Novel11 Chapter 343 : Dharma Heaven and Earth Realm
Chapter 343 : Dharma Heaven and Earth Realm
“Senior Brother Chen, how confident are you?”Ye Xinya felt both joy and worry in her heart. Disregarding etiquette, she directly interjected.
The reason for her joy was simple. According to the battle roster Senior Brother Chen had submitted, she would have the opportunity to fight and contend with the prodigies of the Thirteen Immortal Sects, rather than being reduced to a mere spectator on the sidelines.
Her worry, however, was that if she were defeated, she would bring shame upon the Immortal Sect and might even affect the century-long ranking of the Yuqing Immortal Sect.
To put it bluntly, by proposing such a roster, Senior Brother Chen would have to bear far greater pressure.
Thus, when she addressed him as “Senior Brother Chen” this time, it was from the bottom of her heart, tinged with gratitude.
Under normal circumstances, though she never said it aloud, judging by age and seniority, she should have called Chen Beiwu “Junior Brother Chen,” not “Senior Brother Chen.”
However, within the Yuqing Immortal Sect, compared to differences in age and seniority, strength and cultivation were the only true measures of status.
And Chen Beiwu, as the top of the Yuxu Rankings, was unquestionably the strongest among this generation of disciples in the Yuqing Immortal Sect in terms of cultivation and combat power.
Otherwise, someone as aloof and proud as Mo Qingshuang—an unparalleled sword cultivator—would never have willingly addressed Chen Beiwu as Senior Brother.
Yu Zhaohua and the others remained silent, all gazing at Chen Beiwu, equally eager to know the answer.
“Ten out of ten.”
Chen Beiwu replied calmly.
Since he dared to make such arrangements, he had naturally studied the rules of the Dao Discussion Battle in advance.
Although the preliminary round of the Dao Discussion Battle was decided by drawing lots, in order to avoid early clashes between the strongest teams, the three great Immortal Sects—Yuqing, Taiqing, and Shangqing—were each placed into separate groups and would not be drawn together.
‘Ten out of ten???’
Upon hearing his answer, astonishment flashed through the eyes of Yu Zhaohua and the other three.
It was not that they doubted Chen Beiwu’s words. On the contrary, precisely because they knew how unfathomable his strength was, they understood how terrifying the weight behind “ten out of ten” truly was.
After all, the Chief Disciples of the Ten Great Immortal Sects were no ordinary figures.
Every cultivator who sat in the position of Chief Disciple had survived layer upon layer of selection, emerging from countless prodigies among their fellow disciples.
The realm of Golden Core Perfection was merely the most insignificant label attached to such prodigies.
Of course, they also believed that in single combat, none of the Ten Great Immortal Sects’ Chief Disciples would be Chen Beiwu’s opponent.
But under the Supreme Above All rules, Chen Beiwu would have to face five Golden Core prodigies from the same sect at once—five who cooperated seamlessly.
The variables and pressure this brought were far beyond a one-on-one duel. Even an early-stage Nascent Soul prodigy of an Immortal Sect would likely not dare claim certain victory.
Yet Chen Beiwu dared to say he had ten out of ten certainty.
‘As expected, Chen Beiwu has always been hiding his true strength.’
Yu Zhaohua’s chest rose slightly as she looked at him with complicated emotions.
Clearly, she was the one with an Innate Dao Body. Her cultivation advanced at a speed few prodigies could match—yet she still could not catch up to Chen Beiwu.
Xue Tianyi pressed his lips together, swallowing the words of objection that had nearly left his mouth.
He did indeed wish to fight for the Immortal Sect. But he valued the honor of the Yuqing Immortal Sect—and the benefits that honor would bring—even more.
According to confidential news from elders within his clan, if they could defend their title as number one under Chen Beiwu’s leadership, they would have a chance to obtain a quota to enter the Dharma Heaven and Earth Realm.
The Dharma Heaven and Earth Realm was one of the Thirty-Six Minor Grotto-Heavens of the Yuqing Immortal Sect. Within it were nurtured Heavenly-Gang Dao Marks left behind by successive generations of great cultivators.
