Chongming Xianzong

Chapter 439 Arrival
"Stop looking so pathetic," the Heavenly Bird said, its sharp beak still uttering a hint of displeasure as it approached.
“How can my son-in-law, the eldest son of the Fei family, be so worthless? He’s just an ordinary spiritual object that’s hard to find even with a Golden Core. What’s he worth? It’s only because you, Boyue, are such a miserly person that you’ve wasted so many years.”

Fei Nanying, standing to the side, was a mid-grade Golden Core cultivator and the almost handpicked successor of Fei Yeyi, the current head of the Fei family. Despite being mocked by this old bird, he did not show a trace of anger on his face.

Instead, Hao Sheng handed the Azure Spirit Root to Kang Dabao without giving any further instructions, simply saying in a low voice, "Just do it well."

Headmaster Kang immediately pulled Jiang Qing to bow in gratitude. Only after standing up did he have time to examine the Azure Spirit Root he had acquired.

The object was like ice marrow formed from moonlight, its main trunk winding like a dragon reaching out its claws, its surface covered with fine, scaly crystal patterns, each scale refracting varying shades of turquoise light.

Its tip has seven translucent jade leaves, with liquid starlight flowing in the veins, which will condense into stardust-like dewdrops in the dark.

The most peculiar part is the root system, where thousands of silvery roots intertwine to form a cloud-like mist, ceaselessly absorbing and releasing wispy spiritual energy day and night. From afar, it resembles a bright glass lamp held up by the blue sea.

According to the rumors, some true and some false, that Kang Dabao had painstakingly gathered over the years, this spiritual creature grows on the cliffs atop the clouds, where the fierce winds of the heavens rage. Every new moon night, its roots pierce into the spiritual soil to absorb the essence of the moon, and at sunrise it draws upon the energy of the fire.

Without a skilled and dedicated master to cultivate it, it would take three hundred years to grow to the thickness of a thumb, making it extremely rare. When mature, the Azure Spirit Root displays nine ring-shaped golden patterns, each corresponding to a secret acupoint of the physical body recorded in the ancient enlightenment manual, the "Yellow Court Classic," which is the key to its continued path of cultivation.

Ordinary Golden Core cultivators vie for this item because of its "Spiritual Pivot Regeneration" power. If a cultivator loses an arm or limb, placing the Azure Heaven Spiritual Root on the wound will cause the root to transform into spiritual veins and meridians to reconnect.

First, a jade-colored periosteum appears on the wound, then the flesh and blood are reshaped like a glassy solution. After seven days and seven nights, the newly regenerated limbs will not only be better than before, but will also carry a trace of the evergreen energy of the Wood element.

Compared to using the Golden Elixir to reattach severed limbs, using this item is far more cost-effective.

In the past, a Golden Core cultivator was ambushed by an enemy, and his natal Golden Core was pierced by the "Nine Netherworld Bone-Eroding Nail," causing his cultivation to diminish day and night.

His master risked obtaining the two-thousand-year-old Azure Spirit Root, and used it with Heavenly River Silver Sand to refine "Azure Sky Meridian Continuation Powder". This not only filled the gap in the Golden Core, but also caused the broken part to grow star veins. Ironically, this misfortune turned into a blessing, helping the cultivator break through to the late stage of the Golden Core.

From then on, the cultivation world learned that this item could not only heal flesh and bones, but also transform a cultivator's fatal wounds into an opportunity for rebirth, which made this spiritual object famous.

There are specific rules for harvesting these precious items. According to the "Seven Tablets of the Cloudy Bookcase" written by Gui Benrong, the first prime minister of the David Immortal Dynasty, the roots must be wrapped in three layers of silk to prevent the spiritual energy from leaking out.

As for the Azure Spirit Root that is tens of thousands of years old, it is even rarer. It is said that regardless of the waxing and waning of the Taiyin Star, it will project a phantom image of the spiritual root. Cultivators can repair their hidden injuries by visualizing this image.

