Xuanjian Xianzu

Chapter 1290 Hidden Treasure Trove
The moonlight was bright.

The clear, bright moonlight streamed into the palace from outside, climbing higher and higher as time passed. Xiao Chuting had taken off the straw raincoat he always wore, revealing his tied-up white hair. His forehead was pressed tightly against the ground, and he remained silent.

He wore a green bamboo hat around his chest and tucked it into his bosom, the newly woven bamboo leaves around the edge shimmering with a deep blue light under the moonlight.

At the head of the main hall, the once-empty seat was now bathed in the shifting moonlight, a dazzling white. The man leaned against the seat, his jade-like fingers tapping lightly and rhythmically on the siderest, revealing his hesitation.

'Xiao Chuting…'

Xiao Chuting relied solely on the meager resources left by his ancestors to navigate between the Jin Yi and Qing Chi families, rising from a lowly alchemist in a declining family to a top-tier master of supernatural powers, now holding sway over Cangzhou, and even having the opportunity to attain enlightenment…

A combination of cunning, skill, opportunity, and the prevailing circumstances is indispensable.

Lu Jiangxian gazed at him quietly.

'It's just that the situation isn't clear enough, and the opportunities aren't strong enough.'

The moment Master Xiao stepped onto Wangyue Lake, Lu Jiangxian took notice of him. He also heard clearly all the conversations between the two masters in the main hall.

How much is true... and how much is false?

Just as Li Zhouwei had doubts, Lu Jiangxian understood one thing:
The question is, why did Zhu Jindan let him come here?

The white-robed immortal gazed at him silently.

Xiao Chuting meant that, in Long's view, the lake needed to intervene and help him achieve his goal of conquering Kan, only then would Long's subordinates have a chance to kill Kan Water True Lord.

But in the eyes of the outside world, who is Lu Jiangxian? Xuan An! Or Xuan An who has already given up the Taiyin artifact and bowed down to collude with the corrupt!
"That's exactly why they were willing to let Xiao Chuting come!"

His gaze was deep and thoughtful as he gently raised his hand.

A cool moonlight shone down, pouring down on the old man, and various scenes began to flow out one by one: the rolling, leaping flames of the elixir, the radiant Xuan Mountain, the towering glaciers, and the Kan River Valley…

All these scenes converged, finally bringing a point of stillness to a standstill.

It was a scene of snow falling from the sky and endless ice. In Xiao Chuting's memory, the vast brilliance was concentrated on the horizon, and the light was astonishingly bright. In all the light, there was only one person standing.

This person was tall and slender, shrouded in a black robe with rippling patterns and feathers, giving off an androgynous air. His long hair cascaded down like a waterfall, and none of his features were particularly noticeable. The only thing that stood out was the object about one or two fingers wide at his waist, which Xiao Chuting dared not look closely at, leaving his vision vaguely obscured.

Most importantly, the person's face was completely blurred.

True Lord.

'Xuan Cang.'

'The True Lord of the Northern Sea Mysterious Palace.'

All memories related to this True Lord were frozen into a blank space, leaving only this scene.

Lu Jiangxian gazed at him.

This was the first time Lu Jiangxian had seen the human form of the True Lord of the Real World. He tried to capture even the slightest trace of his presence from these fragments of memory, but to no avail.

'He was very careful and left no trace.'

'Whom is He guarding against? The dragons? The setting sun?'

Xiao Chuting's words were not without possibility. After all, this Xuancang True Monarch was seriously injured and on the verge of death. Even if he saw him, he would have to keep his aura tightly sealed to prevent his dragon subordinates from spying on him...

'But what if we look at it another way? He didn't even reveal a trace of his divine power, not even his golden position was visible. Who was he afraid of recognizing him? Xiu Yue? Lu Shui?'

'Or...me?'

He could only watch the changing scenery silently, but gained little insight, until the swirling snowflakes came into view, and the young man's voice slowly drifted over:

'The mountain will not approve of a water element being in its proper position and already possessed…'

As the scene focused on the moonlit main seat in the hall, Lu Jiangxian's gaze gradually shifted to something unusual. In truth, Xiao Chuting's words were perfectly crafted; Li Zhouwei would have found it difficult to find any flaws. However, Lu Jiangxian, having grasped many details, had already sensed something amiss:

'There's one place... Xiao Chuting was probably deceived.'

'From the perspective of his future enlightenment, he shouldn't have sought the position of Kan (the fruit tree).'

Back then, when Xiao Chuting brought the "Secret Method of Seeking Transformation of Hidden Dragon" to the lake, Lu Jiangxian thought he was asking for "Fu Water". Although she now understands the truth, Lu Jiangxian's judgment has not changed.

'The remaining position of the Kan Water is still his best choice.'

He felt that there were some obstacles in Yuwei at the time, but now he knows that it is [Kanyi Sihe]. However, Lu Jiangxian also calculated that the so-called Xuancang will borrow the vast sea to give him the opportunity to achieve the Dao, but it is not as easy as imagined.

