Chapter 154

Spring passed into autumn, and the seasons turned in endless cycles.

Taibai Island remained blanketed in snow year-round. Before Fang Qing’s secluded cave dwelling, a thick layer of dust had quietly accumulated.

Without anyone noticing, ten full years had passed.

Ancient Shu, Xituo Commandery.

Fang Yixin now appeared as a middle-aged man, sporting a pair of neatly trimmed mustaches. His cultivation had reached the fifth layer of Qi Ingestion. As he looked over his family’s spirit fields, he let out a long breath.

“This year, things have finally been a bit more peaceful. The harvest should be quite good.”

Beside him, Hu Quanan’s hair and beard had both turned white, his age showing clearly. He lowered his voice.

“Sigh… back then, when the Zeng Family’s old ancestor returned, things were stable for a few years. But later, rumors spread that the Ancestor Qingye had already passed away, and the news was deliberately concealed. Soon after, a rogue Dao Foundation cultivator, ‘Black Crow Hermit,’ attacked a Zeng Family caravan. That was clearly a test.”

In recent years, the Zeng Family had repeatedly clashed with several neighboring Dao Foundation factions. Although no Dao Foundation great cultivators had personally fought, the Qi Ingestion cultivators beneath them had engaged in several fierce battles. It could be said that there was not a single year without conflict.

“Sigh… this is also my fault. Back then, I only saw that the Zeng Family was powerful and owed us favors, enough to provide protection. I never expected that they cultivated the [Zui Fire] lineage. This [Zui Fire] governs instability and dispersal, which means the main family is embroiled in conflict year after year, bringing turmoil to all under them.”

Hu Quanan sighed repeatedly.

“Master, Father…”

At that moment, a young man in the field ridge looked up, his face lighting with joy.

“Mingxue has brought food.”

He had simple and honest features, dressed in coarse yellow cloth. Yet his cultivation had already reached the sixth layer of Qi Ingestion, even surpassing his father, Fang Yixin.

This was Fang Wuchen.

A year ago, he had married Yue Mingxue of the Yue Family. Since childhood, he had cultivated the Earth Treasure Returning Origin Art, progressing at an astonishing pace.

In comparison, Fang Wujiu beside him appeared somewhat frail, with average aptitude. Following Fang Yixin in cultivating the family’s inherited Observation of Black Mausoleum Book, he had only just reached the third layer of Qi Ingestion.

“Father-in-law…”

Yue Mingxue was bright and graceful, carrying a bamboo basket filled with steamed spirit rice and several simple dishes.

“Haha, let’s eat together.”

Fang Yixin was quite satisfied with this daughter-in-law. Although the Yue Family had gone through internal strife that ended with the matriarch dying in anger and the family splitting apart, leaving Yue Mingxue with little support, she managed household affairs with great competence and possessed decent cultivation talent.

In a few years, she would surely bear children for the Fang Family, adding new bloodlines with potential for cultivation.

Squatting by the field ridge, Fang Yixin held a large blue-and-white porcelain bowl and casually ate a few mouthfuls of rice. When he saw Fang Wuchen and Yue Mingxue walking off to whisper together, a faint smile appeared on his lips.

Then he glanced at Fang Wujiu, silently considering arrangements for his younger son’s marriage.

In these times, it was common for boys to marry at twelve or thirteen. Fang Wujiu was already of age.

While he was deep in thought, Hu Quanan approached, a trace of concern on his face.

“Yixin, don’t you think Wuchen’s talent is a bit too outstanding?”

“Yes, I did not expect this child to cultivate earth virtue so quickly. Our family’s spiritual resources are limited. We cannot even afford spirit rice for every meal, yet his cultivation has already surpassed mine.”

Fang Yixin smiled.

“I originally thought it would take several generations for our family to produce a Dao Foundation seed. Who would have thought this generation might achieve it already?”

“But there are two concerns…”

Hu Quanan, who had long since come to genuinely care for his disciple after years of close interaction, spoke seriously.

