The room fell silent for a moment,
before the sound on the Tianxun Crystal Orb began, calmly asking:
"Changtian, from where did you learn the name of this cultivation technique?"
Upon hearing this,
Xu Yuan immediately let out a sigh of relief.
He was really a bit afraid that his old man wouldn't know either, but true to form, he was the final BOSS who had dominated more than a dozen worlds.
After a slight pause, he spoke softly:
"From Ran Qingmo."
"Ran Qingmo…
the disciple of Ran Jianli?"
A murmured thought, as if realizing something, the Tianxun Crystal Orb then temporarily fell silent within the room.
While his old man was preoccupied with his thoughts, Xu Yuan glanced at Xu Changge and whispered:
"Xu Changge, is Ran Jianli the State Preceptor?"
Xu Changge shot a look at his third brother, who only addressed him as 'big brother' when he needed something and simply as Xu Changge when he didn't, and nodded with a cold hum:
"Yes."
"By the way, have you previously mentioned to father that Ran Qingmo came to Jingjiang Prefecture?"
"I have not."
"No offense, but have you told father that I have a very good relationship with Ran Qingmo?"
"I have not."
"And, have you mentioned to father my connection with Ran Qingmo…"
"Tsk…"
Xu Changge took a deep breath and again looked Xu Yuan over with a neutral expression, "What's the use of all this nonsense?
Speak directly to father if you have something to say."
"Tsk…"
"What does that 'tsk' mean?"
"…."
Xu Yuan coughed lightly and said, "Cough…
it means nothing."
As the conversation over the Tianxun Crystal Orb deliberately softened, Dayan's always serious Prime Minister Xu Yinhè's face betrayed a strange smile.
He placed the memorial in his hand on the desk and shook his head before speaking:
"I think I understand.
"Changtian, let's address one issue at a time, tell your father first how that Ran girl brought up this matter with you?"
At those words, Xu Yuan gathered his thoughts and, after carefully considering his wording, he streamlined the information about the young girl named Tianyan and relayed the essentials to his father and Xu Changge.
Of course,
he only mentioned some very superficial content regarding the girl herself.
He had promised Ran Qingmo to disclose only those things.
After Xu Yuan finished speaking, both Xu Changge and Xu Yinhè fell silent.
Xu Changge's brows were tightly knitted; he did not quite believe in the concept of deducing the workings of the heavens.
Rather than believing someone could actually divine the workings of fate, he was more inclined to think that these events had been fabricated through opportunistic means by certain individuals.
Events like the earth dragon turning over or unexpected snow in August are artificial disasters that can be created through sufficient resources and manpower.
And the notion of the Barbarian Tribes' armies reaching Hanbei City's gates was laughable; the Prime Minister's Mansion had foreseen this years ago.
As for the other prophecies, if one wanted to, they could also be achieved through human effort.
Compared to Xu Changge's disbelief, Xu Yinhè's response was ambiguous;
"I haven't heard of this Tianyan woman, but the Yantian Art definitely exists."
He spoke of a woman, not a girl.
Clearly, Xu Yinhè didn't believe that the woman named Tianyan was as she appeared.
Cultivation techniques that offered eternal youth, the reversal of aging, or control over one's physical age did exist in this world.
After a pause,
Xu Yinhè seemed to recall something, and his voice carried over leisurely:
"Heh..
it seems there are quite a few rats lurking in the shadows.
"Changtian,
"You mentioned Ran Qingmo because she discussed other matters with you as well, didn't she?"
Xu Yuan nodded and said:
"Yes, father, but didn't you say to address matters one by one?"
Xu Yinhè's voice held a hint of amusement as he countered:
"Isn't this matter finished yet?"
"…." Xu Yuan was taken aback.
He thought he had concluded the matter concerning Tianyan, but there was no reaction from his father.
Shouldn't he at least provide a general course of action?
In the silence,
Xu Yinhè seemed to guess Xu Yuan's thoughts and softly chuckled:
"Changtian, you needn't worry over this.
Your father will handle it."
Because he now knew, there was no need for concern.
After a moment's hesitation, Xu Yuan chose to trust his father, the Prime Minister.
If such an extraordinary figure couldn't resolve it, then he would have even less chance.
"Alright, then."
Xu Yuan rubbed his index finger and thumb together slightly and, after choosing his words, he spoke out:
"Regarding Ran Qingmo, I wish to ask you, Father, for an opportunity."
"What opportunity do you seek?" Xu Yinhè's tone revealed no particular emotion.
Xu Yuan was straightforward: "An opportunity concerning the Tianyuan Sword Sect."
He had promised Ran Qingmo to secure this opportunity for her.
As soon as these words were spoken,
Xu Changge immediately glanced at Xu Yuan, his narrow eyes flashing with thought.
And Xu Yinhè did not immediately reply to this request.
In the silence of the attic,
after about a dozen breaths,
Xu Yinhè let out a slight sigh:
"So that's it…
No wonder that Ran girl chose to abduct you at that time.
Without prior knowledge about this Yantian Art, one would indeed fall for such a lowly scheme of sowing discord."
The moonlight was clear, and the two brothers in the attic had differing thoughts.
Xu Changge suddenly realized something.
Upon his return to the capital, he had suggested a thorough investigation for possible insiders within the higher echelons of the Prime Minister's Mansion, but his father had stopped him,
because his father had great trust in those old folks in the mansion.
But now, it seemed there might also have been the factor of the Yantian Art at play.
So then…
Could there really be someone who could deduce the future?
As for Xu Yuan, his expression became focused.
His father and elder brother clearly knew of Ran Qingmo's intentions; they probably even considered the idea of rooting out a mole.
///97///
With these thoughts, he took a deep breath and Xu Yuan asked with certainty:
"Father, is what Tianyan said true?"
Xu Yinhe's deep voice was unhurried: "Which matter?"
"Naturally, the matter regarding the Tianyuan Sword Sect." Xu Yuan said.
Xu Yinhè chuckled with an almost imperceptible smile:
"Changtian, you didn't mention this matter just now."
"I surmise that you already know, Father."
"Oh?
How do you surmise?"
"Xu Changge refrained from attacking Ran Qingmo twice."
Ran Qingmo had obviously made this matter known before.
For decades, a lineage of officials from the Prime Minister's Mansion had been persistently presenting memorials to the Imperial Court to regulate the Sects, and certain policies that were never implemented ended swiftly, which had long created a "cry wolf" effect among the Sects.
Therefore, even though Ran Qingmo was privy to it, she could live.
Because it was very difficult for the Sects to believe her word alone.
But if she were to die now, especially in the hands of the Prime Minister's eldest son, it could very likely arouse the suspicion of the Dayan Sects.
Would they suspect that the Prime Minister's Mansion was silencing her?
After all,
everyone knew that the head of the Sword Sect's cherished disciple seemed to be looking for evidence.
