Chapter 192: New Alliance, Old Friends

In the southwest of Kuaiji, within the borders of Quzhou, there is a mountain. Two hundred miles to the north lies Qingzhou, two hundred miles to the west is Yu Zhang, and two hundred miles to the south is Bamin. It is situated on a vital thoroughfare with convenient transportation.

This mountain is not far from the Qu River, and there are two large lakes nearby. With mountains and water complementing each other, the scenery is beautiful.

However, the Divine Land is vast and filled with magnificent landscapes; there is no telling how many mountains like this exist. Thus, in the past, no one paid much attention to this place, and no one had occupied it to establish a sect.

That was until one day, when Mount Juqu, Mount Sanqing, Mount Luofu, and Mount Siming jointly announced the establishment of the Haoran Alliance. Its primary purpose was to actively guard against the infiltration of the Northern Sect demonic forces from the northwest and to proactively strike at the Southern Sect and overseas demonic forces along the southeast coast. Consequently, righteous forces from places like Jin Ling, Yu Zhang, Bamin, Yu Yang, and Kuaiji responded in succession.

Finally, after several surveys, the general headquarters of the Haoran Alliance was set at this mountain within Quzhou, and it was named Mount Ziwei. It was not chosen for its ley line spiritual energy, but simply for the convenience of issuing orders.

When it was first decided to be located here, the local powers of Kuaiji, the "Three Days of Divine Excellence"—namely Mount Tianmu, Mount Tiantai, and Mount Tianmu—were unhappy. None of the Three Days of Divine Excellence joined the Haoran Alliance, and the reason they did not join was that Mount Longhu had not joined either.

However, their unhappiness mattered little; Kuaiji was not theirs to decide. Even Mount Longhu could not stop what several ancestral courts had jointly decided to do, let alone the Three Days of Divine Excellence. Moreover, Mount Ziwei was located on the border of Kuaiji, far from them, and had not occupied their territory.

Mount Ziwei is very close to Mount Sanqing; even if one were to travel slowly by riding a cloud, it would only take a little over an hour. After Cheng Xinzhan stepped into the Golden Core realm, the change compared to the Second Realm was earth-shattering. To say nothing else, the act of flying through the air was incomparable to before.

The physical body of the Third Realm is no longer confined to the state of bone and blood; it can transform into a mass of refined and solidified spiritual energy, as light as a feather. As long as one relaxes their thoughts, a gust of wind is enough to send them soaring into the clouds. Even if one were to pass away at the end of their lifespan, the remains would not be a cold corpse, but would instead transform into a mass of fluttering white feathers, scattering between heaven and earth, subsequently dissolving into spiritual energy to nourish the world. The Daoist inner elixir would then transform into an illusory white crane, flapping its wings amidst the white feathers, soaring beyond the blue void.

Transcending the mortal to become an immortal—this is why the Golden Core realm is respectfully called "Feather Master."

At this moment, Cheng Xinzhan's physical body transformed into a mass of refined spiritual light, attaching itself to the speeding "Taodu." From afar, it looked like a crimson-gold stream of sword light, and in just a moment, he arrived at Mount Ziwei.

——Director He Bingkun had been urging him tightly. After forming his Golden Core, Cheng Xinzhan had only stayed on Mount Mingzhi for half a month. After clarifying the key path of cultivation for Gu Xinshu, he left the mountain.

The current Mount Ziwei is bustling with people coming and going, weaving like a loom, and is exceptionally lively. The mountain-protecting formation, the "Ziwei Star Capital Great Formation," was built jointly by Mount Juqu providing the personnel and the other allies providing the funds and labor. The foundation of the formation consists of twenty-eight large floating islands inside and three hundred and sixty-five small observation platforms on the periphery.

The observation platforms are like nodes in a net, and between the nodes, they are connected by purple light mist. From afar, Cheng Xinzhan offered the passage token given by Director He Bingkun, striking it against the light mist. The formation opened a gap, and after the sword light passed through, the formation closed automatically.

The people on duty on the floating platform knew from this posture that a high-level Golden Core cultivator had arrived.

The twenty-eight large floating islands inside are named after the twenty-eight constellations. The station of Mount Sanqing is Kui Wood Island. These islands are arranged according to the star map, and without needing anyone to lead the way, Cheng Xinzhan found Kui Wood Island at a glance.

There were many people on the island, bustling and noisy. As soon as the sword light landed, someone discovered him.

"This Feather Master, may I ask if you are from the sect, or are you here to find someone?"

A young, enthusiastic Daoist priest came forward to greet him.

"Where have your eyes grown? You don't even recognize Master Cheng!"

A Daoist priest nearby also saw him and walked up quickly, pulling the previous Daoist to bow. It seemed he recognized Cheng Xinzhan.