“First, the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be struck by the wind. In the early and middle stages of Qi Ingestion, it is manageable… but if he reaches the late stage and still progresses this quickly, it will attract fear and suspicion.”

“I suggest we purchase a qi-concealing technique from the marketplace. You should also have Wuchen restrain himself a little.”

Fang Yixin’s expression turned serious, a chill running down his back.

“Uncle Hu is right. I nearly delayed a major matter and harmed the child.”

“And the second concern,” Hu Quanan continued, “is the cultivation method. Setting aside the Dao Foundation Pill needed for breakthrough, the inheritance I obtained is incomplete. The Earth Treasure Returning Origin Art has no Dao Foundation portion.”

“Fortunately, the early sections and qi-gathering methods are intact, and we used a fourth-rank True Qi to enter the path. Otherwise, it might have ruined his future entirely.”

“That is indeed a serious problem.”

Fang Yixin grew troubled. He glanced at his younger son and sighed inwardly.

‘Our family technique does contain Dao Foundation content… Back then, if Wuchen had cultivated the Observation of Black Mausoleum, would things be different? With his talent, even if his progress in earth virtue were slower, it likely would not lag by much, It might even have helped conceal his cultivation speed.’

‘Our family carries the fate of [Ji Water]. Even if Wuchen is more suited to earth virtue, his aptitude in this path should not be poor. But it is too late now. Once true qi enters the body, the Dao path is set forever.’

If he spoke of regret now, it would only drive a wedge between his two sons.

Suppressing these thoughts, Fang Yixin looked at Hu Quanan.

“Uncle Hu, do you have any solution?”

“My Dao lineage is incomplete. I only need to find an opportunity to mend it and continue along the path.”

Hu Quanan spoke slowly. “It is just that… Dao Foundation cultivation methods are expensive. I am afraid it will require a large amount of spiritual resources.”

Fang Yixin could not help but sigh. “Our family is already struggling to support everyone’s cultivation. Income cannot keep up with expenses.”

The two exchanged a glance. Then, as if by silent agreement, they both looked toward Yue Mingxue.

Ever since the Yue Family split apart, Old Tian had withdrawn from the clan. Relying on the connections and experience he had accumulated over the years, he finally became a tenant farmer under the Zeng Family and formally settled in Zeng Family Town.

As for the Yue Family’s strongest cultivator, the old matriarch, she had been advanced in age to begin with. After exhausting herself for the sake of the family, she eventually died from anger after coughing blood. The Yue Family’s branches split, and their overall strength declined sharply.

The balance of power had completely shifted.

‘That Azure Mulberry Date Tree is said to be a Qi Ingestion spiritual plant. Every few years, it produces Qi Ingestion spiritual materials. Its value is extraordinary. It should be enough to exchange for a Dao Foundation cultivation method.’

‘Still, this matter must be planned carefully. Fortunately, Wuchen has only just broken through to the sixth layer of Qi Ingestion. There is no need to rush.’

Just as Fang Yixin was calculating, nine urgent bell tolls suddenly rang out beside his ear.

He and Hu Quanan looked at each other, both somewhat numb. “Another war… I wonder which faction this time. The Kitchen God Sect? Or the Tie Family? Or perhaps Wusheng Temple?”

Underground Palace

Within the subterranean palace, the Tiger Demon Wisdom King presided over the altar city. Everything looked exactly the same as it had ten years ago.

Miaofeng Bright Son silently observed it all. Deep within his eyes lingered a trace of fear and unease as he cast a spell to measure the land.

Outside the underground palace, a thin layer of black earth had somehow accumulated. It was faint, but unmistakable.

“No major changes…”

“To attain the Dharma King stage, there must be signs and manifestations. [Nu Earth] represents accumulated soil, gathering slowly. Master must be struggling now.”

These Bright Son and Wisdom Consort were all knowledgeable and well-versed in Buddhist scriptures. They understood the signs accompanying a Dharma King’s breakthrough.

