Xu Xian paused for a moment. "Speak in plain terms!"
The Little Book Spirit stuck out her tongue playfully, looking quite mischievous before turning serious again. "Basically, if you can't beat it, don't fight it. Join it, become it, get on its good side, make it work for you, or let it protect you."
Xu Xian had a rough idea of the answer now. He nodded thoughtfully. "The key is, how exactly do we join it?"
The Little Book Spirit explained, "Yin qi is born from reincarnation; it is extremely yin and extremely cold. If we can transform Yao Xiaoxiao's sea of consciousness, dantian, qi manor, and acupoints into an Extremely Yin Land, then the yin qi will be deceived—it might even be willing to stay inside."
"In simple terms, we're remodeling Yao Xiaoxiao's physical body into an environment where yin qi can thrive, using her body to nurture this strand of yin qi."
"All things in heaven and earth possess some level of intelligence. Even a speck of dust has a way of thinking that others can't understand, and yin qi is no different."
"If this yin qi were in the River of Reincarnation, it would be a mere drop in the ocean, utterly insignificant."
"But here in the mortal world, it is like the high moon in the sky, something all things look up to."
"It just doesn't belong here."
"If it can find a vessel capable of carrying it—and even gain power from that vessel—then it will develop desires just like a human. It's very likely it would choose to actively remain in the mortal world to cultivate until the day it achieves the Dao."
"Master, you should be able to understand what I'm saying, right?"
Xu Xian's expression shifted as he processed this. Although the Little Book Spirit's explanation sounded a bit mystical, it wasn't impossible to grasp.
In the Cangming Realm, all things could cultivate.
There were plants that bathed in the essence of the sun and moon, eventually gaining intelligence and proving their Dao to become gods. There were weapons and treasures nurtured by their masters that eventually birthed item spirits.
Qi could become spirits.
Stones could become beasts.
Even a Sword Tower had given birth to a Little Book Spirit.
A wisp of yin qi from another plane, which naturally suppressed this world and stood above its fundamental laws, could certainly do the same.
However, transforming a living person like Yao Xiaoxiao into a constitution that yin qi would be willing to settle in was easier said than done.
He nodded pensively and asked in a heavy voice, "I understand what you're saying. But in Fanzhou, is it even possible?"
The Little Book Spirit said with certainty, "Theoretically, yes!"
"Hmm?"
Theory again!
The Little Book Spirit continued, "Although Yao Xiaoxiao has suffered from the erosion of yin qi for years, it hasn't been without benefits. For instance, under the constant nurturing of that yin qi, her body has long since become immune to fire and water. She feels no cold and fears no heat. Although she has mixed spirit roots of wind and water, her physical form is a genuine Body of Extreme Cold."
"With that as a foundation, if she can be nurtured by an aura of deathly stillness, there is a massive possibility of her evolving an Extremely Yin Saint Body. If that happens, she could utilize that strand of yin qi, reaching a state of balance. As long as she isn't detected and suppressed by the Heavenly Dao, she can live..."
Xu Xian whispered the words, "Extremely Yin Saint Body?"
Rubbing his chin, he continued, "Where do we get this aura of deathly stillness?"
The Little Book Spirit emphasized each word, "The second floor of the Sword Tower, the divine sword Yellow Spring Burial!"
"Yellow Spring Burial!"
The Little Book Spirit spoke slowly, "Yellow Spring Burial was forged by burying the lives of an entire realm. Its killing intent is supreme, and the sword contains endless deathly qi. If its sword qi can be used to nurture her body, she can advance to the Extremely Yin Saint Body."
Finishing her explanation, the Little Book Spirit spread her hands and added lazily, "Of course, the prerequisite is that she doesn't get swallowed alive by Yellow Spring Burial first!"
Xu Xian understood, his brows arching. "So, she can be saved, right?"
The Little Book Spirit crossed her arms, looking quite proud of herself.
"Mhm!"
The youth smiled. "Excellent!"
As long as there was a way to save her, he would try. He was already planning to pull the sword anyway, and he had made a promise to Yao Luochen; the two goals didn't conflict.
