Chapter 541: Pinnacle

Returning to Qingming, Wei Yuan stepped out of his seclusion and immediately summoned all cultivators of Tai Chu Palace for a meeting.

Moments later, all Tai Chu Palace cultivators arrived. Wei Yuan then activated the relic left by An Xuan Yue Ancestor, and a figure of An Xuan Yue Master Fenhai Zhenjun appeared in the room. Through this method, An Xuan Yue Master Fenhai Zhenjun could communicate with them without entering the Shattered Realm, while he himself remained free to wander the world and attend to other matters.

However, after activating the artifact, An Xuan Yue Master Fenhai Zhenjun's figure was extremely blurred, and his voice intermittent.

Among the cultivators, Behind Bao Yun, Xu Xu Henshui, and Cui Yu were all well-traveled and experienced.

At once, Behind Bao Yun and Cui Yu pretended not to hear, but Xu Xu Henshui, being new here, followed his old habit and said casually: "This Reflection Mirror is only a Phase-level artifact—barely sufficient to carry the Master Fenhai Zhenjun's power. Its quality is among the worst even among artifacts. Quickly replace it; it won't cost much."

An Xuan Yue Master Fenhai Zhenjun's image suddenly shuddered, nearly dissolving.

Wei Yuan acted as if he hadn't heard and said: "During my journey to Youhan Realm, I accidentally entered One You Wu Master Shu Li's domain and uncovered many of his secrets. But then, I don't know what secret technique he activated—he transported me to a strange place. Look here!"

Wei Yuan released a segment of imagery—the surrounding spatial environment he had perceived.

All cultivators carefully sensed it. Yu Yu Zhizhuo even released his Phase; the tiny golden bird flew into the imagery, pecking here and there, then began to chirp.

Yu Yu Zhizhuo said: "The substance above is metal and iron, infused with underworld qi—it must be Underworld Cold Iron. Cold Iron is already extremely heavy; from the pressure you felt, the ceiling above is likely an entire mountain. Below was originally ordinary underworld soil, but under immense pressure, it transformed, gradually crystallizing, and should contain much Underworld Crystal."

Master Chuhe the Daoist's eyes lit up: "Underworld Crystal is excellent! I have a plant called Underworld Sea-Eating Witch Flower—it needs Underworld Crystal to improve its quality!"

Sun Yu also said: "Underworld Crystal can elevate the rank of many toxins—it's truly valuable."

Yu Yu Zhizhuo said: "Underworld Crystal is currently in high demand. A few days ago, I checked the Merit Hall and saw its exchange rate: one liang equals fifty merit points."

Feng Feng Tingyu, who had been half-asleep, suddenly brightened. She idly picked two muscles, thought for a moment, and deduced the correct answer: two liang of Underworld Crystal could be exchanged for one ordinary Phase.

"Can this be brought back?" Cui Yu asked.

Yu Yu Zhizhuo said: "Underworld soil can be transported; Underworld Crystal is of higher rank and can naturally shift between reality and illusion—it can be brought out."

Master Chuhe the Daoist suddenly fell into thought, his gaze deepening: "Underworld soil? Yes—this qi is unmistakably underworld soil! Hmm… then the little bit of underworld soil I obtained…"

Yu Yu Zhizhuo said coolly: "That's irrelevant. Think instead: why has the palace stopped accepting underworld soil? And why has underworld soil become utterly worthless?"

Master Chuhe the Daoist's gaze grew even deeper. He stroked his beard in silence.

Wei Yuan cleared his throat and quickly redirected the attention of those harboring resentment or greed back to the matter at hand: "All my markers in the Underworld Realm have been relocated here. So if I return to Youhan Realm, I'll reappear here. The problem is: under this crushing pressure, I can only sustain myself for about an incense stick's time. What do we do?"

The others immediately shifted focus, now concerned for Wei Yuan's safety.

At that moment, An Xuan Yue Master Fenhai Zhenjun suddenly said: "This place compresses soil into crystal—such pressure would overwhelm even an ordinary Master Fenhai Zhenjun. That you can endure for an incense stick is already remarkable. Some fragile Phases would have their Primordial Spirit annihilated in a single breath." The cultivators glanced at each other, realizing that by Wei Yuan's standard, they themselves might qualify as fragile Phases—and felt insulted, yet dared not speak out.

