All the affairs were settled, and Yuan Mobai finally nodded at Lei Jun.
Lei Jun followed his master down from the main peak until they returned to Yuan Mobai’s residence halfway up the mountain. Only then did the master and disciple formally exchange thoughts.
"The Vermilion Sun Tree..."
Yuan Mobai marveled, "It blooms so rarely and at such unpredictable times, and the flowers only open briefly. If you miss it once, who knows how long it will be until the next time."
Lei Jun replied, "Disciple merely stumbled upon it by chance. The flowers were in full bloom at sunrise, and soon after, the buds showed signs of closing again. Fortunately, I picked them in time."
As he spoke, he handed the Breathing Soil Banner to Yuan Mobai.
Upon seeing the Vermilion Sun Blossom, Yuan Mobai’s expression was filled with emotion.
It was the sight of the Breathing Soil Banner, though, that elicited a rare change in his demeanor.
Lei Jun surprisingly found his master unable to suppress a complex and indescribable expression.
"Although I vaguely knew you possessed outstanding Magic Artifacts, I never expected it to be something like this."
Yuan Mobai shook his head lightly, his expression quickly returning to normal.
Lei Jun did not hide the curiosity on his face.
Yuan Mobai chuckled, not going into detail but simply saying as he returned the Breathing Soil Banner to Lei Jun, "This treasure comes from Mount Shu."
Lei Jun nodded silently.
He had some speculations before but wasn’t certain.
Mount Shu, also known as the Mount Shu School or the Mount Shu Sect.
It has always been renowned alongside the Longhu Mountain Celestial Master’s Mansion and Zhongnan Mountain’s Pure Yang Palace.
Longhu Mountain is the Ancestral Court Sacred Land of the Taoist Talisman Sect.
Zhongnan Mountain is the Ancestral Court Sacred Land of the Taoist Dan Ding Sect.
Due to the nature of their Cultivation Practices, the Taoist Dan Ding Sect is often referred to by people as the Inner Alchemy Sect.
Another corresponding Taoist Sacred Land-level Sect is Mount Shu, the Ancestral Court Sacred Land of the Taoist External Alchemy School.
Contrary to what many people think, in this world, the term "dan" refers not just to elixirs.
In this world, Taoist Sect cultivation defines all items refined external to oneself as External Alchemy.
Immortal pills and wondrous medicines are considered External Alchemy, and all kinds of Magic Artifacts and Magical Treasures are similarly termed.
Mount Shu is the foremost Sacred Land of Daoist Artificing.
Hence, many people refer to the External Alchemy School as the Refinement Sect.
The Longhu Mountain Celestial Master’s Mansion borrows the laws of nature, its talismans connect heaven and earth, cultivates both spirit and life-destiny, where dragon and tiger converge.
The Pure Yang Palace of Zhongnan Mountain uses itself as a Cauldron Furnace to refine the Great Elixir, also cultivating both spirit and life-destiny, channeling all cultivation into their physical bodies and Yang Gods.
The Mount Shu Sect, while devotedly cultivating their innate spirit and Spiritual Soul, also refines their own life-bound Magic Artifacts and Magical Treasures. It is as if navigating the Bitter Sea; ultimately, they achieve unity of body and artifact, channeling their spirit into their treasures, and soaring through the Nine Heavens.
The revered Sword Immortals of Mount Shu originate from this Tao.
In fact, while many cultivate Flying Swords as their life-bound Magic Artifact, they represent but one branch of the Mount Shu Taoist Heritage.
The Mount Shu Sect’s Taoist Heritage spans many years, with a diverse array of Magic Artifacts, each possessing its own marvels.
Besides life-bound Magic Artifacts, Descendants of Mount Shu may also refine other Magic Artifacts when time, energy, or special needs permit.
Many of the Magic Artifacts currently circulating within and beyond the Great Tang originate from Mount Shu.
The Longhu Mountain Celestial Master’s Mansion also refines Magic Artifacts and Magical Treasures. With a long and distinguished Taoist Heritage, they too have their unique aspects, but in terms of scale, they are far behind Mount Shu.
When I first encountered the Breathing Soil Banner, I vaguely sensed that this treasure was also from a branch of the Taoist Sect, but it didn’t seem to be from the Taoist Inheritance of my own Taoist Talisman Sect.
Among the other two major factions, the Inner Alchemy Sect, or the Dan Ding Pai Chunyang Palace, rarely refines external Magic Artifacts.
The most probable origin remaining was the Mount Shu Sect, the Ancestral Court Sacred Land of the External Alchemy School, also known as the Refinement Sect.
Since I hadn’t personally interacted much with the Mount Shu Sect, I wasn’t sure.
Now, it was confirmed by Yuan Mobai.
Lei Jun roughly recounted to his master how he came to possess the Breathing Soil Banner.
For the most part, he told the truth, only omitting a few details and attributing his luck to a fortuitous encounter with a blessed source.
Yuan Mobai did not probe further, simply commenting, "It seems indeed to be an ancient treasure from the time of the Great Chen Dynasty."
The Vermilion Sun Blossom, in theory, would reclose after a brief bloom.
Using the Breathing Soil Banner to nurture the flower stem was merely a short-term measure.
In the long run, the Vermilion Sun Blossom would still disappear.
Under Yuan Mobai’s guidance, he took out his Nine Sacred Frost Dew.
After bathing in the Nine Sacred Frost Dew, a faint radiance emitted from the white petals.
The glow was lustrous, giving a sense of warmth.
With this sheen, the Vermilion Sun Blossom instantly maintained its full bloom, never withering.
"Next, all that remains is to wait patiently," Yuan Mobai said. "Nourished by the Nine Sacred Frost Dew, it will need time to be cultivated. Only then will it be suitable for you to use." Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on novel·fire.net
Lei Jun nodded repeatedly. Referencing the Celestial Master Seal and the True One Altar, he felt the same.
The True One Altar, and now, the Vermilion Sun Blossom cultivated with Nine Sacred Frost Dew, can be considered two fortunes, Lei Jun thought. Looking at the current situation, there seems to be one more thing missing...
Yuan Mobai said, "Based on your current state and the Taoist Laws you practice, a connection has already formed through the subtle workings of fate. If my guess is right, this last piece of fortune you seek should counterbalance the Vermilion Sun Blossom."
Lei Jun understood what Yuan Mobai was suggesting.
Previously, with the help of the Huo Sui Yang Yu and the Water Marrow Yin Fish, the Weiji Bowl, and the Jiji Stone, I nourished my Spiritual Soul and heightened my Comprehension.
To some extent, I was following the path of Yin and Yang Harmony, the path of balancing Liangyi.
My own Cultivation Practices and Taoist Laws barely need mentioning; the Taoist Heritage of the Longhu Mountain Celestial Master’s Mansion has always emphasized the union and interplay of Yin and Yang, the convergence of Dragon and Tiger.
With such alignment, it is most appropriate for me to continue seeking transformative changes and improving my Root Bone Talent in this direction.
My initial success in achieving the Hidden Dragon Spirit Body was an unintentional act amidst fortuitous circumstances.