“Master Fayuan…”
Fang Yixin’s face was somewhat pale, yet there was still a trace of resolve in his expression. “May I ask, how many from my Qingli Fang Family must participate in this battle?”
“Two late-stage Qi Ingestion cultivators. Four at the early and middle stages of Qi Ingestion…”
Monk Fayuan pressed his palms together, his face filled with compassion.
But this time, there was no Xu Hei standing nearby to smooth things over with kind words.
“Heh… so this is your plan to wipe out my Fang Family in one stroke.”
Fang Yixin gave a miserable laugh. “Wujiu and I are both late-stage Qi Ingestion cultivators. But the family still needs people to look after things. We truly cannot spare so many early and middle-stage cultivators.”
“Ordinarily, it would not be so severe. But this is wartime.”
Monk Fayuan’s expression became incomparably stern.
“This is a great war. The laws are harsh. Anyone who dares flee will implicate both their entire clan and sect.”
“Of course, once the matter is concluded, the rewards will be exceedingly generous and delivered without delay.”
“I’ll go too.”
Yue Mingxue stepped forward and spoke softly.
Fang Wujiu let out a long sigh. “Then Shangxuan and Shangqing from my branch will also participate.”
“We can spend heavily to hire one more rogue cultivator. That should suffice, no?”
Father and son exchanged a glance before both looking toward Fang Shanglin.
If not for this incident, this young family head would certainly have been unable to avoid the battlefield.
But now, having already become crippled, he no longer needed to go.
Perhaps this truly was a case of fortune hidden within disaster.
…
The Qi Refining world, Minor Huan Sea cultivation world.
Taibai Island.
“This time, things are truly different from that little farce the Xuantu Sect staged before.”
Fang Qing sat within his cave abode, untouched by karma and immune to all methods, observing the situation on the Qi Ingestion side through the Dao-Genesis Pearl.
At this moment, the White Bone Dharma King was meeting with a Purple Mansion Spiritual Master of the Yin Corpse Sect, accompanied by the two Dumu, Moonlight White and Peacock.
“As expected, Purple Mansion cultivators are exalted everywhere. No matter where they go, they always sit at the table.”
Fang Qing sighed softly as his gaze settled upon the Purple Mansion cultivator seated opposite Sangji.
The man possessed a hooked chin and gaunt cheeks, his appearance plain and unremarkable. He wore a pitch-black daoist robe, while behind him revolved a halo of divine ability light. Within it swam countless black runes like fish darting through dark waters.
“This humble daoist is Lieyu. Greetings, Dharma King. Greetings, Dumu.”
Spiritual Master Lieyu’s gaze swept across Sangji and the two Dumu. Hidden within his eyes was even a trace of greed.
At the Purple Mansion realm, one naturally no longer lusted after fleshly beauty. What he coveted were their divine abilities.
“What a remarkable White Bone Contemplation. Dharma King, you must already be condensing the ‘Cleansing Mortal Ties’ divine ability, yes?”
Spiritual Master Lieyu’s aura had clearly reached the mid-stage Purple Mansion realm. Though he possessed two divine abilities, neither had been built upon the foundation of White Bone Contemplation.
“Indeed. Fellow Daoist Lieyu’s cultivation has advanced yet another step. Truly cause for congratulations.”
Sangji Dharma King pressed his palms together with a smile.
“When this humble monk accompanied Dharma King Jiumoluojie years ago, Fellow Daoist had only just cultivated the ‘Land of Rebirth’ divine ability. Yet now your two divine abilities are complete and you have advanced into mid-stage Purple Mansion. Such joyous news deserves celebration indeed.”
“Heh… Jiumoluojie? By now he has likely already become a Great Spiritual Master of [Nu Earth], yes? Though in your Esoteric Domain you call them ‘Great Dharma Kings.’ In the end, it is all the same.”
Lieyu showed a trace of apprehension as he invited Sangji to sit and drink tea.
“Fellow Daoist has come because of the coming war below, perhaps? In this Spiritual Master’s opinion, we should simply follow the usual rules.”
“Purple Mansion methods are forbidden from entering the battlefield. Beyond that, the Dao Foundation and Qi Ingestion cultivators below may fight as they please. We may even establish a few wagers to add some entertainment.”
“That arrangement is excellent.”
Sangji smiled warmly. Yet the next words he spoke struck Lieyu like a bolt of thunder.
“Only… regarding the Buried Earth Blessed Land…”
“That damned Esoteric monk…”
Spiritual Master Lieyu’s expression changed instantly.
“How did even your people learn of this?”
“Since Fellow Benefactor understands the habits of us Esoteric monks, then you should know this Blessed Land is something this monk must inevitably claim a share of.”
Sangji completely dropped all pretense, revealing a savage grin.
“Your Yin Corpse Sect has already lost one Great Spiritual Master and now consuming blood-food has been prohibited. I imagine the condition of your various Purple Mansion Spiritual Master is not very good right now.”
“Why provoke another powerful enemy at such a time? Would it not be better to open the Blessed Land and allow all sides to benefit together?”
Spiritual Master Lieyu’s face immediately darkened.
“…The Buried Earth Blessed Land is an ancient secret realm. Since the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Domain has learned of it, the sect no longer intends to monopolize it.”
“Otherwise, given the conduct of your Esoteric monks, you would certainly drag Cloud Grazing Cliff into this matter as well.”
He paused briefly before continuing.
“Very well. But your side must provide both manpower and effort.”
“The opening of a Blessed Land requires those with fate. That matter is simple enough.”
Sangji pressed his palms together.
Compared to Grotto Heavens, Blessed Lands were much easier to deal with. After all, they were merely creations of Purple Mansion cultivators, and flaws inevitably existed within the void.
If several Purple Mansion cultivators joined forces, they could likely force open the Blessed Land directly without needing any special conditions.
The only issue was that such methods could easily damage the Blessed Land itself, resulting in both sides losing everything.
The second issue is the damage it causes to one’s own fate and fortune. That is why Purple Mansion Spiritual Masters and Esoteric Dharma Kings alike refuse to do it personally.
Instead, they rack their brains trying to find a fated individual to take their place. They want all the benefits while avoiding the karmic burden.
In Fang Qing’s view, if a Blessed Land were compared to a beautiful woman, then these Purple Mansion cultivators were the sort who wanted all the advantages without taking responsibility. So they found some “unlucky fool” to officially marry her, while the real groom behind the scenes remained themselves.
“And that is not all. A blood sacrifice is also required. Both you and I must each provide Dao Foundation and Qi Ingestion cultivators.”
Spiritual Master Lieyu’s voice carried a sinister chill.
“Southern Frontier is currently overgrown with weeds. Perfect time to harvest and clean it out.”
The Southern Frontier was a land of endless mountains and poisonous miasma.
Within one camp, firelight flickered on all sides.
Fang Wujiu lifted the tent flap and saw his old father carefully wiping that broken dark-cyan dharma sword.
Aside from him, his two sons and his sister-in-law Yue Mingxue were also present.
“I’ve already gathered the details. Tomorrow we’ll depart with President Xu Hei’s forces to attack Black Miao Village. There’s a Dao Foundation cultivator inside that fortified village. This battle is likely to be a brutal one.”
Fang Wujiu spoke with a grave expression.
This time, Wusheng Temple had carried out a full mobilization. Even Xu Hei could not escape it and could only obediently bring the forces of the Four Directions Merchant Association into service.
“At least he’s an acquaintance. As long as Senior Xu receives enough spiritual resources, he’s fairly easy to deal with.”
Fang Yixin let out a breath of relief.
“This time… it’s different from the campaign against the Xuantu Sect.”
As a veteran of countless battles, he understood this clearly.
The assault on the Xuantu Sect back then had merely been a minor conflict. ,This time, however, they were truly risking their lives.
“If danger comes, stay close to this old man.”
Out of habit, Fang Yixin pulled out his tobacco pipe again. Then he glanced toward Yue Mingxue.
“Little Xue… these past years have been hard on you.”
Yet Yue Mingxue remained calm and composed.
“I have not suffered.”
Fang Wujiu felt stifled hearing this. He turned and smacked the backs of Shangqing and Shangxuan’s heads.
“At home you never properly studied your spells. Now that you’re heading onto the battlefield, you finally start sharpening your spear at the last minute.”
“We water-virtue cultivators are already weak in direct combat. Practicing more is still beneficial.”
Fang Yixin took a puff of dry tobacco.
