Chapter 176 - 175: Insignificant

The *Cyan Mist Jade Planting Secret Record* was a book on introductory Spirit Grass cultivation that Chen Qingyang had specifically chosen during his trip to the Cloud Scripture Jade Pavilion the day before.

He had studied it carefully. The book covered only ten types of Immortal Grass, each representing a prominent attribute. Mastering the cultivation methods for these ten types meant one had essentially gotten their foot in the door of this trade.

These ten Immortal Grasses had another benefit: more than half didn't need to be nourished with Spiritual Qi, meaning Zhang Ping could manage them on his own.

The young boy was very diligent. After Chen Qingyang had spoken with him last time, he had gone and prepared a Spirit Field. It was located within the protection of the array, where it could be nourished by the array's Spiritual Qi.

Today, Chen Qingyang called him over and formally passed the technique into his hands. Zhang Ping accepted it but didn't rush to look through it. Instead, he just said, "Thank you, Senior Brother Chen. I've made my decision. If I don't see results in a year or two, I'll spend a decade or more. I absolutely cannot fail to live up to the faith you've placed in me."

"I've noticed that among the Spirit Grasses Senior Brother Chen uses for alchemy, one ingredient appears very frequently. If I can't manage to cultivate the other Immortal Grasses for you, then I'll focus on just this one. I have to contribute something of value."

Zhang Ping was a quietly brilliant person. Initially, his perspective was inevitably narrow due to his background as a farm boy. But after spending more time in the Immortal Sect, he had found his resolve.

He was very measured in his actions and understood his own limits. One could tell his words had been carefully considered.

Chen Qingyang replied, "Very well. I'll be waiting for that day."

He then handed over a thousand Spirit Stones. "First, read through this book. After that, go to the Merit Tower and trade for the Immortal Grass seeds you'll need. If you're not sure how to do it, ask Hong'Er to go with you. She used to go there often, so she knows the place well!"

A single Spirit Stone was about the size of an adult's thumbnail, so a thousand of them didn't make a very large pile. Zhang Ping carefully tucked them into his robes. "Understood."

"If it's not enough, just let me know," Chen Qingyang added as a final instruction. "Don't be afraid to spend these worldly possessions. Mastering the skills is what's most important."

This time, Zhang Ping was quicker on the uptake and actually gave Chen Qingyang a full kowtow. "Yes, Senior Brother Chen."

After he left, only Chen Qingyang and Xu Baoling remained in the Alchemy Room.

"Master, do you really intend to groom him to follow the path of the Mountain and River Daoist Lord? From what I can see, he struggles with even Qi Refining. Aren't you afraid... all your efforts will be wasted?"

Anyone could see the boy's level of talent. Chen Qingyang said, "Regardless of his aptitude, his loyalty to me is genuine. I never had to ask him to handle the various tasks around the courtyard; he simply did them, and did them well."

Staring at Chen Qingyang's profile, an unconscious smile touched Xu Baoling's lips. 'Perhaps,' she thought, 'if he can treat Zhang Ping so well, he'll be even better to me in the future.'

She simply hummed softly in agreement.

Chen Qingyang asked, "How much do you know about Spirit Plants?"

"If Master is referring to Divine Powers on par with the Mountain and River Daoist Lord, then of course I'm incapable. However, if it's just simple matters like identifying and discerning spirit plants, understanding their nature, watering them, tilling the soil, and nourishing them with spirit... I have no problem with any of that."

"When Master performs alchemy, you can pour your entire focus into the elixir, and such dedication will surely lead to great progress. But for someone of my humble talents, in addition to alchemy, I've also learned a thing or two about Immortal Grass. After all, one always runs into all sorts of problems during the alchemy process."

'She has over two hundred years of cultivation experience,' Chen Qingyang thought. 'Even if she's not a master of her primary craft, she should at least have this level of general knowledge.' He said aloud, "In that case, I'll have to trouble you to keep a close eye on the boy's study of Spirit Plants."

Xu Baoling performed a graceful salute. "I will do as Master commands."

With his instructions given, Chen Qingyang resumed his cultivation through meditation.

