There is a progress bar in my cultivation of immortality

Chapter 1069 The Game with Bai Yan

Jupiter Jiuxuan Mountain.

Under the spirit tree, Wang Ping and Bai Yan sat facing each other on a chessboard. The pieces had already been placed on the board. At this moment, Wang Ping held a teacup in one hand and deduced the movement of the chessboard with the other; Bai Yan held a piece in one hand and carefully calculated the changes on the board with the other.

"Da~"

Bai Yan fell down.

Wang Ping placed his teacup on the small tea table beside him, picked up a chess piece, suddenly looked up at Bai Yan, and asked, "Do you think the Dragon Lord will communicate with me?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Yan exchanged a glance with Wang Ping and said, "The Dragon Clan once protected human cultivators, but in their eyes, human cultivators are not trustworthy. They only want the incense offerings from human cultivators. Do you know that the Dragon Lord was the first to cultivate divine arts?"

Wang Ping was taken aback and replied, "I really don't know."

Yulian, who was playing with the calico cat nearby, turned her head curiously when she heard Baiyan's topic. The calico cat then pretended to pounce on Yulian, its little tail wagging from side to side.

Bai Yan quickly explained, "The Dragon Lord attempted to cultivate divine arts at least 50,000 years ago. His cultivation of divine arts may have reached the fifth realm first. Yuan Wu cultivated divine arts under his guidance, but in the end, Yuan Wu did not enslave human cultivators for him as the Dragon Lord had expected. Instead, he took a different path."

"Although there was some instigation from the other four of the five major sects of Xuanmen, Yuanwu's betrayal caused the Dragon Lord's perception of human cultivators to plummet to rock bottom. He generally does not trust human cultivators. Apart from the few around him, he has not seen any unfamiliar human cultivators in nearly ten thousand years. He does not want his consciousness to be disturbed, nor does he want his decisions to be biased."

Wang Ping nodded thoughtfully, "Just like the work of a master craftsman, it eliminates all external information to ensure that its will can always be carried out."

Bai Yan shook his head, then nodded. "Similar, but the Dragon Lord is more extreme, so he won't trust you. Although with your current cultivation level, establishing a connection with the Dragon Lord and jointly ruling this starry sky would be the best choice, the Dragon Lord won't choose that. He's more stubborn than you think."

Yu Lian then interjected, "There's a saying in the mortal world that old people are ignorant and stubborn, but the Dragon Lord knows everything, yet he remains stubborn."

Bai Yan glanced at Yu Lian upon hearing this and said, "That's a good assessment, but that's precisely why no one can persuade him of his stubbornness."

"Da~"

Wang Ping placed a piece on the board, then picked up his teacup and asked, "Back then, Lieyang burned Zhongzhou to the ground with a great fire, and I advanced to the fifth realm because of it. Is there any other explanation for this?"

Bai Yan shook his head. "I don't know. Maybe so. According to the information I have, the Dragon Lord's eldest son has already recovered his cultivation. The energy and spirituality gathered by Mercury are enough to allow him to advance to the fifth realm. Or he may have already advanced, but the Dragon Lord has concealed it through some means."

"The eldest son? Ao Yi?"

Yu Lian asked, and then said, "Isn't it the seventh son, Ao Hong?"

Bai Yan picked up a chess piece and replied, "Perhaps the Dragon Lord doesn't just want one at the Fifth Realm, but two? I estimate that his cultivation is just a step away from advancing another level."

"Da~"

After placing his piece, he looked at Wang Ping and said, "Their ability to advance to the fifth realm is also thanks to the outer space ecological zone promoted by you, fellow Daoist, which has increased the spirituality of this starry sky by hundreds of times, and the speed of spiritual energy collection is incomparable."

Wang Ping had already noticed this point. In the past, everything was concentrated in Zhongzhou Star. All the True Monarchs only needed one consciousness, and no secret could be hidden. But now, there are ecological zones everywhere in this starry sky. Xuanmen, Tianmen, and the demon race all have their own core ecological zones, so many things have become secretive.

For example, the chaotic storm that was summoned before would have been almost impossible under the previous circumstances of Zhongzhou Star. Similarly, the advancements of Wang Qing and Rong Yang would have been almost impossible in Zhongzhou Star.

Although this restricts the path for cultivators to advance, it can avoid many troublesome things and prevent face-to-face battles among the True Lords.

From this perspective, the decision by the True Lords to restrict the proliferation of the outer space ecosystem was absolutely correct, and Wang Ping is the one who started the current turmoil.

Wang Ping said, "Before I advocated for the propagation of outer space, I had thought about the possible conflicts that I might see in the future. I just didn't expect it to happen so soon. I thought the conflicts would be bottom-up, caused by space propagation reaching saturation and thus triggering war. But I didn't expect it to be a top-down conflict caused by our differing ideas."

Yu Lian corrected, "It's not that we disagree, but that they can't tolerate others. They can't stand that you, a newcomer, have a higher cultivation level than them, and they want to pull you down."

A rare smile appeared on Bai Yan's face as he replied, "To be more precise, they want to continue controlling this starry sky, while Fellow Daoist Changqing's cultivation is progressing rapidly, making them feel that their position is unstable, which is why there is the current conflict. According to their previous plan, Fellow Daoist was to serve them for tens of thousands of years. In the worst-case scenario, you would need to consume the Wood Spirit Origin within your body to stabilize their cultivation."

Yu Lian was furious upon hearing this. She floated to Wang Ping's shoulder and said, "These people are truly despicable. Now that so many people have advanced to the fifth realm, there will be no more problems with the spirituality of the starry sky. Why not just take action and kill them directly?"

Bai Yan laughed heartily. His cold demeanor carried a unique majesty as he laughed. After laughing, he said, "This is the most direct and best way, but we must first deal with the troublesome Dragon Lord."

His use of 'we' was clearly a veiled reference.

Wang Ping did not correct him, which was taken as agreement. At this moment, the two formed a tacit alliance. After nodding, Wang Ping asked, "During the war with the extraterrestrial star a thousand years ago, when you and Fellow Daoist Xuanqing peered into the past of the universe, did you observe any secrets?"

Bai Yan shook his head and answered formally, "None of you True Monarchs are extraterrestrial consciousnesses, but I have glimpsed that the causal relationship between Heavenly Craftsmanship and Earthly Script has been entangled with extraterrestrial life forms, but this causal relationship is one of hatred."

"Hate?"

Wang Ping was puzzled.

Bai Yan replied, "Yes, this may stem from the arrival of the Misty Sea back then, but I don't know much about it because Yao Xi told me not to get too involved, so I didn't pay attention to it."

Wang Ping frowned slightly. As things stand, unless he cultivates to the point of omniscience and omnipotence, this matter will remain a permanent mystery.

Looking at Wang Ping's expression, Bai Yan said, "I am not interested in the struggle in this starry sky, but when it really comes down to tearing off the mask, I will stand on your side. Xuanqing will most likely remain neutral, so what you really have to face is the other four sects of Xuanmen. As for what I am planning, fellow Daoist should be very interested in."

"Oh?"

Wang Ping looked puzzled, but also listened attentively.

Bai Yan said, "In the past, it was extraterrestrial life forms that colluded with us, but I am trying to contact extraterrestrial life forms and intend to bring the order and rules of this starry sky to the extraterrestrial world, just like what the rebels are doing now!"

Wang Ping immediately showed interest and asked, "Where is the plan at?"

"Over the past four thousand years, I have used the spiritual sacrifices that the Taiyin Sect excels at to send the consciousness of some Taiyin disciples back into the bodies of certain life forms outside the realm..."

Bai Yan's voice was very soft, "Before this, I sent two Taiyin puppets with Asura bodies to the outer realm. I can contact them through a specific sacrificial ritual. Over the years, I have successfully turned some organizations against me. I am currently trying to contact some fifth-realm demon cultivators in the outer realm. If it works, we can proceed with the next step of the plan."

Yu Lian couldn't help but ask, "Would they be willing to cooperate?" Bai Yan quickly explained, "It's like border rebels. The five realms of demonic cultivators outside the domain are also divided into high and low levels, and they desperately crave the material world. We only need to expand the rules of the starry sky to establish a small part of the material world outside the domain, just like the invasion of us from outside the domain today!"

Wang Ping carefully examined Bai Yan for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, "Then I will listen attentively to your good news, fellow Daoist."

Bai Yan shook his head: "It might be bad news. We can't rush things."

Wang Ping nodded in approval.

The two then simply played chess quietly, and soon the chessboard was filled with alternating black and white pieces.

Both men remained calm, their gazes occasionally meeting before quickly returning to the chessboard. Their conversation was leisurely and their tone was even, as if they were simply discussing everyday matters in their cultivation, neither hasty nor deliberate.

Yu Lian returned to the nearby grassy area and played with the calico cat, her gaze occasionally sweeping over Wang Ping, and the calico cat would meow from time to time.

As time passed and the sun began to set, the shadow of the spirit tree stretched long, dividing the chessboard in two. The two remained oblivious, still immersed in this tranquil world, as if time itself had slowed down and become gentle.

This game of chess lasted for half a month. In the later stages of the game, it took the two players almost several hours to make a single move.

After the game ended, Bai Yan stood up, cupped his hands, and said "Farewell." He then transformed into a streak of purple lightning and disappeared into the starry sky. A few breaths later, his aura completely left the orbit of Jupiter.

Wang Ping cleaned the chessboard, reviewing the game he had played against Bai Yan while pondering what Bai Yan had said.

