Chapter 217: The wise man

At this moment, in the Void Realm, a few faint waves of will spread out.

It wasn't verbal communication, but rather a more profound method that instantly broke through the infinite distance beyond the domain.

Even light would have to travel for hundreds of millions of years, but this distance was traversed in an instant.

Their wills permeated the boundless distances beyond the domain, encompassing hundreds of billions of stars, crossing star rivers, and overcoming distances that would be despairing for many miniature heaven and earths in a mere flick of a finger.

The Heavenly Dao limit of speed seemed to pose no obstacle to them.

Then, these wills converged.

Ripples spread out, creating 'communication'.

“Something has happened in the Baiyue Area,” one will expressed.

There was no sound, no energy fluctuations, not even gravitational fluctuations; without strength of the same Rank, such communication would be utterly undetectable.

“I heard about it. The Celestial Pole Golden Elixir Method was obtained by a kid. Tsk tsk tsk, he was really fast. Mount Luofu is still in slumber, and we haven't even had a chance to make a move, yet he's already gotten the Celestial Pole Golden Elixir Method first. This kid shouldn't have come to Shaman God Mountain; he should have gone to Heaven of Others’ Emanations,” another will joked lightly.

Heaven of Others’ Emanations, also known as the Desire Realm, is the First Grade world where the Heavenly Demon of Enjoying Others’ Emanations resides. There, Heaven Demons gather; it is the home and origin of all Heaven Demons.

“It does have a bit of the Desire Realm's methods about it, playing with people's hearts. However, the Desire Realm itself is ascetic; those Heaven Demons never fall into desire. But this kid of ours, he's gotten himself completely entangled. In the Desire Realm, that would be a beheading offense,” the third will said casually, a hint of a smile almost perceptible.

“No matter. He's a young man; he can't always suppress his desires. The key isn't that, but how to deal with Tang Nation? Is the original plan scrapped?” The first will brought the topic back to the main point.

At this moment, a fourth will suddenly interjected: “Wait, what plan? There was an original plan? Why don't I know? What have you been doing behind my back?”

“For such a major matter, there must be a plan! Didn't you attend the last decision-making meeting? If you do that again, be careful, next time it'll be your turn to guard the Return to the Void. If you like slacking off, then go slack off to your heart's content there; I guarantee no one will bother you for a hundred million years,” the third will chided laughingly.

At this moment, the first will said steadily: “Since you don't know, I'll say it again. Remember not to spread it.”

“In the original plan, we were definitely going to get our hands on the Celestial Pole Golden Elixir Method. After all, the Sun-Moon True Lead Cauldron involves the Yin and Yang of the world, and this matter concerns the operation of the Heavenly Dao; it cannot be underestimated.”

“However, we are not like those bandits and robbers of the demon race; it's impossible for us to forcibly seize someone's cultivation method. That would be too undignified, so we planned to take our time.”

“Therefore, Shaman God originally planned for Mount Luofu to slowly recover over the next thousand years. He would let her reside within the mountain, allocate two Grotto-Heavens for her to cultivate in seclusion, and concurrently collect the remnants of Mount Luofu to see if this lineage could be fully recovered. If this succeeded, Mount Luofu would owe us an enormous favor. Since Shaman God had already shown such benevolence, she would naturally reciprocate. At that time, all the methods targeting Yin and Yang would be prepared. Then, opening the Sun-Moon True Lead Cauldron would mean everything was ready, and the Human Emperor would only be able to swallow his anger, unable to interfere at all. This would count as our winning a move.”

“It's just that we didn't expect a kid to be so capable. We hadn't even reacted, and he had already pried open the Moon Essence's mouth. It's also to blame that the Moon Essence is truly naive. We had long heard that she was intelligent but simple-minded, but we didn't expect her to be so simple that it caught everyone off guard.”

As the first will spoke of this, one could almost feel a sigh from him in the Void Realm.

Upon hearing this, the fourth will immediately replied impatiently: “If that's the case, what more is there to say? Let's go to Baiyue immediately. We can't let them capture that kid, can we?”

The third will, however, conveyed a sense of negation: “How can it be that simple? This matter is of great significance. The Baiyue Area is already fraught with conflict. If we were to descend directly now, are we trying to completely break ties?”

Completely breaking ties would mean preparing for war in Baiyue.

The fourth will immediately responded: “What if we break ties? When Mount Luofu fled here before, didn't Tang Nation directly invade Baiyue, destroying three countries? When he did that, did he consider dignity? I say, why not descend directly and forbid all Tang Nation people from entering? I'd like to see if Tang Nation has the ability to break in.”

