430: The conspiracy behind it

Therefore, from the start, his mentality was somewhat lacking, unlike Night Solitary City's carefree detachment.

However, the West Gate Blowing Snow of today is no longer the same as before.

Sword light flashed, Sword Qi overflowed, terrifying Sword Qi radiated outwards.

Martial Artists standing close felt as if their entire bodies were being scraped by blades under the impact of this Sword Qi.

Their faces changed dramatically, and they hastily retreated. Only after leaving the combat range of the two did that sensation disappear.

"Hiss... is this the level of a duel between a Sword Immortal and a Sword God? It's terrifying."

"I thought the distance I kept earlier was far enough, but I didn't expect to still be affected."

"Indeed, a duel between a Sword Immortal and a Sword God is frighteningly powerful."

At the highest point of the Forbidden City, two figures were also observing this duel.

While West Gate Blowing Snow and Night Solitary City were dueling, black-clad figures appeared around the Imperial City, quietly infiltrating it.

"Your Highness, between the two of them in this duel, who do you think will win?" Huang Rong asked curiously, watching their battle.

"If it were the original West Gate Blowing Snow, he would lose. But now... it should be a draw." Duan Zhengchun stroked his chin, commenting on their duel.

"Huh? The original West Gate Blowing Snow would lose? Why? West Gate Blowing Snow is hailed as the newly ascended Sword God, his strength is already at the Heavenly Human Realm, and he follows the Ruthless Dao."

"Shouldn't a swordsman like that have even greater killing power?" Huang Rong looked at Duan Zhengchun in surprise.

"While that's true, the path of Cultivation isn't so simple. Excessive killing leads to abandonment by the Heavenly Dao, and one's Cultivation path naturally becomes restricted."

"This kind of thing isn't apparent in the early stages, but it becomes more obvious the further one progresses."

"If West Gate Blowing Snow cannot understand this principle and elevate his mental state, then he will never reach the Earth Immortal Realm in this lifetime." Duan Zhengchun shook his head.

"Huh? There's such a saying? Heavenly Dao? What is that?" Huang Rong frowned.

"Well, to put it simply, it's the will of this Nine Provinces Continent."

"Excessive killing harms the natural harmony. Such individuals are prone to generating Heart Demons during Breakthroughs. You must have heard of this, right?"

"The so-called Heart Demons are a shackle imposed by the Heavenly Dao. The heavier the killing, the greater the Karma, and the heavier the shackle imposed by the Heavenly Dao."

"Such individuals are more likely to encounter accidents during Breakthroughs; many suffer Qi Deviation, perishing with their Dao." Duan Zhengchun said.

"So that's how it is. I never understood the cause of Heart Demons before; I didn't expect it to be this reason."

"If that's the case according to you, then does performing good deeds and accumulating virtue make the Cultivation path much smoother?" Huang Rong's eyes lit up as she looked at Duan Zhengchun.

"Naturally, it's much easier compared to those entangled with heavy Karma." Duan Zhengchun said.

"However, those sword Dao Geniuses who can Cultivate to the Heavenly Human Realm must have taken some lives, right? Why can some still reach the Earth Immortal Realm?" Huang Rong thought for a moment and asked the doubt in her heart.

"Those individuals are blessed by the Heavenly Dao. It's not that one cannot kill at all."

"Have you heard of the Art of the Emperor?" Duan Zhengchun looked at Huang Rong with a smile.

"The Art of the Emperor? Your Highness, weren't we talking about Cultivation? Why are you suddenly asking about this?" Huang Rong looked utterly confused.

"Just giving you a hint: the Heavenly Dao is equivalent to an emperor." Duan Zhengchun looked at Huang Rong with a smile.

Prompted by Duan Zhengchun like this, Huang Rong frowned slightly and began to ponder matters related to emperors.

She still couldn't figure out what this had to do with an emperor.

"Your Highness, I can't understand. Please just tell me directly." Huang Rong shook her head.

"What? Can't you figure out such a simple problem?"

"Doesn't the Art of the Emperor emphasize balance and checks and balances?"

"Martial Artists are in a similar situation before the Heavenly Dao. That's why when a Genius appears on the Righteous Path, one also appears on the Demonic Path."

"It's not that a situation where one person dominates completely never occurs, but it absolutely won't happen frequently."

"Because each time such a Genius appears and grows up, the resources they consume are enormous."

"Every time one appears, the Heavenly Dao needs to recuperate for a long time, short periods of a hundred years, long periods of a thousand or even ten thousand years are possible." Duan Zhengchun said.

Huang Rong was stunned. She never imagined there were so many mysteries behind this.

"Then, Your Highness, what kind of existence is this Genius you speak of? How strong is their power?" Huang Rong took a deep breath, trying hard to suppress the shock in her heart.

"Such a Genius is undoubtedly the most dazzling existence of an era."

"This kind of person is born with an aura, invincible throughout their journey. Their heights are Realms that no one in the contemporary world has ever reached."

"Think carefully. Have you ever heard of such an existence?" Duan Zhengchun asked with a smile.

"I've heard that a Genius named Chuan Ying appeared in the Jianghu. It's said he entered something called the Hall of War. I heard he eventually reached the strength to Shatter the Void and left this Nine Provinces Continent. I don't know if it's true." Huang Rong nodded.

"Shatter the Void? Leave the Nine Provinces Continent? Perhaps. However, this world is not as simple as it appears on the surface."

"With Chuan Ying's strength back then, he indeed surpassed many Martial Artists, but he may not have truly reached the level of shattering the void." Duan Zhengchun stroked his chin and thought.

"Truly shattering the void? Could there be a false shattering of the void?"

Duan Zhengchun's words made Huang Rong even more puzzled.

For a moment, she felt her brain wasn't sufficient. Could this thing be fake?

"Shattering the void is not that easy. They believe the Earth Immortal Realm is the end of a Martial Artist's Cultivation. Do you think that's really true?"

"If that's the extent of their understanding, then there is no true shattering of the void."

"To Breakthrough beyond the Earth Immortal Realm, one must fundamentally resolve it through the Cultivation Technique. The Cultivation Techniques Martial Artists practice can at most Cultivate them to the Earth Immortal Realm."

"To Breakthrough further, one needs corresponding Cultivation Techniques."

"That's also why Cultivation Techniques have distinctions between high and low grades."

"A good Cultivation Technique elevates your ceiling for advancement. No matter how much you train with a low-grade technique, your ultimate achievements will be limited."

"This is like the difference between a small water pool and a large water pool."

"If the Realm beyond Earth Immortal is likened to an ocean, then a Martial Artist can only be said to be a bucket of water."

"Those Martial Artists without Advanced Cultivation Techniques have a capacity that can only be described as a bowl."

"Do you think there are Cultivation Techniques in the Nine Provinces Continent that can Cultivate one beyond the Earth Immortal Realm?" Duan Zhengchun shook his head.

"How would I know which Cultivation Techniques can Cultivate beyond the Earth Immortal Realm?" Huang Rong wore a frustrated expression.

She felt like a fool in front of Duan Zhengchun today. Her understanding of matters related to Martial Artists' Cultivation had been completely overturned.

"You don't need to worry about these things. With This Prince here, all of you can." Duan Zhengchun said with a smile.

"Really? We can also Cultivate beyond the Earth Immortal Realm?" Huang Rong's eyes lit up, and she excitedly grabbed Duan Zhengchun's hand.

"You'll know in the future."

"However, before that, you must first contribute to continuing the Duan Family's lineage." Duan Zhengchun wore a mischievous grin.