CHAPTER 175: CHAPTER 119: THE RARITY OF GOLD ATTRIBUTE AND JIANG BAI’S FIFTH GRADE INSIGHTS (PART 2)

"Fair enough, I know this woman; she’s the young widow from Chu Laogen’s family at Pingshan Square. I even knew her husband, but unfortunately, he died a few years ago fighting for territory against the Black Wolf Gang."

"Should I call her over to keep you company tonight?"

Brother Hu had the look of a teachable kid and smiled, patting his face, "Don’t disappoint me."

Night.

Brother Hu carried a burlap sack clearly containing a person and carefully entered the premises of a gang in Ping Shan County under the cover of night.

"Master Shan, I’ve found some good stuff today, especially for you."

"Get out!"

A low shout instantly made Brother Hu feel as if he had fallen into an icy cave.

In a bright room, he could vaguely make out two silhouettes.

He was scared stiff.

In Ping Shan County, there has always been a rumor that behind all the gangs in the county, there’s a terrifying figure.

This powerful figure can rule and decide everything in Ping Shan County.

He faintly felt that the other person in Master Shan’s room was likely that formidable figure!

An excitement suddenly flashed through his heart.

If...

If he could connect with this powerful figure...

...

Xu Guang intentionally slowed his pace, waiting for the person behind the Ghost Shark to find him.

Shen Muyu and Jiang Zi Yun were in no hurry; the only one anxious was Zhuang Yue.

He was tricked into leaving and had nothing with him; accustomed to practicing using Spirit Crystals, he couldn’t bear such slow-paced cultivation every day.

Several times he wanted to borrow some Spirit Crystals from Xu Guang, but every time he saw General Wei outside Xu Guang’s residence, he completely lost the courage.

Remembering the day General Wei crushed a Half-Step Fifth-Grade expert alive, he felt a chill down his spine.

Even just a glance from General Wei gave him an urge to run away.

The matter of borrowing Spirit Crystals remained unresolved.

He felt indignant.

"Why should Xu Guang, such a small person, gain the great beast’s allegiance? If I had this great beast, I could be equal with Senior Brother and no one among the younger generation of Jiufeng Mountain would dare provoke me."

But these were words he could only dare to say in his heart.

He recalled one night when he cursed at the great beast, only to have its nose wrap around him, leaving him hanging outside all night.

And at this moment.

Xu Guang was not alone in his room; opposite him sat a middle-aged man with a plain face and beard.

The steward of the Jiang Family in Southern Sichuan Prefecture - Jiang Bai.

"You indeed meet my tastes; others say you’re weak, say you’re like a turtle, but I have faith in you," Jiang Bai opened his mouth to say.

Xu Guang smiled, "Master Jiang flatters me, it’s just a matter of temporarily retreating due to insufficient strength."

Jiang Bai became enthusiastic, "Well said! If your strength is not enough, you must retreat temporarily; when your strength is sufficient, you strike hard!"

This philosophy...

Jiang Bai truly agreed with it; in fact, it is the normal way for most living in this world.

Where are all those genius stories of overcoming adversity? Most just boil down to thirty years east of the river, thirty years west, and the lingering effects of not eradicating the roots.

Or it’s like, a wolf in Zhongshan, arrogant once successful.

In reality, this is the true posture of living in chaotic times: if your strength is insufficient yet you act enthusiastically, unless you’re truly a genius rare to find in a thousand years.

Otherwise, such people often die the quickest.

"In my generation, such side branches like mine actually had many geniuses; in the Jiang Family Martial Hall, legitimate sons of dukes and side branches practiced together, but at that time, the top hundred ranks were always dukes afterward, and we side branches..."

Jiang Bai grinned, revealing his white teeth.

"Do you think any genius could surpass those people?"

Xu Guang was silent.

"Naturally, some did, but now? Most of them are already dead because the legitimate sons of their generation, once overtaken, are now in power."

Jiang Bai’s tone suddenly became melancholic.

"Zi Yun’s father was one of them, but of course, there were other matters..."

Jiang Bai’s tone dulled a few degrees.

Xu Guang was left speechless.

The situation of Jiang Zi Yun in the Jiang family, he had thought it might not be great, but didn’t expect it to be like this.

He could indeed understand why Jiang Zi Yun, so brilliant, was seemingly ignored by the Jiang family.

Because her father died for the Jiang family, yet she got nothing.

Instead, she grew up on Jiufeng Mountain.

How should Jiang family’s main family try to win over such a talented young girl, and how could they ensure her sense of belonging to the Jiang family?

To send her away by marriage is a good thing for the Jiang family.

Xu Guang didn’t want to talk about Jiang Zi Yun’s matters, as it was their private affair, he just thought about it in his mind and then let it go.

Jiang Bai also didn’t say much, only tasted the topic subtly, "Since you know someone wants to kill you, are you really not afraid?"

