LRAB Chapter 85 Dan Yuan Conference 1
Chapter 85 Dan Yuan Conference 1
The Heavenly Realm, the Saha Heavenly Domain of Xiniu Hezhou.
Auspicious clouds drift like cotton, and auspicious omens linger in thousands of strands. The Milky Way, stretching for billions of miles, transforms into a flowing jade ribbon, encircling the floating divine mountains. At the summit of these mountains, ancient trees reach for the sky, each with tens of thousands of years of history. Their trunks are inscribed with Confucian and Taoist scriptures, and every line flows with sacred principles. A gentle breeze carries the sound of reading aloud from the forest, resonating with the heavens and earth, and sending down specks of golden light.
This is one of the core sacred sites where Confucianism and Taoism flourished in the Heavenly Court, the "Mingde Academy," founded by the newly promoted Mingde God, whose spiritual power is supreme.
The academy spans vast territories, its eaves and brackets hidden in the clouds. Ancient verses are inscribed on its vermilion pillars, the calligraphy flowing like dragons and snakes, brimming with righteous spirit. Within the academy lies a lotus pond, where golden lotuses bloom, each one imbued with pure spiritual power and Daoist charm. There is also Inkstone Peak, atop which stands an inkstone, drawing upon the essence of the sun and moon, perfect for writing and expounding the Dao. And then there is the Myriad Scrolls Pavilion, housing Confucian and Daoist classics from all realms, encompassing everything from the fragments of ancient Confucian patriarchs to the enlightenment records of contemporary true gods.
The academy has extremely strict rules and was jointly established by the four realms of qin (a stringed instrument), qi (chess), shu (calligraphy), and hua (painting). It does not accept ordinary people or the mediocre; it only recruits Confucian and Taoist cultivators at the Great Sage Realm or above. Every student who enters is a rising star among the myriad realms, the hope for the future inheritance of Confucianism and Taoism, and together with the Jixia Academy in the Primordial Realm, they form the foundation of the current Heavenly Court's Confucianism and Taoism.
Within the academy, the instructors are all true deities of Confucianism and Taoism, capable of everything from imparting knowledge and resolving doubts to deducing the principles of the Tao—they are all figures of immense power. At the highest point of the academy, the Mingde Hall, standing atop the sea of clouds, is the core of the entire Mingde Academy. Hanging outside the hall is a plaque cast from the divine material Chaos Refined Iron, bearing the four large characters "Mingde Academy," their strokes vigorous and powerful, conveying the strength of eternity—the very handwriting of the academy's headmaster, the Mingde God Venerable.
At this moment, inside the Lige Pavilion deep within Mingde Academy, auspicious energy swirls and Taoist charm permeates the air.
Inside the pavilion, there were no elaborate furnishings, only an ancient white jade table with a pot of clear tea on it. The tea smoke curled up and transformed into thousands of Dao patterns. All the true gods of the primordial world were gathered together at this moment.
Mingde, dressed in a moon-white scholar's robe with pale gold auspicious cloud patterns embroidered on the hem, sat in the main seat with eyes as calm as an ancient well.
Beside him sat a monk dressed in a plain-colored robe, surrounded by a faint aura of Buddhist power; this was Xuan Dao. The rest of the people were all true gods from the Primordial World.
Mingde picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and the steam from the tea transformed into a tiny galaxy at his fingertips, slowly dissipating. He raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the assembled experts, his voice gentle yet carrying an undeniable authority that resonated throughout the entire Hall of Rites: "Gentlemen, the Dan Yuan Assembly has begun, but Haotian has temporarily departed for the Boundless Divine Sea. The responsibility of presiding over the assembly thus falls upon Senior Xianxia Chi."
He paused, then lightly tapped the table with his fingertips. His perfect spiritual power spread out, completely isolating the aura of the Ritual Pavilion to prevent even the slightest leak from leaking out and attracting unnecessary prying eyes.
"The rules of the Dan Yuan Assembly will remain the same as before, with the distribution of divine pills based on the ranking on the merit list. Only those from the top one thousand worlds on the merit list will be able to receive divine pills of the seventh grade or higher. You all need to make preparations for this in advance."
At this point, the Venerable Mingde's tone turned slightly somber, and a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes: "The Heavenly Realm will definitely seize the opportunity during this Dan Yuan Assembly's divine banquet to launch an attack. Everyone must be on high alert and not let them gain any advantage."
As soon as he finished speaking, a low murmur of response rang out from inside the pavilion.
Everyone understood that the conflict and grudges between the Heavenly Realm and them could not be resolved, and this Dan Yuan Conference would inevitably be a battlefield without gunpowder.
And in everyone's hearts, there was also a great longing and importance attached to the core of the Dan Yuan Conference, the "Nine Revolutions Divine Pill".
