Chapter 1294: The Cultivation World in Wartime Readiness

News that the Zhutian Civilization was about to launch a large-scale invasion of the Cultivation World, and that the realm was entering a state of war preparedness, quickly spread, causing a huge stir.

“I’ve always said the outside world is full of dangers; don’t go out easily. Well, now look what happened—the universe’s overlord has set its sights on our Cultivation World and is invading.”

“What’s there to be afraid of if they attack? Our Integration, Tribulation Transcending, and Half-Immortal grand cultivators aren’t pushovers; they’ll swat them away with a single slap!”

“That’s the best-case scenario, and I hope it is that way. But they are, after all, the universe’s overlord; for them to be called that shows they are exceptionally powerful. I’m afraid we might not be their match.”

“Afraid of nothing! At worst, we’ll all perish together.”

“You still have time to talk nonsense here! All factions are temporarily recruiting with no prerequisites. Anyone can go test their spiritual root, and even if they don't pass, basic cultivation methods for Qi Condensation and body tempering are distributed for free. Hurry up and take the children there!”

“What? Is that true?”

“Hurry and go! If you’re late, you’ll be left in the dust.”

For cultivators with some talent, the Cultivation World's state of war preparedness was of greater concern. Limited by resources, their progress had been slow, but this was an excellent opportunity for them to truly advance. Everyone was eager, determined to make a name for themselves in the Cultivation World.

“Those secret realms that open only once every hundred or thousand years will all be opened during this period of war preparedness. What a heaven-sent opportunity!”

“As long as one's cultivation realm reaches the standard, the imperial court also provides cultivation techniques and spirit stones. I was just worrying about not having enough cultivation resources—now everything is great!”

“Also, elders from major sects will go out to preach, and Integration-stage grand cultivators will give sermons. It's worth it to hear even once in this lifetime!”

This was a grand occasion never before seen in the Cultivation World. Facing an unknown enemy, all major factions of the Great Xia Buddhist Kingdom abandoned their differences, solely to elevate the strength of the Cultivation World in the shortest possible time, so they could contend with the Zhutian Civilization without relying on Immortals.

The entire Cultivation World was like oil on a blazing fire, burning with fervent activity.

As the head of the Cultivation Weekly, Lu Yang had first-hand information about the Cultivation World, receiving intelligence at roughly the same speed as Dai Bufan.

Information about the prodigies, in particular, emerged like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.

As the foremost prodigy of this era, he felt very gratified to see the younger generation so active.

“Rogue cultivator Gongsun Hai consecutively broke through three Golden Core level secret realms, emerging as the champion in all of them. In the ancient battlefield arena, he faced successive challenges from eight cultivators of the same level, controlling his sword with Qi to defeat powerful foes and successfully defending the stage. He is now proclaimed as 'Little Lu Yang.'”

“Zhang Ding of the East Sea, at his birth, a treasure cauldron descended from the heavens, opening an immortal bone in his glabella and granting him three ancient inheritances. He has fought Kunpengs and defeated Dragon Princes, never suffering a defeat since his debut. The world praises him as having the potential of Lu Yang.”

“To temper himself, Long Tianyang joined the Allure Sect, becoming its only male disciple. Facing temptations from his senior and junior sisters, he maintained his virginity, even as his Qi and blood flowed backward and he bled from all seven orifices. Breaking through this ordeal, he established himself anew and advanced to the Nascent Soul stage, earning him the nickname 'Little Meng Jingzhou.'”

Lu Yang rubbed his forehead. “It's fine that you’re becoming famous, but why do you have to piggyback on my and Old Meng’s names?”

However, these were minor matters, not worth his concern.

“This Zhao Po from the Corpse Herding Sect is your friend, isn't he?” Heavenly Daoist handed over a piece of intelligence.

“Zhao Po? He's still in the Void Refinement stage, isn't he? What kind of information could he have that's worth reporting?” Lu Yang wondered, taking the intelligence and reading it.

“Zhao Po of the Corpse Herding Sect and his protector, Nv Ba, developed feelings for each other and became Dao companions... Huh?” Lu Yang’s expression became strange as he rubbed his eyes to make sure he hadn't misread.

