Chapter 386: Six Yan Qingyun Secret Technique

Li Yuanjiao and Yuan Chengdun waited for a while. A demonic wind swept in from the south, stirring up sand and stones in the valley. A black demonic mist approached from the horizon, led by a burly man wielding a white bone hammer.

Behind him stood several strangely shaped demons: a wolf and a deer flanked the pig demon in the center. As they landed, Li Yuanjiao, empowered by the Mysterious Inscription Bottle, concealed himself within the mystic mist and began chanting incantations.

“Boom!”

The demons landed joyfully, but the Foundation Establishment formation suddenly activated. Emerald green light screens rose on all sides, isolating the area. The Foundation Establishment demon was relatively unharmed, but the Qi Cultivation level lesser demons were instantly terrified. Some stumbled, others tried to flee on the wind, scattering in all directions.

However, since this grand formation was of the Foundation Establishment level and belonged to Kong Tingyun, a direct descendant of Xuanyue, the lesser demons were instantly dazed and disoriented upon impact. Yuan Chengdun took two short staffs from his back and flew out of the mystic mist, silently striking the leading demon.

As he moved, a bluish-gold radiance flowed, clearly indicating the activation of the Immortal Foundation, Fu Qingshan. He stomped on the ground, striking with a staff in each hand. One staff shattered the wolf demon's bones and tendons, breaking it into several pieces, while the other smashed the deer demon's head into fragments, spilling blood everywhere.

‘These are Qi Cultivation sacrifices!’

Seeing Yuan Chengdun kill two demons immediately, Li Yuanjiao, fearing he would continue his rampage, quickly moved closer in the mystic mist. He reached out, and the Cyan Ruler Sword leaped from its sheath, its cyan-white sword light dazzling and aggressive.

Yuan Chengdun also arrived, riding the wind. Golden light swirled around his two short staffs, and delicate golden patterns appeared on his face, which was set in a grim expression. He swung the staffs, one after the other.

Black mist permeated the Foundation Establishment pig demon's body. It uttered words of shock and fury, using the bone hammer in its hand to block. The hammer clashed with Li Yuanjiao's sword arc, emitting a harsh grinding sound.

Yuan Chengdun, however, ignored it. His two short staffs wielded astonishing power, and his moves were exceptionally skillful. The pig demon, fighting two opponents, was in a desperate state. With a movement of its large mouth, it exhaled a wave of demonic mist that spread out to obstruct Yuan Chengdun's staffs.

“What crude demonic art! How dare you display such a shameful trick!”

Yuan Chengdun burst out laughing. Fu Qingshan released golden light, effortlessly dispelling the demonic mist. He struck the pig demon's chest with both staffs, one after the other.

“Ah!”

The two golden staffs struck the pig demon, causing it to vomit blood and lose its footing. Its body swelled, seemingly about to revert to its original form. As Li Yuanjiao prepared to strike, Yuan Chengdun called out:

“Friend, there’s no need to intervene! It’s been a long time since I’ve encountered such a clumsy, thick-skinned demon pig. It’s rare for a demon not to flee upon seeing me! Allow me to have some fun!”

Li Yuanjiao paused for a moment, then smiled and retreated on the wind. Golden light burst forth within the black mist as the pig demon transformed into the size of a grand hall. Its black fur resembled armor, and its two eyes glowed a terrifying green.

Yuan Chengdun remained unconcerned, taking up his short staffs and striking. Although the staffs appeared like two golden skewers before the pig demon, it dared not be careless and resisted with all its might, shouting:

“It’s Fu Qingshan! How did this old pig offend your Yuan family? You’ve come thousands of miles just to ambush me!”

The pig demon also noticed Li Yuanjiao but didn't associate him with the Li family. After all, if the Li family truly wanted him dead, Li Tongya would have acted directly, and he would have been in pieces on the ground long ago. There would have been no need for such an elaborate setup.

Yuan Chengdun merely chuckled:

“How many man-eating demons have my short staffs crushed? There’s no need to speak of offending or not offending!”

The pig demon, with its thick hide and flesh, couldn’t escape. It was relentlessly pursued and beaten, crying, howling, and continuously vomiting blood.

‘Fu Qingshan truly lives up to its reputation.’

Yuan Chengdun’s grip on the staffs was rather peculiar; holding them by the ends, they resembled short hammers, striking with loud thuds. Li Yuanjiao carefully observed his moves and couldn't help but instruct him:

“Friend, please hold back a little! Don’t kill it!”

