The Sims: I Open the Immortal Path for All Beings

Chapter 1998: Chapter 1944–1945: God-Devil Taoist Monarch—My Annotations on the Six Classics

“Has Zhu Jiuyin already ascended to Taoist Monarch?” Yu Zhenzi asked softly.

If one were to ask who knows Pang Hong best in this world, it would not be Pei Xuanjing, but rather Yu Zhenzi.

Although Pang Hong is Pei Xuanjing’s disciple, initially, it was Yu Zhenzi who taught Pang Hong, imparting knowledge and resolving his doubts.

Pei Xuanjing, as a master, certainly has the ability to easily discern Pang Hong’s full strength, but he naturally respects his disciple and refrains from probing, finding it rather pointless.

On the contrary, Yu Zhenzi and Pang Hong are both teacher and friend; they often spend time together and besides jointly managing the Shenxiao Sect, they frequently spar, practicing and discussing the cultivation path.

Hence, Yu Zhenzi is very aware of Pang Hong’s true strength. Others might believe Pang Hong saying he is just a small step from the Taoist Monarch level, but Yu Zhenzi knows it to be true; Pang Hong has never exaggerated in cultivation, rather he’s quite humble.

With the evaluation of Quasi-Taoist fighting power emerging, some believe Pang Hong possesses the combat power of a Quasi-Taoist Monarch. Yu Zhenzi thinks this isn’t an exaggeration but is actually the truth.

This is why Pei Xuanjing endorsed Pang Hong’s confrontation with Zhu Jiuyin when Zhu Jiuyin showed signs of Taoist Monarch level combat power during his battle against the Law Enforcement Heavenly Monarch, and Yu Zhenzi agreed because he felt Pang Hong wouldn’t necessarily lose.

However, now witnessing their fight, doubts rose in his heart, knowing that Pang Hong, even without showing all his cards, was displaying almost his full strength.

With such power, Zhu Jiuyin still didn’t show much pressure, even managing the Law Enforcement Heavenly Monarch’s attack effortlessly.

Yu Zhenzi is not lacking in combat experience; he truly has been through countless battles to reach his current position, not solely relying on resources like a decorative figure.

For such strong individuals as him, when truly facing encirclement and fewer against more, the strategy would be to target the opponent’s weak points, then seek victory through breaking them one by one.

If he were in Zhu Jiuyin’s position, his initial action would certainly be to suppress the Law Enforcement Heavenly Monarch first, then focus fully on dealing with Pang Hong, as this would be the most appropriate approach.

Currently, although he appears to exert himself fully, there’s still a deadlock, without opting for a swift suppression of the Law Enforcement Heavenly Monarch, causing Yu Zhenzi to detect a deliberate tone.

In his view, the conduct Zhu Jiuyin displayed wasn’t due to his inability to suppress the Law Enforcement Heavenly Monarch but because he confidently can handle the situation, thus acting this way.

One can only possess such confidence when everything is firmly within one’s grasp; otherwise, when truly in dire circumstances, one should defeat an opponent even at the risk of injury.

Facing Pang Hong, a Quasi-Taoist, with such confidence from the opponent, Yu Zhenzi wonders if the other party has really achieved Taoist Monarch status.

“Zhu Jiuyin already possesses the combat power of a Taoist Monarch,” Pei Xuanjing replied calmly.

He knew Yu Zhenzi was directing the query at him and showed no intention to hide the truth.

Others might be deceived by Zhu Jiuyin, but not Pei Xuanjing; he wasn’t puzzled by Zhu Jiuyin’s deception and confirmed that Zhu Jiuyin possesses Taoist Monarch combat power.

Note, what Pei Xuanjing refers to here is the combat power of a Taoist Monarch, not necessarily indicating the other has become one—completely different matters.

Yu Zhenzi instantly caught the distinction, reflecting confusion: “Without verifying one’s status as Taoist Monarch, can one truly possess its combat power?”

At the Supreme Strong level, a ruler might challenge some newly ascending True Immortal Strong and even manage victory.

However, True Immortal Sixth Layer Heaven and Taoist Monarch cannot be considered on par; there’s an insurmountable chasm never crossed by any True Immortal Sixth Layer Strong to defeat a Taoist Monarch.

This implies True Immortal Sixth Layer Strong, even if they approach the Taoist Monarch threshold, can only temporarily contend with them without being true opponents, even the weakest newly ascended Taoist Monarch.

This is common knowledge among all Heavenly Sea realm’s strong individuals; hearing Pei Xuanjing declare Zhu Jiuyin’s Taoist Monarch combat power, Yu Zhenzi cannot understand how it was achieved.

For a True Immortal, not undergoing the Taoist Monarch tribulation, being able to briefly contest a Taoist Monarch and suppress peers within the True Immortal Sixth Layer is enough to be deemed a Quasi-Taoist Monarch; can one truly break the shackles and rise further?

“Without undergoing the Taoist Monarch tribulation, how is it possible to wield its combat power?” Wan Fayi asked curiously as well.

He may not understand much of Taoist Monarchs but knows those at the True Immortal Sixth Layer limit can’t truly ascend due to the tribulation’s severity.

If one could possess the combat power of a Taoist Monarch before ascending, wouldn’t subsequent tribulation be much easier?

“What is a Taoist Monarch? So-called Taoist Monarch, is the ruler of the Tao. This is the realm of Taoist Monarchs; for them, able to command the Great Tao’s power and suppress opponents signifies Taoist Monarch combat power. Realm and combat power are never the same, but often people overlook these differences,” Pei Xuanjing explained with a smile.