77: Situation in Zhongzhou

"Congratulations, Your Majesty, on ascending to the throne and reaching the pinnacle of power," Xu Sanyan cupped his hands and was the first to speak.

"Haha…" The Qi Emperor waved his hand with a smile, "Sit, we are family, there's no need to be so formal."

The Qi Emperor's eyes moved slightly as he looked at the masked man behind Xu Sanyan, his brows furrowing slightly, as if he had noticed something.

"You… have reached Foundation Establishment?" The Qi Emperor's expression was a mix of surprise and disbelief.

He sensed that the masked man was a Puppet; his heart wasn't beating, his nose and mouth weren't breathing, his limbs were stiff, and there was no sign of life whatsoever. He was undoubtedly a Puppet.

And ordinary mortals certainly didn't have the means to control Puppets, so there was only one possibility: Xu Sanyan had reached Foundation Establishment!

Xu Sanyan sat in the chair, a sidelong smile on his face, "Thanks to Your Majesty's good fortune, I was lucky enough to Breakthrough."

Hearing his admission, the Qi Emperor's pupils flickered, his heart filled with shock.

He recalled that when Xu Sanyan first arrived in Xiang City, he was merely at the early stage of the Heavenly Human Realm. Yet, in just half a year, he had crossed a major Realm and reached the early stage of Foundation Establishment. If one were to say it was purely due to talent, he wouldn't believe it.

Xu Sanyan must have an unknown secret, and a big one at that!

The Qi Emperor's mind raced, then he suddenly burst into hearty laughter, "Hahahaha… This is truly cause for celebration."

He then explained, "A few days ago, I missed Qiyuan, which is why I brought her here without informing you. Please don't blame me."

Xu Sanyan smiled and didn't expose him, "I understand Your Majesty's longing for your daughter. I've come today with a matter I'd like Your Majesty to assist with."

The Qi Emperor turned and sat behind the desk, waving his large sleeve, "Speak freely, no need to be polite."

Xu Sanyan said, "I hope Your Majesty can introduce me to those Immortals. I have some questions I'd like to ask."

The Qi Emperor nodded, "This is simple. Once I write a letter, you can go directly to Guantian Pavilion."

Guantian Pavilion was the place where the three Foundation Establishment Cultivators cultivated. After the Qi Emperor ascended the throne, he designated Guantian Pavilion as the national religion, enjoying offerings from the entire country. This was also a condition agreed upon earlier.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Xu Sanyan cupped his hands.

The Qi Emperor bent over the desk to write, then handed him a folded document, "Take this to Guantian Pavilion. Afterwards, I will send someone to lead you to Qiyuan."

Xu Sanyan reached out to take it, nodded in thanks, then turned and left.

The Qi Emperor watched Xu Sanyan's retreating figure and waved his hand gently. A person shrouded entirely in a black robe walked in from outside the door, knelt on one knee, and said, "Your Majesty."

The Qi Emperor slowly spoke, "Assemble the army, and await my command."

"Yes."

…

Guantian Pavilion was located west of the imperial palace, a seven-story tall pavilion with carved beams and painted pillars, looking very imposing. Outside the door stood two young boys dressed in white and blue Daoist robes, both with bright eyes and white teeth, and handsome appearances.

Xu Sanyan didn't bother to buy clothes and arrived at Guantian Pavilion just as he was. The two boys exchanged glances, and the slightly taller one came forward, "What can this lay practitioner do for you?"

Xu Sanyan casually took out the folded document, "I'm here to ask some questions of the three Fellow Daoists."

The boy took the document, bowed with a raised hand, "Lay practitioner, please wait a moment. This Disciple will go in to report."

"Mm," Xu Sanyan nodded.

A moment later, a woman came out with the boy. This woman was about thirty years old, with an ordinary appearance, not particularly beautiful. In Xu Sanyan's estimation, she was roughly comparable to Tang Huanhuan.

Lan Yue wore a purple robe, her hair loosely draped over her shoulders. Her gaze calmly swept over the Little Gourd behind Xu Sanyan, and she spoke, "This humble Daoist, Lan Yue, greets Fellow Daoist. Please come in."

"Excuse the intrusion."

Xu Sanyan looked at the woman. It was she who had brought Yang Qiyuan and the others to the capital a few days ago.

The two came to a quiet room and sat opposite each other, with Little Gourd standing behind them.

Lan Yue poured tea for Xu Sanyan, and asked, "What brings Fellow Daoist here?"

Xu Sanyan took the teacup, "I heard that Fairy once cultivated in Central State, so I wanted to inquire about the situation there."

Lan Yue's eyes held a strange glint, "Does Fellow Daoist perhaps wish to experience it for yourself?"

"Precisely," Xu Sanyan nodded.

Lan Yue put down the teapot, thought for a moment, and said, "Central State is vast, with various complex forces and countless Schools. For a moment, I don't know where to begin."

Xu Sanyan asked about what interested him, "I heard that the Cui Family has a son named Cui Yousheng. Does Fairy know the name of the Sect he joined?"

Lan Yue thought for a moment and said, "I've heard a little. That Sect is called Guangyuan Sect. It's considered a medium-sized Sect with over a thousand Disciples. Its Sect Master is a Soul Refinement Realm expert, and his strength should not be underestimated."

"Soul Refining?" Xu Sanyan heard this name for the first time.

Lan Yue was startled, and asked in surprise, "You don't know?"

Xu Sanyan shook his head. He had only recently come into contact with the cultivation world and didn't understand many things.

Lan Yue pondered for a moment, and finally decided to form a good connection with Xu Sanyan. Anyway, it wouldn't cost her anything, just a bit of talking. So, she explained,

"The path of cultivation, broadly speaking, is divided into four parts. The first part is the Mortal Realm, further divided into Refining Essence, Inner Energy, and Heavenly Human."

Xu Sanyan listened intently.

"The second part is shedding the mortal body and cultivating the Qi Sea Foundation, further divided into Foundation Establishment and 'Mystic Path Realm' two Realms."

"Mystic Path Realm…" Xu Sanyan murmured to himself, what a strange name.

Lan Yue briefly explained, "The so-called Mystic Path Realm is about exploring the Great Dao, finding the Dao one cultivates, and firming one's heart. It can also be understood as 'cultivating the mind'."

Xu Sanyan nodded slowly. The Realms before Foundation Establishment were all about cultivating the body; as long as one's talent wasn't poor, there was a chance. But from the Mystic Path Realm onwards, it involved profound things like the mind and Divine Soul.

Lan Yue didn't elaborate on the Mystic Path Realm, because going further would touch upon cultivation secrets, and knowing them required compensation.

"After that is the third part of cultivation, cultivating the Divine Soul, divided into Soul Refining and Void Integration. This Realm is too far from us; there's no need to know about it for now."

Xu Sanyan nodded and asked again, "Fairy just mentioned there's also a fourth part…"

Lan Yue shook her head, "This humble Daoist doesn't know either. I am merely a Foundation Establishment Cultivator."

Xu Sanyan expressed understanding, while simultaneously pondering. According to Lan Yue, cultivation was divided into Refining Essence, Inner Energy, Heavenly Human, Foundation Establishment, Mystic Path Realm, Soul Refining, and Void Integration.

The first part, the Mortal Realm, had three Realms in total. The second part had two Realms, primarily cultivating the Qi Sea Foundation.

The third part also had two Realms, primarily cultivating the Divine Soul. The fourth part was unknown.

Xu Sanyan said, "In that case, the Sect Master of Guangyuan Sect is in the Soul Refinement Realm, and his cultivation is indeed very high."

The Soul Refinement Realm was the sixth Realm, while Xu Sanyan was only at the middle stage of the fourth Realm. There was a difference of two major Realms and five minor Realms between them.

The further one progressed in cultivation, the more difficult it became. If Xu Sanyan didn't have his cheats, he might never be able to enter the Soul Refinement Realm in this lifetime.

Lan Yue agreed, "That's natural. Even in Central State, a Soul Refinement Realm expert is considered a formidable figure."

Xu Sanyan pondered silently. He could first join the Guangyuan Sect, and then slowly learn about the cultivation world. This was also a good option.

Lan Yue continued, "Overall, the Sects in Central State can be divided into five great Sects. These five Sects have a clear gap compared to other Sects, and they are further divided into three Righteous, one Evil, and one Demonic, meaning three Righteous Path Sects, one Demonic Sect, and one that is neither entirely Righteous nor Evil."