Chapter 232: Chapter 184: No Tribulation, No Monarch; No Hardship, No Dao
An Ancestral Master showing the way and deciding upon a Dao path was the proper treatment for a Daoist of the Eight Sects.
Across the Yanfu Vast Land, fortune ebbed and flowed, and a myriad of opportunities burst forth and faded away.
Throughout history, there had been no shortage of such stories. A Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer cultivator might go out searching for herbs and luckily obtain the True Essence of the Five Elements or the Life Qi of the Five Virtues, successfully achieving Flying Foundation Establishment.
Or a Grand True Master might stumble upon some ancient remnant or the secret treasury of a Daoist Lineage, soaring to new heights from that day forward.
Of these tales, about nine-tenths were false, another half of a tenth were exaggerations, leaving only the last half of a tenth with any chance of being true.
Thus, most Daoists from an Ancestral Sect would have an audience with their Ancestral Master after ascending to their position.
A Daoist Monarch, a Great Power, would personally act to divine their Dao path, ensuring it was foolproof.
Their words were law. What they decreed was Heaven’s Will, an inviolable theorem that could not be shaken or altered.
In powers like the Ancestral Sects, a hundred boats vied to be first, a thousand sails competed on the same course. The struggle for position and power began from the level of True Inheritance seeds, continuing until a Daoist was finally selected and established as the Crown Prince.
This brutal struggle, where all manner of schemes were deployed, seemed to be a fight for the title of Daoist, but in reality, it was a fight for the substance of being one.
It was all for the hope that the Ancestral Master would take pity on them and point out a clear Dao path, thereby increasing their chances of becoming a "Master of the Golden Position" and "making the Great Dao submit."
Only then would it be possible to attain the station of a Daoist Monarch.
Jiang Yi suppressed the excitement in his heart. His expression grew solemn as he bowed and clasped his hands in salute.
"This Disciple is ready to listen respectfully. I ask that the Ancestral Master please bestow his teachings."
The gray-robed Daoist’s eyes were as unfathomably deep as a bottomless, dark pool. He gazed silently at Jiang Yi.
"You are entangled in too much karma. For now, this is a good thing, but it will not be in the future. However, what is done is done, so I will not elaborate."
Jiang Yi nodded. It was no secret that Ancestral Sects had always favored the Fate Shuzi.
It was precisely because he had drawn the attention of [Shao Yang] for a full sixty-year cycle that Ancestral Master Mingxuan regarded him so highly.
Otherwise, even if he had secured the position of Daoist with his Qi Cultivation, he would be, at best, a mere figurehead, with no future Dao path to speak of.
The gray-robed Daoist clasped his hands behind his back and spoke softly.
"I have already divined the foundation of your Cultivation. Yu Shenxiu reincarnated five times, exhausting his mind and effort to conceive the ’Qi Cultivation General Outline’ and ’Nurturing the Dao Embryo’."
He also left behind a few contingency plans, all sealed within the [Yang Qi Taiyin Heaven], for his successor to retrieve.
"This man was a profound schemer, and his Dao Wisdom was outstanding. He could be considered one of the foremost True Monarchs of all time."
"It is not wrong for you to follow his path."
Jiang Yi was silent. Only by gradually glimpsing the world of "Upper Cultivators" could he understand just how immensely talented that first [Shao Yang] was—his genius was almost on par with the Celestial Book.
"But every step he took was fraught with peril. In his five lives, he died every single time, exhausting too much of his accumulated foundation. From the start, he was a step behind Ji Fuyao."
"You don’t need to learn this from him. Since I have designated you as the Daoist, I will not let you take pointless risks."
Jiang Yi mulled this over. ’The deeper meaning is probably that when it’s time for me to take the lead and be in the spotlight, I absolutely must not shrink back.’
’The Ancestral Master dislikes temperaments that hide one’s sharpness and conceal one’s talents. He much prefers the free-spirited and decisive types who are quick to kill.’
Jiang Yi lowered his eyes, categorizing Ancestral Master Mingxuan as a "great leader" who was bold, decisive, and keen on expansion.
’As long as I continuously display my talent and ability, it will be easy to be entrusted with important tasks and be nurtured.’
"Ordinarily, determining the Dao path for a Daoist is a major affair for the sect’s lineage. It requires returning to the Innate Sect and using the ’Miro Golden Pagoda’ to perform a divination."
The gray-robed Daoist glanced at Jiang Yi.
"But you are only at Qi Cultivation, not yet at Foundation Establishment... It’s not necessary to go to such great lengths."
’Such obvious disdain!’
’It seems that for the extremely prideful Daoist Monarch Xianyou Mingxuan, a Qi Cultivation Daoist is indeed somewhat embarrassing.’
Jiang Yi read the situation and realized he needed to raise his cultivation as quickly as possible. It would be best if he could also surpass [Tai Yang] in some respects.
The gray-robed Daoist returned to the main topic.
"The first path is, naturally, to return to the sect, take your position, and enter the Changming Heavenly Pool."
"With the nourishment for your foundation from the number one Spirit Cave in the Nanzhan Continent, you will be able to completely absorb the qi of the Foundation Establishment Pill and condense the Innate Qi from One Element of Spiritual Energy in no more than three years."
Jiang Yi’s eyelid twitched. ’The Ancestral Master indeed has a hidden test for me.’
’The three Dao paths he mentioned aren’t ordinary cultivation paths. They’re trials on the road to securing the Daoist’s great seat.’
’To become the master of the Changming Heavenly Pool, I’ll have to face the Eight Peaks True Inheritance with my Qi Cultivation body.’
"The second path: there is a surviving lineage of the [Sword Dao] at the South Sea Biluo Cliff. You are currently imbued with profound Sword Dao fortune, no less than that of Xuan Chanzi from the Zhongyi Sect. If you can gain their support, it will be of great use to your future Dao path."
The gray-robed Daoist’s tone was calm, but every word struck Jiang Yi’s ears like a clap of thunder.
’My guess was right. The three paths themselves are not the point. With Ancestral Master Mingxuan backing me, it will be hard for my life to be in danger no matter which I choose. The Innate Sect would never announce my status to the world only to send its own Daoist to his death.’
Jiang Yi’s thoughts raced. ’What Ancestral Master Mingxuan wants to see is my character!’
’The first path is the grand and righteous one: return to the sect and fight the True Inheritance disciples, showcasing my own methods. It’s a test of whether I can win over one group while suppressing another to stabilize my position as Daoist.’
’The second path is obviously about earning merit to win over the masses. I would gather external forces and gain the support of the surviving Sword Dao lineage, allowing me to righteously preside over the Eight Peaks and secure my position as Crown Prince.’
The gray-robed Daoist paused in thought for a moment before continuing.
"The third path... The Innate Sect has a Dao field beyond this world where a ’Jianmu’ grows. It is one of the ten great wondrous trees of the universe. It can be used to cultivate a life of wood and help you obtain the [Great Forest Wood] Dao Fruit."
"If you feel that the first two paths are not stable enough for you to cultivate in peace, I can transport you there."
’Jianmu? The ultimate wood-based life? Obtaining a Dao Fruit?’
Jiang Yi’s throat bobbed. Despite his steady disposition, he couldn’t help but be shaken for a moment.
’As expected of a Demon Dao Ancestral Master, his skill at setting traps has reached perfection.’
Each path sounded like a grand thoroughfare leading directly to Foundation Establishment.
A fierce battle seemed to rage in his mind. He struggled intensely, unable to stop himself from shutting his eyes.
The gray-robed Daoist didn’t rush him, allowing the future Daoist of the Innate Sect to make his choice.
To the Eight Sects, a Daoist was a Crown Prince.
But looking across the Nanzhan Continent, there was no lack of precedents of Crown Princes being deposed and cast down.
Without sufficient ability, how could one hope to hold on to that great seat?
’One who is not a great vessel for cultivation cannot attain the Dao Certificate for [Shao Yang].’
’If this boy truly is the ’variable’ in the Ancient Demon Tribulation... ’
A dark light flickered in the gray-robed Daoist’s eyes.
"’Without tribulations, one cannot become a monarch; without hardship, how can one speak of the Dao? In that case, he should understand that the path to the heavens is inevitably fraught with perils.’"
