Comprehending the Dao, Ten Years

"I'll give this matter serious consideration, but living in seclusion is impossible. The moment I choose to withdraw from the world, the Yang Family's momentum will be interrupted! Unless we reach the point where we have nowhere left to retreat, my Yang Family absolutely cannot withdraw from the world!" Yang Zhengshan said.

Zhongli Xiayi pondered for a moment before giving a slight nod. "Since that's the case, take the Yang Family and stay in Wanbao Immortal City! Wanbao Immortal City may encounter some trouble next, but there shouldn't be any danger."

Yang Zhengshan nodded slightly. "That works too."

Naturally, he wouldn't stay in Wanbao Immortal City forever, but he couldn't bring himself to reject Zhongli Xiayi's goodwill, so he simply agreed.

After that, Zhongli Xiayi often came to chat with Yang Zhengshan. Sometimes they exchanged Cultivation Experience, sometimes they discussed the changes in the situation of the Myriad Flower Domain, and sometimes they talked about the complicated relationships among the various powers.

Through his conversations with Zhongli Xiayi, Yang Zhengshan gained a deeper understanding of the various powers in the Myriad Flower Domain and a clearer grasp of the situation throughout the domain.

The current situation in the Myriad Flower Domain could only be described as chaotic. The Western Regions were chaotic, the Southern Region was chaotic, and the Northern Region was chaotic as well. Even the Eastern Domain was far from peaceful, and even the Central Region had begun to stir restlessly.

According to Zhongli Xiayi, the Tianxian Dao was secretly stirring up trouble, intending to provoke wars among the various powers and make those wars larger and more intense.

However, the various powers weren't fools. As long as the Tianxian Dao didn't personally enter the fray, they had no intention of starting a war on their own for the time being.

Of course, some small-scale conflicts were unavoidable. Zhongli Xiayi had previously said that Wanbao Immortal City would also become less peaceful soon because the Wanbao Sect and Tianji Pavilion had developed some friction, already erupting into several small-scale clashes.

Such small-scale conflicts wouldn't affect the overall situation for now, but they also showed that the Central Region was no longer stable.

In truth, all the various powers were waiting for the Tianxian Dao to enter the fray. In particular, the four great powers of the Central Region wanted to destroy none other than the Tianxian Dao.

At present, the Tianxian Dao was unquestionably the hegemon of the Myriad Flower Domain. Only by destroying the Tianxian Dao would the four great powers of the Central Region have a chance to replace it.

They were all waiting for an opportunity.

An opportunity for the Tianxian Dao Master to fall.

Only after the Tianxian Dao Master fell could they rise up and attack as one.

Although all four domains were currently embroiled in unending wars, the four great powers of the Central Region had yet to fight with all their strength.

There was no need to mention the Hengshan Sect. They had only sent two Golden Core cultivators to participate in the war in the Southern Region.

Although the Wuchang Ghost Sect had fought many battles against the Wanhua Demon Court, they had only deployed the strength of two halls.

In truth, they were all waiting to see how the Tianxian Dao would react next.

However, none of this had much to do with Yang Zhengshan for the time being.

After Zhongli Xiayi entered seclusion once more, Yang Zhengshan also returned to the White Jade Capital to enter seclusion.

In the Quiet Room of the Longevity Palace.

Yang Zhengshan took out the bamboo staff, stood it before him, and slowly sensed the dense Life Force within it while comprehending the Dao Resonance from the staff's core.

The core of this bamboo staff was likely some kind of Great Void Spiritual Item. The Dao Intent it contained was the Life Dao Intent. It wasn't merely the Way of growth associated with the Wood Attribute, but rather the Way of Life and Death.

This was actually highly compatible with the Way of Wither and Flourish. It could even be said that the two were closely connected.

"Life Control, the Way of Life and Death?"

"Life can give birth to life, yet it is not ordinary life; death can bring about death, yet it is not ordinary death. The Dao gives birth to the One, the One gives birth to yin and yang, and yin and yang transform into life and death."

"Life is not truly existence, death is not truly nothingness, like day and night alternating, like grass and trees withering and flourishing. Do not grow arrogant when flourishing, do not grow sorrowful when withered—this is the constancy of life and death."

