Chapter 172 - 103: Longxiang Seeks an Alliance

Chapter 172: Chapter 103: Longxiang Seeks an Alliance

Within the Divine Flow Sect was a mountain where the grass and trees were forever green, dotted with rare blossoms and exotic herbs. Meandering streams crisscrossed its slopes. Despite the pleasant scenery and abundant spiritual energy, it was exceptionally serene and seldom visited. This was for one reason alone: it was the cultivation grounds of Venerable Chu River.

Outside a stone gate that seemed one with the cliff face stood an ancient, spreading pine. Beneath it, a middle-aged Daoist sat cross-legged on a prayer mat, his palms and soles turned to the heavens. His face was tranquil, and a radiant luster seemed to flow incessantly beneath his jade-like skin.

Not far from him, a Divine Flow Sect disciple knelt before the stone gate, reporting something in a low voice. Soon after, a placid voice drifted from within. "So, what Mu River means is that he’s powerless to act, is that right?"

The disciple bowed his head and answered, "My master’s opinion is that Daoist Master Miaomiao of True Form Temple possesses extraordinary Divine Techniques and should be regarded as a Nascent Soul Venerable. With you in seclusion, Venerable, my master and Venerable Langhe are hard-pressed to maintain the sect. It would be unwise to provoke such an enemy."

The voice from behind the door was unhurried as it slowly asked, "Does Mu River dislike you?"

The disciple instantly broke out in a cold sweat. "My master cares for me a great deal," he replied.

The voice behind the door seemed to chuckle faintly. "If he truly cared for you, would he send you to report such news to me?"

Before the disciple could answer, the mountain wall suddenly rumbled and shook. RUMBLE... The stone gate slowly swung open. As a thin mist dispersed, a majestic, imposing man of heroic bearing appeared. He looked down at the disciple and demanded, "I left the sect for Mu River to manage. My son is murdered, and he responds to me with a single line about not wanting to provoke an enemy?"

The disciple no longer dared to speak and could only kowtow repeatedly. Venerable Chu River let out a soft snort, not deigning to take his anger out on a junior, and stepped forward to exit the cave.

Just then, the middle-aged Daoist, who had been motionless until now, suddenly blurred and reappeared before the cave entrance. He turned slightly, partially blocking Venerable Chu River’s path. With a bow, he said, "Dao Brother, the time for you to leave seclusion has not yet come. Please, do not make things difficult for your little brother."

Venerable Chu River’s expression remained unchanged, and he continued forward. The middle-aged Daoist took another step, his tone hardening slightly. "Dao Brother, please halt."

Only then did Venerable Chu River stop. He didn’t reply, but his stern gaze swept down toward the kneeling disciple. "Begone," he ordered.

The disciple, still kowtowing, felt a wave of relief wash over him. He scrambled to his feet with a deep bow and hastily departed.

Only then did Venerable Chu River turn to the middle-aged Daoist and say in a heavy voice, "Dao Friend, you are aware that my son has been murdered."

The middle-aged Daoist sighed. "Your confinement, Dao Brother, was a decision made by the Five Domains Great Sects. If you leave now, won’t you be handing the Dragon Image Sect leverage against us?"

Venerable Chu River said coldly, "The whelps of the Dragon Image Sect are nothing but a decadent, weak bunch. What do I have to fear?"

Seeing he refused to yield, the middle-aged Daoist began to lose his composure. He frowned. "Dao Brother, do not forget that not all of the five sects support our Divine Flow Sect in replacing the Dragon Image Sect."

At this, Venerable Chu River’s expression finally turned grave, and he fell silent.

The middle-aged Daoist knew he was wavering and pressed his advantage. "The seat in the Dragon Image Grotto Heaven versus a moment of vengeful anger—I trust you know which holds more weight, Dao Brother. Besides, for a gentleman, ten years is not too long to wait for revenge. He is but a mere Golden Core Cultivator. Once you emerge from your seclusion, you can deal with him with a wave of your hand."

Having heard this, Venerable Chu River finally nodded. He looked to the sky and sighed, his voice soft. "But Wei’Er... he was my most gifted child."

The middle-aged Daoist said, "My condolences, Dao Brother. But do we not still have Xi Nephew studying the Dao in our sect? I believe that with the full support of our sect’s resources, his future achievements will be no less than those of Nephew Wei’Er."

Venerable Chu River finally seemed to find a sliver of consolation. He nodded, said no more, and retreated back into the cave.

As Venerable Chu River’s figure vanished, the stone gate slowly sealed itself shut. The middle-aged Daoist returned to his spot beneath the ancient pine. He shook his head, took out a piece of talisman paper, wrote something on it, and sent it flying into the air. Only then did he finally close his eyes and re-enter his meditative trance.

——

News of the outcome of the battle at the two provinces’ border and of the Moyun Sect sealing its mountain spread far and wide by word of mouth. Daoist Master Miaomiao, Xuzhuang, became famous throughout the major provincial and commandery capitals, with his name even reaching the Five Domains. Simultaneously, the True Form Temple reversed its decline, and its reputation soared.

In the fleeting course of a year, the True Form Temple’s fortune seemed to turn from decline to prosperity. When it opened its gates to new disciples, a thousand promising cultivators sought to join. More good news came from within the sect: Qin Dengxiao had forged a Perfect Dao Foundation and begun attempting to refine techniques, Wen Ning had successfully formed a Middle Grade Golden Core, and so on.

Beyond that, Yunlan Province seemed to settle into a period of peace. During this year, Xuzhuang was finally able to quiet his mind and focus on his cultivation.

For the past year, Xuzhuang had spent most of his time in the Celestial Waterfall, refining his qi and preserving his spirit. As his cultivation grew more profound by the day, he would occasionally emerge for a short rest. Naturally, he didn’t neglect his Taoist Skills. Whenever a particular skill came to mind, regardless of its rank, he would pick it up and practice for a time.

Cultivating in this freewheeling manner, his progress was surprisingly swift. In particular, the Tai Su False Shape Technique—which he had focused on and studied repeatedly while creating the Void Shape Xuan Creation Dragon Dao Skill—effortlessly reached the Sixth Realm, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

It had to be said that as Xuzhuang’s Daoist attainment deepened, the wondrous benefits of his foundation and the three great true transmissions of Tai Su became increasingly apparent. For him, practicing a Sixth Rank Taoist Skill while in the Golden Core Realm felt almost effortless. If he were to choose one and cultivate it diligently, touching upon the Seventh Realm would not be difficult. However, as wonderful as Taoist Skills were, delaying his primary cultivation for them would be a case of putting the cart before the horse.

And just as Xuzhuang was cultivating in peace, a certain person, after a long journey of thousands of miles, finally arrived once more in Yunlan Province and ascended to the gates of True Form Temple.

Not long after the disciples at the gate delivered his calling card, they were surprised to see the personal attendant of Sect Leader Daoist Zhang hurry out of the gates. The attendant personally greeted the visitor and led him directly to the Hall of Councilors.