154: Chapter 113 After three months of seclusion, I emerge!

Chen Xuan stood up and stretched his muscles and bones.

His bones crackled like firecrackers.

After three months of seclusion, his body felt stiff.

He walked to the edge of the spirit spring pool to wash away the thick grime on his body.

The pool water was dyed grayish-black; those were the Impurities expelled from his body.

After Foundation Establishment, every Breakthrough would expel a small amount of Impurities.

Although it wasn't much, it accumulated over time, and the amount gathered during three months of seclusion was enough to dye a pool of water black.

Chen Xuan changed into a clean Dao robe, tied his hair crown properly, and hung the three bright moon sword at his waist.

He removed the Formation of the quiet room and pushed the door open.

The morning light shone on his face, stinging his eyes.

He hadn't seen sunlight for three months, and his eyes couldn't adapt for a moment.

He squinted and took a deep breath of the crisp air of Wanyao Immortal City.

Spiritual Qi entered his lungs, turning into magic power and flowing into his Dantian; the two imageries in his Purple Mansion rotated simultaneously, as if welcoming him back.

Liu Lili stood in the courtyard, holding a bowl of soup.

The soup was steaming, and the fragrance of medicine filled the air.

She saw Chen Xuan come out, paused, and then smiled.

"Junior Brother, you have emerged from seclusion?"

"Yes."

"Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer?"

"Seventh Layer."

Liu Lili placed the soup bowl on the stone table, walked over, and reached out to touch his face.

"You've lost weight."

Chen Xuan held her hand.

"Senior Sister, you've lost weight too."

Liu Lili pulled her hand back and punched his chest.

"That's because I missed you."

She picked up the soup bowl and handed it to him.

"Drink the soup, while it's hot."

Chen Xuan took the bowl and drank it all in one gulp.

The soup was very hot, but it tasted good.

It was spirit chicken soup, added with thousand-year-old ginseng slices and hundred-year-old goji berries, along with several medicinal herbs he didn't recognize.

"Senior Sister, did you add extra ingredients again?"

Liu Lili proudly raised her chin.

"This time, I added third-grade Spirit Medicine. Senior Sister Wen Yao begged for it from the Medicine Hall of Baimu Peak, saying it's good for stabilizing the Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivation."

Chen Xuan placed the empty bowl back on the stone table.

"Where is Senior Sister Wen Yao?"

"At the Conquest Hall. Revered Master has been summoning the various halls for meetings these past few days, seemingly about the matter of Immortal Master Kumu."

Chen Xuan's brows furrowed slightly.

Immortal Master Kumu.

Golden Core Late Stage, leader of the remnants of the Buddhist Sect, entrenched in the White Lotus Temple at the Southern Border.

Three months ago at the White Lotus Temple, his Clone almost took Chen Xuan's life.

Now that Chen Xuan had achieved a Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer, he was still no match for a Golden Core Late Stage Cultivator.

"Did Revered Master say what it was about?"

Liu Lili shook her head.

"No. But Senior Sister Wen Yao said that Immortal Master Kumu sent someone to deliver a letter, saying he wanted to 'talk' with Revered Master."

Chen Xuan was silent for a moment.

"I will go see Revered Master."

He turned and walked toward the courtyard gate.

Liu Lili followed.

"I'll go with you."

The two walked out of the courtyard along the bluestone path toward Master Liu Yun's Immortal Cave.

The morning light shone from the east, plating the entire Wanyao Immortal City in gold.

There were many more pedestrians on the street than usual, mostly Loose Cultivators, carrying luggage, their expressions hurried.

Someone was discussing something.

Chen Xuan listened intently.

"Have you heard? Immortal Master Kumu wants to build a monastery in Fusheng Immortal City."

"Build a monastery? Not a temple?"

"They say it's to build a great Buddhist monastery to worship Maitreya."

"Can the The Three Sects agree?"

"What if they don't agree? Immortal Master Kumu is at the Golden Core Late Stage; no one in the entire Southern Region is his match."

Chen Xuan withdrew his gaze and quickened his pace.

When they arrived at the entrance of Master Liu Yun's Immortal Cave, Senior Sister Wen Yao was coming out.

She was dressed in a green martial outfit, with twin swords hanging at her waist, her long hair tied into a ponytail, and the red lotus petal mark between her brows glowing red in the morning light.

Seeing Chen Xuan, she stopped.