If a Golden Core Perfection cultivator entered that place, they could resonate their Golden Core Great Dao with the countless Dao Marks inherited within the realm, entering a half-enlightened state. Borrowing the traces of their predecessors’ enlightenment and combining it with their own path, they could condense the embryonic Yang Spirit into a Heavenly-Gang Dharma Aspect.
Simply put, the Heavenly-Gang Dharma Aspect was the hallmark mystic ability of a Nascent Soul True Monarch whose spirit had merged with Heaven and Earth—something only Nascent Soul True Monarchs could normally grasp.
Yet with the power of the Dharma Heaven and Earth Realm, sufficiently gifted Golden Core Perfection cultivators could skip the Nascent Soul formation process and forge a Heavenly-Gang Dharma Aspect in advance, greatly reducing the difficulty of proving the Dao to become a Nascent Soul True Monarch in the future.
However, forging a Heavenly-Gang Dharma Aspect in advance was far from easy.
Those lacking sufficient aptitude might enter the Dharma Heaven and Earth Realm and gain nothing, wasting the opportunity entirely.
Thus, quotas to enter were extremely rare. Unless one was a direct disciple of a Divine Transformation True Venerable within the Immortal Sect, even Golden Core True Persons of the Yuqing Immortal Sect had no right to apply.
Xue Tianyi himself was a clear example.
Even though he came from a True Venerable lineage and had reached Golden Core Perfection, he still had to bring glory to the Yuqing Immortal Sect at the Immortal Sect Exchange Conference in order to fight for a chance to enter the Dharma Heaven and Earth Realm.
As for someone like Chen Beiwu—an unparalleled prodigy highly valued by the sect—he likely did not even need to apply. Once his cultivation met the requirements, he would naturally be allowed to enter.
“Then we’ll follow Senior Brother Chen’s arranged battle roster.”
After a moment of hesitation, Xue Tianyi chose to compromise.
“And what about you?” Chen Beiwu swept his gaze across the three and asked again.
“We agree.”
Yu Zhaohua, Mo Qingshuang, and Ye Xinya exchanged a glance and nodded in unison.
After the discussion ended, they each took their leave.
Chen Beiwu retrieved the Fire-Suppressing Mystic Lamp containing the Dissolving Azure Flame from his storage ring and fed Iron Egg.
He never acted without purpose. The reason he positioned himself as the final pillar had two aims.
First, to give his teammates opportunities to temper themselves and understand their opponents in preparation for the upcoming Heroes Gathering.
Second, to better spread the method of the embryonic pill—after all, he himself was the finest advertisement for it.
Nothing could better demonstrate the might of the Taiyi Foundation-Laying Marvelous Method to the prodigies of the Thirteen Immortal Sects than a one-versus-five sweep.
In this way, without needing everyone—even if only thirty percent of the prodigies were willing to study, comprehend, and inherit the Taiyi Foundation-Laying Marvelous Method—then with the power of the Nine-Breath Chaos Divine Ability, Chen Beiwu’s Fate rank would undergo a qualitative leap.
……
Two days passed in the blink of an eye.
Tianyan Immortal Sect, Luoxia Peak summit.
The massive circular dueling plaza was built from fire-rock stone. With layer upon layer of formation restrictions protecting it, even a Nascent Soul True Monarch battling within could not shake the defensive barrier surrounding the arena.
Though the Immortal Sect Exchange Conference had yet to officially begin, the spectator seats around the dueling platform were already filled with roaring voices.
“Buzz!”
When an elderly man with white hair and beard yet a complexion rosy as an infant stepped through the air and instantly appeared above the dueling platform, the clamorous noise abruptly fell silent.
“Honored by the regard of fellow Daoists from all Immortal Sects, this session of the Immortal Sect Exchange Conference is hosted by our Tianyan Immortal Sect.”
“I am Feng Binhang, serving humbly as Vice Minister of the Teaching Department of Tianyan Immortal Sect, responsible for presiding over this conference.”
“This Immortal Sect Exchange Conference is meant to exchange insights through discussion and mutual learning. May the prodigies of each sect fully display their studies and verify their Dao.”
“Without further ado.”
With a sweep of his sleeve, Feng Binhang declared, “The Immortal Sect Exchange Conference officially begins. Let the team leaders of Yuqing, Taiqing, Shangqing, and Jiuxiao Immortal Sect step forward to draw lots.”
