Translator: CinderTL
"Blazing Phoenix Feather."
After scanning the Supreme Treasure with his Heart-Mind, Li Chunjun immediately sensed the immense energy it contained.
He now understood that Jiang Zuohe's claim—that the Blazing Phoenix Feather was comparable to top-tier Dao-infused materials for the Blazing Phoenix lineage—was no exaggeration.
In other words, this treasure was worth several trillion!
To offer such a priceless artifact as a gift...
"Only the Taixu Sword Sect could do this."
As the overlord of the Profound Yellow Great World, the Taixu Sword Sect likely controlled over half of the world's resources.
Before the Wu Ji Sect invited the Immortal Alliance to intervene in the affairs of the Profound Yellow Great World, all other factions had to kowtow to the Taixu Sword Sect, suffocating under its oppressive power.
When they had persuaded the Great Void Dao Lord to act in their favor, they must have offered treasures so valuable that even a Dao Venerable couldn't resist.
"No reward without merit."
Li Chunjun withdrew his gaze from the box and spoke bluntly, "I understand the Taixu Sword Sect's needs and objectives. However, I have no intention of becoming entangled with them again."
Jiang Zuohe listened to Li Chunjun's words. In the past, even if he didn't show it outwardly, he would have felt somewhat displeased.
But after personally experiencing the oppressive aura of Li Chunjun's Supreme Dharma Aspect, he realized that this man...
...would undoubtedly reach at least the level of Wu Tongtian in the future.
The crucial point was that Wu Tongtian represented only his lower limit.
Having risen from humble origins in the Lesser Thousand World to forge a Supreme Dharma Aspect in just a few decades, no one could fathom the true extent of his potential.
The Heaven Origin Sword Master?
Perhaps even...
The Dao Venerable?!
Any of these three goals would far surpass the value of a top-tier Dao-infused material.
Now, the highest achiever of the Blazing Phoenix lineage spoke earnestly, "I can sense that Venerable Li's Flaming Phoenix Power has yet to reach the seventh transformation. The Blazing Phoenix Feather, however, can rapidly accelerate one's progress to the seventh or eighth transformation."
His tone was sincere. "Achieving the eighth transformation within a year might be challenging, but reaching the seventh transformation would undoubtedly enhance Venerable Li's strength. This additional foundation would prove invaluable in the upcoming dark horned prison battle."
Li Chunjun's Heart-Mind had sensed the Blazing Phoenix Feather.
This Supreme Treasure could not only help cultivators elevate their Flaming Phoenix Bloodline to the seventh or eighth transformation, but if the cultivator possessed exceptional potential, it could even unlock the ninth transformation—a feat far from impossible.
This was precisely why the Blazing Phoenix lineage regarded this artifact as a top-tier Dao-infused material.
However...
Li Chunjun had no intention of delving deeply into the Flaming Phoenix Power.
Beside him, Jiang Zuohe carefully observed Li Chunjun's emotional shifts after speaking.
Noticing a hint of refusal in his expression, Jiang Zuohe quickly added, "The Taixu Sword Sect has no intention of binding Venerable Li to our sect. We simply recognize your extraordinary potential and hope that if you one day attain the Dao Venerable realm and the Taixu Sword Sect faces a life-or-death crisis, you might act out of past camaraderie to preserve our sect's legacy."
Li Chunjun listened calmly before replying, "I'm about to join the dark horned prison battle alongside the Wu Ji Sect and Heavenly Palace. Aren't you afraid I might perish on that battlefield, achieving nothing?"
"We firmly believe that Venerable Li, having proposed this agreement, is confident of victory. Ultimately, none but Venerable Li will emerge safely from the dark horned prison," Jiang Zuohe declared with resounding conviction.
Li Chunjun gazed at Jiang Zuohe.
The Supreme Sage met Li Chunjun's scrutiny with unwavering composure.
In truth, Sect Leader Qian Yuan had already briefed Jiang Zuohe on three possible outcomes: best-case, mid-range, and worst-case scenarios.
