The Mirror Legacy - Chapter 1272: Rumor (I)
Chapter 1272: Rumor (I)
Zhang Duanyan shifted her gaze away from Cui Jueyin and responded, “May the family head’s auspicious words come true.”
Daoist Master Qiushui’s pursuit of Whole Pill Fruition Attainment was the Zhang family’s greatest hope and something the entire Golden Feather Sect was dedicating itself to achieving. The prospect of gaining an additional True Monarch was far too enticing, enough to quicken the breath merely by imagining it. Li Jiangqian’s words had undoubtedly struck the key point, bringing a faint smile to Zhang Duanyan’s face.
“Several young men of your esteemed family have drawn attention from our sect. They are indeed extraordinary talents. My Golden One Upper Azure Dao lineage also holds them in high regard. If the opportunity arises, we could send people to seek them out in the mountains. Although our sect is strict in selecting cultivators from outside the grotto heaven, success is very likely with the talent of your family’s prodigies.”
Li Jiangqian smiled and nodded, unsure how much of her words were true. Since she had not produced any formal token, he took it as polite speech and continued to pour her tea. The Golden Feather Sect’s attitude toward the Li Family was neither beneficent nor malicious. It remained ambiguous. Although they publicly preached that Li Tongya and Zhang Yun were close friends, there was little to praise in practice.
This was not targeted at the Li Family specifically. The Golden Feather Sect already showed more goodwill toward Moongaze Lake compared to other sects. When Yuansu died and Li Xuanfeng’s custody fell into Yuanxiu’s hands, Qiushui had shown kindness. Zhang Duanyan was also approachable. If it had been another sect, their attitude might not have been nearly as favorable.
The Golden Feather Sect had always conducted itself with a measure of informality. When interests aligned, they could be generous in sharing benefits. However, when interests clashed, this Dao lineage would not hesitate to push disadvantages onto others. Even so, their reputation in Jiangnan remained good. A Golden Core Dao lineage of such size needed only a sliver of gentleness for people to forget its severity and remember its kindness instead.
With matters concluded, Li Jiangqian casually inquired as he sighed, “My family has only just entered the Purple Mansion Realm, so we must seek guidance from your sect in all things. The Northern Upper Sect issued a decree, and fortunately the Golden Feather Sect delivered it. After all, Daoist Master Chu was observing the mortal world within the Azure Pond Sect’s domain in previous years. Once the Azure Pond Sect received an order, they ignored the smaller families beneath them entirely.”
His face carried resentment, yet his words were interesting. No one knew whether Mount Luoxia had delivered the command to the Azure Pond Sect or not. On the surface, his question expressed dissatisfaction, yet any answer would inevitably reveal the stance of various sects and shed light on the Golden Feather Sect’s role in this visit. Using a grand immortal sect like the Golden Feather Sect as a messenger was not a very dignified matter.
Zhang Duanyan drank her tea and first replied, “The Azure Pond Sect was previously under Daoist Master Chi. They were indeed rather hasty and paid little attention to the lives of the common people.”
She did not continue on the topic of the Azure Pond Sect and smiled instead. “In ancient times, people placed great emphasis on Dao lineage. For example, the Green Pine Supreme Yang Dao lineage could be traced all the way back to an Immortal Lord. As long as one inherited the Green Pine Supreme Yang Dao lineage, all parties would show one another some courtesy, and other sects would give way.
“Jiangbei is also a region of Dao lineages. Purely in terms of lineage classification, my Golden Feather Sect holds some authority over Chengyun Gate and Xuanmiao Temple. This is also why the north can be called the Upper Sect.”
Her answer was skillful; she had avoided exposing the Azure Pond Sect’s situation. Li Jiangqian nodded as Zhang Duanyan displayed a hint of nostalgia and said, “In the past, there were rules between sects in the ten directions order. However, only remnants of those traditions remain today. Your esteemed family can still use them to visit the Supreme Yang Dao lineages. When the Origin Mansion existed, your family was considered subordinate. Although counted as part of the Supreme Yang Dao lineage, there was still a hierarchy separating you from direct branches such as the Purple Smoke Gate and the Azure Pond Sect. Now, however, it is not so easy to invoke these ties.”
She looked at Li Jiangqian with a smile and nodded. “I heard my grandfather say that the River Mountain Sutra… is in your family’s possession?”
Li Jiangqian’s eyes flickered as he nodded lightly. Although the matter was important, there was no need to conceal it. Zhang Yun had visited the Li Family years ago to confirm this very matter. Now that their family had a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator, the technique no longer seemed so precious as to invite trouble.
Thus Li Jiangqian rose, saluted, and said, “In those years, my ancestor and Senior Zhang Yun were acquainted. They found a hidden trove together and each took a spirit item. This technique was obtained then and has been kept in our archives ever since.”
Zhang Duanyan showed no surprise and simply said, “The River Mountain Sutra has been lost for many years. Our sect had no method to open it. We had hoped that Senior Tongya, with his extraordinary gift, would surely gain an opportunity to decipher it, so it was entrusted to your family as a continuation of his path.
“Unexpectedly, Jingzhan brought harm to Senior Tongya and his son. At that time, many within the sect called for someone to go to the lake and retrieve the technique along with Duruo. My grandfather opposed them all and came personally. He originally intended to exchange the Wanglin Blossom in return.”
Li Jiangqian listened attentively as the woman smiled and continued, “It turned out that the Wanglin Blossom was connected to Yinghua, so my grandfather returned empty handed. At that time, many in the sect began saying that he was very close to Senior Tongya and was simply protecting his descendants.”
“So that is how it was!”
Li Jiangqian nodded thoughtfully as he considered, That jade slip announcing news of the River Mountain Sutra was obtained during the destruction of the Moongaze Lake Market. There might well have been Golden Feather Sect cultivators in that group deliberately shouting its name to provide our family with a clue.
Having finally understood the origin of the rumor, he said nothing more and simply replied, “Thank you, senior.”
He then asked, “Has there been any news regarding Senior Zhang’s secluded breakthrough?”
Zhang Duanyan’s expression did not change as she answered, “Senior Zhang achieved his breakthrough early and is now within the grotto heaven studying arts and techniques.”
“Senior truly possesses heaven bestowed talent.” Li Jiangqian nodded slowly, his thoughts clear, There were no phenomena between heaven and earth, which means… one truly can break through to the Purple Mansion Realm within a grotto heaven. Then how many Purple Mansion Realm cultivators does Golden Feather Sect actually have, how many are present in the world, and how many have fallen? These matters are nearly impossible to decipher to the outside world.
A grotto heaven… is truly extraordinary. It is understandable that the Yue Cultivating Sect abandoned Jiangbei and the lands of Yue State. Even if one lets go of all territory in the outside world, there is still a vast realm within a grotto heaven.
The two talked for some time. When the afternoon sun had passed its height, Zhang Duanyan rose to take her leave and Li Jiangqian escorted her off the island. At the moment of parting, Zhang Duanyan finally turned back with a bright smile and said, “Since your esteemed family cannot open the River Mountain Sutra, even a hundred or a thousand years in storage will not change that. It would be better to release it, allow someone fated in this world to obtain it, and let its brilliance shine forth.”
She seemed to be hinting at something. Li Jiangqian appeared to understand and replied, “I understand. Thank you for your guidance, immortal envoy.”
She then departed with the old man, heading north. Judging by their direction, they were likely flying toward the Baiye Capital Immortal Dao.
Li Jiangqian continued to ponder her words, It makes sense. It will never open on its own in the archives. But once released into the world, its whereabouts become unknown. It seems one must choose the right person to entrust it to, just as the Zhang Family once did with us.
But how does one determine the right person? Moreover, their cultivation method must harmonize with it…
He found the approach far too inefficient. He frowned, and after thinking for a moment, conceived a better solution, Perhaps a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator could use a divine ability to leave a secret mark upon it. Allow it to wander freely. When someone successfully opens it, the mark would send a response, and the Purple Mansion Realm cultivator could break through the great void as if harvesting a crop and obtain a superb Purple Mansion Realm Dao lineage.
