220: Fifth Incarnation: Heavenly Physician (12)

Meanwhile...

After Xu Yuan left the Quiet Heart Courtyard that day, he stayed at the Mu Family residence for a few more days.

During this time, apart from necessary social engagements, he meditated in the guest courtyard or took the Opportunity to converse with some of the Mu Family's younger disciples and deacons, quietly gathering more information about the Mu Family's internal affairs.

These few days of observation and interaction, combined with the experience of his past life's wisdom, gave Xu Yuan a clearer understanding of the Mu Family and further defined their strategic position in his future blueprint.

"The Mu Family... though their strength is inferior to the top Noble Families within the Xuandu Dao Sect, they are still a powerful force on the periphery of the Shangqing Dao Lineage here, with a deep Foundation." Xu Yuan sat quietly in his room, calculating in his mind. "More importantly, the Mu Family and the Su Family have been friends for generations, with their interests deeply intertwined. Mu Tianzheng is a man who values friendship and has principles. After this incident, he is grateful to me, and his level of trust has greatly increased."

"With this Foundation, the Mu Family is my natural and reliable peripheral ally!"

A sharp glint flashed in Xu Yuan's eyes. He knew well that if he wanted to succeed in the future, it was impossible to do it alone; he had to build his own network of power.

The Mu Family was undoubtedly an excellent starting point.

Of course, Xu Yuan was well aware that the alliance with the Mu Family was currently based more on "marriage ties" and "personal favors," which was not yet solid enough.

True deep binding required common and greater interests, as well as his own absolute strength as a backup.

Once his thoughts were clear, Xu Yuan stopped dwelling on it and did not go to the Quiet Heart Courtyard to disturb Mu Qingying again.

He knew the principle that "too much is as bad as too little." Since he had already sown the seeds of goodwill, he needed to give them time to ferment.

Frequent contact might instead cause the other party to become wary or resentful.

A few days passed in the blink of an eye. The birthday celebration had ended, and it was time for Xu Yuan to return to his sect.

On the day before his departure, Mu Tianzheng held a family banquet to see Xu Yuan off. During the meal, he offered earnest advice, his gratitude clear in his words.

Xu Yuan responded appropriately, and both host and guest enjoyed themselves.

After the banquet ended, Xu Yuan was about to return to the guest courtyard to pack his belongings when he unexpectedly "encountered" Mu Qingying at the corner of the corridor leading to the guest courtyard.

She was still dressed in simple and elegant clothes, standing quietly under the corridor shrouded in moonlight, as if she had been waiting there specifically.

"Young Lord Su."

Seeing Xu Yuan, Mu Qingying nodded slightly in greeting. Her tone was a bit less intentionally distant than when they first met, but it held an indescribable calm and indifference.

Xu Yuan paused, a perfectly timed gentle smile appearing on his face. "Sister Qingying, are you looking for me for something?"

Under the moonlight, he keenly sensed that Mu Qingying's temperament seemed to have undergone some subtle changes.

Although her cultivation still remained at the 3rd Layer of Qi Condensation, those cold eyes were deeper than before, faintly revealing an introverted confidence and steadiness. It was as if a corner of dust had been quietly wiped away from a dusty pearl; though it did not yet shine, it already showed its extraordinary nature.

Mu Qingying met Xu Yuan's probing gaze without flinching, saying frankly, "I heard that the Young Lord is returning to his sect tomorrow, so I came specifically to see you off. Also... regarding the matter of my cultivation, thank you for your concern, Young Lord."

She paused, her tone peaceful yet carrying an indescribable confidence. "I have reflected quietly over the past few days and gained some insights. This matter... perhaps there is another destiny at play, so there is no need to trouble the Young Lord to plead with your Revered Master again."

Xu Yuan's heart stirred slightly, and an imperceptible glint flashed in his eyes.

Gained some insights?

Another destiny?

In just a few days, her attitude had changed so much?

From her previous helplessness to her current refusal of outside help?

This was definitely not the psychological change a truly desperate person would have!

