Chapter 403 : Unity Between Heaven and Man
Chapter 403: Unity Between Heaven and Man
“Now I understand.”
Chen Beiwu also understood that, for the sect, the alliance between the West Derivation Realm and the Yellow Derivation Realm was merely a minor affliction. The true threat came from the Eight Desolations Sect’s covetousness.
However, in his opinion, the strategy chosen by the sect’s higher-ups of lengthening the battlefront and focusing on attrition and prolonged warfare was far too conservative.
Better to strike with one decisive blow and prevent a hundred future blows.
Even if the sect fought against three forces alone and could maintain the upper hand, if it was unable to establish a decisive victory, it would instead make other cultivation forces feel that they had an opportunity to take advantage. At that time, surrounded by a pack of wolves, the situation would instead collapse.
It would be better to use the sect’s foundations, suppress the three allied armies with overwhelming force, and use the corpses of enemy cultivators to display Mirror Moon’s might. Only then could they intimidate all directions and make every cultivation force wary.
Of course, Chen Beiwu also understood the caution of the sect’s higher-ups.
What kind of existence was a Divine Transformation True Venerable?
If the sect used too much of its hidden foundation and allowed the Divine Transformation True Venerable of the Eight Desolations Sect to research a method of dealing with it, then even if the sect successfully suppressed and killed the three armies, it would still suffer a devastating loss.
Sensing the Daoist Son’s thoughts, True Monarch Xin calmly said, “This war is mainly a test. If it continues dragging on, the ones who will become anxious are not the sect, but Red Sun Sect and Azure Spirit Sect.”
Blood Fortune Sect could collect the essence blood and corpses of countless cultivators during the Battle of the Three Realms, refine special demonic artifacts and formations, and rapidly increase its strength. It wished for the Battle of the Three Realms to continue forever.
However, the thoughts of Red Sun Sect and Azure Spirit Sect were different from those of Blood Fortune Sect.
It was not fearing scarcity, but fearing inequality.
While the two cultivation forces had suffered heavy losses, Blood Fortune Sect’s strength was increasing day by day, adding many Golden Core True Persons.
Even if the three armies’ alliance had the Eight Desolations Sect supporting them from behind, Red Sun Sect and Azure Spirit Sect still had to consider their own inheritances, as well as whether Blood Fortune Sect would turn against them after growing stronger and develop ulterior ambitions.
After all, everyone understood what the credibility of a Demon Sect’s alliance oath was worth.
“This place is no longer safe. Since cultivators from Red Sun Sect and Azure Spirit Sect were able to appear once, they can naturally appear a second time.” True Monarch Xin spoke solemnly. “For safety’s sake, Daoist Son should immediately return to the sect, meet the Ancestor, obtain a Nascent Soul Formation Pill, and enter secluded cultivation.”
The frontline battlefield was extremely dangerous. Nascent Soul True Monarchs could enter the battlefield at any moment. It was a true Asura killing ground.
Even though the sect currently held the upper hand, even if the frontline battlefield fell into a disadvantage, it was impossible for them to send the Daoist Son into such a flesh-and-blood battlefield for tempering.
After all, the Daoist Son’s safety was related to the future rise and fall of the sect. There could be no mistakes, even if the Daoist Son currently possessed combat power comparable to a Nascent Soul True Monarch.
In True Monarch Xin’s opinion, what the Daoist Son needed most now was a period of stable cultivation.
The Daoist Son had yet to prove his Dao and become a True Monarch, yet he could already suppress True Monarch Shang Yi.
If the Daoist Son advanced to the Nascent Soul realm and proved his Dao in the future, would he not be invincible among mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators?
As for late-stage Nascent Soul True Monarchs, those existences were far beyond what newly advanced True Monarchs could contend with. True Monarch Xin did not dare imagine such a thing.
Hearing this, Chen Beiwu slightly nodded, indicating that he understood.
