Chapter 541: White Jade Capital, the Serpent-Slaying Blade

"White Jade Capital?"

After hearing this, Bai Yu Daoist chuckled dismissively: "Such bold words—what's so special about this artifact?"

Though phrased as a question, he clearly doubted it.

The naming of Xuanmen artifacts usually follows patterns and tends to be modest, like Li Yan's "Bingding Sheng Gui Fu."

Who could have guessed this thing was the sect's foundational treasure?

Besides, there are also the "Dutian Shenlei Yin" and the "Tai Xuan Dang Mo Jian"—names equally grand, yet proven by time.

But what exactly is the "White Jade Capital"?

To name something after it suggests ignorance or exaggeration.

Hearing this, Li Yan stepped forward to examine it closely.

The object was not large—only half a person's height—smooth and fine as jade, yet the inexplicable holes marred its beauty.

But a master craftsman had meticulously carved intricate hollow reliefs around these holes, turning them into miniature palace caverns.

To be honest, the carving was exquisite.

But at best, it was merely a jade ornament.

Why did he feel a resonance with this thing?

"This object is hard to explain…"

The Daoist monitoring from behind also spoke up, explaining to Bai Yu Daoist: "This artifact was found by a group of Bi Bao practitioners from the Tan You lineage; after they dragged it out of the tomb, they all died mysteriously, which is how we discovered it."

"We inspected the tomb too—it was a Han Dynasty fangshi grave, unnamed, with only this jade ornament inside."

"How did those Bi Bao practitioners die?"

"Unclear. It seemed they simply fell silent all at once."

"Has Master Shu examined it?"

"He has. He said the jade is likely a spiritual marine substance, carved into an ornament and placed in the tomb to absorb yin-sha energy. Not a good artifact, but strangely anomalous."

"What's anomalous?"

"Fufu cannot suppress it. Even when sealed in a wooden box made of ritual wood, it keeps popping out after a while. The sha energy isn't even high. Since we still don't understand why, we've kept it on the second floor…"

Listening to their exchange, Li Yan pondered, then rose and asked: "Does Qingcheng sell this thing?"

"Oh?"

Bai Yu Daoist was surprised. "Li Shaoxia recognizes it?"

Li Yan shook his head. "I don't recognize it. I just feel an inexplicable affinity with it. If the price isn't exorbitant, I'll buy it as a gamble."

He didn't conceal it—"affinity" sounded like nonsense, but in Xuanmen circles, it was perfectly normal.

After all, cultivators' spiritual senses far surpass ordinary mortals'.

He wasn't the only one who felt resonance with certain objects.

"I see…"

Bai Yu Daoist hesitated, glanced at Ling Yunzi, then turned to ask: "Has Master Shu said anything about keeping this for contemplation?"

"No."

The monitoring Daoist shook his head directly: "This thing is merely strange. After we placed it on the second floor, Master Shu never touched it again."

Hearing this, Bai Yu Daoist relaxed completely and smiled at Li Yan: "Since Li Shaoxia desires it, I'll take responsibility and sell it to you—but preferably for silver. That way, I have a proper accounting."

Upon hearing this, Ling Yunzi's expression darkened. "Why not barter?"

Bai Yu Daoist smiled awkwardly and said nothing.

Bartering and paying silver were entirely different matters.

Typically, Xuanmen artifacts and spiritual materials carried inflated prices—artificial barriers to deter outsiders and wild cultivators, a tacit agreement upheld by orthodox sects.

Bartering revealed the true value.

Now Li Yan saw the discrepancy.

Bai Yu Daoist's earlier departure must have been under specific instructions.

Bringing him upstairs was a gesture to the Patriarch; selling for silver was for his own benefit.

It was also a statement of independence from the Zhengyi lineage.

The Patriarch, Chen Confucius, had only just ascended.

To fully control Qingcheng would not be easy.

"Fine. I'll pay in silver."

Li Yan's expression didn't change; he smiled in agreement.

Ling Yunzi had already helped enough—he didn't want to put the man in an awkward position. After all, they were merely visitors, while Ling Yunzi interacted daily with these Daoists.

The good part was, Bai Yu Daoist hadn't overpriced it—he quoted eight thousand taels, in line with other spiritual treasures.

After paying, Li Yan picked up the "White Jade Capital" jade carving and left Tian Shi Cave.

"Li Shaoxia, I'm truly sorry."

No sooner had they left than Ling Yunzi spoke up.

"Daoist, don't say that."

Li Yan looked at the jade carving in his hand and smiled: "I love this object. Money is like water—gathering and dispersing. But some things cannot be bought with silver."

Leaving Tian Shi Cave, his spiritual powers returned.

He also noticed the oddity of the "White Jade Capital."

From within the tiny holes came the sounds of bells, drums, flutes, and reed pipes—as if people were speaking.

Neither Wang Daoxuan nor Ling Yunzi had heard anything.

