Rules and Self-Interest

The Spiritual Energy Vortex was followed by the Thunder Tribulation.

Watching Thunder Dragons fall from the Tribulation Cloud one after another, Yang Zhengshan's expression remained calm and unruffled.

The Golden Core Lightning Tribulation was a gift from the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth, as well as one of its operating rules. As for why the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth had such a rule, it was actually quite simple: spiritual energy gathered and transformed into clouds, clouds surged and thunder roared, and thus the Thunder Tribulation appeared.

Simply put, it was a natural reaction caused by the gathering of spiritual energy during Core Formation.

Could one successfully form a core without undergoing the Thunder Tribulation?

The answer was yes.

If there was no Thunder Tribulation, one could still successfully form a core, but it would be a False Core.

Just like Yunxiao. He had not undergone a tribulation, so he had not comprehended a Dao Intent Divine Ability when forming his core.

The reason the Thunder Tribulation was called a gift from the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth was that tribulation-takers would gain many benefits during the process. The greatest benefit was that when the Thunder Tribulation descended, it was also the moment when the Great Dao manifested, allowing the tribulation-taker to enter a state of sudden enlightenment.

Yang Zhengshan watched the Tribulation Cloud in the sky, constantly analyzing the principles behind the formation of the Thunder Tribulation and the Dao Intent it carried.

The Dao Intent Divine Abilities comprehended by tribulation-takers were all different. In other words, the Tribulation Lightning each tribulation-taker faced was different as well.

The reason was that each tribulation-taker had different innate attributes.

If a tribulation-taker leaned toward the Wood Attribute, then the spiritual energy she attracted would also lean toward the Wood Attribute. The Tribulation Cloud formed from that spiritual energy would therefore lean toward the Wood Attribute, and the Thunder Tribulation that descended would likewise lean toward the Wood Attribute.

The Thunder Dragon descended, and thunder crashed with overwhelming force.

Brilliant flashes of thunder were reflected in Yang Zhengshan's eyes.

Suddenly, he seemed to gain a glimmer of understanding.

Thunder Tribulation, Tribulation Lightning, Yi Wood Divine Thunder!

It had been a long time since he had comprehended Lightning Attribute Dao Intent. As for the Azure Flower Thunder Art, he had only maintained his daily cultivation and had never focused on practicing it.

Thus, over the years, he had made little progress in Lightning Attribute Dao Intent.

However, observing and analyzing the Thunder Tribulation today had given him many new insights.

To others, this insight would count as a rare moment of sudden enlightenment. To Yang Zhengshan, however, it was merely a passing whim and a moment of contemplation.

He was already at the Half-step Entering Dao stage. Even if he comprehended Lightning Attribute Dao Intent again, it would not be of much use to him.

Of course, comprehending one more type of Dao Intent still had its benefits. Every strand of Dao Intent represented a foundation of power.

Several days later, the Tribulation Cloud dispersed, and a faint fragrance wafted out from Longevity Palace.

Yang Zhengshan took a deep breath and slowly stepped into Longevity Palace. Following the long corridor, he arrived before the door of the Quiet Room in the Side Hall.

At that moment, the Wooden Door of the Quiet Room opened from within, revealing a familiar, lovely face.

"Husband!" Yu Qingyi smiled like a flower in bloom, her bright eyes filled with excitement.

"Wife!" Yang Zhengshan grinned, his eyes containing only Yu Qingyi.

Yu Qingyi looked no different from before, but Yang Zhengshan could sense a relaxed, carefree feeling emanating from her.

Yu Qingyi had always been relaxed and carefree before him, but hidden within that ease had been a well-concealed unease and worry.

He understood where that unease and worry came from.

The disparity in cultivation had created a barrier between them.

Although Yang Zhengshan had always done his best to reassure her, that barrier had never disappeared.

Today, that barrier had finally vanished.

Because Yu Qingyi had successfully formed her core and embarked upon the Golden Core Great Dao, she had finally stood at the same level as Yang Zhengshan once more.

Yang Zhengshan pulled her into his arms without saying a word, quietly breathing in the fragrance of her body.

Yu Qingyi buried herself in his broad chest.

