Chapter 77: Even Celestial Lady Qing Luan Possesses Nirvana Force
Shen Sang Ruo would never obediently heed Celestial Lady Qing Luan’s words. With a flick of her wrist, she retracted the Feathered Fan and struck the ground with her palm, leveraging the rebound force to soar into the air.
Having broken through to the late Golden Core stage, her mastery over the power of wind was now seamless. If she so desired, she could even flutter her fingers and fly all the way to the Jade Palace.
Celestial Lady Qing Luan watched as Shen Sang Ruo, hands raised high above her head, spun wildly midair before appearing before her. A few black lines slid down her forehead.
In that instant, she felt all her efforts spent correcting Shen Sang Ruo’s posture had been wasted. Truly, this girl was just as aggravating as that wretched dog, Celestial Lord Chang Li.
“Did I not tell you to leave? What are you still doing before me?” Celestial Lady Qing Luan crossed her arms and turned her head aside, clearly uninterested.
Without thinking, Shen Sang Ruo blurted out, “Naturally, because I cannot bear to part with Celestial Lady Qing Luan.”
“Hah! Sweet words and silver tongue.” Celestial Lady Qing Luan’s face was filled with disbelief.
Shen Sang Ruo straightened her expression and ceased her playful banter. “In truth, this junior has a matter in which she wishes to seek Celestial Lady Qing Luan’s assistance.”
Celestial Lady Qing Luan’s expression immediately turned to one of expectation. “Let’s hear it.”
Whether or not she would help depended entirely on her mood.
“Does Celestial Lady know of any place where Nirvana Force can be found?”
“Nirvana Force?” Celestial Lady Qing Luan’s brow quirked slightly.
“I have a dear friend whose meridians have been completely shattered. I wish to seek out Nirvana Force—perhaps it could help reconstruct his meridians.” Shen Sang Ruo’s voice was resolute.
Since Nirvana Force had been able to regenerate her own burst meridians, then surely it could be effective for Song Wei Yan’s destroyed meridians as well.
A flicker of confusion passed through Celestial Lady Qing Luan’s gaze. “Do you know what Celestial Lord Chang Li’s true form is? If you seek Nirvana Force, why not turn to him?”
Among all phoenixes, none possessed Nirvana Force as potent as the Fire Phoenix to which Celestial Lord Chang Li belonged.
What she said, Shen Sang Ruo had, of course, already considered.
“To be frank, the friend I spoke of is none other than Celestial Lord Chang Li’s second disciple.” Shen Sang Ruo chose honesty. “Celestial Lord Chang Li has yet to fully recover and cannot wield Nirvana Force at present.”
During the ordeal at the Crimson Peak Sea of Flames, the vast majority of Nirvana Force had been stored within the Blazing Flame Heart, meant for Celestial Lord Chang Li’s rebirth. It was only through the Sunset Glazed Flame Art as a medium, combined with the abundant spiritual energy within the magma, that he was able to harness Nirvana Force to save her.
But unexpectedly, upon hearing these words, Celestial Lady Qing Luan’s expression stiffened. “Still not recovered?”
From her reaction, it was clear she was unaware of what had transpired between Celestial Lord Chang Li and the Ninghua Sect.
The Moonwind Spirit Ruins were fraught with peril, and anyone who stepped within would be torn asunder by wind blades. Furthermore, Celestial Lady Qing Luan’s residence—the Jade Palace—was high above the clouds, and she rarely ventured beyond. Thus, she had remained isolated from the world for a long time, completely unaware of the events that had shaken the cultivation realm.
After a moment of thought, Shen Sang Ruo understood the reason for this and proceeded to recount the catastrophe that had befallen the Ninghua Sect and its current state.
Celestial Lord Chang Li would not have let her come to seek Celestial Lady Qing Luan if she were not someone he deeply trusted.
Moreover, Shen Sang Ruo could sense that the relationship between Celestial Lord Chang Li and Celestial Lady Qing Luan was not as antagonistic as it appeared on the surface. If anything, they seemed more like quarreling old friends.
Once she finished speaking, Celestial Lady Qing Luan stood in stunned silence for a long time, murmuring to herself in a daze, “So that’s how it is… I see now…”
A complex emotion stirred within her heart. If she had not isolated herself so completely, if she had gone to help when disaster struck the Ninghua Sect, perhaps things would not have come to this.
Seeing her pensive state, Shen Sang Ruo added, “But Celestial Lady Qing Luan need not worry. The seal on Celestial Lord Chang Li has been lifted, and the situation is stabilizing.”
“This junior is also doing everything in her power to help the Ninghua Sect overcome its current crisis. I believe that one day, the Ninghua Sect will rise again.”
Celestial Lady Qing Luan swiftly masked her emotions and coolly replied, “Why are you telling me this? Their affairs have nothing to do with me.”
Celestial Lady Hong Niao might have been the one whose ears perked up moments ago, not Celestial Lady Qing Luan.
Shen Sang Ruo, already well aware of Celestial Lady Qing Luan’s proud and aloof nature, chose not to expose her reaction. Instead, she smoothly guided the conversation back to the matter at hand—the power of Nirvana.
“That is precisely why this junior seeks guidance from Celestial Lady Qing Luan on the mysteries of Nirvana’s power.”
Qing Luan’s jade-like fingers unfolded, and an orb of verdant light materialized at her fingertips, swirling with ethereal brilliance.
Shen Sang Ruo instantly recognized the aura emanating from it—it was unmistakably the power of Nirvana!
Catching the flicker of astonishment in her gaze, Qing Luan let out a cold scoff. “What? Is Celestial Lord Chang Li the only one permitted to wield Nirvana’s power? Am I, Celestial Lady Qing Luan, not entitled to the same?”
Though the Azure Luan was a branch of the phoenix lineage, their affinity lay primarily in mastering the winds. Nirvana’s power was not something commonly associated with them.
Shen Sang Ruo had anticipated a long and arduous journey to acquire Nirvana’s power. Yet, here it was, presented before her—two wishes granted in one stroke.
“What would Celestial Lady Qing Luan have me offer in exchange?” Shen Sang Ruo asked directly, knowing full well that there was likely nothing on her person that could truly tempt the esteemed celestial.
“Return to Celestial Lord Chang Li and have him trade me the Fire Scale Vine.” Qing Luan’s voice was measured, neither eager nor impatient.
She was well aware that the Fire Scale Vine was a crucial material used by Chang Li’s fire phoenix manifestation to construct its nest. It was an excellent resource for crafting a new bed for herself—perfectly suited to her refined tastes. Given its excruciatingly slow growth, she intended to drive a hard bargain and demand a significant portion of it. She knew well that Celestial Lord Chang Li would not dare refuse.
Yet, instead of hesitance, Shen Sang Ruo’s face lit up with delight. What a stroke of fortune! The fire phoenix’s dwelling had long been plundered by her hands, and right now, a mountain of Fire Scale Vine lay untouched within her Universe Bag.
Without hesitation, she unsealed the bag and let the vines spill forth, scattering in a grand display across the floor.
In the distant skies, the fire phoenix let out an anguished cry: [Oh, you noble and untouchable one! You lofty being! And yet you offer up my home as a tribute to another!]
“Celestial Lady Qing Luan, will this suffice?” Shen Sang Ruo’s smile brimmed with anticipation.
Qing Luan’s gaze swept over the overwhelming pile of Fire Scale Vine, so voluminous it nearly swallowed Shen Sang Ruo whole. A faint twitch appeared at the corner of her lips.
…Had she just emptied the entire phoenix nest?
She had only asked for a large portion, but Shen Sang Ruo had looted it so cleanly that not even a single ember remained. In comparison, her own demands now seemed almost merciful.
Qing Luan wordlessly raised a hand, collecting the precise amount she had initially intended to claim. She was principled—she would take only what she had asked for.
“The rest, keep it for yourself,” she said with an air of indifference. At the very least, she would leave the fire phoenix with something to mourn.
With a flick of her wrist, the orb of Nirvana’s power drifted toward Shen Sang Ruo. The moment it landed in her palm, it solidified into a translucent azure crystal, reminiscent of the Blazing Flame Heart that Chang Li possessed.
Shen Sang Ruo carefully secured the crystal before offering a deep bow. “This junior expresses her utmost gratitude to Celestial Lady Qing Luan for her generosity.”
—
Meanwhile, in another corner of the world, within the grand halls of the Flying Cloud Sect, a surge of excitement coursed through Shen Dao Chen’s veins.
“Ling Xiao! Word has arrived from the Heavenwatch Pavilion!”
“They have found the whereabouts of the Fire Scale Vine! Mu’er can be saved!”
True Master Ling Xiao’s expression remained composed, yet his voice betrayed a hint of relief. “Where is it?”
“The Moonwind Spirit Ruins in the eastern reaches of the cultivation world. It appears to be in the hands of an individual.”
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