Chapter 799: Intercalary of Female Water

Chi Buzi waited for a few breaths. The Dang Jiang before him finally stepped forward, bowing as he said, "Reporting to the Immortal General… this person was personally chosen by His Holiness in the past, who permitted him to ascend to heaven to seek the Dao. Now, he has also begun to accumulate immortal merits and has specifically come to pay his respects. He only hopes that the Immortal General can provide some guidance so that he may have a chance at forming a Golden Core."

He knelt dutifully, pulling Chi Buzi with both hands, motioning him to present the token. Although Chi Buzi held the noble status of a Grand Cultivator of the Purple Mansion, he knelt without hesitation, his expression perfectly natural, and said respectfully, "This humble cultivator has successively sacrificed two demons in exchange for immortal merits, which serve as capital for the Dao. All of it is contained within this token. I humbly ask for your guidance, honored sir."

Immediately, a Heavenly Soldier descended from the platform. He took the token from Chi Buzi's hand and brought it directly to Lu Jiangxian, who had transformed into True Proclamation, reporting, "Sir, there are six hundred and forty-one immortal merits in the token."

True Proclamation nodded slightly. He glanced at both men and replied, "Go seek the Intercalary Position."

Dang Jiang already found these words difficult to comprehend. Chi Buzi also hesitated. His Azure Pond Green Water Dao lineage was powerful enough to suppress other cultivators. However, precisely because this lineage originated from Green Water, Chi Buzi's understanding of the Golden Core was surprisingly limited. Although he had made great efforts to gather information over the years and had gained much, he was a shrewd man; how could he not seize this opportunity to ask a few more questions?

He immediately bowed and said, "Reporting to Your Honor… this humble cultivator's Dao lineage is simple, and my cultivation is shallow. I am completely ignorant regarding matters of the Golden Core… It was only in Anhuaidao that I received the Immortal Lord's compassion, who granted this humble cultivator hope. Your words, honored sir, are profound; please explain them further…"

Lu Jiangxian smiled inwardly upon hearing this. *He's using me to back him up!*

He had read a vast number of ancient texts and had immortal techniques as his guide. He understood matters of the Golden Core far better than Chi Buzi, both through practical evidence and theoretical deduction. In fact, he was quite confident.

Such knowledge was profound and not to be easily divulged. Chi Buzi was shrewd, not one to act without seeing a benefit. Lu Jiangxian also intended to continue using him, so he wasn't stingy and said softly, "Given your current situation, that True Monarch of Green Water cannot be eliminated. You know you have no hope of achieving a major position… Moreover, you are a descendant of his Dao lineage, and he is watching you, not even wishing for you to achieve a lesser position. To directly confront him on the path of Green Water would be self-destruction. Only the Intercalary Position remains open to you."

Chi Buzi's breathing suddenly grew heavy. He whispered, "This humble cultivator dares to ask, honored sir… which Intercalary Position should I strive for?"

For ordinary cultivators, the "Lesser Position" and "Intercalary Position" were completely ethereal and unheard of. Even direct descendants of the Purple Mansion only knew of their existence. None of the prominent Golden Core Dao lineages from the Three Sects and Seven Gates had a single cultivation method or text that explicitly detailed how to seek the Lesser or Intercalary Positions…

No matter how many things he had seen before, Chi Buzi could always grasp the crux of the matter. The answer to this question was as weighty as Mount Tai for the entire world, its value unimaginably high.

True Proclamation, however, seemed to have heard a very simple question and shook his head, saying, "That depends on your divine abilities. Green Water and Female Water have an intercalary relationship. Among the five divine abilities, 'Sound of Cave Spring,' 'Heavy Turbidity,' and 'Ugly Gui's Concealment' are all intercalations of Female Water. But you went and cultivated 'Clear Evening Rain,' which makes things troublesome."

Chi Buzi's reaction was incredibly swift. As these unhurried words were spoken, his expression changed several times.

'Green Water and Female Water have an intercalary relationship.' What did this imply? It meant Chi Buzi could, by this, seek the Intercalary Position of Female Water!

