Undoubtedly, the foundations of this overlord nation were unshakable.

The state of Qi, in its inexorable rise, had extinguished countless nations and brought ruin to untold sects. Its national treasury overflowed with a vast ocean of Dao techniques. Moreover, the technique institute, a recipient of immense national investment, constantly unveiled new and formidable arts.

With such a plethora of powerful Dao techniques to choose from, why would Jiang Wang opt for an archaic art like the Six Desires Bodhisattva?

It wasn’t due to any profound Buddhist affinity or exceptional root of wisdom. Rather, this particular Dao technique resonated deeply with his current state.

The so-called Six Desires stemmed from the six senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, and intention.

The Five Senses Hell technique he had inscribed in his fourth inner mansion specifically targeted sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch. His experience with this art dovetailed almost perfectly with the Six Desires Bodhisattva technique.

Furthermore, his mastery of ear consciousness soundkill was already a formidable strength, aligning directly with one of the Six Desires. One could hardly find a Dao technique more suited to his current situation.

And indeed, the reality bore this out. Jiang Wang invested far less time into the Six Desires Bodhisattva than the Cang Long Seven Changes, yet attained mastery sooner.

The Withered Glory Courtyard, once an entity of immense power with branches scattered throughout Qi, possessed a truly extraordinary inheritance.

The Six Desires Bodhisattva, for instance, was a classic Dao technique that had withstood the ravages of time, skillfully leveraging spiritual consciousness and the six senses. Its advantages were prominent, with no discernible weaknesses, making it relevant even in this era.

Jiang Wang closed his eyes, and his form immediately shifted into the Six Desires manifestation.

The seven orifices giving birth to lotus flowers, surprisingly, harmonized perfectly with this Zen-like form.

The Six Desires:

First, the desire of seeing, greedy for beautiful colors and strange objects.
Second, the desire of listening, greedy for pleasant sounds and words of praise.
Third, the desire of fragrance, greedy for scents and flavors.
Fourth, the desire of touch, greedy for comfortable sensations and enjoyments.
Fifth, the desire of taste, greedy for delightful flavors.
Sixth, the desire of intention, greedy for sensory pleasures, fame, fortune, and affection.

And within Min Youning’s Divine Soul sea, a Bodhisattva bathed in Buddha light, the Six Desires Bodhisattva, had already descended!

This Six Desires Bodhisattva bore the appearance of Du Gu Wudi, yet it was molded from gold, haloed with Buddha light, clad in a kasaya, its radiance illuminating the four seas.

The Bodhisattva’s face was majestic, seemingly observing the mortal realm. A lofty nose bridge cleaved the landscape like mountains. The left side of the Buddha-face was steeped in shadow, filled with endless falling desires, while the right side shone with radiant treasure light, bright and solemn.

This was a divine soul killing technique of the God Arrival level.

Upon reaching the God Arrival realm, divine soul power condenses into spiritual consciousness, granting the true ability to interfere with reality. Correspondingly, it also becomes more susceptible to interference *by* reality.

When the divine soul emerges from the Heavenly Palace and integrates within the body’s four seas, it simultaneously gains the power of a god and loses its innate protection.

It was akin to a fetus leaving the safety of the mother’s womb, thus having to face the wind and rain.

Divine soul-level combat, after reaching the God Arrival realm, truly became one of the primary battlefields.

And for Jiang Wang, this meant his inherent advantage in divine soul power could finally be more fully expressed in combat!

Min Youning’s Containment God Hall naturally suppressed this portion of the Divine Soul sea. Years of cultivation after reaching God Arrival had granted her control over this domain.

The faint starlight, the divine light, the surging Dao Origin – these were the powers accumulated within her body after traversing the four seas.

This enabled her to exert a degree of control over reality within the vast void of this Divine Soul sea.

But with the descent of the Six Desires Bodhisattva, everything changed.

What night was this in the Divine Soul sea? The Bodhisattva resided in a land of bliss.

For a time, heavenly flowers rained down chaotically, golden lotuses surged from the ground, brilliant light illuminated all, and rare treasures dazzled the senses. Men and women of exquisite beauty danced gracefully to enchanting music. Scenes rarely witnessed in the mortal world, colors once seen never forgotten, all surged forth at this moment.

