I proved immortality through the imperial examination.

Chapter 216 The Grand Gathering of the Lords of Wenxu (Silver Sprout 8)
Xue Xiang was deeply concerned about the state of the nation when he suddenly heard footsteps and guessed that someone was coming.

He had intended to enter the Wenxu Blessed Land in a flash of inspiration.

On second thought, I realized there were still benefits to be gained, so I couldn't just leave like this.

Before long, Ni Quanwen and Wei Fan arrived. After inquiring about his physical condition, they asked him whether he had successfully received the golden cultural flower.

After all, Xue Xiang had made a huge commotion back then. The golden flower of his spiritual veins would sometimes enter his brow and sometimes leave it, creating a confusing and unpredictable situation.

If it were just a normal process of viewing the stele, that would be fine. However, before contemplating the Wendao Stele, an angel from the central government delivered a decree.

Those who contemplate the Wendao Stele and win the championship will receive a special reward.

The winner will be promoted one rank, and the leader of the winner's faction will also be rewarded for their merits.

Soon, Xue Xiang gave an affirmative answer, and Ni Quanwen and Wei Fan were both extremely excited.

After waiting for a day, someone from the central government came to verify. Upon seeing the golden flower buds in the Wenqi Treasure Tree, everyone was shocked, and Xue Xiang's victory was a foregone conclusion.

The process of recognizing merits and promoting officials has begun.

After contemplating the Wendao Stele, Xue Xiang immediately asked Wei Fan for leave. Wei Fan encouraged him with a few words and then saw him off.

Xue Xiang returned to Yunmeng City and stayed at home.

The four lines of Hengqu that caused a sensation at Canglan Academy have become the four lines of Xue in this world.

As Xue Xiang traveled, all he heard were these four lines, and he even heard the comments that scholars admired all day long.

Who would have thought that what stood in the way of his literary career was the phrase "serve the people"?

After returning to Yunmeng, Xue Xiang spent time with his family and also used the Yingtian Stone to hone his strength.

However, the Yingtian Stone was too terrifying, so every time Xue Xiang needed to hone his strength, he had to go to a very distant wilderness to avoid being too shocking.

That day, after he finished making dumplings with his mother at home, the Xue family sent a procession to welcome Xue's father's remains back to the family for burial.

Mother Xue burst into tears again, overwhelmed with emotion.

The Xue family made thorough preparations, and Xue Xiang's side was almost entirely just accompanying them throughout the entire process, including the exhumation, the sacrifices, and the offerings...

The various procedures took several days to complete.

Xue Xiang then led his family on a arduous journey to Jiangzuo, where he personally witnessed his father's remains being buried in the clan mausoleum.

The Xue family seemed to still want to distance themselves from Xue Xiang, and only sent an old steward to assist them throughout the process.

Xue Xiang originally wanted to meet Xue Antai, but the old steward didn't know of such a person at all, so Xue Xiang had no choice but to give up.

When I returned from Jiangzuo, winter had already arrived.

That day, after Xue Xiang finished making dumplings with his mother, he slipped into the Wenxu Blessed Land and saw the Wenxu Platform flicker.

He slapped his forehead, realizing there was something important he hadn't done yet.

…………

As dawn breaks and the sky begins to lighten, the first light of day appears.

Outside the Wenxu Cave, spiritual mist swirls and the pines rustle in the breeze.

The auras of two late-stage Core Formation cultivators confronted each other in front of the mountain, their spiritual pressure surging like a tide, startling the birds into scattering.

The man on the left is named Li Cangyun, dressed in a green robe concealing his armor. He is the sect leader of Lingxiao Sect and has a fiery temper.

On the right is Gu Changyan, dressed in plain clothes with his hair tied up. He is the headmaster of Nanyue Academy, with a refined and scholarly demeanor, yet he is equally unyielding.

The two argued until their faces turned red.

Li Cangyun pointed at Gu Changyan and said coldly, "Your Nanyue Academy is too unruly. The agreement was that one person should bring one person, but you brought two people. How unreasonable!"

Gu Changyan flicked his sleeve, causing his robes to billow, and replied calmly, "I brought my disciples to this blessed land to listen to lectures out of a desire for learning, not out of a desire for profit."

