Chapter 228

The Eastern Waters region.

The White Bone Dao Buddhist soldiers had arrived, establishing camps and completely surrounding the Bai Family's stronghold.

Inside the command tent.

Dharma King Sangji had arranged for the two Dumu to take turns assaulting the Bai Family's Purple Mansion grand array, steadily draining its power. As for himself, he was currently hiding in the tent with Fang Qing, taking things easy.

Fang Qing sat cross-legged. In his mind, several plum blossoms drifted down and transformed into hexagrams.

“An auspicious hexagram?”

He let out a silent sigh.

“Where exactly is the good fortune in this? These divinations are becoming less and less accurate.”

If possible, Fang Qing naturally wanted nothing to do with a life-threatening conflict between two Golden Core sects.

Unfortunately, he had already invested too much. The sunk cost was simply too great.

Moreover, now that he possessed a divine status, even if a Purple Mansion battle broke out, he could at least survive for a short period of time. That would be more than enough to escape using the Dao-Genesis Pearl, making the risk relatively manageable.

‘This wretched place.'

‘Trying to enter seclusion and cultivate all the way to Purple Mansion or Golden Core in one uninterrupted stretch is completely impossible.'

‘At this point, I can only take things one step at a time.'

Calming his mind, Fang Qing continued sitting in meditation while mentally reviewing a pill formula.

It was none other than the third-rank mid-grade Profound Star Cascade Pill.

This pill could assist an early Core Formation cultivator in breaking through to the mid-stage. The refinement difficulty was not particularly high.

As for the required third-rank spiritual herbs?

He already possessed part of them. If Zhong Lingxiu purchased the remaining ingredients through Yuanxin Market, gathering a complete set should not be difficult.

‘This pill is already a third-rank mid-grade medicine. It isn't something I can muddle through with clever fire-control techniques alone.'

‘Any pill I consume must be genuine quality. Better yet, it should be a superior product, refined to the greatest extent possible.'

‘Looking at it this way, I still need to use water-method alchemy. That means a third-rank mid-grade or perhaps even third-rank high-grade spirit spring.'

‘Or perhaps I should return to the Minor Huan Sea to refine it? With my Void Traversal ability, the trip wouldn't take much effort anyway.'

‘Mm. Since this is a pill related to advancing one's cultivation realm, it also falls under the authority of [Jing Wood]. I can use the "Ji Wind and Bi Rain" method I've developed to refine it.'

Thus, Fang Qing openly began slacking off on the battlefield, gradually entering a state where he forgot both himself and his surroundings.

Outside the Bai Family's Purple Mansion grand array.

The two Dumu personally presided over the siege.

One manifested the Moonlight White Dharma Form, while the other displayed the Void Peacock Dharma Form. Their golden bodies towered like mountains, surrounding the Bai Family stronghold from both sides.

“Advance!”

“The White Bone Dao has decreed that the Bai Family are enemies of the Dharma. They are to be exterminated without exception!”

Fang Wujiu led Tian Youliang, Yue Mingxue, and a large number of local cultivators, driving wave after wave of captives toward the Bai Family's formation.

The grand array roared into operation.

Endless radiance of [Ji Water] descended from above.

Many cultivators did not even have time to scream before their bodies dissolved completely, leaving not a trace behind.

‘So this is what it truly means to drive the people like ants and spend lives like mud.'

Fang Wujiu's hands trembled at the sight.

“Why are you still standing there? Keep going!”

“There are plenty of worthless wretches nearby. Capture them all and throw them into the array!”

One of the borrowed soldiers beside him spoke carelessly.

During this period, they had not been used as cannon fodder to directly assault the Purple Mansion array. Instead, they had been constantly sweeping the surrounding area, capturing cultivators and feeding them into the array.

‘This should be some kind of blood sacrifice technique.'

‘Using blood qi to contaminate the foundation of the array?'

That was the only explanation Fang Wujiu could think of.

After all, the Esoteric Hidden-Treasury Domain was extraordinarily efficient when it came to making use of human blood and bones.

No matter what, forcing the evil cultivators of the Blissful Union region to die was preferable to sacrificing themselves.

“This... The Eastern Waters Bai Family claims to be a Purple Mansion immortal clan. These people were originally their subordinates. Some probably even belong to families connected through marriage. Why aren't they being rescued?”

Tian Youliang found the situation difficult to comprehend.