And the music was so captivatingly beautiful, it intoxicated the listener.

In Min Youning’s ears, the voices of the important people in her life seemed to echo, all filled with praise for her.

Praise for her beauty like a flower, praise for her diligence and merit, praise for her noble character, praise for her endless beauty and splendor.

Her divine soul manifestation sat firmly within the Containment God Hall, but at this moment, all she desired was to drown in intoxication. She yearned to float in a beautiful dream of gains and losses, a dream she had fabricated entirely to atone for past regrets. All missed opportunities and pains were no more, and her life unfolded smoothly, carried by favorable winds and flowing waters.

She had successfully ascended to the Cave True realm and, hand in hand with the ruler, rebuilt the glory of the state of Qiao.

From Dan to Qiao, encompassing the many small states of the entire river valley plain, forming a united alliance. They possessed unprecedented military might, thereby gaining the qualification for autonomy. They had earned the right to seize benefits after the opening of the Myriad Demon Gate, to distribute Origin Pulse Pills…

She suddenly awakened, her mind repeatedly assailed by images of scorched earth, of deep scars!

How beautiful the vision, how cruel the reality.

In truth, before the River Valley War erupted, the states of the River Valley had indeed formed such connections, seeking to emulate the Northwest Five States Alliance and establish a mutual defense alliance in the southwest of the present world. This alliance was forged in the utmost secrecy, including the states of Dan and Qiao beyond the plains, all joining the clandestine pact…

But the River Valley War shattered everything.

The painstaking efforts of the River Valley states, spanning thousands of years, were overturned in a single blow. Their territories became scorched earth, their people either Qin or Chu, their states and altars ceased to exist.

States like Dan and Qiao, too, from that moment forward, completely lost any possibility of autonomy.

Cruel reality allowed Min Youning to momentarily break free from the Six Desires trap. She could then clearly perceive the terrifying divine soul power contained within the Six Desires Bodhisattva, now suppressing her Divine Soul sea and emitting endless Buddha light!

Even though she had reached God Arrival long ago and accumulated power for many years, she was fundamentally incomparable.

And as she perceived this terrifying power, a Buddha palm gently covered her forehead.

That figure bearing the appearance of Du Gu Wudi had, at some point, descended before her.

A single hand covering her forehead subjected her to an intense sensation.

Within the Divine Soul sea, Buddha light was everywhere.

Was this the bitter sea of the Divine Soul, or the pure land of the Six Desires?

Min Youning’s divine soul manifestation instantly went limp, her spiritual consciousness scattering like flowing water, utterly incapable of holding herself together.

Her soul trembled!

And outside the body, at the moment Min Youning’s divine soul manifestation was scattered by the Six Desires Bodhisattva,

The Illusion Birth Lotus Sea had dissipated completely.

The Empty Valley Orchid Sound was finally silenced.

And the high sky was still shrouded in pressing clouds. The Cang Long Seven Changes had already transformed into the Fangtailed Rabbit, soaring high. In this form, its entire body was covered in snow-white fur, and its golden eyes emitted a sun halo. This sun halo formed a ring around Min Youning’s neck, like a dawn light shackle, capable of cleaving her corpse in two with a mere thought.

In an indescribably chaotic sensation, Min Youning opened her hazy eyes.

She looked at the figure before her, Du Gu Wudi, now manifesting the Buddha-face, and felt an absolute lack of possibility for victory.

Even such a character had fallen to the sixty-seventh Blessed Land. How long could someone like her hope to contend in the Blessed Land space?

This was reality.

A reality she had to constantly face and accept, a reality that had been true in the past, was true in the present, and whose future was already foreseeable.

Effort and dedication, no matter how much, didn’t guarantee a harvest.

Human power had its limits, and national power could decline even without illness.

She was waiting for the final outcome.

But the person named Du Gu Wudi within the Taixu Illusion didn’t immediately end the fight. He merely looked at her and asked casually, “I don’t quite remember the Jincheng Mountain Blessed Land anymore. Have there been any changes?”

Min Youning subconsciously replied, “It’s still the same as before.”