His composure, usually unwavering even if Mount Tai were to collapse before him, finally shattered. His eyes revealed a horrified realization, as doubt and enlightenment intertwined repeatedly.

Chi Buzi, relying on his cultivation and the ancient books he had collected, had long ago had ideas about Female Water and Government Water. In the past, he had also guessed that Yingze was the True Monarch of Government Water, and had then taken risks to show his loyalty...

Now that he knew there was a divine ability called the Intercalary of Female Water, almost half of the fog in his mind cleared. But merely knowing that Green Water and Female Water had an intercalary relationship wasn't the key… The crucial point was: which immortal foundation should be used to supplement it? And what method should be found to seek the 'gold' (Golden Core)?

Too many thoughts immediately surged in his mind. Yet, he still relied on his cultivation judgment, suppressing his excitement as he replied, "In past generations of my Dao lineage, seniors only sought the Lesser Position of Green Water, never aspiring to an Intercalary Position. In my generation, I have already understood the True Monarch's intention and have considered obtaining an Intercalary Position… But I never imagined that 'Clear Evening Rain' would spoil everything…"

True Proclamation had already picked up a jade slip and began reading it to himself. He replied, saying, "If you hadn't cultivated this 'Clear Evening Rain,' the method for the path of Female Water would be excellent. But since you have cultivated this divine ability, 'Clear Evening Rain' is a late rain, a proper fruit of Green Water, and thus incompatible with Female Water."

Chi Buzi finally understood. The Chi family originally possessed abilities like 'Heavy Turbidity' and 'Sound of Cave Spring'; only 'Azure Pond Clear Evening Rain' was an internal family stock. Being suspicious by nature, he immediately blamed Green Water, whispering, "Now… honored sir, please guide me out of this dilemma!"

True Proclamation rubbed the token in his hand. Its brilliance immediately dimmed. Dang Jiang watched, pained. Chi Buzi, however, remained indifferent, waiting respectfully below, and saw True Proclamation say, "In Government Water, there is a kind of 'Morning Cold Rain'. Do you know of it?"

Chi Buzi, of course, knew. Without thinking, he immediately said, "This humble cultivator has heard of it. 'Morning Cold Rain' of Government Water is often seen in the East Sea, and many descendants of Green Water demons cultivate this path…"

True Proclamation said softly, "If you are to achieve a divine ability, you should cultivate this path."

Chi Buzi was slightly stunned. He felt quite uneasy.

After all, if a cultivator of the Purple Mansion cultivated the wrong divine ability, they would almost certainly halt their progress. In Jiangnan, Purple Mansion cultivators would only dare to use a different Dao to supplement their very last divine ability. Even then, they would calculate endlessly, trying to avoid conflicts between their various divine abilities… It was not a simple matter.

Moreover, for a Green Water cultivator to use a Government Water divine ability to achieve the Intercalary Position of Female Water was simply unheard of. Had he heard this idea even a day earlier, Chi Buzi would have absolutely slapped the proposer to dust. He couldn't understand it at all, and saw True Proclamation raise an eyebrow and say, "'Morning Cold Rain' is when falling snow meets morning light, transforming into a chilling rain. The rain is contained within the snow, and the snow acts as the valley of the rain. In Government Water, it is an intercalation of Female Water. It's also fortunate that it can connect upwards to the three intercalations of Female Water and downwards to 'Clear Evening Rain.' Although it's not as good as cultivating with the other two Female Water abilities, it is still a viable path."

The more Chi Buzi listened, the more logical it sounded. He quickly nodded, a little trust settling in his heart.

No matter what, this method involved four Green Water abilities and remained within worldly common sense. Even if it didn't offer a chance to break through to the Golden Core, his life would at least be preserved. Chi Buzi, on the contrary, felt that not cultivating 'Clear Evening Rain,' but instead cultivating three Green Water abilities and then two Female Water abilities, seemed more like a joke…

*The seniors and various texts have long made it clear: if one cultivates a divine ability outside their core element, their cultivation will immediately cease. Two abilities? Even if they manage to cultivate them, how many days could they last without their bodies exploding?*

He mused that with two paths before him, he would also choose to cultivate four Green Water and one Government Water divine abilities. He was even glad he had already cultivated 'Clear Evening Rain,' otherwise it would be difficult to refuse the other party. He then said, "This 'Morning Cold Rain'…"

It wasn't that Chi Buzi didn't have this Government Water cultivation method, but he knew nothing about these intercalary and remnant mysteries. Naturally, he had to ask for reassurance. He most hoped the other party could provide an exclusive cultivation method, his tone hopeful and eager.

