"Jiangbei is also a region of Dao lineages. Purely in terms of lineage classification, my Golden Feather Sect holds some authority over Chengyun Gate and Xuanmiao Temple. This is also why the north can be called the Upper Sect."
Her answer was skillful; she had avoided exposing the Azure Pond Sect's situation. Li Jiangqian nodded as Zhang Duanyan displayed a hint of nostalgia and said, "In the past, there were rules between sects in the ten directions order. However, only remnants of those traditions remain today. Your esteemed family can still use them to visit the Supreme Yang Dao lineages. When the Origin Mansion existed, your family was considered subordinate. Although counted as part of the Supreme Yang Dao lineage, there was still a hierarchy separating you from direct branches such as the Purple Smoke Gate and the Azure Pond Sect. Now, however, it is not so easy to invoke these ties." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚
She looked at Li Jiangqian with a smile and nodded. "I heard my grandfather say that the River Mountain Sutra... is in your family's possession?"
Li Jiangqian's eyes flickered as he nodded lightly. Although the matter was important, there was no need to conceal it. Zhang Yun had visited the Li Family years ago to confirm this very matter. Now that their family had a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator, the technique no longer seemed so precious as to invite trouble.
Thus Li Jiangqian rose, saluted, and said, "In those years, my ancestor and Senior Zhang Yun were acquainted. They found a hidden trove together and each took a spirit item. This technique was obtained then and has been kept in our archives ever since."
Zhang Duanyan showed no surprise and simply said, "The River Mountain Sutra has been lost for many years. Our sect had no method to open it. We had hoped that Senior Tongya, with his extraordinary gift, would surely gain an opportunity to decipher it, so it was entrusted to your family as a continuation of his path.
"Unexpectedly, Jingzhan brought harm to Senior Tongya and his son. At that time, many within the sect called for someone to go to the lake and retrieve the technique along with Duruo. My grandfather opposed them all and came personally. He originally intended to exchange the Wanglin Blossom in return."
Li Jiangqian listened attentively as the woman smiled and continued, "It turned out that the Wanglin Blossom was connected to Yinghua, so my grandfather returned empty handed. At that time, many in the sect began saying that he was very close to Senior Tongya and was simply protecting his descendants."
"So that is how it was!"
Li Jiangqian nodded thoughtfully as he considered, That jade slip announcing news of the River Mountain Sutra was obtained during the destruction of the Moongaze Lake Market. There might well have been Golden Feather Sect cultivators in that group deliberately shouting its name to provide our family with a clue.
Having finally understood the origin of the rumor, he said nothing more and simply replied, "Thank you, senior."
He then asked, "Has there been any news regarding Senior Zhang's secluded breakthrough?"
Zhang Duanyan's expression did not change as she answered, "Senior Zhang achieved his breakthrough early and is now within the grotto heaven studying arts and techniques."
"Senior truly possesses heaven bestowed talent." Li Jiangqian nodded slowly, his thoughts clear, There were no phenomena between heaven and earth, which means... one truly can break through to the Purple Mansion Realm within a grotto heaven. Then how many Purple Mansion Realm cultivators does Golden Feather Sect actually have, how many are present in the world, and how many have fallen? These matters are nearly impossible to decipher to the outside world.
A grotto heaven... is truly extraordinary. It is understandable that the Yue Cultivating Sect abandoned Jiangbei and the lands of Yue State. Even if one lets go of all territory in the outside world, there is still a vast realm within a grotto heaven.
The two talked for some time. When the afternoon sun had passed its height, Zhang Duanyan rose to take her leave and Li Jiangqian escorted her off the island. At the moment of parting, Zhang Duanyan finally turned back with a bright smile and said, "Since your esteemed family cannot open the River Mountain Sutra, even a hundred or a thousand years in storage will not change that. It would be better to release it, allow someone fated in this world to obtain it, and let its brilliance shine forth."
She seemed to be hinting at something. Li Jiangqian appeared to understand and replied, "I understand. Thank you for your guidance, immortal envoy."
She then departed with the old man, heading north. Judging by their direction, they were likely flying toward the Baiye Capital Immortal Dao.
Li Jiangqian continued to ponder her words, It makes sense. It will never open on its own in the archives. But once released into the world, its whereabouts become unknown. It seems one must choose the right person to entrust it to, just as the Zhang Family once did with us.
But how does one determine the right person? Moreover, their cultivation method must harmonize with it...
He found the approach far too inefficient. He frowned, and after thinking for a moment, conceived a better solution, Perhaps a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator could use a divine ability to leave a secret mark upon it. Allow it to wander freely. When someone successfully opens it, the mark would send a response, and the Purple Mansion Realm cultivator could break through the great void as if harvesting a crop and obtain a superb Purple Mansion Realm Dao lineage.