The autumn atmosphere had not yet faded over Lake Wangyue. Red and yellow interwoven across the hills, the sky shone bright and clear, and stretches of vermilion clouds hung along the horizon. It was the hour when the evening glow burned brightest, dyeing the heavens crimson.
Clouds surged and rolled as a speck of cyan-gold pierced through them. Having imbibed the light of sun and moon alternating and heaven and earth shining together, it descended through the mountain forests and fell upon the great island in the lake.
A dust-sealed immortal cave slowly shifted open, shaking off layers of accumulated dust. A wisp of red light fled out from within, drifting and dissolving before coalescing anew before the great array. It took form as a woman in a long gown of cloud-patterned satin. Fastened at her waist was a talisman engraved with a purplish-black mountain ghost, rustling softly like a faint breeze with her light footsteps.
Taking a step forward, she reached out and caught that speck of cyan-gold from the sky. With a gentle turn of her hand, the color vanished, dissolving into flecks of silver light.
"Just the right opportunity to master Scattered White Fallen Feathers!"
She then rode the wind, heading all the way toward the palace hall. After flying for a short while, she saw an old man prostrating before the hall. Emaciated as a skeleton and crowned with white hair, he prompted her to smile and ask:
"Guest Elder Qu... what brings you here?"
Qu Bushi had been blankly pondering how to report his news when he was startled. Lifting his head in bewildered alarm and suddenly seeing her, he froze for a moment before hurriedly saying:
"Eldest Miss... you have emerged from seclusion?!"
Li Quewan was the most talented woman of the Jiang-Que generation, and back then Li Qinghong had personally brought her back to the island. To Qu Bushi at least, her status was immensely venerable. The old man hurriedly bowed again and sighed:
"Now the Patriarch will have someone to assist him... It is still about the matters in Jiangbei..."
He had only just uttered this when footsteps sounded from within the hall. A youth in crimson robes strode briskly down the dais. Reaching the doorway, his eyes lit up, an expression of mixed joy and worry crossing his face as he smiled:
"Little Sister, you've come out of seclusion! How is it that there were no heavenly phenomena?"
Li Quewan cupped her hands and replied softly:
"The transformation of material natures requires nothing more than a stretch of evening glow. It is not an inheritance meant to manifest conspicuously before men."
"Let us speak inside."
Li Jiangqian raised a hand first, pulling the hall doors half-shut, and led her into the hall. Leaning out slightly, he turned back to ask Qu Bushi in a low voice:
"What is it?"
Qu Bushi hurriedly said:
"Tangjin Gate has been defeated! Those members of the Situ family were all severely wounded. Gate Master Situ Biao had his eyes plucked out and his five viscera cast aside, turned into... Daoist Bai's magical artifact... Tangjin Gate has retreated into the mountains, Locust Soul Hall has returned in triumph, and Protector Heishu has also been able to return to Baiku. Trouble is bound to follow."
"I understand."
Li Jiangqian dismissed him, and only then did a smile return to his face. Stepping into the hall, he asked:
"Congratulations, Little Sister. What manner of profound marvel did you attain?"
Li Quewan cultivated the *Houshu Golden Scripture*, and the Immortal Foundation she had forged was 'Hou Shenshu'. Few cultivation manuals of the Complete Dan nature remained in the world; none of them had even heard this name before, and they did not dare speak of it outside, let alone make inquiries.
And so Li Quewan answered:
"'Hou Shenshu' partakes of the Complete Dan path of gestation and nurturing, gathering celestial radiance, condensing golden mercury, evading death to prolong life, dispatching birds and commanding beasts. It is an art of seeking immortality through secret methods, smelting the essences of heaven and earth in pursuit of longevity."
She seemed somewhat hesitant, shaking her head:
"At its root, this is an inheritance of secluding oneself from worldly affairs to cultivate immortality, seeking only the preservation of life."
Li Jiangqian listened for a moment and nodded:
"Of the Complete Dan path, I have only heard of Secret White Mercury, which is no slouch in combat. Hou Shenshu leans toward survival and the refining of mercurial elixirs... That suits you well."
