"Clang!"
A bell chimed atop the mountain, heralding the dawn of a new day.
Outside the Sect Master's grand hall stood the Grand Elders from various halls, already assembled and awaiting.
Today was the appointed day to travel to the Tai Xuan Demonic Sect for the Holy Path Contest.
Chen Jiuyang suddenly opened his eyes, his voice calm and commanding:
"Depart."
...
Tai Xuan Demonic Sect.
Everyone within the sect, from top to bottom, was dressed in scholarly robes, exuding an aura of learning and refinement.
The Sect Master, 'Bai Shu,' had also led the elders and disciples of the sect to the mountain gate to greet and await their arrival.
At this very moment, everyone was engrossed in reading scriptures, as if in a trance, like madmen.
Suddenly.
A sky-obscuring demonic energy appeared in the distance, accompanied by the sounds of dragons roaring and tigers growling.
'Bai Shu' announced loudly, "Esteemed guests, the people of the True Saint lineage have arrived. Please set aside your Great Dao for now and do not neglect the etiquette of the academy."
Following this, everyone temporarily put away the books they held and tucked them into their sleeves.
'Bai Shu' raised his hand and beckoned. His immense magical power surged, instantly manifesting a pavilion with green tiles, followed by a pond with lotus leaves, emitting a faint, refreshing fragrance.
"Sect Master 'Bai Shu' truly possesses boundless magical arts. This feat of creating something from nothing is incredibly lifelike and truly awe-inspiring."
Chen Jiuyang landed, his expression serene as he praised.
'Bai Shu' smiled and replied, "It is merely a trivial skill; it does not warrant such praise from Sect Master Qian Yang."
Chen Jiuyang slowly cupped his hands in a salute, "Today, we fulfill the challenge and have come to the Tai Xuan Holy Sect for the Holy Path Contest."
'Bai Shu' maintained his smile and said, "Please present the Holy Artifact."
"Present the Holy Artifact!" Chen Jiuyang echoed the call.
An unfathomable terror descended upon the scene. Space tore open, and the True Demonic Sect's Holy Artifact, 'Eternal Tribulation,' appeared on one side, while the Tai Xuan Demonic Sect's Holy Artifact was a resplendent ancient book on the other.
After a brief exchange between the Holy Artifacts, the Tai Xuan Demonic Sect's Holy Artifact spoke with a youthful voice, "I shall oversee this Holy Path Contest."
Chen Jiuyang looked at 'Bai Shu,' "How will the Tai Xuan Holy Sect present its disciples?"
'Bai Shu' smiled, "Our Tai Xuan Holy Sect has always been unsuited for martial combat. Therefore, we shall engage in a contest of words and ideas, deciding the victor through scholarly debate."
"Since Sect Master Qian Yang has already ascended to the Emperor Realm, ordinary disciples and elders are no match for Sect Master Qian Yang in a debate. Therefore, this humble master will engage in discussion with Sect Master Qian Yang."
"Sect Master Qian Yang, please enter the pavilion."
With that, 'Bai Shu' stepped into the pavilion conjured by his magical arts.
Chen Jiuyang gazed at the pavilion, a flicker of apprehension in his eyes, "This is no mere spell or divine ability."
"I did not expect to fall into their trap right from the start."
"This pavilion, constructed from magical power, its wood, stone, water, fish, and lotuses, its fragrance – how could a cultivator like 'Bai Shu,' who has not yet reached the Dao Integration stage, achieve this?"
"With a mere wave of his hand, he can create illusions so real they can deceive my sense of smell and sight..."
"The 'Bai Shu' before me is not the true 'Bai Shu'; it is the ancestor of the Tai Xuan lineage possessing him."
"Once I step into this pavilion, the contest of ideas will put me at a disadvantage. The opponent will attack me in this manner."
"How can I resist? I can only summon Princess 'Shi Le' directly."
Chen Jiuyang's soul trembled. A strand of hair belonging to Princess 'Shi Le,' hidden on his person, suddenly vibrated, emitting wisps of pink mist.
Then, the aura of 'Shi Le' descended upon Chen Jiuyang's body.
"Do not resist. I shall take control of your body. You may conceal your soul and consciousness within the Heavenly Terrace."
