Within the realm inside the mirror.
All along the road from the desolate mountain shrine to Shanji Commandery, the manuals Lu Jiangxian had read numbered one hundred and thirty-one Embryonic Breathing methods, thirty-six Qi Refinement methods, and two Foundation Establishment methods. They were piled neatly before his desk, packed to overflowing.
'Two more Foundation Establishment manuals: the *Yimu Talisman Art* and the *Mountain Mist Peak Sea Art*, yielding the Dao foundations Complete Yimu and Mist Returns to Yin respectively...'
The scrolls before Lu Jiangxian's desk had already piled into a small hill. In his hands, he held Tu Longjian's *Leap Yang Method*, perusing it closely. This technique was the longest secret art he had ever read, and it truly broadened his horizons.
'This is my first time seeing someone born with an innate destiny.'
That Li Yuanjiao had spared Tu Longjian was naturally because Lu Jiangxian had chosen not to intervene, allowing Li Yuanjiao's thoughts to be swayed into letting the man go.
Under the illumination of the magical mirror, a vast, fiery crimson expanse had hung behind Tu Longjian, exuding an astonishing aura. Li Yuanjiao could not see it, but Lu Jiangxian had witnessed it with absolute clarity.
'If Tu Longjian had died at Li Yuanjiao's hands and the course of events was derailed, when the Violet Palace masters trace the cause back to its roots, it could spark enormous trouble...'
Lu Jiangxian had interacted with quite a few Violet Palace cultivators by now. Those at the Violet Palace realm could not foresee every single change under heaven, nor could they fixate on any one person day after day. It was simply that they had cultivated lifebound divine abilities and worked hand in glove with one another, allowing them to grasp the general trajectory of unfolding events.
Li Yuanjiao was never supposed to have discovered this man in the first place; it was merely that ordinary destiny could not withstand the Immortal Mirror. Had he slain or captured Tu Longjian and seized the *Leap Yang Method*, he might very well have ruined the grand designs of the Violet Palace masters.
Even though the alliance between the Xiao and Li families stood as a shield up front—leading the Violet Palace figures to suspect Xiao Chuting, and Xiao Chuting to suspect a Violet Palace master behind the Li clan—Xiao Chuting was already treading on thin ice. Lu Jiangxian feared not only that the old man would buckle under the pressure, but also that some Violet Palace master might bypass him entirely and cast their suspicions onto the Li family.
'Just what is this thing called destiny...? It is vastly different from divine abilities. To influence others without leaving the slightest trace!'
Lu Jiangxian had watched with his own eyes as the bloody hue of destiny surged behind Tu Longjian, turning Li Yuanjiao's murderous intent into a desire to recruit him, and even causing blood-red light to surface behind Li Yuanjiao as well. Who could have foreseen that Li Yuanjiao's innate suspicion would kick in, forcibly turning what would have been a recruitment that brought ruin upon his family into a mere payout to avert disaster?
'There is faintly a shadow of [Circulating Qi and Devouring Spirit] in it. It feels like... two destinies compromising with each other... But if Li Yuanjiao possesses a destiny of his own, why have I never seen it?'
'Does destiny toy with men, or do men toy with destiny...?'
***
Meanwhile, Li Yuanjiao drifted through the air atop clouds and mist. Having just obtained new treasures, he could hardly bear to put them down, carefully experiencing their marvelous qualities as he flew, unwittingly arriving at the territory of Xuanyue Gate.
His mood remained light and carefree, infused with an inexplicable thrill of having survived a brush with death. This only deepened his conviction that Tu Longjian bore an extraordinary destiny. Coming to a halt before the protective array, he stowed his magical artifact.
After several breaths, Kong Tingyun came out to welcome him. She had changed into a pale yellow feather robe, looking far more solemn and formal than at their previous meeting. She smiled and said, "Brother Jiao, you have arrived! Tingyun has been waiting for quite some time."
Li Yuanjiao cupped his hands in polite greeting.
Kong Tingyun said, "Fellow Daoist, follow me to the Salt Lake. We can speak in detail on the way."
The two rode the wind into the sky. Li Yuanjiao took the initiative to ask, "How did your noble sect fare at the estuary into the sea?"
Kong Tingyun's eyes curved in a smile as she replied, "Naturally, it was a rare and bountiful harvest. In such a momentous affair as carving up a grotto-heaven, whatever falls through the cracks of Qingchi's fingers is enough for the rest of us to gorge ourselves."
Seeing that nothing seemed amiss with her expression, Li Yuanjiao nodded. Looking ahead, a vast, pitch-black lake emerged before them, reflecting flecks of golden light beneath the blazing sun.
Kong Tingyun said, "I clashed with this hook snake once before. It is exceedingly difficult to deal with. Wary of the immortal sect behind me, it didn't dare strike to kill, fleeing a hundred li in haste to nest in another spot. Fearing I might scare it away completely, I didn't probe any deeper."
She explained, "We can split up to search. That hook snake drags its entire brood along with it, so it won't be difficult to track down. Half a day of searching should suffice. We must only be extra careful not to startle the beast."
"No need for such trouble."
Li Yuanjiao shook his head and descended upon the water's surface atop the wind. Instantly, turbulent waves surged across the lake, and the faint churning of flood dragons and serpents stirred beneath the surface, now and then revealing black scales and claws.
Before long, a dark green crayfish leaped out, curling its body as it hovered in midair, supported by the waves and shivering violently. Li Yuanjiao asked in a low voice, "Where is that hook snake?"
After listening intently, Li Yuanjiao tossed the crayfish back into the Salt Lake and said with a smile, "Seventy-two li east of here lies a desolate island hill in the lake. The hook snake is in closed-door cultivation there."
"I almost forgot about your [Vast Sea], Fellow Daoist!"
Kong Tingyun praised him, and the two rode the wind once more. Li Yuanjiao asked, "Fellow Daoist mentioned earlier that this hook snake was driven off by a Greenwater Flood Dragon. I wonder what kind of monster that Greenwater Flood Dragon might be?"
Kong Tingyun replied, "Tingyun made inquiries with Red Flood Dragon Island overseas as well. That Greenwater Flood Dragon isn't particularly strong, but it was dispatched by a dragon palace on the ocean floor and possesses deep backing, which was why it could drive the hook snake away..."
Li Yuanjiao's thoughts were solely on the Foundation Establishment monsters in the sea. Puzzled, he asked, "Are there many monsters in the sea without significant backing, like this hook snake?"
Kong Tingyun nodded slightly and answered, "The beasts overseas are countless, and the Eastern Sea is peppered with monster dens. Not to mention the Eastern Sea, even here in the Salt Lake there are quite a few; it is just that the hook snake is the weakest among them."
As they conversed, the desolate hill came into view in the distance. Kong Tingyun formed hand seals, conjuring clouds and mist beneath their feet. Li Yuanjiao said in an undertone, "I have an aura-concealing artifact."
Kong Tingyun's eyes lit up, and she nodded in understanding. "Tingyun will go first. Brother Jiao, follow behind."
Li Yuanjiao watched her ride the wind into the water. Activating the [Mystic Pattern Bottle], he swept his senses over the surrounding area to ensure no people or beasts lay in ambush before diving into the lake himself.
The waters were already churning violently, fish and prawns fleeing in every direction. Gazing at the emerald formation disc before him, Li Yuanjiao could not help feeling a twinge of envy.
'As expected of the Three Sects and Seven Gates—bringing out a Foundation Establishment-grade formation disc just like that.'
He slowly drew nearer while the array trembled continuously. Li Yuanjiao mused inwardly:
'This woman likely wouldn't collude with a monster to kill me... Besides, with the magical mirror in hand, I have nothing to fear.'
With that, he released a mist of water from the [Mystic Pattern Bottle] to cloak his presence and slipped into the grand array. Inside, muddy currents roiled everywhere, revealing a massive serpent body two zhang thick and as wide as a water vat, covered in glistening scales, each the size of a palm.
The hook snake's voice reverberated unceasingly as it pleaded, "I have cultivated for many years, only attaining my Dao foundation today by good fortune after consuming several spirit beasts. Coming to the Salt Lake was merely out of craving for spiritual materials; I had no intention of causing offense. Could you not show mercy on my hard-won cultivation and spare my life? I will leave at once and never return to the Salt Lake!"
Knowing Li Yuanjiao had entered the array, Kong Tingyun remained silent, straining to maintain the barrier. Li Yuanjiao advanced silently. Seeing that his pleas were falling on deaf ears, the hook snake snarled viciously:
"Arrogant wench! You dare dream of slaying me with an array? At worst, Lord Snake will devour you and flee into the depths of the Eastern Sea! Could Changxi truly cross ten thousand li just to seek vengeance?!"
While it raged, Li Yuanjiao had already closed to within one zhang of the massive serpent. Drawing any closer would risk startling it, so he rested his hand on his hilt and gathered his strength. The moment the monster reared its head high, he unleashed a dazzling arc of sword light.
*Roar—!*
The sword light flashed through the water, erupting into a burst of blood that carved an enormous gash across the hook snake's vital seven-inch mark. Kong Tingyun was momentarily stunned, admiring, "What dazzling swordsmanship!"
A black flood dragon coiled upward, tangling into a knot with the hook snake. Before the beast could even register hatred for its foe's underhandedness, Kong Tingyun's spells and Li Yuanjiao's sword qi battered its body one after another, tossing it back and forth.
Without revealing what immortal foundation it possessed, the hook snake spat out two beams of green light, while the two venomous hooks on its bifurcated tail snapped forward. Kong Tingyun let out a light laugh and said, "I borrowed this treasure specifically to wait for that!"
A pale gold bead flew from her sleeve, wobbling through the water as it radiated bursts of golden radiance, arresting the serpent's twin tails. The two green beams were simultaneously deflected by her shield-shaped artifact. Kong Tingyun called out, "I leave the rest to Brother Jiao!"
Using her artifacts, Kong Tingyun pinned down the monster's most threatening twin tails and held its attacks at bay. Li Yuanjiao drew his sword and pressed close once more, driving the snake monster into desperate straits. Opening its maw wide, it spat out a glowing bead.
The bead spun swiftly, releasing an icy stream of white, glistening frost qi that instantly froze the surrounding water into scattered ice. Yet Li Yuanjiao's expression turned slightly peculiar.
Crooking his finger, he circulated [Circulating Qi and Devouring Spirit]. Nearly half of the frigid qi crashed straight into his hand. Li Yuanjiao burst into laughter:
"A fine snake pearl! What a pity you know no spells and can only use frost qi to fend off foes—how laughable!"
Clapping his hands together, the cold qi poured endlessly into his palms. The white pearl could no longer spin freely, lurching continuously toward Li Yuanjiao as white vapor rushed into his grip like a tempest, leaving a long, narrow pillar of ice frozen in the water.
'Disciples of immortal sects truly possess endless magical arts...'
The hook snake was filled with utter despair. Having lost its snake pearl, Kong Tingyun hurled a golden mountain artifact down, suppressing it beneath its weight. As its strength waned, the hook snake hissed in a dying struggle, "Deep beneath this hill lies only a single portion of [Zhiyuan True Water]! How will the two of you divide it?!"
The moment those words rang out, Kong Tingyun's expression shifted drastically. Flustered and annoyed, she formed a hand seal, causing the golden mountain to blaze with brilliant light. It slammed down hard, making the hook snake spew fresh blood as she snapped, "Cease your nonsense!"
Seeing her reaction, how could Li Yuanjiao not understand? Stepping forward several paces, he snatched the snake pearl into his hand, severed the beast's spiritual connection to it, and stowed it into his storage bag. In a heavy voice, he said, "Fellow Daoist, undo the array immediately."
Before his words even finished, he was already standing before Kong Tingyun, his hand resting on his sword and his face filled with vigilant wariness. Kong Tingyun pursed her lips and unraveled the grand array. Without hesitation, Li Yuanjiao seized the formation disc into his grasp, only then breathing a small sigh of relief.
'I had to ensure she wouldn't let greed cloud her judgment and try to trap and kill me here. Even though she certainly couldn't beat me, offending Xuanyue Gate would be an enormous problem.'
Li Yuanjiao swiftly descended before the hill, sealing the snake monster's Dao foundation before turning back. In a somber tone, he asked, "Doesn't Fellow Daoist have an explanation to offer?"
Kong Tingyun put away her bead and the golden mountain artifact, speaking apologetically: "Tingyun did indeed deceive you, Fellow Daoist. While the two long hooks on the snake's tail are items I require, my true objective was this [Zhiyuan True Water]."
She explained softly, "Xuanyue Gate possesses secret arts. Years ago, Tingyun observed fluctuations in the water veins and deduced that a spiritual water would be born here. Fearing it might be seized by others, I secretly concealed the water veins, intending to claim it before long.
"Never did I anticipate that this hook snake would subsequently occupy the area. Tingyun merely wanted to find a helper to eliminate the beast so that I could retrieve the spiritual water..."
Li Yuanjiao had traversed the outside world long enough to have his own share of deceptive tricks; out here, everyone relied on their own abilities. Without showing much anger, he nodded and said, "In truth, you never fought this hook snake at all. You knew all along it was right here, and your earlier maneuvers were merely to conceal this barren hill...
"As for why you didn't seek your fellow disciples, you were afraid they would see through your water-vein concealment art, weren't you?"
Kong Tingyun nodded with a beaming smile and replied, "Indeed. I never expected this serpent would discover it as well, wasting so much of my painstaking effort."
The two exchanged a glance. Kong Tingyun said firmly, "The [Tail Hooks] and the [Zhiyuan True Water] are things Tingyun must have! I must ask Fellow Daoist to part with them..."
Li Yuanjiao narrowed his eyes slightly, lifting the languid hook snake from the lake bed, and replied, "I want the hook snake and the snake pearl, plus another portion of spiritual water of heaven and earth to compensate me."
Kong Tingyun shook her head. "Fellow Daoist asks for too much. Tingyun has no spiritual water of heaven and earth. I must trouble you to name another condition..."
Li Yuanjiao pondered for a breath before replying, "Does your noble sect have people capable of excavating fire veins? I ask Fellow Daoist to nurture a fire vein for my Li family."
Kong Tingyun gave a gentle smile. "Naturally, we have such people. My senior brother is currently away; once he returns in some time, he can pay a visit to your noble clan... to nurture a fire vein for you... Only..."
"Why do you believe I won't go back on my word?"
A glimmer of craftiness danced in Kong Tingyun's large, blinking eyes as she stared at him with an amused smile. Li Yuanjiao shook his head, retrieved the emerald formation disc from his storage bag, and said steadily, "Your Foundation Establishment grand array remains in my hands. Surely it is worth far more than a fire vein."
Kong Tingyun froze, not expecting that when he took his first step, he had already planned three steps ahead. Biting her lip, she shot him a glare, yet broke into laughter despite herself, remarking, "Li Yuanjiao, you truly are the most cunning person I have ever met."
Li Yuanjiao put away the formation disc, already calculating in his mind how to maximize his gains from borrowing this grand array for a time free of charge. Aloud, he replied, "Fellow Daoist flatters me. Under the rule of Qingchi, those who aren't cunning and treacherous have long since died out."
Kong Tingyun smiled faintly and formed hand seals, quietly searching for the thread of spiritual water. Li Yuanjiao took the opportunity to ask, "Just what kind of treasure is this [Zhiyuan True Water]?"
Kong Tingyun seemed to be in high spirits, humming a tune as she chuckled. "Brother Yuanjiao, this [Zhiyuan True Water] is a premium variety among spiritual waters of heaven and earth. You are so shrewd and decisive that I fear if I tell you its uses and worth, you will turn hostile on the spot to rob me of it. With the grand array in your hands, this little woman is quite terrified."
Li Yuanjiao choked on his words, retreating sheepishly. Kong Tingyun glanced at him and asked softly, "Does Fellow Daoist have any other Foundation Establishment brothers in your clan? Someone similar to you in temperament, who hasn't married into that Xiao family?"
Li Yuanjiao was left completely bewildered. Frowning, he replied, "None."
Kong Tingyun sighed softly, lowering her brow as she lamented, "When I was young, I spent year after year in seclusion. In the blink of an eye, over forty years have slipped by, yet it remains difficult to find a kindred spirit in the sect. The few male Foundation Establishment cultivators are all... rather unspeakable..."
Li Yuanjiao understood at once and consoled her, "When it comes to Dao companions, one truly must exercise caution. There is no harm in waiting. The Great Dao is fraught with peril; if one chooses a fool, disaster will plague three generations and bring misfortune for a century. That would hardly be pleasant."
"Who could say otherwise?"
Kong Tingyun gritted her teeth and replied indifferently, "Antiquity is too remote to trace, but even in recent eras, Dao Embryos have been dragged down and ruined by their own Dao companions. How could minor cultivators like us ever make sense of it all...? It is far safer to remain solitary."
Li Yuanjiao fell silent, which only seemed to heighten Kong Tingyun's brooding thoughts. Holding a jade bottle in midair, she cast her spells without another word until the pale green spiritual water bubbled up from beneath the earth, only then showing a hint of joy.
Li Yuanjiao and she erased all traces within the lake before he bid her farewell and rode the wind away. Kong Tingyun escorted him to the borders of the sect's territory, watching as he carried the colossal hook snake into the distant horizon.
"Sigh! What am I even thinking about!"
Kong Tingyun tapped her forehead, turned her wind around, and headed back to face the tangled affairs of her sect alone.
Chapter 380