Chapter 654: Proclaiming to the World

As Wang Ping’s gaze fell upon Ruan Chunzi, Yuan Zheng, Dongcan, and Wu Fu, the Wood Spirit gestating within his Spirit Vein instinctively monitored their cultivation states.

A moment later, information about their cultivation appeared in Wang Ping’s mind. At the same time, a flood of memories surged from the Heaven-Covering Talisman and instantly merged with him. Through the talisman, his Primordial Spirit peered into the secrets of the heavens and, in a single glance, saw their pasts.

He could even see with perfect clarity the birth of the Spirit Veins within their bodies. The great web of the Celestial Dao, to which their very life force was connected, had recorded their histories. And now, within this web linked by the Heaven-Reaching Talisman, these records were no longer static. They pierced through the past to connect with a hazy future.

At this moment, Wang Ping finally understood the power of a Fourth Realm Taiyan Cultivator. For instance, if he wanted to deal with Yuan Zheng right now, he need only gently prod at the secrets of the heavens and disrupt Yuan Zheng’s past. The man would instantly go mad.

Dealing with Ruan Chunzi would be a bit more troublesome. He had already perfected the Third Realm of the Three Yang True Inheritance, and his Fire Spirit Vein was exceptionally sturdy. Even if his memories were scrambled, he could sort them out in an instant. However, Wang Ping could still erase him through physical destruction, and it would only take a moment. In Wang Ping’s eyes, Ruan Chunzi was completely transparent; it was as if his health bar was visible.

What surprised Wang Ping was that the person with the highest cultivation among those present wasn’t Ruan Chunzi, but the ever-unassuming Wu Fu. The Star God Core he had fused with was already on the verge of evolution. He could break through with just a slight push, but he had not done so.

This assessment took but an instant. Then, a warm smile spread across Wang Ping’s face. “What are you all doing standing outside? Come in and have a seat.”

Hearing this, everyone subconsciously entered the courtyard, but still, no one dared to sit next to Wang Ping.

Yuan Zheng almost instinctively slowed his pace, positioning himself behind Ruan Chunzi as he cautiously sized up Wang Ping. The gaze Wang Ping had just sent his way made the Samadhi True Flame in his Pill Furnace flare wildly. It was a sign of crisis, a fear of a powerful existence. In that moment, he knew: Wang Ping had truly ascended to the Fourth Realm.

The whole situation felt somewhat surreal. This was the Fourth Realm, after all—a realm he hadn’t even dared to dream of since he began his cultivation. Not many people had been optimistic about Wang Ping’s chances of ascending this time. Even Yuan Zheng had privately thought Wang Ping was being overconfident. That was why he had been trying his best to support Qianmu Temple over the years, hoping it could weather any potential crisis.

This was only natural. After all, over the past several thousand years, they had heard too many stories of failed ascensions to the Fourth Realm.

The most direct consequence was that as time went on, the orders Wang Ping had issued were taken less and less seriously. If not for the Third Realm Cultivators from various sects stationed at the Daoist Palace, the Cultivation Realm would have likely descended into chaos long ago. After all, Wang Ping’s seclusion had left the Southern Cultivation Realm effectively without a leader.

“True Man, now that your ascension is successful, you should announce it to the world as soon as possible!”

The usually quiet Wu Fu stepped out from the crowd while everyone else was unsure how to face the current Wang Ping. He cupped his fist and said, “The Southern Cultivation Realm needs you to step forward.”

Wang Ping looked at Wu Fu and asked thoughtfully, “Has something happened?”

Wu Fu shook his head. “Not yet, but the Southern Cultivation Realm is currently a chaotic mix of factions. All sorts of sects and schools have established outposts here, and Wan Zhi Daoist is unwilling to get involved in karmic ties. If this isn’t handled properly, I fear disaster could strike at any moment!”

Wang Ping immediately understood what Wu Fu was trying to say. His gaze fell upon Ruan Chunzi and the others, and he smiled. “This humble Daoist has cultivated for over five hundred years and has now achieved the Heaven-Covering Realm. It is indeed an occasion for celebration. Wen Yi, Shuang’Er, you two will handle the preparations. As for me, I must now go pay my respects to Senior Wan Zhi.”

With that, a powerful aura erupted from his body. He used the Wood Spirit to connect to the great web of this world. Then, his figure vanished without a sound. When he reappeared, he was beneath the clouds above Qianmu Temple. His left hand was held in a Taoist one-handed salute, and profound, cyan-green runes materialized around his body.

In the next moment, his aura could be felt throughout the entire Nanlin Road. The Wood Spirit Qi across the vast land was practically overflowing, creating a jade-green aurora that stretched for tens of thousands of miles across the sky.

“WAHOO!”

Yu Lian cheered and reverted to her massive original form, weaving back and forth through the clouds.

A few breaths later, this phenomenon spread to Mozhou Road, Ningzhou Road, and the Liangjiang Region. As far as Wang Ping’s sight could reach, all the Wood Spirit Qi in the world was cheering. In this moment, if he so wished, every living being in the Southern Territory could be turned to ash in an instant!

The descriptions he’d heard of Ancestor Yuxiao came to mind—how they always focused on the power of his Seven-Star Killing Array. ‘He must have been merciful,’ Wang Ping realized, ‘or perhaps there was something that made him wary. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have needed to go to all that trouble.’

“Let’s go!”

Wang Ping called out to Yu Lian, and he transformed into a streak of light that flashed across the sky. In his wake, all the Wood Spirit Qi between heaven and earth surged back and forth like ocean waves.

He did not use a Transfer Talisman. He wanted to announce to the world that he had ascended to the Fourth Realm!

The first to notice this celestial phenomenon was Hua Yun Daoist of Fuming Prefecture. She immediately ascended to the peak of Red Mountain and gazed at the sky, where the oppressive Wood Spirit Qi made it hard for her to breathe.

“I can’t believe he actually managed to ascend to the Fourth Realm!”

She said this in a low voice, as if afraid of being overheard. Then, her expression changed slightly. She felt a thread of Qi from the Inspiration Realm lock onto her in an instant, making her feel as if her entire existence was being watched.

“So this is the Fourth Realm? Master really did hold things back from us…” Her words trailed off, becoming inaudible at the end.

Then, a Sunflower materialized on her body and incinerated the thread of Qi that had connected to her.

At the same time, Li Miaolin and Hu Yin of Ningzhou Road, Wu Quan and Ke Yue of Mozhou Road, and Liu Huai’en of the Jimin Association all turned their gazes toward Shang’an Prefecture.

「Shang’an Prefecture.」

A streak of light flashed past in the blink of an eye.

Even just by flying, Wang Ping could use the Wood Spirit Qi to reach nearly one percent of the speed of light. Thus, in only an instant, he arrived at the Six Heart Sect. He landed politely at the main gate, took out a jade slip, and personally wrote a formal visiting request.

At this moment, in the nearby Jinhuai City, the group of stationed Third Realm Cultivators had all gathered in the front hall where the chief host resided.

The hall was quiet, but it was an unnatural silence.

“Now that Changqing Zhenren has ascended to the Fourth Realm, we should go and pay our respects. Why are we all gathered here?” Hou Jun asked impatiently, his words shattering the hall’s silence.

The chief host, Tong Jing, who was seated in the highest position, smiled and cupped his hands toward Hou Jun. “Changqing Zhenren is now a Fourth Realm Great Cultivator. Things are not as casual as they once were. How can we go and pay our respects without being summoned?”

Stunned by the question, Hou Jun’s eyes darted about before he nodded. “I suppose that makes sense!”

Tong Jing was very satisfied with Hou Jun’s reaction, his expression suggesting everything was under his control.

“But Changqing Zhenren has graced Jinhuai Prefecture with his presence. For us to just sit here seems even more contrary to etiquette, does it not?” asked a Third Realm Cultivator from Lishui Prefecture.

“You people are so troublesome. Why make it so complicated? Since Changqing Zhenren has ascended to the Fourth Realm and come to Jinhuai City, we should naturally go and pay our respects. What, are you waiting for him to come pay his respects to you?” Le Xin said, their tone laced with impatience.