Chapter 224

“This method of saving people is certainly simple and direct.”

Fang Qing felt somewhat speechless. Inwardly, he asked, ‘Did you manage to learn anything useful?’

Although Sangji could not use the Grotto Heaven to learn of his own Dumu's experiences, once her true spirit had been sent back, the Great Snow Mountain would certainly investigate before sending her into reincarnation.

“I know everything now. However, that Great Spiritual Master is skilled in divination, there is no guarantee that Demon-Subduing Black's memories were not tampered with.”

Sangji transmitted a fragment of thought.

Fang Qing accepted it, and his divine sense trembled.

For a moment, it felt as though he had returned to that earlier experience when he had possessed another body and been killed with a single glance by the Emperor of Underworld.

“Mm... Originally, our White Bone Dao and Cloud Grazing Cliff cooperated in plundering the Grotto Heaven and gained quite a harvest.”

“But later, for some unknown reason, Lian Chen provoked that Emperor of Underworld, causing the Divine Dao network to fly into a rage. Nearly every City God and Earth God instantly became incarnations of the Emperor of Underworld. After that, they had nowhere left to hide and were forced to face his might directly. Auspicious Green Dumu was annihilated on the spot, body and soul destroyed.”

“Demon-Subduing Black was protected at the last moment by Gua Chen and barely survived. Was that Great Spiritual Master intentionally sparing one person to show he had not deliberately schemed against the White Bone Dao? Or... was it deliberate? Was he trying to leak certain information?”

‘The peak of the ninth rank... Primordial Origin Qi?’

A thoughtful look appeared on Fang Qing's face.

At that moment, the void split open once more, and another Auspicious Heavenly Maiden descended, scattering golden flowers through the air.

Sangji caught one and suddenly said, “Venerable One... Demon-Subduing Black Tara's true spirit has already reached the Great Snow Mountain. This is the latest message from above.”

Through the identity of the Great Sun Tathagata Silent Venerable, Fang Qing received the information. Yet inwardly, he was still marveling.

‘This reincarnation method of the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Domain is truly shameless... How could any subordinate possibly resist it?’

‘Fortunately, Demon-Subduing Black Tara was designated as cannon fodder from the very beginning. She knew no important secrets.’

‘Even if Kongque or Moonlight White suddenly died and their true spirits returned for questioning, at most the Great Snow Mountain would learn that Sangye places special importance on me, his Vajra Strength Duzi. That is hardly a major issue.’

‘If Sangye's own true spirit were subjected to soul-searching, now that would be entertaining.’

After a few inward complaints, Fang Qing reviewed the information Sangye had sent. His expression immediately changed.

“The peak of the ninth rank... Primordial Origin Qi... so that is what it means.”

“The Qi Ingestion path begins with inhaling qi to enter the Dao, yet the nine ranks of true qi already predetermine the future paths of ninety-nine percent of cultivators!”

“There are nine ranks and four grades of true qi, totaling thirty-six classifications. At the very top stands a single supreme existence: the ninth-rank supreme-grade true qi, known as Primordial Origin Qi!”

“This qi is born innately and governs all other qi... Primordial Origin Qi? Primordial Qi?”

Almost unconsciously, he glanced toward his Dao-Genesis Pearl.

Within it existed that mysterious primordial qi capable of transforming into any form of true qi.

‘As expected. My golden finger is deeply connected to this Qi Ingestion world. No wonder the first world I transmigrated into was this one. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that it deliberately brought me here for reincarnation.’

‘There are nine ranks and thirty-six grades of true qi. Yet the ninth-rank supreme grade contains only a single type. Even the ninth-rank superior grade possesses only two.’

‘One is Great Sun Purple Qi.’

‘The other is Taiyin Azure Qi.’

‘Primordial Origin reigns supreme. Taiyin and Taiyang stand immediately beneath it...’

True qi!

The very first foundation upon which every Qi Ingestion cultivator built their path seemed to conceal an enormous secret.

Even the original Sangji had known nothing about it. Only after obtaining the relevant intelligence had the Great Snow Mountain finally revealed the truth.

That alone was enough to make Fang Qing suspicious.

‘Could this ninth-rank supreme-grade Primordial Origin Qi conceal some greater secret?’

‘At the very least, I have never encountered a cultivation method that specifically requires Primordial Origin Qi in order to begin cultivation.’

‘And yet White Luminary Heaven actually contained a strand of Primordial Origin Qi, enough to make Spiritual Master Lian Chen personally fight for it.’

‘A strand of introductory true qi causing a Great Spiritual Master to risk his life?’

‘If translated into the Qi Refining path, that would be equivalent to a pill used by a Qi Refining cultivator to sense qi and enter cultivation causing a Nascent Soul old monster to personally intervene.’

‘Far too strange.’

‘And Lian Chen deliberately left this memory intact for Sangji to see. Was he trying to prove something? Or is this another carefully prepared trap?’

‘There are too few clues. I cannot make sense of it at all.’

Fang Qing sighed inwardly. Outwardly, however, he respectfully asked, “Dharma King, what instructions has the Great Snow Mountain issued?”

“Nothing of significance. White Luminary Heaven is already behind us. We need only continue advancing eastward.”

Sangji looked toward the east, his eyes gleaming.

“We shall obey the Buddha's decree and break the Blissful Union Sect!”

...

East of Wushan Commandery.

The Eight-Hundred-Li Plank Road.

“The eastern passes of Shu truly deserve their reputation as natural heavenly barriers.”

Fang Wujiu swept his gaze across the towering plank road.

It clung precariously to sheer cliffs. One end stretched into the distance while the other seemed to vanish directly into the clouds.

Countless layers of white mist drifted through the air, making it impossible to determine one's exact location.

“The Fei Family guarding this place must have secretly defected to the Blissful Union Sect long ago. Wushan Commandery has already fallen by ninety percent, yet they still stubbornly resist.”

“Fortunately, we are cultivators. Even if we accidentally fall from the plank road, a flying artifact might still save us.”

“Unfortunately, the Fei Family Patriarch spent an enormous fortune to establish a Weak Water Array across the final stretch of the road. Flight is prohibited there. It truly causes trouble.”

He glanced at those beside him.

His sister-in-law Yue Mingxue was still alive.

Monk Fayuan, however, had already fallen in battle.

In addition, two young men had recently joined their group.

Both were in the early stages of Qi Ingestion cultivation.

Their names were Tian Youliang and Tian Youdao.

They were descendants of Old Master Tian. Blessed with cultivation aptitude, they had fortunately managed to enter the Dao through Qi Ingestion.

Then, almost immediately afterward, they had been dragged here by the Buddhist soldiers to serve as cannon fodder on the front lines.

“The higher-ups truly know not what they are thinking. If that Vajra Strength Duzi were to take action, even ten Fei Families would be crushed to death with a single finger…”

Fang Wujiu felt increasingly agitated.

‘This final stretch of plank road, who knows how many more lives will have to be thrown into it?’

What he did not know was that those at higher levels naturally had their own considerations.

The great figures of the White Bone Dao refrained from acting personally for two reasons.

First, most of their attention was focused on White Luminary Heaven.

Second, if enough lower-level cultivators did not die, how could a mass grave of ten thousand corpses be formed? How else could Corpse Accumulation Qi be gathered to establish a connection with White Luminary Heaven and maintain the Grotto Heaven's open state?

Of course, now that matters concerning White Luminary Heaven had already been settled, the pace could finally be accelerated.

Dong! Dong!

The sound of drums echoed out.

This was the signal from the secret monks overseeing the rear lines, urging the army forward.

Helpless, Fang Wujiu could only follow his sister-in-law onto the plank road, squeezing into the narrow passage where they would directly confront enemy spell arts.

‘Driving commoners like ants and using soldiers like mud, nothing could describe it better than this.’

There was nothing he could do except watch as one monk-soldier after another fell in battle.

Sooner or later, it would be his turn.

Fei Family Fortress

The fortress had been built against the mountains, controlling the final section of the eight-hundred-li plank road.

In years past, the Fei Family had grown rich beyond measure by controlling this strategic pass. Wealth flowed in daily, and their clan never lacked cultivation resources.

Their Dao Foundation ancestor, Fei Wangcai, had relied on those profits to cultivate all the way to mid-stage Dao Foundation, living an exceedingly comfortable life.

But once war broke out, everything changed.

Especially after Fei Wangcai established ties with a major figure from the Blissful Union Sect, he became determined to hold the final stretch of Wushan Commandery's plank road at all costs.

