Chapter 383 274: Proving the Fire Virtue

In the Foundation Establishment Realm, a Sympathy formed between his inner world and the outer. Mysterious yellow qi descended from all directions, and auspicious, iridescent mists rippled outward like waves. This phenomenon transformed the myriad insights welling up in Jiang Yi's mind, one by one, into profound Daoist Techniques.

Inside the jade-like palace, he opened his eyes and felt that as far as his Divine Sense could reach, a thousand miles of mountains and rivers were laid bare before him.

His Dao Foundation expanded steadily but imperceptibly, already approaching a size of 1,800 miles.

'No wonder Foundation Establishment True Masters so readily enter seclusion for sixty years at a time to study their True Skills.'

Jiang Yi mused to himself.

The way this realm nourished one's Dao Wisdom and nurtured one's Life Essence was an effect that even the Innate Sect's Ever-bright Celestial Pool couldn't hope to match.

According to Cat Master, for the First Layer of Foundation Establishment, a Dao Foundation exceeding a thousand miles was already a sign of supreme talent.

Within the last five thousand years of the Immortal Dao, Emperor Ji held the top record with a three-thousand-mile Dao Foundation.

If the scope was narrowed to the Nanzhan Continent, the record belonged to Zhang Yuansheng of the Taifu Sect, with two thousand eight hundred miles.

'The Fire Element has reached Perfection, and the Wood Element is ready to burst forth. The Second Layer of Foundation Establishment isn't far away.'

Jiang Yi pondered for a long while and finally understood why the Sect Leader had placed such importance on the trip to the Myriad Grottoes Continent.

The Shao Yang Golden Position was the focus of a sixty-year cycle, which was also the time limit for his tenure as the Daoist of the Innate Sect.

Throughout the entire history of the Yanfu Vast Land, there had never been a precedent for a Qi Cultivation Cultivator to challenge for a Golden Position in just sixty years.

'An unprecedented feat, with no one before and likely no one to follow... It's only logical that the Eight Peaks True Monarch doesn't believe I can ascend to that position.'

His thoughts ebbed and flowed. In the First Realm of Foundation Establishment, one had to perfect their Daoist Techniques, bring their profundities to Perfection, manifest techniques with the Five Elements, and nurture their life with the Five Virtues. Only then could one transcend the Three Calamities and be free from tribulations.

Only then could one be considered to have mastered the five methods and become a seed candidate for a True Monarch's Golden Position.

Each step of this journey required immense mental fortitude and a great number of Opportunities.

'Those with weak fates and exhausted luck will never achieve the Dao; they are merely kindling for the Copper Furnace of heaven and earth.'

Jiang Yi recalled the scheme back in Fengdu. If Tao Ran had successfully lured him to the Taifu Sect, he would have become a stepping stone for the Crown Prince of Mingcang's ascension—a human resource to prop up another's Dao Foundation.

The clear path shown by the Celestial Book had been determined the moment he acknowledged True Master Xuanmiao and inherited the Yang Qi Taiyin Heaven.

'Truly, every peck and every sip is bound by cause and effect.'

He suddenly felt a stir in his heart. Apart from the two profundities, Illuminating the Dark and the Light and World Burner, a faint speck of firelight began to glow.

Heaven-Breaking Pillar!

'Illuminating the Dark and the Light is Ding Fire, and World Burner is Bing Fire.'

'This Heaven-Breaking Pillar is a 'True Fire,' embodying the concept of being 'singularly true, supremely noble'...'

Jiang Yi focused on that bright speck in his Mingtang, which shone like brilliant gold, and carefully comprehended it.

After a long while, he looked up, a glimmer of sudden understanding in his eyes.

'It's 'Dethronement.' All fire-based techniques in the world can be struck down by Heaven-Breaking Pillar.'

'However, to comprehend it fully, I'll have to perform further deductions.'

The corners of Jiang Yi's lips turned up slightly. With three profound fire techniques at his disposal, even a cultivator at the Second Layer of Foundation Establishment might not be able to withstand him if he used them properly.

'It seems I should first attain the Fire Virtue and pluck its Dao Fruit, then work on supplementing the other four elements.'

But to advance from the Fire Element and attain the Fire Virtue, one must "establish a great deed."

However, he wasn't quite sure how to accomplish this great deed for the Fire Virtue.

Among the True Monarchs he knew, only Master Lu had successfully plucked the Dao Fruit of Water Virtue.

'Master Lu should know the method for establishing such a deed. But I must ultimately comprehend the esoteric principles of the Fire Virtue for myself.'

Jiang Yi slowly closed his eyes. As his thoughts flickered, the page of golden paper gradually materialized in his mind's eye.

