Chapter 155: Millennia-old Secret And Territory Division!
“Senior, you…”
Seeing this, the other cultivators’ expressions instantly changed.
This is the Northern Mausoleum Immortal Palace, how dare Ji Qing?
However, Ji Qing is a martial artist, and a Dao Foundation martial artist at that.
The Qi Cultivation cultivators of the Northern Mausoleum Immortal Palace really didn’t dare to do anything.
Their gazes all fell on the Fat Cultivator.
This Fat Cultivator is usually a good old man, how did he provoke the fierce “Heavenly Saber” Ji Qing?
“Junior… has never met Senior before.”
The Fat Cultivator said hurriedly.
“No, you have hostility towards me.”
Ji Qing asked coldly.
“I’ll give you one last chance. If you don’t speak…”
Ji Qing didn’t care where this was.
If he couldn’t figure it out, he would simply kill him.
“No, Senior, spare my life! If you really think about it, Senior should thank Junior. After all, Senior took some of Junior’s things…”
“Took your things?”
“Senior forgot, the Storage Jade Pendant, and the Flying Sword…”
Ji Qing’s heart stirred upon hearing this.
He looked at the Fat Cultivator carefully again.
Although not Foundation Establishment, he was at Qi Cultivation Peak.
And his body was covered in talismans.
Ji Qing somewhat understood.
“Ling Ling.”
Ji Qing summoned Ling Ling.
“Do you recognize this person?”
Ji Qing asked.
Ling Ling looked closely.
“Uh… this was my former master…”
Ling Ling had escaped from the sealed place, how could she not recognize her former master?
Ji Qing understood.
He put Ling Ling away without showing any emotion.
No wonder the Fat Cultivator was so “resentful.”
It turned out his entire fortune had fallen into Ji Qing’s hands.
The key point was that Ji Qing was now a Dao Foundation Expert and had a fearsome reputation. The Fat Cultivator didn’t even have the courage to come and demand his belongings.
“So you are a cultivator of the Northern Mausoleum Immortal Palace… Although I coincidentally obtained your Storage Jade Pendant, I still owe you a favor.”
Ji Qing owed a lot to the Spirit Stones in the Storage Jade Pendant for his Promotion to Innate.
Otherwise, Ji Qing would have used an ordinary Cultivation Technique for his Promotion to Innate.
He would not have had his current Strength.
He acknowledged this favor!
As for returning the Spirit Stones?
That was impossible.
So many Spirit Stones were of great use to both Ji Qing and the Heavenly Martial Sacred Land.
How could he possibly return them?
“Senior, those were all your opportunities.”
The Fat Cultivator dared not say more.
“What is your name?”
“Junior is Zhao Da Fu.”
The name was a bit common.
“Are you a Talisman Master?”
“Yes.”
“Are you willing to come to my Heavenly Martial Sacred Land?”
“Uh… although I joined the Northern Mausoleum Immortal Palace later, I am also a Talisman Master Elder here. How could I go to the Heavenly Martial Sacred Land? Senior is joking…”
Ji Qing said with a half-smile.
“It doesn’t matter. If you are interested, you can come to the Heavenly Martial Sacred Land to find me anytime.”
After speaking, Ji Qing let go of Zhao Da Fu.
This Zhao Da Fu was talented; after all, he could accumulate tens of thousands of Spirit Stones, making him incredibly wealthy. Most of it was likely earned from drawing talismans.
If Zhao Da Fu could be “lured” to the Heavenly Martial Sacred Land, it would be a huge help to the Heavenly Martial Sacred Land.
However, this matter was not urgent for now.
Moreover, they were still on the Northern Mausoleum Immortal Palace’s territory.
“Alright, bring me inside.”
“Senior, please follow me.”
Zhao Da Fu personally led Ji Qing into the Northern Mausoleum Immortal Palace.
Along the way, Zhao Da Fu did not mention the Flying Sword or the Storage Jade Pendant again.