Pausing for a moment, Xu Yuan asked again:
"Father, I have other ways to handle the matter of the Tianyuan Sword Sect.
May I have an opportunity?"
Hearing this, a sharp and elusive look flashed through Xu Yinhe's eyes.
Xu Xinyao, that girl, seemed to have said similar words to him before she left the Imperial Capital.
She, too, wanted an opportunity, a peaceful opportunity.
Exhaling a murky breath, Xu Yinhe's tone took on an authoritative gravity without anger:
"Changtian, do you understand what this opportunity you seek represents?"
Xu Yuan's heart tightened, and after a quiet two seconds, he said:
"I understand."
Inside the Prime Minister's Mansion study, threads of sandalwood fragrance wafted through the air.
Time ticked away,
and Xu Yinhe tapped his fingers lightly on the memorandum before him, silent for a long time, then he sighed:
"Changtian, Xinyao had also asked me for this opportunity in the past, but I cannot give it."
Cannot give it, not he did not want to give it.
Is the Prime Minister's Mansion powerful?
The rumors that circulated among the market and the court—like "Without the Prime Minister's approval, no decree could leave the Golden Luang Hall"—were evidence of its past glory.
Beyond that,
the wealthy Tian'an Commerce Assembly, the Tian'an Martial Hall that spread across the Dayan municipalities, and the Black Scale Guards, who were even more terrifying than the Imperial Court's Secret Investigation Department, were all proof of the Prime Minister's Mansion's once paramount influence.
Even so, the lessons from more than a decade ago were still fresh in memory.
The world changes, the Prime Minister's Mansion is not what it used to be, but everything they do still walks on thin ice.
Therefore,
Xu Yinhe declined the request of his third son, just as he had once declined his adopted daughter Xu Xinyao.
The room fell into silence, but the refusal did not come as a surprise to Xu Yuan.
Destroying the Sword Sect was no trivial matter, not something as simple as picking up and then putting down a teacup on the desk.
After a millennium of accumulation, the Dayan Sect had become an immovable behemoth, a suffocating behemoth, where a single mistake could lead to utter defeat.
After a prolonged silence,
"Father…"
"Changtian," Xu Changge suddenly spoke up at that moment.
Xu Yuan looked in response.
Xu Changge gently shook his head at him.
Xu Yuan merely smiled at his elder brother upon seeing this.
He realized that his father and brother seemed to have misunderstood something.
He was not Xu Xinyao, and he certainly wouldn't be as idealistic as his younger sister.
The intention of the Prime Minister's Mansion to destroy the Sword Sect and Ran Qingmo's responsibility to protect the Sect seemed irreconcilable.
Yet there was clearly much room for maneuver.
Because,
Ran Qingmo only wanted to protect the Sword Sect, but how she protected it was not her concern.
After smiling, Xu Yuan composed himself and continued:
"Father, the opportunity I ask for won't affect your plans, and I'm not giving the Tianyuan Sword Sect a way out, but rather another choice."
Xu Changge's gaze flickered for a moment, apparently understanding Xu Yuan's meaning, and he sighed lightly, no longer speaking.
He did not think highly of his third brother's idea.
Xu Yinhe's voice remained low and unhurried:
"Are you intending to use that girl Ran to broker cooperation between the Sword Sect and me?"
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"Hmm, that's the general idea."
"A fanciful thought," remarked Xu Yinhè.
Xu Yuan, seeing this, was not discouraged:
"I know you must have tried before, Father, but at that time, you didn't have Ran Qingmo as a bridge, did you?"
The Sects were not a unified block; if they were, even the power of the Prime Minister's Mansion would not be sufficient to fight them.
But in the plot of the past life, after the Tianyuan Sword Sect was destroyed, many Sects chose to defect to the side of Dayan's Prime Minister.
Since these Sects could defect, why couldn't Tianyuan Sword Sect do the same?
"Heh…"
Listening to his third son's words, Xu Yinhè let out a low, soft chuckle.
After a few moments of silence,
Xu Yinhè suddenly asked with implication:
"So, the reason you previously told your brother that you wanted to go out was because you wanted to do this?"
"That's part of the reason."
Xu Yuan didn't deny it, but after a pause, he spoke aloud, "Besides, Changtian also wants to see the vast world."
Hearing this, Xu Yinhè suddenly sighed:
"I did not agree to your sister's request at first, but I did permit her to travel the world.
Changtian, do you know why that is?"
Xu Yuan recalled the relevant memories in his mind.
After leaving the Imperial Capital, Xu Xinyao traveled, made friends, and acted to reward virtue and punish vice.
Three years on, although not as widely acclaimed as her eldest brother Xu Changge, by now, she had gained some reputation in the vast Dayan Territory.
And with the reputation, the deeds she did naturally spread far and wide.
Just like in Xu Yuan's memory from his previous life, this younger sister traveled between various forces within Dayan Territory, mediating conflicts in her own way.
An action both laughable and respectable.
After a brief contemplation, Xu Yuan said softly:
"Just like with your petition to reform the Sects, Xu Xinyao is your adopted daughter, and what she does out there can to some extent represent the stance of the Prime Minister's Mansion.
Through such mediation, you can to a certain degree lull those Sect families."
Upon hearing this, Xu Changge at his side gently shook his head with an inscrutable look.
The next moment, Xu Yinhè softly corrected:
"That's the result caused by your sister, not the cause."
Xu Yuan was somewhat puzzled:
"Hmm?
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Then why…"
"Because it was her own choice."
"…" Xu Yuan.
Standing in front of the study's window sill, gazing at the Imperial Capital, Xu Yinhè spoke softly and earnestly:
"Changtian, all four of you siblings are free to choose your own paths in life.
Whatever you choose, I will do my best to help.
"Previously, you chose to indulge in worldly desires, and I could provide you with those things.
"But your current choice is one that I find difficult to assist you with.
"Changtian, are you sure you want to choose this path?"
"…."
Startled, Xu Yuan smiled wryly amidst his complex feelings:
"Of course."
"Heh…"
Xu Yinhè smiled, but suddenly his tone shifted:
"Changtian, can you tell your father what exactly has caused such a dramatic change in you?"
At that question,
Xu Yuan opened his mouth to speak, but Xu Changge cast a discreet glance at him first.
Under that look,
the space around Xu Yuan seemed to solidify instantly, and an overwhelming pressure bore down on him like a collapsing mountain.
Feeling discomfort, Xu Yuan turned his head without thinking and glared at Xu Changge, cursing:
"Xu Changge, are you out of your mind?"
"….."
Xu Changge stared at Xu Yuan for two seconds, and gradually an embarrassed smile appeared on his handsome face as he nonchalantly raised his hand to brush off non-existent dust from his green robe.
As the pressure vanished,
breathing returned to normal, and Xu Yuan snorted and looked away, taking a deep breath, his heartbeat steady as ever:
"Father, there's not much else to it, just that after gaining the Innate Taoist Body, I've come to understand a few things."
