Chapter 931
Third Generation Disciple, Frequent Appearances of Old Monsters
Chapter 931 Third-Generation Disciples, Frequent Appearances of Old Monsters
Xu Zangze cupped his hands slightly and said politely, "Then I'll take my leave first, without further delaying Brother Qin Yu."
"Please make yourself at home, Master Sanqiao." Qin Yu bowed in return and greeted his newly accepted disciple.
"Zhuang Mu, take Master Xu to Zifeng Garden."
"Yes, Master!" Zhuang Mu was dressed in a green pine robe and wore a gentleman's crown. He had a broad back and a narrow waist, and his handsome appearance and every move he made exuded a mysterious scholarly air.
He walked slowly to Xu Zangze and bowed slightly. "Master Xu, please follow me."
"Is this your new disciple, fellow Daoist?"
Looking at the Foundation Establishment cultivator, Xu Zangze's eyes flashed with golden light as he activated his pupil technique.
"Hmm, Zhuang Mu has quite a talent for the art of spiritual herbs. He is already a second-tier pharmacist without ever reaching the Foundation Establishment stage." A look of satisfaction appeared in Qin Yu's eyes.
"Qin was tempted by the opportunity and took him in as a disciple."
"Once I inform my master and pass the sect's tests, I can be accepted into the Five Extremes Peak sect and become a true disciple."
"I see. Congratulations on gaining a disciple, fellow Daoist." After exchanging pleasantries, Xu Zangze was led by Zhuang Mu into the depths of the cave.
The bluestone avenue leads in all directions. The two stepped over the gate, and the carefully planted green bamboo and cedar trees receded behind the stone window.
'Qin Yu's disciple is only a mid-grade Foundation Establishment cultivator.'
Xu Zangze's eyes gleamed with a hidden golden light as he gazed at the handsome young man who was only at the Foundation Establishment stage.
He was astonished and incredulous.
Zhuang Mu was only at the first level of Foundation Establishment, and his sense of Qi was only at the middle grade of Foundation Establishment.
Enveloped in magical energy and vitality, being a wood-elemental being, its meridians seemed to conceal a mysterious turbidity, hinting at a unique opportunity.
But it is ultimately only a mid-grade Dao Foundation!
How could such a cultivator be qualified to be Qin Yu's disciple?
Qin Yu was Fang Yi's eldest disciple.
He is a leading figure among the younger generation of the Five Extremes Peak lineage, and the disciples he has accepted are even those who are only nominally registered.
It should be a high-grade Dao foundation!
The seven-tiered Dharma platform that evolves from the dantian and qi sea, and the foundation-building cultivators who have forged the upper and lower grades of the Dao foundation, are all still lacking in refinement.
At least a mid-grade Dao Foundation
This level of mid-grade Dao Foundation cultivator is truly too low.
That's enough.
Perhaps it's because Xuan Yang Mountain is located in the remote area of Dayun, that even after coming to Dayun, they haven't been able to adapt to the foundation level of Foundation Establishment cultivators.
A Foundation Establishment cultivator with a Sixfold Dharma Platform is already considered to have a superior foundation in Dayun, but in Dayu?
Even if one has reached the Foundation Establishment stage, they are not considered a seed for Core Formation.
Xu Zangze muttered to himself, then looked at Zhuang Mu, who had stopped in front of the bluestone square, and a gentle smile appeared on his face.
Even if you don't care about the monks, you still have to care about the Buddha.
Although Qin Yu concealed the quality of his pills, he had refined his treasure-appraising eyes. After obtaining a Wisdom Pill on the Crimson Sky Flying Cloud Boat, his pupil technique advanced even further.
The Azure Lotus Treasure Scripture is a lineage passed down from the Nascent Soul Sect, which was wiped out more than a thousand years ago. It left a branch in the Great Yu Dynasty, with great masters emerging one after another.
He also had information exchanges with a Golden Core cultivator from Qingyuan Valley.
Qin Yu possesses a powerful and concealed aura; he must be a Golden Core cultivator!
The cultivation method he practiced was not a legendary technique, and his cultivation level was three minor realms lower than Xu Zangze's, which could not be hidden from Xu Zangze's discerning eyes.
“Three Apertures Immortal, we have arrived at the banquet venue.” Zhuang Mu stopped and pointed with his slender index finger to the six-sided prayer mats on both sides of the altar.
He spoke eloquently, displaying the grace and elegance of a gentleman.
“The third from the left and the second from the right, a total of five positions, are reserved for the Great Master in the ancient city.”
"Oh?"
Xu Zangze also stopped and looked around. In front of the five clean and quiet futons, there was a tea table carved from spiritual jade.
The five tea tables are exquisitely carved, seamlessly depicting a mountain of gold and silver, fields of grain, a cicada fluttering its wings, and an ancient demon sitting cross-legged.
Xu Zangze earned spirit stones through wind-related businesses and built connections, which enabled him to establish himself in Huitong Ancient City.
A single glance was enough to identify the important figures represented by the five prayer cushions.
"Perilla from the Valley of Medicine Kings, which transforms the five grains, and the Soul-Devouring Demon Shadow of the Demonic Cultivator Great Master Devouring Souls"
The four-winged flying cicada of the Miao people, the sorcery of the Miao barbarians, and Yan Wuwo's golden furnace for refining elixirs.
"And the Four Seas Merchant Alliance's Golden Treasure Mountain."
Fang Yi is so confident that even these old monsters will give him face.
These five old monsters are all highly skilled and battle-hardened, far surpassing the likes of Mi Ku and Gao Shanfu.
Xu Zangze inwardly cried out in alarm.
There are several top-tier Grand Masters in the city whom he dares not offend in the slightest, and they are all currently on this stage.
The only one who escaped was Luo Yuzhou of the Zoroastrian sect.
These old monsters might not even give the Great Master any face, so the chances of everyone coming to offer gifts to welcome him to establish his own residence are probably less than 30%.
He sighed inwardly. 'It seems Master Fang Yi is about to lose face.'
“Master Sanqiao, this is your seat.” Zhuang Mu pointed to a jade table engraved with golden pupils and spoke, his words like a gentle stream, soothing and comforting.
"Yes. Thank you for your trouble, Junior Nephew Zhuang."
Even though he looked down on those at the mid-level Dao Foundation stage, Xu Zangze smiled and took out an ancient sword from his sleeve.
The sword is three feet long and two fingers wide, and is made entirely of azure spirit wood. The blade gleams with a cold light, and twelve streaks of azure light move across its body.
He murmured to himself, 'Qin Yu is an expert in spiritual medicine, so he's worth currying favor with. Besides, he also has a master, Fang Yi, who killed a Grandmaster; he's even less likely to offend him.'
"This is.
"What does the master mean by this?" Zhuang Mu looked at the ancient wooden sword, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes.
A magical artifact with twelve layers of protective seals!
Because of his talent in the art of spiritual medicine, he became a disciple of Master Qin Yu, who bestowed upon him a high-grade magic artifact-level cauldron, which was already a rare treasure.
In terms of value, it is not even as good as this pine-patterned sword.
He watched as the tassels on the hilt swayed in the wind, shimmering with spiritual light; it was a superior magical artifact with seven layers of restrictions.
Zhuang Mu suppressed his delight, took a half step back, and said:
"I cannot accept rewards without merit, but I sincerely appreciate the kindness of the Three Apertures Immortal."
Clearly, someone who could be accepted as a disciple by Qin Yu wouldn't be fooled by a top-grade magic weapon.
Even though this top-grade magic weapon, the Pine Pattern Sword, was worth his entire fortune, Zhuang Mu was well aware of it.
Among the nearly one thousand Foundation Establishment cultivators in Huitong Ancient City, the fact that they were given a second glance by a renowned Core Formation cultivator was due to their master, Qin Yu.
Even the elusive and mysterious Grandmaster Fang Yi, whose blessings and protections were passed down through generations.
"I get along quite well with young friend Zhuang Mu. This Green Pine Sword is forged from century-old pine wood, which is very beneficial to cultivators with wood spirit roots, so I'm gifting it to you."
Xu Zangze smiled, reached out and pushed the Pine Pattern Sword, which spun around and landed in Zhuang Mu's arms.
"It's just a magical artifact."
Zhuang Mu's face tightened, and he refused, saying, "This pine-patterned sword is far too valuable; I, Zhuang Mu, cannot accept it."
"Nephew Zhuang, are you looking down on me?" A hint of appreciation flashed in Xu Zangze's eyes. He was measured in his actions, neither greedy nor impatient, and able to maintain his integrity.
Even though his talent is average, this young man is good at dealing with people and things.
"Fellow Daoist Xu, it's been a long time; you still retain your former charm."
A corner of his azure robe glimpsed through the green bamboo as Li Heng, clad in a vast ocean robe, wearing a Nine Springs Crown and a long sword at his waist, slowly walked out from the depths of the bamboo forest.
He stepped in front of Zhuang Mu, shielding him behind him, and said with emotion:
"It feels like only yesterday that my master accepted me as his disciple, and now Senior Brother Qin has already taken on disciples."
"Disciple greets Martial Uncle Li." Zhuang Mu bowed deeply, his face showing respect.
"You're not bad!" Li Heng patted Zhuang Mu's arm lightly, nodded slightly, and then extended his index finger, sending a wisp of azure spiritual light into the pine-patterned sword.
"Buzz!"
The ancient longsword exhaled magical power, transforming into a seven-foot-long sword with twelve magical seals flowing around it, and a faint ray of magical light could be seen evolving within it.
Li Heng gave Xu Zangze a meaningful look until his body tensed up.
He suddenly chuckled softly:
"It's just a top-grade magic artifact."
Fellow Daoist Xu is very wealthy; if you, Junior Nephew Zhuang, are to accept it, then accept it. As a third-generation disciple of the Five Extremes Peak, you are qualified.
“Fellow Daoist Li Heng is right, Junior Nephew Zhuang, please don’t be so polite,” Xu Zangze agreed.
"Yes!"
Seeing the attitude of the Eye Aperture Master, Zhuang Mu had a vague guess in his heart.
A mid-stage Core Formation cultivator deliberately befriended a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
The power of my Five Extreme Peaks lineage seems to exceed previous calculations.
"Fellow Daoist Xu, please take a seat!" Li Heng waved his sleeve, dismissing Zhuang Mu, who was in a daze, and continued to greet the guests.
He glanced at the departing handsome young man and muttered to himself, 'Becoming a true disciple of the Five Extremes Peak is no easy feat.'
The Master convened the Dharma Assembly for Establishing the Palace, and dozens of True Immortals who had formed the Golden Core came to attend. The comings and goings were filled with countless benefits.
Countless junior cultivators who had reached the Core Formation stage tried to curry favor and flatter them.
Nephew Zhuang Mu, are you becoming obsessed with these external things, or are you able to hold fast to your true self?
“We cultivators of Xuanyang Mountain can use external things for cultivation, but we cannot rely on them.”
Mountains crumble when you rely on them, seas dry up when you depend on them; the path of self-cultivation is the fundamental way.
If one is swayed by the vast and numerous spiritual beings, one will "make great strides with courage and diligence," and one's cultivation will "advance by leaps and bounds in a day."
Nephew, your path of cultivation ends here.
Time passed slowly, and one after another, Core Formation cultivators were led to their seats by handsome cultivators.
The fishmonger at Jinzunlou, with his large belly, smiled as he stuffed a bowl of five-yuan rice into Zhuang Mu's arms.
Without giving him a chance to refuse, he began to talk to his old friend beside him.
"Having only been in the mall for a month, you've already seized the Ao family's main residence. Master Fang, you possess truly great supernatural powers."
"Hey, the ancestors of the Ao family cultivated the top-tier divine power [Burning Flame Technique], and their purple light burning spirit flames roamed the area."
"Even if I were to fight against Master Qing Sui of Medicine King Valley, I would not be defeated." Xu Jingze, the manager of Jinbao Shipyard, stroked the jade ruyi in his hand and sighed with regret.
"How spirited and high-spirited they were!"
Seeing how disappointing the younger generation is now, I'm afraid he'll jump out of his coffin.
The Ao family has fallen into decline.
When Ao Rui fought against Senior Brother Qing Sui, his Flame-Burning Technique caused even Senior Brother Qing Sui considerable losses.
Now, my senior brother is making rapid progress, and his cultivation has reached the peak of Core Formation. As for the Ao family...?
"There isn't even a single great master left."
An old, gray-haired cultivator with white hair and beard, exuding an aura of death, had a deep, unfathomable look in his eyes.
As a True Immortal of Medicine King Valley who had reached the Core Formation stage, Zhou Xun quietly glanced at the five prayer cushions beside the altar, three on the left and two on the right.
He muttered to himself.
"Since Master Zisu has not arrived, do the remaining four Great Masters not give him any face?"
If things continue like this, even if he establishes a cave dwelling, Fang Yi of Xuan Yang Mountain will not be considered one of the most powerful figures in the ancient city.
'It's still too hasty,' Master Yu Kuai's gaze fell on the five prayer cushions, but he looked away immediately.
He also tried to contact top-tier masters such as Devouring Soul, Miao Man, and Yan Wuwo.
Even if one is highly regarded because of their superior third-tier culinary skills, they cannot be treated as equals.
The most powerful cultivators emerged from mountains of corpses and seas of blood; each one was arrogant and overbearing.
'Fang Yi is probably going to lose face.' Liu Jing murmured softly on a jade table.
'Master Yuzhao is not here, nor is Uncle Yuxi.'
Is this an attempt to suppress Fang Yi's arrogance?
By providing demonic items, Fang Yi repeatedly violated the rules of the marketplace.
If we don't crack down on them more, they'll become lawless and stop taking our Four Seas Business Alliance seriously!
One by one, the monks took their seats, some wearing Confucian robes, some holding alms bowls, and some wearing golden headbands.
More than twenty Nascent Soul cultivators took their seats, and the bluestone square gradually became noisy.
But regardless of which cultivator it was or what level of cultivation they possessed, they all looked, intentionally or unintentionally, at the five prayer cushions on either side of the altar.
No one has taken a seat yet.
The thoughts of more than ten cultivators who had wavered and were inclined to align themselves with Xuan Yang Mountain due to the establishment of the Ao family's authority also changed drastically.
I plan to continue to observe.
The six superior cave dwellings within the ancient city of Huitong are the greatest power beneath the Jade Palace and the Magnificent Tower.
Even with the Ao family facing a generational gap, they can still influence three mid-level cave dwellings, let alone the five peak Grand Masters.
Three hours later, the moon hung high in the sky above the mountains, and the silvery moonlight shone down, gilding the scattered bamboo groves and maple trees with a layer of silver gauze.
"clang!"
The sound of golden bells is melodious, the color of bells and tripods is vibrant, and lotus blossoms bloom in abundance, with lotus leaves stretching to the sky in an endless expanse of green.
Under the gazes of countless Core Formation cultivators, a verdant rainbow bridge descended upon the Dharma platform.
"Greetings, fellow Daoists."
Fang Yi wore a blue lotus crown, his blue cloud robe fluttering in the wind, and the vitality and Taoist charm transformed into rosy light surrounding him, creating an atmosphere of profound tranquility and majestic grandeur.
"Greetings, Sect Leader Fang!" Xu Zangze led the way, bowing respectfully. "It is our great fortune to be summoned by the Sect Leader."
'Simp!'
Beside Xu Zangze's table, Dong Yunge, one of the Three Aperture True Men, was wearing a red butterfly feather skirt with a thumb-sized silver bell tied to her foot. A butterfly could be vaguely seen fluttering its wings beside the skirt, dancing gracefully.
She cursed inwardly, but maintained a cheerful smile. "Thank you for the invitation, Master Fang. I am truly honored."
The seemingly honest-looking 'Ear Aperture Master' Shi Kui was momentarily stunned, not expecting his two companions to be so flexible.
'Shameless!'
Utterly shameless!
"Previously, even the five great masters of Yan did not give Fang Yi any face. We should maintain our composure for now so that we can better conduct our business with the winds of Xuan Yang Mountain."
How could things change so suddenly!
His gaze swept over the five empty prayer cushions on either side of the head seat, and he cursed inwardly.
How could he change so drastically in just a breath?
Shi Kui hardened his heart, abruptly stood up, and loudly echoed:
“What fellow Daoists Dong and Xu said makes sense.”
The fact that a real person killed Mi Ku and Gao Shanfu, two Intercepting Cultivators, is truly gratifying.
"clang!"
A gilded radiance emerged from the horizon, transforming into pearls, blue coins, and five-colored gemstones.
Grand Master Yuzhao walked slowly and spoke leisurely amidst the astonished gazes of the crowd.
"Congratulations to Fellow Daoist Fang Yi on the establishment of your abode and the convergence of spiritual energy from all directions, so that your path may extend far and wide!"
"Congratulations to Master Fang!"
More than thirty cultivators stood up in unison. Even Liu Jing and the old cultivators from Medicine King Valley, who were just there to make a brief appearance and didn't give Fang Yi much face, also stood up.
With such high regard from the Great Immortal Yuzhao, who among the hundreds of thousands of cultivators in the ancient city would dare to disrespect him?!
'Appearing in person?!' Dong Yunge was shocked and her heart was filled with awe. A soft light appeared in her eyes as her thoughts raced.
It seems I need to change my attitude!
To be so highly regarded by Hu Yuzhao, Fang Yi must possess extraordinary abilities; seizing the Jade Marrow Garden is merely the tip of the iceberg.
'The Jade Emperor himself actually showed up?!' Shi Kui's pupils contracted, and he muttered to himself. 'That Xu Zangze really struck gold.'
'When Grand Master Yan Wuwo opened his mansion, the Lijin Tower, the Four Seas Merchant Alliance sent a Jade Seal Master to make an appearance.'
Xu Zangze's eyes lit up with surprise as he glanced at Dong Yunge and Shi Kui, who were equally incredulous, and he felt extremely pleased.
He had a good relationship with Dong Yunge and Shi Kui, which is why he was given the title of "Three Apertures True Man" and together they established themselves in Huitong Ancient City.
However, the ranking and seating arrangement of the Three Aperture Masters has always been a major issue.
Regardless of age or social status, people have always valued the mouth above all else, with only occasional cases where the ear, even if deaf, can take the lead.
No matter how much Dong Yunge and Shi Kui competed, he was always the last one.
Among the Three Aperture True Men of the past, the Eye Aperture was always suppressed by the Mouth Aperture and the Ear Aperture, thus being ranked last.
Now it's time to turn things around!
Why can't the eye aperture be the most important among the Three Aperture True Persons?
(End of this chapter)