Hearing Vice Society Master Shenji's words, Qi Yuan said, "We need to think this through carefully. After all, these days, starting a business is the fastest way to plunge back into poverty. I don't want my big villa getting auctioned off."
As Qi Yuan spoke, he pointed a finger from afar.
The other Realm Lords shuddered in terror.
Before their eyes, the once-insufferably arrogant Realm Lord Lüqi, as well as Realm Lord Chunran, who had leaked the news about Qi Yuan, burst like balloons.
Both of these Realm Lords possessed immense power.
Out in the wider world, which of them would not be revered as kings or patriarchs? They were beings hailed as creators.
One could even say that even if the Society Master of the Myriad Changes Society were to make a move against them, he might not be able to subdue them completely.
As for slaying them, it would be even more difficult.
Yet in Qi Yuan's hands, they were as fragile as paper, handled with effortless ease.
Two Heaven-Opening Realm Lords had fallen.
The Realm Lords of the Myriad Changes Society were dumbstruck with shock.
The fat old man looked at Qi Yuan. The words "sworn brother" remained frozen on the tip of his tongue, ultimately dissolving into a helpless sigh.
"No wonder you could fall in love with someone in the fourth tier of the Yang God realm."
He was referring to what Qi Yuan had claimed when he first came to the Myriad Changes Society—that his Dao Companion was in the fourth tier of the Yang God realm.
At first, everyone had thought he was a kept pretty boy.
Now, looking at him, what kept pretty boy? This was a ruthless powerhouse.
Within the Myriad Changes Society, a white-haired elder stared at Qi Yuan, his eyes bursting with brilliant light. "A variable! This is the variable—the variable our Myriad Changes Society has searched countless epochs to find!"
Hearing this, all the Realm Lords shuddered in their hearts.
Realization dawned upon them. Stepping out of their shock over Realm Lord Tiantang's death in battle, their hearts surged with overwhelming joy.
Was not the path pursued by the Myriad Changes Society precisely searching for a way—finding a different path through the fourth and fifth tiers of the Yang God realm, and even paving the road forward into the sixth tier?
However... the universe was a vast cycle, fixed and unchanging.
Even if a ripple occasionally stirred across it, it was likely nothing more than a transient spray of foam, powerless to reverse the overarching tide.
Yet now, what had they witnessed?
In the Universal Void Realm, someone had actually slain Heaven-Opening Realm Lords with ease!
Among living beings, perhaps only a Dao Lord could accomplish such a feat?
If Qi Yuan was not the variable, then who was?
Everyone stared at Qi Yuan, their eyes glowing like wild men stranded in a desert for a hundred thousand years who had suddenly laid eyes on a peerless beauty.
Glares like this made even Qi Yuan feel uncomfortable.
"Don't look at me like that, I have social anxiety," Qi Yuan said. Another layer of clothing materialized over him, wrapping him up tight and snug.
On the other side, atop Mount Myriad Changes, Zhao Santui stared blankly before immense delight flooded his face. Suddenly, he burst into mad laughter: "When one person achieves the Dao, even their chickens and dogs rise to heaven! Who would have thought that I, Zhao Santui, would encounter such a miraculous stroke of fortune!"
All the Yin God servants and Yang God stewards felt wild ecstasy surge in their hearts at this moment.
They had never dreamed that the master they served was this formidable—his steadfast resolve unyielding and unshakeable.
Just then, Vice Society Master Shenji spoke up: "Fellow Daoist Qi, you should hold the purple pendant and take charge of the Myriad Changes Society!"
The rest of the Realm Lords did not hesitate either, chiming in one after another:
"Fellow Daoist should hold the purple pendant and take charge of the Myriad Changes Society!"
Realm Lord Liuxu, who had previously joined the Myriad Changes Society around the same time as Qi Yuan back in the Cosmic Spirit Sea, also bowed her head, countless complex thoughts churning in her heart.
"Me... be the Society Master?" Qi Yuan asked back.
"With Fellow Daoist's natural talent and power, becoming the Society Master of the Myriad Changes Society is more than fitting," Vice Society Master Shenji said. "If Fellow Daoist becomes Society Master, you will be able to converse with Dao Lords."
As for the old Society Master, Vice Society Master Shenji had long tossed him to the back of his mind.
After all, how could a wretched old man who spent every day looking for his underpants compare to a handsome young lad like Qi Yuan?
