Chapter 600: Great Yan Dynasty

The Eastern Wilderness has been developed for less than four thousand years, with the majority of its territory still controlled by the demon race. Beast tides and locust plagues erupt periodically, so cultivators' status is inherently superior to that of the imperial family. The Eastern Wilderness is home to seven major immortal sects and dozens of states of varying sizes. Their governance policies differ significantly, making it quite challenging to implement the Kingly Way. Our Chongyang Academy has been working hard, but we can only promote the Kingly Way within the territories we control. Other powers do not allow us to implement it in their domains, fearing it would undermine their rule.

Xu Zilin smiled faintly and slowly explained.

When humans first developed the Eastern Wilderness, the Central Plains cultivation world also participated, and Chongyang Academy was one of its representatives.

Unlike other cultivation realms, the Central Plains cultivation world is governed by five great dynasties. Wars between these dynasties are rare, and Confucianism flourishes.

The five great dynasties promote benevolent rule (the Kingly Way) and strive for a world of great harmony. This approach, however, is not feasible in the Eastern Wilderness.

During the development of the Eastern Wilderness, the three major cultivation realms—Central Plains, South Sea, and Northern Frontier—all sent forces to participate. Each desired their sponsored faction to dominate the Eastern Wilderness. Ultimately, however, the Eastern Wilderness cultivation world became independent, achieving equal standing with the three major realms.

“Putting that aside, we’ve met quite a few Eastern Wilderness cultivators in the past few days, and frankly, none of them seemed particularly impressive. Daoist Xu, if you have time, you should visit our Central Plains to see what truly exceptional talent looks like, born from a land of spiritual abundance.”

As Princess Yong'an finished speaking, a look of arrogance appeared on her face.

Xu Zilin smiled slightly and said, “If I have the opportunity, I will certainly visit the Central Plains. However, our Eastern Wilderness does have its share of outstanding talents. The Demon-Warding Nation is merely a small corner of this land. For Princess Yong'an to judge our entire Eastern Wilderness as lacking in brilliant minds based on seeing only a few cultivators is to greatly underestimate us. Our Chongyang Academy has its ‘Seven Sons,’ the Taiyi Immortal Sect has its ‘Five Prodigies,’ and the Myriad Blossom Palace has its ‘Four Beauties.’”

“My purpose in coming here was to meet the Seven Sons of Chongyang, but unfortunately, they are not present. Daoist Xu, for Chongyang Academy to host a Dao Discussion Conference with only a talisman treasure and a few magical artifacts as prizes lacks significant appeal. True talents won't attend, or if they do, they won't exert their full effort. Just going through the motions isn't interesting.”

Xu Zilin frowned and said, “It’s merely a friendly sparring session; surely one talisman treasure is sufficient?”

“Daoist Xu, I am willing to offer a bottle of Core Condensing Elixir as a prize for the first place winner. How about that? The Core Condensing Elixir can increase the chance of forming a Golden Core by twenty percent and is a unique spiritual item of our Great Yan Dynasty. One of my nephews also wishes to participate in the Dao Discussion Conference and compete with your Eastern Wilderness cultivators. What do you say?”

Princess Yong'an said with a radiant smile, a glint of cunning flashing in her eyes.

She wanted Xu Zilin to understand that the Eastern Wilderness cultivation world was indeed inferior to that of the Central Plains.

“Such generosity is hard to refuse. Very well! As hosts, Chongyang Academy cannot be too shabby. We will also put forth a spiritual item for Core Formation. Then, let's see who has the ability to claim the top prize.”

Xu Zilin agreed. Although Chongyang Academy originated from the Great Yan Dynasty, after thousands of years of development, it had achieved equal standing with the dynasty. However, the Great Yan Dynasty still treated Chongyang Academy as a subordinate, a view that the high-ranking members of Chongyang Academy had long found intolerable.

Xu Zilin clearly saw through Princess Yong'an's intentions. He also wished to seize this opportunity to curb her arrogance.

