Cultivation: I Can Reincarnate Into Various Worlds-Chapter 499 - 259, The feather transformation immortal technique is called boundless, the Human Emperor raises his hand to cover the cloudy sky _2
In the Heavenly Saint Sect.
Within the inner palace of the External Affairs Hall.
"Forget it, forget it..." Cui Tong sighed helplessly, his expression suddenly tinged with melancholy. He shook his head and said, "He is a Pride of Heaven of the Righteous Path, and quite frank... If his cultivation path remains unbroken, many more like me will surely fall by his hand..."
Upon hearing the cultivators’ remarks, Cui Tong realized the gravity of his recent misstep. Although Xu Xing had appeared calm, his eyes betraying no sharpness, Cui Tong had already lost to him twice. These defeats had instilled a lingering fear in Cui Tong’s heart. During the negotiations, Xu Xing had pressured him relentlessly, making Cui Tong feel increasingly inferior...
When Xu Xing posed his question, Cui Tong had unconsciously taken a step back.
"I, Cui Tong, on behalf of the Heavenly Saint Sect, agree to this. The "Exorcism Holy Art" within the Secret Realm can be lent to Lord Xu for twenty years..."
After that "shocking retreat," Cui Tong knew hesitation now would be detrimental to the broader situation. After a moment’s thought, he made his decision. At this point, he understood. From the very beginning, he had fallen into Xu Xing’s trap; "losing" was a foregone conclusion.
First, Xu Xing used resolving a dire predicament as an "excuse," then dangled the Record-Keeping Talisman as bait to force Cui Tong’s hand...
Having suffered two defeats, he and the Heavenly Saint Sect... had inevitably lost the initiative in the negotiations...
And then, Xu Xing had enticed him with benefits and compelled him with power....
Xu Xing’s interlocking strategy had nearly sealed his and the Heavenly Saint Sect’s fate, leaving them no room for retreat.
Once the sound transmission via Divine Sense concluded, Cui Tong and Xu Xing returned to their high seats and resumed the banquet, as if nothing had transpired.
Although Cui Tong’s earlier retreat had cost him considerable face, he was, after all, a sect master and a Nascent Soul Daoist Lord at the pinnacle of cultivation. While the assembled cultivators lauded Xu Xing, they dared not overly disparage Cui Tong, lest they incur his resentment.
After three rounds of wine and five courses of dishes had been served, Cui Tong set down his wine cup, stroked the three wisps of his beard, and chuckled, "Today, Lord Xu has bested me and won considerable renown. In the future, when cultivators speak of this, I, Cui Tong, will inevitably be the subject of ridicule..."
Upon hearing Cui Tong’s words, Xu Xing immediately waved his hand and demurred, "Xu Mou dare not. It is Xu Mou’s great fortune to have narrowly bested Sect Master Cui today... I dare not let this incident sow discord between our two sects..."
One distinction between the Righteous Path and the Demon Way is that the former observes more etiquette and values interpersonal connections.
At this moment, Wu Ziting interjected, "Yama Palace established the Heaven, Earth, and Human Three Ranks, each with renowned titles known throughout the world. When the Prides of Heaven on these lists defeat their opponents, they are celebrated by all..."
"While praising the Prides of Heaven, their opponents are not overly disparaged; the two aspects complement each other."
"Uncle Master Cui’s defeat this time is likely to become a delightful anecdote in the Cultivation World, rather than a scandal."
Few possessed the standing to interrupt two Dao Lords. Backed by the Cloud Sword Sect, one of the Higher Teachings, Wu Ziting, while not their peer, was qualified to join the discussion.
"Junior Wu has a point," Cui Tong nodded slightly. "However, the Demon Way’s Heaven, Earth, and Human Three Ranks only include cultivators in the Dao Pill, Returning Core, and Immortal Base realms. They don’t have a list for Nascent Soul Prides of Heaven..."
Although Xu Xing had schemed against him, Cui Tong bore no grudge. The Heavenly Saint Sect also stood to gain from the Secret Realm; it was mutually beneficial.
However... it’s still crucial to mitigate the negative impact on the Heavenly Saint Sect and himself. And praising one’s opponent is undoubtedly an excellent way to minimize such fallout. The stronger the opponent, the less shame he, the vanquished, would endure.
Wu Ziting covered her mouth and chuckled, "Uncle Master Cui, you’re mistaken. Most Nascent Soul Cultivators are thousand-year-old beings. The Heaven, Earth, and Human Three Ranks is a ranking of Prides of Heaven; how could they be included..."
"Exactly! Exactly!" Cui Tong chuckled. "A Dao Lord as young as Lord Xu is truly a rare sight in this world. Indeed, creating a separate list just for Lord Xu would be unnecessary..."
In truth, Yama Palace refrained from publishing a Nascent Soul ranking not because Nascent Soul Cultivators were too old, but because Yama Palace lacked the power to offend so many Ancestors from various sects. A thousand-year-old monster? Still a Pride of Heaven of a thousand years!
However, there was no need to debate the point at a banquet. It was merely banter to lighten the mood; there was no need to scrutinize the details.
Cui Tong shook his head and sighed, "It’s a pity no cultivators from the Daoist Sect are present today. Otherwise, having them compose poems to capture the scene would be splendid. Having their poetry spread throughout the world would be no less prestigious than a title on the Ranks..."
After saying this, he glanced at the several Direct Disciples seated beside him, signaling them repeatedly with his eyes to rise and compose a poem to alleviate the awkwardness.
The Heavenly Saint Sect was an ancient, prominent sect. Its disciples not only learned the myriad Immortal Cultivation Arts and the Dao of Cultivation but also studied poetry and verse as a supplementary discipline. Consequently, many could compose poems.
"I have a poem that has been brewing within me for some time. Today, I boldly offer it to Lord Xu..."
Unexpectedly, just as Cui Tong’s seventh disciple was about to rise and improvise a poem, Wu Ziting, seated nearby, interjected once more, taking up Cui Tong’s remark. She stood up, offered a graceful bow to both Xu Xing and Cui Tong, and said the words above.
"Master?" the seventh disciple exclaimed in surprise, looking up at Cui Tong, not anticipating this turn of events.
"Since Junior Wu has prepared a poem, then this Uncle Master shall listen," Cui Tong said, his brow furrowing slightly. He waved his hand at his seventh disciple, signaling him to stand down. Then, with a smile, he turned to this Direct Disciple of the Cloud Sword Sect.
The Cloud Sword Sect was one of the Higher Teachings. Even if Wu Ziting displayed a lack of courtesy, as long as it wasn’t a grievous error, a small faction like theirs had to endure it.
Cui Tong sighed, "It seems the marriage alliance with the Cloud Sword Sect will encounter more complications..."
Wu Ziting had been invited to the Heavenly Saint Sect to select a husband. However, at this banquet, his own disciples had performed abysmally, and he himself had been defeated by Xu Xing....
If he were Wu Ziting, he would probably also be captivated by Xu Xing, a young Daoist Lord of such outstanding talent and stunning brilliance... The gap was too vast!
"Do not say immortals have no place to learn; countless have ascended, past and present. Feather Transformation Immortal Techniques are proclaimed boundless; the Human Emperor raises a hand to obscure the heavens with clouds!"
After reciting her poem, Wu Ziting looked at Xu Xing with a smile and said, "Lord Xu possesses a Human King physique. Throughout history, no one with a Human King physique has achieved what Lord Xu has. Thus, the title ’Human Emperor’ would also be fitting for you..."
"The King of Men is the Emperor of Men!"
With light, lotus-like steps, she approached Xu Xing’s table. Picking up the wine jug, she poured a cup for Xu Xing and herself, then respectfully addressed him as "Xu Human Emperor."
"Xu Human Emperor?"
Upon hearing these three words, Xu Xing’s heart skipped a beat. He quickly shook his head and demurred, "Unworthy, unworthy. Xu Mou is merely a humble Human King physique and would never dare to usurp... the title ’Human Emperor.’"
The "Human Emperor Body" is a taboo of the Chiming Imperial Dynasty.
He could speak of the "Human Emperor Body" privately without necessarily provoking the Chiming Imperial Dynasty. However, if this "Human Emperor" title spread throughout East Huangzhou, they would inevitably come after him.
Innate Immortal Qi!
Golden Crow Immortal Body...!
Although his "Human Emperor Body" was still incomplete at this time, he harbored numerous secrets. These secrets could not withstand an investigation by the Chiming Imperial Dynasty.
Seeing Xu Xing’s displeasure with the title, Cui Tong shook his head and interjected to help, "Yes, Junior Wu, your poem is too bold... If this poem spreads, it will surely create more enemies for Lord Xu."
"The Human King physiques from the various sects alone would be enough to cause Lord Xu considerable trouble."
While helping Xu Xing gain fame was one thing, Cui Tong certainly didn’t want Xu Xing to attract excessive outside attention, lest the secrets of the Tiger Country Secret Realm be exposed.
"In my opinion, let’s just call Lord Xu ’Xu Human King.’ There’s no need to call him ’Human Emperor’..."
"Human King, the King among men!" Cui Tong added.
Hearing this, Wu Ziting belatedly realized the trouble her poem could cause Xu Xing. She quickly apologized to him several times and concurred with Cui Tong’s suggestion.
A hint of apology in her eyes, Wu Ziting bowed to Xu Xing and said remorsefully, "Concubine was short-sighted..."
"I almost caused grave trouble for Lord Xu. It was Concubine’s mistake..."
Xu Xing secretly sighed in relief and said with a smile, "It’s just a slip of the tongue."
"Xu Mou doesn’t mind... Fairy Wu needn’t be concerned."
