Chapter 165: The Federal Landscape and the World Beyond the Gateway

Chapter 165: The Federal Landscape and the World Beyond the Gateway

"The Seed Selection Competition?"

After obtaining a detailed understanding of the so-called seed quota and its significance from Long Qingyang, the Heavenly Person Grandmaster, Ji Jingqiu pondered for a moment.

From a purely profitable perspective, it would undoubtedly be beneficial to acquire another gateway expansion right. After all, who wouldn't want more of such opportunities?

The only issue was that the Dragon Tiger Dojo couldn't handle it.

Considering the current situation... it seemed like they couldn't manage it? "Grandmaster, what is the current power structure of the Federation?" Ji Jingqiu asked.

He wanted to first understand the Federation's true landscape, not the one discussed by netizens online, but the one seen through the eyes of the true power brokers.

Long Qingyang's gaze deepened, and after a long silence, he spoke, "The Federation's power structure, as of today, is intricate and complex. Even I may not be able to fully comprehend it, so I can only give you a general overview."

Long Qingyang's eyes were profound, and the Federation's situation was indeed intricate, where a single action could have far-reaching consequences. Internal conflicts were intensifying, even among the Six Great Clans. At this moment, the expansion into the Nine Provinces was of utmost importance.

"We were the first to discover the gateway and establish a foothold. Many things are now negotiable, and the pioneers always get the lion's share."

Long Qingyang stood up, his eyes flashing with a strange light as he showed great interest in the gateway left by He Shuai, as mentioned by Ji Jingqiu.

"Reservation?" someone asked, puzzled.

"The Nine Provinces."

"The One Palace refers to the Ten Thousand Warriors Assembly and the Profound Heaven Pure Palace. You probably haven't heard much about them because they are the pillars of the Heavenly Path, and news about them rarely reaches the outside world."

"Elder, someone is coming..."

The group was startled, as if a gust of wind had swept across the grasslands, causing the wild grasses to bow.

The elder spoke sternly, "I'm just giving an example. You must not discuss this topic elsewhere. If it gets out, it will cause trouble for you."

"You mentioned that after attaining the Primordial Body, you gained the ability to copy the Dao Body?"

"This secret is recorded in the autobiography of the first Dao Master. Only the Dao Masters of each generation can access it. You have a special identity and will become the protector of the Dao in the future, so you are qualified to learn about it. Just remember not to spread it outside."

The elder continued, "This path is filled with divine substances, and divine essences can be extracted. That's why the most powerful geniuses choose the Ancient Road as their path to enlightenment, and some even 'reserve' certain crucial resources, preparing to use the Ancient Road to complete their ultimate leap and forge the strongest martial foundation."

Ji Jingqiu's thoughts raced, wondering if Mu Shuai's martial foundation was referring to the Pureland Domain and the awakening of supreme wisdom. "What is Mu Shuai's martial foundation?"

A green-haired woman with bright eyes and teeth suddenly asked, "Jin Lao, is there an Eternal Monument in that place?"

What kind of adjective is that?

...

Having now advanced to the Primordial Body, his cultivation had reached the pinnacle, and even the environment of the Four Guardian Stars offered little assistance.

This step was of great significance, requiring him to seek out and capture the essence of heaven and earth to enrich himself. However, due to the rules of the greater universe, finding spiritual prowess was challenging, and many talented martial artists remained at this stage for five or six years without it being considered a long time.

Ji Jingqiu blinked, feeling a surge of excitement.

"Oh, right..."

"Grandmaster, I've been cultivating my divine abilities recently, but I always feel like something is missing."

In the distant endless darkness, a soft light flickered, like a candle that might extinguish at any moment, yet it faintly illuminated the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Long Qingyang stroked his beard, his gaze deep and mysterious. After whispering a few words, he shared a secret with Ji Jingqiu, "The autobiography of the first Grandmaster records that among the Seven Shuais, solely in terms of combat power, He Shuai is undoubtedly the strongest, even surpassing the heavens!"

【Hello, little one.】

"It's worth mentioning that the Federation's power hierarchy isn't as strict as you might think. After all, we've always kept our internal struggles within controllable limits, and it's rare for Grandmasters to directly clash."

