Rule! (Seeking collection and recommendations!)

What is a Myriad Phenomena True Person?

If the Purple Mansion realm is the opening of the Purple Mansion Origin Sea within the dantian, where the innate true essence in the body transforms into Purple Mansion origin power, granting a lifespan of up to five hundred years and marking the true beginning of the path to immortality—earning one the title of "cultivator"—then the Myriad Phenomena realm is the sublimation of that Purple Mansion Origin Sea. By condensing the sun, moon, and stars with vast amounts of origin power, one can resonate with the celestial bodies of the outside world to manifest the myriad phenomena of day and night. With a flip of the palm, they can move mountains and fill seas, possessing immense divine abilities, and are revered by countless cultivators as "True Persons."

Zhou Hao looked at "True Person Muxuan," the general who had arrived on the wind, his eyes filled with yearning.

Although his master, "True Person Daoyi," was also called a True Person, this was not the same caliber of True Person. To achieve the Myriad Phenomena realm was to be a pillar of strength even within an immortal sect.

The major hegemon clans of the Great Wild Plains did not possess a single Myriad Phenomena True Person.

This is what a true cultivator looks like, Zhou Hao thought to himself.

To the common folk, innate beings are like Gods and Devils; those at the innate qi-refining stage can project true essence, and those at the innate body-refining stage can regrow severed limbs.

Yet, in the eyes of a true cultivator, innate beings have merely earned the qualification to begin the path of immortality; they are only marginally stronger than the common folk.

However, while Zhou Hao yearned for this, it was merely the aspiration for the higher realms of the long, arduous immortal path.

With the heaven-defying fortune of the Blue Flower in his Sea of Consciousness, his goals went far beyond this.

Not to mention, the Dharma Image manifested by True Person Muxuan was merely the "Star Dharma Image," the most inferior of the Myriad Phenomena realm.

The Myriad Phenomena realm is an exceptionally unique stage.

There are three types of Dharma Images that manifest when one reveals their power.

The Dharma Image displayed by True Person Muxuan, which showed only countless brilliant stars, was the "Star Dharma Image," considered the weakest among Myriad Phenomena True Persons.

A step above the Star Dharma Image is the second-tier "Bright Moon Dharma Image," which features not only brilliant stars but also a bright moon manifesting simultaneously.

The legendary, supreme Dharma Image is one where billions of stars, the bright moon, and the Blazing Sun all appear at once.

Only the most supreme Dharma Image can, upon reaching the "Perfection of Myriad Phenomena," nurture the foundational, perfect Dharma Image scene where "the Moon Rabbit emerges from the bright moon and the Golden Crow appears in the Blazing Sun."

That is the "foundation of a Heavenly Immortal," the only path with a true prospect of becoming a Heavenly Immortal in the future.

I have the Blue Flower in my Sea of Consciousness, which can produce Blue Flower Water Vapor and Blue Flower Mist to aid in enlightenment and boost my strength beyond my rank. My future Dharma Image must be the supreme, perfect one, so as not to waste this fortune I have gained in two lifetimes.

Zhou Hao stared at the viewing platform, making a firm resolution in his heart.

...On the viewing platform, True Person Muxuan took his seat in the center chair.

The two lieutenant generals sat to his left and right, while the four commanders stood to the side.

"Elder Ji, Baili."

True Person Muxuan scanned his sides, seeing that the two Purple Mansion cultivators and the four commanders had all donned their new armor, and asked, "Are you satisfied with the power of this Jade Dragon Armor?"

"General, Baili and I spent all of yesterday familiarizing ourselves with it; the power of us two working together has more than doubled," the silver-haired elder laughed. "Baili even said that once the entire Xiantian Battalion has switched to this armor, he wants to personally lead a team to wipe out those lunatics from the Fire Worship Sect."

"A bunch of people who only know how to bewitch the hearts of others; they dare to reach out toward our Jade Dragon City just because they occupied a few Vassal Cities. General, if you wish to strike at them, I, Ren Baili, am willing to serve as the vanguard."

