Chongming Xianzong

Chapter 633 Wan Qing and her disciple pay homage to Yangming

—A few days later, outside Yangmingshan

"Phew, more than fifty years have passed, and I'm finally back."

With a flick of his spiritual eye, Kang Changzhao could easily spot the archway in the distance, which Chongmingzong had moved several times, and a look of joy appeared on his face.

The archway had been newly coated with a layer of spirit-patterned paint, gleaming with a pale golden luster under the sunlight, making it far more magnificent than they remembered.

Compared to his younger brother, Kang Changyan, who had also achieved true cultivation, was slightly more composed and urged him on:
"Quickly check the local products you brought back from Yingzhou for your parents and brothers again, so as not to make any mistakes. Also, take out all the items you bought with your two sisters-in-law and nephews and nieces last time and look at them one by one."

Remember, that red hairpin you bought at a high price in Feijiafang Market must be soaked in jade soup to retain its luster; do not forget that.

"Brother, rest assured, the count has already been checked and there will be no mistakes." Kang Changzhao said this, but in reality, he carefully checked the count as Kang Changyan had instructed.

It is true that their relationship with their elder brothers was not bad, but since they were both over a hundred years old and had brought their families back to live with their father and brothers, they naturally had to do some filial piety.

At this moment, a female Taoist in white robes also moved gracefully to the bow of the ship. Upon seeing the two brothers, she simply instructed them: "When the flying boat lands at the sect, you two should not rush to see your mother. First, accompany your master to see your father before you disperse."

"I understand, elder sister."

“Just give me your instructions, sister.”

The two responded in unison, and there was no need to ask why.

After all, over the years, Kang Lingyi's master, Fei Wanqing, not only taught Kang Dazhang's only daughter, but also took good care of the two companions.

To date, not only Kang Lingyi has reached the late stage of true cultivation, but even Kang Changzhao is only at an ordinary level. Only Kang Changyan's realm is slightly lower, and he is currently only at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.

However, when these two brothers went to Yingzhou with Kang Lingyi, in the eyes of the elders of Chongming Sect, they might not even have become true cultivators.

The fact that the two of them could make such progress in their early twenties shows how much effort Fei Wanqing had put into their teaching over the years.

This time, she came to Yangmingshan on a mission from Yingzhou to visit her brother-in-law, Kang, who was no longer the naive girl she once was. She should at least show off her hard work.

Before long, as the spiritual artifacts beside the Fei family cultivators at the helm changed their luster, the third-tier flying boat landed outside the archway of Yangming Mountain.

Chongming Sect had received the news early on. He Chang, the steward of etiquette, led a group of disciples to stand at the front. This handsome young man was very eye-catching. Even Fei Wanqing, who was the first to disembark from the flying boat, couldn't help but take a second look and felt pleased.

Among the welcoming guests, He Chang was not the only one of significant caliber; the increasingly aged Yuan Buwen also came to pay his respects.

Several years ago, when facing a life-or-death crisis, this old cultivator was not as open and carefree as he had been to outsiders. He almost exhausted all the treasures that the Yuan family had acquired over the years while following the Chongming Sect in their conquests before finally purchasing a spiritual fruit from Wanbao Trading Company that could extend the lifespan of those below the level of a Pill Master by ten years.

He then asked Yuan Xiyue for a favor, and with the help of the three elders of Chongming Sect's Pill Hall, the spiritual fruit was combined with spiritual materials to refine a true pill, thus extending his lifespan by fifteen years.

However, this resulted in the loss of vitality for the originally wealthy Yuan family, and also caused Yuan Buwen, the Yuan family patriarch who was originally highly respected in the clan, to lose face.

Over the years, Yuan Buwen had been burdened with so many worries that they almost broke his back. However, upon seeing the Kang brothers, Kang Changzhao and Kang Changyan, return, the old man's face broke into a rare smile.

Perhaps only when this time comes can Yuan Buwen finally put his mind at ease.

This is because it is true that some members of the Yuan family have formed fake pills, and it is also true that Yuan Xiyue has some influence over the Grand Master Kang.

However, in Yuan Buwen's eyes, although the successor to the Yuan family head was a fake elixir cultivator, he could hardly comprehend the subtle details of "The Military Strategy Taught by the Halberd-Holding Gentleman of the Wood Palace Star Lord", and his skills were naturally weak and incompetent.
While Yuan Xiyue is indeed beautiful now, the fact that she abandoned the path of the Buddha Mother Mingfei in her early years and was able to cultivate again has left her with considerable hidden dangers.

She has been stuck at the peak of Foundation Establishment for one or two decades. During this time, she has received spiritual items from the Great Master Kang, but she is still not progressing. In Yuan Buwen's opinion, Yuan Xiyue may not be able to advance further and form a pseudo-core in the future.

Therefore, Yuan Buwen knew that whether the Yuan family could continue to share wealth and honor with Chongmingzong in the future depended on whether Kang Dabao knew about their shared bed and whether these two golden elixir children with Yuan family blood in their veins were any different.

Seeing that Kang Changzhao and Kang Changyan had indeed made progress as he had learned from their previous letters, Yuan Buwen felt truly happy, as if his lifespan had been extended by a few days.

