Near the end of spring, under the shade of the summer woods.
Qin Yun sat on a boulder beside the lake, watching the sunlight scatter through the tree’s shade onto the surface of the lake. Ripples were left behind when birds flew past.
“The swallows have returned and the flowers have fallen. It’s almost May, and I wonder how Yi Xiao’s cultivation at Divine Firmament Chapter’s Lightning Pool has been going.” Qin Yun was in a good mood as he waved his right hand.
Shoo!
A flying sword that resembled misty rain shot into the sky and flew freely around him, leaving behind shockwaves in midair.
“My Intrinsic Flying Sword has also reached the fourth-grade,” Qin Yun muttered to himself. “However, reaching the third-grade will be difficult. Even if I attain the sufficient realm and amass the treasures needed, it would still take a year or two.”
An Intrinsic Flying Sword was easy to nurture and cultivate in the early stages.
For example, a ninth-grade flying sword? It would eventually succeed even if scrap metal was used.
But as the Intrinsic Flying Sword increased in grade, the materials it demanded became more stringent. Reaching a fourth-grade flying sword required the grasp of sword intent! Only by nurturing an Intrinsic Flying Sword with sword intent would it reach the fourth-grade.
One had to attain a sword intent domain before the Intrinsic Flying Sword could be nurtured; only then would it have a chance of reaching the third-grade.
Upon reaching the Sword Intent Paramount realm, coupled with numerous natural treasures, it would reach the second-grade.
By grasping Sword Dao, and using it to nurture the flying sword’s soul while allowing it to extract the powers of the Heaven and Earth, an Intrinsic Flying Sword could be enhanced to the legendary ranks of first-grade Dharma treasures.
Therefore, the higher the Dharma treasure’s grade, the harder it became to raise it. However, its strength would also become immense. For example, an owner using a first-grade Dharma treasure would be able to deliver strength that matched that of Numinous treasures. Numinous treasures were deemed as cornerstone treasures of sects or races. They way they were used determined the fate of an ancient sect or an entire race! It was obvious how powerful such a treasure could be.
What a pity, then, that they were so rare!
It was extremely rare to grasp Sword Dao. In the many sword formulations from Daoist Chen’s lineage, there were only three sword formulations that could attain the level of Sword Dao. The oldest sword formulation was even created more than ten thousand years ago.
“Fourth-grade Intrinsic Flying Sword. With this, I should be able to contend with various figures at the Connate Golden Core realm.” Qin Yun smiled faintly. Suddenly, he sensed something and beckoned with his hand. With a whoosh, the flying sword that was engaging in sword arts a distant away flew back into Qin Yun’s sleeve.
“Second Young Master, Young Master Hong Lingtong wishes to seek an audience.” Ah Gui’s voice came from outside.
Qin Yun flicked his sleeve.
The door opened.
“Brother Hong, come on in.” Qin Yun looked at Hong Lingtong, who was standing outside the yard.
Hong Lingtong walked in with a wooden stave in hand before Ah Gui closed the door.
Qin Yun looked at Hong Lingtong in astonishment. At Qin Yun’s realm, his sensitivity towards the Heavenly Dao charms was deep. He immediately felt that Hong Lingtong walked with a mysterious rhythm. He could not help but say, “Brother Hong, it’s been several months since we met. You have improved tremendously. Have you grasped a sliver of the Heavenly Dao?”
“Brother Qin Yun, you think too highly of me,” said Hong Lingtong with a smile immediately. “How can the Heavenly Dao be that easily understood? I have just attained Heaven Man Unity, so grasping the Heavenly Dao’s charms would take me at least a decade of hard work to even stand a chance… Of course, over the past few months, I have consolidated my strength and it has improved tremendously as well. I dare say, it gives me the courage to step into the Scenic Yang Cave Abode.”
“Oh?” Qin Yun’s eyes lit up. “Do you plan on entering already?”
“Yes.” Hong Lingtong nodded. “It will be difficult for my strength to make any significant improvements for the time being. It’s time to enter. Besides, I’m entering with Brother Qin Yun. You have just killed the three demon monarchs of Evil Dragon Mountain and you are now famous. I don’t have to fear a thing if I’m entering with you.”
“Don’t flatter me,” said Qin Yun. “We should prepare before entering. You should be aware of my capabilities. I’m only skilled at the flying sword art. I wonder which things you are skilled at?”
Hong Lingtong smiled and said with confidence, “Divining to pursue good fortune and avoid danger, and array formations are what I’m good at. I can also do inference forecasting, a little of the past and future.”
Qin Yun was alarmed. “Forecast the past and future?”
“Just a little,” said Hong Lingtong. He had entered the Connate realm half a year ago and he had mastered the various Connate techniques in the heritage he had. In addition, he had successfully refined his heritage Dharma treasure which emboldened him to make such claims.
“The art of forecasting in this world is an extremely rare thing, especially those that dare claim to forecast the past and future. I have never heard of anyone dare make that claim at the Connate False Core realm,” quipped Qin Yun.
“There are three lineages, including mine, that are capable of doing that at the Connate False Core realm,” elaborated Hong Lingtong. “One of them is a heritage from Numinous Treasure Mountain, and the other is a heritage of Magistress Mountain. However, I’ve heard that the heritage of the clairvoyance magus art of Magistress Mountain is also incomplete. In fact, mine is incomplete as well.”