"I didn't use the Nine Tripod Divine Pill!"

"I know!"

"You're not angry with me?"

"Why would I be angry? As long as you succeeded, none of that matters!"

"Mm. This Nine Tripod Divine Pill can be given to Mingzhao!"

Yu Qingyi still had her own selfish motives. After all, Mingzhao was her biological son.

Yang Zhengshan chuckled softly. "Give it to Mingcheng first. I still have two sets of materials for refining the Nine Tripod Divine Pill!"

He did not mind Yu Qingyi's selfish motives, because he had selfish motives of his own.

Mingzhao was their shared biological son. Although Yang Zhengshan had not paid particular attention to Yang Mingzhao all these years, a biological son was still a biological son, closer to him than an adopted son.

However, for the sake of fairness, he still had to give it to Yang Mingcheng first.

Not only because Yang Mingcheng was the eldest son of the Yang Family, but also because his cultivation was the most profound.

Although Yang Mingzhao was also a Divine Soul Realm Martial Artist, he was only two hundred years old and still had nearly three hundred years of Lifespan remaining. There was no need to rush his Core Formation.

Yu Qingyi nodded in his arms. "Then refine another Myriad Wood Evergreen Pill for him!"

"Don't worry, they'll all have one!" Yang Zhengshan said magnanimously.

The husband and wife whispered together, and the next day Yang Zhengshan held a grand celebration banquet inside Longevity Palace.

Yu Qingyi forming her core was a major event for the entire White Jade Capital.

It not only represented the female master of the household embarking upon the Golden Core Great Dao, but also proved that Martial Artists could become Golden Core powerhouses in the White Jade Capital.

At present, the White Jade Capital had more than twenty Divine Soul Realm Martial Artists, including Ding Qiu, Yang Mingcheng, Yang Minghao, Yang Mingzhi, Yang Chengze, Yang Mingwu, Lin Zhan, Wu Zheng, Wu Zhan, Yang Mingzhen, Yang Yunxue, Wang Yunqiao, and others.

However, this also left Yang Zhengshan facing a difficult decision.

Whether it was the Myriad Wood Evergreen Pill or the Nine Tripod Divine Pill, although Yang Zhengshan could refine them, he could not supply them on a large scale.

For nothing else, just the Great Void Star Core required for the Nine Tripod Divine Pill would take a Golden Core cultivator a hundred years of gathering in the Great Void to obtain a single one.

Previously, Yang Zhengshan had possessed three Great Void Star Cores. One had been gathered in the Great Void by Yang Zhengshan, Yunxiao, Xuan Zhen, and the others over the years, while the remaining two had come from the Yellow Springs Old Ancestor.

More than twenty Divine Soul Realm Martial Artists would require more than twenty Nine Tripod Divine Pills, which in turn meant more than twenty Great Void Star Cores.

Yang Zhengshan could not obtain that many Great Void Star Cores.

Moreover, the materials for refining the Nine Tripod Divine Pill were not limited to Great Void Star Cores. There were also other precious Spiritual Items.

In the future, some people would obtain the Nine Tripod Divine Pill, while others would be Unable to Obtain it.

Yang Zhengshan could not guarantee that everyone would become a Golden Core cultivator. At most, he could produce one every few decades and distribute it as a reward according to merit.

Inside Longevity Palace, Yang Zhengshan looked at everyone in the hall.

The White Jade Capital could now be said to be full of powerful figures. There were nine Golden Core cultivators and Demon Kings alone, while the Foundation Establishment Peak Stage and Divine Soul Realm Martial Artists numbered more than fifty.

Divine Soul Realm Martial Artists could use the Nine Tripod Divine Pill, and Foundation Establishment Cultivators could use it as well.

This made the Nine Tripod Divine Pill even scarcer.

Who did not want to form a core? Who did not want to embark upon the Golden Core Great Dao?

Had they not cultivated bitterly for so many years precisely to achieve the Golden Core Great Dao?

Now that they had all seen an opportunity, it was only natural that their minds would become unbalanced.

Yang Zhengshan knew that many people here were restless, eagerly waiting for the Nine Tripod Divine Pill in his hand.

He took out the Nine Tripod Divine Pill and said with a faint smile, "The Nine Tripod Divine Pill—I know everyone wants it, but this thing is difficult to refine, and I cannot provide one for every person!"

At his words, the excitement on everyone's faces instantly dimmed.

They all knew Yang Zhengshan was right. A Divine Pill of this level was an opportunity that could only be encountered by chance and not sought.

They were already fortunate to see the true appearance of this Divine Pill. How many Foundation Establishment Cultivators outside had never even heard the name Nine Tripod Divine Pill?

In fact, it was not only the Nine Tripod Divine Pill. There were also many other Core Formation Spiritual Items.

With the current foundation of the White Jade Capital, combined with Yang Zhengshan's Alchemy skills, the White Jade Capital could still provide some pills such as the Spring of Vitality, Tongming Pill, and Lightning Tribulation Pill. But as for Core Formation Spiritual Items like the Nine-Patterned Bodhi Seed, Oblivion River Dew, and Spirit Pine Dew, let alone the White Jade Capital—even Tianxian Dao could not provide them without limit.

It was extraordinarily difficult for Divine Soul Realm Martial Artists to form a core, and it was equally arduous for Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Kou Ta and Hong Fuxiu had been able to form their cores because they had followed Yang Zhengshan to the Sun Cave Heaven. Yang Zhengshan had given them some Nine-Patterned Bodhi Seeds and Spirit Pine Dew, and with the pills he provided, they had finally succeeded in forming their cores.

But what about everyone else?

For them to form their cores, relying solely on Yang Zhengshan was impossible. They also had to seek opportunities for themselves.

Yet the entire Myriad Flower Domain was currently in turmoil. If they went out in search of opportunities, they might very well lose their lives.

The difficulty of Core Formation was not an empty phrase. Every opportunity was exceedingly rare.

Yang Zhengshan took in everyone's expressions and said, "However, I will also give you an opportunity. Every fifty years, I will produce one Nine Tripod Divine Pill and distribute it through an auction. Whoever offers the most merit will obtain the Nine Tripod Divine Pill."

One pill every fifty years was not many, but it still gave everyone an opportunity.

Using merit for the auction instead of Spirit Stones was also meant to encourage everyone to contribute as much as possible to the White Jade Capital.

As for competition, it was unavoidable.

Competition had both benefits and drawbacks. Although the Spirit Source Land had positions and Cultivation Salary to guarantee everyone's minimum cultivation needs, obtaining more still required competition.

Yang Zhengshan could not possibly support a group of idlers, so some matters still required everyone to compete.

Of course, he wanted competition with limits.

Competition without limits would become infighting, and that was something Yang Zhengshan absolutely would not permit.

At these words, some people were disappointed while others were delighted.

They were not afraid of competition. They were only afraid of having no opportunity.

"However, I have one more requirement. If you successfully form your core after taking the Nine Tripod Divine Pill, you must Hand Over two Great Void Star Cores within five hundred years. Great Void Star Cores are essential Spiritual Items for refining the Nine Tripod Divine Pill. This requirement is also meant to ensure that our White Jade Capital can obtain a steady supply of Nine Tripod Divine Pills in the future!"

"Of course, if you successfully form your core through your own efforts, you will not be subject to this requirement. If you are also willing to gather Great Void Star Cores, the Merit Hall will purchase them with merit!"

The rules Yang Zhengshan had established were actually similar to those for other Core Formation Spiritual Items. All of them required exchanging Core Formation Spiritual Items.

The only difference was that the Nine Tripod Divine Pill required an auction, while the other Core Formation Spiritual Items required competing to purchase them.

"In addition, Yang Mingcheng, Yang Mingzhi, Yang Minghao, Yang Mingzhao, and Yang Yunxue—the six of them do not need to participate in the auction. I will prepare Nine Tripod Divine Pills for them!"

"And don't say that I'm being partial. They are all my children. It is only natural for me to take a little extra care of them. I hope you can understand!"

Yang Zhengshan said this indifferently.

Rules were rules, and selfish motives were selfish motives.

He had his rules, and he had his selfish motives.

Yang Zhengshan had never concealed his selfish motives, but he had also never violated the rules of the Life Realm Immortal Palace.

His favoritism toward his own children was only human nature. Everyone could understand it. Even if they could not, could they really oppose him?

Without Yang Zhengshan, they would not even have the opportunity to obtain a Nine Tripod Divine Pill.

The fact that Yang Zhengshan was willing to give them an opportunity already counted as the greatest favor.

Of course, this also left Yang Zhengshan an opening for himself.

One Nine Tripod Divine Pill every fifty years was not difficult for him.

If he had enough materials, refining one every year would be easy.

The fair auctions were for everyone, while the rest were reserved for his selfish motives.

If more Nine Tripod Divine Pills became available in the future, he could still distribute them to others according to his own wishes.

"Venerable, you are magnanimous. We are Boundlessly Grateful!" everyone shouted in unison.

This truly was magnanimity. If Yang Zhengshan had not been magnanimous, they would not even have had the opportunity to participate in a fair auction.

The other Golden Core cultivators displayed various expressions.

Yunxiao stroked his beard pensively. He wanted to secure a Nine Tripod Divine Pill for Yun Xi. Yun Xi's Lifespan was already running short, which meant that he absolutely had to obtain the next Nine Tripod Divine Pill.

Xuan Zhen, on the other hand, looked completely unconcerned. Although he had quite a few disciples, he had no intention of securing such an opportunity for them.

Besides, he himself needed a vast amount of resources for cultivation. As a Golden Core cultivator, he possessed a great deal of merit, but it was only enough to satisfy his own cultivation needs.

Lin Xiqiu likewise wanted a Nine Tripod Divine Pill, so that he could nurture another Golden Core cultivator for the Lin Family. However, the Lin Family currently had no outstanding younger members, so he was not in a hurry.

Green Ox remained completely composed. He already had a Myriad Wood Evergreen Pill and had no need for a Nine Tripod Divine Pill. As for his clansmen, they were merely an aspiration of his. He would not waste his energy on them.

Kou Ta and Hong Fuxiu exchanged a glance. Now that they had sons, they naturally had to plan for their sons' futures. However, their sons had not even established their foundations, so there was no need to rush for a Nine Tripod Divine Pill.

Besides, even if they wanted their sons to form cores, they would first consider normal Core Formation and prepare Core Formation Spiritual Items rather than use a Nine Tripod Divine Pill.

There was also Yue Yao. What Yue Yao was thinking about was not the Nine Tripod Divine Pill, but the Spirit Deer Clan.

At that moment, she felt incomparably fortunate that she had led the Spirit Deer Clan to join the White Jade Capital. The Nine Tripod Divine Pill represented not merely one or several Golden Core cultivators, but a broad, level road leading to the Golden Core Great Dao.

As long as Yang Zhengshan could provide Nine Tripod Divine Pills regularly, the White Jade Capital would surely grow stronger and stronger in the future.

One every fifty years meant twenty pills in a millennium.

Even if the chance of successfully forming a core after taking the Nine Tripod Divine Pill was only fifty percent, that would still produce ten Golden Core cultivators.

It could be said that as long as Yang Zhengshan could provide Nine Tripod Divine Pills regularly, then after a millennium, the White Jade Capital would unquestionably be the faction in the Myriad Flower Domain with the greatest number of Golden Core cultivators and Demon Kings.

Perhaps it would not be the most powerful faction, but it would definitely have the greatest number of Golden Core cultivators and Demon Kings.

Over a millennium, the Nine Tripod Divine Pills could produce ten Golden Core cultivators. Adding those who formed cores normally or advanced in cultivation, there would be at least fifteen or sixteen. More than twenty, or even thirty, was entirely possible.

And the White Jade Capital already had nine Golden Core cultivators and Demon Kings.

Apart from Tianxian Dao, no faction had so many Golden Core cultivators.

Of course, the number of Golden Core cultivators and Demon Kings was not necessarily better the greater it became. The more there were, the more resources they needed for their daily cultivation.

Golden Core cultivators and Demon Kings were all enormous consumers of resources, and the resources they consumed were not low-grade.

This was why many factions did not recruit powerful outsiders.