The crowd showed no fear, instead whispering excitedly among themselves.

The night deepened.

Ji Jingqiu seemed deep in thought.

Ji Jingqiu turned to look at the solemn elder and middle-aged man ahead, slowly taking a step back to prepare for a possible escape.

Ji Jingqiu suddenly froze, surprised that the other party was speaking the Federation language.

"Our Dragon Tiger Dojo can barely squeeze into the ranks of the top-tier powers. The foundation of this level is the Grandmaster's combat power."

"Remember, don't rush to break through the Divine Journey Realm. Wait until the Great Martial Arts Assembly begins."

"Elder..." the middle-aged man murmured.

The elder continued, "In the new world, our clan will have a place, even if we can't return to the peak of the mountains. It's not a big deal. Our clan will..."

Long Qingyang sighed, "This Visualization Diagram is extraordinary, but unfortunately, no one in the Federation has cultivated it for ten thousand years, and even the Supreme Grandmasters couldn't comprehend its divine mysteries."

This was the issue Ji Jingqiu was concerned about.

"The Ancient Road is about to open for inheritance, and you are the most outstanding young people of our clan. You have the hope of competing for a good ranking, or even making it onto the list."

The elder spoke slowly, his voice filled with nostalgia and emotion.

Suddenly, the middle-aged man reached out and grabbed the elder's shoulder, his voice urgent, "Elder, someone is coming!"

"How does the Grandmaster plan to handle the gateway to Dong3 Huang Star?"

Regarding the handling of the Gateway, Ji Jingqiu and Long Qingyang reached a consensus.

Moreover, he has yet to witness the divine in his martial arts, and his True Seed Realm is not yet fully refined. He is in no rush to break through to the Divine Journey Realm.

"The Nine Provinces are vast, and relying solely on the Dragon Tiger Dojo won't get us far. Eventually, we must embark on a path of alliances and coalitions, and the key lies in who takes the lead."

"The pure intentions within this exotic plant greatly benefit your mental cultivation and can even resolve certain troubles on the ancient path. You must compete with other forces based on your abilities."

Speaking of which, Long Qingyang paused briefly.

After comforting and encouraging the young people, the elder sent them all to rest.

"This time, the Federation has persuaded us to offer a location for the younger generation as a selection contest, which is also a way to support this generation of young martial artists."

Upon returning to the dojo...

It's time to "return" home.

"We also have records of relatively valuable lands, but whether we can obtain them depends on you."

Regarding the slow progress in the Divine Journey Realm, Ji Jingqiu had heard about this from Zhuang Yanxing of the Heavenly Mechanism Dojo before.

Long Qingyang nodded slightly, "See if you can comprehend it. If you do, it will not only help you in imitating the Dragon Tiger Dao Body but also aid you in seeking spiritual prowess in the Divine Journey Realm."

"Not to mention anything else, just take the Dragon Tiger Dojo as an example. The dojo has been passed down for ten thousand years without falling, and its network of connections has long spread throughout the Federation. When it comes to life and death, I can even ask the Supreme Grandmaster of the Qin family to take action."

Long Qingyang did not stop him but instead manifested a spiritual form of himself to accompany him. If necessary, he could self-destruct to provide cover.

Under Long Qingyang's cover, the two arrived at the lower level of the temple. Ji Jingqiu patted Ah Cheng's head and found an excuse to send him away.

Cultivating the body and establishing the True Seed is the foundation of martial arts.

It is also known as the Platform Phase.

"What part are you referring to?"

"The clan elders." A middle-aged man quietly appeared behind him, his eyes filled with hidden concern, "This generation of young ones is far from sufficient. They are too far from helping the clan return to the peak of the mountains."

"Additionally, even if they don't make it onto the list in the end, there's no need to be disappointed. This list only represents the present and not a lifetime. Throughout history, there have been many cases where those who ranked lower later surpassed those who ranked higher."

Long Qingyang hesitated, "The current Supreme Grandmasters of the Six Great Clans won't exceed three, but their foundation is profound. For example, the companion divine weapon of the Seven Masters in the past."

Ji Jingqiu nodded, and Elder He had also left a message reminding him of this.

Ji Jingqiu understood what this implied. He could quickly pass through the Platform Phase by relying on the ancient path.

