Chapter 1035 - 722: The Enchanted Painting’s Wraith

Chapter 1035: Chapter 722: The Enchanted Painting’s Wraith

The light in the tea shop’s private room is slightly dim.

Shen Xuan picked up the teacup, took a sip of Spirit Tea, and gently placed it down.

The tea is bland, the Spiritual Qi sparse, truly difficult to swallow.

Across from him, Hong Yu’Er held the teacup, sipping slowly, her brows relaxed, drinking with relish.

To this lower-level Qi Cultivation cultivator, being able to sit and taste tea in the tea shop’s private room is already a rare luxury.

Shen Xuan looked at her and asked, "The deal is done, what do you plan to do next?"

"Later I’ll go to the East Market, weigh out a few pounds of fine Barbarian Beef, go home and have a good meal to reward myself!"

Hong Yu’Er’s eyes lit up, blurting out.

Lower-level cultivators have an obsession with eating meat.

It’s not just about satisfying cravings; it’s the most practical way for them to obtain Spiritual Power and refine their physique.

"Speaking of which, I really should thank the senior."

Hong Yu’Er’s smile was sincere, her eyes curved like crescent moons.

"If it wasn’t for the senior, who knows how long this painting would remain unsold."

This place is the Myriad Phenomena Immortal City, under the jurisdiction of the Daoist Palace, with strict order.

She doesn’t worry that this Foundation Establishment senior could harm her.

Shen Xuan nodded slightly, getting to the point: "Take me to meet the original owner of this painting. There are some matters Shen wants to discuss with them face-to-face."

"Sure! No problem!" Hong Yu’Er promptly agreed.

After a stick of incense, the two walked out of the tea shop one after the other.

Hong Yu’Er led the way, taking Shen Xuan through the streets and alleys, turning left and right.

Finally, they arrived at a relatively quiet area.

This place is a residential area for Tier B cultivators in the Immortal City’s plan, usually rented to Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators and their families.

Hong Yu’Er familiarly walked to a dark grey stone house, took out a Token, and injected Spiritual Power.

A flash of light flickered on the door, the Restriction lifted.

"Master! I’m back!"

Hong Yu’Er pushed the door open and entered, her voice cheerful.

Shen Xuan followed her into the small courtyard.

The courtyard was not big but neatly arranged, with a small Spirit Locking Array set up, opening up a small Spirit Plant Garden.

An old man with greying hair, wearing a simple cloth short jacket, was facing away from the door, holding a small jade hoe, concentrating on tending to some Spirit Plants.

Shen Xuan’s gaze swept over, his mind slightly stirred.

The plants were not tall, with narrow, silver-grey leaves, and natural pale golden patterns on their stems, topped with pure white buds the size of rice grains, emitting a unique ethereal and desolate aura.

"Ephemeral Flower?"

Shen Xuan was not deeply versed in Spirit Plants, but his knowledge was sufficient.

This flower is quite famous, ranked among Tier Two Top Grade, rumored to have some connection with the Buddhist Sect’s sacred flower "Udambara," blooming once every few hundred years.

Its flowering period is extremely short; it wilts immediately after blooming.

Its mature blossom is the main material for refining High Tier Healing Spirit Pills, invaluable.

"Master! Your painting finally sold! It’s this senior..."

Hong Yu’Er reported excitedly.

Before she could finish, she saw the old man, who had been tending to flowers and plants with his back turned, slowly straightening his waist.

He didn’t immediately respond to his disciple but turned around, his cloudy gaze directly falling on Shen Xuan.

The old man cupped his hands toward Shen Xuan in front of him, his voice low: "Daoist friend, please come inside for a chat."

...

The inner chamber, quiet room.

Hong Yu’Er obediently withdrew, closing the door.

Inside, only Shen Xuan and the old man remained, sitting opposite each other.

"Junior Huo Jueyuan, pay respects to the True Master."

The old man solemnly rose, bowing deeply to Shen Xuan, performing the junior’s salute.

"Hm? You can perceive my Realm?"

Shen Xuan, possessing Exotic Treasures like the Heaven-Covering Stone, once his aura is concealed, even a Nascent Soul True Monarch would struggle to discern his true Cultivation from afar.

Before him, this Huo Jueyuan is merely at the Foundation Establishment Realm, wounded and fallen, with a weak aura, yet can definitely identify his "True Master" status.

Judging by his expression, he doesn’t seem to be faking.

"The junior does not have such Divine Power."

Huo Jueyuan stood respectfully: "It’s the legacy of a former mentor, who left a last will that if someone wishes to purchase this painting at a great cost, their Cultivation Realm must be that of a Core Formation True Master without doubt. Otherwise, they cannot see the painting’s value."

"I see."

Shen Xuan smiled slightly, speaking no further.

He intended to showcase some of his strength.

The identity of a Core Formation True Master is just suitable.

"Then, you must not be unaware of my purpose for coming here?"

"I am aware."

Huo Jueyuan replied.

He reached into his close-fitting Storage Pouch, taking out a piece of blue Ancient Jade Scroll, presenting it with both hands.

"This is the insights and experiences left by my former mentor upon comprehending an ancient Cultivation Technique before his passing. Please, True Master, have a look."

Shen Xuan took it, splitting off a strand of Divine Sense, delving into it.

It turns out, the Tai Chi painting was drawn by Huo Jueyuan’s master, True Master Mingyang, more than a hundred years ago when his Lifespan was about to end, pouring his last bit of mind into it, gifting it to his disciple Huo Jueyuan before passing.

True Master Mingyang at that time said that in the future, if there’s a cultivator willing to spend a hefty sum to purchase this painting, their Realm would surely be above True Pill.

As for the ancient Cultivation Technique, it’s called [Tai Chi Primordial Profound Art].

In ancient times, cultivators’ Spirit Root qualities were often not low, commonly practiced multiple attributes, their power unpredictable.

And this [Tai Chi Primordial Profound Art] was passed down from that time, an extremely advanced mystical technique of Spiritual Power fusion and control.

Tai Chi, primarily focuses on the balance of yin and yang, transformation and interaction, is the "use" of mastering myriad changes.

Primordial, tracing back to the undivided chaos, all things have a common source, is the "body" of one’s fundamental Magical Power.

This art practiced to a profound extent can forge the legendary [Tai Chi Primordial Dao Body].

At that time, the Golden Core will be like a Tai Chi Diagram of yin and yang, immune to all methods, and can absorb the opponent’s attack Spiritual Power, feeding back to oneself, infinitely mysterious.

True Master Mingyang obtained this fragmented art, had already condensed a Fire Technique True Pill.

Later, he spared no expense to concurrently practice Water Techniques, spending a hundred years’ time, painstakingly comprehending the principle of yin-yang mutual benefit, finally gaining a little, leaving some Dao Rhyme of Tai Chi in the painting.