The Penglai Immortal Sect's Dao Discussion Assembly was a grand occasion held once every thousand years in the overseas cultivation world. Sect leaders of seventy-two immortal islands, envoys from thirty-six thousand islands, all gathered at Penglai's main island. Even several Deity Transformation ancestors who usually remained in seclusion had sent manifestations. At this moment, everyone's gaze focused on the discussion platform at the assembly's center, where sat Penglai Sect Master Xuanji True Person, a Deity Transformation mid-stage cultivator who had made his name a thousand years ago.
"Assembly friends," Xuanji True Person's voice was gentle yet spread across the vast sea region, "Today's Dao Discussion aims to exchange cultivation techniques and jointly explore the great Dao. Does anyone wish to come forward for friendly sparring?"
Complete silence below. In the overseas cultivation world, Xuanji True Person's strength could rank in the top three. Who would dare easily challenge him?
Just then, a green light suddenly appeared at the horizon. That light was faint initially, then instantly transformed into a rainbow spanning the heavens. At the rainbow's end, a figure in blue robes slowly materialized, it was precisely Tang Xiao Qi's divine sense manifestation!
"Alliance Leader of the Mainland Cultivation World Tang Xiao Qi, specially visiting to attend." The manifestation's voice was calm, yet it caused the entire Penglai Island to shake.
Xuanji True Person's eyes flickered with surprise, then he regained composure: "So Alliance Leader Tang honors us with a visit. However... coming with merely a divine sense manifestation, is that not being rather presumptuous?"
These words were polite, yet the mockery within was evident to all. A divine sense manifestation could at most display thirty percent of the main body's strength. Using a manifestation to attend the Dao Discussion Assembly did indeed seem somewhat arrogant.
Xiao Qi's manifestation smiled faintly: "The journey is long; the true body cannot conveniently come. Besides... for friendly sparring and discussing the Dao, thirty percent strength is sufficient."
These words caused an uproar throughout the assembly. Overseas cultivators wore expressions of anger, finding this mainland Alliance Leader far too overbearing.
Xuanji True Person also did not take offense, merely gently raised his hand: "Since that is the case, please, Alliance Leader Tang, grant me your instruction."
With this raise of his hand, all the spiritual energy of Penglai Island was drawn and pulled. Countless dao method runes appeared in the sky, each containing traces of the great Dao. This was Penglai Immortal Sect's sect-protecting ultimate technique, Ten Thousand Methods Return to Unity. It was said that when perfected, it could simulate all techniques under heaven.
Yet Xiao Qi's manifestation remained composed, merely pointing out one finger. This finger seemed ordinary, yet at its tip a green lotus slowly rotated. When the finger force collided with the ten thousand method runes, something shocking occurred, the runes containing various laws, upon touching the green lotus, actually began dissolving one after another, returning to the most primordial spiritual energy state!
"This... what technique is this?" An overseas Deity Transformation ancestor could not help but exclaim.
Xuanji True Person's expression slightly changed, his technique shifting. This time, he deployed another Penglai Immortal Sect ultimate technique, Zhou Tian Xing Dou Formation. The stars in the night sky seemed all drawn down, countless rays of starlight descending, weaving into a massive net covering heaven and earth within the air.
Yet Xiao Qi's manifestation still merely pointed out one finger. But this time, the green lotus at his fingertip suddenly bloomed, and pure purification power surged forth like a tide. Where the starlight net contacted the purification power, it actually began self-dissolving, ultimately transforming into scattered starlight that vanished.
"Impossible!" Xuanji True Person finally changed color. "The Zhou Tian Xing Dou Formation is an ancient legacy. How could it be so easily broken?"
Xiao Qi's manifestation stood with hands clasped behind his back: "Ten thousand methods return to unity, yet they ultimately do not depart from their origin. As long as one finds the origin, all techniques can be dissolved."
These words were casually stated, yet caused all overseas cultivators present to fall into deep contemplation. They had cultivated for a thousand years, pursuing techniques' power and exquisiteness, yet had never considered tracing back to their origin.
Xuanji True Person was silent for a long while, then suddenly deeply bowed: "Alliance Leader Tang's Dao technique is profound and unfathomable. Xuanji truly admires."
This bow represented the overseas cultivation world's recognition of the mainland. Since even Penglai Sect Master admitted defeat, who would dare question the mainland cultivation world's strength?
Yet just then, a cold, sinister voice suddenly sounded:
"A mere divine sense manifestation, dares to show off here?"
Before the words even finished, a jet-black figure suddenly appeared on the discussion platform. The newcomer was entirely shrouded in black robes, with only a pair of scarlet eyes visible. The aura he emanated was bizarre yet powerful, actually also a Deity Transformation cultivator!
"It is the Heavenly Demon Island Lord!" Someone exclaimed.
Heavenly Demon Island was an outlier in the overseas cultivation world, cultivating demonic techniques, and had always been despised by various sects. Who would have expected them to dare appear at this Dao Discussion Assembly.
The Heavenly Demon Island Lord stared at Xiao Qi's manifestation and grinned hideously: "I have long heard the mainland produced a Deity Transformation cultivator, never expecting so young. Unfortunately... today this manifestation of yours will remain here!"
He suddenly spread both hands wide, and surging demonic energy gushed forth. This demonic energy differed from mainland demonic energy, it was more pure, more bizarre, clearly having been tempered through a thousand refinements.
Xiao Qi's manifestation finally revealed a trace of gravity. He could sense that this Heavenly Demon Island Lord's strength was probably even greater than Xuanji True Person's!
"Demonic entity's remnant, dares to be rampant?" The manifestation said coldly.
"Remnant?" The Heavenly Demon Island Lord laughed boisterously. "Do you think the mainland's worthless thing is the entirety of demonic Dao? What a provincial view!"
He formed seals with both hands, and demonic energy condensed into a massive skull in the air. This skull emanated a heart-quivering aura, and even space was corroded, producing sizzling sounds.
"This is... Heavenly Demon Devours Soul!" Xuanji True Person's expression drastically changed. "Retreat quickly!"
But it was already too late. The skull opened its enormous mouth, and a terrifying suction force came forth, it intended to directly swallow Xiao Qi's manifestation!
At this critical moment, Xiao Qi's manifestation suddenly transformed into a streak of green light, actively flying into the skull's mouth. Just as everyone thought he was doomed, brilliant green light burst forth from within the skull!
"Purify!"
With a clear shout, the skull exploded. The pure demonic energy was thoroughly dissolved by the purification power. Xiao Qi's manifestation reformed, though much more illusory than before, yet still standing unyielding.
"Impossible!" The Heavenly Demon Island Lord was both shocked and furious. "My Heavenly Demon Devours Soul can swallow even mid-stage Deity Transformation cultivators. How could you..."
Xiao Qi's manifestation interrupted him: "Demonic Dao is ultimately an unorthodox path. Before true righteous Dao, it cannot withstand even a single strike."
He pointed out one finger again. This finger seemed slow, yet as if it had crossed through time, directly striking the Heavenly Demon Island Lord's brow.
"Ah!" The Heavenly Demon Island Lord released a miserable shriek. His demonic energy collapsed frantically. In merely a short while, this overseas demonic Dao supreme had transformed into a withered corpse, falling from the sky.
Total silence. Everyone was shaken by these thunderous measures. A divine sense manifestation had actually calmly dispatched a Deity Transformation demonic cultivator! Just how powerful would the true body of this Tang Xiao Qi be?
Xiao Qi's manifestation surveyed the entire area, finally saying to Xuanji True Person: "Overseas and mainland share the same origin and should mutually support each other. Should there be need, I, Tang, welcome all friends to the mainland for exchange anytime."
Saying this, the manifestation slowly dissipated, leaving only shocked overseas cultivators looking at each other in bewilderment.
After this event, the mainland cultivation world's prestige overseas reached unprecedented heights. No one dared any longer to belittle this world that had just experienced the demon calamity. And Xiao Qi knew he had successfully established a delicate balance between mainland and overseas.
But this was merely the beginning. The appearance of the Heavenly Demon Island Lord made him realize that overseas waters ran deeper than imagined. There, probably even more unknown secrets lay hidden.