He smiled faintly and added:
"You have older brothers and uncles at home who can look after you no matter what. Having an ability like this... is far more beneficial to the family than what the rest of us possess. Unlike the auxiliary marvel of my Immortal Foundation, which usually only allows me to consume timber and spirit herbs to advance my cultivation, offering nothing to the clansmen."
"Brother, you are mistaken in saying so," Li Quewan smiled. "Combat cannot be neglected. As the saying goes, one cultivates arts to protect the Dao. When Master Zhaojing was at Foundation Establishment, he was famed for cultivating the alchemy path, yet his cultivation prowess was likewise of the first rank, foremost among the Four Xis. I have never heard of him losing a fight to anyone.
"Even Master Yehui with his three divine abilities could not harm him, and only when a Great Master intervened was he forced to flee overseas... Had he only known how to refine pills, he likely would never have reached his present height."
Li Jiangqian looked as if he wanted to speak but stopped, merely nodding. Li Quewan continued:
"The Hou Shenshu lineage goes without saying in its enhancement of material transformations—it is likely stronger than Secret White Mercury. It can harmonize the qi of the Two Modes and assist in many transformations among the Five Virtues, mainly across Water, Fire, and Metal.
"Its second facet lies in transformation. This path can alter physical form and appearance, disguise magical artifacts and spell formations, and even conceal one's Dao lineage. If one breaks through to divine abilities, its capacity for transformation becomes even greater, by no means restricted to a human body."
Li Jiangqian nodded silently, lost in contemplation. Li Quewan added with a trace of concern:
"The Complete Dan path fears only three things. The first is Conjoined Water—once this water descends, it can disperse mercury into cinnabar. The second is United Fire, which is even more vicious, burning mercury and melting lead, destroying spirituality. The last is Primordial Lightning, which is what is now known as the meta-magnetic path..."
Hearing this, Li Jiangqian felt a touch of regret and replied:
"A pity. The Conjoined Water lineage is currently in its prime and hard to avoid. United Fire is no obscure lineage either. But Primordial Lightning has long faded from view; I hear it exists only in the State of Wu, so there is no need to worry overmuch."
Li Quewan nodded as well and said:
"Furthermore, that Scattered White Fallen Feathers is an escape art unheard of by most. In the past, I struggled even to step through its threshold. But now, with the condensation of Hou Shenshu, the celestial phenomena aligned with the principles of transformation, and I have finally managed to master this escape technique."
The cultivation of the Complete Dan path had always been eccentric; who would have thought that the celestial phenomena accompanying a breakthrough could assist in cultivation? Li Jiangqian offered his congratulations and asked:
"Could I see it? I, too, have never heard of an escape art of the Complete Dan."
"It would not be appropriate," Li Quewan shook her head, explaining, "This escape art is similar to the blood escapes of ordinary cultivators. Disengaging with it severely damages one's vitality and cultivation base, so it is not something to demonstrate without cause."
Li Jiangqian nodded in understanding. After waiting a moment, he saw Li Xuanxuan push open the door and enter from the side. Dressed in ink-blue robes, the old man wore a beaming smile on his aged face, carrying a small box against his chest.
"Wan'er!"
Among Li Xuanxuan's many offspring, aside from Li Ximing, few had achieved much prominence. If Li Zhouming was the apple of his eye, Li Quewan was the marrow of his bones. As he arrived before them, the two juniors bowed together. The old man placed the box on the table, helped each of them up with either hand, and laughed:
"Congratulations, Quewan! Take a look at this..."
Li Quewan took the box. It was no larger than a pillow, lined with a layer of golden cotton that cushioned a single silver-gray drop of mercury the size of a fingernail.
Li Quewan's gaze was instantly transfixed. She listened as the elder spoke:
"In Hetao to the north lies the State of Tiefu, territory of the demonic Helian clan. During the Northern-Southern Strife, they also sent men forth, one named Helian Changguang. He was shot dead by Xuanfeng in the Daning Palace, carrying this very treasure on him... We could not tell whether it was a spiritual material or a magical artifact—just this droplet of mercury.
"It is something of the Complete Dan nature. None of us could identify it, and since the Helian clan also possesses Violet Palace cultivators, we never took it outside, keeping it until this day.
"Later, when Ximing broke through to the Violet Palace, I remembered this item and brought it for him to examine. He said it was a magical artifact, not a spiritual material, and that only Complete Dan spells could unlock it."
Li Quewan first coaxed forth a sliver of silver light and let it fall upon the droplet of mercury. After a brief calculation, she picked it up, pondered for a moment, and said with evident delight:
"It is undoubtedly a Complete Dan artifact. It has aged through many years; while it is indeed a magical artifact, it resembles an inheritance even more... It truly carries an ancient style."
She closed her palms around the droplet of mercury, channeling her magical power into it. A flash of silver light burst forth, and it was unexpectedly drawn directly into her sea of qi.
"It refines so quickly!"
Li Quewan closed her eyes to experience it for a breath, then said softly:
"This artifact is an internal cultivation treasure. Stored within the dantian, it can aid in casting spells and has the effect of clearing one's spiritual sense and invigorating the spirit. When necessary, it can also serve as a medium for Complete Dan transformations.
"Attached within is an incantation known as the *Dew-Catching Blood Silver Secret Art*, an ancient demonic art that consumes vital blood and supplements it with lead and mercury alchemy to form a pellet..."
The status of such a technique was clearly awkward. Li Quewan sighed:
"In terms of life preservation alone, this art falls only slightly short of my Scattered White Fallen Feathers. Alas, it is a demonic technique. While a few spells within it are usable, the lineage as a whole is naturally of no benefit to our family.
"As for the artifact itself, it can be drawn forth to confront enemies or used to save one's life... To our family, the artifact itself holds more value."
Li Xuanxuan listened and sighed:
"So long as it is useful. Although the Helian clan is in decline, ringed by powerful foes eyeing them greedily, they still possess Violet Palace cultivators. Just ensure they do not recognize it."
Li Quewan nodded slightly. Residing in the dantian rather than hanging at her waist, it would not be easily recognized. Furthermore, whether this item truly belonged to the Helian clan or was obtained by Helian Changguang himself remained unknown. For now, she put it aside and inquired about the affairs in Jiangbei.
Li Jiangqian summarized the situation, furrowing his brow:
"As for Second Uncle's murder, Duxian Dao sent someone over to clear their name—specifically Gongsun Baifan. Guan Gongxiao was terribly anxious over the matter and wrote several letters in defense; it does not seem to have been Duxian Dao's doing.
"My earlier thought was... it was best for you to remain in seclusion so you would not be dragged into this affair. But since you have emerged now, and I have tested that the talisman seed is indeed effective, I might as well tell you."
His face grew somber as he replied:
"Several months ago, Second Uncle was killed, and Master Tinglan has shown no sign of appearing for a long time. I suspect something is going increasingly awry in Jiangbei. You are skilled in shamanic arts, so I would have you look into this and offer your counsel."
Having spent her days in secluded cultivation, Li Quewan was largely unfamiliar with this second uncle. She merely sighed in lament, then immediately looked up and asked:
"Were any bones or remains left behind?"
Li Jiangqian shook his head somberly. Now Li Quewan found it difficult, and she asked:
"Did he leave behind any offspring? We can try using their essence blood... This method is not entirely precise and carries the possibility of misjudgment."
At the mention of this, Li Xuanxuan stroked his beard at once:
"I will go fetch it."
The old man exited from the side, and only then did Li Jiangqian lower his voice:
"Wan'er, do only what you are capable of. Do not harm yourself."
Li Jiangqian clearly feared that this matter involved the Violet Palace, which might cause backlash to Li Quewan. Li Xuanxuan valued familial affection, so Li Jiangqian did not speak such words in front of him; but in the eyes of this Li family Patriarch, Li Quewan, as a Violet Palace seed, was paramount. As for the others—mortal or cultivator—if they died, they died; it was merely a matter of how great the loss was.
And so Li Quewan replied softly:
"No matter. My shamanic arts are profound, and with the talisman seed in me, unless I try to divine against a Violet Palace cultivator face-to-face, it is nothing to worry about."
The two waited a while until Li Xuanxuan returned carrying a small vial of essence blood. Li Quewan retrieved three ivory tallies from her sleeve, erecting each in one direction, and placed the essence blood among them. Pondering for three breaths, she drew forth a tally from among them, repeating the process nine times.
