Chapter 69: Chapter 52: Preparations, the Dongping Lu Clan

Jiang Yi calmed his mind and gazed at the golden paper. Intricate, tadpole-like characters surfaced like raindrops, splashing and sending out ripples across the page.

[Example Three: Practice the Orbit to summon a Venerable Supreme, whom you may then take as your master.]

’What does this mean…’

Jiang Yi stared in confusion, unable to fathom the profound mystery behind this third opportunity for tutelage.

’The Orbit… a Venerable Supreme… This sounds extraordinary.’

He mulled over the words, his thoughts racing.

If he hadn’t negotiated with Gui Cong of Wudu Hall and learned about Magic Slaves and Daoist Can, he would have certainly chosen one of the two Branch Sect Dharma Lineages—either the Zhao You Sect or the True Gu Sect.

Those were the most tangible and clear-cut paths to finding a master.

The entire three-thousand-li expanse of Beimang Ridge was dominated by these two great mountains.

Of course, an even greater behemoth had now appeared: the Taifu Sect.

It was said that the Foundation Establishment True Master from Mingcang Marsh possessed Magical Power as immense as the Great Sun hanging in the sky, leaving both the Zhao You Sect and the True Gu Sect trembling in fear, barely daring to breathe.

Even with chaos brewing in their own ranks, they had to keep a tight lid on it, terrified of disturbing the Upper Cultivator from the Ancestral Sect.

’I need to understand everything before I can make a decision.’

Jiang Yi pondered for a long time, unable to make up his mind.

The root of his hesitation was his limited knowledge of the Branch Sect Dharma Lineages. Moreover, the Demon Dao was treacherous at every turn, like standing on a crumbling cliff or gazing into a bottomless abyss. He didn’t dare take this step lightly, fearing that a single misstep would lead to irreversible ruin.

’Being in the right position brings more lasting stability than just being in a high one.’

The words of his old leader came to him unbidden. After a moment of reflection, he seemed to make up his mind, and all his distracting thoughts vanished.

’First, I’ll reach the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer. Then, I will petition the Celestial Book. Depending on the deduction time, I’ll try to get to the bottom of this…’

For now, he set aside the three flickering opportunities to see how things would develop.

It was a shame he couldn’t directly investigate the Elders of the Zhao You Sect and the True Gu Sect. Their Cultivation was so high that the deduction would take far too long.

Otherwise, he could have petitioned the Celestial Book to inquire about their intentions and uncover the inside story, which would have solved his problem once and for all.

For now, he could only approach it indirectly, gradually gathering information to piece together the full picture.

’Luckily, I still have a few days. Besides, whether it’s the Zhao You Sect or the True Gu Sect, I’ll have to reach the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer just to get noticed by them.

Otherwise, I probably wouldn’t even be worthy of a second glance.’

Jiang Yi waited patiently until the dim golden light of the paper began to shine brilliantly again. Only then did he pose his next question.

[I beg the Celestial Book, what are my chances of breaking through to the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer?]

[Inquiry: Breaking the Realm]

[Deduction Time: Twenty breaths]

The candle flame in the room suddenly flared. In just a few breaths, a short line of text leaped onto the surface of the golden paper.

[Eighty-eight percent. Victory is assured.]

’Just over eighty percent, approaching ninety.’

Jiang Yi thought for a moment. Seeing the golden paper was still reasonably bright, he decided to ask another question.

[I beg the Celestial Book, show me the most auspicious day, time, and place for my breakthrough to the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer.]

[Deduction Time: Eight hours.]

’I’ll know when I wake up. Perfect. I can finally get some rest.’

Jiang Yi heaved a long sigh of relief. With an eighty-eight percent chance as a baseline, breaking through to the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer shouldn’t be a major issue.

Still, there was no harm in pushing the risk as low as possible.

’Hmm, I should probably work on some poetic inspiration, too. I don’t want to be unable to come up with anything when the time comes…’

Jiang Yi lay down in his clothes and fell into a pleasant sleep.

Wax tears dried on the candlestick as the night passed in silence.

’These past few days without the Celestial Book’s deductions, I haven’t slept as soundly.’

The next morning, Jiang Yi sat up and stretched, feeling utterly refreshed and comfortable.

He pressed the tip of his tongue to the roof of his mouth and tapped his teeth, producing a fragrant, rich saliva.

His bones and organs nourished his Primordial Essence, causing his life force to become ever more vigorous and his physical body to grow purer.

’Has my Cultivation improved again? Don’t tell me I’ve passed sixty percent?’

Jiang Yi suppressed his question and looked up, plucking the words from the brilliant golden glow.

[Two days from now, at high noon, Zhizhen Garden, Quiet Chamber Earth Seven.]

