Chapter 917: The Method of Seeking the Way

Fu Xuan listened, falling silent for a moment and appearing troubled. He lifted his cup, only to realize that in his haste, he hadn't poured any tea. Zhenren Chehong, standing by, stepped forward to help, answering: "I wonder where Grand Zhenren received this news. Penglai has been closed for many years, and there's been no word. Zhenren Puyu's whereabouts are also unknown, and our Pure One Lineage has little connection with Penglai..."

Chi Buzi shook his head. Since he dared to ask, he must have been confident. He said softly: "Since Senior Yuanshang is still alive, there must be a way."

Hearing this question, Fu Xuan finally broke his silence and replied: "I don't know how you obtained this information, but the matter of remolding is of immense importance. Even when Senior Yuanwu personally sought Penglai in the past, Zhenren Puyu still refused to act on his behalf. How much less would he do so for you, fellow Daoist? It's best not to harbor too much hope."

He paused briefly, then looked seriously at the green-eyed man before him: "Furthermore, achieving divine power, having one's name registered in the Underworld, and being banished beneath the Nine Nethers—even to restore life to those who died violently requires such an immense price. Without a specialized Daoist lineage, who could accomplish it? Currently, the paths of Shangwu and Bingxiu have not returned to their proper places, and souls do not manifest. How difficult this matter is, I don't need to elaborate..."

Chi Buzi smiled and shook his head, replying: "You are mistaken, fellow Daoist. Who knows what the future holds? Who knows if these two paths will return to their proper places?"

He raised an eyebrow, a relaxed expression appearing on his face, and said: "Before Liang Po Zhao Xing and Xiuyue returned to their positions, who valued array plates? What was the speed of Void travel then, and what is it now? Before Shang Qing Cong Ge and Jin Yi attained Dao, who could have imagined that Geng Dui could shift once and then a second time? What about fifty or a hundred years from now?"

Chi Buzi's ambition was immense! He was determined to achieve the rank of True Monarch, erase his name from all records, and guide the world's cultivators to follow his path; only then would his life be complete! As he cited examples of Xiuyue and Taiyuan's Dao attainment, he kept his burgeoning and surging ambition in check.A century from now, there would surely be celestial phenomena like 'Borrowing the Mansion' and 'Leaping from the Green Pool'!

He laughed: "I cultivate the Green Water, not the Golden Virtue. I am myself, and Yuanwu is Yuanwu. Fellow Daoist, please simply arrange a meeting for me. As for success or failure, or any questions I might ask, it will not implicate you."

Fu Xuan cast a deep glance at him, his heart holding little agreement, and he merely shook his head silently: 'Whether these two paths return or not, no one's word counts. Has the Underworld not had thoughts of their return over all these years? It's just that the time isn't right, or the right person hasn't appeared!'

Outwardly, he nodded silently and replied: "Alright! Within three months, I will surely get news. If it doesn't work out, consider it my lineage owing you a favor!"

Hearing this, Chi Buzi readily released his grip. Chehong immediately stepped forward to present the miniature cauldron and the ink-black string of beads. These two treasures, long separated from their master, now gleamed, appearing extremely excited.

Chi Buzi took his Rain-Observing Cauldron and Mo Tang from Chehong's hands, while Fu Xuan, overcome with emotion, picked up the jade box, appearing somewhat flustered."Good... good..."

Chi Buzi merely smiled at him: "I will wait nearby... I will certainly come to meet you after three months."With that, he lightly waved his sleeve, transformed into a streak of light, passed through the array, and vanished into the Emptiness.

As soon as Chi Buzi left, Fu Xuan, standing before him, instantly lost his composure. He sprang from his seat, hugging the jade box tightly to his chest, and strode towards the cave dwelling, saying in a deep voice: "Guard well! Get a clear explanation!"

Chehong immediately stood guard gravely at the cave entrance, carefully questioning the old man about the situation within Chi Buzi's secret realm. Fu Xuan hastened into the cave, going deeper and deeper, and soon, in the innermost part of the dwelling, he saw a mirror shimmering with silver light.It was the Tai Qun Spirit Mirror!

This silver light scattered over the ground, transforming into a calm, unruffled moon-white illusion. It was an expanse of silvery-white, spanning just over ten paces from end to end—not even as large as a wealthy household's courtyard—containing only a table and a chair.An old man stood by the table, quietly staring at a chess game. Hearing the movement, he finally raised his silver-white eyes and nodded, saying: "Ling Jiao is here."

Zhenren Fu Xuan immediately bowed.Everyone in the world knew Fu Xuan for his exceptional talent and for revitalizing the Pure One Lineage, but very few knew that this Zhenren, who presided over the Pure One Dao, was not originally named Xi. It was Zhenren Yuanshang himself who bestowed upon him the name Xi Lingjiao after he joined the Pure One Lineage.

Only before this elder did Fu Xuan need no pretense. His face lit up with great joy as he hastily placed the jade box on the table, bowing and saying: "Congratulations, Master!"

Zhenren Yuanshang's expression gradually turned serious. With a gentle flick of his finger, he opened the lid of the jade box, revealing a noble and mysterious spiritual item within. He was instantly stunned.The old man's eyes slowly reddened, and his voice became hoarse: "The Profound Dan Lunar Spirit Item!""The Profound Dan Lunar White Moon Laurel Branch, born from moonlight water, grown in lunar lands, for averting disaster and dispelling misfortune! How did this come to be?"

Zhenren Fu Xuan's eyes brimmed with tears as he quietly nodded, watching the old man before him seem to lose strength little by little and sink onto his seat. Zhenren Fu Xuan choked out: "It has been found! It was precisely Chi Buzi who obtained it!"

Upon hearing this, Zhenren Yuanshang's eyes lowered slightly, and he sighed profoundly, replying: "What good is finding it now?! What year and month is it already... What use is this body of mine... other than barely surviving under the Tai Qun Spirit Mirror?"

He slowly raised his hand and gently rested it on the box. His expression gradually deepened. With a flick of his index finger, the box quickly closed, and the scattered white flowers and golden laurel branches vanished from sight. The old man's mood slowly calmed, returning to its original composed state.

Zhenren Fu Xuan softly urged: "Master... please give it a try!"

Zhenren Yuanshang silently shook his head and replied: "This Illumination of Profound Radiance stretches sixteen paces from one end to the other, and I cannot take a single step beyond it. I have merely lingered here for fifty-six years; I no longer have any desire to strive for the True Monarch realm.""This item can only be left for you!"

Fu Xuan immediately frowned, but saw Zhenren Yuanshang's solemn expression as he spoke: "The Ancestor left a will back then, stating that with the Lunar locked and spiritual items severed, he left behind the Profound Lunar Seeking Method for us descendants to pursue the True Monarch position. The Ancestor used the Longmu He Guang Baihao back then, but it returned without success. In fact, there are two remaining..."

"What?!"Fu Xuan was instantly shocked, unable to help but blurt out.He knew about the Profound Lunar Seeking Method.The Lunar is the highest and most noble spiritual fruit, and proving it has become exceedingly difficult since it ceased to manifest in the world; almost no one attempts it now. Yet, the Pure One Lineage's confidence lay in this secret method of the Solar Dao tradition: the Profound Lunar Seeking Method!This art is an extremely profound secret technique, used to seek a sliver of hope from remaining positions. It involves using spiritual items of extremely high rank, connected to these remaining positions, to empower one's breakthrough to True Monarch, resonating with the secret method to achieve better results.And Jie Qun, the ancestor of the Pure One Lineage, once had an opportunity, obtaining a Longmu He Guang Baihao specifically for his breakthrough!

As soon as this was said, Fu Xuan was naturally bewildered, and deep confusion welled up: "Then why, Master—!"

Zhenren Yuanshang said softly: "You, however, have not read that secret method, and so you wouldn't know... Through calculation with the secret method, even though the Lunar Dao does not manifest, there must be a remaining position that, though hidden, has become clear again, capable of accommodating later practitioners... Your grand-master once discussed this with me. It might be that an immortal's divine power was astonishing, leaving behind a contingency, using some profound light or magical artifact to fix this remaining position..."

Fu Xuan listened, deeply convinced, but then saw the old man before him suddenly reveal a trace of resentment and pain: "But no matter how the Ancestor calculated back then, he couldn't determine precisely which remaining position it was. Needless to say, it must have been some True Monarch who used their divine power to obscure it, making it undetectable even by ghosts and gods!""We can only try!"

He shook his head, somewhat painfully, and replied: "Why did the Ancestor fail back then? I believe the remaining position corresponding to the Longmu He Guang Baihao was certainly ineffective!""We, standing at a lower vantage point, cannot see clearly, like mayflies observing the sun and moon, perceiving it as an opportunity for Dao attainment. But viewed from the perspective of the great powerful beings, this spot might be a crucial, hidden point on the grand chessboard, not to be seen by others!"

Fu Xuan suddenly realized, his expression grave, and immediately understood: "So, the remaining two... Master has kept them on the mountain, never activating them! And now, this Profound Dan Lunar Spirit Item is the one truly worth trying!"

Zhenren Yuanshang sighed: "Precisely..."With that, he pressed down on the jade box on the table and softly said: "It is proper for our Pure One Lineage to greatly flourish. You are a genius rarely seen in a century, and what's more remarkable is that you have advanced step by step to this day amidst the harm inflicted by various factions, capable of protecting future generations. Later, Guanghou emerged, and I was fortunate to have a pillar of strength. I never expected Chehong to be even more exceptional. With the two of you... there's no need to waste it on me!"

Zhenren Fu Xuan sighed in silence, while Yuanshang, on the contrary, was overjoyed. He refocused his gaze, cradling the jade box, and happily exclaimed: "The quality of this Profound Dan Lunar White Moon Laurel Branch is exceptional; it's likely from the Wei era. I heard that the Lady of the World's Navel obtained a branch before she attained Dao, refining it into a talisman to avert disaster and reduce karma. Although we cannot take it for our own use, it amply demonstrates the preciousness of this item!"

"Indeed."Fu Xuan merely whispered: "I've asked Chehong to inquire further, to find out which family owns that cave dwelling..."

As he spoke, Zhenren Yuanshang's movements subtly froze, yet the expression on his face remained gentle and natural. In a barely perceptible voice, he said: "No need to ask."Zhenren Fu Xuan raised an eyebrow slightly, then immediately lowered his head and replied: "Yes."

A moment of silence fell within the cave. Zhenren Yuanshang shook his head and said: "The matter promised to Chi Buzi must also be inquired about for him. I will write a letter to Puyu to ask his intentions... In the past, Yuansu and Zimu were most familiar with him, but he is a solitary person; no one dares to claim to be his close friend. Whether he comes depends both on my reputation and on Chi Buzi's."

Fu Xuan bowed and quickly retreated, leaving the old Zhenren sitting quietly amidst a silvery glow, gazing at the jade box before him. His expression was somber, and for a long time, he could not speak:'Who sent this, I wonder... The Green Water one? Probably not... That one is deep-minded and cares nothing for worldly affairs. Besides Sui Guan, who could represent him?!'

East Sea.Chi Buzi sped on, traveling day and night, journeying outward from the East Sea. This time, he did not choose a direction beyond Peacock Sea, but instead proceeded along the World's Navel, diving into one of the most secluded regions.

Upon reaching the deep underground, he found a place devoid of spiritual energy, established a cave dwelling, and sat quietly cross-legged to review his plans.

