Chapter 358: Three

Xu Yuan entered Qihé Terrace Town quietly.

The village office here operated smoothly.

The office’s clerk was a Mountain-Moving Captain.

He had been assigned from Zhancheng Office.

Ah Guang and Xi Yazi both worked as assistants in the office, like white servants in the county yamen.

But in Qihé Terrace Town, they were already people of some status.

Originally, Elder Qiao had wanted to be the village headman, but after the office was established, all village affairs naturally fell under its authority.

There was no longer any need for a headman.

Xu’s current rank was, to this small office, a high official towering beyond the heavens.

This very office had been established due to Xu’s suggestion.

Thus, everyone in the office treated Xu with extra care.

Xu Yuan summoned Ah Guang and Xi Yazi, wanting to chat briefly with old acquaintances.

Yet both appeared unusually stiff.

They answered only what Xu asked, nothing more.

Not a single extra word dared escape them.

Xu Yuan saw they were truly uncomfortable, so he let them off: “Go for a walk around town—you don’t need to follow me.”

Xu Yuan visited the “Yifang Inn,” which had been rebuilt after its destruction.

It was still an inn, but the owner had changed, and it was now called “Wanquan.”

Xu Yuan couldn’t help recalling that moonlit night months ago—the outside echoing with demonic wails, while Erliang inside was thinking of women.

It felt as if it had happened just last night.

Yet also… as if it had flowed away with the river of time, now only a distant memory.

The inn’s young waiter, seeing someone standing long at the door, stepped out to ask: “Guest, are you seeking lodging? If you’re in trouble, our back courtyard’s firewood shed, though humble, can serve as a place to rest for the night.”

The waiter was about thirteen or fourteen, his face youthful, eyes clear.

Xu Yuan smiled—he was just like himself when he first arrived in Qihé Terrace Town.

“Thank you,” Xu Yuan turned away: “But I don’t need it.”

Next, Xu Yuan went to Ying Taipo’s house.

When she left, she had always worried about this courtyard.

Earlier, when chatting with Ah Guang and Xi Yazi, his main concern had been whether they came often to clean.

Both naturally said they did.

Xu Yuan checked—the courtyard inside and out was clean and tidy; they hadn’t lied.

Then Xu Yuan returned to the village office, slept one night, and headed back to the county seat.

Tomorrow was New Year’s Eve.

Before leaving, Xu Yuan had roughly calculated the time and made plans with Wang Shen—she would return too, and they’d celebrate the New Year together in the alley.

Xu Yuan bought all the New Year goods in the county seat, then returned to River Worker Alley.

Before leaving home for his post, Xu Yuan had thought he wouldn’t make it back for this New Year.

Yet here he was, right in Ghost Witch Mountain.

At the alley’s entrance, he met Uncle Mao Si.

Seeing Xu Yuan laden with packages, the old man chuckled and went over to help carry them: “You’re back.”

“I was just in Ghost Witch Mountain yesterday, so I came home for the New Year.”

“Wang Shen came back yesterday—she already told us. Your stepmother is probably waiting for you.”

“Wang Shen’s back already?”

Uncle Mao Si couldn’t help laughing: “She’s back, and behind her trail a whole crowd, hehehe.”

The old secretaries who learned from San Niang didn’t want to let her go.

But this time, Wang Shen was resolute—she insisted on returning home for the New Year.

So the old secretaries simply followed her all the way to Shanhe County.

Uncle Mao Si picked them up yesterday.

He had seen them with his own eyes—each one with red eyes, saying, “So this is where the Ancestral Mistress lived? Only a few hundred li from us—and we never met in decades!”

Wang Shen sent them to inns in the county seat.

Then she let out a long sigh.

For this period, they had surrounded her constantly, serving her.

But Wang Shen, over decades, had grown used to doing everything herself.

In Zhancheng, she’d been fed and dressed by others—it was truly unbearable.

Xu Yuan and Uncle Mao Si entered the house; Xu Yuan called out: “I’m back!”

Since Wang Shen returned yesterday, Lin Wan had been uneasy—Ah Yuan had gone to Ghost Witch Mountain.

Now that Xu Yuan was truly back, her heart eased, yet she grumbled: “You’re back? What’s the yelling for? Do I have to come greet you?”

Xu Yuan set down his bags and declared firmly: “I’m hungry!”

He’d stay home at most two days—he had to return to Zhancheng the day after tomorrow.

This time frame was within his stepmother’s tolerance.

These two days, he could order whatever he wanted.

Sure enough, though she scolded, his stepmother rolled her eyes, tied on her apron, and went to cook.

“Uncle Mao, stay and eat with us.”

Uncle Mao Si politely refused twice, but was still kept.

Lin Wan directly ordered Xu Yuan: “Go get Elder Shen and Wang Shen—haven’t had a meal together in ages.”

Xu Yuan went.

He brought the two elders, but Wang Shen was still angry at Elder Shen, scowling and ignoring the old man.

Over dinner, Elder Shen asked Xu Yuan: “How’s the Purification Office?”

“Fine,” Xu Yuan picked and chose what to tell of his Zhancheng experiences.

Elder Shen listened intently, but Wang Shen couldn’t help sneering: “You abandoned your child’s welfare—now why are you asking all these questions?”

Elder Shen glared at Wang Shen, silently filled his pipe, and lit it.

After a while, he said: “Before returning to Zhancheng, come see me—I’ll give you something.”

“No need,” Xu Yuan waved his hand: “I don’t lack anything in Zhancheng…”

Wang Shen cut in: “Take it! Why refuse? Are you going to let this old man take it to his grave?”

Xu Yuan laughed helplessly.

Though the two elders clashed, his stepmother’s cooking was unmatched—this meal left Xu Yuan thoroughly satisfied.

After dinner, Xu Yuan asked Wang Shen: “Among these trees, which one hides the true seed?”

Wang Shen said: “Release your dantian. The true seed and your dantian will attract each other—the stronger the pull, the more suited the seed is to you.”

Xu Yuan nodded and released his Dragon Pearl dantian.

When Elder Shen saw Xu Yuan’s dantian, his eyelid twitched sharply: “Dragon Transformation Art…”

Since all present were true insiders, Xu Yuan had no need to hide it: “I killed a cultivator of the Dragon Transformation Art and swapped her Dragon Pearl for my old Cannonpowder dantian.”

Elder Shen complained: “Why didn’t you say you were practicing the Dragon Transformation Art?”

Wang Shen retorted: “You never cared about the child’s life—why tell you in detail?”

Elder Shen snapped: “Woman, shut up! I’m speaking seriously to the child! If Xu Yuan advances to Fifth Stream soon, next July 15, he can help!”

Wang Shen froze; Lin Wan shook her head: “Master doesn’t want Ah Yuan involved.”

Xu Yuan no longer accepted their “protection,” but he also didn’t bluntly reject his stepmother’s and late father’s good intentions.

He spoke: “If I lack the ability, I’ll accept my father’s and stepmother’s arrangements.”

“But I’m about to become a Fifth Stream dantian cultivator.”

“And no matter what, to others, my origin in River Worker Alley can never change.”

His stepmother still firmly upheld her master’s plan: “No means no!”

Xu Yuan said: “If before next July 15, my Dragon Transformation Art reaches Fifth Stream, let me return to help.”

“If I can’t, I’ll never mention this again—deal?”

Lin Wan shook her head: “But Master…”

Elder Shen coughed, interrupting: “Xiao Mo, Xu Yuan isn’t a child anymore.”

Lin Wan fell silent.

Xu Yuan wasn’t just no child—he’d advanced to Fifth Stream in mere months and now single-handedly led the Zhancheng Purification Office!

Elder Shen drew a puff of smoke, slowly exhaled, and said: “When Ma Tianshou first came to find Xu Yuan, I hesitated—I even wanted to stop him.”

“But look at Xu Yuan now—even the so-called prodigies of the Northern Capital may not surpass our Xu Yuan!”

Lin Wan said: “That proves Master’s plan is right. Xu Yuan has a great future—he shouldn’t be dragged down by River Worker Alley!”

Elder Shen didn’t directly refute her; he tapped his pipe and said: “I, as the elder, will decide this: we follow Xu Yuan’s terms.”

“But no…” Lin Wan panicked.

