Chapter 397: The First Manifestation of the Dao Embryo [Monthly Ticket Bonus Chapter — Requesting Monthly Tickets, Combined]

"Li Da Ren, this mountain peak shall be your cultivation dwelling henceforth."

The old Daoist Zi Yang Dao Ren led Li Rui and his party to a picturesque little mountain.

Li Rui's party walked along a newly cleared path paved with blue stone slabs.

They had arrived at Qing Wei Zong.

Zi Yang Dao Ren had brought them here.

Qing Wei Zong occupied a vast area.

It spanned over a dozen mountain peaks.

Standing atop the small peak, one could clearly see the endless range of mountains and the palaces built of white jade tiles, evoking the very image of a celestial palace.

The small peak where Yu Guo stationed its personnel, though modest in size, had one exceptional advantage.

That was its proximity to the main peak.

This point was crucial.

Grand True Person Qing Ding had already laid down a grand array; the spiritual energy concentration within Qing Wei Zong far exceeded that of any other region in the Ten Thousand Mountains, peaking at the main peak and thinning progressively outward.

Thus, a clear distinction between inner and outer zones had been established.

The mountain peak where Li Rui was stationed was the innermost position.

This was precisely why so many sought to station themselves at Qing Wei Zong.

The importance of location was self-evident.

Consider that newly enrolled laborer disciples of Qing Wei Zong could only reside twenty li away from the main peak, where spiritual energy was pitifully scarce.

In comparison, Li Rui's treatment was far superior.

Soon.

Under Zi Yang Dao Ren's guidance, Li Rui saw a serene and elegant residence.

Though not luxurious, it carried an air of transcendence.

Surrounded by a sea of bamboo, it refreshed the senses.

Zi Yang Dao Ren said: "Li Da Ren, this is your residence. All matters concerning the sect have been written in this small booklet. You are honored guests, yet please still abide by our sect's rules."

"Naturally."

Li Rui nodded with a smile.

After speaking, Zi Yang Dao Ren turned and descended the mountain.

He showed no intention to linger.

It made sense—Yu Guo's stationing here was nominally for communication, but actually for surveillance.

It would be strange if Qing Wei Zong's people were pleased.

Li Rui did not mind.

Likewise, he was sent by Yu Guo, paid by the imperial court, backed by His Majesty—the ways of Qing Wei Zong mattered little.

He merely needed to maintain proper boundaries.

His true goal was to raise his cultivation as much as possible.

That was why Li Rui had come here.

Xue Gui had once privately warned him not to forget his identity as a Yu Guo official.

Li Rui was now an open spy.

A spy must have a spy's awareness—no spy who defected ever met a good end.

He would never do anything so foolish.

He came to Qing Wei Zong to obtain scarce resources for cultivation, not to sacrifice himself.

Li Rui was fully aware of this.

Ning Zhong Tian stared at the spotless room and muttered: "The immortals' dwellings are indeed clean."

Tan Hu, Ge Hong, and the others were all visibly excited.

Soon.

Their individual rooms were assigned.

Stationing at Qing Wei Zong required no real duties—or rather, the court's purpose was merely deterrence.

As long as Li Rui remained within Qing Wei Zong, that was sufficient.

It was a leisurely post.

Li Rui's room was the second largest, located in the center.

Though not as grand as the Deputy Commander's residence, the two-courtyard compound was more than enough for him and Liu Tiezhu.

The largest room, of course, was reserved for other uses.

Liu Tiezhu placed his many bags and bundles down.

Then he efficiently made the beds.

He arranged all the belongings.

Li Rui picked up the small booklet on the wooden table inside the room and read it carefully.

"Interesting."

A faint smile curled his lips.

The booklet detailed everything: Qing Wei Zong had seventeen peaks and twenty-three halls, with thorough descriptions of each hall's functions, and the duties of outer and inner disciples.

Of course.

None of this concerned Li Rui.

He needed to focus on only one thing.

Namely, where he must not go.

There was indeed such a place: the forbidden zone behind the main peak.

No one except Grand True Person Qing Ding could set foot there.

Soon.

Li Rui became captivated by the Six Arts of Immortal Cultivation described in the booklet.

The ultimate goal of cultivators was, of course, to attain immortality and live as long as heaven and earth.

But this path was exceedingly long.

It demanded vast resources and inevitably involved conflict with others.

Hence, the Six Arts of Immortal Cultivation emerged.

The Six Arts were: alchemy, artifact crafting, talisman writing, array formation, beast taming, and spirit plant cultivation.

Yu Guo had its own corresponding sects.

But compared to true immortal sect techniques, they were worlds apart.

