Simulation becomes reality, have I ever looked down upon the eternity?

Chapter 585 The Three Heretical Sects Await the Opening of the Treasure Vault!
This Blissful Demonic Sect is truly an anomaly within the demonic path. It quickly attaches itself to whoever gains power within the sect, never clinging to any one faction.

Therefore, it became the only one of the seven demonic sects that never had a Demon Lord.

However, although lacking a true Demon Lord, the Blissful Demonic Sect has always been known for its scourge upon the world. Each sect leader possesses a beauty that can topple kingdoms and bewitch all beings.

[The former leader of the Blissful Sect from a thousand years ago simultaneously captured the hearts of both the current Demon Lord and the leader of the Righteous Alliance. Their struggle for her nearly ignited a war between the righteous and demonic paths.]

[And the ending three hundred years later was even more unexpected—the once world-shaking leader of the Blissful Sect willingly became a soul slave of the leader of a heretical sect overseas.]

A so-called soul slave is someone who completely dedicates their body and soul, willingly becoming a slave to others.

Once this news spread, both the righteous and demonic factions were enraged and nearly joined forces to launch a campaign overseas to exterminate the heretics. Just then, the previous Demon Lord was slain by the new Demon Lord, and the turmoil gradually subsided.

Thinking of this, you couldn't help but shake your head. These three companies are currently constantly trying to trip up the other two.

The current situation is delicate, with three powers vying for dominance. If any one of them falters even slightly, the other two will not hesitate to take advantage of the situation.

Looking around, of the seven sects of the demonic path, only four have arrived so far.

[Upon closer inspection, you'll find that each of the Demonic Sect's colossal ships harbors three or four elders at the Golden Core stage of the Great Dao, their auras profound and even surpassing that of Duanmu Xiwei of Fencun Mountain.]

Although the Demonic Sect was driven to the most desolate southern border of the four continents, its foundation and strength were in no way inferior to those of the righteous path.

Since being expelled from the Central Plains of Yuzhou 1,700 years ago, the demonic path has remained dormant and patient, always harboring a deep-seated resentment, and has never truly declined.

Although the Southern Frontier is harsh and impoverished, it is home to hundreds of millions of indigenous people. Since the arrival of the Demonic Sect, this land has become a true hell on earth—countless inhumane demonic spells have been wantonly developed and experimented with here, causing immense suffering and death.

However, since the Demon Lord of the Common People suddenly appeared, he has changed the cruel ways of the Demonic Sect, treating the natives as brothers, winning their hearts and harnessing their power.

Over the past three hundred years, the Demonic Sect's foundation has become increasingly solid, and its strength has even advanced further.

You shift your gaze to the side of the outsiders—besides the "Shenji Sect" who accompanied you, only two other factions were present.

The insignia on the ship was faintly discernible: it was indeed the Taihua Sect.

A thousand years ago, this sect produced the world-renowned "Pure Yang Master."

[He is the creator of the Pure Yang Technique that you practice.]

However, what goes up must come down, it is the natural order of things—the Taihua Sect today can only barely hold a middle position among the nine heretical sects.

The second treasure ship belongs to the Supreme Dharma Sect, a branch of heterodox sects. The "Tears of the Void" used to open the Heavenly Emperor's Treasury was crafted by this sect.

The Supreme Dharma Sect is not well-known, has few disciples, and has consistently ranked at the bottom in strength among the nine heretical sects. However, its most prized treasure—the "Tear of the Void"—is considered the most wondrous magical artifact in the world, and is revered as the "Tear of the Immortal."

This treasure can not only guide one through the void and traverse freely, but it can also break all kinds of restrictions, purify impurities, and heal severe injuries; its functions are infinitely mysterious.

Its power is in no way inferior to any divine treasure designed specifically for killing.

[Of course, other sects did consider seizing it. However, the "Tear of the Void" possesses exceptional spiritual power, and only the current sect leader of the Supreme Dharma Sect can control it. Even if outsiders were to acquire it, they would be unable to activate it even slightly.]

The Supreme Dharma Sect is less a sect and more a collection of five families. Each sect leader is selected from these five families, and all disciples are of blood from these five clans.

Surprisingly, given that overseas is considered territory for non-Buddhist sects, only the Taihua Sect and the Supreme Dharma Sect have shown up so far?

This situation is indeed quite unusual.

On the other hand, the righteous path has the Dao Ling Sect and the Zi Yang Academy.

As the foremost sect of the righteous path, Dao Ling Sect is also widely recognized as the number one sect in this world. Besides the renowned Nine Yang True Man Bao Hong, hailed as the greatest cultivator of our time, Dao Ling Sect possesses three divine forbidden magic treasures and two blessed lands, making it a majestic sect that has been passed down from ancient times.

The disciples of Dao Ling Sect, the leader of the righteous path, have always been arrogant and disdainful. They not only look down on the demonic sects and heretical sects, but they also often disregard the other nine sects that belong to the righteous path.

