Chapter 181: Emergence |
Returning to his quiet courtyard, the first thing Chen Qing did was calm his mind and spirit, carefully reviewing the gains and losses from this trip to Lin'an Prefecture in his mind.
The harvest was quite abundant.
The Wood Yang Jade was successfully obtained, and through the exchange of blows with Jiang Chuanqiao, he gained a deeper understanding of True Aura.
"Jiang Chuanqiao..."
Chen Qing took out that small black notebook made of special material, ground some ink, lifted his brush, and slowly recorded this name.
He recorded these people's names to constantly remind himself.
He couldn't relax for even a moment!
How many people had fallen due to that very 'carelessness'?
After finishing this, he fully immersed his mind into cultivation.
Chen Qing recalled Li Baichuan's guidance, "To borrow its power, first follow its nature... use yourself as the guide to make the treasure resonate with the corresponding attribute's true qi origin... the treasure acts as a bridge, guiding the two streams of true qi origin to slowly approach each other and mutually fuse..."
He held his breath and focused his spirit, his hands hovering above the two treasures. First, he slowly circulated the Eight Desolations Mountain-Suppressing Formula.
Within his dantian, the Kunti true qi, drawn by the Earth Essence Marrow Pearl, became exceptionally active and docile, naturally separating out a thread of pure earth element true qi that slowly passed through the Laogong acupoint in his palm and entered the Earth Essence Marrow Pearl.
Hum!
The Earth Essence Marrow Pearl trembled slightly, yellow light flowing across its surface, becoming increasingly profound.
That thread of Kunti true qi circulated within it once. Not only was it not consumed, but it absorbed a trace of pure and heavy earth essence power, becoming even more condensed and refined before returning along the original path into Chen Qing's body.
At the same time, Chen Qing's other hand circulated the Qingmu Longevity Formula, following the same pattern, guiding a thread of Qingmu true qi into the Wood Yang Jade.
The warm green jade stone immediately emanated an inner radiance, brimming with vitality. That thread of Qingmu true qi was like a stream flowing into a spring lake. While being nourished and strengthened, it also absorbed a pure yang and warm, endlessly living wood creation aura before returning to the dantian.
After several such cycles, the two streams of true qi seemed to establish some kind of mysterious connection with their corresponding treasures, their frequencies gradually becoming consistent.
Chen Qing knew the time had come.
His thoughts stirred slightly as he carefully brought together the thread of Kunti true qi that had been refined and returned through the Earth Essence Marrow Pearl with the thread of Qingmu true qi that had been nurtured and strengthened through the Wood Yang Jade, slowly drawing them close in the depths of his dantian qi sea.
Initially, the two streams of true qi with vastly different attributes were like mutually repelling magnets, trembling slightly with rejection between them.
Chen Qing didn't force it, merely using his mind to carefully sense the characteristics of the two types of true qi, guiding them like two small swimming fish to slowly circle and test each other within his dantian.
The Earth Essence Marrow Pearl and Wood Yang Jade played a crucial bridging role at this moment.
The gentle force field they emitted enveloped the two threads of true qi, greatly neutralizing that natural sense of repulsion.
The heaviness of Kunti true qi, the gentleness of Qingmu true qi.
After an unknown amount of time, under Chen Qing's precise control, that bit of repulsion seemed to dissolve, and the tips of the two fine threads of true qi finally carefully touched together!
In an instant, a wondrous change occurred!
A flash of green and yellow light flickered briefly. The two threads of true qi didn't explode or mutually annihilate each other, but rather like water drops merging, slowly intertwined and fused, ultimately transforming into a thread of entirely new true qi!
This newly born thread of true qi possessed the attributes of both Qingmu true qi and Kunti true qi simultaneously. Its quality far exceeded either single Qingmu true qi or Kunti true qi. It slowly floated and sank in the dantian qi sea, radiating palpitation-inducing fluctuations.
"Success!"
A surge of joy rose in Chen Qing's heart.
He slowly guided this fused thread of true qi to circulate one small heavenly cycle through his body's meridians. Wherever it passed, his meridians felt incomparably comfortable.
"Just the initial fusion of two streams of true qi already has such power..."
Sensing the aura contained within that thread of true qi, he couldn't help thinking to himself, "If all five elements gather and completely fuse, it would certainly be even more astonishing, right?"
But he quickly suppressed this excitement, deeply understanding that biting off more than one could chew was unwise.
The fusion of five streams of true qi needed to proceed step by step. The remaining treasures could wait to be sought when the time was right.
The current primary task was to use these two great treasures to quickly cultivate both the Qingmu Longevity Formula and Eight Desolations Mountain-Suppressing Formula to the fifth layer perfection, open up the twelfth primary meridian, then thoroughly refine and transform all his true qi into the even more powerful True Aura!
