novelraw Chapter 562: An Old Friend’s Last Wish
Chapter 562: An Old Friend’s Last Wish
The sect war where Yan Country invaded Song Country has finally ended.
This time, the negotiations were particularly smooth.
Except for the Medicine God’s Valley territory and a dozen counties at the Yan-Song border, all other territories, all five sects of Yan Country have withdrawn.
The once unstoppable army of cultivators from Yan Country’s Heng Sect all retreated.
The retreat was so hasty that the official ceasefire spirit contract between the two countries had not yet been signed, and most cultivators returned to Yan Country’s main sects.
The situation changed so quickly that the cultivators of both Yan and Song Countries were caught off guard.
Especially some Song Country cultivation clans and loose cultivators who defected to Yan Country; upon hearing the news, they quickly abandoned their spiritual lands and family businesses to flee into Yan Country.
If they were even slightly slower, caught by the six sects of Song Country, there would be no escape.
Likewise.
The cultivation clans and loose cultivators loyal to the six sects of Song Country were rewarded according to merit, exchanging their achievements for Tier Two spiritual lands, Foundation Establishment Pills, magical treasures, and so on.
The more than thirty years of sect war between Yan and Song Countries reached a turning point with the emergence of hidden geniuses from the six sects.
Looking further back, it was the Cyan Cloud Sect’s True Master Profound Ice defeating the Divine Saber Sect’s True Master Wisdom Blade in magical combat.
At this time, the name of Cyan Cloud Sect’s True Master Profound Ice was as renowned as Profound Celestial Sect’s Celestial Star True Master, Golden Sun Sect’s Bright Sun True Master, and Divine Sword Sect’s Immortal Meng Die.
Becoming a new generation of sect prodigies in Song Country.
Their prestige subtly overshadowed others.
Yan and Song Countries restored peace.
However, things are far from being as simple as imagined.
Next, the six sects of Song Country need to coordinate with the six sects of Liang Country to pay mediation rewards.
The Cyan Cloud Sect coordinated with the Corpse Refining Sect.
In secret, the bodies of some fallen cultivators were handed over to the Corpse Refining Sect.
Of course, the vast majority of these cultivators belonged to cultivation clans and loose cultivators.
Only a very few corpses of sect disciples with no ties would be given to the Corpse Refining Sect.
All of this has nothing to do with Shen Xuan.
However, a rumor in Song Country is spreading more and more.
True Master Profound Ice from Starlight Island not only practices body refining but is also the number one body refiner in Song Country.
This greatly boosted the morale of body refiners in Song Country.
They see hope in cultivating body refining techniques.
Body refining at great success can even surpass Golden Core!
Shen Xuan has become an idol among body refiners.
...
Starlight Island, Cold Ice Cave, Practice Room.
Shen Xuan inspected each piece of intelligence jade scroll.
According to the latest intelligence, sects from Yan and Song Countries have signed a ceasefire agreement under the witness of Liang Country’s sects.
Judging by past experience, this peace should last for about fifty years.
This time happens to coincide with the rise of the next batch of core formation seeds, aiming for core formation.
"Fifty years is enough time for me to break through to the Divine Power Realm!"
Even without any Tier Three Divine Dragon Descendant demon core essence blood.
Relying solely on diligent practice and burning some lifespan.
One way or another, he could achieve "Dragon Blood Boiling" at full value, breaking through to the Divine Power Realm.
A body refiner at the Divine Power Realm is equivalent to a Tier Four cultivator.
Against Tier Three cultivators, even at the late stage of Golden Core, it is a crushing of a great realm.
Shen Xuan entrusted the affairs on Starlight Island to Zhuang Xueqin and others.
He entrusted alchemy to Li Ruyi, Ding Qingfeng, and Shangguan Mingyue.
He wrote a letter to Wan Meng, the Demon Venerable of Hehuan Sect, inviting her to Starlight Island for important matters.
Then, he went into seclusion to focus on cultivation.
...
Two months later.
Wan Meng, the Demon Venerable, arrived at Starlight Island.
In the secret chamber.
Shen Xuan directly inquired about the matter of Yan Country’s demon realm channels.
Wan Meng, the Demon Venerable, told him that Yan Country’s demon realm channels have always existed in large numbers.
According to information from Hehuan Sect, there are more than a hundred demon realm channels across Yan Country.
These demon realm channels have always been sealed by Nascent Soul True Monarchs of Yan Country.
However, over the years, the seals on the demon realm channels gradually show signs of weakening.
"No wonder the five sects of Yan Country retreated so quickly!"
Shen Xuan suddenly realized.
Yan Country is their fundamental base.
If the base is lost, these cultivators invading Song Country become like rootless floating duckweeds.
Shen Xuan asked, "Why don’t the Nascent Soul True Monarchs of Yan Country reinforce the seals on the demon realm channels?"
Wan Meng, the Demon Venerable, pondered and said, "We have analyzed, and there are only two reasons. One is that the Nascent Soul True Monarchs have not reinforced the seals. The other is that even reinforcing the seals is useless."
