苏州哪里有站小巷的

Jinhua Mansion, Orchid Temple, fortified heavily, seals binding the Ghost Realm.

Although the ancient temple was dilapidated and filled with a ghostly aura, it was momentarily tranquil.

At this time, auspicious clouds drifted in, heading straight into the mountains.

“Daoist friend.”

“True Monarch.”

Xu Yang descended from the cloud, walking towards the reed shed.

True Monarch Changrong also stood up to welcome him, cupping his hands with a smile, “Congratulations, Daoist friend, for successfully slaying demons, clearing away numerous disasters for the world, a merit immeasurable!”

“True Monarch, you overpraise me,”

Xu Yang shook his head lightly and said with a light smile, “It’s just that the demon did not know the mandate of Heaven, courting death in its own way. I merely acted along with the momentum.”

“You are too humble,”

True Monarch Changrong shook his head and sized him up, then with a smile said, “Daoist friend might as well call me Changrong.”

With a smile, Xu Yang did not demur but cupped his hands in salute, “Shi Jian has seen Brother Changrong!”

“Hahaha!”

Changrong laughed, steadying him, and the two returned to the table to sit down. Then Changrong raised a cup of fragrant tea, “Rather than wine, let’s toast with tea to congratulate Daoist friend for his increased Taoist cultivation and successful practice!”

Xu Yang too raised his cup in response, “To celebrate with Brother Dao!”

The path of cultivation favors those who reach it first.

Unless they’re blood relatives or direct disciples of a sect, when cultivators interact, they don’t consider age, only cultivation level.

Those of the same realm address each other as peers.

If one is a realm higher, then they are referred to respectfully as senior.

With a sixth realm cultivation, Xu Yang had addressed Changrong as “True Monarch” until now.

Although Changrong did not actively claim the status of a senior, nor did he insist on changing the address, his acceptance signified an acknowledgment of the unspoken rules of the cultivation realm.

Now, by bringing it up himself, suggesting a change in address, it wasn’t due to being intimidated by Xu Yang’s demonstrated strength in vanquishing demons.

It was because…

Xu Yang had broken through!

He had transcended the fifth realm and ascended to the sixth realm, thereby achieving the body of a Taoist True Monarch.

As a true monarch, with the same realm, naturally, they should interact as equals.

Even so, Changrong humbled himself and allowed Xu Yang to address him directly by his Taoist name, Changrong.

This was a show of respect for strength.

No matter how newly ascended Xu Yang was as a True Monarch, whether it be mana, Taoist cultivation, or cultivation skills divine magic, Changrong was no match for him.

This was reality, to be acknowledged.

Changrong placed himself precisely within his status.

But would Xu Yang be insensitive?

Still, he addressed him as Brother Dao, neither disrupting the hierarchy nor striving to close the distance between them.

Thus, both host and guest were content, each finding satisfaction.

The two drank tea instead of wine, celebrating together.

A brief moment later, they delved into the heart of the matter.

Putting down his teacup, True Monarch Changrong looked at Xu Yang and sighed with a question, “The Luotian Dajiao ritual is indeed a grand ceremony of our Taoist tradition. With such support, Taoist Friends Liuxian and Yin Mountain must have broken through as well, right?”

“Indeed,”

Xu Yang nodded with a light chuckle, “Each has progressed greatly, receiving invaluable benefits.”

A Taoist True Monarch, whose realm corresponds to that of the Golden Core in the cultivation system.

If within the cultivation system, one seeks to break through from Foundation Establishment to Golden Core, to ensure absolute success, it’s best to find a forming core spirit object, like the “Five Elements Gold Binding Pill,” that can effectively increase the success rate and prevent mishaps from failed breakthroughs—control loss over the three essentials, the violent clash of the five Qi, and the runaway of mana—thus saving the cultivator’s life foundation.

But in this world of Dao and Law, where the heavens and earth are barren, there is no Five Elements Gold Binding Pill nor any other forming core spirit object. To condense a Golden Core and step into the realm of True Monarch, you only have two choices.

Either take a risky move, braving the danger of mana losing control and the foundation being damaged, to form the core on one’s own.

Or seek the assistance of a Mana Altar, use up a sect’s potentiality, and form the core under the protection of the Ancestor Master’s Altar.

Which kind was Xu Yang?

Naturally, the latter.

He originally possessed the cultivation of the True Man’s extreme realm, and breaking through was a matter of moments. After conducting the Luotian Dajiao ritual, he received even greater empowerment from the grand ceremony, with effects far exceeding those of the Ancestor Master’s Altars of the great Daoist sects.

Thus, entering into the sixth realm and achieving True Monarch status was as natural as water flowing into a channel, without any suspense whatsoever.

If not, how could he have previously manifested his Yang God, successively eliminating Chu Gonghou and the Shocking Thunder Jiao?

Indeed, nine days earlier, using the power of the Luotian Dajiao ritual, he had forged his Golden Core, experiencing the Pure Yang Creation, and achieved the body of a True Monarch.

To be honest, using the Luotian Dajiao ritual to ascend to True Monarch was a lavish, wasteful act.

Normally, Luotian Dajiao would be used to help a True Monarch advance to the “Heavenly Master” realm.

But it doesn’t matter, Xu Yang had the luxury to afford it, the boldness to squander it.

True Monarch Changrong was well aware of this, and with a sense of admiration said, “Xuanyuan Divine Sword, Holy Divine Weapon, Increase Life and Damage Fate Yin-Yang skill, Thunder Commanding Power Divine Magic; you three Daoist friends are of extraordinary talent, something I am not capable of!”

Xu Yang chuckled, “You flatter me too much, Brother Dao!”

True Monarch Changrong shook his head, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, but simply asked, “What are your plans next, Daoist friend?”

Upon hearing this, Xu Yang did not conceal his intentions, “This battle for the dragon, I wish to enter the fray and contend for the fate of Taoist orthodoxy!”

After speaking, he turned to True Monarch Changrong, “Does Brother Dao care to lend me a helping hand?”

After the Luotian Dajiao ceremony and achieving the status of True Monarch, Xu Yang stood at the pinnacle of this world.

Whether in terms of Cultivation Realm, Mana, or Cultivation Skills Divine Magic, he could be deemed unparalleled.

Looking across the world, among all cultivators, even the Taoist Righteous Sect could hardly find a few who could stand shoulder to shoulder with him.

Furthermore, with Guo Bei Academy now capable of holding the Luotian Dajiao ceremony at any moment, significantly enhancing his power and even aiding him in becoming the “Heavenly Master!”

A Daoist Celestial Master is without equal in the whole world.

Even if the great Taoist sects spare no expense, exhausting their potential and employing Ancestor Master’s Altars, and even Ancient Magical Treasures and Immortal Gods’ objects, they would still struggle to pose a threat to him.

In other words, he is yet again invincible.

Having become invincible, the concerns he had before naturally disappeared like smoke and clouds.

Next, Guo Bei Academy will definitely be expanding outward, seizing Jinhua and Jiangzhe, and even the whole south, then raising an army to campaign northwards, contending for the world and unifying the realm.

This is an inevitable development. The current scale of Guo Bei Academy dictates that it must take this path; there are no other options.

Today, he came to True Monarch Changrong with three main matters in mind.

The first was to declare his stance and at the same time, to draw in this esteemed personage of Taoism, a Grandmaster, to join the alliance.

Guo Bei Academy will definitely expand its influence and will certainly strive for dominance over the world.

But how to vie for dominance is the question.

Between Great Zhou and Great Tang, Xu Yang’s strategy was to act with unparalleled self-respect, to forcefully push across the world, to suppress all those who refused to submit, and to obliterate all dissidents, including the established and long-inherited three major sects, which he toppled and eradicated.

Can such tactics be applied to the world of Daoism?

Definitely not!

Great Zhou and Great Tang are commoner’s worlds, where the so-called Three Teaching Sect merely comprises charlatans—claiming to be sacred institutions but in reality, being tyrannical and corrupt. Killing them is warranted, and there’s nothing more to say.

But in this world, where Taoism is sanctified, the Three Teachings consist of genuine cultivators and morally upright cultivators at that. Xu Yang cannot act against them, for doing so would be ill-founded and lead to endless troubles and backlash.

Not to mention, each great Taoist sect has its legacy, from times ancient when gods roamed the heavens. Even if they broke the realm and left aeons ago, who can guarantee they will never return?

Should the day come when the Yuan Sprit revives and the Ancient Immortal Gods return to this realm, to find their legacies completely eradicated, what would their reaction be?

Moreover, the Three Teaching Sects have long heritages and deep foundational potential. The numerous sects have an array of tactics and although they may not be able to confront him head-on, if they were to disperse and wage guerrilla warfare, they could inflict great losses on Guo Bei Academy, or even result in mutual destruction.

This is truly unnecessary.

Thus, in this campaign to dominate the world, Xu Yang has made certain modifications to his strategy.

Towards the Three Teachings and the great Taoist sects, he would not directly exterminate them but would offer them a choice, allowing them to join the Guo Bei Academy system. While retaining a certain level of independence, they would contribute their strength to him.

Mana Bright Temple and Qingping Taoist Temple are examples of this.

One temple and one Taoist temple, one monk and one Taoist, have already boarded the grand ship of Guo Bei Academy, becoming part of the academy’s Taoist orthodoxy, yet retaining a significant degree of independence. Sect affairs can be self-determined. As long as they do not breach the principles, the academy will not intervene.

If Mana Bright Temple and Qingping Taoist Temple are so, then so is White Cloud Taoist Temple.

As long as True Monarch Changrong agrees, Xu Yang will naturally provide him with corresponding treatment.

However, treatment and duties are mutual; there’s no such thing as enjoying benefits without making contributions. Having boarded the same ship, one must exert effort for it.

Guo Bei Academy doesn’t sustain idlers.

Of course, not joining is also an option, but those who do not join are the enemy. Xu Yang will not tolerate them. They must either leave overseas or have their orthodoxy extinguished; there are no other choices.

Xu Yang has made his attitude clear.

Seeing this, True Monarch Changrong also smiled, stood up, and bowed his hands, saying, “Changrong has seen the Taoist Master!”

His attitude was likewise clear.

Xu Yang immediately helped him up, “With Brother Dao’s assistance, I will be like a fish in water. From now on, White Cloud Taoist Temple shall be one of the academy’s Taoist orthodoxy!”

Changrong nodded, smiling lightly as he said, “I am willing to serve the Taoist Master!”

In the Luotian Dajiao ceremony, thousands of families worship, and the Nine Ceremony High Altar is venerated by millions.

A Taoist True Monarch’s Divine Magic is revealed, while the souls of the malicious demons disappear.

This battle has displayed Guo Bei Academy’s sufficient strength to expand and strive for world dominance.

For White Cloud Taoist Temple, joining efforts with Guo Bei Academy at this time is a favorable move as well.

Once Guo Bei Academy conquers the world, White Cloud Taoist Temple will also share in the fortunes and at least continue its glory for a few more centuries.

The sects of the world can be divided into three ranks.

The first rank are the distinguished current Taoist sects, such as the Heavenly Master’s sect, which has produced a Heavenly Master within the last thousand years. With a surge in fate and an increase in strength, they unquestionably occupy the first rank.

The second rank includes the direct lineages of the Three Teachings, all of the major orthodox sects, which have ancient heritages and profound potential. Each has several Taoist True Monarchs, and each generation produces at least one True Monarch to ensure the continuous lineage.

The third rank is also of the Three Teachings, with equally long traditions, but due to various reasons, their legacy has been drained and their resources for cultivation have become insufficient. They have no True Monarchs, only True Men, and cannot ensure that successive disciples become True Men either. If anything goes wrong, they risk extinction.

The ranking of these ranks is not fixed and depends on the specific strength.

White Cloud Taoist Temple, for instance, was originally a second-rank Taoist sect with several Taoist True Monarchs within.

However, due to subsequent disasters which caused many True Monarchs to fall or pass away, White Cloud Taoist Temple’s strength greatly diminished, and its vitality was severely weakened, relegating it to the third rank. Only with Changrong achieving True Monarch status did it see some improvement.

This is still the fate of a second-rank sect. As for third-rank sects like Mana Bright Temple and Qingping Taoist Temple, which lack True Monarchs and have only a few mages, they can only struggle to maintain their legacy in remote and desolate places.

True Monarch Changrong, having lived for three hundred years, if White Cloud Taoist Temple cannot cultivate a second True Monarch within a hundred years, it will risk the decline of its legacy.

Therefore, faced with Xu Yang’s invitation, True Monarch Changrong could not refuse. Even if not for himself, for the sake of the sect’s heritage, he had to accept.