“Mm?”
All of a sudden, Fang Qing’s heart stirred. His face lit up with unrestrained joy. “Sangji succeeded? Haha… he actually made it?”
Just now, through feedback from the Dao-Genesis Pearl, he had learned that Sangji had successfully cultivated a divine ability.
This naturally delighted Fang Qing. Not only did it mean he no longer needed to flee, but cultivating in Ancient Shu would now become vastly more convenient.
“Right…”
After the initial surge of excitement, Fang Qing calmed slightly and reflected. “Someone has successfully attained the Golden position of [Stomach Earth], greatly benefiting all cultivators of earth virtue. For him to hold on until now shows his foundation was indeed profound. With this final push, he managed to break through in one decisive effort, narrowly overcoming the tribulation.”
“This spiritual atmosphere, it truly inspires both love and hatred.”
He made up his mind that when he attempted to break through to the Purple Mansion in the future, he absolutely would not choose to do so within the Ancient Shu world.
Even if he had to forgo the benefits, he would rather not risk failing inexplicably.
Fang Qing immediately had the urge to return to Wusheng Temple.
However, he forcefully restrained himself. Communicating with his first Purple Mansion subordinate across such distance felt neither convenient nor sufficiently formal. With a thought, he made a decision.
…
Xituo Commandery.
Xu Hei was in seclusion when the space before him suddenly split apart. A figure appeared within the void.
It was a gaunt young Dharma King clad in a tiger-skin kasaya, none other than Sangji.
Though his body was thin to the point of emaciation, his eyes were deep as bottomless wells, within which faint images of white bones seemed to flicker. Divine ability radiance shimmered across his body, heavy as a mountain. Even Dao Foundation cultivators would feel compelled to bow before him.
“This is not a place to speak. Please.”
Sangji performed a Buddhist salute and led Xu Hei into the void.
In an instant, the world spun. They had already arrived within the underground palace of Wusheng Temple.
“This space has been sealed by this humble monk. Even Purple Mansion cultivators cannot overhear.”
Sangji prostrated fully. “Welcome, Venerable One.”
Xu Hei was momentarily stunned. His expression became more vivid as he looked at Sangji with a trace of emotion. “For you to succeed, it was no easy feat.”
“This was all due to the Venerable’s protection. Without your guidance of the wheel of time, confirming that under the influence of the spiritual atmosphere this humble monk would have perished.”
Even after advancing to Dharma King, Sangji remained the same fervent believer.
“Tell me. What does it feel like to cultivate divine abilities?”
Fang Qing could not be bothered to correct him and instead asked with curiosity.
“When breaking through into divine ability, the experience is strange and indescribable. But after attaining Dharma King, divine abilities protect the body, granting supreme nobility. With a single thought, one can cause hundreds or thousands of Gurus to perish. From that point on, one transcends the ordinary and is no longer of the mortal kind. If this humble monk does not restrain the ‘White Bone Contemplation’ divine ability, then Qi Ingestion cultivators who look upon me would die, while Dao Foundation cultivators would be severely injured at a glance. There are countless mysteries and myriad wonders.”
Sangji spoke with palms pressed together.
“Impressive… Just from your ability to traverse the void earlier, the difference is already clear.”
Fang Qing’s expression grew serious.
Although his External Core mana allowed him to rival a Duzi, he still lacked divine abilities and the many advantages possessed by Purple Mansion cultivators in this world.
As for traversing the void?
That was something only Nascent Soul cultivators in the Qi Refining path could touch upon, and even then, usually only their Nascent Soul itself could accomplish it.
Yet for Sangji, it was as effortless as breathing.
“In terms of raw mana, an early Purple Mansion cultivator likely compares to a mid or even late Core Formation cultivator. But their other methods are far too unique. A Core Formation cultivator may not be their match.”
Fang Qing continued asking about Dharma King divine abilities, then shifted the topic to the newly ascended True Lord of earth virtue.
At this moment, countless lineages across the world were likely discussing that very figure.
“A True Lord attaining the Dao marks the beginning of the great era of contention. From now on, there will likely be many more who attain Golden.”
Sangji pressed his palms together, his gaze carrying both compassion and anticipation.
“By the way, have you heard of the classification of immortals into five ranks?”
Fang Qing brought up the contents of the Taisu Golden Scripture.
