Even the No Phase True Monarch felt immensely shocked at the appearance of this Taixu Venerable.
According to his knowledge, wasn't this person supposed to be in secluded cultivation? How could they have materialized an avatar and appeared in the ancestral land?
The supreme powerhouses of the Nine Realms of Spirit, their strength was truly terrifying, with vast divine abilities. Even the avatars they projected could not be resisted by a common cultivator at the Spirit Realm Eightfold, so even the No Phase True Monarch was quite wary of him.
"Master, since such a powerful figure has appeared, why not make a temporary withdrawal and plan for another day?" Wu Shijiu's voice also reached Pei Xuanjing's ears.
Wu Shijiu had followed Pei Xuanjing since he left the Tiandu Taoist Academy, but he had not revealed his form, instead deliberately hiding his traces, staying in the dark all the time.
After all, he was very clear about his current situation. Over the years, news of the Witch Deity Teaching hunting him had probably spread throughout the entire Sky Wasteland. If he showed up, it would immediately notify the Witch Deity Teaching.
Although Wu Shijiu was not afraid of being hunted by the Witch Deity Teaching and was mentally prepared, he was currently residing in the Great Ming Divine Dynasty. The power of the Witch Deity Teaching was not something the current Great Ming Divine Dynasty could withstand. It would be better to hide as much as possible for now, to buy more development time for the Great Ming Divine Dynasty.
And as Wu Shijiu had previously speculated, Pei Xuanjing had indeed stepped into the Spirit Realm Eightfold. Even powerful figures like the Third Supreme Elder of Canglang Palace who were at the Spirit Realm Eightfold were not Pei Xuanjing's match. He was easily subdued them, without Wu Shijiu needing to intervene.
Just as he thought everything was over and was preparing to leave, the appearance of the Taixu Venerable caught Wu Shijiu off guard. Obviously, this appearance completely exceeded his expectations.
Indeed, the appearance of this Taixu Venerable was unexpected, not only to Wu Shijiu, but to everyone else as well.
Even Pei Xuanjing was surprised by the appearance of this person. The reason he chose to establish his might with Canglang Palace as a stage for him to ascend to the world's chessboard was because he was certain that there were no supreme existences in the Nine Realms of Spirit in Canglang Palace. Even if he made a big fuss and offended them, the many cultivators of Canglang Palace would not pose any danger to him.
But now, the appearance of this Taixu Venerable has obviously disrupted Pei Xuanjing's plan.
Indeed, changes always happen faster than plans, and sometimes surprises come so suddenly.
However, since he had already decided to use this opportunity to announce his presence to the various forces in the Sky Wasteland, Pei Xuanjing would not easily give up halfway.
He had already made his words clear today. If he was stopped by this Taixu Venerable and retreated without doing anything, many people would think he was a bully.
"Venerable, since you are not the aid invited by the Canglang Palace, why bother to muddy the waters? After all, this is my dispute with Canglang Palace, and it doesn't have much to do with your Venerable." Pei Xuanjing gently spoke to persuade.
The other party was a supreme powerhouse of the Nine Realms of Spirit, even if it was only an avatar here, their strength was still above the Third Supreme Elder he had just met.
For such a powerhouse, especially those without major conflicts, Pei Xuanjing still wished to maintain basic respect.
Hearing Pei Xuanjing's words, the smiling face of the green-robed elderly man, also known as the Taixu Venerable, remained unchanged, but a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes: "Are you determined to disobey the old man and disrespect me?"
The Taixu Venerable slightly upset. As the supreme powerhouse of the Nine Realms of Spirit, he was already at the top of existence in this heaven and earth. A junior like Pei Xuanjing, despite being a talented genius who stepped into the Spirit Realm Eightfold before the age of one hundred, rejected him so defiantly. How arrogant!
True, if it were not for the fact that Pei Xuanjing was known to be a genius with great prospects in the future, an average cultivator at the Spirit Realm Eightfold would not be worthy of such an attitude from the Taixu Venerable.
But he believed that he had already shown a very moderate attitude and had given Pei Xuanjing enough face. Yet now Pei Xuanjing persisted in his own way. How could Taixu Venerable be pleased?
"Does Venerable really want to intervene in this matter of Canglang Palace?" Pei Xuanjing also noticed the displeasure of the Taixu Venerable, but what about that?
His purpose today was to demonstrate his might, to kill one to warn a hundred. If the Venerable let him retreat so lightly, what would be the point of his previous actions?
"What if I do!" The Taixu Venerable's eyes flashed with a trace of coldness, his smile faded, and he said coldly.
He had already given Pei Xuanjing enough face, yet this Pei Xuanjing simply refused to give in.
