Chapter 322

Awaken Spirit City

This city is likewise not small; Yunhe did not want to cause too much disturbance, so after concealing his Cultivation Base, he entered through a city gate about ten zhang high.

Although some law-enforcing cultivators guarded the city gate, they did not detect Yunhe's abnormality.

Upon entering Awaken Spirit City, row upon row of stone houses came into view, neatly arranged.

Between these stone houses, wide and narrow blue-stone main streets crisscrossed, densely packed like a spiderweb, with various cultivators and ordinary people walking along.

Yunhe did not linger even a moment, heading straight to the branch of the Bai Xiao Pavilion.

The Bai Xiao Pavilion has branches in every major city, and its architecture is extremely conspicuous, so it is not hard to find.

Upon entering the Bai Xiao Pavilion, with Yunhe currently presenting a mid Golden Core Cultivation Base, the first to approach was the steward of this pavilion.

"Fellow Daoist, may I ask how I can be of assistance to you?"

A middle-aged cultivator wearing a black robe and sporting a long beard, with early Golden Core Cultivation Base, smiled and asked.

Yunhe had his hands behind his back, expression calm, his gaze sweeping over the bustling hall, and he did not speak.

Seeing his demeanor, the middle-aged cultivator realized, quickly showing a hint of apology, raising his hand and saying:

"Fellow Daoist, please follow me."

Under his guidance, the two went up the stairs and soon reached the third floor.

Upon arriving here, indeed the number of people suddenly became much fewer.

Elegant decoration, a faint sandalwood fragrance.

But just as the middle-aged man was about to lead Yunhe into a private room, he glanced toward the stairs leading to the fourth floor.

"Fellow Daoist, the fourth floor is this pavilion's restricted area; only Yuan Ying ancestors may ascend, so we..."

Before he could finish speaking, Yunhe nodded and walked on his own toward the stairs to the fourth floor.

Seeing this, the middle-aged man's face changed in alarm, and he hastily said: "Fellow Daoist, do not—"

But the sound coming from upstairs made his expression stiffen.

"Ziqi, do not neglect the honored guest."

"Honored guest?"

The middle-aged man watched Yunhe ascend calmly, and instantly realized, a feeling of helplessness welling up inside him.

After all, some Yuan Ying cultivators enjoy pretending to be weak to eat the strong, liking to hide their Cultivation Base.

But he soon resumed a respectful demeanor, performed a distant salute to Yunhe, then stood straight at the stairwell entrance, taking on the duty of a guard.

Meanwhile, Yunhe, having gone up to the fourth floor, found the lighting noticeably dimmer; in this spacious level there were five high platforms, each bearing a desk and chairs, but at present only one person sat upon these seats.

That person appeared youthful and handsome, wearing a white robe, head adorned with a hairpin cap binding his hair, holding an ancient scroll in his hands, giving the impression of a pale-faced scholar.

But his Cultivation Base was genuinely early Yuan Ying!

Upon seeing Yunhe come up, this person set down his hand-held scroll, projected an avatar from the high platform down to land before Yunhe, and made a bow, saying:

"I am Ji Li Yun; I have met you, Fellow Daoist. Fellow Daoist, you look somewhat unfamiliar."

Yunhe no longer concealed his Cultivation Base at this moment, returning the salute and saying: "I have met you, Fellow Daoist Ji; I am Yunhe, who has been in seclusion year-round and has only just emerged after some progress in my Cultivation Base; it is normal that you have not seen me before."

Although knowing his words were merely perfunctory, Ji Li Yun still cooperated, showing an expression of sudden realization.

"Since Fellow Daoist has sought out my Bai Xiao Pavilion, you surely have something you wish to ask?" Ji Li Yun said, guiding Yunhe to a table and chairs displaying tea ware nearby, "Why not sit down and discuss in detail?"

"Not bad."

Yunhe responded with an affirmation, and without hesitation sat down squarely and steadily opposite Ji Li Yun.

He did not beat around the bush, but went straight to the point:

"I wish to obtain all information regarding 'Floating Cloud Supreme Person'."

Hearing this, Ji Li Yun showed a surprised expression, and the motion he had just begun to rise to pour tea for Yunhe halted in place.

"Floating Cloud Supreme Person?"

Seeing his reaction, Yunhe raised his eyebrows and countered:

"How so?"

However, Ji Li Yun quickly recovered, poured Yunhe a cup of spiritual tea, sat down, pondered briefly, and then slowly said:

"Floating Cloud Supreme Person, master of the Floating Cloud Observatory, was born from the Floating Cloud Observatory four thousand years ago; he established his Foundation Establishment at age seventy, formed his Golden Core at age one hundred twenty, condensed his Nascent Soul at age two hundred eighty, and reached the late Yuan Ying stage at age four hundred ten."

Ji Li Yun spoke as if recalling from memory some information about Floating Cloud Supreme Person, and Yunhe grew more astonished the more he listened.

This person, only establishing his Foundation Establishment at seventy, actually succeeded in forming his Golden Core at one hundred twenty, and condensed his Nascent Soul at two hundred eighty?

Although the intervals between these stages are not short, only one who has cultivated to such a realm can understand that this definitely means the higher the realm, the faster this person's Cultivation Base breakthrough speed becomes!

"At three thousand years ago, Floating Cloud Supreme Person last appeared in the Sorrowful City, after which there was no further news. Some say his lifespan had ended and he entered meditation to death; others say he found an opportunity to break through to the Divine Transformation and has already ascended to the upper realm."

After saying that, Ji Li Yun lifted his teacup and took a sip.

These are merely basic information about Floating Cloud Supreme Person, and no fee is required.

But from Ji Li Yun's words, it is not hard to hear that the Bai Xiao Pavilion certainly has conducted a considerable investigation into this once-famous Floating Cloud Supreme Person.

Within the Bai Xiao Pavilion, there must also be more detailed information concerning Floating Cloud Supreme Person.

"These are all information known to the outside world; Fellow Daoist, as long as you have the intention, you can still learn them." Ji Li Yun said.

"Oh?"

Yunhe also lifted his teacup, took a sip, set it down, and then slowly said:

"Then I do not know what secret, unknown to the public, your pavilion holds?"

Ji Li Yun smiled, leaned his body slightly forward, lowered his voice and said: "According to the information of my Bai Xiao Pavilion, this extraordinarily talented Floating Cloud Supreme Person entered meditation to death two thousand eight hundred years ago."

"Entered meditation to death?!"

Yunhe's heart trembled slightly.

Even someone like Floating Cloud Supreme Person, whose cultivation progress speed keeps increasing, who combined the strengths of a hundred schools to create a method perfectly suited to his own technique, an outstanding individual, actually failed to break through to Divine Transformation and instead entered meditation to death?

Looking at Ji Liuyun's resolute expression, he seemed quite sure about this matter.

As for how Bai Xiao Lou obtained this information, Yunhe does not know.

But Bai Xiao Lou being the largest information-selling power in the entire Dongjing, lasting thousands of years without decline, shows it must have unique advantages and special channels for obtaining information.

"Funny enough, Yun Daoist, you are not the first in recent years to come inquire about information on Venerable Floating Cloud."

Hmm?

Yunhe was startled.

"Could there be other Daoists also interested in Venerable Floating Cloud's past?"

"Not just the past," Ji Liuyun said, implying more.

Yunhe straightened his posture, his fingertips lightly rubbing the cup's rim, looking at the smiling Ji Liuyun, and spoke in a calm tone.

"Ji Daoist, if you have something to say, just speak directly."

"Conversing with a smart person is indeed easy," Ji Liuyun's smile widened.

He took out a Jade Slip from his storage bag and pushed it toward Yunhe.

"Here is information about Venerable Floating Cloud."

But Yunhe merely glanced at it, did not take it, and waited for Ji Liuyun's next words.

"My Bai Xiao Lou's Mechanism Derivation Pavilion recently calculated that this Venerable Floating Cloud left behind a cultivation cave."

This time he did not pause again, continuing:

"Considering that Venerable Floating Cloud had gathered the strengths of a hundred schools, the many cultivation arts he collected are of great appeal to our Bai Xiao Lou; thus we wish to invite several fellow Daoists also interested in Venerable Floating Cloud to go together."

