I forge immortality with a pagoda.

Before long, the platform was packed with people.

Surrounded by a hazy aura of spiritual light, those seated atop the platform were all Foundation Establishment cultivators with profound and deep auras. The invisible pressure they exuded instilled awe in the many lower-level cultivators below, who dared not raise their voices.

Seeing that the time had come, Qiu Junhao, the master of Liexing Valley, slowly stood up and walked steadily to the front of the stage.

He did not use any magical power; he simply pressed his hands down lightly.

The clamor in the square instantly subsided, and countless eyes turned to him.

With a warm smile, Qiu Junhao spoke in a clear voice, which reached the ears of every cultivator present.

"Dear colleagues and fellow practitioners, I, Qiu, would like to express my sincere gratitude for your presence in my humble Liexing Valley, to join us in this grand Dharma Assembly at Yangquan."

I am deeply honored by your trust.

Please rest assured, you will not leave empty-handed from this Dharma assembly; you will certainly benefit from it.

After saying this, he stopped with pleasantries and went straight to the point, introducing the eminent figures who would be giving lectures.

He turned to the left and led the elderly man with long eyebrows and a jade whisk in his hand.

"This is Elder Feng Yunqian, a high-level cultivator at the third stage of Foundation Establishment in the Flying Cloud Sect!"

"At this Dharma assembly, Elder Feng will lead the explanation of the profound mysteries of the Wind Dharma. Fellow practitioners, please listen attentively."

Upon hearing this, Feng Yunqian merely nodded slightly, his gentle gaze sweeping over the audience below without uttering a word, displaying the composure and demeanor of a senior elder.

A round of applause immediately erupted from the audience. The Flying Cloud Sect was renowned, and Elder Feng was highly respected. Everyone was filled with anticipation.

Then, Master Qiu turned his gaze to the right, his tone still polite, "Next, Elder Blood River, a Foundation Establishment Level 3 cultivator from Blood Shadow Cave, will lecture us on the Blood Fiend Demonic Path."

The crowd looked in the direction of the sound and saw an old man with a gaunt face, dressed in a large black robe.

Upon hearing this, he twitched the corners of his mouth, revealing a stiff, forced smile, which he considered a greeting to the audience.

This immediately caused a low murmur of surprise from the audience.

Most of the cultivators present came from orthodox sects and had always kept such demonic techniques a closely guarded secret.

Only a few demonic cultivators gathered in one place, their eyes gleaming with excitement.

Although Qiu Junhao claimed that he would teach all people regardless of their background and accept both the Xuan and the Demonic, the people in the audience harbored their own reservations about the Dharma assembly he was holding.

Qin Yang took in the reactions from the audience, snorted coldly, and suddenly raised his voice.

"Hmph! You all shouldn't be so ungrateful! Being able to listen to the elders of my Blood Shadow Cave teach you the supreme and wonderful methods is an opportunity you have cultivated for many lifetimes!"

Anyone who has even the slightest dissatisfaction is welcome to step forward and discuss it with me, Qin Yang!

These words, imbued with the aura of a Qi Refining cultivator, immediately silenced the entire arena.

Everyone was intimidated by his imposing presence and dared not confront him.

Seeing this, Qin Yang showed a satisfied expression and then fell silent.

Master Qiu remained unfazed, as if unaware of the earlier incident, and calmly continued his introduction.

"In addition, there are fellow Daoist Songyangzi, Granny Chixia of Xuanwuze, and fellow Daoist Yuji of Jinqueya..."

He rattled off the names of several Foundation Establishment cultivators and the scope of their teachings.

Finally, it was added that "during this time, senior practitioners would also give special explanations on the key points and insights of Qi cultivation and foundation building."

Listen carefully, everyone; this will greatly benefit your own spiritual practice.

The audience erupted in enthusiastic cheers once again, and the atmosphere became lively again.

Taking advantage of this brief moment, Shen Yu lowered his voice and asked Zhu Jianda beside him, "Fellow Daoist Zhu, the three major sects of the Southern Region, Flying Cloud Sect and Blood Shadow Cave, have all arrived. Why is there no one from the Slaughtering Scenery Sect?"