The divine pills distributed at the Dan Yuan Assembly are not ordinary pills refined by cultivators using divine medicine. They are divine pills made by spiritual power masters over tens of thousands of years, extracting the essence of the universe's sacred materials and divine stones, and condensing them with supreme formations. Their essence is a concentrated cosmic law and divine essence, which has an immeasurable auxiliary effect on the cultivation of gods.
The Nine-Turn Divine Pill is an ancient formula passed down from ancient Qi cultivators. The pill is divided into nine stages, each progressively more powerful. Only pills of the seventh stage or higher can provide substantial benefits to cultivators in the Divine Realm. When the Nine-Turn Divine Pill is completed, it is entirely purple-gold in color, radiating countless rays of light and auspicious energy. It is also known as the Nine-Turn Purple-Gold Divine Pill, a supreme treasure coveted by cultivators in the Divine Realm of all the heavens and myriad realms.
At each Pill Refining Assembly, the Heavenly Palace would prepare a full set of pills: one gourd of Nine-Turn Divine Pills, one hundred gourds of Eight-Turn Divine Pills, one thousand gourds of Seven-Turn Divine Pills, and ten thousand gourds of Six-Turn Divine Pills. Only the Heavenly Palace, which governs eight thousand great worlds of the Heavenly Court Realm, could afford such a sum.
It's important to know that the Dan Yuan Assembly is a grand event held once every 30,000 years in the Heavenly Court Realm. All 8,000 Great Worlds, regardless of their strength, will send representatives to participate. Even weaker worlds ranked lower can obtain a gourd of Six-Turn Divine Pills, which can increase the probability of a Great Saint who has reached the Demigod Realm breaking through to the True God Realm. It is an unparalleled treasure.
For the primordial world, the goals of the people naturally go far beyond this.
"Your Majesty!"
A powerful true god, clad in a Taoist robe, rose to his feet. This was none other than the True Emperor of the Primordial World. He bowed deeply, his voice booming: "Thanks to the assistance of the True Universe, my Primordial World's ranking in the Western Universe has now reached sixth in the Western Universe and among the top thirty in all realms. According to the tradition of the Pill Refining Conference, my Primordial World will surely receive several gourds of Eight-Turn Divine Pills this time!"
He paused, his gaze sharpening, his tone resolute: "As for the Heavenly Realm, God, rest assured. In battles against those of the same realm, the true gods of our Primordial Realm fear no one. This Pill Refining Assembly will surely let them know that the Primordial Realm's foundation is not to be underestimated!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a chorus of agreement rang out in the Hall of Rites, with all the gods from the Primordial World displaying proud expressions.
Upon hearing this, Mingde slowly nodded, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.
He was naturally aware of the profound resources of the Primordial Realm. Most of the true gods in the Primordial Realm had been personally strengthened by him, possessing deep foundations and formidable combat power. Furthermore, the Kunlun Realm was an eternally indestructible world, with multiple types of Heavenly-level and Ancestral inheritances. The gods of the Primordial Realm, who had fought their way out of the Dharma-ending Age and grown to their current state, were all powerful beings who had endured bloody battles and been reborn from the ashes; their combat strength was beyond doubt.
"very good."
Mingde nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "Everyone, in this Dan Yuan Conference, we must not only strive for divine pills, but also demonstrate the might of the Primordial World."
Just then, several true gods from the Confucian and Taoist lineage exchanged glances, stood up in unison, bowed, and asked, "Divine Lord, will the Deer Cry Banquet and the All-Nation Trials still be held?"
The question from the two people eased the atmosphere in the Hall of Rites slightly, but also made a hint of expectation flash in the eyes of the gods.
The Deer Cry Banquet is a grand event modeled after the ancient Celestial Academy, which selected geniuses below the Saint Realm. It combines literary and martial arts tests to select Confucian and Taoist prodigies and pass on the academy's cultural lineage.
The All-Nation Examination is a grand event passed down from the ancient times of the Kunlun Realm. Talented individuals below the Divine Realm from the four schools of Confucianism and Taoism gather together to compete in classics, strategies, and poetry. It is a rare cultural event among the Confucian and Taoist communities and an important way to select talents.
These two grand events were originally planned by the Venerable Mingde in the near future. However, the Dan Yuan Conference is currently being held, and the timing of the two events clashes with that of the conference. The gods are finding it difficult to attend to both at the same time, so they have come to ask for Mingde's opinion.
Upon hearing this, Mingde pondered for a moment, then gently tapped the white jade table with his fingers. The tea smoke slowly swirled around him, transforming into invisible Dao patterns.
A moment later, he raised his eyes, his gaze resolute, his voice clear and powerful: "The Dan Yuan Assembly, the Deer Cry Banquet, and the Myriad Nations Examination do not conflict. Now that the Dan Yuan Assembly is being held, with powerful figures from all over the heavens gathering in Xiniu Hezhou, it is a lively time. Why not hold all three events together?"
Upon hearing this, a gasp of astonishment immediately rang out in the Hall of Rites.
The three grand events, held together, will undoubtedly surpass any previous event in scale and prestige. They will not only select more outstanding talents who cultivate Confucianism and Taoism, but also unite the hearts of Confucian and Taoist practitioners from all realms.
"Gentlemen, this matter is settled."
Mingde waved his hand and said in a deep voice, "The preparations for the Dan Yuan Assembly, the organization of the Deer Cry Banquet and the Myriad Nations Examination must all be carried out diligently and without error. I want these two grand events to become momentous occasions throughout the myriad realms!"
"Yes, sir!"
The gods rose in unison, bowed, and their voices resounded throughout the Hall of Rites, even causing the auspicious clouds outside the window to tremble slightly. Then, the gods accepted their orders and left the Hall of Rites one after another. The entire Mingde Academy and even the entire Xiniu Hezhou were mobilized. Countless streams of light shuttled through the Milky Way, transmitting instructions and mobilizing resources.
After all the powerful figures had left, only Mingde and Xuandao remained in the Li Pavilion.
The auspicious clouds outside the pavilion slowly gathered, completely enveloping the pavilion and forming an invisible barrier that isolated all communication between the inside and outside.
Xuan Dao looked at Ming De and slowly said, "Ming De, now that you have settled all the affairs of the academy, it is time for you to go to the Temple of Time. That fellow Murong Huan has already set up his forces, just waiting for you to take up the position of Temple Master of the Temple of Time and stand up to him."
Murong Huan is the Temple Master of the Temple of Time, whose cultivation has long since reached the peak of the Great Freedom and Limitless Realm. He has been operating within the Temple of Time for hundreds of thousands of years, with a deep foundation and intricate network of influence. Mingde's appointment as the Deputy Temple Master of the Temple of Time is undoubtedly an attempt to seize power from Murong Huan, and a contest between the two is inevitable.
Upon hearing this, Mingde chuckled, his voice tinged with disdain and confidence: "Hahaha, Murong Huan? He's nothing but a mediocre fellow. I don't even consider him a threat."
He changed the subject, looking at Xuan Dao and saying, "But you, Xuan Dao, the Temple of Merit you're going to is the most important one. The Temple of Merit has long been thoroughly developed by the Heavenly Realm, it's like an iron barrel, impenetrable. If you go there, I'm afraid you'll find it difficult to gain a foothold, and you'll easily be sidelined and have your hands tied."
Upon hearing this, Xuan Dao remained calm, as if he had already considered everything: "The Palace Master of the Temple of Merit is Shang Da Hu Zi's eldest disciple. Although his cultivation has reached the peak of the Great Freedom and Boundless Realm, his methods and temperament are not as good as his junior brother Qing Cheng Yun. It is clear that he is mediocre and not worth fearing."
The Ancestor of Merchants is one of the two pillars of power in the Heavenly Realm, possessing profound foundations. His two disciples are both exceptionally talented. The Master of the Temple of Merit governs the temple, while Qingcheng Yun is a lesser-known but highly regarded successor of the Ancestor of Merchants.
Upon hearing this, Mingde's eyes flashed with a sharp glint: "Qingcheng Yun is quite a ruthless character, much more ruthless than his senior brother. When you go to the Temple of Merit, I estimate that the Ancestor of the Shang Dynasty will definitely send him to cooperate with the Temple Master of the Temple of Merit to suppress you openly and secretly. This person must be guarded against."
Xuan Dao, however, remained calm, golden Sanskrit light slowly emanating from his body, his aura steady and domineering: "Now, Zhen Yu and I have both broken through to the Great Freedom Boundless Realm. Even if Shang Da Hu Zi personally takes action, he cannot do anything to us. However, dealing with two Great Freedom Boundless Realm experts is not a difficult task for me."
He paused, a hint of coldness in his voice: "If they dare to break the rules and try to scheme against me, then I will suppress them directly into the Yu Ding and let them repent under the mighty power of the Yu Ding's ancestor."
The Yu Ding is an ancestral treasure containing the power of the ancestral origin. Its power is boundless. Even cultivators at the Boundless Realm would have their souls easily obliterated and their bodies refined if they were drawn into it.
Since obtaining the Universe Cauldron, they have almost used it as an Earth Cauldron. Although it is not as professional as the Earth Cauldron, it still works every time. Zhenyu, Xuandao, Mingde and the others are all following a pure cannibalistic path. In the universe, every cultivator in the Boundless Realm is a supreme being who has experienced countless years and accumulated countless resources. They are themselves equivalent to a supreme medicine.
Relying on the ancestral power of Yu Ding, they can easily refine the souls and bodies of cultivators in the Boundless Realm, absorbing their primordial power, thereby rapidly improving their own cultivation. Their progress is far faster than that of ordinary cultivators, which is one of the key factors for their current surge in foundation and rapid breakthrough in realm.
Upon hearing this, Mingde shook his head helplessly, a ruthless smile playing on his lips. His voice lowered, tinged with calculation: "You're still too conservative. In my opinion, we should find an opportunity to wipe them all out! Not only should we kill them, but we should also eliminate any potential threats, wiping out their families, disciples, and trusted followers completely!"
A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes as he continued, "Perfect timing. The Demon Body is now the head of the Ferocious God Palace, controlling its resources and power. When the time comes, we'll kill these people and pin all the blame on the Demon Body. With the Demon Body as a cover, who can find out?"
Mingde's ideas were extremely direct and ruthless.
In his view, it would be better to eliminate all these factions in the Heavenly Realm than to let them remain and cause trouble, hindering their plans. Firstly, this would completely remove obstacles and stabilize the Heavenly Realm; secondly, these Boundless Realm cultivators and their families were walking "medicines," and eliminating them would allow their cannibalistic path to proceed more smoothly, leading to a windfall.
Upon hearing this, Xuan Dao was stunned. He opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a word.
He thought his ideas were bold and ruthless enough, but compared to Mingde's plan, they seemed childish.
After all, the current Heavenly Alliance's core objective is to unite against the invasion of the Underworld. If these forces were to be completely eradicated, the entire Western Universe of the Heavenly Realm would likely descend into chaos, creating a vast power vacuum and potentially triggering internal turmoil—a net loss.
Mingde noticed Xuandao's hesitation, his expression darkening slightly. He lowered his voice, but with an undeniable firmness: "No need to hesitate. Let's wait until Zhenyu settles the Space Temple first."
He paused, a sinister glint in his eyes: "Yu Jingzhen of the Space Temple, though his cultivation has reached the peak of the Great Freedom and Boundless Realm, is quite cunning and certainly not a benevolent person. We'll devise a plan to lure him out of the Starry Sky Battlefield. Then we'll send a message to the Demon Body, instructing him to kill Yu Jingzhen!"
Yu Jingzhen, the master of the Space Temple, has controlled the Space Temple for hundreds of thousands of years. He is one of the high-ranking powerhouses in the Heavenly Court Realm and a major villain in the original timeline. Mu Yong is also a stumbling block for Mingde and others.
Upon hearing this, the True God of the Mysterious Path slowly nodded, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.
Within the spatial temple, several Purple Heart Celestial Orchids also grow, rare treasures of heaven and earth. Once mature, they can help cultivators in the Boundless Realm break through to the Celestial Venerable Realm. Naturally, they are determined to obtain such a rare treasure.
First, eliminate Yu Jingzhen and completely control the Space Temple. Then, accelerate the ripening of the Purple Heart Heavenly Venerable Orchid and refine it into a divine pill. This will save them a lot of cultivation time and allow their strength to reach a higher level.
If those old fogies and powerful factions were to learn that the Space Temple contains the Purple Heart Celestial Orchid, they would surely flock there and fight over it relentlessly. That would be troublesome; we must devise a secret plan.
The two stopped talking and began to discuss their specific plans in hushed tones. They discussed how to lure Yu Jingzhen into battle, how to join forces with the demon body to kill him, and how to control the Space Temple and accelerate the ripening of the Purple Heart Heavenly Venerable Orchid. Every detail was carefully considered and meticulously planned.
The Space Temple is located in the Qicheng Heavenly Domain of Xiniu Hezhou, situated beneath Buzhou Mountain, the first divine mountain of Xiniu Hezhou.
Buzhou Mountain is a sacred mountain that has existed since the Primordial Era. Legend has it that it is the burial place of the ancestor of one of the twelve ancient races. On the sacred mountain, the spatial rules are extremely dense, and spatial rifts and secret worlds can be seen everywhere. Every corner contains terrifying spatial laws. Even cultivators of the Boundless Realm dare not easily venture into the top of the mountain.
At this moment, at the foot of Mount Buzhou, outside the Space Temple, a young Taoist priest dressed in a blue robe was riding slowly towards the temple on the back of a jet-black ox with prominent horns.
This young Taoist priest, with a handsome face and a languid demeanor, was none other than Zhen Yu, surrounded by endless Taoist patterns. He rode a blue ox, swaggering around as if strolling in his own backyard, completely ignoring the numerous spatial rifts and restrictions around him, and directly entered the temple.