Chapter 153: Seven Luminaries Star Swords, Second Transformation: Peach Blossom Gu!

After Immortal Lady Meng arrived at Qingyun Market Town, she began to inquire about the current situation of her grandson, Meng Yibai.

As well as whether anything had happened within the market town.

Qingyun Market Town was originally established by the Azure Cloud Sect.

As a False Core cultivator, it was naturally easy for her to gather this information.

Before long, she had a general understanding of her grandson’s situation and the recent happenings in the market town.

Within this information, she keenly noticed a piece of news.

Xiao Xiyue was attempting Foundation Establishment in Qingyun Market Town.

Moreover, Xiao Xiyue was not attempting Foundation Establishment alone.

She was sharing a Cave Dwelling with a man to attempt Foundation Establishment together.

Upon learning this news, Immortal Lady Meng realized that her grandson’s demise in a fight might be related to this matter.

She knew her grandson’s character very well.

And she knew about his intentions toward Xiao Xiyue.

She was the one who first brought up the idea.

Hoping her grandson could form a Dao partnership with Xiyue Fairy.

If her grandson found out that Xiao Xiyue came to Qingyun Market Town to attempt Foundation Establishment, he would naturally go to congratulate her.

However, seeing Xiao Xiyue being close with another man in the same room would surely make him jealous and might even cause him to harbor murderous intent.

“Xiao Xiyue.”

Immortal Lady Meng’s expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

She hadn’t expected this situation to involve Xiao Xiyue.

The trail of clues led back to Xiao Xiyue.

Even though she knew that the matter involved Xiao Xiyue, and she could investigate through her, she dared not confront Xiao Xiyue.

For one thing, she knew her grandson was at fault.

That man who could stay in the same room with Xiao Xiyue and attempt Foundation Establishment was close to her, even if not her Dao partner.

In this situation, her grandson was asking for trouble with his jealousy, leading to his demise.

Confronting Xiao Xiyue might irritate her further.

It’s not that she feared Xiao Xiyue.

But Xiao Xiyue has a special status.

She has the Golden Core Master Yun Wanshang as her master.

Even as a False Core cultivator, she dared not provoke Caiyun Zhenren.

After all, that is a true Golden Core immortal.

Moreover, Caiyun Zhenren is known to be very protective.

A year ago, she even unsheathed her sword at Chiyang Peak for the sake of her disciple Xiao Xiyue.

Such a temperament, Meng couldn’t afford to provoke.

If Caiyun Zhenren found out about this matter and got angry, a sword strike in her fury could mean Meng would need to prepare for her own end.

Additionally, knowing that this person had just succeeded in Foundation Establishment confirmed her earlier suspicions.

The person who killed her grandson must have a backer.

Most likely a False Core cultivator, or even a Golden Core cultivator.

Otherwise, how could someone who just reached Foundation Establishment be a match for her grandson?

Let alone kill her grandson.

“Sigh.”

After sorting out the causes and consequences, Immortal Lady Meng sighed deeply.

With a hunched figure and a despondent silhouette, she departed Qingyun Market Town, heading back to the Azure Cloud Sect on a Spirit Boat.

Planning to spend the coming days quietly within the Azure Cloud Sect.

“This Flying Sword is more handy than the previous Red-Robed Youth’s Spirit Tool Flying Sword.”

On the Iron Feather Eagle, Lu Changsheng played with Meng Yibai’s golden Flying Sword after refining it.

“But that’s because I have a Metal-attribute spiritual body that is more compatible with this Flying Sword.”

“If I want a truly perfect Spirit Sword, I’ll have to commission an Equipment Refiner to forge one with all Five Elements and Yin-Yang attributes.”

Practicing the Seven Luminaries Great Freedom Sword Manual, Lu Changsheng naturally understood what kind of Spirit Sword he needed to maximize his strength.

Obtaining such a Spirit Sword by buying or looting is challenging.

Most flying swords in the cultivation world are single-attribute or have two or three attributes.

It’s rare to find a sword with all Five Elements and Yin-Yang attributes.

It requires a refiner to forge one.

“Once I have some free time, I’ll ask someone to craft one.”

Lu Changsheng put away the Flying Sword and thought to himself.

He didn’t worry too much.

