Chapter 447: The Power of Fifty Years at Mahayana Stage
“Jiang Li? As someone with insider knowledge in the field, I might be the most qualified to answer this question,” Jiang Li said modestly with a smile.
“To put it simply, while his combat abilities are formidable and he excels in Daoist arts, he falls somewhat short in areas like alchemy and artifact forging.”
“I believe people have a huge misconception about Jiang Li, thinking he’s omnipotent.”
“Indeed, I don’t deny Jiang Li’s cultivation talent and contributions. He’s remarkably gifted in cultivation, reaching Mahayana Stage in just two hundred years with continuously improving combat power. Perhaps even he doesn’t know how strong he is now.”
“He has always stood at the forefront against the Outer Realm Demons, earning people’s admiration.”
“Moreover, he leads by example. Despite being the strongest, he never bullies the weak but instead wholeheartedly considers lower-level cultivators.”
“But this doesn’t mean he’s an all-around talent.”
“Honestly speaking, he’s truly not skilled in alchemy, artifact forging, formations, sword dao, and such things,” Jiang Li stated frankly.
Reporter Xiaoxin was about to say something when someone nearby couldn’t hold back.
“To think there are still people with such severe misunderstandings about Human Sovereign Jiang.”
“And who might you be?”
“Me? I’m an expert specializing in Human Sovereign Jiang. No one understands him better than I do,” the person declared proudly.
The expert said to Jiang Li: “You seem young, probably believing some rumors you heard somewhere. Understandable, given how many eye-catching falsehoods circulate these days. There’s even a rumor claiming Human Sovereign Jiang is promiscuous, simultaneously having feelings for Holy Maiden Jingxin, Empress Yu Yin, and Empress Baixue Ling.”
The Jiang Li expert continued: “After decades of research, I can confirm Human Sovereign Jiang’s sword dao talent is unparalleled, surpassing even Sword Sovereign himself.”
“The evidence? When Sword Sovereign was trapped by inner demons, Human Sovereign Jiang severed those demons with his sword and rescued Sword Sovereign from the Sword Tomb.”
“But only Sword Sovereign, his inner demons, and Human Sovereign were present at the scene. Who claimed Human Sovereign Jiang severed the demons with his sword?”
“Simple deduction. Sword Sovereign is a proud swordsman who would never accept Human Sovereign using brute force to destroy his demons. The only possibility is that Human Sovereign demonstrated his sword dao prowess, impressing Sword Sovereign so profoundly that he requested Human Sovereign to sever the demons!”
The expert spoke with absolute certainty.
“Isn’t it possible Human Sovereign wanted to destroy the demons, Sword Sovereign tried to stop him but failed?”
“Absolutely impossible!”
“Then there’s his alchemy talent. Human Sovereign Jiang used his body as a cauldron and the collective faith of all beings as ingredients, refining them to perfection and transcending all things to reach the rare Mahayana Stage.”
“So that’s how Human Sovereign Jiang broke through to Mahayana Stage.” Jiang Li had an epiphany, learning new knowledge today.
He really wanted to call Bai Hongtu and Yu Yin over to listen to the expert’s lecture—maybe then they’d learn how to cultivate to Mahayana Stage.
“Of course, this is precisely why other Tribulation Transcendence cultivators can’t reach Mahayana Stage—they lack alchemy skills and can’t replicate Human Sovereign Jiang’s methods.”
“In my opinion, the next most likely candidate for Mahayana Stage is Alchemy Peak’s Master Su Wei.” The expert’s reasoning seemed sound, and nearby listeners nodded in agreement.
“His artifact forging talent goes without saying. My research confirms there’s a bronze cauldron in the Human Sovereign Hall containing faith power, which must have been forged by Human Sovereign Jiang himself.”
“Couldn’t Human Sovereign have commissioned the Dao Sect’s Artifact Forging Peak to make it?”
The expert pondered briefly before replying: “Your speculation has merit—even bold—but why would Human Sovereign need the Artifact Forging Peak when his forging talent is unprecedented in history?”
Jiang Li felt there were serious flaws in this circular reasoning.
The expert continued: “Then there’s the Nine Provinces World Protection Formation—a massive array encompassing the entire Nine Provinces. Such an enormous formation could only have been designed by Human Sovereign Jiang.”
“I seem to recall Bai Hongtu designed that formation?”
“Your speculation has merit—even bold—but why would Human Sovereign need Bai Hongtu when his formation talent is unprecedented in history?”
The expert examined Jiang Li admiringly: “I initially thought you were just another rumor-believing commoner, but your thinking is remarkably agile. Would you like to become my disciple? We could research Human Sovereign Jiang together.”
The expert looked at Jiang Li as if seeing his final disciple.
Jiang Li thought he misheard, pointing at himself: “Me?”
“Do you know what’s most important in studying Human Sovereign Jiang?”
“What?”
“Imagination.”
“…What did you do before this?”
“I wrote novels.”
Jiang Li really wanted to know who approved research funding for these experts—he’d have serious words with them.
…
After the interview, Jiang Li continued strolling through the commercial district.
“Excuse me, esteemed cultivator, might I have a moment of your time?”
“Sure, what is it?”
“We’re from the Mingzhong World Scientific Research Institute, currently developing a holographic cultivation game.”
The person handed Jiang Li a business card.
“But we lack sufficient understanding of cultivation and need to collect extensive data. We’re randomly asking cultivators to help provide some information.”
“What do I need to do?”
The scientist pointed behind him at a row of people wearing holographic simulators.
“These are specially designed holographic simulators that can comprehensively collect your data. You just need to wear one and perform some movements in the virtual world.”
“Pretty straightforward.”
The scientist smiled: “Technology should be simple to use.”
“Should I demonstrate all my cultivation power? Won’t it explode?”
The scientist was confident: “No need to worry. These special simulators can withstand Tribulation Transcendence spiritual sense. We even plan to collect data from several Tribulation Transcendence cultivators.”
“Our initial plan is to have several Tribulation Transcendence cultivators as villains. Players would level up step by step, with the ultimate goal of defeating them.”
“That’s reassuring.” Jiang Li put on the simulator, separating a wisp of his spiritual sense to enter the virtual world.
“Impressive quality, able to withstand Tribulation Transcendence spiritual sense.” Jiang Li praised while gradually increasing his power.
Tribulation Transcendence… newly entered Mahayana… one year at Mahayana… ten years… twenty years… fifty years.
“It can handle fifty years of my Mahayana-stage power.” Jiang Li was astonished—this simulator was truly remarkable, far superior to Gouge Civilization’s technology.
“I wonder how much more advanced Mingzhong’s technology is compared to Gouge Civilization.”
In the virtual world, Jiang Li casually performed some movements as instructed—world-destroying, universe-creating gestures that shook the entire virtual realm to the brink of collapse.
Meanwhile, the Mingzhong World researchers stared dumbfounded at the collected data.
“Who put the simulator on an Outer Realm Demon’s head?!”