Cultivation: Being Immortal Chapter 429

Lin Ying deliberately sought out Xia Qingshan. As Xia Qingshan’s reputation burgeoned, word of him rapidly disseminated across the cultivation world, eventually reaching Lin Ying in the far-off Yun State.

Lin Ying harbored profound concern for Lin Die. Their bond within the Lin family, spanning over a millennium, was exceptionally close. Ever since Lin Die vanished in the North State, Lin Ying had tirelessly led the search for her for many years, yet all efforts proved fruitless.

The peculiar truth, however, was that Lin Die had not perished; at the very least, her Soul Lamp remained unextinguished.

Having exhausted all other avenues, Lin Ying now placed his sole hope in Xia Qingshan.

"Fellow Daoist Xia, I am in search of someone."

"She is a close relation."

"Indeed, my Third Sister. We share the same father but different mothers, yet our closeness transcends mere blood ties."

"Understood."

Xia Qingshan offered a nod. Among the many who sought his divination prowess, a significant number were looking for missing persons. The world of cultivation was fraught with peril, and countless individuals who embarked on expeditions never returned.

"How shall we proceed?"

"Do you possess an item bearing that person’s aura?"

"Yes, I do."

Lin Ying produced a hairpin, an item belonging to Lin Die, cherished and preserved, still resonating with her unique aura.

Xia Qingshan inhaled deeply, his gaze sweeping over the hairpin. A frown creased his brow, a detail not lost on Lin Ying, who inquired, "Fellow Daoist Xia, is something amiss?"

"Curious, your Third Sister’s destiny appears to be obstructed."

"What does that signify?"

"Fear not, I possess a method to address this."

Xia Qingshan’s demeanor turned grave. Typically, he could discern most destinies with but a glance, often involving mere coins or simple divinations. This instance, however, presented a formidable challenge.

Engaging his spiritual sense, Xia Qingshan unleashed dozens of talismans that dispersed, settling around the room. He then produced a circular divination plate, embedding it into the floor tiles at the center, and placed the hairpin upon it.

Assuming a cross-legged posture, Xia Qingshan commenced his incantations. Luminescent light converged, flowing into the plate, causing the hairpin to levitate.

"Destiny Tracing technique, commence!"

As Xia Qingshan uttered the final syllable, a potent surge of energy erupted from the hairpin. Xia Qingshan extended his hand to intercept this energy, relying on his esoteric knowledge that within such energies lay myriad destinies, ready to be revealed.

"Boom"

"Clatter"

"Ah!"

In the ensuing moment, an overwhelming force blasted through Xia Qingshan's palm, shattering it instantly. A sharp cry of pain escaped his lips.

"Fellow Daoist Xia!"

Lin Ying exclaimed, hurrying forward. Fortune-tellers were a rarity in the cultivation world, leaving her uncertain of the situation. Could Xia Qingshan be employing deception?

"I am unharmed."

Xia Qingshan hastily retracted his technique, the hairpin clattering to the ground. He immediately focused on mending his injured hand with spiritual power.

"Fellow Daoist Xia, how fares your condition?"

"Your Third Sister's fate is shrouded by an immensely powerful entity. Whether it originates from the human or monster race, or perhaps even an existence at the Dao Achieving realm, I cannot ascertain. With my current capabilities, deciphering it is beyond my reach. The only certainty I can offer is that she remains alive and is situated in the North."

"My Third Sister vanished in the North State; she must undoubtedly be in the North."

Lin Ying exhibited a flicker of dissatisfaction, deeming Xia Qingshan’s reputation as a peerless diviner somewhat inflated. Was he not renowned for his masterful predictions?

"Ahem, my cultivation is merely at the Soul Changing stage. I am incapable of divining matters beyond my own cultivation tier."

"As am I, at the Soul Changing stage. If you are unable to fulfill the task, kindly state it plainly and cease wasting my time. I shall take my leave now. Farewell."

"Wait a moment."

Xia Qingshan felt a sting of offense. While a person could endure many insults, being told of inadequacy, regardless of the context, was particularly galling.

"What is it? Do you still intend to demand payment?"

"I have already profited from you today. Do you possess any spiritual treasures?"

"Do you intend to seize my treasured artifact as recompense?"

"No, do not misunderstand. I inquire if you have any rare artifacts you could lend me. I wish to harness the power of a supreme treasure to divine destiny."

"Very well. I shall grant you one more chance."

Lin Ying procured a flying sword. She carried two prized possessions: the Sagittarius Bow, which she was reluctant to part with, and a low-grade spiritual artifact she had fashioned herself. Following Yang Luo’s dissemination of the Internal and External Refining Method, Yun State witnessed the demise of a Soul Changing cultivator, whose essence was utilized to forge a spiritual artifact. This act, ostensibly to shield Lin Dongyan, resulted in an artifact of inferior quality.

"Please step back a little, further away."

