Chapter 609 457: Cloud Sea, Starry Night

Tulong Jian, dressed in black, set down the long hammer he had been carrying on his shoulder, stowed it into his storage bag, and then stepped forward, casting a glance at Li Yuanjiao, thinking to himself:

"Back then, I only saw the light of this magic artifact, never caught sight of my benefactor… Perhaps he was already killed for it, the artifact stolen; I ought to test him first, lest I make a fool of myself."

He walked up, cupped his fist slightly, and said in a quiet voice:

"Greetings, Taoist Fellow!"

The silhouette in the mysterious pattern spiritual mist was highly vigilant, immediately putting away his jade bottle and looking toward him, a faintly hoarse voice transmitting over:

"I've already collected enough Earth Fire Fiend Qi here, the rest I'll leave to you, Taoist Fellow."

He clearly did not want trouble, barely replying before turning to leave, but Tulong Jian wouldn't let him go; he stepped forward, smiling:

"Taoist Fellow, do you remember the Tujun successor? We once met on the Xuan Yue Territory years ago."

Tulong Jian did not speak in detail, fearing the other had killed and stolen the treasure; he saw the man pause slightly, then ask in a suspicious tone:

"You… are that Tulong Jian? You've reached Foundation Establishment!"

Upon hearing this, Tulong Jian did not relax his guard, knowing that many could name him. So he only asked:

"Senior, do you remember… back then I was carrying a spell; which cultivation technique was it?"

Li Yuanjiao paused briefly; in his heart, of course he knew it was the Runyang Method. He himself had relied on it to transform the Long-Range Prime Fire, gaining a Fourth Grade cultivation technique to practice. He answered, somewhat puzzled in tone:

"Runyang Method?"

"Ha!"

At this moment, Tulong Jian was finally certain he was the man from years ago, and genuine joy appeared on his face. He said delightedly:

"Senior, you are not easy to find!"

The mysterious pattern spiritual mist on Li Yuanjiao faded slightly; he scrutinized Tulong Jian for a while, then spoke softly:

"With your achievement now, the Tujun Toaist Lineage continues… it is a good thing!"

Li Yuanjiao did not emphasize any grace between the two, but instead referenced his relationship with the Tujun Toaist Lineage—after all, the reason he spared him back then lay in their connection. Hearing this, Tulong Jian's eyes reddened, he nodded and said:

"True enough. If Master and the others could see what I am today, if only to smile once in contentment, Tulong would be satisfied!"

Tulong Jian paused, took from his chest a reddish token—black above, red below, with smooth lines. Li Yuanjiao narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched. Tulong Jian lightly held it, formed a spell with his fingers, and while casting, tilted his head to ask:

"Might I ask senior's name?"

At that moment, Earth Fire Fiend Qi surged out and streamed into the token. In just a few breaths, it had vanished without a trace; Tulong Jian stored it away in passing, and only then did Li Yuanjiao let the mist fade from his face.

"Li Yuanjiao."

Tulong Jian looked at him; Li Yuanjiao's bearing matched just what he had imagined, so he laughed twice and asked:

"Senior, are you here at Qing Song Temple intending to enter this Cave Heaven?"

Li Yuanjiao merely replied softly:

"Just trying my luck. This Cave Heaven isn't something one can enter just by wishing… If not admitted, gathering a few strands of Qi would suffice."

Tulong Jian nodded, speaking quietly:

"If senior is willing… how about teaming up with me on the island these days? It'd be good to count you as an ally."

Li Yuanjiao narrowed his eyes, asked:

"Taoist Fellow, do you have companions? If we're to join forces, please introduce them."

Tulong Jian chuckled warmly, replied softly:

"I have come alone all the way, no companions at all."

Li Yuanjiao was surprised, thought for a moment, then nodded:

"Fine then. I am alone as well; please allow me a trip elsewhere."

"Please, senior."

Tulong Jian cupped his hands slightly, watched Li Yuanjiao depart upon the wind, then sat cross-legged, pondering silently:

"His cultivation technique is rather ordinary, nothing too outstanding—at most, just a clan cultivator. Back then, I was only a mere Qi Cultivation rookie, yet to reveal my edge; he shouldn't have been able to lay any traps in advance…"

He stroked his chin, musing inwardly:

"After all, it's a matter of life and death; having a helper is no bad thing… Even if I don't escape in the end… it's better to leave treasures and such to him as repayment than to the various Perfected Persons."

Li Yuanjiao rose on the wind, his heart also filled with quiet wonder.

Tulong Jian had not offered to bring him into the Cave Heaven, nor was Li Yuanjiao anxious; so long as he could stay close to this man, that would suffice. Tulong Jian had long been a focus among the Zifu monks, and would surely enter the Cave Heaven soon.

After all, the impression Li Yuanjiao left him was probably just a clan cultivator; Tulong Jian was likely waiting for the Cave Heaven to approach the mortal realm, then feign an accidental entry.

Only, judging by the various Zifu monks' arrangements, Tulong Jian should take a few direct lineage Zifu inside with him, but he had no companions—this was rather intriguing.

As he pondered, Li Yuanjiao quickly found Li Qinghong.

The Cave Heaven within was perilous indeed; naturally, Li Yuanjiao would not take the Immortal Mirror inside. He said nothing more, handing the mirror to her, speaking softly:

"There may be Zifu monks guarding around the island; keep an eye out."

Li Qinghong understood Li Yuanjiao feared she might use Immortal Mirror to investigate spiritual objects, as if she could predict the future—such things would invite suspicion. She replied quietly:

"I understand."

Li Yuanjiao rose straight up and flew away, leaving Li Qinghong standing amid surging waves for a while, before returning to her foothold above the sea.

Li Yuanjiao's entire trip took just a few hours; soon, he rode the wind back to Qing Song Island, where Tulong Jian was gripping a golden hammer in one hand, a small storage bag in the other, inspecting it intently.

Kneeling before him was a headless corpse, its body mottled with green spots and exuding a thick pine-cone fragrance. In the brief moment since Tulong Jian landed, those spots had already sprouted, sending forth shoots and leaves in all directions.