As the Vice Dean of the Golden Academy, Sun Boxiu led a group of Spirit Power Realm experts into the grand Golden Hall to et the delegation from the Xuanxian Continent. When his gaze fell upon the delegation’s leader, the elderly man with crane-white hair and youthful features, a shadow of dread crept over Sun Boxiu’s heart.
The old man appeared benevolent and kind, yet his life aura was terrifying beyond asure. If one were to close their eyes and feel its presence, the intensity of the aura would seem far from anything humans should possess—it resembled that of a mythical creature from legend.
Indeed.
Cultivators, in their pursuit of Immortal Cultivation, undergo life transformations that fundantally transcend human essence. Strictly speaking, they should be classified as humanoid spiritual beings.
"This elder is imnsely powerful. The results of the prior analysis were spot on. Cultivators from the Xuanxian Continent grow in power as they age—an older cultivator is invariably more fearso. No matter how gifted an Evolver might be, it’s almost laughable to think ten years of cultivation could ever compare to soone who’s cultivated for decades, if not centuries."
"Especially considering that the Xuanxian Continent’s cosmic energy—no, Spiritual Energy—is currently at its peak. Coupled with thousands, even tens of thousands of years of developnt, they utterly overshadow Earth in every aspect."
Sun Boxiu sighed silently in his heart.
Only after coming into direct contact with such a pinnacle-developed cultivation world did he truly grasp the vast disparity between the two realms.
If not for their fears being quelled by the recent divine All-World Strike, the Cultivators from the Xuanxian Continent would never have considered diplomatic exchanges with Earth’s Evolvers. They would likely have directly forced their way in, enslaving countless Earthlings just as the dark elves in history were made to pick cotton.
"I, Taixian Weng, have brought seventy-two disciples of the Xuanxian Continent’s Immortal Cultivation to pay respects to the Golden Academy. May your heirloom lineage flourish and your longevity prevail."
With a polite smile, the elder introduced himself as Taixian Weng, bowing slightly. Then he continued, "In this visit, I bring ten scrolls of cultivation techniques, 120 spells, 30 pieces of spiritual artifacts, three treasures, along with five hundred jade slips containing knowledge of dicine, formations, history, divination, and alchemy. These are offered as gifts in hopes we can resolve prior misunderstandings and exchange cultivation thods, thereby proving the Dao together."
As he spoke, Spiritual Beasts began pulling carts laden with neatly arranged jade slips and magic treasures, placing them to the side.
Sun Boxiu glanced at the items, but his heart betrayed no joy.
He knew these gifts couldn’t be particularly valuable—likely only a collection of foundational cultivation techniques and historical records from the Xuanxian Continent. Such materials, if sought actively, would not be impossible for the Golden Academy to acquire. However, since the other party was now proactively offering them, it could save so effort and shortcuts in understanding their systems.
As for the cultivation thods and spells, he didn’t intend to provide them for Golden Academy students to study.
This wasn’t because he was selfish, but because he feared potential problems. If the students learned these techniques and left dangerous vulnerabilities or they were easily countered, what then?
The Golden Academy represented the gathering place of Earth’s elites and experts. If problems arose here, Earth’s hope would vanish entirely.
After a brief contemplation, Sun Boxiu forced a polite smile and said, "Taixian Weng is too kind. Under the Sky Tipping phenonon, disasters are rampant. Be it the Xuanxian Continent or Earth, we’re all victims of this calamity. Compared to the dangers lurking in hidden realms of other worlds, the grievances between our two sides are insignificant. Your willingness to bring disciples of the Xuanxian Continent to the Golden Academy for exchanges in Immortal Cultivation and to promote interworld goodwill is truly monuntal. As the Vice Dean of Golden Academy, I naturally offer my heartfelt welco."
His ssage was clear.
The Xuanxian Continent shouldn’t fixate on Earth. Now that the Cross-border Gate is open, other-worldly threats might target them as well—they aren’t invincible.
"The Dean makes an excellent point,"
Taixian Weng stroked his beard and smiled warmly. "Thus, exchanges between our worlds are ever more urgent. The Xuanxian Continent does not see Earth as an adversary. We are willing to assist in quelling Earth’s disasters and turmoil, making ands for past grievances with our modest capabilities. I hope the Dean will approve."
Sun Boxiu’s expression subtly shifted.
Was this an attempt to seek a definitive reason and excuse for embedding themselves on Earth?
It would be difficult to refuse outright.
Sun Boxiu replied, "This matter concerns the nation and cannot be decided by alone as Vice Dean. However, I will relay Taixian Weng’s goodwill, and if the notion of mutual benefit prevails, I believe approval is inevitable. I ask Taixian Weng for patience in awaiting the outco."
Taixian Weng smiled lightly, not pressing the matter further. He soon said instead, "No rush. Allowing your populace ti to deliberate is perfectly understandable. In the interim, I shall trouble your land with my presence. Whenever assistance is needed, rest assured I will commit with my disciples. This issue can be revisited at a later date. anwhile, today I wish to converse on the Dao and laws with your academy—to mutually learn from each other. Surely the Dean would not object?"
"Mutual learning and sparring are undoubtedly good things. Why would I oppose it?" Sun Boxiu declared.
Taixian Weng added, "In the Xuanxian Continent, we practice Immortal Cultivation. Entry begins at the Qi Refinent Realm, and the final attainnt, Mahayana, allows one to transcend mortality and beco an Immortal. Even among Immortals, divisions exist—Mortal Immortals and True Immortals..."
He spoke eloquently, elaborating on the cultivation realms of the Xuanxian Continent.
Initially, Qi Refinent, followed by Foundation Establishnt, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Divinity Transformation, Crossing Tribulation, Mahayana, and then Mortal Immortal and True Immortal.
Sun Boxiu and the Golden Academy’s experts frowned deeply as they listened.
According to this frawork of realms, Spirit Power Realm experts should correspond to Golden Core Stage cultivators. However, in terms of actual strength... without a direct clash, it was hard to determine, but Golden Core cultivators were likely stronger based on their world’s highly refined cultivation systems, encompassing artifact refining, formations, talismans, spells, Sword Cultivation, and so on.
By contrast, Spirit Power Realm Evolvers, while pursuing multiple techniques simultaneously, operated within incomplete systems with sowhat underutilized combat potential.
In truth, uncertainty over comparative strengths wasn’t exclusively on the minds of the Golden Academy’s experts—Xuanxian Continent’s Cultivators also questioned whose abilities might prevail under these classifications.
anwhile, outside the grand Golden Hall,
other students gathered, eavesdropping on the conversations within. Shocked by what they overheard, they began debating fervently.
"What? I’m in the Soul Realm, and over there, I’d barely qualify as Foundation Establishnt Stage? Nonsense! Let a Foundation Establishnt Cultivator co over—I’ll twist his head right off," one enraged Soul Realm student exclaid.
"Spirit dium, Spiritual Inspiration, Spiritual Sense—all three of our realms combined can barely surpass their Qi Refinent Realm?"
"Their Qi Refinent does have twelve levels, so it’s hard to say. But their system is clearly well-refined. anwhile, our system halts at Spirit God Realm, awaiting pioneers to forge new advancents. By comparison, their system already enables mortals to transcend into Immortals."
"They cultivate immortality, but our ability to embrace various techniques shouldn’t be underestimated."
The debates among the Earth students echoed the murmurs among the visiting cultivators from the Xuanxian Continent.
"A Spirit Power Realm Evolver compares themselves to a Golden Core Stage cultivator? Absurd. I’ve seen Spirit Power Realm Evolvers fight. If a Foundation Establishnt Cultivator wields a treasure—even a low-grade one—they can slay them outright. Against a Golden Core cultivator, there’s no contest. A re breath of Samadhi Fire would reduce them to ashes."
