Chapter 161: Chapter 138: Only by Refining the Sun and Moon to Completion Can One Attain the Emperor’s Life

For Jiang Yi, who was gradually learning about the various Daoist Lineages of the Yanfu Vast Land, the word "opportunity" had become synonymous with "a giant trap."

But those two words held a strange, demonic power. Even knowing they were mostly just smoke and mirrors, hiding something shady, a sliver of hope would still rise in his heart.

’What if? What if this incredible luck really did fall into my lap?’

Jiang Yi waited in Gao Village for three to five days. He watched as the figures in the direction of Goose Mountain grew more numerous, with more cultivators arriving each day.

The villages and stockades at the foot of the mountain bustled with activity. Even the Escape Lights streaking across the sky became more frequent. If not for the Taifu Sect’s Exquisite Magic Tower hanging high in the Qingming, its brilliant glow a conspicuous and intimidating presence, this region would have long since descended into chaos.

This land would have long ago descended into chaos.

"Hanyang Prefecture is under the jurisdiction of my Qianji Sect. Seeing that you and Han Li had not returned, I came to investigate."

Liu Huan coughed twice and said with a serious expression:

"Furthermore, as Sect Leader, I have dedicated my life to Cultivation and have yet to take a wife.

"Although I feigned a life of debauchery to deceive Old Thief Sui back then, damaging my Primordial Yang, my devotion to the Dao remains as pure as a newborn’s. In theory, I can be considered to have a Pure Yang Body."

’A lady from the direct lineage of a Daoist Lineage... is she really that alluring?’

’Even the Sect Leader, who never lets his emotions show, couldn’t hold back. He left Observing Sun Peak to appear in person.’

Jiang Yi grumbled inwardly, but on the surface, he respectfully cupped his hands.

"The Sect Leader is absolutely right. This disciple observes your noble bearing and distinguished air. With such an aura, you might truly catch the lady’s eye and be chosen as her husband."

Liu Huan said no more. Discussing being recruited as a husband in front of a junior was, after all, beneath the dignity of a Sect Leader.

With a flick of his large sleeve, a figure tumbled out and landed on the ground.

It was Han Li, who had been missing for days.

A black aura clung to the space between Senior Brother Han’s eyebrows. His mind had clearly been clouded by baleful energy. He was unconscious, like a pile of mud, his breathing so faint it was nearly inaudible.

"This trip to Hanyang Prefecture has been fraught with complications. You are not to blame."

Liu Huan seemed to know the whole story. He sighed softly.

"The chaos caused by the Huang and Wang Families, the Youquan Sect entrenching themselves on Goose Mountain... it’s most likely the work of a Foundation Establishment True Master. They are merely pawns to advance a scheme.

"You two were lucky to have survived after stumbling into this mess."

Jiang Yi quickly put on an expression of sudden realization and relief at having survived a disaster, nodding repeatedly.

Liu Huan mentioned it briefly without going into detail.

How could the limited perspective of a Qi Cultivation Lower Cultivator possibly fathom the mystique of a Foundation Establishment True Master?

He changed the subject and got straight to the point:

"You’ve been watching Goose Mountain for the past few days. Have you found out the specific conditions for being recruited as a husband?"

Jiang Yi bowed slightly and reported the news he had gathered over the past few days:

"Although the gates to that place, [Fengdu], are wide open, not just anyone can enter. First, one must ’register their name.’ This means leaving a wisp of Life Qi on the wide stone wall at the entrance. A moment later, your name and background will appear. It’s said that only you can see the details, while outsiders can’t get a clear look."

Liu Huan’s brow furrowed. As a Dharma Lineage Master, he was extremely wary of anything that would expose his background. He simply raised his hand and said:

"Continue."

"If the Life Qi you leave behind lingers without dissipating, remaining solid and unbroken, then you have passed the first trial and may enter [Fengdu]."

Jiang Yi paused for a moment before continuing:

"I haven’t seen the situation inside myself, but I’ve heard others mention that it’s a Ghost Country, a motley place where yin creatures actually live like common folk, making a living.

"They open shops and do business. Some sell food from the Yin Realm, others are in the flesh trade, and there are even many Fierce Fiends lurking about, coveting the flesh and blood of cultivators."

A hint of curiosity appeared in Liu Huan’s eyes. Although he had reached the Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer and was a significant figure in Beimang Ridge, he had never set foot in places like Grotto Heaven Blessed Lands or a True Master’s Abandoned Mansion.

It was likely because Beimang Ridge was poor in Spiritual Energy, far less abundant than the southern Zhongxiao Ridge, that such opportunities were rare.

"Once inside the Ghost Country, the ’trials’ begin."

Jiang Yi continued:

"Deep within the Ghost Country, there is a colossal, eighteen-story tower that reaches the heavens. It is said to be guarded by endless yin soldiers and surrounded by Yamas, making it incredibly dangerous.

"Only the most capable and talented True Inheritance disciples can climb to the top of the tower and meet the lady."

Liu Huan nodded slowly. This was all more or less consistent with what he already knew.

In fact, according to the latest rumors, several Elders from the Zhao You Sect, along with the Direct Lineages of Dao Races like the Fu and Kang Clans, had already used their favorable position to get a head start, rushing to Goose Mountain to seize the initiative;

Not to mention the top talents from the True Gu Sect, Yin Puppet Sect, Joyful Union Sect, and others, who had also flocked here upon hearing the news.

