Chapter 523 - 516: Leaving the Zhao Kingdom
Chapter 523: Chapter 516: Leaving the Zhao Kingdom
After testing the changes in his abilities following his ascension to the Divinity Transformation Realm, Du Youqian still felt a sense of regret.
He hadn’t awakened any new Divine Abilities during his breakthrough.
’Though, my Personal Space is large enough to somewhat make up for this regret.’
’Perhaps it’s because I chose to speedrun my advancement and didn’t spend enough time building a solid foundation in the Nascent Soul Stage.’
Comprehending "Body Freedom" and "All Living Beings Are Equal" had already used up all his accumulated insight.
’Next, after taking care of important matters, I won’t continue to rapidly advance my Realm. Instead, I’ll spend several hundred, or even a thousand years, to properly comprehend Sword Intent and Divine Abilities, polish my Cultivation Techniques, and completely shore up all my weaknesses.’
For most Divinity Transformation True Monarchs, this wouldn’t be a worthwhile trade-off. The Divinity Transformation Stage grants a lifespan of over three thousand years, but it isn’t infinite.
Most people are already close to a thousand years old, or even older, when they ascend.
Furthermore, advancing from Divinity Transformation to Void Step also requires a long period of accumulation. One truly begins to understand and comprehend the Great Dao, and a single session of secluded meditation can last for centuries.
Few would be so extravagant as to spend a thousand years comprehending Divine Abilities and polishing their Cultivation Techniques.
But for Du Youqian, it was a sound investment.
’Because whether it’s Divine Abilities, Sword Intent, or Cultivation Techniques, I can take them all with me to the next life...’
As for the Void Step Realm, although he yearned for it, he knew it wouldn’t be so easy to reach.
It wasn’t just about his Celestial Spirit Root, or the fact that he was practicing a Cultivation Technique suitable for a Cosmic Spirit Root.
After the Divinity Transformation Realm, Cultivation has little to do with one’s Spirit Root.
Moreover, the *Golden Jade Flying Scripture of the Eight Realms of Truth* that he practiced was an incomplete version, only allowing Cultivation up to the Divinity Transformation Early Stage. The path beyond that was cut off.
And whether he tried to complete it himself or obtain the later parts, neither would be an easy task.
Therefore, Du Youqian’s plan was one that most Cultivators would never choose, yet it was the one most suited for him.
After returning to his immortal residence, his gaze fell upon the Foundation Establishment Maid.
The woman stepped forward, about to speak, when Du Youqian nodded. "I know."
With that, he flicked out a Jadeite Invitation Card. "Deliver this to Kai Ping True Monarch for me."
Cultivators from the Zhao Royal Family were rather fond of rules and putting on airs.
Of course, it wasn’t to the point of being obnoxious.
And Du Youqian could sympathize.
He understood all these ploys the nobility used to elevate their own status.
After all, he had been a Prime Minister and a Celestial Master of the Nine Countries.
’If I were to establish an Immortal Country in the future, I would also start emphasizing rules, airs, and etiquette.’
’Because etiquette is what defines the hierarchy between high and low, making royal authority seem noble.’
The Foundation Establishment Maid opened her mouth, but in the end, could only bow dejectedly. "As the True Monarch commands."
Du Youqian had just learned from the Foundation Establishment Maid’s thoughts that Kai Ping True Monarch had arranged a lavish banquet to celebrate his successful breakthrough, to be held in one month.
The reason for the long wait was, of course, to invite fellow cultivators from far and wide, prepare the ingredients and wine for the feast, and conduct emergency training for the servants and dancers who would be performing.
Du Youqian could roughly guess the purpose behind Kai Ping True Monarch’s grand display.
The invitation card he had the Foundation Establishment Maid deliver, however, was to schedule a visit to Kai Ping True Monarch for the next day.
After all, though he was a Tributor of the Zhao Kingdom, he had made no real contributions while enjoying quite a few benefits. It would be best to go and express his thanks tomorrow.
The next day, Du Youqian arrived at Kai Ping True Monarch’s temporary immortal residence at the appointed time.
Kai Ping True Monarch didn’t normally reside in this city, but when he graced it with his presence, the local Cultivators considered it an honor to offer him their immortal residences.
Du Youqian and Kai Ping True Monarch had a very pleasant conversation. The True Monarch showed no trace of arrogance, nor did he put on a show of "honoring a worthy talent." Du Youqian was his equal in Realm, with potential that far surpassed his own. He would have to be an idiot to act condescendingly toward Du Youqian.
All the etiquette and posturing were for outsiders. In the face of Du Youqian, a complete Divinity Transformation True Monarch who had passed through nine Celestial Tribulations, Kai Ping True Monarch had not a shred of pride.
Kai Ping True Monarch meticulously explained some key points of Cultivation in the Divinity Transformation Early Stage and gifted Du Youqian several Enlightenment Stones of various sizes, worth nearly a million Spiritual Jade, as a congratulatory gift for his breakthrough.
Enlightenment Stones could be used to aid Cultivation in the Void Step Realm and comprehend the Great Dao, but they could also help one comprehend Divine Abilities, Sword Intent, and the like.
Although Du Youqian had previously been of modest means, aside from what he had gained in Fairy Hengguan’s immortal residence, his net worth was only a little over one hundred million Spiritual Jade.
