Wisdom Taken to Extremes

Fang Lin met Jiang Wangxuan's deeply meaningful gaze and steeled himself. "Jixia is one of Qinghuan's two imperial capitals, where Purple Mansion True Persons gather like clouds. Though there are few seniors on the path of Grand Yin, Jixia has several."

"Brother Wangxuan, I imagine you cultivate alone at Lüyu University as well, with no teacher to part the clouds and clear away the mist!"

Jiang Wangxuan nodded, motioning for Fang Lin to continue.

"At your age, Brother Wangxuan, you've already mastered the 'Moon-Worshipping Mind-Calming Incantation.' Though you haven't reached Foundation Establishment, you've already grasped one or two of the Immortal Foundation 'Autumn Moon Osmanthus's' mysteries. You're surely among the foremost on the path of Grand Yin, but no one can claim to be completely certain of succeeding at Foundation Establishment!"

"Having a Grand Yin teacher at your side would be an extra layer of protection, wouldn't it? Brother Wangxuan, wouldn't you agree?"

Fang Lin's manner was utterly sincere. The fact that Luyu University had no Grand Yin cultivators of advanced cultivation was no secret in Jiangnan, which only made it clearer how uniquely blessed Jiang Wangxuan was on the path of Grand Yin!

"I understand what you mean, Brother Fang. Poaching someone from Lüyu University so openly and aboveboard, aren't you afraid an important figure from Yuanhuai Heaven will come down to the Fang Household and have a word with you?"

Fang Lin gave a sheepish smile. "I'm only suggesting that Brother Wangxuan make his Foundation Establishment breakthrough in Jixia. How could that possibly alert Yuanhuai Heaven? Brother Jiang, you worry too much!"

Jiang Wangxuan shook his head. "If I chose to make my breakthrough in Jixia, where would that leave my teachers at Lüyu University? I'm sure you understand what's at stake, Brother Fang. It wouldn't just be a public slap in Lüyu University's face, but in Lord True Lord Chengyue's face as well."

"Besides, it's only Foundation Establishment. Though you're badly injured, Brother Fang, once you return to the Fang Household and recuperate a little, you'll surely be able to condense your Immortal Foundation in a single attempt. For the two of us, grasping its mysteries first and condensing the Immortal Foundation afterward is as natural as the turning of the seasons!"

The battle on Jinping Mountain had brought Jiang Wangxuan considerable gains. Apart from the silver moon wheel in his Qi sea becoming more profound, he had mastered the third-grade "Moon-Worshipping Spirit-Calming Benediction" and made some progress with the fourth-grade "Moon Shadows Become Three People."

If he openly used those Grand Yin spells in public, who would doubt that he was a Foundation Establishment cultivator?

Fang Lin was struck speechless. That was right! Foundation Establishment was no great difficulty for Brother Wangxuan now. But why had he died? And at the very place where he was attempting his Foundation Establishment breakthrough!

He did not doubt the truth of the glimpse of the future he had seen. In more than ten years, He had never been wrong! No matter how hard Fang Lin tried to change even a little, He was always right!

But why was it Brother Wangxuan this time?

The two had known each other for only a few days, but the bond forged in a battle of life and death was beyond the reach of casual acquaintances in the mortal world!

Jiang Wangxuan had not only saved his life, but also helped him attain the Dao. The "faint light" left behind by the "Radiant Wish" in his Rising Yang Mansion was enough to let him glimpse the threshold of Purple Mansion Divine Abilities!

This benefactor meant so much to his Dao Path, yet once again He was making him watch helplessly as the man walked toward his end! It was always like this! Every single time!

Fang Lin had had enough! If I can't change anything, why let me know at all?

"Brother Jiang, did you know that Yuanhuai Heaven has never been particularly peaceful over the past thousand years?"

Fang Lin hid the unwillingness in his eyes and turned to face the city's nightscape. "A thousand years ago, True Lord Dongyuan fell in the Zangke Dark Desert. Weak Water wept in grief, and a Divine Core also presided over the grotto-heaven. For the next several hundred years, Yuanhuai Heaven knew no peace. A Lord Yu from beyond the realm finally took over the grotto-heaven, only to fall as well!"

