Journey to the head

On summer nights, the sky is filled with stars and the Wangshu tree hangs high in the sky, shining brightly and dazzlingly.

The lights on Mianlong Mountain were bright and the voices of people were rising and falling. The originally quiet fairy mountain was now undergoing construction. The brilliance of various talismans and spells kept flashing, and the escape lights and magic tools shuttled through the air. Even Lingxu Zhenyuan Shenzhou temporarily acted as a carrier, transporting piles of materials and garbage to various peaks in the mountain.

Everyone is working hard for the Yunshan Sect's Dancheng Conference, rushing to complete the various tasks they have been assigned, and striving to show the best side of the sect to the upcoming guests.

In the headmaster's courtyard, Lu Qianzheng and Jiang Qingfeng sat side by side, browsing the sorted spoils of war from Lanshan Island, as well as the rewards and commendations from Miaomiao Xuanjun of the Xuanwei Sect.

There is a lot of construction going on on Mianlong Mountain, and there is not much fun to do, so Lu Qian has sent Hai Shuangyao to the City That Never Sleeps, where she will have fun for a few days and then go directly to the Dancheng Ceremony on Mianlong Mountain.

In order to do a good job of playing with the children, Lu Qian naturally sent out his general, Jiang Baitao.

Bai Tao's injuries were relatively minor and she was no longer in danger. She was extremely surprised to see Hai Shuangyao. She never thought that she would be able to meet this very congenial Jindan Zhenren again 20 years later.

As for Hai Shuangyao, she had been sealed in an ice coffin for twenty years and had no concept of time. It felt like only a month since they last saw Jiang Baitao, but she had already successfully established her foundation. She was very happy at the moment.

"Wow! This is a cat transformed by a star spirit! Your Dao pattern is so interesting."

She giggled and teased Bei Luo Shimen for a while, and then whispered some secrets to Jiang Baitao. Then, the two fairies, who were so compatible with each other, walked away arm in arm in arm, affectionately.

Looking at their backs, Lu Qian suddenly felt a little emotional.

Bai Tao maintains the appearance of a 20-year-old, while Hai Shuangyao looks more like a young girl. But whether it is Bai Tao or Hai Shuangyao, they are not young girls.

Jiang Baitao was born in the year 357 of Jiashen, and is now 49 years old. And Master Hanmu, Hai Shuangyao, is already 220 or 230 years old.

However, before the end of their life span, the years always failed to leave too many traces on the monks. Monks often determined their appearance based on their mentality.

Even Lu Qian himself, who is only a few months away from his 64th birthday, still maintains the demeanor of a young man in his thirties.

The beauty is eternal, the youth is not old, the energy is abundant, and the disease is not invaded. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why the path of cultivation is so longed for, despite its difficulties.

Now Lu Qian was browsing the list, but he also paid some attention to the golden branch in his dantian.

His own courtyard was close to the spiritual vein. When he opened the window, he could see the spiritual vein orb which was the size of a human head, shining with dazzling light and wrapped in thick spiritual mist.

When he stepped into the long-lost courtyard, or rather, approached the spiritual vein of Mianlong Mountain, the golden branch shook slightly again, conveying a hint of eagerness and desire.

Lu Qian was extremely surprised. This most likely meant that it wasn't just the spiritual vein on Lanshan Island that was special. The golden branch's proximity to other spiritual veins could also cause that mysterious change!
However, Mianlong Mountain is the location of the Yunshan Sect's mountain gate. This third-level high-level spiritual vein is of great importance and is not a place for experiments. It can only be kept temporarily. After the Pill Forming Conference, we will secretly select a spiritual vein for further exploration.

So Lu Qian used a bit of his spiritual consciousness to calm the restlessness of the golden branch. He turned his eyes and scanned a short list.

The harvest on Lanshan Island was simply pitiful. Zhu Ling searched from head to toe, but only got a hundred spirit crystals. If it weren't for other supplies, it would not even be enough to pay for the high-speed fare for the driver to ride the Stepping Clouds and Flowing Clouds Chariot.

Other elixirs, talismans, and tools were also unremarkable. All we could say was that at least they were more numerous and more advanced than those of the foundation-building sect.

The biggest gain was that he obtained a set of Jindan-level Ten Absolutes and Ten Directions formation base formation diagrams.

Lu Qian is now a genuine Jindan formation cultivator. When he was in the late stage of foundation building, he could control the changes of Jindan-level formations by relying on the power of consciousness. He also personally set up the Five Elements Formation on Mianlong Mountain as a mountain protection formation.

After so many years of practice, coupled with the promotion of the Immortal Law and the Great Dao Dream Butterfly Book, my understanding of the Five Elements has reached an extremely high level. The various changes of the Five Elements Array have been perfected, and it is time to practice other arrays as well.

Among Xuanjun's collection of books, in addition to the Five Elements, Six Combinations, Seven Stars, Eight Trigrams and Ten Absolutes, there are also "The Nine-Star God Array", "The Twelve Capitals of Heaven Sumeru Array", "The Eighteen Spirit Generals Soul-Binding Array", "The Thirty-Three Heavenly Punishment Array", and so on.

The essence of the formation is complete. With Lu Qian's strong knowledge of Tibetan Buddhism, it would be a piece of cake for him to learn other formations as well.

Therefore, this set of Jindan-level Ten Absolutes and Ten Directions Formation is no longer considered a rare thing.

But the value is not bad. Because in order to carry the changes of the golden elixir-level formation, the formation base diagram must be above the spiritual weapon level. A blank set of intermediate-level spiritual weapon-level formation base diagrams costs 50,000 to 60,000 spiritual stones, and high-level ones cost more than 100,000.

The formation diagram of this set of Ten Absolutes and Ten Directions Formation is of the high-level spiritual weapon grade, which means that the cost is just one hundred thousand spirit stones.

If you want to ask a formation master to record the Jindan-level formation changes for the large formation, the price will be more than 100,000 spirit stones, and this is still a friendly price.

Therefore, if this set of seized array base diagrams were sold at a discount in the Plum Blossom Market, it would be able to fetch about 170,000 to 180,000 spirit stones.

Having said that, Lu Qian can now work part-time as a formation master and earn some extra money by recording formation changes for other sects.

However, this market is relatively saturated. Take the neighbors in Cangzhou for example, those who can afford the Jindan-level formation have already replaced them. If Lu Qian wants to expand this business, he may have to learn from the independent cultivators to travel around the mainland and take advantage of every opportunity.

In addition, if you have free time, you can also take on some missions such as breaking through formations in Meihuafang, and the rewards are also quite generous.

In short, the art of formation is profound and requires strong calculation and control. It is difficult for ordinary cultivators to get started, and they can't go too far if they practice it reluctantly. But if you can really gain something, you will be welcomed wherever you go, treated as a guest of honor, and wealth will be at your fingertips, and you will never worry about your livelihood.

In addition to this set of formations, there are also some rare materials, such as precious spiritual ores that can be used for refining equipment, and rare medicinal materials used for elixirs.

It’s just that the quality of these materials is only at the Golden Core level, and the quantity is small, so the total value is not as great as the Ten Absolutes and Ten Directions Formation.

In addition, there were the secret manuals of martial arts passed down from Lanshan Island. Originally, Lu Qian had not had much hope for this remote island where only one person had passed it down through the generations, but in the end, there were some surprises.

In Lanshan Island, in addition to some scattered skills, there is a complete set of "Taibai Star Jinyuan Secret"!
This is the mysterious purpose of absorbing the energy of the Taibai Venus star in the sky, transforming it into the elite of the five metals, and creating the mysterious method of gold element.

This set of secret techniques has both offensive and defensive capabilities. For offense, there is the technique of gold transformation, which can refine the Taibai gold energy into swords, spears, and halberds, which are extremely sharp and swift, and even the method of refining the treasure talisman Taibai Star Ring is included in it.

The defense is to draw the gold energy into one's body, tempering the muscles, bones, meridians and acupoints of the whole body to make them harder than gold and stone, thus providing amazing defense.

