Wanqing's Core Thesis, Shuhe Instructs Her Daughter

---- Little Ring Mountain, Chongming Sect, and Unified Oneness Courtyard

"When heaven and earth were first divided, the pure and the turbid were in the same abyss. The Way was not originally pure, so how could all demons be annihilated? Holding the three luminaries to illuminate the darkness, wielding the two halberds to maneuver. Cleansing the filth is not to seek the Jade Palace, but to preserve the barrenness to nourish the Spirit Root."

When we see the turbid waves surging into the sky, it is not because we have abandoned benevolence to establish authority, but because we have preserved goodness to save those who are drowning; when we see the demons, we do not abandon compassion to maintain purity, but rather we hold to the middle way to dispel delusion. Therefore, even though mountains of corpses lie across the fields, we do not forget to bury and collect the bodies; even though seas of blood are raging, we still rescue those who are drowning and support the weak.

Small acts of kindness, like dew, can moisten the gravel of a parched plateau; subtle virtues, like stars, can ultimately dispel the veil of eternal night. A halberd sweeping away a thousand evils is not violence, but rather the hanging of a mirror of benevolence; a boat ferrying across ten thousand calamities is compassion, and further, it forges ironclad rules!

Thus, the Nine Netherworlds were made a furnace to forge the pure soul, and the Asuras were transformed into fields to plant tender shoots. Only when the turbid waves tempered the halberds and the cold light shone through did the Milky Way appear to roll back and shine with divine brilliance!

Therefore, killing is the scale, and compassion is the sail. Those with ambition can absorb the raging torrent into a mustard seed, transforming demons into fields of merit. Awaiting the attainment of Primordial Unity, this is the state where purity can encompass turbidity and transform turbidity into clarity; when turbidity reaches its extreme, purity is born, thus forming the elixir.

This Third Tier spiritual land, which was built by the Sect Leader Kang Da at the cost of the entire sect's resources, was now immersed in the thick twilight.

The locust leaves, falling with the wind, twirled and slowly landed on the inkstone in front of a stunningly beautiful female cultivator. As ripples spread across the water, Fei Wanqing, her eyes closed and murmuring to herself, pressed her Jade Slip annotation on the jade slip, completely focused.

The female Daoist felt the Spiritual Qi within her body suddenly surge back like an underground river during the spring flood season, tearing fine cracks between the twelve-story buildings. In an instant, Fei Wanqing felt a salty, metallic taste rolling in her throat, while her palms gripped the bamboo slips tightly in her hands.

He was currently only reciting the detailed explanation of the Great Master Kang's Treatise on Core Formation, but the meridians that had been secretly injured due to the forced breakthrough were now throbbing with pain.

This unexpected turn of events, however, did not annoy the noblewoman of the Fei Household in the slightest; on the contrary, it brought her a touch of joy. This prompted her to softly ask again, "If one embraces yin and guards yang, how can one distinguish between purity and turbidity?"

Unexpectedly, as soon as she uttered those few words, Fei Wanqing suddenly began to tremble.

"This obstacle has held me back for over sixty years! My chronic illness is gone, and my mind is clear!" As soon as she uttered this soft exclamation, the knuckles on the bamboo slips were stained with a bluish-green color.

The copper bells hanging from the eaves of the main hall suddenly fell silent. A few drops of black blood slowly rolled down from Fei Wanqing's earlobes, turning into blood streaks that brushed past her fragrant shoulders before finally falling into the inkstone in front of her.

The "pop" sound was like a heavy object falling into the pool, and after a few breaths, these drops of blood and sweat turned the pool of clear water in front of Fei Wanqing into a deep ink color.

However, she seemed to have found the crux of her problem in failing to Core Formation at this time, so she had no time to be distracted and could only continue to recite silently to herself.

She didn't know how much time had passed, but just as another locust leaf from the courtyard brushed against her eyelashes, Fei Wanqing opened her eyes, and the movements of her constantly shifting, delicate hands abruptly ceased.

When her vision was blurred, she seemed to see herself in her prime, when she was Ice Leaf, full of vigor and ambition; when the leaves fell, she saw herself buried in her books, looking haggard and pitiful.

The letter states. "When the heart is clouded, the world is clouded; when the heart is clear, the world is clear. It is not that heaven and earth create cloudiness, but that people's hearts are confused." A clouded heart leads to a clouded world, and a clear heart leads to a clear world.

"So that's how it is! We were wrong! We were wrong!!" As soon as the words were spoken, a burst of joyful laughter suddenly rang out in the courtyard.

Fei Wanqing felt that she had not had such a smooth and pleasant time in many years. After hearing what the clan elder said and coming to the Chongming Sect, it was indeed a wonderful experience.

Among them, the most helpful thing was Kang Dabao's Core Formation Manual.

After all, compared to the vast and magnificent Fei Household library, the Jingqiu Tower, Chongming Sect built up by the disciples of the Chongming Sect, is far inferior.

Therefore, while other inheritances may have some merits, they are far inferior to Kang Dabao Core Formation Manual in terms of Fei Wanqing's complete theory of Core Thesis.

"My brother- Core Thesis are exquisite, in no way inferior to any of my Fei Household's ancestors. No wonder he was able to achieve a mid-grade alchemy skill despite his humble origins; truly remarkable! Sister Shuhe, you are indeed very fortunate to have found such a good match."

This noblewoman of the Fei Household cleared her mind of all distractions and abandoned her lotus-like sitting posture.

As she gracefully rose, she made a hand seal, summoning a gentle breeze to dispel the fragrant sweat covering her body. With a flick of her sleeve, six jade-colored pills sprang from her sleeve and fell one after another into the inkstone in front of her.

But after the pill was placed in the water, the inkstone, which was originally as dark as ink, suddenly became clear and bright. A large plume of black vapor rose up and disappeared completely before it reached the crown of the big locust tree.

Then, the clear spring water gurgled and released spiritual energy, gradually filling the small courtyard with more Spiritual Qi before slowly calming down.

Upon seeing this, Fei Wanqing nodded slightly, her pretty face filled with satisfaction.

You should know that these six Supreme Purity Jade-Planting Pills were specially sent by Ancestor Ye Shui when he heard that she had attained the Ice Leaf Dao Foundation at the young age of twenty. He said that these pills would be of great use when she Core Formation.

However, after today, Fei Wanqing felt that she no longer needed the pill and could already attain the Golden Core.

However, this pill is no ordinary product; it is a crucial elixir that can aid in the Core Formation. Yet, it has been used as nourishment to enhance the effectiveness of this spiritual pool, which shows that Fei Wanqing is quite like her father and has a rather straightforward personality.

Six Supreme Purity Jade-Planting Pill, enough to exchange for a somewhat flawed low-grade magic Law Treasure, were transformed into a pool of spiritual water that could enhance a cultivator's Foundation Establishment. This demonstrates that Fei Wanqing's noble aura was something that ordinary people could not cultivate.

Have any of these sect leaders, who have traveled north and south all these years begging for and scavenging countless resources, ever left anything for any of their masters?

Fei Wanqing took one last look at the large locust tree in the courtyard. When she came in, she had been wondering why such a place, rich in Spiritual Qi, would need to have a locust tree of rather low grade moved here.

Now that it was time for her to leave, she still couldn't figure it out. However, Fei Wanqing didn't dwell on it. She simply poured another pot of spiritual liquid onto the roots of the old tree and said crisply, "Thank you for your companionship over the past few months, fellow Daoist."

This spiritual liquid was clearly of a high grade, but only Fei Wanqing, who came from a wealthy family, would be willing to use it on this ordinary Spirit Plant, the Big Locust Tree, when she was in a good mood.

The sudden rustling of leaves in the courtyard clearly showed how excited the big locust tree was.

After all, given Sect Leader Kang Da's pragmatic and down-to-earth nature, if Fei Wanqing hadn't pleaded to borrow this Unified Oneness Courtyard, this old locust tree probably wouldn't have been able to drink such spiritual liquid for another eight hundred years.

Fei Wanqing looked up, slightly surprised. "Can this Spirit Plant even communicate with spirits?"

The noblewoman of the Fei Household gasped softly, but then realized she was overthinking it.

After all, the Spirit Plant' ability to communicate with spirits is likely much lower than that of Demon Beast.

In fact, even in the Imperial Garden, one could only hear of one or two such examples every few hundred years, and each one was a rare and precious artifact intentionally created by True Person. How could this ordinary old locust tree in front of us compare?

After thinking about this, Fei Wanqing simply shook her head, chuckled, and stroked the tree trunk, saying in a clear voice, "Fellow Daoist, cultivate diligently. Perhaps we will meet again someday."

After speaking, without waiting for the big locust tree to react, she turned around and went to the courtyard gate. With her five slender fingers curling and bending, she formed a Tai Chi seal, released the spiritual restriction, and gracefully stepped out of the courtyard.

"Miss Wanqing has emerged from seclusion." Nanny Tang, who was guarding outside the Unified Oneness Courtyard, was delighted to see the gate wide open. She then rushed forward, her face full of smiles.

"Thank you, Granny, for protecting me."

Being able to read between the lines is indeed an essential skill for a servant, especially for someone like Nanny Tang who came to the profession later in life and whose relationship with Fei Shuhe is far less close than that of the former Nanny Sun, so she has to be even more careful.

But then the old woman glanced at her and immediately uttered flattering words. "Congratulations, Miss Wanqing, on finding the perfect method of Core Thesis. You will soon attain the highest level of cultivation."

"Thank you for your kind words, Granny Cheng, but I'm afraid it won't be that easy." Fei Wanqing was indeed in a great mood, but having just found the root of her problem, she was eager to return home, so she had no time to exchange pleasantries with a governess.

She parted her lips slightly and asked in a clear voice to Nanny Tang, "Has my brother-in-law returned? And where is Sister Shuhe?"

The latter replied honestly, "So that Miss Wanqing may know, the young master is still leading troops in Huangpi Circuit and has not yet returned; as for Miss, he is at Green Lotus Courtyard examining Miss Lingyi's studies."

"Please lead the way, Granny Lao."

"Yes, Miss Wanqing, this way please."

It was as if Nanny Tang had eyes in the back of her head. She kept her body bent and adjusted her pace to match Fei Wanqing's speed without getting tired. Before long, she led the latter to the outside of Green Lotus Courtyard.

After their talismans were verified by the guards at the gate, the two stepped into the courtyard. A short while later, they saw Kang Lingyi surrounded by the Sect Leader Kang Da and a group of female relatives.

Unlike her two younger brothers who were not very talented, Kang Lingyi, as the only daughter of the Kang Household, was indeed promising. She had already Foundation Establishment a year before. Although her aptitude was still low, she was still able to live to be four Jiazi, which was enough to make Zhang Qingran and the Sect Leader Kang Da very happy.

Fei Shuhe was able to barely Foundation Establishment thanks to the mountain of resources piled up by his Fei Nanying.

Therefore, in the path of cultivation, she rarely gave guidance not only to Kang Lingyi, who was also True Cultivator, but also to her two younger sons, Kang Changzhao and Kang Changyan, whose cultivation levels were quite low.

Therefore, what Fei Shuhe wants to test with Kang Lingyi today is something different.

As soon as Fei Wanqing and her companion entered, they saw Fei Shuhe sitting with several women in a bamboo pavilion. The stepmother was sitting upright in front of a jade table, her fingers caressing a Jian ware teacup with crackle patterns.

On the clean desk, there were three stacks of account books, each marked with the words "Linggu," "Fakuang," and "Shuwu" in pine soot ink.

The worn corners of the book were carefully covered with brocade, just like Fei Shuhe's way of managing a household: even the slightest flaws on the edges must be handled properly and neatly.

"How much of the two hundred shi of red-flame pig meat paste purchased last month is still in the warehouse?" Fei Shuhe suddenly looked up at Kang Lingyi, who was standing with her hands at her sides.

The young-looking Kang Lingyi immediately opened the seventh volume of the General Affairs Book, her fingertips tracing the vermilion annotations as she softly replied, "There are actually seventy shi (a unit of dry measure) remaining. Thirty of them are preserved with ice talismans and are exclusively for the Alchemy Chamber disciples to make body-tempering ointments. The rest were sent to the Spirit Food Hall the day before yesterday, where they were scented with freshly cut cinnamon."

A light rain was falling outside the pavilion, Fei Shuhe's pearl-adorned hairpin remained perfectly still. "What kind of firewood should we use for the smoked meat?" she asked.

"Originally, we should have used neem wood, but Senior Brother Zhu Yunsheng, who is in charge of all matters of the outer sect, said that this year's insect plague has damaged the timber donated by various families in Cold Crow Mountain." Kang Lingyi pulled out a piece of bright yellow silk from her sleeve and handed it over.

"The daughter then followed her mother's instructions on how to respond to emergencies, ordering people to remove the old year's amulets for protection. The ashes were then scattered into the sacred field to repel insects—this was recorded in the third line of the supplementary book of general affairs."

Fei Shuhe gazed at the neat, small characters on the letter paper, and suddenly noticed two faint blots of ink spreading out between the ink marks. She was slightly taken aback. "What, you've been crying, haven't you?"

Hearing the doubtful voice, Kang Lingyi's ears turned slightly red. After thinking for a while, she spoke up and said, "That day when I went down the mountain to arrange the peach charms, I unexpectedly saw the hardships of the people in the area, and I shed a tear with them."

But Mother was relieved; the number of peachwood charms to be removed was not small. Her daughter had simply asked the junior disciples at the Talisman-Making Pavilion workshop to draw some more after returning to the clan, and was just about to choose a time to hand them over to the subordinates for distribution.

Upon hearing this, Fei Shuhe exchanged glances with Zhang Qingran and Yuan Xiyue. The three women had different expressions, but they all smiled inwardly at Kang Lingyi's compassionate heart.

After all, if the lives of all the cultivators within the Chongming Sect's jurisdiction are considered difficult, then where else under the entire Office of the Duke of Qin's rule can be considered a paradise?

"He hasn't seen enough and lacks experience."

After these words, Fei Shuhe's test was considered complete. Kang Lingyi saw Yu'er take the silk scroll from her stepmother's hand and then made a gesture behind her.

Then a maid in green brought in pre-rain tea. At the bottom of the plain porcelain cup was a round green plum, which Kang Lingyi had pickled that morning to relieve depression.

Fei Shuhe picked up a green plum with a silver pick and sniffed it. The fine needle holes on the plum skin clearly spelled out the word "". He felt that Kang Lingyi had learned this skill very well, and a look of satisfaction appeared on his pretty face.

You should know that such ingenuity, though seemingly useless, is precisely what distinguishes ordinary noble families from poor ones.

Shen Lingfeng, the Silver Saber Prince Consort, suddenly became a nobleman and no longer cared about such things. As a result, Princess Xuanwei was ridiculed by other Aristocratic Clan behind her back in her early years.

However, Shen Lingfeng's solution was straightforward. After he became a True Person, the ridicule directed at him almost disappeared, and Princess Xuanwei was finally able to hold her head high.

As for the Silver Saber Prince Consort, who has now completely shed his shabby appearance and is more adept at all etiquette than the governesses in the Mystic Firmament Palace, and whose only desire is to gain the recognition of the Great Wei Aristocratic Clan Xiaolin Shen Household Liaoyuan Gui Household, and whose family has risen to become a prominent clan, that is simply for later purposes.

"The way of a steward is not about being petty." Fei Shuhe took a sip of her spiritual tea, emphasized the point, and then added, "Just remember, the person in charge should have a clear mind, able to see the smallest details without harming relationships."

As the candle flickered and crackled, Kang Lingyi was wiping the ink stains from her mother's fingers with a silk handkerchief.

Fei Shuhe lowered her eyes to look at the small hands that resembled Chunwei's, and suddenly pushed the Jianzhan (a type of ancient Chinese wine cup) in front of her to the young lady. "You've done well this month. The newly Cloud Essence is a reward for you to water that wilted white lotus."

This Cloud Essence is the purest spiritual water from the spiritual spring in Green Lotus Courtyard. Only a handful can be obtained each month, making it an excellent substance for nurturing Spirit Plant. Kang Lingyi was overjoyed and bowed crisply, saying, "Thank you, Mother."

Fei Shuhe smiled and pulled Kang Lingyi to sit down beside her, saying gently, "The examination is over now, there's no need for such formalities."

The latter was, after all, the only daughter of the Kang Household, and someone Fei Shuhe had personally raised. Fei Shuhe was naturally very satisfied with her; otherwise, she wouldn't have needed to put so much effort into teaching her.

As for why Fei Shuhe taught Kang Lingyi how to manage household affairs, it was naturally so that the latter could have a good future. After all, for a female Daoist like Kang Lingyi, who was unlikely to achieve True Core, finding a good match based on her family background was indeed a very worthwhile thing.

Fei Shuhe, who had already earned the title of Lady of the Ninth Rank, was well aware of this.

A woman's life revolves around marriage; it's about food and clothing. If given a choice, practicality and dignity are both essential.

Fei Shuhe, who has recently become much more distinguished due to her title as the wife of the Marquis of Martial Peace, has already selected many candidates for Kang Lingyi. Once the latter has been properly trained in these household management matters, she can rest assured and slowly make her mark.

Just then, Fei Wanqing stepped in. Because of her exceptional talent, she and Fei Shuhe were indeed on different paths. She focused solely on True Cultivator and never paid attention to the trivial matters that the latter had just mentioned.

Although the two cultivated different paths, their relationship remained close. Upon seeing Fei Wanqing emerge from seclusion, Fei Shuhe's smile deepened, and despite the drizzle overhead, she quickly stepped out of the pavilion to greet her.

"Oh dear, I've been so busy with the exams that I've neglected my sister." Fei Shuhe led Fei Wanqing into the pavilion, then asked with a smile, "How was it?"

The latter immediately understood, but didn't say much, only nodding slightly. "Thank you, sister and brother-in-law."

Fei Shuhe was overjoyed, but she still needed to maintain the dignified demeanor of a principal wife at this moment. So she suppressed her emotions and said in a cheerful voice, "It's good that it's done. In this way, my husband and I have finally done something for the clan over the years. My husband will be very happy to know this."

Upon hearing her elder sister mention Sect Leader Kang Da, Fei Wanqing turned her gaze back to Kang Lingyi. After thinking for a moment, she whispered, "Sister, have you already found someone to marry?"

"How could it be so fast? This remote region, far from the capital, makes it difficult to find a suitable candidate."

Seeing Fei Shuhe shake her head slightly, Fei Wanqing said again, "In that case, why not wait a few more years? Sister, this girl is quite young to have reached the Foundation Establishment stage. Even if her aptitude is indeed not good, it's not impossible for her to advance further. Even if she attains the False Core Formation, it's not out of the question."

Unexpectedly, Fei Shuhe shook her head again, knowing. "Last time at the banquet for Senior Chu of Phoenix Cry Prefecture's son, I took this girl along to pay my respects. Even though my family has such a deep relationship with the Qi Household, she didn't respond. For the time being, it's difficult to find a suitable mentor to teach her."

"Oh, I see." Chu Yanran was a rare high-level female cultivator in the vicinity, and even though Fei Wanqing had been cultivating diligently for many years, she had heard of her.

Not only his Core Formation cultivation, but also his newly advanced Third Tier agricultural mastery is worthy of admiration. It is said that even Kuang Liuting was so tempted to recruit him into the military headquarters and appoint him as the Agricultural Reclamation Captain.

However, this also shows that Kang Lingyi's intelligence is only average; otherwise, why would Chu Yanran have rejected her?

"In that case, I wonder if my sister would be willing to wait?"

"Wait for what?"

"Once my younger sister returns to Phoenix Cry Prefecture and Core Formation, let's take Lingyi as our first disciple."

"Oh!?" Fei Shuhe's face lit up with joy, and the corners of her mouth lifted. Then she turned to Zhang Qingran and said, "What do you think, sister?"

The latter was about to blurt out her agreement, but the words caught in her throat, so she said instead, "Sister, let Lingyi decide for herself. She has always been quite principled since she was little."

Kang Lingyi was somewhat stunned by this unexpected windfall, but before she could answer, the sounds of the gatekeeper and others chatting drifted into the courtyard, causing her to frown.

"Master of the Star-Picking Pavilion, are you getting started?"