Chapter 832: 既从专位

Ning Wan sat quietly on the jade-green throne, seemingly unmoved by Yuan Xiu's words. This matter could not be dismissed simply because the old man claimed it was not in his possession. The Xinyou Lushui Seal was an exceptionally precious spiritual treasure, renowned even in ancient times, capable of making a Purple Mansion cultivator abandon their decorum.

She merely glanced at the old man's hand resting on the jade throne and said softly,

"When the Xinyou Lushui Seal was in the hands of the seniors, it was convenient for scheming against others and brought many benefits. Regardless, this item is a spiritual treasure of Green Pool. A venerable Sun Dao Lineage, even if its master is temporarily absent, would not simply have it taken away."

Ning Wan was clearly unconvinced. Yuan Xiu, hunched over, replied,

"An ordinary person wouldn't dare. That only proves the one who took it was no ordinary person. As for Yuan Su's possessions, what is his is his; I would not hide it."

His words, however, made Ning Wan ponder slightly, and a hint of hesitation indeed entered her heart. She asked,

"If senior truly cannot speak of it, to the point of outright refusal, why come to retrieve it today? If it's because Master is beyond the heavens, why didn't Master secure it earlier?"

Yuan Xiu stood in his place like an ancient tree, speaking in a low voice,

"The Xinyou Lushui Seal is the serpent plume's seal, and the serpent plume is the ancestor of Lushui. This item is more useful than you imagine. It was in Ning Tiaoxiao's hands because Master approved it. Once he died, the item would naturally be lost."

"Master, however, overlooked one crucial point. Even if Daoist Donghua, Li Jiangqun, left a treasure for Ning Tiaoxiao's reincarnation within the Xinyou Lushui Seal, he would never have used it even in death. He was that kind of person; he'd die gritting his teeth and swallowing blood rather than nourishing his enemies."

Ning Wan's expression gradually changed as she listened to the old man speak calmly before her.

"When Ning Tiaoxiao died, Zi Pei thought I was greedy and wanted to seize this item from the Ning family, so she insisted on handing it to Ning Heyuan… She underestimated me. As long as this item was in the hands of a Ning family member, the moment my gaze shifted, it would be schemed away. I am a Grand Daoist of Green Pool. They didn't know if Master had given instructions, but Ning Heyuan was different; for him, it was a death warrant."

"If he had been sensible then, he might not have died."

Ning Wan started to speak but stopped. Yuan Xiu continued,

"It's not her fault. How could such matters be discussed with outsiders of the Dao Lineage? She was very protective of Yuan Su. If I had forcefully tried to take it, she would certainly have fought me. I could only leave. As I departed, I saw Pu Yu calculating; his Penglai Dao Lineage is profound, so perhaps he had already grown suspicious."

Ning Wan listened in silence. The old man said,

"I've watched you grow up. Out of consideration for our two families, I advise you: the Xinyou Lushui Seal is not something you can touch. When I die, and you sit alone on this Lushui Pool, you'll understand how much trouble it brings."

He laughed hoarsely for a moment, then replied,

"By then, you won't be the mistress of the Ning family; you will be the Master of Green Pool! Whether you want it or not, it will no longer be the Ning family of Green Pool, but the Green Pool of the Ning family."

Ning Wan's expression was complex. As a sect cultivator, bearing the Dao Lineage of Azure Pine and the Sun, having grown up and cultivated in Green Pool, she had long since been marked by it. With Lushui Heaven above, she couldn't leave even if she wanted to! At most, she could emulate Chi Buzi, feigning travel to abandon her clan and venture out, but she absolutely did not possess the power to separate herself and become independent like aristocratic families.

'That indifferent, parentless lunatic, Chi Buzi…'

Her expression slightly darkened. Yuan Xiu, however, began to speak thoughtfully. The old man's lifespan was nearing its end, and his usually rigid and solemn face now showed more emotional fluctuations. He said slowly,

"The Cold Qi Divine Ability enters Pure Listening. Back then, Yuan Su, to choose this excellent cultivation method for you, did not hesitate to cooperate with Tian Wan. Tian Wan achieved it decades ago, and now you have also refined this life-bound divine ability. You still need to make a trip to the north for some matters."

Seeing Ning Wan frown, Yuan Xiu casually explained the situation, smiling,

"You probably don't know yet… The Li family is now a Purple Mansion Immortal Clan, a Moon-gazing Immortal Clan! If you pass through that region, you can pay them a visit."

