Dragon Canon

In the Palace of Absolute Beginning’s merit hall, an elderly, weary-looking Daoist with a pair of eyebrows so long that they were drooping to his chest was casting his perception into the jade throne below the floor. There, he was processing an ocean of merit-related tasks.

Most of the verifications, recording, and distribution of merits were handled automatically by the merit hall itself. However, major transactions—those involving Heaven Merits or higher—were overseen by designated Truemen, who either conducted post-transaction audits or pre-transaction reviews. If the Truemen could not reach a decision, then the responsibility would fall onto a rotating True Lord.

Just then, an elderly Daoist with his hands clasped behind his back walked up to his colleague. He too looked worn and frail, his ultimate end not far away at all. He said, “I’ve come to relieve you, Senior Brother. Have there been any unusual events this month?”

The long-browed Daoist withdrew his perception and let out a sigh. “The fighting in the north has grown fiercer. Both merits and Heaven Merits have increased significantly in quantities, and exchanges have been happening far more frequently than usual. Unfortunately, many of our sect fellows and juniors have also fallen in battle. It is truly lamentable.

“But you were asking about unusual events, and one had just occurred. Wei Yuan, a disciple of the Skyblue Hall, just requested a permit to teach the six universal cultivation methods of Body-tempering. He is willing to pay three thousand Heaven Merits for it.”

The newcomer exclaimed in shock, “Three thousand Heaven Merits?! Where did he get that many? And how could a single permit be worth three thousand Heaven Merits? Even thirty would be more than enough!”

“He’s planning to teach it to quite a number of people.”

“How many could there be? Surely not three thousand? Even if that is the case, one Heaven Merit per head is still too much.”

The long-browed Daoist took a deep breath and replied, “The permit he’s requesting is for one hundred thousand people.”

The relief Daoist nearly stumbled when he heard this. “How much?!”

The long-browed Daoist slowly rose to his feet and said, “I find it strange as well. The six universal cultivation methods aren’t something just anyone can practice. I’ve heard there are only about a hundred thousand people in the boy’s domain. Surely not everyone would want to cultivate it?”

The relief Daoist replied, “You and I both know just how high the talent requirements are for the six universal cultivation methods. A hundred thousand mortals may sound like a lot of people, but I seriously doubt he can find even a couple dozen qualified talents, not unless they’re all immortal descendants.”

The long-browed Daoist chuckled. “Don’t be so quick to judge. Perhaps there are Immortal Lord descendants among those mortals.”

The relief Daoist did not laugh at his joke, though. “Three thousand Heaven Merits are no trivial matter. Maybe the boy is young and ignorant, but the Skyblue Hall isn’t the sort to let itself be taken advantage of, especially since they’re as poor as dirt right now. I think it would be best to report this matter to True Lord Xuan Yue. You wouldn’t want him to dispute this in the future or worse, hold you accountable, would you?”

The long-browed Daoist nodded in agreement. “That would be wise.”

After the long-browed Daoist took his leave in a hurry, the relief Daoist took his seat and immersed his perception into the jade throne. Then, he began handling the affairs.

Most of the Truemen on duty in the merit hall were advanced in age and nearing the end of their lifespans. They were no longer suited for battle. Though their combat prowess had waned, their insight and experience remained, making them more than capable of handling merit-related affairs. Each shift lasted one month, and depending on the volume of work, the number of Truemen on duty might vary.

The relief daoist took one look at the changes in the merit and Heaven Merit from the previous month and drew in a sharp breath, blurting out, “How could so many have perished?!”

......

In the Skyblue Hall, True Lord Xuan Yue was sitting in the main hall. However, his aura was clearly unstable. At the moment, only one Truemen was standing on each side of the hall, making the vast chamber feel eerily desolate.

The long-browed Daoist was standing in the middle of the chamber. He had just finished reporting Wei Yuan’s plan to exchange his Heaven Merits for the permit.

True Lord Xuan Yue pondered for a moment before replying, “The boy must have thought through this decision. Since he has chosen to make the exchange despite it, let it be. As his elders, it would be inappropriate for us to interfere with his decisions.”

The long-browed Daoist had come merely to report the matter. Since the True Lord had given his permission, he said no more and took his leave. As he stepped out, he suddenly sensed a fluctuation in the True Lord’s aura. His heart grew heavier inside his chest.

In the Skyblue Hall, True Lord Xuan Yue cleared his throat and said, “If Fen Hai returns, have him make a trip to the western regions and see if there is anything there that needs attending to.”

A Skyblue Hall Trueman seated on one side of the hall replied, “Junior Brother Fen Hai had just ventured into the Liao realm. He likely won’t be able to break away anytime soon. By the way, the Cui Clan is sending a flying vessel to Qingming very soon. I heard it’s carrying quite a few clansmen who originally had little hope of establishing a Dao Foundation. It so happens that we have some young disciples in both our halls who are in need of some real experience, so why not have them board that vessel? Be it the northern frontier or the western regions, it’s training either way.”

A Water Moon Hall Trueman voiced his worry. “The situation in the north is rather critical right now. Won’t we invite criticism if we send our disciples to the western regions?”

The Skyblue Hall Trueman let out a thick grunt. “Both our halls have suffered heavy losses. Who would dare to criticize us? Worst case scenario, I’ll return to the front lines for a stint and make room for our disciples to head to the western regions!”

The Water Moon Hall Trueman sighed but could say nothing in response.

Just then, True Lord Xuan Yue suddenly spoke up. “You are currently at a critical stage of your cultivation. If you remain in the hall to continue your contemplation, your chances of breaking through in the future might increase by five percent. Therefore, I shall go to the front lines in your stead.”

Both Truemen were shocked by the declaration. They hurriedly said, ‘Your injuries haven’t fully healed, and you’ve only just returned. How could you possibly go back to the front lines?”

True Lord Xuan Yue replied, “The Liao are nearly at our northern mountain gate[1]. I cannot stand idly by. Besides, it is the elderly’s responsibility to make more room for the younger generation to grow. Speaking of which, how many disciples are planning to go to the western regions this time?”

The Skyblue Hall Trueman answered, “Six in total from both our halls.”

The Water Moon Hall Trueman immediately grew displeased. “What do you mean, ‘both our halls’? Five of the six who’re going are from your Skyblue Hall! We have disciples who need training too. We want three more spots!”

True Lord Xuan Yue chuckled and said, “Feel free to send as many as you please! But I must warn you: the western regions are no less perilous than the northern frontier. You should know just by looking at how many Heaven Merits Wei Yuan had earned. It’s only been a few months, and he’s already reached the top of the Dao Foundation ranking. Stock up as many mystic artifacts and elixirs as you can for this trip. Don’t be stingy.”

The Skyblue Hall trueman stared at his toes and said flatly, “The fare for hitching a ride on the Cui Clan’s ship isn’t cheap. The hall is strapped for silver right now; there won’t have much left after buying the tickets. In short, we can’t provide any mystic artifacts. All we could afford to supply is two pills. Don’t expect them to be anything special though.”

The Water Moon Hall Trueman harrumphed. “If you know you’re poor, then you shouldn’t have hoarded all your connections to yourself! Have a bit of self-awareness, will you? Tell me how to buy the tickets, and I’ll give your hall’s disciples an extra bottle of middle-grade healing pills.”

“High grade!”

The Water Moon Hall Trueman replied coldly, “It’s middle-grade or nothing. Do you want it or not?”

“Gimme!”

......

At the central peak of the realm of Qingming, Wei Yuan was facing toward the rising sun and holding the Crimson Night Slayer of Immortals in his hands, contemplating it. Moments later, two streams of crimson sword qi shot out of his eyes—it would appear that his Contemplation of the Sword had borne fruit today.

Just as he was putting away the immortal sword, Wei Yuan’s senses suddenly stirred. He detected a medium-sized flying ship approaching the realm. Even before they reached it, several cultivators had already disembarked the vessel and were flying toward the center at high speed.

After they gave the signal that marked them as members of the Cui Clan, cultivators from within the realm immediately took to the skies and guided the flying ship toward the designated landing area within the domain.

The flying ship descended slowly. Wei Yuan and Cui Yu were already waiting at the landing area.

This time, the flying ship was much bigger than the last one, measuring a full 50 zhang. Painted in shades of dark black[2], it was a vessel of the Cui Clan’s main force and could be converted into a warship if necessary.

A young man in cyan robes and a sword strapped to his back stepped forward first. He bowed to Wei Yuan and said, “I am Cui Luoyu of the Cui Clan. I have been ordered to bring three hundred and seventy clansmen to Qingming for cultivation.”

He then bowed to Cui Yu standing beside him and said, “I have been instructed by the clan elders to remain here to assist you, younger cousin[3]. At the same time, I am to supervise our youngsters to prevent them from causing trouble and tarnishing the Cui Clan’s reputation.”

Cui Yu asked, “Why are there so many this time? Besides, this isn’t really an important matter. Why did they make you come all the way here?”

Cui Luoyu was older than Cui Yu. At the age of twenty-seven, he had long since reached the late-stage of the Dao Foundation stage and was on the verge of perfection.

He ranked among the top five of the previous generation of Cui clansmen and was considered a prodigy. His cultivation was sufficient, and his status was pretty high—he was the legitimate son of the third household. Now was the time for him to shoulder the major responsibilities within the clan—why on earth would he come all the way to Qingming, and stay for an extended period no less?

In the eyes of a colossus like the Cui Clan, Qingming of the western regions really amounted to nothing more than a barbaric land. Any random county in their control possessed a much larger population than Qingming. That their act of sending Cui Luoyu here was practically tantamount to exile.

Cui Yu had originally come here to rescue Wei Yuan, but after he arrived, he never found an opportunity to extricate himself. Besides, he was unable to compete with his younger patrilineal cousin—who was now an immortal foundation—and had grown disillusioned with clan affairs over the months. Combined with the relentless battles following Qingming’s establishment, which had left him with no room to breathe whatsoever, and he had remained here until now.

Cui Luoyu turned to Wei Yuan and said, “May I have a private word with you?”

Once the three had walked a short distance away, Cui Luoyu began, “Aside from looking after and supervising my juniors, I was really tasked with another mission. It has nothing to do with the public request of my clan elders; rather, it is a private request from some of my clan seniors. They wish to ask you this, Realm Lord Wei: what are the chances someone successfully forges a Dao Foundation in Qingming, assuming no life-and-death trials and ample cultivation resources and treasure elixirs?”

Wei Yuan asked, “Can their foundation be compromised?”

“No.”

“Are there any specific requirements regarding the Dao Foundations?”

“No. As long as they can establish a Dao Foundation, that will be sufficient. But of course, if the rank of the Dao Foundation could be raised by a tier or two—as with Cui Changfeng—then all the better.”

Wei Yuan frowned and said, “That was pure luck. It isn’t something that can be replicated.”

“I understand. Therefore, as long as they can establish a Dao Foundation, it will be sufficient. But if there is a pleasant surprise, there will be a separate, substantial reward.”

The words “substantial reward” immediately mollified Wei Yuan.

Cui Luoyu fixed Wei Yuan with a piercing gaze and asked, “So, under these circumstances, what are the odds someone establishes a Dao Foundation?”

The odds depend on how substantial the reward is... Of course, Wei Yuan was only thinking to himself. He didn’t and couldn’t say it out loud.

He was pondering how to answer when suddenly, he sensed the aura of two very familiar cultivation methods from somewhere. Huh? Isn’t that the Qianqing Orthodox Canon Time Resisting Scripture and the Lunar Essence Myriad Faces Supreme Yin Chapter?

Wei Yuan looked toward the source of the aura and saw over a dozen Palace of Absolute Beginning disciples disembarking from the flying vessel. However, they were sticking to their own groups and standing far, far away from the Cui clansmen. Meanwhile, some of the Cui Clan’s spoiled scions were pointing, whispering, and clearly laughing at his sect fellows—the tension between the two groups was clearly palpable.

Wei Yuan was puzzled. Why had his sect fellows from the Skyblue Hall and the Water Moon Hall come here? Surely the two halls hadn’t produced failures that couldn’t even establish their own Dao Foundations?

“What’s happening over there?”

“There has been a minor misunderstanding.” Cui Luoyu said in an exasperated tone. For a time, he couldn’t even find the words to describe the situation. Finally, he began, “The disciples of the Skyblue Hall and the Water Moon Hall wanted to board our ship to come to Qingming for training. However, neither Truemen had brought enough money with them. They only paid for the tickets and not the meals.

“I personally thought it was no big deal to provide them with some food and treat them to a meal or two along the way, but it turned out that the disciples of your hall are particularly principled. They said they wouldn’t accept charity, and that they’d rather go hungry than eat something they hadn’t paid for. As a result, some of the spoiled brats from my clan spoke rather rudely, and an argument broke out.”

It took a few days even for a flying ship to get here, so Wei Yuan hurriedly said, “Let’s eat as we talk then!”

Cui Luoyu waved his hand. “Sure, but forget about my kin—they’ve just eaten.”

Wei Yuan was taken aback. It was still morning, and there was still some time before lunch. It wasn’t the right time for a late morning snack either. How could they have eaten already?

Cui Yu replied expressionlessly, “Ever since that argument, they’ve been eating eight meals a day.”

Wei Yuan was astonished, then impressed. These people really knew how to win an argument.

1. A reminder that a mountain gate is basically a sect headquarters, like the very one they’re in right now. ☜

2. Fucking 玄青 is dark black. I am !@#$%^.... ☜

3. Specifically a younger male patrilineal cousin. Can’t put all these words in the dialogue so a reference will have to do. ☜