Translator: AnubisTL
Hearing the female cultivator's words, Li Qing chuckled dryly. It seemed he had indeed been mistaken for one of those cultivators who insisted on attending the Moonchase Grand Assembly for the sake of appearances.
In truth, this was understandable. In the Great Wilderness Domain, being invited to the Moonchase Grand Assembly was a symbol of status. The rogue cultivators waiting outside the mountain gate made it clear that not just anyone could receive an invitation from Moonchase Palace.
However, Li Qing's true purpose for coming here had nothing to do with the so-called Moonchase Grand Assembly. He clasped his hands in a respectful bow toward the female cultivator before him and said:
"Esteemed Moon Palace Fairy, I have come to request an audience with Senior Yue Xuan. Would you please inform her of my presence? When you do, mention the name 'Heaven Devourer.'"
At this point, Li Qing had no choice but to invoke the name of Ancestor Devourer of Heaven to gain an audience with the current palace master of Moonchase Palace. Otherwise, he couldn't think of any other plausible excuse.
Upon hearing the name "Heaven Devourer," the Moonchase Palace's Core Formation Realm female cultivator's expression visibly shifted. She gave Li Qing and Shen Ningbing a deep, appraising look before speaking:
"I see. Please wait a moment!"
Seeing the other party agree, Li Qing expressed his gratitude: "Thank you for your trouble, Immortal Maiden."
As the holy fairy gracefully floated away, Li Qing and Shen Ningbing stood in place, surveying the scene within Moonchase Palace.
For some unknown reason, the scenery here was vastly different from what they had seen outside.
Though it had been daytime at the mountain gate, entering the Moon Palace had instantly plunged them into night.
High above, a radiant full moon hung solitary in the dark sky, yet not a single star could be seen in the pitch-black expanse.
"This place is truly magical," Li Qing remarked. "Just a few steps across the moonlight, and it feels like we've entered another world entirely."
Outside the palace gates, there were no distant mountains, only endless wilderness bathed in moonlight.
Shen Ningbing nodded slightly. "It must be related to Moonlit Ridge, right?"
Li Qing had first heard of Moonlit Ridge back in his qi refining realm days.
This forbidden land lay in the far western reaches of the great wilderness. Legend held that due to the unique terrain and magnetic fields surrounding Moonlit Ridge, the area remained perpetually bathed in moonlight, unaffected by the cycles of the sun and moon.
Moonlit Ridge also produced a rare spirit gold known as Moon Gilt Gold.
By sheer coincidence, Li Qing was currently wearing battle armor crafted from Moon Gilt Gold. This armor perfectly harnessed the metal's properties: exceptional malleability allowed it to seamlessly conform to his body with a mere thought. When not needed, it transformed into a comfortable, form-fitting soft armor.
Of course, since Li Qing had refined the Golden Jade Garment, the gilded battle armor had largely been superseded, rarely seeing use.
As the pair waited, the Moonchase Palace female cultivator who had gone to deliver their message returned gracefully.
"The palace master has agreed to meet with you. Fellow Daoists, please follow me."
Li Qing breathed a sigh of relief. "Many thanks, Moon Palace Fairy!" he said gratefully.
Perhaps pleased by his respectful address, the Core Formation Realm cultivator smiled.
"Fellow Daoist Limitless, there's no need for such formality. Since you're acquainted with the palace master, this is simply what I should do."
"After you've met with the palace master, please stay and attend the Moonchase Grand Assembly."
Li Qing hadn't anticipated this turn of events. He politely declined, saying, "How could I possibly impose?"
But before he could finish, the female cultivator chuckled.
"Speaking of which, Moonchase Palace should have sent Fellow Daoist Limitless an invitation. Perhaps you've been away from your cave abode recently? That might explain why you didn't receive it."
"There's no need to decline, Fellow Daoist. The Moonchase Grand Assembly isn't just about witnessing the birth of the new generation's holy maiden. It also offers opportunities for good fortune!"
Such a thing exists!
Hearing this, Li Qing immediately stopped refusing. If there were benefits to be gained, he certainly wouldn't miss out.
Thus, guided by the Moonchase Palace female cultivator, the pair flew past jade towers and pavilions until they reached a grand hall deep within the Moon Palace.
"The palace master awaits you inside. I won't accompany you further."
After the attendant left, only Li Qing and Shen Ningbing remained outside the grand hall.
Exchanging a glance with Shen Ningbing, Li Qing stepped forward and respectfully cupped his fists. "Junior Li Qing seeks an audience with Senior Yue Xuan."
Shen Ningbing followed suit. "Junior Shen Ningbing seeks an audience with Senior Yue Xuan."
A calm yet dignified voice echoed from within the hall. "Enter."
Hearing this, Li Qing strode toward the hall, Shen Ningbing following closely behind, her face betraying a hint of nervousness.
To be honest, her master, Ancestor Bing Yun, didn't have a particularly close relationship with Senior Yue Xuan—they were merely acquaintances.
