Chapter 720: Complete and Return

He left the island, escorted by the assembled Cui family members. Cui Jueyin stood in the light, appearing somewhat melancholic. Li Ximing, however, paid him no mind, engrossored in repeatedly reading "Return Fold Hundred Array Trap Body," thus gaining a deeper understanding of this secret technique.

"It's like a small segment extracted from a larger 'Return Fold' text, with eight out of ten characters missing. Though incomplete, it surprisingly resonates with the content of the 'Body Suppressing Tiger Pass Treasure Scripture,' making it barely possible to practice," he mused.

"If it were a different Immortal Foundation... applied to the 'Heavenly Gate Supplication,' it would likely be unworkable."

He had already figured it out: "'Return Fold Hundred Array Trap Body' cannot be used for the 'Heavenly Gate Supplication,' but my family's 'Return Fold' techniques might be universally applicable to every Immortal Foundation. With these nine secret methods in hand, for the Bright Yang path, no matter which cultivation technique I choose, my family will have nine methods to cultivate!"

"Even ancient imperial clans couldn't have been much more impressive than this!"

He gave an embarrassed smile, remembering his earlier complaints about the secret technique being too simplistic. He pulled out a jade slip from his robe, his face solemn and pensive, as if contemplating a crucial divine power. Cui Jueyin, seeing this, dared not speak, muttering to himself, "What is this about?"

The jade slip contained his understanding of the Bright Yang secret method, nearly a hundred thousand characters. Compared to his previous notes, this was no longer a simple guide on "grinding wheat or baking cakes," but a detailed instruction manual on "how to swallow without choking."

Now, looking at it, he felt ashamed and mused internally: "Back then, my family's Taoist lineage was incomplete, and my cultivation in the Bright Yang path wasn't much better than a rogue cultivator's. If I were to put this secret method in the family records, I wouldn't dare sign my name... I'd be afraid descendants would see it and wonder how Zhaojing, the first True Person of the Li family, could write nearly a hundred thousand words of such foolishness over and over again."

He considered discarding it but felt it was a pity. So, he found a place for a signature and casually inscribed the name "True Person Gu Feng" before putting it into his sleeve. Cui Jueyin saw his calm expression, as if he had made some profound decision, and sighed in his heart: "How difficult it is to guess a True Person's thoughts... This personal assistance must have given him greater confidence."

After this small interlude, Li Ximing finally began to ponder the origins of the "Bright Splendor Primordial Scripture."

"Nine secret methods, yet only a fifth-rank cultivation technique! The Immortal Mirror's bestowal of techniques... what was its actual reason?"

The "Bright Splendor Primordial Scripture" was bestowed upon Li Zhouwei. This white qilin, acquired by the Li family after a century, possessed a unique innate disposition. The nine secret methods were clearly due to him, yet the "Bright Splendor Primordial Scripture" was only a fifth-rank technique.

"Judging by the examples of Jiang Qian and Que Wan, cultivation techniques and secret methods seem to be granted separately... Minghuang's destiny is unique, which is why he received the ultimate number of nine secret methods..."

He mused, gradually forming a rough estimate in his mind. As he flew back, the sea waves grew increasingly turbulent. Several fish darted across the surface, and occasionally, a few demonic creatures emerged, only to be instantly incinerated by the heavenly light beneath his feet.

Li Ximing was no longer the same as before. The heavenly light at his brow pulsed, connecting with the Great Void, allowing him to subtly perceive the shifts in spiritual energy and calculate: "The further southeast I go, the more intense the spiritual energy fluctuations become..."

"The 'Water Descends, Thunder Rises' phenomenon is a matter for True Sovereigns. Poking one's nose into it will surely lead to disaster. Even with divine powers, one cannot go anywhere."

He remotely calculated the direction, which seemed to be near World Navel Island. The East Sea was the domain of the Dragon Clan, and without confidence, he was disinclined to wander aimlessly. He rode the wind back, heading towards Moon Lake within the inner sea.

"It's just that the spring water of World Navel is somewhat miraculous. Perhaps I can visit it once everything is settled."

