https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-203-Chongguang-Seeks-the-Golden-Core-Battle-Looms-/13506281/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-205-Treading-Carefully-Under-the-Holy-Sect-s-Shadow/13506283/
Chapter 204: A Hell for Cultivators, A Paradise for Mortals
Chapter 204: A Hell for Cultivators, A Paradise for Mortals
Almost as soon as Chongguang’s reincarnation was confirmed, True Monarch Qingcheng Feixue emerged from seclusion to take command. She summoned True Man Yinshan and Lv Yang to Holy Flame Cliff.
“This southern campaign will be led by Yuan Tu (Slaughter).”
Seated at the head position, Qingcheng Feixue spoke calmly. “I will personally oversee operations to ensure the Golden Core Sovereign doesn’t interfere in this southern offensive.”
“As for the Foundation Building Perfection experts, most will stay out of it. Everyone has their own interests. With Chongguang taking the lead, they’ll gladly step aside and won’t obstruct us seriously. As for the Late-Stage Foundation Building experts, they’re focused on their own cultivation and won’t get involved either.”
“Besides, Chongguang has already made arrangements.”
“Even if some Foundation Building experts do intervene, you needn’t worry. There are people ready to handle them. Your opponents will only be Mid-Stage and Early-Stage Foundation Building cultivators.”
Hearing this, Lv Yang relaxed visibly. “This disciple accepts your command.”
Chongguang’s plans were reassuring—no need to fight beyond his rank. Facing only Mid-Stage and Early-Stage opponents, he felt confident now!
“Good.”
Qingcheng Feixue nodded. Her delicate brows suddenly sharpened, exuding killing intent. “I want you to invade the Qing Kingdom, destroy its sects, and seize its spiritual veins!”
“The Qing Kingdom is a foothold the Dao Court implanted in our Jiangbei territory. Its jurisdiction includes the Zhao Xia Clan, Yuan Chen Clan, Five Elements Sect, Cloudreach Sect, and Supreme Sword Sect—the five major Foundation Building powers. The Supreme Sword Sect leads them, with its patriarch supported by the Sword Pavilion. He’s already reached the peak of Mid-Stage Foundation Building.”
Qingcheng Feixue summarized briefly.
For a True Monarch, the details of such minor Foundation Building forces were as clear as lines on a palm. Her report contained no errors.
Finally, she declared coldly:
“This concerns Chongguang’s quest for Golden Core cultivation. Once we move south, show no restraint—kill, plunder, destroy! That Qing Kingdom spectacle has long irritated me!”
Lv Yang bowed immediately without hesitation.
“This disciple obeys the True Monarch’s decree!”
Moments later, Lv Yang and True Man Yinshan departed the Sky-Connecting Sea of Clouds on beams of light. Naturally, Chongguang wouldn’t entrust the entire southern campaign to just the two of them.
In reality, they were merely the commanders.
This time, Qingcheng Feixue’s direct order carried far more weight than the previous annihilation of the Divine Martial Gate. Her decree mobilized the entire Jiangbei region.
Chongguang had clearly been planning this for some time—the Qing Kingdom was already encircled from all directions by Jiangbei’s various sects, large and small. The two sides had been locked in tense standoff for months, like a powder keg awaiting a single spark.
On the journey, Lv Yang discussed matters with Yinshan.
“Although the True Monarch has placed me in command, I’m still young and lack experience. You, Elder Brother Yinshan, are far more seasoned and prudent than I.”
“Please guide me and help fill in my blind spots.”
“Yuan Tu speaks too humbly,” Yinshan replied, waving a hand. Though his expression was modest, his satisfaction was evident. Lv Yang’s respectful attitude had clearly boosted his ego.
Since they were allies, Yinshan didn’t hold back. He reciprocated honestly: “Don’t underestimate the Qing Kingdom. Chongguang and I studied its heavenly mechanisms carefully. This stronghold is fortified like an iron drum under Dao Court control.”
