Chapter 1370: Meticulous Preparations (I)

Since Lin Feng had already offered it, Chen Yang truly did not dare refuse. He let out a long sigh and said, "Such a precious item... it surpasses the sum of my entire life's wealth. I merely lent you a small hand back then, yet I have received such a return... a hero truly emerges in youth... I cannot help but admire you!"

Fei Qingfei clearly enjoyed the flattery and nodded in satisfaction. Lin Feng, however, waved his hand, plainly unwilling to linger, and said casually, "I am entangled in many affairs and cannot stay long. Since Qingya has been received, I shall return north. I must also help her make up for the cultivation she has fallen behind on these past years, so I will not trouble you further.

"As for Uncles Tongcai and Tonglu... they may also come along for a visit. After all, Qingfei has not seen them for many years and misses them dearly."

The Fei brothers had known Lin Feng since he was merely at the Embryonic Breathing Realm. Fei Tonglu was also the father of the Fei sisters, so Lin Feng naturally regarded him highly.

Chen Yang could hardly wait for them to leave and quickly said, "No matter... no matter. The two of you are not particularly valued within the Fei Family anyway. Go ahead and visit your relatives. I will report to the lake later and assign a couple of tasks for you as cover."

The Fei Family had declined in talent. Fei Tongcai had once been a core figure of the family, but after a trip north, the one living within his body was no longer himself. He had been assigned to the riverbank and gradually faded from public view. It was precisely because of this that the two Fei Family members were happy to head north and nodded repeatedly.

Chen Yang had opened every possible door for them, and Lin Feng's group was greatly satisfied. Fei Qingfei, whose mouth had not stopped for a moment, finally had nothing unpleasant to say. She cupped her hands in farewell and was pulled into the air by Lin Feng. They rose upon the wind and sped north, soon vanishing beyond the horizon.

Chen Yang remained where he stood, holding the long jade box in both hands.

Before he could react, the scent of pine spread through the air. The white-robed Daoist Master manifested atop the peak. Ning Wan, a sword cradled in her arms, stepped quietly into the courtyard, startling Chen Yang into immediately dropping to his knees as he said respectfully, "I pay my respects to the Daoist Master!"

The Fei Family woman huddled in the corner of the courtyard and the bewildered Fei Family members also bowed. Chen Yang hurriedly raised the long box in his hands and called out, "I ask the Daoist Master to take a look!"

Ning Wan nodded slightly and picked up Black Stream. She carefully examined it from the tip of the blade to the hilt and found nothing unusual. She let out a soft sigh. "It is indeed of the Mifan Dao lineage, bearing the aura of the Wanglin Upper Sect from the near-ancient era..."

After only a few breaths, several streaks of light raced through the air and landed on the mountain one after another. Li Jiangqian and Fei Chingyi of the Fei Family both bowed in salute and said respectfully, "We pay our respects to the Daoist Master!"

Ning Wan let out a breath and appeared much more at ease as she said, "Congratulations... it brings benefit without harm. Zhaojing has gone to the southern border?"

Although Ning Wan was clearly asking a question she already knew the answer to, it was still courtesy. Li Jiangqian replied, "Under the Daoist Master's boundless blessing... our family's ancestor has already departed for the southern border. Before leaving, he instructed that all matters along the riverbank are to follow the Daoist Master's decree!"

Ning Wan nodded and said softly, "Your Daoist Master is absent, but fortunately Fei Qingya's future has already been settled. With the lord's support, she should be nearing the Foundation Establishment Realm by the time she returns. The Great Xiukui Temple will personally come to take her, so there will be no need to trouble your esteemed family.

"I understand your esteemed family is a lineage of sword immortals. Those few people and their few swords... some portion must be allotted to your family."

Li Jiangqian merely nodded in agreement. Ning Wan sighed again. "Piercing Heart Song Yunbai, Chengyun, has some merit. It would not be appropriate to seize his dharma sword. Bai Yinzi is incompetent, and who knows how many days he has left. Falling Laurel will be easier to take. Sea Sundering is in Han Li's hands, but that one keeps his movements well concealed..."

She seemed lost in thought, reflecting on her lord's earlier words as she murmured, "He has already searched through the entire Dao lineage..."

When he heard her mutter to herself, Li Jiangqian instantly harbored the same suspicion.

𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Daoist Master Changyun[1] had specifically mentioned this Dao lineage back when he had met Li Ximing. The surrounding Daoist Masters did not just covet Mifan for a few dharma artifacts; it was clear that this Dao lineage contained ancient spirit artifacts!

If the Mifan Dao lineage indeed possessed ancient spirit artifacts, then Lin Feng's trump card was far more than merely a Geng Metal spirit embryo. He must possess one or even several spirit artifacts or ancient spirit artifacts.

Ning Wan's thoughts did not differ much from his, but standing at a higher vantage, she foresaw more of the coming situation.

With the northern stage disrupted like this, and only the lord able to enter and exit the Mifan secret realm, he has long since profited immensely. There is no chance of anything falling into others' hands without reason.

The lord has stayed in Jiangbei long enough. Once he cultivates a little more and steps into the late stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm, he can head north to seek an opportunity for breakthrough. He can even break through under the encirclement of numerous Buddhist cultivators...

But once he leaves, he will surely divide treasures among those brothers and lovers. This will not be as simple as seizing a person. Ancient spirit artifacts are out of the question. The lord will keep those for himself. Yet if there are enough spirit artifacts within the Dao lineage, he will certainly leave one or two behind. When that time comes, there will be another battle. Even the outer-sea factions may intervene.

Ning Wan looked troubled. Glancing at the Li Family members beside her, she said softly, "The Mifan Dao lineage is precious. When the time comes, there will be another struggle. Choose what you favor in advance, lest you end up drawing water with a bamboo basket and gaining nothing."

After speaking, she seemed to sense something. It was clear fighting had broken out again in Jiangbei. With a light wave of her hand, she dispersed into wind and snow.

"Many thanks for the Daoist Master's reminder!"

How could Li Jiangqian fail to grasp her meaning? No matter how glorious the group in Jiangbei appeared, once Lin Feng left, they would all become fish on the chopping block!

He waited until the wind and snow completely dispersed before rising. His gaze remained fixed on Black Stream. The dharma sword was simple and dignified. The guard at the hilt was as wide as the blade itself, immediately drawing his attention.

It resembles it. It truly resembles it...

He appeared calm as he lifted the pitch-black sword and examined it closely, as though admiring its unique style. He praised it aloud, "This is the sword style of Mifan..."

In the Azure Pond Sect, only the Frosty Absolute Sword could truly be called a Purple Mansion Realm spirit sword. However, Jiangnan had many sword cultivators, and the Sword Dao differed from other Daos. Many of them referred to swords that had received Dao-attained sword intent and birthed spirituality as spirit swords or immortal swords. Thus, when speaking of the Frosty Absolute Sword, they often added the words Purple Mansion Realm to emphasize its uniqueness.

The Black Stream before him had already birthed spirituality and was extremely precious. Chen Yang relayed the information from beside him. As Li Jiangqian listened, he gradually sank into thought,

Four dharma swords have each fallen into different hands, along with a Geng Metal spirit embryo within the great void. I wonder which one it is.

Li Jiangqian still remembered the gray sword from years ago. He turned Black Stream over. The hilt bore no ornamentation whatsoever. After examining it carefully, a trace of anticipation rose within him,

This sword will surely be revealed in battle. If a great war erupts in Jiangbei and the spirit embryo shows itself, the truth will become clear. Before that, I must quickly gather information on the appearance of those dharma swords.

Li Jiangqian swept his gaze over the courtyard and instructed, "Bring Qu Buzhi here!"

Fei Chingyi, who had been listening the entire time and had also heard Ning Wan's words, already fully believed Li Jiangqian's earlier explanations. He hurried off at once to summon the man.

Soon the old man descended on the wind. Li Jiangqian asked quietly, "Any news?"

Qu Buzhi bowed and replied, "Family head, that Yaosa Chengmi has been pushing further and further into the territory of Xuanmiao Temple. In the end, the Daoist Master of Xuanmiao Temple also disappeared. It is said their marketplace was breached and a great amount of property was lost."

Li Jiangqian did not consider it a major matter and said calmly, "The Daoist Master has already given a warning. These individuals are all favored sons of heaven. Coordinate with Chen Yang. Inquire about them by name and have their portraits drawn."

"Yes!"

Chen Yang bowed. Only then did Li Jiangqian add as if in passing, "Investigate their garments and dharma artifacts as thoroughly as possible..."

1. Previously known as Daoist Master Chang Yun. ☜