Chapter 157

Fang Qing had withdrawn into the Minor Huan Sea, remaining detached from the turmoil. Having also experienced the events of the Yanbo Blessed Land, it took him a full ten years to gradually discern some of the hidden patterns behind the [Stomach Earth] scheme. Yet at its core, everything still traced back to Sangji.

If Sangji had successfully ascended to the Dharma King stage, the entire situation would have been completely different.

After the eastward crossing, however, the entire White Bone Dao had become nothing more than chess pieces. Either they achieve great success, or they met utter defeat. The Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Domain and Ancient Shu had reached a tacit agreement, and neither side would interfere excessively.

Purple Mansion cultivators wielded divine abilities and rarely acted personally. Most of the time, they used Dao Foundation subordinates as pieces to lay out their schemes.

At such times, the value of having a capable Dao Foundation subordinate became painfully clear.

“Unfortunately… I have none.”

While ensuring his own safety, Fang Qing still wished to preserve the Fang Family if possible.

As he reviewed the pieces in his hands, he immediately ruled out his three Foundation Establishment cultivators. There was no way he could send them into Ancient Shu.

The great secret of traveling between the two worlds could only be monopolized by himself. Even if he held their true spirits, he would never allow them to pass through.

Fang Qing sighed softly. “When it comes time to use people, one always finds them lacking.”

He cultivated the Great Sun Empowerment Secret Art. Under him were the five Bright One positions, and as for the number of disciples he could take, there was no limit.

These disciples had their true spirits seized by him. Their lives were in his grasp, and through the Dao-Genesis Pearl he could monitor them at all times. They were extremely convenient tools.

Thus, he had taken in a few informants and placed them within Xu Hei’s merchant association, scattering them across Ancient Shu to gather intelligence. Beyond that, they served little purpose.

“Because of the Dao-Genesis Pearl, my control over disciples surpasses that of the Esoteric Domain’s Gurus. I can even temporarily possess them to act.”

“There are still vacant Bright One positions…”

“At this point, it is impossible for me to travel to Xituo and recruit another Dao Foundation Bright One. I can only promote one on the spot.”

Given the current chaotic situation in Xituo Commandery, Fang Qing would have to be a fool to go there himself.

He had long since decided to remain on Taibai Island and cultivate in seclusion for several decades, advancing straight to peak Foundation Establishment, or even Core Formation, before making any moves.

“Among this bunch of crooked melons and split dates, the best of the worst… is still Xu Hei. Though he is ugly and old, he handles matters diligently. Fine, I will grant him a Bright Son position. In any case, he might die at any moment.”

“In the end, I still lack capable people. Even the five Bright One under Sangji were hardly impressive, which is why there is no one usable now.”

“If he had selected carefully and cultivated even one Bright One to late Dao Foundation, then with the protection of Wusheng Temple’s guardians and formations, he would not have been humiliated by that Dao Foundation cultivator from the Nine Heavens Fire Palace who stole the spiritual fire so easily.”

Xu Hei was currently in Xituo Commandery, cultivating in seclusion within his private chamber.

Suddenly, he felt a profound descent from the void.

Sunlight filled the room, so radiant it could make even stubborn stone nod in agreement.

“Eh… this old man has succeeded.”

He let out a loud laugh. His body suddenly stretched taller, transforming into a robust man seven feet in height. His muscles coiled like dragons, brimming with masculine vitality.

Upon obtaining the Bright Son position, he had instantly broken through that great bottleneck and stepped into the Dao Foundation realm.

“Unfortunately… there is no profound Dao Foundation insight, and it even conflicts somewhat with my original mana. My combat strength is nothing but a disgrace among Dao Foundation cultivators.”

Fang Qing’s will descended, inspecting the body. He shook his head inwardly.

At this moment, he also understood why Bright One in the Esoteric Domain were best cultivated using the same technique as their Guru.

