Chapter 309: Lifelong Covetous Heart: Yang Chan's Choice

Outside Zhengyang Hall.

The Five-Colored Divine Light cast by Fang Longye landed on the Lotus Lantern, and Yang Chan instantly sensed an inexplicable force arriving from across the void.

It sought to sever the connection between her and the Lotus Lantern.

In just a fleeting moment, she felt her connection to the Lotus Lantern grow much more distant.

It was no longer as tight as before.

Even her thoughts, under the Five-Colored Divine Light, became dizzy and muddled. It was as if, in the next instant, she would be pulled into it and become a part of it.

"Rise—"

Facing the Five-Colored Divine Light, Yang Chan dared not be negligent; she immediately circulated her Dharma, sending her power surging into the Lotus Lantern. It unleashed the splendor of an Innate Spiritual Treasure—instantly shining with brilliant, dazzling light. The power of a top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure poured forth, resisting the Five-Colored Divine Light cast by Fang Longye.

The two forces wrestled, the east wind overpowering the west wind.

Very quickly, she broke free.

With a wave of her hand, the Lotus Lantern fell into her grasp in an instant, and she retrieved it. Yang Chan remarked with emotion, "The Five-Colored Divine Light truly lives up to its reputation!"

Even with prior preparation, this Five-Colored Divine Light arrived the moment one thought of it, making it very difficult to react in time.

It had almost been swept away.

As for Fang Longye, he did not take the failure of his Five-Colored Divine Light to heart, nor did he feel any frustration.

Such a situation,

he had already anticipated before making his move.

After all, his own Five-Colored Divine Light had only just attained the Innate level; its foundation could not compare to the Five-Colored Divine Light wielded by the great Kong Xuan.

Not to mention that what he faced was the Lotus Lantern, a top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure.

It was perfectly normal that he could not brush it away and seize it; there was nothing to be surprised about.

If one really had to say, the Five-Colored Divine Light wielded by the great Kong Xuan was what defied common logic.

Formed from a single ray of spiritual light from Chaos, its innate essence surpassed all others, and it was unimaginably formidable.

If he wanted the Five-Colored Divine Light he cultivated to reach the level of the great Kong Xuan, he would need to seek external objects to compensate for the frailty of his innate essence.

Of course, those who imitate me live, those who resemble me die.

Later imitators can never surpass the predecessor. Rather than blindly imitating the great one, it would be better to extract the concepts of the Five-Colored Divine Light and cultivate other divine abilities.

Thinking of this,

the image of that Yin-Yang Two Qi Bottle in the hands of the Golden-Winged Great Peng suddenly surfaced in his mind.

"This Golden-Winged Great Peng is the biological brother of the great Kong Xuan, having received the legacy of creation from Feng Mu; there is no reason for him to be so much weaker—"

Fang Longye muttered in his heart.

Kong Xuan has the Five-Colored Divine Light at his side, and the Golden-Winged Great Peng also has the Yin and Yang Two Qis in his possession.

These Yin and Yang Two Qis are not simple Yin and Yang Two Qis, but the Innate Yin-Yang Ancestral Qi that appeared when the world was first opened, when the rules were just formed and shone into the world.

They are the most precious of all.

If one truly cultivated them into a divine ability, it would absolutely not be inferior to the Five-Colored Divine Light of the great Kong Xuan.

It is just that one wonders what the Golden-Winged Great Peng was thinking, to actually refine such a rare treasure into some sort of Yin-Yang Two Qi Bottle.

It is simply a waste of a heavenly treasure.

"Since ancient times, treasures belong to those with virtue. Since that thieving bird is so incompetent, it would be better to let him give it to me!"

Fang Longye thought to himself.

Furthermore, he had not forgotten his previous experience on the East Sea, where he was inexplicably hunted down by the Golden-Winged Great Peng.

In any case, since that thieving bird was convinced he would snatch the Yin-Yang Two Qi Bottle in the future, he would fulfill his wish and snatch it to show that thieving bird.

As for the karma and favor of his cultivation of the Five-Colored Divine Light, that could be settled later—

Besides, this karma and favor would not fall upon the Golden-Winged Great Peng. Kong Xuan is Kong Xuan, and the Golden-Winged Great Peng is the Golden-Winged Great Peng.

As far as he knew, the relationship between these two brothers was not very good; it would not be an exaggeration to say they detested the sight of each other—

Having made up his mind to plot for the Golden-Winged Great Peng's Yin-Yang Two Qi Bottle, he no longer focused his attention on the Five-Colored Divine Light.

He turned his attention to Yang Chan instead.

"Have you decided on your own Dao-attainment treasure?"

He walked to Yang Chan's side in a few steps, wrapped one arm around her waist, and handed the Jade Hairpin to her with the other.

Fang Longye thought of his own entanglement in this regard and began to ask, intending to seek some guidance.

Yang Chan took the Jade Hairpin and struggled reservedly for a few moments, but she did not use force, so naturally, she did not break free from Fang Longye's embrace.

She changed to a comfortable position, leaned into his arms, shook the Lotus Lantern in her hand, and smiled, "What is there to consider?"

"Look, this is it!"

Fang Longye's face twitched.

This conversation could not continue—using an Innate Spiritual Treasure as a Dao-attainment treasure was a privilege reserved for the top-tier great gods from the beginning of the world! Seeing his expression, Yang Chan covered her mouth and giggled, "I'm just teasing you!"

"Although I have had the Lotus Lantern by my side since I was young and have a fated affinity with it, it is naturally extremely appropriate to use it as my Dao-attainment treasure."

"But I still want to try hard on my own."

Great, that was even worse than the joke she just made! This truth was infuriating no matter how one heard it—

Yang Chan naturally did not care how Fang Longye viewed it and continued on her own, "I follow the path of Merit and Creation, and since I was young, I have studied the *Taichu Merit Creation Scripture* taught by the Lady. In this Dharma, there is inherently a specific method for crafting a Dao-attainment treasure."

"It is just that my cultivation realm progressed in one leap, achieving the Taiyi Golden Immortal, so I wanted my Dao-attainment treasure to also be achieved in one leap."

Speaking to this point, she paused and continued, "Furthermore, I did not want to follow the rules at the beginning and craft my own Dao-attainment treasure according to the methods recorded in the Dharma."

"That is why I came to ask the Great Immortal Yunzhongzi for guidance on issues regarding the art of artifact refining."

"But now—" She blinked, and a brilliant, tripod-shaped pattern flashed between her brows.

"I have figured it out! There is nothing wrong with following the rules. As long as one walks one's own path and is not constrained by it, it does not matter if one is somewhat similar to others—"

"Taichu Merit Creation Scripture?" Fang Longye's heart stirred; he had heard of this Daoist technique.

……

The Taichu Merit Creation Scripture was created by Nuwa by summarizing her own lifelong cultivation, pointing directly to the Creation Dao; it could be called a supreme technique of the Immortal Dao.

Its status within Wa Palace was no different from the status of the Three Pure Ones' techniques within the three religions; both belonged to methods sufficient to inherit the Saint's orthodoxy.

It could not be taught or received unless one was a true successor of Wa Palace.

Even disciples who had once originated from Wa Palace, such as Nezha and Yinglong, had not been taught this technique.

Unexpectedly, Yang Chan had actually been taught this technique; it seemed she truly belonged to the direct lineage of Wa Palace.

Of course, he also understood what the Dao-attainment treasure Yang Chan intended to refine was.

Creation Divine Cauldron~

Although he did not know the specific contents of the Taichu Merit Creation Scripture, he had seen some introductions regarding this technique in various classics.

"Taichu" (Great Beginning) refers to the first appearance of Qi; it is the most primitive stage of Innate Qi, pointing directly to the origin of heaven and earth before all things were born.

This meant that this technique pointed directly to the origin of the Great Dao.

"Merit" meant that this technique contained the Dao of Merit and could accelerate cultivation speed through the practitioner's merit and luck.

The higher the merit and luck, the faster the cultivation speed, and the higher the Dao attainment.

