Li Ximing had barely caught a glimpse before Wang Long was already busy putting the volume away. Zhang Gui strode over in two paces, silently picked up the book, and together the two neatly stacked the thick tomes. Only then did Zhang Gui whisper, "Indeed, it isn't here..."
The two exchanged a glance, seemingly reaching a silent understanding, and spoke no further. Wang Long lifted open a purple-gold booklet underneath, and Zhang Gui set brush to paper, writing in it for a moment. Purple-gold light flowed across the page as Zhang Gui murmured, "...Mm... Jingzhou, Wangyue Marsh, currently the territory of Lake Wangyue..."
He paused, lowering his voice: "Ximing, you haven't cultivated elsewhere for many years, have you? This is of utmost importance; you must never conceal it from me."
Li Ximing guessed that such things were originally meant to be recorded in the register, and since they could not find him, they intended to fill it in privately. Having nothing to hide, he answered frankly, "I have not."
Zhang Gui penned another two characters and asked, "Daoist title?"
After a moment's thought, Li Ximing replied, "Zhaojing."
As Zhang Gui buried his head in writing, Li Ximing rested a hand on his storage bag, searched through it, and retrieved two jade boxes from his sleeve. In a gentle voice, he said, "Thank you both for taking the trouble to make this journey. I have prepared a modest gift to express my gratitude."
"Fellow Daoist is too kind."
Without pausing his hand, Zhang Gui looked up to offer thanks before dipping his head again to continue sketching. Wang Long, however, promptly took the boxes, gave a slight nod, and replied, "This is merely our duty. Fellow Daoist is far too polite."
Seeing how practiced the two were, Li Ximing could tell this was a customary convention. The jade boxes could not shield against spiritual sense; inside lay a Qianyan Bright Fruit, gifted years ago by Lu Ken, and a portion of Earth Fiend Cold Spring.
Of the two treasures, one pertained to Earth virtue and the other to fiendish qi, both carrying some affinity with the Netherworld. They were the best items he could produce on short notice after thoroughly searching his storage bag.
*In the past, no one ever mentioned that the Netherworld Office would come knocking to record one's name. Fortunately, judging by Wang Long's reaction, these two items are barely adequate to pass muster, so at least I haven't offended them.*
Even as these thoughts crossed his mind, Zhang Gui finished writing on his end. Putting away the brush that was as large as a grain pestle, he cupped his hands and said, "The registration is complete. We have disturbed you, Fellow Daoist. With your divine ability accomplished, five hundred years of carefree roaming await you. When Fellow Daoist's lifespan draws near its end and you seek to ascend to a fruit position, I shall come once more, and we may converse again then."
Wang Long scooped up the books. Tearing through the Great Void, the two slipped into that pitch-black, boundless realm and returned to the Netherworld Office.
Li Ximing waited for a short moment, scanning the surroundings with the celestial light between his brows. Confirming that no one was around, uncertainty lingered in his heart.
*Yang Tianya has ties to the Netherworld Office, and he kept his breakthrough a secret, clearly harboring some scheme. Sending two emissaries so that I would see them seems like a gesture of goodwill.*
*On the other hand... my name was not on the register, and the two emissaries filled it in themselves. Was this instructed by the person behind the Yang family? His standing is by no means low; he is likely helping me.*
Compared to this, the two precious spiritual items from earlier seemed insignificant. Setting aside his doubts for the moment, Li Ximing calculated secretly:
*Now that I have attained the Violet Palace, custom dictates that I must announce it to the various families. Keeping it hidden is probably out of the question...*
*Yet for someone like me, who poured the entire family's strength into reaching the Violet Palace, I am neither solitary and self-reliant like Tu Longjian, nor like an ordinary immortal sect with a Violet Palace backing me. Announcing this to the various families will likely take more than just words.*
After pondering for a while, his mind settled.
*I should first pay visits to Seniors Changxi, Chuting, and Junjian to express my gratitude, and only then proceed with announcing it to the various sects. For one, it demonstrates respect; for another... it will allow me to learn what taboos and pitfalls there might be.*
Li Ximing then lowered his cloud, entered the Great Void, and headed straight toward the Xiao family.
