Great Red Immortal Sect

Chapter 647 Seeking the Extraordinary
The main hall was somewhat dim, with flickering candlelight and shadows in the four corners.

Ebony wooden tables and chairs were casually placed in the hall. They were made from dead wood from Zhuolin and felt quite cold and hard to sit on. Some unfinished talismans were placed on the tables, with faint wisps of greenish-yellow light still flickering.

Xu Xuan sat in the main seat and swept his spiritual sense over the area. He immediately felt that Xu Fayan's cultivation had already reached perfection, and there was little chance of further progress at the Foundation Establishment stage.

He then spoke calmly, recounting the events surrounding Qingwu Daorang'an, and bestowed upon her several scrolls of scriptures.

Xu Fayan stood by, carefully putting away the scriptures one by one, his expression unchanged, but there was a hint of coldness in his eyes.

"This scoundrel plotted against our sect, and his death is no loss. It's just a pity that most of the Qingwu Daoists have defected to Liaodong. Otherwise, if I ever attain supernatural powers, I will surely seek justice from him."

The most dangerous ordeal of his life was falling into the trap of Qingwu Dao. He was just one step away from falling into the demonic sect and being controlled by others. His fate would probably be to become provisions.

"The Wei family of Tianshui seems to belong to the Qingwu Wei clan. If we trace it back further, we can also trace it to the Qingyang lineage, which is related to you."

After some deliberation, Xu Xuan decided to bring up the matter. Fa Yan's bloodline was an unavoidable topic, and he also had some entanglement with the Qingyang Daoist lineage. Whether it was luck or inevitability was unknown.

The name "Grave Sheep" has always been a sensitive one, almost synonymous with demonic beings. Especially since the Evil Land still exists in the world, ordinary cultivators often turn pale when they talk about it, mentioning the Great Wilderness where millions starved to death several times.

Fortunately, this matter was connected to the Blessed Land of White Paper. With Kong Kong'er's involvement, ordinary immortals dared not ask too many questions. At most, they could find out about Fa Yan's Wei family bloodline.

As a result, when many masters meet Xu Xuan nowadays, they will at most ask about Xiao Wen and Xing Fang, and rarely mention his youngest disciple, for fear of embarrassment.

“Reporting to Master, I am surnamed Xu and have long severed ties with the Wei family.”

When Xu Fayan mentioned the past, his tone was calm, but it carried a hint of sinister intent. "If this bloodline can be completely eradicated and this karma severed, this disciple will be willing."

"As the saying goes, the kindness of giving birth is not as great as the kindness of raising. For the first ten years after my birth, I was like a wild beast in the desert, running for survival, not knowing the world, not knowing good or evil. My birth mother was afraid of me, and wanted to use me. Did she ever really regard me as a member of the Wei family? She only saw me as a demon."

"When I entered the mountains to cultivate Taoism, many of my elders and fellow disciples regarded me as an oddity, and I was also aware of this. My master asked me about my supernatural powers, and I can now tell him frankly."

His aura was rising, and demons lurked in the shadows behind him, a demonic embryo formed from blood qi and the Dao of Hearing the Dark.

He has already cultivated the [Heavenly Blood Demon Embryo Technique] to the limit of Foundation Establishment. Once he achieves the Purple Mansion realm, he can go even further and even refine a true demonic avatar.

"In this life, I only seek the path of supernatural powers; I disregard life and death."

His Highness possessed an aura of earthy energy, and the black-robed youth's voice was deep and resolute, echoing powerfully.

"If we are talking about outcasts, then Zifu is the greatest outcast in the world. I would rather people fear me because of my supernatural powers than fear me because of my origins. I wish to attain supernatural powers, clarify my path, and rectify my true nature."

“You have had a difficult life and a sensitive identity. I often worry that I haven’t taught you enough or cared for you enough.”

Xu Xuan sighed softly, his eyes seeming to shimmer with silver currents, and the light of tribulation gradually brightened above the palace roof.

"As long as I live, I will not allow you to go down the wrong path."

"This disciple understands. If I disobey, I am willing to be struck by lightning and perish—"

"There's no need to make that vow; having the intention is enough."

Xu Xuan lowered his gaze slightly and looked outside the hall, where he seemed to catch glimpses of flashes of lightning.

"Who can say for sure what will happen a hundred years from now, or a thousand years from now? Your destiny is extraordinary. Your lifespan in cultivation alone far exceeds that of me and your senior brother. What will you do when your elders and fellow disciples are all dead?"

There was silence.

“I only care about what I can manage. Bei Liao Evil Land was once the Qingyang Daoist, the chief disciple of the True Lord, and a figure with a great reputation in the immortal path. Did he ever imagine this day would come?”

"I only hope that you won't disappoint me."

Xu Xuan's tone grew serious. With the seal script present, he was naturally not worried about any problems. However, he was concerned that one day he might die while pursuing the Dao, and that his elders and fellow disciples would also be gone.

What the situation will be is another matter; perhaps another demon will emerge at that time. But deep down, he still wanted to believe in his disciple's character.

Xu Fayan had never thought about these things, but now, after his master mentioned it, he truly thought about what would happen hundreds of years later, if it really came to the point where the elders had passed away and the fellow disciples were no longer around.
The thought of such loneliness is enough to make one feel hopeless, and the path to enlightenment would be cut off. Even the most righteous person would probably go mad.

'That Bodhisattva of the Evil Land, facing the destruction of ancient Shu and the collapse of Qingyang, must have been in a state of utter despair before he cast himself into the Pure Land.'

The hall fell silent for a moment. Xu Xuan changed the subject, saying:

"Wei Xiuwen is already living a life worse than death in Bai Lin's hands, but he still bears the name of an auspicious omen, so the Imperial Palace will not let him perish."

Xu Xuan, with his keen insight, had his own deductions. Bai Jun might be indifferent to Rang An's life, but the Emperor Li would not allow Rang An to perish like this.

The Wenyao (文鳅) is an omen of abundant harvests and resounding succession. From the perspective of Taoism, it also signifies a life of gain and fulfillment.

Although Rang An was only at the early stage of the Purple Mansion realm and could not have much influence on the situation, if he were to be associated with the divine path, the imagery he could manipulate with the help of incense offerings would be extraordinary.

“The Wenyao returned south, and the Zhutun went north. That Jihuo Zhenren knows about your situation, and I'm afraid that the Evil Earth Bodhisattva also knows about it.”

Xu Xuan's tone turned slightly somber as he solemnly said:
"Those who cultivate the Earthly Realm cannot escape the methods of the Azure Sheep. The Evil Earth Realm has achieved great success in cause and effect, and it has probably already made its plans. That's why I sent you to stay overseas. You are still in the Foundation Establishment stage, and the karmic consequences you can affect are still small. But if you achieve supernatural powers, you will be like a bright fire in the night, dazzling and inevitably noticed by others."

The Dharma Realm of the Huayan School is the culmination of cause and effect. Although after receiving the inscription, one's mind is protected by pure energy, which can help avoid some methods of spying on the mind and searching for the soul, its effectiveness in the path of cause and effect is hard to say.

Xu Xuan himself used the extremely high status of the Immortal Stele to avoid danger, but it's hard to say about the people around him, especially someone like Fa Yan who possesses the fortune of the Grave Sheep, who is probably extremely important to the evil land that is a descendant of the Green Sheep.

Xu Fayan stepped forward, his yellow eyes gleaming, a hint of determination in his expression.

"The great paths of the world, if there were no worries about cultivation, would have long been occupied by various forces. What seems like an easy path is actually blocked, making it difficult to climb high and see far."

“We cultivators start from humble beginnings, so we should seek danger and wonder, and take the lesser paths to glimpse the mountain peaks.”

