Chapter 9 (1/2)
In just the blink of an eye, Xiao Chen could vaguely feel the distinct changes in the environment of this world. Knowing that the Violet Manor was his best option to enhance his powers, he asked, “Do you have any way of leading me to this Violet Manor?”
Evernight glanced at him and said, “The Mu girl you met not long ago has powers of the Core Forming Realm. Even she could hardly withstand the might of her enemies from the Violet Manor who have pursued her here in the Human World. What do you, a Cultivator of the Qi Refining Realm, can do? Remember, you possess twelve Spiritual Meridians. That alone makes you a widely-coveted nourishment.”
“What can I do then? Am I to remain a useless fool for the rest of my life, now that Miss Gu had removed the seals from my Spiritual Meridians? One way or another, I must make it there!”
Evernight gave a light snort and he said, “There are Cultivators’ sects and covens here in the Human World, but they are mostly hidden from sight and their strongholds are protected by magical enchantments and barriers. That is why most common mortals know nothing of them. But once every few years, a select few disciples who have displayed promising talents are chosen to be sent to the Violet Manor. Surely you will know how to go from here?”
Xiao Chen finally understood: Evernight had suggested that he enroll himself into one such Immortal sects and try to gain entry into the Violet Manor. He would also be able to learn the cultivation methods of the sect he would later join and use it to reach the Foundation Building Realm. It was a very good plan that he could kill two birds with one stone.
Like a huge sea-going vessel that could never travel on shallow waters, his Mystic Cyan Cultivation Method could never again function adequately with the thinning Spiritual Qi in this environment. He would now need another cultivation method; a little boat, for him to traverse the smaller stream until his large vessel can once again be used in the greater seas.
Xiao Chen’s eyes flashed, renewed with hope and resolve. He must reach the Violet Manor; the greater seas where he can once again use the Mystic Cyan Cultivation Method to its greatest efficacy! He must find out what happened thousands of years ago and find his master, Ling Yin!
Just then, he heard quick footsteps pattering outside. Evernight immediately retreated back into the zither. Just as Evernight had vanished, the door of his little cottage swung opened and in came a lady, looking twenty of age, although she was, in fact, a woman over thirty years of age. She was Xiao Chen’s mother, Su Qing.
“What happened, Chen’er?” Su Qing asked, immediately reaching for his wrist.
Xiao Chen immediately withdrew his hand, “I am well, Mother…”
Su Qing’s eyes immediately narrowed into a cold glare, “Was it the people from the Skygale Sect who had injured you?”
Xiao Chen felt himself shudder, why was his mother unafraid of the name Skygale Sect, unlike the rest of his kin? His mother’s family name was Su, but the Xiao Family had a law set by one of their ancestors, that no one from the family is to fraternize with anyone surnamed Su.
Thus, Xiao Chen’s parents faced harsh and terrible repudiation when they were together. In a fit of rage, his father had then left the family with his mother. It was until three years after Xiao Chen was born, only then they all returned to the Xiao Family.
“I am well, Mother. Worry no more…”
Su Qing sighed. Her chin rose gently as she scowled at him, “You silly child. Do I not know that you have always kept things from me? From where does your power come from?”
“I-I, I…” Xiao Chen stuttered, not knowing how he should explain everything. He hastily changed the subject, “A-ah… Yes! I remember that the Elegant Pavilion has a new stock of jewelry from the Western Regions that came last month. How about we visit their store for a look someday?”
It was only in the afternoon when his mother finally left, relenting at last for not being able to wriggle the truth out of him. Xiao Chen heaved a breath of relief. But he had always been puzzled for he had never heard of his father speaking about his mother’s family and he had never once visited his mother’s family even in the festive seasons.
The sun was creeping away into the hills when he suddenly had an urge to explore the ancient crypt to see if Mu Chengxue had left anything behind. With his skills, he easily slipped past the two guards at the entrance.
A deathly chill reigned eternally in the ancient crypt of the Xiao Family. Neither beasts nor vermins dared disturb the slumber of the occupants within. The hoary blanket of moon glow upon the stones of the ancient necropolis added only to the ghastly atmosphere that lingered. Xiao Chen went straight to the cave where Mu Chengxue once hid in and found a white jade bottle. There were seven or eight healing elixirs in it.
“She had mentioned that only the elixirs in this bottle were personally refined by her. Did she leave this here for me, knowing that I would return?”
He stowed the jade bottle into his robes. He had merely mentioned about the matter in jest to Mu Chengxue, yet now things had taken an odd turn and culminated in a costly favor for him.
He slapped his forehead suddenly. He had completely forgotten to ask her about her origins. How would he be able to locate her in the sea of people in the Violet Manor if and when he reached there?
He shook his head and sighed. But just when he was about to turn and leave, he sensed a sudden turbulence of auric energies churning in the cave. It seemed to come from under the ground.