The preliminary rules of the Dao Discussion Battle were simple. The team leaders of the top four-ranked Immortal Sects from the previous conference would draw lots to determine Groups A, B, C, and D.
Groups A, B, and C would each have one of the Upper Three Immortal Sects stationed within and consist of three sect teams, making advancement more difficult.
Group D would have no Upper Three Immortal Sect stationed and consist of four teams, making advancement easier.
Each group would then conduct round-robin matches. The two Immortal Sects with the highest points in each group would advance, determining the Eight Great Immortal Sects.
The five eliminated Immortal Sects would have one chance at a revival match, challenging one of the advancing eight. Victory would replace them into the top eight; defeat would eliminate them, determining rankings thereafter.
Thus, any Immortal Sect advancing into the top eight through the preliminary round would be genuinely strong, with little reliance on luck.
In an instant, four figures shot out from the directions of the four Immortal Sects and landed upon the dueling platform.
Lei Hao’s escape light carried the greatest momentum, accompanied by the sound of wind and thunder. He stood at the northern position, drawing cheers from the Jiuxiao Immortal Sect’s side.
Zhao Yue appeared silently at the southern position, her aura merging with Heaven and Earth, almost imperceptible.
Wang Chan rode a dull-auraed green ox, slowly ascending to the western position without revealing the slightest pressure.
After ascending, the three did not look at one another. Instead, they all turned toward the east.
“Step!”
“Step!”
“Step!”
Under countless gazes, Chen Beiwu ignored the aura locks of the three Golden Cores and activated Cangming Void-Stepping, taking three steps to arrive at the eastern position, his expression calm and undisturbed.
A trace of interest flashed in Feng Binhang’s eyes.
As Zhou Gaochang had said, this year’s Yuqing team leader was indeed somewhat extraordinary.
Even as a Great Cultivator at Nascent Soul Perfection, he could not discern Chen Beiwu’s true realm at a glance.
‘So this is Chen Beiwu, the pioneer of the Foundation Establishment path? He looks rather ordinary!’
‘Something’s off. Why do the three Chief Disciples of Taiqing, Shangqing, and Jiuxiao Immortal Sect seem wary of him?’
‘Interesting… The draw hasn’t even begun, yet the smell of gunpowder is already in the air…’
In the spectator stands, cultivators watched the four renowned prodigies with eager eyes.
When Feng Binhang signaled the start of the drawing ceremony, Chen Beiwu extended his right hand toward the purple sandalwood lot tube.
‘Please don’t draw us!’
The other nine Chief Disciples of the Immortal Sects all stiffened, eyes fixed on Chen Beiwu’s descending hand.
Even with a revival match as a margin for error, few Immortal Sects wished to face one of the Upper Three Immortal Sects in the preliminary round. Doing so would expose too much of their strength before the quarterfinals and semifinals.
Chen Beiwu remained calm. His fingertips brushed within the tube and withdrew, producing two jade slips.
To him, it made no difference which sect he drew.
But for the others, this was a moment that decided fate.
【Daluo Immortal Sect】
【Xuanhuang Immortal Sect】
Chen Beiwu displayed the jade slips to Feng Binhang, who nodded and placed Daluo Immortal Sect and Xuanhuang Immortal Sect into Group A.
‘Damn it!’
The Chief Disciple of Xuanhuang Immortal Sect’s expression darkened.
‘Not bad luck.’
The Chief Disciple of Daluo Immortal Sect remained composed.
If he couldn’t defeat Yuqing Immortal Sect, could he not at least defeat Xuanhuang Immortal Sect?
With Xuanhuang as a cushion, their advancement into the top eight was likely secure.
Soon, the drawing ceremony concluded, and the first match of the Dao Discussion Battle began with Group A.
Ye Xinya took the field as Yuqing Immortal Sect’s vanguard and narrowly won.
Yu Zhaohua followed, defeating the Chief Disciple of Xuanhuang Immortal Sect with overwhelming superiority.
Xue Tianyi fought—victory.
Chen Beiwu, as the pillar, never even had the chance to act. Yuqing swept Xuanhuang Immortal Sect three to zero.
‘What a pity.’
Zhao Yue narrowed her eyes slightly in disappointment.
