Mount Zhijing.
Light drifted through the mountains, churning with rolling white blossoms. Li Ximing sat upright upon the peak, his aura steady, holding a confidential letter as he pondered in silence.
*Fuxun… has actually established a demon cave in the sea.*
Li Ximing put away the letter and lowered his eyes in contemplation, musing to himself, *Back then, Ying Hebai and the Monster King of Xushui both showed up… Yet judging by their expressions, it is hard to tell whether they truly understand the subtleties involved. Fortunately, Quewan has already departed. Otherwise, going by what Senior Liu wrote in his letter, Fuxun might very well come to visit, making Zhentao Mansion ill-suited for secluded cultivation.*
Upon returning from Jiuqiu that day, Li Ximing had naturally gone to Chongzhou without delay. Cui Changfu had been deferential and attentive, accompanying him closely throughout. Li Ximing had merely expressed his wishes, and the master immediately plunged deep into the sea to seek out Huiyao. Clearly, the Cui clan's entire attitude had undergone a complete reversal.
It was not that Li Ximing had never visited this place before; even then he had been a venerable Purple Mansion expert. What had truly struck the Cui clan with profound awe and dread, however, was naturally Li Zhouwei’s single visit.
*Minghuang came only once, and that very night Cui Changfu achieved his divine ability. The Cui clan was clearly frightened out of their wits. Cui Changfu is older than me and a dignified Purple Mansion master in his own right, yet he actually refers to himself as a junior before me.*
Huiyao, having been promoted step by step due to his ties with the Li family, had naturally done his utmost and dared not be negligent. The trip had gone quite smoothly. If there was any regret to speak of, it was only that Cui Jueyin had long entered seclusion, preventing them from meeting.
Meanwhile, the dragonkind had not been slow to act. When Li Ximing returned to the lake from Chongzhou two years ago, he had already received Liu Changdie's reply, in which Liu Changdie also mentioned with deep gratitude how Zhentao Mansion had been shielded through the dragon's intervention back then.
That letter had frightened Li Ximing considerably. Only then did he realize that when Changxiao laid that scheme in the past, it was his own aunt who had stepped in. Yet just as Liu Changdie did not entirely believe the Monster King of Xushui’s words, Li Ximing was equally skeptical, sneering inwardly.
*Back then, Aunt clearly stated she would not intervene; she could not even meet me when I fled to Liehai. This claim must be untrue. Perhaps it was given out of respect for Minghuang, or perhaps someone behind Liu Changdie made a move on the board. It could never have been mere sentimentality.*
Intelligence from the sea continued to flow back. Word had it that Fuxun had already established a minor demon cave on that island and dispatched subordinates to gather news. It was said his wounds still had not healed, and he was searching for a Shaoyang cultivator to treat them.
Liu Changdie was truly a loyal and affectionate friend, going so far as to write back and forth to inquire about this matter on Fuxun’s behalf. Li Ximing, of course, feigned ignorance. It was not out of coldheartedness, but because he genuinely lacked the courage to get involved. He merely gave Liu Changdie a tactful warning, writing back:
*The Monster King is now under the command of the dragonkind and must not act rashly. You had best meet less frequently. If an audience is unavoidable, pray visit his island, Senior… lest you give others cause for gossip.*
Liu Changdie had attained the Purple Mansion all on his own and was a clever man; a gentle hint was enough for him to cover his own bases.
Setting aside the letter in his hand, Li Ximing saw Guo Nanwu smiling across from him. With a flick of his sleeve, a white jade bottle appeared upon the desk. Li Ximing nodded at Guo Nanwu and smiled.
"These Shaoyang pills turned out to be somewhat difficult to refine. Likely because Shaoyang engenders yin, and the furnace bears a receptive aspect; when the yin and the receptive visibly coalesce, damp chill tends to arise… Fortunately, the difficulty was not excessive, and the furnace yielded seven pills."
Guo Nanwu’s heart had chilled at the first half of the statement, but by the time Li Ximing finished, a smile had already surfaced on his face. He praised, "Senior’s cultivation is astounding and your alchemy superb! We juniors can only gaze in reverence and admiration!"
Li Ximing had never imagined a day when even his own cultivation would be flattered by others. He swallowed his amusement and, seeing that Guo Nanwu was about to pay for the concoction, waved his hand to decline.
Over the past two years, he had successfully refined several batches of pills. The most significant remained the Sima family’s batch of Empty Sleeve Mystery Dao Powder, from which he had quietly held back two pills, hiding them away carefully for Li Zhouwei’s use.
After returning from beyond the seas, he had actually suffered some damage to his cultivation due to the matter with Yan Dushui. But he understood that his rapid progress during Audience at the Heavenly Gate had relied on the fortune of talisman pills and various spirit pills. His future cultivation would be an interminable journey; taking out a few ordinary pills from his own reserves to make do was enough, as he could not bear to consume the Empty Sleeve Mystery Dao Powder on himself.
Guo Nanwu was indeed short on funds and accepted with genuine gratitude. Li Ximing raised his cup, looking at the pills, when he suddenly remembered that Guo Nanwu was himself a Shaoyang cultivator. He grew instantly vigilant.
*…Ties really reach everywhere… Guo Nanwu is quite useful at the moment; I cannot let him be dragged in by Fuxun!*
Smiling at him, Li Ximing asked, "Nanwu, have you traveled to the East Sea in recent years?"
Guo Nanwu gathered his green sleeves, seemingly pondering the hidden meaning of his words, before hesitating. "Not often. Mostly the juniors of my family go there… and quite a few incidents have occurred. Mindful of the East Sea's vast depths, I never had the chance to investigate closely… A few days ago, I consulted Master Kuangyu, which gave me the inclination to go take a look."
Even as he spoke, his eyes carefully observed Li Ximing's reaction. Li Ximing immediately misinterpreted this, suspecting it was an enticement by the figures behind Fuxun. He probed, "The East Sea… even I rarely visit nowadays. The area around Lulai Island is watched by my enemies, making it perilous as well. With turmoil sweeping the world, it is unwise to move about recklessly."
Hearing these words, Guo Nanwu instead received a multitude of hints. Swirling his cup in silence, he was struck with sudden shock.
*That's it! Why would members of the Li family kill my kin for no reason? Several masters refused to believe it all along, proving the divination was unreliable. It seems an enemy laid a trap, and Senior Zhaojing knows it too… He simply cannot bring it out into the open, so he secretly warned me that Lulai Island is forbidden.*
*If I were to lay this matter bare, I would only be entangling myself in the feud between the Li family and their enemies… I should simply play dumb.*
With that, he nodded solemnly, even feeling a touch of guilt for his earlier suspicion, and replied, "This junior understands!"
This cross-purpose dialogue yielded unexpected results. Li Ximing had not anticipated that the man would grasp the hint so swiftly. Delighted, he thought, *How perceptive, how obedient… A pity he is not a junior of my own clan… A true pity…*
Guo Nanwu was sharp-witted and understood the bigger picture. Li Ximing had always been pleased with him and felt an appreciation for his talent. Then he heard Guo Nanwu ask, "Senior Zhaojing, what is the situation… in the Wilderness nowadays?"
Li Ximing smiled wryly in his heart and sighed, shaking his head. "Hard to say… I hear Protector-General Liu has already arrived in the Wilderness. With such a massive movement, the North cannot possibly remain unaware. Conflict across the river is on the verge of erupting; we truly won't have even a few years of peace!"
It was only because Yang Ruiyi had personally seen Li Zhouwei's injuries that the Grand General showed a measure of leniency toward the Li clan, issuing no summons. But Li Ximing estimated he would not be able to stay out of it. Moreover, the Chonghuo Dual-Illumination Instrument remained hanging in the inner formation to assist Li Jiangqian, which was a troublesome complication.
Yet these matters could not be spoken aloud to outsiders. Li Ximing casually chatted about the personnel in the Wilderness when a figure hurried up the mountain and reported in a low voice, "Master Qinghu has returned from Shu and entered the tent for a private council with the Lord… He now requests the Zhenren's presence."
Li Ximing sighed inwardly and stood up. Guo Nanwu tactfully took his leave, stepping into the Great Void to depart. Li Ximing, however, felt a pang of secret vexation.
*He is finally back, and time is running short; this cannot be delayed… I previously inquired with Sima Yuanli about that Mingzhen Spirit-Combining Pill, but he gave perfunctory replies. Each of those pills consumed is one less in existence; without shedding some flesh, he will never part with it!*
His worries went beyond this, accompanied by a growing unease.
*Minghuang is in secluded cultivation, yet many still seek to test him. That Mohe Guangchan on the opposite bank is certainly coming for my family. Preparations must be made… As both sides make increasingly thorough preparations, conflict will inevitably break out within a year or two at most.*
Two years ago, when he entered the Heaven of Sun and Moon in Mutual Splendor, Li Zhouwei was still able to speak with him at length. A mere two years was nowhere near enough for him to emerge from seclusion; he had barely had any time to truly assault the divine ability realm, making it impossible for him to come forth and assist now.
*Though I achieved my destiny divine ability, I must be all the more cautious. I must help Zhouwei weather this storm… only then will we have room to breathe.*
Having considered this long ago, he lowered his gaze slightly and shook his sleeve, revealing a golden scroll that he had clearly studied for a long time. The profound runes within displayed several large, colorful characters:
*Wondrous Scroll of Severed Spirit and Severed Form.*
***
The Wilderness.
A murky, shifting hue enveloped the mountain peak like an impenetrable shadow, concealing all traces beneath layers of dark light. Blackness surged within the grand hall like a shadowy sea.
High upon the main seat sat a man. Though his appearance was ordinary, pieces of wondrous light drifted across his armor. After he had sat quietly on his seat for a while, a man stepped forward from the hall.
Nourished over these years by the reckless use of Empty Sleeve Mystery Dao Powder, the divine ability radiance of Master Qinghu, Sima Yuanli, was dazzling and profuse, clearly having reached the pinnacle. Even his Ascending Yang faintly fluctuated with aura, suggesting he had failed in elevating an immortal foundation within the past year or two.
Which divine ability cultivator never experienced failure? Sima Yuanli felt no regret, only grateful that the timing had been favorable, even leaving him time to travel to Shu. As he stood before the hall, Yang Ruiyi immediately raised his brows and asked him, "What was the answer from that man named Qing?"
His tone was blunt and unfriendly. Sima Yuanli hurriedly said, "General Qing agreed to march out from Shu to campaign against Longdi… but he adamantly refuses to withdraw the troops stationed near Tongmo. He was even… quite dismissive of the united effort that your subordinate proposed."
The Song State enjoyed advantageous terrain, with several mountain ranges virtually severing the connection between Shu and Song, leaving only a few corridors such as Xunlin Plain and Tongmo Commandery. Qing Jifang clearly harbored ambitions toward them. Yang Ruiyi’s expression turned somber. Holding back his temper, he merely said, "If he refuses to withdraw, then so be it… Let the King of Yuyang remain within the kingdom… But how are the forces at Xunlin Plain and Guyan to be handled?"
Sima Yuanli looked visibly awkward and quickly answered, "General Qing… General Qing said that his previous clash with the King of Wei left him wanting more."
These words were far more blunt. Yang Ruiyi was provoked into an angry laugh and asked, "What? Does he want to kill Li Ximing to provoke the King of Wei? In ordinary times, so be it, but at a juncture like this, he intends to disgust our Song court as well!"
Sima Yuanli discreetly watched his expression and lowered his voice, immediately changing his form of address as he spoke: "I spoke tactfully for a long time, but Qing Jifang offered only this single condition—he claimed our Great Song embraces martial power with such ferocity that we absorb all the light of martial cultivation, leaving vacancies in Holding Mystery while the heavenly astral blessings fail to fall upon Shu. He hopes we will yield a step… and concede one more seat to them…"
Yang Ruiyi tossed aside the vermilion brush in his hand, slamming it onto the desk, and said resolutely, "That is absolutely out of the question!"
