Chapter Seven, Golden Elixir
During the Golden Core stage, one can begin to fly with a sword and also start to generate True Fire of Samadhi. With True Fire of Samadhi, many things can be accomplished, such as refining flying swords and various weapons for cultivators, including spiritual battle armor. Additionally, it can be used to concoct various spiritual pills. Upon reaching the Golden Core stage, one can also utilize true essence power, allowing for changes in appearance and physique, although such changes cannot be excessive. At this stage, one can only increase their height by up to twice their original size. Upon reaching the Nascent Soul stage, one can grow even taller, and the higher the realm, the more significant the transformations. If one becomes an immortal, they can achieve seventy-two transformations.
Why, why, is it worth it to make the people of the Zhang family suffer for the heavy interests of the Zhang family, just to inherit the family legacy? I do not know; I only know that if one does not live happily, what is the point of that ethereal family glory? Is it that everyone else is intoxicated while I alone am awake, or am I too naive? I do not know; I only know that I will not be like my father. I will not harm my family for the sake of illusory family honor. I believe I will definitely be happy with my family and will not abandon my own son or drive him out of the house for these things. I do not know; I only know that if one does not live happily, what is the point of that ethereal family glory? Is it that everyone else is intoxicated while I alone am awake, or am I too naive? I do not know; I only know that I will not be like my father. I will not harm my family for the sake of illusory family honor. I believe I will definitely be happy with my family and will not abandon my own son or drive him out of the house. In my daze, suddenly I felt a void beneath my feet. My mind had not yet recovered from my father's announcement that he would force me out of the house when the endless lake water pressed upon me. My body instinctively formed a protective layer, and my breathing transformed into the innate fetal breath. All of this occurred without any thought; it was the instinct of a supreme master.
At this moment, I am already able to fly with a sword, but I do not yet have my own flying sword. I can only resort to using lightness skills to hurry to the Zhang residence.
The boundless fields and the images in the book swiftly receded from me, and a vast lake appeared before my eyes. In the face of all this, my speed remained unrelenting, showing no signs of slowing down. I rushed toward the tranquil lake without a moment's hesitation.
"In a moment, do not be anxious, and please be quiet. There is still an hour until the court meeting." Zhang Tiande's deep voice echoed in the back hall. The entire back hall gradually returned to a state of silence, slowly, more and more people arrived. The five individuals at the forefront were the most powerful members of the Zhang family’s elder council, which only intervenes in very important matters. The person on the left was the previous family head, while the three on the right were Zhang Tiande's second uncle, third uncle, and fourth uncle, along with Zhang Tiande's third brother. In fact, the last elder seat should have belonged to Zhang Tiande's second brother, but unfortunately, he was expelled from the family, and the third brother was fortunate enough to become an elder.
I still want to go back, even though I know that my hearing should have already concluded. In my previous life, I successfully passed this Golden Core stage, which took me a whole month. In this life, although my life force is particularly strong, it should still take several days. For the sake of Brother Wolf Feng and his mother at the Star Peak Pavilion, how are they managing without me? And my sorrowful mother, I did not consider her at all when I left home. During this time, I wonder how she is doing.
Since that is the case, it has been decided. We will wait for one week; if he has not returned by then, we will proceed to hold a court session and announce it to the world. Zhang Tiande stood up and spoke the decisive words
Zhang Tiande's third brother, the fifth elder, stood up and said: "The ancestral family law must not be violated. According to the family law, we should wait for Zhang Xingfeng to return before making any decisions. If he does not return within a week, we will make a decision directly and announce it to the world." After the elder spoke, no one opposed. In fact, when the family law is brought up, how many dare to voice any objections? After he finished speaking, no one opposed. In fact, when the family law is brought up, how many dare to voice any objections?
This young master, merely six years old, inadvertently injured the only son of the Ouyang family due to his overwhelming presence. Achieving the innate realm at such a young age, many believe that this young master will undoubtedly become the greatest expert in the world in the future. However, the Ouyang family and the Zhang family have numerous collaborations. If the Ouyang family were to fall, it would take the Zhang family at least twenty years to restore their business network. Therefore, abandoning this merely six-year-old young master for the sake of the family's interests seems quite prudent.
Following behind them were the wives of Zhang Tiande, with only the third wife absent. Behind several of the wives were the brothers of the third young master, four young masters of the Zhang family, the youngest of whom was only two years old, but could only be held by the eldest young master. In such an important court meeting, only the chief steward of the household was permitted to attend among the servants, while the rest were not allowed to enter, and each had their designated seating, thus forming three groups of people entering the grand hall
I cast aside all distractions, and the altar of my mind is clear and bright; I observe everything within me with clarity
Ah! I let out a mighty roar. A purple light shone like a meteor, soaring into the sky, piercing through the clouds. In an instant, the wind and thunder roared, and dark clouds churned like a dragon. Before me, Taihu Lake was immediately stirred, waves surging high. I knew I had finally entered the Golden Elixir stage; I was a true cultivator. I had transcended the cycle of reincarnation, achieving eternal life, free from the clutches of death. Yet, I had also embarked on a perilous path of cultivation, where a moment's carelessness could lead to my soul scattering. But I, Zhang Xingfeng, am determined to contend with heaven and earth. Rather than live a mundane life, I would rather live a life that shakes the heavens and earth. I want the world to know that even after leaving the Zhang family, I, Zhang Xingfeng, will achieve great accomplishments.
"Master, the Third Young Master has not yet returned. Should this court meeting still be held? Without the Third Young Master present, it would be difficult to proceed with the meeting!" Chief Steward Zhang cautiously remarked while standing beside Zhang Tiande, who was seated in the grandmaster's chair. He was well aware that the current head of the family was not the usual head; his mood was extremely poor. He had not eaten a single bite since yesterday and had been sitting in this grandmaster's chair the whole time. Chief Steward Zhang had watched Zhang Tiande grow up and knew everything about him very well. This head of the family loved the Third Madam the most and was also very fond of the Third Young Master. The Third Young Master had displayed extraordinary talent from a young age and was extremely obsessed with martial arts. Just yesterday, it was discovered that the Third Young Master had already reached the innate realm. According to the two second-rank experts from the Zhang residence, the Third Young Master’s lightness skill was even more formidable than theirs. While this was astonishing, it also meant that the Third Young Master could not be found. If the Third Young Master cannot be found, how can this court meeting be held?
The liquid innate true energy began to circulate at an unprecedented speed, tireless, as the spiritual energy from outside rapidly entered my body. However, the most crucial aspect was still the liquid innate true energy that I had accumulated over time. "Using the dantian as the furnace, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth as the fire, the innate true energy as the material, refining and compressing, endlessly tempering, obtaining the essence of heaven and earth." The mantra from the heart scripture immediately surfaced in my mind. I commenced the most important stage of Golden Elixir cultivation; once I entered the Golden Elixir phase, I would be a true cultivator. All my spirit was devoted to the cultivation of the Golden Elixir, and suddenly my whole body trembled, as a Golden Elixir the size of a soybean floated in my dantian. A force surged from every cell in my body, as if it were about to soar into the sky.
The First Lady, along with the Second Lady, cast a sly smile at the Third Lady and arrogantly walked out the door. I do not know how much time has passed, but at this moment, I can clearly feel that I am about to face the first challenge in my cultivation of immortality—refining the Golden Elixir.
Tiande, must you force the mistress to leave the house? Must you be so heartless? Can't you, for the sake of our marriage, refrain from driving the mistress away? Please, she is only six years old this year, Tiande! The third lady, who had just woken up from a coma, ran to the front of the hall and shouted.
I clearly feel that as my body sinks, the pressure of the lake water on me increases. Suddenly, my feet touch the soft mud at the bottom of the lake. I know that everything around me has no effect on me at all. I am still immersed in the care my father showed me in the past. Naturally, I feel a bit of joy in my heart. Whenever I recall today's events, I immediately revert to memories of the past. Am I escaping from all of this?
Sighing, Zhang Tiande walked out the door without looking back
***
The back hall of the Zhang residence was enveloped in silence, with a person seated in a grand master's chair and another standing beside him. Suddenly, a voice broke the stillness.
As I moved my body, I found myself already on the shore. Looking at the Taihu Lake, which had just been furious, I noticed it was gradually calming down. A sliver of moonlight pierced through the dark clouds and fell upon the vast fields, and my heart slowly began to find its peace.
Madam San looked at her husband passing by and finally fell into despair. She slowly sat down on the ground, murmuring to herself. Elder Sanwu looked at the haggard Madam San, shook his head, and, along with several other elders, left.
Time passes quickly
Today, the Zhang family is preparing to hold a family council to discuss and decide on the matter concerning the third son, Zhang Xingfeng. However, since the third son left home yesterday, he has yet to return, and no one in the household has been able to locate him. May I ask how everyone intends to handle this situation? Zhang Tiande sat upright in the grand master's chair, an air of authority naturally permeating the entire hall
At this time, the Zhang family was in a state of oppression and chaos. It had been nearly thirty years since the last time a young master of the family left home. This unfortunate individual, once a young master of the Zhang family, was only thirteen when he departed. At eighteen, after a business venture went awry and his goods were robbed, he lost everything and tragically ended his own life. After his death, there was no one to arrange his funeral; it was only later that his brother, Zhang Tiande, the current head of the Zhang family, secretly sent someone to handle the arrangements. The reason this young master was expelled from his home was that he attempted to hire someone to assassinate the then eldest young master, Zhang Tiande. Among all the young masters who were expelled, nearly all had failed in their attempts to seize the position of family head, except for one individual who was a member of the powerful Li family, the foremost family of the time. For the sake of his family's interests, he was also expelled from his home and subsequently faced covert exclusion from the Li family, living a life of poverty and hardship.
The second lady said, "Are we all supposed to wait for this little child indefinitely? If he never returns, are we to wait forever and not hold this court session? I believe that regardless of whether he comes or not, once we have made our decision, we can simply announce it to the world!" After speaking, she glanced around, seemingly finding only the first lady somewhat in agreement, while the others showed no sign of support and sat down in disinterest.