"This Pei Xuanjing is really arrogant and overbearing, even daring to be so presumptuous in front of the Taixu Venerable." A look of shock flashed in Wei Ping's eyes. He was amazed at Pei Xuanjing's tough words.
This Taixu Venerable was already one of the most powerful figures in this world. Their every utterance could become the law of the world, making heaven and earth tremble, and causing countless people to fear when they were angry.
Just now, the Taixu Venerable spoke to Pei Xuanjing in such a gentle manner. In Wei Ping's view, he was already giving Pei Xuanjing a great deal of face.
But Pei Xuanjing was ungrateful, speaking back so toughly. Perhaps he had stayed in the ancestral land for too long, cultivated overbearing character, and truly considered himself invincible in his day.
However, even though his mind was full of thoughts, Wei Ping didn't show the slightest sign on his face. He neither advised nor instigated, but just secretly hoped that the two of them would start a fight.
If Pei Xuanjing truly enraged the Taixu Venerable, he would undoubtedly die today, which would also rid Canglang Palace of an enemy.
Seeing the other party's attitude, Pei Xuanjing's face slowly darkened, his smile also faded.
The Taixu Venerable considered his attitude as giving Pei Xuanjing face, and now that Pei Xuanjing was so stubborn and refusing to back down, he thought that Pei Xuanjing was ungrateful. But in Pei Xuanjing's view, wasn't the other party also disrespecting him and was ungrateful?
Originally, Pei Xuanjing only wanted to use Canglang Palace to establish his might and did not want to conflict with the cultivators of the Nine Realms of Spirit, so he kindly persuaded the other party to leave.
But the other side was so persistent, insisting on acting as a superior and making him retreat, determined to involve himself in the conflict with Canglang Palace; this inevitably made Pei Xuanjing feel a little displeased.
The Pei Xuanjing at this moment was not the same as before. He believed that his strength was already at the peak of this world, and there were not many things or people that would make him violate his decision and tolerate insult or humiliation.
Moreover, after these continuous life simulations, especially the last two times, with memories of hundreds of years each time, such massive information was digested by Pei Xuanjing, it was bound to have some impact on his character.
In the two most recent life simulations, Pei Xuanjing had once become the God of the Eternal Divine Dynasty, a figure of supreme power, whose words could shape the fate of the world, with none disobeying his will.
In the previous life simulation, Pei Xuanjing had risen in a vast barren world, stepping over countless bodies of powerhouses to become the Emperor of the human race. He was admired by countless powerful men of the human race, respected and feared by powerful foreign tribes, which ingrained in him an air of arrogance and superior attitude.
At ordinary times when facing people who were inferior, Pei Xuanjing would show a modest attitude. But the current attitude of this Taixu Venerable provoked Pei Xuanjing; his arrogance is now on full display.
"It seems you are unwilling to leave, and have to intervene!" Pei Xuanjing said coldly, "Are you so confident by your incarnation alone you can handle this situation?"
Whoosh!
When Pei Xuanjing spoke these words, the whole scene was shocked. Everyone present was awe-struck. The whole atmosphere turned silent, with only the whistling of the wind. No one dared to speak lightly.
Ever since the Taixu Venerable appeared and stopped Pei Xuanjing, everything exceeded their expectations.
At first, many people didn't know the identity of the man in the blue robe, but he dared to intervene in Pei Xuanjing's actions, this alone proved his astounding power and absolute confidence.
When someone realized it was Taixu Venerable, his status was no longer a secret and instantly understood by everyone present: he was an incarnation of a supreme figure in the Nine Realms of Spirit.
No one dared to comment rashly for fear of bringing disaster upon themselves.
In the eyes of the masses, the appearance of the Taixu Venerable was supposed to stop everything. Even if Pei Xuanjing was powerful, they believed he would not be able to challenge the Supreme Being in the Nine Realms of Spirit, even if it was just a manifestation of him.
Yet sometimes, the norm is meant to be shattered, which is precisely depicted by Pei Xuanjing's indomitable attitude.
According to the crowd, Pei Xuanjing's words were a challenge, a contempt towards Taixu Venerable.
Indeed, it was a challenge, a disdain for the Supreme Being in the Nine Realms of Spirit.
This is something the Taixu Venerable cannot tolerate. Even if it was not his real body present here, he cannot be disrespected and challenged by others.
"Young man, you are too arrogant!" the Taixu Venerable said angrily with a grim face.
Pei Xuanjing is nothing more than a junior. He had shown him enough respect, but he dared to speak with outright disrespect. This is exceedingly audacious and not putting him in his eyes.
Are all of today's juniors this conceited? The Taixu Venerable wondered.
This Pei Xuanjing surely got used to his invincible stand within the Ancestral Land, not knowing there are always people better than one.
Pei Xuanjing remained calm with a icy gaze, devoid of previous gentle demeanor, replaced by a severe one. "I have shown you enough respect, but you chose not to accept it and assumed an air of condescension. I don't appreciate it," he said.
His pronoun and tone have changed. Does it matter whether the opponent was a Supreme Being in the Nine Realms of Spirit or not? He had suppressed similar powers last time during the life simulation.
The Power of Incense Fire he now possessed might be less than what he had accumulated during the human race life simulation, but it was enough to support him for a few rounds.
The current Taixu Venerable was not truly here but was merely an avatar. As long as he could not unleash the full power of a Supreme Being in the Nine Realms of Spirit, Pei Xuanjing was not necessarily incapable of subduing him.
Initially, he intended to use the Canglang Palace as a stepping stone, making it a target for setting his prestige. But this stubborn Taixu Venerable left him no choice, compelling him to make the first move.
After all, it would be hundred times more effective to kill a Supreme Being in the Nine Realms of Spirit, even just a manifestation, than winning over the Canglang Palace.
With a steadfast decision in mind, Pei Xuanjing showed no hesitation and no longer showed respect towards the Taixu Venerable.
"The young man is audacious!" Taixu Venerable roared in anger.
Ever since he advanced into the Nine Layers Realm, he established the Taixu Sect as a top power and was worshipped by many, earning the respect and fear of many, including other top powers. None would dare speak so rudely to him.
For thousands of years, the Taixu Venerable had never been insulted like this. Even his peers would not degrade him this way. How could he not get furious when being belittled by a junior like Pei Xuanjing?
"Stand back, everyone. Today, I shall teach this young man a lesson—he cannot afford to offend just anyone in the world," Taixu Venerable spoke to Wei Ping and others in the Canglang Palace.
Frankly speaking, when he intervened earlier, part of the reason was his acquaintance with the senior personage of the Canglang Palace. But there was an underlying motive.
Although the Taixu Sect was a top force, he was the only Supreme Being of the Nine Realms of Spirit present, making it somehow inferior to those powers with a long history.
Hence he spent a tremendous amount to manifest an incarnation, descending to the Ancestral Land ahead of time to get a head start, securing significant benefits for the Taixu Sect.
After witnessing Pei Xuanjing's earlier performance where he easily suppressed the Third Supreme Elder of the Canglang Palace, earning the respect and fear of all, no one dared to speak when he exerted pressure on the Palace.
This was the opportunity that Taixu Venerable saw. He intended to use his reputation and status to stop Pei Xuanjing, forcing him to back down would make him replace Pei Xuanjing's position, showing everyone the might of the Taixu Sect.
His plan was great, but however, Pei Xuanjing refused to obey, which was simply unacceptable.
Sometimes, reality deviates from what one plans.
But who could have expected that even after Pei Xuanjing had recognized the identity of the Taixu Venerable as soon as he spoke up, he remained resolute, refusing to back down. His insistence on going against the Taixu Venerable infuriated him.
The Taixu Venerable was no longer interested in his original plot; he became enraged at Pei Xuanjing for challenging him and decided to establish his own authority by taking his life.
"Since you are seeking your own death, I will grant it!" The Taixu Venerable said coldly.
Despite his casual tone, the murderous intent in his voice was released without restraint. Almost everyone could sense this naked intent to kill and it sent chills down their spines.
Boom!
A formidable aura exploded from the Taixu Venerable, prompting changes in the sky and a restless churning of clouds from miles around.
"Do you think you can handle this?" Wu Shijiu couldn't help but ask Pei Xuanjing telepathically seeing that matters had escalated to this point.
As far as he was concerned, the strongest person in the Nine Realms of Spirit was frightening, but that person's incarnation didn't cause him any fear. He was more worried about exposing his identity and being chased by the Witch Deity Teaching if he acted.
But given the current situation, if Pei Xuanjing was not confident enough, he would have no choice but to join forces with him to confront their opponents.
"No worries, I can handle it. Just take care of the disciples I have brought." Pei Xuanjing sent a telepathic message to Wu Shijiu.
He felt confident enough to act, but to be on the safe side, he instructed Wu Shijiu to take care of his disciples.
After all, the Deer Elder, who was currently taking care of his disciples, had to be prepared to act. If he got into a stalemate against the Taixu Venerable, the Deer Elder would have to take the necessary actions to break the deadlock.
"Alright, I will ensure their safety," Wu Shijiu agreed, but reminded, "If you need anything, just say so. I won't refuse to help."
Pei Xuanjing said nothing more and focused on the Taixu Venerable in the distance.
"Today, I will use the incarnation of the Venerable as the curtain call for this Daming World!" His eyes fixed on the opponent, revealing a slight murderous intent.