When in doubt... I beg the Celestial Book.

...

...

「At the foot of Cyan Sheep Mountain, in the Li Family's ancestral home.」

Li Conglong sat alone in his study, a cup of long-cold tea in his hand. He seemed to be deep in thought with his eyes closed.

"Big Brother."

The door was pushed open gently. Li Conglin slipped inside, quickly shutting it behind him.

He was several years younger than Li Conglong, and his features still carried a trace of youthful intensity.

But years of being worn down by clan affairs had etched fine lines around his eyes.

"Did you find out what we needed to know?"

Li Conglong set down his teacup, his voice extremely low.

Li Conglin took two steps forward, pulled a crumpled slip of paper from his sleeve, and presented it with both hands.

"There is indeed a problem with the Resource Land at the northern foot of Floating Cloud Mountain."

Li Conglong took the slip of paper, glanced at it by candlelight, then immediately crumpled it into a ball and tossed it into the brazier.

"So it is a setup."

"And that's not all."

Li Conglin's expression was grave as he lowered his voice.

"Two months ago, Xu Tian, the head of the Xu Family, visited Floating Cloud Mountain. He claimed he was performing Alchemy for the Luo Family, but it looks like the two families were already colluding back then."

For a moment, the study was silent, the only sound the crackling of the candle flame.

Li Conglin hesitated for a moment before saying in a low voice,

"I'm afraid they have spies in the family. I've felt like I was being followed the last few days while I was out gathering information."

Li Conglong nodded slightly.

"From this day forward, only you and I are to know about family matters. Don't even tell the grand-uncle from the third house."

"The grand-uncle?" Li Conglin was startled. "Big Brother, you suspect..."

"I don't suspect anyone, but I don't trust anyone either."

Li Conglong stood and walked to the window, gazing at the old pagoda tree in the courtyard.

His father had planted this tree when he moved the entire family here. Now, it was lush and flourishing, its branches spreading like a canopy.

Li Conglong turned, his gaze burning as he looked at his brother.

"I need you to do something for me."

"I await your orders, Brother."

"First thing tomorrow morning, you will go to the Xu Family in person. Say that I, Li Conglong, am willing to cooperate with them to conspire for the Resource Land."

"And ask Xu Tian to come here in three days to discuss the matter."

Li Conglin was stunned. "Brother..."

Li Conglong continued,

"Also, don't you have a feud with Luo Long from a side branch of the Luo Family? Find an excuse to pick a fight with him. Beat him up, and make a big scene."

Li Conglin's eyes widened in realization, a flash of admiration in them.

"Brother, you want the Xu Family to believe that the Li Family has had a falling-out with the Luo Family, so that they'll be more inclined to trust us."

Li Conglong nodded.

"We need to make Xu Tian believe this is a golden opportunity—a chance to get a piece of the Resource Land and swallow the Li Family whole. Killing two birds with one stone."

"He doesn't know that I've already broken through to the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer. He's sure to take the bait."

Li Conglin solemnly accepted the order. Just as he was about to turn and leave, Li Conglong called out to him.

"Conglin."

"Brother?"

Li Conglong looked at his brother, a flicker of gentleness in his gaze.

"Be extremely careful. If anything goes wrong, you... get out of there immediately. As long as the green mountains are there, we'll never run out of firewood!"

Li Conglin shuddered, then gritted his teeth and said,

"What kind of talk is that, Brother! Am I, Li Conglin, some coward who clings to life and fears death?"

"I know you're not."

Li Conglong patted his brother's shoulder, his voice deep.

"But the Li Family cannot afford to be wiped out here. Do you understand?"

The two brothers stared at each other for a long moment. Li Conglin finally lowered his head, his voice choked with emotion.

"Conglin... understands."

After Li Conglin left, Li Conglong sat alone in the study for a long time, until the candle flame began to dim.

He rose and left the study, making his way to the ancestral hall in the rear courtyard.

The ancestral hall was cold and solemn. The memorial tablets of his father and elder brother were displayed quietly in the place of honor.

Li Conglong lit a stick of incense and kowtowed reverently.

"Father. Brother."

He raised his head, his gaze fixed on his father's tablet as he thought silently:

'Here at Luoyue Lake, we are surrounded by predators. It will not be easy for the Li Family to protect our foundation on Cyan Sheep Mountain.'

'Conglong can only strike first and be utterly ruthless!'

The green smoke from the incense burner curled upwards, lingering in the air without scattering.

Li Conglong said in a deep voice,

"I pray the Celestial Lord shows mercy and helps the Li Family survive this crisis!"