Chapter 68: Chapter 51: Mentorship Revealed: Illuminating the Dark and True Gu, Choose 1

By the time Jiang Yi walked out of the Doufa Pavilion, the sky had grown completely dark.

Heavy clouds pressed down on the eaves. The north wind blew fiercely, and pellets of snow rustled down, pattering against the roof tiles.

Before long, He the Venerable arrived in a hurry with Yang Xun in tow.

Seeing the two of them, Jiang Yi, who was carrying the Yuan Containing Pill, felt his heart relax. A sense of security washed over him.

’It was like being an accountant carrying public funds, constantly worried that a robber would ambush him on the road and knock him unconscious.’

“What luck!”

Yang Xun clapped his hands in admiration, a rare smile appearing on his long, stern face with its bald brows.

He naturally understood the value of a Yuan Containing Pill. In an Inner Sect Dharma Lineage, Elixirs were always scarce Cultivation Resources, often not even enough for their own Disciples.

Only those Branch Sect Dharma Lineages that could afford to support Pill Masters might have a surplus, allowing extra Elixirs to flow into the Marketplace to attract Cultivators from all corners.

“I’ve been to the Sanhe District dozens of times and visited Zhizhen Garden plenty, but this is the first time I’ve ever seen a second-place prize.”

Yang Xun felt a deep sense of relief, as if he had been the one to receive the Opportunity.

“With this Yuan Containing Pill as a foundation, plus the Eighth Grade Rituals of the Pool of Fire and Water, reaching the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer is just around the corner.

Once you reach that Realm, even if you never advance another inch, you could still become a Grand Steward in a Marketplace.”

Jiang Yi took out the Jade Bottle, presented it with both hands, and asked respectfully,

“Is this Yuan Containing Pill of any use to you, Grandpa? Even the best things are a waste if consumed recklessly.

I’ve already prepared for the Pool and Fire Swamp Rituals to refine my Essence and advance my Cultivation, so I won’t need this Yuan Containing Pill anytime soon. I don’t know what to do with it, so I ask for your decision, Grandpa. If this can help you, nothing would be better.”

The smile on Yang Xun’s face suddenly froze. His pupils contracted as he stared deep into Jiang Yi’s eyes, as if trying to discern how much sincerity lay behind his words.

The young man’s expression was open, his gaze clear, without a trace of falsehood.

“Ah Yi… your sentiment is enough.”

Yang Xun’s heart softened. He lowered his gaze and raised a hand, gently pressing down on Jiang Yi’s outstretched palm and pushing the Yuan Containing Pill back.

“Among Cultivators, there’s no shortage of late bloomers. But at my age, trying to take another step forward… it’s difficult.”

He glanced around and lowered his voice. “There are too many eyes and ears here. Let’s go back to Dai Pavilion before we talk more.”

Jiang Yi nodded obediently, maintaining his well-behaved demeanor.

He the Venerable, standing to the side, was dumbfounded.

’Holy cow!’ he thought. ’Brother Yi is acting just like Marshal Yang’s long-lost biological grandson!’

’No wonder the old man dotes on him so much, even bringing him along to teach him personally when he comes down the mountain to make purchases!’

He the Venerable was kicking himself.

’Back when I was knocking around the Sanhe District, there had been an old woman who had taken a shine to me.’

’Too bad my blockhead of a brain hadn’t figured it out back then, and I just let the Opportunity slip away!’

…

…

In a room upstairs in Dai Pavilion, incense smoke curled up from a censer, filling the chamber with a hazy cloud.

Yang Xun sat cross-legged on a couch, his expression grave.

“I was just about to explain things to you. The plan has changed. My original intention was to return to Red Flame Peak with the Main Materials after we finished our purchases, set up the Pool of Fire and Water, and use it to break through to the next Realm.

But that True Master from the Taifu Sect has sealed off a three-thousand-li region… a lot of things have become difficult.”

Jiang Yi sat below, boiling tea and presenting a cup.

’What exactly is the Taifu Sect up to?’ he wondered.

The three-thousand-li territory of Beimang Ridge was packed with countless Qi Cultivation Clans and numerous Dharma Vein Marketplaces.

’If they keep this lockdown going for long, who’s going to be able to live well?’

Yang Xun scraped the lid against the cup a couple of times, blew away the steam, and said softly,

“Right now, the Zhao You Sect and the True Gu Sect are frantic. They send people every day to respectfully wait and ask for news, but they never get a definite answer.

All the major business in the Celestial Communication District has ground to a halt, and the Lower Cultivators are full of complaints. Things got really bad a couple of days ago. An Elder from the True Gu Sect had to step in and put a stop to it, killing several of the ringleaders on the spot…”

Jiang Yi clicked his tongue in astonishment.

He’d been living a carefree life in the Sanhe District, never imagining the world outside was on the verge of being turned upside down.

“So, you mean to say… Grandpa?”

“I’ve been thinking. Since we have all the Main Materials and Spiritual Resources, and the supplementary materials aren’t expensive, we might as well find a suitable place right here in the Sanhe District, set up the Pool of Fire and Water, and break through to the Fifth Layer in one go…”

Yang Xun’s tone was steady.

