Wang Wei led the group into the court's garden, where five seats forming a circle awaited them. Everyone sat cross-legged as Wang Wei served tea.
"I called you here for two reasons," said Wang Wei. "Firstly, I want to exchange some things with each of you."
"Your Majesty, what can we offer you?" asked Xu Shi.
"Primordial Power, Purest Buddha Light, Chaos Power and Bloodline, and Five Sacred Beast Bloodline," replied Wang Wei. "In return, I can offer you Power Veins Pills, Pure Soul Power, and even merit points."
Everyone pondered for a moment. Those things were valuable but not enough to make an enemy out of the Heavenly Emperor. Furthermore, it was not like he was asking without paying anything in return. Plus, they might not be able to stop him if he wanted to take them by force–even if they worked together.
"Your majesty is the benefactor of Buddhism, so this poor monk has no problem trading," said the eminent monk.
"As long as the price is right, I have no issue with trading," said Ao Shen. Although Chaos Bloodline was valuable, it depended on who wanted it. For some people, it was not such a big deal. In the end, everybody nodded and negotiated a price.
In the end, the most valuable of the four was Xu Shi's Primordial Power, followed by Huo Fenghuang's Five Sacred Beast Bloodline, then Ao Shen's powers, and Feng Heng was last. However, Ao Shen was the one who benefited the most since he exchanged both his bloodline and Chaos Power.
Wang Wei was satisfied with the result; he will be able to condense a few unique Power Veins with these unique powers. Additionally, he plans to modify his 12 Zodiac Technique to condense unique acupoints abilities based on Innate Demon Gods and existences like Immortals and Buddha.
Then, he waved his hand to manifest a small golden tree. Everyone's eyes lit up as they recognized this wonder of Heaven and Earth: the Bodhi Tree.
"The Bodhi Trees require Buddhist Rhymes to grow and develop," said Wang Wei, who shook his head; he had tried to grow this thing on his own, but his methods were so slow and inefficient that he gave up. His current understanding–boosted by his Fate Domination Physique–could not be improved by the current level of the Bodhi Tree.
"I will lend this tree to your Buddhist Sect; help me cultivate it," said Wang Wei as he handed it to Feng Heng. The monk's eyes lit up after receiving the tree.
His Western Bliss Sect had a Bodhi Tree, and it was even more developed than this one. The tree has been the core of the Western Pure Land for countless years and has become a symbol for Buddhism.
Feng Heng could guess the benefits of planting a second tree next to the ones he has. He could probably use the resonance between these two to condense a third Bodhi Seed and grow his own tree.
"This poor monk will take care of everything for Your Majesty," said Feng Heng, ignoring the envious gazes these people were giving him.
"I believe in you," nodded Wang Wei. "The second reason for this meeting is for a Dao Discussion. I would like for us to share our understanding of the Dao."
Xu Shi and Feng Heng felt this was a great idea. However, Ao Shen and Huo Fenghuang had reservations.
"I'm very interested in the difference between Grand Dao Source and Heaven Laws. Maybe we can learn by comparisons. Furthermore, I know you guys wish to walk the Emperor Path, so such a discussion might be helpful for your future endeavors."
The Heavenly Emperor's words made sense, so they agreed.
"Who wants to go first?" asked Wang Wei, but no one immediately answered.
"I will go first," said Xu Shi after sensing the quietness was rapidly approaching the level of awkwardness. She took a moment to gather her mind before beginning:
"What is time? Is it simply the progression of events from the past to the present to the future? Is it the movement of particles? Is time even linear, or are we forced to experience it as such?"
Xu Shi's preaching began from her understanding of time, followed by the relationship between time, karma, life and death, and chaos. Dao Rhymes emanated from her body as she discussed her understanding, and the others closed their eyes to understand. Her preaching lasted nine years before it ended.
Then, it was Feng Heng's turn. His preaching started with Yin-Yang before evolving also into time–mostly Absolute Beginning and End. Then it also contained Taoist and Buddhist Principles, which benefited the group's understanding of the mind and the soul. He also lasted nine years before ending his discussion.
After the monk ended, it was finally one of the Primarchs' turn. Ao Shen decided to go first, and his understanding of Chaos Heaven Law did show its uniqueness.
Heavenly Law was nowhere near as grand or potent as the Grand Dao Source. However, its application and implications were worth learning. It contained some secrets of Heaven and Earth since True Heavenly Dao boosted all Heavenly Laws.
Wang Wei, Xu Shi, and Feng Heng benefited most in understanding and applying their Dao Will by imitating how True Heavenly Dao boosted Heaven Laws. Finally, Heaven Laws seemed to contain the secrets of bloodline.
Wang Wei opened his eyes after Ao Shen's preaching.
'I see. The Emperor Path becomes immortal through understanding laws, the Dao Path turns itself into a World, and the Immortal Path uses energy, but the Primarchs achieve immortality through bloodline.
'If there used to be a Soul Path, they achieve immortality through the soul, while the True Power Dao Realm does it through the body.'
Wang Wei felt his understanding of Heaven and Earth deepened. Furthermore, he was now more confident in modifying his [Fiendgod Body 12 Revolution].
Huo Fenghuang's turn arrived, and she also preached about all her five Heavenly Laws. Ao Shen focused more on the Heaven Will Boost, so she focused more on the bloodline aspect of Primarchs. After nine years, it was finally Wang Wei's turn.
Wang Wei's preaching was even more encompassing than Xu Shi's since his Dao was versatile and contained multiple parts, including Time and Yin-Yang, which Xu Shi, Feng Heng, and Huo Fenghuang had in common.
After the nine years ended, everyone felt it was too short.
"This poor monk has benefited immensely from all benefactors," said Feng Heng. "Communication is truly the key to development."
"I agree with what this monk is trying to say in a roundabout way. We should do this more often," said Wang Wei, and the others nodded.
"Amitatha," uttered Feng Heng, not in the least embarrassed.
"After the next meeting, all of you should have improved. We can have a discussion again," said Wang Wei before sending everybody away. However, Xu Shi asked to speak to him privately, so she stayed.
"I'm here for two things," said Xu Shi. "The first one is I want to participate in the raid on the Dao Burial Ground?"
"Pardon me?"
"I kept my eyes on the future, observing countless possibilities. According to my calculations, you will attack the Dao Burial Ground, which will be a feast."
Wang Wei briefly paused before laughing, "You're right. However, this is a feast for me and the Dao Opening Sect."
"Is there any negotiation room?"
"No." Wang Wei knew the benefits of destroying the Dao Burial Ground, so how could he let anyone else get in on the benefits?
"Fine, I didn't expect much anyway," replied Xu Shi, exuding a level of graceful beauty that should not be present for such a mundane task as sighing.
"What else do you want to ask me?"
"I want your permission to allow me to officially become the ninth Emperor of the Academy?"
"Do you want to use merit to get Heavenly Dao's permission to officially become the Academy's ninth Emperor?"
"Yes," nodded Xu Shi.
"That's not a bad idea," said Wang Wei.
"You agreed so easily?"
"You knew I would agree?"
"Of course. After all, I know about the Balance Mechanism, and the Academy having a ninth Emperor will greatly reduce the pressure on you. I just did not expect you to agree so swiftly."
"Like you said, it's beneficial to me, so why not agree? Plus, we can be considered friends, so why not use this opportunity to strengthen our friendship."
"In that case, I apologize for having such a profit-driving mindset," said Xu Shi with a smile that made the flowers in the garden wilt in shame and embarrassment.
Wang Wei nodded before asking: "How are things with Lin Fan's revival?"
"The Existence Reconstruction Technique is harder to master than I foresaw."
"Why do I feel you're not in a hurry?"
Xu Shi paused before sighing: "There are some things I don't want to face right now."
"You should know the consequence for people of our realm for our mind to have flaws. The more you run to avoid the problem, the bigger of an issue it will become."
"I'm aware."
"As long as you keep that in mind."
The two chatted for a few more minutes before Xu Shi left. Then, Wang Wei waved his hand to teleport 80% of the Dao Rhymes from their discussions to the Dao Opening Sect.
Such vast and extensive Dao Rhymes will greatly benefit the sect and allow its disciples and elders to better understand the laws of Heaven and Earth.
Finally, Wang Wei focused on a battle in the distance.
