Chapter 747 531: Aftermath of Yuan Tuan

Ziyan Blessed Land.

Ziyan Blessed Land was suffused with drifting Purple Qi, a veil of mist enshrouding the mountain peaks. Since Li Xuanfeng had been personally brought here by a Perfected Person, the cultivators of the Ziyan Sect treated him with great courtesy, specifically arranging a cave mansion upon the main peak for his cultivation.

Although the Taoist lineage he cultivated had nothing to do with this Purple Qi, at least the spirit veins were abundant and the spiritual mechanism was thick; cultivating here brought no small benefit. Had he been able to practice in such a place in his earlier years, perhaps he could have broken through a few years sooner.

"Alas, now my path of cultivation has nearly come to its end."

The cultivation technique Li Xuanfeng practiced could only be trained to Foundation Establishment Late Stage; it held no further chapters to break through to Zifu. His cultivation level had now slowly approached its bottleneck—like Tang Shedou and his ilk, he could only be stranded at this late stage of Foundation Establishment.

Even with time to delve into secret techniques, there was no suitable cultivation method to pursue. Thus Li Xuanfeng could only regulate his qi to its peak and devote himself to the diligent practice of movement and pupil techniques.

Li Xuanfeng cultivated here for several days. Soon, Yuanxiu Perfected Person arrived leading companions, striding openly across the heavens into the Blessed Land. Li Xuanfeng was practicing in the mountains, and, looking into the distance, saw that he held a man in his grasp. Looking closely at the man's face, it was none other than Ning Heyuan.

For caution's sake, Zipei Perfected Person summoned Li Xuanfeng as well. After returning to that cave mansion where purple mist rose and sank, three Perfected Persons sat encircling the chamber, with Ning Heyuan standing dazedly at the center.

The effect of Ning Tiaoxiao's death upon Ning Heyuan was wholly unlike its effect on Li Xuanfeng. The place Yuan Su had in Ning Heyuan's heart perhaps was akin to the place Li Tongya had once held for the Li Family. Li Xuanfeng saw him standing there in solemn respect, yet his eyes were somewhat vacant—a look of absent-mindedness held him, as if his soul was wandering.

No sooner had Li Xuanfeng taken his place than Zipei inquired:

"Li Xuanfeng, is this man a descendant dear to Yuan Su's heart?"

Seeing Li Xuanfeng nod in affirmation, Zipei turned her gaze to Perfected Person Pu Yu, prompting him to count upon his fingers. Finding little error, she at last drew a small seal from her sleeve and spoke softly:

"Ning Heyuan!"

"This junior is here."

Ning Heyuan bowed respectfully, whereupon Zipei set the seal upon her palm. Her countenance sank into moments of reminiscence, and after contemplating, she spoke:

"Yuan Su was never fond of hearing of the past—perhaps he never once told you—since I have preserved this thing on his behalf, I owe you the tale of its origin, so you'll know from whom this grace descends."

With these words, Perfected Person Pu Yu nodded faintly, Yuanxiu turned his face aside in silence, and Li Xuanfeng understood inwardly:

"It's often said that this Ziyan Sect's master was not at ease with Yuan Su; yet seeing things now, it seems they once knew each other well—only some discord rose between them… In the end, she still guarded many things for him…"

Zipei spoke in a gentle voice:

"This seal is the [Xin You Lu Ze Seal]. Its core is cast of Xin You Mysterious Gold, Supreme Lu Essence, and Langya Jade—a relic of antiquity. Upon it is sealed the [Lu Shui Feathered Serpent]."

"In ancient times, this seal was the magic artifact of a great Zifu demon in service to the Feathered Serpent. Later, it was defeated by a certain elder of Moonlight Origin Mansion and thus came into possession of the Immortal Mansion, refined therein by Moonlight itself."

"At last, it was gained by Donghua Perfected Person of the Immortal Mansion, who then gifted it to Ning Tiaoxiao."

Zipei Perfected Person recounted the matter without the least concealment, and Li Xuanfeng, listening on the side, comprehended all clearly.

The Three Sects and Seven Doors always maintained an ambiguous attitude toward Donghua Perfected Person, publicly speaking of him as one who received the grace of the Immortal Mansion, while in private, rumors abounded that he was himself the Immortal Mansion Descendant.

Now, having heard such a straightforward account from the very mouth of one who witnessed those years, there was no denying it; it differed wholly from the sect's official records. Ning Heyuan dared not object and received the seal with both hands.

Zipei quietly intoned:

"In days past, both Qiushui and I wielded this treasure. There are twelve incantations—I shall now pass them to you, so mark them well."

Sibo Xiu stood with his hands clasped behind him, his face cold and expressionless. With a single wave of his sleeve, he vanished into the Great Void, disappearing from sight.

Pu Yu Perfected Person likewise took his leave with a nod, and in Ning Heyuan's hand the jade seal burst into dazzling light. Wisps of azure water and golden-blue radiance flowed about him. His eyes shut tight, as if communing with the little seal in his palm.

Zipei Perfected Person imparted the incantation, then paused to listen for a while. After a flick of her sleeve, she declared:

"Now you have received this treasure—go forth and cultivate well."

The two felt their vision flicker. With a sweep of that sleeve, they were cast from the Blessed Land. Looking about, they found themselves already in Libu Prefecture, at the far eastern border of the Green Pond Sect—right where Green Pond and Ziyan met. Beneath their feet, the crowds surged, beneath lanterns and feasting lights.

Ning Heyuan and Li Xuanfeng conjured up the wind of their arts and steadied themselves in the air. Ning Heyuan clutched the seal closely to his breast, still slow to react, and only managed to say:

"How swift it is!"

He muttered in a low voice, unsure whether he spoke of Zipei's methods or of Yuan Su. Li Xuanfeng stood silently behind him, as he heard Ning Heyuan ask, his voice trembling somewhat:

"Brother-in-law, have you any affairs yet to address… or will you return to the sect with me?"

Ning Heyuan's hand clutched the Dharma Seal so tightly that his fingers blanched. In the darkness, his eyes shone brilliantly, fixing upon Li Xuanfeng's face, watching his expression closely.

Li Xuanfeng, as ever, displayed his usual composure—neither overbearing nor servile—as he replied in a gentle voice:

"I await the Family Head's command."

Yuan Su had only just passed away; to Ning Heyuan, Li Xuanfeng's stance could not be of greater import. This old general need do nothing—merely standing behind him was enough to give Ning Heyuan confidence.

He let out a breath and quickly urged:

"If brother-in-law has matters to attend to, you may see to them as you wish… but if not, I ask you to return with me to the Ning Family."

Li Xuanfeng nodded and rose to the sky with him. Along the way, Ning Heyuan found small matters to discuss, and, assured by Li Xuanfeng's unchanged demeanor, finally let his heart settle at ease.