Chapter 605 454: Two Spiritual Treasures

His bearing was ethereal, long hair draping loosely down, a white jade clasp at his nape. With two fingers forming a seal, a resonant clangor sounded by his side, as though gold and iron clashed within his body, producing a swift, faint ring.

Mist drifted apart below, and a maiden ascended slowly, garbed in white, graceful and composed. She bowed before the man atop the dais and spoke softly:

"Master, the Perfected Person summons you."

The long-haired man slowly opened his eyes, streams of Dharma Light flowing from the center of his brows. He asked gently,

"Qingyi, did they state the reason?"

"They did not."

The woman was none other than Fei Qingyi from the Fei Clan, now possessing Qi Cultivating Late Stage cultivation. Born of Yuanwu, her attire was always exquisitely precious. She answered promptly, then, somewhat hesitantly,

"Your disciple does not know. But judging from the recent rumors, it may concern the Qing Song Temple."

This man was Yu Muxian, who had been in closed-door cultivation for many years, his cultivation growing ever more profound. He exhaled gently at her words, rising lightly upon the wind. As he ascended the mountain path, the cultivators he passed bowed with respect, pressing hands in salute:

"Greetings, Taoist!"

Now on Yuanwu Peak, apart from the Zifu Perfected Person, Yuanwu Perfected Person, only Yu Muxian held such status. He nodded slightly, ascended the path, and entered the cave mansion at the mountaintop. There he patiently awaited outside the stone door.

He waited but a moment before the stone door creaked open. Yu Muxian stepped within. The cave mansion brimmed with streams of golden radiance, brilliantly blinding, forcing eyes shut. Scorching heat surged from the ground. Yu Muxian bowed with downcast head, speaking softly:

"Greetings, Master."

At the high seat, the figure was shrouded in a hazy golden glow, face unseen, as a strong, resonant voice resounded:

"Muxian… not bad… you have reached Foundation Establishment Late Stage."

The Yuanwu Perfected Person appeared quite satisfied. After a pause, his voice grew much gentler:

"Judging by your appearance, both spellcraft and cultivation have progressed. Today, summoning you is to have you journey to the East Sea."

"Master, your disciple awaits your command."

Yu Muxian detested such mundane matters, wishing only to enter seclusion atop the peak until reaching Zifu. But since the Yuanwu Perfected Person had spoken personally, he was in no position to refuse, and thus replied dutifully.

The Yuanwu Perfected Person seemed long since to have seen his thoughts through. His voice resounded throughout the cave, grand and solemn:

"I know your heart is set solely on cultivation. Yet this matter pertains to your Dao path, and there are several items I am determined to obtain. Of all under my command, only you are fit for the task."

Yu Muxian's cultivation technique could, in a single stretch, reach Zifu; he did not believe it truly pertained to his Dao path, thinking it merely words of persuasion. The Yuanwu Perfected Person continued:

"You are to travel to the Qing Song Temple. Tang Shedou is already waiting for you at the East Sea. He, too, is now at Foundation Establishment Late Stage, and has befriended one with a fateful destiny. You will enter that Cave Heaven with him."

Yu Muxian nodded and replied,

"Pray tell, this Cave Heaven… what is its origin? What does Master intend to obtain?"

The Yuanwu Perfected Person let out several muffled laughs, causing the golden glow of the cave to tremble lightly. He answered:

"The Qing Song Cave Heaven is the Cave Heaven of the ancient Toaist Lineage, the Qing Song Temple. Through cycles of vicissitude, the Immortal Temple of Qing Song has risen and fallen three times from ancient to recent eras, destroyed and revived repeatedly. Now this Cave Heaven remains as the last vestige of the Qing Song Taoist Lineage."

Yu Muxian had some inkling and gently replied:

"Pure Unity Taoism?"

"Indeed. Now, Pure Unity Taoism touts itself as inheritors of the Qing Song Temple's legacy. If you encounter them within, you must exercise utmost caution."

The Yuanwu Perfected Person assented. The golden glow of the cave morphed endlessly. He continued:

"I need you to retrieve three items from within. If opportunity arises and you can obtain them, you must bring them out. I will reward you myself."

The Yuanwu Perfected Person spoke softly:

"First is the 'Manifested Sun Ring.' Your senior brother once obtained this from the sea, but did not have time to study it. He was slain by Guo Er from Red Reef Island—Guo Er may not have recognized its value, but disappeared and died on Qing Song Island, perhaps encountering fortune there. The lost item should now be in the Cave Heaven."

He raised a phantom in his hand, a small golden-red ring. Yu Muxian recognized it. The Yuanwu Perfected Person continued:

"Second is the 'Silent Bell,' a Spiritual Treasure of extraordinary mystery. If you can acquire it, all the better. If not, let it be."

A ghostly image hovered in his hand—it was a grand and ancient stone bell, carved with two strange talismanic symbols. Yu Muxian made it out as well. The Yuanwu Perfected Person pressed on:

"The last—should you all reach the 'Three Drums Hall' within the Cave Heaven and obtain its transmission, then for my sake, commit a cultivation technique to memory—the 'Tomb Gate Thorns' Immortal Foundation."

These words finally stirred Yu Muxian's true desire. He hurriedly inquired:

"May I ask, Master, is the transmitted law free to choose, any cultivation technique granted at will?"

"Naturally so."

The Yuanwu Perfected Person seemed to have long predicted this response, replying softly:

"Within your 'Golden Melting Cave' there are also parallel cultivation techniques. It is said that of the Five Paths, three are preserved, all ancient methods. Perhaps you will be able to gather Qi there, or perhaps the spiritual energy has already run dry—it will depend entirely on your fortune."

At last, true joy surfaced on Yu Muxian's face. His own Golden Melting Cave in the Green Pond Sect had never possessed parallel techniques. Unexpected, that this Cave Heaven might yield them—he was immediately elated, nodding joyfully:

"Many thanks, Master!"

The Yuanwu Perfected Person nodded lightly, pondered a moment, and replied:

"This Cave Heaven is most perilous. You will yet require Spiritual Treasures for protection."

With a flick of his sleeve, two Spiritual Treasures flew out. One was a glittering gold ring, as thick as a little finger and head-sized, covered in myriad seal scripts.

The other was a short sword, plain and unremarkable. It was small and diamond-shaped; its hilt engraved with two patterns, it hovered quietly in the air, without the slightest hint of the extraordinary.

"Ceasing Spear, and Dispelling Cloud."

Having long dwelled at his master's side, Yu Muxian recognized these treasures at a glance—both were Zifu Spiritual Treasures, exceedingly precious items.

Though the Yuanwu Perfected Person had only recently crafted these, and lacked the time or energy to nourish them; without the refining of Metal Nature, they were far inferior to those tempered by Zifu Perfected Person for decades. Still, they were Zifu Spiritual Treasures.

He bowed at once, allowing a hint of trepidation to surface at just the right moment, responding:

"Your disciple dares not! Such precious Spiritual Treasures—should I lose them outside, I could never bear the blame."

"Hah!"

The Yuanwu Perfected Person laughed twice, answering:

"Who could take them? That Cave Heaven hosts no more than a band of Foundation Establishment cultivators. Not to say you cannot defeat them, but which Foundation Establishment would dare take these? Which could?"

He said indifferently:

"Once you emerge from the Cave Heaven, they will break through the Great Void and return to me. No need to worry."

Yu Muxian nodded, softly replying:

"Your disciple understands."

A subtle brilliance glimmered from the Yuanwu Perfected Person, as he added:

"Ning Tiaoxiao has sent some Li Xuanfeng over as well—apparently from the Li Family of Wangyue Lake. You may wish to speak with him; you are of the same Sect, after all, and cooperating within will be greatly advantageous."

Yu Muxian withdrew, leaving the cave mansion, pondering inwardly:

'Li Xuanfeng… Now that he is Ning Family's son-in-law, the little filth of his clan is of no consequence—he is one I might as well converse with.'

'As for these Spiritual Treasures… Among all the sects, perhaps I alone can bear two Zifu Spiritual Treasures by my side. This task may indeed be a fine opportunity… Best return with several more cultivation techniques and treasures…'

As Yu Muxian retreated, the Yuanwu Perfected Person sat high above. The glow about him intensified; save for the needle's drop, all was silent within the cave. He murmured:

"The Qing Song Temple may yet mend its lineage's void. This shall be lively indeed—perhaps I might see some from the North… The various Perfected Lords are most likely watching too, to see if the true inheritor of the Immortal Temple can be lured forth…"

Now, the treasures left upon the ruins of Qing Song Temple entice only Foundation Establishment cultivators. For those at Zifu, it is but a patch upon the Taoist lineage. What draws the eyes of the Perfected Lords can only be a true inheritor poised to awaken the Cave Heaven's legacy.

"Yuansu… Yuanxiu… ZipPei… Heavenly Boundary… In the upheaval of yore, a dozen or more rose on the surge, and now, only these few yet remain. Their years dwindle ever fewer; truly they ought to be restless."

He gazed into the distance, where Yu Muxian had departed. His golden pupils shifted slightly:

"Regardless if time permits, I must try…"