Chapter 513 - 148: Paying Respects to Master
Qianmu Temple was now protected by a great Array, so True Spirits generally couldn’t harass the disciples cultivating inside. Because of this, Wang Ping’s process of condensing his Primordial Spirit went very smoothly. Along the way, he even managed to solidify a bit of the locust tree’s Divine Soul Guide.
The system panel’s guide stated that devouring three Divine Soul Guides could replace the step of condensing a Primordial Spirit. Wang Ping had originally wanted to purchase them, but despite asking Qianmu Temple and the Daoist Palace to search for them through their various channels, there had been no news.
This item required a Second Realm Taiyan Cultivator who had reached the late stage to condense. However, given the lifespan of a Second Realm Taiyan Cultivator, if they couldn’t advance to the Third Realm, they could at most condense three of them in their entire life—and that was only if everything went smoothly. Under normal circumstances, no one would be willing to sell one.
As for Third Realm Taiyan Cultivators, they were all outstanding figures in the Cultivation Realm, and each was very wealthy. Unless a favor was owed, or they needed a special item that only Wang Ping possessed, they wouldn’t trade so easily.
Wang Ping’s Primordial Spirit had already been cultivated to the point where it could move about freely, but he still couldn’t use the Heaven-Reaching Talisman to cast Magic. Nevertheless, he could clearly feel his progress.
When he first started, his Primordial Spirit could only absorb Spiritual Energy for a moment before being overwhelmed. Now, he could sustain the process for three hours without any discomfort. However, after just two hours, his Primordial Spirit would become saturated and unable to absorb any more Spiritual Energy, a feeling just like being full after a meal.
"If you could refine the Divine Technique Formation and use it to condense your Primordial Spirit, I feel like it would be much faster," Yu Lian suggested as Wang Ping finished his cultivation.
"I was just thinking the same thing."
Wang Ping nodded, then rose and looked toward the morning sun on the horizon. Just then, a sea breeze blew in from the south, causing the Spirit Wood in the small courtyard to sway back and forth. It rustled the flowerbeds, and a single blossom was lifted by the wind, only to be immediately swallowed by Yu Lian in one gulp.
Wang Ping extended a hand, feeling the coolness of the sea breeze, and said, "It’s time to go pay my respects to Master."
"Mhm!"
...
The rear mountain of Qianmu Mountain’s main peak.
Yu Cheng Taoist’s Dao Field was the same as before, consisting of a few thatched huts. The old locust tree outside was still the most conspicuous feature.
There were many people in the small courtyard at the moment. Besides Yu Cheng Taoist, there were also Ruan Chunzi, Yuan Zheng Taoist, Wu Quan, and Ganxing. For the past ten-plus days, they had been playing chess in the courtyard. Xia Wen Yi and Xuanling, who had been away, had also returned. Along with Wang Yang, the three of them were present as juniors, accompanying their elders.
Before Wang Ping entered the courtyard, an Inner Sect Disciple stationed there had already announced his arrival, so Xia Wen Yi, Xuanling, and Wang Yang had long been waiting outside.
When the three of them saw Wang Ping, they immediately cupped their fists in salute and said, "Master!"
Wang Yang and Xia Wen Yi then called out, "Martial Uncle Yu Lian." Xuanling, however, was a beat too slow and earned a glare from Yu Lian.
Wang Ping gave Xia Wen Yi a pointed look, then strode into the courtyard. He first cupped his fists in a salute to Yu Cheng Taoist and said, "Master, your disciple has returned."
"Mm, good!"
Yu Cheng Taoist smiled. "It’s good that you’re back."
Afterward, Ruan Chunzi, Wu Quan, Ganxing, and Yuan Zheng Taoist came forward to greet Wang Ping. After exchanging pleasantries, they sat down around a half-finished chess game. The game was between Yuan Zheng Taoist and Ruan Chunzi, and Yuan Zheng Taoist clearly had the advantage.
"In the ten days I was in seclusion, has any news come back from Shangjing City?" Wang Ping asked, getting straight to the point.
"There’s a lot of news, but none about Xiao Shan Lord. I even made a special trip to visit the Six Heart Sect, but no news has come back from anyone there, either," Ruan Chunzi spoke first. He had many friends in the Cultivation Realm and was well-regarded in the Southern Cultivation Realm.
Wu Quan added, "I contacted Fellow Daoist Zi Luan. He said he needs to wait in Pingzhou Road for a while longer."
Yuan Zheng Taoist then said, "Although Shangjing City was destroyed, a lot of good things were buried underground. Coupled with some rumors—for instance, about great treasures left behind by fallen Third Realm Cultivators, and even talk of a True Monarch perishing in Shangjing City—it has naturally led many cultivators below the Third Realm to flock there to fight for it all."
Yu Lian chimed in, "There probably really are some good things. The items left behind by the several hundred Second Realm Cultivators who later rushed into the Locust Tree Forest would be enough to attract them, not to mention all the Third Realm Cultivators at the beginning. As for the rumors about a True Monarch, that’s just pure nonsense."
"Master, this disciple volunteers to make a trip to Shangjing City!"
Xia Wen Yi declared from the side, cupping his fists.
Wang Ping didn’t reprimand him, merely saying, "We need to consider this matter carefully."
"What on earth happened in Shangjing City? There are so many rumors lately, I don’t know which one to believe." Wu Quan was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, then looked at Wang Ping with an expectant expression.
"Let me tell it, let me tell it..."
Yu Lian tilted her head back and took on the role of narrator, telling everyone what happened in Shangjing City. Her account was sometimes a little exaggerated. For example, she hadn’t actually seen the fight between Rongyang Monarch and Master Kaiyun clearly, only knowing the final result; the details of the process were all her own invention. However, this didn’t detract from the overall story.
As for the past events recounted later by that wisp of Xiao Shan Lord’s consciousness, she was clever enough not to mention a single word.
By the time everyone finished listening to Yu Lian’s tale, half an hour had passed. No one applauded the story, because they had all fallen into silence.
After a long while, Ruan Chunzi touched the gourd of strong liquor at his waist and asked, "So, you’re saying that right now, no one knows if Xiao Shan Lord succeeded in his advancement?"
"I’m afraid so."
Wang Ping nodded and said, "Perhaps in the future of the Cultivation Realm, the story of his advancement will become like that of Ancestor Yuxiao’s—with no definitive conclusion."
Hearing this, Yuan Zheng Taoist sighed and said, "The might of the heavens is unfathomable. An advancement backed by the power of all Zhongzhou still couldn’t succeed... How can people like us find the motivation to continue on this path!"
"What’s the point of thinking so much? Aren’t we doing just fine right now? We play chess, drink, and make merry every day. When we have free time, we can wander through famous mountains and great rivers, visit a friend or two... Tell me, how many people in this world can live as freely as we do!"
Ruan Chunzi had a different perspective.
Wu Quan immediately agreed. "I concur. In cultivation, the biggest taboo is being overly ambitious. Everyone, don’t overthink it!"
Yu Cheng Taoist remained silent the entire time, because there was very little he could do anymore.
At this moment, Ganxing spoke up. "However, it is indeed necessary to go and contend for what’s in Shangjing City. Setting everything else aside, the wealth left behind by the hundreds of Second Realm Cultivators who entered the Locust Tree Forest is reason enough. We may not need it, but the disciples of our sects can use it!"
"But it wouldn’t be appropriate for us to get involved personally, would it?" Wu Quan said, looking at Wang Ping as he spoke.
Wang Ping simply smiled and didn’t reply.
Ruan Chunzi picked up the thread. "Let’s send some Inner Sect Disciples. Whether they succeed or not will depend on their own personal opportunities. But this matter is dangerous and could be life-threatening, so disciples below Foundation Establishment should not go."
Hearing this, Xia Wen Yi, who was standing nearby, looked like he wanted to say something, but was stopped by Wang Yang beside him.
Ganxing turned to Wang Ping and cupped his hands. "Fellow Daoist, what do you think?"
Wang Ping nodded. "That’s acceptable. We’ll take the route of the Chu Country’s army and enter Shangjing City from the direction of True Yang Mountain."
The others all nodded in agreement.
After the matter was settled, Wang Ping glanced at his master, then turned to Wu Quan and asked, "Has any news come back about Daoist Xiu Yu?"
"None!"
Wu Quan’s answer was firm. "He’s vanished, just like Xiao Shan Lord..."