Whether it's binding yourself to certain individuals or becoming their center, you must unite a portion of them and expand your influence.

After unsealing the gateway, a faint black mist appeared in the inner chamber of the temple.

One side was an endless abyss of darkness, devouring everything, while the other was illuminated by starlight, an infinite expanse of azure, with the asteroid belt resembling a belt adorned with dazzling jewels, stretching across the dome.

Long Qingyang watched Ah Cheng's departing figure, his eyebrows raising slightly, "In my younger days, I studied a few bone-reading techniques. This kid... has an unusual bone structure, but it doesn't seem like a natural birth... Strange, indeed."

"Elder Jin, what's on the ancient path?"

For some reason, this name made him feel a sense of familiarity.

You will find a small town nestled among the mountains.

Yama Zhou.

"According to the Federation's current understanding, the ancient path is abundant with heavenly spiritual prowess. Throughout the generations, those who enter the ancient path quickly advance from the True Seed to the Divine Realm and then extensively search for heavenly spiritual prowess..."

"In the coming time, you will undergo special training. We will take you to the ruins of the ancient kingdom, where there exists a unique plant called the 'Six Roots Pure Bamboo'."

Gradually approaching.

"In the past, only disciples of the Six Great Clans and the martial geniuses favored by Mu Shuai were qualified to enter."

This feeling is so beautiful that it's hard to break free from it.

The elder, sitting alone under the tree, turned to look at the ancient tree behind him, dazed as if waiting for and anticipating something.

Ji Jingqiu suddenly spoke.

"Alright, let's go and take a look at your gateway."

Damn, this time, we have no choice but to go.

Ji Jingqiu nodded. This temple will definitely be renovated, providing a new location for Ah Cheng.

On the young person's shoulder, a golden dragon lay sprawled.

Long Qingyang sighed lightly, "Haven't you seen the Federation's divine martial arts techniques? The first on the Federation's Visualization Diagram is the 'Fire Temple Buddha Visualization Diagram', which is the foundation of Mu Shuai's martial arts."

Long Qingyang spoke softly, his gaze misty as if penetrating the boundless darkness outside.

Long Qingyang fell silent for a moment, "At the very least, our losses on the heavenly path have been significant."

"Are there really such examples?" someone asked.

Ji Jingqiu nodded. He was not opposed to cooperation, and in his vision, the Religious Administration Bureau, the Heavenly Craft Workshop, and even the Star Group were all potential candidates to be brought into the alliance.

After two days of research, Long Qingyang returned with good news and bad news.

The elder, dissatisfied, looked up. This fellow didn't see him envisioning the future of the clan? He was forced to turn his head by the middle-aged man, and he saw a young man standing awkwardly under a tree.

"I've heard that there are many opportunities within that Demiplane, but I'm not sure what they are exactly. After all, I didn't visit it when I was younger."

"They are quite special in nature, and various parties generally categorize them as part of the official ranks. Both families have Supreme Grandmasters stationed there, and we can sit here chatting leisurely because of their constant presence at the forefront of the Heavenly Path."

Long Qingyang added, "This information comes from the autobiography of a senior at the Heavenly Sword Dao Field."

Is this the "Sasa" of the Bosha World? It seems to be related to the lineage of the World-Honored One. "It's one of the legacies left by Mu Shuai, kept in the hands of the Mu Clan. It's a Demiplane world, but the specifics are unknown. However, it is said that there are many opportunities within."

A branch slowly drooped, gently brushing past Ji Jingqiu's head, as if the elder had patted the younger generation's head.

"At the same level are the religious administration of the Federation's official ranks and the military, which also have Grandmasters."

Looking at the black mist that suddenly appeared in his field of vision, Long Qingyang's expression turned serious, and he began to investigate carefully.

The good news was that this Gateway had no cooldown time, unlike other Gateways controlled by the Federation, which required at least a month before returning.

Long Qingyang suddenly added, "I've heard that this Demiplane isn't exclusive to the Mu Clan. When the time comes, other races from the greater universe will also participate, like members of the humanoid alliance who look like elves, so beautiful."

