Cultivation: When you take things to the extreme

Chapter 556: Chapter 338: The Gift

“Zhen Yuanzi!”

“Humph!”

“He really made it happen!”

“As expected, this person was capable of it.”

“But he’s just reached Mahayana, not yet a True Immortal, hardly enough to change the overall situation.”

“Let him be arrogant for a while, when the great war resumes, there will be a strong person to settle accounts with him.”

“It’s impossible to proceed, let’s call it quits!”

“Let’s go!”

Seeing the clouds dispersing and the thunder subsiding, the hordes of Demon Evil Cultivators lurking outside Mount Longevity also realized that their mission was untenable and promptly withdrew like scattered birds and beasts.

Turning back to the scene within, Xu Yang made an announcement and then turned to return to the pavilion. Immediately after, the mountain gates swung open, and out came two Taoist Children clad in Daoist robes, their appearance delicate and refined as they bowed to the assembly: “By the order of our master, we invite all to enter the pavilion and attend the Pill Origin Gathering!”

“The Pill Origin Gathering…”

Cloth Sack Arhat, no longer wearing a constant smile, now furrowed his brows and turned to glance at Pagoda-carrying Arhat beside him.

Pagoda-carrying Arhat remained silent, but the gathered crowd was restless, eager to move; even without using his Divine Power to read minds, he could overhear the whispering.

“The Pill Origin Gathering!”

“It’s finally here!”

“Zhen Yuan truly is a remarkable person, treating the Mahayana Heaven Tribulation as nothing and scheduling the Pill Origin Gathering well in advance.”

“I’ve heard that those who attend the Pill Origin Gathering will not only have the chance to consume Spirit Pills personally refined by Great Immortal Zhen Yuan but also to listen as Great Immortal Zhen Yuan discusses the scriptures, preaches the Buddhist Law, and deliberates on the Dao of heaven and earth. It’s an immense opportunity.”

“After today, the Pill Origin Gathering hosted by Wuzhuang Temple on Mount Longevity will undoubtedly become a grand occasion in the South Observance Cultivation Realm!”

“What are we waiting for, let’s go inside.”

“What’s the rush, haven’t you seen that the Mahayana-ranked have not made a move yet?”

The crowd was restless, yet tried to restrain themselves, turning their hopeful gazes, waiting for the Mahayana-ranked to take action.

“…”

“…”

Facing these expectant gazes, both Cloth Sack Arhat and Pagoda-carrying Arhat fell into silence, uncertain of what to do next.

They had come here as unwelcome visitors, even determined that by hook or by crook, they must retrieve the Purple-Gold Bell; if diplomacy failed, then they would resort to force, relying on their abilities to fight it out.

But now…

To fight, how could they fight?

Setting aside True Person Ziyang and Pure Jun Sword Lord, the Great Roc King and the Peony Fairy had made it clear they were willing to side with Mount Longevity, even if it meant turning against Buddhism.

That meant they were possibly up against a trio or quintet. In terms of numbers, they were completely at a disadvantage.

And as for quality… although Zhen Yuanzi was a newly advanced Mahayana, the spectacle of his tribulation suggested that his Divine Power was incredibly formidable, and he had the home field advantage on his own mountain. He might not even require assistance from others; a single activation of the Mountain Gate Array could leave them helpless and even suffering a significant defeat.

To fight would mean certain defeat; there was no hope.

To argue their case was also futile; they had no moral ground to stand on, and with so many assembled here, airing the issue with the Golden-Furred Lion in public would be a direct hit to their Buddhist dignity.

Even with Buddhism’s great influence, forcing the other party to submit and return the Purple-Gold Bell would invite criticism from all quarters for bullying the weak with strength and for aggressive overbearing behavior.

If word of such actions spread, it would tarnish their reputation and not only fuel enmities but also provide an excuse and leverage for others to win over the hearts of the South Observance Continent, further obstructing the Buddha’s plan for “southern propagation of Buddhism.”

For the sake of a mere Purple-Gold Bell, they were not senseless enough to go to such lengths.

Unable to win by fighting, unable to state their case.

What should they do?

Leave?

Aside from the difficulty of explaining their actions upon return, at such a critical moment, with them leaving akin to the Demon Evil Cultivators, wouldn’t that just confirm their identity as “unwelcome guests”? How would the cultivators of South Observance discuss them at the Pill Origin Gathering?

Difficult, difficult, difficult. It’s a dilemma, caught between a rock and a hard place!

Even with their wisdom, they couldn’t see a way out of the current situation.

What kind of accursed errand was this!

Feeling helpless, they could only maintain an awkward standstill.

Onlookers, somewhat aware but not fully understanding, added to the oddity as the atmosphere turned strange.

Fortunately, at this moment, True Person Ziyang stepped forward with practiced ease, playing the peacemaker: “Honored ones, you’ve traveled far for such a grand occasion, how can you miss it? Why not join the old man and enter the pavilion, what says Zhen Yuan?”

“This…”

After exchanging a glance, they reluctantly conceded, bowing to his suggestion: “We shall follow the True Person’s suggestion!”

“Please!”

True Person Ziyang smiled and led the two towards the mountain gate.

“Humph!”

Seeing the two comfortably accept a face-saving exit, the Great Roc King, dressed in black and stern, let out a disdainful snort.

“Haha!”

Pure Jun Sword Lord just shook his head and chuckled, not saying anything further, and followed along. The Peony Fairy trailed behind with a thoughtful look in her eyes.

…

In this manner, the group advanced up the path toward the temple and finally arrived in front of Wuzhuang Temple.

“A pleasant breeze and a bright moonlight, greetings to True Person Ziyang, True Monarch Pure Jun, Great King Peng, and Peony Fairy!”

The two Taoist Children, one to the left and one to the right, stood in front of the temple, greeting the four newcomers with familiarity.

“Ah, the children grow more refined by the day. It seems staying by Zhen Yuan’s side has brought many benefits,” remarked True Person Ziyang with a smile as he handed each child a jade bottle and then produced a jade box: “These two bottles of Enlightenment Pills are for you. As for the item in this box, it’s a congratulatory gift for your master. Do you two possess some of Zhen Yuan’s abilities to recognize what it is?”

“Thank you for the True Person’s generosity!”

The two Taoist Children took the pills without any objections and graciously accepted the jade box. Opening it in front of everyone, they announced loudly, “From the Enlightenment Cave on Mount Jinhua, True Person Ziyang presents a Seventh Rank Spiritual Object, one Golden Jade Coiled Dragon Ganoderma!”

“…”

“…”

This call for the ritual gift caught Cloth Sack Arhat and Pagoda-carrying Arhat by surprise.

“Haha!”

True Person Ziyang stroked his beard and smiled, “Not bad, with discernment. Worthy of being a child taught by Zhen Yuan.”

Having said that, he stepped into the temple, leaving Cloth Sack Arhat and Pagoda-carrying Arhat speechless behind him.

A Seventh Rank Spiritual Object, Golden Jade Coiled Dragon Ganoderma?

Was this True Person Ziyang too generous?

But thinking about it, it made sense. After all, as an old Mahayana cultivator and a renowned Alchemy Grandmaster for many years, his wealth was extremely abundant. Presenting a Seventh Rank Spiritual Object as a congratulatory gift for a good friend’s advance into the Mahayana Realm seemed barely acceptable…

“Ho!”

“Seventh Rank Spiritual Object?”

“Golden Jade Coiled Dragon Ganoderma?”

“Did I hear it wrong?”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“True Person Ziyang is actually willing to part with it?”

“In South Observance, who doesn’t know that Ziyang is generous with everything but Immortal Medicine. When it comes to Immortal Spirit Medicine, this True Person Ziyang is known to be quite stingy.”

“No way around it, to refine Immortal Pills, aiming for the Seventh Rank Alchemy Cauldron Realm, one can’t afford to be too generous in this aspect.”

“It’s Zhen Yuan after all; if it were someone else, they’d never get him to part with that Golden Jade Coiled Dragon Ganoderma.”

“I wonder what gifts the other Venerables have prepared?”

“…”

The sound of the ritual gift announcement echoed inside and out, causing a stir among the crowd below the mountain.

By this time, True Person Ziyang had already entered the temple, and now it was True Monarch Pure Jun’s turn to step forward. Looking at the two clever Taoist Children, he said with a soft laugh, “I am but a poor ghost, not as rich and noble as Old Immortal Ziyang. Take these two trifles for yourselves and don’t tell your master I’m stingy.”

With that, he flipped out two top-quality Spiritual Treasures for Qingfeng and Mingyue, then took out a jade box as a congratulatory gift.

“True Monarch jests.”

Qingfeng and Mingyue smiled subtly, accepting the bestowed Spiritual Treasures, opening the jade box to immediately feel a surge of Qi Blood and the sound of a Jiao Dragon’s roar. It was, unexpectedly…

“True Monarch Pure Jun of the Flying Immortal Pavilion on Mount Taibai sends a Seventh Rank Spiritual Object – a Flood Dragon Inner Pill!”

Cloth Sack Arhat: “…”

Pagoda-carrying Arhat: “…”

The two of them were lost for words, feeling a sense of foreboding, while the crowd below buzzed again.

“A Seventh Rank Inner Pill?”

“Could it be the Black Flood Dragon King from the Poison Dragon Pool?”

“The Black Flood Dragon King of the Poison Dragon Pool, a Great Demon of the Dragon Clan with a complete Integration, was slain by True Monarch Pure Jun three thousand five hundred years ago.”

“The Inner Pill of a Great Demon with complete Integration can also be used for Alchemy. It’s no less valuable than True Person Ziyang’s Golden Jade Coiled Dragon Ganoderma.”

“Ever since ancient times, it’s said: ‘Murder and arson for a golden belt, there isn’t a simple character among Sword Cultivators famous in the disorderly South Observance Continent. Even if they were not as wealthy as True Person Ziyang, the difference wouldn’t be too great.’

Various discussions spread among the people below the mountain, leaving the two newly arrived guests with solemn faces.

Now they realized some kind-hearted folks might not be kind to everyone—sometimes they might be harbouring malice!”

“Humph!”

As the two grew despondent, the black-clad and stern Great Roc King approached, tossing two sharp feather-like plumes and another item into Qingfeng and Mingyue’s hands.

Qingfeng and Mingyue looked at the items they received, identifying yet another Inner Pill with Qi Blood as vigorous as a dragon. Thoroughly sealed, with flashes of lightning, it was truly remarkable. They immediately announced, “Great Roc King of Eagle Sadness Stream presents a Seventh Rank Spiritual Object – a Thunder Flood Dragon Inner Pill!”

“A Thunder Flood Dragon Inner Pill?”

“The one that used to coil around Eagle Sadness Stream, that elder Flood Dragon?”

“Tsk tsk tsk, the recluse Great Roc King, detached from worldly affairs, with thin resources, still brought out this Inner Pill. Truly, he must be deeply indebted to Great Immortal Zhen Yuan.”

“…”

As the crowd spoke, six Mahayana cultivators had already entered, leaving only Cloth Sack Arhat, Qiankun Arhat, and Peony Fairy.

Peony Fairy, having been slightly late earlier, now lingered at the end with a smile, seemingly in no rush to come forward.

Qingfeng and Mingyue shifted their gaze towards Cloth Sack Arhat and Qiankun Arhat.

At this, Cloth Sack Arhat was also at a loss for words.

What Great Immortal Zhen Yuan, what Pill Origin Gathering. It’s all well and good to act virtuously, but still expecting gifts?

Not just expecting, but to publicly sing their praises — wasn’t this the greedy and corrupt habits of mortals? How did it appear in the Cultivation Realm? Mahayana True Immortals being so market-savvy and greedy, didn’t it diminish their stature?

The two of them grumbled inwardly, but they still had to step forward and hand over an item to Qingfeng and Mingyue.

Qingfeng and Mingyue examined it and then announced, “From the Western Bliss, the Pusuo Pure Land, the Honored Sufenda/Kasaya-bearer Arhat, a Fifth Rank Buddhist Treasure – Bodhi Bead.”

These two had offered a Fifth Rank item as a gift, paltry compared to the previous three, considering they were also Mahayana cultivators.

Helpless, the two could only offer a Fifth Rank Buddhist Treasure from their storage. As Mahayana Realm Arhat Venerables, they did have Sixth Rank items, but it did not seem appropriate to present them. Should they bring out the Sixth Rank Spiritual Object Purple-Gold Bell as a congratulations gift before coming to ask for one of them? What kind of situation would that be?

Beyond that, they did not wish to part with such valuable things. After all, unlike True Person Ziyang and others, they did not share such deep ties. Why should they offer such a heavy gift? Sixth Rank objects, even for Mahayana cultivators, were not to be casually given away.

Thus, indifferent to the talks in the mountain below, the two kept a straight face and entered the temple.

However…

“Peony Fairy from the Hundred Flowers Valley offers a Sixth Rank Spiritual Root – the Immortal Evergreen Tree!”

“The Immortal Evergreen Tree?”

“A Sixth Rank Spiritual Root?”

“This…”

This announcement caused a sensation among the crowd below the mountain and froze the steps of the two figures before them.