There is a progress bar in my cultivation of immortality

Jiuxuan Mountain.

Wang Ping sat cross-legged under the spirit tree, focused on the map of the divine kingdom in front of him. Yu Lian on his shoulder raised her head slightly, also looking at the map of the divine kingdom, and occasionally said a few words to Wang Ping. The calico cat Mimi curled up at Wang Ping's feet, the tip of her tail occasionally swaying lazily.

Suddenly, three figures landed on the mountaintop.

Zhi Xin, led by two puppets, walked to the spirit tree. Looking at Wang Ping sitting cross-legged under the spirit tree, he immediately bowed and said, "Greetings, True Lord."

Wang Ping didn't turn around, but simply asked, "What is it?"

Zhi Xin straightened up, his gaze sweeping over the rain lotus on Wang Ping's shoulder and the calico cat at his feet. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "There is indeed something. When I was stationed at the front line, a communication jade slip was suddenly sent to me. It was a communication jade slip that I had used in the extraterrestrial battlefield. The jade slip recorded that the Dragon Lord planned to join forces with Wu Nian to deal with you, True Lord. I guess this was a message sent by Wu Nian."

"Oh?" Wang Ping finally turned around slowly, his deep gaze falling on Zhi Xin's face.

"An unexpected, yet not unexpected, piece of news."

As Wang Ping spoke, the map of the divine kingdom in front of him quickly disappeared. His left hand began to calculate rapidly, and he looked at Zhi Xin and asked, "Do you think this information is accurate?"

Upon hearing this, Zhi Xin lowered his head even further, his posture becoming even more respectful: "True Lord, this matter is of great importance. I am but a humble Taoist with shallow knowledge, how dare I presume to speculate? Everything is left to the True Lord's wise judgment, and I will obey the True Lord's command without question."

His voice was steady and firm.

Wang Ping's fingers paused slightly as he pinched Zhi Xin, his gaze lingering on her for a moment, a gaze that seemed to penetrate her skin and reach the depths of her consciousness.

Yu Lian's crimson vertical pupils also turned to Zhi Xin, with a hint of scrutiny.

After a few breaths, Wang Ping withdrew his gaze and said to Zhi Xin, "I am certain that Wu Nian is telling the same thing to the Dragon Lord right now. His way out is for me to become enemies with the Dragon Lord."

Upon hearing this, Yu Lian tilted her head and said, "He's quite clever; we have no choice but to react."

Wang Ping nodded. He and Long Jun had no trust in each other at the moment, and both of them knew that they would inevitably clash when Wu Nian was eliminated.

Wu Nian merely ignited their conflict prematurely, and then, in a situation of certain death, demanded a sliver of hope.

"Meow~"

The calico cat meowed.

Yu Lian glanced at the calico cat and said to Wang Ping, "Mimi said it could also be the Dragon Lord's idea. Don't think of the Dragon Lord as too kind."

Upon hearing this, Wang Ping reached out to stroke the calico cat's head, but the cat dodged him.

This is highly likely, after all, the Dragon Lord had contact with Wu Nian before, and it is not impossible that he will use the same trick again this time.

"You may leave. I understand the matter."

Wang Ping waved his hand.

Zhi Xin quickly bowed and then transformed into a streak of light, disappearing into the horizon.

Yu Lian looked up at the direction where Zhi Xin had disappeared and said, "So, this is the Dragon Lord's next move?"

"The cultivation process of the Hundred Waters Secret Technique is a process of transforming into a dragon. The Dragon Lord's current cultivation level is almost stable, and this starry sky is the ocean of his true dragon body. I have also mastered almost all the characteristics of the wood spirit. The wood spirit in my body has reached the end of the fifth realm. Next is to cultivate the primordial spirit and my physical body."

"With our current cultivation levels, any schemes or rules will be ineffective. He may just be trying to win over Wu Nian to force me to make the first move, thereby increasing the success rate of our fight."

Wang Ping spoke casually, not caring about Long Jun's petty tricks. Having cultivated to his level, he was already invincible. Long Jun was blinded by a leaf and couldn't see this point, or perhaps he did see it, or even saw further ahead, so he had no choice but to intervene.

After speaking, his gaze pierced through endless time and space, landing on the demonic world at the edge of the starry sky.

...

Within the world of demonic energy.

Countless fragments of shattered stars floated among them, riddled with holes by demonic energy, like rotten fruit. Silent shrieks and whispers echoed in the void, the resentment left behind by the devoured creatures.

Wu Nian stood at the center of this chaos, surrounded by demonic energy. His figure was more solid than before, but it also exuded an indescribable weariness and decay.

Around him, several twisted demonic creatures with an exceptionally terrifying aura lay prostrate. They were of various shapes, some like mountains of piled-up flesh and blood, others like aggregates of countless eyeballs and bone spurs, but they all exuded absolute obedience and fear towards Wu Nian.

Just then, a vast will, like an invisible tide, silently seeped into this world of demonic energy. The surging demonic energy paused, and the twisted demons became restless, letting out threatening growls.

Wu Nian suddenly looked up, a fierce glint flashing in his scarlet eyes.

"The arrival of the Dragon Lord has truly graced my humble abode with its splendor." Wu Nian's deep voice, carrying a metallic quality, echoed in the deathly silence of the space.

That vast will did not materialize into a physical form, but instead transformed into a cold thought that resounded deep within Wu Nian's consciousness: "Wu Nian, your time is running out."

Wu Nian sneered, "Thanks to you, Dragon Lord!"

"Changqing's existence is an obstacle for both of us." The Dragon Lord's thoughts were calm and focused on the main point: "He must be eliminated."

A red light flashed in Wu Nian's eyes: "So what?"

The Dragon Lord's will carried an undeniable sense of oppression: "Changqing was an accident, and now we must eliminate this accident."

Wu Nian remained silent for a moment, and the demonic energy around him surged even more violently with his emotions. He had spent countless efforts and even betrayed his fellow tribesmen from beyond the realm, but now he had ended up in such a state. How could he be willing to accept this?
"After you've done it, won't you just get rid of me too?" Wu Nian's voice was full of distrust.

"After this is done, I will open the Star Barrier for you and send you away safely." The Dragon Lord's will remained cold, yet it carried a strange credibility. "You should know that staying here will mean certain death. Although you have enemies in the outer realms, the universe is vast, and there will always be a place for you to stay."

Wu Nian's resentment burned his consciousness like poisonous fire. After a long time, the demonic energy around Wu Nian slowly subsided. He raised his head, and the struggle and resentment in his eyes turned into a still and resolute silence.

"Okay, I promise you." His voice was unusually calm.

"How exactly do we do it?"

he asked again.

A barely perceptible fluctuation emanated from the Dragon Lord's will, followed by a voice: "It's very simple. You have no way out now. You must take the initiative and attract Changqing's attention. As soon as Changqing's aura appears, I will make my move immediately."

"Sure!" Wu Nian answered with unusual decisiveness.

Upon hearing this, the Dragon Lord's icy intent receded like a tide, and the invisible oppressive feeling that enveloped the world of demonic energy also dissipated.

After the Dragon Lord's consciousness left, the chaotic demonic energy around Wu Nian quickly coalesced into a middle-aged cultivator dressed in a long robe. He gazed at the rolling demonic energy under the starry sky, and after a long while, a smile appeared on his face.

He was very clear that if it weren't for his restraint, the Dragon Lord and Changqing would have already broken through the starry sky. Now, the three parties have formed a delicate balance.

He was the weakest of the three, but it was precisely because of his existence that the Dragon King and Wang Ping were wary of each other and dared not easily start the final battle.

If Long Jun wants to use him to weaken Wang Ping, why can't he use this as well?
Almost the instant the Dragon Lord left, Wu Nian made a decision: he could not follow the Dragon Lord's script completely.

Then, with a thought, an extremely subtle consciousness, like a pebble thrown into water, silently penetrated the barrier of the demonic world and, following some pre-prepared secret passage, was transmitted to the outside world.

He was conveying the Dragon Lord's plan to Zhixin again, without reservation, using the same method as before.

...

Two hours later, Wang Ping received a message from Zhi Xin, who communicated with him via a jade slip.

Upon receiving this news, Wang Ping smiled and commented to Yu Lian, "It seems that the Dragon Lord is using Wu Nian to restrain me, but he also wants to use me to strike at Wu Nian and prevent him from seizing the final victory. As for this news about Wu Nian..."

He laughed happily as he said this.

After a long while, he stopped smiling, and then took Yu Lian and traveled through time and space to appear in the starry sky where the fortress's magical artifact was located.

The fortress artifact floated silently in the center of a star field. Its surface was covered with a layer of constantly flowing wood texture, which was woven from countless fine rune veins and exuded a rich wood spirit vitality.

Furthermore, in the vast starry sky surrounding the fortress's magical artifacts, countless complex magic arrays composed of pure wood spirit energy spread out layer upon layer. They resembled star rings surrounding a star, or vine barriers protecting a nest, interconnected by their energy, forming an immense three-dimensional defense and attack network.

As Wang Ping regained his footing, the Wood Spirit World hidden in the starry sky silently unfolded. Behind him, the enormous Jianmu phantom grew rapidly. Compared to the entire Wood Spirit World, the fortress artifact was as small as a fruit on the branch of the Jianmu phantom, further concealing the aura of the fortress artifact.

“I sensed some unusual activity in your consciousness. It seems that your long period of cultivation has made you restless and tempted.”

As Xinghai's voice rang out, a solid figure appeared beside Wang Ping. This figure possessed the reserved nature characteristic of people from the south of Zhongzhou, wearing the same blue wide-sleeved Taoist robe as Wang Ping, with long black hair tied up with a jade crown.

Wang Ping met Xinghai's gaze and said, "That's human nature. Now that I hold supreme power, it's inevitable that I have some thoughts, but I can control them."

Xinghai looked thoughtful. After more than ten breaths, he stretched out his hand and gently pointed in front of him. An energy array unfolded continuously, and endless energy gathered in the array. Then, a surging energy surge swept across the Wood Spirit World.

"Human nature inherently contains the desire to devour and destroy everything, just like a newborn baby whose first task after birth is to fill its stomach, just like a cultivator devouring energy."

Wang Ping did not continue the discussion. He could not understand what Xinghai's perception was as an energy consciousness, so he could not understand the tactile sensation of the real universe when he felt it.

He had studied the consciousness of artifact spirits before, but could not draw any conclusions because he could not imagine pure consciousness. It was like the desireless state of gods in myths, but once this desireless state was tainted by the mortal world, only heaven knew what would happen.

Fortunately, Xinghai is currently in a relatively good condition.

"You've come here because your argument with the Dragon Lord has reached its final moment, haven't you?"

Xinghai got down to business.

Wang Ping nodded.

Xinghai looked at Wang Ping and said, "Actually, with our current methods, we could break off the relationship immediately, but you have too many things on your mind."

After a long silence, Wang Ping reached out and gently stroked Yu Lian's head, saying, "That's right, but there are some things that must be insisted on, otherwise once there is one, there will be two, and once there is two, there will be three."

Xinghai remained silent for a few moments before saying, "Doesn't Taoism emphasize the freedom of thought and doing as one pleases?"

Wang Ping looked at Xinghai and said, "Senior, with your current level of human cultivation, you shouldn't be asking this question. What are you worried about?"

Upon hearing this, Xinghai's composed expression flickered slightly. He looked down at his solid hands, as if observing something new and interesting.

"Worry?"

He repeated the word, his tone tinged with inquiry, “Perhaps so. Human nature is complex and difficult to understand. Although I sense its existence, it’s like watching a fire from across the river—I know its form, but I can’t feel its warmth.”

“Senior, the Taoist saying ‘follow your heart’ does not mean acting recklessly.” Wang Ping spoke slowly, his voice calm. “The premise is not to overstep the bounds. These ‘boundaries’ can be the great principles of heaven and earth, or the principles you set for yourself. Clear thinking also needs to be based on ‘understanding your mind and seeing your true nature.’ If your mind is blinded by desires and your nature is tainted by external things, then the so-called ‘follow your heart’ is just an excuse for indulgence.”

He paused, then continued, "My persistence is my 'rule,' not a constraint, but an anchor point, ensuring that I will not lose my way and will not become the kind of person I once despised."

"With this anchor point, 'one' will not easily slide into 'two', and 'two' will hardly evolve into 'three'."

Yu Lian nodded gently on Wang Ping's shoulder in agreement.

Xinghai fell into deep thought, and the energy flowing around him seemed to slow down along with his thoughts. He seemed to be digesting Wang Ping's words and sorting out his complex and newly formed emotions.

After a long while, he gently exhaled.

Xinghai said, "Anchor point, yes, I need an anchor point, otherwise, the combination of this infinite energy and nascent humanity may really cause an uncontrollable disaster. Your persistence may also be a reference for me."

He looked at Wang Ping: "Since that's the case, then we'll proceed according to your 'rules'."

This was the first time Xinghai explicitly expressed his need for "restraint," which marked the beginning of his genuine human consciousness.

Wang Ping didn't offer any further opinions, as saying too much at this point would be counterproductive. He simply reminded him, "I have constructed a 'Heaven-Stealing Talisman' array within this magical artifact, which can help stabilize your consciousness at any time."

Xinghai didn't say anything more. He cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Wang Ping, and then his figure disappeared.

Yu Lian communicated with Wang Ping in her spiritual sea: "His current consciousness is more like that of a person. I see that his causal relationship with you is positive."

Wang Ping stood there for a long time, deducing the situation, before his gaze pierced through endless time and space.

The next moment, everything here was concealed within the wood spirit energy, and then the entire wood spirit world silently traversed the starry sky, appearing in the starry sky near the front line. (End of this chapter)