Family Rise: Beginning with Grandfather.

Chapter 1022 The Way of the Great Void, the Body Transforms into Nothingness

As Yang Zhengshan swallowed a lotus seed from the Daoist Sacred Lotus, he became immersed in the Daoist essence of the Great Void.

The enlightenment of Tao possesses a magical power; as long as you immerse yourself in it, you will forget all external things, including time itself.

In the blink of an eye, ten years have passed, and Yang Zhengshan is still immersed in his insights.

The land of spiritual origin has also undergone many changes in the past ten years.

At this moment, when viewed from the air, Yujing City resembles a piece of jade imbued with spiritual energy.

The mountains on the northern slopes are dark green, with verdant peaks reaching all the way to the city. The houses at the foot of the mountains rise and fall with the terrain, like a gray-brown ribbon wrapped around the green slopes.

The Spirit River, flowing through the city, cuts through its heart. Its waters are clear and blue, like glass. Stone bridges lie across the river, their arches forming rings that bind the water into a string of jade beads. On both banks, vermilion buildings rise one after another, their upturned eaves and corners overlapping. The green tiles on the roofs gleam softly in the sunlight. The alleyways between the buildings are like a net, fragmented by the green shade of the spirit trees, creating dappled patterns of light.

Within the city, spirit trees form a dense forest. The pink mist from the Jade Peach Tree drifts through the alleys, while the broad leaves of the Light Spirit Fruit Tree cast deep shadows on the white walls. The ginkgo fruits of the Wind Spirit Fruit Tree adorn the branches, their fragrance seemingly able to penetrate the clouds. The trees along the main road form a green corridor, the stone slabs beneath damp with moisture, occasionally trodden by carriages and horses, leaving shallow marks. In the depths of the courtyards, magnolias peek over the walls, their white blossoms contrasting beautifully with the blue tiles. Moss creeps along the cracks in the bricks at the base of the walls, intertwining with the roots of the spirit trees underground.

Outside the south gate, the long river branches into several streams, weaving like silver threads into thousands of acres of rice paddies. The paddy fields are laid out like a chessboard, the rice ears gleaming with a silvery-green luster. When the wind blows, it stirs up layers of waves. The waterwheels on the ridges creak and turn, the water droplets kicked up by the wooden wheels sparkling like stars in the sunlight. The white walls of farmhouses are scattered across the fields, like jade buttons falling into a green silk, and smoke rises from the eaves, disappearing straight into the clouds.

Merchant ships were moored at the ancient ferry dock in the west of the city, their white sails crowded together, their masts like a forest, and the muffled sound of the ship planks hitting the stone steps seemed to reach the clouds.

The entire city is enveloped in a spiritual aura, with mountains, water, trees, and fields weaving a soft net. Even the air is filled with the sweet fragrance of spiritual rice and the rich aroma of spiritual trees. From high above, it looks like a piece of living jade nurtured by the essence of heaven and earth.

In a hundred years, the once small village has transformed into a magnificent and prosperous fairy city.

Today, Yujing City is more than 30 li wide from north to south and more than 60 li long from east to west, stretching from the west bank of the Ling River all the way to the sycamore grove in the east of the city.

The city has a population of over 600,000, and its industries include medicinal herb processing, elixir refining, ore processing, spiritual weapon forging, magical artifact crafting, talisman making, silk weaving, and more.

It can be said that all the low-end manufacturing industries in the Land of Spiritual Origin were located in Jade Capital City, and the output of Jade Capital City not only met the needs of the Land of Spiritual Origin, but also sold well in most of the Western Regions of Wanhua.

From the Qingli Dynasty to Qingli Immortal City, from the Lingxiu Sea to the Wanlin Mountains, and then to the Southern Wilderness, and eastward across the entire Yunxiao Mountain Range, to Baiyun Immortal City and Zhenyang Immortal City, goods from Yujing City can be found in most of the Wanhua Western Region.

Besides Yujing City, there are two other places in the Spirit Source Land that produce resources: Flaming Mountain and Evergreen City.

