Inside the Wusheng Temple.
Fang Qing tested the Dragon Elephant Ghee for Body Refinent. Its effect far surpassed the previous Vajra Ghee, and he imdiately realized that Jin Ling’er had most likely been scamd by the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury monks.
Before entering seclusion he had specifically returned to Verdant Jade Island once to return the Dark Ice Sky Curtain Array.
After all, Qin Ruxue was shouldering enormous risk on his behalf. If this matter were discovered, the best outco would be her removal from the position of Island master.
Fang Qing naturally did not want that. He still hoped Ruxue could achieve third-rank Array Master in the future and serve him even better.
He slowly organized the true teachings he had received from Sangji and gained much deeper understanding of the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury thods.
“The Great Snow Mountain lineage is truly bizarre and unparalleled… It even involves reincarnation, though limited to the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Domain alone. Still, it is quite remarkable.”
“That Great Sun Tathagata is equally extraordinary, having subdued several existences above the Golden Rank to serve as subordinates…”
“Moreover, the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury thods emphasize layer upon layer of control. Without a position it is difficult to advance, and without a Guru’s promotion one remains at the bottom for life… For those in power, however, it is rather convenient.”
In Fang Qing’s view, the most exceptional aspects of the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury thods were naturally the two great arts of empowernt and reincarnation.
The forr needed no further explanation, while the latter, by borrowing the power of the Great Snow Mountain, allowed one to retain all mories and reincarnate once more. If word of this spread, countless cultivators in the Minor Huan Sea would turn green with envy.
‘But even with another reincarnation, one’s aptitude does not necessarily improve. Instead, one gains additional karmic ties from the new body’s bloodline…’
‘Achievents possible in one lifeti are best achieved in one lifeti.’
As Sangji’s Guru, Fang Qing had vaguely co to understand the high-level Esoteric Hidden-Treasury attitude toward reincarnation.
‘However, it is obvious… My old bag of tricks may still work against Purple Mansion cultivators from other demonic or orthodox paths… but against shaless Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Dharma Kings, it would likely have little effect.’
“Besides these two great thods, the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury’s Body Refinent and Incantation Arts hold considerable profundity… Their inheritances in alchemy, artifact refining, and array formation are comparatively ordinary.”
Of course, “ordinary” here was only in comparison to other Golden Core sects.
For rogue cultivators, they still far surpassed anything available.
…
Several months later.
Fang Qing piloted the Fire Luoba Bowl using the Six-Syllable Great Radiance Mantra and stood atop this Buddhist artifact, patrolling the entire Xituo Commandery.
Although this commandery lay in a remote border region, its population numbered close to ten million.
There were no Purple Mansion forces stationed here, only a few Dao Foundation aristocratic families. Naturally, they had all submitted to the White Bone Dao by now.
Behind him followed Miaoshui Wisdom Consort, who was introducing the area to Fang Qing:
“This Xituo Commandery has quite a few spirit fields. Since the Guru established the White Bone Dao and subdued the various families, we can collect over ten thousand stones of spirit grain each year, along with countless materials for talisman crafting, alchemy, and artifact refining…”
“But what our Great Sun Esoteric Sect values most is the incense faith of these ten million mortals…”
Fang Qing listened to Miaoshui Wisdom Consort’s introduction and nodded from ti to ti.
Unlike the carefree freedom of the immortal path, the Esoteric Sect took faith-based propagation as its foundation. This was a fundantal difference in their lineages, one he had not yet fully comprehended.
“Within this commandery are several Dao Foundation aristocratic families. For example, the Zeng Family primarily cultivates [Zui Fire]. Then there are the Lishan Yuan Family and the Great Lake Xuan Family… Their inheritances are sowhat mixed, with so practicing [Jing Wood], [Liu Earth], [Nu Earth], [Geng tal], and so on… But without Purple Mansion techniques, they cannot truly speak of any lineage inheritance. They can only be considered rustic miscellaneous cultivators.”
Fang Qing nodded in understanding.
These Qi Ingestion and Dao Foundation forces, no matter how prosperous their ancestors had been, had lost even their Purple Mansion inheritances. They were nothing more than fallen households and could hardly boast about their lineages.