Princess 'Shi Le's' voice echoed in Chen Jiuyang's mind.
"Alright."
Then, Chen Jiuyang's body vibrated imperceptibly. Chen Jiuyang's sensation was akin to watching a movie; his consciousness was within the Heavenly Terrace, observing everything in the outside world through the Sea of Suffering.
Princess 'Shi Le' looked at 'Bai Shu' and said, "This pavilion does not suit my taste."
Then, Princess 'Shi Le' manipulated Chen Jiuyang's physical body. Vast magical power and immortal light flashed, and the picturesque pavilion before them abruptly transformed. It became imbued with the allure of the mortal world, with many scantily clad maids dancing and playing music.
Elegant music began to play, and then Princess 'Shi Le,' controlling Chen Jiuyang's body, stepped into the pavilion.
'Bai Shu' looked at 'Chen Jiuyang' and smiled, "Fellow Daoist 'Qian Yang' has taken great care."
Princess 'Shi Le' replied, "Since it is a contest of ideas, fairness must be paramount."
'Bai Shu' nodded slowly, "Well said. Then I have a question: What is the Dao of Fellow Daoist 'Qian Yang'?"
He immediately struck at the core of the Great Dao, asking about one's Dao. If his cultivation were not higher than Chen Jiuyang's, he would not dare to ask such a question, lest he humiliate himself.
Princess 'Shi Le' perused Chen Jiuyang's memories as she slowly spoke, "My Dao is to see the heavens and earth, to see all living beings, and to see myself. I do not pursue longevity, but I seek invincibility. Even through a hundred cycles of reincarnation, I shall not forget."
'Bai Shu' asked, "What is invincibility?"
Princess 'Shi Le' replied, "To strike one blow and open the way, preventing a hundred blows from coming; to roam the Nine Heavens, with no one able to bully me."
'Bai Shu' countered, "Fellow Daoist 'Qian Yang' is too attached to form. I believe no one can be truly invincible."
"Who speaks of invincibility, and who dares to claim to be undefeated? Ultimately, there is always someone stronger, and heavens beyond heavens."
Princess 'Shi Le' retorted, "Your invincibility is not my invincibility. My invincibility is to be invincible within the scope of my vision. Fellow Daoist 'Bai Shu,' you are too attached to form."
"Who speaks of longevity, and who claims immortality? The heavens and earth are vast; whether human or immortal, there will come a time of exhaustion, unable to reach the ends of the world. To be invincible within one's own inner world is sufficient."
'Bai Shu's' expression stiffened. "Fellow Daoist 'Qian Yang's' Dao is truly overbearing. Then I have another question."
"Fellow Daoist 'Qian Yang' has his own Dao, but can he walk this path?"
Princess 'Shi Le' replied, "Naturally, I walk upon this path."
Suddenly, the natural laws of heaven and earth flowed, immortal light descended from the Nine Heavens, and inner demons began to coil around.
The opponent had unleashed a killing move.
'Bai Shu' declared, "However, in my eyes, Fellow Daoist 'Qian Yang' is not walking the path he speaks of."
"Since you are invincible within your own inner world, you should fight on the front lines, break false paths, overturn them, and turn all that you see into a sacred land."
"Yet, Fellow Daoist 'Qian Yang' has rarely appeared in the world these past years, resulting in heavy casualties among your sect's disciples. If you were invincible, how could the false paths bully your sect so?"
"The revenge for the death of loved ones, Fellow Daoist 'Qian Yang,' why have you not sought it?"
"I have heard that Fellow Daoist 'Qian Yang's' wife has been in the lower immortal realm for many years. If you are to walk the path of invincibility, why not go to the lower immortal realm to fight and rescue your wife?"
"Why do you borrow the power of the Holy Path and bring forth the ancestor?"
"What kind of invincibility is this?"
In an instant, the dark mist of inner demons surged towards Chen Jiuyang's physical body, intending to destroy his Dao heart and Great Dao.
"The revenge for blood relatives is not sought, the wife is not rescued, and you hide in the rear all day. Do not speak of invincibility; Chen Yang, what Dao are you cultivating?"
"Speak!"