Chapter 246: Visiting a Heavenly Monarch

Great Cultivator Sanfu looked at you.

A tremendous storm of shock surged through him.

He had indeed been somewhat curious about your identity, but no matter how curious he was, he had never connected you—a perfectly well-behaved, ordinary Late Nascent Soul Great Cultivator of the Heavenly Talisman Sect who had never stepped out of line—with True Monarch Golden Face.

They were two complete extremes.

Who was True Monarch Golden Face? He was an existence that made every Late Nascent Soul Great Cultivator across the entire Central Continent Territory, and even the whole Human Realm, tremble in fear.

In the hundred thousand years since the dawn of the Near-Ancient Era, there had never been a Nascent Soul Stage true lord with such terrifying deterrence.

Deity Transformation Heavenly Monarchs were undoubtedly invincible, but unless a major crisis threatened the Human Realm, they did not strike casually.

But True Monarch Golden Face? As a Nascent Soul Stage true lord, he had no such burdens; he struck whenever he pleased.

Compared to Deity Transformation Stage Heavenly Monarchs, the Late Stage Great Cultivators of the Human Realm actually feared True Monarch Golden Face far more.

Great Cultivator Sanfu had pondered and speculated over True Monarch Golden Face's identity before, but he had never found a single clue. To date, aside from Heavenly Sword Peak, True Monarch Golden Face had robbed almost every top-tier faction in the Central Continent Territory.

Following the battle at the Xuande Grotto-Heaven, a total of six or seven peak Great Cultivators had suddenly passed away in meditation over the subsequent decades.

It could be said that all of these peak Great Cultivators had died indirectly because of True Monarch Golden Face.

Furthermore, True Monarch Golden Face couldn't possibly be from Heavenly Sword Peak; a sword cultivator's traits in combat were far too obvious and easily recognizable.

Yet now? From Great Cultivator Sanfu's perspective, Elder Qingyuan—who spent considerable time with him on a daily basis and was known for his amiable nature—was actually claiming to be the very same True Monarch Golden Face who dominated the Central Continent Territory?

Great Cultivator Sanfu opened his mouth, his thoughts a tangled mess, wanting to tell you to stop joking.

But when it involved True Monarch Golden Face? Who would dare make jokes about him? Or impersonate him?

The higher one's cultivation level, the less they dared to do such a thing. You were also a Late Stage Great Cultivator and understood the severe consequences; under the influence of karma and fate, impersonating True Monarch Golden Face might very well be sensed by the man himself.

True Monarch Golden Face was also a Tier 4 Divination Grandmaster. The Four Great Chambers of Commerce even suspected his divination skills had reached at least Rank 4 Middle Grade.

"What? Just because I'm True Monarch Golden Face, you don't recognize me anymore?"

You looked at Great Cultivator Sanfu with a smile. As you spoke, your original azure robes transformed into a deep, mysterious black, completely identical to the dark robes True Monarch Golden Face wore when he revealed himself.

Sitting before Great Cultivator Sanfu at this moment, you looked virtually indistinguishable from True Monarch Golden Face, save for the absence of the Black Gold Mask.

"No... I just feel... it's simply too unexpected..."

After overcoming his initial disbelief and astonishment, Great Cultivator Sanfu only felt his blood boil and his head buzz.

If True Monarch Golden Face—the man who kept the entire Central Continent Territory shaking—was actually Elder Qingyuan, didn't that mean the Heavenly Talisman Sect's influence in this generation was no weaker than that of the Two Bodies and Three Laws?

The fifteen top-tier factions of the Central Continent—One Peak, Two Bodies, Three Laws, Four Chambers, and Five Side Sects—were seemingly equal on the surface, but in reality, a clear hierarchy existed among them.

The strongest was naturally One Peak. Inheriting the legacy of the highest mountain from the Ancient Era, they had a Heavenly Monarch watching over them in almost every generation.

Next came the Two Bodies and Three Laws, followed by the Four Great Chambers of Commerce, and finally the Five Side Sects at the bottom.

Why were the Five Side Sects ranked last? Because while they excelled in technical skills, their combat prowess was inevitably lacking. You couldn't exactly expect an old alchemist who had immersed himself in the Dao of Alchemy for centuries to fight against a peak dharma cultivator or a peak body cultivator, could you?

