Li Ximing looked at his state, calmly accepted the item, offered a few words of comfort, and asked casually, "Has Senior found a home for that Gen Earth spirit artifact, the Tiger Driving Mountains to the Sea? If not, it could be gifted to Old Real Person Sumian; or if that fails, Real Person Xuanyi would do as well."
Changxi sighed. Clearly, this matter had been weighed for a long time without any resolution. He answered, "I have other items to give Sumian... As for Xuanyi, arrangements have been made as well. Nowadays, those who dare to accept it will not help, and those who would help refuse to take it. It remains in my hands for now. When my life reaches its end, I will have it sent to Zhaojing."
Hearing this, Li Ximing knew that in all likelihood, the chance of using this spirit artifact to secure Violet Palace assistance was gone; in the end, it would still be sent to the Li family to put his mind at ease. Thus, he said, "Take care of yourself, Old Senior. Xuanyue's territory is vast; it would be best to recall the island lord guarding Yuezhou Island."
Changxi knew his sect lacked successors, and Fuyuezi was the only capable one left. He said in an aged voice, "I have already sent him out to gift Yuezhou to Mount Jingyi. Once it is done, he will return immediately. Zhaojing, you need not worry."
Li Ximing sighed for him inwardly. Saying no more, he nodded and took his leave. Traveling through the Great Void all the way out of Xuanyue, he stepped into the East Sea. Looking around, the light of Heshui stretched across all directions.
He traveled submerged in the Great Void. Whenever he came upon a place where the Great Void towered high, there was bound to be spiritual materials or spiritual water. He would break through the boundary into reality, casually pluck it, and move on. Flying all the way, he gathered six Qi Refinement spiritual materials and one kind of spiritual water, Earthly Fiend Cold Spring.
A hook snake had been guarding the Earthly Fiend Cold Spring, likely using it for cultivation. The moment Li Ximing manifested, the monster was frightened stiff, not daring to utter a squeak. Out of regard for this being dragon territory, Li Ximing spared its life, taking the spiritual item and leaving.
After less than a night traveling through the Great Void like this, estimating his progress, he had arrived in the Great Void around Chongzhou Island. At a glance, he saw shifting hues of Mingyang rippling, condensing into a milky-white canopy that draped downward, glowing brilliantly. Li Ximing was slightly astonished.
"A starved camel is still bigger than a horse... The Cui clan of Chongzhou even possesses a Violet Palace array... Rare indeed... rare indeed!"
Clasping his hands behind his back, he tore open the Great Void and stood by the island's edge riding the heavenly light. At once, iridescent clouds gathered, purple and gold intertwining under radiant, clear skies. Li Ximing released his spiritual sense, sweeping across the island. Finding the location of a cultivator dressed as a direct descendant, he stepped forward.
In the next moment, his silhouette manifested behind that island-patrolling cultivator. Intense heavenly light immediately shone forth, casting a swath of pure white all around.
The man turned alertly, his pupils dilating rapidly. Stunned for a clear moment, he instantly dropped to the ground in prostration, limbs trembling. His face paled swiftly with dread, eyelids twitching, as he rasped hoarsely, "Chongzhou... Cui... Xinzhan pays homage to the Real Person!"
No wonder Cui Xinzhan reacted this way. He had only a mid-stage Qi Refinement cultivation; on ordinary days, Foundation Establishment cultivators were already lofty figures. To suddenly have the Great Void shatter before his eyes and a Violet Palace cultivator fly out—that he could speak at all already showed immense nerve.
Li Ximing had not expected to terrify him so severely and remarked casually, "Go inform your elders that Real Person Zhaojing of Lake Wangyue has arrived."
Cui Xinzhan immediately voiced his assent and scrambled up, drenched in sweat and so weak he nearly collapsed. He rushed frantically toward the grand array. Calling out before the barrier, a streak of flowing light immediately soared close and manifested as a woman holding a golden hoop in her hand.
She bowed her head deferentially and greeted, "Cui Wanqing of Chongzhou greets the Real Person! In earlier years, a senior from Wangyue Marsh came to visit us. Now to behold the immortal countenance of the Real Person in person, all of Chongzhou is honored beyond measure!"
Li Ximing naturally knew his aunt had visited Chongzhou Island. He merely nodded slightly and said, "I came today merely to fulfill the bonds of friendship between our families. There is no need for such ceremony."
Hearing that he was a Real Person from Wangyue, seeing that he cultivated the Mingyang Dao, and knowing his surname was Li, Cui Wanqing felt a strong sense of kinship; that was why she had come out to receive him at the earliest moment. She spoke gently: "Real Person, please..."
She guided Li Ximing into the array. However, this was only the Foundation Establishment array on the island's periphery. The Cui clan had fallen on hard times after all; though they possessed a Violet Palace array, it was only enough to shroud their innermost core mountain. The remaining areas were covered by Foundation Establishment and Qi Refinement arrays. Even though the Cui and Li clans were close, there was no reason to invite a wolf straight into the inner parlor upon meeting.
Li Ximing looked around. Beneath his feet, mortals bustled in crowds. They were not particularly fearful; most simply lowered their heads and dispersed. The population was remarkably dense, prompting his praise: "Chongzhou governs its people with great diligence."
Cui Wanqing pursed her lips into a smile, appearing in somewhat festive spirits, and answered, "To report to the Real Person, the Mingyang Dao is a worldly path of statecraft. Many of our clan's cultivation methods and secret arts emphasize governing the world while cultivating oneself alongside it. Thus, our numbers are relatively large, and the cultivators and clansfolk who relocate elsewhere each year are no small figure either!
"Most Cui cultivators and families across the East Sea and South Sea can trace their lineage back to our Chongzhou. Every ten years, the Cui households across the realm return to our prefecture, which is a truly grand occasion."
With this explanation, Cui Wanqing made Chongzhou's standing abundantly clear. Backed by the White Dragon Branch, no one dared to touch Chongzhou, so for anyone with Cui ties, coming back to pay respects to the ancestral seat was a good thing.
Just as their feet landed on the steps before reaching the main hall, a middle-aged man came rushing toward them. His expression was solemn, two long whiskers drooping down. Approaching them, he turned sideways and prostrated himself with utmost reverence: "Junior Cui Xianye greets the Real Person!"
This Cui Xianye was older, yet far less at ease than Cui Wanqing. The middle-aged man was roughly the same age as Li Ximing, but he was exceedingly reserved, pressing his head against the ground without daring to rise, saying, "My father is currently in secluded cultivation and cannot receive you in person. Xianye presumes to oversee prefecture affairs and conveys the Cui clan's greetings to the Real Person."
"Rise."
Li Ximing smiled and entered the hall. Cui Xianye guided him to a seat, personally presented tea, and said respectfully, "Years ago, the Li clan of Wangyue Marsh corresponded with our Chongzhou Cui clan, but it was a senior cultivating lightning. Our clan elders could not ascertain the truth and dared not trust it lightly. Now seeing the Real Person, we know it is the true Mingyang orthodoxy."
Li Ximing did not hold the past against him. At that time, the Li family was indeed obscure and trapped in dire straits. Though things were slightly better now, they had only just stepped onto the wider stage. Back then, even without receiving the inheritance, that the Cui clan had been willing to provide some information was already generous enough. He nodded and said, "Indeed. Back then, travel was inconvenient, so contact was sparse. Now, we can communicate more often."
Seeing that Li Ximing had no intention of pursuing past matters, Cui Xianye breathed a sigh of relief and bowed. "Thank you for your understanding, Real Person."
Li Ximing wasted no words and simply asked, "How many divine ability masters does the Cui clan possess today?"
Cui Xianye hurriedly replied, "To report to the Real Person, Chongzhou Island originally had Real Person Mingzan, who was my six-generation forebear; he passed away a hundred years ago. Several elders of his generation suffered a backlash from spiritual vapors during seclusion, and signs of their passing appeared one after another in recent years. A few years ago, my father entered seclusion as well, so currently there are no divine ability masters remaining on this island.
"Among the descendants of my forebear's ninth branch who migrated elsewhere, one achieved the Violet Palace, holding the Daoist name Yangya. He is located in the Western Sea in the far west, where he has established a foundation outside. He rarely returns, coming back to visit only when major events occur."