Moreover, this is the blessed land of literature and learning, the domain of the Lord of Mingde Dongxuan. Your clamor clearly reveals your narrow-mindedness; you are unlikely to tolerate the moral and literary virtues of the world.”

Li Cangyun was so angry that his beard trembled. "What a fine 'respect for learning'! Your two disciples clearly have different paths: one cultivates martial arts and the other formations. Neither of them is involved in literature. What are they listening to? You're clearly just looking for opportunities!"

Gu Changyan snorted, "A blessed land is meant to be inclusive, so why are you being so stingy if you're not ashamed of others?"

The two were on the verge of exchanging blows, their auras intertwined, and sand and gravel swirled in the air.

Those around them dared not step forward to offer advice, and only watched from afar, fearing that they might be drawn into the wrath of these two late-stage Core Formation cultivators.

Xue Xiang's consciousness slowly emerged within the Wenxu Platform. Upon seeing this scene, he couldn't help but sigh softly.

Today marks the commencement of lectures at the Mingde Dongxuan Wenxu Blessed Land.

This matter was decided six months ago, but it has been repeatedly postponed.

After the great war in the Wen Yuan Sea, he suppressed the demon realm as the "Lord of Mingde Dongxuan", and his fame shook the world. He is now regarded as a newly promoted sage.

Those who study literature all wish to hear him give a lecture.

Even this time, the scheduled speaker was Murong Yu.

But it still generated a lot of buzz.

The location of the Mingde Cave Mysterious Literary Ruins Blessed Land gradually spread.

Although there was a powerful array protecting and sealing off the outside, those qualified to enter, such as Ni Quanwen, were also regarded as those who had the opportunity, and recently they had been overwhelmed by all sorts of requests.

Human relationships are as numerous as the tide, and various sects, through their disciples, old acquaintances, chambers of commerce, and academies, act as intermediaries, introducing and recommending each other at every level.

What used to be a gathering of only a few dozen people in front of Wenxu Blessed Land has now become a gathering of hundreds.

Xue Xiang observed through the Wenxu Terrace and was surprised to find that even Wei Fan had two strangers gathered around him. He guessed that the two were probably people Wei Fan had brought in through connections.

Looking at the bustling figures outside the cave, Xue Xiang could only smile bitterly, "It seems that the tranquility of this blessed land is about to be disturbed for a while."

A mountain breeze blows gently, and the morning light shines on the green meadow in front of the cave.

The green platform was also built later; otherwise, relying on spiritual power to maintain its suspended state all day would certainly not be a pleasant thing.

The two powerful cultivators, both at the late stage of Core Formation, were arguing fiercely, their voices echoing through the forest and mountains, their spiritual energy intertwining, almost turning into a full-blown battle.

Suddenly, a clear bell rang out in the void, and all was silent.

On the Wenxu Platform, a figure in a green robe slowly appeared, his face veiled by literary aura, his light swirling, exuding an aura of solemnity. It was none other than Xue Xiang, the seasoned show-off.

Upon seeing this, everyone bowed their heads and greeted the Lord of Mingde Dongxuan in unison: "Greetings, Lord of Mingde Dongxuan!"

Xue Xiang stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze indifferent, his clothes fluttering even without wind.

That aura, imposing without anger, was as if an ancient sage had returned.

He glanced at the two Core Formation cultivators arguing and spoke calmly:
"You are all leaders of renowned sects, yet you are arguing about who is more or less in front of the gate of this blessed land."

Heaven's way is neither abundant nor scarce, and blessings are neither sequential nor premature.

If a flower laments the heavy dew, or a stone sighs at its lowly position, is that the heart of a cultivator of immortality?

Everyone held their breath; even the air seemed to freeze.

He spoke slowly, as if reciting a poem:

Those who have gained something need not flaunt it; those who lack something need not lament their lack.

Mountains do not refuse stones, thus they become high; seas do not reject water, thus they show their depth.

Those who have come here today are all destined to meet; let not a single thought of contention cause you to lose your true self.

A few profound words, shrouded in mist, reveal no mystery, yet possess a powerful and awe-inspiring presence.

Li Cangyun and Gu Changyan looked at each other, feeling ashamed, and hurriedly bowed and apologized.

