Chapter 1859: Orthodox Position (I)

Fachang remained silent, inwardly admiring Wei Xuanyin’s resolve.

Kongshu pressed his palms together. Rather than surprise, his face held deep emotion as he nodded and said, "I heard that Daoist Master Shaomian[1] returned to the Tao Family before seeking the Dao. He said that the rise and fall of the Dao of the Observation Transformation Heavenly Tower were bound together, and that its fate rested with Xuanlou[2]. It seems the old Daoist Master was perceptive indeed."

"The Wei Family... are that exalted figure's descendants, after all."

At the mention of his late master, Tao Ping, something stirred in Wei Xuanyin's eyes. "I understand what you mean, Kongshu. Though Jieyi no longer belonged to the [Pavilion of Seeking Purple], though he had gone from Xuanchan to the Guangchan of today, he and I ultimately belonged to the same naming generation. It is not as though I never tried to dissuade him. But his karma has run its course. Even if Xuanwei were here, the verdict would still be 'He brought it upon himself'!"

"I understand." Kongshu sighed softly. "I will persuade the dharma realm to let the matter of Guangchan rest. For now, at least..."

Seemingly having forgotten the purpose of his visit, he gave Wei Xuanyin a meaningful look and said, "I once heard a story.

"After Liang fell, Guo Wusi, who styled himself King of Yong and cultivated Valley Water, fought Ch'i Wang, a cultivator of Virile Fire, in Yongzhou. The course of world affairs had driven them toward conflict. It was believed at the time that either Water or Fire must fall, and the victor would become Yongzhou's master.

"Guo Wusi was a prodigy of Yongzhou, descended from a distinguished military family dating back to the Wei dynasty. He had gained the discerning eye of a patron and stood an excellent chance of seeking a Surplus Position through Valley Water. At the same time, Ch'i Wang was no less remarkable. With powerful backing, he too was a strong contender for a Surplus Position. But Virile Fire was less manifest in the world than Valley Water, and Guo Wusi enjoyed greater renown. In truth, half the Central Plain was inclined to support him then."

Wei Xuanyin's gaze flickered as he replied, "I have heard of that story too. They were hardly the only prodigies of that age. However greatly the Tuoba Family revered Wei, they were still foreign tribesmen. After so many years of turmoil, the great clans and the people alike hoped for an Imperial Monarch of Xia descent[3]..."

The monk nodded and continued regretfully, "By then, the Murong branch of the Xianbei people had risen to power and stood at the height of its might. Fearing that Yan State would profit from their struggle, Guo Wusi repeatedly approached Ch'i Wang about joining forces against the foreign invaders first. Yet Ch'i Wang saw Guo Wusi as his opportunity to attain the Dao. He reached an agreement with the Murong clan, then turned to attack Yongzhou.

"In the end... Great Yan broke its word, just as feared. Of the two kings, one fell and the other was captured... Though Ch'i Wang survived, he could never again seek a Golden Position and died in despair."

Wei Xuanyin said quietly, "He placed too much trust in the promises of those so-called great figures."

Kongshu pressed his palms together and said, "Ch'i Wang cannot be blamed for that. Their Daos differed, and so did the outcomes awaiting them. Even had he chosen another path, he would still have lost his chance to seek a Golden Position. Why not take the gamble?

"I can discern something of your intended path, my lord. Yang manifests while Yin withdraws; Wei rises while Zhao falls. Yet powerful though the Pavilion of Profound Order is, it cannot control the course of events alone. This, too, is a narrow path along a treacherous cliff. It would be exceedingly difficult for you and Lord Yao alone to keep the situation in hand.

"Even setting circumstances aside, Bright Yang is fierce, domineering, and merciless in its executions. Though you have no intention of retreating into Yin's corruption, Lord Wei, how can you know that the King of Wei has no wish to emulate the Emperor of Wei? Even if he does not, might someone force that intention upon him? You must be exceedingly cautious!"

The black-robed monk closed his eyes. "That is all I have to say!"

Wei Xuanyin had long since understood the warning about the present behind his tale of the past. His gaze settled on the falling snow. After a long while, he said, "I shall take your counsel to heart."

The black-robed monk smiled and waved farewell. The two monks descended the snowy steps, trudging through uneven drifts until they dwindled into two black specks and left the place behind.

Fachang, too, let the matter go and sighed, "Let it rest... Let it rest!"

Kongshu smiled and shook his head. "If you persist, you will be obstructing his path to the Dao!"

Fachang remained unconvinced and said ruefully, "Am I the only one? The King of Wei may be a caged qilin, but is Wei Xuanyin any better off? Before Yao Guanyi emerged from seclusion, just look at how he was ordered about! He will face no shortage of such predicaments in the future!"

Kongshu did not argue. Instead, he smiled and asked, "Do you know the Wei Family's origins?"

Fachang replied, "The [Dao of the Observation Transformation Heavenly Tower], Wei Guanyan... A pity he was born in such an age. With Yin and Yang in turmoil, he was destined to fail."

The black-robed monk shook his head. "Though the Wei Family had fallen on hard times by Wei Guanyan's day, they were still the Wei Family of Chenchuan, descendants of True Monarch Guanhua. He was the Lord of Tongxuan's second disciple and Xu Che's master."

"Xu Che, who was reluctant to become the Congealed Jade Immortal?"

Kongshu nodded and said earnestly, "Xu Che was an old man who had 'ingested qi for ninety years, his hair turned white, worn and haggard with tears.' Yet Wei Guanyan still taught him to become the Congealed Jade Immortal. That alone shows his ability. It was Xu Che, too, who made cultivators throughout the world flock to Tongxuan's doors...

"Later, True Monarch Guanhua relinquished his position in heaven and earth, and ventured into the Outer Heavens to seek the Dao. Upon reaching a murky, unfathomable place, he thought of those who would follow and erected a stele inscribed with [The Place of Regret].

"Like his [Unmoving Temple], that stele stands unmoved through the ages. From then on, mighty cultivators seeking the Dao in the Outer Heavens could rest there. Those who recognized their limits and regretted pressing onward could also turn back."

"Remarkable..." Fachang remained silent for a long time before finally saying, "I wonder what spirit pills and immortal medicines lie in the Outer Heavens to draw these great figures there, one after another."

Kongshu raised his brows and replied, "Perhaps only those great figures who have reached Fruition Attainment know!"

————

The Realm of Sun and Moon Radiance.

Yin and Yang stood in balance, the radiance deep and subdued among the shimmer of faint white qi. The man seated on the jade throne slowly exhaled a breath of white qi. His golden eyes brightened, briefly illuminating the chamber.

Considerably slower.

Li Zhouwei had not cultivated for long this time. To a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator, little more than half a year only amounted to a brief meditation, barely enough to further consolidate a recently acquired divine ability. Even so, he could clearly feel that cultivating [Severed Crimson Arrowhead] was far slower than cultivating [Sovereign In Peril].

It is not simply that [Sovereign In Peril] benefits from my destiny and suits me well... There also seem to be considerable differences inherent to this ability.

Li Zhouwei could sense that [Severed Crimson Arrowhead] did not favor the spiritual aura's balance of Yin and Yang. It even seemed faintly resistant to it. Meanwhile, the exceptionally dense spiritual energy aided the formation of an Immortal Foundation but offered little help in refining divine abilities.

Even the [Qilin Radiance Illumination Pill], which had greatly aided his first two divine abilities, had scarcely any noticeable effect on this one. A thoughtful look appeared in his eyes. Generally, any spiritual aura showing signs of balanced Yin and Yang benefited cultivation as a whole. Whether one cultivated [Jade True] or [True Essence], it would greatly accelerate one's progress.

Although Bright Yang was one of the Three Yang, his first two divine abilities had been exceptionally active in this balanced spiritual aura, allowing him to cultivate them rapidly. This was the first time he had experienced anything like this.

Finding a grotto heaven or blessed land suited to this would be difficult enough. Procuring some pills would be more convenient... Besides, the Purple Mansion Threshold is no easy hurdle!

He rose and entered the Upper Firmament Pavilion to check. The [Southern Emperor's Profound Seizure Art] was now glowing brightly, so he took out a jade slip and carefully recorded it.

Unlike [Great Radiant White Light], this art did not require a source of Radiant Fire as its foundation. Instead, it used the resonance of one's nature and life to call upon Radiant Fire. This meant that, beyond one's mastery of the art itself, more than half its power depended on the caster's own divine abilities!

Each additional divine ability the caster possesses lends this art more power. For cultivators of the Purple Mansion and Golden Core Dao, every additional Fate Divine Ability brings their nature and life into greater balance, making the art easier to master.

1. Referring to Tao Ping. ☜

2. Referring to Wei Xuanyin. ☜

3. Referring to the Chinese race. ☜

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