Chapter 481: Chapter 469: Martial Immortal!
Xie Xiaoxian did not like the Black Stone Valve Master, which was a matter of personal perspective, but she still aimed at convincing these people through benefits.
Otherwise, merely relying on morality, the future of civilization, and the future of all beings, things that can greatly realize personal value, it would be difficult to sway these Half-Step Immortal Creatures who hardly desire anything.
Only cultivation, only benefits; these are what matter to them the most.
At this moment, Xie Xiaoxian suddenly recalled a saying, a principle taught by her master in the past for conducting oneself and doing things: Use the law to restrain others, use virtue to bind oneself, do not judge people or affairs based on likes or dislikes.
To live like the Black Stone Valve Master, one may gain much, but also lose quite a bit, no?
At the very least, Xie Xiaoxian felt that she was living with more vitality, hope, and value compared to him.
Being too indifferent, perhaps one day, one won’t even be able to warm oneself.
...
"What is the bottom line for our concessions, can it be determined?"
"In the future, should similar situations arise, will we need to retreat again?"
"How should the benefits of sacrificing the lower for the upper be allocated?"
"How can this reform be universally supported? The Immortal Martial Mountain has gained the people’s hearts significantly, should there be some compensation?"
"Is there an outline for the detailed reform rules?"
"What will the new pattern after reform be, how should the world be allocated, the distribution of power needs to be clarified."
"How should the benefits brought by the new pattern be determined, who gets how much?"
...
One question after another was raised, and the Thunder Celestial Venerable calmly consulted with everyone.
As the crowd voted on whether reform was needed, more than twenty valid votes were cast, with fifteen in agreement, three against, and the others neutral.
The reform concerning the future of Earth Civilization was decided amidst discussions among the dozens of Half-Step Immortal participants.
As for the Immortals, such matters might have already been tacitly acknowledged by them; it was neither a major nor a minor issue.
The life and death of civilization, the establishment of their own disciples and descendants, and the path of cultivation—these three concerns were the focus of the Immortals.
As for matters beyond the major direction, such as an earthquake killing hundreds of millions of people or a tsunami submerging millions of square kilometers of land, no one would report to them, and they didn’t ponder, think, worry, or consider.
Seeing it, they might casually show kindness when moved to do so, but living for the sake of all beings was merely a mortal’s wishful thinking.
In this world, how many Little Nun Mingxins are there?
The fate of all beings is their own, while Immortals are free from cause and effect, free from attachments, simply resolving internal matters of civilization.
In the long river of time spanning millions of years, the joys and sorrows of countless creatures, encompassing birth, aging, illness, and death, are just a part of life’s cycle.
From a high vantage point, seeing through everything, ultimately detaching from emotions, this is the journey for long-lived Immortals.
Seeing too much, too clearly, becoming tired of seeing, eventually leads to an inability to see anymore.
There is only what they wish to see, love to see, desire to see, and what they adhere to.
In their eyes, they are detached from various things, transcending the world, untouched by dust; not only can they not see things the size of sesame seeds, but also because they have no responsibility or obligation to manage mortal’s birth, aging, illness, death, wealth, or poverty.
Perhaps mortals resent their inability to perceive various injustices, but like gods, Buddhas, Immortals, and Saints, without cause, why should they watch these disheartening things?
If one day the world becomes peaceful and there are no worries about alien races, perhaps they would forsake all of Earth Civilization, retreat into the starry sky, and explore myriad worlds.
Let those mortals never again think of their name, never see their sacred vestiges.
All achievements and fame, left amidst brilliance, left before grievances arise.
Just like Huo Qubing died in a glorious age, rather than Han Xin’s humiliating downfall after his glory, defeated by human sentiment, not military strategy.
...
The consensus on today’s hosted topic was reached, the Holy Lands compromised and made concessions, for the sake of internal balance within Earth Civilization.
Yet in the heart of the Thunder Celestial Venerable, there remained a vague sense of worry.
She wasn’t worried about the present, but the future.
With the current awakening of popular intelligence, the people are increasingly difficult to govern, and once the future world becomes peaceful, it will be a crossroads for the fate of billions of people.
Some supreme beings are willing to lead all beings, make efforts for the people’s survival and reproduction.
