Chongming Xianzong

Chapter 596 In Xuanwei City, guests are turned away; a lone goose is heard in the cold courtyard, and a call for the son to return is suddenly heard.

"What to exchange for?"

These four words lingered in the mind of Master Kang for a long time, but he still couldn't give that old man with the flat hair a satisfactory reply.

According to Luan Gongfeng, the Fei family possesses a precious root in Yingzhou called the Moon Jade Cloud Vine. This precious root is of the highest grade, the third rank, and was discovered in a secret realm by the Fei family patriarch and a Golden Core cultivator from the Yu Kun Han family.

The spiritual fruit produced by this precious root is indeed of great use in assisting cultivators in forming their core, increasing the success rate by about 10%. It can also be compatible with and harmonize the conflicting medicinal properties of any two types of core-forming spiritual objects, allowing them to be taken at the same time without harming the foundation of true cultivation, thus greatly increasing the probability of forming the core.

However, there are some minor drawbacks. Since it is a shortcut, the quality of the Golden Elixir is naturally slightly weaker than that of other elixirs of the same level, which can be considered an inherent disadvantage.

The mere step of solidifying one's inner essence requires several times the effort compared to others of the same level. As for the path ahead, it will naturally be much more difficult.

However, this presents a great opportunity for many noble families with unstable foundations.

After all, not everyone has lofty ambitions. For most cultivators, achieving the Golden Core and living to the age of ninety years is enough to satisfy them and leave them with no desires.

Of course, even if the spiritual fruit formed by the Moon Jade Cloud Vine has such miraculous properties, the three hurdles of transforming spiritual power into mercury, perfecting alchemy, and enlightening the Dao Lotus are ultimately difficult to skip.

This is also why Fei Tianqin's theory of elixir was incomplete, and Fei Shuhe, who achieved this result, could at most only form a false elixir.

Furthermore, it should be known that the Moon Jade Cloud Vine bears fruit once every 360 years, and each time it yields around five spiritual fruits. However, the prestigious Fei family of Yingzhou and the Han family of Yukun are not comparable to it.

Even though the Moon Jade Vine was transplanted into the Spirit Nurturing Garden of the Yu Kun Han family from the very beginning, all the necessary resources should still be provided by the Fei family.

From then on, the Han family, finally concerned about saving face, established an unwritten rule between the two families: every two rounds, the Han family would give up half of the spirit fruits to the Fei family for distribution.

The Fei family, from top to bottom, harbored no resentment whatsoever. In public and in private, they spoke highly of Yu Kun and the Han family's dignified demeanor and expressed their deep admiration.

Such a magical object, the Fei family has waited for more than seven hundred years, and may only be able to obtain two. Even without the Han family's instruction, they should be sensible and give one to Han Ningyue for use.

As for the other one, it belongs to the Shangyu Hall, where the Golden Core cultivators would fight tooth and nail for it, regardless of their dignity. How could any other family or hall even dream of it?

While Kang Dabao and his wife are indeed important figures, and Chongmingzong has been working hard lately, it is wishful thinking to expect these senior cultivators to show consideration for their juniors and give way to them because of this.

Kang Dabao remained silent for a long time, but the other cultivators in the hall did not make things difficult for him, after all, the sect leader Kang was going to great lengths for the Fei family's daughter.

Even if it's a bit naive, it's not so bad as to make people dislike it.

In the end, it was Fei Donggu, the kind and generous elder, who stepped in to smooth things over: "Don't worry, Master Kang. Since Nan Ying has already written to Ancestor Ye Yi, the clan leaders will take it into consideration."

Even if this attempt fails, the so-called fake elixir is still rare and uncommon. My Fei family has some reputation in the Immortal Dynasty, and Shuhe is my eldest daughter; I will not allow her to suffer any injustice.”

Fei Nanying felt that he had no right to speak up for Master Kang at this time. Even his previous letter to Yingzhou was just a gesture of goodwill.