With the result in hand, Jiang Yi’s heart was at ease.

[I beg the Celestial Book, show me my Cultivation progress over the past few days.]

Before long, the tadpole script shifted and revealed new words.

[Realm: Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer (Fifty-eight percent → Sixty-two percent)]

A flicker of movement in Jiang Yi’s eyes. He hadn’t expected that even a deep sleep could advance his Merit by a sliver.

’Indeed, my Luck has been quite good lately!’

…

…

“Good! Since you’re so confident, we’ll set it for two days from now.”

Seeing Jiang Yi brimming with confidence, Yang Xun broke into a smile.

The two of them, like grandfather and grandson, discussed the matter and finally “selected” Zhizhen Garden as the place for the breakthrough.

The place already provided Quiet Chambers and could ensure one’s safety. Moreover, the abundant Spiritual Qi wouldn’t disrupt one’s practice. It was indeed an ideal location.

Yang Xun, however, didn’t understand why Jiang Yi had insisted on “Earth Seven.”

Something about dreaming last night that the number was auspicious?

’So needlessly particular!’

“I’ll head out now to have the Main Material prepared and to arrange for the ritual Pool of Fire and Water… Ah Yi, you’re coming with me.”

Yang Xun was full of enthusiasm, as if he were arranging a major life event for his own son or grandson.

He had originally intended to go alone, but after a moment’s thought, he decided to bring Jiang Yi along.

“The man I’m going to see is from the Dongping Lu Clan. He entered the Yin Puppet Sect as a Servant and is now the Grand Steward of Sanhe District.”

“We have a bit of a friendly relationship. When you see him, just address him as ’Master Lu.’”

Jiang Yi silently committed this to memory. When accompanying a senior leader to meet their peers, one must observe all proper etiquette to maintain face for everyone involved. This was a mandatory lesson for any top-tier secretary.

…

…

「The sun reached its zenith.」

Jiang Yi followed Yang Xun through several winding corridors, passed through a moon gate, and entered a quiet, secluded courtyard.

Green bamboo flanked a small stone path, and a house came into view. Under its curved eaves, strings of bells chimed softly in the wind.

“Brother Yang! Have you decided to take those Spiritual Resources?”

The doors to the elegant room stood open. Inside, an elderly man in a brocade robe was brewing tea, and beside him sat a thick-browed youth about Jiang Yi’s age.

“Haha, a Foundation Establishment True Master takes no notice of the passing years, but who knows when that talisman sealing a three-thousand-li radius will be withdrawn. The True Master can afford to wait, but I can’t.”

He clapped Jiang Yi on the shoulder.

“Ah Yi, this is the Grand Steward of Sanhe District, Master Lu. All business that comes in and out of here must pass through his hands. You could call him the local ’Earth God’ of Longhua Mountain.”

Jiang Yi stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

“This junior, Jiang Yi, greets Master Lu.”

Master Lu shook his head.

“Don’t listen to Brother Yang’s nonsense. What kind of ’Earth God’ am I? Longhua Mountain has powerful figures at the Qi Cultivation Seventh or Eighth Layer. In terms of seniority and rank, I’m nowhere near the top.”

Only after saying this did Master Lu put down the teapot and carefully size up Jiang Yi.

“It’s quite something, Brother Yang, for you to find such a good person to serve you and see you through your final years at your age.”

Yang Xun sighed softly.

“Yes. Perhaps the heavens have taken pity on these old bones.”

Master Lu gestured for the two of them to enter and take a seat, then immediately began an introduction.

“This is my grandson, Lu Xuan. He’ll be joining the Yin Puppet Sect next spring. I’ve already made all the arrangements, and I’m aiming for him to enter the Inner Peak within five years.”

Yang Xun gave the boy a brief glance and replied politely.

“As expected of the Direct Lineage of the Dongping Lu Clan. A truly fine and talented young man, a born Cultivation Seed.”

The thick-browed youth named Lu Xuan paid no mind to Yang Xun’s praise. He just sat there with his legs sprawled, the very picture of a spoiled, arrogant child.

Master Lu gave a helpless smile.

“The younger generation gets spoiled at home. Please excuse his behavior, Brother Yang.”

Of course, Yang Xun wasn’t going to squabble with a junior. Besides, the Dongping Lu Clan had flourished for two or three hundred years and was far larger than his own Lujiang Yang Clan.

The man was also the Grand Steward of Sanhe District, wielding real power. In a direct comparison, Yang Xun knew he fell short.

Lu Xuan stared intently at Jiang Yi, interrupting the two elders’ conversation as he spoke directly to him.

“I heard from my Grandpa that you’re about to break through to the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer?”

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