The Confucian and Taoist Sages of Mortal Cultivation

As the storage bag emitted a gray glow, a dazzling array of treasures appeared on the table, including magical artifacts, jade slips, spirit stones, and medicine bottles.

Among them, the five cyan beads, one large and four small, had the strongest spiritual energy fluctuations.

The bead was no bigger than a thumb, yet it radiated abundant wood-attribute spiritual energy.

"The top-grade defensive magic weapon, the Azure Wood True Shield." Yang Qingyuan had seen the description of this magic weapon in a weapon-refining manual in the Tainan Valley Library.

Once fully activated, this set of Azure Wood Shields can form a verdant protective shield that can both block attacks and protect the opponent. Moreover, because it is a complete set of magical artifacts, its defensive power far exceeds that of a single magical artifact.

Moreover, a complete set of magical artifacts has another advantage: as long as you control the mother bead, you can control the other four child beads without consuming any additional spiritual energy, which is equivalent to controlling a magical artifact.

In addition, there is a top-grade flying sword.

This flying sword is entirely purple and emits water-attribute spiritual energy fluctuations. It is called the "Purple Cloud Sword" and can unleash water-attribute sword energy. Together with the Azure Wood True Shield, it forms an offensive and defensive combination, making it the most handy magic weapon of the Yan family patriarch.

As for the remaining seven magical artifacts, they are all of medium grade: Crescent Moon Flying Knife, Moon Chasing Spear, Wolf Head Pendant, Golden Phoenix Hairpin, Still Water Sword, Primordial Stone, and Treasure Mirror.

However, cultivators in the late stage of Qi Refining have limited spiritual sense and magical power, and can at most control three or four magical artifacts.

Yang Qingyuan now possesses the Azure Wood True Cover, the Golden Lock Ring, and three top-grade flying swords: the Rainbow Sword, the Azure Light Sword, and the Purple Cloud Sword, so he no longer needs these magical artifacts.

Besides the magical artifacts, there is also a cultivation method called "Innate Qi Cultivation Technique," which can be cultivated to the early stage of Core Formation. It is the complete version of the Yan family's previous family cultivation method.

This technique is the type that focuses on improving magical power and is easy to learn. Anyone with any of the five elements can cultivate it, but it does not emphasize combat. It only comes with a profound technique for concealing one's aura, and the cultivator is good at disguising themselves.

Then there were spirit stones, a full three hundred low-grade spirit stones, and five special spirit stones.

These five spirit stones were a whole size larger than low-grade spirit stones; they were actually mid-grade spirit stones.

In the Yue Kingdom, the exchange rate between mid-grade spirit stones and low-grade spirit stones starts at one to one hundred.

Among the five mid-grade spirit stones, one of them occasionally emitted faint silver lightning arcs. It was actually a mid-grade lightning-attribute spirit stone, which was perfect for Yang Qingyuan.

Finally, there are three bottles of pills called Lesser Rejuvenation Pills, a total of thirty pills. They have the effect of strengthening the foundation and enhancing cultivation, and are suitable for cultivators around the tenth level of Qi Refining.

Yang Qingyuan put away the numerous treasures, then handed over the seven mid-grade magic artifacts and the Yan family's cultivation technique jade slip, along with a storage bag, to the Yan family, saying, "This cultivation technique is easy to learn and practice; anyone with any of the five elements' spiritual roots can cultivate it. Take it and practice it."

"These seven magical artifacts and two hundred low-grade spirit stones are useless to me; you can keep them for yourselves."

"Thank you, young master!" Upon hearing this, the mother and daughter of the Mo family were overjoyed and each took away a magical artifact.

"By the way, I have a task for you," Yang Qingyuan said. "I'm going to seek immortality and enlightenment soon, so it's inconvenient to have you with me."

"Find a mortal city and stay there for a while. In addition to practicing your cultivation techniques, you should also read more Confucian classics."

"I will come to find you after I have established my foundation."

Upon hearing this, the second wife, Madam Li, considered carefully before replying, "Studying? I do know a good place."

"My hometown is in Linzhou, where there is a Fengming Academy that is willing to recruit female students and female teachers."

"I studied there when I was young."

"We can stay at this academy for a while, which will also help us avoid the Five-Colored Gate."

"Linzhou." Yang Qingyuan vaguely remembered that this place was Yan Family Fortress's territory, and it was relatively safe at the moment, so he said, "Alright, you go to Fengming Academy first, and I will come to find you after I have established my foundation."

If the women cultivate in the academy, they can also accumulate more righteous energy.