As he spoke, grey-green spring water gushed from the ground beneath his feet. Black serpent-dragons coiled up and dispersed, moving to capture the trembling Qi Cultivation demons within the formation.

‘This staff technique is not simple…’

Li Yuanjiao examined it closely. Yuan Chengdun's staff technique must have been the inheritance the Yuan family acquired from the Yanyang Temple Palace in the north. It was at least of the fourth rank, ancient and magnificent, making the pig demon cry out in despair.

‘Fu Qingshan should be an Immortal Foundation similar to the Jade Court General, capable of enhancing the physical body and skilled in combat…’

After watching for a while, a rustling sound of water became audible. The Jing Dragon King returned, dragging several Qi Cultivation demons.

“One late Qi Cultivation, two early Qi Cultivation…”

The gap between Foundation Establishment and Qi Cultivation was as vast as that between mortals and cultivators. Li Yuanjiao merely glanced at them and paid no further attention. The pig demon, however, shrieked, saying:

“I am a direct descendant of the Demon Cave, sent here to investigate. Don’t you dare act so recklessly… Argh!”

It took a few more staff blows. Its eyes turned bloodshot, and its aura surged. With a wide grimace, it spat out a long river of blood-red liquid, filled with countless skulls and hand bones, rushing towards Yuan Chengdun.

Yuan Chengdun remained unfazed. With a flick of his finger, a glistening, translucent large hide flew out. With a sweep and a hook, the bloody river plunged to the ground, struggling like a dead snake a couple of times before falling silent.

Yuan Chengdun had thoroughly enjoyed the fight, employing several staff techniques. The pig demon was now half-dead and collapsed on the ground.

“It’s only been about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn… Friend, your staff technique is truly excellent!”

Li Yuanjiao praised him. Yuan Chengdun had a slight sweat on his face and seemed to be in high spirits as he replied:

“My Immortal Foundation’s magical power can disperse demonic essence, preventing him from casting any spells. His physical body and magical artifacts are far inferior to mine. With the formation covering him, there was no escape, so this outcome was inevitable.”

Li Yuanjiao lightly descended, sealing the pig demon’s energy channels and foundation. Black serpent-dragons surged forth, binding all the demons, large and small. Only then did he put away the formation disk. Yuan Chengdun smiled slightly, about to bid farewell, but both suddenly fell silent.

Outside the grand formation stood a man who appeared to be in his thirties or forties, with a Mid Foundation Establishment cultivation. He wore an odd Daoist robe, and his skin was light brown. His eyes, like those of a serpent-dragon, were vertically slit and emitted waves of reddish-brown light as he quietly stared at the two.

Li Yuanjiao and Yuan Chengdun immediately grew wary. However, the Foundation Establishment cultivator had already spoken, his voice hoarse:

“Are you from the Li family?”

Li Yuanjiao cupped his hands slightly and nodded, asking:

“And you are?”

The man glanced at Yuan Chengdun with apprehension, and his voice softened considerably as he said:

“An old friend from the Shan Yue… My name is Veiloya. I wonder how Daoist Tongya is doing these days?”

“So it’s Senior Veiloya! My name is Li Yuanjiao.”

Li Yuanjiao immediately realized that this was indeed Veiloya, the Foundation Establishment cultivator remaining from Wushan, a close neighbor of the Li family, and a Shan Yue Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Back then, when the Li family was a vassal of the Eastern Shan Yue, this man arrived. His uncle, Li Tongya, used the prestige of the Sword Immortal title, supported by the Xiao and Fei families, to intimidate him. Later, they also exchanged precious medicines with him, so they had some previous interactions.

Having fought for quite a while on someone else’s territory, it was no wonder this Shan Yue Foundation Establishment cultivator had come looking for them. Li Yuanjiao immediately offered a couple of apologies. Veiloya waved his hand and quietly asked:

“And this is?”

“Yuan Chengdun, from the Yuan family of Mushroom Forest Plain.”

Yuan Chengdun nodded slightly and stated firmly:

“By order of my clan elders, to assist the Li family in demon extermination…”

Veiloya responded with an understanding look and said hoarsely:

“It happens I ran into you, and I have a couple of matters to discuss.”

Yuan Chengdun suddenly understood. He clasped his hands and replied:

“Since matters here are concluded, Chengdun bids farewell.”

Li Yuanjiao, carrying a magical artifact and understanding the Shan Yue’s temperament, felt no fear and generously let him leave. Veiloya merely said:

“Daoist Tongya’s feat of striking down the Mahākāla with his sword earned him immense prestige. Even in this poor and humble place, I have heard of it. I wonder…?”