There have been instances where Nascent Soul cultivators have dissected the thousand-year-old Azure Heaven Spiritual Root for research purposes, dispersing all its essence, only to discover that it contained 365 white flower seeds arranged according to the stars in the heavens, subtly corresponding to the acupoints in the human body. This may be the reason why it can repair cracks in the Golden Core.

The Azure Spirit Root that Kang Dabao acquired was only six hundred years old and about an inch long. Although it wasn't very old, it was still regarded as a family treasure by a powerful family like the Fei family's Sheshan Hall, which shows how rare it was.

Logically speaking, a six-hundred-year-old Azure Spirit Root should grow to about three inches, but this time it was only half of what it was. I don't know if Sheshan Hall left half of it, or if this family treasure was originally only half of what it was.

Regardless of the circumstances, this favor alone was enough to make Kang and Chiang feel extremely grateful.

“I’m always generous,” Jun Tianqin coughed lightly, finally bringing Headmaster Kang back to his senses. After carefully placing the Azure Spirit Root close to his body, the latter led Jiang Qing in a deep bow: “This humble one thanks the Ancestor and Boyue for their cultivation.”

Unexpectedly, the old bird was not grateful. After glancing at him sideways, he said, "I haven't finished speaking yet, so don't be so quick to thank me!"

The two were stunned and had no choice but to stand up straight. Then they heard Jun Tianqin explain, "You ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators don't have a way to refine this Azure Heaven Spiritual Root. Young Master Jiang needs to go to Yingzhou and ask Nancy for help in refining it."

"Elder Nanxi? Isn't Boyue currently..." Kang Dabao's mind was somewhat dazed by the spiritual root, but he realized he had misspoke after only asking half of the question, so he immediately shut his mouth and dared not utter another word.

Sure enough, as soon as Jun Tianqin heard what Kang Dabao said, he sneered:
“Refining the Azure Sky Spiritual Root will take at least two years. Do you think your brother-in-law is really that leisurely? It’s rare to see someone as hardworking as him after just reaching the Golden Core stage. After this matter is settled, I, your ancestor, will have him go into seclusion to cultivate. If he doesn’t quickly solidify his foundation, this mid-grade Golden Core will eventually fade into obscurity.”

There aren't many Golden Core cultivators willing to dedicate these two years of their lives. Even among the seventeen Golden Core cultivators of my Fei family, only Nancy has managed to find some free time.

Hearing that Jun Tianqin had already spoken to such an extent, what else could Headmaster Kang say? At this moment, it would be inappropriate to use such sycophantic words, so he could only bow deeply again and say, "Thank you for your guidance and cultivation, Ancestor."

"I told you not to thank me right away," Jun Tianqin said, his tone even more displeased. As the number one contributor to this battle, how come Kang Dabao has no heroic spirit at all, and is just as spineless as those sycophantic juniors in the Fei family's territory?

Fei Nanying was well aware of his ancestor's eccentric nature, after all, since he had formed his core, he had received many lessons from Jun Tianqin.

Over time, Fei Nanying gained a lot of experience and learned that being respectful and humble in front of this old bird was not much different from being servile; in the end, it would only make the old bird unhappy. He was truly difficult to please.

Therefore, Fei Nanying would not blame his son-in-law for making such a great contribution. So, as soon as he saw the situation, he immediately came out to smooth things over and explained, "Young man, don't be anxious. The ancestor's meaning is that this Azure Spirit Root is only for young friend Jiang. Your reward is still elsewhere."

As soon as Fei Nanying finished speaking, the words "Ancestor, I have always been generous," which Jun Tianqin had just been saying, echoed in the mind of Headmaster Kang.

"This old ancestor is truly generous. Compared to him, I, Boyue, who has always been extravagant, am nothing. I am undoubtedly a miser."

Kang Dabao sighed inwardly. He couldn't blame him for being short-sighted. Logically speaking, even if he and Jiang Qing's achievements were combined, obtaining a section of the Azure Heaven Spirit Root would already be considered extremely generous. He really hadn't expected that this old bird, pui, this ancestor would actually give out rewards.