Though martial artists possessed great combat power, they were vastly inferior to cultivators in versatility, and thus often regarded by cultivators as crude, brute fools.

Li Rui gazed at the text, his heart stirred.

'I must find a way to obtain and try these.'

Three days later.

At the auspicious hour, Qing Wei Zong's founding ceremony began.

Grand True Person Qing Ding led his seven disciples in prayers and offerings to the Three Pure Ones.

The next day.

Qing Wei Zong's immortal selection trials commenced.

Aspiring immortals from across the land nearly filled one entire mountain peak.

It was bustling with activity.

Li Rui, as Yu Guo's envoy, attended the ceremony.

The trials consisted of three stages.

First: Spirit Verification.

Second: Illusion Realm.

Third: Trial.

From those who passed all three, the best hundred were selected as outer disciples.

As for those who failed.

They could either leave or stay as laborer disciples.

If they performed exceptionally well, they might still become outer disciples—but they would inevitably be exploited by Qing Wei Zong for many years.

Compared to others.

Li Rui paid special attention to those unremarkable yet calm and composed candidates who failed.

If any of them bore the surname Han, he would have taken them as disciples without hesitation.

One must cultivate good connections.

Alas, his wish went unfulfilled.

The trials lasted three days.

As an observer, Li Rui was relaxed, but the candidates were far from calm.

Finally.

One hundred succeeded in joining Qing Wei Zong.

What surprised Li Rui was that there were a thousand laborer disciples.

After being suppressed for ten thousand years, the dream of cultivation exploded with unimaginable force.

Among them were even fifth-rank martial artists who voluntarily became laborer disciples.

It left Li Rui both amused and exasperated.

In the days that followed, things became much more ordinary.

Qingwei Sect had become very lively.

But all of this had little to do with Li Rui.

One day.

At the front of the Transmission Hall on Shenhua Peak.

Chunxu Zi sat cross-legged on the high platform, while a hundred outer disciples eagerly awaited his words.

Chunxu Zi spoke loudly:

"The immortal is the Dao. To cultivate immortality, one must first cultivate truth—this truth is the unity of life and nature, with the spirit radiant yet inwardly contained, only then can spiritual energy be drawn into the body."

Chunxu Zi was a top disciple of True Person Qingding.

He himself was a top-tier third-rank cultivator.

Only because Qingwei Sect had just been founded could one witness him personally teaching the Dao.

Li Rui listened with Ning Zhongtian and others at the very edge of the crowd; not far away, he could see the Wu Kingdom's stationed officials.

He listened very carefully.

He pondered silently within.

'So this is the Minor Primordial State.'

Compared to martial arts, the way cultivators enter the Primordial State is far simpler and more direct: elixirs and direct transmission.

Of course, the body cannot be too weak.

At minimum, one must reach eighth rank.

After that comes embryonic breathing, Qi Refining, Qi Condensation, and so on.

After listening to teachings for many days, Li Rui gradually gained insight—no wonder Yuan Dingting said all paths converge; the key lies in the person.

The merging of the two paths begins at the Miao Xuan Realm.

This corresponds precisely to the Tong Xuan Realm.

Only from the Miao Xuan Realm can one be called a True Person.

All follow the path of using spiritual energy to resonate with heaven and earth; the difference lies only in the methods—some prefer weapons, others prefer magic treasures.

Who is stronger?

Before Tong Xuan, cultivators hold great advantage, but once reaching the top three ranks,

the difference is negligible.

If one could truly crush the other, would Chunxu Zi treat Nie Siming with such courtesy?

In the end, strength is the true foundation.

Because Qingwei Sect was established within the territories of Yu and Wu, above Miao Xuan, it adopted the local terms: Tong Xuan and Tian Xiang.

Every day, Li Rui came to the lectures.

He often gained new insights.

He loudly declared that joining Qingwei Sect had been worth it.

He listened to the Dao by day and trained at the Grand Void Training Ground by night—Li Rui's life was truly delightful.

His cultivation progress advanced by leaps and bounds.

Most worthy of pride was

the stone embryo atop his dantian, which had shed a fragment of its outer crust.

This change was no small matter.

It meant Li Rui was very likely to enter the Dao Embryo Realm.

Through the exposed corner of the shed crust, he could faintly glimpse the tender skin within.

Li Rui felt a quiet anticipation.

The day when the stone crust would fully fall away, and the Dao Embryo would be born.

At the courtyard of Changqing Peak.

"Lord Li, isn't your Changqing Peak richer in spiritual energy? Why are even the spirit bamboos growing better than those on my Mandala Peak?"

A middle-aged man laughed heartily.

Li Rui sipped his tea:

"Lord Sang, cultivating bamboo requires sincerity of heart."

