Chapter 307: Return from the Immortal World, Seeking Disciples in the Ultimate Realm
The aroma of the 'Fruit of Enlightenment' was unusually fragrant, imparting a refreshing and invigorating sensation as if one's thoughts and consciousness were heightened to a new level.
After consuming it, Li Hao's breathing steadied, and his senses sharpened. He faintly perceived a door standing tall in his consciousness, and with a slight focus of his mind, he could pass through it.
He immediately turned his attention to culinary arts, and as his thoughts converged, he drew closer until he crossed the threshold. In an instant, it was as if he had entered a vast and chaotic realm.
His thoughts seemed amplified, his thinking more profound, and countless ideas sprang to life.
Simultaneously, a figure seemed to emerge from the chaos before Li Hao's eyes.
With a raise of that figure's hand, the heavens and earth transformed into a furnace, and all things became fuel, cooking the very energy in the void...
Li Hao was stunned by the sight, feeling as if he had gained a profound epiphany.
Such grandeur and power, and it was all just a part of the culinary arts!
Soon, as the figure manipulated the energy, it began to boil like water, shifting from a vast and unseen force to gradually gathering into visible currents of air, eventually condensing into a dazzling pearl.
Without any physical ingredients, energy itself could serve as the culinary component.
"Eating" wasn't limited to physical objects but extended to all forms of energy and matter!
Li Hao understood in a flash, immersing himself in this culinary technique, and his comprehension of cooking deepened.
What is cooking?
Basic cooking involves preparing dishes, such as steamed, braised, or raw fish, to perfection, as typically served in mortal restaurants.
Heart-grade cooking takes it a step further, creating dishes with utmost care and precision, bringing taste buds to their peak pleasure.
As for Spirit-grade cooking, it infuses each dish with spiritual essence, imparting unique flavors and providing diners with a harmonious physical and spiritual experience.
These three levels represent the evolution from satisfying physical hunger to indulging the taste buds and ultimately achieving spiritual satisfaction and a joyful soul.
Witnessing the figure cooking the energy of the heavens and earth, Li Hao realized that the essence of cooking wasn't merely about preparing or savoring dishes but refinement and transformation!
It was about removing the unnecessary components from a dish, extracting its core essence, and transmuting it into a culinary masterpiece.
Like scaling and gutting a fish or removing the bones from meat for a tender braised meat dish, even though the bones are edible, they are considered "unwanted components" for this particular preparation.
The essence of fine dining is not just sensory enjoyment but also about satisfying hunger in a way that nourishes both body and soul.
The core of satisfying hunger lies in extracting the purest energy and essence from food.
Therefore, the pinnacle of culinary art is to ensure that the diner absorbs and assimilates the purest essence of the ingredients.
It's not about flashy presentations or heavy sauces but about stimulating the taste buds and the senses in a meaningful, refined manner.
From complexity, it evolves to simplicity, and thus, the pinnacle of perfection is attained.
Entering the Dao... is about returning to the essence of all things.
Li Hao gradually comprehended, and the saying, "Food is the most fundamental necessity of life," took on a deeper significance for him.
At this moment, the figure demonstrating the evolution of the Dao gradually faded, and Li Hao's consciousness, which had expanded in all directions, retracted like a spider's web back into his mind.
Subsequently, he felt a pulling force drawing him back into his physical body.
Li Hao's eyes fell on the flickering prompts on the panel.
Culinary Arts, 9th Segment...
[You have entered the Dao of Cooking]
Li Hao glanced at the experience bar below and couldn't help but twitch his lips.
Previously, advancing from the 8th segment to the 9th required 1 million experience points, but now, to fill the 9th segment, he needed 5 million!
Over the past six months, he had scoured the lands beyond the frontier, vanquishing all the Demon Kings. Each day, he ventured into the Great Desolate Heaven to replenish his stock, leaving the demons there in constant fear.
What was once a no-man's-land for the Great Yu Dynasty had now become a forbidden zone for the demons.
