Chapter 231: Chapter 183: Welcoming the Daoist Back to the Mountain, 3 Strategies: Upper, Middle, and Lower

The Great Kui Profound Drum was a high-grade Magical Treasure of the Innate Sect, used to guard its mountain gates. Legend said it possessed limitless divine power: three beats to startle the soul, five to stir the spirit, and seven to summon majestic spirits.

Atop the Exquisite Magic Tower, Fu Lizi and Lou Zhenxiao were both Foundation Establishment True Masters with profound Cultivation. Yet, upon suddenly hearing the seven great booms that shook the very mountains and rivers, even their Heart Spirits couldn’t help but stir.

"The Great Kui Profound Drum has come down the mountain to welcome that Innate Sect Daoist? It seems the Innate Sect’s situation is stable after all. That Sect Leader Qin must have reached an agreement with Daoist Monarch Mingxuan."

Lou Zhenxiao raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly, a flash of understanding crossing his eyes.

"Before a Daoist from any of the Eight Sects can ascend, they must sever their mortal ties, resolve their karma, and wash away their past. This Magical Treasure is perfectly suited for that task."

Fu Lizi craned his neck in anticipation. The last time he had seen the Great Kui Profound Drum was when the Innate Sect’s previous Daoist, Ning Hechu, failed to secure his position, causing his body to perish and his Dao to scatter.

The eight peaks had opened, a heavenly light descended, and the event had shaken half the Nanzhan Continent.

The echoes of the seven great booms lingered, refusing to dissipate. From a distance, one could see heavenly flowers drifting down from the sky and forests trembling. There was the faint tinkling of ceremonial pendants and celestial music, as well as the roar of a thousand drums and ten thousand thunderclaps.

As a white-haired old man carrying the great drum arrived on the clouds, a nine-colored mist surged forth. Majestic Spirit Essence Qi answered the call, condensing into figures of jade maidens and jade boys that fanned out around him.

Such a magnificent procession was visible even from a hundred miles away.

Many less-experienced Lower Cultivators thought it was some Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer master achieving a Flying Foundation Establishment Realm, a sign of their successful entry into the Dao.

Some Loose Cultivators and Wild Cultivators with unstable Merit were caught in the drum’s influence, their Divine Sense thrown into turmoil. Those who had consumed "Blood Qi" or were tainted by "Yin Miasma" had their physical bodies destroyed on the spot.

This unprecedented display of power sent the Lower Cultivators who lacked the backing of a Dharma Lineage scattering in terror like frightened birds and beasts.

"Which True Master is on a tour of inspection?"

"Perhaps it’s a True Inheritance disciple from an Ancestral Sect!"

"It must be an Upper Cultivator’s procession! We should get out of the way..."

Down below, Liu Huan’s eyes gleamed. He prided himself on being from the "orthodox Demon Dao" and an "Upper Cultivator of a Dharma Lineage," so of course, he wouldn’t panic.

Instead, he spoke to reassure Han Li, Yang Xun, and the others: 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"That’s the Innate Sect’s Great Kui Profound Drum, an incredible Magical Treasure. Years ago, the Daoist Ning Hechu used it to wipe out the seventy-two Mang tribes of the Beiju Continent, carving out a ’Blessed Land’ for the Nanzhan Continent!

You and I are Cultivators who have received a Dharma Lineage Decree. There’s no need to be afraid."

Han Li looked up at the plain chariot and jade-phoenix carriage amidst the purple clouds within the nine-colored mist, his eyes filled with envy.

"I wonder what great figure this is? Such a majestic procession!"

Liu Huan let out a long sigh.

"Welcomed by a Magical Treasure, attended by majestic spirits, with purple clouds of Daoist Qi flowing down, a path paved by crimson mist, and a carriage drawn by nine Jiao... This is either a True Inheritance disciple at the height of their fame or an extremely influential Elder."

Of the three, only Yang Xun didn’t look up, instead piously chanting scriptures.

"Daoist! Where is my Daoist?"

The white-haired old man carrying the eight-foot bronze drum was panting with exhaustion. The two small golden mallets at his waist swelled in the wind as he grasped them and struck the drum.

’These old bones, still being ordered around by that rascal Qin Baiyu! Making me run thousands of miles to this godforsaken place!

I hope this Daoist is an easy-going person. Don’t make this old man suffer any more!’

...

...

「Within Fengdu, in the Profound City Central Palace.」

Having changed out of his groom’s wedding attire, Jiang Yi put on his pale blue Daoist Robe once more. With his hair tied up by a wooden pin, he looked even more free and unrestrained.

He carried the ancient sword [Inverted] in its black sheath on his back and held a calico kitten in his arms, his bearing stately and reminiscent of a true immortal.

After one "Gathering of True Yang" and one "Bowing to Heaven and Earth," the Yang Marriage Spell was complete.

In the unseen world, Jiang Yi could clearly sense that he had lent out two-thirds of his fortune of fate, which had transformed into red threads tied to the hands of Lady Xuan’nv and Xiaoqiao.

’This is a bit more than I originally expected.’

’Probably because the red thread was split in two.’

Having received the fortune of fate from a living person of the Mortal World, Lady Xuan’nv still needed to reconstruct her physical body, a process that would take about forty-odd years.

Bright moonlight, like liquid silver, slowly poured into the side hall, and a graceful figure quietly emerged.

"Greetings, Lady Xuan’nv," Jiang Yi said, performing a Daoist salute.

"These are three ’Talismans of the Grand Profound Matron’s Law.’ Each contains ten percent of this Monarch’s Cultivation."

The graceful figure, plain and radiating a brilliant white light, did not avoid True Master Xuanmiao and spoke directly:

"Activate them if you encounter a crisis you cannot overcome. Below the level of a True Monarch, any Foundation Establishment Cultivator, no matter who they are, will meet their death.

Furthermore, our fortunes of fate are now linked. If you face a great calamity, this Monarch will sense it. I have specially created seven responsive incarnations to provide aid."

’Is this the "True Monarch’s Dao protection" that Cat Master spoke of?’

Jiang Yi’s expression turned serious. "Thank you, My Lady."

The graceful figure was quite tall, standing level with Jiang Yi.

"After the Yang Marriage, you, I... and Xiaoqiao are one entity.

This Monarch has lost my Dao and cannot offer many fine things.

In both the Immortal and Demon Daoist Lineages, there are quite a few True Monarchs skilled in divining heavenly secrets and manipulating karma.

Although you are a Fate Shuzi and cannot be handled by ordinary means,

just in case, you should carry this ’Tai Yin Elemental Form Ring’ with you.

It can obscure heavenly secrets and obstruct karma. If you crush it in a moment of crisis, you can refine the True Elemental Qi of Tai Yin within it to ’hide’ yourself once, for a short time. Even a Daoist Monarch opening their heavenly eye won’t be able to find a trace of you."

Curled up in his arms, True Master Xuanmiao poked out his feline head, his amber eyes rolling as he looked up at Xiao Jiang.

He seemed to be saying, ’Feels good latching onto Lady Xuan’nv’s powerful coattails, doesn’t it?’

Jiang Yi pushed the cat’s head down, then performed another Daoist salute and said in a solemn voice:

"I will never forget My Lady’s kindness in protecting my Dao."

The graceful figure stood sideways, seemingly wrapped in dense moonlight.

"You are the successor of [Shao Yang], destined to clash with [Tai Yang]. The Eight Sects all have their own plans for their respective Daoists. If you wish to make all the Daoist Monarchs bet on you and collectively raise you up, the hardships involved are truly indescribable.

For this Monarch to ascend to that honored position, I also cannot avoid that Immortal Dao Emperor. Sooner or later, I must go to White Jade City for a battle—this is a certainty on both of our Daoist paths."

This Lady Xuan’nv—who had consumed the elixir of immortality, cultivated the Tai Yin Body-Refining Method, and hidden herself in Fengdu for countless millennia—spoke softly:

"Your Dao heart is as firm as a rock. This Monarch can offer no other promises, only these words.

You are the boulder, and I the reed. If the day comes that [Shao Yang] is no more, then [Tai Yin] will surely follow it into oblivion."

Hearing this, Jiang Yi’s expression grew solemn.

"Cultivation is like rowing against the wind, and ascending to a high position is like sifting for gold in sand.

Heaven’s will is lofty and distant, the Great Dao is steep and perilous, and the path to long life is fraught with hardship. Without support, how could one not fall into the brambles and ditches?

I dare not make other promises, but if [Shao Yang] can return to the world, I am willing to be that support for My Lady."

The two exchanged a look, everything understood without words.

Jiang Yi accepted the three Talismans and refined the [Tai Yin Elemental Form Ring], wearing it on his person.

The graceful figure had already dispersed, as if it had never existed at all.

He stepped out of the side hall and was led out of the Profound City Central Palace by the big, chubby girl.

"Young Master! Her Ladyship will be able to leave Fengdu in forty years..."

the big, chubby girl chattered.

"Don’t you forget!"

Jiang Yi smiled.

