Nantan Chen

Mount Zhijing. White blossoms bloomed year-round on Mount Zhijing. Whenever a wind rose, cascading white flowers surged like a waterfall, pouring out from the mountains to drift with the breeze, scattering into the surrounding forested hills and speckling them with flecks of pure white. Riding the wind, Li Suining arrived amidst shimmering silver light. He spotted a man clad in crimson armor standing amidst the mountains. Exuding profoundly deep magic power, with bright tiger-like eyes and an imposing demeanor, he was none other than Ding Weizeng. "Senior Ding!" Ding Weizeng had clearly been waiting for a while. Seeing Li Suining, he nodded and said politely, "The young master has arrived. Please accompany us up the mountain!" Ding Weizeng was Real Person Zhaojing's confidant, consistently representing the Real Person's stance within the prefecture. His courtesy toward Li Suining was not born of deep familiarity, but simply because Li Suining had been personally promoted by Real Person Zhaojing... which naturally drew them a few shades closer. Beside Ding Weizeng stood a long-bearded old man who looked exceptionally advanced in years. His cultivation was not low, though he had rather shifty, rat-like features. Seeing Li Suining, he hurriedly cupped his hands: "Nanzhang Ku greets the young master!" A strange feeling rose in Li Suining's heart, though he maintained a polite facade, cupping his hands in return: "Greetings, Guest Elder!" This so-called Nanzhang Ku was in fact Situ Ku of the former Tangjin Gate. When the Situ family was annihilated by Buddhist cultivators, their bloodline and dao legacy had been carved up by various factions. The branch that fell into the Li clan's hands had merged into the Shanyue territory, becoming part of what was now the Seven Nanzhang Branches... all bearing Nanzhang as their surname. He, too, had long since changed his surname and no longer went by Situ. Li Suining had rarely heard the name Nanzhang Ku. After all, this man's origins were not particularly honorable, and he survived entirely thanks to Ding Weizeng. He had always kept a low profile. In his past life, Ding Weizeng had perished early... perhaps Nanzhang Ku had also fallen in some forgotten battle. Behind Situ Ku stood a middle-aged man with sharp, well-defined features and a rugged air. Though plainly dressed, his sharp vigor could not be hidden. His eyes lit up upon seeing Li Suining. *Nantan Chen!* Enlightenment dawned in Li Suining's mind: *The Real Person came out of seclusion this time to see the younger generation. Nantan Chen is also a genius, and indeed he has reached Foundation Establishment... He knows alchemy as well, so naturally he was summoned to the mountain to pay his respects... and that's how we crossed paths here!* *No wonder Guest Elder Ding came along.* The remnant line of Nanzhang had finally produced its very first Foundation Establishment cultivator after all these years. Silent for so long, he had now astounded everyone in a single burst. Naturally, the Real Person wished to see him. At this moment, Nantan Chen had not yet been granted his new surname and was still called Nanzhang Chen. Li Suining bowed to him and smiled: "This senior... truly possesses a fine bearing." Nanzhang Chen was indeed a talent, and more importantly, he had been born at the right time. In the past life, whether it was Li Suining or Pu Xinya, their talents were by no means lacking, yet their ascension to Foundation Establishment came a step too late... far overshadowed in their impact on the course of history by figures like Nantan Chen and Chen Jinguang. Things would surely be different in this life, but cultivating connections with such figures remained worthwhile. Though Nanzhang Chen's birth was tainted, he had ultimately died in battle. Meanwhile, the He family, despite their high standing now, hadn't they surrendered in the end? Li Suining held no grudges from the past life, but he could not help looking upon him with a degree of favor, offering a warm and polite smile. This left Nanzhang Chen overwhelmed by the unexpected favor. Although he was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, his background made him an outcast around the lake, unloved by all. The only connection he could cling to was Nanzhang Ku, whose baggage was even more problematic than his own... On his way here, he had heard that a genius from the main branch would be ascending the mountain with him, and he had braced himself for Li Suining's arrogance. Catching him completely off guard, he waved his hands repeatedly: "My lord flatters me far too much." Ding Weizeng looked on with a smile. Nanzhang Ku halted at the foot of the mountain, and the three of them ascended together. White flowers covered the mountains like a sea, lining