“Hmm?”
Zeng Qingye looked surprised and uncertain. He glanced toward Miaoshui Wisdom Consort.
Miaoshui simply smiled as she sipped her tea. Only after a moment did she speak. “I told you earlier that this Bright Son holds an exalted position and oversees all temple affairs. Since he has spoken, the exemption stands.”
“Thank you, Bright Son.”
Zeng Qingye’s heart lifted with joy. Although this year’s tribute could not match the value of the Life Spring Flower, at least the family had not suffered a total loss and could breathe easier.
“Haha… Today this Bright Son is in high spirits. Why don’t we discuss the Dao together?”
Fang Qing felt the urge to talk. “I only know that [Zui Fire] is also called Fishing Lamp Fire. I wonder what profound mysteries the [Zui Fire] Dao Foundation possesses?”
Exchanging cultivation insights or discussing the Dao was a standard way for cultivators to deepen their attainment.
He had no desire to discuss the Dao inside Wusheng Temple. The other four Bright Sons and Wisdom Consorts were all far inferior to him in cultivation. They were the sort who, even if they actually tried to cultivate properly, could not even form a Dao Foundation. Only Sangji possessed genuine, solid attainment at the perfect stage of [Nu Earth] Dao Foundation, and Fang Qing had benefited greatly from him.
Zeng Qingye paused briefly before replying. “Our family’s Dao Foundation is named Stagnant Cloud Smoke. It possesses subtle profundities that can enhance movement techniques, allowing one to ride the qi through the skies while parting clouds and stirring mist.”
He nodded to the side. A Zeng Family cultivator at early Dao Foundation immediately activated the profundities of his Dao Foundation and manifested its image.
Fang Qing suddenly saw the heavens and earth darken. A long river glittered as if covered in scales, with a single flickering flame drifting uncertainly upon its surface.
Zeng Qingye’s voice continued calmly. “[Zui Fire] governs flickering and changeability. It is a flame of unsteady temperament. When it falls upon one’s fate, it brings a life of wandering with no place to call home. At least we have already formed our Dao Foundation and can suppress our own destiny to some extent. Yet many of our Qi Ingestion disciples who cultivate [Zui Fire] end up drifting from place to place, often dying far from home…”
Zeng Qingye spoke lightly, yet inwardly he sighed. ‘Our family has only established itself in this land for a century, and already Xituo Commandery has changed hands. It matches the drifting nature of [Zui Fire]. Alas… If not for how rare Dao Foundation inheritances are, and how powerful this fire virtue is in battle, we would have switched it long ago. At the very least we should cultivate several different lineages to avoid being countered. But good techniques without hidden dangers are so hard to find.’
After the discussion Fang Qing felt fully satisfied and took his leave from the Zeng Family.
Beside him, Miaoshui looked drowsy and half-asleep, which left him rather speechless.
‘The Esoteric empowerment method truly is a blessing for people with poor aptitude and weak temperament.’
“Bright Son, do you wish to visit the other families?” Miaoshui asked. “As long as you are willing to step through their doors, each family will surely present a Dao Foundation spiritual item as a token of respect.”
“No need. This Life Spring Flower is already excellent. If I refine it into a major pill, the effect will be even better.”
Fang Qing shook his head. The Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Domain naturally possessed its own alchemy system, but it relied on fire methods and was rather unorthodox.
From what he had seen of Sangji’s inheritance, it had at least reached the third-rank level.
It was the perfect time to absorb its essence and refine the Life Spring Flower into a major pill that could assist [Ji Water] cultivators in breaking through to the mid stage of Dao Foundation.
‘The Esoteric pill dao frequently uses blood qi and human materials. It is essentially a demonic path method.’
‘I can only borrow a few concepts from their pill dao to enrich my own water-method alchemy.’
Fang Qing returned to Wusheng Temple, sent Miaoshui away, and headed straight to Sangji’s seclusion chamber.
The great monk claimed to be in seclusion, but in truth he was simply passing the time.
Fang Qing had given him several tasks earlier and told him to handle them properly.
“Reporting to Venerable One… Both Ancient Shu and the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Domain lie deep inland, so water-virtue cultivators are relatively few. If you truly seek Purple Mansion inheritances for water-virtue sects or families, you would likely need to head east.”
Sangji held a scroll of records and continued. “This humble monk has examined many scriptures and confirmed that within the territory controlled by the Blissful Union Sect there is a Purple Mansion family that has cultivated [Ji Water] for generations. Further east, in the southeastern region, lies the Canghai Sect, which possesses Purple Mansion-level inheritances for both [Zhen Water] and [Ji Water].”
Such lineage inheritances were far more than simply possessing a single Purple Mansion manual. They also required suitable spiritual lands for water-virtue cultivation, various secret methods for breaking through bottlenecks, matching spells and magical artifacts, complete chains of spiritual medicines and resources, and even channels for obtaining Purple Mansion spiritual items.
“A Purple Mansion family under the Blissful Union Sect?” Fang Qing’s interest stirred. “Tell me the details.”
“The Eastern Water Bai Family. Their ancestor possesses early-stage Purple Mansion cultivation.”
Sangji explained carefully, then pressed his palms together. “In addition… this humble monk has already sent word back to the All-Beings Formless Temple. The temple is greatly pleased and will soon dispatch a Purple Mansion spiritual item. If Venerable One needs it, you may take it.”
“Oh?” Fang Qing’s eyes brightened. “What kind of spiritual item?”
“It is a piece of Yin Earth Spirit Wall. This item can slightly catalyze Dao Foundation and aid in generating divine abilities. Naturally, it is only suitable for [Nu Earth] cultivators.” Sangji kept his palms pressed together.
Fang Qing fell into thought.
If he wanted to secure something immediately, the safest choice was to take the Purple Mansion spiritual item and leave.
Yet if he did that, Sangji’s already slim chance of breaking through to Purple Mansion would vanish completely.
‘If I gamble instead… should he succeed, I would gain a Purple Mansion fighter at my side!’
‘Even if I later lack spiritual items for my own breakthrough, having Sangji step forward would be far better than searching for them myself.’
‘Moreover, this Yin Earth Spirit Wall probably does not increase the success rate by much. Even if I could use it myself, I have not even reached mid-stage Dao Foundation yet.’
‘And even if I eventually reach Dao Foundation perfection and switch to a [Nu Earth] technique, breaking through with that method would carry an absurdly low success rate. I am certain my greatest strength lies in water-element techniques.’
The other orthodox paths could only rely on the Dao-Genesis Pearl for conversion. Cultivating them on his own would be as slow as a turtle crawling. Hoping to reach Purple Mansion through such means was nothing more than a pipe dream.
“Never mind…”
Fang Qing waved his hand. “Keep this item for your own use. When the time comes that you can delay no longer, go all out and hope for success.”
To obtain a Purple Mansion stage fighter, he was willing to pour everything he had into it. Aside from the impossible act of handing over his own fate to Sangji, he could fulfill every other external condition to the fullest.
“With Venerable One’s word, that is enough!”
Sangji pressed his palms together. His originally fierce and vicious face instantly took on an air of dignified solemnity, which gave Fang Qing a chill.
‘This Esoteric Hidden-Treasury empowerment method truly is brutal. It twists human nature as easily as turning over one’s hand…’
Several days later.
“Fire-method alchemy emphasizes the proper balance of sovereign, minister, assistant, and envoy ingredients. A single misstep in controlling the flame can cause the medicinal properties to degrade significantly…”
Fang Qing held a scripture in his hands, pondering how to refine the Life Spring Flower, when he suddenly sensed the restrictions outside his cave residence being triggered. He immediately put away the scripture and walked out.
Waiting outside was none other than Miaoshui Wisdom Consort.
Her eyes brightened the moment she saw a blue-robed youth approach with calm, unhurried steps that carried an air of serene composure.
‘This Bright Son’s bearing far surpasses that of Miaohuo…’
‘More importantly, why do I always feel a faint sense of seeing my Guru whenever I look at him? That kind of majesty is truly rare…’
Miaoshui performed a graceful curtsy. “Bright Son…”
“Only something truly difficult to handle would bring you here in person. Has a major incident occurred in the temple?”
