Chapter 115: Chapter 97: Grandpa Vows to Reach Level 10, Donning the Black Shadow Magical Robe

“So that’s how it is.”

Jiang Yi nodded repeatedly, as if a great doubt had been cleared and he’d had an epiphany.

This sight only infuriated Yang Xun more. He wished he could dig up Zhou Can’s ancestors for eighteen generations and curse them all soundly.

He gulped down a pot of hot tea, GULP GULP, suppressing the fire in his heart. Then he looked at Jiang Yi across the tea table and said in a low voice,

“You volunteered to enter the Merit Supervision Institute. On one hand, you fulfilled the duty expected of your Dharma Lineage. On the other, you showed the Sect Leader your willingness to contribute to the Qianji Sect. Naturally, Observing Sun Peak is satisfied.

That’s why they granted you a first-class monthly stipend, putting you on par with Xu Yan and Zhou Fu.

And as for Elder Sui, as long as you didn’t join Observing Sun Peak and cause him to lose face, he won’t make an issue of it.

Ah Yi, this move of yours might seem brilliant, but in reality, you’ve also backed yourself into a corner with no way out.”

Yang Xun’s bald brows furrowed tightly. He felt a deep sense of powerlessness. This was no longer a situation that a mere Outer Sect Servant like him could change.

Even if Jiang Yi were to go back on his word now and try to join Observing Fate Peak or Observing Sun Peak, he would inevitably be manipulated and skinned alive.

“Grandpa, don’t be so anxious. I don’t think suppressing the Fire Cave and Water Cave is necessarily a bad thing.”

Jiang Yi rubbed the round head of the Cat Master in his arms. It had started stirring slightly ever since Yang Xun mentioned the old story of the Daoist Lord’s ascension.

Later, when he spoke of the fearsome reputation of the Zhongyi Sect and the Sword Cultivators, it grew even more restless in his arms, its claws occasionally scratching at his Daoist Robe.

“Not bad enough?! What does ’suppress’ even mean? It means you have to use your Cultivation Merit to grind away the overflowing Qi Mechanism from the Fire Cave and Water Cave.”

Yang Xun sighed, assuming Jiang Yi didn’t understand the severity of the situation.

“All Cultivators on the Nanzhan Continent are wary of the Yang Five Elements. You cultivate Ding Fire, so not only will you have to suppress Ren Water, but you’ll also have to hold down Bing Fire.

That’s like being burned in a furnace and crushed at the bottom of the ocean! It’s sheer torture!

Not only will it delay your Cultivation, but it might even damage your foundation. One misstep and your entire cultivation path could be ruined!”

Jiang Yi nodded obediently, as if taking every single word to heart, then changed the subject.

“That Little Refining Yuan Fire Control Technique should be ready for another upgrade to the Seventh Grade. Grandpa, you can keep an eye out for Yang Flame Objects.”

He placated Yang Xun while methodically laying out his reasoning.

“The Merit Supervision Institute has been abandoned for years. Now, with only me stationed there, it will be quiet enough for me to focus on my Cultivation.

As for the Fire Cave and Water Cave, although they are dangerous, they don’t require round-the-clock watch. I only need to go down and inspect them once a month.

Once I reach the Seventh Layer of Qi Cultivation, learn a few more Attacking Techniques, and get a Magical Artifact for protection, I’ll have no problem defending myself.”

Yang Xun’s face was still etched with worry. He racked his brain but couldn’t find a solution, so he could only let out a heavy sigh.

“Ah Yi, you must be careful. I’ll look around for you and see if I can get a Five Elements Magical Artifact that can counter Yin Demons.

Speaking of which, you’re only in this mess because of me. If I had known the Sect Leader would suddenly return, I never would have gone through Sui Liushu’s connections. Now we’re in a situation that’s impossible to get out of.”

Yang Xun was filled with self-blame and regret. An ordinary Outer Sect Mortal Servant ascending Qingyun Road would never have faced so many twists and turns.

“Grandpa, don’t ever say that again. The prestige I have today—entering the Inner Peak, ascending to Guanlan, wearing a Magical Robe—it’s all thanks to your nurturing.”

Jiang Yi’s expression turned solemn, his eyes sharp and resolute.

“I chose the Merit Supervision Institute myself. Even if I have to endure some hardship, it’s my duty. Besides, the path of Cultivation has never been a smooth one!

Even a True Disciple from an Ancestral Sect Dharma Lineage has to face tribulations and survive countless near-death experiences to be forged into something great. What does that make a small fry like me from an Inner Sect Dharma Lineage?

Furthermore, the Great Dao lies ahead. Through a thousand trials and ten thousand tribulations, every obstacle overcome is a step forward. What is there to fear?”

These words were delivered with resounding force. Yang Xun’s heart trembled as he heard them, amazed at the firmness of Jiang Yi’s Dao heart.

He shed his dejected, sighing demeanor. His bald brows shot up, and a fierce look suddenly appeared on his long face.

“Well said! If I can reach the Tenth Layer of Qi Cultivation, how would Sui Liushu and the Sect Leader dare to use you as a pawn to be moved around at will!

Ah Yi, you just hold on in the Merit Supervision Institute for a while. I will risk my old bones and cultivate something to be proud of!”

Seeing Yang Xun’s spirited, fighting look, Jiang Yi was greatly relieved.

The path to the Twelfth Layer of Qi Cultivation was long and arduous. ’It’s not so bad, getting to cheat the system with Grandpa.’

When the two of them, grandfather and grandson, met at the peak, it would make for a wonderful story.

“Since things have come to this, we might as well eat first.

These are Nourishing Essence Pills, a staple resource for Qi Cultivation Cultivators.”

Jiang Yi took out a Luminous Jade Bottle and handed it to Yang Xun.

“Grandpa, take this and cultivate diligently. Now that I’ve entered the Inner Peak, I won’t be short on Spiritual Materials and Resources.

Whether it’s Observing Fate or Observing Sun, no matter whose supplies they skimp on, they would never dare to touch mine.

After all, they finally have a sucker who willingly volunteered to suppress the Fire Cave and Water Cave. It saves them the trouble of tricking another Disciple into throwing their life away.”

Yang Xun took the Jade Bottle. He weighed it slightly in his hand and figured there must be five Nourishing Essence Pills inside.

A mix of emotions instantly welled up in his heart, and he felt a lump in his throat.

’I can’t believe that at my age, I’m now mooching off the younger generation!’

“I just hate that I’ve wasted the first half of my life in mediocrity, with such low Cultivation! If I had a Seventh-Grade Qi Cultivation Technique, I could still be a late bloomer and catch up to Sui Liushu!”

Yang Xun clenched his fists, his chest filled with soaring ambition!

He made up his mind. He would go back and work twice as hard to accumulate Merit!

Jiang Yi asked, seemingly nonchalantly,

“By the way, Grandpa, does Elder Sui of Observing Fate Peak have any children?”

Yang Xun frowned and thought back carefully.

“I think he has a daughter, but I don’t know which Dharma Lineage she joined for her Cultivation.

Elder Sui is very tight-lipped about it and has rarely revealed anything.”

Jiang Yi lowered his eyes. ’It seems the Celestial Book’s speculation was correct. Sui Liushu’s confidence in confronting the Sect Leader, Liu Huan, aside from his half of the Dharma Lineage Decree, must lie with his only daughter, Sui Yuzhu, who is cultivating at the Innate Sect.’

’An Ancestral Sect that governs the Four Rivers and Three Peaks of the north and south, commanding a territory of a hundred thousand li… just hearing about it is intimidating!’

…

…

After seeing Yang Xun off, Jiang Yi did not immediately leave Heshui Cave. Instead, he received a series of “old acquaintances” such as Li Ruohan, Wang Heng, and Lu Yun.

These people had all heard the news that he was about to enter the Merit Supervision Institute to suppress the Fire Cave and Water Cave, and had come especially to offer their condolences.

Jiang Yi wasn’t impatient. He calmly accepted the thoughtful gifts everyone brought.

He couldn’t help but laugh inwardly. ’This whole spectacle feels like I’m collecting funeral gifts in advance.’

After all the socializing, it was already past the middle of the Hour of Shen.

Jiang Yi finally freed himself up and headed to the Qi Gong Institute to receive the Magical Robe bestowed by Observing Sun Peak.

“Senior Brother Jiang, this is the ’Black Shadow Robe’.”

Zhou Fan was already waiting in the courtyard. Seeing him arrive, he quickly ordered two female attendants to come forward with a tray, then bowed and began to explain in detail.

“This robe is around the Qi Cultivation Seventh Grade. It is made from a blend of the sect’s own Flowing Cloud Brocade and Cicada Wing Gauze, woven with the ’Needle-piercing Technique’. The stitches are as fine as a mosquito’s leg, almost invisible to the naked eye.

Sewing Peak produces about ten Hundred Shadows Magical Robes a month, but it takes five years to complete a single Black Shadow Robe.”

He waved, signaling the female attendants to bring the tray closer for Jiang Yi to examine carefully.

“Senior Brother, please look. Every single golden thread on the collar and cuffs is made of ’Cloud Silk’. As the saying goes, ’an inch of Cloud Silk is worth an inch of gold.’ It is exceptionally precious.

Wearing this robe allows one to avoid poisonous smoke and miasma in the mountains. It won’t burn in fire or get soaked in water, and it can even absorb Spiritual Qi to cleanse itself inside and out.”

Jiang Yi reached out and gently stroked the fabric. It felt as thin as a cicada’s wing and as light as a feather. It was cool to the touch and seemed to have no weight at all.

The robe was a dark gold color, with flowing cloud patterns embroidered on the lapels and cuffs. With its wide sleeves, broad sash, and overlapping right collar, its design was simple and ancient, much like the magnificent robes of nobility.

’A Qi Cultivation Seventh Grade Magical Robe is really worth the price!’

Jiang Yi subconsciously did the math, judging that this Black Shadow Robe was probably worth about a million talisman coins. If sold in a Marketplace, the price could go even higher.

’I never thought that one day I’d be wearing a million talisman coins on my back.’

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep