novelapdf Chapter 384 Selection
Chapter 384 Selection
a few days later.
Wusheng Temple.
The mandala rituals were performed, various kinds of Buddha light were displayed, and butter lamps burned continuously, filling the air with fragrance.
A beam of water fell, revealing Fang Daoyun's figure, with Fang Daoling beside him.
"If you... you can still back out now."
Fang Daoling secretly tried to communicate with his spiritual sense, but only received silence in return, which made him furious.
Thinking back to the unintentional remarks made by the cultivators from the eldest branch of the family these past few days, it seemed that his refusal to allow Fang Daoyun to participate in the election was out of fear that the eldest branch would produce a Tara and then suppress the second branch. He almost wanted to vomit blood...
But when the time came, he couldn't help but accompany his cousin to this place that evoked such complex feelings in him.
He successfully entered seclusion here, laying the foundation for his Dao, but also suffered several years of inexplicable imprisonment...
This time, however, they came with a specific purpose.
"This time, it wasn't explicitly stated that only Tara would be chosen. If I become Tara's disciple, I can also protect my family in the upcoming great battle..."
"It's a pity that I've heard that cultivators who cultivate Earth element have an advantage, while my cousin and I are both Water element cultivators..."
As soon as Fang Daoling and Fang Daoyun entered Wusheng Temple, several masters came over, and their attitude was quite friendly.
"Please wait in the 'Black Soil Courtyard', you two devout believers..."
The two masters put their hands together in prayer, but Fang Daoling repeatedly said he dared not accept them. He then tried to give them several more spiritual items to purify their qi, but the two masters refused to accept them.
"This is truly... the sun rising in the west."
Fang Daoling smiled bitterly to himself, knowing that one of them would inevitably become a Tara (or a male or female deity), and that the esoteric Buddhist system had a clear hierarchy, which was the reason why these masters had collectively changed their ways...
After witnessing this scene, if he had previously hoped that he and his cousin would both fail to be selected, he now had some different thoughts.
"If I were a monk..."
……
Black Soil Courtyard.
When Fang Daoling and his companion entered, they found that there were already quite a few Foundation Establishment cultivators here, most of whom were acquaintances, so they quickly greeted them one by one.
Although the names Duzi and Dumu may not sound very prestigious, they are still powerful figures in the Purple Mansion realm!
The various established Daoist families in Xituo County were eager to participate, and basically all the suitable candidates were sent.
The first requirement for suitability is cultivation level; one must be at least at the foundation level to be considered to possess some profound knowledge and be able to receive the Dharma King's empowerment.
The second requirement is that they must be handsome men and beautiful women...
Those who are ugly or deformed don't need to join in the fun...
Fang Daoling exchanged pleasantries with several Foundation Establishment cultivators, then noticed a slender, icy woman in black standing in the corner, and couldn't help but curse his bad luck.
This woman was none other than Zeng Jiadaoji!
"I don't know what's going on with the Zeng family. They were almost wiped out before, but in the last few years a female cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage has emerged, and they seem to be on the rise again. Could it be that the [Beak Fire] holds such a mystery? Allowing for incredibly rapid cultivation?"
Fang Daoling cursed inwardly.
The Zeng family was almost wiped out, but unfortunately, just when the other families were about to deliver the final blow, he was captured and imprisoned in Wusheng Temple.
Then there is no more...
Each family feared Wusheng Temple and worried that the Zeng family still had connections there, so they gave the Zeng family a breather, and as a result, they really did rise from the ashes.
This made Fang Daoling wonder if the [Beak Fire] might also symbolize some kind of resurgence...
All those present were Dao Foundation cultivators, so there was no vegetarian meal served.
After waiting for half a day, a streak of light descended, revealing a woman in white.
Her features were exquisite, and she possessed a gentle and refined aura, as warm as water. In terms of looks and temperament, she was definitely among the top female cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage that Fang Daoling had ever seen.
"It's Bai Feiling from the Bai family!"
Beside him, Fang Daoyun whispered, clearly recognizing the female cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage.
"The Bai family..."
As a Daoji family that migrated there later, the Bai family originated from the Hehuan region and had some camaraderie with the Fang family. However, the Bai family members were always arrogant and did not like to associate with the Daoji families, so their relationship gradually faded away.
Otherwise, given the Bai family's renowned reputation for cultivating the [Ji Shui] technique, the Fang family would have already aligned themselves with them.
Bai Feiling looked straight ahead and walked directly to a corner, exuding a somewhat aloof and detached air.
"After all, they were once the Purple Mansion family; even in their decline, they are still not to be underestimated..."
"If my family wants to obtain the Water Virtue Purple Mansion Technique, the first choice is the Canghai Sect, and the second is this Bai family..."
Fang Daoling thought to himself that he was thinking three steps ahead for every step he took. Sending his eldest son into the Canghai Sect was not only to avoid internal strife within the family, but also to plan for the Purple Mansion cultivation technique for the family!
Unfortunately, this matter is too far in the future. He is only at the mid-stage of the Foundation Establishment realm, so he can only proceed slowly and wait for luck...
After Bai Feiling, two more female cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage entered. Surprisingly, they came from Shu and claimed to be independent cultivators who wished to join the White Bone Path, which made Fang Daoling turn his head in surprise.
Although he already knew that the Purple Mansion was noble, today's scene still shocked him quite a bit.
Thinking about it carefully, back then, when the Moonlight White Tara descended upon Qingli Mountain, the entire Fang family was able to surrender without resistance. What else could he possibly say?
"Praise be to the indestructible Vajra body, which powerfully breaks through the barriers of the three realms, and whose boundless light and great Dharma power..."
Just then, several lamas at the gate suddenly bowed down devoutly.
Fang Daoling and Fang Daoyun were startled and knelt down as well, and the Dao Foundation cultivators in the courtyard all bowed down.
"Is that Vajra Power Master? Rumor has it he's the strongest warrior under the White Bone Dharma King...he once slew a Purple Mansion True Person!"
Fang Daoyun was ultimately no match for Fang Daoling, and his mind was still filled with wild thoughts.
"Lift your head up!"
A calm voice rang out.
All the Foundation Establishment cultivators instantly looked up, some even cracking their neck bones with a snapping sound due to the sudden movement, as if an invisible force had forcibly lifted their chins.
Fang Daoling could barely breathe. Before his eyes, he saw a radiant light of "Female Earth" transform into countless wondrous forms, bringing with it a terrifying power as if Mount Tai were pressing down on him.
Bats were flapping their wings and hanging from the eaves all around, their scarlet eyes staring at the cultivators.
"This... is this the Vajra Power Stone?"
Fang Daoyun saw a young man with short hair, wearing a red and yellow monk's robe, standing with a smile, looking at them, but he did not see the legendary Purple Mansion magic weapon - the "Bronze Halberd"!
It should be noted that even though there are currently three Foundation Establishment cultivators in the clan, none of them have a Foundation Establishment spiritual artifact.
The fact that the "Purple Mansion Treasure" is extremely precious even to a Purple Mansion True Person, yet it is in the possession of a mere disciple, is enough to prove its status in the Wusheng Temple.
"Alright, today our temple is selecting those with the affinity for Buddhism for the Dharma King. Among you, are there any who harbor disloyal thoughts?"
Fang Qing smiled faintly and spoke directly.
Questioning people's hearts, especially those of those who cultivate lower levels of morality, is not something that only the [Ji Shui] talent can achieve. Many supernatural abilities can do the same thing, even spells, as long as one's rank is high enough!
"have!"
Before he finished speaking, two Foundation Establishment cultivators stood up.
Fang Daoling stared in disbelief: "This...this must be a rogue cultivator from the countryside, right? I've never seen a Purple Mansion before in my life!"
"Very well, go to the dungeon."
Fang Qing nodded in satisfaction, and the two Foundation Establishment cultivators immediately lowered their heads and left the Black Soil Courtyard, heading towards the dungeon...
As for the future? They will naturally become excellent materials for refining Dao Foundation Spiritual Artifacts, and will inevitably be played with by various masters…
"Alright, everyone, please follow me to pay our respects to the Dharma King. Perhaps we will become colleagues in the future..."
Fang Qing's gaze swept over Fang Daoling and Fang Daoyun, and he thought to himself:
"It's been a century since the Fang family established themselves in Xituo County, hasn't it? Only now have they barely managed to climb the threshold of a Dao-foundation family, qualifying as a pawn of the Purple Mansion..."
