Chapter 1569: The Secret of Ascension

Hearing the three words "Old Ancestor," Dongfang Liang's expression solidified. He chuckled and said, "Senior Baili is also looking out for your best interests. Throughout history, countless brilliant talents have been nipped in the bud. With Fellow Daoist Baili's status and position, there's no need to contend for such fleeting fame. Unlike the Wang family, whose foundation is shallow, if we want to grow stronger, we *must* fight for it."

"Let's not talk about that anymore. I heard that both the Sea Race and the Barbarian Race have sent people. Why are you inviting them to the Dao Discussion Conference? This has never happened before."

Baili Yunlong frowned, his expression solemn.

Centuries ago, the Sea Race, Barbarian Race, and Monster Race united against humanity, causing heavy casualties and a significant reshuffling of power. The Wang family rose to prominence during that period.

Dongfang Liang gave a wry smile and said, "This is the Old Ancestor's intention; we are merely acting on orders. A great calamity could arrive at any moment. The Old Ancestor hopes to ease relations with the non-human races, especially the Sea Race. The Sea Race's overall strength is no less than the Monster Race's, and while the Barbarian Race is powerful, their numbers are small. We absolutely must unite with them to prevent them from being exploited by those with ulterior motives."

All Human God Transformation cultivators in the East篱 Realm were aware of the impending calamity. Though they didn't understand divination and didn't know what the calamity entailed, this didn't stop them from preparing their defenses. Regardless of the nature of the disaster, it would be easier to overcome if the cultivators of the East篱 Realm and the non-human races stood united. However, this was easier said than done.

The deep-seated animosity between humanity and the non-human races, stemming from a sea of blood, could not be resolved with just a few words. Relations could only be temporarily eased. To truly dissolve the hatred between races, a supremely powerful cultivator would need to emerge and unify the East篱 Realm. Back then, the Northern Frontier cultivation world was also plagued by frequent conflicts until Emperor Kui appeared, unifying it and bringing centuries of stability.

After Emperor Kui's disappearance, the Northern Frontier cultivation world fell into chaos once more.

"Why aren't the Monster Race coming? Are they determined to oppose us?"

Baili Yunlong said, his brows furrowed. The strength of the South Sea Monster Race was not to be underestimated, and if they caused trouble, it would be disastrous.

"I'm not sure either. Since Ao Qing's disappearance, the Monster Race has been embroiled in internal strife. The Black Phoenix Clan and the Ice Ape Clan both want to lead the Monster Race, but the Flood Dragon Clan disagrees. Logically, if Senior Ao stepped in, wouldn't a few words resolve the situation? Could something have happened to Senior Ao?"

Dongfang Liang put forward a bold hypothesis. Generally, with a God Transformation cultivator present, it was difficult for their affiliated force to suffer internal conflict. The Monster Race had been infighting for over a decade, and while there hadn't been large-scale skirmishes, the rifts between the major clans were widening. If the Monster Race's God Transformation cultivators were still alive, such a situation would be impossible.

"If I recall correctly, Senior Ao is at least a thousand years old. Even if the Monster Race generally lives longer than human cultivators, he wouldn't have much lifespan left. He either ascended or perished."

Baili Yunlong sighed. Within the last ten millennia, the Baili family had produced four God Transformation cultivators, ensuring their continuous lineage. However, none of them had managed to ascend. One died of old age in the mid-God Transformation stage, and two early-God Transformation cultivators sought spatial nodes to smuggle themselves to higher realms, their life-bound soul lamps extinguishing centuries later.

According to the ancient texts treasured by the Baili family, one needed at least late-God Transformation cultivation to ascend to the Spirit Realm, or else find a spatial node to smuggle themselves there. The latter, however, was extremely dangerous. Generally, God Transformation cultivators only chose this path when their lifespan was nearly depleted. If a spatial node was confirmed to lead to the Spirit Realm, that would be another matter entirely.