Two hours later, Yu Lian returned from Hu Qianqian's dojo with the calico cat. The calico cat had a grilled fish in its mouth. After landing on the mountaintop, it ran to the base of the spirit tree to enjoy it.

After Yulian cleaned the grease from her mouth and the dust off her body, Tengyun landed on Wang Ping's shoulder and looked at the chess game being reviewed, asking, "Baiyan is doing what you've always wanted to do. His thoughts are the same as yours, but his personality is different. He is used to doing things first, and whether he succeeds or not is irrelevant, while you always like to make sure everything is ready before you take action."

Wang Ping smiled noncommittally.

Yulian then asked, "Do you think he can succeed?"

Before Wang Ping could answer, she continued, "Even if he successfully made contact with the Five Realms beyond the realm, he cannot control this starry sky, and therefore cannot fulfill the promises made to those demonic cultivators beyond the realm. That's why he keeps giving us pointers, hoping that you can cultivate faster so that you can control this starry sky."

Wang Ping exhaled, looked at the brilliant stars in the sky, and said, "This is easier said than done."

Yu Lian swayed her body, glanced at the calico cat beside her, and changed the subject, saying, "Let's talk about something easier. I plan to set up a spirit-gathering array for the calico cat so that she can advance to the fourth realm."

Upon hearing this, Wang Ping looked in the direction of the calico cat. The calico cat, who was enjoying grilled fish, immediately sensed this and turned to look at Wang Ping, sticking out its tongue to lick the grease from the corner of its mouth.

"Is it difficult?"

he asks.

Yu Lian replied, "It won't be too difficult. It just requires setting up a spirit-gathering array that can gather energy from the four realms. With my strength, I can definitely do it. It's just that she's too lazy. Without external interference, she probably won't be able to cultivate to a level where she can advance even after her lifespan is exhausted."

Wang Ping then looked at the calico cat. The calico cat, now certain that Wang Ping and Yu Lian were talking about her, meowed twice in their direction.

"Look, she's so lazy."

Yulian's emotions were filled with dissatisfaction.

Wang Ping shook his head with amusement. Spirit beasts are generally quite lazy. Once they are free from the constraints of food, they spend their days sunbathing and sleeping. Yu Lian is actually the same as the calico cat. However, after Wang Ping's advancement, she can absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth with Wang Ping's primordial spirit at any time, so her cultivation speed is naturally incomparable.

"Do you want me to define her consciousness directly?"

Wang Ping reached out and gently stroked Yu Lian's little head, then asked.

Yu Lian nodded: "Yes~"

Wang Ping gently shook his head and said, "This is not a good thing for her. The energy required to advance from the third realm to the fourth realm is not actually that much. I can directly grant Mimi an extra lifespan. If one thousand years is not enough, then two thousand years will do. What do you think?"

"Oh, that works!"

Yulian happily ran over and started talking to the calico cat.

Wang Ping continued to review his game against Bai Yan, and another half month passed.

One day, a mysterious aura appeared in the orbital sky of Jupiter. Wang Ping immediately ordered the core disciples of the four realms of the Taiyan Sect to go to the public Ascension Platform to welcome it, while he personally waited with Yu Lian at the Ascension Platform outside Jupiter's atmosphere.

It was very formal, but lacked the usual intimacy.

After leading Xuanqing to the Nine Profound Mountain Dojo and exchanging a few polite words, Xuanqing took out a crystal sealed with the Jade Purity Technique and said, "These are two demonic sources that I cultivated using the rules of destruction simulated by the Golden Core Universe. One is still the Nether Abyss Demonic Source, and the other is the Erosion Edge Demonic Source that I cultivated based on some residual aura. It just happens to match the demonic cultivation secret technique that Fellow Daoist Yuanwu sent back."

Wang Ping instinctively scanned the two sealing crystals with his primordial spirit, and only after confirming that there were no problems did he take them, saying, "Fellow Daoist, you are quick in your work. I thought this would take a long time."

Xuan Qing said, "It's just a demonic source that has entered the realm. With my cultivation level, nurturing it isn't very difficult. The difficulty lies in the environment in which it exists." He explained it casually, as if this was really something he did on a whim. Then he changed the subject and said, "I came to find you this time to act as a persuader."

"Oh?"

Wang Ping put away the two magical sources. Although he could guess what Xuan Qing wanted to say, he still pretended to listen attentively.

Xuanqing didn't keep them in suspense and got straight to the point: "The problem of the rebels hasn't been resolved yet. It's not advisable for you to have a conflict with Tiangong and Diwen at this time. Let's wait until the problem of the rebels is solved before discussing anything else, shall we?"

Wang Ping gave a standard smile and replied, "Fellow Daoist should say these words to Tiangong and Diwen."

Xuan Qing promised, "I will. Why don't you each take a step back and wait until the rebel problem is resolved before deciding the winner?"

Wang Ping maintained his smile and said, "How about we talk about it after you've convinced them to back down?"

(End of this chapter)