Xue Xiang nodded slightly, spread his sleeves, and said, "Alright, sit down and listen to the lecture."

He paused briefly, then added, "Today's lecture will be given by Fellow Daoist Murong Yu. Regardless of their cultivation level, they should all be treated with the respect due to a teacher."

After saying that, he turned around first and bowed deeply to the handsome young man beside him.

Everyone was in an uproar.

The dignified Master of Mingde Dongxuan actually performed the teacher's ceremony to a young junior.

Murong Yu was startled and turned pale. He waved his hands repeatedly and hurriedly returned the greeting, his handsome face turning bright red.

Everyone had no choice but to follow suit and bow.

Murong Yu took a deep breath, strode up the high platform, took out a scroll of ancient text with gold patterns, and said in a slightly nervous but clear and pleasant voice, “Fellow practitioners, I am going to give a lecture today on the study of ancient patterns.”

This ancient pattern was also a generous gift from the venerable Elder Mingde Dongxuan. After studying it for many days, I have come up with a humble opinion, which I will share to amuse everyone.

So-called ancient patterns originate from innate principles of divination. Each pattern is a trace of the flow of heaven and earth.

It can be seen that its levels are fourfold: 'following, reversing, concealing, and integrating'.

Those who follow the trend act in accordance with the circumstances; those who go against it break the rules…

As he spoke, his fingertips flew across the screen, and an ancient rune shone in the air, its silver light flowing and its patterns forming a miniature rune array.

With a soft "hum", the talisman array started operating on its own, and spiritual energy emanated from it, eventually condensing into a white lotus that floated in the air.

There was an uproar.

All the cultivators praised in unison.

Someone whispered, "At such a young age, he can already create arrays with patterns; it's truly miraculous."

"Yes, this trip was worthwhile."

After Murong Yu finished speaking, she hurriedly withdrew, her face still flushed, and dared not say another word.

Xue Xiang clapped his hands lightly and said with a smile, "Listening to your lecture today is worse than reading ancient books for ten years. Since everyone is so interested in the way of ancient runes, how about we hold a forum on ancient runes?"

He has many antique patterns in his pocket. If he were to study them on his own, he doesn't know how much effort it would take. This lecture on antique patterns is a good opportunity to brainstorm together.

Everyone cheered loudly.

Ancient patterns inherently contain profound truths, making them an excellent aid in studying the will of Heaven and comprehending the Way of Heaven.

Xue Xiangken revealed the ancient patterns to everyone, and everyone was deeply grateful.

Xue Xiang said loudly, "I will distribute the ancient patterns later. Whoever studies them thoroughly first can go on stage to explain them."

The number of times one performs on stage in the future will serve as evidence of one's contributions.

Following this order, we will select the most capable individuals to form a 'Platform Management Committee' to discuss and decide on various matters.

Upon hearing this, the square fell silent.

Everyone understood—

This is not just about lecturing; it's a path to power.

Whoever takes the stage the most times and has the highest reputation will be the one below the Lord of Mingde Dongxuan, and will have the opportunity to lead the lecture hall of the blessed land.

The elderly people were excited and eager to try their best.

The newlyweds, having not witnessed the divine powers of the Lord of Bright Virtue and Profound Mystery, inevitably murmured among themselves.

Xue Xiang sensed what everyone was thinking and simply smiled and said, "I am old and have no special abilities. I am sorry to disappoint you all who came here because of my reputation."

This is a place for academic research; personal relationships and social status are not considered.

If you're only here to build connections and make connections, please leave. Don't bother coming back next time.

Upon hearing this, some people looked embarrassed, while others' eyes lit up.

Suddenly, a cultivator in blue robes knelt down and exclaimed excitedly, "I admire sages and virtuous men, and I wish to follow the Master of Mingde Dongxuan to study and seek the Dao. I am willing to become his disciple!"

Before he could finish speaking, someone nearby immediately shouted coldly, "Insolence!"
Do you even deserve to be accepted as a disciple by the Master of Mingde Dongxuan?

If Mingde Dongxuan were truly accepting students, would it even be your turn?

For a moment, the crowd reacted with anger, sneer, or whispers.

