Chapter 822: The Golden Sprout

Back in the black coffin hidden realm, Xiao Nanfeng remained deep in meditation. He was focused on a particular spot within his body. It seemed vague and illusory and was shrouded in fog. Even so, there was a golden droplet within it that trembled delicately.

After an interminable amount of time, a brilliant golden core appeared within the droplet. It pulsed gently as it absorbed a mysterious energy.

Xiao Nanfeng watched on as the core began to grow, eventually drawing the entire golden droplet within it. Then, the core split open, forming a seed-like structure. Fine roots grew out of one side, and a golden sprout from the other.

As the golden droplet was completely absorbed, the seed began to grow. Its roots were anchored in the fog-shrouded ground as the sprout stretched upward.

Soft golden light radiated from the sprout, filling Xiao Nanfeng with an inexplicable sense of tranquility. In this light, he was able to "see" the surroundings for the first time.

The space appeared to be desolate and shrouded in mist, creating an atmosphere of isolation and secrecy. The sprout's roots dug deep into the ground as its leaves and stem continued to mature.

At this point, Xiao Nanfeng had a few guesses as to where he was.

"A foggy realm within the mind—the heart's domain, a realm shrouded in illusions, holding infinite potential and the keys to controlling desire and emotion..." Xiao Nanfeng recalled the description he had seen in an ancient text.

"This must be my heart! But shouldn't I only have been able to cultivate my heart, to open my 'Heartgate', as a late-stage Boundless Immortal? How can I do so right upon having broken through into the Golden Immortal realm?" Xiao NAnfeng exclaimed.

He wasn't certain if this counted as cultivating his heart, but at any rate, he was now able to access this unique space no matter where he was. The golden sprout drew in energy from its surroundings and glowed softly, bringing him peace and comfort.

Curious to see if his discovery would also apply to his other self, he quickly seated his avatar in meditation as well. Soon enough, it too sensed the realm of the heart and the golden sprout's glow. Both bodies were able to share the unique connection between them.

His avatar stood back up and began to work, while his main body did the same as he opened his eyes.

"Your Majesty!" One of his black-robed subordinates guarding him stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

Xiao Nanfeng nodded. "I'm finished with cultivation. Let's head out."

"Understood!"

The day before, in a dimly lit hall beyond the Shangqing holy land, a supreme elder of the Shangqing holy land stood facing the man in front of him. The man was none other than the previous hierarch, Yan Ziqun—or rather, an avatar of his.

"Hierarch, that's the situation. Lan Yaoguang has since become the new Shangqing hierarch," the supreme elder reported.

Yan Ziqun frowned, deep in thought. "How lucky Lan Yaoguang is. How did she manage to escape from the overseer's clutches?"

"Could it be because of the Shangqing Grandmaster?" the supreme elder asked.

Yan Ziqun's face darkened. What he dreaded most was the possibility that Lan Yaoguang's claims were true.

"Hierarch, you're now a wanted man. Your crimes in the Shangqing holy land have been firmly established. Why don't you leave before they come for you?"

"Leave? Why should I leave? I'm the true Shangqing hierarch, not Lan Yaoguang!" Yan Ziqun replied coldly.

"But the Shangqing Grandmaster himself appointed her to lead Shangqing!" the supreme elder exclaimed.

"She's lying. The only reason the Shangqing Grandmaster favored her is because she wields the Cursebane Sword, the foremost of the four Shangqing swords. That was why I set my eyes on her in the first place. Now she's using a fake proclamation to deceive cultivators and win their loyalty? Outrageous!"

"What do you intend, then?"

"Lan Yaoguang must die. Once she does so, her lies will collapse and my name will be cleared. I must reclaim the title of Shangqing hierarch," Yan Ziqun said coldly.

"But won't that anger the grandmaster?"

"Do you think he really cares about Lan Yaoguang's life? She's not that important at all. Otherwise, don't you think the grandmaster would have granted her all four swords? He simply wants four representatives. If she dies, he has three others who can take her place."

"But what if that isn't the case?"

"There's no such possibility. What's mine is mine, and no one will be able to steal it from me. Once the Heavens-Extinguishing Formation is activated and the Shangqing Grandmaster returns, I'll lead our sect into the blue moon illusory realm to claim whatever opportunities lie within," Yan Ziqun declared.

"But Lan Yaoguang's a Deific Yin cultivator now! We're no match for her. If we act, all of Shangqing will know what's going on."

Yan Ziqun paused for a moment, then shook his head. "No matter. Sometimes, cultivation alone isn't enough to win."

"Oh?"

"There's a specter heartstone sealed within the Shangqing holy land, isn't there? These specters of the heart counter all cultivation. Retrieve it and our victory will be assured."

"The specter heartstone? But isn't that a cursed item? I don't know where it is, either..."

"I sealed it in a special location. I'll tell you how to retrieve it. As for the curse, I have a few heart-cleansing amulets that can ward off its effects temporarily," Yan Ziqun said.

"Understood!"

Back on Cursebane Island, in a small courtyard in Yaoguang Villa, a black coffin sat quietly in a corner of the courtyard. Lan Yaoguang would glance at it from time to time, waiting for Xiao Nanfeng to emerge. Even so, she wasn't wasting her time. She was working on a set of robes meant for a man, the dimensions of which perfectly fitted Xiao Nanfeng. She embroidered intricate cloud designs onto the robes and garnished them with protective spells, ensuring that the garment would be elegant and practical.

Her attention to detail stood out. By its collar, she even discreetly stitched her name, Yaoguang. When she thought about Nanfeng wearing it one day, she smiled shyly.

Lost in her task, she didn't notice that the fog in the courtyard was growing stronger.

Then, Xiao Nanfeng suddenly appeared before her.

"Nanfeng, you're finally out!" Lan Yaoguang exclaimed in excitement.

Xiao Nanfeng smiled. "I heard you were making new clothes for me. Are these it?"

"You found out? Come on, then, try it on!" Lan Yaoguang flushed slightly.

Xiao Nanfeng smiled and nodded. He removed his outer robe to reveal well-defined muscles, which made her blush further. She stammered, "Wh-What are you doing?"

"Changing, of course. What else?" Xiao Nanfeng replied.

Instead of putting on the robe, however, he stepped closer to her.

"What are you doing? Why are you coming closer?" Lan Yaoguang's cheeks were red, and her neck was tinged with pink.

"What would you like me to do?" Xiao Nanfeng asked softly.

He picked her up and gently lifted her chin as she moved in for a kiss. Yaoguang blushed but didn't resist.

Suddenly, a pitch-black hand punched through his chest with a sickening squelch, splattering her with blood.

"No!" Lan Yaoguang cried out in terror.

A man surrounded by black fog had caught Xiao Nanfeng, who was now bleeding profusely. He lifted Xiao Nanfeng up with one hand and sneered. "Haha, is this your lover? He's pathetically weak."

"Don't hurt Nanfeng!" Lan Yaoguang exclaimed.

"Don't move, or I'll kill him," the figure in the black fog warned.

Then, he yanked off one of Xiao Nanfeng's arms with a sickening tear. Blood sprayed everywhere, and Xiao Nanfeng screamed in pain.

"No!" Lan Yaoguang froze in terror, unable to move.

Desperation filled her as she watched Xiao Nanfeng suffer. It felt as if her very soul was being torn apart.

She had no idea why she felt so terrified; fear consumed her and paralyzed her entirely.

"Release Nanfeng and I'll do whatever you want," Lan Yaoguang promised.

"I might let him go... if you destroy your spiritual moon right now," the figure said.

Lan Yaoguang glanced at Xiao Nanfeng's anguished expression. Though she hesitated, she ultimately nodded. "I-I'll do it."

"Hurry, then!" the figure urged.

For some reason, an inexplicable dread rooted Lan Yaoguang in place, as if there were specters of the heart surrounding her. Even thinking about resistance was impossible. Her rational mind had slowly become clouded with fear, preventing her from thinking altogether. She bit down on her lip and prepared to destroy her blue spiritual moon.

𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

At that moment, a strong hand grabbed her shoulder and pulled her back.

With a jolt, she felt herself break free of the fog and wake up. She belatedly realized that what she had experienced was just a nightmare.

There was no dark figure, no blood, and no injured Xiao Nanfeng. It had all been an illusion!

Just then, she looked up and realized that Xiao Nanfeng was the one who had shaken her awake. He stood before her with several of his black-robed subordinates. Behind him, the black coffin was open. He had clearly just emerged.

"Yaoguang, are you alright?" Xiao Nanfeng asked, concerned.

Moments ago, when Xiao Nanfeng finally emerged from the coffin, he had sensed something strange in the courtyard and noticed Lan Yaoguang's terror-stricken expression. He had touched her and jolted her from her reverie as a result.

"Nanfeng? Are you really alright? Thank goodness!" Lan Yaoguang hugged him tightly and began to sob uncontrollably.

Xiao Nanfeng glanced at her, surprised by how vulnerable she was acting. Something was seriously wrong. Yaoguang was usually calm and composed, but she was now trembling and genuinely frightened.

Just what had happened?

As he comforted her, he glanced around and noticed that his guards seemed to have been affected by terrifying visions of their own.

"No! Please spare my mother. I'll do anything!"

"Don't hurt my sister. I'll trade my life for hers!"

One by one, they cried out in despair, their faces twisting in fear and desperation.

"Something's wrong!" Xiao Nanfeng exclaimed.