Though shocked, Hua Chunning strove to remain calm and said softly, "Senior Xue possesses discerning eyes. My talent is ordinary, and my path in the Dao was originally hopeless. I never expected Master to not mind my stupidity and accept me into Mount Taixuan. Senior Brother is an even greater benefactor to me."
The matter of the grotto-heaven involved the sect's ultimate secrets, so naturally she could not reveal it.
Hua Chunning could only attribute her opportunity of entering the Dao to the blessing of Mount Taixuan's immortal sect atmosphere and the assistance of Li Chengxuan and Liu Zhijian.
In particular, Liu Zhijian calling her "Junior Sister" at the foot of Mount Taixuan had actually completed her aura features and destiny, which was nothing short of a miracle.
"To think there was such a profound opportunity!" Xue Yang clicked his tongue in wonder upon hearing this, marveling at the density of Liu Zhijian's Kan Water atmosphere and the weight of his destiny. He then offered a meaningful smile. "However, is the completion of your aura features and destiny really that simple?! I think not!"
Hua Chunning's heart sank. She lowered her head in speechless silence as boundless dread surged within her.
Could she have inadvertently leaked heavenly secrets, allowing Qixia Mountain to see through the sect's secrets?
Had Xue Yang come with ill intent this time?!
Li Chengxuan remained silent for a moment before frowning and saying, "Fellow Daoist Xue, if you have any guidance to offer, please speak plainly. My unworthy disciple was fortunate enough to gather full aura features and is full of joy at the prospect of entering the Dao. She really cannot handle being teased by you."
"How could I dare tease a disciple of Mount Taixuan?!" Xue Yang laughed heartily, his manner quite friendly and casual as he lowered his voice. "I suspect that the source of the recent changes in Nanya Province is connected to that unspeakable event... Even a few rays of radiance atop Qixia Mountain have become remarkably lively, like living creatures!"
"Nephew Hua's ability to complete her aura features and destiny is likely just a subtle manifestation of the aftermath triggered by that grand event!"
Hua Chunning was somewhat dazed, completely unable to understand what Xue Yang was talking about.
Li Chengxuan's heart stirred, however, and he nodded in enlightenment.
An unspeakable event... There was clearly only one: the fall of the great figure who had protected Nanya Province for a thousand years!
Li Chengxuan glanced at Xue Yang and asked probing, "Is Fellow Daoist Xue saying that this is... when a whale falls, all things rise?!"
Xue Yang secretly praised Li Chengxuan's quick understanding. He looked at Li Chengxuan with a solemn expression and gave a heavy nod.
Li Chengxuan waved his hand to dismiss Hua Chunning, then said earnestly, "Qixia Mountain has shown great care for Mount Taixuan, and you have treated us with exceptional warmth. If you can offer some guidance this time, Mount Taixuan will be deeply grateful."
Having played the mystery for so long, Xue Yang was immensely satisfied to see Li Chengxuan finally express his stance so tactfully.
The Ancestor's order to befriend Mount Taixuan had given Xue Yang a headache for a long time.
Mount Taixuan was also an ancient lineage that the great figure had once paid attention to, so bridging the distance was no easy feat.
Gift some cultivation methods or Dao scriptures?!
They had already gifted plenty last time, even sending over the family's most precious Hongxia cultivation method. There was truly nothing left to give in that regard.
Then gift some spirit stones and pills?
Mount Taixuan had very few cultivators, so they likely did not lack spirit stones or pills.
As for magic treasures and secret treasures, that was even less viable.
Inferior ones were too embarrassing to present.
Powerful ones could not possibly be given away for nothing and had to be kept for themselves.
After thinking it through, revealing secret information that only Qixia Mountain possessed was advantageous without costing anything, making it the most suitable gift at present.
Xue Yang lowered his voice and whispered, "The few wisps of spiritual radiance at the peak of Qixia Mountain have an extraordinary origin, though they appeared ordinary in the past without much divine marvel."
"Lately, however, they have become increasingly lively, almost like living creatures, and have even gained the ability to transform into birds and beasts."
"The Ancestor suspects that the world of Nanya Province is undergoing a change, and ancient lineages like Qixia Mountain and Mount Taixuan are likely to experience a revival of fortune!"
Hearing this, Li Chengxuan's expression turned solemn immediately.
This was a major matter!
In the past, cultivating the Old Method was arduous; even dragons among men and favored geniuses walked with immense difficulty.
If the Old Method lineages were truly experiencing a revival of fortune, this might be a golden opportunity for cultivation unseen in a thousand years.
Noticing the change in Li Chengxuan's expression, Xue Yang continued, "Therefore, Fellow Daoist Li, do not blame me for not warning you."
"If you still care about your own Dao path, hasten into secluded cultivation and attempt a breakthrough."
"If you wish to expand your sect, send people down the mountain as soon as possible to search for Children of Fate and bring them back."
"Although this thousand-year great opportunity is just beginning to manifest, how long it will last, whether it is a mere flash in the pan, or whether a great figure will take it away remains entirely unknown."
Li Chengxuan nodded and said solemnly, "Thank you for the guidance, Fellow Daoist Xue!"
Reflecting on this, since Xue Yang had shown his goodwill without reservation, he also had to respond in kind.
However, Qixia Mountain was the head of the Old Method in Nanya Province, so whatever he offered would seem somewhat lacking.
Li Chengxuan's thoughts turned, and he said, "There is a matter I would like to ask Fellow Daoist Xue's help with, if it is convenient?"
Xue Yang was delighted to hear this, secretly praising Li Chengxuan for being sensible enough to deliberately owe a favor. He asked with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Li, you are too polite! Please speak freely! As long as I can accomplish it, I will never refuse!"
Li Chengxuan glanced at Hua Chunning, sighed, and explained the whole story: "To be honest with you, Fellow Daoist, this disciple of mine has had a rough path in the Dao. She finally completed her aura features and destiny with great difficulty, yet she is stuck at gathering qi."
"I selected the Hundred Flowers Fragrance for her. Although it is not top-grade, it is sufficient."
"The Hua family has long been in decline and could only cultivate mundane flowers, which are of little use."
"As her master, my willingness exceeds my ability, and I cannot be of much help."
"I have long heard that Qixia Mountain is the number one spiritual mountain and blessed land in Nanya, boasting countless rare flowers and exotic plants."
"So I wanted to ask Fellow Daoist Xue to take her to Qixia Mountain to gather some spiritual flower fragrance, which might raise the upper limit of her cultivation by a few degrees."
Xue Yang understood upon hearing this and nodded in agreement.
Though Li Chengxuan was young, he acted with great experience, and his words and behavior were extremely measured.
Concerning his disciple's Dao path, this favor was indeed large enough, yet precisely within his capacity.
In terms of abundant spiritual opportunity alone, Qixia Mountain was second to none in Nanya Province. If it could nurture spiritual radiance, how much more so spiritual flowers?
Not to mention, the mountain also housed the Wutu Secret Realm.
Wutu Earth was the earth of the center, best at regulating earth qi, harmonizing wood, fire, metal, and water, and balancing yin and yang.
Therefore, numerous spiritual plants were cultivated in the Wutu Secret Realm.
As it happened, this female disciple was only gathering the Hundred Flowers Fragrance, which would cause no damage whatsoever.
Setting the Ancestor aside, even the conservative and xenophobic uncles in the clan would hardly object to using useless flower fragrance in exchange for a favor from the Sect Master of Mount Taixuan.
...
...
After offering a few words of advice to Hua Chunning in private, he saw off Xue Yang and Hua Chunning. Li Chengxuan then returned to the Ancestral Hall and lit three sticks of spiritual incense before the patriarch's portrait.
Looking up, he thought to himself, As expected.
On the blank portrait, which had originally borne only a faint water mark, there were now distinct, blurry ink traces that could vaguely be made out as a human figure.
Li Chengxuan speculated that when he ingested qi to enter the Dao and obtained such a monumental opportunity as the Two-World Bead, it was likely around the time that great figure fell.
Afterward, he had easily broken through to the mid stage of Qi Refining.
Liu Zhijian had accomplished gathering qi and ingesting qi in a single smooth motion.
Hua Chunning had completed her aura features and destiny, leaving her just one step away from successfully gathering qi.
Everything proceeding so smoothly had even caused Li Chengxuan to feel anxious, wondering how to conceal it.
He had not expected Xue Yang to deliver the perfect excuse.
Even when Duanmu Ren formally joined the sect to cultivate the High Shaman lineage later on, there would be no need to hide.
Furthermore, Li Chengxuan could hear that Xue Yang's words clearly carried a deeper meaning.
However, since it involved that great figure—even a fallen one—Xue Yang was extremely wary and dared not speak openly.
"Once that great figure fell, the Old Method lineages began to revive."
"One could naturally feel deeply grateful, believing that the great figure possessed supreme virtue and Dao, returning their Dao to heaven upon falling to bless the Old Method cultivators of Nanya."
"But if one were to think along darker lines, over the past thousand years, was that great figure truly protecting the Old Method, or imprisoning the various lineages to intercept their fortune?!"
"Now that the Old Method is reviving, perhaps the fortune stolen from each lineage has simply broken free of its shackles and returned!"
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