Furthermore, if Yao Xiaoxiao truly achieved the Extremely Yin Saint Body and mastered that supreme yin and cold energy, her future potential would be immeasurable.
It would be a good thing for the Wendao Sword Sect as well.
As the Little Grand-Uncle of the Wendao Sword Sect, he had no reason not to try.
On the way back, Xu Xian asked for more details, and the Little Book Spirit told him everything she knew.
She mentioned that they would eventually need the assistance of some immortal plants with cold and yin attributes.
After hearing this, Xu Xian had a general plan. While several immortal plants would be incredibly expensive and rare, they weren't non-existent; they could be bought.
Given Elder Yao's capabilities, Xu Xian didn't doubt for a second that the man could obtain them.
The key issue now was that he first had to build the second floor of the Sword Tower.
Of course, the Little Book Spirit also stated that this was only a theoretical solution. Just like Xu Xian's attempt to turn spirit ore into immortal gold, what was theoretically possible might prove difficult in practice.
He didn't know if there would be other difficulties or setbacks along the way.
He could only take it one step at a time.
Xu Xian understood. It was an undeniable fact that there was always a gap between theory and reality. However, since a theory existed, it was impossible for him not to try.
It wasn't like trying would kill him.
As for Yao Xiaoxiao, trying gave her a chance to live; not trying meant certain death.
The reason it was called 'extending a life' was because she was already in a terminal situation.
However, Xu Xian didn't intend to inform Elder Yao about this just yet.
What did people fear most?
It was having hope they shouldn't have.
He would wait until his Sword Tower was ready and things were looking up before saying anything. It was too early now.
During their conversation, Xu Xian unknowingly arrived back at Zuiwan Residence.
Upon his return, he went straight to the spirit herb garden and carefully planted the ten immortal plants and one hundred high-year spirit plants he had received from Elder Yao into the spirit herb field.
Watering, fertilizing...
The field spanned ten mu.
Xu Xian had initially only planted eight mu, deliberately leaving two mu empty.
His original plan was to dig up any wild plants he might find in the future and plant them there.
However, he had been so busy forging swords that he hadn't had the time to go looking for any.
Besides, it wasn't like they were that easy to find.
So, the plots had remained fallow.
Now that he had planted these, the overall quality of the spirit field had instantly been elevated.
Standing by the spirit well, Xu Xian looked out over the field with a satisfied expression.
"Not bad. It's starting to look like something!"
He thought to himself that if he could one day fill the entire field, it would be truly impressive.
At some point, Li Qingshan appeared silently beside him. He also looked toward the field, his eyes blank as he asked flatly, "Did you go to Baicao Garden?"
"How did you know?"
Li Qingshan gestured toward the newly planted spirit plants and spat out two words.
"Stole them?"
Xu Xian rolled his eyes. "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."
"Then where did you get them?"
Xu Xian grinned. "Elder Yao gave them to me."
Li Qingshan was skeptical. Was Elder Yao really that kind-hearted? He found that hard to believe.
"For free?"
Xu Xian shrugged and said honestly, "No, I traded my blood and sweat for them."
Li Qingshan remained silent, but his gaze swept over Xu Xian.
Indeed, the boy looked pale, as if his qi and blood were depleted. It seemed the mention of 'blood and sweat' was quite literal.
He didn't press further.
After all, Xu Xian wasn't a child anymore.
Xu Xian glanced at Li Qingshan and asked, "Why are you looking for me?"
Li Qingshan said casually, "The Spirit Forger Certification Competition is in a few days. Are you participating?"
Xu Xian was puzzled and looked at Li Qingshan warily. "Why are you suddenly asking that?"
"Just asking. If you're participating, I'll go watch."
"You're being that kind?"
Li Qingshan shrugged. "Don't misunderstand. I simply want to watch you make a fool of yourself."
Xu Xian clicked his tongue. "Then I'm afraid I'm going to disappoint you."
"You aren't participating?"
"No, I'm afraid I'll blind you with my brilliance."
Li Qingshan was silent for a few seconds before sneering, "Would it kill you to stop acting so smug?"
The corners of Xu Xian's mouth curled upward. "No, but it would feel worse than death!"
Li Qingshan: "..."
Li Qingshan: "I'm leaving!"
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