Longzang

Chapter 396 The Struggle for Dao Attainment
Jubao Yuanshan was once full of wonders. The ancestors of the Bao family discovered several top-quality mineral veins in this mountain, which gave them their first resources. They then cultivated themselves to the point of enlightenment and founded the Bao family.

Besides the resources provided by the mineral veins, some say that his ascension to immortality was also due to the mountain's excellent feng shui, a key node in the world's great destiny. With the help of this place's fortune, the Bao family ancestor, whose talent was not originally exceptional, was able to overcome numerous obstacles and achieve the Great Dao.

Upon entering the formation, Wei Yuan's vision shifted, and his field of vision instantly broadened.

At the foot of the mountain lies a small town, with courtyards and pavilions built against the mountainside, ascending step by step.

This is a place for visitors to stay. Wei Yuan could see at least dozens of large inns and thousands of individual courtyards with different styles at a glance. This mountain city can accommodate tens of thousands of visitors at the same time.

The spiritual energy in the small town was so dense that it almost turned into mist. This single town, used for entertaining guests, was enough to serve as the core cultivation ancestral land for a third-grade blessed land sect, demonstrating the Bao family's extravagance and grandeur.

A main road cuts through the city and goes uphill. The road is twenty zhang wide and is paved with large, pale white stones with blue stripes, which are exceptionally smooth and even.

The middle-aged man summoned a carriage, helped Wei Yuan board, and then sped up the mountain along the main road. The carriage traveled quickly and steadily, with almost no sound of wheels, and there was no bumping inside; one could even take a nap inside the carriage without any problem.

The carriage traveled for dozens of miles, eventually reaching a point halfway up the mountain, where it stopped in front of a cluster of palaces and pavilions.

Upon arriving here, the weather is different again. Misty clouds hang in the mountains, permeating between the buildings, and occasionally, magical beasts and birds appear in the clouds, making this mountain area look like a fairyland.

Wei Yuan was led into a side hall, passed through the main hall, and arrived at a terrace. Below the terrace stretched a vast, magnificent sea, a sight of breathtaking beauty.

A person stands by the railing, facing the sea, deep in thought.

Only when Wei Yuan walked behind him did he slowly turn around, revealing himself to be Bao Manshan.

He looked Wei Yuan up and down and smiled, "Although I gave you the Yin-Yang Reversal Pendant that day, I really didn't expect you to actually survive the Great Curse of Cause and Effect, nor did I expect you to arrive so quickly."

Wei Yuan solemnly said, "If it weren't for the Yin-Yang Pendant given to us by the senior, my teacher and I would probably have perished. We will never forget this kindness and virtue!"

Bao Manshan said, "Helping you wasn't my idea; it was Yun'er who insisted on doing it. However, she paid a huge price for it, and you'll find out what that price is soon enough."

"How is Bao Yun? How is her arm recovering?" Wei Yuan asked.

"It's definitely not good; the arm is just a minor issue."

Wei Yuan's heart skipped a beat, and he asked, "What can I do?"

"You won't be able to see her this time, but you can certainly do something for her. Several things were already settled, but your sudden arrival has introduced some variables. Perhaps you can lend Yun a hand."

Wei Yuan immediately listened attentively with a solemn expression.

Bao Manshan said, "Yun'er's Fruit of Life was given to you, and now your own vitality and recovery ability have declined, so the growth of your new arm is slow, and you need to put in a lot of effort to temper it. At this time, Qiongshan Immortal Island in the East Sea sent someone to deliver a Vermilion Fruit Treasure Tree. One fruit is already ripe, and three fruits are still in gestation. Consider it a small gift for her. In addition, they also purchased seven Kunzhou ships from the Bao family to form a joint fleet to drive away the Haili and attack other islands in the East Sea."

They funded this fleet; we used and commanded it.

The Kun-class ships are behemoths of the sea, two hundred feet long, and each can carry ten thousand people. Such a giant ship must be extremely expensive. Qiongshan Immortal Island in the East Sea bought seven of them in one go, but handed them over to the Bao family. Such a generous offer must mean that their ambitions are enormous.

Sure enough, Bao Manshan said, "This is considered a betrothal gift, to help the young master of the Immortal Island marry Yun'er."

Wei Yuan's long hair moved on its own without wind, then slowly fell down.

Bao Manshan gave Wei Yuan a meaningful look and said, "With Yun'er's talent, whether it's her Daoist partner or where she will be in the future, she must obey the family's arrangements. Anyone who obstructs her is going against the Bao family. Do you understand this?"

"……clear."

"There's another matter, which might be of some benefit to you in the short term, but it will cause huge trouble in the long run. The Immovable Tathagata Dharma Image of the Great Treasure Flower Pure Land has become vacant, and Yun'er is the most suitable person. In the past, when the Dharma Image that could be inherited was only the Bodhisattva or Arhat level, she could choose not to go. But now that it is the Immovable Tathagata, she has no choice."

Wei Yuan didn't interrupt and continued listening.

Do you know what it means to inherit the Dharma form of the Immovable Tathagata?

Zhu Yuanjin had mentioned this matter before, though not in great detail, but Wei Yuan already knew that Bao Yun would be reincarnated, thus severing her reincarnation cycle. This wasn't death, but rather a complete erasure from the world. As time passed, everyone's memories of Bao Yun would disappear, and in the end, it would be as if she had never existed.

Wei Yuan finally spoke, asking, "Does the Bao family really want to hand over such a genius to the Great Baohua Pure Land? This outcome is worse than death."