The demonic presence in the area had diminished significantly, especially near the Great Desolate Heaven region outside the Tianmen Pass of Liangzhou. Many Demon Kings had secretly relocated their lairs, unable to bear the relentless hunting.
No joke—for the past six months, a monster in human form had been hunting them as if they were prey, turning their lives into a living hell!
"At this rate, if I continue hunting Demon Kings, it'll take another two and a half years to max out this segment..."
Li Hao's lips twitched. However, if he could find and hunt Demon Kings at the Enlightenment Realm, he might be able to save a lot of time. But such powerful demons were elusive, and he couldn't count on encountering them daily.
His eyes shifted to the 'Mindset' section below the panel.
Mindset: Heart of Entering the Dao (x1)
Li Hao's eyes narrowed as he immediately embedded this mindset into the 'Physical Body' path without hesitation.
As the mindset was consumed, Li Hao chose to allocate the points to the 'Physical Body' path.
Point allocation successful!
The 8th segment instantly jumped to the 9th.
At the same time, a vast and profound epiphany surged into Li Hao's mind.
It felt like he had devoured another 'Fruit of Enlightenment,' leaving him dazed as countless insights related to the 'Physical Body' path were unveiled and presented to him.
Simultaneously, the thousands of body-refining techniques on his panel began to flash rapidly, and complex thoughts and understandings flowed into his consciousness. If not for Li Hao's exceptionally strong consciousness, which had manifested a nascent soul, this influx of information and insights might have overwhelmed his mind.
It was akin to the risk of going mad from information overload.
After a lengthy period of contemplation, Li Hao finally calmed his mind.
His realm had advanced from the 'Grand Peace Realm' to the 'Enlightenment Realm.'
Even though he hadn't pushed his cultivation of the 'Four Establishments' to their limits, Li Hao felt unconcerned. Similar to his cultivation of the 'Nascent Soul' and the 'Ruins of the Universe,' as long as he obtained more techniques, he could continue progressing in his cultivation journey.
At this moment, with his physical body entering the Enlightenment Realm, Li Hao felt the energy he absorbed quietly transforming into 'Dao Power.'
This converted Dao Power was then absorbed and assimilated by his physical body.
His body was undergoing a profound metamorphosis, evolving from a level comparable to a Sacred Heart Treasure to something even more formidable.
Common knowledge dictated that Dao Power was indestructible—an immutable rule of this world!
If one could infuse Dao Power into their physical body, allowing them to merge and permeate each other, their physique would reach unprecedented heights!
As the energy seeped into his body, the Dao Power continued to transform, and time quietly passed.
The heavens and earth gathered vast amounts of energy, which was then converted and assimilated into Li Hao's physical form.
His body underwent relentless tempering and enhancement. Compared to before, the parts of his body infused with Dao Power resembled a solid, indestructible whole.
If he were to encounter those six 'Dao Law' realm experts again, Li Hao felt confident that even without entering his 'Transcendence' state, his physical body alone could withstand their 'Dao Domains' without succumbing to the rules and laws they imposed!
Li Hao continued his cultivation and conversion process while reviewing the techniques that were being revealed on his panel.
The first thing Li Hao saw was a cultivation technique called Stone Skin's Hundred Refinements, which he had casually picked up.
As his understanding of the Way of the Flesh deepened, he continued to interpret and improve upon this technique. It had evolved from a low-grade mortal technique to an ultimate body-refining art, and now it had become an exaggerated Dao-level technique!
Its name had also been changed to Dao Body Melting.
The Dao power absorbed into his body quietly circulated according to this technique, refining his flesh and making it even more condensed.
...
...
As Li Hao sat cross-legged at Tianmenguan, cultivating his newfound insight, far away in the imperial palace of the royal capital, the usually tranquil energy of the heavens and earth suddenly stirred.
Emperor Yu Huang sensed this strange fluctuation, and his expression shifted as he looked up, his gaze piercing through the roof of the grand hall to the sky above.