’If I include the haul from Fairy Hengguan’s immortal residence... it would probably be more than two or three hundred million.’
But the problem was, most of those things were not easy to liquidate.
And he was reluctant to liquidate them anyway.
For instance, the precious minerals, Bao Yu, and Spirit Plants he had obtained in Momenan—he would rather use them himself for Artifact Refining, Alchemy, Array Formation, and creating Puppets. It would be enough for him to raise his Alchemy, Artifact Refining, Arrays, and Puppetry Art to above Tier Five, approaching Tier Six.
And if he were to sell everything, although he didn’t lack the channels, many of the items would be very difficult to buy back once sold.
Therefore, Du Youqian actually didn’t have much Spiritual Jade on hand, and he had been unwilling to buy Enlightenment Stones during his Nascent Soul Stage.
Since Kai Ping True Monarch was being so generous, Du Youqian naturally accepted with a smile.
Then, Kai Ping True Monarch also mentioned that since Du Youqian had advanced, his stipend of 1.5 million Spiritual Jade every fifty years was no longer appropriate and should be increased.
As for how much to increase it, there were naturally rules for that, and Du Youqian couldn’t be bothered to haggle over it.
"I only hope that fellow Daoist will stay in our humble kingdom for a while longer."
Du Youqian thought for a moment and didn’t refuse. "It’s just that I have other urgent matters to attend to. How about this: after the banquet, I will leave for a period of time. Once I’ve handled my affairs, I will return immediately and continue to stand guard over the Zhao Kingdom for another fifty years."
Kai Ping True Monarch said sheepishly, "Fifty years is too short. A hundred years. Let’s make it a hundred years."
In his heart, Du Youqian had already decided he could stay for a hundred years at most; he had just left a little room for negotiation.
After Kai Ping True Monarch’s sincere invitation, he relented.
After his meeting with Kai Ping True Monarch ended and he returned to his immortal residence, Du Youqian took out the Gu Technique Inheritance and began to study it.
He hadn’t forgotten that Sui Zhi in Ruihan City was still waiting for him to ascend to Divinity Transformation and reach at least Tier Three in Gu Technique to dispel the Ghost Infant Gu.
After ascending to Divinity Transformation, his powerful Divine Sense made understanding Low Tier Cultivation Techniques completely effortless.
Even for the techniques he had the least talent in, he learned as naturally as a fish in water, making rapid progress.
Du Youqian sent his Maid to buy some materials for practicing the Gu Technique. After his ascension to Divinity Transformation, the Maid assigned to him by the Zhao Royal Family had been quietly replaced with a Core Formation Kun Cultivator from the Royal Family. The intention was blatantly obvious: it was both to win him over with a beauty and to have a Divinity Transformation expert like him leave his seed for the Zhao Royal Family.
This Kun Cultivator was, of course, as beautiful as a flower and had a gentle temperament—and even if she didn’t, she would have to be gentle in front of a Divinity Transformation Ancestor.
Moreover, she was still a virgin.
Du Youqian didn’t dislike her, but right now, he only wanted to raise his Gu Technique to Tier Three as quickly as possible. He didn’t leave his residence for the entire next month and never once took her to his bed.
One month later, the banquet hosted by Kai Ping True Monarch was a bustling affair, with many nearby factions sending representatives to attend.
Kai Ping True Monarch solemnly introduced Du Youqian to the other cultivators. Although the various factions already knew that someone from the Zhao Kingdom had successfully ascended to Divinity Transformation, seeing it with their own eyes was another matter entirely.
Kai Ping True Monarch also wanted to hold a grand Divinity Transformation ceremony for Du Youqian, but Du Youqian declined.
’I’m a member of the Immortal City Alliance. Even if there’s going to be a celebration, it should be hosted by the Immortal City Alliance.’
After the banquet, Du Youqian stayed for a while longer at Kai Ping True Monarch’s insistence before firmly taking his leave.
After leaving the Zhao Kingdom, Du Youqian traveled north.
As a Divinity Transformation True Monarch, he had more than enough power to protect himself. After all, in the current Human World, Harmonization Great Powers did not appear, and Void Step True Monarchs were restrained and rarely acted. The Divinity Transformation Realm was the pinnacle of Martial Force on public display. Who would be so blind as to provoke him?
The journey to the Lingxiao Sword Pavilion was uneventful. Upon arrival, Du Youqian presented his calling card.
The Lingxiao Sword Pavilion naturally had a Void Step True Monarch presiding over it. As for whether there was an old Harmonization monster, that was uncertain.
The Lingxiao Sword Pavilion took Du Youqian’s visit very seriously, sending an Elder at the Divinity Transformation Realm to receive him.
This was the courtesy due to a Divinity Transformation True Monarch. Even if they looked down on the Immortal City Alliance, every Divinity Transformation True Monarch deserved respect.
After tea, Du Youqian stated his purpose: he wanted to meet with Jing Ruoxu.
"Unfortunately, I must inform fellow Daoist that Martial Nephew Ruoxu went into seclusion a few years ago to break through to Divinity Transformation. He is still far from the point of Crossing the Tribulation, and it will likely be several more years before we see the result."
Du Youqian didn’t insist. He left a Jade Slip in which he explained his identity and apologized for standing him up back then, then gracefully departed.