The projection that Pei Xuanjing had solidified from the foundation of his Great Tao wasn't created out of thin air but was bound to emerge.
The harmonious progress in the refinement of essence, qi, and spirit indicated that there was no deficiency in Pei Xuanjing's cultivation path – it was perfect.
This is why he manifested the projection symbolizing the foundation of the Great Tao.
However, for the Red Sun Martial Venerate, his situation was different because of his background in this world. The primary method he cultivated was the Path of Qi Refinement, which he had pursued to the extreme, being only half a step away from entering the celestial realm. His current realm undoubtedly proved his innate talent and comprehension to be unmatched.
However, he was not truly cultivating all three methods simultaneously. The farther he journeyed down the Path of Qi Refinement, the more evident his deficiency became. His gap in refining the essence and spirit became larger.
Even if he forcefully condensed it now, the projection of the Great Tao he finally coalesced would inevitably be flawed and incomplete.
If he desired to truly condense a perfect projection like Pei Xuanjing, he needed to make up for his deficiencies by raising both his physical ability and the method of refining spirit to higher levels.
While this seemed simple, it was indeed a challenging task.
Look at Pei Xuanjing, for example. Despite his powerful foundation from cultivating three methods simultaneously, could he have achieved such a realm at his age without the aid of a simulator?
Certainly not.
Without substantial resources, it is almost impossible for the Red Sun Martial Venerate to elevate his physical ability and spirit refinement method in the World of Myriad Manifestations, where he doesn't have any basic foundations.
It is like trying to reach for the moon reflected in the water or the flowers in the mirror – seemingly within reach but actually unattainable.
Therefore, his happiness was destined to be short-lived.
"Pei Min, you've truly surprised me!" The Red Sun Martial Venerate spoke slowly, his face filled with envy.
He slowly released his Red Sun True Intent, but sadly, it was nothing more than an elusive phantom, barely even a rudimentary form.
What he had pursued for decades appeared within the person before him. How could he not be envious?
Pei Xuanjing's brows raised slightly, immediately understanding the other party's intentions from his actions.
At this moment, he finally understood what Ye Daoyuan had meant.
"Hehe." Pei Xuanjing chuckled lightly, his hands never ceasing their movement.
If these were what you sought, then I shall generously give you a parting gift!
He slowly raised his sword. His movements were relaxed and his sword technique seemed ordinary, but the aura around him kept on rising and escalating. The Shenxiao Origin Qi spread in all directions – green, red, yellow, white, black, purple, blue – dyeing the whole sky, enveloping a radius of dozens of miles within these colors.
Under this sword technique, one could sense not only the bright sword intent, but also the lush vitality of spring, the scorching heat of summer, the bleak chill of autumn and the biting cold of winter.
The Four Seasons Rotation was unpredictable and followed a cycle of continuous birth and rebirth. It seemed as though it had no beginning and no end, perpetually cycling through time.
Pei Xuanjing stood there, his body moving with the sword, the sword moving with his heart. At this moment, he seemed to be blending with Heaven and Earth, embodying an indescribable rhythm.
Pei Xuanjing's essence, qi and spirit merged into one, and his sword strike possessed a startling power.
He stated loudly, "Humans possess the three treasures of essence, qi and spirit. My Tao too is divided into refinement of essence, qi and spirit. They advance together, without a single flaw. Martial Venerate, please receive my blade, the Shenxiao Heavenly Will!"
The three paths of essence, qi and spirit?
Is this your path to cultivation?
A certain haze emerged in the Red Sun Martial Venerate's eyes. Seeing Pei Xuanjing's unrestrained display of his skills and hearing his declaration, he understood his opponent's cultivation path.
"Is this the key to forming a projection of the Great Tao's foundation?" He seemed to have an epiphany.
I don't believe it!
I refuse to believe that only by cultivating the three paths simultaneously can one enter this realm!
I believe that my own Tao can achieve this as well.
This displayed the Red Sun Martial Venerate's self-confidence as a powerful individual.
The path is up ahead; nothing is impossible to accomplish.
Has no one ever achieved this before?
Then let me be the first to tread this path!
Shenxiao Heavenly Will Sword!
Confronting this terrifying sword of Pei Xuanjing's, the Red Sun Martial Venerate sensed the breath of death from this technique. He couldn't afford to slacken in the slightest. He released all of his Red Sun Origin Qi without reservation.
He understood that this move was a matter of life and death and also concerned his own path to enlightenment.
He bet everything on this, urging himself with this sword to take that extra step.
If he succeeds, he would break through the void and transform into a celestial being.
If he failed, he would die and his Tao would be lost, sinking into oblivion for eternity.
As a powerful individual, there was nothing scarier than seeing hope and then losing it.
The Red Sun Martial Venerate had his own stubbornness and his own thoughts; he was unwilling to admit defeat, and he wouldn't accept it.
The climax of this desperate struggle was happening right at this moment!
Boom!
The aura around his body exploded, and the momentum, which had already reached its limit, exploded again.
This represented the burning of everything and the ultimate sublimation!
At this moment, he had put his own life on the line, ready to make his last stand.
Rumble…
In an instant, the Heaven and Earth turned completely red. Even Pei Xuanjing's terrifying sword wasn't able to change this circumstance.
The sky within a radius of dozens of miles seemed to have turned into a sea of fire, illuminating the canopy of the sky, while the Red Sun Martial Venerate himself radiated a magnificent glow. He seemed like a raging sun rising up, emitting a scorching temperature, as if he wanted to melt everything.
"Honor and wealth were never my objective, nor was richness. I have lived my entire life only for seeking the Tao," The Red Sun Martial Venerate's mind was filled with various scenes from his life.
From a simple shepherd's son, he had grown to become the national teacher of Da Li. His life had seen magnificent waves of brilliance. He had faced slaughter on the battlefield, enjoyed unlimited power and glory, and had also spent decades cultivating bitterly in the Great Snow Mountain…
He realized that the happiest time of his life was not anything else, but those decades of bitter cultivation in the Great Snow Mountain. It was lonely, but it felt real…
In a blur, he seemed to see a gateway appearing above the sky, carved with elusive patterns, exuding an imperishable aura.
"The Door of Celestial!"
Almost everyone saw this celestial gate, suspended high above the sky.
The expressions of the many onlookers were filled with shock, poorly concealed. They never expected that the clash between the two today would actually summon the legend's Door of Celestial!
It was rumored that anyone who could open this celestial gate could ascend to the Heavenly World and transform into a celestial being.
Could it be that a true celestial is going to emerge today?
At this moment, numerous powerhouses in the World of Myriad Manifestations were taken aback, all shocked by the appearance of the celestial gate.
"Hmm?" Pei Xuanjing's eyebrows twitched slightly as he looked at the suddenly appearing celestial gate, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
He never expected that the legendary "Door of Celestial" truly existed.
The fierce blade light swept across, and a touch of regret flashed in the Red Sun Martial Venerate's eyes as he witnessed the celestial door gradually fading…
What a pity.
What a pity, I was just a little short…
Boom!
His body reached a limit, turning into a scorching fireball, like a star explosively detonating. The endless shockwaves surged in all directions.
Pei Xuanjing, the closest to the explosion, took the most severe hit. The circumstance his robust physique could not handle.
Thud…
Pei Xuanjing coughed up blood, his body tossed dozens of miles by the rolling surge of energy.
When he finally stopped, looking at the location where the two had clashed, he couldn't hide his shock.
The intense explosion had leveled the mountain peak where the two had fought into a crater miles deep and several miles wide.
[At seventeen: ninth day of the ninth month, you clashed with the Red Sun Martial Venerate on an inconspicuous mountain peak on the plains. The two of you waged a shocking war, stunning countless people. In the end, you displayed the Shenxiao Heavenly Will Sword, while the Red Sun Martial Venerate strove for ascension, trying to forcefully breakthrough, consolidate the foundation of the Great Tao, combining the Red Sun and the Celestial Human into unity. Terrifying aura triggered the legendary Door of the Celestial. Unfortunately, the effort fell short at the last step. The intense explosion leveled the mountain, leaving a huge basin.]