"Junior Brother, you have emerged from seclusion?"

"Yes. Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer."

Senior Sister Wen Yao nodded, her gaze filled with a hint of approval.

"Revered Master is waiting for you inside. He guessed you would emerge from seclusion these few days."

Chen Xuan pushed the door and entered the Immortal Cave.

Master Liu Yun sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, his white hair disheveled, his left sleeve hanging empty at his side.

A map was spread out in front of him, marking the locations of various immortal cities in the Southern Region.

"Revered Master."

"Sit."

Chen Xuan sat down on a meditation cushion.

Master Liu Yun looked up at him.

"Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer?"

"Seventh Layer."

"Is your Foundation stable?"

"Stable."

Master Liu Yun nodded, took out a Jade Slip from his Storage Pouch, and handed it to him.

"This is the letter sent by Immortal Master Kumu."

Chen Xuan took the Jade Slip and probed it with his Divine Sense.

There was only one line of text in the letter.

"The Southern Region is vast and sparsely populated; the The Three Sects occupy it but do not govern it well. It would be better to hand it over to the Buddhist Sect for governance. If the The Three Sects are not convinced, we can discuss the Dao in Wanyao Immortal City. The winner will control the Southern Region."

Chen Xuan withdrew his Divine Sense and returned the Jade Slip to Master Liu Yun.

"Discuss the Dao?"

"Discuss the Dao." Master Liu Yun's tone was very flat. "He says it nicely. Golden Core Late Stage against Golden Core Middle Stage; he is guaranteed to win."

Chen Xuan was silent for a moment.

"What does Revered Master plan to do?"

Master Liu Yun looked at him.

"I have sought reinforcements from the Central Province."

Chen Xuan's heart stirred.

"What did the Central Province say?"

"The head of the Liu Clan replied." Master Liu Yun took another Jade Slip from his Storage Pouch. "Read it yourself."

Chen Xuan took the Jade Slip and probed it with his Divine Sense.

Inside the Jade Slip was a message.

"Brother Chonghe, the remnants of the Buddhist Sect have retreated to the Southern Region; the Central Province has already heard of this. Immortal Master Kumu has cultivated for eight hundred years, is at the Golden Core Late Stage, and has achieved Major Achievement in the Divine Ability of the Buddhist Sect; you are no match for him. Forcing a battle will only increase casualties. I have contacted the Sword Sect and many Elders of the Liu Clan to jointly pressure the Buddhist Sect. The Buddhist Sect suffered heavy losses in the Central Province and dare not start a war again. The result of the negotiation is as follows: The dispute over territory will not be decided by Golden Core battles, but by competitions among the younger generation of Disciples. Each side will send three people, at the Foundation Establishment Realm, in a best-of-three series. The winner will obtain the third-grade Spiritual Vein in the northern part of the Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range and the surrounding three thousand miles of territory. The Buddhist Sect has agreed to this proposal. Although Immortal Master Kumu is unwilling, with the pressure from the Central Province, he dare not disobey. The competition is scheduled for three years later, at Wanyao Immortal City. I have already heard of the name Yun Qi in the Central Province. Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment, killed a Golden Core Yao Beast, heir to the Conquest Hall's Dharma lineage. If he can win in the competition three years later, the situation in the Southern Region can be settled. Chonghe, cultivate him well. — Liu Changqing."

Chen Xuan finished reading and returned the Jade Slip to Master Liu Yun.

"Liu Changqing?"

"A Nascent Soul Immortal Master of the Liu Clan." Master Liu Yun's tone was very flat. "My clan uncle, an Elder of the Central Province Sword Sect."

Chen Xuan's hand pressed onto the hilt of his sword.

Nascent Soul Immortal Master.

An existence that did not exist in the entire Southern Region.

The Central Province Liu Clan truly had a deep Foundation.

"Three years later, this Disciple will fight."

Master Liu Yun looked at him.

"Are you confident?"

"I am."

Master Liu Yun nodded.

"Immortal Master Kumu will also send young experts cultivated by the Buddhist Sect. What you will face is not the Foundation Establishment Cultivators of the Southern Region, but the Geniuses carefully cultivated by the Buddhist Sect of the Central Province."

Chen Xuan did not speak.

His hand pressed onto the hilt of his sword, his fingertips slightly cool.

Geniuses of the Central Province.

He hadn't seen them yet.

