Incarnation

After settling everything with Yang Yuanxin and agreeing to meet in Chonghua Commandery, Xu Xuan prepared to leave.

[Deep Abyss] was no place to linger, after all. Xu Xuan said his farewells, and Yang Yuanxin saw him off.

He sat on the white jade platform. White light flashed, and he left this realm, returning to the ancient road. At its other end stood a luminous blue gateway, where his consciousness would return.

Standing beneath the stone mountain, Yang Yuanxin watched Xu Xuan depart from its summit with a trace of envy. Even she was not entitled to use the paths at the peak.

Someone suddenly appeared behind the woman in red. He bore some resemblance to her, with red feathers at his temples and an imposing aura. He was clearly an accomplished cultivator at the late stage of Foundation Establishment.

"Yuanxin, how much truth was there in that dragon scion's words?"

The man wore a deep ocher-red robe, looking dignified and splendid. Gazing in the direction Xu Xuan had left, he asked in a low voice.

Seeing who had come, Yang Yuanxin beamed.

"Elder Brother Yuanyi, we've finally found a good candidate this time."

Yang Yuanyi, however, seemed unsettled. His brows drew together as he asked:

"How long has it been since anyone from the Great Mist Marsh ventured out? Yet his [Mysterious Yin Reverse Scale] is genuine, though its color is unusual. It's truly strange."

"If he really belongs to the Dragon Court, how would we dare provoke him?"

Yang Yuanxin seemed fairly confident. She leaned closer and said quietly:

"I sounded him out. He's most likely the blood descendant of some great personage, born outside. He probably hasn't even entered the Dragon Court more than a few times. His knowledge is shallow."

"But through him, we can establish contact with the great personages of the Great Mist Marsh. He's interested in [Surging Tribulation Heaven], too. It's a perfect opportunity to join forces."

Yang Yuanyi seemed somewhat persuaded, but still cautioned her:

"We must make absolutely certain nothing goes wrong. [Surging Tribulation Heaven] descended without any warning. The clan had made no preparations, and we lack a key to enter."

"We should still have the clan elders examine him before reaching a conclusion."

Yang Yuanxin agreed, then gazed somewhat absently at the jade platforms atop the stone mountain.

Meanwhile, Xu Xuan's consciousness returned. He was back inside the True Abode Hall.

The trip had taken considerable time, but yielded much. He had gathered plenty of information; the cultivation methods were secondary. What mattered most was understanding the plans surrounding Red Cloud South.

"Tiantuo, what do you think?"

Xu Xuan wanted to consult the old demon and see how he should proceed.

"This isn't quite as difficult as you imagine. It's not necessarily a road to certain death. Otherwise, why would all the households of the Great Scenery Plains keep enduring in silence? They might as well blow up their cultivation bodies one after another."

Tiantuo grew unusually serious. His voice low, he explained carefully:

"According to Yang Yuanxin, Ancient Shu fell to demons."

"As the saying goes, a sovereign dies for his realm. Once the sovereign is dead, his ministers may surrender or flee."

"After you reach Foundation Establishment, Qing Ling will certainly march against you again. But she won't necessarily have to kill you all. You only need to hold out for a certain time and finish acting out this play."

Hearing this, Xu Xuan felt somewhat reassured. What he needed to consider now was how to survive the Demon Calamity after reaching Foundation Establishment.

"So, by that reasoning, I'm basically safe until I reach Foundation Establishment?"

"Not necessarily. Haven't those of the Shamanic Way set their sights on you, too? This really is troublesome."

Tiantuo sounded unusually discouraged. The situation here was truly a pool of muddy water, impossible to see through.

"The most important thing now is still to locate your cultivation method. It must be at least fourth grade. Otherwise, with an immortal foundation formed through your current third-grade method, how could you hope to pursue the Purple Mansion?"

"In a month, I'll have to go to Mountain Flame City. If I go there in the flesh, how can I fool all those demons?"

Xu Xuan voiced his greatest concern. If he gave himself away then, he would probably die on the spot.

Tiantuo instructed him in a low voice:

"Demons can take human form, and humans can take demon form. Normally, only those of the Purple Mansion can fully master such transformations. But you possess that seal-script inscription and carry the Dark Flood Dragon Fortune. With my methods, it can be done."

"I have a secret art called [Six Paths of Rebirth]. Back when I considered reincarnating and cultivating anew, I sought it out specially. Now, using that Dark Flood Dragon Fortune, you can sever off an external body."

Xu Xuan's eyes lit up.

"Is it a method for creating an external incarnation?"

"How could it be that simple? The external body you sever off is merely an object. Your spiritual sense can enter and control it. At most, it amounts to dividing your attention between two tasks."

"What do I need to prepare?"

