My construction materials are weird

All of this, if it goes according to Xuan Huang's plan, should be achieved after the fourth rank, it's just a matter of process.

Of course, it's still too early for all that. What's more important right now is breaking through the threshold of Transcending Mortality and Entering Sainthood, which is to say, stepping into the fourth rank True King level.

This is both difficult and not so difficult for Xuan Huang.

The difficulty stems from the limitations of the world. Xuan Huang isn't afraid of tribulations or anything like that. His Transcendent body is already comparable to the power of an Entering Saint. Even if his Heavenly Tribulation is terrifying, so what?

Moreover, after this advancement, his fourth-rank white soul has already reached the limit of the fourth rank. Xuan Huang can control and unleash it in a short amount of time. With the power of the fourth-rank limit as a guarantee, Xuan Huang isn't afraid of the Heavenly Tribulation.

The only difficulty is breaking through, or perhaps not even being allowed to break through.

He is strong, but he's not this world's favorite son. He doesn't have the privilege of being the first to succeed.

If he were to undergo tribulation and enter the fourth rank, what might await him would be the suppression of the world, or even the power of the world to erase him.

That's not what Xuan Huang wants.

That kind of plot is too clichéd: defying the heavens to break through, then being suppressed by the world, and then embarking on a path of confrontation with the world.

It looks very passionate, but he doesn't like it.

He is a builder, and always has been.

Not a destroyer, not a prickly troublemaker. It doesn't suit his personality, nor does it align with his Dao Heart.

"If I have to wait too long, I might have to borrow the power of the Strange."

Xuan Huang sighed sincerely.

If the waiting time is too long, he can only use the Strange to achieve his goals. For example, he could arrange for a few Strange to break through, shatter the world's limitations, and then break through himself.

He has been utilizing the Strange since the very beginning. The construction of the entire cultivation world is inseparable from the participation of the Strange. One must finish what one starts, and borrowing the power of the Strange once again isn't out of the question.

As for his own Strange, Shadow and Brother Hope, Xuan Huang doesn't have that intention.

After all, doing so is very dangerous. If Brother Hope and Shadow were to fall because of this, it wouldn't be good.

The connection between these two and himself is too close. Wanting to use them to deceive the heavens might not work.

It's best to find a few wild ones to experiment with.

And where are there many strong, wild Strange? That would be the various Great Realms, especially the top-tier Great Realms, which have plenty of them.

Xuan Huang plans to make two preparations. One is to cultivate step by step, reaching the limit of the third rank, and then see what happens.

The second preparation is to contact the top-tier Great Realms, find some Strange at the third-rank limit, and then help them break through, letting them lead the way.

Even if they succeed, he's not afraid. A Strange that has just entered the fourth rank, Xuan Huang currently has a ninety-nine percent confidence in suppressing, or even killing.

He'll act once he has an idea. Anyway, he can't go anywhere besides cultivating. He has nothing else to do, so he can only pass the days like this.

Meanwhile.

In the Antique Chat Group.

Three old antiques are very active.

"Fellow Daoist Peng Yue, can you also feel it in the Sichuan and Chongqing areas?"

The window displays Zuo Qiuming's avatar, indicating that he is asking the question.

"I can feel it. Although it's not as clear as it is on your side, I can still feel it. Besides the sense of reality that the cultivators are talking about, there's also an increase in Daoist spiritual rhythm, and the rules have become much smoother. In short, the fog has dissipated quite a bit."

Peng Yue's avatar flashes as a string of text responds.

"It's the same here. Although the distance is a bit far, and the level of development can't be compared to Haidai and other places, I can still feel it," Lü Dongbin interjects.

"I understand. I'm in Haidai, and the feeling is the most obvious here. I originally planned to go out and take a walk, but it seems I won't be able to leave for a short time. I need to do some research," Zuo Qiuming says.

There are only four people in the Old Antique Chat Group.

Besides the three of them, there's also an avatar that's gray. It's not that he's dead, but that he's been in seclusion for a long time.

The gray one is the Corpse Retriever, who has buried himself in the Burial Soil, waiting to return.

They were born from the original source of the world.

And outside, especially after the three of them embarked on the path of cultivation, Xuan Huang became the original source of their world.

Although this source won't nurture them like the original source of the world, every advancement of Xuan Huang is reshaping their world.

Only in the deeper and broader world opened up by Xuan Huang can they live freely and happily.

They rely on Xuan Huang's expansion even more than the cultivators do.

Cultivators, after all, have only learned Xuan Huang's techniques. The source of the suppression is Xuan Huang.