At that time, trying to fuse Qingmu True Aura with Kunti True Aura would surely produce power far exceeding the current fusion of true qi!
His mind sank into his body, silently sensing his own progress.
"According to the current speed of [Heaven Rewards Diligence], opening the twelfth primary meridian will take at most about four months, after which refining and compressing the true qi to transform it into True Aura will require at least another month of gradual work."
Chen Qing estimated silently, "If I devote myself wholeheartedly, perhaps it could be even faster."
The transformation of true qi into True Aura was a qualitative change process, requiring constant compression of vast true qi to cause its essential transformation. It definitely couldn't be accomplished overnight.
Having a plan in mind, Chen Qing began a life of secluded bitter cultivation.
He definitely exhausted the cultivation time at Langya Pavilion provided by the sect each month, and afterward didn't hesitate to spend large sums of silver to renew.
The pure and rich Earth Heart Milk mist within Langya Pavilion could greatly accelerate his cultivation progress.
Outside of cultivation, fishing became his only form of relaxation.
Sitting quietly by the water, holding a fishing rod, emptying his mind, listening to nature in the silence could actually deepen his comprehension of the heart methods by several degrees.
Occasionally he would also appear at Qingmu Courtyard's instruction grounds, casually pointing out a few words to disciples within the courtyard about their cultivation.
With his current realm, often just a few brief words could hit the key points, causing the disciples receiving guidance to have sudden enlightenment and benefit immensely.
This made his prestige among Qingmu Courtyard disciples increasingly high.
As for Yu Bao’er, after several times of Master Li requesting her to leave, she felt the pressure and became exceptionally diligent in her cultivation, restraining much of her previous jumping impetuousness.
Time flowed like water, quietly passing.
In the blink of an eye, two months slipped away in calm and fulfilling cultivation.
Chen Qing's Eight Desolations Mountain-Suppressing Formula cultivated to the fourth layer, while his Qingmu true qi became increasingly vigorous, drawing ever closer to True Aura.
[Heaven Rewards Diligence, Success Guaranteed]
[Qingmu Longevity Formula: Fourth Layer (4511/5000)]
[Eight Desolations Mountain-Suppressing Formula: Fourth Layer (79/5000)]
This day Chen Qing was fishing at Dingbo Lake, his mind calm and still.
A figure walked over from the distance, it was precisely Lihuo Courtyard's chief disciple Li Wang.
He walked to Chen Qing's side and quite familiarly plopped down beside him, "Junior Brother Chen, something's happened."
The fishing rod in Chen Qing's hand trembled slightly, ripples spreading across the water's surface. His wrist followed the motion and withdrew, the fishing line lifting lightly, the hook completely empty.
That cunning treasure fish had sensed the subtle disturbance and change in aura at the shore and had long since taken the opportunity to break free and escape.
Treasure fish were just like this, their spiritual awareness exceptionally keen. At the slightest disturbance they would slip the hook.
Chen Qing wasn't annoyed, setting the fishing rod aside and asking, "What happened?"
Li Wang's brow furrowed tightly, his tone carrying several degrees of gravity as he said in a low voice, "Junior Brother Chen, it's the Liu family."
"The Liu family?" Chen Qing's gaze focused slightly.
"That's right."
Li Wang nodded, "I heard that recently the Liu family, along with several Yunlin Merchant Guild families friendly with them, have been frequently attacked. Many people have died, and moreover... they died extremely miserably, their entire bodies drained of essence and blood. It seems like the methods of the Demon Sect."
"I heard that even two Liu family experts at mid-stage embracing elixir strength and one at late-stage fell. Now the entire Liu family is in a state of panic from top to bottom. Liu family head Liu Mingxuan even personally went to Hanyu Valley to visit Elder Leng Qianqiu. He must have gone to seek aid or discuss countermeasures."
Hearing this, Chen Qing's heart stirred.
The Liu family provoked the Demon Sect?
He couldn't help but think of that scene at Nine Wave Island previously when Zuo Feng had led that Zheng Hui to escape.
'Could it be Zheng Hui?'
Chen Qing had always kept this matter in his heart.
As the saying goes, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse. The Zheng family was after all once a great family of Yunlin Prefecture with deep roots. It couldn't possibly have completely vanished into thin air just like that.
Could it be that this was Zheng Hui colluding with the Demon Sect to launch revenge against the Liu family?
"Forget it, let's not talk about these things."
Li Wang shook his head and said, "I heard that during this time Senior Brother Yan and Xuanjia Gate's Fang Rui, Shi Ziyi, and the others gathered together and jointly completed several missions issued by the Pacification Guard. I heard they accumulated quite a bit of merit points and gained substantial harvests, exchanging for some good things. According to rumors, before long, disciples at my level will also be able to officially receive those military merit tokens."