Yunhe felt waves in his heart, but on the surface he remained quite calm as he asked:

"Since that is the case, why does your Lou share such a good thing with others? Could it be that this cave is quite dangerous?"

"Yun Daoist has high insight. Ji Mou speaks frankly: if our Bai Xiao Lou could alone obtain the treasures in Venerable Floating Cloud's cave, we would naturally not share them with others. However, that cave lies within 'Luofeng Valley'." Ji Liuyun showed a hint of helplessness.

Luofeng Valley?

Yunhe searched his mind for information about this place name; after a while, he slowly realized.

"In the Demonic Realm?"

Luofeng Valley is not particularly famous, but it produces a kind of Foundation Establishment spiritual object called 'Sha Feng', which Yunhe kept in mind.

As for the so-called "Demonic Realm", it is the land claimed by the demonic sects.

Ji Liuyun nodded, saying: "Not only that. This Venerable Floating Cloud not only has profound cultivation, but is also versed in formations and puppet arts. Without surprise, his cave inside and out will surely have many restrictions; wanting to break in safely is no easy task."

Adding this, it can barely be explained.

"I wonder, Yun Daoist, are you interested?"

Yunhe did not answer immediately, merely tapping his index finger lightly on the table while thinking. Ji Liuyun did not urge him, silently sipping tea and waiting.

"This person absolutely did not reveal the whole truth; Bai Xiao Lou's intentions are certainly not just the possible cultivation legacy left by Venerable Floating Cloud, perhaps there is something else."

"But this is indeed an opportunity; perhaps inside that cave lies the continuation of the 'Great Longevity Grand Five Elements True Scripture' cultivation method, or information about the secret realm of the ruins of the Great Five Elements Sect."

"Although, this does indeed sound somewhat coincidental."

"But without coincidence there is no story; perhaps this is my 'fateful encounter'."

"Now I possess the 'Yao-resisting Armor' and the 'Ice Phoenix Wings'; self-preservation should be without worry."

Although he had roughly figured it out in his heart, Yunhe still did not give an answer, merely saying:

"I need some time to consider."

"That is natural." Ji Liuyun showed understanding, looking at the Jade Slip on the table, and continued: "This information will serve as a meeting gift from our Bai Xiao Lou to you, Daoist; regardless of success or failure now, we hope to befriend you, Daoist."

"Then, thank you."

Yunhe did not refuse either, for he knew that with this Jade Slip he could make a better decision.

Immediately putting away the Jade Slip, he bowed to Ji Liuyun and then left Bai Xiao Lou.

"Telling me about Luofeng Valley yet not worrying I'll leak it; it seems that Venerable Floating Cloud's cave truly cannot be found without someone from Bai Xiao Lou leading the way."

After leaving Bai Xiao Lou, Yunhe began to think again in his heart.

"Venerable Floating Cloud is skilled in formations, but I am not lacking either. Even if he laid a Fourth Level top-tier formation, after nearly three thousand years of erosion, how much power could remain? It should not be able to trap me."

"Thinking this way, it is indeed truly worth a visit; even if I fail to obtain the continuation of cultivation methods, the cave meticulously arranged by a late Yuan Ying cultivator should also contain many good things."

Finally.

Yunhe still decided to go.

After all, as things stand now, aside from the cultivation cave left by Venerable Floating Cloud in Luofeng Valley, he has no other opportunity to obtain the continuation of cultivation methods.

Especially after he browsed the Jade Slip given by Ji Liuyun.

Because he discovered that this once-famous Venerable Floating Cloud truly

The secret realms, strange lands, and dangerous places he had entered numbered no less than twenty!

And he emerged unscathed from all of them.

Moreover, many of those secret realms, strange lands, and dangerous places were unknown to others and had never been explored.

Even these are only a part discovered by Bai Xiao Lou's exploration; it is estimated that there are still many that even Bai Xiao Lou has never heard of.

Even without considering those collected cultivation arts, just the information about these secret realms alone is enough to make many powers covetous.

No wonder so many people pursue information about Venerable Floating Cloud.

"Truly a 'secret realm expert'."

Seven days later.

In a secret chamber of Qiling City.

Yunhe met the companions invited by Ji Liuyun for this journey.

Including him and Ji Liuyun, there were actually six Yuan Ying cultivators!

(End of chapter)