"Regard life as a passing guest, entrusting your form to Heaven and Earth; regard death as returning home, returning to the Dao's pivot. To live with desire is to cling to desire; to die with fear is to give birth to delusion. Those who cling to life are like carrying firewood to put out a fire—when the firewood is gone, the flames die; those who fear death are like sailing against the current—when the boat overturns, both boat and man perish. Observe how grass and trees wither once each year, and know that life and death are neither beginning nor end, but a cycle."

Yang Zhengshan seemed to have gained some insight, and his mind soon sank into the wondrous Dao Intent.

He sat cross-legged in the Quiet Room. The aura around him constantly changed, sometimes radiating dense Life Force, sometimes becoming heavy with Death Qi, and sometimes manifesting the Wither and Flourish Taiji Diagram behind him.

The changes in his aura followed the changes in his comprehension. For some unknown reason, this time he became completely immersed in the Dao Intent of life, death, withering, and flourishing. As time passed, his comprehension grew deeper and his fascination more profound.

"Follow life without clinging, accept death without resistance—this is Dao Integration. Cultivate the heart while alive, like nurturing orchids and growing fungi, guarding your true nature without losing your way; cast off the form in death, like leaving a boat and stepping ashore, returning to the source without panic. Do not seek longevity; seek freedom from both life and death. Do not flee death and destruction; flee clinging and delusion. The Dao lies between life and death, not beyond them."

"True self, source!"

"Only the self, the true nature?"

Yang Zhengshan fell into confusion, as if countless pieces of information had suddenly been stuffed into his mind, making them difficult to accept all at once.

His brain seemed to have frozen, unable to process so much information in such a short time.

However, his mind soon began turning again. Various realizations continued to circle through his thoughts, and the Dao Resonance around him grew increasingly dense.

"Born without possession, dead without perishing—this is the perfected person. Where there is life, there is consumption; where there is death, there is rest. From rest comes life again, and from consumption comes rest again. Forget life, and there is no worry; forget death, and there is no fear. When worry and fear are gone, the Dao reveals itself. Like flowing water that does not linger over streams, like drifting clouds that do not linger beneath the sky, forgetting both life and death, wandering together with the Dao—this is immortality."

Thus, Yang Zhengshan remained immersed in his comprehension, completely ignoring the passage of time.

In the blink of an eye, ten years passed.

Today, the White Jade Capital was especially lively. Golden Core cultivators and Demon Kings who rarely showed themselves on ordinary days came rushing to Hongxiu Palace one after another.

Kou Ta and Hong Fuxiu stood before the main hall of Hongxiu Palace, welcoming each guest with beaming smiles.

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Hongxiu, congratulations, congratulations!" Xuan Zhen's Old Face was especially radiant with smiles.

"Fellow Daoist Xuan Zhen, congratulations to you as well!"

Hong Fuxiu cupped her fists in return, carrying a Heroic and Spirited air.

Xuan Zhen looked at Kou Ta, then at Hong Fuxiu, his gaze blazing. "For the two of you to ascend the Golden Core Great Dao together as husband and wife, this is truly cause for celebration!"

Over these ten years, Kou Ta and Hong Fuxiu had achieved Core Formation one after another. Kou Ta had successfully formed his Core five years ago, stepping onto the Golden Core Great Dao, while Hong Fuxiu had overcome the Golden Core Lightning Tribulation five days ago and achieved the Golden Core Great Dao.

The husband and wife had succeeded one after the other, less than five years apart. They truly had excellent fortune.

"This is all thanks to the Venerable's blessings!" Kou Ta said modestly.

The Venerable he spoke of was naturally Yang Zhengshan.

His words were no falsehood. The reason the husband and wife had reached where they were today truly came down to Yang Zhengshan's blessings.

If Yang Zhengshan hadn't taken them in, they most likely wouldn't have enjoyed the freedom they had today.

If Yang Zhengshan hadn't brought them into the Sun Cave Heaven, they wouldn't have been able to accumulate so many Core Formation Spiritual Items.

If Yang Zhengshan hadn't looked after them and given them several Core Formation Spiritual Items, they would never have successfully formed their Cores.