So-called alchemy cultivators and talisman cultivators certainly had their unique strengths, but overall, they were still inferior to the cultivation paths that truly specialized in combat.

And a faction's true status was determined by the strength of its highest-end combatants.

The Two Bodies and Three Laws couldn't produce a Heavenly Monarch in every generation, so why were they able to stand above the Four Chambers and Five Side Sects?

It was because those five factions could practically always guarantee having peak Great Cultivator-level combat power holding down the fort.

The more peak Great Cultivators a top-tier faction possessed, the greater its external influence, and the more confidence its disciples had when traveling the world.

Several centuries ago, the Heavenly Talisman Sect had entered a low point. They only had Red Talisman Grand Cultivator and you as their two Late Nascent Soul Stage experts, and you had even joined halfway through.

During that period, the disciples of the Heavenly Talisman Sect had acted much more low-key in the outside world.

But now, with True Monarch Golden Face—arguably the strongest existence below the Heavenly Monarchs—hailing from the Heavenly Talisman Sect, one could only imagine how terrifying the sect's influence would become.

Even if you were to pass away in meditation tomorrow, your combat power had already broken the records of the Human Realm's Near-Ancient Era. Your name would undoubtedly be passed down through the ages in the Human Realm.

Thousands or even tens of thousands of years from now, when future cultivators looked up to the legend of True Monarch Golden Face, they would also think of the Heavenly Talisman Sect.

"Elder Qingyuan, you want to visit the Extreme Dao Pavilion's Heavenly Monarch... why?"

Great Cultivator Sanfu steadied himself, calming his boiling thoughts, and asked out of curiosity.

"Heavenly Monarch Shuiyue is about to pass away in meditation. If I want to break through to Deity Transformation, I need to ensure I am not hindered by the current Heavenly Monarchs. That is why I plan to visit a Heavenly Monarch..."

You replied, simultaneously wanting to see Great Cultivator Sanfu's thoughts on the matter.

Although you were the most senior Great Cultivator in the Heavenly Talisman Sect, you were ultimately not of its direct lineage. The Heavenly Talisman Sect wouldn't share many of its most core secrets with you.

"Break through to Deity Transformation? Heavenly Monarch Shuiyue is passing away..."

Great Cultivator Sanfu took a deep breath. He wasn't surprised about Heavenly Monarch Shuiyue passing away in meditation.

Rather, it was the fact that you planned to wait for Heavenly Monarch Shuiyue to pass away before attempting your breakthrough.

This meant you still had quite a bit of lifespan left. In Great Cultivator Sanfu's mind, you were only a few decades away from passing away yourself.

Immediately after, Great Cultivator Sanfu's heart began to race. With your foundation as a legendary Great Cultivator, your chances of successfully breaking through to Deity Transformation were definitely far higher than those of other peak Great Cultivators. Snippets of information passed down from the Ancient Era mentioned that legendary Great Cultivators possessed extra advantages when attempting Deity Transformation.

And once you became a Deity Transformation Heavenly Monarch, the Heavenly Talisman Sect would likewise benefit from it.

"Indeed, our Heavenly Talisman Sect has ancestral teachings stating that the current Heavenly Monarchs do possess methods to interfere with Great Cultivators attempting Deity Transformation..."

Great Cultivator Sanfu pondered for a moment before saying, "At the beginning of the Near-Ancient Era, the patriarch of the Heavenly Talisman Sect made an agreement with the other top-tier factions of the Central Continent. When our direct descendants attempt Deity Transformation, the Heavenly Monarchs of the other top factions are forbidden from suppressing them..."

Your heart stirred slightly upon hearing this.

This certainly explained why the Four Chambers and Five Side Sects could still produce Heavenly Monarchs, even with the premise that existing Heavenly Monarchs could suppress other Great Cultivators' breakthroughs.

Having existed until today, the fifteen top-tier factions of the Central Continent must have established a certain degree of consensus among themselves.

You let out a sigh.

Although you were an elder of the Heavenly Talisman Sect, you were not of its direct lineage. You weren't even a talisman cultivator, so you did not fall under the scope of this exemption.

"Elder Qingyuan, wait a moment."

Great Cultivator Sanfu had made a decision. He immediately stood up and left the cave dwelling.

When he returned, he brought out a white Token.

Countless complex patterns were carved into the Token, and the character for 'Talisman' was engraved on its front.

It emanated a bizarre aura that made even your gaze turn solemn.

"This Token comes from a Heavenly Monarch patriarch of our Heavenly Talisman Sect from eight thousand years ago. That patriarch had a past connection with the Extreme Dao Pavilion. Elder Qingyuan, if you go to the Extreme Dao Pavilion and present this Token, it might be of some use..."

Great Cultivator Sanfu said.

"Thank you."

You said earnestly.

"This Token may not necessarily work. After all, so much time has passed. No one can guarantee whether that Heavenly Monarch of the Extreme Dao Pavilion will still honor it or not."

Great Cultivator Sanfu spoke truthfully. It would be understandable if the current Heavenly Monarch honored a friendship from thousands of years ago, and equally understandable if he didn't.

Great Cultivator Sanfu genuinely hoped you could step into the Deity Transformation Stage. After all, your relationship with the sect was established. Even if you didn't reside permanently in the Heavenly Talisman Sect after becoming a Heavenly Monarch, you could still boost the sect's confidence immensely.

"Mhm."

You gave a slight nod.

With this Token in hand, you wouldn't be going empty-handed.

You continued chatting with Great Cultivator Sanfu for a short while before getting up, leaving the Heavenly Talisman Sect, and heading toward the Extreme Dao Pavilion.

Since you intended to make your identity public this time, it was natural to let Great Cultivator Sanfu know right away.

Whoosh.

Soon enough, you arrived before the mountain gates of the Extreme Dao Pavilion.

As one of the Human Realm's Two Bodies, and a top-tier faction overseen by a Heavenly Monarch, the scenery both inside and outside the Extreme Dao Pavilion's mountain gates was magnificent, interlaced with the aura of a Rank 5 grand array.

You stood with your hands behind your back, clad in black robes, your aura deep and mysterious. Although you weren't wearing the Black Gold Mask, the casual aura you exuded was enough to warp the surrounding space.

The Great Cultivators of the Extreme Dao Pavilion noticed your presence immediately.

Inside the Extreme Dao Pavilion, five towering figures with qi and blood as vast as the ocean stood side by side, observing you from afar through the mountain gate's Rank 5 grand array.

"Is he... True Monarch Golden Face? He's not wearing a mask. Is he True Monarch Qingyuan from the Heavenly Talisman Sect?"

The leading body cultivation Great Cultivator, titled Mangyan, spoke with an incredulous tone. "True Monarch Golden Face is True Monarch Qingyuan?"

Over the past several centuries, True Monarch Golden Face had taken action a few times, shaking the Human Realm. Countless Great Cultivators had secretly speculated about his true identity.

The body cultivation Great Cultivators of the Extreme Dao Pavilion were naturally no exception, yet very few had ever thought that True Monarch Golden Face came from the Five Side Sects.

The Great Cultivators of the Five Side Sects had mastered at least one technical skill at the Grandmaster Rank. Consequently, they spent less time cultivating their combat power, making the chances of them producing a peak Great Cultivator extremely low—let alone an unprecedented legendary Great Cultivator like True Monarch Golden Face.

"True Monarch Golden Face has revealed his identity. What does he mean by coming to our Extreme Dao Pavilion?"

One body cultivation Great Cultivator felt somewhat uneasy, even with a Rank 5 grand array protecting them and a Heavenly Monarch patriarch holding down the fort in the Extreme Dao Pavilion.

Unless the disciples of the Extreme Dao Pavilion never went outside again, if True Monarch Golden Face were to blockade their gates, even a peak body cultivation Great Cultivator wouldn't dare take half a step outside before True Monarch Golden Face passed away in meditation.

As for seeking help from their Heavenly Monarch patriarch? Putting aside whether the patriarch would actually take action, simply knowing that the grand and dignified Extreme Dao Pavilion had been reduced to having its gates blockaded by an outside true lord would make him furious. The prestige the Extreme Dao Pavilion had accumulated over a hundred thousand years would likely become a laughingstock.

"Let's wait and see. Even if True Monarch Golden Face wants to establish his dominance, he shouldn't pick our Extreme Dao Pavilion... The Sacred Body Sect has no Heavenly Monarch watching over them; they are much easier to deal with than we are..."

Another body cultivation Great Cultivator whispered. As strong as True Monarch Golden Face was, blockading the Extreme Dao Pavilion's gates carried risks. The Sacred Body Sect was a different story; without a Heavenly Monarch, he could blockade them for as long as he pleased.

"Right. Whatever our Extreme Dao Pavilion has, the Sacred Body Sect also has."

The third body cultivation Great Cultivator nodded, feeling slightly relieved.

So far, the Extreme Dao Pavilion had never specifically targeted True Monarch Golden Face. During the battle at the Xuande Grotto-Heaven, the Extreme Dao Pavilion wasn't the only faction whose peak Great Cultivators had attacked him. Moreover, the peak Great Cultivator from the Extreme Dao Pavilion who made a move had passed away in meditation shortly after returning.

Outside the Extreme Dao Pavilion, you stood with your hands behind your back, sensing the prying eyes and observation coming from all directions.

As one of the Human Realm's Two Bodies, the Extreme Dao Pavilion was constantly monitored by various factions. Your sudden appearance before its gates, displaying the traits of True Monarch Golden Face, would only draw even more attention.

"I am Qingyuan. I seek an audience with Heavenly Monarch Qingcang."

You stared at the Extreme Dao Pavilion and spoke. Every word you uttered rode upon boundless ripples of dharma power, echoing deep into the pavilion.

The Heavenly Monarch of the Extreme Dao Pavilion was named Heavenly Monarch Qingcang, a Rank 5 Heavenly Monarch of the body cultivation lineage.

Meanwhile, throughout the Central Continent.

Almost everyone in the circle of Late Stage Great Cultivators was focusing on the gates of the Extreme Dao Pavilion.

"True Monarch Golden Face is actually True Monarch Qingyuan of the Heavenly Talisman Sect?"

"I heard that True Monarch Qingyuan only joined the Heavenly Talisman Sect a few centuries ago. He was already a Great Cultivator when he joined."

"Why is the Heavenly Talisman Sect's luck so good?"

One Late Nascent Soul Stage Great Cultivator after another conversed. Alongside their shock, they also revealed expressions of envy.

"The Heavenly Talisman Sect... is going to prosper. I just don't know how much longer True Monarch Golden Face can live..."

Numerous Late Nascent Soul Stage Great Cultivators sighed deeply, while their hearts also grew lighter.

In the past, when they didn't know True Monarch Golden Face's identity, they walked on eggshells in whatever they did. Exploring grotto-heavens and blessed lands? Traveling the world? They had to be extremely cautious.

Now that they knew True Monarch Golden Face was Great Cultivator Qingyuan of the Heavenly Talisman Sect, things were much simpler. As long as they didn't offend the Heavenly Talisman Sect, they shouldn't inexplicably anger True Monarch Golden Face.

Hexu Sect, one of the Human Realm's Three Laws.

"So True Monarch Golden Face is the Heavenly Talisman Sect's True Monarch Qingyuan..."

Several Great Cultivators of the Hexu Sect sighed with emotion. Before today, who could have imagined that a figure like True Monarch Golden Face would hail from the Five Side Sects, which were not adept at combat?

Although the Hexu Sect had a peak Great Cultivator who had died indirectly at the hands of True Monarch Golden Face, and the Tianzhu Grotto-Heaven had been pillaged by him as well...

...the Hexu Sect had no thoughts of seeking revenge. Even if they wanted to, they couldn't. Given the strength True Monarch Golden Face had displayed, no matter how much courage the Hexu Sect had, they wouldn't dare entertain such notions.

Besides, the Hexu Sect wasn't the only top-tier faction with a peak true lord who died indirectly by his hands. Because of that battle at the Xuande Grotto-Heaven, practically every sect in the Human Realm's Two Bodies and Three Laws had seen a peak Great Cultivator severely injured or killed.

Since everyone had lost a peak Great Cultivator, the Hexu Sect actually felt a little better about it.

"However, True Monarch Golden Face went to the Extreme Dao Pavilion to visit Heavenly Monarch Qingcang... What is his goal?"

Even though True Monarch Golden Face's strength was virtually invincible in the Nascent Soul Stage, rashly seeking an audience with a Heavenly Monarch certainly carried some risk.

A supreme elder of the Hexu Sect looked thoughtful as a sudden realization flashed through his mind. "Could it be..."

The other Great Cultivators also realized something and exchanged glances.

With True Monarch Golden Face's level of strength, breaking through to Deity Transformation was likely the only thing in the entire Human Realm that could make him risk taking such a gamble.

Breaking through to Deity Transformation? Heavenly Monarch Shuiyue passing away?

As numerous pieces of information flooded their minds, the Great Cultivators of the Hexu Sect faintly recognized your true objective.

Factions dominating the other four great territories might not fully understand that Deity Transformation Stage Heavenly Monarchs could interfere with and suppress other Great Cultivators attempting their breakthroughs.

But the highest-ranking direct lineages of the fifteen top-tier factions knew this perfectly well.

Xuantian Sect, one of the Human Realm's Three Laws.

"Our sect's Heavenly Monarch is about to pass away in meditation. True Monarch Golden Face wants to break through to Deity Transformation, and to play it safe, he has gone to visit Heavenly Monarch Qingcang of the Extreme Dao Pavilion..."

The Great Cultivators of the Xuantian Sect bore complex expressions, having drawn the same conclusion about True Monarch Golden Face's intentions.

"With True Monarch Golden Face's strength and his foundation as a legendary Great Cultivator, if Heavenly Monarch Qingcang is willing to shelter him, the probability of him becoming a Heavenly Monarch is extremely high..."

"And through this transaction, the Extreme Dao Pavilion will likely gain the support of True Monarch Golden Face for the next one or two millennia once he steps into the Heavenly Monarch echelon..."

A supreme elder of the Xuantian Sect thought of the subsequent ramifications almost instantly.

As long as True Monarch Golden Face agreed to all the conditions proposed by Heavenly Monarch Qingcang, obtaining his protection was a certainty.

As long as Heavenly Monarch Qingcang wasn't a fool, he would never refuse a deal with True Monarch Golden Face.

The supreme elder of the Xuantian Sect felt utterly crestfallen. This impending transaction between True Monarch Golden Face and Heavenly Monarch Qingcang was built entirely on the premise that the Xuantian Sect's Heavenly Monarch Shuiyue was passing away in meditation.

While True Monarch Golden Face and the Extreme Dao Pavilion welcomed an era of prosperity, the Xuantian Sect was descending into a slump. Who knew if they would have to wait several millennia before their next Heavenly Monarch was born.

Inside the Extreme Dao Pavilion.

Hearing your words, the body cultivation Great Cultivators were also momentarily stunned.

True Monarch Golden Face wanted to visit their Heavenly Monarch Qingcang?

"I will go report to the Heavenly Monarch right now. Go outside and welcome True Monarch Golden Face."

Great Cultivator Mangyan hesitated for only a split second before giving the order, quickly striding toward the depths of the Extreme Dao Pavilion.

If any other true lord—even a peak Great Cultivator—wanted an audience with their Heavenly Monarch, Great Cultivator Mangyan would usually reject them outright.

Given the lofty status of a Heavenly Monarch, how could anyone just visit them on a whim? Across the vast expanse of the Human Realm, heaven knew how many true lords wished to visit a Heavenly Monarch to seek their guidance. If he met with every single one of them, Heavenly Monarch Qingcang wouldn't have any time left to cultivate or sleep.

But True Monarch Golden Face was different. He was the first legendary Great Cultivator since the dawn of the Near-Ancient Era, and even among legendary Great Cultivators, his strength was downright unfathomable.

Since you wanted an audience, Great Cultivator Mangyan naturally had to inform his patriarch.

Furthermore, Great Cultivator Mangyan had vaguely guessed the purpose of True Monarch Golden Face's visit. This was a matter that concerned the very future of the Extreme Dao Pavilion.