Chapter 839
Fulfilling a Long-cherished Wish
"call……"
Song Changsheng glanced back at the dark and deep palace behind him, and let out a long breath. So what if he was the number one in the Five Academies? In front of these two, he was still as vulnerable as a child. He didn't even see when they made their move. Perhaps it was just a word or a glance.
Looking down at the jade slip that had appeared in his hand at some point, he saw the words "Honghuang Xinglu" written in ancient seal script.
The jade slip is new, but the ancient seal script is a product from several eras ago.
He glanced through it briefly, his pupils dilating in disbelief. "This is..." he exclaimed.
Song Changsheng was filled with doubt and uncertainty. He couldn't fathom why Lingji Zhenjun would entrust him with such a precious item. These celestial strategists always did things that were hard to understand.
Suppressing his shock, he left the Grand Preceptor's palace as quickly as possible...
Just after he left, the Grand Master, standing beneath the dazzling star map, slowly spoke: "I thought you had many questions to ask him, but I never expected it to be so simple."
Lingji Zhenjun replied leisurely, "Not all questions need to be asked. He may not answer truthfully, and I may not believe him. Isn't it best to leave it as it is?"
"So, you've gotten the answer you wanted?" The old Grand Tutor turned around and stared into the other's calm, unwavering eyes.
"I guess I've got it, but time will tell."
What did you deduce from him?
Upon hearing this, Lingji Zhenjun shook his head slightly and said, "We are both inside the game, so how can we deduce the situation of those outside the game?"
The secrets of the universe are shrouded in mystery, and the situation is becoming increasingly unclear.
"What you gave him seems to be the 'Primordial Star Record,' the book that is the origin of the art of star observation. You're quite generous, aren't you afraid that he'll get caught up in this?"
"No matter how you put it, it's just a book. If I wanted, what harm would it do if every member of the human race had one?"
As for whether he will be drawn into the scheme because of this, only heaven knows. However, I understand one principle: an outsider is an outsider. If he gets drawn into the scheme because of this, it means he is not the person I am looking for.
The old imperial advisor couldn't help but shake his head and sigh, "I really don't know if you're helping him or harming him."
Lingji Zhenjun did not respond, but changed the subject, saying, "Let's leave the topic of young friend Song here. Now, let's talk about serious matters."
……
After leaving the Grand Preceptor's palace, Song Changsheng went straight to the Hundred Cauldrons Pavilion to meet the Thousand Refinement True Lord.
In contrast, communicating with this True Lord was much less stressful; it was just casual conversation, and the relaxed atmosphere eased his tense nerves considerably.
"I see a trace of Cheng Zong in you. If he hadn't died young, you two might have become friends." Qianlian Zhenjun looked Song Changsheng over and suddenly sighed, his emotions subtly changing.
Li Chengzong lived up to his name, carrying the hopes of everyone in Baiding Pavilion. And he did not disappoint. At a young age, he made a great name for himself. His time of fame was very close to that of Zhao Yin, while at that time, Long Han, Ji Liangyu, and even Ling Xiao were still unknown.
Unfortunately, one wrong move led to their utter defeat.
The fate of Bai Ding Ge's decline could never be rewritten.
"On the arena, young friend showed great leniency towards Yu Feng, preserving the last shred of dignity for Bai Ding Pavilion. I cannot remain silent in response."
It is said that you, young friend, are proficient in both array formations and artifacts, and have achieved considerable skill in both. Since sect secrets cannot be passed on to outsiders, and you likely have no shortage of artifacts, after much consideration, I have decided to bestow upon you a technique I acquired in my youth.”
As soon as he finished speaking, True Monarch Qianlian reached out and touched Song Changsheng's brow. Suddenly, a strange technique called "Tai Xuan Yun Ding Fa" appeared out of thin air in his mind.
On the surface, this is just a method that teaches people how to improve and nurture the treasure cauldron. In reality, after mastering this method, one can use oneself as the cauldron to condense magical power and strengthen the body. It is a genuine internal cultivation method.
This method might be just a casual gift for True Monarch Qianlian, but that doesn't mean it's not precious.
On the contrary, this can be used as a method for passing down knowledge among ordinary Golden Core cultivators.
"Thank you for bestowing this law, True Lord."
Song Changsheng knew that True Monarch Qianlian was indirectly giving him the boot, so he wisely stood up, cupped his hands in farewell, and said, "True Monarch is busy with affairs, so I will not bother you any longer. Farewell."
Just as he was about to leave, True Monarch Qianlian suddenly spoke up: "You should be going to see Fellow Daoist Yingyue next, right?"
"I wonder what guidance the True Lord has for this junior?"
Having had more contact with them, Song Changsheng had become accustomed to the feeling of having no secrets in front of True Monarch level experts. Their divine sense was too amazing; the entire sky island was within their perception range. Even formations and barriers were useless in front of them, and there were no secrets to speak of.
Even telepathic communication could be intercepted, which is the main reason why Zhuang Yuechan did not tell Song Changsheng the truth.
Having inherited all of Jade Dew True Monarch's memories, she was well aware of the terror of True Monarch-level powerhouses; the saying "walls have ears" was no joke.
"Fellow Daoist Yingyue's meeting with you must be related to the last move you used during your decisive battle with Zhao Yin in the Grand Competition."
In recent years, a special method has become popular in the Array Dao Academy: inscribing arrays into another person's body. In this way, it is equivalent to carrying an array with one's body, the significance of which is self-evident.
If I'm not mistaken, there should also be an array within your body. You secured victory with a single strike using the power of the array, which I can see, and Fellow Daoist Yingyue can naturally see as well.
This method of forming a formation is still in the verification stage at the Taoist Academy and has not yet been fully disclosed, but you are already proficient in using it, which will naturally attract her attention.
The pros and cons are probably not worth elaborating on by me; you need to weigh the pros and cons carefully yourself. Go ahead.”
The Thousand Refinement True Monarch officially issued an order to expel the guest.
Song Changsheng had mostly anticipated what he was talking about, but what surprised him was that the Array Dao Academy was also creating related methods and had already entered the verification stage.
In this case, the value of "Inscribing the Formation with One's Body" is greatly reduced, but since he came to fulfill He Yunxuan's request, it doesn't really matter.
"Thank you for your guidance, True Lord. I will keep it in mind. I will take my leave now."
Song Changsheng bowed and took his leave. After a moment of reflection, he went to visit True Monarch Yingyue at his residence.
"Just came from the Imperial Preceptor and Fellow Daoist Qianlian?" Upon entering, True Monarch Yingyue directly revealed his whereabouts for the day. Fortunately, Song Changsheng was already used to this and remained unmoved, respectfully replying, "True Monarch's insight is indeed correct."
"Do you know why I want to see you?" True Monarch Yingyue was very direct.
Song Changsheng feigned hesitation for a moment before saying, "Perhaps it's because of 'Inscribing the Formation with One's Body'?"
"The Art of Carving Formations with One's Own Body? That's quite fitting."
As far as I know, this is your first time crossing the Tianshan Mountains, so this method should not have come from the Array Dao Academy. However, it was proposed by one of my disciples who died young.
His last stop before his death was in the southwestern border region. Do you know where he went? "The Moon Reflection Monarch stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes deep, as if he could see right through Song Changsheng.
The long-cherished wish that had been building up in his heart for many years was about to be fulfilled. Song Changsheng's emotions were slightly turbulent. He took a deep breath and said, "The person who taught this method to me is named He Yunxuan. He did say that he came from the Array Dao Academy. I wonder if he is the person that the True Lord is looking for."
A glint of light flashed in Yingyue Zhenjun's eyes, and he said in a deep voice, "As expected, Yunxuan is indeed a disciple of our palace. In order to seek a breakthrough, he crossed the Tianshan Mountains alone and went to the borderland. In the end, he was defeated and his soul lamp was destroyed."
Do you know how he met his end?
"When I met Senior He, he had already perished, leaving only a wisp of his remnant soul sealed in the ruins of the cave. According to his account, he had just broken through his own shackles and was preparing to return when he happened to encounter a Blood Demon in the Purple Mansion stage who was heavily injured."
Senior He couldn't bear to let the demon return to the mountain, so he fought with all his might to kill him, but he was also seriously injured and soon passed away in his cave.
The younger generation and their friends accidentally discovered Senior He's cave. Senior He's remnant soul passed on the "Inscription of Formations with One's Body" technique to the younger generation. However, by then, it had been two hundred years since Senior He passed away.
Before Senior He's remnant soul dissipated, he instructed me to deliver this method to the Array Dao Academy and give it to his beloved Gu Yiyi if I had the chance in the future.
"May I ask, True Lord, where is Senior Gu now? I, a junior, have received the legacy of Senior He and have promised to personally deliver this Dharma manual to his beloved."
When Song Changsheng asked this question, he was a little nervous. After all, He Yunxuan had been dead for nearly four hundred years. If Gu Yiyi was about the same age as him, she would probably be almost five hundred years old this year.
Even though cultivators at the Purple Mansion level are on the verge of their lifespan, Gu Yiyi would likely face difficulties if she didn't possess exceptional talent.
Moreover, it's necessary to ascertain whether the other person still harbors feelings for He Yunxuan, lest their sincere affection be misplaced.
At the same time, he also realized that He Yunxuan's identity might not be just that of an ordinary disciple of the Array Dao Academy. Otherwise, how could a Foundation Establishment cultivator like him be remembered by a True Monarch?
After a moment of silence, True Monarch Yingyue said, "After He Yunxuan's death, Gu Yiyi built a cenotaph for him and guarded it for three years. After that, she left the Array Dao Academy, and no one knows where she went."
The only certainty is that she is still alive, but in this vast world, it seems unlikely that my young friend will have the chance to fulfill her request.
As the saying goes, there is no greater sorrow than a broken heart. Perhaps at the moment He Yunxuan perished, Gu Yiyi also left with him, which shows how deep the feelings between the two were.
After all, not everyone has the determination and courage to give up the generous conditions of the Array Dao Academy.
Although there was no chance to meet the other person in person, at least we can be sure that the other person is still alive, which is the best ending for him and even for the deceased He Yunxuan.
“In that case, I will hand over this manual to the True Lord. It will be a way of returning it to its rightful owner and fulfilling Senior He’s dying wish.”
Song Changsheng took out the jade slip he had carried with him for a long time and respectfully handed it to True Monarch Yingyue.
After receiving the jade slip, True Monarch Yingyue quietly read its contents. After a long while, she let out a soft sigh and said, "I never expected that he would have such profound insights hundreds of years ago."
Unfortunately, cultivation level and vision became the biggest obstacles, and many flaws were not discovered. As the first practitioner of this method, your success on the first try is also a miracle.
When you use this method, you must feel many limitations, right?
"You fell unconscious during your battle with Zhao Yin. More than half of that was probably due to the aftereffects of using the internal formation. Am I correct?"
"True Lord, your insight is indeed profound. In recent years, I have been trying to improve this method, but I have not made much progress. Senior He's imagination is truly boundless."
As a cultivator, Song Changsheng was naturally aware of the shortcomings of this method. Not only did he face the danger of almost certain death during cultivation, but he also had to consider the potential side effects before each use.
This is a one-shot deal. If the situation can't be turned around after this one blow, then they'll be fish meat to be slaughtered.
However, compared to its benefits, these drawbacks are negligible.
The reason Song Changsheng was willing to take such a great risk to cultivate this technique was because he valued its ability to turn the tide of battle at crucial moments.
And in practice over the years, it has indeed not disappointed him. It has not only saved his life more than once, but also helped him win the Five Academies Grand Competition.
This was precisely the original intention behind practicing this method—to step onto a bigger stage.
The Moon Reflection True Lord said softly, "The world is going to the dogs, and the word 'trust' is especially precious. My young friend is a trustworthy person. If Yunxuan were alive, he would surely be very pleased."
"I am ashamed. I have been busy with family affairs all these years and have not been able to fulfill my promise. It has been delayed until now."
Upon hearing this, True Lord Yingyue solemnly replied, "Young friend, you were barely able to protect yourself back then, so how could you possibly keep your promise? It is truly commendable that you have this intention."
Currently, the palace is also conducting experiments in this area based on the manuscripts left by Yunxuan. There are still many key points that urgently need to be verified. Your appearance is very timely, at least saving our palace decades of hard work.”
"If needed, I will do my best to cooperate," Song Changsheng said tactfully.
It's clear that the Array Dao Academy wants to improve this method and eliminate its obvious flaws. As a sacred place in the hearts of array masters all over the world, having a reference will surely make the process much smoother.
This was of paramount importance to him. From the moment he handed over "Inscribing Formations with One's Body," this method belonged entirely to the Array Dao Academy.
As the saying goes, the secrets should not be passed on to outsiders. If we miss this opportunity, there may never be a time to perfect them.
"In that case, young friend, would you be willing to return to the academy with me?"
...(End of chapter)