Over the years, this situation has become the norm. The phrase "from a sect" has, like the distinction between royalty and commoners in the secular world, created an invisible but strict hierarchy.

Disciples of major sects look down on members of minor sects, while cultivators of minor sects despise those rootless, unaffiliated cultivators.

When independent cultivators are out in the world, they naturally follow the lead of the sect disciples.

Your gaze shifts to the second treasure ship on the righteous path, where the disciples are all dressed in Confucian robes—this is the Ziyang Academy.

This sect possesses profound foundations and firmly holds the second position among the nine righteous sects, second only to the Dao Ling Sect.

[Ziyang Academy upholds the orthodox Confucian tradition, and its training is based on the seven classics: the Sword Classic, the Book of Changes, the Book of Music, the Book of Rites, the Book of Archery, the Book of Charioteering, and the Book of Calligraphy.]

[Its most treasured scriptures, the *Sage's Scripture* and the *Book of the Great Way of Heaven and Man*, are supreme methods for understanding the changes in the minds of Heaven, Earth, and Man, and for laying the foundation for the Way of Humanity.]

Due to its unique cultivation methods, the human dynasties under the jurisdiction of Ziyang Academy are the most numerous among all sects.

[Besides retiring to the mountains for solitary cultivation, many of his disciples also entered public service, practicing Confucianism and Taoism.]

This reminds you of your childhood teacher, Yuan Danqiu, who was also from Ziyang Academy. His gentle and humble nature instills in you a deep respect that you still hold, and consequently, you have a positive impression of Ziyang Academy.

According to the letter your grandfather sent you, this Mr. Yuan should also be in Donghai at this time. It's been many years since you last saw him; you're probably hoping to meet him.

We can only search for his whereabouts slowly after the matter of the Heavenly Emperor's Treasury is resolved.

【Even including your Fangcun Mountain and Longquan Sword Sect, only four righteous sects have come.】

There are three non-Buddhist schools: the Taihua School, the Shenji School, and the Wushang Fa School.

[The Demonic Path has arrived: the Common People Demonic Sect, the Ultimate Path Demonic Sect, the Blood Sea Demonic Sect, and the Blissful Demonic Sect.]

The three forces are clearly distinct. Even the Shenji Sect, which came along the same path as you, is now naturally classified as an outsider, with clear boundaries.

While maintaining good relations is one thing, there's no way to be honest about it now. And how much of that so-called friendship is truly genuine? Who can say for sure?

It seems the time is not yet ripe to open the Heavenly Emperor's Treasury; there are still sects from the three families who have not yet arrived.

Looking around, a vast water array covered the sea, all of which were defenses deployed by the sea creatures.

Even a cursory glance reveals a dense array of armored soldiers beneath the sea, their formations imposing and formidable, numbering in the hundreds of thousands.

[Among them, there were as many as forty or fifty powerful sea race members who had reached the Golden Core stage of the Great Dao, and several of them possessed particularly obscure and profound auras, indicating even higher levels of cultivation.]

[With your current cultivation level, you probably can't escape this inescapable trap.] [What's even more worrying is that three supreme grandmasters of the human race, as well as Ao Qing, the Dragon King of the West Sea, are still trapped inside the Heavenly Emperor's Treasury.]

If they are still unable to escape after opening the treasure vault, the wrath of the Dragon Clan will surely sweep across the four seas. Moreover, the leaders of the righteous, demonic, and otherworldly paths will also be present this time.

[Once this happens, this place will be the home ground of the East Sea Dragon Clan, further amplified by this earth-shattering formation.]

If humanity loses three of its peak combatants at the same time, how can it contend with the remaining three Dragon Kings?

Wouldn't that play right into their hands, leaving them completely surrounded and wiped out in one fell swoop?

This is indeed a crisis that could shake the world and even endanger all humankind on the four continents.

But then you realize that this is ultimately none of your business to worry about.

[If the sky were to fall, there would be taller people to hold it up—that's a major issue that the leaders of various sects need to weigh, and you are just an ordinary disciple of Fangcun Mountain.]

If things truly come to the worst, your only option will be to strive to break through to the Golden Core Realm of the Great Dao, and then seek a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos.

[That's all in the future; it was a truly life-or-death situation.]

However, deep down you feel that things might not have developed to this point.

[You have encountered the Demon Lord of All Beings, revered as the greatest demonic figure in a thousand years, whose cultivation, temperament, and methods were all unparalleled.]

Since the Demon Lord of All Living Beings already knows about the Heavenly Emperor's Treasure Vault, why is he still so calm and composed? There must be something fishy going on behind his words.

At this moment, disciples from all the various sects were moving about on their treasure ships, their gazes frequently drifting towards the three families that had just arrived.

You look up and gaze at the crack that has opened up within the golden storm; a clear blue passage, as luminous as crystal, still shines brightly.

In an instant!

"Huh?...This spiritual energy..."

