Chapter 417 - 229: Daoyun

Chapter 417: Chapter 229: Daoyun

In the Sect Leader’s Cloud Palace, incense smoke curled through the air.

"Junior Brother, you’ve lost." Daochen Zhenren placed a piece on the board and spoke with a smile.

Xuzhuang didn’t need to look closely to know Daochen Zhenren was right. He shook his head and tossed his piece onto the board in concession.

Though he had returned to the sect earlier, it was only proper that he report to Daochen Zhenren. He had gone straight to the Cloud Palace, but they had barely exchanged a few words on official matters before Daochen Zhenren proposed a game.

Xuzhuang, of course, had no objection. A pity that in the face of a Primordial Spirit True Man, even his best efforts only allowed him to struggle to hold on. As Daochen Zhenren’s strategy unfolded, Xuzhuang’s defeat became irreversible.

But seeing Xuzhuang concede, Daochen Zhenren smiled. "Junior Brother, your progress in the Daoist arts is even faster than I expected."

Xuzhuang simply replied that his senior brother was too kind. Daochen Zhenren didn’t dwell on it, instead saying, "The Nanzhan plan went so smoothly, and it’s all thanks to you, Junior Brother."

"Though I had complete confidence in you, I never imagined you would accomplish something so astonishing on the very first day."

He stopped Xuzhuang’s attempt at a humble reply. "By the laws of the sect, and by my own principles, merit must be rewarded. For the moment, however, I can’t think of a suitable reward to give you. Is there anything you need, Junior Brother? You might as well just ask for it."

Xuzhuang didn’t feign politeness. "My cultivation is my highest priority," he asked. "Senior Brother, do you have anything that could help me with my current bottleneck?"

"Oh? That..." Daochen Zhenren mused. "The sect does have some treasures that can strengthen the foundation of a Nascent Soul Third Level Cultivator, but I suspect you wouldn’t find them particularly impressive, Junior Brother..."

Strengthening one’s foundation was not a limitless endeavor. Since Xuzhuang had achieved the Nine-Orifice Pill Formation and cultivated several true arts, such benefits had diminishing returns for him. Still, compared to ordinary cultivators, this was an unimaginable blessing.

At Xuzhuang’s current stage of cultivation, it was hard to say what effect simply cramming and refining treasures would have.

Daochen Zhenren shook his head. After some careful thought, he suddenly said, "How about this."

"Junior Brother, you should be aware of the Spirit Treasure Technique. As it happens, the sect has a treasure perfect for achieving the Dao via this technique, and it is about to face its tribulation."

"If you are interested, Junior Brother, I can decide on my authority to bestow this treasure upon you, allowing you to use the Spirit Treasure Technique to achieve the Dao."

"What?" Xuzhuang’s eyebrow twitched. He studied Daochen Zhenren for a moment before replying, "My heart is set only on the Primordial Spirit Dao. Senior Brother, please do not use this technique to disturb my resolve."

"You’re certainly clear-headed, Junior Brother." Daochen Zhenren laughed. "Well, that puts me in a bind. With your current level of cultivation, there aren’t many treasures that would be of any use to you."

Xuzhuang was slightly taken aback by his words, then said thoughtfully, "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother."

"Hey! I wasn’t trying to be deliberately mysterious," Daochen Zhenren said with a wave of his hand. He then pointed at Xuzhuang, and several rays of brilliant light descended upon him. "This is some Tai Su Origin Essence I’ve condensed in recent years, along with a few of my insights into the Daoist arts. Perhaps they’ll be of some use to you. As for your reward, we can discuss it another day."

"Thank you for your gift, Senior Brother." Xuzhuang respectfully accepted the Tai Su Origin Essence and the talismans recording Daochen Zhenren’s insights, then offered a deep bow.

Daochen Zhenren was a Primordial Spirit True Man and the Sect Leader of Tai Su; he didn’t have much time for idle chat with Xuzhuang. After only a few more words, he waved his duster and said, "I have other duties to attend to. You may leave, Junior Brother."

Xuzhuang nodded and rose to his feet. "After returning to the mountain this time, I plan to rest for a short while and then enter secluded cultivation. I wanted to make sure I informed you, Senior Brother."

"Oh?" Daochen Zhenren had clearly anticipated this. He said with a knowing calm, "So you’re telling me not to bother you with trivial matters that might hinder your cultivation..."

Before Xuzhuang could respond, Daochen Zhenren let out a hearty laugh. "I understand. Now go!"

Seeing this, Xuzhuang said no more. He bowed once more and withdrew from the Cloud Palace. Only after he was out of sight did Daochen Zhenren mutter to himself, ’Perhaps the day he achieves the Primordial Spirit will come much sooner than I predicted.’

"Surely not," Mingjing Zhenren said, suddenly appearing. "Xuzhuang has been cultivating for less than three hundred years. He can’t possibly forge a Primordial Spirit in just a few hundred more, can he?"

Daochen Zhenren smiled. "Predict when someone will forge a Primordial Spirit? How could I possess such an extraordinary ability? It was merely a sudden premonition."

...

The very reason Xuzhuang had been so eager to return to the sect was to cultivate in peace.

After leaving the Cloud Palace, he returned to Chongyun Peak to rest briefly. He then spent a few days in Langhuan Pavilion, searching for some Daoist Scriptures and techniques he wished to study. Afterward, he shot off in a streak of light, arriving at an Earth Realm he hadn’t seen in a century, yet one that was not at all unfamiliar.

Beiji Pavilion.

Xuzhuang landed on the terrace before the pavilion. The place was as deserted as ever, though this time it seemed to possess a new trace of life.

Xuzhuang’s eyes flickered. He stepped into the pavilion and, sure enough, saw a young Daoist leaning against a pillar, engrossed in a Daoist Scripture, completely unaware of his entrance.

The youth appeared to have decent aptitude, and his cultivation seemed guided by a master; his foundation was excellent. But given Xuzhuang’s level, there was no chance the boy would notice him unless he wished it.

Without disturbing the youth, Xuzhuang ventured deeper into the pavilion. Suddenly, a cry of "Aiyah!" came from the side. A disheveled old Daoist approached him, one hand steadying his crooked Daoist Crown and the other clutching at his Daoist Robe. The old man looked him up and down and said, "Well, if it isn’t Young Friend Xu..."

Xuzhuang said in surprise, "So you’re still on duty at Beiji Pavilion, Senior."

As it turned out, Xuzhuang had met this Daoist before, back when he was confined to Beiji Pavilion shortly after forming his Golden Core.

The disheveled old Daoist grinned. "Naturally. This old Daoist has been guarding Beiji Pavilion for a long, long time."

Xuzhuang’s eyes flickered at those words. He suddenly found the man inscrutable and couldn’t help but ask, "May I ask your name, Senior?"

The disheveled old Daoist chuckled. "No need to be so suspicious, Young Friend. I am not one of the sect’s ancestors... Just calling me ’Senior’ is enough."