Chapter 523: North Sea

Element spoke, then rose from his jade throne, walked over to Li Xuanfeng, paused beside him, and gently touched the jade belt at his waist, causing a surge of white clouds to appear.

The clouds enveloped their feet, lifting them with a gentle force. They quickly ascended out of Element's cave dwelling. He did not head directly north, but flew straight east without stopping.

The emerald waters surged. Islands dotted the sea like scattered jewels. Flying from the south, they passed directly over the gates of several immortal sects without hesitation, soon entering the East Sea.

Ning Tiaoxiao stood with his hands behind his back and suddenly asked:

"Is your spirit aperture in your palm?"

Li Xuanfeng, who was observing the landscape, was slightly startled by the question. The location of his spirit aperture in his palm was almost his biggest secret, apart from the talismanic essence of his family's seed.

The spirit aperture is originally a window for receiving the spiritual energy of heaven and earth during fetal breathing. It can lock in absorbed spiritual energy, preventing it from leaking out. Once a cultivator reaches the Qi Refining stage, they can naturally absorb and release spiritual energy through breathing, making the spirit aperture less noticeable.

After arriving at Qingchi, Li Xuanfeng had also thoroughly researched this himself but found no records. He could only keep his doubts hidden. Now, faced with such a direct question, he could only reply:

"To answer you, True Lord, it is indeed in my palm. This has puzzled me for many years..."

Element chuckled softly and replied:

"It's nothing major, just a bit rare. The Chi family has a cultivation method specifically designed for this type of physique to perform the 'Different Mansion, Same Furnace' technique. That's why you won't find any related records in Qingchi."

"Fortunately, you are not a Qingchi disciple. If you had taken the path of entering the sect at seven years old to cultivate, you would likely have been taught a special cultivation method long ago, building up your cultivation only to serve as a stepping stone for others."

Li Xuanfeng squinted slightly and nodded in acknowledgment. Element then said softly:

"While this type of physique is rare, it doesn't offer much significant advantage in cultivation, except perhaps a slight boost when practicing certain unique techniques. It's a natural gift, but it's not comparable to inherent Daoist bodies or True Monarch bloodlines."

Element paused briefly, then suddenly asked:

"How is Moon-Gazing Lake?"

Li Xuanfeng hadn't expected him to ask about this so suddenly. He cupped his hands and replied:

"Thanks to your protection, True Lord, the Li family has already secured a small portion of Moon-Gazing Lake, just waiting for the transfer of the Immortal Peak's jurisdiction."

Element nodded gravely and said softly:

"If I die, the Ning family will inevitably be absorbed by the Chi family, suppressed and divided, making it impossible to remain independent in the Southern Border as it is today. Heyuan is still relatively obedient now; you can consult him if you have any matters."

Before Li Xuanfeng could respond, he continued:

"Although Hejing is that boy's confidant, Heyuan also has a close relationship with the Chi Zhiyuns, those two brothers. Both will undoubtedly adopt a strategy of balance. At least until news of Wan'er emerges, no one will dare to act rashly."

"Once news of Wan'er is revealed, whether her breakthrough succeeds or fails, she will at least not fall into too dire a situation..."

He suddenly looked at Li Xuanfeng and whispered:

"I know you care deeply for your family, but you must be used by Chi Zhiyun. Yuanqin needs to be properly arranged. Both you and your wife are intelligent; you should understand how to handle things."

Li Xuanfeng listened in silence. By now, he couldn't tell if Element's words were truly sincere. Regardless of the old man's intentions, he had, directly or indirectly, helped Li Xuanfeng's family a great deal.

He remained silent for a breath, not uttering any polite phrases about the True Lord's eternal life, but instead replied softly:

"Please rest assured, True Lord, Xuanfeng will certainly assist Heyuan and protect the clan."

Element's lips twitched; his emotion was unclear. He merely let out a soft, long sigh and said gently:

"The Tangjin Gate possesses a scripture called 'Heavenly Filament Polished Gold Sutra'. If you intend to break through to the Purple Mansion realm, you will ultimately rely on this cultivation method. The Situ family also has a Purple Mansion realm cultivator; if you plan anything, don't be too impulsive."

The old man was finally no longer speaking in a cold, sarcastic tone. He simply said:

"Your cultivation talent is quite good. To have come out of the wilderness and achieved what you have is already pushing the limits. However, compared to the direct descendants of immortal sects, you are still slightly lacking. The Purple Mansion realm is difficult; think carefully before acting."

"I, Ning Tiaoxiao, have cultivated for so many years, and ultimately, I was harmed by my own obsession. You should take this as a warning."

Li Xuanfeng acknowledged each point. Element then stopped speaking, formed hand seals with a few fingers, and steered the cloud, accelerating rapidly, as if waiting for something.

Element adjusted his direction slightly and flew over the sea for a moment. Li Xuanfeng stood on the cloud conjured by Element, silently observing. The sea beneath them soon turned a deep blue, indicating they had reached the Dragon Kindred's Merged Waters Sea.