"What have you come to understand?" Xu Yinhè murmured softly.
Gazing through the window sill at the full moon hanging in the night sky, Xu Yuan said:
"The opinions of mediocrities only trouble the mediocre.
Bullying the weak to satisfy one's self-esteem is truly laughable.
With my current physique and capabilities, I now have the qualifications to do some of the things I want to do."
Under the quiet night moon,
Xu Yinhè's lips curved into a smile:
"If that's the case, then go ahead and do it.
Once this matter is over, your brother will give you the Soul Ring.
That's the limit of how I can help you."
///98///
The exquisite moonlight cascaded along the knife-sharp ridge down into the valley, illuminating the small river flowing through it and those black porcelain tiles on the eaves of a manor.
The manor stood quietly, its inner bright pattern lamps complementing the night's moonlight, adorning it like a pearl nestled among the hills, with paths of cobblestones connecting its various courtyards.
The side room was very quiet,
Su Jinxuan, dressed in plain clothes, sat tranquilly at the wooden table inside the room, sipping fragrant tea.
An hour ago, she had been abducted to this unfamiliar manor by a masked mysterious person.
But before she could speak, the person vanished immediately.
Although their figure was illusory and unclear, she surmised that the person was likely Qin Weijiu or someone from the power behind Qin Weijiu.
Otherwise, there was no reason for them to risk kidnapping her.
This sudden turn of events brought her back to Qin Weijiu's side earlier than expected, but Su Jinxuan found herself unexpectedly unruffled.
Suddenly,
"Tap tap tap—"
The wooden door of the room was gently knocked from the outside, and then a maid's voice came in:
"Miss Su, Mr.
Qin invites you to the study."
Upon hearing this, Su Jinxuan's eyes slightly narrowed, and she gracefully stood up, walking towards the wooden door while whispering softly,
"…Brother Jiu?"
Creeeak—
The wooden door opened, and a maid with a handsome face appeared in Su Jinxuan's sight.
The little maid couldn't help but stare in a daze upon seeing Su Jinxuan.
The Enchantress Divine Physique was effective on both men and women.
Su Jinxuan gave her a slight smile:
"Mr.
Qin…
is his full name Qin Weijiu?"
The little maid snapped back to reality, blinked her eyes, and said, "This…
I am not sure, I only know our lord calls that gentleman Mr.
Qin."
Su Jinxuan nodded slightly: "Alright, please lead the way."
"Please follow me."
The little maid then stepped forward, though she was silent, she kept looking back every few steps.
She had never seen such a beautiful young lady before and felt a warm sense of familiarity with her.
The cobblestone path, lit by the bright pattern lamps, was not dark at all; rather, it had the beauty of a moonlit night.
The manor, situated in the valley, couldn't compare to the Xu Residence in Jingjiang; in less than two minutes, the little maid brought Su Jinxuan to the entrance of the study.
Through the study's window screens, the faint light of an oil lamp shone out.
Seeing this, a smile that was "just right" appeared on Su Jinxuan's lips.
This Brother Jiu always preferred to use oil lamps for reading at night.
The little maid bowed to Su Jinxuan:
"Miss Su, I shall leave now.
Mr.
Qin is inside waiting for you."
Su Jinxuan replied with a soft and gentle tone:
"Mm, you may go."
After speaking,
Su Jinxuan stepped forward to knock on the door when a hoarse yet familiar voice came from inside:
"Jinxuan, just come in."
Su Jinxuan smiled again and pushed the door open.
The light from the oil lamp might not compare to the formation of a bright pattern lamp, but it had a charm of its own.
The flickering flame illuminated Qin Weijiu, who was seated behind a desk, looking at what appeared to be a report.
Su Jinxuan stopped three meters in front of the desk and softly called out:
"Brother Jiu…"
Qin Weijiu slightly lifted his gaze; his complexion was somewhat pale, and Origin Qi was uncontrollably escaping around him.
He also had been injured, leaking Qi.
Xu Changge's Sword Qi was persistent, making wounds inflicted by it unable to heal quickly.
"Have a seat."
Qin Weijiu put down the papers, his voice soft as he gestured towards a row of wooden chairs against the wall of the study:
"You have really been wronged these past days."
Su Jinxuan obediently sat down, her gaze on Qin Weijiu's pale face tinged with concern:
"Brother Jiu, are you hurt?"
Qin Weijiu waved his hand with a smile:
"Don't worry, they are just minor injuries."
Su Jinxuan pursed her lips lightly, her voice as faint as a mosquito's:
"Is it…
is it because of that Xu Changge?"
More than an hour of preparation had already allowed her to rehearse the conversation in her mind.
Hearing her words, Qin Weijiu's eyes abruptly narrowed, and he asked sternly:
"Jinxuan, did you know in advance that Xu Changge was in Jingjiang Prefecture?"
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Su Jinxuan, with a hint of guilt in her eyes, nodded slightly:
"Yes…
Two nights ago, Xu Changtian mentioned it in front of me.
It seemed there was trouble in Jiuyuan City…"
She paused, then continued:
"Because I had just left the Xu Residence a few days ago, I didn't manage to inform you in time…"
"..."
Upon hearing these words, Qin Weijiu raised his hand and rubbed his forehead forcefully.
Why Xu Changge had appeared at Jingjiang Prefecture, this unresolved question was clarified at this moment, but the answer surprisingly incited a desire to laugh within him.
He had thought it was his own exposure that had inexplicably drawn Xu Changge here, but who would have guessed such a ludicrous reason?
He was actually aware of the incident that took place in Jiuyuan City, where a serious calamity had befallen a demon haunt breeding ground within the mountains, resulting in the deaths of many, many people.
But who could have imagined that this bastard Xu Changge would personally come over for such a matter?!
In the flickering firelight, the study was enveloped in silence.
Watching Qin Weijiu's fluctuating expression, Su Jinxuan bit her lip, and then softly broke the silence:
"Jiu…
I'm sorry, if I had been willing to offer my body to that Xu Changtian…"
"Enough."
Qin Weijiu raised his hand to interrupt.
If Su Jinxuan had been willing to use her innocence to allure, even if that Xu Changtian had a secret treasure to protect his soul, he couldn't have withstood the Enchantress Divine Physique.
But he knew this girl's character all too well.
Glancing at Su Jinxuan, who wore a look of guilt, Qin Weijiu's eyes revealed a trace of helplessness:
"This is not your fault; it's just that the timing was terribly wrong.
If only Qin Mo had arrived a bit earlier, if only Xu Changtian had mentioned Xu Changge to you sooner, the outcome would have been inevitably different, it's a pity…"
One misstep in the strategy, such is fate, he sighed deeply.
With slight hesitation and obvious concern, Su Jinxuan asked:
"By the way, Jiu, do you know if Qin Mo…"
Seeing her tentative and cautious gaze, Qin Weijiu silently considered for a moment, then gave her a subtle shake of his head:
"Sorry, Jinxuan."
