Two Spiritual Artifacts

"We parted several years ago, and you have already broken through to Foundation Establishment. That was quite swift." Zhong Qian raised his head slightly, glanced at the cold, stern man in golden armor standing before him, and replied, "Thanks to Senior's care, I seized the opportune moment in the Heshui Sea to cast my Dao Foundation. Afterward, I inquired about Senior's whereabouts and traveled all the way here." His unspoken implication was that breaking through to Foundation Establishment had not taken him three or four years at all—he had likely succeeded in just a year or two, leaving him the remaining time to travel at his leisure on his way here. Such people inherently cultivated at a pace far beyond ordinary men. Li Xuanfeng gave a slight nod, waiting for what he had to say next. Zhong Qian paused briefly, then said softly, "I keep Senior's kindness close to my heart, yet I have long been unable to repay it. I possess no valuable items of worth, only news of a cave dwelling, which I am willing to offer to Senior!" 'It is most likely Qingsong Temple...' Li Xuanfeng listened closely. He understood that Zhong Qian bore a karmic mandate; Li Xuanfeng would never believe that Zhong Qian truly had no valuable treasures on him. Now that the youth had put it this way, Li Xuanfeng knew what was in his mind: 'By simply revealing the news of this cave dwelling, he knows I could hardly cast him aside to go explore it alone... Quite shrewd indeed.' Had Li Xuanfeng not known in advance that this youth possessed a karmic mandate, he might well have accepted the favor and sent Li Qinghong or Li Yuanjiao along with him. That way, Zhong Qian would repay the debt of gratitude while gaining a capable helper—truly killing two birds with one stone. Yet Li Xuanfeng had long since gathered information from many quarters. He asked in a quiet voice, "What cave dwelling is it?" "On Qingsong Island... the Ruins of Qingsong Temple!" Zhong Qian answered, and as if afraid Li Xuanfeng did not understand the site's importance, he smiled and added, "This Qingsong Temple was an ancient immortal sect, and its ruins are a grotto-heaven! I have a method to enter it—it only requires a few people joining hands!" "Qingsong Temple." Li Xuanfeng feigned a hint of surprise and said doubtfully, "That is a grotto-heaven! Several immortal sects have vied over it for ages. As far as I know, the Sword Sect, Chunyi Dao, and Chijiao Island clash in battle year after year over it. You actually have a way inside? Can you be certain of it?" Zhong Qian was momentarily taken aback, as if only now realizing Qingsong Temple possessed such great fame. He said softly, "I obtained it from a demonic cultivator... It was recorded in great detail. I studied it carefully for a long time, and there should be no problem. Those who set up the formation must also meet certain requirements: they need to have cultivated fourth- or fifth-rank cultivation methods... to possess sufficient wonders... "I was born in the Eastern Sea and am merely an itinerant cultivator. Fortunately, I have befriended two companions from immortal sects who can enter together with me... One hails from the Ziyan Gate, and the other is from Great Xiukui Temple." Zhong Qian explained back and forth for a while, and Li Xuanfeng grasped the gist of it, sneering inwardly: 'The Real Persons truly arranged this well. Terrified that their fortune might be seized by outsiders, they set up so many thresholds... In all likelihood, the required number of people and the ranks of the cultivation methods are nothing more than misdirection. Anyone bearing a karmic mandate could enter through it... It was merely designed to let their own disciples hitch a ride.' With a nod, he spoke with reasonable courtesy, "It is rather coincidental. I also have several cultivation methods I need to seek within the grotto-heaven. My thanks to you." "I would not dare, I would not dare! It is we who are basking in Senior's reflected glory." Zhong Qian was overjoyed. Being able to recruit a formidable figure like Li Xuanfeng immediately gave him far greater confidence for this journey. He promptly reminded him, "I hear others have also obtained this method, so there will likely be bloodshed within the grotto-heaven. We will still need Senior to look after us." This news had most likely been told to him by those disciples of the immortal sects, prompting Zhong Qian's