Chapter 141 |
Xituo Commandery.
Zhenxi Pass.
A massive tide of refugees stretched into the distance, forming a line so long that its end could not be seen.
The monk-soldiers guarding the pass gazed upon this scene with hands pressed together, smiles blooming across their faces. “The Dao prospers… the Dao prospers indeed.”
From afar, a caravan slowly approached and merged into the crowd.
“So many people.”
Fang Yixin stood tall and spirited. Around him faintly lingered the imagery of a clear spring and gentle breeze. Looking upon the scene, he could not help but sigh with emotion.
Hu Quanan truly was a benevolent elder. He had personally refined three portions of “Earth Spring Tempered True Qi” for the Fang Family, originally asking for nothing in return.
Only after repeated insistence from Fang Jingchun and Fang Yixin did he reluctantly accept a single portion.
Seeing his grandson finally enter the Dao, Fang Jingchun deliberated for several days before copying out the Qi Ingestion ninth-layer portion of their family’s Observation of the Black Mausoleum Book and gifting it to the Hu Family. He even revealed hints that their family might have an immortal ancestor.
The two families had now laid everything bare, preparing to cooperate sincerely and establish themselves in Xituo Commandery.
“Young Master.”
At that moment, a rider hurried over to report. “There are White Bone Dao monk-soldiers guarding the checkpoint ahead. Mortals may pass freely, but cultivators must pay a tax.”
“What?”
Fang Yixin frowned immediately. The joy of becoming a cultivator vanished at once, replaced by regret. ‘If I had known, I would have waited until after passing the checkpoint before entering Qi Ingestion. That way we would have saved one share.’
Hu Quanan stood nearby, smiling. “These monks always enjoy collecting offerings. We are under their roof, so we must comply. How much do they demand?”
The rider replied, “The notice says one Qi Ingestion spiritual item per cultivator.”
Fang Yixin hesitated and looked toward Hu Quanan. “My family has nothing else. Would one portion of ‘Earth Spring Tempered True Qi’ count as a Qi Ingestion spiritual item?”
“It certainly would, but that would be far too wasteful. That is fifth-rank true qi. It carries the potential for Dao Foundation in the future!”
Hu Quanan shook his head repeatedly. “We cannot squander it like this. I still have two spirit herbs on hand. We will use those together.”
“How could we accept that?”
Fang Yixin tried to refuse, but Hu Quanan insisted. A trace of warmth rose in his heart. ‘We truly misjudged him before…’
Seeing the rider hesitate, Fang Yixin asked, “Is there something else?”
The rider gritted his teeth. “The notice also says that if one lacks Qi Ingestion spiritual items, people may be used instead. One hundred strong men or fifty young women can substitute for a single item…”
Fang Yixin felt as if his breath caught in his throat. For the first time, he truly sensed the cruelty of the cultivation world.
“Sigh, the Esoteric monks favor such practices. But no matter what, it is still safer than being slaughtered by demon troops.”
Hu Quanan let out a long sigh. “Let us go.”
When the Azure Bird Tribe’s demon soldiers occupied a region, it was never for governance, but for rituals meant to bring chaos upon the world.
Each conquest was followed by massacres. It was not merely that the people suffered. There would simply be no people left.
Across all of Ancient Shu, only Xituo Commandery under the White Bone Dao offered a measure of stability.
Fang Yixin took a deep breath and followed Hu Quanan to the front of Zhenxi Pass.
As cultivators, they at least had one advantage. Their caravan did not need to queue alongside the mortals.
“Qi Ingestion cultivators, two!”
A monk at the Qi Ingestion level held a small golden mirror and swept his gaze across the caravan before nodding.
Fang Yixin glanced at it. The mirror was palm-sized, decorated with gold that appeared somewhat impure, and its design was rather ancient.
‘A magical artifact?’
‘These Esoteric monks truly are wealthy…’
Hu Quanan quickly stepped forward with a broad smile and presented two spirit herbs. “Rest assured, Master. We understand the rules.”
“Mm.”
The monk accepted the offering, along with a discreet extra benefit slipped in by Hu Quanan. Only then did he smile. “I see that you possess some spiritual affinity. We should grow closer in the future.”
With a wave of his hand, he declared, “Let them pass.”
Yet his gaze swept across the women of the caravan with a lewd glint. Fang Yixin felt anger rise in his chest, but Hu Quanan firmly grasped his hand.
Only after they had traveled far beyond the pass did Hu Quanan speak in a low voice. “I felt a chill to my bones just now. It seems the rumors are true. There is a Bright Son overseeing Zhenxi Pass. We must endure for now.”
Fang Yixin clenched his fists. He had not expected that even after stepping onto the path of cultivation, there would still be so many indignities to bear.
After entering Xituo Commandery, the number of refugees noticeably decreased.
The caravan traveled for another half day before setting up camp as usual.
Hu Quanan called Fang Yixin over to discuss their future plans.
After seating themselves and having tea served, they began analyzing the situation in Xituo Commandery.
“In this region, the White Bone Dao stands above all other forces. It originates from the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Domain and possesses many strange and unfathomable methods. Both the demon race and Ancient Shu fear it to some extent. Since it occupies only a border region, neither side interferes with it, which is why things remain relatively stable here.”
Hu Quanan took a sip of tea, cleared his throat, and said, “That White Bone Dao Master is said to be a great figure at the peak of Dao Foundation, currently in seclusion as he attempts to break through to the Purple Mansion realm. Under him are the Five Bright Ones, each one a Dao Foundation great cultivator. As for worldly affairs, they are handled by Master Miaoshan. The one stationed at Zhenxi Pass should be Master Miaofeng.”
“Beneath the White Bone Dao, there are also the Zui Fire Zeng Family, the Yuans of Lishan, and the Xuan Family of Great Lake. All are renowned Dao Foundation clans that dominate their respective regions. For our two families to settle down peacefully here will not be easy.”
Fang Yixin had gradually come to understand the workings of the cultivation world. He knew that while it was easy for mortals to settle somewhere, for cultivators it was an entirely different matter. To cultivate in peace, one either had to attach themselves to a powerful family as a guest elder and receive stipends, or possess a piece of spiritual land to grow spirit rice and sustain their practice.
Moreover, such a large family as theirs also needed to be properly settled.
He looked toward Hu Quanan. “Since Senior chose this place earlier, you must already have a plan in mind?”
Hu Quanan sighed. “Cultivation is fraught with hardship. How could anything truly be certain?”
He paused, then continued, “It is only that during my early years of cultivation, I befriended a cultivator from the Zeng Family. I am thinking of relying on that connection to rent a piece of spiritual land and establish a foothold first.”
“Oh?”
Fang Yixin’s eyes lit up at once. “As expected of Senior. You truly have influence.”
“I can only rely on this old face of mine…”
Hu Quanan gave a bitter smile, touching the wrinkles on his face. “But joining them now means the rent will be heavy. We may even have to serve the Zeng Family and participate in a few battles.”
At these words, Fang Yixin’s expression immediately turned uncertain.
…
Within the Wusheng Temple.
Fang Qing first went to the underground vault and retrieved several Ji Water treasures before seeking out Sangji.
“Venerable One, you wish to refine a [Ji Water] Dao Foundation spiritual artifact? One that can contain a water vein?”
Sangji thought for a moment. “In our Esoteric Domain, while there are not many master artifact refiners, there are still a few. Those most skilled in crafting water-aspect ritual implements would be the Black Spring Temple. That temple lies beneath the Temple of the Origin of All Dharmas. I can write a letter and have it delivered. They would not dare refuse.”
“Good, very good…”
Fang Qing deeply felt the advantages of belonging to a great power. Pills and artifacts required no personal effort.
He was truly reluctant to leave the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Domain and asked, “How long can you hold out?”
“The situation in Ancient Shu changes by the day, and the pressure from the temple grows ever more urgent. Fortunately, the Dharma Kings have not yet shown any intention of crossing east.”
Sangji pressed his palms together, seemingly unconcerned. “I have already sent word, claiming I wish to observe the great demon of the Azure Bird Tribe breaking through to Golden Core. The temple has approved it.”
“Observing a breakthrough? That is quite a convenient excuse…”
Fang Qing nodded in understanding. This White Bone Dao Master was indeed quite proactive, and the excuse was a good one.
“Wait, In the eyes of others, you are destined to become a Dharma King. If you go out like this, are you not afraid of being casually erased by a Purple Mansion cultivator, or caught in internal strife between temples?”
He suddenly thought of another issue.
“It does not matter. We Esoteric Gurus are difficult to kill. Even if calamity strikes, it is only a matter of reincarnating and enduring a few more decades of hardship. On the contrary, it can buy more time for the Venerable One.”
A martyr-like radiance shone in Sangji’s eyes.
‘You may not mind dying since you can reincarnate, but if your true spirit returns to the Great Snow Mountain, it might expose me.’
Fang Qing muttered inwardly, then voiced his concern.
“If it were other Dao, there might indeed be a risk of discovery. But the Venerable is the reincarnation of the Great Sun Tathagata. With the protection of the Great Sun’s Tranquil Aspects guarding my spiritual platform, the chances are roughly even.”
Sangji thought for a moment, then smiled. “Moreover, given the current situation, no one should pay much attention to me. Death and reincarnation is merely the worst-case scenario.”
“If that is the case, then it is worth going. It can buy us a few more years.”
In a good mood, Fang Qing arrived at the archives chamber and began reviewing recent intelligence from Xituo Commandery.
Thanks to the demon race driving chaos into the region, the population of Xituo Commandery had surged. Several Dao Foundation forces had appeared almost overnight.
Miaofeng had collected taxes until his coffers overflowed. Especially those Dao Foundation families, none dared neglect tribute to the chief Bright Son. They had all paid dearly, and everything was delivered to Fang Qing’s cave residence by Miaoshui.
After tallying things up, Fang Qing realized that Xu Hei had risked his life trading, yet his earnings still could not compare to the gifts Fang Qing casually received. He felt rather speechless.
‘Mm… found it.’
He casually set aside several dossiers of Dao Foundation forces. Each bore annotations from Miaoshan Bright Son. Information that subordinates could never hope to access was nothing more than casual reading material to him.
He picked up the scroll of the Zeng Family and skimmed a single line:
“…has taken in many tenant farmers, including the Hu, Lu, Fang, and Le families, all of whom practice Qi Ingestion…”
The butter lamp flickered unsteadily.
Fang Qing knew that the Hu and Fang families had fought bloody battles with other cultivators just to secure the position of tenant farmers. Yet all that blood and suffering had been reduced to a single line in this record.
“Forget it. At least they have settled down. Next, they can focus on farming for a few years.”
He understood all too well how difficult life was for loose cultivators and even clan cultivators.
Now they had become tenant farmers. Soon they would desire their own spiritual fields. Once they had their own fields, they would dream of becoming a Dao Foundation clan.
Desire could never truly be satisfied.
“Still, I must observe carefully in secret. Why do I have this faint sense of impending misfortune…”
Fang Qing held the scroll in his hand, his gaze deep and distant.