"You guys are lucky to be living in such a good time," Long Qingyang said with a hint of melancholy. "In the past, seeking Spiritual Prowess in the Divine Sojourn Realm didn't depend on whether you were a genius. It required patience and luck. Even five or six years would be considered fast."

The entrance requirement for the ancient Nine Provinces was not based on age but on cultivation realm. Only those below the Divine Sojourn Realm could enter.

Wait, this is a psychic communication! The echo from the heart reverberated in Ji Jingqiu's heart, but it didn't come from either of the two people in front of him.

After a moment, Long Qingyang spoke, "You can go back for now. This Gateway is interesting. I need to study it for a day or two. Once I have a foolproof plan, I'll call you back."

Ji Jingqiu had almost understood. His Dao Field was considered part of the first tier within the Federation, second only to the official ranks and the Six Great Clans.

"First, clarify the situation of the Gateway and the other side, then decide based on the circumstances," Long Qingyang thought for a moment and said calmly. "In the end, no matter what, we'll still need to recruit people."

The green-haired woman's eyes showed regret, and she added, "Jin Lao believes that in our generation, how many people can make it onto the Eternal Monument ranking, and how high can they go?"

As far as he knew, Mu Shuai didn't even have a cultivated body.

He Shuai's message recorded that when one reached the Ancient Road, they might even encounter Martial Artists from the Shackles Realm.

"The Shackles Realm is called the Beggar Realm because the cultivation of treasures requires a vast amount of divine essence to nurture, and it's a bottomless pit."

"And the place where he established the foundation of his martial arts is said to be the Bosha Demiplane."

This was also known as the first platform stage that Martial Artists encountered.

"The Seed Battle will begin in two weeks," Long Qingyang nodded, still a young man, always eager.

Long Qingyang seemed to remember a rumor and suddenly asked, "Have you heard of Mu Shuai's deeds before his death?"

The elder spoke softly, "The Ancient Road opens every few hundred years, and some ancient, long-standing powers have records of their predecessors' journeys, revealing some extraordinary treasures and sacred lands, which they pass on to their successors."

The elder comforted.

This senior didn't seem like a good person.

"According to the agreement, our clan has been waiting here. Without any surprises, the chosen successor will soon appear before us."

Long Qingyang had originally planned to go and investigate himself, but now that idea was scrapped.

Ji Jingqiu nodded. He had previously shared with Long Qingyang his transformation after attaining the Primordial Body.

Long Qingyang nodded thoughtfully, "If you're willing, you can bring him to the Dao Field. This young man might be a potential candidate for the next generation of the Dao Field."

Over a dozen young men and women sat cross-legged in front of the elder, listening intently. Each of them had an extraordinary demeanor, sharp eyes, and a tall, dragon-like stature, not ordinary in the slightest.

The bad news was that this Gateway had been sealed for too long. It could only accommodate those below the Divine Sojourn Realm, and it needed time to self-repair.

At that moment, the night was falling.

"Are the opportunities in this Demiplane useful to me?"

Just as Knife Brother had once said, the Federation was too vast, and one person's voice was too faint. To make everyone hear their voice, they had to increase their weight.

After a moment of thought, Ji Jingqiu decided to go himself. After all, at the True Seed Realm, he stood at the pinnacle of the Federation.

"In a while, I'll have someone send over a copy of the Divine Intention Manuscript of the Dragon Tiger Wind and Cloud Diagram."

"The next tier down are the Federation's top powers, the most representative of which are the Six Directions Grandmaster Dao, each with a true Grandmaster presiding over them."

"Of course, the man ranked second on the Eternal Monument, when he later ascended to the position of Overlord, killed the first-ranked warrior on the Monument right on his divine seat!"

"It was Mu Shuai who, upon enlightenment, saw the Dao of Heaven and Earth, the self within all beings, and established the embryonic form of the Supreme Divine Nation."

The elder paused for a long moment before speaking, "Do not be anxious. According to the covenant between our clan and that person, someone will appear in this era to lead our clan back to its peak."

Ji Jingqiu's heart stirred, and he asked, "Could it be that Ah Cheng, guarding the temple, has gained the favor of He Shuai?"

"On the Federation's martial path, the first two realms, Body Forging and True Seed, are like riding a rocket, but from the Divine Sojourn Realm onwards, progress significantly slows down."

