Chapter 136: Chapter 123: Three Eyes, Kui Thunder, Dragon-Binding Wood! (2-in-1)
"Congratulations to Junior Sister Bian on successfully breaking through the realm and increasing your lifespan by three hundred years!"
Gu Yuan, sitting on a meditation cushion, chuckled softly. With a sweep of his wide sleeve, a jade altar and a brand-new meditation cushion appeared before Bian Chuyao.
When leaving Qianyuan Cave, Gu Yuan had no intention of returning, so he packed up all his belongings. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to take out the cushion and tea to entertain guests.
As for the Little Giant Divine Wood in Qianyuan Cave, it withered and disappeared after Gu Yuan’s breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, as it could no longer absorb mana for him.
"I should be thanking Senior Brother instead. Without you, Chuyao wouldn’t be where she is today!"
Bian Chuyao gave Gu Yuan a graceful bow before sitting on the cushion in front of him.
But when she glanced up, she was instantly stunned.
"Truly, it is not the height of the mountain that matters; it is the presence of immortals that makes it spirited... Senior Brother’s cave mansion is indeed rudimentary, yet I did not expect it to contain such a precious treasure!"
Initially, Bian Chuyao felt quite indignant for Gu Yuan as she eyed the small and barren Earth Flame Island. But turning her gaze to the Four Spirits Jade Pillar in the cave mansion, frantically absorbing spiritual energy, her expression suddenly became complex.
With this treasure in hand, the quality of the cave mansion is irrelevant.
No wonder this person could, with humble lineage, rival disciples from noble families — now it makes sense.
Seeing this, Gu Yuan merely smiled lightly.
If he were still at the Qi Refining stage, he wouldn’t dare to flaunt the Four Spirits Jade Pillar openly.
But now, having successfully established his foundation and possessing his own Spirit Island, there is no need to keep it a secret.
With the Red Moon River battles impending, he needs to demonstrate more abilities to seize greater benefits; otherwise, former allies might have different thoughts.
After all, Foundation Establishment is different from Qi Refining; past strategies are hard to apply...
Looking at the Four Spirits Jade Pillar before her, Bian Chuyao’s expression was indeed complex.
She came from a distinguished background, always proud and high-spirited, acknowledging during the Qi Refining stage that she couldn’t match Gu Yuan, whose tactics were numerous and formidable.
Yet, after Foundation Establishment, everything changed. She was received by her grandfather, who bestowed upon her top-grade Divine Sense Spirit Water and various spiritual materials for Dharma Seal cultivation. She harbored hopes to compete with Gu Yuan once again.
Unexpectedly, upon entering the cave mansion, Gu Yuan immediately gave her a challenging start.
Judging by the intricate patterns on the Four Spirits Jade Pillar, it seems that this was once a secret treasure of the Celestial Secret Pavilion, used by the Celestials to nurture Sect Leader’s disciples — and it ended up with Gu Yuan.
For a moment, Bian Chuyao’s expression turned complex, gaining fresh admiration for Gu Yuan’s abilities.
This person indeed cannot be judged by the standards of a humble lineage disciple.
"What brings Junior Sister here today?"
Seeing his purpose achieved, Gu Yuan waved his sleeve, obscuring the Four Spirits Jade Pillar with mist, then asked Bian Chuyao.
"I shouldn’t have come to trouble Senior Brother, but out of obligation, I had no choice."
"Senior Brother Gu, you’ve been cultivating peacefully, yet because of you, our several clans have been in turmoil!"
Looking at Gu Yuan, calm and content in his cultivation, Bian Chuyao couldn’t help but sigh.
The value of spiritual energy far surpasses ordinary spiritual objects.
It is the key to Foundation Establishment — a lifespan of three hundred years!
No cultivator can remain indifferent.
Those true prodigies from noble families, disciples under the Golden Core Sect with Adept True Law, naturally don’t worry; their clan elders would go to any lengths to secure spiritual energy for them.
Yet those less fortunate disciples don’t have such luck.
They must compete and seize it for themselves.
Otherwise, in such a vast Daoist School, wouldn’t everyone establish their foundation?
Normally, there’s no spiritual energy flowing out, but this time, twenty streams burst out at once, shaking the entire Daoist School — countless storms within, countless people rushing about.
"Even in my Bian Family, we couldn’t avoid the commotion. I didn’t even know there were so many uncles, aunts, nephews, and nieces..."
Speaking of this, Bian Chuyao lightly shook her head, feeling quite helpless.
