Chapter 400: Is Your Aspiration to Reenact the Tai Xuan Blood Calamity?

After a slight nod, Xu Xing continued walking forward, and Shen Qingjun hurried to follow.

Yet before they had taken a few steps, he said: "It seems we are fate-bound; I shall give her a small gift."

"…"

The rumors were indeed true—this Master Jianzu's temperament truly is…

A vivid crimson blood-jade appeared, entwined with brilliant golden threads, glowing fiercely like condensed dawnlight, exquisitely crafted.

The Dawnlight-Engraved Crimson Jade can illuminate the heart and awaken insight, purging distracting thoughts—perfect for Zhong Jiajia, a Charm Cultivator seeking the Supreme Law of "True Self."

"Deliver it for me."

Ordinary items hold no use for one in the Union with the Dao Realm; giving them would be pointless.

This one, however, was forged by him during his studies of "Dao Wang," blending the Dawn of the Beast God Realm, Meng Xuan's re-cultivated "Purification" principle, and countless other insights.

A gift must be useful to the one who receives it.

Shen Qingjun accepted it with both hands: "Then I, your disciple, thank you on behalf of Sister Zhong."

As the crimson jade entered her grasp, a warm, flowing heat surged through her—vast, pure, and potent life-giving energy pulsed within the tiny stone.

But what truly startled her were the golden threads entwined upon it: as if dawnlight pierced through clouds, dispelling demonic miasma, cleansing her spiritual platform of impurities, flooding her soul with boundless heavenly radiance, revealing her True Self.

Her heart tightened.

This crimson jade holds significant benefit even for one in the Union with the Dao Realm, especially for those seeking to cultivate the lineage of our Ancestor.

The Master Jianzu truly gives generously.

She flipped her hand and stored the jade, planning to deliver it to Sister Zhong when the timing was right.

"The lust-energy gathered via the Spirit Net is highly impure; you should have methods to purify it by now."

"Yes."

Another mountain wind stirred, rustling the forest leaves deep within the woods.

The essence and lust-energy collected via the Spirit Net are too impure to use directly; they must be refined and purified first.

The method for refining and purifying lust-energy is not particularly secret—only never mentioned on the Spirit Net.

Shen Qingjun explained: "Besides the most common refining tools like the Lust Furnace and Passion Cauldron, Master Su Hui has established twelve Passion-Cultivation Heavenly Realms, twenty-seven Passion-Fortune Lands, and thirty-six Essence-Purifying Minor Worlds within the sect."

Low-rank disciples collect lust-energy via the Spirit Net, then refine it through the sect's facilities, finally using it for cultivation—this is the primary method for most mid- and low-rank Charm Cultivators and Joy-Cultivators in the Huanhuan Sect today.

High-rank cultivators follow a different path.

As for Tianren cultivators, they need no lust-energy aid—only the resolve to cut themselves deeply enough…

Of course, with so many cultivation paths available today, even within the Huanhuan Sect, the number of mid- and low-rank Tianren cultivators has dwindled greatly.

Yet even so, Tianren cultivators remain the strongest lineage in the Huanhuan Sect, aside from the "True Self" branch.

These demons are truly formidable fighters!

Before the Union with the Dao Realm, they're already terrifying.

Even after reaching the Union with the Dao Realm, they remain deadly—after all, those who achieve Union with the Dao while still in Tianren form have all comprehended the profound truth of "Tianren Transformation, Yin-Yang Union."

Rumors say some mid- and low-rank Tianren cultivators now even experiment with hormones to aid their cultivation…

"Su Hui." Xu Xing had a faint memory, but little else: "Was the method of gathering lust-energy via the Spirit Net her invention?"

"No—it was first created by a newly admitted Jin Dan disciple. Its effect was weak; later, several senior uncles refined it into its current form."

At that time, she was not yet sect master, and the Huanhuan Sect still fell under the "Demon Sect" category.

When the method first emerged, many cruel and sinister Union with the Dao cultivators within the sect sought to use it via the Spirit Net to secretly drain the entire Central Continent.

Of course, they failed.

Their master, who normally despised the sect, returned from the stars, personally visited the Six Great Xian Sects, then purged the Huanhuan Sect with Lei Ting's ruthlessness.

Afterward, through her master's contacts, several enlightened and Union with the Dao hermits who had cultivated the Ancestor's "True Self" Dao joined the Huanhuan Sect.

From then on, the Huanhuan Sect successfully cleansed its reputation and became one of the Xian Sects of the Xuan Realm.

Originally, their master planned to rename the sect—but the Ancestor refused, and so the matter was dropped.

"To invent such a method is indeed original—what became of that disciple?"

"That disciple's heart was impure; he died back then."

He created the method solely to make collecting lust-energy easier.