There was only one possibility: the voice of spirits and gods!

The "White Jade Capital" held secrets!

Li Yan's curiosity stirred—he sensed he'd found something valuable, and no amount of silver could make him angry.

Ling Yunzi, unaware, still felt guilty and mused: "I'll arrange the building for you. Once Master Huotou's ritual artifact is complete, we can head to Zhao Gong Mountain."

Also, I've secured you an invitation to next year's cellar opening. When all the sects of Shenzhou arrive, they won't dictate everything—I'll help you find some fine treasures.

"Thank you, Daoist."

"It's nothing. Also, Master Wang wishes to enter the Scripture Library—the Patriarch has approved. Aside from the secret transmission texts, you may copy any remaining books."

"Thank you, Daoist."

Wang Daoxuan immediately beamed with joy.

He wasn't yet at the stage to build a pavilion; his main reason for coming up the mountain was to study Qingcheng's scriptures—this fulfilled his wish entirely.

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

Wang Daoxuan followed Ling Yunzi to the Shangqing Palace Scripture Library, while Li Yan carried the "White Jade Capital" back to his room to investigate.

It was still noon; the room was well-lit.

Li Yan used the sunlight while activating his spiritual powers to examine the strange artifact closely—and grew more astonished with each moment.

The object resembled a coral-like marine formation turned to jade; the holes seemed small but extended deep, winding and twisting into a labyrinth of intersecting passages within the jade.

No wonder it was called "White Jade Capital."

The name "White Jade Capital" was widely known thanks to Li Bai's poem: "Above heaven lies White Jade Capital, twelve towers, five cities. Immortals caress my crown, tying my hair to receive eternal life."

But the "twelve towers, five cities" referred to something else entirely.

The Records of the Grand Historian states: during the time of the Yellow Emperor, five cities and twelve towers were built to await divine beings at Zhiqui, named Yingnian.

Thus, "five cities, twelve towers" were not the White Jade Capital—they were more likely connected to another great deity, the Queen Mother of the West.

More detailed records on the White Jade Capital come from Ge Hong.

In his "Zhen Zhong Shu," he wrote: "The Primordial Heavenly King resides above the center of heaven, on a mountain called Jade Capital Mountain, whose palaces are adorned with gold and jade."

"The Jade Capital of the Mystic Metropolis, the Seven Treasures Mountain, encircles ninety thousand li, above the Great Luo Heaven. Upon its city walls stand seven-treasure palaces; within them, seven-treasure terraces… The Jade Capital has 810, 00 heavenly paths, connecting 810, 00 mountains, caves, and chambers."

Thinking of this, Li Yan quickly fetched a measuring tape.

"Nine chi, seven peaks, eighty-one palaces…"

After measuring, Li Yan's eyes widened in astonishment—the object matched the descriptions almost exactly, merely scaled down drastically.

The more he studied it, the more extraordinary it seemed.

This artifact must conceal an ancient array, hiding its true nature.

But he had no idea how to activate it.

Li Yan studied it for an entire day.

By the time Wang Daoxuan returned from the Shangqing Palace after copying several texts, night had fallen.

Li Yan exchanged only a few pleasantries before returning to his room to continue his research.

Alas, he gained nothing.

By the late night, drowsiness overcame him—he could only sleep, resolving to resume tomorrow.

But as soon as he fell asleep, he sensed something wrong.

!. Du

Everything around him grew hazy, accompanied by the sound of rushing water; a pair of jade arms embraced him from behind.

Why had the Dragon Maiden appeared in his dream again?

As Li Yan wondered, his perspective shifted—he felt as if the Dragon Maiden lifted him into the air, and the surroundings rapidly expanded.

It was as if he himself was shrinking rapidly.

And the direction of movement was straight toward the "White Jade Capital" on the table.

Today's "White Jade Capital" has grown immensely, surrounded by misty vapors like a churning sea of clouds, with immortal mountains towering above.

One by one, the palaces and cavern dwellings have become vividly lifelike.

Swish!

The view rapidly drew closer; the Dragon Maiden embraced him and plunged straight into a hole, speeding through its interior.

Then, a vast expanse of space reappeared.

This was a massive jade cavern, its walls carved with countless shrines, large and small.

Most of the shrines were empty, but in a dozen or so, dark qi swirled, faintly revealing indistinct human shapes.

Old and young, male and female—all stared blankly, their forms flickering as if stirred by the wind when Li Yan entered.

So that's how it is…

Seeing several figures dressed as treasure-seekers, Li Yan suddenly understood.

These were the souls of those who had died under strange circumstances, their vital spirits sucked into this place and concealed from detection.

Thinking of this, Li Yan's scalp prickled.

Mortals are mortals; their flesh is merely a boat to cross the river. No matter how deep their cultivation, they cannot escape this skin-and-bone shell.

These treasure-seekers' souls were trapped here; their bodies had long rotted away, and now they were wandering ghosts.