They are different. The source of the suppression is still the world's will, but the world's will only provides the suppression. The environment and source of cultivation come from Xuan Huang.

It's like cultivating in the world opened up by Xuan Huang.

Therefore, every advancement of Xuan Huang is a world upgrade for them.

From the initial Lord of All Beings to the Lord of Heaven and Earth, and now to the Lord of True Self.

The perfection of the Three Great True Lords is the perfection of their cultivation world.

"Dao Lord is already in the late stage of the third rank. The progress is too fast. It's only been two years since the last time, right? That's an improvement of the third-rank Insightful Profound level! It's truly incomprehensible," Zuo Qiuming says with a sigh.

No one understands it better than they do.

The three of them are all King-level experts.

After all, they are fifth-rank Venerable experts. Without a second-rank will, they simply can't control that cultivation level.

Although there's the world's will, even a first-rank true will would be enough. But after understanding the importance of will, how could the three of them not pay attention to it?

After learning the Will Tempering Method at Qingyun Mountain, they have been constantly improving.

Speaking of which, currently, in the entire cultivation world, ninety-nine percent of the cultivators who choose the path of will tempering have chosen the 《Four Gates Twelve Heavenly Pillars Will Tempering Method》.

The reason is simple: it's the easiest to get started with and the safest.

As long as you have a Natal Treasure, whether the treasure is a furnace or a knife, spear, or staff, you can inscribe the Heavenly Gate Inscriptions and condense the Will Heavenly Pillars. You can all do it.

Unlike the 《Life and Death Reincarnation Will Tempering Method》and the 《Return to Ruin Will Tempering Method》, these two are too difficult. A moment of carelessness can shatter your will.

Therefore, the first choice for cultivators for the Will Tempering Method is the 《Four Gates Twelve Heavenly Pillars Will Tempering Method》.

Of course, the number of people is currently not large. Only those with Transcendent Will can learn it.

Currently, besides Xuan Huang's spirit beasts, Saintess Tu Shan and Star Mother Yuanjun, the humans who can learn it are the Four Great Sect Leaders, Ji Zhongfu, and Luo Feng.

Only they can achieve extraordinary will.

Zuo Qiuming and the others don't count; they were born as Realm Saints.

However, they also follow the "Four Gates and Twelve Heavenly Pillars Will Refinement Method," opening the Four Gates and Twelve Heavenly Pillars in their dantian to temper their will using the distortion of heaven and earth.

"Indeed, the Dao Lord's will is at least at the late stage of the Third Order, perhaps even the limit of the Third Order. Another step and it would be…" Lü Dongbin is a madman.

However, he didn't dare to easily speak of achieving Sainthood through will.

At that level, even a casual remark could be sensed by a True Saint.

What if some big shot suddenly traced the cause and effect and came looking?

That wouldn't be fun.

"Ahem, it's good that you know. Don't casually speak of it; the cause and effect is too great for us little Venerables to fathom," Zuo Qiuming hurriedly reminded.

But even as he said that, he couldn't suppress the excitement in his heart.

If the Dao Lord were to achieve Sainthood through will, it would mean that the path to the Seventh Order has been cleared by half. How could he not be excited?

The identity of a Realm Saint is only at the Fifth Order Venerable level, and the strongest Realm Lords are only at the Sixth Order. But the one he follows has already taken the first step.

This is a level that even Realm Saints cannot reach.

"I understand, I understand," Lü Dongbin replied.

He wasn't stupid; he wouldn't needlessly provoke trouble. What seems like timidity and excessive caution is actually the key to survival.

"Our path of cultivation is getting better and better, but unfortunately, the road has been restricted," Peng Yue changed the subject.

"Yes, Fellow Daoist Corpse Retriever's actions were a bit too frightening for the Realm Consciousness after all."

"I wonder how many Fellow Daoists resent him. Haha, that guy will have to be careful when he goes out in the future, lest someone ambushes him," Lü Dongbin said.

He was referring to the Corpse Retriever's rebirth in the Burial Grounds, abandoning his identity as a Realm Saint.

This led to all the Realms closing their doors. The four of them had already come out before, so they weren't restricted.

However, other Fellow Daoists in the Realms who want to walk the path of true cultivation are now in trouble.

Rebirth, soul borrowing, puppets, avatars – all these paths have been closed off by the Realm Consciousness.

To become a new true cultivator, one must find a different path, a path that the Realm hasn't discovered.

"Who can be blamed for this? We told them before, but they kept hesitating. If they don't even have this decisiveness, what true cultivation are they pursuing? They should just be nurtured by the Realm," Zuo Qiuming said.

"You can't say that. After all, there aren't many top-tier Realms, and even fewer are stationed outside while being in a top-tier Realm. We're just lucky. Those Fellow Daoists whose wills are dormant don't know. If they were on duty, they would also be decisive," Lü Dongbin said, indicating that there were hidden reasons.

At least in his Penglai Realm, quite a few people had this idea.

But since he was the one on duty, there was no need for other Saints to come out and be on duty, and there weren't many freaks and perverts like the Moon Heart Realm who needed to split their souls to exist.

"That's true. It can only be said that it's fate. There will be opportunities in the future; don't rush," Zuo Qiuming said.

"But then it will be a bit late," Lü Dongbin was still indignant for many of his fellow Daoists.

Their Penglai Realm is very special. His actions have been watched by Pure Yang Venerable.

After confirming that this path was viable, Pure Yang Venerable discussed it with him and awakened more Fourth Realm Kings and Saints, intending to ask them if they wanted to follow Lü Dongbin's path.

A group of awakened Fourth Realm Kings were surprised and cautiously studied it. Many were already planning to do the same as Lü Dongbin, but suddenly the Corpse Retriever's actions caused the door to be closed.

This can't be blamed on the Corpse Retriever. There's no reason to complain openly.

After all, the Corpse Retriever didn't know this would happen. Besides, whether or not Fourth Realm Kings should enter the world is a secret of each top-tier Realm, so they naturally wouldn't tell the Corpse Retriever.

So the Corpse Retriever didn't know that many Kingly Fellow Daoists were examining the situation, nor did he know that his actions would close the door.

It's impossible to openly complain about him.

But there will definitely be those who secretly attack him in the future as revenge.

Zuo Qiuming's Confucian Temple Realm and Peng Yue's Martial Temple Realm are actually the same.

However, these people are ultimately not like the Daoists. The Daoist's life is important, but the Daoist's freedom is even more important. The Daoist wants freedom; the Daoist wants to cultivate immortality.

The historical figures in the Confucian and Martial Temples are ultimately more cautious and were also examining the situation when suddenly there was no path.

But these Saints didn't have much regret about not having a path. Since they missed it, they missed it. Let them continue to sleep and cultivate in seclusion, and continue to be nurtured by the Realm.

Could it be that they, nurtured by the Realm, are really inferior to the so-called Xuanhuang Daoist true cultivation?

Because they know less, they are somewhat arrogant, which is understandable.

But in the future, they will definitely regret it to some extent.

"Huh? The Dao Lord is summoning me?"

Suddenly Zuo Qiuming said, and then immediately his avatar turned gray, clearly understanding what was happening.

"Uh…"

Peng Yue and Lü Dongbin were startled and excited upon hearing this. They were just about to ask when they suddenly felt the summons as well. They disappeared offline before they could even finish their sentences.

On the other side.

Three figures of light slowly coalesced, becoming clearer and brighter until three figures took shape.

The three felt as if there was a towering sun in front of them, its scorching and dazzling light impossible to look at directly. Even if they wanted to see, they couldn't make it out clearly.

They could only feel the endless pressure emanating from the opposite side, as if they were facing an unseeable supreme being.

If their origins weren't as Saints, they might not even be able to feel the majesty of the towering sun.

"Peng Yue (Zuo Qiuming, Lü Dongbin) greets the Dao Lord," the three said in unison, bowing.

Their hearts were full of anticipation, wondering what the Dao Lord suddenly wanted from them.

Moreover, this was the True Dao Lord himself, not the Dao Lord's Lord of All Beings or Lord of Heaven and Earth, but his true body.

"Be at ease. The three of you are getting better and better, becoming more like real people. Good, good," Xuanhuang waved his hand, signaling the three to rise, and then praised them.

"All thanks to the Dao Lord's grace. We are carefully seeking enlightenment while bathing in your glorious light, Dao Lord," the three said in unison.

The transition in their identities was very smooth.

Once upon a time, they addressed each other as Fellow Daoists, but now things have changed.

But the three of them weren't unhappy at all, because in every way, they no longer dared to call him Fellow Daoist. They were no longer on the same level.

Cultivation isn't everything; it's only temporary. The future is the biggest reason for the change in their identities.

The three were very happy to receive Xuanhuang's praise, especially Xuanhuang's words, "Becoming more like real people."

This was the greatest praise for them.

This wasn't an insult, but a true manifestation of their path of cultivation from illusion to reality.

…