Xiao Yuansi hesitated slightly. The old man was never one for ostentation. Raising his brows, he looked upon Li Ximing's face—outwardly not drastically altered, yet entirely transformed in spirit.
"Ming'er..."
Before him was a face of upright features and slender brows. A pair of pale gold eyes gazed at him, steady and smiling.
*Real Person Zhaojing, Li Ximing.*
The suffocating melancholy that had weighed perpetually upon his brow—that simmering taste of gritted teeth and bitter resolve—was gone, swept utterly clean. In its place flickered a point of heavenly light between his brows.
The restless, flickering unease in his gaze had vanished as well. In Li Ximing's eyes now lay only a gentle smile, free of brooding, free of the grim resolve to march toward a futile death.
With both gone from his countenance, his entire face seemed to come alive. He was no longer the Li clan's desperate, all-or-nothing gambit; he was Real Person Zhaojing, Li Ximing.
Tears welled faintly in Xiao Yuansi's eyes. Under the watchful gaze of the myriad onlookers, he could only sigh:
"Real Person Zhaojing possesses profound fortune; this old man merely basks in your reflected glory."
Li Ximing smiled and supported him to his feet. Changxi spoke affably from the side, filled with quiet envy. Li Ximing, meanwhile, said respectfully, "Master, please."
All the various clans knew of that medicinal pill Xiao Yuansi had sought, and how he had been rebuked by Xiao Chuting before returning dejectedly from the Northern Sea; the Three Sects and Seven Gates were equally aware. During the more than ten years of Li Ximing's closed-door seclusion, Xiao Yuansi had been either a laughingstock or idle gossip among the direct lines of the immortal sects and gates.
Li Ximing had caught wind of those whispers. Coming in person to receive him now was precisely to show all the sects and families, to vent this grievance on behalf of his master!
That was one reason. The second was that Xiao Chuting had also come to Lake Wangyue and had already arrived on the islet. Real Person Chuting never intervened in mundane affairs in person, choosing instead to let Xiao Yuansi come down from the mountain; Li Ximing naturally seized the opportunity he offered, making it clear to all that the bond between the Xiao and Li clans remained as strong as ever.
Though minor on the surface, this gesture carried immense benefit for the Li clan. Li Ximing guided Xiao Yuansi up into the mountain, settled him comfortably in a courtyard, and then returned toward the islet. Just then, An Siwei arrived to report that Xiao Chuting had already left his congratulatory gift and departed alone.
Li Ximing nodded in acknowledgment, while Changxi beside him silently lowered his gaze.
*Xiao Chuting refuses to see me...*
Though newly ascended to the Violet Palace and far from matching the seasoned masters in foresight and calculation, Li Ximing could still see this much. A flicker of wariness rose in his heart:
*Changxi's situation... truly is an utter mess!*
Yet the Li clan shared deep ties with Xuanyue, and Changxi had come bearing congratulations. Xiao Chuting could afford to turn away, but Li Ximing could not possibly evade him. He sat down with him amidst the hills carpeted in gardenias. Changxi smiled and said:
"What a splendid place of Bright Yang. I wonder what name Zhaojing has chosen for it?"
Li Ximing poured him tea and answered politely:
"I have named this place Mount Zhijing. Henceforth, it shall be this junior's place of quiet cultivation!"
"Excellent!"
Changxi praised. Reaching into his sleeve, he produced an object and placed it upon the table. Inside a jade box rested a plump white pearl, radiating iridescent light like fine bristles and exuding a brilliant, luminous gleam. Carved upon it was the faint relief of a tiger looking back—exceedingly domineering.
Real Person Changxi's face alternated between youth and decrepitude in cycles of a two-hour span. At present, he wore the visage of a middle-aged man, a jade pendant at his chest, his face brimming with delight.
"Fellow Daoist Zhaojing, our two families have supported one another for a century. My Tingyun and your Yuanjiao were closest friends. Now that your divine ability is accomplished, my heart rejoices, and I have specially prepared this meager gift!"
His tone was extraordinarily warm. He no longer addressed Li Ximing as 'young friend'; for someone several centuries old to swallow his pride and address a junior not yet a hundred as 'fellow Daoist,' while delicately invoking their past ties, was the height of courtesy.
*His lifespan... truly is running short...*
Li Ximing took a brief look and discerned that the object was at least of the Violet Palace tier, likely a Violet Palace spiritual artifact. However, the years spent refining it were relatively short, probably under a century. It fell far short of the Xinyou Swimming Marsh Seal or the Qiwang Xuantian Ting, yet it was something none of the Li clan's numerous magical tools could ever hope to rival.
*This is far too valuable!*
Li Ximing was well aware of what a Violet Palace celebration entailed. Yet these Violet Palace masters were notoriously stingy: Foundation Establishment spiritual materials they might hand out freely, but anything at the Violet Palace tier was out of the question. In truth, a Violet Palace celebration was mostly about attending in person to lend face and show goodwill!
As for congratulatory gifts? Violet Palace spiritual artifacts or spiritual materials were completely beyond expectation. At most, a fourth-tier spell might be offered, but more often it was ancient rarities, or obscure, archaic manuals befitting status and dignity...
For Changxi to offer a Violet Palace spiritual artifact carried an unmistakable message: he intended to establish a debt of gratitude to secure a retreat for Xuanyue!
Just as Li Ximing cast a glance over it, Changxi smiled and said:
"This artifact is named the Mountain-Driving Sea-Crossing Tiger. It is a medium-grade Gen-Earth spiritual artifact. It was not refined from my own divine ability, but obtained during my travels outside. It cannot compare to those spiritual treasures, yet it is handy enough."
Li Ximing asked thoughtfully:
"Refined from divine abilities?"
Changxi gave a muffled chuckle, his aged voice explaining:
"Spiritual artifacts are roughly divided into three types."
Li Ximing felt an instant wave of delight and asked:
"So it is that simple! Then why are spiritual artifacts in Jiangnan... so scarce?"
Changxi stroked his beard:
"..."
Li Ximing immediately recalled the Nine Gate Abbey spiritual embryo that Real Person Tianque had spent over a century refining at Daoist He's place on the western bank of Lake Wangyue. A spiritual embryo alone had taken a hundred years; it was indeed no easy feat. He nodded, and Changxi continued:
"..."
"They are also divided into upper, middle, and lower grades for distinction. A middle-grade one is comparable to one forged from divine abilities, yet it is an heirloom treasure that can be passed down through generations, unconfined by any single golden nature."
"As for the so-called spiritual treasures..."
Speaking of this, Changxi showed a touch of self-mockery and shook his head:
"They are merely ancient spiritual artifacts from before the Heavenly Change. Things like the Xinyou Swimming Marsh Seal were simply spiritual artifacts in former times, yet nowadays they must be called spiritual treasures... standing a head above all modern spiritual artifacts. Quite ironic, really!"
Upon hearing these words, Li Ximing understood a great deal, and his estimation of the Xinyou Swimming Marsh Seal rose another notch. He pondered inwardly:
*No wonder Yuansu could suppress the crowd with a single divine ability. First, he is formidable himself... and second, the Xinyou Swimming Marsh Seal is extraordinary...*
Changxi glanced at him, hesitated for a moment, and then smiled, as if seeking to foster even greater goodwill:
"This old man once heard of a matter. Long ago, there was another method of artifact crafting... Though no longer viable today, it makes for an interesting tale."
"Please enlighten me, Senior!"
Li Ximing was eager to hear more. Changxi stroked his beard and spoke leisurely:
"It is said that a thousand years ago, during the Immortal Foundation era, there was a method of crafting artifacts by gathering the thoughts of the masses, which was exceptionally effective. Ancient cultivators lived and worked in peace, linking with the common folk through divine abilities to draw forth the collective intent of sentient beings, using it to temper magical tools and endow them with spirit. It was called the Hua Refining Method."
"..."
"Many ancient spiritual artifacts we come across bear traces of this. In the past, extremely high-grade magic treasures possessed this capability as well."
