The two Real Persons revealed themselves at the same time. Real Person Changxiao looked toward Real Person Hengxing with a somewhat playful smile. Tu Longjian parted the red mist and emerged, looking up at the two Purple Mansion cultivators in the sky. Neither servile nor arrogant, he called out clearly, "Junior Tu Longjian, Daoist title Junjian, has attained a divine ability through Mu Fire. Greetings to both seniors."
Real Person Changxiao possessed a pair of willow-leaf brows and profound cultivation, yet he was very amiable toward Tu Longjian. With his hands clasped behind his back, he said mildly, "So it is Real Person Junjian. For Fellow Daoist to achieve Purple Mansion at such a young age is truly extraordinary talent; we admire you greatly."
Though his words were polite, Real Person Changxiao was likewise not old, possessing brilliant methods and decisive action—one of the fastest cultivators to advance among the Purple Mansions.
Beside him, Real Person Hengxing felt revulsion at Changxiao's words, meeting him with a cold face to make his stance distinct. Only when he turned to Tu Longjian did he thaw considerably, saying softly, "Congratulations to Real Person Junjian. I am Hengxing of Hengzhu Dao. Our two sects face each other across the mountains; we can interact and communicate much more in the future."
Real Person Changxiao showed no open hostility toward Real Person Hengxing, merely standing with his hands behind his back in silence while the other spoke. Tu Longjian could tell the relationship between the two sides was terrible, so he did not rashly ingratiate himself with either, replying only, "I have long heard of the illustrious renown of both milords. I, Junjian, should have been the one to pay a visit, but having just broken through, there are still many insights to glean from my divine ability, hence my lingering in the mountain."
Both Purple Mansions caught the unspoken meaning in his words. Changxiao smiled without speaking, while Hengxing nodded, bid his farewell, and vanished from sight.
Real Person Changxiao finally spoke: "Fellow Daoist, on your journey here, whichever family's possessions you seized or whichever family's kindness you received no longer matters. After reaching Purple Mansion, the gains and losses in the earlier chess game are inherently inconsequential. Yet there are still a few items that must be singled out for accounting."
Changxiao looked at him quietly and said softly, "Two jade boxes were missing from Qingsong Abbey. Fellow Daoist surely knows their whereabouts."
"One is 'Taiqing', and the other is 'Taixu'. Fellow Daoist must know the value of these two items by now. Previously, Qingchi could not spare the attention, and Zipei deemed that opportunity has its limits."
Tu Longjian listened carefully to every word and replied, "Junjian understands."
Tu Longjian's gaze shifted slightly. Changxiao said placidly, "Now that Fellow Daoist has stepped onto the stage, you must either return them to curry favor with one of the sects, or feign ignorance and refuse to return them, seeking your own opportunity."
"Having just broken through to Purple Mansion, you must take good care to comprehend your divine ability. When Fellow Daoist is free, you may travel north through the Great Void to Mount Bianyan to take a look."
Tu Longjian had never left the mountain, but he was by no means ignorant of the outside world. Hearing that Mount Bianyan was a clash between immortals and demons—a struggle between Purple Mansion and Moha—he had long harbored the intention to contribute a share of his strength. He said solemnly, "Thank you for the guidance, Senior."
"Fellow Daoist Junjian, you and I share some affinity; both of us broke free from the chessboard. Being a few years older, I offer Fellow Daoist a reminder. There are many paths. Guo Shentong and I each walked different roads back then, and now we are sworn enemies. Take care of yourself, Fellow Daoist."
As he finished speaking, Changxiao's figure gradually dissipated. Only then did several figures in the distance manifest one after another: a woman clad in golden robes, smiling faintly; a stern old man, stiff and grave; a somber man; and a sword-bearing female immortal.
From Qingchi Sect came Real Person Yuanxiu, who meticulously clasped his hands toward him, seemingly not taking Changxiao's earlier words to heart at all, and departed after exchanging a few polite pleasantries.
Xueji Gate had already sealed its mountain for nearly two hundred years, so the lack of movement was entirely normal. Xiuyue Sect was likewise in seclusion, and several Purple Mansion immortal clans under Xiuyue's governance were overwhelmed with their own troubles, making it difficult for them to spare time to come here. Perhaps because their Purple Mansion ancestors were away from the country, neither of the two Purple Mansion immortal clans of the State of Yue appeared. Tu Longjian stood in place for a breath, and seeing no more Purple Mansions arrive, he descended back into the red mist.
Inside the mountain, the cave dwelling was entirely crimson. Every table and chair bore a scarlet hue. The cave was spacious, with several dim magical pearls embedded in the ceiling. Arriving inside, Tu Longjian retrieved a dark red token from his sleeve and said in a deep voice, "Senior Guo."
The token flashed twice, sending up several plumes of gray flame that circled in the air for two rounds before sinking back into the token, giving no sound or response, though its surface grew ever more intense.
Without any gesture, the cave doors shut on their own. The young man sat down in his seat.
Tu Longjian brought two fingers together and placed them above his lips, the pads facing his face and the fingertips level with the tip of his nose. The hazy colors in his eyes brightened slightly, and a gust of gray wind emerged between his two fingers.
The gray wind circled around the cave, sweeping up the Liuding Combined Fire Token. Upon touching the ground, it transformed into a gray-robed man with deep eye sockets, gaunt cheeks, and a frail, slender frame. Standing firm on the ground, he took a deep breath and exclaimed joyfully, "It really feels better to be human!"
The gray-robed man sat down casually, took a large gulp of tea, and savored the flavor with a contented smile. Drinking several mouthfuls in succession as if relishing the taste, he said with satisfaction, "You've probably guessed most of it by now! Even with a karmic mandate upon you, if not for Changxiao's help, how could you have reached this day so easily and smoothly?"
Tu Longjian had no inclination to make small talk. He looked at him somberly and asked in a low voice, "Was it Guo E who visited?"
"Changxiao was beating around the bush, but I'll tell you straight: it's Chijiao Island! First is the Purple Mansion spiritual artifact. An ordinary Purple Mansion spiritual artifact would be fine, but the Liuding Combined Fire Token is a heavy treasure that the Guo clan cannot compromise on."
"The East Reef and West Reef factions of Chijiao Island fight endlessly. Letting this spiritual artifact fall into your hands means one side definitely hopes I will return to unify both factions. As for which one... I don't know either!"
"They calculated shrewdly: either I would seize your body, or I would gain a body out of gratitude, securing an ally like you—all gain and no harm."
Tu Longjian's expression darkened inch by inch. He asked in a low voice, "Did Senior hear clearly? Is there anything else you hid from me? So the Liuding Combined Fire Token was deliberately delivered into my hands by Guo Hongyao... All of your Guo clan's promises and calculations were at Guo Shentong's behest, and casting your soul into the token was likewise to plot against me."
The gray-robed man shrugged. "Bullshit! Guo Shentong hasn't been seen for years; he might have died in some ditch! Chijiao Island claims his soul lamp is secure without any sign of weakening, but who knows if that's even his soul lamp!"
"As for Guo Hongyao? She doesn't have half an ounce of cunning in her; how would she know what's deliberate or not? She was merely a sacrifice in their factional feud!"
Tu Longjian murmured, "Perverse Mu Fire, molded into a human body!"
Tu Longjian watched him silently. The gray-robed man shrugged and said, "Tu Longjian, I'm treating you with utter sincerity. Once I mold a true body and unify Chijiao Island, what could the two of us not accomplish together?"
In the sky, clouds and mist drifted. Li Chengliao stood atop the clouds, crystalline currents of qi beneath his feet. The White Ape, transformed into an old man, silently steered the cloud, whisking him along at high speed.
Beneath them lay the Yuyang Chen clan of Tongmo Commandery, home to a vast mortal population and a vibrant, thriving scene. Having managed the family for many years, Li Chengliao could not help but nod at the sight of the orderly courtyards and disciplined layout.
Seeing Li Chengliao engrossed in the view, the White Ape rarely spoke up, remarking, "The Chen clan is a renowned great family. Not to mention the Yuyang Chen, Lingyu Gate back then was also surnamed Chen. It is just that the two families originated differently: the Yuyang Chen have lived here for generations, while the founding ancestor of Lingyu Gate seems to have migrated from the State of Ning."
The White Ape gave a hearty laugh and added, "Family Head, the bloodline of our Lijing Chen clan is extraordinary; it ought to be related to these two Chens as well."
Li Chengliao naturally understood, having been deeply impressed by Chen Yang's talent in the family. He replied, "If there is an opportunity, we can look into it, though I hear this secret method involves the Purple Mansion, so it likely won't be that easy."
"The Li clan is the same. I hear there is another Li clan in the State of Wu, also native to Wu for generations, while our Wangyue Li clan is considered remnants of the north."
Setting aside those matters, the Chen clan's circumstances were far better than the Li clan's. After all, they were deeply rooted local tyrants with kin in almost every sect; though they had only a single Purple Mansion cultivator, their relations with every sect were considered quite good.
As the two conversed, they soon crossed the border of the State of Yue. The mountain ranges grew treacherous, often shrouded in miasma, and the forests turned towering and gloomy. From time to time, monstrous demonic qi surged skyward accompanied by roars and shrieks.
With Tu Longjian breaking through to Purple Mansion, the Li family had weighed the matter carefully. In these turbulent times, it was unsuitable for Li Ximing to make a move, and Li Zhouwei had not yet reached Foundation Establishment, so it was far more fitting and solemn for Li Chengliao to come in his capacity as the family head.
Furthermore, Li Chengliao had grown up in the clan and had never seen the outside world, spending day after day in secluded cultivation. He had looked forward to this trip, and being free of pressing duties, he set out quite contentedly.
Mount Kuijun was situated on the border of the Southern Border. Though man and demon had never visited before, they recognized it at a single glance.
Surrounded by green miasma, Mount Kuijun loomed indistinctly, red qi soaring into the sky. The anomalous phenomena brought by the Purple Mansion breakthrough had not yet completely faded. In the dead of night, not a single cloud lingered directly above the peak; only a ring of crimson mist hovered in the distance, with cultivators flying in and out in lively bustling motion.
Though Tu Longjian had been solitary, looking at the current scene, the trusted subordinates and followers he had befriended and subdued were already enough to prop up the framework of a whole sect.
The two cultivators halted at the foot of the mountain to find that a mountain gate had already been erected, appearing quite respectable. Two individuals stood before the gate in an orderly manner, politely inviting them up the mountain.
Ascending the path, everything was well-ordered with clear divisions of duty. Though the cave dwellings were somewhat hastily built, the care put into them was already evident. Li Chengliao was slightly surprised, thinking to himself, *How impressive.* Li Chengliao observed the organization of the Tujun Gate cultivators, while the White Ape looked far more contemplative, watching the cultivators rushing about and murmuring thoughtfully.
Opening the cave door, the White Ape said in an aged voice, "Family Head, please prepare yourself. Once your name is reported up, the Real Person will surely come to meet you."
"A token courtesy will suffice..." Li Chengliao nodded and took a seat, feeling somewhat conflicted in his heart.
Rumor had it that the Real Person shared a deep bond with his granduncle, yet during the events at Qingsong Abbey, they had still requested his assistance, expending much of that favor. Now that the elder had fallen, the Real Person had no connection with the others in the family.
Hatred was remembered for a hundred years, yet gratitude was ever as thin as paper. With the ancestors gone, though some connection remained, calling upon this Real Person would likely wear down the last shreds of goodwill.
Li Tongya's demise had dealt a massive blow to the relationship between the Li and Xiao families, something the Li clan had witnessed firsthand; after Xiao Guiluan fell, it had grown weaker with each passing day. How could Li Chengliao not take this into account?
After waiting half a quarter of an hour, two light knocks sounded upon the cave door, followed by hearty laughter, and a black-robed youth appeared.
A figure materialized before Li Chengliao: a youth in black robes, with a bright smile and neat attire, several dark red patterns embroidered upon his cuffs, striding into the cave.
Yet he was a Purple Mansion cultivator after all. The moment he stepped into the cave, a wave of stifling heat and faint breathlessness swept in, bringing a palpable sense of pressure.
Tu Longjian had a youthful countenance and looked quite ordinary, save for a hazy glimmer at the center of his brows. He treated others with easygoing generosity, perhaps because he had only just acquired his divine ability, showing none of the aloof arrogance typical of Purple Mansions.
Li Chengliao bowed in greeting, "Junior pays respects to the Real Person!"
No matter how polite Tu Longjian was, Li Chengliao certainly did not dare to sit, merely pouring tea for him. Seeing that he would not sit, Tu Longjian did not force him, saying in a deep voice, "Since our parting at Qingsong, I have hidden and fled, entering seclusion everywhere to achieve a breakthrough, and have not yet visited your noble clan to pay respects to the senior. It is my fault."
"Regarding Yu Muxian at Qingsong Abbey, did Qingchi make things difficult for you? Surely Tang Shedu isn't still causing trouble from within, bearing a grudge against your family?"
Li Chengliao presented the jade box in his hands, saying softly, "The Qingdu Li clan presents the Taiyan Long Fruit to congratulate the Real Person on breaking through to Purple Mansion!"
As he spoke, he gently stroked the jade box. The pure white color gradually faded into transparency, revealing what lay within.
It was an elongated fruit enveloped in soaring, bright and hazy flames. Dense fire darted within the box—truly a rare precious herb.
This item had been obtained years ago from the Yu clan's treasury. The Zilianpu had been given to Kongheng, who had accepted it with wide eyes and profuse gratitude, while this Taiyan Long Fruit was a treasure of fire virtue—nine times out of ten Mu Fire—making it the perfect congratulatory gift.
Such a gift, both valuable and tailor-made, earned respectful glances from Tu Longjian's subordinates who had welcomed them, who recorded it with great care before stepping back.
Tu Longjian was also aware of the Li clan's circumstances. Though their situation was much better than years ago, bringing out such a precious herb was still extraordinary, lending a sigh of emotion to his voice:
"It was truly troublesome for your noble clan to take such care. The Taiyan Long Fruit is rarely seen nowadays; your noble clan's gift is far too heavy."
Chapter 567