Chapter 730: Heaven and Earth in Hand

Inside the courtyard of the former yamen storeroom in Haiping City, Qi Yuantian was utterly frustrated. He had hoped to see where the "Fu" character was being carried by the wind and if there was any chance of recovering it, but he watched it ascend higher and higher, disappearing into the vast sky, making its destination impossible to predict.

Meanwhile, Zhang Shuai, standing beside Qi Yuantian, watched the "Fu" character rise into the heavens, and in a moment of bewilderment, he suddenly understood.

"It's been reclaimed... reclaimed..."

Zhang Shuai murmured a few words, looking utterly crestfallen. The heavy silver in his hands seemed particularly glaring at that moment, and he instinctively tightened his grip on the coins.

Qi Yuantian snapped back to reality. Seeing Zhang Shuai's despondent look, he assumed Zhang was worried he would demand the silver back because the "Fu" character was lost. He forced a smile and offered a word of comfort.

"Brother Zhang, you needn't worry. Our deal is done. The character was blown away because I didn't hold it steady; it's not your fault. I will still take care of the gambling den issue as promised."

Zhang Shuai's smile was even more strained than Qi Yuantian's.

"Yes, thank you, Mr. Qi..."

After speaking, Qi Yuantian still gazed in the direction where the "Fu" character had vanished. Upon closer thought, the timing seemed too coincidental, making him wonder if the character truly belonged to a master. He glanced down at the two copper coins clutched in his palm, shook his head, tucked them into his pocket, and then prepared to handle the gambling den's frame-up. After all, master calligraphy was a mere hobby; his current task was a scholar's path to success and renown.

Perhaps the most oblivious person throughout this entire event was Chen Shou, who remained unaware that the treasure he had coveted had already ascended and departed.

About half an hour later, Qi Yuantian and Zhang Shuai exited the yamen and departed separately. Those who had been monitoring Zhang Shuai from afar, but dared not approach, felt some relief upon seeing him part ways with the Dazhen scholar. However, what they did not know was that soon, soldiers would be gathering in the Dazhen army camp...

In the high sky, cold winds swept through, carrying the "Fu" character higher and higher as it flew southwest. Gradually, its speed began to outpace the wind, accelerating rapidly.

Several streaks of light ascended from the ground, soaring into the air and looking upwards. By the time they reached that altitude, the "Fu" character was already nearing the stratospheric wind layer.

Among these streaks of light, one white beam transformed into a mature woman in a white robe. The other lights, upon seeing her, also halted nearby, revealing figures of various ages, and together they bowed respectfully to the woman.

"Greetings, Madam Bai!" "We didn't expect to see you here!"

Bai Ruo, however, did not immediately turn to them, her attention fixed on the "Fu" character. By then, it had ascended beyond the stratospheric winds, vanishing completely.

'Mr. Ji!'

Bai Ruo bowed solemnly in the direction where the "Fu" character had vanished, then turned to return the greetings of the others.

"My regards."

The other individuals were all among Dazhen's current Celestial Masters. They exchanged glances, and one elderly man cautiously posed a question.

"Madam Bai, what treasure was that just now?"

Bai Ruo smiled and nodded.

"You could say that. However, it holds no great significance for cultivators. If any of you wish to pursue it, please do so. I must take my leave."

With that, Bai Ruo flicked her skirt and flew downwards, leaving the others to exchange bewildered glances. Although they were indeed tempted, they had followed not because they sensed a treasure, but rather because they perceived Bai Ruo's rapidly departing light. How could they possibly sense the "Fu" character now? Moreover, it was best not to invite trouble by venturing into the chaotic stratospheric wind layer.

On the island within the Devouring Beast, not far from Ji Yuan's guesthouse, Lian Baiping sat in the courtyard, his eyes closed in meditation. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, as if he had a premonition. He then began to calculate with his fingers.

"Ah, it seems the Chen family won't be getting that 'Fu' character after all."

Lian Baiping stood up, opened the courtyard gate, and looked towards Ji Yuan's guesthouse nearby. He had a premonition that the "Fu" character would likely return to Mr. Ji, which meant he wouldn't need to perform any further calculations for the Chen family.

After observing Ji Yuan's doorway for a while, Lian Baiping continued his calculations. He then looked up, and through the formation above, he could faintly discern the sky through layers of mist that blurred the line between reality and illusion. It was night, with no moon, but the stars glittered brilliantly.

"Auspicious stars are shining brightly tonight..."

Soon after he spoke, Lian Baiping's heart stirred, and he looked again at Ji Yuan's courtyard. Previously, there had been no active formations or other movements there, but a subtle, unique Dao essence had always permeated the area. Now, that feeling was rapidly dissipating.

He knew without needing to calculate that this phenomenon most likely signaled Mr. Ji's imminent emergence from his seclusion.

The Dao essence was indeed fading rapidly, but this did not mean Ji Yuan had finished his textual derivations. On the contrary, Ji Yuan appeared to be reaching the most critical juncture.

At this moment, Ji Yuan held his wolf-hair brush poised above the table. All the subtle Dao essences seemed to be shifting into various forms and emitting diverse, invisible lights. This entire phenomenon was slowly contracting, converging onto the very tip of the wolf-hair brush.

The moment all auras vanished, Ji Yuan slowly lowered his brush, writing: "Form spans heaven and earth, the universe within grasp."

As Ji Yuan completed his final stroke, the Xuan paper already on the table began to emit a soft, ethereal glow.

The entirety of *Sleeve Universe* was merely a derived work, not a complete book. Some sections might even appear chaotic when combined, yet it had truly enabled Ji Yuan to fully realize the divine ability he had long yearned for.

The moment all the derivative texts glowed, Ji Yuan himself felt a sublimation of principles. The magical energy throughout his body, unusually, experienced slight fluctuations. Within the Mountain and River of Intentions, the alchemical furnace spouted plumes of smoke and fire. Unlike the fierce and terrifying ordinary Samadhi True Fire, these appeared as a smooth, reddish-grey ribbon, emitting black, white, and red light. This ribbon floated above the mountain peak where the alchemical furnace resided, drifting even towards the golden bridge.

In the guesthouse, Ji Yuan felt a subtle warmth spread through his body, followed by a peculiar surge of energy rising from his back. The reddish-grey ribbon appeared to pass through his form, yet it did not manifest as a tangible object. Instead, faint black, white, and red lights briefly shimmered.

Ji Yuan paid no heed to any of the phenomena manifesting both within and outside his body. He remained focused on the derivative texts before him, which now shimmered in a hazy light. As his gaze swept across them, some characters on the pages flickered in and out of sight, while others radiated light, and Ji Yuan's comprehension of "Sleeve Universe" deepened significantly.

At a certain moment, all the derivative texts began to change color. The paper grew increasingly dim, while the characters upon it became more luminous. Then, the paper disintegrated into fine ash, but the characters remained, gradually transforming into wisps of faint, glowing smoke that drifted towards Ji Yuan.

Strand by strand, piece by piece, all the smoky wisps merged into Ji Yuan's body.

"Phew... as of today, it's finally more than just a slightly peculiar storage ability!"

Ji Yuan let out a long breath, a smile spreading across his face. He had contemplated "Sleeve Universe" for a long time, but it had only ever been an idea. Even after some initial progress, he had been reluctant to casually mention it. Now that it was finally complete, regardless of whether its effect rivaled Zhen Yuanzi's power, and without dwelling on whether it would become a black hole for spiritual energy, it was at least truly functional.

He looked down to see the paper ashes had just settled on the ground. With a flick of his sleeve, Ji Yuan pulverized the ashes completely, turning them into part of the soil beneath the courtyard's greenery.

"Not bad. Only a little over two months have passed, and we still have some distance to Nanhuang Continent."

Murmuring to himself, Ji Yuan walked to the courtyard gate and opened it. Just outside, Lian Baiping, who had been holding a pose for quite some time, now perfectly bowed to Ji Yuan, cupping his hands in a respectful greeting.

"I knew auspicious stars were shining brightly today! So, Mr. Ji has emerged from seclusion. This junior merely happened to pass by and was fortunate enough to witness this scene. Truly, a wonderful twist of fate!"

Ji Yuan couldn't really call his words an exaggeration. Although he knew the long-bearded elder had been standing outside for at least a quarter of an hour, such a brief period was indeed considered a chance encounter among cultivators.

"Fellow Daoist Lian, there's no need for such formality. I've gained a bit, and it's time to come out and stretch my limbs."

"Sir, would you be able to reveal the nature of your seclusion? Was it the realization of a new Dao, or...?"

Knowing Ji Yuan's character, Lian Baiping felt no qualms about asking so directly. Ji Yuan smiled and answered truthfully.

"I have a profound divine ability that always felt a bit incomplete. This time, by serendipitous chance, I gained insight, and it is now truly perfected."

"Oh..."

Lian Baiping actually wanted to ask for the specific divine ability, but he deemed it excessive and suppressed his curiosity.

The stir caused by Ji Yuan's emergence from seclusion was also sensed by Ju Yuanzi, who had already come out to offer greetings and congratulations. The three then naturally journeyed together to the back of the Devouring Beast to gaze at the stars.

Meanwhile, as Ji Yuan and the others enjoyed the starry night sky, in Ju'an Pavilion in Ning'an County, Dazhen, Zao Niang, who was reading in the courtyard, suddenly froze.

"Huh?"

Zao Niang looked up at the sky. A faint streak of light appeared above her head. Moments later, a "Fu" character fluttered down, swaying gently as it landed on the stone table in Ju'an Pavilion's courtyard.

"Master's character!"

Zao Niang looked at the "Fu" character with curiosity. After a moment's thought, she realized that Chinese New Year was approaching, and it would be perfect to paste it on the courtyard gate.