Myriad Daos of the Heaven

Jiang Jichen was taken aback for a moment.

He hadn’t expected Su Xuefei’s friendly overture to have such a purpose.

However, before Jiang Jichen could respond, the mysterious proprietress, Shui Yunyao, also spoke up. "Count me in, too!"

What surprised Jiang Jichen even more was that the Bald Man and the White-clothed Swordsman, Mo Yu, also drifted over gracefully.

The White-clothed Swordsman, Mo Yu, spoke gently, "Brother Jiang, count me in!"

The Bald Man’s voice was even louder, booming, "And this Buddha! Heh heh... Donor Jiang, this humble monk is fated to be with you!"

Jiang Jichen was still thoroughly bewildered.

He couldn’t understand why these supreme figures were all vying to team up with him.

The mysterious proprietress clearly noticed Jiang Jichen’s confusion. She began to explain considerately, "The Six Paths Illusion Realm has existed for countless years. The cultivation territories there have long been carved up by the great powers of the Six Paths Realm. Newcomers who enter can basically only join one of those major powers. Of course, there is another way: to seize and pioneer new territory within the Six Paths Illusion Realm and establish your own force. But it’s easier said than done for a newcomer to make a name for themselves. In the Six Paths Illusion Realm, if you don’t join one of those great powers, you’re no different from a Loose Cultivator in the Cultivation World!"

"But it just so happens that none of us want to join those great powers. Although joining them offers protection, your cultivation and actions will inevitably be controlled by others."

"So, as newcomers, our only option is to band together and form our own force. The only thing we’ve been missing is a leader."

Jiang Jichen easily understood what Shui Yunyao was saying.

The Six Paths Illusion Realm was, in essence, a world where people from the Six Paths Realm coexisted, dividing and ruling territories based on the size of their forces.

Of course, the Six Paths Illusion Realm was infinitely vast and incredibly mysterious, with many unexplored and undeveloped areas.

In short, it was a place of endless conflict over cultivation territories and resources, where only strength mattered.

Jiang Jichen glanced at them coolly. "Why choose me? And surely your own factions have territory in the Six Paths Illusion Realm, don’t they?"

Su Xuefei picked up where Shui Yunyao left off. "We do have our own factions. But you must understand, while our forces may seem strong in the Southern Continent, they’re nothing when compared to the entire Mortal World, let alone the whole Six Paths Realm. To put it bluntly, even the seniors in our families can only attach themselves to greater powers, forced to follow orders and walk on eggshells around others. But we want to carve out our own world, to have a say in our own affairs. So, even though this path is difficult and dangerous, we are all willing to walk it."

"As for why we chose you as our leader, it’s because the strongest cultivators in the Six Paths Illusion Realm are at the Nascent Soul Fusion stage. The strength you’ve displayed has given us a glimmer of hope, and we are willing to follow you."

"Of course, this so-called allegiance is contingent on you successfully ascending the Extreme Celestial Tier and entering the Six Paths Illusion Realm."

Listening to Su Xuefei, Jiang Jichen remained calm and said coolly, "It sounds like there was a hidden meaning in your last sentence, Miss Su Xuefei."

Su Xuefei was very direct, not hiding anything. "Today, you killed top-tier geniuses. Behind every one of them stands a Saint. So, once you leave this place, I fear a Saint will move against you. I don’t know if you can even make it to the Central State alive for a chance to ascend the Extreme Celestial Tier."

Su Xuefei’s words sent a chill through Jiang Jichen’s heart.

His voice grew deep. "So, you’re saying that before I can ascend the Extreme Celestial Tier and enter the Six Paths Illusion Realm, there’s another step I must take: breaking out of the Southern Continent and reaching the Central State?"

Su Xuefei said patiently, "The Extreme Celestial Tier appears at Heavenly Dao Mountain in the Central State’s Human Emperor City. All cultivators from the Mortal World will ascend the Extreme Celestial Tier and enter the Six Paths Illusion Realm from there."

The Bald Man chuckled from the side. "Donor Jiang, this humble monk has faith in you!"

The White-clothed Swordsman, Mo Yu, also said, "I will wait for you in the Six Paths Illusion Realm!"

Jiang Jichen frowned. "I have no intention of becoming your leader."

At this, the mysterious proprietress Shui Yunyao laughed. "To be honest with you, Little Brother Jichen, we have a map of an unclaimed piece of land in the Six Paths Illusion Realm. As soon as we mark it, it will become our territory!"

"However, the moment it’s marked, all the surrounding powers will be alerted, and they will surely try to seize it!"

"Our job will be to first defend it, and then expand!"

Hearing Shui Yunyao’s words, Jiang Jichen knew the group had planned this long ago. They had only decided to recruit him after witnessing his combat prowess.

In truth, this was a massive opportunity that almost no one would refuse.

Even Jiang Jichen knew what a map to an unclaimed piece of land in the Six Paths Illusion Realm meant. Even if the area was small, only a few square kilometers, it was still a priceless treasure.

Jiang Jichen was silent for a moment before saying, "There’s no point in discussing this now. We’ll talk after I’ve entered the Six Paths Illusion Realm."

Finally, they said their goodbyes and continued on their way.

Meanwhile, Fang Ying had finished healing. His recovery ability was formidable; clearly, his cultivation technique and bloodline were extraordinary.

"You should have accepted their offer. To cultivate in the Six Paths Illusion Realm, you must have your own territory. More than that, you have to constantly seize other people’s territories and resources. That’s the only way you can keep getting stronger," Fang Ying said.

He had also heard what Su Xuefei and Shui Yunyao said earlier.

"Once you’re there, if you become powerful enough and command a massive force, is it possible to attack the Heavenly Dao Holy Mountain?" Jiang Jichen suddenly asked Fang Ying.

Fang Ying froze. Even he was stunned by Jiang Jichen’s words.

’And here I thought he wasn’t interested!’

He never imagined Jiang Jichen’s ambitions were so immense and domineering.

In Fang Ying’s mind, just being able to own and defend a piece of territory in the Six Paths Illusion Realm was already a lofty dream.

But Jiang Jichen wanted to attack the Heavenly Dao Holy Mountain!

The Heavenly Dao Holy Mountain was the most powerful force in the entire Six Paths Illusion Realm, with countless supreme experts.

Since the beginning of the Six Paths Realm, the Heavenly Dao Holy Mountain had always been supreme and irreplaceable.

It represented... the majesty of the Heavenly Dao Realm!

And Jiang Jichen was actually thinking about... conquering it!

Fang Ying felt his breath catch in his throat. It took him a moment to recover.

However, he remained stubborn, not wanting to show that he had been frightened by Jiang Jichen’s idea. He answered coolly, "If you want to, then of course you can!"

Though he said that, Fang Ying added in his heart, ’Too bad it’s utterly impossible. Hmph, there’s no way I’m going along with that!’

After all, the Heavenly Dao Realm represented the heavens themselves. Attacking the Heavenly Dao Holy Mountain was equivalent to defying the heavens to strike down immortals.

Hearing Fang Ying’s words, Jiang Jichen was delighted. Filled with heroic spirit, he asked, "Brother Fang, do you dare to follow me and conquer the Heavenly Dao Holy Mountain?"

He spoke as if the Heavenly Dao Holy Mountain was already in the bag.

Fang Ying’s heart trembled as he listened. He wanted to refuse, but he had to grit his teeth and keep up his tough act. "Why wouldn’t I dare?"

And so, the two men clasped hands and roared with laughter.

One laughed with arrogant, domineering confidence; the other, with a helpless laugh that was closer to tears.