"Isn’t this self-deception?" The Celestial Maiden was slightly surprised beside him.

She had crossed into the realm of Grandmasters after breaking through the Extreme Realm.

Although certain restrictions were in place, there were no limitations based on age or gender.

"The heart of self-strengthening is to find a way to surpass an opponent even when facing stronger enemies, thus maintaining one’s confidence. With enough attempts, you can try to break through...." She attempted to summarize the principle.

"If one can deceive oneself, then self-deception can also succeed." Ran Xinyue blinked.

The two of them only knew that Zhang Rongfang intended to break through to Grandmaster, but were unaware of what he had done that night.

At this moment, they both felt it was too early for him.

Zhang Rongfang carefully recalled the theories of many Grandmasters.

After repeated contemplation, he felt that the guidance Jin Yuyan gave back then was closest to the truth.

’A Grandmaster is one who uses emotional will to push everything to its peak, and then solidifies it.’

Therefore, as long as one can stimulate their own emotional will, maintain it steadily over time, and energize the entire body, they can also reach the level of a Grandmaster.’

"Setting a stage is also a method..." Zhang Rongfang carefully sensed his emotions at this moment.

That night, he had killed three Grandmasters in succession, one of whom was even a Grandmaster, giving him unparalleled absolute confidence.

Now, if he could defeat similar experts head-on again....

"If setting a stage can stir your emotions, then the effect will be greatly enhanced." Tong Zhang said softly, "In fact, when I stepped into Grandmaster, I only fought twelve people. It took me three days."

"...Is the focus on one’s own heart?" Zhang Rongfang suddenly understood.

"Yes...." Tong Zhang nodded slightly, then suddenly seemed to think of something. She stood up, slowly walked out of the quiet room, her gaze falling into a vague daze. It was unknown what she intended to do.

The Extreme Realm is just like this.

The Extreme Heart is considered the most normal type, except for occasionally going insane, most of the time everything is normal, just sometimes forgetful.

"Where is she going?" Ran Xinyue couldn’t help but ask. She had just arrived here and wasn’t familiar with Tong Zhang.

Though they were both members of the Reverse Time Society, the members were scattered across various places and rarely gathered. New and later members had few opportunities to meet or integrate.

"I don’t know..." Zhang Rongfang shook his head as he too stood up.

"I’m also planning to prepare."

"Prepare for what?"

"A stage." Zhang Rongfang replied.

"Where are you setting it up?" Ran Xinyue was not surprised.

Most Grandmasters followed this path.

"I can’t deceive myself, so I need to use an opponent to adjust myself; there must be a suitable choice. Too weak is meaningless to me."

Zhang Rongfang had implicitly understood the key issue.

"So?" Ran Xinyue’s expression changed slightly, as if she guessed what Zhang Rongfang wanted to do.

"It seems you guessed it." Zhang Rongfang smiled slightly, "This world is my stage!"

He pushed open the door and walked into the courtyard.

Snowflakes drifted down from above, falling on the ground and slowly melting.

"Since the world believes I have a method to restrain deification, then I truly do." Zhang Rongfang said calmly.

"You... don’t do anything rash!" Ran Xinyue hurriedly got up.

Whoosh!

Before her words were finished, Zhang Rongfang had already disappeared from the courtyard like a wild goose, leaping over the wall toward the outer area.

Ran Xinyue quickly leaped over the wall, but he was already out of sight.

"It’s over... has this guy gone mad too!?"

"He’s not mad." The Celestial Maiden flashed and appeared beside her.

"The Great Dao Teaching intends to challenge the Spirit Flying Church, unifying all Sect forces. Now every sect is divided into two power groups.

Someone deliberately framed him, so he’s taking advantage of this force to push himself for a breakthrough to Grandmaster."

"He’s very clear-headed."

This world....

Behind the Great Dao Teaching are gods and buddhas, and Spirit Flying Church is the same.

Essentially, it’s still a battle between deities.

Be it sects, nobles, divine generals, or any other force.

They are gods.

But the Righteous Alliance is human.

"What could be a better way to strengthen one’s heart than to challenge gods as mere mortals?"

Ran Xinyue fell silent.

She vaguely remembered, this had been done by someone before.

"Let’s go, follow him, and see together." The Celestial Maiden pointed her foot, leaped up, and pursued in the direction Zhang Rongfang left.

Ran Xinyue gritted her teeth, recalling her current identity, she could only follow closely.

In the mountain forest, on the snow, three sets of footprints formed a line, extending into the distance.

*

*

*

Inside Agarwood Mansion.

Zhang Zhenhai, Zhang Yunqi, Sun Chaoyue, and others gathered together.

Usually, being directly under the jurisdiction of the Prefect, they acted smoothly in this land sheltered by the Great Dao Teaching, and no one would trouble them.

But now, everyone was at a loss, wearing troubled expressions.

Zhang Yunqi sighed.

"What happened that night, we have no way of knowing. But since the lord sent word that everything is stable, we must not act rashly."

"Recently, there was news from the Ding family of the Twelve Sect Mansions of the Jade Void Palace saying that someone wants to act against us due to the disappearance of the Daoist and the special envoy team.... Now it’s being suppressed by the governor." Sun Chaoyue, who currently managed many affairs inside and outside the mansion, was quite clear about these messages.

Since that incident involving her father, she had an epiphany, particularly after being exposed to the top martial arts circles, she realized whose hands actually controlled the world.