Qin Yun said with a smile, “To have such an achievement despite it being incomplete is still impressive. It appears that I’ll be relying on you during our trip to Immortal Scenic Yang’s cave abode.”
“When fighting enemies head-on, I’ll still greatly rely on you, Brother Qin Yun,” replied Hong Lingtong. “What I learn is considered unorthodox, after all. Also, please keep it a secret.”
“Don’t worry.” Qin Yun nodded.
“In that case, let’s not delay this any further. I’ll arrange to meet Scenic Mountain Sect’s Palatial Lord Essence Charm tomorrow,” said Qin Yun. “Now is the end of April. It’s best we enter the immortal’s cave abode… near the end of June. How does that sound?”
May was when Yi Xiao came out of seclusion.
Qin Yun wanted to meet her before entering the cave abode.
“Alright. I’ll leave everything up to you, Brother Qin Yun.” Hong Lingtong flipped his hand and produced an incomplete token. “I’ll leave this token with you. When the time comes for us to meet the people from the Scenic Mountain Sect, you can say that you were the one who found it. After all, I’m afraid… afraid that the people from the Scenic Mountain Sect would rob it from me. I do not have the confidence to hold on to it.”
The token flew towards Qin Yun.
“You trust me that much?” Qin Yun took a glance at the token and could not help but look at Hong Lingtong.
“If I didn’t trust you, I would not have invited you to join me on this trip to the cave abode,” answered Hong Lingtong.
Qin Yun immediately extended his hand to take it from him. “Alright, come with me tomorrow to Vessel Altar County.”
…
Scenic Mountain Sect.
“What’s all the mystery about? I asked him what it was about but he refused to tell me in detail. He insists on telling me in person.” Palatial Lord Essence Charm, with his white beard and Daoist robe, took a step forward onto a cloud and flew up. When the disciples responsible for the Scenic Mountain Sect’s defensive array formation saw that it was Palatial Lord Essence Charm, they naturally let him pass. After he flew out of the Scenic Mountain Sect’s defenses, his body transformed into a bolt of lightning.
Sou!
A bolt of lightning streaked across the sky and headed straight for Vessel Altar City.
Inside Vessel Altar City.
Palatial Lord Essence Charm quickly landed beside a restaurant. The people around him did not seem to notice him and naturally ‘ignored’ him. He leisurely entered the restaurant and came to a private room on the second floor before pushing the door open.
Inside the private room, Qin Yun and Hong Lingtong stood up.
“Senior Essence Charm.” Qin Yun was rather polite. Although his strength was rather close to his, Qin Yun still remained reverential to Palatial Lord Essence Charm. Firstly, he was a local Connate Golden Core cultivator of the Jiang Prefecture. With his Lightning Dharma that was faster than the flying sword art, he had the highest number of fiendish demon kills among the Connate Golden Core cultivators in the Jiang Prefecture! Qin Yun was naturally impressed by him. Secondly, back when he had escaped into the East Sea, it was Palatial Lord Essence Charm that led a convoy to him and inducted him into the Inspector Heavenly Alliance.
Back then, he was reeling in despair. The excitement he received when Palatial Lord Essence Charm arrived and invited him to join the Inspector Heavenly Alliance was something Qin Yun would never forget for the rest of his life. He was naturally on good terms with Essence Charm.
“Qin Yun, what is this that you can’t just tell me through a message? You didn’t visit the Scenic Mountain Sect and instead wanted to tell me in detail in an ordinary restaurant in Vessel Altar City?” Palatial Lord Essence Charm chuckled as he sat straight down. He picked up a pair of chopsticks and picked a piece of fish to eat. “This person beside you must be Grand Dominance County’s Hong Lingtong, right?”
“Greetings Senior Essence Charm, I’m Hong Lingtong.” Hong Lingtong was very humble towards the top cultivator of the Jiang Prefecture as well.
“This is something of the utmost importance. Also, it has to be highly confidential. Therefore, I chose to meet you in this ordinary restaurant,” said Qin Yun.
“Confidential?” Palatial Lord Essence Charm was astonished. “Tell me, what is it?”
“Scenic Yang Cave Abode,” said Qin Yun.
Palatial Lord Essence Charm was taken aback and he stared at Qin Yun. “The news of my Scenic Mountain Sect’s Perfected Scenic Yang leaving behind a cave abode isn’t confidential. Why are you raising the matter?”
“I know that to enter the abode, six tokens are needed,” Qin Yun said. “Also, the Scenic Mountain Sect has already confirmed the location of five of the tokens.”
Palatial Lord Essence Charm stared at Qin Yun.
“And I have the sixth token.” Qin Yun flipped his hand and a token fragment appeared in his hand.
“What?” Palatial Lord Essence Charm could not help but stand up as his white beard trembled in excitement. He stared intently at the token and, with his sharp senses, he instantly perceived every angle of the token. He could not help but be delighted. “Excellent, truly excellent. I finally managed to see the sixth token while still alive. The six tokens have finally been gathered!”
As he spoke, his eyes were brimming with tears.
The Scenic Mountain Sect had once been overrun by fiendish demons. Back then, a Daoist sacred land was robbed of its accumulated treasures. Many of the powerful heritages were severed as well. Only the top heritages of the sect were left hidden in Scenic Yang Cave Abode by Perfected Scenic Yang. To reclaim them was something Scenic Mountain Sect disciples of every generation yearned for more than anything else.