Flaming Mountain is primarily engaged in alchemy and weapon crafting industries. Unlike Jade Capital City, Flaming Mountain's alchemy and weapon crafting industries are much more advanced, mainly focusing on refining second-tier pills and magic weapons.

The cave dwellings of people like Yang Jizhen, Zhang Hexuan, and Yang Zongyuan were all located on Flaming Mountain.

Changqing City, on the other hand, mainly cultivates second- and third-tier spiritual plants and herbs, such as the Five Elements Fruit Tree, Qingxuan Fruit Tree, Spirit Pine Tree, Evergreen Scale Vine, Bodhi Tree, etc., and has established planting areas in Changqing City.

These spiritual plants and herbs will not grow in a short time, but in the future they will become one of the most valuable resources of the Spirit Source Land.

Besides Evergreen City, new cities are also being built in the Land of Spirit Origin.

In the north there is Changshou City, in the south there is Changming City, and in the west there is Changyao City.

The Jade Palace in the heavens, with its five cities and twelve towers.

Although the population of the Spirit Origin Land is not yet enough to fill the five major cities, this does not prevent Ziwei Tower from laying the foundation for the five cities first.

The Longevity City in the north is located four thousand miles north of Yujing City, situated atop a thousand-foot-high mountain, surrounded by towering peaks that reach into the clouds.

Ziwei Tower positions Changshou City as a city of demon beasts. In the future, multiple demon beast training grounds will be built around Changshou City, mainly for cultivating demon beasts and exotic beasts.

Changyao City in the west is located three thousand miles west of Yujing City. That area has the richest mineral veins in the Spirit Source Land and will be the mining site for the spirit minerals and spirit stones of the Spirit Source Land in the future.

However, only a small town has been built there so far, and the main focus is still on growing spirit rice and spirit fruit.

The southern city of Changming is located on Changming Continent. A vast sea has formed in the south of the Spirit Source Land, and in the center of the sea is an archipelago, with Changming Continent being the largest island.

Currently, Lingyuan Land has introduced a large number of marine species from the outside world, and the ecosystem in the ocean is slowly forming on its own.

Changming City is located in the middle of the sea, and its future development will rely on the ocean, focusing on cultivating aquatic spirits and aquatic monsters and beasts.

Each of the five immortal cities has its own focus, but they all involve low-end industries. On the basis of achieving self-sufficiency, they will become the resource production sites of the immortal palace in the future.

In addition to the five immortal cities, the Spirit Origin Land will also build towns and villages of all sizes around the immortal cities in the future.

Thus, the basic framework for the future of the Land of Spiritual Origin has been laid out, and all that remains is to develop and build it gradually.

……

Lingquan Mountain Plain, in a secluded courtyard.

Yu Qingyi sat in the main seat in the hall, wearing a plain-colored satin dress with a smooth drape and subtle patterns. Over it was a light green gauze shirt with silver stitching at the collar. Her hair was loosely tied in a bun, adorned only with a single jade hairpin carved with simple orchid leaves. Her earrings were two small, round, translucent white beads.

Hongyun and Qingxia stood behind her, preparing tea and snacks for her.

Inside the hall, Ding Qiu stood respectfully, listening to Yu Qingyi speak.

"You've gotten ahead of me, haha. But that's good. The master once said that your talent in martial arts far surpasses others, and you're destined for greatness!"

"I won't stop you from going into seclusion to break through this time. You can go into seclusion without worry, and you don't need to worry about things at home!"

"The master is in seclusion, and I don't want to disturb him with this matter, so I've taken the liberty of giving you a few pills to help you succeed in your breakthrough!"

Yu Qingyi said slowly and deliberately.

Ding Qiu is going into seclusion to break through, which is a significant event for the Spirit Origin Land. He is breaking through the bottleneck of the Golden Body Realm, and if he succeeds, he will become the first Divine Soul Realm martial artist in the Spirit Origin Land.

The significance of this is self-evident.

Yu Qingyi usually doesn't interfere in the mundane affairs of the Spirit Source Land, but since Ding Qiu is about to break through, she still has to come and see him.

As soon as she finished speaking, Hongyun took out three bottles of pills and presented them to Ding Qiu.

"A low-grade demon essence pill can replenish your spiritual power, preventing you from failing your breakthrough due to spiritual power depletion!"

"The Rejuvenating Pill has the effect of rapidly replenishing the soul. When the soul is exhausted, taking this pill will cause the soul's power to surge forth like a dried-up spring, restoring most of it within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, without any stagnation. I think it will be useful to you!"

"This is the Turtle Breathing Pill. If things become unbearable, take this pill immediately. It will allow you to enter a state of turtle breathing, slowing down the damage to your body and soul. I will then ask the master to come and help you!"

"Breakthroughs are extremely dangerous; remember to proceed with extreme caution!"

Hongyun said softly.

Although Ding Qiu was the first martial artist in the Spirit Origin Land to attempt to break through to the Divine Soul Realm, it does not mean that the Spirit Origin Land lacked relevant experience.

The Spirit Source Land had long since collected a lot of relevant experience from the outside world and made a lot of preparations, from the selection of the breakthrough site to the problems that might be encountered during the breakthrough process, as well as the required pills, etc., all of which had been carefully considered and deliberated.

Moreover, the person in charge of this matter was Xuanzhen, a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

As for why this matter is taken so seriously, the reason is simple: all members of the Yang family will face the peril of a breakthrough in the future, and it is essential to prepare in advance.

After Ding Qiu, the next one will probably be Yu Qingyi.

Who would dare to be negligent in this matter?

Yu Qingyi was unaware that Ding Qiu's decision to break through now was actually driven by Xuanzhen. Xuanzhen needed a test subject; only by truly witnessing it could he gain a deeper understanding of the potential problems that might arise during the breakthrough process.

"This old servant thanks Madam for her kindness! Madam, rest assured, this old servant will act with utmost care!" Ding Qiu said softly, his eyes darting around. Yu Qingyi nodded slightly, "Then go ahead. If you need anything, you can send someone to find me here!"

She had been living in Lingquan Mountain Ping for some time. Yang Zhengshan was in seclusion, and she had nothing to do in the Changsheng Palace, so she simply returned to Lingquan Mountain Ping.

Of course, she would also visit the Hall of Longevity often. She planted many rare and exotic flowers and plants there and would sometimes take care of them.

"Yes, this old servant takes his leave!" Ding Qiu put away the pills, bowed, and took his leave.

After he left, Yu Qingyi sighed softly.

"Why does Madam sigh?" Qingxia asked.

"I wonder if Ding Qiu will succeed!" Yu Qingyi said.

"Don't worry, Madam, Ding Qiu will definitely succeed!" Qingxia said.

Yu Qingyi nodded and said nothing more.

She wasn't just worried about Ding Qiu, but also about others.

As time went by, everyone's cultivation level increased.

Her own cultivation had reached the peak of the Golden Body Realm, while the cultivation of the four brothers, Yang Mingcheng, Yang Mingzhi, Yang Minghao, and Yang Mingzhao, had all reached the middle and late stages of the Golden Body Realm.

In another ten or twenty years, they will also face the challenge of reaching the Golden Body Realm.

If everything goes well, then all will be well.

But if someone fails, the Yang family will likely be plunged into grief.

She was neither as carefree nor as ruthless as Yang Zhengshan.

Yang Zhengshan had long been prepared for the tragedy of a parent outliving their child, but she still hoped that the Yang family members could live in peace and safety, especially the second and third generations.

Just as Yu Qingyi was worrying about the future breakthroughs of the Yang family, Da Qing suddenly walked in from outside the door.

"Madam, good news! Miss Qingyu has successfully established her foundation!" Da Qing's voice was extremely loud, startling Yu Qingyi.

"Qingyu has successfully established her foundation!" Yu Qingyi was initially surprised, but then a gentle smile appeared on her face. "Let's go take a look."

Yang Qingyu is the fifth generation of the Yang family and the eldest daughter of Yang Qinting and Li Qianqian.

She is the third Foundation Establishment Immortal Cultivator in the Yang family, following Yang Jizhen and Yang Zongyuan.

The addition of another Foundation Establishment cultivator to the Yang family is naturally a joyous occasion.

That day, Yu Qingyi invited Yang Qinting and Li Qianqian over for a proper celebration.

……

In the quiet room of the Hall of Longevity.

Yang Zhengshan sat cross-legged on the cushion, his eyes slightly closed, his soul already drifting into the boundless void.

"The Great Void has no form, and it existed before Heaven and Earth. It cannot be seen, cannot be heard, and cannot be grasped. It encompasses the six directions, and is endowed with formlessness. Its original flow is boundless, yet it never overflows."

"Heaven and earth depend on it for life, and all things depend on it for form. It grows ever more vibrant with movement, yet remains unchanged in stillness. You cannot see its beginning when you face it, nor its end when you follow it. The sage observes it with emptiness and guards it with silence. He discards its splendor and returns it to its true nature."

“Look inward at your heart, and you will find that your heart has no heart; look outward at your form, and you will find that your form has no form. Look afar at things, and you will find that things have no things. When these three are gone, only emptiness remains. Emptiness has nothing to be emptied, and void has nothing to be voided; this is called the Great Void.”

His consciousness was drifting away, not disappearing, but searching for his true self in the vast emptiness.

The Way of the Great Void is ethereal and vast, and its meaning is profound and wondrous.

To comprehend the Dao of the Great Void is like finding something that belongs to you in an endless ocean.

Yang Zhengshan had no idea what this thing was, where it was, or what its characteristics were. He only knew that there should be something of his own here.

However, Yang Zhengshan's search was not without basis; he could sense a slight connection in his heart.

Enlightenment is not about comprehending the great Dao of Heaven and Earth, but about interpreting the great Dao of Heaven and Earth in your own understanding.

That thing that belongs to you is your understanding of the Way of the Great Void.

"The Tao is in ants, in weeds, in tiles, in excrement. So too is the Great Void; when dispersed, it becomes qi; when gathered, it becomes form; when transformed, it becomes change. If you grasp it, you will lose it; if you let it go, you will gain it."

"If you hold on to it, you will lose it; if you let go, you will gain it!"

Yang Zhengshan seemed to find a glimmer of inspiration in his scattered consciousness, and then the corners of his mouth turned up slightly, and his aura became ethereal.

"The Way of the Great Void is neither born nor dies, neither increases nor decreases, neither defiled nor pure."

"Heh heh, neither born nor dying, neither increasing nor decreasing! I am originally in the Great Void, so why should I be attached to the Great Void?"

He slowly opened his eyes, his dark pupils like an endless abyss, captivating anyone who looked into them.

"The way of flourishing and decay lies in the disorder of life and death; the way of the Great Void lies in neither increase nor decrease!"

"I am in the Great Void, and I am also the Great Void!"

He murmured to himself, slowly stood up, and his figure gradually blurred until he disappeared completely.

“Look inward at your heart, and you will find that your heart has no heart; look outward at your form, and you will find that your form has no form. Look afar at things, and you will find that things have no things. When these three are gone, only emptiness remains. Emptiness has nothing to be emptied, and void has nothing to be voided; this is called the Great Void.”

But his voice still echoed in the quiet room.

"Look at its shape, yet the shape has no shape. View it from afar, yet the object has no object."

The next moment, his figure reappeared, not by teleportation, but by appearing out of nowhere.

"The Dao of the Great Void is indeed incredibly profound!"

He stroked his beard and fell into deep thought.

Without intention, without form, without substance, all three are absent, only emptiness remains.

He felt that he had grasped the true meaning of the Dao of the Great Void, but he also felt that his understanding was only superficial.

He comprehended a divine power from the Dao of the Great Void, which allowed him to become formless.

It's not invisible, it's non-existent.

But does he really not exist?
Obviously, this is impossible.

He is more like a contradiction; he is still here, yet he doesn't exist.

(End of this chapter)