A thousand enlightenments in one night, starting from being a menial apprentice.

Since Duan Rong achieved the Nascent Soul Realm, the Taiyi Sect and all the sects in the Nine Provinces have undergone many changes.

Below the Spirit Foundation Master, there were originally only ten powerful cultivators at the Nascent Soul Realm in the entire Nine Provinces World.

Duan Rong is now ranked eleventh.

The moment he placed that piece on the board, the entire game changed dramatically.

Moreover, this is only the current variable. Duan Rong achieved the Nascent Soul Realm in his early thirties. If he is indeed the second Spirit Foundation Master, he will also have achieved the Primordial God Realm.

The Taiyi School might become the second Faxiang School.

Faced with this uncertainty, the leaders of all the sects in Kyushu were filled with turbulent emotions.

But neither the changes within the Taiyi Sect nor the various changes among the sects of the Nine Provinces seemed to concern Duan Rong. For the past month or so, he had been enjoying a life of leisure in the Lü family mansion. Apart from Zhu He occasionally visiting, no one else came to see him.

Once someone reaches the level of an ancestor, the elders of the various peaks of the sect would not dare to disturb them unless they had something to do.

That day, Duan Rong sat idly under the big locust tree in the courtyard.

His right hand was open, and a faint glow rippled within his palm. Within this glow, an ancient and complex character flowed.

This is the seed character that Duan Rong refined using his nascent soul body.

Duan Rong was studying the complex and ancient characters when suddenly his brows furrowed, and he looked up at the distant sky. At the same time, the glow on his palm vanished instantly.

A few breaths later, a black beam shot from the distant southeast sky and landed in the center of the courtyard; it was Chu Wushang.

Duan Rong stood up, smiled, and said, "Mr. Chu, how have you been lately?"

Chu Wushang said, "Thanks to the Ancestor's blessing, I am all well."

Duan Rong said, "Mr. Chu, you must have come here for some business, right?"

Chu Wushang said, "The Qingyang Sect's patriarch, Ji Wuyai, has arrived. He is currently in the secluded valley where Patriarch Lü resides."

Duan Rong touched his nose and said, "Another one has arrived." He looked at Chu Wushang and said, "Since only Ji Wuyai has come, Senior Brother Lü should be able to handle it, so I don't need to go."

Chu Wushang said, "Ji Wuyai specifically requested to see the Ancestor. If the Ancestor doesn't go, I'm afraid he'll have to come over."

Duan Rong sighed and said, "Well, since that's the case, I'll go see him myself."

After Duan Rong finished speaking, he turned into a wisp of green smoke and vanished instantly.

He walked into the valley and saw Lü Yinlin and another person sitting under the ancient pine tree. The two seemed to be chatting and the atmosphere looked quite pleasant.

Upon seeing Duan Rong approach, both of them slowly stood up.

Duan Rong looked up at the man next to Lü Yinlin and saw that he was an old man with a white beard and white hair. Although his beard and hair were all white, his face was smooth and clean except for a wrinkle on his forehead. His skin was as shiny as a baby's, and his complexion was rosy and healthy.

Duan Rong also had some understanding of the Nascent Soul Realm cultivators of the various sects in the Nine Provinces. He was particularly impressed by Ji Wuyai.

Not only because he was the patriarch of the Qingyang Sect, which was known as the number one sect in the Nine Provinces, but also because he was a bloodline descendant of Ji Tianku, the founder of the Qingyang Sect.

Within the Qingyang Sect, the Ji family has produced Nascent Soul Realm cultivators every few generations for tens of thousands of years, making their family power so great that they occupy almost half of the resources within the Qingyang Sect.

Another Nascent Soul cultivator within the Qingyang Sect is Wei Yong, but he is a low-key person and rarely shows himself in public.

Duan Rong remembered that Ji Wuyai was more than two hundred years older than Lü Yinlin, but he looked better than Lü Yinlin, which showed that he had a good way of taking care of himself.

Upon seeing Duan Rong, Ji Wuyai laughed and said, "Indeed, new talents emerge in every generation! Brother Duan, you have achieved the Nascent Soul Realm at such a young age, making us old men feel quite ashamed!"

Duan Rong said, "Brother Ji, you flatter me. I was just lucky. In terms of true skill, I am far inferior to the seniors."

Duan Rong realized that Ji Wuyai hadn't used his divine sense to probe his dantian at all, which showed that this person was quite composed.

Ji Wuyai merely smiled slightly upon hearing Duan Rongzhi's words.

He knew, of course, that Duan Rong's words were merely a show of humility. Was his true skill inferior to theirs? With a single finger, he had easily pierced the hidden ripples that Zhuang Tairu had created on the chessboard; in terms of skill level, Duan Rong was by no means inferior to any of them.

Lu Yinlin laughed and said, "Alright, I think you two should stop flattering each other."

Upon hearing Lü Yinlin's words, Duan Rong and Ji Wuyai both laughed in agreement.

Ji Wuyai's smile faded, but he looked at the two men and said solemnly, "The reason I've come here is to arrange a small gathering at Miaokuo in advance. The date is set for the third day of next month. I hope that you two gentlemen will attend the appointment, and we can have a good chat and reminisce then."

When Duan Rong heard the words "Miao Kuo Xiao Hui," he frowned, because this was the first time he had heard the term and he did not know what it meant.

Just as he was about to ask, Lü Yinlin said, "Alright. The Miaokuo Small Gathering, which happens once every thirty years, is in two years. Since Brother Ji wants to hold it earlier, that's fine too; there's precedent for it."

Ji Wuyai said, "I have already discussed this matter with Master Lingji. I only came to inform the brothers of the various sects after obtaining his consent."

Lu Yinlin said, "Since Master Lingji has given his approval, Junior Brother Duan and I will definitely go to keep our appointment on time."

Ji Wuyai said, "That's excellent." As he spoke, he suddenly flicked his sleeve, and two invitations flew to Duan Rong and Lü Yinlin, hovering there.

Ji Wuyai said, "This is an invitation card stamped with the seals of the Faxiang Sect and the Qingyang Sect. Please take a look, gentlemen."

Duan Rong and Lü Yinlin accepted the invitations. Upon opening them, Duan Rong's eyes narrowed. Much of the information in the invitations was unfamiliar to him, but he also sensed that now was not the time to ask. Lü Yinlin seemed to know the answers to these questions, and he could ask them later; there was no need to ask them in front of Ji Wuyai.

After reading the invitation, Lü Yinlin laughed and said, "Brother Ji, you've gone to a lot of trouble."

Ji Wuyai said, "Since you two gentlemen have decided to keep the appointment, then I won't linger any longer. I still need to make a trip to Wuji Palace. Gentlemen, see you at Miaokuo!"

Ji Wuyai clasped his hands in a salute to Duan Rong and Lü Yinlin, and the two returned the salute in the same manner.

Lü Yinlin said, "Since Brother Ji is still heading to Wuji Palace, then we won't keep you any longer. See you at Miaokuo!"

"Very well! Brother Lü! Brother Duan! I'll take my leave now!" Ji Wuyai said, then flashed to the entrance of the valley and strode away.

After Ji Wuyai left, Duan Rong held the invitation in his hand and looked at Lü Yinlin, asking, "Senior Brother Lü, what exactly is this Miaokuo Gathering for?"

Lu Yinlin smiled slightly and said, "I was originally planning to tell you about the Miaokuo Small Gathering in a while. Since this gathering is held once every thirty years, there are still two years left. But I didn't expect that Ji Wuyai would actually persuade Master Lingji to bring this gathering forward by two years. Actually, to be honest, Ji Wuyai's decision is probably related to you, Junior Brother."

"What does this have to do with me!?" Duan Rong glanced at Lü Yinlin.

Lu Yinlin laughed and said, "Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence? You had only recently condensed your Nascent Soul when Ji Wuyai contacted us to hold this year's Miaokuo Small Conference two years earlier than planned."

Duan Rong touched his nose, remaining silent. Actually, judging from Ji Wuyai's demeanor earlier, he had already guessed the gist of this Myriad Vast Gathering: it was likely a gathering of Nascent Soul cultivators from various sects across the Nine Provinces to discuss the overall situation. Perhaps some specific disputes could be resolved at this gathering. However, why did Ji Wuyai convene this Myriad Vast Gathering two years in advance, and why did he need Master Lingji's approval before contacting all parties? There must be more to it than met the eye.

Lu Yinlin said, "Junior Brother Duan, let's go inside the cave to talk. This matter of the Miaokuo Gathering involves many things and cannot be explained in just a few words."

Duan Rong laughed and said, "Alright, then I'll have to ask Senior Brother Lü to put in the effort and explain it to me properly."

Lu Yinlin said, "You are the sect patriarch of Taiyi Sect. I should have explained these things to you."

As they talked, the two entered the cave.

Duan Rong was already very familiar with the environment inside the cave. They sat down on either side of the stone table, and Duan Rong, holding a water jug, poured a cup of water for Lü Yinlin and himself.

Lu Yinlin took a sip of water and said, "Actually, Ji Wuyai was in a hurry to convene this Miaokuo Small Meeting two years in advance, probably to discuss your matter, Junior Brother Duan."

"Now that you've reached the Nascent Soul Realm, the Taiyi Sect will have two Nascent Soul Realm cultivators. In terms of strength, the Taiyi Sect is now qualified to stand on equal footing with the Qingyang Sect. Although we can't possibly dominate both states, we need to discuss and reach an agreement on how various interests will change. Otherwise, chaos will be bad for everyone."

Duan Rong nodded. He already understood these things, so he asked, "I heard my senior brother say that this Miaokuo Small Gathering is held once every thirty years?"

Lu Yinlin said, "That's right. It's usually a period of thirty years. There have been precedents of it being held twice in advance. But those were all summoned in advance by the Faxiang Sect. This is the first time that the Qingyang Sect has summoned it in advance."

Upon hearing this, Duan Rong frowned. No wonder Ji Wuyai had specifically mentioned that the early summons had already received Master Lingji's approval. It seemed that the true host of this once-every-thirty-years Miaokuo Gathering was the Faxiang Sect.

In fact, Qingyang Sect is known as the number one sect in the Nine Provinces, which means that it dominates two provinces. From this point of view, it is indeed the number one sect in the Nine Provinces. However, if we talk about profound foundation and unfathomable strength, then Faxiang Sect should probably be the first to be mentioned.

Duan Rong suddenly flipped open the invitation in his hand and glanced at it again. His eyes widened in surprise, and he asked, "Senior Brother Lü, this invitation only says that the meeting will be held on the third day of next month, but it doesn't mention the location. Where are we supposed to go to keep our appointment?"

Lü Yinlin smiled and said, "This Miaokuo Small Gathering has a history of tens of thousands of years. It has existed since the very beginning of the various sects. From then until now, the time of the gathering may sometimes be brought forward, but the location has never changed?"

Duan Rong asked in astonishment, "The location has never been changed?"

Lü Yinlin said, "That's right."

Duan Rong finally understood why the invitation didn't specify the location: it had remained unchanged for tens of thousands of years. But this seemed rather strange. Tens of thousands of years of change, and the location of this wondrous gathering had never changed.

Duan Rong asked, "Senior Brother Lü, where exactly is this place?"

Lü Yinlin said, "The Faxiang School. Miaokuo Bieyuan."

"Miaokuo Villa!?" Duan Rong's heart tightened.

Lu Yinlin said, "Speaking of which, that Miaokuo Villa has a history of tens of thousands of years."

Duan Rong asked, "So this Miaokuo Courtyard was built for the Miaokuo Gathering?"

Lü Yinlin said, "Actually, the Miaokuo Courtyard came first, and the Miaokuo Gathering came later."

A surge of emotion welled up in Duan Rong's heart, and he suddenly asked, "Senior Brother Lü, is the Miaokuo Villa of the Faxiang Sect within the sect's territory?"

Lu Yinlin glanced at Duan Rong, wondering why he would ask such a question, but still replied, "Miaokuo Villa is located deeper in the Moheyan Desert. It is hundreds of miles away from the sect's main gate of the Faxiang Sect."

"Hundreds of miles away!?" Duan Rong's eyes widened in surprise.

He suddenly realized something: he was quite certain that the soul cultivation method of the "Great Vajra Realm Mandala" was not yet complete at the twenty-fifth level, but he could not find the subsequent cultivation methods.

Since he has almost no larger statues left in the Faxiang Sect, where are the subsequent cultivation methods?

At this moment, he learned that the Faxiang Sect had a Miaokuo Bieyuan deeper in the Moheyanqi Desert. Duan Rong immediately realized that the subsequent cultivation techniques might be located in that Miaokuo Bieyuan.

Duan Rong looked at Lü Yinlin and suddenly asked, "Senior Brother Lü, at Miaokuo Courtyard, are there statues of the Four Great Kings as huge as mountains?"

Upon hearing this, Lü Yinlin looked at Duan Rong in astonishment and exclaimed, "How did you know?"

Duan Rong was overjoyed. If Lü Yinlin said so, then it was true.

Duan Rong laughed and said, "I was just guessing."

Lu Yinlin's expression became even more strange as he said, "Indeed, there are four pure gold mountain statues buried in the four-dimensional land outside Miaokuo Courtyard."

Duan Rong exclaimed in surprise, "A mountain statue cast in pure gold?!"

Lu Yinlin said, “That’s right. Those four pure gold statues were cast by Master Ci’en, the founder of the Faxiang Sect, tens of thousands of years ago, by gathering gold from all over the nine provinces.”

Upon hearing this, Duan Rong was amazed by Master Ci'en's extraordinary skill, but his mind was elsewhere, and he had no time to praise Master Ci'en.

The fact that those four statues were made by Master Ci'en further demonstrates their extraordinary nature. The more so, the more certain it is that the remaining spiritual cultivation method of the Great Vajra Mandala is within the spirits of those four statues.

It seems that he might be able to obtain the complete set of the "Great Vajra Realm Mandala" soul cultivation method by attending the Miaokuo Small Gathering.

Having made up his mind, Duan Rong turned his attention back to the Miao Kuo Small Gathering and looked at Lü Yinlin, asking, "Senior Brother Lü, why has the Miao Kuo Small Gathering been held at the Miao Kuo Villa of the Faxiang Sect for tens of thousands of years? Since this Miao Kuo Small Gathering is a gathering of Nascent Soul Realm experts from various sects in the Nine Provinces to discuss the overall situation of the Nine Provinces, shouldn't it be hosted by different sects in turn? Why is it held every thirty years, and every single one of them is at the Faxiang Sect?"

Duan Rong felt that even if the Faxiang Sect had a profound foundation, it shouldn't be so arrogant and conceited. Moreover, even if it was so arrogant, would the patriarchs of other sects really be willing to attend its wonderful little gatherings every year? There must be something fishy going on here.

Lu Yinlin's gaze suddenly became distant, and he said, "In fact, this Mysterious Gathering is not just a place where the ancestors of the various sects of the Nine Provinces talk and discuss the world. This function was only developed later. In fact, the founding ancestors established this Mysterious Gathering for the sake of the survival of the Nine Provinces!"

"For the sake of the survival of Kyushu!?" Duan Rong's eyes suddenly narrowed; he felt that Lü Yinlin's words were a bit too much.

“Indeed,” Lü Yinlin said. “The Miao Kuo Small Gathering, held every thirty years, is not only a place for the patriarchs of various sects to gather and discuss matters, but more importantly, every thirty years, the patriarchs must join forces to reinforce the runes of the Suppression Tower to ensure the normal operation of the rune array. This is because the rune array of the Suppression Tower is so vast and intricate that only the combined efforts of the patriarchs can complete its reinforcement. And that Suppression Tower is located beneath the Miao Kuo Courtyard of the Faxiang Sect. This is why, even after tens of thousands of years, the Miao Kuo Small Gathering, held every thirty years, has always been held at the Faxiang Sect. Because the Miao Kuo Small Gathering originally existed solely for the purpose of reinforcing the rune array of the Suppression Tower.”

"The Tower of Suppression!?"

Duan Rong digested this secret information and it took him a long time to recover. Many things he didn't understand before suddenly became clear.

However, while the array of runes on the Tower of Suppression explained many of his original questions, it itself became a new question.

What exactly is being suppressed by this Tower of Suppression? It has been around for tens of thousands of years, so why does it need to be reinforced with runes every thirty years?

Moreover, this array required the combined efforts of the patriarchs of all the sects across the Nine Provinces to reinforce it. What a vast and intricate array this is!
Suppressed for tens of thousands of years by such a vast and intricate array of runes? What kind of terrifying being must have been suppressed?!

The fate of Kyushu hangs in the balance!

Upon thinking of this, Duan Rong's expression turned somewhat solemn. He looked at Lü Yinlin and asked, "Senior Brother Lü, what exactly is being suppressed by the Tower of Suppression?"

Lü Yinlin looked at Duan Rong and said, almost emphasizing each word, "It is a god-demon. A true god-demon." (End of Chapter)