He looked at Chen Qing, "How about it, Junior Brother Chen? When the time comes, we can also try teaming up? Looking out for each other, the efficiency would definitely be much higher."
This was his main purpose for coming to find Chen Qing this time.
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Chen Qing raised his eyebrows slightly, "This Pacification Guard token is starting to be distributed on a large scale?"
He recalled that at the previous Prefecture Lord's banquet, only those dozen or so people from the "Five Heroes and Seven Talents" had possessed them.
"Mm, that's what I heard."
Li Wang nodded, "Not just me, disciples from various sects who are among the stronger late-stage embracing elixir realm practitioners are said to be receiving tokens successively."
This wasn't difficult to understand. The Pacification Guard throwing out the "military merit" system's primary purpose was to cast a wide net, recruit manpower, and expand their influence.
Initial trials among a small range of top talents seemed to have good results. Now expanding the distribution range was entirely normal.
For sect disciples, it meant an additional stable channel for obtaining rare resources. For the Pacification Guard, it meant being able to mobilize more manpower to work for them at minimum cost and expand their influence. It could be said to be mutually beneficial.
"Never mind."
Chen Qing pondered briefly but still shook his head, "During this period I plan to seclude myself in cultivation for a while to attack a breakthrough. I have no mind for external affairs for now."
Yan Yaoyang and the others accumulating military merit, their primary goal was most likely that priceless Condensing True Aura Pill, but this item wasn't necessary for him. Possessing the [Heaven Rewards Diligence, Success Guaranteed] fate pattern, breaking through to True Aura was merely a matter of course.
"Alright."
Seeing this, though somewhat regretful, Li Wang nodded understandingly, "I also heard that Hanyu Valley's Xiao Bieli, Qixia Manor's Feng Shuhao, and others all seem to be preparing to break through to True Aura as well."
Speaking of this, his tone inevitably carried several degrees of wistfulness and envy.
Opening the twelve primary meridians to reach embracing elixir realm perfection was the qualification to knock on the door of True Aura. He had currently only opened nine primary meridians, still some distance from that step.
"Feng Shuhao is also preparing to break through to True Aura?"
Hearing this, Chen Qing couldn't help asking.
In his impression, when they last met at the Prefecture Lord's banquet, Feng Shuhao's aura hadn't been as deep as Xiao Bieli's. He seemed to have only recently reached embracing elixir perfection.
Already starting to prepare for a breakthrough?
This speed was somewhat astonishing.
Li Wang said with certainty, "That's right. I heard that during this time, Feng Shuhao's cultivation progress has been extremely rapid, truly an unexpected surge. Within Qixia Manor his momentum is quite strong. Resources have probably been tilted toward him quite a bit as well."
Then he said in a low voice, "There's also Senior Sister Nie Shanshan. It seems no one has seen her for a month. I heard from Guishui Courtyard disciples that even they rarely see Senior Sister Nie appear. They guess she's very likely also in seclusion, attempting to break through to True Aura."
Chen Qing nodded slightly. Nie Shanshan had opened her twelve primary meridians for some time already. Attempting to break through to True Aura at this moment was also normal.
Now all the young elites of various sects in Yunlin Prefecture were forging ahead courageously without the slightest slacking. Resources within the sects would presumably be tilted somewhat when the time came.
…
Deep within Qianchuan Marsh, inside a hidden island cave.
Water dripped with tapping sounds. The damp rock walls were covered with dark-colored moss. Only a few dim yellow oil lamps swayed, casting twisted and wavering shadows.
Several figures stood silently, making the already oppressive cave even more suffocating.
If Chen Qing were here, he would definitely recognize one of them, precisely the Demon Sect expert who had protected Zheng Hui and killed his way out at Nine Wave Island that day, Zuo Feng.
At this moment his expression was somber, scanning the people within the cave.
Those present were without exception figures who could be named within the Demon Sect's Yunlin branch altar. Every one had hands stained with blood and numerous crimes.
There wasn't much communication between them, only occasional eye contact carrying scrutiny and barely perceptible wariness.
Originally there had still been low discussion sounds in the cave, exchanging information about recent movements and the situation in Yunlin Prefecture.
Suddenly, all voices stopped abruptly.
At the cave entrance, a figure wearing an oversized black robe walked in soundlessly.
His steps seemed unhurried, yet in an instant he had already reached the center of the cave. The face concealed beneath that wide hood was hidden in shadow. A heart-palpitating oppressive feeling spread out like a tide, pressing down until everyone present caught their breath and unconsciously straightened their backs.
The entire cave became so quiet a pin drop could be heard, leaving only the crackling of burning oil lamps and the clear sound of water drops falling.