Why was the Dragon Maiden so reckless, bringing him into this dream?

As he wondered, a flood of information suddenly surged into his mind…

Huh~

Not long after, Li Yan abruptly broke free of the dream, rose from his bed, and hurried to the "White Jade Capital."

He finally understood its true origin.

No wonder the Dragon Maiden had suddenly drawn him into this dream.

This object was a special cavern realm.

The Cloud Lord's Palace, the Witch Mountain Goddess's Temple, the Corpse Forest, and the Dragon Palace's Water Mansion—all used similar artifacts as cores, so even after destruction, they still allowed souls to wander into them in dreams.

Of course, this artifact was far inferior in rank.

After all, the Cloud Lord's Palace and the Witch Mountain Goddess's Temple had become entities existing between reality and illusion, even allowing things to be taken from within.

This object was accidentally discovered by a Han Dynasty alchemist, painstakingly forged with the intent to enter it after death and enjoy eternal bliss.

Clearly, he had failed.

The artifact had become a useless burden—after all, Li Yan was no mortal immortal or deity who needed this thing to conceal a palace…

Wait… palace?

Li Yan's heart stirred; a thought arose.

This time, to build his tower, he needed to cultivate the Luo Feng Method and complete the "Luo Feng Scripture"—in short, expand his inner divine palace to accommodate the divine forces he would one day summon.

Perhaps using this artifact to build the tower might be a good solution…

Over the next two days, Li Yan continued studying the "White Jade Capital," gradually uncovering its operational principles.

On the third day, good news finally arrived.

"Li Shaoxia, the talisman is finished!"

As the sun rose high, Ling Yunzi strode in, holding a wooden box, smiling: "Master Huotoufo sent this via a messenger, asking me to deliver it to you."

"Finished?"

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

"Aaang—!"

As soon as it opened, a dragon's roar seemed to echo in his ears.

To others, it sounded merely like a divine blade humming.

"Fine blade!"

Ling Yunzi couldn't help but exclaim, "To be honest, in the Daoist sects, many have slain water dragons—Master Sa, for instance, has killed countless evil jiao."

"Some Daoist schools still preserve the Dragon-Slaying Sword. I've seen one myself, but compared to your blade, it lacks this aura. Master Huotoufo is truly extraordinary…"

Li Yan nodded, examining it closely.

The blade resembled the old Duan Chen Dao almost exactly, except the hilt bore coiled dragon patterns, with tightly packed scales for better grip.

The scabbard was forged from Shou Mountain copper essence, appearing ancient and plain; when held, it subtly numbed the hand, as if emitting faint electric currents.

Clang!

Drawing the blade, its body was ink-jade in color, ordinary-looking, even resembling a sword without an edge.

Yet Ling Yunzi's eyes flickered faintly, and he frowned: "Something's off. Though the blade's edge is concealed, it's made from a dragon's horn—why does it feel no different from an ordinary talisman after being drawn?"

"This blade must be used this way!"

Li Yan made no secret of it; his left hand swiftly formed a seal and summoned the Nine Heavens' Demonic Hammer Yang Thunder, sweeping it across the blade's edge.

Zizizizi!

Lightning crackled violently along the blade, tiny sparks leaping across its ink-jade surface, faintly tracing a pattern of dragon-scale thunder runes.

A terrifying killing intent spilled forth.

Ling Yunzi's breath caught; his face filled with shock: "So it requires thunder magic? Li Shaoxia, this blade is unsuitable for prolonged combat."

Thunder magic was the highest secret of the Daoist sects; merely learning it marked one as exceptional, let alone sustaining it for long—its drain was immense.

Ling Yunzi, experienced as he was, saw the flaw at a glance.

Li Yan naturally wouldn't reveal his chance to obtain the Thunder Gang; he merely smiled, sheathing the blade: "I'm very satisfied."

He then turned to the brocade box.

Inside were other items: the Twelve Zodiac Coins, removed from the Duan Chen Dao, now embedded in a metal plaque.

Ling Yunzi explained: "Master Huotoufo said there were leftover materials. Hearing your wandering immortal team is called the Twelve Zodiacs, he crafted these plaques for you."

"These have subtle power: if near each other, they resonate. They can also repel evil and dispel malevolent qi in daily use."

"The Master has thought of everything."

Li Yan felt a pang of guilt: "I haven't even paid him yet—I'll go bring him something right away."

Ling Yunzi shook his head: "The Master has already left. He said he's going to Mount Emei to visit an old friend nearing nirvana."

"He asked me to pass on a message: don't bother with payment. If you ever meet that person again, tell him he owes you an apology."

"And this blade—keep its name: Duan Chen."

"Understood."

Li Yan nodded solemnly.

He knew perfectly well who Huotoufo meant.

Though he didn't know what had happened between those master and disciple all those years ago, clearly, the eccentric Huotoufo had finally let go.

(End of Chapter)