He had his own decision. For cultivators without the support of a Golden Core, only in some extremely remote and dangerous lineages could they gain a chance to achieve enlightenment.

Who in the world does not know that the two earth elements, Sheji and Tu, are profound and mysterious, without any flaws or omissions? But how can ordinary people cultivate them? Among the earth virtues alone, only the Gen and Yun paths are commonly seen. Even the Gen earth has celestial beings watching over it, making it difficult to achieve in the mortal realm.

"Indeed, seeking adventure and the extraordinary."

Xu Xuan stood up and waved his sleeve. “Our sect is no longer a small sect. We can offer you some assistance, but we can’t protect you in everything. Whether it’s a smooth road or a dead end, you still have to try it yourself.”

"Once you have mastered the secret method, go to the Heavenly Punishment Palace, and I will protect you on your path."

He was still somewhat uneasy about that secret technique, after all, it involved the ancient Youyang, and the risks were considerable. If it weren't for the protective measures like the seal script, he wouldn't have easily let Xu Fayan try to comprehend it.

'Xiao Wen did receive a [Fengzheng] decree from the Shelei Law, but now is not the time to use it.'

Xu Xuan had read that law and, combined with the scripture he obtained from the dragon's body, naturally knew its purpose.

This law is the sacred object of the ancient Thunder Palace, which can be bestowed upon demons and monsters to avert heavenly tribulations and enhance their Daoist nature.

However, Xu Fayan cultivates the orthodox evil path of earth element. If he wishes to receive this precept, it would be best to do so after he has cultivated supernatural powers and his life force has increased.

Otherwise, if one is subjected to the rules of foundation building, it will be undesirable, as it will diminish the inherent evil of the grave sheep and will not be beneficial for achieving supernatural powers.

"Did you gain anything from the witchcraft texts and secret techniques I previously transmitted to you?"

When Xu Xuan inquired about this matter, he didn't have much expectation. He had already copied the two volumes of Daoist scriptures obtained from Kunwei Heaven for his disciple to study, but since he was still at the Foundation Establishment stage, there were always limitations.

The "Spirit Control Codex" is not particularly difficult; many of its techniques can be activated even at the Foundation Establishment stage, and it is also key to fully controlling the Crimson Centipede in the future.

The "Secret Method of the Supreme Evil Divine Embryo" truly involves the secrets of the Golden Elixir, and its profoundness is difficult even for those in the Purple Palace to comprehend. However, the opening chapter of this method contains a general overview of the cultivation of the Earth element, which can serve as a reference.

Xu Fayan's expression hardened slightly. Although he possessed seal script and a pair of mysterious eyes, which often provided him with divine assistance when cultivating magic and comprehending the Daoist canon, he was still limited by his own realm of understanding.

"The things in the witchcraft book are simple and easy to learn. If I had supernatural powers, I could control the [Crimson Fighting Centipede]. But I can only read the beginning of the [Supreme Evil Divine Embryo Secret Technique]."

"According to what is recorded, the best way to cultivate the path of cultivation is to first cultivate the [Nether Sheep Sacrifice], and then complete the cultivation of the supernatural powers represented by the other three spirits. The last supernatural power is the key to obtaining gold and position."

He spoke softly, as if with some emotion:

"I am also fortunate to be on the right path. In the future, I only need to work on the last supernatural power."

"It is truly commendable that you have been paying attention to this matter so early on."

Xu Xuan listened carefully to these words, his tone quite certain.

"In cultivating the Purple Gold, the order and intention of supernatural powers are very particular. For example, when drawing a picture, how much it resembles the work of predecessors determines what position one can seek."

It might be laughable for someone at the Foundation Establishment stage to concern themselves with matters of the Golden Core stage, but those who become Sovereigns have all taken their own path seriously early on, either by receiving profound inheritances or by being guided by great figures.

Very few people truly cultivate without any scruples along the way. Let alone Foundation Establishment, some of them made their decisions as early as Qi Refining.

"【Qingli Yangxiao Urn】Can be taken out now to help you comprehend the Dharma. This vessel is a treasure for combining the essence of heaven and earth, and has a certain effect of sensing the connection between heaven and man. The so-called method of questioning corpses also relies on the true spirit to respond, which is just what you need."

Xu Xuan pondered for a moment, then prepared to take out the artifact to aid his cultivation.

This treasure urn, used in Kunwei Heaven to represent the earth, is more of a ritual object. It is not particularly powerful in combat, but it has many uses in nurturing spiritual intelligence, cultivating the Tao, and protecting the body.

"Yes, thank you, Master."

Xu Fayan exhaled softly, his eyes calm, but a slight tremor ran through his heart. To have a spiritual treasure to help one at the Foundation Establishment stage was a privilege that probably only true direct descendants of major sects could enjoy.

"Although the border city of Wu has fallen, the Emperor's intention is to go north, conquer Liaodong, and follow the example of Emperor Xia to unify the world."

His tone gradually took on a chilling quality, as if one could glimpse the dripping blood.

"Within a hundred years, there will surely be a result. At that time, I will no longer be able to protect the sect. The path of cultivation will have its uses. At that time, you will have to face all kinds of schemes on your own."

"If we are faster, we should be able to cultivate two supernatural powers before the dust settles, which will give us some ability to protect ourselves."

Xu Xuan gave a few instructions, and he only told his close friends and family about this matter. If what Emperor Li said is true, it will probably only take a hundred years.

"The next battle is not far off. I will have very little time to guard the mountain gate. You should prepare in advance and go into seclusion. Whether Gaoxia can recover in the future depends on your supernatural abilities."

His figure vanished in an instant, disappearing into the void, leaving only wisps of silver lightning dissipating.

"Best regards, Master."

The earth energy flowed beneath him, and Xu Fayan maintained his bowing posture, a brocade snake coiled on his wrist, gently flicking its tongue.

'A hundred years later.'

He returned to his seat, and there on the table sat a token made of white iron, inscribed with the words "Spirit Devouring." It was a low-grade Qi Refining artifact, a gift from his senior brother years ago.

The array on this magical artifact is already somewhat worn out. If it were left for a hundred years, it would probably have been destroyed long ago. If even an object is like this, what about people?
If one day my master were to depart, leaving me without guidance and my path of cultivation severed, what path would I take? Perhaps perishing early in my quest for the Dao would be the best outcome.

After hearing about the deeds of that evil bodhisattva, he felt a chill in his heart.

'time.'

Given enough time, too much can change. Xu Fayan can naturally keep his master's teachings in mind and walk the path of immortality, but when he really reaches a dead end, his state of mind will probably be completely different.

Ultimately, he himself didn't believe in himself.

The scriptures, shrouded in azure and yellow light, slowly unfurled. His gaze finally settled on the scroll titled "The Monarch Asks the Corpse," a secret method of the Qingyang lineage for seeking the Dao through destiny, which was the key to his breakthrough.

"At the end of the Great Wilderness, green bones were buried. You asked about the corpse that transformed into a mysterious embryo. Resentment filled the heavens and earth, condensing into five auspicious omens. The Green Palace emerged from the Luo River, and the Zhou capital lost its propriety."

The opening of this secret method recounts ancient events, even pointing out the origin of the Qingyang lineage, which originated from the Luo River region. The first True Lord attained enlightenment during the decline and chaos of the Zhou Dynasty, when Youyang perished.

The fact that this Desolate Lord was able to seize a position from among these naturally born immortal beasts shows his extraordinary courage and methods, which made Xu Fayan's heart flutter slightly.

"The affairs of the world should be viewed in light of the times. The Zhou dynasty was in great chaos, a time of great upheaval and change. Now we are also in a time of chaos. I should emulate the ancients in order to seek a better future!"

(End of this chapter)