"The Great Void."
This was Li Ximing's first time traversing the Great Void. Shielded by his divine ability and holding back his radiance, he flew forward in utter silence. Looking around, all was jet-black, yet it rose and fell in undulating waves.
The Great Void was qi, inextricably linked to spiritual energy. It was by no means a flat expanse, but possessed heights and depths, distances and proximities. If spiritual energy was dense in a certain location, it formed a towering mountain in the Great Void; if spiritual energy was barren across thousands of li, crossing that land in the Great Void was merely a single step.
Having newly refined his divine ability, Li Ximing looked into the Great Void and understood instantly.
The reason a Violet Palace cultivator could cross ten thousand li in an instant was by following these narrow paths of sparse spiritual energy through the Great Void, bridging a thousand li in a single stride. If an entire region's spiritual energy was exceedingly dense, one would be better off exiting the Great Void and flying via their divine ability in the mortal world.
Of course... if one encountered a place entirely devoid of spiritual energy, that place could not be found within the Great Void at all, so how could one ever set foot there?
Li Ximing traversed the Great Void for a moment. Following several shortcuts, he arrived within the bounds of Mount Xianyou in just a few dozen breaths. Here, it was no longer pitch-black; instead, ripples of azure radiance spread across the void like watery light, undulating through the expanse.
Halting his divine ability, a pale golden light illuminated his pupils as he activated his pupil technique to take a closer look.
*So it is a formation... The Xiao family now possesses a Violet Palace grand formation that cuts off the Great Void. By displaying it so openly within the Great Void, they are demonstrating their might, ensuring there will be no repeat of the past incident where Buzi pierced the array to threaten Xiao Guitu...*
His own family had once received similar treatment, though Buzi had been careless and caught sight of the Immortal Mirror, gaining no advantage. Li Ximing felt a stirring in his heart as he secretly weighed the cost.
*If the opportunity arises, I must ask Senior Chuting about this. If our family possessed such a formation, it would be far safer.*
Just as he halted, a streak of white light pierced through the array and landed before him in a hazy glow. From its center came the dignified, commanding voice of an elder:
"Which fellow Daoist has arrived? Please enter the formation to converse."
Not wishing to reveal his identity, Li Ximing had suppressed his bright light along the entire journey. He gave a slight nod and followed the white light into the formation, whereupon his vision instantly brightened.
Chilly mist swirled around towering peaks; two sheer cliffs stood facing each other amidst rugged pines and cypresses. Below lay a cold pool with crystal-clear water, upon which a small boat rested quietly. Vaguely, an old man could be seen fishing from the craft.
Snow was falling, crunching softly underfoot as it covered the ground. Standing firmly on the shore, Li Ximing bowed in salutation and said softly, "Junior Zhaojing Li Ximing greets the Zhenren!"
With a faint creak, the jade-white fishing rod dipped slightly, alerting the creature beneath the surface. It flicked its tail slyly and darted away, stirring ripples across the water and causing the crushed ice to chime softly.
The old man calmly set down his fishing rod and murmured, "So it is Zhenren Zhaojing. This old man thought it was Chengyan and neglected you. Please, board the boat."
Li Ximing took a light step. Bright light flickered, and his figure materialized upon the boat. Xiao Chuting then set out a low table, arranged two jade cups, and placed a jade kettle of emerald green atop it.
Waiting until Li Ximing was seated, Xiao Chuting put away the green kettle, produced another, and poured a cup for Li Ximing, smiling as he said, "Have a taste."
Li Ximing proceeded to take a sip.
The tea had a faint flavor, and its spiritual energy was utterly ordinary—scarcely befitting Xiao Chuting's status. As Li Ximing felt a twinge of doubt, the elder spoke:
"Years ago, when Li Tongya came to Guanyun Peak, I served him this cup of Tongming Fruit Leaf Tea. He thought it exceedingly precious and dared not drink much.
