Chapter 739 527: Meddling

Li Xuanfeng held the small seal with both hands, quietly kneeling on the ground, feeling the icy touch in his palms. This seal truly was dainty, no more than two fingers wide, and only three fingers tall.

Upon the seal coiled a strange serpent, remarkably similar to the Hook Snake of his own clan, Li Wushao, yet densely covered with feathers, two long wings extended and descended, shrouding both sides of the seal.

"Something akin to a Hook Snake, merging the seal's name and Yuan Su Immortal Foundation, could this be that Feathered Serpent of old Lu Shui?"

The little seal was bathed in pale gold, flawless from top to bottom, no hint of impurity, with threads of azure blue streaming through it. Just holding it made his flesh feel chilled, the seal weightless in his grasp.

"This thing must be a Spiritual Object indeed. Rumor has it, it was a gift from Donghua Perfected Person—more than likely an ancient Spiritual Object, perhaps one of the finest, worthy to uphold the fame of Yuan Su."

He remained silent, waiting for those aloft in the sky to speak. The small seal was stirred by the Divine Ability Spell activated by Yuan Su's sitting transformation, emitting a gentle light that fell upon his collar, shimmering in blue and gold.

He waited long, but from start to finish, there was only silence. The sound of a flute echoed for a moment, and finally, the blue-clad, stone-faced Green Pond Zifu was first to speak, his voice calm as it spread out:

"The Xin You Lu Ze Seal is a relic of Green Pond, and must return to its rightful owner."

Xiao Chuting stood suspended in mid-air, uttering not a single word, when the purple-robed female cultivator spoke up coldly:

"Sibo Xiu, is this truly the property of Green Pond or the Ning Clan? You'd better clarify! Xin You Lu Ze Seal—could it perhaps be handed over into your own hands, Sibo Xiu?"

This person was none other than Green Pond Cultivator Sibo Xiu, who now stood with hands clasped behind his back, utterly unceremonious as his voice thundered out:

"This is none of your concern!"

At last, Pu Yu Perfected Person spoke up, drifting concealed amid the clouds and mist, his voice light:

"Predecessors, do not be hasty. The Xin You Lu Ze Seal is the legacy of Senior Yuan Su; of course, it ought to be handed over to his descendants. The assembled Perfected Persons can all bear witness."

First, he looked to the purple-robed female cultivator, saying softly:

"Fairy Zipei, we had some acquaintance with Senior Yuan Su. Naturally, we will not let his relic fall into the hands of outsiders."

Zipei Perfected Person nodded, and when Pu Yu finished, he turned to Yuanxiu:

"Senior Yuanxiu, this ought to be first returned to the Ning Family. If Green Pond wants further dealings, let them arrange within their sect…"

Sibo Xiu was at least cordial toward him, giving a lukewarm nod. Zipei swept her sleeve, releasing a swirl of purple qi, scanning the entire assembly with a cold voice:

"There is no need for you all to linger here. No matter the outcome, this object will never fall into the hands of another."

This seemed directed at the Zifu Monks concealed within The Great Void. For a while, all was silent. Her eyes brimmed with purple qi, sweeping through The Great Void with unfathomable clarity.

Though Li Xuanfeng did not raise his head to observe, he heard everything clearly. He had seen his share of Spiritual Artifacts: Yuanwu's "Sight of Cloud" and "Ceasing Spear" he had witnessed, though they were less than the "Six Ding Combined Fire Command"; and as for the seal in his hand, it likely surpassed even that, explaining why so many Zifu coveted it.

Zipei stood at the Zifu pinnacle. That one glance was all it took to discern the truth. Most Zifu Monks who'd come to spectate had already quietly withdrawn, many nodding respectfully before soon vanishing into The Great Void.

Two breaths passed; the assembled Zifu departed, some drifting away, mindful that she was Zifu at the very summit, and wary too of the Ziyan Sect and Green Pond Sect. It soon cleared out, though one figure still lingered.

Zipei Perfected Person crossed her arms before her chest, the purple Immortal Edge at her waist flaring with dazzling light. She spoke in a low voice:

"Qing Jifang… what brings you from Changhuai Shan to this place?"

The words had only just been spoken when a youth in gray robes appeared, holding a hovering gray jade bead, streams of gray qi surging forth. He smiled and said:

"Predecessor jests! Why shouldn't I come? Our Wu Territory Changhuai Shan is also among the six great lineages of Chongming. With such a grand event, to investigate and lend a hand is a matter of course!"

He had barely appeared, and though the Zifu faces showed little change, inwardly a cloud of foreboding rose. Xiao Chuting clutched his white jade fishing rod, eyes lowered with an acquiescent expression, yet inwardly he mused:

"As expected… even Changhuai Shan has made their move. I wonder if Perfected Lord Tai Yi is truly in Golden Core Late Stage now… a pity for Shangyuan."

Clearly, the words of Qing Jifang implied Changhuai Shan would meddle further, and the surrounding Zifu sensed unease, though each wore a mask of composure.

Only Qing Jifang stood nonchalantly in place, cradling the hovering gray bead. Though the Zifu showed little outwardly, Qing Jifang himself saw through it all, standing in silence.

By now, the matter was no longer simply the dispute over Xin You Lu Ze Seal; the intervention of Changhuai Shan's Perfected Lord had instantly shifted the balance. Each Perfected Person sank into reflection, none speaking for a time.

Qing Jifang took advantage of this moment of distraction, drifting lightly down to the spring's edge, looking toward the silent Li Xuanfeng with a faint smile.

He gazed at the old warrior before him, taking in Li Xuanfeng's ashen eyes and keen brows. Though he appeared aged, never having partaken of any Precious Medicine, there was an air of familiar ferocity and dominance—he suddenly sensed something strangely familiar.

Given that Qing Jifang was a Zifu Monk, already skilled in Divine Skills, a brief search quickly revealed the source of this familiarity. He paused, smiling in disbelief.