Chapter 1640: Attack!

"Anyone who wishes to ascend to the Martial Emptiness Realm must first become a sixth tier True Immortal, and reach the grand completion stage. They have to reach a state where they can no longer improve. Also... They need to gain the favor of their World’s Will. That would mean that the best time to break through would be during the world ascension.”

...

In the Northern Sea Mystic Elysium, 2 high-level True Immortals spoke to 3 Elysium True Immortals. The 3 of them seemed extremely respectful.

Compared to the inner hall of the Spirit Luxuriant Hall, Liu Jingsheng was absent.

The female among the two high-level True Immortals was tall and looked familiar. As it turned out, she was Gao Qin of the Essence Ming World. It was unclear when she arrived in the Spirit Luxuriant World and had become a distinguished guest of the Northern Sea Mystic Sect.

However... Among the 2 high-level True Immortals of the Essence Ming World, Gao Qin was seated in a lower position. The person who was speaking was a sixth tier True Immortal.

All of a sudden, Li Jidao asked, “So... This is the best opportunity for Shang Xia to attempt a breakthrough to the Martial Emptiness Realm?”

The sixth tier True Immortal from the Essence Ming World had been hiding in the Northern Sea Elysium the entire time. Due to the multiple barriers shielding him from the world, he was unable to clearly feel the disturbance caused by Shang Xia’s return. However, he still laughed, “On the surface, that seems like it!”

But he quickly added, "However, if he truly plans to make the attempt... There is only one end. He will fail. Especially so if it’s True Immortal Little Shang.”

Sensing the silence from Zhang Xuansheng and Yang Taihe, Li Jidao continued, “True Immortal Hou, may I ask why?”

True Immortal Hou glanced over Zhang Xuansheng and Yang Taihe before laughing, “Because of the burden...”

"What do you mean by that?" Li Jidao asked immediately, without looking at the other two.

True Immortal Hou explained, "All of you grew up in the Spirit Luxuriant World. You have reached your current realm through constant cultivation, always benefiting from the World’s Will. Throughout the process, people like us have never shied away from battles and conflicts, causing much destruction. All these are debts we owe to the world, and that is a karmic connection. In order to break through, you have to complete the karmic connection.”

As True Immortal Hou finished, Li Jidao wasn’t the only person taken aback. Zhang Xuansheng and Yang Taihe also felt their hearts pounding slightly.

Satisfied with their reactions, True Immortal Hou continued, "I heard that Shang Xia had risen remarkably fast. It took less than 100 years for him to reach his current state, right? Surely, he’s favored by the World’s Will. The more he received, the stronger the karmic connection.”

"If he really wishes to enter the Martial Emptiness Realm, he will probably need to spend a century or two to pay back his dues to the world! If he forcefully tries to break through, he might be devoured by the world!” As soon as the words left his lips, he was met with an unexpected reaction. He thought that they would heave a sigh of relief after hearing that it was impossible for Shang Xia to break through, but they revealed hesitant expressions instead.

Seeing their reaction, True Immortal Hou's smile faded slightly. A displeased expression was slowly revealed. “What’s the matter? Do you not agree with what I said?”

The next moment, Gao Qin coughed softly behind him. “True Immortal Hou, you might not be aware, but True Immortal Little Shang’s karmic connection to the world might be extremely weak...”

𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"Oh?" True Immortal Hou turned sharply to look at Gao Qin, curious. "And why is that?"

Gao Qin, sensing True Immortal Hou's displeasure and jealousy, chose to defer the question to Zhang Xuansheng and the others. "I don’t know too much about it. Let them explain.”

Zhang Xuansheng began in a slightly embarrassed tone, “It’s a little shameful, but Patriarch Kou and True Immortal Little Shang have contributed the most to the growth of our world.”

Yang Taihe added, "Patriarch Kou and True Immortal Little Shang cooperated multiple times to plunder world fragments to strengthen our world, allowing us to grow rapidly from an Azure World to what we are today in a few short decades.”

After a pause, Yang Taihe continued, "Of course, we have also contributed significantly. However, the Tongyou Institution has always done as they please. They took up multiple spots for ascension.”