Cheng Xinzhan smiled and returned the salute to both of them.

"Master Cheng, the hub of the island is in the Heavenly Wolf Hall, and the one in charge is Mountain Master Zhao Wuji."

The later Daoist pointed out a direction for Cheng Xinzhan. Cheng Xinzhan thanked him and headed toward the Heavenly Wolf Hall.

After Cheng Xinzhan left, the Daoist who still didn't recognize him pointed at his back and asked, "Who is this?"

The other Daoist told him, "You actually don't recognize him? Have you never even heard of Cheng Nandou?"

"Oh! It's him! The one who occupies three of the four Nandou lists? The one who is at the head of the Plow Court list?"

The Daoist who explained for him nodded and added, "Before the Haoran Alliance was established, it was rumored that Master Cheng was preparing to form his Golden Core. Now that he has come out of the mountain to the alliance, arriving in a rainbow, he must have successfully formed his Golden Core. A Golden Core at thirty-something—he must have made it onto the Golden Core list as well. From now on, the title 'Cheng Nandou' is truly well-deserved."

The other person listened with a look of longing and nodded, "A Golden Core at thirty-something... I was already twenty-six when I opened two palaces. When will I ever reach Golden Core?"

————

Cheng Xinzhan arrived at the entrance of the Heavenly Wolf Hall. Naturally, there were guards at the door. As soon as he saw the person on duty, his eyes lit up, and he walked up quickly.

"Daoist Brother He Jiyuan!"

He Jiyuan had not expected to see Cheng Xinzhan here. His face also showed joy, and he came forward to welcome him. At the same time, as if remembering something, his pace slowed, and a bitter smile appeared on his face.

"I should call you Feather Master now. In terms of seniority, realm, and reputation, I am far inferior to you. It is no longer appropriate for you to call me Daoist Brother."

Cheng Xinzhan saw at a glance that He Jiyuan was complete in the Five Elements, and his chest and abdomen were filled with blood energy. This was a sign of having gathered the Five Palaces and opened the Crimson Palace. This Daoist brother, who walked a bit slower, had finally entered the Second Realm. He was about to congratulate him, but suddenly hearing He Jiyuan say such things, his expression changed.

"Is Daoist Brother trying to keep me at a distance, treating me like a stranger?"

He Jiyuan waved his hands repeatedly, panicking, "No, no, how could you interpret it that way?"

Cheng Xinzhan said sternly, "If we were not familiar, if we had never met, you could call me Feather Master or Daoist Priest as you please. But we share the bond of having slept in the same room! It was you, Daoist Brother, who guided me when I first started cultivation. The first bowl of white flour I ate in the sect was paid for by you, Daoist Brother. The first magic tool I obtained in the sect was the crane lamp you gifted me. Now that we meet, I still call you Daoist Brother, yet you want to call me Feather Master. Why, does our bond change with the change in cultivation realm?"

He Jiyuan was left speechless, his face full of shame. He turned his back and lowered his head, "That... that was my fault."

Subsequently, he composed his expression, as if wiping away tears, then turned back and raised his head, looking at Cheng Xinzhan with a full face of smiles.

"Xinzhan, congratulations! You have formed your Golden Core; this is truly stepping onto the path of longevity."

Cheng Xinzhan replied, "Thank you, Daoist Brother. Daoist Brother, do you still remember the bold words you said to me when you opened your palace? The Great Dao is right under our feet. If we take longevity as the destination, then walking fast or slow makes no essential difference. Moreover, Daoist Brother, you are accumulating strength; when the time comes, all your apertures will be clear, and you will form your Golden Core in one go. Perhaps you will walk even more steadily than I do."

He Jiyuan was overjoyed and said with a smile, "Xinzhan, you are here to find the Prefecture Master, right? The Prefecture Master is inside. You go handle your business first, and we will gather again tonight. Feng Jihu and Sun Miaoshu are all here."

Cheng Xinzhan was overjoyed and smiled, saying yes.

After entering the hall, he saw Prefecture Master Zhao Wuji. He was also very familiar with him. He performed the disciple's salute and addressed him as Master Zhao.

Zhao Wuji was very happy to see him come, and hearing his conversation with He Jiyuan just now made him even happier.

"Back then, you came to the Yingyuan Prefecture to learn thunder techniques to resolve the true evil energy attacking your acupoints. That was when our bond began. So many years have passed; I have not made an inch of progress, while you have already formed your Golden Core."

Cheng Xinzhan felt ashamed after hearing this, "Master Zhao, please don't joke with your disciple. I heard you are about to reach the Eighth Purification. Whether I am eating Qi or forming a Golden Core, there is no difference in front of you."

Zhao Wuji laughed out loud.

Cheng Xinzhan also wanted to joke with his master, so he said, "Master Zhao, before I came, the Hong Jiaozhu told me that among the Eight Pulse Mountain Masters, you are the one walking at the very front. He is now waiting for you to undergo Nascent Soul transformation; after all, the position of Vice Hong Jiaozhu has been vacant for a long time."

Zhao Wuji's laughter stopped abruptly. He touched his forehead with his hand and sighed up to the sky.

"The Hong Jiaozhu wants to work us to death! Xinzhan, you have just formed your Golden Core; are you being driven over here instead of closing your doors in the mountain to stabilize your realm?"

Cheng Xinzhan shook his head with a smile, "The disciple was not driven here; the disciple wanted to come."

"When will your first tribulation come?"

"Fifty years later." "Oh, then your Golden Core can be called perfect and flawless. Indeed, there is no need to close your doors to stabilize it."

Zhao Wuji is a master of thunder techniques. Cheng Xinzhan took advantage of the situation and said with a thick skin, "Master Zhao, the disciple wants the first tribulation to come sooner. I wonder if you have any secret techniques for this?"

Zhao Wuji naturally knew the importance of the first tribulation and understood Cheng Xinzhan's meaning. After a moment of contemplation, he said,

"There is indeed a technique. Although its original intention is not to invite tribulation, it actually has the effect of doing so. This is a thunder-invoking secret technique used to temper and consolidate the Golden Core, to prevent the Golden Core from being shattered during the true elixir-washing tribulation. It is called the 'Taiyi Hunyuan Elixir Fetal Thunder Fire Tempering Secret Technique'."

However, Zhao Wuji did not tell Cheng Xinzhan that this technique, passed down from the Ancient Thunder Department, is one of the highest secret techniques of the Yingyuan Prefecture and is not easily taught. At the same time, this is also the key to his Golden Core being able to withstand seven purifications.

Although Cheng Xinzhan is not a true direct descendant of the Yingyuan Prefecture, Zhao Wuji did not hide anything from him. This is not only because Cheng Xinzhan is someone valued by the Hong Jiaozhu, nor just because of the bond formed while auditing in the Hub Mountain, but because Zhao Wuji knows that this child is someone who knows how to repay kindness.

After Cheng Xinzhan returned from the sea, knowing the significance of the "Long Yin Water Lei Gang" to thunder technique cultivators, he separated half a liang as soon as he returned to the sect and handed it to Zhao Wuji. In addition, when he realized the "Heavenly Pivot" divine ability—"Long Yin"—he also went to the Yingyuan Prefecture to preach and taught this life-embedded divine ability, which is extremely suitable for performing dragon thunder techniques, to his fellow disciples.

Coupled with the character this child has always shown—just like the conversation he had with He Jiyuan at the door just now—Zhao Wuji knows that no matter what achievements this child reaches in the future, he will not treat the Yingyuan Prefecture poorly.

Zhao Wuji called Cheng Xinzhan forward and taught him this technique with the divine ability of direct transmission.

Cheng Xinzhan only took a rough look and saw that this secret technique contained many ancient and obscure talismans, incantations, and Qi-practicing techniques. He knew this was not a simple technique and thanked him repeatedly.

"This secret technique is good for washing the elixir, but if you want to invite tribulation, it is only useful for the first tribulation; it won't work later on. I'll make this clear to you first. Also, remember, the technique must not be passed to a third ear!"

!

Zhao Wuji gave a warning.

Cheng Xinzhan naturally agreed. Once the teacher says this, it means it cannot be known by a third person, even his future disciples. He had made such an oath when he was reading the classics on Mount Juqu.

"Master Zhao, the sect asked me to come to the alliance to listen to orders. Do you have any errands to assign?"

Zhao Wuji had a thousand things on his mind, and naturally, there were a lot of errands. Hearing Cheng Xinzhan ask for orders, he thought for a moment and said,

"You should know the two major directions of the alliance: defend the north and strike the south. Which side do you want to go to?"

"South."

"The current tasks in the south mainly include two things. The first is to nibble away at the sea area around the Three Corpse Islands and cut off communication and support from the deep sea. The second is to enter the Southern Border to investigate the changes in the Southern Border after the Green Robe entered the Fifth Realm, as well as the situation in the South China Sea. Both involve killing demons when you see them. Which one do you choose?"

"Hmm—"

Cheng Xinzhan pondered for a moment and then said, "Go to the Southern Border."

Zhao Wuji nodded, issued an order arrow, handed it to him, and said,

"The Red-Haired Old Ancestor's eldest disciple, Yao Kaijiang, defected to the Green Robe. His second disciple, Hong Changbao, took the remaining Red Wood Ridge disciples and fled deep into the Miao Border, resisting Mount Baiman while waiting for an opportunity to find a mountain to establish a sect and continue the lineage. Currently, the Green Dragon Cave in the Miao Border is relatively inclined toward Red Wood Ridge. Although the Immortal Cave does not openly help Red Wood Ridge, it is also merciless toward the Mount Baiman demons who harass the depths of the Miao Border."

"Therefore, we believe that the Red Wood Ridge side sect has a deep hatred for the Green Robe and has a deep foundation in the Miao Border. If Hong Changbao can re-establish the sect, it will be conducive to curbing the development of the Southern Sect demonic forces. You go and help with this matter."

Cheng Xinzhan took the order arrow, saluted, and said, "The disciple obeys."

"Don't be in a hurry. There are dossiers in the alliance. Before you go, look at the current situation in the Southern Border that the alliance has inquired about, and make preparations before you go. It's not a matter of a day or two. Even more, don't fight alone. We not only have fellow disciples in the mountain but also allies from various sects in the mountains. You gather some people and go with you."

Zhao Wuji said meaningfully.

Thinking of the conversation at the entrance of the Cuntian Hall three years ago, Cheng Xinzhan naturally understood Zhao Wuji's meaning, nodded in agreement, bowed, and took his leave.

After walking out of the Heavenly Wolf Hall, looking at the people outside, Cheng Xinzhan was stunned.

Besides He Jiyuan, there were Feng Jihu, Pu Jixuan, Ceng Ji, Sun Miaoshu, Huang Miaoluo, and Fang Weimin, six people here.

"You are all here!"

Cheng Xinzhan laughed loudly.

"Greetings to the Golden Core Feather Master!"

The seven people saluted in unison.

However, except for Fang Weimin, there was no sign of respect on their faces; they were all winking and making faces.

"Good, you're all here to tease me. Then let me show you the power of a Golden Core!"

Cheng Xinzhan pretended to pinch a formula, and the crowd scattered like birds and beasts.

————

At the foot of the southeast mountain of Mount Ziwei, there is a tea stall market. Although the general headquarters of Mount Ziwei has not been built for long, as soon as there are many people, tea stall markets follow quickly.

A group of people sat down in one of the tea stalls.

"It's not just us. Except for (Xiao) Miaoyu who is closing her doors to form her Golden Core, everyone is here. (Zhu) Jianmo and (Zhu) Jianrong are on Kui Wood Island now, but they can't get away because they are refining puppets and elixirs. (Xu) Jishen, (Yu) Miaoyin, and (Zheng) Miaoji have received order arrows and haven't returned from outside."

Feng Jihu said to Cheng Xinzhan.

"Why is everyone here?"

"Naturally, we have to come. Subduing demons and eliminating monsters is our duty as the righteous path. What's more, the reward for receiving order arrows here is much higher than taking errands in the sect."

Huang Miaoluo replied with a smile.

Cheng Xinzhan nodded and then asked about everyone's cultivation.

Fang Weimin has also formed his Golden Core. This Daoist child and another Daoist child, Zheng Miaoji, have been chasing each other for many years, but he took the first step.

Ceng Ji, Sun Miaoshu, Huang Miaoluo, and Feng Jihu all obtained opportunities and plowed the court with true evil energy. Pu Jixuan's cultivation path was relatively compatible with the Heavenly Gang in the sect, and she almost exhausted the points she had accumulated to exchange with the sect for a "Heavy Cloud Covering Heavenly Gang." She was the only one among these few who plowed the court with Spiritual Gang.

He Jiyuan is still looking for Gang and evil energy and has no clue. Coming to the Haoran Alliance is also to bump into opportunities.

Cheng Xinzhan decided to wait a few more years to see. If He Jiyuan still couldn't find Gang and evil energy, he decided to share some "Long Yin Water Lei Gang" with this Daoist brother who had a special bond with him. At present, he still had more than two liang in his hand, which would be enough for plowing the court if it went smoothly. But there was no need to give it now. First, He Jiyuan would definitely not accept it. Second, there were too many fellow disciples who needed Gang and evil energy. It would be fine to share a liang or a few zhu to understand the law, just like giving it to the Jiang family in Poyang Lake, but if he gave out one or two liang at once, it would be favoring one over the other.

As for the other acquaintances, Xiao Miaoyu was closing her doors in the sect to form her Golden Core. Zhu Jianmo, Xu Jishen, and Yu Miaoyin had all plowed the court. Zhu Jianrong and Zheng Miaoji had also plowed the court, and both had Gang and evil energy, but they should not be too satisfied and were still hesitating to form the Golden Core, still looking for new Gang and evil energy.

"Everyone, I received an order arrow from Master Zhao and want to go to the Southern Border. Is anyone willing to go with me?"

Cheng Xinzhan asked.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 193 =====