Chapter 677: Returning to Yuqing

Afar, Li Qianjun seemed to be mired in conflict with some Yuqing cultivators.

Xiao Nanfeng and Blue Lantern took advantage of the opportunity to slip away.

They had reaped tremendous rewards by uprooting the Southeastern Aquatic Palace, and properly digesting those rewards would take significant effort.

Shortly after the two cultivators left, Ao Canghai and his subordinates returned, though they were focused on stealth and only observed the palace from a distance.

"Eastern Aspect, what happened to the Southeastern Aquatic Palace?" a Martial Aspect exclaimed.

Ao Canghai deflated. "We were too late. Xiao Nanfeng has likely claimed the entire palace for himself."

"What?!"

"Li Qianjun was the leader of Long Yi's true reinforcements. To think the Southeastern Aquatic Palace would be supported by the Immortal Emperor of Hongyue..." Ao Canghai exclaimed.

"What are Li Qianjun and the cultivators from the Yuqing holy land fighting over?" the Golden Immortal asked.

Ao Canghai narrowed his eyes. "We suffered huge losses today. Regardless of what they're fighting over, it'll be ours in the end."

"Understood!"

Xiao Nanfeng ignored the ongoing fighting in the Southeastern Aquatic Palace. He fled with Blue Lantern by sea for some time before finally emerging into the sky and flying off.

They stopped on a certain island shrouded by fog, clearly the result of some formation or another.

Ao Zhou, Zhao Yuanjiao, Ye Dafu and the others were all glancing excitedly at a huge sphere of water, hundreds of meters wide.

The sphere of water was pinned in place by countless nails and was no longer gushing out water.

"The Cage of the Sea really is perfect for this." Xiao Nanfeng smiled.

"Xiao Nanfeng, why don't you give me this Eye of the Sea? I don't want any other reward," Ao Zhou begged shamelessly.

Ye Dafu glared at him. "Ao Zhou, how can you be so shameless?"

"What do you mean? I'm hardly being shameless. If I hadn't borrowed the Cage of the Sea, how would all of you have managed to uproot the Southeastern Aquatic Palace?" Ao Zhou sniffed.

Xiao Nanfeng shook his head. "You won't be getting any treasure from me. We helped you finish your Martial Aspect mission, after all, so you'll be rewarded by the Imperial Court."

"What? But this Eye of the Sea—" Ao Zhou didn't want to give in at all.

"This Eye of the Sea is mine," Xiao Nanfeng said firmly.

Ao Zhou sighed, though he hadn't really expected his shameless begging to bear fruit.

"Your Majesty, this Eye of the Sea is the source of water, and is imbued with various forms of natural law at its core. It's a rare treasure," Blue Lantern said.

"Indeed. It's a Boundless Immortal relic, and I intend to consume it."

Ao Zhou widened his eyes. He gaped. "Don't you cultivate a fire-attuned technique? What's the point of consuming an Eye of the Sea? You're wasting an incredible treasure!"

Xiao Nanfeng ignored Ao Zhou. He turned to Blue Lantern. "Do you have any advice?"

"Many peak Golden Immortals have advanced to Boundless Immortals by attuning to Eyes of the Sea. It's an incredible treasure for cultivation, and being able to attune to it would provide a tremendous boost. However, there are two points worth noting," Blue Lantern began.

"Oh?"

"First, the cursed nature of this Eye of the Sea, which was obtained from the black coffin. Considering the quality of this relic, it surely contains more cursed spiritual power than lesser treasures—ten times that within my Golden Immortal pill, at the very least, and maybe even a hundred times."

Xiao Nanfeng nodded slowly. "It won't be a problem."

𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

His Jade Emperor's Frame could cleanse all cursed smoke and even cursed spiritual power as well, so he didn't have much to fear.

"Second, the Eye of the Sea contains an elementary spirit. Although this spirit is without intelligence, the unusual natural law that gives rise to it is difficult to handle, and attuning to it directly can hurt your soul."

Xiao Nanfeng frowned.

Just then, Ao Zhou jumped in. "I can deal with that nascent spirit! I know precisely how to do it thanks to the ancestral dragon's techniques I received. Let me help!"

Xiao Nanfeng ignored Ao Zhou and focused on Blue Lantern, who nodded. "The dragons are in possession of such a technique, though it's been lost for quite a long time. If Ao Zhou came across it via an ancestral dragon's inheritance, though, I would believe it's genuine."

Ao Zhou nodded in excitement. "I'll help you absorb that spirit, and I guarantee I won't touch anything else. Even so, it's going to be a long and difficult process."

Xiao Nanfeng considered the offer. Although he didn't much trust Ao Zhou to be honest about such things, Blue Lantern seemed to support the idea, and Xiao Nanfeng didn't think Blue Lantern would lie about it.

Xiao Nanfeng nodded.

Ao Zhou grinned, then continued, "Aren't you going to give me a little something for doing you such a huge favor?"

Everyone gaped at Ao Zhou's shamelessness. Even Blue Lantern couldn't watch on any longer. "Nascent spirits are particularly rare. If you don't want it, extract it and let me forge it into a formation. You can discuss remuneration with His Majesty then."

"Forget it, then," Ao Zhou replied immediately. "I'll do it for free. All I want is that nascent spirit."

Everyone: ...

"Fine. Let's get started and not waste any more time," Xiao Nanfeng declared.

Ao Zhou nodded, then transformed into a black dragon. He dove straight into the Eye of the Sea.

"Clear away the Cage of the Sea," Ao Zhou called out.

Blue Lantern did so, causing the nails binding the Eye of the Sea to retract. Huge quantities of seawater began to pour out from the Eye of the Sea again.

Ao Zhou intoned, "Halt the water. Retrieve the spirit!"

Black smoke erupted from Ao Zhou's body, filling up the Eye of the Sea and preventing water from gushing out.

"Xiao Nanfeng, I'll be meditating as I attempt to retrieve the spirit. This process will take upwards of half a month, and I'll need you to guard me throughout the process."

"Very well," Xiao Nanfeng said.

Xiao Nanfeng retrieved a gourd and pointed it at the Eye of the Sea, absorbing the Eye of the Sea and Ao Zhou within. Then, Xiao Nanfeng hung the gourd by his waist.

"My other avatar is already making its way back. All of you should return as well. I'll be fine with just Ye Dafu and the others," Xiao Nanfeng instructed.

"Got it." Blue Lantern nodded.

He and the others flew off in silence.

Xiao Nanfeng turned to Zhao Yuanjiao again. "Senior Brother, what are your plans?"

"Have you uncovered the backer of the Southeastern Aquatic Palace?"

Xiao Nanfeng nodded. "It's the divine empire of Hongyue. I saw Li Qianjun as I was leaving."

Xiao Nanfeng recounted what he had seen.

"Li Qianjun? He's one of the traitors of the Taiqing Immortal Sect, and he's the city lord of Taixu!" Zhao Yuanjiao's face grew dark with fury.

"The city of Taixu? Is there anything special about it?"

"Two centuries ago, Taixu was where the Taiqing Immortal Sect was initially situated. Subsequently, it turned into a pile of ruins after the betrayal, but it was later rebuilt. Beneath Taixu lies the corpses of countless elders and ancestors of the Taiqing Immortal Sect, which Li Qianjun is sealing," Zhao Yuanjiao gritted out.

Xiao Nanfeng's eyes widened in amazement.

He hadn't paid much attention to the sect's history in the past; this was the first he was learning about the city of Taixu.

"You should leave first. I'd like to head to Taixu and have a look," Zhao Yuanjiao said.

"Be careful, Senior Brother. I'll be in the Yuqing holy land for some time. If anything happens, send word to me immediately. I'll have spectral guards head to Taixu to get in touch with you."

"No, there's no need. Some of my blackguards are already there, and they can contact you if necessary."

Xiao Nanfeng nodded.

Zhao Yuanjiao flew off, leaving Xia Lan, Xiao Nanfeng, and the twelve golden cultivators behind.

"Xiao Nanfeng, you intend to return to the Yuqing holy land? Whatever for?" Xia Lan asked.

"I'm going to marry Yu'er, of course."

Xia Lan rolled his eyes. "We haven't promised to marry her off to you just yet."

"I'm not in a hurry," Xiao Nanfeng replied. "I can wait."

Xia Lan growled, "You really are shameless!"

"I'm going to the Yuqing holy land not just to await Yu'er, but also to support you. Can't you tell? No wonder Yu'er says that you aren't smart."

Xia Lan stiffened, then thundered, "Who needs your support? We're doing just fine! Who would dare cause trouble for us within the Yuqing holy land?"

"A group of Mountain Lords who can't make their way into the purple moon illusory realm, of course. If they force you to tell them Yu'er's whereabouts, what are you going to do? Your father's with Yu'er. Do you think you alone can handle the matters of your father's station? Are you going to make your mothers stand up to those Mountain Lords on your behalf? Do you have any filial respect at all?" Xiao Nanfeng demanded.

"That's none of your business!"

"My in-laws' business might as well be my business."

Xia Lan glared again. "My father hasn't approved your marriage just yet!"

"Don't talk nonsense. Let's hurry up and go. Your mothers must be quite worried by now."

"Hmph!"

They headed straight for the Yuqing holy land.

Days later, as they neared the holy land and were spotted by some Yuqing disciples, the disciples' eyes lit up as they quickly ran off. By the time Xiao Nanfeng's group had reached the mountain pass, there were already a large number of Yuqing disciples waiting for them.

"What's with this grand welcome? There's no need for all this." Xia Lan smiled.

The Yuqing disciples ignored Xia Lan and instead bowed politely toward Xiao Nanfeng.

"Senior Brother Xiao, thank goodness you've returned to the Yuqing holy land! You have to stay longer this time."

"Senior Brother Xiao, thanks to your pointers, my cultivation has improved rapidly!"

"I've managed to obtain some excellent alcohol, Senior Brother Xiao. Let's share some together!"

"I have a few cultivation questions on my mind, Senior Uncle Xiao. Would you please resolve my concerns?"

The Yuqing disciples were all raring to get a little of Xiao Nanfeng's time.

"I'm grateful for all your support, everyone. Allow me to greet my seniors for the moment—I'll be with all of you shortly." Xiao Nanfeng smiled.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Xiao!" The Yuqing disciples beckoned him forth as they flew back into the holy land together, leaving Xia Lan behind alone. His hair was windswept from all the currents they had stirred up. Were all these Yuqing disciples crazy? Why were they all sucking up to Xiao Nanfeng, an outsider?