Chapter 256: Chapter 251: A Display of Pure Filial Piety
Upon seeing Jiang Li and the other two accompany Ming Yuzhen onto the Flying Boat, Daoist Xuanming quickly approached them and called out, "Perfect timing. I was just about to return as well. If my neighbors don’t mind, perhaps you could also take me along for the ride."
Yuxu Temple and Kunxu Immortal Palace were both located in Kunxu Mountain, just one to the east and the other to the west, separated by thousands of miles.
For cultivators, thousands of miles weren’t considered particularly far, especially since both Yuxu Temple and Kunxu Immortal Palace housed many high-grade powerhouses. Therefore, although they couldn’t be said to have strong friendships, there was at least some interaction between them.
Having said that, without waiting for Ming Yuzhen to respond, Daoist Xuanming leaped onto the boat, causing the lady to frown deeply.
Nevertheless, since they were close neighbors, no matter how displeased she was, it wouldn’t be appropriate to just throw someone off the boat.
Thus, Jiang Li and his party of three, along with Yuxu Temple’s Xuanming, boarded the Flying Boat of Kunxu Immortal Palace, preventing Yun Jiuye and Ling Wujue from questioning further and causing Yan Hanqing and another individual to show a look of worry.
"This Daoist is so shameless."
Mu Lingyi narrowed her willowy brows and huffed, "Hitching a ride without even inquiring where the vessel is bound, is this what he calls hitching a ride? Clearly, he just wants to cozy up to Jiang Li."
"The Daoist is sly," Yan Hanqing couldn’t help but add.
Both he and Daoist Xuanming tried to strike up a conversation with Jiang Li, on and off, harboring certain aims.
Jiang Li was also aware of their ulterior motives, so upon hearing Ming Yuzhen’s invitation, she immediately accepted, choosing Kunxu Immortal Palace as a shield rather than either of their sides.
In doing so, she did not offend either side nor did she easily get involved with them, and this act of seeking safety was also something both sides could accept.
But who could have expected that Xuanming would board the boat with no regard for face?
"There’s still a chance."
After some thought, Yan Hanqing didn’t give up, "If I’m not mistaken, the sword Jiang Li carries is transformed from the Mo Wu Battle Box. This artifact was a work of Juzi’s younger years, later given to Yaoguang Elder of the Dinghu Sect... Come on, let’s go meet Yaoguang Elder."
Meanwhile, on the resplendent Flying Boat.
The Flying Boat seemed small, merely medium in size, but once on board, one would discover a space within that was ten times larger than it appeared from outside, it was nothing less than a multistoried boat.
Jiang Li and the others followed Ming Yuzhen, about to go inside, when Daoist Xuanming suddenly came close from behind.
"Fellow Daoist Jiang must have noticed, both that Mo Sect’s Yan Hanqing and I are hoping to become acquainted with you, to form a bond." Xuanming gave Jiang Li a fist-and-palm salute, revealing a helpless smile.
He didn’t want to upset Kunxu Immortal Palace by forcing his way onto the boat, but for some purposes, preserving face was not essential.
Of course, it could not be ruled out that Xuanming was playing the sympathy card, trying a bait-and-switch.
Maintaining a cautious demeanor, Jiang Li said, "I would like to hear more."
Yun Qiuchi and Feng Ziyang also stood still, with Fourth Sister Yun Qiuchi also showing a look of keen interest, supporting Jiang Li, "If there are any compelling hardships, feel free to speak up. We’re all cultivators here; we can lend a hand as much as we’re able."
When Yun Qiuchi emphasized "as much as we’re able," her voice slightly intensified, indicating to the other party that if it exceeded their capabilities, they should not overextend.
"It’s not exactly a hardship."
Daoist Xuanming’s smile faded, and he said earnestly, "I presume my fellow cultivators are also aware of the form that this Sword Discussion Conference will take to determine the victor. Two weapons clash, and the first to be damaged will be the loser. However, how can we ensure that the winner prevails due to their superior sword, rather than their own greater strength, or because they possess some strange Magic Door capable of subduing swords or Divine Skills?"
"Moreover, swords each have their own specific focus; some emphasize the cold Yin, others the swift lightness, and there are those that encompass both Ying and Yang. To bring out their strongest power, it is best to select a Sword Holder that matches the sword’s attributes."
"So, you mean to eliminate all unforeseen factors, leaving the loser without an excuse?" Yun Qiuchi closed her folding fan and clapped her hands together.
With even the slightest reason to quibble, this Sword Discussion Conference would struggle to conclude, perhaps requiring another session in six months’ time.
To avoid endless disputes and also due to the confidence in their own side, both parties were intent on settling the score this time, to defeat the opposing side once and for all.
"There are two main reasons: the former can be addressed by choosing someone who is absolutely incapable of damaging a sword," Jiang Li spoke, her gaze shifting to everyone else and their gaze returning to her.
Absolutely incapable of causing damage to a sword would mean restricting the combatants’ realms to a certain range. Given that the least powerful Magic Artifact refined by both sides would not be below fourth-rank, cultivators of Sixth Rank and lower should meet the criteria.
As for the second condition, the one in harmony with the sword – there should be no one in this world who meets this criterion more than Jiang Li.
Jiang Li practiced Qi Tomb, an art that allowed "Yiqi Turns into Ten Thousand Qi." Even including the main Jiang family, no one else had cultivated Innate Qi as purely as she had with the Divine Farmer’s appearance. It could be said that Jiang Li was the most suitable all-purpose Sword Holder.
Whatever the final Magic Artifact turned out to be, Jiang Li would be able to unleash its Power to the fullest.
Now the situation was that Jiang Li was only one individual, and the Sword Discussion Conference had two sides.
