Chapter 161 - 160: Purple Sun

Chapter 161: Chapter 160: Purple Sun

Beneath the Cangsong pine.

Starlight shot from Chen Qingyang’s eyes, and his body was surrounded by motes of light—the mark of a Starlight Body.

He performed another divination. Just like last time, it revealed "Mixed Star Demon Qi." The difference was that the Star Map was even more chaotic, indicating that the situation was about to intensify.

He had never understood how to resolve the situation indicated by the Star Map. Did the "world" in the phrase "Where the demon qi passes, the world becomes clear" refer to a specific event, or was it pointing to the Cyan Nether Sword Embryo?

Based on his last reading, a part of the Star Map corresponded to Nine True Mountain, which should mean it was the Cyan Nether Sword Embryo. Unfortunately, he still had too little information and his understanding of the star-reading arts was shallow. He didn’t dare make a definitive judgment, fearing that if he gave himself a preconceived notion, he might walk the wrong path in the future.

The more he thought, the more confused he became. He decided to just go to the inn and store his things.

He had also studied the Qiankun Mirror. It required a specific Dharma Gate to activate—the Reversing Fate Technique—and was therefore of little use to Chen Qingyang.

The Protective Magical Treasures from the old woman and old man were two Turtle Shells. A single glance told him they were used for karmic divination and also required that same Dharma Gate to activate. He could only take them back to see if they could be used for Array Building, or perhaps be exchanged for Spirit Stones at Gentle Breeze.

What was strange was that both of them had an Essence Condensation Six Realms Cultivation. According to the Tai Xu Sect’s teachings, they should have mastered the Divine Power, Universe in the Sleeve. They shouldn’t have had so few possessions on them, yet he had searched them thoroughly and found nothing else.

He hadn’t had time to think about it then, but now it struck him as truly odd.

He locked the items in the cabinet. He had already hidden quite a few treasures there. When he eventually brought them back, Liu Tao was bound to ask questions, and he would have to think of an explanation for her.

’Essence Condensation Six Realms, Universe in the Sleeve... that Divine Power is truly wonderful.’

He then used the method from the Great Soul Scripture to adjust his Qi Mechanism. Reaching the Qi Refining Ninth Realm was already his limit; he didn’t dare risk another breakthrough in his Cultivation so casually.

After leaving the inn and walking two streets, he saw the teahouse and the person waiting for him inside.

A night watchman walked past, striking his clapper and calling out, "The air is dry, beware of fire! It is the third watch!"

Only then did he realize that spring had passed and autumn had come. Another year was almost over. In cultivation, time truly flew by.

He went up to a seat by the window on the second floor. Seeing the teacup on the table, it looked like Liu Tao had been waiting for a long time. "Senior Sister, you’ve been waiting long!"

She was cupping her delicate face in her hands, her gaze lost somewhere on the street below. The candlelight flickered across her, giving her a pleasant, spring-like aura.

"Things are not looking good."

Chen Qingyang asked, "What do you mean, Senior Sister?"

Liu Tao finally lowered her hands and shifted her gaze to him. "We don’t have to patrol the mountain tomorrow either. It wasn’t just my route that clashed with the Demon Sect today. All in all, the Demon Sect lost a dozen or so people, while we lost about thirty."

’No wonder she’s so emotional!’

Every Cultivator in this world was one in ten thousand. Those who reached the Essence Condensation Realm were another one in ten thousand among them. Even with a vast population, Cultivators were extremely rare and mostly concentrated within the Immortal Sects.

Each one had lived for hundreds, even thousands of years, consuming immense resources to reach their current level. Therefore, every death was a regrettable loss for the Tai Xu Sect.

But Chen Qingyang didn’t share Liu Tao’s sentimentality. In his eyes, Cultivators were no different from the ordinary people under the Celestial Dao; they were all just part of the endless cycle of life, death, and Reincarnation.

When it was their time to die, they died. They could only blame their lack of skill. This, too, was the balance of the world.

"Senior Sister, something doesn’t seem right. Weren’t we the ones who had a trick up our sleeve this time? How did we end up with so many killed by the Demon Sect instead?"

Liu Tao said, "First, their reinforcements were extremely fast. Second, just as the Masters said, the Demon Sect’s Cultivation Techniques are far better suited for combat than our Daoist Sect’s. On top of that, the Demon Sect is brutal, so the disciples they produce all have formidable methods. We already witnessed the skills of those two elders during the day!"

Five of our people, all at the Essence Condensation Six Realms with considerable cultivation, surrounded two of their people, also at the Essence Condensation Realm. Yet they only managed to drive them off. They didn’t even dare give chase, fearing certain casualties.

"That’s true... I’ve experienced their methods firsthand. They are quite formidable."

Liu Tao looked at Chen Qingyang, a dismissive look on her face. "But I don’t think anyone from the Demon Sect at the same realm as you could be your opponent!"

This was based on her understanding of Chen Qingyang, and it was what Liu Tao truly believed.

Chen Qingyang thought about it carefully. With his "Conscious Fish" acting as a "Celestial Eye," he was confident he could achieve victory in a single strike.

"Senior Sister, your assessment of me is a bit too high. By the way, have you heard any news about the Cyan Nether Sword Embryo?"

Liu Tao shook her head. "I haven’t heard anything yet. If such a thing really exists, I hope you’re the one who gets it. You might even reach Foundation Establishment within a hundred years."

Chen Qingyang smiled. "If it’s real, I think so too. But there’s no news at all right now."

But then Liu Tao added, "The Masters gave an order today. We don’t even need to go on the mountain search anymore; someone else will handle it. We just need to rest and recuperate for the next few days and be ready to move out all at once when the time comes."

Chen Qingyang frowned in thought for a moment. "Such a big mobilization... are you saying there’s a lead on the Cyan Nether Sword Embryo?"