Lu Jiangxian had been waiting for him to ask that very question. After all, he had already prepared the carrot, and Chi Buzi would naturally willingly take the bait. He then controlled True Proclamation, who chuckled and said, "This is easy. 'Morning Cold Rain' is, after all, a Government Water cultivation method. It would be best to modify it to better suit your Dao path. If you have enough immortal merits, you can simply request a copy of the method from the Mansion. The method for seeking the 'gold' afterward is the same; neither will be difficult."

Chi Buzi's heart stirred at these words. Lu Jiangxian knew his capabilities and felt a slight worry. After all, it would take time for him to write a cultivation method. He was afraid Chi Buzi would pull off a major feat, sacrificing a mountain of 'pity' (resources/beasts), and then he wouldn't be able to produce the method. Moreover, asking for a method for seeking 'gold' at his current level was mere talk, so he quickly added, regretfully, "However, I must remind you that some of my colleagues in the Mansion are not as easy to deal with as I am. They don't have a favorable view of the Purple Gold method. You should avoid that area. Also, let Dang Jiang make the requests, and it will cost a significant amount… Work hard!"

This reason was perfectly logical. Chi Buzi even felt that some of his doubts had been resolved, and his suspicions lessened. He and Dang Jiang respectfully bowed and withdrew from the platform. The green-robed man felt utterly refreshed and radiant.

Dang Jiang, however, looked at the token in his hand. Only forty-one immortal merits remained from the original six hundred and forty-one. Chi Buzi, however, didn't care.

*What a joke. It's just the lives of two demons. A single phrase, "Green Water and Female Water have an intercalary relationship," is worth how many Purple Mansion cultivators' lives from an entire Dao lineage?*

Shao Hui was waiting outside, holding a pipa. She always found Chi Buzi displeasing, but she was a very patient person, escorting them silently to the outside. Once they reached the courtyard, both men breathed a sigh of relief.

This time, Dang Jiang was wary of him. Chi Buzi also stopped mentioning gifts and said solemnly, "When I return this time, I will slowly accumulate immortal merits. Doing too much of this will arouse suspicion. The path ahead is one where my spirit and form could be destroyed at any moment, like treading on thin ice. If I were to perish, you would also lose your path to promotion."

"You are very safe in heaven. Please inquire about the methods for cultivation and their cost for me. If there's an opportunity, please gather some spiritual elixirs and powerful assistance for me; it would also be helping yourself."

"Do I need you to tell me that?"

Dang Jiang spat at him. Chi Buzi almost cursed him as an idiot. In the end, he vanished from the circular pond, leaving Dang Jiang to cast an envious glance. Taking a step, Dang Jiang suddenly felt something was wrong.

"My goodness… that Chi dog earns three hundred immortal merits at a time for capturing demons. I seem to… I seem to earn even less than his leftover change… Why is there no commission for me? How can subordinates work without taking sixty or seventy percent from him?!"

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**Hua Su Yuan Ming Holy Pure Grand Yin Mansion.**

Heavy snow swirled. Lu Jiangxian's figure slowly materialized by the table. In the center of the table was a jade pot, filled to the brim with a blue-white substance resembling a starry ocean—the divine ability still glowed.

*Chi Buzi basically believed it… At least it allows him to cultivate to the peak of the Purple Mansion. With two hundred years ahead, it's a useful trump card.*

Lu Jiangxian wasn't exactly deceiving him. According to his own calculations, if the 'gold-seeking' method matched, this path, though strange and arduous, was indeed a shortcut directly to the Golden Core.

