The Post Sky Tipping Era
Chapter 598 - 427 Xiang Xiangzi

Chapter 598: Chapter 427 Xiang Xiangzi

Tu Daoist, Wu the Taoist, and Nun Liu were indeed seasoned experts in cultivation, deeply knowledgeable and each with their own specialties. Tu Daoist came from the Daoqi Sect, his signature skills being the Call Wind Skill and Artifact Refining techniques. Wu the Taoist hailed from the Hundred Dao Sect, excelling in the Fetal Breathing Method and proficient in arranging formations. Nun Liu was from the Three Flowers Sect, not adept at fighting, but skilled at cultivating plants and flowers, and highly proficient in alchemy.

Li Yi, a newcomer and beginner, benefited immensely from a single meal of conversation. However, Spiritual Energy had vanished from this world, and the path of cultivation had been cut off. The Mystic Origin Fetal Breathing Method he learned had no practical application for now.

To cultivate, he had to construct a Cave Heaven Blessed Land on his own in this world.

Li Yi began formulating an idea in his mind.

By utilizing the Cultivation Cabin to prevent Spiritual Energy leakage, coupled with the Cosmic Energy spilling from the Seven-Colored Stone, he could create an enclosed cultivation space. If he could also obtain guidance from these three elders, he felt it was entirely possible to make rapid progress within a few months. As long as he reached the Five Qi Realm, he would be able to study genuine Daoist Skills.

Additionally, once he opened the Cross-border Gate and returned to Earth, he might even bring a few experts along. These elderly folks might act like decrepit relics now, but back on the energy-abundant Earth, they would undoubtedly soar to new heights, reclaiming their former glory.

However, people’s hearts are unpredictable.

These old monsters who had cultivated for decades, even centuries—once their strength recovered—who could predict what they might do? Li Yi wasn’t confident he could keep them in check.

"Everything has to be planned carefully and approached step by step. There’s no room for haste." Li Yi mused to himself.

He needed time to screen and evaluate, to determine who could be trusted and who couldn’t. A single mistake could result in bringing back a Demon, potentially jeopardizing even his own life.

While he was focused on seeking advice and learning the art of cultivation, unexpected commotion arose at Heavenly Fragrance Building.

The previously departed mature and alluring Taoist Nun Xiang Xiangzi had now returned, leading a group of ribbon-adorned dancers. Someone carried a pipa, another played a zither, and yet another blew a flute. The interweaving melodies filled the air with elegance and grandeur.

"It’s here, the Flying Immortal Dance and the Becoming Immortal Melody from Heavenly Fragrance Building," Tu Daoist’s eyes lit up. He immediately set aside the pork knuckle in his hand and craned his neck, ready to fully enjoy the spectacle.

"The Flying Immortal Dance and Becoming Immortal Melody from the Heavenly Dao Sect originally required thirty-six Fairies and one hundred eight musicians to perform together. When the dance began, it felt as if one had entered an immortal realm, witnessing ascendant Immortals. Sadly, after the End of Dharma, it became a lost art. But recently, I’ve heard that the Goddess of the Heavenly Dao Sect has re-arranged it, turning the divine into the mortal. I wonder how much of its former charm remains."

"Life is hard; even Immortals have to sell their art. Alas, the Heavenly Dao Sect has fallen so far."

For a moment, all the diners began reminiscing, discussing the past, lamenting the present, and yearning for bygone days.

As the celestial music played, petals scattered from above, and the Fairies began their dance in response to the melody.

"Pfft!"

Li Yi couldn’t help but glance over and immediately spat out the drink in his mouth. Those so-called Fairies were anything but! They were elderly women in their fifties or sixties, faces lined with wrinkles and wearing heavy makeup. Their bellies were round and sagging, and their rough, sturdy legs were fully exposed as they danced barefoot.

The sight of them in sheer fabrics and fluttering ribbons was downright unsettling.

"This is the Flying Immortal Dance? Where’d they find so many old ladies? Isn’t this false advertising?" Li Yi found the scene unbearable to watch. Except for a few genuine Fairies he had seen earlier, most of them resembled a group of retirees doing square dances.

"Taiyi, your perspective is mistaken. True beauty lies in the bones, not the flesh. You must calm your heart to truly appreciate it." Wu the Taoist, however, was watching with delight and seemed utterly enamored.

Li Yi cast him a skeptical glance, suspecting he was being lied to just because he was young and inexperienced.

Yet, looking around, the other cultivators in the room were equally engrossed, none voicing complaints.

Could it really be that he couldn’t appreciate this high-level art?

"Beauty in the bones, not in the flesh?"

But then, Wu the Taoist’s words suddenly aligned with Li Yi’s understanding of the White Bone Temple technique.

Observing beauty as mere bones.

Li Yi felt a moment of enlightenment. Forming a Dharma Seal with his hands, he sat motionless like a meditating Buddha or a transcendental figure. He began observing through an inner spiritual lens, abandoning the superficial, worldly view.

As he activated the White Bone Temple technique, the image of elderly dancers immediately faded away, replaced by translucent skeletal figures as pure and radiant as jade. These skeletons danced gracefully, their movements light and ethereal. The perfection of their bone structure exuded an indescribable beauty, enhanced by their fluttering scarves and ribbons, adding a touch of immortal elegance.

Li Yi attempted to see the beauty of bones as though they were enchanting women.

Instantly, flesh began to manifest upon those jade-like skeletons—white, delicate skin; perfectly curved chests; slender, shapely legs. Each face transformed into pure, heavenly beauty, akin to Fairies descending to the mortal world.

"I must be uncultured and ignorant. Is this the proper way to appreciate it?" The realization dawned on Li Yi, his thoughts swirling.

Truly refined.

Indeed, ordinary people could never comprehend such an advanced form of artistry.

However, Li Yi was only able to access this perspective through the White Bone Temple technique.

These individuals, whose cultivation had plummeted and were physically frail, could naturally perceive beauty to its core—how?

Tu Daoist sighed with a hint of regret, "The earlier Becoming Immortal Melody was a true celestial sound. But now, it’s mere human music—a pale imitation of its past glory. I still remember how sparkling and pure that Fairy’s eyes used to be, like an unblemished starry sky. Now, they’re filled with exhaustion and numbness from life’s struggles. The divine essence is gone."

"Taiyi, does Heavenly Dao Sect’s Flying Immortal Dance look good?" Suddenly, a seductive voice whispered near Li Yi’s ear. The formerly aloof Xiang Xiangzi had somehow materialized behind him. Her fair arms slipped out of her Daoist robe and encircled his neck as she murmured softly.

Startled, Li Yi dispersed his White Bone Temple technique. The heavenly Fairies vanished, replaced once again by a group of heavily made-up elderly women.

"Truly exquisite, though regrettably far from its peak. A shame indeed," he remarked thoughtfully. Then, noticing the pale, alluring arms before him, he added, "Fairy, isn’t this behavior inappropriate?"

"Taiyi, the technique you just cultivated—observing beauty as bones, and bones as beauty—may help you overcome worldly temptations and fear. However, it goes against the Heavenly Dao and is unsuitable for a cultivator. If you’re willing, I’ll help you break this technique tonight and let you experience the true wonders of Heavenly Dao Sect’s methods. How about it?" Xiang Xiangzi whispered, her voice filled with subtle laughter.

[Continued...]