The next moment, Pei Xuanjing slowly raised his hand and boldly made his move.
He didn't waste words on the Taixu Venerable, and he didn't want to continue the dialogue. After all, there was no point in doing so. In the end, they would still need to prove who was the stronger of the two.
Boom!
A terrifying aura shot up into the sky as Pei Xuanjing boldly made his move.
The infinite Shenxiao Origin Qi swelled wildly, causing changes in the sky. The Four Seasons and Five Orders revolved around his body, rising and falling like Thunder Obliteration, without a defined boundary between creation and destruction.
The previously disappeared blade resolidified in his hand, a riot of radiant light. Countless blade auras flickered uncertainly, and where the sword aura passed, space was left with thin cracks.
The Seventh Sword: Three Talents!
Pei Xuanjing brandished his sword, and a terrifying sword intent permeated the Heaven and Earth, cutting through everything.
This wasn't an ordinary sword strike, it embodied the intent of Heaven, Earth, and humanity. When the three talents merge as one, the sword strike it produces seems to descend from the Heaven and Earth.
"Indeed, this is a good sword move. Any strong person in the Spirit Realm Eightfold would find this a formidable strike. But to me, it is nothing more than that!" The Taixu Venerable saw Pei Xuanjing's move and unexpectedly calmed down, his previous anger dissipating.
Especially as he faced Pei Xuanjing's sword strike, as formidable as it was, it seemed like it could cut through Heaven and Earth. But the Taixu Venerable was not worried at all, instead, he started to comment with interest.
"Today, I will demonstrate to you the power of my Taixu Xuanqi!" The notes in the voice of the Taixu Venerable changed, and the Taixu Xuanqi from within his body flooded out, spreading throughout Heaven and Earth in an instant, revolving around him. The surrounding area for dozens of miles was covered by this Taixu Xuanqi.
The Taixu Xuanqi was a core technique and foundation of the Taixu Sect.
Every disciple of the Taixu Sect cultivated this internal Taixu Xuanqi, building up its strength relentlessly, until they possessed the power to reshape Heaven and Earth.
Although the Taixu Venerable was not the founder of the Taixu Sect, as the first cultivator to reach the strongest position within the Nine Realms of Spirit through the cultivation of Taixu Xuanqi, his mastery of it was unmatched both in the past and future. There was no one in the world who could compare to him.
Taixu Xuanqi is incredibly versatile, capable of both attack and defense, ranking among the top types of Primordial Qi that countless cultivators on the Path of Qi Refinement can condense. Relying on this unique Primordial Qi, the Taixu Sect was able to hold its ground amid Heaven and Earth.
Pei Xuanjing's terrifying sword intent was triggered, but it was as if it had plunged into a sea of mud, as the Taixu Xuanqi circulated and finally completely obliterated the intent of his sword strike, eventually dissipating into nothingness.
Boom after boom…
The face-off between the two was earth-shattering. One was the embodiment of the strongest person in Heaven and Earth who had stepped into the strongest realm of the Nine Realms of Spirit, and the other was a native of this ancestral land who had made continuous contributions to its revival and received the favor of the will of Heaven. His combat power, supported by the boundless Qi Luck of the will of Heaven, was terrifying.
The clash between the two almost reached the current limit that this Great Ming World could bear, and every collision caused Heaven and Earth to tremble.
Boom!
The stronghold of the Nine Realms of Spirit was undoubtedly the most powerful in Heaven and Earth. He had reached the peak of cultivation, and even though it was just an incarnation, the divine power he exhibited was terrifying. After all, with his knowledge and understanding, the interpretation of many divine powers had reached another level, and ordinary cultivators couldn't compare to this.
So, for Pei Xuanjing, even though he was already quite powerful in this incarnation, capable of suppressing many cultivators of the Spirit Realm Eightfold, he found himself slightly at a disadvantage when dealing with the incarnation of this Taixu Venerable. Even though they seemed evenly matched at the beginning, as they continued to cross swords, he gradually began losing ground.
All in all, Pei Xuanjing's rapid rise was a strength but also a weakness, wasn't it?
For many cultivators, besides constantly improving their realm, they have to spend more time practicing divine power, for protecting their path. After all, no cultivator would think that they would not meet any opponents during their growth, so the practice of divine power was necessary, and it was used to protect their lives and confront enemies.
However, this was not the case for Pei Xuanjing. In less than a hundred years, he had travelled a path that took many cultivators several hundred or even a thousand years. Although he had the aid of a life simulator, his practice of divine power was actually not much. Most of the time he relied on overpowering others by the realm, and what he truly relied on was his swordsmanship.
Thus, facing a series of divine powers from the Taixu Venerable, Pei Xuanjing was somewhat passive for the time being.