Even though his heart was bleeding.
After all, those were the Spirit Stones and Resources he had painstakingly accumulated a thousand years ago, and they had all gone to Ji Qing.
But he couldn’t defeat Ji Qing, what could he do?
He could only endure it!
He even wanted to use this to befriend Ji Qing.
Soon, the two arrived at the Great Hall.
“Zhao Da Fu, please consider the proposal I mentioned carefully. If you agree, I will have the Northern Mausoleum Immortal Palace release the person, and you won’t be in a difficult situation. The Heavenly Martial Sacred Land is currently in need of people. If you go to the Heavenly Martial Sacred Land, you can immediately hold great power, which is much better than being a Talisman Master Elder with no real authority.”
After speaking, Ji Qing entered the Great Hall directly, not caring what Zhao Da Fu thought.
“Absolute authority…”
Zhao Da Fu’s expression was uncertain.
Because of the “Storage Jade Pendant” incident, he had actually been paying attention to the Heavenly Martial Sacred Land.
Therefore, Zhao Da Fu naturally knew that the Heavenly Martial Sacred Land was not just a Martial Way sect; it also had cultivators, and quite a few. The Heavenly Martial Sacred Land was primarily focused on the Martial Way, with the Immortal Path as a secondary focus.
If he went to the Heavenly Martial Sacred Land, he would immediately become a prominent figure in the Immortal Path of the Heavenly Martial Sacred Land, truly holding great power. Moreover, with the regard of “Heavenly Saber” Ji Qing, it was not impossible for him to achieve Foundation Establishment in the future.
For a moment, Zhao Da Fu was indeed tempted.
After all, his situation was different from those disciples who grew up in the Northern Mausoleum Immortal Palace since childhood.
He had no sense of belonging to the Northern Mausoleum Immortal Palace.
However, this issue was not urgent.
He had to think about it carefully.
…
In the Great Hall of the Northern Mausoleum Immortal Palace, as Ji Qing stepped into the hall, gazes fell upon him.
In the Great Hall, there were basically all Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators.
Each of them was an ancestor of an Immortal Sect or a cultivation family.
Ji Qing’s aura was completely different from these Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators.
The aura of cultivators was light and ethereal.
The aura of martial artists was turbid and heavy.
These were two completely different systems.
However, no one dared to underestimate Ji Qing’s arrival.
Daoist Yun Mu of the Green Wood Immortal Sect had already proven Ji Qing’s power with a bloody lesson.
“Are you fellow Daoist Ji, ‘Heavenly Saber’?”
At the head of the hall, a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator who looked like a middle-aged man spoke.
“Heavenly Martial Sacred Land, Ji Qing!”
Ji Qing also responded slowly.
“Fellow Daoist Ji, please take a seat!”
The other person pointed to a position in the front left.
This position was quite good.
Although not the very front, it was still among the top.
This indicated that the Northern Mausoleum Immortal Palace indeed attached great importance to Ji Qing.
They considered Ji Qing a strong individual among the Foundation Establishment realm.
Ji Qing immediately sat down.
At the head of the hall was the Supreme Elder of the Northern Mausoleum Immortal Palace, Black Water Daoist!
It was said that he was a cultivator at Late Foundation Establishment.
His Strength was terrifying.
And backed by the Northern Mausoleum Immortal Palace, he was one of the top existences among the Foundation Establishment realm.
“Fellow Daoist Black Water, why has your Northern Mausoleum Immortal Palace summoned so many of us Foundation Establishment cultivators here? What do you want to say?”
“Indeed, the Spiritual Energy has just revived, and the great era of cultivation has not fully descended yet. We are all busy.”
“If there’s anything, please speak directly, Fellow Daoist Black Water.”
Black Water Daoist looked at the many Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators and smiled slightly: “This matter is indeed very important. Please be patient, everyone, and don’t be impatient.”