The second will then said: “Things aren't that easy. Tang Nation is determined to obtain this. To get the Sun-Moon True Lead Cauldron and the Celestial Pole Golden Elixir Method early, they even directly destroyed Mount Luofu. If we really descend, then it will probably lead to a full-scale war. Who among us here is prepared for a full-scale war?”

The fourth will, however, clamored: “How can anything be accomplished by being so hesitant? Do you think if we don't act, Tang Nation won't act first? At that time, if they descend directly, not only will that kid die, but the Moon Essence won't be saved either. Will you only be willing to step in then?”

Just as they were about to start arguing, the most composed first will spoke.

He continued: “We definitely can't ignore it, but how to manage it still needs careful consideration. Direct descent is certainly not an option; the Shaman God are not yet ready to go to war with the Human Emperor.”

At this moment, the second will, who had been silent, suddenly spoke: “Then... is the Human Emperor prepared to go to war with the Shaman God?”

“I heard that Tang Nation's main focus recently has been on the East Sea. Does the Human Emperor really dare to fight on two fronts? The expansion of the Human Dao is at its peak, but to clash with both the East Sea and Shaman God Mountain simultaneously, I don't think the Human Emperor is that insane.”

“In my opinion, it's better to descend directly and act more forcefully. This can both stabilize people's morale and eliminate the impact of the previous destruction of three countries, and also demonstrate Shaman God Mountain's boldness to the outside world. Subsequent cooperation with the Arctic Demon Clan should also proceed more smoothly.”

“Reasonable,” someone echoed.

The fourth will then said anxiously: “If that's the case, then I'll go ahead?”

The first will, however, stopped him, saying in a gentle tone: “Don't rush. What are you going to do? Someone else will handle this matter. Besides, I heard that the kid is currently at a crucial point in his Dao path. He intends to perform a Grand Ritual as a Ninth Rank to harmonize the Heaven, Earth, Human, God, and Ghost of one province. If this matter is completed perfectly, then he will immediately achieve Eighth Rank, and his Dao path will be smooth from then on. So, it's best not to affect him. If we were to sever his Dao path due to our negligence, would your conscience be clear?”

“Then who will go?” He asked.

“Let his Master go. It's his Disciple's matter; it's best for him to handle it himself,” the first will decided.

“Who is his Master?” The others asked almost simultaneously.

“Zhu Fengdan,” the first will replied.

As this name was uttered, the ripples of will spreading through the Void Realm instantly stilled.

Even the most radical fourth will, who had just spoken, was silent for a long while before asking: “Are you sure he hasn't arrived yet?”

The first will replied: “He went to hunt down a Utmost Person. No one should have informed him yet, so he definitely hasn't arrived.”

The gentler second will then asked: “You just said that child has excellent talent, and he's at the most important juncture of his Dao path?”

The first will affirmed: “Indeed, he is a very talented kid. As a Ninth Rank, he dares to take on the lives of an entire province upon himself. I looked at the records Le Ya sent me; he and another kid teamed up to kill a Seventh Rank of the Buddhist sect, which then attracted another Fifth Rank, who also fell here.”

The second will seemed to let out a faint sigh: “What a pity... to be involved with Zhu Fengdan. I don't know if it's a blessing or a curse... I hope he doesn't turn into another Zhu Fengdan.”

The first will then said to the remaining people: “Since it's decided that Zhu Fengdan will go, then let's disperse. The rest of you, fulfill your duties; do not slack off. This is a time when the world's chaos is about to manifest; no mistakes can occur. You and I are responsible for guarding our posts. Within the term of our positions, set aside what's in your hands and don't let anyone exploit any loopholes.”

The second will then said: “I'm a little uneasy. I'll go with Zhu Fengdan. I won't get in the way too much, and I can also compensate for his temperament, so that the conflict doesn't become too intense.”

The first will did not stop him, only saying: “Still the same words: don't mess things up. If your Disciple's Grand Ritual fails and backfires, his Dao path will be severed, but that's just your Disciple. Don't drag others into it. No one should be treated as someone else; everyone is just themselves.”

The second will simply replied: “I naturally understand.”

With that, the Void Realm returned to tranquility, all ripples of will withdrawn, leaving no trace of fluctuation.

Meanwhile, the sky across the world suddenly underwent an indescribably violent fluctuation.

It was as if a balloon had been dropped on the ground, causing intense deformation, so much so that the world's celestial phenomena subtly fluctuated, and the starry sky observed in various places showed a delicate change.

