Chapter 103: Chapter 86: [Blood Qi] Was Once the Vow, [Clear Qi] Now Wields the Mystic Word

[Dao Wisdom slightly increased. Spiritual Essence minutely improved. An accumulation of tiny gains may present an Opportunity for a ’Literary Qi’ baptism!]

The tadpole-like characters reflected in his eyes, and Jiang Yi was slightly taken aback.

’A great advancement in Cultivation, a breakthrough in my bottleneck, and reciting poetry is helpful… It sounded like mysticism, but it actually works!’

He had originally thought it was just a joke, holding the simple attitude of ’I might as well give it a try; there’s nothing to lose.’

He hadn’t expected that after beseeching the Celestial Book, the answer he received would be that it was effective!

’It seems, then, that the Literary Dao must have once manifested in the Five Domains of the Yanfu Vast Land. Otherwise, such a Rule of Heaven and Earth wouldn’t have been left behind.’

’Even if its lineage can no longer be seen today, a minuscule echo of that great Dao still remains.’

Jiang Yi mused to himself. This must be why Sword Cultivators possessed such openly unrivaled killing power, reigning supreme among those of the same realm.

It was likely because the Sword Dao had reached a glorious peak one hundred and twenty thousand years ago, its brilliance illuminating the heavens and earth of the Five Domains.

Even though it was later suppressed with the full might of the Buddhist Dao, nearly to the point of extinction, it could never be completely erased.

’Extrapolating from this, the continuation of a Daoist Lineage and Method seems more like a Cultivator’s personal verification of Heaven and Earth, of the Great Dao itself.’

Jiang Yi had only just broken through the realm, so his Dao Wisdom was shining brightly, and his thoughts began to wander uncontrollably.

Could the four Daoist Lineages currently manifest in the Yanfu Vast Land be seen as four supreme and unparalleled “Dao Certificates”?

Or perhaps they were the unique ways in which the Daoist Lords at the very apex explained their own Great Daos to the world?

’Qi Cultivation tempers the Furnace Cauldron, Foundation Establishment refines Life Essence… I suppose one must reach the True Monarch Level to be considered as truly ’Cultivating the Dao’ in the proper sense.’

Jiang Yi promptly reigned in his thoughts. He always remembered that a Lower Cultivator should not excessively speculate about an Upper Cultivator, as their positions and perspectives were vastly different.

’Now that I’ve reached the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer, I can finally go to Guanlan Peak and attend Senior Brother Xu Yan’s little gathering.’

When Jiang Yi had chosen to accept the Nourishing Essence Pills, it had already signified his acceptance of Xu Yan’s friendly overture.

The reason he had delayed going was simply that he felt his Cultivation at the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer lacked a certain confidence. Mingling with the Inner Peak Disciples, he would inevitably be looked down upon and might even have to endure some snide remarks.

Things like face, no matter whose door you enter or whose connections you rely on, must ultimately be earned by yourself.

’There’s also a Preaching Elder’s lecture at the Inner Peak today. It’s on the way, so I might as well listen in.’

Jiang Yi picked up the Cat Master, tucked it into his robes, and stepped out into the snow, heading directly toward the Inner Peak.

「After the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, outside the courtyard gate.」

Luo Qian’er was filled with excitement, practically flying over, only to be met with a closed door.

“Marshal Jiang isn’t home.”

Seemingly startled by Luo Qian’er’s urgent knocking, the Little Daoist Child from the neighboring Yang Residence poked his head out and replied in a soft voice:

“He must have gone to the Inner Peak for Senior Brother Xu’s gathering!”

“How could I be so slow! It’s all Zhou Can’s fault for dawdling and insisting on spouting so much nonsense!”

Luo Qian’er stomped her foot in frustration, annoyed with herself for being a step too late, then immediately turned and strode quickly toward the Forging Room.

She had heard from her younger brother, Luo Tong, that Zhou Zhiyi of the Forging Room had a Flying Crane that could take one directly to the Inner Peak.

…

…

「On Guanlan Peak, the clouds were like cotton, and the sky was a clear blue.」

Even though a great snow had sealed the mountain below, the wide plateau at the peak was spotless. Besides the diligent sweeping of the servants, this was also thanks to the protection of an Array.