"It seems... she really has encountered some 'Opportunity'?"

Several thoughts flashed through Xu Yuan's mind in an instant, but he showed none of it on his face. Instead, he expressed a perfectly timed concern:

"Oh? You already have a lead, Sister? That's wonderful! I wonder what kind of method it is? Do you need my help?"

Mu Qingying shook her head gently, a very faint curve appearing at the corners of her mouth. "Thank you for your kindness, Young Lord, but it is not convenient to state the specific method for now. But please rest assured, Young Lord, this method is more suitable for me. You have a grand future ahead of you; there is no need to distract yourself too much with my affairs."

Xu Yuan gave her a deep look, and the premonition that "this woman is definitely not simple" grew even stronger.

He didn't press further, laughing heartily and going along with it. "In that case, I can rest easy. You are a person of great fortune, Sister. Since you have found a suitable method, you will surely turn bad luck into good and return to the path of cultivation! If you need anything, you can message me at any time."

He took out an exquisite communication jade talisman and handed it to Mu Qingying. "This talisman can transmit sound across ten thousand miles. Keep it well, Sister."

This time, Mu Qingying hesitated for a moment before reaching out to take it, saying softly, "Thank you."

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries before taking their leave.

The moment he turned around, the smile on Xu Yuan's face slowly faded, and a hint of amusement and deep thought flashed in his eyes.

"As expected, she had a fortuitous encounter... and it probably wasn't a small one, allowing her to regain her confidence in just a few days and even find a clear path. Is it some kind of hidden Legacy? Or is it something inherent to her Physique? Interesting... more and more interesting."

The next morning, under the send-off of Mu Tianzheng and others, Xu Yuan boarded the Su Family spirit boat. It turned into a streak of light and left the Mu Family mountain gate, speeding toward the core region of the Shangqing Dao Lineage, the "Zhenyan Lineage" dao field where his Revered Master resided.

Inside the boat cabin, Xu Yuan sat cross-legged, gazing calmly at the sea of clouds receding rapidly outside the window.

The spirit boat passed through layers of mist and Restrictions, finally landing in a majestic, mist-shrouded immortal mountain paradise.

This place was the core dao field of the Shangqing Dao Lineage's "Zhenyan Lineage"—the Tianyan Mountains.

One could see the mountains towering, arranged in profound trajectories, faintly forming a natural Great Formation that encompassed heaven and earth.

The Spiritual Qi in the mountains was so dense it turned into spiritual rain and mist. Rare birds and exotic beasts roamed, and pavilions and towers were dotted among the peaks and waterfalls. Formation runes could be seen flickering everywhere, with Dao rhythms flowing. The grandeur of the scene far exceeded that of the Mu Family's mountain gate.

Xu Yuan skillfully steered his light of escape, heading straight for the summit of the main peak, "Tianyan Peak."

Atop the peak, an ancient Daoist palace stood quietly. It appeared simple but was actually connected to the ley lines of the entire mountain range, forming a seamless whole. This was the place of secluded cultivation for Jiang Tingyun, a Fruit Position True Person and the head of the Zhenyan Lineage.

After announcing his arrival, Xu Yuan straightened his clothes and entered the Daoist palace.

There were not many lavish decorations inside the palace. Only the walls and the dome were engraved with countless flowing and changing stellar trajectories and Formation deduction diagrams, as if a miniature starry sky and the Laws of the Great Dao had been moved indoors, leaving one dazzled and filled with awe.

At the end of the hall, on a cloud bed, a lean middle-aged Daoist dressed in a black Daoist robe with his hair tied high in a bun sat cross-legged with his eyes closed.

No oppressive Aura emanated from him. He seemed to merge naturally and harmoniously with the flowing Formation diagrams around him, with the entire Tianyan Mountains, and even with the invisible "Array Cultivation" Dao. He was unfathomable.

This was Xu Yuan's Revered Master in this life, the Fruit Position True Person of the Array Deduction Dao—Jiang Tingyun.