“You dare deceive me.”
The moment Li Ximing asked the question, purple flames flared across the mountain, illuminated by celestial radiance. Enveloped in the blazing purple fire, the stone tiles turned scorching hot. Wenhu's face was already pressed flat against the ground, not daring to lift it, and a sizzling sound arose as his flesh roasted.
Leaving aside the consequences of deceiving a Violet Palace master, to have one ask in so placid a tone, “You dare deceive me,” was in itself a psychological torment of an entirely different magnitude for any cultivator...
Whatever Wenhu might have thought, standing to the side, Li Chenghuai felt a chill rush straight up his spine and seize his head. Even though he was not the one lying, fear gripped his heart.
‘Uncle now... truly possesses the majesty of an Enlightened Master!’
Looking down at Wenhu on the ground, Li Ximing actually felt little anger, but rather regret.
The lie this man had spun was half-truth and half-falsehood, exceptionally clever. The direct Mifan descendant he spoke of was in all likelihood the very person baited away by Duxian Dao, whom Wenhu had tricked into death. That affair had involved Violet Palace masters and was kept thoroughly secret; had Changyun not casually mentioned it, Li Ximing truly would have had no way to confirm it.
Moreover, Wenhu's story tying into that Mifan descendant was grounded in fact. Such a person truly had existed, had interacted with Wenhu, and could both guard against and mislead any divination Li Ximing might attempt. Even the fine details would not be wrong—after all, Wenhu, who knew nothing of the other Mifan branches, could never have invented such a person out of thin air.
So long as Li Ximing lacked concrete intelligence, Wenhu could have kept spinning the story. And had the Li family not acquired Fudou's head and determined through profound shamanic arts that Fudou had been killed in an ambush, this Xiaoshi Tianqing Sanyun Jue would hardly have served as corroborating evidence.
“In merely a breath's time, he spun a story with a beginning and an end. Were it not for a lapse in deliberation born of an eager haste to prove his worth, offering up an extra Xiaoshi Tianqing Sanyun Jue, there would have been one fewer loose thread...”
Li Ximing took a sip of tea. Wenhu lifted his scorched, blackened face, showing no sign whether tears were falling. Li Chenghuai caught Li Ximing's glance, stepped forward, grasped Wenhu's chains, and asked:
“Had you only laid out everything plainly, the Enlightened Master would have made his own judgment. Why resort to such a move?”
Wenhu opened his eyes. Both of his pupils had been scorched during the battle, turned completely milky white. He raised his head and said:
“All my life, I fought and schemed across the South Sea. In everything I faced, when my plots succeeded, I won as was natural; when they failed and I was bested, I lost as was deserved. Never was there any reason to sit idly waiting for death, waiting for an ‘Enlightened Master's judgment.’”
Li Ximing set down his jade cup and nodded.
“Good!”
The moment the word fell, a wave of celestial light swept forward with purple flames, stripping away Wenhu's flesh and bones piece by piece until nothing remained but ash. Even the various chains on his body and the iron clasps etched with formation arrays melted away completely. The Foundation Establishment cultivator kneeling there was scattered like smoke within a single breath.
Clatter.
Only a few twisted, burnt lumps of iron fell where he had been kneeling—the very shackles from Wenhu's body. He had cultivated Juguinyin, which was countered by Mingyang; with this sweep, all of his cultivation base was dissolved clean away, stirring not the slightest anomalous phenomenon.
Standing to the side, Li Chenghuai quietly exhaled. Li Ximing placed three jade slips on the table, rubbed the space between his brows, and asked:
“Chenghuai, one is Juguinyin and one is Fuyunshen. Both are Fourth Grade and will greatly enrich our family's foundation... See if anyone in the clan has the inclination to cultivate either of them.”
Li Chenghuai pondered and replied:
“I will look into it upon returning to see which of our clan's children are about to begin Qi Refinement.”
Li Ximing let him make the arrangements, though whichever clan member it was, they certainly would not make it in time for the Mifan spirit repository of Mount Xiaoshi. He thus asked:
“Between Funan and Midong, people were brought in earlier and later when sects were destroyed and aristocratic families were caught by their illicit dealings. They belong to the same cavern after all—are there any talents who share the same qi?”
Li Chenghuai replied:
“This junior will look into it.”
He immediately sent someone down. Before long, a courtyard guard presented a jade slip, which Li Chenghuai took and read.
Here the virtue of orderly clan governance showed itself. Li Chenghuai had evidently paid attention to these matters long ago and recorded them all in detail. There was no need to wait now; scanning it with two glances, Li Chenghuai reported:
“There is one surnamed Wang who shares the same qi as Fuyunshen, currently in late Qi Refinement. There is also a Guest Elder Huang who cultivates Fuyunshen. As for Juguinyin, there are no Qi Refinement cultivators of the same qi.”
Li Ximing remarked offhandedly:
“This Wang branch in Jiangbei has a large clan, and Wang He still holds a post in Duxian Dao... They are difficult to govern in the Mifan territories. Since this man is in late Qi Refinement, it is just the right time to select and elevate this Wang clansman. It would be best if he can attempt to achieve Foundation Establishment, which will also reassure the people relocated from the Funan lands.”
As he gave these orders, he already harbored a premonition:
‘Then we can hardly expect to take a greater share from the spirit repository this time. We shall test the waters first. Fortunately, this is not a one-off affair; we can look into it more thoroughly once the younger generation rises.’
Understanding his intent, Li Chenghuai accepted the orders and prepared to withdraw, only to see the Enlightened Master above in white robes with gold patterns close his eyes, exhale, and suddenly speak:
“Chenghuai, karmic mandate and heavenly timing, wit and scheming, natural talent and Dao attainment—rarely can one possess all three. People often believe that Dao attainment and cunning are of paramount importance, yet they must also fear that in this world... when luck runs dry, the Violet Palace is unattainable; when destiny runs shallow, divine abilities will not manifest.”
“This junior takes this to heart.”
Knowing he was referring to Wenhu, Li Chenghuai answered. Li Ximing pondered for a moment and added:
“Summon several members of the Zhou and Xing generations here... and... invite the Old Master over as well.”
***
Mount Qingdu.
Numerous pavilions had now been erected on Mount Qingdu, and the groves had thinned. Once the quiet seclusion of a few Foundation Establishment cultivators and direct descendants, it had transformed into the bustling peak of the Clan Rectors, with light beams ascending and descending everywhere as figures hurried about. Li Quewan soared all the way over and landed amidst the mountains.
The silvery-white necklace at her neck caught the light, and a contemplative look lingered on her face. Now in late Qi Refinement at the seventh layer, she was counted among the core strength of the Li family.
She had made a trip to Northern Shanyue, only to return empty-handed, leaving her slightly dispirited.
‘The Dark Shamanic Dao Arts are simply far too difficult...’
The Dark Shamanic Dao Arts was a compendium of shamanic arts obtained from the talisman seed. To call it mere shamanic arts... it was truly a grand compendium of the shamanic path. The methods contained within were astonishingly numerous, focusing primarily on three paths: Transformations, Shamanic Talismans, and Spirit Ingestion.
Yet its arts were complex, effectively organized into three grand sections without even divisions into tiers or layers. Though it was something of supreme profundity, the division of its sections was as cursory as if they had been bundled together haphazardly.
“After all, it is an ancient method, and the ancients valued simplicity...”
Li Quewan cultivated few spells. Aside from her core cultivation, almost all her energy was poured into the Dark Shamanic Dao Arts, yet she had only barely stepped through the threshold. Following Li Jiangqian's suggestion, she had focused more on transformation methods for self-preservation, with the rest merely being basic divination techniques.
After all, the opening line of the Dark Shamanic Dao Arts read: “Once the profound mystery is first attained, one may practice shamanic arts.” From what Li Quewan had gathered, that so-called initial attainment of profound mystery... meant the Violet Palace!
“In ancient times, one could hardly claim any accomplishment without a divine ability. It truly fills one with envy.”
Li Quewan gathered her thoughts and cast her gaze upon Mount Qingdu. Though she had visited only a handful of times, she had long held it in awe and reverence.
Qingdu governed the clan's rectory affairs. In earlier years, it oversaw the direct line's mortals; later, as direct-line cultivators multiplied and mortal bloodlines dispersed into collateral branches, it expanded its staff and shifted primarily to overseeing cultivators.
Later, as marriages between the Li clan and external surnames and guest elders grew frequent, those apprehended by Mount Yuting were mostly transferred to Qingdu's jurisdiction. While Mount Yuting maintained its disciplinary inspections, the judgment and punishment of offenders shifted toward the low-level cultivators of the Sixteen Mansions, Two Peaks, and One Mountain, gradually lowering its status relative to Qingdu.
Furthermore, after Li Chenghuai broke through to Foundation Establishment and mastered Do Not Investigate Me, which could discern the truthfulness of low-grade Qi Refinement cultivators, it had little impact on the Li family's upper echelons, but was a momentous matter for rectifying the ethos across the entire Mansion-Peak system. In the end, it even uncovered three direct-line clan elders... who were sent to the islet under house arrest, raising Qingdu's standing yet another notch.
Yet right when Qingdu's prominence was at its peak, there was a side peak of Qingdu where verdant woods cast deep shade, not a single extra pavilion had been built, and few people ever came and went. Arriving here, Li Quewan was exceedingly respectful. She said to the middle-aged man before the gate:
“Please inform the Old Master... the Enlightened Master requests an audience.”
This middle-aged man was none other than Li Quewan's elder brother. Not daring to say much, he nodded repeatedly and went into the building. Promptly, an old man descended the stairs.
The old man's cheeks had sunken, making his face appear gaunt, yet he did not lack an ounce of benevolence. His eyes crinkled with a smile into two dark, bright slits buried within wrinkles, his mouth slightly parted. Seeing him made Li Quewan want to smile along. She pursed her lips and asked softly:
“Is the Old Master in good health?”
“Good... good!”
Li Xuanxuan walked up briskly. Li Quewan hurried to support him, but the old man did not take her hand, eagerly craning his neck:
“Ximing has returned? Let's go, let's go... We'll head over right now!”
These days, the only one who dared call Enlightened Master Zhaojing “Ximing” was likely Li Xuanxuan alone. As Li Quewan rose on the wind alongside him, Li Xuanxuan sighed:
“A few months ago... He Jiumen exhausted his lifespan and passed away. He used too much essence blood in artifact forging, ending up with a lifespan of merely one hundred and fifty years. Truly a pity... And that legacy of his wasn't fully passed on to Queyi and the others. The old fellow didn't even get to die comfortably!”
He Jiumen was an old cultivator from the West Bank who had grown close to Li Xuanxuan in recent years. Only now did Li Quewan learn of his demise. Before she could speak, Li Xuanxuan continued:
“Donghe hasn't made a sound on Mount Yuting all these years, and An Zheyan is away again. Qiuyang, on the other hand, was able to let things go and went off to row a boat on the lake. I have no one to talk to on the mountain. Those who come up in groups of three or five... only do so because they think this old man's words carry some weight. It's hypocritical and dreary...”
Aside from Li Qinghong, the first person Li Quewan had followed upon coming up the mountain was Li Xuanxuan, so hearing this filled her with guilt. But Li Xuanxuan said:
“An Zheyan doesn't have many years left to live... yet they sent him north, and something happened to Guest Elder An as well... What kind of sense does that make? In a moment, I will have a serious word with the Enlightened Master.”
In just a few words, they had already descended toward Mount Zhijing. Standing at the foot of the mountain were a man and a woman.
The man in front possessed handsome features, wearing pleated robes; a golden glow like ears of grain surrounded him, divided into six strands that flitted about as nimbly as sparrows. The woman was plain of appearance, unpowdered and unadorned, wearing only a simple skirt with a single sword slung across her back.
“Uncle Zhouluo, Aunt Xinghan!”
After Li Quewan greeted them, the two hurried to bow to Li Xuanxuan, their venerable ancestor. Li Xuanxuan hurriedly raised them up, looked at Li Xinghan with some surprise, and asked:
“Zhouluo often comes to visit me at Qingdu, so I see him plenty. But Xinghan, I rarely see you... Where do you cultivate nowadays?”
Li Xinghan cupped her hands and said:
“Replying to the Master, Xinghan cultivates along the northern shore of Lake Wangyue. The cliffs there are steep and perilous, well-suited for practicing sword arts.”
Though Li Xinghan was plain-looking, her voice was as crisp and clear as snow, quite captivating. Hearing “sword arts,” Li Xuanxuan's eyes lit up, and he asked:
“Have you cultivated sword qi?”
“Reporting to the Master, I have.”
Nearing the dwelling of the Enlightened Master, the juniors lowered their voices and dared not speak. Li Xuanxuan did not put them on the spot either. They made their way up to the summit, where gardenia blossoms danced on the breeze, blanketing the ground like white frost. Several segments of jade pillars lay fallen amidst the sea of flowers, where purple flames flickered faintly.
Seated above, the Enlightened Master in white robes with gold patterns was reading a jade slip. Seeing Li Xuanxuan arrive, he rose immediately to welcome him, supported the old man to a seat, and poured tea. Only then did the juniors dare stir, stepping aside to stand respectfully.
Li Zhouluo glanced over and saw his father, Li Chenghuai, standing silently to the side. Drums began beating in his chest:
‘What is this about...?’
With several juniors present, Li Xuanxuan held his tongue for the moment, simply responding to Li Ximing's solicitous inquiries. Li Chenghuai then said:
“Reporting to the Enlightened Master, Zhoufang and Zhouyang of the eldest branch have gone to the wilderness and have not yet returned.”
Li Ximing nodded. Looking at Li Zhouluo and Li Xinghan before him, he seemed rather satisfied, especially when his gaze lingered on the sword behind Li Xinghan. He nodded and said:
“Our family rose through the Dao of the sword, yet aside from my two brothers, few among the younger generation have taken a liking to the blade. Between the two of you, one cultivates Geng Metal and the other Jade Truth, both wielding swordsmanship. That is quite commendable!”
Li Zhouluo cultivated the Mang Metal Mystery Querying Art, being the first in the family to do so. Li Xinghan was more unusual, cultivating the Yu family lineage's Jade Dao True Unity Chant.
This technique had been retrieved from the Yu family's secret vault. Although it had no formal grade, it was one of the few complete heritages they possessed. Over the years, virtually no one in the Li family had cultivated it... all due to the difficulty of harvesting its qi.
To cultivate the Jade Dao True Unity Chant, one had to carve relief patterns, requiring at least a Qi Refinement cultivator holding a jade platter to chant scriptures and harvest qi all day long. Although five or six years was not an overly long span... chanting scriptures and harvesting qi all day was unlike other qi-harvesting methods that required only an hour or two each day; it delayed one's personal cultivation, so naturally no one was willing to harvest it.
What was more, this wisp of spiritual qi had to be harvested by the same person without rotation, and many of the original scriptures had been scattered when the Yu family fell, making it harder still. Though Li Xinghan's father belonged to the direct line, his ability and talent were unremarkable, so he naturally could not secure such a treasure.
Yet fortune and misfortune depended on each other. Because her father lacked sufficient cultivation, he was not even qualified to take part in the grand battle on the river. Possessing only direct lineage status, he had to marry a woman with ties to the Yu family. Li Xinghan's maternal uncle had once been a guest elder of the Yu family; well-versed in the scriptures and doting on her immensely, he had personally spent five years harvesting it for her!
The efforts of her maternal family had not been in vain. Seeing her now, Li Ximing truly felt his eyes light up!
For any clan, having a wider variety of lineages was always better, ensuring they would not all be forced to bow before a single magical artifact or suffer together from a single gust of spiritual vapor. Moreover, their own direct line lacked a practitioner of Jade Truth. Li Ximing looked on with approval and smiled:
“Your immortal foundation carries the concept of mastering true unity, and it coincides with an era where Jade Truth holds sway. In ancient times, True Monarch Liujiu Hexu of Jade Truth was also a sword immortal. Since he ascended to the Fruit of Dao... this Jade Truth... might very well be an excellent lineage for sword cultivation, no worse than Geng Metal. Practice your sword diligently.”
Li Ximing did not need to make any overt promises. For an Enlightened Master like him to speak these words before the Li family's venerable ancestor and the Foundation Establishment elder governing Qingdu was already proof that Li Xinghan had caught his eye. Though the young woman possessed no devious mind, she understood the significance and hurriedly bowed.
“My thanks to the Enlightened Master!”
Chapter 740