warning to make thorough preparations. Li Xuanfeng nodded slightly, whereupon the youth said, "I shall come find Senior in three months. By then, the disciples from the immortal sects will arrive together as well. Please make ready, Senior." After exchanging a few pleasantries, Zhong Qian nimbly took his leave. Li Yuanjiao stepped forward immediately afterward, and Li Xuanfeng said, "There are still three months. We can retrieve the magical artifact and give it a try." Li Yuanjiao nodded with some hesitation and said quietly, "A grotto-heaven is dangerous; I fear one might enter with no return. It would be best if we could locate the entrance, but it is probably unsuitable to carry the mirror inside. If something goes wrong in there, that would be disastrous." Li Xuanfeng nodded and said in a heavy voice, "Indeed. Let us retrieve it and test it, preferably finding that entrance." Li Yuanjiao rode the wind away, while Li Xuanfeng remained silent, contemplating deeply: 'Real Person Yuansu... did he truly grant me an opportunity... Can Yu Muxian truly be killed...' He turned over the words Real Person Yuansu had spoken that day. They had seemed to hint that killing Yu Muxian would carry no consequences, yet could the plain meaning on the surface actually have been a warning to him...? Li Xuanfeng rested his hand on his golden bow. Day after day, Yu Muxian had hidden away on his peak to cultivate, never once taking action, making it all the more difficult to gauge his opponent's strength. He slowly closed his eyes, sinking his thoughts into the golden bow. Within it, a sea of golden light and arrow-qi flared brilliantly, dense and razor-sharp, its might impossible to measure. "This wisp of arrow intent... I fear I won't be able to save it after all." Li Xuanfeng had sealed a wisp of arrow intent inside the golden bow. Over several decades and tens of thousands of days and nights, he had tempered and cleansed it day after day. By now, even he could no longer fathom its power. Back when he was young and had just forged this magical artifact, he had mentioned this matter once to Li Tongya and never spoken of it to anyone else again. With Li Tongya's demise, the secret had remained buried, and now he alone knew of it. He exhaled a breath and quietly retired to cultivate. *** Mount Qingchi, Yuanwu Peak. Yuanwu Peak loomed high, wreathed in clouds and mist, while fire veins surged and spouted. This peak was the immortal peak of Qingchi specifically dedicated to artifact refinement, bustling with cultivators constantly ascending and descending in great fervor. Atop one mountain crest of this peak stood a jade pavilion built of white jade. Mist drifted about amidst dense spiritual energy, while spring water tinkled gently. A long-haired, middle-aged man sat cross-legged on a jade platform, quietly cultivating. He possessed an ethereal, otherworldly air, his long hair falling loose and a white jade buckle hanging at his neck. His fingers formed a seal, and a metallic clatter resonated beside him, as though metal and iron were striking together inside his body, producing rapid, faint ringing sounds. The clouds and mist parted, and a young woman walked up at a measured pace. Clad in white, she was graceful and elegant. Bowing before the man's platform, she said softly, "Master, the Real Person has summoned you." The long-haired man slowly opened his eyes, dharma light flowing forth from between his brows. He said quietly, "Qingyin, did he mention what this is about?" "He did not." The woman was none other than Fei Qingyin of the Fei family. By now, she had reached the late stage of Qi Refinement. Having hailed from Yuanwu Peak, her attire was exceptionally precious. Acknowledging his question, she hesitated slightly and said, "Your disciple does not know, but judging by recent rumors, it may have something to do with Qingsong Temple." This man was precisely Yu Muxian. Having remained in closed-door seclusion for many years, his cultivation had grown increasingly profound. Seeing this, he exhaled softly and stepped lightly onto the wind, heading up the mountain. Cultivators along the way showed him great reverence upon seeing him, cupping their hands in succession: "Greetings, Daoist!" On Yuanwu Peak today, aside from the Zifu Real Person Yuanwu, Yu Muxian held the highest status. He merely nodded slightly and continued all the way up, arriving at the cave dwelling atop the mountain summit, where