[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-dao-dust-pearl":3,"chapter-the-dao-dust-pearl-the-dao-dust-pearl-chapter-75":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Dao Dust Pearl",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2359576,4614,"Chapter 75: Chapter Seventy-Five: The Twenty-Eight Characters of Shenzhou","the-dao-dust-pearl-chapter-75",75,"\u003Cp>Bai Lu Men’s Sect Master, Sun Huanqin, remained dazed all the way back to Bai Lu Cliff, where her sect’s mountain gate stood; Jin Chuan Men was a sect of equal strength to Bai Lu Men, lacking only in depth of heritage, and its Sect Master, Pei True Person, had always been Pei’s equal in status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, in recent years, it had produced a steady stream of talented disciples, showing signs of flourishing, and even subtly extending its influence into other sects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earlier, when Pei’s sect master had arranged a marriage for his nephew, it had clearly been with this intent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Huanqin had never imagined that a sect with over a dozen Core Formation elders, a Sect Master at mid-grade Golden Core, profound foundations, and more than a hundred Fa Law cultivators—missing only a single upper-grade Golden Core cultivator who had forged a Yang Shen True Person—could rival great sects like Mei Shan Jiao and Bai Cao Pai in strength. Yet such a thriving force had been toppled by an unknown itinerant cultivator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he had done it alone, with a single sword, cutting through the mountain gate, slaughtering his way to the sect’s main hall, and toppling the Sect Master—no one could stand against his ferocity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What kind of itinerant is this? This isn’t an itinerant at all… If he’s an itinerant, what are we? A den of beggars?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Huanqin recalled the entanglement involving her disciples and felt a headache coming on; after returning to the sect, she summoned a serving disciple and ordered him to fetch her two apprentices. Guan Pingxuan had returned to Bai Lu Men still in a daze; Yan Cai had tried to comfort her several times, but could not rouse her from her shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Guan Pingxuan’s mind, Brother Pei had already been the most outstanding among the younger generation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even in remote regions like Jiuzhen Commandery, let alone in the prosperous heartlands of the Central Plains, could he be considered inferior to any true Daoist heir… She had seen the disciples of the Dao Academies before—each one who achieved mid-grade Golden Core would boast endlessly, even throwing lavish Golden Core Celebrations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to Brother Pei, who pursued only upper-grade Golden Core, they seemed utterly unworthy, and she looked down on them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this young talent, whose future was boundless, whose reputation already echoed across the region, whose Dao cultivation was profound—had been killed simply for crossing paths with a wandering itinerant!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Qian Chen pierced Pei Junhu’s heart had become her nightmare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her state, Yan Cai could not help but say: “Sister, you needn’t be so shaken… I don’t believe that Qian the itinerant is truly just a wandering rogue. When Brother Pei sent someone to inquire at the City God’s temple, I sensed the City God’s refusal was firm—almost as if he feared this man more than he feared offending Brother Pei.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Later, when I inquired further, I learned of another strange event not long ago… The Wei family hosted a Golden Core Elixir Gathering for a heretical cultivator, but no elixir was forged—only the man himself was turned to ash. Accounts of what happened varied wildly, but perhaps the City God’s words hold a clue.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“On the day of the gathering, the City God appeared to warn them, saying this heretical cultivator had angered a high master, and that the hundred ghosts he lent from the Yin Earth to assist in the ritual… had somehow birthed something terrible that killed the man!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The City God’s imprisonment of evil ghosts is his duty—how could he dare lend them out lightly?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only with a divine talisman issued by a true Daoist heir could the City God legitimately grant such aid… Thus, the man’s identity is nearly obvious: a high master skilled in elixir crafting, recently appearing in Jiuzhen Commandery, with formidable magic power… Isn’t this precisely the man Cui Dan introduced to us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But… even if he were a true Daoist heir, how could he be so violent?” Guan Pingxuan exclaimed in shock and fury. “The Dao Academies govern all Dao sects and are the foremost of the Dao. Yet even the inner disciples of Jiuzhen’s Dao Academy scrambled to flatter Brother Pei! In Northern Wei, the two True Persons of the Xu family held the ‘Monthly Evaluation’; in Southern Jin, the late Wang Yan of the Wang family held the ‘One-Generation Dragon Gate’—they regularly assessed the world’s talents… In the past sixty years, twenty-eight outstanding young talents from noble families and immortal sects have risen to prominence, known as the Twenty-Eight Characters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Twelve from Northern Wei, sixteen from Southern Jin—these are the most exceptional among the younger generation of Chixian Shenzhou.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cui Yan of the Cui family received Wang Yan’s praise: ‘Clear river broad, inner brilliance bright,’ placing him among the next generation’s candidates for the Twenty-Eight Characters. Yet even his own younger brother is no better!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even the Wang family’s Wang Longxiang, hailed as ‘Peaceful Auspices, True Dragon of Great Tribulation’…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Or the Xie family’s Xie Lingyun, called ‘Orchid and Jade Tree, the Scholar of Jiangzuo’…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve met the heirs of the Wang and Xie families—they were all inferior to Brother Pei. If a single true Daoist heir could wield such power, then any one of the Twenty-Eight Characters could sweep away the entire Jiuzhen immortal sects!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve never heard of any of the Twenty-Eight Characters being this formidable!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Cai fell silent; she couldn’t very well tell her sister that the logic was indeed correct. She had always possessed a subtle, keen mind; after witnessing Qian Chen slay Brother Pei, she had reflected and felt that even if she reached Pei Junhu’s level, she still wouldn’t be his match—but facing five or six Pei Junhus would be no challenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killing them wouldn’t be hard at all!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Twenty-Eight Characters were all Foundation Establishment top-grade cultivators, their methods imbued with true spirit; those ranked in the top nine were said to have achieved upper-grade Golden Core and were preparing to exit the list, selecting new successors. Such figures could easily sweep through Jiuzhen—it was entirely plausible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a disciple stepped forward to announce: “The Sect Master requests your presence!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Pingxuan rose hastily: “Master has returned! Though that man is violent, he won’t remain so for long! I believe he’s merely a lower-grade Golden Core; he killed Brother Pei by surprise, but how could he withstand Pei’s sect master’s retaliation? When the Jiuzhen immortal sects unite as one, they will surely lend aid. If he flees, fine—but if he stays, his head will fall in days!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, we must decide how to explain this to Pei’s sect master!” Guan Pingxuan frowned and sighed. “Brother Pei died because of us—if Pei’s sect master blames us…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, you sent this man to Jin Yang Men to die—that was a clever move. But preventing me from informing Pei’s sect master… that was a mistake. Worse, you gave him our Bai Lu Men’s invitation! This matter is now hard to explain. We need Master to intervene and clarify things… If Master is willing to lead the hunt to kill him, then Pei’s sect master will surely not blame us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Cai sighed helplessly—if Pei’s sect master blamed them, wouldn’t their Master protect them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All she could think of was burdening Master with risk to erase their troubles, bowing low, begging for mercy… yet forgetting that Master was the great tree shielding them from wind and rain. If Pei’s sect master dared not act openly, what small harassments could possibly matter? Why force Master to expend energy for them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You used to seem clever—why are you so foolish when it matters most?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moreover, the elixir aura rising from behind him clearly didn’t originate from his dantian. And a cultivator with such sword resolve, coupled with exquisite elixir arts—how could he possibly have a lower-grade Golden Core?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Golden Core stage favors elixir masters; I’ve never heard of a great elixir master achieving only a lower-grade Primordial Elixir.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Cai silently criticized: she wasn’t as indecisive as Sun Huanqin believed—she simply chose not to voice opinions or overturn others’ views… She was too clever to waste effort on such foolishness. She knew what to do—why force others to agree?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Cai knew she had insight, patience, and endurance—but she lacked the unyielding tenacity to pursue a goal relentlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hence, others perceived her as timid and lacking conviction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Qian Chen—this man who said, “I can’t convince you, so I’ll speak with my sword!”—his decisiveness and resolve impressed her. Perhaps people always envy what they lack. Always holding back words for fools, seeing such direct communication, one couldn’t help but envy it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two entered the hall; before Sun Huanqin could speak, Guan Pingxuan recounted the events—she offered no embellishment, merely presenting part of the truth from her own perspective: Qian Chen’s arrogance, his brutality, his unreasonable conduct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had expected her Master to fly into a protective rage and act…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after Guan Pingxuan finished, Sun True Person let out a deep sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you know… Jin Chuan Men’s mountain gate was breached, and Pei’s sect master is already dead!” Sun True Person’s words stunned Guan Pingxuan so thoroughly she could no longer tell east from west.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master… this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes… it was done by the man you mentioned. Pingxuan… from now on, our sect will close its mountain gate and restrain disciples from stirring up trouble… Cultivation demands caution. Even if karmic entanglements or verbal disputes arise, always seek peaceful resolution with fellow cultivators. Never again act with arrogance or brutality! The Jin Chuan Pei family’s arrogance led to their downfall—we are a small sect, we cannot afford to provoke such a force. Better to respect them from afar…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Pingxuan sat as still as a quail, gently nodding: “Disciple understands.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pingxuan…” Sun True Person sighed. “You will enter the Jin Sha Cave and enter seclusion for seven years. Refine your nature. Do not emerge until I send word.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Pingxuan’s face turned pale, but she could only say: “Disciple understands.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Cai felt a faint disappointment. This was the first time she had ever encountered a cultivator so far beyond her peers—if she could befriend even one, perhaps she could glimpse the world as those true celestial prodigies saw it. She remembered being a child, gazing up at the small patch of sky above the courtyard, believing the entire world was that tiny expanse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, she wanted to look beyond the heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One day later, Qian Chen drained all the Yin True Sha energy beneath Jin Chuan Men’s main hall and departed peacefully. Jin Chuan Men was only too eager to see this plague depart; they immediately lifted the mountain gate’s restrictions and let Qian Chen ride the clouds far away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen sought out the lakeside villa Cui Dan had found for him, sealed the pavilion with the Heaven’s Net Umbrella, and began preparing to refine the Ice Soul Cold Light Gangqi  and Yin Primordial Sha, aiming to forge his Primordial Elixir.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was still over a month until the Dragon Boat Festival, the day he had planned to enter the Great Marsh to gather the Sha energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Chen sat cross-legged in the quiet chamber, dissolving the Ice Soul Needles; fine threads of white frost, radiating chilling cold, unfolded within the divine chamber at his Xuanguan, nearly freezing his Yin Spirit solid. Then, like a tide, black Sha energy surged in another divine chamber; following the method he had used previously to gestate the Elixir, he began merging the two.\u003C\u002Fp>",1933,"2026-06-21T05:39:58.326Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","976719da66fbd8e08433e386694b497e59126ae5f96fb162039a2a3528c03c48","the-dao-dust-pearl-chapter-76","the-dao-dust-pearl-chapter-74",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-dao-dust-pearl-cover.jpg"]