Soon, his face changed, and he abruptly stood up, causing the ministers in the hall to jump in surprise. They had been discussing the anti-Buddhist campaign, but the emperor's sudden movement startled them, and they quickly bowed.
The two who had been arguing were especially frightened, their brows breaking out in cold sweat as they wondered if their words had offended the emperor. His reaction indicated that he was contemplating wiping out their entire clans.
However, Yu Huang paid them no mind and instead strode out of the hall.
At the same time, on the other side, at the Qiandao Palace.
Something had changed with the Daoist palace. The original one had disappeared, and a new one similar to it stood in its place.
In a secret room within this new palace, an oil lamp illuminated the space. An old man who appeared to be asleep with his eyes closed suddenly opened them, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. His figure flickered, and he vanished from the room, appearing outside the palace in mid-air.
The other four who had attained the Standing Realm sensed the disturbance and stepped out, astonished by what they saw.
Above the palace, energy churned and intensified. Suddenly, a golden light appeared within the disturbance, like a golden thread!
This golden thread rapidly expanded, creating a door-like hole in the void. With a whooshing sound, a figure dressed in luxurious clothing flew out.
Soon, numerous figures followed.
Outside the grand hall, Yu Huang stood with his hands behind his back, gazing upward. Chu Jiuyue had caught up to him and now stood behind the emperor, his face filled with astonishment as he beheld the golden light splitting open and the figures emerging.
"The Immortal Gate has opened!"
"They're back!"
Excitement laced Chu Jiuyue's voice.
A thousand years ago, the opening of the Immortal Gate had provided the talents of the Great Yu Dynasty an opportunity to enter and seek the path to immortality.
Now, those who had entered had finally returned!
After a thousand years of cultivation, one could only imagine the power they now wielded and the glorious era the Great Yu Dynasty would enter!
"Father Emperor!"
"Royal Brother!"
Several figures had emerged from the Immortal Gate, and they soon spotted Yu Huang. They immediately flew over.
The first woman who approached caught Yu Huang's attention. She was dressed elegantly, like a fairy descending from the heavens. Her eyes were clear and bright, as if they could see through all the world's secrets.
She moved with a light and graceful bearing, and her presence seemed to cleanse the air around her. Wherever her gaze fell, those around her felt a sense of solemn pressure, as if everything in her presence became insignificant.
Although her features had changed from those of a young girl to those of a peerlessly beautiful and noble woman, Yu Huang immediately recognized her as one of his daughters, the one with the highest talent.
"It seems you've fared well over there," Yu Huang commented as he sensed the Dao power emanating from her body. Though restrained, it hinted at a boundless depth, as if a slight outburst could create a thousand waves.
She had reached the Dao Enlightenment Realm... and seemed to have attained the Dao Law Realm.
He recalled that she had only been at the Heaven Man Realm before. Now, a thousand years later, she had become a Dao Law Realm existence.
Furthermore, advancing from the Dao Law Realm to the Saint Realm required the aid of incense power, which took a considerable amount of time to accumulate. She might have reached the Dao Law Realm long ago and had been stuck, unable to become a Saint.
Seeing the joy and delight in her father's eyes, a smile appeared on Jiang Ziyan's face as well. Her usually cold and aloof expression softened as she asked, "Father Emperor, how has the Great Yu Empire fared in my absence? I hope all has been well."
"All is well," Yu Huang replied with a smile, unable to contain his delight. Achieving the Dao Law Realm was no small feat. Without the necessary talent, one could cultivate for millennia and still fall short.
"Your subject, Xia Yucheng, pays respect to Your Majesty," a tall and straight young man said as he bowed before Yu Huang.
The young man's aura was restrained, but the Dao power emanating from him was evident. Even now, as he faced the emperor, he maintained a respectful demeanor.
Yu Huang recognized him as the most outstanding talent of the Xia family from a millennium ago, comparable to Li Junye of the Li family from a later era.