Li Ximing's heart thundered. An involuntary thought surged to the forefront of his mind:
*Talisman qi!*
*Is that not precisely our clan's immortal mirror?!*
*An extremely high-grade magic treasure!*
His mind went blank for an instant as a flurry of intricate thoughts raced through:
*No wonder even after achieving a divine ability, I cannot see through the talisman seed... No wonder it can grant mortals the ability to cultivate, and no wonder it produces all manner of miraculous talisman qi. It truly is an immortal treasure!*
*What is more... how awe-inspiring was the Taiyin Mysterious Light! Now that I have broken through to the Violet Palace, its might is even harder to fathom; perhaps even a small child wielding it could wound a Violet Palace master... Where in the world could such a thing make sense?! Only a magic treasure could wield such majesty!*
In the next breath, he forcefully cast all these thoughts out of his mind, compelling his mind to maintain absolute clarity. Without missing a beat, he asked:
"Then why is it no longer viable? Was it lost to time?"
Astute as Changxi was, he immediately caught the emotional fluctuation. Yet no matter how clever he was, he could never imagine the Li clan possessed such a thing; he assumed Li Ximing was merely marveling at the revelation. The old man sighed:
"It no longer works today, yet it was not lost. In my early years, I was deeply fascinated by this and searched everywhere, combing through many ancient texts before finally uncovering some clues..."
A look of perplexity appeared on the old man's face, his brow furrowing:
"It is said... that this method was taken... Some say stolen, some say seized, and others say verified through attainment. In any case, it all traces back to a single name."
"A name..."
Li Ximing suddenly felt a trace of dread, fearing that the next second would bring some world-shaking name from the old man's lips. Yet Changxi had already spoken:
"Suxikong."
"Suxikong..."
The name sounded exceedingly familiar. Li Ximing recalled it at once. Years ago, when Yu Mujian returned from the north and fought two opponents alone, he had uttered this revered title. The various Masters Li Xuanfeng had shot down had also chanted it:
*The Acarya taught me, ordained to receive the Suxikong Dharma and Shakya Truth Technique... Suxikong is the World-Honored One!*
Changxi nodded in confirmation:
"Indeed... The loss of this method was likely related to Him. Ever since He attained the Dao, the power of such artifacts dwindled by eighty percent. Over the subsequent century, they deteriorated year after year, tumbling down in rank and gradually losing their associated powers."
"After four centuries, most of the spiritual artifacts forged through the Hua Refining Method recorded in texts had their power entirely exhausted. Except for a rare few bordering on magic treasures with deep ties to fruit positions that managed to barely sustain themselves—though far diminished from before—subsequent generations could no longer employ this method!"
Both men fell into silence. Li Ximing instantly recalled the circumstances in the north, forming several conjectures in his heart. Seeing Changxi's expression, the old man had likely deduced much as well, though he would not voice it aloud.
With the topic drawing to a close, the aged master smiled and pushed the jade box forward. Li Ximing looked down at the glittering artifact, hesitating for a moment:
*To accept, or not to accept...*
***
Mists swirled through the mountain courtyard. Though Li Ximing had yet to take the high seat, the jade cushions and low tables in the courtyard stretched out in long rows, and figures were steadily multiplying.
Li Jiangqian sat at the head of the left courtyard, lightly raising a jade cup. Beside him was a cultivator in flowing azure robes, possessing an ethereal bearing and composed demeanor. At the Foundation Establishment realm, he was none other than Peak Master Si Tongyi of Qingchi.
Si Tongyi was roughly the same age as Li Zhouwei. With Li Ximing achieving the Violet Palace overnight, he no longer dared address Li Xizhi as 'fellow Daoist.' Yet he was someone who knew how to lower his pride; he promptly struck up a rapport with Li Jiangqian and seated himself by his side.
At this moment, he pointed toward the cultivators below, quietly introducing them in an amiable manner:
"That is Cheng Jinzhu of the Sword Sect, a close friend of your Master of Changtian Peak... and a renowned swordsman of the Sword Sect..."
