The illusory moon

Li Fuchan had no interest in how much misfortune others suffered.

However, Wenren Qingyi's words about having taken a job at a family on the Lake and later suffering a demonic calamity vaguely reminded him of something, and some guesses arose in his mind, but he did not show it on his face and did not ask any more questions.

Seeing that Li Fuchan no longer agreed to the offer, Wenren Qingyi stepped aside and led him in with a smile, saying, "Fellow Daoist has come from afar, please come inside for a chat."

"Okay, thank you for your trouble."

Li Fuchan nodded and followed her into the Looking Seaward Tower.

Wenren Qingyi led him to the third floor, where it was quiet and peaceful, a stark contrast to the noisy and bustling place below.

After Li Fuchan took his seat, Wenren Qingyi personally poured him a cup of tea from a jade pot.

Seeing this, Li Fuchan remained outwardly Immovable, but inwardly thought, "As an Outer Scenery cultivator, to treat a complete Rogue Cultivator like this with such courtesy, this Steward Wenren is certainly someone who can put aside his pride."

But upon further reflection, it becomes clear.

Having lost his family and home at a young age, and enduring a life of constant displacement, yet still managing to create Outer Scenery —what could such a person possibly not be able to let go of?

Not to mention that she was in charge of such a large Market Ward.

He had no interest in idle chatter. After Wenren Qingyi sat down, he cut to the chase. "I've come to exchange a Spirit Object with your establishment." Upon hearing this, Wenren Qingyi's eyes lit up with curiosity. "May I ask what you seek, friend?"

"The Longxu Golden Branch"

"Really"

Wenren Qingyi thought to herself.

She had already suspected that this person was a cultivator of the Lesser Yin Dao, and now that she heard him specifically ask for this Spirit Object, it was confirmed.

"Among the forces cultivating Lesser Yin near Evening Yin Island, only the Liu Clan on the island exists. Among the Liu Clan members who have entered the Outer Scenery, besides the Household Head who cultivates 'Valley Water' and cannot leave, there are only Liu Cuo and his eldest grandson."

"The person before me is surnamed Li. I wonder if it's a pseudonym or his real surname. If it's his real surname, then he's not an Overseas cultivator."

As she pondered the matter, a hint of difficulty appeared on her face. "The 'Longxu Golden Branch' is an extremely rare and precious Spirit Object, especially Overseas. My main building has none left, but a branch building hundreds of miles away still has one."

She paused, then looked up at Li Fuchan, "But I wonder what you intend to offer in exchange?"

Li Fuchan remained calm and uttered a few words: "Autumn Moon Joining Frost Qi."

Wenren Qingyi's gaze sharpened slightly, and she subconsciously asked, "Fellow Daoist, is your surname Liu?"

Li Fuchan shook his head. "My surname is Li." Wenren Qingyi was even more puzzled. "But this Autumn Moon Joining Frost Qi is a unique Spiritual Qi of Evening Yin Island. If you don't have the surname Liu..."

Li Fuchan interrupted her, saying in a calm tone, "I stole it."

Wenren Qingyi was taken aback upon hearing this. She observed his expression and found it to be genuine, but her suspicions only grew stronger.

How could a cultivator who has only reached the Lesser Completion stage of the Outer Scenery possibly attempt to steal the "Autumn Moon Joining Frost Qi" from Evening Yin Island?

Li Fuchan's voice turned colder as she softly said, "I've never heard of Looking Seaward Tower also dealing in intelligence."

Wenren Qingyi's expression tightened slightly, instantly sensing the displeasure and criticism in Li Fuchan's words. She immediately composed herself and apologized, "It was Qingyi who asked too many questions. Please forgive me, fellow Daoist."

She paused slightly before turning the conversation back to the main topic. "If you truly possess 'Autumn Moon Joining Frost Qi,' whether it was stolen or robbed, my Looking Seaward Tower is not unwilling to accept it. However, since this item was not obtained cleanly, we must offer a discount."

Li Fuchan nodded. "The 'Longxu Golden Branch' has been delivered, along with a touch of Autumn Moon Joining Frost Qi."

Upon hearing this, Wenren Qingyi's eyes finally showed a hint of surprise. She had thought that Li Fuchan could only offer three or four strands at most, but unexpectedly, he had offered a whole one.

She suppressed her astonishment, her smile remaining unchanged, "Please wait a moment, fellow Daoist. I will immediately send someone to the branch building to fetch the 'Longxu Golden Branch'."

Li Fuchan shook his head. "No need for that. Please write me a Handwritten Order, and I'll go to the branch building to pick it up myself."

Wenren Qingyi was slightly taken aback, but said nothing. She immediately took out a brush and ink, wrote a Handwritten Order, and handed it over. Li Fuchan took it, glanced at it, and put it into his sleeve. He nodded and said, "Thank you for your trouble, fellow Daoist." After saying that, he got up and went downstairs. Once outside, he rode a long gust of wind and disappeared into the distance without looking back.

Wenren Qingyi leaned against the railing, watching the pale figure gradually disappear on the horizon. After a long while, she withdrew her gaze and muttered to herself, "Truly a cautious person."

Li Fuchan arrived and left just as quickly, paying no attention whatsoever to Wenren Qingyi.

The stories in the world are all the same.

For the sake of a Spirit Object, one might spend three to five months Market Ward, making enemies here and there, killing each other, and finally adding a twist to the story of winning the heart of a beauty—it's all incredibly boring.

Now that the Spirit Object is within reach, why wait any longer? The important thing is to obtain it as soon as possible and prepare for the Sacrificial Rite.

As for Wenren Qingyi, he vaguely felt that the Looking Seaward Tower's use of Zhang Yuanqing's Pill Furnace as bait to lure the red-clothed youth back then was inextricably linked to this Wenren Qingyi.

However, speculation is just speculation; whether it's true or false, it doesn't concern him at all.

Li Fuchan hurried along the road and soon arrived at the branch building of Looking Seaward Tower. Holding Wenren Qingyi's Handwritten Order, he took the "Longxu Golden Branch," left behind a wisp of "Autumn Moon Joining Frost Qi," and left without looking back.

Returning to the deserted island where he had previously secluded himself, he re-established the Restriction outside his cave abode and began preparing for the Sacrificial Rite.

The Sacrificial Rite recorded in the "Autumn Union Shaoling Embracing the Alchemy Classic" are not complicated, and there is no need to build any elaborate altars.

The Yang Aspect itself is the altar. With "Autumn Moon Joining Frost Qi" as the main offering and "Longxu Golden Branch" as incense, that is sufficient.

"Xu" has the meaning of phantom transformation, upward communication and downward communication.

The term "Changxu" refers to extending and prolonging this fleeting opportunity for transformation.

This item is perfectly suited for use as incense in offerings.

Li Fuchan took out a Jade Box from his Storage Bag, inside which lay a golden branch no more than an inch long.

Shaped like the gnarled branches of an old plum tree, it is pale gold all over, with subtle, flowing lines on the surface of the branches. It feels slightly cool to the touch, and upon closer inspection, it seems as if a very thin layer of frost is slowly flowing on the surface of the branches, yet it remains solid and does not dissipate.

He meditated in the cave abode for two days, adjusting his own energy to its most peaceful state.

They waited until a clear, moonlit night before finally emerging from their cave abode.

The sea breeze whipped at his face, the autumn wind desolate and bitter. Standing on the island's cliff edge, gazing at the bright moon in the sky, he couldn't help but frown slightly. "The seasons are so unpredictable Overseas; it's truly detrimental to my cultivation. It's time to return to South of the Yangtze."

He didn't think much about it, slowly closed his eyes, and began to visualize the Outer Scenery.

The Outer Scenery of an Outer Scenery cannot be released to affect the outside world; it must be facilitated by the natural scenery generated between heaven and earth.

In the past, when he cultivated the "Muffled Crow in Ambush" technique, Dark Clouds often accompanied him during his magical duels. This was because he had deliberately chosen the right time each time, and also because "Li Thunder" (the Thunder God) was giving him a blessing to complete the imagery of "Muffled Crow in Ambush."

Nowadays, the "Autumn Moon Joining Frost" do not receive such special treatment.

To wait for a suitable celestial phenomenon, one can only proceed step by step and wait patiently.

As the Lesser Yin Law Power rippled, the Lunar Soul in the Outer Scenery was slowly stirred, and the "Autumn Moon Joining Frost Qi" began to spread, causing the surrounding scenery to gradually change. A thin layer of white frost gradually appeared on the ground, like a silver gauze covering the ground, spreading Soundless.

The autumn moon hung high in the sky, its clear light even brighter than usual, scattering across the sea like countless silvery scales.

A faint, almost imperceptible fragrance of osmanthus wafted in the air, unlike any real flower.

In the Outer Scenery Li Fuchan, the Lunar Soul gradually approaches fullness in the chilly night.

After an unknown amount of time, he slowly opened his eyes, holding the "Longxu Golden Branch," bowed deeply to the bright moon in the sky, and gently inserted the "Longxu Golden Branch" into the thick frost and snow at his feet, following the method recorded in the "Autumn Union Shaoling Embracing the Alchemy Classic."

Although the frost and snow were created by him using his Law Power to stir up the "Autumn Moon Joining Frost Qi," they were also a real and tangible scene formed by nature in this autumn night.

The moment "Longxu Golden Branch" disappeared into the frost and snow, whether it was an illusion or not, the bright moon overhead seemed even colder, appearing more ethereal and otherworldly.

The "Longxu Golden Branch" melted away inch by inch in the frost and snow, like a piece of incense slowly burning out. The pale golden light seeped into the ground through the frost, and his Law Power slowly increased accordingly.

The form of "Autumn Moon Joining Frost" is being accumulated during this Sacrificial Rite. When the "Longxu Golden Branch" have completely melted away, a cool and refreshing atmosphere will prevail between heaven and earth.

Li Fuchan was tall and covered in snow, with clear eyes.

He strolled to the edge of a small lake on the island.

The lake was as still as a mirror, reflecting his figure and the bright moon in the sky, but the moon in the water was clearer than the one in the sky.

He gazed at his reflection in the water and suddenly chuckled softly:

"After a long period of practice without a moment's rest, the tranquility I've sought has finally been achieved today."