242: The first Nascent Soul

"state-stabilizing seal?"

Hearing this name, all the players were a bit stunned.

"Could it be that the Empress was also used by someone?"

"Is there actually someone behind the state-stabilizing seal?"

"A mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind?"

The players discussed animatedly, all feeling that something was indeed amiss.

At this moment, a player recalled that when Midnight Gao Sou had a Breakthrough to Golden Core Realm, the state-stabilizing seal had actually issued an edict to all Four Kingdoms, ceding Great Jiang's commanderies to the Great Love Sect.

At that time, the Empress's closed-door cultivation should have been at its most critical juncture, so it couldn't have been her decree.

In other words, someone must have been manipulating the state-stabilizing seal, secretly orchestrating a plan.

"Terrifying, even the Great Jiang Empress is someone else's chess piece?"

"Who exactly is that person?"

"No, no, I think our line of thought is all wrong. Is there a possibility that there's no one else behind the state-stabilizing seal, and it's just the state-stabilizing seal itself?"

"What do you mean?"

"According to the rumors circulating throughout Great Jiang, the state-stabilizing seal possesses a partial sentience. The decision to cede the commanderies was also made by the state-stabilizing seal."

"So, is there a possibility that this time, the state-stabilizing seal ambushed the Empress?"

When this conclusion emerged, all the players were dumbfounded.

Then came the mockery:

"A Magic Treasure ambushing a Cultivator? That's a bit ridiculous."

"It's clearly that there's someone behind the state-stabilizing seal; no need to think of anything else."

"Don't you know that Magic Treasures can also possess sentience?"

"So what if it has sentience? Can it cultivate?"

The player community gradually split into two types.

One type believed that there must be a strong Cultivator behind the state-stabilizing seal, and that the entire Great Jiang would soon experience terrifying turmoil.

The other type believed that there were no other dark forces behind this incident, and the state-stabilizing seal was the ultimate Great Boss.

But this involved a very alarming question—

Magic Treasures, could these things actually cultivate?

For many players, the various implements in the Xuanhuan World, whether Spiritual Artifacts or Magic Treasures, were collectively referred to as "equipment."

Equipment, to put it plainly, were things used by players; they were tools.

But now someone was telling them that these tools actually possessed their own sentience and could potentially revolt?

This concept had a severe impact on their worldview, and many players fell into a state of confusion.

Especially some life-skill players, mainly Artifact Refining players, looked at the equipment they had crafted with a bewildered expression.

No, can these things also cultivate and have Breakthroughs?

Because this conjecture was too outlandish,

Therefore, although many people presented evidence from ancient texts and history, many players still didn't believe it.

Most players firmly believed that there was another powerful Cultivator behind the state-stabilizing seal, and that he was scheming against the Great Jiang Empress.

In short, no matter what the players thought,

The idea that there was a hidden agenda behind the Empress's Breakthrough was accepted by everyone... After the Empress's infant disappeared, the state-stabilizing seal also vanished into the interwoven white and golden light.

The dazzling light obscured everything, and the surrounding Spiritual Qi gathered even more intensely.

Even Golden Core Experts could not investigate what was inside, remaining completely oblivious.

On the Xuanhuan World forum and various video websites, discussions about this matter also grew increasingly frequent.

Finally, one day, the earth shook, and Spiritual Qi surged.

Everyone looked towards the direction of the state-stabilizing seal.

They saw the white and golden light slowly disappear, and heaven and earth trembled together.

A figure emerged from the void, standing between heaven and earth.

His entire body was as bright and clear as jade, yet his hands and feet had specks of golden light. His brows exuded an Imperial Qi, and his entire being emitted an irresistible aura.

The corners of his mouth curved into a slight smile, his hands clasped behind his back. Points of light gathered around him, swirling about his body, and actually transformed into a Dragon Robe.

The next moment, an overwhelming tide of Spiritual Qi surged forth, sweeping across the entire Great Jiang, and even the Three Kingdoms of Chu, Li, and Yue.

From the Mortals in the fields to the top Golden Core Experts of the Sects, all turned their attention.

The player community, in particular, erupted collectively, dumbfounded.

Soon, an undeniable voice spread in all directions:

"I, the 'state-stabilizing seal,' wish to establish an Immortal Dynasty, encompassing the Four Kingdoms of Jiang, Chu, Li, and Yue, as well as the Western Great Desert and the North-South Mountains."

"You Immortal Masters must come here within three days to witness the grand event of the Immortal Dynasty."

The resounding voice swept out, its transmission range extending for more than a thousand miles.

"He used void transmission; he is indeed a Nascent Soul."

"I didn't expect it to be the state-stabilizing seal that succeeded; he really outmaneuvered all of us!"

"Three-day deadline, should we go?"

"Dare you not go?"

In the shadows, Golden Core Immortal Masters discussed amongst themselves.

Most were native Golden Core Cultivators, their expressions very solemn.

However, there were also some player Golden Core Cultivators who had recently had a Breakthrough and had intended to remain hidden, but unexpectedly encountered such an event.

For a time, these Golden Core players hesitated, unsure whether they should show themselves.

This hesitation was instantly shattered not long after.

The Bald Monk, who had previously caused trouble in the Great Love Sect and even the entire Great Jiang Imperial Dynasty, possessed powerful "Vajra" cultivation, capable of even deterring the Golden Core Cultivators of the Three Great Sects.

After the "state-stabilizing seal" achieved Nascent Soul, the first one he targeted was him.

On that day, heaven and earth changed color.

The state-stabilizing seal, clad in a yellow Dragon Robe, emerged from the void. With a light tap of one hand, he captured the Monk directly, then gently exhaled a breath, and the Monk's Soul immediately returned to the Buddhist land.

The nearby Dharma Master trembled, but the state-stabilizing seal spared him, merely instructing him to represent the Buddhist Cultivators and pledge allegiance to the new Immortal Dynasty.

As soon as the news spread that a Nascent Soul could easily suppress a Vajra (equivalent to a Golden Core), all the players fell silent.

They knew that the gap between Realms in the Xuanhuan World was vast, but they hadn't expected it to be this immense.

It exceeded everyone's imagination.

"The Nascent Soul Realm can utilize the void to easily traverse thousands of miles, completely appearing and disappearing unpredictably."

"Not only that, but a Nascent Soul's various attack methods can also utilize the void to achieve bizarre trajectories, making them impossible to guard against."

"Even more terrifying is that to achieve Nascent Soul, one needs to specialize in the Soul; therefore, every Nascent Soul Expert has a deep understanding of the Soul Dao, a qualitative change from the Golden Core."

"In other words, if it's a normal spell competition, perhaps an experienced Golden Core Expert can barely contend with an Early Stage Nascent Soul, but once a Nascent Soul employs Soul techniques, they can easily suppress a Golden Core."

"A qualitative leap, it's too terrifying..."

Under these circumstances, the player Golden Core Cultivators no longer dared to hesitate and could only honestly go to pay respects to the master of the Immortal Dynasty.

Three days later, above the great pit of the Imperial City, Golden Core Experts hovered one by one.

Then, the state-stabilizing seal, wearing a yellow Dragon Robe, appeared, laughed heartily, and casually raised a hand.

The earth became flat, and a new Imperial City rose from the ground, with ten thousand palaces, which continued to ascend, transforming into a celestial palace in the clouds, stretching for dozens of miles.

"Fellow Daoists, please enter the hall."

The state-stabilizing seal elegantly flew towards the grand hall.