"I will surely welcome her with five-colored jade wheels, a malachite chariot, nine-colored profound dragons, a ten-layered feathered canopy, and the Three Pure Flowing Clouds."

This was the ceremonial standard for a True Monarch.

"Young Master, Miss Xiaoqiao... don’t forget Gui’er!"

The big, chubby girl stood before the main hall, waving her hand vigorously.

A boundless, profound Qi Mechanism closed like a curtain, swallowing her and Lady Xuan’nv.

The entire, magnificent Eighteen-Layered High Platform rumbled and shook, and its nine foundations sank one after another.

"The Ghost Dao is overturned, and Fengdu no longer exists; it must sink into the Netherworld... This is decreed by the laws of the Immortal Dao. Humans and ghosts must walk separate paths, with the yin world sealed from the yang,"

Qiao Yu said softly.

"The next time we come to Goose Mountain, Lady Xuan’nv and Gui’er will both be able to leave Fengdu and walk the Mortal World again,"

Jiang Yi comforted her.

Forty-odd years might be half a lifetime for a mortal, but for a Cultivator, it was merely the time it took to comprehend a Cultivation Technique or enter secluded cultivation.

"Daoist Jiang, I’ll be counting on you after we get out of here!"

The sorrow in Qiao Yu’s eyes lasted only for a moment before her lively spirit returned.

"So, what are your plans for me?"

Jiang Yi pretended to ponder for a moment before saying:

"How about as my Dao companion?"

Qiao Yu pouted, her gaze sweeping over the Tai Yin Elemental Form Ring hanging at his waist.

"I’m not going to be your Dao companion! I am Daoist Jiang’s master! His master of the Sword Dao!"

Jiang Yi gave a helpless smile.

"I have always respected my master and revered the Dao. In that case, Master, please go first. Let’s leave Fengdu together."

Qiao Yu looked back, but the Profound City Central Palace was already hidden from view. With a long sigh, she leaped up, transforming into a streak of sword light that cleaved through the turbid yin energy.

Jiang Yi followed closely behind, flames flaring beneath his feet as he shot toward the sliver of heavenly light that was sealed off from the outside.

...

...

"Finally!"

The white-haired old man carrying the eight-foot bronze drum saw the brilliant sword light cleave through the murky tide, and his eyes lit up.

"So he even knows swordsmanship! The trend of practicing sword arts has been quite popular in the Innate Sect in recent years... Huh? Why is it a female Daoist!?"

The crimson mist stretched for hundreds of miles. After just two or three flashes, the streak of sword light landed in front of the white-haired old man.

It was a young woman in green robes!

"The Mortal World... It’s been a long, long time since I’ve walked outside."

Qiao Yu retracted her Profound Light Magical Power, revealing her slender figure. Her eyes were full of curiosity as she sized up the Great Kui Profound Drum.

The Artifact Spirit gripped its two golden mallets, looking Qiao Yu up and down, equally puzzled.

"The new sovereign of [Shao Yang] shouldn’t be a little girl!"

But besides the green-robed young woman, there was no one else behind her.

And after the green-robed young woman, no one else came.

In the distance, Fengdu rumbled as it sank out of sight.

"Where on earth did the Daoist go?"

...

...

The world spun, heaven and earth inverted!

Jiang Yi felt as if he had been seized by a giant hand and suddenly found himself in a dim, vast void.

He fought back the urge to raise his hand and use a "Talisman of the Grand Profound Matron’s Law" or crush the [Tai Yin Elemental Form Ring], standing with his head bowed.

A moment later, a gray-robed Daoist, flickering in and out of existence, seemed to step through layers of worldly barriers and arrived in a flash.

Jiang Yi breathed a small sigh of relief and bowed. "This Lower Cultivator pays his respects to the Ancestral Master."

This time, the gray-robed Daoist did not manifest a dharma form that reached to the heavens. He simply had a plain, stern face, showing little of the exceptional bearing one would expect from a Great Power like a Daoist Monarch.

He heard the man say flatly, "From now on, you are the Daoist of the Innate Sect. There is no need for such ceremony, nor do you need to be so cautious and guarded about everything.

It is good to be prudent in one’s words and actions, but if taken too far, it becomes timidness, and you lose your magnanimity."

Jiang Yi’s heart skipped a beat. ’It seems I’ve been a Lower Cultivator for too long and haven’t adapted to my change in status yet.’

"I will remember the Ancestral Master’s teachings."

The gray-robed Daoist was decisive and direct, not one for beating around the bush or speaking in riddles. He got straight to the point:

"Regarding your Daoist path, I have three options for you to choose from. Listen carefully."