[Taiyan Talisman, Volume Four (Part 1): One of the five great Mystic Sect Orthodox Techniques. It cultivates Wood Spirit Qi, one of the Five Major Origin Energies of the Cultivation World. Use the Primordial Spirit to cultivate the Majestic Power of Heaven and Earth and train the physical body to a state of ’Nothingness’.]

[1. With the Primordial Spirit Body, use a fixed Wood Spirit Array to merge with the ’Heaven-Reaching Talisman’. Maintain a full sense of your humanity during the fusion. You may only attempt this once per day. If you do not succeed within one hundred years, please give up. (Progress: 0/100. Today’s Progress: 0/1 attempts).]

[2. Condense the Primordial Spirit. Absorb Spiritual Energy to make the Primordial Spirit more substantial. You have succeeded when you can use your Primordial Spirit to roam the heavens and cast techniques with the ’Heaven-Reaching Talisman’. It is best to attempt this after your Primordial Spirit’s fusion with the Heaven-Reaching Talisman reaches (50/100). If you cannot achieve this within a sixty-year cycle, please give up.]

[3. After condensing the Primordial Spirit, you can attempt to use the Primordial Spirit to absorb and expel Spiritual Energy, similar to the body’s Qi Cultivation. Success is achieved when a Qi Sea is formed within the Primordial Spirit. You may attempt this 3 times per day. You may only continue if your humanity is unaffected. If there are no results within twenty years, please give up.]

[4. After ensuring your fusion progress with the ’Heaven-Reaching Talisman’ has reached (100/100), use your Primordial Spirit to drive the ’Heaven-Reaching Talisman’ and observe the heavens, earth, and the Cosmos. Find a way to become a part of the heavens, earth, and the Cosmos. You need to hide yourself so that the heavens and earth can no longer sense your existence.]

[5. After you are ’hidden’, once again observe and sense the heavens, earth, and the Cosmos to discover their mysteries. Find a way to merge into them. When you are skilled at hiding yourself, you will achieve the state of ’Nothingness’. Using a ’Luck-Borrowing Talisman’ will allow you to do this silently, without any deduction of lifespan.]

[Note 1: Do not attempt to fuse with the ’Heaven-Reaching Talisman’ before setting up a fixed Wood Spirit Array. Without an Array to suppress it, the ’Heaven-Reaching Talisman’ communes with the Majestic Power of Heaven and Earth. Once your Primordial Spirit touches it, there is a high probability it will be assimilated by Spiritual Energy and transformed into a twisted creature. The fixed Array is illustrated below... ]

[Note 2: When condensing the Primordial Spirit, you must maintain a full sense of your humanity. This is because the Primordial Spirit’s thoughts are completely open, allowing barrier-free communication with the Spiritual Creatures of the heavens, earth, and the Cosmos. A moment of carelessness could lead to reading insane memories. It is best to have your Spirit Snake accompany you each time. If you have a Divine Soul Guide, refine it into a Talisman. Absorbing three of them will allow you to complete this step.]

[Note 3: When the Primordial Spirit absorbs and expels Spiritual Energy, pay attention to your own state. Many Spiritual Creatures will hide within the Spiritual Energy and enter your Primordial Spirit Body, unconsciously influencing your consciousness. You need someone to act as a Guardian. Your Spirit Snake is the best choice.]

[Note 4: By aligning the flow of your physical body’s Qi Sea and your Primordial Spirit’s qi sense with the Wood Spirit Qi, you can attempt to hide within the Wood Spirit Qi. Alternatively, use a ’Pocket World Mirror’ or hold a portion of ’Wood Spirit Origin’ in your mouth.]

[Note 5: When you become a part of the Wood Spirit Qi, you will be able to discover this world’s Five Elements Energy Source. By cultivating yourself into the shape of a Wood Spirit within it, you can hide silently among the Wood Spirits. After succeeding, no one below the Realm of True Monarch will be able to discover you.]

Wang Ping quickly finished reading the Secret Technique’s description on the glowing screen. ’Cultivation for the Third Realm actually has time limits. If I force my way through, there’s a high chance I won’t be able to meet the goals within the specified time.’

Fortunately, he had a progress bar he could check. If his cultivation went awry, he could adjust in time.

"Thank you for bestowing this technique, Fellow Daoist," Wang Ping said, offering his thanks first.

"It was all the Lord’s command. I dare not take the credit. The Lord also mentioned that this is what you deserve. As for the second half, that will depend on your opportunities," Zi Luan said with a smile and a wave of his hand.

Wang Ping wasn’t foolish enough to ask what kind of opportunities he meant. If he were to ask, it would only be after he had completely mastered the first half. He rose solemnly, bowed in the direction of the Lord’s courtyard Dao Field, and said, "My thanks to the Lord."

Yu Lian followed his movement and lowered her head.

When Wang Ping returned to his seat, Zi Luan picked up his teacup. He met Wang Ping’s gaze and said, "There is another important matter—your seat as the Third. The vote for this will be held on the third day of the ninth month this year."

"I’ll remember that."

"Rest assured, you will be elected this time."

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist." Wang Ping could tell this was a promise from Zi Luan.

"One last thing. The Lord has decreed that from this moment on, you will serve as the Pacification Envoy of the Nanlin Road Daoist Scripture Hall. This is also to prepare you to be more easily elected as the Third in a few months."

"This..."

Wang Ping was at a loss for words. After all, he had just been promoted and was already taking Zi Luan’s position.

Zi Luan seemed to have misunderstood Wang Ping’s meaning. He said, "If you’re not used to being on duty every day, just find someone to take your place. Fellow Daoist Zuo Xuan is the most suitable; her strength is among the top ranks on Nanlin Road. However, you’ll first have to grant her the title of Patrol Envoy. Oh, right, my third disciple has been at the Second Realm for over three hundred years. It’s time for him to go out and gain some experience. How about we make him a Patrol Envoy as well?"

Wang Ping was silent for two breaths before replying, "I have no intention of competing with you for the position of Pacification Envoy, Fellow Daoist..."

"So that’s what was bothering you! HAHA! Do you think I covet the position of Pacification Envoy?" Zi Luan laughed. "If I weren’t afraid the post would fall to Xiu Yu, I would have stepped down two hundred years ago!"

After a moment’s thought, Wang Ping realized it made sense. He himself was reluctant to take the position, let alone someone else. For him, accepting this post was more about repaying a debt.

"However, there’s something you must do first."

Zi Luan said this with a hint of mockery. "The energy shockwave from your promotion destroyed nearly seventy percent of the crops in Jinhuai Prefecture. You need to come up with at least three million taels of silver to compensate for these losses. This can also help build momentum for you to take over as Pacification Envoy."

"..."

Wang Ping immediately began to take stock of his assets. He had spent nearly all his liquid silver during his promotion. There was no way he could produce three million taels at once, unless he collected the silver Xia Yao owed him for the ’Power Pills’.

"I will have someone prepare the silver at once!"

"Good!"

Zi Luan smiled. "I can help you manage the Daoist Scripture Hall’s affairs for another half a month. Go back and get ready. In half a month, remember to come and take over on time."

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist."

...

「Qianmu Temple.」

Recently, none of the disciples in the temple had gone out. Coupled with the constant comings and goings of prominent local families, Qianmu Temple had become unusually lively.

With Wang Ping’s current cultivation level, he could have returned to the Mountain Peak Dojo without anyone noticing.

But he didn’t. He had Yu Lian carry him back to the Mountain Peak Dojo in her true form, instantly causing an uproar both inside and outside the temple gates.

When Wang Ping landed in the Dao Field, Yu Cheng Taoist appeared before him in an instant.

"Did you succeed?" Yu Cheng Taoist asked, though the answer was obvious.

"Yes!" Wang Ping nodded with a smile.

"Good!" Yu Cheng Taoist burst out laughing, "HAHA!"

While his master was celebrating, Wang Ping discreetly used his Primordial Spirit to inspect the condition of the Spirit Veins within his body.

’It’s truly in a bad state, but not beyond saving,’ Wang Ping thought. ’As long as Yu Cheng Taoist continues to cultivate... but the prerequisite is that he must let go of his obsessions. Otherwise, once his Spirit Veins awaken, his emotions will be easily assimilated by the Spirit Vein Consciousness.’

"For you to advance to the Third Realm so quickly was truly beyond my expectations. I’m suddenly starting to regret my previous arrangements."

Yu Cheng Taoist said softly, "I suddenly feel that closing our gates and retreating from the world would be the best choice right now. With your Third Realm cultivation, you could absolutely wait for a better opportunity." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"What better opportunity could there be?"

Wang Ping looked at his master, who seemed even happier than he was, and said, "Regardless of whether Xiao Shan Lord achieves the Realm of True Monarch this time, the Southern Cultivation Realm is bound to face turmoil. Faced with such a situation, if we run and hide, I’m afraid we’ll lose even our heritage in the future."

"Also..."

Wang Ping told his master about his appointment as the Pacification Envoy of Nanlin Road.

After hearing this, the joy vanished from Yu Cheng Taoist’s face. "The very heavens are about to change. Taking on the role of Pacification Envoy at a time like this is not a good thing. However, it has its pros and cons. In the future, you can use this position to accomplish many things, but we must make arrangements in advance. I need to go out for a while. I won’t be back for your promotion celebration ceremony."

"Master..."

Wang Ping stopped Yu Cheng Taoist, who was about to leave. "There’s no rush. We can plan this slowly. The most important thing right now is to spread the news of my promotion and then wait for them to come to us."

Yu Cheng Taoist halted, thought for a moment, then smiled. "You’re right, my thinking was flawed. I’ll take care of it."

With that, he transformed into a streak of light and landed in the front hall.

After Yu Cheng Taoist left, Zuo Xuan appeared before Wang Ping. She didn’t hesitate to cup her fists and say, "Congratulations on achieving the Taiyan Third Realm, Fellow Daoist."

"There’s no need for such formalities among our own."

As Wang Ping invited Zuo Xuan into the small courtyard, Yu Lian rode a cloud over to tease her Calico Cat.

While the two were chatting, Liu Shuang, Shen Xiaozhu, Wang Yang, Zhang Xinghuai, and others came one after another to request an audience, and Wang Ping met with them all.

The next day, Hu Qianqian arrived in a hurry. In the afternoon, Liu Chang, along with Lin Chen and Huimin, appeared at the main gate of the Garden Dojo, covered in dust from their journey.

The once-quiet Mountain Peak Dojo suddenly became bustling with activity.

Every day thereafter, various Dao Fields from Nanlin Road sent Entering Cultivators as representatives to pay their respects. Thinking of his impending role as Pacification Envoy, Wang Ping met with each and every one of them.

On the tenth day, Wang Ping received a personal letter from Xia Yao, who was thousands of miles away.

The letter was full of congratulations and well wishes.

This was quite a luxury. Transmitting a message back and forth over thousands of miles in just a few days would cost at least tens of thousands of taels of silver.

Starting on the eleventh day, rumors that Wang Ping was about to become the Pacification Envoy began to spread throughout Nanlin Road. Subsequently, disciples from Qianmu Temple rushed to Jinhuai Prefecture to join disciples from the Six Heart Sect in compensating and placating the farmers whose crops were damaged by Wang Ping’s promotion.

Meanwhile, as the entirety of Nanlin Road buzzed with excitement over his breakthrough to the Third Realm, Wang Ping took Hu Qianqian, Liu Shuang, and Zuo Xuan and quietly traveled to Jinhuai Prefecture to begin the process of assuming his role as Pacification Envoy.

The process wasn’t complicated; it only required a public announcement of the headquarters’ appointment.

But as a procedure that occurred only once every few hundred years, it would not lack the proper formalities. On that day, all registered Entering Cultivators below the Third Realm on Nanlin Road were required to attend and observe, with the exception of those in Death Seclusion.

Just then, Wang Ping received a visiting card from an unexpected person: Ah Jiu, who had assisted him with a case on Mozhou Road!