Li Yuanjiao had already dodged the topic once. Seeing him persist, he replied:

“The Old Ancestor has entered seclusion.”

Veiloya raised an eyebrow, his eyes, made particularly eerie by his cultivation of a special technique, fixed on Li Yuanjiao. He chuckled strangely:

“After all, striking down the Mahākāla with a sword… Daoist Tongya must have suffered considerable injuries, I presume…”

Li Yuanjiao narrowed his eyes slightly. Before he could answer, Veiloya continued:

“To provoke a Mahākāla for no apparent reason… it must have been… assigned by that person…”

Li Yuanjiao was incredibly perceptive. His mind raced like lightning, and he immediately understood:

‘Uncle must have invoked the name of some Purple Mansion cultivator back then!’

He then said, with a change in expression:

“So Senior has quite a friendship with my uncle! Please forgive my earlier impropriety.”

Veiloya was momentarily stunned by these words. Li Yuanjiao continued:

“Although the higher powers protect their own, some orders… must be followed…”

Having done so many thankless tasks under Duanmu Kui for years, Veiloya naturally felt a deep resonance. He originally had a good impression of Li Tongya, so he allowed Li Yuanjiao to draw closer, replying:

“Do you know when Li Tongya will emerge from seclusion? I have a transaction to conduct with him.”

Li Yuanjiao said:

“Senior, please speak.”

“It’s about killing someone, of course.”

Veiloya paused, then said in a deep voice:

“I have a fellow disciple named Fu Daimu, a late Foundation Establishment cultivator. He lives to my south, and we’ve always had a bad relationship.”

“Recently, I heard his Dao Companion entered seclusion to break through to Foundation Establishment. I immediately felt that something terrible was about to happen; it’s highly likely they will try to kill me afterward.”

Veiloya shook his head, saying:

“Since he might kill me, why not have someone kill him first? I’ve already enlisted another fellow disciple, but it’s still not enough. I thought inviting Daoist Tongya to act would surely guarantee success.”

Li Yuanjiao didn't want to get inexplicably drawn into a Foundation Establishment dispute and gently shook his head. However, Veiloya, with his vertically slit red eyes, waved his hand and said:

“If Daoist Tongya doesn’t act, I will abandon this place and leave. In the future, a late Foundation Establishment Shan Yue shamanic cultivator will be lurking near your esteemed clan, and I imagine your days won’t be easy.”

Li Yuanjiao raised an eyebrow, looking at the man. Veiloya seemed somewhat casual, slowly saying:

“Fu Daimu possesses a magical artifact called Human Head Mountain, which requires blood qi for refinement.”

Li Yuanjiao let out a soft breath and asked:

“Do the Grand Shamans… still have connections within the Azure Pond Sect? I fear Fu Daimu might have powerful backing.”

Veiloya said hoarsely:

“How would a destitute Foundation Establishment cultivator like me know such things? Your esteemed clan has deep connections; this matter naturally relies on your Li family.”

Seeing Li Yuanjiao lower his head in silence, Veiloya’s expression turned serious as he continued:

“My visit this time holds no hostile intent; I merely hope your esteemed clan prepares early… I, Veiloya, simply do not wish to abandon my homeland and cannot swallow this indignity. Your esteemed clan cannot afford to relocate!”

The Shan Yue cultivator paused, then whispered:

“Presumably, Daoist friend also knows this world. Without Purple Mansion protection, Foundation Establishment cultivators are merely pawns… Veiloya is truly fed up with constant struggles, endless darkness, and days where he doesn’t even dare leave his sect!”

“Veiloya has practiced shamanism for many years and believes he possesses some courage. I ask that you speak highly of me before that person. If we can work together in the future, it would truly be a wonderful thing.”

With these words, Veiloya cupped his hands slightly, bade farewell, and departed, leaving Li Yuanjiao silently bowing his head, a bitter smile in his heart:

‘It's not just you; my family has also had enough of being pawns! We also wish for a Purple Mansion cultivator of our own to protect us!’

**Inside the World of the Mirror**

The jade slips on Lu Jiangxian's desk were already piled into a small mountain, and the stone stools were equally full. The ground beneath his white robes was also covered with various jade slips, tumbling around, leaving no space to step.

“Li Yuanjiao’s travels back and forth… yielded a great deal!”

This time, Li Yuanjiao had truly ventured into the core territories of the Yuan family, gaining insights from Xiu Yue, rogue cultivators, Xuanyue, and various commanderies. The young man had even traveled upstream along the great river, reaching the borders of the Shen family, a Purple Mansion immortal clan under Xiu Yue’s rule.

