Translator: CinderTL
"Congratulations on Your Majesty's ascension to the throne," Xu Sanyan clasped his hands and spoke first.
"Hehe..." Emperor Qi waved his hand with a smile, "Sit down, we are family after all, no need for such formalities."
Emperor Qi's eyes flickered slightly as he glanced at the masked man behind Xu Sanyan, his brows furrowing slightly as if he had noticed something.
"You... have reached the Foundation Establishment stage?" Emperor Qi's expression was a mix of surprise and disbelief.
He sensed that the masked man was a puppet—no heartbeat, no breathing, stiff limbs, and devoid of any life force. It was undoubtedly a puppet.
And ordinary mortals certainly had no means to control puppets, which could only mean one thing: Xu Sanyan had reached the Foundation Establishment stage!
Xu Sanyan sat in the chair, tilting his head with a smile, "Thanks to Your Majesty's blessings, I managed to break through by luck."
Hearing his admission, Emperor Qi's pupils flickered, his heart filled with astonishment.
He remembered when Xu Sanyan first arrived in Xiang City, he was only at the Initial Stage of the Celestial Being Realm. Yet, in just half a year, he had crossed a major realm and reached the Initial Stage of Foundation Establishment. If it was solely due to talent, he couldn't believe it.
Xu Sanyan must have some hidden secret, and a significant one at that!
Emperor Qi's thoughts raced, and suddenly he laughed heartily, "Hahaha... this is truly a cause for celebration."
He then explained, "A few days ago, I missed Qiyuan dearly, so I brought her here without notifying you. Please don't blame me."
Xu Sanyan smiled without exposing him, "Your Majesty's concern for your daughter is understandable. I have come here this time to ask for Your Majesty's assistance with a matter."
Emperor Qi turned and sat behind his desk, waving his sleeve, "Speak freely, no need to be polite."
Xu Sanyan said, "I hope Your Majesty can introduce me to those immortals. I have some matters I wish to inquire about."
Emperor Qi nodded, "This is simple. I will write a letter, and you can go directly to the Star Gazing Pavilion."
The Star Gazing Pavilion was the secluded cultivation ground of the three Foundation Establishment cultivators. After Emperor Qi ascended the throne, he designated the Star Gazing Pavilion as the state religion, enjoying the offerings of the entire nation. This was also part of the agreed conditions.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Xu Sanyan clasped his hands.
Emperor Qi leaned over the desk to write, then handed him a booklet, "Take this to the Star Gazing Pavilion. Afterward, I will send someone to guide you to Qiyuan."
Xu Sanyan reached out to take it, nodded in thanks, and then turned to leave.
Emperor Qi watched Xu Sanyan's retreating figure, gently waving his hand. A figure cloaked entirely in black robes walked in from outside, kneeling on one knee, "Your Majesty."
Emperor Qi spoke slowly, "Mobilize the troops and await my orders."
"Yes."
...
The Star Gazing Pavilion was located west of the imperial palace, a seven-story tower adorned with intricate carvings and paintings, exuding grandeur. Outside the gate stood two young boys dressed in white and blue Daoist robes, both bright-eyed and handsome.
Xu Sanyan didn't bother to buy clothes and arrived at the Star Gazing Pavilion bare-chested. The two boys exchanged glances, and the slightly taller one stepped forward, "What brings you here, sir?"
Xu Sanyan casually took out the booklet, "I've come to ask some questions of the three fellow Daoists."
The boy took the booklet and bowed, "Please wait a moment, sir. Allow me to report."
"Mm," Xu Sanyan nodded.
A moment later, a woman accompanied by the boy approached. She appeared to be around thirty, with an ordinary appearance, not particularly beautiful. In Xu Sanyan's estimation, she was about on par with Tang Huanhuan.
Lan Yue, dressed in a purple robe with her hair loosely draped over her shoulders, calmly glanced at Xiao Hulu standing behind Xu Sanyan and said, "This humble Daoist is Lan Yue. Greetings, fellow Daoist. Please, come in."
"Excuse me," Xu Sanyan replied, looking at the woman who had brought Yang Qiyuan and others to the capital just a few days ago.