"So how did Junior Sister decide to distribute it?"
Gu Yuan inquired.
"Human bonds and blood connections are the hardest to repay. I’ve been deeply favored by my clan since childhood, with luxury and wealth, hence I must return the favor."
"I chose three siblings in the clan most likely to break through to Foundation Establishment and shared the spiritual energy with them. As for the last stream, I kept it for unforeseen needs..."
Bian Chuyao suddenly blinked playfully and smiled.
Everyone has selfish desires; if the great path isn’t achieved, one must seek a Dao companion and birth descendants — it’s the human moral path, with no reproach, or how else would there be families cultivating immortality?
Many fair, stunning young fairies eventually marry and have children, living as immortal lovers.
Bian Chuyao worried that if she ends up this way one day, she would leave a stream of spiritual energy for her unaccomplished offspring.
Should the great path be achieved, use this spiritual energy as a resource to continue climbing.
Bian Chuyao isn’t lacking ambition, but the difficulty of the great path is beyond imagination.
After Foundation Establishment comes the Golden Core — how many talented individuals have fallen at this threshold?
Through the ages, perhaps only a few succeeded.
Cloud Mist Valley, Ancient Mountain Secret Realm, along with the recent Four Spirits Jade Pillar — she realizes heaven is beyond heaven, there are people beyond people; the blood kin destined for Golden Core aren’t guaranteed to achieve it.
"Junior Sister’s distribution is indeed reasonable."
Gu Yuan smiled slightly.
"My spiritual energy is naturally mine to command; others can’t say anything. Once shared and out of reach, it’s forgotten. But Senior Brother’s spiritual energy remains undistributed, causing quite a stir — Senior Brother, you don’t know how long you’ve stayed in retreat, countless people are eager for your spiritual energy."
"Every day, countless humble lineage, noble family, Seven Vein disciples take turns knocking on the island, seeking to convince me for a share of your spiritual energy. I’m not sure where the rumor came from, claiming I could decide for you..."
"How can I, a mere woman, decide for the Daoist School’s pride..."
Bian Chuyao couldn’t help but mutter, her eyes sneakily glancing at Gu Yuan.
Gu Yuan, hearing this, laughed quietly without words.
This woman is indeed adept at using words to sway people.
Yet, without her in the Ancient Mountain Secret Realm, his spirit-seizing attempt wouldn’t have been so smooth; and he knows she’s not someone lacking judgment — surely there is wisdom in her choices. Thinking of this, he spoke directly:
"No need to beat around the bush, just say it — which immortal found their way to you?"
Bian Chuyao chuckled and didn’t hide it further: "It’s an uncle from Ruyi Peak."
"Senior Brother should know that when the Daoist School selects talents, they take into account the larger picture, not altering for one or two individuals; once-in-a-century opportunities won’t change, if luck isn’t favorable, another method must be sought."
"In the past, many spirit peaks and noble families had treasures to seek other methods for their disciples. But now, the South Mountain Domain is highly unsettled, making it extremely difficult to find spiritual energy. Currently, the best method is Senior Brother!"
"With one word from Senior Brother, spiritual energy is instantly secured, sparing countless arduous efforts, hence everyone seeks you."
"Ruyi Peak has a female disciple, naturally possessing a Taiyin Dao Body, her talents are extraordinary, arguably the most gifted disciple of Ruyi Peak in centuries, far surpassing Si Rujing. If not for her youth and insufficient cultivation, she’d surely be involved in this Ancient Mountain Peak Secret Realm competition."
"This girl is now at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer and within a few years, will certainly reach Qi Refining Perfection."
"But without spiritual energy, who knows how long it would take for her to establish a foundation, so Ruyi Peak sought me out to persuade you to share a stream of Taiyin Moonlight Qi."
"I originally didn’t want to be a mediator, considering the spiritual energy I received was mostly thanks to Senior Brother, how could I have the face to ask for more? Yet, Ruyi Peak offered a very high price, which I think Senior Brother shouldn’t miss..."
Bian Chuyao spoke at length, but Gu Yuan asked only one question: "What is the price?"
"Senior Brother built the Cyan Ginseng Dao Foundation, surely decided on the Dragon-Binding Truth-Sealing Seal in the Transmission Hall. This seal has immense power but requires Heaven-Earth Strange Wood, specifically Dragon-Binding Wood for refinement."
"Ruyi Peak possesses a Dragon Wood of exceptional quality, which can aid Senior Brother in refining this seal!"
