Chapter 136 - 86: Goodwill from All Directions

Chapter 136: Chapter 86: Goodwill from All Directions

Xuzhuang sped through the heavens above the clouds. In just two hours, he returned to the Yunmeng Marsh. He flew toward the sect for about another quarter of an hour when his Spiritual Sense suddenly stirred. His gaze fell, piercing through the dense clouds.

He saw a small boat on the lake’s surface. A white ape wearing a Daoist Robe and a small cap was crouching in the boat, looking around furtively from time to time.

Before long, the water on the lake rippled, and a young Daoist leaped out, holding a pile of glittering Crystal Stones.

Xuzhuang’s heart stirred. ’This Zhou Jun’s Water Escape Skill has some fine points... The Five Elements Wanderer, is it?’

He then heard Zhou Jun say joyfully, "With these, I won’t have to worry about cultivation expenses for another month."

’Instead of focusing on diligent cultivation, he spends his energy on such things.’ Xuzhuang shook his head and smiled. ’Oh well, to each their own path.’

Without lingering, Xuzhuang urged his escape light on again and flew straight back to the sect. Instead of returning to Chongyun Peak, however, he headed directly into the clouds. Before long, the Sect Leader’s Cloud Palace came into view.

Xuzhuang had just landed before the Cloud Palace when he heard footsteps. A delicate-featured Daoist Child walked out and bowed. "Junior Martial Uncle Xu, the Master knows of your arrival and has ordered me to greet you. Please, follow me into the hall."

Xuzhuang nodded and followed the Daoist Child into the Cloud Palace. The furnishings inside were the same as always. Upon seeing Daochen Zhenren, Xuzhuang bowed first and said, "Greetings, Sect Leader Senior Brother."

Daochen Zhenren accepted the bow and nodded. "Junior Brother Xu, have you come to see me with some difficult cultivation question?"

Xuzhuang replied, "Reporting to Sect Leader Senior Brother, this disciple does indeed have some questions for which I hope to receive your guidance, but they are unrelated to cultivation."

"Oh?" Daochen Zhenren said. "Go on, let’s hear it."

Xuzhuang said, "On my recent trip, I encountered a certain matter..."

Xuzhuang organized his thoughts for a moment, then recounted in detail the Immoral Taoist’s invitation and the matter of the duel between Zhenrens Yi and Bu over the Innate Spirit Root. He then asked, "I wonder if Senior Brother is aware of this matter."

Daochen Zhenren mused, "The Immoral Taoist... I have indeed heard of his reputation. And Zhenrens Yi and Bu are indeed great experts who made their names tens of thousands of years ago. As for the pact regarding the Innate Spirit Root, I was not aware of it, but I imagine it isn’t a lie."

"If Junior Brother is interested in participating in this duel, there’s no harm in giving it a try."

Xuzhuang asked, "It concerns an Innate Spirit Root. Is there truly nothing suspicious about it?"

Daochen Zhenren smiled faintly. "Innate Spirit Roots, while not exactly divisible into various ranks, do have differing values to a cultivator."

The implication was that the Innate Fruit Tree, which only bears fruit once every thirty-six hundred years, was of limited value.

Xuzhuang thought for a moment and understood. If that Innate Spirit Root were truly so extraordinary, the two Daoists, Yi and Bu, would have likely dealt with it privately behind closed doors instead of making a grand spectacle of inviting friends to compete. There certainly wouldn’t be some event inviting talented cultivators to a duel.

Regardless, an Innate Spirit Root was still exceedingly precious to Golden Core and Nascent Soul Cultivators.

Xuzhuang nodded to show he understood. Daochen Zhenren then asked, "Do you have any other matters, Junior Brother?"

Xuzhuang hesitated for a moment before asking, "This disciple presumes to ask Senior Brother, are there any other ways to obtain a spot for cultivation in the True Monarch’s Innate Tai Su Realm?"

"Oh? So Junior Brother has already begun to consider this matter..." Daochen Zhenren smiled, but his expression suddenly turned serious. "However, you should not entertain any other ideas, Junior Brother. There are absolutely no shortcuts for this."

Although Xuzhuang had been prepared for this, he still felt a trace of disappointment. "Understood," he replied.

Daochen Zhenren nodded and said leisurely, "Actually, there is no need for you to be anxious, Junior Brother. Cultivating in the True Monarch’s Innate Tai Su Realm is most beneficial for cultivators who have already refined a Nascent Soul. This is also why the sect established this rule. Besides, the spots are truly in high demand. Before you, there are many senior brothers at the Nascent Soul realm who have been waiting for a long time."

"Of course, if you are able to accumulate enough merit points and wish to enter the Innate Tai Su Realm to cultivate ahead of schedule, the sect naturally will not object."

Xuzhuang said thoughtfully, "Yes, this disciple understands."

"Mm," Daochen Zhenren said. "If you have no other business, Junior Brother, you may withdraw."

Xuzhuang bowed in acknowledgment and then departed the Cloud Palace.

Riding the wind back to Chongyun Peak, he opened the main gate of his cave residence. The sound immediately alerted his Daoist Child. Within a few breaths, the Daoist Child came running out, bowed his head, and said, "Welcome back, Master."

Xuzhuang nodded, settled into the master’s seat, and then asked, "Did anything happen in the residence while I was away?"

The child replied, "Master, during the time you were away, we received a total of forty-six calling cards and introductory gifts."

"Hm? Forty-six?" Xuzhuang raised his eyebrows. He had only been gone for about a month, yet he’d received so many calling cards and gifts?

"Yes," the child replied. "Specifically, after the news spread that Master had defeated Zhong Shenxiu in a duel, we received thirty-eight calling cards and gifts."

"What?" Xuzhuang was stunned for a moment. He asked, "When did this news get out? Where did you hear it?"

The child said, puzzled, "About half a month ago? The news of Master’s victory over Zhong Shenxiu in the duel spread throughout the entire sect. When I went to the Ministry of Affairs Hall to collect some magical items, I heard senior brothers everywhere discussing it..."

Xuzhuang frowned and waved his hand. "I understand. Continue."

The child nodded, took out a large stack of calling cards, and began reading them one by one. "The senders include Steward Zhu, Steward Ma, Steward Wang, Steward Dongguo... and also the Yue Family, the Yun Family, the Chen Family..."

"The Junyang Chen Clan?" Xuzhuang asked. "Bring it here and let me see."

The child took out a gold-gilded calling card from the pile and presented it. "Please take a look, Master."

Xuzhuang took the gold-gilded calling card, opened it, and glanced over it. He let out a noncommittal hum. "The Chen Family..." He set it aside separately and said, "I understand. I won’t be entering seclusion any time soon. If anyone comes to visit, just show them into the residence and receive them."

The child respectfully acknowledged the order and added, "All the introductory gifts have been stored in the residence’s treasury. Please inspect them, Master."

"We’ll deal with that later," Xuzhuang said lightly. "In a moment, send a message calling for Tang Fanglai and Wen Pei. I want to test their cultivation progress. Go on."

The child accepted the order and left. Xuzhuang thought for another moment, then took out a Golden Talisman. He wrote on it, gave it a gentle shake, and personally sent the Talisman Book on its way, watching it fly into the clouds.

An hour later, a plume of smoke and cloud shot over from the great marsh and landed on Chongyun Peak. A long-bearded Daoist materialized from it. He straightened the hem of his robes, stepped through the gate, and seeing Xuzhuang seated in the place of honor, cupped his hands in greeting. "Fellow Daoist Xu, it’s been a long time."

"Fellow Daoist Yan, it has been a long time." Xuzhuang did not neglect his manners. He rose, returned the courtesy, and invited him to sit. Only then did he ask, "Fellow Daoist, are you accustomed to cultivating here in Yunmeng Marsh?"

Yan Renhe stroked his beard and said humbly, "Yunmeng Marsh is truly worthy of its name as an Immortal Blessed Land. Since I began cultivating here, my progress has quickened significantly."

"That is excellent news." Xuzhuang nodded slightly. "I invited Fellow Daoist Yan over today because there is a matter I wish to consult you about."

Yan Renhe’s expression grew serious. "Please speak freely, Fellow Daoist. This humble Daoist will surely tell you everything I know."

Xuzhuang didn’t stand on ceremony and said directly, "I know that you, Fellow Daoist, have a background as an Artifact Master. Therefore, I wish to ask for your guidance. If I wanted to refine a Divine Talisman that is half Magical Artifact and half Spell to assist me in casting a Daoist technique, how should I go about it?"

"This..." Yan Renhe looked troubled but said nothing for a long moment.

Xuzhuang frowned and asked, "Do you have some concerns, Fellow Daoist? Please, speak your mind."

Yan Renhe said cautiously, "I would need to know the general details of your Daoist technique to know if it’s possible."

"I see." Xuzhuang mused, "This Daoist technique is just something I’ve drafted. Although I have many ideas for it, it is far from perfect. I’m not sure how to explain it to you on such short notice."

"I was wondering if you, Fellow Daoist, might have time to stay at my residence for a while? It would make it easier for us to communicate."

"Shortly, two of my disciples who are practicing this technique will be coming to my residence to report on their progress. You could listen in as well, Fellow Daoist."

Yan Renhe pondered for a few breaths, then cupped his hands and replied, "In that case, it would be rude to refuse. This humble Daoist will impose on you, then."

Xuzhuang smiled and nodded. "Please make yourself at home, Fellow Daoist. I will certainly be a good host, and I will have a gift of thanks for you afterward."

Yan Renhe said with delight, "You are too kind, Fellow Daoist."