「Not long after.」
Jiang Yi opened his eyes. The golden light within them had completely receded, leaving only a deep tranquility.
"This Disciple has made a decision."
The gray-robed Daoist raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to continue.
He had always believed that the goals of each stage of Cultivation were different.
It was like people in the secular world starting a family. Those from poor families should strive for change. Those from wealthy families must understand how to preserve their fortune and seek deep roots. And noble clans hoped for their legacy to be passed down for generations, their descendants forever enjoying glory...
Therefore, the three paths he had offered were in fact an "upper, middle, and lower" set of strategies.
The first was the path of an Upper Cultivator: enter the Changming Heavenly Pool and accumulate a grand momentum. As long as one could withstand the waves of overt and covert attacks, one’s Cultivation Merit would steadily rise, and sooner or later, one would command the awe of the Eight Peaks True Inheritance.
The second was the moderate plan: use borrowed power to establish a firm foothold and calmly deal with subsequent dangers.
The third was the mindset of a Lower Cultivator: seek stability in all things, always thinking that time is on one’s side.
Little did they know that until one became a Daoist Monarch who could rule Heaven’s Will, one was ultimately nothing but rotten wood and ants.
Sooner or later, they would be drawn into a scheme and used as a pawn to test the waters.
"Ancestral Master, this Disciple dares to request to walk all three paths."
Jiang Yi straightened up, his expression solemn.
"This Disciple is willing to first enter the Changming Heavenly Pool, be recorded in the Innate Sect’s lineage, and devote myself to Cultivation to condense the Innate Qi."
"Then, I will travel to the South Sea Biluo Cliff and, with my own ability, bring that surviving Sword Dao lineage into our fold to serve as an arm for the Sect."
"After I have succeeded, I will journey far beyond this world, borrow the mysteries of that Jianmu, and obtain a Dao Fruit..."
Upon hearing this, a light like electricity flashed in the gray-robed Daoist’s eyes. He scrutinized Jiang Yi, his gaze sweeping back and forth.
After a long moment, he finally spoke slowly.
"Your skill at figuring out what others are thinking is even better than your talent for Dao Wisdom."
"These three paths are each fraught with peril. If you walk all three, the slightest mistake will lead you to a state of eternal damnation. Have you truly thought this through?"
Of course, Jiang Yi didn’t think he could fool a Daoist Monarch. On the contrary, appropriately showing the "cleverness" of a Lower Cultivator would actually make a "great leader" like Daoist Monarch Xianyou Mingxuan find him more pleasing.
He declared in a clear voice:
"Ancestral Master, please see clearly. This Disciple has considered this deeply; it is by no means a rash impulse. No matter how eternally damning the path, it cannot be more dangerous than facing [Tai Yang]."
The gray-robed Daoist slowly nodded and said with a sigh:
"Since your mind is made up, then return to the Sect first. As for entering the Changming Heavenly Pool, Qin Baiyu will arrange everything properly."
Qin Baiyu was the Sect Leader of the Innate Sect.
Only a world-ruling Daoist Monarch like Daoist Monarch Xianyou Mingxuan would dare to address him directly by name.
Jiang Yi clasped his hands and said:
"Thank you for your guidance, Ancestral Master."
The gray-robed Daoist looked deeply at this Daoist Jiang.
"Boasts are easy to make, but great deeds are hard to accomplish. I will not interfere in this north-south chess game from now on. I only hope that by the end of the sixty-year cycle, you will have accumulated enough foundation to ascend to your position and attain the Dao Certificate for [Shao Yang]."
With that, he waved his large sleeve, flinging out a Talisman Decree and simultaneously sending Jiang Yi out of the Great Void.
...
...
As [Fengdu] sank away, Goose Mountain returned to its original state as a low, small earthen mound.
Liu Huan gazed upward, unable to help his confusion. A moment ago, he had clearly seen a flash of sword light and what looked like a figure in green flying out, but then all movement ceased.
At the top of the Exquisite Magic Tower.
Fu Lizi and Lou Zhenxiao exchanged a glance, equally puzzled.
