A thousand enlightenments in one night, starting from being a menial apprentice.

After leaving Yunfu Peak, Duan Rong transformed into a streak of black light and flew into the misty valley.

He had considered turning the sect's mountain statues into painted statues before, and he never intended to hide it from Chu Wushang. His telling Zhu He was also a deliberate attempt to inform Zhu He.

As for the wording used to conceal the truth, he had already thought it through.

Duan Rong landed on a hilltop and walked along a winding path for a while before seeing a thatched hut beside a stream in a clearing in the dense forest.

Chu Wushang remained seated, weaving bamboo baskets while basking in the sun.

Duan Rong looked at Chu Wushang and couldn't help but sigh.

If he were to follow the path of understanding the medium, wouldn't it be the same?

For centuries, they have groped their way through a monotonous medium, hoping to break free from constraints and attain enlightenment through this method.

Duan Rong had a feeling that this method was too clumsy. Or, to put it another way, it should be called primitive.

It is also probably related to the history of the Kyushu world.

The exact duration of human existence in the Nine Provinces is likely impossible to verify. However, the history of cultivation among the Nine Provinces' human race spans only tens of thousands of years.

Tens of thousands of years is really a short time for cultivation.

For example, Chu Wushang has been exploring this medium for one or two hundred years.

By this measure, a history of tens of thousands of years is not long at all; in fact, it is quite short.

In other words, the cultivation methods in the Nine Provinces world are still in a primitive state.

The explosion tens of thousands of years ago gave rise to a multitude of geniuses, forming the initial origins of cultivation in the Nine Provinces. It was during that period that the Eight Sects of the Nine Provinces began to take shape.

But after that wave of geniuses fell, tens of thousands of years have passed, and the cultivation methods in Kyushu have not developed much. They still follow the cultivation methods of the founding patriarchs and have not changed much.

Therefore, Duan Rong felt that Chu Wushang's four-step cultivation method was the most primitive cultivation method in the Nine Provinces world.

If a true genius were to refine this four-step method of cultivation, it would no longer be so tedious and aimless, like a headless fly, or even a matter of chance for enlightenment. If it could be improved generation after generation, perhaps this method of cultivation could gradually mature.

However, over the past tens of thousands of years, the patriarchs of the sects in Kyushu have clearly not had this interest, or rather, they do not have the vision and understanding of the founding patriarchs.

Over these tens of thousands of years, the only major change in cultivation in the Nine Provinces was the emergence of a Spirit Foundation Master in the Dharma Aspect Sect, who pushed the cultivation realm to a new level, achieving the Primordial God Realm above the Nascent Soul Realm.

Duan Rong didn't know if Master Lingji had improved the four-step cultivation method. But even if Master Lingji had, it would probably only be within the Faxiang Sect, and he wouldn't easily spread his improved method throughout the Nine Provinces.

Duan Rong walked slowly toward Chu Wushang. Chu Wushang looked up, and a ray of sunlight shone on his face.

Duan Rong felt a divine sense pass through his dantian. Unlike last time, he did not hide his cultivation level from Chu Wushang this time.

A look of astonishment flashed across Chu Wushang's face, which was illuminated by the sunlight.

Duan Rong had actually reached the mid-stage of the Cave of Clarity Realm.

"This..." Chu Wushang was frozen in place, his hands gripping the bamboo strips, remaining motionless for a long time.

It wasn't until Duan Rong walked up to him and bowed that Chu Wushang realized what was happening and exclaimed in surprise, "You've already reached the mid-stage of the Cave of Clarity Realm?"

Duan Rong said, "Yes. I studied the medium before the New Year and was fortunate enough to gain some understanding."

Duan Rong spoke casually, but to Chu Wushang, every word was like a thunderclap.

Duan Rong learned the four-step cultivation method in only three or four years.

Nearly a century has passed since Chu Qiushan was lasted, and he still hasn't found a medium, yet this guy has managed to gain some understanding in just three or four years!?
Beast!? Livestock!?
Suppressing his astonishment, Chu Wushang asked, "What medium are you sure about?"

Duan Rong said, "In the deep mountains of the Miao village, I studied the miasma and had some insights, so I decided to use the miasma as a medium."

"Miasma!?" Chu Wushang looked at Duan Rong's eyes, which were filled with complex emotions. After a long while, he sighed and said, "Miasma is unpredictable and poisonous, and it is located deep in the forest. The fact that you can use it as a medium shows that you are a person of unpredictable wisdom. No wonder you have reached the mid-stage of the Cave of Enlightenment Realm so quickly."

Chu Wushang's words brought a pang of sadness to his heart. He had endured countless hardships to reach the mid-stage of the Cavern Realm. He had once been a handsome young man; how had he become an old farmer? Even his demeanor, the very depths of his soul, had almost become that of a farmer.

Because he wants to delve into the media.

How can one comprehend something without delving into the medium?

Only those who truly practice spiritual cultivation can understand how much sacrifice is required.

For Duan Rong, cultivation seemed effortless. In just three or four years, he not only identified the medium, but also the unpredictable miasma, and in such a short time, he gained some understanding and achieved the mid-stage of the Cave of Clarity Realm.

Unbelievable!

Seeing that Chu Wushang seemed to be deep in thought, Duan Rong knew that if he didn't interrupt, he didn't know how much longer he would have to wait here.

Duan Rong touched his nose and said, "Mr. Chu, I came here because I have something I want to ask you."

Upon hearing this, Chu Wushang raised his head and asked, "What is it?"

Just now, Chu Wushang had been contemplating Duan Rong's use of miasma as a medium, and he was using his own experience in understanding the medium to ponder how Duan Rong had comprehended miasma. At this moment, Duan Rong suddenly said he had something to ask him. Chu Wushang then had a misconception that Duan Rong's question was related to enlightenment.

Duan Rong said, "I want to transform the mountain statues of the sect into painted statues."

Chu Wushang was stunned for a moment. He didn't expect Duan Rong to suddenly mention the mountain statue, which had nothing to do with what he was thinking.

Because Chu Wushang was caught up in the imagination of the miasma medium, it seemed that it took him several breaths to pull himself out of it after hearing Duan Rong's words.

"A mountain-shaped statue!?" Chu Wushang asked, puzzled. "Why turn it into a painted statue?"

He didn't understand why Duan Rong would have such an absurd idea.

Duan Rong said, "I'm studying the Womb Sutra. I have some new ideas that I'd like to try out."

Chu Wushang seemed not to have heard him properly, so he asked, "What do you mean?"

Duan Rong said, "I just want to try to deduce the twenty-third level of the 'Womb Treasury Sutra'."

"The twenty-third level of the technique!?" Chu Wushang almost shouted out loud, his face even more astonished than before.

He also received instruction from Lü Yinlin, and naturally knew that the complete Garbhadhatu Sutra only had twenty-two layers.

Now Duan Rong says he wants to deduce the twenty-third level, which means he wants to explore and create a twenty-third level technique, right?

It took Chu Wushang a long time to calm down. He looked at Duan Rong and asked, "Do you mean to create the twenty-third level of the Fetal Treasury Scripture?"

Duan Rong said, "It's not exactly creation. It's more like an attempt to create, or rather, an exploration. I just have some ideas." These were actually words that Duan Rong had conceived beforehand, intended to cover up his cultivation of the four levels of the Great Vajra Mandala technique.

In the past, Chu Wushang might have given Duan Rong a good scolding, accusing him of being arrogant and conceited, and that he wouldn't be himself if he had even a little talent for cultivation!

But now, in just three or four years, Duan Rong has not only confirmed the use of miasma as a medium, but has also achieved the mid-stage of the Cave of Darkness Realm. When Chu Wushang heard Duan Rong's idea, although he found it unbelievable, he also felt that Duan Rong might really have an idea and wanted to try it out.

After all, who would be so bored as to turn a mountain-like statue into a painted one?

That's an enormous project!

Only geniuses and madmen would have such thoughts.

Chu Wushang observed Duan Rong for a while, noticing that Duan Rong's eyes were clear and his expression serene, showing no trace of madness. He sighed and said, "That mountain statue has been dormant for a thousand years, even the talisman array has been removed, it's practically abandoned. Go ahead and mess around with it if you want. I'll just tell the ancestor later."

Duan Rong said, "Thank you very much, Mr. Chu. Your words have been a great help to me."

Chu Wushang replied, "Boy, I understand you less and less."

Duan Rong smiled and said, "Mr. Chu just used a very good word."

Chu Wushang's eyes flickered, not knowing which word Duan Rong was referring to, so he asked, "What word?"

Duan Rong said, "Toss and turn. The word 'toss and turn' is exactly what I like."

After Duan Rong finished speaking, he smiled nonchalantly and then bid farewell to Chu Wushang.

Chu Wushang watched Duan Rong leave, pondering the word "trouble," and couldn't help but feel saddened. He remained silent for a long time before sighing, "Have I not also made trouble? But who can be without shackles?"

As Chu Wushang spoke, he put down the half-finished bamboo basket in his hand, got up and walked into the valley. He planned to tell his ancestor, Lü Yinlin, about this matter.

Lü Yinlin was deep inside the cave, deducing an ancient talisman array.

Chu Wushang stepped inside and stood not far from Lü Yinlin without uttering a sound.

After a long while, Lü Yinlin finally raised his head, glanced at Chu Wushang, took a sip of water, and asked, "What happened?"

Chu Wushang said, "It is Duan Rong."

Lu Yinlin's heart skipped a beat, and his expression became serious. He asked, "What happened to Duan Rong?"

Chu Wushang said, "He just came over and said he wanted to paint the mountain statues of the sect."

Lu Yinlin frowned slightly and pondered, "He didn't say why he wanted to do it?"

Chu Wushang said, "They said they wanted to deduce the cultivation method of the twenty-third level of the Womb Sutra."

Lu Yinlin said with a gloomy face, "He hasn't even grown his hair yet, and he's already trying to deduce the Womb Sutra? Let's wait until he reaches the Nascent Soul stage."

Chu Wushang said, “I’ve already agreed to him. The mountain statues of the sect are almost abandoned, so let him do whatever he wants. Although I also find it unbelievable, considering this kid’s past actions, he learned the Four Steps of Cultivation, identified the miasma medium in three or four years, and even reached the mid-stage of the Cave-Ming Realm. As soon as he entered the Judgment Division, he uprooted the Filthy Blood Sect and executed Fu Yi. His actions are always beyond people’s expectations, so why restrict him? His request may be absurd, but it’s harmless.”

Lu Yinlin smiled and said, "You're really indulging him. Creating a cultivation method is no easy feat, let alone deducing the Womb Sutra. This has nothing to do with genius or comprehension; it's an unfathomable mystery that even I can't fathom, let alone him."

Chu Wushang said, "He said he has some ideas and wants to try them out."

Lu Yinlin's eyelids twitched. He had initially thought Duan Rong was just fooling around, but at this moment he suddenly became unsure because he remembered something.

That is, the Four Great Kings statues of the Faxiang School are all painted, rich and bright, which is completely different in style from the stone statues of the Taiyi School.

When he first saw the painted statues of the Four Great Kings in the Faxiang Sect, he was also suspicious. However, he could not be sure that this difference was related to the spiritual cultivation method, because the statues in the Faxiang Sect were basically either painted or covered in gold. Therefore, the painted statues of the Four Great Kings were normal in the Faxiang Sect.

But Duan Rong's actions now suddenly reminded him of this thought from the past.

Lu Yinlin looked at Chu Wushang and said solemnly, "Keep an eye on what he does at the mountain statue and report to me every day."

"Yes." Chu Wushang bowed and left, but he couldn't help but wonder why the ancestor had made him report every day. Was this too much of a concern?

After leaving Chu Wushang, Duan Rong arrived at the valley where the sect's mountain statue was located.

Although the talisman array was removed two hundred years ago, it has always been guarded.

The person guarding this place is Wei Yan, a senior member of the sect.

Previously, when Duan Rong wanted to cultivate the later levels of the Womb Treasury Sutra here, he was ridiculed by this person. Now that he wants to cause a big commotion here, although he has the approval of Zhu He and Chu Wushang, it's easier to deal with the King of Hell than with his underlings.

We also need to find a way to deal with this guy named Wei Yan.

As soon as Duan Rong reached the high altitude of the valley, he released his divine sense, which covered the entire valley. He quickly located Wei Yan drinking on a rock on a certain mountain peak.

Duan melted into a black ray of light and vanished in an instant.

Wei Yan took off his shoes and socks and was sitting on a rock, roasting a chicken over a fire, with an opened jar of wine next to him.

After Duan Rong landed not far away, Wei Yan casually glanced up and saw that it was Duan Rong, so he stood up.

Duan Rong smiled and said, "Elder Wei, it's been a long time."

Wei Yan had originally served as the head of the Judgment and Justice Department and was also a member of the Elder Council, but he had long since retired and was now just a caretaker of an abandoned land, merely passing the time. Duan Rong addressed him as Elder Wei, which was a sign of respect.

Wei Yan, who was now barefoot and unafraid of those wearing shoes, usually had a somewhat arrogant and unruly demeanor when meeting people. However, he was quite respectful to Duan Rong at this moment, even bowing and saying with a smile, "It is truly gratifying that Chief Duan has graced this desolate place with his presence."

Duan Rong was slightly taken aback. He hadn't expected Wei Yan to be so respectful to him, and was immediately puzzled. This respect and intimacy was rather unusual.

In fact, Duan Rong did not know that Wei Yan's proudest achievement in his life was that two hundred years ago, when he was the head of the Judgment Department, Wei Yan personally orchestrated the capture of Fu Yi, the leader of the Filthy Blood Sect, but Fu Yi escaped in the end with the Blood Infant.

After that incident, the patriarch Lü Yinlin dismissed Wei Yan from his position as the head of the Imperial Clan Court, citing Wei Yan's poor planning that allowed Fu Yi to escape.

But little did he know that would be Fu Yi's last trace in Qingzhou.

Two hundred years have passed since then, and no one has ever seen Fu Yi again.

Wei Yan had always thought that his successors in the Judgment Department were all useless, but just a year ago, this guy named Duan Rong entered the Judgment Department and caused Fu Yi to be captured, and also uprooted the Filthy Blood Cult.

Upon hearing this, Wei Yan, on this desolate and lonely mountain, drank wine and shouted excitedly, slapping the large blue stone beneath his buttocks, sending stone chips flying everywhere.

He was incredibly excited.

He also held Duan Rong in the highest esteem. (End of Chapter)