Free Web NovelChapter 343: Chapter 245: Pray Tell, Who Under Heaven Is Not Connected to Demons?
Jiang Yi nodded slowly, a hint of regret on his brow.
"The Body Barrier is heavy, preventing my True Qi and Magical Power from circulating freely."
Qi Cultivation Cultivators normally perform Qi Collection and Cultivation, Breathing in Spiritual Energy to expel postnatal impurities from their bodies. This process cleanses and purifies their Cultivation Furnace.
Over time, a thick layer of these turbid impurities accumulates in the physical body, forming what is known as the "Body Barrier."
For ordinary Cultivators, this stage doesn’t actually pose much of an obstacle.
They can either borrow a Spiritual Object of Supreme Essence to dissolve it,
or they can use a process of slow, steady attrition, like carving stone or drilling wood. It might take thirty or forty years, but the barrier will naturally break open.
But Jiang Yi had condensed a supreme-grade True Qi as his foundation and refined the vast and unparalleled One Element Magical Power.
The toughness and thickness of his Body Barrier were likely a rarity in all of history.
"Xiao Jiang, don’t be too hasty. My former master used to say that the Body Barrier is also a ’self barrier’. If you can break through it in one go with the blessing of a favorable time and place, your future path of cultivation will benefit endlessly."
True Master Xuanmiao hopped off the long table, obediently massaged Jiang Yi’s legs, and then asked,
"Xiao Jiang, the Dao Foundation you’re forging—will it rely on ’Heavenly Time’ or incorporate ’Earthly Advantage’?"
Jiang Yi raised an eyebrow. ’What’s this now?’
True Master Xuanmiao explained in detail,
"Forging a Dao Foundation on your own is extremely difficult. To ensure success on the first attempt, many of the True Inheritances of the Sect borrow the power of Heavenly Time and Earthly Advantage.
"Take Yuan Xiao of Zhen Peak, for example. He gathered a full five ships’ worth of ’Taiyi Geng Metal Essence’ from the astral winds layer to forge his ’Punishing Geng Killing Dao Foundation’.
"Or Gu Changling of Gen Peak, who is said to have refined twelve ancient mountains to forge his ’Chan Heaven True Form Dao Foundation’."
Jiang Yi rubbed True Master Xuanmiao’s round head and thought to himself,
’The Cat Master is quite the master at gathering information.’
He didn’t know much about the Dao Foundation cultivation methods of the Eight Peaks True Inheritance.
"With the help of Heavenly Time and Earthly Advantage, forming a Dao Foundation is far more efficient."
True Master Xuanmiao said in a hushed voice,
"Xiao Jiang, you possess supreme-grade True Qi and One Element Magical Power, so the Dao Foundation you forge is bound to be extraordinary.
"Besides overcoming the Body Barrier, you must also have a clear plan for how you will forge your Dao Foundation."
Jiang Yi nodded gently. The Cat Master had a point, but for a matter of such importance, True Monarch Lu should have mentioned it.
After all, she was the Daoist’s official mentor.
’Unless... she’s already made arrangements?’
As Jiang Yi was pondering this, the formation spirit Chang Jing suddenly appeared, standing respectfully before him.
"The Daoist is summoned by True Monarch Lu of Kan Peak."
’Just as I thought!’
With the opening of Juku Isle approaching, it was only natural for True Monarch Lu to have some instructions.
Jiang Yi picked up True Master Xuanmiao and tucked him lightly into his robes.
Then, with a single leap, his body scattered like flowing fire and shot out of the hall.
His technique had improved again, advancing from the initial "ten thousand zhang in a flash" to "a hundred li in a flash."
The immense Magical Power of his One Element erupted, and in an instant, he had escaped Changming Heavenly Lake!
...
...
Before long, Jiang Yi, dressed in a radiant golden Magical Robe, appeared at Kan-Shui Palace.