Zhu Jianda leaned closer and whispered, "Senior Brother Shen is unaware of something."

I've heard that the next person chosen by the Lu Jing Sect to take charge is a female cultivator with the Daoist name Yue Ling. She is said to be exceptionally beautiful and talented.

"Think about it, Master Qiu's current Dharma assembly is ostensibly for discussing the Dao, but who doesn't know that he also secretly intends to find a husband for his beloved daughter, Qiu Yunzhi, and enhance her reputation? Fairy Yueling, of course, has no interest in this."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yu's heart stirred. "So this Yue Ling has such an extraordinary background."

"Oh?" Shen Yu raised an eyebrow. "Even so, are there no other outstanding male disciples within the Lu Jing Sect who would like to come and see for themselves?"

Zhu Jianda scratched his head and chuckled awkwardly, "Well... I have no idea what the details are."

At this moment, Master Qiu said loudly, "If any fellow practitioners are able to answer the elders' questions during the Dharma talks of our seniors, our Liexing Valley will also prepare a small gift for them!"

After saying that, he turned around and gestured, "Present the prize money."

Several disciples of Liexing Valley obeyed the order and soon carried up a long sandalwood table.

The table was bathed in shimmering light and filled with auspicious energy. Several treasures were displayed quietly: a deep blue feather fan, a jade bottle exuding a refreshing medicinal fragrance, and a small array flag radiating spiritual energy.

Upon seeing these treasures, the cultivators below the stage immediately became more agitated, their eyes gleaming with intense desire.

Any one of these items would be enough to make ordinary rogue cultivators fight tooth and nail, and many people immediately rubbed their hands together, eager to try their luck.

Seeing that the atmosphere had been stirred up, Qiu Junhao said no more and announced in a loud voice: "The auspicious time has arrived, and this year's Yangquan Dharma Assembly officially begins!"

Feng Yunqian stepped forward slowly and sat down comfortably on a specially prepared futon. He slowly began to speak: "The wind is the breath of heaven and earth. It is formless and without appearance, yet it can brush willows and part waves, and it can also destroy cities and split mountains."

Therefore, the wind's extreme speed stems from its unrestrained nature, and its ultimate gentleness comes from its ability to adapt to any shape.

He spoke eloquently, explaining the Great Way of Wind in a way that was both profound and easy to understand, captivating the audience.

At a crucial point, Feng Yunqian paused slightly, then asked with a smile:

"May I ask, does anyone know what the key to connecting 'swiftness' and 'softness' is?"

Upon hearing this, the audience fell silent as everyone pondered deeply.

A Qi Refining cultivator in the front row pondered for a moment before speaking first, probing: "Elder, could it be about 'intention'? The wind moves as the mind directs, sometimes swift, sometimes gentle."

Feng Yunqian smiled without saying a word and gently shook his head.

"You actually answered wrong?" The cultivator frowned, his face showing resentment.

Immediately, someone else raised their voice: "In my opinion, the key lies in the method of circulating 'Qi'! By using different methods to control Qi, the difference between swiftness and gentleness can be manifested!"

Feng Yunqian also shook his head, indicating that this was not the correct answer.

...

Several Qi Refining cultivators stood up to answer, but none of them could get Elder Feng to nod in approval.

The atmosphere in the audience gradually became heavy.

The large group of Kaiyuan cultivators behind them looked at each other in bewilderment, none daring to speak up easily, for fear of showing weakness in front of everyone.

Before long, seeing that no one could get to the heart of the matter, Feng Yunqian sighed softly, as if he wanted to reveal the answer himself.

Just then, a clear and calm voice came from the group of Kaiyuan cultivators gathered in the back row.

"My humble opinion has spread far and wide, and nothing can stop it, because it is 'seamless'."

Swiftness leaves no opening; gentleness allows one to penetrate every gap.

Therefore, the key to mastering both speed and gentleness lies not in intention or Qi, but in the two words "no gap".

Only when one is perfectly complete and without flaws can one act at will and master the changes of swiftness and gentleness.

These words shocked everyone present.

Everyone turned to look behind them, and saw that the speaker was a young cultivator whose cultivation level was clearly only at the Kaiyuan realm.

...

...