“The Great Treasure Flower Pure Land has a special connection with my Bao family, and it is also the Immovable Tathagata, so many elders in the clan support this matter. In addition, the Great Treasure Flower Pure Land has sent the Peacock Buddha Mother of this generation to guide us, and she has already arrived.”

Wei Yuan hadn't expected his opponent to arrive so quickly. If he hadn't acted on a whim and made the decisive move to rush to the Bao family, it might have been too late.

Wei Yuan waited patiently for what was to come, his body gradually straightening, a sharp, unyielding intent emerging within him. Bao Manshan nodded slightly and said, "What you need to do now is let the other elders know that waiting a little longer for you is worthwhile."

Bao Manshan pointed lightly, and a detailed, miniature secret realm appeared before him. He said, "This is the Western Netherworld Secret Realm of my Bao family. This time, in order to compete for Yun'er, Qiongshan Immortal Island and Peacock Buddha Mother agreed to compete in the Netherworld Secret Realm. Whoever can capture the Shadowless Flying Sable placed in the secret realm can make contact with Yun'er first."

This matter originally had nothing to do with you, but since you're here, let's go in together. However, I should warn you that both sides entering the secret realm are Dharma Aspects. And they're not just any ordinary Dharma Aspects.”

Wei Yuan said, "Okay, I'll go."

Bao Manshan said, "Now you have my vote in the Elders' Council. Take a good rest these two days and make more preparations. The secret realm will open in two days."

Why does the young master of Qionghua Immortal Island insist on marrying Baoyun?

"Qionghua Immortal Island possesses a secret method of Yin-Yang dual cultivation. If Yun'er marries there, the young master will have a great chance of ascending to the path of immortality, and Yun'er will also experience significant improvement, perhaps even achieving the Unity of Heaven and Earth. This matter involves the future Immortal Lord, so Qionghua Immortal Island is naturally going all out."

Before Wei Yuan left, Bao Manshan suddenly said, "Why don't you ask Yun'er if she herself is willing to marry him?"

Wei Yuan was immediately taken aback; he had never considered this possibility before. Aside from the time they spent together in Qingming, Wei Yuan hadn't had much contact with Bao Yun and knew nothing about her family or past. Qionghua Immortal Island and the Bao family lived next door; perhaps the two were childhood sweethearts.

After thinking for a moment, Wei Yuan's brows relaxed, and he said, "You just said that such an important matter is not up to Bao Yun to decide. Then I will fight for her a chance to make a decision. After I win it, how she decides is entirely her own business."

Bao Manshan smiled and said, "This matter is not so simple. By doing this, you are blocking the path to immortality for both Qionghua Immortal Island and the Pure Land. This enmity is beyond redemption."

Wei Yuan remained silent for a moment before saying, "Do both families really have to use Bao Yun as a stepping stone, stepping on her to embark on the path to immortality? If that's not the case, then I'll bet against it!"

Bao Manshan remained noncommittal, waved his hand, and ordered someone to take Wei Yuan away.

The middle-aged man led Wei Yuan to a quiet courtyard nearby and said, "This is your residence. The Ninth Elder instructed that you should let him know if you need anything in the next two days."

"I want the list and relevant information of everyone from the Peacock Buddha Mother and Qiongshan Immortal Island." Wei Yuan always strives to know himself and his enemy, so he always asks for information first.

The middle-aged man smiled wryly and said, "You're putting me in a really difficult position."

Wei Yuan understood that this information was not to be disclosed, and then asked, "What about the information on the Shadowless Sable and the map of the secret realm?"

"That's fine."

Wei Yuan pondered for a moment, then made another list and said, "I need these things too."

The middle-aged man took the order, glanced at it, and said, "The items are a bit mixed, but I have them all in stock at home. Please wait a moment, and it will be ready and delivered in an hour."

An hour later, as expected, several strongmen carried multiple boxes to Wei Yuan's courtyard. The supplies Wei Yuan requested weighed over a thousand catties and contained over a hundred different kinds, mostly various medicinal herbs, as well as about ten kinds of spiritual materials.

Wei Yuan took out the ingredients from the box one by one and began to prepare them.

At this moment, Bao Manshan took the list handed over by the middle-aged man, glanced at it, and then burned it to ashes with his true fire. He then asked, "Has anyone else seen this list?"

"No. I arranged everything myself; no one else handled it."

"Very good, you've forgotten what you wrote down above."

"I've already forgotten."

Bao Manshan waved for the middle-aged man to leave, then remained facing the sea, seemingly lost in thought.

At this moment, Wei Yuan's courtyard was crowded with people, becoming extremely lively.

A dozen or so figures of varying heights were busy at work, with clear division of labor. They mixed the raw materials into powder according to the predetermined formula, and after several processing steps, the powder was finally turned into small, palm-sized cylinders, which were then neatly stacked.

These cylinders are just one of the products; the group of enlightened warriors have more than a dozen recipes, each with a different quantity.

Across the vast landscape, thousands of people were divided into more than a dozen groups, each researching the Shadowless Sable, the Secret Realm, and the information on Qionghua Immortal Island and Dabaohua Pure Land, producing one solution after another. Wei Yuan browsed through them one by one, almost unable to keep up.

Most of these solutions were absurd and utterly useless. But as the number of solutions increased, occasionally a few brilliant ideas would emerge, catching Wei Yuan's eye.

This battle in the secret realm will be an indirect confrontation between the Immortal Island, the Pure Land, and the mortals living across the vast land.

(End of this chapter)