"Nowadays, such tea has become an ordinary thing in your noble clan."
Li Ximing naturally acknowledged his words, replying respectfully, "Our entire family keeps Senior's immense kindness in our hearts, never daring to forget. Having fortunately succeeded in breaking through, I came to seek Senior first. I had thought Senior was still in the North Sea, but this is most fortunate."
"Good. The North Sea matter was resolved long ago."
Xiao Chuting praised him, nodding with a smile. "I accept your sentiment, but you would do best to visit Si Boxiu first. He is a man who cherishes rules and values face. If you do not give him face, that old stick-in-the-mud will not say anything aloud, but he will be dissatisfied in his heart."
Li Ximing had planned to see Tu Longjian second and Changxi third, relegating Si Boxiu to the very end. Hearing this, his heart tightened, and he murmured, "Fortunately, Senior has guided me!"
Xiao Chuting said warmly, "That you could cross into the Violet Palace so quickly shows your disposition is sound. However, Si Boxiu's lifespan is drawing near its end, making this his most anxious time. The one you need to steady first is him. If you do not visit him and instead see an outsider like me, what will he think?
"Fortunately, you have not yet announced your breakthrough to the various families, so it does not count just yet, and you came here with your divine ability suppressed. Si Boxiu is likely still weighing whether you succeeded. Although he possesses the Dongli Secret Records, you took a heavenly stone, and since he has never cultivated Mingyang himself, it is difficult for him to gauge."
Li Ximing nodded thoughtfully and asked in a low voice, "The Dongli Secret Records?"
"Indeed."
Xiao Chuting sipped his tea and said softly, "The Dongli Sect's grotto-heaven was carved up by the three sects, and the secret arts within met the same fate. The Dongli Secret Records detail the various anomalous states of the Mingyang paths. As early as your Foundation Establishment, Si Boxiu had already recognized your Dao base and cultivation method."
Hearing this, Li Ximing's heart sank, and his perception of Si Boxiu's stern, mature image shifted considerably. After he expressed his thanks, Xiao Chuting said, "Now that you have ended your seclusion after your breakthrough, it cannot be hidden for long. Being discovered is only a matter of time. You should announce it to the various families soon and ascend to an immortal clan.
"Once the sound of your divine ability spreads, the various families will come to offer congratulations. After you hold the Divine Ability Assembly, you can visit them one by one. The first three Zhenren you see during those visits will be of utmost importance; take great care in your choices."
Li Ximing committed every word to memory, nodding with a solemn expression. Xiao Chuting continued:
"Tu Longjian has gone to the South Sea, so there is no rush to see him. At present, he avoids entanglement with everyone, intending to stay out of the fray. If you go to see him rashly, you will only disrupt his affairs. There is no need to reserve a formal spot for him; just visit him privately.
"Changxi can be visited, but his remaining lifespan is even less than Si Boxiu's. As the sole Violet Palace cultivator of Xuanyue Gate, their decline is a matter of years, and they might not even be able to preserve their mountain gate."
Pausing slightly here, seemingly observing Li Ximing's reaction, Xiao Chuting said softly, "You must act as you see fit. If your bond is not deep, it is better to sever ties early. There is no need to rush to see him; rather, he ought to be the one rushing to see you."
A realization dawned upon Li Ximing. He had known nothing about the ways of the Violet Palace, whereas Xiao Chuting was thoroughly versed in them. Without this elder's guidance, who knew how many matters he might have bungled.
*If I were ignorant of these intricacies, I would surely be manipulated by others.*
With a solemn demeanor, he bowed strictly according to etiquette and said in a deep voice, "Zhaojing offers his profound thanks for My Lord's guidance!"
Xiao Chuting let out a soft laugh, his expression softening somewhat. "Seeing you like this, that junior of mine can finally consider his wish fulfilled! He has endured a life of hardship, treating others with sincerity only to be constantly deceived. To have gained a disciple like you means his bitterness has finally yielded sweetness!"
Li Ximing kept Xiao Yuansi's Ziming Pill firmly in mind and gave a gentle nod. Xiao Chuting said softly:
"Go on, resolve the matters at home, and announce it to the various families. Yuansi shall accompany me when the time comes."
The elder fixed his gaze on Li Ximing, noticing that when the youth heard "resolve the matters at home," his eyes flickered visibly. The young man promptly nodded, took his leave in a low voice, and vanished into the Great Void.
Left alone, Xiao Chuting put away the jade cups and pondered quietly:
*He at least knew to come see me first. Yet judging by his demeanor, he remains unaware of that Lord behind him...*
He picked up the jade rod once more and resumed fishing in the chilly pool. Amidst the swirling snow, Xiao Chuting sank into deep contemplation, staring at the water without a word.
***
Having departed the mountain, Li Ximing returned toward his own lands. The purple flames of Mount Wu had already dimmed somewhat, and the fragile grand formation shuddered with a sudden burst of sound. A young man, holding a talisman-token and riding lightning, descended from above. Clad in armor, treading on thunderlight, with eyes dark as polished lacquer, it was none other than Li Cheng.
Behind him followed a middle-aged man dressed in white, a spear strapped to his back, possessing an early Foundation Establishment cultivation. His expression was cautious as he landed in the formation alongside Li Cheng. The blazing purple flames scorched their faces with stinging heat.
"Clansman Uncle Siwei."
Li Cheng glanced around and said in a low voice, "The purple flames here are scalding; it would be improper for the old master to enter. Please guard outside and look after him while I search for Uncle's traces."
This white-robed man was none other than An Siwei! More than a decade had passed, and he had already attained Foundation Establishment. His demeanor remained as calm and steady as ever; nodding in acknowledgment, he took his leave and flew away on the wind.
Li Cheng made his way straight to the mountain peak. The jade pillars had collapsed, and cracks ran across the ground, which was covered in blooming gardenia trees. White blossoms rolled across the earth, brushing against his boots.
He searched thoroughly, but found no trace of Li Ximing—not even a scrap of a Daoist robe. On the ground lay only two piles of melted jade powder.
Using thunderlight to ward off the purple flames, Li Cheng approached and observed carefully, thinking to himself:
*The Patriarch instructed me that once an anomaly arose from Uncle, whether there were traces on the mountain or whether he succeeded or failed, it must be kept secret... Since he is not at home right now, I must take matters into my own hands.*
*In recent years... the harassment and plots from the three sects of Xiaoshi Mountain, the Tangjin Gate, and the Jiangbei demonic cultivators have grown increasingly blatant. Now with such an astonishing celestial omen, peaceful days are unlikely to follow, so I must plan carefully.*
He plucked a gardenia blossom, placed it into a jade box, and immediately rode the wind to withdraw. Once outside the formation, he found Li Xuanxuan waiting anxiously. Seeing Li Cheng approach, the old man asked in a low voice, "How is it?"
Li Cheng paused for a moment before replying gently, "The purple flames were extremely fierce; I could not see clearly and was quickly forced to retreat."
In truth, Li Xuanxuan had not truly believed Li Ximing could reach the Violet Palace, yet a glimmer of hope hung in his heart, one he could not bear to extinguish. Silently lowering his head, he asked in an aged voice, "What do Minggong and White Ape say?"
Li Cheng replied respectfully, "Elder Sister sent word saying that the demonic cultivators around Hanyun Peak were bewildered and frightened by the celestial anomaly in the sky, and many have scattered.
"These next few days should be free of worry, but since the Patriarch is still slaying demons in the East Sea, we must keep a vigilant watch. The sects of Xiaoshi Mountain are no ordinary rogue cultivators; they will likely still press toward the lake."
"Good."
Seeing that Li Cheng had a steady plan, Li Xuanxuan soon stepped back. Li Cheng looked up at the sky and murmured:
"Colorful clouds have already covered more than half of Lake Wangyue. It is impossible for the Three Sects and Seven Gates not to know. The sect must have received word as well; let us await their letter."
Chapter 687