The Vast Ocean was borrowed, not disappeared. The failure of the Hidden Dragon Seeking Transformation Secret Method means that the Fu Water and the Vast Ocean have gone astray. In fact, it proves that even if it is borrowed, there is still a deep influence between the Kan Water and the Vast Ocean that cannot be directly removed—it may even be impossible to borrow it at all!
This was also what Xiao Chuting was worried about. On the surface, he seemed calm and collected, but Lu Jiangxian knew that it was Chen Yin's failure that made him wary and even somewhat skeptical.

'However, personal factors also play a significant role in breakthroughs in supernatural abilities.' Xiao Chuting couldn't determine whether it was Chen Yin's lack of ability or some lingering influence between the two... He had neither the opportunity nor the possibility to try again.

Even knowing it wasn't good news, he had no choice but to believe unconditionally.

In fact, once the "vast ocean" leaves, the path that is cleared is not only for the fruition position, but also for the remaining space!
The water level in the embankment will also briefly return to normal!
'The highest position requires completeness; as long as the 'Vast Sea' is borrowed rather than returned, its influence remains, and this influence makes Xiao Chuting incomplete! Conversely, the secondary positions don't have such requirements, allowing for slight incompleteness! Moreover, the primary position favors the secondary!'

Although Xiao Chuting's testimony greatly reduced the threat to the Dragon Clan, Lu Jiangxian estimated that given the Dragon Clan's mindset, their motive to kill him wouldn't diminish much, but the same could be said for other enemies...

'That year, Yi said that Luoxia disliked the rightful ruler, but now that she's not only in the rightful position but also manages to annoy those belonging to the dragon faction, it's very likely she intends to protect him.'

More importantly, if one day the "Vast Sea" returns to the Fushui River, Xiao Chuting might even be able to use this to plot his usurpation of the throne!

'In this way, Xiao Chuting would certainly be willing for the 'Vast Sea' to return, but he wouldn't rush its return. This way, he wouldn't go against Xuan Cang's wishes, nor would he offend too many forces in the world, and he would even preserve the path of light.'

This is not hard to figure out. Lu Jiangxian doesn't believe that Xuan Cang couldn't think of it. He just doesn't want to. If he wants Xiao Chuting to become the master, then he must die. In the end, it will only nourish the dragon's subordinates.

'What exactly is Xuancang plotting in his heart...?'

Lu Jiangxian pondered for a moment:
"I only ask for one treasure."

Regardless of Zhenjun's intentions, Xiao Chuting's meaning was actually quite clear.

Given his current situation, it's impossible for him to cultivate another supernatural power or consider other paths. Xiao Chuting has no backing and only has a chance to prove himself by relying on the general trend. With so many eyes watching in Badger County, he can only prove himself as a fruit master!
'If you have any other thoughts, your downfall will be faster than your attainment of enlightenment!'

His meaning is then self-evident:

"Knowing that I possess the Yin-Yang techniques of the lake, and the Mysterious Hidden Method, I can use this to help him, after being killed by the True Dragon, to reclaim his position, whether he recuperates or merely lingers on... he still has a chance to survive..."

'In this way, after attaining enlightenment at Kanshui, the dragon's subordinates killed the True Lord Kanshui on the spot. The weather in heaven and earth also matched the situation, so the objective was achieved, and naturally, no one suspected anything...'

Lu Jiangxian stood with her hands behind her back, staring at him intently.

'And what about you True Lords? Shall we take this opportunity to test whether the Yin energy still exists on the lake?'

For Lu Jiangxian, this move was not difficult, and there was no risk of it being detected; it was a sure-fire way to make money.
"It's nothing more than registering your name!"

The true spirit reflected in the Taiyin Immortal Artifact is already the most advanced Taiyin Mystic Treasury—so advanced that even the True Lords outside cannot detect it!

Whether he can keep his name after he makes the list is another matter. The important thing is that as long as Xiao Chuting succeeds, Lu Jiangxian will essentially get a free opportunity to break through to the Golden Core stage!

'Even if the Inscription Stone isn't as good as the Talisman Seed, as long as he can become a True Lord, I can still get one or two tenths of the reward, which would be a great benefit... not to mention becoming a Kan Water True Lord on the Inscription Stone!'

Moreover, if Xiao Chuting succeeds and can still keep his life, thus prolonging his existence, Lu Jiangxian will essentially have a powerful trump card in her hand!

'Of course, if the dragon is truly not deceiving him and is willing to live in harmony with him, that's good...'

This is the true ruler of the Water Virtue. Based on the connection between the name-ascending stone and Him, it wouldn't be an exaggeration for Lu Jiangxian to suspect that he has obtained a portion of the power of the Water Virtue True Lord!
"The only regret is that the chances of him achieving it are too low. So, even if he doesn't succeed, I won't lose anything... a perfect master with supernatural powers."