The newcomer was precisely the Demon Sect branch altar master who had made all of Yunlin Prefecture terrified for the past dozen years, yet whose true face few knew, Heart Devourer!
He stood still, seemingly scanning the people present once. Though his gaze couldn't be seen, everyone felt a cold stare sweep across them, like a venomous snake's forked tongue licking their skin, making one's hair stand on end.
"Everyone's here."
A low voice came from beneath the hood, flat and without ripples.
No one responded, but everyone lowered their heads slightly to show reverence.
"In the past two years, those fellows in Yunlin Prefecture have been causing more and more commotion."
Heart Devourer slowly spoke, his voice echoing in the cave, "Nine Wave Island is gone, the Zheng family has fallen, so they think the Demon Sect has no one left? They can rest easy?"
"Little do they know, lying dormant is only to bite through the prey's throat more viciously."
As his words fell, he lightly flicked his sleeve.
An invisible force swept past. Before each person present, a small black pill bottle appeared out of thin air.
"These are the 'Clear Heart Pills' newly bestowed by the main altar."
Heart Devourer's voice sounded again, "They can calm the mind and spirit, suppress distracting thoughts. Whether in cultivation or battle, they have some small benefit."
Everyone's eyes moved slightly. They all silently reached out, putting the pill bottles before them into their bosoms. Not one person asked more questions, and not one person hesitated.
Pills bestowed by the main altar should simply be accepted. The deep meaning within, unless necessary, need not be explored.
After everyone put away the pills, Heart Devourer spoke again, "Summon your most capable subordinates. However many you can mobilize, mobilize them all."
Hearing this, everyone's hearts trembled!
Summon capable subordinates?
Making such great preparations was definitely not a small skirmish!
A bloodthirsty excitement quietly spread through the cave.
For them who cultivated demonic arts, slaughter was originally the fastest shortcut to increasing strength!
With each additional expert's life, their cultivation could advance by several degrees!
It was just that in the past this "Heart Devourer" altar master had been quite conservative in his actions, strictly ordering them to hide and lie low. Suffering under the joint suppression of the four major sects, everyone had long been stifled.
Now there was finally going to be some action!
"Yes! We respectfully obey the altar master's command!"
Including Zuo Feng, everyone clasped their fists and bowed in acknowledgment together.
Heart Devourer's gaze hidden beneath the hood seemed to slowly sweep across everyone once again.
He was silent for a moment, then said, "Hu Mei!"
In the crowd, the alluringly figured Hu Mei immediately bowed, "This subordinate is here."
"Did you intercept and kill several inner disciples of Earth Origin Sect some days ago?"
Heart Devourer's tone was as flat as if making casual conversation, but the content made the woman called Blood Rakshasa's face instantly turn deathly pale.
"Altar Master, please discern clearly. This subordinate merely happened to encounter them..."
Blood Rakshasa's voice carried a trace of trembling.
"Happened to?"
Heart Devourer chuckled once, but this laughter was colder than midwinter, "I don't care whether you happened to or did it intentionally. Clean up the evidence, sweep away the traces. Recently you're not permitted to provoke Lin'an Prefecture's Earth Origin Sect again, especially don't touch those old fellows' disciples. If your reckless actions ruin my great matter..."
He didn't finish his words, but that coldness already made Blood Rakshasa feel like falling into an icy abyss.
"Yes! Yes! This subordinate obeys! Absolutely won't dare offend again!"
Blood Rakshasa hastily responded.
Heart Devourer's hood moved slightly, seeming to look toward another person, "Your 'Ten Thousand Insect Pit' has been quite 'lively' recently, I hear? I heard your newly refined poison person took three of your own capable disciples to barely control?"
In the corner, a withered old man hurriedly said, "Troubling the altar master with concern. It's... it's already fine now."
"Fine is good."
Heart Devourer's voice revealed no joy or anger, "But I hope next time what I hear isn't that your poison person backlashed and turned you yourself into nourishment."
The Poison Elder lowered his head, not daring to say another word.
Heart Devourer slowly scanned the entire scene again, "The things you've been doing recently, the arts you've been practicing, your little private actions, this seat knows them all clearly."
He paused slightly, letting that coldness seep into everyone's marrow.
"In the past this seat could ignore it, but in the next three days and the subsequent action, whoever disobeys openly while acting otherwise, whoever acts on their own authority, whoever leaks even half a word... don't blame this seat for personally helping them 'clear their heart and purify their thoughts' according to Demon Sect law."
"I hope you all conduct yourselves well."
Everyone felt a chill in their hearts, all lowering their heads and saying they wouldn't dare.
Only one person standing in a slightly back position also bowed together with the crowd. In the depths of those lowered eyes flickered a trace of gravity.