Chapter 645 - 512: Xuanqing Daoist Master

Han Yan thought she was hearing things, "Elder Ji of Red Flame Peak? Are you kidding?"

"Master Ancestor, how could this disciple joke about such a matter?

Elder Ji broke through at Sunrise Peak, it lasted many days, I also watched from afar.

The clouds of thunder tribulation spread for dozens of miles, just the thunder alone unsettled me.

Many people in the sect witnessed it; although it wasn’t announced publicly, everyone knew we gained another ancestor."

The maid said these words with excitement and pride, being proud as part of a strong sect.

Han Yan’s mind was in turmoil; she couldn’t believe it was true.

Their journey together to the Southern Continent seemed like it was just yesterday, and back then their cultivation gap wasn’t large.

She thought she could close the gap by venturing out, but instead, it grew wider, leaving her with a surreal sense of estrangement.

Can one really break through to a Golden Core Daoist Master so easily?

Of course not, otherwise, the Western Continent sects wouldn’t only have a handful of Daoist Masters as figureheads.

In the Central Continent, larger factions have a higher ratio of Golden Core cultivators, but small factions are not much better off compared to Western Continent sects.

Han Yan waved her hand and said:

"I suddenly feel like visiting Yunhe Mountain to see Senior Sister He."

She left the grotto mansion, flying on her spiritual artifact.

The journey seemed longer, feeling like it took forever to reach Yunhe Mountain.

He Yuhuan was quite surprised and exclaimed joyfully at the arrival of her sect-mate:

"Junior Sister, when did you return?"

She was aware of the trip that the other and Elder Ji took to the Central Continent.

"Just got back, and I brought a gift for Senior Sister."

Han Yan took out a black jade bottle, "This Beauty Mud is made from Tier Three materials; I hope Senior Sister likes it."

Most female cultivators value their appearance and do not wish to see their youth fade in the mirror.

There aren’t many female cultivators at the Chao Origin level in the sect, so she brought gifts for each sister.

Not too expensive, but everyone would like them.

"Thank you, I haven’t used such good Beauty Mud before."

The two chatted casually, and the atmosphere was harmonious; Han Yan seemingly mentioned unintentionally:

"I heard a major event happened in the sect a few years ago."

"You mean Ji An breaking through to the Golden Core?"

He Yuhuan sighed, "No one expected he would be the first to break through."

In the eyes of the many ’elders,’ the cultivators with the foundations to break through to the Great Realm were Lin Jiuxiao and Lin Qiu Bai, with Lin Qiu Bai having a higher chance to break through first.

Sword Cultivators are reputed as the strongest of the same realm, not just self-proclaimed, but proven by strength.

She recalled the scene when the Five-Colored Deer broke through when she was a Second Transformation Chao Origin cultivator, and Ji An was just a somewhat famous Foundation Establishment disciple, whom she did not value highly.

Now, her cultivation halted at the Fourth Transition of the Chao Origin Stage, while he became a Golden Core Daoist Master; this disparity initially made her feel uncomfortable.

Later thinking about those cultivators who entered the sect with her, most are now buried; the sense of disparity faded inside her heart.

Smiling slightly, she continued:

"I met Elder Ji the other day; the Rock Armor Bear he raises is on the verge of breaking through, and he entrusted me to search for materials.

I’ve found most of the materials, and with your return, you can handle the alchemy; I feel reassuring with you in charge."

Suppressing her complicated emotions, Han Yan said, "No problem, which pill do we need to refine?"

"The Earth Vein Flame Heart Pill, a pill of the combination of earth and fire attributes; that Rock Armor Bear has Earth-Grade Talent, its bloodline fusion is quite perfect."

"I’ve refined it before and have some experience, but it has been too long; I can’t guarantee success."

"No worries, I’ve prepared materials for two furnace attempts; as long as we succeed in refining one pill, it will be sufficient; the reward is a top-grade Spirit Stone and all proceeds from the alchemy."

Han Yan smiled and nodded, "No problem."

...

Sunrise Peak, Wuji Hall.

Daoist Master Zhengyang laughed heartily, "After thirty years abroad, the sect now has an additional Golden Core Daoist Master; it is joyful indeed. Have you decided on a Taoist title, junior brother?"

Ji An scratched his head, "I thought of a few but haven’t decided; would you both help me make a choice?

I’m planning to choose between Pure Yang, Evergreen, and Xuanqing."

Pure Yang Zi and Lv Dongbin, Evergreen Zi and Qiu Chuji, were Daoist figures he liked in his previous life.

He had considered selecting from the names of the Three Pure Ones: Yuqing the Primeval Lord of Heaven symbolizes the Chaos state at the inception of the universe, representing the source of creation; Shangqing the Celestial Lord of Numinous Treasure symbolizes the Tai Chi state where Yin and Yang are differentiated; Taiqing the Celestial Lord of Tao and Virtue symbolizes the harmonious state of the arising of all things.

However, after some thought, he decisively abandoned the idea since the status associated with the names of the Three Pure Ones is too high for him to bear.

If merits do not match the position, disaster is inevitable.

Without transmigrating, he might not have felt much reverence; but now, having crossed over through the Stone Turtle, his mindset has significantly changed.

It’s quite possible that some of those ancient myths are true.

The Infinite gives rise to Tai Chi, Tai Chi gives rise to the two forms, the two forms give rise to the four symbols, and the four symbols give rise to the Eight Trigrams.

The Stone Turtle’s shell has the pattern of the Eight Trigrams, specifically the Acquired Trigrams, which can’t compare in status to the Yuqing symbolizing the Infinite.

Daoist Master Zhengyang pondered:

"I took the title of Zhengyang in those days, signifying the flourishing of life and the sun high in the sky, which now seems somewhat flawed.

Pure Yang signifies the wonder of body and soul united with the truth of the Dao, but reaching that realm is exceedingly difficult.

The position is too high and unattainable, not advisable to choose."

Master Yuxiao interjected:

"Is there truly Evergreen’s wood? Life and death rely on each other; it’s the principle of the Dao.

I believe Xuanqing is better; Xuanqing, naturally clear, symbolizes the purity of the Dao."

Ji An pondered further and then spoke: