Chapter 65: The Heaven-Measuring Iron Ruler

In the Physician Valley, Yang Xuangan laughed out loud as he strode over swiftly.

Inside the Lingyan Pavilion, Ling Xuan sat with his eyes closed in a half-slumber, completely baffled.

After the little white snake swallowed the head of the Profound Water Black Serpent's soul, its body had shrunk and coiled around his arm, and he began to notice some strange occurrences.

Before his eyes, the figure clad in a black python robe kept floating into his mind.

This very figure had already been reflected in the single vertical pupil of the Spirit Serpent Coiling the Moon when the cavern collapsed.

At that time, it seemed as if the figure was playing Go face-to-face with his grandfather.

The Go pieces were engraved with the character "Yuwen".

Back then, he heard Qiu Rui say that his grandfather had been summoned away by the Prince of Mount Kailash.

Ling Xuan had assumed that figure was the Prince of Mount Kailash, playing a game against his grandfather to contest the fate of the realm.

However, news brought by Qiu Rui indicated that, after much inquiry and repeated probing by Qiu Rui, although his grandfather had indeed been summoned by the Prince of Mount Kailash, he had never actually gone to see him.

Even the Prince of Mount Kailash did not know where his grandfather was. Ever since that brief encounter on that morning, his grandfather had seemed to vanish into thin air, much like the great flood in the Canyang Realm.

Who was that shadowy figure in black?

Ling Xuan could not figure it out.

Yet, this dark figure was somehow connected to the Profound Water Black Serpent's soul, as if the serpent's soul encountered this dark figure quite frequently.

The inspiring news that Luo Cheng, the heir apparent to the Prince of Beiping, had severed one of the heads of the Profound Water Black Serpent's soul had already spread throughout the army, and Ling Xuan had actually believed it.

He had no idea at all that that very head was actually the split soul he had fought in the Valley of Ten Thousand Serpents, which had been torn apart by Ye Ziyan's shikigami, the Purple Phoenix, and then swallowed in one gulp by the little white snake.

Only, ever since the little white snake swallowed that split soul, it had fallen into a deep slumber once again, leaving Ling Xuan completely clueless as to why this was happening.

It seemed that the effect of the Chi Dragon Pearl in devouring the split soul of the Profound Water Black Serpent was no longer as potent as before.

Yet now, the constant apparition of that dark figure only deepened Ling Xuan's perplexity.

He had asked Ye Ziyan, but she knew nothing about it either; his grandfather had never mentioned any such matters to her.

He communicated with Qiu Rui via their talismans, but Qiu Rui was equally clueless about this. Instead, Qiu Rui informed him that the Demon-Suppressing Abyss had breached its embankments, and devastating floods were now raging across the prefectures along the way.

While he was still stunned, a loud shout echoed from outside the door as Hou Junji announced, "Pavilion Master, Prince Yue is here to visit."

Why was Yang Xuangan here? Could it be that he wanted to take back the Prairie-Igniting Fire Phoenix Spear?

Ling Xuan's heart tightened. Having witnessed Ye Ziyan's fervent desire for the Prairie-Igniting Fire Phoenix Spear, he also understood the immense benefits it brought to her shikigami, the Purple Phoenix.

At this point, even if they asked him to hand it over, it was out of the question.

With a creak, the door swung open.

Ling Xuan rushed out hurriedly. "Brother, what favorable wind has blown you here?"

"Little brother, your cultivation is progressing quite well," Yang Xuangan said with a hearty laugh and a casual wave. "In just a few days, you've already opened your Sea of Qi. In a little while, I'm afraid even your big brother won't be able to match you."

"Brother, you flatter me. You are a mighty expert of the Divine Treasure realm; how could you possibly think much of a mere mortal in the Qi Sea Profound Realm?" Ling Xuan replied with a playful smile. "Are you here to bring me a reward today?"

"Have you heard about the floods?" Yang Xuangan asked, deliberately keeping him in suspense.

"The news has spread throughout the entire army. Even if your little brother loves to sleep, I can't possibly close both my ears to the world."

Not knowing the visitor's true intention, Ling Xuan decided to strike first. "I still need to borrow the Prairie-Igniting Fire Phoenix Spear for a bit longer, Brother. Don't be in such a rush to take it back."

Yang Xuangan, however, burst into laughter. "I'm giving it to you. By the decree of the Divine Emperor, it is granted as a reward for this mission, and on top of that, I am bringing you another item."

It would be foolish to refuse a gift, especially one sent by the Divine Emperor himself.

Ling Xuan's spirit instantly perked up. "Brother, you're amazing! You make the Divine Emperor sound so thoughtful, knowing precisely that your little brother was in need of it."

Retrieving an embroidered box, Yang Xuangan opened it and carefully lifted out a pitch-black iron ruler. "The Heaven-Measuring Iron Ruler, forged from lunar meteorite. Take a look—does it feel right in your hand?"

As he took the Heaven-Measuring Iron Ruler, Ling Xuan immediately felt a warm and smooth texture against his skin, completely devoid of any chill.

Holding it in his hand, it felt as though it had been custom-made specifically for him. If it were polished even slightly lighter, it would feel too light; if even a fraction more weight were added, it would feel too heavy.

Such a precious treasure suggested that the Divine Emperor understood him intimately, knowing down to the exact weight his strength could handle.

Ling Xuan could not help falling into a brief trance. Could it be that the Divine Emperor already knew he possessed the grand shikigami, the Spirit Serpent Coiling the Moon?

Examining the Heaven-Measuring Iron Ruler closely, he discovered a subtly engraved relief sculpture of a black dragon hidden upon its surface.

If one did not look with extreme care, it was entirely invisible.

The black dragon relief was fused so seamlessly with the Heaven-Measuring Iron Ruler that it seemed to be a part of it.

According to Yang Xuangan's explanation, the Heaven-Measuring Iron Ruler contained the essence soul of a black dragon.

If used properly, one could harness the power of the black dragon and summon it forth to aid in battle.

It shared a wondrously similar ingenuity with the Prairie-Igniting Fire Phoenix Spear.

Now, not only was he being gifted the Prairie-Igniting Fire Phoenix Spear, but he was also receiving this Heaven-Measuring Iron Ruler.

A sudden flash of understanding crossed Ling Xuan's mind, and he chuckled softly, "What is the Divine Emperor asking this little brother of mine to risk his life for this time?"

"To inspect and oversee the realm," Yang Xuangan said, his gaze carrying a profound meaning. "Yuwen Huaji, the eldest young master of the Yuwen family, has already set off everywhere as the Superintendent of Disaster Relief. Does my brother understand the intention behind this?"

"I am not going to Goguryeo anymore?"

Ling Xuan asked in a daze, taken aback.

The Demon-Suppressing Abyss had breached, and floods were raging everywhere.

This matched the seventh year of Daye in his memories almost identically.

Throughout this year, uprisings would erupt in all corners of the land.

Why on earth did the Divine Emperor order him to inspect the realm? What did this truly mean?

Could the Divine Emperor be a transmigrator just like him, knowing the major historical events that were about to unfold?

Yet, searching through all his memories, it seemed Yuwen Huaji had never been this Superintendent of Disaster Relief.

Now that the Divine Emperor had dispatched Yuwen Huaji, could it be true, just as he suspected, that the Yuwen family was connected to the Hall of Asura?

Were the uprisings erupting everywhere actually instigated by the Hall of Asura?

"Little brother, set out immediately," Yang Xuangan said with a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "The boundless territories of the Great Sui Divine Dynasty cannot be allowed to be ravaged by demonic souls."

"Then what about my Lingyan Pavilion..."

Ling Xuan wanted to say more, but Yang Xuangan interrupted him. "The Lingyan Pavilion will continue to recruit members and disperse them across various regions to facilitate the pursuit of demonic souls."

"Brother, that person you introduced to me last time—why haven't I been able to catch a glimpse of them?"

Ling Xuan countered, "It has kept your little brother hoping for a long time."

"That person's whereabouts are erratic. When the time is right, my brother, you will surely meet them, and all the doubts in your heart will be resolved," Yang Xuangan said, putting on a mysterious air. "But right now, you must set off as soon as possible."

"Does the Divine Emperor have a designated primary destination in mind?"

Ling Xuan was baffled. He was being urged to leave immediately, yet told nothing about where to go. What kind of mission was this?

Yang Xuangan chuckled. "Make your own arrangements, brother. The Divine Emperor trusts your judgment."

This... was this even considered trust?

Ling Xuan was completely bewildered. What on earth was the Divine Emperor scheming?

He had never even laid eyes on the emperor, yet solely on the basis of the Divine Physician's supreme art, the Taiji Needle Technique, was he being burdened with such a heavy responsibility?

Yang Xuangan smiled as he turned to leave. "Brother, make good use of the Heaven-Measuring Iron Ruler."

The Heaven-Measuring Iron Ruler, and the black dragon essence soul within it?

For Yang Xuangan to speak thusly, there had to be a deeper meaning.

Ling Xuan knew that these schemers who played court politics all day long never spoke their minds completely; they merely dropped hints and stopped at that, leaving him to guess the rest entirely on his own.

He simultaneously activated the Qi-Observing Technique and the Breath-Listening Technique, casting his gaze upon the Heaven-Measuring Iron Ruler.

The black dragon essence soul inside was dozing lazily in deep slumber, seemingly showing not the slightest interest in anything happening in the outside world.

This was completely different from the Fire Phoenix he had seen inside the Prairie-Igniting Fire Phoenix Spear back then.

The Fire Phoenix he had seen at that time was full of fighting spirit, wings spread as if about to take flight—how could it ever be so lethargic?

He looked down at the little white snake coiled around his arm and let out a wry smile. What kind of sins had he, this young lord, committed in his past life to always encounter such sleepy, lazy creatures?