The moment this change appeared, suddenly, such changes successively occurred in two places: the Southwest and the Central regions of the world.

Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom, boom.

Six consecutive sounds, a total of six times.

Twice in the Southwest, four times in the Central region.

Then, at the border between Baiyue and Tang Nation, two currents of wind collided very abruptly.

With a bang, there was no grand aftermath, but all existence around them came to a standstill.

It was as if... someone had pressed the pause button here.

Flying leaves froze in mid-air, swirling eddies were stilled by a strange force, and space for hundreds of miles around was locked, turning into a still photograph. All external interference was blocked here.

Only six people appeared here simultaneously.

In this frozen world, only they were in motion.

On the Shaman God Mountain territory were Li Qi's Master, Young Master Zhu.

And another gentle-looking old man, with soft eyebrows and a slight beard, appearing very cultivated.

“Didn't you say it was just me? Why are you here too?” Zhu Fengdan frowned, glancing at the old man, his tone unfriendly, even somewhat disdainful.

Unlike the frivolous and mischievous demeanor he showed in front of Li Qi, the current Zhu Fengdan appeared somewhat cold and violent.

But before the old man could reply, one of the four people opposite spoke.

“Zhu Fengdan, Yun Fang, only two Great Shamanes... Ah, we're being underestimated.”

The old man named Yun Fang, and Zhu Fengdan, faced twice their number of opponents of the same Rank.

Among them were three Human Dao Utmost Persons, and one Daoist Earth Immortal.

Human Dao, Third Rank Supreme Being.

One who is the pinnacle of humanity is truly called a human among humans; the human among humans is called a Utmost Person. Why so?

Because he can observe myriad minds with one mind, myriad bodies with one body, myriad things with one thing, and myriad ages with one age. And it is also said that he can substitute his mind for the will of Heaven, his mouth for the words of Heaven, his hands for the works of Heaven, and his body for the affairs of Heaven.

A Utmost Person is the pinnacle of humanity, a human among humans.

Observing myriad minds with one mind, myriad bodies with one body, myriad things with one thing, and myriad ages with one age.

Substituting his mind for the will of Heaven, his mouth for the words of Heaven, his hands for the works of Heaven, and his body for the affairs of Heaven.

Only then can one be called a Utmost Person.

Encompassing Heaven and Earth, entering and exiting creation, advancing and retreating through past and present, knowing the celestial times above, fully understanding the nature of things in the middle, and comprehending the geography below.

One can see the vastness of their Divine Ability.

Tang Nation sent four such people at once.

This shows how much Tang Nation valued this matter.

Fortunately... these two Great Shamanes were not to be trifled with either.

Although Zhu Fengdan was notoriously eccentric, the Shaman God's favoritism towards him never diminished in the slightest. What he was most famous for was his combat talent, far exceeding that of normal Shamanes, which made him incompatible with other Great Shamanes.

Shamanes themselves were not particularly skilled in direct confrontation; most Shamanes considered direct engagement to be a very undignified approach.

Most of them, like Li Qi, preferred to work behind the scenes and just smile to your face.

But Zhu Fengdan was completely different.

He didn't even respond to the Utmost Person's words.

Instead, he directly raised his hand.

He raised one hand, then suddenly clenched his fist!

Accompanying this action—

The sky collapsed.

The three Utmost Persons and one Earth Immortal immediately felt as if they were bearing Mount Tai on their shoulders. The seemingly eternal flow of Heavenly Principles around them instantly crumbled, pressing down on their shoulders, causing their footsteps to halt and their figures to shrink.

The Earth Immortal snorted coldly, stepped forward, and stomped on the ground.

Immediately, auspicious clouds arose in all four directions, golden light shot forth, and colorful radiance dazzled the eyes.

Within the colorful clouds, a majestic city rose, a thousand zhang high, its city walls supporting the sky, transforming into pillars that propped up the heavens.

The city had eight gates: Open, Rest, Life, Injury, Block, View, Shock, Death. Celestial and terrestrial phenomena intertwined, Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches mixed, Yin and Yang separated, intricately complex, like countless sluice gates, dispersing the immense pressure that could crush countless worlds, dissolving it into nothingness.

The three Utmost Persons did not make a move, however.

This level of action wasn't even considered a move; it merely indicated that the other party wasn't very friendly.

However, this also indicated that Shaman God Mountain probably didn't want to fight, right?

If that's the case, then there's no need to fight.

Anyway... what the Director of the Secretariat wanted wasn't a battle, but to prevent Shaman God Mountain from obtaining the Celestial Pole Golden Elixir Method.