Chapter 139: The Curtain is About to Rise

Cultivation is not only about the most correct experiences being useful; in reality, some twists and turns, some mistakes, are equally of great significance to the entire path of cultivation.

Many of the paths that Kongque Wang and Yan Ruyu have cultivated are correct, but they have also taken many detours. For Kongque Wang and Yan Ruyu, these detours naturally wasted a lot of time and years, leaving them quite regretful.

But for Zhang Xuan, he had previously only looked at the most complete and perfect theories, never knowing what a detour was like. Such detours and mistakes could allow him to make comparisons, making him understand more and more why the insights and experiences of the scriptures explained by Qingdi were as they were.

Comparing them with each other, Zhang Xuan felt that Qingdi was increasingly magnificent, and that the corresponding theories combined with reality would be even more moving, rather than having no gains at all.

Yan Ruyu and Kongque Wang also felt they had gained a lot. Zhang Xuan would often come out with a matter-of-fact statement—the Dao is just so, and being so is the Dao—and that sense of it being a matter of course, along with his concise and to-the-point comments, would make them feel a sudden sense of enlightenment.

Before, they were somewhat unclear about the path ahead, feeling only that the road was surrounded by countless mists. Now, with a few words, Zhang Xuan explained the grand Dao before them. They looked at Zhang Xuan as if looking at a giant peak piercing the sky, never able to see its highest point.

Zhang Xuan was happy to be at leisure, and through these daily exchanges, Kongque Wang and Yan Ruyu truly considered Zhang Xuan to be a member of the Demon Race. Even if Zhang Xuan himself said he was not, his explanations and understanding of the Qingdi scriptures were real.

This was even more convincing than the Dragon Transformation chapter Zhang Xuan had previously provided and the great secrets involving heaven and earth he had spoken of.

After all, whether it was the opening of the Immortal Path or the Qingdi scriptures, they had been circulated; anyone could potentially know them and come over to commit fraud.

But in daily discussions, the concepts and understanding regarding cultivation—this thing cannot be faked.

These things did not involve earth-shattering secrets, but in the daily, silent nourishment of things, they made both Yan Ruyu and Kongque Wang quite respectful of Zhang Xuan.

Especially Kongque Wang; Yan Ruyu had not been on the path of cultivation for long and did not have a very profound understanding of the various cultivation concepts evaluated by Zhang Xuan.

Kongque Wang, however, was a King-level figure who had dominated for hundreds of years. The cultivation-related questions he raised all involved Severing Dao Kings and achieving Saint status.

And Zhang Xuan, through his explanations and hints regarding the Swallowing Heaven Demonic Art, the Indestructible Heavenly Art, and the Qingdi scriptures, gave Kongque Wang great gains, making him want to go into seclusion constantly during this period.

As for Yan Ruyu, she had truly and genuinely begun to treat Zhang Xuan as one of her own in daily life; information of all aspects would be exchanged, and she did not avoid Zhang Xuan, even taking the initiative to give a copy to him.

"The Dadi Mu outside Lingxu Grotto-Heaven is still being contested and has not yet come to an end. Under the guidance of a fat Daoist, they discovered the yin tomb of the Dadi Mu and are constantly digging downward. Supreme Elders from the Holy Lands have even died inside..."

"A Divine Body has appeared among the younger generation of the Desolate Ancient Ji Family. Now that his cultivation has achieved success, he intends to test his sword against all sides. According to calculations and the direction he is traveling, I fear he will come looking for us before long..."

"The young talents capable of bearing the heart of the Great Emperor are already being considered. That Desolate Ancient Sacred Body who once had dealings with us can be counted as one of them..."

Zhang Xuan looked at the information from all sides before him and smiled slightly.

His status and position within the Demon Race could truly be said to be rising with the tide.

Even Qingjiao Wang had visited this region many times; that Dragon Transformation chapter had brought him great gains.

He walked even closer with Kongque Wang in daily life.

There were not many things in the Chat Group, just a few small episodes. Xiong Ba had perfected his Three Points Return to Origin Qi and then led a steel fleet straight into East Japan.

A single volley of artillery fire caused the East Japanese army to collapse in droves. As for Jue Wushen of East Japan, who had stolen the Jingang Buhuan Shen Gong from Shaolin Temple and then converted it into the Undying Golden Body—

Xiong Ba did not even fight him head-on. After one volley of artillery fire, the entire East Japan was about to collapse. Jue Wushen's son, Jue Xin, personally brought Jue Wushen's head to Xiong Ba, saying he wanted to surrender.

Xiong Ba smilingly accepted Jue Xin as his foster son, and the entire East Japan was pacified in one battle.

Zhang Xuan, while taking a break from cultivation, took the time to look at the Chat Group and discovered that a manual called Undying Golden Body had been uploaded to the Group File, which was how he found out about this matter.

Zhang Xuan just smiled and let it go.

