Tianlangzhi’s words reached Chief Jiang’s ears, leaving him silent for a moment. This emissary from Mount Dayang seemed rather wary of the Compassion Path. Lowering his head, he looked back at the copper alms bowl in his hands. Tianlangzhi struck while the iron was hot:
“Doesn't the Chief see the logic here? Was Qi Lanyan’s acquiescence—or even his support—really because of any face we hold? He must harbor this thought in his own heart. If so, cooperating with anyone is still cooperation; why must he look solely to us?”
“The various lords are unable to spare their hands... Now that this opportunity presents itself, it is truly hard to say which side will be the first to act when the time comes! So long as the Chief gives the command, I have no fear of offending anyone...”
Tianlangzhi narrowed his eyes and lowered his voice:
“As for Minghui, Gongsun Bei has slight grievances with him, and Qi Lanyan utterly despises Jinlian. Without even witnessing the battle, Qi Lanyan explained to me twice that the Lotus Temple is useless, and that the fellow disciples Minghui and Mingxiang would never exert their full strength...”
“Today Minghui proved incompetent, and from what I see... Mingxiang has also been holding back. Since the Lotus Temple refuses to do its part, why should we show them any mercy?”
Chief Jiang pondered for a long time before smiling faintly and replying:
“Liangli, your considerations are very apt. I shall ask around after I return.”
“As for Minghui, we will seize leverage over him and find other ways to employ him. The next time we attack the south to resist the Great Song, place him right beneath Yang Ruiyi’s carriage ruts! Yang Ruiyi wields Demoted Qi; Minghui will have no choice but to fight for his life!”
“If they cannot prevail and end up broken or wounded at the hands of the Yang clan, we will have an account to give Jinlian. And if he flees without fighting, we can capture him just the same... and punish him in the name of Mount Dayang.”
The two golden bodies in the sky suddenly fell silent, and down below, Minghui’s heart sank to the very bottom. This Chief Jiang had always been at odds with his Benevolent Joy Path; how could there ever be anything good in store? Sure enough, the man in the sky smiled and said:
“Minghui, your six roots of sensation are not pure, and you harbor many covetous and harmful intentions. You ought to be severely punished. Yet seeing that your Benevolent Joy Path has performed many deeds of merit, that your senior brother is diligent and conscientious, and that your master is virtuous and deeply respected, this offense shall merely be recorded against you. You two brothers are commanded to garrison the riverbank...”
He restrained his smile and added coolly:
“If you transgress again this time... the mountain will punish you severely.”
Had the other party ordered him into a boiling cauldron or a sea of flames, Minghui would actually have felt relieved. But to be let off so lightly made his heart seize with dread:
*What 'master is virtuous and deeply respected'... Who doesn't know my master's foul reputation? This is a plot against my life!*
In the copper cauldron, Five-Eyed was frying with popping cracks, tumbling incessantly. Minghui could only kowtow repeatedly, crying out:
“Minghui feels endless remorse for ruining the lord’s great undertaking! I beg only for punishment to be visited upon my body... to prove my sincerity!”
Yet how could the two spare him? After offering him a few hollow flatteries, they prepared to dismiss him easily. But Minghui wept bitterly, shouting:
“The two exalted ones may be willing to pardon Minghui, but Minghui cannot indulge himself! If Minghui is to walk out of here unharmed... Minghui shall cripple his own dharma body to show gratitude!”
These words made Chief Jiang’s gaze turn icy. He said coolly:
“You lack any ambition and think only of evading battle. I might as well escort you to Mount Dayang and make matters clear right under the eyes of the gathered Buddhists, so we can see what you have to say for yourself.”
On any ordinary day, Minghui would have gladly returned with him. In any case, that would be far better than living under their constant plots. Yet considering that leaving the riverbank would cause his senior brother Mingxiang to make mistakes, and also deprive him of the chance to display his loyalty before that lord, he finally checked his wailing and slunk away resentfully.
The moment he stepped out of the hall, his mood darkened completely. His senior brother Mingxiang came down the steps to greet him. With a grave expression, Minghui transmitted his voice:
“Matters have changed. Mount Dayang’s people have arrived... It is Chief Jiang. You and I cannot escape; our lives may well be in peril!”