The moment the burly man "Ren Baili," who looked like a man made of metal, spoke, his voice rang out with the clashing sound of blades.

"It is good that you have such spirit," True Person Muxuan smiled. "The Fire Worship Sect here in the Great Wild Plains is merely a branch altar; wiping them out would be as easy as turning over one's hand.

However, the sect just had a clash with their main altar at Luoyan Island in the East Sea, and both sides suffered losses. Now is not the time for a decisive battle; we need only guard Jade Dragon City well."

"What? A mere Fire Worship Sect, and even the sect cannot take them down?" The silver-haired elder and Ren Baili exchanged glances, their hearts filled with astonishment.

Although the Fire Worship Sect had been building influence and opening branch altars throughout the Guangling Prefecture, they had not risen for long. In terms of foundation, how could they compare to the countless years of accumulation of their backing sect, the "Jade Dragon Sect"?

Moreover, the Jade Dragon Sect was not alone in the East Sea; the Three Sects, Two Islands, and Five Immortal Gates were of one mind, and the outside world even collectively referred to the Five Immortal Gates as the "East Sea Sect."

Having managed the East Sea for countless years, even the Great Xia Dynasty relied on them to stabilize its rule over the region.

Could a top-tier power like this be rivaled by a "Fire Worship Sect" that was little more than a cult? And even suffer mutual losses?

"The Fire Worship Sect cannot, but the power behind them can," True Person Muxuan shook his head, transmitting his voice to the two lieutenant generals. "This time, it has even alarmed the Upper Sect."

"The Upper Sect?"

At this, the silver-haired elder and Ren Baili were not just astonished; they were horrified.

"Otherwise, who do you think could allow all the innate Dao soldiers in the hundreds of coastal cities of the Five Immortal Gates to be fully equipped with Jade Dragon Armor? Even our Five Immortal Gates could not afford such a grand gesture."

True Person Muxuan revealed a little more information to his two deputies.

"Enough, let the elders and immortals of the sect worry about those major matters. If we guard Jade Dragon City well, we are serving the sect."

"Yes," the silver-haired elder and Ren Baili nodded in response.

"This time, the Xiantian Battalion will be reorganized into the Jade Dragon Army. The new Fifth Squad will be established and its commander selected. Elder Ji, proceed according to the previously established procedures and preside over it."

True Person Muxuan did not use voice transmission this time, speaking directly to the silver-haired elder beside him.

"Yes, General."

The silver-haired elder stood up, his gaze sweeping across the crowd below, and then he announced loudly, "Today, at the martial assembly, by the General's order, our Xiantian Battalion shall be renamed the 'Jade Dragon Army,' and the four squads of soldiers will be increased to five."

"The positions of commander and squad leader in the original four squads remain unchanged. The position of commander for the newly added Fifth Squad will be contested by twenty squad leaders and seven new soldiers of the late innate stage; the strongest among them shall be the new commander."

As soon as the silver-haired elder's voice fell, it immediately sparked low-voiced discussions among the more than six hundred innate beings.

"The Xiantian Battalion is actually being renamed the 'Jade Dragon Army'."

"Haha, Jade Dragon Army, not bad, not bad at all. It has much more momentum than Xiantian Battalion."

"Eh, wait. Weren't there only six experts at the Xiantian late stage among the new recruits? How is there an extra one?"

"That's right, I haven't heard of anyone else breaking through."

The crowd first discussed the Xiantian Battalion's sudden name change, then shifted their attention to the extra Xiantian late-stage expert who had appeared out of nowhere.

The formation of one hundred and twenty new recruits also began looking around, their gazes quickly converging on the unfamiliar Zhou Hao.

"Brother Zhou Hao, you're at the Xiantian late stage?" Shangguan Yun, standing next to Zhou Hao, couldn't help but ask.

The other recruits watched with curiosity, eager to see just how strong this lucky newcomer who joined yesterday really was.

"Mm, I suppose so." Zhou Hao nodded.

Strictly speaking, based on his cultivation level, Zhou Hao was only at the Xiantian early stage of the fourth level of the Chiming Nine Heavens Map.

However, the Chiming Nine Heavens Map was the premier cultivation technique for Gods and Devils, crushing all others at the same level. An early-stage Xiantian practitioner could rival the late-stage Xiantian practitioners of other techniques, so the military department's statistics classified him as a late-stage Xiantian.

Thus, including Zhou Hao, there were seven Xiantian late-stage newcomers competing against the twenty squad leaders from the other four squads—all of whom were at or above the Xiantian late stage—for the position of the new commander.

"You're really not honest, not telling me you were at the Xiantian late stage. And here I was treating you like a friend," Shangguan Yun said, eyes widening.

"Brother, say less," Shangguan Yu tugged at Shangguan Yun's arm, saying helplessly, "We didn't ask, so why would he just blurt it out?"

"That's true." Shangguan Yun paused, then laughed, "Brother Zhou Hao, I misjudged you."

Seeing Shangguan Yu's helpless expression, Zhou Hao shook his head with a smile, saying it was no matter.

Though he was a simple-minded fellow, he wasn't annoying.

It wasn't just the Xiantian beings below the platform who were whispering; the commanders and deputy generals on the platform were also discussing the matter.

"Elder Ji, when did the newcomers get another Xiantian late-stage expert? How come I didn't know?"

Ren Baili scanned the formation of recruits, his gaze quickly landing on Zhou Hao, who had become the center of attention. "That kid?"

"Yes, his name is Zhou Hao, he just joined the Xiantian Battalion yesterday," the silver-haired elder nodded. "He practices the Chiming Nine Heavens Map. Although he is only at the fourth level and just entered the Xiantian stage, based on his strength, he is classified as a Xiantian late-stage."

"Chiming Nine Heavens Map?"

The gazes of Ren Baili and the two commanders shifted in unison from Zhou Hao to the cold youth standing to the side.

Cao Rong, who already knew about the technique Zhou Hao practiced, had been watching the cold youth's expression from the start, his eyes filled with the anticipation of a good show.

"Li Zhan, it seems you have a rival in the future," Ren Baili said with a smile.

Ever since the cold youth had arrived at the drill ground and taken his place on the platform, he had kept his eyes closed and stood there, save for opening them to salute when True Person Muxuan arrived. He seemed constantly immersed in cultivation, indifferent to everything in the outside world.

Hearing Ren Baili speak to him, the cold youth, Li Zhan, finally opened his eyes.

He glanced at Zhou Hao, then closed his eyes again. "It is only the fourth level; he does not count as a rival. Besides, I only wish to break through the Xiantian bottleneck and step into the Purple Mansion; I do not want to be distracted by other matters."

"Mm, it is best that you think this way, Zhan'er." True Person Muxuan looked at Li Zhan with a gentle expression. "If you can break through to the Purple Mansion, this master will grant you a great fortune."

"Thank you, Master." Li Zhan opened his eyes to salute True Person Muxuan respectfully, then closed them again, ignoring the attention of the crowd.

"What's he acting so high and mighty for?" Cao Rong curled his lip and muttered, "Brother Zhou Hao could kill an Ape Demon just after entering the Xiantian stage. Once he reaches the sixth level, it'll be easy for him to suppress you."

"What did you say?" The only woman among the four commanders, Yang Yun, stood next to Cao Rong and asked upon hearing his mutterings, "What will be easy?"

Seeing the general and deputy generals looking at him, Cao Rong quickly changed his tune: "I was saying it will be easy for Brother Zhou Hao to compete for the commander position."

"Easy?" Yang Yun scoffed. "Do you think the others are just decorations?"

"Yunyun, do you dare make a bet with me?" Cao Rong continued, "I bet the final commander will be Brother Zhou Hao. If I lose, you can set any condition, but if I win, you just have to let me kiss you."

"Get lost." Yang Yun arched her willow brows. "I won't bet with a beast like you, always looking to take advantage of me."

"If you really let me take advantage of you, I promise I'll never take advantage of any other woman again," Cao Rong swore.

"The ghosts believe you." Yang Yun snorted. "None of you 'Four Beasts' are any good."

Ren Baili and the others laughed. The nickname 'Four Beasts' for Cao Rong and his subordinates Yang Qiong, Miao Ying, and Zhao Hu in Jade Dragon City had indeed spread from Yang Yun's own lips.

And the fact that Cao Rong had been fruitlessly chasing after Yang Yun for a long time was no secret in the Xiantian Battalion.

Every person serving as a commander in the Xiantian Battalion was an expert at the peak of the Xiantian stage, capable of contending with ordinary early-stage Purple Mansion cultivators. The top-ranked Li Zhan even had a record of killing a Purple Mansion realm expert.

In the eyes of True Person Muxuan and the two deputy generals, all four of them would likely become inner sect disciples of the Jade Dragon Sect, so they were usually treated differently than ordinary Xiantian beings.

"The discussion is over. Let us begin." As soon as True Person Muxuan spoke, everyone stopped laughing and talking.

"Yes." The silver-haired elder walked to the front of the platform.

"Hu Yong, Yang Qiong, Miao Ying, Xi Qianshui... Nan Ming, Shangguan Yun, Shangguan Yu, Zhou Hao."

The silver-haired elder read out twenty-seven names in one breath.

"Those whose names are called, step out and stand in front."

Immediately, twenty people walked out from the four squads of veteran Xiantian Battalion soldiers.

"Brother Zhou Hao, let's go too." There was excitement in Shangguan Yun's voice.

"Let's go." Zhou Hao, the Shangguan siblings, and the other four newcomers also walked to the front of the platform.

"In this competition, the strongest will be the commander of the Fifth Squad, and the rest will serve as squad leaders."

The silver-haired elder's gaze swept over the twenty-seven Xiantian late-stage soldiers before the platform, pausing briefly on Zhou Hao, then turned to True Person Muxuan. "I invite the General to cast the spell."

True Person Muxuan nodded, his gaze shifting to the center of the training grounds where the various squads of the Xiantian Battalion were stationed.

"Rise!"

Rumble, rumble~~~~

The earth trembled as five sections of ground in the center of the training field suddenly heaved upward, forming platforms twenty zhang in length and width, standing half a meter high.

Once the platforms were set, True Person Muxuan waved his hand, sending five streaks of green light flying toward them. In the blink of an eye, they transformed into five hulking puppets, their bodies seemingly knotted from tangled vines, each standing nearly three meters tall.

"The method of competition is simple!" The silver-haired elder pointed toward the platforms. "These five platforms each hold a Purple Mansion-stage Vine Wood Puppet, though their strength will be capped at the Xiantian peak."

"The four squad leaders and the team of newcomers will each be assigned to a platform. Only one person from each team may step onto the platform at a time to face the Vine Wood Puppet. The five individuals who hold out the longest will advance to the next round of one-on-one elimination matches."

"The strongest fighter in the second round will become the new commander, and the others will serve as squad leaders."

"Remember, during the platform trials, the use of Dao talismans or other external aids is strictly prohibited. Anyone caught relying on external help will be disqualified immediately."

"Understood." Zhou Hao and the other twenty-seven individuals bowed in unison.

Aside from magical weapons and equipment, Dao talismans were the most common means of augmenting one's strength.

Whether it was a Light Body Talisman, a Godly Travel Talisman, or a Great Strength Talisman, they could all boost one's combat prowess by several fractions, making them quite standard in life-or-death battles.

However, this was a contest for the position of commander, and one had to rely on their own strength to pass the trial.

"Are the rules clear to everyone?"

Seeing that no one below had any further questions, the silver-haired elder commanded, "Head to your respective platforms."

The Xiantian Battalion's contest for the new commander, the first round of trials, officially begins!