"Sword Saint Pei Min fought with the Da Li National Master, both triggering a legendary battle, even triggering the legendary Door of the Celestial. Regrettably, the Red Sun Martial Venerate died failing the breakthrough, and Sword Saint Pei Min was seriously injured."
"Sword Saint Pei Min, only seventeen years old, henceforward become the strongest under heaven, beyond dispute."
"Sword Saint Pei Min withdrew alone, returned to the clouds, refusing to see anybody, seeming to have entered isolation for healing, unresponsive to the world."
"With the demise of the Da Li National Master, Da Li lost its strongest who was restraining the dynasty, the Da Li Dynasty has entered a period of instability."
"Numerous generals from the Great Tang Empire asked for permission to send troops to the prairie and eradicate Da Li. Though there was no final decision in the imperial court, the Sixteen Guards have been transferred, soldiers from various Zhechong Mansions were assembling, seemingly signifying an intention to dispatch troops."
Countless news spread across the four corners, stirring up a storm across the world.
What caught people's attention most was the seventeen-year-old Sword Saint who had truly defeated the renowned Red Sun Martial Venerate, leaving countless people astounded.
Furthermore, during their initial confrontation, they had triggered the Door of the Celestial. Even though the Red Sun Martial Venerate had failed in the end, many people were convinced that after this Sword Saint cultivates for another few years, he would definitely become a Celestial Human.
For a while, countless people wanted to visit and curry favor with this future Celestial Human. Numerous people idolized him and wanted to become his disciples.
Apart from this, there were the actions of the Great Tang Court. Da Li was initially established by the remnants of the Turks, becoming a major threat to the empire's borders. However, it had been a temporary stalemate between the two sides due to the presence of the Red Sun Martial Venerate.
Now that the Red Sun Martial Venerate had died, the balance between the two sides was broken. Many people were waiting for the Great Tang to dispatch troops again to sweep the prairie, seeking to claim achievements.
Nations that had originally allied with Da Li were trembling, afraid of attracting the imperial military.
For a moment, there was a great turmoil under the heavens, countless people were excited, seeing it as an opportunity to rise to power.
"A Celestial Human, huh?"
Pei Xuanjing sat quietly in the attic, muttering to himself.
While he had won the battle, he didn't seem particularly pleased because he didn't feel like he truly won.
The Red Sun Martial Venerate had lost, but not to Pei Xuanjing, rather to himself.
At the end, the Red Sun Martial Venerate exhaustively ascended, burning everything he had, trying to forcefully chew out a projection of the foundation of the Great Tao due to Pei Xuanjing's attack, trying to step into the realms of the Celestial Human.
His idea could be described as extremely crazy, but it wasn't entirely impossible. He had even triggered the appearance of the legendary Door of the Celestial at the end.
If the Red Sun Martial Venerate had a bit more foundation at the end, if he had a bit more energy to push that heavenly gate, he could have become a Celestial Human.
Regrettably, his attempt to forcefully breakthrough and transcend exhausted every bit of his power, seizing his chance to succeed, leaving him with an incomplete result.
"What a pity!" Pei Xuanjing sighed.
After this battle, Pei Xuanjing gained a lot.
The appearance of the Door of the Celestial Human revealed all the truths of heaven and earth at that moment. Although it didn't last long, Pei Xuanjing gained many insights.
In that short period, he understood a lot about the Celestial Human Realm.
One could say, in terms of insights into the Celestial Human Realm, he surpassed all the strong ones in this world. After all, even people like Ye Daoyuan hadn't had the opportunity to observe the Door of the Celestial so closely and comprehend the Dao of the Celestial Human.
Pei Xuanjing's awe-inspiring battle shook the world, but he disappeared from everyone's sight when he was at his peak. Countless people's visits ended in vain.
According to the given explanation from the people at Pei Mansion, Pei Xuanjing again roamed the world to chase the path of cultivation, one man, one sword.
Of course, that was just the public explanation. Actually, after leaving some Cultivation Method for Mr. Pei Laozhu, Pei Xuanjing chose an unremarkable mountain range for secluded cultivation.