"This cultivation method for 'Morning Cold Rain' is also not difficult. Chi Buzi was able to break through using Talismanic Qi back then, which proves that Talismanic Qi is indeed inseparable from divine abilities, possessing the power to sense and nurture them. As long as it's written up to the Foundation Establishment stage, it will be much simpler."

Lu Jiangxian had an abundance of gray talismans and seven white talismans in stock. Although the sacrificial method was not recorded, the effects of these two types of Talismanic Qi should differ in magnitude. "Chi Buzi is highly capable. I'll reward him with a gray talisman then, so he can slowly grind his way to a breakthrough. The white talisman will be reserved for Li Ximing, so he can quickly cultivate the 'Lord's Perilous Tread' in his possession, and not be forced to flee in all directions."

He molded several human forms and tried a few times. Indeed, once a cultivator reached the Purple Mansion stage, Talismanic Qi could sense the previous divine ability and help nurture the next.

"Li Ximing's 'Visiting the Heavenly Gate' isn't complete yet. It will be some time before he can be of use."

He collected his thoughts and observed for a while. Chi Buzi outside was behaving normally. Only then did he wave his sleeve, and a delicate, small, seven-colored peacock with a golden beak and golden feet appeared on the ground.

This peacock's true body should have been as vast as a mountain, but having entered the world within the mirror, it was suppressed by him into a small one. Lu Jiangxian glanced at it twice and roughly estimated: "It's far inferior to Fuyu; both its body and soul have flaws. Although its true spirit was forcibly absorbed by the magic mirror, it ultimately doesn't possess any divine abilities. It can serve as mediocre material, but it's quite uninteresting to use."

These 'pities' were filled with scriptures and learned spells that were useless outside the Buddhist realm. Only a few of the peacock's innate instincts remained. Even if one were to try to teach it spells, it would still be a talentless mediocrity with an empty mind.

At present, he gently raised his hand. The peacock on the ground immediately transformed into streams of colorful light that soared upwards. They quickly converged into his palm, solidifying into a seven-colored glazed treasure orb the size of a fingernail.

Lu Jiangxian had originally intended to extract a soul to accompany Fuyu's Lesser Yin divine ability for refining Talismanic Qi. But the 'pity' (peacock) had no divine abilities, only cultivation. The Lesser Yin divine ability at least had other uses, so he simply took the entire peacock for use now.

"Come!"

The entire Heavenly Palace instantly solidified. Every Heavenly Soldier and General froze in place like a statue. The golden incense, suppressed beneath this vast Heavenly Palace, surged forth, spanning the sky. All of it flew towards the seven-colored glazed treasure orb in his hand.

The golden lake that Dang Jiang and others saw beneath the Twelve White Jade Bridges was merely a small corner. The incense from millions of common people around the lake, accumulated year after year, had already gathered beneath the Heavenly Palace into a vast golden lake. It was now rapidly depleting at a terrifying rate.

Lu Jiangxian had never before experienced such a consumption when condensing Talismanic Qi. He hadn't even considered whether the incense was sufficient. Now, the consumption for the Green Talisman jumped from tens of thousands to millions, depleting nearly fifty years of day-and-night accumulation. The surface of the golden lake slowly receded, but ultimately held firm.

A faint green radiance emerged before him. Innumerable mysterious patterns appeared in the air, spreading out like a spiderweb. All kinds of ethereal bells and string instruments played from thin air. This Talismanic Qi swayed, seemingly observing its surroundings with curiosity.

Lu Jiangxian casually took it and pressed it into his palm. All strange phenomena vanished with it. The golden lake beneath his feet undulated, with only a small portion remaining.

"Everything is ready. Once the Li family's sacrifice is complete, the talisman seed can be bestowed."

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**Characters Appearing in This Chapter:**

* **True Proclamation:** Grand Yin Pure Bright Immortal General (empty shell)* **Dang Jiang:** Archivist Immortal Official of Xuanqi Pavilion (Jianlian's partial soul)* **Shao Hui:** Lesser Yin Wu Gui Immortal Maiden (Fuyu Demon Peacock)* **Chi Buzi:** Grand True Man of the Late Purple Mansion (Lu Buzi)* **Lu Jiangxian**