Chapter 8: Langhuan
This was not directed at Chu Xuan, but just a glance was enough to shatter his mortal heart and mind, leaving him with no place to be buried.
With a single finger pointing outward, the fingertip evolved the Dao of Yin and Yang, spinning black and white into a Tai Chi pattern.
But this transformation was beyond Chu Xuan’s perception now, as Primordial Monarch Taixu’s garments obscured his vision, rescuing him from that suffocating oppressive feeling.
In the next instant, a deafening boom echoed!
Ice crystals and snowflakes fell from the sky, while fiery flames erupted from the ground. Within a hundred miles, it alternated between cold and hot, dark and bright, yin and yang. Weak creatures like snakes, insects, rats, and ants were shaken to death, while the remaining birds and beasts shivered, collapsed, and couldn’t move.
Thanks to the protection, Chu Xuan didn’t lose consciousness or become dazed, but he had no idea how Primordial Monarch Taixu counterattacked, only vaguely saw the terrifying aftermath spreading around.
The techniques of the previous two cultivators were child’s play compared to this.
Chu Xuan marveled at the power of high-level cultivators clashing, further yearning for the path of cultivation, thinking to himself, someday I can achieve this too!
In less than three breaths, the phenomena quickly dispersed.
Though it was unclear who won or lost, Chu Xuan was certain Primordial Monarch Taixu hadn’t moved an inch, and the clouds beneath them slowly ascended.
Hehuan Sect fell into dead silence, the woman from before said nothing more, perhaps having suffered a hidden loss.
Once ascending to the layer of fierce winds that blew unceasingly, the clouds sped northward...
Chu Xuan felt both exhilarated and filled with awe for this icy beauty.
What prowess! Despite Hehuan Sect’s initial fault, her actions were effectively a direct slap in the face, snatching him away in victory, leaving the other side to swallow their grievance.
Nonetheless, Chu Xuan let out a sigh of relief, but knew he must exercise caution around Hehuan Sect in the future.
They may not dare act against Primordial Monarch Taixu, but if he couldn’t secure her support and was sent back down the mountain in three months, Hehuan Sect certainly wouldn’t spare him.
Chu Xuan slightly lifted his gaze, close enough to subtly smell the faint fragrance emanating from this fairy. Her posture was graceful and slender, and merely seeing her back invoked boundless imagination.
At that moment, he felt somewhat regretful; after all, in his previous life he was just a newly graduated high school student, never having held a girl’s hand, so he had been a bit captivated earlier on, hoping it wouldn’t tarnish his first impression.
Just then, a snow ermine poked its head out from the woman’s arms, glanced back at Chu Xuan, and whimpered twice.
Seizing the opportunity, Chu Xuan bowed first and calmly asked, "May I ask, Monarch, how did your little ermine get lost earlier?"
"Visiting friends and discussing the Dao, it wandered off on its own due to boredom."
Only then did Chu Xuan realize, and it made sense why it wasn’t found immediately, likely recovered after the discussions concluded.
"Come over," Taixu softly said.
Chu Xuan complied and stepped forward, still not daring to look directly at her.
The icy beauty placed a hand atop his head, and Chu Xuan felt an inexplicable clarity flowing from the top of his head through his entire body, leaving him refreshed.
"Lift your head."
Earlier, the distance and cloud cover made her features unclear to Chu Xuan.
Now, looking up, he held his breath, hoping not to be captivated again by her beauty.
The face before him was delicate and pale, with soft features, a thin and straight nose, eyebrows like curved willow leaves, skin white and fine, and most extraordinary were her eyes.
Her eyes were a crystalline, translucent sapphire blue, complemented by lashes like frost, making her beauty seem otherworldly.
What surprised Chu Xuan was the complex expression in the beauty’s eyes; he couldn’t quite grasp the emotions, only hearing her calmly say, "Your constitution is quite suitable for cultivation, but not the Innate Dao Body."
"This constitution is called Celestial Marrow, naturally aligned with the Dao, extremely rare. In the present age, those who can recognize it should not exceed five."
"Remember, always conceal this secret and claim to have the Innate Dao Body externally, as the manifestations of the two constitutions are very similar, and people generally can’t tell the difference."
Celestial Marrow? Chu Xuan wasn’t quite familiar, but he detected the gravity in Primordial Monarch Taixu’s tone, so he solemnly nodded, "Disciples must remember it at heart."
Upon seeing this, Primordial Monarch Taixu retracted her hand, closed her eyes, and didn’t speak again.
Chu Xuan wisely stepped back, and quietly awaited.
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About two hours later, the clouds descended from the gusty wind layer, below lay a vast expanse of icy snow.
Chu Xuan didn’t feel cold, only widened his eyes at the spectacular view below. Is this the Northern Realm?
This expansive Jiuzhou Land is divided into eastern, western, southern, and northern realms. Chu Xuan’s birthplace, Yunshan area, is located in the eastern realm. In such a short time, they’ve traveled thousands of miles.
The clouds continued north, entering the northernmost part of the Northern Realm, amid perpetual wind and snow, finally reaching a towering, mysterious snowy mountain.
An illusion array seemed to be set here, though Chu Xuan couldn’t comprehend it, knowing only that the clouds turned around and suddenly struck the solid mountain wall!
But as darkness enveloped them, what awaited was an enchanting valley, alive with birdsong and flowers.
Here lay flower gardens and herb plots, spiritual springs and waterfalls; dense forests and bamboo groves, bridges and flowing water. Spiritual Qi saturated nearly to the point of liquefaction; outsiders couldn’t imagine such a paradise existing in this harsh northern land.
The clouds flew onwards, arriving at an ancient cave mansion built into the mountain body, its portal made of white jade, where they landed and dissipated.
Above the mansion hung a plaque bearing four ancient seal characters: Langhuan Grotto Heaven.
This name instantly reminded Chu Xuan of an ancient text, Langhuan Records, he once read in his previous life, describing a hidden repository guarded by two foolish dragons.
Therefore, the Grotto Heaven Blessed Land before him evoked a sense of familiarity.
Following Primordial Monarch Taixu inside, Chu Xuan was surprised to see no one from start to finish.
Could it be that this Monarch wasn’t a Sect Leader or Elder of some super sect, but rather a solitary person?
This elevated Chu Xuan’s impression of her once again, after all, she dared to single-handedly snatch someone from Hehuan Sect.
Relaxing after the snow ermine’s return, it leaped from its owner’s embrace, disappearing in an instant.