Chapter 12

He firmly decided in his heart: to seclude himself and forge his own path!

Though he had already wasted much time.

Others might think it too late.

But he was filled with confidence!

Because he had always believed that when one thinks it's too late, that's precisely the best time!

Daqin, Xianyanggong.

He watched the contents of the Heavenly Dao Golden List.

Even Hearing Ying Zheng, normally unshakable, couldn't help but be startled.

"Can reading the Daoist Canon really bring such benefits?"

"Zhao Gao, Hearing Zhang Han, convey my order: deploy Luo Wang and Hei Bing Tai to collect the Daoist Canon!"

"Li Si, build me a pavilion as soon as possible—I will store all collected Daoist Canon within it."

"From now on, any subject of Daqin with exceptional talent may enter this pavilion and read the entire Daoist Canon!"

Though he had already understood inwardly.

Not just anyone who reads the Daoist Canon can enter the martial path through Dao.

But how many millions are there among Daqin's subjects?

Among such a vast number, surely a few geniuses of unparalleled talent will emerge!

Even if ultimately not a single person achieves what Huang Shang did.

At the very least, this matter is a boon for Daqin's martial cultivators.

So why not do it?

"As Your Majesty commands!" x3!

Zhao Gao, Hearing Zhang Han, and Li Si all bowed deeply in response.

Then, under Hearing Ying Zheng's wave of the hand, they hurriedly withdrew from the hall.

Meanwhile.

The same scene unfolded in every other imperial court.

Even the Song Huang Dynasty was no exception!

Even smaller states and major Shilimen Sects began to act.

Perhaps compared to the Eight Imperial Dynasties, their strength was limited!

But no matter how much Daoist Canon they ultimately collected, all of them welcomed it gladly.

After all, no one could guarantee that none of their own subordinates wouldn't produce a genius like Huang Shang!

For a time.

The entire Jiuzhou Continent grew far livelier than ever before.

Only Yunzhou Shaolin among the imperial courts showed no sign of action.

But upon reflection, this was understandable.

They cultivated the Buddha path, inherently opposed to Dao.

Even if they read every Daoist text, their gains would likely be negligible.

Most importantly,

If the Daoist Canon contained such profound mysteries,

Then wouldn't the Buddhist sutras contain the same?

Moreover, compared to collecting Daoist Canon,

Every Yunzhou Shaolin temple was already filled with sutras—no need to spend time searching or gathering.

Just this alone gave Buddhist monks and nuns a temporary lead.

Of course,

Just because Yunzhou Shaolin thought of this doesn't mean others didn't.

Countless martial heroes, upon seeing how coveted the Daoist Canon was,

Began turning their eyes toward Yunzhou Shaolin.

Among them, there is no shortage of some death-defying outlaws.

…………

And as heroes and masters from all quarters moved in tandem,

The Heavenly Dao Golden List seemed unwilling to remain idle.

It trembled slightly, then burst forth with brilliant light again.

Once it drew all eyes to it,

Lines of small regular script slowly appeared.

【Jiuzhou Combat Ceiling List—Rank 17: Ba Shiba, Cultivation: Mid-Stage Land Immortal.】

【Identity: Imperial Preceptor of the Yuan Dynasty.】

【Ba Shiba was once an early-stage Heavenly Being Realm cultivator, honored as Imperial Preceptor of the Yuan Dynasty by Khan Temujin. He spurned fame, fortune, and life and death, striving to unravel the Great Wheel of Transcendence Beyond Life and Death.】

【He held a status more exalted than any emperor, possessed peerless talent surpassing all others, and roamed the world undefeated.】

【Unfortunately, this record was shattered thirty years ago by Ximen Wudi, Grand Dragonhead of the Qinglong Society—merely half a move was enough to knock him down to early-stage Land Immortal. He has spent thirty years healing and has yet to recover his peak!】

【Heavenly Dao Evaluation: Peerless talent, dragon among men. Though he suffered a setback, after breaking and rebuilding, he may yet reach the Mythical Realm!】

【Heavenly Dao Reward: Lian Wuhen's Regeneration Pill (restores one to peak condition even if one breath remains, leaving no lingering damage)】

???

Even if this world had no such super-era thing as a comment bar.

At this moment, all people across the Nine Provinces simultaneously wore expressions of utter bewilderment.

Immediately after, the sound of sharp intakes of breath rose and fell across heaven and earth.

Among them were those in awe, those filled with dread, and others who regarded him as an idol.

And countless other reactions besides.

But one thing could be determined for certain.

That was, whether it was Ximen Wudi's terrifying power or the Qinglong Society, both had now entered the eyes of the world.

Especially Ximen Wudi!

They found it hard to imagine.

What kind of being could kill a early-stage Heavenly Being with just half a move!

To put it bluntly, even in dreams, no one dared imagine such a thing!

010- Ba Shiba reduced to a background character, Hearing Ying Zheng's audacity! (Request flowers, request tips)

It was at this very moment.

The world finally understood why a being as mighty as Master Hua Xi, capable of suppressing an entire region, would willingly become the Eleventh Hall's Hall Master of the Qinglong Society.

It turned out the Qinglong Society harbored such a forbidden existence.

To him, a Land Immortal was truly insignificant!

With this thought.

The Nine Provinces trembled; the world erupted in shock!

Everyone stared wide-eyed, frozen as if stunned into silence.

Their lips trembled involuntarily.

Their faces were filled with disbelief!

Even the veteran masters long famed across the Nine Provinces.

At this moment, upon seeing the contents of the Heavenly Dao Golden List,

All fell speechless!

Their hearts were filled with terror!

A Land Immortal, already legendary in the martial world.

The realm countless martial cultivators dreamed of, and spent their entire lives striving for but could never attain.

Now, it had been reduced to the status of a mere supporting character.