Chapter 962: Feathered Serpent's Golden Nature

Chibu Zi's mind worked quickly. His gaze flickered across the other man's face before settling on his cup. He said softly, "Regardless, I must thank you, Fellow Daoist, and Senior Yuanshang, for stepping forward this time. Otherwise, there would have been no turning point."

Now that Penglai had been invited, Fu Xuan understood that Chibu Zi no longer secretly doubted whether his own True Immortal Yuanshang had died, and his words were more affirmative. However, in response to Chibu Zi's thanks, he remained silent.

Although Fu Xuan was not as filled with righteous indignation as his two younger relatives, and despite having some lingering friendship with Chibu Zi from their earlier acquaintance, an old knot remained in his heart. The unspoken line he had drawn between good and evil prevented him from crossing it, so he simply closed his eyes and sipped his tea.

The green-eyed man, however, seemed unconcerned. He sat upright in his seat, calmly holding his cup.

"Whoosh..." The wind howled through the courtyard, passing along his sleeves, making his green robe rustle in the breeze. The ink-black beads at his waist also swayed slightly.

The wind gently stirred the hair at Fu Xuan's temples. He suddenly opened his eyes and looked towards the last empty seat by the table.

Wisps of light cloud drifted, purple magical light condensed, Yin energy surged, and silver flowed—various phenomena materialized in the seat. They first brightened inexplicably, then quickly dissolved into nothingness. Then, a sleeve, seemingly adorned with hanging bird feathers, swept across the table, and a jade-like hand picked up a cup.

A handsome man with delicate features and charming phoenix eyes had appeared.

Chibu Zi continued to sip his tea, his gaze lowered, while the wind in the courtyard quickly died down. He spoke with a smile, "Lord Wei."

As soon as he finished speaking, the strong wind intensified. Lùshui, dark green like a deep pool, expanded beneath the three of them. They heard the dripping sound of water, and the surroundings grew dim, filled with mist that enveloped everything. It was as if they had left the hall and arrived above a deep, secluded pond.

In this dark, seemingly netherworldly place, the man before them, whose gender was hard to distinguish, smiled faintly and said in a clear voice, "Brother Buzi."

Pale and dark Jueyin rolled like waves, emitting crisp sounds like colliding beads. Wei Xuanyin sat facing north, and all the light in the courtyard seemed to fall upon him. Behind him, a circular screen seemed to unfurl, vaguely revealing branches with needle-like leaves and fuzzy textures in all directions.

"Buzz!" Amidst the fierce struggle between Jueyin and Lùshui, only one area, like moonlight spilling onto the ground, slowly traced a circle. At some point, Fu Xuan had already embraced his sword, his eyes closed in silence.

The divine abilities separated instantly, and all anomalies vanished. The color faded from the eyes of Wei Xuanyin and Chibu Zi. Not even a ripple disturbed the teacups on the table; they remained quietly placed before the two men.

"Fellow Daoist Chi, it's been a while!" Wei Xuanyin smiled faintly, a hint of emotion in his eyes. "I knew you were a first-rate figure, but I never expected you to transcend Zidu so easily!"

Chibu Zi watched him calmly, displaying an indifferent, detached demeanor. He said softly, "Lord Wei, I presume you didn't come all the way from the north, despite your busy schedule, just for pleasantries."

Wei Xuanyin's smile gradually faded. He said gravely, "You know well why this matter must be decided in the East Sea. For years, the Lord has never let go of any aspect of the Feathered Serpent's golden nature. Even the Underworld wouldn't interfere much on this point. Do you understand the implications of this action, Fellow Daoist?"

Chibu Zi's expression remained calm. "Otherwise, I wouldn't be here."

Wei Xuanyin took a jade box from his sleeve and gently placed it on the table, pressing it with his five fingers, which were as white as jade. Chibu Zi narrowed his eyes slightly and asked, "How is Sui Guan?"

Wei Xuanyin said with amusement, "He returned to Luyutian and was hidden by the Lord using Chou Gui Cang. Now he is free from karma, residing in a dark place... no one can calculate his whereabouts."

A hint of sarcasm appeared in Chibu Zi's eyes, and he chuckled, "It's not the first time."

Wei Xuanyin also smiled, gently opening the jade box to reveal a small, pale golden seal inside. It was two fingers wide and three fingers high. A fierce and majestic feathered serpent coiled upon the seal, its two wings enveloping and shading the sides.

The feathered serpent seemed to possess some magical power, preventing the three from looking away. Chibu Zi did not reach out, but slowly shifted his gaze and said unhurriedly, "I have one more question for Lord Wei."

Wei Xuanyin smiled, "Please."

Chibu Zi's voice was low and thoughtful: "Chou Gui likes to hide, residing in hidden water. Since the Lord can hide... he can even hide the Feathered Serpent's ancestral status left to its descendants—hiding it so that the Feathered Serpent is featherless, and its tail lacks three hooks... But knowing there might be golden nature within the seal, why not put it away? Why let it wander everywhere?"

His eyes calmly fixed on the other man: "If you say someone should retrieve it—even a True Monarch cannot, how could I?"

Wei Xuanyin glanced at Fu Xuan, whose face was gradually paling, and clapped his hands, saying, "As expected, Fellow Daoist is formidable!"

He stood up, his tone deep and serious: "The Xinyou Luzhe Seal is the Feathered Serpent's token. Legend says it was always one of the Feathered Serpent's choices for a magical artifact, but later the Feathered Serpent chose Pingtangguang, and this item passed into the hands of Serpent Monarch Mi Xuan."

"When the True Chi devoured Lù, opening the ancient era, Lùhe responded, and Serpent Monarch Mi Xuan fled. Dongfang Riju, the head of the nine sons and Dragon King of the East Sea, who considered himself the foremost Chi descendant, sensed something was wrong but couldn't find him. He then sought out Dongfang Yuezhu, the Dragon King of the West Sea, but even together, they couldn't calculate it."

"From that point on, various cultivators secretly suspected that the Xinyou Luzhe Seal contained golden nature, serving as a fallback for the Feathered Serpent."

His expression gradually shifted, and he said solemnly, "As a Great Saint who achieved enlightenment in the primordial era, True Chi naturally wouldn't act in vain. Originally, there was indeed confidence, but it was an unprecedented event, and ultimately, it fell. In ancient times, there was the feat of 'Empty Attestation.' Although it fell, its achievements were no less than theirs. With the story of 'Lù' transforming into 'He,' the two Lùhe entities are now different."

A faint magical light shimmered in his eyes, and his divine abilities spontaneously operated, seemingly employing some hidden power to avoid the karma associated with presumptuous discussions of ancient matters: "Serpent Monarch Mi Xuan cultivated in silence, refusing to enter 'Run' or 'Yu,' secretly aided by the Master of Kan Water. He reincarnated three times, cleansing his spirit and taking on a human form, intending to secretly seize the position of Lùshui. However, in Ji, he encountered the then-unenlightened Lord of Yuzhen and lost his life."

"From then on, the Xinyou Luzhe Seal fell into the hands of the Yuanfu."

Wei Xuanyin paused. Seeing Chibu Zi's expressionless face, he knew the other man also understood much, and was merely seeking confirmation. He said softly, "It wasn't until True Immortal Donghua appeared that this item finally reappeared in the human world. He gave it to Ning Tiaoxiao, who cultivated Lùshui. It is rumored that Chi Wei secretly leaked information that this item had been refined by moonlight, transformed into a great divine marvel that can guide Lùhe. If its golden nature remains, its profound implications need not be elaborated by me."

"And the Feathered Serpent is not only being watched by the Lord, but also by the Dragons, and by all cultivators."

Wei Xuanyin smiled, "The world is now completely transformed. The Lord's methods are brilliant, firmly securing the Lù position, while the Dragons are domineering, suppressing the Feathered Serpent. They are all sitting comfortably, unafraid of a mere trace of golden nature. For both the Lord and the Dragons, whether they can obtain it or not, destroying one of its fallback plans is always good. On this point, their interests align. They are simply waiting for Ning Tiaoxiao to break through, to see what kind of fallback plan will be activated."

"Therefore, Ning Tiaoxiao secretly understood the crucial point and swore not to cultivate divine abilities..."

"No, that's incorrect."

Chibu Zi's expression was calm as he quietly interrupted him, responding, "If that were true, how could the Lord allow him not to cultivate? How could the Dragons allow him not to cultivate? Fellow Daoist, don't answer me with indifference; I understand the Lord better than you do."

Wei Xuanyin's expression froze for a moment. He re-examined Chibu Zi, then said softly, "I also asked Lord Sui Guan that question."

"As soon as the Xinyou Luzhe Seal appeared, it was brought back to Qingchi, and the Lord examined it."

A certain uncertainty flickered in his eyes: "There should be a result. It was the doing of the previous Lord of Yuzhen. His profound 'Fusion with Truth' divine ability was left within... According to Lord Xue's speculation, the golden nature should be in the cave abode of that Yuzhen master. When the master breaks through, it will connect with it and descend into the human world."

Chibu Zi already understood and laughed, "At that time, none of you wanted to alarm him, nor did you want to hold this hot potato that connects to the original Lord of Yuzhen. So what you said earlier was just the first layer of truth that descended. You, I, the Three Primes, and the Two Zis were all involved. Ning Tiaoxiao would rather die than become the Lord's resource, yet he didn't know that those in heaven were coldly watching, precisely wishing for him not to cultivate, letting him die in ignorance, deceived by a single statement!"

He slowly stood up, his tone light and revealing the clarity of sudden realization: "So, Chi Wei's death was not unjust, and his failure to acquire the golden nature was also predestined. Since the Xinyou Luzhe Seal could help its owner activate the golden nature and attract the attention of the original Lord of Yuzhen, he was undoubtedly a potential threat. A large part of the interruption of the Lùshui lineage lies with the Xinyou Luzhe Seal, which also dissuaded those who initially intended to cause trouble for the Lord."

A chilling intent gleamed in his eyes: "And another layer... the attainment of True Monarch Shangyuan confirmed that the renowned original Lord of Yuzhen had already gone beyond the heavens. It was only then that Ning Tiaoxiao, without deterrent protection and without hope of breakthrough, would certainly die! The Xinyou Luzhe Seal would then quickly disappear, smoothly becoming a chess piece that several Lords could pick up and use, keeping it in their possession."

Wei Xuanyin smiled as he looked at him and replied, "What happened back then... the people from the Solar Dao Lineage showed it to me at Guanxie, in exchange for their family's current right to remain neutral. Even though they interfered several times from beginning to end, and even at the last moment someone tried to intervene, they were still let off lightly. That's the reason."

Fu Xuan, standing by, was deeply shaken and looked at him in disbelief. Chibu Zi, however, was not surprised; he gave two cold laughs, "I knew it was him!"

Only then did Chibu Zi's gaze fall upon the Xinyou Luzhe Seal, revealing an extremely profound contemplative look. He said quietly, "...It eliminated the ulterior motives of both sides. So, both the Lord and the Dragons hope that I will draw out this trace of golden nature..."

The other's implication was that his own path lay with one of these two factions!

Indeed, Wei Xuanyin smiled and nodded, saying, "Fellow Daoist cultivates Lùshui, so you must understand these matters better than I do. The matter of Lù dissolving into He Water carries an extremely weighty karma. If you were to dissolve your cultivation and cultivate He Water, combined with your talent, you would absolutely surpass ninety-nine percent of all individuals! Not to mention, your cultivation would undoubtedly advance by leaps and bounds!"

"But it also needs to succeed in transforming!" Chibu Zi replied. The other man smiled, "As long as the Dragons are willing to help you, there will be a turning point. If you dissolve your cultivation and transform into He Water, with the principles of that path, there is hope for the future. And if you pledge allegiance to the Lord... you can also try to seek the 'Yu' position. The decision is yours, Fellow Daoist."

His words, though perhaps containing some jest, were very clear. Two paths lay before him, both predicated on extracting the golden nature: either pledging allegiance to the Dragons, reincarnating, and cultivating 'He,' or pledging allegiance to Lù and becoming 'Yu.'

Chibu Zi's features grew colder. He gazed at the small golden seal for a long time, unable to tear his eyes away: 'Though He Water favors "Run," how could the Dragons allow "Yu"? The Lord's heart is unfathomable, how can Lùshui become "Yu"! Neither path is easy...'

'Moreover... how can something be attained just by saying it can be attained... Where are the principles of the path? And where is the method for acquiring gold?'

Yet Fu Xuan's words still echoed in his mind. His earlier judgment of Ning Tiaoxiao's predicament now extended to himself: 'How can the Lord allow one not to cultivate? How can the Dragons allow one not to cultivate? Some opportunities, once acquired, cannot be questioned as to their origin, and must be utilized!'

He could only silently put away the jade box before him, staring quietly at Wei Xuanyin: "Many thanks, Lord Wei!"

"No problem!" Wei Xuanyin also stopped smiling. Among those whose divine abilities were nearing completion, who might contend for the fruit of enlightenment and attain 'Run' or 'Yu' status, which one hadn't traded their life for a chance at enlightenment in the torrent of their era?

'Whether it's me or Chibu Zi, the elder generation of Erzi Yuanshang Yuandao... even Ye Gui! We at least have some room to maneuver, unlike that Li Zhouwei... No matter how high their destiny, they still wait for death like cattle and sheep confined in a pen!'

At this moment, a sense of shared plight arose, and he no longer teased Chibu Zi, watching him dissolve into Lùshui and vanish.

As Chibu Zi left, Fu Xuan's gaze became complex. He wasn't sure if he envied Chibu Zi's ability to choose within the great current of events, or if he lamented that Chibu Zi's keenness allowed him to step onto that stage and gain some insight. He reflected, "I finally understand why Master could see Xiao Jinzhou as a seed of enlightenment! Such individuals truly exist."

"Achieving it through circumstances, he was originally an ambitious individual," Wei Xuanyin replied, then added, "He certainly has no intention of being subservient to others. His last divine ability's whereabouts are unknown, but in any case... it's most likely not the upright Kan Water position, which isn't suitable for his breakthrough."

"What remains are the He Lù Fu Pin. The Lord also has means within his soul. He Water is clearly pro-Dragon, and Lùshui certainly won't come out of nowhere. Even if it did, he wouldn't dare cultivate it; there would be suspicion of him using Dragon power to seize the Lùshui fruit position, and sudden death would be possible. Perhaps he'll choose a 'Fu Water' close to Lùshui to seek 'Yu,' or select a 'Pin Water' for a safe reincarnation!"

Wei Xuanyin's cultivation was extremely high. Swiftly and incisively, he analyzed the matter with perfect clarity. His earlier attempts to probe may well have been to test Chibu Zi's final divine ability. Now, he finally turned his gaze to Fu Xuan, saying somewhat helplessly, "You didn't hesitate to personally intervene and push this matter through for me... I presume it's still for that one reason..."

"Lord Wei is insightful!" Fu Xuan's gaze was calm, his voice clear: "The Solar Dao Lineage is ultimately my fellow disciples... Now that both families have withdrawn to the mountains and no longer act, I ask that you all spare them... Do not pursue them to extinction!"

"Pursue to extinction..." Wei Xuanyin merely said, "Pursuing to extinction is not what we do... If you want to find someone, you should look to the Underworld!"

Fu Xuan lowered his gaze and said, "Please, Lord Wei, show me a way out!"

Wei Xuanyin stood up and drifted away, leaving only one sentence behind: "Do not inquire further into mortal affairs. If one were to adhere to the rule of separation between immortals and mortals, and had not taken control of the region and dismembered the Yue Kingdom back then, how could there be today?"