Chapter 568: Benevolence, Righteousness, Morality, and Propriety: The Foundation of Society

"Qi deviation..."

"I never expected that after a hundred years, I would experience it once more."

Jiang Ding whispered.

This was merely a clue to the Immortal Arts, not a true fragment of Immortal Arts; it easily triggered his heart demon.

Obsession.

The longing for immortality, the worry over the Great Sun Infant-Forming Secret Art—these were the fears he had always hidden deep in his heart, the panic in the dead of night.

Walking the path of the Supreme Clarity Flying Sword, while bringing immense rewards, also made him stand out from most Immortal Sect cultivators; without the Great Sun Infant-Forming Secret Art, he might never step into the Nascent Soul realm for his entire life, his path limited.

"However, it is nothing more than that."

Recalling the various aspects of his heart demon, Jiang Ding sneered: "It is merely impatience for quick success and profit. If I truly spared no cost, overdrawing the Immortal Sect's trust and tolerance, I could indeed accelerate the research progress of the Great Sun Infant-Forming Secret Art, but what about later?"

"How would I ask for others' cooperation in the future?"

"These are twenty-four Classic-level Gong Fa of the Luo Xu Sect. Take your time to look through them; even if you cannot understand them, memorize them to enrich your foundation. If you need Gong Fa or secret arts regarding any aspect, tell me. Once I finish organizing them, I will distribute a copy to you."

"By the way, here you go."

True Person Bai Mei, Hei Lou Xi, Hei Lou Cheng, and others were overjoyed, lining up one by one to select their enlightenment quotas according to their merit.

"Benevolence, righteousness, morality, propriety, and trustworthiness are not illusions; they are the methods with the least internal friction summarized during the development of human society. Those who cast these aside are not expressing individuality, not seeking the self, not seeking the Dao."

Jiang Ding's divine sense swept over several ancestral tablets of Luo Xu Sect sages surrounded by numerous Jin Dan cultivators.

They did not even glance at the Jin Dan cultivators nearby who were vomiting blood and retreating violently, ignoring them completely.

This was poison, containing terrible traps, yet also an unparalleled delicacy, imbued with various insights into the Metal aspect of the Five Elements, possibly containing things related to the causality of Jin Zhi; it was merely the skin and fur of the Immortal Arts.

"Yes!"

Before entering the Luo Xu Sect, Jiang Ding had promised the other party that he would share the inheritance he obtained.

He set down the scroll.

"But rather, stupidity!"

Looking around, most Jin Dan cultivators had already selected the ancestral tablets they wished to gain enlightenment from; many had even jointly chosen one, and were now staring eagerly in this direction.

There were famous Master Dinghai Master Dinghai Zhenjun from history, as well as those unknown to fame; the common point was that they contained insights into Gong Fa, not techniques—powerful things that were not urgently needed—and possibly included some explanations of the Nascent Soul path.

Jiang Ding exhaled lightly.

"Select according to merit ranking; there is only one chance."

"Hmm, it is somewhat regrettable that I did not obtain a Nascent Soul-level inheritance, but the Jin Dan inheritance of the Luo Xu Sect far exceeds that of the outside world, so it is still of some help."

Jiang Ding thought of something, rummaged through his storage bag, took out more than twenty blank jade slips that had already been inscribed, and sent them over, hovering beside Han Lin.

Jiang Ding's divine sense swept over them, and he said indifferently.

"It is only because I am easy to bully; if my true body were here, not even a ripple would emerge; it would be chopped into powder during the brewing stage."

Han Lin's face lit up with joy; his merit ranking was twenty-second, barely enough to qualify for an obscure Luo Xu Sect spirit tablet for enlightenment. After reporting it, he lined up happily.

Those with insufficient merit wore bitter expressions and withdrew helplessly, looking around to select again.

"Thank you, Uncle-Master Master Tushan!"

Han Lin was overjoyed and bowed deeply with hands clasped.

For a rogue cultivator like him, nothing was more precious than inheritance; receiving so much at once made him instantly dizzy, as if struck by a mountain of gold.

As for the lack of Nascent Soul inheritance, he had also heard rumors; indeed, that was the case, and the other party had not deceived him.

The eyes of the rogue cultivators around suddenly became burning hot, their gazes flickering as they deeply memorized the appearance of this Jin Dan Chu Qi cultivator.

"No need to thank me; I am merely fulfilling my promise."

Jiang Ding shook his head, unrolled the scroll in his hand, and continued to gain enlightenment from the various Metal aspects of the Five Elements depicted within.

He had also noticed the greed of the cultivators around, but he was too lazy to care.

Han Lin and he were in a cooperative relationship, not a superior-subordinate one; whatever risks existed needed to be borne by himself.

There must be boundaries in interpersonal interactions among cultivators; do not meddle in everything.

"My lord..."

A Jin Dan Chu Qi cultivator hesitated for a long time before forcing himself to step forward.

Jiang Ding smiled, his gaze turning toward him, as if he had some guess.

"My lord Master Tushan,"

This Jin Dan cultivator felt a chill in his heart, yet still said: "According to your Master Tushan Two Articles and the Laws of the Scripture Pavilion, does this scroll fall within the agreed scope?"

"Naturally; even if it did not, it would be reasonable. I am merely asking out of curiosity."

He added quickly.

"It does."

Jiang Ding smiled slightly: "My promise remains valid until it is affected by irresistible external forces; a mere scroll naturally will not affect anything."

"Your lordship's high righteousness!"

This Jin Dan Chu Qi cultivator breathed a sigh of relief, bowed deeply with gratitude, and retreated, yet did not mention borrowing anything.

Several people around were delighted.

"There are some suggestions you might consider."

Jiang Ding pondered for a moment and said: "This scroll is very dangerous; even for me, it is extremely dangerous. If enlightenment is sought, there may be unforeseen consequences; each of you bears the responsibility yourselves."

"We understand."

The Lie Yang Sword Disciple, the Six Paths Saint Disciple, and others bowed solemnly, clearly not entirely ignorant of the inner workings within.

"That is good."

Jiang Ding did not mind the other party's small tricks; he casually tossed the scroll, which flew out and landed before the few of them.

"Thank you, my lord!"

The Lieyang Sword Son's hands trembled slightly as he took the scroll and began to comprehend it. His expression shifted violently—now furious, now contorted, now blank.

"Puh!"

After several breaths, the Lieyang Sword Son spat blood and staggered backward, his face the color of gold paper, his aura plummeting like a cliff. Terror filled his face as he frantically took out a life-preserving pill and swallowed it.

"Next."

Jiang Ding said calmly.

The clues to immortal arts are not so easily borne.

The Six Paths Holy Son felt fear in his heart, yet did not hesitate. He took the scroll, and after several breaths, met the same fate as the Lieyang Sword Son.

He had no life-preserving pill. His cultivation at the peak of Jin Dan collapsed in an instant, his breath as thin as a gossamer thread, looking as though he were about to breathe his last.

"What is this thing?"

The surrounding Jin Dan cultivators were shaken. They had been tempted moments ago, but now that thought was instantly extinguished.

If even those two prodigies ended up like this, stepping forward would be nothing but seeking death—there would be no other outcome.

"Next."

Jiang Ding closed his eyes and quietly recuperated. He paid no heed to the Six Paths Holy Son's grievous wounds and impending death, nor to Dong Xue Dong Xue Liuyun's indecision, simply thinking about his own affairs.

If these people die, they die.

For the current him, they were already of no use. If not for keeping his promise, he would strike now and slaughter every Jin Dan cultivator of the Zhengmo Alliance and General General Heishi.

Each day he comprehended the scroll, sorted through the Luoxu Sect's library, or instructed Han Lin, who had the nerve to come forward with questions. Time passed easily and pleasantly.

Unknowingly, several months passed, and the Luoxu Sect was about to seal its mountain gates.

"I'm leaving."

Jiang Ding opened his eyes and looked at Han Lin: "There may be Nascent Soul cultivators lying in ambush outside. Their attention will likely be on me. Watch yourself, and try to survive."

"Uncle-Master Master Tushan, take care on your journey."

Han Lin drew a deep breath and said solemnly.

(End of chapter)