The ideal outcome, of course, would be to persuade Li Chunjun to rejoin the Taixu Sword Sect. However, this possibility seemed exceedingly slim.
The worst-case scenario for the Taixu Sword Sect—yet the least demanding for Li Chunjun—was precisely what Jiang Zuohe had just proposed: exchanging a top-tier Dao-infused material for a promise from Li Chunjun before he achieved dao unification, or even before he became a Supreme Sage Lord. A promise that might never need to be fulfilled.
Beyond this, Jiang Zuohe had no ulterior motives.
With a clear conscience, he could withstand Li Chunjun's scrutiny.
Li Chunjun's gaze lingered on Jiang Zuohe for a moment, and he fell into a brief contemplation.
The future.
This word gave Li Chunjun pause, halting his refusal.
Many forces were betting on his future, eager to invest in him: the Immortal God Race, the Profound Yellow Sect, the Three Sages of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity, starlight.
Now, even the Taixu Sword Sect had joined their ranks.
Everyone believed he had the potential to become a Dao Venerable in the future.
As for himself...
He couldn't be certain he would achieve Dao Venerable status. After all, he didn't yet know what lay beyond level 41.
But if he continued to progress at this rate...
Dao unification shouldn't pose a significant obstacle.
After achieving dao unification, preserving the Taixu Sword Sect's legacy within his means wouldn't be impossible.
Moreover...
The Blazing Phoenix Feather held a unique purpose for him.
With this thought, Li Chunjun retrieved the box. "In that case, I accept."
He reasoned that he would be able to repay the Taixu Sword Sect even more generously in the future, and taking the Blazing Phoenix Feather now wouldn't weigh on his conscience.
Seeing this, Jiang Zuohe rose and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Venerable Li."
Li Chunjun nodded slightly.
Knowing his time was limited, Jiang Zuohe didn't linger. He clasped his hands in a farewell gesture. "Then I wish Venerable Li a triumphant victory in the dark horned prison battle and a bountiful return."
Clearly, Jiang Zuohe had guessed Li Chunjun's other motive for proposing the dark horned prison battle: to crush the Dharma Aspects of the Wu Ji Sect and Heavenly Palace, acquire materials for forging Dharma Aspects, accumulate resources, and prepare for his future breakthrough to Supreme Sage-level.
"May your words bring good fortune," Li Chunjun replied with a nod.
Jiang Zuohe took his leave.
Li Chunjun immediately called out, "Summon Peak Lord Jiang Yuqiu."
Su Fang, who had been waiting outside, acknowledged the order and swiftly departed to carry it out.
Before long, Jiang Yuqiu arrived at the main hall, guided by Su Fang.
This marked Li Chunjun's first private meeting with the Peak Lord of Flaming Phoenix Peak from the Taixu Sword Sect in the Azure Star Minor Realm since he had attained the Void Refining stage.
Compared to her confident and composed demeanor back in the Azure Star Minor Realm, Jiang Yuqiu now stood before Li Chunjun with a mix of pride, reverence, and restraint.
"Swordmaster Li," Jiang Yuqiu greeted with a formal bow.
"Peak Lord Jiang, no need for such formalities. Please, take a seat," Li Chunjun said, gesturing with a gentle wave of his hand, striving to maintain a warm and approachable demeanor.
Any hint of severity in his tone or an unusual inflection could easily unsettle the Peak Lord of Flaming Phoenix Peak, causing her to overthink and become anxious.
"Peak Lord Jiang, your discussions with Sword Prodigy Jiang Jianzi and the others went well. I also had a pleasant conversation with Supreme Elder Jiang earlier. If you're interested, you're welcome to visit the Taixu Sword Sect with Sword Prodigy Jiang Jianzi during your leisure time," Li Chunjun offered.
Jiang Yuqiu's face lit up with surprise and delight at this unexpected invitation.
Li Chunjun's departure from the Taixu Sword Sect had been a profound regret and source of anguish for her and the other members of the Taixu Sword Sect lineage.