This was his first time visiting True Monarch Lu since the end of the Hongshui Dharma Assembly.
"The Daoist has made a name for himself across the north and south this time. You’ve brought us great honor."
True Monarch Lu was not sitting and waiting as she usually did.
When Jiang Yi stepped into Kan-Shui Palace, his surroundings suddenly changed. It was as if space had shifted, transporting him to the surface of a great river where many waters converged.
The ground beneath his feet had become a black-canopied boat, rocking gently as it drifted with the current.
A boatman poled at the stern. He and True Monarch Lu stood side-by-side at the prow, as if admiring the scenery.
The setting sun cast its slanting rays upon the vast, endlessly flowing river.
Wisps of smoke from cooking fires rose from both banks, and the faint, indistinct sounds of human voices and barking dogs could be heard.
Jiang Yi felt his Heart Spirit suddenly grow tranquil. Bathed in this scene of worldly life, his chaotic thoughts melted away like ice and snow.
He performed a Daoist salute to True Monarch Lu.
"It was all thanks to the dedicated efforts of the many True Inheritances that we achieved a great victory and seized the Talisman Decree."
True Monarch Lu wore a simple gown, her long sleeves fluttering. Her figure and bearing were like that of a radiant goddess.
"Don’t be overly modest. Who in the sect now doesn’t know that the Daoist Jiang is exceptionally brilliant and transcendentally gifted?
"You were able to manifest the Five Elements even in the Qi Cultivation Realm, earning the sincere admiration of the Taifu Sect’s True Inheritance and unanimous praise from the True Monarchs... Do you know what True Monarch Guangzhao Jinghai said?"
Jiang Yi shook his head. Ever since returning to the sect, he had remained in seclusion, engrossed in contemplating the method of forging his Dao Foundation.
During the Hongshui Dharma Assembly, he had witnessed the power displayed by the various Foundation Establishment True Inheritances in Magical Combat.
This had also benefited Jiang Yi greatly, and he felt he had made considerable progress in his understanding of Daoist Skills.
"’No less than... Yu Shenxiu.’"
As True Monarch Lu spoke that name, she couldn’t help but pause, a myriad of emotions surfacing in her eyes.
It was like the afterglow of sunset spreading across the water, its final light painting everything in gold—a truly desolate sight.
But the boatman at the stern rocked the wooden oar, shattering the sparkling, shimmering light on the water.
True Monarch Lu’s momentary trance was broken, and she returned to her usual calm, her voice soft as she spoke again.
"That is extremely high praise. The first [Shao Yang] was publicly acknowledged as the most brilliant in Dao Wisdom of all time. Because he didn’t follow convention, he was often branded a ’monster’."
"The True Monarch flatters me. How could I possibly compare to [Shao Yang]?"
Jiang Yi’s heart remained undisturbed. He had formed a good connection with True Monarch Guangzhao Jinghai; the other was likely just offering a few words of flattery.
Who was Yu Shenxiu?
A man who could jump back and forth between four different Daoist Lineages and still successfully attain the Golden Position!
Jiang Yi considered himself far inferior to such a world-shaking talent.
Just being the Daoist of the Innate Sect already made him feel as if he were treading on thin ice.
"This time, the opening of [Juku Isle] will be led by the Innate Sect. The Taifu Sect has agreed, and the Hunlun Sect never gets involved."
True Monarch Lu mentioned it only briefly before changing the subject.
"For a Daoist’s Foundation Establishment, you must pass the Body Barrier and forge your foundation.
"For the former, you have the Ziwu Fire, so it won’t be a problem. The latter, however, requires a special Opportunity."
Jiang Yi nodded inwardly. The greatest benefit of being the Daoist wasn’t the superficially impressive title that made True Inheritances bow their heads and True Monarchs look upon you with favor.
It was having a Great Power plan your path of cultivation, allowing you to avoid detours and proceed unimpeded.