"….."
Su Jinxuan's pupils constricted slightly and she forced a smile, "Jiu…
what did you say?"
The special training she had undergone with Ying'er, although brief, was remarkably effective.
Seeing this, Qin Weijiu sighed softly once more, offering comfort:
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"I had also wanted to rescue him earlier, but Ran Qingmo blocked me."
Su Jinxuan pursed her lips and looked up:
"Ran Qingmo…?"
"The disciple of the State Preceptor."
Qin Weijiu explained briefly, his tone carrying a hint of incomprehension, "That foolish woman claims that the Prime Minister's Mansion is planning to take military action against the Sword Sect, yet turns around and begins to assist the people of the Prime Minister's Mansion, huh…."
"…."
Hearing this, Su Jinxuan's mind inexplicably conjured an image of that prodigal figure.
For some reason,
she subconsciously felt this woman with obscure motives was there for Xu Changtian.
The thought flashed by, and recalling what she had left in his bedroom, she hurriedly reined in her thoughts,
and after a long silence,
in the midst of quietude,
Su Jinxuan spoke with a slightly trembling voice:
"I, I want to avenge Qin Mo, Jiu…
can you teach me how to cultivate?"
The helplessness during the clash of the mighty above, and the rage from the death of her "beloved", was motivation enough for her to utter these words.
"…."
Qin Weijiu immediately looked up.
Her fists clenched, Su Jinxuan stared back resolutely.
During the silence,
Qin Weijiu observed every subtle movement of Su Jinxuan.
From the heartbeat, to breathing, and then to facial expressions.
In this turn of events, the only gain they had was Qin Mo's death at the hands of the Prime Minister's Mansion.
This could potentially provoke hostility between the Prime Minister's Mansion and their grave village.
But the matter had to be approached with caution; if the people of the grave village learned that they were stirring trouble from behind, it could easily backfire.
If Jinxuan were to embark on this…
Thinking this, Qin Weijiu nonetheless did not agree immediately, but gently shook his head:
"Jinxuan, your physique is special, and at present, I have no suitable Cultivation Technique for you…"
Su Jinxuan felt a bit disheartened upon hearing this.
However, Qin Weijiu's tone shifted abruptly:
"Nevertheless, I will help you find one.
Right now, the Prime Minister's power is great; this issue requires long-term planning."
"Okay, good," Su Jinxuan agreed.
"Hehe…"
Qin Weijiu stared at Su Jinxuan, his gaze settling into a slight smile.
He could offer her the Cultivation Technique, but first he needed to figure out one thing.
To ascertain why Qin Mo had been exposed so soon after entering the Xu Residence.
Although Jinxuan did not have major suspicions, she could not be completely excluded either.
///99//
The moon shone faintly, and after the search and rescue work was completed, the Xu Residence had quieted down considerably.
Amidst the ruins,
Xu Yuan saw countless bodies laid out on the ground, covered by white cloths.
Hundreds of them, densely packed.
In the flickering light of the surrounding fires, the crimson blood seeping through the cloths looked eerie and sinister.
Returning to his own loft courtyard, Xu Yuan suppressed what he had just seen, took a deep breath, and with a slight adjustment of his mentality, pushed the door open and entered.
His room was spacious, but also rather empty.
Because most of the valuable antique furniture had been exchanged for silver.
Upon entering,
Xu Yuan's sensitive will-spirit immediately sensed that the nearly liquid-like Origin Qi in the room was swirling and surging towards a certain spot.
Passing by an embroidered screen, Xu Yuan saw the destination of the Origin Qi vortex.
Ran Qingmo was sitting cross-legged on the floor, quietly cultivating with her eyes closed.
Bathed in moonlight, wearing black clothes like ink, she was quietly beautiful.
As he drew closer, Ran Qingmo disbanded her cultivation technique and slowly opened her eyes.
After a few moments of eye contact,
Xu Yuan asked with a hint of amusement in his voice,
"Didn't I say before I left that you could sit on the bed?
Why are you sitting on the floor?"
Ran Qingmo replied softly and truthfully,
"There's a…
scent on the bed."
Xu Yuan was slightly surprised by her words and subconsciously looked down at himself.
Seeing this, Ran Qingmo shook her head, "It's not yours."
"Not mine?"
Xu Yuan murmured, and then his expression froze.
If it wasn't his, then it was most likely Su Jinxuan's.
Although he had never allowed her to stay over, this Enchantress Miss naturally had a seductive rose scent that could mesmerize the soul.
It was normal for some of it to linger.
Thinking this,
Xu Yuan glanced at Ran Qingmo again, remarking to himself about how sensitive the Big Ice Lump's nose was.
After hesitating for a moment, Xu Yuan still offered an explanation,
"It's probably Su Jinxuan's.
I had intended to introduce you two."
"Hmm."
"Her physique can help me in cultivating my will-spirit; she occasionally comes to my room, mostly for cultivation reasons."
"Oh."
"…."
In the silence, Ran Qingmo turned her gaze to the pillow on the jade bed.
Seeing this, Xu Yuan also looked over.
Ran Qingmo kept staring but said nothing.
"What's wrong?" Xu Yuan asked softly.
"Xu Yuan, there seems to be something she left for you under there," Ran Qingmo stated blandly, with no hint of emotion.
"…."
Xu Yuan was a bit surprised.
The mysterious Primordial had come so unexpectedly.
Had Su Meimo actually had time to leave something for him?
But after a brief reflection, much of Xu Yuan's surprise faded away.
Before the plan was put into action, Su Jinxuan specifically warned that Qin Mo would probably come to her rescue and advised him not to stay with her or he might be in danger.
During the fierce battle between the three Great Grandmasters and the Saint's Remnant Soul, which was like a natural disaster, it was impossible for Su Jinxuan, as an ordinary person who had not cultivated, to predict who would win or lose.
If they from the Prime Minister's Mansion lost, she would surely be taken away.
Under the possibility of being taken away, it wasn't surprising for her to leave something for him.
With the surprise replaced by curiosity,
Xu Yuan grew curious about what the Enchantress Miss might have left him.
A letter?
Or perhaps some other thing?
In the quiet of the room,
Xu Yuan walked past Ran Qingmo, slowly approached the jade bed, and reached out for the Cold Jade Pillow.
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As the pillow was pulled aside, Xu Yuan's eyes reflexively twitched.
The item was familiar, beautiful, and eye-catching.
Even though she had the Enchantress Divine Physique, Su Jinxuan preferred to wear plain and simple clothes.
However, as her cultivation deepened, her attire underwent some changes, and occasionally when she came over at night, she would don attire that enhanced her attack speed.
Food, color, sex also.
Since the other party was willing to wear it, Xu Yuan was more than happy to openly appreciate the beauty of this world.
And that Enchantress seemed not to mind his gaze at all; in fact, she seemed to enjoy the kind of look that said he wanted her but couldn't have her.
Now that she had left, she had actually left this thing on his bed.
Should he say it's fitting for someone with an Enchantress Divine Physique?
He stared silently at the long, white silk fabric for several breaths before suddenly realizing that there seemed to be someone else next to him, watching it with him.
"…." Xu Yuan.
When he turned his head, he met the girl's serene eyes.
"…." Ran Qingmo.
Without a trace, Xu Yuan took the item left by Su Jinxuan into the Sumeru Ring, and without blushing or skipping a beat, he calmly asked:
"What's wrong?"
"..."
Ran Qingmo turned her gaze back to the Sumeru Ring he was holding.
Xu Yuan coughed softly, swiftly changing the subject:
"By the way, I just went to find Xu Changge and have already spoken to my father about your matter through the Communication Crystal."
As expected, Ran Qingmo's attention was immediately attracted, and she looked at Xu Yuan with a look of nervous anticipation:
"Um…what did your father say?"
"…."
After spending so much time together, it was rare to see such an expression on Big Ice Lump's face.
To her, the Sword Sect really was of great importance.
After a moment's contemplation, Xu Yuan said softly:
"He refused."
"…."
The light in Big Ice Lump's beautiful eyes visibly dimmed.
Seeing this, Xu Yuan changed his tone:
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"However, he didn't completely refuse."
Ran Qingmo's eyes brightened again.
Xu Yuan suppressed the urge to tease her further and walked over to sit down in a chair by the window sill.
Ran Qingmo silently followed him.
Xu Yuan looked up at the girl standing silently in front of him and pointed to the chair beside him:
"Sit."
Ran Qingmo sat down as instructed.
Xu Yuan chose his words carefully:
"First of all, it's impossible for my father to stop his plan.
As I told you back in that broken temple, he won't change his decision just because you've kidnapped me."
"…" Ran Qingmo pursed her lips.
"However, I can offer you another path."
"Tell me."
"It's simple, align Tianyuan Sword Sect with my father."
After a moment of thought, Ran Qingmo asked:
"Xu Yuan, do you want me to persuade my master?"
She was not stupid at all.
"You could understand it that way," Xu Yuan nodded.
"But my master won't listen to me," Ran Qingmo said somewhat disheartened.
Xu Yuan watched her downcast eyes and gently patted her shoulder to draw her attention:
"Just because he won't listen now doesn't mean he won't in the future, a person can make completely opposite choices at different times."
As he spoke,
Xu Yuan bent his eyes into a smile at her:
"Plus, I will help you."
"…."
Looking into his earnest eyes, Ran Qingmo's gaze widened slightly.
Under her scrutiny, Xu Yuan withdrew his hand and slowly stood up:
"Alright, I need to rest now, and you…"
He paused halfway through his sentence as he glanced through the window at the ruins outside and then changed what he was about to say with a light cough:
"Um…
you continue your cultivation here."
After all, it wasn't the first time they had lived together in the same room; there was nothing to fuss over.
Of course,
tonight it would still be him in the bed and her on the floor cultivating.
//100//
Xu Yuan, the Third Young Master who wanted to travel, seemed to have caused quite a stir among the decision-making circle within the Prime Minister's Mansion.
Even though he was thousands of miles away from the Imperial Capital, in Jingjiang Prefecture, Xu Yuan still received some rather perfunctory gifts.
For instance, a whole box of military fasting pills, a cloth bag of various tuned poisons, and a Spirit Beast Egg devoid of any signs of life…
Well…
most of them were pretty abstract, to say the least.
But Xu Yuan didn't pay much attention to this.
He knew very well that not everyone in the Prime Minister's Mansion liked him, the prodigal son, due to those glorious achievements of his in the past.
Many people sent him gifts only because of his father, as well as colleagues like Lou Ji and Hua Hong, among a few others.
However, compared to those people, the gifts from close elders like Lou Ji were much better.
Like Hua Hong.
This man, as rich as a nation, the old butler who had followed his mother for a lifetime, the chancellor's most trusted confidante, and the Second Grade Origin Initial powerhouse of the present age, did not skimp on this occasion either, sending directly a thousand taels of Patterned Silver his way.
Waking up to see that, it made Xu Yuan's day.
This old miser probably knew that sending silver notes would seem too little, so he simply had someone deliver two boxes of actual silver to Xu Yuan's courtyard door overnight.
Of course, with some being abstract, naturally, there were also reliable ones.
Like Aunt Lou Ji,
And his maternal uncle, the Sword Saint Feng Jiuxuan.
Aunt Lou Ji had Ying'er give him two tokens; if he encountered any trouble during his travels, he could use these tokens to seek help either from Listening Wind Tower or Yujian Pavilion.
Listening Wind Tower, an organization trafficking in information.
Yujian Pavilion, an assassin organization; Ying'er seemed to have come from there.
Feng Jiuxuan, on the other hand, had someone send him a sword called Qingyu, which could be used to learn the protagonist's Step Forward Slash.
Finally, there was his elder brother, Xu Changge…..
Xu Changge asked him what he wanted before leaving.
Xu Yuan naturally asked to learn his brother's Causality Sword.
No sooner had the word "causality" left his mouth than Xu Changge flatly refused him.
Xu Yuan was just about to ask why when his brother's expression changed, filled with eagerness.
If it were not for Ran Qingmo being there at the time,
Xu Yuan even suspected that this brother not only wouldn't teach him but even wanted to give him a beating before leaving.
The plan to learn the Causality Sword died in its infancy, but Xu Yuan had some vague suspicions because of it.
If it could be taught, his brother wouldn't have had such a strong reaction.
Perhaps the reason Xu Changge weakened in the later part of the story was due to practicing that type of swordsmanship…
…..
Time passed quickly, and during the period nearing his departure, Xu Yuan, besides his daily gift collection routine, never forgot to cultivate.
After Ran Qingmo had slept on the floor for ten days, he, unsurprisingly, officially made a breakthrough to the Seventh Grade of vein tempering.
The feeling of breaking through as easily as drinking water was truly quite pleasant.
It's just a pity that the urgency of time meant he no longer had the leisure to cultivate at his own pace.
And during this ten-day period, Ran Qingmo, like him, had been cultivating the whole time.
This Big Ice Lump seemed to really enjoy this kind of life where there was no need to think, just peacefully and quietly staying in the room to cultivate each day.
Of course, the price was steep.
The Source Crystal he had previously given him had been consumed by about a fifth by this Big Ice Lump.
It was pretty much like a gold-swallowing beast.
And after Ran Qingmo had slept on the floor for twenty days, Xu Changge also left.
He had stayed here on account of the Soul Ring, and after the Secret Realm and the cultivation techniques divulged by the Saint's Remnant Soul were verified as true, there naturally was no reason for him to continue lingering here.
In the plot to ambush the story's protagonist, the Prime Minister's Mansion gained much more than expected.
They finished off the remnants of a village massacre, planted a mole, captured a Second Grade Origin Initial alive, and even received a bonus Saint's Remnant Soul.