Li Jidao concluded, "In recent years, The Tongyou Institution’s actions have become even more overbearing. It’s especially so for True Immortal Little SHang. He dictated the growth and future of our world however he likes!”

"To dictate the future of a world alone? Not even the esteemed Sage Gu Yi of our world has acted so tyrannically.” True Immortal Hou looked at them with a half smile on his face. “However, according to what you said, that would mean that True Immortal Little Shang isn’t really burdened by the world. It’s no wonder the World’s Will favor him so greatly, allowing his cultivation to soar to become the strongest expert in your world in such a short time.”

Zhang Xuansheng and Yang Taihe remained silent, and even Li Jidao couldn't deny what he said.

However, True Immortal Hou’s time quickly shifted. "But even if he is able to repay his debt to the world, so what? Your world might look like it reached a state of perfection, the World Origin Source can barely sustain the continents’ expansion. Your World Origin Source isn’t filled and that is actually the key to sustaining the world’s long-term transformation process.”

Out of the blue, Zhang Xuansheng asked, “What if True Immortal Little Shang or Patriarch Kou brings back even more world fragments? Or what if they plunder world origin from other worlds?”

"Isn't Patriarch Kou already injured? Moreover, the amount of world origin required to ascend to an Essence World isn’t a small amount.” True Immortal Hou glanced at Zhang Xuansheng and understood what he was thinking. “Even if True Immortal Little Shang manages to solve the problem of his karmic connection and world origin required... Wouldn’t there still be people to interfere at the critical moment of his advancement?”

Yang Taihe frowned. "True Immortal Hou, you might not know, but all of us already made an oath to fully support True Immortal Little Shang with the heavens and earth as our witness. We wouldn’t be able to act against him now.”

True Immortal Hou clapped his hands and laughed, "What a clever plan! Planning for both Shang Xia's failure while not giving up on the ascension of your world. Haha! True Immortal Little Shang’s cultivation at the peak of the Martial Void Realm is truly extraordinary indeed... Even if he fails, the energy that is returned to the world will greatly speed up the improvement of your world.”

Watching them fall silent again, True Immortal Hou no longer tried to sow more discord. “Alright, even if all of you are unwilling to make a move, Junior Sister Gao and I are here.”

After he spoke, Zhang Xuansheng and the rest raised their heads as they revealed strange expressions.

Gao Qin, who was seated behind True Immortal Hou, couldn’t help but speak, “Senior Brother Hou, True Immortal Little Shang... He’s no simple opponent! He truly has tyrannical strength!”

“Of course I know.” True Immortal Hou snorted after shooting her a glance. “I know that you suffered defeat in the hands of True Immortal Little Shang when you were still in the level of Dao Harmony. I know how strong you are.”

Gao Qin quickly continued, “How can my skills catch your eye? It’s nothing too impressive.”

Turning back to look at Zhang Xuansheng and the rest while laughing, True Immortal Hou muttered, “Our Sage has favored me and allowed me to learn under him for dozens of years. Because of that, I managed to become a sixth tier True Immortal and became kind of strong. I exchanged pointers with many talented individuals in the various worlds and I can tell you there is no lack of True Immortals at the grand completion stage with impressive martial intents. Even so, I haven’t tasted defeat. Now that I heard of True Immortal Little Shang from all of you and even my junior sister, I have an urge to spar with him!”

Zhang Xuansheng, Yang Taihe, and Li Jidao exchanged glances and felt a bad premonition. However, they also understood that they couldn’t voice their concerns at that moment.

It was then that Gao Qin spoke again. “There is no need for doubt. Senior Brother Hou has always been careful in his actions. Moreover, he received our Sage’s orders to come here and is able to draw on a portion of our Sage’s strength at the critical moment to prevent any accidents from happening.”

As the words left Gao Qin’s lips, the True Immortals of the Spirit Luxuriant World visibly relaxed.

True Immortal Hou maintained the smile on his face, but a frosty light flashed in his eyes as he glanced at Gao Qin.

Having said her piece, Gao Qin didn’t bother meeting his gaze. Instead, she lowered her head and no longer spoke.