After a moment of silence, Xu Guang spoke softly.

"Xu Mou admits he’s not a good person; I owe a debt to Senior Sister Fu Qing, and the situation at Wanhua Institute now, I suppose Master Jiang knows about it. For the sake of Wanhua Institute’s reputation, or for Senior Sister Fu Qing’s reputation, Xu Mou needs to carry on."

Jiang Bai showed a moment of contemplation, "A person like you... is indeed rare."

Xu Guang kept a blank expression.

"Zi Yun asked me to help you, how do you think I should assist you?"

Xu Guang’s eyes lit up, he asked, "Fifth-Grade Expert condensing Gold Attribute, may I ask Master, how can a Fifth-Grade Expert quickly condense the Gold Attribute?"

Jiang Bai was startled, not expecting Xu Guang to ask a question regarding martial arts.

"Fifth-Grade cultivation? You’re getting a bit ahead of yourself."

Jiang Bai chuckled lightly, but he heard from Jiang Zi Yun that Xu Guang already possessed the peak battle power of Sixth Grade, and his realm was probably at least Sixth-Grade Great Cultivation.

Discussing it, it didn’t matter.

"To mention the Gold Attribute, you must first understand what the Gold Attribute truly is. Each person interprets it differently, so the Gold Attribute they condense also varies subtly. The Yin Yang Dao is different for each; the Yang Five Elements tread solidly, while the Yin Five Elements have some trickery in their approach.

The Jingzhou Celestial Yin Sect seeks the Gold Attribute from heaven and earth because they believe the heavens are immortal, thus they can become the Gold Attribute. They’ve nearly abandoned enhancing the physical body, treating the entire self as a gate of heaven, able to summon the Power of Heaven and Earth at will.

The Dragon Gate cultivates Celestial Dragon True Skill, believing that the Fish Leaping Dragon Gate can transform into a True Dragon. They reckon overcoming tribulations yields the Gold Attribute; Dragon Gate has a total of Nine Great Tribulation Institutes, passing through a tribulation reinforces the Gold Attribute more.

The Yongzhou Wanfa Sect has a branch adept at Dual Cultivation Technique; their Dao is unique, living life with a Dao partner, extreme in emotion and extreme in nature, entrusting feelings as Gold Attribute. But once they’ve lost the original affection for their lover, or fall for another, the Gold Attribute is no longer immortal, merely a strong Sixth Grade at best, and that’s an end-of-the-road kind of Sixth Grade.

What I want to tell you is, that successfully condensing the Gold Attribute and breaking through to the Fifth Grade is just the simplest step. The Gold Attribute condensed afterward is your Dao, which concerns a lifetime and needs careful consideration.

Of course, the examples I mentioned are special, a kind of trick-acquired Gold Attribute in the Yin Five Elements cultivation system.

In reality, most martial artists’ Gold Attribute in Jianghu is the ultimate compressed notion of indestructibility, and for that, it requires many resources, such as an elixir named Golden Core, a Fifth-Grade Elixir refined from various Fifth-Grade Treasure Medicines, crafted by great masters. One pill saves a Fifth-Grade expert ten years of arduous cultivation.

Your Jiufeng Mountain is also a Daoist Sect; do you know why each Grand Sacrifice at your Jiufeng Mountain gives Seal Sect quotas?"

Xu Guang softly replied, "Golden Core, can only be refined by Seal Sect?"

Jiang Bai nodded in appreciation.

"Golden Core is extremely rare; I was fortunate enough to taste one."

He paused, taking a glance at Xu Guang, "It was exchanged with your Senior Sister."

Xu Guang showed contemplation.

Fifth-Grade cultivation is exceedingly difficult.

Thinking about the examples Jiang Bai provided; although they have obvious flaws, the cultivation speed surely surpasses that of ordinary martial artists.

Yet there was not much envy, as stories of Dao Heart breaking and Martial Arts Cultivation plummeting often occurred in the sects Jiang Bai previously mentioned.

’Seems like my Fifth-Grade cultivation still relies on my other profession.’

The experts in Jianghu are as numerous as cattle, and those skilled in Alchemy Dao are innumerable; if they can’t refine Golden Core successfully, it’s likely related to Daoist Sect classics...’

Having cultivated to this stage, Xu Guang naturally understood that the Alchemy Dao isn’t as simple as one imagines.

At lower levels, its essence is merely a combination of pharmacology.

But high-grade elixirs actually require complex conditions, involving Feng Shui, Dao Scripture, and many things one wouldn’t expect.

Xu Guang resolved to find some books on Alchemy Dao when he handled the matters in Changsong Prefecture and went to Southern Sichuan Prefecture, then begin researching the method of Golden Core refining himself.

He had somewhat neglected Alchemy Dao; if successful, it should solve the resource issues needed for him and General Wei’s growth.