The final "Creation" not only implied that this technique pointed directly to the Creation Dao, but also marked the Dao-attainment treasure specifically compatible with this technique—the Creation Divine Cauldron.

That's right, the Creation Divine Cauldron.

As mentioned before, this technique was created by Nuwa by summarizing everything she had attained.

It could be seen as an interpretation of her own Great Dao.

Therefore, the technique contained an exclusive method used to imitate Nuwa's Dao-attainment treasure, the Qiankun Creation Cauldron, to condense a Creation Divine Cauldron unique to oneself.

What is a Dao-attainment treasure?

It is a vessel for, an evolution of, and an interpretation of one's own Great Dao.

Besides this,

there are no restrictions regarding whether it is innate or acquired.

It is not the case that a Dao-attainment treasure must be refined later and thus can only be an acquired treasure.

If you are bold, or have the opportunity to obtain an Innate Treasure that fits your own Great Dao, you can absolutely use that Innate Treasure as your Dao-attainment treasure.

For instance, the Three Pure Ones, who divided the supreme treasure Creation Green Lotus among themselves—"red flower, lotus root, green lotus leaf"—did exactly this.

The Taiqing Saint's Flat-Topped Staff, the Yuqing Shengren's Three-Treasure Jade Ruyi, and the Shangqing Saint's Qingping Sword are all Innate Spiritual Treasures that fit their own Great Dao.

It is not just Hunyuan Saints like Nuwa; basically, all those top-tier great gods from the beginning of the world used Innate Spiritual Treasures as their Dao-attainment treasures.

For example, the Great Immortal Zhenyuanzi's companion spiritual treasure, the Earth Book, or the Yuantu Abi Sword that was born alongside Minghe Laozu, and so on and so forth.

Such existences are not few in number.

However, times change.

Or rather, resources are always limited.

Never mind the present; even in the ancient times,

how many Innate Spiritual Treasures could remain in the world? And to have one that also happened to fit one's own Great Dao was even rarer.

Therefore, most people in Honghuang—or rather, 99.99999% of practitioners—did not have the conditions or opportunities to directly use an Innate Spiritual Treasure as their Dao-attainment treasure~

Just look at Yinglong Laozu; no matter how powerful the Dragon Gate is, wasn't it just an acquired treasure when it started? And what about Yang Chan?

The Lotus Lantern is a top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, and it fits her perfectly; it is almost a companion spiritual treasure.

One has to say, as a true direct descendant of Wa Palace, everything was indeed arranged for her.

When it comes down to it, being born well is better than being born early~

"The first to get rich" leads "those who get rich later"!

The key is, such an Innate Spiritual Treasure that fits her perfectly is placed right in front of her, for her to refine as her Dao-attainment treasure~ and she even turns her nose up at it!

Saying something about wanting to rely on her own efforts~

Fang Longye can only say that the well-fed do not know the hunger of the starving.

Alright, that's digressing~

Back to the Creation Divine Cauldron; as far as Fang Longye understands, the most praiseworthy thing about this Taichu Merit Creation Scripture lies in the forging of the Creation Divine Cauldron.

This technique of Wa Palace can be said to have brought the Creation Dao of merit to the extreme.

No other materials are needed; one only needs to use merit and luck as firewood and furnace fire to forge the Creation Divine Cauldron.

Moreover, it grows with oneself.

Even if two people's Dao-attainment treasures are both Creation Divine Cauldrons, they have their own differences due to their different Great Daos.

In other words, it clearly looks like a standardized spiritual treasure, yet it can encompass everything.

Just like the Fomen, where everyone has a Golden Lotus, and many old bald donkeys in the Brahma sect often use the Golden Lotus directly as their Dao-attainment treasure.

But although they are all Golden Lotuses, the Dharma principles they contain are all different.

However, it is ultimately inferior to this Taichu Merit Creation Scripture of Wa Palace, which still requires the Lotus Seed produced by the Merit Golden Lotus as a basis.

……

But when all is said and done, no matter how profound the Creation Divine Cauldron is, it cannot compare to the Lotus Lantern.

That is a top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure~

Fang Longye could not help but advise: "In my opinion, it would be better for you to directly refine the Lotus Lantern into your Dao-attainment treasure~"

"I don't believe you are unaware of Nuwa's arrangements; do not let down the intentions she has for you."

He knew that top-tier second-generation figures like Yang Chan were most annoyed by the kind of step-by-step life where every future was already arranged.

They were often arrogant and proud, believing that they would achieve something through their own efforts and did not need their elders to arrange everything for them.

Fang Longye could only say that second-generation heirs who harbored such thoughts were simply sick! Everything could be done by the book to surpass ninety-nine percent of the Human Clan, yet they insisted on increasing the difficulty for themselves, thinking that doing things by the book was a shortcut.

They lived the life of a pay-to-win player but insisted on experiencing the life of an NPC. And yet, this experience was still just a part of the game.

Even if they failed, there was always someone to foot the bill.

If Yang Chan had nothing to do with him, that would be one thing. Who cares if her temperament is good or bad! Two paths on either side, each walking their own way. None of my business! But who let her be the one he was soon to be betrothed to, to become husband and wife? This kind of foolish behavior and personality, he absolutely had to correct for her.

Besides! This could also be considered a compliance test~ As mentioned before, for a cultivator, cultivation is a very private matter.

For two people of equal status, merely inquiring about the other's cultivation is already considered crossing the line~ let alone pointing fingers directly~

To put it bluntly, this kind of pointing fingers, affecting the other's cultivation and Great Dao, is no different from threatening the other's life.

Sure enough, upon hearing Fang Longye's words, Yang Chan immediately withdrew her smile and furrowed her brows.

With a gentle sway, she broke free from his embrace and stared straight at him.

Fang Longye knew this kind of preaching would definitely make Yang Chan dissatisfied, especially since it involved interfering with her cultivation.

But he did not offer much explanation, nor did he retreat in his speech, facing her with an equally stern expression.

In any case, having lived two lifetimes, he had never learned to yield to a woman~ And based on his experience, for this kind of proposal that is clearly for the other's own good, unless they cannot distinguish good from bad, the other party will often back down.

Sure enough, very soon~ Yang Chan could no longer hold out~

"Alright~ stop being angry. I know you are doing this for my own good, consider it me being willful and making a scene~"

Even though she felt very aggrieved in her heart, the stern and cold face Fang Longye maintained made Yang Chan feel flustered, and she could not help but speak up to admit her mistake~

One must know, although Fang Longye's proposal was indeed for her own good, this did not mean he had not committed a taboo.

Even between husband and wife or Dao companions, one would not just directly point fingers at matters of cultivation like this, at most making suggestions through side remarks.

Seeing Yang Chan lower her head to admit her mistake, a faint, almost imperceptible smile curled at the corners of Fang Longye's mouth.

Sure enough~

As long as one holds up the banner of doing it for your own good, and it truly is for the other's good, the other party will likely yield eight times out of ten.

But this time it was truly for her own good, but what about the next time, the time after that, and after the nth time?

Giving an inch and taking a mile is just that simple.

They retreat, I advance; they defend, I attack.

Unconditional obedience,

also began from this very moment~

"Miaojun, you also know that you and I will soon be husband and wife~"

Fang Longye said earnestly: "Could it be that you will continue to have such a childish temperament in the future?"

The implication was, do not be so willful and follow your heart in the future; you must learn to consider everything and become a virtuous wife and mother~

"I know I was wrong! I will listen to you~"

Deeply trapped in her Love Tribulation, how could Yang Chan, who felt such lingering affection for Fang Longye, withstand such push-and-pull from him?

A not-so-sophisticated PUA tactic was enough to make Yang Chan change her mind and even admit her own mistakes.

Fang Longye pulled Yang Chan into his embrace and smiled: "Knowing you were wrong is enough, I don't blame you~"

Well, he was still using PUA at this moment~

Lowering his head to her temple, smelling the fragrance of the beauty, Fang Longye silently said in his heart: "Forgive my greed, for wanting too much~"

(End of this chapter)