Chapter 004: Like Jade, Moonlight

He sighed for a moment and then said, "I have recently felt that a breakthrough should be imminent, yet I have always lacked an opportunity."

The luminescence, resembling mutton fat white jade, passed through Shi Hong's body, yet he felt not the slightest pain; on the contrary, there was a sense of comfort akin to soaking in a hot spring during the depths of winter

Shi Hong let out a sound of surprise: "Why do I feel that something is not quite right?"

Shi Hong was taken aback: "Is it really that simple?"

When the other families were noisy, Scholar Zhang took his daughter by the hand and casually visited the Shi family. Shi Hong's father and mother were busy with their tasks, and Scholar Zhang quickly reassured them that it was no trouble at all, as if they were family, urging them not to be polite with him

The person I saw last night was constantly moving his hands, and before him floated a jade box in the void. As his hands danced, enormous jade stones, each the size of a coffin, continuously flew out from the small jade box.

The Great Dao deity respectfully clasped his hands in salute and said: "If it were not for you, my journey through this life would likely have struggled to break through the realm of the primordial spirit. However, I did not expect that after three hundred years of entanglement, I would gain even more than I had imagined. All of this is thanks to you, my young friend. We shall meet again in the celestial realm, hahahaha"

He also did not know why he had such great confidence in that person, believing that the matter would be resolved tonight

As soon as Scholar Zhang left, Shi Hong's mother snatched her daughter back from the man's hands, complaining: "Just pretending to be nice to Master Zhang is enough; you really went and hit her. Tsk tsk, look at what you've done to my little girl. Come here, mother feels sorry for you, be good, don't cry, don't cry..."

Before the daughter-in-law entered the family, she had already dealt a severe blow to her sister-in-law, thus gaining the upper hand in the foreseeable future conflict between the sisters-in-law.

The young man clasped his fists and knelt on the ground: "Master, I have already surveyed the spiritual veins within a radius of 1,000 miles. As you predicted, the 17 hidden spiritual veins within this distance are indeed all converging beneath that mountain peak"

Then, the Great Dao Deity spent a full three months explaining the principles of the evolution and operation of this grand formation to him, yet he still could not fully comprehend it. However, this young man from the mountain village, having no prior knowledge of formations, was able to deduce the next operational direction of the formation simply by observing its functioning, which truly astonished the Great Dao Deity.

The young man responded with a sound and then looked towards the patch of green light. Shi Shan and Zhang Ying'er had already become entangled in a scuffle. Although the two young girls appeared delicate, they both had stubborn temperaments. Shi Hong, sweating profusely, was trying to mediate, but inadvertently received a kick from Zhang Ying'er, resulting in panda eyes.

Scholar Zhang, feeling rather embarrassed, shot a fierce glare at his daughter, offered a few words of advice to Shi Hong's father, and, with a clasp of his hands, left in a fluster with his daughter.

In the midst of uncertainty, he seemed to have grasped some key points, fearing that the crucial secret still lay within that bolt of heavenly thunder

The Great Dao Deity sighed inwardly: This child is indeed an exceptional material for cultivation, so clearly sensing the changes in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. What a pity, what a pity

In terms of lethality, it is evident that the "Nine Yin White Bone Claw" experienced in actual combat with Scholar Zhang is superior. Shi Shan wailed loudly. Shi Hong, in a state of anxiety, scratched his head, but neither of the two girls heeded his advice

In the midst of the hearty laughter of the Great Dao Deity, the Grand Cultivator waved his hand, and the Ten Guardians of the Azure Dragon Array flew out from the surrounding mountains and forests, transforming into ten points of azure light that were drawn into his robe's sleeve. A gust of fresh wind lifted his figure, propelling him into the boundless void.

The young man could not help but laugh: "Master, can this young man really assist you?"

The Great Dao Deity sighed inwardly: Indeed, the youth in the mountains, with his naive disposition, is completely unaware of the need for caution. If I were a villain of the demonic path, seeking to refine his primordial spirit into a magical artifact, I fear he would comply without hesitation

This is the first time Shi Hong has seen someone like himself, and he is filled with excitement: "Who are you? Can you tell me what is happening to us?"

The Qīnglóng Shíhù Dàzhèn is one of the most profound and complex defensive formations in the realm of cultivation. Even his eldest disciple, Beitang Fènyǒng, who ranks among the top ten outstanding talents of the younger generation in the cultivation world, finds this formation quite perplexing. Initially, he taught him seven simplified versions of the Qīnglóng Shíhù Dàzhèn to help him practice and establish a solid foundation.

That person gave a bitter smile: "Even I cannot explain it clearly. Perhaps only after I cultivate the Yang Spirit and ascend to the celestial realm will I be able to understand what is going on."

The person nodded slightly and said solemnly, "Where is the thing I requested?"

Shi Shan cried bitterly. Although she was a few years older than Zhang Ying'er, she was clearly at a disadvantage in the battle between the two women. Already feeling disheartened, being struck by her father made her feel even more wronged, and her tears flowed like a long river under the moon.

He pointed at the disheveled Shi Hong in the green light and said, "... this child is my opportunity. Just last night, a simple conversation with him allowed my primordial spirit to refine and elevate by half a grade."

After falling asleep early, Shi Hong's spirit could not wait to leave his body and head towards the mountain peak

Young friend, I am about to begin

When Deng Zhangxiucai called Zhang Ying'er to go home, Shi Hong returned with two little girls. Zhang Ying'er's delicate double bun had turned into a messy bird's nest style, and her pale yellow pleated skirt was torn in several places, making it practically ready for honorable retirement as a humble rag.

He pondered for a moment, then stood up and said: "I do not know how you have come to be in this state, but I do have a way to resolve your troubles."

Just behind Shi Hong, a beam of moonlight descended from the heavens. Under the guidance of the white jade condensation of the Great Dao Deity, it passed through Shi Hong's body and was projected onto the Great Dao Deity.

"Young friend." The Great Dao Deity called out to him, and Shi Hong suddenly awakened.

The Great Dao Deity summoned a white dragon once more, and under its absorption, endless moonlight flowed into his body.

In an unnamed valley outside a mountain village, a person sits cross-legged on a flat, round boulder the size of a grinding stone. A faint green light, captured from a mountain village several peaks away, is projected before him

Shi Hong recounted his experiences in great detail, sitting on that large rock with the other person. This conversation lasted for half an hour. Shi Hong, who was already troubled, finally found someone to confide in, pouring out his thoughts like beans from a bamboo tube, even mentioning the recent worries about the villagers' military service.

The moonlight, under the guidance of the Great Divine Lord, passed through Shi Hong's body. Suddenly, a sense of tranquility enveloped Shi Hong's heart, akin to the moonlight itself. The gentle yet abundant power gradually cleansed Shi Hong's body, and the benefits of this were evident.

In the green glow, Shi Hong was in a state of utter disarray, trying to manage his younger sister and Zhang Ying'er. The two little girls were embroiled in a fierce dispute over a pink morning glory, chattering and arguing for a while. The wild-spirited Shi Shan rushed forward and grabbed Zhang Ying'er's hair bun. Zhang Ying'er, not to be outdone, unleashed the Nine Yin White Bone Claw inherited from her mother, scratching Shi Shan's face mercilessly and leaving five bloody marks.

Shi Hong furrowed his brow, pointing uncertainly at a spot in the sky: "Those few stones seem to be moving in this direction..."

The Great Dao Deity let out a long sigh, expelling a cloud of impurities like fireworks, and his entire body instantly felt three parts lighter. The moonlight continued to flow into his seven orifices, and after a period of refinement, it settled within his body.

Zhang Ying'er stood there charmingly, and Shi Hong's mother looked on with genuine satisfaction. She then called for Shi Hong and Shi Shan, taking Zhang Ying'er out to play. Meanwhile, she and Scholar Zhang finalized the marriage arrangement at home

The person seemed to sense something, raising their head to gaze at the sky. After a moment, a deep rumble of thunder came from above the clear sky and clouds, as a resplendent chariot of gold burst through the clouds, rumbling thunderously. Golden flames flowed from the chariot's double wheels, beneath which nine golden dragons provided protection, while in front were six magnificent golden steeds, their hooves also rolling with golden flames.

The incomparably condensed moonlight, even with the abilities of a Great Dao Divine Monarch, could only absorb nine paths. After the nine paths, his primordial spirit was already full, and compared to Shi Hong's state, it was equally impressive, appearing completely like a living person, no longer possessing that ethereal feeling.