To a grand orthodoxy like the Great Snow Mountain, they were not even worth ntioning.
“The Zeng Family that the Bright Son is visiting this ti is the strongest among them, with one mid-stage Dao Foundation cultivator and two early-stage Dao Foundation cultivators…”
Miaoshui Wisdom Consort added.
“[Zui Fire] is, after all, one of the prominent paths of the current era… This family’s fire-control arts are rather renowned.”
Fang Qing had also reviewed the family’s information and spoke with a smile.
“[Zui Fire] governs flickering and drifting flas, also known as ‘Fishing Lamp Fire’… Among the various fire virtues, its power is only average…”
Miaoshui Wisdom Consort showed clear disdain. “If it were not for the fact that the Bright Son requires a certain Dao Foundation spiritual item treasured by their family, we would not need to make this trip at all… In my opinion, we could simply issue a decree and have the Zeng Family obediently deliver the spiritual item to the Wusheng Temple.”
Fang Qing felt rather speechless.
Inside the Wusheng Temple’s underground treasury he had found quite a few spiritual items suitable for [Ji Water] cultivation.
After further investigation he learned that the Zeng Family possessed a Life Spring Flower—a spiritual herb ideal for early-stage [Ji Water] Dao Foundation cultivators breaking through to the mid stage and he had specifically prepared to exchange for it.
He had not expected the Bright Sons and Wisdom Consorts of the temple to hold such an attitude.
‘This shows the arrogance of these Esoteric monks.’
Fang Qing sighed inwardly and smiled. “I simply grew weary from cultivation and decided to co out for a walk… to see the scenery and customs of Xituo Commandery.”
“Although we can cultivate, when do we truly need to cultivate anymore? Once the Guru breaks through to Dharma King, we will all beco Consecrated Sons and Consecrated Consorts… With my strength alone I could sweep through all the aristocratic families in Xituo Commandery.”
Qingjing Wisdom Consort smiled playfully as she spoke.
Although Bright Sons and Wisdom Consorts could still cultivate on their own, most of those who received such promotions possessed only average aptitude.
Decades or even centuries of bitter self-cultivation could never compare to the astonishing leap granted by a single breakthrough and promotion from their Guru!
Over ti these Bright Sons and Wisdom Consorts had mostly given up on personal cultivation, indulging instead in worldly affairs. No wonder they were all steeped in the five poisons.
Fang Qing piloted the Fire Luoba Bowl toward the spirit mountain where the Zeng Family resided. At the foot of the mountain lay a small town, with many spirit fields opened up around it.
A continuous drizzle fell at the mont. Nurous farrs worked busily in the fields, creating a scene full of vibrant life and energy.
On the mountain not far away, a layer of crimson radiance stretched continuously. It was clearly a Dao Foundation array protecting the Zeng Family’s core grounds.
‘Truly a fine foundation…’
Fang Qing sighed inwardly.
‘My current identity has already been made public. Even if the real identity of Fang Qing from Three Waters Hollow is exposed, it would not matter much… Should I look after the Fang Family a little and bring over the descendants of Fang Jingchun and the other two to settle them here?’
‘With my present status, a casual show of care would be enough to turn them into a Qi Ingestion aristocratic family. In the future, establishing a Dao Foundation family would be well within reach…’
‘But they are already several generations removed, practically beyond the fifth degree of kinship. Better to let it be.’
‘More importantly, it is still best to keep this layer of identity hidden. After all, there are still so entanglents… For example, the destruction of the Tianshui Luo Family and what Pu Shanjun did back then. When combined with the recent banquet, the whole matter becos rather intriguing…’
‘This identity is better kept concealed.’
…
While Fang Qing was lost in thought, Miaoshui Wisdom Consort had already sent out a secret incantation.
The incarnation transford into the form of a heavenly maiden and flew straight into the Zeng Family’s grand array. It called out, “The Bright Son and Wisdom Consort have arrived. Zeng Family, why have you not co out to welco us at once?”
Before long, three streaks of escape light flew over. They belonged to the three Dao Foundation cultivators of the Zeng Family.
Among them, the mid-stage Dao Foundation expert was none other than the Zeng Family Ancestor, Zeng Qingye.
“We did not know the two honored ones were coming. This old man failed to greet you from afar…”
Zeng Qingye’s face was full of fawning flattery, which made Fang Qing feel a chill of disgust.
This man was, after all, a mid-stage Dao Foundation cultivator. On the surface his strength far surpassed the two of them, yet he was forced by the oppressive might of the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury to humble himself before juniors. At his age, with white eyebrows and beard, he was still currying favor with two youngsters. It looked rather pitiful.
‘As long as a person has a weakness…’
Fang Qing’s heart stirred. He decided he would secretly watch over the Fang Family from afar, ensuring their bloodline did not die out. Anything more would only beco a burden.
Zeng Qingye welcod Fang Qing and Miaoshui Wisdom Consort into the main hall with a broad smile. Servants imdiately brought tea.
Miaoshui, however, did not touch the tea. She looked at the male servant and her expression turned cold. “Why is a man serving tea? This Fang Shui Bright Son is the Guru’s most favored disciple. Hurry and present the best girl from your family!”
Fang Qing’s face stiffened. Having a powerful backer was good, but how had it already reached the point of bullying n and dominating won?
Zeng Qingye’s expression froze. He gritted his teeth and gave a few orders. Soon a young girl with lips like vermilion and eyes like autumn water stepped forward, smiling as she offered the tea. “Bright Son, please have so tea…”
Fang Qing accepted the cup. As his palm brushed hers unintentionally, he felt her delicate body tremble slightly.
‘Even with the best upbringing in a great family, the mont they hear they might be sent to the temple they still feel fear.’
His heart moved. He raised his hand and slapped her across the face. “This Buddha has no need of your service. Get out!”
The girl clutched her cheek and ran crying from the hall. In her heart, however, she felt an inexplicable sense of relief mixed with a faint pang of loss.
“Enough. Let us discuss proper business.”
Fang Qing took a sip of tea and spoke as if nothing had happened.
Zeng Qingye and the other two Dao Foundation cultivators exchanged glances, inwardly complaining, ‘We have long heard that Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Bright Sons tend to be violent and fickle… The rumors are true. Fortunately Yuchai does not have to fall into that fiery pit.’
“May I ask what brings the Bright Son to our humble ho?”
Zeng Qingye forced himself to smile obsequiously, praying silently that this visit was not because they needed materials for refining so offering artifact.
“Nothing major… I have taken a fancy to a Life Spring Flower in your family’s collection…”
Before Fang Qing could finish saying he was willing to exchange a few [Zhen Water] spiritual items for it, Zeng Qingye imdiately replied, “This old man will fetch it at once…”
“This…”
Fang Qing thought back to the hardships his own family had endured and the earlier trade with the [Jiao Wood] Pi Family. He was montarily stunned.
‘He agreed just like that?’
‘Is doing business this easy?’
Before long, a flash of firelight appeared. Zeng Qingye returned holding a dicine pouch in both hands and presented it respectfully. “Our family primarily cultivates fire virtue. Water virtue spiritual items are of no use to us… It is our family’s good fortune that the Bright Son has taken a liking to it.”
Though he spoke politely, his heart was bleeding inside.
This Life Spring Flower was no ordinary Dao Foundation spiritual item. If taken outside, it could be traded for countless treasures.
Yet with such unwelco guests at the door, he had no choice but to bleed heavily.
“This… you are simply giving it away?”
Fang Qing sighed inwardly. He had still underestimated the weight and influence of the White Bone Dao within the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury.
He accepted the dicine pouch. With a sweep of his divine sense he saw a strange flower the size of a bowl inside. Droplets of spring water continuously fell from its petals.
“This dicine pouch preserves dicinal properties perfectly. It is ideal for storing the Life Spring Flower… Moreover, this flower is delicate and cannot co into contact with tal or fire qi, or it will wither…”
Zeng Qingye carefully explained the precautions. Fang Qing listened with a satisfied smile. “Very good… Your Zeng Family has proven its loyalty. On my authority, I exempt your family from this year’s tribute.”
User Comments
0 comments from readers