Chapter 287 - 248: Congratulations to Ascendant Donghua! (Double - )
Chapter 287: Chapter 248: Congratulations to Ascendant Donghua! (Double Chapter)
"And the remaining Golden Cores of the Primordial Cauldron Sect are all around eight hundred years old."
"This sect is renowned in the South Mountain Domain for its alchemy skills."
As soon as Master Qiansui began speaking, Sword Fox Immortal’s voice transmission arrived simultaneously.
Gu Yuan nodded slightly, thanked Master Qiansui, and toasted him with spirit wine.
"Fellow Daoist Gu, the old Daoist offers this Tier Three Serenity Dao Fruit to congratulate you on your Golden Core. I hope our two sects will engage more frequently in the future!"
An old man with an immortal demeanor, holding a duster, took out a jade box and said to Gu Yuan with a smile.
"Flying Mist Temple, Master Jiyun. Although this sect has only five Golden Cores, it has a long heritage, comparable to our Cyan Peak Daoist School."
"The Tier Four Array, the Flying Mist Godslaying Array within the temple, can resist Daoist Embryos and is an ancient sect in the South Mountain Domain."
"This sect excels in the way of Divine Thought and Primordial Spirit and has an excellent relationship with our Daoist School. Indeed, we should interact more frequently."
Sword Fox Immortal played the role of explainer, tirelessly narrating the origins and heritages of various sects to Gu Yuan, as well as the attitudes he should adopt.
"The Three Mountains Alliance and the Independent Cultivator Alliance are a mix of all sorts, acting as intermediaries between our Daoist School and the Eight Rivers Demon Race. If in need of Demon Race artifacts, this alliance could be contacted."
"The Vast Sea Sect, skilled in beast taming, is established at the river mouth where it flows into the sea. This sect is cunning and should not be engaged deeply."
"The South Mountain Pavilion, which you should know, recognizes money over people; exercise caution when interacting."
"..."
The people in the hall introduced themselves one by one, and Sword Fox Immortal explained each of them.
In just a short time, Gu Yuan had a rough understanding of the various forces in the hall.
"Fellow Daoist Gu, I was rather presumptuous in the past; I hope for your forgiveness!"
"Three hundred catties of Primordial Yang Spirit Iron to congratulate Fellow Daoist on achieving the Golden Core!"
At that moment, Master of Celestial Fragrance from Celestial Fragrance Tower smiled and offered a congratulatory gift to Gu Yuan.
The emergence of this item surprised everyone in the hall.
Primordial Yang Spirit Iron is a top-grade piece among Tier Three spiritual iron, a rare spirit ore capable of forging upper-class artifacts.
Although the Golden Core Ceremony involved guests presenting Tier Three treasures, they were usually common items and not particularly precious.
After all, it was just a ceremony, and observing proper etiquette was sufficient.
Even a common Tier Three item is a considerable windfall for a newly advanced Golden Core cultivator.
But Primordial Yang Spirit Iron is quite precious and not an ordinary item.
It’s akin to a common gesture of gifting five hundred or a thousand, but you directly present ten thousand.
A bit out of place indeed.
It overshadowed other Golden Cores and sects.
Yet Gu Yuan did not refuse any offered gifts and was about to express his thanks when Master of Celestial Fragrance, with a gleam in her eyes, winked at him and added, "I also have a Golden Jade Talisman from Celestial Fragrance Tower, which I would like to offer to Fellow Daoist Gu."
A Golden Jade Talisman?
Gu Yuan was unaware of the talisman’s purpose, but since it was given by a Golden Core cultivator during the ceremony, it had to be extraordinary.
He smiled slightly, opened his mouth to thank, but Sword Fox Immortal had already spoken coldly, "Fellow Daoist, you’d better keep this talisman for someone destined for it."
With that, Sword Fox Immortal used his mana to return the Golden Jade Talisman.
Gu Yuan was taken aback, puzzled, while some of the seated Golden Core male cultivators couldn’t hold back their laughter.
"Fellow Daoist Tianxiang, you are truly stingy. I’ve practiced for nearly a millennium, and though I’ve passed Celestial Fragrance Tower countless times, I’ve never been gifted a single Golden Jade Talisman!"
"Fellow Daoist Gu just achieved Golden Core, and you gifted it right away. Truly, comparing oneself to others is vexing!"
Master Qiansui couldn’t help but laugh.
"A spring night is worth a thousand gold; youth indeed is romantic!"
Even the Master of Five Void from the Three Mountains Alliance burst into laughter.
Gu Yuan frowned slightly, confused, and turned to look at Sword Fox Immortal.
But Sword Fox Immortal slightly raised his pink eyes, as if not noticing, remaining silent.
"Celestial Fragrance Tower has three types of golden talismans: White Jade, Blue Jade, and Golden Jade, corresponding to Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, and Golden Core realms."
"As long as you hold the corresponding golden talisman, you can engage in dual cultivation with any female cultivator in Celestial Fragrance Tower and enjoy the union of fish and water."
"The core disciples of the Celestial Fragrance Tower are not available to just anyone. They practice the orthodox Yin Yang Dual Cultivation technique. Especially Lady of Celestial Fragrance has abundant Primordial Yin, making her an excellent partner for dual cultivation. For hundreds of years, no one has ever been admitted in close quarters."
"Junior Brother, it seems the Celestial Fragrance Tower has taken a liking to you."
At this moment, Master Tiandou quietly transmitted to Gu Yuan explaining the situation.
Gu Yuan suddenly realized, noticing that Sword Fox Immortal had already turned his head to look at him, he immediately sat upright, not daring to speak further.
"Fellow Daoist Gu, my Rakshasa Sect is located in the desolate and remote region of South Mountain, with scarce resources. I can only present this Rakshasa Fruit as a gift, and I hope you will forgive me!"
At this moment, a young Daoist wearing a black Daoist robe, with slightly dark skin, and strands of flame between his hair suddenly spoke and offered a purple spirit fruit.
"The Rakshasa Sect is located in the southwest barren lands of the South Mountain Domain, not well-known by reputation, but it is indeed a Tier Four Sect. Within the sect resides a Daoist Embryo, its strength is formidable."
"The actions of this sect are somewhat mysterious, neither entirely righteous nor evil. Although our Daoist School has had a good relationship with them these past years, it’s still wise to be cautious if encountered."
The explanatory voice of Sword Fox Immortal came once again, though this time carrying a touch of gravity.
"Rakshasa Sect..."
This was the first time Gu Yuan had heard the name of another Tier Four Major Sect, and thus he couldn’t help but keep dual attention, toasting respectfully towards the Golden Core of the Rakshasa Sect while curiously asking Sword Fox Immortal:
"Senior Sister, how many Tier Four sects are there in the South Mountain Domain? Are there any Tier Five sects or Primordial Image Cultivators?"
Gu Yuan had thoroughly read many travel notes and classics from the Scripture Pavilion, but there was still little to no detailed information about Tier Five sects.
"The South Mountain Domain is vast and endless, our Human Race cultivators have developed this land for many years, yet we occupy only about a third of it. The remaining areas are barren lands, inhabited by countless exotic beasts and poisonous insects, where even a Golden Core Cultivator cannot trespass lightly."
"However, a Daoist Embryo Cultivator can already dominate a region and roam this domain."
"Over the years, the South Mountain Domain has had a total of four Tier Four sects, each governing a region. They are our Cyan Peak Daoist School, Sunset Glow Sect, Rakshasa Sect, and Qingyang Temple!"
"Among these four sects, our Daoist School and Sunset Glow Sect maintain a harmonious relationship, while it’s typical with the Rakshasa Sect, and adversarial with Qingyang Temple. Therefore, Qingyang Temple is not present at this grand ceremony."
"Among these four sects, there are Demon King Level forces watching each other for thousands of years without gaining any ground."
"Only the Sunset Glow Sect has advanced rapidly in recent years, engulfing half the territory of the Six-Winged Purple Gold Carving, and gaining prominence."
"If you wish to see a Tier Five sect, you must travel eastward to the East Mountain Realm and Central Land Divine State, tens of thousands of miles away."
"There might be Primordial Image Cultivators traveling to this area, but within the South Mountain Domain itself, there is no Tier Five sect."
Sword Fox Immortal patiently explained, gradually unveiling the overall structure of the South Mountain Domain.
At the end, Sword Fox Immortal couldn’t help but sigh softly: "Among the Four Domains of the world, the Western Sea Realm is the most impoverished, followed by our South Mountain Domain. The East Mountain Realm is prosperous, but even combined, the Three Domains can’t compare to the Central Land Divine State."
"Vast and boundless, the ancestor of all mountains!"
"Regarding the richness of Spirit Meridians and the strength of the cultivators, nowhere can compare to the Central Land Divine State!"
These words drew Gu Yuan’s thoughts far afield.
But a clear and bright voice brought him back to reality.
"Fellow Daoist Gu, over the past centuries, our two sects have produced only you and me as Golden Cores."
"Since we meet today, why not have a discussion to liven up this grand ceremony?"
Seated at the white jade altar, the newly-advanced Golden Core Cultivator from the Sunset Glow Sect, Zuo Tianlun, spoke loudly, his gaze intensely focused on Gu Yuan.
As his words fell, the hall suddenly quieted.
Master Tiandou immediately spoke: "Fellow Daoist Zuo, today is a good day to congratulate Junior Brother Gu on achieving Golden Core and living for a thousand years. Engaging in magical combat would mar the atmosphere, so why not drink instead?"
"Fellow Daoists, please raise your glasses together and toast to Junior Brother Gu!"
The people in the hall exchanged glances and all raised their cups, congratulating: "To Fellow Daoist Gu!"
Zuo Tianlun’s expression hesitated, wanting to say more, but Master Tiandou spoke again.
"Junior Brother Gu, although I am the host of today’s ceremony, the Golden Core Dao title is bestowed by the True Person."
"The True Person just now transmitted that you reside on Purple Sun Peak, where the purple aura comes from the east, reaching Golden Core at a hundred years of age in the prime of youth. How about using ’Donghua’ as your Dao title?"
Donghua?!
Gu Yuan savored this, his eyes brightening, and nodded involuntarily.
"Fellow Daoists, please drink another cup in celebration of our Cyan Peak Daoist School’s Donghua Ascendant!"
"For Donghua Ascendant!"
In both upper and lower halls, everyone raised their glasses in congratulations.
Zuo Tianlun was quite helpless, but seeing Sword Fox Immortal’s frosty gaze, he could only sigh and refrain from further words!