I Have A Qi Fortune Altar.
Chapter 284 - 284 263 The Realm Above the Core Realm

Chapter 284: Chapter 263: The Realm Above the Core Realm! Chapter 284: Chapter 263: The Realm Above the Core Realm! “Could it be because of an impending breakthrough?”

Fa Hai’s brows were tightly furrowed as he pondered the source of his unease. At this critical juncture, he dared not be the slightest bit lax.

Despite much contemplation, he couldn’t pin down the precise reason for his discomfort.

All he could conclude was that he might be overthinking it.

He chuckled to himself, feeling that perhaps he had not yet achieved a tranquil mind. Even after all these years of Buddhist practice, he had not reached the state of being unruffled by honor or disgrace. Facing the barrier of the Core Realm, he still harbored some anxiety.

However, he couldn’t entirely blame himself, as the outcome of his breakthrough was of great consequence. Should he fail and sustain damage to his origin, his fate would undoubtedly be like Wei Xin of Shenxiao Hall—severely weakened.

It could potentially bring trouble to Gold Mountain Monastery.

In recent years, Gold Mountain Monastery’s status in Nanling Prefecture had indeed been extraordinary, with no Jianghu power daring to challenge its authority. However, all this was predicated on his strength at the Reach Profound Peak.

Should his deterrence falter, it would inevitably tempt some people to take action.

Not to mention anything else, Chen Yuan, who had just obliterated the Azure Flood Dragon Association and Dragon Tiger Sect, would certainly not miss this advantageous opportunity. From their previous encounter, Fa Hai could clearly sense Chen Yuan’s murderous intent towards Gold Mountain Monastery.

Previously, Fa Hai had not taken him seriously as a mere Gang Condensing Martial Artist, but now things were different. Chen Yuan had made a breakthrough to Reach Profound. Even Tao Qingyuan had to be cautious of his presence.

Such a man must not be taken lightly.

Of course, his worries would be moot once he formed his Heavenly Core. By then, Chen Yuan might actually have to worry about Gold Mountain Monastery taking action against him.

Gold Mountain Monastery would then truly distance itself from ordinary forces and emerge as one of the premier powers within the Qingzhou Domain.

“Amitabha.”

While Fa Hai was considering Chen Yuan and the breakthrough, a faint voice suddenly came from outside the meditation room. He knew who it was and responded directly:

“Brother Fa Nan, please come in.”

The door of the meditation room opened as if pushed by an invisible current, and the elder monk Fa Nan walked in slowly, giving Fa Hai a respectful bow.

Although Fa Nan was his senior, he had never shown any disrespect in front of Fa Hai, his junior, because of his status as the abbot and his Reach Profound Peak strength.

He was also more proficient in Buddhist teachings.

Fa Hai was the most gifted disciple taken in by the previous abbot of Gold Mountain Monastery in decades. Although he was the last to enter the monastery, he received training far beyond that of an ordinary disciple.

With palms joined, Fa Nan said, “Abbot.”

“What is it?”

“The formation has been set up.”

“Good.”

Fa Hai nodded his head.

“When does the abbot plan to make the breakthrough?” Fa Nan was even more concerned about his breakthrough than Fa Hai himself, his eyes full of joy. He knew that as long as Fa Hai succeeded in the breakthrough,

neither Chen Yuan, Tao Qingyuan, nor Shi Yunlong would pose a threat to Gold Mountain Monastery. In fact, in the future, they might even have to act according to Gold Mountain Monastery’s whims.

He eagerly awaited that day.

For some reason, he couldn’t stand Chen Yuan’s arrogant demeanor, always trying to use his power to oppress others, wishing to see him bow and act small in front of Gold Mountain Monastery.

Chen Yuan’s rebuke from the last time had become an obsession that had plagued him for quite a while.

After a moment of silence, Fa Hai said in a low voice:

“Let it be tomorrow.”