"A True Lord who had attained fruition and a Lord Yu fell one after another within a few hundred years. The decline of the entire Weak Water Dao lineage was laid bare. By the time the last Divine Core lord perished alongside an enemy lord, the Weak Water lineage didn't even have a single Great True Person!"

Here it came again! Last time it was Hearth Fire, and this time it was Weak Water. Big Fat Fish spread his little hands in the Rising Yang Mansion and said helplessly, "This fellow isn't even pretending anymore!"

"Brother Wangxuan, you've probably heard of the Central Palace Rebellion in Yuanhuai Heaven three hundred years ago. The former Dongyuan lineage left the grotto-heaven because of it and settled in the Southern Mountains, but all these years, they've never given up their long-cherished wish to return to the grotto-heaven!"

"Since Lüyu University was established, the struggle between Weak Water and Clear Water has never ceased either. Brother Jiang, I'll speak a truth that may offend Lüyu University: you really aren't suited to staying there. Once you succeed at Foundation Establishment, you'll inevitably be swept into the turmoil that has gripped them for hundreds of years!"

Fang Lin stopped to think again, his brows drawn tightly together as he deduced the most likely cause of Jiang Wangxuan's death.

His older male cousin had made it quite clear: Jiang Wangxuan had been assassinated at the site of his breakthrough, not killed by a failed Foundation Establishment. Fang Lin guessed that someone must have tried to make it look as though Jiang Wangxuan's breakthrough had failed, only for Lüyu University to see through the deception!

At the thought, Fang Lin could not help sneering. What a fierce struggle this was!

No wonder Qingdu had to send people south to investigate the truth. To do such a thing right under a True Lord's nose, and while someone was attempting a Foundation Establishment breakthrough-their conduct was outrageous. How did those people dare?

Fang Lin had only just awakened, and now the true essence throughout his body trembled. Law Power even spilled out of him. Jiang Wangxuan's expression turned grave, and he summoned a strand of moonlight and sent it into Fang Lin's body.

As soon as the moonlight surged into Fang Lin's Qi sea, it kindled a blazing fire. A pure, subtle intent that cleared the mind rushed toward his Rising Yang Mansion, and Fang Lin immediately came to his senses from his endless deductions!

His expression shifted, and his brows never unknitted. Only after a long while did he say, "It's common knowledge that Grand Yin guides and refines Clear Water, so True Lord Chengyue has never stopped nurturing Grand Yin cultivators. But few people know that Grand Yin is even more closely connected to the withering Weak Water lineage!"

"Brother Jiang, if you return to Lüyu University, you must be wary of the former Dongyuan lineage. It would be best if you could spend some time studying in Jixia as an exchange student from Lüyu University. You're still so young, and you can strengthen your foundation further. There's no need to rush into Foundation Establishment, and the path of Grand Yin also has the wonder of extending one's life. Brother Jiang, you could easily-"

"Brother Fang, does your true essence often go out of control and your Law Power leak out like this?"

Fang Lin had grown more agitated as he spoke, his words coming faster and faster, but Jiang Wangxuan's sudden question was like a bucket of cold water thrown into his Rising Yang Mansion.

A chill welled up from deep within him and ran through his entire body. For a moment, Fang Lin did not know how to answer!

Jiang Wangxuan lowered his eyes and patted Fang Lin on the shoulder in the night breeze. "Brother Fang, wisdom taken to extremes harms the body!"

Fang Lin stared in shock at Jiang Wangxuan's retreating figure as he walked back to his room. A belated fear coiled around his heart. He lowered his head numbly. "What's wrong with me? Haven't I seen this many times already? Why am I still so indignant?"

"Could it be that I've stopped seeing Brother Jiang as someone without a 'future,' so I no longer care about anything else?"

The moon shone bright among sparse stars, and a cold wind blew. The night passed without further conversation!

