Immortality and cultivation begin with full comprehension.

Chapter 764: Explaining the Purpose and Persuading Yuan Yang (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
When news of Li Yunjing's arrival spread, it immediately caused a sensation within the Yuanyang Dao Sect!

What kind of person is Li Yunjing?

He has long been famous throughout the "Southern Continent" and is the most brilliant new star of cultivation in the past hundred years.

Li Yunjing's reputation for being able to kill a Nascent Soul cultivator at the peak of the Golden Core realm has shaken cultivators from all directions.

These outdated messages have left everyone stunned.

Now, this legendary figure has actually come to visit their "Yuanyang Dao Sect," which naturally makes the "Yuanyang Dao Sect" take it extremely seriously.

At the mountain gate below "Burning Heaven Peak", the four Qi Refining Realm inner disciples who were originally on duty have been replaced by eighteen Golden Core Realm elders from "Yuanyang Dao Sect".

Each person held a jade tablet engraved with the words "Pure Yang," and a crimson token at their waist gleamed with intense spiritual light.

The giant stone lions on both sides of the mountain gate were temporarily covered with a "Gathering Sun Formation". The stone eyes were filled with a pale golden spiritual light, and their originally majestic posture was made even more solemn.

"Dangdangdang..."

As Li Yunjing's figure appeared at the end of the mountain path, a deafening bell suddenly rang out at the mountain gate.

This is the highest-level welcoming ceremony at the Yuanyang Daozong Temple: the "Nine-Sound Heaven-Burning Bell".

In the last thousand years, only three Nascent Soul cultivators have rung the bell.

The sound of the bell reverberated through the mountain mists, attracting disciples on the peak to stop and watch. Even cultivators who were in seclusion were granted special permission to come out and line up on both sides of the mountain path to welcome them.

There were also nine Supreme Elders, who stood at the main entrance, smiling as they welcomed Li Yunjing's arrival.

Nine Nascent Soul Realm True Persons, eighteen Golden Core Realm Elders, eighty-one Foundation Establishment Realm True Disciples, and eight hundred Inner Sect Disciples!

This is already the highest level of treatment.

As for the supreme leader and powerful elder of the "Yuanyang Dao Sect"?
Those people didn't show up!
After all, Li Yunjing had not broken through to the Nascent Soul realm, nor had he taken over as the head of the "Shenxiao Dao Sect," so he was not qualified to be greeted by all the high-ranking members of the "Yuanyang Dao Sect."

This treatment is already the best it can be.

"The arrival of Vice Sect Leader Li is a great honor for the Yuanyang Dao Sect!"

The leading elder stepped forward quickly, bowing respectfully. As he did so, the jade tablet at his waist floated automatically, emitting a soft, pure yang spiritual light. "This humble Daoist, Xuan Yangzi, is here on the orders of the sect leader to respectfully welcome Vice Sect Leader Li."

Li Yunjing's gaze swept over the formation at the mountain gate.

The mountain path was lined with disciples of the "Yuanyang Dao Sect," ranging from Qi Refining to Foundation Establishment to Golden Core. They were all dressed in brand-new Daoist robes, with neatly arranged flame and cloud-patterned tokens at their waists, and even the folds of their robes were identical.

The "welcoming flowers" held by the disciples were no ordinary flowers, but rather the "Pure Yang Chrysanthemums" unique to the Yuan Yang Dao Sect. The petals were tinged with pale gold, and each flower required ten years of nourishment with pure Yang spiritual energy. Ordinary disciples were not even qualified to touch them.

"Fellow Daoist Xuan Yang, you are too kind."

Li Yunjing nodded slightly and smiled, "I hope you will forgive my intrusion this time."

As Xuan Yangzi stood up, a hint of amazement flashed in his eyes.

He knew of Li Yunjing, but his first meeting with him still greatly shocked him, as Li Yunjing was simply too young.

A Golden Core cultivator at the peak of his cultivation level who is not even a hundred years old is simply terrifying.

He dared not probe further, and stepped aside to lead the way, saying, "Vice Sect Leader Li, please follow me up the mountain. The Sect Leader has prepared spiritual tea in the 'Burning Heaven Hall'."

A three-zhang-wide "Yunjin Road" had already been laid out on the mountain path.

This is a spiritual carpet woven from "water cloud silk". Stepping on it is like walking on clouds, and it can automatically draw on the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to nourish the meridians of cultivators.

Every ten feet along both sides of the spirit carpet stood a true disciple, each holding a jade plate containing the Yuan Yang Dao Sect's specialty, the "Pure Yang Fruit." The fruit's peel glowed with a crimson spiritual light, making it a rare spiritual fruit for refining pure Yang spiritual power.

“Vice Sect Leader Li, this is a special product of our sect, the Pure Yang Fruit, which can dispel the disturbance of mixed spiritual energy on the mountain path.”

A disciple stepped forward and handed the jade plate to Li Yunjing, speaking respectfully, "Although it is not a rare treasure, it is a small token of our appreciation."

Li Yunjing took a "Pure Yang Fruit" and, with a light touch of his fingertip's spiritual energy, he knew that the pure Yang spiritual energy contained within the fruit had condensed into liquid, clearly indicating that it was a top-grade fruit that had been stored for hundreds of years.

Li Yunjing recognized this fruit and had tasted it through trade. For a low-level cultivator, it was a rare and precious natural treasure.

He nodded slightly: "Thank you for your generous gift, fellow Daoist. I appreciate it."

When we reached the halfway point of the mountain, a sky full of rosy clouds suddenly rose up in the mountains.

This is the "Pure Yang Praise Array" of the "Yuan Yang Dao Sect". It requires a hundred array masters to activate it simultaneously, condensing the pure Yang spiritual energy in the mountains into a rosy glow that outlines the two characters "Welcoming Guests" in the air.

The glow of the sunset illuminated the disciples on both sides of the mountain path, who shouted in unison, "Welcome Vice Sect Leader Li of the Shenxiao Dao Sect!"

The sounds were so uniform that they shook the mountain grasses, and even the cranes perched on the pine trees flapped their wings and cried out, as if in agreement.

Seeing Li Yunjing's calm expression, Xuan Yangzi felt even more awe.

If it were any other Golden Core cultivator from another sect, they would have lost their composure in the face of such a grand welcome, but Li Yunjing remained calm and composed, not even lingering on the rosy clouds for long, clearly having seen it all before.

He quickly added, "This 'Pure Yang Praise Formation' was set up temporarily by our sect's disciples, and it is also a token of our sect's goodwill."

"Thank you for your concern, fellow Taoist."

Li Yunjing's gaze fell into the depths of the rosy glow.

He could clearly sense that the "Pure Yang Restriction" of the "Yuan Yang Dao Sect" was hidden in the glow of the sunset. It seemed to be a welcoming formation, but in reality, it was secretly probing his spiritual energy fluctuations.

He didn't reveal it, as he was currently in a state of perfect harmony with nature, making it impossible for the other party to discern his true cultivation level.

As we approached the "Burning Heaven Palace," three thousand illusory worlds flowed among the endless crystalline petals.

This is the strongest formation in the core area of ​​the "Yuanyang Dao Sect"!
The Great Array of Three Thousand Worlds!

The Buddhist concept of "one flower, one world" applies to Taoism as well, which also has its own unique understanding of worldview.

The illusory Three Thousand Worlds surrounding the "Burning Heaven Palace" were even shrouded in chaotic mist, as if the world had been created, almost transforming into a real grotto-heaven.

Of course, Li Yunjing could see that it was still a long way from the cave heaven.

Only a few dozen worlds seem to have reached the standard of a grotto-heaven. As for the others, they are all illusions. It is too difficult to truly condense three thousand grotto-heaven worlds!

However, once the three thousand cave worlds are truly condensed, the Yuanyang Dao Sect will undoubtedly benefit greatly, and it will probably be the number one formation on Tianlan Star.