It could be said that Yang Zhengshan had changed their fate.

It was precisely because they had met Yang Zhengshan that they had achieved what they had today and had been able to step onto the Golden Core Great Dao together.

"If Fellow Daoist Yang knew that both of you had successfully formed your Cores, I wonder how envious he'd be!" Xuan Zhen said with a laugh.

"That's right. Not to mention Fellow Daoist Yang, even this old man is incredibly envious!" Yunxiao came over at that moment and chimed in.

Kou Ta and Hong Fuxiu exchanged a glance before saying, "I believe Madam can also ascend the Golden Core Great Dao and enjoy everlasting life!"

They all knew what Yang Zhengshan was thinking. They understood that he very much hoped for Yu Qingyi, as well as his children and grandchildren, to ascend the Golden Core Great Dao too.

However, it was extremely difficult for a Martial Artist to achieve the Golden Core.

Still, they knew that Yang Zhengshan possessed the Pill Recipe for the Nine Tripod Divine Pill and that he had been preparing to refine the Nine Tripod Divine Pill all this time.

Kou Ta hadn't said those words casually. He had already decided that he would enter the Great Void next to gather Great Void Star Cores for Yang Zhengshan and Yu Qingyi.

Great Void Star Cores were essential materials for refining the Nine Tripod Divine Pill. They could only be collected in the Great Void, and doing so required a great deal of time and effort.

Kou Ta wanted to use this to repay Yang Zhengshan for his kindness to the husband and wife.

"With Brother Kou's words, I have even more confidence in forming my Core!" Yu Qingyi descended from the sky, smiling brightly.

"Greetings, Madam!"

"Greetings, Madam!"

Everyone bowed in greeting.

"Greetings, fellow Daoists!" Yu Qingyi returned their greetings with graceful ease.

With the establishment of the White Jade Capital, some Unspoken Rules had imperceptibly formed within the Life Realm Immortal Palace. One of the most important was Yang Zhengshan's authority.

Whether it was Xuan Zhen, who had been acquainted with Yang Zhengshan from the beginning, or Yunxiao, who had joined later, they all honored Yang Zhengshan above all.

Lin Xiqiu and the Green Ox Demon King, who joined afterward, had also tacitly accepted the fact that Yang Zhengshan was the leader.

Even Yue Yao, who had joined only recently, understood who the master of the Life Realm Immortal Palace was.

Now that Kou Ta and Hong Fuxiu had achieved Core Formation one after another, the husband and wife were even more staunch supporters of Yang Zhengshan.

Thus, Yang Zhengshan's authority among the Golden Core cultivators and Demon Kings became even more unshakable.

Yang Zhengshan had never demanded that everyone honor him above all, but his actions had still won their recognition and respect.

As a result, Yu Qingyi's status had risen as well. Although she was only a Divine Soul Realm Martial Artist, everyone still respected her greatly.

Of course, this was also inseparable from all that Yu Qingyi had done for everyone over the years.

If Yang Chengmou was the Head Steward of the Spirit Source Land, then Yu Qingyi was the Head Steward of the Immortal Palace.

Everything within the Immortal Palace was arranged by Yu Qingyi. Precisely because of her careful arrangements, everyone could focus their time and energy on cultivation without any distractions.

A short while later, Yue Yao, the Green Ox Demon King, and Lin Xiqiu also arrived to offer their congratulations. A gathering of Golden Core cultivators and Demon Kings chatted and laughed merrily in the main hall of Hongxiu Palace, Full of Joy.

Kou Ta and Hong Fuxiu achieving Core Formation one after another held extraordinary significance for the White Jade Capital.

The White Jade Capital now had seven Golden Core cultivators and Demon Kings. Aside from Yang Zhengshan, Yunxiao had achieved the Golden Core Great Dao by taking the Nine Tripod Divine Pill, while the Green Ox Demon King, Lin Xiqiu, and Yue Yao were outsiders. Xuan Zhen, Kou Ta, and Hong Fuxiu were the Golden Core cultivators the White Jade Capital had cultivated itself.