Seeing that an argument was about to break out, Xue Xiang waved his hand to stop it, "Since you've come, it's fate. Consider today's event as an introductory meeting. However, you shouldn't bring just anyone here in the future."

"Young friends Ni Quanwen, Wei Fan, and Murong Yu, you will temporarily serve as the heads of the committee and be in charge of access control."

He paused, then said, "It's not that I'm being overly protective of my old tools, but rather that with so many people talking at once, it's impossible to discuss profound truths."

The place for learning the Way values ​​tranquility and contemplation; if it degenerates into a marketplace, even true knowledge will be drowned out by the noise and clamor.

The crowd looked at each other, then nodded in agreement.

Seeing that the time was right, Xue Xiang waved his sleeve and said, "Since we are all gathered here as fellow practitioners, we should observe the proper etiquette for a literary gathering. All of you newcomers, please leave a name card and attach your cultivation insights. I will read them in my spare time."

The newly initiated cultivators took out their name cards, wrote down their real names and insights, and respectfully presented them.

Some were humble in their wording, some were elegant and refined, and some even subtly hinted at showing off.

Xue Xiang didn't show a smile, but he had already memorized the names of these people in his mind.

Before long, everyone left, and the area outside the cave returned to silence.

Morning light streamed through the cracks in the rocks, casting wisps of dust on the surface.

At this moment, Murong Yu returned, his eyes brimming with barely suppressed excitement.

He bowed deeply to Xue Xiang, his voice still carrying the passion of a young man: "Today, stepping onto the stage is the first time in my life that I have ever felt such a sense of accomplishment."

"Thank you so much for your guidance, senior. Without your nomination, I fear I would never have had this opportunity in my life."

Xue Xiang smiled and gestured with his hand, saying, "Young friend, you are too modest. When it comes to preaching, age is not important, but rather one's will and understanding."

If your mind is calm, reason will naturally prevail, and you will surpass many seasoned elders.

Murong Yu blushed and thanked him repeatedly.

Xue Xiang was about to dismiss Murong Yu when he heard Murong Yu say, "There is something I don't know if I should say." Xue Xiang smiled and said, "Between you and me, we are not outsiders, so speak."

Murong Yu gritted his teeth, his eyes gleaming: "The time for the Lord of Wenxu's battle is approaching."

Xue Xiang was taken aback. "So soon, it's our turn again?"

He inwardly cursed his bad luck.

It turns out that he obtained this blessed land of literature and art.

Its main functions are twofold: first, it serves as a teleportation device; second, within the Wenxu Blessed Land, there is a Wenxu Platform that produces a fixed five Wenxu Pearls each year.

Consuming this Wenxu Pearl grants the Wenxu Platform the ability to break through realms.

Xue Xiang's cultivation level improved by leaps and bounds, and Wenxutai played a crucial role in this.

There are a total of 108 Wenxu Blessed Lands, not counting those that have been destroyed, but many of them have been recognized by the Lord.

These Wenxu masters participate in a ranking battle among themselves every year.

When Xue Xiang found the Wenxu Blessed Land, the Mingde Dongxuan Wenxu Blessed Land was about to be destroyed, so he naturally became the master of the last-ranked Wenxu Blessed Land.

Through deception, Murong Yu voluntarily lost and let him win once.

Including the five beads that Murong Yu lost to him, as well as the five beads produced by Wenxu Blessed Land itself, Xue Xiang was able to rapidly advance his cultivation level by activating the Breakthrough Platform with these Wenxu Beads.

Currently, there are only three Wenxu Pearls left in Hewenxu Terrace, and it will be some time before Wenxu Pearls are produced again.

In other words, the number of Wenxu Pearls he currently possesses has fallen below the safety threshold.

If he loses to his superior Murong Yu in the battle, he will be unable to pay for the Wenxu Pearl, and the Mingde Dongxuan Wenxu Blessed Land will fall into oblivion.

This is something Xue Xiang absolutely cannot allow to happen.

However, when Murong Yu lost to him before, he promised to find a way to lose to Murong Yu this time so that Murong Yu could break even.

After all, Murong Yu was second to last, so he had to fight not only the last-ranked Murong Yu, but also the third-to-last ranked Murong Yu, putting him under immense pressure.