Jun Tianqin's displeasure dissipated considerably after Fei Nanying's interruption, and he spoke again in a deep voice to explain:
"I rarely break my word. There is already a beast core in the Cold Crow Mountains that belongs to you, boy. However, we need to investigate the roots of those demon schools more thoroughly to find out the truth. Otherwise, if we find one with too deep a background, it may incur the wrath of the demon officers or cause other troubles."

After all, I am not from the Lishan lineage. So after killing that Yanhu last time, there are still many loose ends to clean up. Otherwise, I should have sent cultivators from all over the country to the mountain to sort things out.

Therefore, this matter requires careful consideration and is unlikely to be accomplished in the short term. However, I, your ancestor, can set a deadline for you: I will give you a superior beast core within ten years.”

"This humble one will obey the ancestor's arrangements." Having learned his lesson, Kang Dabao straightened his back a bit, and his cheerful and refined demeanor was once again revealed, finally making Jun Tianqin somewhat satisfied.

Perhaps feeling that simply throwing out a blank silver note didn't match his earlier boast of "generosity," the old bird pondered for a while, then looked Kang, the sect leader, up and down before finally asking:

"In theory, a beast core is enough to be rewarded, but you really won beautifully this time. I, your ancestor, would like to reward you with something else, otherwise I would be too unhappy."

"Then tell me what you desire. Think it over carefully. I never boast, but in this Great Wei Immortal Dynasty, if I cannot accomplish what you have asked for, there are very few below the Nascent Soul stage who can."

Upon hearing this, Kang Dabao's mind raced with a multitude of thoughts. Seeing him deep in thought, the two cultivators didn't urge him but waited patiently.

After a long while, Sect Leader Kang finally gritted his teeth and said, "Ancestor, I have another junior brother."

Upon hearing this, Jun Tianqin remained silent for a moment, then exchanged a glance with Fei Nanying before saying, "You are indeed a very loyal and righteous young man. I, your old ancestor, am somewhat unsure whether I will regret nurturing you in the future."

————Xuanwei City, Yunjiao Prefecture Prison
Although Fei Nanying was only away for a short time, Fu Neng, the defeated abbot, still needed to be guarded. Granny Fei Liu and two other fake alchemists from Sheshan Hall arrived together and took over the prison's defenses.

However, although Granny Fei was the most respected person in the prison at this time, there were still two other people who took a special interest in this noble lady of the Fei family. Yue Lin and Yuan Buwen, old acquaintances who had known each other for several decades, were also transferred to the prison to guard it. The two did not sit idly, but found a place to sit facing each other and drink tea. They were quite content in this dark and gloomy place.

“My Daoist brother’s eldest daughter has become the Holy Maiden of the Holy Mountain. I don’t think she would be treated like me, someone who came here in desperation. I never expected that you would be treated the same way as me.”

Yuan Buwen's first words were sarcastic.

It's true that Yue Hongguo became the Holy Maiden of Mount Wulao, but since the Yue family's last loss of power, their situation has been quite awkward. Since Kuang Liuting couldn't vent his anger on Chongmingzong after being reprimanded by the Southern King, the Yue family was naturally doomed.

The favor of powerful figures comes and goes quickly. In addition, Kuang Liuting has already completed his Golden Elixir, and Yue Hongguo, this secret treasure for dual cultivation, has lost its effectiveness. This has made things even worse for the Yue family in Hancheng.

In a world where everyone prospers, Yue Hongguo, despite being the Holy Maiden of Mount Wumu, couldn't even find a genuine Golden Core master. She was merely tossed around like a football by a few seasoned cultivators from Mount Wumu, with no future to speak of.

In previous years, the Yue family of Hancheng was a local tyrant, raised by the Wu Laoshan and Yezhou Yang family, to resist the capital faction. But now they have fallen to the same situation as the Yuan family of Jingnan. As the person in charge of the Yue family, Yue Lin is naturally not happy.