Yet, given the sect's actions at the time, they couldn't fault Li Chunjun's decision.
Now, with Supreme Sage-level Supreme Elder Jiang Zuohe's visit, accompanied by their old friend Jiang Lingyun as a gesture of sincerity, they saw a glimmer of hope for reconciliation. And it seemed...
Their hopes had been realized.
How could this not fill the old guard of the Taixu Sword Sect with overwhelming joy?
Amidst her elation, she quickly realized her lapse in composure and hastily added, "Swordmaster Li, we've actually only visited the Taixu Sword Sect's main gate a few times. Even when we did, we merely stayed in Great Void Immortal City and never entered the sect's inner sanctum. It's just..."
"I understand," Li Chunjun replied, unwilling to dwell on such trivial matters. "Let bygones be bygones. There's no need to hold onto past grievances. Peak Lord Jiang, and anyone else who wishes to return to the Taixu Sword Sect, is welcome to do so."
"No," Li Chunjun replied immediately.
Jiang Yuqiu quickly added, "Now that they've become your disciples, Swordmaster Li, wouldn't defecting to another sect be no different from betraying you?"
She continued, "Moreover, the Profound Yellow Grotto-Heaven's exceptionally blessed environment has allowed them to cultivate to the verge of achieving the Primordial Spirit. Even if we tried to expel them, I doubt they'd willingly leave."
Seeing her determination, Li Chunjun nodded and shifted the topic. He handed her the box Jiang Zuohe had brought. "Please deliver this to Senior Sister Jiang for me."
"Wanyu?" Jiang Yuqiu asked, surprised.
Since the gift was for Jiang Wanyu, she hesitated to examine it with her Divine Sense.
But...
Though somewhat presumptuous, Jiang Yuqiu couldn't resist adding, "Swordmaster Li, would you... perhaps prefer to call Wanyu here so you can speak to her directly?"
"That won't be necessary," Li Chunjun said calmly. "I still need to prepare for the dark horned prison battle. Peak Lord Jiang, I'll leave this matter in your capable hands."
Hearing this, Jiang Yuqiu's expression dimmed slightly.
But when she considered the vast, cloud-like disparity in status and power between Li Chunjun and Jiang Wanyu, she couldn't bring herself to say anything more.
Void Refining versus Nascent Soul—the difference in lifespan alone is more than a hundredfold.
And that was before considering Li Chunjun's innate talent, which meant achieving Dao Venerable status wasn't entirely beyond hope.
If he becomes a Dao Venerable, his lifespan will stretch into the hundreds of millions of years...
To him, Nascent Soul and Primordial Spirit cultivators would truly be like mayflies, born at dawn and dead by dusk.
What great being would ever invest their energy or emotions in creatures with such fleeting lives?
"I understand," Jiang Yuqiu murmured, bowing her head in farewell.
As she turned to leave, Li Chunjun suddenly called out, "Please convey a message to Senior Sister Jiang for me."
He paused, then continued, "She's already exceptionally talented, and... she can become even more extraordinary... more so than anyone else."
Jiang Yuqiu blinked, somewhat puzzled.
But since Li Chunjun was willing to let her deliver a message to Jiang Wanyu, she readily agreed.
"I understand. I'll pass on your words," Jiang Yuqiu replied.
"Mm," Li Chunjun acknowledged.
After Jiang Yuqiu left the grand hall, Li Chunjun's figure flickered, and he instantly appeared in the cultivation area.
This secluded zone, carved out on the mountain peak, spanned only a few dozen miles—a space considered cramped even for Primordial Spirit True Monarchs.
Yet in the Profound Yellow Grotto-Heaven, where every inch of land was precious, layers of Array Formations ensured absolute privacy.
Once all the Array Formations were activated, Li Chunjun patiently retrieved the Dao Pills Huang Daozhen and the others had prepared for him. He swallowed them one by one, refining their essence into Dao Cultivation and Qi.
(End of the Chapter)
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