Chapter 107: A Myriad of Questions
Bai Hongtu directly demonstrated the Spiritual Treasure Cultivation Method.
The Yin-Yang Heaven Seal had mimicked conventional cultivation techniques, drafting a meridian system for spiritual treasures. By absorbing spiritual energy and circulating it through their meridians, spiritual treasures could grow stronger—a brilliantly conceived method.
The representatives of various factions hurriedly took notes—this was priceless knowledge, something no amount of spirit stones could buy!
“That’s the entire method. However, I still recommend that you send people to the Dao Sect to study. Progress comes from communication and learning together.”
“Sect Master Bai is truly benevolent. Our Hou Tu Sect thanks you.”
“The Mengjiang Dynasty is grateful for the Dao Sect’s teachings.”
“The Dao Sect’s generosity is astonishing.”
The representatives showered Bai Hongtu and the Dao Sect with praises, offering compliments that cost them nothing.
“So, Emperor Yong, do you still wish to erase the intelligence of your spiritual treasures?”
“That was a slip of the tongue earlier, Sect Master Bai. Please forgive me.”
Of course, Emperor Luo Zheng wouldn’t bring up such an absurd proposal again.
If other dynasties’ spiritual treasures could cultivate and grow stronger, while his own were mindless and stagnant, Great Yong would be at a huge disadvantage.
He had at least that much foresight.
The Dao Sect’s Grand Announcement
“We originally planned to announce the Spiritual Treasure Cultivation Method to the Nine Provinces on an auspicious date,” Bai Hongtu continued, “but since Jiang Renhuang has convened the Nine Provinces Council Meeting, we may as well inform you all now.”
“The Dao Sect will officially make this knowledge public soon. I urge you not to hoard this information now that you’ve obtained it.”
Bai Hongtu smiled faintly, casting a subtle glance at Emperor Yong.
His meaning was obvious—don’t even think about treating this as classified state information.
Luo Zheng had indeed considered keeping the method a secret, only revealing it to those sworn to absolute loyalty. That way, his personal power would increase dramatically, eliminating any threats to his rule.
However, before that thought could fully form, Bai Hongtu shattered it mercilessly.
“Sect Master Bai, you jest.” Luo Zheng forced a laugh, but everyone saw through him immediately.
The major sects within Great Yong couldn’t help but scoff at his foolishness.
If the emperor was this incompetent… perhaps it was time for a little rebellion.
The Human Sovereign Hall only forbade large-scale warfare—it never said rebellions were off-limits.
Jiang Li easily saw through Bai Hongtu’s deeper plan.
The Yin-Yang Heaven Seal alone couldn’t have developed the complete cultivation method for spiritual treasures in such a short time.
The fastest way to accelerate research was through collaboration—getting all spiritual treasures involved, experimenting and refining the method together.
Moreover, spiritual treasures came in various shapes and forms, each with unique characteristics. The Yin-Yang Heaven Seal’s method wouldn’t necessarily work for all spiritual treasures.
Allowing all spiritual treasures to cultivate together would lead to the development of a universally applicable training system.
Even if someone improved upon the Yin-Yang Heaven Seal’s method, it wouldn’t dethrone the seal as the leader of Nine Provinces’ spiritual treasures—nor would it challenge its status as the most powerful immortal artifact.
An Unusual Marketplace of Requests
“Does anyone else have any concerns?” Jiang Li asked.
The Sect Master of the Corpse-Driving Sect stood up and clasped his hands.
“Our sect is running low on corpses. Would anyone be willing to provide high-level cultivator remains? We are offering high prices!”
“Do not use this meeting as an advertising platform. If you do it again, your sect will be permanently barred from attending.”
The Corpse-Driving Sect Master immediately sat down, looking utterly deflated.
Next, the Great Wei Emperor spoke up.
“I propose that the Hehuan Sect establish a branch in my Great Wei Dynasty.”
The Hehuan Sect practiced legitimate dual cultivation, benefiting both partners.
“Great Yong also welcomes the Hehuan Sect to establish a branch!”
“Great Sui welcomes them as well!”
“I—”
Before they could start bidding, the Hehuan Sect representative interrupted:
“Our sect is currently researching same-sex dual cultivation. Whoever supports our research will have priority in hosting our branch.”
Some representatives still looked eager, but Jiang Li knocked on the table and sighed.
“Discuss this after the meeting. Next topic.”
The Beast-Taming Sect Master stood up.
“I have a lovely, unmarried daughter. Jiang Renhuang, if you are willing—”
Jiang Li’s face remained completely expressionless.
“Next topic.”
Seated nearby, Daoist Nun Qingyu of the Pure Land Sect silently noted down the Beast-Taming Sect Master’s name—on behalf of her own disciple.
Then, Emperor Wei suddenly declared:
“I accuse the Mengjiang Dynasty of engaging in organ trafficking!”
“You slanderous old bastard!” The Mengjiang Emperor roared in outrage.
Jiang Li frowned. “Explain.”
Wei Emperor responded calmly:
“I asked the Mengjiang Emperor if he would marry one of his concubines to me. I even offered to exchange land for her. He replied, ‘Do you have any shame?'”
Jiang Li threw Wei Emperor out of the meeting hall without a word.
“Wei Emperor is disrupting the meeting. This is your punishment. Next topic.”
A True Concern—The Barrier Formation’s Limitation
The Supreme Elder of the Hou Tu Sect finally brought up a real issue.
“Our sect’s Soul Formation Stage cultivators wish to explore the universe and test their techniques. However, the Nine Provinces Barrier Formation allows people to exit but not to return. Sect Master Bai, can the formation be modified to automatically detect and permit passage for those who are not Outer World Demons?”
“The Nine Suns Flying Sect has the same request.”
“The Mengjiang Dynasty also has this issue.”
“The Return to Void Sect as well.”
Bai Hongtu furrowed his brows.
This was indeed an oversight.
The Nine Provinces World consisted of two parts:
The Nine Provinces Continent
The stars above the continent
The barrier formation only protected the continent itself.
The outer space of the Nine Provinces World was a lifeless void—completely devoid of spiritual energy and unsuitable for cultivation or habitation.
However, Soul Formation Stage cultivators could travel through the cosmos.
Many of their techniques—either due to their raw power or the need for secrecy—were better suited for outer space.
Jiang Li had even seen:
Dharma Body Sect cultivators playing soccer with planets
Cultivators using black holes as spiritual baths
Some factions, like the Mengjiang Dynasty, had cultivation techniques that required stellar energy, so they routinely sent cultivators into space to harvest starlight and enhance their national fortune.
Jiang Li glanced at Bai Hongtu, silently asking for confirmation.
Bai Hongtu understood immediately—Jiang Li approved the modification.
“It’s possible. It’s not too difficult, but it will take some time,” Bai Hongtu replied.
“Outer World Demons are fundamentally different from cultivators. Their bodies and souls share no commonality with us. Even if they mimic our appearance, the formation will still recognize their souls as foreign and deny passage.”
Jiang Li nodded and added:
“Then let’s add one more rule—only cultivators below the Tribulation Stage may pass through the formation.”
He wanted an extra safeguard—even a Terrestrial Immortal-level Outer World Demon would be too insane to infiltrate the Nine Provinces.
Over the course of several days, Jiang Li resolved all outstanding issues.
Thus, the Nine Provinces Council Meeting came to an end.