Chapter 39: Controlling Yuan

The other neophyte gracing the three-city debate stage was in truth a veteran of the Inner Court, having barely completed his first year's sojourn. Among the third-year ranks, Jiang Wang found himself facing familiar visages in the form of Li Jianqiu and Wang Changxiang.

As for the fifth-year disciples, besides the esteemed Zhang Linchuan, the remaining participant was a senior brother unknown to Jiang Wang.

Given that the Taoist Xun served as a temporary gauge, its rankings did not fully encompass one's true might. In Dong A's discernment, at the very least, his own criteria held sway.

Naturally, this debate was still spearheaded by Zhang Linchuan, and his hopes for victory, the champion's crown, rested upon Wei Quji and Dong A. Were Zhu Weizai present, their reliance might have lessened, yet with his whereabouts unknown, Dong A's gaze remained fixed upon Zhang Linchuan.

Regarding this, Zhang Linchuan confessed to the immense pressure weighing upon him.

The commencement of the Three-City Debate was set for the tenth day of the tenth lunar month. Prior to this, including Zhang Linchuan and Jiang Wang, all were subject to a period of "special cultivation."

This was no mere method of extracting peak combat prowess through short-term, brutal exertion, for such was not the righteous path. Though victory might be secured in the present contest, the students' future would be forfeit. Instead, it was Dong A himself who personally offered guidance to each participant, a profound boon indeed, highlighting the significance Dong A placed upon this endeavor.

Dong A would deliver a discourse in person every ten days, a class inevitably overflowing with disciples. Many senior brothers usually away on missions would make haste to return to the Taoist Academy on that very day. Jiang Wang had never missed a single session.

However, Dong A's lectures were for the entire Taoist Academy; naturally, he could not specifically cater to Jiang Wang's progress. Thus, while he listened with utmost diligence, his gains remained limited.

Jiang Wang had also encountered Dong A numerous times, yet still dared not act with undue familiarity in his presence. Though he didn't tiptoe, he remained respectful. After all, this formidable elder was renowned for his forthrightness, unafraid to voice dissent even to the high officials of Xin'an City. Even Wei Quji found himself somewhat ill at ease before Dong A, let alone a junior disciple like Jiang Wang.

"You've been opening your meridians for some time now, why have you yet to lay your foundation?" Dong A inquired directly the moment he was seated.

Steeling himself, Jiang Wang replied, "Perhaps this disciple is…slow-witted."

There, Dong A had already reached out directly, "Never mind, I shall observe for myself."

Jiang Wang dared not resist, his sole hope resting on Dong A not discovering his secret. Of course, even if it were revealed, it wouldn't be a matter of great consequence. A teacher-student bond existed between the Taoist Academy disciples and the dean. In the future officialdom of Zhuang State, they would be considered a unified entity, their fates intertwined for mutual glory. As long as no fundamental issues arose, Dong A would not take action against him.

Furthermore, the Heavenly Gate served as both a barrier and a veil. Before its opening, the true state hidden deep within the Tongtian Palace was not easily discernible. Unless Dong A personally intervened and forcibly pried open Jiang Wang's Heavenly Gate from without, a measure that would ruin Jiang Wang entirely – a deed Dong A would not undertake.

Dong A's hand had barely touched Jiang Wang's spine when his brow furrowed. "You are already progressing slowly in laying your foundation, why are you also practicing body-refining techniques?"

Like the eminent schools of Daoism and Confucianism, their breadth was vast, and they did not forbid disciples from learning techniques from other schools. What concerned Dong A was whether Jiang Wang would be distracted, thus neglecting the cultivation of his true foundation.

Jiang Wang responded, "This disciple has diligently strived to open his meridians, never indulging in sloth. However, due to limitations of qi and blood, I can only perform meridian-opening cultivation twice daily. Therefore, I also practice body-refining techniques to strengthen my qi and blood, so as to perform more meridian-opening cultivation and gather more Dao Yuan, thus laying the foundation as swiftly as possible."

"Twice a day suffices. More Dao Yuan is not necessarily better; control is the proper path." After all, these were minor matters. Dong A merely offered guidance out of a sense of responsibility, and then employed a secret art to examine the state within Jiang Wang's Tongtian Palace.

"The foundation formation diagram you employ is not the Guiyuan Formation?" Dong A suddenly questioned.

He was discovered! Jiang Wang felt a peculiar sense of relief. Before a formidable elder like Dong A, with his vast experience, it was truly difficult to conceal anything.