Xuan Zhen had been the first, and there had been a great deal of coincidence involved in his success, meaning it might not be replicable.

But Kou Ta and Hong Fuxiu's success represented the White Jade Capital's ability to cultivate Golden Core cultivators on its own.

For a power, this absolutely carried extraordinary significance.

The Tianyun Sword Sect of the past had also possessed five Golden Core cultivators, yet not one of them had been cultivated by the Tianyun Sword Sect itself.

Now, however, the White Jade Capital had three Golden Core cultivators it had cultivated on its own. This meant that the White Jade Capital had established the foundation for an orderly inheritance.

In the future, the White Jade Capital would have even more Golden Core cultivators, passing its inheritance down from generation to generation.

In the main hall, everyone first exchanged Cultivation Experience, mainly offering guidance to Hong Fuxiu, the newly advanced Golden Core cultivator.

This was also a convention of the White Jade Capital. Newly advanced Golden Core cultivators would all receive guidance from their seniors.

After the exchange of Cultivation Experience had nearly concluded, Xuan Zhen suddenly said, "Fellow Daoist Yunxiao, Fellow Daoist Kou, are you free these days?"

Everyone's gazes turned toward Xuan Zhen. Yunxiao said, "We are. Does Fellow Daoist Xuan Zhen have something in mind?"

"Haha, there is indeed something I'd like to ask the two of you to help with!"

"What is it?"

"I want to take the Yellow Springs Hall!" Xuan Zhen said with a smile.

"The Yellow Springs Hall? For the Divine Generals?" Yunxiao asked.

"That's right. We already have more than 1,300 Divine Generals, but that's still far from enough. Fellow Daoist Yang previously said that he wanted to take the Yellow Springs Hall, but who would've thought that he'd enter seclusion for ten years!" Xuan Zhen said.

Although the Golden Core cultivators and Demon Kings of the White Jade Capital had no clearly defined division of labor, everyone actually had their own responsibilities.

Yunxiao focused on cultivation. His was a False Core, and he was naturally a level weaker than the other Golden Core cultivators. To make up for this shortcoming, he devoted nearly all his time and energy to increasing his strength.

The Green Ox Demon King was something of a homebody, but he had to cultivate Spirit Plants. The Spirit Plants he cultivated were of great benefit to everyone.

Lin Xiqiu was responsible for trade with the Hengshan Sect and Taoyuan Mountain. Whenever he went out to trade, he personally stood guard.

If he was unavailable, Xuan Zhen would occasionally take his place.

Xuan Zhen's main task was to transform Divine Generals and cultivate Divine Generals.

As Yue Yao had only recently joined the White Jade Capital, she hadn't yet found her role.

"The mere Yellow Springs Hall requires the three of us to act together?" Yunxiao asked, somewhat surprised.

Xuan Zhen grinned. "Better to be prepared. I've made inquiries. Although the Yellow Springs Hall has no Golden Core cultivator stationed there, it still Belongs To the Wuchang Ghost Sect!"

"If we attack the Yellow Springs Hall, the Wuchang Ghost Sect might send people to reinforce it!"

Yunxiao nodded. "I see. In that case, let's go together."

"What does Madam think?" Xuan Zhen asked, turning to Yu Qingyi.

Yu Qingyi smiled. "You may decide this matter yourselves, but be careful. We'd rather give up the Yellow Springs Hall than take risks!"

Although everyone respected her here, she wasn't a Golden Core cultivator after all.

Therefore, she couldn't make decisions on Yang Zhengshan's behalf and could only offer a reminder or two.

"Rest assured, Madam. We'll be careful!" Xuan Zhen said with a smile.

To a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, the Yellow Springs Hall was a perilous place, but to Golden Core cultivators, the Yellow Springs Hall as it stood now posed no danger at all.

If they weren't worried that the Wuchang Ghost Sect might send reinforcements, Xuan Zhen wouldn't have needed to bring Yunxiao and Kou Ta along.

As for whether the Wuchang Ghost Sect would send reinforcements, the odds were actually quite low.

The Wuchang Ghost Sect was still locked in a war of attrition with the Wanhua Demon Court and probably had no attention to spare for the Yellow Springs Hall.