Suppression

"Fellow Daoists!" No sooner had Kuiqi spoken than a figure stepped out from the Great Void. His hair was completely gray, and he wore a black robe painted with thousands of brown circular apertures resembling eyes, all faintly radiating a dark light within the Great Void. Evidently, this was Real Person Luo, who had been mentioned earlier. He first bowed to Kuiqi with an exceedingly respectful expression, smiling as he said, "Greetings, My Lord!" Kuiqi nodded with a cold face, whereupon Real Person Luo turned to Chen Yin, with whom he was clearly much more familiar, and smiled. "Having not seen you in so many years, your cultivation has advanced once again, Fellow Daoist!" Unlike Kuiqi, Chen Yin smiled amiably. Only then did Real Person Luo turn to Li Ximing. The eye-like patterns covering his robes trembled as he said with great warmth, "So this is the renowned Real Person Zhaojing! I have long heard of your illustrious deeds, Fellow Daoist. You are truly formidable!" Since one does not strike a smiling face, Li Ximing replied courteously. Sensing that the robes on the man's body were rather uncanny, he refrained from staring at them. Just then, Kuiqi's cold voice, transmitted through a divine ability, echoed by his ear: 'Zhaojing, this man surnamed Luo also came from the State of Yue, but he is no good sort. He mingled with demonic beasts in the Southern Border, ruled the Wu Country, and refined every barbarian cultivator who came of age each year into his robes... Exercise caution around him...' 'Yet there is no need to worry about him siding with Northern Buddhism. The monster kings detest him to the core, and he has slain Lianmin before. Simply avoid associating with him closely.' Only then did Li Ximing understand where the uncanny feeling came from. Observing a little more closely, the Real Person surnamed Luo appeared to be of the Shanyue. 'He shares the same habits as Fu Daimu back on the lake, who refined the Human Head Mountain... For Chen Yin to dare invite him here... it seems Chen Yin holds some leverage over him as well.' It was no wonder Kuiqi wore such a cold expression. Wearing such a Dharma robe, how could Kuiqi possibly give him a warm look? It was likely only because Luo had used barbarians of the Southern Border that Kuiqi's disgust was kept somewhat in check... Otherwise, calls to slay him on sight would have been entirely possible. 'This man truly... dances upon the edge of another's blade...' Though met with Kuiqi's frosty reception, Real Person Luo remained smiling, his warmth impeccable. When Kuiqi finished the divination in his hand, a haze of colorful light indeed emerged from the Great Void, as though a black cloth had been pulled back, revealing a patch of gold piece by piece. Real Person Luo took one look, understood at once, and said in a low voice, "It is the Huixu Demon-Subduing Grand Formation. Zhelu is personally suppressing things within, which should be held off by either the Purple Seat Muling Pavilion or the Rain-Watching Precious Cauldron." "This grand formation is commanded by a Mohe, aided by spirit artifacts, allowing it to conceal itself within the Great Void while maintaining formation eyes in the mundane realm to hold several people down. Shaking it will suffice." He named two treasures in a single breath. Li Ximing recalled that Tinglan also held the Shangxiang Pot and Measureless Water-Fire. Were those two items brought to bear, even a Mohe would likely have to yield three paces. No wonder the figures before him showed no concern at all. Kuiqi reeled in the light in his hand, turned back, and exhorted, "Those of you gathered here are under the protection of my spirit artifact. As long as you remain still, those below cannot divine anyone within the Great Void. Strike once the opportune moment arrives!" Beneath their feet, the rain over Mount Xiaoshi abated, revealing traces of iridescent Buddhist land. Kuiqi said softly, "Wait for me to go first!" His figure materialized over Mount Xiaoshi. At last, the golden light trembled faintly. Before anything else could happen, a horse-headed Mohe leapt out from within, his entire face beaming with smiles as he displayed his large, white front teeth and called out, "Fellow Daoist Kuiqi! Whom have you brought along?" Li Ximing and the other two held their ground, remaining motionless within the Great Void. Li Ximing fixed his gaze upon him, musing silently: 'So this is Daixi... my clan's blood enemy.' Sure enough, the moment Daixi emerged, Kuiqi's expression turned fierce. He raised the Dahe Kui Bronze Sword upright in his hand, uttering not a single word. Right then, a resounding rumble echoed through the Great Void, and four golden-bodied Lianmin emerged, each wielding Dharma artifacts. Chen Yin drew his sword and vanished into thin air. Below, Daixi's smile froze. His two horse ears stood erect at once, adopting a listening posture, only to see silver radiance flare abruptly. A slender sword burst through the void, accompanied by a sharp, piercing sword light that emerged behind his head. "Chen Yin!" Without a second thought, Daixi caused his Dharma body to swell drastically in midair. No longer maintaining his cross-legged seated posture, he soared upward on iridescent light, and his purplish-black alms bowl gleamed brightly as he attempted to parry the sword. Yet how could Chen Yin be an ordinary figure? The slender sword lightly tapped against the bowl, whereupon the roar of torrential waters rose between heaven and earth. The Kongxi Demon-Subduing Bowl emitted a violent hum, and a downpour of white rain descended from the sky, causing Daixi's Dharma body to make strange sizzling sounds. Daixi pulled away immediately, raising the Kongxi Demon-Subduing Bowl to receive and gather the celestial water while raising his staff to counter Chen Yin's sword techniques, thinking suspiciously: 'Isn't Chen Yin in the Southern Border... locked in a tense standoff with Real Person Zhusheng over spirit artifacts? With no movement from the Changxiao Sect, how does his Chen clan dare cross the river?!' Kuiqi did not fear Daixi, but Daixi had also been confident he could deal with him. Mohe Zhelu had long said that Real Person Yushui, Chen Yin, was on good terms with Hengzhu and originally should not intervene. Furthermore, he was embroiled in disputes with Real Person Zhusheng of the State of Shahuang in the Southern Border and was under pressure from Real Person Luo; with excuses to decline readily available, how could he cross the river? The Sword Sect was traditionalist. Although an outlier like Lingmei had emerged, taking action was still fraught with difficulties. There was only Li Ximing, whose stance was firm, but he had unfortunately been driven off to the East Sea, while Changxiao's whereabouts were still unknown, so how could he possibly show himself? It was for this reason that Daixi had been left outside the formation to meet the enemy. Now that Chen Yin had popped up, Daixi immediately sensed disaster. While urgently calling for reinforcements, he urged, "Quickly, intercept him!" The four Lianmin nearby choked up upon hearing this. To say it was easy to resist Zhu Gong was one thing, but how could Kuiqi and Zhu Gong be of the same caliber? It was not merely a matter of having two more divine abilities... All of Zhu Gong's possessions combined were not worth a single one of Kuiqi's spirit artifacts! Moreover, Kuiqi was a Real Person of Great Xiukui Abbey. His methods were not mere physical slaughter upon Dharma bodies; Xiukui was known as one of the Three Shamanic Paths of Binggu, and clashing with him carried the risk of having both body and spirit utterly obliterated! Yet with the Mohe giving orders, how could the four dare refuse? They had no choice but to brace themselves and charge forward, though each looked more timid than the last, as if ready to mutilate their own Dharma bodies and flee at any moment. Sure enough, cold light flashed in Kuiqi's eyes. Certain that Daixi still held cards in reserve, he was in no hurry to summon Li Ximing and the others out. Instead, he stood with the Dahe Kui Bronze Sword in hand and slashed forward. Simultaneously, a massive black gale swept up, buffeting the iridescent radiance atop the four Lianmin's golden bodies into utter disarray. At the same time, a black cord dropped from midair, leaping up abruptly like a venomous serpent lurking in the dark night. The four felt a chill at their napes. The old Lianmin who led them had already returned to the Buddhist land long ago, leaving them entirely at a loss. Only the six-armed Lianmin with the highest combat strength roared and stepped to the front, only to be bound and hoisted by the black cord, temporarily trapped in midair. The bronze-textured Dahe Kui Bronze Sword flickered in and out of the gray wind. A low shout sounded: "Freeze!" A point of cold light leapt up from the black wind. The remaining three Lianmin retreated, each faster than the last. Astonishingly, Real Person Kuiqi's figure scattered and reconvened, erupting with sudden violence. A giant hand suddenly coalesced in the black wind, seizing a golden-bodied Lianmin by the neck. The Dahe Kui Bronze Sword was held in the other hand, driven straight down into the opponent's crown from above, and twisted forcefully, just like slaughtering a sacrificial offering! No one knew what divine ability he had employed, but the Lianmin let out an agonizing, heart-wrenching roar. Kuiqi's expression remained unshaken, while the whites of his eyes expanded more and more. "A Lianmin who has cultivated for decades, leading three newly elevated pieces of trash, dares to bar my path! Do you truly think each of you sits beneath lotus pedestals like Nuzi and Minghui?!" Zhu Gong lacked experience fighting Northern Buddhists, but how could Kuiqi lack it? He went all out from the very start, deploying two spirit artifacts and three divine abilities simultaneously! His grip on the Dahe Kui Bronze Sword did not loosen, letting the Lianmin howl in bone-deep agony, completely pinned by the arriving black cord and unable to move. The remaining three were struck with horror as they heard Kuiqi laugh: "The clever ones have already sacrificed themselves early and returned to the Buddhist land to avoid facing my Dahe Kui Bronze Sword... Only the four of you, stupid and clumsy, are still waiting to die!" The power of these words could not be overstated. Not only did the remaining three Lianmin choke up in unison, even Daixi's expression changed. The one beneath the Dahe Kui Bronze Sword, hearing this, was finally broken by pain and terror. Rather than wait for death, what was more important than preserving one's life? Countless golden rays and fractures immediately surfaced upon his golden body. Boom! A treasure light rose toward the heavens, dispersing amidst smoke in a wondrous display of multicolored beauty. Yet Kuiqi had already pulled back using a body divine ability. Coughing twice, he burst into loud laughter and cursed, "Fool!" The path of Xiukui was bizarre and uncanny, but it had few methods capable of truly delivering an instant fatal blow in direct confrontation. In doing this, Kuiqi had saved another trump card. The remaining three, failing to comprehend what had happened, were frightened out of their wits. While they hesitated, Kuiqi raised his sword and struck toward the golden light. Boom! A single sword strike landed, causing the golden light to sway violently, as though something immense had been disturbed. Overhead, magnificent rays of light faintly descended, accompanied by drifting clouds—evidently, those inside the formation had been alerted. Daixi's expression turned exceedingly grim. He could only shout at the top of his lungs, "Pijia!" At his call, an iridescent light finally descended from midair. Illusions of various men and women sitting opposite each other faintly emerged, accompanied by the roaring sounds of jackals tearing into one another. A golden body dropped down from within. Half of the face was filled with hatred and jealousy, while the other half was laden with melancholy and loss, inspiring awe and dread in all who beheld it. 'Pijia of the Great Desire Path...' Kuiqi finally turned solemn, looking coldly at the golden body before him. Daixi beside him had only been in his second reincarnation during the North-South Conflict; the Kongwu Path had reaped benefits from the conflict, and after all these years, he had attained his third reincarnation, which was already troublesome enough. Daixi could hold off a mid-Purple Mansion cultivator, but the one before him had reincarnated five times, his strength vastly superior. Now, that half-face looked over and spoke in a buzzing voice, "Fellow Daoist Kuiqi! I have no desire to meddle in this matter, nor will we endanger the lives of the two Real Persons... It is merely to prevent divine abilities from manipulating Jiangbei and causing needless casualties... If you withdraw now, it will be a deed of great merit and fortune..." Hearing this, Kuiqi understood clearly. Pijia clearly did not wish to get overly involved. Back then, Ziyan had joined forces with Qingchi to seize his Qiwang Xuantian Ting, and now karmic causes had brought him here. Had Kuiqi crossed the Shenzi threshold, with four divine abilities and a full set of spirit artifacts, Pijia would have turned and left without hesitation... Yet because Pijia possessed the strength to suppress him, he had come forward... However, Kuiqi only sneered and shook his head, raising the Dahe Kui Bronze Sword as he said casually, "I have never tested the divine abilities of a five-reincarnation Mohe! Today, I shall ask for some guidance!" At this moment, Kuiqi had no choice but to stall Pijia. After all, he was currently the only one capable of contending with this five-reincarnation Mohe... He began to feel fortunate that he had not revealed his presence too early upon arriving. Had they all revealed themselves together, the other side would certainly have had this Mohe deal with Chen Yin, allowing Daixi to pin Kuiqi down, which would have led to even greater trouble! Fortunately, having seized the initiative, matters had not devolved into the worst-case scenario... 'The Chen clan is on good terms with Hengzhu, so by reason, Pijia is unwilling to forge too deep a feud and karma... Hence he will only target me... But one must always guard against accidents.' His eyes darkened as he summoned his spirit artifacts. Seeing this, Daixi disengaged from Chen Yin's sword light, gradually gaining the upper hand, and laughed, "Lin! You're nothing special after all!" Kuiqi said nothing, but the golden light flickered as an animal bone dagger descended eerily from the Great Void, slamming into the golden light and kicking up a wave of qi. Simultaneously, a man in a white-gold Daoist robe emerged. Heavenly light shone brilliantly between his brows as a dazzling, snow-white Shangyao Subduing Light, carrying dense purple fire, pierced out from the Great Void and struck the golden light with immense force. Buzz! The golden light immediately began to flicker erratically. Just as the three Lianmin realized they needed to rush closer, a gray-haired man draped in a black robe speckled with a thousand eyes appeared. Holding a small white jade hammer, he followed right behind, striking the dagger's hilt with a crisp chime. Clang! Real Person Luo truly possessed some skill. The golden light was instantly shaken to the point of collapse, revealing its true form: an Eight-Beam Dharma Wheel, entirely golden, hollow in the center, and studded with various gems. Yet this single hammer strike seemed to have disturbed something. A burst of chanting sounded from the Great Void, and three golden-bodied Lianmin emerged from the formation. The leader even possessed an eye between his brows, projecting considerable might. All wore calm, solemn faces as they shouted, "What insolent demons!" How could a seasoned old demon like Real Person Luo suffer such a loss? Prepared well in advance, the instant he struck, he transformed into a swirl of gray wind, causing the three Lianmin to strike empty air. Li Ximing, standing further away, saw three golden bodies suddenly jump out and immediately flew off on his light, purple fire trailing along to block the shining treasure light. Fighting Chen Yin with room to spare, Daixi could still observe the situation. Seeing a Mingyang cultivator emerge, his heart filled with both shock and bewilderment, and he gasped, "Li Ximing!" 'He returned from overseas! Where is Changxiao?!' The gazes of the three Lianmin shifted almost simultaneously. Three golden bodies and seven eyes turned in unison to look at him, all welling with strangeness and astonishment, tinged even with faint greed. In unison, the three abandoned the gray wind and gave chase in Li Ximing's direction. "Remnants of the Wei Li, surviving ignobly in this world, how dare you venture north? Die without delay!" Daixi kept close watch over the situation. Real Person Luo's appearance had already left his jaw dropped in shock, and now he finally came to a realization: 'Damn it! This bunch of immortal cultivators truly know how to put on an act!' Fortunately, the retreating Real Person Luo was intercepted by his own Lianmin, allowing the Mohe to breathe a sigh of relief before turning to look at Li Ximing. Yet unlike the delight of the three Lianmin, seeing their actions sent a chill through Daixi's heart. 'He cultivates Ye Tianmen... Lianmin are inherently clumsy, and these three fools haven't even reached the Wisdom-Arising Seat... yet they recklessly charge right into his face!' 'Forget it, forget it... Even if they cannot gain the upper hand, stalling that Bright Pass will be enough...' On his end, Li Ximing was clashing with Lianmin for the first time. Unable to discern the true caliber of the figures behind him, he simply waved his sleeve, riding both light and flame. Heavenly light surged between his brows, and the Shangyao Subduing Light flared once again. The brilliant Shangyao Subduing Light did not shoot toward the three-eyed Lianmin in the center. Instead, it angled slightly off-center, crashing like a shooting star toward the Lianmin lagging a step behind, forcing him to raise his sword in defense. Sizzle! Flames burst apart. The Shangyao Subduing Light that Li Ximing had cultivated for years happened to strike the side edge of the opponent's Dharma sword. Deflecting slightly, it did not dissipate as it had in the past; instead, it ricocheted straight toward his face. The Lianmin had only enough time to shut his eyes tightly and tilt his head slightly, taking the Shangyao Subduing Light with his cheek. The bright white radiance barely managed to pierce through his left cheek, melting a finger-sized hole through it. Li Ximing glanced at this, gaining a measure of confidence. 