Unexpectedly, Yue Lin did not change his expression after hearing the voice, but said in a deep voice: "It is indeed not as famous as your son-in-law's reputation this time. With him by your side, the Yuan family of Jingnan will probably be able to enjoy a peaceful life in Shannan Road."

Yuan Buwen's face twitched upon hearing this. Everyone knew that his Yuan Xiyue was just a lowly concubine in Kang Dabao's household, without even a rank, a commodity.

Therefore, no matter how you look at it, Kang Dabao is unworthy of the title "son-in-law of the Yuan family." Thus, even if the latter suddenly becomes a new elite after this battle, the Yuan family will hardly benefit from it.

For a legitimate daughter to become a concubine is even less respectable, so Yue Lin's words were undoubtedly sarcastic. Yuan Buwen was furious: "That old man!"

But this anger was fleeting. Yuan Buwen did not remain resentful for long. Instead, after drinking a cup of sake, he sighed with melancholy: "After fighting with you, old man, for so many years, we have ended up in the same boat. It's really pointless."

Yue Lin remained expressionless, showing no inclination to confide in Yuan Buwen. He didn't drink, but instead gazed at the wine foam in his glass cup and said softly:
"You old man, you're really out of your mind. Why waste your energy getting angry with me when you have such a good opportunity? I didn't say anything wrong. Your son-in-law has won that old bird's favor this time, and his future is truly limitless."

He has accomplished much in Ping and Jin counties, and after Kuang Liuting returns to Shannan, he might very well employ him. His foundation is still weak; if you can win him over, the Yuan family of Jingnan can truly rely on him for future prosperity.”

Yuan Buwen shook his head and smiled: "Brother Dao and I have taken different paths. Brother Dao dared to place bets in Kuang Liuting before he had even established himself in Yunjiao Prefecture. I advised him against it at the time, saying that the Kuang family is the most mean and ungrateful and should not be trusted. But Brother Dao did not listen. However, looking at it today, I think I was right back then."

Yue Lin's face darkened, but he remained silent. Yuan Buwen then spoke up, "Kuang Liuting cannot be entrusted with anything, and neither can Kang Dabao. My Yuan family only wants our own children to succeed and is unwilling to entrust our hopes to others."

"Naive! You, Yuan Buwen, should be considered an unparalleled genius of the Yuan family of Jingnan, so why can't you form your core?" Yue Lin's cold laughter pierced Yuan Buwen's heart, but unexpectedly, another heavy blow followed:
"Do you really think that by surrendering to the Celestial Dynasty, the chains around our necks will loosen? If that's the case, why are you so slow to act, and why have you paid for so many lives for the Two Elements Sect?"

"What about that?"

"My family sold our daughter to the Kuang family. Even though we've fallen out of favor now, if any of my family's disciples can achieve the Golden Core stage in the future, no one in the Kuang family will stand in our way. I'm just foolishly hoping that if I say one more word, I might still be able to wait for the Marquis of Nan'an to change his mind and I can rise to the top in one step."

But what about you? Your Yuan family only switched sides after achieving a high-grade Golden Elixir at Kuangliuting. Zhu Tong might be a little more amiable because he wants political achievements, but what kind of person is he now in Yunjiao Prefecture? Don't you seek a patron within the prefecture court? Do you really want to see your family members wither away completely?

Yuan Buwen shook his head and sneered: "Is Chongmingzong a better backer, or is Kang Dabao a better backer?"

Yue Lin said in a deep voice, "It is not Chongmingzong, nor Kang Dabao, but the future Kang Dabao, who may be able to serve as a backer."

Yuan Buwen remained silent for a while, but Yue Lin spoke up again: "You can't reach the Fei family; Wu Lao Mountain is not lacking in henchmen; the Yang family of Yezhou is a faction of its own, and they are only in cahoots with Wu Lao Mountain; although Zhu Tong is a disciple of the Prime Minister Gui, he is only a minor cultivator after all. He may not even be able to overcome the hurdle of becoming a Core Formation cultivator. Are you really willing to join us?"

