Chapter 1802: The Five Virtues And Five Manifestations (II)

Seeing Kongshu lower his eyes without speaking, Fachang waved his sleeve and sent all the disciples present out of the hall.

Once they were alone he asked, "Is something amiss?"

The black-robed monk narrowed his eyes slightly. He was exceedingly handsome, but his beauty was not the statue-like perfection so common among Buddhist cultivators. His was the stately elegance of a refined elder, and narrowing his eyes only made him appear more imposing.

He said, "During the thirty years I spent discussing the dharma with my master, we once spoke of the Congealed Jade Dao."

The master he spoke of was no ordinary figure. He was the current Realm Lord of the Great Mahayana Dharma Realm, an existence at the level of a Dharma Master! Upon hearing this, Fachang immediately stood in alarm and bowed. "This humble cultivator respectfully awaits your instruction!"

Kongshu's lips were red, his teeth gleaming white, and his eyes brilliant as he said, "This is the [Yuanxia Congealed Jade True Art]! Tracing it to its source, its origins reach far back to the great cultivator of the Douxuan Dao lineage, True Monarch Yuanxia.

"When the Great Dao of the Three Profundities was first attained in the world, several Immortal Lords accepted disciples and transmitted their teachings. Three disciples attained positions within the Three Yin. The first was True Monarch Yuanxia of Douxuan, the second was True Monarch Guanhua of Tongxuan, and the third, also of Tongxuan, was True Monarch Shuolou."

His voice grew grave. "True Monarch Shuolou attained the Surplus Position of [Veiled Yin], while True Monarch Guanhua attained the Surplus Position of [Lesser Yin]. The former's disciple, Lou Taimin, and the latter's disciple, Xu Che, became the ancestors of the [Dao of the Observation Transformation Heavenly Tower], the source of Lord Wei's dharma lineage!

"Lord Xu Che possessed an innate ability unmatched by anyone alive today, yet in his own era, it was considered the lowest of the low. But True Monarch Guanhua cherished him and sought an alternative spell art on his behalf. In the end, he obtained the [Yuanxia Congealed Jade True Art] from True Monarch Yuanxia... allowing Xu Che to convert to the path of a Lesser Yin Congealed Jade Immortal. The story has been celebrated ever since.

"The Dao lineage in the Chunyi Dao's possession, which is suspected to be the [Yuanxia Congealed Jade True Art], was passed down from Green Pine Temple. It must have come from Lord Yingze."

Fachang raised his brows. He was a clever man, and once Kongshu mentioned Wei Xuanyin and the [Dao of the Observation Transformation Heavenly Tower], an idea had formed in his mind.

He lowered his brows and asked solemnly, "So this art is shared among the Dao lineages of the Three Yin. As expected of something passed down by a True Monarch of the Three Profundities, it is truly extraordinary!"

Only after offering this word of praise did he ask doubtfully, "Martial Granduncle, do you mean... Wei Xuanyin also possesses the [Yuanxia Congealed Jade True Art]?"

Kongshu's expression grew solemn. "He certainly does..."

Fachang pressed his palms together, sighed, and said, "But he cultivates Veiled Yin, and I heard he intends to charge headlong toward the position above... Yet there is no one up there, so how could he-"

Golden qi suddenly filled the sky as gray fire fluttered like countless birds and sparrows, ultimately converging upon the mountaintop. The spectacle cut him off mid-sentence, and both men raised their brows in unison. Flying flames rained across the sky, each taking the form of a bird or sparrow. It was a truly imposing sight!

A figure unexpectedly emerged from the swirling gray fire. He was tall, with exceptionally narrow eyes and pale-red irises. A green silk sash was tied around his waist, while a golden lotus mark blazed between his brows. Merely standing there caused all the illusory radiance throughout the mountain range to tremble and freeze in place!

Fachang was momentarily stunned. "Que Liyu!"

This man was none other than Que Liyu, who had obtained the Guest Position of True Essence!

"He emerged from seclusion so soon!"

When Que Liyu had journeyed south all those years ago, the schemes he had laid over many years had allowed him to assume the Guest Position of True Essence, becoming the Guest Position of True Essence's reincarnation, Rectify One's Nature and Restrain Desire. Not only had he achieved the Seventh Incarnation, but his already considerable destiny had soared to terrifying heights!

The Buddhist cultivators who had journeyed south were as numerous as fish crossing a river; all had hoped to claim a share of the great upheaval and elevate themselves to a supreme position. Yet most had met with bitter failure. To this day, the only person who had benefited, and who had reaped the greatest benefit of all... was Que Liyu alone!