Currently, he had recorded a total of 668 Embryonic Breathing cultivation methods, 98 Qi Cultivation methods, 21 Foundation Establishment methods, and 15 paths of the Hundred Arts of cultivation. Lu Jiangxian conjured them all, one by one, filling the entire mountaintop.

Looking at the jade slips covering the ground, Lu Jiangxian felt a sense of security. He slowly extended his hand, and light flowed from it, coalescing into a green jade slip:

The sixth-rank cultivation method, "Six Weirs Azure Cloud Core Manual," an immortal art that directly leads to the Purple Mansion!

This was the first time Lu Jiangxian had acquired a sixth-rank cultivation method, and also the first complete Purple Mansion immortal art of a single lineage he had obtained. It was a heritage secretly hidden by the Yuan family for 1,600 years, sealed beneath Yuan family's Yuan Yan Mountain, fortified with seven layers of intricate formations that isolated it from the void, making it impenetrable even for Purple Mansion cultivators.

Of course, under Lu Jiangxian's divine sense, let alone seven layers of secret formations, seventy layers would be useless. The formation capable of isolating the void merely caused him a slight pause before becoming ineffective.

As the Yuan family's most treasured possession, the "Six Weirs Azure Cloud Core Manual" naturally had secret encryption methods. Unfortunately, the jade slip recording these methods was hidden beneath a spirit tablet, which Lu Jiangxian also saw.

After examining this Purple Mansion immortal art for a while, Lu Jiangxian became contemplative.

The "Six Weirs Azure Cloud Core Manual" primarily focuses on the Dao Foundation, Profound Ram Child, allowing one to cultivate it all the way to Purple Mansion divine abilities. With this sixth-rank cultivation method as the core, there are also four other Foundation Establishment cultivation methods from the same lineage, which, when cultivated one by one after breaking through to the Purple Mansion, allow one to reach the peak of the Purple Mansion realm.

These five orthodox Immortal Foundations are: Azure Profound Peak, Fu Qingshan, Upper Rock Deity, Earth Observer, and Profound Ram Child.

These five Immortal Foundations point towards a single golden essence, called the Azure Weir Divine Peak Primal Essence.

The end of the scroll also includes an appended cultivation method that forms an Immortal Foundation called Lower Yang Essence. This was specifically prepared in case a certain Immortal Foundation could not be cultivated, allowing it to replace one of the Azure Weir golden essence Immortal Foundations to condense the golden essence.

“Indeed, it’s a complete inheritance, even including alternative lower-tier Daoist materials… The Yanyang Temple Palace back then must not have been a weak lineage either.”

Yuan Huyuan once said that much of the inheritance obtained from Yanyang Temple Palace had been lost. Seeing how complete the "Six Weirs Azure Cloud Core Manual" was now, Lu Jiangxian suspected it was a lie meant to maintain a low profile.

“But the Yuan family clearly possesses Purple Mansion immortal arts, so how could they not produce a single Purple Mansion cultivator for hundreds, even thousands, of years?!”

Lu Jiangxian studied it carefully for a while before discovering the problem: it lay with the vital energy, "Ram Essence Vitality," required by the core Immortal Foundation, Profound Ram Child, within this immortal art.

“Ram Essence Vitality requires seeking the green ginseng mountain stones exposed to the intense sun, drawing out one wisp of energy per year, and one unit of green ginseng energy every ten years. Then, it needs to be refined repeatedly for ten years using demons formed from crimson rams as sacrifices…”

Following the method for gathering Ram Essence Vitality were densely written descriptions of over a dozen attempted alternative methods, all of which were failed substitutes for the required spiritual energy, appended by later generations.

“This makes everything clear… When the Yuan family migrated from the north, they cut off the source of this Ram Essence Vitality. Their reserves of world spiritual energy diminished with each use, and successive Foundation Establishment cultivators attempting breakthroughs failed, slowly rendering the cultivation method unfeasible…”

“Instead, the Yuan family used the auxiliary Dao Foundations more frequently… but no matter how they cultivated, they were ultimately limited to the peak of Foundation Establishment, with no path forward.”

Holding the Purple Mansion immortal art, Lu Jiangxian carefully read the section on divine abilities. He felt a sudden enlightenment, and some ideas began to form for the Purple Mansion chapter of the "Golden Hall Radiant Origin Art," which he had struggled to complete.

“As for so many cultivation methods, they cannot be bestowed carelessly. If a member of the Li family were to cultivate the "Six Weirs Azure Cloud Core Manual," it might lead to a falling out with the Yuan family and draw unwanted attention.”