The purpose of his trip into the Southern Wasteland and his return to the sect was precisely to obtain Nascent Soul Formation Pills and prepare for Iron Egg and Xuele’s advancement into Demon Kings.
Even if True Monarch Xin had not mentioned it, he would not have rashly participated in the frontline war.
“Then I will trouble True Monarch to investigate clearly who is truly behind True Monarch Zhou and whether it is related to the Grand Elder.” Chen Beiwu glanced at True Monarch Zhou and probed.
True Monarch Zhou’s expression changed slightly, and his eyes revealed a hint of surprise.
Instead, True Monarch Xin shook her head and decisively rejected the idea.
“No, it cannot be Zheng Qianwei.”
“Although Zhou Yushu is Zheng Qianwei’s person, the reason this little girl was able to become the Main Lineage Grand Elder is precisely because of her cautious personality. She knows what should be taken and what should not be taken, and she would never act recklessly.”
“And because of this, even though her ability is insufficient and she can only handle sect affairs without being able to investigate corruption among the sect’s higher-ups, she has still been able to remain in the position of Grand Elder for several hundred years.”
To put it plainly, humans have selfish desires, and cultivators are no exception.
In True Monarch Xin’s view, Zheng Qianwei might bear some responsibility for negligence, but she was relatively trustworthy.
Instead, some sect higher-ups who had no apparent connection with Zhou Yushu were more suspicious.
Chen Beiwu did not question True Monarch Xin’s words.
There were many cultivators within the sect who harbored selfish motives and secretly switched sides.
He only requested that this matter be thoroughly investigated, revealing the true mastermind behind it, so that such incidents would not happen again.
……
Mirror Moon Sea Region, Mirror Moon Sect.
Star-Transferring Hall.
Three figures, one man and two women, slowly appeared upon the teleportation formation.
“Greetings, Daoist Son!”
“Greetings, Immortal Yuwan!”
Seeing the newcomers, the cultivators responsible for guarding the teleportation formation all bowed respectfully. Their gazes turned toward the mysterious female cultivator beside him, whose face was covered by a veil and whose identity was unknown.
Because the Daoist Son was present, no one dared to rashly inspect her identity jade tablet. They could only secretly guess the identity of the female cultivator.
‘Hmph, seductress!’
Li Wan’er glanced at Jiang Yuyan.
She did not understand why Junior Brother wanted to bring a traitor back to the sect instead of executing her on the spot.
“No need for formalities.”
Chen Beiwu nodded. He temporarily separated from Senior Sister Wan’er, activated his escape light, and brought Jiang Yuyan toward Supreme Unity Hall.
After obtaining True Monarch Xin’s promise to thoroughly investigate the hidden traitor matter, Senior Sister Yun remained behind to handle the reconstruction of Dan Star Market, while Senior Sister Wan’er followed him back to the sect through the teleportation formation.
Supreme Unity Peak, Supreme Unity Hall.
Jiang Yuyan’s mood was rather complicated.
She never expected that she would have a day when she could return to the sect.
The reason was simple. The crime she committed was the grave offense of killing her master. Even if there had been a reason behind it, the sect still could not tolerate it.
If the Daoist Son had not promised to spare her life, her return to the sect would have been no different from seeking death.
“Disciple Chen Ziang pays respects to the Ancestor.”
“Unfilial disciple Jiang Yuyan pays respects to the Ancestor.”
The hall doors opened, and Chen Beiwu and Jiang Yuyan bowed according to sect etiquette.
“Mm, not bad.”
The Ancestor’s figure quietly appeared. His gaze remained on Chen Beiwu for a moment before he nodded in satisfaction.
Several decades of time was merely a short seclusion for a Nascent Soul True Monarch.
Yet the once newly revealed prodigy was still able to give him an unimaginable surprise, killing a mid-stage Nascent Soul True Monarch with a peak Golden Core cultivation.
“Ziang, you have worked hard. You have just returned to the sect and already established great merit for the sect.” Zhu Wuya praised.
Li Wan’er was one of only two fourth-order Profound Alchemists in the sect. Her status and position were no lower than that of a Nascent Soul True Monarch.
If something had happened to her, even if he was unwilling, he would have had to change his plans, personally leave seclusion, and fight against the allied forces of the three sects until blood flowed like a river.
“Ancestor, you overstate it.”
Chen Beiwu gave a humble bow and did not claim credit.
The Ancestor’s eyes moved slightly as he ignored Jiang Yuyan.
“Ziang, the matter of you suppressing the Three Hundred Solar Radiance Army and killing a Nascent Soul True Monarch despite being at the Golden Core realm created far too much disturbance and was far too shocking. Once Azure Spirit Sect learns of this, they will certainly not let it go.
“Blood Fortune Sect and Red Sun Sect will use this matter to make a huge issue, sparing no cost to eliminate you.”
At this point, Zhu Wuya looked toward Chen Beiwu.
“Although the sect can protect you, for the sake of caution, the sect has already announced externally that the greatest contribution in this great victory belonged to True Monarch Chengyuan’s timely support, which thwarted the schemes of the two sects.”
“And you merely contributed by cooperating, successfully delaying the Three Hundred Solar Radiance Army until the sect’s reinforcements arrived.”
“Of course, the sect will not forget your contributions. I hope you can understand, Ziang.”
Hearing this, Chen Beiwu spoke firmly.
“A tree that stands taller than the forest will be struck by the wind. Disciple can understand the sect’s concerns.”
“Your return to the sect this time should be for the matter of forming your Nascent Soul.” Zhu Wuya brought up the important matter.
“Disciple indeed has such an intention. I ask Ancestor for guidance.” Chen Beiwu gave a slight bow.
With the Jade Clarity Immortal Method and the sect’s rewards, he did not lack insights into forming a Nascent Soul, nor did he lack resources for forming one.
However, Iron Egg and Xuele lacked the crucial pills required to advance into fourth-realm Demon Kings.
The fact that the Immortal Alliance could not purchase Nascent Soul Formation Pills did not mean that the Southern Wasteland could not obtain them.
Southern Wasteland Nascent Soul Formation Pills combined with King Blood Stabilizing Source Pills would perfectly satisfy the advancement needs of Iron Egg and Xuele.
At this moment, understanding the hidden meaning behind the Ancestor’s guidance, Chen Beiwu naturally would not interrupt the old man’s interest in teaching the younger generation.
“Transforming a Golden Core into a Nascent Soul is defying the heavens. There are four great barriers, each more dangerous than the last. Only with the determination to break and rebuild, as well as a stable foundation, can one successfully prove the Dao and become a True Monarch.”
The Ancestor looked at Chen Beiwu.
“Do you know what these four barriers are?”
“The first is shattering the core, the second is condensing the Nascent Soul, the third is tempering the true essence, and the fourth is forming the core again.” Chen Beiwu answered.
“Correct. The Immortal Golden Core is the Dao foundation of a cultivator’s entire life. For a Golden Core True Person to actively shatter their Golden Core is no different from scattering their own cultivation.”
“But shattering the core and forming the nature is the first step toward proving the Dao as a True Monarch. The essence lies in shattering without dispersing, breaking before rebuilding. The cultivator must condense the embryonic form of the Purple Mansion Yang Spirit, use their own Dao heart as a guide, actively dissolve the Golden Core, break the Golden Nature, while simultaneously restricting the Golden Nature within the Golden Core from extinguishing, transforming the tangible core into an intangible one.”
“Among those in the sect who attempt to prove the Dao as True Monarchs, thirty percent of Golden Core True Persons fail at the first step due to unstable foundations and insufficient divine sense, leaving regrets for the rest of their lives.”
The Ancestor spoke solemnly.