“I have not. However, in the Great Sun Wheel Turning Temple, I have heard similar doctrines. In our path, attainment of the Golden position is divided into three fruits: Buddha Fruit, Bodhisattva Fruit, and Arhat Fruit.”
Sangji continued, “The Buddha Fruit corresponds to supreme enlightenment, the highest and most wondrous Dao fruit, perhaps comparable to Heavenly Immortal or Earthly Immortal. The Bodhisattva Fruit aligns with Human Immortal and Divine Immortal. The Arhat Fruit corresponds to Ghost Immortal.”
He paused before adding, “This humble monk once heard a Dharma King in the temple recount a parable. Its meaning was that even if a Buddha were to reincarnate, it would be difficult to attain the Buddha Fruit again. Most would only achieve the Bodhisattva or Arhat fruits.”
“Applying this to the current situation, that True Lord may have left behind arrangements upon the [Stomach Earth] position before his fall, and then borrowed the status of a Grotto Heaven to temporarily hold the Golden Position, ascending in a single step. Because he relied heavily on external forces, he could only attain the Guest Position.”
“That is indeed the case. Though it is also possible he originally attained the Guest Position… otherwise, why would he be called a ‘Divine Lord’?”
Fang Qing nodded, then looked at Sangji. “What do you make of the proclamation he made when attaining the Dao?”
He asked calmly, but his gaze was deep with thought.
“[Stomach Earth] governs consumption… With a single decree, it becomes law for the world. From this day forward, consuming human pills or blood qi will either become less effective or even harmful. For cultivators of earth virtue in particular, continuing such practices will likely invite karmic retribution. It is similar to how the metal-aligned true position divine ability ‘Mutual Slaughter’ influences all sword cultivators. The authority of earth virtue’s true position can at least regulate earth-aligned cultivators without much difficulty.”
Sangji pressed his palms together and praised, “That True Lord possesses the compassionate heart of our Buddhist path. However, for other lineages, the effects of consumption may simply weaken. There may not be drastic changes. After all, that one has only attained the guest position of [Stomach Earth], not the primary position.”
“And what about you? You are a [Nu Earth] cultivator among earth-aligned practitioners.”
Fang Qing asked.
“From now on, such practices must naturally cease, As for the past?” Sangji replied calmly. “To punish without teaching is injustice. That one values order above all and will not punish without prior guidance. Therefore, past actions are not counted. This is also a path left for all earth-virtue cultivators to repent and start anew.”
“So in other words, from now on earth-virtue cultivators can no longer use human pills, while other lineages still can, only with reduced effects?”
Fang Qing stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“Why do I feel this will lead to inferior practices driving out the superior ones, causing earth virtue to weaken over time? If one day the entire earth-virtue lineage declines, that True Lord would bear the consequences first.”
Sangji hesitated slightly, a trace of cold sweat appearing on his forehead.
“That, the True Lord must have his own considerations. Perhaps new methods to strengthen earth virtue will be passed down. We will only know after a hundred years.”
He smiled faintly and continued, “Rather, the True Lord’s decree upon ascending the position has had the greatest impact on the two demonic sects, Cloud Grazing Cliff and the Yin Corpse Sect.”
“Indeed. Cloud Grazing Cliff cultivates [Di Earth], and the Yin Corpse Sect also follows [Nu Earth]. This has struck them hard.”
Fang Qing nodded. “The two great demonic sects will not collapse entirely, but their influence will surely decline.”
He paused, then narrowed his eyes slightly.
“San Ji has always had dealings with the demon race. Could this be the will of Descending Phoenix Mountain? If they do not act, they remain silent. But once they move, they cripple half of the demonic path in one stroke?”
Sangji fell silent for a moment before speaking slowly.
“San Ji was only at early Purple Mansion. He could not have orchestrated such a grand scheme alone. There must have been great powers concealing and guiding this from behind. When a True Lord ascends, countless forces engage in hidden struggles and calculations. Now that the position has been secured, the demon race has likely gained considerable benefits.”
“Yes… it governs only the human path, not the demon race.”
Fang Qing sighed softly.
“Even after attaining the rank of True Lord, there are still many constraints. And this [Stomach Earth] True Lord appears to follow the righteous path, which makes things even more difficult.”
He inwardly scoffed.
‘Perhaps sealing the Grotto Heaven for a hundred years is simply to avoid being hunted down and killed.’
Sangji pressed his palms together once more.
“Venerable One, now that this monk has attained the Dharma King realm, I must return to the Esoteric Domain. If you have any matters, you may instruct ‘Moonlight White Dumu’, also known as Miaoshan.”
“Miaoshan… Moonlight White Dumu? She has truly risen in a single step.”
Fang Qing let out a faint sigh. “Understood.”
His consciousness withdrew.
Xu Hei’s eyes immediately changed. He dropped to the ground and prostrated himself.
“This humble cultivator greets the Dharma King!”
In Ancient Shu, hierarchy was absolute. Even a Dao Foundation cultivator required full prostration. Before a Purple Mansion expert, one’s life was no different from a toy that could be handled at will.
“Please rise. You and I both serve the Venerable One. There is no need for such excessive courtesy.”
Sangji spoke calmly, his tone carrying a quiet authority.
Sangji helped Xu Hei to his feet, then said, “Fellow Daoist, you cultivate the [Nu Earth] path and have already reached perfection in Qi Ingestion. Why not seize this opportunity to enter seclusion here within the underground palace? This place bears the manifestation of my attainment as a Dharma King through [Nu Earth], and the outside world is currently filled with an abundance of earth-aligned spiritual aura. I will also grant you a Dao Foundation spiritual item, the ‘Three-Life Soil.’ With all this, you will surely break through to Dao Foundation in one stroke and better serve the Venerable.”
“Many thanks, Dharma King, many thanks…”
Xu Hei was stunned for a moment, then tears streamed down his face as he repeatedly expressed his gratitude.
Taibai Island.
Fang Qing was slightly taken aback. “Xu Hei… is about to break through to Dao Foundation? That makes sense. The technique he cultivates, the ‘Yin Essence Harvesting Dao Art,’ is a [Nu Earth] method. By harvesting a fifth-rank ‘Yin Corpse Essence,’ he indeed has a chance to advance to Dao Foundation.”
“Now that the spiritual atmosphere of heaven and earth is at its peak, reinforced by the presence of Purple Mansion phenomena, and with a Dao Foundation spiritual item added on top, it would defy reason if he failed.”
Even Fang Qing felt a trace of envy. “Back when I broke through to Dao Foundation, my conditions were nowhere near this favorable.”
“This Xu Hei really does have the makings of an old schemer lying low… Even after this, although his technique may limit him from ever reaching Purple Mansion, there is still some hope of longevity.”
“After all, I will definitely reach Purple Mansion in the future and I have already given him a position.”
“Still, Sangji is borrowing from San Ji, and Xu Hei is borrowing from Sangji, when the time comes for my own breakthrough, should I borrow a little as well? Forget it. Better to proceed step by step and cultivate in seclusion within the Minor Huan Sea. As long as I do not gamble, I will never lose!”
...
Sanyuan Island.
The array lay shattered, transforming into layers of thunderclouds. Within them, a massive presence roared faintly.
Gurgle, gurgle!
In an instant, everything fell silent. Two severed heads were thrown out.
One belonged to Lu Lingfeng. The other was the Foundation Establishment ancestor of the Jiang Family!
Roar!
A massive azure-green turtle emerged, with a female cultivator standing atop its back. It was none other than Zhan Hongxiu!
At this moment, however, she had already reached the mid stage of Foundation Establishment.
“Our sect handles traitors without the need for outside assistance. Sister, you may leave.”
A trace of sharpness now lingered in her brows as she looked toward the sky.
A patch of colorful clouds dispersed, revealing a black-robed woman with a seductive bearing. It was Yu Xiang’er!
“Hehe… congratulations, little sister, on personally executing the traitor. I shall not linger any longer.”
Yu Xiang’er gave a soft laugh and truly departed with her group of demonic cultivators.
Sea winds howled as clusters of demonic flames left the bounds of Sanyuan Island. Only then did a demonic cultivator step forward and ask, “Protector?”
“Hmph. The Jiang Family is truly useless. They could not even hold out until we arrived. Moreover, that Zhan Hongxiu has already reached mid Foundation Establishment. With the support of that second-rank mid-grade Longevity Turtle and the formation, she can contend even with late Foundation Establishment cultivators.”
Yu Xiang’er said indifferently, “Now that the Sancai Market has been exposed, there is no need to waste further effort.”
[T/N:- Consecrated Son" and "Consecrated Consort/Maiden" will be translated as Duzi and Dumu from the original. As using the full titles with even longer names gets awkward and clunky to read]
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