This Flying Sword is just a transitional Spirit Tool.

During the Foundation Establishment stage, his life-bound tool is the Seven Luminaries Heart Lamp.

Once the lamp is forged, his strength will rise to a new level.

As for the flying swords.

After forming the Golden Core, the third layer of the Seven Luminaries Great Freedom Sword Manual contains a set of flying sword magical treasures called the ‘Seven Luminaries Star Swords’.

They allow the formation of Sun, Moon, Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, and Saturn flying sword magical treasures, each with different attributes.

These flying sword treasures complement the Seven Luminaries Great Freedom Sword Manual perfectly, greatly increasing their power.

They can also transform into sixty-four sword shadows and form the Seven Luminaries Star Sword Formation.

Once the sword formation is established, it can easily kill someone in the mid-Golden Core stage and even late Golden Core stage.

“But I’m merely at Foundation Establishment now, magical treasures are too distant for me.”

Lu Changsheng shook his head, not dwelling on it.

He took out a Jade Slip map and infused it with spiritual energy to check his location.

It was about two days away from Qingzhu Mountain.

“Although the Wraith Threads have been refined, I don’t know if Meng Yibai’s False Core older generation has other means to find me.”

“So, to be safe, I should linger outside for a while, not rush back to Qingzhu Mountain, to avoid trouble.”

After looking at the map, Lu Changsheng decided to observe the area for about ten days to half a month.

He wanted to make sure Meng Yibai’s family couldn’t find him before returning.

Otherwise, leading trouble to Qingzhu Mountain and Red Leaf Market Town would be unfortunate.

“Sigh, I should really go out less.”

“It’s one thing to kill ordinary bandit cultivators.”

“Killing someone with a background poses a huge trouble.”

Lu Changsheng sighed.

He’s determined that after returning home, he’ll focus on making money, raising and educating children, and self-improvement.

Otherwise, encountering more people like Meng Yibai could bring trouble back home.

Plus, he must pay more attention to raising and educating children.

If a family is established but the children grow up wrongly, it would be a headache.

“Hmm?”

Just as Lu Changsheng was about to find a place to rest, he felt a slight twitch at his brow.

“The Peach Blossom Gu has completed its metamorphosis and advanced to the second transformation.”

The next moment, Lu Changsheng understood the cause of the twitch.

His Peach Blossom Gu had completed its advancement.

This Peach Blossom Gu had long reached its peak in the first transformation.

However, due to his cultivation realm, it couldn’t advance to the second transformation.

The moment he achieved Foundation Establishment, the Peach Blossom Gu began its metamorphosis.

Now, a month later, it completed the transformation and successfully advanced to the second transformation.

The advancement didn’t bring major changes to the Peach Blossom Gu.

Its three original effects were enhanced.

His peach blossom luck improved.

The Peach Blossom Gu has improved his appearance and charisma, attracting the opposite sex more.

Additionally, the active effect, Five Aggregates Peach Blossom Mist, was enhanced.

“With the Peach Blossom Gu’s advancement, my peach blossom luck improved, so I should stay inside more.”

“Otherwise, I might encounter peach blossom luck each time I go out.”

Lu Changsheng touched his chin, chuckling softly.

He then descended toward a large mountain ahead.

Planning to stay there for about half a month.

To see if the False Core elder behind Meng Yibai would find him.

If they did come, he would escape with the Substitute Life Charm and settle scores with the Curse of the Demon.

If no one came, that would be ideal.

After meeting with True Person Du in Qingyun Market Town, Xiao Xiyue headed straight back to the Azure Cloud Sect.

Upon returning to the sect, she immediately went to Caiyun Peak.

At the peak’s luxurious palace, she went to meet her master.

Upon reaching the Great Hall, she saw a woman with colorful cloud robes, her hair styled in a cloud bun, as beautiful as a celestial being, standing on the steps.

It was her master, Yun Wanshang.

Evidently, her master knew she was returning and was waiting for her there.

“Master.”

Xiao Xiyue respectfully bowed.

“Xiyue, you didn’t let your master down.”

Yun Wanshang smiled faintly at her disciple.

Through True Person Du in Qingyun Market Town, she had long known about Xiao Xiyue’s successful Foundation Establishment.

She also knew Xiao Xiyue wasn’t alone in attempting Foundation Establishment.

She was with Lu Changsheng.

Upon learning this, her heart felt both comfort and inexplicable complexity.

Comforted that Xiao Xiyue overcame the emotional tribulation, her heart was complete, and she succeeded in Foundation Establishment.

The complexity came from Xiao Xiyue and Lu Changsheng’s relationship.

Though she was mentally prepared for this, knowing Lu Changsheng and Xiao Xiyue had taken that step filled her thoughts with complexity.

This meant her ties with Lu Changsheng had truly ended.

Upon knowing Lu Changsheng reached Foundation Establishment, she felt strangely uneasy.

Fearing Lu Changsheng would activate the jade pendant and contact her.

After all, she had told him she’d give him a chance once he reached Foundation Establishment.

But now that Lu Changsheng had become entangled with Xiao Xiyue, she didn’t know how to respond.

Fortunately, the jade pendant remained inactive.

But it brought her a slight sense of displeasure.

Even though her decision had long been made.

If Lu Changsheng activated the jade, she wouldn’t respond.

Yet, the fact that Lu Changsheng succeeded without contacting her made her quite unhappy.

She wanted to ask Lu Changsheng what he meant.

Does he look down on her?

She, a dignified Golden Core cultivator, offers such a supreme opportunity, yet he doesn’t value it!

“Master, I have still disappointed you.”

Xiao Xiyue softly spoke, pursing her lips.

“Hmm?”

Yun Wanshang was slightly startled by her words.

She then closely examined Xiao Xiyue.

Immediately noticed an anomaly in Xiao Xiyue’s spiritual energy aura.

As Xiao Xiyue’s master, she naturally knew her disciple’s Dao Foundation should be the Taiyin Xuanyue Dao Foundation.

This Dao Foundation, even among perfect foundations, was quite outstanding, not only having profound energy but also complementing Xiao Xiyue’s physique.

Yet, Xiao Xiyue’s spiritual energy aura wasn’t consistent with a perfect Dao Foundation.

Yun Wanshang immediately grasped Xiao Xiyue’s jade-like wrist to check her condition.

She then saw a clear and noticeable crack on the moon-white platform within Xiao Xiyue’s dantian, which should have been flawless.

“This.”

Yun Wanshang was taken aback.

She hadn’t expected her disciple to succeed in Foundation Establishment.

Successfully forming the Taiyin Xuanyue Dao Foundation, yet the foundation had flaws.

“Xiyue, why is it like this?”

Yun Wanshang asked Xiao Xiyue.

Although she hadn’t practiced the Supreme Forgetting Emotions Technique, she had studied it.

Knowing it placed significant emphasis on one’s state of mind.

If the mind wasn’t right, forming the Foundation would be difficult.

There wasn’t any notion of succeeding in Foundation Establishment but having a flawed foundation.

Especially forming a perfect foundation with flaws.

Such a situation, she had never encountered.

“Master, during my Foundation Establishment, I realized the true meaning of the first layer of the Supreme Forgetting Emotions Technique: ‘Clouds Unattached, Moon Unattached’.”

“Clouds and the moon intersect, clouds surrounding the moon, moon illuminating the clouds. They are close yet distant, cold and detached. Neither has feelings, thus it is ‘Clouds Unattached, Moon Unattached’.”

“I misunderstood from the start, leading to my success yet my foundation got flawed.”

Xiao Xiyue explained her understanding of her situation and the Supreme Forgetting Emotions Technique to her master.

“What poignant ‘Clouds Unattached, Moon Unattached’.”

Yun Wanshang sighed upon hearing her words.

She had seen the first layer of the Supreme Forgetting Emotions Technique hinting at clouds and the moon being interdependent.

She had advised Xiao Xiyue accordingly.

But she hadn’t realized that their interdependence meant having desires without attachment.

It’s truly hard for her to comment on this technique.

She nodded and said, “Xiyue, don’t worry. Damage to the Dao Foundation isn’t irreversible.”

“I know of some natural treasures that can repair it, and I’ll help you find them.”

Yun Wanshang promised.

Xiao Xiyue wasn’t just her personal disciple.

In her eyes, the error in cultivation was partly her fault.

Her guidance to Xiao Xiyue wasn’t entirely clear.

Her advice had led Xiao Xiyue astray.

“Master, it was a blessing in disguise.”

Xiao Xiyue gently shook her head, her cold demeanor melting into a warm smile.

Yun Wanshang was startled, looking at her pupil.

Unsure of her meaning.

And she hadn’t seen Xiao Xiyue smile like this for a long time.

After attaining the Supreme Forgetting Emotions Technique, Xiao Xiyue maintained a reserved expression before her master.

Her demeanor was only a bit more gentle.

This indicated to her that Foundation Establishment brought significant changes to her pupil.

“Master, though my Foundation has flaws, I gained insight into the Supreme Forgetting Emotions Technique’s true meaning.”

“I also understood the second layer: ‘Clouds With Feelings, Moon With Feelings’.”

“If I can fully master this layer, I have hope of mending my foundation myself.”

Xiao Xiyue confidently stated.

She knew she couldn’t hide the foundation flaw from Yun Wanshang, so she told the truth.

But revealing that Lu Changsheng could repair it was too shocking.

So she attributed it to the Supreme Forgetting Emotions Technique.

If her foundation restored to perfection or even advanced, it could be explained.

Moreover, she wanted to continue training with Lu Changsheng and needed her master’s approval to be relieved of sect duties.

Not only for training in the market town.

In the Azure Cloud Sect, post-Foundation disciples are assigned tasks.

Even as a Golden Core disciple, she wasn’t exempt.

So she stated her purpose, using training as a reason, to get her master’s consent and avoid duties.

“Clouds With Feelings, Moon With Feelings, mending the foundation.”

Yun Wanshang was taken aback again.

It made the Supreme Forgetting Emotions Technique seem even more mysterious.

Unsure if guiding Xiao Xiyue to this technique was right or wrong.

The complexity of the technique, as described by Xiao Xiyue, was beyond even her Golden Core level understanding.

“Based on my understanding of ‘Clouds With Feelings, Moon With Feelings’.”

“The moon shines brighter with the cloud’s company, and the clouds become more graceful with the moon’s illumination.”

“Seen from below, they complement each other, creating a picturesque beauty, so…”

Xiao Xiyue continued to explain her understanding of the technique’s second layer.

“The first layer, having desires without feelings, gives the sense of Supreme Forgetting after Foundation Establishment.”

“The second layer, under Supreme Forgetting, harbors feelings.”

Yun Wanshang, familiar with the Supreme Forgetting Emotions Technique, understood her disciple’s insights.

Her thoughts, after careful reflection, led her to see the profound mystery of the technique.

It felt like understanding without truly understanding.

“Xiyue, are you planning to descend the mountain again and train with Lu Changsheng?”

Yun Wanshang grasped why Xiao Xiyue shared so much.

Reporting to her master and expressing her cultivation path.

“I ask for your permission, Master.”

Xiao Xiyue cupped her hands, sincerely.

Yun Wanshang didn’t reply immediately, looking at her pupil.

As for her entanglement with Lu Changsheng, she had already moved on.

However, seeing her pupil deepening her bond with Lu Changsheng through cultivation made her worried.

Concerned if her pupil could truly embrace Supreme Forgetting.

Cultivation involves weaving fates and karmas.

In previous training sessions, Xiao Xiyue repaid her debts with the Sun and Moon Dao Foundation.

But continuing training raised questions of repayment and resolving karma.

The two gazed into each other’s eyes.

Seeing Xiao Xiyue’s clear, moon-like eyes ultimately made Yun Wanshang nod.

“I permit it.”

“Take my token, report your cultivation at Recording Palace, and be excused from sect duties.”

Yun Wanshang handed a token and continued.

“Thank you, Master.”

Xiao Xiyue respectfully bowed.

“Xiyue, the second layer of Supreme Forgetting is ‘Clouds With Feelings, Moon With Feelings’, but the third layer ‘Clouds Unattached, Moon Unattached’ seems to be the true Supreme Forgetting.”

Upon hearing Xiao Xiyue’s words, Yun Wanshang gained more insight into the future path of Supreme Forgetting.

“Please rest assured, Master.”

Xiao Xiyue understood her master’s message and smiled brightly.