chsdbacks Chapter 229 Finally Obtaining the Black Tortoise
Chapter 229 Finally Obtaining the Black Tortoise
Chapter 229 Finally Obtaining the Black Tortoise
After a while,
There was a gentle knock on the door of the private room.
Su Manniang personally carried in a huge tray.
The table was laden with golden-brown, juicy lamb chops, fragrant hand-pulled rice, several dishes of desert specialties, and a pot of fine wine, distinctly different from the other guests', served in a white jade wine pot.
She smiled and placed the dishes on the table one by one, her movements elegant and fluid, showing no trace of the hustle and bustle she had displayed when dealing with desert guests downstairs.
"Gentlemen, please try our desert specialties,"
"Especially this 'Amber Light' wine, which is carefully brewed from grapes deep in the oasis and buried underground for a full ten years. I myself am reluctant to drink it on ordinary days."
As she spoke, she personally poured Li Xijun a full glass.
The wine is amber in color and has a rich, mellow aroma; it is truly an exceptional product.
As the charming proprietress served the dishes, she asked, seemingly casually:
"Judging from your distinguished appearances, you are certainly no ordinary travelers. I wonder if you have come to my little Loulan oasis seeking adventure and mystery, or... perhaps you have other intentions?"
Her gaze was mainly fixed on Li Xijun, carrying a hint of inquiry and subtle flirtation.
Li Xijun picked up the wine glass, sniffed it gently, but did not drink it immediately.
His mind raced, and he was about to speak to this person who had basically confirmed their identity...
But the Xuanwu Venerable is still playing the role of the "Innkeeper's Wife" and exchanging witty remarks.
however,
Li Qinghan, standing to the side, seemed somewhat impatient.
I don't know if it's because the feng shui of the Palace of Stars is bad.
Neither of the two venerable elders in this palace possessed the demeanor of a grandmaster.
One enjoyed teasing her younger brother, while the other was addicted to playing the role of a seductive landlady, her alluring eyes constantly glancing at Li Xijun.
This made her increasingly uncomfortable, so she simply put down her chopsticks, her cold eyes looking directly at Su Manniang, getting straight to the point, her voice like ice beads falling onto a jade plate:
"Senior Xuanwu, there's no need for such roundabout talk. We've come here specifically to inform you:"
"We both know about the entrance to the secret realm deep within the Loulan Oasis, which is suspected to be the 'Night Emperor's Tomb'."
Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the private room seemed to instantly become subtle.
Su Manniang's charming smile remained unchanged, but the playful glint in her eyes had lessened somewhat.
She gave a soft "Oh?", the last syllable rising in her voice, carrying just the right amount of curiosity:
"So, that previous cataclysmic event was caused by you?"
She already had a pretty good idea of who the two men were.
Now that Li Qinghan has spoken, she is completely certain of their identities.
Li Qinghan was not surprised by her reaction and continued calmly:
"Senior, I discovered the entrance to the 'Night Emperor's Tomb' deep within the oasis. When it was opened, the celestial phenomena were too intense, but because it attracted too much attention, I did not enter."
"Although I don't know what's inside, I imagine it contains something that the Venerable One has been searching for for over ten years while he was stationed here."
Li Qinghan's canine teeth completely wiped away the lazy smile on Su Manniang's face.
She sat up straight, and the aura around her, as deep and still as the earth and the sea, flowed unconsciously around her. Although she did not deliberately release her pressure, it made the atmosphere in the entire private room solemn.
The Xuanwu Venerable stared at Li Qinghan, his gaze revealing a different meaning:
"White Tiger Saintess, hehe, you seem to have quite a connection with the Night Emperor. However, judging from the way you two are acting, it seems you're not just here to tell me about the Night Emperor's Tomb, are you?"
Li Qinghan spoke calmly:
"We can guide you to find and confirm the entrance, and explore the treasures within together. But before that, please pass on the 'Xuanwu Suppressing the Sea and Covering the Earth Technique' to Xijun."
Upon hearing this, Su Manniang lightly tapped her fingers on the table, making a soft tapping sound, like a shop owner doing accounts after closing time.
Her gaze fell on Li Xijun, then on Li Qinghan, and she suddenly chuckled softly:
"Truly, the younger generation is to be feared. That Suzaku fellow is quite lucky to have taught such an outstanding disciple as you."
"...As for you, little one,"
Her gaze shifted to Li Xijun.
"That's even more outrageous. You're ranked number one on the Human Ranking, and the name 'Azure Emperor' does seem quite fitting for your skills. What, having gathered the true teachings of the Azure Dragon and Vermilion Bird isn't enough, you've also set your sights on the Sea-Suppressing Technique of my Black Tortoise lineage?"
"Could it be that you really want to try your hand at that elusive 'Zhou Tian Xing Chen Si Xiang Jue'?"
Li Xijun met her gaze calmly and nodded, saying:
"Your Excellency is wise. Indeed, I have this intention, and I would like to give it a try."
"Your ambitions are quite impressive." Venerable Xuanwu chuckled, but there was little opposition in his tone; instead, there was a hint of anticipation.
"Generally speaking, it has been almost a thousand years since anyone has been able to gather all four elements of the martial arts. After all, for so many years, the martial arts of each school have been passed down only through true lineage."
"However... I find it rather interesting. Rules are rules, but people are flexible."
"Besides, that little mudfish Yin Tianheng occupies the position of the Azure Dragon Saint Son, and he's always looking down on everyone. I can't stand the sight of him."
She leaned forward slightly, lowered her voice, and spoke with a hint of seduction:
"Since you have this intention, having the cultivation technique alone is not enough. The key is to comprehend the [Zhou Tian Xing Dou Array Diagram] in the sacred land."
"The fastest way to get in legitimately is to kill Yin Tianheng and seize the position of Azure Dragon Saint Son."
"How about it? Want to collaborate? I can 'help' you create an excellent opportunity..."
After all, she was a Venerable of the Xuanwu lineage, and it was impossible for her to personally attack the Azure Dragon Saint.
However, even if Li Xijun finishes off the severely injured enemy, it has nothing to do with her, even if the entire server of [Dust Book] announces it.
"Senior Xuanwu!"
Li Qinghan immediately frowned and interrupted, her tone tinged with anger.
"This matter is far too dangerous, no child's play. Yin Tianheng's strength is unfathomable; he is not someone to be trifled with."
"Moreover, there is a world between the outer realm and the realm below it. My brother only needs to cultivate step by step. As for comprehending the array diagram, I will have a way to deal with it when I break through to the outer realm. There is no need to take such a risky step."
Her protectiveness was evident, clearly indicating her intention to continue supporting Li Xijun financially.
Seeing this, Venerable Xuanwu shrugged indifferently, leaned back in his chair, and lazily took a sip of wine.
"Alright, alright, you two siblings can discuss it yourselves. Anyway, I heard the terms: exchange the 'Xuanwu Zhenhai Fudi Fa' for the entrance and information of the Night Emperor's tomb. This deal... doesn't sound like a bad one for me."
Her gaze fell on Li Xijun again, with a mixture of amusement and seriousness:
"However, little one, although I can give you the cultivation technique..."
"But the cultivation methods of my Xuanwu lineage are completely different from the ever-renewing Azure Dragon Way, the Vermilion Bird Fire that burns the heavens and boils the seas, and the White Tiger Sharpness that makes decisive killings. It places the most emphasis on fate and temperament."
The Way of Xuanwu is as stable as the earth and as vast as the deep sea. However, if one wishes to connect the two, one must understand the true meaning of the interaction between Yin and Yang: "The male does not live alone, the female does not dwell in solitude, the Xuanwu tortoise and snake, coiled and supporting each other."
Whether you can master it, how far you can go, and even whether you can truly integrate them in the future, all depends on your own destiny.
This skill is not something that can be mastered overnight; in fact… it might be much more difficult than you imagine.
Li Xijun's expression remained calm, but upon hearing the phrase "The male does not live alone, the female does not dwell in solitude; the Black Tortoise and the Snake, coiled together in mutual support," he felt a surge of emotion and joy.
He had already understood the profound meaning of the Xuanwu's unity of tortoise and snake.
For this,
Without revealing his feelings, Li Xijun raised the cup of "Amber Light" that he hadn't drunk yet, gesturing to Venerable Xuanwu, his tone calm and firm:
"Thank you for the reminder, Venerable One. The path is long and arduous, but perseverance will lead to our destination. This cup is a token of my gratitude for the Venerable One's instruction in the cultivation method."
Having said that, he drank the wine in his cup in one gulp.
(End of this chapter)