74: Sword Immortal: Thank you so much, Immortal. I have no way to repay you.
Although no one can confirm it now, Li Yan, this mysterious young man, is indeed an Immortal from White Jade Capital who descended to the Lower Realm.
Firstly, Li Yan did not display the strength a Grand Unity Golden Immortal should possess.
Yet, he could stand between the Old Demon and the Sword Immortal completely unharmed, facing the Old Demon's Shadow Explosion Technique without a single scratch.
The entire mountain was leveled, but Li Yan appeared before everyone spotless, not even a single hair harmed.
Li Yan's mystery also made the onlookers unsure of his true strength.
However, only Li Yan clearly knew his own strength.
Although he possessed an Immortal and indestructible body in this place, his true strength was merely at the first layer of the Golden Core Stage.
In this era of Immortal arts where Great Ascension Stage Cultivators were everywhere and Soul Transformation Stage Cultivators were as common as dogs, he could only rely on his indestructible body to fool people.
Currently, with the Sect Leader of Demon Shadow Sect activating the Mountain-Protecting Formation, his invincible body would be useless.
Li Yan feared no attack, but unfortunately, he could not pass through the barrier of this Mountain-Protecting Formation.
Just then, Ember Immortal, who was holding a Miao Dao, came before Li Yan.
"Immortal, this Junior is willing to help you seize the treasure."
This Fairy's long, black hair fluttered in the wind, carrying a faint, cool fragrance.
She wore a dark violet robe, her delicate face showed a hint of cold arrogance, and her phoenix-like eyes were slightly tilted, with a touch of bright red at the corners.
Ember Immortal couldn't ascertain Li Yan's exact strength; her tone was no longer as arrogant as before, adopting the respectful attitude of a Junior.
Li Yan looked at Ember Immortal, who had lived for tens of thousands of years, and he was also curious about this Fairy's signature skill.
Coming to this illusionary Realm was about seizing every possible opportunity to learn Immortal arts.
After all, no one knew when this illusionary Realm would suddenly disappear.
Furthermore, this Ember Immortal, after her death, only an eyeball remained, transforming into a Magic Eye.
She could not avoid the fate of perishing and having her Dao dissipate; what was most regrettable was that she did not pass down a Peerless Grade ultimate technique.
Take the Old Demon of Demon Shadow Sect, for example; tens of thousands of years after his death, the Shadow Demon he created still plagued the world.
How does that saying go?
Good people don't live long, but scourges last a thousand years.
Putting his thoughts aside, Li Yan clasped his hands behind his back and began to put on the demeanor of an Immortal.
"You help me? Heh, how will you help me?"
"It is said that one does not rise early without profit; you must have something to gain from this old man."
Seeing Li Yan exuding an Immortal aura from head to toe, Ember Immortal also lowered herself.
"This Junior indeed has a request; I only ask that after the matter is concluded, the Immortal can tell me the secret of Ascension."
The secret of Ascension?
I, Li Yan, am merely a Loose Cultivator at the Golden Core Stage from the Age of Dharma Decline; how would I know any secrets about Ascension?
White Jade Capital, he had never even heard of it.
In the Age of Dharma Decline he was in, everyone practiced false cultivation; no one practiced true cultivation.
It was the first time Li Yan had heard the term "Ascension" and of the "White Jade Capital" in the Heavenly Realm.
Yet, even though he knew nothing about it, he still put on a mysterious demeanor.
"Heaven's secrets cannot be leaked. Matters of the Upper Realm are not convenient for me to tell you."
"You only need to remember one thing: the more you know, the more painful the path of cultivation becomes. Knowing too much in advance is not beneficial for cultivation."
Li Yan's few words, however, gave the surrounding Cultivators a sense of Epiphany.
This included Ember Immortal and Moonlit Sword Immortal; after listening to Li Yan's words, they instantly had an Epiphany.
Moonlit Sword Immortal murmured to herself, falling into deep thought: "The more one knows, the more painful cultivation becomes..."
"The less one knows, the more peaceful one's state of mind."
"This Junior has had an Epiphany! Thank you, Immortal, for your guidance!"
Ember Immortal also seemed thoughtful: "The Immortal's words are too profound; your golden words have benefited this Junior immensely."
Both Fairies were carefully savoring Li Yan's words, gaining new insights into cultivation.
As for Li Yan...
He just made it up on the spot.
However, the two Fairies and the surrounding Cultivators regarded his words as guiding principles.
They were all discussing Li Yan's recent words, and every Cultivator sighed, realizing the Dao of following nature from them.
But Li Yan alone hesitated to speak.
I just made it up, and you actually believe it?
Indeed, when a person's status is elevated very high, anything they casually say will be interpreted by others.
Li Yan's few words were analyzed by them to have tens of thousands of meanings.
"The Immortal is speaking of great wisdom appearing as foolishness!"
"No, the Immortal is speaking of the Dao following nature."
"Neither is correct; I think the Immortal means something else."
The surrounding Cultivators were engaged in a heated discussion, each having their unique insights.
Just as Li Yan felt a mix of amusement and exasperation, he saw a golden light of Breakthrough emerge from Moonlit Sword Immortal.
A casual remark from him had actually given Moonlit Sword Immortal a new Epiphany on the path of cultivation, breaking her inner demons and elevating her cultivation by one layer!
Moonlit Sword Immortal's Realm broke through, and her aura diffused outwards.
It was a while before her thick eyelashes fluttered, and her bright eyes gazed at Li Yan.
"A single word from the Immortal has allowed this Junior to comprehend the Great Dao's simplicity."
"I have no way to repay you, but if the Immortal does not mind..."
Hmm?
Li Yan noticed Moonlit Sword Immortal's hesitant expression, as if she was a bit embarrassed.
What was she going to do?
The Fairy hesitated repeatedly before making a decision.
She raised a finger and took out a precious sword from her Storage Ring.
"This is Moon Rainbow Sword, the sister sword of Moon Radiance Sword."
"Although the Immortal will surely not think much of this Junior's sword, it is the only gift of gratitude this Junior can offer."
"Please, Senior, do not disdain it."
Li Yan watched as Onyx Moon Fairy took out the Moon Rainbow Sword and presented it to him with both hands.
The Moon Rainbow Sword before him was the sister sword of Moon Radiance Sword.
The grade of both swords was the same, and their quality was also similar.
Li Yan calmly accepted the Moon Rainbow Sword on the surface, holding it in his hand to admire.
"Hmm, although this Magical Artifact from the Lower Realm is a bit crude, it is, after all, a token of your Junior's sincerity."
"Fine, I'll take it back and display it in my Immortal manor as a piece of art."
Upon hearing Li Yan say this, no one around doubted his words.
This Immortal from White Jade Capital is truly formidable; even Immortal-grade Magical Artifacts are displayed in his home as art.
And the crowd didn't find anything wrong with this, as this was, after all, an Immortal who descended from White Jade Capital.
Li Yan spoke casually, but inwardly, he was trying his best to suppress his excitement.
Although he didn't get the treasure lotus lamp Sacred Artifact, getting a Moon Rainbow Sword was also excellent.
Taking this Moon Rainbow Sword back, such a Peerless Grade precious sword is something one can only dream of in the Age of Dharma Decline!
It must be said, this Onyx Moon Fairy's character is quite good.
After hearing a single sentence from him, having an Epiphany and a Breakthrough, she immediately offered a gift of gratitude.
This made Li Yan's impression of her change for the better.
Such an upright Sword Immortal... what a pity.
When Li Yan saw her in the tomb in reality, Onyx Moon Fairy had already transformed into a white-haired blood zombie.
However, as a group of people were praising Li Yan...
A discordant voice came from the crowd.
"If the Immortal is so strong, why doesn't he break open the Demon Shadow Sect's Mountain-Protecting Formation?"
"Wouldn't it be done with a mere wave of your hand, Old Man?"