Gripping the flying sword, Xia Qingshan instructed Lin Ying to increase the distance between them.

The formation was activated once more, this time with a unique treasure, a flying sword, specifically employed to anchor the formation's core. As emerald light cascaded, the energy emanating from the hairpin was noticeably moderated.

Xia Qingshan extended his hand, ready to receive the surge of energies. They dissipated upon entering his body, and he commenced their refinement.

With the continuous influx of energy, Xia Qingshan's smile broadened, anticipating victory. However, his elation was short-lived as the flowing light abruptly turned turbulent.

"No, retreat!"

Xia Qingshan's countenance shifted dramatically; he bellowed the warning and swiftly pulled back.

*Boom*

The array, the hairpin, and the flying sword detonated virtually in unison. Lin Ying, choosing not to retreat, instead conjured a defensive barrier.

As the dust settled, Lin Ying, shielded by her protective aura, emerged from the wreckage. She seized Xia Qingshan, her voice laced with accusation, "Liar, charlatan! Where is my flying sword?"

"I…"

Xia Qingshan attempted to struggle but found himself immobile, utterly powerless against someone in the Void Achieving Period.

The ensuing commotion drew the attention of bystanders, who observed Lin Ying holding Xia Qingshan aloft with a single hand.

"Flying sword! Where is my flying sword?"

"Esteemed guest, please calm yourself and release me."

"If you offer no explanation today, you shall remain here permanently!"

Lin Ying seethed; the spiritual treasure was irreplaceable. While some such items remained in Yun State, the majority had been lost in Qing State. This lone flying sword was all she had left, representing a substantial depletion of her resources.

"Listen to me! I saw it! I saw where your Third Sister is! Allow me to draw it for you."

Xia Qingshan spoke rapidly, then produced a blank jade scroll, imprinting the scene he had witnessed onto it.

A mere glance at the drawing intensified Lin Ying's fury. "You jest! Do you realize terrain like this is ubiquitous in the far northern reaches of the North State?"

Lin Ying's anger was understandable. Xia Qingshan's depiction showcased a series of interconnected icebergs, a common vista in the North State, utterly devoid of unique identifiers.

Rendered speechless, Xia Qingshan could only stare. As he prepared to offer a defense, he unexpectedly coughed up a mouthful of blood, exclaiming in terror, "A divine calamity!"

"What a farce! Attempting to deceive and exploit me?"

In the narrative, Lin Ying swiftly abandoned Xia Qingshan, convinced he was a deceitful individual.

"Apologies, I shall offer compensation for your treasured sword."

Visibly shaken, Xia Qingshan hastily bid Lin Ying farewell and fled. Before Lin Ying could react, a disembodied voice reached their ears.

"Why are you all staring? This person is a fraud!"

Lin Ying cast a sharp glance at the surrounding onlookers, shouted in indignation, and then made a hasty departure.

Navigating through various paths and altering her appearance multiple times, Lin Ying eventually sought refuge in an inn.

"Sixth Brother, what brings you here?"

"I could pose the same question to you. What are you doing here?"

"I heard in Yun State that a master fortune teller resides in Tianxian City, capable of divining anything. I came seeking news of Third Sister."

"How are you doing?"

Upon learning Lin Ying was searching for Lin Die, Lin Jiang felt a measure of relief and inquired about her circumstances.

Lin Ying recounted her encounter with Xia Qingshan for fortune-telling, emphatically denouncing him as a swindler and trickster.

"Lin Ying, Xia Qingshan is no fraud."

"Sixth Brother, you too have been fooled."

"No, I have spent considerable time in Tianxian City and witnessed his ascent to prominence firsthand."

Lin Jiang shook his head, reasoning that the cultivation world harbored many astute individuals; if Xia Qingshan were a charlatan, he would have been exposed long ago.

"Then what about my experience?"

"May I see the jade slip you possess?"

Lin Jiang requested, and Lin Ying promptly handed the jade slip to him.

Lin Jiang examined it closely, noting the unremarkable nature of the terrain depicted. Such landscapes were exceedingly common in the far north, with dozens, even hundreds, of similar formations scattered across the region.

"Brother, have I erred again?"

"No, you have not."

"Yet, I sense a disquiet within you."

"I am not troubled. Return to Yun State immediately; entrust the matter of Third Sister to me."

"Sixth Brother…"

"Listen, the situation with Xia Qingshan is far from simple. You cannot manage it."

Lin Jiang explained that Xia Qingshan had attracted the attention of influential figures within the cultivation world, making the matter exceedingly complex. Lin Ying was incapable of handling it, and even Lin Jiang himself had to tread with extreme caution.

After contemplation, Lin Ying concurred. Before parting, she entrusted the Sagittarius Bow to Lin Jiang. This potent artifact would significantly bolster his safety, rendering him nearly invincible within the Realm of Soul Changing.