Eternal Life: I Can Control My Essence Qi

Among all phenomena, it is called the Celestial Continent;

To guard the Celestial Continent is to be worthy of being called the Central Plains.

If defined narrowly, only the Fifty-four Countries established around the Nine Mansions of the Celestial Continent can be considered the true Central Plains.

This view is especially widespread within the Nine Mansions of the Celestial Continent. Many cultivators native to the Celestial Continent even refuse to recognize the ’Eight Border Lands’, such as the Southwest, Northwest, and Southern Realm, as part of the Central Plains, stubbornly insisting they are just peripheral buffer zones.

"This artificially planned feeling becomes more apparent..."

Zhang Yao flew through the sky, overlooking the rivers and lands below.

After entering the Central Plains, the concentration of Spiritual Qi surged again, nearly doubling compared to places like Da Li and Dayu, and the closer to the Celestial Continent, the more noticeable the increase in Spiritual Qi concentration.

Coming from the Southwest Land into the Fifty-four Countries of Central Plains, the Spiritual Qi concentration presented a distinct tiered division, much like the sensation Zhang Yao experienced when moving from a small country to Da Li back in the day, only far stronger.

"This is the true capability of managing heaven and earth."

"Those who planned all this back in the day created the current Cultivation Realm structure; who knows what kind of remarkable figures they were..."

Zhang Yao’s thoughts inevitably drifted as he flew.

After the Ancient Great Destruction, the Cultivation Realm was left in ruins, experiencing a brief chaotic era.

Ultimately, new pioneers rebuilt a new Immortal Dao system on these ruins, marking the end of the Ancient Era and the beginning of the Middle Ages.

The most important sign marking the boundary of eras was the delineation of territories of the Hundred Countries of Central Plains and the Four Desolates such as the East Sea and Southern Border; the emergence of Desolate Zones and formation of Spiritual Energy Levels were all hallmark events of this period.

It’s clear:

Since the creation of Desolate Zones and the classification system of Spiritual Energy Levels, the innate birth’s influence on the Immortal Dao has been greatly magnified, making reincarnation a significant academic subject.

"Only by achieving the Golden Core does one have the confidence to traverse the Central Plains and roam through various countries..."

Zhang Yao’s gaze captured many panicked Escape Lights, but he was too lazy to pay them any mind.

On the border between the Eight Border Lands and the Central Plains, as well as along the borders of the Central Plains Countries, there exist numerous tribulation cultivator gangs.

Ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators, crossing these long Desolate Zones on the borders, face life-threatening dangers, especially those with poor skills or bad luck.

However, the aura of a Golden Core Ancestor is as eye-catching as a blazing sun in the Desolate Zone, causing any tribulation cultivator group to flee in terror, fearing being killed casually.

"Hoo..."

Zhang Yao took a deep breath, the Golden Core rotated, breathing Spiritual Qi, greedily absorbing the abundant Spiritual Qi between heaven and earth.

For Golden Core Cultivators, especially those like him with a Top Grade Golden Core, the cultivation environment is no longer as crucial as before, as long as it’s not too bad.

No matter how abundant the Spiritual Qi, the breathing ability of a Golden Core has its limits, and for cultivators below the Golden Core, the environment of Da Li and Dayu is already more than sufficient, even for a Celestial Spirit Root.

What truly matters are all kinds of cultivation resources.

In an environment with Spiritual Qi several times more abundant, after thousands or even tens of thousands of years of nurturing, the number and variety of Spirit Gold Ore Veins, Spirit Herbs and Spiritual Objects, and Heaven and Earth Treasures that can be birthed far surpass other regions.

"Mani Kingdom can steadily produce The Precious Luminous Golden Nectar, which no other place can."

"Besides the brilliant Secret Techniques of those Buddhist Cultivators, the richness of raw spiritual materials is even more crucial..."

Zhang Yao thought of this and couldn’t help but feel a bit troubled.

Mani Kingdom does not prohibit transactions among cultivators, but the real treasures of Mani Temple are on the Merit List and can only be exchanged for merits.

Unfortunately, obtaining merits is not entirely determined by strength, so Zhang Yao prepared for a long-term retreat in Mani Kingdom, as its Spiritual Qi environment is better and somewhat beneficial for cultivation.

"Hopefully this trip will go smoothly."

With this thought, Zhang Yao slightly accelerated his Escape Light speed, flying towards Mani Kingdom.

......

A few days later.

Within Mani Kingdom, in a certain populous metropolis.

"Amitabha, the two benefactors should avoid further self-harm, must know..."

On a bustling long street with dense crowds, a great monk was mediating between two people engaged in a brawl.

Among those mediated, one wore tattered clothes and messy hair, clearly a beggar; the other was a teenage boy, glaring angrily at the beggar with a red face.

Strangely, both of them showed great respect towards the great monk, and the surrounding crowd was discussing the scene openly, evidently accustomed to such situations.

"Dong..."

A clear bell sound rang out, echoing for over ten miles.

In the distant grand temple, the city’s governor responsible for managing this metropolis was leading a group of secular officials to burn incense and pay respects at the temple as part of a routine ritual, showing utmost respect.

Under the golden body of Buddha, the dignified monastery abbot let a golden spiritual halo blossom from behind his head, clad in a rich red gilded robe, his expression radiating both compassion and authority.

This temple abbot was obviously a Buddhist Cultivator with considerable cultivation.

What was surprising was that the secular officials managing the city and even the common people congregating for worship showed no trace of surprise, clearly long accustomed to the scene.

And gazing beyond this city:

A few old farmers knelt in prayer in the fields, rambling on, but inside the low shrine was not the usual Earth God, but a Bodhisattva statue;

A beggar monk, clad in tattered robes yet with an incredibly determined expression, his feet worn and skin rough like tree bark, persisted in bowing every few steps with utmost devotion;

In the farthest distance, an entire majestic mountain peak hundreds of feet high was carved into a Buddha visage, and beneath the lotus seat were countless worshippers from all ten neighboring villages...

"Truly eye-opening."

In an inn, Zhang Yao sat by the window on the second floor, swirling a wine cup, gazing at this scene of myriad beings venerating Buddha.

His heart was serene, his expression full of sentiment:

"This place is truly peaceful and joyous, a rarity in the world..."

He had long heard of the famed Mani Kingdom, but only upon arriving here did he truly witness its reality.

Mani Kingdom is an Earthly Buddha Kingdom, unlike any nations Zhang Yao had ever seen:

Here, Buddhist faith permeates every aspect of the nation, respected monks and spiritual leaders have more authority and prestige than officials and nobles.

This was just the difference on a secular level.

The name of Mani Kingdom as an Earthly Buddha Kingdom originates from the Cultivation Realm.

Mani Kingdom is known for its ’Forty-Eight Thousand Temples’, which are not ordinary temples but places akin to Cultivation Sects, possessing comprehensive Buddhist lineages.

Here, Buddhist Cultivators are closely tied to the secular world, not just in major cities but even in village settlements, their presence is frequently seen.

Some punish evildoers and promote good deeds; some eradicate demons and pursue malevolent spirits; some eliminate bandits and maintain regional peace; some preside over justice and educate the populace...

All these factors create distinctive differences between Mani Kingdom and other nations.

To give a simple example:

In other mortal countries, it’s common for those who usurp power to become wealthy and powerful, and oppressors to be glorified for generations, with officials, noble families, great merchants, aristocrats, and powerful clans exploiting the people, wielding unchecked authority.

But in Mani Kingdom, this cannot happen.

Whenever mortals are treated unjustly, they can immediately seek justice from any temple monk, and any acts of corruption or conspiracy are exposed under Buddhist magic.

In Mani Kingdom, there’s no space for corruption or power transactions, even a city lord must adhere to laws and value justice, lest they quickly be removed and judged by Buddhist Cultivators.

After all, Buddhist Cultivators are indifferent to worldly power and interests, secular authority is supervised by cultivators yet unable to collude with them.

The root of all this lies in the ’Merit System’ implemented in Mani Kingdom!

Every good deed is encouraged, promoted, recorded, and exchanged for merits, which are the hard currency in Mani Kingdom, exchangeable for almost all resources.

All Forty-Eight Thousand Temples revere Mani Temple as the source, each having their own merit list of various levels.

And within Mani Temple, the merit list is the highest-level list, the ’The Precious Luminous Golden Nectar’ Zhang Yao needed was ranked seventh on this rare treasure list, a significant Buddhist treasure.

"This truly is a good place, especially for mortals."

Flickers of thought passed in Zhang Yao’s heart.

After another drink, he suddenly put down his cup and spoke:

"Since you have come, why conceal yourself?"

"Amitabha."

With a recitation of a Buddhist chant, a young monk clad in a bright yellow robe, bearing nine ring scars upon his head, walked from one side of the inn.

Walking barefoot, ignoring all around, as he passed the patrons and waiters, they simply acted as if they did not see him, the busy waiter bypassed him, continuing his tasks.

"No wonder you are Elder Qingxu, your Divine Thought is indeed remarkable, able to detect me."

The young monk sat opposite Zhang Yao, slightly bowing his head:

"Forgive my meager skills for amusing you."

"It wasn’t intentional for me to hide, truly I came under my master’s orders, to observe your actions secretly, Hermit Qingxu."

He spoke with candid grace, without a hint of embarrassment:

"However, my technique is inferior, unintentionally becoming a laughingstock."

"Master, you flatter."

With a subtle smile, Zhang Yao replied:

"You are a Golden Body Arhat from Mani Temple, how dare I jest at you?"

"Especially such a young Golden Core Cultivator, indeed remarkable."

The vitality exuding from this young monk was as rich as a teenager in the mortal world, radiating exuberant youthful energy constantly.

This purely stems from being too young when advancing to the Golden Core Realm, causing continuous elevation in life essence, making his life aura lively and conspicuous as a torch in the night.

Zhang Yao deduced that this young monk was likely under sixty years old, despite the differences between Buddhist cultivation methods and orthodox Qi Refining Dao, Mani Temple being an ancient Nascent Soul level power brimming with Profound Skills and Mysterious Methods, was indeed daunting.

"That group of old monks in Mani Temple, sending this young monk to approach me does have a unique intention..."