Wuchi's dharma idol was a wind dragon, though it was still in its juvenile stage and could only be called a Wind Qiu. Yet after Ji Liuli dealt it a heavy blow with her Xuanhuang True Intent, Feng Chutang's Shadow Qiu devoured it in a single gulp.
Originally, Feng Chutang had intended merely to detain Wuchi's dharma idol and origin soul, rendering useless any resurrection techniques such as borrowing a corpse to return a soul or substituting the plum for the peach. Never could he have imagined that the Shadow Qiu and the Wind Qiu would possess such compatible natures. With the Wind Qiu severely injured and powerless to resist, Feng Chutang's Shadow Qiu actually managed to digest it entirely!
With that, the Shadow Qiu advanced in rank, transforming into a hidden jiao and taking another step along the path toward the Eight Formations True Spirit.
This battle had been orchestrated by Wei Yuan and brought to a fatal end by Ji Liuli, yet the greatest prize had been swallowed by Feng Chutang himself. Feeling deeply guilty, Feng Chutang hurriedly brought True Monarch Feng Yuan along to make amends.
Once Feng Chutang finished recounting the events, True Monarch Feng Yuan said, "Chutang was once your teacher. Under no circumstances should he take advantage of a junior. How about this: see what you need, and I will compensate you."
Wei Yuan replied, "Teacher Feng showed great kindness in nurturing this disciple, and he has aided me immensely in Qingming ever since, yet I have never properly repaid him. Since this Wind Qiu allowed Teacher Feng's dharma idol to advance, it was fated to be his. True Monarch, there is no need to speak of compensation."
True Monarch Feng Yuan spoke sternly, "Absolutely not! As your teacher, imparting the Dao, teaching skills, and resolving doubts are his duty. How could he use that kindness to seek personal gain? There must be compensation. Otherwise, a damaged reputation would be a minor matter; Chutang's Dao heart might very well suffer."
Wei Yuan pondered for a moment and ventured, "Patriarch Xuanyue seems to owe you quite a lot of immortal silver. Could you perhaps see fit to waive a million or two?"
Back then, Xuanyue had dragged Wei Yuan along to borrow money from True Monarch Feng Yuan, taking five million taels in one go—and that was merely what Wei Yuan had witnessed. Who knew how much more was hidden? Thus, Wei Yuan did not dare ask True Monarch Feng Yuan to wipe out Xuanyue's entire debt, hoping only that he might reduce a little of it.
A Wind Qiu dharma idol was priceless to Feng Chutang, but far less useful in someone else's hands. Wei Yuan had struck a middle ground, hoping three million might be forgiven.
True Monarch Feng Yuan nodded and said, "Your filial piety is commendable. That old Spring and Autumn ba—Xuanyue took in a fine granddisciple. Since you've asked, as for this debt..."
Wei Yuan was already preparing to voice his thanks, only for True Monarch Feng Yuan to declare, "Not a single copper will be waived! If that old scoundrel doesn't pay back every cent with his own two hands, my Dao heart will be unsettled! Besides, you are you, and he is he. Don't even think of paying this immortal silver on his behalf. I doubt that old... Xuanyue has the shamelessness to take a junior's money as his own."
Wei Yuan was stunned. The turnaround was truly abrupt. He had always heard that True Monarch Feng Yuan and Xuanyue were on terrible terms, yet borrowing money last time had gone smoothly, leading Wei Yuan to believe the two patriarchs had mended their relationship. Now, however, it seemed that reconciliation was still a long way off.
After a moment's thought, True Monarch Feng Yuan mused, "You have your own destiny; there is no need to shoulder his burdens. For that old thief to have disciples like you, who knows what dumb luck he stumbled into. Come over here. I'll divine for you what treasure you are fated to encounter in the near future and where it is right now."
Even that could be divined?
Wei Yuan stepped into the formation plate laid down by True Monarch Feng Yuan, then followed the True Monarch's instructions to focus his mind on the recent difficulties he had encountered in his cultivation. This was simple enough: the only issue troubling Wei Yuan was the sluggish accumulation of primal chaos qi. Cultivating as if he were in the Scenery Command realm while still at the middle stage of the Dharma Idol realm—it would be a miracle if it were fast.
While Wei Yuan was pondering, True Monarch Feng Yuan had already completed the array. He then tossed a merfolk pearl into the formation. The pearl instantly dissolved into spiritual energy and was absorbed by the array, giving rise to an ethereal, profound aura.
Before Wei Yuan's eyes appeared a general of the Liao Clan. He was not old, yet possessed an extraordinary aura. His build was imposing as a towering mountain, his glaring eyes crackled like lightning, and his gear gleamed with dazzling brilliance.
Glancing at the Liao general's appearance, True Monarch Feng Yuan remarked, "This barbarian is quite famous. His cultivation is at the late Dharma Idol realm, nearing perfection, and he is adept at both combat and commanding troops. He ranks thirteenth on Northern Liao's Wind and Sand Rankings."
True Monarch Feng Yuan then explained that Northern Liao's Wind and Sand Rankings listed experts of the Dharma Idol realm, though the rankings were determined primarily by military merit rather than raw cultivation alone. To be listed on the Wind and Sand Rankings meant one had caught the eyes of the State Preceptor, the shamans, and the Great Khan.
Wei Yuan studied the Liao general closely, while True Monarch Feng Yuan produced a jade slip, reviewed it, and found the man's information. The Liao general was named Duanmu He. Few knew his real name, but his moniker was renowned: the Scourge of the Northern Border.
Previously, he had fought mostly on the Northern Qi front, pounding Northern Qi into misery. True Monarch Feng Yuan noted that since the divination had revealed him, he must have already been reassigned here. Even if he had not arrived yet, he was on his way.
Deeply astonished, Wei Yuan asked, "Even this works?"
True Monarch Feng Yuan smiled faintly. "This is the divine ability inherent to my dharma idol from back in the day, capable of sensing treasures fated to be mine. Even ordinary Scenery Command cultivators cannot withstand my divination.
"Back then, my family was poor. For magical treasures across every part of my body, I could only make do with whatever was available. My master's cultivation was not high, and he passed away early, unable to help much. So I could only rely on myself, divining what items were fated to be mine and finding ways to claim them. Only then did I slowly forge a path forward."
A chill ran through Wei Yuan's heart, and he said with heartfelt sincerity, "Patriarch, this divine ability of yours is truly overbearing!"
This divine ability was terrifying indeed. If someone possessed a treasure suitable for True Monarch Feng Yuan and he divined it, that person probably would not even know how they died.
With this divine ability, True Monarch Feng Yuan could always strike with a clear target, never returning empty-handed.
His interest piqued, True Monarch Feng Yuan continued, "It was all because I was too poor back then and couldn't afford treasures from the Hall of Heavenly Craft. I had to rely entirely on myself..."
Unable to listen any longer, Feng Chutang coughed heavily several times. True Monarch Feng Yuan finally caught himself, then said, "This divine ability of mine is not entirely unique. A junior named Chuhe in the Hall of Jianmu has a similar ability. However, his treasure rat is suited for seeking heavenly materials and earthly treasures, whereas mine is suited for locating things tied to cultivation. You two go on chatting; I'll take my leave."
Wei Yuan rose to respectfully see True Monarch Feng Yuan off. When he returned to the room, Feng Chutang sighed, "Father has just this one flaw: he always loves harping on how poor he was back then. In truth, our Feng family's ancestor—my father's great-grandfather—had already cultivated to the late stage of Scenery Command. Although the Feng family could not compare to the Seven Clans and Thirteen Prominent Families back then, our family was small, so the cultivation resources allocated to each person were actually greater than those in typical prominent clans."
Wei Yuan felt it inappropriate to comment and could only nod along.
Feng Chutang said, "Father actually transferred one of his own opportunities to you this time, so be sure to take it seriously. I do not know what this Liao barbarian possesses, but it will certainly be of great use to you."
Wei Yuan sensed the newly acquired treasure firearm Kshana and said confidently, "Rest assured. As long as he dares to come, he is already a dead barbarian."
Feng Chutang nodded, then said, "Chuhe possesses good fortune, and the potential of his dharma idol has not been fully unearthed. If there are any precious medicines that stimulate potential, we should set aside a portion for him."
Wei Yuan nodded, but recalling Chuhe's recent demeanor, he remarked, "Yet why do I get the feeling that Perfected Chuhe seems to have already found his path? Lately, his whole aura has been clear and lucid, bearing clear signs of sudden enlightenment."
Feng Chutang looked somewhat puzzled. "With aptitude like his, he can gain enlightenment too?"
Chapter 698