"Spend this month cultivating the [Jade Blood Heavenly Heart Art] first, until your blood energy is brimming. I'll transmit the secret art to you, and you can study it. Meanwhile, I need to work out how to fashion this external body so it can fool others."

With that, Tiantuo transmitted a secret art to Xu Xuan, then fell silent.

The grade of [Six Paths of Rebirth] was unknown, but any secret art that a Purple Mansion great demon valued so highly had to be exceedingly precious.

"When a thought arises, sorrow and joy follow the heart. Each reaps the deeds they sow; so it is with all living beings. To know the fruits of the next life, look to the causes of the last."

Xu Xuan was somewhat surprised that this secret art involved Buddhist teachings. The blood-red Mandarava that Tiantuo had become was deeply connected to the manifestations within the pure lands of the buddhas. He wondered what entanglements the old demon had with Buddhism.

Xu Xuan had grown suspicious and questioned Tiantuo before, but the latter always answered that his memories were missing. Whether that was true remained unknown.

"For now, I should study this secret art carefully and bring the [Jade Blood Heavenly Heart Art] to minor attainment. Then I'll have something to rely on when I go to Mountain Flame City in a month."

Having made up his mind, Xu Xuan entered secluded cultivation.

Liu Xiaowen had been busy these past few days. Frostreturn Peak needed tending, and he had completed the work with Senior Brother Chiyu's assistance.

There had been no major conflicts in recent years, only minor friction. They remained locked in a stalemate with Black Wind Valley and the Lotus Temple, neither side making any rash moves.

Once everything on Frostreturn Peak was ready, Liu Xiaowen moved into a courtyard, gaining a residence of his own.

His senior brother now had a child. Using his savings from many years, Liu Xiaowen went to the Jade Glass Market in the Great Scenery Plains and bought a high-grade Fetal Breath jade pendant as a congratulatory gift. It could nurture the Root Bone. Though its effects were modest, he had chosen it with care.

"It's time to cultivate the secret arts in the Heavenly Fire Eternal Radiance Scripture."

So far, Liu Xiaowen had only learned [Starlight Upper-Heavens Illumination]. After he reached Qi Refining, its magical light had turned crimson. It could disrupt the mind and strengthen the edge of weapons, but was still somewhat lacking in direct magical combat.

The secret art he now intended to cultivate was called [Cruel Tiger Flame Aspect]. [Bing Fire] followed a majestic path, upright and holding the highest station. Yet this secret art drew upon the idea of a lawless sovereign and a world thrown into turmoil to form the aspect of a cruel tiger, capable of devouring vital essence and qi, breaking spells, and throwing order into chaos.

In a magical duel, this secret art could break through magical light and disrupt the flow of qi. Liu Xiaowen could seize that opportunity to unleash his sword techniques and employ the [Great Sun Radiant Flame] in a direct attack.

He had vaguely sensed the changes around their sect. If the Lotus Temple wished to establish itself in Red Cloud South, it would inevitably have to deal with Great Scarlet. Black Wind Valley had made repeated incursions and was still driving demonic creatures their way. A formation had already been laid along the border with Eastern Secret, and he was responsible for overseeing it.

At this thought, Liu Xiaowen stirred the [Great Sun Radiant Flame] within him. A golden flame ignited on his fingertip.

This spiritual flame could evolve as his cultivation grew, and its power far exceeded that of earth baleful fire.

Liu Xiaowen now always cultivated beneath the sunlight. With the seal-script inscription [Sun-Flint Descent of Fire] upon him, he had an affinity with the sun and could cultivate by directly worshipping it, just like demons and spirits. His cultivation was now advancing far faster than before.

As a Fetal Breath artifact, [Fire Tiger Fang] was becoming inadequate. But he had used this magical sword for a long time, and it fit his hand perfectly. He planned to reforge this Dharma Sword and raise it to low-grade Qi Refining.

After reaching Qi Refining, he had returned to White Ridge once. Liu Shengshui had taken some of the pills he sent and had suffered no illness, but had grown so old that he could barely recognize Liu Xiaowen.

Aging felt so tangible, yet so unreal. Every time he returned to White Ridge, several elders had passed away.

At his own sect, however, most elders grew younger and younger as their cultivation advanced.

"Master still looked middle-aged back then, but now that his cultivation has reached the seventh level of Qi Refining, he looks much younger. Once he reaches Foundation Establishment, he'll probably regain the appearance of a young man."

This was the divide between immortals and mortals.

Dismissing these thoughts, Liu Xiaowen concentrated on cultivating the secret art. Before long, he would also have to visit Horse-Tethering Road. More means at his disposal would give him greater confidence.

The Great Scenery Plains, the Liu Household.

Qingyun gazed somewhat absently at the [Verdant Willow]. She had come here from Jade Flow an unknown number of years ago and had gradually grown accustomed to human life.

She lounged on a blue stone chair in the pavilion, dressed in plain blue cloth like a fisherman's wife. Yet a twist of her waist brought forth an alluring charm.

