Chapter Ninety-Three: The Dao Balances Heaven and Earth, Divine Firmament Shatters Ten Thousand Laws (A Grand Chapter of Four Thousand Words)

Fu Yutang had survived the calamity of the demonic fire, only to be saved by the Sanguang Divine Water. Within his body, water and fire had achieved harmony, and a Taiji of the Two Modes rose within his Dantian. A mysterious white and black spiritual light shimmered upon his skin; he had reached the final step of the Xuanmen path to immortality—the Great Dao Golden Core.

"It is a pity his foundation is unsteady. He failed to reach the ultimate perfection of the Primordial One as I once did," Ji Feichen mused to himself, observing Fu Yutang’s movements.

He did not stop to consider that if the ultimate perfection of the Primordial One were so easily attained, the four great sacred grounds would not have monopolized it for thousands of years. Tushan possessed a sacred site for the demon race and ancestral immortal medicine. Zheng Qiong had the strong backing of the Yinming Sect, along with numerous peerless techniques. Even Ji Feichen had obtained the assistance of the Golden Turtle Heavenly Official abroad, enabling him to refine the Three Yin Weak Water; he had also consumed heavenly essences like Yin-Yang bamboo rice and received meticulous guidance from Lady Chen.

Fu Yutang practiced in the overseas territories. While his foundation was pragmatic, his techniques were fragmented, and he himself was not among the most peerless talents. Though the Immortal Lady Yuzhi was a free practitioner of the Xuanmen, her potential was merely that of a human immortal—how could she compare to the teachings of an Earth Immortal?

As it stood, Fu Yutang’s formation of the Golden Core was on par with an ordinary disciple of the Yinming Sect, falling short even of their elite. Furthermore, he had rushed the process, failing to resolve his own karmic debts. With demonic obstacles festering in his heart, that thread of profound mystery was wavering, showing signs of a failed core formation.

Just then, a sound of the Dao echoed in Fu Yutang’s ears: "The Nameless Old Lord, the God of the Great Dao, the Ancestor of Primal Qi, the root of Heaven and Earth."

A wisp of Yin-Yang Qi transformed into a dragon within his mind, and amidst the hazy void, it took the form of the Old Lord’s sacred image.

"The way of the Old Lord is to focus the Qi and achieve softness. With softness as the foundation, reaching the utmost softness and harmony, one generates the One Qi." The earnest teachings smoothed away his inner demons, guiding Fu Yutang to harmonize the dragon and tiger Qi and condense his Golden Core.

"In stillness, it is formless; in motion, it takes shape. Between movement and stillness, Yin and Yang are inverted, Kan and Li rotate, and the sun and moon exchange light." While Ji Feichen recited the teachings, he himself gained sudden insights. This was the explanation of Qi refining from the *Supreme True Interpretation of the Cloud-Formed Dragon Micro*. Ji Feichen, having already established his demonic foundation, could not truly practice according to this text. Yet, by assisting Fu Yutang in condensing his core, he found much to emulate.

The Eight Views and Twenty-Four Diagrams were the foundation of Ji Feichen’s path. Now, as Fu Yutang formed his core, Ji Feichen drifted into a state where he harmonized Yin and Yang, inverted Kan and Li, and enacted the path of the Valley Spirit, creating the root of heaven and the cave of earth.

Suddenly, a Green Tide Treasure Pearl flew out from his crown, the light of the sun, moon, and stars shining brilliantly. It wove into a cloud of treasure, vibrant and endless, lingering as if it existed, the five manifestations achieving the Dao. Within the pearl, a diagram of the Great Dao shifted and changed.

"Is he transmitting the Dao and achieving enlightenment? Are these two master and disciple?" Nearby, the primordial spirit hiding within the Golden Cloud Pearl silently watched as Ji Feichen enacted the second Dao diagram.

It showed a divine being manifesting the three lights, refining a spiritual cloud phantom above its head, balancing the vital Qi of heaven and earth. Above was the celestial spiritual cloud, the treasure of the sun, moon, and stars. Below were the mountains and rivers, the roots of yellow sprouts, and the wondrous objects of jade fungi. Around the divine being were the dragon and tiger, symbolizing the Dao of Yin-Yang and Kan-Li.

"The operation of heaven and earth balances all things. There is the Qi of Yin and Yang, the principle of water and fire?" The primordial spirit was deeply stirred by the sight. Had it not been reduced to a mere primordial spirit, this diagram would have been of immense benefit to its cultivation.

"Three stars shine with color, hiding truth and nurturing Qi, the vibrant treasure cloud balances the movement of heaven and earth. Between heaven and earth, dragons coil and tigers leap; Li-fire and Kan-water create infinite transformations." Ji Feichen opened his eyes, smiling as he pointed to the Green Tide Pearl above his head: "This is the Diagram of Dao Equilibrium."

The treasure pearl swallowed and spat out the spiritual essence of heaven and earth, balancing the Dao of Yin and Yang. Afterward, the spirit pearl flew into his body, echoing the other pearl that carried the Dao diagram. Compared to other Green Tide Pearls, these two possessed eternal spirituality; they were truly vessels capable of carrying the Dao.

Guided by Ji Feichen, Fu Yutang successfully entered the stage of core formation. Yellow sprouts sprouted in his Dantian, harmonizing the dragon and tiger, employing the fire of civil and martial arts, and revolving the Three Talents and Nine Palaces to generate a Golden Core of the Great Dao.

"His path of cultivation looks familiar." Suddenly, the primordial spirit hiding in the Golden Cloud Pearl spoke: "Fellow Daoist, what is your relationship with this person? Is he your disciple?"

Ji Feichen did not know how to calculate their seniority. Fu Yutang was not many years younger than him, but the gap in their cultivation was significant. His master, Immortal Lady Yuzhi, was likely an overseas branch of the Cloud Pavilion. If Ji Feichen were to help the Cloud Pavilion restore its lineage, the seniority between the three was difficult to determine. If one were to add Mu Sheng and the former master of the Moon-Yang Garden, the relationships became even more tangled.

He stammered, choosing to change the subject: "Fellow Daoist, you practice in the Lingwei Sect; how should I address you?"

"Call me Gao Ning," the primordial spirit replied, becoming clearer and manifesting into a physical form with Ji Feichen's help, floating opposite him. "May I ask the name of my fellow Daoist?"

"I am Qing Hong, merely a wanderer. He is Fu Yutang. We share the same origin of the Dao, so we are fellow disciples, though our specific seniority is hard to define."

"A different branch of a lost lineage?" Gao Ning understood immediately. Their Lingwei Sect was currently in such a state. If the Immortal Mansion could not be reopened, they would eventually disperse their inheritance, waiting for someone with destiny to start from scratch. "Our Lingwei Sect still has the Immortal Mansion, but I do not know if their branch has managed to preserve anything."

Just then, a Dragon-Whisker Treasure Sword soared from Fu Yutang’s body, transforming into two dragon whiskers dancing around him.

"Yin-Yang Dragon Whiskers?" Gao Ning’s expression suddenly changed drastically. "The *Supreme Cloud-Formed Scripture* of the Cloud Pavilion?"

"You know of it?" Ji Feichen was surprised. "Our lineage has been hidden for thousands of years. Is it really that easy to recognize?" If the Lingwei Sect knew of it, did that not mean the people of the Three Palaces knew as well? Lady Chen had once warned Ji Feichen to be careful when traveling, to avoid being entangled by the successors of the various sacred grounds.

Gao Ning muttered to himself, "Heaven’s will, this is truly Heaven’s will." Then, he said to Ji Feichen, "The Cloud Pavilion’s 'Yin-Yang Dragon Whiskers' are known as a top-tier Xuanmen technique; of course, I recognize them. Your Cloud Pavilion has a supreme treasure within our Lingwei Immortal Mansion. That object can separate Yin and Yang and distinguish heaven and earth. It is one of the nine great treasures of the Supreme lineage."

The Supreme lineage had thousands of techniques, but only nine were truly recognized as the top-tier teachings of the direct transmission. The *Supreme Clarity Scripture*, the *Dao De Scripture*, the *Wu Wei Scripture*, and the *Cloud-Formed Scripture* were all among them. According to Xuanmen custom, the highest mental techniques of a sect were engraved on their inheritance tokens. Even if the lineage were destroyed, someone would eventually obtain the immortal artifact centuries later and pass on the Dao. Although the Lingwei Sect was not a direct Supreme lineage, they followed the custom by leaving their own techniques on the Lingwei Jade Plate.

The nine great treasures of the Supreme lineage were engraved with the nine great scriptures, modeled after the nine magic treasures held by the Supreme Dao Lord himself.

"Your sect’s treasure is engraved with the *Cloud-Formed Scripture*. I had the honor of observing it many years ago."

Ji Feichen’s expression shifted. Deep down, he felt a sense of connection, and his gaze fell upon Fu Yutang. "No, this is not aimed at Fu Yutang. This opportunity is for me! It is the opportunity brought about by my complete assimilation into the Heavenly Dao of this realm." As Ji Feichen took on the karma of the Qi-refiners and helped rebuild the Cloud Pavilion, embedding his own Dao-fruit into heaven and earth, he was now truly a person of this world. Naturally, many cultivators would become entangled with him. The karma of the Cloud Pavilion had been settled by him; he could claim all the treasures of the Cloud Pavilion.

Lady Chen was right: "You are never alone in reviving the lineage of the Qi-refiners."

The Cloud Pavilion had been a top sect in the Xuanmen; there were countless old friends still existing in the mortal world, and many forces with similar fates waiting to rise again. Sects like the Chongxu Dao were just waiting for someone to call out so they could revitalize the Qi-refiner lineage.

Gao Ning moved about. "I am currently relying on the Golden Cloud Pearl to move. Why not let me take you to retrieve your Cloud Pavilion’s treasure?"

Ji Feichen did not speak, looking at Fu Yutang. Fu Yutang, having received his master’s teachings, saw the Dragon-Whisker Treasure Sword transform into pure Yin-Yang magic power flowing through his body. Finally, the Golden Core formed, and he attained immortality.

"There are no calamities within the Immortal Mansion. But once he leaves, he must undergo a trial to be recognized by heaven and earth. Even his Dao-fruit must be completed at that time," Gao Ning reminded Ji Feichen.

"Thank you for the reminder." Once Fu Yutang woke up, Ji Feichen conveyed Gao Ning’s words.

The man replied without hesitation, "Let us go immediately. If we can obtain the supreme treasure of the Cloud Pavilion, there is hope for our sect’s prosperity!"

Thus, holding the Golden Cloud Pearl, Ji Feichen went to retrieve the treasure under Gao Ning’s guidance. On the way, they were blocked by a dark river of blood, with demonic fog roiling and surging.

"Is the person in the Immortal Mansion already about to refine the Sea of Blood?" Fu Yutang felt a chill. If that person achieved the Earth Immortal Dao-fruit, who could possibly defeat him?

"Wait!" Ji Feichen held Fu Yutang back, pointing at the blood water. "Be careful." He summoned a piece of broken wood and threw it into the water. The blood water churned twice, and the wood turned into black smoke, vaporizing instantly.

Fu Yutang was terrified, stepping back several times. "This water... can it not even be withstood by a human immortal?"

"This water absorbs essence; anything with vital energy and creation cannot approach." Ji Feichen looked around. The canals and quiet lakes were all polluted by the blood water. He asked Gao Ning, "Fellow Daoist, is there any other path?"

"That treasure of the Cloud Pavilion is very special. It is not in the treasure vault, but in a Spirit Wind Valley in the back mountains, used as a special site for us to contemplate Yin and Yang. To get there, one must cross five golden bridges and pass through three jade platforms. No matter which path you take, you must cross the River of Blood."

Ji Feichen pondered silently. Suddenly, he took out the Azure Cloud Demon-Subduing Banner and pointed downward. Golden lotuses grew from the banner; the flowers shook gently, dropping a golden-green petal onto the water. The petal floated without being polluted by the blood, and a golden light of demon-subduing power blocked the erosion of the demonic Qi, growing with the wind into a flat boat.

Fu Yutang was astonished. "My fellow disciple’s methods are not inferior to my master’s. This immortal technique of turning a lotus into a boat is something I have only seen in my teacher's hands."

When Fu Yutang followed Immortal Lady Yuzhi to practice overseas, she had used a flower petal as a boat to take him across the East Sea; thus, Fu Yutang remembered it vividly. Seeing Ji Feichen use this move now filled him with awe.

Gao Ning laughed, "In our Xuanmen, the lotus is a sacred object. There are many secret immortal techniques such as planting lotuses in fire, spitting white lotuses from the mouth, or dropping blue lotuses from the hand. I wonder what mystery lies in your technique, Fellow Daoist?"

"It is just something I pondered on my own; how could I dare compare it to the immortal arts of you seniors?" Ji Feichen smiled, stepping onto the petal floating in the blood water.

He had once imprisoned several demonic cultivators in the Immortal Mansion, using them to study both immortal and demonic techniques. Later, with Lady Chen’s meticulous guidance, Ji Feichen had achieved much in the arts. Combining this with the immortal legends of his past life, he intentionally studied several techniques that exuded an immortal and extraordinary aura to deceive outsiders. In this regard, Ji Feichen’s thinking was similar to the White Lotus Pure Sect. Even if one was black-hearted and cunning inside, one had to present a moral facade to walk in the world.

The three stepped onto the lotus petal, floating on the water. Suddenly, the blood water churned, and countless demonic souls and evil ghosts drifted toward them.

Fu Yutang looked at the demonic souls, their shadowy forms swaying, shaking his spirit and confusing his wisdom.

"Wake up!" Ji Feichen’s "Heart-Clearing Mantra" startled him back to reality. He pointed at the demonic souls and said, "These are demonic souls manifested by that person in the Sea of Blood using his own Dao-fruit. Every soul is a projection of an immortal or demon who died at his hands. Be careful; these souls have the power of human immortals."

As he spoke, demonic clouds swallowed the sky, and waves surged. Through the hazy smoke and turbulent waves, infinite demonic intent from all directions tried to capsize the boat.

"Senior, why are you ignoring the people in the Thick Earth Hall and coming after a junior like me?" Ji Feichen flicked his hand, and twenty-four treasure pearls hovered around the lotus petal. The brilliant light shattered the demonic souls one by one, and the mysterious yellow Qi wrapped around the petal, riding the wind and waves.

Number Fifty-Six, the Blood Lotus Earth Immortal, silently watched Ji Feichen’s movements. He had an intuition that Ji Feichen’s goal was very unfavorable to him. "Could there be any other danger in the Immortal Mansion besides the Thick Earth Hall that could deal with me?" Number Fifty-Six watched the Golden Cloud Pearl in Ji Feichen’s hand, his mind constantly analyzing the layout of the Lingwei Sect.

He did not stop his actions, constantly driving the demonic souls and evil ghosts to attack Ji Feichen, delaying his progress toward the destination. As time passed, the lotus petal under Ji Feichen’s feet began to corrode, unable to operate in the water for much longer.

The sky was covered with dark clouds, and Ji Feichen’s heart was heavy. His magic power was constantly depleting; if another incense stick of time passed, he would not be able to hold on. "Even if I cannot reach the destination, I must find a place to land."

*Boom!*

At that moment, lightning flashed in the sky, silver thunder tearing through the clouds. Finally, someone was attacking the Blood Sea Earth Immortal directly!

A vast, righteous aura soared into the sky with brilliant white light. A proud voice echoed through the Immortal Mansion: "Demon, dare you come out and fight!"

The Blood Sea Earth Immortal’s face darkened as he silently stepped down from the lotus platform.

"The Divine Thunder Method of the Taixiao Palace?" Seeing a green light in the sky, Ji Feichen said joyfully, "That fellow Qin Wu is here?"

Although Ji Feichen and Qin Wu were not on the same path, he understood the style of Qin Wu and the Taixiao Palace well. If the Demonic Sect wanted to seize the Immortal Mansion, the Taixiao Palace would certainly block them to ensure the Lingwei Sect’s lineage was not lost.

"Now that they have arrived, we are temporarily safe."

With Qin Wu’s arrival, the Blood Sea Earth Immortal’s attention was diverted. He stood in the blood water, his deep gaze fixed on the sky: "Junior, is your Taixiao Palace only sending you few to die?"

In the sky, besides Qin Wu, there were also Chen Luo, Wu He, and others. Of course, these two were currently "true men." They had been rescued by the Taixiao Palace, but part of their memories had been altered by Lady Chen, so the Taixiao Palace did not suspect them.

"It is enough." Qin Wu’s expression remained unchanged as he threw a piece of thunder pearls downward.

Number Fifty-Six’s eyelids twitched. He immediately gathered the blood water to his side, and layers of blood light turned into shields, blocking all the thunder pearls.

With several loud bangs, countless whirlpools exploded in the blood water, which began to slowly recede.

"The Earth Immortal Thunder Method! Your Taixiao Palace is truly willing to pay the price!" Qin Wu threw out thirty thunder pearls, each containing a strand of magic power from an Earth Immortal of the Taixiao Palace. In other words, Number Fifty-Six was effectively fighting against the power of dozens of Earth Immortals.

Besides Qin Wu, Chen Luo, Wu He, and others also took out bags and kept throwing thunder pearls downward.

"The Taixiao Palace is truly generous. The value of these thunder pearls..." Ji Feichen shook his head. Altogether, these pearls numbered at least eighty or a hundred, and their value was almost equal to half of the Lingwei Immortal Mansion.

However, in the eyes of the Taixiao Palace, the Lingwei Immortal Mansion was nothing. Guarding their morality, maintaining the order between the immortal and demonic paths, and preventing demonic sect members from touching the things of fellow immortal sects—this morality itself could not be measured by value.

Therefore, upon learning of the Blood Sea’s actions, the Taixiao Palace Earth Immortals acted with all their might. Those who could spare the effort simultaneously condensed thunder pearls and talismans to send into the Lingwei Immortal Mansion. Seven or eight Taixiao Palace Earth Immortals had even arrived at the entrance of the Immortal Mansion, attempting to break the defensive restrictions. Even juniors like Qin Wu did not fear danger, risking their lives as human immortals to contend with the Blood Sea Earth Immortal.