Li Ximing frowned at this. The Cui clan's bloodline was not lacking, their methods pointing toward the Violet Palace were numerous, and they faced no external threats. Judging by Chongzhou's spiritual energy, more than one Mingyang Violet Palace master must have broken through here; it was an exceptional blessed land, so there was no reason they could not produce even a single Violet Palace cultivator.
After all, he had come on this journey partly hoping to find an ally, so he could not help feeling disappointed. He asked, "The Cui clan has cultivated here for a millennium; it should not be limited to this."
Cui Xianye hesitated, then said respectfully, "To report to the Real Person, it is not just my six-generation forebear. His younger brother was also a Violet Palace master; he pledged allegiance to Li Xunquan, and when the dynasty fell, he perished. My five-generation forebear was likewise a Violet Palace master; taking along two of our most talented elders, he joined Li Xuan, and they similarly met their deaths. In the era of the Dongli Sect, Chongzhou was subordinated under Dongli's domain, and our clansfolk were summoned back wholesale, meeting complete ruin. As for how many Foundation Establishment cultivators and how many Violet Palace masters were lost among them, no one can say."
He poured tea for Li Ximing and continued, "Junior means nothing else by this, only wishing to resolve your doubt. I beg your forgiveness."
These words left Li Ximing speechless. Though everyone claimed the Wangyue Li clan descended from the Wei-Li royal line, Li Ximing dared not openly acknowledge it. He merely sighed: "The Cui clan served with utmost loyalty and devotion; it truly evokes great emotion."
After Cui Xianye spoke those words, Li Ximing's tone softened considerably as he said gently, "My Li clan rose from a small family beside a lake, and our inheritance is incomplete. My purpose in coming this time is twofold: first, to fulfill the friendship between our two houses; second, to inquire about the inheritance in hopes of completing some of it. There will certainly be compensation from our side."
Cui Xianye had clearly guessed his intention; after all, Li Qinghong had already inquired about the Mingyang inheritance once before. Thus, he said, "Rest assured, Real Person, our family preserves the Mingyang inheritance. May I ask which path the Real Person cultivates?"
Li Ximing had no fear of letting them know. He tapped his teacup and replied, "'Yetian Gate.'"
"So it is the Tianmen technique divine ability."
By 'Tianmen technique divine ability,' he clearly referred to the various high- and low-grade cultivation methods of the Yetian Gate lineage, which included Huangyuan Pass. Noting Li Ximing's expression, Cui Xianye explained, "Our Mingyang orthodoxy possesses three technique divine abilities, one body divine ability, and one destiny divine ability. The technique divine abilities are 'Yetian Gate', 'Crimson Severing Arrowhead', and 'Diguan Yuan'. The body divine ability is 'Sovereign Treads Danger'. The destiny divine ability is 'Clear Illumination Heart'."
Li Ximing knew only that Diguan Yuan corresponded to his family's Changming Steps, and that Clear Illumination Heart enjoyed some renown in the East Sea; he had never heard of the rest. After taking a moment to digest this, he asked, "Do they have other names?"
Sure enough, Cui Xianye answered, "To answer the Real Person, Diguan Yuan was always transmitted exclusively within the imperial palace; outside, there was only a copy of the Changming Steps. Clear Illumination Heart was also called 'Bright Under Heaven' in ancient times. Only these two were widely known. As for the assorted lower-ranking Dao foundations under them, there are far too many. I will present a catalog to the Real Person shortly."
Li Ximing was overjoyed inwardly and nodded. Cui Xianye answered respectfully, "The divine abilities of Diguan Yuan and Clear Illumination Heart could only be personally bestowed by the imperial house, so Chongzhou does not possess them. We have only 'Yetian Gate' and 'Sovereign Treads Danger'."
'The body divine ability Sovereign Treads Danger!'
Li Ximing was thrilled beyond measure, his heart burning with excitement. On this trip, aside from wanting Clear Illumination Heart most of all, the next best thing was this body divine ability!
Back when Li Ximing achieved Foundation Establishment, he had heard how formidable such immortal foundations were—from the Yu family's Jade Court General to Ning Tiaoxiao's illustrious Sound of the Cavern Spring, and even Sumian praising the Palace Yang Tiger upon seeing Ding Weizeng. Having heard Changxi speak of how helpful body divine abilities were so many times, his interest had long been piqued!