That was the real reason the Eight Peaks True Inheritances fought tooth and nail for the position!
True Monarch Lu asked slowly,
"I presume the Daoist has already comprehended the ’prototype of your Dao Foundation’?"
Jiang Yi answered frankly,
"That’s right. After much hard thought these past few days, I finally comprehended an eight-word phrase: ’Myriad Vehicles Command the Dharma, Five Qi Chaoyuan.’"
True Monarch Lu repeated it in a low voice, a strange light flashing in her eyes.
"Such a Dao Foundation is indeed worthy of a Daoist, and worthy of a [Shao Yang]."
It was clear that just from Jiang Yi’s statement, True Monarch Lu understood the profound mystery of the Dao Foundation he intended to forge.
Immediately after, she added,
"[Juku Isle], which is jointly controlled by the Eight Sects, is used to contain the Demon Dao of a bygone era.
"Once you have the Ziwu Fire and have burned away your Body Barrier, you can take this item and find a fortune teller named ’Lai Buyi’. Have him perform geomancy to find a dragon vein for you."
Jiang Yi’s heart skipped a beat. ’She wants me to use Earthly Advantage to nurture my Dao Foundation?’
He took two steps back and received the object from True Monarch Lu with both hands.
It was a single copper coin.
"There are movements over on the Dongsheng Continent. Since True Monarch Zang Gui Fuming is your official registrar, he will naturally handle the higher-ups for you."
A very faint smile touched the corners of True Monarch Lu’s lips.
"True Monarch Xu is the most adept at handling such matters. However, when it comes to the squabbles among juniors below Foundation Establishment, it will be up to your own methods."
Jiang Yi put away the copper coin and raised his head, replying,
"As a Disciple in the Qi Cultivation Realm, I am without rival."
True Monarch Lu nodded, her gaze as deep and dark as the river water.
"That is true, but the [Thunder Core] has been nurturing several ’immortal seedlings,’ allowing them to temporarily achieve Foundation Establishment. You must be on your guard against them."
Jiang Yi was surprised. How had True Monarch Lu so easily learned of such a secret?
Even if a True Monarch could divine karma and manipulate heavenly secrets, a celestial barrier separated the Dongsheng Continent and the Nanzhan Continent, obstructing all passage...
"Don’t be fooled by the might of the [Immortal Dao]; in truth, it has no way out.
"Countless living beings uplift the [Tai Yang], allowing it to display its full glory.
"This undoubtedly weakens the conceptual power of other Dao paths and Golden Positions."
It was rare for True Monarch Lu to say so much.
"Making the Great Dao singular and eternal is not so easy.
"As early as ten thousand years ago, it became fashionable for Immortal Cultivators to dabble in the Demon Dao.
"And now, it has grown even more rampant. Aside from the path of [Tai Yang], who doesn’t have dealings with the [Demon Dao]?"
Jiang Yi couldn’t help but take a deep breath. Beneath the spectacular, flourishing facade of the [Immortal Dao], dangerous undercurrents were surely surging.
He suppressed his distracting thoughts and bowed again.
"This Disciple will definitely succeed in his Foundation Establishment and not disappoint Master Lu."
Once True Monarch Lu finished her instructions, Jiang Yi was teleported away.
"This Daoist has much of my old flair."
The boatman at the stern removed his conical hat and looked up, revealing himself to be none other than Sect Leader Qin Baiyu.
However, judging by his Qi Mechanism, it was not his true self, but an incarnation.
True Monarch Lu asked quietly,
"If [Juku Isle] is the fish pond and the Daoist is the fragrant bait, who exactly is our Sect Leader trying to catch?"
The boatman gave a carefree laugh.
"I’m merely waiting for the willing to take the hook. The [Tai Yang] has been manifest in the world for five thousand years, and someone is finally getting restless.
"Junior Sister, you were right just now. How can the Great Dao remain constant and unchanging? The more one forces it, the greater the backlash."