Your acupoints and meridians involuntarily opened up, as if a long-awaited rain had come after a drought. A cool sensation arose in your chest, and your cultivation showed signs of breaking through to the next level.

[You quickly channeled your magic power to seal it again. Your attention had been drawn to the heretics and demonic sects, and only now did you realize that the spiritual energy here was far purer and richer than that of Fangcun Mountain. One day of cultivation here would probably be equivalent to half a month of hard work.]

Qi Ling and the others, standing nearby, clearly noticed this change as well, their faces showing surprise.

It should be noted that Fangcun Mountain itself is a rare and blessed land, though not as renowned as the "White Bat Cave Heaven" of the Daoling Sect or the "Golden Cicada Cave Heaven" of the Ziyang Academy, it is still one of the finest spiritual mountains in this world.

However, compared to this place, it is still more than ten times worse—even the legendary White Bat Cave is probably far inferior.

With such abundant spiritual energy, it's likely that within a year or two, the fish, shrimp, and sea creatures born and raised here will naturally develop sentience. Ordinary mortals, even without cultivation, can prolong their lives by residing here, reaching a hundred years old as easily as commonplace.

[If someone possesses spiritual roots and knows how to cultivate, the benefits they would gain from cultivating here would be immeasurable.]

Even those of average talent can make progress comparable to geniuses in the outside world by cultivating in this place rich in spiritual energy; those with exceptional talent will gain unimaginable benefits.

Yuan Shujian looked up and understood: all these changes did not originate from the sea itself, but from the ancient spiritual energy constantly emanating from the cracks in the Heavenly Emperor's Treasury.

He couldn't help but recall the Daoist scriptures: In ancient times, the spiritual energy between heaven and earth was like a surging tide. Cultivators interacted honestly with one another, needing no struggle for spiritual veins, for everywhere was like a blessed land. The appearance of this Heavenly Emperor's Treasury now seemed to be a confirmation of this legend.

【at this time!】

Duanmu Xi slowly walked up to the second deck and said, "You should all go to the quiet room to cultivate first. This kind of spiritual energy, surpassing even that of a blessed land, is a truly rare opportunity."

"Half a month later, when all the righteous sects have gathered, their sect leaders will also make their personal appearance."

"Then will be the time to enter the Heavenly Emperor's Treasury."

You all responded in unison and then entered the quiet room.

[Being in such a spiritually rich place makes the cultivation experience truly different. With your talent, one day of cultivation here is more valuable than more than a month of arduous training on Fangcun Mountain.]

[This is only because you deliberately suppressed it. If you were to fully open all the acupoints in your body, the spiritual energy would surge in like a whale swallowing the sea, which would likely attract attention and cause trouble in an instant.]

[You can't help but wonder: if the spiritual energy in ancient times was truly so abundant, then it would indeed be only natural that Qi cultivators were revered as the orthodox masters of the Great Dao.]

[Currently, experts skilled in divination predict that after this great calamity, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth may be fully restored, and it is even possible that the glorious scene of ancient times will be recreated.]

You calmed your mind and immersed yourself in cultivation once more, your heart quickly returning to a state of tranquility.

This is an innate talent of yours: when faced with important matters, you do not become anxious, but rather a calm composure naturally arises within you, allowing you to think clearly and face the situation with equanimity.

Half a month has passed in the blink of an eye.

Before Duanmu Xiwei could come to call you, you had already awoke from your deep meditation on your own.

The reason is simple: you clearly sensed more than ten incredibly powerful auras appearing in the distance.

[You've felt this kind of pressure from Nongmu, the sect leader of Fangcun Mountain. This is a Daoist aura that only cultivators who have survived the Second Nine Heavenly Tribulation can possess.]

After a cultivator survives their first Heavenly Tribulation, their physical body reaches a state of perfection. Having undergone the tempering of golden winds and the cleansing of heavenly lightning, they are reborn, their magical power becoming immense, more than ten times that of a cultivator in the Dragon Court Realm.

Some cultivators even regain their youthful appearance after surviving the Nine Heavenly Tribulations.

At the same time, a new primordial spirit will regenerate within the cultivator's body, serving as an external avatar. Even if one primordial spirit perishes, the other will continue to exist, ensuring the cultivator's survival.

Those who survive the Second Nine Heavenly Tribulation undergo another transformation in their cultivation, their magical power becoming more than ten times that of cultivators who survive the First Nine Heavenly Tribulation.

[Besides the explosive increase in magical power, his physical body and primordial spirit also broke through innate shackles, reaching a state that was almost terrifying.]

Even if a cultivator at the first level of the Heavenly Tribulation attacks with all their might, they would find it difficult to harm the Dharma Body of a cultivator at the second level of the Heavenly Tribulation.

Within Fangcun Mountain, cultivators at the Golden Core stage of the Great Dao are not uncommon; all eighteen peak masters are among them, and there are over thirty in total within the sect.

However, openly speaking, only the sect leader has truly survived the Second Heavenly Tribulation.

(End of this chapter)