Li Yunjing's expression was solemn as he carefully sensed the mysteries of the Three Thousand Grotto-Heavens World, not daring to be careless in the slightest.

This incredible formation even stirred a slight tremor in him, a grandmaster of formations.

Li Yunjing stared at the three thousand illusory worlds, his pupils reflecting the swirling chaotic mist.

He quietly activated the "Divine Firmament Path" mental technique, his divine sense probing into the edge of the formation like threads, sensing the profound principles of heaven and earth contained within.

“Vice Sect Leader Li, this is our sect’s most powerful formation, the ‘Three Thousand Worlds Formation’.”

Seeing Li Yunjing stop and look around, Xuan Yangzi said with pride, "Although it is not yet fully formed, thirty-six small worlds have already been solidified, which can trap and kill Nascent Soul cultivators."

Li Yunjing nodded slightly. He could clearly sense that each of those solidified little worlds contained the complete laws of the Five Elements, and even faintly had the aura of living beings flowing within them.

“What a wonderful ‘one world, one universe’!”

He praised softly, "If your sect can perfect this formation, it will become the number one formation on Tianlan Star."

Upon hearing this, Xuan Yangzi's eyes flashed with surprise: "Vice Sect Leader Li can actually see through the mystery of this formation?"

Li Yunjing smiled but did not answer, his gaze fixed on the one in the very center of the thirty-six solidified worlds.

The small world was entirely crimson, with molten lava seemingly churning inside, and the faint phantom of a fire phoenix could be seen soaring within it.

"That's... the Vermilion Bird True Fire?"

He asked rhetorically.

"Vice Sect Leader Li has keen insight."

Xuan Yangzi's expression changed slightly, then he smiled and said, "That's right, that 'Li Huo Realm' does indeed contain a wisp of the ancient Vermilion Bird's true fire, which was obtained by our sect's Supreme Elder after a thousand years of searching in the 'Nanming Li Huo Mountain'."

Li Yunjing was shocked.

The Vermilion Bird is one of the Four Divine Beasts. Its true fire is comparable to the essence of the sun. If it can be completely refined, its power is boundless.

The fact that the "Yuanyang Dao Sect" could integrate such a divine object into the formation shows that its profound foundation far exceeded his previous expectations.

Just as the two were talking, the gates of the "Burning Heaven Palace" slowly opened.

Inside the hall, thirty-six dragon-shaped pillars are wrapped with crimson gold chains, and at the end of each chain hangs a "pure yang lamp," the wick of which burns with concentrated "solar essence fire."

At the far end of the main hall, a middle-aged man dressed in a crimson-gold Taoist robe stood with his hands behind his back.

His face was resolute, his eyes were piercing, and he was surrounded by a faint aura of pure Yang energy. Just by standing there, he gave people a sense of oppression, like the blazing sun overhead.

"Sect Leader Yuanyang!"

Li Yunjing's expression was solemn.

This person is none other than the current leader of the "Yuanyang Dao Sect," the Yuanyang True Man.

A Nascent Soul Realm expert has been in charge of the "Yuanyang Dao Sect" for three hundred years.

He was a figure from almost the same era as Ming Lingchuan, the supreme leader of the "Shenxiao Dao Sect".

Such people cannot be judged by their cultivation level, because in addition to their top-notch talent, they also have their respective sects' immortal artifacts as trump cards!

If they really used their celestial artifacts, even a True Monarch at the Nascent Soul stage would find it harder than ascending to heaven to ambush and kill them!
"Fellow Daoist Li has come from afar; I have failed to greet you properly."

Master Yuanyang's voice was deep and resonant, like the grandest bell, causing the spiritual energy within the hall to ripple slightly.

With a single step, he traversed a distance of a thousand feet and appeared before Li Yunjing.

Shrink to an inch!

Li Yunjing felt a chill run down his spine, but showed no sign of it on his face. He cupped his hands in greeting and said, "I am flattered that Sect Leader Yuanyang has come to greet me personally."

