Rongquan Forms His Core and Reveals Dao Rhyme; Jiang Qing Requests Leave to Venture into the Mortal World
----March later, Yangming Mountain
In the winter of the 583rd year of the Qianfeng reign, in the afternoon at Yangming Mountain, the mist rising from the Clear Stream Tree was like a white ribbon hanging from the sky, making it look like a celestial temple.
At the foot of Elegant Spirit Peak, the heavy stone gate of Jade Peak Grotto-Heaven has been open for quite some time, but the atmosphere outside the Orchid Terrace in front of the cave abode is even more intense and orderly than when the gate was first opened.
The lingering echoes of the Auspicious Event Bell seem to still linger around the mountains, serving as a fitting footnote to the newly added Golden Core radiance.
The Golden Core Elixir Ceremony of Elder Kang Rongquan was packed with people.
It seemed that Chongming Sect had not had such a lively event in a long time. Even the Second Elder Yuan Jin, who had been in seclusion, came out. Almost all the other key figures were present, except for those who were truly too busy to attend.
After all, the cultivators couldn't help but feel excited.
It should be noted that although Kang Changxi, had already Golden Core Formation Pill, he still had a sect leader father and a noble mother.
Furthermore, Kang Changyi did not have a proper teacher within the Chongming Sect, and outsiders were unaware of his background. They only knew that his ability to Core Formation was entirely due to the great cultivation of the elders of his maternal Fei Household.
But Kang Rongquan was no ordinary man. Before the Chongming Sect was restored, he was found by Ye Pinglin, the head of the Ye Household, who presented him to the sect and made him a disciple of Pei Yi.
He had no family background whatsoever, yet he considered himself a true and upright eighth-generation disciple and a model for all cultivators.
Therefore, the inspiration his Core Formation brought to the disciples of various schools was different from that of Kang Changxi.
Even Jin Shilun, who had recently seemed to be at odds with Kang Rongquan, had a look of great joy on his face, so one could imagine how festive Chongming Sect must be today.
Aside from the disciples of the Chongming Sect, Senior Cultivator Wufeng, who had kept a very low profile since joining the Chongming Sect, also attended.
His experience of Core Formation as Rogue Cultivator was quite legendary, and he had a certain reputation even among the surrounding sects.
Outsiders, unaware of the true nature of Senior Cultivator Wufeng, simply believed that Sect Leader Kang Da was a rare and magnanimous figure who, despite past grievances, possessed the grace to forgive old acquaintances.
Therefore, he, who had been practicing Buddhism for many years, was invited out by Kang Dabao in order to reverse his reputation for being "vengeful."
The various factions that came to offer their congratulations this time naturally wanted to get closer to the Chongming Sect.
Therefore, the various cultivators didn't actually show any contempt or disdain for Senior Cultivator Wufeng, a fellow cultivator who was quite famous but not skilled in combat. This surprised Senior Cultivator Wufeng, who had been largely ignored and living in anonymity in recent years.
He bowed his head and greeted the politely speaking Bilan Sect Leader Jade Billows Sect with his Huiyi posture, then quickly glanced at the prepared high platform, a flash of reminiscence crossing his eyes, as if he were thinking of a similar glorious scene he had experienced in the past.
Then I thought back to when I first met Kang Dabao, what was the latter like?
How many years have passed? Sect Leader Kang Da himself Core Formation, Sect Leader Kang Da's junior brother Core Formation, Sect Leader Kang Da's son Core Formation, and now even Sect Leader Kang Da's grandson has Core Formation!
So be it. Even Spirit Transformation True Lord can hardly hold back the passage of time, let alone Golden Core cultivator like him.
The word "regret" is utterly useless.
Senior Cultivator Wufeng simply sighed, easily suppressing the wave of emotion welling up inside him.
"Life is short; enjoying a wealthy and comfortable retirement is the right thing to do!"
He had just shaken off his gloomy mood when he saw Kang Rongquan, dressed in black, stepping out.
Senior Cultivator Wufeng glanced at him again, and his expression showed a slight surprise:
"This child's Cultivation Method is truly extraordinary. Could it be that the Chongming Sect really can't find a single weakling?! Goodness, which immortal sect's feng shui has his family benefited from? There's no reason why they keep producing talented people."
Wufeng was not the only cultivator below the steps to feel this sentiment; all the guests who came to offer their congratulations today shared the same idea.
After glimpsing the spiritual energy within Kang Rongquan, the resentment that had arisen from the Chongming Sect presence of the Chongming Sect seemed to have been concealed even more deeply.
Sect Leader Kang Da, with his keen eyesight, clearly saw the reactions of all the cultivators, and was quite pleased with himself.
