As soon as Si Xunhui finished speaking, Quan Yuduan stepped forward immediately and said in a low voice, "Master sent us here this time, first because a sect mission was assigned, requiring me to bring Junior Brother over; second... there are also matters of utmost importance to entrust."
Li Zhouluo understood at once and lifted his chin slightly. Di Liguang led the guards out, leaving the hall suddenly spacious and empty. Quan Yuduan said in a low voice, "Master is stationed in the South Sea. He completely overhauled the two-hundred-year-old system of blood essence and resentment cultivated by the Chi and Lingu clans, rooting out all the demonic cultivators across the Shitang archipelago under his jurisdiction. Using the disciples of the five peaks under his command as a protective bulwark, he converted the islands under his governance into substantial territories populated by minor sects and small islands...
"From then on, the islands became a solid foundation. When surrounding demonic sects large and small came to raid one after another, whenever they made a move, Master virtually slaughtered their upper echelons single-handedly... Ever since, the entire Shitang archipelago has been peaceful, and its market stands a cut above the rest. Cultivators of the South Sea would rather travel several days and nights longer just to reach the Shitang market...
"Now, commerce throughout the northern South Sea flows toward Shitang, and precisely because of this, he offended Tinglei Island... Fortunately, Master Yuanxiu's prestige is flourishing at its peak, so Master is naturally safe and sound. He merely instructed our family to be vigilant, fearing someone might seek revenge."
Li Xuanxuan nodded silently, his heart sinking. Li Zhouwei had spoken to him about the South Sea—most demonic cultivators were actually fostered by Tinglei Island, so this was likely far more complicated than merely competing over market profits. The old man thought to himself, 'Master Yuanxiu probably did this deliberately... He intentionally transferred Zhi'er to the chaotic South Sea and had him rectify the markets. Now that the Si family has swallowed all the profits, Zhi'er has no choice but to bind himself even closer to him...'
While he was pondering, Quan Yuduan retrieved a pagoda crafted from colorful glazed glass from his sleeve. No larger than a finger, it was exquisitely petite. Cupping the pagoda in his palm, he murmured, "This magical artifact was specifically sent back by Master. It is called the Xiaoyuan Glazed Pagoda. Originally an artifact of an ancient South Sea sect, it resurfaced a few years ago, and Master went to great lengths to secure it."
Li Wushao picked up the item and placed it into Li Xuanxuan's hands. Though it was only the size of a thumb, the old man felt a heavy weight upon taking it, nearly failing to catch it. Quan Yuduan said, "Young Master, this Xiaoyuan Glazed Pagoda is a wondrous and extremely unique magical artifact designed to temper disciples. It has twenty-four tiers in total. Every six tiers feature a doorway. When opened, they spew water, fire, wind, and lightning, which from bottom to top are the Taihe Fire, Shangjia Wind, Qiuwang Water, and Beigong Lightning.
"As for the remaining twenty tiers without doors, each has considerable storage capacity. They can be used to store corresponding spiritual objects, locking them within. By connecting the pagoda to a spirit vein, it can preserve and nourish those spiritual items, making it exceptionally useful."
This looked like an artifact intended to guard a mountain gate, serving as a pillar of foundation and heritage. Had it been a spiritual tool, it would be an object to anchor destiny and fortune even within lineages like Qingchi or Jinyu.
He gave his red robe a shake and explained, "Master looked into it thoroughly. In antiquity, an ancient lineage crafted a pagoda to temper their disciples and help them avert the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations. This one is an imitation made by a later sect, but even that later lineage belongs to an era ancient beyond reckoning to us...
"Nowadays, there is no longer any need to evade the Three Calamities, so the utility of this ancient artifact has been greatly diminished, yet it remains a rare treasure that combines punishment and tempering into one."
His gaze was filled with wonder as he praised it incessantly: "The Taihe Fire refines true essence; behind its door are three potent Combined Fires that have been refined and neutralized by high-level cultivators. The Shangjia Wind expels stray thoughts; behind its door are six types of spiritual winds, all possessing purifying properties. The Qiuwang Water washes away vanity; behind its door are twelve types of spiritual waters from the three paths of Lu, He, and Kan..."
It truly was an extraordinary artifact. The moment Li Zhouluo heard this, he knew it was an ancient artifact—only ancient cultivators could afford such extravagance... Dismantling all the spiritual materials sealed within it would amount to the greater part of an established Foundation Establishment clan's life savings.
Yet Quan Yuduan stopped abruptly right there. Li Zhouluo could not help but ask, "Isn't there still the Beigong Lightning at the very top?"
Quan Yuduan hesitated for a breath, then nodded. "The Beigong Lightning... well... it can also kill... for combat. Inside that door are twenty-four types of lightning... Unlike the previous ones, all twenty-four are profound lightnings, which specifically correspond to four divine abilities of profound lightning...
"It is very convenient for killing people. Striking someone with it can blast them into ash and smoke."
"This..."
Li Zhouluo and Li Xuanxuan exchanged a glance. The old man nodded. "So the topmost door is meant for defense and slaying enemies. Truly infinitely ingenious."