She had hoped to witness the legendary Yuanshi Golden Core. Unexpectedly, Xuanhuang Immortal Sect was so weak this year.
On the contrary, the Chief Disciple of Daluo Immortal Sect harbored a thought and altered his team’s battle order before facing Yuqing.
Chen Beiwu, however, made no adjustments. Everything remained as before.
Ye Xinya fought first and narrowly lost.
Yu Zhaohua fought—overwhelming victory.
Xue Tianyi fought but unfortunately faced the Chief Disciple of Daluo Immortal Sect and narrowly lost.
‘What’s happening?’
The sudden turn of events shocked all cultivators, and murmurs erupted.
Before the match began, no one had expected the mid-tier Daluo Immortal Sect to take two points from Yuqing Immortal Sect. Even the Daluo Chief Disciple himself was somewhat incredulous.
He had only intended to trade a weaker horse for a stronger one to secure a single point.
He had not expected Chen Beiwu to be so bold, making no adjustments to the battle order. As a result, Daluo Immortal Sect unexpectedly secured two points.
Feng Binhang raised an eyebrow and glanced at Chen Beiwu, who remained calm.
‘Could it be?’
The rules of Supreme Above All flashed through his mind, and his gaze toward Chen Beiwu shifted.
Underestimating an opponent was a great taboo in duels. No cultivator would expose weaknesses without reason.
Unless the weakness was deliberately shown—or they possessed absolute confidence.
Good heavens. It seemed he had underestimated this generation’s Yuanshi Golden Core!
“I’m sorry.”
Ye Xinya lowered her head, her expression dim, not daring to meet Chen Beiwu’s eyes.
What she feared most had come true.
Because of her defeat, Daluo Immortal Sect now had two points. They needed only one more victory to defeat Yuqing Immortal Sect and set a new record.
Mo Qingshuang glanced at her, gripped the sword hilt behind his back, and stepped onto the platform.
He did not believe he would lose. He merely wished to display absolute strength and make Daluo Immortal Sect understand what despair was.
“It’s nothing. Victory and defeat are common in warfare.”
Chen Beiwu comforted Ye Xinya and watched the duel with interest.
As expected, Mo Qingshuang required only two sword strikes to crush his opponent and secure a point.
After four matches, the score stood at two to two. All eyes turned toward Chen Beiwu.
No one believed Daluo Immortal Sect could win—but they wished to witness the strength of the top of the Yuxu Rankings.
‘A Golden Core Peak cultivator likely cannot force Chen Beiwu to reveal his true strength,’ Wang Chan thought quietly.
“Gulp.”
Meanwhile, seeing Chen Beiwu step onto the stage, Fan Ran swallowed nervously, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
As Daluo Immortal Sect’s pillar, he possessed genuine strength. But compared to the top of the Yuxu Rankings, it was laughable.
‘Should I just concede?’
He transmitted his thoughts to the Daluo Chief Disciple.
The latter’s expression turned solemn as he gave Fan Ran a deep look.
Defeat and surrender were two entirely different matters.
In the history of the Immortal Sect Exchange Conference, there had never been a prodigy who conceded outright.
With no choice, Fan Ran clenched his teeth and walked toward the dueling platform under the faintly sympathetic gazes of his fellow disciples.
“Begin.”
The moment Feng Binhang’s words fell, Chen Beiwu gently stroked Golden Egg on his shoulder, his expression calm.
At that instant, Fan Ran’s eyes met Chen Beiwu’s.
His body trembled violently. His divine sense perception shifted; the clamoring spectators, his Companion Beast fighting at his side, even Heaven and Earth themselves suddenly vanished, replaced by boundless darkness.
Yet to outside observers, Chen Beiwu had merely glanced at him.
Fan Ran’s eyes rolled white, and with a “thud,” he collapsed unconscious.
Even his Companion Beast let out a muffled groan and fell stiffly, smashing a deep crater into the ground.
In other words, from the announcement of the duel’s start to its end, only a single breath had passed.
Chen Beiwu stood unmoving, not even the corner of his robe stirred, yet he effortlessly crushed a Golden Core Peak cultivator.
A deathly silence instantly blanketed the entire spectator stands.
The vast majority of Golden Core True Persons had not even reacted before seeing Fan Ran and his Companion Beast collapse to the ground.