3: Chapter 3: Borrowing the Sutra and Maps, Starry Sea and Three Islands

The next morning, Lu Changyuan went alone to the highest point of Qingyun Peak.

The Scripture Pavilion was nestled among the clouds and mist at the peak, a simple three-story structure with its outer walls covered in century-old spiritual vines. The pavilion had Restrictions running year-round, and ordinary Disciples were not allowed to enter without permission.

The one guarding the pavilion was the Lu family's Supreme Elder, Lu Shouxuan.

This old man was over three hundred years old, with the cultivation of the Late Golden Core Stage, and was one of the Lu family's true foundations. He lived in seclusion, and even the family head had to show him respect.

Lu Changyuan stopped in front of the pavilion gate and bowed respectfully: "Junior Lu Changyuan requests an audience with Elder Shouxuan."

A moment later, the pavilion gate opened silently.

Inside the Scripture Pavilion, Lu Shouxuan sat on an ancient armchair with a yellowing classic beside him. His eyes were slightly closed, as if he were dozing off or perhaps contemplating something. His hair and beard were completely white, but his expression was surprisingly calm. The years had left behind a kind of composure that came from long experience.

"Sit." He did not open his eyes, merely speaking indifferently.

Lu Changyuan sat down in the lower seat, not rushing to speak.

Lu Shouxuan turned a page of the classic and said slowly: "What have you come to get?"

"A sea map," Lu Changyuan said directly, "A detailed map of the Inner Sea of the Endless Star Sea, and the Elder's judgment on the situation in the Star Sea."

Lu Shouxuan then opened his eyes and studied him for a moment.

"You want to go to the Star Sea to pioneer?"

"Yes."

"Why not stay at home and fight for that position?" The old man's tone was flat, revealing neither praise nor criticism.

"I can't win," Lu Changyuan said frankly, "Big Brother has the Grand Elder, Third Brother has the Matriarch. What do I have? It is better to go out early and earn my own foundation."

Lu Shouxuan was silent for a moment, then let out a soft laugh.

It was a laugh in the true sense, as he genuinely found it interesting.

"I have seen many children of the Lu family's current generation," he stood up and walked into the depths of the pavilion, "You are the first one who can see themselves so clearly."

He took a heavy scroll from the depths of the bookshelf, walked back, and placed it in front of Lu Changyuan.

"A detailed map of the Inner Sea of the Endless Star Sea, a secret version from the Lu family collection. It has thirty-seven more hidden sea areas marked than the version circulating outside," he sat down opposite Lu Changyuan and pointed to three locations on the scroll, "These three desolate islands are currently ownerless, and each has its pros and cons. See for yourself."

Lu Changyuan unfurled the scroll.

The sea map was extremely detailed; mountains, seas, ocean currents, and the distribution of Yao Beasts were all marked. The strokes were delicate, evidently accumulated and drawn by generations of Lu family Cultivators over decades.

Lu Shouxuan pointed to the first one: "Red Flame Island, located in the middle section of the Inner Sea. There is a fire-attribute Spiritual Vein underground, and the concentration of Spiritual Qi is extremely high, suitable for Cultivating fire-attribute Cultivation Techniques. The downside is that a third-order Red Flame Flood Dragon is entrenched on the island. It has not yet gained wisdom, but its territorial awareness is extremely strong, making it difficult to drive away."

"The second one," his finger moved to the second red circle, "Azure Tide Island, located in a remote area with thin Spiritual Qi, but the surrounding waters have a large amount of low-order spiritual materials, suitable for steady development. The downside is that it is too mediocre and unlikely to yield great achievements."

"The third one," he paused, "Blue Moon Island."

Lu Changyuan's gaze fell on that location.

Blue Moon Island was marked on the edge of the Inner Sea, in a remote location. The notes on the sea map consisted of only a few words: Spiritual Qi exhausted, ancient Cultivator ruins, unknown dangers.

"This island," Lu Shouxuan's tone carried an unusual nuance for the first time, "I once saw a record in a classic stating that in the ancient era, a great Cultivator at the Nascent Soul Stage once went into seclusion here, and later... disappeared. The ruins have yet to be explored by anyone."

Lu Changyuan did not express his stance immediately, only silently memorizing the three locations.

The moment his finger gently touched the sea map, the heavenly secret jade slip in his Sea of Consciousness warmed slightly, and three lines of commentary quietly emerged:

[Red Flame Island, beneath the Spiritual Vein, there is a Demon-Suppressing formation. If the time is not yet right, do not act rashly.]