Master Yuanyang's gaze swept over Li Yunjing with lightning speed, as if trying to see through his true nature.

"Fellow Daoist Li, you have such cultivation at such a young age, truly living up to your reputation."

After a moment, he nodded slightly: "Please come inside for a chat."

Upon entering the main hall, Li Yunjing discovered that there was more to it than met the eye.

The seemingly ordinary council hall is actually a small, independent grotto, with faint ripples of time and space flowing across its walls.

"A spatial magic weapon?" Li Yunjing became secretly wary.

Such magical artifacts capable of distorting space and time are extremely rare, and usually only the top sects possess one or two as their treasured artifacts.

The fact that the Yuanyang Daoist sect used it as a reception hall demonstrates the depth of its cultural heritage.

This treasure is on the same level as the "Purple Gold Gourd" that Li Yunjing possesses, and it is also the second spatial magic treasure he has seen.

"Fellow Daoist Li, please have a seat."

Master Yuanyang took his seat in the main seat and gestured with his hand: "Xuanyang, go and fetch the 'Nine Yang Spirit Tea'."

"Yes!"

Xuan Yangzi bowed and withdrew, leaving only Li Yunjing and Yuan Yang Zhenren in the hall.

"Fellow Daoist Li, your visit must be more than just a simple visit to visit, right?"

Master Yuanyang got straight to the point, staring intently at Li Yunjing.

"Master Yuanyang is wise and discerning."

Li Yunjing remained calm and took out a jade slip from his sleeve: "I have come here for two reasons. First, on behalf of the Shenxiao Dao Sect, I wish to discuss joint defense with your sect. Second,..."

He paused, then pushed the jade slip toward Master Yuanyang: "I would like to ask the sect leader about the 'Blood Sacrifice Array'."

Master Yuanyang's expression changed drastically, and his pure Yang energy surged violently, instantly raising the temperature of the entire hall.

He stared intently at Li Yunjing: "What do you mean by that, Fellow Daoist Li?"

Li Yunjing remained expressionless, lightly tapping the jade slip with his fingertip: "The sect leader will know at a glance."

Master Yuanyang took the jade slip, scanned it with his divine sense, and his expression immediately became uncertain.

The jade slip contains detailed evidence of the "Yuanyang Dao Sect" secretly refining "Blood Essence Pills" at "Hundred Herbs Hall," and even fragments of the "Blood Sacrifice Array" diagram.

"Where did Fellow Daoist Li obtain these?"

Master Yuanyang's voice was deep and carried a subtle threat.

"Sect Leader, there is no need to be angry."

Li Yunjing smiled calmly: "I have come here not to interrogate you, but to discuss a mutually beneficial solution with your clan."

"Although the Blood Sacrifice Formation can boost combat power in the short term, it has endless consequences."

He looked directly into Yuan Yang Zhenren's eyes: "Once the news leaks out, the 'Yuan Yang Dao Sect' will become the target of public criticism. I believe that your sect has a better option."

"What a fine Li Yunjing!"

Master Yuanyang remained silent for a long time, then suddenly burst into laughter: "No wonder Master Xuanzhen speaks so highly of you."

He withdrew his oppressive aura, his tone softening: "Indeed, my sect is preparing a 'Blood Sacrifice Array,' but not for attacking the Zhao Kingdom, but rather..."

Master Yuanyang suddenly lowered his voice: "To prepare for the impending great calamity!"

Li Yunjing's heart skipped a beat.

Sure enough, the Yuanyang Dao Sect also sensed the aura of calamity!

"It seems the sect leader has sensed it as well."

Li Yunjing said in a deep voice, "In that case, we should unite and help each other to discuss countermeasures."

"Fellow Daoist Li is unaware of this."

Master Yuanyang sighed, "According to our sect's ancient records, this calamity is no small matter. Without sufficient strength, we will surely be annihilated in this catastrophe."

"This formation was prepared by our sect for overcoming tribulation."

He pointed to the Three Thousand Worlds Array outside the hall: "But to fully activate it, a massive amount of spiritual power is needed. The blood sacrifice array... is truly a last resort."