Given this world's concentration of Heaven and Earth Essence Qi, even an ordinary mountain range is more spiritually abundant than any mountain range in the Daming World before its resurrection.
After Pei Xuanjing set up some formations, the concentration of Heaven and Earth Essence Qi in this common mountain range didn't lose to many spiritual mountains.
Originally, Mr. Pei Laozhu thought Pei Xuanjing's secluded cultivation would end in two or three years. But no one expected that it would last for ten years.
Ten years time, passed in a flash.
In these ten years, numerous significant events happened in the World of Myriad Manifestations, even the layout of the world underwent significant changes.
Not long after Pei Xuanjing entered seclusion, the impact of his battle with the Red Sun Martial Venerate became apparent.
First, without the Red Sun Martial Venerate's suppression, Da Li Dynasty's internal power struggles escalated severely. Rifts erupted among the groups that had formed the alliance.
Then, the Great Tang Court finally made a decision. They would send troops north to wipe out the Turkic remnants, ensuring border stability.
The next year, they assembled a million soldiers to invade the prairie. Without the Red Sun Martial Venerate's suppression, the remaining Da Li powerhouses were not a match for the empire's troops. Even if they fought to the death, they were still futile.
In just two short years, when the Great Tang Empire displayed its might, Da Li, which was once ambitious, collapsed with a bang. The prairie became Imperial's pasture, a kingdom destroyed, cities broken.
This horrific military might shook the four corners of the world. The imperial army made forays on all sides, sweeping across countless small countries. This brought about the submission of the four corners, none dared question the majesty of the empire.
As a result, the current emperor of Great Tang is considered to have performed distinguished service and could be compared to the previous Taizong Emperor.
Meanwhile, the teachings of the Three Dao in cultivation passed down by Pei Xuanjing through the hand of Ye Daoyuan had spread all over the world, known by all.
Many Heavenly Rank strongmen have benefited greatly from it. Although their foundations are set and hard to change, it does not prevent them from letting some of their juniors try this path.
It was known that many people consider it a myth that Pei Xuanjing could ascend to the Heavenly Rank through three ranks of martial arts, engage in a one-against-two battle as soon as he entered the Heavenly Rank and finally even defeat Red Sun Martial Venerate, a strong man who had half a step into the Heavenly Realm.
Countless people idolized him, wishing they could attain such achievements and gain such fame.
Now, Pei Xuanjing has openly shared these secrets, which undoubtedly excited them. With the example of Pei Xuanjing, many people felt they could be the next Pei Xuanjing.
After all, the Way of Spirit Refinement is too abstruse and profound, but the Way of Essence Refinement is not difficult. For major forces, the Physical Path is quite simple.
It's known that their Path of Qi Refinement heavily depended on talent, and not everyone in the world possesses the talent to cultivate.
However, the Way of Essence Refinement undoubtedly opened a door for many people without the talent for cultivation, allowing them to qualify for cultivation.
The Way of Essence Refinement emphasizes on refining the physical body, it is most appropriate if assisted by rare and exotic spiritual medicine, but it does not mean that one cannot cultivate without such medicine.
For the children of the major forces, they have a better choice. Similarly, it also opened up an opportunity for many people coming from impoverished backgrounds.
Although there may be unfairness on this path, they lack resources compared to those born to major forces, but it is infinitely better than being excluded due to lack of talent. At least they see hope.
Thanks solely to this, although Pei Xuanjing hasn't set foot in the martial world in ten years, his reputation hasn't diminished in the slightest. After ten years of development and promotion, it surpasses before.
After ten years of development, even though there are very few practitioners of the Dao of Spirit Refinement, without a special skill and talent, there can't be many advancements.
However, the Dao of Essence Refinement has been thoroughly transmitted throughout the world, with countless practicers. Especially among imperial soldiers, their strong bodies and enormous strength can increase their survival chances in battle several times over, therefore attracting countless soldiers and eventually even becoming a compulsory martial arts for every soldier.
Especially three years ago some martial art experts, who had been stuck in the Gang Qi Realm of the the three rank of martial arts for decades and unable to break through, thanks to practicing the Dao of Essence Refinement passed down by Pei Xuanjing, miraculously stepped into the Heavenly Rank with the aid of their physical bodies. Ever since this method of practice has almost become a conspicuous subject, attracting countless people.
There's no calendar in the hill, not aware of the year despite the coldness.
Pei Xuanjing had been in seclusion here for many years, unaware of how many seasons he had experienced, how many times he had witnessed spring's arrival and autumn's departure, summer's ending and winter's beginning.
He was seated cross-legged on a cloud platform at the top of a peak, surrounded by colorful clouds, converging Qi of Heaven and Earth. Each breath had rhythm, as if he was one with Heaven and Earth.
His robust body was gleaming as if composed of golden flesh and jade bones, occasionally radiating a shinning light. His eyes were slightly closed, his spirit was wandering beyond the sky.
Above his head, there were green, red, yellow, white, and black lights, interweaving and horizontally reflecting, quickly merging into a profound scroll. It seemed to symbolize spring, summer, autumn, and winter, and encompassing the Five Directions and Five Elements, the Four Seasons and Five Orders.
This was precisely the projection of the foundation of his Great Tao. The Scroll of the Four Seasons at this moment appeared more condensed than before, emitting a mysterious aura.
Although it was deep winter currently, surprisingly, it felt warm as a spring day at the top of the mountain, with blooming flowers, full of life and vitality, without any trace of the winter's chill.
The moment he opened his eyes, the sky over the entire mountain changed color, and the surrounding blooming flowers gradually disappeared without a trace.
The spring flowers that had just appeared were an illusion!
If such a mysterious and miraculous scene were to leak out, it would surely shock countless people.
Because the blooming flowers just now seemed real, which was incredibly powerful.
Seeing the big picture from a small detail, one would realize the horrors of thinking it through. With such a profound technique, how frightening the current strength of Pei Xuanjing must be!
These ten years have been extremely important for Pei Xuanjing; his Dao of Qi Refinement, Dao of Spirit Refinement, and Dao of Essence Refinement all made tremendous progress
It can be said that his body in this world is indeed top-notch in talent. Even though his original body in the Daming World has greatly improved its talent through continuous cultivation, there is still a huge gap compared to this current body.
In just ten years, the current Pei Xuanjing could be said to have reached the state of Ye Daoyuan and Red Sun Martial Venerate ten years ago, with half a foot stepping into the Realm of Celestial.
Moreover, those two only reached such a state by fully refining Qi alone. But apart from Pei Xuanjing's Dao of Qi Refinement reaching its extreme, his physical body and Yin Spirit have also made great progress.
Upon entering this state, he truly felt the limitations of this world and came to understand the marvel of the Celestial.
"What a pity, bound by the limitations of Heaven and Earth, although my Dao realm has improved a lot, the actual strength that can be exerted has not increased much." Pei Xuanjing sighed to himself.
Originally, upon entering the Heavenly Rank, Pei Xuanjing, who cultivated the Dao of Spirit, Essence and Qi simultaneously, had comparable combat power to the extreme of the Heavenly Rank. Now, with Pei Xuanjing's Dao of Qi Refinement at its extreme, how could his combat power not significantly increase?
It's not that Pei Xuanjing doesn't want to exert stronger strength, but that he can't.
A Celestial is already the limit of the World of Myriad Manifestations. The rules of this world dictate that no force surpassing a Celestial can appear.
Once Pei Xuanjing reveals a power surpassing that, the Door of Celestial will certainly descend, urging him to reincarnate as a Celestial and ascend. But if he refuses, he will be repelled by Heaven and Earth, bringing down heavenly tribulations.
"However, my current cultivation is not necessarily following the prescribed order of the cultivation method of the World of Myriad Manifestations, but could delay a lot." Confidence filled Pei Xuanjing's face.
The Way he cultivated, although nominally classified as the Heavenly Rank, is actually quite different from the cultivation method of this world.
According to the division of the Nine Realms of Spirit, Pei Xuanjing's current rank in the Dao of Qi Refinement should be the Spirit Realm Third Level, just one step away from breaking through to the Fourth Level of the Spiritual Realm, which corresponds to the Celestials in the legends of this world.