Mingxiang frowned in silence, shaking his head as he replied via transmission:
“We should never have agreed to that fellow from the Damu Dharma Realm!”
With a sullen face, Minghui answered:
“It has nothing to do with him... This is not something that agreeing or refusing could resolve. Under today's circumstances, even if we had never agreed to Fachang, you and I would still have been forced here once Chief Jiang arrived. The contention between North and South has taken a turn; Qi Lanyan took the lead in flipping the board, and the various paths can no longer suppress their greed for the Li clan!”
Having tumbled through the mortal world several times, Minghui possessed far more worldly experience than his senior brother, who spent year after year in secluded cultivation. He swiftly arrived at his own deduction. Mingxiang’s expression shifted slightly, and he looked at his junior brother with great solemnity:
“The urgent priority is to let Master know of this. I must make a trip back in person. Chief Jiang will soon order me to deploy for garrison duty... It cannot be delayed any longer!”
* * *
Mount Zhijing.
Radiance rose amidst the mountains. Frowning deeply, the black-clad man looked at Li Zhouwei and asked:
“Should the Prince of Wei not take the medicine first?”
“It is no hindrance.”
Li Zhouwei shook his head and invited him to sit beside him. Behind them, Sima Yuanli, having followed all the way with indescribable awkwardness written across his face, also stopped. Bowing, he sighed:
“I... I was thoroughly foolish, allowing the Prince of Wei to fall into such dire peril... It is truly a great sin! I deserve to be punished!”
Sima Yuanli had begun regretting his actions long ago. These were no longer the days of Qingchi; what weight did the Sima family still possess? In all things, he dared not hold a grudge against the Li family, and he could afford Li Zhouwei’s resentment even less!
*White Cicada avenges the smallest slight, and though White Qilin is somewhat better, how could he ever be an easy character? Today I failed to reinforce him in time, yet he still managed to break free. In future battles between North and South, if he were to pull a 'failed to reinforce in time' on me, how could I keep my life?!*
He dared not brush the matter aside lightly. Laying it bare, he hurriedly produced the Azure Grace Mysterious Gourd to heal Li Zhouwei while voicing his remorse:
“The Prince of Wei must believe me!”
Yet bitterness welled within his heart. Back when Li Ximing entered secluded cultivation to court death, Sima Yuanli had occupied the high seat of Qingchi, speaking of Li Zhouwei with laughter as someone at his wit’s end whose demise was in plain sight. Now, bending beneath another, merely hesitating a moment before fetching a treasure required him to beg for mercy, addressing him as 'Prince of Wei' with every breath. Things remained, but people had changed. Semi-feigned tears of sorrow surfaced in Sima Yuanli’s eyes as he sighed:
“We are relatives by marriage. Seeing the Prince of Wei wounded so severely, I am utterly ashamed.”
Li Zhouwei did not blame him, merely waving his hand:
“The Huaijiang Map is precious. Asking for it so abruptly was my fault. The Real Person need not take it to heart!”
Sima Yuanli nodded repeatedly. Yang Ruiyi watched with interest from the side, pondering inwardly:
*This Real Person Sima falls far short of Si Boxiu... Si Boxiu truly has the heart to let him wander within the realm. Sigh... at least his talent is decent, a cut above Ning Wan’s.*
Seeing that the two had finished speaking, Yang Ruiyi said:
“Now turmoil has arisen in the west, and Northern Zhao watches greedily. With the lake suffering such a catastrophe, hearts are bound to be shaken. Regarding His Majesty... I will make inquiries and explain everything thoroughly on the Prince of Wei’s behalf.”
Li Zhouwei took little stock in his words, merely feigning a smile as he replied:
“The General arrived in time to reinforce us, for which the lake is already grateful. The Buddhists will not let Tingzhou off; this is only the beginning.”
Yang Ruiyi shook his head, sighing softly as he answered:
“Today's events... will not allow Qi Lanyan to escape with only a trivial wound.”
He smoothed his sleeves and asked:
“I wonder where Fellow Daoist Zhaojing might be? With the Prince of Wei wounded, Tingzhou likely cannot do without him.”
With an unperturbed expression, Li Zhouwei replied:
“My elder is in secluded cultivation striving for a breakthrough, right at the critical juncture. There is no telling which year or month he will make progress, so I cannot bear to disturb him, lest he lose all his previous gains.”
“Counting the days, it should be about time...”
With Li Zhouwei wounded like this, Li Ximing could not possibly remain motionless. Yang Ruiyi calculated on his fingers and already believed ninety percent of it. Thus, he said:
“If so, I should dispatch a Real Person to the wilderness to guard the border, so that the Prince of Wei may rest and recuperate properly... I wonder... does the Prince of Wei have anyone in mind?”
Li Zhouwei glanced at Sima Yuanli beside him and said solemnly:
“Fellow Daoist Sima is a good choice. Yet if the north intends mischief, he may struggle even to protect himself. It would be better to invite the Prince of Yuyang to make the trip.”
Hearing him mention Chen Yin, Sima Yuanli let out a quiet sigh of relief and nodded:
“The Prince of Yuyang has now attained the mid Purple Mansion stage. It was no easy feat, and his strength has grown substantially. He is very reliable... He is also familiar with Real Person Cheng, making mutual reinforcement convenient.”
At the words 'Real Person Cheng,' Li Zhouwei subtly curbed his expression, but he heard Yang Ruiyi remark coolly:
“Indeed. Now that the two Real Persons of the Sword Sect have parted on bad terms and Ling Mei is in secluded cultivation, there is no need to worry that you cannot command him.”
Sima Yuanli fell silent, swallowing dryly as the atmosphere froze. Fortunately, the clouds and winds outside the mountain surged, and yet another Real Person arrived riding a divine ability, descending gracefully.
This Real Person was quite beautiful, dressed in light green Daoist robes with hair cascading like a waterfall. Bearing a slight smile, she bowed faintly and reported:
“Reporting to the Great General, Lingu Lanying has returned to deliver her report...”
Yang Ruiyi glanced at her with a trace of a smile, only to notice a man standing in her clouds. Though not particularly striking in appearance, his mottled armor was travel-stained, as if he had just hacked his way out of a battlefield. His pair of golden eyes still carried lingering murderous intent, brimming with imposing majesty.
Li Zhouwei set down the cup in his hand, a ripple passing through his eyes—the newcomer was none other than his direct scion, nominally his second son, Li Jianglong!
Facing the crowd, Li Jianglong’s expression remained unchanged as he bowed:
“Greetings, Father! Greetings, Real Persons!”
Lingu Lanying smiled faintly, looking toward him as well:
“So this is the Prince of Wei. Truly, a formidable father begets no cowardly son. In the wilderness, the Second Young Master shattered the Buddhist cultivators, rendezvoused with the Song army, and intercepted the retreating northern forces for us... His military exploits are remarkable!”
“Oh?”
Yang Ruiyi’s interest was piqued, and he observed him closely. Lingu Lanying praised:
“The Zhao army was broken by the young master while halfway across the crossing, thrown into utter disarray. Over ten thousand were killed or wounded, and vast numbers of Zhao troops were forced to remain stranded in the wilderness. He even captured two direct descendants of the Gongsun clan... With the young master serving as a surprise force, our battle gains were multiplied more than tenfold!”
“Though I arrived late, I have brought him along!”
Her smile was polite and seemed entirely well-intentioned. Yang Ruiyi drew Li Jianglong over, asking about his age and marriage prospects, before laughing:
“We must not forget your younger brother, who is called... Li Jiangxia... In this battle, the Li family fought to the end without retreating, for which he deserves great credit. Though he was not as prominent as you, he cannot be overlooked either.”
The Great General turned to look at Li Zhouwei and sighed:
“I was still pondering who could lead the troops in the wilderness, having forgotten that the Prince of Wei’s scions are all outstanding talents. It is fitting to let him oversee this matter. Why not have him return with me to petition the Sovereign for a title, which may serve as his reward!”