At this moment, he could only feel grateful that he cultivated Mingyang and possessed the legacy left by predecessors, sparing him the bitter struggles Changxi and others endured. He nodded with a smile and said, "I wish to study them. I wonder what the price would be?"
Li Ximing naturally knew how precious Violet Palace cultivation methods were. Back when trading for a Violet Palace spiritual item in Hengzhu, the baseline requirement had been a Violet Palace method or a Violet Palace spirit artifact. Chongzhou Island was no pushover to be bullied at whim, not to mention their deep historical ties.
Seeing Cui Xianye hesitate for a moment, and knowing Chongzhou faced no urgent crisis, the man pondered and said, "To answer the Real Person... do you have a Mingyang Violet Palace spiritual item?"
Li Ximing had anticipated this question. Seeing Cui Xianye, he felt as if he were looking at his own family from the past, and he sighed with some emotion: "I would like such a spiritual item as well. Unfortunately, the single one my family fought tooth and nail to trade for has already been used."
Cui Xianye asked again, "May I ask, Real Person... do you have a Mingyang Violet Palace spirit artifact?"
He paused, then added, "We dare not ask for a spirit treasure, only a spirit artifact. Yet we dare not accept one refined from a spirit embryo, for our family lacks a Violet Palace divine ability master and cannot preserve it."
Li Ximing sipped his tea and said, "I have a spirit artifact, but it is not of the Mingyang path."
"This..."
Now Cui Xianye hesitated. Seeing his dilemma, Li Ximing asked, "May I ask what cultivation method Chongzhou's Yetian Gate inheritance consists of?"
Though Li Ximing possessed no Mingyang Violet Palace spirit artifact, his family possessed a Mingyang Violet Palace method; trading one for one would not be an unfair deal either. Hearing him ask this, Cui Xianye answered, "It is the Scripture of Upper Palace Mingye, a fifth-rank cultivation method... containing... three secret arts."
Hearing this, doubt arose in Li Ximing's heart.
Kong Tingyun had once asked Li Qinghong how many secret arts the Li family possessed. Li Qinghong answered that they had one, and Kong Tingyun remarked that this was 'already quite normal.' At the time, they thought it was merely comforting words. Factoring in their family's Tianli Rize Sutra and Houshu Golden Scripture, Li Ximing had assumed that even if other houses lacked six or seven secret arts, they would surely have four or five.
Yet now, looking at the illustrious Cui clan, they only had three, whereas his Scripture of Minghua Huangyuan contained nine full secret arts!
For a moment, he did not know how to respond as a thought flashed across his mind:
'A blessing, yet also a curse.'
One had to remember that Xiao Chuting had mentioned the secret records of the Dongli Sect, and most methods of the Mingyang lineage were listed in catalogs! Moreover, the phenomena from when he broke through to Foundation Establishment had been seen clearly by all!
And what had he used for Foundation Establishment? Not the Scripture of Minghua Huangyuan, but the Golden Hall Huangyuan Formula! Only later did he switch to this Violet Palace method.
Why had Yuanxiu and the others consistently considered him no threat? It was bound to be because Dongli's secret records contained an entry on the fourth-rank Golden Hall Huangyuan Formula, which likely had only one secret art or none at all. Furthermore, his breakthrough phenomena had been witnessed unerringly by Si Boxiu...
Yet he had switched methods halfway through to break through to the Violet Palace, producing phenomena that no one could decipher. If he were to trade away his family's method now, did the Cui clan have relevant records? If someone in the Cui clan broke through using this method, would it be uncovered?
The presence of the Golden Hall Huangyuan Formula in Dongli's secret records proved that the methods bestowed by the Immortal Mirror were ancient formulas from predecessors, meaning the Scripture of Minghua Huangyuan could very well bring disaster upon them.
'And the Heir happened to cultivate his to completion in the East Sea, so he cannot serve as a reference...'
While thoughts flashed through his mind like lightning, Cui Xianye was similarly turning thoughts over and over in his heart:
'The Li family of Wangyue rose from humble obscurity. Even if they were fortunate enough to obtain a Violet Palace method, it probably cannot compare to our Scripture of Upper Palace Mingye, let alone the number of secret arts... His silence only confirms it.'
Chapter 719