Chapter 140: The Wu Family's Practice and Knowledge

Xuan Yuan Sect.

Outside the main hall of Xuanyang Palace.

A dozen or so disciples followed closely behind Shen Yu. At the very front of the group stood an elderly man with white hair and beard, hands clasped behind his back at the edge of the cloud steps.

He was none other than Lou Zhengze, the Sect Master of Xuan Yuan Sect.

The head of the foremost sect in the Chu Kingdom was personally seeing someone off—such a grand gesture was truly extraordinary.

From the empty sky, the cry of a mystical crane pierced the air as it slowly descended.

“Master Lou, what are you doing?”

Seated atop the ink-colored celestial crane was a young Daoist, his face as flawless as jade, eyes shimmering like stars, a slender scroll strapped to his back.

He was Wu Xingzhi, a descendant of Wu Daoxuan from the Central Domain, a visitor from afar.

Gracefully landing, the celestial crane dissolved into a streak of ink, curling around his fingertips.

“This grand send-off is far too much kindness,” he said modestly.

Having cultivated for over one hundred thirty years, Wu Xingzhi had only just barely entered the early Golden Core stage. In the Central Domain, he was at best an average cultivator.

Within the Wu Immortal Clan, his status was nothing remarkable.

This journey to the frontier had given him a firsthand experience of what it meant to be above all others.

Wu Xingzhi murmured to himself, cautioning against vanity disturbing his Dao heart.

Back in his sect, to have his painting refinement skills fall sharply would be utterly laughable.

Lou Zhengze’s aged and stern face softened into a warm smile. “Nonsense. A distinguished guest has traveled far; this humble old man’s hospitality in this remote land is lacking. Daoist Wu, please do not take offense.”

“It is only right to come and see off on this day of parting.”

After some polite exchanges, Wu Xingzhi took his leave.

“Sect Master Lou, until we meet again.”

“Daoist Wu, do not forget to convey my regards to Elder Wu Xunzhi.”

The elder Lou spoke of, Wu Xunzhi, was a senior elder in the Wu Immortal Clan who had once traveled across the continent.

By chance, he had provided some guidance to Lou Zhengze in the past.

Though there was no formal master-disciple relationship, there was a bond of affection between them.

Back then, Lou Zhengze was but a reckless youth newly grounded in Foundation Establishment.

Now, the young man had ascended to Golden Core and become head of a sect, while this elder, Wu Xunzhi, was known to have reached mid Nascent Soul stage, according to Wu Xingzhi.

Wu Xingzhi nodded. “Certainly.”

He appeared courteous, but inwardly harbored some reservations.

Elder Xunzhi was kind-hearted and fond of mentoring juniors.

In his youth, he had traveled the world and guided many promising cultivators.

But who would still remember this Sect Master Lou?

“Farewell.”

Without lingering further, Wu Xingzhi’s fingertips rippled with ink, and once more transformed into a celestial crane, soaring into the sky.

He leapt aboard, the crane’s clear cry echoing as it flew toward the distant horizon.

Though Wu Xingzhi’s figure soon vanished beyond the sea of clouds, the news he brought rippled deeply within the upper echelons of Xuan Yuan Sect.

Beside Lou Zhengze, an elder of the same Golden Core realm furrowed his brow and transmitted quietly, “Zhengze, can we trust what this Wu descendant said?”

The sect master withdrew his gaze, a trace of concern flickering in his eyes.

“The cultivation technique Wu Xingzhi displayed bears many similarities to that of Elder Wu Xunzhi. The Wu family heirloom he carries should be genuine as well.”

“…”

His eyes flickered, as if pondering something. “For a Divine Transformation cultivator’s homeland, even ordinary paintings stored there would not be commonplace.”

“Has anyone in our sect obtained that ink jade pendant?”

“So far, only two have officially reported it… one at Qi Refining, one at Foundation Establishment.”

Lou Zhengze frowned slightly upon hearing this.

One piece of information Wu Xingzhi revealed had not been disclosed to outsiders: once the jade pendant chooses its master, it cannot be taken away or transferred to another.

Should the original owner die, it will dissipate automatically, reducing the number of entrants to the Divine Transformation homeland by one.

Although Wu Xingzhi claimed that one’s cultivation level held no bearing inside the Homeland, these old foxes were skeptical.

Among those holding the entry qualifications, naturally, the stronger the cultivation, the better.

Dismissed the disciples at will, Lou Zhengze and the Golden Core elder transformed into streaks of light, returning to the Sect Master’s Peak for discussion.

The remaining cultivators walked slowly back along the mountain path.

Ancient pines stood lush and verdant by the roadside, but no one had the heart to appreciate them.

“There are eighty-six pieces of that ink jade scattered outside, yet Xuan Yuan Sect has only found two,” an elder beside Shen Yu sighed. “The world is unpredictable. Who would have thought this cultivation opportunity was somehow connected to the art of painting?”

“Old Shen, do you think that Song Yan might have had one of those…”

Mentioning Song Yan’s name brought dark expressions to several elders.

In the Battle of Changping, Xuan Yuan Sect not only lost Shen Huai but also lost face in full view of everyone.

Now, relations between the two sects had plummeted to ice-cold, and border skirmishes increased steadily.

“That brat only has Qi Refining cultivation. Even if he got the ink jade, what could he do with it?” a disdainful elder scoffed.

But as soon as he spoke, he caught himself.

Wu Xingzhi’s words had made it clear that the opportunity within was unrelated to cultivation level.

“…”

Shen Yu shook his head. “Do not underestimate him.”

Despite his deep dislike for Song Yan, he knew well his exceptional qualities.

“For that child to survive the Infernal Abyss is truly uncanny.”

An elder beside him remarked, “I doubt it. Elder Wu also said the ink jade chooses its master based on painting skill.”

“As far as I know, that person knows nothing about painting.”

A cold gleam flashed in Shen Yu’s eyes. “So what if he does? Heh heh, if he really dares to take the ink jade to the Divine Transformation Homeland…”

Everyone understood the implication and fell silent.

Shen Yu returned to the elders’ chamber, where the earlier idle chatter made him begin to doubt the truth of Song Yan possessing the item.

His eyes flickered as he pulled out a map from his universe pouch.

“Wu Xingzhi said that although the ink jade scattered during the Changping battle, once the Homeland emerges, it will guide those who possess the pendant to it.”

“These ink jades shouldn’t be too far from the Homeland’s location.”

His fingers traced the map lightly.

“At most… it lies within this area.”

The Chu Kingdom was small, indeed.

Yet, for the residence of a cultivator’s ancestral home, this was still an excessively broad range.

How to pinpoint the exact location?

“Qi Kingdom, Chu Kingdom, Ning Kingdom, Central Domain…”

South of Chu Kingdom was the domain of the Great Tian Mountains, and no reports had yet surfaced of ink-colored teleportations flying directly south.

The southern border area likely had few who mastered the painting path.

Most importantly, the distance was too great.

“Those two disciples within the sect who obtained the ink jade have never left the sect. This area isn’t far…”

“…”

He pondered for a moment, then lightly drew a circle with his fingertip, marking two locations.

“Longquan in Chu Kingdom.”

“Or…”

“Junping in the Central Domain.”