Fantasy: I, the Great Celestial Venerable of the Dao

Of course, the Qingyun Sect does not completely isolate itself for ascetic practice.

The intelligence system, led by Cangsong and Zeng Shuchang, operated at full capacity during these three months.

Countless sentries and spies were spread across the New World like a spider web.

Intelligence reports came back like snowflakes.

Inside the Jade Purity Hall, Dao Xuan looked calmly at the huge map floating in mid-air.

On the map, the outline of the New World is roughly clear.

This vast continent is named "Zhongzhou".

It was actually formed by the fusion of dozens of different worlds!

After years of war and annexation, twelve large states and hundreds of small states still exist today.

The twelve major powers were divided into two batches:

The first batch of seven states were Qin, Zhao, Yan, Han, Chu, Qi, and Wei.

They originally belonged to the same "Warring States period".

These seven kingdoms have a long history and profound heritage, and each kingdom has a Celestial Immortal-level expert in charge.

Among them, the states of Qin, Chu, and Qi each had more than one peak Celestial Immortal!

The second batch of five kingdoms—Han, Sui, Song, Yuan, and Ming—originally each ruled a world.

They are all absolute overlords of that world.

Although it suffered setbacks after the merger, its foundation remained intact, and its national strength was no less than that of the Seven Warring States.

"Qin had Shang Yang's reforms, a military merit system, and its iron cavalry swept across the six states."

During the Han Dynasty, Emperor Wu expanded the territory, suppressed other schools of thought, and exclusively honored Confucianism.

The Sui Dynasty built the Grand Canal, connecting the north and south.

The Song Dynasty valued literature over military affairs, and its economy flourished.

The Yuan cavalry swept across Eurasia.

The Ming Dynasty was founded by Hongwu, and the Yongle era was a golden age…

Dao Xuan read the description in the intelligence report softly, a complex look flashing in his eyes.

These countries are so similar to, yet so different from, the history he knew in his previous life.

The Qin Emperor here could cleave mountains and rivers with a single sword stroke.

The Han emperor was able to summon the golden dragon that governs the nation's destiny.

The Heavenly Strategy Bureau under the Tang Emperor is filled with powerful figures.

Ancient divine power flows in the bloodline of Genghis Khan's Golden Family.

This is a world that perfectly blends history and fantasy.

One person can form an army, martial arts can lead to godhood, and the words of a hundred sages become law!

The water is very deep, so deep that the bottom cannot be seen.

"But...so what?"

A faint smile appeared on Dao Xuan's lips.

With the cultivation level of a Golden Immortal at the third level, the foundation to reach the top of the Heavenly Immortal Stele, and the terrifying strength of the Azure Cloud Sect now...

He was fearless.

Of course, being fearless does not mean being reckless.

Soon, inquiries came one after another from various forces across the vast land of China, the four seas and eight wastelands, and the Dou Qi Continent.

All factions are uneasy about the newly emerged "Central Continent".

There are too many countries and too many powerful people on that continent.

War... is happening far too often.

Dao Xuan's reply consisted of only four words:

"Let's wait and see."

Responding to all changes with constancy—this is the demeanor befitting the number one person in the world and the head of the Qingyun Sect.

The twelve major powers and hundreds of smaller nations of the Central Continent, after gaining a preliminary understanding of the new world, also chose to proceed with caution.

Especially when they learned it.

That "Dao Xuan Zhenren," who topped the list of Heavenly Immortals several years ago and has now broken through to the Golden Immortal realm.

When he was recognized as the number one person in the world.

All the monarchs and high-ranking officials gasped in shock.

The Celestial Immortal Stele is number one!

They were all too aware of the weight of that title.

That means that among the billions of celestial beings in the myriad realms, this person is the absolute leader, an invincible existence in the same realm!

Now, this person has broken through to the Golden Immortal realm...

"Order: Border troops shall retreat 100 li and shall not provoke any new world forces."

"Send a delegation to visit Qingyun Sect with the highest honors."

"Gather all information about Dao Xuan Zhenren, the more detailed the better!"

Orders were issued from the courts of various countries.

Faced with such a powerful figure, no country dares to act rashly.

The world has fallen into a strange balance.

However, this balance has caused some people within the Qingyun Sect to feel uneasy.

Inside the Jade Purity Hall, Wan Jianyi frowned as he placed a piece of intelligence on Dao Xuan's desk.

"Senior brother, look at the Central Continent... In just three months, there have been more than three hundred border clashes."

More than 70 small-scale conflicts occurred, and the two countries fought three battles.

The constant infighting and wars between nations ultimately bring suffering to the common people.

His voice was heavy, filled with reluctance.

Dao Xuan took the intelligence and quickly scanned it.

Indeed, the frequency and ferocity of the battles among the various states of Zhongzhou far surpassed those of the vast land of Shenzhou.

There, war is the norm, and peace is a luxury.

A border conflict can result in the deaths and injuries of tens of thousands of civilians, and a war between two countries can leave behind millions of corpses; these are all common occurrences.

"It is not surprising that countries are prone to conflict."

Dao Xuan put down the intelligence report, his tone indifferent.

"Then we..." Wan Jianyi hesitated, unable to finish his sentence.

Standing beside Dao Xuan, Xiao Yicai spoke softly: "Uncle Wan, it's better to stay still than to make a move."

Although all countries are inhabited by humans, my Qingyun Sect is, after all, an "outsider".

Forcibly interfering in the internal affairs of other countries... is neither legitimate nor justifiable.

Dao Xuan glanced at Xiao Yicai, nodded slightly, and then sighed:

"Yicai is right. It's just that the common people are suffering."

Upon hearing this, Wan Jianyi's expression darkened even further.

He received the teachings of "chivalry" from the Qingyun Sect from a young age and cultivated himself throughout his life.

All they did was slay demons and protect the common people.

Seeing the people of this other world suffering so much, yet unable to intervene due to their "status," I feel truly distressed.

Dao Xuan understood his junior brother's thoughts perfectly well.

He just saw further.

Over the years, Qingyun Sect's reputation has grown daily because of him, and they have long been accustomed to their position as the leader of the world.

The disciples in the sect include high-ranking members like Wan Jianyi.

They all subconsciously regarded "upholding justice and pacifying the chaotic world" as their own responsibility.

This is a good thing.

But the problem is—the world will get bigger and bigger, and there will be more and more strong people.

Today, Dao Xuan can still keep things in order, and Qingyun Sect can still cover up the situation.

But what if, in the future, a world is created where Golden Immortals are everywhere and Great Luo Immortals are as common as dogs?

If Qingyun Sect continues to meddle in everything and interfere in other people's business, it may offend countless forces and bring about the destruction of the entire sect.

"That's enough."

Dao Xuan suppressed his thoughts, looked at Wan Jianyi, and said gently:

"Junior brother, rest assured, now that my Qingyun Sect still has this strength."

We'll manage it if we can. As for the future... we'll deal with it when things really get out of control.

There was something else he didn't say.

At least for now, with his strength, there is no trouble in this world that he cannot handle.

Upon hearing this, Wan Jianyi's expression softened slightly, and he bowed and withdrew.

Dao Xuan stood alone in the hall, gazing towards the new continent in the east, a profound look flashing in his eyes.

He knew that this fragile balance wouldn't last long.

One year later, in the Central Plains, at Xianyang Palace.

This palace is more magnificent than imagined.

The hall is ninety-nine zhang tall, which is meant to represent "the supreme ruler".

The pillars of the palace are carved from a single piece of white jade, and each one requires a hundred people to encircle it.

The ground was paved with obsidian slabs, so shiny they could reflect a person's image.