A Mortal’s Journey to Immortality: Wang Yu’s Rebirth as the Reincarnation Dao Ancestor - Chapter 130

Chapter 128 Influence, Surveillance

“The direction of the Nascent Soul omen… isn’t that where the Spirit Eye Tree is hidden?”

Inside the Hundred Crafts Courtyard, a middle-aged man in a purple robe with thick eyebrows and a commanding presence raised an eyebrow slightly:

“In that place, it seems that only Dong Hongying of the Falling Cloud Sect is qualified to form a Nascent Soul.”

“A sect with four Nascent Soul cultivators, is the Falling Cloud Sect about to rise?”

This Nascent Soul elder suddenly felt a little worried.

For a long time, the three sects of Yunmeng have been the strongest of the Ancient Sword Sect.

They mainly cultivate combat techniques and are the mainstay of combat power.

The sect usually has four to five Nascent Soul cultivators, and it is rare for a sixth to appear.

At its peak, it had six Nascent Soul cultivators.

Next is their Hundred Crafts Courtyard, which is good at weapon crafting and does not lack combat power. It usually has three or four Nascent Soul cultivators, and the Grand Elder is in the mid-Nascent Soul stage.

Then comes the Falling Cloud Sect, which is good at alchemy and other miscellaneous cultivation arts.

The Falling Cloud Sect has always been the bottom of the three sects, playing the role of a subordinate. It has never had more than three Nascent Soul cultivators at the same time, at most three.

For example, previously,

the sect had an elder, Master Mu Li, as the main cultivator, at the mid-Nascent Soul stage, with limited lifespan. Cheng and Lü were his assistants.

Unexpectedly, another one has emerged.

With a new Nascent Soul cultivator born, the pie naturally needs to be redistributed.

The pie-sharing scheme among the three sects is usually a 50/30/20 split.

The Ancient Sword Sect has always held 50%.

However, the Ancient Sword Sect certainly won’t give up what’s already in their grasp; therefore, the Hundred Crafts Academy will have to relinquish some of its share.

“According to the investigation, Dong Hongying’s original name was Dong Yu, nicknamed Hong Fu. She was originally the first female cultivator to form a Core Formation in Huangfeng Valley. Back when Yue Kingdom fought against the demonic path, Yue Kingdom was defeated and fled. However, this woman did not follow Huangfeng Valley’s group south to the Nine Kingdoms Alliance. Instead, she went to the Xi Kingdom in the north under an assumed name and joined the Luoyun Sect.”

“I wonder how this woman fell out with Linghu Laoguai of Huangfeng Valley…”

“Now that this woman has successfully formed a Nascent Soul, Linghu Laoguai must be regretting it to the core.”

“Tsk tsk…”

“It’s a good thing for the Luoyun Sect.”

As for why this woman chose to join the Luoyun Sect instead of the other two sects, he could understand.

One reason was that their Baiqiao Academy previously maintained traditional family values and was relatively exclusive, mainly recruiting cultivators from various families who were affiliated with sects. On the other hand, the Luoyun Sect accepted everyone, as long as they had a skill, they could enter the sect. It could be said that they did not refuse anyone.

More importantly, the Luoyun Sect excels in alchemy. Both Mu Li and Cheng Tiankun are alchemy masters, capable of refining the sect’s most famous and representative “Spirit-Stabilizing Pill.”

Several Nascent Soul cultivators from their Hundred Crafts Academy and the Ancient Sword Sect had benefited from the Spirit-Stabilizing Pill, allowing them to regain a sliver of clarity during their trials of shattering their core and forming their Nascent Soul, thus miraculously achieving Nascent Soul formation.

It’s no exaggeration to say that without the Spirit-Stabilizing Pill, the other two sects would have at least two fewer Nascent Soul cultivators.

For example, the Fire Dragon Child of the Ancient Sword Sect who formed his Nascent Soul over a hundred years ago.

In fact, the Ancient Sword Sect would be more suitable for Hong Fu.

However, “more suitable” versus “final choice” depends on this woman.

“The Luoyun Sect is also lucky. Just when Mu Li was about to run out of lifespan and begin his decline, Hong Fu suddenly appeared…”

The Luoyun Sect has gained another Nascent Soul cultivator, temporarily surpassing their Hundred Crafts Academy.

“Fine, let them overtake us.”

“Let them concede.”

“Anyway, Mu Li only has twenty or thirty years left before he passes away. We can just take back the benefits we conceded today then.”

“As for Hong Fu, although she joined the Luo Yun Sect and has been rooted there for decades, her roots are still entangled with Huang Feng Valley. Linghu Laoguai might not let it go easily. Perhaps she will leave the Luo Yun Sect and return to Huang Feng Valley in the future?”

After all, Linghu Laoguai’s lifespan is not long, and Huang Feng Valley still has no suitable successor.

Can Hong Fu just watch Huang Feng Valley decline and even have its lineage cut off?

…

After the original six sects of Yue Kingdom went to the Nine Kingdoms Alliance, they first clashed with the original sects of Bei Liang Kingdom for territory.

Before they could enjoy a few years of peace, the Mulan people of the grasslands attacked again.

Logically speaking, after the remaining sects of Yuanwu Kingdom, Zijin Kingdom, Yue Kingdom, Tianlu Kingdom, and Shayun Kingdom joined the Nine Kingdoms Alliance, the overall strength of the Nine Kingdoms Alliance should have greatly increased.

Dealing with the previously lukewarm Mulan people was more than enough.

However, no one expected the Mulan people to change their attitude of the past thousands of years and significantly increase their troops this time.

The appearance of two late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators on the battlefield caused the Nine Kingdoms Alliance, led by the Huayi Sect, to not only fail to gain any advantage but also suffer repeated defeats, losing large swathes of land.

The original six sects of Yue Kingdom, wanting to maintain their existing territory and interests, naturally couldn’t stand idly by.

They had to contribute manpower and resources.

Huangfeng Valley, one of the six sects of Yue Kingdom, was no exception.

Over the decades, the sect’s foundation had been steadily depleted. While the long war had enriched many newcomers, producing a batch of young Core Formation cultivators, it had left the older Core Formation cultivators with no time to cultivate.

For example, Lei Wanhe’s cultivation hadn’t improved much; instead, he had suffered a serious injury in a fierce battle, delaying his cultivation.

Li Huayuan even narrowly escaped death.

If it weren’t for the two invisible needle talismans that Qiong Laoguai had lost years ago, which allowed him to kill a powerful enemy, he would likely have died long ago.

Even though he managed to kill the newly promoted late-stage Core Formation cultivator from the Mulan people and gain considerable wealth, he also exhausted his intangible needle talisman treasures.

In wartime, wealth simply cannot buy such effective killing treasures as intangible needle talismans.

The pros and cons and the choices involved are matters of opinion.

Then there was the one from the hidden branch of the Yan family.

He strongly resisted this kind of burdensome drain that distracted his cultivation, so he used his connections to ask the Hidden Moon Sect to intervene and get most of the hidden branch members back to the main branch of the Yan family.

Old Monster Linghu, however, could not refuse because of the face of the Grand Elder of the Hidden Moon Sect, and also because he had squeezed out a considerable sum of money. In addition, he underestimated the talent and luck of this person from the hidden branch of the Yan family. A nearly three-hundred-year-old mid-stage Core Formation cultivator was not particularly rare. So he did not try to keep him.

He released him “generously”.

In short, among the families of Huangfeng Valley and the former Yue Kingdom, except for the Hidden Moon Sect, which had an orderly lineage and a stable number of two or three Nascent Soul cultivators, the other five families were increasingly showing signs of a lack of successors.

It’s just that the losses from that decisive battle at Jingu Plain were too great.

Several families lost their Nascent Soul seeds.

If it weren’t for someone’s manipulation, Hong Fu would have been doomed too.

The most unfortunate Giant Sword Sect was left with only a Nascent Soul patriarch and a lone Core Formation cultivator to hold their own!

That was truly a predicament.

It also shows how deep the scheming of the six demonic sects was.

…

Cloud Dream Mountain.

The hiding place of the Spirit Eye Tree.

Under a towering tree, two old men were playing chess.

However, when they sensed the sudden appearance of the Nascent Soul formation omen above their heads, their hands paused.

Both looked towards the cave where the Spirit Eye Tree was hidden.

After a long time, the Nascent Soul formation omen did not dissipate, but instead continued to grow…

“It seems that girl Hong Fu is about to succeed.”

The withered old man’s eyes were burning, and he suddenly broke the silence between the two.

Across from them, the slightly plump old man nodded with a hint of excitement:

“Yes, with Junior Sister Hongfu’s foundation and preparation, she only needs to overcome the inner demon tribulation. And the inner demon tribulation is just a matter of a moment; the celestial omen hasn’t dissipated yet, clearly indicating that she has already overcome it. Junior Sister is most likely taking the final step now. Master, Heaven blesses our sect, we have gained another Nascent Soul cultivator!”

“Don’t be too happy yet. Although your junior sister is strong-willed and dislikes the actions of those petty people, Huangfeng Valley has ultimately shown her kindness. In the future, when you take charge of the sect, you must be very wary of that brat Linghu. Don’t let him trick her back again.”

“Disciple understands.”

“You, focused solely on alchemy, are not adept at combat, and your cultivation has been stuck at the peak of the early Nascent Soul stage for many years without improvement. While Lü Luo possesses some skill, his early choice of natal magic weapon and supernatural techniques was flawed, placing him only in the lower-middle tier among his peers. He will likely end up like you, unable to reach the mid-Nascent Soul stage. Now, with the addition of Hong Fu, a girl specializing in killing, it’s a good thing for our Luo Yun Sect.”

The withered old man paused before continuing,

“Tian Kun, after I pass away, the three of you should support and complement each other, and not fight amongst yourselves for sect power. Never establish your own factions. Our Luo Yun Sect has stood firm in Yunmeng Mountain for thousands of years thanks to its inclusive, non-discriminatory, and united approach to hardship.”

Internal strife is unacceptable.

“Disciple will remember your teachings…”

“Tian Kun, the Luo Yun Sect is now entirely in your hands.”

“Master…

“

Han Li was naturally unaware of Tian Nan’s situation.

He was currently busy using the White Water Sword Sect to influence the Star Palace.

In a cave dwelling on the thirtieth level of the Sacred Mountain in Tianxing City,

Han Li emerged from seclusion to pay a visit.

“Senior Brother.”

He had come to see the son of his nominal master from the White Water Sword Sect, who was also his nominal senior brother.

“No, no, no, Uncle Han, you mustn’t, you mustn’t…”

After leaving the cave dwelling, Lu Changfeng, who was receiving Han Li in a pavilion on a nearby mountain peak, waved his hands repeatedly.

“Senior Brother, according to seniority, I should indeed call you Senior Brother. As for this difference in cultivation? With your excellent physique and talent of the Forged Metal Body, you should catch up soon. So, let’s just call each other what we call each other for now.”

Anyway, we might have to call each other that later.

“This…”

Lu Changfeng also thought it made sense.

He had reached Foundation Establishment at fourteen, mid-Foundation Establishment at twenty-three, late-Foundation Establishment at thirty-eight, and reached the Pseudo-Core Realm in his fifties.

Now sixty-six, he has been honing his magical power through the use of pills refined from high-grade demon cores and through arduous cultivation, increasing the purity of his magical power in preparation for condensing his golden core.

He estimates that in another ten or twenty years, he will be ready.

With his foundation, his resources, the enhancements from his cultivation techniques and physique, and the numerous favors secretly provided by his father from the Sword Sect and the Holy Sect, his chances of condensing his golden core in one fell swoop are indeed quite high.

In his opinion, it will be easier than for the pseudo-spiritual root “Junior Brother Han” in front of him.

“Uncle Han, you’ve come to see me. Is there something you need?”

Over the years, although the two have had contact, they have rarely been close. Occasionally, when they meet while shopping, they only exchange a brief greeting before quickly parting ways. He can sense that this man is a diligent cultivator who is single-mindedly focused on his cultivation.

His sudden visit must mean something.

“Please ask Senior Brother to contact the sect and inquire if there is any detailed information about the outer sea.”

“Uncle Han wants to go out to sea to hunt demons?”

Lu Changfeng raised an eyebrow and guessed.

“Condensing my Golden Core has exhausted my resources, so I must go out and seek opportunities. Hunting demons in the outer seas is one way,”

Han Li said vaguely.

“Understood, Uncle-Master, don’t worry, I will contact my father as soon as possible.”

“Thank you for your trouble, Senior Brother,”

Han Li nodded.

As he spoke, he handed over a jade slip and two pill bottles:

“The jade slip contains some of my insights on condensing my Golden Core. The few remaining pills in the two bottles are ones that I no longer need after forming my Golden Core. I hope these can be of some help to you, Senior Brother, in your future Golden Core formation.”

When asking someone for a favor, a small gift should be given tactfully.

Besides, this Senior Brother is destined to become a future high-ranking member of the White Water Sword Sect, perhaps even the sect leader.

Making friends now might be useful in the future.

Angel Wheel, high returns.

“This, this, is too precious…”

Lu Changfeng said it was precious, but his hand involuntarily accepted the gifts.

Both items were of practical help to him, and given their special relationship, he had no reason to refuse.

…

It would take some time for Lu Changfeng to make contact with the elders of the White Water Sword Sect.

During this time, Han Li focused more

on the Myriad Sounds Sect, monitoring their movements.

More precisely, he was using the Myriad Sounds Sect to keep an eye on the young master of the Green Sun Sect.

The Green Sun Sect was a major demonic sect, with three Nascent Soul cultivators: one was the Three Yang Old Demon, a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator, and the other two were his junior brother and disciple.

Three Yang Sect.

In the sect leader’s hall.

An old man with a sinister expression suddenly summoned a mid-Core Formation cultivator:

“Where is Tong’er? Why haven’t we seen her lately?”

The Core Formation cultivator, being questioned, hurriedly bowed: “Reporting to the Ancestor, the young master has gone out to train. I believe he will soon return with a small gift to pay his respects.”

This Core Formation cultivator was the steward of the Three Yang Old Demon’s lineage, having cared for the young sect master since childhood, and knew his whereabouts perfectly well.

“Returning with a small gift?”

The sinister old man initially smiled with satisfaction.

Then, his face hardened:

“What gift could he possibly bring me? He’s probably out flirting with other women again, hasn’t he?”

“Ancestor, the young master is very filial.”

“You’re always praising him.”

The old man shook his head, his tone shifting:

“Sigh, I don’t expect that brat to be filial, I only hope he’s more stable. Otherwise, how can I entrust the vast foundation of the Qingyang Sect to him? My junior brother and my obedient disciple are just waiting for him to make a grave mistake.”

The Three Yang Old Demon was also weary.

Despite the three Nascent Soul cultivators of the Qingyang Sect, he still had over two hundred years of lifespan left. His junior brother could live at least three hundred years. His disciple could live for another four hundred years. The lineage seemed orderly.

But this was only on the surface.

Because he had no intention of handing over the sect’s foundation, built up over a lifetime, to his junior brother or disciple.

He had always privately told his junior brother that he would entrust the sect to him.

He also told his disciple that he would entrust the sect to him.

It seemed he was truly prepared to hand over the reins before going into seclusion to attempt a breakthrough to the late Nascent Soul stage.

Initially, before having any offspring, he had genuinely considered choosing one of his two children to entrust the sect to after his death.

However, he later had a son in his old age, whose spiritual root aptitude was quite good—a dual spiritual root. With ample resources to nurture him, forming a Core with dual spiritual roots wouldn’t be difficult. He was also somewhat confident in achieving Nascent Soul.

With a successor in place, he naturally wanted to pass on the vast foundation of the Qingyang Sect to his direct bloodline, thereby protecting the entire family.

Therefore, he cherished this son dearly, showering him with various forms of favoritism. He generously provided abundant cultivation resources,

such as numerous high-grade pills refined from high-level demon cores.

Furthermore, several female disciples in the sect at the Core Formation stage had been given opportunities to have their cultivation replenished by this son.

They even turn a blind eye to the behavior of female cultivators in the Foundation Establishment or Core Formation stages who occasionally try to swindle and deceive others from outside the sect in an attempt to climb the social ladder.

That young man hadn’t forgotten the fundamentals of cultivation; he truly only used dozens of female cultivators, at least at the Foundation Establishment stage, as furnaces to absorb nutrients.

At such a young age, at thirty-six, he had already reached the Pseudo-Core stage.

Currently, he’s refining the impure magical power within his body, trying to purify his true essence so that he can condense a Golden Core in twenty or thirty years.

“By the way, which guards are with that brat? This Chaotic Star Sea has been rather turbulent lately; we mustn’t be careless.”

“Reporting to Ancestor, it’s the Fei brothers, Fei Wu and Fei Cai.”

“Two Core Formation stage cultivators? That’s enough.”

The Three Yang Old Demon nodded.

At this critical juncture, he didn’t believe any old monster would be so foolish as to target his successor.

Weren’t they afraid of his wrath?

“Alright, go down. Next, I will be in seclusion for a period of time, trying to integrate the Azure Fire Thunder with another type of Heavenly Thunder Fire to further enhance its power. Don’t disturb me unless it’s urgent.”

“Yes, Ancestor.”

The hall doors closed.

The steward withdrew.

Unbeknownst to the Three Yang Old Demon, three hawk-like gazes had already been fixed on his successor from the shadows.

…

“Has the young master of the Qingyang Sect really gone to the Miaoyin Sect?”

Upon receiving the news, Han Li could no longer remain seated.

(End of Chapter)