Elder Shen waved his hand: “Girl, you mean well, but have you thought—if Xu Yuan truly accepts your plan, this might become a knot in his heart he’ll never untie for the rest of his life!”

And... as Yuan eventually rises through the ranks, he will inevitably catch the attention of those in the Northern Capital.

Unless we completely resolve the matters at home, those in the Northern Capital will suppress him for life, preventing him from reaching higher positions.”

Lin Wanmo was also bewildered; rationally, she knew Master Shen was right.

But deep inside, she still believed that a master’s command outweighed heaven itself.

She could not help but look toward Wang Shen.

Wang Shen nodded to her: “During my time in Zhancheng, I’ve thought long and hard—our family has guarded this alley for generations, making countless efforts…”

But if there’s truly anyone who can fully resolve this matter, it’s only Yuan.”

Lin Wanmo bit her lip hard, unable to find words to refute.

Yuan’s promotion pace even surpassed hers in her prime.

And Master himself once said she was the most gifted person in He Gong Alley in the past hundred years.

But to defy her master’s command—she could not accept it yet.

Lin Wanmo said nothing, rose, and entered her room, slamming the door shut.

Xu Yuan exhaled, realizing his stepmother needed time to come to terms with this.

Master Shen and Wang Shen exchanged a glance—rarely had they been so in sync: they would need to find an opportunity to summon Xu HuanYang back and discuss this with him.

Wang Shen said to Xu Yuan: “Alright, find the True Seed and plant it within your Inner Dantian.”

Xu Yuan nodded and directed his Dragon Pearl Inner Dantian to sense each Tree Eye one by one.

Soon, he felt the Dragon Pearl Inner Dantian involuntarily draw close to one particular Tree Eye.

Xu Yuan took out three hairpins and gently sliced open that Tree Eye.

A brown, almond-shaped seed slid out.

Its surface was covered in intricate, pale golden patterns.

Radiating an aura of mysterious beauty.

“The higher the level, the greater the difficulty and danger of advancement,” Wang Shen said. “When ascending to the Sixth Stream, there will be...”

Wang Shen remembered that she had guarded Yuan himself during his Sixth Stream ascent.

She had been fully prepared, ready to sacrifice her life.

Yet not a single malevolent entity had interfered!

So Wang Shen glossed over that part and continued: “Ascending to the Fifth Stream is far more dangerous. Once the True Seed is planted in your Inner Dantian, the Dantian’s transformation triggers a change in your very life tier.”

You will gradually perceive another layer of reality—the Turbid Realm.”

You will experience peculiar changes within yourself:”

For instance, suddenly feeling you’ve become a mass of fire, or transforming into a monstrous being with multiple eyes and limbs, or merging with the surrounding space—things like that.”

At this moment, do not panic, do not fear—this is normal.”

Your body and soul are perceiving the essence of the world in their own way.”

If you panic or lose composure, your consciousness may scatter across the Yang World and never coalesce again!”

But this state will not last long.”

Generally, silently count to thirty, and it will end.”

You will feel yourself return to normal.”

After that, you must be cautious!”

The malevolent entities and anomalies within the Turbid Realm will notice you.”

They inherently despise all living beings and will not allow your ascent—they will stop you in ways you cannot imagine, turning you into one of them!”

Or they will seek to kill and devour you!”

We will guard you, but you must be vigilant—this time, they won’t just attack from the physical world; they’ll also invade through dreams, the mind sea, and other layers I cannot perceive!”

Xu Yuan nodded, memorizing every word Wang Shen said, then opened his mouth and swallowed both the Dragon Pearl Inner Dantian and the True Seed.

The True Seed slowly sank into the Dragon Pearl Inner Dantian.

Wang Shen signaled to Master Shen and Mao Si, who nodded solemnly and took positions to guard Xu Yuan.

The three stepped back, vanishing into the shadows of the room’s corners.

Wang Shen’s eyes gleamed brightly, recalling her previous guard duty during his Sixth Stream ascent.

She couldn’t help but wonder silently: Will this be the same as last time?

Xu Yuan sat cross-legged and activated the Five Cauldrons Cooking Scripture.

The True Seed would not grow anything inside the Dantian.