Master Yuanyang's words echoed in the hall, carrying a sense of heaviness and helplessness.

The flames of the Pure Yang Lamp inside the hall seemed to sense the solemnity, flickering slightly and casting leaping shadows on the coiled dragon pillar.

Li Yunjing remained silent for a moment, then his gaze swept over the "Three Thousand Worlds Array" outside the hall, which was filled with chaotic energy.

He understood the predicament of the "Yuanyang Dao Sect" and the reasons why they took such a risk.

But understanding does not mean agreeing.

"Sect Leader Yuanyang!"

"Sacrificing blood to living beings and seizing spiritual power is a practice that violates the natural order and will have endless consequences."

Li Yunjing spoke slowly, his voice clear and steady, "Leaving aside the disasters that the leak of information will bring, the resentment and karmic force generated by this blood sacrifice, once accumulated, may backfire on the great formation and even defile the pure yang foundation of the 'Three Thousand Worlds'. At that time, it will not only fail to help your sect overcome the tribulation, but may also bring even greater calamities."

Master Yuanyang frowned; he was well aware of the risks involved.

However, the calamities recorded in the sect's ancient books were too terrible, leaving them with little time and few choices.

If we can't get through this ordeal, what will we talk about the future?

Preserving the foundation and leaving behind a legacy were the primary concerns for him and the other elders.

"How could I not know what Fellow Daoist Li has said?"

"However... besides this, what other method is there to accumulate enough spiritual power in a short period of time to activate the Three Thousand Worlds Array?"

Master Yuanyang sighed, "If this formation cannot be fully activated, its power will be reduced to less than one-tenth. How can we withstand that overwhelming calamity?"

"perhaps!"

Li Yunjing tapped the armrest of the jade throne lightly with his fingertips, producing a crisp sound. "There is an alternative."

"Oh?"

A glint flashed in Yuan Yang Zhenren's eyes, and he leaned forward slightly. "What brilliant idea do you have, Fellow Daoist Li? Could it be that the 'Divine Firmament Dao Sect' is willing to offer its full assistance?"

He quickly calculated in his mind that if the "Shenxiao Dao Sect" were willing to open its secret spiritual veins, there might be a sliver of hope.

"No."

Li Yunjing shook his head: "External forces will eventually run out of power, and distant water cannot quench immediate thirst. What I am referring to is this 'Three Thousand Worlds Formation' itself."

He stood up, walked towards the entrance of the main hall, and pointed to the thirty-six solidified grotto-heavens, especially the "Li Huo Jie" in the center, which was burning with the Vermilion Bird True Fire.

"Your sect's formation has seized the creation of heaven and earth, and each realm has its own universe, forming a self-contained cycle."

"It requires a massive amount of spiritual energy, but it cannot be supplied solely from the outside."

Li Yunjing said leisurely, "If we can optimize the structure of the formation, improve its efficiency in absorbing, converting, and storing spiritual energy, and then supplement it with rare treasures of heaven and earth with specific attributes as 'sparks' to ignite the spiritual energy, we may be able to fundamentally solve the problem of spiritual energy shortage, and even allow the formation to be completed ahead of schedule."

"Fellow Daoist Li, do you know how much effort our ancestors have devoted to this formation?"

"Optimize the formation? Easier said than done!"

"This array is an ancient inheritance, extremely profound. Even the slightest adjustment will affect the whole system."

"As for rare treasures of heaven and earth... the Vermilion Bird True Fire is already something that can only be encountered by chance and cannot be obtained by chance, so what kind of 'fire seed' is needed?"

Upon hearing this, Master Yuanyang was first stunned, then chuckled, a hint of disappointment in his smile: "Where else can we look for it?"

There was a hint of weariness in his voice.

Although Li Yunjing is a prodigy, he is still young. He may be exceptionally talented in cultivation and combat, but he is somewhat presumptuous when faced with the problem of the sect's protective formation that has been accumulated over hundreds of thousands of years.

