Just like that, from sunrise to sunset.
Several days and nights passed unnoticed, and when the lava flowing around the remnants of the Earth Vein Ancient Tree began to solidify, Chen Zhixing opened his eyes once more. His cultivation had advanced further.
"Peak Eighth Layer, huh."
The palpable power filled Chen Zhixing’s body and mind, bringing him a modicum of satisfaction amidst his contemplation.
The Peak Realm is different from the Longevity Realm.
While the Longevity Realm employs the power of rules to wield them like a blade and shield to attack and defend, the Peak Realm is the cultivators’ last opportunity in the Celestial Profound Realm to enhance themselves with the concepts of ’self’ and ’ego’.
It’s not about adapting to the rules or mastering them, but simply becoming stronger.
And this strength is truly their own for the vast majority of cultivators.
Chen Zhixing is no different!
Crushing mountains with his fists!
Parting clouds with his breath!
Masters the rivers with the stance of a whale swallowing the sea!
Traverses the four seas with the power to break worlds!
"The feeling of power... when I break through to the Longevity Realm, I must consider the journey to the Cosmic Realm in advance."
The thought arose, and Chen Zhixing stood up from the spine of the Earth Vein Ancient Tree.
Turned and left.
No longer possessed any lingering attachment for this Divine Tree once cherished by the entire Celestial Profound Realm.
...
Celestial Break Mountain Range.
During the days Chen Zhixing spent in the West State, Shi Hao left behind here experienced what ordinary people go through.
Got beaten harshly!
Really beaten harshly!
Although the Celestial Sword Elder from the Iron Sword Sect was not gifted in cultivation, he was terrifyingly strong when it came to wielding brute force against opponents!
Even though Shi Hao harbored some thoughts of ’this was Xin’er and Yue’er’s ancestor’ during their duel, preventing him from going all out, he found out after a few beatings that even if he went all out, he would still be strung up by this Celestial Sword Elder!
"How is it possible! In Gan State, a place that doesn’t even have a Peak Realm environment, how could someone like you appear!"
"Who said there isn’t? Cough cough, although Gan State is slightly weaker than other states, we still have Venerable Chongming."
"Chongming? He is Peak?"
"Yes, Venerable Chongming, he is a fierce bird of Peak Realm that flew from West State to Gan State for refuge a hundred and seventy years ago. Upon discovering Gan State is a paradise, he chose to settle on Chongming Mountain in Gan State, becoming the first Venerable of Gan State."
"A bird?" Shi Hao, tied to a tree, widened his eyes. It was his first time witnessing someone shamelessly consider a monster as the top combat power of their state territory? This was too shameless!
"It’s Venerable Chongming."
The Celestial Sword Elder coughed twice after speaking, then landed a palm on Shi Hao’s head: "Don’t look down on people. Between Gan State and your Northern Domain Shi Family, although the cultivation resources in our two regions are not as abundant as in the other three regions, it is precisely because of such poverty that cultivators like you and me, who have reached the Nirvana Realm, possess talents and abilities that are unmatched by their counterparts in other states.
Over these years, the old me hasn’t always stayed on this Celestial Break Mountain. I have visited other states and counties, and fought with many gifted individuals.
Having seen them and crossed hands with them, I can better understand my own positioning.
Though the old me is merely at the Nirvana Second Layer, that’s only due to a lack of resources. If compared fairly, I can confidently proclaim that in the Nirvana Great Realm, I am among the rare strong ones."
"How strong? Can you enter the previous East Profound Grand Competition?"
"If you’re reckless enough to risk your life, naturally you can enter."
"Huh?"
"What do you mean huh, just East Profound Grand Competition. When I was young, I didn’t miss out on participating in it." Another palm landed on Shi Hao’s head, followed by the Celestial Sword Elder’s sigh: "Unfortunately, my cultivation talent is somewhat lacking, and being born in a resource-poor place like Gan State, where despite making some waves at the East Profound Grand Competition, I still wasn’t favored by the Immortal Sect of the Three Great Sacred Lands when it ended."
Upon hearing, Shi Hao didn’t say anything, his eyeballs rolling around.
The Celestial Sword Elder noticed and suddenly laughed: "What wicked thought are you brewing again?"
"Nothing, I wouldn’t dare!"
"Take my advice: In the future, whenever you encounter old entities like me who share the same realm and don’t die, if there’s no genuine conflict, it’s best to avoid them as much as possible, or you will face more suffering."
"Hehehe, I remember."
"Hmm, it’s good that you remember, it’s good that you remember... Only if you suffer can you remember more clearly, and this is good for you."
The Celestial Sword Elder replied with a smile.
Then another palm landed on Shi Hao’s head.
No choice but to hit!
During the fight just now, this junior in front of him even considered, due to being in the Celestial Break Mountain Range, threatening the lives of all beings on the mountain. Although this was only a slight thought and wasn’t genuinely enacted, the Celestial Sword Elder felt he needed to ’correct’ Shi Hao in advance.
Even if this correction is only temporary, even if knowing it will hardly have any effect, even though Shi Hao’s master behind him is someone he cannot afford to offend, the Celestial Sword Elder could not feel at ease without correcting him.
"By the way, senior, you spoke so much just now, but still haven’t answered."
"Answered what?"
"If you were placed in the previous East Profound Grand Competition, what placing would you achieve?"
"First."
"Huh? You? First?!"
"What’s so strange about this? From the rumor I faintly recall, the previous Celestial Profound Grand Competition was based on the True Self Realm. With a Nirvana Realm engaging amidst a crowd of True Self Realm cultivations, isn’t getting first rightful?"
"But I remember in the previous Celestial Profound Grand Competition, a few talents broke through to the Nirvana Realm during the event, didn’t they?"
"And then?"
"And then, senior you... can you beat those geniuses?"
"I can even beat you, why wouldn’t I be able to beat them."
"Uh..."
"Hehe, kid, you still haven’t grasped your own positioning. If there were another Celestial Profound Grand Competition you participate in, it would be hard for you to meet opponents."
The Celestial Sword Elder praised warmly, each word sincere.
With top-notch talent nurtured by an esteemed mentor, coupled with a cultivation path that’s flawless without detours, plus infinite resources provided... How could anyone raised this way not be peerless?
But then again, true elites bred in such ways usually don’t participate in ’entertainment activities’ like the East Profound Grand Competition.
Just as the Celestial Sword Elder had never heard of direct disciples from the Three Great Sacred Lands competing.
And based on the respect-worthy strength, this child before him, even if not hailing from a Sacred Land, should be Noble Lineage Level. Such identity shouldn’t partake in the so-called East Profound Grand Competition.
Oh right, wasn’t there an accident during the previous East Profound Grand Competition?
The Celestial Sword Elder slightly recalled, and quickly found the past information in his mind. His facial expression changed several times before reverting to previous calmness.
"Thinking about your status, probably your family won’t permit you to join the East Profound Grand Competition. It’s just something to consider in thoughts. If genuinely wishing for a duel, I can introduce some opponents."
"Why?"
"Because there’s no need, from your family’s perspective, the East Profound Grand Competition is merely a tool for sieving viable talents. Among them—victors and daredevils—end up supporting your family by becoming guards or guests. You, lacking any such need, why then partake."
"But... I heard that during the last East Profound Grand Competition, two Noble Families participated—Sikong family from Si State and... Ziwei Chen Family from Jiangzhou. They also..."
"And then the Sikong family was annihilated."
Shi Hao: "???"
"Sikong family, ranked first in Si State, seventh in East Profound, a seven-thousand-year-old Noble Family, due to one East Profound Grand Competition, left no bones behind..."