Fang Qing frowned and asked directly.
The Wusheng Temple had always been managed by Miaoshan, with Miaoshui and two other Bright Sons and Wisdom Consorts assisting. Together they formed four Dao Foundation level combat forces.
In any ordinary location, as long as no Purple Mansion expert appeared, they could resolve nearly any matter.
Moreover, Miaoshui had accompanied him to the Zeng Family last time. Although she had been arrogant and overbearing, she was also sharp and sensible. She would not disturb him lightly.
“Indeed, there is an important matter.”
Miaoshui Wisdom Consort spoke gracefully. “A noble from the Azure Bird Division has come to visit. Her status is extremely high, and we are unable to deal with her…”
“The Azure Bird Division? After swallowing Beixuan Commandery they have been expanding in all directions and waging war on every side. Could they be trying to drag us into their conflict?”
Fang Qing’s brows knitted tighter as he walked and asked, “What is the background of this noble visitor?”
“That noble’s origins are truly impressive, and her bloodline is exalted… Does the Bright Son know of the demon race’s holy land, Descending Phoenix Mountain?”
Miaoshui inquired.
“Naturally I know of it…”
Fang Qing nodded.
“Descending Phoenix Mountain received its name because an ancient phoenix once landed there. That lady is a great figure who has attained the Golden Rank. After the near-ancient era she gradually withdrew from worldly affairs.”
Miaoshui continued, “But as the saying goes, ‘The phoenix nurtures five fledglings’—Azure Luan, Honghu, Yuluan, Great Peng, and Silver Crow. The phoenix’s five children rule the northern demon race and have intermingled bloodlines with other great demons, giving rise to the Eight Divisions. The Azure Bird Division is one of those eight. The noble who has come is the little princess of the Azure Bird Division, a direct-line descendant of Descending Phoenix Mountain…”
“Her background is indeed extraordinary…”
Fang Qing sighed in admiration.
“Hehe… There is no need to flatter them too much. After all, even the phoenix’s direct son, the Great Peng, was taken by the Great Sun Reincarnation Temple on Great Snow Mountain to serve as their Dharma Guardian King…”
Miaoshui Wisdom Consort added, leaving Fang Qing utterly speechless.
This Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Great Snow Mountain truly stopped at nothing. They were even more ruthless than the demon race itself!
“With this matter, can our relationship with the demon race still remain amicable?”
He fell silent for a moment, wanting to gauge Miaoshui’s attitude.
“Our Great Snow Mountain Guru accepted the Great Peng as a Guardian King. That is his good fortune… We have shown kindness to the demon race. Our Buddhist teachings are vast and profound. Guiding demonkind is a great merit, is it not?”
Miaoshui looked at Fang Qing in surprise.
Fang Qing let out a long sigh. Living in this Wusheng Temple always left him feeling somewhat out of place.
He stepped into a meditation chamber and saw Miaoshan accompanying a guest.
It was a young girl with delicate, picturesque features, wearing an azure feather headdress. He recognized her at once. It was the Qingling Demon General!
Standing behind her was a man covered in golden scales with two horns on his head, clearly acting as her guard. It was none other than Li Rulong!
“Hehe… It is you?”
When Qingling saw Fang Qing, she let out a soft giggle. “I always said you would end up becoming a monk sooner or later… All that effort spent buying a Purple Mansion technique—what was the point?”
“So it is Princess Qingling…”
Fang Qing did not take offense. He gave a slight bow, then sat down. Miaoshui immediately stepped forward to pour tea.
Li Rulong, standing guard-like behind her, saw the scene and his eyes dimmed slightly.
Back then, when he had witnessed Fang Qing reaching Dao Foundation, he had known the man must have paid an enormous price to break through.
Now, seeing “Fang Shui” being gently attended by two Wisdom Consorts while he himself had fallen so low as to serve as a mere guard, the emotions swirling in his heart were difficult to describe.
Although serving as the Azure Bird Division little princess’s guard had actually raised Li Rulong’s status among the demon race in Fang Qing’s eyes.