He was currently at his peak, yet a sense of unease remained in his heart. Upon discovering this, he realized he could no longer delay. Otherwise, this hidden worry could very well become reality.

He must possess a resolute and fearless spirit – only then could he form the Heavenly Core.

Jianghu is divided into factions: Dao, Buddhist, Demon, Sword, Evil, Gu… but in the end, they all converge to Martial Arts. The Sky-reaching Sixth Realm, delineated by the Martial Emperor of Ancient Times, was synthesized from the many paths under heaven.

Otherwise, there would not be talk of Martial Monks within Buddhism.

“Good.”

The joy on Fa Nan’s face flashed by and was gone.

…

…

After leaving Chen Residence, Zhang Xuan went straight to the Heavenly Patrol Bureau. As for Chen Yuan, he immediately sent word to Shi Yunlong and Wei Xin.

With Zhang Xuan visiting, Chen Yuan naturally couldn’t wait to eliminate Gold Mountain Monastery, his sworn enemy. Ever since he arrived in this world, no one who had crossed him had lived.

Gold Mountain Monastery’s time was prolonged somewhat, but it was still destined for doom.

When Tao Qingyuan saw Zhang Xuan, he was indeed shocked, it was more a state of pleasant surprise, because the arrival of Zhang Xuan greatly increased their chances of victory.

Additionally, Zhang Xuan brought with him news that was extremely beneficial for Tao Qingyuan.

Zhang Xuan’s father, who was one of the Divine Envoys of the Heavenly Patrol Bureau, designated by the characters Heavenly, Earth, Profound, and Yellow, that Mr. Zhang had decided, due to Zhang Xuan’s influence, to transfer him from his position as the Green Envoy of Nanling.

And assign him a post in the Capital!

Although it wasn’t a very high-ranking official position, it was definitely a step up from being a prefectural Green Envoy, and it was a position of real power in the Capital.

What was most important was that he was now considered part of the Zhang family faction, and even his injuries had a prospect of being treated.

How could he not be delighted with such news coming true?

Therefore, he treated Zhang Xuan with great courtesy, knowing that he would need the support of Zhang Xuan’s father in the future. For now, he had just caught the attention of that Divine Envoy, and he needed to behave well.

Although he had once loosely dreamed of such an opportunity, he hadn’t really held out much hope, and he hadn’t expected Zhang Xuan to report his issues so dutifully.

It gave Tao Qingyuan, who was like a duckweed without roots, a place to anchor.

Now, he just needed to wait for the official transfer order to come, and then he could hand over responsibilities to Zhang Xuan and start his journey to the long yearned-for Capital. In a moment, the previously cautious and composed Tao Qingyuan could no longer hide his elation.

In response to Tao Qingyuan’s hospitality, Zhang Xuan showed excellent judgment; he didn’t disregard him because of his father’s status but maintained the same attitude as before.

Growing up, these second-generation officials were trained by the elders of their families on how to win over people, especially so when confronting a once powerful prefectural Green Envoy like Tao Qingyuan, underestimating him was out of the question.

The two had a very pleasant conversation, and after some simple pleasantries, Zhang Xuan focused most of his curiosity on Chen Yuan, even though he had previously given a brief account of his own experiences.

But he still wanted to hear what Tao Qingyuan thought of him.

Compared to Tao Qingyuan, both he and the faction behind him valued a talent like Chen Yuan more.

Because Tao Qingyuan had limitations – at most in his life, he may reach the Peak of Reach Profound, and at most, he could hold some real power. But a genius like Chen Yuan, who had demonstrated his talent, was different.

At the very least, his future achievements would be that of a Reach Profound Peak martial artist, and there was a very high chance he could form a Heavenly Core and become a Grandmaster Level character, or even touch upon realms beyond the Core Realm if fortunate.

The Zhang faction naturally wouldn’t care for an ordinary Reach Profound martial artist, but the Core Realm was different; reaching this realm meant they needed to curry favor with such individuals, and it goes without saying for realms beyond the Core Realm.

Even if there was only a slight potential for such advancement, it was worth it for them to cultivate and bet on.

Take Jiang He, the Golden Envoy of Qingzhou, for example, factions within the Heavenly Patrol Bureau were vying for his allegiance, but unfortunately, Jiang He rejected them all without exception.

Zhang Xuan’s father assessed Jiang He as a man of ambition, potential, and strength – not content with being a member of a faction, but wishing to establish his own after a breakthrough.

Faced with Zhang Xuan’s probing, Tao Qingyuan, after weighing his words, gave an honest assessment, saying that he was a person of clear discernment, who knew gratitude and grudges. The only characteristic that wasn’t necessarily good or bad was his ruthless temperament.

He would avenge any grievance; anyone who provoked him was imprinted in his memory, and when the time came, he would not hesitate to strike, much like how he wanted to eradicate the entire Gold Mountain Monastery as retribution for the slight pressures they had given Chen Yuan six months ago.

Zhang Xuan nodded, making his assessments.

As long as Chen Yuan wasn’t the type to be ungrateful, a ruthless disposition was necessary whether in Jianghu or the government; the only thing to be wary of was not to become a blade in someone else’s hand and turn into a cruel official.

Such a person typically starts with considerable power, but when a certain time comes, they can be easily discarded by others.

Fortunately, Chen Yuan was not such a person. From Tao Qingyuan, Zhang Xuan learned that Chen Yuan had also stood up for others and slain wastrels like Bei Le.

That was someone Zhang Xuan had long wanted to kill, but had not found the opportunity to do so.

Furthermore, Chen Yuan, for the sake of the common people, had killed so-called Dragon Gods from Yunjiang who were deceiving the public with performances of divinity, which could be considered as advocating for the people, thus could also be accounted for as a good official.

Inside the Heavenly Patrol Hall, Zhang Xuan and Tao Qingyuan talked at length, not just about Chen Yuan, but also about the current situation in Nanling Prefecture. It has to be said that Zhang Xuan’s timing to take over this position was excellent.

The Jianghu forces were no longer a great threat; the Dragon Tiger Sect and Azure Flood Dragon Association were successively annihilated, and once the Gold Mountain Monastery was completely eradicated, the might of the Heavenly Patrol Bureau of Nanling Prefecture would return to its state at the founding of the nation.

It would also be at its most powerful.

However, Zhang Xuan didn’t feel much pleasure in reaping where he hadn’t sown; if possible, he still wished to be the one to eliminate these defiant forces himself.

Not only to establish his own authority, but also to improve his resume.

If Chen Yuan resolved all the troublemakers, it would leave him with few opportunities to achieve merit.

He did not express this pretentious thought, but simply thanked Chen Yuan and Tao Qingyuan for solving many troubles on his behalf.

The two enjoyed their conversation, holding nothing back, with Tao Qingyuan telling Zhang Xuan about the situation in Nanling Prefecture, and Zhang Xuan, in turn, telling him about the situation in the Capital and about the position Tao Qingyuan would soon hold…

It was during such times that the situation in Nanling Prefecture became more and more turbulent, on the verge of stormy weather.

The Changle Gang, Shenxiao Hall, Military Equipment Army, and Heavenly Patrol Guard were all sharpening their knives, waiting to give the Gold Mountain Monastery a big surprise the next day.

And incidentally swallow up all the benefits left by the Gold Mountain Monastery.

Those who were part of it were bound to have their mouth dripping with grease….

All these actions were highly secretive, and since the Gold Mountain Monastery had no pawns among the major forces of Nanling Prefecture, they were utterly oblivious to the most dangerous moment that was about to descend upon them.

Perhaps they were still happily awaiting the success of the Gold Mountain Monastery’s host, Fa Hai, in his Core Formation, hoping to use that to intimidate Nanling Prefecture.