Chapter 136: The Power of Aspiration

"Vow power from sentient beings—what kind of power is this?"

The gathered titans were filled with confusion. Sensing their bewilderment, Wang Li explained with some difficulty, "Vow power originates from living beings themselves. Unlike spiritual energy or the vital essence of heaven and earth, which can be seen and felt, it is a force akin to mental energy. It is not exactly intangible or formless, but it is certainly an elusive existence. Vow power has always existed; as long as a being possesses consciousness, it can generate such vows. The problem is that it is incompatible with our current methods of cultivation. Without the proper guidance or means to absorb it, countless amounts of this power are simply wasted."

"The method I use to cultivate vow power is currently only suitable for myself, and the process is extraordinarily dangerous—you have all seen my current state. That is why Fellow Daoist Wuliu sought to venture into the outside world to find a more viable path."

After hearing his explanation, another question was raised. Jin Sheng asked, "Fellow Daoist, how does vow power compare to the vital essence of heaven and earth?"

The others nodded in agreement; this was something they all wanted to know. Since it was an unknown force, if its potential for development was greater, they had no reason to miss out.

Wang Li understood their mindset and said, "Every form of power has a process of accumulation, from quantitative change to qualitative transformation. Regardless of the cultivation method, it is ultimately an exploration and understanding of oneself and the laws of the world; there is no hierarchy of superiority or inferiority."

"Vow power simply fails to manifest its utility in worlds with lower power ceilings. There are many cultivators in the outside world who rely on vow power. Once your cultivation reaches a certain height, you will naturally gain an understanding of it, and at that point, you will be able to utilize it to refine yourselves."

"However, this does not mean vow power is more advanced than spiritual energy or elemental essence. It is merely an auxiliary tool. With it, a cultivator’s foundation may be more stable; without it, a cultivator can still explore the reaches of the Dao. Whether or not to cultivate vow power depends on the individual's choice. There are plenty of supreme powerhouses in the outside world who do not cultivate vow power, and they are no weaker than those who do."

"In short, vow power merely offers a choice, much like the cultivators in the Tianxuan World who specialize in mental energy, the cycle of reincarnation, or spatial laws. It is a matter of personal preference. Do you truly believe that Ling Xiao, Yun Jingzi, or Zhen Jingzi were weaker than you when you were at the Earth Immortal stage? Fellow Daoist Wuliu even cultivates using the power of merit—do you think he is inferior to you?"

Zhenqi Zhenren sighed, "I see. When compared to the younger generation like Ling Xiao and the others, we old fellows really do fall short." He looked at Wuliu Zhengying and added, "Fellow Daoist Wuliu, can you contact your true self?"

Wuliu Zhengying replied, "You are asking if my true self can return, aren't you?"

Zhenqi Zhenren did not avoid the question and nodded affirmatively.

"The power ceiling of the Tianxuan World is the peak of the Heaven Immortal stage, but the durability of the world barrier is not the same from both sides. Here, I can use the Severing Karma Sword to split the heavens, but entering from the outside is impossible. I estimate that the power required to force entry into the Tianxuan World from the outside is at least ten thousand times greater than what I exerted when I used the Immortal-Severing Sword."

"So that is why you left behind a clone and the Severing Karma Sword? You hoped that once your true self found a way to cultivate vow power in the outside world, you could use this clone to open a passage and return?" Jitian asked with a scoff. "So, can you contact your true self or not?"

Wuliu Zhengying shook his head. "That was merely a precaution my true self left behind in case of danger. In truth, I lost contact with my true self the moment he departed. Even if I were to shatter the world barrier here, he might not be able to seize the opportunity to pass through. It seems my true self underestimated the difficulty of this endeavor."

So that was it. It seemed Wuliu Zhengying had been rather rash. While the outside world possessed a power ceiling far higher than the Heaven Immortal stage, it was also rife with danger. A Heaven Immortal might be able to roam freely in the Tianxuan World, but outside, they would be no better than a speck of dust. This was the fundamental reason why the top cultivators of the Tianxuan World would not leave unless absolutely forced to.

Better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix. The path of cultivation is endless; venturing outside does not guarantee a greater breakthrough. Generally speaking, most cultivators in the Tianxuan World are unwilling to leave. This sentiment had improved slightly after the disappearance of the True Immortal from the Yuzhang Sect, as many chose to leave to avoid becoming targets for other top cultivators. However, Wuliu Zhengying’s act of opening the Heavenly Gate had raised the world's power ceiling significantly, causing many to hesitate once more.

Only Wuliu Zhengying, seeking a higher realm, had departed after Sage Xujing. To Wang Li, who had lived through five thousand years, this "ostrich mentality" once seemed like a lack of ambition. But having experienced so much and witnessed the cruelty of the cultivation world, his perspective had shifted. Hiding in the Tianxuan World was often a sign of hesitation in the face of an uncertain future, not a lack of aspiration for the Dao. Otherwise, so many strong individuals throughout history would not have chosen to leave.

Wang Li said, "The outside world is indeed dangerous, but danger and opportunity coexist. Fellow Daoist Wuliu is exceptionally gifted; the Tianxuan World cannot constrain him, and naturally, it cannot constrain you either. The power ceiling of this world will continue to rise, but it requires time and opportunity. Perhaps by tomorrow, you will feel the shackles of that ceiling break, or perhaps you will spend your whole life in vain and still have to leave to seek a breakthrough elsewhere."

"Enough of that. Let us return to the matter of vow power."

"What would you have us do, Senior?" asked Huang Tao.

"Senior has benefited us greatly; if you have a task, we are duty-bound to assist," Hua Ying added. The others also expressed their willingness to help Wang Li.

Wang Li said, "I thank you all. I ask that you help me establish shrines throughout the Tianxuan World. The scale does not need to be grand, but the more there are, the better. My physical body is pinned beneath the Heaven’s Pride Ranking, and Jiang Yue is trapped there with me. I will establish a connection with these shrines through the ranking."

"I have already provided the manufacturing method for the playback devices to the Sect Leader of Nirvana. The Pure Yang Temple will mass-produce the one hundred basic cultivation techniques I have refined and completed. I ask that you establish 'Instruction Halls' at these shrines, opening these devices and techniques to all cultivators. I also request that you station personnel at these halls to prevent any unscrupulous individuals from causing destruction."

"I intend to preach to the world, gathering the majority of the Tianxuan World's vow power to free myself."

"Ah! This... is that wise?" Daoist Lieyang hesitated. "If you preach openly and all the talented seedlings go to these Instruction Halls to cultivate, how will our sects recruit disciples?"

He was not alone; the leaders of other sects shared this concern. If one could cultivate without joining a sect, who would be willing to submit to their control? While this move would significantly increase the number of cultivators, unbridled, undisciplined practitioners could lead to even greater trouble.