Free Web NovelChapter 332: Chapter 240: Weighing Jiang Yi, The Immortal Dao of Dongsheng
However, the Daoist could not help with either of these two paths.
Therefore, even though Gu Changling was grateful for Jiang Yi’s kindness from the bottom of his heart, he had no intention of pledging allegiance to Changming Heavenly Lake.
’At this Dharma Assembly, the Daoist may not have subdued every True Inheritance disciple, but aside from those like Zhou Shiyu—who hail from great clans and hold firm to their positions—the other peaks have come to trust him deeply. If Daoist Jiang successfully achieves Foundation Establishment in Juku Continent, how will the eight peaks of the Innate Sect position themselves? Gen Peak, Xun Peak, Dui Peak, plus the ambiguous Kun Peak and Qian Peak with its many Elders... The Daoist still needs to take at least two more steps to become the Crown Prince.’
As Shao Guansu was lost in thought, the nearby He Shouzhen invited the True Inheritance disciples to take their seats, preparing to start the music and dance performances.
The atmosphere inside the Grand Wei Treasure Palace was lively when suddenly, a vast and mighty Daoist voice pierced through layers of restrictive wards:
"I invite the Daoist to come and speak."
As each word landed, Buddhist light flared brilliantly, and celestial flowers drifted down from the sky.
Jiang Yi’s brow twitched. ’Why would True Monarch Guangzhao Jinghai suddenly summon me?’
He slowly rose and cupped his hands toward the True Inheritance disciples seated on both sides.
"Everyone, please enjoy the banquet. Forgive me for taking my leave."
With that, he released his Qi Mechanism, and the Profound Light above his head enveloped his body, transforming him into a dazzling rainbow streak that shot away.
Gu Changling put down his cup, placing it gently on the table.
"Why would True Monarch Jinghai summon the Daoist for no reason?"
Feng Yuan also frowned.
"The Hongshui Dharma Assembly is over. True Monarch Guangzhao Jinghai has delayed announcing the results and instead called the Daoist away... Don’t tell me the Taifu Sect are such sore losers?"
Yuan Xiao downed his wine in one gulp and looked to his senior brothers.
"If the Taifu Sect wants to lose both the match and their sportsmanship, do you really think the eight peaks of our sect would be afraid of their Mingcang Marsh?"
With that, he shot to his feet and transformed into a piercing golden light, following closely behind.
"Master Lu is the Daoist’s scripture teacher, which makes me half a senior sister. If the Taifu Sect dares to use their strength to bully the weak, relying on their higher Realm to oppress our sect’s Daoist, I will not stand by and watch!"
Qu Liu’er’s delicate brows knitted in anger. Her figure flickered, and like a surging river, she rushed up and vanished from the Grand Wei Treasure Palace in an instant.
"I should go back him up too."
Feng Yuan looked at Gu Changling and chuckled. His tall body turned into a burst of flowing flames, which suddenly erupted and vanished in a flash.
Gu Changling smiled wryly.
"Every one of them is so hot-headed."
Then his gaze hardened, and a grim, murderous aura appeared between his brows.
Even with his damaged body, Gu Changling was prepared to risk everything. He would dare to test his blade even against a True Monarch.
...
...
Riding his Profound Light, Jiang Yi arrived above the central sky in an instant.
He saw True Monarch Guangzhao Jinghai sitting upright ahead, with the True Inheritance disciples of the Taifu Sect arranged on either side.
After all, he had seen his share of grand scenes and had even dealt with True Monarchs and Daoist Monarchs.
He immediately channeled his supreme-grade True Qi, and the golden Daoist lotus rooted in his Inner Mansion swayed gently.
A magnificent phenomenon flickered in and out of existence, like a colossal void from which an almost infinite five-colored light-qi spewed forth.
Wisps of escaping radiance glittered like interlocking rings of various sizes, spreading out and illuminating the sky until it was completely bright.
’This is the supreme-grade True Qi from gathering the Great Medicine of the Six Harmonies?’
Yue Ziqi’s gaze was burning. Such a Cultivation achievement was rare even over ten thousand years in the Yanfu Vast Land.