As Jiang Yi came to attend a lecture once more, his state of mind was completely different.

The last time he came, he could only pick an inconspicuous corner to sit in. Now, however, he dared to move to a seat closer to the front.

’I wonder when I’ll be able to sit in the front row.’

The random thought flashed through his mind as Jiang Yi sat down in the middle section. The woven cattail cushion radiated warmth, unexpectedly causing a pleasant, warm current to surge through his body.

’So there’s a difference between the cushions in the front and back rows. The status gaps in the Demon Dao Dharma Lineage are truly everywhere.’

Jiang Yi sighed with emotion and waited quietly for the Preaching Elder to arrive.

Before long, the resonant sound of a Copper Chime rang out, its clear tone spreading across Guanlan Peak.

A gaunt-faced elder was seen riding the wind, his robes fluttering as he landed on the nine-foot-high platform and sat down calmly.

This time, Jiang Yi could finally see some of the intricacies. This Elder Xu also cultivated Ding Fire. He must have been refining a mist-like Spiritual Mechanism Qi to lift his physical body off the ground and into the air.

’His Cultivation is probably at the Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer.’

Within Jiang Yi’s Primordial Gate, his Brain God was exultant and vigorous, and his consciousness grew even more robust.

Even when facing a Cultivator one or two layers higher, he could now keenly sense a trace of their Qi Mechanism’s flow.

This was all thanks to the subtlety of “Mixed Refining Origin,” which, when it elevated his Little Refining Yuan Fire Control Technique, had imbued it with a more profound and abstruse true meaning.

“Last time, I lectured on the art of ’Soaring and Climbing Clouds,’ yet a few overambitious juniors came asking me about the ’Flying Escape Technique’ again.”

Elder Xu spoke, his voice as loud and clear as a great bell:

“You must understand that riding the wind and clouds is but a minor Spell. Once you reach the Fifth Layer, diligently increase your Merit, and your Inner Mansion Spiritual Liquid becomes abundant, you can make your body as light as a feather. Then, by using your Primordial Divine Thought to grasp the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Mechanism, you can soar into the air by manipulating its release and retraction.

Beginners can master it with fifteen or sixteen days of practice.

But the ’Flying Escape Technique’ is a method for Upper Cultivators. It involves controlling water and fire, gathering and dispersing one’s form, treading the void and traversing space, crossing ten thousand miles in an instant… The two cannot be mentioned in the same breath!”

Jiang Yi listened attentively from below, feeling a little regretful.

He had missed such valuable information a while ago. Considering he had already stepped into the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer, it was the perfect time to learn a wind-riding technique, which would make traveling between the various inner and outer peaks much more convenient.

“Today, we won’t discuss Magic Skills for now. Instead, I will discuss the Dao with you all to broaden your horizons and deepen the foundation of your Cultivation.”

Elder Xu was in high spirits, his tone enthusiastic.

“Do you all know that beyond the Five Elements, there are also the Five Qi? Who can name them?”

As soon as his voice fell, an Inner Peak Disciple in the second row answered loudly:

“Replying to the Elder, they are the Ancestral Qi, the Profound Qi, the Primordial Qi, the Blood Qi, and the Clear Qi!”

Elder Xu nodded in approval and smiled.

“Han Li, you are very good. You’ve clearly done your homework. Worthy of the Direct Lineage of the Huangfeng Han Clan, you possess a solid foundation in Cultivation.”

He paused for a moment before continuing his explanation.

“These Five Qi can be generated by Heaven and Earth, or they can be realized by a Great Power.

Among them, Primordial Qi has the widest application. The vast Spiritual Mechanism and the root of the Ten Thousand Truths all originate from it.

The Spiritual Qi you breathe daily and the Spiritual Mechanism you refine are all evolved from this Primordial Qi.

It is said that a Great Power in our Daoist Dharma Lineage once used this to deduce a world-shaking Dao Inheritance, allowing a Mortal Body to align with the aspect of Primordial Qi, causing a One Element’s worth of Spiritual Mechanism to resonate in response and build an unsurpassed foundation.

Unfortunately, this act was denounced by those of the Immortal Dao as ’an overreaching, demonic delusion,’ so it’s unknown whether it ever succeeded.”

Jiang Yi frowned. ’Why does that sound so familiar?’

Isn’t this the tenet taught by the Cat Master: “Mixed Refining Origin, Commander of Ten Thousand Truths”?

On the nine-foot-high platform, Elder Xu was caught up in his lecture, speaking eloquently and at length.

“Two of the Five Qi were realized by Great Powers. One is Blood Qi, which was the great work of our Dao’s founder. In ancient times, when All Cultivators communed with Heaven and Earth to make contracts, form alliances, or declare vows, they would swear an ’Essence Blood Oath’ to show their solemnity.

Hatefully, in order to suppress our Dao, the Immortal Dao promoted a True Monarch who successfully realized the Clear Qi.

From then on, the power of Blood Qi was greatly diminished, and it gradually faded into obscurity.

Nowadays, when a Cultivator takes an oath, they can only form a contract with Clear Qi to elicit a response from Heaven and Earth.”

Jiang Yi listened with great interest. Elder Xu was finally talking about something substantial this time.

He couldn’t help but recall the line his Grandpa, Yang Xun, had mentioned: “With the Immortal Dao’s Thunder Core established above, the Blood Evil Yin Demon cannot emerge.” This sparked a connection in his mind.

’Could it be that the Blood Qi realized by that Great Power of the Demon Dao was first suppressed by the Clear Qi, and then struck down by the combined power of the Tai Yang and the Thunder Core?’

’If that’s true, then the Immortal Dao’s methods aren’t so clean either! They’ve truly mastered our Demon Dao’s strategy of ’ganging up on the few with many’.’

Jiang Yi grumbled inwardly.

Elder Xu lectured for another hour, and only when the Copper Chime rang again did he rise on the wind and gracefully depart.

Jiang Yi thought to himself that this lecture was well worth the talisman-money he’d spent. The trip wasn’t wasted!

Before he could get up, several Inner Peak Disciples who had been sitting in the second row gathered around him.

The one who had answered the question about the Five Qi cupped his hands in greeting.

“Might you be Junior Brother Jiang Yi from Red Flame Peak?”

“I am.”

Jiang Yi returned the Daoist salute.

“My surname is ’Han,’ and my given name is ’Li.’ I am from the Huangfeng Han Clan.

I’ve often heard Senior Brother Xu mention your name these past few days, Junior Brother. Since fate has brought us together here, why don’t we gather and discuss the profound mysteries of the Dao?”

The man who called himself Han Li was in his early twenties, with a handsome face and an average build. His speech and mannerisms carried an extraordinary air, quite similar to Xiao Tongquan.

“Since Senior Brother Han has invited me, how could I dare to refuse and spoil the mood?”

Jiang Yi rose slowly and replied with a smile.

Before long, he was following them to Heshui Cave.

This was the most common gathering place for Inner Peak Disciples; all who came and went were the elites of the sect.

Just as he reached the second floor, Jiang Yi caught sight of two familiar faces: Lu Yun and Wang Heng, whom he had met early on.

“Jiang…”

Wang Heng saw Jiang Yi too and was about to subconsciously call out “Junior Brother,” but his gaze swept over Han Li and the other Inner Peak Disciples beside Jiang Yi. The word died on his lips, and he quickly changed his address.

“Senior Brother Jiang! I heard you went down the mountain to procure supplies a while ago. When did you return to the sect?”

Jiang Yi accepted the address calmly. The Demon Dao Dharma Lineage didn’t bother with worldly pleasantries and false humility; it had always distinguished seniority by Cultivation and status by strength.

Now that he was at the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer, it was only natural to be addressed this way.

“Just a few days ago.”

He responded with a faint nod.

Han Li glanced at them briefly, likely gauging the Cultivation of Lu Yun and Wang Heng, and said softly,

“Are these two old acquaintances of Junior Brother Jiang? Since you’re all familiar with each other, why not join us? The more, the merrier.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep