Jiang Yi pondered for a moment, suddenly recalling that the True Disciples from the Ancestral Sect were all filthy rich, each possessing several suitable Magical Treasures.

’It all adds up!’

Then there was the "Destiny Sect," the most mainstream path in the [Zhide Tian], which focused on nurturing one’s fate and accumulating luck, enabling one to transform from a Jiao into a dragon and soar to the nine heavens.

’From this perspective, cultivation methods with incomplete Life Essence likely all have hidden dangers. They might even be deliberately spread by the world’s prominent Daoist Lineages to farm for talent.’

Jiang Yi was lost in thought, seemingly understanding why both the Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer and the Foundation Establishment Fifth Layer emphasized the flawless perfection of one’s Life Essence Cultivation.

To the Ancestral Sects at the pinnacle of the Daoist Lineages, entire heavens and worlds were just another kind of Resource Land.

’I remember that one of the great merits in the Sect is to "Pioneer Land and Establish the Dao."’

Jiang Yi recalled that the Innate Sect had three tiers of merit laws: Common, Fixed, and Dao.

Common Deeds could be exchanged for Techniques and Spiritual Objects. Fixed Karma could be traded for a True Monarch to personally impart their skills, as well as for Opportunities to reach Foundation Establishment.

Dao Skill was the hardest to obtain. Only those on the level of a True Disciple could accumulate it, and only by completing tasks such as guarding blessed lands, contributing True Skills, or refining high-grade Magical Treasures.

The benefits were also numerous. One could even gain access to the Chrono-Light Grounds in the grotto-heavens of the eight peaks.

It was worth noting that even True Disciples had to wait in line as a rule.

However, if one possessed a massive amount of Dao Skill, they could, in theory, outbid even the Daoist, as long as they were willing to spend it.

Jiang Yi’s mind was calm and his spirit at ease. For several days, he ceased his active Cultivation and instead stayed in the halls of the Scripture Department. He would sometimes lose himself in the world of books and other times help True Master Xuanmiao sort through mountain-like piles of handwritten notes and transcripts.

’If it weren’t for the sixty-year deadline, this kind of cultivation life would be quite carefree.’

With a sigh, Jiang Yi mentally severed these lazy and idle thoughts, once again becoming Daoist Jiang, resolutely focused on Foundation Establishment and advancing with courage and diligence.

Strangely, however, after resting for more than ten days, his Divine Sense seemed to grow even brighter, and his thoughts became exceptionally clear and transparent.

Difficult parts of Techniques he had not yet fully grasped, such as the *Five Fires and Seven Beasts Transformation* and the *Divine Technique of the Sun Lord’s Conflated Spiritual Splendor*, suddenly became clear to him.

As soon as Jiang Yi left the side hall of the Scripture Department, the formation spirit Chang Jing immediately appeared to report:

"Daoist, Luo Xuanming has submitted a visitation notice and requests an audience."

Ever since he had gathered the complete Six Harmonies Great Medicine, condensed supreme-grade True Qi, and killed Luo Qingya, Changming Sky-Pool had become a lively place, with disciples from the eight peaks submitting visitation notices almost daily, seeking an audience.

Aside from the most sincere Shao Guansu, there was Luo Xuanming, whom he had met before, and frequent visitors like Feng Yuan of Li Peak and Qu Liu’er of Kan Peak, who had all come to pay their respects.

The turbulent undercurrents within the Innate Sect had actually shown signs of calming. Especially as news of Daoist Jiang’s various cultivation achievements spread throughout the Upper and Lower Courtyards, the tide of opinion began to turn.

The previously one-sided rhetoric that "an outsider cannot be the Daoist" was gradually mentioned no more—of course, this was perhaps related to the Li Peak’s Hall of Central Punishment enforcing discipline with extreme severity, punishing a large number of instigators and troublemakers.

"I plan to travel to the Chrono-Light Grounds in the Qian Peak grotto-heaven. If this True Master Luo is willing, he may accompany me," Jiang Yi said coolly after a cursory glance at the visitation notice.

