However, no matter what, this confrontation between the true fairy avatars had come to an end.
The initial encounter between the Human Tribe True Immortals and the Demon Tribe True Immortals bore various outcomes, with Human Tribe True Immortals being devoured by the Demon Tribe, while also having Human Tribe True Immortals vanquishing Demon Tribe avatars. Both sides had their victories and defeats, so there was no need to go into detailed descriptions of each.
Yet what truly shocked the multitude of true immortals was that True Monarch Shenxiao Pei Xuanjing had slain the avatar of the Celestial Ape King. After this news spread, these true immortals were tremendously shaken.
It must be noted that, in the eyes of the many Human Tribe true immortals, this Celestial Ape King was considered an uncrowned king within the Demon Race, a fearsome entity that stood shoulder to shoulder with the Lion Emperor.
This time, Daoist Xuantian and the Sword Emperor joined forces to confront the avatar of the Lion Emperor, and only with great effort did they severely injure the Lion Emperor's avatar. Despite this, they still failed to suppress the avatar enough to prevent its escape.
But the fact that True Monarch Shenxiao Pei Xuanjing alone managed to suppress and kill the Celestial Ape King's avatar was a feat incredible enough to spark curiosity and astonishment among the many Human Tribe True Immortals. They all wondered just how unfathomably deep True Monarch Shenxiao's power could be.
...
In an indistinct sense, this once junior member was now seemingly on the trajectory to become the foremost among all under heaven.
With the rise of many true immortals, dominion over heaven and earth was gradually yielding to these true immortals and the forces they represented. Since no true immortals had emerged among the independent practitioners, or rather many mighty independent practitioners had realized the shifts in the heavenly pattern,
they understood that while one might walk the path alone in the Spiritual Realm, to ascend to Dao-Certifying True Immortal would require the backing of a powerhouse; otherwise, it was merely wishful thinking.
Thus, some strong independent practitioners began to join forces, forming alliances looser than those of established powers, while some chose to join a faction and ceased to go it alone.
The recent engagements between the human and demon clans were merely a probe, as each side tested the other, desperately wanting to gauge their opponent's strength after their ascension to true immortality to inform their subsequent choices and plans.
The realm of True Immortal was unknown to all, and even the newly ascended human and demon true immortals mostly only understood their own states and not their opponents'.
Chirurg: "Genoeg! Als u pijn in uw heup of knie heeft, schrap dat dan onmiddellijk uit uw dieet..."Open
Just as a beast, growing upon its own, will fight others upon first encounter to affirm its place within the food chain; similarly, these true immortals probed each other through combat, testing their battle prowess to ascertain their positions and influence within the circle of true immortals.
After verifying all this, these true immortals seized enough Creation Profound Mystery and retreated into seclusion once more, showing no immediate eagerness to command and enact their wills.
Ascending to true immortality is only the first step to becoming a True Immortal. They indeed underwent an essential change in the nature of their lives and possessed extended lifespans, but many of them understood they had not yet fully tapped into their combat potential after their earlier probes and tests.
Their Divine Weapons had not evolved into Immortal Weapons, and although the divine abilities they wielded with their magical powers were indeed more potent than before, they were still, in essence, on the level of the Spiritual Realm, not yet transformed into the Immortal Path…
All this and more required time, needing their perfection and self-improvement, as they also needed time to enhance themselves and become the most vigorous at the peak state.
As for commanding heaven and earth and exerting their wills, this was not the most urgent matter for these true immortals. With near-eternal lifespans, they were in no hurry for the moment.
On the contrary, if they did not seize this moment to enhance their strengths and realms but instead wasted their energy on such worldly trifles, such choices would be the worst. Strength was the fundamental essence.
Hence, after this series of true immortal clashes, including Pei Xuanjing, nearly all true immortals again entered into seclusion. They continued to deduce their Daoist magical powers and transform their top-tier divine weapons into supreme immortal weapons.
Their retreat temporarily relieved those supreme strong ones, at least reducing the pressure significantly and giving them more time to grow stronger to have more means of self-preservation and to glimpse higher realms.
"Although many Creation Profound Mysteries were plundered by the true immortals this time, there are still many remnants within heaven and earth. Perhaps trivial for true immortals but significant assistance for Spiritual Realm cultivators if they can obtain them. Thus, we could let the many disciples pay attention during their travels across the world, for it might also present opportunities for them." Pei Xuanjing instructed the likes of Pang Hong and Yu Zhenzi from the Shenxiao Sect and several deputy heads of the Taoist Academy handling affairs before his seclusion.
Indeed, a significant portion of the Creation Profound Mystery had been plundered by these true immortals, but there was still no small remnant. Moreover, the key point was that the elevation of heaven and earth was not yet complete, implying the return of Creation Profound Mystery.