The most eye-catching figure at present was "Ying Xingzi" from the Primordial Corpse Sect of Dangyin Ridge.

Before the age of thirty, he had already reached the Perfection of the Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer. He once received a compliment from a Foundation Establishment True Master of the Innate Sect, who called him a "Bear-like Talent" and predicted that it would take him sixty years at most to accumulate the Perfect Life Essence needed for Flying Foundation Establishment.

Liu Huan had once seen Ying Xingzi from a distance. The man was indeed full of vigor, as bright as the moon, and far beyond comparison with ordinary cultivators.

’Since I’m already here, I might as well give it a try myself.’

He thought to himself, not having completely dismissed the idea of trying his luck in [Fengdu].

’What if the lady takes a liking to me?’

According to the rumors circulating outside, she was the direct successor of some Hidden Daoist Lineage who, for some unspoken reason, had decided to recruit a husband.

Her family’s wealth was likely unimaginable. It wouldn’t be surprising if even a True Inheritance disciple from an Ancestral Sect Dharma Lineage came to get a piece of the pie.

’A great opportunity! An unprecedented opportunity in the Three Peaks and Four Waters!’

Liu Huan’s heart was filled with a mix of emotions. He only lamented that this opportunity hadn’t fallen into his lap alone. Now, having to compete with all the talented prodigies from the northern and southern lands, he didn’t feel very confident.

’For the sake of Flying Foundation Establishment, he’d even cast aside his ancestral foundation. What’s marrying into another family compared to that?’

"You, lead the way."

With a wave of his sleeve, Liu Huan instructed Yang Xun to stay behind and look after Han Li, then pointed directly at Jiang Yi to act as his guide.

The two of them walked for over an hour. Goose Mountain looked close but was far to walk to. Within a hundred-li radius of [Fengdu], Qi Cultivation Cultivators were forbidden from flying, so they could only travel slowly on foot.

"Sect Leader, that is the ’Name Wall’."

Liu Huan stepped forward with his hands behind his back and released a wisp of his Primordial Life Qi. It floated like a thin wisp of smoke, slowly swirling to form his name and his Dharma Lineage.

"Liu Huan, Qianji Sect, Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer... Hmm, what is the meaning of ’Earth and Wood Life’?"

Liu Huan’s brow furrowed, and he turned to look at Jiang Yi.

"This wall divides a cultivator’s Life Qi into nine ranks," Jiang Yi explained.

"The first is ’Grass Seed Life.’ Drifting and rootless, life and death are left to fate. It is as lowly as a grass seed and cannot withstand the slightest storm.

"The second is ’Muddy Tile Life.’ It has a slight foundation but is still fragile and coarse. It can bear meager blessings but struggles to accumulate great fortune.

"The third is ’Earth and Wood Life.’ It is rooted and established, stable with potential for growth. One can build a small fortune through diligence, but it is easily broken by major calamities..."

"The third rank from the bottom?"

Liu Huan’s expression immediately darkened.

He, a dignified Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer cultivator and a Dharma Lineage Master, was ranked so low!

"What rank are you?" he asked in a low voice.

"Naturally, I’m the lowest rank, ’Grass Seed Life’," Jiang Yi answered frankly, though his eyes flickered.

Liu Huan’s expression softened slightly, and he asked again:

"In recent days, what’s the highest rank anyone has achieved?"

"Ying Xingzi of the Primordial Corpse Sect. He has the sixth rank, ’Flowing Spring Life’," Jiang Yi replied.

"It is resilient and enduring, able to flow with the current. It gathers strength in depressions and cascades over cliffs. It is a superior fate."

"Fate divided into nine ranks..."

Liu Huan fell silent in contemplation, then asked out of curiosity:

"Then what is the first rank?"

Before Jiang Yi could answer, a youth in magnificent purple robes sidled up to them and interjected in a flamboyant tone:

"Naturally, it’s the ’Emperor’s Life,’ complete with the sun and moon! Resplendent and unquenchable, it blesses all things. A life like a solar corona, its dazzling light streaming down.

"The husband that lady seeks can only be an unparalleled figure whose Life Qi is like the sun and moon, as noble as an emperor.

"The likes of you, who are just dreaming of a lucky break, should give up now!"

Liu Huan shot him a cool glance. Seeing that the youth was only at the Qi Cultivation Tenth Layer, he would have slapped him if not for the fact that his clothes shimmered with a precious light, hinting at an extraordinary background.

"Even Ying Xingzi of the Primordial Corpse Sect barely reached the sixth rank. Who could possibly reach the first?

"This so-called ’Emperor’s Life,’ complete with the sun and moon, is probably just nonsense."

The purple-robed youth immediately sneered:

"Truly a short-sighted fool. Someone has already reached the first rank on this wall. It’s just that their result was concealed and not revealed."

He looked smug, as if he were holding onto some earth-shattering secret that he couldn’t wait to show off:

"His name is just Shang! His Life Qi has been growing more and more brilliant recently. Just yesterday, it actually condensed into the image of the sun and moon, and he advanced to the first rank!"