"Sincerity of heart?"

"Mm."

Li Rui looked utterly earnest.

Qingwei Sect had assigned him this small peak, so he named it Changqing Peak.

The most praised feature of Changqing Peak was the exceptionally vigorous growth of its bamboo.

Everyone said the feng shui here was excellent and the spiritual energy abundant.

Only Li Rui knew the bamboo had clearly fed on the Xuan Qi he emitted during his cultivation.

The man before him was Sang Kong.

Like him, he was an official dispatched by the Wu Kingdom to Qingwei Sect.

With similar circumstances and Li Rui's great reputation in Wu, they had gradually become tea companions.

Sang Kong pursed his lips.

"Who doesn't know your boss Gu is close friends with True Person Qingding? This is clearly favoritism."

Though envious, he did not harbor jealousy.

Li Rui made no rebuttal.

Because it was true.

Sang Kong drained his cup, then said: "Lord Li, warn your subordinates to be cautious—Shiwan Mountains are becoming unstable."

"Oh?"

"What happened?"

Li Rui raised an eyebrow slightly.

Sang Kong: "A few days ago, Qingwei Sect lost two outer disciples who had gone out on missions. Investigation revealed it was the remnants of Zijin Palace."

"Zijin Palace?"

"Mm."

Sang Kong nodded: "You know Zijin Palace had many survivors—Blood Shadow Ancestor and two great demons still lurking in Shiwan Mountains."

"Yu Kingdom is the main force; Zijin Palace knows you're in Shiwan Mountains and will surely seek revenge."

Li Rui nodded: "Thank you for the warning, Lord Sang."

Shiwan Mountains were vast.

It was far too easy for a few people or demons to hide—impossible to find.

The enemy was hidden; we were exposed.

All one could do was be more careful.

Sang Kong suddenly chuckled: "Lord Li, if you're ever in danger, come find me—I've been working hard and am about to break through."

Li Rui understood.

Sang Kong's "breakthrough" wasn't a minor milestone—it meant stepping directly into Tong Xuan.

Becoming a top three-rank Grand Master.

Qingwei Sect's agreement with Wu Kingdom was the same as with Yu Kingdom:

Only martial artists below Tong Xuan were permitted.

But rules were rules—there was always room for flexibility.

When Sang Kong came to Qingwei Sect, he was indeed a Primordial State cultivator—but one who had already broken through the Lian Shen barrier, and then happened to break through again.

Yes, all coincidences.

If someone else were sent, Wu Kingdom would need to select a new official, which would take time.

That time could be long or short.

It was common to spend seven or eight years selecting one person.

So during this period, Qingwei Sect had to bear with it.

Qingwei Sect could only pretend not to notice.

Even as an immortal sect, Yu and Wu Kingdoms' underlying strength could not be underestimated—otherwise, the destroyed Zijin Palace was the best example.

This was also the practice of Grand Secretary Zhang's theory on water management.

Better to divert than to block—but one must also make an example of someone.

Li Rui: "Congratulations, congratulations."

Sang Kong grinned triumphantly.

If it were anyone else, he wouldn't have said a word.

No Yu official would ever be allowed to get this close.

Li Rui was an exception.

Who else but Li Rui, who enjoyed close personal ties with the Grand Shaman and the Third Princess, knew he possessed a Black Dragon Token?

Only the people of Wu could truly understand the value of the Black Dragon Token.

Moreover, rumors had spread from somewhere that Li Rui had once soaked his feet alongside the Grand Shaman.

Goodness.

Such a bond was certainly worth cultivating.

Qingwei Sect couldn't station here forever; eventually, they'd rotate back. Who knew? Maybe through Li Rui, he could forge a connection with the Grand Shaman—a colossal power—and couldn't he afford to pay extra attention?

The two conversed with great delight.

It lasted until evening.

Sang Kong finally left, reluctant to part.

Li Rui rose with a smile and returned to his room.

He began cultivating again.

Beyond Qingwei Sect, at the edge of the endless mountains.

A crimson toad, its body a full zhang tall, lay sprawled on the ground, looking utterly at ease.

At that moment,

an old man in black robes approached.

The Crimson Toad slowly opened its eyes and spoke in human voice: "Xue Ying, so you're still alive."

Xue Ying Laozu gazed at Tian Niu Zhu Ha, once one of the Three Pillars of Zi Jin Palace, and said coldly: "Have you forgotten the Immortal Sovereign's grace?"

Tian Niu Zhu Ha narrowed its eyes.

Grace?

It was forced into Zi Jin Palace, wasn't it?

If Si Feng hadn't been absurdly powerful, it would've fled long ago.

