Fellow Daoist Entrusts His Child: Immortality Begins with Nurturing a Demoness

Chapter 73 A Treasure Hunted, On the Eve of Departure (Parts 1 & 2)
After watching Luo Fanchen leave, Li Miaoyun pursed her lips slightly, a hint of worry in her eyes.

She felt she was pushing her luck and might offend the adults today, but she was also pushed to the brink.

In just three short years, it is unlikely that Lord Luo will be able to gain sufficient experience and skill. Unless one establishes a deep bond with him that goes far beyond friendship, it will be difficult to obtain protection from Lord Luo, after all, the trouble caused by the clan is no small matter.

She is a true disciple of the Daoist sect. In terms of status alone, she is even higher than Sister Ruoxue. Even the orthodox Xuanmen sect would have to give her some respect.

"We can only start with Mo Xue. In just three years, it will be difficult for you to establish your foundation and return to your sect."

Li Miaoyun murmured, "The Xuanzhang passed down by the Xuanmen does not have an advantage in the early stages of cultivation; on the contrary, it is rather slow."

It is unlikely that he will be able to establish a foundation and return to his sect within three years to continue his cultivation of the next stage of the lineage.

She picked up the jade cup with her delicate hand, and the fragrant spiritual tea overflowed the rim of the cup. Only after filling it did she realize that it was the cup that Luo Fanchen had used.

Her eyes flickered as she stared blankly at the almost transparent lip print on the rim of the glass. After a moment's hesitation, she drank it all in one gulp.

"The greatest opportunity that Master gave me was to agree to let Mo Xue become his disciple."

Li Miaoyun stood up, her body protected by a blue aura, and in the next instant she appeared in a private room deep in the pavilion. Inside, Mo Xue was sitting cross-legged, breathing exercises. Her beautiful eyes were slightly closed, she looked delicate and lovely, and there were still some oil stains left on the corners of her lips from the spiritual banquet.

"Master, Master?"

Mo Xue woke up with a start, timidly lowering her head. She was still quite reserved in front of this Foundation Establishment Master.

From childhood to adulthood, only Master Luo and Qiu Yun have earned her trust.

"I came to see you and to make a plan for your future cultivation. I hope I haven't bothered you?"

Li Miaoyun smiled and gently helped Mo Xue, who was trying to bow, to sit down beside her. After obtaining the girl's consent, she used her true essence to examine the meridians in the girl's body, discerning her cultivation level, while speaking with concern.

"How far has Mo Xue's true essence been transformed?"

"Eighty percent."

"Eighty percent?"

Li Miaoyun was slightly taken aback, while Mo Xue tilted her head in confusion, looking as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Back then, Master Luo was able to convert all of his Yi Wood True Essence in one night, while she only managed to convert about 80% in almost two days, making her feel guilty and afraid of being scolded.

"No, it's almost finished transforming. I'm at the third level of Qi Refining. My cultivation is progressing so fast."

As her perception deepened, Li Miaoyun's brows furrowed. She was astonished to discover that Mo Xue's true essence was sharp and explosive, far surpassing ordinary golden true essence in terms of killing power, and her cultivation was also progressing rapidly.

Her last perception was at the second level of Qi Refining, so logically, her cultivation level should drop when she transforms her skills.

Mo Xue not only broke through to the third level of Qi Refining, but also opened her sixth acupoint, the "Four Full" acupoint, at a speed she had never seen before in her life.

"Mo Xue condensed a wisp of golden essence."

Li Miaoyun's fox-like eyes sparkled, and her heart began to pound. She held Mo Xue's hand carefully, as if she were holding a fragile pearl.

Mo Xue was flattered and surprised. Remembering Master Luo's instructions to trust Li Miaoyun, she slowly gathered a wisp of golden true essence.

"This is true essence? No, it's dominated by sword energy, with golden true essence just playing a supporting role."

Li Miaoyun quickly discerned the clues: the true essence was as sharp as a sword, with a faint clanging sound of swords reaching her ears, indicating that it was not ordinary golden true essence.

She's almost reached the point of fully comprehending sword intent. Mo Xue is indeed a genius. No, even a high-grade Golden Fire spiritual root couldn't do that.

Mo Xue's constitution is problematic!

"Mo Xue, how well have you grasped the Three-Part Yuan Qi Sword Technique that I taught you?"

"I've almost learned it, but some parts are still a bit rusty. It's a little more difficult than the sword techniques I've encountered before."

Mo Xue frowned slightly and lowered her head in embarrassment. Had she embarrassed Master Luo?

Master Luo's cultivation of magic and study of talismans are much faster than hers.

"Show me what you've got."

Li Miaoyun's lips trembled slightly. She shakily released her hand and stared intently at Mo Xue.

The Three-Part Yuanqi Sword was a low-grade magic scroll she gave to Mo Xue. This sword is difficult to distinguish between real and illusory, and it is as swift as the wind, making it impossible to defend against. Therefore, it requires extremely high skill in circulating qi, connecting the three main meridians. It is considered one of the more difficult techniques among low-grade magic scrolls.

She gave this method to Mo Xue, and in no more than seven days, she had almost mastered it.

What a joke! She was once a disciple of the Incense Burning Sect, and although she was only a nominal outer disciple, she was still considered a genius in this desolate place.

Back then, with the assistance of the Foundation Establishment Elder, it took her three months to barely complete the Qi circulation for this sword technique.

Mo Xue hesitated for a moment, as she had not fully mastered the sword technique and was afraid of making a fool of herself.

Under Li Miaoyun's encouraging and expectant gaze, he finally mustered his courage and began to concentrate his sword intent.

"sword--"

Li Miaoyun deliberately gave up most of the space for Mo Xue to use her skills, but the girl casually made a sword gesture with her hands, and several wisps of invisible sword intent appeared out of thin air and entangled her fingertips, switching between reality and illusion at will.

"I'm not very skilled yet, so I can't do it instantly. It takes about five breaths to circulate my qi."

"I was mainly delayed by my cultivation practice; it should be ready in another day or two."

Mo Xue murmured, her voice lacking confidence, as she secretly observed Li Miaoyun out of the corner of her eye.

The Foundation Establishment Fairy's breathing became increasingly rapid, her trembling hands barely able to hold the teacup. After taking several deep breaths, she managed to stop her trembling shoulders and gave her a stiff smile.

It wasn't that Li Miaoyun lacked self-control; it was simply that Mo Xue's talent was too astonishing.

She mastered the sword technique in seven days and used it with ease, at least close to mastery. At the same time, her true essence transformation was almost perfect, and she combined it with her own understanding of the sword path to enhance the killing power of the Golden Essence True Essence. If Sister Xue had been young, she probably wouldn't have been able to reach Mo Xue's level.
Sword energy takes shape, sword intent resides in the heart, no sword is the form, the heart and sword form the domain, the sword breaks through all laws.

In the five realms of swordsmanship, most sword cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage are stuck at the realm of sword qi. Both talent and hard work are indispensable for sword cultivation. Mo Xue clearly possesses both, and if it weren't for the restrictions on her cultivation, she would have already condensed sword intent.

His talent is somewhat similar to one of the legendary sword skills, namely, "Sword Bone".

"That's not quite right. Sword Bone is just a special physique; it doesn't have such miraculous effects."

Li Miaoyun paced back and forth, feeling both delighted and somewhat worried.

Her pretty face softened, and she asked eagerly, "How long has Mo Xue been cultivating her sword skills?"

"About six months, I guess?"

Mo Xue pursed her lips and pondered. She should have formally started learning swordsmanship after following Master Luo. Waving tree branches to drive away vicious dogs when she was a child should not count.

"Phew—with Mo Xue today, I have no worries!"

Li Miaoyun smiled, all the worries that had been weighing on her heart for the past few days vanishing.

If she weren't afraid of scaring the girl, she probably would have excitedly danced a couple of times.

Sword Bone is a talent that was awakened by chance and acquired later in life. It requires continuous practice of swordsmanship to reveal its miraculous effects. Mo Xue has only been practicing swordsmanship for half a year, and she could not have achieved her current level of swordsmanship by relying solely on Sword Bone.

Born this way, a natural talent for swordsmanship!

This is an immortal physique, a rare find among hundreds of thousands of cultivators across the vast Eight Desolations, far surpassing ordinary physiques, and the most skilled immortal physique in combat.

