Yu Ci was initially taken aback. The tone and the fluctuations in intent were completely beyond his expectations. He suddenly called out in a low voice, "Xuan Huang!"

"It's me, Yu lad, greetings. I promised you a Treasure Sword, a Thunder-Slaying Tribulation-Dispelling Ukase, and the chance to comprehend the Flying Immortal Sword Scripture. The latter has already been fulfilled, and as for the first two, that Xing Tian rascal will give you an explanation..."

"What's going on?"

The more Yu Ci listened, the more something seemed amiss. He stood up unconsciously, his expression turning stern. The words were indeed Xuan Huang's, but the tone was not that of a normal conversation—it seemed more like a message left in advance. To achieve this... He called out sharply, "Xing Tian, what trickery is this?"

"Silence!"

Xing Tian's voice cut through sharply, "Out of respect for me, the Tower Guardian has been quite considerate. But if you stir up trouble, you won't be able to keep it hidden from everyone!"

Tower Guardian? Could it be the "Power Guardian Saint" who was guarding the Star Plucking Tower when he had entered?

Yu Ci had been curious about that figure's identity, guessing it was a senior from the Sect, but it was only after explanations from Meng Wei and others that he learned this individual was actually a Misty Flowing Beast that had cultivated for ten thousand years, possessing sentient wisdom. Subdued by a Sect elder in the past, it now guarded beneath the Star Plucking Tower, protecting this critical location of the Sect.

It seemed that Xing Tian had a good relationship with it.

"We are both of different kinds, and in this place with no prospects, our friendship has grown strong. If you encounter any trouble nearby, seek it out."

Its tone was casual, but Yu Ci could not afford to be negligent. He quickly bowed in all directions and said respectfully, "Tower Guardian Senior."

A thunderclap sounded from outside the tower, as if in response.

After this exchange, Yu Ci's initial impulse to demand answers had dissipated. He only listened as Xing Tian said, "Xuan Huang is not in a position to see you right now, but he left a few words for you to listen to carefully."

The voice then shifted back to Xuan Huang's, "Although it is petty and quite disagreeable, it is reliable in getting things done. I'm somewhat reassured entrusting matters to it..."

Then there was a sudden silence. Yu Ci thought it was the end, but then he heard a very soft sigh, "Thank you."

Yu Ci was stunned. If the message was truly from Xuan Huang, what could it be thankful for? Was it gratitude for thwarting Qu Thunderbolt-Free's schemes? To be honest, towards the end, Yu Ci had been fighting solely for his own survival. He felt undeserving of such thanks.

"Where is Xuan Huang?" This was the question that mattered most to Yu Ci now.

"He is not in a position to see you."

Xing Tian's tone lacked the sharpness and even madness it had at the source of the Boundary River. It slowly repeated the previous statement and adopted the demeanor of a lofty senior. However, Yu Ci had already seen through its facade. He knew this being might not lie outright, but it was adept at misleading others. Without speaking further, he simply waited for an explanation.

Seeing him like this, Xing Tian felt somewhat displeased. "Junior, sometimes you are far too presumptuous. Matters of the Xuan Huang level, are they really for you to meddle in?"

Yu Ci, unoffended, simply cracked a smile and said, "Oh, and who was it that egged 'Junior' on to head to the source of the Boundary River?"

Xing Tian, caught off guard, inadvertently gave away a handle. Of course, it could argue that it was Yu Ci's own choice, but unless it involved Qu Thunderbolt-Free, it maintained a certain senior's dignity and would not stoop to argue with a youth.

After a moment of silence, Xing Tian finally responded, "The Xuan Huang has been tainted by the Sky Demon Calamity Tribulation, losing its spiritual clarity. I could only help it temporarily regain a bit of spiritual intelligence and make some arrangements. What happens next is entirely up to its own fate. Now it has fallen and become a Fierce Sword Demon Kind, only understanding slaughter. In the time to come, it will surely rampage across the world, creating boundless Killing Karma, until a great power capable of completely subduing it emerges, to rebuild its Dao foundation, just like the venerable Yuan Dao once did."

Yu Ci was taken aback. Xing Tian spoke in detail, but some crucial information still required him to guess. It took him a while before he ventured to ask, "Are you saying the Dao foundation of Xuan Huang has been destroyed?"

Xing Tian did not respond directly, simply saying, "Beings like Xuan Huang and I are born with the ability to exist in this world for a long time. What we lack are the dual opportunities of forming a spirit and establishing a Dao. Unfortunately, these opportunities are not within our control. However, there are always two sides to everything; opportunities will eventually come, although for you Cultivators, it might seem like a very long time..."

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Perhaps this was meant to comfort him. Yu Ci did not speak further, but in his heart, he pondered. Even if the Dao foundation were to be rebuilt, would the Xuan Huang of that time still be the same as before? At this moment, he did not delve deeper, remaining silent. Even as Xing Tian changed the subject, he did not object.

"I promised Xuan Huang to fulfill the agreement between you and it. Moreover, we also have some deals, which I remember well. It's just that these past three months, you've been in and out of consciousness, constantly surrounded by people, and some matters are rather sensitive, so it has been delayed until now... By the way, haven't you noticed something missing from you?"

"Eh?"

Yu Ci scratched his head. At the source of the Boundary River, he had outmaneuvered Xing Tian using Qu Thunderbolt-Free's schemes and then quickly lost consciousness again. Since he truly came to his senses, he hadn't had the chance to thoroughly check his belongings. Now, reminded by Xing Tian and upon reflection, he immediately broke into a cold sweat:

"Where is my mirror? And... the Storage Ring?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, the light shifted behind him. Turning around, he saw the Divine Bronze Mirror properly placed on a side table, shrouded in a faint azure light, with not one but two rings beside it!

"The Divine Bronze Mirror in your hands is like a pearl covered in dust. Of course, the Limitless Vacuum God has been replaced, and the methods are quite different now, so the value of this Supreme Treasure has diminished quite a bit. However, you and I are aware of this, others are not. If seen by someone knowledgeable, it could bring big trouble. I've hidden it for you for a few months; you must also be cautious and careful. Some items are not to be displayed in public."

Yu Ci acknowledged with a grunt, but his curiosity was piqued immediately as he seized the crux of the matter, "You don't know? The Sect is unaware of the calamity at the source of Boundary River?"

"You are aware, I am aware, and that Taoist surnamed Yu knows something too. However, he and I have agreed not to disclose the details of what has transpired here, especially the parts concerning you. You can rest assured," came the reply.

Yu Zhou remained silent. Keeping secrets and thus holding more cards close to his chest was, of course, advantageous. But from Yu Zhou's perspective, what right did Xing Tian have to demand his silence? Yu Ci could only assume it was because of himself... Of course, Xing Tian's proactive stance suggested he too had many things he'd prefer the Sect not to know.

"In a moment, I'll align our stories. But for now, let's discuss these matters. Hey, considering your current identity, your wealth is substantial. Yet, much of it must remain hidden. The mirror is the first of them. Besides, the Flying Immortal Sword Scripture, and, um, that collection of yours, the 'Limitless Vacuum Divine Illumination Scripture', are all top-tier troubles that you absolutely must not think of flaunting. In this realm, there are certain deeds that, once done, spell death!"

Yu Ci fell silent, dumbfounded. In Xing Tian's depiction, the Lichen Sect almost seemed like a den of demons.

Xing Tian, with his ability to see through the human heart, knew what Yu Ci was thinking and followed up, "It's not about what the Lichen Sect would do, but rather, do you want to offend the two most formidable super-sects in this realm, aside from the Eight Scenery Palace and The Initial Hermitage?"

Yu Ci immediately held his tongue. The might of the Sword Competing Pavilion and the Primordial Demon Sect, even in their far-from-peak state now, was not something he could confront. Keeping the secret of the Divine Bronze Mirror was governed by the same logic.

"Put them away quickly, and let's talk about the agreed matters. First, let's discuss what Xuan Huang promised you. The Flying Immortal Sword Scripture goes without saying, but the Primordial Formless Sword alone is worth that superior Sword Weapon, and its origin is clear, which will be of great use to you in the future. However, it seems you acquired it with your own hands, so we won't take advantage of you... Take a look in your Storage Ring."

Yu Ci selected his ring from the two on the desk and scanned it with his divine consciousness, his heart leaping with joy: "The Thunder-Slaying Tribulation-Dispelling Ukase, and what's this... a Sword Embryo?"

"The Thunder-Slaying Tribulation-Dispelling Ukase is exceedingly rare, even in the Sword Garden. This one was actually the last used by Shadow Ghost, sealed by the Void Divine Arts. Its sword aura was contained before it could be unleashed and was then sealed again. I'm passing it to you as a borrowed offering. As for this Sword Embryo, it's also of superior quality. I see in your Storage Ring, there are seven fragments of Morninglight Stone, which can be fused with it to forge a Seven Dipper Star Sword. I've also included the refinement method and sword forging techniques in there, secrets that the Sword Competing Pavilion does not divulge..."

After a brief pause, Xing Tian said, "It's not that I'm stingy, but with sword weapons, more powerful isn't always better. Especially those top-tier swords imbued with a former master's aura—they almost seem to cultivate their own spirit. Such swords could be more of a hindrance than a help to you. It's better to forge a new sword from scratch, consecrating it from the beginning so it becomes an extension of your own will. However, the Primordial Formless Sword, being condensed from Innate Primordial Qi, carries no lingering essence or karmic ties. It won't interfere with you, and it comes with the Method of God Slaying Sting. Whether you can wield it depends on your own skill."

Yu Ci felt a tinge of disappointment for not having obtained a remnant sword from a Sword Immortal, but he recognized the sense in Xing Tian's words and was about to nod in agreement when Xing Tian continued, "However, I won't let Xuanyang take advantage of you. Take a look inside that storage ring."

As Yu Ci's consciousness swept into the ring, Xing Tian chuckled, "These are treasures from the source of the Boundary River, left behind by deceased cultivators. I've selected some of the finest for you, among which Wen Shifei's collection is the most abundant. It contains several Demonic Sect magical instruments. Though you may not use them, you can certainly trade them for other superior magical instruments without any issue."

Yu Ci couldn't help but admire the man's skill in 'offering flowers to the Buddha'—the art of giving gifts using others' resources. So far, the magical instruments he had acquired were almost entirely from outside the Sword Garden, a testament to Xing Tian's considerable abilities in safeguarding and managing assets.

But then again, what treasure could compare to the favor of this man? If this were a business deal, he certainly felt like the winner.

Xing Tian went on, "There's one more thing, the item I promised you..."

Yu Ci instantly focused his entire attention, not having forgotten the responsibility entrusted to him regarding the Qu Thunderbolt-Free.

In the next moment, a soft glow appeared before his eyes.

"The seed of the Cloud Tower Tree—plant it in the void, let it grow high above the nine heavens. The leaves it bears are exquisite materials for talismans, capable of nurturing life. With this tree, you can create your own world. Those storage rings you have? You can throw them all away."