“Although the great era of cultivation has not fully begun and the Spiritual Energy has not fully revived, according to the deductions of our Northern Mausoleum Immortal Palace’s Foundation Establishment elders, it will take at least another hundred and fifty years for the Spiritual Energy to fully revive to the point where it can support ‘Golden Core Realm’ cultivators.”
“Everyone, who among you still has a lifespan of one hundred and fifty years? Even if you do, who can guarantee that you will still be able to Form Golden Core after one hundred and fifty years?”
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire Great Hall fell silent.
The many Foundation Establishment cultivators looked at each other, their expressions filled with solemnity.
One hundred and fifty years!
Foundation Establishment cultivators only had a lifespan of three hundred years.
And how many of them had spent nearly a hundred years to achieve Foundation Establishment?
Of course, some geniuses only took a few decades to reach Foundation Establishment, but it still took a long time to go from Foundation Establishment to Late Foundation Establishment.
It would take at least several decades.
Or even a hundred years.
The youngest person in the Great Hall, not counting Ji Qing, was over a hundred years old.
To truly Form Golden Core after one hundred and fifty years?
That was tantamount to talking nonsense.
“Fellow Daoist Black Water, what exactly do you want to say?”
A Foundation Establishment cultivator asked.
“It’s very simple. A thousand years ago, all the True Persons in our respective families who had reached the Golden Core realm set out together into the Boundless Sea, attempting to cross it. It is said that on the other side of the Boundless Sea lies an even vaster world! One that can help us step beyond the Golden Core!”
“Therefore, I have summoned all of you here today to discuss. I plan to enter the Boundless Sea with some like-minded Daoists, preparing to follow in the footsteps of the Golden Core seniors. What are your thoughts on this?”
As soon as Black Water Daoist finished speaking, the entire Great Hall became lively.
“To brave the Boundless Sea? The Boundless Sea is named ‘Boundless’ because it is vast and seemingly endless. How can it be so easy to cross? Once, a Golden Core senior ventured into the Boundless Sea and, after a hundred years, still had not reached shore, and eventually drifted back. These records exist in all sects. Do you still dare to enter the Boundless Sea?”
“This is true. The Boundless Sea is too terrifying. Not only is it boundless and vast, but there are also some underwater demons that are extremely terrifying. Even Golden Core True Persons can perish in the Boundless Sea.”
“Actually, the Boundless Sea isn’t that scary. The Golden Core cultivator who drifted on the Boundless Sea for a hundred years must have fallen into some demonic illusion array in the Boundless Sea, which is why they felt like they were drifting for a century. If it were truly that terrifying, why would the Golden Core True Persons from a thousand years ago dare to set out together? They even took many Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators with them…”
“My lifespan is running out. I had planned to Form Golden Core after the Spiritual Energy Revival if I had the opportunity, but now it seems it will indeed take over a hundred years for the Spiritual Energy to fully revive to support the birth of Golden Core cultivators. I don’t have that much time left. I’d rather try my luck in the Boundless Sea.”
“Indeed, I am also willing to try my luck in the Boundless Sea…”
The Great Hall was noisy.
Many people had opinions.
Some were supportive, while others did not wish to enter the Boundless Sea, finding it too dangerous.
Some even remained silent, their thoughts unknown.
Ji Qing was one of those who remained silent.
He only listened from beginning to end, not speaking.
He thought this gathering was a routine matter, but he didn’t expect it to involve such a secret!
A thousand years ago, such a major event had occurred.
Many Golden Core cultivators had left.
Then, what about the Heavenly Human realm of the Martial Way?
Had they also left?
Ji Qing thought of those Martial Dao Steles.
Were they left behind by those Heavenly Humans and Dao Foundation experts who were about to depart?
Ji Qing did not know what the “Heavenly Human Realm” was.
However, according to his understanding, the Heavenly Human Realm did indeed require Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy.
But the demand should not be that great.
With a large amount of Spirit Stones, achieving Heavenly Human realm would not be a problem.
What about above the Heavenly Human realm?
“Fellow Daoist Ji, what are your thoughts?”
Suddenly, the Black Water Daoist asked Ji Qing.
“Swish.”
All eyes fell on Ji Qing.
Ji Qing frowned upon hearing this.
Why ask him, a martial artist, when there were so many Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators present?
“Fellow Daoist Ji, don’t overthink it. The reason we are asking you is that if you are willing to go to the Boundless Sea, we would be most welcoming. A thousand years ago, not only Golden Cores, but also Heavenly Humans and Golden Core True Persons went to the Boundless Sea together. With Golden Cores and Heavenly Humans supporting each other, their chances of leaving the Boundless Sea were greater.”
The Black Water Daoist explained.
Currently, “Heavenly Saber” also had a fearsome reputation.
Therefore, asking Ji Qing was not a problem.
Ji Qing pondered for a moment and, instead of answering directly, asked a question.
“Dare I ask, Fellow Daoist, were there any powerful beings above the Golden Core or Heavenly Human realms a thousand years ago, or even further back?”
The Black Water Daoist frowned and pondered, “Above Golden Core is Nascent Soul, and above Nascent Soul is Spirit Transformation. We all know these cultivation realms. But now that you mention it so specifically, there are no recorded Nascent Soul True Monarchs with names and surnames.”
Other Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators also spoke up, “No need to think, there are definitely no Nascent Soul True Monarchs. This place we are in is called the Boundless Sea Region, a barren land. Even during the great era of cultivation, the Spiritual Energy here was thin. Being able to condense a Golden Core was already the limit. To condense a Nascent Soul? That’s simply impossible!”
“It is said that Nascent Soul True Monarchs require Fourth Order Spirit Veins. Our sect’s Spirit Veins, even at their peak, were only Third Order Spirit Veins. How could we advance to Nascent Soul True Monarchs?”
“Those Golden Cores who ventured into the Boundless Sea back then didn’t do so solely because of the Era of Spiritual Depletion; they also wanted to leave the Boundless Sea, break free from their constraints, and go to a place where they could condense a Nascent Soul.”
Ji Qing seemed lost in thought.
“What about above the Heavenly Human realm?”
Other Foundation Establishment Cultivators shook their heads, “The Heavenly Human realm in the Martial Way is the strongest recorded. As for above the Heavenly Human realm? There are no records…”
Ji Qing fell silent.
It wasn’t just Ji Qing who was silent; everyone else was also silent.
Ji Qing’s question made many people realize something.
The Boundless Sea Region was too barren.
So barren that it couldn’t even support a single Nascent Soul True Monarch.
Now that the Spiritual Energy had just revived, it was impossible to condense a Golden Core.
Staying in the Boundless Sea Region would only grant a few decades of peaceful life.
Nothing more.
But once their lifespan reached its end, they would turn to dust.
This was different from what they had envisioned a thousand years ago.
A thousand years ago, before their sealing and slumber, their expectation was to wait for the Spiritual Energy Revival and then condense a Golden Core by its aid.
Once a Golden Core was condensed, their lifespan would be a thousand years!
But reality differed from their predictions.
The Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy had indeed revived now, but the revival process was very long.
It would take at least one hundred and fifty years to fully recover.
However, they had awakened due to the Spiritual Energy Revival and could no longer continue their sealed slumber.
This put them in an awkward predicament.
Unable to condense a Golden Core.
They could only slowly wait for death.
Since that was the case, why not take a gamble?
“Forget it, what’s the meaning of enjoying a few decades of peace? It’s better to venture into the Boundless Sea.”
“Back then, even the Golden Core True Persons, who lived for a thousand years, gave up their slumber and chose to gamble in the Boundless Sea. We now have almost no retreat. Why wouldn’t we take a gamble?”
“I’ll go to the Boundless Sea, count me in…”
After Ji Qing’s words, many Foundation Establishment Cultivators seemed to have come to a realization.
Foundation Establishment meant death.
In fact, Golden Core also meant death.
Otherwise, why would those Golden Core True Persons have ventured into the Boundless Sea?
They could have sealed themselves and slumbered, which would have been no problem at all.
They could have safely survived the Era of Spiritual Depletion.
After all, Golden Core True Persons had a lifespan of a thousand years.
However, Ji Qing did not make a decision immediately.
Because he was different from these Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
He was a martial artist.
Now that he had forged his Dao Foundation, his demand for Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy was not as high. Did this mean he could achieve the Heavenly Human realm?
Even if he were to leave, he would have to do so after achieving the Heavenly Human realm.
“I, Ji Mou, still need to wait a while longer.”
Ji Qing spoke.
The Black Water Daoist, however, said with a smile, “Fellow Daoist Ji is exceptionally talented, having forged his Dao Foundation in such a short time. Your future achievements are limitless. However, you don’t need to refuse immediately. Even if we decide to leave, it will take at least ten years to prepare.”
“When we are truly ready to leave, it won’t be too late for you to make your decision.”
Ji Qing nodded.
Ten years should be enough.
“Alright, let’s move on to the second matter!”
“We Immortal Sects should no longer attack each other, lest we damage our goodwill. Why not delimit our spheres of influence here? If any disputes arise, let them be resolved openly. Otherwise, losing any Foundation Establishment Fellow Daoist would be a great loss.”
“After all, we still need to enter the Boundless Sea in the future, so we cannot afford to deplete our strength further.”
The Black Water Daoist’s words made everyone’s hearts clench.
The matter of going to the Boundless Sea was still uncertain, but at least there were ten years left.
However, delimiting spheres of influence was a significant matter.
And it involved tangible, graspable benefits.
“Speaking of spheres of influence, our Profound Fire Sect was the first to occupy the land of Xiazhou. Why did the Setting Sun Sect interfere? Are they looking down on our Profound Fire Sect?”
A Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Profound Fire Sect was the first to attack.
The Setting Sun Sect was not to be outdone.
The two sides immediately engaged in a war of words.
It wasn’t just the Profound Fire Sect; other Immortal Sects were in similar situations.
There were also conflicts between Immortal Sects.
Some Immortal Sects had awakened earlier and thus occupied the prime locations.
Some Immortal Sects had awakened late and gained nothing, so they could only fight for them.
There were many conflicts between Immortal Sects.
And not just among Immortal Sects.
Ji Qing’s Heavenly Martial Sacred Land was now comparable to an Immortal Sect.
There were also many Immortal Sects surrounding the Heavenly Martial Sacred Land.
Compared to other Immortal Sects, the territory occupied by the Heavenly Martial Sacred Land was far less.
An Immortal Sect should at least occupy a province.
The Heavenly Martial Sacred Land had not even occupied a tenth of a province.
It was merely the former sphere of influence of the Green Wood Immortal Sect.
However, the Green Wood Immortal Sect had only appeared very late.
And the territory it occupied was very small.
Ji Qing, as the Supreme Elder of the Heavenly Martial Sacred Land, naturally understood the importance of “territory.”
Many Spiritual Objects, Spirit Stones, and so on.
The martial artists of the Heavenly Martial Sacred Land didn’t need them, but the Heavenly Martial Sacred Land also had cultivators.
Moreover, many pills for the martial artists required Spiritual Objects or areas with abundant Spiritual Energy for cultivation.
Without territory, how could they cultivate?
Ji Qing saw a huge map.
It was hanging behind the Black Water Daoist.
Ji Qing saw the mark belonging to the “Heavenly Martial Sacred Land” on the map.
There were many overlapping territories around it.
“Qingzhou and Qizhou, these two provinces, our Heavenly Martial Sacred Land will take them!”
Suddenly, Ji Qing spoke.
And his voice was resounding and unquestionable!
ps: I encountered some issues, so there will only be one update today. I will definitely resolve them today, and tomorrow will still be two updates totaling ten thousand characters!
