Chapter 46: Nascent Soul Elder Arrives!
The Iron Pillar Temple’s fields yielded a crop of ling dao (灵稻), spirit-infused rice capable of producing ling jiu (灵酒), a rare brew reputed to enhance cultivation. The old abbot, cherishing the temple’s sole jar of this precious liquor as a family heirloom, decided to offer it to Xiao Yu as a gesture of gratitude.
“Immortal, please join in tasting this spirit wine. Its aroma is unparalleled, and though I rarely indulge, tonight calls for celebration!”
“Very well.” Xiao Yu smiled and accepted the invitation.
Chairs and tables were set in the temple courtyard under the moonlight. Plates of modest dishes accompanied the revered wine. As the group drank, the atmosphere lightened, the simple joys outweighing the underwhelming strength of the wine itself.
“Abbot,” Xiao Yu finally said, rising from his seat. “I have lingered here for several days. It’s ti for to take my leave.”
The old abbot’s face softened with understanding, though his heart sank, “Immortal, your presence has been nothing short of a blessing. Without you, this temple would be in ruins, and we would all be dead. Please, if I may, allow to see you off tomorrow morning.”
Moved by the abbot’s sincerity, Xiao Yu nodded, “Very well.”
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The following morning, Xiao Yu prepared to depart. The abbot, alongside a few disciples, escorted him for eighty miles before halting reluctantly.
“Abbot,” Xiao Yu advised, “ensure the Curse Water Formation is activated to protect your temple. Whether or not the culprit is Qingyu Hall, they are unlikely to give up easily. Be vigilant.”
“I will heed your words.” The abbot bowed deeply, gratitude brimming in his eyes.
Xiao Yu saluted with cupped fists. “Until we et again.” With that, he soared into the sky heading eastward.
The abbot stood watching until the blue streak vanished beyond the horizon. He then made his way to a nearby city, purchasing grain and supplies for the temple.
As dusk fell and the temple’s gates appeared on the horizon, an overwhelming force descended upon him.
A suffocating presence crushed the air, radiating from the sky. The abbot stumbled, a primal fear gripping him.
“Such power… terrifying…” he muttered, his voice shaking.
From the void stepped an elder draped in white, his hair stark against the night sky. His gaze, sharp as blades, locked onto the abbot. In his hand, he held a scroll.
“Nascent Soul…” the abbot whispered, trembling as he recognized the elder’s aura.
Nascent Soul cultivators were beings of legend, their mastery over life and death unmatched. Before them, even Golden Core practitioners were ants.
The elder, Shangguan Ce, extended the scroll, “Have you seen this person?”
The abbot, his knees nearly buckling under the imnse pressure, managed to glance at the scroll. It depicted a proud youth, adorned in a blazing crimson robe, a storage pouch at his waist, and wielding a mystical ruler.
“N-No,” the abbot stamred, shaking his head furiously.
Shangguan Ce’s eyes narrowed, “You deny knowing him, yet the aura of the Nine Suns Ruler lingers upon you. Shall we test your honesty?”
[Nine Suns Ruler (九阳尺): An artefact of imnse power, capable of channelling devastating solar energy. Its lingering aura betrayed its recent presence.]
The abbot’s heart plumted. “Predecessor, I swear on the honour of Iron Pillar Temple, I have never encountered the man in this image. Please, I implore you to believe .”
“Swearing won’t absolve you,” Shangguan Ce said coldly. “I possess the Soul-Searching Technique. If your words hold truth, you’ll have nothing to fear.”
[Soul-Searching Technique (搜魂大法): A sinister art used in xianxia narratives, often reserved for extracting mories. Victims seldom survive intact, with their souls left fragnted and minds shattered.]
The abbot’s face turned ashen. The Soul-Searching Technique was infamous, a cruel art that stripped mories from its victims, leaving them ntally and spiritually shattered.
“Predecessor!” The abbot fell to his knees. “I have lived an upright life and harboured no enmity with you. Please, spare this tornt!”
Shangguan Ce’s expression remained unmoved. “Ordinarily, I might have shown rcy…”
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