If only Li Junye had been born at the right time, he might have entered the Immortal Gate with them... Yu Huang thought of the fallen general and sighed inwardly. He smiled at Xia Yucheng and said, "It seems you've gained a lot during your time away as well."
Xia Yucheng smiled and then glanced at Jiang Ziyan beside him. He bowed slightly to her, his expression filled with reverence.
Yu Huang noticed this exchange and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, quickly replaced by a smile.
It seemed that his daughter had quite the reputation among these returning cultivators...
As more and more people arrived, Jiang Ziyan, dressed in noble clothing, looked up at the Immortal Gate and flew into the air. She said softly, "Thank you, Master, for seeing us off."
"It's nothing. The other two great sacred sites will also be arriving tomorrow to choose their disciples. You should prepare yourself," a voice replied.
"Yes, Master," Jiang Ziyan nodded. As she did so, the golden crack slowly disappeared, and the sacred aura within it faded.
Yu Huang was surrounded by the crowd but still noticed his daughter's conversation. When he heard her address, his eyes widened slightly, and a hint of surprise and excitement appeared in them. A Saint's disciple? he thought. He transmitted his voice, "Child, did you become a disciple of a Saint while you were in there?"
Jiang Ziyan turned to her father and nodded slightly, transmitting her voice, "Yes, but the situation is complicated. I'll explain everything later."
Yu Huang was taken aback, and the joy in his eyes turned to seriousness. He nodded and scanned the crowd with a thoughtful gaze.
In addition to the royal bloodline, there were also two disciples of the Qin Patriarch from the Thousand Arts Palace who had returned. They, too, had a faint aura of profound energy about them, but Emperor Yu could tell that they had only reached the True Immortal Realm.
However, for the Great Yu Empire in its current state, even these two True Immortals would be a much-needed boost in strength.
In total, eighteen individuals had returned, with only five of them at the Four Establishments Realm, while the rest were at the True Immortal or Dao Manifestation Realm.
This group was simply too formidable, enough to rival the powerful nations at the heart of the East Emperor Continent, standing shoulder to shoulder with the might of the Great Yu Empire.
And this was the payoff from an investment made a millennium ago—an investment that had caused the Great Yu Empire to decline from its peak, becoming a mere shadow of its former self. But now, it had once again risen to a level of power far surpassing the era of the previous emperor—an unimaginable feat!
However, Emperor Yu noticed that many familiar faces were missing, and their numbers were far fewer than expected. After all, the group that had entered the Immortal's Gate a thousand years ago had been much larger. A slight frown appeared on his face.
Within the Immortal's Gate, alongside abundant cultivation opportunities, there also existed perilous dangers and challenges.
"Where are the others?" Emperor Yu inquired without delay.
Xia Yucheng glanced around, seeing that no one else was going to answer, so he briefly explained the situation.
Apparently, after entering the Immortal's Gate, they had been selected by various powers and factions, causing them to become separated.
And now, as they reunited once more, the circumstances had changed drastically.
"The few from the Helian family, I heard, went to challenge the River of Extinction and perished within."
"The three from the Li family were supposed to return with us, but their sect encountered some troubles, and they are now entangled in those matters."
"As for the Wang family, I heard they were harassed by people from the Grand Qing Nation and secretly harmed..."
Xia Yucheng relayed what he knew of each case.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Yu's expression turned slightly grim. He had expected intense competition within the Immortal's Gate, but he hadn't anticipated that even among these exceptional geniuses, so many would meet with misfortune.
"Your Majesty, how is my Chen family doing now?"
"Your Majesty, is my sect still thriving?"
"Your Majesty..."
The others also began to ask about the state of affairs in Emperor Yu's realm, their curiosity getting the better of them. Aside from the royal family and the members of the Five Divine Generals' Mansions, there were also exceptional geniuses from once-prominent sects in the martial world.
However, with their departure, their sects had gradually declined, and conflicts with other third-rate sects had resulted in heavy losses. If not for Emperor Yu's remembrance of their past geniuses and his discreet deployment of the royal family's power to watch over them, they might have been eradicated long ago.
"Silence!"
The voice of Princess Jiang Ziyan rang out. It was not loud, but it was clear and cold, carrying a hint of unwavering authority befitting her status as a royal princess.
The room immediately fell silent. The faces of those who had been asking questions changed slightly as they glanced at her, but they dared not utter another word.
Even though they now possessed extraordinary power, with some even reaching the Dao Manifestation Realm, they were all aware that Princess Jiang Ziyan, who had spent time in the Immortal's Gate, had achieved the highest cultivation level among them. More importantly, her sect was extraordinary.
"Time flows ten times faster here in the Immortal's Gate than in the mortal realm. I'll give you five days to attend to your personal matters. Go and find out whatever you wish to know, but do not disturb my royal father."
Princess Jiang Ziyan's eyes held a detached look as she spoke. "Also, do not rely on your identities and strengths to wreak havoc in the mortal realm. The laws of my Great Yu Empire still apply to you!"
Her tone was light and calm, but everyone's hearts chilled as they heard her words, knowing that with this royal princess present, they could not afford to act recklessly in the Great Yu Empire.
"Yes."
"Your Majesty, we bid you farewell."
One by one, the group bid Emperor Yu farewell and then disappeared in a flash of light.
Xia Yucheng also took his leave of Emperor Yu with a bow and planned to return to the Xia family to see how they had fared in his absence.
Soon, only five members of the royal family remained with Emperor Yu, including Princess Jiang Ziyan.
"Royal brother, when you sent that urgent signal to me earlier, was it because something had happened?" A young man quickly asked.
Seeing this person, Emperor Yu's eyes softened as he sensed the Dao Manifestation Realm aura emanating from him. He smiled and said, "There was indeed an issue, but it has been resolved. It seems you returned just in time."
"As soon as I received your message, I immediately found Ziyan and asked her to request her master's assistance. Although it took half a month, it was the fastest we could manage," the young man explained with a bitter smile.
Half a month in the realm of Saints was almost half a year in the mortal realm.
Princess Jiang Ziyan's eyes narrowed as she asked, "Royal father, it's been over a hundred years. That signal is only to be used in the most dire of situations. What kind of danger did you face here?"
She extended her spiritual sense to cover the entire royal city but couldn't detect any signs of a recent disaster.
"It's already been resolved," Emperor Yu said in a low voice. "Earlier, someone from the Immortal's Gate detected the prosperity of my Great Yu Empire and coveted it. They wanted to use demons to seize control without revealing their identity. But for some unknown reason, they chose to expose themselves and invited six Dao Manifestation Realm experts to plunder and destroy my Jiang family."
Upon hearing this, the faces of the five royals paled. Six Dao Manifestation Realm experts had come here?
They could sense that Emperor Yu had reached the Hearing the Dao Realm, and they were also aware of the Dao Manifestation Realm elder from the Thousand Arts Palace who was observing from afar. However, they knew that this was not enough to withstand six Dao Manifestation Realm experts, especially those who had descended from the Immortal's Gate.
"And now?" Princess Jiang Ziyan's eyes, which had been cold and detached, now held a grave seriousness, even carrying a hint of killing intent.
Seeing their worried expressions, Emperor Yu smiled reassuringly and said, "Don't worry. It's all in the past now. My Great Yu Empire has produced a once-in-a-millennium genius who single-handedly defeated those six Dao Manifestation Realm experts and forced the mastermind behind the scenes to reveal themselves. When the culprit fled, a Saint's power intervened, but the possibility of a Saint directly taking action is low..."
As he spoke, the smile faded from his face, and his brows furrowed with worry.
Princess Jiang Ziyan and the others were stunned, exchanging glances with one another.
They had spent a hundred years in the realm of Saints, which meant that a thousand years had passed in the mortal realm.
In a thousand years, in this energy-scarce land, a monstrous genius had risen, cultivating to the Dao Manifestation Realm and possessing the ability to kill Dao Manifestation Realm experts from the Immortal's Gate?