[Azure Tide Island, a mediocre place, sufficient for maintaining the status quo, but lacking for advancement.]

[Blue Moon Island, Seal loosening, a great Opportunity is about to appear, the time has come.]

Lu Changyuan's eyes flickered slightly, then returned to calm.

He rolled up the sea map again, returned it to Lu Shouxuan with both hands, and said respectfully: "Thank you, Elder, for granting me the map. This Junior still needs to weigh things carefully and cannot give an answer for the time being."

Lu Shouxuan took the sea map, nodded, and his eyes held a hint of approval: "Not rushing is a good thing."

He paused and added, "By the way, you were the one who bought someone at the black market yesterday, right? And you also happened to kill a Qi Refinement Perfection evil Cultivator?"

Lu Shouxuan's tone revealed neither joy nor anger, "That person was a Named Disciple of the Old Demon Blood Hand—though Old Demon Blood Hand died in the Star Sea last month, so you are lucky. If it were half a year ago, this matter would not have been so easy to let go."

Lu Changyuan did not deny it: "Yes."

"What is his background?"

"A Sword Cultivator with potential."

Lu Shouxuan looked at him for a moment, did not pursue the matter, and just said indifferently: "Go, if you have any needs, come find me."

Lu Changyuan stood up, bowed, and exited the Scripture Pavilion.

Returning to his Immortal Cave, Leng Feng was practicing sword techniques in the courtyard.

He held no sword in his hand, using only an ordinary wooden stick, but every movement carried a natural rhythm, as if the Sword Intent had already merged into his bones and blood; he did not need a real sword to make others feel that sharp edge.

Lu Changyuan stood under the veranda, watching for a moment.

"Who taught you your sword techniques?"

Leng Feng stopped his movements and turned around: "No one taught me, I figured it out myself."

"Figured it out yourself," Lu Changyuan repeated, something flashing in his eyes, "That is even better."

Leng Feng was silent for a moment, then suddenly put down the wooden stick and knelt on one knee before Lu Changyuan.

"The Medicinal Pill from last night is enough for me to live twice over." His voice was still hoarse, but it lacked some of the previous hostility, "I have nothing to offer in exchange, only this life."

Lu Changyuan looked at him, not speaking immediately.

The morning breeze in the courtyard passed through the eaves, causing the wooden stick to roll gently.

Leng Feng lowered his head and said word by word: "I, Leng Feng, take the Heavenly Dao as my witness. I pledge my loyalty to Lu Changyuan for this life. If I have any duplicity, may the Heavenly Dao execute me, and may my Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering."

As the oath fell, there was an extremely subtle tremor of Dao rhythm between heaven and earth, which vanished in an instant.

Lu Changyuan then nodded: "Get up. From today on, you will follow me."

Leng Feng stood up, his grip on the wooden stick steadier than yesterday.

He walked into the study, spread the sea map on the desk, and by the candlelight, began to carefully study the locations of the three desolate islands and the conditions of the surrounding sea areas.

It was late at night, and Lu Fu came in to refill the tea. Seeing the young master still lost in thought over the sea map, he asked softly: "Fifth Young Master, have you reached a decision?"

Lu Changyuan did not look up, his fingers moving slowly between the three red circles on the sea map, sometimes landing on Red Flame Island, sometimes stopping on Azure Tide Island, and finally pressing back near Blue Moon Island.

The Jade Slip said that the Opportunity for Blue Moon Island had arrived.

But Red Flame Island had the strongest Spiritual Vein, and Azure Tide Island was the steadiest; neither of these two places was without merit. The Jade Slip provided heavenly secrets, not a ready-made answer. He was not yet certain what that disappeared Nascent Soul Cultivator had left behind, or what was being suppressed beneath the Seal.

"Red Flame Island's advantage lies in its Spiritual Vein, Azure Tide Island's advantage lies in stability, and Blue Moon Island's advantage lies in the unknown," he muttered to himself, his brows slightly furrowed, "Which one to choose still requires further consideration."

Lu Fu stood to the side, not daring to breathe loudly.

After a long while, Lu Changyuan straightened up, rolled up the sea map again, and put it into his Storage Pouch.

He picked up the teacup, took a light sip, and his eyes became calm and deep once again.

The answer still needed more intelligence to be verified.