plumnovel Chapter 130 Life Spring Flower
Chapter 130 Life Spring Flower
Inside Wusheng Temple.
Fang Qing tried the 'Dragon Elephant Ghee' body-refining technique, and the effect was far superior to the previous Vajra Ghee. He couldn't help but realize that Jin Ling'er had probably been tricked by the secret monk.
Before he went into seclusion, he made a special trip back to Jade Island to return the Xuanbing Heavenly Curtain Array.
After all, Qin Ruxue had taken a huge responsibility for him, and if this matter were discovered, the best outcome would be that she would be removed from her position as the lord of Iceland.
Fang Qing certainly didn't want things to turn out this way. He still hoped that Ru Xue could become a third-tier array master in the future, so that she could be better used by him.
He gradually sorted through Sangji's true teachings and gained a much deeper understanding of the esoteric Buddhist teachings.
"The Daoist lineage of the Great Snow Mountain is indeed incredibly strange and unparalleled... It even involves reincarnation, and although it is limited to a secluded place, it is still quite remarkable."
"That Great Sun Tathagata is also quite remarkable, having managed to subdue several beings above the golden rank as his subordinates..."
"However, the esoteric Buddhist teachings emphasize hierarchical control. Without a position, it's difficult to advance; without a guru's guidance, one remains at the bottom for life... which is quite favorable for those in positions of power."
In Fang Qing's view, the most supreme of these esoteric Buddhist teachings are naturally the two great methods of 'initiation' and 'reincarnation'.
The former goes without saying, while the latter, with the help of the Great Snow Mountain, can retain all his memories and be reincarnated. I wonder how many cultivators in the Little Sorrow Sea would be envious if this were to be told.
'But in the next life, one's aptitude may not necessarily be better; instead, there will be many more physical bodies, bloodlines, and karmic connections...'
'What can be accomplished in one lifetime, is best accomplished in one lifetime.'
As Sangji's guru, Fang Qing vaguely knew the attitudes of these high-ranking members of the esoteric Buddhist community towards reincarnation.
'However, it's quite obvious... my old tricks might work against other cultivators of the Purple Mansion realm from the demonic and righteous paths... but against the shameless Secret Dharma King, they probably won't be very effective.'
"Besides these two major methods, the secret body-refining and incantation techniques are quite profound... other methods of alchemy, medicine making, weapon crafting, and array formation are relatively common."
Of course, this is only in comparison to other Golden Core sects.
For independent cultivators, it is still far beyond their reach.
……
Several months later.
Fang Qing used the 'Six-Syllable Great Bright Mantra' to ride the Fire Bowl, stood on this sacred vessel, and surveyed the entire Xituo County.
Although this county is located in a remote area, it has a population of nearly ten million.
However, there is no Purple Mansion power to hold the fort, only a few Dao Foundation families, which have now all submitted to the White Bone Dao.
Behind him followed Consort Miaoshui, who was introducing Fang Qing:
"This Xituo County has many spiritual fields. The Master founded the White Bone Path, subduing various families, and every year they can harvest tens of thousands of shi of spiritual grain, as well as countless materials for making talismans, refining pills, and forging weapons..."
"But what our Mahavairocana Tantric Buddhism values most is the incense offerings of these millions of people..."
Fang Qing listened to Miao Shui Mingfei's introduction, nodding from time to time.
Unlike the carefree path of immortality, Tantric Buddhism is based on faith and propagation. This is the fundamental difference between the two traditions, which he has not yet fully understood.
"There are several Daoist families in this prefecture, such as the Zeng family, who have cultivated the [Zui Fire] for generations, as well as the Lishan Yuan family, the Dahu Xuan family... Their lineages are somewhat mixed, with some cultivating [Well Wood], [Willow Earth], [Female Earth], and [Geng Metal]... However, without the Purple Mansion cultivation method, they cannot be considered to have any Daoist lineage; they can only be considered as miscellaneous cultivators in the countryside."
Fang Qing understood.
