Chapter 975: The Enemy Is My Dao

Jiang Ding landed at the entrance of the Immortal Capital Library.

He joined a queue of ordinary people and low-level cultivators, swiped his identity card, and entered the library.

Among the crowd, Jiang Ding felt dazed.

At this moment, he finally noticed that Nascent Soul cultivators were rare creatures—even in the Immortal Sect’s capital—surrounding him, the highest cultivation base was merely Golden Core, with not a single Nascent Soul cultivator in sight.

Jiang Ding swiped his identity card and entered the library, gradually moving deeper until he reached the Golden Emperor Palace.

Here, the number of people was even fewer; only Soul Transformation cultivators could come here, and at the entrance, one might go years or even decades without seeing a single soul.

From the perspective of ordinary people, this place was utterly deserted.

Yet from the viewpoint of Soul Transformation cultivators, it was entirely different.

This was the most bustling place in the Immortal Sect, with people constantly coming and going; friends and peers who had not seen each other for centuries would often meet here, and gradually, it became the favorite haunt of the Immortal Sect’s Heavenly Lords.

Jiang Ding entered the Golden Emperor Palace.

A flicker of spatial array energy passed, and before him stretched a vast, boundless expanse, surrounded by swirling white mist, with only the sealed restriction at the center—where the Golden Emperor Bathing Beauty Painting was kept—glowing brilliantly, surrounded by a dozen Heavenly Lords in deep contemplation.

Other Heavenly Lords clustered in small groups here and there, discussing scientific research, events occurring between realms, or simply chatting and joking.

Between each group, soundproofing arrays isolated them, preventing any disturbance to others.

Yet this was no forbidden zone or restriction—people could freely move between circles, occasionally approaching to listen, join the discussion, or leave to seek out another group of interest.

The pace of the Heavenly Lords’ scientific discussions was excruciatingly slow; a single discussion could last years, even decades, so everyone extensively used clones, switching between their clones and true bodies—

Jiang Ding spotted a young man in blue robes within the small circle of Heavenly Lord Wanji, Yuan, and Shenji.

He was speaking fluently about the Great Sun Sword Dao, discussing technical challenges in its large-scale industrial application within Great Sun Radiant Gold.

Surrounding him, a circle of Heavenly Lords listened intently, occasionally posing questions.

This small seminar on the large-scale industrial application of Great Sun Radiant Gold had already lasted twenty-seven years, and it showed no sign of ending—likely continuing for decades more.

“Using Sacred Sword Combat as a reference, the Immortal Sect can defeat the pure sword will within Great Sun Radiant Gold through military formations and military souls, thereby assimilating Great Sun Radiant Gold for our own use.

This process must be noted: only the owner of the warship, or at least its long-term operator, may personally participate in the military soul’s defeat—otherwise, the sword will within Great Sun Radiant Gold will not recognize it; another person cannot substitute…”

Jiang Ding stepped forward and took up the topic.

His clone spontaneously dissolved, transforming into his true body, and continued speaking fluently.

In that instant, his logic and spiritual computational power underwent a qualitative leap, causing the surrounding Heavenly Lords’ eyes to gleam; they immediately launched a rapid-fire series of sword-related questions, giving him no time to rest.

Previously, they had held back, knowing that clones had limited spiritual computational capacity and could not handle so many questions simultaneously.

Now, there was no such concern.

“Sacred Sword Combat must occur at the same realm.”

“One may gather large numbers to form a military soul for battle, but it is best to remain at the same realm—if capable, one may fight against a higher realm, which will slightly enhance Great Sun Radiant Gold’s performance…”

Jiang Ding answered each question in turn.

For questions he could answer, he gave clear replies; for those he could not, he offered his reasoning or hypotheses.

His opinions on sword-related matters were taken seriously by all the Heavenly Lords, who gave them deep consideration.

Because Jiang Ding was the Immortal Sect’s foremost sword expert.

And because he was among the top twenty sword experts across the entire Nine Spirit Realm, and with his cultivation breakthrough, he would soon rise to the top ten, even top five.

Possibly even the number one sword expert in the realm.

This was unquestionable—the Great Sun Sword Pavilion led the realm in sword research, and those bearing the title Great Sun Sword Disciple were born to wear this crown.

What was happening now was merely returning him to his rightful path.

“...That is all.”

After speaking, Jiang Ding stepped back and began listening intently.

“Great Sun Radiant Gold has the potential for further enhancement…”

Heavenly Lord Wanji stepped forward, explaining his hypothesis, research plan, and the support he needed from the surrounding Heavenly Lords.

Jiang Ding listened quietly.

Outside of sword arts, he was a student—now it was time to learn from the Heavenly Lords, and the others around him were similar.

The Immortal Sect’s cultivation research progress was not the sole pursuit; during this process, the participants’ own learning, ability enhancement, array mastery, and more were equally vital.

This was the cultivation and enlightenment process of the Immortal Sect’s Heavenly Lords.

Through mutual discussion, mutual learning, and shared practice, they gradually accumulated their own cultivation foundation and spiritual depth.

Jiang Ding listened carefully to Heavenly Lord Wanji’s cultivation research plan, occasionally letting his mind wander, glancing around.

Now, over a hundred years had passed; having digested the spoils of the last realm war, and with the Eight Great Immortal Sects making major concessions in trade, the Immortal Sect’s Soul Transformation cultivators had once again reached the two-hundred mark, restoring their peak strength—and surpassing it.

Many historically dormant prodigy True Persons were gradually awakening, gaining the opportunity for Soul Transformation, and beginning their ascent.

The queue for recently dormant prodigy True Persons had accelerated.

True Person Dinghai, True Person Luling, Zhang Junsheng, True Person Ciyuan, True Person Boming… the faces and voices of these masters appeared in Jiang Ding’s heart.

He estimated that in another thousand years, he would meet them again.

If the Immortal Sect gained the upper hand in the Jiao Ming Realm war, the pace would accelerate dramatically.

Jiang Ding participated in the Great Sun Radiant Gold special meeting in his true body.

Three years later, the intense discussions continued, with no sign of ending.

A clone appeared before Jiang Ding, replacing his true body once more.

Jiang Ding’s true body walked toward Heavenly Lord Shenji, who was gazing into the distant sea of clouds, and explained his purpose regarding the End Dharma City seal.

A clone appeared before Jiang Ding, once again replacing the original.

Heavenly Lord Shenji widened his eyes in shock.

He had heard of strengthening one’s survival tools, but never of someone willingly weakening them.

This was practically insane.

Jiang Ding fell silent for a moment.

He found it difficult to explain this to a master of military strategy and a law cultivator.

“Senior, because—”

“Same realm, higher realm cultivators.”

“They are not my enemies—they are my whetstones, my Dao’s nourishment. I must protect them; I cannot let the End Dharma City seal harm them.”

Jiang Ding said slowly.

"They are not my enemies, but my whetstones, the sustenance of my Dao—I must protect them and not let the End-Dharma City mark harm them."

Jiang Ding said slowly.