Chapter 183
Although Zhuang Ye had stabilized his spiritual energy, Tao Zhiyuan couldn’t suppress the blood rising in his throat and spat out a mouthful.
Zhuang Ye looked a little ‘panicked.’ “Brother Tao, what’s wrong? Are you okay? Did something go wrong with your cultivation? I’ll go call Venerable Tianming right now…”
“No, there’s no need. I’m fine. My aura is just a bit unstable from the recent advancement. I just need to regulate my breathing, and I’ll be fine. You should head back now.”
Right now, Tao Zhiyuan didn’t want to see Zhuang Ye in the slightest, much less hear him speak. He was afraid he wouldn’t be able to resist attacking him, and even more afraid he’d simply die from rage.
Zhuang Ye still looked very concerned. “Are you really okay? You’re spitting up blood; it looks quite serious. Will you still be able to participate in the sect competition, Brother Tao?”
“I’m fine. It just looks worse than it is. I can participate. Now, hurry up and go.”
As if completely oblivious to Tao Zhiyuan’s displeasure, Zhuang Ye stuffed another pile of pills into his hands before leaving reluctantly.
Tao Zhiyuan clutched the pills, watching Zhuang Ye’s back, wishing he could just throw them to the ground.
But in the end, he restrained himself.
He had to properly regulate his breathing. He couldn’t let a dandy like Zhuang Ye outdo him.
He just got lucky, that’s all. His future advancements won’t necessarily be so smooth. Above Nascent Soul is Divine Transformation…
After giving himself a mental pep talk, Tao Zhiyuan managed to keep from going insane.
However, what was the use of restraining himself now? The real time for him to lose his mind would be at the start of the sect competition.
The sect competition.
This time, there was a noticeable difference when the other sects arrived at Tianyuan Sect.
Previously, when visiting Tianyuan Sect, its disciples had acted superior and flaunted their status. The other sects, mindful of Tianyuan Sect’s Divine Transformation ancestor, could only endure it in silence.
But now, their own sects also had Divine Transformation ancestors. Even if they weren’t supposed to announce it yet, they had a newfound confidence. They knew that after this competition, the power structure of the cultivation world was about to shift.
Consequently, for the first time ever, the disciples of Tianyuan Sect received the cold shoulder from the other sects.
They were dumbfounded and felt that the disciples from the other sects truly didn’t know their place.
Amid this standoff, the sect competition officially began.
Normally, Venerable Tianming wasn’t required to attend the sect competition.
However, on the day of the competition, the Divine Transformation cultivators from the several other sects all made an appearance. The Nascent Soul cultivators who had originally led the delegations now stood behind them.
The Sect Master of Tianyuan Sect, who was presiding over the competition, was stunned.
He was a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator and had met Tianming, so he naturally knew the kind of aura a Divine Transformation cultivator possessed.
Had he suffered a cultivation deviation, or had he entered an illusion?
How did all these sects suddenly have Divine Transformation cultivators?
Were Divine Transformation cultivators a dime a dozen now?
Everyone on the cloud platform was a Nascent Soul cultivator, and all the Tianyuan Sect cultivators present were utterly stunned. Even knowing it was disrespectful, they couldn’t help but stare wide-eyed, looking in disbelief at the several Divine Transformation cultivators who were calmly sipping their tea.
The Sect Master of Tianyuan Sect was the first to find his voice, which trembled slightly as he spoke. “What… what is going on? How have you all…”
He recognized all of them and knew that most were near the end of their lifespans, on the verge of passing away.
Yet now, not only were they perfectly fine, but they had all become Divine Transformation cultivators.
The Sect Master’s hands trembled slightly—not from fear, but from excitement.
They had successfully advanced to the Divine Transformation stage. Did that mean they could now ascend to the Upper Realm?
Seeing the Sect Master’s reaction, Zheng Ping decided it was time. He set down his teacup and began with a smile, “Sect Master Xuanhong, are you perhaps wondering why we have all advanced to the Divine Transformation stage?”
“To be honest, we never expected to advance to the Divine Transformation stage either. After all, our lifespans were nearly exhausted, and we were on the verge of passing away. Since this small world has lost contact with the Upper Realm and ascension is impossible, it seemed our only option was to wait for death.”