Life in the Chat Group was just that simple and dull.

When the Group Members were bored, they would just casually destroy a country.

Qiao Feng was also living a prosperous life; he had already raised a great army, and with the support of artillery and muskets, he was invincible in the sky and on the ground.

Coupled with the Three Points Return to Origin Qi and Blood Bodhi that Xiong Ba had painstakingly taught him, no one in the entire world could take a single Dragon Subduing Eighteen Palms from Qiao Feng head-on.

Under such dimensional reduction strikes, the entire Song Dynasty, or rather the entire world, would not be Qiao Feng's opponent.

Now, Luo Ji was even preparing to sponsor Qiao Feng with meteorological remote sensing satellites so that Qiao Feng could observe the entire Song Dynasty, and even the territories of the world, to clear up land records and then carry out a land reform.

At the same time, he could map out a world map and then start the Age of Discovery. On land, Qiao Feng would lead the way and push forward, while in more distant territories, they would use ships to cross the ocean to occupy the world.

The reason it had not been launched yet was that the existing communication technology was not developed enough to govern such vast territories. Luo Ji and the think tank behind him took the initiative to ask Qiao Feng to slow down a bit.

Luo Ji truly wanted to see an unprecedentedly magnificent empire, and one where the empire could concentrate all its power in one place.

For a sociology expert, being able to actually manipulate such a reality was an unprecedented thrill.

The support he provided in all aspects was quite powerful; he really gave knowledge where knowledge was needed and culture where culture was needed.

He vigorously provided power in all aspects.

Zhang Xuan found it quite stimulating to watch. He felt that he should have been able to perform such a round of operations initially, but his thinking was still too narrow; he only thought about improving himself and never thought about providing modern support in all aspects to the ancient world like Luo Ji.

It was a completely dimensional reduction strike-like operation, invincible in a straight push.

"But this can't be blamed on me. Before, I was just an ordinary little person. I had no cultivation resources, nor could I provide him with much modern help... I couldn't provide all-around, no-dead-angle support like Luo Ji, but this path is indeed one that can be taken."

Zhang Xuan only felt a little regretful, but he did not regret it. The path Luo Ji took was more of a technological ascension, which was different from the path he was taking.

Anyway, in the end, when the technological explosion occurred, the top-tier technology would also be uploaded to the Chat Group, and it would not be the exclusive domain of Luo Ji alone.

Zhang Xuan was not worried about this.

"What I yearn for is still the ultimate improvement of individual martial power, which is different from the direction Luo Ji is taking. Technology is at most an auxiliary."

On this point, Zhang Xuan had a clear personal understanding.

After glancing at the situation in the Chat Group, Zhang Xuan withdrew his gaze and continued to read the information sent over by the Demon Race, and then his expression changed slightly.

"Elders of the Desolate Ancient Ji Family and the Yaochi Sacred Land captured a group of people who had walked out of the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land, making them go to the Sheng Shan to pick Saint Medicine, wanting to extend their lives..."

"This is really..."

Zhang Xuan was speechless when he saw this, especially when he saw that Ye Fan was among that group of people. He admired the guts of those people from the Desolate Ancient Ji Family and the Yaochi Sacred Land.

At the current stage, the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land did not seem dangerous; after all, Ye Fan and his group of classmates had all walked out of the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land alive. But those people were all well-connected, alright? They all relied on Ye Fan's blessing.

After all, Ye Fan was the Desolate Ancient Sacred Body and the reincarnation of the Ruthless Great Emperor's brother.

Because of the Bronze Ancient Coffin falling into the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land, all the terrifying dangers within the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land were restrained, allowing Ye Fan and the others to stay on the nine Sheng Shan for a period of time without illness or disaster, and they even picked Saint Medicine—especially Ye Fan and Pang Bo, who even ate it.

Thinking of this, Zhang Xuan still felt a bit regretful.

"I was clearly on Earth at the time; couldn't you have let me catch a ride?"

That was a heaven-sent opportunity. Being able to easily eat a fruit grown from a split of the Nine Wonders Immortal Tree—that was an Undying Divine Medicine! Although it had already been broken up and did not have the miraculous nature of an Undying Divine Medicine, it could already be considered the top-tier spiritual elixir in the world.

And now that this group of people was climbing the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land again, except for Ye Fan who could survive, everyone else could basically be declared dead.

After all, there are currently only two masters in the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land; one is the Ruthless Great Emperor, and the other is someone who has many connections to Ye Fan, a Great Accomplishment Saint Body who possesses the same constitution as Ye Fan.

Ye Fan can mess around in the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Land without any major issues, but anyone else who goes there is as good as dead.

Seeing Zhang Xuan pause significantly over this piece of intelligence, Yan Ruyu said with a hint of regret: "I originally wanted to have this Desolate Ancient Saint Body serve as the host for the Great Emperor's heart, but I didn't expect this kind of Desolate Ancient Saint Body to have been taken into the Forbidden Land; I fear he will not be able to return."