“Zhao Po, what's wrong with you, kid? I gave Nv Ba to you for *this*?”

“Jianlou Mingtai advanced to the Integration stage, triggering a phenomenon where ten thousand swords bowed in worship. During the phenomenon, he confessed his feelings to Jianlou Supreme, and the two became Dao companions?”

Lu Yang's expression grew even stranger. He recalled that Mingtai was the sword spirit of Jianlou Supreme who had gained sentience. Later, Jianlou Supreme had fought Liu Ningxuan, exhausting her soul power and transforming into Mingtai's sword spirit, thus becoming master and servant to each other.

“So now you two aren't pretending anymore and just became Dao companions, huh?”

“How nice, they've all become Dao companions,” Immortal Fairy whispered, perched on Lu Yang's shoulder like a ghostly female spirit. Only Lu Yang could see her; Heavenly Daoist and Gu Junye could not.

“Yes, it's good to see lovers finally unite,” Lu Yang said, feeling it was reasonable for Mingtai and Jianlou Supreme to become Dao companions.

“The White Horse Dynasty and several other stars have all moved to the Cultivation World. That's quite fast,” Lu Yang marveled. The intelligence also included a recording orb documenting the White Horse Dynasty's relocation process, showing it was moved by the combined efforts of six Integration-stage cultivators.

Moving just a planet would only require one Integration-stage cultivator, but during the process, the environment on the planet changes. For mortals, this is no less than an apocalypse, so multiple Integration-stage cultivators are needed to ensure no harm comes to them.

“Have all the cultivators who went out also been recalled? Right, with a great enemy before us, it would be troublesome to encounter the Zhutian Civilization while outside.”

Among the collected intelligence, several old acquaintances of Daoist Buyu were also mentioned.

“Minister of Punishment Xu Xin has also broken through to the Tribulation Transcending stage. That's fast,” Lu Yang exclaimed. He had quite a connection with this Minister of Punishment, having been apprehended by him when Immortal Fairy possessed him in Imperial City.

Perhaps their opportune moment arrived, or perhaps they sensed the tense atmosphere in the Cultivation World, but more than one peak Integration-stage cultivator broke through to the Tribulation Transcending stage.

“It's merely breaking through in accordance with the general trend. Why is Sword Master Xuanyuan so surprised?” Gu Junye remained calm and composed; rarely anything could affect his Dao heart.

Even Heavenly Daoist couldn't compare in this regard; he had always believed Gu Junye was truly the reincarnation of some great figure.

Lu Yang originally didn't want to bother with Gu Junye, but Gu Junye looked at him eagerly, his gaze implicitly asking Lu Yang to play the straight man.

Even with his head lowered, Lu Yang could feel Gu Junye's ardent gaze, so he had no choice but to humor him and ask, “In accordance with the general trend? How so?”

“All things in the world are subject to reincarnation,” Gu Junye explained. “In the Primordial, Ancient, and Antiquity eras, there were all great periods of struggle. Prodigies gathered, and heroes vied for supremacy. The Heavenly Dao's suppression loosened, and breakthroughs became incredibly simple.”

“Now, it's merely a re-enactment of the great struggles of those eras.”

“Opening the Cultivation World was in accordance with the general trend and destiny. Although that so-called universe overlord is nothing to worry about, mortals are ignorant; how can they know the true strength of the Cultivation World?”

“Everything has its Yin and Yang; this matter can also be considered a good thing. The Cultivation World has been peaceful for a long time, lacking external pressure. The appearance of the Zhutian Civilization just gives them ample pressure, helping them to break through.”

Lu Yang's eye twitched. Gu Junye's theories were indeed quite convincing.

In the shadows, a pair of dim eyes fell upon Gu Junye.

The mastermind observed Gu Junye with suspicion and uncertainty, wanting to understand thoroughly.

Logically, after reincarnation, one would have some impressions of their past life. Although what Gu Junye said wasn't entirely correct, he did manage to describe some ancient matters hidden in history, and no one had ever told him these things.

“Could it be that he is the reincarnation of the person I possessed?”