These Qi Conversion and Foundation Establishment forces, even if their ancestors were once wealthy, can only be considered impoverished now that they have lost their Purple Mansion inheritance. They are too embarrassed to talk about their own lineage.
For a prominent lineage like the Great Snow Mountain, it was not even worth considering.
"The Zeng family that Mingzi is going to is the strongest among all the great families, with one cultivator at the mid-stage of the Dao Foundation stage and two cultivators at the early stage of the Dao Foundation stage..."
Miao Shui Mingfei continued.
"【Zui Huo】is, after all, a prominent sect of this era…this family's fire control techniques are quite famous."
Fang Qing had also read this intelligence report and smiled.
"【Zui Fire】is associated with flickering flames, also known as 'Fisherman's Lamp Fire'...but its power is only average among the various fire elements..."
Miao Shui Mingfei didn't take it to heart at all: "If it weren't for the fact that you, Mingzi, happened to need that rare spiritual ingredient from their collection, we wouldn't have needed to make this trip... In fact, in my opinion, we could have just issued a decree to have the Zeng family obediently deliver the spiritual ingredient to Wusheng Temple."
Fang Qing was speechless.
He found many spiritual objects suitable for cultivating the [Ji Shui] technique within the underground vault of Wusheng Temple.
After further inquiry, it was discovered that the Zeng family possessed a 'Life Spring Flower,' a spiritual medicine suitable for those at the early to mid-stage of the [Ji Shui] Dao Foundation stage, which they had specially prepared to exchange for.
I never expected that Akiko and Akiko in the temple would have such an attitude.
'This shows just one example of the arrogance of this hermit monk.'
Fang Qing sighed inwardly and smiled, "I was feeling restless from my cultivation, so I came out for a walk... to see the sights and scenery of Xituo County."
"Although we are capable of cultivation, why would we need to cultivate? Once our master breaks through to the Dharma King level, we will all be disciples and mothers of the Dharma... I alone can sweep away the entire Xituo County family."
Miao Shui Mingfei said with a smile.
Although Mingzi and Mingfei can cultivate on their own, most of those who are promoted actually have average aptitude.
One's own arduous cultivation over decades or even centuries is not as as astounding as a single breakthrough or promotion by a master!
Over time, these princes and princesses stopped cultivating themselves and became preoccupied with worldly affairs. No wonder they were all afflicted with the five vices.
Fang Qing rode the Fire Bowl to the Spirit Mountain where the Zeng family lived, and saw a small town at the foot of the mountain, with many spiritual fields opened up around it.
At this time, a light rain was falling, and many farmers were busy working in the fields, creating a vibrant scene.
On the mountain not far away, a layer of crimson light stretched out, which was clearly a Dao Foundation Formation, protecting the Zeng family's foundation within.
'This is truly a fine foundation...'
Fang Qing felt a surge of emotion.
'Now that my identity is out in the open, even if Fang Qing's true identity in Sanshui'ao is exposed, it won't matter... Should we take care of the Fang family and bring over the descendants of Fang Jingchun and the other two to settle them?'
'With my current status, a little favor from me and they'll become a powerful family, and in the future, even a foundational family will be easy to control...'
'But we're almost beyond the fifth degree of kinship, so let's forget about it.'
'More importantly, it's best to keep this identity hidden, since it still has some implications... For example, the destruction of the Luo family in Tianshui, and the actions of Lord Pushan back then, combined with the recent birthday banquet, are quite intriguing...'
It's best to keep this identity hidden.
……
While Fang Qing was lost in thought, Miao Shui Mingzi had already uttered a secret incantation.
The incantation transformed into the form of a celestial maiden, who entered the Zeng family's grand formation and shouted, "The Bright Prince and Bright Consort have descended! Why doesn't the Zeng family quickly come to welcome them?"
Before long, three streaks of light flew over, which were the three Dao Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Zeng family.
Among them, the one who reached the mid-stage of the Dao Foundation realm was Zeng Qingye, the patriarch of the Zeng family.
"I was unaware of your presence; I have failed to greet you properly..."
Zeng Qingye's obsequious expression sent a chill down Fang Qing's spine.
This person was, after all, at the mid-stage of the Dao Foundation Realm, and in terms of apparent strength, he far surpassed the two of them. However, due to the tyrannical power of the Hidden One, he had no choice but to humble himself and act subserviently. Despite his advanced age, with his eyebrows and beard already turned white, he was still flattering the two juniors, which made him appear somewhat pathetic.
'Once this person has a weakness...'
A thought struck him: he only needed to keep an eye on the Fang family secretly to ensure their lineage wouldn't die out; there was no need to worry about anything else, lest they become a burden.
With a smile on his face, Zeng Qingye invited Fang Qing and Miaoshui Mingfei into the main hall of his home, where waiters immediately served tea.
Miao Shui didn't drink the tea, but stared at the male waiter, her expression turning cold: "Why isn't a young woman serving the tea? This Fang Shuimingzi is the Master's most prized disciple, why don't you quickly offer up your best woman?"
Fang Qing's face fell. Having a powerful backer was good, but how did it come to the point of bullying men and women?
Zeng Qingye's face stiffened, and after gritting her teeth, she gave a few instructions. Immediately, a young woman with lips like cinnabar and eyes like autumn water stepped forward with a smile, carrying tea: "Mingzi, please have some tea..."
Fang Qing took it, and as if by accident, his palm touched it, and he immediately felt the woman's delicate body tremble slightly.
Even the most well-mannered members of a prominent family would still be afraid upon hearing they were to be sent to a temple.
A thought struck him, and he slapped him across the face: "This Buddha doesn't need your service, get out!"
The girl covered her face and ran out of the hall crying, feeling a strange sense of relief mixed with a feeling of loss.
"Alright, let's get down to business."
Fang Qing took a sip of tea and said nonchalantly.
Zeng Qingye and the two Dao Foundation Establishments exchanged glances, both inwardly thinking: 'We've always heard that those from the Secret Realm are mostly tyrannical and fickle... truly living up to their reputation. Luckily, Yuchai doesn't have to go through that hell.'
"I wonder what brings Mingzi here?"
Zeng Qingye forced a smile and asked, secretly praying that it wasn't because they were cultivating some kind of offering artifact and were short of materials.
"It's nothing serious... I've taken a liking to one of your 'Life Spring Flowers' in your collection..."
Fang Qing was about to suggest that he could exchange some [Zhenshui] spiritual items for it when Zeng Qingye immediately said, "I'll go and fetch them right away..."
"this……"
Fang Qing thought back to the hardships his family had endured and the deal with the [Jiaomu] Pi family, and couldn't help but feel a little stunned.
"You agreed just like that?"
"This business is too good to be true!"
Not long after, a flash of light appeared, and Zeng Qingye entered the hall carrying a medicine pouch, presenting it with both hands: "My family cultivates fire virtue, so this water-element spiritual item is useless to us... It's a blessing for my family that Mingzi has taken a liking to it."
Even so, my heart is bleeding.
This "Life Spring Flower" is no ordinary Dao Foundation Spiritual Object; exchanging it could bring countless benefits.
Unfortunately, the unpleasant guest showed up, leaving them with no choice but to spend a large sum of money.
"This...is it free?"
Fang Qing sighed inwardly, realizing he had underestimated the value of this hidden White Bone Path.
He took the medicine pouch and scanned it with his divine sense. He saw a strange flower the size of a bowl, with drops of spring water constantly dripping from its petals.
"This medicine pouch can store medicinal properties, making it excellent for storing this Life Spring Flower... Furthermore, this flower is delicate and cannot be exposed to the energy of metal or fire, otherwise it will surely wither..."
Zeng Qingye carefully explained some precautions, which made Fang Qing smile broadly: "Good... Your Zeng family is indeed loyal, so I will make the decision to exempt your family from offerings this year."