And now, unlike the past, with the presence of many true immortals to keep watch, those supreme beings, now wary, would not behave as recklessly as before. For the common cultivators, this meant a chance, at least an opportunity to try their luck.
The journey of cultivation is never without challenges. It's inevitable to encounter troubles and dangers, which serve as trials and tests for cultivators. Overcoming them would greatly benefit future cultivation.
The Heavenly Dao is fair and impartial. Sentient beings who aspire to longevity must put in the effort and strive to gain favor with heaven and earth.
"In the coming era, true immortals won't interfere lightly. The stage of heaven and earth will be left in your hands, the younger generation. What brilliance you can compose depends on how you proceed," Pei Xuanjing said to his direct disciple after the others had left.
As his direct disciple, Pang Hong, who had surmounted numerous hardships to embark on the Golden Core Dao, undoubtedly stood tall among any prodigies. The part of the Creation Profound Mystery that Pei Xuanjing had seized for him had built a solid foundation, and his talent was in no way inferior to any of his peers.
True Immortals would now be the leaders, but heaven and earth would become the stage for cultivators above the Seventh Level of the Spiritual Realm. If his disciple Pang Hong wished to walk the Immortal Path, he would inevitably have to go through this trial.
"Disciple will definitely not disappoint Master's expectations. The prestige of Shenxiao will not be tarnished in my hands," Pang Hong said with a steadfast expression.
Actually, according to reason, Pei Xuanjing should have been part of the generation rising after the revival of Heaven and Earth, but with the aid of the Life Simulator, he had crossed countless spans of time, arriving at a realm comparable to those powerhouses who had accumulated thousands of years of strength.
At that time, he had already transformed into a True Immortal, becoming one of the true powerhouses commanding Heaven and Earth. Naturally, there was no need for him to personally enter the fray anymore, so everything was entrusted to his disciples. It was now his disciples' turn to battle for supremacy under the heavens.
Pang Hong was well aware of this situation; he understood that, truth be told, he was a generation behind those so-called peerless geniuses and evil demons, but this world was fundamentally about the hierarchy of strength. Although he was younger in age, Pang Hong's current power and status were enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with them.
This time's contention was not just for himself, but also for his master and likewise for the Shenxiao Sect. This was the inescapable duty of being the Junior Leader of the Shenxiao Sect, the disciple of True Monarch Shenxiao Pei Xuanjing.
Therefore, Pang Hong didn't have much else to say, but he solemnly promised his master that he would not fail the expectations placed on him.
Moreover, having come this far in his cultivation, with a great master before him, the ambition in Pang Hong's heart was boiling. He, too, wanted to let out his own voice to Heaven and Earth, to establish his own authority.
...
"Your teacher believes in you, you are second to none at this moment," said Pei Xuanjing with a gentle smile on his face, "Go forth and fully display all you have, let the world be astonished by you, let your teacher take pride in you."
His disciple was second to none, having kept a low profile for so many years, it was time to showcase his presence to Heaven and Earth.
"Yes, master!" A passionate glint flashed in Pang Hong's eyes, his fighting spirit rising, a surge of boldness emerging.
After Pang Hong departed, Pei Xuanjing's figure gradually vanished as well, as this was one of his avatars. Pei Xuanjing's true form was still remaining within his Divine Kingdom.
As a newly ascended True Immortal, Pei Xuanjing, though having completed the construction of his Divine Kingdom, recognized that the continued development and perfection of the Divine Kingdom were necessary. However, with the experience of constructing the Longevity World, Pei Xuanjing was naturally taking it in his stride.
Aside from concurrently working on perfecting his Divine Kingdom, Pei Xuanjing was also continuing his deductions and research on the pathways for other types of Dao-certifying True Immortals.
Chirurg: "Genoeg! Als u pijn in uw heup of knie heeft, schrap dat dan onmiddellijk uit uw dieet..."Open
Heaven, Earth, Human, God, Ghost—five pathways to become a Dao-certifying True Immortal. Among them, the Dao of Spirit Immortals had already been ascended by Pei Xuanjing. After becoming a True Immortal, when Pei Xuanjing once again turned to look at these things he had deduced in the past, he naturally had different insights, which was an unquestionable fact.
Before stepping into this Realm, even if one was extremely close to it, all deductions and speculations were mostly like looking at flowers through fog, ultimately missing a layer of truth. It was only after truly stepping into the True Immortal Realm that one could understand the nature of this Realm. All the confusions and doubts that were shrouded in one's heart were lifted in an instant, and the perplexities were completely dispelled.
The way of the Heavenly Immortal was ethereal, and the original Pei Xuanjing found the Dao of the Heavenly Immortal to be incredibly profound. He always felt something was missing and that his Dao of the Heavenly Immortal could not be thoroughly comprehended. But now, Pei Xuanjing understood, when he had formed the Golden Core Dao and created his own Golden Core Dao, the path to Heavenly Immortal had already been well laid out.
By today, Pei Xuanjing, even though he had advanced from the Dao of Spirit Immortals to a True Immortal, still had a Golden Core at the sixth turn and had not reached the seventh turn of the Golden Core as initially envisioned.
"The Golden Core Dao is my way to Heavenly Immortality. Heavenly Immortals are those who forge their own Dao and condense their own unique Laws. Refining Essence into Qi, refining Qi into Spirit, refining Spirit to return to the Void, and refining the Void to unite with the Dao—this most puristic method of refining Qi is the way of the Heavenly Immortal. My Golden Core Dao goes a step further on this foundation, refining Essence, Qi, and Spirit all at the same time. When my Essence, Qi, and Spirit are refined and polished perfectly and reach the Golden Core Seventh Turn, I will be able to advance to the Realm of refining the Void and uniting with the Dao," divine light burst forth from Pei Xuanjing's eyes.
Heavenly Immortals are those whose divine light shines universally, manifesting in myriad forms. Once attained, it is held forever; once enlightened, it is always certifying. Their Divine Abilities are magnificent, and their Magical Power knows no bounds. When Heaven and Earth close, they do not close alike; when Heaven and Earth open, they create passages for others.
His way of the Heavenly Immortal was already prepared. The next step was to continuously refine Essence, Qi, and Spirit, waiting for the day when everything would naturally fall into place to step into the Realm of True Immortal of the Heavenly Immortal way.
"For the Earth Immortal way, having already created my own Small Thousand World, all I need to do is to carry on transforming the Longevity World, teaching my Dao to the beings of the Longevity World, and allowing my Dao to evolve into a civilization. That will be the day when I ascend to the Dao of the Earth Immortal and become a True Immortal."
"For the Human Immortal way, by unlocking Divine Hidden, before becoming a True Immortal, my body was already tempered in the Chaos Void and transformed into a Half Demon Body. I am just one step away from unlocking Divine Hidden. Now that I have become a True Immortal and my body is purified by the Law of Heaven and Earth, my body becomes even more formidable as a divine physique. Although unlocking Divine Hidden is more difficult, it is without a doubt a deepening of my foundation, a gain in itself. Moreover, should I ascend the path of Human Immortal in my Mortal Flesh or should I completely transform my Half Demon Body into a Demonic God Physique before unlocking Divine Hidden? The difference between these two is absolutely huge."
"The way of the Ghost Immortal is elusive, for this path is one of refining the Spirit, different from the Dao of Spirit Immortals' method of refining the Spirit. Ghosts are Yin Spirits, ambiguous within the Yin, maintaining only a wisp of Yin Spirit without dissipation. However, amongst Heaven and Earth, there are no situations that guarantee death, and all things have a glimmer of hope. Though the path of the Ghost Immortal's Yin Spirit is difficult, if one can be unwavering, temper the Divine Soul, from the extremity of Yin transform into Yang, and from within the Yin Spirit birth that bit of pure Chunyang to refine the spirit into divinity, it is then possible to become an undying, indestructible Yin Spirit."
In his heart, Pei Xuanjing meticulously contemplated the five ways of enlightenment to True Immortality of Heaven, Earth, Human, God, Ghost. His thoughts were free and unrestrained, making bold conjectures and assumptions without any restrictions or limitations, simply because he was a pioneer, with no previous examples to reference and equally unbound by any pre-set course.
Whether it is the five paths of Dao-Certifying True Immortality of Heaven, Earth, Human, God, Ghost, they all evolve from their own beings' Essence, Qi, and Spirit. This is the foundation of everything, and refining Essence, Qi, and Spirit are the most fundamental forms of Cultivation.
From this perspective, the difference between Ghost Immortals and Spirit Immortals is that Spirit Immortals have a corporeal form, while Ghost Immortals are incorporeal. The core for both is refining Spirit, but the difference lies in Spirit Immortals refining the divine physique, while Ghost Immortals refine the indestructible pure Chunyang.
By the same reasoning, then Heavenly Immortals and Spirit Immortals, Heavenly Immortals and Earth Immortals, Human Immortals and Spirit Immortals, Human Immortals and Heavenly Immortals, Earth Immortals and Ghost Immortals are all interconnected. If, in the future, they are all Dao-Certified jointly, it would not be impossible for them to transform into one another and progress side by side.