The Nine Phenological Periods

Supreme Mystery Mountain, Ancestral Hall.

Li Chengxuan frowned slightly as he looked at the jade bottle in his hand that was constantly vibrating.

"Master..." Liu Zhijian said respectfully, "That [Wu Earth Apricot-Yellow Flag] is of great significance to Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain. The Xue Household searched the Southern Edge Continent with great effort, but only found this one [Mystic Marsh Submerged Thunder Qi]."

"The Xue Household says that the Greater Yin has long ceased to appear in the world, and the Daoist lineage of the Southern Edge Continent [Fu Water] has also been severed for a long time."

"The two ancient Spiritual Qi that Master requested, [Lake Moon Reflects Autumn] and [Golden Autumn Submerges in Azure], have been extinct for a thousand years and cannot be found."

Li Chengxuan nodded slightly upon hearing this, not at all surprised.

[Lake Moon Reflects Autumn] is born from the convergence of the Greater Yin and the golden autumn air in the lake, and is the most fitting Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi for Hu Yueqiu.

As for [Golden Autumn Submerges in Azure], it is considered a lower-ranking choice than [Lake Moon Reflects Autumn], as it represents the solemn and restrained atmosphere of the lake in autumn, often accompanied by the Spiritual Qi of the Greater Yin.

Southern Edge Continent is surrounded by the sea on all sides, and the [Confluence Water] has already overflowed.

The White Dragon River Southern Edge Continent, and [Kan Water] is considered to be at its peak.

Including the Dong Household Little Dragon Mountain, there are quite a few cultivators practicing [Kan Water] on the Southern Edge Continent.

As for [Clear Water], it can at best be considered barely clinging to life.

The imagery of [Clear Water] – rain, dew, springs, and pools – has long since vanished.

However, there were still quite a few people like Du Qingquan who obtained some fragmented talisman inheritances.

The lineage of the [Fu Water] sect has been severed for a long time.

The only large lake on the Southern Edge Continent, Mirror Moon Lake, is gradually drying up. It is said that now only a crescent-shaped spot remains, and even the Qi Gathering can no longer be extracted from it.

The final [Female Water] is the [hidden position] of the Water Virtue, and no one knows its current state.

"Furthermore..." Liu Zhijian hesitated for a moment, then added, "The Xue Household also suggested filling in Mirror Moon Lake and forcibly extracting a trace of [Qi of the Remnant Pool Left after Drying], but I refused."

"It's alright." Li Chengxuan naturally knew Liu Zhijian's temperament and nodded, saying, "This [Mystic Marsh Submerged Thunder Qi] is enough. There's no need to go to great lengths to fill Mirror Moon Lake."

"That's Xiao Hu's hometown after all. I also intend to send her back to Mirror Moon Lake to Qi Ingestion and enter the Daoist path, so as to harmonize with the [Fu Water] Manifestation."

Liu Zhijian breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

Li Chengxuan carefully put away the [Mystic Marsh Submerged Thunder Qi], seemingly sensing something, and softly instructed, "The matter is settled, go and cultivate. I still need to go to the Supreme Mystery Sub-Courtyard."

Earth, Supreme Mystery Sub-Courtyard.

Li Chengxuan looked at Hu Yueqiu with some surprise.

Hu Yueqiu's autumn harvest of the Autumn Phenological Periods weather Manifestation seems to be going very smoothly, and she already possesses some of the autumnal air of killing, solemnity, and harvest.

In particular, he possessed a refined and chilling [Greater Yin] Sword Qi that was captivating.

Hu Yueqiu then recounted the whole story.

Li Chengxuan frowned after listening, pondered for a moment, and said, "The art of Sword Dao is profound and depends on one's own mind. Your fortuitous opportunity may not necessarily be a bad thing."

"Just don't forget your original aspirations."

"I brought you to this Grotto-Heaven to replenish the Manifestation the [Fu Water] region, so that you may Qi Ingestion and enter the Dao."

"As long as it doesn't interfere with important matters, you can make your own decisions about the rest; there's no need to ask me."

Hu Yueqiu suddenly understood after listening, and said in a deep voice, "This disciple understands."

Li Chengxuan nodded, then changed the subject, saying, "Your senior brother has already obtained [Fu Water Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi] for you, called [Mystic Marsh Submerged Thunder Qi]."

"[The Fu Water] is a lake when it is full, and a marsh when it is dry."

"In ancient times, there was a divine being born in a great swamp, with the body of a dragon and the head of a human, whose belly could produce thunder, and he was known as the Thunder God."

Therefore, the Great Swamp is a place where thunder rises and falls.

"Ascending to heaven is [the Firmament Thunder], which is the thunder of divine punishment, governing punishment, dispelling evil, and upholding righteousness."

"When it lands, it becomes [Mystic Thunder], which is Yin Thunder and Dark Thunder. It can bless oneself and is most effective at slaying demons."

"In the future, you can practice the [Mystic Thunder] Cultivation Method, which will have wonderful uses whether you enhance [Fu Water] or [Sword Dao]."

Hu Yueqiu was overjoyed and knelt down, saying, "I will never forget the kindness of the Sect Leader and Senior Brother."

"Get up." Li Chengxuan knew that Hu Yueqiu's path to the Dao was fraught with difficulties, and he sighed and smiled, "There's no need to be too happy yet. Entering the Dao with [Mystic Marsh Submerged Thunder Qi] will indeed bring the blessing of [Mystic Thunder] in the future, but there are also drawbacks."

"[Mystic Thunder] imagery is used to slay demons."

"You have grasped the essence of swordsmanship, crossing the threshold of [the Sword Dao]."

"The so-called sword intent is my intent, the sword heart is my heart."

"Even if you've truly fallen into demonic possession, if you've even committed any deceitful acts, [Mystic Thunder] will still kill you."

Having grasped the essence of the sword, Hu Yueqiu naturally understood her own heart. Upon hearing this, she showed no fear and resolutely vowed, "As a disciple of Supreme Mystery, I shall uphold righteousness and integrity. If one day I commit evil and become a demon, I am willing to accept the punishment of lightning and sword."

Li Chengxuan nodded after listening, but also felt somewhat worried.

This Hu Yueqiu was a person with diminished Manifestation, quiet and reserved, at most a bit stubborn, and didn't seem very smart.

They endured many hardships and difficulties before finally reaching Supreme Mystery Mountain.

He served as a steward in the General Affairs Hall for a year, but never made any outstanding contributions.

He doesn't seem like someone with a profound Fate or a lofty path to immortality.

Many times, Li Chengxuan forgot that this person even existed.

Since the extraordinary phenomenon of a crescent moon appearing on Venus, Hu Yueqiu suddenly comprehended the essence of swordsmanship atop the mountain, displaying her talent in the art of Sword Dao.

Then, due to a change in the portrait of the patriarch, Li Chengxuan was accepted into the sect as a Registered Disciple.

Just as his disciples were returning from their training trips, Li Chengxuan made some arrangements, but he didn't actually put much effort into them.

Looking back now, he first displayed his talent in [Sword Dao], then obtained [Mystic Marsh Submerged Thunder Qi], and while gathering [Autumn Phenological Periods] in the Grotto-Heaven to replenish his Manifestation, he unexpectedly accumulated some Manifestation of a sword immortal.

Upon closer reflection, it is truly terrifying.

Li Chengxuan looked up at the sky.

It was noon, and the sky was bright; the Greater Yin had naturally disappeared without a trace.

"Could it be true that her ancestors cultivated the [Greater Yin]?" Li Chengxuan had always been skeptical, mainly because the [Greater Yin] was extremely pure and noble, and not something ordinary people could cultivate. Now, however, he had some hope that it was true. "Could it be that my Supreme Mystery Mountain is truly destined to produce a Child of Fate favored by the [Greater Yin]?!"

Unfortunately, even if Hu Yueqiu is truly a person of the [Greater Yin] Child of Fate, she can only cultivate the [Fu Water] lineage now.

Fortunately, no matter what, as long as Hu Yueqiu accepts the Qi Ingestion and enters into it, he will have accumulated a Merit of [Continue Lost Teachings].

Li Chengxuan suppressed the chaotic thoughts in his mind and slowly said, "Since we are going to use [Mystic Marsh Submerged Thunder Qi] to Qi Ingestion and enter the Dao, we will have to make some choices regarding the next step of collecting [Autumn Phenological Periods]."

Since this concerned his own Dao Path, Hu Yueqiu dared not be negligent and respectfully said, "This disciple is dull-witted and lacks profound understanding of the Dao. I humbly request guidance from the sect leader."

Li Chengxuan already had an idea. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Now you have collected the four signs of autumn: [Cold Cicadas Sing's Cry], [Hawks Sacrifice Birds], [Heaven and Earth Grow Solemn], and [Grain Then Ripens]. They all correspond to the autumn atmosphere and are not incompatible with [Sword Dao] and [Mystic Thunder].

"Next is [White Dew], signifying the increasing autumnal air and the condensation of white dew."

"The three pentads of the White Dew solar term are 'Wild geese flying south,' 'Swallows returning,' and 'Birds blushing.' These imagery are common and not very useful, so they can be disregarded."

The autumnal equinox signifies that day and night are of equal length, and autumn colors are at their peak.

"The first sign is [Thunder Withdraws Its Sound], which perfectly matches the Manifestation of [Mystic Thunder sinking into the marsh], so it must be observed."

"The second pentad is called '[Insects Plaster Their Burrows begin to seal their burrows with mud], which means hibernating insects begin to seal their burrows with mud, signifying seclusion and concealment. This aligns with the imagery of 'Taiyin' (the Greater Yin), and it is also appropriate to collect them."

"The third sign is '[the Waters Begin to Dry Up],' which means the lake has dried up and become a marsh, and it is also a time when it is essential to collect [the harvest]."

The imagery of "[Cold Dew]" evokes the imagery of autumn's approaching chill, which will soon turn to frost.

"The imagery of the three phases of [Cold Dew] is scattered, with repetitions, changes in the nature of things, and the blooming of autumn chrysanthemums, all of which are unsuitable."

"Finally, there is the [Frost's Descent], the image of [autumn turning to winter, dew turning into frost]."

"The first sign of Frost's Descent is 'Jackal offering beasts,' which echoes the imagery of ' Hawks Sacrifice Birds ' that you collected earlier."

"The second pentad is [the Grasses and Trees Shed Their Leaves], when the leaves of grass and trees turn yellow and fall, and the earth presents a desolate scene. This is the most direct manifestation of the bleak and restraining atmosphere of autumn, and it is also time to gather [the harvest]."

"The third period is [ salty and prone], "Xian" means both, and "" means lying and not moving. All things are stored, and the autumn period ends here, so it is suitable to pick at the end."

Hu Yueqiu still hadn't read enough Daoist scriptures and hadn't yet established her own Daoist theory of cultivation. She memorized every word Li Chengxuan said and summarized, "This disciple has already observed the four signs: [the Cold Cicadas Sing], [the Hawks Sacrifice Birds], [the Heaven and Earth Grow Solemn Grain Then Ripens]."

"There are also five other signs: [Thunder Withdraws Its Sound], [Insects Plaster Their Burrows], [Waters Begin to Dry Up], [Grasses and Trees Shed Their Leaves], and [Hibernating Creatures All Bow Down]."

Adding them up, there are exactly nine pentads, which is even more than what Senior Sister Hua collected eight pentads.

The sect leader actually had such high expectations of him.

While Hu Yueqiu was excited, she was also somewhat apprehensive.

"Nine is the ultimate number; just do your best." Li Chengxuan smiled upon hearing this, saying nothing more, only instructing, "Since you haven't yet Qi Ingestion and entered its path, I can naturally explain the Daoist doctrines to you."

"From now on, you should read more Daoist scriptures and establish your own Dao Path."

"I also need to stay at Supreme Mystery Mountain, so I can't be in two places at once."

"Duanmu Daohui is exceptionally wise and knowledgeable, well-versed in all kinds of Daoist scriptures, and resides in Grotto-Heaven for extended periods. You can seek his guidance more often."