Remould the Glory of Sword Art

The Qing State territory was sealed off within a range of eight hundred miles.

This kind of thing, in the past, was not unheard of...

Xie Xuanyi pressed his brow, feeling somewhat ironic.

Ten years ago, when he was being hunted by the entire world, the situation was similar, with strict guards at the remote frontiers, countless stationed officers ready for battle; the scale of preparations back then must have been even greater than now.

Only, today's circumstances were different from the past.

The stationed officers in Fengsui City did not know the reason behind the sealing off, and their rigorous checking was not for the purpose of capturing some well-known cultivator.

So, was the eight hundred mile ban just to guard against the Demon Race?

"You do look quite young, my lord,"

Yue Chen scrutinized Xie Xuanyi once more, feeling that this face seemed familiar, scratched his head, and with a simple laugh said, "You couldn't be one of those... could you?"

"How could there be so many Reincarnated True People?"

Xie Xuanyi touched his cheek and explained with a smile, "I just began my cultivation early, and have spent most of my time in meditation within Grotto Heavens."

"That's true, Taoist masters do tend to look very young."

Yue Chen gave Xie Xuanyi another glance, and suddenly it struck him who this face reminded him of: "Eh?"

The thought burst forth in an instant.

The stationed officer's back was already breaking out in a cold sweat.

"Stationed officer, my lord? What's wrong?"

Xie Xuanyi asked with a smile.

"It's... it's nothing."

Yue Chen hastily shook his head, warning himself in his heart not to indulge in wild thoughts and to avoid bad luck.

That young Sword Immortal with the surname Xie had been confirmed dead, his body and Dao vanished, ten years ago...

"This is a 'Purity Talisman' from the World Pavilion."

Xie Xuanyi took out another talisman from his bosom, handed it to Yue Chen, and said softly, "Infuse it with Primordial Energy during cultivation, and it would ensure concentration and double the efficacy of your efforts."

The journey was long.

Xie Xuanyi also drew a few talismans in his spare time, after all, he currently had no Primordial Energy, and if it came to a fight, he essentially would be no different than a "Qi Refining Master."

This so-called Purity Talisman was actually the Silence Talisman that he taught to Deng Baiyi.

These two types of talismans, although they sound simple, are actually very useful, and once mastered, could be further extended to develop many wonderful applications.

The art of talismans in the world is graded at different levels.

Without a doubt, the Taoist sect firmly tops the list, unmatched by any other.

Therefore... whether it is "Purity" or "One Breath," both can be considered the secretive arts of the Taoist sect.

After receiving the Purity Talisman, Yue Chen's mind suddenly became clear, feeling a sense of relief.

This is definitely an authentic Taoist creation!

"I thank the True Person for this generous gift,"

He clasped his hands together with the talisman sandwiched between them, bowed respectfully, letting go of any further concerns in his heart.

Xie Xuanyi nodded his head, said nothing more, and departed.

...

...

"Why such a strict inspection in Fengsui City? Did something happen?"

No sooner had Xie Xuanyi returned to the carriage than Shen Yan eagerly asked.

"That's not for Miss Shen to worry about,"

Xie Xuanyi said indifferently, "Miss Shen just needs to remember one thing, after I take you to Taian City to meet Xu You, and if things turn out successfully, Xu You will have to pay five Green Yuan Pills as a reward."

"..."

Shen Yan could not help but ask through gritted teeth, "My lord Xie, could you possibly charge less?"

Just thinking about the cost of five Green Yuan Pills made her heart ache.

Entering Fengsui City through the gates turned out to be easier than expected.

This situation was much like when a mansion's main door is broken, one calls a locksmith, and the price is agreed upon beforehand... But the locksmith opens the door too quickly, too easily, arousing the urge to renege on the deal.

"Of course you can, now I don't want even one," he said.

Xie Xuanyi called out, "Baiyi, turn the carriage around and take Miss Shen back."

"Got it!"

Deng Baiyi, who had been sitting on the side with her cheeks propped up, watching the spectacle, was rubbing her hands together, eager to try; she had wanted to do this for a long time.

Shen Yan pled in a piteous voice, "Just five, only five!"

She had lost all heart for bargaining.

Xie Zhen was a person who could not be persuaded or swayed, impervious to flattery, leading her to wonder... was this person really human?

"Is that all? Put up a bit more of a fight," he said.

Deng Baiyi sat down again, greatly disappointed, her tone carrying a hint of frustration at not meeting expectations.

Shen Yan was left speechless, and it was her turn to leave the table in indignation.

From the beginning, she had stuck to Xie Xuanyi because she saw that this young man in white had the highest status, the most authority.

To go along with them, she needed his consent.

The journey from Northern County to Qing State was long, with plenty of time. If she could spend days and nights with Xie Xuanyi, there would be plenty of opportunities to enchant the young man with her charms and let him taste the power of "beauty" – this sugar-coated cannonball.

Now she had completely given up hope.

Rather than sticking with Xie Xuanyi, constantly facing rejection and eating humble pie, it was better to find another place – for some peace at least.

Xie Xuanyi did not prevent Shen Yan from leaving the carriage; he let her go.

Deng Chicheng, not far off, was overjoyed, never having dreamt that such a fortune would come his way, and he readily welcomed the embrace of this distressed damsel, 'casting herself into his arms.' The carriage was filled with laughter for a time, but it soon returned to a prolonged silence.

"Shen Yan is too goal-oriented," Baiyi said irritatedly. "Only my foolish father believes that this woman is innocent and kind-hearted, which is why she met with misfortune. Who among those occupying large estates on Lingluo Mountain doesn't have a calculating side?"

"Chicheng isn't as foolish as you think," said Xuanyi with a smile.

Though separated by two carriage carts, he, relying on the flow of Primordial Energy, was acutely aware of the movement within the foremost carriage.

At first, Chicheng offered polite greetings, expressing a warm welcome, and the two conversed with great enthusiasm.

Later, Chicheng asked about some matters concerning the Shen Family.

Shen Yan was all too happy to respond, dispelling doubts and proving she was indeed a person from Lingluo Mountain.

But Chicheng did not inquire further and quickly changed the subject. Afterwards, he stayed in the carriage, intensely focused on writing something, possibly accounts or the like.

The entire Deng household had already left Yuzhu Town, planning to relocate elsewhere, yet here he was, still poring over accounts?

Xuanyi found Chicheng to be quite intriguing.

Besides the account books, there was another thing.

Although Chicheng seemed unreliable, almost as if his sensibility was clouded by desire, Shen Yan's presence on the carriage, whether in conversation or movement, from beginning to end, did not stir any improper thoughts in him.

Knowing Shen Yan's nature, she would not gratuitously compromise herself.

Valuable regions would willingly be encircled and embraced.

Worthless areas, not even a chance for a handhold, probably.

If Chicheng truly had wanted to take advantage of the situation, making a mistake, Shen Yan would likely seize the opportunity to make an issue of it, coming to him "to escape her compromised state" –

After all, the deal for five Green Yuan Pills had been made, and until they reached the safety of the city, he was obliged to provide some care and protection.

Although Baiyi was unaware of the exact circumstances on her father's side,

she heard the initial laughter quite clearly.

Recalling the earlier scene where Chicheng insisted on letting Shen Yan on the carriage,

she snorted disdainfully under her breath and grumbled softly, "Men, are any of them good for anything?"