Master Lu had not specified on what day [Juku Continent] would open.

Therefore, he had previously pleaded with the Celestial Book, asking if there were any deficiencies in his magical combat skills and how to remedy them.

The golden paper had manifested dense, tadpole-like characters.

’A body-double Daoist Skill?’

A trace of surprise flashed in Jiang Yi’s eyes. He didn’t quite understand. After mastering the Great Divine Fire Escape, he could already condense a divine fire avatar. Even a Foundation Establishment True Master like Qiao Yu would have difficulty discerning its authenticity without careful inspection.

But the Celestial Book’s reply was perfectly clear.

[Qian Peak Grotto-Heaven, Taichang Dragon Pavilion, Three Marvels Origin-Separation Art.]

Jiang Yi naturally trusted the Celestial Book and decided to head to the Qian Peak grotto-heaven. While he was there, he would also plead with the Sect Leader to break the seal on True Master Xuanmiao.

With True Master Xuanmiao and Qiao Yu—two Foundation Establishment True Masters—as his escorts, plus the diligently serving Shao Guansu, his entourage for this trip would be quite significant.

...

...

In the Qingming High Heaven, two flying carriages soared side by side.

Luo Xuanming accompanied him with great caution, showing none of the bold ambition he had when he first returned to the Sect.

Having personally witnessed Jiang Yi kill his clan elder, Luo Qingya, with just two Talismans, how could he dare to harbor the slightest thought of opposing the Daoist?

Besides, the fallout from Luo Qingya’s death at Nanheng Ridge was far from over.

The descendants of the Luo clan were being thoroughly investigated by Feng Yuan of Li Peak. It was unknown how wide the net would be cast, but several high-ranking and influential clan elders had already been implicated, arrested, and thrown into the fire-prisons. Yet, the True Monarch of their clan had not shown his face.

This tacit approval made it clear that the Daoist was not without backing.

If one were to cross the line, they would suffer dearly.

It even further implied that the more the Daoist revealed his talents and distinguished himself, the more Ancestral Master Mingxuan would favor and utilize him.

Having tempered himself outside the Sect for a long time, Luo Xuanming actually saw things more clearly. A bold guess began to form in his mind.

’Whether it was Ancestral Master Mingxuan, who never concerned himself with sect affairs, or the Sect Leader, who was in closed-door cultivation year-round... They chose a disciple with an outside surname to be the Daoist, sent him openly into Changming Sky-Pool to become a public target, all likely to use the descendants of the Eight Monarchs as a whetstone to sharpen the Daoist’s edge.’

Having figured this out, Luo Xuanming couldn’t help but entertain some new ideas.

"I hear that True Master Luo has established a private estate on Dangyin Ridge."

Jiang Yi was seated on an embroidered couch in the flying carriage, which was pulled through the clouds and mist by two Chi-descendants.

"Could you tell me about the recent situation in the Three Peaks and Four Waters of the southern and northern lands?"

Luo Xuanming considered for a moment, then chose a few interesting anecdotes to share:

"Ever since Xuan Chanzi, a remnant of the Zhongyi Sect, started causing chaos in the Three Peaks, the region hasn’t known peace."

"First, he killed many disciples from our Sect’s Lower Courtyard, which drew out Ding Zhenzi, a True Disciple from the previous generation of Dui Peak, who then chased him for a thousand li."

"The two of them clashed several times. When they passed by the Joyful Union Sect, they actually destroyed their entire mountain gate..."

Hearing several familiar names, Jiang Yi’s gaze flickered for a moment. He secretly wondered what kind of expression Xuan Chanzi would have if he were to see him again.

The corners of his lips tightened slightly as he asked calmly,

"Was the Joyful Union Sect destroyed just like that? Were other places affected?"

Luo Xuanming shook his head.

"Not quite. But the Three Peaks region is in turmoil; it’s extremely unstable."

"The original Zhao You Sect was demoted to the rank of an Inner Sect. The ’Dragon Aspect Manor’ that I operate was promoted, receiving a Talisman Decree for a Branch Sect and was renamed the ’Ocean Overturning Sect.’"