“Heh. If we mixed ourselves among them and used the opportunity to infiltrate the array, how would the Bai Family respond?”

“Besides, nobody knows how long this siege will last. If they brought all these people into the array, would they feed them using their own spiritual resources?”

“Even mortal generals faced with civilians being driven against their walls have only one answer: kill!”

Fang Wujiu sneered and took the opportunity to educate his son.

“When you walk the cultivation world in the future, remember this scene well. Never be soft-hearted.”

“Think more about your younger brother.”

Fang Shangxuan had grown far more mature than before. A trace of coldness now lingered around him.

Thinking of his younger brother who had died during the war, his gaze became even colder.

“What exactly are we fighting and dying for?”

“Who knows?”

Fang Wujiu gave a bitter smile and pointed toward the next group of prisoners being prepared for sacrifice.

“If the deaths of thousands or tens of thousands of lower cultivators can save even a little effort for some revered master or Dharma King when attacking the formation, then it is considered worthwhile.”

As for the lives of lower cultivators?

No one cared.

‘One day, our family must produce a Purple Mansion cultivator as well.'

‘Only then will we no longer be treated as ants.'

Fang Shangxuan silently clenched his teeth.

At that very moment, the array ahead suddenly began to change.

A ring of spring water suddenly burst forth from the ground, and several cultivators from the Bai Family emerged from within.

“Kill!”

One of the young men stared at a female cultivator imprisoned in the holding area. His eyes were bloodshot with desperation.

“Qian'er, wait for me! I'm coming to save you!”

“Hm? Childhood sweethearts? People still play out these stories nowadays?”

Having long since reached middle age, Yue Mingxue's heart was as calm as still water. She immediately raised a hand and unleashed a spell.

“Save your grandmother's leg!”

A short while later.

White Bone Dao camp.

“Oh? The Bai Family actually sent cultivators into battle and they made it all the way to the prisoner compound?”

Such a minor matter was hardly worthy of disturbing Sangji. Naturally, it fell to Fang Qing, the "Vajra Strength Duzi," to handle.

He stepped out of his tent and saw a group of cultivators escorting several members of the Bai Family over.

Most of them had their heads lowered like frightened quails.

Only one young man, though his face was stained with blood, still carried the air of someone who would not bow before force.

Among the cultivators escorting him, Fang Qing recognized quite a few familiar faces.

“Oh? You were the ones who captured him?”

The moment Fang Qing saw Fang Wujiu, he smiled.

“Praise to the indestructible Vajra Body, whose strength shatters the barriers of the Three Realms, the boundless radiant Dharma Duzi...”

Fang Wujiu immediately prostrated himself in worship. He had learned the entire routine from Monk Fayuan back then.

“It was only through the Duzi's protection that we achieved victory in this battle.”

“Hahaha! Good. Very good indeed.”

Fang Qing nodded before sweeping his gaze across Fang Shangxuan, Yue Mingxue, Tian Youliang, and the others standing behind him.

'So this is the first time the Fang Family has truly climbed into my sight. Last time doesn't count.'

A thought stirred within him. He waved a hand.

“You have rendered great merit and shall be richly rewarded. You belong to the Qingli Fang Family?”

“The Fang Family shall be credited with a major contribution. You may exchange it at the Temple of Wusheng for a Dao Foundation Pill. When your family produces a cultivator who has reached Qi Ingestion perfection, send them to the Temple of Wusheng for secluded cultivation.”

At this point, a mere Dao Foundation cultivator was no longer worth much in Fang Qing's eyes.

His gaze shifted toward the captured Bai Family cultivator.

“Why did you leave the array and enter battle?”

“Naturally to rescue Qian'er.”

The young Bai cultivator answered honestly.

“Qian'er and I grew up together. We were childhood sweethearts. After we came of age, our families arranged our engagement. We were supposed to be married soon.”

Several other Bai Family cultivators hurriedly added details from the side.

“Oh? So it truly is like that?”

Fang Qing looked somewhat surprised.

“What cultivation method do you practice?”

“I am a direct descendant of the Bai Family. Naturally, I cultivate the Mingyang Life Transformation Scripture, It is a Purple Mansion cultivation method. One consumes the seventh-rank spiritual object 'Earth-Origin Mysterious Nectar,' condenses the Dao Foundation 'Long-Awaited Sweet Rain,' and has hope of achieving divine abilities in the future!”

The young Bai cultivator spoke proudly.

The surrounding cultivators were utterly dumbfounded.

Only Fang Wujiu and the others, having witnessed similar scenes before, merely knelt on the ground trembling uncontrollably.

“Mhm. You possess karmic affinity with our Buddhist path. You may enter the White Bone Dao.”

Fang Qing suddenly smiled.

“Come with me first and write down the entire cultivation method from memory.”

“Yes!”

The young Bai cultivator immediately stepped forward obediently, as though this were the most natural thing in the world.

“Interesting.”

“Without the tacit approval of Spiritual Master Bai Mu, would a mere Qi Ingestion youth dare leave the protection of a Purple Mansion grand array? Could he have gotten out at all?”

“But after questioning him repeatedly, every answer still came from his own heart.”

“Heh. Though it comes from his own intentions, every side is secretly cooperating behind the scenes. That makes it a flawless immortal's game.”

Half an hour later.

Fang Qing held a freshly copied Mingyang Life Transformation Scripture in his hands.

'The term Mingyang refers to the hazy appearance of rain and mist. It truly is the Purple Mansion cultivation method corresponding to Long-Awaited Sweet Rain.'

'Moreover, it is complete all the way through the divine ability stage.'

That made things even stranger.

For a clan like the Bai Family, protecting their foundations was paramount. They would never allow ordinary Qi Ingestion cultivators access to the entire inheritance.

Typically, one would only receive the methods for refining divine abilities after reaching late-stage Dao Foundation.

“So this... is a gift from the Bai Family?”

He quickly understood.

'That's right. They know I am seeking a [Ji Water] Purple Mansion cultivation method.'

'This is an unspoken understanding.'

'They are showing goodwill now. If they ever fall into my hands in the future, they will at least have a shred of face left, perhaps even a chance at survival.'

'At the very least, that young Bai cultivator can shave his head and enter the White Bone Dao. If the struggle over this Hidden-Treasury ends in a great victory for our side, he will have a path to live.'

'These great clans have always excelled at leaving themselves multiple escape routes.'

Without even needing divination, Fang Qing understood everything clearly.

'Spiritual Master Baimu was practically throwing the fight before.'

'He isn't some wandering Purple Mansion cultivator. The Eastern Water Bai Family is a true Purple Mansion clan that has produced multiple generations of Purple Mansion cultivators.'

'How could they possibly lack one or two Purple Mansion treasures?'

'Yet during our last battle, he relied solely on the profundities of his divine abilities. He never brought out a single Purple Mansion treasure.'

'Clearly, he was holding back and stopping at the proper point.'

'At the very least, he wasn't fighting with his full strength.'

'Of course, if I interpret that as the Bai Family secretly supporting the White Bone Dao, then I would be gravely mistaken.'

'These great clans excel at reading the wind and steering their ships accordingly.'

'Everything depends on how much weight the Bai Family still carries in the eyes of the Joyous Union Sect.'

'If substantial reinforcements arrive, they will continue fighting the White Bone Dao without hesitation.'

'But if the other battlefronts continue conquering territory, perhaps even breaking through the Blissful Union Sect's mountain gate, then Spiritual Master Baimu would surrender immediately without the slightest hesitation.'

From the perspective of a Golden Core sect, having a Purple Mansion subordinate clan behave this way would naturally be unpleasant.

Unfortunately, so long as Golden Core True Lords did not personally appear, Purple Mansion Spiritual Master were the true rulers of the world.

As players on the board, they already possessed a degree of autonomy. Nothing could really be done about it.

'A Purple Mansion cultivator empowered by position and status retains a measure of independence even amidst a struggle of this scale.'

'At the very worst, Spiritual Master Bai Mu can always abandon the family and flee alone as his final escape route.'

'That is the value of a Purple Mansion cultivator.'

A certain thought within Fang Qing gradually solidified.

'I am now at late-stage Dao Foundation. The profundities of my Dao Foundation are steadily approaching completion.'

'It is time to begin considering how to break through to Purple Mansion.'

If he pursued Purple Mansion, he would undoubtedly walk the path of [Ji Water].

Previously, his only option had been the Dao Foundation divine ability Perched at the Abyss.

But now, not only did Long-Awaited Sweet Rain seem attainable, even Hidden Forest Bank appeared within reach.