Chapter 1073 - 731: Retreating Amid the Torrent

Chapter 1073: Chapter 731: Retreating Amid the Torrent

After she finished speaking, she looked up, her face troubled: "True Monarch Xuan Guang has shown me great favor, and Shen will remember this. However. Shen has a contract with True Monarch Wu Wei that still has two years remaining."

Shen Xuan vowed earnestly, "On the day the contract expires, Shen will surely join True Monarch Xuan Guang’s sect, defying fire and water without hesitation."

Yu Zhen and Ming Zhen exchanged a glance, suspicion still lingering in their eyes.

However, with Shen Xuan making such a declaration.

They couldn’t very well press the issue.

The Spirit Contract bears a Divine Soul Brand, and cannot be easily violated.

Especially when signed with a Nascent Soul True Monarch.

Otherwise, not only would it give rise to a Heart Demon.

If made public, the person’s reputation would be ruined, losing all credibility.

A Nascent Soul True Monarch could demand compensation and enforce penalties as per the contractual terms.

...

In the blink of an eye, two years passed.

On Astonishment Sword Island, inside the Practice Room.

Shen Xuan gently ended his practice, the Spiritual Qi dispersing quietly into the silence around him.

The Mysterious Jade Talisman suspended before him had faint writing emerging on its surface.

[Lifespan: 262/1218]

[Dao Rhyme: 3126688]

[Divine Power: Yin-Yang Refinement Fish Minor Achievement (18/800)]

Over four years, he refined all the remaining Demon Cores he had in hand.

The Talent he plundered was only so-so, but the Dao Rhyme genuinely increased by over two million.

Crucially, he merged [Dark Ice Fish] with [Spirit Flame Silver].

Ice and fire, yin and yang, tearing at each other yet entwining, ultimately transforming in his palm into a semi-transparent, flowing yin-yang fish shape.

Like a fish yet not a fish, head and tail connected, harboring the image of a Tai Chi rotation.

This is the [Yin-Yang Refinement Fish].

Based on the Ice and Fire Tai Chi Primordial Pill Power, condensing into this fish form allows one to refine the void and obliterate all techniques.

Compared to a singular ice fish or fire bird, its power is doubled.

Shen Xuan gently closed his palm, the yin-yang fish sinking into his skin.

He looked up at the sky, seemingly able to see through layers of Restrictions to the swirling undercurrents within the Myriad Phenomena Immortal City.

"It’s been forty years since I left Starlight Island..."

Shen Xuan murmured to himself.

The [Element Transformation Technique] records that for a Fake Pill Cultivator wishing to condense a True Pill, the more vigorous the Qi and blood, the greater the success rate.

Qin Yuehan is not young and cannot wait much longer.

This place is surrounded by tigers and wolves, quite troublesome.

It’s time to return.

Such is the life of a Loose Cultivator.

No great tree to shelter under, exposed to the elements, everyone wants to schematically benefit at one’s expense.

He spent a fortune to get Immortal Jing Lian to exchange a [Crystal Condensing Pill] from the Myriad Phenomena Daoist Palace.

However, that is far from enough.

...

Several days later.

On the mountain peak of Astonishment Sword Island.

Shen Xuan sat in meditation, his robe motionless in the fierce wind.

Suddenly, his eyes opened, and a smile crossed his lips.

It has arrived.

The clouds on the horizon were pierced by a green light, directly entering the island.

The Tier Three Upper Grade Illusion Array laid on the island was like a nonentity, allowing that Escape Light to drive straight in.

The mist in the array silently parted, making way.

The green light landed on the peak, revealing the figure of True Monarch Wu Wei.

In his palm rested a golden pearl, its precious light making the surrounding Illusion Array mist recede entirely.

"What a treasure."

Shen Xuan rose, cupping his hands in a salute, expressing envy, "Profound Ice greets Fellow Daoist Wu Wei."

True Monarch Wu Wei nodded in return, his expression somewhat proud.

Not needing the host to break the array and enter the heart was a demonstration of strength.

Shen Xuan’s smile remained unchanged, "With Fellow Daoist Wu Wei’s presence, my humble abode is graced. Profound Ice failed to welcome you from afar; I hope you’ll forgive me."

By this, he implied they were both Tier Four Great Cultivators, no need to purposefully show might.

"Invited by Fellow Daoist Profound Ice, how could Wu Wei not come?"

True Monarch Wu Wei stroked his beard with a smile, strolling forward.

With a flick of Shen Xuan’s sleeve, a Jade Table appeared on a nearby bluestone.

A pot of wine, two cups.

The refreshing scent of wine spread with the wind.

True Monarch Wu Wei’s gaze lingered on the cups.

This signified farewell.

Indeed, after a few ordinary courtesies, Shen Xuan raised his cup, his voice calm, "Instead of relying on each other in distress, let’s forget about each other in the Jianghu. Profound Ice has been away from home for too long; it’s time to return."

True Monarch Wu Wei understood.

He was unwilling to get embroiled in the power struggles of the Myriad Phenomena Daoist Palace.

The ten-year agreement had just come to an end not long ago.

In these ten years, Shen Xuan opened the furnace thirty times, producing thirty-seven Longevity Pills, including two Top-Grade ones.

Minus the various costs, the remaining profit slightly exceeded the initially promised ten pills.

Calculated so precisely, it was clear he had long desired to leave, just waiting for the conclusion of the contract to withdraw.

"Fellow Daoist invited me here not solely for a farewell, I assume."

True Monarch Wu Wei lowered his cup, sweeping his sleeve over it.

Two ancient-looking Jade Scrolls quietly appeared on the Jade Table, their inner brilliance twinkling.

"This is the Crystal Condensing Pill inheritance you asked me to bring, with the Pill Formula inside. The other is the Nascent Soul Realm’s [Condensation Technique for Gathering Prime Essence]."

He looked at Shen Xuan with scrutiny in his eyes.

"What do you wish to trade for this?"

With the alliance agreement expired, each takes what they need, and owes nothing more.

"Fellow Daoist Wu Wei, please be patient."

Shen Xuan chuckled lightly, also taking out a Jade Scroll, gently pushing it to the center of the table.

True Monarch Wu Wei took it, Divine Sense probing inside.

At first, his expression was subtle.

Gradually, his brows furrowed.

Several times his gaze lifted from the Jade Scroll, fixing on Shen Xuan, filled with shock.

Shen Xuan nodded slightly, indicating he should proceed.

After a long while, True Monarch Wu Wei gently put the Jade Scroll down.

When he looked up, his face was solemn.

The Jade Scroll contained an inheritance of a Tier Three Demon Bird Puppet refining technique.

Since Shen Xuan opened his mouth for a trade, he was prepared.

The war between humans and demons was stalemated, with demon birds in the sky coming and going like lightning, posing a far greater threat than demon beasts on the ground.

This inheritance of his was unique.

Except for a few core materials which were slightly precious, most were common three-tier lower-grade items.

This time, he didn’t use millenniums-old Profound Jade Crystal and Soul Crystal Marrow, deliberately concealing his edge, holding back somewhat.

Even so, the demon bird puppets refined from it could be freely controlled by Fake Pill Cultivators, showcasing the combat power of a Tier Three Demon Bird King.

What does this mean?

If mass-produced and equipped, the combat strength at the Core Formation level within the Myriad Phenomena Daoist Palace would undergo a transformation.