’So what if he has the Six Harmonies Great Medicine and supreme True Qi? If he can’t break through the shell, he’ll never reach the Foundation Establishment Realm. He’ll always be just an ant.

He should be crushed early on, just like how Ji Fuyao dealt with Yu Shenxiu.

Even if the Ancestral Master is furious, what’s done is done. What can he do?

We descendants of the Eight Monarchs are sheltered by our ancestors’ grace. The Grand Ancestral Master Mingxuan can’t just uproot us all.’

The True Inheritance of Dui Feng retracted his gaze. With a flicker of his form, he transformed into a streak of rainbow light and vanished into Taiming Hall.

He held a Talisman Decree, granting him unimpeded passage. He broke through layers of world-membrane that were like barriers of smoke and stepped into the Taiming Realm, where a Steward immediately came forward to greet him.

"Greetings, True Inheritance Pang."

This Steward had a round, kind face, resembling a Maitreya Buddha.

"May I ask what business brings the True Inheritance to Taiming Hall?"

Pang Zhongwang kept his hands behind his back, not even bothering to look the Round-faced Steward in the eye. He asked faintly:

"I wish to exchange Dao Skill for ten days of cultivation in the Chrono-Field."

All Eight Peaks’ grotto-heavens could adjust the flow of time, but the difference between them was vast.

Only Qian Peak could achieve a state where one day in the grotto-heaven was ten years in the outside world.

When Pang Zhongwang said he wanted to withdraw ten days, he was actually planning to enter a hundred years of seclusion to comprehend his Refining Technique.

"I’m afraid that won’t be possible."

The Round-faced Steward looked troubled.

"True Inheritance Yuan from Zhen Peak is already cultivating inside."

Pang Zhongwang frowned.

"Senior Brother Yuan only withdrew eight days. By my count, his time should be almost up."

The Round-faced Steward cupped his hands and bowed, replying:

"Reporting to the True Inheritance, Daoist Jiang from the Changming Celestial Pool also wishes to use the Chrono-Field."

Pang Zhongwang’s eyebrows shot up, his face darkening slightly.

"As I recall, the rule for withdrawing time for cultivation is based on the amount of Dao Skill, not on status or rank."

His tone was sharp, making the Round-faced Steward look embarrassed. Afraid to retort, he could only offer an apologetic smile and explain:

"Daoist Jiang arrived first. It’s only because True Inheritance Yuan of Zhen Peak was occupying the Chrono-Field that he went to the Taichang Dragon Pavilion to select a Cultivation Technique."

Pang Zhongwang was not buying it, saying coldly:

"Since when is the Chrono-Field first come, first served? I have performed many meritorious deeds for the sect and accumulated a great deal of Dao Skill. Is all that worth less than a single word from a Daoist?"

The Round-faced Steward was now in a difficult position, cursing his luck internally.

This True Inheritance of Dui Feng clearly wanted to humiliate Daoist Jiang, but was taking it out on him.

Just as the atmosphere grew tense, the magnificent Daoist hall within the Taiming Realm suddenly erupted with auspicious, colorful light. A brilliant golden qi surged forth, splitting the sky, as if a million blades were clashing at once, sending out layered shockwaves of sound.

Yuan Xiao stepped out, a dazzling golden-white radiance shining behind him. The Round-faced Steward glanced up and felt a searing pain in his eyes, which immediately began to water.

Yuan Xiao flickered and appeared before them, retracting his aura. He smiled faintly.

"Junior Brother Pang, there’s no need to be so angry. The Daoist’s position is honorable. We should defer to him, lest we act without propriety."

Pang Zhongwang’s eyebrows shot up to his temples. His tone softened slightly but remained sharp.

"Is Senior Brother Yuan planning to get involved?"

Yuan Xiao lowered his eyelids, concealing his own sharp aura, and spoke softly:

"I just don’t wish to see Junior Brother Pang lead himself astray.

We cultivators vow to pursue eternal life; a temporary win or loss means nothing.

Years ago, Daoist Zhang Yuansheng of the Taifu Sect was widely recognized as the number one in Nan Zhan. Yet he remained in seclusion in the Mingcang Marsh and was surpassed one by one by the Daoists of the Hunlun and Wuxing Sects, enduring endless mockery.

But now, he has proven the ’Divine Qi’ in one fell swoop, earning the title ’True Monarch of Myriad Governance and Evil Suppression.’

In another thousand years, who do you think will have gone further—Lin Ru of the Hunlun Sect and Pei Fangxiu of the Wuxing Sect, or Zhang Yuansheng, who might merge with the Dao?"

Pang Zhongwang’s voice grew even colder.

"Senior Brother, you’re overthinking it. If Zhang Yuansheng didn’t have the Taifu Sect protecting his path and running errands for him, do you really think he could have increased his cultivation by just sitting idly in the Mingcang Marsh?"

Yuan Xiao shook his head. This Junior Brother Pang was young and aggressive, eager for quick success. He was desperate to be valued by a True Monarch and be showered with Opportunities.

With such a personality, he was fine cultivating within the sect. But if he were to go out and gain experience, he would probably suffer a major setback sooner or later.

Seeing the two True Inheritances facing off, the Round-faced Steward hastily retreated to a safe distance.

’This is a classic case of Immortals fighting; I can’t let myself get caught in the crossfire.’

"Let me also offer Senior Brother a piece of advice: no matter how profound one’s potential is in the Qi Cultivation Realm, it means nothing."

Pang Zhongwang said in a low voice:

"If one’s fate is thin and luck has run out, they cannot achieve the Dao. I doubt the Daoist will be able to break through the shell..."

BOOM!