Du Gu Wudi’s voice, though calm, carried immense dominance. “More specific.”

A Blessed Land challenge, resulting in victory and defeat, what was there to discuss? Min Youning initially didn’t want to respond, but as if possessed, she still answered, “It yields one hundred forty points of Blessed Merit every month, one Yao Gold Flower, and… one hour of divine travel to Taixu, to cultivate in the true Jincheng Mountain Blessed Land.”

Finally, she knew the purpose of the Blessed Lands in the Taixu Illusion!

It turned out that each Blessed Land within the Taixu Illusion had a corresponding real-world location, and the owner of each Blessed Land space could enter their corresponding Blessed Land to cultivate every month.

It wasn’t merely a Blessed Land space, but a gate to the Blessed Land of the primordial realm.

Different Blessed Lands also yielded different rare items.

Jiang Wang seized upon another new term – “Blessed Merit.”

It seemed the merit produced by Blessed Lands was different from the “merit” gained from winning battles on the Argument Sword Platform. This was because Jiang Wang had previously been unable to truly open the Blessed Land and could only use the merit as ordinary “merit.”

Then, what was the use of “Blessed Merit”?

“Are these Blessed Merits very important to you?” Jiang Wang asked without changing his expression.

“How could they not be important?” Min Youning smiled bitterly. “Blessed Merit is used to wind the sundial. As long as there is Blessed Merit, time within the Blessed Land space doesn’t flow. This extra hour of cultivation time, perhaps you don’t care, but for someone of average talent like me, it is extremely important.”

To be able to cultivate to God Arrival, one could hardly be called of average talent. But in the grand scheme of the world, she was indeed unassuming.

She didn’t dwell on the purpose of Du Gu Wudi’s questions. After a moment of dejection, she reorganized her thoughts, now only considering how to defend her Blessed Land in the next month’s challenge.

Du Gu Wudi said, “I hope to see you next time in a Blessed Land several ranks higher.”

Min Youning was just beginning to wonder.

Suddenly, an ethereal, difficult-to-measure voice echoed –

“Du Gu Wudi has admitted defeat. You have advanced to the Han Mountain Blessed Land.” Min Youning was stunned!

Jiang Wang, who had already fallen to the Jincheng Mountain Blessed Land, also felt lingering ripples in his heart.

He had already decided to fight his way back up from the seventy-second Blessed Land, so this battle was merely a verification of his strength. The ability to suppress his opponent while solely relying on Dao techniques was sufficient proof of his power at the God Arrival level.

Of course, this was hardly surprising.

Those several Marquis of the state of Xia on the battlefield against Xia were all stronger than his opponent today.

Instead, the various benefits of the Blessed Land space were truly beyond his expectation. No wonder so many God Arrival powerhouses were drawn to compete.

Especially the function of “Blessed Merit regulating time” deeply moved Jiang Wang.

Although he didn’t yet know the consumption rate of Blessed Merit for winding the sundial, and although cultivation within the Taixu Illusion couldn’t intuitively manifest in his physical body, the familiarity gained with Dao techniques, the practice of sword techniques, and the comprehension of realms were all common to both the Taixu Illusion and the real world.

For Jiang Wang, who wished he could cleave time into countless fragments for cultivation, there was no more attractive benefit than this.

The Taixu Illusion was constantly evolving, with new changes occurring almost every few days.

But Jiang Wang didn’t linger in the Taixu Illusion for long. After the Blessed Land challenge ended, he withdrew.

For today, there were more important matters.

Today, the Wu’an Marquis Manor was adorned with lanterns and streamers, filled with a joyful atmosphere.

A few days prior, the Grand Official Yi Xingchen had hosted a banquet in the manor, inviting all relatives and old friends to formally adopt a fourteen-year-old girl, entering her name into the Yi family genealogy.

It was a much-discussed event in Linzi.

And after the personal visit of the Dingyuan Marquis, acting on behalf of the Bo Wang Marquis’ heir, Chong Xuan Sheng, a marriage proposal was made.

Both sides had reached an agreement to complete the ceremony today.

The wedding banquet itself was to be held at the Bo Wang Marquis Manor.

