Chapter 257: The Sword Classic

[The Deity Transformation Stage was divided into the Early, Mid, and Late Stages.]

[The gap between each minor realm was massive. A Heavenly Monarch at the Deity Transformation Early Stage fundamentally could not rival a Mid Stage Heavenly Monarch.]

[Given the Human Realm's worldly environment during this near-ancient era, not a single Mid Stage Heavenly Monarch had appeared in the last 100,000 years.]

[During the ancient era, when the Human Realm's planar status remained intact and natural resources were abundant, there was at least a faint hope of producing a formidable Mid or even Late Stage Heavenly Monarch.]

[Why were the Sword Cultivator Heavenly Monarchs of Heavenly Sword Peak hailed as the strongest combatants in the Human Realm, unrivaled by any other Heavenly Monarch?]

[It was because they relied on the profound foundation left behind by the Sword Lord, coupled with the lethal offensive power unique to Sword Cultivators. Even in their normal state, they could unleash combat strength on par with the Mid Stage.]

[Therefore, throughout the past 100,000 years, regardless of how the other fourteen top-tier factions rose and fell, or whether they managed to produce Heavenly Monarchs...]

[...Heavenly Sword Peak's status had never once wavered. This was not merely due to the protective prestige of the Sword Lord's name, but to their absolute, undeniable strength and foundation.]

[You felt a surge of joy. The foundational advantages you had accumulated over your previous simulations completely erupted the moment you broke through to the Deity Transformation Stage.]

['With my current strength, if I encounter Heavenly Monarch Qingcang again, I have a great chance of heavily injuring or even killing him,']

[you thought.]

[Of course, the prerequisite was that Heavenly Monarch Qingcang didn't run away or hide behind his lair's Rank 5 grand array.] [Furthermore, killing him would require you to suffer the backlash of the Human Realm's worldly laws, potentially leaving you heavily injured or even costing you your lifespan.]

['Heavenly Monarch Qingcang is nothing to fear,']

[you thought, glancing in the direction of the Extreme Dao Pavilion. Now, that body cultivation Heavenly Monarch only dared to hide in his lair. The Extreme Dao Pavilion would only decline in the future.]

[Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword's punishment—forbidding them from producing another Heavenly Monarch for the next 10,000 years—was no joke. Future Sword Cultivator Heavenly Monarchs would follow this decree and keep a close eye on the Extreme Dao Pavilion.]

...

['During this Five Elements Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, I bathed my physical body in the Five Elements Heavenly Thunder to stimulate my physique's potential, yet I didn't awaken any new body cultivation divine abilities...']

[You carefully sensed the minute changes in your physical body.]

[After undergoing the tempering of the lightning tribulation, your physique had improved significantly. Your qi and blood intertwined and boiled.]

[There were faint signs of condensing golden seal characters, but it was ultimately still lacking a little.]

['Makes sense.']

[You were not surprised.]

[A dharma cultivator's Five Elements Thunder Tribulation was more than a level weaker than a body cultivator's Five Elements Thunder Tribulation.] [However, a dharma cultivator's Annihilation Tribulation was far more difficult than a body cultivator's, making their Five Elements Thunder Tribulation relatively simpler.]

[This was the difference between the two cultivation systems.]

[Naturally, the relatively weaker dharma cultivator's Five Elements Thunder Tribulation couldn't temper the body as thoroughly as a body cultivator's version.]

[However, it wasn't without its gains. The physical tempering you experienced during the dharma cultivator's Five Elements Heavenly Thunder Tribulation would accumulate.]

[By the time you faced the body cultivator's Five Elements Heavenly Thunder Tribulation in the future, it would be equivalent to stacking two heavenly thunder tribulations. The body cultivation divine ability awakened would definitely be far stronger than that of a Heavenly Monarch who only underwent a single body cultivator's Five Elements Heavenly Thunder Tribulation.]

[Body cultivation divine abilities also varied in strength. The major ones you had awakened so far couldn't be considered the absolute strongest, but they were exceptionally suitable for you.]

['A Fifth-Tier Body Refining Heavenly Monarch...']

[You planned to wait a while until your Deity Transformation Stage cultivation base completely stabilized before attempting to break through to Rank 5 Body Refining.]

[Since Rank 5 Body Refining was still you, stepping into the Heavenly Monarch level through this path didn't require an extra Heavenly Monarch quota. You could simply break through directly.]

[With your current Body Refining attainments, surviving the heavenly tribulation of a Fifth-Tier Body Refining Heavenly Monarch wouldn't be too difficult. There was even a chance to bait out another Outer Domain Heavenly Demon.]

...

Outside the simulation, a smile appeared on Zhou Qing's face. "I've finally reached Deity Transformation..."

He felt thoroughly delighted.

From an ordinary low-grade spiritual root cultivator in Wushan Market to a Deity Transformation Stage Heavenly Monarch overlooking the vast Human Realm, Zhou Qing had spent a full six simulations and two to three thousand years.

These two to three thousand years weren't merely a simple accumulation of time, but the repeated utilization of precious resources. For instance, in the Ghost Realm Trial Field, he had gone through the reward selection following the aptitude test multiple times alone.

Whether it was the Deity Transformation Stage or his numerous skill levels, neither could be achieved solely through the accumulation of time.

Some rare opportunities and resources could only be experienced once, even by a Heavenly Monarch.

A moment later, the surging emotions in Zhou Qing's heart gradually calmed down.

Although he had stepped into the Deity Transformation Stage and reached the pinnacle of the Human Realm, there were still many things he needed to do.

The most important, naturally, was cultivation. The Deity Transformation Early Stage wasn't the end; above it lay the Mid Stage, the Late Stage, and even the legendary Void Return Stage.

However, given the current cultivation environment of the Human Realm, reaching the Deity Transformation Middle Stage was incredibly difficult.

"The Upper Realm..."

Zhou Qing thought of the Spirit Realm above the Human Realm, a super-massive world far surpassing the Human Realm. Not only did it hold numerous immortal legacies passed down for countless eons, but it also held traces of true spirit immortal beasts. Having spent hundreds of years in the Mountain of Books at Heavenly Sword Peak browsing countless ancient texts, he had a clear understanding of the abundant intelligence and information passed down from the Upper Realm during the ancient era.

"Take it slowly."

Zhou Qing composed himself.

Since the ascension passage was severed, many Deity Transformation Stage Heavenly Monarchs throughout the long eons of the ancient era had attempted to ascend to the Upper Realm through the broken passage, but all had failed.

Even if Zhou Qing also harbored thoughts of ascending to the Upper Realm, he was in no rush.

...

[After going into seclusion for a short while to stabilize your cultivation base, you slowly stood up and walked out of the Origin Cave Dwelling.]

[Across Heavenly Sword Peak, Sword Cultivators hovered in the air. Seeing you emerge, they bowed deeply in unison and shouted, "Greetings, Heavenly Monarch! Congratulations on ascending to the Great Dao!"]

["Greetings, Heavenly Monarch! Congratulations on ascending to the Great Dao!"]

[The numerous Sword Cultivators submitted from the bottom of their hearts. In the face of a Deity Transformation Heavenly Monarch, no matter how immense one's background was, it was useless.]

[In the present Human Realm, a Heavenly Monarch was the greatest background of all.]

["Heavenly Monarch Qingyuan..."]

[The Sword Combat Grand Cultivator felt deeply moved.]

[He remembered that the first time he met you was back in the Xuande Grotto-Heaven. At that time, for the sake of the resources inside, you had gone on a killing spree against the other nearby peak Great Cultivators.]

[Now, in the blink of an eye, you had already stepped into the Deity Transformation Stage and ranked among the Heavenly Monarchs. Meanwhile, he, Sword Combat, was nearing the end of his lifespan, not far from passing away in meditation.]

["Congratulations on taking your seat among the Heavenly Monarchs, fellow Daoist,"]

[Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword said, walking over with a smile to offer his congratulations.]

[For a moment, Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword recalled the time he first entered the Deity Transformation Stage. What a moment of sheer ecstasy and thrill that had been.]

[The Deity Transformation Stage was not just a massive extension of lifespan, but a qualitative leap in vision and status. A Deity Transformation Stage Heavenly Monarch could look down upon the entire Human Realm. Even in the ancient era, they stood high above, looking down on all living beings.]

[It could even be said that Heavenly Monarchs of the ancient era had been much freer. Without the suppression of the world's laws, they could strike whenever they pleased.]

["Fellow Daoist Extreme Sword,"]

[you replied, greeting the Sword Dao Heavenly Monarch.]

[During this simulation, had it not been for the full support of Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword and Heavenly Sword Peak, unexpected variables might have arisen during your attempt to break through to the Deity Transformation Stage.] [Variables distinct from Heavenly Monarch Qingcang.]

[If the Outer Domain Heavenly Demon you encountered while undergoing the Annihilation Tribulation was truly the work of the Demon Abyss Realm interfering...]

[...then the other party definitely did not want you stepping into the Deity Transformation Stage.]

[Had you not been in Heavenly Sword Peak, the absolute safest place in the entire Human Realm, the Demon Abyss Realm's methods might have involved far more than merely luring an Outer Domain Heavenly Demon to disrupt you.]

["There is a matter I wish to ask you about, fellow Daoist Extreme Sword,"]

[you said directly.]

["Please speak, fellow Daoist."]

[With a thought, Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword brought you to Heavenly Sword Peak's sect hall, isolating all prying eyes from the outside. He then looked at you.]

["During my Annihilation Tribulation, was it normal for me to encounter an Outer Domain Heavenly Demon?"]

[you asked, looking at him.]

["What does fellow Daoist mean? Was that Outer Domain Heavenly Demon lured here?"]

[Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword looked thoughtful. When he noticed the Outer Domain Heavenly Demon's interference at the time, he had also found it unbelievable. An Outer Domain Heavenly Demon hadn't been seen in the 100,000 years of the near-ancient era, yet one appeared just as you were undergoing your tribulation?] ["Correct. I suspect it was the work of the Demon Abyss Realm. The Demon Abyss Realm already has a stronghold in the Human Realm now; otherwise, separated by two realms, it would have been impossible to lure an Outer Domain Heavenly Demon over so easily."]

[you replied straightforwardly.]

[Regarding that Outer Domain Heavenly Demon, you had attempted to divine information about it using your divination arts, but you hadn't obtained any useful hexagrams.]

[The true body of that Outer Domain Heavenly Demon was on an exceedingly high level, likely even surpassing the Deity Transformation Stage. Naturally, divining it was difficult.]

[Even if you didn't divine the Outer Domain Heavenly Demon directly, and instead tried to divine who had lured it over, it was still incomparably difficult.]

[Ultimately, your divination arts were only at the Fourth Tier High Grade. Trying to divine fifth-tier information was still slightly beyond your capabilities.]

[Unless you sacrificed a massive amount of lifespan.]

[However, lifespan was precious. You would only consider doing so if you didn't have the slightest clue to work with.]

[Since the Demon Abyss Realm was already your prime suspect, you naturally wouldn't expend your lifespan so recklessly.]

["I believe the Demon Abyss Realm has set its sights on the Heavenly Monarch vacancy left after Heavenly Monarch Shuiyue passed away in meditation. My breakthrough into the Deity Transformation Stage likely disrupted their plans..."]

[you continued.]

[This speculation stemmed from your previous simulation, where the Purple-Eyed True Monarch eventually reached the Deity Transformation Stage, and the power backing him was none other than the Demon Abyss Realm.] [You suspected that in this specific window of time for a breakthrough, if you had delayed even a little, another Great Cultivator might have broken through and successfully reached the Deity Transformation Stage instead.]

["I understand."]

[Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword nodded. "In a while, I will traverse the Human Realm again and personally inspect every spatial rift."]

[Spatial rifts were the only passages for the Demon Abyss Realm to enter the Human Realm. If the Demon Abyss Realm had truly established a stronghold here, there was definitely an issue with one of those rifts. That was the only way they could continuously channel their power over.]

["When you eradicated Great Snow Mountain last time, what did you discover near that spatial rift? Have any demonic creatures already slipped in?"]

[you asked.]

[Now that you had entered the Deity Transformation Stage and stood at the absolute peak of the Human Realm, you naturally needed to consider the threat of the Demon Abyss Realm.]

[If the Demon Abyss Realm were allowed to occupy the Human Realm, your fate as a Heavenly Monarch of this world would not end well.]

[Defect to them early? Even if you wanted to submit, you would have to wait for the Demon Abyss Realm to take the initiative to recruit you, allowing you to name your conditions.]

[Offering your submission voluntarily? That would only increase their contempt—or outright disregard—toward you, making them feel they could control you completely.]

[That was naturally not what you wanted.]

[You didn't have much of an aversion to the Demon Abyss Realm. If they offered enough benefits, you wouldn't mind joining them.] [Your innate talent, 'Natural Enemy of Demonic Cultivators', might even make joining them more suitable for you. At the very least, you would be surrounded by demonic cultivators that you fully suppressed, inherently boosting the effectiveness of your trump cards.]

["Nearby demonic creatures?"]

[Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword shook his head. "I only found that the spatial rift hadn't been completely sealed. That Grand Cultivator Jinlun of Great Snow Mountain would proactively loosen the seal to receive treasures and resources from the other side of the rift."]

["I see."]

[You nodded slightly.]

[During the previous simulation, you only realized there was a problem with Great Snow Mountain after discovering that their True Monarch was suppressed by you, meaning he was either a demonic cultivator or a demonic creature.]

[By then, Great Snow Mountain had likely already been infiltrated by the Demon Abyss Realm and riddled with holes like a sieve.]

[But now? Great Snow Mountain had yet to produce a Heavenly Monarch. Relying solely on the methods of Nascent Soul Stage True Monarchs, even if they could loosen the spatial rift, they couldn't loosen it by much.]

["In the past, when fellow Daoist patrolled the Human Realm, which locations did you usually inspect?"]

[you asked.]

["The Central Continent Territory, the Western Desert Domain, the Northern Plains Domain, the Southern Sea Territory, and the Eastern Wilderness Domain will all be carefully inspected. In addition, I will also venture into the Deep Sea territory."]

[Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword replied.] ["The Deep Sea territory..."]

[Your brow twitched faintly. Your intuition as a Divination Grandmaster made you realize that something was perhaps wrong with the Deep Sea.]

[You closed your eyes and immersed your mind into the omnipresent net of heavenly secrets. The mention of the Deep Sea by Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword had stirred something within you, generating a faint spark of inspiration.]

[You began to sacrifice a small amount of lifespan to divine the true situation in the Deep Sea.]

[You didn't directly divine whether the Deep Sea was controlled by the Demon Abyss Realm. Seeking information that precise would definitely cost a significant chunk of your lifespan.]

[You divined only one question:]

[Has a problem occurred in the Deep Sea?]

[Buzz—]

[After sacrificing two years of your lifespan, you obtained a relatively clear hexagram.]

['There's a problem?']

[You stared at the hexagram, your mind settling in certainty.]

[Being able to lock onto the Deep Sea so effectively was mainly due to the spark of inspiration that had flared in your mind just moments ago. This was likely a trace left behind by the Demon Abyss Realm when they acted to lure over the Outer Domain Heavenly Demon.] [No matter how much the Demon Abyss Realm tried to cover its tracks, they were ultimately separated by two realms. You could still catch faint anomalies and use a deeper divination to confirm your deductions.]

[Perhaps the worldly laws of the Human Realm had also pushed this along?]

[During the deep divination just now, the process had felt incredibly smooth, and the lifespan sacrificed was less than expected.]

["The Deep Sea territory is overseen by the Void Whale Master. When I went to patrol, he did not stop me, and I never found any traces of demonic qi..."]

[Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword added.]

["There is a massive problem with that Void Whale Master. He may have already defected to the Demon Abyss Realm,"]

[you said bluntly.]

["Defected to the Demon Abyss Realm?"]

[Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword wore a grim expression.]

[That Void Whale Master commanded the vast Deep Sea. Logically speaking, he shouldn't want the Demon Abyss Realm to invade either.]

[However, since you were the one who said it, Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword believed it immediately.]

[Heavenly Monarch Extreme Sword held an inexplicable trust in you. This trust was rooted deeply in his very soul and consciousness—an inevitable consequence of cultivating the Sword Classic.] [Heavenly Sword Peak's Sword Classic was passed down from the Sword Lord. Any Sword Cultivator who practiced it would instinctively follow everything written within, which included obeying the predestined person.]