From this perspective, Qiming Lingjun's two magical powers are the extension and advancement of this secret technique. In other words, it is because of practicing this secret technique that he has gained a deep understanding of the Jinyuan Dao, which is why he has such magical powers.

Therefore, this set of "Taibai Star Jinyuan Secret Instructions" is indeed a rare first-class secret method!
If a disciple immerses himself in it and practices diligently, he may be able to obtain similar mysterious supernatural powers when he forms the elixir in the future.

Not to mention, there is actually a disciple in the Yunshan Sect who is suitable for this secret method.

Lu Qian put away "The Secret of Taibai Star Jinyuan" and planned to teach it after the Dancheng Conference.

Regarding the education and training of disciples and the operating mechanism of the sect, after years of practical accumulation, and with many sects having learned from past experience or setting examples, Lu Qian has already had the intention to reform.

Take the teaching of skills for example. Currently, in addition to teaching the main skills and basic methods, the Yunshan Sect has put a large number of mysterious skills and secret techniques on the exchange list, encouraging disciples to exchange merit points for the secret techniques for practice.

This certainly stimulated the enthusiasm of the disciples, allowing them to be proactive and work hard to earn merit points, and played a good role in promoting the rapid development of the Yunshan Sect. However, it also brought about quite bad effects.

This kind of exchange will give disciples an illusion that everything I have now is the result of my own hard work!

To put it another way, my success comes from my own efforts and has nothing to do with my sect!

Yunshan Sect is just a simple exchange platform, where you pay merit points in exchange for what you want. Disciples only care about whether their efforts and rewards are equal, and few people are grateful to this platform.

The sect is no longer a community of shared destiny where people share the same ideals and pass on the torch, no longer a place for teaching, learning, and comprehending, and no longer a big family where brothers and sisters can be trusted with one's life.

It is just a place for exchanging interests.

For such a place, not to mention loyalty, there may not even be much affection.

If this continues for a long time, it will probably lead to disastrous consequences. The rapid development of Yunshan Sect is not yet obvious, but if one day the development stagnates or even suffers a heavy blow, how many disciples will choose to advance and retreat with the sect?

Maybe I was thinking too seriously, but there are indeed many hidden concerns, and the reform of the Yunshan School is imminent.

Thinking of this, Lu Qian sighed softly.

After all, a sect is not a modern company. I have been learning from the experience of managing a company and managing the sect in a completely different way. Although it has greatly helped Yunshan Sect to develop rapidly, it has also planted many hidden dangers.

It still needs further optimization, extracting its essence and continuous innovation.

"Junior brother, what's wrong?" Jiang Qingfeng was shocked when he saw Lu Qian put down the list of Lanshan Island and a rare look of worry appeared on his face. He quickly held his hand tightly.

"I just thought of some annoying things." Lu Qian took a breath and hugged his senior sister in his arms. He smelled the familiar, warm fragrance and his heart calmed down.

Jiang Qingfeng lowered her head and rubbed Lu Qian's chest. Her hair fluttered gently, making Lu Qian's nose itch.

"Junior brother, you don't have to be too anxious." Although she didn't know what Lu Qian was thinking about, the long-standing tacit understanding made the senior sister immediately aware of the anxiety in her lover's heart.

She raised her head, her dark eyebrows slightly curved, her pupils clear as water, and she gently kissed the corner of Lu Qian's mouth, then lay back contentedly.

"It's already very fast now. Whether it's the development of Yunshan Sect or your cultivation, it's so fast that I always feel it's unreal, as if everything is in a dream."

"More than forty years ago, we were still fleeing from the enemy's pursuit. But in the blink of an eye, the Yunshan Sect has already stood in Cangzhou, and its reputation has spread far and wide. Who dares to look down on it?"

"Junior brother, you have also become a high and mighty Jindan Zhenren who dominates one side." Jiang Qingfeng smiled slightly, and drew a circle on Lu Qian's chest with his green jade fingers. "But, in my heart, you will always be you."

Lu Qian caressed her hair lovingly and bent down to kiss her forehead. He knew that no matter when or where, no matter what the situation was, no matter what he became, the person in his arms would always stand by him.

That's enough.

Lu Qian suddenly felt endless motivation again. He laughed and threw away the Xuanwei Sect's award list in his hand. Amid his senior sister's exclamations, he picked her up by the waist and rolled onto the bed.

With a hiss, the gauze broke, and the white and tender skin radiated an alluring light under the light of the lamp. Under Jiang Qingfeng's embarrassed and angry stare, Lu Qian pounced on the little lamb like a hungry tiger, pressing it under him.

"Senior Sister, this will let you know that Jindan Zhenren is indeed different."

An hour later, the quilt was disheveled and the bed curtains were askew. Lu Qian breathed a sigh of satisfaction, hugged Nuan Yu Wen Xiang tightly with one hand, and took back the reward list that he had thrown far away with the other hand.

The senior sister's eyes were filled with love. She leaned back in Lu Qian's arms, found a comfortable position, and the two of them read the list together.

"A hundred golden flowers, a hundred jars of immortal wine, a hundred bottles of elixir, a hundred hu of pearls, a hundred pieces of brocade."

Tsk, these are all ceremonial rewards, almost like giving you a little red flower.

"A certificate written by Xuanjun himself."

What is this? It's too hard to wipe your butt! Can it be used as a red seal? Or should I frame it and hang it in the hall?
"A thousand spirit crystals."

Tsk, it does seem like a lot, but this was obtained at the cost of the lives of Qiming Lingjun and Yuanying Lingjun. Thinking about it this way, it can only be said that it is barely enough.

"A copy of "The Secret of Taibai Fubo Lianguang"."

?

"A volume of alchemy book, containing four unique alchemy recipes"

???

Good stuff, Lu Qian exclaimed! Aren’t these two of the five treasures that Miaomiao Xuanjun asked him to choose?
At first, Miaomiao Xuanjun only wanted to let himself choose one piece, but fortunately, Yuanxu Lingjun helped him and Miaomiao Xuanjun agreed to let himself choose three pieces.

Lu Qian chose the Tianji Three Lights Sword, the White Crane Ruyi Cloak and the Xumi Lingzang Pearl, and left behind the skills and alchemy book.

So now, Miaomiao Xuanjun sent them over again, and all five pieces are complete?
If Taibai Fubo Lianguang Zhenjue is classified according to the Yunshan Seven-Rank Dongxuan Zhenjing, it is between the fourth-rank (Shen level) and fifth-rank (Nascent Soul level) techniques.

As one of the hidden methods of Xuanwei Sect, it is unique to be listed alongside the other three secret treasures. Not only is it a practice method that is adapted to the dual attributes of gold and water, but it can also fuse the two energies of gold and water to create a light secret technique that can cut off lightning and electricity, divide water and intercept rivers.

However, Lu Qian could only put it into the "Yunshan Seven-Level Dongxuan Sutra" first. Seeing that Zhu Ling was willing to give it up, there was hope for him to obtain the "Taishang Yuanling Zhenhai Xuan Gong". However, Lu Qian had no intention of practicing this "Lianguang Zhenjue". He decided to choose a disciple to teach it in the future.

As for the elixir book, it was still quite valuable. After exchanging elixir recipes with Danxia Sect, and with the close relationship with Danxia Sect, Lu Qian had no shortage of various elixirs. Now Yunshan Sect had golden elixir-level elixir recipes for healing the body, restoring consciousness, accelerating cultivation, etc., but those obtained from Danxia Sect could not be sold and could only be used by oneself.

This book on elixirs not only adds a kind of elixir that the Yunshan Sect does not have, which can clear the mind, reduce restlessness, prevent inner demons, and is beneficial for the formation of an infant, but it also adds a few ways to make money for the Yunshan Sect, which is not bad.

Seeing this, the commendation list is almost at the end, with only two lines left.

"For the newly promoted Jindan, Yunshan Sect Leader Lu Qian, I am rewarding him with two top-grade magic weapon embryos."

"For the newly promoted Jindan, Yunshan disciple Wu Yan, I am rewarding two top-grade magic weapon embryos."

Wow! Xuan Jun is finally generous for once! (End of this chapter)