Master Houfu did not usually speak much. Perhaps due to the Xiukui lineage, his temperament was somewhat somber, and having a reputation for being concerned with face, Li Ximing had always regarded him as stern and cautious.
These words suddenly spoken caught Li Ximing completely off guard, and he inwardly burst into laughter.
*Very good, very good.*
Yet the peacock before them, taking the form of a middle-aged man, narrowed his eyes. The colorful monastic robe draped over him overflowed with radiant light as he said in a chilly voice, "Daoist friend... do you take me for blind?!"
Houfu might have lied off the cuff, but the peacock did not believe him for a moment. If Grand Master Chi Buzi of Qingchi were truly here, how could he, Yuguang, still be standing here? Two Violet Palace masters whose strength far surpassed his, yet acting stealthily and rambling evasively—they definitely could not afford to provoke Daci Tongcai Temple!
Confidence instantly swelled within the peacock. He sneered, "I have heard that Chi Buzi is a disheveled, green-robed, golden-tasseled, blue-eyed fiend! His divine abilities are terrifying—how could you two sneaky rats possibly compare to him? Step aside at once!"
At these words, Houfu's expression darkened visibly. In a slightly hoarse voice, he replied, "A mere colored-feather fowl dares to yap so insolently?"
Swords were drawn and bows bent; if a fight broke out, it was Li Ximing who would have to step up. He hastily took a step forward and said in a gentle tone, "This place was uncovered by my fellow Daoist and me. What is obtained naturally belongs to us. How has it become the property of the Peacock lineage?"
Yuguang laughed in exasperation, instantly seeing through his intent. He barked, "Spare me your feigned ignorance... You are merely stalling for time! Let me see just what sort of characters you lot are!"
His sleeves billowed as he summoned a swath of multicolored flames from the void. Falling from above, he pressed two fingers together and thrust his palm upward. Burning furiously even within the sea, the flames crashed toward Houfu.
*Still couldn't avoid a clash after all...*
Li Ximing frowned slightly.
*I underestimated Yuguang's standing in the Buddhist Land. Who knows what level of the Avaivartika stage he has attained? It seems that with the bold confidence of a Lianmin who has a retreat kept open within the Buddhist Land, two Violet Palace cultivators are clearly not enough to make him back down without exchanging a single blow.*
They had agreed earlier that Li Ximing would step in, and since the Violet Palace spiritual fire had yet to be secured, Li Ximing naturally could not sit idly by. Just as he was about to raise his hand, he saw the small pouch hovering in midair absorbing the treasure light emit a dim luster. While drawing in the ever-thinning radiance, beams of Great Yang brilliance hissed and burst forth vigorously from both of its sides.
This Great Yang radiance flowed with complete natural ease underwater, drifting before Houfu to block the multicolored flames. Great Yang was the foremost manifestation; it instantly suppressed the flames into a sluggish state. As the two clashed fiercely, Houfu's icy voice drifted from within: "Old mongrel, if I truly take action, you few peacocks will never be able to bear the consequences!"
Yuguang took one look and realized that the pouch-like spiritual artifact in midair was indeed extraordinary. His lips twitched, but no words came out. A bronze staff materialized in his hand, and stepping onto empty space, his figure vanished without a trace.
Li Ximing felt warning bells ring furiously in his mind. The heavenly light between his brows flickered back and forth, making his face throb with pain. He cursed inwardly:
*Damn it... a colored-feather bald donkey that bullies the weak and fears the strong...*
Fortunately, Audience at the Heavenly Gate inherently possessed traits of a physical divine ability, and the pinpoint of heavenly light between his brows was remarkably keen. Pausing for merely a fraction of an instant, he detected the bronze staff striking toward him in that split second. Moving his lips, he spat out a jet of purple fire.
Earlier, when no one was watching, he had used the Mountain-Driving Sea-Crossing Tiger to disperse the auspicious cloud to keep his Mingyang divine abilities hidden. Now, facing an enemy head-on, revealing his Mingyang divine ability was unavoidable; by contrast, an artifact would be even more distinctive. Thus, Li Ximing kept his spiritual artifacts concealed, countering solely with Mingyang fire.
The purple fire transformed into a flaming purple serpent, coiling and climbing up the bronze staff, scorching the Dharmic power upon it with sizzling crackles. Yet Yuguang came on aggressively, the bronze staff blazing with light as it bore down toward Li Ximing's face.
*Bang!*
Li Ximing raised his hand, channeling the divine ability and Dharmic power of Mingyang into his palm to deftly deflect the staff. His Dharma body shuddered slightly, and taking advantage of the recoil, he slipped into the Great Void, only to find his palm burning with searing pain.
*Lianmin... their Dharma bodies are quite formidable too.*
Li Ximing had no intention of revealing the true body of Audience at the Heavenly Gate; that would be equivalent to telling the peacocks in plain terms that he, Li Ximing, had taken their prize. Using only Mingyang divine abilities still left room for plausible deniability.
Sure enough, the monk reversed his staff and widened his eyes, asking suspiciously, "Mingyang? From the Cui family?"
The peacocks lived overseas, after all. The most renowned Mingyang lineage in the East Sea was none other than the Cui clan of Chongzhou Island. Not only did the various Cui branches across the East Sea originate from that island, but several Violet Palace masters had once presided over it, always keeping a low profile.
Now that the Li family had paid them a visit, the Cui family claimed their Violet Palace masters were gone; yet the Peacock Sea lay far away, and they might not know this. It was hardly surprising that his first suspicion fell upon the Cui clan.
Now that Li Ximing had vanished into the Great Void, the monk did not pursue him, immediately turning toward the sea trench below. Houfu, meanwhile, appeared behind the pouch spiritual artifact, pressing both hands onto it to hasten the absorption of the treasure light.
Li Ximing had no choice but to take a step in the Great Void and materialize before the monk, blocking him with divine ability and Dharmic power. The monk instantly grew impatient. Two heavy staff strikes forced Li Ximing back; then, lifting his sleeve, he drew out a circular disc from within.
The disc appeared to be made of bronze, radiating gleaming, colorful light. Its surface was inlaid and pieced together with colorful gems, depicting a dazzling Buddhist painting.
The painting showed a vast, multicolored ocean. In the center rose a divine mountain piercing into the clouds, where a peacock whose gigantic wings spanned the sky cried out toward the heavens. Kneeling beneath it was an entirely naked woman, her face filled with piety, cradling two swaddles—one white, one red. The infant in the white cloth was delightfully chubby and endearing, while wrapped in the red cloth was a pink-feathered chick peacock, its beak open in a cry.
The eyes of the heaven-crying peacock flared with sudden light, shooting forth scarlet radiance. Li Ximing, already on guard, traversed the Great Void in advance. Even so, he felt a sharp stinging between his brows. Realizing something was amiss, he swiftly drew back his flames to protect himself.
The red light came too swiftly. Though Li Ximing was a step ahead, his whole body still grew heavy as five-colored flames crept onto his Dharma body. Sparks crackled, sounding like shattering colored glass.
*Crack...*
*Not good!*
After the encounter with Changxiao, Li Ximing felt instinctive dread whenever he saw such flames. Truly spooked, he leaped several li away through the Great Void. A box of spiritual water immediately materialized, and he rapidly coated the wound with his Mingyang divine ability, feeling a wave of soothing coolness.
Only then did he have the leisure to check, discovering that the flames had dissipated immediately, leaving behind on his Dharma body nothing more than a tiny, fingernail-sized blemish.
*Oh... that's it? That was truly pathetic.*
He felt inwardly sheepish; compared to Changxiao's arts, this monk's technique was practically a joke! Yet one was unadorned and unassuming, while the other was flashy and magnificent. Taking a few paces forward, Li Ximing reappeared amidst gushing purple fire. The monk's brows relaxed slightly as he shone the treasure artifact upon him once more. After several exchanges, the monk demanded, "Which lineage's master are you?!"
Li Ximing had once joined forces with Kongheng to suppress Lianmin Fuxia of the Wrathful Aspect. Fuxia had fallen to the rank of Master back then and could barely move his Dharma body to resist, yet no matter what offensive techniques the two threw at him, he remained unharmed. Now, with Li Ximing confronting an opponent at the Violet Palace level, this peacock's Dharma body was by no means weak. Reluctant to deploy his full divine abilities, Li Ximing actually found himself on the back foot relying merely on his Dharma body.
However, lacking a backing like Houfu's, his intention was only to stall the monk. He deliberately played for time, saying, "I am Gufeng, merely a rogue cultivator from the South Sea... The item below has fallen into our hands and has no affinity with you, Lianmin. Please withdraw."
Courteous first and threatening later, he warned, "When the Grand Master below emerges, Lianmin will only end up losing another Dharma body!"
Lingdu was no Grand Master at all, nor would he even show his face; Li Ximing was merely spouting tall tales to deceive him. Although the peacock held the upper hand in their fight, he possessed no true divine abilities. Annoyed to death by Li Ximing's harassment, he was actually seized by hesitation and inclined toward retreating.
Yuguang halted in midair, his expression grim.
*These two are sneaky, and this man has fought for so long without daring to show his divine abilities. If I push for a fight to the death, won't I just force them to take my life? The pouch-wielding man's spiritual artifact is no simple thing—if it truly belongs to the Great Yang lineage, that would spell trouble...*
One must remember that Daci Tongcai Temple had just lost a Lianmin. The group before him hid their faces and origins, acting suspicious in the extreme. Could they be the cultivators who killed Yuse? That would be fatal!
Li Ximing did not know whether the monk truly believed his words or simply lacked confidence in breaking through his defense. His thoughts paused:
*Life in the Peacock Sea of Daci Tongcai Temple must be far too comfortable... How could it ever compare to Jiangnan, where intrigue and deception reign? Neither fighting nor retreating decisively, isn't he letting the opportunity slip away for nothing? We showed no divine abilities because we clearly do not want our identities exposed. If he had charged straight to the bottom in one breath, he might even have bargained for a share...*
Both harbored their own calculations, their judgments miles apart, yet the Lianmin's desire to withdraw grew stronger.
Ceasing his attacks, Yuguang dared not direct harsh words toward Houfu, who held what appeared to be a treasure of the Great Yang lineage. He merely glared at Li Ximing, pressed his palms together, and spoke coldly: "Daoist Friend Gufeng, take what belongs to our Buddhist Land, and when karmic affinity arrives, you shall return it in person into our soil; when retribution arrives, both life and treasure shall be forfeit! The old monk speaks his warning here—just you wait!"
Li Ximing was amused to the point of laughing at the peacock's pompous bluster. Shaking his head, he replied unceremoniously, "If you bald-feathered bird don't leave now, we'll send you back to the Buddhist Land right away!"
With a dark, menacing glare, Yuguang finally vanished. Li Ximing reined in his Dharmic power and flew toward the shallower waters. The treasure light had already dwindled to a thread the thickness of a finger. Houfu lightly cinched the mouth of the pouch, drawing in the remaining light, and nodded toward Li Ximing: "Many thanks, Zhaojing! You've suffered a grievance!"
The bald bird had been fierce in appearance but feeble inside, cowed by Houfu's Great Yang spiritual artifact. Li Ximing had not summoned Audience at the Heavenly Gate, so this could hardly even count as taking the blame—at most, he had drawn a wisp of suspicion. In return, he had gained a Violet Palace spiritual fire, which was already a considerable harvest. How could it be considered a grievance? He simply cupped his hands and said, "It is I who must thank Daoist Friend Houfu!"
These were sincere words. Although Houfu's spiritual artifact had already been displayed, he was not strictly obliged to unleash its Great Yang radiance. Since it was previously agreed that Li Ximing would take the field, Houfu could easily have left Yuguang to him and pinned the blame entirely on Li Ximing. Without that burst of Great Yang radiance and Houfu's intimidation before and after, Yuguang might not have retreated so readily.
Houfu waved his hand and said gravely, "It was unexpected that Yuguang brought along the Peacock Child-Bestowing Plate. Had his cultivation not been inadequate and had he not lacked the approval of that treasure, this would truly have been difficult to handle..."
"So it was that the monk was inept, rather than the treasure artifact being mere flash without substance."
Li Ximing nodded slightly and seized the opportunity to inquire, "I have rarely seen the treasure artifacts of Buddhist cultivators. Could it be that each possesses sentience? How has it reached the point of requiring 'approval'?"
Houfu sneered and replied, "A spiritual artifact is a vessel, and a master is a human. A treasure artifact is a vessel, but does a Lianmin even deserve to be called human? In the Buddhist Land, they are nothing more than servants to the Mohe. If a wealthy man commissions a carriage, the coachman is not necessarily more noble than the carriage; if one is a landlord, the tenant farmer is not even as precious as the ox. It is the same logic... Whether it grants 'approval' or not is simply whether the master deigns to assign an ox to the tenant."
His words were laced with mockery as he continued, "That Peacock Child-Bestowing Plate is a treasure belonging to the Son of the Peacock. It should correspond to our Numinous Treasures and ought to have had a different designation..."
Li Ximing frowned. "My confusion lies there as well. Why haven't the Buddhist cultivators made clear distinctions among their implements? Masters use treasure artifacts, Lianmin use treasure artifacts, and even Mohe use treasure artifacts... Isn't that awkward?"
At this topic, Houfu's mocking smile deepened. Stowing the bulging pouch-shaped spiritual artifact, he answered: "If they were to distinguish them so clearly and match the Dao of Immortals and the Dao of Buddhism tier for tier, what grand spectacle would the Buddhist Land have left to stage? From the time the Sovereign of Man founded the realm until now, how many Numinous Treasures has the Immortal Dao passed down, and how many Numinous Treasure-grade treasure artifacts has the Buddhist Land forged? We outnumber them more than tenfold! And what if we compare Magic Treasures? Whether their Seven Daos can scrape together ten Magic Treasure-grade items is uncertain, yet in my Great Yang lineage alone, there are seven named Magic Treasures that can be counted off the top of my head! Not to mention those lost to the passage of time.
"How could those fools of the Seven Daos ever accept that? In the Buddhist Land, only the treasure artifacts used by Mohe are termed Buddhist Implements; if a Lianmin wishes to use one, they must 'supplicate' for it!"
Li Ximing nodded, understanding dawning on him. He took even greater mental note of the Peacock Child-Bestowing Plate:
*By his words, treasure artifacts on the level of Numinous Treasures are exceedingly rare and all the more exalted. In that case, the status of the Peacock Clan is likely even higher than rumors suggest...*
As their brief exchange ended, Lingdu's aged voice suddenly rang by their ears: "Fellow Daoists, the matter is accomplished. Please grip the tiger-mouth lotus seeds firmly, detour through the Great Void to conceal your tracks, and make your way to Mount Jiuqiu!"
Li Ximing felt a surge of joy. Exchanging a glance with Houfu, they spoke no more, parting ways at once and plunging into the Great Void in a single breath.
The moment Li Ximing entered the Great Void, he felt waves of coolness emanating from the tiger's mouth of his hand. Traveling through the Great Void, he flew east all the way to the Cape, circled more than halfway around it until he nearly reached Shiqi, and only then set course for the immortal mountain of Mount Jiuqiu.
By the time he reached the mountain, two days had passed. The sky was gloomy and gray. Houfu was sipping tea in the courtyard before the mountain gate, clearly waiting for him. Seeing Li Ximing at long last, he remarked, "Zhaojing is truly cautious."
*How could I not be cautious? I was the one who fought this time, and the Mingyang lineage isn't skilled at concealment. How could I come and go without a trace like those of Xiukui?*
He cupped his hands with a smile and said, "I have kept Senior waiting!"
Having been delayed long enough, Houfu did not even pour him tea, packing away all the teaware on the table in one go to cut off any chance for Li Ximing to converse, and the two walked inside together.
