Chapter 159

Qingli Mountain.

This mountain was not tall. Its slopes were covered entirely in green bamboo, with only a small patch of spirit farmland cultivated.

Fang Wuchen was digging pits, burying the corpses of bandit cultivators one by one to fertilize the fields.

The original He Family formation had long since been broken. Those occupying this place before had merely been a few Qi Ingestion bandit cultivators.

Now that Fang Wuchen had reached the peak of Qi Ingestion, and possessed the “God-Striking Stone” artifact, he was already considered well-equipped among rogue cultivators, nearly matching the combat strength of sect disciples.

Dealing with a few Qi Ingestion bandit cultivators was naturally effortless.

“Excellent soil…”

Not far away, Fang Yixin crouched on the ground, stuffing a handful of spirit soil into his mouth and savoring it carefully, his face full of delight. “A good place, good spirit fields. Most importantly, no matter how much spirit rice we plant, the harvest belongs entirely to us.”

In the distance, Hu Quanan was surveying the area with the densest spiritual qi, leading Le Mingxue, Fang Wujiu, and the others in transplanting Azure Mulberry Date Trees.

Several days later.

A flying boat appeared above Qingli Mountain and came to a stop.

A few figures descended. The leader wore white robes embroidered with a crimson flame pattern on his chest. He was a late-stage Qi Ingestion cultivator.

“I am Du Huo of the Kitchen God Sect. Greetings to the masters of Qingli Mountain…”

Du Huo was plump, with a constant smile on his face. From the moment he arrived, he radiated goodwill.

“We would not dare call ourselves masters. Please, honored envoy, come inside for tea.”

Fang Wuchen no longer concealed his peak Qi Ingestion cultivation. Acting as the spokesperson of Qingli Mountain, he invited Du Huo into the former He Family residence.

“I have heard that a remarkable talent has emerged here, one who pacified the surrounding region. Now that I see you in person, the reputation is well deserved.”

Du Huo glanced at Hu Quanan a few times as well, offering praise.

“We would not dare. The Fang and Hu families are willing to submit to you. We ask only for your protection.”

Fang Wuchen lowered his voice and discreetly slipped over a storage bag, causing Fang Yixin to feel a sharp pang of pain inside.

“Haha, easy to say, easy to say. Once you join the sect, we are all brothers.”

Du Huo explained the doctrines of the Kitchen God Sect. “Our rules are few. There is only one main principle. No blood sacrifices, and no harming mortals without cause. On the first and fifteenth of each month, gather together and offer worship to the Kitchen God using clay stoves and earth altars.”

Everything matched the information the Fang Family had already gathered. It was relatively upright.

“Once you are part of our sect, as long as you contribute, rewards will not be lacking. Whether Dao Foundation techniques or Dao Foundation Pills!”

Before leaving, Du Huo specifically reminded them, “Soon, the Sect Master will have a major task for us. The more manpower, the better. Prepare early. If you earn merit, Dao Foundation Pills will surely be granted.”

“They even have Dao Foundation Pills?”

“Is the Kitchen God Sect really only a Dao Foundation faction?”

After seeing Du Huo off, Fang Wuchen and Hu Quanan exchanged glances, both filled with surprise.

Minor Huan Sea, Taibai Island.

Inside a cave abode, Fang Qing held the “Perfected Seal” in his hand. His physical body was incredibly powerful, his blood and qi surging like a great dragon.

A layer of dark golden radiance bloomed across his skin, enveloping his entire body. Behind him, the faint image of a guardian Vajra appeared.

It had a horse-like head and mule-like face, three faces and eight arms, its entire body crimson red, holding a skull bowl and a vajra pestle.

This was the manifestation of fully mastering the Mule-Faced Vajra Prajna Stage.

After decades of secluded cultivation, the liquid mana within his body had increased to ninety-one drops, far thicker than when he had first entered late Foundation Establishment. He was now not far from peak late Foundation Establishment.

More importantly, there was the Horse-Headed Vajra Protector Divine Method.

With the resources of the Wusheng Temple, he had already cultivated its second stage to completion, nearly reaching perfection.

“The Mule-Faced Vajra Prajna Stage claims that upon completion, one can release three great Brahma radiance and wield eight types of Brahma instruments, but this requires establishing a connection with the true form of the Horse-Headed Vajra in the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Domain.”

“The deeper one goes into esoteric techniques, the more they rely on worship, connection, and borrowing power… For me, that path leads only to death. I can only use its inherent properties.”

“Fortunately, even its basic enhancement of physique and divine sense is extraordinary.”

“My current body rivals a high-grade second-rank demon beast. My divine sense can extend one hundred fifty zhang, already the limit of Foundation Establishment cultivators.”

For Foundation Establishment cultivators, divine sense was measured in zhang. Only Core Formation cultivators measured it in li.[1]

To break this limit, one would need third-rank spiritual materials.

“If I fully complete the Mule-Faced Vajra Prajna Stage and borrow power from an esoteric guardian, perhaps my divine sense could break into the third rank. My body refinement might even reach quasi third rank, or true third rank.”

Fang Qing sighed softly. “Esoteric techniques are like this. The deeper you go, the more pitfalls appear.”

He calculated briefly, then murmured, “I am already ninety-two years old.”

He then turned his attention to the situation in Ancient Shu and fell silent.

“The destruction of the Zeng Family, the probing against Wusheng Temple has gone too far.”

A move made by a Purple Mansion cultivator might seem like mere probing.

But chess pieces had their own will. Without restraint, they often overstepped.

Moreover, Sangji was becoming less favored. If he failed to become a Dharma King, the deaths of a few expendable pawns would not concern anyone.

“As for Fachuan and Fajian, both have reached the ninth layer of Qi Ingestion. Though somewhat rushed, their progress is decent.”

With Fang Qing’s current wealth, he could even refine Dao Foundation Pills using Dao Foundation spiritual materials such as [Stomach Earth] and [Lou Metal].

If he were willing to pay a heavy price and experiment with enough lives, he could even forcefully create two Dao Foundation cultivators.

However , he would not waste it so carelessly.

“And besides, ninth-layer Qi Ingestion is just right. Dao Foundation is a bit too high-profile and could easily attract the attention of Purple Mansion experts.”

“Although given how cultivators over there behave, even Qi Ingestion requires caution, but it will certainly draw far less scrutiny than Dao Foundation.”

“Better to descend into the position of a fated one with the Dao-Genesis Pearl at a critical moment and break through on the spot!”

Fang Qing reviewed Xu Hei’s information once more and could not help but sigh. “The Qingli Fang Family? That Fang Wuchen will probably attempt to establish his Dao Foundation.”

If he had not yet attempted Dao Foundation, then even if he fell into a [Stomach Earth] configuration, he might only be a disposable move with a chance to survive.

But once Dao Foundation was involved, the meaning and weight of the situation would be entirely different.

Ancient Shu.

Jueque Commandery.

The Liu Family.

Lush vegetation thrived and flowers bloomed in abundance. This was the Liu Family’s Ever-Spring Garden, famed for its blossoms that never withered throughout the year.

A young man at the peak of ninth-layer Qi Ingestion walked through the garden and arrived at a small pavilion.

Inside the pavilion sat several white-haired elders, gathered around a brazier brewing tea as they admired the flowers.

“Liu Junyan greets the honored ancestors.”

Liu Junyan carried himself with grace and bowed respectfully.

“Haha, the qilin of our family has arrived.”

One elder laughed heartily. “Our Liu Family cultivates the [Liu Earth] lineage. It is no easy feat for you to reach Qi Ingestion perfection before the age of thirty. Take this ‘Dao Foundation Pill’.”

“Many thanks to the ancestors for your nurturing. This junior will certainly break through the Dao Foundation bottleneck!”

Liu Junyan was overjoyed. Even for a Dao Foundation family, a Dao Foundation Pill was extremely precious.

Though he was regarded as a family genius, he had always felt uneasy. Only now, upon receiving the pill, did his heart finally settle.

After repeatedly expressing his gratitude, Liu Junyan took his leave.

Only then did the elder who had bestowed the pill sigh softly. “Junyan… what a pity.”

“Hmph. The upper sect has given its orders. What else can we do?”

