Mahayana 130
BGM: [MV]Vernal Days Dreamed by the Stars - Mika Kobayashi
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Chapter 130: Is Grandmaster Qingxu Trying to Possess Su Miaoqing?
TL : Cnine
ED/PF :
Part 1
Su Miaoqing was the daughter of Su Qianyi, the Palace Master of the Boundless Horizon Palace. Like her father, she had a Fire Spirit Root, and her cultivation method was the most orthodox of all, the Nine Scroll of Heavenly Inquiry. It was, in fact, the unmistakable technique of Boundless Horizon Palace.
As understanding settled in, Xiao Yifeng realised it must have been Grandmaster Qingxu within the hall who had lured Su Miaoqing here.
But there was no relief in his chest, no spark of triumph. When he entered the hall in his previous life, around Fifty years late, grandmaster Qingxu had been dead—utterly, irretrievably gone, leaving no trace of divine consciousness behind.
What did this indicate? It indicated that the Grandmaster Qingxu was already on the brink of spiritual soul collapse.
A Tribulation Crossing Realm expert whose soul was about to fall apart, driven by nothing but the instinct to survive… It was hard to imagine that he would harbour any good intentions toward Su Miaoqing.
Surely he wasn’t genuinely being kind, inviting Su Miaoqing over simply to pass on a cultivation technique?
The cruelty of the cultivation world was something Xiao Yifeng understood all too well. Thinking of this, his anxiety only grew stronger.
Then, suddenly, his eyes lit up as he thought of a possible solution.
At this moment, the Strange Man stood guard atop the Heavenly Stairway, as though he had already made up his mind to intercept the group.
Then Xiao Yifeng suddenly let out a strange smile. He bit his finger and pressed it against the centre of his brow. In an instant, a fire-attribute cultivation method began circulating wildly within his body, and layer upon layer of raging flames erupted around him.
The people beside him were utterly baffled, unable to understand why Xiao Yifeng was suddenly activating his cultivation method here.
“Xiao Yifeng of the Boundless Horizon Palace, Heaven Inquiry Sect, requests an audience with Grandmaster Qingxu. This disciple possesses a treasure of use to the Grandmaster, and humbly asks for a meeting!” Xiao Yifeng called out loudly, his voice echoing across the entire Heavenly Stairway.
The others were stunned. Grandmaster Qingxu? Wait, Wasn’t he supposed to be Wu Chen? How had he suddenly become Xiao Yifeng, a disciple of the Boundless Horizon Palace?
The others were stunned. Qingxu Grandmaster? Wasn’t he supposed to be Wuchen? How had he suddenly become Xiao Yifeng, a disciple of the Boundless Horizon Palace?
Hearing this, the group felt their scalps go numb. Lin Xiao and Liu Yue were suddenly seized by a bone-deep chill, and when they looked at the Strange Man, fear crept into their eyes.
Suddenly, a red beam of light shot out once more from within the great hall, shining upon Xiao Yifeng, as though inspecting him.
The enormous lightning sphere above the hall grew enraged and fired a bolt of lightning, smashing toward the red light.
The red light did not hesitate. In an instant, it pulled Xiao Yifeng along and flew straight into the Divine Hall.
The red light moved at astonishing speed. Along the way, the Strange Man tried to intercept it, swiping a claw at Xiao Yifeng within the red glow. He was instead blasted away by the red light and crashed heavily to the ground, coughing up a mouthful of blood.
He could only watch helplessly as the red light carried Xiao Yifeng and, in an instant, passed through the entire Heavenly Stairway and flew into the Gate of Samsara.
The others looked at one another in bewilderment. What on earth was all this? Was it really possible to take a back door through an Immortal Palace now?
The Strange Man let out an enraged roar. After watching Xiao Yifeng depart, he turned to glance at the others, then stopped hesitating and continued striding up the Heavenly Stairway.
He feared that those two might seize the treasure. Su Miaoqing did not concern him, nor did Mo Shuiyao, but that boy… There was something deeply unsettling about him.
The people on the first stone step let out a long breath and continued forward. The pressure now shifted to Mo Shuiyao, who stood at the fore front of the Heavenly Stairway.
Seeing that Xiao Yifeng had already departed and that the Strange Man was chasing from behind, Mo Shuiyao quickened his pace and continued forward.
Xiao Yifeng was pulled by the red light into the great hall, which then carried him rapidly towards the higher reaches inside the hall. Before long, he passed through layer after layer of barriers.
Looking at the familiar route, Xiao Yifeng realised that every path they swept past was one he had walked before. Sure enough, it was Grandmaste Qingxu who was drawing him in.
He let out a long sigh. Facing a remnant soul of a Tribulation Crossing Realm expert was far more dangerous than dealing with the Strange Man. This was the most perilous crisis he had ever encountered.
Why did he always run into monsters so far beyond his own level? He began carefully working through possible responses in his mind.
There was no time to think further. After suddenly passing through another barrier, Xiao Yifeng felt his vision brighten, and he arrived in a small world filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers.
Before him stretched an endless expanse of lush green grass. The meadow was vibrant and pleasant to the eye, alive with swaying grass and fluttering birds, presenting a scene of peace and harmony that naturally lifted the spirit.
Within this vast grassland stood only a single enormous willow tree, rooted at the very centre. Countless willow branches drooped down, swaying gently in the breeze, revealing the tranquillity and calm of this place.
Beneath the tree stood a graceful figure. A flowing green dress danced softly in the warm wind. If it was not Su Miaoqing, then who else could it be?
Also beneath the tree sat an old man, leaning against the massive willow tree. He wore a green Daoist robe, his hair and beard completely white, yet his face was youthful. With the air of one who had transcended the mortal world, he nevertheless appeared gentle and approachable.
The red light pulled Xiao Yifeng towards the tree. After guiding him beneath it, the red light rose upward and vanished.
Seeing Xiao Yifeng, Su Miaoqing was overjoyed. She happily called out to him:
“Xiaofeng, you’re here too! This is the former Palace Master of our Boundless Horizon Palace, Grandmaster Qingxu. He’s also our grandmaster. Grandmaster Qingxu is really kind. When he saw that I was injured, he even helped me sort out the hidden injuries in my body.”
Seeing that she was safe and unharmed, Xiao Yifeng finally relaxed a little. He smiled at her, then stepped forward a few paces and bowed towards Grandmaster Qingxu, who was seated beneath the tree.
“Disciple Xiao Yifeng of Boundless Horizon Palace greets Grandmaster Qingxu.”
“Haha, good, good, good. Boy, how did you know it was me here outside?” Grandmaster Qingxu asked with a gentle laugh as he stroked his beard, a trace of curiosity in his eyes.
“Hahahaha! I never expected that after so many years, my Boundless Horizon Palace would produce two more Heaven-blessed prodigies. At such a young age, already at the 9th stage of Foundation Establishment realm. Truly, the younger generation is formidable!” The old man beneath the tree spoke with a hearty laugh.
“It was merely good fortune. This disciple would not dare take such praise,” Xiao Yifeng replied modestly.
“Alas… when this humble Daoist entered the Samsara Immortal Palace back then, I became trapped here for several hundred years. Seas have changed into fields, and I have no idea what condition the Boundless Horizon Palace is in now. Who is currently presiding over palace affairs?” Grandmaster Qingxu suddenly asked with a sigh of emotion.
Xiao Yifeng naturally answered everything he knew, sparing no detail, and explained the difficult circumstances the Boundless Horizon Palace had faced over the years. Su Miaoqing, cheeks puffed with indignation, eagerly added fuel to the fire.
After hearing everything the two of them had to say, Grandmaster Qingxu let out a long sigh. “All of this is this humble Daoist’s fault. In my haste to revitalise the Boundless Horizon Palace, I became trapped here for centuries and could not leave. That is what caused the lineage to be severed. I am the sinner of the Boundless Horizon Palace.”
“Grandmaster Ancestor need not blame yourself. Once you escape this place, you will surely be able to revive our Boundless Horizon Palace,” Xiao Yifeng said in consolation.
Grandmaster Qingxu nodded slightly, then looked at Su Miaoqing with a genial smile. “So it is that boy Su Qianyi who has become Palace Master now. That truly surprises me. Back in the day, that lad was the most mischievous of them all.”
Su Miaoqing’s eyes lit up at once as she laughed. “You mean Father was the naughtiest back then? Tell me more, Grandmaster Ancestor. I’ll mock him properly when I get back. He’s always keeping a straight face while lecturing me.”
Grandmaster Qingxu stroked his beard and chuckled. “He was the least diligent of the lot, always indulging in wild and fanciful ideas. Yet he was also the most innovative. Though I am surprised he became Palace Master, I am not astonished.”
“Grandmaster Ancestor, over these years our Boundless Horizon Palace has suffered endless bullying from the other palaces. Once you leave this place, you must teach them a proper lesson and help us vent this grievance!” Su Miaoqing said indignantly, her cheeks puffed with anger.
“Of course. Once this old man escapes from this place, I shall pass on this entire legacy once more and restore the inheritance of the Boundless Horizon Palace. No one will dare look down upon the Boundless Horizon Palace again. Our palace’s Myriad Thunder Heavenly Prison is a supreme art renowned throughout the cultivation world,” Qingxu Grandmaster said with a smile.
Su Miaoqing nodded repeatedly, looking utterly confident.
Xiao Yifeng quietly watched the elder and the young one chatting happily. After surveying his surroundings, he let out a long sigh.
“Why does the young friend sigh?” Qingxu Grandmaster asked in confusion. Su Miaoqing also turned to look at Xiao Yifeng.
Xiao Yifeng stepped forward and pulled Su Miaoqing behind him. He bowed deeply to Qingxu Grandmaster and said, “This disciple is willing to offer this body to Grandmaster Ancestor, to assist you in escaping this place. I ask only that Grandmaster Ancestor spare Senior Sister.”