After they exchanged a few words, a muffled rumble sounded in the air. A woman strode in before the hall, and everyone around stood up. Shen Yanqing hurried forward and said softly, "I have not seen Senior in many years!"
Shen Yanqing already knew of the grotto-heaven affair, so she wore no exuberant smile at this moment. Li Qinghong, however, had a smile on her face and nodded. "It has indeed been some years."
The group welcomed her to take a seat, and Shen Yanqing said softly, "Junior should have come to pay my respects long ago, but various matters delayed me. After all, with the chaos north of the river, my clan could not remain detached either. Now that the situation has finally stabilized, I have come to see Senior."
She drew a jade box from her sleeve, set it gently on the table, and said, "The Firmament Lightning Sacrificial Method I mentioned to Senior back then—Junior has brought it. My family's thunder method originates from the Northern Palace Xuan Thunder Method Dao, which was one of the twelve daos during the Zhou dynasty."
Li Qinghong listened intently and asked, "The Cloud-Moored Lightning Strategy Method Dao is likely not among them?"
Her own Cloud-Moored Lightning Strategy Method Dao was no longer a secret, and since this lineage had been passed down from Yanyang Temple Palace, it surely would not date back to the Zhou dynasty. When Li Qinghong asked, Shen Yanqing indeed nodded.
"It is not among them. The Cloud-Moored Lightning Strategy Method Dao was established in later generations. These Twelve Thunder Palaces were originally lineages meant to oversee right and wrong, good and evil throughout the realm, but now they have all been annihilated... Even their lineages can no longer be clearly traced, with only a scant few method daos surviving."
Wei Danying sighed softly from the side and replied, "If the Twelve Thunder Palaces were still present, how could the world have come to this state?"
Following her sigh, Li Qinghong made no comment, but Shen Yanqing's expression took on a strange cast. Hesitating for a moment, she answered, "The lineages within the sect hold the Thunder Palaces in high esteem... but in truth... according to the information my family has gathered over time, that may not necessarily be so."
Noticing the doubtful looks from the others, Shen Yanqing merely lowered her voice. "According to the surviving records, the Thunder Palaces acted overbearingly. Thunder chariots patrolled the lands; wherever their envoys went, thunder shook the earth, slaying tens of thousands..."
She paused, then continued, "What is more, the Thunder Palaces held dominion over mortal tribulations, scouring everywhere to strike people down with lightning. Cultivators would be cultivating peacefully, nearing a breakthrough, when someone from the Thunder Palaces would suddenly descend. Xuan Thunder crashed down—suffering agony beyond endurance was the best one could hope for, while those of heavy sin lost their very lives... The realm had long suffered under them...
"Later, after that venerable figure of the Northern Palace departed beyond the heavens, an uproar erupted at once. From high cultivators of the Violet Palace down to the common mortals, none were willing to endure the oppression of the Thunder Palaces. Nine of the twelve palaces were destroyed... The gathered cultivators stormed into the palaces, dragged out the thunder methods, and burned them together. The lineages soon vanished without a trace."
Li Qinghong listened in silence. The narrative Wei Danying had heard within her sect was entirely different, leaving her visibly shaken. Shen Yanqing sighed.
"My method was secretly preserved by an itinerant cultivator from back then. He recorded in it that when the Thunder Palaces collapsed, everyone in the realm rejoiced, referring to the Twelve Thunder Palaces as the Twelve Disciplines of the Thunder Principle that had shackled the common people and cultivators across the realm. From then on, one could think as one wished, ponder as one wished, write as one wished, and speak as one wished."
When she finished speaking, no one in the hall made a sound. The Li family had known little of the Thunder Palaces beforehand, so they were less affected. But for Wei Danying, whose beliefs were deeply ingrained, the revelation was unspeakable. She murmured, "How could this be... I only heard that when the Thunder Palaces patrolled the world, no one dared cultivate demonic daos... How did it ever reach the point of shackling the realm?!"
Shen Yanqing had not come to debate the virtues and vices of the Thunder Palaces with everyone, nor did she intend to explain in detail. She merely wished to give Li Qinghong an understanding of the Thunder Palaces, so she softly consoled her, "Just treat it as rumors."