He sighed softly, the white light in his hand surging and reflecting on the man. Lu Jiangxian slowly closed his eyes, as if sensing something, and stood with his hands behind his back, silent for a long time.

Xiao Chuting, who was on the ground, had been waiting for a long time, and his heart gradually grew gloomy.

'It seems there really is no more Taiyin magic on the lake…'

But for some reason, the airflow in the entire hall suddenly began to move. Xiao Chuting was slightly shocked and felt a cool moonlight caressing his body. Finally, a mysterious feeling rushed into his mind!
It was as if a clear stream had flowed into his supernatural powers. Shock was evident in Xiao Chuting's pupils. He quickly closed his eyes, calmed his mind, and relaxed his body and mind!

Contrary to his expectations, he did not feel anything, only a slight chill in his heart, and the mysterious feeling slowly faded away.

The old man closed his eyes tightly, suppressing the urge to roar to the sky. He stood up, bowed deeply, put the green bamboo hat back on, and, suppressing his excitement, whispered:
"I will forever remember your kindness, sir..."

Outside his field of vision, the man in white stood silently in front of him, his gaze slightly fixed, a look of shock rising in his pupils.

Indeed, since meeting Xiao Chuting, Lu Jiangxian had not found any clues. He registered his name with the thought that it couldn't hurt, but he still had to deal with the aftermath. However, when he used the registration stone to connect with the true spirit and read Xiao Chuting's memories again, he made an even more shocking discovery.

Incomplete.

Under the influence of the name-reading stone, Xiao Chuting discovered several discrepancies in his memories!

Lu Jiangxian was also a master at manipulating souls. She had not noticed anything even after carefully examining Xiao Chuting's soul with her divine sense. It was only by using the name-reading stone to access Xiao Chuting's true spirit that it became apparent!

When Lu Jiangxian passed through Mount Xuan back then, he had already figured out his limits before he could cultivate a Golden Core—that is, not to touch the Dao Embryo or Immortal Artifacts!
Only now did he belatedly realize what was happening. He stared at it for a long time, the moonlight around him constantly swirling and undulating, and the shock in his eyes was obvious.

'The work of the Daoist embryo?'

Lu Jiangxian suppressed the shock in her heart, silently pressed down on his true spirit, and carefully sensed it. Finally, she noticed a few anomalies in the long river of memories of that soul.

'Add? Unlike…remove? No…'

These areas were almost perfectly smooth, and even gave Lu Jiangxian a vague sense of familiarity:

It is [Tibetan].

'Someone...hid several fragments of his memories...their methods are so sophisticated that even a True Lord in person would be completely unaware.'

In that instant, Lu Jiangxian was truly and deeply shaken, and a resolute determination immediately welled up in her mind:

“This person can’t be Xuan Cang. If he had this ability, he would never be in this situation. This is definitely another Dao Embryo, and he entered the stage earlier than all of them!”

'This probably doesn't seem like something designed for me…'

A game within a game?!

He felt a chill run down his spine.

Is it targeting the dragon family? The Xuancang?

'Which Dao embryo is it? Are there more than two Dao embryos in the world?'

Lu Jiangxian was shocked and horrified by the news. After the initial shock subsided, she calmed down in an instant:

'It may not necessarily be a Dao Embryo... There is another True Lord in this world, who is considered the pinnacle of the [Hidden] Dao, second only to Taiyin.'

That mysterious maiden of the East Sea, the [True Lord of Wonderful Dao Transformation] who has attained enlightenment for a long time, and the [Nine Heavens Mysterious Female Goddess].

Lord of Female Waters!

'He is also of the Water element!'

Lu Jiangxian's eyes turned cold:
'Whether considering motives, status, or supernatural abilities, it's highly likely to be Him.'

This left him frozen in place, speechless for a long time.

'The True Lord of Female Water.'

In fact, based on Chi Buzhi's words and the rumors circulating outside, the relationship between this Goddess of Female Water and Taiyin should be close. Not to mention that many of the traces she left in the world before her enlightenment were related to Taiyin, Female Water, as the water of concealment, is itself closely related to Taiyin.

In Lu Jiangxian's plan, this person was at least neutral, and could even be considered benevolent.

'If He has close ties with the Yuanfu Donghua sect, which controls Taiyin, then it's only natural that He would intervene to arrange things for the remaining Fushui Runwei... It's even possible that He himself guided and lured Xiao Chuting to Wangyue Lake.'

He couldn't help but exclaim in admiration:

'So there was a plan all along! He had secretly planted a trap!'

Lu Jiangxian, stationed here, knew that while the Li family wasn't the main player in this major power struggle at Kanshui, she vaguely sensed the impending storm from the north, and her eyes grew increasingly vivid:

'Everyone displayed their unique abilities; this water-based enlightenment contest was truly a grand spectacle!'