Jiangbei, Funan.
The mountains in the Funan region were not tall. In fact, there were only three large mountains across the entirety of Jiangbei, the closest being Mount Tangdao of Tangjin Gate. By the time one reached this area, the terrain flattened out, and the highest peak—the Funan Main Peak—stood at barely a hundred-odd zhang.
"Funan Main Peak" was a name bestowed by the Li family. Ever since the Lis withdrew from Funan and took away the Continuous Cloud Reaching the Firmament Grand Array, the mountain had stood deserted. The itinerant cultivators and demonic cultivators who flooded in afterward kept quiet, silently holing up in the caves scattered across the slopes.
For one thing, none dared name the mountain, fearing they might displease the Li family, so they all simply claimed to be "gathering qi on the mountain." For another, far too many rogue cultivators were hiding in the area, each claiming their own knoll, so no one wanted to speak out of turn.
A few months ago, a group of demonic and itinerant cultivators had banded together to offer tribute to the Li family as a "qi-gathering fee." The Li family courteously declined, leaving the cultivators to return in deep regret. Yet just a few months later, calling upon their friends and companions, the number of cultivators in this land had multiplied several times over.
Jiangbei was truly affluent. Even the lowest-grade spirit fields here would have been claimed and fought over out in the outer seas. Who would want to endure the hardships of drifting across the seas when they could reside inland, waiting for spiritual goods to sprout effortlessly from the soil?
Moreover, there was that thrilling secret rumor that made everyone's heart race.
The Li family had always treated Funan as a buffer zone, never settling ordinary mortals there and using it only as a harvesting ground for spiritual materials. Over the years, the mortal populace had remained sparse. But as these demonic and itinerant cultivators arrived on the winds, the offspring of cultivators grew increasingly numerous. Small sects and modest Daoist shrines sprang up one after another, gradually taking the rudimentary shape of the eastern wilderness.
It had appeared peaceful and harmonious, until a sudden burst of brilliance in the sky shattered the tranquility.
"Hahahahaha!"
Thick, interwoven black and white light shot straight toward the heavens. An old cultivator robed in black threw his head back and laughed loudly, hovering unruly in midair. Ring upon ring of spectral radiance drifted around him, enshrouding him in an ominous, sinister aura.
The brilliance was so intense that it was clearly visible across nearly the entire Baijiangxi region. Cultivators rose on gusts of wind, looking up in envy or astonishment.
"I am Daoist Bai! Today, I have obtained the Guiming Dark Medallion, earned the recognition of the Mifan lineage, succeeded to its orthodox heritage, and shall revitalize this ancient sect!"
Simultaneously, dark clouds and lightning gathered thick in the sky, rumbling theatrically. The gathered cultivators stared at him in stunned bewilderment, exchanging flabbergasted glances.
"Could that rumor actually be true?! How can he be so brazen and fearless?!"
"Having obtained such a treasure, he dares appear in broad daylight... Does he think Duxian's esoteric sect and the Wangyue immortal clan are just for show?!"
A clamor broke out below, voices rising in eager discussion. The old man in the black Daoist robe held his head high with pride as coils of dark cloud swirled behind him. But then, from the clouds to the east, a young man emerged. He had high brows, deep-set eyes, and held a Daoist tome in his hands, bearing the unmistakable air of an eminent scion from an immortal sect. His expression was cold, barely squeezing out a smile:
"I am Guan Gongxiao. On behalf of Baiyedu Immortal Dao, I offer my congratulations to my fellow Daoist! The Mifan lineage re-emerging in this world is truly a great blessing for the cultivators of Jiangbei!"
He tilted his head slightly and commanded, "Come, present our immortal sect's congratulations!"
As soon as he spoke, a cultivator beside him stepped forward carrying a jade platter and delivered it across to Daoist Bai. The crowd below gasped in unison. Daoist Bai's suddenly tensed expression relaxed as well, replaced by boundless delight:
*I gambled right!*
Daoist Bai chuckled, taking the gift without ceremony. Restraining the greed on his face, he cupped his hands in greeting. "Greetings, Sect Master! It is not that I wished to act overbearingly, but rebuilding the sect with this medallion required this ceremony. If I have caused offense, I beg your forgiveness!"
Guan Gongxiao gave a slight nod, displaying the magnanimity of a great sect, and replied, "I see!"
Daoist Bai did not know what Guan Gongxiao was acknowledging with that "I see," feeling only an intoxicating rush of pleasure flooding his mind. He raised his chin high, but then saw the clouds to the south part as well. Lihuo surged violently, and another young man revealed himself.
This youth possessed noble, golden eyes and wore an outer robe embroidered with Lihuo flame patterns. Standing upon raging Lihuo fire, the space between his brows and eyes was narrow, his gaze long and sharp—plainly not someone to be trifled with.
*It's the golden-eyed scion of the Li family!*
The fame of the Wangyue immortal clan echoed loudly across Jiangbei. Li Zhouwei had forcefully slain the master of Tangjin Gate and cleaved through a spiritual artifact before departing leisurely, a feat widely celebrated on both banks of the river. The onlookers quickly recognized the Li lineage. The golden-eyed noble youth spoke calmly:
"Congratulations, Daoist! Wangyue offers the lands of Funan as our congratulatory gift... Protector Qu!"
An old man walked forward carrying a jade platter. The cultivators below were instantly consumed by jealousy and admiration.
*What incredible luck this Daoist Bai has!*
Framed by the interweaving currents of black and white qi, Daoist Bai truly took on the imposing demeanor of a demonic overlord. He returned the courtesy to Li Jiangqian without lingering on words, swiftly tucking the contents of the jade platter into his sleeve.
Li Jiangqian sized him up. Seeing how the old man could barely contain the gloating on his face and guessing that the medallion's influence was considerable, he clicked his tongue inwardly.
*I wonder whether this is the Perfected Lord's influence or a Master's handiwork... This expression, these mannerisms, this self-intoxicated smugness—he could practically take to the stage as an actor.*
Beside him, Guan Gongxiao sneered and said, "How generous of you, Patriarch Li. Can Funan still be considered your family's territory? It belonged to his sect in the first place, yet you have the gall to present it as a gift!"
Li Jiangqian cast a fierce, sharp glance at him and returned an equally chilling expression. "Oh? You may not excel at combat, Master Guan, but you are quite adept at healing. You took that blow from my father's halberd only a few years ago, yet here you are, strutting about in public so soon."
Guan Gongxiao's face tightened with embarrassment. With a cold huff, one hand holding his Daoist tome, fierce gusts of wind whipped up around him. Yet his other hand remained behind his back, not even forming a seal.
*This fellow Guan is being far too perfunctory...*
Li Jiangqian maintained an imposing demeanor, watching him coldly. Qu Bushi grumbled inwardly, unable to bear the sight. Stepping forward with an enraged expression, he drew out his wooden staff magical artifact, looking ready to brawl at any moment.
The rift between the two factions was longstanding; otherwise, the people in Funan and Midong would never have enjoyed such comfortable days. This tension was entirely expected by the watching crowd, who craned their necks to enjoy the spectacle. But Daoist Bai laughed and intervened:
"Please, Masters, grant me some face... Today is a joyous day for my lineage..."
With these words, the bristling hostility instantly dissipated. Daoist Bai had not expected his own words to carry such weight, and a fresh wave of joy and satisfaction washed over him. Holding his head high, he cupped his hands to Guan Gongxiao.
"I will be relying on your sect's care and guidance in the days ahead, Sect Master!"
The cultivators below were no fools; they immediately understood.
*The old man leans toward Duxian Dao...*
Fairly speaking, Daoist Bai's choice was sensible. He was a demonic cultivator by origin and had stooped to every underhanded tactic imaginable. The Li family was renowned as a righteous clan, nowhere near as familiar or approachable as Duxian Dao, which also originated from the overseas isles.
Moreover, having occupied the Li family's territory, he had already crossed them once. If he allied with the Lis, he would be criticized and scrutinized every time he used blood qi, leaving him walking on eggshells. Who knew if the Li family harbored thoughts of purging evil to uphold righteousness?
By contrast, Duxian Dao would certainly support Daoist Bai in occupying the Li family's buffer zone. It was a sound choice.
The onlookers immediately looked toward Li Jiangqian. Having had his face swept aside in public, the Li family patriarch's expression was indeed icy, sending a shiver through those who saw it.
Yet Li Jiangqian was secretly delighted. Though Guan Gongxiao was smiling and nodding on the opposite side, every inch of his being was likely filled with resistance... wishing he could slap Daoist Bai across the face.
*What is Daoist Bai? Just a stumbling block on the Perfected Lord's path. Trying to curry favor with him now—when the time comes, even the vast Duxian Dao might be dragged down and tripped up along with him...*
Delighted on the inside, Li Jiangqian kept his face stern. Seizing the chance to sever the old man's expectations, he turned without hesitation, flicked his sleeves, and departed!
Seeing him casually turn and leave, Guan Gongxiao cursed inwardly. But he reacted quickly, immediately feigning urgency:
"That Li fellow has departed, and our two clans are still confronting each other on the river. Please attend to your affairs first, Daoist Bai; I must return to stand guard."
Daoist Bai had no reason to detain him and naturally let him go, even self-importantly escorting him a short distance. This made Guan Gongxiao's hair stand on end and sent a chill down his spine, prompting him to grumble silently:
*Will I even dare hand Midong over to him later? I fear the more I give, the closer he'll cling, and eventually he'll come running to my doorstep begging for aid...*
Flying faster and faster, Guan Gongxiao fled as if escaping a disaster. Daoist Bai returned, looking down at the gathered cultivators with a cold sneer, and said leisurely:
"Fellow cultivators of Funan, since I, Daoist Bai, have obtained the Mifan lineage here, I must naturally establish our tradition and propagate its heritage. Is there anyone among you... who is unwilling to stand with me in establishing this lineage?!"
With that, he raised the medallion in his hand high. Rays of light poured downward, and not a single person dared to move. Even Daoist Huang, who had always been at odds with him, turned pale and did not dare twitch.
Who knew what miraculous powers that medallion possessed?
Daoist Bai laughed heartily, feeling that having corralled so many capable cultivators at once, his strength could almost rival a declining immortal sect. He mused proudly to himself:
*Those righteous sects are bound by rigid lineage prejudices, recommending only their own kin year after year. How could they ever match my boundless inclusivity?*
He then rode the wind down, and a fawning sycophant immediately hurried forward, asking, "Sect Master, what should our lineage be called?"
Daoist Bai stroked his beard with satisfaction. He found the name "Mifan" unappealing and had no wish to use it, so he declared:
"Our heritage has not yet been fully assembled, so it is unfitting to call ourselves Mifan. I cultivate the 'Locust Shade Ghost,' and by combining the strength of all our fellow cultivators, how about we name it the Locust Soul Hall?"
How could the assembled cultivators raise any objection? They all submissively agreed, then dispersed to await Daoist Bai's individual summons.
***
Lake Wangyue.
Li Jiangqian rode the wind all the way back to the lake and landed within the hall. Only after the doors were firmly shut did a smile break across his face. He put away the scroll on the desk and, meeting Li Xuanxuan's puzzled gaze, laughed:
"A madman who can't keep his head straight, possessing only cheap tricks that don't even qualify as cleverness. He frightened Guan Gongxiao until his heart went cold... Guan Gongxiao is another one who can't plan two steps ahead, even though he was the one who drew those people in..."
He casually explained the situation to Li Xuanxuan. The old man simply stroked his beard:
"No wonder Ming'er enjoys watching plays. In the end, the mortal realm is also a stage; once you step into the light, it is just layer upon layer of theater."
Though the old man was stern with Li Zhouming, referring to him as either a scamp or a wretched beast, he doted on him deeply at heart. In a slip of the tongue, he had called him Ming'er. Li Jiangqian smiled and shook his head. Soon, Qu Bushi stepped forward to report on the affairs in the north.
"Locust Soul Hall? He truly is a character from overseas, lacking even the sense to name his sect properly."
Li Jiangqian gave a mocking scoff. "It sounds sinister, and calling it a cave would already be stretching it... Does he really think he has the standing to establish an entity at the level of a 'Hall'?"
Few immortal halls existed in the world today. There was Empress Beiyao's Beiming Hall, which was not a faction but merely her dwelling. The closest was Shengbai Hall on Great Xiyuan, which outsiders now referred to as Shengbai Dao.
*Shengbai Dao claims to be the lineage of the Shaoyang Demon Lord, passed down by the demon Xi Yan, and has successively produced two Violet Palace masters. They are no simple matter. What kind of insignificant creature is Daoist Bai to dare style himself a Hall...*
Although conventions were not strictly enforced nowadays, titles certainly corresponded to status. Looking through the records of the past several centuries, which clan or sect in Jiangnan or Jiangbei had ever dared style themselves a Hall? It was merely the boldness of the ignorant...
At this moment, Li Xuanxuan also shook his head helplessly, sighing, "He is utterly blind to reality, fancying himself another Master Changyun... No matter what, he is merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator. I fear that before the Perfected Lord even arrives, he will have already wrecked himself through his own antics."
Li Jiangqian shook his head and replied, "Not necessarily. He should manage to stir up trouble for a few years at least. After all, he can be considered 'favored by fortune.'"
With Daoist Bai holding the front line, they could comfortably sit back and watch developments in Jiangbei. Li Jiangqian had someone escort Li Xuanxuan away, then summoned an attendant and instructed:
"Master Ning is in Jiangbei, so those dispatched to Qingchi must have made an empty trip. The Master cultivates 'Attuning to Clear Whispers.' Recall them urgently, lest they inadvertently collide with her immortal presence."
After sending someone to dispatch the message, he began calculating in his mind:
*Li Quantao is on good terms with our family, and now he is about to become embroiled in the northern affairs. The two Masters will certainly preserve his life. If he happens to obtain that Hongxue lineage, Master Ning will naturally benefit, but Li Quantao's gains won't be small either.*
After all, the Hongxue Sect had been led by the Wei-Li clan and possessed a respectable lineage in its own right. It had collapsed overnight solely because of Master Guanxue's fall, so the surviving Daoist repositories were bound to be substantial...
*Li Quantao does not appear capable of reaching the Violet Palace, but upon obtaining such treasures, anyone would be tempted to make a push for it. Once he dies, there will be no need to protect the descendants of Hongxue, and the repositories will inevitably fall to Qingchi. If the Master can intervene, she can look after the Wei-Li descendants on one hand, and perhaps secure a share of the spoils on the other.*
***
East Sea.
The waters around Zongquan Island were calm, with a few fishing boats drifting across the surface. A streak of blazing golden light approached from afar, churning up surging waves across the sea.
Emerging from Liehai, Li Zhouwei had first traveled to the Reef Sea area to visit the Deng family.
Deng Yuzhi had been pleasantly surprised and could hardly part with the magical artifact Li Zhouwei offered. He had traded for it with the White Yin Fan and refused to accept the Tangjin Gate resources previously promised, insisting that the two magical artifacts were now of comparable value and there was no need for further fuss.
He then happily brought out his son, a lively youth named Deng Buyan. Father and son escorted Li Zhouwei all the way out to sea, cordially inviting him to visit again the following year.
Li Zhouwei could only sigh at how rare such warmth was. Following the water veins southward, he stopped at two market towns but found nothing worthwhile, proceeding all the way toward the Zhulu Sea to visit Zongquan.
Riding the celestial light from afar, he soon came to a halt near the island. Sizing it up, he noticed that Zongquan Island seemed slightly larger than he remembered. Puzzled, he did not descend immediately.
However, the cultivators on the island recognized him. Soon, a white-haired old man came riding the wind to meet him—it was Zong Yan.
Zong Yan had been the original master of Zongquan Island, eking out a wretched existence while groveling under the Hui clan. Later, he welcomed Li Yuanjiao and assisted from the sidelines in governing the island. Li Zhouwei had broken through to Foundation Establishment here, so the old man was naturally familiar with him. He came out to greet him before the barrier, but did not open the formation on his own initiative.
This was the Li family's rule, meant to guard against demonic cultivators who might shapeshift to breach the formation. Li Zhouwei dispelled the formation himself and stepped inside. The old man greeted him respectfully:
"My lord..."
Li Zhouwei waved his hand. Zong Yan was an earthborn scion and had no biological children. He once had an adopted son, but the boy had been killed by demonic cultivators while traveling two years ago. Since then, he had not taken another, living out his days alone, yet maintaining a remarkably good mindset.
After all, he no longer had to worry about being eaten.
Li Zhouwei glanced at him, putting aside his earlier question for a moment, and asked, "Senior, how many years have you lived?"
Zong Yan understood what he was asking and merely sighed. "I reckon I have about twenty to thirty years left..."
Earthborn scions born of the Haoyang Spring on Shiqi Island could not pursue the immortal foundation. Zong Yan had been stuck at the late stage of Qi Nourishment for many years, simply waiting for death. Li Zhouwei noted this and inquired:
"Why does Zongquan appear... somewhat larger than before?"
Zong Yan replied, "Reporting to my lord, a few years ago... the northern earth veins suffered a major upheaval, billowing thick smoke, which caused shifts among many surrounding islands. Zongquan shares the same earth vein. Not only has the island expanded, but our formation was affected as well, growing considerably weaker."
Li Zhouwei understood then. Pinching his fingers to calculate the direction, he remarked, "No wonder. Ziyan's market town lies to the north; they share the same earth vein after all."
Zong Yan nodded repeatedly. "Precisely! A few years ago, after Lady Queyi was accepted into the Ziyan immortal sect, she visited Zongquan to ask if the island was short on anything... She is currently on duty at that nearby market town, keeping very busy on ordinary days."
"Queyi..."
As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, Li Zhouwei naturally remembered the names of his kin. A brief thought brought her to mind. She had been a gentle, delicate girl, very endearing. A rare smile touched his lips as he said, "So she earned Ziyan's regard. Perfect, I have some idle items on hand. I shall pay a visit to that market town."
Leaving some low-grade, unneeded spiritual goods on Zongquan, he rode his light toward the northwest. After flying for a while, a vast expanse of purple entered his view, and a large island surfaced before him.
It was precisely Ziyan Gate's Xinyu Reefs.
This place had once been considered merely a single large island, but following the upheaval of the earth veins, it had become a cluster of reefs. People bustled about, and quite a few small factions had established a presence here. Li Zhouwei observed steadily for a moment, smiled faintly, and concealed himself within his light to slip inside.
Near the market town, a purple-robed young woman stood upon a purplish-black reef. Her face was round and lovely. Her hands were formed into a seal resembling a small jug, drawing the colored radiance from the sea surface with undivided attention.
After several breaths, a wisp of colorful light swished its tail and landed in her palm, circling like a little fish. The woman carefully gathered it into a jade bottle. Suddenly, a deep, resonant voice sounded beside her:
"What are you doing?"
The round-faced woman hastily turned her head, only to see a tall, stalwart man standing at her side. He wore gold-and-white flexible armor patterned with black mystical runes. Though a faint smile hovered on his lips, his eyes carried a fierce, imposing edge, exuding an effortless aura of authority. In his hand, he held a halberd, standing suspended above the sea.
"Uncle?!"
Li Queyi's eyes went wide in disbelief, nearly dropping the jade bottle in her hands. Pure joy instantly flooded her face as she beamed, "My lord, you're safe and sound! That is wonderful!"
Only then did she recover herself. Without waiting for Li Zhouwei to ask again, she said respectfully, "I am gathering the purple qi of the azure sky to complete a task for the sect."
