Chapter Sixty-Six: Departing Once More
After thinking for a moment, Li Xingyu realized that the emperor’s invitation was likely prompted by the old man’s suggestion. He also wanted to exchange ideas with other cultivators, so he replied directly, “Very well. If I come to the capital, I will be sure to visit Your Majesty at the palace. Thank you, Your Majesty, for coming here to resolve the situation on my behalf.” After speaking, he glanced at the elderly man. The emperor and the old man, hearing Li Xingyu’s words and noticing the direction of his gaze, regarded the young man with newfound respect. Not only had he achieved such a high level of cultivation at a young age, but his mind was evidently far from ordinary. The emperor nodded, took a jade token from his robe and tossed it to Li Xingyu, saying, “When you arrive in the capital, just show this token to the palace guards. They will naturally bring you to see me.” With that, he bid farewell to the others and departed with the royal entourage.
After the royal family left, Mu Chenhua and his party also had no intention of entering the valley. They declined Valley Master Zhong’s invitation with polite farewells to Li Xingyu and the valley master, then departed with their own followers. Before she left, the master of Linglong Sect looked back at Li Xingyu, and that single glance gave Li Xingyu a strange feeling in his heart. Once they were gone, the rest of the guests invited by the valley master also took their leave. Knowing that such a spectacle had taken place today, and with the imperial family mediating a compromise between the Tianfeng family and the Myriad Medicines Valley, they were confident that, given the valley’s prestige, the Tianfeng family would not dare act against it again in the near future. Moreover, many among them were local powers in their own right and could not linger here. Each had pressing matters awaiting them in their own domains. Everyone understood that today’s events were undoubtedly more complex than they appeared on the surface, and they needed time to ponder the true circumstances behind it all, so as to be prepared for greater changes that might arise.
After Valley Master Zhong and Li Xingyu expressed their thanks and saw most of the guests off, only about a dozen people returned to the valley with them. Of these, aside from seven or eight disciples of the Myriad Medicines Valley, the others were all lone wanderers of the martial world. With no factions or followers to tie them down, the coming unrest and shifts within the Tianci Empire would have little effect on them. They were accustomed to roaming not just the empire but neighboring lands as well, and so were in no rush to leave.
Once back inside the valley, Li Xingyu learned from Valley Master Zhong the general outcome of the talks, which matched his expectations. As for the supposed cause of the incident, after only mild debate the two sides reached a compromise: the Feng clan leader agreed not to pursue the matter further, and Valley Master Zhong dropped his demand for an explanation from the Tianfeng family. There was no confrontation of the parties involved, no search for witnesses or evidence—after all, the leaders of the empire’s major factions understood that, in the face of absolute power, arguments and proof are hollow. In the end, it is the balance of strength that determines right and wrong, and the final outcome. Of course, during the talks, both the emperor and Mu Chenhua subtly expressed their wariness and warnings regarding the Tianfeng family's plans. As the true ruler of the empire and the head of one of the four great clans, neither wished to see the existing balance of power upset, for that could lead to turmoil or even war until a new equilibrium was established.
Li Xingyu, for his part, cared little for any of this. He had no faction of his own, nor did he intend to establish one in the Tianci Empire—or on this planet, for that matter. Now that he had discovered the teleportation array, once he learned to use it he would certainly leave Naster Star. So, whatever happened in the Tianci Empire would have little bearing on him. The only reason he had remained at the Myriad Medicines Valley was that he did not want to see it destroyed by the Tianfeng family over the incident that had occurred—since he had injured the young lord of the Tianfeng family in order to save the valley master's daughter, he felt responsible. As long as it was within his power, he was willing to help the valley through its crisis. Now that the threat was resolved, he was ready to depart.
Before leaving, he summoned Valley Master Zhong and Zhong Ling to his meditation chamber. After explaining the basics of cultivation, revealing that he was a cultivator and disclosing his general abilities, he said, “Valley Master Zhong, while I cannot say whether you or Miss Zhong are suited for cultivation, or if you can practice the techniques I use, I am grateful for your care during these days and for all you have taught me about medicine and alchemy. I also believe our meeting was fated. Therefore, I have decided to leave you the foundational part of my cultivation technique. If you are able to practice it, I will give you the subsequent sections in the future. What do you think?”
“Master Li, you saved Ling’er, and it was only right for me to host you in the valley. While I have shared knowledge of medicine and alchemy, I have also learned much from you. Cultivation techniques are exceedingly rare on this world—I feel unworthy to accept such a gift,” said Valley Master Zhong. Although he was deeply moved and eager to receive the technique, he was not one to accept favors lightly. Zhong Ling, being less advanced and only dimly understanding the concept of cultivation, showed little reaction.
“Valley Master Zhong, as I said, our meeting is destiny, and I admire your character. You help others without expecting return. Please, do not refuse. I may not intend to establish my own faction, but I do wish to leave a legacy of my technique on this planet,” Li Xingyu replied with genuine sincerity, understanding the old man’s thoughts.
After considering for a while, Zhong Xuanhuang finally accepted Li Xingyu’s generosity. Li Xingyu handed him the part of the technique suitable for innate masters, and Zhong read it carefully, often falling into deep thought. Li Xingyu understood he needed time to study and reflect on the method, so he waited silently, not interrupting. Zhong Ling, sensing this was not her time to speak, simply cast occasional glances at Li Xingyu. Clearly, she did not yearn for cultivation as much as those already at the innate level.
About an hour later, Valley Master Zhong returned from his contemplation and said to Li Xingyu, “Master Li, this is the first time I have seen a true cultivation technique, so I cannot say if it is suitable for me. But it is indeed wonderfully profound. To have the chance to try cultivating such a method, I will have no regrets in this life, whatever the result. There is a jade slip in our valley, passed down through generations, left behind by a cultivator skilled in alchemy thousands of years ago. Most of its contents are readable, but some sections have never been deciphered by anyone here. Today, I would like to give this jade slip to you, Master Li. Please accept it. We have already copied the accessible information, and the slip itself is of little further use to us. I hope it will be of help to you in the future.” With that, he produced a jade slip from his robe and handed it to Li Xingyu.
After a moment’s thought, Li Xingyu accepted it. He covered the slip with his spiritual sense and browsed its contents. As Valley Master Zhong had said, most of the readable parts were understandable, but the sections written in the script of the cultivation world were incomprehensible. From the illustrations, it was clear the records pertained to alchemy. Some content was truly beyond even Li Xingyu’s current ability to access. Once he accepted the jade slip, Li Xingyu announced his intention to leave. The valley master, evidently having anticipated this, was neither surprised nor attempted to dissuade him. Zhong Ling, however, was shocked and pleaded earnestly, even requesting to travel with him, but Li Xingyu refused after some thought. He had to leave, and the dangers he might face were unknown; he could not bring Zhong Ling along to risk them with him.
Today is the weekend, and Crystal will update with four chapters, at least ten thousand words! Please vote, recommend, and support—tips are especially welcome! Hehe!
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