The blazing silver light was dazzling, filling his heart with icy cold.
In Li Ximing’s view, though the Li clan had many usable people, the situation of the next generation was not good. Li Zhouwei sought the Dao, and the heirs of Mingyang each had their own thoughts. If the situation collapsed, no one knew what fate might befall the Mingyang bloodline; he knew well they could not be counted on.
Li Quewan and Li Jiangqian both had Purple Mansion aptitude, especially Li Quewan, whom Li Ximing regarded as the Li clan’s retreat to the East Sea should the Mingyang Dao fail. Li Jiangchun was a Purple Mansion seed with Yang bloodline, fit to succeed her, and also a trump card.
But for the juniors after that, Li Ximing felt a strong sense of foreboding.
For if the heirs of Mingyang could not be protected, the later generations would be ordinary and unremarkable. Li Jiangchun’s sword-heart was well known; the family hoped he would break through in sword intent and did not want to distract him, so it was nine times out of ten likely he would have no heirs. Even at the same Foundation Establishment level, it was better to count on Li Zhouluo than on him. Li Quewan was wholly devoted to the Dao and was already preparing for Purple Mansion, so that was even more impossible. The Zhong and Ji branches had no outstanding juniors, the Shu branch had already branched off, and only the Bo branch flourished.
Li Zhouming was originally the best choice, but Li Ximing had privately discussed it with Li Xuanxuan. Li Zhouming had cultivated the Mingyang Dao after all. The old man thought it over and over; Mingyang cultivators should not be the ones to decide anymore.
Li Suining’s arrival was timely—of the younger generation, talented, promising in formation arts, and above all steady-tempered, clever and calm. Li Ximing had taken a liking to him at first sight, hoping to continue his bloodline… thinking ahead to the future…
But Li Jianglong stood nearby, and today this glimmer of silver light met his eye, making Li Ximing instinctively feel it was the work of some great expert. The candidate being prepared to shoulder the future burdens of the clan might be a spy from some family—how could Li Ximing not be alarmed!
In that instant, he forced his gaze to remain by the furnace, his face still calm, but his heart had turned to cold water. He activated the investigative power of the immortal artifact, firmly locking onto Li Suining.
He saw the silver light on Li Suining’s body change wonderfully, expanding and contracting like breath. Li Ximing looked closely and saw the silver light gradually fade, revealing a hint of familiar aura.
“It seems to be… the flavor of the fox clan’s ‘Sitian’ tradition… and somewhat like the divine fluctuations when Wanling Heaven was first opened.”
Although Li Suining also cultivated Sitian, his mere Qi Refining cultivation could not possibly be so dazzling under the immortal artifact’s scrutiny. Li Ximing judged quickly, grew doubtful, and pondered:
“Could it not be the fox clan’s arrangement…”
This slightly eased the chill in his heart.
After all, his own side had not shallow ties with the fox clan. Years ago, a Great True Person from Luoxia came to the lake, and even a fox clan demon king came to respond. In a sense, they had shared interests.
“But though this silver light has some nobility, it looks like it has no substantive power. Rather, it seems the immortal mirror detected some trait… After all, if there were truly a reincarnation, it would not have happened in a day or two…”
He lowered his eyes slightly, pondered for a long time, and had already formed a preliminary judgment:
“Years ago, the Yang clan probably did not understand the situation on the lake. Even True Person Xing Gao of Martial Cultivation perished on the lake. Whatever the reason, there are at least many secrets on the lake. Rather than say it was an inside agent, could it be… reincarnation? Or some fortuitous opportunity?”
Li Suining had left few flaws, and even those displays could hardly be called flaws. Merely changing perspective, with a suspicion or two, many things became completely different:
“His coming now is precisely because he is a high-cultivation reincarnation. At such a young age he is calm and composed, and inexplicably possesses such high attainments in formations—not something that can be glossed over by mere talent…”
“But he cares for his clansmen and does not seem to be feigning… Could it be he has not forgotten his past-life memories?”
Li Ximing concentrated his thoughts. Though he did not think Li Suining very strong, his vigilance had silently been raised to the highest. He did not startle the snake, but merely waved his hand and ordered:
“First return to your Jiangjun, lest it be said you abandoned your post.”
Li Jianglong said nothing more, immediately bowed and took his leave, leaving only Li Suining standing among the mountains. Li Ximing did not speak for a moment when Li Minggong came up from the mountains and handed him two letters.
“True Person… a letter from Zhentao Prefecture.”
Li Ximing had to suppress his feelings for the moment, took out the letter and read it. Liu Changdie introduced the situation in over a hundred words, with much pleading in his tone, causing Li Ximing’s expression to turn serious.
“Qingyan has met with trouble, Fuxun is seriously injured…”
An ominous premonition rose in his heart. He set that letter aside and took out Li Quewan’s letter, reading it from beginning to end, discovering that the letter addressed him as “Sir.”
“Something strange on the island…”
Li Ximing’s premonition grew heavier. Li Quewan usually addressed him as True Person. Before departure, she had agreed with the two Purple Mansion cultivators that if anything strange happened on the island, she would not write it plainly in a letter, only changing “True Person” to “Sir.” He naturally did not believe Li Quewan had written it wrong.
“Fortunately, only one place was changed, and the tone was not urgent; it should be able to wait.”
But his worry suddenly escalated. For a moment, cold pierced his heart, and Li Ximing cursed silently:
“They’ve all gathered together!”
If Li Suining was involved as the mainstay of the Li clan’s future leadership of clan affairs, Li Quewan was undoubtedly an important combat strength that could not be lost. Li Ximing had to make this trip without doubt.
Although True Person Yan had agreed with Li Ximing years ago that upon achieving “Brilliance of All Under Heaven” he would do something for him, and Li Jiangchun’s matter also required a trip to Jiuqiu… compared to having to go to Zhentao Prefecture, that was far less important. Li Ximing’s mood instantly soured. He casually set down the letter, kept his face relatively calm, composed his emotions, and spoke cautiously.
Li Suining had waited so long, and finally heard the True Person ask with a smile:
“Are you here to get a pill for your breakthrough?”
Li Suining was respectful and courteous, never looking directly at him, and did not notice his strangeness. He nodded politely and replied:
“Junior’s aura is complete, and I am about to break through… but spirit materials and demonic beasts of the Sitian path under heaven are scarce, and Suiyuan Pills of this path are even rarer. Elder Sir sent junior to pay respects to Sir.”
Li Ximing slowly nodded and replied:
“The Sitian path has originally not too many taboos… however… if a good pill is found, it not only offers more assurance but can also save you a year or two of delay…”
He smiled and said:
“I don’t have these things either. I happen to need to go to the East Sea soon to ask True Person Yuanbian for some.”
Li Suining seemed not to want him to go back and forth. He hesitated in giving thanks, about to speak but stopping, feeling bitter in his heart:
“If only I hadn’t mentioned this! Though there may be no war for a year or two… if something happens out there…”
Li Ximing was observing his expression. He raised his hand to invite him to sit, casually poured a cup of tea, and smiled:
“How are your attainments in the formation path?”
Li Suining merely bowed, chose a suitable level on his own, and briefly explained. Li Ximing said nothing, silently noting it down, planning to discuss it in detail with Liu Changdie.
But seeing the other speak fluently and at length, Li Ximing gradually grew suspicious:
“But since he has not formed a divine ability and has no talisman on him… how could he withstand my fate divine ability? If I drive him with my fate divine ability, would he not fall into my hands?”
Moreover, he still had doubts at this moment and had to rush to the East Sea. Before that, he naturally needed to leave some means. Thus he smiled and said:
“I am going to the East Sea to get spirit materials for you… but my pill furnace is still on the mountain. How about you read your formation classics while watching it for me?”
Li Suining had no thought of refusing. He nodded eagerly and solemnly agreed. Li Ximing then reached into his sleeve and, with a divine ability, condensed a Dharma Fan, handing it to him with a serious expression:
“I am asking you to serve as my medicine boy for a while. Use only your spell power to move this fan, watch the furnace fire for me, and wait for my return.”
“Yes!”
Li Suining took it as a task of great importance, nodding solemnly. As this word left his mouth, light flashed in Li Ximing’s eyes. While his hands were hidden in his sleeves, he slightly formed hand seals, and that light of the six directions leapt out.
It was “Brilliance of All Under Heaven”!
The two had exchanged words, seemingly just going through the motions, but this relationship of subordination fell within “Brilliance of All Under Heaven,” immediately producing a marvelous response, already under the supervision of the fate divine ability!
As long as Li Suining harbored even a hint of resentment or a trace of divided loyalty, Li Ximing would sense it! The gold fan in his hand would immediately respond, crushing him to bits.
The colorless light of the six directions jumped slightly at his fingertips, and Li Ximing’s heart eased a little:
“The feedback from Brilliance of All Under Heaven… he truly respects me. It seems he has sincere feelings for the clan too, without the slightest pretense… It seems… this child has obtained some fortuitous opportunity…”
If it was indeed the latter, and Li Suining had obtained some Sitian path opportunity, then while Li Ximing was fortunate, he also had to consider whether that opportunity was problematic. In any case, with Brilliance of All Under Heaven in effect, Li Ximing could set his mind at ease for the time being.
“I see him as a good child for now… I cannot wrong him. I can only deal with him this way for now. When I return, I will send him into seclusion, and wait for Zhouwei to come out of seclusion before discussing it in detail.”
At once he stepped out through the mountain, ordered Li Minggong to seal the Mount Zhijing grand array, forbidding anyone to enter, and instructed:
“Go invite True Person Nanwu to come and guard the mountain in my place… Something has happened in the East Sea. I will go and return quickly.”
Only then did he hastily ride the wind upward and step into the Great Void.
…
The night was dim and gloomy.
Over Chengyun Gate, the sky was covered with dark clouds, without a trace of illusory color. A young man stood on a high platform, his face slightly pale, gazing at the night sky. His long robe of white feathers, black color, and dark patterns fluttered slightly in the air, showing a touch of repression.
This was True Person Changyun, master of Chengyun Gate.
He said nothing, standing silently on the high platform. The surging wind only made his hair flutter slightly, and his eyes were extremely deep.
At his side, a youth in black likewise stood in the raging wind. He was a head taller than True Person Changyun. A long spear stood on the ground in his hand, divine abilities bursting forth from his whole body, displaying tremendous power.
After who knows how long, this spear-holding youth lowered his eyes and reminded:
“Sir, that person instructed that when cultivating such secret arts, one should not let others see one’s form…”
Changyun calmly shook his head and replied:
“Chonggong, from now on there will be no opportunity.”
This spear-holding True Person was none other than Zhong Qian, sect master of Chengyun Gate!
He had achieved Purple Mansion not long ago, but his whole body had divine abilities and tremendous momentum. His eyebrows and eyes were sharp. When he had seen Li Xuanfeng in his youth, his face still had childishness, but now that had been completely dispelled, replaced by the majesty and calm belonging to Purple Mansion.
Changyun turned his head and said lightly:
“A great battle will surely break out in the south, and they will surely send me. They play dumb, wanting us to be like a mute eating coptis—bitter suffering we cannot speak of.”
His words were very sarcastic, but his expression showed not a trace of dejection, as if his own secret being exposed was no big deal.
After a while, a flash of gold-white light came from afar, and a spirited Daoist landed. He was riding auspicious clouds beneath his feet, looking somewhat incongruous.
“Brother Changyun!”
This monk shouted, landed on the platform, found that Changyun already knew he was coming, and was not surprised. He bowed, with a somewhat embarrassed expression, and replied:
“I have received orders to invite you south to defend the riverbank.”
These words made Zhong Qian’s expression change slightly, but Changyun smilingly asked him in, looked at his complexion, shook his head, and said:
“Fellow Daoist Minghui… these years have not been easy for you, have they!”
Minghui’s embarrassed expression gradually faded. He sighed deeply and replied:
“True Person’s discerning eyes are like a torch. I have been walking on thin ice on this bank. Asking you to go down this time is an offense that naturally falls to me…”
After the war to establish the state, the Li clan had obtained an opportunity to rest and recuperate. But Minghui had truly had a hard time these years. He had been transferred to Shanji Commandery, and every year he had to go for probing! He had tasted the measureless water-fire in Tinglan’s hands more than once!
Minghui complained at length, then secretly glanced at Zhong Qian. But with just that glance, he felt divine radiance bursting from him and was instantly astonished, secretly thinking:
“What thick destiny! If he is reborn, he will surely accomplish something!”
He was still secretly observing, but Changyun’s heart was already full of cold laughter:
“Qi Lanyan… Qi Lanyan, I have been in seclusion for a long time, yet you insist on calling me out! Good, good, good. A minor cultivator of the Qi family, having received Zhixuan’s support, now calls the wind and summons the rain. Simply stupid beyond words!”
“Are there few great figures under heaven who know this matter? But they have all learned to be cautious and play dumb. It’s just this idiot pushed to the front, thinking he knows some secrets, daring to plot against my Gold One tradition…”
Just as Qi Lanyan had predicted back then, the Gold One tradition must be angry. But Changyun—or rather Jinyu Sect’s Zhang Yun—took Qi Lanyan’s boldness for ignorance:
“Often my path schemes against others and controls the four directions. Now it is his turn to plot against me!”
His thoughts were gloomy. Minghui before him could no longer restrain himself, looking at him with eyes full of envy, and said:
“True Person has already three divine abilities! Truly fast progress. Even Golden Core-level immortals are no more than this!”
No matter how much flattery and courtesy his words contained, Changyun only felt sensitive hearing them. After all, Changyun himself was a hidden agent of Jinyu Sect. Listening to this, it sounded like sarcasm. His pair of somewhat gloomy eyes scanned back and forth over the other:
“Does this monk actually know… his words are so sharp. Could Lotus Temple also know? Jinlian’s status and position… by common reasoning, they should not be able to contact her…”
He then said lightly:
“Just luck.”
Minghui shook his head and sighed:
“I have heard that the Yang clan’s Zijin Hall has already opened. Something will surely happen on the river sooner or later. This time I came, besides doing this offensive thing, I also have one or two questions to ask you.”
“Oh?”
Changyun raised his eyebrows, listening to the monk’s distress. He thought it over for a while, saw that the grand array was sealed, then secretly said:
“You and I have been friends for many years… is there any way to seek death… teach me…”
Upon these words, the serious and worried Zhong Qian beside him couldn’t help but twitch his lips. Changyun looked at him blankly and said somewhat strangely:
“Truly strange. Under heaven is so big, paths to live are not many. Could paths to death be few!”
Chapter 1049