They had seen it clearly. The figure that fell from the sword light was distinctly a young woman in green robes.
But in the next moment, a figure in a water-blue Daoist Robe silently appeared, stepping steadily onto a wide path paved with cinnabar-colored rosy light.
Jiang Yi stood in mid-air, the long wind whipping at his robes, making them flap and rustle.
Qiao Yu turned her head to look at him. Beside her stood a white-haired old man carrying an eight-foot bronze drum on his back, flanked by a Jade Maiden and Jade Boy manifested from Majestic Spirit Essence Qi.
The Ancestral Master’s Talisman Decree hidden within his body suddenly stirred as if it had sensed something. It abruptly shot out a ray of golden light that landed directly on the Great Kui Xuan Drum.
Without needing to be struck by a golden mallet, the bronze drum began to tremble violently on its own.
This time, it wasn’t seven beats, but a full nine!
DONG DONG—DONG DONG—DONG!
The nine drum beats were even more powerful and resonant than the seven that had previously welcomed the Daoist, shaking the mountains until they rumbled and causing rivers to flow backward.
The sound of the drum pierced the clouds, swept across the Four Rivers and Three Peaks, and sent tremors through every Dharma Lineage.
This was especially true for those under the rule of the Innate Sect. The Sect Leaders and Elders of the Inner Sects and Branch Sects all fell to their knees as if they were subjects paying homage to the Crown Prince.
"We finally get to see the real Daoist!"
The white-haired old man puffed out his chest. A moment later, an ancient yet resonant voice, carried by the drum’s might, spread throughout the north and south:
"Respectfully welcome the Daoist back to the Sect!"
As these words spread with the sound of the drum, cultivators from both the northern and southern realms echoed in unison:
"We welcome the Daoist!"
"Greetings, Daoist!"
Aboard the Exquisite Magic Tower, Fu Lizi and Lou Zhenxiao also bowed deeply in respect. They were both Foundation Establishment True Masters, yet there was no trace of reluctance on their faces as they saluted a Qi Cultivation cultivator.
It was only natural for the True Inheritance to respect the Daoist.
Jiang Yi took a deep breath and slowly steadied his Heart Spirit.
At this very moment, throughout the north and south, everyone was chanting his name alone.
Jiang Yi looked down. Liu Huan was kowtowing alongside Han Li, their figures clearly visible.
His gaze focused, and he saw his Grandpa, Yang Xun. The man’s lips were moving slightly, as if he were reciting scriptures.
Aided by the heavenly rumble of the Great Kui Xuan Drum and the connection to the Ancestral Master’s Talisman Decree inside him, his vision pierced the barriers of heaven and earth, allowing him to see even farther.
A towering man stood tall, rising from the ground like a strange peak.
His gaze shifted, falling upon more specific places:
Guniu Town, Red Flame Peak, Sanhe District, Guanlan Peak... His view continued to expand until it finally settled on Beimang Ridge.
Amidst this universal attention, Jiang Yi gently exhaled the pent-up air in his chest, then flicked his sleeves.
He strode through the air, chanting freely:
"Nine beats of the Xuan Drum shake the southern continent; rosy light paves a path to the heavens’ edge. Ten thousand peaks kowtow to honor their new master; a thousand rivers cheer for the crowned head."
"The dusty roads of yesteryear tempered my heart and bone; today’s journey on the clouds displays my grand ambition. Having seen through the scheme, I now return; to roam the Four Continents and Five Domains as I please!"
Before the echoes of his words had faded, a magnificent pillar of light, a full hundred feet in diameter, descended with a roar from the Qingming. Like a jade pillar holding up the sky, it steadily enveloped Jiang Yi, Qiao Yu, and the Artifact Spirit of the Great Kui Xuan Drum.
This was the "Ascension Ladder" sent by the Innate Sect.
The latter laughed heartily.
"Daoist, please enter the mountain gate!"
Jiang Yi glanced back one last time, then, without further hesitation, gave a slight nod.
The magnificent pillar of light suddenly contracted. A warm, pure radiance enveloped them, and they shot straight toward the cloudy heavens!
As fast as wind and lightning, they vanished, traveling ten thousand li in an instant!