Even with ordinary sword bones, one can gain the opportunity to enter the Guiyuan Sword Sect for trials without participating in the Ascension Ceremony. The trials will be personally conducted by a Core Formation True Person, and those who pass will be directly admitted to the sect and given special attention.

The current chief disciple and true disciple of the Guiyuan Sword Sect possesses both sword bone and sword heart physiques. As for the innate sword bone, it is far superior to the two combined. With this physique, one can directly join the Sword Sect and become an inner disciple, receiving personal instruction from a True Monarch. The Sword Sect will also reward the recommender with Foundation Establishment spiritual items and a large amount of rewards.

"As long as Mo Xue advances to the Heavenly Dou realm and catches the attention of the Guiyuan Sword Sect, she will definitely be able to join the Daoist sect!"

Li Miaoyun's fox-like eyes gleamed slightly, her pretty face showing both excitement and some worry.

Guiyuan Sword Sect and Fenxiang Sect jointly govern Xunhuang and control the Fuyou and Chuanyun domains, which is too close to her clan.

Completely within the sphere of influence of that Daoist master, even if Mo Xue becomes an inner disciple before forming her core, it would be difficult to protect her, let alone the fact that the two families are on good terms and protecting her would mean sacrificing a great deal of benefit.

If Mo Xue were to join the Luoshen Pavilion, there is a considerable chance that she would be rejected and her sword bone talent would be buried.

Among the orthodox sword cultivators of the Eight Desolations, only the Guiyuan Sword Sect and the Zixiao Sect are considered the most prestigious.

"Mo Xue has great talent and will definitely be able to join the Daoist sect in the future. I will help you."

After a long internal struggle, Li Miaoyun finally sighed. The price Mo Xue paid for protecting her was too high. She wasn't shameless enough to ask for help; it would be taking advantage of someone in distress.

She pursed her lips in deep thought, and quickly set a direction for the little girl: "From now on, Mo Xue will focus on swordsmanship and secondarily on magic techniques."

"If you choose the path of sword cultivation, then when you ascend to immortality, prioritize Guiyuan Sword Sect."

"don't want."

Mo Xue pouted, humming and tilting her chin slightly: "The Guiyuan Sword Sect is so far away from Master Luo, I want to join the Luoshen Pavilion and protect Master Luo!"

"The Luoshen Pavilion cultivates the supreme path of detachment from emotions. Can Mo Xue forget her bond with Mr. Luo?"

"Isn't there also the principle of reason?"

Mo Xue raised her eyebrows slightly, her little face tense and wrinkled.

"The Way of Harmony has long been lost to the world. No one in the Luoshen Pavilion has learned the Way of Harmony for thousands of years. Without the inheritance, Mo Xue naturally cannot learn it either."

"Then let's not go to Luoshen Pavilion, I'll go to Longxiang Mountain, that's closer!"

"Dragon Elephant Mountain is a place for body cultivation, and Mo Xue doesn't want to become even stronger than Yun Biaotou, does she?"

Upon hearing this, Mo Xue's face fell, and her drooping shoulders trembled as if from a chill.

"Then... let's go to the Guiyuan Sword Sect. I'll knock Master Luo unconscious and tie him up then."

Mo Xue muttered to herself, hesitating for a long time before finally deciding on her course of action. What kind of bullshit Dao of Forgetting Emotions was this? Forgetting the most important bonds and feelings—wouldn't she have wasted her cultivation? Putting the cart before the horse.

"bundle"

Li Miaoyun's lips moved silently, then she couldn't help but smile: "I'm afraid Mo Xue can't beat Lord Luo, can she?"

"Master, can you help me?"

Mo Xue blinked, and Li Miaoyun gently shook her head: "Mo Xue is diligent in her cultivation. If she breaks through to the late stage of Qi Refining in three years, she may still have a chance."

"If I help you, I might just snatch him away with you!"

Li Miaoyun got excited and winked at Mo Xue, finding it quite amusing to tease the girl.

Upon hearing this, Mo Xue looked Li Miaoyun up and down, a hint of hostility appearing in her almond-shaped eyes, before she helplessly lowered her head.

Slender branches and abundant fruit, tall and well-proportioned—she will probably never be associated with those two words in her life.

"Since we are master and disciple, I will do my best to help you advance to the Heavenly Dou level. At the same time, if Mo Xue joins the Guiyuan Sword Sect, I also have a request."

Li Miaoyun hesitated for a moment, then rubbed the rim of the cup with her fingertips and spoke in a daze. Mo Xue silently watched her with her almond-shaped eyes, waiting for what she would say next.

Master Luo said that Li Miaoyun must have something in mind. If it doesn't affect his future cultivation, he can weigh the pros and cons.

"My clan is adjacent to the Guiyuan Sword Sect. If you join the sect in the future, I can offer you some protection and say a few good words without affecting you. That would be a fair exchange between us as master and disciple."

"It's just the family, what about your master?"

Mo Xue looked puzzled. She naturally knew that this cheap master was in a precarious situation. According to Master Luo's thinking, this master would probably ask her to protect him first.

"I am a Foundation Establishment cultivator, so Mo Xue doesn't need to worry."

Li Miaoyun's eyes were filled with worry, but a faint smile appeared on her lips.

The sky is high and the road is long. She has the cultivation of Foundation Establishment, so if it is impossible, it is not difficult to escape Feiyunfang with the help of Ruoxue.

If all else fails, being a rogue cultivator is fine too. Once Lord Luo gains power, she'll have a chance to turn things around based on our current relationship.

As night deepened, the wailing of vengeful ghosts echoed.

When Luo Fanchen returned to the mansion, faint, mournful howls could be heard emanating from Old Man Wang's former residence, along with the incessant crackling sound of flesh being thrown into hot oil.

Perhaps the noise was too loud, because after a while, a small head peeked out from inside the room timidly; it was Xiao Cui.

When the little girl's eyes met Luo Fanchen's, she lowered her head shyly, gave him a grateful and cheerful smile, bowed respectfully, and then retreated back into the house. A few breaths later, the old, hoarse cries of pleas for mercy echoed in his ears once again.

Luo Fanchen felt refreshed and his breathing became smoother that night.

His true essence had recovered to its peak, and without slacking off for even a moment, he continued to advance towards the seventh level of Qi Refining.

After meeting Li Miaoyun, he was so enraged that he sat cross-legged and closed his eyes to practice breathing exercises until dawn.

The sixth level of Qi Refining primarily focuses on opening the Yin Wei Meridian and purifying the kidney essence. Starting from the Zhubin acupoint, it passes through the Chongmen, Daheng, Fuai, Qimen, Tiantu, and finally reaches the Lianquan acupoint, totaling seven main acupoints and four auxiliary acupoints.

He has now secured the entrance to the guest chamber and is now opening it up.

After his true essence became abundant, it became much easier for him to open up his acupoints, but his breathing speed was still slightly inferior to that of ordinary sect disciples.

As dawn broke and the Lesser Yang had passed, Luo Fanchen slowly opened his eyes, heated up the remaining spiritual food, and called upon Qiuyun.

The girl rubbed her eyes, still sleepy. She covered her mouth and yawned as she sat down next to Luo Fanchen. She propped her chin up and sniffed at Uncle Luo. Immediately, her eyebrows furrowed slightly, and her beautiful eyes became noticeably more alert.

The scent of other women.

"Mo Xue will be back tonight. I need to tidy up some things. I'm going to the black market in a couple of days to start working on the Soul Banner."

"Won't this affect Uncle Luo?"

Qiu Yun regained some consciousness, her eyes showing considerable worry.

As the Soul Banner's rank increases, the karmic burden brought about by its sublimation also intensifies, which she fears might affect Uncle Luo's cultivation.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. It's a bit boring without Qiuyun by my side."

"I'm just a little tired, but my soul is at peace. I'll be fine in two or three months."

"I get lonely in a couple of months, too."

Luo Fanchen gently rubbed Qiu Yun's head, feeling an intense urgency to improve his strength.

His recent interactions with Li Miaoyun and Ming Ruoxue have unintentionally fueled his ambition, and he is extremely eager for power.

As Mo Xue begins to show her talent, the troubles she will encounter will only increase, and her opponents will become stronger and stronger. He must break through to the late stage of Qi Refining as soon as possible in order to be confident in protecting Mo Xue.

"Avoid competing with the four major Daoist clans; disciples of affiliated sects are no match for me at the same level!"

(End of this chapter)