'Yuanshang is indeed still alive... Chi Wei was right. The Illumination of Profound Radiance can stabilize the six senses, gather essence, avoid detection, and evade calamities. This old man must be the longest-lived, and though he cannot leave his dwelling, he still has at least another decade or so...'His gaze was calm as he secretly calculated:'Does the Underworld know? The Tai Qun Spirit Mirror is masterless, and it's not Jie Qun using it, so how could it be hidden from them? I think they believe he can seek gold and have agreed with him. Anyway, the Tai Qun Spirit Mirror won't protect him for much longer, so they might as well grant him this favor.'

As for Penglai, Chi Buzi was not acting on a whim. He not only wanted to meet Puyu but also intended to visit the Penglai Quhai Sect!'According to my plan, Chi Buzi, once I abandon the Green Water path, I will certainly seek the next life. Puyu must be met, whether the matter succeeds or fails... it will be an excellent outcome. And if I can enter the Penglai Grotto-Heaven, it would be even better!'

For no other reason than that Penglai was an extremely special place.'Penglai is a celestial monarch's lineage, the inheritance of the Celestial Monarch Chufu. Celestial blessings linger there, inviolable and awe-inspiring. I've also heard that Celestial Monarch Chufu possessed great merits, and all Daoist paths hold him in high esteem; his status is entirely unique...'And the Penglai Grotto-Heaven was one of the few places in the current era confirmed to be suppressed by an immortal artifact!

Chi Buzi wasn't entirely certain, but he secretly had an eighty to ninety percent conviction—once he had visited the Penglai Grotto-Heaven, the various karmic entanglements on his person would become hundreds of times more complex, and undergo a qualitative leap!

'Even though I won't remember anything by then, it will still make the mystical secrets on my person less easily calculable... reducing some risks, even a small bit of help is good.'

From beginning to end, Chi Buzi considered the worst-case scenario. In fact, with Green Water injured and completely ignoring him, it was entirely possible for him to fall into the Green Whispers Heaven in one breath. But for Chi Buzi, with only one life, no amount of overthinking was too much!

Beyond this matter, a greater concern brewed in his heart.'As time drew closer day by day, immortal merit was hard to come by, and the days for successful exchange... became even more distant...'

Chi Buzi had spent all his previous immortal merit and received guidance from the Daoist lineage. To be honest, a few skirmishes and mental exercises were a world apart from the value of what he exchanged for, and he never regretted it. However, what ultimately limited him was time.

Moreover, as he killed demons and slew "Pity" several times, the risk of this matter continuously increased, clenching his heart:'It would be best if I could obtain the cultivation method this time... If not, the future will be too dangerous... But even if I get the cultivation method, the "Seeking Gold" method is worth hundreds or thousands of times more, so how difficult will that be?'

He could only close his eyes tightly and silently pray: "This humble cultivator Chi Buzi respectfully invites the Lunar..."

As streaks of white light flashed before his eyes, a sensation of weightlessness reappeared. Chi Buzi took an illusory step, his vision brightened, and he finally found himself back in that courtyard.

Even though he had experienced it more than once, Chi Buzi still felt an incomprehensible sense of awe. The deeper his cultivation, the more he understood how terrifying this power was, capable of seizing him from tens of thousands of miles away.

Four white jade lamp stands reappeared before him. The place remained immutably bright and pristine, seemingly as eternal as the grotto-heaven itself. Chi Buzi paused slightly, realizing the courtyard was empty.'That dimwit is slacking off again!'

Chi Buzi was now much more familiar with things, knowing quite a bit. Except for the first time, when that dimwit was on duty for the first time and waited beforehand, subsequent times had almost never been on schedule. So, he emerged from the circular pool in the center and waited quietly by its side.

After only a moment, the courtyard gate creaked open, and a young immortal official with light-green eyes pushed it inward, excitedly stepping in and calling out: "Oh! Grand Zhenren Chi has arrived!"