"Yes." Jiang Wang admitted truthfully. "The foundation formation diagram this disciple employs is far more complex than the Guiyuan Formation, which is also the reason for this disciple's slow progress in laying the foundation."

"Nonsense!" Dong A rebuked. "There are many foundation formation diagrams in this world superior to the Guiyuan Formation. Do you know why our Yujing Mountain lineage generally still employs it for laying the foundation? Because it is stable, secure, and efficient, and can be safely utilized in any size of Tongtian Palace – it is the most widely applicable foundation formation diagram! Such a crucial matter as laying the foundation, how could you not seek guidance from your teachers and simply proceed based on your own assumptions?"

Jiang Wang's face flushed with heat, his heart filled with shame. Was it not because he had become a startled bird after Fang Pengju's betrayal? Though he didn't suffer from constant delusions of persecution, he also dared not reveal his fortuitous encounters.

Ultimately, he had yet to fully establish the disciple's trust in his teacher with Dong A.

That day, upon witnessing his injuries, Dong A had immediately sealed off the Taoist Academy, an act that had indeed moved him. But, in the past, during his time with Fang Pengju, had he experienced any less sentiment?

He was about to inform Dong A of the foundation formation diagram he was using, when Dong A had already waved his hand. "Forget it, the moment has passed, there is no use in dwelling on it."

He mused for a moment, then untied a green jade pendant from his waist and presented it to Jiang Wang. "This jade pendant records a secret art that can aid you in enhancing your control over Dao Yuan and allow you to complete the foundation sooner. Wearing it for a prolonged period also possesses the effect of calming the mind and purifying one's nature. You may take it."

"This disciple is humbled and afraid." Jiang Wang repeatedly refused, seeing that it was such a personal item. "How can this disciple accept something so cherished by Dong Shi?"

Dong A caressed the jade pendant, and a hint of nostalgia flickered across his usually cold and stern countenance. "Gifted by an old friend, who has long since turned to dust."

He swiftly returned to his usual demeanor and, without allowing any dissent, placed the jade pendant in Jiang Wang's hand. "This object is of no use to me. You may take it. The future of Zhuang State rests upon your generation."

Holding the jade pendant in his hand, and delving his mind slightly, a secret art flowed through his heart, named - Control Yuan Jue.

Jiang Wang clasped the jade pendant tightly and bowed deeply on the ground. "This disciple thanks the teacher!"

Dong A was not one for outwardly displaying the emotions between teacher and student. With practiced ease, he pulled Jiang Wang up, offered some points for attention during cultivation, and then waved his hand, bidding him depart.

...

Today, as he was to cultivate with Dong A, Jiang Wang had still requested Ling He to fetch Jiang An'an. Thus, he did not need to make a special trip to the private school at this time, but proceeded directly to the dormitory.

The newly acquired secret art held immense significance for Jiang Wang. He had now achieved mastery in body refining, his qi and blood abundant. He could perform four meridian-opening cultivations each day, swallowing four Dao Yuan. The only impediment was that the Zhou Tian Xing Dou formation diagram grew increasingly intricate as he progressed. With his current ability to control Dao Yuan, he nearly exhausted his mental faculties each time he arranged the array points. In fact, this was the very issue that later hindered his rapid foundation laying.

And the Control Yuan Jue could assist Jiang Wang in controlling Dao Yuan with the least possible mental effort, allowing him to be more relaxed and at ease when arranging the array points, thus avoiding wasted effort.

Dong A had perceived the problem at a glance and provided a solution. The teacher's words were worth a decade of arduous toil.

Carefully tying the Control Yuan jade pendant to his waist, Jiang Wang resolved never to remove it for the rest of his life.

Dong A regarded him as his future prized disciple and was willing to bestow upon him personal belongings. At this moment, why should he not also regard Dong A as a pillar of support?

"You have received an invitation."

When he went to Ling He's place to fetch Jiang An'an, Ling He suddenly spoke.

Jiang Wang held Jiang An'an in one hand and took the invitation with the other. Only then did he comprehend the gravity reflected in Ling He's countenance.

The host of the invitation was Fang Zehou.

The most formidable contender for the next head of the Fang family, Fang Pengju's uncle, Fang Herling's father.

And the venue for the banquet was the Wangyue Tower.

Just a few months prior, the very place where Fang Pengju had laid a snare to poison him.

...

(Thanks to book friend Wulie 123 for the Master Award, thanks to book friends Jinzhe Forty-nine, book friends Shura Tang San, book friends 20180727093006600, book friends Ren Sheng Bai Quan A Zhan, book friends Huang A Zhan, book friends Yan Er Gou for their rewards!!!)