"Indeed, their Soul Realm seems even more pathetic. A thodology where one’s soul chaotically wanders outside the Dantian or Sea of Consciousness instead of nurturing a Golden Core or Nascent Soul? This is sheer folly, destabilizing their foundation. Their physical developnt is better at least, pushing the body’s potential to an impressive degree. Still, raw strength without mastery is aningless."
"What good is raw power against spells? One clean strike from magic would render their physicality useless. Besides, even the ability to fly leaves them gaping helplessly on the ground below."
"Their world has only cultivated for ten years—they’re still a joke. Just passing them a basic energy-absorption technique would keep them busy for years. Taixian Weng is too courteous toward these natives. Were it up to , I’d unleash a Divinity Transformation Expert’s pressure and flatten them imdiately. Natives fear force, not virtue."
They transmitted smug remarks through Divine Sense.
anwhile, within the Golden Hall, both Taixian Weng and Sun Boxiu acknowledged that discussion alone could never settle the issue of whose cultivation thods were superior. One side could tout the versatility and untapped potential of Spirit Power Evolvers, while the other boasted the perfection of Immortals wielding myriad spells. Ultimately, all would remain speculative.
The true resolution was simple: fight it out.
Seizing the opportunity, Taixian Weng proposed a sparring match—a contest of skill and strength.
After brief deliberation, Sun Boxiu agreed.
He, too, sought to pinpoint the comparative power levels between Evolvers and Cultivators. Such knowledge was pivotal to addressing future conflicts and understanding their opponent’s capabilities should hostilities ever arise. Showing off the Golden Academy’s prowess might even instill a degree of caution in their adversaries.
"However, re sparring matches may limit participants’ performances. Death matches, on the other hand, risk damaging our two realms’ goodwill. How about this? During the sparring, we monitor closely. Should any participant’s safety be threatened, we intervene imdiately. Rescuing them would signify surrender." Taixian Weng stroked his beard and grinned.
Sun Boxiu replied, "That seems fair. I have no objections."
Taixian Weng said, "Then allow to add an incentive. If one of Golden Academy’s students erges victorious, I shall gift them this treasure—the Glazed Golden Light Mirror."
With a swift motion of his palm, a translucent treasure mirror floated into the air.
The mirror’s centerpiece glead with golden brilliance, captivating all eyes and exuding an enchanting Divine Light. Its extraordinary nature was evident at a glance. rely by hovering there, nearby cosmic energy began rushing toward it, devoured incessantly, ready for the user’s command.
"A magnificent artifact indeed," Sun Boxiu couldn’t resist praising.
After their earlier exchanges, Sun Boxiu had learned about the Xuanxian Continent’s artifact grading system: magic artifacts, treasures, and Immortal artifacts. Most cultivators used magic artifacts, while only Nascent Soul cultivators and above could wield treasures, which were divided into lower, middle, and upper grades.
As for Immortal artifacts, they were rare legacies of great sects, solely crafted by True Immortals—prized relics few could obtain.
Thus, treasures were already considered highly valuable within the Xuanxian Continent.
"It seems Taixian Weng intends to probe the Golden Academy’s depths—he’s clearly confident his disciples will triumph." Sun Boxiu mused, his expression shifting slightly. He realized he, too, needed to present an equivalent wager. After so reflection, only a Miracle could match the value of this treasure.
A damaged Miracle wouldn’t suffice—it had to be complete.
Yet complete Miracles contained vital cosmic energy, indispensable for cross-border operations. For the Golden Academy, each Miracle was incredibly precious.
Still, under the current circumstances, there was no choice.
"Since Taixian Weng is so generous with wagering a treasure, I, too, cannot appear stingy." Saying so, Sun Boxiu glanced toward a certain area within the Golden Academy.
The next mont.
A crimson radiance shot forth from the academy’s Cross-border Base.
A single dragon scale crafted like red jade erged, radiating imnse energy fields.
"A dragon scale?" Taixian Weng’s expression shifted profoundly.
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