Fluctuations rippled throughout the Great Void. Cui Jueyin, seeing the Great Void for the first time as described in records, observed it with great curiosity. Li Ximing, having gained a good subordinate and resumed his cultivation path, was in high spirits. Not wanting to waste time, he took out Chang Xi's "Refinement of the Pavilion Divine Power in Fire" and began to read it.

Hearing the title "Refinement of the Pavilion Divine Power in Fire," it was clear it wasn't a creation of contemporary cultivators. Such a naming style, resembling spells and spiritual insights, was similar to the "Six Chapters of Seeking Immortals" obtained by his family elders from the Green Pine Grotto-Heaven. It was likely from that era, at the very least.

Li Ximing skimmed through it. Most of it described profound and wondrous methods, involving rituals on high altars, various spiritual artifacts, Li Fire, and malevolent energy, with multiple cultivators assisting in the refinement of the embryo over many years to complete it.

He examined it closely. The description of "cultivators with cultivation" referred to those whose 'Qi Sea had shimmering light,' meaning they hadn't reached the Ascending Yang stage, possessed slight mystical abilities, but not divine powers.

"These are Foundation Establishment cultivators... the ancients spoke with such grandiosity."

Li Ximing scoffed for a moment. It seemed to require twelve Foundation Establishment cultivators, with six alternating shifts, and their Immortal Foundations could not conflict with the spiritual embryo. For instance, when refining a Bright Yang artifact, cultivators of Jueyin or Xiqi foundations were unsuitable, and it was best to avoid those of Kan Water among the Water Virtue.

"Fortunately, my family doesn't cultivate those two paths."

Li Ximing paused briefly, noting the Kan Water. If there was any potential conflict, it would indeed be with Kan Water. His family had quite a few Kan Water techniques, all practiced. Logically, there was no mutual generation or restraint between Bright Yang and Kan Water. With his current level of cultivation, he secretly guessed: "Li Fire aligns with Bright Yang, and Li Fire is opposite Kan Water. This is likely the reason."

He dismissed the thought and pondered, beginning to choose a spiritual embryo.

He didn't have many Foundation Establishment artifacts. The 'Visible Yang Ring' was too mysterious and bore the name of a Green Pine Temple cultivator, so it couldn't be used. Besides a few ineffective ones, the only artifacts suitable as spiritual embryos were the 'Chongming Cavernous Screen,' the 'Yang Li Scarlet Sparrow Banner,' and the 'Profound Pattern Bottle' – a mere handful.

The 'Chongming Cavernous Screen' remained enigmatic; it was almost certainly a solar-aligned artifact at its core. It was one of the few ancient artifacts his family could definitively identify, and Li Ximing felt it was extraordinary and held deep mysteries, thus he always treasured it.

Another ancient artifact was the 'Profound Pattern Bottle.' This artifact lacked overwhelming destructive power, but its mystical versatility had always been highly valued by the Li family. Apart from this bottle, no Li family member had ever seen an artifact that changed along with its owner, its mysteries seeming endless, fully demonstrating the ancient people's superb craftsmanship.

"Since the Profound Pattern Bottle belonged to the Wei Li, it's very likely it can be used as a Bright Yang artifact. I can certainly try it. Even if this set of artifacts doesn't work, Qingchi Zifu has entered the East Li Grotto-Heaven; getting a top-tier Bright Yang artifact from them shouldn't be difficult."

Within the Immortal Mirror.

Hall of Hua Su Yuan Ming Sheng Qing Taiyin.

In the Profound Hall, Taiyin energy surged, manifesting everywhere as patterns of golden stamens and cassia trees. Moonlight lamps, drifts of cold snow, and images of jade rabbits and toads were ubiquitous. A few snowflakes drifted down as a person walked through the hall, his sleeves gathered.

This young man had a broad forehead, lush hair and beard that hung down from his cheeks, a pale face, and shallow green eyes. His sleeves were adorned with wave patterns. He turned into a courtyard and sat down. Seeing someone from the hall sit beside him, the young man said: "Lord Liu, do you have any connections in the lower realm? When will Lord Li return?"

The other person, a white-robed immortal official, merely shook his head upon hearing this and replied: "Time passes differently in the lower realm; years are immeasurable there. If he's cultivating, it could take hundreds or even thousands of years. There's no reason for him to return so quickly."

"Oh no! Hundreds or thousands of years? I'll be worked to death!"

Upon hearing this, the young man was overcome with sorrow and stood there, dazed.

This person was, of course, Tang Jiang. He had been compiling spells here for an unknown duration, researching day and night, writing until his throat was parched. And from the cabinets, jade slips continued to emerge in an endless stream.

Tang Jiang was naturally not a diligent person, and compiling spells was a demanding task. He worked tirelessly day and night. Finally getting a break, he came out to inquire about Lord Li, only to be struck by this crushing news.

He sat there in a daze for a while, having no mind to appreciate the falling snow in the hall. The immortal official Liu beside him, however, suddenly stood up and respectfully said: "Greetings, Your Excellency!"

Tang Jiang quickly looked up and saw a cold-faced immortal general in silver armor standing by the courtyard, his face sharp and chiseled. The young man immediately stood up and sighed: "Greetings, Immortal General!"

This person was, of course, True Commander Zhen Gao, the Taiyin Sumin Immortal General! Ever since Tang Jiang arrived here, Zhen Gao had thrown him into this desolate place, where he worked tirelessly every day. Moreover, there were very few people here, and they were all elusive and not very fond of talking. There was no way to find Zhen Gao, and Tang Jiang had been feeling stifled for a long time.

Finally seeing his superior, he was ecstatic and exclaimed: "It's been a long time since I last saw you, Your Excellency!"

Zhen Gao calmly replied: "A trip to the lower realm isn't really that long."

Within the Immortal Mirror, everything but Tang Jiang was illusory. Zhen Gao, of course, was merely controlled by Lu Jiangxian, as was the immortal official Liu beside him. The reason for their taciturnity was simply that Lu Jiangxian was too lazy to engage with the talkative fellow.

On this breakthrough journey, Li Ximing had visited several factions: Qingchi, Mount Xianyou, Jianmen, and then Xuanniao Temple, Xuanyue Sect, and the Cui family's Chongzhou Island...

Lu Jiangxian didn't constantly pay attention, but the Immortal Mirror's gaze followed from within the Great Void, collecting all obtainable spells and secret methods. However, each sect and family had their techniques locked by secret methods, making them difficult to decipher. Thus, the harvest was moderate.

Chongzhou Island, Jianmen, and Qingchi each had special secret methods locking their high-grade cultivation techniques. The methods for deciphering them seemed to be passed down according to each peak and lineage, not recorded in jade slips, so the gains were minimal.

As for Xiao Chuting, the old fox from Mount Xianyou, he locked every single cultivation technique with secret methods, from beginning to end. From the vast Mount Xianyou, absolutely nothing was gained.

Only Xuanniao Temple and Xuanyue Sect had shallow foundations and no significant background, so their secret methods for deciphering techniques were recorded in jade slips. Xuanyue Sect was slightly better; most of their Zifu cultivation techniques' secret methods were likely in Chang Xi's storage bag, while the rest were fully exposed. As for Xuanniao Temple, which had only been established for a little over ten years in Jiangbei, its system was incomplete, and the secret methods for their Zifu cultivation techniques were found behind the statue of their patriarch, True Sovereign Xuxiang, thus they were completely swept clean.

Most of what was gained were spells, Foundation Establishment spells. From Jianmen, many third and fourth-rank sword techniques were acquired. Xuanniao Temple had the fewest techniques, but it possessed a fifth-rank Zifu cultivation technique, the "Treasured Image White Earth Scripture"... a rare path of treasured earth.

These were all expected gains, but as Li Ximing sped through the East Sea, Lu Jiangxian inadvertently scanned a cave dwelling that seemed to belong to an ancient cultivator.

The cave dwelling's formation was complete; Li Ximing wouldn't have been able to discern it even if it were right in front of him. Lu Jiangxian, too lazy to waste effort, merely sent his divine sense through the formation for a quick scan. The space inside was not small, nor did it contain anything particularly noteworthy. He simply read the formation disk and casually noted it down.

All other cultivation techniques poured into the Scripture Repository on the mountain, simply stored there. These techniques had too distinct characteristics of their respective families; without being modified by Tang Jiang or himself, they couldn't be used freely, only serving as references.

He now had an idea: instead of Tang Jiang modifying spells one by one every day, as the spells in the repository were countless, giving them to the Li family members individually would be too inefficient. He wanted to find a way, perhaps by relying on the connection between the Talisman Seeds, to let the Li family members choose for themselves.

If this is the case, then someone would need to oversee and guide in the repository. It would also be more convenient if there were more things that could be revealed to the Li family members later on.

Just like that cave dwelling earlier, if there was someone I could contact, I could fabricate an excuse and bestow it upon them, preventing it from going to waste in the sea.

Anyway, where wasn't Tang Jiang working? If he wasn't in this hall, Lu Jiangxian wouldn't have to constantly create figures to deal with him. Lu Jiangxian, possessing ancestral memories, also had no intention of meeting the Li family members, so he started preparing for the future.

So, he possessed Zhen Gao's body and specifically sought him out, then nodded and said: "Although I made a trip to the lower realm, I heard from Immortal Official Liu that you have been diligent, toiling day and night. I also reviewed the cultivation techniques you modified; most are useful. Although some were sent back for revisions, it's clear you put effort into them."

"This... Thank you for your understanding, Your Excellency!"

Tang Jiang was overjoyed to hear this, and he cast a grateful glance at Immortal Official Liu. Zhen Gao continued: "Since you are so hardworking and capable, I will arrange a position for you in the heavens. What do you think?"

Tang Jiang had been diligent precisely for this moment. He was instantly delighted and bowed, saying: "Your Excellency's kindness... I am deeply grateful... I..."

Before he could finish, Zhen Gao waved his hand and said: "I've inquired with the Merit Official and found a pavilion for you on the edge of the heavens. Heavenly personnel are scarce, and that pavilion has been abandoned for a long time. It was originally Immortal Official Li's main post. When he returns from the lower realm, he will surely get a good position, so this one will be vacant. Since you are proficient in Taoist techniques, I will first send you to that pavilion to manage the Taoist spells and cultivation techniques. You can act as a temporary guard for him."

'Huh?'

Hearing that it was still this exhausting work, Tang Jiang almost groaned aloud, lamenting in his heart: 'What do you mean "proficient in Taoist techniques"? Do I have any other choice? Even if you sent me to meet people, patrol pavilions, stand duty in heaven, or exterminate demons in the lower realm, any of those would be excellent... Why is it "proficient in Taoist techniques" again!'

Lu Jiangxian knew he was a talkative fellow who wasn't content with just settling down to modify cultivation techniques. But where in heaven was there patrolling for him to do now, and where were there demons to exterminate? He merely asked suspiciously: "Are you perhaps dissatisfied with a minor position?"

This single sentence utterly trapped him. How could Tang Jiang dare to argue? He shook his head repeatedly, expressing his gratitude. Lu Jiangxian found it amusing and, controlling Zhen Gao, turned and said: "Pack your things. I'll take you to the edge of the heavens."

After Zhen Gao left the courtyard, Immortal Official Liu finally ceased his respectful attendance and became lively again, cupping his hands in congratulation: "Congratulations, congratulations!"

Tang Jiang was both happy and worried. Happy that he finally had a position in the heavens, but worried that he would have to continue this exhausting work, perhaps with an even greater workload. Lu Jiangxian, possessing Immortal Official Liu, brought out his rhetoric from a previous life and comforted him, saying: "Having this position is quite good. Now we are colleagues! Which immortal official didn't start this way? Work steadily and diligently! You'll eventually see the moon after the clouds part!"

Tang Jiang gritted his teeth and merely replied: "Once I get my chance and have an opportunity to visit the lower realm, I will definitely have a good talk with Fellow Daoist Li... This is hundreds of years of work!"