But he was not afraid.

Having lived three lifetimes, what kind of storms hadn't he seen?

"This Disciple will win," Chen Xuan said.

Master Liu Yun looked at him for a long time.

Then he smiled.

"Good."

He took out a Jade Talisman from his Storage Pouch and handed it to Chen Xuan.

"This is another item sent by the Central Province Liu Clan. It arrived three days ago. Liu Lili kept it for you; you hadn't emerged from seclusion, so she didn't dare to disturb you."

Chen Xuan took the Jade Talisman and probed it with his Divine Sense.

Inside the Jade Talisman was a message.

"Son-in-law Yun Qi, news of Xiao Muting has been confirmed. He is trapped deep in the Southern Border volcano, fused with the True Spirit of the Fire Phoenix, and is in urgent need of rescue. There is an ancient teleportation array under the Southern Border volcano that can lead directly to the core of the volcano, but it requires the Heavenly Fire imagery as a key. This matter has nothing to do with the competition three years later, but if you can rescue Xiao Muting, having an extra helper would not be a bad thing. Whether to go or not, you decide."

Chen Xuan's breathing stalled slightly.

Xiao Muting.

Five years.

He was still alive.

Chen Xuan put away the Jade Talisman and looked at Master Liu Yun.

"Revered Master, this Disciple must go to the Southern Border."

Master Liu Yun frowned.

"Now? The competition is in three years; if you leave Wanyao Immortal City and something unexpected happens..."

"Xiao Muting is this Disciple's sworn brother." Chen Xuan interrupted him. "He has been trapped in the Southern Border for five years; this Disciple cannot not go."

Master Liu Yun was silent for a long time.

Then he sighed.

"Go then. Take Senior Sister Wen Yao and Liu Lili, and that Xiao Ye from the Xiao Family. You must return within three years."

"Thank you, Revered Master."

Chen Xuan stood up, bowed to Master Liu Yun, and exited the Immortal Cave.

Liu Lili was waiting for him at the door.

"Junior Brother, what did Revered Master say?"

"He wants me to go to the Southern Border. To rescue Xiao Muting."

Liu Lili's expression changed.

"Now?"

"Now."

Liu Lili bit her lip.

"I'll go with you."

Chen Xuan looked at her for a long time.

"Senior Sister, the Southern Border is very dangerous."

"I know."

"Immortal Master Kumu is in the Southern Border."

"I know."

"You might die."

Liu Lili reached out and flicked his forehead.

"I said, you cultivate your Dao, and I will be your Dao Companion. Wherever you go, I go."

Chen Xuan looked at her, something surging in his eyes.

He didn't speak, just held her hand tightly.

When the two returned to the courtyard, Senior Sister Wen Yao was already waiting there.

She carried a Storage Pouch, twin swords hung at her waist, and her long hair was tied into a ponytail.

"Junior Brother, Revered Master told me to go with you."

Chen Xuan nodded.

"What about Xiao Ye?"

"I sent someone to notify him. He should be waiting for us at the airport."

Chen Xuan walked into the quiet room and took out several items from his Storage Pouch.

Third-grade Miasma-Repelling Pills, ten of them.

Second-grade Fire Escape Talismans, twenty of them.

Second-grade Healing Pills, thirty of them.

The Natal Sword Talisman given by Revered Master, sealed with three Sword Intents, each equivalent to the full-strength strike of a Golden Core Middle Stage Cultivator.

The teleportation array key sent by the Central Province Liu Clan, which required the Heavenly Fire imagery to activate.

He put these items into his Storage Pouch one by one and kept them close to his body.

Then he walked out of the quiet room and looked at Liu Lili.

"Senior Sister, let's go."

The three walked out of the courtyard along the bluestone path toward the airport.

The moonlight lay on the stone steps like a layer of thin frost.

The night in Wanyao Immortal City was very quiet, only in the distant Ten Thousand Demon Mountain Range, the howling of Yao Beasts echoed.

When they arrived at the airport, Xiao Ye was already waiting there.

He wore a gray Dao robe, with the Low Grade Spiritual Artifact that Chen Xuan had given him hanging at his waist, and a bulging Storage Pouch on his back.

Seeing Chen Xuan, his eyes turned red.

"Brother Yun, Mu Ting, he..."

"He is still alive." Chen Xuan interrupted him. "We are going to bring him back."

Xiao Ye nodded forcefully and raised his hand to wipe his eyes.

The four boarded the flying ship.

The flying ship rose, changed direction, and flew south.

Chen Xuan stood by the ship's rail, watching Wanyao Immortal City get smaller and smaller, gradually disappearing into the horizon.

In the direction of the Southern Border, there was a dark red cloud layer on the horizon.

That was volcanic ash; it hadn't dissipated even after five years.

His hand pressed onto the hilt of his sword, his fingertips slightly cool.

The three-year agreement.

Central Province Geniuses.

Immortal Master Kumu.

Xiao Muting.

Everything had to be resolved within three years.

Chen Xuan withdrew his gaze and turned into the cabin.

Liu Lili was making soup in the cabin, the clay pot on the small stove bubbling and steaming.

Senior Sister Wen Yao was wiping her sword, the twin swords lying across her knees, her movements very slow and careful.

Xiao Ye was closing his eyes to rest in the corner, his hand pressing on the hilt of his sword.

Chen Xuan sat down on a meditation cushion and closed his eyes to look within.

The five-colored light in the Dantian's Purple Mansion flowed.

The four imageries of City Wall Earth trembled slightly.

The four imageries of Heavenly Fire flickered with light.

His Foundation Establishment Seventh Layer cultivation was already stable.

But it was not enough.

Three years later, he would face the Geniuses of the Central Province Buddhist Sect.

He needed to be stronger.

He needed more imageries.

He needed complete Metal Nature.

He needed a Golden Core.

Chen Xuan opened his eyes, took out a Medicinal Pill from his Storage Pouch, and swallowed it.

The medicinal power dissolved in his abdomen and flowed to his limbs and bones.

He closed his eyes and sank into cultivation.

The flying ship continued south.

In the direction of the Southern Border, the dark red cloud layer grew closer.

The flying ship headed south.

The clouds turned from gray to grayish-black, and the smell of sulfur in the air grew stronger.

Miasma surged below, like a gray sea, bottomless at a glance.

Chen Xuan stood by the ship's rail, looking at the sea of miasma.

Five years ago, the Nanming Volcano erupted, and the entire Southern Border was almost razed to the ground.

Thousands of volcanoes erupted simultaneously, and lava swallowed all life.

Among the Cultivators below the Golden Core Realm, less than one in a hundred could escape.

Those who couldn't escape all died.

They died in the volcanic ash, they died in the lava, they died under the mouths of Yao Beasts.

Chen Xuan withdrew his gaze and turned into the cabin.

Liu Lili was making soup in the corner, the clay pot on the small stove bubbling and steaming.

Senior Sister Wen Yao was wiping her sword, the twin swords lying across her knees, her movements very slow.

Xiao Ye was closing his eyes to rest, his hand pressing on the hilt of his sword, his breathing steady.

Chen Xuan sat down on a meditation cushion and took out a Jade Slip from his Storage Pouch.

That was the diary left by Ancient Golden Core Cultivator Zhao Wuji; he had read it no less than a hundred times.

"Five Metal Natures, he who obtains one can prove the Golden Core."

He closed his eyes to look within.

The five-colored light in the Dantian's Purple Mansion flowed.

The four imageries of City Wall Earth slowly rotated in the Purple Mansion; that miniature ancient city wall was already more than a zhang high, and the runes on the city wall were clearly visible.

The four imageries of Heavenly Fire hovered on the other side of the Purple Mansion, like four miniature suns, their light intertwined.

Four City Wall Earth, four Heavenly Fire.

He was still two away from fishing for the Metal Nature of each.

He was still two complete Metal Natures away from the Golden Core.

Chen Xuan opened his eyes and put away the Jade Slip.

He was thinking about one thing.

Ancient Golden Core Cultivator Zhao Wuji spent his whole life and only obtained one City Wall Earth Metal Nature.

It wasn't because he wasn't strong enough, but because Metal Nature was too hard to come by.

Imageries were already rare, and Metal Nature was even more elusive.

But he was different.

He had the heavenly book golden decree.

The celestial book could help him find the location of the imageries and help him avoid fatal dangers.

This was his greatest advantage, and also a secret he was unwilling to tell anyone.

Liu Lili brought the soup over and sat down beside him.

"Junior Brother, eat your medicine."

Chen Xuan took the bowl and took a sip.

It tasted very good.