Dao Equaling the Heavens

Whether they'll be bullied again, who knows if there's anyone to stand up for them.

"Master, let's go home."

Gu Wen's urging came once more to his ears; Li Yunshang was being pulled away, her lips complaining, yet she did not refuse.

"Such a hurry to go home, yet never seen you bring a basin to wash your master's feet."

"Tsk! At first, when I told you to run quickly, didn't see you agree either."

Before Gu Wen responded, Fox Fairy Li Miao immediately sourly voiced, then began accusing Li Yunshang of her youthful deeds.

Back then, she severed ties to save the Human Race from calamity, exhausted herself in battle till death, and now faces the same issue.

Yet Li Yunshang is willing to go with Gu Wen, though regarded as a disciple dear as her own child, it seems some bias might be overly excessive.

Comparison kills, comparing goods makes them lose value!

"Now your obedient disciple speaks, his whispers in your ear seem far more effective than those of a friend of thousands of years."

"How could it be the same? Back then, if I left the Human Race, they would perish; now, if I leave, they are still flourishing."

Li Yunshang slapped the Fox Fairy on the head; the latter immediately reverted to true form and was held in her arms for a while.

The nine-tailed fox stubbornly shouted: "You're just biased; indeed, a Human Race woman shouldn't have a household, once there's a household it's easy to betray friends."

Riding the auspicious clouds, they departed; their voices grew more distant until only the evening glow remained at the edge of the sky.

-----------------

Year Twelve of the New Calendar.

Another two years have flown by, from the whistle of the first train crossing the Human Race's territory, to the first airship soaring amongst the clouds, the first man-made radio waves traversing heaven and earth.

The burgeoning industrial technology in a world of individual beauty develops vigorously, like an unstoppable flood.

Woo!

A train enters the city beneath Three Pure Mountain, accompanied by billowing airwaves, and halts; the train doors do not open as usual.

On the platform, dozens of Three Pure disciples stand holding magic artifacts, separating idle personnel by a hundred yards.

Leading them is an extremely tall female cultivator with a cold demeanor who carries a sword.

The passengers inside the train stretch their heads out the windows, looking around to see which great figure has arrived, one that even True Men have come to greet.

The disciples of Three Pure were also curious as to who this significant figure was, able to make Xie Yunnan personally welcome them.

It's known this is the Sword Master's personal disciple, an heir of Broken Sword Mountain, assisting Yuqing Heavenly Venerate in investigating the world; her achievements have been remarkable in the past decade. It is said she has essentially taken over True Martial Palace, merely awaiting her cultivation to reach Mahayana Realm to be bestowed the title True Martial Venerable, presiding over the Human Race's military campaigns.

It can be said Xie Yunnan is the Heavenly Pride of the Human Race's younger generation, the most talented, with the greatest background and highest potential.

Thus naturally attracting attention wherever she goes.

Soon, a man dressed in a plain black long robe descended.

His stature not considered tall, visage lean, brows thick, eyes radiant, walking as if accompanied by the roar of a tiger and the cry of a dragon.

A mortal, a mortal with no cultivation.

"Three Pure Mountain, path of the Great Tao, having lived for decades it is still my first visit here."

The man gazed at the distant Spiritual Peak like a heavenly pillar, almost unable to see the top, only faintly perceiving the mist halfway up the mountain.

Mortal's short sight, they can't even see the summit of Spiritual Peak, yet vainly hope to surpass cultivators after only a few decades of development.

Xie Yunnan stepped forward two steps, cupped her hands in salute: "Yi State Governor, we have long awaited your arrival, please follow me up the mountain."

Governor, a position established after the city reform eight years prior, theoretically equal in rank to the Venerable.

This triggered more people incapable of cultivation to pursue a political path, achieving success beyond cultivation.

The man before her is an outstanding figure amongst them, remarkable enough that even her Saint uncle wishes to meet him.

This person originally named Yi Zong, born into a poor family, with a declining house, yet able to read and write.

Originally an official in a small town subordinate to Taiyi City, later rising steadily in rank during the city reform examinations, eventually becoming Governor.

"As per the command."

Yi Zong cupped his hands in salute, then boarded the Immortal Treasure Ship, ignoring the Three Pure Array's ban on flying, driving straight into the center of the Jade Palace.

The treasure ship did not dock, merely emitted a spirit light sending Yi Zong a hundred yards outside the Jade Palace.

Yi Zong stood there dazed for a long time, seemingly trying to imprint each glazed tile of the Jade Palace into his mind, every step on the green stone underfoot was akin to stepping on clouds.

Too high, high enough to instill fear.

Before arriving, Yi Zong had seen multiple great powers, even the Literature Venerate ruling Taiyi State. But never had he felt so excited, anxious, and awed.

Because he faced the true ruler of the world, the immortal emperor.

The strength of a cultivator can be measured by cultivation, but the one seated in the Jade Palace is sensed through each official document.

A single document from the Jade Palace compels even a Venerable to bow their head in penitence.

This path is the heavenly path; once walked upon, it places one above thousands, second only to one.

Yi Zong slowly approached, finally stepping across the threshold, a ray of bright yellow light radiated, causing him to squint, faintly seeing a figure seated at the end.

The figure gradually became distinct, dressed in a Daoist robe, wooden hairpin holding his hair, appearance plain, with a smile at the corner of his lips.

His voice was calm as he asked: "Are you Yi Zong?"

Yi Zong hesitated for quite a while, then hurriedly bowed in salute:

"At your service, I am Yi Zong of Taiyi State."

"I've seen your achievements, and I've seen your capability; when speaking of governing the world, you have no equal."

Gu Wen straightforwardly uttered, a simple sentence leaving Yi Zong bewildered, head lowered in confusion.