Nuwa, the goddess of immortality, said that cultivating immortality does not require spiritual energ

"Perhaps the Goddess Nuwa has already warned you, but I still need to remind you." The Supreme Lord of Morality looked at Qin Le, his tone gentle yet solemn: "The path of immortality is your current limit. Do not attempt to reach the higher levels of the Heavenly Dao—otherwise, you yourself will not be able to bear it."

In his eyes, Qin Le's future was limitless. If he could make steady progress, the Three Realms might gain another Quasi-Saint.

However, if he is too eager for quick success, he may very well... perish because of his own talent.

Qin Le's unparalleled comprehension, unmatched throughout history, could grant him a meteoric rise to immortality, but it also harbors deadly dangers.

The reason why the Celestial Venerable of Morality did not accept him as a disciple was not because he could not think of letting him walk the path of enlightenment, but because he could not control what Qin Le would comprehend—if he directly touched the Heavenly Dao or even the Great Dao, even a sage might not be able to save him in time.

"This junior understands." Qin Le bowed respectfully. "The Goddess Nuwa has repeatedly given these instructions."

Whatever the reasoning, the Moral Celestial's reminder was well-intentioned. Qin Le could feel this expectation and concern.

"That's good." The Celestial Venerable of Morality nodded: "From now on, you should listen to fewer sermons and focus more on practical application, cultivating your mind and character, and developing your skills, so as to avoid... 'going further'."

"I will remember this."

"Okay, let's go back. I should go too."

Before the words were even finished, the figure of the Celestial Venerable of Morality had vanished silently, as if he had never existed. Qin Le stood still for a moment, then turned and returned to his meditation cushion.

The people around him were still immersed in the profound Daoist aura, their expressions dazed. Qin Le had nothing to do, so he simply closed his eyes, concentrated, and began to circulate his internal energy—he couldn't just sit there in a daze.

After an unknown amount of time, people in the temple began to experience fluctuating auras—a sign of breakthrough. This is the greatest benefit of a sage's teachings.

Gradually, some people awoke. The first to awaken were those at the Quasi-Saint level, such as the Jade Emperor; the lower their cultivation level, the later they awoke.

Qin Le pretended to wake up around the same time as the other Golden Immortals to avoid standing out.

As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw a familiar figure standing in front of the student formation—the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden. She seemed to have been waiting there for a long time.

As all the students gradually regained consciousness, many wore expressions of barely suppressed joy—the sudden enlightenment they had just experienced was equivalent to years of arduous study.

Even those who failed to break through felt their realm loosening, and a breakthrough was in sight.

The Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden's gaze swept over the crowd, her voice cold and clear: "You all, follow me."

After saying that, she turned and left without hesitation.

The students dared not ask any questions and silently followed. The group left the dojo with her and boarded a giant flying boat that was suspended in the air.

"You may move about freely here." The Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden stood at the bow of the boat, her gaze falling on the two: "Qin Le, Luo Qiuyue, follow me."

Qin Le and Luo Qiuyue exchanged a glance, then followed the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden into the flying boat. The remaining students looked at each other, somewhat at a loss.

Seeing this, the heavenly soldier laughed and said, "Don't be nervous. Go to the side of the ship and take a look at the scenery of the heavenly realm—such an opportunity is rare."

Everyone relaxed and rushed to the ship's side. The celestial scenery unfolded before them: surging seas of clouds, floating immortal mountains, and soaring spirit birds... Many students were mesmerized by the sight.

Qin Le and Luo Qiuyue followed the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden into a quiet room. Several divine generals were already waiting inside, including Luo Qiuyue's master, Yue Cijing.

"Master." Luo Qiuyue stepped forward and bowed.

Yue Cijing smiled and nodded: "Please sit down."

After the two were seated, the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden spoke: "I wish to impart to you two the art of war; are you willing to accept it?"

"I'm willing!" Luo Qiuyue replied without hesitation.

Having witnessed the profound mysteries of military strategy at the place of inheritance, she became fascinated by it. Unfortunately, due to time constraints, she was unable to comprehend even a fraction of it, a regret she has always held dear.

"I'm willing," Qin Le nodded.

He wasn't particularly interested in military strategy, but if the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden were to teach him in person and he refused... he'd probably get a real-world training session.

The Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden raised her hand, and two golden rays entered the space between their eyebrows.

Luo Qiuyue focused her mind and sensed the power. After a moment, a look of helplessness appeared on her face. The inheritance was not a written technique, but rather, like the place of inheritance, it was a simulation and reenactment of battles.

In other words, she still has to figure it out herself.

After watching one of the battles, Qin Le's expression became somewhat subtle.

"Isn't it more accurate to call this 'humanity' rather than 'the way of war'?"

The Goddess of the Nine Heavens remained unmoved, but the assembled divine generals all looked surprised and turned to gaze at Qin Le. Luo Qiuyue, however, was puzzled.

"Man is soldier, soldier is man; the two are no different," said the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden calmly.

She wasn't surprised that Qin Le saw through the essence of military strategy at a glance—she should have been surprised if he hadn't.

"That's true." Qin Le raised his hand and pointed to a demon general with tiger ears on his head—a burly man: "But on the battlefield, there are not only humans, but also demons."

"Indeed." The Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden nodded: "Therefore, this is the way of war."

"I see..." Qin Le said, understanding dawning on her.

The art of war is not limited to one clan, while the way of humanity is ultimately bound by human nature. A difference of one word, and the scope of the game is already divided.

The Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden said no more and gestured for the two to leave.

Before leaving, Yue Cijing conveyed a message to Luo Qiuyue:

"After you return, consult Qin Le more often. He... has already grasped the essence of military strategy."

Luo Qiuyue nodded slightly and left the quiet room with Qin Le.

In the corridor, Luo Qiuyue looked at Qin Le: "After we get back... could you give me some pointers?"

"Sure," Qin Le readily agreed. "Come find me then."

Guiding others was already a habit for Qin Le. On the contrary, he felt a little uncomfortable during this holiday when no one was there to ask him for help.

The two returned to the deck and saw their classmates gazing at the celestial wonders from the railing. They smiled at each other and joined in.

The airship slowly descended.

Below, a colossal array stretching to the horizon enveloped the land, within which swarms of chaotic beasts surged like a tide. Outside the array, three imposing cities stood guard like iron nails, guarding the key points and serving as the array's entrances and exits.

At each entrance and exit, celestial soldiers stood in formation like a wall, fiercely battling against the endless stream of chaotic beasts.

The sounds of metal clashing, spells roaring, beasts howling, and people howling mingled together, and the aura of blood and fire could be faintly sensed even high in the sky.

Moreover, if someone is injured and unable to fight, someone else will immediately take their place.

The flying boat landed in one of the cities.

As the students stepped into the city, they were instantly enveloped by a chilling atmosphere of menace—every brick and every gaze seemed hardened by years of bloody battles.

The heavenly soldier leading the group surveyed the crowd and spoke in a deep voice:

"Can you feel it? This is the daily life of the celestial realm today—everyone must fight desperately to protect the Three Realms. Your future ascension will be no exception."

The students' expressions varied. In the mortal realm, cultivation is a classroom, a secret realm, and a battle for resources. Although there is competition, there is never this kind of life-or-death pressure.

Even though I had heard that the war in the Heavenly Realm was brutal, seeing it with my own eyes was still a completely different shock.

"This is just one of the battlefields in the Heavenly Realm," another celestial soldier added, his tone calm but his words carrying weight. "And... it's the easiest kind. The real battlefields of death don't have time for you to 'sightsee'."

Everyone was shocked.

What they had just seen from the air had already made them realize that the battle was extremely fierce.

Who would have thought that this would be the easiest battlefield?

Qin Le stood in the crowd, his expression somewhat subtle.

He had already guessed it—the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden had brought them here, and the heavenly soldiers' words had a clear purpose:

filter.

This process filters out those who lack resolve and are cowardly and afraid of challenges. If the seeds of fear are sown here, these students may find it difficult to make any progress in the future, and may even remain trapped in their current state for the rest of their lives.

Even if Qin Le saw through it, he wouldn't say it out loud.

I've said it... the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden might really hang him up and beat him.

He looked up at the city walls—the battle lines, a tapestry of blood and fire, were etched like a scarlet wound across this land that should have been peaceful.

This is the future they will face.

No one can escape.