Over these recent months, the Fei Family's cultivators had suffered grievous casualties. The clan members had long since become filled with resentment.

Yet with Fei Wangcai personally suppressing all dissent through his Dao Foundation cultivation, no one dared resist.

All they could do was sink gradually into despair, then numb acceptance, awaiting the inevitable destruction of their family.

Inside the fortress hall.

“Old Ancestor... this cannot continue any longer. Whether we surrender or flee, a decision must be made immediately.”

The Fei Family Patriarch knelt before Fei Wangcai together with several late-stage Qi Ingestion core members. His voice was hoarse and mournful, like a cuckoo crying tears of blood.

“The White Bone Dao possesses six Purple Mansion Spiritual Masters. No matter what conditions the Blissful Union Sect promised you, our Fei Family must first survive if we are ever to receive them.”

Fei Wangcai's eyes remained clear, though a faint reddish glow lingered across his face.

“Nonsense!”

“Our Fei Family shall defend this place to the last man. We will fight until every soldier is dead!”

“Old Ancestor... could it be that the Blissful Union Sect promised you an opportunity to advance into Purple Mansion? Otherwise, why stake the entire clan upon this?”

The Family Patriarch raised his head before gritting his teeth.

“If such a promise truly exists, then we are willing to lay down our lives for you without complaint. We ask only that when you one day achieve Purple Mansion, you remember to pour a cup of wine before our graves and offer us some comfort.”

“The Blissful Union Sect... gave this old man...”

At the sight of his descendants weeping and pleading, a trace of emotion finally appeared on Fei Wangcai's face.

His thoughts drifted back through the years.

Suddenly, confusion appeared in his eyes.

“What did they give me...”

“Ah... it was that fairy maiden.”

“She ordered this old man to guard this place. To earn a single smile from her... I would die without regrets.”

As he spoke, a dreamy expression surfaced on his face.

He looked no different from a lovestruck youth who had encountered the goddess of his dreams.

The Fei Family members below exchanged glances.

Their expressions grew increasingly ugly.

‘The Old Ancestor spent his youth indulging in countless beautiful women. How could he suddenly become love-struck in his old age?’

‘This is bad! He must have been affected by some divine ability!’

After leaving the hall, the Fei Family members dispersed.

Half an hour later, they gathered once more within a secret chamber.

“The Old Ancestor's mind has been completely altered by divine powers. I'm afraid he cannot be saved.”

The Family Patriarch spoke first, his voice dry and exhausted.

“We should have fled alongside the Xuanwu Sect when the war first began.”

“What use is saying that now?”

A bearded man clenched his fists.

“We thought that by joining the Blissful Union Sect, even if we died in battle, we could at least secure a future for our descendants.”

“But now it seems that these great sects... these great sects...”

His voice faltered.

He felt as though he were about to cough up blood.

“The great sects view us as pigs and dogs... no, not even dogs.”

“At least hunting dogs are fed meat.”

The room fell silent.

Though everyone thought the same thing, the matter involved Purple Mansion cultivators. They only dared curse inwardly. Not one of them dared show their anger openly.

“What do we do now?”

The Family Patriarch sighed.

“Why not... surrender?”

A young late-stage Qi Ingestion cultivator finally spoke through gritted teeth.

“At worst, we submit to the Buddhist soldiers.”

“I've heard the White Bone Dao treats Dao Foundation families under its rule fairly well.”

“The Zeng Family lost three Dao Foundation cultivators fighting for the White Bone Dao. Later, they were rewarded with a Dao Foundation Pill.”

“Even after the direct lineage was wiped out, the White Bone Dao still supported collateral branches and preserved their ancestral line.”

The Family Patriarch hesitated.

“But we have inflicted heavy casualties upon them.”

“And what about the Old Ancestor?”

Even if everyone else reached an agreement, Fei Wangcai remained a Dao Foundation cultivator.

Without his approval, none of it mattered.

“In my opinion, the White Bone Dao may not value either us or their monk-soldiers very highly.”

The young cultivator laughed bitterly.

“In fact, the more people die, the happier they seem to be.”

“In that case, it makes no difference.”

“As for the Old Ancestor?”

His expression turned cold.

“The influence of that divine ability cannot be removed. As far as I'm concerned, he is already a dead man.”

“We can simply scatter and abandon him here.”

“Let him guard the plank road by himself.”