After all, if Fei Shuhe had a chance to form a core, he could use Kang Dabao's identity as a pretext to say a few more words in favor of the latter.

However, as the next head of the Fei family, he must be mindful of the importance of the matter. With Fei Yeyi's lifespan nearing its end, he cannot let go of any opportunity that could enhance the Fei family's strength.

Otherwise, when this towering white jade pillar collapses, even with Fei Tianqin's assistance, Fei Nanying would likely struggle to cope.

Even if we were to concede that we were close to the Han family, we might not be able to get any more spirit fruits. Even Fei Nanying, the Han family's son-in-law, still had to be mindful of their feelings.

"But..." Fei Nanying hesitated for a moment, but in the end, he held back his thoughts and did not speak.

Kang Dabao knew that this matter was difficult and understood the reasons behind it, so he said nothing more.

He then composed himself and together with Jiang Qing asked about several key points in cultivation. The elders in the hall, of course, did not want the atmosphere to become awkward, and answered all their questions.

Only then did both sides part ways in a dignified manner, having enjoyed themselves to the fullest.

Fei Nanying's gaze remained fixed on Kang and Jiang until they stepped out of the Qichi Hall's protective barrier.

After turning around, he opened his mouth slightly, the words seeming to catch in his throat, but ultimately remained silent. Fei Tianqin, sitting at the head of the table, glanced at him indifferently, and without mincing words, said directly, "Nan Ying, you still want to plead for that girl Shu He, don't you?!"

Upon hearing this, Fei Nanying, whose thoughts had been exposed, felt somewhat relieved:

"Nan Ying did not have any selfish motives. He simply thought that Kang Dabao was a talented person, and to put it bluntly, this was a good opportunity to win him over. This young man was loyal and righteous, but his aptitude was poor, and he should not have such a promising future."

But now that it has been cultivated into a golden elixir by my family, having Shuhe constantly by its side will bring nothing but harm to the Fei family of Yingzhou in the future.”

As soon as Fei Nanying finished speaking, Fei Donggu, who was standing next to Fei Tianqin, gradually changed his expression.

The old bird carefully scanned Fei Nanying from head to toe for a while, then remained silent, making the latter slightly uneasy, before finally chuckling:
"Ha, Nan Ying, these are the words that the next head of the Fei family of Yingzhou should speak,"

At this point, its gaze turned to Fei Donggu, implying: "But he sees things more clearly than some people."

The old Golden Core cultivator was startled by the sound and was about to muster his courage to argue when a sharp shout exploded in his head: "After cultivating for three or four hundred years, how come your brain is still like a new one?!"

"Fool!!"

Such a rebuke was quite severe and enough to offend the younger generation. Although Fei Tianqin was used to being harsh in his words, it was rare for him to be so harsh when dealing with a junior Golden Core cultivator.

Remembering that Fei Donggu was an elder of the clan and his own senior, Fei Nanying subconsciously wanted to turn to the side, but then heard Fei Tianqin, that old bird, say in a deep voice: "Stand still!"

Fei Nanying's movements came to an abrupt halt, and Fei Donggu, a dignified man who had cultivated for many years, trembled slightly.

Fei Tianqin's rebuke arrived as expected: "Does the Fei family lack golden pills?!"

The two men who made the move felt a chill in their hearts. The Fei family of Yingzhou was the most powerful family in the world, with eighteen top cultivators on their side, making them no less prestigious than many other prominent families.

However, if they lose the only person who can barely maintain a certain status and who can negotiate with the various families in the capital, the glamorous facade of the Fei family in Yingzhou will crumble, and the troubles of overheating will inevitably emerge, enough to give even the arrogant Fei Tianqin a headache.

This situation is unlikely to be reversed simply by the emergence of one or two new cultivators in the near future.

Fei Donggu was silenced by the shout, a hint of shame appearing on his face. Even with Fei Donggu's expression, the old bird at the head of the table seemed unwilling to let it go, and after a few breaths, he pressed further:
"Your son wants to form his core, but why don't you know how to rely on your own abilities? How many lifetimes of ancestral blessings will it take to be satisfied?!"

Whether out of shame or anger, Fei Donggu hung his head, stunned by the question. Seeing this, Fei Tianqin temporarily let the former go and turned to Fei Nanying to ask:
"Tell me again, what are your thoughts?"

“Reporting to the Ancestor, in my opinion, if Kang Dabao weren’t of such low birth and humble lineage, his mere possession of a mid-grade Golden Core would be enough to earn him the serious cultivation of prominent sects and great families. However, my Fei family of Yingzhou can make up for his lack of a distinguished background.”

At this point, Fei Nanying saw Fei Tianqin's gaze soften, and he boldly continued:
"In the past, my Fei family was often constrained by the prejudices of social class. Even though we were given some leeway because of Kang Dabao's status as the eldest son-in-law, there was still a layer of separation between us."

In my humble opinion, going forward, we should take a bolder step. Aside from the Moon Jade Vine and the Cloud-like Vine, any other items Kang Dabao needs can also be granted.

Fei Donggu felt that Fei Nanying's words were rather subtle. After all, even if the cultivators of the Chongming Alliance had a relationship with Kang Dabao, they were still vassals.

While the number of times the Chongming Alliance had to support Yingshan Army in taking the blows was much smaller than other alliances, Fei Donggu could still list several without much thought.

Fei Donggu never felt there was anything wrong with this matter, but he also didn't think that Fei Nanying's so-called "layer of separation" could fully summarize the bloodshed involved.

Fei Tianqin, who was seated at the head of the table, didn't care about these trivial matters. He simply rolled his dark eyes around again and asked, "Oh, aren't you afraid that after this kid has eaten and drunk his fill, he'll discard my Fei family like trash?!"

Fei Nanying naturally understood the test-oriented tone in these words, and had already prepared his response:

"Your Excellency, it is only natural to associate with those who value profit and to befriend those who value righteousness. While there are indeed risks involved, I, Nan Ying, dare to presume to suggest that, in my opinion, this matter, though risky, is far more secure than Elder Ye Ying's gamble on the Duke of Qin."

"How dare you!! You..."

"What's the rush?!"

With his eyes bloodshot, Fei Donggu was nowhere near the gentle and kind elder he once was. Before he could utter a word of reproach, he was choked back by a soft question from his own ancestor, the Flat-haired Ancestor.

After ignoring the disgruntled juniors standing to the side, the old bird looked at Fei Nanying again, and a rare hint of appreciation appeared in his eyes.

It doesn't dwell on whether Fei Donggu's words are right or wrong; after all, the fact that those words came from the latter's mouth is already a pleasant surprise.

Fei Tianqin nodded in praise, "That's right. My brother isn't some celestial patriarch or a living Buddha. How could he be omniscient and infallible? Nan Ying, after this, you've truly become the head of the family."

Although the old bird withdrew his gaze, he showed no reprimand towards the thoughtful Fei Donggu, and simply said in a gentle voice:
"From Shang Yutang to Sheshan Hall, from my younger brother to Wanqing, of the eighteen direct descendants of the Fei family, apart from Nan Ying, there is almost no hope of them reaching the Nascent Soul stage."

We finally managed to win someone over in this lowly place without spending much money, and now we're just going to give up? Saying a thousand things is a waste of effort. You really can't understand what use it would be if my Fei family produced another Golden Core cultivator.

"Without this Moonlit Cloud Vine, are you descendants truly incapable of forming a Golden Core?! What does the success or failure of the Golden Core matter then?!"

Even though the language was crude, it was already quite remarkable that Fei Tianqin could offer an explanation.

This old bird, after all, held a superior position. Fei Donggu, though feeling wronged after being scolded so harshly, harbored no resentment. After thinking for a while, he finally calmed down and suppressed his anger.

"To be honest, regarding the spiritual fruit from the Han family, I already wrote to my younger brother before, asking Ningyue and Shuhe to each receive one."

Fei Donggu, who had just regained his composure, suddenly widened his eyes and hesitated, as if he wanted to speak but then stopped. Fei Nanying also looked surprised, but he did not say anything either.

"After all, it's about doing a favor for someone, so it has to be done with some difficulty to make the favor more meaningful," Fei Tianqin said frankly about his own little scheme.

After a pause, the old bird spoke again: "'The principle of associating with those who value profit based on profit, and with those who value righteousness based on righteousness' is indeed correct."

Fei Tianqin looked down at Fei Nanying again and said softly, "It's much more reliable to win people over with affection. Besides, I don't really feel comfortable with the Duke of Qin."

The voice was so soft it barely reached their ears, yet it sent a jolt through their hearts. The same words spoken by different people carried a completely different weight.

With the two people and the bird each having their own thoughts, the hall fell silent.

------

When Kang and Jiang returned to Xuanwei City, they unexpectedly encountered an old monk with white hair there.

Kang Dabao pulled Jiang Qing forward to pay their respects, concealing his dejected mood from the fruitless trip to the Fei family mansion. Although he showed some surprise, the smile he wore when speaking to the newcomer was extremely warm and friendly.
"What brings you here, senior?"

Gu Hongzi, who came to visit, had just recovered from serious injuries. Although he had been known as the number one rogue cultivator in Shanbei Dao for decades, he had only seen the skills of the Grand Master Kang on the battlefield, not to mention the many connections the latter had.

Therefore, he did not put on airs as a senior here, but bowed respectfully and said, "Greetings, Headmaster Kang."

Kang Dabao returned the greeting with a hearty laugh: "Haha, senior, you are too kind. May I ask what brings you to our humble sect?"

"That scoundrel Pu Honggu was ruthless before, and I was only saved by the intervention of Fellow Daoist Yuan of your esteemed sect. My injuries have improved somewhat this time, but I need to stabilize and recuperate, and therefore I must suspend my cultivation. Hearing that your sect has moved here, I came here specifically to express my gratitude!"

Gu Hongzi's sincere tone surprised Sect Leader Kang. After all, while repaying kindness is a matter of course, it is rare to find a cultivator who truly puts it into practice.

In Kang Dabao's eyes, most of the independent cultivators in the world were people who valued profit over righteousness. This was not something he usually did by generalizing from a few cases; it was just that he had seen too many such cases since he began cultivating, so that this prejudice had become deeply ingrained in him without him even realizing it.

When distinguished guests arrive, it is essential to provide them with proper hospitality.

Although Gu Hongzi had heard Master Kang's explanation, he already knew that Yuan Jin and his group had already gone to Yangmingshan to manage things and were eager to leave.

However, they couldn't resist Kang Dabao's great enthusiasm and his insistence on hosting a banquet, so they stayed in Xuanwei City for three days.

That morning, no sooner had Gu Hongzi been sent away than Kang Dabao felt a sense of relief and stepped into the house. There he saw a familiar middle-aged maid, completely lacking in decorum, staggering out of a courtyard, her voice trembling with tears:

"My lord, my lord, something terrible has happened! Something terrible has happened!"

Master Kang stared intently for a few moments before recognizing who the maid was serving. His heart tightened immediately, and without waiting for the latter's reply, he hurriedly rushed into a deserted courtyard.

Upon receiving the news, Fei Shuhe hurried inside and only came out after a long while.

Although her beautiful eyes were tinged with sadness, the mistress of the house remained composed. She summoned her attendants and earnestly instructed them: "Go to Shanbei Road immediately and fetch the eldest son back. There is no time to lose!"

(End of this chapter)