The autumn hues over Lake Wangyue had not yet faded. The mountains were woven in red and gold under a bright, lucid sky, where ribbons of vermilion clouds draped across the horizon. It was the hour when the sunset blazed most brilliantly, dyeing the edge of heaven in crimson.
Amidst the undulating clouds, a speck of greenish-gold broke through. Having absorbed the light of the shifting sun and moon as heaven and earth shone together, it descended through the mountain woods and landed upon the great isle in the lake.
The sealed cave abode ground open, shaking off layers of dust. A wisp of red light escaped, drifting and dissipating before coalescing into shape in front of the grand formation. It formed a woman clad in a cloud-satin dress. At her waist hung a talisman inscribed with a purple-black mountain spirit, which produced a faint whistling whisper with each gentle step she took.
Stepping forward, she extended her hand and caught that speck of greenish-gold from the sky. With a gentle turn of her palm, the hue melted away into specks of silver light.
"Taking this opportunity, I have finally mastered Dispersed White Falling Feathers!"
Rising upon the wind, she made her way toward the hall. After traveling for only a short distance, she spotted an elderly man prostrating himself before the entrance. Skin and bones with a full head of white hair, he trembled as he waited. She smiled and asked, "Guest Elder Qu… what brings you here?"
Qu Bushi had been lost in thought about how to report the situation and jumped in fright. Lifting his head in startled bewilderment, he froze upon seeing her, then scrambled to say, "Eldest Young Mistress… you have exited seclusion?!"
Li Quewan was the most talented woman of the Que generation, and back then Li Qinghong had personally escorted her back to the isle. In Qu Bushi's eyes, her standing was exalted indeed. The old man bowed in haste and sighed. "Now the clan head will have someone to assist him… It concerns Jiangbei once again…"
Barely had he uttered the words when footsteps echoed from the hall. A young man in crimson descended briskly from the dais. Reaching the threshold, his eyes lit up in a mix of joy and concern as he chuckled. "Sister, you have come out of seclusion! Why was there no celestial phenomenon?"
Li Quewan cupped her hands and replied softly, "It was merely a transformation in material nature; a single expanse of sunset glow was enough. This is not a tradition that displays itself conspicuously before the world."
"Let us speak inside."
Li Jiangqian raised a hand to push the doors half-closed and guided her within. Leaning back out, he looked down at Qu Bushi and asked in a low voice, "What is it?"
Qu Bushi hurried to say, "Tangjin Gate has been defeated. Several members of the Situ family were grievously wounded. Sect Master Situ Biao had his eyes gouged out and his five viscera ripped away, turned into… Daoist Bai's magical artifact… Tangjin Gate has shrunk back into the mountains. Huaihun Palace has marched back victorious, and Black Rat Protector was able to return to Baiku. Trouble is bound to follow."
"I understand."
Li Jiangqian dismissed him, a smile returning to his face as he walked deeper into the hall. "Congratulations, Sister. What kind of marvel is it?"
Li Quewan cultivated the Houshu Golden Scripture, and the immortal foundation she had tempered was Houshenshu. Very few techniques of the Quandan attribute remained in the world; none of them had ever heard of the name before, and they dared not spread it abroad, let alone inquire about it.
Li Quewan replied, "Houshenshu draws upon the gestational path of Quandan. It gathers immortal light, tempers gold and mercury, evades death and prolongs life, dispatches birds and tames beasts, and uses secret arts to seek immortality, forging and refining the quintessence of heaven and earth to achieve longevity."
She hesitated slightly and shook her head. "Fundamentally, this is an art of withdrawing from the world to cultivate immortality in pursuit of longevity."
Having heard this, Li Jiangqian nodded. "Of the Quandan path, I have only heard of Secret White Quicksilver, which is decent in battle. Houshenshu leans toward escape and refining mercury and elixirs… That suits you well."
He smiled faintly. "You have older brothers and uncles in the family to look after you. Possessing this… will benefit the family far more than what people like us can provide. Unlike my immortal foundation's auxiliary wonder, which can only consume wood and spirit herbs to advance my cultivation and cannot be used to aid the clansmen."
"Brother, you are mistaken," Li Quewan said with a smile. "Fighting is unavoidable. As the saying goes, one cultivates arts to protect the Dao. Master Zhaojing was renowned for his elixir arts during his Foundation Establishment days, yet his cultivation was peerless and he stood at the very head of the Four Xis. I have never heard of him losing a battle to anyone.
"Even Master Yehui, who possessed three divine abilities, could not harm him, and it ultimately took the intervention of a Grand Master to force him across the sea… If he only knew how to brew elixirs, he likely would never have reached the heights he has today."
Li Jiangqian opened his mouth, then simply nodded. Li Quewan continued, "The Houshenshu path's enhancement of material transformation needs no elaboration; it is likely stronger than that of Secret White Quicksilver. It can harmonize Liangyi Qi and aid in numerous transformations among the Five Virtues, mainly concerning Water, Fire, and Metal.
"Second is transformation. This path allows one to alter their physical appearance, disguise magical artifacts and formations, and even conceal their cultivation heritage. If one breaks through to divine abilities, the potential for transformation expands even further, no longer confined to a human form."
Li Jiangqian nodded silently in contemplative pause. Li Quewan added with a trace of concern, "Quandan fears only three things. The first is Heshui; once this water falls, it scatters mercury into cinnabar. The second is Binghuo, which is even more vicious, scorching mercury and melting lead, destroying spiritual nature. The last is Yuanlei, which is known today as the art of meta-magnetism…"
Li Jiangqian replied with a hint of regret, "A pity. The Heshui path is at its height right now and hard to avoid, while Binghuo is hardly an obscure lineage. On the other hand, Yuanlei has long vanished from sight; I hear it only exists in the State of Wu, so there is no need to worry overmuch."
Li Quewan nodded. "There is also Dispersed White Falling Feathers, an unheard-of escape technique. In my early days, I struggled to even grasp its threshold. Now, aided by the condensation of Houshenshu, the celestial phenomena secretly resonated with the principles of transformation, allowing me to master it."
The cultivation of Quandan had always been peculiar. It was unexpected that the celestial signs of breakthrough could aid in learning arts. Li Jiangqian offered his congratulations and asked, "May I see it? I have never heard of an escape technique belonging to Quandan."
"That would not be appropriate," Li Quewan demurred, shaking her head. "This escape technique is similar to an ordinary cultivator's blood escape. Using it to slip away takes a heavy toll on one's blood essence and cultivation, so it is ill-advised to demonstrate it needlessly."
Li Jiangqian nodded in realization. After waiting a short while, Li Xuanxuan pushed the door open and entered from the side. Dressed in dark blue robes, the old man bore a smile on his aged face and held a small box in his arms.
"Wan'er!"
Of Li Xuanxuan's many descendants, apart from Li Ximing, few had achieved greatness. If Li Zhouming was the treasure in the palm of his hand, Li Quewan was his very heart. Now that she stood before him, both juniors bowed together. The old man placed the box on the table, helped them both up with either hand, and laughed. "Congratulations, Quewan. Take a look at this…"
Only then did Li Quewan take the box. It was no larger than a pillow, lined with a layer of padded golden cotton, in the center of which rested a silver-gray droplet of mercury about the size of a fingernail.
Li Quewan's gaze was instantly captured. She listened as the elder spoke:
"To the north in the Hetao region lies the State of Tiefu, the domain of the demonic Helian family. During the clash between North and South, they sent forth a man named Helian Changguang. He was shot dead by Xuanfeng in Daning Palace, carrying this treasure… We could not tell whether it was a spiritual object or a magical artifact, just this droplet of mercury.
"It possesses the Quandan attribute, which none of us could decipher. Because the Helian family also has a Violet Palace cultivator, we never took it outside, keeping it until today.
"Later, when Ximing broke through to Violet Palace, I remembered this item and brought it for him to inspect. He said it was a magical artifact rather than a natural spiritual object, and that only Quandan spells could unseal it."
Li Quewan first coaxed a sliver of silver light to fall upon the mercury droplet. After a brief calculation, she picked it up, examined it, and said with delight, "It is undeniably a Quandan magical artifact of ancient origin. One could call it an artifact, but it resembles an inheritance even more… It truly carries an archaic air."
She clasped the mercury droplet in her palm and channeled her magic power into it. A flash of silver burst forth, and it vanished into her sea of qi.
"It refines so quickly!"
Li Quewan closed her eyes to sense it for a breath, murmuring, "This artifact is a treasure of internal cultivation. Anchored in the dantian, it can aid in casting spells and has the effect of clearing spiritual sense and invigorating the spirit. In times of need, it can even serve as a medium for Quandan transformations.
"It contains an accompanying incantation called the Dew-Catching Blood Silver Secret Art. It is an ancient demonic art that harvests blood essence and uses lead and mercury techniques to form an elixir…"
The art clearly occupied an awkward place. Li Quewan sighed. "In terms of pure survival, this art is only a fraction behind my Dispersed White Falling Feathers. Unfortunately, it is a demonic art. While a few of its techniques are usable, the lineage as a whole offers no benefit to our family.
"As for the artifact itself, it can be drawn out to confront enemies or used to save one's life… For our family, the artifact holds far more value than the art."
Having heard this, Li Xuanxuan sighed. "As long as it is useful. Although the Helian family has declined and is surrounded by ravenous foes, they still possess a Violet Palace cultivator. Just take care that their family does not recognize it."
Li Quewan nodded slightly. Since it resided within her dantian rather than hanging at her waist, it would not be easily recognized. Moreover, whether the item belonged to the Helian family or was acquired by Helian Changguang on his own remained unknown. She set the matter aside for now and asked about Jiangbei.
Li Jiangqian summarized the events and frowned. "As for Second Uncle's murder, Duxian Dao sent someone to clear their name—Gongsun Baifan. Guan Gongxiao was terribly anxious over the incident, writing several letters to defend himself. It does not seem to have been Duxian Dao's doing.
"My earlier thought was that staying in seclusion was best for you, lest you be drawn into this mess. Now that you have emerged, and I have tested that the talisman seed is truly effective, I can discuss it with you."
His expression darkened. "A few months ago, Second Uncle was killed, and Master Tinglan has yet to show herself. I suspect that affairs in Jiangbei are going awry. You are skilled in witchcraft, so I would like you to look into it."
Li Quewan had spent her days in secluded cultivation and was unfamiliar with this second uncle. After a brief sigh of pity, she looked up and asked, "Were any bones left behind?"
Li Jiangqian shook his head somberly. This made matters difficult for Li Quewan. She asked, "Did he leave behind descendants? We could try using their blood essence… though this method is imprecise and carries a chance of misjudgment."
At the mention of this, Li Xuanxuan stroked his beard and said, "I will go fetch some."
The old man stepped out from the side, and Li Jiangqian whispered, "Wan'er, act within your limits. Do not harm yourself."
Li Jiangqian clearly feared that if this matter involved the Violet Palace, it might affect Li Quewan. Li Xuanxuan placed great stock in kinship, so Li Jiangqian avoided saying such things in front of him. But in the eyes of this Li family clan head, Li Quewan, a seedling destined for the Violet Palace, was what mattered most. As for the others—mortals and cultivators alike—death was death, differing only in the scale of the loss.
Li Quewan replied gently, "It is fine. My witchcraft is profound, and with the talisman seed upon me, it poses no danger unless I attempt to divine the Violet Palace directly."
The two waited a short while before Li Xuanxuan returned carrying a small vial of blood essence. Li Quewan produced three ivory tokens from her sleeve, standing them in three directions, and placed the blood essence between them. After pondering for three breaths, she drew one token from the arrangement, repeating the process nine times.
As she gathered them up, the glow of magic power around her slowly dimmed, leaving her face slightly pale. She said with utmost gravity, "Nine identical draws: retribution, consumed by the fire of the East, leaving no bones behind."
Hearing this, Li Jiangqian sneered. Li Quewan explained tactfully, "Second Uncle… or Second Uncle's direct kin was likely incinerated by a Fire Virtue lineage from the East. With nine hits out of nine draws, it signifies that this matter is widely known. Nine identical results mean no Violet Palace divine ability was involved; it was a calamity born of revenge, a blood debt of life and death…"
This pointed almost overtly at Chijiao Island. Li Jiangqian rested a hand upon the clan head's seat, his thoughts sharpening. Stroking the armrest, he murmured, "Widely known… What a 'widely known' indeed.
"It must be Guo Hongjian… Chijiao Island did this, and it is known to many… When they passed through Salt Lake and Muquan Gate, they were probably deliberately let through."
Li Jiangqian saw through it clearly and gave a cold laugh. "Our family bears a mortal blood feud with Chijiao Island. If I were Guan Gongxiao, no matter how close I was to Chijiao, I would never disclose the tacit understanding between our two families. The intelligence he received from the East Sea must have been that our two sides were locked in battle.
"And so that scoundrel grew impatient. Inquiring within the mainland, he found the two sides merely confronting each other across the river without major casualties. Frantic, he secretly murdered a member of our family, hoping to force us into an all-out war so the Guan family would be driven wholly into Chijiao's fold.
"He certainly played his cards well."
Li Quewan gathered the three tokens and said solemnly, "If Second Uncle's ancestral line was never injured by Binghuo in the past, then this result points to Second Uncle, and Chijiao Island is without doubt."
Li Jiangqian murmured, "As for your deduction that no Violet Palace divine abilities were involved, that is true enough. After all, this entire region is highly sensitive. Yet it is quite possible that several Violet Palace masters silently permitted it to happen. They cannot fail to see the tacit understanding between our two families; either they believe an actual clash would serve their interests, or… it was meant as a test."
Li Jiangqian let out a breath and strode down from the dais. Pushing open the hall doors, he said in a deep voice, "Send word to invite Ziyan…"
Before his words could fully land, a streak of blazing true fire descended from the sky. Li Minggong landed swiftly before the hall, riding the flames. Her tone was taut with urgency as she said, "No need.
"Qianli Zi of Ziyan Gate has already arrived over the lake, demanding to see the head of the Li family!"
Li Jiangqian's heart dropped. Glancing around at the others, he replied, "Invite her in."
Merely a few breaths after he gave the order, an extraordinarily beautiful woman in white immortal robes arrived before the hall. At her waist hung a glazed white jade bottle. She was none other than the prodigy of Ziyan Gate's current generation—the Glass Treasure Vase, Qianli Zi.
This Qianli Zi not only served as acting sect master, but was also the master of Li Quexi, a direct daughter of the Li clan!
Yet now her expression was icy, her gaze tinged with anxiety. Her eyes locked instantly onto Li Jiangqian as she murmured, "May I speak with the clan head in private?"
At these words, Li Jiangqian felt an even worse premonition. He dismissed those around them. The moment the hall doors shut, Qianli Zi stepped forward and asked in distress, "Clan Head, do you possess a way to contact Master Zhaojing?!"
Li Jiangqian hesitated slightly. Realizing her startling question lacked courtesy when posed so directly, Qianli Zi softened her frantic look and murmured, "Forgive my rashness, Clan Head. The master of our sect has gone missing north of Jiangbei and has not returned to this day. Our blessed land has already dispatched people to seek aid from the various Sun lineages. Master Zhu Gong and Master Kui Qi have gone north to conduct a search… We hope… your esteemed clan's master can prioritize the greater situation and hold the fort at Jiangbei."
*Trouble truly has broken out in Jiangbei!*
Qianli Zi was lowering her posture to an extreme degree. She stood beneath only one person and above thousands within her blessed land. For a distinguished Sun lineage to humble itself and come here to make such a request showed just how dire the situation was.
Yet as Li Jiangqian listened in stunned silence, a bone-chilling dread rose within him. Taking two steps down from his seat, he asked, "This… They… Regarding the True Monarch's affair, this was the decree of Luoxia!"
Qianli Zi kept her head lowered, acting as if she had not heard his words. Li Jiangqian reined in his expression, the prior doubts in his heart suddenly clicking together like a clap of thunder:
*Chijiao Island… Was Chijiao Island testing whether our clan's master has returned, or testing whether Master Zimu has vanished?!*
He then asked, "What instructions has Master Qiuhu given?"
Compared to the tidings from Qianli Zi's mouth, Li Jiangqian was far more interested in news from the Violet Palace tier. At this inquiry, Qianli Zi bowed her head slightly and sighed. "We have received no word from her."
This sentence was loaded with implications. Ning Wan possessed no confidants like Qianli Zi within the Qingchi Sect; Sect Master Dantai Jin might very well be kept entirely in the dark!
Once Tinglan and Ning Wan abandoned Salt Lake, both banks of the river would be plunged into darkness. While the matter regarding the True Monarch of Mount Luoxia would not be delayed in the slightest, without divine abilities maintaining control from above, there was no guarantee that the powers along the river would not be dragged into the fray! And with Ning Wan gone, Li Quantao upon Salt Lake would be like a lonely skiff in a tempest, entirely at the mercy of the raging waves.
Li Jiangqian had no choice but to ask, "What of the Wanyu Sword Sect? What of Hengzhu Dao!"
A trace of helplessness crossed Qianli Zi's delicate countenance as she shook her head. "The Wanyu Sword Sect… Lord Lingmei gave instructions long ago that the Sword Sect would take no part in any Jiangbei affairs. As for Hengzhu Dao… the less said, the better!"
At the mention of Hengzhu, her expression turned complicated, mixed with disappointment and anxiety. Clearly, she had suffered a bitterly awkward setback regarding them, and even mentioning it now brought a flicker of resentment.
Li Jiangqian fell silent. Watching Qianli Zi's look gradually shift from anxiety to suspicion, and knowing he could delay no longer, he heard the woman speak in a plaintive, sorrowful tone: "Regarding Jiangbei, the master of our sect issued orders early on to protect your esteemed clan at all costs and prevent immortal carriages from crossing the river. Now that our master has vanished under bizarre circumstances, we are not asking your clan's master to mount a rescue, merely to return early and take charge of the situation!
"This is not the concern of my sect alone. Once the river is breached, Lake Wangyue will be next. Now that both masters cannot be contacted, without a Violet Palace presence, all the deployments in Jiangbei are empty talk. How can this be allowed?!"
Li Jiangqian's mind turned swiftly. He was not thrown into disarray by her barrage of questions. Sighing internally, deep suspicion surged within him:
*The Pine Sun lineage… With so many Violet Palace cultivators in Jiangnan, even if Hengzhu refuses to act, can they truly not appoint a single one to stand in Jiangbei and take charge? Why must they call our clan's master back?*
How overbearing the Sun lineages were! Any random master sent forth could stabilize the riverside. Yet she came specifically to request Li Ximing. No matter how one looked at it, something was amiss. Staring intently at her, he said with utmost gravity, "Senior Han… Can the lords of the various Sun lineages truly not take charge of the situation? For a mere disappearance, do all those lords need to depart together? Please answer this junior in all sincerity—has Master Tinglan… truly gone missing?"
Qianli Zi was taken aback, completely caught off guard by his question. She re-examined the man before her. Gritting her teeth, she answered, "This… should not be spoken of, but since you ask, Fellow Daoist, I have no choice but to answer.
"Within our blessed land… the soul lamp has dimmed. There must be a grand battle in the north. Master Zhu Gong and Master Kui Qi may well be forced to fight, and their condition afterward is uncertain… It will be difficult for them to return here to guard the front. Master Houfu is tied down in Longdi… If your clan's master does not return, there will be no one above to hold the ground."
For such an event to occur at such a critical juncture, it was impossible that Mount Luoxia was unaware. Li Jiangqian looked grim as he asked, "What power dares to be so brazen? A master of the Sun lineage was actually… ambushed outside…"
Qianli Zi's expression darkened further, her voice dropping. "I suspect it is a calamity left behind by the Qiwang Profound Sky Listening affair… Back then, it was Qingchi and Ziyan joining forces to plot it, and your clan's elder took part as well… Now that two Grand Masters have fallen one after another, those in the north have grown ambitious!"
Hearing this, Li Jiangqian exhaled a heavy breath. The woman before him continued, "Furthermore, with no Violet Palace in the sky, is your clan truly at ease regarding the Fei family?"
Li Jiangqian remained silent.
As a renowned immortal clan, it was impossible that they lacked a means to alert Li Ximing, and he could never fool a worldly disciple of Ziyan Gate. He could only say solemnly, "This junior means no offense, but I am young and this matter is beyond my authority to decide. I must confer with the clan elders!"
Qianli Zi froze, took a step back, and gritted her teeth. "Then please decide swiftly!"
Li Jiangqian had barely taken a step when both of them looked up simultaneously, faintly hearing a tremor from afar. Both were Foundation Establishment cultivators; how could they fail to perceive such a subtle reverberation? Exchanging a glance, they rushed out of the hall.
Sure enough, heavy rain was pouring over the lake. Amidst the storm clouds that blotted out the sky, several cultivators stood aloft. Li Quewan and the others were staring toward the north, their faces filled with anxiety.
In the northern sky, a swath of golden light surged straight into the heavens. Wisps of indistinct smoke and dust rose aloft, where dark clouds faintly gathered and rain drifted, casting a terrifying gloom.
*The direction of Huaihun Palace… A Foundation Establishment cultivator has fallen… Perhaps even more than one…*
"Where is Qu Bushi!"
He turned with a grim expression, only to discover that Qianli Zi beside him was staring blankly toward the north. Her fists were clenched tightly, her whole body trembling—whether from fear or excitement. Those beautiful eyes were fixed unblinkingly on the north, her lips murmuring soundlessly.
Witnessing this scene, a chill ran through Li Jiangqian. He had long suspected that she was deeply entangled with a True Monarch, though he did not know whether it was the same one. Stepping back rapidly, he averted his gaze from her eyes and barked, "Senior!"
Chapter 852