If a God Transformation cultivator discovered a new spatial node, they would absolutely not publicize it, especially those from cultivation sects or families. Even if they themselves couldn't successfully smuggle themselves, their descendants could be forewarned and avoid pitfalls, which was part of their accumulated heritage.

"Heh heh, it's already good enough if I can form a Nascent Soul. As for God Transformation, only Brother Baili can even dream of it."

Dongfang Liang sighed. The Dongfang family had produced many talented disciples over the past ten millennia, but only one God Transformation cultivator.

"God Transformation isn't so easy. In my opinion, the human cultivators in the entire East篱 Realm most likely to advance to the God Transformation stage are few and far between: True Person Haoyu, Saber Emperor Seven Absolutes, the Sun and Moon Dual Sages, Shangguan Wei, and Gongsun Yang. Originally, there was also Sword Saint Xiaoyao, but unfortunately, he was trapped by emotional entanglement, his cultivation stagnating, so there isn't much hope for him."

Dongfang Liang smiled and asked, "What about the Green Lotus Immortal Couple? You don't have high hopes for them?"

Baili Yunlong shook his head and replied:

"With the great calamity approaching, whether they can survive it is debatable. Even I wouldn't dare claim I'll certainly make it through, let alone them."

Dongfang Liang smiled but said nothing further.

Listening to the Sea Pavilion was the largest restaurant in the market city, with high prices. Cultivators who frequented it were either wealthy or noble.

On the third floor, Wang Yingjie and over thirty Core Formation cultivators sat together, drinking and chatting. Everyone was laughing and talking, getting along harmoniously.

The Core Formation cultivators present were either from major cultivation sects, distinguished cultivation families, or were disciples and grand-disciples of Nascent Soul cultivators; none of them were ordinary individuals.

The scale of this Dao Discussion Conference was considerably larger. Besides cultivators from the South Sea cultivation world, those from the Eastern Barrens and Central Plains also attended, including cultivators from the Yin Corpse Sect and the Miao family.

In his early years, when Wang Qingshan traveled through the Central Plains cultivation world, he met Miao Jiale of the cultivation family Miao. Zhou Sihong was sealed right outside the Miao family's home.

After Zhou Sihong broke free from the seal, he caused immense destruction to the Miao family. Severely weakened, the Miao family was forced to relocate. To quickly recover their strength, the Miao family organized a large number of people to travel to the South Sea to purchase cultivation resources, which were then transported back to the Central Plains. Miao Yunwei was in charge of this operation.

As the Central Plains cultivation world had been in turmoil for decades, the cultivation resources transported back by the Miao family's caravans easily sold out, allowing them to amass considerable wealth from the conflict.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, how is your esteemed clan's Green Lotus Sword Saint doing lately? My Seventh Uncle asked me to convey his regards to the Green Lotus Sword Saint. If the Green Lotus Sword Saint has time, perhaps he could visit our Miao family."

Miao Yunwei spoke courteously. The "Seventh Uncle" he referred to was Miao Jiale, who had already formed a Nascent Soul. The Miao family now had two Nascent Soul cultivators, but compared to the Wang family, they were still far behind.

"The Old Ancestor is doing well, thank you for your concern, Senior Miao."

Wang Yingjie replied courteously, a faint smile on his face.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, Fellow Daoist Miao, we've discussed cultivation insights enough. There's not much more to talk about. How about we organize an exchange meeting? We can trade what we have and gain what we lack."

A shrewd-looking, portly middle-aged man suggested, his tone enthusiastic.

This was Dongfang Shiyu, an elite disciple of the Dongfang family.

The cultivators present came from all corners of the world, offering a great opportunity to exchange for valuable items. Naturally, the other cultivators didn't object and readily agreed.

"As the host, I'll go first!"

As Dongfang Shiyu spoke, he took out dozens of materials, including pills, refining materials, monster cores, beast hides, ores, talismans, and array formations.

"Is that jade bottle filled with pills? Or spiritual liquid?"

Wang Yingjie pointed to a white jade bottle and asked curiously.