Chapter 840 - 673: Borrowed Corpse, Returning Soul
Upon hearing Shen Xuan’s refusal, True Monarch Qing Yun felt quite regretful.
In fact, he understood this principle even more than Shen Xuan.
A Nascent Soul True Monarch is the strongest deterrent of a sect.
Just like Medicine God Valley, which lost its Nascent Soul True Monarch, leaving no successors.
The entire sect was annexed by Danxia Sect, its lineage severed.
If one were to consider contributions to the Cyan Cloud Sect alone,
Mysterious Trace True Master, who managed sect affairs for over a century, must be stronger than Spirit Sword True Master.
However, precisely because of this,
Spirit Sword True Master, focused solely on cultivation, was better prepared, with a greater chance of coalescing a Nascent Soul.
After becoming a Nascent Soul Sword Cultivator, his strength would be even greater.
Many times, sect decisions do not prioritize past contributions.
Instead, they consider who can bring greater benefits to the sect in the future.
"Shen Xuan, if you’re unwilling to become the Sect Leader, so be it. But this Starlight Island is too small to hold you."
True Monarch Qing Yun solemnly spoke.
"Disciple understands."
Shen Xuan still wore a smile on his face.
"After some time, once my realm is stabilized, I’ll arrange the island’s affairs and go on a journey."
"Oh? Where do you intend to go?"
"Jin, Zhao, Qin, and other strong countries—I wish to see them all."
True Monarch Qing Yun gazed toward the boundless sea and sky in the north, slowly saying, "The Jin Country Celestial Essence Sect is overwhelmingly dominant, notoriously exclusive, it’s best not to go. Though Zhao Country has three major sects standing together, it is also extremely exclusive. Given your Body Refining Divine Realm, Qin Country is more suitable."
"There, near the Southern Wilderness, demon beasts run rampant, fortunes and dangers coexist, perfect for tempering body refining cultivators."
Shen Xuan cupped his hands and bowed deeply: "Thank you, True Monarch, for the guidance."
True Monarch Qing Yun stood silent for a while, then retrieved two items from his chest.
A sparkling Concentric Jade Ring and a green Jade Scroll.
"If you truly go to Qin Country, at your leisure, find an old acquaintance of mine and return this ’Concentric Ring’ to her."
"If she is no longer here, then give it to her blood descendants. The Jade Scroll contains information about my old acquaintance."
Shen Xuan accepted them with both hands.
The Concentric Jade Ring felt warm to the touch, imbued with a trace of special Water Spiritual Power.
Clearly, it was no ordinary object.
"I shall deliver them properly."
Shen Xuan said solemnly.
True Monarch Qing Yun took a look at Shen Xuan.
Spoke no more, stood tall.
Turned into a ray of blue light, merged into the seawater, vanished in an instant.
True Monarch Qing Yun seemed to merge with the vast sea.
This should be his last meeting with Shen Xuan.
The next time they meet, this pillar of the Cyan Cloud Sect would likely be enshrined within the ancestral hall, receiving the incense offerings of future disciples.
...
Yan Country, Danxia Immortal City.
The city was built atop a Tier Three Upper Grade Spirit Vein, stretching for thousands of miles, gathering one hundred thousand cultivators.
This place is the central hub for distributing medicinal herbs across Yan, Liang, Song, Lu, and Yue, the Five Countries. For ten thousand years, Pill Masters held an esteemed position here.
Walking along the wide streets, most shops on either side are related to herbs and pill cauldrons.
The air is perpetually filled with either a bittersweet or a spicy scent of medicine, mixed with the faint sulphur odor from earth fire steaming.
In teahouses and wine shops, those engaging in loud conversations usually wear Pill Master’s robes, discussing fire control, medicinal properties, and pill success rate, with a few obscure pill formula names occasionally sparking curious or admiring glances.
Shen Xuan walked leisurely amidst the bustling crowd, dressed in the common attire of a Late Stage Foundation Establishment Fire Cultivator, with a red-striped Jade Token representing a Tier Two Pill Master hanging from his waist.
At this time, he went by the alias Shen Wentqing.
He kept Soul Nourishing Wood close to his chest, with Li Ruyi concealed within.
"This Alchemist Sacred Land truly lives up to its name."
Shen Xuan scanned the street scene with his gaze, contemplating silently.
The reverence for Pill Masters is nearly obsessive among the cultivators here, casting an alchemy atmosphere across the entire city.
Every Pill Master takes pride in mastering elixirs, establishing themselves through this pursuit.
He turned down several streets and stopped before a towering building with flying eaves and impressive architecture.
The plaque read "Ten Thousand Flowers Tower," in letters with lingering artistic charm.
In such an Immortal City, the Ten Thousand Flowers Tower had a threshold unlike any other.
Even seeking entry as a Tier Two Pill Master, he still couldn’t access a VIP suite, only being guided to a common elegant seat.
The Ten Thousand Flowers Sect behind Ten Thousand Flowers Tower is a native Nascent Soul sect of Yan Country, analogous to Celestial Fragrance Pavilion of Hehuan Sect.
Besides engaging in escapades, it also deals in information, deeply rooted in Yan Country, backed by a mysterious force that prevents Celestial Fragrance Pavilion from gaining a foothold in Yan Country.
Shen Xuan said few words, taking out a small Jade Buckle token gifted by Su Yajing years ago.
Upon seeing it, the maid’s expression turned respectful, silently leading him to the seventh floor.
Inside a reception room with elegant decor, a female cultivator in Late Stage Foundation Establishment, with her face covered by a black veil, walked gracefully in.
Her figure was lithe, her gaze swept over Shen Xuan, her voice soft: "May I ask Fellow Daoist Shen, what connection do you have with Junior Sister Su?"
"An old friend."
Shen Xuan smiled slightly.
The veiled female cultivator nodded, not probing deeper: "Those who enter our Ten Thousand Flowers Tower, may come to enjoy music, seek comrades, or acquire information. I presume Fellow Daoist Shen is here for the latter?"
"Indeed."
Shen Xuan nodded, his expression calm.
"However, this matter is quite significant, unlikely within your purview. I must request the owner of this place to come for a discussion."
The veiled female cultivator clearly flinched, surprise in her eyes.
She had never seen a buyer so particular about the seller of information.
Yet she was well-trained and did not show anger, awaiting further words.
Shen Xuan spoke no more, slightly releasing his concealed aura.
Instantly, a hint of pure, condensed Ice Technique Golden Core pressure quietly spread.
"Hiss!"
The veiled female cultivator gasped sharply,
her figure wobbled.
Looking at Shen Xuan again, her eyes were filled with shock and awe.
This handsome young cultivator was unexpectedly an old monster in the Golden Core Realm!