The person clasped his hands and floated away, leaving a distance of one hundred meters from Shi Hong, at which point his legs once again became ethereal. The person sighed inwardly: Indeed, it is as such

If others from the cultivation world were to see this, they would undoubtedly be envious, for the young man is wearing the coveted "Celestial Armor," which every cultivator dreams of.

Shi Hong was dumbfounded, wondering if this was still a human. This was simply a celestial being! He felt an immense envy, yet he was unaware that the Great Dao Divine Monarch envied his naturally refined primordial spirit even more, as he did not have to traverse the arduous and challenging path of cultivation step by step.

Today, Zhang Xiucai's wife specially untied her daughter's two little pigtails, dressed her up beautifully, styled her hair into two drooping buns, and dressed her in a front-opening round-collared jacket and an egg-yellow pleated long skirt, making her a delicate little girl, as if carved from jade.

The Great Dao Deity took a deep breath, opened his mouth, and slowly exhaled. A mist resembling a white dragon erupted from his body, and luminous electric sparks illuminated his form. These were the nine major acupoints, one hundred and eight vital points, and three hundred and sixty true points, distributed throughout the twelve primary meridians and the eight extraordinary vessels.

He certainly does not know, for it is the kind of imposing aura emanating from that person, making all issues before him seem trivial.

The person smiled slightly and said, "Young friend, you may come again tomorrow. By then, I can guide you through the confusion regarding military service, and there is no need for you to worry about it."

The young man was taken aback, incredulously exclaiming: "To improve by half a rank in just one night?!"

That person was filled with immense shock: Can lightning strike and produce a primordial spirit? Or is it such a solid primordial spirit!

However, at this moment, he cannot afford to be distracted, so he must suppress this curiosity and focus intently on refining the moonlight

Call ... ...

In the evening, under the guidance of several respected elders in the village, the villagers' disputes finally reached a resolution. Shi Hong immediately agreed to enter the mountains the next day

The young man bowed his head and said, "As you command." He then expressed some curiosity, asking, "Master, how does this young man possess such talent?"

The person could not help but smile at this scene. If Shi Hong were here, he would certainly recognize that this was the same person from last night. However, at this moment, he was also in a physical form rather than in his spiritual essence

"Please wait a moment, young friend." The Great Dao Deity instructed, gesturing with his hand. The completed Azure Dragon Ten Guardians Great Formation slowly descended, and when it touched the ground, it surprisingly vanished without a sound

He opened his eyes and looked at his legs, which indeed appeared remarkably solid. He nodded to himself, knowing that with Shi Hong present, a great achievement could be accomplished tonight

He waved to Shi Hong and said, "Young friend, come with me."

He couldn't help but feel a pang of regret: if he succeeded tonight, he would likely cultivate the Yang Spirit, and would have to enter seclusion immediately to prepare for ascension; otherwise, he truly wished to accept this disciple.

Shi Hong's father was enraged and pulled Shi Shan over, delivering a slap to the child's backside

The Great Dao Deity smiled slightly: "Young friend, I also have a matter for which I would like your assistance." Shi Hong responded enthusiastically: "Please, just say it. As long as I am able, I will certainly not decline."

"Young friend, I borrow your primordial spirit for a moment," the Great Dao Deity commanded. Just as Shi Hong was about to ask what a 'primordial spirit' was, the Great Dao Deity had already looked up to the sky and expelled a gem-like essence.

Although he knew that there was an iron ore vein in this valley, he was at a loss as to how to identify the location of the iron ore, how to mine it, and how to forge weapons

Shi Hong stepped forward, and a flash of silver light shimmered across his body, bringing him before the person. In his excitement, Shi Hong completely failed to notice the fleeting look of astonishment that flickered in the other person's eyes

The golden cloud descended into a valley, which Shi Hong often visited, but he did not expect to find a precious iron ore vein here

As soon as this thought emerged, he immediately negated it. This young man's primordial spirit is remarkably solid; just now, he crossed several dozen meters without the slightest hint of hesitation, clearly indicating that his primordial spirit's strength far surpasses that of this lord. If he intended to act against this lord, there would be no need to resort to such petty tactics.

With a wave of his hand, a mass of golden clouds lifted Shi Hong and slowly carried him away. The Divine Lord of the Great Dao waved goodbye, saying: "Young friend, the place where you land has an iron ore vein. You may organize neighboring mining operations to refine iron, providing weapons and armor for the Great Xia army, and in return, the entire village will be exempt from military service"

The man sighed deeply, his eyes reflecting an indescribable loneliness: "Three hundred years ago, I refined my primordial spirit, and since then, I have found it difficult to encounter an opponent. Anyone who hears the name of the Great Dao Divine Lord cannot help but retreat. Roaming the world, what a delight it has been! Yet, regrettably, over these three hundred years, I have remained stuck at the realm of the primordial spirit, and only now do I understand that what is called prestige and reputation is but a fleeting illusion. In the past fifty years, I have made no progress whatsoever. Although a master of the primordial spirit may have a lifespan of ten thousand years, ultimately, one cannot live in harmony with heaven and earth."

Shi Shan is even worse off than her. It is evident that Zhang Ying'er has learned from her mother how to effectively wield the weapons of femininity. Shi Shan's face and the back of her hands are covered in bloodstains

Shi Hong is overjoyed: "Really!?"

Shi Hong gazed dreamily at the vast and magnificent figure in the sky, and a smile appeared in his heart: Indeed, he had never witnessed the magic of the immortals. It was no wonder that he looked so bewildered, with so many enormous materials flying out of the small jade box.

Tens of thousands of years ago, a celestial furnace from the realm of immortals fell to the mortal world, triggering a tremendous upheaval in heaven and earth, causing the earth dragon to turn over and raise a majestic mountain range. Within this mountain range, a wondrous substance was nurtured: the essence of life.

The Great Dao Deity nodded slightly and said solemnly: "Young friend, remember, no matter what you see later, you must not move. If you help me with this task, I will tell you how to resolve your suffering and troubles."

Shi Hong stood calmly atop the cloud, knowing that the Great Dao Deity was guiding him to the location of the iron ore.

He looked up to the sky, inhaling the moonlight that filled the air, which transformed into strands of silver spiritual energy that penetrated his body through the seven orifices. At the center of his brow, it coalesced into a silver light point the size of a grain of rice. Then, starting from the brow's acupoint, it followed the meridians, passing through various acupoints, completing a full circulation of the Great Zhou Tian in a calm and unhurried manner, almost imperceptibly.

Moreover, after a stick of incense had burned, the individual felt that while staying beside Shi Hong, his primordial spirit exhibited faint signs of further solidification, at least his legs would no longer be ethereal—this was a phenomenon he had not experienced in the hundreds of years since he refined his primordial spirit.

Several miles away from the peak, he seemed to encounter some kind of barrier, akin to the sensation of plunging into water, as if a layer of film swept past him. The mountain, which had appeared ordinary just moments ago, suddenly transformed, with countless colorful lights swirling around it in a dazzling display.

The person slowly nodded and said: "Fengyong, if I can truly cultivate the Yang Spirit and achieve ascension, you must take good care of this child. Not only to repay my kindness, but perhaps in the future, after you and your fellow disciples refine your primordial spirits, you will also need this child's assistance"

... ...

... ...

The Great Dao Deity was taken aback; he had not expected that Shi Hong was actually calculating the formation!

He grasped Shi Hong's hand and repeatedly said, "Thank you, young friend, thank you, young friend. I never expected that not only have you condensed your primordial spirit, but also..." He suddenly glanced at Shi Hong, as if recalling something, and smiled slightly, choosing not to elaborate further

Shi Hong nodded slightly and sat cross-legged on that stone.

This is certainly not as simple as the primordial spirit—Daoist God exclaimed in his heart, this is likely... No wonder this little fellow has never practiced before, yet is able to condense the primordial spirit

The person released all the materials, seemingly feeling a bit more at ease. His hands moved continuously, beams of light shooting into the diagram, yet he turned his face and smiled at Shi Hong

The robe of the Great Dao Deity cannot conceal the brilliant radiance emanating from him

Countless beams of light soared into the sky, and the world underwent a transformation. The Great Dao Deity rose to his full height, laughing heartily, as the entanglements of three hundred years vanished in an instant. That exhilarating feeling is truly beyond words to describe

Shi Hong's father is simple-hearted, but his mother has seen through it; they have come to arrange a marriage for their daughter.

Ghost? That person smiled wryly, feeling a wave of emotion in his heart: Is this kid truly foolish or just pretending? In the realm of cultivation, countless exceptionally talented geniuses spend their entire lives secluded in their caves, diligently practicing, yet the vast majority cannot attain the "Yuan Shen" realm, which he has interpreted as "ghost"?

"Indeed, I don't know what happened; it has turned into this situation. Have we become ghosts?" Shi Hong asked anxiously

The life essence can combine with the celestial armor, becoming the soul of the armor. The celestial armor with the soul greatly enhances its power and is referred to as "Celestial Life Armor," meaning that to attain immortality, one must possess this set of battle armor

... ...

He was suddenly startled and became alert: Is this kid pretending to be foolish on purpose, or is he sent by some adversary to plot against me?

Just as he was feeling troubled, he suddenly noticed that the golden cloud beneath his feet slowly condensed into a palm-sized jade tablet. Although the tablet was small, it provided answers to all of his questions

Gathering his thoughts, the Great Dao Deity and Shi Hong sat face to face, with Shi Hong on a stone and he on the ground, creating a contrast of height. The moonlight cast from behind Shi Hong, and his shadow perfectly enveloped the Great Dao Deity.

Closing the jade box, he nodded in satisfaction: "Tonight is crucial for me. I will set up the Azure Dragon Ten Guardians Formation around that peak. You and your fellow disciples will guard the perimeter; no matter who it is, if they attempt to force their way in, they will be dealt with ruthlessly"

The person opened the jade box, and within it was a world of its own, containing everything he needed.

Upon hearing the reminder from the Great Dao Deity, Shi Hong nodded his head

There are also colorful jade beads, dark and heavy divine wood, and dazzling white scales

A young man clad in golden armor dismounted from the carriage, and with a casual gesture, the carriage transformed into a beam of golden light and was absorbed into his golden armor

Then the carriage galloped down from the sky, six golden horses let out a long neigh, their hooves striking the ground, and came to a stop before that person

The Great Dao Deity inhaled and exhaled nine times in succession, and within his body, a shimmering silver light spread out, rippling like the waves of the evening sun.

is not

Shi Hong followed him to the summit: "You said yesterday that you had a way to help me, what exactly is that way?"

... ...

Wow ... ...

... ...

Various objects are soaring in the sky, and a person is controlling these items, arranging them into a marvelous pattern above the mountain peaks

The Great Dao Deity pointed with a finger, and indeed, the trajectory of those several massive jade stones operated exactly as Shi Hong had anticipated

The Great Dao Deity pointed to the massive stone at the mountain's peak and said, "Young friend, you will surely be able to accomplish this, as long as you sit on this stone and remain still."

The Great Dao Deity let out a long howl towards the sky, the sound resembling a soaring dragon, echoing through the nine heavens. Suddenly, ten enormous luminous dragons emerged from the surrounding ten mountain peaks, each head the size of a house belonging to Shi Hong and his family, coiling around the ten peaks, collectively howling towards the sky in response to the Great Dao Deity.

The Great Dao Deity casually inquired, "What are your feelings, young friend?"

He chuckled and asked, "Who are you? How did you end up like this?"

The person looked at Shi Hong in surprise, stuttering: "What is going on here?"

The young man quickly clapped his hands together, then spread them apart, revealing a jade box the size of a palm in his hands, which he presented with both hands

A series of hazy blue lights surged forth as the person rolled their palms, continuously pouring into the mysterious pattern. Under the repeated impetus of these lights, the pattern gradually began to rotate.

The situation the following day, as expected by Shi Hong, saw the villagers still embroiled in endless disputes. Everyone wanted to recruit what they considered the strongest villagers to their own group. After a night of contemplation, it became clear to everyone that with so many people in the village, there simply weren't enough wild beasts in the mountains to go around. Only in a powerful group would there be a possibility of gathering enough animal skins.

However, Shi Hong's greatest gain is not the refinement of his body, but rather that he seems to sense that the moonlight is refining his body in a special way, rather than simply absorbing the moonlight and allowing it to settle within him as he did in the past

Call ... ... ''

Oh—" The Great Dao Deity exclaimed in surprise, looking at Shi Hong with astonishment. He saw that Shi Hong's primordial spirit was radiating specks of golden divine light, fluttering around his body like fireflies.

How could the Great Dao Deity not have thought of these joints? They had already been arranged for him. Shi Hong smiled, feeling somewhat pleased with himself, as he had indeed not misjudged the person.

The Great Xia Code indeed stipulates that by donating ten swords, or a set of armor, or five long spears, one can be exempted from military service