Even Ji Fuyao, the Immortal Dao Emperor who was invincible for five thousand years, had failed to achieve Perfection and had to settle for condensing First Grade True Qi.
This showed how rare it truly was!
’Supreme-grade True Qi... only a handful of people throughout history have achieved it. I wonder if this Daoist Jiang has achieved the "Great Cavern Profound Nether Supreme Qi," which can alter the Five Elements, or the "Feather Transformation Spiritual Truth Supreme Qi," which allows one’s Life Essence Cultivation to increase daily without any bottlenecks or barriers? Or perhaps it’s the "Non-Thinking Vajra Supreme Qi," which can accumulate good karma, gather blessings, and nurture forty-eight thousand treasure wheels of Merit?’
Yu Changqing was filled with curiosity. In terms of achievements in the Qi Cultivation Realm alone, this previously unknown Daoist of the Innate Sect could be called the foremost in the Yanfu Vast Land today.
"The Great Cavern Profound Nether Supreme Qi can generate and transform the Five Elements."
Fu Lizi sighed softly.
"If Daoist Jiang can sever his karmic tribulations and achieve Flying Foundation Establishment, I fear his fortune will soar, like a dragon ascending to the heavens."
As the True Inheritance disciples of the Taifu Sect conversed using their Divine Sense, True Monarch Guangzhao Jinghai, who was seated high in the central sky, slowly began to speak:
"I have long heard of the Innate Daoist’s outstanding demeanor, that you have caught the eye of [Shao Yang] and slain [Thunder Core] with your sword. Truly a model for the Eight Sects."
With every word this True Monarch uttered, a lotus of law bloomed and landed perfectly beneath Jiang Yi’s feet, allowing him to ascend higher, a lotus blooming with each step.
As the Daoist of an Ancestral Sect, known as the Crown Prince, he naturally had the right to sit as an equal with a True Monarch.
Jiang Yi got straight to the point and asked in a deep voice:
"For what matter has the True Monarch summoned me?"
True Monarch Guangzhao Jinghai smiled kindly.
"At this Dharma Assembly, your esteemed sect won three Talisman Decrees, with two of the Magical Combats being comeback victories.
The Taifu Sect has sought my judgment, wanting me to investigate whether there was anything suspicious."
Jiang Yi raised an eyebrow, lowered his gaze to look at Fu Lizi, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
"Does the True Monarch also feel that the Innate Sect cannot defeat the Taifu Sect?"
True Monarch Guangzhao Jinghai’s smile was like a spring breeze.
"You overstate things, Daoist. I am merely a rogue cultivator, not a member of the Eight Sects, which is why I was appointed as the arbiter for this Dharma Assembly.
The Daoist Techniques of the Innate Sect’s True Inheritance disciples are profound and brilliant; I need not say more.
But as the arbiter, since the Taifu Sect is unconvinced, I must naturally address their grievance.
I ask for the Daoist’s understanding."
Jiang Yi knew when to quit while he was ahead. As a mere Qi Cultivator, he could only converse with a True Monarch like this entirely because of his title as the Daoist of an Ancestral Sect.
If he pushed his luck, True Monarch Guangzhao Jinghai might not continue to show him face.
He asked softly:
"May I ask the True Monarch, what does the Taifu Sect intend to do? Surely they don’t want to compete all over again to determine a winner?"
True Monarch Guangzhao Jinghai shook his head.
"Magical Combat is no child’s play. The results are set, the victor and vanquished decided. They cannot be changed.
It’s just that the Taifu Sect suspects that your sect’s True Inheritance Feng and True Inheritance Yuan both claimed to have won only after receiving guidance from the Daoist.
Therefore, the Taifu Sect wishes to invite the Daoist to display your strengths and verify this Daoist theory."
Jiang Yi raised an eyebrow. ’A Dao debate with me? What’s the difference between that and challenging Ji Fuyao to Magical Combat? With the Celestial Book in hand, I’d dare to lecture even a True Monarch.’
"Does the Daoist have some reservations?"
