The Transcendence Realm in The Outcast could be roughly compared to the Loose Immortal level in the Chinese Paladin world. However, whether the lifespan of someone in the Transcendence Realm was as long as that of a Loose Immortal was hard to say, as these were different worlds. Similarly, the combat power of someone in the Transcendence Realm might not necessarily surpass that of someone like Xuan Xiao.
Differences between worlds meant that many things couldn't be generalized. For example, there were characters who could destroy planets but died from heart disease, and there was a bald man who could split a planet in half but couldn't fly.
"Another world... So this is your true origin."
"More or less. To be precise, I'm a traveler."
The saying "Read ten thousand books, travel ten thousand miles" was highly encouraged by the various schools of thought during this era. Whether it was Gai Nie and Wei Zhuang from the Ghost Valley, Fu Nian and Yan Lu from the Confucian school, or Xiao Meng from the Daoist school, none of them had spent their lives in secluded cultivation.
The Daoist school wasn't entirely detached from secular politics. After all, Daoism had both world-renouncing and world-engaging philosophies. In the original story, Xiao Meng accepted Fu Su's invitation precisely because of this.
The difference between the Heavenly Sect and the Human Sect of Daoism lay in their focus. The Heavenly Sect emphasized world-renunciation, pursuing higher realms of existence. Even when engaging with the world, it was merely for the sake of tempering their hearts. Without experiencing the mundane world, the pursuit of higher realms would be like building a castle in the air.
Even Bei Mingzi, the grandmaster of the Heavenly Sect, had traveled through various countries in his youth.
On the other hand, the Human Sect focused on world-engagement, which made them more humane but also more ambitious in their pursuit of power. This was evident in Mu Xuzi, who betrayed the Human Sect for the sake of power.
As for whether the Heavenly Sect or the Human Sect was right, there was no definitive answer. After all, personal beliefs varied, and there was no standard answer.
The Daoist concept of non-action was something neither the Heavenly Sect nor the Human Sect had fully achieved. Whether it was Xiao Meng, Xiaoyaozi, or even Bei Mingzi, none of them had truly mastered it. If they had, there would have been no need for the Heaven-Human Debate. Of course, thanks to Daniel's intervention, the Heavenly Sect had won the debate, but this didn't mean the Human Sect's philosophy had changed. Forcing the two sects to merge would have been counterproductive.
In fact, the Human Sect was somewhat similar to the Yin-Yang School. If things continued this way, it might develop into another branch of Daoism. This was evident from the fact that Daoism had many sects in later generations.
Xiao Meng was currently in Xianyang City for her worldly cultivation. Due to Daniel's intervention, the events involving the Confucian and Agricultural schools had been averted. After traveling through the current Qin state, Xiao Meng had come to Xianyang to meet Daniel, her fellow Daoist and the state's advisor.
"Traveling to another world for cultivation? Are we leaving now?" After hearing Daniel's explanation about the Chinese Paladin world, Xiao Meng immediately became excited.
Another world—especially one with legends of immortals and cultivation—was incredibly intriguing to her. Even if it weren't a cultivation world, she would still be fascinated, as it was a completely different world.
"So eager? Don't you need to handle your affairs?"
"There's no need. The Heaven-Human Debate is over."
A new world, one with six realms and races like gods, ghosts, demons, and immortals, had Xiao Meng practically itching to go. It was fortunate that she was the leader of the Heavenly Sect. If she were from another school, such as Confucianism, Mohism, or the Agricultural School, she wouldn't have been so casual.
The leader of the Heavenly Sect was perhaps the most relaxed among all the leaders of the various schools. Especially since Xiao Meng was still young, she could disappear for ten or twenty years without any issues. In other schools, if the leader disappeared for that long, a new leader would have to be chosen.
"Alright." Since Xiao Meng agreed, Daniel didn't say much more. After all, as the state advisor, he didn't have much to do here at the moment.
"The Penglai Sect is over there. Whether you can join them will depend on yourself."
Although Daniel had recommended Xiao Meng to the Penglai Sect, the final decision was hers. While the Shu Mountain Sect was the top cultivation sect in the Chinese Paladin world, it was too involved in worldly affairs, and its philosophy didn't align with Xiao Meng's beliefs. On the other hand, the Penglai Sect's philosophy resonated more with Daoist principles, which was why Xiao Meng ultimately chose it.
Of course, joining the Penglai Sect required passing a test—a maze. Only those who could navigate the maze would be accepted as disciples.
Although the Penglai Sect wasn't well-known in the cultivation world, it had some valuable treasures. One of them was the Four Directions Four Symbols Pivot, a device that could store the spiritual energy of the four directions. Cultivators who trained near it could convert the spiritual energy into their own power, which was incredibly beneficial for new disciples.
After bringing Xiao Meng to the Penglai Sect, Daniel left. He was confident that Xiao Meng would pass the test, given her talent. Even if she didn't, Daniel had provided her with enough resources to seek out his shadow clone in Shouyang County.
Next, Daniel visited Qingluan Peak to see Yun Tianhe and Han Lingsha. From them, he learned that Murong Ziying was still traveling the world, slaying demons and monsters, though his methods had become more tempered.
Afterward, Daniel checked on other worlds, collected some resources, and spent a few days with Asuna. Finding nothing urgent to attend to, he prepared to explore a new world.
"Where is this?" Looking up at the bright moon in the sky, Daniel surveyed his surroundings and immediately activated his Observation Haki.
"There are people over there."
Sensing a cluster of life forces to his left, Daniel quickly moved in that direction. Soon, he arrived outside a small village.
"Horses, and these buildings... It seems this isn't the modern era."
Seeing dozens of people on horseback, armed with various weapons, guarding a large building in the village, Daniel pondered for a moment before silently entering an empty house nearby to observe the situation.
From his earlier observations and senses, Daniel could tell that this was a deserted village. None of the houses had any occupants, and the people on horseback clearly weren't villagers, as there were no elders or children among them.
A deserted village, combined with the late hour and the gathering of armed men, gave Daniel the impression of a secret meeting among underground factions.
Just as Daniel was speculating, the sound of galloping horses suddenly echoed from the distance. Moments later, a group of riders, similar in number to those already in the village, arrived. Seeing the villagers, the newcomers abruptly halted their horses, which surprised Daniel.
The synchronized stopping of the horses indicated that these men were highly disciplined. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to stop so uniformly.
After a brief standoff, one of the newcomers dismounted and spoke, "Zu Junyan, under the command of Duke Puyang, respectfully wishes the Great Khan of the Eastern Turks good health."
"So it's Zu Junyan, the talented strategist under Duke Mi. I wonder if you've brought what our Great Khan requested," one of the villagers replied.
"May I ask how I should address you, General?" Zu Junyan continued.
"They say Zu Junyan is knowledgeable and well-read, second only to Shen Luoyan among Duke Mi's strategists. How is it that you don't recognize General Yan?" the villager said coldly, his tone clearly displeased.
"My apologies. So you are General Yan Lihui, known as the Twin Spear General. I presume the Fierce Lion Tie Xiong is also here. I was truly disrespectful," Zu Junyan said, clasping his fists.
"Enough talk. Where is the item?" Yan Lihui demanded.
"I would like to see the young lady first before presenting the treasure. This is Duke Mi's order. Please understand," Zu Junyan said with a smile.
"Once we have the treasure, we will release her. Our Great Khan's word is as good as gold, unlike you Han people. If you don't present the treasure now, all you'll get back is the corpse of the Dragon Head's beloved daughter. The responsibility will rest entirely on you," Yan Lihui said, as the men behind him began to move.
"The Heirloom Seal is in the bag on my back. We agreed to exchange the person for the treasure. If you change the terms now, the responsibility will fall on you, General Yan," Zu Junyan said, taking the bag off his back but not opening it. Meanwhile, his men also began to move.
"The young lady is inside. If you want to see her, come in yourself," Yan Lihui said, pointing to the building behind him.
"Very well." After a moment of silence, Zu Junyan walked forward with the bag in hand.
However, just then, a sudden commotion erupted. A black figure appeared outside the building where Yan Lihui's men were stationed. Before the two guards could react, the figure punched them in the chest, sending them flying through the wooden door.
The figure then rushed into the room, attacking the four guards surrounding a large chest. The figure moved like a ghost, and before the guards could react, they were all struck in the chest, just like the two outside.
The figure then reached for the chest, but at that moment, the chest exploded, sending shards of wood flying in all directions. Behind the debris, a tall figure emerged from the chest and charged at the black-clad figure.
The black-clad figure let out a surprised cry and quickly retreated, deflecting the wooden shards with his fists. However, the tall figure was already upon him, and the two engaged in a fierce battle. The force of their blows destroyed the furniture in the room.
With a sharp cry, the black-clad figure broke through the left wall of the room, having been struck by the tall figure. He fled at an incredible speed, faster than before.
Surprisingly, the tall figure didn't give chase. Instead, he began to regulate his breathing.
"He's injured," Zu Junyan's voice suddenly rang out from outside the damaged wall.
"Zhai Rang has never been injured in all his years of fighting, but this time, his efforts will come to naught. This is the fate of those who don't know their place," Yan Lihui said, standing beside Zu Junyan. The two, who had been at odds earlier, were now standing side by side, which was quite unexpected.
"Although we didn't kill him this time, we've achieved our goal. Proceed with the plan as discussed," the tall figure said. Despite his imposing stature, his voice was surprisingly soft.
"Yes," Zu Junyan and Yan Lihui said in unison, bowing. Moments later, the two groups merged into one, cleaned up the area, and quickly left the deserted village.
"What a fascinating show. Don't you think so?"
Shortly after the group left, Daniel emerged from the shadows. Looking up at the moon, he suddenly smiled and spoke to the room where the black-clad figure and the tall figure had fought.
"Are the two of you still not coming out? Do I need to invite you?" Seeing no movement from the room, Daniel walked toward it.
"Coming, coming." Just as Daniel was about to enter, two young men emerged from the room.
"Hello, big brother. We just happened to hide here. We don't know those people."
"Don't be so nervous. I don't bite." Daniel looked the two young men up and down, then turned to his right and continued, "They've already appeared. What about you? Should I invite you out as well?"
This statement startled the two young men. They hadn't expected that there were other people hiding nearby in this deserted village.
The martial arts they practiced were unique, and under normal circumstances, no one should have been able to hide so close without them noticing. After all, they had been hiding in the room during the fight between the black-clad figure and the tall figure without being discovered.
"Young man, you're truly remarkable. I didn't expect an old man like me to be fooled."
An elderly man with a weathered face emerged from a nearby house. Though his expression was calm, his heart was in turmoil. If Daniel hadn't revealed himself, he would never have known that someone else was hiding nearby.
"I am Lu Miaozi." The old man introduced himself as he approached Daniel and the two young men. He expected his name to elicit a reaction, but the three remained unfazed, which left him slightly embarrassed.
"I'm Fu Zhong, and this is Fu Ling. Nice to meet you, elder."
(End of Chapter)
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