The mountain thrust abruptly into the sky. Li Ximing, treading upon the heavenly light, saw Kong Guxi leaning against a tree in the forest and peering outward. That panicked, frantic look was entirely devoid of the bearing befitting the sect master of Xuanyue.
*After all, there was no successor left, and he was only chosen because Changxi had no better options. Being obedient was his greatest virtue; no one expected bold resolve from him. What is more, with his sect's Violet Palace falling, anyone would be left stunned.*
Though Changxi had never truly opened his heart to him, he was nonetheless an elder. Whatever his private motives, he had offered considerable guidance during the period since Li Ximing achieved the Violet Palace. Li Ximing lowered his head and bowed in respect.
Down below, the people of Xuanmiao Temple were still marveling and singing praises. Even Kong Guxi could hear them, let alone those like Li Ximing and Sumian who had cultivated divine abilities. However downcast Changxi had been in the end, he was still a Violet Palace cultivator. Li Ximing merely raised his head, clasped his hands behind his back, and remained silent.
What sort of figure was Sumian? With just one gesture, he perceived Li Ximing's displeasure. Xuanmiao Temple had a loose organizational system, rich in archaic customs and lacking rigid rules, which had led to this mild disorderly stir. He waved his hand, signaling Qiuxin to go down and disperse the crowd.
Over on his side, Kong Guxi had already ridden the wind into the air, clutching that set of Daoist robes in his arms with the intent to take them back for burial. He came to a halt before Li Ximing and said with deep respect, "Greetings, Real Person. Xuanyue shall look to Real Person alone and obey your every command."
Li Ximing nodded. Waiting until Kong Guxi stood steady amidst the heavenly light, he turned to Sumian and finally voiced the doubt lingering in his mind: "Senior Qi, where is Real Person Xuanyi?"
Li Ximing remembered clearly! Xuanmiao Temple was not Changxi's only source of support; overseas lay Mount Jingyi. Real Person Xuanyi had accepted Yuezhou Island and taken benefits from Changxi... In fact, part of why Changxi had perished ahead of his time was that he had aided Mount Jingyi. Yet now that Changxi was dead, Xuanyi was nowhere to be seen!
At Li Ximing's question, Sumian shook his head. No longer bothering to conceal his feelings, an unmistakable look of disgust appeared on his face as he answered, "Xuanyi is no good sort. Changxi was on the verge of death and was an obvious liability. What overseas Violet Palace would come rushing over eager to get involved?"
He paused, then added, "Xuanyi is at odds with Chunyi Dao. Now that Real Person Guanghou of the Chunyi Immortal Dao has achieved the Violet Palace, Xuanyi is pinned down and cannot move freely. Naturally, he could not come."
Chunyi Dao was also an orthodox lineage steeped in archaic style. Qiuxin had once joined forces with Chunyi Dao to ambush demonic cultivators south of the river, retrieving the Purple Fire Cauldron for the Li clan. The relationship between Xuanmiao Temple and Chunyi Dao was clearly out of the ordinary, so it was hardly surprising that Sumian disliked Xuanyi.
Having grasped the crux of the matter, Li Ximing understood where Sumian's disgust stemmed from. But now was not the time to concern himself with Xuanyi; he still needed to ascertain Xuanmiao Temple's intentions.
Li Ximing glanced at Kong Guxi. Seeing that the man had yet to gather his wits, he had no choice but to speak up himself: "Now that Senior Kong has fallen, the celestial omens are unmistakable and the earth veins clearly manifest; every household knows of it. Baiyedu Immortal Dao has long harbored designs on the Shanji region. Senior agreed to protect Xuanyue—what plans do you have?"
Real Person Sumian stroked his beard and replied softly, "Brother Changxi was on friendly terms with our Xuanmiao Temple for many years, so we cannot stand by with folded arms. However, Xuanyue holds a vast territory, and covetous figures lurk across all four borders. I fear that with only the strength of our two houses, we cannot keep everything intact. Cede what can be ceded; the lives of the juniors must come first."
Xuanyue was rooted in Shanji and the Xuanyue sect grounds, its sphere of influence radiating outward to the Salt Lake and the Wilderness. For Sumian to propose giving up land right from the start left Li Ximing no choice but to ask, "Senior, this means..."
Sumian shook his head and said, "Zhaojing, rest assured. Our Xuanmiao Temple cultivators have already gone to garrison the Salt Lake region. After all, the Salt Lake is part of our own heartland as well, and we cannot easily allow chaos to erupt there. As for west of the Wilderness, our temple's reach, I fear, falls short."
The Li family and Xuanmiao Temple happened to flank Xuanyue Gate from both sides, bordering it at the Wilderness and the Salt Lake respectively. Hearing this, Li Ximing understood at once:
*Very well... Xuanmiao Temple wants to take Xuanyue's sphere of influence on the Salt Lake, which means they are leaving the Wilderness to my clan.*
This might look like an even split where each side held one front, but it was nothing of the sort! Setting aside the Li family's long shared border with Baiye, even if Ye Gui were a fool, he would know Xuanmiao Temple's longstanding neutral stance and would only need to focus on dealing with the Li family...
Xuanmiao Temple seemed to be defending, but in truth, they were merely swallowing up the Salt Lake territory!
Both being Violet Palace cultivators, how could Li Ximing fail to see through this? He immediately furrowed his brows.
Sumian did not slacken his tone either, continuing, "Zhaojing, rest assured. On my end, I shall seek out Ye Gui and urge him toward restraint. Brother Changxi's bones are not yet cold; things need not become too fierce. Should an actual crisis arise, I certainly will not sit by."
Sumian's intent was for the Li clan to confront Duxian Dao. Xuanmiao Temple was unwilling to send men and offend Ye Gui, yet should a clash of the Violet Palace erupt, Sumian was at least willing to intervene and mediate. Li Ximing listened in silence.
Sumian turned back to Kong Guxi and spoke, "Your sect grounds border this Salt Lake. If your sect faces any hardship, or if your disciples suffer injuries, send them over nearby immediately; Xuanmiao Temple will not stand idly by. The same goes for Wangyue."
Li Ximing felt an immediate headache. Fortunately, Kong Guxi replied respectfully, "Reporting to Real Person, before the Patriarch passed, he instructed me to follow Real Person Zhaojing's arrangements in all things. I must await Real Person's immortal decrees."
Sumian nodded. Li Ximing had already known what to expect from these Violet Palace Real Persons. Though they might appear benevolent and charitable in ordinary times, whenever another family could be made to bear losses, they would never expend their own. When Changxi was alive, they made pleasant promises, but once Changxi died and the spoils were swallowed, how much or how little they did depended entirely on their conscience. Sumian was already far better than Xuanyi.
Yet Li Ximing could linger here no longer. Bidding farewell, he tore open the Great Void with a casual flick of his hand, shuttling swiftly with Kong Guxi as he asked, "How are Xuanyue's defenses arranged? There is no need to keep personnel at the Salt Lake. Send them all to guard the Wilderness."
Kong Guxi remained relatively calm as he replied, "Reporting to Real Person, our Patriarch made arrangements for our defenses while he was still alive. At present, from our main lineage, there are three in the early Foundation Establishment stage, one in the middle stage, and one in the late stage. Along with nine guest elders, all are stationed along the Wilderness riverbank; the Salt Lake has been left completely vacated."
Changxi had calculated quite accurately; otherwise, he would not have said those words to Li Ximing. Li Ximing felt somewhat relieved. A full fourteen Foundation Establishment cultivators—though none were standout figures—still constituted the core strength of an entire immortal clan. They would not be broken through in a single stroke. He then inquired about the deployment of Xuanyue's only battle-capable cultivator: "Where is Fuyuezi?"
Kong Guxi replied, "Stationed in the Wilderness."
The Li family's main force was stationed on the east bank, positioned to rush northeast to reinforce the Wilderness or northwest to reinforce Funan. Moreover, days ago, Li Xizhi had already secretly recalled Li Wushao and Li Qiyun, both of whom were now on the east bank.
In the span of a few words, they had already reached the Wilderness. Preparing to set Kong Guxi down, Li Ximing instructed, "The Violet Palace of Mount Jingyi may have his hands full, but Xuanyi surely has no small number of disciples and grand-disciples. Does your clan not have someone apprenticed under Xuanyi? Have him invite several fellow disciples over to lend aid!"
Kong Guxi nodded repeatedly and answered, "I shall prepare generous gifts at once and dispatch someone to Mount Jingyi, having my clan brother request assistance."
...
Baijiang Creek.
For the past year or year and a half, the Midong region could only be considered marginally stable. The local prominent clans had access to ample information and knew something of the Kong family's circumstances. Consequently, people's minds were restless; they had little interest in the Li family's stipends, merely drifting along day by day.
A blaze of lights illuminated Hongfu Peak as cultivators bustled in and out. The young man seated in the host's position had eyes black as lacquer, with six command tokens hovering at his waist. Old Man Qu bustled up from below and reported, "My lord, the emissary from the King of Beijin River has arrived, reporting movements in the Baiye region."
Li Cheng was the most cautious among the Li family's several Foundation Establishment cultivators. He had arranged for the King of Beijin River's men to stay on a side peak, exchanging jade talismans each month so that information could be received promptly—after all, it took them only a quarter of an hour or two to fly over, whereas this area resisted control and relaying notices through tiers of bureaucracy could easily result in delays during an emergency.
Now that the news had arrived, Li Cheng stood up at once. He had just received reports of mountain movements in Xuanyue, and Ying Hebai's message followed immediately on its heels. He said in a deep voice, "Real Person Changxi has fallen. Summon Ding Weizeng here. All Foundation Establishment cultivators are to withdraw immediately; there is no need to depart by way of Hongfu Peak."
Since no word had come from Li Zhouwei and no reinforcements were sent from their own rear, Hongfu Peak certainly could not be held. Midong had never truly been included in the Li family's long-term plans. Aside from the land itself, there had been nothing of genuine value here to begin with, and anything portable over the past year or two had already been completely relocated to the Funan region.
And aside from the immovable land and prominent clans, what was the most valuable thing in Midong?
The Continuous Cloud Sky-Reaching Grand Formation on Hongfu Peak, of course!
During these past few years, Li Cheng had done only three things. First, he relocated the common folk of Midong to populate Funan, moving only mortals with no ties to the prominent clans and never touching cultivators. Second, he made sweeping appointments of prominent clan cultivators, conveniently distributing all the spirit fields that Wenhu of Midong had painstakingly converted from private to public ownership.
It could be said that over the course of less than two years, not only had Midong lost part of its population, but the annexation of spirit fields had reached an unprecedented height, while the Li family had also reaped substantial profits through reselling them.
And the third matter was recording the spirit veins, earth veins, and water veins, working around the clock to transcribe the formation plinth of the Continuous Cloud Sky-Reaching Grand Formation. Now, taking away the most precious formation disk and destroying the formation would leave Mount Hongfu without protection, instantly turning it into a paradise for rogue cultivators and prominent clans to contest and plunder.
Without stopping for a moment, he strode outward and continued, "We have no time to deal with this ourselves. Those prominent clans and rogue cultivators who self-righteously seek to drive our Li family out will not let this chance slip by. Leave it all to them to squabble over... Once Duxian Dao's forces arrive, they will certainly have to leave a few behind here to suppress the disorder."
Qu Bushi followed him outside, whispering, "The spiritual energy in Jiangbei is flourishing; we could dig up the earth veins, sever the spiritual energy... and fill the water veins as well..."
Li Cheng retrieved the formation disk in the main hall. The formation disk resting upon the stone pedestal was exceedingly intricate, traced with numerous silk-like patterns across its circular surface. Hearing Qu Bushi's words, Li Cheng dismissed the idea, saying, "Have you lost your mind? This is Jiangbei, not the East Sea. No one may touch the land of Jiangbei—even if a Violet Palace came, it would be useless!"
Qu Bushi gave a startled shudder. Realizing he had spoken out of turn, he fell silent and backed away. The two made their way out of the mountain. Fearing Ding Weizeng and the others might not receive the order in time, Li Cheng crushed another jade talisman as a reminder. Once they crossed out of the Midong territory, fire soared into the heavens above Mount Hongfu; the grand formation shattered, and the brocade clouds sank downward, scattering like rain.
