624 Equal Domain
Pingwang county.

The mountains stretched out endlessly, their green peaks reminiscent of vast seas.
Nestled within their depths was an ancient city. Its walls, weathered by time, stood impressively tall, even dwarfing the city tower of Qingzhou City. Gazing upwards, they seemed as intimidating as a sheer mountain cliff. Crowds of people streamed toward this city, a testament to its significance.

Just outside its gates, Xiang Mingfeng, once known as a banished immortal, stood contemplatively. The marks of time and travel were evident on his face, and yet, a youthful vigor remained. He seemed different now — any trace of arrogance that once clung to him had vanished.

Beside him, an elderly man from the True Path Sect observed curiously and remarked, “You seem different. Did something happen during your travels?”

Xiang Mingfeng replied, shaking his head, “I once thought I was drawing closer to an old friend, only to realize that our paths are growing apart.”

The elder’s surprise was evident. Xiang Mingfeng was already recognized by major sects and royal families as a formidable force against the demon clan. The elder mused that if anyone else had said such a thing, it might be taken as modesty. But Xiang Mingfeng was known for his unwavering honesty.

Intrigued, the elder questioned, “Who are you referring to?”

Xiang Mingfeng simply shook his head, choosing to keep his secrets. The elder felt a burning curiosity but recognized from Xiang Mingfeng’s expression that pressing him would yield no answers.

Additionally, Xiang Mingfeng’s origins remained a mystery. He had always been careful to hide his exact lineage, and the ongoing upheaval made it challenging for the True Path Sect to keep track of all its sub-sects. Besides, any attempts by the sect to divine Xiang Mingfeng’s background were thwarted by a powerful aura, suggesting he was under the protection of an even more formidable entity.

The old man from the True Path Sect scratched his ears and cheeks, a sense of unease apparent in his actions. He sighed and said, “Troubled times indeed give rise to evil spirits, just as the ancients warned. In a few decades, perhaps we elders will find no place in this world.”

He paused, gathering his thoughts. “Before you step into Pingwang, you should know a few things.” His tone became grave. “To truly understand it, we must look back to a time before the Great You reshaped our world. The governor of Pingwang back then was a scholar turned Buddhist, a believer in equality for all. He developed martial arts techniques and was quite a hero of his era. But that person is also a madman.”

He explained, “To achieve the king realm, he sacrificed himself, merging his soul, flesh, and blood with Pingwang county. While he died in the process, his spirit lingers, covering Pingwang county with his king domain for ten thousand years.”

“In this domain,” he continued, “everyone possesses the same level of cultivation, a true realm of equality. It’s why we’ve dubbed it the ‘equal domain’.”

Xiang Mingfeng interjected, “Is it like the spirit world?”

“In essence, yes,” the old man nodded. “Pingwang county’s secret realm is often called the ‘little spirit world’. But unlike the spirit world, which suppresses martial artists to specific realms, Pingwang county levels everyone and shifts the realm constantly.”

He added, “You might enter and find yourself in the blood refinement realm, the bone pattern realm, or the visceral prefecture realm, with no predictability.”

Xiang Mingfeng absorbed this, recognizing the inherent danger of such a volatile realm. In battle, warriors could suddenly drop from one realm to another, making combat unpredictable. Such fluctuations could be perilous, especially if one didn’t adjust quickly.

Some martial artists excel in particular realms due to their innate strengths or the compatibility of their techniques. Such uncertainties made battles in Pingwang county incredibly complex.

He then asked, “Can martial artists suddenly rise to higher realms like the visceral prefecture realm? And how do they manage the guardian spirit items tied to these realms? Could it be that you can create things out of thin air?”

The old man chuckled. “Indeed, they can. The equal domain will manifest a guardian spirit item based on one’s cultivation technique. However, these manifested items are just imitations, albeit powerful ones.”

Xiang Mingfeng shook his head in disbelief. “Such power is beyond comprehension. I never thought that a king-tier could do something like this.”