Chapter 235: Scripture of Received Life

The flying palace was six hundred paces in both length and width, planted with exotic flowers and green vines above, while five-colored Qi swirls misted and drifted about below.

A giant bone in the shape of a dragon horn was thrust into the front, looking ferocious and strange, yet possessing a formidable aura.

Those exotic birds resembling Bi Fang would flock to attack, but often, as they neared the flying palace, they would inexplicably explode in mid-air, leaving not even a carcass behind.

Conversely, the luster of the dragon horn grew increasingly brilliant, and toward the end, a faint whistling sound could be heard emanating from it, reverberating for several miles!

At this moment.

Inside the hall at the center of the flying palace, eight or nine people were seated.

The person in the main seat had a tall, slender build, delicate features, and skin like jade and snow. He wore no crown or hairpin, his full head of black hair cascading down like ink. He was dressed in a blue-purple Eight Trigrams dharma robe, with a three-foot sharp sword hanging at his waist.

A small snake with red patterns and claws growing under its belly was curled into a ball, resting quietly on his shoulder.

He was clearly a man, but in terms of appearance and bearing, he was like a beautiful woman, his image feminine.

This person was Xiao Xiujing, a direct descendant of the Hongguang Xiao clan and a Cave-Mystic Refiner of the Changying Courtyard.

At this time, he looked at the people in the hall, the brilliance in his eyes revealing a cold, sharp color, yet he said nothing, making the atmosphere in the hall momentarily silent and extremely oppressive.

After a few breaths passed.

Finally, a youth in a blue shirt could not withstand this immense pressure; he stood up from his seat, drenched in sweat, bowed deeply, and cupped his hands to Xiao Xiujing to apologize, saying:

"Senior Brother Xiao, my words just now were not intended to shirk responsibility... It is truly because the Liu brothers' words were earnest, and their usual conduct was reliable. Thinking that everyone comes from a noble family, and here in this Flowing Fire Macro-Transformation Fan Dongtian, Senior Brother also needs some hands to handle miscellaneous matters, I brought the Liu brothers to our side, but—"

"Liu Changji and Liu Changgong are nothing but base commoners. Their birth mother was a singer and dancer. It was only because several of Senior Uncle Liu's direct sons died early due to heaven's jealousy that these two had the fortune to enter the gate of the Chishuo Liu clan. How else could they have been initiated into the Yuchen Lower Courtyard to cultivate the Dao?"

Before the blue-shirted youth could finish his apology, he was interrupted by a cold laugh from a slender woman.

She first bowed with a smile to Xiao Xiujing in the main seat, then turned to the blue-shirted youth and scolded him unceremoniously:

"How can you place them on par with us? What is the meaning of this!"

"Do not stir up trouble! Now is not the time for idle chatter with you!"

The blue-shirted youth clearly held an old grudge against the woman who spoke, and seeing her make an issue of it, he became even more annoyed.

The two sides began to argue, one word after another.

This commotion, with several others in the hall joining in, grew increasingly intense, almost spiraling out of control.

Finally, Xiao Xiujing picked up his teacup, coughed displeasedly, and released his Qi to suppress them, only then stopping the clamor.

Everyone instantly fell silent, saying nothing.

"Third Brother... in my view, this matter is truly trivial and not worth your deep thought."

At this moment.

There was only silence in the hall.

Seeing this, a dwarf wrapped in a golden robe rolled his eyes slightly and spoke slowly with a smile.

"Oh?"

Hearing the golden-robed dwarf's words, Xiao Xiujing gave a faint smile and said:

"Brother Yan, what do you mean?"

The golden-robed boy was named Qiao Yan, originally from the Mishan Qiao clan. But because he was born with an ugly appearance, his parents had a great sorcerer of the clan calculate his fate, determining that if Qiao Yan achieved success in cultivation, he would surely harm his parents.

Thus, in a daze, before he could even remember things, he was driven out of the Mishan Qiao clan for this reason.

Logically, Qiao Yan was raised in a small country of mortals, and although he never lacked food, clothing, or carriages, and wealth was not lacking.

But in his entire life, he could never have known his true origins or stepped into the gate of cultivation.

However, by a stroke of luck, Xiao Xiujing's father, while searching for an exotic object, happened to pass through that small country. Seeing Qiao Yan's extraordinary root bones, he simply brought Qiao Yan back to the Hongguang Xiao clan and made him a page boy for Xiao Xiujing.

Because he was born with an ugly appearance and often lamented his background, over time, Qiao Yan developed a temper that was fickle, licentious, and fond of killing.

Although his aptitude was extraordinary, and like Xiao Xiujing, he was initiated into the Yuchen Four Courtyards.

His reputation among the noble families had never been very good.

Except for Xiao Xiujing, who grew up with him, everyone kept Qiao Yan at a distance and was unwilling to be close...

"Those two fools, Liu Changji and Liu Changgong, naturally deserve to die! They clearly obtained the map from you, Third Brother, yet after finding the palace of the Fire Glow Fuchan Laozu according to the map's guidance, they didn't even report to us and entered on their own, wanting to claim the fortune in the palace alone!"

Qiao Yan laughed coldly, slammed his wine goblet onto the table, and shouted:

"Even if they didn't die, I would have killed them for you, Third Brother. Such treacherous people, if left in the world, would only tarnish the reputation of the Chishuo Liu clan!"

"..."

The blue-shirted youth frowned slightly upon hearing this, as if wanting to say something.

But upon meeting Qiao Yan's gaze, his heart trembled inexplicably, as if he had been stared at by some evil beast.

In the end, he could only sigh, turn his face away, and not want to meet the golden-robed dwarf's gaze.

"However, Liu Changji and Liu Changgong had limited means after all. That palace, isn't it still intact?"

Seeing that as his gaze swept over, everyone in the hall had somewhat unnatural expressions and lowered their heads in embarrassment.

Qiao Yan raised an eyebrow, his gaze revealing a hint of malice, and he said with a slow smile:

"I know what you are worrying about, Third Brother, but forgive me for speaking bluntly, your concerns are truly unnecessary!"

"What am I worrying about?"

Xiao Xiujing was not offended and said calmly.

"You are worrying that since the Liu brothers had already taken you as their leader and respected your orders, yet secretly committed such an outrageous act, whether they had long harbored disloyal intentions? To the extent that they might have quietly given the Fan Dongtian map you gave them to Liu Guan, Sima Mingye, or even Zhao Tong and Shen Cheng for a good price. All are possible!"

Once these words were spoken.

Xiao Xiujing's expression changed slightly.

As for the blue-shirted youth, he could no longer sit still, jumped up, and said repeatedly:

"Senior Brother Xiao, please listen, although Liu Changji and Liu Changgong were greedy, they knew the severity of things and didn't have the guts to do such a thing!"

Initially, it was the blue-shirted youth who had suggested several times to Xiao Xiujing that the Liu brothers should become their own people.

But he never expected that after obtaining the Fan Dongtian map bestowed by Xiao Xiujing, these two would act on their own initiative to explore without informing Xiao Xiujing and the others.

Not only did they fail to obtain the benefits in the palace, but they also ended up losing their own lives.

And the two cultivators Chen Hang met shortly after entering the Fan Dongtian, who were chased by giant birds and then lost their lives, were those two brothers, Liu Changji and Liu Changgong...

"Even if they sold it for a good price, so what? Things have reached this point, saying anything is useless."

Qiao Yan didn't point at the blue-shirted youth's nose to scold him, but then sneered:

"Furthermore, since Third Brother has the map of this Flowing Fire Macro-Transformation Fan Dongtian, don't the other families, like Liu Guan and Sima Mingye, come from the Twelve Noble Families? Don't they have it too?

Just for such a trivial matter, you all started infighting? How ridiculous! The fortune left by the Fire Glow Fuchan Laozu hasn't been obtained yet, and you're already arguing, this is truly a mob!"

Although he was pointed at and scolded, suffering such humiliation.

The blue-shirted youth still understood the meaning in Qiao Yan's words and couldn't help but cup his hands in gratitude.

And the others in the hall were mostly somewhat embarrassed.

Even Xiao Xiujing's expression was not very natural.

After all, Qiao Yan's words had also implicitly included him...

The so-called Fan Dongtian map was exactly what the ancestors of the Hongguang Xiao clan had recorded after entering the Flowing Fire Macro-Transformation Fan Dongtian ten thousand years ago, secretly drawing it into a scroll.

At that time, the Fire Glow Fuchan Laozu, having left the Chiming Sect in a fit of anger, experienced many things outside and felt deeply that he was alone and weak, wanting to seek help outside and form an alliance.

If something happened.

It would be convenient to bring them out to take the disaster and calamity...

And the people of the noble families were indeed quite tempted by his Flowing Fire Macro-Transformation Fan Dongtian.

With both sides harboring their own intentions, they hit it off immediately.

To show his sincerity, the Fire Glow Fuchan Laozu opened his doors wide at that time and invited many elders of the Twelve Noble Families to feast in the Flowing Fire Macro-Transformation Fan Dongtian.

And these elders were not polite, taking this opportunity to figure out the restrictions inside and outside the Fan Dongtian clearly.

Just waiting for a chance in the future to break the doors and claim this small Fan Dongtian as their own!

However, although their plans were well-laid, they had not anticipated that the Fire Glow Ancestor would unexpectedly come into conflict with the Haha Monk and be beaten to death on the spot, with even his primordial spirit failing to escape. As for this small mystic realm, due to the arrangements made by the Fire Glow Ancestor during his lifetime, it suddenly fled from the Xudu Heaven.

This change caught the Twelve Noble Families off guard, and they could only give up helplessly.

As for the map they drew ten thousand years ago.

To this day.

It could finally be considered to have truly found its use...

Hearing Qiao Yan's words, although Xiao Xiujing had previously harbored some displeasure, it dissipated quite a bit now.

Qiao Yan was not talking nonsense; it was indeed reasonable.

Ten thousand years ago, the Twelve Noble Families had all responded to the Fire Glow Fuchan Laozu's invitation to be guests in the Flowing Fire Macro-Transformation Fan Dongtian, without exception.

Since the Hongguang Xiao clan possessed the map of the Flowing Fire Macro-Transformation Fan Dongtian.

Then the other families should be much the same.

At this time, if he continued to suspect and be angry at the dead Liu brothers, it would not only be useless but would also cause his subordinates to lose heart and increase discord.

After thinking this through, Xiao Xiujing felt his heart lighten slightly.

Seeing Qiao Yan secretly give him a look, he understood and hurriedly comforted the blue-shirted youth with gentle words.

After a quarter of an hour, when everyone had exited the main hall, the atmosphere had eased significantly compared to before.

And the blue-shirted youth had a look of gratitude on his face that could not be concealed.

"If it weren't for you, Brother Yan, I would have been muddle-headed and committed a grave mistake..."

At this moment.

Only Xiao Xiujing and Qiao Yan remained in the hall.

Xiao Xiujing shook his head and sighed softly:

"Father often says I don't understand worldly affairs and am far inferior to my eldest and second brothers in dealing with people. Initially, I wasn't convinced, but after experiencing various things, I have to be convinced. How can one be calm when dealing with these fools?

Like the Liu brothers, I learned from my eldest brother's approach, treating people with sincerity and not restraining them at all, but these two fools repaid me like this?!"

Speaking to this point, Xiao Xiujing's tone rose suddenly, his anger hard to suppress.

"..."

Qiao Yan shook his head secretly but didn't say much.

Because Xiao Xiujing had extraordinary talent, he had been in closed-door cultivation for years and was extremely ignorant of worldly affairs.

Although he was learning on the job now, he was still a notch below his brothers.

The death of the Liu brothers was just a trivial matter. Making such a big fuss would only cause his subordinates to harbor different intentions, which was truly unwise.

But although he thought so, Qiao Yan would not say it openly.

Although he was on good terms with Xiao Xiujing, loyal advice is hard to hear...

And after complaining to himself for a few more sentences.

Xiao Xiujing sighed again and said:

"Father gave me the Fan Dongtian map, hoping I could gain some fortune in the Fan Dongtian. But how could the Fire Glow Fuchan Laozu's palace be so easily broken? Brother Yan, to tell you the truth, after all, ten thousand years have passed, and the erosion of time is severe, so one must be on guard!

I am also afraid that after all the hard work, upon entering, I will only see some old ruins. If that happens, wouldn't it be a waste of effort?"

Qiao Yan thought for a moment, looked at Xiao Xiujing, and said solemnly:

"Although this makes sense, you have seen these exotic species all over the mountains and plains...

Legend has it that the Fire Glow Fuchan Laozu, having obtained half of the "Scripture of Received Life" in the past, had a whimsical idea and specially spent effort to capture a few innate divine monsters.

He vainly attempted to use that half of the "Scripture of Received Life" as a foundation to steal the bloodline of the innate divine monsters, seize the mystery of the Mystic Tribulation, and create a group of true divine monsters with human power!

Although he failed in the end, leaving only this group of exotic species that are only divine monsters in appearance... but this appearance confirms that the Fire Glow Fuchan Laozu indeed had the "Scripture of Received Life"!"

""Scripture of Received Life"? Do you mean to say that the palace might contain this ancient exotic text? This is too absurd, the chance is minimal!"

Xiao Xiujing shook his head repeatedly upon hearing this.

"Even if there is no "Scripture of Received Life" in that palace, it is not nonsense that there are skeletons of innate divine monsters."

Qiao Yan laughed: "Look at these exotic species in the Fan Dongtian, aren't they all created from the Bi Fang, Ying Ape, and Tu Lou? Even if you can't get the "Scripture of Received Life", getting the remains of the three divine monsters is still a huge profit!"

"What if even the divine monsters are not seen?"

Xiao Xiujing shook his head again.

"Then you can only admit you're unlucky!"

The two looked at each other and laughed loudly.

And after discussing how to break the palace's restrictions, suppress Liu Guan, Sima Mingye, and their ilk, and obtain the fortune inside.

Seeing Qiao Yan seemingly intentionally or unintentionally leading the topic to Chen Hang.

Xiao Xiujing pondered for a moment, his eyes flickering a few times, and he understood Qiao Yan's intention.

"We grew up together like brothers, if you have something to say, just say it directly, why beat around the bush?"

Xiao Xiujing laughed, raised his hand, and an object flew out of his sleeve, falling toward Qiao Yan:

"In this Fan Dongtian, there are many who want to kill Chen Hang. Don't be the bird that sticks its head out and end up in ashes... I give you this object for protection, be careful in everything!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 236 =====