Chapter 253: Taking the Blame Once More



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In a stone hall atop a concealed peak in the Black Fog Mountain Range in northern Jing Kingdom, Elder Wang, with his bushy brows and yellow hair, sat cross-legged in a gray robe, quietly regulating his breath to heal his injuries.

"Not good!"

His expression suddenly changed. He pulled a scroll from his storage pouch, depicting a Daoist in purple robes.

Sizzle—

A flicker of purple flame appeared on the portrait, followed by wisps of green smoke as the image quickly dulled and turned a lifeless gray, like a death portrait.

"This... How can this be?"

Elder Wang was stunned. After a brief shock, his predominant emotions were not anger, but rather a chilling terror and dread.

A Nascent Soul’s escape speed was several times that of other cultivators of the same rank. Typically, only another Nascent Soul cultivator with superior strength or abilities would be able to destroy such a spirit form.

For anyone below Nascent Soul, capturing or killing a Nascent Soul spirit was nearly impossible, as their speed was on an entirely different level.

Unless a group of elite Core Formation masters meticulously set a trap with soul-path treasures and somehow lured the Lihuo True Monarch into it.

However, that scenario was unlikely. Core Formation cultivators would find it difficult to ambush a Nascent Soul cultivator with their keen senses.

An operation like that would also create a huge commotion, and news of it would spread quickly.

Elder Wang was aware of another possibility, however... one he dared not contemplate — a failed possession attempt!

Given the Lihuo True Monarch’s weakened Nascent Soul, attempting to possess a powerful Core Formation master could result in failure, especially if he targeted someone like Elder Wang. But even then, a failed possession wouldn’t necessarily mean the destruction of the Nascent Soul; he would still be able to escape.

Unless, of course, the person being possessed was a Core Formation cultivator with an extraordinarily powerful soul, possessing techniques far superior to Elder Wang’s.

"My master’s plan would have only involved attempting possession of a lower-level Core Formation cultivator, not a peak-level Core Formation master..."

Elder Wang’s face turned ashen as he shook his head in denial.

No matter the case, none of this was something that the now beleaguered remnants of the Flame Departing Palace could hope to handle.

"Feng'er!"

An idea struck Elder Wang, and he quickly took out a soul lantern from his storage pouch.

The flame of the soul lantern flickered steadily.

Phew!

Elder Wang let out a long sigh of relief; the worst-case scenario hadn’t happened.

If both his master and his grandson had perished, then any hope for the Flame Departing Palace's resurgence would have been completely extinguished.

"My master’s life soul portrait has extinguished, and only I know this. I must keep this hidden as long as possible..."

Elder Wang understood that if the truth got out, it would be a severe blow to the morale of the Flame Departing Palace's remaining disciples. People’s faith could quickly waver.

Fortunately, only he and his grandson knew about the Lihuo True Monarch’s plan to possess Wang Feng.

To search for the culprit?

Absolutely not. They couldn’t act rashly!

At most, they could conduct a quiet investigation. They couldn’t afford to make a big fuss or dig too deep. Otherwise, they’d only be digging their own graves.

"When you reach the cliff's edge, pull back on the reins," Elder Wang muttered to himself, steadying his resolve and quelling his desire to avenge his master.

For the Flame Departing Palace, which was now teetering on the brink, restraint was essential. If they couldn’t control themselves, they would only hasten their own demise.

Revenge could wait until the Flame Departing Palace was strong enough to stand on its own again.

Deep down, Elder Wang already had a prime suspect.

There was someone with immense luck and formidable combat skills who held a deep-seated grudge against the Flame Departing Palace.

That person wielded a true demonic flame, unparalleled across several nations, which was highly effective against Nascent Soul spirits.

...

Inside the secret chamber on Autumnwind Isle.

Lan Chang'an and the Earth Burrowing Rat widened their eyes as they examined the storage ring they had just unsealed.

The ring’s internal space was not much larger than an ordinary storage pouch. After all, it was a spatial artifact, requiring rare spatial materials to create.

While the contents of the storage ring were fewer than expected, the spiritual pressure emanating from some of the treasures filled Lan Chang'an with glee.

"A Millennial Soul-Nurturing Wood!"

A floating piece of verdant wood immediately caught Lan Chang'an's attention.

This was a legendary soul-path spiritual wood, even rarer than other woods of the same level.

Lan Chang'an had originally considered using the superior-grade third-rank Tong Ghost Bamboo as the embryo for his future life-bound magical treasure. But now, this fourth-rank Soul-Nourishing Wood presented a better option.

Taking out the Soul-Nourishing Wood, Lan Chang'an felt a comforting warmth wash over his soul, as if he were soaking in a hot spring. Even the energy drain from his second life’s soul possession seemed to lessen.

Just this piece of wood alone had made this endeavor worth it; it was an absolute treasure.

"Two Nascent Soul-level magical treasures!"

