Lingyuan Immortal

Chapter 978 An Opportunity in the Upper Realm: A Heartfelt Visit to the Mountain
Deep within the Si tribe's territory, the moonlight, like water, flowed silently through the jade-paved corridors, casting long, thin shadows on the carved window frames.

Si Xuanshuang walked hurriedly, her white shoes touching the cold moonlight, passing through one moon gate after another, and came straight to a quiet ancient pavilion surrounded by a thousand-year-old laurel tree.

In the courtyard in front of the pavilion, a rocking chair made of cold jade marrow is gently swaying.

Murong Xuxu imitated her master, lazily curling up on it, her eyes closed, her little head nodding as if she were dozing.

Suddenly, her small nostrils twitched slightly as she sensed a cool, refreshing aura approaching. Startled awake, she hurriedly jumped off the rocking chair, straightened her slightly disheveled pale yellow dress, and stood properly with her head bowed and eyes lowered.

"Xuxu, where is Sister Xi?"

Upon seeing that it was her master's close friend, Murong Xuxu's tense heartstrings immediately relaxed, and she hurriedly bowed respectfully: "Reporting to True Lord, my master... is still in seclusion in the quiet room cultivating diligently, and has specifically instructed Xuxu that unless it is an extremely urgent matter, she must not be disturbed in the slightest."

With an unusual urgency on her face, Si Xuan Shuang's voice came clearly from behind her moon-like veil: "The 'important matter' has arrived. Quickly, call her out!"

Seeing that her expression was not joking, Murong Xuxu's heart tightened. She dared not be negligent and quickly turned around to take out a blue token from the brocade pouch at her waist. With a flick of her fingertip, the token flew out of her hand and disappeared into the tightly closed door of the ancient pavilion, like a pebble thrown into a deep pool.

"Om-"

A clear and melodious chime suddenly rang out in the void, like a spring in a deep valley, penetrating the restrictions and echoing inside and outside the silent ancient pavilion, its lingering sound cleansing the mind and spirit.

Before the sound of the chime had faded, the heavy laurel and sandalwood door creaked open.

Before Murong Xi could even step out, her voice, tinged with slight annoyance at being interrupted from her cultivation, rang out first:

"What brings you here? Is it you, Xuxu..."

Before she finished speaking, she had already stepped out of the door, dressed in plain white clothes, her black hair loosely tied up with a jade hairpin, a few strands of hair falling down her cheeks, adding to her elegant beauty.

Her gaze swept over Murong Xuxu, then landed on the moonlit figure in the courtyard.

"Reporting to Master, it is True Lord Si who has arrived," Murong Xuxu hurriedly reported, bowing her head.

Murong Xi's heart stirred. At present, Xuandu was in turmoil. All the talents from all sides were racing against time to go into seclusion and cultivate hard for the selection of the "He Xian Envoy". In order to make further progress.

Since Si Xuan Shuang and he were close friends, why would she bother him at this time if she didn't have something important to discuss? Could it be... that it really has something to do with the selection process?
Thinking of this, she quickly walked down the steps to meet Si Xuan Shuang, who was looking up at her, and gave her a greeting as an equal: "Sister, what is the matter that is so urgent? Is there any definite news from Envoy He?"

Seeing her emerge from seclusion, Si Xuan Shuang's anxiety eased slightly, but she shook her head, a subtle, enigmatic smile playing on her lips: "It's not about that matter, it's about Chen Mu, Fellow Daoist Chen—"

Before she could finish speaking, Murong Xi's eyes suddenly lit up, and she almost blurted out, "Is it Junior Brother who has arrived?" There was a hint of expectation in her tone that she herself did not realize.

Si Xuan Shuang was slightly taken aback by her overly swift reaction. After a moment, her smile deepened beneath her veil, and she said with a hint of mockery, "Yes...no."

Murong Xi felt a slight flush rise to her face under her gaze, and quickly stepped forward to affectionately take Si Xuan Shuang's slender hand, leading her towards the stone table in the courtyard, her voice softening slightly:

"Good sister, stop beating around the bush and keeping us in suspense. What happened? Has something changed with junior brother?"

Si Xuanshuang covered her mouth and chuckled. No longer keeping her in suspense, she pulled Murong Xi to sit down on the stone bench covered with soft brocade. Only then did she recount the rumors that had been circulating at the founding ceremony of Qizhen Temple, as well as the key role Chen Mu played in it, in a vivid and detailed manner.

"What?! Junior Brother...slayed a mid-stage Dao Seeking Realm cultivator?! Overpowered...a Perfected True Monarch?!"

Murong Xi's shock was exactly the same as Lei Heng's in the Tribulation Lightning Ancient Pool; her beautiful eyes widened instantly, filled with disbelief.

Although she knew that this junior brother was exceptionally talented and possessed profound Taoist skills, the realm of Taoist cultivation was a world unto itself!

The gap between the initial stage, the intermediate stage, and the perfect stage is not easily crossed.
However, she was quick-witted and realized in an instant that the rumors must have been exaggerated.

The reason for the claim of "forceful perfection" is uncertain.

Even so, Chen Mu, at the initial stage, was able to kill mid-stage cultivators and fight against perfect-stage cultivators in such a great battle without being defeated... This sudden display of strength, far exceeding her previous expectations, still shocked her and left her speechless.

Her junior brother was truly a hidden talent; his trip to the Three Immortal Valley had earned him such a splendid reputation!
At this moment, Si Xuanshuang spoke again, her tone filled with sincere admiration: "Fellow Daoist Chen's feat is truly earth-shattering and of extraordinary significance. It is truly enviable that Biluo Chaosheng Pavilion has such a talent."

She changed the subject abruptly, her gaze fixed intently on Murong Xi, and asked with a hint of probing, "Sister Xi, Fellow Daoist Chen has recently risen to fame. I wonder... if he is interested in participating in the selection of 'Immortal Envoy He' soon?"

Upon hearing this, it seemed as if the breeze in the courtyard had stopped, and even the moonlight seemed to freeze for a moment.

Murong Ximei's eyes sparkled, her thoughts racing.

Si Xuanshuang's question was exactly what she wanted to hear!

Both she and her junior brother were at the initial stage of the Dao Seeking Realm, a crucial period in which they needed to gain worldly experience, accumulate karma, and seek breakthroughs.

If we could be chosen by that "Immortal Envoy" from the upper realm and participate in his schemes... what an immense karmic opportunity that would be! It would be worth hundreds of years of arduous cultivation!

only……

She frowned slightly and pondered, "Sister, the purpose of this selection by Envoy He is to select outstanding talents from Xuandu. My junior brother and I... are ultimately not natives of Xuandu. It is already a great favor that you have done for me. If you were to add my junior brother to the list..."

Before she could finish speaking, Si Xuan Shuang raised her delicate hand to interrupt her, and said with a smile, "Sister Xi, you're overthinking it! Compared to you, Fellow Daoist Chen might have a better chance of being chosen by Immortal Envoy He!"

"Oh?" Murong Xi looked up in surprise. "What makes you say that?"

Si Xuan Shuang's eyes were deep as she explained, "Do you know how famous Fellow Daoist Chen is in my Xuandu? The rumors of him killing a mid-level cultivator and fighting a perfect cultivator may be exaggerated, but his outstanding achievements are an indisputable fact."

"The Immortal Lord Dongzhu personally inquired about his lineage. Although he did not attend the grand opening ceremony of Qizhen Temple, his reputation already surpassed that of all the cultivators present! Such a illustrious reputation has long been as bright as the midday sun, spreading to every corner of Xuandu."

“Such a person is a shining example of prestige in themselves; why would we need to go out of our way to ‘manage’ him?”

She paused, her tone carrying a certainty: "Moreover, his assistance to the Xuandu Daoist lineage in establishing temples and establishing the Dao is a great act of kindness that benefits the entire Xuandu cultivation community."

"Even though He Xianshi comes from the upper realm, he still needs to adhere to the principle of 'reason' and take into account the feelings of all parties in Xuandu."

"If Fellow Daoist Chen Mu requests to participate in the selection, given his current reputation and achievements, it would be impossible for Immortal Envoy He to refuse, both morally and logically. This is the inevitable trend of the times!"

Upon hearing this, Murong Xi felt a sudden sense of clarity, as if the clouds had parted and the sun was shining through.

Si Xuanshuang's words were incisive and hit the nail on the head.

My junior brother's immense reputation has become his greatest asset and stepping stone at this moment!

She nodded slowly, her worries vanishing, replaced by a gleam of eager anticipation.

She pondered for a moment, then, without further hesitation, took out a smooth, blank jade slip and, using her divine sense as a pen, carefully and concisely inscribed the matter of selecting "He Xian Envoy" into it.

"Xuxu," Murong Xi said solemnly, "This jade slip is of great importance. You must set off immediately and personally deliver this slip to your junior brother. There must be no mistakes!"

Murong Xuxu had been bored out of her mind staying in the clan's territory. Upon hearing that she could go out for some fresh air and meet some "acquaintances," she was overjoyed. She hurriedly took the jade slip with both hands, carefully and tightly put it away, and replied crisply, "Master, rest assured, Xuxu will not fail in her mission and will deliver it personally!"

After speaking, she bowed and gracefully twirled out of the ancient pavilion courtyard.

The moment it stepped out of the area covered by the restriction, a flash of white light appeared on the spot, and a snow-white crane took flight. With a clear cry, it transformed into a swift stream of light, piercing through the moonlight and clouds, and disappeared into the eastern horizon in the blink of an eye, leaving no trace.

Seeing her so quick and eager, Murong Xi felt both annoyed and amused. She turned back to the stone table, waved her hand lightly, and a set of white teaware appeared out of thin air. The tea in the pot boiled on its own, and a fragrant aroma wafted out.

She poured Si Xuan Shuang a cup of spiritual tea, gestured for her to enter, and then asked, "Sister, has there been any new news from Envoy He lately?"

Now that you've emerged from seclusion, why not have a good chat with this well-informed close friend about the selection process for your path?
Si Xuanshuang picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and shook her head. Her expression remained calm beneath her moon-like veil: "No news is good news." "Envoy He's identity is special, his whereabouts are elusive, and the selection process involves many aspects. Making premature conclusions would be unwise. If nothing unexpected happens, Envoy He will personally arrive in Xuandu in about twenty or thirty years to begin the formal selection. When that time comes…"

She put down her teacup, a sharp glint in her eyes. "It's all about each person using their own methods and showing off their unique abilities."

Murong Xi nodded, deeply agreeing.

She also raised her cup and took a sip of the clear, refreshing spiritual tea, suppressing the turmoil in her heart caused by Chen Mu's matter. Finally, unable to contain her long-held curiosity, she asked softly:

"Sister, that Immortal Envoy He... since he comes from the Upper Realm and holds a high position, why does he still need the help of us cultivators from the Lower Realm? There's more to it than meets the eye..."

Upon hearing this, Si Xuanshuang gave Murong Xi a meaningful look, lightly tapping her fingertips on the warm stone table, her voice lowered slightly:
“Sister Xi, what about the Upper Realm? Under the Great Dao, where is there not a strict hierarchy? The law of the jungle applies to all the heavens and myriad realms.”

"The so-called 'He Xianshi' is just someone who was born in the upper realm due to the blessings of his ancestors."

She paused, her voice growing deeper: "And as far as I know, Envoy He's foundation in the Upper Realm is still shallow, you could even say... powerless and without influence. What makes him think he can ask for help?"

"With no other choice, we can only rely on the legacy of our ancestors to try to return to this 'ancestral realm' Xuandu, and recruit local talents like us to serve them under the guise of 'selection'."

"This is a mutually beneficial arrangement. He uses our strength to achieve his goal, while we use his ladder to peek at the scenery of the upper realm and gamble on a chance to advance further. To put it bluntly, it is nothing more than a transaction in which each party gets what they need."

Even so, the words "opportunity in the upper realm" still weighed heavily on Murong Xi's heart.

An opportunity that might not come once in a thousand years has now fallen to their generation. Isn't this a stroke of luck?

In any case, when it's time to fight, you must fight with all your might!

……

Meanwhile, Murong Xuxu transformed into her true form as a spirit crane and, after leaving the Si clan's territory, sped eastward.

With her master's trust firmly in mind, she dared not slacken in the slightest. Her wings stirred up the wind and clouds, and she pushed her speed to the limit, faster than lightning.

The long journey, which seemed endless, was completed in just a few days, and they were already close to the Huiyan Mountain region indicated by Si Xuanshuang.

Having been focused on her journey and unable to fully appreciate the scenery along the way, Murong Xuxu was already feeling quite frustrated.

Now that her destination was in sight, she simply transformed into human form, slowed down, and hovered in the high-altitude clouds, looking down with great interest at the sacred mountain she was about to reach.

The peaks rise one after another, like a crouching dragon. Among them, one peak stands out particularly tall and beautiful, resembling a lone goose craning its neck to look back. The summit is shrouded in rosy light, exuding a spiritual aura. This is the Returning Goose Peak.

Her eyes lit up as she felt that the mountain was blessed with natural beauty and vitality, with lush vegetation flowing with life.

The summit is shrouded in a layer of mysterious Taoist aura, its majesty subtly revealed. It is clear that it has been inhabited by a master for a long time, and the mountains and rivers have been influenced by his Taoist practices. Its atmosphere is no longer comparable to that of an ordinary sacred mountain.
"What a wonderful celestial abode!" Murong Xuxu thought to herself.

Just as she approached the edge of the protective barrier around Huiyan Peak.

Inside a cave halfway up the mountain, hidden by vines, Chen Lan, who was refining his demonic essence, suddenly opened his eyes. Startled, he instantly stopped his cultivation and transformed into a swift blue shadow, rushing out of the cave.

She hovered in mid-air, her sharp gaze piercing through the clouds, instantly locking onto the figure high in the clouds.

The opponent had a clear objective and headed straight for Huiyan Mountain. Although their aura was pure and they showed no malice, their cultivation level was already at the fifth level of the Dao Inquiry Realm.

Chen Lan's heart tightened. She looked up at the cave dwelling, which was shrouded in heavy spiritual energy and restrictions. She thought to herself that her master was in seclusion at a critical moment, and she could not allow him to be disturbed.

She had only recently entered the fourth level and was likely no match for her opponent, yet her determination to protect her cave was unwavering.

Chen Bai also sensed something was wrong and anxiously tried to catch up, but was stopped by a stern look from Chen Lan.

She was new to the world and unaware of the wickedness of people's hearts. If the newcomer suddenly attacked, she was confident that she could use her talent and speed to deal with it. However, Chen Bai's cultivation was still shallow, so staying behind would be safer.

Having made up his mind, Chen Lan hesitated no longer. With a sudden flap of his wings, he shot off like an arrow, breaking through the swirling clouds below and soaring straight into the sky.

"Wow—!"

A clear bird song pierced the sky.

Just as Murong Xuxu was about to land, a flash of blue light appeared before her eyes, and a slender bird with unusual plumage came into view.

Her elegant and graceful figure, her long and beautiful neck, and especially her eyes, clear as an icy lake, possessed a captivating spirit in every glance...

"What...what a handsome appearance!"

As a member of the Spirit Crane clan, Murong Xuxu naturally had a very high aesthetic sense towards the Feathered Clan. Upon seeing Chen Lan's unprecedented blue and white feathers and elegant figure, she was momentarily stunned.

These feathers were a pure, deep blue, like the cold jade of an ancient pool, and a flawless white, like fresh snow on a high mountain. The two colors blended together perfectly, making them cleaner, more elegant, and more outstanding than many rare birds she had ever seen.

"senior?"

Seeing that she was just staring at her blankly without making any move, Chen Lan relaxed her vigilance slightly, but due to her duty, she still maintained a respectful but distant attitude.

"My name is Chen Lan, and I am a protector of this mountain. May I ask why you have graced Huiyan Peak with your presence?"

Murong Xuxu finally snapped out of her daze and chuckled to herself for losing her composure.

She shook her head, composed herself, and replied gently, "My name is Murong Xuxu. I have come here on my master's orders to discuss important matters."

She looked Chen Lan up and down curiously. "And who are you? I've never seen you with Chen Zhenjun before?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Lan's tense nerves relaxed slightly. Since he knew Zhenjun, there shouldn't be any danger.

She lowered her elegant neck slightly, her tone becoming much more respectful: "My name is Chen Lan. I am grateful to the True Lord for taking me in to serve him. I have only been following the True Lord for a short time... Senior, is your purpose in coming to pay respects to the True Lord?"

Murong Xuxu nodded: "That's right. I have a jade slip written by my master, which I need to present to Chen Zhenjun in person. Is he in the mountains?"

"The True Lord is indeed in the mountains."

Chen Lan's face showed a hint of difficulty, "However... since the True Lord returned from the Three Immortal Valley, he has been in seclusion in his cave on the main peak, meditating and comprehending the mysteries. He specifically instructed that he should not be disturbed. If we disturb him rashly at this time, it may hinder his cultivation..."

Her words were tactful, but her meaning was clear.

Murong Xuxu immediately frowned her delicate brows.

Even seclusion has its priorities. When she arrived, she had already heard from Si Xuanshuang that Chen Mu had received a great deal of karma from Qizhen Temple, and this seclusion was most likely to be for a crucial moment to seek a breakthrough in his cultivation level...

This is a difficult situation, as disturbing a cultivator's breakthrough is a major taboo.

But the master's instructions were still ringing in my ears. If I turned back now, how could I report back?

She clutched the warm, smooth jade slip hidden in her sleeve, caught in a dilemma...

……

(End of this chapter)