Chapter 781: Heading to the Immortal City (2)

True Monarch Xuanji nodded slightly, gently tapping the edge of the mat with his fingertips, and spoke in a deep voice: “Tell me, how do you view this young friend from Chang’an? What are your future plans for employing him?”

“Master, I believe that this young friend from Chang’an has quite remarkable puppetry skills. To be able to refine high-level Tier Three puppets before the age of two hundred shows rare talent,” True Monarch Qingxiao spoke candidly. “I wish to offer him certain privileges and support him with more resources. If we can completely win him over and have him pledge loyalty to the Qinglan Sect, he will be a great asset to our sect in the future, especially in dealing with the Black Swamp. His puppets could be put to great use.”

Hearing this, True Monarch Xuanji’s lips curled into a meaningful smile, and he said slowly, “Your considerations are prudent. However, this young friend from Chang’an may not be as simple as he appears on the surface.”

After a pause, he continued, “In the past, that child Yanze from Black Swamp dared to risk pursuing him into the scope of our Qinglan Sect, even using a clone to intervene. There must have been a specific target.”

“Previously, when I saw him able to refine high-tier puppets, I already had my suspicions. Puppet refinement requires artifact refining as a foundation, and artifact refining requires Spirit Flame assistance. That child Yanze himself controls a Tier Four Spirit Flame, with a sensitivity to Spirit Flames that far exceeds ordinary people. His relentless pursuit of this young friend from Chang’an must mean he detected the presence of Spirit Flame on him.”

“As it stands, this is very likely true.”

A flicker of surprise crossed True Monarch Qingxiao’s eyes; she had not considered this layer.

“Master is wise; I had overlooked this point,” she responded with a bow.

True Monarch Xuanji shook his head gently, his tone deepened, “Your intention to cultivate him is good. But as your master, I’m not as trusting as you.”

“The minds of those in the Cultivation Realm are unpredictable. Our Qinglan Sect’s current situation is delicate; we cannot easily trust anyone. This young friend from Chang’an possesses extraordinary talent. If he truly grows, his strength will be immeasurable.”

“But remember, he is ultimately an outsider, a Loose Cultivator with no deep ties to our Qinglan Sect. In the future, if I die and my soul perishes, and you just ascend to the position of True Monarch with an unsteady foundation, you may not be able to keep him in check.”

These words were spoken with absolute candor, leaving no trace of his concerns hidden.

True Monarch Qingxiao’s eyes shimmered, yet she was not overly concerned. So what if his talent was excellent? To ascend to Nascent Soul True Monarch requires more than just talent; as long as he cannot advance to True Monarch, he remains a mere Core Formation Cultivator.

“I will remember Master’s teachings,” she said solemnly, bowing deeply without refuting her master.

“Hmm.” True Monarch Xuanji nodded slightly, his tone easing a bit, “Be careful on your journey to Celestial Essence Immortal City. Though the three at Black Swamp have not moved in ten years, they are by no means a quiet bunch; do not be complacent.”

“I understand.”

After True Monarch Qingxiao agreed, a flash of thought crossed her eyes, and she asked softly, “Master, how are your injuries now?”

At the mention of his injuries, True Monarch Xuanji’s expression darkened a bit as he answered slowly, “Years ago, when searching for Nascent Soul Spiritual Objects for you, I was struck by restrictions in an ancient Secret Realm and seriously injured. Over the past ten years of careful recuperation, I’ve recovered some of my vitality, but the injury is only suppressed; complete recovery is now impossible.”

A flicker of heartache passed through True Monarch Qingxiao’s eyes, but she knew her master’s words were true and could only respond solemnly, “Master, rest assured and recuperate. The sect’s affairs are in the hands of me and Senior Brother Chang Geng, and we will surely hold it up.”

After a pause, she asked again, “Master, can we now deal with the traitor within the sect?”

As early as ten years ago, they identified a spy from Black Swamp within the sect; a long-standing late-stage Core Formation Ascendant who had followed the sect for many years.

True Monarch Xuanji’s eyes flickered with a cold light at these words, but he shook his head, “No rush. Keeping him still serves a purpose; let him serve our Qinglan Sect one last time.”

With that, he raised a hand, and a touch of pale green Spiritual Power flowed into True Monarch Qingxiao’s forehead, followed by a secret message echoing in her mind.

True Monarch Qingxiao listened, understanding flashing in her eyes, and she bowed in response, “I understand what to do.”

She then turned and left the Dao Field, heading straight for Sky Howl Peak.

Before long, True Monarch Qingxiao arrived at Sky Howl Peak.

Li Ji’an had already prepared, waiting at the entrance of the Dao Field.

The two exchanged few words as True Monarch Qingxiao summoned a turquoise Flying Boat with a wave of her hand.

This Flying Boat was three zhang long, crafted from thousand-year old phoebe wood. Its surface was inscribed with densely packed flight runes, exuding rich Wood Spiritual Qi between the flow of runes, clearly a high-tier Upper Grade Tier Three flying Magical Treasure.

Small spiritual lamps hung on either side of the Flying Boat, burning Concentrating Spirit incense, the strands of fragrance keeping cultivators clear-headed during flight.

“Let’s go.”

True Monarch Qingxiao stepped onto the Flying Boat first, followed closely by Li Ji’an.

The Flying Boat cut through the sky, transforming into a green rainbow, ascending straight to the Nine Heavens, speeding towards the central mining area of Ancestral Origin Province.

Just outside the Qinglan Sect’s sphere of influence, Li Ji’an’s thought moved, Spiritual Power churning around him, changing his appearance and aura instantly from a handsome young man to an unassuming, introverted middle-aged cultivator.

True Monarch Qingxiao saw this, her brow slightly frowned, her tone carrying a hint of disdain: “Chang’an, as cultivators, we should act openly and move forward, why conceal ourselves like this and lose the demeanor of a cultivator?” She leaned on the soft couch inside the Flying Boat, twirling a Jade Hairpin with her fingers, her gaze carrying the inherent superiority of a Nascent Soul True Monarch over a low-tier cultivator.

In her view, with her accompanying him, there was no need for Li Ji’an to be so cautious; hiding his tracks only made him seem petty.

Li Ji’an inwardly resigned, yet still bowed in explanation: “True Monarch is perhaps unaware, but back when I was in Qing Province, I was betrayed, and accidentally offended a significant figure, resulting in being pursued here.”

“Though it has been many years, those forces are powerful. I dare not be careless, thus conceal my whereabouts. I hope True Monarch can forgive me.”

This was the excuse he used when joining the Qinglan Sect a decade ago, and mentioning it again now still made perfect sense.

True Monarch Qingxiao, hearing this, had a flicker of understanding in her eyes, then waved her hand with a commanding tone, “Some minor scoundrels, what is there to fear?”

“Rest assured, on this journey, with my protection, within Ancestral Origin Province, no one can harm you. You can be at ease.”

As she spoke, the imposing presence of a Nascent Soul True Monarch slightly emanated from her, carrying an undeniable confidence.

Seeing Li Ji’an remain silent, True Monarch Qingxiao softened her tone, with a hint of winning over, reassuring him, “You have exceptional talent in the Puppet Path; cultivate well in the Qinglan Sect and devote yourself to refining puppets for the sect.”

“When your Cultivation progresses further, I will personally act as a matchmaker for you within the sect, finding you a Dao Companion with both beauty and talent.”

She knew well that for cultivators, a Dao Companion is not only a partner on the cultivation path but also an important bond, and using this method is the easiest way to keep a talented Loose Cultivator like Li Ji’an in the Qinglan Sect.

Inwardly, Li Ji’an secretly mocked, but outwardly, he showed no expression, merely bowing in thanks: “Thank you, True Monarch, for your kindness, I am immensely grateful.”

Meanwhile, deep within Black Swamp, in a dimly lit hall.

True Monarch Yanze was meditating cross-legged, with a black Communication Talisman floating in front of him.

Suddenly, the Communication Talisman flashed, and a message emerged: “True Monarch Qingxiao has left the Qinglan Sect, taking the Chang’an Ascendant, heading towards Celestial Essence Immortal City!”

True Monarch Yanze abruptly opened his eyes, a glint of ferocity in them, and a sinister smile played on his lips: “Finally willing to come out? Good, very good!” He clenched his hand, instantly turning the black Communication Talisman to dust.

Candles flickered in the hall, casting a shadow over his sinister face.

He rose and paced, black Evil Qi swirling around him, muttering to himself, “Ten years of patience, I thought you would stay hiding in Qinglan Sect forever. Since you dare come out, don’t expect to return unscathed!” With that, his figure flashed, heading straight for the Dao Field of True Monarch Xuansha.