A sudden, deafening rumble drowned out Pang Zhongwang’s voice, like rolling thunder that shook heaven and earth.

Everyone looked up to see a magnificent beam of light crash into the realm. It was as if it parted rivers and split seas, tearing through the sky-covering clouds like a divine sword rending the void, slicing open a gap!

Immediately after, golden flames surged in like a tide, and crimson clouds spread out like an ocean. The two forces converged and transformed, resembling a divine Great Sun god looking down with imposing majesty.

Pang Zhongwang’s brow furrowed deeply, as if in disbelief.

’How can someone in the Qi Cultivation Realm possess such immense and unparalleled Magical Power?’

Yuan Xiao focused his gaze. As the Daoist landed, the colossal, blazing light that filled the sky suddenly retracted, converging into a bright halo that hung behind his head.

"He’s already at the Perfection of the Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer?"

He was astonished. ’Daoist Jiang’s cultivation speed is simply unbelievable, as if he has no bottlenecks at all.

I remember seeing him at the Yuanchu Palace last time. He should have been barely at the Qi Cultivation Eleventh Layer. After just a few days, he’s already ascended another level.’

The key was that Daoist Jiang’s Breaking the Realm wasn’t forced; it was a natural progression.

"Could it be that you two True Inheritances were waiting for me?"

While in the Taichang Dragon Pavilion, Jiang Yi had been engrossed in comprehending the "Three Wonders Departing Origin Technique." Before long, he had entered the Mid-Stage of mastery.

Not only did he easily split off two external avatars, but by using the Foundation Establishment Pill in his Inner Mansion, he also raised those avatars to the Qi Cultivation Tenth Layer.

His Magical Power, which should have been at its absolute limit, had once again broken through its shackles and risen to a new level.

Jiang Yi mused that it would be no exaggeration to call his current self "Half-Step Foundation Establishment."

"I just emerged from my seclusion. To see the Daoist is a great honor."

Yuan Xiao said with a smile:

"The profound foundation of your supreme True Qi truly lives up to its reputation. Within the same realm, I fear no one can compare to the Daoist."

These words were not intentional flattery but came straight from the heart.

No matter which Ancestral Sect he was in, this Daoist Jiang would deserve a Daoist Level evaluation.

"Brother Yuan, you flatter me."

Jiang Yi smiled freely.

"The path of the Dao has always been high and difficult to tread. A moment of glory means nothing. The one who can ascend to the top and look down upon Yanfu is the one with true ability.

True Inheritance Pang, don’t you agree?"

’Daoist Jiang’s karmic fortune is so immense!’

Pang Zhongwang remained silent. He cultivated the ’Water Virtue’, and the innate technique that nourished his Dao Foundation was called "Imperial Prosperity Water."

This water could help his own karmic fortune become long and enduring, making his blessings flourish, bringing endless fortuitous encounters, and causing Opportunities to fall from the heavens.

He was considered a top-tier Fate Shuzi!

But before this Daoist Jiang, the noble fate nurtured by his Imperial Prosperity Water was like a court minister facing the emperor, showing faint signs of being suppressed.

"The Daoist’s insight is profound."

Pang Zhongwang took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to bow that welled up in his heart. At the same time, he felt a deep sense of confusion.

’What kind of fate does he possess?

It’s suppressing me so much I can barely breathe!’

"I wish to enter the Chrono-Field to comprehend the esoteric principles of the Fire Element."

Jiang Yi stood with his hands behind his back, a vibrant Daoist aura flowing around him, his aquamarine Daoist Robe fluttering in the wind.

He took a single step forward, and Pang Zhongwang felt the world shake. The "Imperial Prosperity Water" that nourished his Dao Foundation seemed on the verge of drying up and ceasing to flow.

It was as if his own fate was being pinned down by the Daoist’s foot!

"A fate of absolute perfection..."

Yuan Xiao raised an eyebrow, once again amazed.

"’A Saint King?’ No wonder Junior Brother Pang’s ’Imperial Prosperity Water’ has lost its mystery."

The True Inheritance from Zhen Peak gave a Daoist salute.

"My work is done. The Daoist may proceed as he wishes."

Pang Zhongwang gritted his teeth. He was, after all, a Foundation Establishment True Master. How could he be subservient before a Daoist just because of a suppressed fate?

He said in a deep voice:

"I, too, wish to withdraw time from the Chrono-Field to enter seclusion, comprehend my techniques, and increase my Merit. I ask for the Daoist’s understanding."

The corners of Jiang Yi’s lips curled up in a disdainful gaze, as if he didn’t take True Inheritance Pang of Dui Feng seriously at all.

He beckoned to the Round-faced Steward hiding in the distance and asked:

"How much Dao Skill has True Inheritance Pang accumulated?"

The Round-faced Steward unrolled a jade scroll and consulted the register:

"Eighteen."

This was not a small number, enough to show that Pang Zhongwang had performed several major services for the Innate Sect.

Jiang Yi’s tone was flat.

"Tell True Inheritance Pang how much Dao Skill I have."

The Round-faced Steward glanced at Pang Zhongwang, hesitated for a moment, then replied in a low voice:

"Twenty-eight."

Jiang Yi’s expression was calm as he quietly watched Pang Zhongwang, whose aura had already been weakened due to the suppression of his fate.

His eyes revealed a hint of pity, like a tycoon looking at a beggar on the street.

"I advise True Inheritance Pang to first do more for our sect before coming to the Qian Peak grotto-heaven.

How dare you speak of withdrawing time from the Chrono-Field with such insufficient Dao Skill?"

Having said his piece, Jiang Yi didn’t spare Pang Zhongwang another glance and directly ordered:

"Open the Taiming Hall’s Chrono-Field for me."