"Not long after the Joyful Union Sect was destroyed, it was absorbed by the True Gu Sect and is now called the ’Five Smokes Sect.’"

Jiang Yi remained silent. ’When Upper Cultivators fight, it’s the Lower Cultivators who suffer.’

It truly fit his stereotypical image of the Yanfu Vast Land.

If he were still in the Three Peaks and Four Waters, he’d probably only be at the Qi Cultivation Seventh or Eighth Layer by now, and he might not have even survived the aftershocks from the magical combat of Foundation Establishment True Masters.

Jiang Yi asked again,

"Beimang Ridge seems to have two Branch Sects and three Inner Sects?"

Luo Xuanming nodded.

"Correct. Besides them, there is also the Qianji Sect. Its Sect Leader is already at the Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer and has some hope of reaching Foundation Establishment."

"Speaking of which, a strange incident recently occurred in Beimang Ridge. Some monks from the Ximizhou Continent were crossing the sea and passed through there. A brilliant Buddha light suddenly shone everywhere, and those monks identified a local old man as the ’Holy Father of the Buddha’s Son,’ welcoming him back with them to the Ximizhou Continent."

Jiang Yi’s expression shifted slightly. He frowned and asked,

"What are monks from the Ximizhou Continent doing all the way over in the Nanzhan Continent?"

Luo Xuanming chuckled.

"The Daoist may not be aware, but the Nanzhan Continent has never prohibited outside cultivators from entering. When disciples from other Daoist Lineages travel the world, most of them choose to visit Nanzhan."

"In the last few thousand years, the Buddhist Dao—perhaps due to bad feng shui—has produced a string of rebellious Dao Materials, collectively known as the ’Demon Buddha, the Mad Monk, and the Strange Monk’."

"The Strange Monk, called ’Fayuan,’ was unpredictable in word and deed. He drifted through the mortal world and, having failed to attain the status he sought, passed away in the Nanzhan Continent."

"Every hundred years, the Ximizhou Continent dispatches monks here just to claim the underground palace that Monk Fayuan left behind."

Jiang Yi had no interest in the Demon Buddha, the Mad Monk, or the Strange Monk. Normally, he might have asked a few more questions, but right now, he only wanted to inquire about the matter of Ximizhou welcoming back the "Holy Father of the Buddha’s Son."

Luo Xuanming was perceptive enough not to beat around the bush and said directly,

"The Buddhist Dao preaches of this life and speaks of the next; they’re the most disliked among all the major Daoist Lineages."

"Things like this ’welcoming the Holy Father of the Buddha’s Son’ have happened before. It’s nothing more than them taking a liking to a certain Dao Material and trying every means possible to fabricate a connection, all just to create a karmic link."

A cold glint appeared in the depths of Jiang Yi’s eyes. He understood now. ’So that was their plan.’

’Are these bald donkeys from the Ximizhou Continent after my Perfect, Complete Saint-King destiny?’

’I am the Daoist personally appointed by Ancestral Master Mingxuan. How dare the Buddhist Dao try to get their hands on me? They clearly haven’t been beaten enough.’

"Xiao Jiang, don’t worry. A Foundation Establishment True Master nurtures the fortune of five lifetimes. When the time comes, you can use this karmic link to fleece the Buddhist Dao for its luck."

True Master Xuanmiao, curled up in his arms, transmitted the message silently:

"The Daoist Monarch didn’t intervene, which means these bald donkeys are too short-sighted. They couldn’t divine the truth and were instead blinded by karma."

"Your Grandpa will only be well-fed and well-treated in the Ximizhou Continent. They’ll just be waiting for the day they can lure you over and have you convert to Buddhism."

Hearing this, Jiang Yi relaxed a little. He immediately pleaded with the Celestial Book, asking about his Grandpa’s fortune.

Amidst this casual conversation, the two flying carriages had already arrived at the Qian Peak grotto-heaven.