Lan Chang'an then noticed two powerful artifacts radiating intense spiritual pressure.

Magical treasures were exclusive to Core Formation cultivators and above.

They came in low, mid, superior, and top grades, with each level requiring significantly more spiritual power and mental strength to wield.

Low-grade magical treasures suited Fake Dans and early Core Formation cultivators, though Fake Dans would struggle with prolonged use.

Mid-grade treasures were best for mid- and late-stage Core Formation cultivators.

Superior-grade and top-grade treasures were typically wielded by early and mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators. Only if one's mana is deep and spiritual sense is strong can they wield a higher-grade magical treasure across levels, but it consumes a considerable amount of energy.

Above magical treasures lay spiritual treasures.

Spiritual treasures, meant for Deity Transformation Realm cultivators and higher, were virtually extinct in the cultivation world. Any that occasionally appeared were usually imitations or fragments.

The two treasures in the Lihuo True Monarch’s storage ring were a green braided rope and a purple gourd.

The braided rope was a superior-grade magical treasure. The Lihuo True Monarch had used it in their recent battle, transforming it into a whip-like lightning snake that almost entangled Lan Chang'an.

The purple gourd, a fire-type top-grade magical treasure, was invaluable for an early Nascent Soul cultivator.

The Lihuo True Monarch hadn’t used this more powerful gourd in battle for two reasons:

Firstly, his goal was to capture Lan Chang'an alive and dish out his secrets.

Secondly, while possessing a Foundation Establishment cultivator, even wielding the superior-grade braided rope was already a strain. Though his mental strength was sufficient, his mana was woefully lacking.

Had it not been for years of refinement and some residual mana, it would have been difficult to control magical treasures at all.

"Main ingredient for core formation, the Seven-Heart Mystic Moonflower!"

"Not bad not bad! This completes the ingredients for the Crystal Condensation Pill..."

"Huh! Minor Teleportation Talismans!"

Among a dozen or so third-rank talismans, Lan Chang'an found two special ones.

These talismans weren’t made from typical talisman paper but had a jade-like texture. In addition to complex symbols, they emitted faint silver patterns across the surface.

Minor Teleportation Talismans were rare and invaluable.

Back in the day, Li Hai, the top disciple of Liang Shaotian, and even Young Master Wang had used such talismans to escape life-threatening situations.

Typically, Minor Teleportation Talismans ranged from third to fourth rank.

Anything beyond that would drop the "minor" designation.

If his faction’s only Nascent Soul True Monarch had mysteriously died, would he risk his life investigating or avenging them?

If he didn’t flee immediately, that would already show remarkable loyalty.

Even if the Flame Departing Palace had suspects, Lan Chang'an would be far down the list.

As a once-dominant force, the Flame Departing Palace had many enemies.

Moreover, Lan Chang'an had no enmity with the Flame Departing Palace. He even had cordial relationships with some of their disciples, like Song Wenshu and Wang Feng, at least on the surface.

Young Master Wang had encountered numerous cultivators while out gathering resources and searching for a new body. He and Lan Chang'an had been meeting for years; if Lan Chang'an had malicious intent, he’d have acted long ago.

And for a Nascent Soul to consider possession, Lan Chang'an’s old, mediocre wood spirit root wouldn’t have been an appealing target.

Only if the Flame Departing Palace had some omniscient perspective or if Lan Chang'an bore a "hostility aura" would he rank as a prime suspect.

"The Flame Departing Palace's attitude will be clear depending on whether Wang Feng shows up for his final treatment."

Lan Chang'an waited calmly, knowing he had plenty of life-saving trump cards, including the Minor Teleportation Talisman, in case any Core Formation Immortal dared to approach.

As the scheduled day neared—

"Master Lan, there’s been no sign of Wang Feng around Cloudsmoke Immortal City recently," reported Xing Peng, emerging from the shadows.

"It seems Wang Feng may be suspicious or simply cautious, unwilling to travel so freely."

Since Wang Feng wasn’t coming, Lan Chang'an saw no need to attend the meeting.

...

Two days later.

An unexpected guest arrived on Autumnwind Isle to visit Lan Chang'an.

"Fellow Daoist Lan, this is something Young Master Wang asked me to deliver to you."

Shen Bixin, clad in widow’s attire and veiled with a blue silk hat, hid her aging features. Beneath the veil, Lan Chang'an caught glimpses of her dark eyes and fine facial features.

"Oh? Have you seen Young Master Wang recently?" Lan Chang'an asked as he accepted the sealed jade box.

Shen Bixin’s visit was surprising yet logical.

After Song Wenshu’s death, Shen Bixin had borne his child, becoming the widow of the Flame Departing Palace.

It was through her that Wang Feng had initially sought Lan Chang'an's medical help.

"I haven’t seen him," Shen Bixin replied in a calm tone. "This item appeared on my bed one night, along with a note from Young Master Wang asking me to pass it on."