Having said this, the man gave none of them a chance to speak. Standing up with a smile, he swept his gaze across the three of them and asked calmly:
“Have you ever heard... of the Imperial Court Method?”
Lingu Lanying froze slightly, shaking her head hesitantly, while Sima Yuanli nodded awkwardly. Yang Ruiyi smiled:
“The Imperial Court Method was pioneered by Emperor Wei, originating from the ancient incense and mountain-supervision techniques. A peerless genius favored by Mingyang, he elevated this art to its supreme zenith. Later, when Wei-Li fell, the Buddhist cultivators learned it as well, completing the final link in the great cultivation path of the Buddhist lands. The widespread rise of Mohe and Lianmin was achieved through this method.”
“Though our Song Court does not practice the way of the imperial court, we are likewise favored by Heaven. Thus, the Star of Xiuwu shines down, blessing the myriad officials. His Majesty constructed the Zijin Hall in the imperial capital precisely to gather the light of Xiuwu and uphold profound methods.”
Hearing this, Sima Yuanli lifted his head thoughtfully, a hint of horror bursting in his pupils. Yang Ruiyi looked upward and said solemnly:
“Those who enter the Zijin Hall receive the protection of Heavenly Cultivation and Heavenly Martial, clearing their spiritual thoughts and elevating their destiny, weapons, and dharma bodies, which is of immense help for breakthroughs to the Purple Mansion in the future. Cultivating diligently to uphold martial power and cultivate mystery is known as 'Holding Mystery.'”
He moved his lips gently, his ordinary countenance taking on a touch of the immortal:
“And those who 'Hold Mystery'... when marching to war on behalf of the Emperor, may borrow a divine ability of Heavenly Martial.”
The moment these words fell, Lingu Lanying’s brows shot up, a tempestuous sea crashing in her heart:
*No wonder... No wonder he brought up the imperial court; no wonder he brought up Mohe and Lianmin!*
Back then, the Wei-Li Imperial Court Method was purely a matter of holding office to hold power... Regardless of whether one was previously a mortal without cultivation or a lowly cultivator, once granted an official position, one possessed the corresponding cultivation. Today's 'Holding Mystery in Zijin Hall' was an imitation of Wei-Li!
*No wonder the Song Court harbors no concern for its northern border; no wonder the Cheng clan changed its attitude drastically after entering the palace, dispatching its disciples into the commanderies. Even if Lianmin and Mohe press aggressively, the court possesses countermeasures to secure the border!*
*In this way, which clan could resist flocking toward the Song Court’s official ranks? Even if a few Real Persons harbor no goodwill toward the court, what of their younger generation? Who among them would not want the blessing of Heavenly Martial? Who would not want a divine ability bestowed upon their person?!*
*Once they have tasted a divine ability, who would be willing to remain an ordinary mortal! So long as those entering the palace desire these positions and cannot let them go, do they belong to the Song Court or their own clans? Pulling the firewood from beneath the cauldron... This is truly the craft of the Underworld Office!*
Such casual words from Yang Ruiyi stirred towering waves within her heart. Sima Yuanli remained equally silent, his hand pressed tightly against the table. The entire mountain fell quiet, save for the howling of the wind.
Yang Ruiyi turned his head and smiled:
“What does the Prince of Wei think?”
With a composed expression, Li Zhouwei lowered his eyes to look at his son.
Li Jianglong had always been exceedingly obedient. Bearing the blood of the Chen clan, his appearance was unremarkable, resembling his father far less than Li Jiangxia did, yet he was much more compliant and planted few confidants. Over these years of managing the household in the isle, matters great and small passed through his hands without the slightest bias.
Yet this habitually obedient child now knelt respectfully upon the ground, saying nothing and refusing to raise his head. His golden eyes were fixed on the floor, offering his father only a profile.
In that instant, that profile—with long, relaxed brows—bore a familiar cast that made Li Zhouwei’s gaze freeze and his lips twitch.
Perhaps because his wounds brought excruciating pain, the Prince of Wei ultimately did not speak, only letting out a breath before smiling:
“Second Young Master, why do you not thank His Grace?”
* * *
The sky was dim, gray winds surging. A purplish-black jade bead rose in midair, cascading brilliance like a waterfall as it hovered over the Purple Light Blessed Land. A monstrous, ferocious ghost spanned the sky, bearing a colossal chariot on its back.
Before the chariot stood a black-clad man, cold-faced. The Star of Xiuwu shone from high above, and the light of True Qi set off his figure like clouds, making him look like a heavenly god.
Diverse divine abilities intertwined. The woman in xiang-colored robes withdrew her spirit tool. A faint blush returned to her pale face as she looked surreptitiously toward the Real Person on the other side.
*It... it should be time to stop now, shouldn't it?*
On the other side, the youthful Real Person was draped in white gauze, wearing a Daoist robe patterned with dark clouds over a white background edged in gold. Fair-complexioned and delicate, he remained silent, exchanging glances with Yang Ruiyi in the sky.
With one hand tucked inside his sleeve, he patted gently:
*Come back; matters regarding Lake Wangyue need not be settled in a single day.*
Beside him, Kong Tingyun remained unaware of the deeper context, her gaze darting toward Helian Wujiang and Murong Yan, whose baleful auras churned. Finding both foreign cultivators equally silent as they waited for the situation to evolve, only the colossal golden body hovering in midair continued releasing the brilliance of a thousand eyes, holding back the surging dark clouds.
*Channeling the light of Xiuwu on the territory of the Song Court, Yang Ruiyi is practically equivalent to a Great Real Person of four divine abilities... A Great Real Person descended from the Underworld Office is likely not someone we can bring down.*
This great clash had wrought devastation. Kong Tingyun did not even need to look to know that Xuanyue Gate, which had just begun to show signs of recovery, had suffered grievous losses. Yet she held no say whatsoever, nor was there any possibility of refusing to fight:
*If the Song Court wishes to rule across the river, it cannot spare Xuanyue Gate; if Zhixuan Pavilion wishes to suppress southern factions with justified cause, it will never spare me either...*
Kong Tingyun knew that her own Real Person Changxi had done his utmost, but objectively speaking, falling into her own hands had led to an even worse situation. A trace of self-mocking irony surfaced in her heart:
*Though I tread upon a mountain of blades today, at least there is a path forward. If the North and South cease their struggle one day, and Zhixuan Pavilion’s personnel return to Jizhong and no longer pay heed to Jiangbei, that will be the true time for terror!*
She waited for a good while before hearing Qi Lanyan beside her say with a beaming smile:
“Judge Yang’s methods are formidable indeed, truly living up to your reputation. To resonate with Xiuwu merely by establishing a state—we have troubled Lord Yang to make this trip.”
Standing upon the ghost chariot, Yang Ruiyi looked at him with growing disdain, sneering coldly as he said flatly:
“Wei Xuanyin is the appointed Master of Zhixuan. Were he here, these words might be tolerable. But your Qi family are turncoats of Yan and Zhao, and you, Qi Lanyan, are merely a petty cultivator from the mountains. Had you not clung to Zhixuan, you would be nothing more than another Gongsun Bei. What qualification do you have to critique the methods of great figures from my Underworld Office?”
He continued indifferently:
“Luoxia oversees matters of the immortal Dao and is indeed flourishing now. Yet do not forget who holds authority over death. Recklessly discussing affairs of the netherworld means you do not intend to leave your own clan any way out.”
This scolding was delivered with pinpoint precision, the threat striking right at the heart. Qi Lanyan’s smile gradually faded. Unable to vent the fury pent up in his chest, he could only grind his teeth in silence. Beside him, Murong Yan felt a chill run through him. Slowly turning the staff in his hands, he sighed inwardly:
*This Yang Ruiyi is no soft target either. The Underworld Office stands detached from worldly affairs; when has it ever uttered such threats before... leaving Qi with no way to step down...*
The fat on the Murong scion’s face trembled, his eyes narrowing slightly:
*Perhaps because of the matter of True Qi, the Yang clan's status has risen considerably...*
Without another word, Qi Lanyan flicked his sleeves and departed, the northern cultivators withdrawing with him. Yang Ruiyi remained atop the ghost chariot as a sword cultivator rode the wind toward him, bowing before the carriage:
“Many thanks for your reinforcement, my Lord!”
Yang Ruiyi swept a glance over him, his figure already fading away as he left behind a faint voice:
“Qi Lanyan still wants to drag things out, but the true issue lies in Tingzhou. Real Person, guard this place; I shall reinforce the Prince of Wei at once.”
Beside them, Ning Wan hurriedly descended on the wind, her complexion somewhat pale. Hearing this, she nodded and let out a quiet sigh of relief. Yang Ruiyi stepped into the Great Void, his ferocious ghost chariot sweeping forward with immense momentum, until a sea of blood upon the river’s surface appeared before his eyes!
The entire riverbank was stained a vibrant crimson, the sand glistening with a blackish-red luster under the setting sun. Skeletons and broken swords blanketed the shore, and several peaks had collapsed, baring brownish-black stone.
A colossal, intricately carved golden torso lay felled upon the riverbank like a rolling range of hills, its lifeless eyes staring straight into the sky.
Directly before the kneeling golden body, a heavenly gate spanning the sky stood upon the ground. Its pristine, translucent brilliance no longer shimmered; instead, it was mottled with blood and pitted with gouges, resembling an ancient gate tower amidst the battlefield, appearing all the more majestic.
*Tingzhou has suffered no small loss.*
If the battle near Shanji resembled a game of chess between northern and southern immortals—stopping where appropriate—the slaughter on the northern bank was a genuine fight to the death with steel and blood, flowing for a thousand li. The hideous ghost carriage hanging in the sky seemed in perfect harmony with the sunset.
Yang Ruiyi sighed inwardly and stepped downward.
A young man stood leaning on his halberd, supported by his weapon with a single hand. The qilin patterns upon his black-and-gold armor had dimmed, the surface pitted and covered in silvery-white slash marks. The prince’s mantle behind him was riddled with tears, fluttering gently in the wind.
Li Zhouwei raised his brows, his golden eyes as sharp as ever. Yet a massive scar ran from his forehead through the bridge of his nose down to his chin, exposing white bone running with polychromatic light. The Dawn Qi at the wound was being rapidly expelled from his body, the flesh closing bit by bit.
As Yang Ruiyi descended with his divine ability, the Prince of Wei was unclasping his vambrace, which was covered in silvery-white strike marks, and flexing an arm stripped to bare bone—evidently reattached just moments ago.
Yang Ruiyi had stood aloof before the battle lines, yet at this moment he found himself at an awkward loss for words. Fortunately, Li Zhouwei raised his brows and smiled:
“Many thanks, Lord Yang.”
Yang Ruiyi gazed deeply at him, shaking his head:
“The matter of Tingzhou was a miscalculation on the part of our Song Court...”
The imperial scion and Great General unfastened his mantle and draped it over the youth’s shoulders. The mantle immediately lit up with emerald radiance, casting the brilliance of Jiaomu. Yang Ruiyi then produced a jade box from his sleeve, saying in a heavy voice:
“Your injuries are far too severe... Take this first!”
Li Zhouwei reached out to accept it. Weighing it slightly, he knew what lay inside.
*The Late-Tassel Golden Branch... an extinct Jiaomu resource...*
The Late-Tassel Golden Branch was a treasure of Jiaomu. Though termed a cultivation resource, its rarity rivaled that of spiritual items. Consuming the entire tassel was ideal, a wondrous treasure capable of raising the dead and regrowing flesh on bare bone. Li Zhouwei raised an eyebrow and replied:
“I appreciate your concern, my Lord, but I have already taken medicine.”
The Dawn Qi spiritual treasure in Gongsun Bei’s hands was truly formidable. Under the suppression of the spirit platform, Li Zhouwei’s divine abilities had been greatly diminished and his magic power expenditure multiplied. The two short halberds inherent to that platform were especially venomous, able to pierce through Mingyang divine abilities and dart with blinding speed!
Even with the Immortal Mirror to perceive them, Mingxiang and Gongsun Bei flanked him, meaning that although he often detected the weapon, he lacked the surplus strength to react. Not only was the artifact immensely powerful, but once struck, Dawn Light surged like venomous serpents throughout his body.
Fortunately, the Dark Soul Mara Dharma Body could neutralize Dawn Light, and Li Zhouwei used it to suppress the poison with vast amounts of divine ability power... leaving him even less able to fend off the siege, falling into a vicious cycle. Had the Talisman Qi Manifestation of Sun and Moon not resonated with destiny to continuously supply him with magic power, he would likely have fallen here long ago.
*My divine ability power was inherently superior to ordinary cultivators, and only with the aid of the Manifestation of Sun and Moon did I manage to survive. Had any other mid Purple Mansion Mingyang cultivator been suppressed here, they would already have perished, unable even to escape!*
Even though Li Zhouwei had endured, his interior was currently a tangled mess. The poison of Dawn Light coursed through every inch of his dharma body, requiring him to suppress it forcefully with surging magic power, preventing him from freeing up his hands to tend to his injuries.
The damage Dawn Qi inflicted upon the Mingyang origin was truly terrifying. Li Zhouwei’s injuries were exceedingly heavy, genuinely wounding his foundation, yet he felt no urgency.
For no other reason than this: as the cultivators retreated, the profundity of Monarch Treading on Peril was recovering at a steady, unhurried pace!
This was the exact efficacy of successfully treading on peril!
*Had it been a duel, it would have been ordinary enough. But with a horde of cultivators besieging me alone, the White Qilin karmic mandate was enhanced to the utmost, reaching ninety percent completion, allowing me to successfully tread on peril... perfectly matching the profundity!*
The restorative response of Monarch Treading on Peril returned with an extra ninety percent efficacy. Even more crucial was the Talisman Qi Manifestation of Sun and Moon!
With his life entrusted to a single mansion, the seemingly fatal wounds were drastically mitigated. And with this battle answering the criteria of 'breaking divine abilities and frustrating demons and Buddhists,' combined with the resonance of the White Qilin karmic mandate, magic power surfaced in the Shengyang Mansion, surging forth like rolling waves.
At this moment, magic power churned within his Shengyang Mansion, the divine abilities brilliant and exceptionally full, merely sealed inside by his own will. Though the poison of Dawn Qi countered Mingyang, as long as the major problem of magic power was resolved and he had pills on hand, recovery would not be difficult!
It was simply that these profundities were either sealed or suppressed by him, none of them apparent to the eye. Being the result of the White Qilin karmic mandate’s resonance, they did not belong to the ordinary Monarch Treading on Peril. Yang Ruiyi was naturally unaware of this, looking upon him with equal parts awkwardness and vexation:
*We just enfeoffed him as the Prince of Wei, only to let him suffer grievous injuries defending his territory the moment he stepped out, wounding his very foundation... Granted, defending Tingzhou is defending the Li clan... but... but this is practically trampling the face of my Yang clan into the dirt!*
*It makes it even harder to give an account to Little Sister...*
This caused his gaze to darken somewhat:
*Qi Lanyan... Wei Xuanyin... I thought Zhixuan Pavilion was subordinate to Luoxia after all, and that even if the realm moved against Mingyang, they would not be the first to step forward and instigate it... Their conduct is truly unsightly!*
Now that Yang Zhuo had become the Emperor of Song, there were many actions Yang Ruiyi could not control and could only pretend not to see. Yet Qi Lanyan’s deeds undeniably stoked his deep displeasure. He narrowed his eyes secretly:
*Just you wait.*
Fortunately, Li Zhouwei did not let his awkwardness linger. He lightly withdrew his divine ability, raising a hand to brush across his face. All wounds and abnormalities vanished without a trace, restoring his imposing, majestic demeanor:
“Please.”
* * *
Great Zhao.
The bright moon shone, casting silver ripples over the sea. A white-clad man stood upon the pitch-black sea cliff with his hands clasped behind his back, utterly silent.
After a time, a faint phantom floated through the mountains, drifting through the crevices before manifesting into a woman. Draped in men's clothing and clutching a wine pot to her chest, she sat slumped upon the mountain rocks. A swarm of insects and snakes poured out from beneath her robes, producing a rustling din.