Li Yunjing turned around to face Yuanyang Zhenren. His face showed no anger at being questioned, but rather a calm smile of confidence.

"If I, Li, were to say that I have some knowledge of array formations, I might be able to point out a few areas where your sect's array could be improved?"

"For example, is the spiritual connection between the 'Li Huo Realm' and the three surrounding 'Geng Jin Realms' too rigid, thus hindering the mutual generation and flow of fire generating earth and earth generating metal?"

"For example, that still somewhat illusory world in the southeast corner, its spatial nodes seem to..."

In just a few words, he pointed out several crucial yet subtle points of stagnation in the operation of the "Three Thousand Worlds Array".

These minor flaws were not unnoticed by the Yuanyang Dao Sect, but they either considered them insignificant or had no way to improve them and had long been accustomed to them.

At this moment, Li Yunjing pointed out the solutions one by one, and it seemed that he already had a solution in his words. The contempt on Yuan Yang Zhenren's face disappeared instantly, replaced by more and more astonishment and disbelief.

He suddenly stood up, and his body was filled with pure Yang energy.

"You... Fellow Daoist Li, you..."

Master Yuanyang stared intently at Li Yunjing, as if trying to re-evaluate this excessively young deputy sect leader of the "Divine Firmament Dao Sect." "How could you see through this at a glance?!"

Just then, Xuan Yangzi returned carrying the carefully prepared "Nine Yang Spirit Tea". As soon as he stepped into the hall, he felt the drastic change in the atmosphere inside the hall, as well as the sect leader's out-of-control expression and words, and he was stunned on the spot.

"As for the 'spark'..."

Li Yunjing seemed oblivious to Xuan Yangzi's arrival and continued calmly, "During my travels, I once obtained something by chance in an ancient ruin."

As he spoke, he flipped his palm, and a faint, yet indescribably powerful, purple-gold lightning flashed and disappeared in his palm.

The instant the lightning appeared, the pure yang spiritual energy in the entire hall fluctuated violently, and the flames of all the "pure yang lamps" tilted and swayed in Li Yunjing's direction, as if paying homage to a king!
Even the massive "Three Thousand Worlds Array" outside the hall seemed to freeze for a moment, and the thirty-six real cave worlds emitted a barely audible hum!
"That's... the essence of a primordial lightning core?!"

Master Yuanyang exclaimed in shock, his eyes flashing with a terrifying light, his voice trembling with extreme astonishment, "No! It's even... purer than that! It contains a trace of... the intent of creation?! How is this possible!"

The jade plate in Xuan Yangzi's hand fell to the ground with a "clatter," spilling the precious "Nine Yang Spirit Tea" all over the ground. The misty spiritual energy dispersed, but he was completely unaware.

They just stared dumbfounded at Li Yunjing's empty hand, as if what they had just seen was just an illusion.

"Although this substance is violent, it contains a trace of innate vitality. If it can be introduced into the core of the great formation using special methods, and used as a catalyst to stimulate the formation's own potential, causing the spiritual energy of the surrounding world to converge and transform wildly, its effect will be..."

Li Yunjing slowly clenched his fist, his tone still calm: "Perhaps it is even more powerful and pure than the spiritual power obtained from sacrificing all the spirits, and without any future troubles."

He looked at the utterly shocked Yuan Yang Zhenren and smiled, "I wonder if this thing can be considered a 'fire seed'?"

Master Yuanyang's chest heaved violently as he stared intently at Li Yunjing, speechless for a long time.

The hall was deathly silent; you could hear a pin drop.

Only the chaotic mist flowing through the three thousand worlds outside the palace seemed to have become even more turbulent.

The surprise Li Yunjing brought was huge!
However, the "Essence of the Innate Thunder Core" is extremely precious, especially for the cultivators of the "Shenxiao Dao Sect". Is Li Yunjing really willing to give it to the "Yuanyang Dao Sect"?
Li Yunjing's goal was merely to stop the blood sacrifice formation.
Are there still such pure and good people in the cultivation world today?
(End of this chapter)