Passing through a maple forest, Lingdu stood leaning on his staff amidst the crimson foliage. Before him stood another figure, clad in a black robe with a white-and-green silk sash tied around his waist. He was tall, his bound black hair draping down his back.
Perhaps hearing their footsteps, the person turned around. To Li Ximing's surprise, he had the appearance of a young man, handsome in feature, with faintly crimson pupils that gave him an eerie, otherworldly air, looking nothing like a benign sort.
Seeing that even Lingdu stood a pace behind him in deference, Li Ximing could guess his identity with near certainty. Before him, Houfu also lowered his head for the first time, bowing before the other could speak, and said solemnly, "Junior Houfu greets Master Yuandao!"
Li Ximing followed suit at once, bowing respectfully, "Junior Zhaojing pays respects to Grand Master..."
Li Ximing had long heard of the illustrious renown of Grand Master Dantai Lingtong of the Dantai clan. This Master Yuandao had actually cultivated a fifth divine ability, his cultivation surpassing even Si Boxiu's! He was a Grand Master at the peak of the Violet Palace. Though none knew how much certainty he possessed of achieving the Golden Core, there were truly few in this realm who dared offend him.
Even if a Mohe were to arrive, they would not dare act presumptuously before this Grand Master, but would obediently and courteously discuss the Dao with him.
Once the two finished their bows, the Grand Master's demeanor proved starkly different from his appearance. His words were gentle and polite, placid as water, without putting on any airs: "You two may sit."
Li Ximing sat down obediently, and Houfu also appeared somewhat uneasy. Only Lingdu naturally brewed tea for the three of them. Master Yuandao looked over with a smile: "How is Daoist Friend Louxing doing these days? I haven't seen him in quite some time."
These words were clearly addressed to Houfu. Li Ximing kept his eyes lowered in silence. Sure enough, Houfu replied solemnly, "Ancestor was stuck at the Canzi Threshold for a hundred years, which wore down his spirit... Though he has broken through now... he has little time to spare. The venerable elder often speaks to me of Grand Master's divine abilities... and misses Grand Master dearly."
Master Yuandao rested one hand on the table as he took the small cup handed by Lingdu. Li Ximing faintly caught sight of a slender string of red sandalwood beads tied around his wrist. The Grand Master nodded, then turned and said, "Truly, the younger generation is formidable... I thought Houfu had achieved his divine ability early enough, but to think Zhaojing is of the first rank as well... A rogue Violet Palace cultivator under a hundred years old is truly remarkable."
After all, the Li family's meager heritage and accumulations were nothing before this figure, so there was nothing wrong with calling Li Ximing a rogue cultivator. Li Ximing did not bother to correct him, merely replying, "Junior merely had a stroke of luck; I cannot compare to Grand Master's vast divine abilities."
Master Yuandao let out a soft chuckle and remarked casually, "You've worked hard this time. Lingdu indeed obtained a spiritual fire from that palace-temple... Lingdu!"
Lingdu hurriedly took out a vermilion ceramic alms bowl from his robes, placing it carefully on the desk.
The small bowl was exquisite and delicate, smooth and spotless, no bigger than a child's fist, fitting snugly into one's palm. The interior was pitch-black, save for a pinpoint of grayish-red flame flickering within it, encircled by a faint halo of five colors, no larger than a grain of rice.
Master Yuandao sipped his tea. Seeing that Li Ximing did not recognize the item, he explained: "This is the Lesser Peacock Karma Combined Fire. Ordinarily, it can simply be called the Lesser Peacock Karma. Though it appears plain and no larger than a grain of rice within the bowl, if released, it would likely expand to the size of a mountain peak.
"This flame transmuted from the Following Desire Combined Fire. The Following Desire Combined Fire is the second kind of fire vented between the beak and teeth during the mating of Biwu birds; it is the essence of lustful fire beyond the generative desire. When Biwu mate, their beaks and teeth face the sun. The first kind of fire corresponds to Great Yang, while the second corresponds to Mingyang, carrying the effect of union.
"Hence, in ancient times, the Biwu was known for mating openly beneath the sun; this is why."
Discourses on the Dao of this caliber shocked not only Li Ximing; even Houfu beside him listened with rapt attention, staring into the bowl as if transfixed. Yet the Grand Master paused and lightly flicked his finger. Immediately, bell tolls filled the heavens, echoing across the entire immortal mountain.
Lingdu explained from the side: "When Grand Master discusses mysteries involving ancient True Monarchs and Demon Monarchs, he must first have the disciples take precautions, lest the Combined Fire descend in response to his words and set the woods ablaze."
After a brief pause, Master Yuandao continued: "This flame was obtained by the Great Peacock and passed to his eldest son. That eldest son entered the Buddhist Dao—his name must not be spoken—and cultivated this flame into the Greater Peacock Karma. From under his seat, the Lesser Peacock Karma was born, which is this very fire."
Li Ximing felt as if listening to a tale from heavenly scriptures. The divine might of those ancient cultivators was simply terrifying; merely hearing of it shook his spirit. Swallowing hard, he listened as Yuandao continued: "The Lesser Peacock Karma can be counted as a Combined Fire, and in the hands of Buddhist cultivators, it also serves as a karmic fire. It is a rare flame indeed. Among Violet Palace spiritual fires, its power is by no means lacking; it ranks at least in the upper-middle tier."
Li Ximing felt half pleasantly surprised and half regretful.
He had long considered that the spiritual fire he obtained might not be the Lihuo he desired. After all, flames in this world were far too numerous; it was utterly impossible that a single legacy would yield the exact flame he sought. Yet he had resolved to participate regardless, and the Runyang Method was an indispensable factor in that choice.
The Runyang Method had originally been Tu Longjian's opportunity, allowing flames to be converted among several paths, primarily involving Li, Zhen, and Mu. Earlier, Lingdu had ruled out Mu Fire and Hong Fire, so his chances of converting it into Lihuo had been very high.
However, the Runyang Method did not cover every flame of the Li, Zhen, and Mu paths, and there was also the path of Combined Fire. Li Ximing had prepared himself for the possibility that it could not be converted. He was not a greedy man—having a Violet Palace spiritual fire in hand was advantageous no matter what.
Though it was a Combined Fire, according to the Grand Master before him, its power was formidable. Li Ximing still deemed it worthwhile and felt joy in his heart, yet another doubt surged:
*I only shouldered a sliver of suspicion; do I truly deserve such a flame as a reward? This Combined Fire might as well have the word 'Peacock' written across its face! If I truly use it against enemies, wouldn't that fasten the blame squarely onto my shoulders?*
Had Master Yuandao not spoken these words, Li Ximing might have accepted it after some polite demurring. But with this Grand Master sitting right in front of him and speaking so plainly, Li Ximing could only say respectfully, "A flame of such might is far more than Junior deserves. I must ask Grand Master to take it back!"
Hearing this, Master Yuandao raised an eyebrow slightly and shook his head. "There is no need to be polite. You can be considered a power under the governance of the Yuan Residence, and my Taiqiu lineage shares deep ties with the Yuan Residence. Looking after you to some degree is only natural. It is merely a spiritual fire."
Li Ximing was inwardly shaken:
*So it is a lineage with deep ties to the Yuan Residence... If they are on equal footing, wouldn't this Master Dantai be a figure on par with Master Donghua back in the day? ...That might be an exaggeration... but even if one tier lower, it would still be a lineage on par with the Three Sects... No wonder he is so formidable! The Dantai family truly has an immense background!*
He hastily bowed and said, "Senior! One should only receive what matches one's merit... Junior dares not be greedy. Furthermore, this Lesser Peacock Karma is a treasure of the peacocks; holding it in my hands would be like clutching a hot coal... I truly dare not take it!"
Master Yuandao did not rise, waiting until Li Ximing completed his first bow before reaching out to help him up, checking his subsequent gestures. He said softly, "Zhaojing is far too courteous. Rest easy; since I told you about this matter, I certainly harbor no intention of harming you."
Chapter 807