True Monarch Guangzhao Jinghai’s eyes were profound as he sized up Jiang Yi, whose face showed a hint of hesitation.
’This Daoist only has a Qi Cultivation, but his destiny is incredibly weighty and his fortune is a tangled mess. It’s like looking through fog; I can’t see the karmic threads clearly.’
"The True Inheritance disciples of the Taifu Sect have said that if the Daoist is willing to offer one Talisman Decree in exchange, this Dharma Assembly can conclude as a draw..."
But Jiang Yi laughed.
"That won’t be necessary. If the Taifu Sect’s True Inheritance disciples want to test this Daoist, then let them all come at once."
...
...
「Dongsheng Continent, beneath White Jade City.」
Countless blessed lands, as numerous as the sands of the Ganges, were divided and ranked according to the Ten Heavenly Stems.
As everyone knew, the current age was ruled by the [Immortal Dao], and [Tai Yang] had manifested in the world for five thousand years.
The vast majority of blessed lands chanted the Emperor’s name and revered the law of the Great Sun.
The rest revered True Monarchs such as [Thunder Core], [Jade Void], and [Clear Qi], upholding their Golden Positions.
Among the 8,600 blessed lands governed by [Shenxiao Thunder City], great fortune had recently descended from the heavens. Every seven days, the rumbling sound of the Great Dao’s thunder would descend.
The sound of thunder, containing the surging of Yin and Yang, spread in all directions, purging malevolent auras and inspiring Dao Wisdom.
Innumerable Qi Cultivation Cultivators received this Opportunity, comprehending high-grade Techniques and powerful Daoist Skills from it, thus becoming "legends of their generation."
「This day, in the Hongde blessed land.」
Many Qi Cultivation Cultivators gathered at the Five Thunders Daoist Sanctum, which was dedicated to [True Monarch Yingyuan Sijie], and piously chanted the "Jade Pivot Scripture of the Nine Heavens Thunder."
The Five Thunders Daoist Sanctum had places such as the "Rumbling Thunder Hall," "Howling Wind Chamber," "Flashing Lightning Hall," and "Hissing Snow Pavilion."
These places were all occupied by "High Priests" of the Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer, who were waiting to listen to the thunder, observe its form, and hope to comprehend its true meaning to forge a superior Dao Foundation.
Within the [Immortal Dao], those below the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer were called "Talisman Students," who received Daoist registers and were taught Techniques.
Those above the Qi Cultivation Tenth Layer were "High Priests," capable of submitting memorials to communicate with gods and petition Immortals.
If one achieved the Flying Foundation Establishment Realm, they would be promoted and could enter the Fourth Class blessed lands of Jia, Yi, Bing, and Ding to hold an official post and become a celestial official, enjoying a life of great freedom.
Inside the Rumbling Thunder Hall, a fat Daoist with a face as round as a full moon and eyes that held a hidden glint of Essence sat on a cushion and said with emotion:
"A hundred years of Cultivation is not worth as much as hearing this thunderous sound, which was a sudden enlightenment that shattered my countless delusions!"
The young Daoist to his lower right nodded repeatedly.
"The True Monarch’s grace is vast and compassionate! It has benefited us minor cultivators immensely!"
The female Daoist opposite him flicked her Duster and said with a face full of gratitude:
"Brother Qingfeng, it is said that this thunder of the Great Dao is the True Monarch taking pity on the living beings of the blessed lands, seeking to enlighten the minds of millions of Daoist followers, dispel their ignorance, and increase their Merit.
It is our great fortune to be able to experience this."
The fat Daoist nodded, then smiled and said:
"I’ve heard that [Shenxiao Thunder City] has quite a few vacancies. If any one of us can seize this heaven-sent opportunity and reach the Flying Foundation Establishment Realm, perhaps the next time we meet, they’ll be a venerable celestial official."
Inside the Rumbling Thunder Hall, a look of longing appeared in everyone’s eyes.
That was [Shenxiao Thunder City], a grotto-heaven held aloft by 8,600 blessed lands!
It was said that a single breath of the immortal qi there could increase one’s Merit and leave them utterly intoxicated!