Liu Qiuqi was pruning flowers and shrubs in the courtyard. His expression was focused, lending him a distinct air of dignity.

"Counting the days, the Thunder Edict Path should already be preparing to enter that grotto-heaven. What are your thoughts?"

Qingyun asked languidly, craning her head to look over.

"What difference would my thoughts make? How these matters unfold has nothing to do with what I think."

Liu Qiuqi continued tending the courtyard's flowers and plants. Looking toward Qingyun, who was idling nearby, he said in a low voice:

"Stop lazing about. Come over and help."

"No."

Qingyun's answer was crisp, like pearls and jade striking the ground.

"When I left Demon Mountain, everyone in my clan envied me for getting to see the world. I came to you full of joy, thinking I might manage to become the mistress of a household."

"Your first wife has been dead for so many years, yet I still won't do. Now I've become your maid. My sisters in the clan all laugh at me, saying I can't even win over a man."

With that, Qingyun began pretending to sob, forcing Liu Qiuqi to stop his work.

"Even if I did as you said and married you into the Liu Household, what then? Would you be left a widow afterward?"

Liu Qiuqi came over and sat a palm's breadth away from Qingyun, his expression somewhat somber.

Qingyun turned toward him, however, her body soft as though boneless, and lay down in his arms.

"A widow? I'm a snake demon. Don't you know a snake's nature? The moment you die, I'll run straight back to the mountains and find another handsome young man."

"Then I'll go with him to your grave and offer you a stick of incense. We'll be affectionate right in front of you, so you can see that even without you, I'm still free and happy."

As though she had thought of something amusing, Qingyun laughed boldly and without restraint, revealing a captivating, seductive charm.

Liu Qiuqi looked at her face and felt that this was what a demon was. How many ordinary mortals and accomplished immortals had fallen captive to such a smile? Even when faced with a wicked ghost wearing painted skin, some coveted its beauty and willingly drowned themselves in that illusion until they died.

He gently stroked her face. Qingyun turned her head and lightly bit his hand, causing a faint sting.

The woman in his arms suddenly sat up, embraced him, and leaned close to whisper in his ear:

"Liu Qiuqi, sometimes I want to swallow you in one bite."

"Then I'd run toward the Eastern Sea. I've heard its scenery is unmatched beneath heaven. I want to take my first man there to see it."

"Once you're dead, I'll ask for your skull and take it with me to admire the Eastern Sea."

Liu Qiuqi showed little emotion. His youth was long behind him. For the sake of the Liu Household, calculation now occupied far more of his heart.

Even the affection of the green snake in his arms was part of his calculations.

Someone entered from outside the courtyard. It was Liu Baiyuan, now grown, handsome and elegant, with the same graceful bearing as Liu Qiuqi.

The two in the pavilion immediately separated, somewhat embarrassed.

"Greetings, Father. Greetings-Aunt."

Liu Baiyuan's form of address for Qingyun was somewhat odd, making her turn away rather than look at him.

Liu Qiuqi answered with a smile and asked:

"I told you to prepare a visit to the Great Red Abbey in Green Peaks. Have you made all the arrangements?"

"The people who will go and the gifts we'll bring have all been arranged. We only need to choose a time to set out."

Liu Baiyuan explained the arrangements in detail, leaving Liu Qiuqi thoroughly satisfied. Father and son chatted for a while before Liu Baiyuan tactfully excused himself.

"Why make him call me Aunt? Doesn't that sound awkward?"

Qingyun rose, a hint of displeasure in her voice.

"You looked after him often when he was little. Doesn't having him acknowledge you as his aunt make you closer?"

Liu Qiuqi's answer was somewhat perfunctory, bringing a trace of reproach to Qingyun's lovely face.

"He always called me Mother when he was little. Why has he grown distant now that he's older?"

Qingyun sounded wistful.

"Don't bring that up. Who knows what you taught him? Bai Yuan actually kept clamoring to visit Jade Flow when he was little."

Remembering this, Liu Qiuqi felt a headache coming on.

"What's wrong with Jade Flow? Isn't it better than this shabby place of yours?"

"Once you breathe your last, I'll take Bai Yuan to Jade Flow. My clan has plenty of younger women waiting to marry. Once he reaches that haven of tender embraces, he won't want to come back."

Qingyun spoke in anger, then lowered her head.

Neither spoke. They simply sat there in silence.

The sky gradually darkened. Twilight fell into the courtyard, and Qingyun moved a little closer.

It was the height of summer. The cries of insects rose all around, and night finally descended.

Qingyun kept her head lowered, hiding her expression. In a voice as faint as a mosquito's hum, she whispered:

"Liu Qiuqi, don't leave, all right?"

Beside her, the gentleman in blue closed his eyes, seeming a little sleepy.