There is a progress bar in my cultivation of immortality

Dongzhou.

On the vast land of the Central Plains, golden wheat waves sway with the wind, and the battlefields where swords were once fought have now turned into thousands of acres of fertile fields. The war for unification here began with the dissolution of the "First Religion". The He Kingdom and the Western Alliance, which were originally a chaotic war among the princes, finally formed the current Xia Kingdom after three generations of fighting.

The newly born Xia Kingdom showed amazing vitality. The bells of the Southern Alliance caravans rang all day long on the northward trade route, loaded with all kinds of rare treasures. At the same time, the Xia Kingdom had frequent exchanges with the Eastern Alliance on the east coast, and the fleet on the west coast set sail and established a stable trade route with the monks of Linshui Prefecture.

The political structure of this emerging country was exquisite. Those who ruled the government were descendants of the original Xia Dynasty in Zhongzhou. Among them were branches of the royal family who migrated south from the northern grasslands, and remnants of the Xia clan who had lived and multiplied in the south for thousands of years. Back then, the Xia clan in the south was almost destroyed by the divine fire of Lord Lieyang, and now these surviving bloodlines have finally regained power.

In the court, two political forces maintained a delicate balance: the Northern faction valued military exploits and advocated the expansion of territory, while the Southern faction advocated civil governance and focused on people's livelihood and economy.

This balance allowed the Xia Kingdom to maintain its enterprising spirit while developing steadily. What's more wonderful is that the entire country was shrouded in a strict religious system. The court worshipped various True Lords, with Changqing True Lord being the most respected. Thousands of temples were spread across cities and towns, and their golden roofs sparkled in the sun.

Even the emperor, who was the supreme ruler of the country, had to lead all civil and military officials to hold a grand incense-burning ceremony in the palace on the second day of every month. Amidst the purple smoke, the emperor would first call himself "a disciple of the True Lords" before offering sacrifices to heaven and earth as the Son of Heaven.

But what’s interesting is that the royal family never practiced divine arts and completely handed over the control of domestic monks to the Imperial Observatory.

All of this was done by Xia Wenyi, a former descendant of the royal family who now runs the Imperial Observatory under the name of "Yu Dao Ren". He built the office on the highest Tianzhu Peak in the north. Surrounded by white clouds, Taoist temples are built on the mountainside, where young practitioners study classics and practice magic.

In the country constructed by Xia Wenyi, the government is completely autonomous, but major decisions must first be made with the advice of the gods. The people can engage in business and farming freely, but their spiritual world is unified in Taoism; practitioners possess great power, but must abide by strict rules and regulations.

He believed that under this system, the country would neither repeat the mistakes of the Xia Dynasty nor fail to develop civilization.

Every morning, the sound of a distant bell echoes from the Tianzhu Peak, and then spreads to every inch of the land of Xia State, guiding the practitioners to start their morning lessons, and the people also start their day's work. They believe that under the order established by this "Yu Taoist", Xia State will eventually become the most dazzling pearl in Dongzhou.

Nowadays.

In the early morning light, Xia Wenyi woke up in his simple residence as usual.

Pushing open the carved wooden window, the mountain mist floats like a veil. Yuanyuan is playing in the stream in front of the house, and her cheerful laughter echoes in the mountains, which makes Xia Wenyi's stern face soften a little.

He no longer had the edge he had when he first entered the third realm. Time had polished him to be as smooth as jade, just like the ancient jade he wore around his waist, which was restrained in brilliance but concealed spiritual charm. He also learned to hide his thoughts deep in his heart, like an undercurrent in a mountain stream, calm on the surface but with surging undercurrents.

"Today's weather is rare."

Xia Wenyi looked up at the sky. The early autumn morning light passed through the gaps in the clouds, casting mottled shadows on the mountains. This residence built around the mountains seldom had wind on weekdays, but this morning he saw the old pine trees in the courtyard swaying gently, sending bursts of pine scent. He took a deep breath, and the freshness of the mountain grass and trees permeated his heart.

His courtyard is located on the southern hillside, and a bluestone path winds its way to the mountain spring.

Beside the spring is the medicinal herb field that he has carefully tended. Various spiritual plants stretch their branches and leaves in the morning dew. Whenever his fingertips touch these herbs, he always thinks of the time when he followed Taoist Yucheng to learn his craft when he was young. The kind old Taoist loved to spend the whole day in the medicinal herb field.

The boy had prepared breakfast at the stone table in the courtyard.

A bowl of golden millet porridge and a few plates of wild pickles, so simple that it didn't seem like the meal of a local lord. In front of Yuan Yuan was a milky fish soup, with a fresh fragrance wafting in the hot steam.

Unlike Yu Lian, she is most greedy for this delicious taste.

After finishing breakfast and just putting down his chopsticks, Xia Wenyi's heart suddenly tightened.

The long-lost palpitations made him frown slightly, and his left hand unconsciously formed the deduction formula.

The comfortable life in the mountains over the years has gradually made him content with the world before his eyes. The new sprouts in the medicinal fields and the reports submitted from the court have become his concerns that he is unwilling to give up.

Yuan Yuan's golden vertical pupils reflected his pensive figure, but she still did not forget to sip the last mouthful of fish soup, which left oil stains all over the corners of her mouth.

Xia Wenyi shook his head and laughed when he saw this. He was about to give up the deduction when he suddenly saw auspicious clouds rolling in from the west and the familiar breath of wood spirits blowing on his face like a spring breeze.

"It's the senior sister who's here."

He quickly straightened his clothes to greet him.

Yuanyuan rose into the clouds, circled around him, and flew towards the sky with him.

When Liu Shuang in the auspicious cloud saw his junior brother coming to greet him, he immediately turned into a stream of light and fell down. In a fluttering green robe, he stood in front of Xia Wenyi.

"Greetings, Senior Sister." Xia Wenyi was very respectful and asked tentatively, "Senior Sister, are you coming to stay again this time? I have always sent someone to take care of your old temple."

Liu Shuang waved her hands, her sleeves bringing up a breeze: "Master has allowed me to set up a new sect, so I don't need to keep that temple anymore." She paused, "I could have used the communication token this time, but since it's Master's order, it's more solemn to convey it in person."

Since Wang Ping entered the fifth realm and went to the starry sky, the master and disciple have seen each other less and less frequently. The warmth of the past has gradually turned into awe. This is not what Wang Ping wants, but it is the result of the general trend.

Xia Wenyi was startled when he heard this, and bowed solemnly to the void: "Master, what instructions do you have?"

Liu Shuang looked at him deeply. Xia Wenyi's fleeting resistance did not escape her eyes. "Master summoned us to the Jupiter Dojo."

"Are we leaving now?" Xia Wenyi's voice was slightly hoarse.

Liu Shuang suppressed her doubts. She never wanted to guess what her fellow disciples were thinking. "We'll set off in three days." She and her junior brother looked at each other. "The decree says that we can just wait in the front hall."

Xia Wenyi looked up at the sky, his eyes penetrating the azure blue sky and reaching the vast starry sky.

The mountain breeze blew across his temples, bringing the fragrance of spiritual plants in the medicinal fields. At this moment, he suddenly realized very clearly that the dynasty he had created with his own hands and those carefully designed systems were about to disappear.

It is difficult to disobey the master's orders, but the attachment in my heart is like the mist in the mountains that cannot be shaken off.

...

outer space.

Wang Ping docked the flying boat in the orbit of the demon star, and the original silence was broken by the spiritual light flowing on the flying boat.

On the upper deck of this star ship built by Tiangong himself, Zhu Wu's fat body was glowing under the starlight, Wang Xian's strong tiger body was very majestic, and Niu Pan's heavy body seemed to be integrated with the deck.

On the other side, no emotion could be seen on Zang Yi's solemn face, and Yue Xi's hair remained motionless in the vacuum.

The five figures were waiting like sculptures, even their breathing was barely audible.

After more than ten breaths.

Ripples appeared in the void, and Wang Ping came in with Yu Lian. When the aura of the wood spirit blew across the deck like a spring breeze, the five great cultivators immediately bowed and said in unison: "Greetings to the True Lord Changqing!"

Wang Ping nodded slightly and returned the greeting with a flick of his sleeves.

After the greetings, he glanced at everyone and spoke calmly about the battle situation on the front line, as if he was just discussing a drizzle in the morning. A quarter of an hour later, he suddenly spoke like a sharp sword: "The rebels are like a ulcer attached to the bone, and it will take time to get rid of them. The monks of various sects have fought hard over the years, and they should be rewarded handsomely."

Without waiting for a response, he continued, "But the rebels are powerful, and our sect is trapped in Zhongzhou. This is not a long-term solution. This reward is intended to train more three-level cultivators who can stand on their own."

Every word he said was as precious as gold and jade, and could not be questioned.

Zang Yi was the first to understand, and said in a deep voice: "It is just as the True Lord said. If it weren't for Fellow Daoist Zhu Wu leading the demon tribe to guard the place, the rebels would have already marched straight in." His words were simple, but contained hidden worry.

Zhu Wuhe smiled softly, revealing his sharp teeth, and said, "The True Lord's eyes are as sharp as torches. Even without our people guarding, how can the rebels escape the might of heaven?"

His eyes swept across the seven main stars that were looming in the starry sky, where the True Lords had laid a net of heaven and earth.

Wang Ping did not comment on this flattery, and continued: "In the future, a large number of Xuanmen and Tianmen monks will take over from the meritorious side sects. Those who are replaced will focus on opening up ecological zones outside the domain." As he spoke, he turned his eyes to the three monsters, "Ecological zones can also be built outside the Monster Star and Daluo Star. This battle may not be over overnight, and we must make long-term preparations."

"We will obey the order!" The five people responded in unison and bent their waists even lower.

"The first batch is tentatively set at 100 people." Wang Ping's tone turned cold. "In addition to the rewards from the Dao Palace, these 100 people are allowed to open up ecological zones. The materials will be temporarily borrowed by the Dao Palace." He paused, a sharp light flashed in his eyes, "Remember, as long as there are talents available, if there are people who are not qualified, there will be an explanation later."

"Also, each ecological zone must unify its time." A jade slip flew out from his sleeve and floated in front of everyone. "The Dao Palace will send personnel to each ecological zone to coordinate this matter."

Although his tone was slow, it was as firm as the laws of nature and could not be disobeyed.

The five people had different expressions, but they all responded respectfully.

Zhu Wu glanced at the jade slip from the corner of his eye, and the words flowing on it made his heart shudder.

"Thank you all."

Wang Ping bowed and saw the guest off.

Zhu Wu, Zang Yi and others tactfully withdrew.

After the five figures disappeared in the starry sky, Wang Ping stood alone at the bow of the boat, and his soul scanned the surroundings. Seeing Yang Rong busy in the distance, his eyes warmed up slightly, and then he took Yu Lian back to the wood spirit world constructed in the starry sky.

"Isn't it time to make arrangements for your disciples?" Yu Lian asked, sitting on his shoulders.

Wang Ping sighed: "It's their own opinion. Some things can't be forced."

His calm profile was reflected in the vertical pupils of the rain lotus: "The myriad races in the starry sky were moved by your words, but you can't do anything about your own disciples?"

She was just teasing.

Silence spread across the stars.

After a long while, Wang Ping changed the subject: "Today's practice has not yet begun."

He looked at the twinkling stars in the distance. There was the chess game he had set up himself, but there were also variables he could not control. The power of the True Lord could turn the galaxy upside down, but there were also places where he could not do anything. This was the mystery of the Great Dao.

...

Three days passed in a flash.

Wang Ping woke up from his meditation, and a wisp of consciousness crossed the galaxy and landed at the Jiuxuan Mountain Taoist Temple on Jupiter.

Everything inside and outside the dojo was normal. Various puppets in the mountain stream performed their duties. As his consciousness floated, an incarnation gradually condensed in the mist on the top of the mountain and landed in the dojo on the top of the mountain.

"You go pick them up."

Wang Ping stretched out his left hand and materialized a transfer talisman. His consciousness connected to the starry sky's transfer network and transferred Yu Lian back to the sky above Qianmu Temple.

Half an hour later.

Spatial fluctuations of the transfer formation appeared above Jiuxuan Mountain, and several auras that Wang Ping was most familiar with were transmitted back through his clone.

The next moment, he put his main consciousness into the incarnation, and then raised his head to look up at the sky...

Yu Lian's figure was the first to penetrate the clouds, and five figures appeared one after another in the auspicious clouds behind her. Liu Shuang's green robe fluttered, Shen Xiaozhu's Taoist robe was simple, Xia Wenyi's robe was steady and solemn, Xuan Ling's Taoist robe was spotless, and Hu Qianqian's fox tail drew an elegant arc in the wind.

The five people were all stunned when they set foot on Jupiter.

The spiritual energy that came towards them was so rich that it almost condensed into substance, causing the spiritual veins in their bodies to involuntarily rejoice. This was completely different from the desolate planets they had imagined. After all, in the legends circulating in Zhongzhou, most of the extraterritorial planets were barren and dead places.

However, as their consciousness spread outward, deeper surprise surged in their hearts.

In the endless primeval jungle, there was not a trace of human life, no cities or villages, no roads, only birds and animals flying through the dense forest. The contrast between the extreme vitality and extreme loneliness made it difficult for them to adapt as they were used to the hustle and bustle of Zhongzhou.

Even Hu Qianqian, who was a demon, could not adapt to this kind of environment. Her blue eyes swept across everyone and finally fell on the lonely figure in the courtyard on the top of the mountain. At this moment, she felt the loneliness of her master for the first time.

"The Tao is indeed ruthless." She sighed in her heart.

The other four were already immersed in the aura of the wood spirit.

Yu Lian was watching them from the side without saying anything to remind them. Then she met Hu Qianqian's gaze and spit out her tongue.

After a while.

Xia Wenyi was the first to wake up, his brows slightly furrowed. The foundation of the Dongzhou dynasty was of great importance to him, and the tranquility here made him feel uneasy.

Liu Shuang then opened his eyes, with many concerns flashing in his eyes.

Next is Shen Xiaozhu. She has been cultivating herself over the years and reading Taoist classics every day, which has made her already calm mind even more profound.

The most surprising thing was Xuan Ling, the most talented disciple, who was completely addicted to it and seemed to have glimpsed the end of the wood spirit through the "Tian Tong Fu".

Another ten breaths passed.

The tip of the rain lotus swayed gently, and a clear and refreshing aura awakened Xuan Ling.

"Is your master still waiting?"

Yu Lian's tone was brisk, and her snake tongue spit out lightly, "Only you can make him wait in this starry sky."

After saying that, she turned into a stream of light and returned to the courtyard. She flew around Wang Pingfen, then ran over to tease the calico cat that was staring at the sky and started communicating with it.

Liu Shuang straightened his clothes and led his fellow apprentices down from the auspicious cloud, landing outside the courtyard. He then respectfully walked into the courtyard, clasped his fists and bowed, saying:

"Master!"

Wang Ping's incarnation had a warm expression, and he couldn't help but smile as he saw Liu Shuang appear in front of him. At this moment, the wood spirits on Jiuxuan Mountain seemed to be jubilant, as if welcoming the reunion of master and disciple. (End of this chapter)