Chapter 597: Granting the Law

“All Yin Dao Fruits revere the Grand Yin, while the Grand Yang is the most prominent during the day, with all other Yang manifestations following it…”

Chi Buzi's spiritual aperture manifested earlier than most, allowing him to begin cultivation at the age of five. When Chi Wei taught him to cultivate, the very first lesson was about Dao Fruits, specifically starting with the principles of Yin and Yang.

Chi Wei had read this passage in a hall of the Mifan Sect; it reflected the ancient cultivators' views on Yin and Yang Dao Fruits, and it was followed by another sentence:

“The Grand Yin's Profound Radiance, descending as water of the bingzi celestial stem, forms the Moon-over-Lake essence. It guides the two aspects, Lu and He, signifying the true chi's pursuit of the Dao… The Grand Yang's Celestial Essence, blended with water of the renchen celestial stem, becomes the Sundering Yang Hairpin. It transforms the Lesser and Bright Yangs, culminating in Yingze's sundering of Kuai.”

Chi Wei had recited this passage expressionlessly, but only later did Chi Buzi realize that he had used it as a basis to defeat Li Chijing. Aside from the different names for spiritual objects across various Daoist traditions, the text clearly stated that the Autumn Moon-over-Lake could guide Lu and He, while the Sundering Yang Hairpin could transform the two Yangs.

However, in recent antiquity, Yin and Yang principles had long ceased to manifest prominently. Spiritual objects withered, Daoist traditions were lost, and cultivators who reached the Foundation Establishment stage in Yin and Yang Dao Fruits were few, let alone those in the Purple Mansion realm. Furthermore, the few who had previously attained Yin and Yang Dao Fruits were each more extraordinary than the last, leading no ambitious individual in the world to covet this path.

Most Purple Mansion cultivators set it aside. Only individuals like Chi Wei utilized certain Yin and Yang permutations to achieve their goals. As for those who attempted to make significant progress in these two paths, perhaps only a few stubborn sects remained.

It was precisely because of these profound reasons that when Chi Buzi's gaze fell upon the Yin and Yang patterns, his eyes could not stop for even a moment. As if burned, they quickly dropped to the ground, his head pressed tightly against the floor's markings. All his plans and calculations were shattered, leaving only boundless discomposure:

‘He… it's actually him… this Immortal Lord! What “Fenshui”! What “Fusui”… it's Yin and Yang!’

His voice was slightly hoarse, his forehead pressed tightly against the ground, his tone as low as it could possibly be:

“This humble cultivator, Buzi, greets the Immortal Lord.”

His tone was humble and respectful, yet his mind raced like lightning:

Who was this person before him?

This was no longer an era where Immortals revealed themselves. Apart from Luoxia Mountain and the Underworld, which were widely acknowledged to have Immortals presiding over them, most of the ancient great cultivators who had achieved immortality had either perished or ascended beyond the boundless heavens. In recent antiquity, only a few were renowned, and those who had achieved Yin and Yang Dao Fruits were pitifully rare.

His mind went blank, and he clenched his jaw to prevent his lips from trembling, for he already had the answer.

“Yingze!”

It wasn't that Chi Buzi had miscalculated by a thousandfold; he had simply never even conceived that the Li family was backed by *this* Immortal. What kind of figure was Yingze? He was the master of the Green Pine Temple, a great cultivator who had cultivated both Yin and Yang and attained the Grand Yang Dao Fruit!

How formidable was the Lesser Yang Demonic Lord Kuai Li in those days? Yingze first sent someone to deliver an Immortal Decree before Tuoba Xuantan, only then did he move to capture Kuai Li. True Monarch Tuoba Xuantan didn't dare utter a single word.

Kuai Li was split into three, and astonishingly, none of the three were weaker than an ordinary Golden Core cultivator, which clearly demonstrated the terrifying power of that Demonic Lord back then. Chi Buzi was utterly terrified, for a moment not knowing what to do.

“Even Lushui himself would come here, stand to the side, perform the disciple's bow, and address this person as 'Master' or 'Martial Uncle'…”

He remained kneeling dutifully, staring at the solidified patterns on the ground, unable to utter a single word. It took several breaths before he managed to squeeze out words:

“This humble cultivator… this humble cultivator is profoundly grateful to behold the Immortal's visage… I had intended to present myself before an Immortal Decree and serve with my life, but I never imagined troubling the Immortal's presence. I am filled with both dread and honor…”

Chi Buzi's words flowed rather smoothly, and his tone was humble and reverent. He never considered a low attitude to be degrading. The person before him had attained a Dao Fruit; even now, traces of their influence could be seen in array formations, spellcasting, alchemy, artifact forging, and the transformations of Yin and Yang. What harm was there in speaking softly?

“I only fear I'm not humble enough!”

If Chi Buzi had been born a thousand years earlier, before the great changes in the heavens, during the time when the Heavenly Dao was regulated, merely speaking to Yingze's true form would have been a boast so grand it would be laughed off as empty bragging. Now, he was utterly sincere, without a single ulterior motive.

The Immortal above quietly leaned back, their voice drifting down:

“My true form passed through this place not for you, but due to a karmic entanglement concerning life and death. You sought out my true form on your own accord.”

Hearing this, Chi Buzi could only nod subserviently. Lu Jiangxian, with his divine sense, naturally read his mind completely clearly.

He was originally a person who admired power and would stop at nothing to achieve it. His lack of deference to Lushui was precisely because that True Monarch kept things hidden, and the breakthrough methods passed down were nonsensical, lacking the True Monarch's magnanimity. Moreover, Lushui stood in his path, so it was natural for him to resent him.

Now, faced with this ancient Immortal, Chi Buzi knew that the other party could, more likely than not, perceive his innermost thoughts. His mind was meticulous, and his self-control exceptionally strong. Under his deliberate guidance, his heart became filled with nothing but admiration, to the point where he even fooled himself.

Lu Jiangxian merely pondered his overwhelming emotions, remaining silent for a moment. He naturally didn't believe that Chi Buzi before him possessed any means of deception:

“Good… truly a ruthless one…”

Chi Buzi remained kneeling, not daring to raise his head, let alone try to fathom the other's emotions. He only heard the Immortal pause, then a sentence drifted down that made him dizzy:

“Dang Jiang, come forth and greet my true form.”

‘What…’

It was as if a thousand great bells boomed in Chi Buzi's mind, their heavy sounds reverberating repeatedly. The feeling of disbelief flickered in his heart for only a brief moment before he felt everything dissipate, fading into an endless silence.

It was as if his soul had been extracted from his body, silently observing his own movements from the side. Chi Buzi watched his body jump up, perform an awkward bowing ceremony, and saw an unfamiliar, fawning expression emerge on his familiar face as it said ingratiatingly:

“This humble deity greets the Lord Prefect! Welcome, Lord Prefect! This humble deity… this humble deity congratulates the Lord Prefect on re-emerging from the Immortal Abode, and may peace prevail here… all the Yellow Turbans and Feathered Guests under heaven have cause for celebration…”

The one occupying his body was none other than the demonic entity that had emerged from the Li family. Chi Buzi had engaged in a long battle of wits with it, entangled for years, believing he had finally annihilated it and absorbed the treasure within its soul, thus greatly advancing his cultivation. He never imagined that this vile thing was still inside him!

“Dang Jiang… good… good… you certainly fooled me…”

Chi Buzi's anger flared in his heart but was quickly swept away and ignored by his rationality. Even feeling as if his soul had left his body, he remained respectfully bowed, respectfully watching the demonic entity control his body and prattle on.

Lu Jiangxian, however, had no desire to speak further with Dang Jiang. With a thought, he silenced the water mansion's immortal official, and said softly:

“On that day, my true form was in secluded cultivation and not in the mansion, which allowed you to escape by tracing the connection.”

He paused here, as if turning to address someone else:

“It saved your life, incidentally.”

Chi Buzi shivered coldly, realizing of course that the Immortal was speaking to him. Fear immediately welled up in his heart:

“Indeed… when I searched that young cultivator's memories back then… it triggered some connection and almost killed me… so it turns out it coincided with Dang Jiang's escape, which ironically saved my life…”

Dang Jiang, having usurped Chi Buzi's body, never stopped prattling, immediately weeping and wailing:

“Lord Prefect! Lord Prefect! This humble one has suffered terribly in this murky world! What! What kind of world is this! This humble deity… this humble deity…”

Chi Buzi listened, speechless and choked, mockingly sneering in his heart, his teeth aching with hatred:

“I've fought with you for decades; how could I not know what kind of scoundrel you are! All righteous words on the surface! But inside, you're lustful, cowardly, and inherently greedy… acting… you're still putting on an act…”

Lu Jiangxian watched him prattle on, secretly getting a headache. It hadn't been easy for him to maintain this charade all along, and he genuinely feared this fellow might reveal too much and expose them:

‘Jinglian wasn't talkative… how did she mold such a noisy Dang Jiang…’

Lu Jiangxian silently made the fellow shut up, shook his head gently, and said softly:

“You have been absent from your post for many years; you will naturally bear the consequences of your transgression. Return to your proper place…”

As soon as his words fell, Chi Buzi immediately regained sensation in his limbs. His suspended heart finally settled, and feeling the cool touch of the floor, he secretly sighed in his heart:

“He didn't seize my body after all… he is an Immortal, after all…”

“So that's it… that idiot deserted his post from some Grotto-heaven realm back then… no wonder a demonic entity burst in so senselessly!”

He had originally thought this Dang Jiang was released by some True Monarch to seize his body, which was why he had taken the risk of saying those things on Zongquan Island… Now, he had finally sorted out the whole story, and envy swelled in his heart:

“That idiot truly has fool's luck…”

He paused, realizing that this Immortal, presumably Yingze, was merely retrieving the demonic entity, and would most likely return to some immortal realm soon. His heart gradually grew anxious.