He now resembled a supreme, eminent cultivator, with a face as fair as jade and a lotus mark upon the center of his brow. He had clearly attained an exceptionally exalted dharma body. Dharma conches resounded all around him, as though they might compel everyone nearby to prostrate themselves in worship at any moment. All the surrounding peaks turned their attention toward him as hushed whispers spread among them.

How could Fachang fail to recognize what Que Liyu had now become?

Even the Undefeated King of Brightness in his prime... was likely no more formidable than this! As long as the Buddhist land of the Great Desire Dao has a position for him, he will almost certainly become a new Dharma Master in the future!

In the Buddhist land of today, who beneath the Dharma Masters would still dare contend with him?!

Even with Fachang's exceptional composure, he could not keep the shock from appearing on his face. The entirety of Dayang Mountain erupted into an uproar, and voices rang out everywhere as the cultivators bowed in greeting.

"Greetings, my lord!"

Que Liyu calmly swept his gaze across the entirety of Dayang Mountain, his expression impassive. Only when his eyes met Kongshu's did he give a slight nod in greeting.

He descended step by step from the sky and landed within the great hall. With a casual sweep of his hand, he seized someone from among the mountains. It was none other than the disciple in emerald monastic robes who had asked the question earlier. This disciple, with his fresh and refined appearance, was none other than Yaosa Chengmi.

As Que Liyu moved, the Buddhists of Dayang Mountain lowered their heads one after another. Not a single person dared to speak!

The young man with the golden lotus upon the center of his brow stood with his hands clasped behind his back. Looking down upon everyone with a cold gaze, he casually said, "The Great Desire Dao has repeatedly summoned its disciple back. I wonder who has been obstructing his return?"

He glanced around and saw Kongshu, the only person present who might stop him, staring intently at him with a strange look in his eyes, but making no move to speak. Que Liyu sneered and immediately understood.

My lord has advanced another step. Naturally, these lords of Dayang Mountain will not cause trouble over a mere Merciful One... And Kongshu is obsessed with the Dao. Why would he concern himself with such matters?

He promptly swept his sleeve and stepped into the great void. Behind him, Yaosa Chengmi appeared exceedingly respectful and bowed. "My lord has delivered me from the sea of suffering!"

Que Liyu looked back at him with an amused expression and replied, "Delivered? Not necessarily! I am taking you back this time to send you into my lord's belly!"

Yaosa Chengmi had emerged from the affair of Luoxia shepherding Bright Yang, and his destiny was anything but ordinary. Countless people had long coveted him, yet his expression did not change upon hearing these words.

He merely smiled. "I humbly accept!"

Que Liyu smiled with narrowed eyes and raised a hand, pinching his fingers as though making a calculation. Only when radiant golden lotuses began blooming across the ground beneath his feet did he say with a smile, "My lord received joyous news today. It has been divined that he will conceive three children. I must trouble you to enter my lord's belly, remain in the womb for six years, and then be born anew from Merging Fire!"

————

Realm of Sun and Moon Radiance.

Brilliant colors filled the realm as clouds and mist swirled throughout it. Pure radiance illuminated the courtyard, and the jade well at its center shimmered with light. A jade box rested before the doors, containing several letters piled together, some old and some new. They appeared to have remained untouched for a long time.

Spiritual energy flowed freely through the realm. But then, a violently surging aura poured from behind the doors, only to be swiftly calmed by the balance of Yin and Yang permeating heaven and earth. The blood-red light streaming through the doors transformed into waves of sunset-like radiance before being rapidly neutralized and dispersed.

The doors trembled faintly, and the distant sounds of battle cries and charging armies could be heard behind them!

Creak.

As the courtyard door was gently pushed open, all sound and radiance abruptly ceased. The moon lamps flickered, the stone tiles gleamed, and the green gauze around the couch swayed gently in the breeze. The courtyard resembled a tranquil garden at night, cool and serene.

The hand pressed against the chamber door exerted a little force, and the man stepped out. His golden eyes were filled with the scenes of broken swords and shattered weapons, with mountains of corpses and seas of Baleful Qi. Countless Heavenly Yangs descended upon a crimson wasteland, and brilliance shone from within a sea of blood!

"[Severed Crimson Arrowhead]!"

He exhaled softly and withdrew the phenomenon from his eyes.

"...The mid-stage of the Purple Mansion Realm... Today, I have attained it!"