Locust Soul Hall did not keep Li Jiangqian waiting for long. Before the torrential rain even stopped, a gust of black wind swept in from the north, arriving at the northern shore with aggressive momentum.
Yet the moment it crested Hanyun Peak and Jiangbei disappeared from sight, it pulled its head right back. The black wind scattered, the sinister qi vanished, and only a withered, bald old eccentric remained, flying low over the lake. He bowed before the lake's grand array and wailed,
"This humble one is Daoist Wugui, one of the Eight Great Protectors before the hall of Locust Soul Hall in Jiangbei... I beg an audience with the lord of the immortal clan!"
Li Jiangqian had already given orders, so eyes had tracked Daoist Wugui the entire way. Someone immediately stepped forward to guide him. Daoist Wugui hurried inside, and upon reaching the grand hall, he felt an imposing, frightening solemnity all around. Looking up, he caught sight of those golden pupils submerged in the shadows and fell to his knees in haste, crying out,
"This minor cultivator greets the lord of the immortal clan! My Hall Master is embroiled in a dispute with Fanyun Cave and cannot come in person, so I offer apologies to the immortal clan on my master's behalf..."
With just this single glance, Li Jiangqian knew that Wugui was certainly wiser than that rat. Whether he possessed a deeper understanding of Violet Palace powers or was simply cowardly by nature, Li Jiangqian mused inwardly:
*Hmm... this name sounds respectable enough. Who knows, he might even end up serving under the True Monarch in the future.*
With righteous sternness, he replied,
"So it is someone from the north! Since your Locust Soul Hall inherited the orthodox lineage of Mifan, why have you failed to observe the rules of the immortal path, slaughtering commoners at will, and even sending this fiend to wreak havoc upon my river?!"
Li Jiangqian naturally had no idea whether the fellow had drawn any blood qi over the river, but he knew down to his toes that not a single inch of the man was clean. Terrified, Wugui babbled repeatedly,
"My lord... my lord... That wretched beast Black Rat has committed countless atrocities, and my Hall Master has long been deeply dissatisfied with him! This time, he gave this humble one strict orders to capture him and bring him back for severe punishment, and he also extends his thanks to the Family Head for helping discipline him..."
*Could Daoist Bai ever say such words? With that donkey-kicked brain of his... could he possibly produce something like this?*
Li Jiangqian knew the man before him was smoothing things over on both sides just to complete his mission. Having no desire to get tangled in this mess himself, he took the convenient excuse and relented, saying,
"Your Hall Master speaks reasonably. He indeed ought to be properly disciplined. As the leader of a major power, how could he allow such conduct?"
Hearing this, Wugui hurriedly explained,
"Exactly! Exactly! On our end, the Hall Master also said he intends to punish him by sending him away... to a remote place in the east to supervise low-level cultivators mining mineral veins, retaining only his post as warehouse keeper..."
Li Jiangqian shook his head inwardly. Both of them were walking plagues. Drawing his command token, he had originally intended to let the man go fetch him directly. But after careful second thought, he mused:
*This won't do. That Black Rat looks like someone bound to die at someone else's hands, and Wugui is a fence-sitter. If I let him see my family's treasure and he blabs later on, he might just lead some grand figure here to seize our Xiaoyuan Glazed Pagoda.*
He changed his tune and said,
"Wait here. I will have someone bring him up."
Wugui nodded repeatedly. Li Jiangqian drew out the report on Wang Quwan from his desk, recalling that Wang Quwan was in seclusion on Panglu Ridge. In a deep voice, he asked,
"A remote place? To which mountain has he been transferred?"
The man replied at once,
"It is near Baiku Commandery, adjacent to the Baiyedu Immortal Dao. As for mountains... there seem to be several ridges nearby, but no major peaks."
Li Jiangqian acted as though he had merely asked in passing and quickly lost interest. Yet beneath the desk, he quietly unrolled a map and examined it closely. Sure enough, Panglu Ridge was in Baiku Commandery. In fact, the local clan of Baiku Commandery was the Wang clan—the branch of Wang He from Duxian Dao.
*Well, well.*
Not daring to get too deeply involved, he watched as Qu Bushi escorted the captive inside. Having spent only a few hours in the winds of the Xiaoyuan Glazed Pagoda, the man was already trembling all over. Clearly, his Foundation Establishment foundation was extremely flimsy, pieced together through sheer luck with blood qi—not even comparable to the Wen brothers.
