Family Rise: Beginning with Grandfather.

Chapter 1032 Investigation and Deduction
Yang Zhengshan frowned. "How much more do I need?"

Feng Ling pondered for a moment before saying, "The soul must at least reach the Celestial Realm!"

"Celestial Realm?" Yang Zhengshan asked, puzzled. "What kind of realm is that?"

"It's half a step into the Dao. The Dao is divided into three steps: the soul merges with the Dao, the supernatural powers merge with the Dao, and only then can one become one with the Dao," Feng Ling explained.

Yang Zhengshan thought for a moment and said, "Forget about self and others and equalize inner and outer, break through the ego to reveal the Dao, return to your true nature, and become one with the Dao."

The steps to achieving Dao described by Feng Ling seem to differ from his understanding.

Feng Ling said, "You said this is the third step, which is to become one with the Dao."

"Before you can merge with the Dao, you must first cultivate your divine powers and spiritual intent to perfection, and then merge your soul and divine powers with the Dao."

"The union of the soul and the Dao is the Heavenly Realm, and the union of supernatural powers with the Dao is the Supernatural Realm. Both can be called half-step Dao integration."

Yang Zhengshan suddenly realized that the so-called Celestial Realm and Divine Power Realm were prerequisites for achieving the Dao, and to reach these two realms, one needed to cultivate the Divine Power Intent to perfection.

Currently, his most profound understanding of supernatural powers lies in the Dao of Withering and Flourishing, but even that is only at the entry level.

"Isn't there any other way?"

By the time he cultivates to the Celestial Realm, who knows when it will be? It might take hundreds of years.

Yu Qingyi and the others might not be able to wait until he cultivates to the Celestial Realm.

Even a martial artist at the Divine Soul Realm only has a lifespan of five hundred years.

Feng Ling pondered for a moment, then looked at the Golden Crow beside him and said, "If I cooperate with it, it might be easier, but your divine powers and understanding will need to reach perfection!"

"Why does my supernatural powers need to reach perfection?" Yang Zhengshan was somewhat puzzled, as the Nine Cauldrons Divine Pill formula did not mention this point.

Feng Ling said, "The key to refining the Nine Cauldrons Divine Pill is to integrate the Dao intent. Only by integrating the Dao intent can the Nine Cauldrons Divine Pill be successfully formed."

Yang Zhengshan was speechless. He knew that refining the Nine Cauldrons Divine Pill was very difficult, but he did not expect that refining the Nine Cauldrons Divine Pill would require the integration of Dao intent.

However, with Feng Ling's help, he can avoid many detours.

In the following days, Yang Zhengshan kept asking Feng Ling for advice on alchemy, from the most basic knowledge of medicinal herbs to the refining of the Nine Cauldrons Divine Pill. Feng Ling could be called a master of alchemy.

And so, another half month passed as Yang Zhengshan stayed in the Dan Hall.

Until this day, Ma Qiuyan came to her door.

"Master!"

"Well, is something wrong?"

Inside the Pill Hall, Yang Zhengshan was refining the Brightness Pill when he saw Ma Qiuyan arrive and casually asked her a question.

“The three True Lords of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion have arrived at the Heavenly Cloud Sword Sect. True Lord Baiyun invites Master to entertain them!” Ma Qiuyan said.

Yang Zhengshan asked in surprise, "People from the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion? What are they doing at the Heavenly Cloud Sword Sect?"

"It must be about the matter of the Longevity True Lord!" Ma Qiuyan said.

During this time, Yang Zhengshan had been studying alchemy in the Pill Hall and was completely unaware of what was happening outside.

Ma Qiuyan, on the other hand, stayed at the Tianyun Sword Sect and learned about the Tianji Pavilion through hearsay.

The main reason is that the Tianji Pavilion has caused too much trouble in the Wanhua Mountains recently.

They first went to Qingyuan Cave Heaven, then to Lihuo Mountain. After being thwarted at Lihuo Mountain, they went to Xiaxian Sect, Huaxian Sect, and Nanhua Sect. Then they visited many demon clans in Wanhua Mountain Range, and finally went to Zhenyang Immortal City. Today, they finally arrived at Tianyun Sword Sect.

They visited almost all the Golden Core cultivators and demon kings in the Wanhua Mountain Range, and they even took action within the range, wiping out a clan of Sand Nightmare Beasts. This caused widespread panic throughout the Wanhua Mountain Range.

Ma Qiuyan briefly recounted what had happened in the Wanhua Mountains during this period, and concluded by saying, "It is said that the Tianji Pavilion conducts a thorough investigation wherever they go, questioning everyone from those who have cultivated Golden Cores to those who are Demon Kings."

After listening, Yang Zhengshan frowned.

The Heavenly Mystery Pavilion is indeed quite domineering, but it has the capital to be so.

Now he has a deep understanding of the power distribution throughout the entire Wanhua Domain.

The Wanhua Domain can be roughly divided into five domains: East, West, South, North, and Central. In addition, there are three other domains belonging to the demon race: the Wanhua Mountains, the North Sea, and the South Sea. These are known as the Five Directions Domain and the Three Demon Domains.

Among the five domains, the situation in the east, west, south, and north domains is similar: each has a few Golden Core cultivators, but no particularly powerful forces.

Among the three demon realms, the South Sea Demon Court and the North Sea Demon Court are both very powerful, while the Wanhua Demon Court is relatively weaker. In addition, both the South Sea Demon Court and the North Sea Demon Court are quite strong, and their strength is comparable to several top powers in the Central Region.

As for the Central Region of Wanhua, it is a place where spiritual veins are interwoven like a net, blessed lands are scattered like stars, spiritual energy is abundant, and resources are plentiful. It is the place where the spirits of the entire Wanhua Region converge.

Therefore, the Central Region of Wanhua has many powerful individuals and forces.

The strongest force among them is the Heavenly Constitution Path, which holds an extraordinary position throughout the entire Myriad Flower Domain.

There are four other major forces under the Tianxian Dao: Wanbaoxing, Tianjige, Wuchangguizong, and Hengshanzong.

Beneath these four major powers, there are many sects and immortal clans in the Wanhua Central Region.

However, the most mysterious place in the Wanhua Domain is the East Sea.

The Wanhua Domain is surrounded by seas on all sides, and within these seas lie lands, such as the western part of the Wanhua Domain, which is the vast sea west of the Storm Sea, and the desolate lands of the Da'an Dynasty. In fact, there are desolate lands in all four directions of the Wanhua Domain.

The reason why the East China Sea is said to be mysterious is that a large area of ​​the East China Sea is a forbidden area, which is the reincarnation realm that Zhongli Yue once mentioned to Yang Zhengshan.

Yang Zhengshan didn't know exactly what the Samsara Realm was, but the prohibitions of the Heavenly Constitution Dao included a restriction on going deep into the Samsara Realm.

Among the many forces in the Wanhua Central Region, the Tianji Pavilion is undoubtedly a top-tier force.

With the strength of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, it is natural that they can cause trouble in the Wanhua Mountains.

Yang Zhengshan just couldn't understand why the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion would go to such lengths for a Long-lived True Monarch.

True Lord Changming is only a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator, and should not be considered a strong figure within the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion.

Yang Zhengshan fell into deep thought. These powerful forces all possessed many secrets that he could not access. Some things could not be accessed simply by reaching a certain level of cultivation; one also needed a background and status.

Yang Zhengshan was merely a rogue cultivator among Golden Core cultivators, and the entire Tianyun Sword Sect was nothing more than an alliance of rogue cultivators.

Not to mention comparing it to top-tier forces like the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, even some of the demon races in the Wanhua Mountains are no match for the Heavenly Cloud Sword Sect.

He couldn't figure out the ins and outs of this, but since the people from the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion had come, he naturally had to go and meet them.

Yang Zhengshan glanced at the Bagua Furnace in front of him and shook his head helplessly. "Zongyuan, you can practice with this batch of pills!"

It's such a waste to have such a good batch of Tongming Pills.

It should be noted that the Tongming Pill also requires a third-tier spiritual item, and for Yang Zhengshan, a third-tier spiritual item is a relatively scarce resource.

He was somewhat annoyed that he had wasted such a rare opportunity to refine a batch of Tongming Pills.

"Oh, okay!" Yang Zongyuan scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed, and replied. He knew he definitely couldn't refine this batch of Tongming Pills.

Ignoring his predicament, Yang Zhengshan returned to the cave dwelling of the Tianyun Sword Sect in a flash, and Ma Qiuyan naturally followed him back.

"You go ahead and do your work, I'm going to see True Lord Baiyun!"

As Yang Zhengshan spoke, he walked out of the cave and headed towards the Jade Palace.

When he arrived at the Jade Palace, he found everyone there, including Yunxiao.

Clearly, True Monarch Baiyun had summoned everyone, including Jian Changhe, who was in seclusion.

Yang Zhengshan greeted everyone and then sat down in his seat.

"What are the people from the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion doing here at our Heavenly Cloud Sword Sect?" Yang Zhengshan asked.

Lord Baiyun sighed helplessly, "Whatever they do, just let them be!"

"Junior sister!"

He looked at Que Lingyu with a pleading look in his eyes.

Que Lingyu knew exactly what he meant, so she nodded slightly and said, "Don't worry, I'm not so reckless as to offend the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion."

"That's good, that's good!" True Monarch Baiyun breathed a sigh of relief, seemingly worried that Que Lingyu might clash with the people from Tianji Pavilion.

Just as the five were talking, the people from the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion arrived at White Cloud Immortal City.

Lord Baiyun led everyone out of the city to welcome them.

"The Heavenly Cloud Sword Sect respectfully welcomes the envoy from the Immortal Sect!"

Yang Zhengshan stood behind Baiyun Zhenjun and bowed along with him.

Immortal Sect Envoy!

Well, compared to the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, their Heavenly Cloud Sword Sect is just a small sect, and these Golden Core cultivators are just weaklings.

Circumstances are more powerful than people, so it's normal for True Lord Baiyun to be flexible and adaptable.

Hua Gai looked at the respectful Tianyun Sword Sect members and nodded in satisfaction. "Fellow Daoist Baiyun, I apologize for disturbing your sect by coming uninvited!"

"No, no, hehe, it is an honor for our Tianyun Sword Sect that the True Lord Huagai has personally come to our sect."

After exchanging pleasantries, the atmosphere was fairly harmonious.

A moment later, True Monarch Baiyun led Huagai and the others into the Tianyun Sword Sect.

Upon arriving at the Jade Palace, Yun Ge and his disciples had already prepared tea, snacks, and spiritual fruits. Everyone took their seats, and True Lord Baiyun arranged for them to enjoy tea and a feast.

During the banquet, Yang Zhengshan quietly observed the people from Tianji Pavilion.

Hua Gai Zhenjun, Jie Chen Zhenjun, and Ding Chen Zhenjun are all veteran Golden Core cultivators.

Huagai Zhenjun and Jiechen Zhenjun should have the cultivation level of the late Golden Core stage, while Dingchen Zhenjun is slightly less advanced, but still has the cultivation level of the mid-Golden Core stage.

Generally speaking, Golden Core cultivators from powerful forces are about three points stronger than those from smaller forces. This three-point difference comes from the experience passed down and resources of powerful forces.

Compared to Chi Yuan and Ding Chen, Chi Yun's Nan Hua Sect is also a sect with a long history. However, the Nan Hua Sect has always been relatively weak, with only one Golden Core cultivator most of the time.

The Nanhua Sect has some foundation, but it certainly cannot compare with a top-tier force like the Tianji Pavilion.

In terms of resources, Ding Chen definitely enjoys more resources than Chi Yuan. With the foundation of Tianji Pavilion, Ding Chen can almost freely take any kind of third-tier spiritual item he wants.

In terms of elixirs and spiritual artifacts, Dingchen can obtain more than Chiyuan, especially spiritual artifacts, which he can almost freely choose.

As for cultivation experience, the predecessors of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion have left behind countless insights and experiences. They can easily find out about many things and secrets that others cannot access by simply asking around within the sect.

Just as Yang Zhengshan was lost in thought, the friendly exchange between the two sides came to an end.

"Fellow Daoist Baiyun, I believe you are aware of the purpose of our visit. We would be grateful if you and the other Daoists could do us a favor!" Huagai said softly, looking at True Monarch Baiyun.

True Monarch Baiyun chuckled, "The envoy should understand that my Heavenly Cloud Sword Sect would never be an enemy of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion!"

"Of course, we also know that this kind of thing cannot be explained in just a few words."

"Whatever the envoy wishes to do, my Heavenly Cloud Sword Sect will fully cooperate!"

Upon hearing this, Hua Gai nodded gently, "Then please forgive our rudeness, fellow Daoists!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the cultivators of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, including True Monarch Jiechen and True Monarch Dingchen, began to take action.

More than twenty Foundation Establishment cultivators were divided into four teams, each holding a compass, and began searching the Tianyun Sword Sect.

The True Lord of Calamity flew directly into the air and began to calculate using the Heavenly Destiny Star Chart.

Yang Zhengshan watched their actions silently, head bowed.

This must be an attempt to probe the aura of the Longevity True Lord.

With the methods of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, they could probably find any item within the Heavenly Cloud Sword Sect that is related to the Longevity True Monarch. They might even uncover the slightest connection.

At this moment, Yang Zhengshan could feel an invisible force surrounding him.

He frowned slightly. This method of probing was somewhat impolite, even more offensive than scanning with spiritual sense.

Spiritual scanning at most detects other people's aura and energy, while the True Lord of Calamity probably used the Heavenly Mandate Calculation to look up some information about his past.

Some people have predicted Yang Zhengshan's destiny: he would become the Pavilion Master of Tianji Pavilion in Baiyun Immortal City, but the Pavilion Master of Tianji Pavilion died on the spot due to the backlash of the Heavenly Dao.

Yang Zhengshan didn't know much about the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion's Way of Destiny, and he was really afraid that the Calamity True Lord would deduce something from him.

If he manages to deduce the existence of the Immortal Palace, it might bring him considerable trouble.

However, his worries were obviously unnecessary. The Heavenly Mystery Pavilion's Path of Destiny had not yet reached the point of being omniscient and omnipotent. They could deduce some information from others, but they generally did not use this kind of deduction technique.

Especially when facing Golden Core cultivators, it's best to avoid using it if possible.

Golden Core cultivators all possess the Dao Intent, which is connected to the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth. To deduce the destiny of a Golden Core cultivator is tantamount to going against the will of Heaven.

Let alone the True Lord of Calamity, even the Celestial Master wouldn't dare to casually predict the fate of a Golden Core cultivator.

Moreover, Hua Gai and his group had visited many forces and met dozens of Golden Core cultivators and demon kings along the way, so they could not fully deduce the fate of each one.

At this moment, the Calamity Manifestation True Lord was merely searching for a connection between Yang Zhengshan and the Longevity True Lord.

Clearly, Yang Zhengshan had never met the Longevity True Lord, nor had he had any connection with him.

He might have met the Longevity True Lord at the trade fair, but everyone was hiding their identities at that time, and Yang Zhengshan didn't know who the Longevity True Lord was.

(End of this chapter)