The Wu’an Marquis Manor’s elaborate decorations were merely to share in the joy and join in the festive atmosphere.

Of course, the fact that Chong Xuan Sheng would occupy a space as the new groom within the Wu’an Marquis Manor was also a contributing factor.

Steward Xie Ping had already prepared the carriage and invited Jiang Wang to enter.

Dawn had not yet broken, and Gaoyang Ward was quiet.

The carriage drove steadily through the ward, the plaque of the Wu’an Marquis Manor gently swaying in front of it.

This area was home to many imperial relatives and nobles. The current He State Uncle’s manor, for instance, was located here. The newly constructed Wu’an Marquis Manor and Champion Marquis Manor were also both in this vicinity.

The reason for their early departure was, of course, the important duty Jiang Wang held today. In fact, he should have stayed with Chong Xuan Sheng at the Bo Wang Marquis Manor last night.

According to Qi wedding customs, the groom’s side must have a “Luan Lang” (accompanying male), and the bride’s side must have a “Feng Niang” (accompanying female).

Given Jiang Wang’s relationship with Chong Xuan Sheng, there was no question of a second choice for Luan Lang.

His current identity and fame were sufficient to elevate the prestige of Chong Xuan Sheng’s wedding.

Search all of Linzi, what family’s wedding could invite such a Luan Lang?

The carriage.

The sound of carriage wheels converged.

Jiang Wang pulled open the carriage window and indeed saw the Champion Marquis Manor’s carriage running parallel.

Behind the carriage window on that side was Chong Xuan Zun’s yawning face.

This fellow was actually still asleep.

This was the first thought of Jiang Wang, who had cultivated the entire night.

He then asked aloud, “Champion Marquis, why are you also out so early?”

Chong Xuan Zun said with a hint of helplessness, “My father’s arrangement.”

His father, Chong Xuan Ming Guang, was precisely the “master of ceremonies” for Chong Xuan Sheng’s wedding this time.

As he put it, “Aren’t all the superficial matters of the Chong Xuan family left for me to handle?”

Chong Xuan Sheng strongly suspected his father wanted to take the opportunity to embezzle his ritual gold, but to appease the old man and mend past disagreements, he could only hold his nose and accept it. Of course, with the abilities of the great Ming Guang, if he truly wanted to pocket something, it would be difficult to leave no trace. A handle taken is a handle taken, and it was also very reasonable for the son to repay the father’s debt…

Jiang Wang nodded solemnly. “Uncle’s arrangement naturally has its reasons.”

“I think so too,” Chong Xuan Zun said. “Although I still don’t know why he wants me to go so early… You, as the Luan Lang, are you well-prepared?”

When welcoming the bride, the bride’s side would inevitably create some deliberate obstacles.

One of the Luan Lang’s duties was to overcome these minor hurdles on behalf of the groom. Smoothly navigating the small ups and downs before the wedding symbolized a smooth and prosperous life after the marriage.

Jiang Wang said confidently, “I think there’s no problem.”

Among the younger generation of Linzi currently, whether it was a single duel or a charge in group combat, whether it was sword techniques, Dao laws, or divine abilities, who did he fear?

The only one who could possibly contend with him was perhaps a member of the Chong Xuan family, who was right there in the carriage beside him.

Expecting the Yi family’s people to block him, Jiang someone, would be difficult.

Chong Xuan Zun wasn’t sleepy for a while longer. He leaned lazily against the carriage window and said leisurely, “Then I shall wait and see.”

Jiang Wang smiled and then asked, “I heard you taught Er Feng Ming a lesson last time?”

“It wasn’t a lesson. He was making a racket and disturbing me while I was drinking tea, so I just threw a cup at him.”

“Hahaha, in which teahouse? I’ll go throw one next time too!”

“Then you must disguise yourself well, otherwise he might not dare show his face. Later, I’ll have someone summarize the places he frequents and tell you.” The two then chatted like this, across the carriage windows, one sentence from you, one sentence from me, slowly conversing.

Dawn light was already faintly appearing through the clouds. The carriage quietly drove towards the Bo Wang Marquis Manor.

Joyous magpies awakened the morning.

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