Yamafu Military Affairs

Chapter 681 Testing
"Disciple Miaoxuan greets Senior Uncle."

Qin Wen bowed respectfully to the old Taoist priest, then took out the ordination certificate from his sleeve. He was about to hand it over according to the usual procedure when Zi Xujun, whose blue eyes were slightly open, suddenly spoke.

"Bixia is dead?"

Seeing that the old Taoist priest had no interest in verifying his identity and instead immediately asked about Bixia Jun, who had already passed away, Qin Wen felt a chill and brought out the same words he had used to deal with Wu Daoren.

"Hmph, there's no point in saying more. Give me the Rejuvenation Talisman."

After hearing the explanation, the old Taoist priest, whose face remained unchanged and whose expression was unreadable, snorted coldly and directly extended his hand towards Qin Wen.

'A Returning Light Talisman?' What's that?

Qin Wen's mind raced, and he was somewhat at a loss. Out of concern for the possibility of demonic corruption, he did not search the already distorted soul of Bixia Jun, but instead thoroughly reviewed the memories of Miao Xuan, the senior sister of Jing Le Palace.

In her memory, there was nothing called a "returning light talisman".

However, judging from the name, Qin Wen guessed that this might be a transcendent talisman similar to the [Three Mountains Water Mirror Imaging Talisman] from the Boundless Dharma Lineage, capable of recording the entire process of Bixia Jun's ascension to immortality, which is why Zixu Jun reached out to ask for this item as soon as he came up.

He now has two choices: one is to tell the truth, and the other is to have Lu Wu, who is far away in the Yama Palace, draw a talisman and record the entire process of Bixia Jun's violent death that he witnessed through the soul's empathy, and then send it to Taotie through the storage space and forward it to Qin Wen.

For Qin Wen, the first option was neither good nor bad, and was quite mediocre, which did not seem to be the best solution for the current situation.

But when he considered the second option, Qin Wen hesitated.

Even with Taotie's skills, he was confident that he could deliver the Imaging Talisman to Qin Wen with lightning speed right under the old Taoist's nose. However, in the thatched hut, besides Zixu Jun, there was also a strange statue that had been watching him all along, whose true nature he could not fathom.

Faced with this strange thing that was so difficult to understand, Qin Wen really didn't have a good solution. In addition, Lu Wu needed time to draw the talisman on the spot, and the techniques he used were definitely different from those of the Returning Light Talisman.
Taking all factors into consideration, Qin Wen quickly ruled out the second seemingly feasible option and began to ponder how to be "frank" with the conversation.

"Uncle-Master, you are wise. I have been by Master's side for many years and have never heard of any 'Returning Light Talisman'. May I ask if what sect's magical artifact you are referring to is one?"

"So that bitch didn't pass it on even in death. Fine, come here."

After hearing this flawless answer, a barely perceptible glint flashed in Zi Xujun's eyes. She beckoned Qin Wen to sit down next to her.

"Why did you, Martial Uncle, wantonly ruin my master's reputation? Respect for the dead is paramount; I hope Lord Zixu will show some self-respect!"

Before she could finish speaking, Qin Wen immediately erupted, his eyebrows furrowing, his almond eyes widening, his cheeks flushing red, and a murderous aura appearing on his face. He retorted sharply.

"Heh heh heh, reputation? A heartless, ungrateful woman. If it weren't for me, she would have starved to death on both sides of the Zhuo River long ago. Later, because of a scoundrel, she ran away in a huff, thousands of miles away from the capital, and didn't dare to see me again for thirty years. Tell me, how can such a wicked woman with such a terrible reputation have any reputation?"

Seeing Qin Wen's attitude, Zi Xujun felt as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world, and said angrily, "She never dared to mention these old stories to you, did she?"

"This"

Upon hearing such a bombshell, even the well-informed Qin Wen was stunned.

Although Zixujun's words were quite vicious, he could hear the deep resentment in them, a feeling exactly like that of a lovelorn woman cursing a faithless man. "Now that Bixia is dead, I don't want to dwell on the past. However, you are her disciple, and some karma must ultimately be borne by you."

Staring at Qin Wen, Zi Xujun, having calmed his emotions, slowly said, "If you are unwilling, the door is right there; you may leave."

"A teacher for a day is a father for life. My master treated me like her own child. Now that she has passed away, no matter what unresolved ties we may have, Miaoxuan will take on all of them. What harm is there in that?"

Seeing the old Taoist priest's provocative words, Qin Wen's pretty face turned fierce. As she spoke, she sat down on the prayer mat in front of the statue.

"Such a strong-willed nature, just like her. Very well, stretch out your hand."

After Qin Wen sat down, Zi Xujun, who had just come back to his senses, pulled a purple hairpin from his head that looked like it was formed from lingering clouds.

Qin Wen had no doubts. Avoiding the right arm hidden by the blue lotus tattoo, he extended his left hand and stared intently at Zi Xujun.

If you want to know more, then you should cooperate with the other party to a certain extent.

Seeing that Qin Wen was obedient, Zi Xujun nodded slightly, raised his finger, used a hairpin as a dagger and blood as ink, and carved a swirling incantation on the outstretched, tender white arm.

"When Bixia left Jinling, she took with her a Returning Light Talisman, crafted by Xuanpin Zun using Earth Fire Golden Light and Heavenly Azure Clouds. This Returning Light Talisman is an extremely yang object, formed by fusing pure yang and turbid yang, and is unique in the world. Your arrival in Jinling was unfortunate. In previous years, neither I nor the Dengzhen Tower would have been able to bring ourselves to ask you to return it. But now..."

Zixujun paused for a moment, then slowly said, "Yuanshi Zun and Xuanpin Zun encountered a calamity a few days ago. In order to ensure your safety, they sacrificed their physical bodies. Recently, they need extremely yin and yang substances to fill the gaps and rebuild the foundation of the Dao. If you want to enter the Tower of Ascension, you must bring back the Light Talisman as a pledge of allegiance."

Qin Wen pondered for a long time and realized that the cause and effect that Zixu Jun mentioned was actually the same thing he had heard from Mei Daoren last night.

“It must be a Returning Light Talisman? But I didn’t find it in my master’s remains, nor in the Pure Joy Palace.”

"Anything related to the ultimate yin and yang will suffice. After all, I need this item for two reasons: first, to repay the favor owed to the Primordial Lord on behalf of the Venerable One, and second, to recommend you for entry into the Tower of Ascension."

Zixu Jun seemed to have anticipated Qin Wen's question and nodded in response.

"Miaoxuan understands."

Qin Wen recalled Chen Yuncong from last night and made up his mind.

After thinking for a moment, Qin Wen stood up: "Senior Uncle, this matter is of great importance, and I need to go and resolve it some time from now."

After saying this, Qin Wen bowed to Zixu Jun and turned to leave the thatched hut.

Not long after Qin Wen left, Zi Xujun picked up the cloud hairpin he was playing with, stared intently at the dried blood at the tip, and suddenly said, "She seems to really be Bixia's disciple."

"Extraordinary physique, exceptional talent? Zixu, stop fooling yourself. You know very well that with her physical appearance, even if the current Xuanpin Venerable were to personally conceive her, she could never give birth to a Dao Seed that resembles her so closely."

A strangely shrill voice echoed in the thatched hut. Zixujun turned around, gazing at the grotesque statue on the altar that had somehow grown a face, and said softly, "So, I plan to go to Jingyue Palace. Bixia's death was too suspicious."

(End of this chapter)