The two elixir formulas passed down by Master Jing Yuan no longer required deep study; maintaining them at Tier Four was sufficient.

This freed up a significant amount of time for him to dedicate to his own cultivation.

Although the cultivation technique the Master had imparted to him was in his mind, he had yet to practice it even once. 'He might test my cultivation progress,' Chen Qingyang mused. 'I should at least get started with it.'

The cultivation technique was named *Nanming Red Emperor's Celestial Burning and Sea Boiling Daoist Truth*. The "Nanming" in the name didn't refer to a geographical location, but to a type of flame.

The "Nan" (South) referred to "Nan Li" (South Separation).

The "Li" (Separation) in the *Nine Yang Separation Fire Technique* and *Li Yang Earth Fire* carried the same meaning.

The "Ming" referred to Mingtang Hall. With the Mingtang Fire internally and the South Li Flame externally—that was the meaning behind the name "Nanming."

The so-called "Red Emperor" was the creator of this Dharma Gate, a title he gave himself. The subsequent "Celestial Burning and Sea Boiling" was simply to indicate the technique's power, and the "True Understanding of Attainment" was proof that with diligent cultivation, one could reach Foundation Establishment.

Moreover, twenty people from the same lineage were cultivating this Dharma Gate, so its power must be considerable. Setting aside the question of whether Master Jing Yuan had leaked a secret, the fact remained that the technique was now in Chen Qingyang's hands.

Compared to the *Li Yang Earth Fire Technique*, this True Technique was far more comprehensive, vast and inclusive like an ocean that accepts a hundred rivers. It was even superior to the cultivation technique Liu Tao practiced.

Starting this True Skill at the Qi Refining Realm would be genuinely difficult, but for someone already at the Essence Condensation Third Realm, it was quite simple.

After all, Chen Qingyang's Mingtang True Fire was already abundant, and his Qi Vortex was self-sustaining. He just needed to thoroughly understand the principles of the cultivation technique, then carefully circulate his energy through his meridians according to the new method, feeling the changes in his Qi mechanism and perceiving the subtle differences in nature's spiritual energy.

Fortunately, his Divine Soul was also powerful, so everything went smoothly. He meditated like this for four or five consecutive days. When he next checked the small golden characters of his status, this new technique had been added.

[Nanming Red Emperor's Celestial Burning and Sea Boiling Daoist Truth: (249/3000)]

The progress was quite rapid; he had accumulated that much in just a couple of days. However, a breakthrough in the technique itself didn't mean Chen Qingyang's personal cultivation would also break through. That would only happen once he achieved a balance between his cultivation level and his mastery of the technique.

For the time being, it was enough.

He set it aside and focused his mind on the *Danxia Nourishing Truth Sword Manual*, hoping to awaken the cultivation technique within the Cyan Nether Sword Embryo sooner.

On this day, a light rain fell.

Billowing clouds and mist swirled, half-concealing the elegant mountain peaks. The air carried a slight chill, but it seemed to breathe new life into the locust flowers.

On the path, Ji Rang strode over, ascending the White Jade Steps. By the time he reached the door, Chen Qingyang had already come out to welcome him inside.

"...Junior Brother, there's no need for such formalities with me. Senior Brother Liu from Fulu Workshop happens to be around, so I'll take you to meet him. You must understand, Fulu Workshop is always very discreet. They operate on a one-on-one referral basis, so you'd better have your elixirs ready!"

"Senior Brother, please wait a moment." Chen Qingyang carefully prepared an Earth Root Biochemical Pill. It was also Tier Four, but this elixir was superior to the Yang Replacement Powder. After all, one was for Qi Refining, and the other was for Essence Condensation.

Ji Rang took it and examined it for a moment. "Not bad. For a Tier Four pill, its efficacy is excellent. Let's go."

With him in the lead and Chen Qingyang following, the two of them traveled via Wind Control. They crossed Peach Blossom Valley, passed Liu Garden, and finally stopped in a vast, snow-swept, frozen landscape.

A closer look revealed they were no longer on Cyan Bamboo Peak.

"Senior Brother, I thought you said Fulu Workshop was made up of disciples from Cyan Bamboo Peak. Why isn't it located there?"

Ji Rang turned his head and said, "This involves the struggle for the Golden Core, an internal struggle within the sect. The Peak Master of Cyan Bamboo Peak is a True Monarch, and the Great Elder of the Separation Dragon Pill Institute is also a True Monarch. The two have quite a rivalry in the Alchemy Dao."

"It's said that a long time ago, Fulu Workshop was a hidden move played by our Cyan Bamboo Peak Master. He gathered just a few disciples and let the organization develop on its own. That's why it isn't located on Cyan Bamboo Peak."

Hearing this, Chen Qingyang suddenly recalled a question he'd had: who exactly was Purple Sun True Monarch's Guardian Daoist? Was it common knowledge, or was it a secret known only to a few?

"Senior Brother is truly knowledgeable and experienced. I should have visited you sooner to broaden my horizons."

Ji Rang laughed heartily at Chen Qingyang's praise, only for another question to follow immediately. "I once heard that the Tai Xu Sect originally had twelve Golden Core True Monarchs, but one called Purple Sun Master entered the Bridge of Longevity for some unknown reason and never came back. I wonder how true that story is?"

As they spoke, the two landed on the ground.

Beneath the vast expanse of wind and snow, the outlines of countless rooftops were visible, all enclosed by a low wall. It looked like a small, self-contained city.

A road stretched out from the city gate, with the two of them standing at its very beginning. This implied that to enter the city, one had to proceed on foot; Wind Control Flight was not permitted.

Ji Rang shot him a sideways glance. "You've heard about that too, Junior Brother? You're quite well-informed, aren't you?"

"Not entirely. It's just that when I went to Nine True Mountain, a senior brother from Xu Lingfeng mentioned a thing or two, which made me curious."

It was a seamless excuse. Ji Rang nodded. "That's right. Ever since Xu Lingfeng lost Purple Sun True Monarch, they have been without their sole Golden Core True Monarch. Though they've had successors, they've all remained at the Half-Step Golden Core realm, unable to cross that great divide."

"I've also heard that in his quest for a breakthrough in his cultivation, this Purple Sun Master had already reincarnated hundreds of times over three thousand years. He was considered the most likely in the entire Tai Xu Sect to break through to the Golden Core realm. But something went wrong during his four-hundredth reincarnation, and he ended up with his Divine Soul completely annihilated. Ever since, our Daoist Sect has felt a profound sense of crisis."

'As expected of an Inner Sect Disciple ranked fourth,' Chen Qingyang thought. 'It shows he's followed Master Jing Yuan for a long time and is incredibly well-informed.'

"Aren't True Monarchs supposed to have a Guardian Daoist when they reincarnate? Could it be that the Guardian failed to protect him?"

Ji Rang turned his head, his expression shifting. "This is just idle chat between us, as fellow disciples. You absolutely cannot repeat any of this outside."

Chen Qingyang naturally nodded in quick succession. "I understand that. Please, Senior Brother, just satisfy my curiosity."

"The Guardian at the time was none other than the Great Elder of the Separation Dragon Pill Institute. The official story from the Sect was that Purple Sun Master's Dao Heart shattered and his soul returned to the eternal. But countless people speculate that the Great Elder and Purple Sun Master were at odds, and that they had even come to blows over the True Dragon of the Separation Dragon Pill Institute."

"Junior Brother, you have to understand. 'Purple Sun' is a name representing extreme Yang energy. The Great Elder of the Separation Dragon Pill Institute cultivates the Li Yang True Fire. Both are of the Yang element, and their Daoist lineages are similar. After a thousand years of being unable to advance by seeking power externally, perhaps... he made an exception and sought it internally. Compared to the Great Dao, everything else is insignificant."

'His senior brother's words were subtle, but the meaning was perfectly clear.' Chen Qingyang had only met two of Master Jing Yuan's disciples, and both of them were far from ordinary.

This also served as indirect confirmation for Chen Qingyang that the current Master Lu hadn't lied to him. Besides, he couldn't think of any reason why Master Lu would use the Cyan Nether Sword Embryo to scheme against him.

Talking as they walked, the two had reached the end of the road and now stood before the city gate.