Punishment

Hua Chunning came from a [Yi Wood] Aristocratic Clan and had read many Daoist scriptures, so Hua Chunning was no ignorant novice. At once, Hua Chunning exclaimed in shock, "Splitting a Dao lineage... isn't that a power only a [Fruition] True Lord possesses?!"

"Indeed."

Li Chengxuan nodded, then added, "But there are already images in heaven and earth that have been split apart."

"Even a [Fruition] True Lord must abide by the principles of heaven and earth."

Hua Chunning looked at the flower catalog in hand, then at the [Yi Wood] Daoist scripture before him, thoughtful. "So, this disciple should cultivate [Yi Wood of Spring]?"

Li Chengxuan only shook his head. "I'm not familiar with the [Yi Wood] Dao lineage. This time, I only caught a vague glimpse of Senior Zhuohua's plans and acted on a whim. As for whether you succeed or fail, and what lies ahead, that will depend on your own fortune."

After a moment's thought, he added, "It could also be [Spring of Yi Wood]."

Hua Chunning was delighted, but also somewhat apprehensive.

Previously, Hua Chunning had lacked sufficient Manifestation to enter the Dao of [Yi Wood].

If Hua Chunning cultivated [Yi Wood of Spring] alone, that would use the image of the four seasons turning in their due time to divide [Yi Wood].

The Manifestation required to enter the Dao would naturally be greatly reduced, to only a quarter of the original amount.

This discussion of the Dao was clear enough.

But Hua Chunning had never heard or seen anything like it. Could it really work?!

Hua Chunning immediately understood why the sect master had called it a winding little path.

Still, the one who had blazed the trail was Hua Chunning's own ancestor, and the one pointing the way was the sect master. Neither of them should be trying to cause harm.

Even if there really was some plot or scheme, Hua Chunning would never give up.

Hua Chunning cast aside all distracting thoughts and made up his mind. "This disciple is willing to cultivate this method. Please teach me, Sect Master."

"Good."

Li Chengxuan nodded slightly and said slowly, "I'm keeping you here because spring has already passed. It's to keep you from going outside and being tainted by summer Qi, which would make your Manifestation impure."

"Only when spring comes next year can I let you go outside."

"When the time comes, I'll take you into the Grotto-Heaven and see whether we can supplement your Manifestation further."

It was only a year of confinement in a side hall.

Such a trial was not enough to shake Hua Chunning's Dao heart.

Hua Chunning nodded silently, then asked, "May I ask, Sect Master, once this disciple has supplemented the Manifestation, how should I ingest Qi and enter the Dao?"

Li Chengxuan already had an idea. "The [Yi Wood] Dao lineage has been severed, and even its Qi Gathering Method has been lost."

"But I looked through the ancient texts and found a kind of Qi called [Fragrance of a Hundred Flowers]. It's simple and easy to gather, and just right for you."

"However, [Fragrance of a Hundred Flowers] does not belong to [Yi Wood Proper Qi]. It can only be considered [Lesser Qi]."

"You can ingest it to enter the Dao, but you'll be limited to Qi Refining, with no hope of Foundation Establishment."

Hua Chunning did not feel sad upon hearing this.

Being able to enter the Dao and cultivate was already a wish fulfilled.

Insatiable greed would only bring needless trouble.

According to the sect master, this unconventional and unusual cultivation method had been left behind by Ancestor Zhuohua.

Zhuohua was the last [Foundation Establishment] cultivator of the Hua Household. Surely Zhuohua would not harm later generations by opening a path that led to a dead end.

Hua Chunning's gaze was firm. "I'll take it one step at a time. There may yet be a way to remedy it in the future!"

Li Chengxuan saw that although Hua Chunning's Dao heart was not as steadfast as Liu Zhijian's, Hua Chunning was no indecisive person either. He nodded inwardly and made arrangements. "To supplement your Manifestation, you need to go to the Grotto-Heaven."

"You need to plan the [Spirit Atmosphere Creation Method] for the Supreme Mystery Sub-Courtyard. I'll send it to Duanmu Ren for him to make the arrangements."

"As for Qi Gathering, that can only be done in this world."

"From the flower catalog in your hands, select the varieties that bloom in spring and have the Hua Household plant them in advance, so it will be easier to gather Qi."

"Qi Gathering is crucial to your Dao Path. You must do it yourself; don't get anyone to do it for you."

Earth, the Supreme Mystery Sub-Courtyard.

Duanmu Ren hurried over, his face full of anxiety. "Daoist Li, you've finally come! Could you leave me a way to contact you, so I can reach you when I need to?"

Li Chengxuan smiled when he heard this.

Naturally, he could.

It was just that Duanmu Ren would have to join Supreme Mystery Mountain and bind the [Two Worlds Pearl].

Unfortunately, Duanmu Ren was excessively cautious and terribly afraid of death, so he had been sitting on the fence.

Duanmu Ren was deeply calculating. Seeing Li Chengxuan's expression, he guessed the reason and hurriedly skipped the subject. "Daoist Li, where is Fairy Hua?!"

Li Chengxuan shook his head. "She's cultivating in seclusion and can't come out."

"Cultivating in seclusion?!"

Duanmu Ren's expression changed slightly, and he frowned. "Why go into seclusion at a time like this?! The experts from the province are all waiting."

Earlier, Hua Chunning had used family medical skills and medicinal pills to cure several old miners of pneumoconiosis.

Pneumoconiosis was a common occupational disease among miners, characterized by irreversible fibrosis of the lungs.

It was a terminal illness.

The families of those old miners could hardly believe it and had gone to the province for follow-up examinations.

The results had stunned every doctor.

If the hospital system had not contained the miners' previous treatment and examination records, no one would have believed it.

Duanmu Ren saw political achievements and favors to be gained.

The provincial doctors saw papers in top journals and academic prestige.

Yet the key figure, Hua Chunning, had been taken away by Li Chengxuan and vanished without a trace.

Duanmu Ren was beside himself with anxiety.

Li Chengxuan paid it no mind. He looked around, inspecting the progress of construction.

There seemed to be fewer workers than before, and they were chatting and laughing in little groups.

Most of the construction machinery was idle.

Without Hua Chunning to tend them, the flowers and plants had withered and turned yellow.

Sure enough, it wouldn't do without a strong hand in charge.

"Daoist Li!"

Seeing that Li Chengxuan still had the leisure to look at the project used to swindle subsidies, Duanmu Ren grew even more anxious. "Do you know Fairy Hua's medical skills?!"

"Or the medicinal pills... no, the pills won't do!"

"If something goes wrong after someone takes them, we'll be in trouble."

Li Chengxuan looked at Duanmu Ren in some surprise. "County Magistrate Duanmu, since when did you love the people as your own children?!"

The [Drink the People's Blood] Manifestation on him had clearly grown even stronger.

"Sigh!"

"Those old miners won't live many more years even if they're cured. Who would care?"

Seeing no one else around, Duanmu Ren dropped the pretense and lowered his voice. "There's an important person staying at the provincial hospital. He's very old, and his heart and lung function have declined badly. He's suffering terribly."

"Fairy Hua can even cure a terminal illness like pneumoconiosis. Wouldn't treating this kind of old-age ailment be as easy as lifting a hand?!"

"Daoist Li, I'm not joking. This is a golden chance to ascend to heaven in a single bound!"

Understanding dawned on Li Chengxuan.

No wonder Duanmu Ren was so concerned.

Seeing that Li Chengxuan remained unmoved, Duanmu Ren gritted his teeth. "As long as you help me make this connection, once it's done, I'm willing to seriously consider cultivating the Dao with you. I won't go back on my word!"

Seriously consider...

This time, Li Chengxuan actually laughed out loud.

When he had first obtained the [Two Worlds Pearl], he had been eager to gather people who possessed Manifestations and bring them back to the cultivation world to strengthen the sect.

Duanmu Ren's abundant [High Shaman] Manifestation was indeed rare.

So he had been a little impatient.

But today was different from the past.

Now, Liu Zhijian was already gathering Qi.

Hua Chunning, moreover, had a chance to blaze a new trail within the [Yi Wood] Dao lineage.

Duanmu Ren was no longer important.

He had even become expendable.

According to Li Chengxuan's vague memories of his previous life, there should be no shortage of officials capable of condensing [Drink the People's Blood].

When Duanmu Ren saw Li Chengxuan smile, he vaguely sensed that something was wrong.

Even so, according to Duanmu Ren's calculations, he was certainly an extremely important piece on the board.

Li Chengxuan clearly possessed extraordinary skills, yet he had not forced Duanmu Ren and had even shown him somewhat excessive forbearance.

Duanmu Ren was skilled in power plays. Some days ago, he had deliberately sounded Hua Chunning out to confirm his suspicions.

Hua Chunning treated everyone with lofty arrogance, looking down upon all beings.

But after Duanmu Ren revealed that Li Chengxuan intended to take him as a disciple, Hua Chunning's attitude had immediately changed, becoming even somewhat noticeably awestruck.

Duanmu Ren, who had spent half his life navigating officialdom, was acutely sensitive to such things, and a bold idea immediately sprang to mind.

Using himself as a hostage, he might be able to turn the tables on his hosts and make Li Chengxuan and Hua Chunning serve him!

All his seemingly unusual behavior today was actually a carefully prepared test of obedience!

"This is the new design for the sub-courtyard. Begin construction as soon as possible."

"In particular, there must be a full hundred varieties of flowers."

"Make sure it's finished before the start of spring next year."

Li Chengxuan had no time to play mind games with Duanmu Ren. He formed a hand seal and activated the [Lesser Spirit Shocking Incantation], pointing gently at Duanmu Ren as he sighed. "It's my fault for being too lenient before and letting you misjudge the situation."

"So this time, it's only a small punishment as a stern warning."

"If there's a next time..."