The Qingchi Sect.
The sect's main hall stood lofty and majestic amidst ethereal clouds of immortal mist. Steps of white jade led upward beneath the luminous glow of precious lanterns, while white spirit energy flowed downward like a gentle fog. As Chi Zhiyun descended the steps, he saw a middle-aged man coming up. The man appeared fairly relaxed, his footsteps measured and firm. Chi Zhiyun simply asked, "What is it?"
This man was naturally Ning Hejing. He cupped his hands and reported, "Sect Master, the people from Qingsong Island have returned. They met several individuals; Li Xizhi's younger sister claimed she went to the Han family, and her whereabouts remain unknown.
"The men who followed up went to the Han family, only to hear that Li Xizhi had departed long ago, merely dispatching members of the Han family to investigate the Qunyi Sea."
Ning Hejing paused before continuing, "Searching along that trail, they heard that Li Xizhi accepted an invitation from Kong Tingyun of Xuanyue Gate to gather rosy clouds at Mount Xia on behalf of Real Person Changxi. As for the two Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Han family, they are most likely dead."
Chi Zhiyun listened in silence, an intriguing look surfacing on his face. He asked, "So you are saying Li Xizhi never went near Leiyun Temple at all, but went all the way to Xuanyue Gate instead... How interesting."
Ning Hejing showed hesitation. "Could it be that Changxi made a move?"
Chi Zhiyun soon shook his head. "It should not be him. He has never cultivated a lifebound divine ability, nor would he dare touch the affairs of our Qingchi Sect."
The divine ability cultivated by Real Person Changxi was Fool Driving the Mountain, a rare technique-type divine ability that was unsuited for combat. In recent years, lacking continuation methods, he had stalled in his cultivation, always playing the docile, subservient one among the sects. Naturally, Chi Zhiyun did not suspect him.
When Violet Palace cultivators forged divine abilities, not every ability belonged to the same category; they encompassed a vast spectrum: physical divine abilities, lifebound divine abilities, ocular divine abilities, and more. Each possessed distinct wonders, but the most crucial was generally the lifebound divine ability.
A lifebound divine ability was the key for Golden Core and Violet Palace cultivators to touch karmic destiny. In many respects it resembled the methods of Buddhist cultivators: it could beguile minds and interrogate, invisibly sway circumstances, or discern subtle omens to deduce origins.
Although it was difficult for Golden Cores to engage in all-out battles, and aside from a few standing at the peak, the rest seldom distinguished high from low, possessing a lifebound divine ability was the true threshold for becoming a chess player.
Because their respective masters possessed different divine abilities, immortal sects naturally varied in standing. For instance, Ziyan Gate possessed two masters at the peak of Golden Core, vaguely holding the reputation of being foremost beneath the Three Sects. In contrast, the weakest, Xueji Gate, had seen its Golden Core master go missing for years, to the point that its disciples dared not even show their faces.
Several of Qingchi Sect's Golden Cores possessed lifebound divine abilities. Back then, they were renowned as the Three Yuans of Qingchi. Yuansu's fame had been greatest not merely because the seal in his hand was exceedingly formidable, but because the swimming-water divine ability he cultivated, Sound of the Cavern Spring, was both a physical and a lifebound divine ability—a truly miraculous craft.
If Li Xizhi truly did not go, eight or nine times out of ten it was a coincidence. As for the other possibility...
"It is also possible that he has merely been putting on an act all along... never truly putting his heart into investigating Yuan Tuan's affair, which is why he delayed so casually."
"After all, once Yuan Tuan died, Qingsui Peak fell into his hands."
Ning Hejing pondered for a moment, then asked, "What about True Person Chuting...?"
"If Xiao Chuting intended to make a move, there would be no need for such circumspection... Moreover, he has remained in the North Sea all this time, presumably alongside Yuanxiu in Cangzhou. He could hardly project his power across tens of thousands of miles to manipulate the East Sea."
At the mention of Xiao Chuting, both men looked somewhat uneasy. Xiao Chuting had not shown himself for many years, yet remained a figure who commanded dread.
Ning Hejing parted his lips, his voice hushed. "What the Sect Master says is true... but... Xiao Xianyou's death back then was suspicious, rumored to have been at the hands of Shangyuan. The subordinates dare not speak of it, and the Xiao family dare not acknowledge it, but Xiao Chuting surely knows! If I were him, I would not even dare venture north.
"This subordinate cannot understand: how does he dare go to the North Sea?"
Chi Zhiyun replied in a low voice, "After all, Shangyuan's breakthrough to Golden Core is a grand occasion; Xiao Chuting cannot afford to miss it. Furthermore... his cultivation is of Kan Water, and Cangzhou possesses the richest Kan Water. This is an opportunity hard to come by."
Chi Zhiyun's expression darkened slightly as he added, "Say no more! How many people took part in the affair of Donghua and Li Jiangqun back then? Not to mention Xiao Xianyou, wasn't that person from Ziyan Gate involved as well? Yuanwu, Yuanxiu, Tianyuan... which of them did not have a hand in it? Why would he not dare go to Xiuyue?"
Ning Hejing could only nod repeatedly. Merely discussing those matters from several centuries ago made their hearts race with dread. Restraining his emotions, Chi Zhiyun drew the matter to a close.
He nodded noncommittally, seemingly harboring another answer in his heart that he chose not to voice. Waving Ning Hejing away, he sat alone on his seat.
After waiting a moment, he rode the wind upward, flying straight to the highest point of Qingchi Peak. There, shrouded in white mist and ethereal vapors, he wove through the haze until he reached the deepest chamber of the cave abode.
At its depths lay a pool of deep water, clear and delightful to behold. Chi Zhiyun carefully inspected the surroundings before lightly pinching a hand seal.
A dense network of patterns immediately flared to life on the cave walls, spreading outward to sever the interior from the world outside. The faint vibrations emanating from them were extraordinarily powerful—a Golden Core-grade array that even isolated this tract of the Great Void.
Only then did Chi Zhiyun bend down, gazing ardently into the deep pool. After waiting a full quarter of an hour, a reflection gradually surfaced on the once pitch-black water.
Beneath the pool lay nothing but bare cyan rock, yet the water reflected a great tree, brilliant silver-white, with delicate and slender leaves like silver threads undulating in the gently rippling pool.
Soft moonlight slowly diffused outward. Chi Zhiyun quietly gazed at the tree in the water, calculating the days, his heart growing increasingly elated.
"Soon... soon... It is about to bear fruit... Buzi took it for himself every single time, refusing to grant me even one no matter how much I begged. Now that fellow has vanished, my chance to consume that fruit has finally arrived. I need only wait a few more days..."
As he calculated in his heart, the tree in the pool slowly unfurled as if breathing, casting forth clear, tender moonlight, while strands of fragrant orchid grass sprouted around the pool, filling the air with pleasant perfume.
***
At Yishan City.
The city walls were weathered and ancient, covered with traces of incantations. The guards atop the ramparts looked down upon a wasteland of white bones before the walls, where a few crows perched, cawing raucously.
To those guards, Yishan City was a place where lives were staked; but to the disciples and scions of the immortal sects and great clans, it was merely a venue to exchange benefits with demonic beasts and temper themselves. Naturally, they had nothing to fear.
Directly upon the wall stood a gathering of youths clad in brocade robes and jade adornments, forming a sharp contrast with the many clan cultivators beside them. Some even sat suspended in midair with cups raised, leisurely admiring the view.
Several had adopted the lighthearted mood of an excursion, laughing and drinking upon the battlements. Seated slightly to the right of center was a youth, seemingly tipsy, leaning limp against the parapet.
His robes were loose as he straddled the steps, head tilted and cup aloft, his pale-gray eyes glazed with intoxication. It was Li Xuanfeng's son in the Southern Border, Li Yuanqin, surrounded at the center of the crowd.
A direct descendant of the Chi family sat beside him with a grin, saying, "Brother Yuanqin, you carry that bow day after day. Why not unstring it and loose an arrow, to let us see how much of your father's skill you have inherited?"
Hearing this, Li Yuanqin sneered. He unhooked the bow from his back, tossed it casually into the man's hands, and said, "What skill could I have? It's just for show."
The Chi family youth mocked him, "A tiger father truly has a dog son!"
Another scion retorted, "You fool, Li Yuanqin is no ordinary fellow; he simply cannot see eye to eye with his father!"
The crowd gathered together, chatting about amusing tales of prominent clans and who among the immortal sects had stumbled upon good fortune, the atmosphere lively. One youth took a sip of wine and remarked with a smile, "I hear the Southern Border has undergone major changes in recent years. Several witch-states near the north are warring against one another, seemingly intending to establish some great sect. Quite a curious matter."
The Southern Border was not entirely the domain of demonic beasts; Yishan City merely faced their territory directly. The border stretched tens of thousands of miles, extending deep near the State of Wu and even adjoining the territory of the Jinyu Sect.
In that expanse lay many witch-states, mostly kept by demonic beasts as livestock, along with several obscure minor factions, many of which had fallen during the demonic disaster.
"Weren't there already many small sects in that area?" someone recalled. "Seems there was once a decent power called Tu... Tujun Gate."
How could the minor sects of that wasteland normally reach the ears of these direct descendants? Thinking back, they only recalled Tujun Gate, which had gone unnoticed back then but was now world-renowned because of the Dragon-Slaying Fortress. A look of realization dawned on the youths.
After passing over these digressions, someone finally chuckled and asked, "I hear True Person Shangyuan is about to break through to Golden Core. Have you noble gentlemen heard any rumors at home?"
Another youth spoke up, "My cousin is truly amusing. Behind Shangyuan stands that venerable figure from the Xiuyue Sect. What did Duanmu Kui have? Nothing more than an immortal book. It made him formidable in combat, but could it help him break through?"
"The immortals even claimed he could achieve Golden Core, yet look at him now! Even Duanmu Kui failed... what chance does Shangyuan have?"
Hearing this, Li Yuanqin's hazy eyes immediately sharpened, silently fixing upon his wine cup. A Chi family youth remarked, "Shangyuan was elevated by Donghua, but what would he dare do? If you ask me, even if he achieves Golden Core, he wouldn't dare say much on that matter."
"Where is True Person Yuanxiu now?"
With the sect's Golden Cores on the verge of falling one after another, True Person Yuanxiu, whose condition remained unknown, had suddenly become a coveted figure. Everyone turned their gaze toward the corner.
Sihong Lang possessed mediocre talent and nothing outstanding, usually staying quiet among the crowd, but now he finally had his moment of pride. A Chi family youth called out, "Brother Sihong Lang... do you know some news? Share it with everyone."
Sihong Lang, thick-browed and large-eyed, sat smiling in the corner, exceedingly proud. "My sect's master is skilled in nurturing life and is the youngest of the Three Yuans. His time is still far off!"
With their own backing crumbling, the Ning family naturally had no heart for jesting; their faces were marked with gloom. A few days ago, Yuansu had personally appointed Ning Heyuan as clan head and Master of Xianfeng Peak. With Ning Heyuan accepting the mandate, the Ning family members could all see that True Person Yuansu did not have much time left.
Looking at the other Ning family members, their expressions were similarly sour, downcast as they drank heavily.
An uproar of arguments broke out, while Li Yuanqin remained silent.
The young masters were laughing heartily when the leading Chi family youth suddenly froze. A golden figure flew in directly ahead, coming to a halt before the battlements. Cold and stern, his gaze swept across the gathering.
At a glance, Li Xuanfeng saw Li Yuanqin flushed with wine, sitting amidst the crowd. Even the bow he made the boy carry day after day was casually tossed at his feet, lying cold on the ground. Li Xuanfeng remained silent for a moment.
Most of the young masters lost their nerve, retreating with lowered heads and downcast eyes. Only a few direct descendants of the Chi family held their ground, clasping their hands respectfully. "Greetings, General. Brother Yuanqin is right here."
The others looked somewhat crestfallen, not daring to speak, though an undercurrent of gloating passed among them. Li Yuanqin rose from the ground, picked up the bow and arrows, and staggered over to his father.
Li Xuanfeng cast a cold glance at him, reached out to grab him by the collar, lifted him without ceremony, and rode a golden wind swift toward his estate. Once the father and son departed, low laughter broke out among those left behind.
Riding the wind, Li Xuanfeng carried Li Yuanqin all the way back to the estate, only releasing his grip to set him down in the courtyard. Li Yuanqin said nothing, adjusted his robes, and stood to one side.
Li Xuanfeng stood quietly for a moment, then said in a low voice, "I don't know how you grew into such a state. Once I return from the North Sea, I will take you traveling around... Do not mix with them."
Li Yuanqin nodded, took a step back, murmured his farewell, and walked away on his own.
Li Xuanfeng meditated on the spot to steady his breath before taking to the wind and descending toward True Person Yuansu's cave abode.
Bypassing the stone statue at the entrance, the cave abode was shrouded in its familiar swirling white mist. Before Li Xuanfeng drew near, he could already hear the tinkling sound of spring water. Bowing, he entered. True Person Yuansu still sat upright upon the jade platform.
He still bore the round-faced appearance of a youth in his twenties, sitting quietly in the seat of honor. Seeing Li Xuanfeng approach, he finally rose and said softly, "I will accompany you on a trip to the North Sea."
Chapter 522