Wang Xun had just entered the Li family's domain when Lu Jiangxian, who was engrossed in study, was instantly alerted.

Lu Jiangxian had now set several wake-up points for his patrolling Divine Sense: a direct descendant of the Li family about to die, the presence of Zifu Qi, a member of the Li family breaking through to Foundation Establishment...

He himself was repeatedly tinkering within the memory shards of Jin Lian Maha's witchcraft from years past, trying to unearth the origin of that "Golden Hall Bright Yuan Art" or clues regarding the Zifu chapter.

Wang Xun's Sword Qi, blazing to the heavens, shone like a great ball of light, instantly awakening Lu Jiangxian, who gazed somewhat bewildered at this youth.

"Not the Zifu Golden Core Path?!"

Lu Jiangxian's Divine Sense hovered around this person for a while, only to find his fate empty, without a trace. Most likely there was some profound protection from a superior master, unwilling to form ties with the mortal realm.

Focusing his gaze once again, a golden Sword Box emerged upon Wang Xun's straight, broad back—complex patterns, mostly cloud motifs, totaling a hundred and twenty-eight in all.

There were sixteen sword slots inside the box, with ten swords already gathered, each concealed, their forms unclear.

"Divine Skill… or Fate?"

This Sword Box on Wang Xun's back was invisible to mundane eyes, yet thoroughly wondrous—obviously a Divine Skill, yet saturated with the flavor of Destiny. Lu Jiangxian, now possessing considerable Taoist cultivation, studied carefully, and a plan blossomed in his heart.

"This Northern Immortal Cultivation path... is the dual cultivation of Life and Fate: nourishing character with Qi, prolonging life with Divine Skills... difficult, truly difficult!"

Lu Jiangxian glanced a couple more times at the Sword Box, but refrained from exploring further with Divine Sense—after all, this was a descendant of Golden Core, who knows what hidden perils might lurk upon him.

Gazing intently at the youth before him, Lu Jiangxian had a powerful premonition: this is the most orthodox, most primordial method of cultivation in this era; it is the path of cultivating heart and nature, seeking truth, seeking immortality, pointing straight to the way of the Immortal!

"But if one cultivates this way, isn't it far too difficult... Of a thousand Spiritual Aperture Seeds, can even one gain entry? I think even that is unlikely. If the current Li family tried to cultivate this technique, probably not a single one would succeed, and to spark even a single spell would be astonishing..."

Lu Jiangxian stared at the Sword Box, myriad profound thoughts arising, unable to help but click his tongue in admiration, sighing:

"Cultivating Life and Fate together, indeed!"

By comparison, the Zifu Golden Core Path is entirely different: begin with cycling, absorbing Qi, then after the ninth layer of Qi cultivation, abandon it for Foundation Establishment, cultivate Divine Skills, then seek to refine one's nature; you can even devour a similar Immortal Foundation to enhance your level...

If this Wang Xun's Immortal Path is an upright ascent along a mountain peak, then the Zifu Golden Core Path picks the easy routes, smashing and snatching as it goes—no need to verify the Dao or seek the heart, each step brings its own might.

"No wonder the Zifu Golden Core Path flourishes—the threshold for cultivation is just set so much lower…"

After watching him for a while, Lu Jiangxian found himself with some suspicions regarding the immortal-demon strife of years past, unable to resist a soft sigh.

Seeing that Li Yuanping, for the first time in years, had lost his composure, Lu Jiangxian smiled slightly. He could sense that this youth harbored no ill intent—in fact, he wished above all to limit interactions with the Li family, lest he be stained by worldly ties, let alone intent to kill. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"Perhaps this is a good thing after all!"

————

Side courtyard at the foot of the mountain.

"Indeed, our Perfected Lord is Xiao Jin, foremost among the three remaining Golds within the realm... uh."

Wang Xun nodded, vaguely aware that something was amiss—perhaps he had said too much—and explained:

"Yuanping, fellow Taoist, I am newly arrived from the South River and unfamiliar with southern customs. My reason for coming is to make a request, not to wield power or oppress. If I have offended you in any way, please do not take it amiss..."

"Not at all! Not at all!"

Li Yuanping still could hardly believe it, eager for Wang Xun to say more with every word. Observing his sincere bearing, Yuanping quickly replied accordingly, mind racing as he asked,

"Although our family enjoys some reputation in these parts, we are small and insignificant, not worthy of note. May I ask what matter brings such an esteemed guest to visit?"

"This matter is rather long to tell."

Wang Xun responded, a smile surfacing on the youth's face as he continued:

"The Wang clan's cultivation is not the southern Zifu Golden Core Path, but rather the ancient Qi-Nourishing Character Cultivating Method. This path has long been lost in the South River; to explain it in detail to the Family Head would take three days and nights."

"In terms understood by southern Taoist cultivators, for me to cultivate the Divine Skill 'Nourish the Azure Heaven', a hundred and twenty-eight strands of Sword Qi and sixteen Sword Intents must be gathered, creating a school unto itself. Only then can this Divine Skill be mastered."

He raised the Jade Cup with a smile, gazing at Li Yuanping expectantly as he explained:

"Within my clan there are over a hundred who have completed the cultivation of Sword Qi; these have all been gathered by me already. However, Sword Intent is far harder to find—the Wang clan only possesses two. The rest, I must go out into the world to seek on my own, to fulfill my Dao pursuit."

"Thus, I asked my father for guidance; the elder calculated and said there are still four Sword Immortals in the South River and two Spirit Swords left to seek."

Upon hearing this, Li Yuanping gained some understanding of the purpose of the visit. He saw Wang Xun take a sip of tea, his expression shy as he said:

"When I reached the lakeside, I secretly divined myself—a noble family here possesses a Spirit Sword, residing on Lijing Mountain, named 'Green Ruler.'"

Setting down the Jade Cup, Wang Xun stood up solemnly, adjusted his sleeve, and took a respectful step back as he announced:

"I humbly ask the Family Head to let me see the sword, that my Dao path may be complete—my gratitude would be boundless!"

Wang Xun simply cupped his hands in salute, lowered his head slightly but did not bend at the waist. Though his words were respectful, his posture seemed somewhat proud. Li Yuanping took him for one of the Immortal Clan by birth and thought nothing of it—never expecting that Wang Xun would flush with embarrassment, then hurriedly add: