Borrowing Their Name

Inside the sect leader's room, Sect Leader Kang Da had been sitting in meditation for seven days, his breathing calm and normal.

This training was particularly important. Little Qi and the Lion Insect swarm were both locked up by him with restrictions, unable to wander off. In the small cloud room, only the tiny flame of the green lamp kept him company, making it quite lonely.

Kang Dabao went into seclusion again in haste because he needed to choose Cultivation Method for himself.

Although the Azure Wood Treasured Light Guide practiced by Sect Leader Kang Da is Hong Grade Cultivation Method, he can only cultivate it up to the Qi Refinement Ninth Layer, and his path forward is blocked.

Kang Dabao does not have the method of circulating qi after the Foundation Establishment of this Cultivation Method. If he wants to continue cultivating, he must either find the follow-up Cultivation Method of the Azure Wood Treasured Light Guide or find other Cultivation Method for switching to.

There are also considerations regarding which method to practice. Practicing a method of the same origin will yield twice the results with half the effort, while practicing a method that is contrary to it will yield half the results with twice the effort.

The name Azure Wood Treasured Light Guide is not well-known, and it is unknown whether it was brought by Patriarch Zhang from Fenli Prefecture. In any case, in this small place called Cloud Horn Prefecture, Sect Leader Kang Da has never heard of any other Foundation True Cultivator Foundation Establishment this Cultivation Method.

Therefore, it's unknown how long it would take to find the Foundation Establishment part of the Azure Wood Treasured Light Guide. Kang Dabao certainly wouldn't choose this path.

As for switching to other skills, Sect Leader Kang Da Hong Grade and Mu Fakang have no shortage of resources.

Most of them were found by Double Brightness's disciples through years of diligent searching through various Storage Bag; the remaining small portion consisted partly of the dowry brought by Fei Household's illegitimate daughter and partly of the gifts Kuang Liuting had bestowed upon her last time.

While the first part is more numerous, its quality varies greatly. Not only are there few books containing Foundation Establishment Cultivation Method, but the annotations in the books are also not only crude, but many were even left by those who had only reached the early stages of Qi Refinement, containing numerous errors and omissions.

The latter part is truly exquisite, with most of it leading directly to the Golden Core Elixir Path.

Before reaching the Foundation Establishment, Kang Dabao was not ambitious and never thought he could go too far on the path to immortality. It would be quite fitting to label him as "self-deprecating".

However, thanks to the power of the gourd's spiritual dew, Kang Dabao has already achieved the Jade Leaf Foundation Establishment, a skill that cannot be found in any ancient texts.

If at this point he still doesn't even dare to look forward to the future of cultivating to the Golden Core stage, then his cultivation as an immortal has truly gone to waste.

The Daoist Black Shoes was also not proficient in the art of wood magic. Although he was already famous throughout the prefecture and county, he had not been practicing for very long.

Before Kang Dabao Foundation Establishment, the Daoist Black Shoes could still offer him insightful advice based on his ability to draw inferences from similar cases, but now he could no longer answer Kang Dabao's questions.

Jiang Qing, also a pure Daoist focused solely on swordsmanship, couldn't quite grasp these matters, but he offered a rather pertinent suggestion to Sect Leader Kang Da: "They're pretty much the same; Senior Brother, just learn whichever one you find pleasing to the eye."

Since the Sect Leader Kang Da could find no one to consult with, he had no choice but to lay out these Cultivation Method one by one and study them carefully.

After much deliberation and becoming overwhelmed by the choices, I finally selected a Vast-Tier Superior-Grade's "Green Goat Pine Discourse Scripture" to study.

According to what is written on the opening page of this Cultivation Method, if one studies this scripture and fully understands its essence, one will naturally attain the wonders of Changsheng, avoidance of death, and the formation of the Golden Core.

Those who cultivate themselves struggle against fate, seeking both freedom and Changsheng. The "Green Goat Pine Discourse Scripture" possesses such wondrous qualities, naturally making it stand out.

The reason this Cultivation Method is so arrogant is because it has a significant background. The "Green Goat Pine Discourse Scripture" comes from the Green Goat Palace, a former Nascent Soul sect of the Great Wei Immortal Dynasty, and is one of the scriptures studied by the inner disciple of the Green Goat Palace.

However, not long after the founding of the Great Wei Immortal Dynasty, Green Goat Palace went astray and offended the ruling officials, resulting in its gates being destroyed and its disciples being scattered.

Although Green Goat Palace was destroyed, its lineage was completely absorbed by the Immortal Dynasty, continuing to provide a legal foundation for the Immortal Dynasty's development.

"Green Goat Pine Discourse Scripture" can be considered one of the best among them. Kuang Liuting's discerning eye is beyond question; anything he has chosen is certainly not ordinary.

Even within the capital region, there weren't many officials in the capital who could receive this method.

Although the "Azure Wood Treasured Light Guide" and the "Green Goat Pine Discourse Scripture" belong to the same lineage, if Sect Leader Kang Da wants to switch to this method, it will not be a matter of one day. It will probably take several years of hard work to achieve it.

Before that, however, there was one more thing that Kang Dabao needed to do before he could calm down and focus on his cultivation.

"Did Old Ghost Feng agree?" As the head of the Mi Household spoke, the scars on his face creased into a deep line, startling the henchman reporting back opposite him. The henchman lowered his head and replied softly, "Reporting to the head of the family, Senior Feng wants you to increase the Spirit Stone to three thousand."

After a long silence, the shamanic characters on Mi Household's face twitched incessantly. Finally, he slammed his fist on the table in anger, sending wood chips flying, and cursed, "Old Ghost Feng is always quick to kick someone when they're down! Go and invite him again, just say I've agreed to the price, and ask him to move into our village as soon as possible."

"Senior Feng said that regardless of whether the big boss agrees or not, he will come the day after tomorrow to collect this sum of Spirit Stone." The henchman was so frightened that his voice was barely audible, but he dared not not answer. He buried his head almost to his knees and did not dare to utter a single other word.

"You son of a bitch!" Upon hearing this, the head of the Mi Household immediately flew into a rage and slammed a spirit wood chair hard onto his henchman.

This lackey was merely a common Early Qi Refining Stage; how could he withstand the full force of a Peak Qi Refinement? His eyeballs were almost popped out by the immense power, resulting in him bleeding from all seven orifices and dying instantly.

After the man died, Mi Household Da Dang, seeing his gruesome state, seemed to finally come to his senses.

Since this lackey was sent by him to invite Foundation Establishment True Cultivator to come and help, although his cultivation level wasn't anything special, he was a truly trusted confidant of the Mi Household.

If the head of the Mi Household hadn't been in a state of mental confusion, he would never have acted so out of anger.

"Go, take him away and give him a proper burial. Spread the word that his family should be compensated according to the standards for those who died in battle." After giving these instructions to the two shaman soldiers beside him who were terrified and speechless, the head of the Mi Household went out the door.

After walking to a large river outside the village, letting the water vapor and mist soak them through, Mi Household Da Dang's frustration subsided a little.

Having been a hero for so many years, he has made quite a few friends from all walks of life.

He had recently received definite news that Chongming Sect Kang Dabao, seeing that he had not come to apologize for so long, had lost all patience and was gathering his men to take action against Mi Household Stockade.

It makes sense. What kind of person was Kang Dabao in the past? Now that he's risen to power and gained influence, if he can't even subdue a small Qi Refinement force, then all his efforts in building his foundation would have been for nothing.

There were reasons why the Mi Household executives dared not visit to apologize.

Most of the skills he had acquired in his life were in the training of the three hundred sorcerer soldiers. If he were to go to the Chongming Sect, carrying thorns, and bound in a coffin.

If Sect Leader Kang Da were to harbor any ill intentions at that time, how could the Mi Household's leader, all alone in the Chongming Sect and tiger's lair of the Chongming Sect, possibly escape?

Under such circumstances, who would dare to go?

Even after learning that Chongming Sect was about to send a large army to attack, Mi Household Da Dang was reluctant to abandon his band of witch soldiers and let them wander the world.

After all, the Mi Household Stockade had accumulated its wealth over six or seven generations since its first cultivator ancestor. It was truly difficult for the Mi Household to just let it all go to waste.

In recent years, Mi Household's top sellers have managed to get on good terms with some Foundation Establishment True Cultivator due to their impressive record of forcing two Foundation Establishment cultivators to retreat.

Although he inevitably falls short, they can still be considered equals.

Therefore, Mi Household's top team also sought out many acquaintances who had reached the Foundation Establishment, with the idea of holding out for a while and fighting like a cornered beast.

Just like how Auspicious Brocade Gate stubbornly defended the spirit array back then, causing Buse stranded at the city gates, we need to let Chongming Sect know that Mi Household Stockade is a tough nut to crack, so that the Mi Household can negotiate with Sect Leader Kang Da.

If one doesn't even reveal a little skill, then one will truly be at the mercy of others. At that time, if one bows down and admits fault, accepts punishment, and increases the annual tribute, giving Chongming Sect a way out, the matter will most likely be resolved.

After all, he hadn't harmed the Double Brightness Caravan in the slightest, nor had he even touched a single piece of the goods. The Mi Household's chief clerk couldn't think of any reason why Kang Dabao would be so relentless.

The three Foundation Establishment that Mi Household invited this time were all from independent Rogue Cultivator. Although the price they asked for was low, they were easy to invite. It wasn't that they hadn't considered inviting some familiar sects or Lineage to come forward, but that they True Cultivator couldn't invite them.

Even the Changyun Ma Household, who were nominally supposed to protect Mi Household Stockade, refused to visit and stated that they would not get involved in the feud between the two families.

The head of the Mi Household understood this situation. After all, the Changyun Ma Household only had one Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivator left, and he was very old. He could barely maintain the family's existence, let alone fight for the Mi Household's leader.

Moreover, since the last time the witch soldiers showed their power, Mi Household Stockade has not paid a single spirit fragment to the Changyun Ma Household for twenty years. The latter would not help them out for any reason.

However, Mi Household Jiadang never imagined that someone he couldn't hire could be hired by someone else.

Ma Wenhan, the patriarch of the Ma Household, offered some areca flower slices to the three Foundation Establishment present, but none of them accepted them. To ease the awkwardness, he could only laugh sheepishly and say, "As one gets old, one tends to take these kinds of things. Please forgive my rudeness, fellow Daoists."

Shan Sheng lowered his head and remained silent. The aroma and color of the spiritual tea presented by the Ma Household were not bad, but it had a stale smell, which clearly revealed the predicament of the Changyun Ma Household.

Shan Sheng sighed inwardly, a sudden feeling of shared misfortune welling up within him.

Just as he was about to speak, he saw that Sect Leader Kang Da had not yet opened his mouth, so he swallowed his words and, imitating Jiang Qing's manner, held his breath and remained silent.

"Ha, what's your thought, Senior Ma?" Kang Dabao didn't reply, put down his teacup, put it back, and asked.

Sect Leader Kang Da is now a Foundation Establishment Early Stage, just like Ma Wenhan. Logically speaking, he is qualified to call Ma Wenhan "fellow Daoist".

Ma Wenhan became famous very early. He was already a Foundation Establishment cultivator before the Sect Leader He of the Chongming Sect Leader He entered the Dao. He was over two hundred years old and was a true senior of the immortal sect.

The Sect Leader Kang Da addressed Ma Wenhan as "senior" to show goodwill, and he didn't really lose out.

"This matter is of great importance, Sect Leader Kang, please allow this old man to reconsider." A hint of worry appeared on Ma Wenhan's old face. Before Sect Leader Kang Da could speak, Shan Sheng interrupted, saying:

"What else is Fellow Daoist Ma thinking about? To put it bluntly, if something were to happen to Fellow Daoist Ma, and the Mi Household Stockade became too powerful to control, I wouldn't be surprised if they did something that would turn against their master."

Shan Sheng's words were rather impolite, and Kang Dabao glanced at him with slight surprise. He seemed to have never expected that Shan Sheng, who always liked to make friends, would speak to a Foundation Establishment in such a way today.

Originally, the Sect Leader Kang Da had no intention of involving Shan Sheng in the annihilation of the Mi Household Stockade, which had no Foundation Establishment. However, since the latter insisted on contributing, it was not good to disappoint his sincere intentions.

Kang Dabao turned around and saw that Ma Wenhan still looked worried after hearing Shan Sheng's words.

