Actually, the existence of Pei Xuanjing had always been a form of blessing for all the local forces in the Daming World.
Even if he doesn't deliberately do anything, his mere presence, coupled with his constant strengthening, subconsciously enfolds many forces, bringing them some peace.
As long as Pei Xuanjing exists, those powers from the Sky Wasteland need to restrain themselves, they cannot continue survival of the fittest in this Daming World, at least in the beginning, when these local forces have not yet truly risen, they can't explode their power.
It could be said that Pei Xuanjing's blessing is not comprehensive care, it's not as extensive as what the Taoist School and the Shenxiao Sect receive, but for many local forces that have not truly developed, lack powerful leaders and time, it is as indispensable as straws to a drowning man, or a bowl of water in a desert.
Of course, for powerful individuals like Zhao Baiyang, they do not deny Pei Xuanjing's protection, but such protection also becomes a greater motivation, inspiring them to strive and progress, to aim higher.
Zhao Baiyang knows that Pei Xuanjing's protection is merely passive, it can only ensure that they are not bullied, and temporarily avoid the risk of annihilation, but if they really want to rise and really stand between heaven and earth, making their own voices heard, everything still depends on them.
"I wonder if anyone here has grasped the opportunities for breakthrough?" Zhao Baiyang looked at the people beside him.
For Zhao Baiyang, the Shenxiao Debate Conference was very fruitful. He was originally at the Spirit Realm Sixth Level, only lacking the opportunity to breakthrough to the Seventh Level of the Spiritual Realm. He acquired learning from many strong people at the Shenxiao Debate Conference. Afterward, he had the opportunity to enter the Longevity World opened by Pei Xuanjing, comprehend the Tao of heaven, and benefitted immensely from the understanding of Tao and law left behind by the powerhouses in the Longevity World. After returning, he succeeded in breaking through to the Seventh Level of the Spiritual Realm.
The original Zhao Baiyang was not weak. He could fight against cultivators of the Spirit Realm Seventh Level when he was at the Sixth Level. With the blessing of the Divine Position, it was not difficult for him to suppress ordinary Spirit Realm Seventh Level cultivators.
Now, after further breakthroughs and Pei Xuanjing's guidance on the use of Divine Position, his strength has once again increased. Except for those monstrous powerhouses in the Seventh Level of the Spiritual Realm, others are not his opponents. Even a first-rate cultivator of Spirit Realm Eightfold is a worthy opponent for him.
According to the power divisions of the Sky Wasteland, a strong individual at Spirit Realm Seventh Level is sufficient to open a second-rate force. Although the number of Spirit Realm Seventh Level cultivators is small, they are still eligible to establish a sect.
With his current strength, Zhao Baiyang's alliance is comparable to many long-established second-rate forces, not counting others.
However, how could Zhao Baiyang be satisfied with just a second-rate force? Although it could not become a top power, he wished to quickly push the foreign alliance to the same level as a first-class power. Only in this way, when the Sky Wasteland merges into the Daming World in the future, can they be eligible to obtain more benefits.
Therefore, he eagerly hoped that these people would quickly break through, only then could they obtain more benefits in the future.
"I still need some time before I can break through." Tie Qianshan revealed a bitter smile and shook his head.
In terms of talent, Tie Qianshan's talent is actually not inferior to Zhao Baiyang. Zhao Baiyang was able to break through, so it should not be a problem for him to break through the Seventh Level of the Spirit Realm under normal circumstances.
However, in addition to talent, the cultivation also depends on will. The two are not inferior in terms of talent, but when it comes to will and mindset, Zhao Baiyang's decisiveness and fearlessness actually prevail over Tie Qianshan's. This is why Tie Qianshan stays one step behind with the same start.
Both Tie Qianshan and Zhao Baiyang clearly understand this reason, but as the saying goes, changing one's nature is hard. The steady nature of Tie Qianshan has predetermined this, it's hard to change.
However, such a mindset ensures that every step he takes is solid, he won't likely make mistakes, his foundation is solid, and he can walk further.
"I need more time, I'm not certain about the choice of my Taoist Foundation." Zi Tianxiong said with a complex expression.
Upon hearing his words, the expressions of Zhao Baiyang and the others changed, they remained silent and did not make any comments.
In the Seventh Level of the Spiritual Realm, cultivators are required to comprehend their own Tao and condense their own Taoist Foundation. Once the Taoist Foundation is successfully condensed, they can not back down, with no chance to change.
Actually, for such strong individuals like them, they should already be clear about their path. This step should not pose a problem and should not cause them much trouble.
However, Zi Tianxiong was just stuck on this issue, which left the others at a loss for words.
Besides, if Zi Tianxiong was unable to determine his Taoist Foundation, they could help him by making deductions and suggestions. The fact was quite the opposite, Zi Tianxiong had several Taoist Foundations to choose from, he hesitated over which one to take. This left the others speechless.
After all, helping someone else when they are indecisive needs a completely different approach than when they strive to achieve something. If the chosen Taoist Foundation led to regret in the future, it would cause trouble for both parties. To maintain the stability of the alliance, it's better to let the other party decide, there wouldn't be any problems in the future.
"You, for your choice of Tao, I have no advice, but I just want to tell you, 'biting off more than you can chew is not wise'. The one that is most suitable for you is the best." Zhao Baiyang said calmly, his words carrying deep significance.
The others didn't know that he had also faced the same difficulty as Zi Tianxiong, but Zhao Baiyang was still able to quickly make a decision.
The heritage of the White Lotus Sect is very ancient, maybe even existed before the decay of heaven and earth, and some branches have drifted into the Sky Wasteland. Although they gradually declined, some of their traditions have survived.
When the people of Sky Wasteland returned, some bottom-ranked members of the White Lotus Sect from Sky Wasteland came to pay homage, bringing with them a profusion of ancient skill scriptures. Some of these scriptures can even lead directly to the Spirit Realm Eightfold, stronger than the skills Zhao Baiyang is now practicing.
If Zhao Baiyang was willing, he could completely abandon his current practice and convert. However, after much consideration, Zhao Baiyang decided to abandon those things.
There is no ultimate skill, only the skill that suits you best.
This was what Pei Xuanjing once said to Zhao Baiyang during their philosophical discussions. Pei Xuanjing believed that any skill could only bring out its most powerful potential by its creator, just like the discipline of martial studies, because only the creator is the most suitable person.
What about a skill that leads directly to the Spirit Realm Eightfold? To cultivate this skill means giving up your current path. Zhao Baiyang naturally wouldn't want to do that.
Now he tells Zi Tianxiong that he wants the latter to understand that only the path that suits him best is the most powerful path. The Taoist Foundation should be the path that fits oneself best, so one can go further on the cultivation path.
"I understand and won't waver anymore." Zi Tianxiong said solemnly, nodding.
He also clearly understands the current situation of the Alliance of Foreign Daoists. Only with a stronger power can he achieve more. Relying on Zhao Baiyang alone cannot truly support the alliance, and they are far from what they had hoped to gain.
When Zhao Baiyang turned his gaze to the Diamond Sect's Master, the latter shook his head helplessly: "The path of Body Refining is different from yours. It will take me a long time to break through, no significant opportunities in the short term could help me break through again."
The Body Refining cultivators are already strong in the same realm, but the path of Body Refining is much slower compared to the path of Refining Spirit or Refining Qi. It requires careful sculpting of one's physique, slow improvement, and rare medicinal aids. Otherwise, they could only train step by step.
And to say nothing of their current lack of powerfully rare treasures, even if they had them, it would be better to let Zhao Baiyang become even stronger rather than let the Diamond Sect's Master consume them. This is the right way.
Zhao Baiyang is also helpless about this. Although the Alliance of Foreign Daoists gathers the masters of the Great Ming World, only four of them are qualified to keep up with the pace following the arrival of the cultivators from the Sky Wasteland.
"Are there no gifted individuals in the Underworld?" Tie Qianshan asked, frowning.
The Underworld was a force that dominated a side of the Great Ming World. Even after the death of the Ghost Emperor of Fengdu, there should still be masters, because all the people of the Underworld were incorporated by Zhao Baiyang.
Zhao Baiyang took a deep breath: "There are indeed gifted people among the original people of the Underworld, but they are too young. They still lack time accumulation to truly turn their talents into strength. And the rest of the cultivators of the Underworld, as the backbone, are okay, but there are no real strong ones."
The Underworld, a force that used to terrorize the Great Ming World, has been continuously losing its masters since meeting Pei Xuanjing. After the Ghost Emperor of Fengdu was killed by Pei Xuanjing, the Underworld declined completely, all losing its masters. This was also the reason why Zhao Baiyang had the chance to incorporate the Underworld.
"Ghost Emperor of Fengdu, a generation of heroes, it's a pity that he ran into him." Tie Qianshan and Zhao Baiyang and others glanced at each other and sighed almost simultaneously in their hearts.
The Ghost Emperor of Fengdu, both in talent and strength, was an existence comparable to them. If he had the chance to live up to now, his strength would definitely not be weaker than theirs.
Unfortunately, he happened to feud with Pei Xuanjing who was rising, and became a stepping stone for the latter to reach the peak. It's really about timing and fate.
...
The anomaly in the sky gradually dissipated, and everyone knew that Pei Xuanjing had successfully broken through. Another strongest who stepped into the Nine Realms of Spirit and one more overlord who could look down upon all beings appeared in this world.
At the top of Shenxiao Mountain, Pei Xuanjing wasn't very aware of the outside world and didn't understand the thoughts of many people caused by his breakthrough.
At this stage of Pei Xuanjing's cultivation, he can be said to act freely, just need to do things according to his own will, without considering what others think. The things decided by his will can only be changed by his willingness, not the ease of others.
The projection of the Taoist Foundation behind him gradually dissipated, and the terrifying aura on Pei Xuanjing's body gradually calmed down, returning to a calm and peaceful appearance, but the demeanor of his celestial bones became more intense.
Pei Xuanjing opened his eyes, his deep eyes seeming to encompass everything like the boundless sky. He felt the intangible and formless Golden Core rotating rapidly inside his body, refining his essence, qi, and spirit, which seemed to become more harmonious, and the faintly immortal aura surrounded him.
The Nine Realms of Spirit is the process of the cultivator continuously transforming himself, from a mortal to Becoming Immortal. Each breakthrough in the realm is a transformation of the cultivator himself. By the Ninth Realm of the Spirit, it is considered to be the ultimate transformation, and if the cultivator transforms again, he can step into the Immortal Dao Realm and become a True Immortal in legend.
Now Pei Xuanjing is standing here. Even if he doesn't deliberately operate his skills, he has an extremely strong affinity for the Heaven and Earth Essence Qi, which is constantly flowing into his body.
With the heavenly authority in hand and having stepped into the Strongest Realm, Pei Xuanjing found that his understanding and perception of the Daming World was even clearer. Many things that were once unclear seemed to have been unveiled, completely revealed before him.
Walking out of the retreat, standing on the towering Shenxiao Mountain, Pei Xuanjing looked out into the distance, and the thousands of miles of mountains and rivers caught his eye. His robe fluttered in the wind, standing alone and looking like he was about to ride the wind and become Immortal.
"Congratulations to the master for stepping into the Strongest Realm."
A flash of light passed, and the Deer Elder's figure appeared behind Pei Xuanjing, bowing to him.
The Deer Elder had an excited look on his face. Coming to this world for so many years, he had a deeper understanding of the Daming World. He knew what a realm the Strongest was, just one step away from the legendary Fairy God.
Pei Xuanjing nodded, and then asked: "Has anything major happened during my years of retreat?"
Although by the agreement between Pei Xuanjing and those strong people, no wars were allowed before the integration of the two worlds, he still needed to know what had happened over the years.
As he conversed with the Deer Elder, listening to the other's recount of some noteworthy events that had occurred in the Daming World over the years, half of Pei Xuanjing's spiritual consciousness landed on the incarnation he had left on Taihe Mountain.
The Zhenwu Plan of the True Martial Sect, with Pei Xuanjing's help over the years, was about to succeed.
Taihe Mountain, True Martial Sect.
The remarkable phenomenon of Pei Xuanjing stepping into the Strongest Realm from the Nine Realms of the Spirit was earth-shaking. As True Martial Sect was situated within the territory of the Great Ming Divine Dynasty, it was impossible for them to overlook it.
Unlike the state of others, who were roused and inundated with fluctuations after seeing Pei Xuanjing's breakthrough, the master of True Martial Sect, Taoist Qingxu, despite feeling a bit shocked, quickly dispersed his attention and turned it to the Zhenwu Array of True Martial Sect.
This Zhenwu Array wasn't designed to protect the True Martial Sect, but rather, was created by inviting Pei Xuanjing to the True Martial Sect, and his guidance along with the wisdom of many in the sect. It did not have too many offensive or defensive measures. Its sole real purpose was to quickly transform the power of the Divine Position.
The Zhenwu Array continuously absorbed the power of the ordinary Divine Positions, turned it around, and poured it towards their nurturing True Martial Great Emperor Throne, which caused its gradual growth and transformation.
As powers of the Sky Wasteland began returning, a significant change commenced in the world's order. Even with the existence of Pei Xuanjing and the progressing plan of integrating the Sky Wasteland into the Daming World, the various powers within the Sky Wasteland restrained themselves and did not rapidly expand or erode.
Nevertheless, under such circumstances, these forces from the Daming World native land, especially those ambitious ones unwilling to decline, continued to quietly accumulate their own strength, executing their respective plans in order to ensure self-preservation and even further progress amidst the changing world order.
The True Martial Sect did just that, they staked all possibilities on this ongoing Zhenwu Plan. As long as they could successfully condense the True Martial Great Emperor Throne and produce a True Martial Emperor Deity, they would possess the right to stand firm in this world, alleviate many worries, and continue to grow and develop.
"How is it? Can you estimate how much more time will be needed for its completion?" Pei Xuanjing's voice gently sounded in Taoist Qingxu's ear.
Taoist Qingxu immediately turned his gaze to a position on his right, where one of Pei Xuanjing's avatars was maintaining a part of the Zhenwu Array, helping it to continuously transform and consolidate the True Martial Emperor's position.
At this moment, Pei Xuanjing's avatar, which had been still for several decades, finally opened its eyes and slowly asked Taoist Qingxu about the progress of the plan.
Although Pei Xuanjing aided the advancement of the sect's plan and even split off this avatar to maintain the magic array and observe some changes in the Zhenwu Plan for reference and verification of his speculations, he chose to actively give up some authority out of respect for the True Martial Sect's privacy, refraining from probing. Instead, he chose to ask Taoist Qingxu.
"The power needed for this Divine Position of the True Martial Emperor is too vast. Even after so many years of transformation, according to our calculations, it's feared that roughly twenty more years will be needed," Taoist Qingxu answered after thinking for a moment.
Feeling grateful for Pei Xuanjing's respect, by asking instead of probing the situation himself, Taoist Qingxu, without any hesitation or reservations, expressed the current progress.
With more than twenty years, according to Taoist Qingxu and their predictions, there was more than enough time. Even if the current plan to integrate the Sky Wasteland was continuously being pushed, judging from the current progress, at least about thirty more years were needed for its completion. Hence, they had plenty of time.
"Twenty years is a bit too long," replied Pei Xuanjing, after hearing Taoist Qingxu's answer, and after a moment of contemplation, he continued, "Very well, I will lend you a little more assistance."
While speaking, Pei Xuanjing slowly lifted his arms and his fingers flicked. Mysterious talismans appeared out of nowhere, carrying inexplicable breaths, falling from the sky into every part of the Zhenwu Array in a seemingly disordered but precise manner.
As these talismans flicked out by Pei Xuanjing fell into the array spots, the operation speed of these arrays evidently accelerated significantly.
However, what Pei Xuanjing did was not limited to this. He slowly stimulated his own Jade Purity True Monarch Divine Position. The terrifying might appeared out of thin air. If it had not been for his restraint, Taoist Qingxu by his side would have been directly overwhelmed by this terrifying might.
Nonetheless, facing this suddenly appearing might, Taoist Qingxu felt his entire being sinking as if being suppressed. He clearly felt that the originally indifferent and gentle Pei Xuanjing had become majestic and sacred, like a god king towering over the nine heavens and looking down on himself. This was an intimidation of life-level that lingered in his mind and couldn't be easily brushed off.
But Pei Xuanjing's attention was not on him. After activating his Divine Position, Pei Xuanjing's eyes were as electric and his might as imposing as a prison. His purple-gold gaze landed on the Zhenwu Array. He clapped his hands together and a surge of divine power rushed into it, speeding up the operation of Zhenwu array by nearly more than twice…
Much later, after Pei Xuanjing had dispersed the power of his Divine Position, he resumed his former calm and gentle temperament. He said to Taoist Qingxu, "It will only take ten years. If there are no accidents, this Divine Position will be successfully nurtured within ten years."
"Thank you, Master. You have repeatedly extended your assistance. This kindness rendered to my True Martial Sect is beyond repayable. If there are any future commands, we would not refuse even if it takes us through fire and water," uttered Taoist Qingxu, obviously moved.
Indeed, Pei Xuanjing's repeated assistance not only solved many problems for them but also saved them so much time. This gave them more than enough time to cope with the upcoming era, a favor that was beyond repayable.
"There's no need for that," said Pei Xuanjing, shaking his head. He had his own considerations for accelerating the incubation of the True Martial Emperor and needed to use this to verify many things.
"Regardless, we, the True Martial Sect, will remember Master's kindness," said Taoist Qingxu sincerely. Regardless of the reason, they couldn't forget the favor Pei Xuanjing had done for them through this move.
Pei Xuanjing smiled and shook his head. He said, "You don't have to be like this, if it's really possible, why don't you answer a question for me instead?"
With Pei Xuanjing's request, Taoist Qingxu laughed and said, "Why should Master be so formal? If you have any questions, just ask. I'll tell you everything I know and leave no stone unturned."
Considering the help that Pei Xuanjing had provided, any repayments they could make would be acceptable, let alone he didn't think there was anything he could hide from him.