Zhang Xuan shook his head silently and whispered: "Not necessarily."

Yan Ruyu suppressed the urge to ask further, but seeing that Zhang Xuan had no intention of dwelling on this topic, she fell into silence, while Zhang Xuan said in a low voice: "In an era like this, it is better to let a person like the Desolate Ancient Saint Body live; when the Immortal Path opens in the future, we will need more people like him."

"But even if he lives, the curse of the Desolate Ancient Saint Body is likely a massive problem. After the Post-Desolate Ancient Era, it has become impossible for a Saint Body to reach Great Accomplishment, or even break through the Dao Palace Realm; how then could he dominate the world like the nine Great Sacred Bodies of the ancient times?"

"Eventually, someone will carve out a path. Moreover, the reason the Saint Body cannot reach Great Accomplishment is because it blocks the path of many others. The Saint Body has given enough for the Human Race and for the myriad races; the many living beings on Big Dipper should all owe the Saint Body a debt of gratitude."

Yan Ruyu was somewhat puzzled. As a descendant of Qingdi, the period when Qingdi lived was basically free of Dark Turmoil, and since Qingdi passed away only ten thousand years ago, the Demon Race has not truly experienced the terrifying Dark Turmoil.

They also would not understand how terrifying the true Dark Turmoil is, nor how great an event it was for nine Great Accomplishment Saint Bodies to emerge in succession during the ancient times.

"The true grand curtain is about to be raised; it seems I can no longer wait."

Zhang Xuan carefully looked at the relevant intelligence; the Desolate Ancient Ji Family is truly about to start letting Ji Haoyue train everywhere.

Not long after, Ye Fan, who gets caught up in it, will by chance enter the Bronze Immortal Palace and obtain the All-Things Mother Qi; the grand curtain is truly about to be raised, and Ye Fan is truly about to begin his rise to the skies.

"I have trained enough these days; it is time to break through!"

Before the words had even faded, Zhang Xuan had already transformed into a stream of light. This time, he did not choose to return to Earth, but instead chose to undergo his tribulation in a desolate, uninhabited area of the Demon Race.

Hearing that Zhang Xuan was undergoing his tribulation, Kongque Wang returned at the first opportunity.

Seeing that continuous stretch of lightning covering the entire firmament, his gaze constricted.

Yan Ruyu stood quietly to the side; even on her flawless, beautiful face, a trace of shock appeared.

Kongque Wang's face showed irrepressible astonishment: "I had a feeling last time; when he returned after his breakthrough, his body still carried terrifying lightning power. Now it seems I was not wrong. To be able to encounter such terrifying lightning while undergoing tribulation at this realm—the Ancient Great Emperors in their youth were likely no more than this."

Yan Ruyu was silent for a moment and said: "Ancient Great Emperors emerged earlier; they usually had Heavenly Tribulation when they were at the Four Extremes Realm."

"However, judging from his Four Extremes Realm previously, he had indeed already passed through Heavenly Tribulation. From the strength he has displayed, he truly has the demeanor of an Ancient Great Emperor."

Kongque Wang was not just surprised this time, but also a bit shaken. To be considered by a descendant of a Great Emperor as being comparable to a Great Emperor in his youth is a quite astonishing evaluation.

But after Kongque Wang pondered it carefully, he felt it was only natural.

A person who could sit and discuss the Dao with a Great Emperor, a person suspected of having lived from the era of Qingdi until now, carrying the most top-tier inheritance—it is reasonable that he could rival a Great Emperor in his youth.

And at this moment, amidst their discussion, the mighty lightning had not yet ceased; boiling blood and Qi surged into the sky, mixed with earth-shattering dragon roars.

"That is?"

A look of shock appeared on Kongque Wang's face, and Yan Ruyu was also slightly surprised.

"It is the Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils Tribulation, a special condition that manifests when crossing from the Four Extremes Realm into the Dragon Transformation Realm. Only those whose physique is strong to an unbelievable degree will have such Heavenly Tribulation. Usually, ordinary Divine Bodies and King Bodies do not have such a tribulation; it is only common for physiques like the Desolate Ancient Saint Body."

"A physique comparable to the Desolate Ancient Saint Body..."

Divine light a foot long erupted from Kongque Wang's eyes. Having witnessed this, he gained a profound realization of Zhang Xuan's uniqueness.

Whether others believe it or not, he already largely believes that Zhang Xuan is truly an old monster who survived from the era of Qingdi.

And this was one of the reasons why Zhang Xuan underwent his tribulation in front of Kongque Wang, Yan Ruyu, and the others. After spending time together previously, he had already done enough to make Kongque Wang and Yan Ruyu believe him; undergoing the tribulation now was to further strengthen their confidence.

(End of this chapter)