One more catty, one more attribute point

"I apologize, age has a way of inviting nostalgia. I hope you can forgive my sentimental moment," Meng Huan said with an apologetic smile, raising his tea cup and saluting Su Heng from across the distance before lifting his head and downing the tea in one gulp.

"Seniors being so candid is admirable," Su Heng said with a smile.

As for what Meng Huan had just said,

Su Heng wasn't hearing it for the first time, and combined with what he had observed,

those speculations certainly weren't unfounded. Various ominous signs had started to emerge, though the Jiang-E region was too remote, so the impacts were less felt there. But as the situation developed, the future was bound to get worse and deteriorate.

But there was nothing to be afraid of.

Focus on the matters at hand and improve your strength. If that day really comes, you can just plow through and sweep across the opposition.

"Senior,"

Su Heng set down his tea cup, his eyes sparkling, "I've heard more than once that the echo from the Realm of Eternal Life is deepening, but the specifics elude me."

"You mentioned earlier that powerful beings would be returning from the Realm of Eternal Life, and I hope you can clarify this for me," he added.

"The Realm of Eternal Life is sometimes referred to as the Boundless Ocean. You can think of it as an ocean, and our current world as an island atop this ocean," Find adventures at empire

Meng Huan dipped his finger in the tea, drawing a circle on the table to represent the island, and then added a few wave lines beside it to symbolize the ocean.

"Upon reaching the Earth Immortal Realm, if one continues to stay in the current world, under normal circumstances, they would have a lifespan of about five hundred years. To achieve eternal life, one must go to the Realm of Eternal Life, and that's the origin of its name," Meng Huan explained.

"What is in the Realm of Eternal Life?" Su Heng asked.

"It's hard to say, as both time and space there are chaotic," Meng Huan replied, "Every individual experiences and sees different things. But there's one certainty, and that's the Realm is rife with danger."

"Demon gods, chaotic currents, ancient races, broken worlds, and so on..."

"An Earth Immortal may seem powerful, but navigating through it is like sailing a wooden boat in a stormy and murky ocean, always at risk of perishing at any moment. Of course, where there's crisis, there's opportunity, and no one can say for sure what they might find in the Realm of Eternal Life—it's even possible to stumble upon a fragment of a broken world."

"As for the deepening echo of the Realm of Eternal Life,"

Meng Huan wore a contemplative look before gently tapping the wave lines on the table:

"If you think of the Realm of Eternal Life as an ocean, this ocean has periods of stability and periods of tides. The deepening echo is like the sea transitioning from a calm state to churning waves, turning an already perilous environment even more brutal."

"The ripple effects from the depths of the Realm of Eternal Life can extend to our current world. The manifestations include the birth of more demons and monsters, and the conditions for the descent of great rulers and demon gods become much simpler and easier."

"Of course, there are also benefits,"

Meng Huan said, "Various martial resources will become more abundant, and cultivation will be easier."

"Those strong explorers of the Realm of Eternal Life, unable to endure the turmoil deep within, chose to return to the current world."

Su Heng nodded in understanding, slowly grasping the concept, "Then, how do they return?"

"The Realm of Eternal Life is an ocean, and the most important thing for navigating through an ocean is an anchor point," Meng Huan explained, "Have you heard of 'paying homage to Buddha'?"

"I know there are some Buddha statues in the Northern Jiang Province that seem to help people break through to the Heavenly Deceit," Su Heng replied eagerly.

"Those statues of deities and Buddhas serve as anchor points for their return," Meng Huan nodded and said.

"Some of the strong beings who leave this world leave a legacy. As long as the incense continues and their descendants or disciples call their names, they will sense it in the Realm of Eternal Life."

"I see,"

Meng Huan said, "Of course, there are many intricate details involved in this. It's very complicated and can't be explained in a short time."

"Is there anything else you would like to understand?" Seeing Su Heng's enlightened expression, Meng Huan gently placed his tea cup down.

"Is 'Heavenly King' a specific realm, or simply an honorary title?" Su Heng asked amidst the gentle breeze.

"Only the eminent ones in the Earth Immortal Realm are qualified to be conferred the title of Heavenly King,"

Meng Huan replied, "On the one hand, it's a matter of strength, at least the second stage of the Dharma Realm, capable of suppressing demon gods. On the other hand, it's about maintaining a certain degree of, at a minimum, superficial loyalty to the empire. Under specific circumstances, they can be deployed."

"Dharma Realm... I don't recall seeing his Dharma image on King Dingxuan," Su Heng wondered aloud.

"That's because King Dingxuan had a serious battle with King Qingyang before, which left him severely injured, shattering his Dharma image," Meng Huan answered.

"Hiss..."

Su Heng immediately took on a solemn expression, "From this perspective, it seems King Qingyang is far stronger than King Dingxuan by no small margin."

"As an old-guard Heavenly King of the empire, even in the Central Region where strong contenders and dark horses proliferate, King Qingyang still commands significant renown," Meng Huan responded thus.

