The Confucian and Taoist Sages of Mortal Cultivation

A wise man said: Learning should never cease.

"Indigo dye is extracted from the indigo plant, yet it is bluer than the plant itself."

"Ice is made of water, yet it is colder than water. Wood that is straight as a plumb line can be bent into a wheel, its curve perfectly conforming to the compass. Even if it is dried and exposed to the sun, it will not straighten again, because it has been bent. Therefore, wood becomes straight when guided by a plumb line, metal becomes sharp when honed on a whetstone, and a wise man who studies extensively and examines himself daily will gain clear understanding and avoid making mistakes in his actions."

"I have pondered all day long, but it is not as good as a moment of learning; I have stood on tiptoe to look into the distance, but it is not as good as climbing high to see a wider view..."

"Accumulated soil forms a mountain, where wind and rain arise; accumulated water forms a deep pool, where dragons dwell; accumulated good deeds form virtue, and divine wisdom is naturally attained, and the sage's heart is complete. Therefore, one should not accumulate small steps..."

In just a few breaths, Yang Qingyuan wrote over a hundred words in a flowing and elegant style.

This article is Xunzi's classic work "Exhortation to Learning," a work by the Confucian "later sage." It advocates changing one's nature and improving one's morality through continuous learning and is a timeless masterpiece that has been passed down through the ages.

At the same time, the True Words Scroll within Yang Qingyuan's body also sensed the article, and began to buzz again, emitting a dazzling silver light.

The character "学" (learn) is formed under the character "杀" (kill).

The "Learning" mantra has a unique effect: it significantly enhances a cultivator's comprehension for a short period, currently up to nine times. It requires the consumption of righteous energy to activate.

Yang Qingyuan noticed the unusual activity of the mantra scroll and couldn't help but be overjoyed, exclaiming in his heart, "It enhances comprehension! It has such an incredible effect!"

"In this way, reading through these Qi Refining stage classics will not be a problem."

At the same time, Yang Qingyuan also had doubts.

Based on the previous descriptions of the "sword" and "kill" mantras, it seems that the mantras condensed can be enhanced in power again, and have a certain degree of growth potential.

"But how can I improve?"

Yang Qingyuan couldn't help but frown. After thinking for a long time, a bold idea came to mind. He then took a blank sheet of paper from his desk, ground the inkstone again, and began to write.

"The lamp burns at midnight, the rooster crows at dawn; this is the time for a man to study."

"One who does not study diligently in youth will regret it when one's hair turns white."

In the blink of an eye, the poem "Exhortation to Learning" by Tang Dynasty poet Yan Zhenqing came to life on the page.

As expected, just as Yang Qingyuan had predicted, the character "学" (learn) on the calligraphy scroll once again burst forth with brilliant light, its color changing from light silver to dark silver.

The effect of the "Learning" mantra has been enhanced, significantly increasing a cultivator's comprehension for a short period, currently up to tenfold. It requires the consumption of Righteous Qi to activate.

"If that's true, as long as there are poems on the same theme, the effect of the corresponding mantra can be enhanced."

Yang Qingyuan gained a new understanding of the mantra calligraphy and smiled knowingly. He then prepared to test the effect of the "learning" mantra.

With a thought, he opened his mouth and exhaled a ball of silvery light.

The rosy light spun around and condensed into a silvery "学" (study) character, which then disappeared into Yang Qingyuan's mind.

The next moment, Yang Qingyuan felt as if he had been enlightened, and his mind became very clear.

Immediately afterwards, he mastered the basic, low-level spell "Palm Lightning".

Yang Qingyuan made hand seals, chanted incantations, and mobilized the magical power within his body. Then he extended his right hand, palm facing upwards.

A deafening rumble of thunder suddenly erupted.

Thick, silvery-white arcs of lightning, each the thickness of a thumb, danced continuously in Yang Qingyuan's palm.

"It's done!"

Yang Qingyuan mastered a basic, low-level spell in just a few breaths, which was indeed something to be happy about.

However, more than 10% of his righteous spirit was also depleted.

While the effects of the "Learning" mantra were still in effect, Yang Qingyuan hurriedly began to peruse other classic texts.

For the next period of time, he ignored everything else and devoted himself to reading the books in the library.

When his righteous energy was exhausted, he meditated and cultivated the "Righteous Energy Nourishing Technique" in an attempt to break through to the seventh level of Qi Refining.

