Family Cultivation: Evergreen of the Song Family

With the letter from the Dragon Elephant True Lord, the matter of asking for help went very smoothly. Master Gu Hong readily agreed, but also took the opportunity to make some demands.

"I am observing your aura for you, fellow Daoist, without asking for any reward. I only wish to have an in-depth discussion with you on the Dao of Yin and Yang. I was unable to attend the Golden Core Ceremony of True Person Xuanyin during my seclusion last time. After hearing my junior nephew Lingxiao's account, I felt deeply regretful."

"Could it be that Master Gu Hong also cultivates the Dao of Yin and Yang? No wonder I felt a sense of kinship when I first met you, fellow Daoist."

Master Gu Hong waved his hand with a wry smile and said, "I am unworthy, having wasted nearly a thousand years without ever touching the gate of the Great Dao. In front of you, fellow Daoist, I am truly like a firefly compared to the bright moon."

"Master, you flatter me. You are a senior, and it is my honor to discuss the Dao with you. On New Year's Eve, I, Song, will be waiting for you at Cangmang Peak." Song Changsheng bowed and said.

Gu Hong returned the greeting respectfully and said, "I will certainly keep the appointment on time."

After leaving Gu Hong's cave, Song Changsheng took some time to visit Yi Tianzheng and Lei Xiang Zhenjun, and inquired about the recent situation of Ji Shinian, Ling Xiao, and others.

He had been at the Palace of Ten Thousand Elephants for some time now, and they were all well-informed; it was impossible for none of them to come and see him.

"The East Sea has been acting strangely lately. Perhaps the sea creatures are brewing some unspeakable conspiracy, or perhaps some calamity is gathering. I sent Jianxin and Lingxiao to the East Sea to investigate, but so far no useful information has been sent back."

After returning from the Five Academies Grand Competition, Shi Nian prepared to go into seclusion to break through to the Nascent Soul stage. The timing of his seclusion was uncertain, and the day he would emerge was unknown. Sometimes, glimpsing a new realm was a matter of a single moment; when he would actually break through depended entirely on Shi Nian's own fortune.

Upon hearing this, Song Changsheng immediately became curious, sat up straight, and adopted a studious attitude, asking, "May I ask, Palace Master, what kind of realm is above the Golden Core stage?"

He has read countless ancient biographies, scriptures, and classic texts since he began his cultivation. Among them are many left behind by Nascent Soul True Monarchs, not to mention that Dragon Elephant True Monarch also passed on all the Great Dao insights of the True Monarchs of the Myriad Elephant Palace to him.

Logically speaking, he should have a complete understanding of the Nascent Soul stage.

The more he learned, the more unfamiliar and confused he became about the realms beyond the Golden Core stage.

Now that he hears Yi Tianzheng talking about this topic, he also wants to resolve the doubt that has been lurking in his heart.

Yi Tianzheng lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then revealed a gentle smile and said, "Compared to other realms, the Nascent Soul stage is indeed quite special, so it's normal for you to have doubts."

According to the current mainstream view, the Nascent Soul stage is the attainment of the Great Dao, the overcoming of the inner demon tribulation, and the shattering of the core to form a Nascent Soul. Some people have even further subdivided it.

There's nothing inherently wrong with these statements; it's just that they've overcomplicated the matter.

Breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage is difficult, but the process is simpler than all your previous realms; it may only take a snap of the fingers.

Some people spend a century in seclusion and still cannot achieve it, while others only need to wave their hand. Do you know why?

"Because of the inner demon tribulation?" Song Changsheng seemed to have a sudden realization.

"That's right, the key to breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage lies in the tribulation of inner demons. Actually, calling it an inner demon is more like calling it an obsession. One thought leads to the understanding of a hundred thoughts; what one seeks is the understanding of a single thought."

Once you overcome your inner demons, everything will fall into place naturally.

But the essence of obsession lies in the word 'obsession', and it is not something that can be easily eradicated.
Some people have such deep-rooted obsessions that even a thousand or ten thousand years might not be enough for them to achieve clarity of mind, let alone a hundred years.

There are many people like this in the world; they are not defeated by their enemies, but by their own own hands.

The term "inner demon" is used by those who cultivate metaphysics, while Buddhism prefers to call it "ignorance".

Is there 'obsession' in your heart?

Faced with Yi Tianzheng's question, Song Changsheng thought about it carefully for a while and finally nodded.

He had too many obsessions in his heart, some of which were too old and had been buried by time, but they did not disappear, they were just hidden away.

"The reason why 'obsession' is 'obsession' is because of being addicted. The more you are addicted, the deeper you will be trapped in it. Many people don't even know why they are in seclusion. Rather than saying that they are in seclusion to overcome their inner demons, it is more accurate to say that they are using seclusion to calm their minds. Only by calming the mind can one avoid making mistakes."

This is actually a very inefficient method, often taking decades or even centuries to see results.

If you can achieve inner peace and confront your own inner obsessions, overcoming inner demons will be a matter of a moment.

So don't overcomplicate this matter. To put it irresponsibly, just leave it to fate.

The more persistent you are, the easier it is to get caught up in it. Youth is your greatest asset. Calm your mind and you will find that everything will fall into place naturally.

Perhaps one day, while you're strolling leisurely in the courtyard, the tribulation in your heart will naturally pass.

Song Changsheng seemed to understand something, straightened his back, and bowed deeply to Yi Tianzheng, saying, "Thank you for enlightening me, True Lord. I am extremely grateful."

Yi Tianzheng's words answered his biggest question: what was the purpose of his seclusion?

Everyone is in seclusion, but no one ever tells him the purpose of their seclusion.

The seclusion is not for overcoming tribulations, because the so-called inner demon tribulation is the cultivator's own obsession, their inner "delusion," not the minor inner demon tribulation of the Purple Mansion stage or the minor heavenly lightning tribulation of breaking through to the Golden Core stage, and it does not have a specific time of arrival.

Once you meet all the conditions for breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage, all you need to do is resolve this obsession called the inner demon, and breaking through the core to become a Nascent Soul will be a natural outcome.

As for when he can resolve this obsession, that depends on himself.

If you cannot resolve the issue and instead become trapped in it, then obsession will breed demons, leading to your death.

Of course, there is another possibility: that after the inner demon is born, it is suppressed through special means.

That's exactly what Jade Dew True Lord did back then, which indirectly foreshadowed her death.

"It was just casual conversation, nothing to do with answering questions. I only wasted some words. You must have put in a lot of effort to fill the gaps in Huayan's celestial body during this time." Yi Tianzheng waved his hand dismissively.

"It's getting late, so I'll take my leave now."

"Go ahead. During this time, have the [Brocade Banner] pay close attention to any unusual activity in the East China Sea. Although the sea creatures suffered a major defeat, they are recovering their strength very quickly. Do not let your guard down."

"As ordered."

After leaving the Myriad Manifestations Palace, Song Changsheng set off for the Tenglong Islands. In addition to easing his longing for his lover, he also planned to upgrade the defensive array of the Tenglong Islands.

The defensive array of the Tenglong Islands is not weak, but it is too outdated and has been damaged in previous battles. It is time for a comprehensive upgrade and innovation.

With time running out and tasks piling up, Song Changsheng was so busy he barely had time to breathe, and only returned to Cangmang Peak as the year drew to a close.

During this period, Hua Yan absorbed the essence of the sun every day to strengthen the fire within her body, and her understanding of the Yin-Yang Law reached a minor level of mastery, which was already quite remarkable for her.

after all.

For someone with the Nine Yin Body to cultivate the Yin-Yang Laws is a truly revolutionary thing in the entire cultivation world.

Everyone knows that the balance of Yin and Yang is the fundamental way to repair the deficiency in the Nine Yin Body, but this step is extremely difficult to implement, and very few people can succeed. Most people suppress it through other methods or wait for it to resolve itself after their cultivation reaches a certain level. Throughout history, very few people have been able to repair the deficiency in the Purple Mansion stage.

For this reason alone, Song Changsheng is worthy of being remembered in history.

During this period, Chi Li completely abandoned the power of the moonlight and only absorbed the essence of the sun for cultivation. The Golden Crow Bloodline in his body has obviously grown stronger, and he has directly broken through to the mid-stage of the Purple Mansion realm.

Upon learning that Song Changsheng had returned to his clan, the two rushed over to pay their respects immediately.

"No need for formalities. The matter of the Extreme Yang Land has been settled. There is a secret realm in Zhulu Academy called [Nine Luminaries Yang Pool], which is very suitable for you."

"Once the year-end is over, Zhulu Academy will begin a new round of enrollment, so you can prepare in advance," Song Changsheng said bluntly.

This statement clearly indicated that Hua Yan would leave Cangmang Peak early next year to go to Zhulu Academy.

For a moment, Chi Li felt a void in his heart. He opened his mouth again and again, but didn't know what to say.

Through these days of getting to know each other, Huayan's attitude towards him has greatly improved. She doesn't necessarily have much affection for him, but she definitely doesn't have any ill feelings towards him.

Once we part ways, we'll be worlds apart, and everything will fade because of the distance.

All previous efforts will be in vain.

However, he also knew that this decision was for Hua Yan's benefit.

With her talent, if it weren't for this deficiency, she should have broken through to the Golden Core stage long ago. She absolutely cannot continue to waste her potential.

