Chapter 1116 - 742: True Monarch’s Lifespan Ends

Chapter 1116: Chapter 742: True Monarch’s Lifespan Ends

"Profound Ice, you were born a loose cultivator, lacking the guidance of a renowned teacher from a young age, with limited insight and knowledge. I do not blame you for that. This world is far more complex and difficult than you imagine!"

Shen Xuan said coldly, "Wrong."

"Wrong? Where am I wrong?"

"Completely wrong! Utterly and fundamentally wrong!"

Shen Xuan’s words were firm, each one like a heavy hammer striking: "Things in this world, right is right, and wrong is wrong. One cannot claim helplessness due to the muddy state of the world, justifying oneself by blaming the circumstances!"

"When in poverty, one should focus on personal integrity. When successful, one should work to benefit the world. Some matters can be avoided if beyond one’s capability. But one must never claim that wrongs are right!"

"Though Profound Ice may come from humble beginnings, he is fortunate to have been taught by the ancient sages of the Human Race. What he knows and thinks may not be something a True Monarch can easily comprehend."

True Monarch Qing Yun was shaken, as if seeing the person before him clearly for the first time.

"Which ancient sage of the Human Race?"

"No need for True Monarch to inquire further."

Shen Xuan gently shook his head, "The ancient sage I mentioned is not someone from the Profound Origin Realm. This person was versed in both ancient and modern knowledge, practiced what he preached, painstakingly established his path, survived through countless battles, led the Human Race to expel the Demon Race, eradicated the Demon Cultivators, and finally led the Human Race to great prosperity and strength."

True Monarch Qing Yun looked at Shen Xuan, who wore an expression of deep reverence, his emotions complex.

At this point, Shen Xuan had no need to lie to him.

It turned out that Shen Xuan was not from the Profound Origin Realm, but a cultivator reincarnated from another realm.

"So, for him, this Ice and Fire Tai Chi Primordial Golden Core, which is extremely difficult for others, is simply a given?"

True Monarch Qing Yun pondered silently.

Opposite him, Shen Xuan paused for a moment and continued, "Various signs indicate that the Golden Spirit Race of the Demon Realm has been plotting for a long time. Over the years, they’ve been expanding Demon Realm passages everywhere, dispatching the Demon Race to infiltrate and secretly buying off the higher-ups of the Liang Country’s Demon Sect. They intend to use Liang Country as a springboard to overrun the four nations of Yan, Song, Lu, and Yue, turning this vast Spiritual Land into their Lower Realm Demon Realm!"

True Monarch Qing Yun realized, "So, your killing of Master Xuan Shi and performing a soul search on him was to verify this matter?"

"Exactly."

"But have you considered that this bold action could bring disaster upon Song Country, the Cyan Cloud Sect, and especially yourself?"

True Monarch Qing Yun was deeply worried.

"Should one close their eyes, ignoring the bones of countless cultivators and mortals at the borders of Song Country?"

"As a Tier Four Great Cultivator of the Human Race, to watch complacently as my lands and countrymen fall prey to Demon Cultivators, living ignominiously — I apologize, but Profound Ice cannot do this!"

"The greater the power, the greater the responsibility. If one cannot wield the sword in defense of the Dao and protect the masses, even if one becomes a Nascent Soul True Monarch, how could they face the ancestors!"

True Monarch Qing Yun’s face changed multiple times, alternating between green and white hues: "Profound Ice, it’s not that I don’t want to act, but I’m truly powerless! The Daoist Sect of Song Country lacks overall strength and cannot rival the Demon Sect of Liang Country. Rashly starting a war would only increase casualties and risks destruction of the nation and sect!"

Shen Xuan shook his head, "True Monarch, have you ever contemplated why Song Country has weakened to this point?"

True Monarch Qing Yun sighed, "Below the Nascent Soul, all are ants. What truly decides the rise and fall, the strength and weakness of a sect, are the Nascent Soul True Monarchs. The High Tier Spiritual Lands of Song Country are limited, with scarce Tier Four resources. Those able to form a Nascent Soul are few, a natural restriction."

Shen Xuan queried, "True Monarch, are you so certain that the Nascent Souls of Song Country are no match for the Demon Infants of Liang Country?"

"True Monarch Purple Maple is advanced in years, True Monarch Guangxian struggles alone. The other True Monarchs are similar to myself, not worth mentioning."

True Monarch Qing Yun’s tone was desolate, revealing his helplessness.

"When Profound Ice traveled to Qin Country, it was during a major invasion by the Southern Wilderness Demon Race. Bright Flame Sect, despite having three Nascent Souls, was torn apart by internal strife, lost the hearts of its people, its mountain gate was breached, and the sect was destroyed."

"On the other hand, Moonrise Sect, also with three Nascent Souls, remained united and determined. Facing a demon army several times larger than that of Bright Flame Sect, they stood firm and continue to hold to this day."

Shen Xuan’s words were resolute, "The people’s will is the true foundation of a Daoist Sect! Currently, the sects of Song Country prioritize family lineage, backgrounds, connections, and foundations. All strategic resources are first allocated to family scions, and direct disciples of True Masters. Each sect monopolizes strategic spiritual objects, blocking the upward path of lower-level cultivators, leading to rigid social strata, stagnant as dead water! This is the fundamental issue why the sects of Song Country are weak and unable to contend with Liang Country!"

"The blessings of a nobleman diminish after three generations and sever after five. The sects of Song Country, each with their noble families, pass down through generations, exchanging interests, promoting nepotism — how can they hope to succeed perpetually!"

With that, Shen Xuan suddenly turned around.

He was not a native of the Profound Origin Realm, heavily influenced by thoughts from his previous life.

Their philosophies differed greatly, and there was no use in further futile argument.

The facts would prove everything.

True Monarch Qing Yun stared blankly at Shen Xuan’s departing figure, his heart feeling empty.

His Essence, Qi, and Spirit grew even more withered.

"For thousands of years, it has always been this way. Have they all been wrong? Am I wrong too?"

At that moment, in True Monarch Qing Yun’s dantian, the light of the Golden Core dissipated, silently transforming and returning to a liquid Dao Foundation, continuously diffusing.

"Drive away the Demon Race, eradicate Demon Cultivators, let the Human Race prosper and flourish..."

"Could the Profound Origin Realm also see such a day?"

"It turns out Profound Ice is not of this realm!"

"Good, very good..."

"In this world, there are still different flames of hope..."

"Unfortunately, this old man will not see it..."

"What a pity..."

True Monarch Qing Yun’s thoughts started to drift, growing more distant.

In a reverie, he seemed to see his younger self once more.

Clad in simple cyan robes, led by the old clan leader, timidly stepping through the gates of Qing Yun Mountain.

"Zhi’er, cultivate well! Bring honor to the Sun family on Huiding Mountain, glorifying the ancestors, blessing future generations..."

That was a scene from a thousand years ago.

As if it were yesterday.

"So tired!"