the glistening jade stairs. While Li Suining remained relatively composed, Nanzhang Chen was genuinely nervous, his jaw clenched tight, head bowed without daring to raise his gaze the entire way. Trembling with trepidation, he knelt firmly before the steps and called out: "This humble cultivator pays respects to the Real Person!" There was nothing extravagant atop the summit. Upon an ordinary table rested only a stemmed white jade teacup and a long-necked white porcelain jade flagon with glazed patterns, simple, clean, and complementing each other. The Real Person was intently perusing a jade slip. He took a sip from the cup and set it aside. Within the cup, brilliant colored light shone, rippling with a clear brownish-yellow vapor that soared into the heavens before converging back into the tiny porcelain cup. It seemed to draw the very hues of the entire peak into the vessel, accompanied by the faint, majestic sound of chanting scriptures and sacred texts. As the Real Person set down the lid with a clear chime, all the phenomena vanished at once, leaving only the tranquil heavenly light washing silently across the mountains. This object was none other than the Violet Palace spiritual extract Lingzun Xiguang, which aided the cultivation of magical arts when consumed! Possessing the *Six Harmonies Precious Bottle Treatise*, Li Ximing naturally knew how to take it—one had to maintain illumination under either the sun or moon with a stable spiritual atmosphere, then steep it in a pot of gentle Female Water, drinking slowly while continuing to brew. When Lingzun Xiguang had been placed into the cup, it was merely the size of a quail egg. As spiritual water was poured in, it tumbled gently. Li Ximing had brewed three pots over more than half a month, yet the spiritual extract had only diminished by a sliver. In that brief half-month, practicing magical arts felt as swift as floating light and skimming shadows, his mind brimming with inspiration. Channeling and wielding techniques came with effortless mastery. Even Flame Treading Walk, which had stalled for years without progress, showed signs of loosening, poised to advance at any moment! *Though I deliberately set aside time to rest and focus, the efficacy of this item cannot be underestimated... It is roughly three to five times faster than ordinary cultivation, and for techniques like Flame Treading Walk, aided by Gu Wind Fire Summoning, the effect is even more terrifying, nearly reaching tenfold!* *What an exceptional treasure. At this rate, using it for a year or a half-year is entirely feasible... I can take my time with it... Regular maintenance with Female Water is all it needs.* If he devoted this entire year or half-year to Flame Treading Walk, it would be equivalent to ten full years of cultivation—enough to comfortably deploy it in most magical duels without ever being outmatched! In high spirits, he slowly absorbed the final wisp of Lingzun Xiguang under the rising sun, put down his jade slip, and finally turned to look at the three. "Suining has achieved Qi Refinement!" Li Ximing nodded with a smile, raising a brow to halt his words of thanks before looking toward Ding Weizeng: "Is this the genius of the Nanzhang lineage?" Ding Weizeng hurriedly nodded and replied respectfully: "Reporting to the Real Person, precisely!" He raised a hand and introduced: "He was raised by his mother and took her maternal surname, Nanzhang... His mother's family has long intermarried with the Ye clan and shares very close ties. It is rare indeed to produce a genius like him..." The Nanzhang bloodline was heterogeneous, carrying not only a substantial amount of Shanyue blood, but also remnants of old lake clans sent over in earlier years, numerous external branches of the former Yu family, and finally the Situ clan... Over the years, the lake authorities had deliberately blended bloodlines and scrambled ancestral incense, while dispatching numerous distant relatives of the Li clan with the surname Ye. In truth, their lineage was quite respectable now, with no ancestral patriarchal laws left to scrutinize... Yet the perceptions of the mortal world could not be easily erased. Bearing the label of "remnant clans" remained unpleasant to the ear. Li Ximing glanced at him and remarked with interest: "He knows alchemy as well?" "Yes, indeed!" Nanzhang Chen hurriedly kowtowed in response. Li Ximing gave him a longer look, then said: "Rare indeed." There were quite a few alchemists around the lake; one had even emerged from the Li family's direct line later on. What made this rare was not merely alchemy itself, but possessing alchemical talent alongside respectable cultivation talent—the few alchemists around the lake were either in Embryonic Breathing or Qi Refinement, hardly suited for great undertakings. Li Suining knelt obediently to the side without uttering a word, feeling no surprise. In his past life, Nanzhang Chen had been chosen to take charge of the lake's alchemical affairs. Though he had not been heavily employed by King Wei, he had received several scripture volumes from Real Person Zhaojing; while he could not officially be called a disciple, he was treated much like a registered disciple. His talent was certainly beyond question! Sure enough, Li Ximing was intrigued and probed: "What pills have you refined?" Nanzhang Chen raised his head slightly and answered steadily: "A few days ago, I was tested after arriving at the lake. Lord Ding granted me an attempt at the Three Completes Realm-Breaking Pill... This lowly one was incompetent, and the furnace yielded only a single pill." Li Ximing raised a brow and turned to Ding Weizeng. The guardian cupped his hands, displaying a jade bottle in his palm as he answered: "This subordinate watched from the side. It was his first attempt." Li Ximing did not take the bottle. Sweeping his spiritual sense over it, his inner satisfaction solidified, and he thought to himself: *Rare indeed! While he cannot compare to me in my youth, this is still first-rate talent!* Li Ximing possessed talismanic qi, allowing him to ignore all obstacles concerning flame control. His alchemy achieved double the results with half the effort, drastically lowering the difficulty, and the benefits carried through all the way to the Violet Palace, expanding with each breakthrough! This had allowed him to single-handedly sustain the entire Li family back then, and even after reaching the Violet Palace, alchemy remained effortless for him, accomplishing feats impossible for ordinary men! Nanzhang Chen had no talismanic qi, yet on his very first attempt at such a profound recipe as the Three Completes Realm-Breaking Pill, he had produced a finished pill. Though not without flaws, it was remarkably good talent. Li Ximing smiled and asked: "Who is his father?" Nanzhang Chen appeared slightly awkward, so Ding Weizeng replied: "Reportedly... he was a Shanyue... sired in Eastern Shanyue by some playboy of the Tian clan back in the day..." "Hm?" The Tian clan had operated in Shanyue for many years in the past, so such occurrences were not unheard of. Li Ximing sat up straight, raising his brow to look directly at him: "Reportedly?" This single word terrified Nanzhang Chen into bowing lower, and even Li Suining's heart gave a jolt. Fortunately, Ding Weizeng immediately said in a deep voice: "This subordinate investigated personally. It is true; before his death, his father did indeed originate from the Tian clan... However... when I inquired privately with the head of the Tian clan... he refused to acknowledge it." Nanzhang Chen was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, after all. Though the Tian clan lacked a pillar of support, they certainly did not want such a pillar suddenly appearing to seize control of their house like a cuckoo usurping a magpie's nest. Li Ximing chuckled and said: "Remain in Nanzhang, then. There is no need to return. Establishing a surname of your own is wonderful as well. If a few more figures like you emerge, Nanzhang's origins will be held in proud regard hereafter... Once the surnames of Nanzhang merge into one, I permit you to establish your own surname." Nantan Chen had waited anxiously; though he harbored no hopes of returning to the Tian clan, he had dreaded being written off simply as a Shanyue. He bowed deeply in gratitude. Li Ximing casually tossed an alchemy manual into his hands and instructed: "Familiarize yourself thoroughly with these recipes. In the future, the alchemy of the lake... might well rest upon your shoulders!" Nantan Chen joyfully took his leave. Li Ximing's tone softened considerably as he looked at Li Suining and asked gently: "How is the cultivation speed of your technique? You have also read Real Person Yuanbian's formation treatise; what are your impressions?" Li Suining said respectfully: "The Real Person's learning rivals the heavens. This junior can only burn the midnight oil and strive to study diligently! As for the cultivation method... its profound wonder exceeds this junior's imagination. As for speed... this junior considers it rather slow." "Though the method is challenging, that is all the more reason to practice diligently." Li Ximing rubbed his brow, chuckling as he shook his head. What Li Suining had received was in fact the Qi Refinement chapter of the *Tiansi Buxu Divine Scroll*, so its profundity naturally surpassed imagination. He replied casually: "I must make use of a Violet Palace spiritual resource for my cultivation, which aids magical arts. When activated, its potency diffuses, blessing the mountain with some mystical benefits. You brothers... as well as several of your elders, should come and cultivate here when the time comes." "As for summoning you today, there is no other motive; the key lies in formation dao. Real Person Yuanbian bears certain karmic ties and fortunes, making it inconvenient to accept you as a formal disciple, but there is no harm in studying in his cave dwelling for a time. It will only require you to leave the lake and travel to the East Sea." "At present, it is not quite suitable. Wait until I finish using this spiritual item so that you may share in its benefits. After a year or half a year, you may set out." These seemingly nonchalant words struck Li Suining dumb, his mind turning completely blank: *Go to the East Sea? If I go to the East Sea, how am I to observe the state of the world... and how am I to give warnings in secret!* Horror gripped his heart: *I cannot go to the East Sea under any circumstances!* Yet whether phrased as a reward or an order, the Real Person's words were a command that brooked no refusal! Li Suining's thoughts spun at lightning speed, and he dropped to his knees at once, speaking in ashamed tones: "The Real Person plans so thoughtfully on my behalf, and this junior is unworthy of such grace... Yet having cultivated the method this year, I inwardly feel that my talent is lacking... far inferior to my uncles. Whether in cultivation or formation dao, if I am to repay the clan... I must first attain Foundation Establishment..." Lowering his brow, he wept softly: "The Real Person incurred favors to secure this study opportunity... This junior does not wish to be half-hearted, squandering the chance and embarrassing the Real Person... I only hope to achieve Foundation Establishment here at the lake before discussing overseas matters!" Li Ximing gazed at him for a long time, then nodded slightly: *That is fine too. This Tiansi Buxu Divine Scroll is truly too difficult; it has frightened the child!* He then said: "Both your parents have passed, and your ancestral line hangs by a single thread. It is indeed ill-advised for you to travel far. First father an heir... to give an account to your parents! I will have the Old Master seek out a good match for you." Having just escaped the wolf's den, he fell straight into the tiger's lair. This time, Li Suining had no way out. Mortified, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and agree. Li Ximing's expression shifted slightly, however, and he raised his brow: "Leave, both of you!" Sweeping his sleeve, he whisked the two down to the foot of the mountain. Just then, laughter sounded from beyond the formation: "Fellow Daoist Zhaojing! I have come to offer congratulations!" Without time to answer, Li Ximing hastily stowed the Lingzun Xiguang on the table, replaced it with ordinary tea, and then laughed: "So it is Fellow Daoist Sima. Please enter so we may speak in detail!" Stepping out of the formation, he found three figures standing in the Great Void! The leader was robed in white with a sword at his waist—none other than Sima Yuanli, holding a box in his hands with a smile on his face. Some distance away from him stood a woman clad in pale green Daoist robes. Her features were gentle, her figure tall and slender, her brow smiling, with two strings of blue and white jade pearls tied at her waist that accentuated her slender waist. Offering a salute, she said softly: "Fellow Daoist Zhaojing!" *It's actually Real Person Kuangyu.* Li Ximing's surprise stemmed precisely from her presence. Looking closer, another person stood behind Kuangyu. This person appeared young, his hair tied neatly in a crown, his robes meticulous, and his expression placid and composed. He raised his hands in a proper salute and said: "Greetings, Senior!" Strictly speaking, this was the very first time Li Ximing had been addressed as "Senior" by a fellow Violet Palace. Somewhat amused, he set aside his doubts for the moment and smiled: "And this is..." Kuangyu ushered him forward and said solemnly: "This is Real Person Nanwu... His dao title is rarely used anymore; several fellow Daoists in the East Sea call him Real Person Guo. Fellow Daoist may address him freely without worry... we are all family!" "Oh?" Addressing someone by their surname rather than their dao title usually implied a prestigious ancestral origin... The reputation of the Guo clan of Chijiao Island was simply too renowned, and with Kuangyu mentioning the East Sea, Li Ximing immediately grew vigilant, asking with mixed doubt and caution: "The Guo family... Fellow Daoist, could you be..." At these words, the newly introduced Real Person Nanwu shook his head repeatedly, showing a hint of distaste as he smiled and replied: "I would never dare cultivate Combined Fire!"