This place was the Dragon Kindred's lair, teeming with powerful demons. Their cultivation levels were high, and most possessed considerable strength. Unlike the sparsely populated Zhulu Archipelago, Li Xuanfeng had only visited this area a few times, solely for demon extermination.

Element remained silent, speeding through the sky on his cloud. Soon, a wisp of clear qi emerged ahead, materializing from emptiness into a Purple Mansion True Lord. He appeared as a handsome young man in blue and white robes and spoke gently:

"Greetings, Senior Element."

Li Xuanfeng recognized this Purple Mansion cultivator. Years ago, this person had visited Element and revealed the news of Yuanwu's impending demise. After Element nodded in acknowledgment, Li Xuanfeng then spoke in a deep voice:

"This junior greets True Lord Puyu!"

This was True Lord Puyu, the Sect Master of Quhai Sect, renowned for his ability to govern yin and yang and comprehend life and death. He possessed a feminine beauty. With a curved-eye smile, he spoke:

"Xuanfeng, there's no need to be so polite."

Despite his amiable tone, Li Xuanfeng dared not be careless. True Lord Puyu was an East Sea cultivator, and during their previous meeting, he had even asked Element if he wished to reside within his body, suggesting a somewhat sinister nature. Li Xuanfeng simply cupped his hands in return.

True Lord Puyu didn't speak much more to Li Xuanfeng, quickly turning to Element and smiling:

"Senior! My estimation was correct. By only a month, Tang Yuanwu indeed perished... When I saw the golden rain fall over the Yue Kingdom, I knew it was his demise. His accumulated power was quite substantial... it was a grand spectacle."

He spoke with a laugh, unafraid that Element might be angered by the sensitive topic. Element's expression remained unchanged; instead, he asked:

"Since that's the case, perhaps you could tell me how much time I have left."

Element had not concealed his face during this visit, openly revealing it. True Lord Puyu glanced at him, a hint of confusion in his eyes, and said softly:

"I'm not sure why, but your aura feels indistinct, as if undergoing a great fluctuation. I can't discern it clearly for the moment. I could try to calculate it precisely..."

Element immediately lost interest and waved his hand dismissively. Meanwhile, Li Xuanfeng noticed that everything before his eyes gradually dimmed, losing all color and turning into complete blackness. Only the two True Lords, standing with hands behind their backs on the cloud, retained their colors.

Li Xuanfeng saw only darkness in every direction, devoid of light, with no sun, moon, or stars. He realized they had unknowingly entered the Great Void. The cloud beneath their feet was his sole protection, carrying them swiftly through it.

Li Xuanfeng took the opportunity to observe. The darkness around them varied in density, but his practiced ocular techniques were useless here. Beyond the cloud, everything was blurry and indistinct. The darkness beneath their feet was astonishingly profound, as if it could drain one's spiritual consciousness completely.

Above them, there were scattered white specks, some large, some small, but too indistinct to make out. Li Xuanfeng understood Element's nature, and with two True Lords conversing, it wasn't appropriate to interrupt with questions. He simply observed in silence.

This was his first time traveling through the Great Void, and it was not as smooth as he had imagined. He felt currents flowing, sometimes swift, sometimes gentle. There were also elevated areas that they had to ascend.

Standing in this place where neither sky nor ground was visible, Li Xuanfeng secretly mused:

"I've heard that the Great Void is closely related to spiritual energy. Perhaps the varying spiritual energy in different places causes the journey through the Great Void to differ accordingly..."

While he pondered silently, he didn't miss a word of the two True Lords' conversation. Element, being a man of few words and having no intention of achieving a breakthrough himself, seemed to be observing mostly out of curiosity.

True Lord Puyu, on the other hand, was entirely different. He seemed to be in a good mood and chuckled:

"Senior Element, I have a question to ask."

Element cast his gaze towards him, indicating he should speak. True Lord Puyu frowned and asked softly:

"The Three Sects and Seven Gates within the Yue Kingdom... most of them are from the Qing Song Temple lineage, aren't they?"

Element nodded and said softly:

"That's right. Most originate from the Six Disciples of the Chongming Hall of Qing Song Temple. Their Daoist lineages are interconnected, and they generally coexist harmoniously."

True Lord Puyu clearly already knew this. He nodded and said:

"In the years since I achieved Purple Mansion, I've often traveled the Four Seas. Yet, by some strange twist of fate, I have never met True Lord Shangyuan. I've only heard that he never reveals his true appearance, making it very difficult to inquire about him."

He paused, then asked softly:

"If you ask me, there's no deep animosity among the several Golden Core cultivators within the seas; they even share some connections. If Shangyuan breaks through, he breaks through... He might not even be entirely devoted to True Monarch Taiyue. Why bother obstructing each other like this?"

"The path of immortals is already declining. If another Golden Core Dao Fruit were to emerge, it would undoubtedly inspire the world and cause the Daoist lineages to flourish. With two True Monarchs guarding the north, wouldn't that be a wonderful thing? Why act this way... to benefit the Dragon Kindred and the Buddhist cultivators instead?"