She became even more loyal to Zhang Rongfang.

Because she knew very well that with her level, replacing anyone else would not have allowed her to reach such heights.

This was an opportunity, and also a test.

Just like now, she did not believe that the Great Dao Teaching would abandon Zhang Ying.

Therefore, she thought that everything in front of her was just a test.

Even though she was not clear about the specific details inside.

"Someone said they saw Prefectural Head Shangguan injured too, and the envoy team was reportedly attacked by a mysterious force. The enemy’s strength is unprecedentedly strong, so... Grandmaster Ran and Daoist are still alive, but they were captured by the enemy and their whereabouts are unknown." Zhang Zhenhai’s expression was gloomy. "Damn it! If I were by the Daoist’s side....!"

"You would have just thrown your life away!" Zhang Yunqi interrupted his daughter coldly.

"If my life could win the Daoist a chance to escape! What’s the harm in sacrificing it?" Zhang Zhenhai retorted without hesitation.

"You’re still the same as ever...."

At this moment, a figure suddenly appeared in the empty space behind the few people in the room.

"Have I ever told you, if I don’t want to die, no one can put me to death!"

The person who came was burly, with long hair tied into a bundle, and exuded an imposing aura. It was none other than Zhang Rongfang, who had previously decided to take action.

"Daoist!!?"

The three immediately stood up, a mix of surprise and joy.

"You’re really back!? Earlier..." Zhang Zhenhai quickly surveyed Zhang Rongfang, making sure there wasn’t a single injury on him, then breathed a sigh of relief.

But soon, her eyes reddened, and she stepped forward, her body trembling slightly.

"Daoist, if something happened to you... we... we!"

"I’m fine... it was just a little misunderstanding." Zhang Rongfang said softly, gently rubbing her hair.

"Next, I will temporarily leave the Great Dao Teaching. Are you willing to go with me?"

At this point, it’s unlikely he could continue to stay in the sect. After the God-worship suppression method was exposed, no matter what, Yue Dewen could no longer protect him.

Because even though Yue Dewen is strong, behind him are still gods and Buddhas in charge of everything.

He had already made up his mind.

Since he decided not to worship the gods, then he must absorb all the power he can to enhance himself.

The Extreme Realm had various side effects, better to forget about it, but the Grandmaster realm... he must enter it!

This time’s upheaval was not without the intention of Reversal Society secretly propelling it.

Thus, he acknowledged the favor of Emperor Jiang, but was unwilling to entirely side with Reversal Society.

As long as it’s ensured he can temporarily borrow their strength now.

Leaving the Great Dao Teaching?!

With these words, the three present were immediately shocked, figuring out the general outline.

Combining with the rumors... Zhang Yunqi immediately understood that perhaps the disappearance of the envoy team was related to the Daoist before them.

Otherwise, with Zhang Ying Daoist’s status and position, what reason could force him to voluntarily leave the sect?

"You all think it over carefully, whether you still want to follow me."

Zhang Rongfang said calmly.

To obtain peace, it is necessary to have the strength to maintain peace.

Now, he had a bit of power to protect himself.

But it wasn’t enough.

"We have already dispersed people as instructed, Daoist need not ask anymore." Zhang Yunqi said resolutely.

Zhang Zhenhai naturally needed not to speak further.

The only one who needed to choose was Sun Chaoyue.

But she too, without hesitation, nodded and kneeled.

"Chao Yue alike! Wherever you go, I will go!"

"You all... very well...." Zhang Rongfang smiled slightly.

The Great Dao Teaching, now in Yue Dewen’s hands, was gradually heading towards an unknown direction.

He could feel it, but didn’t know whether this direction was good or bad.

The world’s situation was chaotic and disordered, and during that night’s standoff, at least more than three forces were involved.

The envoy team led by the Great Dao Teaching could be infiltrated to such an extent, indicating how complex the current situation had become.

"Since it’s decided, you guys quickly pack the silver notes and gold notes, take my herbs, and find a new place. We’re leaving here." Zhang Rongfang ordered.

"Where to?"

"By ship, to Wushan Prefecture."

"What about you!?" Zhang Zhenhai heard the implications, understanding Zhang Rongfang did not intend to leave with them.

"I have other matters to deal with. I’ll join you later." Zhang Rongfang shook his head. "It’s not my habit to take the blow without hitting back."

He previously asked Emperor Jiang about the mysterious person who suddenly appeared that night and dragged him into a cloud of mystery.

Next, after sending them off, he planned to both investigate the person behind that night’s events and accumulate willpower with every opponent he met on the road, striving to break into the Grandmaster realm!

At this level, he was just two steps away from becoming a Grandmaster.

The final form, and the Absolute Defense Circle.

And the crossing of these two steps, according to the experience of other Grandmasters, would quickly take shape in the arena.

"My lord, if the experts of Jade Void Palace intercept us... what should we do?" Sun Chaoyue suddenly asked.

"Except for Shangguan, the Ding family, the Ming family, and the Jin family, pay no heed to others."

Zhang Rongfang replied.

"On the road, there will be people helping to protect you, don’t worry."

"But what if we encounter other forces?" Sun Chaoyue pursued.

"Are you afraid of death?" Zhang Rongfang countered.

The three exchanged glances.

"We are willing to die for you!" the three of them raised their fists in unison.