"The Masters didn’t say it outright, but that should be the meaning."

Chen Qingyang fell silent again. "That makes sense. The Masters’ Profound Skills are unfathomable and their methods are numerous. It’s possible they’ve detected some movement."

This also confirmed his divination: stars were shining down on the Nine True Mountains and Rivers.

"Mhm," Liu Tao nodded lightly.

...

The next few days were calm and uneventful.

Chen Qingyang didn’t go out again, focusing solely on his meditation. For someone with an Essence Condensation Third Realm Cultivation like him, the outside world was simply too dangerous.

Who knew if a Demon Sect Disciple at the Essence Condensation First or Second Realm might be followed by a Half-Step Foundation Establishment expert?

「In his room.」

His entire consciousness sank into his Meridians. The Qi Vortex at his Jiang Palace Acupoint stabilized as True Essence from his Earth Root and Mingtang Hall converged there, nourishing it.

A pure white aura flowed out from the Jiang Palace Acupoint, nurturing his Three Souls and Seven Spirits. This aura was his Essence. Circulation after Circulation, his Divine Soul and Qi Mechanism grew stronger together... Slowly, Chen Qingyang opened his eyes.

"Is your Cultivation about to break through again?"

Liu Tao had been observing him for the past few days. Although she only had her Earth Root Acupoint open and couldn’t discern the depths of Chen Qingyang’s power, she had an inexplicable feeling—he was about to break through.

"You’re right, Senior Sister. I can feel the Qi Mechanism of a breakthrough again. It will probably happen in the next year or two."

"Tsk tsk!" Another breakthrough would mean the Essence Condensation Second Realm. "Honestly, at this point, I don’t think anything that happens with you would surprise me anymore."

"I broke through to my current Cultivation level long before you, but I only managed to stabilize my Earth Root Acupoint with your Elixirs. Who knows how long it’ll take to advance again... You really can’t compare people."

Chen Qingyang replied, "Don’t worry, Senior Sister. When we go back, I’ll give you Elixirs often to help you with your Cultivation breakthroughs."

’Thinking about it now,’ he mused, ’after this trip to Nine True Mountain, the Earth Root Biochemical Pill will be useless to me when I get back.’

"It’s not that urgent. You should prioritize Master’s business first. Once your Cultivation breaks through and you become a Master yourself, you won’t be threatened by her anymore," Liu Tao said, her voice full of longing.

"Okay."

Sitting in meditation for so long inevitably became tedious.

Chen Qingyang decided to wander around the Nine True Temple. He walked to the foot of the mountain, then followed a plank path upward. After spotting the Ancestral Master Temple in the distance, he turned onto another fork. The small, solitary courtyard standing above belonged to Lu Qingyu.

It was noon. The autumn air was crisp and clear. Although a chill lingered in the air, it was dispelled by the vibrant reds and bright colors covering the mountainside.

Gazing around, a magnificent autumn panorama of mountains and rivers unfolded before his eyes.

After admiring the view for another moment, he knocked on Lu Qingyu’s door. All the others who had come here were Inner Sect Disciples; he was the only one from the Outer Sect, so this was the only place he could go for a casual chat.

SCRAPE! SCRAPE!

With one scrape after another, Lu Qingyu was sweeping fallen leaves in the courtyard. With a gentle wave of his hand, the door swung open.

This was their third meeting, and the two were already quite familiar with each other. He simply waved him over. "Have a seat. Let me finish tidying up the courtyard."

"Alright."

Chen Qingyang agreed and sat down under the osmanthus tree. The floral scent that assailed his nostrils was quite overpowering.

This Master Lu was extremely meticulous in everything he did, even sweeping. Chen Qingyang suddenly realized that his impression of the man changed with every meeting. Each time, he learned something new from him.

’When you really think about it, he’s the one who’s truly unfathomable.’

By the time Lu Qingyu put down the broom, Chen Qingyang had already poured him a cup of tea. "Senior Brother Lu, please."

"Thank you." Lu Qingyu took the cup and drank it in one gulp.

After some more pleasantries, Chen Qingyang voiced the question on his mind. "I’m very curious, Senior Brother Lu. What Dharma Gate do you cultivate, and what’s the deal with this so-called ’inheritance’?"

"Haha!" Lu Qingyu laughed. "Then let me ask you a question in return, Junior Brother. What Dharma Gate do you cultivate, and what Dao are you proficient in?"

Chen Qingyang didn’t hide anything. "I am from Cyan Bamboo Peak, so naturally I’m proficient in the Alchemy Dao. However, the True Skill I cultivate is the Danxia Nourishing Truth Sword Manual. I wonder if Senior Brother has heard of it?"

Lu Qingyu was momentarily stunned. A glint flashed in his eyes, as if he were sizing Chen Qingyang up. Yet, when Chen Qingyang tried to probe, he couldn’t detect the other man’s Qi Mechanism at all.

"Surprising. Very surprising. Everyone says that those who achieve success in the Alchemy Dao must cultivate the Fire True Technique. I never thought you would go against the grain."

Chen Qingyang smiled. "Perhaps my Master has other expectations for me."

"Other expectations..." Lu Qingyu nodded. "Perhaps that’s true. You’ve had your turn, so now it’s mine."

Chen Qingyang said, "I’m all ears."

"My Nine True Temple cultivates only one True Skill: the Nine True Purple Sun Divine Power Daoist Scripture. Purple Sun means Pure Yang. Its power should not be underestimated, but unfortunately, our sect’s version of this technique is only good for self-cultivation and life extension. It isn’t suited for fighting."

"As for the ’inheritance’..." At this thought, a strange look crossed Lu Qingyu’s face, as if his mind had drifted far, far back in time, to something incredibly distant and complex.