Isn't basking in the sun comfortable enough?

Why get dragged into human squabbles?

Of course, Tian Niu Zhu Ha wouldn't voice these thoughts. It chuckled: "The Immortal Sovereign's been captured—so what do you suggest we do?"

Xue Ying Laozu snorted: "Of course, we rescue the Immortal Sovereign."

Upon hearing this,

Tian Niu Zhu Ha nearly cursed aloud.

Did Si Feng surrender voluntarily?

He was captured!

Even Si Feng couldn't stand against them—what chance did it and Xue Ying Laozu have together?

So it chose silence.

Xue Ying Laozu took a deep breath; he saw Tian Niu Zhu Ha wasn't enthusiastic at all.

But now he desperately needed allies.

He said coldly: "There's something I need inside Qingwei Sect. Send some minor demons to keep watch on a man named Li Rui. If any Qingwei disciple leaves the sect, kill them if you can."

"Make Qingwei Sect pay in blood for its crimes."

True.

He had followed Li Rui all the way to the Ten Thousand Mountains.

He was determined to claim the Thousand Souls Banner.

But he also knew this couldn't be rushed—it required careful planning.

Tian Niu Zhu Ha grunted twice: "Understood."

Hearing Tian Niu Zhu Ha agree,

Xue Ying Laozu's expression softened slightly.

He had spent the whole day gathering considerable strength; besides Tian Niu Zhu Ha, the other Three Pillar, the Three-Eyed Ghost Elephant, had already moved.

Could he not defeat Qing Ding True Person? Could he not strike at his disciples and apprentices?

Having finished all arrangements,

Xue Ying Laozu turned and left, vanishing into the dense, layered forests of the Ten Thousand Mountains.

Watching Xue Ying Laozu depart,

a minor demon stepped forward, timidly asking Tian Niu Zhu Ha: "Your Majesty, are we really going?"

Tian Niu Zhu Ha lazily rolled over:

"No reward, no risk. Why risk my life?"

The minor demon blinked: "Your Majesty, then what should we do?"

Tian Niu Zhu Ha flipped entirely onto its back, belly exposed to the sun, and said contentedly: "What else? Send a few demons to loiter near Qingwei Sect—just don't engage."

The great demon instantly bowed in awe to Tian Niu Zhu Ha.

"Your Majesty is brilliant!"

After dismissing the minor demon,

Tian Niu Zhu Ha's pride deepened: "Among the Three Pillars, I'm the smartest. That old elephant? A fool."

Qingwei Sect, Yunxiao Peak.

In a vast hall, crowds bustled.

Besides outer-disciples, many servitor-disciples were present.

This was Qingwei Sect's Transmission Hall.

In simple terms, it was where Qingwei disciples obtained immortal arts.

Whether outer-disciple or servitor-disciple, the only way to acquire a technique was to exchange merit.

Qingwei Sect also had another hall, called the Merit Hall.

Outer-disciples and servitor-disciples could take assignments there; upon completion, they earned merit.

Merit could be exchanged for immortal arts, elixirs, talismans, and more.

The Merit Hall's assignments included tending to spirit plants and demonic beasts for the sect's Elders, as well as bounties issued by Yu and Wu.

Li Rui walked through the crowd.

Judging by his age, many cast curious glances his way.

He was long accustomed to it.

Fortunately, elderly men who joined Qingwei Sect weren't unheard of—several had even been servitor-disciples—so it didn't draw undue attention.

Though a Yu official stationed here, he rarely showed his face.

Thus, few knew his true identity.

Li Rui found a young disciple.

"Young friend, I wish to sell an immortal art. May I ask—"

Before he finished speaking,

the young disciple impatiently pointed at a wall:

"It's all clearly written up there. Say what you want. Have merit? Buy it. No merit? Get lost."

After saying this,

he hurried off, bustling through the hall.

Li Rui paid no mind to the youth's brusque manner.

Normal. Who wouldn't go mad after eight straight hours on duty?

Everyone went through this in their youth.

He raised his head, gazing at the ten-zhang-tall wall, densely covered in tiny script.

It listed countless techniques, each with its required merit.

Without merit, one could exchange elixirs, talismans, and other items at the Elixir Hall or Talisman Hall for merit.

Li Rui studied it for a long time.

Most of these techniques were mere martial arts—immortal cultivation required martial training too; many servitor-disciples had low realms and needed to first advance in martial arts before stepping onto the immortal path.

At the top were the techniques.

Talismans, arrays, artifact forging, immortal incantations—all were there.

Li Rui squinted for a long while.

Finally, he chose one: The Complete Guide to Talismans.

(End of Chapter)