Chapter 665

Seeing that Senior Sister Li's expression was somewhat strange, Liu Yang nodded and continued: "Yes! I have only met Junior Brother Song once, and I have only heard Fourth Senior Brother mention him a few times. It seems he came from the Floating Yunshan Range in the east of the continent."

"Come to think of it, this Junior Brother Song is truly a rare talent. With only a four-element spiritual root cultivation base, he went from the Qi Condensation stage to the sixth layer of Core Formation in just two hundred years. I think his talent is no worse than ours."

"What? He also came from the Floating Yunshan Range? What is this Junior Brother Song's name?"

Hearing Liu Yang mention that the newly arrived Junior Brother Song also came from the Floating Yunshan Range cultivation world, a familiar figure couldn't help but appear in the black-clad woman's mind, making her slightly agitated in her speech.

"It couldn't really be such a coincidence!"

This black-clad woman was none other than Li Xuanyi, the good friend whom Song Qingming had escorted all the way from Qingzhou in the north of the Donghuang Kingdom back to Nanzhou years ago.

Besides being a cultivator from the Li family of Mount Liuyun, a Nascent Soul family in Nanzhou, Li Xuanyi was actually a disciple of Daoist Lingxu of the Grand Void Gate, though few people outside knew of this identity.

Previously, she had been seriously injured while traveling abroad. After returning to Nanzhou with Song Qingming, she had remained in her family to recuperate. It was only until recently, when her injuries had fully healed, that she returned to the Grand Void Gate to visit her master and fellow disciples.

Seeing Li Xuanyi looking at him with a serious expression, Liu Yang thought for a moment before answering: "It seems to be Song Qingming. That should be the name; I heard it from Fourth Senior Brother as well."

"Song Qingming!"

Hearing the name she had been expecting from Liu Yang's mouth, Li Xuanyi felt a surge of excitement in her heart, followed by a trace of displeasure.

Song Qingming had promised to come find her, but five years had passed, and he had never come to keep his appointment. She hadn't expected him to be in the Grand Void Gate, not far from where she was.

No wonder this guy had been so curious when he saw the green spiritual light on her back then; it turned out he was also a successor chosen by her master from outside.

It was just that this guy really didn't trust her at all. He had already seen the "Jade Profound Scripture" technique on her, and on the journey from Qingzhou back to Nanzhou, which lasted over a full year, he hadn't told her about this matter at all.

Back then, Song Qingming had even claimed that a friend of his had practiced a similar technique; now that she thought about it, that must have been a lie to deceive her.

Thinking of this, Li Xuanyi felt a slight annoyance in her heart and wished she could go find Song Qingming on the spot to question him about this matter.

However, after a second thought, the other party was still in the Grand Void Palace contemplating the technique, and she certainly wouldn't be able to see him if she went now. After suppressing the emotions in her heart, Li Xuanyi turned and left the stone pavilion to find her master, Daoist Lingxu.

Seeing that his Senior Sister Li's expression had suddenly changed after hearing the name Song Qingming, Liu Yang guessed that there might be some story between the two of them.

However, seeing that Li Xuanyi didn't speak and turned directly to leave the stone pavilion, he didn't ask, and with a smile, he turned back to his original position, sat down, and began his daily meditation and cultivation.

After passing through the stone pavilion and arriving outside Daoist Lingxu's cave dwelling, Li Xuanyi's expression changed and returned to calm before she cast a spell to send a sound-transmission talisman into the cave.

Before long, a somewhat kindly voice came from the cave.

"You girl, you run off for over a dozen years without a trace, and finally remember to come back to see your master. Come in quickly!"

Seeing this, Li Xuanyi hurried into Daoist Lingxu's cave dwelling. She first stepped forward to bow to him, then said with a somewhat aggrieved expression: "Master! You are wronging me. This time when I went traveling, I was carelessly ambushed by someone outside and almost didn't make it back. I came to see you as soon as I finished healing my injuries."

Hearing Li Xuanyi say this, Daoist Lingxu, who was brewing tea by the stone table, suddenly changed his gaze and quickly swept his spiritual sense over Li Xuanyi.

"Even the protective sword Qi I left you has been used up. It seems you encountered quite a bit of trouble this time. I warned you long ago to be extremely careful when traveling outside and not to provoke trouble actively. Now you know how serious it is! Being able to preserve your life and return can be considered heaven's favor. From now on, you must be more careful when going out, and do not throw away your life for such reasons!" After Daoist Lingxu finished speaking, he sighed slightly.

Hearing her master's teachings, Li Xuanyi pouted slightly and didn't say anything more. She stepped forward and took the teapot from the table to pour a cup of spirit tea for Daoist Lingxu.

"Master, this time when I went traveling, I also found some spirit tea with excellent taste for you. Let me brew a pot for you to taste first."

"Sigh, wait!"

Seeing Li Xuanyi pick up the teapot to pour out the remaining tea inside, Daoist Lingxu hurriedly reached out to stop her.

"This pot of tea was just brewed by me. If you want to brew tea for me, just take another one. Pouring it out like this would be too wasteful."

"Where did Master get this spirit tea? Why do you like it so much?" Seeing Daoist Lingxu's look of affection for this spirit tea, Li Xuanyi was somewhat surprised and hurriedly asked.

Seeing this, Daoist Lingxu shook his head and said: "This is spirit tea brought specifically from the Floating Yunshan Range by someone. Although it is not top-grade spirit tea, it is not easy to obtain, so one must cherish it."

"Brought from the Floating Yunshan Range? Could it be from the newly arrived Junior Brother Song? I didn't expect him to be so filial to you. No wonder Master, you are already showing favoritism so quickly!"

"Eh! Why does your tone sound a bit off today? You wouldn't happen to already know that kid, would you!"

Daoist Lingxu knew his disciple very well. Hearing that Li Xuanyi's tone was a bit off, he immediately sensed a clue.

Seeing this, Li Xuanyi didn't hide it and told the whole story of how she met Song Qingming at the "Heavenly Puppet Sect" auction, and their subsequent treasure hunt and being hunted down by Duan Longshan and others.

Hearing that Li Xuanyi and Song Qingming had such an experience of meeting and adventuring, Daoist Lingxu couldn't help but sigh at the fate between the two.

"I didn't expect this kid to be so cautious that he didn't even ask you a single question. No wonder he had the ability to find his way here. It must be said that his experience traveling outside is indeed much stronger than yours.

How come even the Nascent Soul sects in Qingzhou are so unruly now? Why don't people like Old Ghost Feng manage them? It seems I must remind them when I have the chance, so they don't let this bunch of people ruin the reputation of the Donghuang Kingdom."

After Daoist Lingxu finished speaking with a chuckle, he picked up a cup of spirit tea Li Xuanyi had just brewed and took a sip, then showed a look of satisfaction.

"Mm! It really is good tea. It's still you, girl, who keeps your master in mind; you didn't forget me even when you went out."

Hearing Daoist Lingxu's praise, Li Xuanyi smiled proudly: "Master is so good to me, if I don't keep you in mind, who else would? I just hope you won't be bought off by someone with some broken tea leaves in the future."

"Hehe! That certainly won't happen. Even if that kid comes out after contemplating the technique, he likely won't stay, so you don't need to be jealous of him."

"Who would be jealous of him? Master, what you said is really unpleasant." — Three days later, in the "Grand Void Palace" cave dwelling.

Song Qingming sat cross-legged, and bursts of pale green spiritual light continuously emerged from his body. After these spiritual lights emerged from his body, they circled his body several times before slowly returning into Song Qingming's body.

"Five Elements Divine Light Mirror!"

Following Song Qingming's soft self-muttering, five colorful mirrors appeared beside him. Subsequently, several golden spiritual lights crossed and shot out from the mirrors, forming a golden cage around Song Qingming.

Immediately after, Song Qingming waved his hand, and a black-robed man of similar height to him immediately appeared beside him, holding a third-tier mid-grade black and white flying sword in his hand.

"Jin Feng, try and see how powerful this newly created formation of mine really is!"

After hearing Song Qingming's command, the expressionless "Jin Feng" moved his body and flew into mid-air. He swung the magic treasure "Ink White Sword" in his hand with all his might, slashing out a sword light of considerable power, which headed straight for the golden light formation just formed by the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror."

After Song Qingming's years of diligent cultivation, coupled with the tempering of "Flame Spirit Water," "Jin Feng's" cultivation base was already about to touch the peak of the second layer of Core Formation, and he was not far from the third layer of Core Formation.

At this moment, holding the third-tier mid-grade "Ink White Sword," his full-strength strike was no less than that of a third-layer Core Formation cultivator.

If it were in the past, Song Qingming would have had to dodge such a level of attack, not daring to take it head-on.

However, at this moment, Song Qingming was full of confidence and calm in the face of the sword light released by "Jin Feng," seemingly not caring much about the power of this attack.

Just as this white sword light flew in front of the golden formation, a burst of green spiritual light suddenly rose above the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror," which actively flew out and transformed into a giant hand, directly grabbing the incoming white spiritual light.

Before long, this white spiritual light transformed into heaven and earth spiritual energy within the green giant hand and dissipated into the air.

Immediately after, the green giant hand in front of the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror" transformed into several golden lights, which flew in from all directions, immediately surrounding "Jin Feng" in a circle, making him unable to move from where he stood.

Seeing this scene, Song Qingming's expression was also one of joy. He nodded with satisfaction, stood up, and put away the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror" that was circling him.

After four years of continuous contemplation, Song Qingming had already contemplated and deduced a set of follow-up techniques for the "Jade Profound Scripture" from the stone tablets in the "Grand Void Palace." The technique Song Qingming deduced was not based on the original "Jade Profound Scripture," but a new set of techniques he re-deduced based on his years of experience using green spiritual light.

This new set of techniques was more flexible and varied in the use of green spiritual light, allowing him to directly refine his own magic power into magic treasures at any time, rather than only being able to cover the surface of the magic treasures as before.

The power of magic treasures enhanced from the inside in this way was also significantly improved compared to before, almost capable of raising the original third-tier mid-grade magic treasures to the power that only third-tier top-grade magic treasures could have.

Moreover, after integrating his own magic power, Song Qingming's ability to control magic treasures had increased significantly. Coupled with the fact that his spiritual sense was already stronger than that of ordinary cultivators of the same tier, this also allowed him to control multiple magic treasures simultaneously in future battles without reducing their power too much.

However, Song Qingming had only deduced this set of techniques to the mid-stage of Core Formation for now, and had not directly deduced the techniques to the Nascent Soul stage like Daoist Lingxu and the others.

Recently, Song Qingming had tried to integrate the green spiritual light he had cultivated for many years into his natal magic treasure, the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror," according to his newly deduced technique. After such a long period of running-in, he had finally succeeded today.

It certainly didn't disappoint him. Now that the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror" was used in conjunction with a set of spells Song Qingming had deduced from the new technique, its defensive power was no less than that of a powerful third-tier top-grade defensive magic treasure.

Otherwise, the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror" would not have been able to deal with "Jin Feng's" full-strength strike so easily just now.

Although the technique he deduced had only reached the mid-stage of Core Formation, the power of this set of techniques was still significantly higher than the "Five Elements Profound Gang Art" that Song Qingming was currently practicing.

Over these years, because he had devoted himself to deducing techniques from the "Green Stone Tablet," Song Qingming had long forgotten the time he had spent entering the "Grand Void Palace."

At this moment, after successfully increasing the power of his natal magic treasure, the "Five Elements Divine Light Mirror," Song Qingming finally withdrew his attention from deducing the technique.

Not knowing how much time had passed, he thought for a moment and decided to give up on continuing to deduce the technique, choosing to actively walk out of the "Grand Void Palace."

Deducing a new set of techniques was not something that could be accomplished overnight. Even if Song Qingming chose to remain in the cave dwelling, he didn't have much confidence that he could continue to deduce the technique to the Nascent Soul stage.

Moreover, having been away from the Floating Yunshan Range for so long, Song Qingming was also concerned about his relatives and friends far away in the Wei Kingdom. If he really missed the time to return, that would be a loss that outweighed the gain for him.

After opening the restriction formation inside and walking out of the "Grand Void Palace," Song Qingming stood outside and felt the long-lost sunlight.

Just as Song Qingming was about to set off to leave, a streak of light suddenly flew over and landed in front of him. It was Liu Yang, who had originally taken him to see Daoist Lingxu.

"Congratulations to Junior Brother Song for coming out of seclusion today. Seeing that Junior Brother's complexion is so good, it seems you have gained quite a lot from this seclusion!"

Seeing Liu Yang's figure, Song Qingming hurriedly stepped forward to return the salute and replied: "Hehe! Senior Brother Liu, don't flatter me. I have been in seclusion for so long, and I have only just managed to deduce the technique. Now I don't even know how many days have passed outside; I am truly ashamed."

"Junior Brother Song has been in seclusion for exactly four years now, which is not too long. Among the many fellow disciples who entered to contemplate the "Grand Void Stone Tablet" like you, you are not the last to come out. Otherwise, it wouldn't be me coming to pick you up, but Master himself."

"Four years have already passed? This seclusion time is indeed not short. Many thanks for the guidance, Senior Brother Liu." Learning from Liu Yang that four years had passed since he went into seclusion, Song Qingming felt a slight relief in his heart.

Although it had been nearly twenty years since he came to the "Donghuang Kingdom" cultivation world, there was still some time before the once-in-a-century beast tide in the Floating Yunshan Range began, so Song Qingming didn't need to be too anxious to return to the Wei Kingdom now.

"Junior Brother Song, since you have come out of seclusion, let's go see Master first. He is already waiting for you in the cave dwelling."

After saying a few words to Song Qingming, Liu Yang waved his hand to take out a flying boat, then took Song Qingming and jumped on it, subsequently transforming into a streak of light and leaving this place.

"Senior Brother Liu, wasn't it said that there were other senior brothers in the sect? Why haven't I seen any other senior brothers besides you and Senior Brother Zheng?"

Standing on the flying boat, looking at the silent Jade Profound Mountain all around, Song Qingming asked curiously.

Hearing this, Liu Yang nodded slightly and said: "Junior Brother Song may not know, but most of our fellow disciples in the Grand Void Gate were actually found from outside like you.

Although they are also disciples of the "Grand Void Gate," they all have their own identities outside, and they rarely come to the mountain except when summoned by Master.

Now, besides us, the only ones remaining on the mountain are Master's few closed-door disciples. Some of the senior brothers are still in seclusion, and some have gone out to gain experience, so it is a bit of a coincidence that you can't see them."

"Oh! So that's how it is. Many thanks for informing me, Senior Brother Liu. It's just a pity that it wasn't easy for me to come here, and I don't know if I will have the chance to see them in the future."

Hearing Song Qingming sigh, Liu Yang smiled and nodded: "You have already contemplated the Grand Void Stone Tablet, so it will be very easy to recognize fellow disciples when you meet them outside in the future. Junior Brother Song, don't be discouraged by this; you will meet them when fate allows."

"Senior Brother Liu is right. I have been taught!"

While the two were talking, the flying boat controlled by Liu Yang had already arrived at the flat ground not far from the entrance of Daoist Lingxu's cave dwelling. After letting Song Qingming down, Liu Yang stopped immediately after walking into the stone pavilion and took out a white sound-transmission talisman from his body and handed it to Song Qingming.

"Junior Brother Song, you already know the way, so I won't send you over. When you get outside, just use this sound-transmission talisman, and Master will know immediately."

Seeing this, Song Qingming immediately bowed slightly to Liu Yang, then turned and walked toward the location of Daoist Lingxu's cave dwelling.

After arriving outside the cave dwelling, Song Qingming moved his magic power, and a white sound-transmission talisman automatically flew into the mountain wall in front. Before long, the restriction in front fluctuated, and a figure that surprised him very much walked out of the cave dwelling.

"Junior Brother Song, it's been many years, do you still remember me?"

"Fellow Daoist Li, why is it you? Why are you here?"

Seeing Li Xuanyi, who was dressed in black and looking at him with a smile, Song Qingming couldn't help but show a look of surprise on his face.

"You ask me why I am here? Then why don't you take a guess, Junior Brother Song?" Seeing Song Qingming's look of shock and surprise, Li Xuanyi asked him back calmly.

"So I wasn't wrong back then; Fellow Daoist Li is also a disciple of the Grand Void Gate.

Sigh! It's all my fault for being too cautious back then, which led to a misunderstanding. I hope Fellow Daoist Li won't take offense!" After recalling a little in his mind, Song Qingming couldn't help but sigh, then shook his head with a self-deprecating look.

Back in Qingzhou, when Song Qingming first saw the "Profound Light Armor" that automatically appeared on Li Xuanyi, Song Qingming had also suspected that she might have practiced the "Jade Profound Scripture."

It was just that later, when Li Xuanyi showed him the green spiritual light she had practiced, Song Qingming discovered a trace of something wrong, so he mistakenly thought he had made a mistake and didn't continue to ask about it.

At that time, Song Qingming hadn't been to the "Grand Void Gate," and he didn't know the truth about the follow-up techniques of the "Jade Profound Scripture."

Now that he thought about it, the reason why the green spiritual light on Li Xuanyi was somewhat different from the "Jade Profound Scripture" Song Qingming had originally practiced.

It should be because after she contemplated the "Grand Void Stone Tablet" and deduced the follow-up techniques, the spiritual energy in her body produced some different changes, which made Song Qingming recognize it wrongly at the time.

"Hmph! I'm not as petty as you think. But since Junior Brother Song has already understood, why don't you hurry up and change your form of address? I entered the sect much earlier than you, and I've been on the mountain for so long. You wouldn't be so ignorant of this etiquette, would you!"

Seeing Song Qingming actively admit his mistake and apologize to her, although Li Xuanyi said she didn't care about the misunderstanding of that year, she still gave Song Qingming a meaningful reminder.

"Uh! This... Greetings, Senior Sister Li." Seeing Li Xuanyi deliberately remind him, Song Qingming, who understood the other party's meaning, also showed a bit of helplessness on his face, and immediately changed his address and called out to the other party with some seriousness.

Although he knew that Li Xuanyi was several decades younger than him, the other party had indeed entered the sect earlier than him. In the cultivation world, the status of master and disciple had always been based on the order of entry, not cultivation base or age.

Even if Song Qingming was somewhat unwilling to accept it in his heart, he still had to respectfully call Li Xuanyi "Senior Sister."

Hearing Song Qingming respectfully change his address, Li Xuanyi felt incomparably happy in her heart. She smiled with satisfaction at Song Qingming and said: "Junior Brother Song, Senior Sister came in a hurry this time and didn't prepare any good gifts. This spirit talisman will serve as a congratulatory gift for your entry into the sect. Don't worry, with me looking after you in the sect, you definitely won't suffer any losses here in the future.

Master is still waiting for you inside, come in with me quickly!" After speaking, Li Xuanyi turned and walked happily into the cave dwelling.

Song Qingming, standing at the entrance, looked at the second-tier low-grade spirit talisman of average quality in his hand, shook his head with a smile, carefully put it away, and then followed into the cave dwelling.

Daoist Lingxu, who was leaning on a chair in the cave dwelling drinking tea and reading a book, saw Song Qingming follow Li Xuanyi in, slowly put away the bamboo slip in his hand, and stood up.

"Seeing that the spiritual energy in your body has already changed significantly, you must have gained something. Tell me quickly what technique you have deduced!"

(End of chapter)