Trials and Tribulations

"[Jia Wood] is Yang wood, which fears being chopped by [Geng Metal] and burned by [Ding Fire], and likes being illuminated by [Bing Fire] and nurtured by [Wu Earth], but dislikes excessive water that will cause disaster..."

Azure Cloud Market, Flying Immortal Pavilion.

The shop owner, Lin Muyang, was consulting Xue Yong about Daoist principles.

Hua Chunning listened from the side.

"My Lin Household's lineage, according to the Old Method, belongs to the [Jia Wood] lineage." New Method cultivators don't read Daoist scriptures. Lin Muyang felt his eyes were opened after hearing this. He glanced at Hua Chunning and continued to inquire, "Fellow Daoist Hua cultivates [Yi Wood]. I wonder if there's any relation between [Jia Wood] and [Yi Wood]? Is it mutually beneficial when combined, or is there some harm?"

"This is somewhat complicated, and there's no definitive conclusion." Xue Yong stroked his beard, pondered for a moment, and slowly said, "Although [Jia Wood] and [Yi Wood] both belong to the Wood Virtue, they are classified as Yin and Yang respectively."

"If we really want to get to the bottom of this, the Daoist scriptures say, 'Wisteria vines cling to armor, they can be used in spring and autumn.'"

"When [Yi Wood] gains support from [Jia Wood], its Manifestation will surely increase significantly."

"[Jia Wood] is rigid and easily broken; when it receives the gentle harmony of [Yi Wood], it is not afraid of being overcome by metal, nor swayed by the wind."

"I see." Lin Muyang nodded in understanding and smiled, "It seems I should interact with Fellow Daoist Hua more often in the future."

"Fellow Daoist Lin is practicing New Method. These Ancient Method methods and Daoist theories are obscure and difficult to understand. Just listen to them and that's fine." Hua Chunning remained calm upon hearing this. She didn't mention that the Lin Household was weak and not worthy of being associated with, nor did she mention that excessive [Yi Wood] would entangle and kill [Jia Wood]. Instead, she looked at Xue Yong and smiled, "The Daoist scriptures say that [Yi Wood] is soft and shallow. If it encounters excessive [Wu Earth], it is easily buried."

"[Wu Earth] has a nurturing effect on [Jia Wood], but [Jia Wood] has deep roots and is used to break through the soil."

"If we truly intend to follow the Daoist principles, Senior Xue should be wary of you, and I should stay away from Senior Xue."

"I see." Lin Muyang was taken aback after hearing this, then sighed and said, "I have learned a great deal."

Xue Yong was somewhat embarrassed and quickly explained, "The Daoist theories are profound; how could we possibly comprehend them? It was just casual conversation; please don't take it seriously."

As the head of Azure Cloud Market, Lin Muyang was very busy and soon took his leave.

Flying Immortal Pavilion, only Hua Chunning and Xue Yong remained.

Hua Chunning's expression turned solemn as he slowly spoke, "What you did today was somewhat unethical, senior."

Xue Yong remained calm, ordered someone to serve him spirit tea, and smiled at Hua Chunning, saying, "Young friend, please don't be offended. It's just that Market Master Lin gave me too much. I was only doing my job for the money and had no intention of offending him."

Hua Chunning listened without changing her expression. "And what about the black market before..."

"Alright, alright, I'll give you half." Xue Yong quickly begged for forgiveness, painfully pulling out some Spirit Stone: "Don't mention it again. I have my pride too."

Hua Chunning carefully put away the Spirit Stone and sighed softly.

Xue Yong, after all, was from Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain and was nearing the end of his life. He couldn't openly discuss his past embezzlement of black market profits and his recent matchmaking spree, so he could only hint at it.

Xue Yong knew he was being disrespectful, so he tried to salvage his dignity, sighing, "Actually, it wasn't entirely for the Spirit Stone. I was just deeply moved by Lin Muyang's panic and desperate scheming."

"Oh?" Hua Chunning glanced at Xue Yong, somewhat puzzled. "What do you mean by that, Senior?!"

"It's just a case of shared misfortune." Xue Yong shook his head, his expression worried. "At my age, instead of enjoying my retirement, I'm toiling away in the market, even disregarding my dignity to plunder Spirit Stone, all because I'm worried about my good-for-nothing descendants at home."

"After I die, within twenty years, my branch of the family will most likely be expelled from Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain, either becoming slaves or servants on the mountain, or descending to the secular world to wallow in misery."

"Having some Spirit Stone by your side, even if it doesn't guarantee a revival, at least can reduce your suffering from the trials of the world."

Hua Chunning was taken aback, somewhat unprepared for Xue Yong's sudden revelation. She could only comfort him, saying, "Children and grandchildren have their own blessings. Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain is a large and prosperous family, and upholds the righteous path. They will surely take care of their ancestors and descendants."

Xue Yong shook his head, unwilling to discuss the internal strife within the Xue Household, and then spoke of Lin Muyang: "Market Master Lin holds immense power, and the Lin family of the Azure Cloud Sect is extremely domineering, with all sides giving way. In reality, it's like oil being poured on a raging fire; it's bound to decline after reaching its peak."

"The Lin Household's [Foundation Establishment] cultivator is seriously injured and has not shown his face for a long time. We don't know if he's dead or alive."

"Once his death is confirmed, the Lin Household's current power will collapse in an instant."

"After my death, my descendants will ultimately be safe and sound."

"With the death of the Lin Household's [Foundation Establishment] cultivator, if that Sect Leader Qiao had been a little more ruthless, the Azure Cloud Sect might have had to change its name to the Qiao Household Azure Cloud Sect Valley."

"The reason we're being so tolerant now is simply because the Lin Household's [Foundation Establishment] cultivators are nearing the end of their lifespans, and we fear they might resort to suicidal tactics."

Hua Chunning nodded silently after listening, "Thank you for your guidance, senior."

Xue Yong picked up his teacup and savored the tea, then smiled and said, "For the sake of my children and grandchildren, I have indeed lost face. But when it comes to matters of principle, Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain will definitely stand with Supreme Mystery Mountain. You need not doubt this at all, young friend."

Du Family Talismans Shop.

Hua Yuhe was already showing signs of pregnancy and had become much fuller-figured. The resentment and anger that had been worn down by her bumpy life had completely dissipated, and she appeared kind and serene.

Is this the wondrous application of yin and yang in harmony, and the transformation of male and female into one?!

It can easily change a person's Manifestation.

Hua Chunning knew nothing about pregnancy and was unwilling to use magic for fear of doing more harm than good. After thinking for a moment, she said, "When I return to the sect, I will ask my grandfather for some suitable elixirs and have someone send them to me."

"Hmm." Hua Yuhe had always harbored resentment towards the Hua Household, but now she didn't care at all for the sake of her unborn child. She continued talking about the child in her womb, "Qingquan and I have thought about it carefully and have already decided on a name."

"Oh?" Hua Chunning smiled upon hearing this, "What's your name?"

"If it's a daughter, take the character 'Yu' from my name and call her Du Yulu," Hua Yuhe said with a smile. "If it's a son, call him Du Qingchi."

He glanced at Hua Chunning and carefully explained, "It's not the 'qing' of 'pure and turbid,' but the 'qing' of 'Immortal Dao immortality.' I was thinking that not only could I avoid using my father's name, but if I were to cultivate New Method in the future, I could also borrow some of the fortune of the Azure Cloud Sect."

Du Qingquan stood to the side, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping himself.

Hua Chunning listened with a calm expression, smiling and nodding, "That's right, Sister Yuhe has thought it through thoroughly."

Hua Yuhe's smile deepened as she gently touched her belly, her face full of loving kindness.

Only then did Du Qingquan dare to speak, mentioning the recent changes in Azure Cloud Market: "Recently, the Bandit Cultivator around the market have become increasingly rampant, and even seem to be growing stronger."

"Some monks in the market are honest, kind, and good-natured."

"Once they leave the market, they resort to swindling and cheating, using ruthless methods."

"As a result, Rogue Cultivator lived in fear and dared not leave the market town unnecessarily."

Hua Chunning frowned slightly upon hearing this and asked, "Isn't the Azure Cloud Sect going to do anything about it?"

"They are managing it," Du Qingquan sighed, "Several high-ranking cultivators from the Azure Cloud Sect came and took action to clean up the mess, killing quite a few people in the process."

"But once the high-ranking cultivators of the Azure Cloud Sect leave, the Bandit Cultivator will return with renewed force."

"Especially those three leaders of the Bandit Cultivator, they are extremely skilled, appearing and disappearing unpredictably, and have escaped multiple times."

He paused, then added in a low voice, "Those three leaders of the Bandit Cultivator sect, though quite mysterious, eventually revealed their true colors. One of them is New Method cultivator, known as the Daoist Mu, with considerable combat strength. He uses Wood Element Law Technique, so he must have deep ties to the Azure Cloud Sect."

Rumors in the market say that this disturbance caused by the Bandit Cultivator was due to internal strife within the Azure Cloud Sect, and that someone is using this opportunity to suppress Market Master Lin.