At this moment, when Murong Yu brought up the fight, Xue Xiang's embarrassment lay in the fact that he couldn't keep his promise and simply couldn't afford to lose.

"Senior's skills are unparalleled and his cultivation is as high as the heavens. Junior must not take advantage of senior and let senior lose to junior."

Murong Yu cupped his hands and said, "But I really don't have many Wenxu Pearls left in my pocket. If I lose them to my master, the Lord of Moral Purity, my Wenxu Blessed Land will be in danger of collapsing."

After much thought, the younger generation came up with a solution that satisfies both sides: the younger generation should admit defeat to the senior and automatically fall to last place.

At that time, the junior will only lose to the senior, without having to participate twice. Under the senior's protection, he can still barely survive.

Xue Xiang's eyes lit up; this might not be a bad idea.

Murong Yu lost to himself, and to the Lord of Moral Purity. He was essentially a middleman who didn't profit from the difference, and could just quietly enjoy the five Wenxu Pearls produced by Wenxu Blessed Land each year.

Xue Xiang feigned hesitation, "It seems that this is the only way. But I am old and frail. Even if I can shelter you from the wind and rain, I don't know how long I can protect you."

By the way, is the method for changing the rankings complicated?

Murong Yu was overjoyed and bowed deeply. "Thank you, senior. The method of replacement is not complicated. As long as I completely admit defeat, I will automatically be demoted to your level."

Within the next three years, the Wenxu Battle Arena will automatically declare me the loser.

However, as a junior, I am truly ashamed to face a virtuous and aloof master like you.

I have dealt with the Lord of Moral Purity and Emptiness; he is aloof and difficult to talk to, senior. Please be careful.

Xue Xiang waved his hand, "Although I am past the age of fighting and competing, if he is easy to talk to and reasonable, everything is negotiable."

If he tries to win by force, this old man will not allow it.

Murong Yu agreed and then took his leave.

Two hours later, Xue Xiang received Murong Yu's letter of surrender from Wenxu Terrace, in which he stated that he requested to be demoted.

After Xue Xiang signed his name, Wenxu Platform shimmered with golden light.

His ranking jumped above Murong Yu's, becoming second to last.

At the same time, he also received the five Wenxu Pearls that Murong Yu had given him.

Just then, the Lord of Moral Purity and Emptiness sent over a challenge, agreeing to sign it three days later.

He seemed confident, but in reality, he had already planned ahead. He would use a couple of verbal sparring moves during the battle, then concede defeat, give up the five Wenxu Pearls, and get through this ordeal first.

Little did he know, the moment he signed the agreement to fight, the Lord of Moral Purity and Emptiness was in an uproar.

He sent the document to the second to last person, but in the mind of the Lord of Moral Purity, the one who signed the treaty was the Lord of Fortune and Profound Yellow.

Now, it has been replaced by the Lord of Mingde Dongxuan, which makes him quite puzzled.

Suddenly, the Wenxu Terrace of the Moral Pure Land received many messages, all from the lords of various blessed lands, requesting to watch the battle.

The Lord of Moral Purity is baffling; what's so interesting about a battle?

His ranking dropped simply because he was in a coma and hadn't participated in matches for years.

He was confident that, based on his true abilities, he would never fall to the bottom of the rankings.

He originally intended to refuse these onlookers, but unexpectedly, someone was willing to offer cultivation resources in exchange for the right to watch the battle.

The Lord of Moral Purity grew increasingly curious, but adhering to the principle that resources delivered to one's doorstep should not be pushed out, he agreed to the request to watch the battle.

Time flew by, and the day of battle arrived. Xue Xiang declined Murong Yu's request to watch the battle through the Wenxu Terrace.

He had already made up his mind to concede defeat after a few words.

There's no need to ask someone to witness these low-profile moments, especially not your loyal fans.

As soon as the challenge was announced at Wenxu Terrace, Xue Xiang immediately responded.

The Wenxu Platform emitted a burst of clear light, enveloping him. In an instant, he entered the Wenxu Battle Platform space.

The fog was thick and the sky and earth seemed to stretch endlessly.

The Wenxu Battle Platform hangs alone in the depths of the void, shaped like a floating island, surrounded by an impenetrable gray-white spiritual mist.

