Qingchi Peak was the foremost peak of Mount Qingchi, steep and treacherous. At the foot of the peak stood a stone stele engraved with the characters "Qingchi"—using the character *Chi* from the founding clan's surname rather than the *Chi* meaning pool. Newly admitted disciples were often puzzled why it bore the surname Chi instead of the pond character, but senior disciples kept their lips tight and refused to explain. As time passed, no one asked anymore.
The cave dwelling at the peak's highest point possessed the densest spiritual qi in the entire Mount Qingchi range. Facing the east where sun essence and moon essence rose, cultivating there yielded twice the results with half the effort.
Chi Zhiyun stood respectfully before the door with sword in hand, having waited for a long time before the stone door opened soundlessly. A white-haired elder strode out slowly, his countenance kind and benevolent, a jade bowl held in his hand. His aura was inscrutable, making him seem like an ordinary old man.
"Junior Zhiyun greets the Ancestor! Congratulations to the Ancestor on mastering your divine ability!"
Chi Zhiyun greeted him with the utmost reverence. The white-haired elder smiled faintly and said in a low, aged voice, "It can hardly be called mastering a divine ability. I merely took precious medicines to prolong my vitality, finally completing this fifth divine ability and barely obtaining the qualification to attempt a breakthrough to Golden Core."
Glancing at Chi Zhiyun, Chi Wei cleared his throat, and two voices rose simultaneously—one sharp and shrill like a woman's, the other weathered and heavy like an old man's, speaking in unison:
"Foundation Establishment middle stage. Not bad at all!"
The scene was thoroughly eerie. A chill ran through Chi Zhiyun's heart, but he dared not let it show, respectfully saying, "Junior's meager cultivation is unworthy of the Ancestor's eyes."
Chi Wei took a step forward, his voice returning to normal as he said slowly, "I have come out of seclusion this time because that old ghost Duanmu is about to attempt a breakthrough to Golden Core and invited me to observe the ceremony. Although your immortal foundation shows no sign of birthing a divine ability yet, watching will still do you good."
Chi Zhiyun's eyes lit up at the words, and he thanked him repeatedly. Chi Wei studied him for a moment before clouds rose beneath their feet, carrying them smoothly into the sky toward Mount Dali.
Standing behind Chi Wei, Chi Zhiyun hesitated for a moment and asked in a low voice, "Ancestor, what of that Li Chijing...?"
"He has already been refined into an elixir and delivered into my hands. When the time comes to break through to Golden Core, he will serve as my aid."
Chi Wei answered indifferently. Hearing this, Chi Zhiyun breathed a sigh of relief. Only then did Chi Wei continue, "Most of the cultivation methods of the Three Sects and Seven Gates originate from Yuehua Yuan Mansion, and the *Moon Lake Autumn Reflection Formula* stems from the *Secret Directives of the Moon Essence Compendium*. The immortal foundation it forms, 'Lake Moon Autumn,' possesses the power to govern and command all arts. This immortal foundation will be of immense benefit to my Golden Core breakthrough."
Chi Wei revealed some hidden secrets, leaving Chi Zhiyun enthralled, his spirits greatly invigorated. Seeing his reaction, Chi Wei added, "It is only a pity that Li Chijing was born fifty years too late. When he reached Qi Refinement, I already possessed four divine abilities and one immortal foundation. Had he been born fifty years earlier, so that I could have seized his 'Lake Moon Autumn,' I would not have had to settle for the far inferior 'Yu Yangxing,' and my chances at the Golden Core would have been half a measure greater."
Chi Zhiyun shook his head in regret as well. The arts of the Purple Mansion were profound; in the span of a few words, they arrived at Mount Dali, gliding right over Lijing Town and Eastern Shanyue. Their passage forced Lu Jiangxian on the mountain to shrink tightly into the magical mirror, lying flat on the stone altar like a dead object.
Fortunately, Chi Wei was flying high and did not probe below, crossing Eastern Shanyue in a straight line and halting beside Mount Wu, whose slopes were terraced with white jade steps. Ahead of them, they ran into another person riding a cloud. Clad in a dazzling golden robe, the man had white hair and a white beard, yet his face retained a middle-aged appearance. His aura was likewise at the peak of the Purple Mansion realm. Upon seeing Chi Wei and his companion, he cupped his hands and chuckled:
"Brother Chi Wei, it has been a long time!"
"Seventy-three years," Chi Wei replied loudly, adding, "Brother Zhang remains as vigorous as ever."