"Thank you for going to the trouble, Fellow Daoist Shen."

Lan Chang'an courteously saw her out.

Though they were old friends, there was a certain distance between him and the widow that he felt prudent to maintain.

Back in his room, after carefully inspecting the box, Lan Chang'an unlocked the seal.

Inside was a piece of mid-grade third-rank spirit wood.

Beneath it lay a letter.

"...I apologize, Fellow Daoist Lan, for failing to meet our appointment at the Xunxian Residence. The other half of the Tong Ghost Bamboo, which Wang accidentally lost, is being compensated with this complete third-rank spirit wood. I assure you, the favor I owe you still stands," Wang Feng wrote, expressing his apologies and officially concluding their transaction.

The letter also mentioned that with the precious resources he had received from his grandfather, Wang Feng could stabilize his foundation even without the final treatment session.

Lan Chang'an pondered for a moment. The tone of Wang Feng’s letter seemed sincere.

Out of caution, he had decided not to venture out, instead sending a letter through an intermediary to inform Lan Chang'an of his absence.

If Wang Feng went silent after this, Lan Chang'an would suspect that he still harbored suspicions toward him.

At the same time, this letter might also be a subtle probe.

After some thought, Lan Chang'an took out paper and ink and penned a reply.

"Thank you, Young Master Wang, for your generous compensation. I am honored and humbled..."

His reply was filled with courteous pleasantries, expressing admiration and respect for Wang Feng.

At the end of the letter, Lan Chang'an offered a heartfelt blessing:

"May you soon achieve the Immortal Golden Dan and lead the Flame Departing Palace to greatness once more!"

The main reason Lan Chang'an hadn’t taken action against Wang Feng was due to the Lihuo True Monarch’s lingering wish.

To revive the Flame Departing Palace, train a Golden Dan cultivator, and establish a stable sect with spiritual veins, rekindling hope for a return to prominence.

Additionally, he bore no personal enmity toward Wang Feng.

Killing him wouldn’t yield any benefits, nor would it reduce his risks. It might even hinder Lan Chang'an from fulfilling the Lihuo True Monarch’s wish, thereby losing the chance to resolve their karmic bond and gain him as a past life.

After completing the letter, Lan Chang'an summoned the Earth Burrowing Rat.

Shen Bixin's flying speed was not fast, so the Earth Burrowing Rat took the letter to her, asking her to help pass it on to Young Master Wang.

Lan Chang'an trusted that as the widow of a Flame Departing Palace disciple and being stationed in Jing Kingdom, Shen Bixin would have some means of contacting Wang Feng.

...

Two months later.

In a compound in a market town near Jing Kingdom’s northern border.

After reading Lan Chang'an's letter, especially the sincere blessing at the end, Wang Feng was slightly moved.

"Fellow Daoist Lan has a noble character, willingly exhausting his vital energy to help me restore my foundation. How could I... have ever doubted him?"

Guilt welled up in Wang Feng's heart.

The Lihuo True Monarch’s death was known only to him and his grandfather within the Flame Departing Palace.

He hadn’t exactly suspected Lan Chang'an directly.

His concerns had been more along the lines of whether Lan Chang'an might have been bribed or compromised.

Perhaps he had unwittingly provided intelligence or cooperated with an unknown mastermind who ultimately led to the Lihuo True Monarch’s Nascent Soul’s demise.

To him, Lan Chang'an had been, at most, an accomplice, which was why he’d maintained a cautious distance.

"My grandfather was right. The prime suspect is Liang Shaotian!"

A fierce glint flashed in Wang Feng’s eyes.

Afterward, the Flame Departing Palace had bought information on Liang Shaotian’s activities during that period from the Tian Zhi Pavilion.

The report stated that Liang Shaotian had been in seclusion for healing, but Elder Wang believed that this "seclusion" was merely a cover!

As long as Liang Shaotian had not shown himself publicly during that time, he couldn’t be cleared of suspicion.

In the year prior to the Lihuo True Monarch’s death, Liang Shaotian had led an attack on a Flame Departing Palace force, causing severe casualties, and had even fought against the Lihuo True Monarch himself.

The Lihuo True Monarch had been heavily wounded, making Liang Shaotian’s ambush all the more likely.

"Liang Shaotian!"

Wang Feng clenched his fist, silently vowing that once he achieved the Immortal Golden Dan and later advanced to the Nascent Soul Realm, he would avenge his master and eradicate the demonic forces.

With his earth spirit root, he had superior aptitude compared to Liang Shaotian’s high-grade spirit root.

Back then Liang Shaotian had only formed an upper-tier True Dan under less-than-ideal conditions.

But Wang Feng was the Flame Departing Palace's only Golden Dan Seed and future Nascent Soul seed, receiving the sect’s utmost resources.

With his grandfather's unwavering support, as long as he achieved the Immortal Golden Dan, he was confident that he would eventually surpass Liang Shaotian!