Flashes of light emerged from the mist, illuminating a wide platform, roughly a hundred feet in diameter.

The platform was cast from a single piece of dark blue stone, covered with dense array patterns that intertwined into a spiderweb of light veins. Golden runes flowed within these veins, rising and falling as if they were alive.

There was no wind, yet the sound of bells could be heard coming from afar.

A beam of light descended, and Xue Xiang, dressed in a black cloak, slowly materialized from the air and gently landed in the center of the battle platform.

His cloak hood hung low, obscuring half his face, and his steps were steady.

A gentle breeze brushed the edge of the cloak, causing the hem of the robe to tremble slightly, the aura so restrained that it was almost imperceptible.

When Xue Xiang arrived, there were seven or eight people standing opposite him.

He had thought that today was a contest between himself and the Lord of Moral Purity and Emptiness behind closed doors, and planned to first bluff verbally, and then admit defeat when the opportunity arose.

That way, one can save face as much as possible.

But the Lord of Moral Purity and Emptiness brought so many people that he could hardly even kneel properly.

He had heard Murong Yu say that only the Lord of Wenxu could come to the Wenxu Battle Platform.

This means that all those present were undoubtedly the rulers of the various factions' cultural ruins.

Xue Xiang secretly groaned and began to sized up the troops opposite him.

At the very front was an old man with a snow-white beard, dressed in a black feather robe with golden Dao patterns embroidered on the cuffs. Behind him, a halo appeared, layer upon layer, up to nine layers in total. Each layer was imprinted with images of mountains, rivers, the sun, the moon, and stars, exuding a powerful aura that caused the surrounding spiritual energy to churn.

Beside him stood a woman in black armor, her nails like mirrors reflecting the mist. Her face was stern, with barely visible vertical lines between her brows, and the flames rising around her resembled burning oil or floating moonlight.

To the left, a man in a green robe carried a long sword on his back. He had the face of a young man, but his eyes reflected the silver light of the sword.

To the right, a high-ranking monk stood further away, draped in a tattered robe, a bronze bell hanging from his chest. The bell rang without moving, its sound resonating far and wide. Between his brows was a dark golden halo, seemingly light yet not quite, its aura as thick and profound as that of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

Second from the right, a tall, burly barbarian man, bare-chested, with skin of bronze and bones of iron, has a giant axe hanging behind him. With each breath, the mist is torn into vortexes, and the lapis lazuli patterns on his chest pulsate faintly.

The person in the center is dressed in animal skin, with snakes wrapped around his shoulders. He has a strange smile and holds a brass mirror in his hand, which reflects an illusory image.

They stood in a line, their auras rising and falling like a mountain array, pressing down on the array patterns along the edge of the battle platform, causing them to flicker incessantly.

Xue Xiang stood at that end, his black robe still and windless, making him appear exceptionally lonely.

Xue Xiang looked everyone up and down, and everyone else looked him up and down as well.

To everyone's surprise, the Lord of Mingde Cave, who was standing opposite them, seemed to be only at the Foundation Establishment stage.

How can this be?

Everyone looked at each other in disbelief, thinking to themselves, "Terrifying."

At their level, it would be strange if you couldn't see through someone; but it would be terrifying if you could see that they were "just ordinary".

Because anything that can be concealed as "ordinary" is actually "extremely extraordinary".

Moreover, the person in front of them was so famous that even those of them scattered across the world had heard of him.

I applied to watch the match because I wanted to catch a glimpse of the renowned Lord of Mingde Dongxuan.

Time passed slowly, and Xue Xiang secretly groaned. He couldn't admit defeat, so he had no choice but to fight on.

Without the support of literary energy, how could he possibly be a match for these old monsters? He was certain that the weakest among them was probably at the late Nascent Soul stage.

Unless he risks consuming the morning and evening dews, manifesting his demonic form, he might have a fighting chance with his berserk demonic body.

But if that's the case, it's the worst possible solution.

As Xue Xiang was pondering a way to break the deadlock, he suddenly saw everyone cupping their hands in unison, saying, "Greetings to the Master of Mingde Cave. Fellow Daoist's name commands respect throughout the world. How fortunate we are to meet you today!"

"Uh."

Xue Xiang was stunned. He was about to surrender when the situation suddenly changed.

He pondered the phrase "overwhelming the world" and immediately realized what it meant.

Most likely, it was the story of Wen Yuan's chaos in the sea, his suppression of the human and demon races, and his obliteration of the sword intent of the Benevolent Sword that spread, which helped him build a certain image.

"In that case, I would be disrespectful."

Xue Xiang was secretly delighted and quickly got into character to begin his performance.

He then cupped his hands and said, “Gentlemen, there’s no need for you to be so polite. I’m old and frail. If it weren’t for the younger generation I have to take care of, I wouldn’t need to prolong my life.”

"Which one of you is the Daoist of Moral Purity and Illusion? It's getting late, let's have a drink together."

An old man with a snow-white beard stepped forward, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said in a loud voice: "I am the Lord of Moral Purity and Emptiness. However, I have come here not for fighting, but only to make friends."

Fellow Daoist Mingde Dongxuan's power overwhelms both the human and demon races, and his "Ode to Righteousness" shakes the world. Such integrity and talent are beyond my reach.

In this battle, I concede defeat.

This morally pure and virtuous ruler was known for his arrogance. He created the "Qingxu Jing" (Classic of Purity and Emptiness) and aspired to "control Heaven with reason." He almost never bowed his head to anyone.

Now they've actually conceded defeat at the very beginning.

If Murong Yu were here, he would probably be so shocked that his jaw would drop.

He had been suppressed by the Lord of Moral Purity for many years, and had never seen this old monster show even a hint of humility? Not to mention the word "admit defeat," he probably wouldn't even dream of it.

It turned out that after receiving the request from the Lord of the Ruins of Literature to watch the battle, the Lord of Moral Purity first accepted the benefits offered by everyone.

Afterwards, a doubt arose in his mind, so he left seclusion and sent his disciples to inquire about the whereabouts of the Lord of Mingde Cave.

It wouldn't have mattered if we hadn't inquired, but what we found completely shocked the righteous and pure-hearted ruler.

After reviewing the resume of the Master of Mingde Dongxuan and seeing the "Ode to Righteousness," his fighting spirit was completely extinguished.

He came here today only to socialize, not to fight.

Meanwhile, Xue Xiang was secretly pleased that the Lord of Moral Purity had voluntarily conceded defeat, but he did not show it at all. He cupped his hands and said, "Fellow Daoist is so modest, this old man will accept it."

He raised his eyes and swept them over the crowd, knowing that he needed to reveal some substance to the audience, otherwise his persona would be hard to maintain.

Then he said, “You have all come here not to watch the competition, but to ask me something. If I’m not mistaken…”

What you all want to discuss is nothing more than that inner unease, that bewilderment deep within your soul, and that alienation from your own identity.

Upon hearing this, the entire Wenxu Battle Platform fell completely silent.

The wind stopped, and the fog seemed to stop flowing as well.

These powerful figures, who dominated the world, all looked at each other in bewilderment.

The woman in black armor trembled slightly between her brows, the swordsman in green robes tightened his fingers gently, and Venerable Jilun paused for a moment with his hands clasped together.

Every Lord of Wenxu was deeply moved by Xue Xiang's words.

Xue Xiang's gaze remained calm as he continued, "As the masters of Wenxu, you reside in a blessed land and enjoy great renown. To say that you are uneasy would seem absurd."

But I know your suffering; the feeling of having control of your bodies taken away at any moment is truly unbearable.

After a long while, the barbarian giant let out a rough groan: "Lately, I've been having nightmares, dreaming that someone is calling me. The call seems to be my own heart, yet it is not my heart, and it bothers me every day."

His words made the others' expressions even more solemn.

The woman in black armor said in a low voice, "After I reached the Nascent Soul stage, whenever I practiced my cultivation, I would feel my spiritual energy becoming restless. Sometimes it would even separate on its own, as if someone was whispering in my mind."

The swordsman in the green robe closed his eyes and said softly, "The voice seemed to ask me if I was willing to continue the light of the Holy Wish. I did not answer, and it dissipated."

Venerable Jilun sighed, "So I'm not the only one."

The crowd looked bewildered, some surprised, some fearful.

(End of this chapter)