The Secret Realms provided by the Saint turned out to be extremely precious resource fields.
Over the past few decades, the industries of the Prime Minister's Mansion had essentially become closed-loop.
Others entering the Secret Realm might at best bring out the finest bits of loot, and even then they had to act with caution limited by their cultivation levels.
The Prime Minister's Mansion, however, operated on a completely different level.
With a complete industrial chain system in place, all exploitable cultivation resources from the Secret Realm such as ores, herbs, and Demonic Beasts were transported to where they were needed, quickly broken down and assimilated, thereby strengthening themselves.
It was pretty much a sweeping success.
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Therefore, Xu Yuan had no psychological burden as he again requested three Source Crystals from his elder brother.
After all, Ran Qingmo's cultivation speed was too fast,
So, on the afternoon that Xu Changge set off to return to the Imperial Capital, Xu Yuan also packed his luggage and, together with Ran Qingmo, left the Jingjiang Prefecture city where they had stayed for several months.
…
…
Once again, it was an early morning.
The habitual biological clock gently woke Xu Yuan, but the sight that greeted his eyes was no longer the familiar bed curtains of past days.
A moment of dazed shock, and memories of the previous day flooded his mind like the tide.
Only then did Xu Yuan realize that he had left Jingjiang Prefecture and was currently sitting in a carriage on the way to the "Demonic Beast Breeding Base" deep in the mountains outside Jiuyuan City, where something left by Xu Changge awaited him.
It was said to be a treasure capable of restoring the Soul Power of the Saint's Remnant Soul, "Mr.
Luo."
Glancing sideways, Ran Qingmo's flawless profile came into view.
The carriage—ahem, cart—was not spacious, less than ten square meters and rectangular in shape, but it was compactly and elegantly arranged.
A large bed, two cushions, a tea tray, and an ancient zither.
Ran Qingmo was still sitting upright on the other side of the large bed, cultivating.
Because the space in the cart was limited, the large bed served both as a couch and as a seat.
Last night before Xu Yuan went to sleep, Ran Qingmo had been sitting there cultivating; he hadn't asked her to move, so she simply kept sitting on the bed and cultivated all night.
Perhaps sensing his gaze, Ran Qingmo also opened her eyes:
"You're awake?"
"Hmm."
Xu Yuan slowly rose, still somewhat weary.
Seeing Ran Qingmo looking so full of energy after a sleepless night, he let out a deep sigh.
He was somewhat envious of Ran Qingmo's constitution that required no rest.
Upon reaching Fourth Grade Integration Body, the physical enhancements brought about by cultivation would perfectly meld with the body, achieving a return to mortality.
Of course, the "return to mortality" mentioned here did not mean that one's physique would become like that of a mortal but rather that unless Origin Qi or Will-Spirit deeply probed, other methods would have difficulty discerning any difference from mortals.
मधुमेह हमेशा के लिए ख़त्म हो जाएगा! सोने से पहले करें ये काम
अगर आप भी डायबिटीज से जूझ रहें है, तो यह देखना न भूलें
Beyond this, a Fourth Grade cultivator was completely seen as a celestial being in the eyes of mortals.
No need to eat, no need to sleep, and no more worries about damaging the meridians during cultivation; they could simply enter seclusion in the deep mountains like celestials, undisturbed for decades.
The heavens were hazy, and the cold winter morning wind blew through the cart's window frets, pulling Xu Yuan back from his reverie.
He subconsciously reached to lift the blanket, intending to get up, but stopped abruptly.
The morning breeze filtered through the tall forest; getting up directly would not be very proper.
Ran Qingmo paid no mind to his slightly odd movements, simply saying softly:
"Xu Yuan, it seems we're almost there."
At her words, Xu Yuan was taken aback, then quickly pulled back the window curtains to look outside.
Outside the window, the flaming-hoofed carriage travelled along a dense forest path.
On both sides of the narrow path, the deep, boundless forest persisted with no sign of any man-made structures.
With a hint of bewilderment in his eyes and before he could ask,
"Kid, it's an Illusion Array.
A hundred meters ahead on this path is the entrance to the Illusion Array.
Take out the token your brother gave you," a deep voice suddenly echoed within him.
At this, Xu Yuan was startled and swiftly took out a Purple Gold Token from his Sumeru Ring.
A hundred meters distance passed in a moment.
"Hum————"
A prolonged humming sound resonated in Xu Yuan's ears.
As the sound ceased, it seemed as though he had passed through some sort of formation.
Once Xu Yuan collected his thoughts and looked outside again, everything around had completely changed.
The deeply shrouded forest had disappeared, replaced by a colossal sinkhole a hundred meters away.
The entire sinkhole was circular in shape, with a diameter measuring at least a thousand yards; looking out across it, it seemed almost impossible to see the other side.
The carriage carrying the three of them stopped next to this vast abyss, appearing entirely like a tiny ant!
What was more unnerving was that from inside this abyss, a strange and disturbing black mist constantly billowed forth.
Fortunately, there seemed to be a formation set up above the abyss, which immediately lit up with a fiery red barrier to prevent the mist from spreading whenever it rose.
Xu Yuan watched the black mist for a few breaths and spoke softly:
"This mist…"
Ran Qingmo's eyebrows lightly knitted, and she remained silent.
The Saint's Remnant Soul fell silent for a moment before releasing a sigh, as if in lamentation:
"This…
should be the Haunted Mist."
///101////
After passing through the Illusion Array, the luxurious carriage adorned with black dragon carvings advanced another hundred meters along the path before coming to a halt.
He stepped off the carriage at a leisurely pace, his brows gradually furrowing as he surveyed the eerie surroundings.
Looking down from the sky, the enormous Black Abyss appeared to be a gigantic beast's mouth, devouring all light around it.
The ancient trees within a hundred paces of it were all gray and white, their twisted branches devoid of leaves, emitting intermittent ghostly Qi.
His will-spirit reached out to explore, and Xu Yuan could clearly sense some unknown mutation had occurred in the surrounding Origin Qi.
The books he had read stated that if one were to regularly absorb such mutated Origin Qi, their body would gradually undergo ghoul transformation.
Xu Yuan was pondering this when,
Suddenly,
"Roar!!"
A roar, like the cry of a Demonic Beast, thundered from the sky and was deafening.
After the sound, the eerie forest, already devoid of fallen leaves, was shrouded in layers of shadows.
Looking up at the sky through the twisted branches of the surrounding trees, one could see dozens of giant birds with wingspans surpassing dozens of yards swooping low over the forest.
The wingspan of each bird was greater than that of Xu Changge's massive Xuan Eagle mount.
At this moment, each of the giant birds carried a huge sack in their sharp talons.
The sacks were large, even bigger than the Demonic Beasts themselves, heavy, with some having blood seeping through them.
Xu Yuan's brow furrowed slightly as he murmured softly,
"This is…."
