Chapter 1038 - 722: The Ghostly Demon Painting

Chapter 1038: Chapter 722: The Ghostly Demon Painting

"Jueyuan? Your injuries have healed? Your aura seems even more pure!"

"Yes, Master."

Huo Jueyuan bowed respectfully toward the portrait.

"This disciple was fortunate enough to encounter a senior whose methods are Tong Xuan. He not only healed this disciple’s Dao Foundation injury, but also bestowed a pellet of Spirit Fire essence. It is exactly as Master predicted—anyone who can discern the Dao Rhyme within the painting and is willing to pay a heavy price to buy it must be a true expert of the Dao."

"Such a thing actually happened? Time and fate... It seems your opportunity has arrived."

"Master."

Huo Jueyuan hesitated for a moment, then still spoke: "That senior once said that your comprehension of the ’Taiji Primordial Art’ is rather biased in certain aspects."

"Nonsense! If your teacher had truly fully comprehended that Ancient Technique, how would I have ended up like this! Forced to lodge my soul in this demonic painting!"

So it turned out that back then, when True Master Mingyang’s lifespan was about to run out, he was unwilling to accept it. Relying on his half-baked understanding of the ’Taiji Primordial Art,’ he took a desperate gamble and employed some kind of Divine Soul Secret Technique, attaching himself to this demonic painting refined from special materials.

His intention was to convert to a Nether Cultivator and continue his Dao path.

However, this method was extremely dangerous, and True Master Mingyang’s Divine Soul was severely damaged, leaving him in a state of slumber most of the time.

Just now, when Shen Xuan was present, True Master Mingyang’s Divine Soul had been in deep sleep, his aura retracted, and thus remained undetected.

Nor had he been able to see everything that had just transpired in the quiet room.

"What a pity. Back then, when I explored that Ancient Cultivator’s Cave Mansion together with several fellow Daoists, all we obtained was this fragmented inheritance, and it just happened to be missing the most crucial part."

"Still, now that you’ve recovered and your Dao Foundation has been reshaped, the urgent matter is to quickly seek Soul-Nurturing Nether Jade for your teacher! The Yin Qi in this demonic painting is bone-chilling—the longer I remain, the deeper my Divine Soul binds with this painting. Sooner or later I will fall and become a painting puppet!"

"Please calm yourself, Master."

Huo Jueyuan hurriedly soothed him: "Once this disciple’s cultivation stabilizes, I will carefully make plans and will definitely find Soul-Nurturing Nether Jade for Master."

"Very well. First consolidate your cultivation and be cautious in all things."

The voice gradually weakened, carrying a heavy exhaustion.

Seeing this, Huo Jueyuan gently blew out the Soul-Guiding incense that was about to burn out in his hand.

The green smoke cut off, and the faint Spiritual Light on the painting quickly dimmed.

True Master Mingyang’s Divine Soul once again sank into slumber.

...

"Fellow Daoist, please stay!"

Just as he stepped out of Huo Jueyuan’s residence, Shen Xuan was blocked by two gray-robed cultivators.

Both of them were in the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, one tall and one short, with a habitual arrogance of people used to interrogating others etched on their faces.

"Who are you two? Why block my way?"

Shen Xuan stopped, his expression slightly darkening, his tone cold.

"We are stewards of the Yunqi Commerce Association."

The taller one took a step forward and reported his affiliation.

"Fellow Daoist, did you just come out from Huo Jueyuan’s place?"

"And what if I did?"

Shen Xuan glanced at him, his expression composed.

"Our Yunqi Commerce Association is a major guild overseen by a Nascent Soul True Monarch, and has always thirsted for talent, recruiting capable people far and wide."

The tall steward squeezed out a smile: "Fellow Daoist, may I borrow a step to speak? Our association has a deal to discuss with you in detail."

"No."

Shen Xuan rejected him outright, without the slightest room for compromise.

"Move aside. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being rude."

Their faces instantly turned gloomy.

Usually they relied on the association’s name—what ordinary Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivator wouldn’t at least give them some face?

When had they ever met such a stiff-necked brat who wouldn’t budge no matter what!

The short steward couldn’t hold back. A hint of viciousness flashed in his eyes as he barked in a low voice, "Fellow Daoist, don’t refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit! Our Yunqi Commerce Association..."

Shen Xuan said nothing further, not even bothering to look at them. He simply lifted his foot and walked straight ahead.

His stride was steady, as if the two standing before him were nothing but air.

The two gray-robed stewards’ faces turned ashen. Catching sight of the patrolling Law Enforcement Team in the distance, they ultimately did not dare make a move.

Myriad Phenomena Immortal City strictly forbids private fighting; the rules are stringent.

The Yunqi Commerce Association was, after all, merely merchants.

If they truly acted here and were seized by the Law Enforcement Team, once the truth was dug out, the two of them—mere Foundation Establishment stewards—would never be able to clean up the mess.

The two exchanged a look, then had no choice but to step to either side and make way.

Shen Xuan passed between them, expressionless.

Only after his figure grew distant and vanished from sight did they speak.

"Brother Li, what do we do now?"

The short steward asked, aggrieved.

"What else can we do!"

The tall steward stared in the direction where Shen Xuan had disappeared, grinding his teeth. "Hurry and report to Shopkeeper Yu! Record this man’s appearance in detail and submit it! We’ll make sure he suffers for this!"