The hall was vast and austere, devoid of furnishings except for a jet-black Profound Jade bed at the far end.
Upon the bed rested a luminous moon disc, within which floated a graceful, ethereal figure.
"This one was curious," the figure said. "That old fool Heaven Devourer is long dead, yet someone still dares to invoke his name to seek an audience. So it's you two."
"It's only been a few years since we last met. Back in the Ancient Imperial City, you were just a cultivator in the late foundation establishment realm. I never imagined you'd have already reached the mid Core Formation Realm. Your opportunities have been truly extraordinary."
Upon hearing this, Li Qing immediately bowed respectfully and replied, "It's all thanks to the Pure Moon Pill you bestowed upon me, Senior. Without it, I doubt I could have successfully achieved core formation."
True Monarch Yue Xuan dismissed the flattery with a wave of her hand. "I know the true efficacy of the Pure Moon Pill far better than you do. Its ability to refine true essence is merely a finishing touch, not a fundamental determinant. Your success in core formation was entirely due to your own efforts."
Entirely due to my own efforts?
Li Qing felt a twinge of embarrassment. To achieve core formation, he had gathered nearly every spiritual object he could find, leaving no stone unturned.
And then there was the Pure Moon Pill to assist him!
With such a combination of spiritual objects, he certainly couldn't claim his success was solely due to his innate talent.
However, True Monarch Yue Xuan had no intention of dwelling on this topic. She abruptly changed the subject, asking, "Enough pleasantries. What urgent matter brings you here, using the name of that old fool, Heaven Devourer?"
Li Qing quickly signaled Shen Ningbing, who stood beside him.
In the next moment, Shen Ningbing produced a humanoid ice sculpture that radiated a faint chill. She then knelt directly in the Profound Moon Hall.
"Senior Yue Xuan, please save my master!"
The moment the ice sculpture appeared, True Monarch Yue Xuan could no longer maintain her detached composure. Her voice carried a hint of emotion as she asked, "This is... Bing Yun?"
Shen Ningbing nodded, her eyes filled with sorrow. "Master overused the forbidden secret technique from the Ice Extreme True Manual, and this is the result."
Soon, a strand of pure moonlight emanated from the lunar disc behind True Monarch Yue Xuan, slowly enveloping the ice sculpture of Ancestor Bing Yun.
However, the sculpture seemed to possess a unique resistance to external true essence, repelling the moonlight and preventing it from making contact.
"The Ice Extreme True Manual... If that's the case, even this palace is powerless to help."
"You cultivate the same ice dao cultivation manual, so you should understand this better than anyone. Once the body transforms into ice crystals, the process becomes irreversible."
Upon hearing these words, despair flooded Shen Ningbing's eyes.
Even a true monarch in the nascent soul realm was helpless?
Seeing this, Li Qing stepped forward, clasped his hands in a respectful bow, and said, "Senior Yue Xuan, you seem to have some understanding of the Ice Extreme True Manual. Is it truly impossible to reverse this transformation into an ice crystal body?"
True Monarch Yue Xuan paused briefly, as if sensing the unspoken plea in Li Qing's words. He understood that Li Qing was seeking an answer that would prevent True Lord Bing Yun's personal disciple from falling into complete despair.
"Speaking of which, the Ice Extreme True Manual was originally a cultivation manual I obtained together with that old fellow Heaven Devourer. After he returned to the Lingyun Sect in the Azure Ridge Domain, he likely passed this technique on to Bing Yun."
"I do indeed have some knowledge of the forbidden secret technique recorded within the manual."
"As for a method to reverse it, while I don't know of one myself, the immortal cultivation world is vast and boundless. Who can truly claim that no such method exists?"
"After all, cultivation manuals were created by humans!"
Cultivation manuals were created by humans!
Upon hearing these words, a faint glimmer of hope finally flickered in Shen Ningbing's previously dimmed eyes.
Yes, no matter what, cultivation manuals were created by humans!
"The Great Dao is fair. Those who obtain power through forbidden means must naturally pay a price."
"If you can find a way to compensate for this price in the future, you might be able to rescue Bing Yun."
"However, I can assure you of one thing: Bing Yun is not dead. Her consciousness and divine soul are completely sealed and frozen within this ice crystal body. As long as it's properly preserved, she will not perish."
This is a peculiar form of immortality! Li Qing thought, secretly clicking his tongue. But existing in such a state was no different from being dead.
Unless a method to thaw her could be found one day.
Though the hope was slim, Shen Ningbing's confidence was rekindled, a resolute glint appearing in her beautiful eyes.
"I understand now. Thank you for clarifying this, Senior!"
True Monarch Yue Xuan replied casually, "No need to thank me. If there's nothing else, stay and attend the Moonchase Grand Assembly that my Moonchase Palace will soon host."
But Li Qing's mind stirred slightly. He stepped forward and said, "Senior Yue Xuan, though it may seem presumptuous, we wish to rebuild the Lingyun Sect. Would you lend us your assistance?"
(End of the Chapter)
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