Chapter 589 445: The Origins and Development

Li Qinghong calmed herself, and carefully recounted the events of these past years. Li Xuanfeng listened quietly at her side, then spoke in a soft tone:

"I have not been at home all these years, unable to lend my strength to the family affairs. You've had a difficult time."

With those words, he gently stroked the black-gold tiger-faced belt at his waist, and a bright, sparkling Jade Slip appeared in his palm. He continued:

"This is the Talisman art I acquired in the Southern Border. Take it back and have your uncle study it for a while. Yue Country is well-suited for practicing Talisman arts; our family should strive further on this path."

Li Qinghong received it with thanks, then listened to Li Xuanfeng's words and asked in puzzlement:

"Yue Country is well-suited for Talisman cultivation... This is the first time I've heard of it."

Li Xuanfeng paused slightly, answering softly:

"It is not convenient to speak of this matter, but since we are within the Cave Mansion now, I may as well say. The Green Pond Sect's Perfected Lord who holds Lu Shui's fruit position is closely associated with Talisman arts. His Dao venue is in Yue Country, and so Yue Country abounds in Talismans."

One would hardly have noticed had it not been spoken aloud, but now that it was mentioned, Li Qinghong indeed realized that nearly everyone in Yue Country could craft a few Talismans; Talismans were abundant. Though there were few masters of true depth, compared to the Alchemy Dao and Artifact Path, the number was far greater. Even Loose Cultivators kept a few Talismans as their last resort.

Li Qinghong nodded silently, then remembered the Perfected Lord she had just seen at the seaside and hesitated before refraining from speaking:

'Rumor has it the Xiuyue Sect is the head of the Three Sects, and their Divine Skills must be even more formidable. I cannot gauge the situation... It's best not to speak, lest trouble arises.'

She examined the Jade Slip Li Xuanfeng handed over. Faint notes were inscribed atop; the words "Official Document with Annotations" in four characters, the author Chen Gao of Dou Xuan Mountain, recording various extended methods of the Talisman arts.

'Dou Xuan Mountain... must be an ancient sect.'

Li Qinghong skimmed through it, discovering a few formulas for Talisman Sword crafting attached at the end. With that, she understood Li Xuanfeng's intent and nodded:

"Indeed, our family has many Sword Cultivators. We can forge some Talisman Swords for our descendants, pass them down through the generations, and thus secure our clan's fortune."

Li Xuanfeng nodded, then produced two Jade Bottles, one large and one small: the large bottle was azure blue, with what seemed to be liquid flowing inside; the small bottle was of the usual size for storing Elixirs. He explained:

"This is [Yuwa Stone Liquid] and [Changmu Spirit Pill], both to assist Foundation Establishment. There are five portions of [Yuwa Stone Liquid], and ten pieces of [Changmu Spirit Pill]. Practicing with these is of great benefit to one's Cultivation Level."

Some of these items he had acquired from the Southern Border, but most he had saved up over the years. Placing them on the table, he said softly:

"If there is anything else the family needs, take advantage of the time; I will make the rounds in the market and obtain them for you."

Li Qinghong gazed at the two Jade Bottles on the table, reaching out to take them. [Yuwa Stone Liquid] was a pale blue, crystal-clear liquid, while [Changmu Spirit Pill] was a dusky color with ten pieces in total.

She gently tilted the medicinal bottle, letting one pill roll into her palm. She examined carefully, observing the markings atop, and discerned with Spiritual Sense, then finally replied:

"Second Uncle... this is a blood Qi Elixir."

"What?"

Li Xuanfeng paused, while Li Qinghong composed her words and spoke in a low voice:

"Uncle... this Elixir... is refined with blood Qi. Nowadays, both within and beyond the seas, this method prevails, but all keep it secret. Green Pond collects blood Qi day by day and year by year, mostly for this purpose..."

So she recounted the origin and progress of the matter. Li Xuanxuan listened in silence, not speaking for a long while, until at last he exhaled:

"I heard many things in the Southern Border, but somehow missed this... It seems the Green Pond Sect keeps its information within the city very tightly controlled..."

His gaze swept over the two Jade Bottles, and he waved a hand, speaking softly:

"[Yuwa Stone Liquid] can be used; I will have Ning Heyuan exchange the [Changmu Spirit Pill]."

Li Qinghong nodded, finally inquiring after news about the Ning Family. The matter was somewhat sensitive, so she lowered her eyes and asked:

"The Ning Family... is it trustworthy?"

Li Xuanfeng paused before replying:

"They are not entirely trustworthy, but we may rely on them. Ning Chi's clan and ours are not as close as outsiders think. Ning Family wields great power within Green Pond Sect. If our clan wishes to annex Wangyue, we will need the support of both the Ning Family and Yuansu Perfected Person!"

"I've inquired about Yuanwu Peak's affairs within the sect. Yuanwu Perfected Person values Yu Muxian greatly, and even took her as his wife. If things eventually come to a head... we'll have to bear Yuanwu's wrath."

Li Qinghong understood he referred to the matter of Yu Muxian, and sighed:

"None of us may be able to deal with him, let alone deal with Yuanwu Perfected Person in the aftermath. Elder brother is greatly concerned with this matter and hopes to lure him out, to settle things in his hands rather than allow the matter to drag on into Yu Muxian's Zifu..."

"I am afraid it will be very difficult to lure him out."

Li Xuanfeng shook his head:

"I have asked Hemyan, and this man is wholly dedicated to seeking immortality, giving off a sense of cold indifference, caring only for the path to immortality. All else to him is a burden, nothing is taboo... His Cultivation Technique is aimed straight at Zifu, and he will not leave the sect without reason."

"His Foundation Establishment Technique is an ancient method, causing endless suffering in cultivation, as if a golden blade is flowing through his meridians at every moment. In the past century, only he has achieved success... Rumor has it he is not only calm but cold and ruthless, and wields a soul-blood refining technique for Magic Artifacts, accumulating a formidable foundation."

She listened intently, and Li Xuanfeng told her several stories about Yu Muxian circulating within the sect. Li Qinghong gradually formed an image of such a person in her heart, and her expression became somewhat anxious:

'A path-seeker void of emotion and desire, cold and rational... such a one is the hardest to deal with...'