This all-purpose tool was only available to one side. As for the other side, they needed to find a compatible wielder after the artifact was completed.
In theory, a qualified Artifact Refiner should be absolutely able to craft a sword that aligns with their intentions. But to create a stronger sword than the adversary’s, the strongest sword, one doesn’t need deliberate control but rather timely adjustments based on the materials and the changes during the Artifact Refining process, pushing every aspect to the extreme.
This would inevitably increase the unpredictability.
Even the topmost Artifact Refiners wouldn’t dare guarantee that accidents couldn’t happen.
At this time, the value of Jiang Li became evident.
"Indeed."
Daoist Xuanming nodded and said, "Originally, both sides intended to find the Sword Holder after the sword was completed, but the news of Fellow Daoist Jiang’s sensational debut in Yong Province, coupled with the strength you displayed three days ago, gave both parties new ideas. With your help, we dare not claim certainty of victory, but at least we can ensure that we won’t be defeated due to unforeseen accidents."
Having said that, Daoist Xuanming bowed deeply, "If Fellow Daoist is willing to assist, regardless of success or failure, our sect will definitely offer substantial gratitude."
This Taoist really understands.
All the hustle and bustle of the world is for benefit, and all the bustling activity is driven by profit.
Friendships are one thing, but benefits must be clearly delineated, especially since the friendships are between Dinghu Sect and Yuxu Temple.
For such significant matters, it’s best to clarify the benefits and establish terms, rather than relying on verbal agreements based on friendships without any guarantee.
Jiang Li believed that the benefits offered by Yuxu Temple would surely be satisfying, allowing him to give his all. It’s said that, regardless of success or failure, there would be substantial gratitude, but there are different levels of substantial reward.
Jiang Li was also quite tempted and wanted to agree, but...
"I need to consult with my master about this matter," Jiang Li replied with the demeanor of a devoted Disciple.
On such significant issues, Jiang Li felt that the level at which he stood did not afford him full clarity, and it would be best to seek Elder Tianxuan’s opinion.
"This is a matter of great importance, not something I can decide alone. I shall ask my master for a decision. If Fellow Daoist is truly interested, please have the elders of your sect seek my master. Whatever choice my master makes will be my choice as well."
Jiang Li expressed his filial piety into the void.
Is he really that dutiful?
It wasn’t just Daoist Xuanming—Yun Qiuchi, Feng Ziyang, and Ming Yuzhen were also stunned.
It was because Jiang Li’s current demeanor was quite different from before; he used to be unyielding and even dared to confront the eldest brother, and now he was displaying such pure filial piety...
The discrepancy between the past and present impressions was quite substantial.
But, whether it was true filial devotion or an evasion, it was now impossible to get an answer from Jiang Li.
Daoist Xuanming immediately recovered from his shock and said, "Such important matters indeed cannot be decided without consulting your master. I was too hasty."
He smoothly followed up with Jiang Li’s words, showing considerable emotional intelligence without any immediate farewell or mention of leaving the boat.
If he had left the boat directly to report to the elders and ask Elder Tianxuan, that would not only have given Jiang Li a bad impression but also offended Kunxu Immortal Palace.
You insisted on boarding the ship, and now you suddenly want to leave? What does that mean?
It must be said, this tactic was very effective—Daoist Xuanming couldn’t read what Jiang Li thought, but Ming Yuzhen’s demeanor seemed less cold. Evidently, she noticed Daoist Xuanming’s sincerity.
After a brief delay, everyone continued to enter the interior of the ship, which was magnificent with gold and glitter, looking like a spacious hall. Golden pillars stood firm, and light silk curtains hung.
Beautiful, fair-skinned girls in white clothes stood on both sides of a stunningly beautiful woman at the end.
The beautiful woman wore a gold-threaded eight-gem gathering hair bun with a morning sun and five phoenixes hanging pearl hairpin, and she was dressed in wide-sleeved immortal gowns, with slightly full skin, a well-balanced figure, cheeks with a fresh luster, and a nose smooth as goose fat, like a celestial consort, bright in embroidered colors.
"Something seems wrong here."
Yun Qiuchi wore a strange look and sent a voice message to Jiang Li, "Sixth Brother, I fear Kunxu Immortal Palace has taken a liking to you. You must hold your ground."
If he couldn’t hold his ground and his relationship with Gongsun Qing Yue encountered problems, then the position to rival the eldest brother might collapse.
"Fellow Daoist Jiang," Daoist Xuanming also sent a voice message, "that eminent person ahead is Su Nu from Kunxu Immortal Palace, you... be cautious."
His words were laced with unfinished implications, as if reluctant to speak too deeply or as if... fearing others might overhear their conversation.
’If it were a fourth-rank, they would easily intercept Daoist Xuanming’s messages,’ Jiang Li looked towards the beautiful woman.
The elder mentioned by Ming Yuzhen must be the one.
For such an esteemed fourth-rank figure to receive Jiang Li with such pomp and considering the rumors about Kunxu Immortal Palace... it seemed someone wanted to recruit Jiang Li as an Affiliated Son-in-law once more.
’Out of the tiger’s den and into the wolf’s lair.’
Jiang Li felt he would be better off aligning with Yuxu Temple or Mo Sect.
Concerned that his master and martial sister might misunderstand due to such interactions with Kunxu Immortal Palace, Jiang Li was wary.
Just then, the beautiful woman’s enchanting eyes met Jiang Li’s, her red lips slightly parted to speak.
"Old Witch, stop flaunting your allure. Don’t set your sights on my sect’s Disciple."
An unceremonious voice suddenly rang out, and a bold figure walked into the ship.