This passage was not long, just a few meters. After exiting, Ji Jingqiu inexplicably felt like he had returned home. Every cell in his body seemed to be cheering, and the ethereal laws were so clear, as if they were swirling around his fingers.

The elder, not wanting to discourage the young people, paused for a moment before saying, "Some of you have the potential to ascend the Eternal Monument. However, your ranking will depend on your performance and encounters on the ancient path."

Ji Jingqiu fell silent for a moment.

Ji Jingqiu suddenly realized, "I've heard of your great name."

They were the outstanding ones of their generation, each with their own confidence, believing they could forge a renowned path on this ancient road filled with legends.

"Don't look, there's someone ahead. Get ready to run back."

"Master, I've made up my mind. Entering the Bosa Demiplane early and the other side don't conflict."

Ji Jingqiu raised his head. The dome of this world was clearly divided in half by a distinct boundary.

For a moment, Ji Jingqiu didn't know what to say.

Speaking of the Visualization Diagram, Long Qingyang asked,

The young people's eyes lit up with anticipation.

Ji Jingqiu then inquired, "What is the Bosa Demiplane?"

A reminder from the Master came through the spiritual transmission on his shoulder.

"That's right, I remember the second one was a person from ten thousand years ago..."

The original text is available on the Six9@Book/Bar!

Ji Jingqiu began to comprehend the heritage of the two Eternal Blades.

"The dojo will support you in nurturing your Primordial Divine Abilities. Once you reach the Shackles Realm, in addition to the fixed portion, you'll have to be self-reliant."

"Speaking of realm height, Mu Shuai actually went the farthest. He was only half a step away from the Three Demonic Beings!"

Ji Jingqiu was curious if their dojo also had Grandmaster-level strength.

The elder spoke with great certainty, as if he had witnessed it himself.

"The very top are the Six Great Clans, followed by the Yi Palace."

The old man shook his head. "The Eternal Monument there has been damaged."

"Next are the powers with Master-level strength, encompassing numerous ancient families, mega-corporations, and academies."

"Everything!" The elder said solemnly, "You can obtain everything you desire on this path, as long as you are strong enough!"

With the current situation, it was difficult to independently obtain the development rights for a gateway to a demiplane.

Their appearances were similar to the humans of the Federation, but they generally possessed a wild beauty, with an aggressive and domineering aura.

Seeing the young people's vibrant energy, the elder smiled faintly.

...

Ji Jingqiu asked, "Are there about five Supreme Grandmasters in the Federation now?"

...

Under a centuries-old tree at the center, an elder sat in meditation.

Ji Jingqiu nodded and, after giving some instructions to Ah Cheng, returned to the dojo ahead of the others.

Someone stared in disbelief, "The first-ranked person on the Eternal Monument... Didn't he attain the divine realm long ago?"

"In this situation, some mega-corporations, merchant alliances, and other entities, while lacking Grandmaster-level strength, have numerous Masters. With their influence and resource mobilization, they can also be ranked among the top."

The Divine Sojourn First Level was the beginning of the path to divinity.

Hearing about this ancient monument filled with legends, the young people were stirred up.

Long Qingyang was not surprised, as if he had anticipated this. He casually retrieved a box from thin air and handed it to him, "This is called Divine Remains. Take it daily from now on."

Ji Jingqiu observed the Master, trying to gauge the situation, but the Master's expression was unreadable, revealing nothing.

But when he thought of that person's glorious achievements, the middle-aged man's eyes showed reverence.

The middle-aged man smiled bitterly. Has it really been ten thousand years since that agreement? Is it still valid?

"This is just a rough distribution. As for the stances and alliances between the various powers, it's a messy account."

What could help him progress further was the Heart Ocean, following the Burning Lamp Peak Divine Perception Road.

The elder's eyes glazed over as he muttered, "He will lead our clan to glory and open up new worlds."

That was the ancient tree behind the elder.

[Are you Ah He's successor? I sense the aura of the Eternal Blades from you.]



[The little one on your shoulder, is he a descendant of Zhang Daoxuan?]



[Don't be afraid. I'm Ah He's partner. You can call me 'Mu Yi'.]



(End of Chapter)

Chapter end