MTLNOVEL Chapter 789 - 342: The Jade Toad's Predicament_3
Chapter 789: Chapter 342: The Jade Toad’s Predicament_3
The size of the area a sect occupies indeed does affect the strength of a sect to some extent, but the increase is minuscule.
Perhaps occupying a whole state would only slightly increase a sect’s strength, not affecting the overall situation.
The main reason is the spiritual energy that is fundamental for cultivators like us.
Fellow Daoist should know that for our generation of cultivators, in order to make progress in cultivation and break through realms, besides relying on our own comprehension and cultivation of Dao, the absorption of spiritual energy and transforming it into mana is of utmost importance, even the very foundation of the Immortal Method.
Without spiritual energy, there can be no cultivation of techniques.
Without cultivation of techniques, one cannot become immortal.
Therefore, the amount, purity, and quality of spiritual energy are what truly determine the foundation of a cultivator and even a sect’s prosperity.
If there isn’t enough spiritual energy, even if a sect occupies the entire Nine Provinces, it wouldn’t be able to nurture a single cultivator.
In that case, what’s the use of having vast territories?
The same logic applies.
In this Age of Dharma Decline, if we cultivators want to cultivate, besides relying on encounters like Fellow Daoist relying on inheritances left by elders and absorbing the spiritual energy stored within the Storage Spirit Jade, the most orthodox mainstream approach is to cultivate within Cave World by channeling spiritual energy into our bodies.
Therefore, although Yuchan Tao occupies the entire Yong State, leading the immortal cultivation world of Yong State, this is merely a prestigious title.
Within the entire Yong State, apart from the Yuchan Tao sect, are there any other cultivators?
Although they are known as the leaders of the Yong State cultivation world, there are only cultivators from the Yuchan Tao sect in the Yong State cultivation world.
It’s merely self-entertainment.
As for our Yangzhou region, we have Feishuang Tao and Ziyun Tao, which seems like the two of us share Yangzhou, not as impressive as Yuchan Tao unifying Yong State.
However, both our families have their own Cave World to cultivate in, and relying on ourselves, we can continue our inheritance without any deficiencies compared to Yuchan Tao, can’t we?
In the conferences of the various sects in the Nine Provinces, isn’t our Feishuang Tao sect on par with Yuchan Tao, both seated at the same level?
How much stronger could they be than us?
When Mo Li finished speaking, he smirked confidently, and there was not even a hint of modesty in his tone.
Upon hearing this, Lu Yuan realized that he had been caught up in his own experience.
After struggling for power in the secular world for too long, he had mistakenly applied the same criteria as those in the secular world who depended on the extent of territorial boundaries to judge a sect’s strength, which led to a cognitive difference.
At this moment, Mo Li’s reminder helped him understand the difference between the two.
Indeed.
In the Immortal Cultivation World, it’s not about having vast territory, but whether the spiritual energy one’s sect occupies is abundant.
In those fantasy novels he read in his previous life, those prominent sects had built their mountain gates on top of abundant spiritual veins, hadn’t they?
Although the Nine Provinces’ Immortal Cultivation World where Lu Yuan resides doesn’t have the concept of spiritual veins, it is vastly different from the cultivation system mentioned in the original novels.
Regardless of the differences, some fundamental aspects of the Great Dao are interconnected.
Aren’t those spiritual veins in the novels analogous to the Blessed Lands and Cavern Heavens in the Nine Provinces?
It’s just that those Cavern Heavens and Blessed Lands have been exhausted and are no longer able to produce spiritual energy, rendering them as ordinary realms that cannot support an immortal’s dwelling.
Following this logic,
It’s only because there’s just one Yuchan Tao sect in Yong State that they can only support one sect, indicating that Yong State is impoverished, having only one remaining spiritual vein and the rest unsuitable for use.
On the contrary, Yangzhou has two Cave Worlds at Tianluo Mountain and Miluo Mountain, both possessing spiritual veins and supporting two sects.
Just looking at this aspect, Yangzhou’s foundation is much stronger than that of Yong State.
Yuchan Tao’s dominance in Yong State does not prove anything.
The Snow Plains Nomads occupy the entire Snowy Wilderness, don’t they?
However, even though they possess tens of thousands of miles of land, is their national strength still not comparable to the Zhou Country with only about thirty to forty thousand miles?
What’s the difference between them?
Isn’t it the usability of the land?
Yuchan Tao is just looking intimidating, but it might not actually be that strong.
After Lu Yuan figured this out, he felt much more relaxed.
However, he didn’t completely let go of his concerns and continued with his original question: “Thanks to Fellow Daoist for enlightening me. I understand now. However, is there any way to clarify the true strength of Yuchan Tao?”
Seeing that Lu Yuan had awakened to the reality, Mo Li smiled satisfactorily. After hearing his continued inquiry, he pondered for a moment and answered: “As for the strength of Yuchan Tao… It’s roughly on par with our Feishuang Tao sect, making it difficult to determine who is superior.
Moreover, the situation that Yuchan Tao faces is actually much more complicated than that of our Feishuang Tao.
That’s because the location of Yuchan Tao’s mountain gate – Jade Hua Mountain – is within Henan County of Zhou Country.
That’s right, Jade Hua Mountain is in the Central State, and no matter which corner of the world is affected by a heavenly catastrophe in the future, it won’t affect them.
They don’t have to force their way into the Central State like our Feishuang Tao and Ziyun Tao sects, in order to preserve their sect and secure territory for their Dao inheritance.
They already have a foundation in Central State.
Moreover, Henan County borders the country of Liang, and Jade Hua Mountain is located between the two countries of Zhou and Liang, having connections to both and having escape routes to both the east and the west.
Compared to the Zhou Country, which has Central State foundations in only two counties and is surrounded by enemies on all sides,
Yuchan Tao occupying the entire Qing State, already dominating the world now, and having an indisputable foundation for the future, is undoubtedly a better choice than the turbulent Zhou Country.
So, even if they have to support Zhou Country due to the location of their mountain gate, Yuchan Tao won’t give their all to help them, making some compromises at best.
But to think that they would go all out and fully support one side is asking too much.
Remember, to the east of Henan County is Liang Country’s Xingyang County, and to the north is Zhao Country’s He Nei County, situated at the intersection of the three nations, and anyone could attack them in the future.
They are right at the center of the whirlpool.
The location of Jade Hua Mountain is both a blessing and a curse for Yuchan Tao.
Before the surrounding three countries have determined a winner, they will never devote themselves to only one country.
Having connections on both sides, splitting their allegiance, and only then can they find their way out.
Zhou Country’s current show of force with its two hundred thousand strong army might sound intimidating, but it’s merely a bluff.
Fellow Daoist, you have your heavy forces stationed in Hanzhong and have the protection of two True Persons of the State. With such strength, Zhou people will dare not attack.
There’s no need for concern.”
Mo Li thoroughly analyzed the situation and finally drew a conclusion.
Upon hearing his perspective, Lu Yuan also went over the current situation in his mind and couldn’t help but nod in agreement.
At first glance, the situation of Yuchan Tao appears favorable.
However, like Zhou Country, they have a powerful military presence, but they are surrounded by enemies on all sides.
Their ability to maintain the current state of affairs is nothing more than the result of keeping an impoverished and war-torn appearance.
They only look intimidating on the surface, but they are actually very vulnerable.
The threat of this sect can indeed be ignored.
So, he couldn’t help but offer a bow to Mo Li: “Thank you, Fellow Daoist, for your clarification. Having heard Fellow Daoist’s words, there’s no need to worry about the northern part of Zhou Country anymore.”
Afterward, the two did not continue discussing matters of the country. With his mind at ease, Lu Yuan took the opportunity to discuss Dao Law with Mo Li.
The last batch of cultivators from the Nine Provinces’ immortal sects would soon head to Beiming Youdu for the worldwide Ascension.
For Lu Yuan, this is almost the last opportunity to mingle with fellow Daoists; naturally, he would cherish it.
If he misses this chance, he will never be able to find someone to discuss the Dao with in the future.
Later, the King of Chu stayed in Mount Tianshu and discussed Dao with the dao master of Feishuang Tao for ten days before returning to the capital.