Family Rise: Beginning with Grandfather.

Chapter 1117 Enlightenment, Ten Years

“I will consider this matter carefully, but it is impossible for me to live in seclusion. If I choose to live in seclusion, the development momentum of the Yang family will be interrupted! My Yang family will absolutely not live in seclusion unless there is no other way out!” Yang Zhengshan said.

Zhongli Xiayi pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly. "In that case, you should stay in Wanbao Immortal City with the Yang family. Although there may be some trouble in Wanbao Immortal City, there should be no danger."

Yang Zhengshan nodded slightly. "That's fine too."

He naturally wouldn't stay in Wanbao Immortal City forever, but he couldn't very well refuse Zhongli Xiayi's kindness, so he simply agreed.

For a period of time afterward, Zhongli Xiayi often came to chat with Yang Zhengshan. Sometimes they would exchange cultivation experiences, sometimes they would talk about the changes in the situation in Wanhua Domain, and sometimes they would talk about the complex relationships between the major forces.

Through his conversation with Zhong Lixia, Yang Zhengshan gained a deeper understanding of the various forces in the Wanhua Domain and a clearer understanding of the overall situation in the Wanhua Domain.

The current situation in the Wanhua Domain is chaotic. The Western Domain is chaotic, the Southern Domain is chaotic, the Northern Domain is chaotic, even the Eastern Domain is not at peace, and even the Central Domain is beginning to stir.

According to Zhongli Xiayi, Tianxiandao was secretly stirring up trouble, intending to provoke a war between various forces and make the war larger and more intense.

However, the major powers are not fools. As long as Tianxiandao does not personally intervene, the major powers do not have any intention of starting a war for the time being.

Of course, some small-scale conflicts are inevitable. Zhongli Xiayi said that Wanbao Immortal City would become less peaceful recently because Wanbao Sect and Tianji Pavilion had some disagreements and several small-scale conflicts had already broken out.

These small-scale conflicts will not affect the overall situation for the time being, but they do indicate that the Central Region has become unstable.

In fact, all the major powers were waiting for Tianxiandao to make its move, especially the four major powers in the Central Region. The power they most wanted to eliminate was none other than Tianxiandao.

At this time, Tianxiandao was undoubtedly the overlord of Wanhua Domain. Only by eliminating Tianxiandao could the four major forces in the Central Domain have a chance to take its place.

They are all waiting for the right opportunity.

The timing of the fall of the Lord of the Heavenly Law.

Only if the Lord of the Heavenly Law falls will they be able to launch a full-scale attack.

Despite the ongoing wars in all four regions, the four major powers in the Central Region have not yet gone all out in their battle.

Needless to say, the Hengshan Sect has only deployed two Golden Core cultivators to participate in the war in the Southern Region.

Although the Impermanent Ghost Sect fought many battles with the Myriad Flower Demon Court, they only used the strength of two palaces.

In fact, they were all waiting for Tianxiandao's next reaction.

However, all of this is not of much concern to Yang Zhengshan for the time being.

After Zhongli Xiayi went into seclusion again, Yang Zhengshan also returned to Baiyujing to go into seclusion.

In the quiet room of the Hall of Longevity.

Yang Zhengshan took out a bamboo staff, placed it in front of him, and slowly felt the rich vitality on the bamboo staff, comprehending the Daoist charm emanating from the core of the bamboo staff.

The core of this bamboo staff should be some kind of ethereal spiritual object, and the Dao it contains is the Dao of vitality, not simply the Dao of growth of wood, but the Dao of life and death.

This actually aligns very well with the principles of growth and decay; in fact, it can be said that there is a very close connection between the two.

"The control of life force, the way of life and death?"

"Life can be born, but life is not eternal; death can be died, but death is not eternal. The Tao gives birth to One, and One gives birth to Yin and Yang, and Yin and Yang transform into life and death."

"Birth is not real, death is not real, just like the alternation of day and night, like the withering and flourishing of plants. Do not be proud when flourishing, do not grieve when withered, this is the constant of life and death."

"View life as a guest, a temporary dwelling in heaven and earth; view death as a return home, a return to the origin of the Dao. Life is accompanied by desires, and desires give rise to attachments; death is accompanied by fear, and fear gives rise to delusions. Those who cling to life are like carrying firewood to put out a fire, until the fire is extinguished; those who fear death are like rowing against the current, until the boat capsizes and the person perishes. Observe the plants and trees withering once a year, and you will know that life and death are not an end, but a cycle."

Yang Zhengshan seemed to have an epiphany, and his mind quickly became immersed in the profound meaning of the Dao.

He sat cross-legged in the quiet room, his aura constantly changing, sometimes exuding rich vitality, sometimes becoming lifeless, and sometimes revealing a Tai Chi diagram of withering and flourishing behind him.

The changes in his aura were related to the changes in his understanding. For some reason, this time he was completely immersed in the Dao of life, death, decay and prosperity. As time went by, his understanding became deeper and deeper, and he became more and more engrossed.

"To live in harmony with life without attachment, and to die peacefully without rejection, is to be in accord with the Dao. When alive, cultivate your mind as if nurturing orchids and planting lingzhi, guarding your true nature without being deluded; when dying, relinquish your form as if releasing a boat and stepping ashore, returning to your origin without panic. Do not seek immortality, but rather the absence of birth and death; do not avoid death and annihilation, but rather the absence of delusion and ignorance. The Dao is within life and death, not outside of life and death."

"True Self, Origin!"

"Only I am authentic?"

Yang Zhengshan was in a daze, as if his mind had been suddenly filled with countless pieces of information, which he found difficult to accept for a while.

My brain seems to be stuck, unable to process so much information in a short time.

However, his mind quickly started working again, various insights swirling in his heart, and the Daoist aura around him became increasingly strong.

"To be born without possessing, to die without perishing, is called the perfect man. With birth comes consumption, with death comes rest, and rest is followed by rebirth, consumption by rest. Forget life and have no worries, forget death and have no fear, and when worries and fears are gone, the Way is revealed. Like flowing water that does not cling to the stream, like drifting clouds that do not cling to the sky, forgetting both life and death, and wandering with the Way, is called immortality."

Thus, Yang Zhengshan became so engrossed in his reflections that he completely lost track of time.

Ten years have passed in the blink of an eye.

Today, Baiyujing was unusually lively, with Golden Core cultivators and demon kings, who rarely showed their faces, flocking to Hongxiu Palace.

Kota and Hong Fuxiu stood in front of the main hall of Hongxiu Palace, greeting each guest with smiles on their faces.

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Hongxiu, congratulations!" Xuanzhen's old face beamed with an exceptionally bright smile.

"Fellow Daoist Xuanzhen, congratulations to you! Congratulations to you!"

With her red sleeves fluttering and fists clasped in return, she exuded a heroic and dashing air.

Xuanzhen looked at Kou Ta, then at Hong Fuxiu, his gaze intense. "It is truly a cause for celebration that you two, husband and wife, have both attained the Golden Core stage!"

In the span of ten years, Kota and Hong Fuxiu both successfully formed their Golden Cores. Kota first successfully formed his Golden Core five years ago, embarking on the path to the Golden Core, and then Hong Fuxiu passed the Golden Core Tribulation five days ago, achieving the path to the Golden Core.

The couple, born one after the other and less than five years apart, are truly blessed.

"This is all thanks to His Excellency!" Kota said modestly.

The "venerable one" he referred to was naturally Yang Zhengshan.

His words weren't entirely unfounded; the couple's success today was truly thanks to Yang Zhengshan.

If Yang Zhengshan hadn't taken them in, they probably wouldn't be as carefree as they are today.

If Yang Zhengshan hadn't led them into the Sun Cave Heaven, they wouldn't have been able to accumulate so many Core Formation spiritual items.

If it weren't for Yang Zhengshan taking care of them and giving them several spiritual items for Core Formation, they wouldn't have been able to successfully form their Cores.

It can be said that Yang Zhengshan changed their fate.

It was because they met Yang Zhengshan that they are where they are today, and that they are able to ascend the Golden Elixir Path together.

"If Fellow Daoist Yang knew that you had all successfully formed your cores, he would be so envious!" Xuanzhen laughed.

“Yes, not to mention Fellow Daoist Yang, even I am extremely envious!” At this moment, Yunxiao walked over and interjected.

Kota and Hong Fuxiu exchanged a glance, and then Kota said, "I believe that Madam can also ascend to the Golden Core Path and achieve longevity!"

They all knew Yang Zhengshan's thoughts and understood that he wanted Yu Qingyi and her children and grandchildren to also achieve the Golden Core stage. However, achieving the Golden Core stage was extremely difficult for martial artists.

However, they all knew that Yang Zhengshan possessed the formula for the Nine Cauldrons Divine Pill, and that he had been preparing to refine it.

Kota wasn't just saying this out of politeness; he had already decided that he would enter the Great Void to collect the Great Void Star Core for Yang Zhengshan and Yu Qingyi.

The Taixu Star Core is an essential material for refining the Nine Cauldrons Divine Pill. It can only be collected in the Taixu and requires a great deal of time and effort.

Kota wanted to use this opportunity to express his gratitude to Yang Zhengshan for his kindness to him and his wife.

"With Brother Kou's words, I have even more confidence in achieving the Core Formation stage!" Yu Qingyi said with a grin as she descended from the sky.

"Meet Madam!"

"Meet Madam!"

Everyone saluted.

"Greetings, fellow Daoists!" Yu Qingyi greeted everyone with grace and poise.

With the establishment of Baiyujing, some unspoken rules gradually formed within the Shengjing Immortal Palace, one of the most important of which was Yang Zhengshan's dominance.

Whether it was Xuanzhen, who was the first to become acquainted with Yang Zhengshan, or Yunxiao, who joined later, they all respected Yang Zhengshan.

The subsequent addition of Lin Qihe and the Green Ox Demon King implicitly acknowledged that Yang Zhengshan was the main figure.

Even Yueyao, who had only recently joined, understood who the true master of the Immortal Palace of Life was.

Now that Kota and Hong Fuxiu have both reached the Core Formation stage, the couple are staunch supporters of Yang Zhengshan.

Thus, Yang Zhengshan's dominance among the Golden Core cultivators and demon kings became even more unbreakable.

Yang Zhengshan never demanded that people respect him, but his actions still earned everyone's recognition and respect.

As a result, Yu Qingyi's status rose accordingly. Although she was only a Divine Soul Realm martial artist, everyone still respected her greatly.

Of course, this is also inseparable from Yu Qingyi's contributions to everyone over the years.

If Yang Chengmao is the chief steward of the Spirit Origin Land, then Yu Qingyi is the chief steward of the Immortal Palace.

Everything in the Immortal Palace was arranged by Yu Qingyi. It was thanks to her careful arrangements that everyone was able to concentrate their time and energy on cultivation without any distractions.

A moment later, Yueyao, the Green Ox Demon King, and Lin Qihe also came to offer their congratulations. A group of Golden Core cultivators and demon kings chatted and laughed in the main hall of the Red Sleeve Palace, full of joy.

The fact that Kota and Hong Fuxiu both achieved the Golden Core stage is of extraordinary significance to Baiyujing.

Currently, Baiyujing has seven Golden Core cultivators and demon kings. Apart from Yang Zhengshan, Yunxiao achieved the Golden Core Dao by consuming the Nine Cauldrons Divine Pill. The Green Ox Demon King, Lin Qihe, and Yueyao are all outsiders. Xuanzhen, Kota, and Hong Fuxiu are the Golden Core cultivators cultivated by Baiyujing itself.

Xuanzhen is the first one, which is highly coincidental and may be unrepeatable.

However, the success of Kota and Hong Fuxiu demonstrates that Baiyujing has the ability to cultivate Golden Core cultivators on its own.

This is of extraordinary significance to any power.

Back then, the Tianyun Sword Sect also had five Golden Core cultivators, but none of them were trained by the Tianyun Sword Sect itself.

However, Baiyujing now has three Golden Core cultivators trained by Baiyujing itself, which means that Baiyujing has a foundation for orderly succession.

In the future, Baiyujing will have more Golden Core cultivators, allowing the tradition to be passed down from generation to generation.

Inside the main hall, everyone first exchanged cultivation experiences, mainly giving guidance to Hong Fuxiu, the newly promoted Golden Core cultivator.

This is considered standard practice in Baiyujing; newly promoted Golden Core cultivators receive guidance from their seniors.

After they had finished exchanging their cultivation insights, Xuanzhen suddenly asked, "Fellow Daoist Yunxiao, Fellow Daoist Kou, have you been free lately?"

All eyes turned to Xuanzhen. Yunxiao said, "It's nothing. Fellow Daoist Xuanzhen, is there something wrong?"

"Haha, there's something I'd like to ask you two for a favor!"

"what's up?"

"This humble Taoist wishes to take over the Yellow Springs Palace!" Xuanzhen laughed.

"The Hall of the Underworld? For the sake of the Divine General?" Yunxiao asked.

“That’s right. We currently have over 1,300 divine generals, but that’s far from enough. Fellow Daoist Yang once said he wanted to take over the Yellow Springs Palace, but who knew he would go into seclusion for ten years,” Xuanzhen said.

Although the Golden Core cultivators and demon kings of Baiyujing did not have a clear division of labor, they all had their own tasks to do.

Yunxiao focused on cultivation. He had formed a false core, making him inherently weaker than other Golden Core cultivators. To compensate for this deficiency, he devoted almost all his time and energy to improving his strength.

The Green Ox Demon King is a bit of a homebody, but he cultivates spiritual plants, which are of great benefit to everyone.

Lin Qihe was in charge of trade with Hengshan Sect and Taoyuan Mountain, and he would personally oversee the procession every time they went out to trade.

If he doesn't have time, Xuanzhen will occasionally take his place.

Xuanzhen's main task is to transform and cultivate divine generals.

Yueyao has only recently joined Baiyujing and has not yet found her place in the community.

"Does a mere palace like the Yellow Springs Palace require the three of us to work together?" Yunxiao asked, somewhat surprised.

Xuanzhen grinned, "Better safe than sorry. I've inquired and found out that although the Yellow Springs Palace doesn't have a Golden Core cultivator in charge, it still belongs to the Impermanent Ghost Sect!"

"If we attack the Yellow Springs Palace, the Impermanent Ghost Sect might send people to support us!"

Yunxiao nodded, "I see, then let's go together!"

"What does Madam think?" Xuanzhen asked Yu Qingyi.

Yu Qingyi smiled and said, "You can make your own decision on this matter, but you must be careful. We would rather give up the Yellow Springs Palace than take any risks!"

Although everyone respects her here, she is not a Golden Core cultivator after all.

Therefore, she cannot make decisions for Yang Zhengshan; she can only offer some advice.

"Don't worry, Madam, we will be careful!" Xuanzhen said with a smile.

For Foundation Establishment cultivators, the Yellow Springs Palace is a dangerous place, but for Golden Core cultivators, the Yellow Springs Palace is no longer dangerous at all.

If it weren't for the concern that the Impermanent Ghost Sect might send reinforcements, Xuanzhen wouldn't have needed to involve Yunxiao and Kota at all.

As for whether the Impermanent Ghost Sect will send people to provide support, the probability is actually not high.

The Impermanent Ghost Sect is currently engaged in a war of attrition with the Myriad Flower Demon Court, and probably has no time to pay attention to the Yellow Springs Palace.

(End of this chapter)