Princess Jiang Ziyan knew that her royal father would not exaggerate, and she asked in astonishment, "Were they all killed by this person? What about Grandpa Qin?"
"He..."
Emperor Yu cleared his throat and said, "Your Grandpa Qin and I were no match for them. This person possesses divine abilities, and although your Grandpa Qin has cultivated my Jiang family's divine abilities during his stay here, he is still inferior to them."
Princess Jiang Ziyan gave him a slightly suspicious look but didn't pursue the matter further. Instead, she mused, "If that's the case, then this monstrous genius must be a reincarnation of a Saint. Otherwise, it would be impossible for them to cultivate to the Dao Manifestation Realm and kill Dao Manifestation Realm experts from the Immortal's Gate in just a thousand years, especially when faced with six of them. The backing behind them must be extremely formidable, most likely one of the Holy Lands."
Yu Huang smiled bitterly, thinking that the child hadn't cultivated for a millennium, not even for a short twenty years.
Moreover, he knew that Li Hao had killed his opponent by utilizing the Grand Peace Dao Realm, crossing a major boundary. His talent was beyond imagination and indescribable, reaching a level that was hard to fathom.
He wondered if Li Hao was a sage reincarnated, but even he didn't know for sure.
"You must have also become a disciple of the Sacred Land, right?" Yu Huang asked, looking at his eldest daughter.
Jiang Ziyan nodded slightly. "My master is an elder of the Sacred Land, a semi-sage of the martial arts."
"No wonder they treat you with such respect." Yu Huang smiled.
Jiang Ziyan nodded slightly, but her face didn't show much happiness. Instead, she sighed softly and said, "Father, let's talk in the inner palace."
Yu Huang nodded and said to Chu Jiuyue, who was beside him, "Dismiss the court for today."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Chu Jiuyue's face was filled with reverence as he lowered his eyebrows and bowed respectfully. He also smiled at the returning royal family members and Jiang Ziyan before turning to convey the message.
Yu Huang and the returning royal geniuses then arrived at the inner palace of the Imperial Palace.
"You must have had a challenging time in the Immortal Sect during these years," Yu Huang said, his eyes carrying a hint of pain.
Jiang Ziyan shook her head slightly and said, "Father, we can't stay here for long this time. We must return to the Immortal Sect soon."
"Oh?" Yu Huang was slightly taken aback.
As if anticipating his reaction, Jiang Ziyan's face turned solemn as she said, "The situation in the Immortal Sect is quite complex. We are too weak and vulnerable there. If we remain, abandoning the relationships we've built, it will give our enemies an opportunity to exploit and affect the mortal realm."
"That's right. We have Ziyan to thank for that," the young man, Jiang Baisan, nodded in agreement and continued, "When we first entered the Immortal Sect, we were recruited by various factions according to our cultivation talents. Fortunately, Ziyan gained the favor of her master and became a disciple of a semi-sage. This time, she was able to join forces with the other two great sacred lands to open the Immortal Sect in time. Otherwise, who knows how long we would've had to wait."
"The factions within the Immortal Sect are intricate, and we must tread carefully. Even a small mistake can have devastating consequences for our dynasty," added another royal youth.
Yu Huang was surprised. From their words, it seemed that their time in the Immortal Sect had been less than pleasant, and they were facing a difficult situation.
"With your talents and current cultivation levels, you should be the backbone or even high-ranking members of major factions, right?" Yu Huang asked.
Jiang Baisan smiled bitterly. "It's not as simple as you think, Brother. The Immortal Sect is filled with geniuses. While we are exceptional in the mortal realm, we are only considered average there. Although there are countless average cultivators, the number of geniuses far surpasses that of the mortal realm."