*Conveniently, he reached Foundation Establishment by refining blood qi, so he heals especially quickly. Once he goes back and absorbs some blood qi, these minor injuries will vanish immediately, allowing him to deal with the True Monarch's matters right away...*
While he was pondering, an uproar broke out in the hall.
"You plague-ridden wretch! Running off to an immortal clan's territory to refine blood qi! If I don't beat you to death, you cursed thing... I won't even be able to face the master when I return!"
Seeing the captive, Wugui began thrashing and cursing him furiously. These few blows and shouts were plainly an effort to save his life. Li Jiangqian watched with amused interest, letting him curse for a while longer. A resentful look instantly surfaced on Black Rat's face, and he opened his mouth as if to retort.
*Smack!*
Swift of hand and sharp of eye, Daoist Wugui struck him across the face, leaving his mouth dripping with blood. Li Jiangqian clicked his tongue inwardly and waved his hand. Qu Bushi promptly shoved both of them out.
Wugui's curses were shut out beyond the doors. Looking at Wang Quwan's letter, Li Jiangqian chose not to reply.
*With an intelligent man like him, if I don't reply, he will understand at once that something is afoot.*
The people of Locust Soul Hall had been sent away. As expected, Daoist Bai was indeed tangled in a dispute with Fanyun Cave. The cave master of Fanyun Cave was Pingwangzi. Back then, Pingwangzi and Wenhu had both come to pay respects to Li Ximing, using the name of the Chengyun Sect to extricate themselves. Now the tides had turned, and it was this old rogue's turn to face misfortune.
*I wonder whether he will die at the hands of Locust Soul Hall, or meet his end earlier at the hands of the Chengyun Sect... After all, he is a figure of genuine standing within the Chengyun Sect. And then there was Daoist Wenhu back then. If Wenhu hadn't died, he would likely be playing this role today...*
Li Jiangqian turned the thoughts over in his mind. Back then, Wenhu had been cunning and deceitful, only to be reduced to ash by a single breath from Li Ximing. Though Li Jiangqian had not been present, Li Chenghuai had returned down the mountain overflowing with emotion, even breaking into a faint cold sweat.
The black-robed youth on the main seat slowly set down the letter. Facing this immense vortex of fate in Jiangbei—one capable of pulling in and tearing apart virtually any brilliant talent—his expression turned nearly cold. He murmured under his breath without a sound,
"When fortune is exhausted, the Violet Palace is hard to attain; when destiny is shallow, no divine ability can be awakened."
Those words had carried profound melancholy when spoken by Li Ximing, and a lingering dread when Li Chenghuai repeated them. Now uttered by Li Jiangqian, they bore a chilling detachment and deep vigilance.
Sitting with his back to the light, he crushed Wang Quwan's letter tighter and tighter. A burst of bright Lihuo leapt from his palm—intertwining red and yellow, writhing and coiling—swiftly burning everything to ash. The drifting cinders floated through the gaps between his fingers, scattering across the steps below the high seat.
***
Ziyan Gate.
Within the Ziyan Blessed Land, misty clouds drifted as morning rays rose into a brilliant golden glow. Mingling with the violet light that drifted in and out of the clouds, it fused atop the highest purple terrace into a dazzling purple-gold radiance.
Before the terrace stood two protectors with solemn expressions. Beyond the cascading violet qi and clouds, the exalted throne above stood resplendent, carved with profound patterns.
True Person Tinglan, clad in an autumn-yellow robe, stood amid the vast sea of clouds. Today, she was not seated on the main throne; instead, she stood off to the side, slightly bowed with immense deference.
Seated upon the throne was another figure, dressed in a purple-gold Daoist robe, holding a Daoist scripture and reading it with care.
His face was very youthful, with eyes like stars and rather thin lips. His features were excessively well-proportioned, like an immortal statue carved in a temple, yet he carried an extraordinary aura that set him far above the mortal dust. That simple posture of bowing his head to read made it impossible for anyone to look away.
Tinglan's own bearing was already exceptional, yet standing beside this man who looked like an immortal idol, she seemed like an attendant deity, not daring to take a single step.
After an unknown length of time, the purple-gold light atop the terrace subdued slightly, and the man closed the scroll in his hand. Only then did Tinglan raise her hands, presenting a box of pills and speaking respectfully,
"Reporting to Martial Uncle, the Tianyi Exuding Essence Pills have finished refining. We engaged True Person Zhaojing of the Wei-Li clan, and a total of four pills succeeded... They are here."
Having said this, she also produced the clay pot from before and said deferentially,
"The Measureless Water-Fire is also here!"
The man she addressed as Martial Uncle closed his eyes slightly and took the pills with a turn of his hand, revealing purple-gold upper eyelids. He pinched his fingers in calculation, appearing truly like a deity in a temple.
The purple-robed True Person's voice rang like a deep bell:
"The Taizu Emperor... has manifested in the world."
Tinglan nodded with utmost deference and answered,
"Reporting to Martial Uncle... After returning from seeing Martial Uncle in the South Sea that day, the various orthodox Radiant Yang lineages gathered and conferred together. It was decided that our sect and Qingchi would handle this matter."
From Tinglan's words, this man was none other than True Person Zimu, who had been missing for many years! He was also the sole remaining Grand True Person in the State of Yue's Radiant Yang lineage who had perfected five divine abilities!
True Person Zimu had evidently just appeared here. Hearing her answer, he said,
"Xiukui sent Houfu, and Hengzhu sent Hengxing."
Tinglan cupped her hands and said,
"Martial Uncle's divine abilities are vast. Even without being present, you still know the figures sent by each sect."
Zimu's face, well-proportioned like a sacred idol, remained unchanged, yet his tone held clear disappointment:
"Heaven does not favor our Radiant Yang lineage."
Tinglan paused at a loss. Zimu sat quietly and continued,
"Louxing was once hailed as the Dao Child of Xiukui Dao, seen as the next Grand True Person... Yet while his combat prowess was formidable, his Dao attainment fell short. He lingered at Canzi for so many years, who knows how many life-shortening formulas he consumed trying to break through. Now, even a matter like this fails to stir him. It seems he does not have much longer to live."
True Person Louxing was a figure from the same era as the Three Primes of Qingchi. Zimu could sigh over him, but Tinglan could not even withstand a single divine ability from such a master, so how could she dare pass judgment? She kept her head lowered and listened as the man spoke:
"Once he and I pass away one after another, there will be no outstanding figures left in the Radiant Yang lineage... The afterglow of Qingsong Abbey's last golden age might truly be coming to an end."
These words made Tinglan look up abruptly. Zimu said softly,
"A sect as grand as Qingchi, a powerhouse of the sect rank, nearly lost its breath entirely. Now it relies on a newly ascended Violet Palace cultivator who practices frost and snow to hold things together. The Sword Sect commanded such immense renown, seeking to emulate the Thunder Palace in upholding morality across Jiangnan, yet over these past several centuries it has steadily declined. Now it relies on someone surnamed Li to back it up, not even daring to step beyond its mountain gates.
"Xiukui and Hengzhu are both branches of Yuehua. The Great Xiukui Abbey will soon have only Houfu and Kuiqi left. Hengzhu Dao was fierce and unyielding, clashing fiercely with the Murong clan, forcibly snapping a lineage that had finally begun to show promise. Hengli and Hengxing are simply propped up by the very last remnants of Hengzhu's foundation...
"Xiuyue has secluded itself and left the State of Yue. Once I let go, this Ziyan Blessed Land will have only you remaining."
Tinglan was at a loss for words and could only reply,
"But... but no matter what, it is still the Radiant Yang lineage..."
Zimu let out a cold laugh and retorted,
"A fine Radiant Yang lineage indeed—a Radiant Yang lineage that does not cultivate Radiant Yang!"
Tinglan did not dare speak again. The Grand True Person took a step forward and murmured in a low voice,
"The Yuan Mansion has shunned the world for many years, and Li Jiangqun was even besieged and killed at Lake Wangyue. Where do you think the deterrent power of the Radiant Yang lineage came from? Back then, there were Dharma treasures, one of Lushui and one of Xiuyue, and those two are still battling in the heavens! What kind of person Lushui is—others might not know, but could you and I not know? The only one who might have stepped in to protect us, Xiuyue, no longer even comes to Jiangnan, while that 'Yuzhen' went off to the North Sea to establish another lineage!
"In the end, it was because of the Radiant Yang lineage that all the clans could sit together. The Violet Palace of one sect was the Violet Palace of all five, and a Grand True Person of one was a Grand True Person for the entire State of Yue. To put it pleasantly, it was mutual assistance; to put it harshly, it was colluding to intimidate Jiangnan... Now with Louxing and me departing, tell me: can all five sects combined even match a single Jinyu?!
"Most importantly... there will be no more Grand True Persons. The Yuandao will not involve itself... and so the Radiant Yang lineage will have no Grand True Person left."
His gaze swept toward the distant sea of clouds as he said in a solemn voice,
"Li Jiangqun extended the life of the Radiant Yang lineage by five hundred years, but even that has an end... The cultivators have failed their Golden Core breakthroughs repeatedly, and Qingchi ceded Shitang, yet an overbearing man like Louxing did not even utter a single inquiry..."
Tinglan saw his pupils, solemn like those of a statue, turn toward her.
"Whether he is still in this world remains unknown."
Tinglan pondered for a long time before asking respectfully,
"Yet how could the Radiant Yang lineage... fall into ruin? The younger generations still have brilliant talents. At a moment's notice, we could gather a two-handed count of Violet Palace cultivators to aid us. If such a grand war were to break out in Jiangnan, the Netherworld would not permit it either."
Holding the scripture in his hands, Zimu spoke in a calm tone:
"The Netherworld has been far too indulgent with you, to the point that you treat them as your reliance. When Jiangnan no longer has Grand True Persons, nor even cultivators with a chance of becoming Grand True Persons, and reaping the Golden Nature must wait until the year of the monkey, could the Netherworld not adopt other ideas? If such a thought ever crosses their minds, the few of you will become like stray dogs."
He said indifferently,
"Wuguang and Luoxia herd and pasture status fruits in this era, leaving every one of you trembling in fear with thorns at your backs, guarding against them day and night without daring to voice your resentment. Yet the Netherworld Department of Yin is a power on the exact same level as the north, and you do not fear them. It is clear that being kept like livestock for so long has blinded you to where they are even placing their pieces."
Tinglan had no words in response. She could only bow low and plead,
"May Martial Uncle... grant guidance!"
Zimu was tall and imposing, making Tinglan look petite and delicate before him, not even reaching his shoulder. Her expression was filled with both bewilderment and unease.
Zimu smiled faintly and paced once around the purple terrace, as if bidding a final farewell to this blessed land that had birthed and nurtured him. He reached out and gently patted the woman's head, as if offering comfort:
"Rest assured. No matter what happens, you can always retreat into the blessed land. The spiritual barrier will be left for you, and there is no need to return the Measureless Water-Fire to me. As long as there is no news of my demise, the blessed land can remain safe for another day. If I perish and my Dao is extinguished, you can offer up the Dharma treasure and follow the precedent of the Tuoba clan.
"What was left behind by the Patriarch, Senior Sister, and even Ancestor Taixu has already unlocked the mysteries of the 'Heavenly Cultivation Purple Qi Immortal Origin Nature.' I shall wander toward the Far East where purple qi flourishes to seek it."
He lifted his brows. His eyes took on a purple-gold hue, his lips were as if painted with cinnabar, his face was like porcelain jade, and layers of purple qi rose beneath his feet. His voice rang out like Sanskrit chanting:
"On this journey to the Far East to seek the status fruit, if you see purple qi arriving from the east and the Purple Subtlety of the Pure Capital, if you hear the vast music of Juntian and the unison praise of a hundred immortals, then the remnant incense shall be made whole, fallen wood shall become scriptures, the elk and birds shall all come to bow before me, and the twenty-three mountains and single realm of the Purple Qi Blessed Land shall rise up from the earth, ascend beyond the heavens, and transform into a grotto-heaven."
Hearing this, Tinglan knelt and kowtowed repeatedly. When she finished her nine prostrations and looked up, the throne before her was empty, leaving behind only a lustrous, perfectly round purple-gold orb.
"Dharma Treasure—【Purple Qi Immortal Origin Mysterious Barrier】!"
Chapter 869