Thus, during that purge, he was struck down along with the sect's cruel Union with the Dao cultivators.

Hearing this, Xu Xing's interest faded: "I see."

As they walked and talked, they encountered several Huanhuan Sect cultivators livestreaming within the maple forest.

Like Zhong Jiajia before them, they wore light clothing and played various instruments.

Most here are like this—if one wishes to stream another style, one may go elsewhere; the Huanhuan Sect has built many dedicated livestreaming venues.

Such as school classrooms, train driver cabins, starship command centers, even dungeons…

Perhaps because of this, the Huanhuan Sect's tourism industry is wildly popular.

Even though most areas are closed to outsiders, countless still flock to it.

…

…

Until the last sliver of twilight vanished beyond the horizon, the crescent moon and scattered stars began to dot the still-not-quite-dark sky.

Under Shen Qingjun's guidance, Xu Xing stepped out of the maple forest valley, and the scene before him opened wide.

Stretching endlessly on both sides were mountain ranges lined with crimson maples, dotted with countless buildings of varied styles, their lights flickering like a sea of stars.

The mountains stood as banks; within them, the flow of light and life resembled a stream winding toward the distance.

This was the outer gate of the Huanhuan Sect.

Higher up, colorful cultivation lights darted like meteors, many vanishing into the void before they could be seen again.

That is where the inner sect's cavernous heaven lies.

Like Ling Yin Fang, the inner sect of Hehuan Sect does not exist in reality, but is an independent cavernous heaven outside reality—and not just one.

"Ancestor has already been waiting; I dare not enter without permission. Please, Master Jianzu, proceed on your own." Shen Qingjun said.

Had it not been for Master Jianzu asking so many questions along the way, she would have said this earlier.

"Thank you for your trouble."

"Master Jianzu is too kind."

Then, without warning, Xu Xing vanished outright.

"Huh~"

With a light exhale, Shen Qingjun pressed her temples and gazed toward the brightly lit Hehuan Sect ahead.

But she quickly withdrew her gaze, confirmed no one was around, then sat down on a nearby rock, pulled out her phone from her sleeve, and opened the "Tai Xuan Xian Sect Slaves Group."

She was the sect leader—of course she had to maintain dignity and decorum in public!

In private…

There was no need to be so formal.

Nothing urgent for now; she might as well inquire about Master Jianzu first.

…………

Hehuan Sect, Ancestral Cavernous Heaven.

To today's cultivators of Tai Xuan Realm, Master Mei Zu is the most mysterious among the seven great Xian Sect ancestors.

As for other sect ancestors, like Master Jianzu, they need not be mentioned—they're the most troublemaking among all Xian Sect ancestors.

Even Xiang Yuanjun, who rarely appears before the world, still has some legends preserved.

But Master Mei Zu…

To this day, no one knows her true name, nor her origins.

Not even the ancient Dongzhen who have existed since primordial times know her true origins. When the world first knew her, she was already one of the rare Dongzhen—and soon after, she shattered the Immortal Gate and attained True Immortality.

Within the cavernous heaven, a grove of red maple trees.

Just as Ning Ruo favored snow mulberry trees, Master Mei Zu favored these red maples, so she planted many within her private cavernous heaven.

Perhaps even the original reason for relocating Hehuan Sect here was due to this.

A winding path of blue stone stretched forward; the sky held a crescent moon and countless stars, indistinguishable from the outside world.

Or rather, the scenery within this cavernous heaven was originally drawn from the Central Continent.

Along the blue stone path, at its end, lay a pale golden curtain of light, no larger than an ordinary door.

Stepping through it, the scenery shifted instantly.

Warm golden light spilled onto a gold-threaded carpet; the room was sealed, windowless, its walls hung with a painting of falling red maple leaves, beneath which stood redwood tables and chairs.

To the side rested a soft couch, its four corners adorned with eight-treasure tassels; within the gold-threaded brocade, a beautiful woman reclined against a low table, gently exhaling, as if she had waited long.

"Oh my~ It seems you got along very well with my disciple's disciple." Master Mei Zu smiled lightly.

Not a single word, not a single line, not a single detail was out of place!

This was her own specially built cavernous heaven; where each path led was entirely her own decision.

"I've kept you waiting."

Xu Xing stepped forward and sat directly on the chair.

"Actually, I haven't waited long."

Master Mei Zu rose from the couch; the pearl-embellished phoenix hairpin in her dark hair trembled slightly as she walked barefoot across the soft gold-threaded carpet toward him.

She still wore red robes, but now they were a half-length skirt; with each step, her pale legs flickered in and out of view.

Her snow-white bare feet were wrapped in threads of red silk, painted with henna, slightly sinking into the crimson carpet.

