Chapter 149

Shen Lingyue's fingertips again condensed that thread of yin-cold spiritual power, lightly touching that strange red thread. This time, his inspection was more meticulous; his spiritual power like the finest probe, he cautiously delved into the core of the curse seal, sensing the faint fluctuation of that remnant soul.

After a moment, he withdrew his hand, brow furrowed: "More troublesome than expected. Though this remnant soul's intellect is mostly gone, its survival instinct is extremely strong, and its innate attribute of yin-cold malignity blends almost seamlessly with this curse seal. Forcibly stripping it away is indeed like trying to take chestnuts from fire."

He pondered for a moment, then said to Ling Xiao: "We need something of pure yang and utmost rigidity as an aid, to harmonize my power, so that we can gradually wear down that remnant soul's strength without harming this girl's foundation, ultimately forcing it out or refining it. However, such heavenly materials and earthly treasures are rare in the world. The Five Directions Immortal Treasures you mentioned might be just that."

Ling Xiao and the others, upon hearing this, immediately said: "The Five Directions Immortal Treasures, we will surely seek them out as soon as possible!"

"Master..." Even if Shi Ran were strong, she couldn't help but have tearful eyes; she was both frightened and moved.

"There's no need to rush off looking for a needle in the sea either." Shen Lingyue glanced at Ling Xiao, "First nurse your battered body back to health before speaking. I have strengthened the seal; for a short time we'll be safe. Wait until you regain some strength, then we can discuss further."

After saying that, he turned his gaze to Ruan Xinli: "You too, your inner organs are shaken, your meridians damaged; if you don't want to leave hidden injuries, calmly recuperate." Finally his eyes fell on Qi Chengshuang: "As for you, continue cultivating the 'Azure Sea Tide-Growing Heart-Concentrating Technique', consolidate the foundation and nurture the essence, reinforce the seal— not a single thread may be slackened."

The three replied in unison: "Yes, Senior (Qinghe Jun)."

In the following days, the quiet chamber of Bluewave River seemed to become a secluded sanctuary for healing wounds. Although Shen Lingyue appeared languid, he knew the condition of each person's injuries like the back of his hand, occasionally offering pointers, or sending out a thread of pure spiritual power to help them digest medicinal effects and clear their meridians.

Ling Xiao, relying on the potent efficacy of the Nurturing Spirit Pill, had his soul's damage heal rapidly; his breath grew stronger day by day. Although still far from peak condition, he could now circulate his cultivation method on his own, no longer weak and feeble.

Ruan Xinli's injuries were the lightest; after a few days of recuperation she had recovered mostly. She dared not slack off; besides her own cultivation, she spent more time attending to Qi Chengshuang, assisting the master in stabilizing his condition.

Shi Ran was the most anxious, but seeing the seal stable and that red thread showing no abnormality, and receiving comfort from the master and senior sisters and brothers, she gradually calmed down, diligently cultivating to strengthen herself against the curse seal.

Qi Chengshuang, however, entered another state. He almost discarded all distracting thoughts, his entire mind and spirit sinking inward. Following the method of the 'Azure Sea Tide-Growing Heart-Concentrating Technique', he guided that thread of yin-cold spiritual power from Shen Lingyue, like the most patient artisan, repeatedly reinforcing the invisible dam that blocks the deathly aura and the strange mark. At the same time, he continually apprehended the profundity of this method. It does not seek explosive growth of power, but emphasizes condensation, precipitation, and control; in utmost stillness it nurtures the soul's power, and within deathly stillness it perceives the flow of life. This way of cultivation differs starkly from the fierce, rigid sword-heart method he previously practiced, yet it seems to open another door for him, granting a deeper understanding of the essence of 'power'. Though his tranquil sword-heart cannot mobilize spiritual power, in this polishing of 'stillness' and 'settledness' it becomes more lucid and tenacious.

During this period, Shen Lingyue again opened the furnace to refine pills several times; all were foundation-strengthening and essence-nourishing, supreme healing medicines, which he distributed to everyone. Thanks to the abundant spiritual energy of Bluewave River and the protection of this peerless expert, everyone's recovery speed far surpassed that of the outside world.

That day, Ling Xiao could already walk on the ground, his complexion greatly improved. He walked to the window and stood shoulder to shoulder with Shen Lingyue, gazing out at the seemingly eternal sea of clouds and green waves.

"Brother Shen, this favor, Ling Xiao will keep it in his heart." Ling Xiao spoke softly, his tone sincere.

Shen Lingyue gave a faint smile: "Just remember that; cause less trouble in the future."

Ling Xiao gave a wry smile, shook his head, then straightened his expression: "Since you mentioned last time that the Support Immortal Sect seems to have some unspeakable difficulty, perhaps we could discuss it now..."

Upon hearing this, Shen Lingyue's habitual lazy smile at the corner of his lips faded somewhat. He did not respond immediately, merely gazing out at the window at the endlessly surging sea of clouds, his eyes deep, as if through those endless cloud waves he saw the tumultuous years of a distant past.

Silence persisted for a long time, so long that Ling Xiao almost thought he would not speak, when Shen Lingyue finally let out a soft snicker, that laugh carrying an ineffable complex meaning.

"An unspeakable difficulty?" He turned his head, the corners of his eyes slightly lifting, carrying a hint of mockery, yet not directed at Ling Xiao: "Ling Xiao, do you think the present Support Immortal Sect is still that glorious orthodox sect, mighty and myriad in appearance, the leader of the immortal families as you remember?"

Ling Xiao's heart jolted, his expression growing graver: "Brother Shen, what makes you say that? The Support Immortal Sect has been passed down for myriad ages; although there are sectarian disputes and differing ideas, its foundation is deep, its rules strict, and it is the aspiration of all cultivators under heaven..."

"Aspiration of all cultivators?" Shen Lingyue interrupted him, his tone gradually turning cold: "Indeed, a fine aspiration of all cultivators. But beneath that plaque shining with myriad rays, how much filth and corruption is hidden, and how much do you know of it?"

He turned his body, leaning against the window frame; the soft light of the moonstone cast a faint shadow upon his perfect profile.

"You only know that I, Shen Lingyue, now do not join a sect, do not speak of the past, and merely roam at ease in Bluewave River. Do you know why I rebelled? Do you know what kind of being my good master, the former sect master of the Support Immortal Sect, Wang Xu True Person, actually is?"

Ling Xiao's breath caught. In the Sanskrit Sound Realm he had only heard that Shen Lingyue deviated from the orthodox path and cultivated together with a male demon for a hundred years, a tale that spread far and wide; but he had never heard that Shen Lingyue had defected from the sect. Frankly, upon encountering him at the two heavily guarded gate-checkpoints, Ling Xiao was still delighted.

Although Ling Xiao had prior acquaintance with Shen Lingyue and trusted his character, he knew very little of the details of this matter.

A flash of extreme pain and hatred crossed Shen Lingyue's eyes, fleeting yet caught by Ling Xiao's keen perception.

"The foundation of his cultivation is not some orthodox mystic art, but a long-lost, exceedingly vicious demonic art—the 'Devouring Origin Seizing Soul Technique'." Shen Lingyue's voice sank, carrying an icy chill: "This art progresses extremely swiftly, its power terrifying, yet it requires incessantly devouring cultivators' primordial spirits and plundering their source spiritual power to sustain; otherwise it will suffer a backlash, causing unbearable pain, with both form and spirit gradually withering."

Ling Xiao's pupils contracted sharply, he exclaimed in disbelief: "What?! How… how could this be possible? Wang Xu True Person is highly virtuous and respected……"

"Highly virtuous and respected?" Shen Lingyue sneered: "What a highly virtuous and respected! Taking advantage of his position as sect master, he initially covertly seized disciples of outstanding talent but little background within the sect, or captured wandering cultivators and small gangs while traveling, using their primordial spirits to cultivate. Later, the primordial spirits of ordinary disciples and wandering cultivators could no longer meet his growing demands and the technique's backlash……"

A horrible conjecture arose in Ling Xiao's mind, sending a chill through his entire body.

"He began to turn his target toward those within the sect who were equally astonishingly talented and hoped to inherit the Dao, as well as…… his personal disciples." Shen Lingyue's voice was eerily calm, as if speaking of something unrelated to himself: "I am not the first. Before me, two senior brothers whose talents were no inferior to mine 'unexpectedly' perished, or died from 'going berserk in cultivation'. Merely because they came from great clan families, the sect covered it up well externally, and his facade of benevolence was too successful, so no one suspected."

Lingxiao only felt a chill rising from his spine, his hands and feet turning ice‑cold. He could not imagine that the person who once spoke and laughed freely at the Three Realms Immortal Alliance Conference, pointed out the land, and was revered by tens of thousands, Wangu Zhenren, was actually such a demon behind the scenes.

"He discovered that my physique is special, my primordial spirit power far surpasses my peers, and my spiritual power leans toward yin and cold, making it a great supplement to his cultivation method." Shen Lingyue continued, her voice finally carrying a thread of repressed hatred, "He feigned meticulous cultivation, but in truth he regarded me as a captive medicinal cauldron, waiting only for the opportune moment to carry out that soul‑seizing and spirit‑devouring act. By a fortunate chance I uncovered his secret and learned the true cause of death of my two senior brothers."

He paused, a flash of blood color flickering in his eyes: "That day, he struck early, ambushing me at a critical moment of my secluded cultivation. I fought desperately, sustaining grave injuries and fleeing. He would not let me escape, laying a net of heaven and earth to hunt me down, and furthermore pinned the charge of liking men on my head. Hah, what a self‑righteous hypocrite."

"Later, I wandered and arrived at Bibo River." Shen Lingyue's tone returned to flat, yet grew more desolate, "I barely escaped death, was despised by the sect, and Bibo River gave me a place to stay. Relying on my cultivation, I slew several evil demons and earned considerable merit. Henceforth, even if I, Shen Lingyue, am no longer of the Fuxian Sect, people still address me as Qinghe Jun."

"But I cannot kill him!" Shen Lingyue stared at her own hands, "Even with my current standing, I still cannot kill him! To avenge myself!"

Lingxiao remained silent for a long time, tumultuous waves surging in his heart. He never imagined that Shen Lingyue was not a disgrace to the cultivation world; rather, she was the one who exposed a shocking conspiracy, a victim who bore humiliation and burden, and an avenger.

"Then… what of the Fuxian Sect now?" Lingxiao asked hoarsely.

"Wangu is deceitful and treacherous, having operated for many years with many followers, and the allure of that Soul‑Seizing Spirit‑Devouring Technique is not something only he cannot resist." Shen Lingyue sneered, "There are always those who cling to that quick‑gained power, or are already too deeply bound to him to turn back. After I left the sect, the sect underwent a bloody purge; those now in power may not have cultivated that demonic art, but were they truly innocent of what happened back then? Even if they were innocent, for the sake of the sect's reputation they would never allow the truth to be exposed to the world. I, Shen Lingyue, will forever be the most disgraceful entry in the history of the Fuxian Sect."

Shen Lingyue turned her gaze to Lingxiao, eyes sharp: "So now you understand why I said the Fuxian Sect is not a good place to seek help? If they learn you are here, discover that Qing Chengfeng's death curse may be linked to an ancient remnant soul, and notice that Shi Ran's three thousand red silk threads are both a death curse and an opportunity, their first reaction will not be rescue but to spare no expense to block the news, even possibly… to eliminate you both altogether to prevent future trouble. As for the Five Directions Immortal Treasures, the Fuxian Sect might have clues, perhaps even stored them in their treasury, but for you to demand them would be like trying to take a tiger's skin."

Lingxiao drew a deep breath and exhaled heavily, as if trying to dispel the gloom and chill in his chest. He raised his hand and patted Shen Lingyue's shoulder, "I never imagined… back then you actually bore such injustice; I too feel ashamed that I did not learn of it sooner."

Shen Lingyue waved her hand, restoring her nonchalant demeanor: "Old matters, mentioning them is pointless. This lord no longer cares for those empty reputations. I merely tell you that the path of treasure hunting cannot rely on the Fuxian Sect; you must seek another way."

"Good!" Lingxiao nodded, already having made a decision in his heart, "If that is the case, once our injuries stabilize a bit more, we will set out immediately, scouring ancient ruins and secret realms for clues to the Five Directions Immortal Treasures."

"Hmm." Shen Lingyue gave a slight nod, "I have also browsed some ancient texts these past few days; the legend of the Five Directions Immortal Treasures is elusive, but it generally points to five kinds of heavenly and earthly marvels that contain utmost yang and rigidity or limitless vitality. Eastern Yin Wood Essence — Scarlet Pearl Tree, Southern Vermilion Fire Marrow — Purple Lightning Firefly, Western Grain Metal Soul — Glassy Gold Thread, Northern Dark Water Essence — Jade Water Tide Moon, Central Earth Core — Ghostly Ruin Soil. As for what exactly they are and what they look like, you must explore them yourselves."

Among the Five Directions Immortal Treasures, Shi Ran already possesses the Scarlet Pearl Tree and the Jade Water Tide Moon, but they are sealed within his sea of consciousness; actually this is also good, for before gathering all five treasures it is still best not to advertise, lest complications arise. However, Shen Lingyue is his close friend, and this time she has helped him greatly; Lingxiao, after a moment's thought, intended to tell him the truth, but who would have known that just as he was about to speak, the spiritual energy inside the quiet chamber fluctuated slightly.

The two turned their heads simultaneously and saw that Qing Chengfeng's aura was gradually retracting around him; the tranquil undulations brought by the endless operation of the Vast Tide Heart‑Condensing Technique gradually settled. He opened his eyes, the divine light within his pupils restrained, compared to before lacking a few points of sword cultivator sharpness and gaining a few points of deep composure. Although his complexion remained pallid and his breath appeared weak due to the seal of deathly qi, his spiritual core seemed to have become more condensed and tenacious.

He rose to his feet, walked over to Shen Lingyue and Lingxiao, bowed with clasped hands, and said, "Senior, Master." His gaze swept over Shen Lingyue, carrying a hint of subtle inquiry. The conversation between Shen Lingyue and Lingxiao had not been deliberately isolated; he evidently had also overheard part of it.

Shen Lingyue sized him up with a few glances, then nodded: "Not bad; the first layer 'Stabilizing the Wave' of the Vast Tide Technique counts as having entered the door. By holding to the original essence with this heart method, as long as you do not recklessly stir spiritual power to provoke the death curse, the seal should be secure within three months."

"Thank you, Senior, for imparting this method." Qing Chengfeng bowed again, his tone sincere. This profound and extraordinary technique is not only a lifeline for stabilizing his seal for him, but also broadens his cultivation horizons, its value immeasurable.

Hearing the commotion, several young disciples gathered around, everyone delighted for Qing Chengfeng, except Luo Changfeng, whose gaze was dark and inscrutable.

"A loss may be a blessing in disguise!" Qing Chengfeng's cultivation, though damaged, has swiftly reborn! From now on he cannot be spoken of in the same breath as them; only he remains stuck in place, treading water.