Generally speaking, the stronger a cultivator's righteous aura, the faster they can cultivate Confucian and Taoist techniques.

Therefore, on the seventh night, Yang Qingyuan successfully broke through the bottleneck of the seventh level of Qi Refining and became a cultivator in the late stage of Qi Refining.

During this time, the Valley Master of Qingyan arranged for one of his granddaughters to take care of Yang Qingyuan's daily life, which made Yang Qingyuan feel quite uneasy.

Wan Xiaoshan also found his elder, who was proficient in weapon crafting, to reforge the Qingguang Sword and Changhong Sword.

As for the Valley Master of Qingyan Valley, due to the increasingly frequent disappearances of rogue cultivators within Lanzhou, and even the disappearances of disciples from cultivation families, he had no choice but to join forces with several other families to reinvestigate the background of Daoist Qingwen.

As a result of a series of unexpected events, these families of cultivators actually found a stronghold of the Black Fiend Sect.

However, there was actually a Foundation Establishment stage hall master in charge of this stronghold.

A major battle ensued between the two sides.

In the end, the Lanzhou aristocratic family narrowly won and destroyed the stronghold, but the Black Fiend Sect leader escaped with his remaining troops.

Because of this incident, the Black Fiend Sect had to shrink its territory and lie low for the time being, no longer daring to capture rogue cultivators everywhere.

Many independent cultivators in the Yue Kingdom were thus spared the tragic fate that they were destined to perish.

Meanwhile, the Tai Nan Small Gathering also came to an end during this period, and a large number of independent cultivators rushed to Tianwu Terrace to participate in the Ascension Conference.

However, Yang Qingyuan was unaware of these things...

Ten days later, at dawn, an old man and a young man sat facing each other in a pavilion on the mountainside of Tainan Valley.

The old man's face was covered with bluish spots, which was somewhat frightening.

The boy was about sixteen or seventeen years old, with a handsome appearance and a gentle and clear temperament. He was dressed in a white long robe and looked like a scholar.

"Senior Qingyan, the white sea of ​​mist that surrounds Tainan Valley must be the Misty Mist Formation, right? This formation has the effect of reversing direction and trapping enemies."

"It is only by observing that there are several points of stagnation in the rolling mist that I think Senior Qingyan must have been unable to find the ore 'Smoke Stone' when setting up the formation, so she used other materials instead, which caused the formation to malfunction."

"In my opinion, the formation flags in the Qian position can be moved to the Xun position, which will solve the problem of the formation's stagnation."

The boy pointed to the smoke outside Tainan Valley and began to speak eloquently.

The old man with blue spots listened intently, his face showing a mixture of surprise and uncertainty.

These two people were Yang Qingyuan and the Valley Master of Qingyan Valley.

At this moment, the Valley Master of Qingyan Valley was dumbfounded and felt incredulous, replying, "What Young Friend Yang said is true."

"Back when I set up this Misty Bewildering Array outside the valley, I couldn't find any 'Smoke Stones,' so I had to use other materials instead."

"But I have never mentioned this matter to anyone else."

"How did you learn this, young friend Yang?"

Yang Qingyuan smiled and explained, "I deduced this from the records about the Misty Bewildering Array in the book 'Introduction to Array Formations' in the Scripture Pavilion."

The Valley Master of Qingyan was startled and asked in surprise, "Only ten days have passed? Could it be that young friend Yang has already finished reading all the books in the Scripture Pavilion?"

"That's unlikely."

"Or has young friend Yang only read that book, 'Introduction to Formations'?"

Yang Qingyuan chuckled and said, "I know a little about them. I know a little about each one."

The Valley Master of Qingyan Valley's pupils suddenly contracted, and a storm raged in his heart.

Although this Misty Bewildering Array is an introductory array, it is usually only used to defend against mortals and Qi Refining stage cultivators near Tai Nan Valley.

However, the Valley Master of Qingyan Valley understood that Yang Qingyuan's ability to see the problem with the formation at a glance meant that he was definitely not just someone with a superficial understanding.

Before he could ask any questions, a young man in white suddenly sped along the mountain path from the mountainside. It was Wan Xiaoshan.

Wan Xiaoshan, carrying a long, slender yellow wooden sword box on his back, excitedly approached Yang Qingyuan and exclaimed, "Brother Yang, you've finally emerged from seclusion!"

"Huh? You've broken through to the seventh level of Qi Refining."

Wan Xiaoshan was stunned to find that Yang Qingyuan's aura was much stronger than usual.

Yang Qingyuan stood up to greet him and replied, "I only managed to break through to the seventh level by sheer luck."

"What's that yellow wooden box behind you?"

Wan Xiaoshan turned to the side, took out the box, placed it on the stone table, and introduced, "These are Brother Yang's two flying swords, which have been reforged."

Upon hearing this, both Master Qingyan and Yang Qingyuan stared intently at the box.

As the top of the box was opened, two flying swords shot out, emitting a dazzling red and blue aura.

Wan Xiaoshan rubbed his hands together and introduced, "The Rainbow Sword is a top-grade fire-attribute magic weapon made by my seventh sister. It is three feet and five inches long, with a blood-red blade and white edges. The hilt is deep red, and its design is simple and grand. It can emit extremely hot fire-attribute sword energy."

"The Azure Light Sword is a top-grade flying sword of the wood attribute, made by my second uncle. It is three feet and three inches long, with a faint azure light emanating from its blade. The hilt is azure blue, and the blade is long and narrow with an extremely sharp point. It can unleash wood attribute sword energy."

Yang Qingyuan examined the two flying swords, nodding frequently, and commented, "These two flying swords are exquisitely crafted; they must have been forged using earth fire, right?"

Wan Xiaoshan was surprised and replied, "How did Brother Yang know it was made with subterranean fire?"

"Could it be that you are also skilled in weapon crafting?"

"But weren't you originally a rogue cultivator?"

Yang Qingyuan shook his head and chuckled, "I know a little bit."

Upon hearing this, Wan Xiaoshan was even more puzzled, but after a moment's thought, he understood and asked in surprise, "Brother Yang, you didn't read all of Uncle Qingyan's collection of books, did you?"

Yang Qingyuan did not deny it, explaining, "I only skimmed through it."

In the past ten days, with the blessing of his enlightenment from the mantra of "learning", he has read through all the books in the library and is already very familiar with their contents. He has also mastered several basic thunder spells.

The Valley Master of Qingyan and Wan Xiaoshan exchanged a glance, both seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.

Yang Qingyuan then put the two flying swords back into the yellow wooden box, carried the box on his back, and bowed to Valley Master Qingyan, saying, "Senior Qingyan, I apologize for disturbing you during this time."

"Now that the flying sword is complete, I shall take my leave."

"I will always remember your kindness in opening the library to me. If you ever encounter any trouble in the future, you may come to me."

"I will certainly do my best to help."

Upon hearing this, the Valley Master of Qingyan Valley was overjoyed.

He had invested so much just to befriend Yang Qingyuan, so he immediately returned the greeting with a cupped hand and said, "I wish young friend Yang all the best in the Ascension Conference and that you may achieve your goal of collecting two Foundation Establishment Pills."

Meanwhile, Wan Xiaoshan patted the small green bag at his waist, which emitted a black light.

The black light fell outside the courtyard, gradually receding, and then revealed a huge black eagle with a wingspan of two zhang (approximately 6.6 meters).

The black eagle's feathers gleamed with a metallic sheen, its entire body jet black except for the golden feathers on its head, which resembled a crown.

"This is my seventh sister's mount, the 'Golden Crowned Eagle,' a first-class flying demonic beast," Wan Xiaoshan said proudly. "My seventh sister specially lent this beast to me and instructed me to personally deliver it to Brother Yang."

"That's why Brother Yang has such influence."

"My seventh sister usually treats this level-one demon beast like a treasure, and won't even let me touch it."

During this time, the elders of the Wan family also learned from Wan Xiaoshan that Yang Qingyuan had the aptitude of a thunder spirit root, so they had the idea of ​​having Wan Xiaoshan befriend Yang Qingyuan, which is why they lent out this first-level demon beast, the Golden Crowned Eagle.

"Brother Xiaoshan, you're very kind." Yang Qingyuan smiled knowingly, and then he and Wan Xiaoshan jumped onto the back of the golden-crowned eagle.

Wan Xiaoshan then asked, "Brother Yang, where should we go next?"

Yang Qingyuan took out the animal hide scroll from Qingwen from his bosom and said, "Lanzhou, Jiayuan City, go find the Yan family ancestral home!"

Wan Xiaoshan nodded slightly, then used the beast-taming ring in his hand to urge the golden-crowned eagle.

Sensing something, the golden-crowned eagle carried the two of them, flapped its wings, and soared into the heavens...