Early the next morning, after the family of four and their invalid had eaten a simple breakfast, Father Jiang offered to drive Fang Lin to the high-speed rail station. Jiang Wangxuan "gladly" accompanied them to see their guest off!

This troublesome fellow was finally leaving Luzhou!

It was common these days for cultivators to travel north and south. Ever since high-speed rail lines had opened across both regions, it was perfectly ordinary to be in Qingdu in the north one day and Jixia in the south the next!

Most travelers who could make such long journeys were Qi Refinement cultivators. The strange and wondrous immortal scenery of Qinghuan's Six Realms held an irresistible attraction for Qi Refinement cultivators who had achieved some measure of success!

Seeking the Dao and visiting ancient sites-what a joy it was!

A few decades ago, only someone with the cultivation of a Purple Mansion Divine Ability user could possibly cross from north to south. Now, a high-speed rail ticket from Qingdu to Jixia had become an essential part of a young cultivator's journey out into the world for experience.

He had heard that in another ten-odd years, the high-speed rail line from the Southern Sea Stone Pond to the Hollow Mulberry Snowfield would open as well. Then Qinghuan's northern and southern realms would be physically connected across the land!

"Uncle Jiang, thank you for coming to see me off so early. Please add my contact details too. Auntie Jiang and Little Brother Jiang both have my number. Brother Jiang is busy cultivating, so if you run into any trouble, you must contact me anytime..."

Though Father Jiang was not a cultivator, his many years of experience at work still allowed him to see that this "benefactor" from the Fang Household was extraordinarily sincere. Such honest people were rare these days.

The two of them lingered over their farewells at the station for quite a while before they were finally done, and it was at last time to say goodbye to Brother Jiang!

But looking into Brother Jiang's clear, perceptive eyes, Fang Lin found himself at a loss for words. A journey that was neither particularly short nor particularly long was coming to an end, and it was time to part again!

"Brother Wangxuan, put your safety first in everything. I, Fang Lin of Jixia, will always welcome you!"

Jiang Wangxuan nodded. "Fang Lin, take care!"

They did not shake hands or say goodbye again. They exchanged one last look, and Fang Lin rode the high-speed train away from the city!

Fang Lin felt he had said everything, whether he should have said it or not. He thought he would never forget that snowy night, when Jiang Wangxuan's magic sword danced beneath the moon!

The construction of Luzhou's high-speed rail station was the best decision made by the officials who had governed Luzhou over the past century. Back then, the entire city had gone into debt to force the high-speed rail route to make a detour through Luzhou.

Jiang Wangxuan stood on a floor of a building opposite the high-speed rail station for an entire day. Thirty-four high-speed trains passed through Luzhou Station that day, most involving transfers; not one was a direct train.

More passengers were leaving than returning, and only when the moon hung high did the platforms gradually grow quiet!

Only after most of the station staff had gone home did Jiang Wangxuan silently leave beneath the moon. That son of the Jixia Fang Clan, who concealed a great secret, had not "suddenly" returned to Luzhou, and Jiang Wangxuan was quite satisfied with that!

After leaving the station, Jiang Wangxuan did not return home. Instead, he headed west and came once more to Jinping Mountain beneath the moon!

Jinping Mountain had been no different from usual over the past two days, with neither more nor fewer tourists. The remarkable snowfall of a few days ago had quickly lost its popularity as new topics took its place!

The rotting-wood tunnel hidden in the mountain's belly was also temporarily screened by the dense woods. Jiang Wangxuan followed the path up and found nothing unusual along the way, until he climbed to a mountain peak.

He looked up at the peaks not far away, which resembled the two ends of a painting scroll. Only when the Spider Mother had begun absorbing the "Radiant Wish" that day had Big Fat Fish finally discovered the source of the Black Tide's upheaval!

Why had that "Radiant Wish" been so difficult to "take down"?

It was because an unknown secret realm lay hidden between those two peaks, and that very secret realm had held the "Radiant Wish" on Jinping Mountain.

The true secret of the Jiang Household's bloodline lay hidden there!