“Actually, this is just how the Dao Court operates.”
“They might struggle to expand outward, but when defending their territory, the Qing Kingdom is as unshakable as an eternal empire. Their systems are extremely resistant to change.”
“The Dao Court’s system—the Heavenly Hunt Dao?”
Lv Yang frowned slightly. He’d never visited other factions’ territories before, not even exploring Jiangbei thoroughly.
This would be a good opportunity.
Thinking thus, he turned to Yinshan curiously. “Please, Elder Brother, explain—what makes the Qing Kingdom, or the Dao Court, so different?”
Yinshan fell silent briefly before replying:
“In one phrase: a hell for cultivators, a paradise for mortals.”
“Theory alone won’t make you understand. I can describe it, but you won’t grasp its depth until you see it with your own eyes.”
Jiangbei’s Qing Kingdom spanned five provinces, governing over a million people. Beyond it lay the Great Dragon River, dividing the four regions’ powers.
Though Lv Yang and Yinshan arrived stealthily on beams of light, they didn’t rush to meet Jiangbei’s gathered sects. Instead, they first visited a sparsely populated city now controlled by Jiangbei’s demonic faction—the Xiangqu Sect.
“This city was once under Qing Kingdom rule,” Yinshan explained. “Though now driven out, their influence lingers. The city hasn’t fully recovered.”
“Hmph.”
Lv Yang’s face showed surprise. Suddenly extending a hand, he pulled a book from a nearby household’s hidden stash. The cover boldly displayed two characters: Dao Canon.
“The Dao Court governs through the Dao Canon examination system,” he explained. “Commoners become cultivators only by passing exams. Without titles, they’re mere charlatans.”
“The first step in cultivation is studying the Dao Canon and passing the Trainee Examen. Next come Scholar-Apprentice, Candidate Laureate, and Imperial Laureate. These are all probationary ranks—glorified titles without true cultivation power.”
“Only upon reaching Imperial Laureate can one network, find a master, and eventually receive a Dao Court appointment. Then, cultivation becomes official. Even then, titled mortals under Dao Court rule aren’t easy prey.”
“Because under Dao Court law, all magical power is banned!”
“Cultivators below Foundation Building rank without titles or official status cannot display any supernatural abilities—even at Refining Qi Perfection. In the Dao Court’s domain, all spiritual energy belongs to the state.”
“A single strand of spiritual energy belongs to the Dao Court. Untitled cultivators drawing from heaven and earth are stealing state property, punishable by exterminating nine generations.”
“In such conditions, titled mortals need only shout to paralyze illegal cultivators.”
The Dao Canon even records an incident: a Ninth-Rank Magistrate in Qing Kingdom was targeted by an outlaw cultivator who forged an unparalleled flying sword to assassinate him. But the magistrate’s single shout dispelled the assassin’s sword and magic arts, leaving him helpless until soldiers beat him to death.
“What a formidable Dao Court!”
By now, Lv Yang understood Yinshan’s earlier words. Such a regime truly deserved the label: a hell for cultivators.
As for calling it a paradise for mortals…
“I’m not so sure,” Lv Yang murmured darkly.
Certainly, the Dao Court’s subjects lived peacefully and prosperously. But their social classes were rigid, offering almost no upward mobility.
Fundamentally, it was still ruling commoners like livestock.
“The Dao Court just hides its brutality behind nicer appearances.”
Does fattening livestock make them less of an animal? They were merely being raised for slaughter—ultimately, the only difference was that the Dao Court’s subjects wouldn’t even think to resist when the time came.
Even in Jiangbei’s Holy Sect territories, where true monarchs once emerged, any attempt to rule like this would face rebellion.
But in Jiangdong…
A single decree from the Dao Court Emperor could kill countless people without resistance. Under Dao Court law, the powerful had absolute authority over life and death.
(End of Chapter)
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