Chapter 221: Chapter 175: The Celestial Book Gains Another Page, No More Hindrance of Knowledge

His whole body felt cool and refreshed, as if he were lying on a bed of jade.

Delicate, moisturizing wisps of energy surged up from beneath him, cocooning Jiang Yi’s body.

His Divine Sense plunged into his Primordial Gate, returning to the Furnace Cauldron, and his various senses gradually returned.

His eyelids fluttered, then slowly opened.

’Palace of Gathered Beauty?’

While Jiang Yi’s Heart Spirit was still in a daze, he heard a plump girl exclaim loudly:

"The Young Master is awake!"

A moment later, the ground trembled as if the entire palace were shaking.

’Just how heavy is she...’

As the thought flashed through Jiang Yi’s mind, his Divine Sense flared brightly within his Primordial Gate. It spun a few times, and the various changes to his body rose to his awareness.

First was his Inner Mansion, also known as the "Aerial Roots." All the refined Spiritual Energy, the Primordial Essence circulated during Cultivation, and the True Qi accumulated throughout his body had to gather here. They would then transform into an ever-present, supremely pure and essential embryonic Spiritual Liquid.

Thus, any problem with the Inner Mansion was tantamount to having one’s cultivation path severed, losing all chance of advancement.

’The Ancestral Master’s work is truly extraordinary.’

Jiang Yi examined it closely. His Inner Mansion, once essentially a "cave of nothingness," had become infinitely vast, its edges stretching beyond sight.

It was desolate and boundless, yet it held an aura that seemed to contain the universe and command the sun and moon.

’This thing is actually my ’Inner Mansion’? No one would believe me if I told them.’

After his initial awe, Jiang Yi looked down and saw that a vast Celestial Cave had opened up at some point, containing the Bing and Ding Fire, the Primordial Essence Treasure Blood, the embryonic Spiritual Liquid, and more.

Within it, a thousand auspicious mists seemed to drift. Purifying Qi swirled about, turbid clouds gathered, and heavy yin settled, creating a scene of primordial chaos.

’At rest, it gathers the vital mists to shelter the true self and nourish the breath, presiding over the very origin of life and transformation. In motion, it draws out essence to be sent forth, serving as the central hub connecting all openings and closings, great and small...’

Jiang Yi recalled the notes on the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer that his Grandpa, Yang Xun, had given him. Words that had once been vague and incomprehensible had now manifested as tangible reality.

’Only an ’Inner Mansion’ like this could completely absorb One Element of Spiritual Energy and condense an Innate True Qi that surpasses the First Grade.’

’Without the Daoist Monarch’s favor, accumulating this kind of foundation would be harder than ascending to heaven, even if I had joined an Ancestral Sect.’

High above this infinitely vast Inner Mansion that resembled primordial chaos, a "Great Sun" was suspended—it was the Foundation Establishment Pill.

It contained One Element of Spiritual Energy, encompassed both pure and turbid qi, and could even generate the Gang Sha of Yin and Yang.

From now on, Jiang Yi only needed to meditate, absorb the "pill qi," and draw in the endless Spiritual Energy to fill the Celestial Cave of his Inner Mansion little by little. He could advance straight to the Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer.

In short, he no longer had to struggle for external resources.

Treasure Medicines, divine items, superior Opportunities, the hidden legacies of True Masters... compared to this Foundation Establishment Pill, they all paled into insignificance, hardly worth a mention.

’The treatment for a Daoist of an Ancestral Sect is truly otherworldly, beyond all expectation.’

After inspecting his Inner Mansion, Jiang Yi’s focus rose to his Primordial Gate. There, his wisp of Divine Sense had merged with the golden nature, undergoing an even greater transformation. A brilliant radiance flickered and flowed from it.

’With the [Shao Yang] golden nature in my body, I’ve become a designated Fate Shuzi. My Dao Wisdom, innate aptitude, and talent for Refining Techniques have all been elevated by several levels.’

During those days when Jiang Yi’s body was like an inanimate object and his Divine Sense was disconnected from it, he had passed the lonely time by comprehending the profound mysteries and principles of the [Shao Yang] golden nature.

He had also gained some understanding of the Foundation Establishment practice that followed Qi Cultivation. In the process of accumulating Life Essence and refining the Five Elements, one could not avoid "perceptual barriers."

A Daoist Scripture says: Truth is born from illusion, yet illusion is not truth. Use truth to eclipse illusion, and they become one. See the formless, hear the soundless. When the heart is steady and the spirit wise, this is known as pure clarity.

The general meaning is that a Foundation Establishment True Master must break through the many barriers of illusion and reality, existence and non-existence, worldly attachments, and distracting thoughts. Only then can one attain a "fundamental truth."

The "True" in True Master originates from this very concept.

With this fundamental truth of Cultivation, even if one’s Furnace Cauldron decays and all hope in this life is lost, one can still be reincarnated without the "amnesia of the womb," one’s Primordial Spirit remaining unclouded.

This is the "Blessing of Five Lifetimes," a grace unique to Foundation Establishment Grand True Masters.

Yet, with each life one cultivates, mental barriers will naturally arise—be it the terror of life and death, the karmic flames of ignorance, or the thoughts of greed, anger, and delusion. To break through these barriers, to maintain one’s resolve and see through to annihilation, is exceptionally difficult.

’But by gathering a wisp of this golden nature, it becomes difficult to be swayed by such mental barriers. The obstacles of the heart become virtually nonexistent. It’s practically a guaranteed pass to the Foundation Establishment realm.’

’As expected of the most supreme and precious thing in the Yanfu Vast Land...’

Jiang Yi mused that even the Daoists of the Eight Sects of the Nanzhan Continent might not have such an Opportunity.

To gather the golden nature and merge it with his Divine Sense while still in the Qi Cultivation realm was already incredible, let alone to have attracted the favor of a Golden Position, which would watch over him for a full sixty-year cycle.

The rewards for taking his own step within the Daoist Monarch’s grand scheme were truly bountiful.

After confirming that his Primordial Gate and Inner Mansion were completely unharmed, he focused his mind and summoned the Celestial Book. The reassuring golden paper instantly leaped forth.

"Eh?"

Jiang Yi raised an eyebrow in surprise.

At some point, the Celestial Book had gained another page!

’The first page is for making inquiries, the second is sealing the [Yang Qi Taiyin Heaven], so this third page... is it because I obtained the [Shao Yang] golden nature?’

Just as Jiang Yi was about to investigate further, the sound of hurried footsteps approached.

He had to suppress his curiosity. Just as he sat up, he heard a soft, startled cry.

"Ah! Don’t move! It took so much work to get your body healthy again..."

A young woman in green robes darted in from outside the hall like a skylark, arriving before his couch.

She glimpsed Jiang Yi’s bare torso as the jade-silk quilt slipped down, revealing his firm chest and abdomen.

His body, a Cultivation Furnace, had been nourished and tempered by the [Shao Yang] golden nature. It no longer bore the pitiful appearance of shattered porcelain. Instead, every inch of his flesh resembled exquisite jade, shimmering with the faint luster of a high-quality glaze.

"I’ll have to charge you if you keep staring."

Jiang Yi said with a smirk.

"You’re shameless!"

Xiaoqiao’s earlobes grew warm and her cheeks flushed as she retorted nonsensically:

"Hmph, you think you’re some peerless beauty from the rankings, like True Monarch Yu? There’s nothing to see... What Cultivator cares about appearances!"

"I’ve been in your meticulous care all this time, Miss Xiaoqiao."

Jiang Yi had just inspected his body and found it clean and fresh, without a speck of filth, like a precious artifact that was frequently polished.

"I didn’t do much... You’re too kind, Young Monarch Jiang."

Xiaoqiao stood before the couch, looking a bit awkward, like a long-lost friend.

"Miss Xiaoqiao, you watched over him day and night! You crushed jade fragments into powder, mixed the ’Five Essence Treasure Liquid,’ and fed it to Young Master Jiang one spoonful at a time!"

The plump girl, who had followed her in, hurriedly added:

"I, Gui’er, had to run back and forth to Jiulei Wangchuan to gather herbs more than ten times!"

"Gui’er!"

Xiaoqiao’s tone held a hint of annoyance:

"No wonder my sister calls you a noisy chatterbox! One more word out of you and I’ll send you back to the Profound City Central Palace!"

After scolding the plump girl, the green-robed young woman’s eyes met Jiang Yi’s. Seeing his gentle smile and warm disposition, she jerked her head away as if she had touched a red-hot iron.

Her voice was as faint as a mosquito’s buzz: "Fortunately... you’re alright."

Xiaoqiao recalled that day outside the main hall of the Profound City Central Palace, when the [Thunder Core] had manifested and descended upon [Fengdu]. The memory still sent a shiver of fear through her.

The tragic image of Jiang Yi’s body, broken like a shattered porcelain doll with his golden-red blood qi nearly drained dry, flashed before her eyes especially often.

"Cultivation is always fraught with tribulations. The more determined one is to reach a higher realm, the more one is ’doomed to face them’."

A faint smile touched Jiang Yi’s lips:

"Fiercely rein in the heart, and all worldly matters cease; a lone boat adrift on clouds and water. Having weathered the storm of tribulations, my will remains unchanged; a single crane soaring through the eternal sky... For me to find a path to life in the jaws of death, I must thank Miss Xiaoqiao for her ’dowry’."

Xiaoqiao had been quietly savoring the meaning of the poem, but when she heard the word "dowry," she stomped her foot lightly in a mix of embarrassment and annoyance:

"You are so rude!"

