Chapter Seventy-One: One Last Act of Fulfillment

Lu Qian took out brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. Yao Yue ground the ink, Xi Yue held the brush, while Lu Qian recited the true incantation aloud.

Before long, several hundred words, together with intricate diagrams, were written out.

“Is this a secret manual for cultivating magical arts?” Yao Yue held the thick stack of papers with utmost reverence, as though afraid to smudge even a single character.

“It could be considered as such,” Lu Qian replied ambiguously.

This technique was derived from the first half of the Sunfire Qi Art.

At present, he had little interest in practicing that particular skill, but the earlier section, the “Union of Yin and Yang Qi,” was still worth referencing.

“Yes, sir. I will commit it to memory,” Yao Yue whispered.

She could tell that Lu Qian placed great importance on this incantation.

She did not know what would come from learning it, but mastering it would surely earn her his favor.

Yao Yue understood well that the respect others showed her was entirely due to her master’s status. To bask in the adoration of the crowd, she had to remain steadfastly by Lu Qian’s side; should she fall out of favor, those faces outside would no longer look so pleasant.

Lu Qian was unaware of Yao Yue’s little calculations, nor would he have cared if he knew.

He made his way to the front of the carriage. Black Hawk, reins in hand, stared ahead. Sensing Lu Qian’s approach, he offered a slight bow.

“You have many connections in Tongquan City?”

“Yes, sir. My brothers and I are known in the underworld as the Thirteen Cold-Blooded Hawks. We command respect in both lawful and unlawful circles. I once had a mortal enemy in Tongquan, but he’s dead now.”

Though Black Hawk’s stronghold was outside the city, after more than a decade of dominance, he had established several factions within. Without local influence, his fortress would have been uprooted long ago.

“Have you ever heard tales of extraordinary people or wonders in Tongquan City?”

“Not really. There’s a legend that the Zhu family’s Hundred-Step Flying Sword was taught by an immortal, but generations of the Zhu family have sought the immortal realm in vain.”

At this, Black Hawk felt a surge of luck. Others had sought immortal fate for generations, but now it stood before him.

“Very well. I give you three months to unite the black and white factions of Tongquan.”

Black Hawk’s face showed some hesitation. “Sir, I’m afraid I can’t do it alone. There are several experts in Tongquan who rival my strength.”

Lu Qian drew several potion vials and two paper figures from his Heaven’s Pouch.

“These are fire thunder potions and paper servants. I’ll teach you how to use them. Should you encounter a powerful foe, use these to eliminate them.”

Seeing such miraculous means, Black Hawk felt reassured and immediately bowed low. “With your immortal arts, I will bring Tongquan City under your command within a month.”

Soon, the carriage reached Tongquan City.

Tongquan was not as prosperous as Huanglong, with a population of around two hundred thousand. Built along the river, it was shrouded in the misty, rain-soaked charm of the southern lands.

Lu Qian stayed in an inn for two days.

During this time, Black Hawk acquired a manor, farmland, and several servants.

The carriage stopped before a grand residence.

Passing through vermilion gates, they entered a front courtyard of exquisite gardens and a small lake, with a pavilion at its center. Beyond the intricate corridors, a succession of mansions came into view—green-tiled halls, pavilions, and terraces. The estate alone was of considerable value.

The former city lord had died, and with Black Hawk’s men supporting a new one, the Zhu family’s former residence was gifted to him in gratitude.

In the rear courtyard, within a bathhouse, Lu Qian soaked in a steaming wooden tub, eyes half-closed in meditative thought as mist swirled around him.

Behind him, Xi Yue was draped in a thin, gauzy robe, her fair and delicate figure faintly visible, long slender legs exposed as she gently wiped his back.

Lu Qian’s mind drifted into his sea of consciousness.

Tidal Moon True Water Conduction Technique (Mastery: 143/8000)
Tripitaka’s Pure Heart Mantra (Mastery: 50/150)
Spirit Projection Art (Mastery: 72/500)
Mid-Grade Alchemy (Proficient: 1321/2000)
Cloud-Sundering Chapter (Beginner: 10/200)

Currently, there were five arts not yet perfected.

To attend to all of them in just two years would certainly yield little progress.

Qi cultivation could not be neglected for even a day; mid-grade alchemy could be set aside for now.

The Cloud-Sundering Chapter, a new offensive art, had to be mastered at least to the point of mastery. Once accomplished, he could summon clouds and rain within several hundred yards, controlling the weather to defend himself or attack his enemies.

The Spirit Projection Art could not be ignored either. At mastery, he would be able to control three paper servants simultaneously. They could assist in alchemy and practicing lesser arts. Though not as effective as training them himself, it would at least free him somewhat.

Having determined his path, Lu Qian stepped out of the bath.

Xi Yue, cheeks flushed, gently dried him and dressed him in robes.

Lu Qian regarded the bashful girl with interest and asked, “How is your memorization of the incantation?”

“I’ve memorized the incantation, but haven’t yet mastered the external diagrams,” Xi Yue replied, head lowered and towel in hand.

She had always been clever, more widely read than her elder sister Yao Yue. Drawing upon ancient texts, she understood the significance of the incantation and diagrams.

“Is that so?” Lu Qian gazed at her deeply. “You may leave for now.”

“Yes, sir.”

...

Medicine Mountain.

In a grove of peach blossoms, Li Du drank alone as usual.

Suddenly, a chill wind rose.

The rosy blossoms darkened to pitch black.

“Come out,” he called, setting down his cup and gazing into the woods.

From the black mist emerged a woman in black, her hairpin high, neck slender and snow-white, eyes limpid as water, her face glowing with spring—an indescribable beauty.

Seeing her, Li Du’s expression remained calm. “So, it is you, Hall Master.”

“My dear Li, there’s no need for such formality,” she replied—but he once called her by her given name.

This woman was Li Du’s former Daoist companion.

Now, one was aged and frail, the other young and lovely—the pair seemed more like grandfather and granddaughter than old lovers.

No one would ever imagine that they had once grown up together, childhood sweethearts and cultivators side by side.

“Hall Master, spare me your jest. If you have no business, please leave—I have affairs to attend to,” Li Du said coldly.

Seeing his attitude, Liu Ruyi’s face also cooled. “Don’t blame me for what happened back then. My pursuit of the Way was unwavering; nothing could stand in my path.”

“Then why have you come? To gloat?” Li Du challenged.

“No. You know that people call me the weakest of the Five Lords, with only late-stage Soul Nurturing cultivation,” Liu Ruyi replied, her voice calm, as if two old friends were reminiscing.

“Moreover, the art I practice is the Heart Demon Lotus.”

The Heart Demon Lotus was a cultivation of inner demons—planting a devil seed in another’s heart, and if successful, advancing one’s own power.

Liu Ruyi looked at Li Du. “For years, I could not attain Dao Foundation. Now I know why. Back then, I acted indifferent, but deep down I felt guilt. You treated me so well, cared for me in every way, and we truly loved each other. Now it has become a knot in my heart, an unbreakable inner demon.”

She slowly approached, a black lotus blooming in her hand.

“I think... if I can taint you with my demon seed, the knot will dissolve, and I may finally break through. Li, will you help me one last time?”