Listening to this, Li Ximing was already gripped by doubt.
*If… all six jade caskets of the Six Sons of Chongming were kept within the grotto-heaven, where did the one out in the world come from? What is more, the timeline doesn’t match at all… When Lake Central Islet was shattered, where was the Qingsong Abbey Grotto-Heaven even at? How could it possibly have fallen into the outside world…*
He looked up at Lingdu, pondering for a moment before asking, "May I ask what became of those various jade caskets, and what was placed within them? Furthermore, I recall that the numerous treasures beneath the prayer mats in Chongming Hall all possessed wondrous powers, did they not? How were they handled?"
"The one belonging to Qingchi was lost, Ziyan's is here, and the rest remain in the hands of the various Dao lineages. As for what was inside… in truth, the valuable ones were all empty. Those that did contain anything held merely small mementos left behind in remembrance of the patriarch."
"The only object of true value in the great hall was a treasure called the Silent Bell."
Lingdu raised his eyebrows, a look of yearning surfacing on his face.
"I have heard this object can expand or shrink at will. When large, it is as massive as a mountain, reigning supreme among magic treasures; when small, it resembles a cup or a handbell, appearing to be no more than a spiritual or magical tool, usable even by a Foundation Establishment cultivator! When it obscures its own radiance and disguises itself as a mundane object, even a True Monarch can easily misjudge it…"
"Engraved within it are all manner of profound Dao methods capable of communicating with Heaven and Earth and mediating the transformations of myriad things… In the end, it fell into the hands of that esteemed lord of the Jinyi lineage. He went to immense trouble to obtain it entirely for Master Qiushui's breakthrough!"
Seeing Li Ximing lost in thought, Lingdu did not seem surprised. He merely chuckled.
"As for what is on your mind, the various Purple Mansion figures back then all considered it. It was precisely the thought that items used by those great figures might possess divine wonders that led so many Purple Mansion masters to carve up the spoils together… Otherwise, for things merely at the Foundation Establishment level—or even mundane objects—how could they have drawn so many Purple Mansion masters into action?"
"It was just that… they were greatly disappointed afterward. For the True Monarchs who were still alive, their belongings were naturally retrieved by their respective lineages. The few trinkets that leaked out had little practical use; only one or two were refined by others into spiritual embryos."
He poured some tea and sighed.
"True Monarchs do not leave divine wonders lingering in the mortal world. Most prefer to rein in their auras and obscure their Dao fruitions. If such things are held in the hands of minor cultivators, wouldn't that be brandishing the True Monarchs' names in broad daylight? Not only would they draw the scrutiny and exploitation of other True Monarchs, but it would also constantly display the state of their own Dao fruition—and that is never a good thing."
Li Ximing nodded inwardly. He knew this from personal experience. Figures who had formed Golden Cores and attained true fruit never left behind the slightest trace, and their myriad footprints in the world were wiped clean as well… Pondering back and forth, a thought suddenly struck him.
"Has Qingsong Abbey… only ever opened this once? I vaguely recall that the likes of Guo Shentong and Changxiao also emerged from a grotto-heaven back then…"
Changxiao had long been a thorn in the Li clan's side. Seeing that the old man before him was exceedingly knowledgeable, courteous, and easy to converse with, Li Ximing seized the chance to kill two birds with one stone. Lingdu took a sip of tea and smiled.
"Guo Shentong, Yan Jianxiao… and even Li Mei of the Sword Sect emerged from the same grotto-heaven of the Douxuan lineage… Years ago… while cultivating in the markets of the East Sea, I caught wind of a detail or two. That grotto-heaven is called Chuyi Grotto-Heaven, and the one who profited most from it was actually not Changxiao."
His expression turned grave as he said, "The earliest to enter were the Miao clan and Situ Tang, along with another formidable figure named Qutan, the grandmaster of Master Xuanyi of Mount Jingyi. Those three were the first to go inside!"
"Within Chuyi Grotto-Heaven stands Mount Douxuan. The mountain has three tiers, containing untold treasures, mostly of the Earth Virtue. At the summit, within the First Peak, there is even a spirit treasure…"
Li Ximing listened intently. Suddenly, he recalled Tingfeng Baishi Mountain and felt a surge of realization.
*So I had heard of this grotto-heaven long ago… Back then, when Zhu Gong mentioned Tingfeng Baishi Mountain, he said it was a treasure obtained from beneath Douxuan's First Peak by Senior Ling Mei… It was indeed of the Earth Virtue… Could the Clean Corner Merit Bottle in Master Xuanyi's hands have come from there as well…*
Lingdu did not pause for long, continuing in a low, distant voice, "And amidst these mountains lies a spring connected to Clear Qi above. Cultivating within it allows one to seek divine abilities! Even if one cannot cultivate there in peace, simply drinking a mouthful of its water is extraordinarily beneficial."
At these words, Yan Dushui's eyes lit up, while Li Ximing raised his brows in surprise and doubt. Lingdu nodded heavily.
