Chapter 427 - 233: Heaven-Reaching River

Chapter 427: Chapter 233: Heaven-Reaching River

Life-extending elixirs were not only precious, but also in high demand. Though the Armor Pill was an item regularly concocted by the Danxia Institute, in truth, many people were eagerly watching every time a new batch was forged.

Even with the Zixu Manor Jade Order, the Ministry of Affairs Hall still took the better part of a day to make arrangements before sending word to Xue Yuren to come and retrieve the pill.

Xue Yuren arrived on a crane, and after taking the Armor Pill, she did not return to Chongyun. Instead, she flew straight into the Yunmeng Marsh. Before long, a small island came into view.

The island was not large, only about a dozen or so li in circumference. It had some pleasant scenery; a gentle waterfall cascaded into a clear pool, and a rainbow was perpetually visible in the mist above. Li Changfeng and You Jin’Er had built huts here to cultivate, giving the place a rather elegant name: the Rainbow Pavilion.

The Rainbow Pavilion consisted of just a few small buildings. No outsiders cultivated here, nor were there any Daoist Children to announce visitors. After Xue Yuren sent down a talisman, about half a quarter-hour passed before Li Changfeng came out to greet her personally.

In truth, the two hadn’t seen each other in some years. Xue Yuren’s appearance was unchanged, but Li Changfeng’s had altered drastically.

His lifespan was nearly at its end. Although cultivators could preserve their youthful appearance, he already had an air of decay about him. His Daoist Robe hung loosely on his frame, making him look rather gaunt.

"So it is Lady Xue." Li Changfeng performed a bow. "It has been long since I’ve seen you, Lady. For you to arrive so suddenly today, could it be..."

Li Changfeng’s expression shifted, his emotions seeming to surge as he asked, "Has Master come out of seclusion?"

"He has." Xue Yuren raised her hand and offered an Elixir Bottle, saying, "The Master specifically ordered me to deliver this."

"This is... the Armor Pill?" Li Changfeng took the Elixir Bottle, visibly moved. He asked, "Is my honored Master still at the manor?"

Xue Yuren shook her head. Before Li Changfeng could feel disappointed, she added, "The Master also has a message for you."

Li Changfeng’s expression turned solemn. He cupped his hands and said, "Please speak, Lady Xue."

Xue Yuren surprisingly let out a soft sigh and said, "Since your conviction is unsteady, why suffer and cling to your obsession? Rather than hesitating, waste no more time."

"Take the Armor Pill, solidify a Middle Grade Golden Core, and then you may see the Master."

Li Changfeng was stunned.

Xue Yuren had guessed he would be disappointed. After relaying the message, she gave a slight curtsy and said, "In that case, I will take my leave."

With that said, she mounted her immortal crane. Just as she was about to depart, she suddenly heard Li Changfeng say, "Wait, Lady Xue."

Xue Yuren looked back. Li Changfeng hurried over and placed the Elixir Bottle back in her hand, saying, "Lady Xue, please take this pill back."

"Why?" A hint of confusion appeared in Xue Yuren’s usually placid gaze, and she couldn’t help but ask.

Li Changfeng was silent for a moment, then suddenly gave a carefree smile. "For three hundred years, I have bitterly sought an opportunity for a Top-grade Golden Core to no avail. Everyone in the sect says that my, Li Changfeng’s, Dao heart is exceptionally firm."

"But what is the truth?" Li Changfeng cupped his hands toward the empty air and said, "Master is a Daoist of our Tai Su Orthodox Sect, famous throughout the Divine Land, a figure who shakes the past and illuminates the present. He is destined to achieve the Great Dao and one day ascend to the rank of Patriarch. I have never doubted this."

"As a disciple taken in by my honored Master, how could I be content to become dry bones in a tomb, a mere commoner?"

"Junior Brother Yuan grew up under my watch. How could I not lead by example?"

Of course, Yuan Hao had now already chosen the Six-Seal Golden Core and no longer needed a role model to guide him on his path.

"Junior Brother Qin joined the sect later, but his talent and fortune both exceed mine. He formed a Top-grade Golden Core long ago and is now famous throughout the Divine Land. As his senior brother, how could I be content to remain inferior?"

"My Jin’Er..." As he spoke, a smile appeared on Li Changfeng’s face, yet it seemed tinged with a hint of sorrow. He sighed, "My Jin’Er is a True Monarch Disciple, a true inheritor of the Supreme Profound. If I cannot form a Top-grade Golden Core, how can I ever be worthy of her?"

"It seems there were too many reasons forcing me to be resolute, but they also led me into a cage without me even realizing it."

Li Changfeng raised his head to gaze at the white clouds, his tone unreadable. "But in truth, I, Li Changfeng, originally embarked on the path of cultivation simply for a long life. I was overjoyed just to learn Sword Skill Taoist Techniques. I pleaded for my honored Master to accept me as a disciple just to hear of the Supreme Sword Dao. It was only from the ambition to achieve the Great Dao that this obsession with a Top-grade Core was born..."

"I, too, am a seeker of the Dao. One cultivates for oneself. Why bring this trouble upon myself?"

Xue Yuren listened quietly, suddenly having a premonition about what he was going to say.

Sure enough, the next moment, Li Changfeng’s gaze returned to her. A resolute look appeared on his face as he said slowly, "Please return, Lady Xue. I, Changfeng, now understand my own heart. If I cannot achieve a Top-grade Golden Core, I will die without regret."

Xue Yuren said, "In that case, this life-extending Armor Pill is all the more reason to accept, as it would give you more time for your pursuit. I’m certain the Master would not blame you."

"No." Li Changfeng let out a long laugh. At this moment, he seemed to be radiating a new brilliance. He cupped his hands and said, "To advance is to succeed; to retreat is to die. Without this, I cannot possess the will to advance with no return. My mind is made up. Please, Lady Xue."

Without waiting for Xue Yuren to reply, Li Changfeng turned and walked slowly back among the small buildings.

You Jin’Er sat alone by the pool, holding her pipa. She suddenly looked over her shoulder and said in a low voice, "My love..."

"My lady." Li Changfeng said with deep emotion, "The Golden Core Dao... I can see it."

You Jin’Er remained silent. She knew that Li Changfeng might have truly found an opportunity to achieve a Top-grade Golden Core, but refining and Solidifying the Pill did not depend on fate alone. Foundation and skill were equally important.

In his prime, Li Changfeng had superior skills and a Perfect Dao Foundation, so refining and Solidifying the Pill would have been a simple matter. But now, with his lifespan nearly gone, his essence, qi, and spirit had all declined greatly. Even if he found an opportunity for a top-grade core, the final result would likely be failure at the last step.

Li Changfeng’s so-called ’will to advance with no return’ was, in truth, a preparation to ’hear the Dao in the morning and die content in the evening’!

Therefore, You Jin’Er knew there was nothing more to say. She just walked forward gracefully and said softly, "Congratulations, my love."

Li Changfeng nodded, took You Jin’Er’s hand, gave it a gentle squeeze, and they shared a smile.