Gu Changling sat alone on the mountain peak, his heart desolate.

He had received the True Monarch’s grace and should have served him like a loyal dog or horse, even if it meant being ground to dust.

But the True Monarch had ordered him to obstruct the Daoist—a Foundation Establishment cultivator bullying one in Qi Cultivation—and openly pressure the Sect Leader into changing the master of the Changming Heavenly Lake. These were commands he simply could not obey.

After today, he had lost to Yue Ziqi of the Taifu Sect at the Hongshui Dharma Assembly.

The Gen Feng Grotto-Heaven would surely use this as a pretext to strip him of his True Inheritance position.

’I’m lucky to have kept my life. That alone is a sign of the True Monarch’s mercy.’

Gu Changling mused to himself. He had been willing to fight at the Hongshui Dharma Assembly, even at the risk of aggravating his injuries and completely ruining his cultivation path. He had fought Yue Ziqi with all his might, all to satisfy the True Monarch.

Only by falling hard enough would the True Monarch feel the price was sufficient, show him compassion, and spare him.

Gu Changling was contemplating his future path. Should he choose reincarnation and seek to cultivate again? Or should he do his utmost to mend his foundation and rise from the ashes?

Suddenly, he heard a voice from above:

"The Daoist has ordered me to deliver medicine. True Inheritance Gu, please open the restrictive wards."

A flash of astonishment crossed Gu Changling’s eyes. He forced himself to his feet to greet the visitor and saw a plump, round cat riding a cloud, its head held high and chest puffed out, just like a grand eunuch announcing an imperial decree.

"This Nine-Bud Essence Pill is a gift from the Daoist. Please accept it, True Inheritance Gu."

Gu Changling clasped his hands in a slight bow.

"My thanks for the Daoist’s grace."

True Master Xuanmiao said no more, handing a square red sandalwood box to Gu Changling. This True Inheritance Disciple of Gen Feng was now a stray dog.

If he wished to continue his cultivation path and seek the Golden Position, he would have to choose a new mountain peak to pledge allegiance to.

Within the Innate Sect’s eight peak Grotto-Heavens, only the Changming Heavenly Lake would risk offending True Monarch Luo to take Gu Changling in.

...

...

At the Li Feng encampment, Feng Yuan withdrew his gaze, his eyes downcast and silent.

The Qi Cultivation Cultivators might not have seen the reason for Gu Changling’s defeat, but he had seen it clearly.

’Senior Brother Gu was already injured, yet he still participated in this Dharma Assembly... This is the True Monarch’s punishment for him.’

Feng Yuan was perceptive. The fact that Gu Changling had disobeyed True Monarch Luo’s order to challenge the Daoist had long been a rumor circulating in private.

Otherwise, Luo Qingya wouldn’t have recalled Luo Xuanming, nor would he have instigated Huang Yuanzhou to assassinate the Daoist.

’What a pity.’

Feng Yuan sighed softly.

Everyone in the Innate Sect knew that Gu Changling’s Magical Power was vast and his Magical Combat prowess was fearsome, worthy of being called the best of the eight peaks.

Now that he had been unseated by Yue Ziqi of the Taifu Sect, his popularity had plummeted and his prestige was ruined. It was feared that his Foundation Establishment path would be shattered from this day forward.

’Even if the Daoist wants to use Senior Brother Gu, without a True Monarch to guide him, how can he cultivate the unrecognizable Great Society Treasure Jun True Skill? And how is he supposed to perfect his Dao Foundation?’

Feng Yuan shook his head slightly. That Nine-Bud Essence Pill was but a drop in the bucket, not enough to save Gu Changling, let alone make him a useful subordinate.

A worried look appeared on his face. In this Hongshui Dharma Assembly, Gu Changling was supposed to be their "top horse," a sure bet to win a Talisman Decree, yet he had unexpectedly lost to Yue Ziqi.

’Yu Changqing and Xu Wan of the Taifu Sect are no easy opponents.’

’If we lose the second match as well, the Innate Sect will be utterly disgraced.’

Feng Yuan calculated that if he were to face Yu Changqing, who cultivates Wood Virtue, his chances of winning would be about sixty-forty.

The other Taifu Sect True Inheritance Disciple, Xu Wan, was a mystery. All he knew was that she cultivated the rare Profound Qi.

’No matter what, I have to win a match to boost the morale of the eight peaks.’

Just as Feng Yuan was steeling his resolve, he suddenly saw a wisp of smoke drift down and coalesce into the form of the Daoist.

"Brother Feng, when you face the Taifu Sect’s True Inheritance Disciple later, you must be wary of Yu Changqing."

...

...

The first battle had concluded, but True Monarch Guangzhao Jinghai, acting as the judge, was in no hurry to begin the second round of Magical Combat.

A golden bell hung in the sky above Xiangyun Tian. This bell would only ring every twelve hours when it sensed the light of dawn. The victorious party could then choose their opponent and issue a challenge by name.

After receiving the Talisman Decree, Yue Ziqi returned to the Taifu Sect’s lodging. The moment he was steady on his feet, he began to vomit blood uncontrollably.

Droplets of his Essence blood splattered on the ground, transforming into gushing Water Veins tinged with a dark, murky color.

Fu Lizi hastily took out a flask of [Riverflow Turn] and handed it over, saying:

"You’ve worked hard, Junior Brother Yue, winning this Talisman Decree for the Taifu Sect."

"This Profound Medicine harmonizes Water Virtue and can help you suppress your injuries."

A Foundation Establishment True Master could not heal their injuries or mend their Dao Foundation with Spiritual Objects alone. They had to use Material Properties Change, harmonize Spiritual Resources, and generate Profound Medicine True Essence for it to be effective.

Fu Lizi had always been generous, giving away such a fine item without a second thought. Yue Ziqi quickly accepted it and said:

"Thank you, Senior Brother Fu!"

His victory in the Magical Combat against Gu Changling had been a fluke. If his opponent hadn’t already been injured and his Dao Foundation flawed, he might not have won.

That Xuanhuang One Qi Great Capture, launched with immense Magical Power, was as vast and mighty as the heavens collapsing and the earth sundering—simply impossible to resist.

Moreover, Gu Changling had confined the battle to a thousand li, trapping himself. Even after he sacrificed his Black Cloud Rolling Mang-Serpent Robe to forcefully boost his Merit, his power had still fallen short of his will.

Thankfully, Gu Changling’s injuries had flared up. Otherwise, if he had used another Xuanhuang One Qi Great Capture, his own fate would have been grim.

"Junior Brother Yue, you chewed through the Innate Sect’s toughest bone, clearing away a formidable foe for Junior Brother Yu and Junior Sister Xu. This is a great service."

Fu Lizi said with a smile:

"There will be rewards once we return to the sect. A mere flask of Profound Medicine True Essence is nothing."

Yue Ziqi complained silently in his heart. Among all the True Inheritance Disciples of the Taifu Sect, only Senior Brother Fu Lizi would dare to say such a thing.

He held the flask of [Riverflow Turn] in his palm, and with a gentle pulse of Magical Power, he wrapped around it and refined it into his body.

The restless Water Virtue qi throughout his body, which felt like a river flooding its banks, was gradually brought under control.

Fu Lizi looked at Yu Changqing and Xu Wan and said softly:

"Feng Yuan of Li Feng cultivates Fire Virtue and has refined the Samadhi Fire. Qu Liu’er of Kan Feng is unassuming, but as a Disciple under a True Monarch, she is certainly no amateur. You must take these two seriously."

"As for Yuan Xiao of Zhen Feng, he is very likely to win a Talisman Decree. His Cultivation is profound, no less than Gu Changling’s."

"Furthermore, he majors in Gold Virtue, so his Magical Combat will surely be ferocious... Junior Brother Yu and Junior Sister Xu, it would be best if you can win the second match. With two Talisman Decrees in hand, we can avoid Yuan Xiao and quit while we’re ahead."

Yu Changqing and Xu Wan exchanged a look; they both felt that Fu Lizi’s words made sense.

There were only six Talisman Decrees in total for the two Ancestral Sects. The Daoist, Jiang Yi, had already taken one, leaving five.

Junior Brother Yue had already snatched one. If Yu Changqing and Xu Wan could avoid Yuan Xiao of the Innate Sect and win the next two, then this Hongshui Dharma Assembly would be a great victory.

They would completely suppress the Innate Sect, and upon returning to the Mingcang Marsh, the various True Monarchs would surely bestow great rewards.

"Senior Brother Fu, let me fight Feng Yuan of Li Feng in the next match."

Yu Changqing volunteered after a moment’s thought.

"He cultivates Fire Virtue, and I cultivate Wood Virtue. Since my element is countered by his, he shouldn’t be too wary of me. This will give me a thirty percent better chance of winning."

Fu Lizi was overjoyed to hear this and asked:

"Could it be that Junior Brother Yu has mastered [Run Tian He]?"

Yu Changqing nodded.

"I had a small epiphany a few days ago while contemplating my True Skill."

The core principle of Foundation Establishment cultivation lies in accumulating the Five Elements and refining the five methods to ultimately perfect one’s Life Essence.

Yu Changqing cultivated Wood Virtue. To refine the mysteries of the five methods, he needed to coordinate with the other four elements and their corresponding four methods.

This was the ultimate test of "Dao Wisdom." Without guidance from an Upper Cultivator, to try and comprehend how to complete the Five Elements and nourish one’s Dao Foundation with only a scroll of True Skill—in all the tens of thousands of years of the Yanfu Vast Land, only a handful of people had ever succeeded.

The most recent one in the current era was the first-generation Shao Yang, Yu Shenxiu.

"Good. Then the next battle is yours, Junior Brother Yu."

Fu Lizi decided immediately:

"We will designate Feng Yuan of Li Feng as the opponent."

...

...

"Brother Feng, in your next match, you must be careful of Yu Changqing."

Jiang Yi sent out a clone to the Li Feng encampment. As the Daoist, he could not simply stand by and watch the Innate Sect fall behind and lose face.

"Yu Changqing?"

Feng Yuan first glanced at the Grand Wei Treasure Palace, where the Daoist was clearly sitting in state. Then, he sized up the lifelike Jiang Yi before him, who was certainly no imposter, and felt a surge of astonishment.

"Daoist, why do you say that? As far as I know, Yu Changqing majors in Wood Virtue. I have already refined the Samadhi Fire, which should counter him perfectly."

The golden light in Jiang Yi’s eyes faded as he uttered eight simple words:

"Towering Jia Wood requires fire for its transformation."

Feng Yuan frowned, pondering this for a moment. Then, his face twitched.

"Yu Changqing has mastered [Di Run He]?"

Jiang Yi nodded. Discussing the Dao with intelligent people was so much easier; there was no need to waste words, as they understood with a single hint.

Feng Yuan’s expression turned grave. He took two steps back, clasped his hands, and performed a deep, formal bow.

"Thank you for the reminder, Daoist. Otherwise, I would have certainly suffered a major fall in this Magical Combat!"