Chapter Sixteen: The Tree Wishes for Stillness, Yet the Wind Never Ceases

“This kind of technique is merely a trivial trick to us Foundation Establishment cultivators,” Xu Xiao said confidently. “After all, whether it’s food, water, or other objects used as vessels, they have to be discarded to us.”

“Even the faintest traces of attached magical power can be detected. If there are any hidden poisonous insects, unless their cultivation surpasses ours by a full rank, we can suppress them and then burn them with true fire.”

“For us, the greatest danger lies in the enemy possessing our hair or nails, and secondly, personal belongings. Using these, combined with our birth details and names, to weave spells is what’s truly hard to guard against.”

“We, disciples from sects, have all been warned by our elders about such subtle tricks. Therefore, we usually avoid leaving behind any personal items outside, and never hair or nails.”

Hearing Xu Xiao’s words, Zhang Qing immediately said, “Father, we must properly hide our personal belongings, and hair or nails must be burned immediately, leaving no trace.”

Zhang Qingyun nodded repeatedly. “Qing’er is right. But if those evil cultivators continue to harm people in the city, what then?”

Zhang Qing smiled. “They’ve been freeloading all this time without lifting a finger. Isn’t now the perfect time to make use of them?”

“We can post notices informing that evil cultivators are causing chaos, and that rewards will be given for capturing them at the county office. With proper rewards, these freelancing cultivators won’t hold back.”

Zhang Qingyun clearly approved of the idea but sighed, “Alas, Daoist Jiang and the others are probably too lazy to deal with such matters.”

Xu Xiao also said, “If Daoist Jiang is willing to help, that would be best. I heard he’s from Penglai?”

Seeing Zhang Qingyun and Zhang Qing nod, Xu Xiao continued, “Penglai is a renowned orthodox sect, and its talisman arts are second to none across the entire Eastern Continent.”

“If Daoist Jiang intervenes, those evil cultivators would have nowhere to hide.”

“Unfortunately, Daoist Jiang has already returned to cultivate at Qingping Mountain and is unlikely to leave before the plan begins.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Qing’s spirit dampened somewhat.

Since that night when the plan was laid out, Jiang Sheng and others had agreed in principle, but they only acted when the time came.

Now, before the plan’s start, the strongest Foundation Establishment cultivators were either secluded in cultivation or traveling around the towns of Qingshan County, with Jiang Sheng having returned directly to his Taoist temple on Qingping Mountain.

At present, only Xu Xiao and a few early Foundation Establishment cultivators remained in Qingshan County’s city.

This made Zhang Qingyun restless. “Let’s try with these people first. If it doesn’t work, I’ll request Daoist Jiang’s help.”

Zhang Qing sighed, “There’s no other choice.”

Meanwhile, on Qingping Mountain, heavy snow blanketed the peaks, covering everything in pure white.

Ordinary trees were withered yellow, but green pines and bamboo stood vibrant—the few signs of life around the temple.

Snowflakes drifted down, blurring the black brick and green tile temple.

Only the curling blue smoke remained, rising daily above the temple, undeterred by wind or snow.

In such a harsh winter, ordinary people wouldn’t venture deep into the mountains.

Aside from the treacherous, slippery paths, hidden dangers lurked beneath the snow.

Yet on this day, Tian Guofu came undeterred by the storm.

Not only did he come, but he also brought his young grandson, saying they wished to offer incense to the True Lord.

Jiang Sheng looked on helplessly at the portly Tian Guofu, bundled in a fur coat like a large groundhog, struggling to kneel on the meditation cushion. “Director Tian, what brings you here again?”

Tian Guofu chuckled, “Daoist, this vast temple is too lonely with only you here.”

“My grandson may not know much else, but he’s quick and nimble, and can help you clean the temple every day. That should ease your burden, right?”

Jiang Sheng glanced at Tian Guofu’s grandson.

The boy’s name was Tian Ming’an, twelve years old, handsome and refined—clearly inheriting the family’s good genes.

Though young, Tian Ming’an was smart and sensible. Since being brought to the mountain by his grandfather, he often came alone to offer incense and showed great respect toward Jiang Sheng.

He treated Jiang Sheng like an elder and even took the initiative to help clean the temple.

Since one doesn’t hit a smiling face, and Tian Ming’an’s behavior was impeccable, Jiang Sheng allowed him to study in the temple.

Originally, Tian Ming’an came only every few days, but after hearing about the evil cultivators causing chaos in Qingshan County, Tian Guofu stayed on the mountain with him.

Clearly, he feared those evil cultivators might harm his precious grandson.

Jiang Sheng ignored Tian Guofu and scrutinized Tian Ming’an for a moment before saying, “Let him come daily to clean the temple. Bring his own food; there’s not much to eat here.”

Though the conditions seemed harsh, Tian Guofu was delighted. Not just in Qingping Town but throughout Qingshan County, countless people hoped to send their children to serve as helpers in Qingxuan Temple.

Among them were wealthy gentry, but Jiang Sheng accepted none.

Who didn’t know that entering the temple gave one a chance to become a cultivator?

Throughout the Qi Kingdom, cultivators held the real power. Becoming one, even if not admitted into Penglai, meant a life of honor and wealth as a Taoist official.

Tian Guofu understood that Jiang Sheng had accepted his grandson. Excited, he said repeatedly, “That’s good, that’s good. Ming’an, thank Daoist Jiang.”

Tian Ming’an immediately bowed. “Ming’an thanks Daoist.”

Jiang Sheng nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

The next day, the snow ceased.

Winter sunlight reflected off the mountain, making the white snow dazzling.

In the black brick and green tile Qingxuan Temple, Tian Ming’an was busy sweeping the courtyard snow, perspiring heavily.

Jiang Sheng sat quietly before the ancestral master’s portrait in the front hall, eyes gently closed.

Spiritual power surged from his dantian, circulating through his meridians in a full cycle.

Each complete cycle condensed the spiritual energy in his dantian a little more; with enough condensation, it formed a drop of spiritual liquid.

Cultivation was a painstaking process.

At the Qi Refinement stage, one constantly absorbed the world’s spiritual energy, transforming it into personal energy, accumulating it in the dantian until it was full enough to advance.

Qi Refinement was the continuous condensation of spiritual energy in the dantian, repeatedly expanding it to hold more energy.

Upon reaching the ninth layer of Qi Refinement, when the dantian’s energy was complete and could advance no further, one could attempt Foundation Establishment.

Ordinary cultivators, aided by a Foundation Establishment pill, could condense nine drops of spiritual liquid to barely enter Foundation Establishment.

But this was only considered a low-grade human-path Foundation Establishment, with very limited potential.

Most scattered cultivators remain stuck at the early Foundation Establishment stage their entire lives; even reaching late Foundation Establishment, they cannot hope for the Purple Mansion.

For a mid-grade Earth-path Foundation Establishment, one also needed the energy of Earthly Fiends to temper the spiritual energy in the meridians and dantian, making the spiritual liquid purer and more condensed.

This allowed the body to condense twenty-four drops of spiritual liquid, comparable to a mid-level low-grade Foundation Establishment.

Moreover, Earth-path Foundation Establishment not only smoothly progresses to the late stage but can also reach the Purple Mansion realm.

Most sect disciples and noble offspring focus on Earth-path Foundation Establishment; achieving mid-grade Foundation Establishment is a matter of pride.

As for the high-grade Heavenly-path Foundation Establishment, it required not only Earthly Fiends energy but also Celestial Gang energy.

By harvesting and consuming Celestial Gang and Earthly Fiends energy, one transforms it into usable power.

Thus, enduring the bone-piercing pain of Celestial Gang and Earthly Fiends energy rampaging through the meridians and tempering it, fusing this power with the spiritual energy, one can condense thirty-six drops of spiritual liquid.

This spiritual liquid, fused with gang and fiend energy, is incomparably pure and each drop contains boundless power.

Even a late-stage low-grade Foundation Establishment cultivator might not have as much spiritual liquid as an early-stage high-grade Foundation Establishment cultivator, let alone the purity.

Heavenly-path Foundation Establishment cultivators, once matured, can surely achieve the Golden Core, and the great Dao lies ahead.

Each Heavenly-path Foundation Establishment cultivator is the true seed of great sects and powers—a future pillar.

Only Heavenly-path Foundation Establishment cultivators can become Dao-base cultivators.

The so-called Dao-base is the foundation of the great Dao.

Jiang Sheng himself was a Heavenly-path Foundation Establishment cultivator.

When establishing his foundation, he ingested Celestial Gang and Earthly Fiends energy to temper his spiritual energy, not only expanding his meridians and dantian but also making them especially resilient under this tempering.

As a result, the spiritual liquid in Jiang Sheng’s dantian had already gathered into a pool of azure liquid. Both the purity and quantity of his spiritual energy far surpassed ordinary late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.

The main goal of Foundation Establishment is to continuously increase the spiritual liquid in the dantian.

Once the dantian is full, reaching late Foundation Establishment, one can attempt to force spiritual energy through the spinal dragon.

If successful, one opens the Purple Mansion between the brows, gaining another four sexagenary cycles of life, enjoying a lifespan of five hundred years.

Ordinary scattered cultivators rarely have complete Foundation Establishment techniques; merely achieving Foundation Establishment is a stroke of luck. Remaining stuck in early Foundation Establishment is most common.

Those who reach the Purple Mansion always have unique encounters.

Moreover, to protect one’s vitality and leave room for maneuver during the Purple Mansion breakthrough, auxiliary spiritual items like the Purple Yang Jade are necessary to preserve most of one’s essence.

After years of cultivation, one might attempt the Purple Mansion breakthrough again.

Otherwise, if a cultivator recklessly forces spiritual energy through the spinal dragon without assistance, failure can result in a steep drop in cultivation and lifespan, disability, or even sudden death.

Those who break through the spinal dragon unaided by spiritual items must possess exceptional aptitude and innate gifts.

Their starting point in the Purple Mansion realm is far higher than those who rely on aids.

Like cultivators who establish their foundation without external aids, their meridians are tougher and their dantian’s spiritual energy more abundant.

Jiang Sheng’s talent and techniques were extraordinary, so the Purple Mansion was not a difficult goal for him.

His only worry was the inability to cultivate in peace.

But such is life: the tree desires calm, yet the wind will not cease.