Turning to Li Qinghong, she smiled and said, "Senior, please take a look."
Li Qinghong took the jade box and retrieved the jade slip inside. Sure enough, it recorded a Firmament Lightning sacrificial method, quite different from her own. Li Qinghong pushed forward the jade slip for the Purple Lightning Secret Origin Method in exchange.
The thunder method obtained from the Qingsong Temple grotto-heaven naturally did not belong to any specific method dao lineage. The Cloud Firmament Asking Lightning Method consisted only of cultivation exercises, and this was all Li Qinghong could offer. Shen Yanqing accepted it and murmured, "I also hope to discuss the secrets of these methods in detail with Senior."
Li Zhouwei understood immediately and invited the others to the side hall. For a time, the grand hall was empty. Shen Yanqing lowered her voice.
"Senior, I hear that several thunder cultivator clans of the Northern Sea, the Miao family of the Southern Sea, and those two Daoists of the Eastern Sea... are all preparing to set out for the Eastern Sea. Has Senior made arrangements?"
"I am already aware, and will depart in a few days."
Li Qinghong said gravely, "The dragons scattered these methods, waiting a hundred years for a single chess piece, placing immense importance on this matter. Naturally, I will not stay away."
Hearing this, Shen Yanqing sighed inwardly and answered, "Senior... the dragons cast a wide net, and many who cultivated the Cloud-Moored Lightning Strategy Method Dao met early deaths. They never took any action previously, which was why no family could guess their intent at first... It was only when traces of the grotto-heaven began to appear that speculations arose.
"Yet as things stand today, Senior is already among the foremost of this dao, leaving you no choice but to go."
Seeing Li Qinghong remained calm and composed, she said, "My clan's Real Person said... there will be a separate slaughter inside the grotto-heaven. Senior, do not hold back..."
Li Qinghong was surprised and replied, "I naturally know this. Between life and death, how could I hold back?"
Shen Yanqing said, "Including Xi Zikang of the Northern Sea."
Li Qinghong raised her brows. Her affairs truly held no secrets before these Violet Palace figures. Shen Yanqing whispered, "His cultivation in thunder methods is exceptionally high, ranking among the top few who will enter the grotto-heaven. If you can eliminate him, it would solve a major trouble."
Li Qinghong had only just formed a bit of friendly acquaintance with Xi Zikang. Straightforward though she was, how could she fail to understand the intent of the Shen clan—or rather, Ziyan Gate? After a moment of silence, she said, "In any case, we are all to enter the dragon's belly; why bother? I am not pedantic, and I have slain others to seize treasures before... but those were enemies. At least as I see it, the young Xi Zikang is of upright character and treats me with warmth. I cannot bring myself to strike him down."
Shen Yanqing fell silent as well, then gritted her teeth. "What if, after entering the dragon's belly, life and death remain uncertain?"
Li Qinghong slowly turned her head and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Growing even quieter, she murmured, "So this is demanding that I make a choice."
Shen Yanqing quickly said she dared not. A faint, gentle smile surfaced on Li Qinghong's face, and she shook her head. "Then if I cannot bring myself to strike, it simply means I am meant to face my mortal doom."
Shen Yanqing pursed her lips and answered, "Junior understands..."
She paused, then quickly changed the subject. "My Master has already reincarnated. If any news arises on the lake or within your esteemed family's lands, please inform us. There will certainly be a generous reward!"
Li Qinghong had long anticipated she would say this and nodded in agreement. Shen Yanqing then took her leave and headed to the side hall to join her companions. Only then did Li Qinghong lean against the back of her chair, slightly lost in thought.
Upon hearing Shen Yanqing's words, she had initially thought Ziyan Gate meant for her to ambush and kill Xi Zikang before entering the grotto-heaven. But thinking it through carefully, it likely was not before entering.
'After all, quite a few copies of the Cloud-Moored Lightning Strategy Method Dao have spread. If everyone feared being harmed inside the grotto-heaven and went about harming others beforehand, how could the dragons sit by and watch? If that were permissible, Violet Palace immortal clans like the Miao family would have acted long ago.
'She was warning me that even if I join hands with Xi Zikang... even if I don't ambush him, I must stay on guard against him. In the end, we will likely have to clash...'
She sat quietly for a time until Li Zhouwei entered from outside the hall. He was in no hurry to ask about what Shen Yanqing had said, instead saying in a deep voice, "The time for the Jiangque generation to receive their first talisman seeds is also drawing near. Since Elder has emerged from seclusion, why not come watch together?"
"Very well."
Li Qinghong had not spoken much recently, replying only with brief assent.
***
Qingchi Sect.
The main hall of Qingchi Peak was resplendent with jade-green tiles, enveloped in diffuse white vapors. A youth leaned beside the immortal throne, his green robes accented with gold embroidery that shimmered with brilliant luster, while the sword at his waist was imbued with spiritual radiance.
His features were unremarkable, but his demeanor radiated youthful vigor. Beside the desk, a woman in flowing multicolored skirts watched him with beautiful eyes.
"Sect Master..."
This person was none other than Qingchi's young Sect Master, Chi Xuxiao. He looked down at the documents on the desk, and when the woman spoke, he asked gently, "The recommendations I sent to Uncle... has he responded yet?"
At the mention of Chi Fupo, a flicker of resentment flashed through the woman's eyes. She whispered, "His Lordship refused."
As the Sect Master of a sect, not being able to appoint or dismiss personnel was bad enough, but having even a talent recommendation rejected by Chi Fupo was undeniably humiliating. Yet Chi Xuxiao smiled faintly and answered, "Alright... it seems I was lacking in consideration. Bring that jade slip back. I will see what Uncle said, weigh it carefully, and consult him again."
The woman sighed and replied, "Yes, yes, yes..."
Chi Xuxiao looked at her closely, his eyes full of amusement as the young Sect Master asked, "What has upset you now?"
"It isn't as if My Lord was asking for any crucial positions! Just a few minor posts... yet Chi Fupo wouldn't even permit that! On what grounds?! Who is the Sect Master after all..."
She muttered for a bit, but Chi Xuxiao shook his head. "I am too young after all, and my thoughts are lacking in thoroughness on many matters. How can I blame my elder? I understand Ning Hejing suffered out overseas, but you must not let personal feelings loosen your tongue."
The woman fell silent at once, thinking to herself, 'Does he truly not understand, or is he just pretending...?'
Just as their conversation ended, someone arrived to report that Chi Fupo had come to see him. Chi Xuxiao immediately rose to welcome him, walking all the way to the front of the hall and saying respectfully, "Uncle has arrived!"
Chi Fupo strode in at a measured pace.
Having held great power in recent years, Chi Fupo had gradually shed his former youthfulness, and his countenance had grown calmer. Chi Xuxiao escorted him to the side, personally smoothing out the mat for him, and said respectfully, "I have not seen Uncle in many days!"
This display accorded Chi Fupo immense face, leaving him unable to keep a stern expression. He simply smiled and said, "The scheme from days ago has yielded results. The men I placed on Fuchen Peak reported... Li Quantao is growing increasingly uneasy and heading out more frequently... News from the Li family must have reached him."
Chi Xuxiao nodded and replied, "Uncle is perceptive... There has not been the slightest word from the Si family. The Li family either cannot reach the Si family... or contacted them privately to no avail..."
"Si Yuanli will not abandon the Li family."
Chi Fupo was exceedingly certain, saying calmly, "Do not be fooled by his cunning and forbearance; he merely rode the greater momentum. His past actions are proof enough that he harbors much soft-hearted weakness in his chest... He cultivates the sword after all, incapable of stopping at nothing.
"Were it not so, Li Xuanfeng and the others back then could never have persuaded him. To act is to act; to refrain is to refrain. Who ever carries out such monumental deeds merely by listening to the counsel of others... Still less would he fail to ease the Li family's anxiety."
Chi Xuxiao's face showed some joy, and he remarked, "Could it be... Real Person Si truly entered seclusion, and he is acting on his own?"
"I fear whether he is in seclusion makes little difference... It is rather that he fears our clan's Real Person."
Chi Fupo let out a deep breath. He cast a few pensive glances at Chi Xuxiao, waved his hand in farewell, and was escorted all the way outside the hall by Chi Xuxiao. Chi Fupo parted with a smile, yet his expression darkened deeper.
He walked with his hands clasped behind his back, nursing a splitting headache. 'Why must he be so intelligent... so polite... Even I feel a twinge of reluctance to harm him...'
Chi Xuxiao's conduct had confounded everyone in the sect. Not only did this young Sect Master actively back Chi Fupo and strive to mediate the conflict between the Chi and Ning lineages, but he was also an understanding, generous, and magnanimous leader. Over the past few years, the sect's opinion of him had risen steadily.
Chi Fupo saw it all, feeling the awkwardness personally. Meanwhile, Chi Buzi's appearance in the Eastern Sea brought him both joy and worry; put pleasantly, Chi Buzi was their clan's own Violet Palace cultivator, but put bluntly, he was an elder of the senior branch...
With his heart dark and heavy, he wore a smile on his face all the way back to his palace, where a black-clad youth stepped forward to greet him.
"Yuanqin."
The idea of making Chi Xuxiao the Sect Master had gradually deviated from its original intent, showing faint signs of turning into a blunder. But Chi Fupo was a sensible man; facing Li Yuanqin, who had proposed the scheme, he showed no displeasure, asking amiably, "Did those people make things difficult for you?"
Chi Fupo could see clearly, but not every member of the Chi family understood. As acclaim for Chi Xuxiao grew, Li Yuanqin had received quite a few cold looks and rebuffs from the Chi clan both openly and covertly. Yet he merely said calmly, "Brother Fupo, it has been investigated thoroughly."
Chi Fupo nodded in understanding and led him inside. Sitting down by the desk, Li Yuanqin lowered his voice. "Ning Hejing has indeed colluded with Buddhist cultivators—a Master of the Kongwu Path... He aims to plot against Li Xizhi and Si Yuanli... The light-baleful qi in the Earth Abyss has grown denser over recent days, making it difficult for Li Xizhi to remain hidden. Once he exits the Earth Abyss, Ning Hejing's men will already be waiting.
"Information is scarce, so I cannot see the full picture, but he likely possesses some means to pin the blame on us. Lord Zhihu is still in the Eastern Sea; I suspect it will most likely fall upon him."
Chi Fupo fell silent for a moment, asking in a low voice, "You mean..."
"All his scheming amounts to nothing more than provoking us and the Si family into an open falling out so he can reap the fisherman's spoils. What does that require if not human lives? Even if we cannot guess his exact methods, either Li Xizhi or Si Yuanli, along with Lord Zhihu, must die."
Chi Fupo lapsed into silence, a chill growing in his heart. 'How could Ning Hejing alone stir up such massive waves! I fear certain Violet Palace figures cannot bear to see the two Real Persons, Chi and Si, remain detached, and are quietly pushing things behind the scenes to poison their relationship.'
Li Yuanqin simply stared at him, whispering, "Yuanqin thinks so as well. But precisely because a Violet Palace figure is concealing this, even if Si Boxiu is not in seclusion, he most likely cannot divine this matter!"
Chi Fupo narrowed his eyes and asked, "How do you plan to handle this?"
"Li Xizhi is not easy to kill, and moving against Si Yuanli would very likely be detected. They will most probably kill Lord Zhihu first..."
Chi Fupo remained outwardly calm. "Oh? Then should I recall him first?"
Li Yuanqin shook his head, saying flatly, "In my view, it is just as well to let Lord Zhihu die. We wait quietly by the side, and the moment Lord Zhihu perishes, we strike immediately to capture Li Xizhi and chain him back to the sect!"
His tone was icy as he answered, "As long as we pin the blame firmly and accurately, even the Real Person will have nothing to say! We can use this to force Si Yuanli to surrender those posts he has delayed handing over, and cast him out of the sect!"
Hearing him propose letting his own elder uncle die, Chi Fupo actually let out a faint smile and asked, "What if he refuses?"
Li Yuanqin bowed respectfully. "Then the Li family will have no choice but to throw their lot in with us to preserve Li Xizhi's life. Would the remaining members of the Ning family not be ripe for the picking?"
"Good, good, good."
Chi Fupo's smile deepened, his gaze boring directly into him as he asked, "Since this matter could even be concealed from Si Boxiu in seclusion... a Violet Palace figure must have intervened...
"Just how did you come to know of it?!"
Chapter 659