Peerless grace, boundless allure.

She sat down from the other side, lifted the jade pot from the table, and poured Xu Xing a cup: "On your journey through the starry void, did you gain anything?"

Xu Xing shook his head slightly and sighed: "No."

The crystal-clear liquor poured into the cup, pale red, with flickering flames dancing inside—strange indeed.

A crisp wine aroma spread through the room, mingled with another peculiar fragrance.

Wine?

He had thought it would be tea.

"Try it—this is specially prepared by me. See if there's anything still to improve."

Xu Xing lifted the jade cup, studied it for a moment, then drank it in one gulp.

The wine's fragrance was rich and lingering, yet crisp and refreshing.

Soon, a faint bitterness arose, but the aftertaste was sweet; when the aftertaste faded, he felt a ball of flame lingering in his mouth, cycling through several times before finally calming.

"Good."

For an ordinary cultivator, one sip would let them taste all the flavors of the mortal world, experience a century-long dream.

It was nearly on par with the few brews the founder of Zui Xian Men once made for him.

"How is this made?"

"Brother Dao, do you still remember what you mentioned to me before?"

"Hm?"

Master Mei Zu blinked and smiled: "If I were to say this is my saliva-fermented wine…"

Hm?!

Xu Xing stared at the jade cup in his hand.

Ten-thousand-year red maple spirit dew, nine taels of morning-glow Qi, ten-thousand-house lantern firelight…

Alright, never mind.

"Don't joke around."

"Aiya~ this one's only teasing, Dao Brother, honestly." With that, she poured another cup for Xu Xing, then poured one for herself as well.

Just as she was about to say more, she suddenly paused, flicked a fingertip to draw over a droplet of wine, then lightly tapped the space before her.

The droplet of wine swirled and spread out, forming a sheet of mystic-light water-mirror rippling with waves.

"It's Ji Yin Xue," Master Mei Zu explained.

Ji Yin Xue—her sole disciple, and also the greatest driving force behind the Hehuan Sect's transformation.

It could be said that the reason the Hehuan Sect was able to become the seventh-ranked sect of the Xuan Realm was largely thanks to Ji Yin Xue's efforts.

Soon, an image appeared within the water-mirror.

A woman with an expressionless face and ear-length short hair, her eyes utterly calm, looked over from the other side of the water-mirror.

Though clearly alone, her waist and back were held ramrod-straight.

"Master."

She was seen sitting behind a small table, upon which rested an incense burner, a desk lamp, and the four treasures of the study—brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

Every implement was arranged in perfect order, a pleasing sight to behold.

"It's Yin Xue, dear. What is it you wanted to see your master about?"

"Your collar is creased." A calm voice came from the other side.

Master Mei Zu glanced down, then reached out to smooth it flat.

"Also the wine cup—the one on the left was poured a bit too full."

"…"

Master Mei Zu adjusted the angle of the water-mirror.

"Master, that's what they call covering your ears to steal a bell."

"Aiya, your master doesn't care about such things. If you care so much, I just won't show you—out of sight, out of mind!"

"…" Ji Yin Xue was silent for a moment. "Is there a guest?"

"Mhm mhm." She adjusted the angle of the water-mirror once more so that the other side could also see Xu Xing. "Well? Can you see?"

"I can see." She was seen rising from behind the small table and bowing. "Greetings, Senior Master Jianzu."

Every gesture and movement was flawless.

"…" Xu Xing paused. "No need for such ceremony."

Hearing this, she sat back down, then asked directly: "May I ask how long Senior Master Jianzu intends to stay?"

"That isn't clear yet, but I will certainly need to return before the Xian Sect Grand Competition."

It depended on whether Master Mei Zu could find a method at all, and how long it would take once found.

"I see."

Originally, she had been thinking that if there were enough time, she would come back and ask Senior Master Jianzu for some guidance.

Now she could only give up on that.

"Yin Xue really admires you. She says she must replicate your deeds and complete the great work you left unfinished."

Hm?

The great work left unfinished?

Could it be the complete defeat of the Cang Clan?

"To have such a heart is naturally for the best." Xu Xing said with a smile.

"Thank you for the praise, Senior. This disciple's cultivation is still humble, and I must work much harder." At this point, Ji Yin Xue's willow-leaf brows rose slightly, her eyes brimming with killing intent. "The world does not understand your heart, Senior, and has even dubbed it the 'Great Xuan Blood Calamity,' but this junior does."

Xu Xing's smile stiffened. He felt something seemed off.

"When the war is settled and this junior ascends to immortality, I shall sweep away every last stain, and utterly exterminate every petty, scheming, vicious, and depraved wretch in the world!"

Xu Xing: "…"

The great work left unfinished—you mean this? (End of Chapter)