"In that case... I'll reluctantly agree to be your Society Master," Qi Yuan agreed after a moment's contemplation.
Becoming Society Master came with many benefits.
Not only could he collect cultivation arts from various cosmic planes, but he could also freeload plenty of Dao Lord true scriptures.
This would be of immense help toward creating the *Qi Yuan Scripture*.
……
In the White Xuan Palace, the Palace Master had an inscrutable expression: "I never expected our losses to be this heavy."
Originally, it had been he and the Palace Master of the Black Xuan Palace plotting against Qi Yuan.
In the end, the Palace Master of the Black Xuan Palace had perished, while he himself had suffered minor injuries—a disastrous loss on all fronts.
Now, his one-hundred-millionth offspring was about to be born in the primary universe.
Originally, for such a special milestone, he would have returned to the primary universe to celebrate.
Yet having caused such a massive mess in the Universal Void Realm, he dared not return to the universe, fearing the Dao Lord's reprimand.
Right at that moment, an urgent voice sounded: "Palace Master, bad news! The leadership of the Myriad Changes Society has changed hands!"
"Oh? Did that fellow Tiantang become Society Master?" The Palace Master of the White Xuan Palace was not surprised.
"It's Qi Yuan!"
"Him?" The Palace Master of the White Xuan Palace was astonished. "Could Tiantang have lost to Qi Yuan?"
"Realm Lord Tiantang... is dead."
"How is that possible?" The Palace Master of the White Xuan Palace was shaken. "Did his divine heart collapse?"
At their level, when a Heaven-Opening Realm Lord fell, it was usually only through the collapse of their divine heart and the extinction of their true spirit.
Yet Realm Lord Tiantang had clearly brimmed with vigor and vitality, showing no sign of decay or late-stage ominous rot. How could he have died?
"Killed by Qi Yuan... an instant kill!"
"Realm Lord Hongqi was also instantly killed!"
"What?!!!" The Palace Master of the White Xuan Palace's eyes bulged, scarcely able to believe it. "Is he a Dao Lord or something?"
Unfortunately, a Dao Lord could not truly enter the Universal Void Realm at all.
Just what was going on?
"This is bad. My one-hundred-millionth child is about to be born. For such a monumental event, this Venerable must return to celebrate."
No matter what, he had to flee.
Even Realm Lord Tiantang had been instantly killed.
He was even a bit weaker than Tiantang. If he didn't run now, he would never have another chance.
……
Outside the Cosmic Spirit Sea.
Supreme Venerable Dragon Turtle took a deep breath: "As expected, wherever cultivators gather, strife follows. Even though Fellow Daoist Qi is already a titan in his own right, upon joining the Myriad Changes Society, he was still schemed against."
Word of Realm Lord Tiantang plotting against Qi Yuan had spread through the Myriad Sages Palace.
Both Supreme Venerable Dragon Turtle and Realm Lord Biluo had heard of this and were thoroughly unnerved, worrying for Qi Yuan.
After all, the schemes of Heaven-Opening titans could effortlessly crush minor Realm Lords like them into ash.
"Fortunately, Fellow Daoist Qi is powerful enough. Even when schemed against, he won't fall so easily," Realm Lord Biluo said.
"Sometimes I feel that with Fellow Daoist Qi's strength, there is no need for him to stay in the Universal Void Realm. It would be better to return to the Immortal Realm; the Immortal Realm is much safer."
With Qi Yuan's current power, he was transcendent beyond the universe—even if the Immortal Realm were destroyed, his body would endure, and he could simply wait quietly for the next epoch.
Yet in the Universal Void Realm, there was still the risk of perishing.
Realm Lord Biluo chuckled.
Return to the Immortal Realm?
With so many opportunities in the Universal Void Realm, was he supposed to just miss out on them?
Just then, murmurs of discussion drifted over from nearby.
"Have you heard? The Myriad Changes Society has a new Society Master."
"A new Society Master? Could it be Realm Lord Tiantang?"
Hearing this, worry crossed Realm Lord Biluo's face.
"You're right. The Immortal Realm truly is safer."
He was now genuinely afraid of being dragged into trouble just because he knew Qi Yuan.
"What Realm Lord Tiantang? It's Society Master Qi Yuan!
Realm Lord Tiantang schemed against Society Master Qi Yuan and was slaughtered by him!"
"How could that be possible?!"
A crowd in the Cosmic Spirit Sea was utterly bewildered, some having never even heard of Qi Yuan.
"I heard this new Society Master is vindictive to the extreme! In the Myriad Changes Society, just because a Realm Lord spoke to him disrespectfully, he cut them down on the spot!"
"Watch your tongue!"
Realm Lord Biluo and Supreme Venerable Dragon Turtle exchanged a glance, their thoughts tangled.
"This old man thinks I should return to the Ultimate Principle Society," Supreme Venerable Dragon Turtle said.
He was terrified that his junior brother might use Realm Lord Biluo's name to make a move against Ziyuan Heaven or the like.
Realm Lord Biluo nodded: "Indeed."
He was also afraid his subordinates might get too arrogant.
……
Meanwhile.
The Myriad Changes Society was far livelier than usual.
At Qi Yuan's residence, an influx of decrepit old men and women had arrived.
Seven of them in total.
Each of these seven possessed power not inferior to Vice Society Master Shenji.
They had either stepped into the fourth tier of the Yang God realm, or their true spirits would be extinguished and they would perish right here in the Universal Void Realm.
"Congratulations to Fellow Daoist on becoming the Society Master of the Myriad Changes Society. These three Realm Lords from the Black and White Xuan Palaces are my congratulatory gift," a burly old man spoke up.
His name was Xu Huang. Having lived for who knew how many epochs, he was the tenth Society Master of the Myriad Changes Society.
He had remained in slumber and secluded meditation for ages, suspended in a muddled daze.
This time, upon hearing news of Qi Yuan, he decisively awakened and captured three Realm Lords from the White Xuan Palace.
All three of these Realm Lords had been key figures in the plot against Qi Yuan.
"Thanks for the kind gesture, old man. I appreciate it," Qi Yuan replied calmly.
"Fellow Daoist, these one hundred Dao Lord true scriptures are humbly offered as my congratulatory gift," another old man rasped.
He, too, had lived for who knew how many epochs.
His true spirit could suffer extinction at any moment.
As such, to avoid any bother, he had built himself a coffin seven cosmic epochs ago, climbing right in and lying there for seven cosmic epochs, waiting for death.
Yet this time, hearing the news about Qi Yuan, he had crawled right out of his coffin to deliver gifts.
"Fellow Daoist, this is this old man's congratulatory gift."
Yet another old man presented a congratulatory gift, wearing a solemn expression.
Witnessing this, Qi Yuan felt both pleased and strangely conflicted.
Power really corrupts the mind.
Just look at that—he had merely been promoted to Society Master, and all these mental patients had rushed over bearing gifts.
Having presented their gifts with utmost solemnity, these mental patients took their leave one after another without lingering.
After all, given their fragile condition, if they stayed any longer, they might commit some breach of decorum and annoy Qi Yuan, which would hardly be ideal.
"Old Man Shenji, these friends of yours are quite ambitious. At their advanced age, suffering from mental illness, they still come bearing gifts," Qi Yuan sighed as he watched them depart.
Vice Society Master Shenji was still the one indifferent to fame and fortune, disregarding worldly etiquette by offering nothing at all.
Qi Yuan didn't hold grudges.
Vice Society Master Shenji's old face twitched slightly.
For some reason, he felt that Qi Yuan was dropping hints to reprimand him.
"Fellow Daoist Qi, there were too many people earlier, but now that we're alone, I'll kowtow to you," Vice Society Master Shenji said, and dropped to his knees to knock his head to Qi Yuan, discarding all shred of pride or dignity.
Seeing this, Qi Yuan once again lamented how power corrupts the heart.
"Sigh, you're making me embarrassed acting like this. Hurry up and tell me, what do you want from me?" Qi Yuan asked.
He was a man who yielded to the soft, not the hard.
Perhaps it was precisely because of this that he loved sweet, soft women—frequently indulging in his junior sister Jiang Lingsu, as well as Jin Li, and Ning Tao the Canary.
Soft, tender bodies, and a soft, sweet fragrance... delicious.
Men as hard as steel, he stayed far away from.
Hearing this, Vice Society Master Shenji perked up slightly: "How did you cultivate?"
Cultivation?
At the mention of this, Qi Yuan's spirits rose.
"If you want to cultivate, you first have to find a renowned master, listen attentively in class, and cultivate the strongest method."
"Back in Qi Refinement, when I sought a method to break through to Foundation Establishment, I went to attend lectures. I heard the teacher say that Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment is the strongest Foundation Establishment method in the world."
Vice Society Master Shenji nodded.
The myriad Daos led to the same destination by different paths.
So-called Foundation Establishment was merely the second realm of cultivation, going by various names across different systems.
Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment was indeed among the strongest types of Foundation Establishment.
After all, to capture the lingering aura of a Heavenly Dao required the strength of a Yin God.
"So, while still in Qi Refinement, I swallowed a Heavenly Dao and achieved Foundation Establishment with it," Qi Yuan said earnestly, holding nothing back.
"..." Vice Society Master Shenji looked at Qi Yuan with a bizarre expression. "You didn't burst from overeating?"
Swallowing a Heavenly Dao?
For Vice Society Master Shenji, it was simple.
But no matter how weak a Heavenly Dao was, it would likely take a Great Venerable to swallow it.
If nothing else, a Heavenly Dao contained the consciousness of endless living beings, sufficient to obliterate a cultivator's divine soul.
"Why would I burst? I watch a lot of TV," Qi Yuan replied.
Vice Society Master Shenji was struck dumb.
Only to hear Qi Yuan continue talking freely:
"Later on, I got stuck at Foundation Establishment. At that time, I met the great benefactor of my life, True Monarch Dazhi.
Even though his head is a bit faulty, he often comes up with whimsical ideas that proved hugely useful to me.
I asked him what spiritual item would be best for Core Formation, and he said... the bigger, the better."
"Your Core Formation spiritual item was big boobs?" Vice Society Master Shenji's eyes widened.
Qi Yuan was at a loss for words.
What kind of filth was stuffed inside this old man's head?
"A sun!" Qi Yuan said. "The largest thing visible to the naked eye is the sun, isn't it? So, I formed my Golden Core out of a sun."
Vice Society Master Shenji fell completely silent. "Your path... is bizarre. It's a wonder you're still alive."
In Foundation Establishment, condensing a star into a Golden Core.
What was that if not seeking death?
He closed his eyes, contemplating the feasibility of Qi Yuan's cultivation path.
Countless thoughts churned through his mind before he finally said in disappointment:
"Your method of cultivation... is likely suitable only for you alone."
"However, you have also inspired me. Perhaps, right at the start of cultivation, one must prepare to pioneer a Dao."
Pioneering a Dao meant forging an entirely new cultivation system.
Yet how difficult was that?
What person newly entered into the cultivation world could pioneer their own Dao?
One could even say that Heaven-Opening Realm Lords like them were not necessarily capable of pioneering a Dao.
Those capable of pioneering a Dao all eventually became Dao Lords.
Dao Lords were the pinnacle of the cultivation path, the strongest beings in the world.
"All right, anything else you want to ask? If not, I need to head to the lands of opportunity," Qi Yuan asked.
He wanted to visit the lands of opportunity to keep boosting his strength.
Once he finished visiting all the lands of opportunity, his strength would likely experience another terrifying surge.
"Have you caught a glimpse of the path ahead?" Vice Society Master Shenji asked seriously.
This question was one that surely every Heaven-Opening Realm Lord—including the deceased fourth-tier Yang Gods and the fifth-tier Yang Gods—would be burning to know.
Qi Yuan shook his head: "No. Cultivation is too hard. But it doesn't matter. As the saying goes, three clumsy cobblers rival a Zhuge Liang. When the time comes, I'll find a bunch of people, hold a Dao debate assembly, and ask for their opinions. Who knows, maybe then I'll catch a glimpse of the road ahead."
Qi Yuan answered in all seriousness.
"A grand Dao Lord assembly?" Vice Society Master Shenji asked.
He would not be qualified to attend such a grand gathering.
"Who needs Dao Lords? Their tastes are too high-class, I can't afford their drinks. I feel Old Uncle Wang from the next village will do just fine."
Back then, when he was finding his path through Purple Mansion, he had posted on online forums to freely freeload ideas from internet users.
Now that he was treading the Yang God path, he would probably have to reuse his old tricks.
Hosting a banquet at a five-star hotel to invite Dao Lords was out of the question.
A countryside village banquet, however, would be just right.
Chapter 583