This time, he was unusually Fang Yi, not only accepting gifts for Kang Rongquan's Core Formation, but also willing to spend a fortune to hold a banquet and build a platform for preaching.
One of the purposes of this campaign was to ensure that all the petty and corrupt officials in the twelve prefectures under the Chongming Sect would submit, thereby rectifying the social atmosphere.
It's perfectly normal for those in charge of the various families to have their own thoughts about the recent changes in the Kang Yue Household, the Sect Leader Kang Da.
Putting aside other matters, the chief administrators of Ancient Mysterious Circuit and Shannan Circuit have recently been far from on good terms with Sect Leader Kang Da.
He was not unaware that for these local tyrants who had enjoyed blessings for thousands of years, implementing policies to eradicate Evil Cultivator and provide loans to the common people within their territory was far too cruel.
However, this matter is one that cannot be taken lightly. If we back down and adopt a conciliatory approach, we might win people's hearts temporarily, but if we were to reopen old issues in the future, we would face a much stronger backlash.
Kang Dabao was no saint. While pacifying the region and eliminating corrupt practices may seem tedious and troublesome, they were the foundation for maintaining long-term stability. Only after the population was prosperous and the region was pacified could the people truly prosper.
Cloud Horn Prefecture, which was under the longest-term control of the Chongming Sect, has even lost Pingrong County, the place where the Chongming Sect originated. However, in terms of the production of spiritual treasures and the payment of Spirit Stone, it far surpasses the combined total of Xuan and Han cities in the past.
Although the area around here is not considered extremely wealthy, the stable situation in the state and the lack of conflict among families have attracted even cultivators from other places to migrate here, which has led to a significant increase in the land prices of spiritual lands in Cloud Horn Prefecture.
If this continues for another one or two hundred years, Cloud Horn Prefecture, which has always been known as a remote and desolate place, might actually become a prosperous land.
In the eyes of the leaders of the Chongming Sect, this was the benefit of their sect leader's constant emphasis on diligently cultivating internal strength and mastering the Way of the King; and for Sect Leader Kang Da himself, in addition to bringing prosperity to his territory, this was the key to verifying his Core Thesis "Purify the Turbid World" and making it easier to supplement his cultivation.
Otherwise, even with the miraculous calculations of the Jade Pendant and the assistance of precious treasures from the True Person, achieving the Late-Stage Golden Core at the age of two hundred would not be so easy.
Of course, Kang Rongquan was only 180 years old, which was not early for Core Formation, and he was far inferior to the two elders of the sect, Kang and Jiang. However, he had the advantage of thoroughly comprehending the "Profound Clear Withering and Flourishing Secret Manual" passed down by the Sect Leader Kang Da.
Therefore, even though he has not yet reached the middle grade of the elixir realm, his spiritual essence is still significantly higher than that of ordinary newly promoted advanced cultivators.
Kang Rongquan did not ride a horse, but instead descended slowly on a floating Law Treasure.
This Law Treasure is also a treasure stored in the Chongming Sect's treasury. Kang Rongquan received it as a generous gift from the Sect Leader Kang Da as soon as he formed his Core Formation. The Law Treasure is called Hornless Dragon Seizure and comes from the spiritual ring of True Person Tiger Spring Chongming Sect, who had a great kindness in cultivating the Chongming Sect.
It is three feet nine inches long, and its entire body is made of the natural color of meteorite iron and red copper. The hook is covered with raised dragon patterns, which are the natural bone and joint textures of the descendants of dragon blood. After being tempered by true fire, it becomes even more ferocious, like a living dragon coiling around.
This Law Treasure is extremely fierce, yet it seems somewhat incongruous with Elder Kang Rongquan's status Spirit Plant expert.
As he landed in the center of the platform, a low hum suddenly came from below.
Instead of bronze bells and stone jars, seven Foundation Establishment elders each held a "Origin-Subduing Gong" and struck it in the seven directions of east, west, south, north, center, up, and down. The sound of the gongs was not loud, but it stirred the spiritual energy of the earth veins of Yangming Mountain.
Suddenly, the hundred spirit trees surrounding the Orchid Terrace blossomed, their petals drifting towards the high platform and weaving a semi-transparent spiritual flower barrier around Kang Rongquan.
The deep sound of the gong resonated from all directions, drawing upon the earth's spiritual energy to create a humming sound.
The spirit flowers of the Clear Stream Tree bloomed like snow, swirling in the wind, weaving a shimmering, colorful barrier of petals around Kang Rongquan, making his figure appear even more extraordinary and otherworldly.
The area around the Orchid Terrace fell silent for a moment, as all the cultivators held their breath and gazed at the demeanor of the newly Golden Core cultivator from the Chongming Sect.
Kang Rongquan stood on the high platform, solemnly dressed in black robes. Hornless Dragon Seizure Hook hung at his side, its coiled patterns gleaming with a faint, dark bronze light. His fierce aura strangely mingled with the concentrated energy of his inner energy. His gaze, gentle and warm, swept over the assembled disciples and guests from all directions below, and he spoke in a clear voice:
"Rongquan to receive the deep grace of the sect, the protection of the patriarch, the guidance of the sect leader and elders, and the assistance of his fellow disciples, which enabled him to glimpse the path to the Golden Core Elixir."
This is not the achievement of one person alone, but a manifestation of the long and continuous lineage of Double Brightness Dao, and the blessings bestowed upon it. Today, I hold this humble Daoist gathering, firstly to express my gratitude for the cultivation of the sect, and secondly to discuss the initial understanding of Dao of Alchemy with fellow practitioners and Daoist friends, hoping to mutually verify its subtleties.
His voice was clear and steady, without arrogance or impetuosity, displaying a calm and composed demeanor. The disciples of Double Brightness below the stage, whether from the inner or outer sect, showed even greater respect upon hearing these humble words. Zheng Yuntong stood before the disciples, his eyes slightly warm, his heart surging with emotion.
Elder Ye Zhengwen stepped forward at the opportune moment, stroking his beard with a smile, his voice carrying throughout the hall:
"Elder Rongquan's successful completion of the Golden Core is truly a great blessing for the sect! The sect leader decrees: Following the ceremony, Elder Rongquan will lecture on Dao of Alchemy at this Orchid Terrace for three days. All disciples of our sect are welcome to attend! Fellow practitioners from outside the sect who have any doubts may also respectfully inquire during breaks in the lectures!"
This statement drew another murmur of exclamations and praises. The Golden Core Elder's opening of the altar to preach and his personal teachings were truly a great fortuitous opportunity!
Even the guests, including the top cultivators from Huiyi Jade Billows Sect and the envoys from the Ancient Mysterious Circuit, who were attending the ceremony, couldn't help but nod in agreement.
Kang Dabao sat upright in the main seat, a warm smile on his face, but his gaze swept over the expressions of the cultivators below the stage like a hawk. A senior cultivator Huiyi the Jade Billows Sect raised his glass in greeting, beaming with smiles;
Although the people from Huangpi Circuit's "Azure Cliff Cave" and "Red Water Stockade" also smiled, their eyes flashed with a hidden spiritual light;
The envoy from Joyful Sight Mountain a generous gift, yet his deputy seemed to inadvertently glance at the point where the Spirit Vein of Clear Stream Tree converged.
All sorts of thoughts and intentions were observed by Sect Leader Kang Da.
Kang Rongquan raised his hand and pressed down, and the low shouts on the Orchid Terrace gradually subsided.
With a flick of his finger, the Hornless Dragon Seizure Hook beside him suddenly flew up. The three-zhang-long hook stretched out like a serpent, its barbs disappearing and turning into a warm, spiritual light, precisely wrapping around the trunk of the thousand-year-old Clear Stream Tree in the center of the Orchid Terrace.
The hook tip pierced the tree trunk an inch deep, and the Xuan Chi's eyes lit up with a dark green spiritual light. The blood patterns in the Spirit Locking Groove spread like a living thing, burrowing into the ground along the tree trunk and connecting with the earth vein spiritual energy drawn in by the Seven Origin-Subduing Gong.
"The Profound Clear Withering and Flourishing Secret Manual states, ' The Dao of Alchemy of Alchemy is like a tree; purity is the Spirit Root, and turbidity is the fertile soil.'" Kang Rongquan's clear voice resonated throughout the surrounding area via the Spirit Vein.
"When I first entered the Foundation Establishment, I was always disturbed by impure energies, and my Dao Foundation was weak. The sect leader taught me the principle of 'mutual benefit of purity and turbidity,' and I realized that turbidity is not an intractable problem, but the foundation of purity; purity is not aloof, but needs turbidity to nourish it."
As soon as he finished speaking, he subtly moved his fingertips, Hornless Dragon Seizure Hook drew the earth's spiritual energy upwards, climbing up the main trunk of the Clear Stream Tree.
In the blink of an eye, the ancient tree, which had been half-withered by winter, sprouted new buds, its tender branches unfurled, and its flowers and leaves flourished. The transformation from withering to flourishing was completed in the blink of an eye, leaving the cultivators below the stage speechless with astonishment.
