Chapter 312: Chapter 231: May You Wear the Gold-Threaded Robe, the Hongshui Dharma Assembly Opens

"The day I master the *White Emperor’s Discourse on the Geng-Xin Sword Sutra*, I’ll come for you! Just you wait with your neck washed clean!"

With that, Qiao Yu flew through the air on a wave of roiling golden qi and landed before Jiang Yi.

"How impressive, Miss Xiaoqiao."

Jiang Yi praised her with a smile as the token at his waist lit up. The grand formation enveloping Liuwu Mountain activated, and with the sound of a colossal gate crashing shut, the celestial gateway that had been forced open began to slowly close.

The majestic spirit roared in fury, its voice gradually fading:

"Shameless scoundrels! Barbarian Demons..."

Once the commotion died down, Jiang Yi looked at Qiao Yu.

"Miss Xiaoqiao, you shouldn’t have taken such a risk. Liuwu Mountain is a forbidden place."

"Besides, how can the daughter of True Monarch Qiao of the Sword Discourse Pavilion act like a common thief?"

Qiao Yu wrinkled her delicate nose and huffed.

"That fellow was no match for me. If it weren’t for those incredibly tenacious guardian Dao Soldiers he keeps, I’d have taken his head long ago."

The corners of Jiang Yi’s lips curled up. ’Miss Xiaoqiao is a Sword Cultivator, through and through. It doesn’t matter if she wins or loses a Magical Combat—she never loses a verbal spat. It’s a tradition among them, best described as: even in defeat, never lose your swagger.’

Jiang Yi said in a solemn voice,

"Next time you decide to storm a forbidden area, at least give me a heads-up. Or inform Chang Jing, so he can provide support from the sidelines."

Dao Soldiers were a product of the Divine Dao.

The Wandering True Monarch once mentioned in *All Worlds* that Dao Soldiers were originally guardian warriors whose bodies were tempered by infusions of Jade Liquid. They were later improved by a Great Power of the Divine Dao, who developed a complete, systematic method for refining them.

It was said that during the heyday of the Divine Dao, divine dynasties reigned supreme across the Yanfu Vast Land. They could gather armies a million strong, and the pillars of Essence Qi rising from their fierce Dao Soldiers could shake the heavens and the earth—powerful enough to overcome a Grand True Master of the Foundation Establishment Fifth Layer.

As for a True Monarch?

That was just wishful thinking.

The Wandering True Monarch had once stated with absolute certainty that of the myriad heavens and myriad Daos, nothing surpassed the exalted Golden Position.

"Alright, alright, you’re more long-winded than my own sister right now."

Qiao Yu pouted, but then her eyes curved into happy crescents as she held something out like she was presenting a treasure.

"Don’t be so quick to scold me, Lord Daozi. First, look what I’ve got!"

She tapped the spot between her eyebrows with two fingers and gently drew out a speck of bright light, which she presented before Jiang Yi with a flourish.

"This is...?"

Jiang Yi took a closer look, and his expression shifted.

An object bobbed within the bright light. Though minuscule, it was perfectly distinct: a Magical Robe.

’No, wait!’

Jiang Yi’s brow furrowed. The "Magical Robe" was colored gold and jade, as opulent as an emperor’s ceremonial robes, and it radiated a dense aura of Xin Metal.

’This is a treasured garment supported by the profundities of a Dao Foundation!’

He was inwardly shaken, his expression complex. ’Even in the treasury of the Celestial Lake of Lasting Brightness, you’d be hard-pressed to find a protective garment of this caliber.’

It must be understood that Magical Treasures, much like Daoist Skills, are ranked, generally divided into three grades.

Low-grade Magical Treasures were not difficult to refine; they only required a complete set of restrictive seals—matching the number of Celestial Spirits and Earthly Fiends—to reach Perfection.

The middle and high grades were different. They had to be nurtured with the profundities of a Dao Foundation, allowing them to birth a spirit of their own and greatly enhancing their power.

Treasures like the Great Kui Mystic Drum, the Luosheng Treasure Mirror, the Crescent Moon Furnace from the three halls of the Celestial Lake’s Pill Division, and even True Monarch Xu’s Sea-Concealing Study were all high-grade Magical Treasures that had birthed Artifact Spirits and could function on their own.

Although Jiang Yi had seen many such treasures, on closer reflection, he realized the Great Kui Mystic Drum only obeyed the Sect Leader’s command and was used to defend the sect gates;

the Luosheng Treasure Mirror and the Sea-Concealing Study were both the property of True Monarchs;

and even the Crescent Moon Furnace at the Celestial Lake, so cherished by He Shouzhen and Shao Guansu, had been a coronation gift for the previous Daozi, Ning Hechu.

At present, not a single True Inheritance disciple in the Innate Sect possessed a high-grade Magical Treasure, which spoke volumes about their rarity.

"Miss Xiaoqiao, you went to Liuwu Mountain for..."

Jiang Yi had heard it said in operas that a beautiful woman’s favor is a heavy burden, the most difficult to accept, but he had never truly felt it.

Now, however, his heart was heavy, as if that treasured garment weighed more than a mountain, making it impossible to accept.

"In all the world, aside from rare treasures of the Earth Virtue, the power of incense and vows is the best for nurturing a Magical Treasure."

Qiao Yu said with a proud smile,

"I spent ages rummaging through the Hall of Myriad Phenomena before I finally found Liuwu Mountain on a map..."

She chattered on for a bit before noticing Jiang Yi’s solemn expression. She then added,

"I also heard you were going to Juku Continent. That’s an ancient demonic land, far more dangerous than Liuwu Mountain. Even with me and a True Monarch protector at your side, we might not be able to guarantee your complete safety."

"After all, there are beings of the True Monarch Level on Juku Continent... With this ’Golden Thread Garment,’ you’ll be able to hold out a little longer, even if you run into a Foundation Establishment Demon."

Jiang Yi gazed deeply at the green-robed girl with her bright, beautiful eyes. He watched until her earlobes reddened and a blush crept up her cheeks before he finally spoke.

"Thank you, Miss Xiaoqiao."

He reached out, took the speck of bright light, and absorbed it into his Primordial Gate.

Seeing that Jiang Yi didn’t refuse, Qiao Yu let out a small sigh of relief.

Aside from that "Inverted" Slaying Sword, this was the first time she had given a gift to a man. If Jiang Yi had been hesitant and stubbornly refused it, she would have been terribly embarrassed.

"I owe Miss Xiaoqiao so much that I could never repay it in this lifetime. I suppose my only choice is to offer myself to you."

Jiang Yi was not a pretentious man. In accepting the priceless Golden Thread Garment, he knew he was accepting a debt of affection.

But there was no need to rack his brains trying to repay it immediately; that would only create a sense of distance and formality between them.

When it came to gifts between men and women, one didn’t need to keep a precise ledger. Sometimes, accepting it with grace was a form of reciprocation in itself.

When Jiang Yi reached the Flying Foundation Establishment Realm and truly ascended to the position of Daozi of the Innate Sect, he would do everything in his power to procure anything Miss Xiaoqiao might desire.

"Pah! You shameless flirt!"

Sure enough, Qiao Yu scoffed at Jiang Yi’s "shameless" declaration.

"Why not just say you’ll slave away for me like an ox, or repay me in the next life, or give your very life in gratitude!"

Jiang Yi smiled faintly.

"Slaving away like an ox is too difficult, repaying you in the next life is too far away, and giving my life for you would only make Miss Xiaoqiao a widow."

"But offering myself to you? That not only repays the debt, but it also allows me to protect Miss Xiaoqiao forevermore. Isn’t that the perfect solution for everyone?"