Seeing the young woman’s blush, Jiang Yi dropped his playful tone and asked seriously,

"Miss Xiaoqiao, may I ask about the cat I usually carry...?"

True Master Xuanmiao had blocked the ninth bolt of profound lightning for him. While not completely annihilated, the master had been severely injured.

Since his Divine Sense had been away from his body for so long, Jiang Yi had worried that too much time had passed, making it difficult to use the Celestial Book to heal his Cat Master.

"My sister kept him at the Profound City Central Palace."

Xiaoqiao said softly,

"Young Monarch Jiang, you needn’t worry. The ninth profound lightning bolt was incomparably powerful, but that cat is a True Master who achieved Flying Foundation Establishment. Even if his Life Essence was damaged, it can be restored through tonics and nourishment."

Jiang Yi breathed a small sigh of relief. The Celestial Book had indicated that if he could survive the tribulation and secure a sliver of life, then no one else would die. Conversely, if that chance of survival hadn’t appeared, it would have been difficult for anyone to escape the peril.

"Miss Xiaoqiao, please take me for an audience with Her Majesty."

This time, however, the young woman in green shook her head firmly:

"Although [Shao Yang] embodies the Dao’s imagery of nascent growth, of one thing waning as another waxes, your body was still shattered by the profound lightning. You must recuperate for a while."

Jiang Yi chuckled.

"I’m already fine..."

Xiaoqiao put her hands on her hips and said with a huff,

"I am an expert in both alchemy and medicine, so I’m the one who decides if you’re healed! Lie back down!"

Jiang Yi tried to protest, but a slender, jade-like hand pressed against his chest. A gentle force flowed from it, pushing him softly back down.

"A mere Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer! You’ll stay put in the Palace of Gathered Beauty. You’re not getting out of this bed for ten days!"

Xiaoqiao did her best to sound domineering, but her voice was so soft it carried no threat at all.

"Alright, I’ll listen to Miss Xiaoqiao."

Lying on the couch, Jiang Yi suddenly called out to Xiaoqiao as she was about to leave.

She thought he was still going to be stubborn and said helplessly,

"Please, Young Monarch Jiang, just listen. No more arguing. You’ll need this Cultivation Furnace to reach Foundation Establishment, so we can’t afford any mistakes."

Jiang Yi was silent for a moment, then sighed softly.

"I was just going to ask, Miss Xiaoqiao, if you could perhaps find me some clothes."

His Black Shadow Magical Robe had been destroyed by the lightning strikes, and he was currently stark naked.

As if suddenly realizing something, Xiaoqiao’s cheeks burned and she stammered,

"Robes... I’ll have those two gate-guarding ghosts bring some to Young Monarch Jiang later!"

With that, she hurried away, not daring to linger for a moment longer.

’Ten days... that should be enough.’

Jiang Yi lay on the couch. It had to be a treasure of some kind; as soon as his skin touched it, delicate streams of nurturing energy enveloped him, as if he were wearing a weightless jade robe.

He closed his eyes, looked inward, and made his inquiry.

[I beg the Celestial Book, show me my current Cultivation status]

The golden paper, now grown to three pages, hummed and trembled as dense, tadpole-like characters leaped forth.

[Deduction results as follows]

[Celestial Book Master: Jiang Yi]

[Realm: Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer (120%)]

[Technique: "Mixed Refining Spirit Blossom Sun Monarch Divine Art" (Second Grade)]

[Daoist Skills: Long-term Nourishing Daoist Embryo Skill (Second Layer), Embrace Thought Nourishing Spirit Seven Emotions Curse (Perfection), Cloud Soaring and Flame Riding Skill (Perfection), Red Sky Void True Qi (Perfection), Bingding Crimson Divine Light (Perfection)]

[Artifact: Inverted Slaying Sword (True Treasure)]

’Above a Magical Treasure... a True Monarch Level weapon.’

Jiang Yi couldn’t help but feel a surge of joy. With the Slaying Sword for protection, he would hold a major advantage in any future Magical Combat.

Even if the [Inverted] aspect meant it would harm him before harming the enemy, his [Shao Yang] golden nature provided a safety net, allowing him to use it at least once as a decisive, deadlock-breaking move.

’But Ancestral Master Mingxuan never said when this ’Innate Daoist’ should return to the sect...’

Jiang Yi pondered. Now that the events in [Fengdu] were over, it was time to seriously consider how to approach the Ancestral Sect Dharma Lineage.

The Eight Demonic Sects had never had a precedent of a mere Qi Cultivation Cultivator becoming a Daoist.

’The path of a Lower Cultivator is fraught with peril, like walking on thin ice.’

’But now that I’ve been elevated to Daoist, with the Slaying Sword in hand, I can carve a path forward no matter what.’

As his thoughts flickered, he turned the golden paper.

Jiang Yi’s gaze sharpened, and the smile on his face suddenly bloomed:

’With this, my future path of cultivation will be that much smoother!’