Chapter 111: The Daoist Name Jade Radiance

Up to now, Jiang Min still knew very little about Taiji Mountain.

She had deliberately searched through the histories of various sects, but because Taiji Mountain was located in the Yushuang Kingdom, far distant from the Dongling Sect, she could only find a few scattered words about it in the records.

This revealed much about the character of the Go Master True Lord.

She, on the other hand, grew increasingly curious about the mysterious Taiji Mountain...

Jiang Min picked up a white stone that had fallen on the board. Her spiritual eyes flickered, and she suddenly said, “So, Master’s actions cause Yanming Zhenren to feel fortunate to have escaped a blood disaster. They fear and dread Master, yet dare not harbor resentment.”

The Go Master True Lord smiled approvingly, calm and composed as he placed his stones. Glancing at her, he leisurely asked, “What do you think about killing to stop killing?”

Jiang Min looked at the board.

The Go Master’s style was as fierce and decisive as his words about killing. Even in the opening moves, he pressed relentlessly, giving a heavy sense of oppression.

While placing her stones, she pondered. When the black stones captured two white ones, a spark of insight flashed in her mind. She replied, “Just like this game, striking first to seize the initiative and create pressure, cutting with a single sword to avoid a hundred swords coming at once.”

Jiang Min’s words brightened the Go Master’s eyes. He nodded, “Cutting with one sword to prevent a hundred strikes—that’s well said. That is the principle.”

Then he suddenly shook his head, “But everything has pros and cons. I’ve made many enemies in my life; those who want to kill me are as numerous as fish crossing a river, and those who wish me dead are countless as cattle.”

“So, when you travel outside and no one knows your identity, and you need a backing, don’t say I’m your master. Instead, say you come from Taiji Mountain, Tianya Cave’s Hidden Moon True Lord, ranked nineteenth. Remember that?”

Jiang Min’s hand paused as she placed a stone; her eyelids twitched.

There was such a tactic?

Since the Go Master said so, there must indeed be such a Hidden Moon True Lord. Jiang Min was momentarily stunned but then answered, “Disciple will remember.”

Seeing her astonishment, the Go Master chuckled lightly, then said leisurely, “Of course, if you meet someone from the Nine Sects or clans, you may still give my name. Your master’s name is still useful.”

“Now, it’s time to talk about you.”

The Go Master changed his tone, placing a stone and asking slowly, “Do you know why I accepted you as my disciple?”

This was exactly what Jiang Min wondered.

Given her cheap master’s status and position, he must have seen many dazzling geniuses—those more diligent, more outstanding, and more clever than herself.

Why, then,

Did he choose her?

Jiang Min could not understand and guessed, “Because of Go?”

Her gaze fell on the board. Her novice and clumsy moves made her heart race when faced with an unfamiliar expert’s game.

“Yes, but no.”

The Go Master raised a finger and tapped the stone she had just placed. “It’s clear you’re a novice, making many mistakes experts wouldn’t, but what’s more, you never make the same mistake twice.”

“I say yes because I recognized you from that ancient game; no because chess alone is not enough to move me to take a disciple.”

“Besides, you earned a chance at the Sword Competition of the Ten Thousand Sword Sect, showing your talent in the sword path. You successfully established a foundation under Dongling Sect’s rules. That’s not just luck or chance — it shows you know how to survive... but that’s not the reason.”

The Go Master spoke casually.

On the board, the game had reached the middle stage.

In the opening, black stones were skillful and ruthless; the white stones clumsy yet cautious, managing to hold some territory.

Of course,

Black had also purposely given up some moves several times.

Jiang Min rarely heard others evaluate her. The Go Master, on first meeting, could deduce her character and talents from a few clues. Her brief words and actions had apparently been seen through.

Seeing the Go Master still had leisure to tease her, she placed a stone and asked with a flicker in her eyes, “What is the real reason?”

The Go Master suddenly looked up and asked with interest, “Do you know there’s an unwritten rule in Dongling Sect?”

“They don’t accept demon cultivators.”

The moment he said this, Jiang Min suddenly realized he was speaking of her.

Recalling her blood connection to the peach branch, she was shocked, her eyes slightly dazed. She thought, “How could I be a demon cultivator?”

She neither cultivated demon techniques nor had demon bloodline, but her blood connection to the peach branch was inexplicable. Perhaps the Go Master’s cultivation detected a trace of demonic aura, hence this statement. Could this be why she was accepted?

“You seem unaware of your own situation?”

Raising an eyebrow, the Go Master noticed her surprise and confusion, then explained slowly, “From what I know, demon cultivators either have innate demon blood or convert to the demon path by blood exchange. But you have both human and demon blood—a situation I’ve never seen before, and the reason I took you as my disciple. Taiji Mountain specializes in recruiting extraordinary talents.”

Jiang Min’s eyes moved.

Did this mean she was already a demon cultivator?

Would this affect her formation of the core? She only needed to form a golden core... or would she have to form a demon core like demon cultivators?

Since she had been discovered, she could no longer hide it.

Raising her hand, the peach branch wrapped around her wrist, which looked like an ordinary wooden bracelet, suddenly came alive like a spiritual snake. It stretched out into a vivid peach branch, fresh as if freshly plucked, resting in her palm.

She concealed some details and said, “I once obtained a somewhat resilient remnant of a peach demon branch and placed it in my dantian, using the dantian treasure refining method to forge it into my life treasure—a sword.”

“Unexpectedly, after passing the five-element foundation establishment heavenly tribulation, I became blood-linked to this peach branch.”

Hearing Jiang Min’s story, the Go Master put down his stone in surprise, pondering, “The five-element root tribulation has such an effect...”

He thought for a moment, then looked seriously at Jiang Min and said, “Child, you must carefully consider whether to cultivate the demon path alongside. Regardless of whether you choose to cultivate both immortal and demon paths or just one, I can help you find a way.”

“Now, I will first find you a five-element cultivation method to start with. As for better five-element techniques, you’ll have to seek them yourself in the Nine Sects Hall. Let me see... the next Nine Sects Discussion is in eight years—not far off.”

Jiang Min blinked in surprise and asked, “The cultivation methods in the Nine Sects Hall?”

The Go Master’s words reminded her of Jia Fugui’s plan; Jia Fugui also aimed for a five-element cultivation method in the Nine Sects Hall.

The finest five-element methods—

All in the Nine Sects Hall?

The Go Master nodded patiently and explained, “The Nine Sects Hall is the origin place of several major sects of the Eastern Plains and holds many ancient legacies.”

“Taiji Mountain has many five-element methods, but compared to those in the Nine Sects Hall, they’re inferior and can’t be cultivated to very high levels. So, when the Nine Sects Hall opens in eight years, enter if you can—otherwise, you’ll have to wait another fifty years.”

He looked at the peach branch in Jiang Min’s hand and said, “Also, this peach branch was once a third-rank demon beast. To refine it with your current life flame might be difficult. I will take you to a place to meet someone who can temper your life flame.”

Many doubts in Jiang Min’s heart, under the Go Master’s explanations, suddenly cleared like clouds parting to reveal sunlight.

She finally understood the benefit of having a guide. If she explored alone, in the increasingly complex foundation establishment realm, she would undoubtedly take many detours.

“Thank you, Master.”

Gratitude and joy brightened Jiang Min’s brow and eyes as she raised her hand in salute.

This salute was heartfelt and sincere.

The Go Master noticed her subtle change in attitude, smiled helplessly, and picked up a stone again. He intended to cut off Jiang Min’s path but reconsidered and let her off with a gentle move elsewhere.

“There’s no such thing as luck in this world. I took you as my disciple simply because you have the talent and ability.”

He picked up another stone and looked at Jiang Min, saying freely, “Feel free. As my disciple of Taiji Mountain, you can be a bit willful.”

Meeting the Go Master’s encouraging gaze, Jiang Min’s eyes brightened with a light she hadn’t felt in a long time. She smiled sincerely and nodded, “Disciple understands.”

“As for your Taoist name, ‘Achievement Complete and Journey Fulfilled, Hidden Moon Jade True,’ you belong to the Jade generation, sixth among the disciples…”

The Go Master hesitated as he held his stone, pondering.

Suddenly,

A streak of sunlight broke through the horizon, shining brilliantly in all directions.

On the flying boat, he looked up through the layers of clouds toward the rising golden sun, as if seeing this newly found apprentice—like an uncut jade awaiting polishing—beginning to radiate brilliance.

“The sunrise has a shining brilliance, illuminating heaven and earth.”

“You shall be called Jade Radiance.”