The second elder spoke in a low voice. “If he does not go, then we must go instead.”

The great elder fell silent.

Cloud Grazing Cliff primarily cultivated the [Di Earth] lineage, but it also maintained other Earth-aligned Dao traditions under its control. Like livestock, they were raised until the right moment, then slaughtered and consumed.

Some family ancestors, knowing this fate, chose to sacrifice themselves.

But these old men had instead chosen to survive by draining the lifeblood of the younger generation.

Southern Frontier.

Miasma filled the land, and black waters surged endlessly.

The Yin Corpse Sect.

Four stiff-moving corpse puppets clad in bronze armor carried a sedan chair. Seated atop it was a pale-faced young man as they arrived at the sect’s administrative peak.

“Hmm? A Dao Foundation Pill?”

“The sect has issued a mission that allows one to claim a Dao Foundation Pill in advance?”

Joy filled his face, yet inwardly he shivered. ‘Which old devil wants to refine a Dao Foundation corpse this time?’

‘I must carefully scheme to push a few fellow disciples to take on this calamity. If no one volunteers, the sect will forcibly assign it, and then I will be in trouble.’

Qingli Mountain.

“Brother Fang…”

Du Huo arrived once more. Looking at the green bamboo covering the mountain, he cupped his fists in congratulations, his face carrying a trace of shock.

“You found the ‘Jade Grace Flower’ and rendered great merit to our sect. Previously, you also slew the ‘Three Fiends of the Blood Demon,’ protecting the region. The Sect Master was most pleased and has decided to reward you handsomely.”

“I wonder what the reward might be. Could it be a Dao Foundation Pill?”

Fang Wuchen spoke casually, half in jest.

He had discovered that Jade Grace Flower while tending the lands around Qingli Mountain. Since he was not an alchemist, it was of no use to him. Upon hearing that the Kitchen God Sect offered a reward, he naturally handed it over to build goodwill.

As for the Three Fiends of the Blood Demon, they were notorious bandit cultivators in the area. When they dared target the Fang Family of Qingli Mountain, he had no choice but to eliminate them ruthlessly.

Although all three were late-stage Qi Ingestion cultivators, Fang Wuchen had called upon his master, Hu Quanan. Rather than fighting head-on, they waited for an opportunity when one was alone and struck using the God-Striking Stone. Each blow landed true, requiring little effort.

Thus he did not expect much of a reward. As long as the Kitchen God Sect did not conscript them year after year like the Zeng Family, he would already be satisfied.

“Haha, brother, your guess is spot on.”

Du Huo produced a jade bottle and handed it over. “The Sect Master said merit must be greatly rewarded. This is a Dao Foundation Pill!”

Fang Wuchen froze. “This… how could I possibly accept such a thing?”

He knew that even direct descendants of the Zeng Family might not receive a Dao Foundation Pill when attempting a breakthrough.

Yet the Kitchen God Sect was being so generous.

He pulled the stopper and saw a large earth-yellow pill inside. A faint earthy scent wafted out.

Though he had never seen a Dao Foundation Pill before, just smelling it caused the mana within his body to stir, as if ready to form a Dao Foundation. He was overjoyed.

“Many thanks, Brother Du…”

Fang Yixin and Hu Quanan both stroked their beards, smiling broadly in delight.

Not far away, Fang Wujiu watched the scene. His face was filled with jealousy and hatred, yet his body trembled slightly.

Yue Mingxue noticed something unusual. “Wujiu, why does he seem… afraid?”

She had been intelligent since childhood and had long sensed something off about Fang Wujiu’s behavior.

While Fang Yixin and Hu Quanan assumed it was simple jealousy toward his elder brother, she did not think so. Instead, she felt that his every action carried deeper meaning.

For instance, during the recent division of the family, he had agreed immediately despite taking a loss, as if deliberately distancing himself.

Before she could dwell on the thought further, a wave of nausea rose within her. She covered her mouth in surprise, then gently placed a hand on her abdomen, sensing the stirrings of new life.

[1]:- 1 li = 150 zhang = 1500 chi (modern standard). 1 li (里) = 500 meters (0.5 kilometers)