The question stunned Yuan Buwen into silence for a long time. After pondering for a while, when he spoke again, he did not answer but asked, "Why do you tell me these things, fellow Daoist?"

Yue Lin closed his eyes, a hint of dejection in his voice: "Perhaps I made a mistake in what happened back then. Now the Yue family is not in a good position, and I do not want to cause any more trouble. I only wish to resolve the conflict peacefully. If you are willing to step in and mediate, that would be the best outcome."

After this, Yuan Buwen's sarcastic remarks resurfaced: "First you were deferential, then you became obsequious. Don't you find that awkward, fellow Daoist?"

Yue Lin felt no shame, but instead said seriously, "This is how aristocratic families operate. A person should be paid what they deserve. If Kang Dabao does not win against Fu Neng, he will still not be favored by Jun Tianqin and will still have to endure the Fei family's disdain."
"If Kuang Liuting hadn't achieved the highest-grade Golden Elixir, the Moon-Hidden Immortal of Mount Wumu wouldn't have condescended to travel to the outer seas, and you, Yuan Buwen, wouldn't have surrendered with your entire family. It's not bad to be defiant at first and then obsequious; what's truly ugly is when the person in charge is too stubborn, causing the whole family to suffer greatly."

“Brother Dao is indeed insightful,” Yuan Buwen stopped arguing and instead let out a long sigh.

Time is truly a sculptor, capable of shaving away all the sharp edges of the once spirited Yue family's Zhilan. Perhaps this is why the Yue family was able to become the leading family under the Liangyi Sect, firmly surpassing the Yuan family of Jingnan?

With that, their conversation came to an end. Yue Lin made no further request, and Yuan Buwen offered no agreement; many things had already been settled.

As the wine foam in the glass cup dissipated, strange movements arose in the prison.

Erxiu immediately became alarmed. If anything went wrong while they were on guard, the powerful Fei family would likely not be lenient with them.

The two transformed into streaks of light and entered Fu Neng's cell. There they saw Granny Fei Liu with two Fei family alchemists guarding Fu Neng's side as if facing a formidable enemy.

Inside the cramped cell, a dazzling Buddhist light shone, and pure lotus flowers seemed to rise out of thin air on the damp, cold stone slabs, shattering the tight restrictions set up by the master craftsmen.

Before long, the sacred chanting of Buddhist hymns resounded throughout the entire city of Xuanwei. As long as they had not yet established their foundations, all the millions of living beings in this great city, whether immortals or commoners, were cleansed by the chanting and became devout, kneeling down to worship and chanting Buddhist prayers aloud.

The source of this Buddha light was Fu Neng, whose entire body was bound by countless spiritual shackles. The handsome monk's robe moved without wind, and two kinds of aura flowed out as the hem of the robe fluttered: half of his body was radiating pure Buddha light, and the other half was wrapped in black and purple karmic fire.

The cultivators were so frightened that their legs trembled. Before they could react, Fu Neng spoke first, his tone full of vicissitudes: "Summon Fei Tianqin to pay his respects to me."

Before Granny Fei could finish speaking, "You are...", another Buddhist chant filled the air:
"Summon Fei Tianqin to pay his respects to me!"

"Summon Fei Tianqin to pay his respects to me!!"

"Summon Fei Tianqin to pay his respects to me!!!"

Even though this old woman had achieved the false elixir for many years, she was still shaken to the point that her blood and qi surged. She made and dispersed hand seals, but she still could not suppress the evil blood in her heart.

"puff"

As a jet of blood spurted out, Granny Fei, disregarding the fact that her two younger relatives were already pale with fright, and not caring about the years of cultivation she had lost, simply turned to Yue and Yuan, who were equally terrified, and urged them, "Quickly go and invite Ancestor Tianqin!"

(I'll update another chapter around midnight if I can.)
(End of this chapter)