Above the Clouds

A constantly strengthened spirit is like fertile soil, while the power to control it is like a seed.

Only when combined with sunlight and rain can a seed germinate, grow, and eventually bloom into a vibrant flower.

It is difficult for true powerhouses to emerge from seclusion and solitary cultivation. The top cultivators of each era are produced in times of chaos, and many of the great cultivators who control the power of the Three Realms today are products of the clashes between the Great Shang and Great Zhou dynasties.

Zhang Xuezhou felt that he seemed to have understood some things.

Does my cousin mean we need to actively participate in these changing times?

"Participation is necessary, but it's also important to find your own place, lest you become cannon fodder instead of a great cultivator!"

Zhang Xuezhou had a vague idea in mind, while Rong Tianding felt that his ideas had been confirmed by Zhang Xuezhou, which made him more excited.

He had seen those Gaogao immortals, who were indeed distant and unattainable goals.

But right now, he might become a cultivator like him, or even stronger than most ordinary immortals.

Those who seek good fortune and avoid misfortune, focusing solely on self-preservation, may break through cultivation realms, but they find it difficult to create a domain. Even if they do manage to create a domain, it cannot compare to the true cultivators of this kind!

"Cousin, what you mean by control and territory..."

When Zhang Xuezhou explained the integration of cultivation in the real world and this world, he did not define the latter three realms according to the categories of minor Divine Ability, intermediate supernatural Divine Ability, and major Divine Ability. Instead, he adopted the concepts of resistance layer, control, and domain from the real world.

The definition of the real world is obviously easier to understand, while the changes in Divine Ability in this world are more like a matter of luck, which leads to many great cultivators having the same realm but with vastly different strengths.

For example, Tian Fen and Yuanshi Tianzun are both cultivators at the True Self Realm. The gap between them is a distance that Tian Fen can never bridge in his entire life, but their cultivation levels are exactly the same.

It's difficult to explain from a philosophical perspective, but from the angle of mutual control and domain, a completely different comparison emerges.

It seems that Tian Fen possesses three kinds of Divine Ability Technique Method, but it is very likely that they are only similar to Zhang Xuezhou's level of Technique Method in the Divine Ability Realm, or that he just happened to have the ability to control them, Tian Fen lacks the ability to master them.

"Cousin, do you mean that some cultivators who keep advancing in their cultivation level are just repeating the behaviors of the Divine Ability Realm, thus mistakenly believing that they have reached the True Self Realm?" Rong Tianding pondered after hearing this, "Their actual abilities remain at the Divine Ability Realm level!"

"Their combat skills are mediocre, but they can suppress cultivators at the Divine Ability Realm by virtue of their cultivation level, so they can't be considered pure Divine Ability Realm cultivators," Zhang Xuezhou said. "You can consider their cultivation level as a pseudo-realm, or that their cultivation has flaws, making it difficult for them to possess perfect strength!"

"My cousin's explanation has enlightened me," Rong Tianding said. "In the past, I felt that even though everyone cultivated at the same level and had the same cultivation realm, there were still differences in strength. I always thought that the differences were due to different Technique Method, but now it seems that the cultivators' control and domain power are completely different, resulting in huge differences in combat levels!"

"Talented cultivators can simulate their own control through observation and comprehension, but the development of a domain will most likely require the impetus of the times," Zhang Xuezhou said. "We're just saying this for now; whether it's right or wrong depends on future achievements and fortunes!"

Ren Anran had no direction regarding the True Self Realm, and Zhang Xuezhou had previously only focused on improving his Realm Technique, believing that everything would be perfect once he reached the realm.

It wasn't until Rong Tianding recounted Shi Wudao's words that Zhang Xuezhou realized he had overlooked some details.

"The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao..."

He was reciting the Tao Te Ching in a low voice.

Many great cultivators throughout history have likely discovered this situation long ago, but whether they could explain it clearly when preaching is another matter entirely.

This has also led to phenomena such as 'Cultivators at the Divine Ability Realm leaving their masters to establish their own sects'. Only by leaving their masters' sects can cultivators continuously climb upwards and thus acquire the true abilities of great cultivators.

The Dao in the Daoist scriptures is just an explanation. The Dao can be spoken of, but what is spoken is just ordinary and commonplace. The true Dao, however, needs to be explored by oneself.

If you don't experience it for yourself, it will always be just theoretical talk; the difference in skill will only be clear when you face it head-on.

"The four directions and the space above and below are called the universe; the past and the present are called time..."

Rong Tianding frowned. As he recited the passage that Shi Wudao had recited before, he felt a strange, inexplicable feeling in his heart.

The previously dry and dull content now seemed to have a new interpretation; he felt that something was vaguely appearing before his eyes, but he could not quite make it out.

From space to time, only with a sufficiently expanded space, and then superimposed with the inscription of the long river of time, can a cultivator obtain a sip of it.

The last three realms of cultivation include Divine Ability, Only Me, and True Self. However, Rong Tianding believes that there is an extension beyond the True Self. Only by reaching that level can one perhaps become an independent individual and no longer fear the ravages brought by space and time.

After repeatedly reciting the text, Rong Tianding shared his own understanding, which amazed Zhang Xuezhou.

"There are indeed extensions beyond the Realm of True Self. The Emperor of Western Kunlun is a top cultivator in the Three Realms, but he was once struck by Hongjun's palm... Daoist Hongjun!"

Zhang Xuezhou shook his head, as forgotten memories surged back.

Rong Tianding's discussion reached an extremely high level, and he vaguely sensed the limits of cultivation. However, throughout history, only Daoist Hongjun has been able to break through these limits in the Three Realms.

The other party disappeared from this world, and few people remember this name. No one can clearly explain what the other party did or the legacy he left behind. But Daoist Hongjun is indeed outside this world.

Zhang Xuezhou looked up at the distant sky. The autumn and winter sky was heavy with clouds, and the sunlight could only occasionally penetrate the clouds to fall.

The world beneath the clouds looks one way, but what you see after you pierce through the clouds is yet another.

"If one day we can penetrate this heaven and earth, then we will reach the extended part!"

A gust of wind rose beneath his feet, and Zhang Xuezhou soared upwards over Maoling.

This abrupt action startled Rong Tianding for a moment before he stirred up a storm and chased after him.

Zhang Xuezhou's rapid leaps were like an arrow piercing the clouds; his shadow barely lingered in sight before disappearing just as quickly. Rong Tianding, were like a hawk taking flight.

Rong Tianding followed Fei Zong upwards, he heard two exclamations of surprise, clearly indicating that he had attracted attention.

Rong Tianding would have cared a lot in the past, after all, he was not the kind of person who was willing to contribute himself to the court, nor did he want to be conscripted by the court. He was more willing to assist Zhang Xuezhou in his work and then seek to cultivate himself.

After discussing the Sole Self Realm" and "True Self Realm" with Zhang Xuezhou, his mind became more open.

If given the right opportunity and able to find his place, he would certainly not mind making contributions, thus participating in the great changes and transformations of the Great Han Dynasty and integrating himself into it.

With his gaze fixed on the almost vanished black dot high in the sky, Rong Tianding's tornado intensified.

His body, improved by the Spirit Silk Jade Lotus, became increasingly lighter and more agile, causing his speed to increase rather than decrease as he ascended into the air.

The dry cold of the ground below turned into a damp cold in the air, while the clouds pounded against the body like rain.

The continuous ascent caused a sharp drop in temperature, and the water eventually turned into a layer of ice covering the body.

Rong Tianding took a deep breath of the cold air and pointed at his body.

The Law Power flowed through his body, and his torso turned grayish-white in a short time. He was no longer afraid of the various icy cold he encountered when flying high in the sky.

He only felt a little fright when he occasionally heard the howling thunder caused by the clouds touching each other.

When his gaze fell upon Zhang Xuezhou, whose only remaining trace was his tether, high in the sky, he gave chase.

Thick clouds sweeping across the sky pierced through the light, and endless rays of light descended.

When you look up, the horizon still seems distant, but the view of the sky is completely different.

The sky was an endless expanse of deep blue, with fluffy white clouds drifting by, and soft sunlight bathing the sea of clouds below.

"If it weren't for my cousin leading the way, I probably wouldn't have had the courage to break through this cloud, let alone see what's behind it!"

Zhang Xuezhou's leaps also came to a halt in this area.

Compared to Rong Tianding's disheveled appearance, Zhang Xuezhou stood steadily in the air, his wide sleeves and robes dry and transparent, with layers of faint light constantly appearing around his body, making him look like a celestial being.

Rong Tianding felt a pang of envy, but even more so a sense of pride that he could still manage to keep up.

"Seeing a hundred times is not as good as experiencing it firsthand!"

Rong Tianding understood perfectly and instantly grasped the significance of participating.

He sat leisurely in the overseer's chair, seeing only a gray sky.

But once he broke through the clouds, what he saw was completely different.

You'll never see it unless you step into it, and you'll never truly understand or comprehend it unless you experience it firsthand.

Only by truly stepping inside can one witness the magnificent spectacle of light they saw.

"Surface..."

Rong Tianding watched for a long time, and he felt that his body was starting to give out.

He had just gathered his breath and shouted when he saw black dots appearing in the distance. It turned out that there were other cultivators also on this cloud layer.