Anger flickered in his eyes as he said sharply, "This was agreed upon long ago: how much light one receives depends on how much ability one possesses. Today, among the seats of Holding Mystery, six belong to Song and one to Shu. This was earned by our dynasty’s own prowess. How could we possibly concede it to them?!"
"If Qing Jifang has the capability, let him broaden the heavenly brilliance himself to make the Cultivating Martial Star shine brighter! There will naturally be extra seats for him, benefiting both nations. What reason is there for me to cede territory and honors to him?!"
Sima Yuanli quickly lowered his head, choosing his words with awkward delicacy to convey the other party's remarks in a gentler manner. "Qing Jifang said… the Li clan is closely bound to Jinyu and should have been incorporated into Shu along with Jinyu, yet our Great Song snatched them ahead of time. That King of Wei ought to have belonged to Shu as well… If so, the light of martial cultivation should tilt to four for Song and three for Shu…"
Yang Ruiyi was once again provoked to an angry laugh and spat, "Absurd!"
With a clatter, he rolled up the wooden slip and struck the desk. "What kind of creature does Qing Jifang think he is? Despised by men and loathed by dogs! Would Jinyu ever assist him? They would rather the Li clan belong to us! Had he crossed Mount Xiping back then, do you think Li Zhouwei wouldn't have fought him to the death? And he dares speak of conferment!"
Sima Yuanli could only lower his head in silence. Yang Ruiyi reined in the fury on his face, standing with hands clasped behind his back, and said in a low voice, "There is no need to pay heed to this matter. I expect the Emperor of Shu will not allow him to act recklessly. Still, it is inevitable that a detachment or two will cause trouble, hoping to nudge our borders a few steps eastward…"
Sima Yuanli cast a cautious glance and raised his brow, asking, "In that case, who should be left at the lake? Should we invite the King of Wei out?"
Yang Ruiyi swept a glance over him and ultimately shook his head, saying flatly, "There is no need for him. Attend only to your own duties. I will leave Master Tinglan behind to guard Xunlin Plain, allowing both sides to support each other."
Sima Yuanli’s expression shifted instantly. He was responsible for the offensive against Shanji; losing Tinglan was akin to severing an arm. Gritting his teeth, he replied, "But Shanji…"
Yang Ruiyi did not answer him, instead showing a look of careful contemplation before asking, "I vaguely recall that junior of your family… Sima Xunhui—he should be at the peak of Foundation Establishment by now, shouldn't he?"
Sima Yuanli's face changed again, and he lowered his gaze with a mix of shock and uncertainty, saying softly, "Yes… The child has some ability and was once granted an audience by the Song Emperor… He is the most promising in our family… and was appointed a Lieutenant General."
Hearing the words 'granted an audience by the Song Emperor,' Yang Ruiyi’s train of thought was instantly disrupted. He frowned thoughtfully and mused, *In that case, it is inconvenient for me to intervene.*
After keeping his eyes closed for a long time, he suddenly spoke: "Master Xianyao of Guoling Peak has been an acquaintance of your Sima family for generations. Make a trip to Guoling Peak on my behalf and invite him to the Wilderness for a talk."
Sima Yuanli hesitated. "His lifespan is nearing its end…"
Yang Ruiyi narrowed his eyes and said, "What I need is precisely that his lifespan is nearing its end."
Sima Yuanli hastily withdrew. Only then did Yang Ruiyi put down the wooden slip in his hand and quietly paced two steps across the hall.
*The struggle between the dragonkind and the Compassion Path in Hetian must come to an end eventually. The Compassion Path will not be willing to suffer heavy losses in the sea. This battle must be fought; even if I do not strike, the North will…*
He appeared somewhat vexed.
*I hear the Zhangzhung State is extensively building mountain furnaces to seek pills… leaving them no leisure to pay attention to Shu. Otherwise, they would never allow someone named Qing to be so arrogant… Every great lord is pursuing his own schemes… In the grand currents of this world, who is truly permitted room to maneuver!*
Chapter 1055