Cultivation: When you take things to the extreme - Chapter 564

Chapter 564: 342

“Buddhism has indeed been defeated…”

“Facing two opponents alone, Venerable Zhen Yuan will surely become renowned throughout South Observance after today!”

“He is already renowned now, but this battle achievement will add even more weight to his name.”

“Unfortunately, the two Venerables from Buddhism did not exert their full strength, only the Qiankun Cloth Bag was seen, not the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda.”

“Of course, it was merely a contest of magic powers, not a struggle to the death, how could they use a superior-grade Buddhist treasure?”

“Even if the pagoda had appeared, how would it matter? Venerable Zhen Yuan’s Five Colors Divine Light is so sharp; the Qiankun Cloth Bag was no match for it. Even if the Seven Treasures Exquisite Tower were involved, it would have only met its match and ended in a draw at best. How could they possibly go all out and risk both sides suffering injuries or even mutual destruction?”

“The two Venerables are also sensible, knowing that even if they brought out the pagoda and fought with all their might, they would not likely defeat Venerable Zhen Yuan and at most, they would achieve a tie. They would still not be able to retrieve the Purple-Gold Bell. To fight so desperately for a mid-grade Buddhist treasure would be unwise. Better to retreat in a favorable position and return to see what the Great Mercy Bodhisattva plans next.”

“With Buddhism’s prestige diminished by this defeat, they became a stepping stone for Venerable Zhen Yuan. From today on, here in the South Observance Continent, the Wuzhuang Temple lineage of Mount Longevity, though still not comparable to a True Immortal Sect, won’t be far behind.”

“Venerable Zhen Yuan’s accomplishments in the Five Elements Dao are astonishing. No wonder he could refine the Grass Return Elixirs that correspond to the Five Elements. If he progresses further in the future, could he, as a seventh or even eighth-tier Immortal Master, potentially refine Superior-grade Immortal Pills?”

“If that were true, then this Pill Origin Gathering would indeed be able to rival the Immortal Realm’s grand events such as the Flat Peach Feast and Ullambana Meeting…”

Minds communicated through divine thoughts, gossip spread, and the discussion was rife.

Xu Yang lowered himself down from the clouds as well, returning to the temple.

“Big brother’s Divine Power is truly extraordinary.”

“The Five Elements Void is incredibly profound.”

“Today’s battle has established authority and has also made people from the West and other states dare not underestimate the cultivators from South Observance.”

The Peony Fairy and others offered their congratulations, raising the festive atmosphere of the banquet once more.

“Ha!”

Xu Yang laughed, returned to his seat, and lifted his cup once more to invite everyone, “Fellow Daoists, please!”

“Please!”

“Venerable, please!”

The crowd willingly followed suit, lifting their cups to celebrate.

The banquet began with the drinking of the opening wine, followed by the tasting of the elixirs.

Xu Yang did not say much, opened the jade case on the table, and took out a Spirit Pill. The body of the pill was translucent, revealing an inner vitality with five colors of light circulating within, transforming into the pattern of Chaos Yuan Qi, representing the highest quality Grass Return Elixir of the Chaos Yuan type.

This Grass Return Elixir was created by him combining the techniques of the Five Elements Immortal Sect and the secret techniques left behind by the “Five Elements Celestial Venerable” with his own alchemy prowess. Although it had not broken through the boundary of the seventh tier, it had reached the peak of the sixth tier.

This particular Grass Return Elixir was a supreme product that could effectively improve the qualifications of the Five Elements Spiritual Root. With long-term use, it could even nurture a Five Elements Spiritual Body, achieving effects similar to the Five Directions Merit Pool, the treasured relic of the Five Elements Immortal Sect.

Of course, only a few of the Mahayana present have the Chaos Yuan version, the rest were only single element types of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth, at most capable of enhancing the Spiritual Root to the Heavenly Grade Level, powerless to aid the Spiritual Body.

Yet even so, its value could not be diminished. Superior-grade Heavenly Spirit roots, even in the Earth Immortal Realm, were considered to have exceptional talent. Many of the Integrating cultivators present were of Heavenly Grade Spiritual Roots, and some were not even that.

Thus…

Xu Yang took the lead by ingesting the pill. The Peony Fairy and others followed suit.

After the several Mahayana made their moves, no one else hesitated, and they eagerly took the Spirit Pills to consume.

Upon entering the mouth, the Spirit Pill immediately transformed into subtle energies. Before one could even taste it, it was already in the stomach, whence a tremendous surge of Five Elements Yuan Qi and innate vitality spread throughout the limbs and bones, coursing through the body.

“Hmm~!”

“This pill…”

Even with mental preparation, they underestimated the efficacy of this Spirit Pill, especially the simpler Cultivators who were in the Returning to Void and Deity Transformation stages, and barely managed to maintain decorum. Ignoring that they were in the midst of the banquet, they commenced meditation on the spot to refine the medicine.

Xu Yang smiled, wielded his horsetail whisk, and the “Evergreen Limitless Great Array” that hovered over all of Mount Longevity and within the Wuzhuang Temple was activated. It guided the spiritual energy of myriad woods to help the attendants assimilate the Spirit Pill and absorb more of its essence.

And so, time passed until the atmosphere at the banquet was filled with moving energies, and the lower-level Deity Transformation cultivators directly broke through their realms. The higher-level Return to Void and Integrating cultivators also achieved minor breakthroughs.

This was the power of the Grass Return Elixir – it not only purified the Spiritual Root but also helped increase Cultivation, Taoist Cultivation, and even extend one’s lifespan.

Those who broke through from Deity Transformation to Return to Void should naturally face the Heavenly Tribulation, but everyone present was extraordinary, and in the Earth Immortal Realm, there were prevalent methods to evade tribulations. So, they quickly used secret techniques to temporarily suppress this tribulation, to avoid disturbing the gathering.

For those who could not suppress it, they would leave the temple to overcome their tribulation elsewhere.

After three days had passed.

“For Venerable’s assistance in our Dao, we will never forget!”

The crowd gathered together, performed deep bows, and thanked him in unison.

“Fellow Daoists, there’s no need for such formality.”

Xu Yang smiled, helped everyone up with a wave of his hand, then looked around and said to the Peony Fairy, True Person Ziyang, and others, “The path of cultivation is not to be stingy with one’s knowledge; hoarding it is not advisable. Only through the exchange of what we lack and possess can we complement each other and progress together. Therefore, today, I wish to engage in a discussion of the Dao and preach the law with all of you. Anyone here who has insights or questions may speak freely, and we shall all share and explore them together!”

“This…”

At these words, the audience’s eyes lit up with anticipation and excitement.

Those who had taken the Spirit Pills and achieved breakthroughs, especially the Deity Transformation cultivators who had just stepped into new realms, desperately needed guidance to stabilize their foundations, clarify their paths, and ascertain their direction at this crucial moment. The instructions from Mahayana cultivators were eagerly sought after.