Chapter 916: 求救者紫玉

Ji Yuan knew, however, that this was far from the peak of these changes. Perhaps twenty years later, after a generation had adapted, these transformations would truly manifest their intended effects, and the various branches of literary and martial arts would blossom brilliantly. Even so, the current situation was already extremely rare and valuable.

Ji Yuan had no intention of visiting the Xia Yong Imperial Palace. As he had thought from the start, Buddhism and Daoism were more prosperous here, overshadowing the later Immortal Dao forces, at least in the capital. Ji Yuan could clearly feel the Buddha's light emanating from the pagoda even on the city streets.

Ji Yuan was very pleased to see this, especially since the cultivator surnamed Tang, who had competed with Zuo Wuji for Li Feng, had an unclear relationship with Zhu Yan and did not seem to be acting under Zhu Yan's coercion.

Although many Immortal Sects in the Southern Wilderness had ambiguous relationships or agreements with the Southern Wilderness Great Mountain, Ji Yuan understood that Immortal Dao cultivators across the land had their own ambitions and philosophies. He expected many to stand against him in the future.

Ji Yuan did not linger in the capital of Xia Yong. There was no one he wished to see in the city, so he left directly. Jin Jia, being simple-minded, certainly remembered the old blacksmith's kindness after leaving the forge but didn't know how to repay it. Ji Yuan, as his respected master, naturally had to help.

There was no need for anything too exaggerated. He would simply inform the local deities to ensure the blacksmith received good fortune after death, or he could bestow a piece of magical power.

While Ji Yuan was en route to Kuinan, Xuan Jizi's spirit-transmitting flying sword appeared in the sky, heading directly towards him. Ji Yuan detected the sword's presence at the same moment and, with a raised hand, drew the sword light down from the heavens.

The flying sword landed in his hand. Ji Yuan held it for a long time, receiving crucial information from the past seven years, which sometimes made him frown and at other times relax.

"Even with my seven years of travel, it seems I cannot change the various trends."

Sighing softly, Ji Yuan sent back a spiritual message of "no worries" via the flying sword, then used a sword spell to send it back into the heavens, flying towards Tianji Pavilion with the speed of chasing stars and catching the moon.

At approximately the same time, True Immortal Yang Ming of Yuhuai Mountain was leading his two disciples, Shang Yiyi and Guan He, to the nearest immortal port. They were coming from Tianji Pavilion and were on their way back to Yuhuai Mountain.

Yuhuai Mountain had now gained considerable fame in the cultivation world. Riding the coattails of Da Zhen's Feng Chan ceremony, it instantly became a recognized cultivation holy land blessed by heaven and earth. The benefits were more than just a resounding name; countless immortal mansions and sects were secretly displeased, and many cultivation families wanted to forge ties with Yuhuai Mountain.

In recent years, news of Tianji Pavilion's reopening spread rapidly, and cultivators from various immortal mansions came to pay their respects. Although Yuhuai Mountain was not a sect led by a sect master but a loose cultivation holy land, it had been working tirelessly to secure its destiny and presence in the cultivation world.

With the help of Tianji Pavilion, the array diagrams for the immortal mansion's flying boat had long been completed. Two boats were being refined simultaneously, and their completion was merely a matter of consecration time. They would also incorporate Yuhuai Mountain's unparalleled Grand Void method.

Concurrently, Yuhuai Mountain was preparing for the establishment of an immortal port internally, while externally, it actively visited various immortal mansions and ports and was even preparing to establish a trading house presided over by the Wei family.

Yuhuai Mountain's proactive attitude seemed to "rejuvenate" some of the cultivators within the sect. They showed enthusiasm for working together for the sect's honor and disgrace, which also spurred activity among friendly sects.

As disciples who would bear significant responsibilities for Yuhuai Mountain's next generation, True Immortal Yang Ming often brought his two disciples with him to expose them to various matters. While some immortal cultivators could focus solely on cultivation, the path of most immortal cultivators was not smooth and uneventful. Interacting with diverse people and events was also a form of cultivation and training.

"Master, are you really going to be the chief steward of our Yuhuai Mountain's first flying boat?"

Guan He and Shang Yiyi had not known about this until they overheard their master talking with someone from Tianji Pavilion. Guan He had been quite excited since finding out and finally asked.

"Indeed, the sect has decided. You two will naturally follow me, but the rotation every few years has not yet been finalized."

Guan He glanced at Shang Yiyi, who also looked delighted.

"That's wonderful! It's bound to be very interesting!"

"Oh, you two are still like children!"

True Immortal Yang Ming gently scolded them, but his affection for his disciples was evident.

Suddenly, True Immortal Yang Ming's heart skipped a beat. He looked up towards the west, vaguely discerning a crescent red moon hanging in the sky. This red moon appeared and disappeared, seemingly about to vanish at any moment.

"Hmm?"

"Master, the jade pendant!"

Both Guan He and Shang Yiyi noticed their Yuhuai Mountain jade pendants emitting waves of heat and red light.

"This is the Moon-Concealing spell. A disciple of our sect is calling for help! Let's go quickly, and be vigilant!"

"Yes, Master!"

Shang Yiyi and Guan He spoke in unison, and True Immortal Yang Ming's dharma cloud suddenly accelerated. He used his escape technique to fly rapidly westward. Judging by the aura of the red moon, the distance was likely less than a thousand li, not very far.

One thousand li away to the west of True Immortal Yang Ming and his disciples, an immortal cultivator in a light purple robe with disheveled hair was gripping a sword, allowing it to drag him as he flew rapidly. Behind him, three streaks of light were in hot pursuit.