The Tianyuan Sect cultivators present: “…” Can you please say something useful? We don’t want to hear this nonsense. We just want to know how you advanced to Divine Transformation!
They complained inwardly, but they couldn’t let it show on their faces.
Sect Master Xuanhong of Tianyuan Sect picked up the conversation. “Yes, Venerable Zheng Ping is correct. The inability to ascend to the Upper Realm is a pain in the heart of every cultivator in our small world, and a problem we all wish to solve. I was so shocked just now that I haven’t had a chance to properly congratulate you on achieving the Divine Transformation stage.”
Xuanhong congratulated each of the Divine Transformation cultivators in turn, and the other cultivators from Tianyuan Sect could only follow his lead.
Only after they had finished did Zheng Ping speak with a beaming smile. “The joy is mutual. Our successful advancement to the Divine Transformation stage is a good thing, but it is a minor one. After all, the truly important matter is enabling the cultivators of our small world to successfully ascend to the Upper Realm.”
Xuanhong could no longer maintain his composure. “Venerable Zheng Ping, are you saying that you’ve found a way to ascend to the Upper Realm?”
After asking this, Xuanhong couldn’t help but think of Tao Zhiyuan.
Previously, all the Nascent Soul cultivators of Tianyuan Sect had pinned their hopes on Tao Zhiyuan.
But now, Tao Zhiyuan had only just reached the Nascent Soul stage, while the other sects already had Divine Transformation cultivators. So, what about Tao Zhiyuan?
Xuanhong glanced discreetly at Tao Zhiyuan before turning his gaze back to Zheng Ping, awaiting his reply.
On the cloud platform, Zhuang Ye was present as well as Tao Zhiyuan. Hearing Zheng Ping’s words and seeing his cultivation level, Zhuang Ye was certain this was connected to Qiu Chi.
He subtly shuffled to the side, guessing that the focus would soon turn to Tao Zhiyuan.
And things unfolded just as he expected.
Zheng Ping began to speak. “Yes, we have found a way to ascend to the Upper Realm. We were able to successfully reach the Divine Transformation stage thanks to a certain fellow Daoist. That fellow Daoist is willing to break the seal for us so we can ascend, but… that fellow Daoist has one condition.”
As soon as Zheng Ping said this, an ominous premonition inexplicably rose in Tao Zhiyuan’s heart.
He had a feeling that whatever Zheng Ping said next would not only be disadvantageous to him but also dangerous.
He couldn’t help but speak up. “Venerable Zheng Ping, you mentioned a seal? Is the path of ascension for our small world sealed? What is that senior’s cultivation level? Are they a Divine Transformation cultivator, like you all? If so, there’s really no need to trouble that senior, since you venerables are all at the Divine Transformation stage.”
There was nothing wrong with Tao Zhiyuan’s words, and Xuanhong readily agreed. “Our Ancestor Tianming is also a Divine Transformation cultivator. With him and all of you, there’s truly no need to trouble that senior for help. I will send a message for Ancestor Tianming to come over at once.”
Zheng Ping simply watched with a smile, saying nothing, while the other Divine Transformation cultivators sipped their tea with an air of profound composure.
Of course Tianming had to come. Without him, the show couldn’t go on.
As for the seal?
It wasn’t that they hadn’t considered breaking it themselves, but they couldn’t even find the seal, so how could they possibly talk of breaking it?
Tianming had reached the Divine Transformation stage long before them, but had he broken the seal? He probably wasn’t even aware that a seal existed.
Below, the disciples were competing; above, the sect leaders were posturing.
Qiu Chi was hiding in the shadows, watching the drama unfold.
Tao Zhiyuan wasn’t stupid, just far too arrogant.
When Xuanhong sent the message to Tianming, he only mentioned that a way to ascend to the Upper Realm had been found. He did not say that each of the other sects now had a Divine Transformation cultivator.
So, when Tianming used his ground-shrinking technique to arrive and saw the several Divine Transformation cultivators present, the look on his face was far more spectacular than that of the other Tianyuan Sect members.
“What sort of demonic, heretical method did you use to reach the Divine Transformation stage?”
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