Even more strangely, the impure energy emanating from the tree trunk did not dissipate. Instead, it was drawn by the Spirit-Binding Rope and condensed into a black spirit bead, which landed in Kang Rongquan's palm. He then casually flicked it towards the barren spiritual soil at the edge of the Orchid Terrace.
The spiritual soil instantly turned lush and green, sprouting clusters of spiritual herbs.
The earth's spiritual energy, stirred by the Hornless Dragon Seizure Hook, gushed forth like a spring, surging upwards along the gnarled branches of the ancient trees in the thousand-year-old Chengxi River.
The withered yellow veins of the leaves instantly turned lush and green, tender buds sprouted, and new stamens bloomed. The rich vitality almost solidified into a green mist, enveloping half of the Orchid Terrace.
Even more remarkably, the mixed earth energy emanating from the tree trunk did not dissipate into the world; instead, it was cleverly restrained by the Spirit-Binding Rope, condensing into several black jade-like spirit beads, which hung steadily in Kang Rongquan's palm.
"The cycle of flourishing and decay, purity and turbidity are interdependent." The sound of Kang Rongquan is like a clear chime, resonating throughout the four directions through the Spirit Vein.
"This is not a Divine Ability illusion, but rather following the natural principles of the earth's veins, clearing blockages, and transforming turbidity into nourishment. In the past, my Dao Foundation was weak and unstable. Fortunately, my senior master enlightened me on the importance of 'mutual benefit between purity and turbidity,' and I realized that turbidity is not an intractable disease, but rather fertile soil for purity; purity is not isolated, but needs turbidity to nourish its roots."
With a flick of his finger, a black jade spirit bead flew towards a specially reserved barren spiritual soil at the edge of the Orchid Terrace.
The spirit pearl disappeared into the soil, spreading like ink in water. In an instant, the gray and desolate land visibly turned glossy black, and then tender green shoots broke through the soil, and spirit herbs sprouted.
Clumps of low-grade Spirit Plant sprang up like bamboo shoots after a spring rain. Although they were not of high quality, they were full of vitality, which dazzled the low-level disciples and those who were good at studying Spirit Plant below the stage, who marveled at them.
This scene and its underlying principles point directly to the essence of Dao of Alchemy, and also subtly align with Kang Dabao's Core Thesis of "Purify the Turbid World" in alchemy.
All the cultivators observing the ceremony, whether disciples of Double Brightness moved and seemed lost in thought. A senior cultivator Huiyi the Jade Billows Sect stroked his beard and nodded, his eyes gleaming.
The smiles on the faces of the people from Huangpi Circuit Azure Cliff Cave and Red Water Stockade froze slightly, and their mutual apprehension deepened; the gaze of the deputy envoy from Joyful Sight Mountain, who was spying on the spirit of Clear Stream Tree, also paused for a moment.
On the high platform, Kang Dabao sat in the main seat, taking in the various expressions of the people below.
Kang Rongquan flicked his finger again, and the remaining black jade spirit beads scattered and flew to various places in the Orchid Terrace, each causing a scene of vibrant life. Exclamations of praise arose from below the stage.
The senior cultivator Huiyi the Jade Billows Sect rose and bowed, his tone sincere. "Elder Kang's profound words have enlightened me! The Chongming Sect's principle of 'harmonizing purity and turbidity' is truly the right path of the Great Way!"
The other foreign guests also nodded in agreement, their previous probing and apprehension turning into awe.
Kang Rongquan withdrew the Hornless Dragon Seizure, and the spiritual flower barrier slowly dissipated. Petals, glistening with spiritual dew, fell upon the shoulders of the cultivators, as if receiving a blessing from the Dao. Elder Ye Zhengwen proclaimed in a clear voice:
"The ceremony will be adjourned for today. The sermon will resume in three days. May all fellow Daoists enjoy themselves to the fullest." The guests rose to take their leave, their words and actions filled with respect, showing no trace of probing.
As night deepened, a spiritual mist drifted over Yangming Mountain, the new leaves of the Clear Stream Tree rustled, Hornless Dragon Seizure hung before the Jade Peak Grotto-Heaven, its red copper dragon pattern resonating with the earth's spiritual energy, gleaming with a ghostly light.
The Dao Rhyme of balancing purity and impurity still flows through the mountains, while a storm that transforms impurity into purity is quietly brewing in the night, waiting only for the dawn to reveal the truth.
Upon witnessing this scene, Third Master Jiang's expression shifted repeatedly. Finally, as if having made up his mind, he sought out Sect Leader Kang Da after the grand ceremony concluded.
"Senior Brother, I wish to Outer Dao a different path, and I hope you will grant me permission!"