Chapter 249

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Main Character:

Shen Yao

After Ren Yangzuo and Ren Yangjue smoothly resolved the trouble at Heifeng Mountain, Shen Yao and Ren Chengzhou returned to the capital in a low-key manner.

Even though Ren Yangzuo and Ren Yangjue suffered not-insignificant injuries during this period, the couple did not show their faces.

The system complained that the Host was too ruthless; they were a hair's breadth away, and the kids would have kicked the bucket.

Shen Yao: ……

"It won't happen; they carry Protection Talismans on them," not the counterfeits drawn by Ren Chengzhou, but genuine articles Shen Yao personally went out to fetch.

Never mind the demon beasts of Heifeng Mountain injuring them — even if a few more came, it would be impossible.

"Their injuries have nothing to do with these demon beasts; it is the World Consciousness's trial."

To put it in an understandable way: the three children Shen Yao gave birth to are too excellent; the World Consciousness wants to invest in them, but it cannot give only benefits without risk — danger and opportunity coexist; this is the most common balancing method in the Cultivation World.

Therefore, it is easy to understand why Ren Yangzuo and Ren Yangjue would be injured.

"By the time they return to the capital this time, their own cultivation realms will have greatly improved," people favored by the World Consciousness, even if they trip going out the door, will pick up money.

This time Ren Yangzuo and Ren Yangjue suffered a huge loss; they will surely reap no small harvest.

System: ……

"Host, since you already foresaw this move long ago, why did you still travel thousands of miles to come here?"

Abandoning the affairs and work of Qingyun Sect, just to look at the two children a few more times.

The system did not understand; it felt this was completely unlike something the Host would do.

Shen Yao smiled; her person had already appeared at the Qingyun Sect Outer Affairs Dian Dian.

"Heaven's secrets must not be leaked; alright, I still have to go check the disciple-recruitment situation."

The implication was that she had no time to chat idly with the system; as a Sect Master, her daily life was very busy.

The system sneered at this, but it did not dare to open its mouth to refute anything; it simply flashed away to go be leisurely.

……

"Sect Master"

"Sect Master"

"……"

Shen Yao walked all the way from the Dian Dian down the mountain; on the road she encountered Qingyun Sect disciples, and regardless of rank, every single one gave her a respectful disciple salute.

Shen Yao nodded in response, then asked if any new disciples had appeared today; unexpectedly, she still gained nothing, though quite a few people had come over.

"Go down and get busy"

Shen Yao stepped forward, simply using spiritual power; her person directly appeared at the lively detection Xian Chang.

The Site fell silent for an instant, followed by an eruption of even more intense sound.

The people able to come here are not only those sending children for detection; there are also others with various requests, including but not limited to seeking medical treatment, praying for children, striking it rich, and saving people.

Even though Qingyun Sect has established Family Rules, there is still an endless stream of people coming to test the waters.

What if? Perhaps? Maybe?

People's thoughts are just this strange and varied; who can see through this mortal world of red dust?

"Immortal Master, please save my family's little son; Immortal Master, please……"

"Immortal Master, this commoner woman is thirty-five, has not borne offspring for many years; please help, Immortal Master; in the next life I will surely bind grass and hold a ring in my mouth to repay your kindness."

"Immortal Master, my little son passed by a graveyard some days ago, was trapped for several days, and now suffers from both Qi and Blood deficiency; please, Immortal Master……"

All kinds of pleas for help kept echoing nonstop by her ears; there was everything, but for the most part, Shen Yao was unable to do anything.

She waved her sleeve, gently lifting up those kneeling and begging people; then a breeze brushed past, and these people were sent to the Registration Office at the Mountain Foot.

"Regardless, handle matters according to the rules," Shen Yao looked at the team that had just lost most of its flow of people and was immediately filled up again, and nodded to the disciple beside her to continue the detection.

The huge water screen placed overhead had not lit up once; this represented that the person being detected had no Spiritual Root whatsoever.

With a cold/indifferent expression she withdrew her gaze; Shen Yao's figure rose into the air, turned, and flew toward the Back Mountain.

This disciple-recruitment result was the selection of three children with Spiritual Roots; because they were all Four Spirit Roots, they could only start climbing from the Outer Disciple level.

After Ren Yangzuo and Ren Yangjue return, Qingyun Sect will gain another two children with Spiritual Roots.

A bit stronger than Four Spirit Roots — they are Three Spirit Roots — but they still have to enter the Outer Disciple level first.

Several years of disciple-recruitment results have merely changed Qingyun Sect's disciples from single to double.

To this day, they still haven't encountered a Single Spirit Root or Dual Spirit Root genius; aside from the three little ones who cultivate at flying speed, the entire Qingyun Sect consists of Outer Disciples.

Not enough, not enough, far from enough!

In Shen Yao's view, if they want to stabilize things and prevent chaos after they leave, Qingyun Sect must be peerless in cultivation.

At the very least, they must produce a few experts who can suppress all heroes and make everyone unable to act rashly.

Otherwise, if everyone only knows three-legged cat kung fu, no one will serve anyone else, and they will definitely clash.

"However, on the matter of cultivation, pills and Spiritual Energy are both auxiliary things.

Spiritual Energy is fine; it is the foundation of cultivation; taking too many pills will leave Dan Poison residual in the body," hoping to speed up cultivation realm by gulping pills is not a wise move.

Shen Yao does not recommend doing this; items that can purge Dan Poison are so precious — she simply cannot take them out.

Ren Chengzhou told Shen Yao not to worry: "This isn't my meaning; it's from the Emperor's side," the Emperor is more worried about the Dragon Throne under his own butt.

He can currently use blood ties to bind Ren Chengzhou, but everyone else can completely throw in the towel.

Jiang Chengyu thought it over and over, and in the end still asked Ren Chengzhou to use unconventional means to help him boost the strength he can control in his hands.

The reason was simple: the outside world was growing increasingly chaotic, miraculous events were multiplying, and not everything could wait for the Qingyun Sect to step in; moreover, the Qingyun Sect's numbers alone were insufficient.

Having clearly conveyed the Emperor's wishes, Ren Chengzhou did not forget to explain to Shen Yao that he had already agreed.

"They are all soldiers with strong qi and blood from the army, and the placement of their families has been settled with the Imperial Family," so there were no disputes; this was a mutually agreeable transaction.

Shen Yao had not expected Jiang Chengyu's mind to work so quickly; she had to admit, he was cut out to be an emperor.

If one merely relied on the Qingyun Sect and did nothing oneself, Jiang Guo's future would almost certainly be destruction.

However, even if Jiang Chengyu struggled now, it seemed he could not change Jiang Guo's ultimate fate, though perhaps he could prolong it by a few years.

"Ordinary qi-and-blood martial artists, even if they take pills, cannot reach even one-tenth of a cultivator's ability."

"And the consequence of doing so is that their lifespan is affected, their foundation is damaged, and they will not live long," Shen Yao finished speaking, then took out a porcelain bottle containing a pill she had refined using local herbs, "Since this is the Emperor's wish, the decision rests with him."

Accordingly, all karmic consequences would be borne by the Imperial Family, having nothing to do with Shen Yao.

The System had once privately asked Shen Yao whether doing this would affect Ren Chengzhou, making his Tribulation Transcendence more difficult than for ordinary cultivators.

"How about it? It's a personal choice; I can't stop him," Ren Chengzhou choosing to help was his own business; although they were Dao Companions, they were not bound together forever.

In the Cultivation World, Dao Companions were merely companions on the path of cultivation.

If it works, continue; if not, part ways—must mortals' spouses remain faithful for life? What a joke.

It was not the first time the System had seen its Host's ruthlessness, but these things still could not stop it from overthinking.

Regarding this, Shen Yao could only say the System was too immature; if every relationship required her full devotion, she would have perished completely like the previous Host who had signed a contract with the System.

For a person essentially selfish, expecting her to love someone without reservation was nothing but a fantasy.

Shen Yao did not know how much Ren Chengzhou understood about karmic matters.

But after Jiang Chengyu obtained the Qingyun Sect's pills, he ultimately cultivated a batch of pseudo-cultivators.

These people's main role was to guard the safety of the Jiang Guo Imperial Family, thereby maintaining stability in Jiang State Territory.

As for some suddenly appearing miraculous events, Jiang Chengyu simply used Imperial Power to recruit martial artists from the world, using pills as bait to make them serve him.

Some martial arts masters who had long been unable to break through would always be inclined to take this path.

One seller, one buyer—as long as the terms were agreed upon, nothing was impossible.

Regarding these, Shen Yao and Ren Chengzhou said nothing, including that the pills supplied to the Imperial Court every year did not decrease, but visibly, Ren Chengzhou, as National Preceptor, appeared very rarely in Jingcheng's Qin Wang Fu.

They had grown distant after all.

Jiang Chengyu looked at the pills delivered for the new year, regretting the fraternal love between him and Ren Chengzhou.

Perhaps the Royal Family never had much family affection; back then, their cooperation was based on Jiang Chengjin being too inferior, and Ren Chengzhou felt the other's ascension was bad for him, so he reluctantly chose Jiang Chengyu as a second choice.

Essentially, Jiang Chengyu and Jiang Chengjin, these brothers of the same mother, lacked nothing; the due wariness, Jiang Chengyu also had, only he did not show it so obviously.

But cultivators are so sharp, and besides, Ren Chengzhou was no Stupid Person; helping the Jiang Guo Imperial Family stemmed from bloodline, but those he helped turned around to scheme against him—how could he not be disheartened?

Ren Chengzhou simply hid in the Qingyun Sect to cultivate, no longer even serving as National Preceptor.

Regarding this, no one dared say anything, and Jiang Chengyu did not even ask.

Everyone was clever; why must they spread the face of their falling out? It was better to settle scores privately.

"Mother, this time for accepting disciples, the Jiang Guo Imperial Family has produced a princess with Dual Spirit Roots."

The funny thing was, the princess was the daughter of a minor Imperial Consort, had suffered much hardship from childhood, and had no good impression of the Imperial Family at all.

Ren Yangyao was sixteen years old, his cultivation realm seemed to be on a cheat, reaching the level of Half-step Golden Core; in the Mortal World he was already among the top tier.

Besides Ren Yangyao, there were Ren Yangzuo and Ren Yangjue, both Half-step Golden Core, only the half-step golden cores of the three brothers were each different.

Among them, Ren Yangzuo could break through at any time he wished, while Ren Yangyao and Ren Yangjue were somewhat lacking, constantly going out to temper themselves and seek opportunities.

This time Ren Yangyao came because he had just finished tempering himself, and on the way back conveniently went to Jingcheng to hold a disciple-accepting ceremony, bringing the princess who tested as having a Spiritual Root back to the Qingyun Sect.

"How is your situation?" Shen Yao did not ask about that princess.

Once sent to the Qingyun Sect, they were Qingyun Sect Disciples; they cultivated honestly, and the Qingyun Sect would not interfere in matters unrelated to cultivation.

"Everything is fine," Ren Yangyao sat down casually before Shen Yao, the youth radiating Spiritual Energy, "My child has not discovered the existence of the Transmission Array."

That was a wolf demon's territory; Ren Yangyao dealt with it easily, but did not find the cave abode treasure rumored to exist.

In recent years, there were many rumors in Jiang State Territory, the most widespread being the tale of cave abode treasures.

Actually, this cave abode treasure referred to a hidden Transmission Array.

Thanks to the Spiritual Qi Revival, Transmission Arrays appeared before people, while also bringing unnecessary disputes and trouble.

In recent years, Shen Yao, in the name of Qingyun Sect Master, had convened several Xiu Zhen Hui within Jiang Guo's scope.

The content was not complex: various parties exchanged with cultivation as the theme.

After all, big shots cannot shut their doors and build cars behind closed gates; what if it was unsuitable or something went wrong? One still had to go out and absorb experience and lessons.

The Xiu Zhen Hui held by the Qingyun Sect served this purpose: providing a venue and opportunity (including some Jade Slips in the Book Pavilion), and even allowing mutual sparring.

Similarly, Shen Yao brought up the matter of the Transmission Array at this time.

Just as Shen Yao came to the Mortal World, she relied on a One-way Transmission Array, but the destination was the Mortal World.

If before firmly establishing themselves in the Mortal World, a few more cultivators like Shen Yao came over, this place would probably become their back garden.

The reason was also very simple: strength!

The result of the Spiritual Qi Revival could only truly be seen after a long time; for now? It was like using an egg to strike a stone.

So in recent years, not only was the Qingyun Sect seeking the whereabouts of Transmission Arrays, but also cultivators from other sects in the surroundings, though the main force was still the Qingyun Sect.

If encountering a two-way Transmission Array or a one-way one that fell in the Mortal World, it was best to destroy it.

Naturally, there were Transmission Arrays that harmed innocents, but the impact was not great; Shen Yao only needed to preserve one of them to return to the Cultivation World, so what was there to worry about.

"The matter of the Transmission Array can be set aside; for now, what is most important is your cultivation realms."

Only upon reaching Golden Core could one activate the Transmission Array to send them to the Cultivation World. The Spiritual Energy of this world was insufficient; currently, one could at most cultivate to Golden Core.

To advance further, regardless of the reason, one could only leave this place.

Shen Yao had already drafted the plan, and she did not forget to arrange it so that she could take the opportunity to bring up leaving when the three children made their breakthroughs.

Ren Yangyao nodded. "Mother, this time I intend to enter closed-door cultivation for comprehension."

Tempering had lost its effect; Ren Yangyao could only ponder other aspects.

Ren Yangzuo and Ren Yangjue had gone to handle other matters and were temporarily not in the sect; otherwise the three brothers exchanging insights with one another would also be a good path of progress.

"Go on. These are newly refined pills," they can calm the mind and settle the breath, beneficial for cultivation.

Shen Yao took out a pill bottle, stood up, and saw Ren Yangyao off as he left.

After Ren Yangyao left, Ren Chengzhou appeared. His cultivation realm was also stuck at the verge of advancement; because of Dragon Qi and karma, he always fell a little short.

Shen Yao handed over pills as usual. Ren Chengzhou's situation was more complex than the three children's; she had no good solution.

"This closed-door cultivation I am not certain will be safe; Qingyun Sect is entrusted to you, Madam."

Ren Chengzhou smiled freely and did not open his mouth to mention the Jiang Guo Imperial Family.

"Otherwise wait a bit more? The concentration of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy has increased; the bottleneck of breakthrough is not limited to this one path."

Ren Chengzhou wanted to succeed or die trying, yet Thunder Tribulation would not show leniency.

"Unnecessary. All previous choices were mine," even if they were errors, they should be borne by him alone.

It is just that he feels somewhat sorry toward the wife and three children who have stayed by his side; in the end they were still implicated by him.