"Tangjin Gate."
At those words, An Siwei's expression shifted drastically. Li Minggong hesitated for a brief moment before taking out a jade pendant and crushing it once more, sending word for the Qi Refinement cultivators scattered across the territory to fall back and take refuge on Funan's main peak. She instructed:
"Just pull everyone back and hold our ground using the formation. Funan's harvests have already been inventoried and cleared; at most we lose a few years of yield. Situ Mo has a background. He knows better than to touch the spirit veins."
Li Zhouwei had actually discussed the matter of Tangjin Gate with Li Minggong and Li Cheng, so this development did not come as a total surprise.
Ever since Situ Tang died, Tangjin Gate had begun its slide from its peak—when it boasted three Violet Palace cultivators and stood as Daxu's foremost sect. Back when the Li clan first attained the Dao, they still heard tales of the Tangjin Gate young master's renown. Yet even by then, Tangjin Gate had already become an empty shell, a declining house hollowed out day by day.
By the time the calamity of Lixia Commandery passed and Chi Wei died, Tangjin's sole remaining Violet Palace cultivator, Situ Huo, had gone on to provoke Xiao Chuting, who had achieved the Dao through a Fate divine ability. In the end, Situ Huo dared not return to either the south or north of the river. The entire Tangjin Gate was reduced to a stage for the scheming between Qingchi and Jinyu, and later suffered the fallout of the North-South conflict. To put it bluntly, Tangjin was now inferior even to Xuanyue!
Its few guest elders were nothing to fear, and it had two newly advanced Foundation Establishment disciples. Of those barely presentable, only Situ Ku and Situ Biao remained—and Situ Ku had already been captured by Li Zhouwei. Within the sect, there were not even enough people to fill the council seats.
The only one truly worth being wary of was Sect Master Situ Mo.
As Li Minggong led the retreat, she said in an undertone, "Situ Mo is a cultivator of the same generation as my grandaunt. He is exceedingly suspicious and deceitful. Years ago, an elder of ours went to Tangjin Gate's Jindou Island with a bow and shot Ewu dead, frightening Situ Mo so badly that he dared not step off the island for over twenty years. Only when he confirmed that our elder was no longer in the Eastern Sea did he flee in panic back to Tangjin Gate.
"He dared not take a single step outside until our elder fell. Only then did word of him surface again... Now he has actually dared cross over the mountains. It seems he has some spine after all."
Beside her, An Zheyan showed a reminiscent look upon hearing the name. Swallowing a pill, he said, "This old man... once spoke of him with Clan Elder Xuanxuan. His maternal uncle was Ji Dengqi, who was also quite a figure."
An Zheyan spoke with authority on this matter. In his past role as Patriarch of the An clan, he had not only conversed with the old Ji patriarch, but had even taken part in the encirclement and killing of Ji Dengqi. Li Minggong knew nothing of this man, and only said:
"Situ Mo has lingered at peak Foundation Establishment for decades and may even have cultivated secret arts. Tangjin Gate's *Tianxu Bright Gold Classic* is also a renowned Geng Gold art. With just the few of us, I fear it will be difficult to hold out. I have already sent a letter requesting reinforcements."
Just as the words left her mouth, an escape light shone brightly above Funan's main mountain, shimmering in dark red hues. A tall man flew into the formation, his bold brows arching upward. Clasping his large hands together, he rumbled:
"Weizeng pays his respects, Milady!"
"You've arrived just in time!"
Delight appeared on Li Minggong's face. Just as she beckoned him over, golden qi surged toward them from the horizon. An Siwei frowned and said:
"So fast!"
Ding Weizeng peered out and recognized them at once. Reaching into his storage bag, he drew out a bright red staff and planted it on the ground. Beneath his crimson armor, a fine layer of miniature runes surfaced, crawling along his arms and onto his palms as the runes within his pupils grew dense.
Ding Weizeng said:
"It's the Situ family!"
It was no surprise that Ding Weizeng recognized Situ Mo. His Ding family had once been a prominent clan in the Funan region; Fudou had maintained frequent dealings with Tangjin Gate, and as a capable lieutenant, Ding Weizeng had even been on friendly terms with Situ Ku.
He hefted his staff. In the sky above, a middle-aged man appeared, holding a golden ring in his hand. He had a rather long face and very thin eyebrows. Glittering golden hooks and rings hung from his person, and his feather robe was patterned with lozenge stones. He stood before the formation with his hands clasped behind his back.
This man was unquestionably Situ Mo. Behind him stood several Foundation Establishment guest elders, and at his side stood the elderly Situ Biao, whose features bore some resemblance to Situ Ku in the dungeon. Without uttering a single word of preamble, Situ Mo commanded:
"Strike!"
In an instant, streaming lights rained down from above, slamming into the grand formation with deafening clatter. The crowd of Qi Refinement cultivators on the formation platform turned pale. An Siwei, holding the formation plate, stepped back, his face grim.
The formation on Funan's main mountain was of the highest grade among Qi Refinement formations, but it simply could not withstand attacks from multiple Foundation Establishment cultivators. Had nearly all the Qi Refinement cultivators of the Funan region not gathered here to share the brunt, that single strike would have shattered it.
Yet numbers alone could not guarantee defense—otherwise, there would be no need for Foundation Establishment formations. Even with ample magic power, this formation would surely break after two more blows. Ding Weizeng hurriedly rode the wind outward to stall for time, shouting:
"Sect Master Situ, why have you invaded our Funan territory?"
Situ Mo raised his brows to look at him and drew the golden sabre at his waist. Fierce golden qi instantly erupted, swirling around him as waves of white vapor. Situ Mo spoke in an amiable tone:
"So it is Weizeng. You too are a cultivator from the Funan region. Now that Funan is being conquered, why not surrender to my Tangjin? I will recommend you to cultivate in Duxian Dao. Your merits will be credited, you will have no further worries, and there is no need to make a desperate stand here."
Tangjin Gate naturally did not dare take in Ding Weizeng on its own; if it tried to persuade him, it had to do so in Duxian Dao's name. But quite apart from the fact that Ding Weizeng's family was still by the lake, he knew full well where his allegiance lay, not to mention his gratitude to Li Ximing for seeking out four Real Persons just to treat his injury. He voiced a sharp refusal—only to abruptly notice Situ Mo's hand.
With one hand resting on his sabre, Situ Mo formed an incantation gesture within his robe with the other: his ring finger crossed behind his middle finger to hook his index finger, while his remaining fingers pressed flat together. He chuckled:
"Strike!"
A dagger-like golden light pierced outward from his sleeve. In an instant, shrill screeches rang out as golden qi plunged downward. Ding Weizeng was not slow to react; gritting his teeth, he bellowed:
"Halt!"
In midair, the cry shifted into a tiger's roar, shaking the forest and momentarily checking the golden blade. Ding Weizeng stared straight into Situ Mo's eyes. Situ Mo felt his gaze drawn into an uncontrollable stare; a massive force struck him, knocking him back a step as stars danced before his eyes.
With this step back, the golden sabre in midair slowed by half a beat, allowing Ding Weizeng to dodge it. Yet the elder Situ Biao behind Situ Mo knew his sect master's nature well and hurled his golden hammer straight ahead.
In an instant, the golden qi filling the sky descended upon Ding Weizeng. Fortunately, a sheet of True Fire surged up from beneath his feet as Li Minggong's Hexagonal Redflame Cup sped in pursuit. Innumerable red-and-white downy feathers formed from Pure Feather Lihuo soared skyward alongside flames, shielding him.
Li Minggong shouted:
"Tangjin Gate attacks our territory without cause—do you seek to provoke the majesty of a Violet Palace?!"
Situ Mo had long been at odds with the Li clan and understood that whether they fought or not, the Lis would never let his sect off easy. He was eager for the Li clan and Duxian Dao to go to war so he would have someone to lean on. Now finally having the upper hand, he was smug, yet cautious with his words:
"Little girl! My Tangjin Gate acts on orders from Duxian Dao's Real Person to take over the Fuyun territory. What talk of attacking is this?!"
Even as they spoke, True Fire and golden qi collided.
True Fire was the Fire Virtue best suited to refining and melting metal, which was precisely why Li Zhouwei had specifically chosen Li Minggong to guard this place. Augmented by the Hexagonal Redflame Cup, the flames, though inferior in raw power to the golden qi, whittled it down again and again. The remnant golden qi rained upon Ding Weizeng, striking his Dharma Body with crisp clanging sounds.
Situ Mo had already regained his senses. Drawing his sabre, he commanded coldly:
"Subdue him at once!"
Led by Situ Biao, the six Foundation Establishment cultivators immediately surrounded Ding Weizeng, detaching one of their number to intercept An Siwei. Situ Biao even took out a golden token that cast its brilliance downward, enveloping Ding Weizeng.
Skilled in battle though Ding Weizeng was, he was after all only at mid Foundation Establishment. How could he withstand a siege by six opponents, especially with Situ Biao possessing comparable cultivation? He immediately fell into the disadvantage, gritting his teeth to hold on.
While Ding Weizeng was in dire straits, Li Minggong fared no better against Situ Mo. His sabre technique immediately seized the initiative, spewing corrosive golden qi that drifted like mist and brought a chill to the face.
Having reached Foundation Establishment only a few years ago, how could Li Minggong match Situ Mo? Fortunately, True Fire countered metal. Relying on the flames from the Hexagonal Redflame Cup, she barely dissolved the golden qi, while Situ Mo's sabre qi could only be blocked with the body of the magical artifact itself, pounding against it with resounding thumps.
*The Hexagonal Redflame Cup was a gift from Jinyu Sect... It's sturdy enough at least... it won't break right away...*
Li Minggong had no time to worry about whether her magical artifact was being damaged. The golden sabre in midair had already curved back around, thrusting toward her back.
Before the blade even arrived, a chill gripped her spine. Spitting flames from her vermilion lips, Li Minggong barely forced back the sabre before her and turned the cup to intercept the golden blade behind her.
*Clang!*
A crisp ring echoed as a shower of sparks erupted in midair. The golden light recoiled swiftly. Li Minggong grunted in pain; a deep gash revealing bone had appeared on her arm.
Though Tangjin Gate had suffered a dearth of talent, its spells were formidable. This Jinzhao Sabre was simply too swift. Even after she redirected her magical artifact, she had only managed to deflect it with the edge of the vessel. The golden blade flew off at an angle, wounding her arm.
The venomous cold of metal immediately attempted to invade her body along her meridians, but the True Fire Dao Foundation within Li Minggong surged, easily neutralizing it. Looking up, she saw Situ Mo forming another seal, golden light blazing in his hands.
*He is no ordinary cultivator...*
After only a few exchanges with Situ Mo, Li Minggong was already wounded. Were it not for her True Fire countering metal, her condition would be far worse. Realizing the gap between herself and such veterans, she retreated several paces in haste and activated talismans to protect herself.
Yet in the space of a breath, Situ Mo completed his spell. Raising his hand as if throwing, countless golden needles shot from his palm—a dense swarm that stung the eyes, flying toward every inch of her body like ten thousand birds returning to the forest.
*I can't hold back after all...*
Knowing she was outmatched—her cultivation and spells falling far short of these seasoned elders—and that these golden needles would be fatal, Li Minggong took an item from her sleeve and tossed it into the air.
A painted screen materialized in midair, comprising eight panels bearing distinct motifs. Green light swayed atop it as dark cyan radiance flowed forth, showering downward like rain.
The Chongming Dongxuan Screen!
The Chongming Dongxuan Screen bore the legacy of the Qingsong lineage, which possessed effective methods against sects south of the river. However, Duxian Dao did not belong to the Qingsong lineage and had no connection to it, which was why Li Zhouwei had not taken it with him.
The reason he had left it with Li Minggong was precisely that the screen's Chongyuan ability countered Tangjin Gate exceptionally well!
This ancient magical artifact displayed immense power. As the dark cyan light showered down, the myriad golden needles were stopped as if seized by the throat, hanging suspended in midair, unable to advance.
When the dark cyan radiance rippled across, it even forced out two golden sabres wriggling like earthworms close at hand, struggling continuously. Li Minggong froze, breaking into a cold sweat.
*There was another one! If not for this magical artifact, with that golden blade following right on its heels, my life would have been forfeit!*
She had broken through to Foundation Establishment only a few years ago and had little combat experience, which was why she had been driven into such an awkward position. Seeing that she had preserved her life with this artifact, Situ Mo's face finally darkened. He cast a sharp glance at it:
"Chongyuan Great Gale? What an overbearing magical artifact..."
While the clash between Situ Mo and Li Minggong paused after a few exchanges, Ding Weizeng over to the side was having a far harder time. Dark red magic power rose from him as his long staff parried two golden spears. His eyes had turned blood red. The Dianyang Tiger excelled at ocular assault; none dared meet his gaze, instead raining spells upon his person.
Relying on his Dharma Body, he held the six attackers at bay. Situ Biao had taken a blow from his staff midway through and still looked grim. Situ Mo narrowed his eyes and said:
"What a fine Dianyang Tiger."
With Ding Weizeng in perilous danger, Li Minggong activated the protective Dao Gold within the screen, slipping free of the golden needles to reinforce him.
Li Minggong joining hands with Ding Weizeng—combining True Fire with Hengzhu, plus an ancient magical artifact designed specifically to counter Tangjin—was no laughing matter! Situ Mo was the first to react. Drawing his sabre to block her, he snapped:
"Do not let them join forces!"
His reflexes were swift; he intercepted Li Minggong just in time and barked out orders. Ding Weizeng had already shifted position, prompting the Tangjin guest elders to exchange glances and roar in unison:
"Strike!"
Several beams of golden light surged from their hands, while Situ Biao once more brought out the golden token, releasing radiance to pin him down. In an instant, obstruction pressed in from above and below, left and right, trapping Ding Weizeng within.
"Hahahaha!"
Yet this only made Ding Weizeng laugh. His dark red eyes shifted. Pressing one hand lightly before him, he chanted:
"The Red Tiger flees; the sovereign avoids the palace, curtails meals, reproaches himself, and grants amnesty to all under heaven!"
His figure turned into a dark red gale, howling out through the surrounding barriers as if the encirclement by Situ Biao and the others did not exist. The wind circled once in the sky and landed beside Li Minggong, reforming into Ding Weizeng.
In that instant, everyone from Tangjin Gate was stunned. It had happened so fast that even Situ Mo was momentarily dazed. He and Li Minggong realized almost simultaneously:
*The Dianyang Tiger excels in battle, escapes captivity, shatters cages, pierces yin to transcend karma, and strikes foes with its gaze.*
The siege by Situ Biao and the others already carried the concept of a cage, and their united effort to obstruct him held the form of captivity. The Dianyang Tiger pierced yin to transcend karma—fitting the wondrous nature of its Immortal Foundation to perfection!
Now the situation was upended. Situ Biao's face instantly drained of color. Ding Weizeng's laughter had not yet faded, but Li Minggong's expression was the first to change as she steered the Chongming Dongxuan Screen back at full speed.
*Siwei!*
While everyone was locked in fierce battle in the sky, An Siwei was still left all alone, fending off that Tangjin Gate guest elder!
In the end, she was one step too late. Situ Mo was extraordinarily quick; treading on golden qi, he appeared beside An Siwei and struck him with a palm before the Chongming Dongxuan Screen could arrive. The blow sent An Siwei coughing blood, tumbling toward the Tangjin cultivators. Situ Mo even had the leisure to turn and parry the magical artifact, meeting her with cold eyes.
Not only was An Siwei's Immortal Foundation utterly ordinary and his cultivation art mediocre, he had been wholly focused on battling his opponent. How could he possibly react in time? In the blink of an eye, he had fallen into the six-man encirclement, trapped and unable to move.
Chapter 725