A chuckle escaped her throat as she said in a hollow voice:
“The State Preceptor is in fine spirits, enjoying the moon alone.”
Wei Xuanyin turned his head to look down upon her, saying flatly:
“What business brings Attendant Zong?”
This woman was none other than Zong Chang!
Both held unique, world-renowned identities. One was the State Preceptor of Great Zhao, upholding orthodoxy to cultivate Jueyin through the immortal Dao; the other was an attendant who wielded political power, cultivating Jueyin through unorthodox and sinister paths. One high, one low, they were surprisingly harmonious.
Zong Chang narrowed her eyes and took a sip of wine, murmuring:
“I just received word that a great battle erupted between North and South, leaving many dead along the riverbank... With such a wonderful affair, your Lordship received news yet refused to share a portion with me? Adding me into the mix would only have made things better, not worse...”
Wei Xuanyin shook his head with a sigh, discerning the sarcasm in her words. He did not answer, but Zong Chang abruptly added:
“Did Qi Lanyan act on your instructions? Deliberately targeting Mingyang... to be the first among the various factions, he is certainly bold.”
Wei Xuanyin replied calmly:
“I do not know whose handiwork it was. Fellow Daoist has misunderstood.”
Though both cultivated Jueyin, they walked entirely different paths. Wei Xuanyin felt no particular aversion toward her, but Zong Chang harbored deep jealousy and resentment toward him. Her gaze drifted as she said:
“You and I both cultivate Jueyin; our interests align here to some degree. Why deceive me?”
Wei Xuanyin watched her silently for a long while before speaking:
“The path of Wei-Li was glorious, and the Emperor is worthy of admiration. Yet He promoted the mortal path, which runs contrary to the immortal Dao. From His time onward, Jueyin and Mingyang were skewed once more. You claim our interests align, but I do not see it that way.”
Standing under the moonlight, the man appeared ambiguous in gender:
“I intend to uphold the orthodoxy of Jueyin, reviving the virtue of mutual completion between Yin and Yang to restore the Daoist enterprise Li Qianyuan destroyed... If I ascend by destroying Mingyang, it will inevitably revert into myriad evils and become a demonic path. I harbor no such intention; you need not ask further.”
Zong Chang sneered, retorting:
“What grand ambitions you have! You wish to prove Jueyin solely through your own capability? To attain it in a single stroke, open and aboveboard, without attaching yourself to a status that overturns Yin and Yang and shatters fundamental relations? You must first have the ability!”
She chuckled:
“With Mingyang descending into the world, whether White Qilin succeeds or not is of little concern to the lords above, who have tacitly permitted wagers. But the various Dharma Manifestations, clans, and immortal sects all hold their own stances. Since the mountain has not spoken, each relies on their own prowess.”
“I do not care about your talk of orthodoxy, nor whether you possess such ability. Let me ask you this: if Li Zhouwei completes all his divine abilities, impacts the fruit position, replaces the Mingyang Emperor, and revives Mingyang from then on... whether the lords above can endure it is hard to say, but can you, Wei Xuanyin, endure it?!”
“If the great trend of Mingyang's revival truly sweeps the world, with Mingyang on the throne and Jueyin disordered, it will inevitably return to the state of the Wei Kingdom back then! Jueyin will be relegated to a base status—the very demonic path you speak of. Furthermore, your true spirit is male; would Li Zhouwei spare you? What talk of mutual completion between Yin and Yang? What possibility of a breakthrough would remain? It would be no different from seeking death! Do you truly need me to remind you?!”
Kneeling upon the ground, the woman drank her wine and laughed:
“If the mountain were intervening, it would be one thing. But now the mountain clearly does not care, and you are an ambitious person seeking the position. Can you truly permit such an unstable factor—someone who could destroy every chance you have of ascension—to continue walking forward?”
“Now... now Qi Lanyan has plotted meticulously to test the waters, already harboring the intent to ruin Mingyang, risking his own demise to handle the matter on your behalf. You, Wei Xuanyin, occupy Zhixuan and possess terrifyingly high cultivation. If you claim to be entirely ignorant of this, I will never believe it!”
Chapter 1037