“However, after entering the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer, you must open your Primordial Inner Mansion as soon as possible to solidify your foundation and begin refining Spiritual Energy.

I originally planned for you to break through on Red Flame Peak because I have a portion of ’Ding Fire Ming Hall Qi’ saved. But circumstances have forced our hand, so we’ll have to improvise.”

He never thought Grandpa would be so considerate, even planning for the Cultivation Resources he would need after breaking through.

Jiang Yi was slightly moved.

He had heard bits and pieces from Li Ruohan about opening the Primordial Inner Mansion and refining Spiritual Energy at the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer.

The reason that Senior Brother Xiao, Xiao Tongquan, was stuck at this stage and had been unable to pass this bottleneck for so long…

…was firstly because he lacked the “secret method” to open the Primordial Gate and establish the Inner Mansion;

…and secondly, it must be because he hadn’t yet found a Spiritual Energy source of satisfactory quality that matched his Technique.

For Yang Xun to have considered even such details for him truly filled Jiang Yi’s heart with gratitude.

He was just like the old boss from his past life who, despite being on the verge of retirement, never forgot to plan a future for him. He was worth repaying with all his effort!

“I’ll leave everything to your arrangements, Grandpa,” Jiang Yi replied respectfully.

Yang Xun nodded slightly, a benevolent look filling his eyes. The longer he spent in a Demon Dao Dharma Lineage, the more he appreciated kind-hearted juniors who understood gratitude.

’Otherwise, what if I poured my heart into nurturing and promoting someone, only for them to turn around and devour me? Wouldn’t all my efforts be wasted, ending in nothing?’

That portion of “Ding Fire Ming Hall Qi” was Yang Xun’s last remaining hope for the Qi Cultivation Twelve-Story Floors. He had originally planned to take it with him to the grave.

But Jiang Yi’s simple words just now had touched his heart, which he had always prided himself on being as hard as iron.

’Yang Xun, oh, Yang Xun,’ he mused. ’You really are getting useless in your old age. A few sincere words from a junior and you’re this delighted.’

After Jiang Yi left the room, Yang Xun gave a self-deprecating smile, then his thoughts turned.

’I have no one to follow me and no path ahead of me. I’m just a guttering candle in the wind, clinging to life. Using what little light I have left to illuminate the pitch-black path for a junior I find agreeable… I suppose that doesn’t betray the struggles and striving of the past half of my life.’

…

…

The cold moon, like a hook, hung askew over the corner of the eaves.

Jiang Yi returned to his room, sat down, and fell into deep thought.

The heart-to-heart conversation with Grandpa Yang Xun still echoed in his ears, stirring up many thoughts.

Everything he had seen and heard in the Sanhe District these past days resurfaced in his mind: from the myriad states of the Lower Cultivators he’d witnessed firsthand, to the hearsay about the methods of the Taifu Sect’s Upper Cultivators.

’The steps of this Daoist Lineage and Method are so high and long. Can a mere Mortal, no better than weeds, really climb all the way to the top?’

Jiang Yi’s thoughts drifted to his past life, back when he had just started out. He too had held his head high, thinking himself a hero, but it took hitting a few walls to wake him up and learn the simple truth of working diligently.

’Why think so much! With the Celestial Book in hand, who’s to say I can’t one day glimpse the magnificent scenery of an Ancestral Sect!’

Thinking of the golden paper that could inspect cause and effect, Jiang Yi’s spirits lifted. With Nine Tens of his own effort and one-tenth of the Celestial Book’s aid, how could he worry about failing to achieve the Great Dao through his Cultivation!

He calmed his mind, sat down, and began his Breathing exercises.

Two hours passed quietly in Cultivation.

BUZZ!

Jiang Yi finally heard the soft hum. He lowered his eyelids as a golden radiance appeared.

[I beg the Celestial Book, show me a reliable method to obtain the Opportunity of a master’s patronage!]

[Deduction results are as follows]

[Example 1: An Elder from the True Gu Sect will soon arrive in the Sanhe District. Break through to the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer, proceed to Wudu Hall to purchase a ’Snake Jiao Gu,’ and refine it instantly in public to win their favor and gain an excellent opportunity to become a Disciple…]

[Example 2: An Elder from the Zhao You Sect will soon arrive in the Sanhe District. Go to the Doufa Pavilion in Zhizhen Garden and lie in wait. Place ten successful bets in a row to catch their eye and obtain an Opportunity for an examination…]

“It’s two great Branch Sect Dharma Lineages! Zhao You and True Gu, do I have to choose between them?”

Jiang Yi’s heart surged with emotion, and he was unable to decide.

’If I don’t return to the Qianji Sect, what arrangements will Grandpa Yang Xun make?’

’If I go to a Branch Sect Dharma Lineage, who knows when I’ll be able to return.’

Just as he was pondering this, the golden paper suddenly vibrated again, revealing a third Opportunity for a master’s patronage!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep