Chapter 736 525: Jade True 69 Unity of Void (Part 2)

The gathered Zifu maintained an eerie silence, until all radiance surrounding Shangyuan vanished, transforming him once again into a figure of white garments fluttering gently, his sword returning to its wooden form.

He opened his eyes, pure and white, his figure emitting a white glow.

The stars and moon grew dim; Shangyuan's lips parted softly, his voice drifting from the Great Void into the mortal realm, passing endlessly as he declared:

"I, Shangyuan, here today at the Northern Sea, bear witness to the Dao, attaining the 'Jade True Six-Nine Uniting Void Nature', ascending to Perfected Lord, the foundation of Jade Stone throughout the world now forged; it may serve as array, as elixir, as supreme Immortal Law, as talisman, as script, as lineage of Jade True…"

"The earth veins shall yield forth Jade Stone… Jade True may become spiritual objects, spirit plants, spiritual beasts… My Dao shall ascend, thus Sword Mansion and Jade Cliff shall be left for future generations."

His voice resonated, threading among the fine, tinkling notes of Shattered Jade; all the surrounding Zifu, regardless of their former ties with him—be it joy or resentment, indifference or envy and admiration—now bowed in unison:

"Congratulations to Shangyuan Perfected Lord!"

"We pay respects to the Jade True Six-Nine Uniting Void Perfected Lord."

Perfected Person Pu Yu listened with emotion, turning aside to Yuan Su:

"This Shangyuan Perfected Lord… it is the ancient Immortal Law's proclamation for the accomplishment of immortal destiny…"

Yuan Su inclined his head softly, thoughts unfathomed, while Perfected Person Pu Yu sighed, murmuring:

"It's time we left; he's broken through this time, certain about many things, and who knows how many will be impelled to break through now, at home and afar!"

Yuan Su remained utterly silent, only quietly paying respect to Shangyuan, spellbound as he gazed at that expanse of white vapor.

Shangyuan, ears turned attentively, faintly discerned a vague, indistinct thing manifesting before him.

This thing seemed both illusory and real, like a robe draping over the body, yet also resembling a stone held in hand, and at once, a hollow void; Shangyuan lifted his gaze, yet looked toward the emptiness ahead.

The surrounding clouds drifted apart, and two blurry figures gradually transformed and appeared; one spoke:

"Congratulations, Upper Immortal."

The other, equally proper and reverent, saluted respectfully, then drew a golden scroll from his sleeve, gently shaking his arm to unfurl it.

The two held it at either side, presenting it before Shangyuan Perfected Person; the one on the left drew out a brush from his sleeve, respectfully declaring:

"Upper Immortal, you have transcended the mundane—please erase your immortal name with your own hand. We, lowly ones, dare not commit such great disrespect."

Shangyuan Perfected Person shook his head slightly, motionless; the two seemed somewhat apprehensive, exchanging glances uncertainly, until Shangyuan spoke:

"I am not upon the register—you need not search for me."

The two of Yin Si exchanged glances, resignedly stowed away the brush and the golden scroll; only then did Shangyuan signal:

"Go swiftly now, lest the strife here harm you both."

"Many thanks, Perfected Lord, we take our leave."

The two nodded repeatedly, as if pardoned, offered respectful farewells, and in an instant, turned into an inky wind, swiftly dispersing within heaven and earth.

Shangyuan slowly rose, the white light behind him gradually withdrawn into his body; his hand pressed upon the Green Peak at his waist, his voice cold:

"Taoist Fellow Du Qing, there is no need to wait further!"

As he uttered these words, all the Zifu in the air bowed their heads in unison; none dared move, none ventured to speak, each stood in silent awe. Li Xuanfeng felt that his sight was now suffused with verdant blue, all before his eyes transformed utterly.

"The sky is gone…"

The sun, moon, stars, and the night skies vanished entirely, leaving only an immense boundless azure sea spanning from the distant east across to the west—endless waters rolling grandly aloft. Raising his eyes, scattered star-like islets could be glimpsed.

"This is… this is…"

The sky's ocean reflected the snowy peaks and Jade Mountain beneath as well as the lowest reach of the Northern Sea; above and below, all was water, and north, south, east, and west were almost indistinct.

The endless azure waters above pressed close, and Li Xuanfeng felt his eyes ache, golden stars flashing before him; unable to bear the sight, Yuan Su at his side had already fetched his armor, forcing his head to turn aside to meet Yuan Su's countenance.

Ning Tiaoxiao's right eye was now a hollow void, dissolving into streaming blue-green sea water; the other side was limp, melded into a soft mass within the socket, and her face appeared doused with water, blue liquid flowing down in rivulets.

Before his eyes, darkness fell; he vaguely saw a glittering comet drop into the sea, and a colossal, measureless entity threading from the sky's ocean into the depths below—the glint of pitch-black scales shimmering.

His ears were enveloped in utter silence, all sound lost to the world; as though time itself had frozen, everything held still before him, and only saw Ning Tiaoxiao's lips move:

'Lu Shui.'

...

East Sea, Xua Mountain.

Xua Mountain stood as a great sea mountain north of Heshui Sea, a resting place for the Rosy Clouds of the East Sea; from northwest and northeast, whichever rosy light ascended, upon reaching this high peak, would always pause and then continue its journey across the sky's dome.

Sometimes this was brief, sometimes prolonged—at times, a few breaths, sometimes many hours; those from the northwest would generally head for Qunyi, while those from the northeast cascaded straight down onto the Grand Western Plateau of Wu Country.

Here, nestled in Heshui Sea, it was naturally the domain of Dragon Kind; for ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators, venturing here spelled death, yet the Zifu from all directions maintained cordial ties, so could pause here to cultivate among the Rosy Clouds, with Dragon Kind giving courtesy and welcome.

As the clouds and light soared, amid mountain vapors, a youth rode the clouds in flight—handsome brows, luminous eyes, graceful and poised, a gourd in his hand.

He alighted lightly upon the peak, counted his time, frowning in puzzlement. At his side, a woman arrived borne by the wind, cradling rosy clouds in her hands, arching her brows as she spoke:

"Husband, how goes it?"

This pair were naturally Li Xizhi and his wife; Li Xizhi, healing and gathering clouds, was sought out by Xiao'er, who crossed the East Sea alone to find him, only just arriving last night—she alone, as one of the Yang Family, had family escort, else the journey would have been fraught with peril.

Li Xizhi was observing the clouds; for here, he gathered them on behalf of Changxi Perfected Person, and so must do well. Calculating by fingers, he mused puzzled:

"Strange… has something happened in Northern Sea, no rosy light flows here… Could it be a Zifu has fallen, throwing off the celestial omens?"

He calculated a moment:

"Yet clearly, no sign of celestial omens to the northwest—still, no rosy clouds drift over…"

Xiao'er quickly understood, and quietly informed him:

"You have been secluded here, so do not know; these days, it is the breakthrough of Shangyuan Perfected Person in Northern Sea, perhaps unintentionally he has blocked it."

Li Xizhi grew concerned; with no rosy clouds coming by, they now had free time to descend upon the wind together, entering the Cave Mansion below.

This Cave Mansion had been prepared by Dragon Kind, spacious indeed. He closed the stone door tightly, and softly asked:

"Yesterday you arrived so quickly—I hadn't time to ask you… Here it is safe, and we have the moment."

Li Xizhi drew from his Storage Bag that Feather Clothing, now utterly tattered, with a deep blue palm imprint upon the back; seeing this, Xiao'er's expression turned anxious, and she asked:

"How did it turn out like this!"

Xiao'er, having heard her husband was at Xua Mountain, missed him dearly and rushed over; seeing that he was not wearing the Feather Clothing she'd given him, felt a bit apprehensive. Her heart quickly sensed something was amiss:

"What has happened!"

Li Xizhi explained in broad strokes, then gently asked:

"This Feather Clothing you gifted—while only of Qi Cultivation level, it still hid this golden light as a safeguard…"

Xiao'er, hearing this, first carefully confirmed his wounds were not grave, then pursed her lips and snorted softly:

"That's all it was."

She smiled:

"Of the two Feather Clothings I have—one gained by direct lineage of the Yang Family, one for dowry… At the time, knowing you'd wander out and about, beset by so many foes, I watched over you thus."

Li Xizhi, ever keen of mind, immediately understood, and spoke gently:

"So you switched the Feather Clothing."

"Of course I did! Out there, I don't need to risk life and limb, nor is there anyone who can bully me."

Xiao'er laughed softly:

"So the one you're wearing is the Yang Family's direct line Feather Clothing, and the one I wear is the dowry garment!"