The strongest nation, the strongest Dao

Great Xia, Mount Fengju Yumen.

In the mythology of the Great Xia, this place is the gateway where the Moonfall.

However, in the eyes of those in the know, this place is the legendary Witch Mountain, the headquarters of the Ten Witches of Spirit Mountain.

As a fragment of the [Mind-Aspect Barrier] of the second Witch King, this was originally a secret realm hidden in the Jade Gate Mountains.

But from some unknown time, a misty fog, seemingly real yet illusory, began to emerge from Witch Mountain and gradually covered the entire mountain range.

Nowadays, all the Xia Kingdom of the Great Xia Dynasty who lived in this region have been relocated, leaving only the gods who want to explore its mysteries.

"The shamans reported that several more deities were spotted attempting to trespass into Witch Mountain yesterday."

In the grand hall deep within Witch Mountain, the Wu Ji holding a scepter bowed and approached Wu Xian with aged steps.

"They're just some harmless bugs, don't bother with them."

Upon hearing this, Wu Xian merely chuckled.

Compared to Wu Ji, Wu Xian, being an immortal, was only a bit older in appearance.

In terms of energy and mental capacity, he is still at the peak of his life.

"What we should be more concerned about now is that Dao Proving One infiltrated Witch Mountain last time..."

"While I did manage to repel it last time with the help of the Witch Mountain Cauldron, it also took the opportunity to steal a portion of the power of the second-generation Witch King."

"After this period of contemplation and divination, I have determined that He wishes to use the Witch Mountain Cauldron to perfect His own Dao Path."

At this point, Wu Xian's smile vanished, and his tone became much more serious.

"Unfortunately, I was never able to pinpoint its location, nor could I repair the missing parts of the Witch Mountain Cauldron, which led to the continuous leakage of the second-generation Witch King's power."

In fact, this is also a major reason why Wu Xian made such a hasty decision to start the Witch King Ritual.

He must complete the succession of the tenth Witch King before the power of the [Witch Mountain Cauldron] completely dissipates.

Otherwise, without the crucial power of the [Witch Mountain Cauldron], the new Witch King would never have been able to integrate and combine the power of the previous nine Witch King into one.

"So, is this why you chose to select a new Witch King from the Hundred Lands Mountain Range?"

With a slight frown, Wu Ji clearly did not approve of Wu Xian's decision.

Unlike the unorthodox Witch King of the past.

Due to Li Boyang's presence, the Hundred Lands Mountain Range possesses a cohesion and centripetal force far exceeding that of the Great Xia.

It's hard to say whether the chosen Witch King will become the Witch King of Great Xia or the Witch King of the Hundred Lands Mountain Range in the future.

"That's only one reason."

Wu Xian nodded without any attempt to hide his composure, his voice unusually calm.

"As the advantages of the Hundred Lands Mountain Range became increasingly apparent, many gods, great shamans, and even ordinary people began to consider relocating there."

"I'm sure you know how the Great Xia was founded and how the Alliance of the Xia developed."

"In time, the Hundred Lands Mountain Range of today will become just like the Great Xia of the past."

"Having absorbed the essence of all nations, he will become the undisputed hegemon of this land, dominating the future order."

This is the process of the Great Xia's growth; how could Wu Ji not be familiar with it?

But it is precisely because they are so familiar with this process that far-sighted shamans like Wu Ji feel fear.

"Do you believe this trend is unstoppable? Is that why you proactively chose to join?"

Seemingly understanding Wu Xian's thoughts to some extent, but still mostly confused, Wu Ji countered with a question.

Born a shaman of the Great Xia, and will remain a shaman of the Great Xia even after death.

The education Wu Ji childhood instilled in him a sense of pride in his identity as the "Shaman of the Great Xia Dynasty."

He simply couldn't imagine what it would be like if the Great Xia ceased to exist one day, and was replaced by a new country established under the leadership of that Celestial Person.

"No, or rather, not entirely..."

"As far as I know, the Hundred Lands Mountain Range have always restricted the influx of outsiders."

"So far, apart from the Butterfly People, only powerful individuals have been allowed to reside in the Hundred Lands Mountain Range."

"Why don't we seize this opportunity to learn their cultivation methods and governing philosophies, making Great Xia stronger, and then absorb the essence of the Hundred Lands Mountain Range?"

Wu Xian's remarks revealed the theory that the Great Xia Dynasty had been practicing since ancient times.

The Great Xia never rejects advanced things; as long as they can be used for their own purposes, they are confident that they can become stronger than their original owners.

"To learn that Celestial Person's methods of cultivation and philosophy of governance? Will he give us that time?"

Slightly taken aback, Wu Ji opened his mouth wide and asked, somewhat confused.

"Ha, that's the wisdom of that Celestial Person being."

After giving Wu Ji a deep look, Wu Xian continued speaking from the perspective of an immortal.

Do you think that the Great Xia has been able to continuously absorb the essence and wisdom of other countries because of its own military strength?

"If that's your thinking, then you're being incredibly superficial."

"In the thousands of years since the founding of the Great Xia, we have faced the crisis of national annihilation more than once, against gods whose power far exceeded our imagination."

"But we all persevered, and ultimately emerged victorious, standing tall on this land."

"What do you think we're relying on?"

"A country in its development stage that wants to become stronger can indeed rely on some external people and events to a certain extent."

"But if a country's ultimate goal is to become the strongest, then it can only rely on its own strength."

"Compared to other states, the Great Xia's military strength and wisdom are secondary; what matters most is that our population has always maintained an overwhelming advantage."

"Therefore, we are able to absorb the essence of the outside world time and time again, treating it as nourishment for our own growth."

Seeing that Wu Ji was still somewhat bewildered, Wu Xian continued to teach him earnestly.

"That Celestial Person was clearly aware of this, which is why he restricted outsiders from settling in the Hundred Lands Mountain Range."

"Believe it or not, even if we open up Hundred Lands Mountain Range in the future..."

"That Celestial Person would only accept blank slates like the Butterfly People, who have no faith, no culture, no kingdom, and no systematic understanding."

"Only when this blank canvas is filled with traces of Celestial Person will they truly be considered part of the Hundred Lands Mountain Range."

Seeing that Wu Ji was gradually coming to his senses, Wu Xian delivered his final concluding remarks.

"That Celestial Person was expanding the main population of the Hundred Lands Mountain Range, and his ambitions were even greater than those of the Great Xia."

"The Great Xia only accepts humans, but the Celestial Person are accepting all intelligent individuals and then reforging them into a main body called the Hundred Lands Mountain Range."

"Whether it's the Mountain Folk having children themselves or receiving people from outside, it all takes time."

"What our Great Xia needs to do is become stronger before that happens, strong enough to resist, and even assimilate, those individuals from the Hundred Lands Mountain Range."

"In terms of population, our Great Xia has an absolute advantage; what we lack is only wisdom and ideas."

"And a Witch King born in the Hundred Lands Mountain Range can bring us this wisdom and philosophy."

Looking at Wu Xian's face, which was full of antiquity and wisdom, Wu Ji fell silent.

Fearing that they would be assimilated into the Great Xia and become a member of the Alliance of the Xia, that Celestial Person being restricted outsiders from entering the Hundred Lands Mountain Range until the main population catches up.

Having also discerned the Celestial Person's intentions, Wu Xian decided to accelerate the growth of the Great Xia.

Even if it involves some risk, it's still much better than standing still and eventually being overtaken and defeated by the Hundred Lands Mountain Range.

Monthly Pass/Recommendation Ticket

(End of this chapter)