behave accordingly.
"What if someone refuses?" Bai Xiaosheng asked with a teasing smile.
"Your Highness, what if someone refuses to agree?" Xue Shuangyue asked Xue Renfang with a puzzled look.
They were in a fortress situated in the grasslands beyond the border.
The expanse beyond the border differed from the lands within. Despite the Great Ming Divine Dynasty's powerful forces wiping out the remnants of Former Yuan and killing the intruding powerhouses of the Demon Race, the demonic beasts they had brought forth were nearly impossible to exterminate completely.
Furthermore, with the passage of years, countless influences of the human race from the Sky Wasteland have returned, and it was impossible that the Demon Race hadn't made any movements. How many from the Demon Race have descended upon this world was yet unknown to anyone.
Therefore, security was of utmost importance for the forces in the borderlands. Though expansion was crucial, learning how to protect themselves from the attack of demonic beasts was equally essential.
Large powers, brimming with manpower and wealth, constantly expanded and built fortifications, while smaller forces couldn't afford such ventures. Hence, fortresses, these ancient defensive structures, were once again brought into use.
Over the years, Xue Hanyi and his siblings have gathered quite a substantial force under the banner of the Da Xue ancient country of the Sky Wasteland. While their numbers were few, every one of them were at least Martial Artists of the Upper Three Realms.
Such Mortal Realm Martial Artists, even those at the first-grade realm, might not be significant back in the Da Xue ancient country of the Sky Wasteland, but here in the ancestral land, they were a valuable asset.
Even though numerous Spiritual Realm powerhouses emerged like bamboo shoots after a spring rain in the decades since the resurgence of heaven and earth, in the current ancestral land, even first-grade Martial Artists were considered the backbone of all forces.
At this moment, the fortress they just broke into was one of the many hideouts controlled by the mortal enemy of the Great Xue Ancient Nation in the Sky Wasteland, after they returned from hiding.
The fortress was small, the strongest cultivator stationed here was merely a cultivator at the second realm of the Spiritual Realm. Opposing Xue Renfang, this powerful figure, even if he did not personally take action, Xue Hanyi could easily suppress and kill him.
After killing those powerful men, they were harvesting their spoils of war while Xue Renfang received the circulated news from Bai Xiaosheng, warning them to be cautious.
"This is the warning of that national teacher, warning outsiders like us to abide by his rules," Xue Renfang said solemnly with a hint of complexity in his pupils. "If anyone violates his rules, they will certainly be punished."
Xue Hanyi was silent for a moment before he finally spoke, "So, this is why you wanted to meet him personally and inform him of our next moves, right?"
Despite having survived his years-long confinement atop the Shenxiao Mountain, he could not help but shudder upon facing Pei Xuanjing.
However, he was still careful with his words, implying that Xue Renfang was going to pay a visit to Pei Xuanjing, perhaps in his heart this could be another word: pay tribute.
"Haha, you do not need to conceal it for me, having a discussion and being on equal footing with him is what outsiders say." Xue Renfang sneered, "I'm going to pay tribute to him, or should I say, seek his approval."
Before he met Pei Xuanjing, Xue Renfang had taken pride in his origin and power. Nevertheless, after returning from Tiandu, he no longer held any such feelings.
The prince of the Great Xue Ancient Country, having reached the sixth level and being a strong cultivator at the seventh level of the Spiritual Realm, such a bold reputation might give him incomparable confidence when dealing with others. Even when facing top cultivators of the same realm from the Sky Wasteland, he would not feel inferior, nor would he underestimate himself.
However, when facing Pei Xuanjing, he felt that all his pride and self-esteem were groundless. His cultivation speed, which he was most proud of, was no match for Pei Xuanjing's age, barely sixty years old.
At first, he had a bit of self-esteem during their conversation. But as he got to know Pei Xuanjing better, talking to him felt like speaking to the head of the Great Xue nation or an ancestor, and he couldn't help but feel inferior.
Consequently, he had no regrets about the contract he signed and did not feel shamed at all. In his eyes, out of all the seventh level cultivators in the Sky Wasteland, only a handful of them could face Pei Xuanjing with confidence.
He turned to the two people next to him: "The task you two completed in the Ancestral Land was done very well, after the king arrives, I will personally recommend your accomplishments."
At first, when they received a message from the Xue Hanyi siblings in the Sky Wasteland, not many people were pleased. They believed that the siblings had messed up the mission and wasted the resources and effort invested by the ancient country.
However, once Xue Renfang had direct contact with Pei Xuanjing, he understood that the fault did not lie with the siblings. In the end, Pei Xuanjing was just too powerful. His existence was beyond everyone's expectations. Regardless of whether it was the Xue Hanyi siblings or anyone else, there wouldn't have been any changes. The ending would've been the same, if not worse.
Look at the delegation sent by the Great River ancient country. It was led by a great cultivator at the sixth level of the Spiritual Realm, with many cultivators at the fourth and fifth levels. Their strength exceeded the Xue Hanyi siblings by many folds, yet their end was tragic.
So, the siblings, under such circumstances, ended up building a friendship with Pei Xuanjing instead of causing harm. They did more good than harm.
"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness." The faces of Xue Hanyi and Xue Shuangyue showed excitement, they said tremblingly.
The siblings had been worrying about the situation and were ready for whatever punishment was to come. Now hearing Xue Renfang's words, they could finally put their worried hearts at ease.
"No need to be so formal." Xue Renfang waved his hand and said, "The most important thing now is to seize the time and prepare for the upcoming arrival of the king."
Sometimes, knowing the rules is very important. Or whether you can get the approval is also important.
Now that these people have descended into the Sky Wasteland, when they discovered that the current situation in the Ancestral Land cannot be altered due to the presence of Pei Xuanjing, they all thought the same thing, to hide in wait, secretly expand their influence during this time, prepare to lead the forces in the Sky Wasteland, and set their sights on the time thirty years later.
However, secretly expanding their influence and their strength isn't without repercussions, on the contrary, their actions will inevitably cause huge waves.
Some people might think that as long as they don't provoke Pei Xuanjing's Taoist School, or the Great Ming Divine Dynasty, they can act recklessly. But that's not the case. If their actions caused any major changes, they will certainly attract Pei Xuanjing's attention and restrictions.
Since Xue Renfang has obtained Pei Xuanjing's approval, he could expand his influence outside the borders as much as he wanted, as long as he doesn't violate Pei Xuanjing's rules, he won't attract any attacks.
But after the men from the Demonic Way made their moves, not only were they counterattacked by Xue Wuheng, but during Xue Wuheng's counterattack, Bai Xiaosheng would also assist.
Such drastically different treatment ultimately boils down to whether one has obtained Pei Xuanjing's approval, whether one has obeyed Pei Xuanjing's rules.
"I wonder how many people will die this time!" Xue Renfang sighed as he gazed into the distance.
Xue Renfang knew very well about those people in the Sky Wasteland. They were not really afraid of Pei Xuanjing. Until they had seen Pei Xuanjing with their own eyes, they wouldn't think that he was that terrifying.
A strong cultivator in the seventh realm of the Spiritual Realm was of great importance to these forces that had strong men to dispatch, worthy of their attention but not their fear.
So, even if Pei Xuanjing's message reached these people's hands, they would not care.
"We do not interfere with the interests of your Shenxiao Sect and Taoist School, this is already giving you, Pei Xuanjing, a lot of face. Pei Xuanjing, you may be in the seventh realm of the Spiritual Realm, but do you want to control everyone in the world?"
This was undoubtedly what those people believed.
And Xue Renfang, who had also interacted with Pei Xuanjing, knew for sure that Pei Xuanjing was neither soft-hearted nor easily compromised.
Therefore, someone would surely pay the price in blood.