Chapter 1310: Seeking Help (I)

"Back when Li Jiangqun traveled through Yue State, he once mentioned a certain region usually concealed beneath layers upon layers of forbidden formations. Not only is it cut off from the great void, but its outermost layer is hidden beneath immortal formation restrictions, such that even a True Monarch cannot perceive it.

"Within that region is a piece of the Hunyi[1] Immortal Wall, left behind by an ancient Immortal Lord. Li Jiangqun personally said that it is even more difficult for a True Monarch to approach that place, so they do not even dare draw near."

Chi Buzi said softly, "Li Jiangqun nonetheless had a method to enter such a region. He told Ning Tiaoxiao, told Zipei and Qiushui, and even told Xiao Xianyou. In the end, this region was no longer a secret within the Supreme Yang and Golden Feather Dao lineages.

"Although one cannot communicate with the great void beneath that immortal wall, the spiritual aura and rules there are no different from those of ancient times. Both the Green Pine Supreme Yang Dao and the Golden One Upper Azure path often send people there."

Shaohui listened and nodded. Although the names he mentioned left little impression on her, she roughly grasped his meaning and frowned as she said, "You mean that hiding in this place..."

Chi Buzi bowed once again as he said, "If my lady has an appropriate method at hand, such as granting a spirit artifact or a sensing formation, I need only fix the location beneath the immortal wall. Once I reach that place, I will be able to remember.

"Besides that... I also possess a divine ability known as Chougui Hidden Form. This divine ability was not cut off like Purifying Dew. There are many inheritances of it in the present age, though few at the Purple Mansion Realm. Pristine Water deliberately refuses to pass it down, which is why it is not found in the Azure Pond Sect. The version held by the Azure Pond Sect is said to have been obtained from the Chunyi Dao Gate.

"When I entered Anhuai Heaven back then, I did not find this method. If I cannot account for its origin, I will certainly be suspected by Pristine Water."

The implication was clear. He was attempting to entrust this matter to Shaohui. Shaohui frowned as she replied, "I knew it would be troublesome, but I did not expect it to be troublesome to this extent."

Fearing that she might back away from the difficulty, Chi Buzi hastily said, "This technique does have an origin. The Feathered Serpent once possessed it, but after being swallowed by a Hornless Dragon, it fell into the hands of the Dragon Clan. The Dragon Clan even holds a Purple Mansion Realm method of Purifying Dew.

"There have been Daoist Masters in Wu State at Mount Changhuai, in the Great Western Plains at Victory White Hall, and under Empress Beiyao of the Northern Sea who cultivated Chougui Hidden Form. Both the Origin Mansion and the Chunyi Dao possess Pristine Water Dao lineages.

"The Origin Mansion is not ideal, but as long as it exists in the present world, it would be reasonable for me to obtain it. It is worth a try."

After listing a string of names, a faint gleam appeared in Chi Buzi's eyes as he continued, "Back then, I was also puzzled as to why the five Pristine Water Daos were not all cut off together, and why only Purifying Dew was severed. I originally thought it was because they had offended the Underworld's judiciary.

"Later, after hearing Lord Zhen'gao's explanation, I finally understood that there was another reason. The three Daos of Chougui Hidden Form are an extension of Valley Water. They are not solely the concern of Pristine Water. They may involve certain people scheming for Valley Water, and even several Dao lineages that achieved their Dao through Valley Water, which is why they could not be cut off at will.

"As for the cultivators of the Azure Pond Sect, all he could do was refrain from passing down the Chougui Hidden Form technique, and instead spread the Clear Dusk Rain attainment to lock the path of further cultivation."

Shaohui let out a heavy sigh, signaling that she understood, and said softly, "You should first report this to me, then ask someone to look for Immortal Official Liu. After all, he was the one who pushed this matter onto Dangjiang, so it ought to fall under his responsibility. As for you, go back and look for the technique first. I do not have the ability to arrange everything for you."