Li Jiangqian looked over and indeed saw a man carrying a sword seated among the tables, his expression calm. The seats around him were empty; clearly, few were willing to sit beside him.
"Thank you for the pointer, Martial Uncle."
Li Jiangqian responded with a smile, exceedingly cordial. Not daring to point at Cheng Jinzhu for long, Si Tongyi continued introducing the guests in order. Li Jiangqian surveyed the surroundings, his attention lingering on the several masters seated amidst the clouds.
Upon the cloud seats to the west sat a figure with broad shoulders and thick brows, clad in a flame-patterned Daoist robe. His breath was like invisible flame, warping the ambient spiritual energy with heat. This was Real Person Tianque of the Jinyu Sect.
Real Person Tianyuan of the Jinyu Sect had little lifespan remaining, Real Person Tianhuo was in seclusion, and Real Person Qiushui had revealed herself to the world; yet with Zipei's fall, Qiushui was already among the paramount Violet Palace masters of the State of Yue, her status too elevated. Thus, Real Person Tianque, who had originally guarded the State of Wu, had come in her stead.
The representative from the Qingchi Sect was naturally Real Person Yuanxiu. The old man maintained his perpetually stern countenance. Li Jiangqian did not stare at him, instead counting silently in his heart:
*Of the Three Sects... Jinyu and Qingchi have both come, while Xiuyue has not...*
Both sects had their own calculations, and both had shown sufficient face. The Xiuyue Sect's gates were tightly shut, so their absence was expected. What drew Li Jiangqian's attention more were the Seven Gates.
*No word from Xueji Gate... that sect has not involved itself in worldly affairs for centuries.*
*The Sword Sect, the Chen clan, and Xiukui did not send Violet Palace masters, only dispatching direct disciples, which can be considered proper and conventional.*
Factions like the Wanyu Sword Gate and the Great Xiukui Abbey held no particular stance, so this too was normal. Moreover, Cheng Jinzhu's status was by no means low. The remaining gates had each shown their regard in different ways:
*Xuanyue came with the highest ceremony, followed by the Xiao clan, with Xiao Chuting arriving in person... Word has it that the master merely showed his face before departing, seen only by a handful of people.*
*The Violet Palace masters of Ziyan Gate and Tujun Gate are away from their sects, so they sent direct disciples; their seats remain empty as their representatives are still en route without a Violet Palace master to carry them.*
He raised his gaze toward the southern high seat, where a master with a hearty expression sat. Beside him was a woman in red, Bi Yuzhuang, wearing a gold bracelet upon her wrist, her face adorned with a pleasant smile.
*Hengzhu dispatched Real Person Hengli and Bi Yuzhuang... showing great respect as well.*
Having scanned the entire gathering while making light conversation with Si Tongyi, Li Jiangqian saw the situation clearly.
Among the Seven Gates, Changxiao Gate was still missing!
Not only had neither Changxiaozi nor Chengyan arrived, but even the direct disciples of Changxiao had merely delivered a congratulatory word before leaving, without so much as taking a seat...
Aside from the Three Sects and Seven Gates, very few cultivators from north of the river had come, save for the Shen clan. As for the major immortal sects of the State of Wu, not a single one had appeared.
*Hengzhu and Changxiao are at odds... and our clan has had more than a few unpleasant run-ins with Changxiao Gate...*
Li Jiangqian lowered his eyes, realizing the situation was far from clear and peaceful.
*Behind our clan stand only the Xiao clan and Xuanyue... Xiao Chuting of the Xiao clan has never had a fixed abode... nor will he intervene lightly... Yet once Changxi falls, the entire territory of Xuanyue will become a burden!*
*If things go awry then, will we have no choice but to lean toward Hengzhu? Hengzhu is of the righteous path, true enough... but Hengxing and his cohort are far from lacking in schemes...*
Unable to decipher the complex web of relations among the Violet Palace masters, he could only look up toward the head seat, where his father, Li Zhouwei, sat in the place of honor.
*Xuanyue... is a scorching hot potato... One must never carelessly take it in hand...*
Chapter 696