Family Rise: Beginning with Grandfather.

Chapter 1088 The Dao Lord and the Lord of Power

True Monarch Tianjian turned his head and grinned, "To become a Dao Lord, there are only three paths. First, comprehend the core Dao intent of one of the Three Thousand Great Daos. The vast majority of Golden Core cultivators walk this path, but most of them stop at the very last step!"

"It's said to be the final step, but in reality, it's like a million miles away. Taking that step is almost impossible!"

"The Myriad Splendor Domain has existed for millions of years, but only one person has truly traversed this path, and that is the Dragon Saint True Monarch from ancient times. Unfortunately, the era is too long ago, and no one knows how he became the Dao Lord back then!"

"As for the second path, it is simpler than the first one. That is to comprehend the Dao of the Great Void and reach the state of perfection."

"Forget the self and the external world, and unite the inner and outer worlds; break through the ego to reveal the Dao body; return to the true nature; and unite with the Dao. Only then can one become the master of the Dao. The so-called unity with the Dao is to comprehend the core Dao meaning. However, among the three thousand Great Daos, the Dao of the Great Void is the most special Dao meaning because the other Great Daos are within the world, while it is outside the world."

"Therefore, in the Way of the Great Void, one does not need to merge with the Dao. One only needs to comprehend a divine power to perfection to become a Dao Master!"

"However, there are countless people in this world who can comprehend the Dao of the Great Void, but very few who can truly see and comprehend the Dao of the Great Void to the point of perfection."

"In the vast expanse of millions of years, the number of people who can be called the Dao Master of the Great Void is no more than a handful!"

"The last path is the Lord of Authority, who is also the Dao Lord. The previous dozen or so Dao Lords of the Myriad Flower Domain were all Lords of Authority. Each realm can only have one Lord of Authority, so there can only be one Dao Lord in this world, and that is the Heavenly Constitution Dao Lord!"

"The struggle for power is the struggle for the position of power. There are two ways to fight for the position of power: first, to spread the teachings to the world; second, to wield absolute power over the world."

"To spread the Dao throughout the world, simply put, means to create a new path and lead all cultivators of the world onto a new path!"

"Thirty thousand years ago, the way of the sword was prevalent, and True Monarch Wanhua used the way of the sword to gain power!"

"Ten thousand years ago, martial arts flourished, and the Heavenly Ruler used martial arts to gain power!"

At this point, True Monarch Tianjian grinned, "This is why there was no martial arts ten thousand years ago, and also why we can see martial artists all over the Wanhua Domain these days!"

Que Lingyu was completely stunned. She never expected that the struggle for power would be like this, let alone that martial arts would also be a result of the struggle for power.

Tianjian Zhenjun continued, "As for having absolute power, it is not worldly power, but the power to control heaven and earth. Why did the Wuchang Ghost Sect build the giant white bone pillar in the Wanhua Mountains? It is because they want to control the Wanhua Mountains and turn them into a Yin Void Death Land."

"In this way, the sect leader of the Impermanent Ghost Sect will have gained control of the Wanhua Mountain Range, thus possessing the qualifications to contend for the power of heaven and earth!"

"Similarly, why did the South Sea Demon Court attack the Southern Region? Did those sea monsters really want to live on land? No, they wanted to turn the Southern Region into water and thus gain control of it."

"The so-called struggle for power is nothing more than two things: either create a new path and spread the teachings throughout the world, or transform the region and gain control!"

"Actually, there's a third one..."

The eyes of the Heavenly Sword True Monarch became incredibly deep, like an abyss, making people afraid to look directly at them.

"What is the third one?" Que Lingyu couldn't help but ask.

“Inherit the path of our predecessors and go even further!” said True Monarch Heavenly Sword.

Que Lingyu was somewhat confused.

Heavenly Sword True Monarch chuckled, a smug smile on his face. "It's simple, surpass the former Dao Lord of Myriad Flowers in the way of the sword!"

"..." Que Lingyu fell silent.

The first two are relatively reliable. Although creating a new path is extremely difficult, it is not impossible. Although there are three thousand great paths in the world, in reality only a few dozen are truly prosperous. Many great paths are hidden and rarely cultivated or comprehended.

As for occupying or changing territory, that's even simpler; top powers all have that ability. The main problem is that they won't allow others to control the power of heaven and earth.

You want to change, and I want to change too. This leads to conflicts and contradictions among several top powers, resulting in a power struggle.

Inheriting the path of our predecessors and taking it a step further sounds simple, but it is almost impossible to do.

What Tianjian Zhenjun said was that he wanted to surpass Wanhua Daozhu, not Wanhua Zhenjun. In other words, he wanted to surpass Wanhua Zhenjun after he became Daozhu, or even Wanhua's sword cultivation in his later years.

The Dao Lord lives for ten thousand years; how can one surpass him so easily?
Que Lingyu thought it was impossible, but seeing Tianjian Zhenjun's arrogant appearance, she couldn't help but smile knowingly.

That's how she remembered Tianjian Zhenjun: arrogant and unrestrained.

"The True Lord will surely surpass the Dao Lord of Ten Thousand Flowers!"

She said gently.

Heavenly Sword True Monarch laughed heartily, "Little Sparrow, you still have such a lovely voice!"

"My Lord, Que'er is no longer a child!"

If someone calls her Sparrow, she will definitely kill them, but when Heavenly Sword True Lord calls her Sparrow, she feels overjoyed.

The Heavenly Sword True Lord used to call her Sparrow, holding her in his arms, stroking her feathers, and calling her Sparrow again and again.

Unfortunately, Heavenly Sword True Lord hasn't held her in a long time. It seems that he hasn't held her since she took human form.

"Haha, in my eyes you're still that little sparrow!"

Heavenly Sword True Monarch laughed freely and unrestrainedly.

This made Que Lingyu laugh along.

……

A few days later, Master Jingshui, Yunxi, and others arrived outside the Yang family's blessed land.

They were blocked outside the formation. The Yang Family Blessed Land had no mountain gate, so they couldn't find anyone to report to. However, the people responsible for patrolling the formation could notice them. Moreover, there was a monitoring formation in the center of the formation that could monitor Foundation Establishment cultivators and martial arts experts who approached the formation.

Just as Master Jingshui and his group were circling around the Yang family's blessed land, a patrol of martial artists suddenly appeared in front of them.

The leader was none other than Yang Xiangwu from the Yang family of Lingxi.

Yang Xiangwu had once managed Yangjia Town under Yang Xiangheng's guidance. He didn't know Jingshui and Yunxi, but he did know Lu Fusheng and Lan Peng, especially Lan Peng, who used to frequently visit Lingxi Mountain.

He had noticed Jing Shui and the others during his patrol, but without orders from above, he couldn't just go out and meet them. So he first reported to his superiors and only after receiving their approval did he reveal himself from the formation.

"Senior Lu, Senior Lan! And who are these people?" Yang Xiangwu asked as he came out.

Lu Fusheng did not know Yang Xiangwu, but Lan Peng did have an impression of Yang Xiangwu.

"So it's the Yang brothers, hahaha~~ This is True Person Jingshui of the Illusion Moon Sect, this is True Person Yunxi of the Profound Purity Sect, and this is Chu Lingxiao of the Profound Purity Sect. We've come to request an audience with the True Lord. We wonder if you could help us pass on our message." Lan Peng first laughed heartily, then introduced the three people beside him.

At this time, Chu Lingxiao was already a Divine Soul Realm martial artist. Her choice back then was correct. After marrying her granddaughter Li Qianqian into the Yang family, she received a lot of financial assistance from the Yang family. It was with the Yang family's financial assistance that she was able to advance to the Divine Soul Realm martial artist.

"Greetings to the two esteemed masters, greetings to Senior Chu! Please wait a moment, I will send someone to inform them!" Yang Xiangwu said, then gave a few instructions to his subordinates, who then disappeared.

He certainly didn't disappear; he simply concealed himself within the formation, making himself invisible. The transmission was both fast and slow.

Soon, Yang Qingyu, the Foundation Establishment cultivator responsible for guarding the Yang family's blessed land, received the notification. However, this was not something she could decide; she could only report it to her superiors.

By the time the news reached Yang Zhengshan's ears, an hour had already passed.

Inside the Pill Hall, Yang Zhengshan was refining pills. Han Fei stood outside the hall and reported, "Reporting to the True Lord, outsiders have come to see the Yang Family Blessed Land. The people who have come to see them are True Person Jingshui of the Illusion Moon Sect, True Person Yunxi of the Profound Purity Sect, Chu Lingxiao, as well as Lu Fusheng and Lan Peng!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Zhengshan, who was refining pills, glanced at the door in surprise, but he did not stop his work and continued to cast hand seals into the pill furnace.

"Understood. Let's invite them to the Yang Family Blessed Land first. I'll go there after I finish refining this batch of pills!"

All those who came were acquaintances, and it would be too inconsiderate of him not to see them. However, this batch of pills contained the ingredients for ten Tongming Pills, and at least seven pills could be made from them. He couldn't waste this batch of pills to see Jing Shui and the others, so he told them to wait at Yang Family Blessed Land.

"Yes!" Han Fei replied, then bowed and took his leave, quickly returning to the teleportation hall in Yujing City to relay Yang Zhengshan's words to Yang Xiangdong on the other side.

Yang Xiangdong then relayed the message to Yang Qingyu, who then stepped forward to meet with Jingshui and the others.

Upon entering the Yang Family Blessed Land, Master Jingshui curiously surveyed everything within. In fact, they had all been here before; this place used to be called the Ancient Ruins Array, and almost all of them had entered it.

However, the environment inside the ancient ruins was quite primitive, with weeds and vines everywhere, and ruins everywhere.

The Yang Family Blessed Land is now a lush and verdant place, full of blooming flowers, magnificent palaces and pavilions, as well as many spiritual fields, medicinal fields and orchards.

"Esteemed seniors, this way please!" Yang Qingyu led them to Zhuxi Pavilion.

Bamboo Creek Pavilion is located beside a stream that flows gently down from the mountain. Both banks are lined with lush green bamboo, and a dozen or so pavilions are built in the bamboo forest, making the place look exceptionally quiet and elegant.

“This place does resemble Youhuang Peak!” Chu Lingxiao remarked, looking at the surrounding scenery.

Yang Qingyu gave her a big smile and said, "This was designed by my mother, based on my great-grandmother's Youhuang Peak!"

"Your mother? You're Qianqian's daughter?" Chu Lingxiao stared at Yang Qingyu in astonishment.

She knew that Yang Qinting and Li Qianqian had a daughter and two sons, but she had never met them.

After Yang Qinting and Li Qianqian got married, they lived in the Lingyuan Land. Although they had returned to Xuanqing Sect to visit relatives, they had never taken their child with them.

“Yes, my mother is Li Qianqian!” Yang Qingyu said with a smile.

Chu Lingxiao snapped out of his surprise and sighed deeply, "I didn't realize you'd grown up so much!"

That's right, Yang Qingyu is now a hundred years old.

The group sat in the tea room of the waterside pavilion, where Yang Qingyu prepared tea and spiritual fruits for them.

How is your mother?

“Good, Mother broke through twenty years ago and is now a Golden Body Realm martial artist.”

"Could I see her?"

"Well, the Ancestor has decreed that no one is allowed to go out during this period! When I see the Ancestor later, I would like to ask for his instructions!" Yang Qingyu hesitated for a moment, but still couldn't bring herself to refuse.

In fact, Yang Zhengshan did not forbid anyone from going out, but rather forbade anyone from going out at will.

"If it's difficult, then forget it," Chu Lingxiao said, noticing her hesitation.

Yang Qingyu said, "It's alright, I'm just asking for instructions. The Ancestor won't be angry!"

Afterwards, the group chatted casually, and as night fell, Yang Qingyu prepared a banquet for them as a welcome feast.

For the next few days, they stayed at Zhuxi Pavilion until the eighth day when Yang Zhengshan finally arrived.

There was no other way; it would take half a month to refine a batch of Tongming Pills. Although Yang Zhengshan didn't need to watch over it all the time, he couldn't leave for too long either. So, Yang Zhengshan simply finished refining the batch of Tongming Pills.

In the Bamboo Creek Pavilion, Yang Zhengshan looked at these familiar faces and couldn't help but smile broadly.

"Gentlemen, please forgive me for not greeting you sooner, haha~~"

"Greetings, True Lord!" the crowd bowed deeply.

Yang Zhengshan waved his hand and laughed, "We're all old friends, no need for such formalities!"

"Qingyu, serve tea!"

"Come, come, sit down and let's talk."

The group sat down, appearing somewhat reserved.

Things are different now. Yang Zhengshan is now a Golden Core cultivator who is famous throughout the Yunxiao Mountain Range. He is no longer on the same level as them.

Even Master Jingshui is only at the late Foundation Establishment stage now.

The late Foundation Establishment stage may seem close to the Golden Core stage, but in reality, they are worlds apart.

"Senior Jingshui, how have you been lately?" Yang Zhengshan asked casually.

"Hehe, True Lord, please don't call me Senior anymore, this old man can't accept that!" Jing Shui said.

"What are you saying? Senior, you did give me some pointers back then," Yang Zhengshan said casually.

Upon hearing this, Jing Shui felt much more at ease. "I have lived a relatively peaceful life these past few years, but my cultivation has made little progress!"

Yang Zhengshan looked at him, his spiritual sense sweeping over him a few times, and then said, "That's normal. Although you extended your lifespan by using martial arts, your martial arts cultivation has actually limited your cultivation of immortality!"

“Normally, a martial artist at the Divine Soul Realm should switch to cultivating magical power, but you did the opposite and converted your magical power into true essence. Now, if you want to switch back, it will naturally be much more difficult!”

He immediately saw the problem Jingshui was facing. Jingshui's idea was good, but it was difficult to make it work.

The conversion between true essence and magical power is inherently troublesome, and the constant circulation of the mirror water makes the magical power and true essence within the body even more mixed.

If he wants to go further, he must first clarify the true essence and magical power within his body.

Yang Zhengshan estimated that Jing Shui would most likely remain at his current level and would find it difficult to break through again in the future. As for the Golden Core stage, it would be hopeless unless Jing Shui was given the Nine Cauldrons Divine Pill.

If Jing Shui had the Nine Cauldrons Divine Pill, he should be able to form his core more easily than Yun Xiao. Unfortunately, he doesn't have it, and neither does Yang Zhengshan.

(End of this chapter)