Chapter 22: The Path of Supreme

In a magnificent mountain floating in the cloud lies the Sect Master Hall. The spiritual energy in this mountain is the most abundant of the Dao Opening Sect. This was the formal residence of the Sect Master and where most of the meeting of the sect took place. In fact, the whole Dao Opening Sect is made up of a group of mountains. They start from the ground all the way to the clouds. The closer to the ground, the less spiritual energy a mountain contains. The mountains in the ground is where the outer disciples and the handymen are located. The mountains of the outer disciples are connected to the mountains of the inner disciples by multiple enormous chains. These chains allowed people to easily walk on them. As for the core disciple's mountain and other areas of the sect, you have to be able to fly to reach there. This is the reason that Wang Wei is always accompanied by his head maid. Her job was not only to take care of him, but also to fly with him to different areas of the sect. The highest mountain of the Dao Opening Sect is known as Tianwei Peak. This is the location of the Sect Master Hall and currently a meeting is taking place. The Great Elders and Elders of different Halls sat in different positions with Sect Master Wang in the middle. Most of them had a look of shock and excitement on their faces. They had just returned from witnessing the Fifth Pagoda Trial and saw the shadow of the Young Emperor from Wang Wei. One of the Elders said excitedly: "This time the shadow of Young Emperor lasted longer than the last time!" "This means that the Young Sect Master is not too far from truly becoming a Young Emperor!" "Things are not as simple as you say. Becoming a Young Emperor is not so easy." The Great Elder of the Enlightenment Hall asked in a deep voice: "Do you think that the Young Sect Master could become a Young Emperor after he passed all Nine trials of the Pagoda?" Many people quiet down after hearing this question and ponder for a while. Some people secretly look at the Great Elder. The Enlightenment Hall is the hall in charge of teaching and educating disciples. From the outer disciples to the core disciples, they were in charge of explaining cultivation' sculptures and techniques. They were even in charge of preaching the Dao to the core disciples and the Contemporary Sacred Son. More importantly, the Great Elder of Enlightenment Hall belongs to the Sectarian faction of the Dao Opening Sect. Of all the people in the hall, he is probably the least enthusiastic of the talent of Wang Wei as he is also the head of the group that is secretly opposing the rise of the Young Sect Master. So, when he asks this question, many people start to ponder his motive. After a brief silence, Great Elder Yan Mei of the Punishing Hall responded: "It is unlikely for that to happen. However, once the trials are finished, the Young Sect Master will probably be one step closer. All he will need is just a little push." After hearing her answer, many people nodded their heads and agreed. If you notice closely, you will find that the Great Elder Long Bo of the Enlightenment Hall had a sigh of relief--despite not showing it in his face. However, a few people in the hall knew that Great Elder Yan Mei had a different meaning. As they are the few people who are aware of the Young Master Plan seven years later, they knew that this might be the "slight push" that Great Elder Yan Mei was referring to.  However, they wisely kept their mouths shut and their expression indifferent as to not reveal any information. Great Elder Li Jiang suddenly said something to try to change the conversation. "Recently I feel like cultivating in the Saint Realm has become much easier. Am I the only one who feels this way?" Another elder responded: "Me too. I thought that my talent has started to bloom!" "Me as well." "Count me too." Soon the entire hall was full of people agreeing to Great Elder Li Jiang's words. Afterward, people noticed that something might have happened and they all looked toward the sect master. Wang Tian smiled joyously and responded: " The Path of Supreme is starting to loosen up. There is hope for our future!" Many people were shocked and excited upon hearing this news. Their generation was too bitter. In order for the Glorious Time of this generation to appear, the Heaven Mandate not only did not appear in their generation, but even the Path of Supreme was cut off. They soon realize that Heavenly Dao took all the luck and energy for the Heaven Will of their generation and placed it on the next generation to create a truly powerful Great Emperor. However, even if they knew this, there was nothing they could do about it. But now, they heard from the Sect Master that the Path to Supreme was slowly opening up. The Supreme Realm, a person who manifests their own Dharma Body and can live for at least a million years. Who among them did not dream of reaching such a realm. Great Elder Li Jiang asked: "Does that mean we could break through now?" Sect Master Wang shook his head and responded: "The seal has just been lifted. Although it is theoretically possible, the chances are too small." Although this answer was a little disappointing, the elders were not affected. As long as there was hope. The Great Elder of the Formation Hall asked: "Sect Master, are you still going through Mortal Dust to break through the Supreme Realm? According to your foundation, it seemed unnecessary." Sect Master Wang Tian responded: "It is better to go through with it and increase my foundation. That way, I can cultivate faster in the Supreme Realm and have stronger battle strength." The other elders nodded and agreed with the sect master's ideal of planting a firm foundation for the future. Soon afterward, Great Elder Yan Mei chimed in the conversation. "Sect Master, it is better to prepare to be the first to make the breakthrough. If you succeed, not only can we increase the reputation of our Dao Opening Sect, but there is a great chance of being rewarded with Merit from Heavenly Dao." Upon hearing her words, Wang Tian's eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. He did not really care about things like reputation, but merit would be of great help to him. Merit is like the ultimate panacea for cultivators. if you had enough, there is almost nothing you could not do with it. You could directly raise your cultivation level, you could use it to increase talent, to increase understanding of the Dao, to increase the level of a pill or weapon. If you can think about it, most likely it can be accomplished with merit. This thing is even sought after by Great Emperors--as merit is still very useful for them. Unfortunately, Heavenly Dao is very stingy when it comes to awarding merit. Most cultivators will only receive a pitiful amount of merit when they enter the Saint Realm. If you want to acquire more, you have to accomplish a great cause that is beneficial to the whole world. The reason that Great Elder Yan Mei believed that the first person to break through to the Supreme Realm might receive merit is due to the fact that person will become a symbol of hope to all the cultivators of the world. He or she will announce to the world that the path of cultivation is not cut off. Furthermore, Heavenly Dao will reward merit to such a person as a way to pay off the karma of cutting off the Path of Supreme in the last generation. In this world, even Heavenly Dao cannot fully escape the shackles of Karma.