Si Xunhui chuckled. The man before him was, after all, his master's grandfather, so he treated him with great respect. Cupping his hands, he said, "Reporting to my Lord: according to the Zhenren, the person who forged this artifact bore a deep grievance against the Thunder Palace. While the first three doors are agonizing, they all leave a sliver of life and even grant various benefits. Yet this topmost door made exhaustive use of profound lightnings—not only does it offer zero benefit, but it will not rest until the person is struck dead... The Zhenren said the caliber of the twenty-four lightnings is exceedingly high... and that this person... must have been horribly battered by heavenly lightning when breaking through to the Violet Palace back then..."
"...Oh... haha..."
Since it was a joke made by a Violet Palace master, even if it was not funny, the two in the hall had to chuckle along. Li Xuanxuan chimed in with a couple of chuckles, admiring the thumb-sized pagoda in his hand with great delight as he reflected: 'This makes for an excellent artifact to anchor Qingdu... In the past, when the family punished cultivators, it was just deducting merit points, or at most dispatching them to the periphery... Outright killing them would be excessive... and there was nothing truly terrifying to hold over them. With this artifact, it brings advantages on multiple fronts.'
The Li family's Mount Milin had long possessed an ancient artifact anchoring it, called Cuoxiang. It was an incense burner capable of regulating earth veins and storing spiritual qi; over the past ten-odd years, spiritual qi had flowed in and out of Milin through it.
Quan Yuduan smiled and added, "Senior, do not be in a hurry; I have more here."
He pulled a storage bag from his sleeve and replied, "Inside are four precious medicines: the Qinggong Flower, Ziwu Vine, Profound Pattern Yellow Viper Fruit, and Moxun Grass; three Foundation Establishment spiritual items; and over one hundred and fifty spirit stones to supplement the family."
Li Zhouluo stored away the heavy storage bag. Quan Yuduan then drew another letter from his sleeve and said solemnly, "This is... entrusted to me by Master, with instructions to deliver it into Chenghuai's hands personally and bring back a reply. May I ask..."
Li Xuanxuan frowned and hesitated. "Chenghuai is in closed-door cultivation. Since it is so important... I shall send someone to inquire."
Hearing this, Quan Yuduan waved his hands hurriedly and replied, "The matter is important, but not urgent. If he is in seclusion, there is no harm in waiting. Once I finish my current business, I will pass by the lake anyway. Meeting Young Master then will not be too late.
"Right now, there is another matter of paramount importance. Back when Master Zhaojing visited Chengyun Gate, it was agreed that Wangyue would have a share in the Mount Xiaoshi Daoist Repository. Has your noble clan's cultivator achieved Foundation Establishment? The time draws near, and my coming here was also to escort Junior Brother over."
He inclined his head slightly and stepped aside. Clearly, it was not his place to say what followed—even as the senior disciple of the Jiutian Pavilion, he could not speak on behalf of the Si family after all. Si Xunhui then stepped forward, cupping his hands. "Since your noble clan's cultivator is also going, I must trouble them to look after this junior."
'The Mount Xiaoshi Daoist Repository?'
Li Zhouluo grew pensive and raised his head. Li Xuanxuan stopped him; Li Zhouluo was unfamiliar with these matters, but the old man understood much more. In an aged voice, he said, "On the lake, there is a Foundation Establishment sword cultivator whom Master Zhaojing elevated from humble beginnings. His immortal foundation is the Floating Cloud Body, which belongs precisely to the Mount Xiaoshi lineage."
"He has achieved Foundation Establishment already!"
Si Xunhui was startled. Neither his Si family nor the Li family had been among the first Violet Palace factions to learn of this affair, so their participation had been much slower. After all, suitable Embryonic Breathing candidates were hard to come by, and even if found, developing their cultivation in a short time was difficult. He thought to himself: 'And he is even of an external surname. That is fine too—if a clansman of Master had come instead, some elder of the uncle generation, contending over things later would only make it awkward for both sides... An external surname is good... Master Zhaojing is not greedy after all.'
Thus, this direct descendant of the Si family replied, "Indeed, the Floating Cloud Body. With your noble clan's esteemed senior watching over me, this junior can rest assured."
Li Zhouluo went in person immediately to summon Wang Quwan. Stroking his beard, Li Xuanxuan asked, "I read the reports within the clan, which said Chengyun Gate captured two cultivators and that an underground palace appeared beneath Chengshui Marsh. Is this true? According to the news, the underground palace is a relic of the ancient Wanling Supreme Sect..."
Si Xunhui shook his head silently. Quan Yuduan was lively and far more direct, replying, "Naturally, that was all fabricated by Chengyun Gate itself! They did capture cultivators, yes, but only because cultivators of Mount Xiaoshi were lured out by that Master, fulfilling the conditions to open the Daoist Repository.
"As for some underground palace, I've never heard of it! What kind of lineage was the Wanling Supreme Sect? If they truly built an underground palace, anyone going in would simply be courting death. The way I see it... Chengyun Gate built it themselves!"
Si Xunhui's information was evidently more comprehensive. He said softly, "It is highly probable that Chengyun Gate built it themselves. First, to serve as a training ground for their disciples; second, gathering blood qi all over the place is inconvenient, and pressing their subordinate clans for too long inevitably breeds resentment, whereas this underground palace is far more convenient.
"On top of that, by selling talismans and pills nearby, their sect's legitimate businesses can thrive as well... After all, their goods are crude and cannot compete with Jiangnan. Using this method allows them to rake in steady profits right on their doorstep."
Li Xuanxuan understood and nodded. Li Zhouluo had already escorted Wang Quwan into the hall from outside. The middle-aged man still carried that sword, his expression solemn. Li Zhouluo smiled, "Protector Wang, this is the head disciple of Jiutian Pavilion, Quan Yuduan... and this is Young Master Si Xunhui of the Qingchi Si family."
These two names were not particularly intimidating to the current Li family, but in Wang Quwan's eyes, they were scions of the highest tier. The Si family was currently the master of Qingchi! He bowed in haste, only to hear Si Xunhui say, "Greetings, Senior. This time... I shall be troubling Senior."
Li Xuanxuan nodded gently and spoke: "These two immortal sect disciples are headed to the underground palace and are passing through here. Since you have also obtained this opportunity, go together."
"How could this be proper?... Such an opportunity ought to go to a direct descendant of Wangyue..."
Wang Quwan's immediate reaction was actually panic. As he moved to drop to his knees in deference, Quan Yuduan picked up on the situation. Exchanging a glance with Si Xunhui, he cut in with a smile, "Lake Wangyue has such splendid scenery. My junior brother and I will tour the lake for a bit and come back later."
He led Si Xunhui out. Li Xuanxuan waved his hand, and Li Zhouluo stepped down as well, leaving only the two of them in the hall. Wang Quwan was kneeling firmly, but Li Xuanxuan helped him up and said softly, "Rest easy, Quwan. We will not use you as a sacrificial pawn. Although Si Xunhui is a young master of the Qingchi Sect, you are not being sent to protect him this time... If he truly needed people to protect him, would Qingchi lack a couple of peak masters to do so?"
Wang Quwan was startled by these words and quickly raised his eyes. The old man before him was nodding with a smile, saying, "This time, you represent the Wangyue Li clan. Although I know little of the underground palace's conditions, few families would dare trouble you nowadays. Foundation Establishment cultivators will have Foundation Establishment opponents. Preserve your life and see how much fortune you can seize.
"As for Si Xunhui, do not fear him too much. Claim whatever share you are owed. Unless it is a Violet Palace-grade spiritual object—in that case, you must let him take it if you want to keep your life..."
Wang Quwan finally nodded, replying respectfully, "Old Master's instructions are engraved on my heart. I shall do my utmost..."
Li Xuanxuan continued, "When you go down, seek out Zhouluo and collect Xuanyue's Hundred Stones Spirit Shield and Red Turbid Jade Treasure from him. After all, those entering the underground palace will all be direct descendants of Violet Palace clans. We do not expect you to cut a glorious figure, but with these two life-preserving items, at least you will not be suppressed by someone else's single artifact."
These were two full Foundation Establishment magical artifacts! The Hundred Stones Spirit Shield was ordinary in quality, but the Red Turbid Jade Treasure was an exceptional rarity. Wang Quwan nodded heavily and said, "The main family's kindness is etched into my heart. On this expedition north, I will surely bring both artifacts back intact and whole."
Only then did Li Xuanxuan see him out, instructing Li Zhouluo to equip him with the artifacts. Yet Wang Quwan set the items aside and said gravely, "This matter is of great consequence. Please permit this subordinate to return home once to arrange matters for my juniors before returning to fetch the two artifacts."
He rode the wind toward Jiangbei. Si Xunhui and his companion had said they would tour the lake, but after a circuit, Li Wushao returned ahead of them.
This old demon still looked middle-aged, a sword at his waist. Upon seeing Li Xuanxuan, he bowed, his voice low and raspy: "Wushao greets Old Master!"
Li Wushao's appearance bore an uncanny resemblance to Li Yuanjiao. Li Xuanxuan's eyes blurred as he hurried to help him up, tears welling in the corners of his eyes: "It has been so long..."
Seeing this, Li Wushao cupped his hands. "Old Master! I live quite comfortably in Qingchi. In that damned place, everyone calls me Lord Li. But if I turn around and go to the Eastern Sea, damn it, if they didn't recognize me, they might even try to capture me to brew pills... Haha..."
The old man could not help but laugh, shaking his head. "Your speech is as vulgar as ever. Even after entering an immortal sect... you still haven't shed those Eastern Sea habits. People are going to talk about you..."
"Can't learn it! Can't learn it!"
Li Wushao merely said, "They'd just say I'm 'spontaneous and unrestrained,' 'wild and unruly'—if you ask me, it's all farting... Now that I've come back and looked around, I can account to the Pavilion Master when I return. The young master hasn't wed yet, has he?"
Chapter 796