Immediately afterward, dozens of beams of magical light shot into the sky, all hesitatingly heading toward Mount Hongfu; clearly, the prominent clans had noticed the change. Having already sped more than ten li out of Midong, Li Cheng cast a slightly wistful glance back toward the north.
"Midong is truly a fertile land. In the future... if the chance arises to set foot here again, we shall properly sweep the realm clean and bring the prominent clans to heel."
Driving the thunder, he moved with remarkable speed. In the span of an incense stick, he sped into the Funan region, where sparse villages, gleaming formations, and neat order greeted him—a stark contrast to Midong. A woman came riding forward to meet him.
Li Minggong was clad in a red skirt, holding the Hexagonal Red Flame Lamp as she arrived riding flames, with An Siwei behind her in jade armor and bearing a spear. A look of deep worry weighed between Li Minggong's brows as she spoke, "Younger Brother, you have arrived just in time. I only just received word that Guan Gongxiao, the head disciple of Duxian Dao, has led men into the Wilderness region. The Clan Master went ahead in advance and has likely engaged them by now. Fortunately, you did not stay to defend Mount Hongfu and have freed up your hands. I am stationed here and cannot leave my post; please rush to their aid at once."
Li Cheng had not expected the enemy's offensive to be so swift. He asked in a deep voice, "How many cultivators?"
Li Minggong, growing anxious, shook her head. "Hard to know fully... Guan Lingdie and Gongsun Baifan have both appeared, along with several fairly renowned Foundation Establishment cultivators transferred back from overseas."
Li Cheng caught on immediately. "It seems that Guan Gongxiao fellow sent local tyrants like Song Yunbai and Wang He to strike Jiangbei, while their main force headed for the east bank. I shall ride the thunder over right now. Ding Weizeng will arrive a step behind; fill him in on the situation."
Without pausing for an instant, Li Cheng led his people relentlessly toward the east, quickly vanishing into the horizon.
Li Minggong, ordered to defend the Funan region, could only watch him depart; this land served as the barrier to Lake Wangyue, holding an importance even greater than the Wilderness.
After a while, the earth veins in the east shifted. Before Li Minggong could even catch sight of Ding Weizeng, she saw a sheet of golden light rise in the northwest. A sudden pang of dread struck her heart. Riding her flames to gaze into the distance, she saw escaping lights racing along the border, formations shattering, and golden qi surging to the skies.
Li Minggong immediately sensed that something was amiss. Calling up the Jade Court Guard, she commanded, "Head to the clan at once to seek reinforcements! Request that several of the clan's Foundation Establishment cultivators rush to aid Funan! This matter is of utmost gravity; there must be no laxity!"
The guard hurriedly left. Li Minggong at once took out a jade talisman and crushed it. Her family senior's two spirit beasts were right on the east bank; rushing here to assist would take no more than a quarter of an hour. Having executed this series of measures, she found some reassurance and immediately rode the wind away alongside An Siwei.
Looking into the distance, An Siwei's expression tightened with tension. His father, An Zheyan, was stationed near that area. Although the distance was considerable and the old man was shrewd, he still could not resist flying forward a few steps faster.
*Had I known, I would never have arranged for him to be in that place!*
An Zheyan was an elder of the clan and had been given the safest, most leisurely duties. An Siwei had never anticipated a sudden strike from the northwest, which had ended up putting An Zheyan in mortal peril.
Fortunately, the old man had accumulated quite a few treasures over the years, and being positioned slightly inland rather than right on the border, he had managed to escape with his life. As the two Foundation Establishment cultivators sped forward, straining their eyes to see into the distance, they happened upon the old man fleeing toward them in a streak of bloody light.
An Zheyan's head had been bald from start to finish, and now his beard and eyebrows were completely white. When Li Ximing reached the Violet Palace, he had remolded the severed arms of old men like him and Li Qiuyang, so he now had all four limbs intact and appeared in much better shape, save for the deeper, more weathered wrinkles upon his face.
He halted in flustered haste before Li Minggong. The golden qi on the horizon surged ever stronger. The old man coughed up a mouthful of blood and said in a panic-stricken voice, "Reporting to my lady... Situ Mo, Sect Master of Tangjin Gate... leading the cultivators of Tangjin... has crossed the mountains!"
Chapter 724