"Your imprisonment period is not over, don't even think of escaping!"

"Surrender at once! You can be released in another twenty years!"

Loud voices came from behind. The person fleeing was in a very bad state, his aura extremely unstable, but he clung to the sword without pause, recklessly draining his remaining magical power.

"You... do you think I'm a fool? If I'm caught by you again, will I still live?"

The fleeing person wasn't transmitting a message but more like muttering to himself, holding a jade pendant in his mouth. The pendant was already cracked, emitting bursts of red light. Unless one had practiced the fundamentals of the Grand Void method or possessed an authentic Yuhuai Mountain sect jade pendant, it would be difficult to see the red light and red moon. Clearly, the three pursuers behind him could not see it.

'I don't know where I am, I don't know if any fellow cultivators from my sect can see this... Come quickly and save me, please save me...'

The cultivator screamed inwardly, but the next moment, a strong sense of dread arose in his heart.

"Trying to escape? Not that easy—"

The voice boomed like thunder in the sky. A white light shone, and even with the fleeing light's rapid contortions, it still enveloped the escapee's body.

"No—"

The escapee let out a heartbreaking scream. At the last moment, he bit his tongue, spat a mouthful of blood onto the jade pendant, then spat out the blood-stained pendant and flicked his sword.

The sword light flashed and instantly sped away, while the purple-robed escapee was dragged away by the white light, his unwilling, miserable cries echoing across the sky.

True Immortal Yang Ming and his two disciples flew rapidly for less than half an incense stick of time when the red moon in the distant sky vanished. However, the three continued their flight towards that direction without stopping.

"Master, there's a light of magic!"

Shang Yiyi cried out in alarm. Yang Ming was already on high alert. Moments later, a purple light flew rapidly towards the three of them, pointing directly at them.

"It's a sword, Master, be careful!"

But True Immortal Yang Ming's heart suddenly stirred. He cast a spell and beckoned in the distance. The sword light twisted, then quickly flew into Yang Ming's hand, a cracked jade pendant still hanging from it.

"Our Yuhuai Mountain token! Master, can you tell whose it is?"

Yang Ming looked at the sword with a complicated expression.

"I'm afraid it's Senior Martial Uncle Ziyu..."

In Kuinan County, with Li Feng gone, everything at the Li Residence continued as usual. For the city's residents, it had no impact at all. The blacksmith shop remained open, and the old blacksmith had recruited two new apprentices, seemingly very strict with them.

Amidst the clanging sounds, Ji Yuan arrived at the entrance of the blacksmith shop. When the old blacksmith saw a scholarly-looking man approach, he immediately understood something.

"Sir, are you looking to buy a sword? I have excellent swords here; they're all on that shelf."

Nowadays, some scholars would also buy decorative swords to wear at their waists, a custom reportedly spreading from outside. So, the old blacksmith casually pointed to a shelf on the side, where several swords stood out amidst a pile of farming tools, looking somewhat out of place.

Ji Yuan looked at the swords, noting that there were only swords but no sabers or spears; everything else was farming tools. Clearly, the old blacksmith was trying to catch onto a trendy business.

"Shopkeeper, I'm not here to buy a sword."

"Oh? Then, are you selling farming tools?"

The old blacksmith was stunned, sizing Ji Yuan up. He didn't look like a frail scholar, but his hands were clean, without calluses, and not a speck of dirt under his fingernails. He couldn't possibly do farm work, could he?

"Neither. Shopkeeper, an acquaintance of mine, a junior, once learned blacksmithing from you. Although he left many years ago, he never forgot your kindness as his master. So, passing by today, I specifically came to express his gratitude. Oh, and this is for you. I hope you will keep it well."

As Ji Yuan spoke, he handed a small, simply framed scroll of calligraphy to the old blacksmith. The blacksmith stared blankly at Ji Yuan, immediately thinking of Jin Jia.

"Is it Little Jin? Why didn't he come to see me himself? Where is he? Is he well? Has he married? Bring his children to see this old man!"

Ji Yuan merely smiled, his gaze sweeping over the blacksmith shop. The two new apprentices inside were curiously watching, whispering to each other.

"Indeed, it is he. He is doing well, but it's not convenient for him to visit. He has not yet married."

The old blacksmith was both happy and nostalgic. He reached out, took the scroll, and unrolled it, muttering to himself without stop.

"Ah, that child, not married yet. But with those two hammers and wandering the jianghu, it must be difficult. Cuihua was such a good girl. But those female martial artists from the jianghu should be tough; finding one as a wife would probably suit Little Jin... Sending me a scroll of calligraphy? He knows I can't appreciate a single scholarly word; copper coins would be more useful..."

Ji Yuan's expression was slightly awkward, but the old blacksmith still praised,

"This calligraphy is really beautiful! Oh, by the way, Mr. Ji, what does it say?"

"Fortune, peace, and health."

"Oh, oh, oh, excellent, excellent! That kid still remembers his old master's kindness!"

Ji Yuan smiled and shook his head, just about to interrupt the old blacksmith's self-indulgence, when he suddenly sensed something. His expression subtly changed.

"Shopkeeper, I have delivered Jin Jia's regards. I have something to attend to now, so I shall take my leave first!"

"Hey, Mr. Ji, why don't you stay for a meal before you go?"

The old blacksmith politely tried to persuade him to stay, but Ji Yuan had already hurried away. A distant "No need" echoed back. When the old blacksmith walked out of his shop and looked down the street, he found that Ji Yuan's figure was nowhere to be seen.