Chapter 1984 - Cloud Mist Manor

The Azure Jade Palace owed its existence to the Heavenly Lake, also called Yao Lake. Upon discovering it, Immortal Emperor Shui Yao had made her home there and founded the sect.

Rumor had it that ancient essence saturated its ancient divine water. Shui Yao herself had supposedly attained the Immortal Emperor Realm only after absorbing that water.

For countless disciples, a chance to cultivate in the Heavenly Pool remained an unreachable dream. Tens of thousands of years had passed since the sect's founding, yet only a few dozen had gained entry. Without exception, they had been geniuses of extraordinary caliber.

"Can I turn this assignment down, Elder Kong?" Liu Wuxie asked.

Although the Heavenly Pool tempted him, it had not robbed him of reason. No reward mattered to a dead man. He would not allow his excitement to dictate his decision.

Another disciple would have accepted on the spot. The ancient divine water held power beyond comprehension, and every cultivator who had entered the Heavenly Lake had subsequently risen into the ranks of the Azure Jade Palace's upper echelons.

"I wouldn't have made this journey if you could," Elder Kong said with a bitter smile. He had already tried several times to refuse the mission on Liu Wuxie’s behalf, but the deputy palace masters had rejected him each time.

The hall grew quiet. Liu Wuxie's mind worked swiftly through the possible motives behind the sect's decision. Had someone uncovered his identity? Was this mission another means of testing him?

"And if I refuse anyway?" he asked, looking into Elder Kong's eyes. Less than one percent. That was how he rated his prospect of success. Such odds demanded careful thought, and if the risks proved unacceptable, he would abandon the Azure Jade Palace.

He had come here to cultivate in peace until he reached the Immortal Emperor Realm. If remaining in the sect made that impossible, he would have to find another way forward. ℯℓ.

"I know what worries you, Wuxie, but the sect must have a reason. Refuse, and you won't be punished. You may return to the Azure Jade Palace. There, however, you'll have to climb from the rank of outer disciple, and the road will be long. This mission may be difficult, but it could shorten that journey," Elder Kong said. He repeated Yuan Shao's words without alteration.

Liu Wuxie didn't answer. The elder was right. Going back meant beginning at the bottom and enduring a long, punishing ascent before he could reach the Immortal Emperor Realm.

His fifty immortal roots had already drawn the greed of countless people. Survival within the Azure Jade Palace was hardly assured. Nor would life as a rogue cultivator offer safety. Murder and plunder occurred every day. One careless step could leave him without even an intact corpse. In a world like this, shelter came more readily beneath a great tree.

He had three paths to consider. The first led back to the sect, where disciples would do anything to take his immortal roots. The second led away from the Azure Jade Palace and into a wandering search for secret realms. Freedom came with that choice, but without a permanent refuge, he risked revealing his identity.

The third path promised hardship, but also considerable rewards. Success could send his cultivation soaring, perhaps carrying him all the way to the Origin Immortal Realm.

The Law Enforcement Token would also offer him protection. His greatest investment would be time and effort.

Liu Wuxie closed his eyes and tapped his fingers against the table, drawing upon the Heavenly Dao Book to weigh his options.

Elder Kong left him to think in silence. Faced with the same circumstances, he would have struggled no less.

Liu Wuxie couldn't help but wonder why they had chosen him. The three sudden missions had drawn him away from the sect and, in doing so, saved his life. This assignment would prevent him from returning for some time. Beneath the appearance of burdening him, someone was actually helping him.

He had little doubt that he would untangle those mysteries in time.

"I'll take the mission. But I want more time to complete the three assignments I already have," Liu Wuxie said, opening his eyes after more than ten breaths.

"These are the revised mission sheets. The deadline is now three months," Elder Kong replied, passing them over. What had originally allowed one month now allowed three.

Liu Wuxie then asked about Mulberry Sea City's overall situation, the distribution of its forces, and the backgrounds of those who held power there.

Elder Kong had anticipated those questions. He handed over the information he had prepared.

Dusk had arrived by the time they stepped out of the main hall.

"Would you stay for a banquet, Elder Kong? I've had one prepared in your honor," Chai Qian asked. He had remained outside for their entire discussion.

"Your hospitality is generous, Patriarch Chai, but other matters require my attention. I can't remain," Elder Kong said, cupping his hands. He gave Liu Wuxie a nod and vanished from the estate.

Chai Qian watched him depart with regret. A connection to Elder Kong might have been enough to end the clan's crisis.

As he looked back, another possibility occurred to him. The elder had made this visit solely for Liu Wuxie, suggesting a close bond between them. By cultivating a friendship with the young man, the Chai Clan might secure Elder Kong's protection.

"What can you tell me about the Mountain Guardian Sect, Patriarch Chai?" Liu Wuxie asked, looking at him.

Roughly 250 kilometers from Mulberry Sea City, the sect stood against a mountain that had given it its name. Although its scale was modest, surviving over time was an achievement in itself.

"Only a little. They earn their income selling immortal talismans in Mulberry Sea City and Rainbow Soaring City. There are just a few hundred of them, but don't let their numbers fool you," Chai Qian said, sharing what little he knew.

"Where do they purchase the materials for those talismans?" Liu Wuxie asked, laying down his chopsticks.

Immortal talismans required a special paper produced from Crimson Cloudstone, yet his inquiries had revealed no deposits near Mulberry Sea City. The Mountain Guardian Sect must therefore obtain its supply from elsewhere.

Immortal talismans took many forms. Those inscribed on talisman paper were portable and could be stored for long periods, with Communication Talismans being one such example.

Other kinds dispensed with paper, using the runes of heaven and earth themselves as a medium. The Truth Talisman Liu Wuxie had created belonged to that group. Such talismans gradually dispersed and could not be kept for long. They were mainly used in blacksmithing and alchemy.

Offensive immortal talismans likewise needed paper to support the inscription of the runes of heaven and earth.

Making that paper demanded a complicated process. First came the crushing of Crimson Cloudstone, followed by the extraction of the fine golden filaments concealed within it. Those filaments then formed the talisman paper.

"I'll make inquiries. We will know soon," Chai Qian replied.

The Chai Clan dealt little with the Mountain Guardian Sect. Reliable answers would require investigation.

"Then I'll entrust that to you, Patriarch Chai," Liu Wuxie said gratefully. Guiding the Chai Clan through its crisis would give him access to its resources when tackling his other missions.

"Please, Young Master Liu. Helping you would be an honor," Chai Qian replied. All traces of a patriarch’s lofty bearing had vanished, and he now addressed Liu Wuxie as an equal.

After some wine, Liu Wuxie returned to his room, shut the door, and brought out the Law Enforcement Token. The character for "law" occupied the front. On the reverse lay a sword with a cold gleam, embodying a sword technique inscribed with a righteous heart.

He poured immortal energy into the token. Righteous power streamed from the sword and wrapped around him, taking the shape of a barrier that even Immortal Venerables would find difficult to breach. Command over the Azure Jade Palace's forces was only part of what the token offered. In danger, it could also shield its bearer.

Quite apart from its authority, the Law Enforcement Token possessed formidable power as an artifact.

A knock interrupted his study. Liu Wuxie opened the door to find Chai Qian holding a report and invited him inside.

"Our scouts found that the Mountain Guardian Sect makes an annual visit to the Cloud Mist Manor, Young Master Liu. They haven't confirmed whether those visits involve buying Crimson Cloudstone," Chai Qian said.

Every sect had secrets worth guarding. Smaller forces were especially cautious about exposing the details of their affairs.

"The Cloud Mist Manor, you say?" Liu Wuxie asked with a frown. Something about the name felt familiar.

"It lies five thousand kilometers from Mulberry Sea City. The teleportation array puts it about an hour away. The manor once enjoyed a great reputation, but years of decline have reduced it to a third-tier force," Chai Qian explained.

"Shall I arrange for someone to protect you discreetly?" Chai Qian asked. He did not know why Liu Wuxie intended to visit the Cloud Mist Manor, but the young man had clearly made up his mind. Trying to stop him would accomplish nothing.

His offer concealed a deeper fear that Liu Wuxie might leave and never return. Both men understood that concern, though Liu Wuxie chose not to mention it. Still, Chai Qian's wish to protect him was sincere.

"There's no need. I gave you my word, and I'll honor it," Liu Wuxie answered politely. He carried too many secrets to allow anyone to follow his every move.

"I'll let you rest, then," Chai Qian said, taking his leave and closing the door.

"The Cloud Mist Pearls gave the Cloud Mist Manor its name, and each pearl is worth a fortune. After all these years, I wonder what remains of the place," Liu Wuxie murmured.

He cultivated for the remainder of the night. At dawn, he departed the Chai Clan's estate.

The Yan, Liang, and Wen Clans had already grown desperate. He needed to prepare carefully for another ambush. Yesterday, they had sent six Divine Immortals. If Golden Immortals came for him next, even with Blackie’s help, his only option would be to flee.

From the estate, Liu Wuxie made for Mulberry Sea City's western district. Before leaving the city, he still had several arrangements to make.