Great Red Immortal Sect

Chapter 482 Qingyun
The peaks are high and steep, and the rocks seem to sway.

The sky, as if cast from silver and iron, began to shatter, gradually covered by fine lightning clouds, while the Thunder City remained high in the sky, echoing the phenomena of the Tribulation Pool and the Heavenly Prison.

The Heavenly Tribulation once again seized the opportune moment, with black and white lightning crisscrossing like beams and pillars, sharp as spears and swords, surrounding the old Taoist priest in the center.

Xu Xuan had already put away the other spiritual weapons. Holding a sword in one hand and a seal in the other, he slowly sensed the changes in his divine abilities. The long-dormant Qilin image in the [Heavenly Tribulation] began to stir, as if it had been completed.

The [Puhua Imperial Thunder Seal] is a mid-grade spiritual artifact in the field of thunder. It was once a spiritual treasure of the Thunder Palace Yu Shi Mansion, but its power suddenly increased after it fell into his hands.

Both sides attacked again without prior agreement. The golden autumn energy seemed to boil over. Bao Qiu summoned a golden brick, and the three-legged toad on it seemed to come alive, pressing down with layers of hidden gold light.

Xu Xuan activated the seal, and all the black and white lightning in the sky was absorbed into the seal. The black unicorn statue seemed to come back to life, stirring up rolling thunder and fire, and stepped down to meet the light of the myriad layers of hidden gold.

He gripped his sword again and slashed out, a line of lightning shooting into the sky, parting the layers of golden energy. The four characters "敕雷荡邪" (Commanding Thunder to Dispel Evil) beneath the lightning seal suddenly shone brightly, making the power of this sword strike even greater.

Boom!

The golden energy between heaven and earth surged with thunder, and the light of hidden gold swept in one after another, the thunder imprint and the golden brick clashing together.

Bao Qiu, standing to the side, was unable to withstand the sword intent. Her protective magic light was broken, and she had no choice but to use the [Autumn Cutting Cube] to block it. However, a wave of iridescent light landed on the white iron cube, causing its Yin light to fluctuate.

This Lesser Yin spiritual artifact was of a very high rank. It only wavered for a moment before returning to normal. However, in that very instant, Xu Xuan's sword intent had already struck Bao Qiu's face.

The old Taoist raised his head and faced the brilliant sword intent directly. His protective magic light was instantly broken, and the sword intent, now unimpeded, struck him directly, but without drawing blood. Only the green light of the sword changed.

Bao Qiu emerged from a small wooden figure as if her soul had left her body, while Dan Ting struck the wooden figure, and even the lightning did not continue to spread to its life.

A technique to avoid calamity!

Right now, this old Taoist priest is using a wonderful technique to avoid disaster. It is a technique of the Wood-avoiding lineage. He uses the method of creating a clone to take the blame. The blue cloth bag suddenly opens its mouth, but it does not shine on Xu Xuan. Instead, it shines on Dan Ting.

Amidst a blinding white light, a weathered jade coin shot out from Bao Qiu's hand, striking Dan Ting and suppressing the spiritual sword. He then looked at Xu Xuan and began casting a spell.

The golden brick above shone several times brighter, and then suddenly fell again, from which a radiant light of metal pulsed.

A sharp pain shot through Xu Xuantian's head. He maintained the [Puhua Edict Thunder Seal] and simultaneously summoned the [Snow-Bathing Branch].

This cold, yin-spirited artifact, having undergone refinement at the Frost Plum Sect's Purple Mansion, contained immense magical power and consumed little energy. At this moment, he swept it upwards, causing a fierce wind and snowstorm, filling the sky with frost, instantly freezing the golden energy and turning it into scattered flakes of silver snow.

At this moment, both of them stopped fighting, probably realizing that if they continued, it would only be a matter of life and death. They secretly used their supernatural powers to resist each other and confronted one another.

Bao Qiu looked at the Thunder Seal in Xu Xuan's hand, recognized its origin, and her gaze gradually hardened.

"A medium-grade spiritual treasure, a weapon of the She Lei."

He comes from the Duobao Dao lineage, which is a rich collection of spiritual artifacts from all over the world. He has even collected items from Beichen and Donghua. He is undoubtedly a master in this field, so he naturally knows the origin of this artifact.

If you ask this old Taoist, although the Great Li Sword Immortal before him has many spiritual weapons, most of them are not in accordance with the Daoist tradition and have not been refined. They can not exert much effect. At most, they can use the mutual restraint of elements. If it comes to fighting, sword intent is better.

But sword immortals have their own noble qualities. People like him, who come from the immortal path of the cave heaven, can only barely achieve the killing power of sword intent by wielding the spiritual treasures of their own path and enhancing them with magic.

However, this requires supernatural powers to activate, hand seals to cast spells, and consumes magical energy. How can it compare to a single sword strike, which consumes almost no energy, moves freely, and is executed at will, with many wondrous hidden within?

"This seal is quite good; it is far superior to that spirit sword. Fellow Daoist, you should consider changing your weapon."

Bao Qiu smiled slightly, showing no sign of panic. He stroked his beard and laughed. Xu Xuan simply stretched out his hand, and a soaring sword light burst forth from Dan Ting, shattering a precious coin into pieces before returning in an instant.

The sword spirit transformed into a thunderbird and flew out, its long cry seemingly filled with dissatisfaction. Its silvery-white pupils stared intently at Bao Qiu beside it.

Xu Xuan sheathed his spirit sword, concealing his supernatural powers, and sighed:
"This sword is a reforged version of my Qi Refining Technique Sword, a gift from my elders, and I am reluctant to exchange it."

Xu Xuan slowly turned his sword around. Bao Qiu was very composed. He was unwilling to fight this person to the death, but only wanted to have a brief exchange to help Lu Yu.

That's all the help I can offer.

This old Taoist priest is extremely difficult to deal with. If we really want to determine a winner, I'm afraid I'll have to use the [Sir of Calamity] move, and then I really won't be able to stop.

The other party's attitude was relatively friendly, and they were also a highly skilled cultivator from an overseas grotto-heaven. Xu Xuan naturally did not want to form a deadly enmity without knowing the reason. For now, he could only go with the flow and see if there was an opportunity to escape to Lu Yu's location.

In the distance, a jade-green pool hung high in the sky, its spiritual light clashing fiercely with the energy of the Kan and Gui elements, attracting the attention of the two.

Lu Yu and that Kan Shui Zi Fu seemed to be fighting fiercely, unleashing their supernatural powers and spiritual treasures in the air, almost severing the spiritual vein beneath this Hua Chi, causing mountains to shift and rivers to change course.

"Are you a friend of True Person Luyu, or do you owe a favor to the First Daoist?"

When Bao Qiu asked this question, Xu Xuan hesitated for a moment before answering directly:
"The Immortal Daoist Shi Yi gave me the cultivation method, and I previously swore to assist him in his work, so I should come here."

The old man raised an eyebrow, seemingly having guessed something, and said with a chuckle:
“Lu Yu is not a fair person. He dragged you into this with just one scroll of cultivation. He has a profound foundation in the First Dao. Can’t he invite anyone else? There are also many Purple Mansion cultivators in the cave. Even if they are great cultivators of the She Lei Dao, they are not lacking.”

"You seek the supernatural powers of this path, but how do you know that this immortal path may not be using you as a test of the waters? [The Looting Temple] seeks immortality through the temple, its ambitions are not small."

Xu Xuan, with his supernatural perception, felt that Bao Qiu's words were quite sincere, as if he were giving a warning.

"The path to enlightenment is difficult to complete, and the teachings should not be easily passed on. Since the method is genuine, I should keep my promise."

He responded solemnly. Bao Qiu's words revealed a lot of information. If what he said was true, then there was probably a Purple Mansion cultivator practicing the Great Dao of Immortals in the First Cave Heaven.

"Fellow Daoist, you have already become a hero of our time by cultivating sword intent, but it is a pity that you have chosen the wrong path."

The old Taoist priest stared intently at him, his tone solemn, and said only:

"Our Duobao Dao lineage accepts all cultivators and teaches without discrimination. Although it is located in a grotto-heaven, the Daoist gate is wide open. Among them, apart from those who have hidden gold, there have always been many other high-ranking cultivators from other Daoist sects who have entered the palace to avoid disaster."

"If you, fellow Daoist, have the opportunity to be reincarnated and do not cultivate the Thunder God's power, then—"

The distant Huachi suddenly collapsed, and Xu Xuan looked at it, his tone growing somber.

"I only live one life. Even if there is a chance to be reincarnated, I would not want to do it."

These words surprised Bao Qiu, who was standing to the side, slightly. She seemed puzzled.

In the distance, a sound of mountains collapsing echoed, followed by torrential rain and dark blue clouds rising into the sky.

A young man in crimson robes appeared from within the beam of light on the water. His eyebrows were raised, and he held a sky-blue cloud banner that had been torn open at the chest, turning it a dark blue color from which dewdrops fell. He called out from afar, seemingly unwilling to accept defeat.

“Lu Yu has offered up the Heavenly Rain Stone, Fellow Daoist Bao Qiu, there’s no need to argue anymore.”

The young man soared into the sky, disappearing into the clear and turbid streams, while the dark blue clouds behind him did not pursue him further, but simply guarded this magnificent pool.

"【Xinling】has been defeated?"

Bao Qiu turned her gaze to the patch of dark blue clouds, but there was not much surprise in her eyes, as if she had expected it.

"These are none of my business. I shall take my leave now. Fellow Daoist Pijie, we shall meet again in the future."

The old Taoist opened the blue cloth bag in his hand, and the light inside disappeared. He opened the bag and put the person inside, then the golden rope coiled up and tied the bag closed.

The entire treasure bag shrank in the wind, becoming as small as a mustard seed, until it vanished without a trace, disappearing beyond the cave. "The Daoist Lineage of Many Treasures."

Xu Xuan secretly calculated that the cultivation level of this Master Baoqiu was so profound that it was almost unfathomable. What was even more terrifying was his wealth. The spiritual artifacts on his body could probably only be compared to those of the direct descendants of the Golden Core lineage.

"This person's cultivation is extraordinary; he should be the first-class below the Great True Man, and would be considered a celestial talent even in ancient times."

At this moment, Tian Tuo spoke up. He had been observing this Master Bao Qiu for a long time and finally gave his conclusion: he was indeed extraordinary.

"However, the speed of cultivation is a bit slow. If one truly possesses such profound knowledge, one should have already reached the late stage by now."

Xu Xuan could naturally sense that this Master Baoqiu seemed to be nearing the end of his lifespan, yet he was still cultivating the Three Divine Powers. If he were to reach the peak of his cultivation, his lifespan would likely be nearing its end as well.

"A late bloomer, which suits his intentions perfectly. Perhaps this person has a desire for wealth and is doing this intentionally."

The dark azure clouds in the distance gradually dissipated, and strange sounds echoed. Xu Xuan's Xuan Seal began to heat up, while Lu Yu Zhenren transmitted his voice from afar:
"Fellow Daoist Xu."

Xu Xuan rode the wind and instantly descended into the ruins of Huachi. The collapsed mountains and rivers on all sides were filled with dark blue Gui water, which was deep and heavy. Raindrops drifted and clouds stretched across the sky and earth.

Lu Yu stood in the pool, her delicate face unmoved, her breath steady, holding in her hand a round gemstone of cyan gold color, with many water-like shapes on it, captivating the soul.

Xu Xuan glanced at the stone and saw a flock of bluebirds dancing on one leg, accompanied by the scenery of rain, clear pond, green pool, and ink pool. The nature of Gui water was concentrated in it, making it even more powerful and terrifying than the [Golden Toad Brick] of the previous Master Baoqiu.

'Is this the [Tianlin Stone]?'

The injury sustained by the True Man of Xinling earlier was likely caused by this object. It was a terrifying Gui Water spiritual treasure, and it was even more terrifying in the hands of Lu Yu, a True Man of the Gui Water Immortal Path.

Xu Xuan gave Lu Yu a slight greeting and then returned the Qilin Mystic Seal to him. He felt a little regretful, though. If he had had more time to master it, he could have gleaned some profound insights from this magical artifact.

"I'm sorry to trouble you, fellow Daoist, to hold off Bao Qiu. Duobao Palace was entrusted by Guiliu Dao, and I was originally going to ask for help elsewhere. Your arrival is timely."

Lu Yu chuckled lightly, seemingly unmoved. He glanced at the Binghuo Xuan Seal at Xu Xuan's waist and said calmly:

"If I were to offer to exchange this seal for you, I doubt you would agree?"

"Sect secrets must not be passed on to outsiders."

Xu Xuan casually replied to the other party, then looked around at the ruins of Huachi. Seeing no spiritual artifacts, he simply said:

"Fellow Daoist, weren't you looking for the [Clear and Turbid Cloud]? Have you obtained it?"

"Right here."

Lu Yu spoke in a low, melancholy tone. At this moment, she put away the extremely fearsome spiritual treasure in her hand, and with a change of supernatural power, the nature of Gui water rose, and the Huachi gradually returned to its original state.

As the wind and rain pattered down, a cloud of blue, roughly the size of a room, gradually appeared above Huachi. Its clarity and turbidity changed, and all sorts of mysteries were hidden within it. Above this rain cloud, a crimson spiritual fire burned, suppressing the cloud's energy.

The object that the Binghuo Xuan Seal in Xu Xuan's hand responded to was not this cloud of clear and turbid energy, but the spiritual fire that was bound above it. However, looking at this scene, he felt somewhat solemn.

'This fire is rather strange; it seems to be echoing the primordial energy.'

"Please use the token to retrieve this fire, otherwise the meeting of Bing and Gui will be a transformation of the two extremes of water and fire among the Five Virtues, and the spiritual artifact will not be retrieved."

Lu Yu looked up at the cloud of clear and turbid spirit above, her tone deep and thoughtful, as if she had been waiting for a long time.

Xu Xuan then summoned the Bing Fire Spirit Seal in his hand, and at this moment, he collected the spirit fire into the Xuan Seal and began to examine it carefully.

This fire is shaped like a precious flower, with a dark blue bottom and a deep red top. The energy of the Bing fire is concentrated within it, as if countless rays of light are about to shine out.

"【Void Heavenly Fire】, is this a spiritual fire that originated from the Yan Dynasty Palace?"

Tian Tuo whispered the true name of this spiritual fire, his voice filled with deep doubt. Almost everything in the Yan Dynasty was included in the blessed land, but this Bing Fire was a rare sight.

"It's just the right time for Wen Guang to refine it and turn it into Vajra."

Now that Xu Xuan has obtained this fire, he has already made a decision. Rather than using it for trading, refining weapons, or cultivation, he believes that using it on Wen Guang will be the best way to improve him.

Lu Yu, standing to the side, activated her divine power, instantly absorbing the entire patch of azure cloud, leaving only the changes in the pure and turbid energy, which Xu Xuan could perceive.

"I must thank Fellow Daoist Xu for today's matter."

Lu Yu smiled as he withdrew the [Clear and Turbid Weak Cloud]. His trip to the cave was now considered complete, and he could proceed at his leisure.

"Since you have made a vow, you must help me. But... what will Fellow Daoist Luyu do if I do not arrive?"

Xu Xuan's question at this moment was veiled, but Lu Yu, standing to the side, simply smiled and said:

“Even if you don’t come, I can still take this item, but it will be much more troublesome and costly. Bao Qiu of Duobao Palace will not directly attack me. As for Xinling of Qingliu Dao, he is not a threat.”

"The Return Stream?"

"The legacy of the former Lord of Kan Water has faded into obscurity. The entanglement between Kan and Gui has continued uninterrupted for years, but our Daoist has rarely ventured out of the cave, and has not yet truly engaged in a major battle."

Lu Yu then rose up on the wind, looked at Xu Xuan, and sized him up briefly.

"Fellow Daoist, would you be willing to join me?"

"No need."

Xu Xuan turned his gaze away and politely declined. He always felt that this Lu Yu Zhenren was plotting something, and that he had been caught in the middle of it. Now that he had completed his oath with him, it would be a good time to part ways.

"Alright, then I won't bother you any longer, fellow Daoist."

Lu Yu smiled slightly, accelerated her flight, and quickly headed towards the core of the cave, leaving only a wisp of dark blue cloud trailing through the sky.

Tian Tuo suddenly spoke, saying in a low voice:
"That [Clear and Turbid Clouds] is strange. It seems to have been refined by later generations after the changes in Kan and Gui, which goes against common sense."

Xu Xuan seemed to be deep in thought. The transformation of Kan and Gui occurred very early and had a profound impact on both paths. Both the clear and turbid and the reverse ascent were transformed into Kan water, while this [Clear and Turbid Sinking Weak Cloud] was a vessel of Gui water, which was in line with the ancient nature.

"The First Daoist is probably also seeking how to perfect the Gui Water, but how useful is this spiritual artifact?"

"Where is that enough?"

Tian Tuo chuckled, seemingly somewhat gloating, and said:
"Unless Zuo Song is resurrected, or someone with supernatural powers obtains his golden essence reincarnation and uses ancient methods to restore this purity and turbidity, the situation on both sides will not be good."

"Of the five waters, only the Haoshui is currently the most complete, and the dragon seed has a very stable hold on the gold position."

Xu Xuan remained silent, slowly rising from this magnificent pool and heading into the distance, continuing to refine the Zhengyi Light between his brows while sensing his surroundings and searching for people.

It wasn't Pingxiu, but Zhu Yucheng, the man who should have perished long ago but ascended to the grotto heaven with the Emperor. What has he been plotting all these years? Yet, there's no trace of him within the grotto heaven, which is truly strange.

With a flash of lightning, Xu Xuan fled forward, unnoticed by anyone.

(End of this chapter)