Chi Li's thoughts were practically written all over his face.

Seeing this, Song Changsheng smiled slightly and said, "I have a spot for direct admission to Zhulu Academy. Yan'er has connections with Wanxiang Palace, so I can't use them. I don't trust anyone else either."

Li'er, would you like to venture into the Zhulu Academy? The [Nine Luminaries Yang Pool] is not only useful for Yan'er, but it will also greatly benefit you in strengthening your own bloodline.

Being in a foreign land, you and your fellow disciples can look after each other.

Upon hearing this, Chi Li's mood underwent a complete 180-degree change, and he excitedly said, "This disciple is willing, this disciple is willing."

"In that case, you should set off together. This is a rare opportunity, so don't let your teacher down."

Arranging for Chi Li to go to Zhu Lu Academy was definitely not a whim of Song Changsheng, nor was it to facilitate his pursuit of Hua Yan.

From their previous conversation, he had keenly noticed one of Chi Li's major shortcomings: his short-sightedness and lack of experience.

This was due to his environment, so Song Changsheng didn't blame him, but he couldn't let it continue.

As one of the best academies in the southwest of the human cultivation world, Zhulu Academy is a gathering place for geniuses, and its teaching staff is also top-notch.

If Chi Li were to undergo such a trial, he would surely experience a complete transformation.

Once he has seen a bigger stage in advance, his vision will naturally become broader and no longer limited to the corner of the world he is in now.

Without a long-term vision, one cannot go far.

It was also thanks to his second awakening of his bloodline that Chi Li was able to get into the Zhu Lu Academy. In the past, even if he had wanted to recommend him, Chi Li would not have met the requirements of the Zhu Lu Academy. At most, he would have been placed in the Wan Xiang Branch.

However, with one main hospital and one branch hospital, the resources they control are completely unequal, and the gap is too large.

Fortunately, he had connections on both sides and channels for sending people to his side.

"This disciple will absolutely not let Master down." Chi Li bowed solemnly.

Song Changsheng nodded in response, then looked at Huayan and said, "Before the end of the year, the family should have a purge operation against the remnants of the evil path. For this purpose, I have specially invited Master Guhong."

The family is currently short-handed, so be prepared and await my orders at any time.

This will be a tough battle.

He wasn't sure how much power the Haoran Alliance still possessed, but caution was always the best policy.

Aside from informing Luoxia City beforehand, he did not notify the Jinwu Sect or the Tianmai Sect, because he decided to rely on the Song Clan to complete this arduous task. Only in this way could he ensure that the ownership of the [Heavenly Fire Cauldron] would not be mistaken.

Therefore, he must mobilize all available resources, concentrate them into a single force, and strike with maximum speed at the crucial moment.

With Hua Yan's strength, she has almost no rivals below the Golden Core stage and can stand alone.

This year-end may seem peaceful on the surface, but it's destined to unleash a bloody storm...

Bingzhou, the Qingtian Sect.

Through years of painstaking efforts, the Qingtian Sect has grown and expanded. In addition to cultivating its own disciples, it has also absorbed a large number of independent cultivators, and in a very short time, it has gained control of the entire Bingzhou.

However, Bingzhou was a wild and undeveloped land with very few resources, and its development quickly hit a bottleneck.

Moreover, most of the rogue cultivators came for the sect leader of the Qingtian Sect, since there had been rumors long ago that she was about to break through to the Golden Core stage.

But people waited and waited, and nearly a hundred years passed without any movement. Their patience had long since worn thin.

In recent years, things have gone even further, forcing them to spend enormous sums of money searching for rare and precious materials. The best parts of the spiritual fields have also been used to grow strange spiritual plants whose purpose is unknown, and in the end, they have no trace of them. It is truly disheartening.

People are restless, complaints are rampant, and discontent fills everyone's hearts, ready to erupt at any moment.

Yu Dongyang saw all of this and, after much thought, decided to go and ask for instructions.

“Master, the exploitation has been too excessive in recent years, and there has been a lot of opposition. Do you think we should try to appease them first?”

Lingmou said indifferently, "They're just a bunch of rabble. Let them cause trouble if they want to. What waves can they possibly make?"
"New Year's Eve is approaching. Once I successfully refine the [Six-Turn Celestial Elixir] and take that step, the four realms will kneel in submission!"

Yu Dongyang felt uneasy and was about to speak again when he heard Lingmou's stern rebuke: "Are you ready with 60,000 boys and girls? If you ruin my grand plan, I will not spare you!"

The words, brimming with murderous intent, sent a chill down his spine. He quickly replied, "It's still a bit short. This disciple will go and urge them on right away."

Watching his disheveled departure, Lingmou couldn't help but curse under her breath: "Useless!"

...(End of chapter)