“Ziang, your divine sense is powerful, comparable to a Nascent Soul True Monarch, and you possess the Origin Beginning Golden Core as your foundation. Taking this step should not be difficult, but you still cannot be careless. During your breakthrough, you must possess an unstoppable momentum.”
“Disciple understands.” Chen Beiwu deeply agreed.
Immortal Alliance cultivators could generally be divided into three major factions: the Realm Faction, the Foundation Faction, and the Dual Cultivation Faction.
As the name suggested, the Realm Faction primarily pursued cultivation realms. They could use pills to break through, use bonded beasts to break through, and never waited, slowly repairing their foundations afterward.
Simply put, Realm Faction cultivators believed in suppressing others through cultivation realms. They often said:
“Even if Qi Refinement is stronger, in the eyes of Foundation Establishment cultivators they are merely ants. Even if Foundation Establishment is stronger, in the eyes of Golden Core True Persons they are merely dust, not worth mentioning.”
These words sounded reasonable, but they could not deceive those knowledgeable in the field.
The relationship between a cultivator’s Dao foundation and their Dao path was like the relationship between a foundation and a great building.
If the foundation was poor, the building could not be built high. Even if it was built high, it could easily collapse.
Because of this, the Realm Faction had the largest number of cultivators in the Immortal Alliance and the greatest online influence. However, most of them came from humble backgrounds. Very few could become Golden Core cultivators, and among Golden Core cultivators, those who could become Nascent Soul True Monarchs were even rarer than one in ten thousand.
However, Chen Beiwu could also understand. When resources were insufficient, a cultivator blindly pursuing foundation was merely wasting time and effort. Pursuing realm advancement was better.
After all, reality was cruel.
Sometimes many Realm Faction cultivators did not refuse to become Foundation Faction cultivators. Rather, they were born ordinary and simply had no choice.
Chen Beiwu himself belonged to the Foundation Faction. This faction was easily belittled by netizens on the Immortal Alliance official website.
The reason was simple. Where in reality could there be a truly perfect foundation? Pursuing such a thing required the right time, place, and people. It was not something a cultivator could achieve merely by wanting it!
Unless one was born from a Dao Venerable immortal clan or True Venerable aristocratic family, and was also an unparalleled heavenly prodigy with monstrous talent, pursuing so-called extreme foundations was merely wasting resources and time.
Some Foundation Faction cultivators even became known among Immortal Alliance netizens as arrogant second-generation cultivators who dreamed too highly and could not recognize reality.
But the truth was often that seeking the highest gave the middle, while seeking the middle gave the lowest.
Although Foundation Faction cultivators had little online influence, they produced the greatest number of powerful cultivators.
Chen Beiwu had reason to suspect that the Realm Faction opinions on the Immortal Alliance official website contained deliberate attempts to mislead young cultivators.
When Chen Beiwu studied at Shouhe No. 2 High School, he did not believe the Realm Faction opinions online, but many of his classmates took them as truth. Even when teachers repeatedly reminded and corrected them, they still did not care.
As for the Dual Cultivation Faction, it was a combination of the Realm Faction and Foundation Faction.
This faction believed cultivation required balance. Excessive pursuit of foundation would lead to internal consumption, wasting massive resources, energy, and time. Excessive pursuit of realm would also cause things to go too far, severing one’s Dao path.
Only by combining both and treating them dialectically could one follow the true path of cultivation.
Seeing that Chen Beiwu had listened, Zhu Wuya slightly nodded and continued instructing.
“The second step of proving the Dao as a True Monarch is condensing the spirit into a Nascent Soul. The core lies in using Golden Nature as spirit, with spirit and qi embracing each other.”
“This process is extremely dangerous. One must use the Immortal Golden Nature and the Three Souls and Seven Spirits as a guide, illuminate the embryonic form of the Yang Spirit, transcend the physical body, prevent spirit and qi from separating, and condense the Nascent Soul to reach the foundation of Heavenly Stellar Pure Yang.”