he waited silently outside the stone doors. After only a short wait, the stone doors gently opened, and Yu Muxian strode inside. Golden light flowed through the cave dwelling, dazzling and radiant enough to sting one's eyes. Scorching fiery energy surged up from the ground. Yu Muxian bowed with his head lowered, saying softly, "Disciple greets Master." The figure seated above was shrouded in hazy golden light, his features obscured. A resonant, forceful voice rang out, "Muxian... Not bad... You have already reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment." Real Person Yuanwu seemed well pleased. He paused, his voice softening considerably: "From your appearance, both your spells and cultivation have advanced. I summoned you out today because I need you to make a trip to the Eastern Sea." "Please instruct me, Master." By nature, Yu Muxian despised worldly affairs the most and wanted nothing more than to remain in seclusion on the peak until reaching the Zifu realm. Yet with Real Person Yuanwu speaking in person, he had no right to refuse, so he responded respectfully. Real Person Yuanwu seemed to have seen through his thoughts long ago. His voice echoed through the cave dwelling, sounding immensely vast: "I know your heart is set entirely on cultivation, but this matter concerns your Dao path, and there are several items I am determined to obtain. Among those beneath me, only you are equal to the task." Yu Muxian's own cultivation method could carry him straight to the Zifu realm, so he did not believe this truly concerned his Dao path, taking it merely as words of comfort. Then he heard Real Person Yuanwu say, "Make a trip to Qingsong Temple... Tang Shedu is already awaiting you in the Eastern Sea. He is now at the late stage of Foundation Establishment as well, and has befriended someone bearing a karmic mandate. You will enter that grotto-heaven together with him." Yu Muxian nodded and replied, "May I ask Master... what is the origin of this grotto-heaven? And what items does Master wish to retrieve?" Real Person Yuanwu let out a low chuckle, which caused even the golden light in the cave to sway slightly. He replied, "The Qingsong Grotto-heaven is the grotto-heaven of that ancient lineage, Qingsong Temple. Having weathered countless vicissitudes, the immortal Qingsong Temple rose and fell three times between ancient and near-ancient times, meeting destruction several times and rising anew as many. The present grotto-heaven is the final remnant of the Qingsong lineage." Having some understanding of the matter, Yu Muxian answered softly, "Chunyi Dao?" "Indeed. Today's Chunyi Dao styles itself as the true successor to the Qingsong Temple lineage. If you encounter them inside, you must exercise extreme caution." Yuanwu acknowledged this, the golden light of the cave dwelling shifting repeatedly, before he continued, "I need you to retrieve three items from within. If you find the opportunity and encounter the fortune, you must bring them out. I shall reward you accordingly." Real Person Yuanwu said quietly, "The first is the Jianyang Ring. Years ago, your senior brother obtained it from the sea, but before he could study it thoroughly, he was killed by Guo E of Chijiao Island. Guo E likely did not recognize the item, yet he went missing and died on Qingsong Island. He may well have stumbled upon fortune, and his belongings might remain within the grotto-heaven." An illusory image materialized in his hand—a small, golden-red hoop. Once Yu Muxian memorized its appearance, Real Person Yuanwu continued, "The second is the Silent Bell. It is a rather wondrous spirit treasure. If you can obtain it, so much the better; if you lack the fortune, so be it." Another illusory image appeared in Real Person Yuanwu's hand, depicting a stone bell of ancient, dignified design, inscribed with two bizarre talismans. After letting Yu Muxian memorize it, he went on, "As for the last item, if you all enter the Hall of Three Drums within the grotto-heaven and receive the transmission of teachings, record a cultivation method for me. The immortal foundation it cultivates is 'Tomb-Gate Bramble.'" Hearing this, Yu Muxian was finally deeply stirred. He hurriedly asked, "Reporting to Master, does this transmission of teachings... permit one to freely choose any cultivation method bestowed?" "Naturally, it does." Real Person Yuanwu seemed to have anticipated his reaction. He said quietly, "Your 'Gold Dissolving Cave' also has dao complement methods within it. It is said that three of the five paths are ancient arts. Perhaps you might still harvest the qi, or perhaps its spiritual qi has already been severed—it will depend entirely on your luck." A look of genuine joy finally surfaced on Yu Muxian's face. The Qingchi Sect possessed no dao complement for his 'Gold Dissolving Cave,' and he had never imagined it could be found within this grotto-heaven. Delighted, he nodded and said, "Thank you, Master!" Real Person Yuanwu gave a slight nod, pondered for a moment, and replied, "This grotto-heaven is exceedingly dangerous. For this trip, you will also need spirit treasures to protect yourself." With a gentle flick of his sleeve, two spirit treasures flew out. One was a glittering golden ring, no thicker than a little finger and roughly the size of a human head, covered entirely in numerous seal characters. The second was a short sword. It appeared utterly ordinary, short and diamond-shaped, with two patterns carved into its hilt. It floated gently in midair, displaying nothing extraordinary whatsoever. "'Zhige' and 'Quyun.'" Having stayed by his side for many years, Yu Muxian recognized these spirit treasures clearly. Both were Zifu spirit treasures, items of extraordinary value. Although it had not been long since Real Person Yuanwu forged these two spirit treasures, and he had lacked the spare energy to nurture them—lacking the tempering of golden nature, making them far inferior to spirit treasures nurtured by Zifu Real Persons over many years—they were nonetheless Zifu spirit treasures. Yu Muxian immediately bowed, displaying a carefully measured look of trepidation, and replied, "Disciple dares not! These two spirit treasures are so precious that should they be lost outside, disciple could never bear the responsibility." "Haha!" Real Person Yuanwu chuckled twice and replied, "Who would dare take them? Inside that grotto-heaven is nothing more than a bunch of Foundation Establishment cultivators. Leaving aside that they cannot best you, which Foundation Establishment cultivator would dare take them? Which Foundation Establishment cultivator could take them?" He added unconcernedly, "Once you exit the grotto-heaven, they will naturally tear through the Great Void to return to me. You need not worry." Yu Muxian nodded and said quietly, "Disciple understands." The radiance on Real Person Yuanwu brightened slightly as he said, "Ning Tiaoxiao sent some fellow named Li Xuanfeng over; he seems to belong to the Li family of Lake Wangyue. You may well speak with him. After all, you hail from the same sect, and joining forces inside will bring many benefits." Yu Muxian nodded and withdrew. Walking out of the cave dwelling, he mused inwardly: 'Li Xuanfeng... Since he has become a son-in-law of the Ning family, those petty family squabbles are nothing worth mentioning. I can certainly speak with him. 'As for these spirit treasures... I doubt anyone else across several sects could carry two Zifu spirit treasures on their person like this. This trip turns out to be a fine errand after all... I shall bring back a few more cultivation methods and treasures...' As Yu Muxian withdrew, Real Person Yuanwu remained seated high above. The light upon him grew increasingly intense, and silence enveloped the cave dwelling to the point that a dropping pin could be heard. He murmured to himself: "Qingsong Temple can mend the deficiencies of our Dao lineage. Things will certainly be lively this time; perhaps we might even see people from the north... The True Monarchs are likely paying attention as well, watching to see if they can fish out a true inheritor of that immortal temple..." What Qingsong Temple currently offered in its ruins was only appealing to Foundation Establishment cultivators; for the Zifu realm, it merely served to supplement a few Dao lineages. What could draw the attention of the True Monarchs could only be someone capable of truly triggering the grotto-heaven's inheritance. "Yuansu... Yuanxiu... Zipei... Tiandong... Back then, amidst the churning winds and clouds, a dozen or so of us seized the momentum and crossed over, yet only these few remain today. With our lifespans dwindling, it is only natural to grow anxious." He gazed toward the direction where Yu Muxian had departed, his golden pupils shifting slightly. "Whether there is time or not, we must try..."