I sighed in my heart. They are all old foxes. How can an old cultivator from the Ma family not understand what Shan Sheng said?

"They're just waiting for the right price," Kang Dabao understood the situation. "Senior Ma, if that's the case, then I must apologize for my rudeness. If I've pacified Mi Household Stockade, Ma Household wants to protect it, then our two families will have to settle things on the battlefield."

After saying this, Sect Leader Kang Da didn't put on airs and was about to lead the way out, but was stopped by Ma Wenhan, who smiled and pleaded again:

"Why Sect Leader Kang in such a hurry? Fellow Daoist is kind-hearted and has come specifically to cleanse this old man of the traitors. Although I am old, I am not so senile as to be unable to distinguish right from wrong, so how could I possibly have the thought of opposing you?"

"So, Senior Ma agrees?" Among the group, Jiang Qing was the one who couldn't stand the back-and-forth between the two sides the most, and asked directly.

This directness left Ma Wenhan feeling uneasy, but he forced a smile and said, "I agree, I agree."

The old man smiled on the surface, but inwardly he was cursing. "You three unruly guests have come to our door, and you immediately want to destroy our family. You say you've come to get the Ma Household's permission, but you haven't left the Ma Household any room for negotiation."

So be it. Even considering the accumulated wealth of the Mi Household Stockade over the years, this Kang fellow hasn't mentioned a single word about it. But with four Foundation Establishment cultivators involved, my family will surely be able to reclaim the sacred land of the Mi Household Stockade. A fattened mastiff that wants to eat people should be slaughtered!

Ma Wenhan felt a pang of bitterness in his heart. When he was young, his Lineage had spent most of their wealth and borrowed a large sum of Spirit Stone to purchase a Foundation Establishment artifact, which allowed him to barely achieve the Green Leaf Foundation Establishment.

Thanks to this, Ma Wenhan was able to restore the dignity of the Changyun Ma Household, a long-established Foundation Establishment Lineage.

Due to the pressure of debt and the fact that he was only practicing Desolate Tier Cultivation Method with limited potential, he had not had much resources for cultivation since reaching the Foundation Establishment.

Therefore, even though they are both over two hundred years old and have been at the Foundation Establishment for over a hundred years, they are still stuck at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage. Although they have been stuck at this stage for a long time, in terms of the purity and depth of their spiritual power, they are still far inferior to Kang and Jiang, who have just Foundation Establishment.

Needless to say, when it comes to fighting skills, Ma Wenhan's Qi and Blood are already declining, and the two of them combined might not be able to defeat Shan Sheng, the weakest of the three.

As for whether or not to mobilize the Ma Household to resist the powerful enemy, Ma Wenhan would have to be out of his mind to let the Ma Household shed blood for those traitors from Mi Household Stockade.

In his early years, Ma Wenhan was always on the go, trying to repay the loan of Spirit Stone as soon as possible. This not only delayed his cultivation but also neglected the training of his disciples, resulting in a shortage of talented young people in the Changyun Ma Household.

In Ma Wenhan's view, the witch soldiers of Mi Household Stockade were not easy to deal with. If the Changyun Ma Household, the nominal head family, wanted to wipe them out, it would be almost impossible without asking for reinforcements.

Chongming Sect's initiative to offer assistance at this time was certainly timely. However, Chongming Sect's actions were not simply a matter of kindness.

The reason why Sect Leader Kang Da came to find Ma Wenhan was to act under the pretext of helping the Ma Household to quell their rebellion, so as not to displease some Foundation Establishment forces in Changyun County.

After all, Changyun County is several counties away from Pingrong County. Although they belong to the same prefecture, Chongming Sect is still considered an outsider. If this move is too big, it will offend some people.

But as long as the Ma Household can be used as a front, many things won't be so troublesome.

"Even a lion needs to exert its full strength to pounce on a rabbit." Although this was Ma Wenhan's first meeting with the renowned Kang Dabao, she had already discerned some of the ways Sect Leader Kang Da, would act in this short time.

Thinking of this, Ma Wenhan could only gloat inwardly for the Mi Household's misfortune. "Mi Household Stockade! Why did you provoke the Chongming Sect for no reason?!"

Now things are really messed up. They've come out with four Foundation Establishment to serve your family. I wonder if your family can handle that!

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