But some supreme beings prioritize cultivation and interests, treating the populace with disdain; if a day truly comes when there is no need for compromise, will it be the rise of slaughter or the return of an era of enslavement?
No matter how many living beings there are, they will all turn into numbers, become measures of interest for such supreme life forms.
Just like the Western nations in the era of states, the bottom-tier people live because humans themselves are assets and can create wealth.
If not, while consuming a multitude of social resources, many might be prompted to say: Please die.
Such is human nature, but if there is nothing that transcends nature, mediocrity, where does hope come from?
One must have hope.
Just hope that those weak can give themselves more value, more capability, more bargaining chips, otherwise, they will ultimately escape the fate of being sliced as fish and meat on the chopping board.
Xie Xiaoxian sighed inwardly.
Longing for others’ help, for morality, for law, for Immortals, for luck, to aid oneself through difficult times.
These are all illusions; supporting the weak requires giving tangible benefits, helping for long wears good men out, tires Immortals, alters laws, and shifts morality.
Believing in these is not as reliable as believing in oneself; beneath the guise of civilization, there remains the bloody primordial law.
Being born weak, suffering and sadness always go hand in hand, unable to master one’s life, unable to master one’s destiny, not even able to master one’s actions, words, and views.
Living this life, like a goldfish in a tank.
Enough.
Xie Xiaoxian no longer wished to think; their fate needs to be struggled for and changed by themselves, what good is worrying any longer?
In the conference within the spatial folds, none of the True Immortals present realized, except for the Half-Step Immortal Creatures and the Immortal Hong Xuanji.
On the White Jade Square, Hongze had already defeated four young challengers, with the results being three victories and one draw.
The draw occurred because the opponent was at the Cultivation Level of late Divinity Transformation, with their primary cultivation technique and magical treasures being quite good; Hongze could slightly surpass them in a short time but could not defeat them.
Although it was a draw, Wang Xuan was very generous, casually handing out three Golden Body Pills.
Soon after, a few young individuals eagerly took to the field, clearly understanding Hongze’s strength; despite being at the Mid-Sky Control Stage, even ordinary True Inheritors from mountain gates, even at the Peak of Divinity Transformation, would find it difficult to quickly defeat him.
However, they didn’t need to defeat Hongze; as long as Hongze gained experience and maintained a draw, it was a win-win situation.
Ultimately, Hongze achieved seven victories, two draws, and one defeat, concluding this round of arena battles.
Despite suffering one defeat, no one underestimated him; instead, he was highly admired, for the one who defeated him was the Young God of the Ancient Divine Teachings, at Half-Step Divinity Transformation.
Their combat was intense, and after much time, the victory was finally determined; considering Hongze’s young age and weaker cultivation level, losing was not unexpected.
"Don’t lose heart."
Wang Xuan patted Hongze’s shoulder and said, "In the first twenty-four years, I languished at the First Realm of Body Refining, defeated many times.
But as long as each realm is solidified beyond the previous one, continuously surpasses oneself, one day you can stand above all at the Same Realm.
In six months, you can surpass the Young God, and then you can defeat him."
"Disciple understands." Hongze felt only slight disappointment and was not disheartened.
In a battle with the same Cultivation Level, he was confident he could slightly outmatch the Young God.
Challenges on the White Jade Square continued unabated; Wang Xuan took the time to exchange some Divine Beast bloodline essence with others, this was for the evolution of Chong the Thirty-Sixth.
Time swiftly approached dusk; glancing at the hour, everyone knew it was time for the main event to begin.
Today was the grand wedding of the Immortal Martial Taoist; the important procedures were awaited.
Wang Xuan glanced at Hong Xuanji.
Hong Xuanji looked at the sky.
In an instant, the sky suddenly darkened.
In the next instant, the sky burst with a brilliance unknown to be a thousand times brighter than before.
Under the dazzling light, a figure descended.
Hong Xuanji straightened his clothes, stood up, and bowed with a voice echoing loudly.
"Greetings to my Master."
Those present were stunned for merely a breath before reacting.
Many True Immortals, as well as Half-Step Immortals emerging from the void, all bowed deeply.
In unison, they said, "Greetings to the Martial Immortal! (Teacher Ancestor)"
