‘Great Sun Fuyu Dragon-Phoenix Primordial Lord?’
Fang Qing silently repeated the honorific within his mind, not daring to speak it aloud. Instead, he sighed in admiration. “As expected of a Purple Mansion immortal clan. Their inherited knowledge truly runs deep.”
The true names and honorific titles of Golden Attainment existences and above were naturally not to be spoken carelessly.
If one constantly invoked a name, there would inevitably be a response.
Even Fang Qing himself, after the Kitchen God’s revival, no longer dared casually mutter titles such as [Divine Lord Dongyuan, Spiritually Responsive Registrar of Fate]. At most, he would use the alternate title “Kitchen God,” or split apart the honorific like Bai Mu Spiritual Master had done earlier.
Otherwise, a single glance from a True Lord might descend upon him.
‘I wonder… if I called this honorific over on the Qi Refining side, would there also be a response?’
‘Forget it. Better not court death.’
‘Though with my [As If Within the Calculations] golden finger, perhaps even shouting it here would be fine? Maybe it could shield me from detection?’
‘Who knows, perhaps this Primordial Lord was originally a True Lord after all’
The two conversed a while longer before Fang Qing brought up the Canghai Sect.
“The path of cultivation is difficult for people like us. Might the Canghai Sect possess a complete inheritance for [Ji Water] Purple Mansion cultivation?”
“Regarding that… probably not.”
Bai Mu Spiritual Master pondered briefly before answering, “However, the sect once produced a great Spiritual Master of [Zhen Water]. Their prestige was extraordinary. The sect should possess at least three divine ability inheritances of the [Zhen Water] lineage. Could Fellow Daoist be considering traveling to the territories of the Orthodox Supreme Unity Mysterious Gate?”
“Oh? Is that not possible?” Fang Qing asked.
“We Purple Mansion cultivators may travel as we please. Continue eastward and you will indeed arrive within the domain of the Orthodox Supreme Unity Mysterious Gate. However, that region reveres the lineages of Metal and Fire above all else, and they greatly disdain those of us with demonic cultivation origins.”
Bai Mu Spiritual Master let out a sigh. “Lineage, orthodoxy, background, those righteous sects care deeply about such things. Even rogue cultivators are looked down upon by them. Many end up fleeing to the outer seas and joining the demonic path instead.”
From his tone, it sounded as though he considered even the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Domain and the fox demons part of the greater demonic faction.
For a moment, Fang Qing did not know how to respond. “I truly know little about the customs of the eastern regions. I am rather curious. Might Spiritual Master enlighten me?”
“When this old man first entered Purple Mansion, I once traveled there for a time.”
Bai Mu Spiritual Master stroked his beard. “The eastern lands are vast and prosperous, divided into two great nations: Northern Zhou and Southern Wu. Because of disputes over orthodoxy and lineage, the two have never been on good terms. Conflicts and wars break out frequently.”
“In Northern Zhou, Fire virtue flourishes. Golden Core sects such as the Nine Heavens Fire Palace hold dominion there. They are particularly fond of pyrotechnic arts and flame techniques.”
“As for the southern lands of Wu and Yue, sword cultivators dominate. The people commonly cut their hair short and wear tattoos upon their bodies. Life-and-death sword duels are deeply ingrained in their culture. Holy sword cultivation lands such as Mount Wenjian are located there.”
“And the Canghai Sect you asked about earlier lies in the southeastern region of Wu and Yue, close to the outer seas.”
‘Nine Heavens Fire Palace. There seems to be a cultivator there who once formed a great karmic entanglement with the White Bone Path.’
Fang Qing’s thoughts stirred.
‘Though Sangji himself does not seem in any hurry to settle that karma, which means the other party’s background must be extraordinary. Since even he is not worried, I certainly have no reason to rush. After all, it is not my reputation being lost.’
Beside him, the divine radiance behind Miaoshan’s head fluctuated faintly. Clearly, she had once again recalled those unbearable years spent within the White Bone Dao.
“It truly sounds like a fascinating place,” Fang Qing said with a look of yearning.
“Haha… in the end, this old man was still recognized as someone of demonic origin and chased all the way out of Northern Zhou.”
Bai Mu Spiritual Master laughed loudly. “If a Duzi truly wishes to go, then prepare yourself for the possibility of never returning.”
“So dangerous? Then perhaps I should wait until reaching Purple Mansion first.”
Fang Qing’s thoughts shifted as he offered a compliment. “For Spiritual Master to break through countless enemies and escape alive, your methods must have been extraordinary indeed.”
