Divine Transcendence

Yuan Ming, harboring his doubts, keenly observed Lin Junsheng’s cultivation process. He quickly noticed that the way Lin Junsheng circulated his technique, and the sensations of mana flowing through his meridians, were significantly clearer than what he had experienced when practicing the Explosive Flame Technique in the body of the young emperor.

Lin Junsheng’s cultivation method closely resembled the Nine Elements Decision, a technique Yuan Ming had largely mastered through self-study, without any mentor’s guidance. Directly experiencing it in contrast with his own practice of the Nine Elements Decision, Yuan Ming found this observation surprisingly beneficial.

Nevertheless, Yuan Ming’s purpose in attaching himself to Lin Junsheng wasn’t for these insights. He intended to investigate whether Lin Junsheng had any connection to a recent assassination attempt on himself. But with Lin Junsheng engrossed in his immobile practice, Yuan Ming found himself unable to delve into this matter.

Yuan Ming attempted to influence Lin Junsheng, but despite their seeming proximity, they were as if separated by vast distances. No matter how he exerted his soul power or made other efforts, he couldn’t affect Lin Junsheng in the slightest.

This left Yuan Ming feeling helplessly powerless.

All he could do at present was to share Lin Junsheng’s perspective and sensations.

"This must be the disparity between imitation and authentic Black Incense," Yuan Ming mused after his fruitless attempts, resigned to giving up.

Shortly thereafter, his vision darkened, and he returned to his own consciousness.

Upon opening his eyes, Yuan Ming’s brow furrowed slightly.

This time, despite using the same materials for the incense, except for the addition of incense ash from the Lord’s Manor, the attachment sensation was clearer than before, yet the duration remained similar. It seemed this variance was due to the different incense ashes used.

Unable to use the incense burner for another seven days, and with no immediate way to unravel the truth behind the assassination, altering his upcoming plans became a necessity.

Yuan Ming pulled out a piece of beast skin on which he had personally drawn a map of the Southern Frontier. With no option to return to the Central Plains from the Northern Region, he had to choose a detour through the Eastern or Western Regions.

The Western Region of the Southern Frontier, shrouded in mystery and controlled by a large, religiously tinted cultivation power, was known for its extreme exclusivity and minimal interaction with the other three regions. Cultivators from elsewhere were strictly forbidden entry.

Yuan Ming’s eyes settled on the Eastern Region of the Southern Frontier on his map. It seemed that was his only viable route.

After a brief contemplation, he retrieved a somewhat dirty token from his storage ring. This token, a gift from a Xuanhua Sect master during a purchase in Black Rock City, was a pass to visit the Eastern Region’s Xuanhua Sect if ever he passed through.

At the time, Yuan Ming had listened without much regard, storing the token more as an afterthought than anything of importance. However, following the synergistic effects of Qingxuan Incense and pills during his cultivation, and his deepening understanding of spiritual incenses, Yuan Ming had come to reevaluate the value of spiritual incenses, previously underappreciated in the Northern Region.

Now, with many tasks at hand, a visit to the Eastern Region wasn’t Yuan Ming’s initial intention, but given the circumstances, it seemed an inevitable detour. Fortunately, it presented an opportunity to consult the old Taoist about incense-making techniques.

With this in mind, Yuan Ming planned his route on the beast skin map. He then set off in his white jade shuttle, soaring out of the valley and heading eastward.

***

The vast expanses of the Southern Frontier and the Northern Region made for a long journey. The white jade shuttle, though fast, consumed substantial mana. The Qingyun Crane, less demanding in mana, lacked endurance. Yuan Ming alternated between the two, traveling day and night, taking a full five days to reach the border of the Northern Region.

Despite the Eastern Region of the Southern Frontier not being as secluded as the Western Region, entering rashly, especially by flying, could attract unwanted attention from local cultivators. Yuan Ming, preferring subtlety, blended with ordinary traders and common folk, easily crossing into the Eastern Region. The coastal cities here were notably more prosperous than those in the Northern Region, and the lives of its people seemed more peaceful. Walking among them, Yuan Ming found the simplicity and naturalness of the mortal world easing his previously tense state of mind.

***

Three days passed uneventfully.

Feeling somewhat reassured, Yuan Ming resumed his journey on the jade shuttle, following his initial plan.

Half a day later, a lush, green mountain loomed ahead, its rich spiritual energy marking it as an excellent cultivation site. Such sites were typically claimed by cultivation sects. Yuan Ming was about to bypass it when something caught his eye at the mountain’s summit.

From his vantage point, he could make out the peak’s condition: numerous buildings, all dilapidated, creating a desolate, uninhabited scene.

Intrigued, Yuan Ming steered his shuttle closer to the mountain. The closer view revealed more details: buildings at the peak and halfway up the mountain, remnants of what once must have been a sizable cultivation sect, now overgrown with moss and cobwebs, long abandoned.

Yuan Ming felt a twinge of disappointment. Such a prominently situated, long-derelict sect would have been thoroughly scavenged, leaving little chance of undiscovered treasures.

Circling the mountain, he discovered a dusty plaque in a collapsed building, bearing the name "Liu Xin Sect." It seemed to be the name of this once-great sect.

A sudden impulse led Yuan Ming to a ruined hall on the mountainside. Inside, what seemed like a shrine held a half-collapsed table with several spirit tablets, inscribed with the names of cultivators. The place was thick with dust, and a partially intact portrait of a dignified elder hung behind the table.

Yuan Ming’s attention shifted, and he quickly moved towards a collapsed corner of the wall. After clearing some debris, he uncovered a bronze incense burner propped against a wooden block, its interior filled with dark gray incense ash.

He pondered the significance of the incense burner. His previous experiences with body possession had taught him that different incense ashes produced varying effects. Understanding the specifics could be key to unlocking the secrets of the original black incense.

After collecting some ash, Yuan Ming found a secluded spot on the green mountain to begin crafting incense. His skills had improved markedly, and he soon produced a stick of possession incense.

With the Tai Chi pattern on the burner fully illuminated, he lit the incense, thinking of Lin Junsheng, the young emperor, and finally, his father, General Yuan. Darkness soon enveloped his vision.

***

When he regained consciousness, he found himself in General Yuan’s body. The general was resting in a carriage, seemingly returning from court.

The clarity of Yuan Ming’s vision was remarkable. He could sense the energy flow within his father’s body with great precision, more distinctly than during his possession of Lin Junsheng.

"Different ashes yield different effects. The Liu Xin Sect’s ash seems superior to that from Iron Tiger Town," Yuan Ming mused, unsurprised by this discovery.

Soon, the carriage arrived at the general’s residence. General Yuan changed into casual attire and swiftly made his way to a side hall in the annex.

There, a dignified woman in her forties, adorned with a blue jade hairpin and draped in a white fur coat, sat alone. Her eyebrows, arched like crescents, and her demure, distant demeanor, exuded a serene grace.

Seeing her, Yuan Ming felt a surge of indescribable emotion. She was General Yuan’s wife, his mother. Compared to his memories, fine lines now framed her eyes, and strands of silver mingled in her dark hair.

"Madam, why are you out with your cold still troubling you?" General Yuan inquired.

Yuan Ming tensed. His mother was unwell? Her pallor indeed seemed off.

Colds, trivial or serious, should not be taken lightly. He regretted not being home to tend to her.

As he pondered, General Yuan unexpectedly grasped the lady’s wrist.

"Why are you holding my hand? You’re no physician," the lady queried, puzzled.

"It’s nothing..." General Yuan, momentarily disoriented, released her hand and sat down, slightly confused.

He couldn’t fathom why he had grasped her wrist, driven by a sudden, inexplicable urge.

Was Yuan Ming influencing his father’s actions? He pondered, perplexed by the incident.

"Any news about Ming’er?" the lady asked, ignoring the general’s odd behavior.

"Don’t worry, he’s been found," General Yuan assured her, his stern face softening with a hint of a smile.

"Truly?" She stood, a mix of surprise and joy in her voice.

"Indeed. And Ming’er has turned misfortune into a blessing, joining a sect in the Southern Frontier for cultivation," General Yuan elaborated.

"He’s safe , that’s what matters. Ming’er once aspired to join the Changchun Sect but was rejected for lack of talent. He was too proud to accept it, swearing off the path of immortality. I knew his heart wasn’t at peace. Now, he’s achieved his heart’s desire," the lady said, relieved.

"Ming’er may be a cultivator, but his skills are still nascent. The journey from the Southern Frontier to Great Jin is long. I’ve sent for him; he should be home soon," General Yuan added.

Yuan Ming realized General Yuan was unaware he hadn’t accompanied the sent guards. The vast distance between the Southern Frontier and the Great Jin capital, lacking quick communication like transmission talismans, was likely the cause.

He shook off these thoughts, his mind returning to the issue at hand.

Except for the black incense inherent to the censer, which could directly manipulate others’ actions, Yuan Ming had always been a mere ’observer’ during previous possessions via homemade spiritual incense, never influencing the host’s actions. This was evident when he tried to affect Lin Junsheng seven days ago, to no avail.

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