“If Xu Hei had cultivated the same Great Sun Empowerment Secret Art, then after receiving my empowerment, the effect would be similar to consuming a Dao Foundation Pill refined from the same Dao Foundation. He could then attempt self-cultivation, condense the [Radiant Spiritual Brilliance] Dao Foundation, and shed this disgraceful level of combat strength, reaching a level slightly stronger than ordinary early Dao Foundation cultivators.”

“If he worked hard enough to reach mid-stage Dao Foundation, and I reached late Dao Foundation, then with the Bright Son enhancement, I might even raise him to late Dao Foundation combat strength. That would make him a truly capable subordinate.”

Unfortunately, when a shortcut was available, who would willingly cultivate step by step?

And if someone truly possessed such talent, why become a Bright Son at all? Becoming a direct secret disciple would be far better.

“Forget it. A disgrace among Dao Foundation is still Dao Foundation.”

“However, using Xu Hei directly still carries some risk. I should set up another layer of protection, Let Xu Hei convert a few more chess pieces.”

While in a state of possession, Fang Qing could still perform the Empowerment Precepts and convert disciples.

These disciples would still have their lives controlled by him, not Xu Hei. Their allegiance remained his, and they could likewise be monitored through the Dao-Genesis Pearl.

“Fang Family…”

Fang Qing gazed toward Zeng Family Town in the distance and let out a faint sigh.

“Fang Wuchen is most likely beyond saving. Fortunately, there is still Fang Wujiu. As for Fang Yixin, it will depend on his fate.”

“If I am to find suitable chess pieces, those cultivating [Stomach Earth] are the best choice. I should take a look at the Kitchen God Sect. As for [Lou Metal], I can also prepare one. After all, that trace of [Stomach Earth] divinity once fell into the hands of a [Lou Metal] Great Spiritual Master. Metal and Earth give rise to one another.”

“…Wait. Why did I think of the Kitchen God Sect? That place is likely where San Ji placed his pieces. Going there would probably cost me one of mine. Better to go to Wusheng Temple instead. I am familiar with it, and I can come and go through its formations unnoticed.”

The orthodox lineage of Wusheng Temple in the White Bone Dao primarily cultivated [Nu Earth]. However, the Esoteric followers were fond of recruiting monks and protectors alike, caring little for strict distinctions.

With some effort, it would not be difficult to find a few Qi Ingestion monks cultivating [Stomach Earth] or [Lou Metal].

“Better yet, after converting them, even if others discover them, they will assume they belong to the Esoteric Domain. That provides an extra layer of cover.”

Wusheng Temple.

Ever since the disturbance caused by Chu Zhaohuang, several Bright Son and Wisdom Consort above had been deeply displeased. They frequently berated and punished the lower monks, leaving everyone in a state of fear and unease.

“Sigh… Back then, I sought refuge here because the Esoteric Domain was powerful and offered shelter. But now, it feels like a grand building on the verge of collapse. Should I… run while I still can?”

A monk in his thirties, with a close-cropped haircut and dressed in plain robes, sighed with a troubled expression.

He had originally been a rogue cultivator in Xituo Commandery. By chance, he obtained a cultivation method and some fragmented insights. He practiced recklessly and barely managed to enter the path. Relying on the subtlety of his techniques, he lived freely for a time, but eventually offended a Dao Foundation clan.

At that time, the White Bone Dao had just been established. Gritting his teeth, he chose to convert, receiving the dharma name “Fachuan”!

Yet once one entered the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Domain, how could they ever hope to leave?

Although the Bright Ones and even the Dao Foundation Dharma Protectors looked down on him and no one accepted him as a disciple, he was granted a secret mantra, the “Tiger Demon Karmic Mouth Mantra”!

This mantra was unrestricted by most methods. As long as one possessed mana, one could cultivate it simply by chanting, summoning fierce tigers to fight. It was quite practical.

However, at the same time, a Tiger Demon Curse Mark was planted upon his body. If he offended any master, the tiger demon would immediately backlash, causing a gruesome death.

If he tried to escape, the curse mark also carried tracking and cursing abilities. There was no possibility of breaking free.

Once one entered the White Bone Dao, one remained an esoteric believer for life.

Just as he was lost in melancholy, his vision blurred, and he saw a tall, imposing middle-aged man before him.

‘Dao Foundation?’

The next moment, the world spun, and he lost all consciousness.

After a long while, Fachuan regained consciousness. He found himself in a barren mountain range. Beside him lay another esoteric cultivator, seemingly “Fajian.” This man was rather arrogant, skilled in sword techniques, though his stubborn temperament made him unpopular with the masters.

‘To abduct the two of us from Wusheng Temple, this person is no ordinary Dao Foundation cultivator.’

Just as the thought arose, his gaze met Fajian’s.

“You two… do you wish to live or die?”

A voice suddenly rang out.

Fachuan and Fajian immediately scrambled to their feet and knelt stiffly on the ground. They did not dare raise their heads, seeing only the hem of a robe tinged with apricot-yellow flames.

“Of course we wish to live!”

“Good. Since you wish to live, then receive my empowerment and become my disciples… There is no need to worry about the curse marks on your bodies or Wusheng Temple. Heh, the White Bone Dao can barely protect itself now.”

Hearing this, Fachuan was greatly alarmed. He quickly circulated his senses. Sure enough, the “Tiger Demon Curse Mark” on his body had vanished without a trace.

Yet instead of relief, a deeper despair filled him.

‘Escaped the wolf’s den, only to enter the tiger’s lair…’

For Fang Qing, the entire White Bone Dao already belonged to him. Removing a secret curse was effortless.

Fachuan and Fajian, however, were stunned.

‘From his tone… could it be internal conflict within the Esoteric Domain? Do we even have a choice?’

“Please, Master, bestow the Dharma upon us!”

Fachuan was still hesitating when Fajian had already begun kowtowing, his voice ringing like clashing metal.

Fachuan inwardly panicked. ‘Damn it, wasn’t he supposed to be proud and unyielding? Why is he kneeling faster than me?’

He immediately followed suit. “I am willing to serve Master unto death!”

Within the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Domain, empowerment was an extremely rare and exalted opportunity. Not every monk was qualified to receive a master’s empowerment.

“Mm.”

The man directly performed the empowerment, then tossed them two storage bags. “Your cultivation is too low. You are of no use for now. First, raise your strength as quickly as possible.”

Before he finished speaking, a flash of firelight flickered, and his figure vanished.

Fachuan trembled as he opened the storage bag. His eyes widened in shock.

“So many… so many pills? Damn it, if I had this many resources back then, I might have already attempted Dao Foundation.”

Beside him, Fajian’s eyelids twitched. He bowed deeply toward where the firelight had vanished, then his figure flickered several times before disappearing as well.

Fachuan composed himself and likewise slipped away like a thief.

Xu Hei returned to his cave dwelling. The light around his body dissipated, and his mana receded. Clearly, Fang Qing had withdrawn his power.

After all, a Bright Son capable of using the Great Sun Empowerment Secret Art would attract too much attention.

“My lord… has departed.”

He reverted to his hunched, aged dwarf appearance and knelt, bowing toward empty space. “I respectfully send you off, my lord…”

‘This way, the one who acted cultivates the Great Sun path… it has nothing to do with Xu Hei, who cultivates [Nu Earth].’

‘Instead, it may mislead others toward internal strife within the Esoteric Domain.’

‘Though that is not entirely wrong. After all, I truly am from the White Bone Dao of the Esoteric Domain… This does count as internal conflict with Miaofeng Bright Son.’

Taibai Island.

Inside the cave abode, Fang Qing slowly pondered.

‘With these pieces in place, all that remains is to wait. I can also continue refining pills and cultivating.’

His current [Ji Water] cultivation method would take a long time to reach the late Dao Foundation stage.

On the other hand, on the Qi Refining path, reaching the peak of Foundation Establishment was already a smooth and unobstructed road ahead.