Next, Yang Qingyuan led the Mo family mother and daughters straight to the Jiayuan City dock, hired a merchant ship from Linzhou, and sent the women away from Jiayuan City safely.

Yang Qingyuan returned to the restaurant, found Wan Xiaoshan, and rode the Golden Crown Eagle straight to Tianwutai in Lanzhou.

Seven days later, at noon, in a dense forest near Tianwu Mountain.

Wan Xiaoshan stood under a towering tree, looking solemnly at Yang Qingyuan, who was sitting cross-legged beside him.

Yang Qingyuan had his eyes closed, and silver spiritual light flashed across his body from time to time.

After a few breaths, a violent fluctuation of magical power emanated from his body, leaving Wan Xiaoshan, who was standing next to him, speechless.

"Eighth level of Qi Refining!"

"Is this the cultivation speed of a lightning spirit root?" Wan Xiaoshan gasped, finding it hard to believe.

Yang Qingyuan slowly stood up, gave a slight bow, and said to Wan Xiaoshan, "Thank you for waiting, Brother Xiaoshan."

"It's nothing, it's nothing," Wan Xiaoshan waved his hands repeatedly in response. "I've also had my eyes opened today."

"If you do the math, I've known Brother Yang for less than half a month."

"But Brother Yang actually advanced from the sixth level of Qi Refining to the eighth level! That's simply astonishing!"

"I often heard my elders say that there are always people better than you, and there is always something beyond your understanding. Today, I, Wan Xiaoshan, am convinced."

Little did he know that Yang Qingyuan's ability to improve his strength so quickly was not solely due to his outstanding spiritual root aptitude.

He cultivated Confucian and Taoist techniques, and with the aid of righteous energy, plus the "Minor Rejuvenation Pill" that he had just obtained from the Yan family's ancestral home, which could enhance his cultivation, he made another breakthrough in his cultivation in a short period of time.

"Clang, clang~"

Just then, a gong sounded from the mountaintop.

"The gong has sounded!" Wan Xiaoshan's expression turned serious, and he said in a deep voice, "The Ascension Ceremony is about to begin the lottery. Brother Yang, let's go."

Yang Qingyuan nodded slightly, and immediately walked out of the dense forest with Wan Xiaoshan.

Upon reaching the summit of Tianwu Mountain, a vast platform suddenly appears.

The summit, as if sculpted by a heavenly axe, is as smooth as a mirror; this is the renowned Tianwutai.

At this moment, seven giant arenas had already been erected on the stage.

A large flag stands next to each arena.

The flags fluttered in the wind, each embroidered with the names of one of the seven major sects: Yellow Maple Valley, Hidden Moon Sect, Spirit Beast Mountain, Heavenly Palace Fortress, Giant Sword Sect, Blade Transformation Valley, and Pure Void Sect, making them extremely eye-catching.

The area in front of the arena was already packed with people, creating a noisy and bustling atmosphere.

Looking around, there were at least a thousand Qi Refining cultivators gathered here.

Among them were many outstanding individuals who had reached the tenth level or even the perfect level of Qi Refining. Each of them exuded a calm and collected aura, eagerly awaiting the start of the tournament.

In an instant, the vast Tianwu Platform was filled with a palpable sense of impending battle, and the atmosphere was tense and oppressive.

Just then, the voice of an unfamiliar middle-aged cultivator suddenly echoed throughout the world.

"The Ascension Ceremony will now begin with the drawing of lots."

"Anyone whose cultivation level is at or above the seventh level of Qi Refining and whose age is no more than forty years old may participate in the Ascension Conference."

"If you want to join a certain sect, go to that sect's arena and draw lots."

"The tournament selection uses a two-on-one system. Two people compete, the winner advances to the next round, and the loser is immediately eliminated. Then, two other people compete again."

"The competition will continue until no one else participates in this round of matches, and then the next round of matches between the winners will begin."

"This cycle will continue until the final ten winners become the new disciples of this immortal sect and are qualified to take the Foundation Establishment Pill!"

"At that time, our seven major sects' representatives will naturally appear to guide you to the mountain gate."

The person speaking in secret was naturally a Foundation Establishment stage deacon from one of the seven major sects.

After he announced the rules, the nearby crowd erupted in chaos.

The crowd surged toward the seven arenas and began lining up to draw lots.

"Brother Yang, which faction are you going to choose? Would you like me to introduce you to the situation of the seven major factions?" Seeing such a lively scene, Wan Xiaoshan secretly swallowed and was greatly shocked.

Yang Qingyuan pointed straight ahead and said, "This is the sect..."