Shangyuque

Chapter 331 The Road to Supremacy: There's No Excuses (Second Update)

True strategists possess exceptional insight, as do the most outstanding among great monks.

Otherwise, if others' schemes have already been exposed and you're still sitting on the sidelines, then you're just a clown.

Jiuyou did this extremely well.

After witnessing Houpu's support for the Jade Palace Immortal, and seeing the drastic and decisive transformation of the Water Replenishment Conference, he realized an opportunity.

Cultivating a relationship with the Jade Palace Immortal Venerable, and even deliberately expressing 'gratitude,' are all practices born from this keen insight.

"Haha, yes, fellow Daoists are all veteran cultivators who have been climbing the path of transformation for many years."

Therefore, if we offer too little benefit, no one will be tempted; if we offer too much, we can't afford it.

Therefore, I designed a special system. The refining process of the Wonderful Water Sand is very special. Each piece of top-grade water sand can only be refined by cultivators at the Celestial Realm.

The specific refining process can be achieved using other methods, but in terms of the result, as long as I refine the top-grade Mystic Water Sand, I can sense it through my mastery of the Mystic Water Dao.

Therefore, it is possible to count how much water sand cultivators from different forces and different Dao Ancestors have refined.

The profound and mysterious Dao of the water and sand, which are connected to the highest quality, is a kind of connection with me, thus enabling this kind of statistical analysis.

Those with more followers will have more voting power during the Water Replenishment Conference, while those with fewer followers will have less.

It's somewhat similar to a fantasy-themed application based on blockchain technology, while also incorporating some of the essence of the Bridgewater Associates model.

The most exquisite water and sand techniques are like shares in the Water Replenishment Conference; the more you refine, the more shares you get.

Jade Palace Immortal Venerable's design is even more advanced than the model of the Great Heaven and Earth.

Responsibility corresponds to power, and strength corresponds to power; this is a natural rule governing the world.

However, in complex games, those who hold the dominant position tend to enjoy more benefits while bearing less responsibility.

The Water Replenishment Conference's sand refining system, designed by Jade Palace Immortal Venerable, breaks the possibility of unequal responsibility; at least within the Water Replenishment Conference, everyone's responsibility depends on themselves.

"But, Fellow Daoist Pure Water, what specific benefits can this bring us?"

Jiuyou didn't quite understand the significance of voting rights, because even though the Water Replenishment Conference had begun to change its nature, this change was not necessarily going smoothly.

If the perilous leap of transformation cannot be accomplished, and it is merely a special agenda, then all that Jade Palace Immortal Venerable has done is utterly meaningless.

"Yes, there are no specific benefits, but there will be no obvious losses, and at the same time, it can achieve the process of replenishing water."

"Non-destructive hydration is already the best outcome; I can't think of a better way. Perhaps Fellow Daoist Jiuyou could help me consider this?"

The Jade Palace Immortal Venerable answered calmly.

Of course, the Pure Water Ancestor would not sacrifice his life for a better world. He would not sacrifice himself, nor would he become the price.

The underlying logic is that simple.

If the Dao Ancestors of the Four Spirit Realms still want to replenish water and mend the heavens, then they must accept this system full of compromises.

Disagree?
It doesn't matter. There will always be people who approve, there will always be people who participate, and it's fine even if no one participates.

Unsuccessful times are part of the process; let's try a different approach—how could Jade Palace Immortal Venerable and Houpu Old Thief give up just because things aren't going well?

It's difficult from the very beginning, every step of the process is difficult, and the final result is rarely entirely satisfactory—this is the norm in the world of cultivation.

Jade Palace Immortal Venerable no longer has anyone above him to support him, so he certainly can't rely on anyone to back him up. He must use every chip carefully.

If you use it too much, you'll scream when you lose!

"This Jiuyou is dull-witted; he really can't think of a better way." Jiuyou shook his head with a wry smile.

The organizers of the Water Replenishment Conference could not possibly selflessly offer up their own interests, and the insatiable greed of those Dao Ancestors goes without saying.

There are no higher, farther, or more extraordinary methods, so seemingly makeshift methods are acceptable.

"Fellow Daoist Jiuyou, this method is not as insignificant as you think."

The wondrous water sand is a special spiritual material whose sole purpose is to contain water spirit. Even if it cannot achieve the desired effect in replenishing water, the 'Sand Refining Era', which is based on the Water Replenishment Conference, will in fact take care of the interests of all fellow practitioners.

A high-level cultivator is guaranteed to obtain water spirit, thus enabling them to cultivate more effectively.

The cultivators at the lower levels will create more value for us in the overall design of the new cultivation order in the world.

At the same time, those exceptionally talented individuals can still rise from the bottom up in this new order, which is a semi-modified version of the old cultivation system.

Moreover, cultivators with higher talents in water magic and waterways will gain more competitive advantages—they can refine sand faster.

This aligns with the ultimate goal of the Water Replenishment Conference: having more cultivators skilled in water-related techniques and those who have mastered the Dao of Water will make the water replenishment process smoother.

Just as Confucianism bound different social classes together through 'loyalty and filial piety,' it designed rules for the distribution of benefits for people at different social levels in the classical feudal era.

When subjects serve their ruler and father with 'loyalty and filial piety,' the reins of loyalty and filial piety are also in the hands of the lowest-level social participants, who can use them to exploit their own offspring, thereby achieving a relatively hopeful chance of survival under high pressure.

The 'Sand Refining-Water Replenishment Conference' system designed by Jade Palace Immortal Venerable is an initiative from the perspective of order, an initiative to semi-improve the order of the cultivation world in the Four Spirit Realms.

High-ranking cultivators who participate in the sand refining process are guaranteed a replenishment of water elemental energy; this is a way to win over ministers.

Lower-level cultivators ruled by the new order can obtain a new path to advancement through sand refining—a new path beyond bloodline and lineage. This is a way of bestowing favor upon the lower classes.

But the exploitation is real, and resistance will still exist. However, the new order of the Jade Palace Immortal Venerable has already won over the most powerful Golden Core cultivators and the most talented winners.

Those cultivators who believe they are exceptionally talented but are not successful are incapable of effectively resisting when faced with an absolute and comprehensive disadvantage.

If this system can be maintained for a long time, it will be good for all those who are climbing.

However, those at the bottom may enter a more inescapable state of purgatory, where resistance and struggle become even more difficult.
On the other hand, once the five elements of the Four Symbols Realm are replenished, all living beings benefit from the outcome.
This is the power of undifferentiated change; good and evil can no longer serve as the standard.

Jade Palace Immortal Venerable had a sense of good and evil in his youth, but he abandoned his mortal heart and has come to this point step by step. He has indeed become an immortal, without a doubt.

“Fellow Daoist Jingshui, I can sense that you have great ambitions, but to rashly confront Gong Shande, even with the assistance of Hong Xuanji, Lu Zhishui, and others, is ultimately like dancing on a knife’s edge, and there is always the possibility of unforeseen events.”

Jiuyou only gave a reminder; he didn't say the last sentence aloud.

Jade Palace Immortal's eyes narrowed slightly, and he chuckled, saying...

"Dancing on the edge of a blade, dancing on the edge of a blade, Fellow Daoist Jiuyou, you have experienced far too few blade-edge experiences."

The old man from the Nine Netherworlds was speechless.
-
Xuzhou, Wuhua Daoting.

Houpu stood in mid-air, with dozens of Dao Ancestors behind him waiting for the right moment to act.

"Wuhua, we've arrived! Where are you, you scoundrel?"

The Water Purification Ancestor stepped forward on his own initiative.

With Hong Xuanji and others holding her back, Empress Shande did not come in person, and Wu Hua was a useless little Dao Ancestor, making him the perfect easy target for Jade Palace Immortal Venerable.

When you're trying to rack up victories, you have to be flashy.

It's quite normal that many people, due to their inner moral compass, cannot accept the logic of "using any means necessary to win, even at the expense of innocent bystanders."

However, the Jade Palace Immortal Venerable is no longer human, and his code of conduct broke away from the logic he once firmly believed in two hundred years ago.

Wu Hua, who was in seclusion, only then realized that something was wrong with the situation outside.

He opened his eyes and glanced around, intending to leave seclusion to deal with the situation, but saw that outside the sect, the sky was filled with cultivators.

Upon closer inspection, they were all at the Dao Ancestor Realm.

A minor Daoist master, who was cultivating immortality and in seclusion in the Daoist court, did nothing, but was suddenly stopped at the door.

Wu Hua's heart pounded, and he asked in confusion, "Fellow Daoist Houpu, what is the meaning of this?"

Houpu's expression was quite calm as he spoke.

"Not only did you not support the Water Replenishment Conference, but you also launched a sneak attack on Jiuyou, and almost succeeded. You are truly a wicked scoundrel."

Fellow Daoists, let us join forces and exert all our strength! Today, we will annihilate the Five Flower Dao Court!

The victors and the strong can define success and failure, truth and falsehood without restraint.

If you have enough strength, the fake can become the real, and the real can become the fake.

What seems like an absurd reality is accepted by most people; in fact, it is the process of moving from a false alliance to a real one.

Wuhua is weak enough, so this process will go smoothly.

The result may not be perfect, but it's still a win.

As for the cost, Wuhua bore it.

This is just an insignificant day on the road to supreme power.

The number of living beings in the world is far more than hundreds of millions, and the innocent people of Wuhua are not even considered special.

There is no excuse for the path to absolute supremacy.

It is the ultimate cruelty.

Destroy the weak, unsuitable core of self that is not conducive to powerful forces.

Destroy your opponents and enemies blocking your path.

It even requires betraying allies and close friends.

By employing various means, all available resources are fully mobilized.

Only in this way can one ensure that, in a confrontation where no one is human, one is at least not at a disadvantage—not even a victory, but at least one that one will not be at a huge disadvantage compared to one's opponent.

There's no room for that kind of tender sentimentality; it simply doesn't exist!
(I don't want to write a story where the villain mindlessly causes trouble for the protagonist and then the protagonist retaliates in a righteous way. That's too stupid. It's not interesting except for catering to some readers' need for moral superiority.)
"What? I didn't."

Wu Hua's explanation was utterly ineffective against the overwhelming power of dozens of Dao Ancestors working together.

Replenishing water, confronting the strongest Gong Shande, new room for maneuver, more possibilities, changes that align with one's own interests.
All these factors combined meant that the initiative that Jade Palace Immortal Venerable had painstakingly gained during his tour of Shazhou was finally forged into a real advantage amidst the deaths of Wuhua.

The nature of the hydration event has changed.

No one can say for sure what it has become, but it has definitely changed.

This is a gradual process of brewing and change, and it cannot be accomplished overnight.

"Fellow Daoist Yuque, the death of Wuhua will not be the end of the problem. I support you, but you must understand that this support does not mean that I am controlled by you."

"Next time, please let me know in advance before you decide what you're going to do, okay?" Houpu transmitted his voice.

Looking at the erased Five Flowers Sect Daoist Temple Immortal Realm, Jade Palace Immortal Venerable did not answer Houpu's question.

He thought of the Wuji Dao Master and Bifang.

The Lord of Wuji consumes heaven and earth, while Bifang consumes all things in the world.

If you can't win, then you'll eventually become the victor's meal.

When one cultivates Qi and seeks immortality, what one sees is a beautiful, dreamlike existence.

Only after establishing one's foundation and cultivating immortality does one realize that becoming an immortal is truly an illusion, a dream.

Cultivating immortality in the Purple Mansion, one sees the path but finds it impassable.

Golden Core cultivation, all set, there's just no path—before achieving enlightenment, one must face the pressure of competing against the strongest.

Qingrui did not deceive the Jade Palace Immortal Venerable. The only good outcome of embarking on this path of ascension is to become the supreme ruler.

Otherwise, you'll be tormented forever.

You may want to rest, you may want to compromise, but your opponent will not give you the chance.

"Fellow Daoists, I am here to speak from the heart."

Jade Palace Immortal Venerable stuck out his buttocks, and Houpu was certain that he couldn't possibly say anything good at this moment.

"Replenishing water and repairing the sky will be a difficult process, just like how we subdued Gong Shande at the water replenishment conference today."

Nothing is impossible as long as we stand together.

Wuhua is just the beginning, a process of replenishing water. Our water replenishment conference will impact the original structure of the seventeen states.

One by one, people will try to stop you from getting more water.

Jade Palace Immortal Venerable was preparing his allies for a possible future confrontation between the Water Replenishment Conference and the Immortal Pendant.

"But as fellow Daoists have also seen, the death of Wuhua has freed up a huge territory, and the landscape of Xuzhou has been partially reshaped."

I have a theory that, with the development of hydration, we might gain benefits in other dimensions besides the balance of the five elements.

The nature of the Water Replenishment Conference is gradually changing. Although the momentum brought by victory is great, Jade Palace Immortal Venerable still needs to adapt to this change with a new ideology.

His words seemed to suggest that he was lowering the allies' expectations for hydration.

But with the expectation that "the guise of water replenishment and the platform of the water replenishment conference will be used to ruthlessly bully those Dao Ancestors who did not participate," it seems that whether the water replenishment and sky mending can be successful is not so important.

At this moment, the vision has transformed into concrete temptations of profit.

The Water Replenishment Conference is a combination of top-tier forces brought from the Great Heaven and Earth by the Jade Palace Immortal Venerable and special forces from across regions, possessing advanced characteristics of the times.

As a platform whose nature is changing, the participants are transforming into allies of the Jade Palace Immortal Venerable.

And this platform is uniquely powerful in the Four Spirit Realms.

Strong power corresponds to a voice.

But everyone wants this kind of voice; Gong Shande wants it, and Houpu wants even more.
Therefore, the Jade Palace Immortal Venerable should establish a new underlying logic for profit acquisition for the water replenishment conference, which is of a transformative nature, as soon as possible.

In fact, it's an act of protecting one's own right to speak—using it first, thereby influencing the fundamental principles in the overall direction.

As for the future, the present must exist first before the future can exist.

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Jingshui, I, Tianyin, have no other thoughts. I only hope that the five elements of the world can be more balanced."

If anyone dares to obstruct us, we must of course respond; it's all for the sake of heaven and earth, for the sake of all cultivators."

"Yes, what does it matter if we suffer some infamy? We cultivators only hope for harmony among the five elements of heaven and earth!"

The old folks understood the Jade Palace Immortal Venerable's meaning all too well.

The process of replenishing water may not be successful, but by taking advantage of the water replenishment event, winning big is highly likely not a problem.

Therefore, in the eyes of the old guard, things are actually not complicated.

Gong Shande is too powerful, which frightens everyone. She looks like a crazy woman.

Only the Jade Palace Immortal Venerable, who has just attained enlightenment and is always thinking of the interests of his fellow Daoists, is a good Dao Ancestor of the Four Spirit Realms!

If someone says that Jade Palace Immortal Venerable is a spy from beyond the heavens, a traitor within the Great Heaven and Earth, then it means that someone is trying to obstruct 'water replenishment'!

(End of this chapter)