"This world of Taoist cultivation is truly not for lower-level cultivators to survive in..."
As for whether to select Tara or Tarana?
In truth, the selection process should prioritize those with profound cultivation or those who have cultivated the virtue of earth...
"But their foundations are mismatched. They're both guiding children and mothers... Fang Daoling is at least at the mid-stage of the Dao Foundation realm, yet he was taken into the Wusheng Temple. The Qingli Fang family lost a pillar of support, making them inferior to this Fang Daoyun..."
That's right, Fang Qing is planning to pull some dirty tricks.
With a great era of conflict about to begin, he was even more concerned about his own safety.
If the Fang family had a Tara (a powerful deity) overseeing them, they could barely be considered half a Purple Mansion (a powerful clan in the Chinese cosmology system).
Perhaps... the bonus to "Hidden Forest" is not much worse than that of a Purple Mansion True Person?
"Furthermore... there seem to be some secrets within the Fang family bloodline that can be uncovered."
He then thought of the "Jun Tian Pot" he had obtained when he last visited the Blessed Land of the East Sea.
Although it is only a Dao Foundation Spiritual Artifact, it seems to have some profound mysteries.
"Based on the revelation I received from my witchcraft rituals to appease spirits... if I wish to seek the fourth supernatural power of the [Ji Water], perhaps I should head towards the source of the Fang family bloodline?"
The metal and earth elements swallow the [shaman], thus granting him the ability of witchcraft.
For witchcraft, worshipping spirits and gods to obtain revelation is also a forte.
However, Fang Qing himself is also incredibly skilled in divination, so he rarely uses this method.
I tried it out of curiosity, and I didn't expect to gain some insights.
Compared to divination, witchcraft involves inquiring about spirits and deities, which is much simpler... or rather, it requires far fewer prior clues.
Fang Qing used the "Plum Blossom Divination" because the more clues there were and the deeper the causal connections, the clearer the calculations could be.
Asking spirits and deities can eliminate all these prerequisites; as long as the offerings are sufficient, any question will be answered!
The answer may be a little vague, but at least we have a direction!
With a direction in mind, Fang Qing's divination skills can come in handy again!
These two complement each other, and their combination brings mutual benefit.
Fang Qing led the many Dao Foundations to a large courtyard of Wusheng Temple, where a white bone lotus flower bloomed, displaying various wondrous forms and precious light... In the center, a thin, bony young monk sat cross-legged, wearing a tiger-skin robe and holding a white bone relic.
"Greetings, White Bone Dharma King..."
The group of Daoist priests immediately knelt down again.
Sangji took out a blue lotus seed and handed it to Moonlight White: "If you wish to seek a celestial connection, you should know that this celestial connection is already within you... Whoever can resonate with this lotus seed will be a disciple of this Dharma King."
The White Tara of Moonlight, holding lotus seeds, walked past one Dao Foundation cultivator after another.
Fang Daoling saw that the Zeng family woman's face was full of longing, but Lianzi did not change at all. After the Moonlight White Tara passed by, the woman collapsed to the ground as if her bones had been removed.
He also saw the disappointed expressions on the faces of the Dao Foundation cultivators, including Bai Feiling from the Bai family.
Before long, the White Tara of Moonlight, holding a lotus seed, came before him.
The lotus seed was ordinary and unremarkable, showing no signs of any extraordinary properties.
Fang Daoling didn't know whether he felt disappointed or happy, and he kowtowed deeply.
But at that moment, the Moonlight White Tara had already arrived in front of Fang Daoyun.
Fang Daoyun stared blankly at the lotus seed, which had somehow taken root and sprouted, transforming into a blue lotus flower!
"this……"
Fang Daoling, standing to the side, froze, a bitter feeling welling up inside him...
"Your karmic connection is sealed. You are the fifth Taras under the command of this deity, and I bestow upon you the name—Medicine King Qing!"
Sanji's chanting came: "You must all pay homage!"
In an instant, the group of Foundation Establishment cultivators turned around, their hearts filled with a mixture of jealousy and bitterness, and they all kowtowed: "Praise be to the wondrous form of the Jade Maiden, who miraculously heals all ailments, and whose boundless compassion bestows sweet rain upon Tara..."