True Lord Puyu pondered for a moment, seemingly hesitant. He took out a small, exquisite treasure bead from his sleeve. It lay quietly in his palm, emitting a hazy purple light that enveloped the three of them. Finally, he spoke:

"Could it be that two Golden Core cultivators are going to fight fiercely just for the breakthrough of a junior?"

Element paused slightly. No one within the seas would dare utter such words. He merely said:

"Perhaps it's more than two."

True Lord Puyu looked puzzled. Element, however, sighed softly and finally replied:

"True Lord Shangyuan conducts himself with extreme righteousness, cultivating the Jade True Dao lineage. This lineage once belonged to the Moon Essence Imperial Mansion... and an immortal once sat upon that Dao Fruit."

"The True Monarchs are all cautious; they fear there might be some hidden scheme related to that Dao Fruit. An ordinary person would be apprehensive ascending that position, let alone someone with Shangyuan's temperament."

True Lord Puyu pondered in silence. Element then whispered:

"The adults went out, and a few mischievous children banded together to overturn the house. Only the eldest son, who received a severe beating, remained well-behaved and dared not act."

"As time gradually passed, the eldest son's cultivation reached a bottleneck. He then remembered the kindness of his elders and thought about calling them back. After all, he had feigned obedience for so many years, hoping for some reward. If the adults died outside, wouldn't he become a laughingstock?"

After hearing these words, True Lord Puyu remained silent for over ten breaths, his eyes downcast. After a long while, he finally said softly:

"A True Monarch can achieve longevity, and sitting upon that Dao Fruit can even withstand a hundred cycles of reincarnation. If you say that an immortal simply perishes and vanishes like this, I cannot believe it."

"Who would dare to believe it?"

Element's lips curled into a cold sneer. He simply said:

"For the past few centuries, it's been those who believed first who rose to prominence. The Six Disciples of Chongming Hall were indeed immensely influential. Yet, among them, those who didn't believe still perished. As for me, who has yet to believe, I can only slowly age and die."

True Lord Puyu fell into silent contemplation. Time flowed swiftly in the Great Void. After an unknown period, True Lord Puyu finally said gently:

"We've reached the North Sea."

The surrounding darkness slowly faded, revealing grayish-white textures, and all colors reappeared. A biting cold wind, laden with dense snowflakes, swept over them.

Li Xuanfeng looked up and saw a world blanketed in white. In the distance were endless snowy ice mountains, towering ice peaks veiled by snow clouds. Several white eagles circled above the ice mountains, as snowflakes drifted down.

"This is the North Sea..."

The cold wind, mixed with ice and snow, struck his armor, producing crisp clinking sounds. He casually used his magic power to block it, listening to True Lord Puyu's laughter:

"It seems everyone has arrived!"

Li Xuanfeng looked up. The various colored lights appearing in the sky already indicated the identities of these Purple Mansion cultivators. He slowly lowered his gaze. Element's expression remained relatively gentle. He turned to Li Xuanfeng and whispered:

"These True Lords need to discuss important matters in the Great Void, and it's not convenient to bring you along. Descend on the wind; a local sect will come to receive you. I will return in three days."

Li Xuanfeng nodded in acknowledgment. Guiding a golden wind, he descended from the cloud. Sure enough, a cultivator in plain white robes came to greet him, appearing quite respectful and polite.

"This junior is a disciple of Beihuan Sect of the North Sea. Please follow me, Senior."

Li Xuanfeng nodded and followed. The disciple noticed Li Xuanfeng's weathered golden armor, the astonishing longbow on his back, and his unintentionally formidable hawk-like eyes, and instantly became a little more cautious.

'He must be a cultivator who has lingered long in the Foundation Establishment realm. His aura is pure, not like a demonic cultivator... but judging by his killing intent, he's not someone to be trifled with.'

He composed himself slightly and immediately asked:

"May I ask, Senior, from which nation and sect are you? Which Purple Mansion True Lord did you accompany? And please, your name."

The disciple's attitude was respectful. Li Xuanfeng, unsure of the immortal sect's status, replied softly:

"Qingchi Sect, Li Xuanfeng. I accompanied True Lord Element."

'No wonder! He's from the Qingchi Demonic Gate.'

The disciple muttered to himself and led Li Xuanfeng into the ice mountains. Many figures were already seated cross-legged on the peaks. Before them stood a white-robed cultivator, his expression serene, who cupped his hands and said:

"Xie Zhanchang of Beihuan greets fellow Daoist."

This person was a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, carrying a long spear on his back, and seemed quite capable. Li Xuanfeng briefly exchanged a few words with him, stated his identity, and without further conversation, found a place to sit down.

No sooner had Li Xuanfeng sat down than someone slowly approached him. Li Xuanfeng frowned as he looked, seeing a person with slender eyebrows and large eyes, exuding an elegant and natural aura. The person stopped before him, tidied his sleeves, and said gently:

"Greetings, fellow Daoist Xuanfeng."

"And you are...?"

Li Xuanfeng raised an eyebrow slightly. The young man was orderly and very polite. He chuckled softly and said courteously:

"I am... Dongfang Heyun."