In any place, class and hierarchy exist. Whether explicit or implicit, they ultimately exist. A world without hierarchy would be a Great Unity World, something almost impossible to exist — merely an idealized world. For the laws of heaven and earth, such a state holds no value for coexistence.
After Great Unity, who would still have the desire to strive and struggle?
Too much desire leads to loss of control, too little desire is like stagnant water — lifeless.
Blindly pursuing Great Unity is nothing but brainless.
As for the hierarchy that appeared within the Star Net, Liu Jing did not feel any discontent. On the contrary, he felt an intense curiosity, wanting to enter the Inner Net and see for himself what differences existed there.
Only with disparity can there be motivation.
"Master, registration is complete. The Life Star has begun integrating into the Star Net, entering the Third Star Ring. You may now proceed to the Third Virtual Community. Does Master wish to go to the Third Community?"
The little sprite immediately asked.
It could be seen that Liu Jing's Life Star had completely fused into the vast star domain where the Third Star Ring resided. Once fused, an invisible connection appeared between the Life Star and the Third Star Ring, as if an unseen star-rail had formed. As long as he wished, he could follow that star-rail and enter the community within the Third Star Ring.
"Mm, enter the virtual community immediately."
Upon hearing this, Liu Jing did not hesitate to decide.
Since he had come, how could he not enter the Star Ring community and personally experience the magical charm of the Star Net?
Whoosh!!
As soon as the decision was made, a star-rail appeared outside his Life Star. Liu Jing stepped onto it, and instantly, it was as if he was riding a rollercoaster. Like flowing light, he pierced through the void and entered the Star Ring.
In the blink of an eye, the scenery before his eyes changed. Suddenly, he appeared in an independent giant city.
This city was astonishing, as if completely condensed from vast starlight.
It was like a true Immortal City.
"Master, this is the Star Ring Community. The community is made up of one Starry Sky City after another. Each Starry Sky City can accommodate countless beings coming and going. The one we are currently in is called Baiyue City. Here, most of the people are from the Baiyue Domain. From Baiyue (Hundred Yue) Domain, one can also travel to other Starry Sky Cities. In addition, within the Star Ring Community, there exists a giant city that governs all other Starry Sky Cities — it is called the Third Star City. Everyone may freely enter the Star City of their own region, but to go to Star Cities of other domains requires paying a teleportation fee. These fees are calculated in star coins."
The little sprite continued to explain.
"Truly wondrous, truly incredible. A single Star Net connects one domain after another. In the past, if one wanted to know some information, one couldn't even leave their own domain, let alone find answers. Now, one can face each other and communicate directly."
Liu Jing took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart.
He began to look around at Baiyue City.
Within the city, all kinds of facilities were present.
For example, the Hall of Inheritance. Inside, countless cultivation manuals and scriptures were stored. Of course, their grade wasn't very high — merely basic cultivation methods and ordinary combat arts. But their number was in the tens of thousands, covering Daoist, Buddhist, and other scriptures.
"The Hall of Inheritance is where one receives legacies within the Star Net. Every person who enters the Star Net, even ordinary mortals, may enter and choose one basic cultivation method, one ordinary combat art, and one basic craft from the Hundred Arts of cultivation. But upon selecting, one must swear a Heart Demon Oath — the inheritance is for oneself only, and cannot be passed outside or recorded in writing. If you wish to obtain higher inheritances, you will need contribution points. These are independent of star coins, and can only be earned through special contributions.
"For example, if you contribute a manual not found in the Hall, you will gain contribution points of varying amounts. Upon reaching a certain level, you can exchange them for corresponding inheritances. But once you contribute, you may only practice it yourself or pass it to blood relatives. Beyond blood relatives, it cannot be passed on — this too requires a Heart Demon Oath. Of course, you may also choose to contribute it without restriction, but then the contribution points you receive will be cut by more than half."
The little sprite pointed toward the Hall of Inheritance as it explained.
This was clearly not something forced. The true purpose of the Hall of Inheritance was to grant the people legacies. Any manual had value — knowledge was the most precious wealth. No matter what form of knowledge, it could create value within the Star Net.
And this Hall of Inheritance could bring the Great Yi Immortal Court a ceaseless stream of cultivation manuals. Many cultivators offered their own techniques, experiences, and insights, compiling them into books in exchange for contribution points. These new books were all gathered within the Star Net.
Then, within the Scripture Pavilion, they would transform into jade slips.
Every day, the number of newly acquired books was counted in the tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands.