"Corpses,"
"Don't look any longer, boy, those sacks are filled with corpses," said the voice of the Saint's Remnant Soul, light and carefree, ringing from the bottom of his heart.
"….."
On hearing this, Xu Yuan's pupils shrank sharply.
Corpses…?
And the next moment,
The words of the Saint's Remnant Soul turned into reality.
The great birds, under the control of the cultivators behind them, methodically dropped the sacks from their talons down towards the vast abyss.
The sacks, passing over the Formation above the abyss, were immediately incinerated, revealing the countless corpses within.
But these corpses only appeared for an instant before being devoured completely by the ink-like ghost fog beneath them.
The next instant,
After consuming countless corpses, the black, eerie fog suddenly surged, colliding continuously with the huge Formation inverted above the abyss, the sound of sizzling burning echoing through the desolate and silent forest around!
Xu Yuan's mind was filled with various books related to the ghost fog.
Corpses breed yin; given enough time, a strange fog is born.
Sunlight cannot penetrate, nor can one see their own hands.
Inside, cries and howls of ghosts echo; mortals who enter never return, while cultivators of shallow practice find it difficult to come back.
His old man is feeding the abyss with corpses!
"Heh…" A light chuckle came from the Saint's Remnant Soul within, serving as a reminder, "Young Xu, someone is coming."
As he spoke,
A withered old man with a cadaverous visage, as gaunt as a living ghoul, suddenly appeared in this weird, withered forest.
Almost at the same time,
A cold gleam flashed through the silent, withered forest.
A Black Sword radiating a chilling, grim aura appeared at the old man's throat.
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Ran Qingmo held the hilt of the sword, her gaze cold as she stared at the old man who had suddenly approached.
Xu Yuan watched the scene before him, his eyes slightly focused.
"He's a Great Grandmaster, somewhat eerie."
Before Xu Yuan could ask, the elder accompanying him had already provided an answer.
"…"
The air fell silent.
The ugly, withered old man swept his lifeless gaze over Xu Yuan, then glanced at Ran Qingmo with the sword, his lips suddenly spreading into a strange smile.
"Hehehe….."
"…."
The old man's laughter was like the peeling of tree bark, eliciting an inexplicable thought in Xu Yuan of a 'hehe' cackling sound.
Without changing expression, Xu Yuan lightly bowed towards the old man,
"Old Master…
who might you be?"
Despite a blade at his throat, the old man's voice was devoid of fear, still as coarse and hoarse as the scraping of old tree bark,
"I dare not claim to be a master, I am but a humble servant following the Prime Minister's orders to guard this ghost fog.
The Third Young Master simply calls me old Ghoul."
As he spoke,
The withered old man paused, then grinned again,
"Third Young Master…
would you kindly ask your lady to withdraw her sword?"….."
Looking at that eerie smile, Xu Yuan glanced at Ran Qingmo.
Ran Qingmo returned the glance and silently sheathed her sword.
Xu Yuan apologized on behalf of Ran Qingmo and still chose to address the other party as Old Master,
"Old Master, I apologize for the offense just now.
Qingmo was only acting for my protection."
Once the blade was withdrawn, the withered old man shook his head and steadied himself to return the gesture,
"Knowing my unsightly appearance, I am the one who has sullied the lady's sight," he said.
Thereafter,
The withered old man slowly turned around and took the lead,
"Please follow me, Third Young Master.
The elder son has already instructed me on the specifics.
The carriage can be left here; there will be people to take care of it."
The narrow path shaded by gray, twisted ancient trees stretched for about another hundred meters, where Xu Yuan and Ran Qingmo quietly followed behind the old man.
Silently they walked on, and all was quiet.
Suddenly,
The voice of the Saint's Remnant Soul rang out within Xu Yuan's heart,
"This person is indeed loyal to your father, having guarded beside this ghost fog for thirty years.
The ghostly Qi has entered his body, half-human, half-ghost, constantly tormented; I'd wager he doesn't have many years left."
"…."
Xu Yuan watched the hunched, withered figure leading the way ahead, remaining silent.
Upon seeing the old man's appearance, his Will-spirit had already sensed the eerie ambiance emanating from the man.
Ghost Qi.
Some books had recorded such a condition.
His thoughts were somewhat complex.
Walking out of the forest in silence, the dozens of giant birds still methodically fed various corpses into the abyss below, circling the sky.
///102///
There were humans, demonic beasts, and barbarian tribes.
As Xu Yuan followed the elder out of the shade of the trees to the clearing around the huge black abyss, a giant bundle was timely tossed down from the sky by a massive bird.
As the formation incinerated the giant bundle to ashes, Xu Yuan caught a glimpse of the contents and subconsciously stopped in his tracks.
It was…
Living people?!
The crowd plunged into the black fog, most of these living people were martial artists, and Xu Yuan even saw a few cultivators among them.
They desperately tried to escape beyond the formation, but being mid-air with no leverage, they could only watch themselves fall into the sinister black fog.
The sounds of screaming, cursing, and crying merged into one, quickly swallowed by the black fog.
And then came the second, the third, the fourth…
The elder in front seemed to notice Xu Yuan's reaction and slowly turned his gaze back:
"Third Young Master…
Your compassion should not be extended to these people."
"…." Xu Yuan's gaze sharpened as he looked up.
As he spoke,
the withered old man glanced over at the crowd who were screaming and trying to escape, his mouth twisting into a sinister smirk:
"These people are all death row prisoners sent from various counties around Jingjiang Prefecture, most of them are violent criminals who have committed murder and looting, not worth pitying.
"Moreover,
"These people have strong evil spirits in them, making them most suitable for nurturing into fierce ghosts, heh heh he heh heh ha ha ha ha ha…."
Towards the end of his speech, the withered old man seemed to lose control, suddenly emitting a low and maniacal laugh.
A cold breeze swept through the treetops with a rustling sound.
The pallid sunlight shone on the elder's withered face, alongside the unseemly laughter, the surroundings took on an eerie feeling.
Xu Yuan silently observed the old man before him.
[Ghost Qi enters the brain, sometimes leading to madness]
After laughing for perhaps a dozen breaths, the withered old man's laughter abruptly stopped.
The sinister smile still hung at the corner of his mouth, but his expression suddenly froze.
Gradually, the withered old man's smile receded, his eyes drooped in silence for a few breaths, and he shakily gave a fist salute to Xu Yuan:
"Old…
this old slave overstepped, Third Young Master forgive me."
"It does not matter," Xu Yuan gently shook his head.
The old man's white lips quivered, but he said no more, the expression in his eyes dimming a bit as he hunched over and continued to silently lead the way.
For a hundred meters around the abyss, there was only bare black soil, without any man-made structures in sight.
However, a downward dark passage soon appeared before Xu Yuan.
The withered old man seemed to need to stabilize his emotions as he directly proceeded down without a word.
Entering the passage with Ran Qingmo, Xu Yuan noticed that there were no Bright Pattern Lamps carved into the sides of this passageway, instead, the most primitive method of torchlight was used for illumination.
As the torchlight flickered, Xu Yuan suddenly noticed that the shadows of the three of them were continuously flashing.
After staring for a long time, Xu Yuan asked in his heart:
"Mr.
Luo…"
The Saint's Remnant Soul casually explained:
"It's a feature of the ghost fog.
"Many things within the ghost fog are different from the outside world.
If not for the restriction of the formation, this place would probably be swallowed by the ghost fog by now.
Situated at the edge of the ghost fog, you can regard it as the 'border between yin and yang', though that is just a figure of speech, but roughly not far off."
Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan understood; he had read many ancient books regarding the ghost fog these past days.
The books all spoke of the ghost fog with great dread, describing it with utmost horror.
Corroding everything, spreading without limit, a forbidden zone for life, a human-made disaster; once it appeared, all living beings would be doomed.
Now that he had seen it firsthand, he began to grasp some understanding.
There was light but no shadows, the basic rules of common sense were directly altered.
Silently continuing downward, the passage wound downwards, seemingly bottomless.
After an unknown amount of time,
Ran Qingmo suddenly spoke up next to him:
"We are nearly there."
Xu Yuan became immediately alert upon hearing this, sensing that he was about to witness something extraordinary.
Another dozen breaths or so later, the end of the winding downward passage finally came into view.
A stony archway opening of a cave stood there, currently enshrouded in a thin layer of white light.
The withered old man, intent on preventing an emotional outburst, remained silent, merely looking back at Xu Yuan before silently passing through the layer of white light.
Xu Yuan stopped in front of the light screen and glanced at Ran Qingmo.
Ran Qingmo blinked, nodded at Xu Yuan indicating there was no danger.
Xu Yuan guessed in his heart that this must be some kind of formation and stepped through as well.
Passing through the thin membrane of white light, the scene before him suddenly opened up.
This was a gigantic cavern.
The inner walls of the cave were hidden in darkness, beyond the range of sight, but on the ground beneath his feet, luminous gems of unknown provenance emitted faint light.
They stretched on endlessly, connecting into some kind of complex formation pattern that extended as far as Xu Yuan could see.
A few moments after he entered,
suddenly,
the intricate formation patterns, like water flowing into a channel, lit up in succession.
After a few moments of charging, the darkness of the entire cavern was illuminated by the formation patterns, revealing its true nature.
Inside the cavern, there were neatly arranged stone rooms on the interior rock walls, in which countless ghostly specters were trapped, frantically slamming against the walls.
But the inner walls of the stone rooms were also carved with dense and complex formation patterns, preventing the specters from escaping.
Seeing this cavern of a hundred ghosts, Xu Yuan's breathing gradually became shaky.
"Kid, have you not seen this before?" The Saint's Remnant Soul's voice sounded with a hint of teasing.
Xu Yuan steadied his mind and shook his head slightly.
It was almost common knowledge deep among the people that Demonic Beasts could be domesticated, but ghosts…
Upon hearing this, the Saint's Remnant Soul chuckled softly, his tone carrying a touch of the vicissitudes of life:
"Hehe…
well, the last time I emerged was three thousand years ago.
Back then, whenever the ghost fog arose, it wasn't about lives being devoured—it was a forbidden area, and eradication was as hard as ascending to heaven.
Your elder brother mentioned this to me before, and I was somewhat incredulous.
Now that I see it, this ghost fog can indeed be domesticated like Demonic Beasts, hehe…
truly an era of human prosperity."
"…"
Xu Yuan frowned and did not speak.
He suddenly understood why Lou Ji had said earlier that an accident here would affect the supply of Soul System Elixir Medicines throughout the southwest of Dayan.
The herbs that assist the Will-spirit are not only difficult to grow due to environmental requirements, but also have long growth cycles.
Under a perfected maturation system, a batch of herbs takes at least two to three years, and at most, more than a decade to mature.
However, after thousands of years of development, Elixir Medicines that assist the Will-spirit aren't necessarily made with herbs—ghosts and demonic souls can also be refined.
The Soul Power contained within the natural soul bodies of ghostly creatures completely satisfies the needs for medicine cultivation.
As long as the malignant aura inside them is expelled through special methods during the refinement process, the Soul Pill can be made!
Hunting Demonic Beasts and ghosts has been happening for more than a day or two…
But domestication…
Thinking of this, Xu Yuan let out a long breath.
The technological tree of this world is not immutable.
Under the centralization of the Imperial court, many things are rapidly evolving.
Just like the progress in the technology of human domestication of Demonic Beasts, only this time, the creatures being domesticated by humans are the far more terrifying ghosts.
But then again,
fierce as Demonic Beasts are, they can be domesticated and tamed, so why not ghostly spirits?
However, the technology for domestication of ghostly creatures must not be perfected yet.
Otherwise, the related texts wouldn't be guarded so tightly by the major powers that even he, the Third Young Master, was not clear about the details.
After some thought, Xu Yuan turned and asked Ran Qingmo in a low voice:
"Ran Qingmo, does your Tianyuan Sword Sect have this?"
Ran Qingmo looked back hesitantly, but eventually nodded:
"Yes, Master took me there before, but…
but not on this scale."
"Heh….."
Hearing this, the Saint's Remnant Soul chuckled softly within Xu Yuan's heart, speaking in a low voice, "How can the latecomers compete with the pioneers?"
Xu Yuan's gaze sharpened, showing a hint of surprise, and he inquired within his heart:
"Mr.
Luo, what do you mean by pioneers?"
The Saint's Remnant Soul fell silent for a moment, then, with a trace of admiration, chuckled softly:
"This formation that blocks the ghost fog was established by the 'Geometry Institute' within your Prime Minister's Mansion.
Among the billions of creatures, there are indeed those who are extraordinarily talented; such a formation truly breaks new ground."
Geometry Institute…
Xu Yuan silently noted the name in his heart, resolving to visit whenever he had the chance.
The previous "Tianxun Crystal Orb," and now the formation that isolates the ghost fog, were both creations that could overturn an era.
After a moment of contemplation, Xu Yuan suddenly asked:
"Mr.
Luo, how do you know about this?"
The Saint's Remnant Soul answered as if it were a matter of course: "Your elder brother mentioned he would use the souls and bodies of Demonic Beasts to assist in restoring my Soul Power.
I asked incidentally about this, and he answered."
With that, the Saint's Remnant Soul paused, then said with a meaningful laugh:
"Your elder brother is matchless in this world, and the Geometry Institute has such exceptionally brilliant talents.
I'm truly curious about your father, young Xu."
Xu Yuan neither affirmed nor denied, smiling inwardly as he replied:
"When I return to the capital, Mr.
Luo, you will naturally have the chance to meet my father.
But for now, let's follow that ghostly old gentleman to help Mr.
Luo restore your Soul Power."