“Within the sect, thirty percent of Golden Core True Persons fail to form their Nascent Soul because their Immortal Golden Nature is insufficient or their Three Souls and Seven Spirits are unstable. They require a Nascent Soul Formation Pill to successfully overcome this step.”
Chen Beiwu nodded as he listened, continuously pondering in his heart.
Times had changed!
The method of condensing the spirit into a Nascent Soul taught by the Ancestor was already outdated. It was completely inferior to the Immortal Alliance’s Beast-Assisted True Immortal Method 《Purple Mansion Creation Nascent Soul Secret Record》.
“Nascent Soul Formation Pills are merely external objects. For a cultivator to prove the Dao and become a True Monarch, they can only rely on themselves.”
Seeing Chen Beiwu slightly distracted, Zhu Wuya shook his head.
“The third step of proving the Dao as a True Monarch is tempering the true essence and returning it to origin. The core lies in refining demons into true essence and using Heavenly Stellar Pure Qi to cleanse the newly formed Nascent Soul.”
“This barrier is the most dangerous. During the process of Heavenly Stellar Pure Qi cleansing the Nascent Soul, cultivators cannot consume external objects. Furthermore, obsessions and inner demons accumulated throughout one’s cultivation life will manifest as inner and outer demonic tribulations, confusing the mind.”
“If a cultivator can maintain their original heart and overcome the Heart Demon Tribulation, they can remove falsehood and preserve truth, condense the Supreme Yang Nascent Soul within the Purple Mansion, and nourish themselves in return.”
At this point, the Ancestor waved his sleeve, and a streak of light fell before Chen Beiwu.
“What is this?”
As the light faded, a jade bottle appeared before Chen Beiwu’s eyes.
“Nascent Soul Formation Pill. This item is your reward for establishing great merit for the sect.” The Ancestor spoke indifferently.
“Many thanks for the Ancestor’s bestowed treasure.”
Chen Beiwu quickly accepted it, then revealed a hesitant expression.
“What? You still want to hear about the fourth step of proving the Dao as a True Monarch?” Zhu Wuya smiled. “The fourth step is the Nascent Soul returning to origin, and the core forming Heavenly Stellar.”
“After a cultivator successfully passes the first three steps, the Supreme Yang Nascent Soul within the Purple Mansion will release Heavenly Stellar True Qi, nourishing the physical body and dantian, condensing Immortal Golden Nature, forming the Golden Core again, and transforming the Earth Fiend Golden Core into the Heavenly Stellar Golden Core, also known as the One Qi Golden Core.”
“At this point, the four barriers are complete. The cultivator’s upper dantian possesses the Nascent Soul governing the Yang Spirit Sea of Consciousness, while the lower dantian possesses the Heavenly Stellar Golden Core stabilizing the physical body and life essence. The upper and lower harmonize, achieving the realm of Unity Between Heaven and Man.”
“For ordinary Golden Core True Persons, the fourth step carries the danger of consuming too much during core formation, causing the Nascent Soul to be unable to support itself and collapse. But you, Ziang, are different. The firmer the core, the purer the Nascent Soul, the stronger the qi, and the more profound the core. With your foundation, what you need to pay attention to are actually the first three steps.”
“If the first three steps succeed, the fourth step will naturally proceed smoothly.”
“Do you understand?” Zhu Wuya stroked his beard and smiled.
“No, Ancestor, you misunderstood.” Chen Beiwu picked up the jade bottle and carefully chose his words. “Disciple feels that one Nascent Soul Formation Pill might not be enough. Another pill would ensure absolute safety.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere within the hall instantly froze.
Jiang Yuyan was even more shocked as she raised her head and looked toward Chen Beiwu.
Requesting two Nascent Soul Formation Pills at once—being so greedy, was the Daoist Son not afraid of angering the Ancestor?