I cultivate the Purple Mansion Golden Elixir Dao on Earth

"Lin Yu?"

The unfamiliar name made Ying Manyuan's eyelids twitch slightly.

But he didn't voice his doubts; he simply said to Uncle Shan:

"Is his behavior related to the changes in Song Jing?"

"Yes."

Uncle Shan agreed, but secretly raised his eyes and glanced at Ying Manyuan.

"When I went to Baiyang Temple to pick up the young master, the man named Lin Yu happened to be staying overnight at the temple."

"What does he look like?"

"He was a middle-aged man, looking to be in his thirties or forties. But... he was very unusual."

Ying Manyuan narrowed her eyes.

"To make even Ah Shan feel that you're special... you must really be a special person."

"Ah Shan, can you determine his background?"

"It's still unclear at the moment. But I've already given instructions that as long as he's from mainland China, his household registration and identity will be known in a short time."

This was clearly a very normal statement, yet it made Ying Manyuan frown slightly.

"Ah Shan, do you mean he might be from Hong Kong, Taiwan, or overseas?"

"Yes."

Uncle Shan responded sullenly, but there was a hint of apprehension in his voice.

"The aura that person exuded was somewhat similar to that of some true masters I had encountered in the past."

"...I heard that there was a turmoil in the Taoist community in China several decades ago. Some true disciples of the Tianyi lineage went to Chinatowns in Hong Kong, Southeast Asia, or other countries to escape the turmoil..."

"...And these past two days, I've been subtly probing, and although the young master didn't say it outright, he did mention something to me. That person named Lin Yu deduced the original lineage of the Baiyang Temple from its character chart."

As he spoke, he recounted how Lin Yu had deduced the lineage of the Baiyang Temple from Jiang Songjing.

This matter has nothing to do with the true path of cultivation, and Lin Yu did not ask Jiang Songjing to cover it up.

In addition, since Jiang Songjing knelt and kowtowed to Lin Yu after attaining enlightenment that day, he needed a reason to tell the story.

At this moment, thanks to Uncle Shan's retelling, Ying Manyuan's tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly.

He nodded and said:

"Judging from the profound knowledge of this Daoist theory, he must be a true master, or even a highly skilled person from the authentic Tianyi lineage, who came to let Song Jing recognize his ancestors and return to the clan. It is indeed unlike the backup plan that Yang Huifang and the other two could have left behind."

"Hmm... Since he's not connected to the Yang family, and he's already helped Song Jing to some extent, there's no need to be too harsh on him."

"...Ah Shan, once you've found out this person's true origins and figured out his background, if there's nothing unusual about him, teach him a lesson, spare his life, and then throw a few million at him—that way, you can consider it a fair exchange."

As she said this, Ying Manyuan frowned.

Suddenly, he felt a tightness in his chest and his hands and feet became slightly cold.

But he didn't seem to care and continued:

"As for Matsushita... ha."

Ying Manyuan now thought she had understood Jiang Songjing's change in mindset, her eyes full of understanding.

"...After experiencing so much, it's perfectly normal for him to want to escape into Zen and the Way."

"However... I will make him understand that running away solves nothing."

"What I want to give him isn't something he can refuse just because he doesn't want it!"

At this point, Ying Manyuan was filled with pride and satisfaction.

His usually relaxed face now exuded a fierce and ruthless aura.

"Whether it was Song Jing or the other members of the Yang family, they all thought that issuing a statement renouncing their will would put them at ease..."

"...But they could never have imagined that after I went to such great lengths to bring Song Jing here...who was the true core person I was relying on!"

……

It was late at night.

Jiang Songjing sat cross-legged on the floor of the spacious hotel room.

Sure enough, the suite Yang Ruixing mentioned was a presidential suite.

Although this presidential suite in a six-star hotel is a single bedroom, the room is extremely luxurious.

The space, which is nearly 200 square meters, is filled with exquisite and luxurious furnishings.

The bed in the bedroom, including both the frame and the mattress, is from a top brand.

But this did not suit Jiang Songjing's wishes.

Because although the bed was springy, it wasn't very comfortable to sit on.

Especially when sitting cross-legged.

So he sat cross-legged on the carpeted floor.

A few lights shone faintly through the window.

The presidential suite is located on the 30th floor or higher.

Simply draw back the curtains to see the bustling night view below the hotel.

Looking at the ant-like crowds on the street and the internet celebrities posing for photos outside the hotel.

That feeling undoubtedly gives one a sense of intoxication, as if looking down upon all living beings.

But Jiang Songjing did not desire these things.

He simply closed his eyes, but a well-known martial arts technique appeared in his mind.

"The Secret of Guiding Immortals from Heaven," Chapter on Embryonic Breathing.

Although he could not project his consciousness outward at this moment, he could vaguely sense something nameless, formless, and intangible, like a thread, around him.

As the text of the cultivation method emerged, those existences became increasingly clear.

...That was an extremely gloomy, murky, and dark aura of the sunken wood!

Surrounded by the turbid, dark aura of the wood, and accompanied by the introductory breathing technique of the "Heavenly Guide to Immortality" manual, Jiang Songjing faintly sensed a flicker of heat and excitement within the yin energy.

...That was a glimmer of yang.

...is the transformation of Yin into Yang...

...It is the Yang of [Xiu Mu]!

"...[Xiu Mu] is a tree that connects heaven and earth, serving as a ladder to heaven and a place for the phoenix to perch."

"...The sun hangs high on the branches, and celestial energy flows among the leaves."

Jiang Songjing's mind was completely absorbed in the wonders of the [Cultivation Wood] technique.

He had forgotten everything, including Ying Manyuan's schemes and matters related to the Yang family.

As the "Heavenly Guiding Immortal Technique" was activated, a faint ripple, like water, spread around his body.

And it is within the contemplation of his mind.

A divine tree, reaching to the sky and connecting to the earth, seemingly forming its own world, stands majestically within my consciousness.

That is precisely the supreme mystery that [Xiu Mu] points to.

That incredibly tall sacred tree, its branches and leaves swaying, seemed to bear a great sun, which shone on its branches.

And between each leaf, there seem to be many lively specks of light dancing.

Jiang Songjing couldn't see the points of light clearly, but she could sense that they seemed to radiate a vibrant joy.

"Is this... a glimmer of hope?"

Jiang Songjing thought to himself, "This is strange."

"...But how can the scorching heat of the [Xiu Mu] allow it to contain so much, such vibrant life?"

A strange feeling stirred within me, and the image of the sacred tree suddenly became blurred.

Jiang Songjing was startled again, as if something extremely precious was becoming increasingly distant from her.

A sense of unease and disbelief welled up within him, yet the more uncertain and bewildered he became, the more blurred, elusive, and indistinct the image of the sacred tree grew...

"Is this how it's going to end in failure...?"

However, in that very instant, Lin Yu's words at the Baiyang Temple flashed vividly back into his mind:

"Those who cultivate wood seek immortality and the support of the heavens, drawing near to the great sun. Thus, they see the vastness of the sky and the sun, but forget the roots that are tainted by the turbidity..."

Suddenly, a profound realization dawned on Jiang Songjing's mind, which, combined with the information Lin Yu had given him at the very beginning when he received the "Heavenly Guide to Immortality Technique"—

"【修木】 (Xiu Mu) belongs to the category of the five elements of wood, representing height, standing, construction, and dwelling..."

...This is called "residence"!

In an instant, this profound enlightenment merged with the information, transforming into an extremely clear picture!

The term "ju" (居) does not only refer to tall trees, such as those used as beams for temples and halls.

Furthermore, it refers to... that it is itself a dwelling place!

It is the phoenix's dwelling place... hence the rising sun!

It is the abode of immortals... therefore, it is under the rule of Heaven!

It is also the dwelling place of all people... therefore, it can also serve the world!

Although the current practice is the "Heavenly Guiding Immortal Technique", the ultimate supernatural power it points to is the "Heavenly Ladder".

But the name "Xiu Mu" itself... also carries the imagery of the "World Tree"!

If this point is not understood, then the "Heavenly Guiding Immortal Technique" will always lack a true essence, and even if it is mastered... it will not reach the end!

"So, Sect Master... that advice wasn't just a warning..."

"...It was simply a guide for my path!"

The moment this realization dawned on Jiang Songjing, tears streaming down her face.

At the same time, the image of the "Cultivation Tree" that the "Ladder to Heaven" points to, and the supreme divine tree that stands there, suddenly became incredibly clear!

All sorts of wondrous things entered Jiang Songjing's mind. The vibrant life force of the light spots in the divine tree also leaped over, drawing in the spiritual energy of the wood from the outside world and gradually permeating it into his body, transforming it into a mysterious flowing aura within him.

"...Once I refine this bit of energy, I will be able to formally cultivate a true breath and enter the [Fetal Breathing] realm!"

With her mind made up, Jiang Songjing had no more hesitation.

So he completely immersed himself in cultivation.