"I asked the Great Master about it. It is indeed the Wuguan Legacy. Several figures back then drank its water—especially Qutan. Though his combat prowess was formidable, his natural aptitude was poor, giving him the slimmest hope of achieving the Purple Mansion among them. Yet relying on that spring, he attained the Dao, leaping through the dragon gate…"
The old man shifted the topic. "Chuyi Grotto-Heaven has opened more than once, and the same goes for Qingsong Abbey. The world possesses a great many talents, and back then a group secretly slipped inside as well—the likes of Zhang Cuotian and Guo E…"
Hearing this, Li Ximing's mind cleared instantly.
*It really was Zhang Cuotian! The false identity of Chen Taoping, master of that market! This item definitely came out of the grotto-heaven… In that case… where are the contents within?*
He sank into silence. Yan Dushui, having lived overseas for years, knew nothing of Qingsong Abbey; his entire mind was consumed by Chuyi Grotto-Heaven. With a trace of hope, he asked, "Is there still… a chance to enter that grotto-heaven? For my descendants… I seek only a single draught of that spring!"
Lingdu glanced at him with a sigh of emotion. "It would be exceedingly difficult to wait for… What is more, not everyone can make the journey there. And even if one reaches it, one must have capable juniors."
Though his tone was polite, Yan Dushui understood that with the meager lifespan he had remaining, he would never live to see it, nor did he possess the ability to seize such a fortune for his descendants. Silently letting out a sigh, he bowed and quietly took his leave.
Li Ximing watched him go. Seeing that only the two of them remained on the mountain, he soon felt inclined to bid farewell as well. But just before taking his leave, a thought suddenly crossed his mind.
*Master Yuandao has deep ties to the Peacock, and back then he helped me specifically to collect that karmic fire… Now… having obtained this Guangchi Drought Fire from a Buddhist cultivator, wouldn't this be the perfect opportunity to ask?*
After chatting pleasantly for a bit, he drew a jewel from his sleeve. In an instant, golden light flared intensely, accompanied by dazzling, shifting hues of colored glaze. Lingdu raised his eyebrows to look at it, and Li Ximing smiled.
"Might Jiuqiu have any interest in this object?"
Lingdu accepted it with both hands and examined it closely. After a dozen breaths, he said with a hint of uncertainty, "Guangchi Drought Fire… Which fellow went and ruined this… Lacking the capability and status of the Peacock, yet harboring the Peacock's ambitions—how disgraceful."
Lingdu truly hailed from a great lineage; though he had identified it more slowly than Li Ximing, his discernment was still remarkably sharp. Li Ximing smiled and said, "I traded for this from a northern Buddhist cultivator, and thought I might try my luck here with the immortals."
Lingdu stroked his beard in prolonged silence, looking quite conflicted. "It is not that this item lacks value, but the spiritual resources required to neutralize it… are an immense expense, to say nothing of the sheer energy it would consume…"
Right at that moment, a warm breeze swept across the mountains. Beside the table, the figure of a remarkably tall young man manifested. Dressed in dignified black robes tied with a silk sash at the waist, he wore a faint smile across his brows.
*Master Yuandao!*
Li Ximing immediately rose from his seat and bowed with a touch of trepidation, greeting him respectfully, "Junior pays his respects to the Great Master!"
When Li Ximing had first visited this place as a novice, he had known the other man possessed profound divine abilities, yet he had lacked any concept of just how terrifying that level was. Now that he had witnessed so many heroes and figures of great divine ability across the north and south, he finally understood the true weight of having one's divine abilities perfected.
*This is perfection of divine abilities!*
*This Master Yuandao may very well be the cultivator of the highest divine ability I have ever met in my life! I fear even the master of Zhixuan Pavilion would fall three points short of him!*
Furthermore, having now attained Brightness Over All, Li Ximing's perception of all things was far deeper. Standing before him, the young man seemed to stir the qi mechanics of the entire mountain range, draped in the hazy crimson of Fire Virtue like a cloak. Li Ximing was secretly awestruck.
*His inner nature and physical life are fully integrated… he has genuine hope of pursuing the great Dao…*
He showed even greater reverence than years ago, yet Master Yuandao seemed little changed. With a slight smile, he bid Li Ximing sit and praised, "Your divine ability has progressed swiftly!"
Li Ximing repeatedly deflected the flattery. Without dwelling on it, Master Yuandao took the jewel, pinching it between three jade-white fingers, and murmured calmly, "It is from the Murong clan of the Compassion Path… No wonder you found it troublesome."
His handsome eyes turned toward Li Ximing with a meaningful look, and he chuckled. "It is Hong Fire once again—outside of Li, Zhen, and Mu. It is truly difficult to handle."
How could Li Ximing fail to catch his meaning? Breaking into a cold sweat, he was at a loss for words, realizing with startling clarity that the Great Master had likely known of the little secret he had guarded for years all along.
*The Runyang Method came from Senior Tulong in the first place. Since Senior Tulong has close ties with Jiuqiu, the Great Master must have learned of this technique long ago. It shouldn't come as a surprise… He probably knew the very first time I came here.*
Yet the technique was precious, and since its full background remained unclear, he could not possibly be the first to bring it up. Playing dumb, he nodded hurriedly and said, "My purpose in coming this time is to ask the Jiuqiu lineage to intervene and neutralize the Buddhist methods within. I will personally provide equivalent spiritual resources to cover the cost… Once this strand of Hong Fire is refined… I hope to trade with the immortals for a variety of Lihuo."
His eyes shone with hope. "I come from a humble clan. Merely gathering the spiritual resources for the neutralization would take years, not to mention peeling it away layer by layer—who knows how long that would take? Jiuqiu is a grand immortal sect… and masters of this craft…"
Yuandao listened for a moment, lifted his cup, and said softly, "Very well… However, I cannot guarantee the quality of the Lihuo you receive."
Li Ximing was slightly taken aback. Sensing that the other man was not in a hurry to claim the flame and was merely doing him a favor, he agreed repeatedly. Yuandao turned his hand, stowing the jewel away, and said calmly, "Wait upon the lake for now. This is not the work of a single day. When it is complete, Master Lingdu will contact you."
Li Ximing breathed a quiet sigh of relief. Calculating the days, he had already delayed for quite some time. Seeing that Master Yuandao had no intention of saying more, he called Li Quewan over, gave her thorough instructions, and tactfully took his leave.
Li Quewan was not surprised. From the moment they set out for Jiuqiu, she had guessed her clan's master was seeking a refuge for her. Bowing in gratitude to Yuandao and Lingdu, she obediently withdrew.
Only the two masters, Yuandao and Lingdu, remained on the mountain. A look of approval appeared on the face of the Jiuqiu master whose divine abilities were perfected, and he remarked, "This young girl's cultivation attainment is rare. I see she also possesses shamanic arts. Even Qiushui back then was merely on par with this… Impressive."
His words were directed at Li Quewan, who had just stepped away. Lingdu showed a hint of surprise, having rarely heard Master Yuandao offer such high praise, and replied, "I see it as a pity… With Qiushui ahead of her…"
Master Yuandao smiled faintly and shook his head. "You should say… fortunate that Qiushui is ahead of her. She is young and has only now begun to seek divine abilities. Otherwise, with the lord of the Jinyi lineage determined to claim Complete Dan, she would certainly have been broken—just like Great Master Miaoqi of the West Sea years ago… He had neither the makings nor the heart to attain the Dao, yet simply because he crossed the threshold of Canzi, he lost his life…"
"In my eyes, aside from Li Zhouwei, who descended through Mingyang, she is the only one in the Li clan whose talent is worth praising. Senior Xuan'an allowing her to cultivate Complete Dan was a calculated move: it is already too late for her to interfere with Qiushui, and she might even bask in Qiushui's light to draw closer to the Jinyi and Shangqing lineages."
Lingdu grew contemplative and came to understand. "So she is still just a young girl."
Master Yuandao smiled without answering, took a sip of tea, and only then said, "He has likely figured out the matter regarding Tulong. He knows better than to ask aloud, but he has probably guessed eight or nine tenths of it in his heart."
Lingdu lowered his gaze. "With the Great Master helping him like this… how could he not guess?"
Master Yuandao stood with his hands behind his back. "My master entrusted Jiuqiu to my hands. At times I worry I do too little, and at times I worry I do too much. Being an arrangement of the fox tribe and a legacy of the Yuan Abode, our relationship was originally quite close. Were it not for the pressures of the realm's overarching situation, we should have warmly welcomed a few of their descendants inside to straighten out their Dao lineage…"
His deep eyes gazed into the distance. "Now, out of regard for Tulong, we must naturally lend a hand. We shouldn't have dropped hints to him, yet the descendants of Mingyang blood are suspicious by nature; if there were no reason at all, he would refuse to accept help in the end. Still, under no circumstances must Tulong's name be spoken. We will take this opportunity to repay his favor so he does not sink too deeply into the quagmire of Mingyang…"
Lingdu seemed both worried and rueful. Rising hurriedly from the table, he stepped to Yuandao's side and whispered, "B-but when the affairs of Mingyang conclude and Donghuatian falls, Senior Xuan'an's situation will be hard to resolve… This Li Quewan… will the Great Master extend a sleeve… to protect her?"
Yuandao tapped lightly on the table. "If I succeed, and Lord Xuan'an reaches an understanding with the lord of the Jinyi lineage, protecting her should pose no problem."
Lingdu let out a heavy breath and replied, "I see… No matter what happens, it will be hard for Junjian to stand by with folded arms. What is more… there is still one on the mountain."
What Lingdu meant by 'no matter what happens' was the situation should Yuandao fail. Speaking it aloud so abruptly would invite ill fortune, and cultivators of great divine ability often avoided such taboos, so he phrased it tactfully. Yuandao, however, understood perfectly.
The ever-composed great master now looked somewhat troubled. He said softly, "In this world, no one is free of guilt; everyone is born to fail someone. Tulong possesses a chivalrous nature, wishing for me to let no one down, which is by no means a good thing. When his cultivation was low, it mattered little, but now he is a figure of stature in this realm, yet he still clings to an unblemished heart. I fear he will ruin his own great Dao."
Lingdu remained silent for a long time before replying, "Whether it ruins him or fulfills him is hard to say after all."
Chapter 1053