As of now, Great Yi had profited immensely. There was no longer any need to scour various domains, for the manuals of countless domains were being delivered directly into Great Yi's Scripture Pavilion. Over these days, the pavilion was thronged with cultivators. Countless students of the Eternal Academy spent day and night immersed within, voraciously studying the new texts.
Every moment, they felt their knowledge and foundation increasing.
During these days, Yi Tianxing's face was full of smiles. He even spent several nights with his wives, showering them with affection.
"This is the Battle Hall. Inside, one can access the King's Battle Chess. Within it, you may engage in combat, perfectly simulating all your cultivation and strength. Even if you fall, you only lose some spirit — your true self will not suffer harm. It is extremely popular in the Star Net."
"There is also My World, where you can enter a virtual realm to personally build your own world and civilization, and experience countless different lives."
"There is the Bounty Hall, where one may post missions and offer rewards."
"Here you may also interact with others. While the Star Net does not yet support real object transmission, within Baiyue City — since all are from Baiyue Domain — you can arrange meetings for physical exchanges."
All the novelties of the virtual community utterly shocked Liu Jing.
However, within the Third Star Ring, there was no permission to access the Nightmare World.
The Gate of Nightmare World belonged only to the Second Star Ring. That was the distinction. Whether one could enter the Nightmare World was a great difference.
Even so, Liu Jing was still utterly astonished. The vast distances had suddenly been shrunk to but a step away.
What was this? This was convenience.
Some cultivators were shrewd, directly recruiting disciples within the Starry Sky Cities, conducting teachings and transmissions inside the Star Net. Immediately, they caused a great sensation.
Various situations arose one after another, dazzling the eyes.
Entering the Star Net was like a country bumpkin entering the metropolis — everything felt wondrous and new.
For a time, the entire Eternal World was completely shaken by the Star Net.
Countless wristwatches were distributed, countless beings logged in. Within the Star Net, there was no racial distinction; upon entry, identity and race became irrelevant. Instead, it became bustling and prosperous in an entirely different way.
Countless cultivators fell in love with the Star Net at first sight.
The starlight watches quietly became part of every cultivator's life. Every time a batch arrived, they were instantly sold out. Frenzied scenes swept through the Eternal World, igniting its fervor.
Countless streams of information coursed through the Star Net.
Events happening in distant places — previously impossible to know — could now be easily learned at once.
For instance, in need of a certain material, one might never know where to find it before. Now, with the Star Net, one would know immediately.
Convenient, far too convenient.
Such ease was beyond imagination.
As for the Star Net's system for transmitting real objects — it had not yet officially opened.
But preparations were underway, and once it did, it would inevitably set off a storm across the Eternal World.
"My fate is increasing. The fortune of Great Yi has risen again."
At this moment, Yi Tianxing was staring at the True Dragon of Destiny, a strong excitement flashing in his eyes.
As the Star Net fully began operating, covering the Eternal World, he saw the reverse scales on the Destiny True Dragon increasing at a speed visible to the naked eye. In just a few short days, no less than tens of thousands had been added, bringing the total to 170,000.
Though the number didn't seem enormous, this growth rate was astonishing.
Of course, this was the special surge from the launch of the Star Net. Later, the fortune would still increase, steadily and continuously, but the rate would not be so explosive — more like a river flowing without end.
"At this rate, my Great Yi can completely condense a Dan Scroll Iron Decree."
Yi Tianxing's eyes narrowed, as a thought emerged in his mind. For many mighty beings, the lure of a Dan Scroll Iron Decree far surpassed that of any treasure.
And the Immortal Peach Banquet was approaching.
At that time, Ancestor Ming He and the others would surely come — it was impossible for them to miss it.
The ownership of the Hongmeng Purple Qi was a matter under the closest scrutiny.
No one could give it up.
Though Minghe currently held the Hongmeng Purple Qi, he absolutely did not dare use it now to attain the Hunyuan realm and become a Saint of Heaven. Saints were not invincible — this had already been proven during the Slaughter Heaven battle. Doing so would be digging his own grave. That purple qi bore the karmic ties of hundreds of mighty beings. Before its ownership was firmly decided, no one dared claim it.
At most, they could contemplate it, study it, and observe it.
This Immortal Peach Banquet would not only be held, but must be held with grandeur, shaking all of Eternity. It would be the very first grand gathering since Great Yi's ascension to the Immortal Court — one that would truly draw the attention of all beings.
(End of Chapter)