Shen Xuan was taken aback.
"Impossible!"
Wan Meng, the Demon Venerable, gently shook her head.
"Yes. The latter reason is more likely."
Shen Xuan thought of what the Young Master of the Golden Spirit Race said in the demon realm space.
The entire Profound Origin Continent is just a lower world.
In the demon realm, it was allocated to their Golden Spirit Race.
"How is Yan Country now?"
"Not bad. The demons emerging from a dozen demon realm channels are only demon beasts, with no demon god avatars appearing."
"There are quite a few Tier Three demon beasts, fierce and violent, devouring many cultivators and mortals. Ultimately, their intelligence is unclear, and they are no match for the five sects of Yan Country."
Wan Meng, the Demon Venerable, said with a smile, "Is Shen Lang asking Wan Meng to make a trip to Yan Country to trade for some demon flood dragon demon core essence blood?"
"Precisely!"
Shen Xuan did not deny it.
He is considered a public enemy of Yan Country’s sects.
Going to Yan Country would be like a sheep entering a tiger’s den.
Wan Meng, the Demon Venerable, is different.
Hehuan Sect is the foremost demon sect in Liang Country, with many peripheral forces, always neutral.
Yan Country sect true masters would not target Wan Meng, the Demon Venerable.
"Any Tier Three Divine Dragon descendants will do, just trading for demon core essence blood and reverse scales. Ice attribute is best, other water and fire attributes are also acceptable."
"Fire attribute, too?"
Wan Meng, the Demon Venerable, asked with some astonishment.
"Don’t ask too much. As long as there are goods, spiritual artifacts, demon soldiers, blood demon pills, life-extending pills, and some flood dragon materials like dragon horns, dragon tendons, dragon claws, etc., can all be traded."
Shen Xuan said in a serious tone, "Wan Meng, I won’t let you suffer."
"Alright. I will prepare and make a trip to Liang Country in due course."
Having finished discussing business.
Shen Xuan invited Wan Meng, the Demon Venerable, to drink wine and enjoy tea.
When Wan Meng, the Demon Venerable, saw Qin Yuehan, her eyes were adrift.
Not knowing what she was thinking.
The next day, Shen Xuan personally saw Wan Meng, the Demon Venerable, off the island.
"True Master Cold Jade is quite extraordinary."
"It’s a pity he’s just a fake pill."
Wan Meng, the Demon Venerable, said not without a hint of jealousy.
Shen Xuan smiled but said nothing.
...
On Starlight Island.
Shen Xuan returned to a peaceful life.
Occasionally, he sparred with Qin Yuehan, feeling both physically and mentally at ease.
More time, however, is spent on cultivation.
The battle with True Master Wisdom Blade.
Made him aware of his own inadequacies.
At this moment, the Demon Realm passage in Yan Country opened, releasing many demon beasts.
This was good news for him.
Unfortunately, there were no Tier Three Water Demons near Starlight Island.
Venturing further into the sea might lead to encountering a Tier Four Demon Emperor.
Shen Xuan could only hunt some Tier Two Water Demons.
To him, it wasn’t very useful.
In his spare time, Shen Xuan flipped through various cultivation scriptures.
Learning about the geography near Song, Liang, Yan, and Lu Countries, and various immortal cultivation tales and local specialties.
Overall, Song Country was still relatively stable.
He waited for two months.
No news came from Wan Meng, the Demon Venerable.
Seeing that Starlight Island was stable,
Shen Xuan decided to have Li Ruyi disguise as him. After informing Qin Yuehan and Zhuang Xueqin, he took Scholar Qianzhu and Lin Zhuying’s urns and headed to the Lin Family at Wo Hu Ridge.
Unknowingly, he had spent over a decade at Starlight Island.
Feeling restless from long tranquility.
He fulfilled his promise to Scholar Qianzhu along the way.
...
Shen Xuan directly arrived at the Lin Family’s clan grounds.
He planned to open Lin Junxing’s tomb to place Scholar Qianzhu and Lin Zhuying’s urns inside.
It was only right to inform the Patriarch of the Lin Family.
Standing outside the Lin Family’s grand array, Shen Xuan sent a message directly.
"Is Fellow Daoist Lin Xingye present? Profound Ice from Cyan Cloud Sect has come to visit!"
The voice echoed throughout the Lin Family’s clan grounds.
Soon, the array’s mist dissipated, and an elderly Foundation Establishment cultivator hurriedly approached.
"Old man Lin Xingcheng greets True Master Profound Ice!"
Lin Xingcheng came over and was about to perform the ceremonial kneeling.
"No need for formalities."
With a slight wave of his sleeve, Shen Xuan stopped Lin Xingcheng’s kneeling.
"Fellow Daoist Lin, do you still remember Profound Ice?"
"I remember! True Master Profound Ice was exceptionally talented, and this old man has never forgotten!"
"Haha."
Shen Xuan remained noncommittal.
Years ago, he still owed True Master Wuchen from Yunyuan Immortal City a favor.
This led him to Wo Hu Mountain’s Lin Family, where he and Scholar Qianzhu explored the Cyan Spirit Secret Realm to pick the superior Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object, the Ashoka Fruit, to assist Lin Zhuying in Foundation Establishment.
"Where’s the Patriarch of Lin Family?"
"Your elder brother will arrive shortly! True Master Profound Ice, please come in! Let this old man guide you!"
Following Lin Xingcheng, Shen Xuan entered the Lin Family’s clan grounds.
Along the way, all Lin Family cultivators performed the ceremonial kneeling.
This time, Shen Xuan did not stop them.
As a Golden Core True Master from a top sect in Liang Country,
allowing Lin Family cultivators to see him was a great fortune for them.
After walking a mere dozen miles.
Two escape lights flew swiftly towards them.
Landed in front, revealing their identities.
It was the Patriarch Lin Xingye and Foundation Establishment cultivator Lin Xingping of the Lin Family.
The two quickly bowed in salute.
"Lin Xingye (Lin Xingping) greets True Master Profound Ice."
After receiving their salutations, Shen Xuan said seriously, "Find a quiet place. I have words for you."
Moments later.
Inside the secret chamber at the Patriarch’s Mansion.
Shen Xuan glanced around.
The once prestigious cultivation clan, now permeated with a sense of faded splendor.
Patriarch Lin Xingye, Foundation Establishment cultivators Lin Xingping, and Lin Xingcheng—all were old and their cultivation realms stagnated at the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment.
Despite putting on a brave facade, their faces were adorned with an inescapable look of aging and worry.
Shen Xuan inquired about the cause of Lin Zhuying’s fall.
In reality, it was quite simple.
The Profound Bamboo Sect could not resist the Dominating Blade Sect, and when faced with the Dominating Blade Sect’s army of cultivators, they expressed subservience.
For this, the Profound Bamboo Sect selected a group of young female Foundation Establishment cultivators to sing and dance, accompanying the high-tier cultivators of the Dominating Blade Sect.
Zhao Mingde happened to be among them.
Coincidentally, he was instantly drawn to Lin Yueying.
Lin Yueying was inherently proud.
She already wasn’t pleased about dancing before the banquet.
How could she bear to serve Zhao Mingde?
Zhao Mingde, having consumed too much spirit wine, was somewhat intoxicated.
Publicly humiliated by Lin Yueying, he was immediately enraged.
During the banquet, he summoned a spiritual artifact sword and cut Lin Yueying in half, ending her life instantly.
Zhao Mingde’s actions also served as a show of force in front of the True Masters of the Profound Bamboo Sect.
Pressured by the reputation of True Master Wisdom Blade from the Dominating Blade Sect, the True Masters of the Profound Bamboo Sect dared not intervene.
At that time, Scholar Qianzhu was on a mission outside the Sect and was not present.
By the time she rushed back, her daughter had long passed.
Scholar Qianzhu harbored her feelings.
Until True Master Wisdom Blade and Spirit Sword True Master were injured during magical combat.
Scholar Qianzhu learned that Zhao Mingde was acquiring Thunder Calamity Ice.
This cultivation spiritual object could help True Master Wisdom Blade heal.
She found the right moment and, during Zhao Mingde’s transaction, appeared to seize it.
After succeeding, Zhao Mingde pursued her relentlessly.
Summoned Tier Three warships and enlisted the help of his senior brother, True Master Ming Yi.
This led to subsequent developments.
After exchanging a few words with emotion, Shen Xuan explained his intentions.
To place Scholar Qianzhu and Lin Zhuying’s urns beside Lin Junxing.
The Patriarch of the Lin Family readily agreed.
Accompanied by Shen Xuan, they arrived at the Lin Family’s ancestral grounds at the back mountain and found Lin Junxing’s tomb.
Shen Xuan personally opened the tomb and placed Scholar Qianzhu and Lin Zhuying’s urns beside Lin Junxing’s urn.
"Thus, you three can be considered as reunited as a family!"
Shen Xuan sighed softly.
Behind him, the three elderly Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Lin Family all had faces full of grief.
Lin Yueying had been a rare talent of the Lin Family.
She joined the Profound Bamboo Sect after reaching Foundation Establishment.
Originally, with her mother Scholar Qianzhu’s nurturing, she had a strong possibility of forming a Fake Pill.
Her fall not only prompted Scholar Qianzhu to draw her sword in fury.
It also led Wo Hu Mountain’s Lin Family into decline.
Shen Xuan looked at Lin Junxing’s tomb.
"Did Lin Junxing leave any descendants?"
The Patriarch of the Lin Family quickly replied, "Junxing never formed a partnership or married."
Shen Xuan nodded.
His gaze swept over the three Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Lin Family.
Understanding the predicament of the Lin Family.
"Fine, consider this a good deed!"
Shen Xuan said sternly, "Lin Family Patriarch, Lin Junxing should have a descendant!"