006. The Unbreakable Seal

No one paid any attention to Lingyu; the five were already locked in a furious battle. In the current cultivation world, resources were not truly scarce, but the very best were monopolized by the Three Great Daoist Temples. The next tier was divided among the various sects, and what ended up in the hands of ordinary disciples and family cultivators was the lowest grade, not to mention those who practiced independently.

Even more terrifying than the monopoly on resources was their stranglehold on the transmission of knowledge. Even the most basic Nourishing Essence Pills, or the simplest Spirit-Gathering Array—save for the great temples, such things were never seen elsewhere.

The widespread popularity of talisman arts was precisely because of this. First, talismans were easy to learn; second, the materials were simple—a basic spirit talisman required only talisman paper and cinnabar; third, talisman arts had long been in circulation, so even mundane priests could draw a few charms for peace and safety.

Besides this, there were magical artifacts. The true methods for crafting such treasures were, of course, never revealed by the great temples. Still, what Daoist would be without the proper attire? Daoist robes, compasses, treasure mirrors, and peachwood swords—these were the standard equipment for any disciple.

Thus, when cultivators dueled, they essentially relied on two means: talisman against talisman, or sword against sword.

Of those present, only Feiyun’s artifacts were unusual; the others followed this pattern. The peachwood swords wielded by Ying Xiude and Ji Xiuming were made by authentic inherited methods, far superior to those of ordinary cultivators, thanks to their powerful sect. Gongsun Yan used a magic sword in concert with talisman arts; Xuanchenzi, being a talisman master, naturally fought with talismans as his main weapon.

Many years later, Lingyu would witness the true world of immortals and realize this battle was unremarkable. But now, as a novice acolyte of a wild little temple, seeing supernatural powers for the first time, his heart was filled with awe.

More than that, his familiar master seemed suddenly to become a different person, leaving him uneasy. Were the things his master had said true? Did his master really no longer want him or the spirit stone?

While he stood dazed, Xuanchenzi unleashed a constant stream of talismans, the two with the wooden swords fought fiercely, Gongsun Yan remained steady and composed, while Feiyun seized every opening.

Xuanchenzi’s cultivation was plainly higher, and his talismans were unpredictable. The first to fall was Ji Xiuming; having already lost an arm, he could not hold out long. Next was Gongsun Yan, who, lacking a unique technique and having exhausted much of his true essence, was struck down by a talisman at Xuanchenzi’s perfect moment. Then Feiyun, whose artifacts excelled at ambushes but not defense—Xuanchenzi, suffering a sword wound from Ying Xiude, finally forced her into serious injury.

By this time, both Xuanchenzi and Ying Xiude were gravely wounded. Xuanchenzi, having been hurt by artifact and talisman earlier, survived only by his endless supply of talismans. As for Ying Xiude, he was already the most powerful among the four.

“Daoist Ying,” Xuanchenzi pressed a talisman to his wound, staunching the blood, and said, “now, only you and I remain with any strength.”

Ying Xiude fared no better, his body marked by talisman burns. Had he not just swallowed a pill, he might already have been worn down by Xuanchenzi—such was the advantage of being a temple disciple. Precious items like medicinal pills were beyond the reach of Gongsun Yan and Feiyun, despite their own standing.

“I may be alone, but you’re not in much better shape!” Ying Xiude gripped his peachwood sword tightly.

But Xuanchenzi replied, “Daoist Ying, you misunderstand. What I mean is that if we continue, we will both be ruined. Why not call a truce?”

Ying Xiude paused, puzzled.

A faint smile on his face, Xuanchenzi’s gaze swept over the three fallen figures. “Sharing treasure among four, I would never agree. But with just one other...”

He left the sentence hanging. The others either sucked in a cold breath or stared in shock.

“Senior brother!” Ji Xiuming cried, “Don’t fall for his trick!”

“Daoist Ying…” Gongsun Yan called.

Xuanchenzi spoke unhurriedly: “If you insist on fighting me, I can only choose mutual destruction. If we both perish, those three will survive. Tell me—whose hands will the treasure fall into then?”

In just a few words, he struck straight at the heart. Indeed, cultivators would risk their lives for treasure, but no one wished to die only to see the prize fall to another. Xuanchenzi had described precisely the scenario Ying Xiude dreaded most.

If that were the case, why continue to fight?

Ying Xiude’s gaze glided slowly over the three gravely wounded figures. Feiyun, identity shrouded in mystery, enshrined at the Prince Cheng’s residence, whom he’d met once before; Gongsun Yan, head of the Gongsun family, an acquaintance through deliberate connection; last, his junior brother, a long-time companion at Xianglin Temple, with whom he’d faced countless hardships…

Xuanchenzi continued, “Now, those three are no longer a threat. If we stop here, you’ll gain more than if four share, and I’ll lose less than if five do. What do you say?”

Ying Xiude was silent for a long time.

At length, he said, “I can leave the others, but I cannot abandon my junior brother.” His words betrayed a willingness to give up on Feiyun and Gongsun Yan.

Hearing this, Ji Xiuming relaxed, a flush in his eyes: “Senior brother…”

Feiyun and Gongsun Yan both felt a surge of resentment.

Xuanchenzi wore a troubled look, hesitated, then said, “Daoist Ying, you and I are evenly matched. I’m not too aggrieved to divide things with you, but your junior brother… Unless you two settle for only half.”

Ying Xiude gritted his teeth. “Half it is!” He knew well that his junior brother was incapacitated; three-way division was impossible. And Xuanchenzi was too shrewd to allow them such advantage.

Ji Mingxiu was moved: “Senior brother, you saved my life today. I want none of it—the treasures are yours!”

Ying Xiude nodded. “We are brothers; wealth is but an external thing.”

Xuanchenzi smiled, a peculiar glint in his eye. “Then… let’s do it.”

Ying Xiude said, “You do it—I won’t stop you.”

Xuanchenzi shook his head with a smile. “If I act, I’d expose a weakness. Only if we act together can I be at ease.”

“You—” Ying Xiude glared at Xuanchenzi. His ties with Feiyun and Gongsun Yan were shallow; he could let them die, but to kill them himself—this was difficult.

Xuanchenzi said, “Daoist, if we’re to cooperate, you must show a little sincerity, don’t you think?”

Before Ying Xiude could answer, Gongsun Yan shouted, “Daoist Ying, don’t be fooled! He’s lain in wait here for three years—who knows how many traps he’s set? With the four of us here, even wounded as we are, he must be cautious. But if only you two remain, and Ji Daoist is powerless, he’ll devour you in the end!”

Ying Xiude hesitated.

Gongsun Yan, seeing his resolve falter, pressed on, “On the other hand, if you stall a while longer, and we focus on healing, when the four of us strike together, how could he possibly survive?”

Xuanchenzi did not argue, only said, “Daoist Ying, the choice is yours alone.”

Ying Xiude looked from Gongsun Yan to Xuanchenzi and stood uncertain, unable to decide.

As the stalemate dragged on, Lingyu suddenly felt a gust of wind; someone seized him, and an icy hand clamped around his throat.

“Xuanchenzi.” Feiyun’s cold voice sounded. “Tell me—if I squeeze, will this child’s neck snap instantly?”

The grip on his neck was crushing; Lingyu’s legs kicked wildly as his eyes rolled back. Xuanchenzi narrowed his eyes, then smiled. “Why not try, Fairy Feiyun? He’s just a mortal, after all.”

“You really don’t care, do you?” Feiyun sneered. Gravely wounded, her face was pale, her former elegance diminished. “But is that truly the case?”

Lingyu, choking and dizzy, could only listen to their exchange, thinking silently: Master, do you really not care? Or is your indifference meant only to protect us?

Feiyun’s grip remained tight, her gaze fixed on Xuanchenzi. Slowly, she spoke, “It’s not strange that you’d lie in wait here and take in a couple of acolytes as cover. But what is strange—these two children, their talent is extraordinary!” She turned to Gongsun Yan, who sat cross-legged, “Old Gongsun, don’t you agree?”

A peculiar light flashed in Gongsun Yan’s sharp eyes, vanishing in an instant. “Indeed! Barely into their teens, and already stepping onto the path of cultivation. Give them another year or two, and they’ll truly enter the Dao. Heh! To set foot on the path before fifteen—that’s the dividing line between elite and common disciples in the great temples. These two are even earlier. Remarkable talent!”

Xuanchenzi sighed softly. “When I encountered these children, I thought of passing on my teachings. Three years of instruction, and I did my best. I never expected today’s calamity…”

His words brimmed with regret. It was easy to understand—a disciple was precious, but one’s own immortality was more so. This was the secret treasure vault of the Duke of Chu; what cultivator in the world would abandon such an opportunity for a disciple? More disciples could always be taken on; no matter their talent, could one truly expect to ascend through another’s efforts?

Xuanchenzi’s words were flawless, yet Feiyun did not relent. She laughed coldly. “Is that so? Then why, after three years, have you still not taken the treasure and left? Is it because the treasure here cannot be taken at all?”

At these words, Xuanchenzi’s expression finally changed, his smile slowly fading.

“Yes.” After a long pause, he said quietly, “In these three years, I have been unable to remove the treasure, precisely because it cannot be taken!”

“Ah!” Ying Xiude and Ji Xiuming both gasped softly. That a hidden treasury would be sealed was common sense. But Xuanchenzi was a talisman master of astonishing skill—if even he could not break the seal after three years, then the seal here must be…

“With the means of the Baishui Temple, would the treasure’s seal be simple? Were it not so, you would find only an empty vault before you now.” He smiled again. “Fellow Daoists, I do not boast, but if I cannot undo the seal, no other talisman master will. Do you still wish to fight me for it?”

_____

Updates should resume soon. But it’s still the New Year—visiting relatives, feasting and drinking—so updates remain irregular. Thank you for understanding. Wishing everyone a happy Spring Festival and a prosperous Year of the Snake.