Ever since Princess Yong'an arrived in the Eastern Wilderness, she found fault with everything, treating Eastern Wilderness cultivators as if they were unsophisticated bumpkins.

“Good, it's a deal. However, blades and swords have no eyes, so participating cultivators must be mentally prepared.”

“Princess Yong'an, rest assured, I will make all the necessary arrangements. Now, I have some other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave. Please rest well.”

Xu Zilin stood up to depart, and Princess Yong'an and the other person rose to see him off.

“Yong'an, what you're doing is too rash. Our Great Yan Dynasty has always maintained good relations with Chongyang Academy. Don't jeopardize our relationship just to show off.”

The scholar in white frowned, speaking in a reproachful tone.

“I know, Ninth Brother. I have my limits. I just want to make him understand that the Eastern Wilderness cultivation world really isn't as good as our Central Plains. Every time this topic comes up, he brings up the Seven Sons of Chongyang, the Five Prodigies of Taiyi, and the Four Beauties of Myriad Blossom Palace. I can't just go challenge them to a fight, can I?!”

Princess Yong'an said, patting her chest, full of confidence.

Seeing this, the scholar in white found it difficult to say anything further.

Wang Qingshan strolled down the wide street with six of his clansmen. His companions looked around curiously at their surroundings.

He was participating in the Dao Discussion Conference for two reasons: firstly, to exchange insights on cultivation with other fellow cultivators, and secondly, to give his younger clansmen experience and broaden their horizons.

“Look quickly, someone is sparring over there!”

A young man in a yellow shirt pointed to a distant arena, speaking with some excitement.

They didn't leave immediately but turned their gaze to Wang Qingshan, seemingly seeking his opinion.

“If you want to see, then go ahead! Remember, do not make enemies with anyone, understand?”

Wang Qingshan's expression was stern as he cautioned them, clearly uneasy.

“Yes, Seventh Uncle (or Great Uncle Seven),” they replied in unison.

They agreed in unison and quickly rushed towards the arena.

Wang Qingshan understood young people's fondness for excitement, as he too had once been that way.

Wang Qingshan continued to stroll around. Green Deer Mountain was, in fact, a large market, guarded by several Core Formation cultivators, so no one dared to cause trouble.

Most of the shops on both sides of the street were selling and buying demon beast materials. Wang Qingshan browsed for a while but didn't find anything to his liking.

“Daoist Wang, what a coincidence! You've also come for the Dao Discussion Conference. I knew I was right; you would surely attend such a grand event.”

A joyful female voice rang out.

A tall woman in a red dress walked over, a broad smile on her face.

The woman in red was very charming, with a delicate, jade-like face featuring two small dimples, a pair of large, dark eyes, and lustrous black hair styled into two pigtails behind her.

Upon seeing the woman in red, Wang Qingshan felt a great headache.

The woman in red was Han Yuexin, Han Yuxin's niece, a sixth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Previously, to contend for a spiritual land, Wang Qingshan had sparred with Han Yuxin and defeated her in one move. Upon learning of this, Han Yuexin ran to Peach Mountain to challenge Wang Qingshan.

Wang Qingshan initially didn't want to bother with her, but Han Yuexin insisted on staying at Peach Mountain, refusing to leave until Wang Qingshan competed with her.

Having no choice, Wang Qingshan agreed to spar with her and defeated Han Yuexin in one move.

He thought the matter was over, but Han Yuexin would visit Peach Mountain to find Wang Qingshan every few days, and he couldn't get rid of her. Exasperated, Wang Qingshan publicly announced he was going into secluded cultivation, which finally brought Han Yuexin to a halt for a period.

Wang Qingshan had not expected to encounter Han Yuexin here.

From Han Yuexin's words, it seemed she had come because she believed Wang Qingshan would attend the Dao Discussion Conference.

Wang Qingshan suddenly thought of something: Wang Qingjun had specifically informed him about the Dao Discussion Conference, yet Wang Qingjun, Wang Qingling, and others had not come. Could this have something to do with Han Yuexin?

“Fairy Han, what a coincidence.”

Wang Qingshan smiled slightly and greeted her.