Chapter 186: Observing the Ceremony

Qingchi Peak is the highest point of Qingchi Mountain, a place of perilous terrain. At the foot of the peak stands a stone tablet inscribed with the characters "Qingchi," a homophone for the mountain's name, which often puzzles newly initiated disciples. The older disciples, however, remain tight-lipped, refusing to explain, and over time, no one bothers to ask anymore.

The highest cave dwelling on the peak boasts the most concentrated spiritual energy in the entire Qingchi Mountain range. Facing east, where the essence of the sun and moon rises, cultivation here yields twice the results with half the effort.

Chi Zhiyun had been waiting respectfully for a long time, sword in hand, before the stone door silently opened. An old man with white hair and a kind face slowly emerged, holding a jade bowl. His aura was unfathomable, making him seem like an ordinary elder.

"Junior Zhiyun greets the Ancestor! Congratulations on your great mastery of divine abilities!"

Chi Zhiyun bowed respectfully. The white-haired old man smiled slightly and said in a low, aged voice, "It's not really a great mastery of divine abilities. I consumed a precious medicine to extend my life force and finally cultivated this fifth divine ability, merely gaining the qualification to break through to the Golden Core stage."

Chi Wei glanced at Chi Zhiyun, then cleared his throat. To Chi Zhiyun's surprise, two voices emerged simultaneously: one sharp and thin, a woman's voice, and another deep and heavy, an old man's voice. They spoke in unison: "Mid-stage Foundation Establishment, not bad at all!"

This phenomenon was quite unsettling, and Chi Zhiyun felt a shiver down his spine, though he dared not show it. He respectfully said, "My humble cultivation is not worthy of the Ancestor's notice."

Chi Wei took a step forward, his voice returning to normal, and said slowly, "This time I've emerged from seclusion because that Old Ghost Duanmu is about to break through to the Golden Core stage and has invited me to observe the ceremony. Although your Immortal Foundation doesn't yet show signs of developing divine abilities, it's still good for you to see it."

Chi Zhiyun's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he thanked him repeatedly. Chi Wei gazed at him for a moment, then clouds formed beneath their feet, and they soared gracefully into the sky, heading towards Dali Mountain.

Standing behind Chi Wei, Chi Zhiyun hesitated for a moment before quietly asking, "Ancestor, what about Li Chijing...?"

"He has already formed a core and been delivered to me. He will assist me when I break through to the Golden Core stage," Chi Wei replied indifferently. Chi Zhiyun breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this. Only then did Chi Wei say, "Most cultivation methods of the Three Sects and Seven Gates originate from the Moonlight Origin Mansion. The 'Moon Lake Reflecting Autumn Art' stems from the 'Secret Essentials of Moonlight Records' of the Moonlight Origin Mansion. The Immortal Foundation, 'Moon Lake Autumn,' formed by cultivating it, has the ability to lead all other techniques. This Immortal Foundation will be of great benefit to my breakthrough to the Golden Core stage."

Chi Wei revealed some secrets, captivating Chi Zhiyun, whose expression became greatly invigorated. Seeing his reaction, Chi Wei continued, "It's just a pity that Li Chijing was born fifty years too late. By the time he achieved Qi Condensation, I already possessed four divine abilities and one Immortal Foundation. If only he had been born fifty years earlier, and I could have acquired his 'Moon Lake Autumn,' I wouldn't have had to settle for that much inferior Yu Yangxing. My chances of forming a Golden Core would have increased by another half."

Chi Zhiyun also regretfully shook his head. Chi Wei's Purple Mansion arts were profound; in just a few moments, they arrived at Dali Mountain, effortlessly soaring over Lijing Town and Dongshan Yue. This caused Lu Jiangxian, who was on the mountain, to tightly cower within his magical mirror, lying motionless on the stone platform like a dead object.

Fortunately, Chi Wei flew high and did not investigate the situation below. They flew directly over Dongshan Yue and stopped at the side of Wushan, which had steps made of white jade. There, they encountered a man also riding clouds, clad in a shimmering golden robe, with white hair and beard, yet a middle-aged appearance. His aura indicated a cultivation at the peak of the Purple Mansion realm. He cupped his hands to Chi Wei and Chi Zhiyun and smiled, "Brother Chi Wei, long time no see!"

"Seventy-three years," Chi Wei replied in a clear voice. "Brother Zhang, you are as ever."

The middle-aged man smiled slightly. Chi Zhiyun raised an eyebrow and saw another person standing behind this Ancestor Zhang. This individual was at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, had an ordinary appearance, and carried a long saber on his back. He raised an eyebrow at Chi Zhiyun, his gaze filled with provocation. Chi Zhiyun sneered inwardly, feeling quite annoyed, and thought to himself, "Zhang... most likely from the Golden Feather Sect. This person is only at the early stage of Foundation Establishment, yet so arrogant. Does he truly believe everyone is Li Chijing, capable of stepping on me to gain fame?"

After the two Purple Mansion cultivators chatted for a bit, the grand formation on Wushan opened, and a black-robed middle-aged man flew out. He paused in the air, then, seeing that the representatives of the Three Sects and Seven Gates, various rogue cultivators, and even Purple Mansion cultivators from neighboring countries had all arrived, he coldly said, "I am Duanmu Kui. Today, I shall attempt to break through to the Golden Core stage. According to the three-hundred-year agreement of the cultivation world across the four nations, I have invited you all. Please keep your distance and do not foolishly interfere."

The crowd in the clouds paused, and someone spoke up, "We understand these rules. Senior Duanmu is the eldest among all Purple Mansion cultivators, and we hold him in the highest esteem. We have all arrived to observe the ceremony."

Duanmu Kui sneered and lowered his gaze to Wushan below. All the disciples looked at him anxiously. How could Duanmu Kui not know that these disciples had long colluded with the Three Sects and Seven Gates? Should he fail, they would immediately disperse. However, Duanmu Kui was completely unconcerned. He had established Wushan purely to find people to run errands; these disciples held no status in his heart.

Chi Wei watched silently, his expression filled with emotion. He turned to Chi Zhiyun beside him and said, "Duanmu Kui is the only person who lived through the era when the Moonlight Origin Mansion appeared in the world. Even when I was young, I heard legends of him. He received a divine technique from an immortal under a mulberry tree in ancient Licheng. From a beggar to a Purple Mansion immortal cultivator, his life has been grand and eventful."

Chi Zhiyun hesitated for a moment, then inquired, "This senior... what are his chances of breaking through to the Golden Core stage?"

Chi Wei paused, then said in a low voice, "Greater than any of ours."

Duanmu Kui rose into the air, gazing at the slowly ascending sun. In the world, clear qi floated upwards, turbid qi sank downwards, and the essence of the sun and moon merged into one, indicating it was the perfect time for a breakthrough. A colorful glow of divine abilities emanated from Duanmu Kui, his expression somewhat complex.

Duanmu Kui's innate talent was not high, but he dominated his era with the techniques bestowed by an immortal. He lived for a full six hundred and forty-seven years, exhausting all sixteen longevity methods described in "Answers to a Beggar Under the Mulberry Tree," the book granted by the immortal. He finally cultivated five divine abilities.

"He said... I could achieve Golden Core."

That year, Duanmu Kui was twenty-two, on the verge of starving to death under a mulberry tree. The immortal gave him a bowl of noodles. Duanmu Kui said he could never repay such immense kindness, and the immortal replied, "Eat slowly." Duanmu Kui had wandered for eleven years, and hearing these words, he burst into tears. The immortal placed "Answers to a Beggar Under the Mulberry Tree" into his embrace and softly said, "Cultivate to the Golden Core stage, and I will come find you five hundred years from now."

The essence of the sun and moon in the heavens and earth had reached its peak. Duanmu Kui's spiritual consciousness stirred, and a faint light flew out from the Ascending Yang Palace, activating the Sophora Shadow Ghost divine ability. The world above and below him became clear, and two blurry figures appeared in the clouds. Duanmu Kui cupped his hands and said in a deep voice, "Seniors, please wait a moment."

At his words, all the Purple Mansion cultivators retreated in astonishment and fear. Duanmu Kui listened intently and heard a sharp, thin voice say, "If Fellow Daoist fails to break through, you will perish completely. If you succeed, we shall address you as Honored Immortal."

Duanmu Kui smiled slightly. His other four divine abilities flew out from within him, drawing upon the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, hovering and circling nearby. As he called them out one by one, he softly uttered the words: "Do not investigate my land, foolish shamans who move mountains and drink the blood of the people." A trace of hatred appeared on his face as he sighed lightly. If not for the missing "Responding to the Emperor" ingredient, he wouldn't be in such a desperate situation now. His gaze fiercely swept over the Yue Kingdom's Daoist sect. Duanmu Kui steadied his mind, and the faint light of Sophora Shadow Ghost was the first to rise, ascending into the air and triggering waves of invisible flames.