Mystic Incense

Mount Zhijing. The daylight flickered over a Zhenren in robes of white-gold seated at the center, surrounded by tumbling white blossoms. Opposite him sat a middle-aged man in azure robes, resting his hands upon his teacup in silence. "Daoist Qinghu is in quite an unhurried mood." Li Ximing sat in the seat of honor, looking at him with a smile, though he sighed inwardly. *He is entirely different from when he hurriedly left Wangyue days ago... Now he sits here calm and collected, no doubt having secured his backing with the Underworld Court.* Less than an hour after Li Zhouwei had set off from Lake Wangyue, Si Yuanli had arrived. Such timing was too coincidental to be chance, so Li Ximing naturally waited for him to speak. Si Yuanli looked at him with an evident good cheer, yet he laughed in self-deprecation. "Zhaojing is being too polite. It is hardly an unhurried mood or refined leisure. Right now, I do not even have a sect gate to call my own. With nowhere to turn, all I could do was wander over to the lake..." These words made Li Ximing set down his cup with a chuckle. "A sect gate... Why fret over a sect gate? Fellow Daoist possesses great talent." Si Yuanli’s sect gate had always been Qingchi Sect—what else could it be? For him to claim he no longer had a sect gate was an indirect hint that he had cast his lot under the Yang clan and no longer had to enter Lukui Pool! This was plainly a joyous occasion, and Li Ximing’s teasing suited his mood perfectly. Si Yuanli stroked his beard and laughed at once, replying, "May your auspicious words ring true... As for talent..." He gave a faint sigh and added, "That can hardly be called talent. It is merely the legacy left by our predecessors. Every peck and every sip has long been ordained by fate." Li Ximing raised his brows. "How fares Daoist Ning?" At the mention of Ning Wan, a look of wonder flitted across Si Yuanli’s face. He replied, "She, too, has a way forward. Senior Yuansu made arrangements for her. While it might not guarantee her survival, if she can endure until the day the new dynasty is founded, she will immediately turn danger into safety..." Though somewhat astonished, Li Ximing breathed a sigh of relief. Si Yuanli shifted the subject with a smile. "A few days ago, I met Xunhui and asked after his recent situation. Now that Jiangnan is gradually settling, he intends to return and serve the State of Yue. I wonder... what arrangements have been made for Queyi?" This was only natural. The Si clan suffered from a dearth of talent; though Si Tongyi could manage affairs, his innate aptitude fell short. Their sole remarkable figure was Si Xunhui, who not only hailed from noble descent, but whose master's wife was also from the Yang clan. Naturally, there was no reason for him not to return. Yet the Li clan was quite different. At the very least, Li Ximing was on good terms with Kuang Yu and intended to draw closer to the Violet Palace circle of the Southeast Sea. Moreover, the Li clan’s standing was unlike that of the Si clan. They had no intention of summoning Li Queyi back, so he sighed. "Xunhui is blessed with deep fortune, so his return is naturally a good thing. However, Queyi is deeply valued by Kuang Yu, and she would have nowhere proper to settle were she to return. We elders would rather not place her in a difficult position." Si Yuanli understood clearly: *Not placing her in a difficult position really means not making things difficult for you, Zhaojing.* He nodded. "Though it requires them to live apart, pursuing their own paths is for the best. The Yang clan bestows its benevolence far and wide, placing particular importance upon the Southeast and South Seas. There will still be opportunities to stay in touch then." "Oh?" Li Ximing chuckled. "In what manner do they place importance upon them?" Si Yuanli paused, running it through his mind. Deciding it was no great secret, he shook his head and said, "It lies in Shitang... The reason Qingchi has retained a thread of survival and has been stalled from sealing its sect to this day is precisely because of Shitang. Once Daoist Zhu Sheng’s matters are settled, there will surely be a shifting of the tides in the South Sea." When he brought up Zhenren Zhu Sheng of the South Sea, Li Ximing’s thoughts cleared at once. Back during the contest over Zhuoshaling, Zhenren Sui Guan had specifically had Ning Wan lure Zhu Sheng to Jiangbei to entangle him deeply in the affair... So long as the Underworld Court secured that combat force, handling the matters at Shitang would be far simpler! Li Ximing nodded without a change in expression, while Si Yuanli felt a surge of private relief: *It was fortunate that I acted decisively and settled Xunhui’s matters early. I can be far more composed now. Once the news from Simin Commandery breaks, Chen Yin will surely come seeking ties as well.* *Meanwhile, the Li clan has always guarded their bloodline vigilantly and clearly held back Li Quewan. If an important figure from the Li clan must be chosen, Chen Yin might even have to offer a daughter in marriage to the son of Mingyang... He will have quite the headache!* Though Li Zhouwei was formidable, his future was fraught with uncertainty. Marrying a daughter to the son of Mingyang was not necessarily a boon. At this thought, Si Yuanli was quietly satisfied and smiled. "The new dynasty is about to be founded, and a new political order will surely follow... This court must be established upon True Qi... True Qi has the effect of advancing cultivation and fostering divine abilities. Securing a post or two for the juniors would likely be of immense benefit to their practice!" "Fellow Daoist... how do you see it?" Li Ximing naturally understood his intent. While interested, he was not overly enthusiastic. *The core juniors of my clan all possess talisman seeds. First, there is no need to send them into the court. Second, it remains unknown what consequences might follow from doing so. At most, we will send three to five talented juniors who lack talisman seeds to Simin to try their luck at an opportunity.* Refusing to take the initiative, he offered a light chuckle and replied, "Each has their own circumstances. We were originally one family, and with the Violet Palace masters at peace, how could any great disputes arise down below?" Si Yuanli shook his head with a sigh. "That is hard to say. Things are harmonious now, but who knows what the future holds? Even if the Violet Palace masters remain at peace, it would hardly be unreasonable for the juniors to contend over benefits..." "I can only blame my own clansmen for lacking promise. Having sent so many youngsters in, only Tongyi can lend a hand in the mountains by relying on his connections within the immortal sect... We cannot compare to Fellow Daoist... If assistance is needed when the time comes, I will have to ask you to lend a hand..." Li Ximing had no desire to get entangled in the Si family’s affairs. Since Li Zhouwei had yet to return, he could not fathom their clan’s standing in the new dynasty either. He merely shook his head and sighed. "That is difficult to say... Jiangliang is not one to cling to his home clan. Seeing the current state of affairs, who would he dare favor? Our family only sent him alone, providing little backing, so he has no standing to speak up at present." "Furthermore..." He chuckled, countering, "Those under his command are all your people!" Si Yuanli let out an awkward smile and immediately changed the subject. "My visit this time... also has another matter I wish to consult you about..." Li Ximing raised an eyebrow, listening as Si Yuanli smiled and continued, "A senior in my family has an old acquaintance named Pingyan who cultivates in Yinzhou. Recently, he received a request. I hear an eminent figure from the Lotus Temple made an appeal, wishing to rely on my mediation to exchange for a treasure from your noble clan." Li Ximing was somewhat surprised, feeling a hint of joy stir within his heart as he asked, "Could it be Mahasattva Minghui?" That fellow Minghui turned his coat as easily as turning a page, and the Lotus Temple was the faction most thoroughly entangled in improper dealings with immortal cultivators, having acted as the go-between in numerous collusions between immortals and Buddhists. Li Ximing had met him once before; the monk had sought to trade for the Buddhist artifacts the Li family had seized! Later on, however, the conflict between north and south grew increasingly intense, and Chengyun Gate—the sole conduit linking them to Minghui—was relocated into the northern hinterlands, severing all contact. Who would have thought the monk had enough resourcefulness to trace a path all the way to Si Yuanli? Sure enough, Si Yuanli nodded with a smile. "Precisely! I imagine Fellow Daoist had already anticipated this!" Li Ximing nodded slightly, though his expression turned intriguing. "I have heard that Yinzhou is the heartland of the dragons. Zhenren Pingyan must have no small connection with the dragon race to be able to reach out to Buddhist cultivators." Tensions ran high between the dragon race and Luoxia, nor were relations with the Seven Aspects particularly good. The various Buddhist sects frequently converted demonic beasts, often offending the dragons in the process. Some even coveted the descendants of the Demon Sovereign, drawing still deeper revulsion from the dragons. Si Yuanli was not surprised by Li Ximing’s question and smiled. "The dragons may be overbearing, but even they require someone to mediate. Some matters cannot be resolved by force, whereas diplomacy succeeds. Zhenren Pingyan cultivates in Yinzhou, has wide connections, and maintains ties with all paths." A hint of admiration, even envy, surfaced on his face. "Relying on the prestige of the dragons, that senior has made a fortune..." Li Ximing understood. Still, he could not bring himself to trust Buddhist cultivators. Pausing for a moment, he frowned. "Did that Lianmin mention anything in particular?" Si Yuanli hurriedly said, "I cannot say for certain... It is awkward for me to serve as the intermediary right now, so I merely brought this word. I hear Zhenren Minghuang shares an acquaintance with a certain dragon prince. Finding someone to arrange this matter should not be difficult!" His reservations were not without merit. Li Ximing gave an affirmative response, whereupon Si Yuanli smiled, retrieved a jade box from his sleeve, placed it down gently, and said, "I hear Fellow Daoist has a portion of Shengyu Stone in hand?" Li Ximing nodded. When Wanlingtian had revealed itself years ago, the Li clan juniors had entered to harvest treasures, reaping no small reward. Aside from several medicinal pills, they had respectively obtained the Xinwei Sha of Combined Fire and the Shengyu Stone of Hong Fire. Si Yuanli smiled and said, "Hong Fire can dispel dampness, clear away rain, and rectify Wood Qi. I intend to cultivate a divine ability called Beinanxing. Hong Fire dispels dampness and clears rain, which will be of immense benefit to it. Furthermore, the master of the Tongxin Li tree resides in the north, which makes it all the more advantageous. Thus, I must borrow Fellow Daoist’s Shengyu Stone for my use." Traces of Hong Fire were rare in the world. Si Yuanli was truly worthy of his family’s profound heritage to be so knowledgeable about it. Li Ximing gave an inward nod. "Indeed. Hong Fire belongs to the north, which aligns with Beinanxing. Fellow Daoist has truly grasped the subtlety of Daoist calculation." Si Yuanli burst into laughter, pushing the jade box forward. "What Fellow Daoist mentioned last time... the Mingzhen Heshen Pill!" Li Ximing’s eyes lit up. Catching it in his hand, he saw the wondrous radiance within, guiding divine abilities with the marvelous potency of revitalizing True Qi. He chuckled. "Wouldn’t this be shortchanging Fellow Daoist?" Both the Mingzhen Heshen Pill and the Nangong Xuannei Pill were spirit pills famed throughout the world from the ancient lineage of the Four Mysteries. However, the former broadened divine abilities after all, giving it superior value. Si Yuanli waved it off casually, replying, "Fellow Daoist is too courteous." He then accepted the Shengyu Stone from Li Ximing’s hands, examining it with deep satisfaction. Taking a light sip of tea, he prepared to rise and take his leave, adding as he did, "Regarding that spiritual incense..." "Oh!" Li Zhouwei had once obtained eight sticks of gold-patterned mystic incense from a grotto-heaven without knowing their purpose. Li Ximing had long since entrusted Si Yuanli with inquiring about them. Now that word had arrived, he naturally looked up with keen interest, listening as Si Yuanli smiled. "I made inquiries all around on your behalf, and in the end, word could only be found from the Peacock Sea! The lord over there possesses a portion as well, though it differs slightly from yours—his is the Mystic Incense of the Four Mysteries Platform." He turned solemn. "The lineage of Douxuan styles itself as Overseer of Heaven, often presiding over incense and sacrificial rites. Though such items rarely circulate, traces can still be found. Your portion should have its own naming within the Douxuan lineage, but the root is the same—it is a mystic incense condensed from incense faith." "Condensed from incense faith?" Li Ximing felt a sudden bizarreness in his heart. Yet maintaining a contemplative expression, he sighed. "Nowadays, incense faith has waned, and the rites of sacrifice have fallen into disuse, serving merely as ceremonies to mourn our predecessors. Can it still be of any use?" "It can!" Si Yuanli said decisively. "Ordinary people certainly have no use for it, but Fellow Daoist must not forget the north. Do not underestimate this small item; in the eyes of the monks, it is a rare treasure—priceless and unobtainable even with spiritual resources!" Li Ximing nodded, and Si Yuanli smiled. "Furthermore... certain ancient ritual vessels of incense faith, or lost secret arts, or perhaps one or two lineages of Douxuan... all can make use of this. The more complete the set from a single origin, the better. If there are enough—say, one or two hundred sticks—they can even be used to bribe the affairs of the departed." A peculiar, knowing smile appeared on his face. "The affairs of the departed must never be treated with neglect, yet that does not mean they cannot be neglected." The "affairs of the departed" he spoke of naturally referred to the Underworld Court. Reincarnation was exceedingly difficult for cultivators. In theory, however, if a cultivator had perfected their divine abilities, gathered all five arts, and possessed the capability to condense golden nature, the threshold for reincarnation would drop drastically. The foremost factor to consider in that process was the Underworld Court—after all, it encroached upon their interests. Years ago, Jiang Boqing, who had caused quite a stir across the State of Yue, had been a figure of profound cultivation. He had bribed the Underworld Court and lived leisurely in the State of Yue for a time, only to be executed because of his involvement with an immortal scripture. *Incense faith...* Having concluded his thoughts, Li Ximing rose to see him off, remarking with a casual chuckle, "What do you mean, one or two hundred sticks? Even if you emptied Wanlingtian, you couldn't produce a hundred, let alone a complete set..." Si Yuanli was well acquainted with Wanlingtian, so he nodded as a matter of course. *Each sacrificial site held eight sticks at most, and many were lost in the chaotic battles... With two or three sticks in hand... one could trade them if an opportunity arises.* Li Ximing saw him out all the way. Returning to the mountain, he reopened the jade box once more. Seeing the True Qi brimming within, interwoven with vibrant hues, his heart stirred with longing: *Spirit pills that assist in accomplishing divine abilities are exceedingly rare. What a pity it was given to someone of the South Sea back then; otherwise, with this pill, I would have had immense certainty in achieving Clear Illumination Heart!* His first attempt to push forward Clear Illumination Heart had failed. Fortunately, the Li family’s expenditures on advancing divine abilities were lavish to the point of extravagance. Spirit pills were provided in full supply year after year, and now that he had formed an immortal foundation, he could wait for it to reach perfection slowly. "There is also that Shangwu spiritual embryo, which has been in the works for over a decade. More important, however, is the spirit armor—I must press for an inquiry about it." Refining a spiritual embryo was inherently troublesome; ten or twenty years were standard. Thanks to the Guanxie refining method and their generous expenditure of resources, the Li family moved faster. He immediately summoned someone to ascend the mountain and head for Qize. He returned to his seat and closed his eyes slightly to meditate. In merely a short while, radiant colors flickered and coalesced upon the mountain, revealing a young man with golden eyes. "Minghuang!" Li Ximing had been waiting with desperate longing. Hurrying down, he asked, "How did it go?" Li Zhouwei smiled at him, reassuring him, "Things are not bad... Rest easy, Granduncle!" With these words, Li Ximing’s anxious heart was instantly set at ease. Pulling him to sit at the table, he sighed, "Si Yuanli came looking for me earlier, speaking in subtle hints and wanting our family to promise him aid... It seems to me... given the treatment the Yang clan offered, our family ought to be treated with greater esteem..." Li Zhouwei nodded. "Ennoblement as kings." A somber thoughtfulness seemed to linger in his gaze. He recounted their discussions with the Yang clan in detail, though omitting a great deal. Walking toward the island with Li Ximing, he gave a quiet sigh. "Senior Tianya holds deep admiration for our Old Ancestor. He remarked that achieving three out of four is exceedingly rare!"