The middle-aged man smiled faintly. Chi Zhiyun looked up and saw another person standing behind Patriarch Zhang: a man of early Foundation Establishment cultivation and ordinary appearance, carrying a long saber on his back. He raised his brows at Chi Zhiyun, his gaze brimming with provocation. Chi Zhiyun sneered inwardly, thoroughly annoyed, musing to himself:
*Zhang... most likely from the Jinyu Sect. This man is only at early Foundation Establishment, yet he acts so arrogant. Does he truly believe everyone is Li Chijing, that anyone can step on me to make a name for themselves?*
While the two Purple Mansion cultivators exchanged idle pleasantries, the grand formation on Mount Wu opened, and a black-robed middle-aged man flew out. He paused in midair, and seeing that the Three Sects and Seven Gates, various rogue cultivators, and even Purple Mansions from neighboring countries were all present, he spoke coldly:
"I, Duanmu Kui, break through to Golden Core today. In accordance with the three-hundred-year-old covenant of the cultivation realms across the four nations, I have invited you all. I ask only that you keep your distance and do not foolishly get caught in the way."
The crowd in the clouds fell still for a moment before someone called out, "We naturally understand the rules. Senior Duanmu is the eldest among all Purple Mansions, the one we revere most. We have all gathered to witness the ceremony."
Duanmu Kui sneered and cast his gaze down at Mount Wu below. The disciples were all watching him with trepidation. How could Duanmu Kui not know that these disciples had long colluded with the Three Sects and Seven Gates? The moment he failed, they would scatter at once. Yet Duanmu Kui did not care in the slightest; he had established Mount Wu purely to find people to run errands for him, and these disciples held no place in his heart.
Chi Wei watched quietly, his expression filled with emotion, and said to Chi Zhiyun beside him, "Duanmu Kui is the only person still alive from the era when Yuehua Yuan Mansion appeared in the world. When I was still young, I heard legends of him. He received immortal teachings under a mulberry tree in ancient Licheng, rising from a beggar to today's Purple Mansion immortal cultivator—a magnificent life."
Chi Zhiyun hesitated for a moment and asked, "This senior... what are his chances of breaking through to Golden Core?"
Chi Wei paused, then said in a low voice, "Greater than any of ours."
Duanmu Kui stepped into the empty air, gazing at the rising sun. Clear qi floated upward while turbid qi sank, sun essence and moon essence blending into a single whole—it was the ideal moment for a breakthrough. The iridescent light of divine abilities rose from Duanmu Kui's body, his expression turning complicated.
Duanmu Kui's natural talent had not been high, yet relying on the arts bestowed by the immortal, he had dominated an era, living for six hundred and forty-seven years. He had exhausted all sixteen longevity extension methods in *Replies to the Beggar Under the Mulberry Tree* bestowed by the immortal, finally completing five divine abilities.
*He said... I could achieve the Golden Core.*
Duanmu Kui had been twenty-two that year, collapsed under the mulberry tree and on the verge of starving to death. The immortal had given him a bowl of noodles. Duanmu Kui had said that such immense benevolence could never be repaid, to which the immortal replied:
"Eat slowly."
Duanmu Kui had wandered for eleven years, and hearing those words, he had wailed bitterly. The immortal stuffed *Replies to the Beggar Under the Mulberry Tree* into his bosom and said softly:
"Achieve the Golden Core, and I will come find you after five hundred years."
The sun essence and moon essence between heaven and earth had reached their peak. With a stir of Duanmu Kui's spiritual sense, a ray of dark glow flew out from his Shengyang Mansion, activating his innate divine ability, 'Huaiyin Ghost.' The world before his eyes cleared, and two indistinct figures appeared amidst the clouds. Duanmu Kui cupped his hands and said in a deep voice:
"Seniors, please wait a moment."
The moment these words were spoken, the gathered Purple Mansions retreated in terror. Duanmu Kui listened closely as a sharp, shrill voice spoke:
"If Fellow Daoist fails to break through, you will be reduced to ash. If you succeed, we shall even have to address you as Upper Immortal."
Duanmu Kui smiled faintly as the other four divine abilities flew from his body, stirring the heaven-and-earth spirit qi and coiling beside him.
"'Do Not Investigate Me,' 'Earth Shaman Priest,' 'Fool Driving the Mountain,' 'Drinking the People's Blood.'"
Duanmu Kui invoked them one by one, sighing softly as a trace of hatred surfaced on his face. Had he not lacked that single ingredient, 'Fit for Emperors and Kings,' he would not be in such a sorry state today. His gaze swept venomously over the Daoist sects of the State of Yue. Duanmu Kui steadied his mind, and the dark glow of 'Huaiyin Ghost' ascended first, rising into the sky and stirring ripples of invisible flame.
Chapter 186