The Post Sky Tipping Era
Chapter 599 - 428 Xuanhuang Seal

Chapter 599: Chapter 428 Xuanhuang Seal

Li Yi had crossed dimensions multiple times, experiencing countless events. Now, facing these people’s eager attempts to impart Daoist teachings and their generosity in sharing secrets, he naturally carried a measure of suspicion. Xiang Xiangzi’s extreme devotion to teaching him cultivation, even to the extent of sacrificing her own dignity, left Li Yi questioning her true intentions.

"Immortal, just moments ago, when I guided my Spiritual Energy into your body, you must have noticed—I may find myself in the End of Dharma Era, but I have neither degenerated nor regressed in cultivation level. Yet seeking Dao with humility in such an era, going against the natural order itself, is sure to provoke suspicion and doubt."

Li Yi slowly stood up, his silver eyes fixed firmly on Xiang Xiangzi as he said, "Immortal, could it be that you are curious whether I can still gather the Five Qi within my chest and reopen the Three Flowers atop my head in this End of Dharma Era? Is that why you’ve placed yourself into this scheme—to explore the mysteries of cultivation in times of decline?"

His words brought Xiang Xiangzi, who had been in the midst of beating someone up, to an immediate halt. She turned her head, her face revealing a heartbreaking look of innocent sorrow. "I held nothing but sincere goodwill, offering my very life in trust and devotion to the Great Dao with unreserved honesty. I hold not a single shred of ulterior motive. If Taiyi does not believe me, you may kill me right now—better to die here than to bear the shame of slander."

Li Yi sighed lightly and said, "In truth, I had already prepared myself for this when I came to the Tao Court. Discussing cultivation methods with all you seasoned Daoist elders, navigating upstream against the current, it was inevitable that doubts and suspicions would arise. Still, I can understand—for one to cultivate in this End of Dharma Era, it would naturally inspire wild conjectures."

He knew well that learning top-tier Daoist skills in this world would require overcoming such challenges.

These seasoned cultivators were no fools. In an era of spiritual decline, someone openly seeking Dao would stand out like a blazing flame piercing through the night. If Li Yi claimed he carried no secrets whatsoever, such a claim would be impossible to believe.

After all, those who survived the End of Dharma Era still held onto a faint glimmer of hope—yearning to return to their peak.

Old methods or new, any path would suffice, so long as it led forward.

Li Yi then swept his gaze over the group once more. "But unfortunately, I must tell you elders that the Daoist methods in this world have already reached a dead end. The revival of Spiritual Energy will take at least several thousand years, perhaps even tens of thousands. There’s no one who can endure such a stretch of time. No matter how deep one’s foundation may be, it will eventually erode under this prolonged period of spiritual decline."

"To break through this predicament, there are only two possible paths—either abandon cultivation and create new methods, or wait patiently for the changes of heaven."

The crowd instantly sank into silence.

Li Yi’s words were undoubtedly true. They, too, understood that cultivating in this End of Dharma Era meant the only option was to create innovative methods. Yet it was no simple feat to forge a new path, which was why they had gathered here at the Tao Court, waiting for the right time—seeking even the faintest glimmer of hope to restore cultivation. Otherwise, they would have already scattered, retreated to solitude, built huts, grown crops, and resigned themselves to living out the rest of their days.

Yet, waiting all these years, untold numbers of cultivators had perished in prolonged despair, only for the heavens to remain unmoved. Today, all they had received was Li Yi’s arrival.

"Taiyi, given that Daoist methods have reached their limit, why do you persist in seeking them?" At this moment, a Taoist nun from Heavenly Fragrance Building approached slowly, paying a respectful bow before asking earnestly.

This nun’s status was not ordinary—she was one of the original Seven Immortals of the Heavenly Dao Sect, known as Xuan Yuezi, of the same rank as Xiang Xiangzi.

When this question was asked, Tu Daoist, Wu the Taoist crouched in the corner, and Nun Liu all turned their gazes toward Li Yi in unison, yearning for an answer.

"Immortal’s question is sharp, but the timing is not yet ripe for my response," Li Yi replied. "I have never met any of you before, and many matters are not convenient to disclose. But if the elders here are willing to receive my Daoist methods, when the moment arrives, the answer will be clear. Should the elders refuse, I will not insist—after today, I’ll leave the Tao Court and seek another path."

With these words, he bowed respectfully to all.

Xuan Yuezi’s expression shifted slightly, and then she said, "The Heavenly Dao Sect’s Daoist teachings will naturally be shared without reservation, never withholding a single ounce. To show my sincerity, I am willing to offer this artifact as a gift."

She reached into the wide sleeve of her robe, retrieving a small, seemingly mundane yellow seal. It bore engraved talismans, with a faint glow circulating upon its surface—a faint sign of its power.

"The Xuanhuang Seal?"

Tu Daoist recognized it at a glance, exclaiming in astonishment, "This Xuanhuang Seal still exists in the mortal world and remains intact. How has the Heavenly Dao Sect managed this? Artifacts of such caliber should have long been destroyed, just like my Qiankun Tripod. It’s impossible for it to remain preserved!"

"Preserved, you ask? Naturally... by extracting three Mana Flowers and implanting them within, forcefully nourishing it to extend its existence. For this, three of our Heavenly Dao Sect’s Seven Immortals prematurely passed away. Additionally, half of the Spiritual Stones we gathered over the years from Heavenly Fragrance Building were consumed for its preservation," Xuan Yuezi explained, her gaze darkened as she stared at the Xuanhuang Seal in her hands.

Tu Daoist was momentarily at a loss and could find no words to say.

Sacrificing three Immortals’ lives to extend the seal’s lifespan—that was certainly ruthless.

"Taiyi, take the Seal," Xuan Yuezi said decisively, tossing the Xuanhuang Seal to him.

Li Yi extended his hand, summoning a surge of Gang Qi to snatch the seal midair. Attempting to channel his Guiding Skill, he infused his Cosmic Energy into the seal, which instantly erupted with a boundless radiance, illuminating the entirety of Heavenly Fragrance Building. Talismans floated in all directions, seemingly locking down the entire space. Everyone present felt an overwhelming power, forcing them to collapse onto the ground, unable to move an inch.

But soon, Li Yi’s face changed slightly as he sensed his Cosmic Energy rapidly depleting.

With his current strength, harnessing the power of this artifact was utterly beyond him.

At once, he ceased the flow of Cosmic Energy.

The miraculous phenomena of the Xuanhuang Seal swiftly subsided, transforming back into an ordinary seal and returning to Li Yi’s hand.

"Taiyi, don’t—don’t recklessly use the Xuanhuang Seal. It’s an artifact! If its power erupts fully, it will destroy the entire Heavenly Fragrance Building, killing all of us in the process," Tu Daoist hurriedly climbed to his feet and shouted.

Fortunately, Li Yi had only tested it briefly, barely activating its power. Otherwise, there might have been disastrous consequences.

"Why gift me such a powerful artifact without reason?" Li Yi questioned, looking at the Taoist nun, his confusion deepening.

Tu Daoist and the others had been like this—Xiang Xiangzi had been like this—and now this nun was the same.

They all seemed to trust him deeply, each willing to entrust him with significant treasures.

Could trust between people be so easily established?

Xuan Yuezi exchanged a glance with Xiang Xiangzi and then replied, "Taiyi, you mentioned earlier that the moment was not yet ripe. When the time does come, perhaps you will understand what lies in our hearts. For now, take this seal with peace of mind. I harbor no ulterior motives. But as a measure of goodwill, I’d ask for one thing in return—please allow Xiang Xiangzi the opportunity to impart the teachings of Heavenly Dao Sect to you."

"Xiang Xiangzi has lost her cultivation entirely; she poses no threat to you. If your suspicions of her remain, you need not hesitate to kill her outright. Spare yourself the agony of doubt. The same goes for everyone here—if distrust persists, kill them all outright. In the Tao Court, we lack for many things but not cultivators."

Her tone was calm, utterly detached, starkly contrasting Xiang Xiangzi’s fiery mix of love and hate.

Just as Li Yi was about to speak, he suddenly felt something and glanced upstairs.

In an instant, a chilling scream echoed.

The stench of blood pervaded the air as something rolled noisily down the stairs. Everyone turned toward the sound and saw what had fallen—a woman’s severed head. Her eyes were wide open, flashing despair mixed with a hint of fury, a look that seemed to resist the fate of death itself.

Upon seeing this, Xuan Yuezi and Xiang Xiangzi involuntarily shuddered, their expressions betraying a flicker of grief.

"Who dares commit murder in the Heavenly Fragrance Building?"

Wu the Taoist’s voice quivered. He looked as though he wanted to stand but ultimately shrank back into his corner.

"Who else? It’s the Imperial Court. They’ve been drinking here today," Xuan Yuezi replied calmly. She walked over to the lifeless head, picked it up, and wrapped it with her Daoist robe.

The Imperial Court?

The mention of the Imperial Court immediately scattered the nearby vendors and diners into a flurry, everyone fleeing faster than the next. In no time, the once lively banquet was deserted.

"Is the Imperial Court so powerful that so many cultivators fear them?"

Li Yi stared at the severed head, which he recalled seeing earlier when entering the Heavenly Fragrance Building. Yet within just an hour, the individual had met such a tragic end, bringing a furrow to his brows.

Tu Daoist offered a bitter smile in response. "The Imperial Court was established by Tianyi Sect, formerly one of the three sects of the Tao Court. They modeled themselves after the mortal realm by forming a kingdom to dominate the Tao Court. Over the years, they’ve attracted numerous talents and grown increasingly prosperous—a shadow of their former self. With Daoist methods vanishing, human principles naturally prevail. We cultivators, now old and feeble, without strength to tie a chicken, dare not oppose the Imperial Court."

"Defiance invites execution on the streets."

"What of your Call Wind Skill?" Li Yi asked.

Tu Daoist replied sheepishly, "The Call Wind Skill requires me to exhaust my Three Flowers to activate it. Tianyi Sect also has Daoist experts, and their numbers are far greater. Even if I were to resist, it would prove futile. Furthermore, cultivators of my realm are rare within the Tao Court. They usually steer clear of conflict, simply waiting for us to pass away naturally."

"I see. Then why dare they murder someone from the Heavenly Dao Sect today?" Li Yi probed.

"Because they aim to suppress and absorb our sect."

Xiang Xiangzi answered softly, "Within the Tao Court, the only remaining faction capable of posing a threat to the Imperial Court is the Heavenly Dao Sect. In previous years, we lived in uneasy coexistence. However, in recent times, following the premature passing of our sect’s Seven Immortals and Thirty-Six Protectors, the Imperial Court has grown increasingly brash. We’ve fought fiercely before, burning through countless of our resources, but although we won, it felt like defeat. Our foundation continues to dwindle, while their forces only grow stronger."

"It seems your sect chose the wrong path, unable to retreat fully from the End of Dharma Era," Li Yi remarked.

Now, he began to grasp the situation.

Among the Tao Court’s three sects, Tianyi Sect opted to integrate with mortal society, establishing a dynasty and recruiting a multitude of talents. As a result, even amid the End of Dharma Era, they remained strong and flourishing, wielding an overwhelming advantage due to their longstanding foundation.

The Heavenly Dao Sect, on the other hand, refrained from following this approach, instead choosing to preserve their assets while awaiting heavenly transformations. Yet time and tides proved merciless, leaving them helplessly disadvantaged.