Chapter 160 A Solution

Inside the Qionghua Grand Hall, a solemn and quiet atmosphere prevailed. Master Guyu and Master Guyun flanked Master Gumeng, the head of the Yihua Sect, who sat in the center. Standing below them were Red Forest Woman, Yuzhi, Yuqiu, Yufu—who had just emerged from secluded cultivation—Mu Ziyan, Yuqiu, Xiao Xue, Huang Wan'er, Lan Ruoting, Ganyu, and several disciples of the Gu generation. All of their gazes were fixed upon the three figures standing within the hall.

Two men and one woman: Mobai, Wu Luohua, and the little demoness Nalan Xinger.

Master Gumeng slowly rose to her feet and said in a clear, resonant voice, "Mobai has made immense contributions to our Yihua Sect in Guhai City and is a great benefactor to us. Now that our sect has successfully weathered this calamity, I represent the entire Yihua Sect in expressing our utmost gratitude to the hero Mobai." With that, Master Gumeng cupped her hands and bowed deeply to Mobai. This gesture left the Yihua disciples utterly astonished; Mobai's contributions must have been extraordinary indeed for the sect leader to treat him with such profound respect.

Mobai immediately returned the salute, cupping his hands as he replied, "Master flatters this junior too much. Mobai merely did what little he could, and furthermore, your esteemed sect has given me a great deal of help as well."

"Hero Mobai, please do not stand on ceremony. Today, the Yihua Sect shall host a grand banquet to wash away the dust of travel for you," Master Gumeng commanded. At her word, the entire Yihua Sect sprang into action, filling the air with an atmosphere of peace and harmony.

After three rounds of wine and five courses of food, many of the younger generation gradually withdrew. Master Gumeng approached Mobai and spoke softly, "Mobai, I am truly sorry that the Yihua Sect was unable to open Young Master Wu's spiritual apertures. However, today, while attempting to clear his spiritual gateways, I discovered a crucial point. Based on my years of experience, it should prove helpful to Young Master Wu."

These words from Master Gumeng immediately struck at the very core of the matter. Mobai asked with suppressed excitement, "I beg Master to enlighten me. Mobai will be endlessly grateful."

A faint flush unexpectedly appeared on Master Gumeng's face as she said, "I wonder if you, Mobai, have any personal friendship with the people of the Purple Dragon Palace?"

Mobai was startled at first, then shook his head. "I have no prior acquaintance with them. However, the Purple Dragon Palace is a sect dedicated to the cultivation of physical spirituality, whereas this..."

Master Gumeng, understanding Mobai's reservations, smiled and said, "Mobai, let me speak somewhat boldly. Since Master Kuzhi was able to send you to me, it naturally proves that I possess unique capabilities. Alas, it is a pity that I failed to open Young Master Wu's spiritual apertures. If even I cannot accomplish this, then there is no one left under heaven who can help Young Master Wu walk the path of spiritual magic."

Mobai nodded, a look of helplessness washing over him. Master Gumeng was a talent blessed by the heavens; if even she could not do it, then perhaps not even her senior sister, Master Guchu, nor the reclusive Silver Flower Granny who had lived apart from the world for many years, could afford Wu Luohua any chance. Could it be that Wu Luohua, scion of a spiritual cultivation family, was truly fated to embark upon the path of physical spirituality?

Noticing Mobai's melancholy, Master Gumeng smiled faintly. "Mobai, the arts of spiritual cultivation have since ancient times been divided into two paths: one is spiritual magic, where practitioners like you and I can freely release spiritual energy and use it to harm others; the other is physical spirituality, which relies upon one's own physical actions and body to attain the supreme realms of spiritual cultivation. Since ancient times, both paths have produced numerous grandmasters and exalted adepts. Yet in recent years, with the rise of the Yuntian Sect, the Fallen Leaf Sect, and the Yihua Sect, physical spirituality has become somewhat less accepted by mainstream cultivators. This is because attaining supreme mastery in physical spirituality demands far greater hardship and a much firmer will than ordinary spiritual magic requires; otherwise, one will achieve nothing. Despite these numerous difficulties, the Azure Spirit Continent still houses the Purple Dragon Palace, the supreme sect of physical spirituality. This alone proves that physical spirituality maintains its own space for survival. Moreover, it is said that the Five Great Spiritual Sects' Buddha Hidden Temple also harbors many eminent monks who are masters of physical spirituality. Therefore, the path of physical spirituality is by no means a dead end; rather, it is simply forging an alternative shortcut."

Mobai nodded. "I understand this as well, but Xiaohua, he..."

With a meaningful and enigmatic smile, Master Gumeng said, "Mobai, don't tell me you haven't noticed that Young Master Wu possesses a distinct talent for cultivating physical spirituality? When I performed the three-needle spiritual opening for him, I realized that he actually possesses a physical spiritual bloodline, something seen only once in a thousand years!"

Mobai looked at Master Gumeng in shock. Although he had previously noticed inadvertent movements from Wu Luohua that had surprised him—movements that undeniably belonged to a practitioner of physical spirituality—he had long been biased, deeply imprinting the notion that Wu Luohua belonged to a family of spiritual magic into his own mind. Today, Master Gumeng's words had illuminated a brand-new path for Xiaohua. Yet this path would undoubtedly be exceptionally arduous. Furthermore, Master Gumeng's mention of a "physical spiritual bloodline" instantly startled him. He knew that a physical spiritual bloodline shared the same marvelous ingenuity as a spiritual cultivation bloodline destined for spiritual magic. Yet in Mobai's impression, no one within the Wu family of spiritual cultivation practiced physical spirituality. Therefore, he asked doubtfully, "Can Master discern what specific kind of physical spiritual bloodline Xiaohua possesses?"

Master Gumeng, however, shook her head. "As for that, the nature of Young Master Wu's physical spiritual bloodline is extremely peculiar. I can only detect that he possesses such a constitution, but as for the exact lineage it represents, my knowledge is truly shallow."

A sense of desolation crept over Mobai, but then Master Gumeng changed the subject. "However, the current Master of the Purple Dragon Palace, the Purple Dragon Marquis of this generation—being a master of physical spirituality—should be able to perceive Young Master Wu's bodily constitution with effortless ease."

Mobai looked at Master Gumeng and asked, "Master, do you mean that we should go to the Purple Dragon Palace to see the Purple Dragon Marquis? But... but the Purple Dragon Marquis is the very progenitor of all physical spirituality cultivators under heaven! We have no prior relations with him, and even the Wu family follows an entirely different path of spiritual cultivation. Surely he would not easily consent to meet Xiaohua."

Master Gumeng's face flushed slightly. She reached into her bosom, drew out a delicate and elegant orchid, and placed it solemnly into Mobai's hands. Softly, she said, "Mobai, this orchid is my personal token. If the Purple Dragon Marquis sees this flower, he will surely grant it some degree of respect."

Mobai looked at Master Gumeng with surprise, realizing that this exalted master had finally come to regard him as a true friend. With a smile, he asked, "Master, once I present this beautiful little flower to the Purple Dragon Marquis, will he understand?"

Master Gumeng slowly stood up, a look of desolation washing over her face as she murmured, "Purple blood spiritual body, orchid spiritual magic. Ten years of life and death, ultimately ending in separation without companionship." Having spoken these words, Master Gumeng cast a long, deep glance at Mobai. "Mobai, the day you meet the Purple Dragon Marquis, please help me ask him one question: Have you been well all these years?"

Three days later, at the foot of Duifeng Mountain, Wu Luohua and Ganyu parted ways with lingering reluctance. Yet both of them knew that this separation was necessary; parting now was solely to ensure a better and more enduring togetherness in the future.

As the morning sun rose, Mobai, Wu Luohua, and Nalan Xinger finally walked out from Duifeng Mountain under the watchful eyes of the crowd. Having left the Yihua Sect, they once again set foot upon the journey toward the Purple Dragon Palace.