Chi Buzi had finally obtained a chance at the Golden Core. How could he just let it slip away? This individual before him was at least approachable. He immediately clenched his teeth, knocked his head firmly to the ground, and said in a deep voice:

“To behold the Immortal Lord's visage… Buzi yearns for it, yet fears discord with the Great Dao. To see an Immortal is like seeing the true Dao. I beg the Immortal Lord to guide me to the path of the Golden Core…”

He spoke these words with a pounding heart. The Immortal above seemed unsurprised, quietly gazing at him:

“You used your body as a cage to trap Dang Jiang, preventing him from revealing his traces. For this, you have rendered a service.”

Chi Buzi was filled with both doubt and joy. He pressed tightly against the ground as the radiant light before him receded like a tide, slowly disappearing, leaving only a long sigh:

“You possess the spirit of self-cultivation and self-realization, which is rare in this current age. Since you seek a clear path, I shall point one out to you. Do well for yourself.”

Chi Buzi remained kneeling silently until the radiance before him completely vanished. Only then did he slowly raise his head. Everything before him remained frozen in endless silence, peaceful and serene.

Had it not been for Si Boxiu still standing like a statue beside him, Chi Buzi would have almost suspected that everything that had just occurred was merely a dream. He slowly rose to his feet and looked around.

All the ornate colors within the great hall were slowly fading. Stone steps, jade slips, array patterns… everything slowly dissipated like sand blown by the wind, leaving only boundless white.

He looked forward. An ethereal, snow-white token floated there. The man in green stepped forward, gently picked it up, and a deafening roar erupted in his mind as the token instantly transformed into a stream of white light, crashing into his consciousness.

Countless spell incantations poured forth like a torrent. Chi Buzi slowly raised his head, a bright light shining in his eyes, and several large characters appeared in his mind:

“The Celestial Seal Profound Sacrificial Method!”

“Clink…”

He suddenly looked up, and the white light before him vanished completely. The clinking and clanking of jade pendants once again reached his ears, and the flow of spiritual energy became perceptible. Chi Buzi still held the cool, smooth green jade slip in his hand.

The array's radiance shone upon his green robe, revealing intricate patterns. He heard Si Boxiu's aged voice:

“Any gains?”

“Not enough.”

Chi Buzi smoothly and naturally raised his head, a look of helplessness appearing on his face. He shook his head slightly and frowned, saying:

“Still only Foundation Establishment level.”

He quickly searched again. Sure enough, the 'Lushui's plunder dew' was still missing. With a face full of disappointment, he returned to Si Boxiu's side and said softly:

“What a pity! Uncle has already taken the spell he wanted?”

“There's nothing for me to take, naturally…”

Si Boxiu shook his head:

“These cultivation methods are more like references for ordinary disciples… what I seek are more profound talismans and array arts. While the things here are somewhat interesting, they are not enough.”

“More profound talismans and array arts?”

Chi Buzi's expression was natural, showing no trace of the recent events. He smiled and said:

“Then we'll have to go to the Moon Splendor Origin Mansion!”

“I wouldn't dare say…”

Si Boxiu's mouth twitched, and he silently shook his head. Chi Buzi's gaze swept across the ocean of Daoist techniques, and he casually said:

“Since Uncle has already taken what he wants, let's work together to activate the arrays in this hall and destroy all these things!”

Si Boxiu frowned, finding some logic in the suggestion.

The central ones were all Purple Mansion cultivation methods of the True Qi path, with particularly strict arrays. It was possible they were also bolstered by restrictions, and opening them would take at least an hour.

Since they weren't essential for either of them, and time was of the essence in a Grotto-heaven, spending an hour to dismantle a single cultivation method was truly not worth it. However, leaving them here to benefit others was out of the question.

So, he activated his Yellow Dao Profound Talismans, placing them on the main array in the center, and said softly:

“You should stand back for a moment. This grand array is not easy to break, but it's very simple to activate its self-destruction!”

Si Boxiu was a master in this field, so Chi Buzi naturally entrusted it to him. He floated back, retreating about half a *li*, when a dazzling blaze shot skyward. A mixture of golden-red and gray-black, it was True Fire and Conjoining Fire erupting simultaneously.

“Now, no matter how good the cultivation methods inside were, they're all burned to ashes…”

Chi Buzi's face flushed slightly from the surging, scorching firelight before him. He wore a harmonious smile, utterly satisfied in his heart:

“I must naturally keep the Celestial Seal Profound Sacrificial Method strictly confidential. But who knows whose eyes it might fall into someday… I always need to find a plausible origin for it…”

“This Wen Dao Palace is the perfect source! Who knows what secret methods were hidden inside? Burn it all down, and there will be no evidence to contradict it in the end… who can say anything then!”

He clasped his hands behind his back, his green robes appearing to flicker in the sky-reaching flames. Forcing himself to suppress the wild elation and suspicion in his heart, he mused:

“I'll go back and thoroughly examine this spell… but since it was bestowed by an Immortal, I probably won't be able to decipher anything from it… still, I'll try…”