After making their calculations, none of them felt confident.

As the days passed, their anxiety only deepened.

At this moment, Miaofeng did not dare speak a single unnecessary word, fearing that a Purple Mansion expert might overhear him.

He even felt a trace of regret in his heart.

‘Why did I target and suppress that Fang Shui Bright Son back then? If he had not left, he would be the one bearing this burden today.’

As he exited the underground palace, he saw Miaoshui Wisdom Consort approaching, handing him a silver letter.

“Another request for aid from the Azure Bird Tribe?”

Miaofeng frowned. “How many has it been now?”

Ever since ten years ago, when the Azure Bird Tribe’s great demon Su Wu failed to break through to Golden Core and transformed into a corrupted evil entity, Cloud Grazing Cliff had dispatched several Purple Mansion cultivators. They took command of the Ancient Shu sects and launched a massive counteroffensive.

By now, not only had they reclaimed all lost territory, they had even pushed northward at one point.

The Azure Bird Tribe’s little princess, Qingha, had sent one plea for aid after another. Her tone had gradually shifted from arrogance to politeness, and now even carried a hint of desperation.

“If Fang Qing were here, he would probably say she had been thoroughly beaten down by reality.”

“This is the sixth letter, It seems the Azure Bird Tribe has truly suffered severe losses.”

Miaoshui Wisdom Consort sighed. “I heard that a few months ago, a natural disaster struck a northern commandery. Snow covered the land to a depth of several meters. That evil entity must have finally been eliminated. It ravaged the north and devoured countless Purple Mansion great demons. All that resentment will fall upon the Azure Bird Tribe.”

“Even the peak Purple Mansion demon kings had no choice but to join forces to eliminate it. They will certainly not help the Azure Bird Tribe any further.”

Among the demon race, there was no such thing as warmth or compassion. The gap between wolf demons and rabbit demons was far greater than that between human tribes. They were natural enemies.

Unless commanded by the Demon Saint of Descending Phoenix Mountain, the Eight Tribes of the demon race would never unite. More often than not, they would strike at one another instead.

“Hmph. They are struggling, but are we not struggling as well?”

“Besides, how could we dare provoke Ancient Shu now? It is enough if those great figures do not turn their attention toward us.”

Miaofeng and Miaoshui exchanged a glance, both seeing the helplessness in each other’s eyes.

As Bright Son and Wisdom Consort, especially those who did not cultivate independently, their futures were tied entirely to Sangji.

If he failed to attain the Dharma King stage, his body and soul would be destroyed completely. There would be no reincarnation.

If Sangji died, they would all lose their positions and fall back to becoming Qi Ingestion monks.

Worse still, if he died with resentment and extinguished their true spirits in a single thought, they would all be buried with him.

Outsiders believed that the White Bone Dao was on the rise, possessing six Purple Mansion-level combatants.

But in truth…

Miaofeng casually waved his hand, turning the silver letter into a pool of molten silver. Just then, Miaoshan hurried over.

“The families under Xituo Commandery have started fighting again. Recently, a faction called the Kitchen God Sect has been secretly spreading its faith and gathering followers.”

“How dare they!”

Miaofeng flew into a rage. “They are digging at the very foundation of our path! Are the Dao Foundation families under the Zeng Family useless? Kill them all! I will use their skulls to make bowls!”

At that moment, Qingjing Wisdom Consort also arrived, her expression grim.

“Our temple has received a visiting card. A fire-attribute Dao Foundation cultivator has arrived. It is said he comes from a Purple Mansion lineage and has an affinity with our ‘Withered Bone Emerald Flame.’”

Miaofeng’s words abruptly stopped. Cold sweat covered his forehead.

‘A probe… Master has only just begun to show signs of decline, and already the Purple Mansion forces are testing us?’

‘But in the end, we are monks of the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Domain.’

‘That is right. The Esoteric Domain already has an agreement with Ancient Shu. If Master fails to attain the Dharma King stage, we will all become expendable pawns.’