“For lower-level cultivators like us, battles are basically decided by talismans and magical artifacts. Whoever has deeper mana, sharper artifacts, and more talismans gains the advantage. As for spells, casting them in the middle of battle is too troublesome. Far less convenient than talismans. Unfortunately, talismans are expensive.”
“Even with our family’s foundation, equipping each of you with a Qi Ingestion magical artifact is difficult.”
“This old man cultivated the Observing the Black Mausoleum Book. After all these years, I’ve only managed to master one or two spells. Listen carefully.”
Everyone present belonged to the Fang Family, so Fang Yixin had no need for secrecy.
“This spell is called ‘Wind Traversing the Marshes.’ Ji represents the origin of wind. Water embodies the essence of downward flow. When casting this technique, form the Xun seal with the left hand, guide Ji Water with the right, and chant: ‘Wind traverses, waters dry.’ The wind will then sweep the currents forward. It can break enemy formations and also cleanse impure qi.”
The old man explained with utmost seriousness, “If you encounter a powerful enemy, then switch the incantation to ‘Ji Radiance Protects the Body.’ It allows one to move across water like the wind and greatly benefits movement techniques.”
“When battle begins tomorrow, this old man does not expect you to break formations or slaughter enemies. Preserving your lives comes first. Ah, what a pity our lineage cultivates [Ji Water]. If only there were a [Bi Water] cultivator present, we could rest much easier when it comes to healing and survival.”
At the same time.
Within another tent.
Meng Qing sat cross-legged in meditation when suddenly he felt a mysterious force descend from above.
The radiance of [Nu Earth] enveloped him, gathering within his dantian qi sea and condensing into a Dao Foundation.
It was precisely the “White Bone Contemplation”!
This Dao Foundation could see through illusions, strengthen the self, and bury sinister corpse qi and baleful energies.
“I… I’ve formed a Dao Foundation?”
Meng Qing’s expression shifted slightly. He immediately concealed his aura.
‘Young Master wishes to ensure tomorrow’s battle proceeds without the slightest mishap?’
The next day.
Black Miao Village.
“Ah… this old man is already so advanced in years, yet I still have to risk my life on the battlefield.”
Xu Hei sighed repeatedly as he took out a Dao Foundation spiritual artifact.
The artifact appeared dark and unremarkable, resembling a tiny mountain.
The cultivation method he practiced did not originate from the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Domain, but had instead been deliberately leaked by the Yin Corpse Sect. Therefore, the Dao Foundation he condensed was not White Bone Contemplation, but rather Rebirth Earth!
As he activated it, patches of black soil spread across the ground. Clusters of cattail grass and dark spirit mushrooms sprouted forth in dense abundance, releasing the fragrance of medicinal herbs.
The Dao Foundation spiritual artifact in Xu Hei’s hand was the accumulated foundation of his family over many years, named “Myriadfold Mountain.” Not only was its body incomparably sturdy, it also possessed the weight of ten thousand mountains and could transform into endless ravines and valleys to suppress enemies.
“This is bad… the enemy’s main force has arrived!”
Within Black Miao Village, the only Dao Foundation cultivator was an elderly drum shaman.
His head was wrapped in indigo cloth, knee guards bound around his legs, and he carried a bronze drum in hand. Yet it was merely a Qi Ingestion magical artifact.
The moment he saw Xu Hei unleash the “Myriadfold Mountain,” his face changed drastically.
Their Black Miao Village had suffered exploitation from the Yin Corpse Sect year after year. Not only did the sect demand large quantities of spiritual materials, even the corpses of tribesmen and cultivators could not rest in peace after death. They were forced to pay a “corpse tax.”
After immense hardship, the tribe had finally produced a Dao Foundation cultivator. Yet he had remained trapped at the early Dao Foundation stage for many years and did not even possess a proper Dao Foundation spiritual artifact.
“Grandfather, perhaps we should surrender?”
Behind him, a young Gu master could no longer hold back. He shouted, “The Yin Corpse Sect is unjust. We…”
This tiny village naturally possessed no true inheritance or orthodoxy. The young man cultivated the Gu arts of [Di Earth] and had long wished to defect northward so he would no longer lack proper teachings.
“Idiot!”
The old drum master slapped him across the face, his expression dark as water.
“You dare surrender? Do you believe the Spiritual Master isn’t watching from the heavens right now? Surrender means death! If we resist to the end and satisfy the higher-ups, we might still have a sliver of survival.”
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