"Oh?"
Li Zhouwei nodded gently. Merely by standing there, he radiated waves of warmth. Having been alone abroad for so many years, Li Queyi had never felt so safe and reassured, feeling as if even the spiritual winds beneath her feet had grown sturdier. She asked with a smile, "Uncle, what brings you..."
Li Zhouwei did not answer immediately. Instead, he glanced at the jade bottle in her hand and asked, "Ziyan doesn't let you cultivate within the sect, but sent you out to gather qi? How many hours does that take each day?"
Li Queyi hastily answered, "I thought to gain some practical experience on my own... It only takes half an hour a day. This month, the senior sister on duty with me entered seclusion, so I am gathering on her behalf, which takes an hour."
Li Zhouwei seemed dissatisfied with this answer. Looking thoughtful, he relaxed his grip, and the long halberd instantly dissolved into nothingness. Raising his brows, he asked:
"Is this truly practical experience?... Where are your senior brother and master? Did the family arrange anyone to look after you?"
Li Queyi hesitated slightly, then answered, "Master and Senior Brother are both within the sect. I felt life on the peak was somewhat stifling, so I came out to the sea. Although there is some work to do, it is very quiet and peaceful."
"Quiet and peaceful?"
Li Zhouwei immediately sensed something amiss. Seeing how Li Queyi lowered her head, he wondered who was managing family affairs back home and whether anyone had made proper arrangements with the relevant figures. He pressed with a few questions, and Li Queyi answered:
"Earlier on, it was Uncle Zhouluo..."
Li Zhouwei understood, and spoke warmly: "Come, take me to see the one in charge. I will settle this for you."
Hearing these words, Li Queyi's eyes turned slightly red. She led him inside, recounting details in bits and pieces along the way.
Ziyan's buildings were brand new, evidently having just been constructed, and the patterns on the ground emitted a faint luminescence. The surrounding cultivators smiled and nodded when they saw Li Queyi, showing that she was on good terms with them. But upon seeing Li Zhouwei, they began whispering among themselves, quite a few clearly recognizing him.
Presently, a middle-aged man descended from a higher terrace. His eyes were bright and spirited, and he wore one gold and one white talisman at his waist. He looked at Li Zhouwei with a mixture of shock and reverence, bowing in greeting:
"Wen Wu of Muzuo Peak greets... my lord!"
Addressing him as "my lord" showed immense respect, clearly treating him as a future Violet Palace master. Seeing this man for the first time, Li Zhouwei noted that while his features were plain, his bearing was quite extraordinary. He replied warmly:
"So it is Fellow Daoist Wen. I am Li Zhouwei of Wangyue."
There was no need for further words. Having confirmed his suspicion, Wen Wu hurriedly led him upward. Escorting Li Queyi, Li Zhouwei remarked with a smile:
"I have been away from the lake for many years and only recently learned that a direct descendant of my family had gained Ziyan's favor. Thus, I came here to see her, only to happen upon her gathering qi... After waiting for quite a while, I decided to pay a visit to your immortal sect together with her."
"I see."
Though the words were polite, Wen Wu felt a chill run through his heart. He glanced hesitantly at Li Queyi, speaking kindly, "Queyi has always been diligent and obedient. Having a disciple like her is truly the blessing of Ziqi Peak."
Li Queyi looked at Li Zhouwei's back, watching as the elder nodded and said:
"Ziqi Peak... I remember now. That is Lingyanzi's branch."
Their exchange paused for a moment. Under Wen Wu's guidance, Li Zhouwei took a seat in the hall. Purple-robed disciples immediately came forward to pour tea. Li Zhouwei did not drink, instead remarking:
"Ziqi Peak is destitute... It must not be very quiet and peaceful, is it?"
Wen Wu understood his meaning clearly. But he, too, had been urgently dispatched overseas and had not even known beforehand that Li Queyi had left the sect early. He could only let out a long sigh and explain:
"Regarding this matter... I must explain it properly to you, Fellow Daoist."
Chapter 836