An Xuan Yue Master Fenhai Zhenjun continued: "Judging from this environment, this place lies beneath a mountain of precious metal and iron, and the peak above likely bears some array. But refining such a precious mountain is difficult even for immortals. A mere One You Wu could barely carve a small array atop it. You sustaining an incense stick should be no trouble—you can accomplish much in that time."

Seizing An Xuan Yue Master Fenhai Zhenjun's good mood, Wei Yuan quickly asked about Master Shu Li's avatar.

An Xuan Yue Master Fenhai Zhenjun looked thoughtful: "When I fought him, I did shatter something. Back then, from beyond heaven, I couldn't tell—but now I recall: he used his avatar in Youhan Realm to absorb my attack, and it was destroyed. But I shattered at most two of his avatars—no more. You say he lost six? Then there must be another powerful enemy."

Wei Yuan then asked about the art of conquering domains, but An Xuan Yue Master Fenhai Zhenjun was not skilled in this. His words suddenly became obscure and cryptic, layered with profound mystery—hardly anyone understood.

After An Xuan Yue Master Fenhai Zhenjun spoke at length, expounding on the Way of Heaven and Earth, Zhang Sheng, who had remained silent, suddenly said: "The Ancestor means he doesn't understand. Asking him is pointless."

An Xuan Yue Master Fenhai Zhenjun's image twisted again, his face flushed with indignation.

But Zhang Sheng was unmoved. She said to Wei Yuan: "You don't cultivate the Qianqing Qianqing Zhengfa Yushi Jing—you don't grasp the distinction. Let me explain simply."

Zhang Sheng explained the difference in just a few words.

The Qianqing Sect's cultivation path does not emphasize vitality or spirit within the Heart-Phase World. Its Heart-Phase World primarily enhances the cultivator's own power, increasing the strength of their attacks and Dao techniques. This is the most common path.

An Xuan Yue Master Fenhai Zhenjun's Heart-Phase World is filled with vast, desolate mountains. The few living things within are of low spirit—hardly any are formidable. Spirit resides in the mountains and earth, not in sentient beings.

One error, one mistake, one flaw, one content, one look!

The Qianqing Qianqing Zhengfa Yushi Jing draws upon the Heart-Phase World's power far beyond ordinary scriptures. With such a dense, life-sustaining Heart-Phase World reinforcing his body, An Xuan Yue Master Fenhai Zhenjun's every gesture carries the latent might of an entire mountain range—ordinary Yu Jing cannot withstand it.

Another path prioritizes the spirit within the Heart-Phase World, pouring effort into cultivating sentient life within it, then fighting through those spirit-endowed beings. This is the path of Tinghai Tinghai Xianjun.

This path is clearly weaker in Yu Jing battles, but gains advantage at the Immortal stage. When An Xuan Yue Master Fenhai Zhenjun achieves Unity and ascends to Immortality, he will still need to make up for the lack of sentient life in his Heart-Phase World.

Wei Yuan intends to destroy One You Wu's domain primarily through Heart-Phase World assault, but An Xuan Yue Master Fenhai Zhenjun is not skilled in this and cannot offer guidance.

With Zhang Sheng's explanation, Wei Yuan understood.

In fact, on the path of Heart-Phase World spirit, Wei Yuan's human world already stands at the pinnacle of all history—even at the Phase stage, he possessed the ability to assault with his Heart-Phase World.

An Xuan Yue Master Fenhai Zhenjun, irritated by Zhang Sheng's interruption, glared and feigned anger, then said: "Since your new Dao Foundation is passable—only a few times stronger than those trash Immortal Foundations—I'll let you off for now."

At these words, every Dao Foundation cultivator present—whether Immortal Foundation or Celestial Foundation—felt deeply uncomfortable. All privately grumbled: An Xuan Yue the old Daoist, if you want to boast about your disciple, just boast—why must you step on others?

Zhang Sheng, like An Xuan Yue Master Fenhai Zhenjun, follows the path of channeling the Heart-Phase World's might into oneself. In terms of Dao Foundation alone, she has already surpassed An Xuan Yue in his prime. Now, within Tai Chu Palace, she stands at the pinnacle of this path.

(End of Chapter)