It would instead elevate the Dantian’s fundamental nature.

Xu Yuan was no stranger to the Turbid Realm—he had entered it several times already.

But those were only the parts within Zhancheng.

What would be different here in Shanhe County?

Gradually, Xu Yuan felt the state Wang Shen had described.

Xu Yuan suddenly felt “I” was no longer “I”!

A thick gray mist surged before him, yet for some reason, the mist acted like a mirror, reflecting his current form.

“I” had become a ghostly deity over seven zhang tall, radiating You blue Ming flame, with refined features yet radiating an inward, feminine malice.

The garments and ornaments he wore were beyond the reach of any ordinary mortal.

Yet for some reason, he had no hands.

His sleeves hung empty, fluttering without wind.

Around him floated cold delicacies, self-rolling medicine grinders, writhing herbs like earthworms, and Zha knives caked in blood!

Behind his head burned a sinister crimson moon!

From the moon, countless crimson threads spread outward, crawling like insects.

Xu Yuan silently counted in his mind: one, two, three, four, five…

He counted all the way to thirty.

The state had not faded!

Xu Yuan remained calm, composed, and kept counting: “Thirty-one, thirty-two…”

He counted all the way to sixty—then the gray mist before him vanished without a trace.

It disappeared into thin air, as if it had never existed!

Simultaneously, “I” suddenly realized “I” was no longer the ghostly deity.

This shift in perception was abrupt.

He suddenly knew: “I” was no longer the “ghostly deity I.”

But “I” had not returned to Xu Yuan either.

Now “I” could see myself.

“I” was now an extremely complex “net.”

Ordinary nets were flat—but “I” was three-dimensional.

At every intersection node grew an eye, impossibly tiny.

So small they were like dust.

These eyes could see one another, so “I” could see “myself.”

Within “my” own eyes, “I” appeared infinitely complex.

Like… two mirrors facing each other, reflecting endless layers of images.

And “I” was still growing.

The net extended endlessly in all directions, infinitely.

And countless new eyes sprouted…

Xu Yuan immediately wondered: Had a malevolent entity invaded my consciousness?

But Wang Shen said that after this state ended, one would recognize they had returned to normal.

Only then would the malevolent entities and anomalies arrive.

But I had not returned to normal.

Then I must still be in that “profound perception of the world” state.

Xu Yuan calmed himself.

He could not comprehend his current state, so he deliberately stopped thinking about “self.”

He simply counted in his mind: “One, two, three, four, five…”

This time he counted to sixty—and still remained in the “net” state.

Anyone else would have been terrified by now.

Even during the “ghostly deity I” phase, most would have lost their composure by thirty.

But Xu Yuan remained utterly composed.

From the beginning, Xu Yuan knew he was different from ordinary cultivators.

Ever since swallowing the June Worm, I’ve been different from them.

Throughout this cultivation path, too many “irrational” things have happened to me.

So Xu Yuan firmly remembered Wang Shen’s words: “Do not panic. Do not fear.”

He continued counting: “Sixty-one, sixty-two, sixty-three…”

He counted all the way to one hundred and twenty.

Just like before, “Me” suddenly vanished.

But just like before, it did not return to “Xu Yuan.”

This time it was… nothingness!

Xu Yuan did not know what “Me” looked like now.

There was no “mirror” to reflect himself, nor eyes to see himself.

But Xu Yuan felt that “Me” was looking down from above.

As if gazing over all things.

Yet below, the void drifted aimlessly, too indistinct to make out anything.

“One, two, three, four, five…” Xu Yuan counted inwardly, and with each number, his awareness of this state of “Me” grew clearer and stronger.

High above, yet distant from all.

This time, he counted all the way to “two hundred and forty,” when everything vanished abruptly.

Xu Yuan finally felt that “Me” had returned.

“Me” was myself—I am Xu Yuan.

Xu Yuan held fast to his spirit, preparing for the moment Wang Shen had warned of: the demonic and strange entities that would interfere with and assault him through every layer and means.

At the same time, Xu Yuan clearly sensed the qualitative enhancement the True Seed had brought to his Golden Core and himself.

For instance, the temperature of the “fire in the belly” far surpassed anything before.

