Chapter 251: Chapter 200: The Emperor’s Dragon-Slaying Ground, The Eight Sects’ Private Schemes (Part 2)
Among them, the second son, Yazi, was executed, his head taken and engraved upon swords.
Chaofeng and Pulao were captured, one becoming a beast adorning a palace eave, the other the handle of a great bell.
"The ninth son, Chiwen, also went over to the Dongsheng Continent three thousand years ago, voluntarily becoming the Spine-Devouring Beast for the Mixed Element Imperial Calendar and the Golden Palace of the Bright Dao."
Jiang Yi raised an eyebrow. This was further proof of the Tai Yang’s tyranny—they actually dared to slay the heir of a Daoist Monarch, a Great Power, just to perfect their Daoist imagery.
"The Fulong Ravine that True Monarch Lu spoke of is the place where Yazi perished.
That dragon prince was at the True Monarch Level. He was slain by Ji Fuyao on Mount Shouyang, his blood staining the land for a thousand miles and transforming it into five peaks and four rivers. It is a land of absolute death, with a baleful aura that soars to the heavens, often used to farm Ancient Demon Cultivators who practice in Blood Qi...
You are the new master of the Shao Yang. The moment you step into Fulong Ravine, there’s no telling how many Killing Tribulations will come rushing your way."
A look of understanding dawned in Jiang Yi’s eyes. ’The Water of Kan only emerges in times of peril. If I step into Fulong Ravine, I’ll be like a fish in a boiling pot, my fate completely out of my hands.’
"Cat Master, I have to collect the Water of Kan."
He gently rubbed True Master Xuanmiao’s ears, soothing her.
"Ji Fuyao combined the Five Flavors of Great Medicine with his True Qi. I must surpass him in this, no matter what."
True Master Xuanmiao immediately fell silent, slumping down as if all her strength had left her.
This was the nature of climbing in a Daoist Lineage. Her former master had also needed to curry favor from all sides, even kneeling before a True Monarch to beg for a Cultivation Opportunity.
"Cat Master, you stay safe here at Changming Heavenly Lake. Once I’m out of Fulong Ravine, I’ll go to Qian Peak for an audience with the Sect Leader and ask for his help in removing your seal."
Jiang Yi had made his decision back in the Kan Water Palace. He would cast aside all his aids and enter Fulong Ravine alone to gather the final Great Medicine.
’As long as I can reach the Flying Foundation Establishment Realm and ascend to the position of Shao Yang, these precarious times of treading on thin ice will be nothing more than steps on the path that brought me here.’
...
...
The Qian hexagram represents Heaven.
Thus, Qian Peak was situated at the highest point of the Innate Sect, like the zenith of the heavens themselves.
Countless rays of auspicious light erupted forth, crashing against the astral winds like waterfalls and tidal waves.
This place was the absolute heartland of the Innate Sect, its status even more important than Changming Heavenly Lake, where the cosmic portal was located.
Without a Talisman Decree or a direct edict from the Sect Leader, not even a True Disciple was permitted to trespass a single step.
Suddenly, the clear ring of a chime stone echoed from outside the main hall of Qian Peak.
The next moment, True Monarch Lu drifted in, her body like flowing water and clouds, her form like mist and smoke.
In the seat of honor to the north of the main hall was a ninety-foot-tall Dharma Platform. A Daoist man in a feathered robe and star crown sat upon it, holding a dragon-and-tiger Jade Ruyi.
It was none other than the Sect Leader of the Innate Sect, Qin Baiyu!
Upon seeing True Monarch Lu, Qin Baiyu said with a warm laugh:
"Junior Sister, you don’t visit this temple for nothing. What brings you all the way to Qian Peak today?"
This True Monarch Cunyuan Cunjing came from the same master as Qin Baiyu, making them peers in seniority.
True Monarch Lu said coolly,
"The Daoist has already gathered the Five Flavors of Great Medicine. He only lacks the ’Water of Kan.’ I intend to open Fulong Ravine for him."
Qin Baiyu smiled faintly.
"The Daoist is willing to brave the dangers of Fulong Ravine?"
True Monarch Lu replied,
"Since he chose to return to the Sect, it shows he has an unyielding and resolute nature. The Daoist understands clearly that if he cannot suppress the Eight Peaks and take control of Changming, he will perish sooner or later.
Therefore, he will not pass up any opportunity to advance his path."
Qin Baiyu mused,
"What you say, Junior Sister, reminds me of an old acquaintance. Can two generations of the Shao Yang truly be so alike?"
The moment he finished speaking, the sound of surging waves suddenly filled the main hall of Qian Peak, as if a hundred rivers were converging and rushing in.
Qin Baiyu’s expression instantly turned serious as he returned to the matter at hand.
"It is, of course, a good thing that the Daoist is willing to brave danger for the Six Harmonies Great Medicine. Ancestral Master Mingxuan personally appointed the Shao Yang as the Daoist, and the Shao Yang in turn has been fixated on him for a full sixty-year cycle. It has created a deadlock.
I have to suppress the descendants of the Eight Monarchs on one side while stabilizing the master-disciple lineage on the other. It truly isn’t easy to be in charge.
If the Daoist proves to have some astonishing qualities, it would allow me to breathe a little easier."
But in her heart, True Monarch Lu didn’t believe a word of it. ’This senior brother of mine is as secure in his position as Sect Leader as Mount Tai is on its foundation.’
In less than a thousand years, the descendants of the Eight Monarchs, who had once occupied more than half the seats in the upper hall, had lost all their prestige and no longer dared cause a scene on Qian Peak.
The Disciples of the Lower Courtyard now all came from the master-disciple lineage, and promising new Dao Materials frequently emerged from among them.
It was clear that Qin Baiyu’s skill in maintaining balance was simply sublime.
He was truly worthy of the Ancestral Master’s personal praise as a "great talent for maintaining order."
"Senior Brother, the ambitions in your heart are vast enough to encompass the entire Yanfu Vast Land. I am far from your equal."
True Monarch Lu’s tone shifted.
"I came here today for one thing only: to hear your true thoughts, Senior Brother. What is the Sect Leader’s real view of the Daoist who now occupies Changming Heavenly Lake?"
Qin Baiyu’s expression didn’t change, and he continued to smile.
"The Daoist is the Daoist. To me, he is neither an ’outsider’ nor a ’pawn.’ You need not worry, Junior Sister.
As the saying goes, to hold an office is to manage its affairs. As Sect Leader, I must prioritize the great plans of the Sect.
The Daoist has not yet won everyone over. To show him my clear support at this time would only sow the seeds of chaos.
But if he can secure his position as Crown Prince through his own strength, then he will become the sharpest weapon for subduing the descendants of the Eight Monarchs and winning over the master-disciple lineage in the future."
True Monarch Lu lowered her eyes, listening quietly without a word.
’Her senior brother, the Sect Leader, is just like Ancestral Master Mingxuan,’ she thought. ’They both intend to wait and see.’
Qin Baiyu continued,
"I will not interfere with his collection of the Water of Kan in Fulong Ravine, and I will do my best to prevent other powers from meddling.
However, once the Daoist reaches the Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer, I have indeed prepared a test for him."
True Monarch Lu’s gaze flickered. She knew all too well her senior brother, the Sect Leader, had a decisive and formidable style. A "test" coming from him would be anything but ordinary.
"What is it?"
"The Juku Continent."
Qin Baiyu’s tone grew heavy.
"If the Daoist can survive Fulong Ravine and collect all of the Six Harmonies Medicine, then I, the Sect Leader, will open the Juku Continent for him."
’The Juku Continent?’ she thought in shock.