The two entered a quiet room and sat facing each other, with Xiao Hulu standing behind.
Lan Yue poured tea for Xu Sanyan and asked, "What brings you here, fellow Daoist?"
Xu Sanyan accepted the teacup and said, "I heard that you once cultivated in the Central Region. I'd like to inquire about the situation there."
Lan Yue's eyes flickered with a hint of surprise. "Are you perhaps planning to visit?"
"Indeed, I am," Xu Sanyan nodded.
Lan Yue set down the teapot and pondered for a moment before speaking. "The Central Region is vast, with numerous factions and sects. It's hard to know where to begin."
Xu Sanyan asked about what interested him most. "I've heard that the Cui Family has a son named Cui Yousheng. Do you know which sect he joined?"
Lan Yue thought for a moment and replied, "I've heard a bit about it. The sect is called the Vast Origin Sect, a mid-tier sect with over a thousand disciples. Its sect leader is a powerhouse in the Soul Refining Realm, and his strength is not to be underestimated."
"Soul Refining?" Xu Sanyan was hearing this term for the first time.
Lan Yue was taken aback. "You don't know?"
Xu Sanyan shook his head. He had only recently entered the World of Immortal Cultivation and was still unfamiliar with many things.
Lan Yue hesitated for a moment but decided to form a good relationship with Xu Sanyan. After all, it wouldn't cost her much—just a few words. She explained, "The path of cultivation is generally divided into four parts. The first part is the Mortal Realm, which is further divided into Qi Refinement, Inner Qi, and Celestial Being."
Xu Sanyan listened attentively.
"The second part involves shedding the mortal body and cultivating the Qi Sea and Dao Foundation. It is divided into Foundation Establishment and the Dao Seeking Realm."
"Dao Seeking Realm…" Xu Sanyan murmured to himself. What a strange name.
Lan Yue briefly explained, "The so-called Dao Seeking is about exploring the Great Dao, finding the path one cultivates, and firming one's resolve. It can also be understood as 'cultivating the heart.'"
Xu Sanyan nodded slowly. The stages before Foundation Establishment were about refining the body, and as long as one had decent talent, there was a chance to progress. However, starting from the Dao Seeking Realm, it involved the mind, soul, and other profound aspects.
Lan Yue didn't elaborate further on the Dao Seeking Realm, as delving deeper would touch on cultivation secrets that required payment to learn.
"After that comes the third part of cultivation, which focuses on refining the soul. It is divided into Soul Refining and Harmony with Emptiness. This realm is too distant for us to worry about for now."
Xu Sanyan nodded and asked, "You mentioned there's a fourth part…"
Lan Yue shook her head. "This humble Daoist doesn't know either. I'm just a Foundation Establishment cultivator."
Xu Sanyan expressed his understanding while pondering in his heart. According to Lan Yue, cultivation was divided into Qi Refinement, Inner Qi, Celestial Being, Foundation Establishment, Dao Seeking, Soul Refining, and Harmony with Emptiness.
The first part, the Mortal Realm, had three stages. The second part had two stages, focusing on the Qi Sea and Dao Foundation.
The third part also had two stages, focusing on the soul, while the fourth part remained unknown.
Xu Sanyan said, "So, the sect leader of the Vast Origin Sect is in the Soul Refining Realm. His cultivation is indeed very high."
The Soul Refining Realm was the sixth stage, while Xu Sanyan was only at the mid-stage of the fourth realm. There was a gap of two major realms and five minor stages between them.
Cultivation becomes increasingly difficult as one progresses. If Xu Sanyan didn't have any cheats, he might never be able to step into the Soul Refining Realm in this lifetime.
Lan Yue praised, "That's natural. Even in the Central Region, reaching the Soul Refining Realm would make one a notable figure."
Xu Sanyan silently considered that joining the Vast Origin Sect first and then gradually understanding the World of Immortal Cultivation might be a good choice.
Lan Yue continued, "The sects in the Central Region can generally be divided into five major sects. These five sects are distinctly different from the others, and they are categorized into three righteous, one evil, and one demonic sect—that is, three orthodox sects, one demonic sect, and one that is neither purely righteous nor purely evil."
(End of the Chapter)
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