Chapter 538: Jade Cave Heaven, Dragon-Slaying Hu Hu Dao Ren

"Baiyujing?"

Daoist Bai Yu couldn't help but laugh after hearing this: "With such a grand name, what is so extraordinary about this treasure?"

Although he was asking, he clearly didn't think much of it.

The naming of Mystic Sect Dharma artifacts usually followed a pattern and was often understated, such as Li Yan's "Bingding Ghost-Generating Talisman."

Who would have thought this item was a treasure of the sect?

Besides that, there were the "Dutian Divine Thunder Seal" and the "Taixuan Demon-Sweeping Sword," whose names were also grand but had been verified by time.

But what kind of place was "Baiyujing"?

Daring to name something after this was likely an exaggeration by someone who didn't know the trade.

Li Yan stepped forward to inspect it carefully.

This thing wasn't large, only half a person's height, smooth and delicate like jade, but those holes, formed in unknown ways, ruined its aesthetic.

But with a master craftsman's meticulous carving, hollowing out palaces around these holes, the holes became cave dwellings.

To tell the truth, the carving was extremely exquisite.

But at most, it could only be considered a jade ornament.

Why did he feel a connection to this thing?

"It's hard to say about this thing..."

The supervising Daoist behind them also spoke up, explaining to Daoist Bai Yu: "This item was found by a group of 'Treasure-Stifling' people from the exploration lineage. After moving it out of the tomb, these people died mysteriously, which is how we discovered it."

"We also inspected that tomb; it was an Eastern Han alchemist's tomb. No name was left behind, only this jade ornament."

"How did those Treasure-Stifling people die?"

"Unclear. It seems they just went silent in an instant."

"Have you asked the Martial Uncle to take a look?"

"Yes, he said the jade should be a spiritual object from the sea, carved into an ornament and placed in the tomb, where it absorbed Yin Sha Qi. It doesn't count as a good item, but it is somewhat strange."

"What's strange about it?"

"Talismans are difficult to suppress it. We used a wooden box for Dharma artifacts to isolate it, but after a period of time, it would jump out on its own, and the concentration of Sha Qi isn't high. Because we still can't figure out the reason, we placed it on the second floor..."

Listening to their conversation, Li Yan pondered for a moment, then stood up and said: "I wonder if Mount Qingcheng is willing to sell this thing?"

"Oh?"

Daoist Bai Yu was somewhat surprised: "Li Li Shaoxia recognizes it?"

Li Yan shook his head: "I don't recognize it, I just inexplicably feel that this item has a connection with me. If it's not expensive, I'll buy it and take a gamble."

He didn't hide it. The phrase "has a connection with me" might sound like nonsense, but in the Mystic Sect, it was perfectly normal.

After all, a cultivator's spiritual sense far exceeded that of ordinary people.

He wasn't the only one who had a sense for specific things.

"I see..."

Daoist Bai Yu hesitated, glanced at Ling Yunzi beside him, and turned to ask: "Did the Martial Uncle ever say that this item should be kept for contemplation?"

"No."

The supervising Daoist shook his head directly: "This thing is just strange. After placing it on the second floor, the Martial Uncle never paid it any mind."

Daoist Bai Yu felt completely relieved after hearing this and smiled at Li Yan: "Since Li Li Shaoxia wants it, I will take the liberty to sell it to you. But it's best to exchange it for silver so I can have an explanation."

Hearing this, Ling Yunzi's face turned somewhat ugly: "Is bartering not allowed?"

Daoist Bai Yu gave an awkward smile and said nothing.

Bartering and exchanging for silver were two completely different things.

Usually, the prices of Mystic Sect Dharma artifacts and spiritual materials were somewhat inflated, serving as artificial barriers to block outsiders and wild cultivators, and the orthodox Mystic Sects maintained this tacit understanding.

Bartering was the real price.

At this point, Li Yan also saw that something was wrong.

Daoist Bai Yu had likely received some kind of instruction when he went out earlier.

Bringing him to the second floor was to give an explanation to the Sect Leader's side, but trading for silver was to scheme for his own benefit.

It was also an expression of the independence of the Zhengyi lineage.

The Sect Leader, Chen Kongzi, had only just ascended to the position.

It likely wasn't that easy to completely control Mount Qingcheng.

"Fine, I'll exchange it for silver."

Li Yan didn't change his expression and agreed with a smile.

Ling Yunzi had already helped a lot, and he didn't want to make things difficult for him. After all, they were just passing through, while Ling Yunzi had to deal with these fellow disciples for a longer time.

The good thing was that Daoist Bai Yu didn't ask for an exorbitant price, giving a quote of eight thousand taels based on other spiritual treasures.

After paying the money, Li Yan carried the "Baiyujing" jade carving and left Tianshi Cave.

"Li Li Shaoxia, I am truly sorry."

Not long after leaving, Ling Yunzi spoke directly.

"What are you saying, Daoist?"

Li Yan looked at the jade carving in his hand and smiled: "I like this item very much. Money is like water, sometimes gathered, sometimes scattered, but some things cannot be bought with money."

Leaving Tianshi Cave, his supernatural powers were restored.

At the same time, he discovered the peculiarity of this "Baiyujing."

From those tiny holes, sounds of bells, drums, and flutes actually came, and it seemed someone was talking.

Neither Wang Daoxuan nor Ling Yunzi heard this sound.

Then there was only one possibility: the voice of ghosts and gods!

There was a secret inside "Baiyujing"!

Li Yan was curious, feeling he had found a good thing, so he naturally wouldn't be angry over a little silver.

Ling Yunzi naturally didn't know and still felt somewhat guilty, pondering: "I will help you arrange the building of the tower. Once Master Huo Tuotuo finishes refining the Dharma artifact, you can head to Mount Zhaogong."

"Also, I have already helped you obtain the invitation for the cellar opening next year. When the various sects of the Divine Land arrive, it won't be up to them to decide. I will definitely help Li Li Shaoxia find some good things."

"Then many thanks, Daoist."

"A small matter. Also, Daoist Wang wants to go to the Scripture Pavilion; the Sect Leader has already agreed. Except for some inherited secret texts, you may copy any of the remaining books."

"Many thanks, Daoist."

Wang Daoxuan was overjoyed upon hearing this.

It wasn't time for him to build the tower yet. This trip up the mountain was mainly to see the classics of Mount Qingcheng, so this fulfilled his wish.

The three chatted and laughed, soon returning to Zhaoyang Cave.

Wang Daoxuan followed Ling Yunzi to the Scripture Pavilion of the Shangqing Hall, while Li Yan carried "Baiyujing" back to his room to investigate.

It was still noon, and the light in the room was good.

Li Yan used the sunlight and simultaneously activated his supernatural powers to carefully investigate this strange object, becoming more shocked the more he looked.

This thing seemed to be a jade formed from some kind of coral in the sea. Those holes didn't look large, but they were extremely deep, winding and twisting, forming crisscrossing passages inside the jade.

No wonder it was called "Baiyujing."

The name "Baiyujing" was widely circulated because of that poem by Li Taibai: "In the heavens is Baiyujing, with twelve towers and five cities. An immortal strokes my head, and I receive longevity by tying my hair."

But these "twelve towers and five cities" were another matter.

The "Records of the Grand Historian" recorded: "In the time of the Yellow Emperor, there were five cities and twelve towers to wait for the immortals at the appointed time, named 'Welcoming the Year'."

So, the "five cities and twelve towers" were not Baiyujing; they were more likely related to another great god, the Queen Mother of the West.

And more detailed records about Baiyujing came from Ge Hong.

In his "Book of the Pillow," it was said: "The Primordial Heavenly King, above the center of the heavens, is named Jade Capital Mountain. The palaces in the mountain are decorated with gold and jade."

"The Seven-Treasure Mountain of the Mysterious Capital Jade Capital revolves for ninety thousand miles, above the Great Luo Heaven. On the city are seven-treasure palaces, and inside the palaces are seven-treasure platforms... Jade Capital has 810,000 heavenly paths, connecting 810,000 mountain cave chambers."

Thinking of this, Li Yan quickly borrowed a tape measure.

"Nine feet, seven mountain peaks, eighty-one palaces..."

After measuring, Li Yan's eyes were full of surprise. This item was actually extremely similar to the description, with all kinds of data matching, only it was an extremely miniaturized version.

He felt it was more extraordinary the more he looked.

This thing should contain some kind of array, hiding its true interior.

Only he didn't know how to activate it.

Li Yan researched this for a whole day.

By the time Wang Daoxuan finished copying a few books and returned from the Shangqing Palace, the night outside the window was already deep.

Li Yan just exchanged a few pleasantries and returned to his room to continue his research.

Unfortunately, he gained nothing.

In the second half of the night, sleepiness set in, and he had no choice but to go to bed first, waiting to research again tomorrow.

But just as he entered dreamland, he discovered something wrong.

!. Read

Everything around him became hazy. Accompanied by the sound of rushing water, a pair of jade arms hugged him from behind.

Why did the Dragon Lady suddenly send a dream again?

Just as Li Yan was confused, his perspective suddenly changed. It was as if the Dragon Lady was holding him and soaring into the sky, and the objects around them were rapidly growing larger.

It seemed he himself was rapidly shrinking.

And the direction they were heading was exactly toward "Baiyujing" on the table.

The current "Baiyujing" had also become extremely massive, surrounded by mist, like clouds and seas churning, with immortal mountains towering above.

The palaces and cave dwellings also became lifelike.

Swish!

His vision rapidly zoomed in. The Dragon Lady held him and dived directly into a hole, shuttling through it at high speed.

Subsequently, a large space appeared again.

This was a massive jade cave, and on the surrounding jade walls were carved shrines of various sizes.

Inside the shrines, most were empty, but in more than a dozen, Yin energy swirled, and there seemed to be blurry human figures.

Old and young, male and female, all with dull eyes. As Li Yan entered, they seemed to be blown by the wind, flickering unsteadily.

So that's how it is...

Seeing the attire of a few of those Treasure-Stifling people, Li Yan understood immediately.

These were those who died mysteriously. Their raw souls were sucked into this place, and their aura was concealed, which was why they hadn't been discovered.

Thinking of this, Li Yan couldn't help but feel his scalp tingle.

Mortals are mortals; the physical body is a boat for crossing the river. No matter how deep the cultivation, one cannot escape this skin.

These Treasure-Stifling people's raw souls were trapped here, their physical bodies long rotted, and now they had become lonely ghosts.

Why was the Dragon Lady so reckless, bringing him into a dream here?

Just as he was confused, various pieces of information suddenly flooded into his mind...

Whoosh~

Not long after, Li Yan abruptly broke free from the dream, got up from the bed, and quickly came before "Baiyujing."

He finally knew the origin of this item.

No wonder the Dragon Lady suddenly brought him into a dream.

This thing was a special Cave Heaven.

The Cloud Lord's Divine Palace, the Wushan Goddess Palace, the Corpse Forest, and the Dragon Palace Water Mansion all used similar treasures as their core, which was why even if they were destroyed, they would still allow people to wander into them in dreams.

Of course, the grade of this item was far inferior.

After all, the Cloud Lord's Divine Palace and the Wushan Goddess Temple had already become existences between the virtual and the real, and one could even take things out from them.

This thing was something that Eastern Han alchemist had accidentally obtained and spent great effort to refine, wanting to enter it to enjoy blessings after death.

Clearly, the other party had failed.

This thing had also become a chicken rib. After all, Li Yan wasn't one of those mortal immortals who needed this thing to hide a Divine Palace...

Wait, Divine Palace?

Li Yan's heart stirred, and a thought arose.

For this tower building, he needed to practice the Fengdu Method and complete the "Fengdu Classic." To put it plainly, it was to expand the stored Divine Palace to accommodate the power of the immortals and gods he would need to summon in the future.

Using this item to build the tower might be a good method...

Over the next two days, Li Yan continued to research "Baiyujing," gradually figuring out its operating rules.

And on the third day, good news finally arrived.

"Li Li Shaoxia, the Dharma artifact is finished!"

When the sun was high, Ling Yunzi came over with long strides, holding a wooden box, and smiled: "Master Huo Tuotuo just entrusted someone to send this item over, asking me to pass it to you."

"Finished?"

Seeing this, Li Yan quickly took the wooden box and opened it carefully.

"Ang——!"

Just as it was opened, it seemed a dragon's roar echoed in his ears.

Yet to the ears of others, it sounded like the precious blade ringing on its own.

"A good blade!"

Ling Yunzi couldn't help but exclaim upon seeing it: "To tell the truth, in the Mystic Sect, there are many dragon-slayers. For example, Celestial Master Sa has slain countless evil dragons."

"Some Daoist sects still retain Dragon-Slaying Swords, and I have seen one, but compared to your blade, Daoist, it lacks momentum. Master Huo Tuotuo is truly extraordinary..."

Li Yan nodded and inspected it carefully.

He saw that this blade was extremely similar to the original Broken Dust Hu Hu Dao Ren, but the hilt had a coiled dragon pattern, with fine scales for easy use.

The scabbard was forged from Head-Mountain Copper Essence, looking very ancient. Holding it in his hand, there was a faint tingling sensation, as if it were slightly discharging electricity.

Clang!

Drawing the blade from the scabbard, the blade was ink-jade colored, looking very ordinary, even giving a feeling of a precious sword without an edge.

But a faint glimmer flashed in Ling Yunzi's eyes, and he frowned: "Something is not right. Although this blade's sharpness is restrained, it is, after all, a dragon horn. Why does it feel like an ordinary Dharma artifact after being drawn?"

"This blade needs to be used like this!"

Li Yan didn't hide it. His left hand quickly formed a seal, using the Nine Heavens Demon-Subduing Hammer Yang Thunder, and wiped it across the blade.

Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle!

On the blade, electric light crackled and popped, and strands of tiny electric light leaped across the ink-jade-like sword body, faintly outlining dragon-scale-shaped thunder patterns.

A terrifying murderous intent also spilled out.

Ling Yunzi's breathing stalled, and he said with shock: "So it needs to be coordinated with thunder techniques. Li Li Shaoxia, I'm afraid this blade is not suitable for long battles."

Thunder techniques were the highest secret techniques of the Mystic Sect. Being able to learn them already made one a hero, let alone maintaining them for a long time, which consumed quite a bit.

Ling Yunzi was also experienced and saw the flaw in this item at a glance.

Li Yan naturally wouldn't reveal that he had the opportunity to obtain Lei Gang, so he smiled slightly and sheathed the blade: "I am already very satisfied."

As he spoke, he looked at the brocade box again.

There were other things inside, which were the Twelve Yuan Chen coins taken from the Broken Dust Hu Hu Dao Ren, inlaid on a token forged from metal.

Ling Yunzi explained: "Master Huo Tuotuo said there were some materials left over. Hearing that Li Li Shaoxia's wandering immortal team is called the Twelve Yuan Chen, he helped you forge some tokens."

"This item also has mysteries. If you are not far apart, you will feel a connection, and on ordinary days, it can also suppress evil and drive away Sha."

"The Master is very thoughtful."

Li Yan felt somewhat guilty: "The remuneration hasn't been given yet. I will take some things to visit him."

Ling Yunzi shook his head: "The Master has already left, saying he is going to Mount Emei to see an old friend who is about to pass away."

"He asked me to pass a message to you: don't worry about the remuneration. If you happen to meet that person again in the future, say sorry for him."

"Also, this blade is still called Broken Dust."

"Good."

Li Yan nodded solemnly.

He naturally knew who Huo Tuotuo was talking about.

Although he didn't know what had happened between those two fellow disciples back then, clearly, this Huo Tuotuo with the eccentric temper had completely let go.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 539 =====