Chi Buzi performed a formal salute and replied respectfully, "My lady, please rest assured."

Only then did Shaohui rise to her feet. Chi Buzi followed along with a trace of worry in his heart,

The heavens should be able to receive me from the Hunyi Immortal Wall. If even the heavens cannot cross an Immortal Lord's methods, then it truly is a dead end.

Dangjiang, who had been listening quietly, could not help but speak, "If it does not work, then seize the chance and push for the Golden Core Realm first. Would that not be better than living miserably under his thumb? Besides, once he comes back, will your chances of breaking through not be even slimmer?"

Chi Buzi gently shook his head and replied, "A breakthrough? Where would I suddenly obtain a technique and a method to break through to the Golden Core Realm? And how would I know when he will return? If I do not prepare, sooner or later I will be waiting for death. No matter how hard I fight, it will not last for decades. For all we know, he may already be back and merely healing his wounds in a grotto heaven."

His eyes lowered slightly as he continued, "Moreover... I suspect whether the Outer Heavens are truly engaged in battle, and what Pristine Water is actually planning. Who can possibly know?"

The three of them walked for a while and soon arrived atop Zhen'gao's high platform. The immortal general was still seated there, though the decorations on either side had changed somewhat, and the scrolls that had once been laid out before him were gone.

"We meet again." Zhen'gao looked at the three as they bowed. He said calmly, "Shaohui already told me about your matter."

Chi Buzi's attempt at self preservation was not unexpected. From beginning to end, Lu Jiangxian's attitude toward him had been to delay whenever possible. From his sudden arrival at Moongaze Lake, to his submission at Zongquan Island, and even the final extension of Valley Water, all of it had been driven by Chi Buzi's persistent and earnest pursuit of the Dao.

Yet none of this could avoid the issue of Pristine Water.

Erasing my own traces before Pristine Water's eyes would be effortless, but preserving Chi Buzi would be far more difficult.

Years ago, when Chi Buzi had rashly come to the lake, Lu Jiangxian's strength had yet to recover. After examining Chi Buzi's soul, he discovered the methods left behind by Pristine Cadence Heaven within it. In order not to alarm Pristine Water, who was in seclusion, he could not search the soul or alter memories, and thus resorted to this inferior plan, using Dangjiang, the soul of Maha Jinlian, as a backup restraint.

𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

As cause and effect unfolded, Lu Jiangxian grew increasingly powerful. After obtaining that immortal art, his strength had undergone a qualitative transformation. Chi Buzi's threat had then diminished by the day. Dangjiang eventually returned to the Immortal Mansion, and Buzi gained entry into higher circles. Yet Lu Jiangxian always maintained a mindset of exploitation toward this demonic figure.

Having now received multiple Purple Mansion Realm offerings, he truly did not wish to lose such a powerful assistant. That was why he responded to Shaohui through Zhen'gao, and why Chi Buzi was also given his answer.

The crucial point in Chi Buzi's matter is altering memories. That is not impossible. As long as he opens his mind, I can bypass Pristine Water's methods. But regardless of whether Pristine Water believes it or whether it succeeds, would Chi Buzi still have the ability to gather demonic creatures for me once he is under their watchful eyes? In that case, the risk would be great and the gain to me negligible.

Moreover, Chi Buzi is deliberately holding back certain details to make the matter seem less difficult. How could Pristine Water fail to see which divine ability arose from which technique? Chougui Hidden Form was formed by talisman qi triggering the Immortal Foundation. It requires the Purple Mansion Realm chapter of the Chougui Water Seeking Method. Taking out any random text would clearly not match.

The only good news was that Pristine Water had not bestowed a Dao lineage. The Chougui Water Seeking Method held by the Azure Pond Sect had been obtained by the Chi Family from the Chunyi Dao. If this text had been granted by Pristine Water, with the Purple Mansion Realm chapter in his possession, then Chi Buzi would have had no path but death.

1. Hun means "mix" and yi means "one", so Hunyi could also mean "mixed into one" ☜