For instance, the power contained within his Golden Core had increased more than tenfold.

For instance, his understanding of alchemical principles had reached a new height.

Now, if he encountered a Fifth-Stream demon, he had confidence he could spit out a single flame and reduce it to ash.

Xu Yuan waited, hoping that if a demon did appear, he could slay it and perhaps gain another good material.

Suddenly, strange sounds entered his ears.

Xu Yuan did not need to open his eyes—he followed the sounds and sensed the portion of Zhuojian belonging to Shanhe County.

Compared to Zhan City, this place was more dilapidated.

Almost every building within the city had collapsed.

Some indescribable things, filthy beyond words, lurked within patches of shadow.

Above, massive cracks could be seen; beyond them, strange starlight flickered, yet the starry void held nothing that would notice such a tiny “corner.”

Among the ruins, several patches of relatively complex colors lay scattered.

Judging by their style, they were buildings from ancient Chiao-chih.

From one of them, a thick black sludge slowly oozed forth.

Several thin fissures split open within the sludge.

Along the edges grew sharp teeth.

In the center was a dead-gray eyeball.

The eyeball turned stiffly, as if seeing Xu Yuan—or as if seeing nothing at all—and then closed again.

The sludge retracted back into the cracks of the ruins.

As if burrowing deeper into the ruins.

Xu Yuan waited a long time, but no demon came to “test” him.

…

Inside the room, Master Shen and the other two hid in the shadows, ready and alert.

Demons always emerged from these shadows.

Just as when ascending to the Sixth Stream.

Once the True Seed was planted in the Golden Core, one began perceiving certain essences of this world.

The Heavens would notice, sensing theft of certain “authority.”

The Door Gods would no longer offer protection.

Only after completing the ascent and ceasing this “perception” could one hide again and resume enjoying the Door Gods’ protection.

For a fleeting instant, all three sensed violent disturbance within Zhuojian!

Their expressions tightened instantly.

Though Shanhe County was a small town, it lay close to Ghost Witch Mountain.

All three knew that within Zhuojian’s Shanhe portion lurked an ancient and terrifying entity.

Born from a thousand years of corrupt filth from Chiao-chih’s mortal realm.

Lazy yet furious.

Immensely powerful.

Such violent disturbance could only be caused by that thing.

No other demon possessed such strength.

All three prepared for a brutal battle!

Even in the adjacent room, Lin Wanmo sensed it.

Her face paled; silently, she laid out one artifact after another before her.

But the violent disturbance came swiftly and vanished just as fast.

In an instant, Zhuojian grew calm.

All was serene and tranquil.

Lin Wanmo was filled with confusion; outside, only Wang Shen gave a quiet nod.

Just as when ascending to the Sixth Stream.

Master Shen stepped out from the shadows, puzzled, staring at Wang Shen.

Wang Shen lifted her head proudly, refusing to explain to that old fool.

Our A Yuan is just that remarkable!

…

This time, Xu Yuan’s cultivation lasted several hours, ending only as dusk approached.

The True Seed had fused with roughly thirty percent of his Golden Core.

It had already enabled him to successfully ascend to the Fifth Stream.

As for the three states of “Me,” Xu Yuan had his own guesses: each corresponded to one of his three destiny patterns.

Yet he still did not fully understand—the final state should correspond to “Boundless Freedom.”

But what did that state… actually mean?

Lin Wanmo pretended not to guard him, but the moment Xu Yuan ended his practice, her door opened and she asked: “Are you hungry?”

Xu Yuan smiled and patted his stomach: “I am, indeed.”

Lin Wanmo went to cook.

Wang Shen asked: “How much did it fuse?”

“Thirty percent,” Xu Yuan answered honestly.

Master Shen’s body trembled: “What?”

“Thirty percent. What’s wrong?”

Master Shen’s beard quivered with excitement; he fumbled for his pipe to calm himself, but after several tries, he could not scoop any tobacco into the bowl.

Xu Yuan watched, utterly baffled: “What’s wrong with Grandpa?”

Wang Shen beamed with pride and said deliberately: “This old fool has no experience—he’s startled by this? Hmph, our A Yuan was always meant to reach this level!”

(End of Chapter)