The Butian Sect hid in the Spring and Autumn Mountain of the Zuoqiu Clan. Although it was ostensibly for seclusion, to outsiders, the relationship between the Zuoqiu Clan and the Butian Sect seemed far from ordinary.

"Enough." Zuoqiu Lin stopped three or four steps before Zuoqiu Ying. Looking down at her, he shook his head. "I will not pursue past matters now. Since Xu Xing was brought into Spring and Autumn Mountain by you, marrying Xu Xing is the only way for you to make amends to the family."

Compared to the Flying Feather Immortal Palace, the Butian Sect's power was indeed small. However, with a Nascent Soul Ancestor present in the Zuoqiu Clan, they faced no external threats. Becoming relatives by marriage with the Butian Sect might even be more advantageous than with the Flying Feather Immortal Palace. Of course, if Zuoqiu Lin and the Zuoqiu Clan had a choice, they would still choose the Flying Feather Immortal Palace. But now their options were very limited. They couldn't simply turn away the Butian Sect when they came knocking, thereby creating a new enemy.

"Yes, Ying'er understands." Zuoqiu Ying's delicate body trembled slightly. After emerging from the Zhang Ze Cave, she had vaguely guessed the "bright path" Ye Hualian had indicated for her: aligning with the rising power of the Butian Sect.

"Get up." Zuoqiu Lin's expression softened somewhat. "The family has its own difficulties. This time, you acted recklessly without considering the consequences, putting the family in a very passive position...

"Before doing anything, think first. Ruan Baimei dared to tear up the marriage contract because he is the Junior Sect Leader of the Flying Feather Immortal Palace and possesses the Taibai Immortal Body.

"Even if, to take an extreme example, he were punished by the sect and stripped of all his positions, the Flying Feather Immortal Palace would not abandon him simply because of his Immortal Body. But you... you are different..." Zuoqiu Lin advised earnestly.

Zuoqiu Ying, standing in the hall, nodded in acknowledgment. A short while later, after she left the Spring and Autumn Hall, she wiped the clear tears from her eyes, her face gradually growing colder.

「Outside the Nanhua Sect. At the array formation site of the Flying Feather Immortal Palace Dao Lords.」

"Five years? Five years isn't too long. Since Master Xu gained insights in the Zhang Ze Cave and wishes to enter seclusion..."

"As an elder, I mustn't be too aggressive..." Zhongtai Dao Monarch remarked, squinting slightly upon hearing Cui Tong's words. He paused for a moment, then sneered.

Nine Suns Fire Pillar Array!

The layout of this array has already been discerned by cultivators from various sects, so the Butian Sect is undoubtedly aware of it too. In my view, this so-called seclusion is likely Xu Xing's attempt to consult with the Dao Lords of the Butian Sect on how to break the array using array techniques. The Flying Feather Immortal Palace's information on Xu Xing also mentions his proficiency in array techniques... If it weren't for the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch nearing his end back then and lacking an heir to his legacy, Xu Xing, who successfully passed the Heavenly Gate Array, would have been accepted as a disciple by Kuimen Daoist Lord, a master of array techniques... After two hundred years of cultivation elsewhere, I don't believe Xu Xing would have focused on array techniques in addition to advancing his cultivation, but this possibility cannot be entirely dismissed.

"Dao Monarch Zhongtai is being reasonable." Cui Tong smiled upon hearing this, stroking his clean-shaven chin. "After five years, Master Xu will certainly come here to challenge the array and resolve the enmity between our two sects... However, after the array is broken this time, will your esteemed sect truly honor the agreement and cease causing trouble for the Butian Sect and Master Xu?" he probed.

"Naturally!" Zhongtai Dao Monarch cut Cui Tong off, his expression stern and slightly displeased. "Our sect follows the Righteous Path, not the Demon Way. How could we disregard a pact? However, I have heard... that Master Xu chose the Zuoqiu Clan's Spring and Autumn Mountain as his place of seclusion?" His question was laden with accusation.

The Nanhua Sect was one of the Higher Teachings, possessing countless Caves and Blessed Lands suitable for Nascent Soul cultivators to enter seclusion within its domain. Xu Xing, however, had chosen to retreat to the Zuoqiu Clan's Spring and Autumn Mountain, a decision that carried different implications.

"Since Master Xu disrupted the Nanhua Sect's grand event, and the Nanhua Sect has chosen not to hold it against him, Master Xu, being a man of honor, would naturally not wish to impose on the Nanhua Sect further..." Cui Tong chose his words carefully, trying not to give Zhongtai Dao Monarch and the others any leverage.

"What? The Zuoqiu Clan's territory?"

"Zuoqiu Ying?"

Upon hearing this, Ruan Baimei's face instantly paled.

Signing a marriage contract isn't a matter of a day or two; it's a process that spans over a decade. This time, for the two great Higher Teachings to re-establish diplomatic ties through this marriage contract, considerable effort was made within both the Flying Feather Immortal Palace and the Nanhua Sect to bring it about. As for Zuoqiu Ying, who was to marry into the Flying Feather Immortal Palace, although I didn't have deep feelings for her, I had long considered her my wife... Forget it, forget it... Since I've decided to dedicate myself to cultivation and detach from worldly affairs, and it was I who ruined the marriage... even if Zuoqiu Ying marries Xu Xing, it has nothing to do with me.

Ruan Baimei calmed himself.

「Zuoqiu Clan's territory. Cave Mansion.」

Xu Xing adjusted his robe, sat cross-legged on the Jade Seat, and after reading the incoming voice transmission talismans one by one, stored them in his sleeve.

As he expected, the various sects were indeed buzzing about him renting a Cave Mansion from the Zuoqiu Clan, believing that the Butian Sect and the Zuoqiu Clan had allied. Now, it's time to open the Decaying Axe World.

Xu Xing closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking into the Bronze Ancient Mirror within his Ideation Space.

Mirror Master: Xu Hang.

Taoist Fruits: Great Sun Emperor (Six Departments), Fengdu Heavenly Office (Eight Extremes), Golden Crow Immortal Body (Seven Elements)...

World: Decaying Axe (Nascent Soul).

Time Ratio: One to ten.

Descent: Soul.

Immortal Fate: Human Emperor Body (Incomplete), Incomplete Heavenly Phoenix Body, Dual Infant of Child-Mother (Seven Elements).

By borrowing the Nirvana Technique from the Evil Warding Sacred Skill, I've gained some insights into the Life and Death Principles... As I guessed, to condense the Dual Infant of Child-Mother Immortal Fate, one must have a certain understanding of the Life and Death Principles...

Xu Xing examined the secondary page for the Dual Infant of Child-Mother Immortal Fate.

Dual Infant of Child-Mother (Seven Elements): Innately born, two lives in one body. The mother infant embodies life, the child infant embodies death; greatly aids in comprehending the Life and Death Principles.

The Zi Ying embodies death? This Dual Infant of Child-Mother is derived from Nan Ling's 'Child-Mother Ghost Fetus Great Method.' Although, through my cultivation, this Demonic Way has become a Righteous Path cultivation method, the concept... still originates from the Demon Way... Xu Xing pondered as he read the description of the Dual Infant of Child-Mother Immortal Fate.

With the great divine power of Taoist Fruits, I don't need to kill cultivators to practice the 'Child-Mother Ghost Fetus Great Method.' I only need to use my own flesh and blood for Flesh and Blood Cultivation. However, the Demonic Way and Righteous Path cultivation methods are ultimately different, with a significant divergence in core beliefs. Although I used my own flesh and blood for cultivation and didn't slaughter cultivators, taking a shortcut, it is, in fact, still rooted in the principles of the Demon Way; its essence cannot be changed. But it's just a concept. The Three Thousand Great Dao Paths ultimately converge to one. If this divine power becomes even stronger, it will directly embody the Life and Death Principles. By then, there will be no need for a child infant or mother infant.

Xu Xing shook his head.

Next, he focused his will, choosing to use Taoist Fruits to solidify the Dual Infant of Child-Mother in the Immortal Fate column.

Instantly, the Dual Infant of Child-Mother within his Dantian began to transform. Of the two plump, white infants, the slightly smaller one became suffused with an aura of death, while the other, resembling a carving of white jade, radiated even more vitality than before.

The Dual Infant of Child-Mother Immortal Fate has solidified. I wonder...

Xu Xing looked at the Bronze Ancient Mirror again, vaguely sensing that the Decaying Axe World seemed to have loosened its restrictions somewhat. With just a thought, he could immediately traverse to it.

"Indeed, it's possible!" A delighted expression appeared on his face.

Then, Xu Xing looked at the Bronze Ancient Mirror again, and the panel began to change.

Taoist Fruits: Great Sun Emperor (Six Departments), Fengdu Heavenly Office (Eight Extremes), Golden Crow Immortal Body (Seven Elements)...

World: Emperor Jin (Returning Core ·Life), Decaying Axe (Nascent Soul ·Death).

Time Ratio: One to ten.

Descent: Soul.

Immortal Fate: Human Emperor Body (Incomplete), Incomplete Heavenly Phoenix Body.

Five years, with a one-to-ten time ratio, means fifty years... Hopefully, in these fifty years, a new secondary Immortal Fate can be condensed...

With a thought, Xu Xing began to project the consciousness of the Zi Ying into the Decaying Axe World.