He Chang led his disciples to pay their respects to Fei Wanqing, but did not rush to exchange pleasantries with the Kang siblings. Instead, he led the key figures who had disembarked from the flying boat to the reception room.

Fei Wanqing surveyed the newly acquired mountain gate of Chongming Sect. Although it was still quite shabby compared to the famous and wealthy families, the interior was splendid and well-planned, and it seemed that in a few years, it would have a completely new look.

She had heard from her elders that the Great Master Kang was indeed outstanding in his cultivation and skills, but his business of cultivating hair was even more remarkable. Even in Yingzhou, a place teeming with talent, few could rival him.

When Fei Wanqing arrived, the flying boat she traveled on had stopped in Fengming Prefecture. During that time, she heard her clansmen say: "Although Huangpi Road has been under the rule of Chongming Emperor for less than sixty years, it has already become worlds apart from what it used to be."

It should be understood that Huangpi Dao was originally a remote and desolate place, and when it was jointly managed by Hongfen Temple, Qianfo Forest and Yunze Wuzun Temple, it was a place where rites and music had collapsed.

Not to mention compared to Gyeonggi Province, which is rich in natural resources and culture, Hwangpi Province is considered a barren place even among the three southwestern provinces, which are known for their tough and unruly people.

But now, upon re-entering Huangpi Road, a completely different scene of peace and tranquility unfolds.

Even if we don't say that people don't pick up lost items on the road or lock their doors at night, most ordinary people on the road still have hemp clothing to wear and coarse food to eat.

Regardless of whether they still need to sell their children to pay for medicine after contracting the disease, at least they can now seek medical treatment.

Regardless of whether the heretical cultivators who harvest human flesh to make medicine have completely disappeared here, at least someone is now in charge of it.
Regardless of whether the corvée labor is imposed regardless of the weather or is very urgent, at least there are fixed periods of rest.

In Fei Wanqing's memory, the mortals within the Chongming Sect's jurisdiction, even if they were from a secluded paradise, were still comparable to a considerable number of the Fei family's collateral descendants.

However, their social statuses are not comparable.

Moreover, these fifty-odd years could be considered a lifetime in the eyes of ordinary people.

However, in the eyes of a Golden Core cultivator like Fei Wanqing, it could only be considered a relatively long period of time.

She knew that in such a short time, relying solely on the strength of one family at a time, she could clear up the accumulated problems of thousands of years, quell the chaos of hundreds of years, and bring about a new world in this place. What an arduous task that was!

Therefore, Fei Wanqing felt a renewed sense of respect for Headmaster Kang. Seeing that they were getting close to the newly built reception hall of Chongming Sect, Fei Wanqing put her mind at ease, left her accompanying maids and guards, and led the Kang siblings and others into the hall with He Chang.

Fei Wanqing's trip was at the behest of the two patriarchs of the Fei family, so the sect leader Kang dared not neglect her. Even though the sect was in dire need of development, he still summoned key disciples and those in charge of the Golden Core sects within the Chongming Sect to come and pay their respects.

Leaving aside the tedious formalities of greeting, before the two even got down to business, Kang Dabao glanced at the two men and one woman opposite him, a look of satisfaction appearing on his face. He didn't elaborate further, simply nodding his head to Fei Wanqing in thanks.

It's true that he hadn't seen his three children for nearly sixty years, but it wasn't that he hadn't heard from them at all. Not to mention that when Fei Shuhe returned first, she had already told him how diligently Fei Wanqing had taught Kang Lingyi and the other two children.

However, hearing it by ear is never as good as seeing the real person this time. Only then could Master Kang feel at ease.

After Fei Wanqing took her seat in the host's seat, she smiled and said, "I was entrusted by the two patriarchs to visit Marquis Wuning today, which is quite an honor. I did not expect to meet so many local high-ranking cultivators. It is truly an honor."

Regardless of how dire the situation was for the Fei family of Yingzhou in the capital region, it had little to do with the other Golden Elixir sects within the Chongming Sect's jurisdiction. The title of the most powerful family in the world was still deeply ingrained in people's minds, and Fei Yeqing's name remained renowned.

Therefore, Fei Wanqing's polite words made all the cultivators present feel proud.

Kang Dabao was quite adept at speaking eloquently, but before he could respond, Fei Wanqing spoke up again: "So that Marquis Wuning may know, besides renewing our friendship, I have another request to make of you."

"Fellow Daoist, you are too kind. Please speak freely."

Suppressing his doubts, Master Kang responded softly. Immediately after responding, Fei Wanqing extended her slender fingers and touched the brocade pouch at her waist.

As the red ribbon around the pouch loosened, a jade slip landed in the delicate, snow-white hand of the woman. She then parted her red lips slightly and murmured a single word, at which point the jade slip, enveloped in a blue light, hovered where Kang Dabao had reached.

Without hesitation, the latter readily took it to examine it.

The jade slip contained very little information, which Sect Leader Kang memorized in just a few breaths. However, at the same time, his brows furrowed slightly, and his tone held a hint of doubt as he spoke: "Fellow Daoist, what is this?"

"This list contains the disciples selected by Ancestor Ye from Shangyu Hall to Sheshan Hall. They are all of high aptitude with two spiritual roots or above, and are no older than the age of dancing elephants. They can be considered accomplished."

When Fei Wanqing said this, most of the cultivators in the hall roughly guessed her intention.

Sure enough, when the beautiful female Taoist priest spoke again, it confirmed what everyone in the room had thought. Fei Wanqing then said in a crisp voice:
"According to the two elders' idea, since these thirty-six Fei family disciples have all come with me on my flying boat, it would be perfect for them to become disciples of your sect and to choose a famous teacher to teach them."

Furthermore, as instructed by the two patriarchs, I have brought with me the tuition fees prepared by the heads of each hall of the Fei family for the disciples seeking the Dao. A detailed list is transcribed at the end of the jade slip; I request that Marquis Wuning review it.

Upon hearing this, not only did Master Kang's expression change slightly, but the atmosphere in the hall seemed to subtly shift as well.

You should know that even though the Fei family of Yingzhou is so wealthy and powerful, the two disciples with spiritual roots are still considered promising talents to be cultivated in such a large family.

But now, Fei Wanqing, as soon as she opened her mouth, said that there were thirty-six Fei family disciples who wanted to join the Chongming Sect to seek the Dao.
With so many households under Chongmingzong's jurisdiction, who among them could be considered a fool to be able to secure a seat in the reception hall at this time?

For a moment, not only did the cultivators in the hall display various expressions, but even the Grand Master Kang began to feel a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex emotion encompassing feelings, thoughts, and reflections).
"The Fei family is already in such a difficult situation?"

Knowing their own situation, Kang Dabao was well aware that his Chongming Sect had taken in many disciples from nearby Golden Elixir families, such as the Yang family of Yezhou and the Kuang family of Dingzhou, over the years.

To be honest, this has somewhat violated the rules he established at the Ascension Ceremony.

However, faced with fellow Golden Core cultivators and their relatives and friends making kind requests, Headmaster Kang, being a shrewd businessman, couldn't be completely heartless, so he opened the mountain gates for them.

As for the potential problems that may arise after the political turmoil subsides, we'll have to wait and see.

After all, even the Emperor and the Palace Master of Lanmeng Palace rarely issued administrative decrees that were entirely to their liking. It was perfectly normal for a nobody like him, who had some opportunities, to make some changes in line with the circumstances.

However, he had not anticipated that even a disciple of the Fei family's direct lineage, possessing superior spiritual veins, would be sent to the Chongming Sect for cultivation with such caution.
Hearing Fei Wanqing's words, Kang Dabao was momentarily stunned. Fortunately, Duan Anle coughed lightly to remind him, preventing Kang Dabao from losing his composure for too long.

After regaining his senses, Sect Leader Kang bowed and apologized to Fei Wanqing before carefully reading through the entire jade slip several times, word for word.

When he looked up again, his face showed agreement: "Since it was personally instructed by the two patriarchs, how could I, Kang, hesitate even for a moment?"

However, my Chongming Sect is ultimately just a minor sect. If there are any shortcomings in its upbringing in the future, I would appreciate your understanding and forgiveness, fellow Daoist and all the esteemed cultivators of the Fei family.”

Fei Wanqing smiled gently after hearing this, and then replied, "If the Chongming Sect can be considered a minor sect, then there are hardly any major sects or factions left in the capital region."

Upon hearing Fei Wanqing's words, the cultivators in the hall were convinced that the Fei family of Yingzhou had outstanding disciples who had traveled countless miles day and night to become disciples of the Chongming Sect.

This clearly shows that the Chongming clan was indeed a family that even the Fei family of Yingzhou, the most powerful family in the world, valued highly.

Upon witnessing this scene, most of the cultivators in the hall felt even greater admiration for Chongming Sect.

As soon as the important matter of the Fei family's disciples becoming apprentices was settled, the atmosphere in the hall immediately became noticeably warm again.

With so many cultivators crowding together, and Sect Leader Kang being a hospitable man, he naturally wanted to throw a grand banquet to celebrate. However, the festivities eventually had to end, and just after midnight, the area was soon devoid of the sounds of immortal music.

The following day, Fei Wanqing came alone.

Since she wasn't here as an envoy sent by the two patriarchs of the Fei family, she wasn't as proper as she was yesterday. When addressing Headmaster Kang, she addressed him as "brother-in-law."

"To be honest, brother-in-law, my sister came from Yingzhou not only to guide the Fei family members to join the Chongming Sect, but also to perform another task."

"What assignment?" Headmaster Kang was initially a bit of a headache upon seeing Fei Wanqing, as it was difficult to figure out how to arrange for so many Fei family members who had entered the sect.

However, hearing her say this piqued his interest. Kang Dabao immediately put aside his worries and waited for Fei Wanqing to continue.

The latter asked in a crisp voice, "But I wonder if my brother-in-law is acquainted with Ga Da, the current Buddhist disciple of Benying Temple? I'm asking on behalf of Patriarch Tianqin."

(End of this chapter)