“Ah, we cultivators of Water virtue have little worth boasting about.”
Bai Mu Spiritual Master shook his head with a bitter smile. “Among the Five Virtues, Water virtue has always ranked at the very bottom in terms of combat ability. Back then, it was only because that Purple Mansion Spiritual Master recognized my background that he reluctantly spared my life.”
“The lineages of Metal and Fire have always been overwhelmingly dominant. As for Earth and Wood, they likewise greatly suppress Water virtue. Among cultivators of the same realm, Water virtue has always been at a disadvantage. Who is there to reason with about such unfairness?”
“Back then, after the [Zhen Water] Spiritual Master of the Canghai Sect advanced into the late Purple Mansion realm, he once encountered a Purple Mansion demon cultivator who mocked him, saying that Water virtue could never produce a Great Spiritual Master.”
“And then?” Fang Qing asked curiously.
“Oh… unfortunately for that demon, it cultivated the [Bi Moon] lineage. That Great Spiritual Master beat it to death on the spot.”
Bai Mu Spiritual Master leisurely took a sip of tea. “This old man has always felt there was something deeper hidden behind that matter. Most likely, that Purple Mansion demon committed some terrible taboo and was schemed against by a great figure. Or perhaps some divine ability clouded its mind and drove it to madness.”
“Still, Fellow Daoist must never underestimate the Taiyin lineages. In this old man’s opinion, aside from the Great Sun and the lineages of Metal and Fire, the Taiyin lineages are the most powerful of all.”
“Nowadays, the Taiyin lineages are mostly controlled by the demon race. Just look at how overwhelming the demons’ influence has become. Even that one atop Cloud Grazing Cliff retreated in the end and was forced to form an alliance with our Blissful Union Alliance.”
“Many thanks for your guidance, Spiritual Master.”
Fang Qing felt that this discussion on the Dao had yielded tremendous gains. It had even resolved many doubts lingering in his heart.
On top of that, he had managed to purchase a batch of [Ji Water] Dao Foundation spiritual items beneficial to his cultivation. The trip had truly not been wasted.
‘It’s just a pity that the eastern region controlled by the Supreme Unity Mysterious Gate seems rather dangerous. Looks like I won’t be visiting the Canghai Sect after all.’
Just as he was preparing to take his leave, he heard Bai Mu Spiritual Master speak again.
“If Fellow Daoist desires this old man’s clan-protecting cultivation method, it is not entirely impossible.”
“Oh?”
Fang Qing’s interest was immediately piqued.
“Please elaborate, Fellow Daoist.”
“At present, this old man remains trapped within the clan and has long pondered a means of escape. Recently, I have gradually found a solution.”
Bai Mu Spiritual Master sighed softly.
“While cultivating my divine ability, I suffered qi deviation. Kan and Li fell into disorder, yin and yang separated, and cold wood qi flooded my meridians, leaving me trapped in this state.”
He continued: “To cure it, I require a Purple Mansion spiritual object aligned with [Kang Metal]. Only a dose of ‘Golden Peony Yang Essence’ can save me.”
Moonlight White Dumu nodded slightly.
“The so-called ‘Golden Peony Yang Essence’ is formed from the essence of Kang Metal itself. It grows in lands of extreme yang and condenses over a thousand years, overflowing with harmonizing yang qi. It indeed strongly counters cold wood qi.”
“Exactly.”
Bai Mu Spiritual Master continued:
“[Kang Metal] belongs to Qian, while Kan corresponds to water and Qian to metal. My predicament lies in Kan water flourishing alone while Qian and Kun lose balance. Once the Golden Peony Yang Essence enters the body, it is like Qian Metal descending to suppress the chaos of Kan Water, restoring Kan and Li to their proper positions. Spiritual mechanisms will circulate normally again, heaven and earth within will clear, and all demonic obstruction will vanish.”
Fang Qing also gained some understanding.
“So… you want us to help retrieve this ‘Golden Peony Yang Essence’?”
“Correct.”
Bai Mu Spiritual Master gave a deep bow.
“During my travels years ago, I once discovered a hidden place where a stalk of Golden Peony Yang Essence grows. If Fellow Daoist can retrieve it and resolve this old man’s calamity, I am willing to gift my clan’s Purple Mansion cultivation method in return!”
“This matter…”
Fang Qing’s heart stirred. Several plum blossom petals drifted down and formed into a hexagram.
‘Moderate misfortune?’
His expression changed slightly and he immediately shook his head.
“A heaven-and-earth spiritual root of this caliber will surely be surrounded by danger. We are merely a Duzi and Dumu. Our strength would only bring shame to the Purple Mansion realm. I fear we would ruin Fellow Daoist’s important matter instead. Fellow Daoist should seek someone more capable.”
The moment he finished speaking, he gave Bai Mu no chance to persuade him further and directly dragged Miaoshan away.
‘Damn it, the outside world is far too dangerous. Even random errands come with moderate misfortune. Who would dare go?’
‘This really is a broken place. How can it compare to the honest and simple folk customs of my Minor Huan Sea? Over there, I can already roam freely with my sword and kill through entire regions alone!’
“Old Ancestor…”
Only after Fang Qing and Moonlight White Dumu departed from the Purple Mansion grand array did Bai Mulin cautiously step forward.
“Are you feeling any better now?”
“Painful… it is killing me…”
Bai Mu Spiritual Master let out a miserable cry.
The flesh on his face split apart as golden insects crawled out from within, only to be swallowed back down by him one after another.
“How could receiving two [Nu Earth] Duzi and Dumu possibly feel pleasant? This old man was merely forcing himself to endure so they would not see my weakness. Otherwise the surrounding clans would pounce like starving wolves and devour our family flesh and bone alike.”
“And who knows whether those two were sent by our enemies to test us?”
“But, this grandson felt those two genuinely came to seek guidance and purchase [Ji Water] spiritual objects. They even spent rather generously.”
Bai Mulin looked puzzled.
“Heh…”
Bai Mu Spiritual Master’s face turned cold.
“Duzi and Dumu devote themselves wholly to relying upon Dharma Kings for cultivation. Why would they bother cultivating independently? And as for raising descendants? Have you ever seen any Duzi in the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Domain with the spare energy to care for offspring?”
“So-called Duzi and Dumu are merely servants of the Dharma Kings.”
“If any disciple of our clan becomes greedy for the convenience of Esoteric cultivation arts and secretly cultivates them.”
His expression turned savage.
“Kill them without mercy!”
“If even one buddhist child is inducted into their sect, then with a single command from their Guru, they would slaughter their entire family without hesitation.”
“Yes!”
Bai Mulin hurriedly bowed in acknowledgment.
Earlier, seeing his ancestor converse so pleasantly with the two Esoteric cultivators, he had assumed the relationship between them was quite friendly.
Who could have expected the truth to be like this…
“No matter how good Esoteric cultivation methods are, they belong to others. No matter how poor the [Ji Water] path may be, it still belongs to our own people.”
Bai Mu Spiritual Master struggled to shift his body.
The vines wrapped around him writhed like giant pythons, tightening further around his frame.
“As the clan head, you must understand this point clearly.”
“Although this old man’s condition is poor, the fault does not lie in the divine ability itself. That copy of the Forest Creek Deer-Sighting Art truly can be cultivated. ‘Long-Awaited Sweet Rain’ combined with ‘Hidden Forest Bank’ is likewise a viable path toward mid-stage Purple Mansion.”
”It’s just that the method of blood sacrifice and human-pill refinement should be used sparingly.”
“Old Ancestor…”
Bai Mulin burst into tears.
“What are you crying for? Hasn’t every rogue cultivator clan survived this way?”
Bai Mu Spiritual Master’s voice remained calm.
“Our ancestors struggled from nothing to build this foundation, using human lives to test divine abilities.”
“This old man inherited the ambitions of three generations. After a hundred years, I finally exterminated the White Deer Sect, plundered its treasury and true inheritance, and opened the road toward mid-stage Purple Mansion.”
“I am already a ruined shell. If later descendants are fortunate enough to pave the road toward Great Spiritual Master, then they should come offer wine before this old man’s grave. Even beneath the Nine Springs, I would celebrate for my descendants.”
He paused before continuing:
“Still, in my current condition, it is difficult for me to fully protect all of you. The few Purple Mansion seeds within the clan must be watched carefully. Do not let others harm them.”
“The arrival of those two Duzi and Dumu today was too strange. They may very well have been sent by enemies to probe us.”
“This old man deliberately guided them toward retrieving the Golden Peony Yang Essence, yet they refused outright. That truly leaves me somewhat baffled.”
“Old Ancestor, if that Purple Mansion spiritual flower truly benefits you, then even if we must risk our lives, we will obtain it for you!”
Bai Mulin hurriedly declared.
“Foolish!”
Bai Mu Spiritual Master rebuked him immediately.
“That place is so dangerous that even throwing away your lives would accomplish nothing. If Purple Mansion spiritual objects could be obtained simply by piling up Dao Foundation cultivators’ corpses, this old man would already have done so long ago.”
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