"That's true. Ever since the millennium before, the sages have been searching for something. They have been reincarnating and even descending in their true forms, aiming to push the boundaries of the various realms of the martial path. There's also the Battle of the Myriad Nations' Geniuses, presided over by the sages themselves. Additionally, the River of Death in the Immortal Sect holds a Merit Treasury. Brother, you wouldn't believe the incredible resources and opportunities that can be exchanged with merit there."
"So, geniuses abound in the Immortal Sect. Even if we've reached the Dao Law Realm, our status is determined by our talent. Those with high talent, even if they are only at the Four Establishments Realm, will be respected by those at the Dao Law Realm as long as they have the favor of a sage..."
Yu Huang was stunned. He hadn't expected that there would also be a Merit Treasury in the Immortal Sect, a place for cultivators to exchange merits for treasures and opportunities.
However, considering that it was the realm of the sages, it made sense that such a place would exist.
"Speaking of the Merit Treasury, I must tell you that the Great Yu Empire also possesses one now. If we are given another millennium, we will cultivate a batch of extraordinary geniuses who can rival those in the Immortal Sect."
As Yu Huang spoke, he couldn't help but think of Li Hao, and a slight smile curved his lips. However, he soon turned to the group and said,
"This time, I'm afraid your trip here won't bear the fruit you intended. The disaster has already been averted, and in about ten years, our Ancestor will be able to reincarnate. You only need to persevere for another year in the Immortal Sect. Once the Ancestor is revived, he will protect and guide all of you."
The group exchanged glances, their eyes filled with surprise.
The Great Yu Empire has a Merit Treasury?
"You mentioned the Merit Treasury, and now you're telling me that the Great Yu Empire has acquired one as well?" Jiang Baisan asked, his eyes wide with surprise.
Yu Huang smiled and nodded. "That's a long story..."
He briefly explained the matter, and the group was astonished to learn that the Merit Treasury in the River of Death in the Immortal Sect required the appearance of someone with ten thousand merit points to open. They had never imagined that their realm would be connected to the Immortal Sect in such a way.
"In that case, the possibility of that person being a sage's reincarnation is even higher. Could it be that our Ancestor has a close friend among the sages who is aiding our Jiang family by reincarnating and guiding us?"
Jiang Ziyan's eyes narrowed as she considered this new information. This possibility couldn't be ruled out.
Yu Huang smiled. "We won't know the truth until later. There's no use in speculating now."
Jiang Ziyan nodded slightly. Sages who reincarnated rarely remembered their past lives, and even if they occasionally regained fragments of their memories, they usually forgot most of their past. The purpose of reincarnating was to start afresh on the path of cultivation, exploring new possibilities and striving for even higher realms.
Reincarnation was about letting go of one's past and embracing the unknown, seeking to reach new heights.
Occasional glimpses of the past might offer guidance, but they were fleeting and limited.
"Our trip here isn't entirely in vain. My master opened the Immortal Sect under the pretext of taking on disciples, rather than us coming to aid the mortal realm, which could have been prevented by certain forces," Jiang Ziyan explained.
"In the Cloud Mist Realm where we reside, the other two sacred lands have also received the news and will be coming to select disciples. If there are geniuses in the Great Yu Empire, they can, like us a millennium ago, climb the immortal steps and enter the Immortal Sect to cultivate and improve their chances of reaching the Extreme Realm and beyond."
"However, this time, the criteria for selecting disciples are stricter. We are mainly seeking martial artists who have mastered the Extreme Realm or show potential for doing so."
Yu Huang asked curiously, "What is this Cloud Mist Realm? Is it a sect within the Immortal Sect?"
"It's the realm where the sages reside within the Immortal Sect, vast and boundless. Within it are thirty-three small worlds, each separated by a void that only those at the Grand Peace Dao Realm can traverse using their dao domains. Each of these small worlds is hundreds of times larger than the Great Yu Empire, and they are inhabited by powerful experts beyond our imagination," Jiang Ziyan explained.
Jiang Baisan added, "The small world where we currently reside and cultivate is the Cloud Mist Realm."
Yu Huang finally understood the vastness and complexity of the Immortal Sect.