'The one leading is hard to gauge, but at least the two flanking him are clumsy and lack the empowerment of Purple Mansion divine abilities. Aside from their Dharma bodies being somewhat tougher, they are not even equal to Fuxia, who came to the lake back then!' In Li Ximing's view, these so-called golden bodies were merely slightly stronger than Purple Mansion cultivators who specialized purely in spell divine abilities, roughly comparable to Li Ximing himself. Had his Wrathful Manifestation not perished, Fuxia would have been considered an outstanding figure among Lianmin, so naturally, they could not compare. With his confidence soaring, he raised his hand. A round bead appeared in his palm, engraved with the pattern of a tiger glancing back—the Mountain-Driving Sea-Crossing Tiger. A gentle, thread-like ochre radiance immediately surfaced, standing before him like an illustrated screen just in time to meet the short cudgel hurled by the three-eyed Lianmin! Thud! The Mountain-Driving Mysterious Screen had not been of much use before Changxiao, but facing this Lianmin, it finally held firm. Though its luster dimmed, it managed to endure after all. Taking advantage of the moment, Li Ximing pressed two fingers before his lips to channel divine ability flames. Seeing his posture, how could the other two allow him to unleash his arts freely? One after the other, they swung their weapons and smashed down. The Mountain-Driving Mysterious Screen repelled another sword strike before finally shattering. As the last golden hammer struck with immense momentum, Li Ximing rode a spark of heavenly light, dodging slightly. A faint yellow film seemed to surface across his body, bouncing the Dharma artifact away; aside from a faint ache in his wrist, he was completely unharmed! This was none other than the second wonder of the Mountain-Driving Sea-Crossing Tiger—Gen Earth Spirit Absorption! Stirring the flames, Li Ximing parted his lips slightly and exhaled a stream of fire. Fiery red on the outside and white-gold within, the flame moved with extreme speed, blossoming rapidly in the air. As it unfolded, it transformed into pure gold, sweeping across like an intertwined golden-red whip. The Purple Mansion spirit fire, the Three Hou Shuxuan Fire! The three leapt aside immediately. Though the one holding the hammer had managed to touch Li Ximing, he was half a beat slower because of it. The Three Hou Shuxuan Fire first slammed into his great hammer, engulfing it swiftly and kicking up a shower of sparks before descending upon the arm of his golden body. "Aaargh!" A howling shriek rang out. The Lianmin revealed his figure nearby, his arm burned with holes large and small by the flame that had completely turned golden. The larger ones were the size of longan fruits, while the smaller ones were like dense black specks, squirming constantly. How could the three fail to understand? They reacted at once: "We were careless! A Purple Mansion flame... it is True Fire!" True Fire was not Binghuo or Lihuo, after all; it could not corrode like maggots clinging to bone, nor did it possess the ability to persist indefinitely, meaning the injuries it caused were easier to heal. However, it emphasized instantaneous burst power, dealing tremendous damage. Even the patterns on the golden hammer used to block it were scorched into a blur, its power clearly diminished. "This..." Caught by surprise, Li Ximing felt a surge of complex emotions. In his battles after reaching the Purple Mansion, his opponents had either been mid-Purple Mansion Real Persons with three divine abilities or late-Purple Mansion Great Real Persons who had crossed the Shenzi threshold, every single one of them a successor of Douxuan. They had truly beaten him so badly that he had fled with his head in his hands, nearly losing his life! Now, having acquired a spirit flame, advanced his cultivation, secured his trump cards, and returned to fight these Lianmin who were not even the equals of an early-Purple Mansion cultivator, the sheer astonishment ignited a wave of confidence in his heart, making his eyes shine brightly. 'If the Three Hou Shuxuan Fire is already like this, what of Jinhui Chengyan? What of Congyu Binghuo, which even the Jiuqiu lineage sought to obtain back then?' Li Ximing was momentarily stunned, but he could not afford to miss the opportunity. Taking a step forward, the radiance between his brows flared once more! The three-eyed Lianmin frowned slightly, clearly finding him somewhat troublesome. The narrowed eye between his brows snapped open, projecting a beam of golden light to meet the heavenly light from Li Ximing's forehead. Simultaneously, his other two hands swung their short cudgels as he shouted, "Form the formation!" The remaining two hurriedly exhaled, stepping upon iridescent clouds to take their positions. With the Chongyang Star-Governing Treasure Plate still unused in hand, Li Ximing felt completely secure. Flames of intertwined purple and gold lit up in both of his hands. The Solar Yingli Technique! This was an art Li Jiangqian had obtained through his inheritance; rarely did the Li family possess an art superior to it. Having learned it himself, Li Ximing unleashed dazzling light from his hands, blocking the trio's spells, while the ochre Mountain-Driving Mysterious Screen lit up across his body once more. Yet the three-eyed Lianmin remained unfazed. All three opened their mouths at the same time, spitting out sky-filling golden sand. How could Li Ximing fear such a move? Spirit fire refined metal; unless these monks could spit out Purple Mansion-grade metallic essence, who among them could withstand True Fire? The Three Hou Shuxuan Fire bloomed once more, forming an enclosure before him that held the golden sand at bay. Manipulating heavenly light and purple fire, Li Ximing smashed down once again toward the Lianmin wielding the hammer. Unexpectedly, a treasure light shone from that Lianmin. Though dispelled by the heavenly light, and though the purple fire slammed into him to burn his belly until it was drenched in golden blood, he remained utterly unyielding, continuing to spit golden sand. Li Ximing grew alert immediately. Sweeping with his divine sense, he discovered that the golden sand they spat was indeed growing stronger. Looking up, strands of iridescent light descended from the heavens, extending deep into the Great Void... It seemed that as their formation took hold, they were channeling the brilliance of the Buddhist land through the Great Void! "Heh!" Li Ximing did not hold back in the slightest. After staring blankly for a mere instant, he sneered: 'Forming a formation? Fine, fine, fine! You dare set up this kind of formation before me! You're courting death!' With a thought, a faint golden light appeared in his eyes. Wild winds howled as a bright white heavenly gate adorned with intricate patterns pierced out from the Great Void amidst iridescent clouds. Banners fluttered, and armored soldiers and steeds in golden mail descended from the Great Void, illuminating the entire mountain range in brilliant radiance and causing those nearby to glance over involuntarily. 'Ye Tianmen'! The 'Ye Tianmen' divine ability descended with immense force, emerging from the iridescent clouds like an ever-expanding mountain range that reached straight into the heavens. Grinding, suppressing, and severing the circulation of divine ability power, it instantly crushed down the iridescent light above the trio's heads. Before three breaths could pass, a thunderous explosion rang out. The iridescent light connecting the three was instantly shattered. The three ferocious Lianmin took a step back in unison, the two weaker ones coughing up golden dust. Boom! Amidst drifting iridescent clouds and the clamor of troops and steeds, 'Ye Tianmen' stood towering in the clouds. The Real Person in white-gold robes stood atop the heavenly gate. As the two massive, intricately patterned white pillars pressed down, the three were suppressed beneath the heavenly gate like ants! In the blink of an eye, the tables were turned! "Since I began cultivating this path, it has always been me suppressing others! Did I, Li Ximing, cultivate this 'Ye Tianmen', or did you three monks? You dare try to suppress me?!" *** Ning Wan sat quietly upon her jade-green seat, seemingly unimpressed by Yuanxiu's words. This matter could not be resolved simply by the old man claiming it was not in his hands. The Xinyou Swimming Marsh Seal was an exceptionally precious spirit treasure, renowned even in ancient times, quite enough to make a Purple Mansion cultivator cast aside propriety. Glancing at the old man's hand resting on the jade seat, she said softly, "Back then, when the Xinyou Swimming Marsh Seal fell into the hands of you seniors, it was very convenient for scheming against others, and you reaped ample benefits. No matter what, that item belongs to Qingchi. A grand Solar lineage, even if its master is temporarily absent, would not let it be taken away so easily." Ning Wan clearly did not believe him. Yuanxiu hunched his back and replied, "Ordinary people would not dare, which only proves that the one who took it was no ordinary person. What belongs to Yuansu belongs to him; I would not hide it." His words gave Ning Wan pause, and hesitation genuinely crept into her heart. She asked, "Senior refuses to speak, but if it has truly reached the point where it cannot be spoken of, why come to retrieve it today? If it is because the Lord is in the outer heavens, why did the Lord not secure it early on?" Yuanxiu stood before his seat like an ancient tree, speaking in a low voice, "The Xinyou Swimming Marsh Seal is the seal of the Feathered Serpent, and the Feathered Serpent is the ancestor of Lushui. This item is far more useful than you think. The reason it was in Ning Tiaoxiao's hands was because the Lord consented. Once he died, the item would naturally be lost." "The Lord failed to consider only one thing: even if Real Person Donghua, Li Jiangqun, left reincarnation treasures for Ning Tiaoxiao within the Xinyou Swimming Marsh Seal, Ning Tiaoxiao would rather die than use them. He was just that kind of man—even if he had to swallow his own blood and die gritting his teeth, he would not nourish an enemy." Ning Wan's expression gradually shifted as the old man before her continued calmly: "Back then, when Ning Tiaoxiao died, Zipei thought I was greedy, wanting to seize the item from the Ning clan, and insisted on handing it to Ning Heyuan... She underestimated me. As long as that item remained in the hands of the Ning clan, the moment my gaze shifted away, someone would scheme it away... I am a Great Real Person of Qingchi; they did not know whether I had the Lord's instructions, but Ning Heyuan was different. To him, it was a death warrant." "Had he been tactful back then, he might not have died." Ning Wan hesitated, and Yuanxiu continued: "One cannot blame her either. How could such matters be discussed with someone outside the lineage? She was fiercely protective of Yuansu. Had I insisted on taking it by force, she certainly would have fought me. I could only leave. As I departed, I saw Puyu performing divinations; his Penglai lineage is profound, so perhaps he had suspected something long ago." Ning Wan listened in silence. The old man said, "I watched you grow up. For the sake of the friendship between our two families, I advise you: the Xinyou Swimming Marsh Seal is not something you can touch. Once I am dead and you sit alone atop this Lukui Pool, only then will you understand how much trouble it brings." He laughed hoarsely for a moment, then added, "When that time comes, you will no longer be the master of the Ning clan; you will be the master of Qingchi! Whether you wish it or not, it will no longer be the Ning clan of Qingchi, but the Qingchi of the Ning clan." Ning Wan's expression was conflicted. As a sect cultivator bearing the Qingsong Solar lineage who had grown up and cultivated in Qingchi, she had long been stamped with Qingchi's mark. With Luyu Tian hanging above, she could not leave even if she wanted to! At most, she could emulate Chi Buzi, using the pretext of wandering to abandon her clan and depart, but she possessed none of the power that aristocratic clans had to break away and establish independence. 'Chi Buzi, that unfeeling, parentless madman...' Her expression darkened slightly, but Yuanxiu pondered for a moment before speaking. This old man whose lifespan was nearing its end, whose face was usually rigid and stern, now showed a few flickers of emotion as he said leisurely: "The 'Hanqi' divine ability 'Ru Qingting'... Back then, in order to select this fine technique for you, Yuansu did not hesitate to join forces with Tianwan. Tianwan achieved it decades ago, and now you have also refined this natal divine ability. As for the matters in the north, you still need to make a trip." Seeing Ning Wan frown, Yuanxiu casually outlined the context of the situation and smiled. "You probably do not know yet... The Li clan is now a Purple Mansion immortal clan, a Wangyue immortal clan! If you pass through that territory, you may also pay your respects." Ning Wan looked doubtful and asked, "A Purple Mansion immortal clan... Is it not Li Xizhi?" Yuanxiu's gaze was complex as he replied, "It is Li Xizhi's younger brother, named Li Ximing. He was originally an obscure character, yet unexpectedly kept his talents concealed, striving with focused determination, and attained a Mingyang divine ability. Titled Zhaojing, he is also an alchemist, though I do not know his true skill." "Judging by his nature, Mingyang is not adept at alchemy. He cannot compare to Qing Tangyin; he is likely someone on the level of Hengxing." Ning Wan raised her brows slightly, a hint of joy appearing on her face. Geographically, the Li clan was a good friend of Qingchi. Furthermore, relations between the Li clan and the Ning clan had always been good, with past bonds from predecessors and matrimonial ties in later days. How could Ning Wan not be pleased? Back then, Ning Wan had helped Li Chijing and spared Li Xuanfeng—all of which were auspicious karmic connections! She mused: 'Apart from Ning Hejing, that lunatic, my Ning clan's relationship with the Li clan isn't bad at all. Li Yuanqin was the driving force behind the Chi clan's downfall; this couldn't be better.' After pondering for a moment, unsure whether his temperament made him suitable as an ally—since eccentric personalities were common throughout the world—she could not resist asking, "What is this Real Person Zhaojing's temperament like?" Yuanxiu narrowed his eyes and said, "Gentle and virtuous, yielding and holding no grudges, practicing Mingyang self-restraint without violence, close to the ancient cultivators of the Cui clan. Pliable of ear and soft of heart, benevolent and compassionate, he places the ancestral behests of his clan above all else." Ning Wan nodded repeatedly. Yuanxiu had few days left; there was no need to deceive her in such matters. This Real Person's eye for judging people had always been exceptionally sharp, carrying great reference value. She replied, "To have such a Purple Mansion cultivator is truly Qingchi's fortune." Yuanxiu grunted and sneered, "Without Chi Wei, Qingchi would have had far more fortunes..." "My lifespan is running out. Back then, I caused Li Xuanfeng to swallow an elixir, severing his path to the Purple Mansion, and Li Ximing does not trust me either. It is far more suitable for you to take charge of Qingchi than me. At present, the one governing within the sect is Yuandao's junior—of the Dantai clan of Jiuqiu. Henceforth, Qingchi will not lack Purple Mansions, and you shall lead them." Ning Wan was well aware that she could not escape the circle of Qingchi, but serving as the leader of a generation for the Solar lineage's Qingchi was also a position immensely beneficial to the lineage. Now that her identity had shifted, her perspective shifted with it. She said, "Senior Yuandao? That is karmic affinity as well... Though Jiuqiu belongs to the Taiyin lineage, it shares the same root as Qingchi. Senior Yuandao studied in Qingchi back then, and now returning a Dantai clan member to Qingchi can be considered a full circle." Speaking of Yuandao, Yuanxiu's emotions grew complicated. He lowered his head and said, "Have you asked? Qing Tangyin... has truly reincarnated, hasn't he!" Ning Wan nodded silently. Yuanxiu's gaze gradually cooled as he replied, "Zhang Tianyuan has fallen as well. Back then, he was a minor character whom no one bothered to look at twice, only bullying clan cultivators. Yuansu did not remember him either." Ning Wan did not wish to get entangled in their grievances. This generation of Purple Mansion cultivators had advanced in lockstep because of the immortal grotto successors; every one of them was familiar with the others, and the grievances and entanglements among them were intricate and complex. She simply rose from her seat and took her leave. "I shall go supervise the northern affairs at once." Sibo Xiu said, "My breakthrough is at Shitang." Transforming into frost and snow, she coalesced before the entrance of the cave dwelling, her white robes fluttering as she prepared to leave. Yet she felt something was amiss with his words. Behind her came the rumbling, rushing sound of wind, echoing heavily: Crash! The rustling of trees sounded behind her. Ning Wan paused, glancing sideways slightly. A damp woodland breath rushed over her, and the chirping of crickets grew increasingly loud. She saw the old man on the seat struggling to stand, both hands clutching the armrests of the treasure seat tightly, his chest arching forward with all his might, as though an endless gale was surging up behind him, blowing him outward. Yet Ning Wan could not feel the slightest breeze. Chirp, chirp... The old man's clothing was pulled taut against his front by the gale behind him, the loose robes accentuating Sibo Xiu's withered, emaciated frame. His knees drew inward, pressing together; the flesh took root and sprouted, fusing his two legs tightly together, while the soles of his feet elongated excessively, crawling along the ground. He snapped his head up, a gurgling sound coming from his throat. Only then did Ning Wan notice something horrifying. A sleek, shiny brownish-black cricket was perched inside Sibo Xiu's pupil. Its two antennae, black tinged with green, extended out of his eye socket, swaying leisurely. Sibo Xiu seemed not to notice the insect in his eye. He pursed his lips tightly and with total focus, strange limbs repeatedly jutting out between his lips only to shrink back as if in pain. Ning Wan's pupils dilated slightly. Sibo Xiu's normal eye caught Ning Wan's gaze, and a flicker of hope surprisingly surfaced within it. His left hand sprouted more and more branches and leaves, clutching the armrest tightly, while his right hand suddenly let go. With that release, the greater part of his body floated into the air, like an old tree in a tempest with only a remnant root holding onto the soil, drifting helplessly. His freed hand finally found room to wave toward Ning Wan. Ning Wan still could not feel the slightest wind. Whether through divine sense or divine abilities, the aura in the cave dwelling felt entirely peaceful, the pool below showing not a single ripple. Sibo Xiu, however, was utterly exhausted. The freed hand had returned to its normal appearance, covered in wrinkles, displaying his full decrepitude. He signaled to Ning Wan, bending four fingers and leaving only his index finger raised, gesturing a 'one'. Immediately after, the old man abruptly opened his mouth. In an instant, countless emerald-green insects scattered out, flapping their wings and soaring. Ning Wan saw clearly that the interior of his mouth displayed visible wood grain, appearing exceedingly rigid. Yet he bared snow-white teeth, and like a pouncing tiger or leopard, seized the moment to bite down savagely and ruthlessly on his own index finger. Boom! The body divine ability of the 'Zhengmu' path was exceedingly sturdy. This bite was like a thunderclap, sending sparks flying and purple lightning spewing forth. The old man raised his head; that sole normal palm was still facing her, but the index finger was gone. Calm as Ning Wan was, she could not help taking two steps back, watching Sibo Xiu reveal a profound, meaningful smile. The old man still held that index finger in his mouth, while his left hand loosened bit by bit. "What?" Ning Wan finally felt the sound of the wind, a rumbling even louder than the preceding thunder. Her robes billowed, while the old man, like a nimble bird, shot out of the cave dwelling with a whoosh. Ning Wan had not even reacted. She turned her head blankly, watching Sibo Xiu soar into the sky. Sibo Xiu flew higher and higher. His flight was not straight southward, but rather like that of a nimble bird, circling in spirals as he flew diagonally toward the south. The old man used neither Dharmic powers nor divine abilities, merely holding his two arms flat at his sides, gingerly maintaining his balance until he gradually dwindled into a black speck on the horizon. Emerald-green rain fell from the sky. Standing amidst the drifting wind and rain, her skirts swaying, Ning Wan extended a hand with palm facing upward to catch the emerald rain. Fear still lingered in her pupils, but an ever-deepening bewilderment welled upon her face. The rain soon pooled into a small puddle of green water in her palm. The woman stared blankly, murmuring, "'Lushui'... How could this be... This is Qingxi rain. Why is it raining... Why is it raining Qingxi rain?" "This is 'Zhengmu'!" Yet she had no time for bewilderment. Sibo Xiu—the Great Real Person of the Purple Mansion of the Qingchi Sect, the greatest master of the 'Zhengmu' path in this era, and the foremost talisman master of Jiangnan—was seeking the fruit position this very day! She raised her hand and flicked her finger. The great bell nearby immediately began to sway. Clang, clang, clang... The urgent tolling of the bell resounded throughout the Qingchi mountain range. Frantic footsteps drew closer and closer. Ning Wan remained standing atop the mountain peak, watching the drifting emerald rain. Sect Master Dantai Jin practically scrambled on hands and knees to bow before her, without the slightest hesitation or doubt, saying in terror, "Greetings, Real Person!" Ning Wan cast her eyes down, glanced at him, and instructed, "You are the Sect Master. Whether it is to see the Senior off or to broaden your horizons, you ought to accompany me." *** South Sea, Beidan. Across the Ten-Thousand-Li Shitang, the waves surged violently. When Ning Wan tore through the Great Void and landed here, clouds churned across the sky, dense and dark. Looking up, she could see the black speck circling in the sky, while ranks upon ranks of cultivators stood in midair, gazing up at the heavens in awe and terror. The waters across the entire sea churned violently, wave upon wave swirling across the ocean surface. The sky was gloomy, the winds increasingly difficult to command, causing cultivators to drop continuously. All colors grew dimmer, leaving only bright rays of divine ability radiance piercing through the Great Void, suspended in midair. Ning Wan stood where she was as the gale swept past. Beside her, Dantai Jin's expression was shaken. Watching the black speck circling at the horizon, his mind went completely blank: 'Senior Yuanxiu? Attaining the Dao?' 'Why so fast?!' Yet he had no time to think further. The snow clouds beneath his feet were already rising, and thunder roared in the sky. Dantai Jin looked into the distance; amidst the wild wind and dark clouds, brilliant rays of light rose splendidly as dozens of Purple Mansion cultivators encircled this sea of Shitang, ascending alongside one another toward the high sky. A dense, murmuring din began to rise by his ears, noisy to the extreme. Dantai Jin realized that emerald rain had begun falling from the sky. Having ascended to an exceedingly high altitude near the heavens, he finally caught sight of the old man flying in circles in the air. 'This... the old senior...' The Yuanxiu that Dantai Jin had known had always been meticulous and upright, yet now he was hunched over, spreading his arms to soar through the air. His eyes were terrifyingly large, several black crickets crawling inside his pupils, while his body was covered in branches and leaves, inspiring dread in all who saw him. "Senior Yuanxiu!" Dantai Jin watched in silence. He had not been dispatched on short notice; Yuanxiu and Yuandao had reached an agreement long ago. Arrangements had been made when Dantai Jin was six years old, taking Yuanxiu as his master. He respected and loved this old man far more than his father, who spent years in secluded cultivation. Yet the old man who had lifted him up from among the Dantai clan children seemed to have vanished long ago. Dantai Jin felt dizzy looking at the sky full of divine ability silhouettes. Ning Wan, however, suddenly raised her head to look nearby. Two figures, one before the other, had landed upon the clouds, indistinct and blurred. Ning Wan knew that people from the Netherworld had arrived. Sibo Xiu was in an abnormal state, so naturally no one was attending to the two. Yet they were entirely unbothered, watching Sibo Xiu circle in the distance. One remarked, "What immense audacity!" The other sighed, his voice shrill: "Heaven truly aids him. Who else would dare piggyback on Lord Du's Lushui status like this? It is only because the several Lords are all in the outer heavens right now, unable to spare attention, that he could borrow the power of Lushui." "Were it not so, how could one say he has great courage? Yet it is merely great courage and nothing more." Ning Wan listened quietly, only to hear a gentle voice sound from the other side: "He was also at his wit's end. Were it not so, how could he seek the Dao?" "Hmm?" Ning Wan was startled. As a dignified Purple Mansion cultivator, how could someone approach her side without her noticing? Her figure instantly scattered into ice and snow, pausing for a fraction of an instant before coalescing back in place. Somewhat flustered, she said, "Greetings, Martial Granduncle." The man in green robes adorned with gold tassels beside her turned his face sideways toward her, appearing untrammeled and transcendent. His pupils carried a faint, pale-green light, looking more demonic than immortal. He smiled faintly and answered, "'Chougui Cang'." Ning Wan had seen this man in her youth—it was none other than Chi Buzi, who had been missing for years! Ning Wan nodded awkwardly. Chi Buzi was clearly answering how he had suddenly appeared beside her. He was now a Great Real Person; aside from waiting respectfully by his side, there was truly nothing Ning Wan could do. 'The entire Chi clan was exterminated, and Chi Zhiyun's cave dwelling was excavated and desecrated, yet none of it could move this Great Real Person by a single step. Only Great Real Person Sibo's breakthrough, without the slightest prior hint, had him waiting here in the South Sea long ago.' Chi Buzi did not spare a single glance for the two Netherworld emissaries nearby, treating them as thin air as he said faintly, "Ning Wan... Not bad, you've attained the Purple Mansion as well. It seems Senior Yuansu's spiritual resources were quite abundant, enough to benefit you as well." Hearing these words, Ning Wan felt the hairs on her neck stand on end, nearly turning to flee. Yet Chi Buzi chuckled twice. Though ruthless and unfeeling toward the Great Dao, this man's laugh was pleasant to hear as he said: "You need not fear. I do not covet the Senior's meager possessions." "Do you know what the path of 'Zhengmu' is called?" Naturally, Ning Wan did not dare leave. Unable to gauge his intentions, she shook her head hesitantly. Chi Buzi smiled and replied: "'Dui Metal' is the orthodox seat of Shen-You Metal, while 'Zhengmu' is the orthodox seat of Jia-Yi Wood. Its full name is the 'Orthodox Mao-Xun Wood Dedicated Seat'. Just from the name, one knows it is completely upright and orthodox. If one seeks this seat, wanting to patch it with auxiliary shortcuts? That is nothing but an idiot's daydream." "Yet ironically... few heritages of the 'Zhengmu' path remain in the world. Never mind five divine abilities—even gathering three is exceedingly difficult... The Sima clan has held that single technique in their hands for so many years, yet no one has ever attained the fruit position." "Thus, Senior Yuanxiu could only seek an intercalary path. Though I do not know where he obtained Lushui, he wanted to use 'Lushui' to harmonize 'Zhengmu' in order to seek a certain wood virtue." Only then did he raise his brows, a trace of melancholy between them, as he said in a low voice, "Having neither certainty nor a method to seek gold, relying solely on a strand of conjecture, he can only fill this path with his own body." Ning Wan lowered her head in silence. The tempest brought about by the old man in the sky grew increasingly terrifying. He raised his head, both eyes bulging, staring straight into the horizon. His lips worked, and he finally spat out that index finger. The moment the finger flew from his mouth, it transformed into an infant, in an instant into a youth, and in another instant into a handsome, valiant young man. His appearance bore a seventy percent resemblance to Sibo Xiu, nine times out of ten being his younger self. The two channeled their divine abilities and sat facing each other, wood and water converging in the sky with violent tremors. After a long while, the blurred figure nearby finally turned his gaze away, shaking his head in disappointment. Taking out an object that seemed to be some sort of net, he hid it in his hand and merely said, "A pity. He did not know that thing can only be spat out after success is achieved." The other watched with cold eyes and replied, "How could he know? He is not Lord Du, and how many people like that exist? Lord Du was able to succeed only by following the methods of predecessors. Without a Daoist heritage, merely borrowing a bit of Lushui makes him quite formidable already." "Even if he knew, what could he do? He lacks the ability to achieve success before spitting it out. If he truly had such ability, he wouldn't have been unable to even greet us." One hand grasped something out of thin air while the other took it and scattered it outward. While Ning Wan noticed nothing, Chi Buzi had already taken a step back, his expression complex as he gazed upon the seeker of the Dao in midair. Sibo Xiu had withered rapidly. His hunched body curled like a pill bug into a dark, glossy sphere, dragging his high-quality Dharma robes inward and shredding them into pieces. The young man on the other side, however, grew increasingly tall and robust. A triumphant smile appeared on his face as he extended a fair hand and snapped his fingers out of thin air: Snap! The wind, wood, and water between heaven and earth all surged into his body. His garments grew increasingly magnificent and noble, while black veins surfaced across his face. His height continuously increased, gradually diverging from his original appearance. The man surveyed his surroundings, suddenly reaching out to hoist the barely breathing Sibo Xiu on the other side, laughing, "Since following the dedicated seat, why seek an intercalary?" The cricket in Sibo Xiu's pupil finally broke through the shell, crawling down along his cheek. His lips parted and closed, murmuring soundlessly, as that final wisp of life force flowed from his body into the other's. "Hahahahahahaha!" Though the man's exterior was magnificent and noble, a shrill, terrifying laughter erupted from his throat. The nearby Purple Mansion cultivators all took a step back in unison. The blurred figures on both sides vanished immediately, and the final wisp of sunlight between heaven and earth dissipated as well. "Monster!" Boom! Thunder roared violently between heaven and earth, wild winds sweeping past as sheet after sheet of lightning illuminated the horizon. In the brilliant flash piercing the darkness, a figure could be seen standing in the east. This person looked like a young man, tall of stature, with an uncanny appearance and faintly reddish pupils. He wore a dark robe tied at the waist with a white-green silk sash, his long black hair bound behind his head. Boom! When the next flash of lightning flared, the man had already vanished. Above the surging ocean, all the iridescent radiance of the divine abilities vanished simultaneously, leaving behind only endless darkness and the man laughing maniacally in midair.