Family Cultivation: I Become a Mirror

The waves of the East Sea stretched for thousands of miles, with bizarre rocks and crags jutting out and a dense mass of waves rolling in incessantly from the limitless east, one after another without end. Islands were connected, creating a landscape quite different from that within the seas, as the brilliant morning sun rose from the horizon, casting myriad rays of rosy light.

Li Qinghong was visiting overseas for the first time, and she found the scene so enchanting that she couldn't help but ask,

"At the edge of the sky and the corner of the sea, could it be where Immortals dwell?"

Kong Yu, twirling his beard, laughed and replied,

"Travel east to the end of the East Sea, and you reach the boundless void where the sea's waters pour backward, falling into the void. As they fall, they slow down and eventually transform into vapor, rising back up to return to the sea."

"That place has no qi, no spirits, and not even The Great Void exists there, referred to as beyond the heavens. In ancient times, Cultivators and the Demon Race each set out from the Four Seas into the limitless beyond, none to ever return."

Li Yuanjiao nodded, having heard of these matters from Li Xizhi. He then asked,

"If that's the case... why set out on such a journey?"

Kong Yu spoke with a hint of emotion,

"When a Cultivator achieves the Golden Core, they attain a level of realization; they replace the will of the heavens with their heart. Above that is the Embryonic Dao stage, but what is above Embryonic Dao? There is no path left to follow..."

"It was said that it used to be impossible to leave, the boundary of the Four Seas had a Heavenly Canopy. The battle at Pingming Crossing shrank the heavens by three zhang and raised the earth by nine chi, and from then on, the Four Seas had no constraints, nor was Cultivation bound. Those who reached the Embryonic Dao stage felt a calling that the great dao lies beyond the heavens, and so they went forth beyond."

Li Yuanjiao nodded silently while Kongheng, standing beside him, uttered a sigh before speaking,

"So this is the view of the Immortal Sect... Buddhism sees it rather differently."

He seemed a bit embarrassed as he prefaced,

"The scriptures once stated that the battle of Pingming Crossing was known as the heir of karmic defilements, as well as the divide between Buddha's past and future lives. In former lifetimes, Immortal Laws prevailed, and the Xia people governed the world, while in later lives, Buddhism thrived, and the Hujie replaced Xia..."

Kongheng had been very tactful, but the expressions on the faces of the others were still not very pleasant. Kong Yu, however, seemed pensive,

"After the battle at Pingming Crossing, the Wei Country perished, and Qi, Liang, Zhou, and Yan rose and fell, all under Hujie rule. Perhaps the words of Buddha are a prophecy of destiny."

Kong Yu smirked and said in a low voice,

"Five hundred years ago, Immortal Mansions in the south still had ambitions of reclaiming the northern territories. But as several Mansions fell one after the other, they now only think of fighting among themselves in their own corners. Buddha's statement may not be wrong after all! With Immortal Law overturned, all that remains in the south is the Demonic Path!"

The disciples of Xuan Yue Sect behind them looked at each other in confusion. One disciple protested,

"Master's words don't make sense. We derive pleasure from vanquishing demons and slaying monsters, bringing peace to the world. How does that relate to the Demonic Path?"

Kong Yu's aged face was filled with bitterness as he tightened his grip on his wooden staff and glanced at Li Yuanjiao, sighing,

"You are still young... you do not understand the ways of the world... It's not just about slaying demons and monsters. Should you step wrong, you yourself might become the demon, and to speak of pleasure... pleasure..."

The disciples either reflected on his words or showed unconvinced faces, while Kongheng looked on with a compassionate face, seemingly in agreement.

Seeing his expression, Li Yuanjiao guessed that Xuan Yue Sect must have been coerced or willingly participated in questionable deeds during the demonic calamities. He just shook his head and said warmly,

"Your sect has done relatively well."

Kong Yu gave a muffled laugh, then pointed ahead to change the subject, smiling,

"Up ahead is Fenkui Island, the first stop in the lower East Sea!"

Divided into the Five Great Seas, after leaving the Salty Lake's near sea, one enters the Red Reef Sea, where bizarre rock formations abound and islands are numerous. As the group looked ahead, they saw a large island rising before them.

The island was vast and massive, dotted with various pavilions and palaces, with numerous Cultivators flying up and down. In the distance, parts of the island were still concealed in clouds and mist, making its full scope unimaginable.

Kong Yu laughed,

"This place is called Fenkui Island. The Fire Vein here is extraordinarily vigorous, even surpassing the volcanic deserts and is a major spectacle of the East Sea."

The group was astonished, and the disciples of Xuan Yue buzzed with questions. Kong Yu, with a proud look on his face, explained,

"This island is named after the Ying Ze Immortal of Moonlight Origin Mansion, who is said to have captured the Shaoyang Demon Lord here, known as Kuai Li."

"This Demon Lord had already achieved the Shaoyang realization level, indestructible and immortal. Fearing that he would not be fully eradicated, the Immortal allowed him to reincarnate and cultivate anew. He took the white jade hairpin from his head, divided the Demon Lord into three parts."

"One part was cast into the Beiming Sea, transforming into a girl called Lady Beiyao. Another part was thrown into the Great Xi Yan Plains in the west, turning into the demon leader Xi Yan, and the last part sank to the bottom of the East Sea, later taken by the Dragon Kind and became the current East Sea Xi Yang Dragon Lord."

Li Yuanjiao listened, feeling both anxious and amazed, sensing the atmosphere of the East Sea. Such words would never be spoken in Green Pond, but here in the East Sea, they could be shared openly. He simply asked,

"Are these three all Golden Core Cultivators?"

Kong Yu answered,

"It is only known that Lady Beiyao and the Dragon Lord are Golden Core Cultivators, while the one in the Great Xi Yan is but a legend…"

"If that is true… would it not mean one Shaoyang realization level was split into three Golden Cores... all of them Golden Cores..."

A disciple of Xuan Yue Sect asked, puzzled,

"How can that be possible?"

Kong Yu chuckled and replied,

"What do you know, boy! Back when the combined Hornless Dragon of Heshui split into nine, a single Golden Core managed to create nine more Golden Cores. The mysteries of the Golden Core are not for you little Cultivators to imagine!"

The crowd chattered among themselves. After waiting for a while, Kong Yu saw a Female Cultivator fly toward them, her face beaming with a smile, dressed in cyan Feather Clothing, her feet stepping on a cloud of pink mist. She first bowed to Kong Yu,

"I have seen my uncle!"

Then she turned to Li Yuanjiao with eager warmth,

"Brother Jiao has arrived! This is a pleasant surprise. Please come with me; we'll have a seat up ahead."

The group of young men and women naturally followed Kong Yu down, with each being arranged to embark on their own trials. Kong Tingyun glimpsed at Li Qinghong and her eyes sparkled with amazement, smilingly she said,