Ning Wan's expression grew suspicious. She asked,

"A Purple Mansion Immortal Clan… not Li Xizhi?"

Yuan Xiu's gaze was complex as he replied,

"It's Li Xizhi's younger brother, named Li Ximing. He was originally an unknown figure, but unexpectedly he had hidden talents, diligently strove, and became a Bright Sun divine ability user, known as Zhaojing. He's also an alchemist; I'm not sure of his quality."

"From his appearance, Bright Sun doesn't seem to be skilled in alchemy, incomparable to Qing Tangyin. He's probably a figure of the 'Balancing Star' tier."

Ning Wan's eyebrows rose in delight upon hearing this. Geographically, the Li clan was a good friend to Green Pool, and moreover, the Li and Ning clans had always maintained good relations, with previous generations having ties and later ones intermarrying. How could Ning Wan not be pleased? Ning Wan had helped Li Chijing and released Li Xuanfeng back then; these were all good karmic connections! She mused,

'Aside from that madman Ning Hejing, my Ning clan's relationship with the Li clan isn't bad. And Li Yuanqin was the one who spearheaded the Chi family's downfall; that's truly excellent.'

She pondered for a moment, wondering if his personality would make him a suitable ally, as there were always many peculiar people in the world. She couldn't help but ask,

"How is Daoist Zhaojing's disposition?"

Yuan Xiu narrowed his eyes and said,

"He is gentle and kind, soft-hearted and holds no grudges. His Bright Sun cultivation is introspective, not violent, much like the ancient cultivators of the Cui clan. He is receptive and sharp-minded, benevolent and compassionate, and he prioritizes upholding the last wishes of his clan's ancestors."

Ning Wan nodded continuously. Yuan Xiu didn't have many days left, so there was no need for him to deceive her on such matters. This True Master's discernment of people had always been sharp, making his insights very valuable. She replied,

"Such a Purple Mansion cultivator is truly a blessing for Green Pool."

Yuan Xiu grunted and sneered,

"Without Chi Wei, Green Pool would have many more blessings…"

"My lifespan is short. I once caused Li Xuanfeng to ingest a pill that blocked his path to Purple Mansion, and Li Ximing doesn't trust me either. You are much better suited than I am to take charge of Green Pool. Currently, the sect is governed by Yuan Dao's descendants—the Tantai clan of Nine Hills. In the future, Green Pool will not lack Purple Mansion cultivators, and you will lead them."

Ning Wan knew she couldn't escape the confines of Green Pool, but becoming a leader of the Sun Dao Lineage's Green Pool for a generation was also an extremely advantageous identity for the Dao Lineage. With her status changing, her perspective shifted. She said,

"Senior Yuan Dao? That is also fate… Although Nine Hills is a major lineage, it is connected to Green Pool. Senior Yuan Dao studied in Green Pool back then, and now a Tantai clan member is returning to Green Pool, which works out perfectly."

Speaking of Yuan Dao, Yuan Xiu's emotions grew complex. He lowered his head and said,

"Have you inquired? Qing Tangyin… has truly reincarnated, hasn't he?"

Ning Wan nodded silently. Yuan Xiu's gaze grew colder as he replied,

"Zhang Tianyuan has also fallen. He was a minor figure back then whom no one bothered to notice, merely bullying clan cultivators. Yuan Su didn't even remember him."

Ning Wan did not want to get involved in their grievances. This generation of Purple Mansion cultivators had ascended uniformly because of the Immortal Mansion inheritors; they were all familiar with each other, and their feuds and affections were intricately complex. She simply rose from her seat and bid farewell, saying,

"I will go oversee the matters in the north immediately."

Si Boxiu said,

"My breakthrough is in Shitang."

She transformed into frost and snow, condensing before the cave dwelling's entrance, her white robes fluttering. Just as she was about to leave, she felt something was off about the other's words. She heard the rumble and whoosh of wind behind her, a dull, surging sound:

"Whoosh!"

The rustling of trees came from behind her. Ning Wan paused, turning her head slightly.

The damp scent of the forest assailed her. The chirping of crickets grew louder and louder. She saw the old man on the throne struggle to stand, his hands tightly gripping the armrests, his chest straining forward. Behind him, an endless gale seemed to surge, pushing him outwards.

Yet, Ning Wan felt no wind at all.

"Chirp, chirp…"

The old man's clothing was pulled forward by the gale behind him, the loose fabric revealing Si Boxiu's thin, shriveled body. His knees drew inward, pressing together. His flesh seemed to take root and sprout, tightly fusing his two legs, while his feet elongated excessively, constantly scrambling on the ground.

He suddenly lifted his head, and gurgling sounds came from his throat. Only then did Ning Wan realize something was wrong.

A dark brown, slick, shiny cricket rested in Si Boxiu's pupil.

Its two black-green antennae extended from his eye socket, swaying leisurely. Si Boxiu seemed oblivious to the insect in his eye. He concentrated intently, his lips pressed tightly together, while foreign limbs repeatedly protruded between his lips, then painfully retracted.

Ning Wan's pupils slightly dilated.

Si Boxiu's normal eye noticed Ning Wan's gaze, and a glimmer of hope surprisingly appeared. His left hand, with its increasingly branched foliage, held the armrest tightly, while his right hand suddenly loosened its grip.

With that release, most of his body floated into the air, like ancient wood in a storm, only a remnant root clinging to the soil, waving powerlessly. His other hand finally became free and waved towards Ning Wan.

Ning Wan still felt no wind at all. Neither her spiritual sense nor her divine abilities detected anything; the cave dwelling's atmosphere felt calm, and the pool below showed no ripples. Yet, Si Boxiu was exhausted. The hand he had freed had returned to its normal appearance, full of wrinkles, showing every sign of old age.

He gestured to Ning Wan, curling all four fingers except for his index finger, forming a 'one'. Then, the old man suddenly opened his mouth, and in an instant, countless emerald green insects scattered out, flapping their wings and soaring. Ning Wan clearly saw the wood grain apparent in his mouth, which seemed extremely rigid.

Yet, he bared his snow-white teeth, like a tiger or leopard pouncing on prey, and fiercely, mercilessly bit off his own index finger.

"Boom!"

The divine ability of the Pure Wood Dao was solid. This bite was like a clap of thunder, sending sparks flying and purple lightning gushing forth. The old man lifted his head; his one remaining normal hand was still extended towards him, but the index finger was gone.

Even as calm as Ning Wan was, at this moment she couldn't help but stumble back two steps, watching Si Boxiu give a knowing smile. The old man still held the index finger in his mouth, while his left hand gradually loosened its grip.

"Ah?"

Ning Wan finally felt the wind. A rumbling sound, even louder than the previous thunder, filled the air. Her clothes fluttered, and the old man, like a light bird, "whoosh"ed out of the cave dwelling.

Ning Wan didn't even react. She stared blankly, turning her head to watch Si Boxiu ascend into the sky.

Si Boxiu flew higher and higher. His flight wasn't directly southward; instead, like an agile bird, he circled and spiraled, flying diagonally towards the south.

The old man used neither magic power nor divine abilities, merely extending his arms flat at his sides, carefully maintaining balance. He gradually became a black speck in the sky.

Emerald green rain fell from the sky.

Ning Wan stood amidst the swirling wind and rain, her dress swaying. She extended a hand, palm upward, catching the emerald green rain. Her pupils still held a trace of fear, but her face showed an increasingly deep sense of bewilderment.

The rainwater quickly collected into a small pool of green water in her palm. The woman stared blankly, murmuring,

"Lushui… how is this possible… This is Pure Evening Rain. Why is it raining… why is it raining Pure Evening Rain?"

"This is Pure Wood!"

But she had no time for doubts. Si Boxiu, the Grand Daoist of Green Pool Sect, the great master of the Pure Wood Dao in this world, and the foremost talisman master in Jiangnan—was today seeking his Fruition!

She raised her hand, flicked a finger, and the large bell beside them immediately began to sway.

"Clang, clang, clang…"

The urgent tolling of the bell echoed throughout the entire Green Pool mountain range. Hurried footsteps grew closer. Ning Wan still stood on the mountaintop, watching the emerald rain fall. Sect Master Tantai Jin almost stumbled and crawled before her, bowing, without the slightest hesitation or doubt, and said fearfully,

"Greetings, True Master!"

Ning Wan looked down, instructing,

"You are the Sect Master. Whether to see off a senior or to broaden your horizons, you should come with me."

South Sea, Beidan.

At the vast Shitang Sea, where waves surged violently, Ning Wan tore through the void. As she landed, the sky grew turbulent, covered in dark clouds.

She looked up and saw the black speck circling in the sky. Cultivators, in continuous clusters, stood in the air, gazing up at the zenith with awe and apprehension.

The water across the entire sea churned, waves upon waves spiraling on the surface. The sky was gloomy, and the magical winds became increasingly difficult to control, causing cultivators to fall continuously. All colors grew dimmer and dimmer, with only bright rays of divine ability light traversing out of the void, suspended in mid-air.

Ning Wan stood still as a fierce wind swept over her. Beside her, Tantai Jin's expression was shaken. He looked at the black speck circling in the sky, his mind blank:

'Senior Yuan Xiu? Is he about to achieve the Dao?'

'Why so fast?!'

But he had no time to think further. The snowy clouds beneath his feet were already rising, and thunder roared in the sky. Tantai Jin gazed into the distance, seeing brilliant colorful lights rising within the gale and dark clouds. Dozens of Purple Mansion cultivators surrounded the Shitang Sea, moving in tandem, ascending together into the high sky.

A dense, extremely noisy hum began to rise in his ears. Tantai Jin noticed emerald green rain falling from the sky. At this moment, having ascended to an extremely high point, almost reaching the zenith, he finally saw the old man flying in circles in the air.

'This… Senior…'

The Yuan Xiu Tantai Jin knew had always been meticulous. Yet now, he was hunched over, soaring through the air with outstretched arms. His eyes were terrifyingly large, several black crickets crawling in his pupils, and his entire body was covered in branches and leaves, a truly frightful sight.

"Senior Yuan Xiu!"

Tantai Jin watched in silence.

Tantai Jin had not been dispatched on short notice. Yuan Xiu and Yuan Dao had discussed this long ago. Tantai Jin had been arranged to apprentice under Yuan Xiu since he was six years old, and he revered this old man more than his father, who was perpetually in secluded cultivation.

But the old man who had lifted him from among the Tantai children seemed to have vanished long ago.

Tantai Jin gazed at the sky full of divine ability projections, feeling dizzy. Ning Wan, however, suddenly looked up and towards a nearby spot, where two indistinct figures appeared one after another on the clouds.

Ning Wan knew people from the Underworld Office had arrived. Given Si Boxiu's abnormal state, no one naturally greeted the two, but they paid no mind, watching the circling Si Boxiu from a distance. One of them said,

"How audacious!"

The other sighed, his voice sharp,

"Heaven truly helps him achieve this. Who else would dare to exploit Master Du's Lushui divine position like this? It's only because the other masters are currently beyond the heavens and preoccupied, allowing him to borrow the power of Lushui."

"Otherwise, how could he be called courageous? He merely possesses courage, nothing more."

Ning Wan listened quietly, then heard a gentle voice from the other side:

"He was also at his wit's end. Otherwise, how could he seek the Dao?"

"Hmm?"

Ning Wan was startled. She was a dignified Purple Mansion cultivator; how could someone approach her without her knowing? Her figure instantly dissolved into ice and snow, paused for a brief moment, then re-condensed in her original spot. She said, slightly flustered,

"Greetings, Martial Great-Uncle."

The man beside her, clad in green robes with golden tassels, turned his face towards her. He appeared elegant and unworldly, his pupils carrying a faint azure light, seemingly more demonic than immortal. He smiled slightly and replied,

"Chou Gui Zang."

Ning Wan had seen this person in her youth; it was none other than Chi Buzi, who had been missing for years!

Ning Wan nodded awkwardly. Chi Buzi was clearly explaining how he had suddenly appeared beside her. He was now a Grand Daoist, and Ning Wan could do nothing but respectfully stand by his side.

'The entire Chi family was annihilated, Chi Zhiyun's cave dwelling was excavated and he was harmed, yet none of this could make this Grand Daoist move a step. Only Grand Daoist Si's breakthrough, without any prior hint, had already brought him to the South Sea, waiting.'

Chi Buzi didn't even spare a glance for the two Underworld Envoys beside him, completely ignoring them. He said quietly,

"Ning Wan… good, you've also achieved Purple Mansion. It seems Senior Yuan Su's spiritual resources are quite abundant, even benefitting you."

Upon hearing this, Ning Wan's hair stood on end, and she almost turned and ran. Yet, Chi Buzi chuckled twice. This man, whose Dao was ruthless, indifferent, and cruel, had a pleasant laugh. He said,

"You need not fear. I do not covet any of Senior's belongings."

"The Pure Wood Dao, do you know what it's called?"

Ning Wan naturally dared not leave. Unsure of his intentions, she hesitated and shook her head. A smile appeared on Chi Buzi's face as he replied,

"Duijin is the proper position of Shenyou Metal, and Pure Wood is the proper position of Jiayi Wood. Its full name is 'Zhengmao Xunmu Exclusive Position.' Just by hearing the name, you know it's upright and proper. If one seeks this position and tries to supplement it with unorthodox methods or substitutes? That would be utterly delusional."

"But precisely… the Pure Wood Dao has few inheritors in the world. Let alone mastering all five Dao paths, gathering even three is extremely difficult… The Sima family has held one path for so many years, yet no one has ever been able to achieve the Fruition."

"Thus, Senior Yuan Xiu could only seek an intercalary method. Although I don't know where he obtained the Lushui, he intended to harmonize Pure Wood with Lushui to achieve a certain wood virtue."

Only then did he raise his eyebrows, a hint of melancholy in his expression, and said in a low voice,

"With no certainty and no method to seek gold, relying solely on a thread of conjecture, he could only fill this Dao with his own body."

Ning Wan silently lowered her head. The storm brought by the old man in the sky grew increasingly terrifying. He lifted his head, his eyes bulging, gazing directly into the sky.

His lips moved, and he finally spat out the index finger.

The index finger flew out and immediately transformed into an infant, then in an instant, a youth, and in another instant, a valiant and dashing young man. His appearance was seventy percent similar to Si Boxiu's, almost certainly his younger self. The two activated their divine abilities, sitting opposite each other, as wood and water converged in the sky, creating intense vibrations.

After a long moment, the indistinct figure nearby finally averted his gaze, shaking his head slightly in disappointment. He took out an item, seemingly a net-like object, and hid it in his hand, merely saying,

"Pity, he didn't know that thing could only be expelled after it was complete."

The other watched with cold eyes and replied,

"How could he know? He's not Master Du. How many people of this caliber are there? Master Du's achievement was by learning from his predecessors' methods. He has no Daoist inheritance; to achieve this by merely borrowing Lushui's power is impressive."

"Even if he knew, what then? He wouldn't have the ability to achieve it and then expel it. If he truly possessed that ability, he wouldn't even be unable to greet us."

One hand caught something out of thin air, and the other took it and scattered it outwards. Ning Wan remained unaware, but Chi Buzi had already stepped back, his expression complex as he watched the Dao-seeker in mid-air.

Si Boxiu rapidly withered, his hunched body shrinking into a dark, shriveled ball like a woodlouse. His high-quality magical robes were drawn in, tearing into fragments. The young man on the other side, however, grew increasingly tall and robust. A triumphant smile appeared on his face, and he extended a pale hand, snapping his fingers in the air:

"Snap!"

The wind, wood, and water of heaven and earth surged towards his body.

His attire became increasingly ornate and noble, while black patterns emerged on his face. His height continuously increased, gradually losing his original appearance.

The man scanned his surroundings, then suddenly reached out, lifted the barely breathing Si Boxiu, and chuckled,

"Since you are from the exclusive position, what was the point of seeking an intercalary method?"

The cricket in Si Boxiu's pupil finally broke out of its shell, crawling down his cheek. His lips parted and closed, silently murmuring, as his last trace of life finally flowed from his body to the other.

"Hahahahahahahahaha!"

The man's appearance was lavish and noble, yet a sharp, terrifying laugh burst from his throat. The nearby Purple Mansion cultivators all simultaneously retreated a step. The blurred figures on either side immediately vanished, and the last ray of sunlight in the world dissipated.

"Monster!"

"Boom!"

Thunder roared between heaven and earth, gales swept through, and flashes of lightning illuminated the sky, one after another. In the piercing light that cut through the darkness, a figure could vaguely be seen standing in the east.

This person appeared as a youth, very tall, with an eerie, beautiful face and slightly reddish pupils. He wore a dark robe with a white-green silk ribbon tied around his waist, and his long black hair was bound behind his head.

"Boom!"

When the next flash of lightning illuminated the sky, the man had already vanished. All the colorful lights of divine abilities on the turbulent ocean disappeared simultaneously, leaving only endless darkness and the man laughing wildly in mid-air.