"If King Xuan was at his peak, beating him would not be easy," Su Heng appeared quite serious.

"My young friend, you needn't sell yourself short," Meng Huan said, raising his teacup. "I have traveled extensively and visited the Central Plains several times, rarely encountering someone as physically robust as you. Moreover, during your battle with King Xuan, it seemed as if you were still not exerting your full strength... which is even more terrifying."

"Your prowess is also unfathomable," Su Heng looked deeply at Meng Huan and smiled.

The two exchanged compliments, both in good spirits.

"However, to firmly overcome King Xuan at his peak, it's necessary to increase one's spiritual foundation," Meng Huan said. "You've only stepped into Heavenly Deceit recently, and there is still a long road ahead."

"That's true," Su Heng nodded, sharing the same thought.

"The second step of Heavenly Deceit is Qi Control. This realm involves integrating the power of longevity's heaven with one's martial arts will into one's energy, achieving a preliminary transformation. Afterward, the martial artist's energy will carry a trace of vitality, possess many variations, and it's also the foundation for the Dharma Realm later on."

Meng Huan briefly explained the features of this realm and then asked, "As for the cultivation technique required for this realm, do you have any plans?"

"Not at the moment," Su Heng honestly replied.

After all, he had not yet perfected the first step of Heavenly Deceit, the Tathagata's Treasure Sutra.

"If you're not in a hurry, you might want to try cultivating our Sword Sect's 'Sword Refining Technique.' This technique is quite profound," Meng Huan suggested, twirling his wine cup with a self-satisfied smile on his face.

He would not refuse such a beneficial offer.

Su Heng was moved, quickly clasping his fists and saying, "Then I shall respectfully follow your advice."

"No need for formalities," Meng Huan waved his hand casually. "Cultivation techniques are like divine weapons; they only shine in the hands of the right person. It's our honor to have a young man with your abilities inherit our Sword Sect's technique."

"There's another matter I wish to consult you on," Meng Huan stroked his chin, his smile gradually fading away.

Their gazes met, and Su Heng asked, "About the Mythical Battlefield?"

"Yes!" Meng Huan nodded.

Su Heng, treated earnestly by Meng Huan, naturally would have no secrets to keep.

He then recounted in detail everything that had happened in the Dharma King Temple.

Once the Mythical Battlefield descends, the seven provinces of the Jiang and E regions will face severe threats. In actuality, Su Heng's situation was not too bad – if truly unable to withstand it, he could simply take his family and friends and flee.

But for the likes of immortal sects and noble families, with great establishments to their name,

their subordinate forces and the intricate web of interests would make fleeing a complex affair. Even if there was the option to flee, leaving their current sphere of influence would inevitably mean relying on others in new lands. Not only would the sect's vitality be greatly diminished, but they would also face many humiliations.

Unless absolutely necessary, they would certainly be unwilling to give up without a fight.

"The Mythical Battlefield can lead to two different situations," Meng Huan said seriously after listening. "The first is a direct connection to the void in Longevity Heaven. The second is to a specific small world within Longevity Heaven."

"Based on your description, it's very likely we're facing the latter situation."

Seeing his expression turn slightly grim, Su Heng asked, "Is the second situation very bad?"

"The small worlds in Longevity Heaven are usually occupied by demon gods or are the homelands of ancient races; either way, they're extremely dangerous," Meng Huan said with a bitter smile.

"It seems our luck isn't very good," Su Heng responded breezily.

"However, it's not entirely disadvantageous," Meng Huan shifted the conversation. "Do you remember what I told you earlier? Being able to imprint your spirit in one of the small worlds of Longevity Heaven gives you the qualifications to become Sealing Heaven."

"Even in the Great Zhou Dynasty, that's considered a legendary figure. Not to mention the myriad of unique resources within a small world; they're invaluable."

"These things are a bit too far off, let's focus on surviving the initial onslaught first," Su Heng chuckled.

He had noticed something.

Meng Huan had his own considerations, promising various benefits in the hopes of keeping Su Heng by his side.

With the potential for king-level combat power and limitless prospects, whether the Sword Sect could survive this catastrophe or even flourish and expand depended on keeping a firm grip on this powerfully muscled support.

Of course, neither of them explicitly stated this arrangement, with an implicit understanding between them.

"When the tide recedes, you'll see who's been swimming naked," Meng Huan frowned slightly and sighed before speaking again. "The three great immortal sects and four major families have never been particularly united. Now that the Mythical Battlefield is upon us and a calamity approaches, the choices to be made will probably differ."

"How so?" Su Heng inquired.

"Some people may choose to stay while others might decide to leave. This involves the distribution of interests, and a lot could happen. Before the enemy even arrives, the immortal sects and noble families might already erupt in a small-scale conflict internally."

"If such a conflict does erupt, we might need a Stabilizing Pillar," Meng Huan said, his gaze intense as he looked at Su Heng.