Chapter 546: The Massive Grave

In the Sieve of Heaven, within Xiao Nanfeng's manor, Xiao Nanfeng entered secluded cultivation once he had finished handling Ao Zhou's appointment as a Martial Aspect. He transformed back into his True Yin body.

The reward for subjugating Thousand-Spirit Island had been lavish indeed. Countless fortune, which he had stored in his Divine Seal of Dazheng, now surged into his body in the shape of a dragon.

Not only was his main body processing the fortune from his seal, his avatar was also drawing fortune from the Dazheng Empire. Fortune rushed through his body like a flood, clearing away the karmic consequence that blocked his spiritual cultivation.

Bottleneck after bottleneck cleared. Star maps that he had once found abstruse and incomprehensible, he suddenly understood in a flash of insight. He felt as though his thoughts had never been so clear.

His silver moon floated high overhead as his surroundings quickly filled with snow. He sat cross-legged in the snow for an interminable period of time, until a thick layer of snow filled the hall.

The moment all that fortune was exhausted, a huge wave of energy surged forth from his body, causing the snow to whirl about him. It hovered in the air before transforming into snowmen that looked just like Xiao Nanfeng.

They glanced in all directions with varying expressions on their faces as they learned what it was like to be a snowman.

Xiao Nanfeng opened his eyes wide. The snowmen all around suddenly collapsed back into snow.

"I'm at mid-stage True Yin now—that's roughly a True Immortal when it comes to physical cultivation, isn't it?" Xiao Nanfeng's eyes brightened. He smiled in satisfaction.

Then, he stood up and returned his silver moon to his mindscape. With a wave of his hand, the snow all around him vanished.

"It's a pity that I didn't have quite enough fortune. Only my main body broke through—my avatar's still a little behind," Xiao Nanfeng said, sighing.

He waved a hand. With a creak, the doors to the hall opened as he walked out—only to find Zhang Lingjun waiting there for him.

"What are you doing here, Princess?" Xiao Nanfeng asked, smiling.

"Ao Zhou told me about what you were planning." Zhang Lingjun's brows furrowed in a slight smile.

"Ao Zhou, that loudmouth," Xiao Nanfeng murmured. "He can't hide anything."

"Are you really going to claim the fortune from the divine empire of Dayin?" Zhang Lingjun asked.

"To collect on their debt, yes. The fortune rightfully belongs to us."

"You and Yin Tianci are grave enemies. You even destroyed Thousand-Spirit Island, a Dayin stronghold. Do you really think you can survive heading to the divine empire of Dayin?"

"Thank you for your concern, Princess, but I know my limits." Xiao Nanfeng smiled.

"You can laugh even at a time like this? It's clear that Ao Canghai is trying to scheme against you. In the past, he sent the Martial Aspect of Violetfrost to collect the owed fortune, but the divine empire of Dayin ignored him. Ao Canghai's trying to take advantage of Dayin's hatred of you to kill you!"

"You're worried about me, Princess?" Xiao Nanfeng smiled.

Zhang Lingjun's face flushed red, but she rallied quickly. "I'm still counting on you to take down the Buddhas of Three Aspects. If you die in Dayin, I'll be without allies again."

"Don't worry, Princess. I'll be alright," Xiao Nanfeng repeated.

Zhang Lingjun bit her lip. After a moment's silence, she offered, "If you insist on heading to Dayin, let me accompany you."

"Princess, you don't have to endanger yourself on my behalf."

"No. If you go, I go. I can briefly draw on the Taiqing Grandmaster's praying mat, which has the strength of a Golden Immortal. I can help you in times of need. Furthermore, I'm an official apprentice of the Taiqing Grandmaster. If I'm in serious danger, I'm sure he would do something as well. Allow me to help you and provide another layer of insurance," Zhang Lingjun suggested resolutely.

Xiao Nanfeng was touched by her concern, but he continued, "You don't have to worry. I—"

"It's settled," Zhang Lingjun said. "When are you leaving?"

Xiao Nanfeng smiled wryly. "Very well. I'll thank you in advance, then, Princess. Let's leave immediately."

"Immediately?"

"Indeed!"

"Let me inform my generals so they can accompany us, then."

Xiao Nanfeng shook his head. "There might be a few True Immortals among the purple-furred lifeforms, but they're too eyecatching. Only the two of us should go."

"Ah?"

"Have them listen to my command. If there's any danger, my subordinates will contact them via my manor. Have them be prepared to assist us at any time," Xiao Nanfeng suggested.

Zhang Lingjun nodded. "Very well."

Ten days later, by a mountain peak outside the city of Fengdu in the divine empire of Dayin, Zhang Lingjun gave Xiao Nanfeng a curious look. "Aren't we headed for the capital of Dayin? What are we doing here?"

"Who said I was headed to the capital?" Xiao Nanfeng smiled.

"Weren't you going to collect on their debt as a representative of the Imperial court?"

"There's no punishment for failure, nor a time limit. It's all up to me," Xiao Nanfeng replied, smiling.

Zhang Lingjun's eyes brightened. "You deliberately took on this mission so Ao Canghai wouldn't try anything funny?"

Xiao Nanfeng nodded. "More or less, but not completely. I do have business in Dayin, and we're within Dayin proper."

"I heard that the mouth to the abyss in Fengdu has been completely sealed. What are you doing here?" Zhang Lingjun asked curiously.

"I'm waiting for someone."

"Oh? Who?"

"He's here."

Zhang Lingjun looked in the direction of Xiao Nanfeng's gaze to see a blue-robed man flying toward him from afar—the Ascended division leader of the Taiqing Immortal Sect, Zhao Yuanjiao.

"Senior Brother, I see your cultivation has improved again." Xiao Nanfeng smiled.

Zhao Yuanjiao peered at Zhang Lingjun. "Are the two of you partners in cultivation now?"

Zhang Lingjun blushed as she fumbled for an explanation.

"Don't malign me, Senior Brother! The princess and I are innocent," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

Zhao Yuanjiao gave them a dubious look, causing Zhang Lingjun to flush again. She caught a glimpse of Xiao Nanfeng—seeing that he didn't try to explain himself further, her face grew redder and redder.

"Senior Brother, is it someone big this time?"

Zhao Yuanjiao glanced at Zhang Lingjun again, confirming to himself that she and Xiao Nanfeng were together and deciding not to treat her like an outsider.

"I believe so, and I can't handle it alone. I'll need you to help."

Zhang Lingjun listened to the conversation curiously. What were they trying to pull?"

"Tell me more, Senior Brother."

Zhao Yuanjiao nodded. "My blackguards found a huge grave here."

Zhang Lingjun: ???

Xiao Nanfeng turned serious. He had recently realized how instrumental the blackguards were as an organization. They were no mere information network, but also a group of tomb robbers.

As far as Xiao Nanfeng knew, the blackguards had already found plenty of Immortal graves, allowing Zhao Yuanjiao's cultivation to rise rapidly. Now, he had apparently found another massive grave.

A grave that even Zhao Yuanjiao wasn't able to handle on his own was sure to contain huge treasure.

"Why would the grave be here?" Xiao Nanfeng asked curiously.

"I'm surprised too. The Immortal city of Fengdu was once the capital of the divine empire of Dafeng. Back then, Emperor Feng established a passageway into the abyss and freed the Dragon Yanluo, causing a disturbance in the empire. Then, your official, Wen Zhong, masterminded a scheme to destabilize the empire and eventually caused its collapse. As the capital of a divine empire, Fengdu should have been ransacked many times over—but it seems like it still possesses its fair share of hidden secrets. A huge tomb was hidden here, one that's particularly difficult to handle. There's simultaneously holy light and malevolent winds around it. We tried plenty of different methods, but were ultimately unable to break in."

"Let's have a look," Xiao Nanfeng suggested.

"Very well!" Zhao Yuanjiao nodded.

Zhang Lingjun, still taken aback, followed behind them as they flew to a secluded forest up in the mountains.

Fog surrounded the forest. Clearly, Zhao Yuanjiao's subordinates had already provided some obfuscation.

The three cultivators flew into a mountain valley to see some blackguards on duty. A cave that had recently been dug out led deep into the mountain.

Zhao Yuanjiao beckoned the two cultivators deep into the cave.

The cave went all the way down the mountain and underground .Before long, the three of them found themselves in a large cavern with a wall by its mouth. The wall was densely plastered with golden '卍' runes that shimmered with golden light.

"We dug out this cave following the contours of this golden wall and came to the conclusion that it's a roughly spherical tomb with a diameter of thirty kilometers. It's surrounded by these golden runes. Every now and then, a sinister wind blows by, seemingly as a result of the runes. These walls are particularly sturdy, and I can't do anything to them even at my cultivation," Zhao Yuanjiao introduced.

"Thirty kilometers in diameter? A huge spherical tomb? I think this might be something else entirely," Xiao Nanfeng suddenly said.

"Have you seen something like this before?" Zhao Yuanjiao seemed quite surprised.

"Just to ensure that I'm not mistaken, Princess, will you have a look?"

Zhang Lingjun strode up to investigate. Before long, she gasped. "Except for the runes, it's almost entirely the same!"

"You've seen something similar?" Zhao Yuanjiao exclaimed.

"I conquered Thousand-Spirit Island not too long ago. Are you aware of the specifics?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"Hm? You mean, it's identical to that limestone cave?" Zhao Yuanjiao suddenly guessed.

"Almost exactly. That limestone cave was surrounded with black runes that released cursed smoke. The entire boulder might have been a manifestation of the curse. This spherical mound seems much the same, except with golden runes."

"So it's filled with cursed effigies? What a waste," Zhao Yuanjiao sighed, shuddering.

"One man's trash is another man's treasure. This is a huge boon for me," Xiao Nanfeng replied, smiling.

"Oh?"

"Just in case, you should have your blackguards disperse. I need to check to see how strong the golden lotus hood cursed effigies within are," Xiao Nanfeng continued.

Zhao Yuanjiao nodded.