Feng Yuan shook his head and said,

"The True Inheritance disciples from the Taifu Sect are no slouches. Only six Talisman Decrees will be issued for this Hongshui Dharma Assembly, and snatching them away will be no easy feat."

Jiang Yi secretly nodded. ’This True Inheritance disciple from Li Feng is quite level-headed, not one for empty boasts.’

After a bit more small talk, he returned to the Grand Wei Treasure Palace.

Inside the main hall, twelve massive copper pillars stood tall. True Master Xuanmiao was holding two formation flags, channeling his Magical Power to activate the magical restrictions.

Beside him, Shao Guansu was also present, holding a red and a black formation flag of his own as he operated the core mechanism.

Although the Grand Wei Treasure Palace was only a mid-grade Magical Treasure, its layers of magical restrictions made it incredibly heavy. It was difficult for anyone less than a Foundation Establishment True Master to wield it.

In fact, even a single Foundation Establishment Cultivator couldn’t control it with ease.

Fortunately, Jiang Yi had made a trip to the Qian Feng grotto-heaven and requested a restriction-breaking treasured talisman from Sect Leader Qin Baiyu, which had released the seal on True Master Xuanmiao.

He had also assigned the eager-to-please Shao Guansu to help. He and True Master Xuanmiao had each refined four formation flags, which was just enough for them to barely control the palace.

"To think this mid-grade Magical Treasure needs twelve Foundation Establishment Cultivators, each at their post, just to absorb and release Spiritual Energy and travel for thousands of miles."

Jiang Yi stepped into the main hall and ordered True Master Xuanmiao to wave the formation flags, moving the Grand Wei Treasure Palace to a position directly above the Innate Sect’s station.

"You got it!"

Having regained his Cultivation, True Master Xuanmiao was full of vigor, a far cry from the gluttonous, lazy, good-for-nothing cat he used to be.

With a great RUMBLE, the Grand Wei Treasure Palace shuddered in midair. Like a colossal ship cleaving through waves, it suddenly materialized above the giant island.

Even from thousands of feet in the air, the encampments of the eight peaks could feel a waterfall of Spiritual Energy cascading down.

"Please have True Master Shao manage the Spiritual Aura," He Shouzhen said from his position below. Since the Grand Wei Treasure Palace was the Daoist’s personal transport, its functions naturally went beyond mere travel.

It could absorb the roots of mountains, the veins of the earth, and the Water Veins of rivers to upgrade its own rank.

Moreover, much like a Cave Mansion, it could regulate Spiritual Aura to aid in Cultivation.

Shao Guansu accepted the order and hurriedly channeled his Magical Power, waving the formation flags.

A massive, tide-like wave of Spiritual Energy, now channeled like a gentle river, flowed smoothly down into the encampments of the eight peaks.

In an instant, the Spiritual Aura in the eight encampments was completely refreshed. The Five Elements were in perfect, harmonious balance. Regardless of which element a Cultivator specialized in, they felt a sense of ease wash over their entire body. The circulation of their Merit became smoother and more effortless.

"This is... the Daoist’s blessing?"

"A ’Balanced Five Elements’ Spiritual Aura! How rare!"

"As expected of the Grand Wei Treasure Palace. Every part of it is like a superior Cave Mansion. We don’t have to worry about our Cultivation at all..."

The disciples of the eight peaks broke into excited discussion. Changes in Spiritual Aura were, after all, extremely important for those in the Qi Cultivation and Foundation Establishment realms.

Only True Monarchs were unaffected, for they had merged with the Dao of heaven and earth. They could grasp Yin and Yang, manipulate the Five Elements, and alter the very heavens with a single thought.

To maintain such a perfect balance of Spiritual Energy—not one bit more, not one bit less—was no simple feat.

Previously, the disciples of the eight peaks had used all sorts of methods—moving entire peaks, capturing Water Veins, creating fire pits—all in an effort to gather the specific Spiritual Energy they needed to benefit their own Merit.

「A short while later.」

Several more streaks of Escape Light zipped across the giant island, which spanned thousands of miles, and arrived one after another.

Among them were Gu Changling from Gen Feng, Qu Liu’er from Kan Feng, Yuan Xiao from Zhen Feng, and Zhou Shiyu from Xun Feng.

Jiang Yi leaned back on his jade throne. Through the various magical mirrors within the Grand Wei Treasure Palace, his surroundings were displayed in perfect detail, as clear as the lines on his palm.

The corners of his lips curled up slightly as he murmured,

’Pang Zhongwang from Dui Feng isn’t here. Looks like he couldn’t make it in time.’

’That True Inheritance disciple from Dui Feng has been disrespectful time and again. As the Daoist, it’s only natural for me to put him in his place.’

Once the True Inheritance disciples from both the Innate Sect and the Taifu Sect had all arrived, the bustling island fell silent.

This silence lasted until dawn, just as the eastern sky began to brighten.

Jiang Yi, who had been meditating with his eyes closed, opened them. The large magical mirror now reflected a thick, auspicious cloud upon which dragons and phoenixes danced.

Dozens of young attendants holding Magical Artifacts led the way, playing a clear, wondrous melody. Heavenly flowers rained down, as vibrant as a rainbow-hued sunset.

Before long, the attendants parted to form two lines, as if to welcome the arrival of some great personage.

Then, a young Daoist with a proper and solemn bearing slowly stepped forward. Streams of Daoist aura flowed from him in every direction, radiating a boundless light.

At first glance, Jiang Yi thought the man was ancient, well past seventy. But when he met the man’s crystalline eyes, he seemed as young as a boy. A closer look, however, made him seem like a man in the prime of his life.

’A True Monarch. I wonder which Ancestral Sect he’s from.’

Beside him, True Master Xuanmiao, still holding a formation flag, suddenly cried out in shock.

"True Monarch Guangzhao Jinghai!"

Jiang Yi raised an eyebrow. ’The Cat Master actually recognizes him? Looks like this True Monarch has been around for a long time, then.’

True Master Xuanmiao explained,

"Xiao Jiang, you know how the Buddhist Dao has fallen on hard times these past few years, right? They’ve produced a string of turncoats, known as the ’Demon Buddha,’ the ’Mad Monk,’ and the ’Strange Monk,’ respectively."

"This True Monarch Guangzhao Jinghai... he’s the ’Mad Monk.’"

Jiang Yi was even more surprised. ’He defected from the Buddhist Dao to the Demon Dao? Now that’s a rare sight.’

True Master Xuanmiao continued,

"This True Monarch Guangzhao Jinghai cultivates the Five Skandhas. It makes sense for the Innate and Taifu Sects to have him arbitrate the Hongshui Dharma Assembly."

Jiang Yi mused, ’This True Monarch is known as the "Mad Monk," yet he doesn’t look the least bit insane. If True Master Xuanmiao hadn’t told me his history, I’d never have guessed he once became a monk and devoted himself to worshipping the Buddha.’

...

...

"Thanks to True Monarch Tao’s invitation, I shall serve as the arbiter for this Hongshui Dharma Assembly."

True Monarch Guangzhao Jinghai said with a beaming smile,

"I hope all you True Inheritance disciples will display your full capabilities. As with the assemblies of years past, there are no holds barred when you compete."

The crowd of True Inheritance disciples cupped their hands in acknowledgment.

"We shall obey the True Monarch’s command."

True Monarch Guangzhao Jinghai’s expression was benevolent as his gaze slowly swept over the Grand Wei Treasure Palace, which towered in the middle of the sky.

Then, he smiled and said,

"Between the two Ancestral Sects, there are a total of six Talisman Decrees. Each decree allows entry for one master and two attendants—three people in total—into the Juku Continent."

True Monarch Guangzhao Jinghai flicked his sleeve. The boundless sky seemed to rip open, and the dark, endless void began to boil.

In that instant, six palm-sized, glittering gold talismans slowly materialized and drifted down.

"This one is already claimed."

True Monarch Guangzhao Jinghai smiled. One of the glittering gold Talisman Decrees floated up like a feather and flew straight toward the Grand Wei Treasure Palace.

The onlookers watched with burning envy.

The True Inheritance disciples of the Ancestral Sects had to risk life and limb for this "Opportunity," yet Jiang Yi, as the Daoist, received it without lifting a finger.

’It’s infuriating to make comparisons!’

Seeing the Talisman Decree fly toward him like a streak of light, Jiang Yi raised a hand to undo the palace’s magical restrictions and let it in.

’One master and two attendants. That means besides me, I can bring two others along.’

Jiang Yi mused that True Master Xuanmiao and Xiaoqiao were the perfect candidates.

"As for the remaining five Talisman Decrees, it’s up to all of you to compete for them with your own skills."

The moment True Monarch Guangzhao Jinghai finished speaking, the crowd saw a golden light cleave the world in two.

He then pinched two fingers together and, with a delicate twist, seemed to pluck that separated "piece of the world" right out of the air.

The magical light was dazzling and mesmerizing.

In an instant, it had formed a world of its own!

The Heaven of Thought!

Fu Lizi’s white eyebrows shot up in astonishment.

This True Monarch had carved out five separate realms and merged them into a single grotto-heaven.

His Heaven of Thought, one of the five, contained all manner of illusions, each a product of the human mind.

"When consciousness meets the six senses, perception is born. This world is the accumulated form of all perception."

True Monarch Guangzhao Jinghai stated slowly,

"All you True Inheritance disciples may enter this space and act without restraint. You need not worry about damaging the earth’s veins or disturbing the surrounding Spiritual Aura."

"Who wishes to be first? I shall grant that person the right to issue the first challenge."

From the Taifu Sect’s encampment, Yue Ziqi rose and leaped into the Heaven of Thought, his dark, cloud-patterned robe embroidered with coiling Mang dragons fluttering wildly.

He looked toward the Innate Sect’s Gen Feng encampment, his voice booming like a great bell across the land.

"Gu Changling! Do you dare fight me?!"

Everyone was stunned. No one had expected Yue Ziqi, a True Inheritance disciple of the Taifu Sect, to immediately single out Gu Changling for his first challenge.

After all, among the grotto-heavens of the Innate Sect’s eight peaks, Gu Changling of Gen Feng was known to have the most profound Cultivation.

He was widely acknowledged as being second only to the former Daoist, Ning Hechu.

"Junior Brother Yue is certainly full of fighting spirit. He didn’t pick Feng Yuan of Li Feng or Yuan Xiao of Zhen Feng, but went straight for Gu Changling!"

Fu Lizi exclaimed in approval. It was a good thing for Yue Ziqi to have such a valiant and fearless spirit, unafraid of powerful opponents.

But Gu Changling was no easy opponent. This would likely be a bitter fight.

From the Gen Feng encampment, a ray of murky yellow light shot up from the ground, soaring high into the sky and smashing its way into the Heaven of Thought with immense power.

The crowd watched with great anticipation, the vast majority of them certain that Gu Changling had the advantage.

Jiang Yi sat upon his throne, his brow furrowed slightly as he thought to himself,

’Gu Changling... Something seems off. Is he injured?’