When Li Jiangqian finished speaking, Ning Wan said quietly, "Indulging demons and monsters... Aren't these Jiangbei lineages afraid of being deemed evildoers by the Perfected Lord as well?"
Li Jiangqian hastily answered, "Further north, ever since Sect Master Situ Mo fell, Tangjin Gate lost its last breath of vigor. The sect has descended into total chaos, showing signs of fracturing into pieces, and can no longer govern the various factions under its rule."
Hearing this, Ning Wan showed a hint of regret and added, "If Xuanfeng had managed to hold on until today, his opportunity would have arrived."
Tangjin Gate possessed the *Tianxu Zengjin Sutra*, the very Violet Palace cultivation method corresponding to the [Chiseled Gold Stone] that Li Xuanfeng practiced. Had Li Xuanfeng not been forced to consume the pill and instead cultivated to this day, he would not have lacked a chance to obtain that technique.
However, Li Jiangqian could not gauge the Ning family's attitude toward the Si family. He bowed respectfully without taking up that thread, answering instead, "The Master of Chengyun Gate has had some friction with the Lotus Temple to the north, and all their forces have moved northward. Seizing the opportunity while Chengyun Gate is tied up, the monk Yaosa Chengmi under their governance has stirred up turmoil and is spreading Buddhist cultivation practices..."
Jiangbei had been conquered several times by Buddhist cultivators, so the Buddhist Dharma already possessed a foundation and was widely venerated by the common people. It spread with extreme speed, and rebellions of this sort were by no means rare. Tinglan smiled and chimed in, "In my view, this Master Changyun is truly capable. Emerging from the East Sea, he has quite a knack for putting a sect in order, and now he has tangled with Lotus Temple, putting on a show of pushing and shoving back and forth. Perhaps that Yaosa Chengmi is still patting himself on the back, thinking Minghui is keeping the Master occupied for him."
Ning Wan seemed lost in thought. Seeing that she did not speak, Li Jiangqian continued, "As for the remaining Xuanmiao Abbey... word is that their Master is setting out on a far journey, and the abbey has sealed its mountain to meet the tribulation, dispersing all outer disciples and shutting its gates.
"Further south lies Duxian Dao. With their Master missing, the various commanderies now show signs of governing themselves. The upheaval along Baijiangxi has grown fierce. Our family has already withdrawn and is now facing off against Duxian Dao in Jiangbei."
Both women were Masters of the Violet Palace, so naturally there was no need to spell out every detail; merely listening was enough to understand. Ning Wan said, "Each displays their divine abilities to the fullest!"
Tinglan said, "Troubling your family to go through all this commotion... The territory of the three Mifan houses along Baijiangxi is indeed well-suited for a Perfected Lord to make his rise. How does it stand now?"
The "territory of the three Mifan houses" she referred to consisted of the Li clan's Funan, Duxian Dao's Midong, and the sole surviving Fanyun Cave. As areas under close watch, how could he not know their situation? Li Jiangqian said, "Ever since the conflict arose between our family and Duxian Dao, the land of these three houses has fallen into chaos. The various local clans have remained relatively restrained, but outsiders from the East Sea and the South Sea have taken the lead. A Daoist Huang and a Daoist Bai have both brought men over. Ostensibly, they are harvesting Qi in Jiangbei, but in truth, they are taking advantage of the moment to scour the region, plundering spiritual items to amass illicit fortunes.
"On the other hand, word has it that they are also searching for a medallion... related to the Mifan lineage."
He answered cautiously after weighing his words, only to see Tinglan smile. "That medallion you speak of... is indeed real."
*Indeed real.*
How could Li Jiangqian not know whether this matter was "indeed real"?
At a gesture from Tinglan, a purple-robed woman came forward carrying a jade platter. She approached Li Jiangqian and bent slightly, allowing the black-robed man to see the object upon it.
It was unmistakably a medallion with a black ground and golden patterns, carved with vanishing floating clouds and demons bowing in submission!
The medallion shone with pure, bright luster and appeared exceptionally precious, making it difficult to discern its material or grade. Black wind and white Qi faintly drifted and undulated over its surface. Li Jiangqian was someone who had seen fine treasures, yet a single glance made him feel that this object was nothing less than a Violet Palace treasure!
What was even rarer was that although its purpose was unknown, merely looking upon it revealed its exalted status. It stirred the heart and bred greed, making one yearn to claim it as one's own.
*A Violet Palace Master truly had a hand in crafting this... It looks so real. If I didn't know I had fabricated the whole tale myself, even if it were placed right in front of me, I would only think it was some secret treasure of a major power that would soon radiate brilliance once the right conditions were met. There's no way to tell what it actually is...*
Tinglan glanced at him and said softly, "This is the medallion. Take a good look at it, and let Duxian Dao recognize it as well."
Li Jiangqian bowed. "This humble cultivator obeys!"
As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, a single glance was enough to commit it to memory. The purple-robed cultivator carried the jade platter back, and Tinglan remarked casually, "This object possesses many wondrous uses. If some East Sea cultivator were to obtain it, that would truly be something."
Tinglan did not dwell on the matter with him, turning instead to Ning Wan. "Wan'er, do you... have any other arrangements for now?"
Ning Wan naturally shook her head. It was best to leave such arrangements to Tinglan, who had attained the Violet Palace earlier. Tinglan's inquiry was merely a courtesy. Ning Wan said softly, "Xueji Gate has kept its mountain sealed for many years. Is there any news of them now?"
Ning Wan cultivated Cold Qi, so she was clearly making plans for her subsequent cultivation right away. Tinglan shook her head and answered, "Xueji has its own history after all. Since they sealed their mountain, it is inappropriate to go there."
She cautioned Ning Wan, and Ning Wan agreed. But Tinglan pointed out another path, saying, "Since Fellow Daoist has attained Masterhood, the matter of Hongxue naturally falls into your hands. Back then, Li Encheng was protected precisely for the sake of the Hongxue lineage, was he not? Only now do we have Li Quantao. Senior Yuanxiu sent him to guard the Hongxue ruins, yet nothing much came of it.
"As soon as word of your breakthrough emerged and Senior Yuanxiu prepared to make his push for Perfected Lord, he hurriedly recalled Li Quantao specifically to preserve this path for you."
Ning Wan nodded in surprise. Tinglan continued, "Now that the Perfected Lord gazes down upon the mortal realm, and the ruins of Hongxue also lie within the Wilderness–Salt Lake region, this is precisely a golden opportunity to unearth that lineage. You can let him give it a try. If he truly strikes great fortune, there will be at least two Violet Palace lineages—'Fu Water' and 'Cold Qi'. No matter what, it's a gain.
"My reason for specifically involving you in this matter was precisely with this in mind."
Ning Wan was somewhat swayed.
Among the many Violet Palace Masters of Jiangnan, Tinglan was definitely among the most trustworthy to the Ning family. Her master, Master Zipei, and her martial uncle, Master Zimu, were both close friends of Master Yuan Su. Master Zimu was even still alive, so naturally Tinglan would look after her to some degree.
She therefore replied, "Then I shall dispatch Li Quantao and his son back to guard their ancestral grounds, and send his son to investigate the matter of the medallion in Jiangbei to try our luck. It is only that I am unfamiliar with the details here, so I must trouble Senior."
"Naturally." Tinglan gave a slight nod and answered, "I will send Qianli over to observe the situation and act accordingly. If anything goes awry, I will simply snatch the two of them away. No matter what, the descendants of Hongxue must be preserved."
Off to the side, Li Jiangqian felt more and more uneasy as he listened. Master Tinglan bringing this up right here made her intention obvious. Sure enough, the Master looked over with a smile and instructed, "Let no one else know of this."
How could Li Jiangqian not know this was meant for his ears? He bowed and said, "This humble cultivator obeys."
The Wangyue Li clan was on very good terms with Li Quantao. If Li Quantao came to Salt Lake, he might well contact the Li family and learn of the northern affairs, thereby growing suspicious of the Ning family. While the matter would not endanger Li Quantao's life and might even benefit him, if one wished to lay hands on the Hongxue lineage, it was best kept from Li Quantao's knowledge.
Having settled their business, the two Masters departed together into the Great Void, leaving behind only Li Ximing's letter, which stated that the family was placing Li Jiangqian and Li Minggong in charge of affairs.
Li Jiangqian respectfully saw them off until they vanished, then turned to look at Li Xuanxuan beside him. The old man stroked his beard and sighed, his brows furrowed.
It was impossible for Li Xuanxuan not to understand what the two Masters meant. The old man held great goodwill toward Li Quantao. He stood up and said, "Weigh your actions carefully... Quantao once saved Zhi'er... Even though... he is powerless in this matter. It would be better if Ximing were here, as he could put in a word or two. But right now he is absent, and we have no authority to intervene."
Li Jiangqian replied, "Grandfather worries too much. The two Masters took the trouble to explain this to our family precisely because they considered that Li Quantao carries blood of the Wei Li. Yet he is also a cultivator of Qingchi. With both identities bolstering him, the Ning family will not shortchange him. It is a blessing as well."
Li Xuanxuan could not tell whether he spoke this way intentionally out of suspicion that Ning Wan had not yet departed, or whether he truly thought so. He nodded and withdrew. Li Jiangqian sank into contemplation, invoking the Immortal Mirror in his mind to check that the Great Void was empty before daring to entertain his thoughts.
*With the talisman seed in me, even if evil thoughts arose, Ning Wan's [Attuning to Clear Whispers] shouldn't be alerted. But if she listened with full focus, who knows what she might hear...*
He pondered for a long time, troubled in his heart, just as Li Minggong entered the hall from outside, her brows also tightly knitted. Evidently, Li Minggong had learned of the disgraceful messes her father Li Xixuan had made while she was in closed-door seclusion healing her injuries.
Seeing Li Jiangqian, Li Minggong asked about the Masters who had just been there, then said softly, "Just now, someone reported that the Daoist from Mount Jingyi has come out of seclusion. Having read the letter from Mount Jingyi, he wants to see me, so I directed him here so we could question him together."
Li Jiangqian had long harbored doubts in his mind. Now that Shouding had finally emerged from seclusion, he hastily nodded and bade him enter.
Sure enough, a narrow-eyed Daoist appeared before them. His face was no longer as gaunt and withered as when he was injured, though still somewhat pale. Seeing the two of them, he bowed, "Many thanks to Wangyue for your gracious shelter! Upon returning to my mountain, Shouding will certainly repay this debt!"
"There is no need for repayment." Li Minggong was relatively polite to him; after offering this reply, she sat in the main seat without speaking. Li Jiangqian chuckled, helped him up, and said in a low voice, "Back then, Master Changxi entrusted Kong Gumo to Mount Jingyi. How fare things now? Master Changxi possessed profound foresight and calculation, and managed to preserve the spark of life... Our family was closely bound with the old Master, though we know not what instructions he left with your esteemed sect... Surely he spoke with earnest and heartfelt words. Ah!"
His eyes were brimming with sorrow. With one hand supporting Shouding from behind, he shook his head with a slight choke in his voice. Moved by his tone, Shouding listened to his words and sighed, "Indeed! It turns out the old Master made it clear to your noble family as well. Preserving this spark of life was of paramount importance, while matters within the seas were secondary. Whatever aid our sect could provide, we ought to have provided; it was only when the great war broke out that we let it rest."
*Just as I thought...*
Li Jiangqian sneered inwardly.
*That was Master Changxi's plan all along! He told our family Mount Jingyi would help, but remained ambiguous about how much help they would give! As expected, Master Xuanyi only ever promised to protect Kong Gumo!*
*And that Sumian, putting on such a hypocritical facade, repeatedly casting subtle blame on Jingyi. Could that old thing not have known? Adding fuel to the flames, harboring who knows what motives. Fine, then... not a single one of these fellows is a decent sort.*
Maintaining an impassive expression and not fully trusting Shouding's one-sided account, he sighed probing, "For your esteemed Daoist lineage to extend full protection, your ties with Xuanyue must be quite deep. To the east..."
He had spoken only halfway when Shouding waved his hands as if he had seen a plague god, shaking his head, "The Clan Head misunderstands! While our lineage indeed felt some sympathy for the old Master, our friendship was truly not deep, and we were hardly acquainted in earlier times..."
He paused briefly, explaining further, "Nor are our lineages particularly similar. It was merely that we had met before, and that Yuezhou Island happens to be close to our mountain gate. We also urgently needed such a market to draw in talent and replenish spiritual resources... only thus did today's matter come about."
Every word between the lines screamed 'keep Xuanyue far away from me.' Above, Li Minggong sighed inwardly for Kong Gumo and asked softly, "I see. What does the immortal mountain say? How does your sect require our family to cooperate?"
This was asking about his upcoming plans—perhaps even hinting at seeing him off. Shouding immediately grew awkward and said evasively, "The mountain... hopes I can lodge within the seas for a time..."
Having said this, Shouding quickly defended himself, adding, "This... won't trouble your noble clan. Over these years, I have already presumed too much on your hospitality. My sect's Master has some friendship with the Chen clan, so I will head south at once to Tongmo Commandery."
Hearing this, Li Jiangqian knew at once that this man was clumsy with words. He could simply have feigned having business with the Chen family, yet insisted on saying so much. Seeing his utterly oblivious demeanor, Li Jiangqian sighed inwardly:
*You might dare go south, but the Yuyang Chen clan wouldn't dare take you in... Lest you frighten their Master into emerging from seclusion personally, causing all sorts of awkwardness in the end.*
This was an opportunity to earn unearned favor. The Yuyang Chen clan had ties with the Li family in the past, having joined forces to eliminate Wang Fu during the struggle for the Mingfang Sky Stone. Li Jiangqian scented an advantage at once and smiled, "I see that Fellow Daoist's injuries have not yet recovered. There is no rush. Why not let our family's guest elder examine your wounds first while we write a letter to inquire with the Chen clan? Wouldn't that satisfy both ends?"
Shouding was somewhat at a loss, but Li Jiangqian's hospitality was difficult to refuse. He could only nod and leave to find Sun Bai. Li Minggong looked over thoughtfully, while Li Jiangqian penned two letters.
One was to Mount Jingyi, stating that Daoist Shouding intended to visit the Chen clan and had been temporarily held back by the Li family. The other was to the Chen clan, with similar wording, saying, "Suspecting there may be inconvenience, we write specially to inquire."
He had them dispatched by courier at top speed, then looked toward Li Minggong with a smile: "An effortless favor. Cultivating goodwill with Violet Palace powers is always beneficial. It spares everyone awkwardness later, lest the Chen clan resent us and think our family didn't even bother to stop him, leaving both sides embarrassed."
The two discussed the affairs of Jiangbei and waited all the way until the dead of night, when they suddenly noticed the northern sky glowing faintly. An intertwining radiance of black and white soared into the firmament with tremendous grandeur.
Though the light was too far away to discern any aura characteristics, the intertwining black and white was identical to what had appeared within the medallion. Without needing to think twice, they knew a treasure had emerged into the world.
*Violet Palace Masters truly are different. How briskly they handle things!*
Li Jiangqian stepped out of the hall. He looked into the distance for a while, listened closely, tightened his black outer robe, gave a couple of laughs, and ordered, "Someone, prepare fine gifts. Let us go meet this 'Mifan Scion'!"
Qu Bushi soon approached from the side, carrying a jade platter with several spiritual items upon it, closely flanking him. A chill ran through the old man's heart:
*Curse it all... There really was some heaven-reaching medallion after all. The overseas lands are steeped in carnage and overrun by demonic ways, a stench of blood indeed... But within the seas, while things appear righteous on the surface, they are inevitably tainted with filth...*
Chapter 835