Composing herself, the glow of magical power around her gradually dimmed, and her face grew slightly pale. She spoke solemnly:
"Nine draws unified in vengeance, incinerated by the fires of the east, hence leaving no bones or remains."
Li Jiangqian let out a cold laugh upon hearing this. Li Quewan phrased her words tactfully:
"Second Uncle... or Second Uncle's direct kin, must have been burned by a Fire Virtue lineage from the east. Moreover, hitting the mark nine out of nine times indicates this matter is widely known; the nine results being identical indicates no Violet Palace divine ability was involved. It is a calamity born of revenge, a blood feud of life and death..."
This pointed almost explicitly toward Chijiao Island. Li Jiangqian rested one hand on the master seat, his thoughts growing clearer. Stroking the armrest twice, he murmured:
"Widely known... what a marvelous 'widely known.'
"It must be Guo Hongjian... It was Chijiao Island that made a move. Widely known... I fear when they passed through the Salt Lake and Muquan Gate, they were deliberately let through by someone."
Li Jiangqian saw through it with utter clarity and sneered:
"Our family shares a blood feud of life and death with Chijiao Island. If I were Guan Gongxiao, no matter how close I was with Chijiao, I would never disclose the tacit understanding between our two families. The news he received in the East Sea would surely be that our two houses were engaged in conflict.
"Thus that scoundrel couldn't wait any longer. Once he inquired inland and found the two families were merely confronting each other on the river without heavy casualties, he grew anxious and secretly murdered our clansman, hoping to incite both sides into full-scale war and force the Guan family to throw their lot in completely with Chijiao.
"What a fine scheme he hatched."
Li Quewan gathered the three tallies and said gravely:
"Unless Second Uncle's ancestral line was ever wounded by United Fire in the past, this result points squarely to Second Uncle. It is Chijiao Island beyond doubt."
Li Jiangqian said in a low voice:
"As for your deduction that no Violet Palace divine abilities were involved, that is indeed true. After all, this region is exceptionally sensitive. Yet it is entirely possible that several Violet Palace masters tacitly permitted this to happen. There is no way they failed to see the tacit understanding between our two families. Either they thought it would be better if we truly came to blows, or... there was some other intent to probe."
Li Jiangqian let out a breath and strode down quickly, pushing open the hall doors and calling out in a deep voice:
"Go invite Ziyan..."
Yet before his voice had even settled, a streak of hurtling true fire descended from the sky. Li Minggong landed swiftly before the hall upon the true fire, her tone laced with urgency as she said in a deep voice:
"No need."
"Qianli Zi of Ziyan Gate has already arrived over the lake, asking specifically to see the Li family Patriarch!"
Li Jiangqian's heart skipped a beat. Glancing around at the several people nearby, he replied:
"Please invite her in."
Just breaths after he gave the order, an extraordinarily beautiful woman dressed in white immortal robes arrived before the hall. Fastened at her waist was a glazed-white jade vial—none other than the chosen talent of this generation in Ziyan Gate, 'Glazed Treasure Vase' Qianli Zi.
Not only did Qianli Zi act in the capacity of sect master, but she was also the master of Li Quexi, a member of the Li family's direct line!
Yet now her countenance was stern, her gaze carrying a hint of anxiety. Her eyes locked instantly onto Li Jiangqian as she said in a low voice:
"Patriarch, a word in private, if you please."
At these words, Li Jiangqian felt matters were even worse. Waving away those around them, the hall doors were barely shut when Qianli Zi took a step forward and asked anxiously:
"Does the Patriarch have a method to contact Master Zhaojing?!"
Li Jiangqian hesitated slightly. The other party clearly realized she had spoken startlingly, and that asking so bluntly was improper; the urgency on her face softened a fraction as she lowered her voice:
"Do not blame me for being rash, Patriarch. Our venerable master has disappeared north of Jiangbei and has yet to return. The Blessed Land has already dispatched emissaries to seek aid from the various Great Sun lineages. Masters Zhugong and Kuiqi have gone to Jiangbei to search and rescue... We hope... your esteemed clan's master can prioritize the greater situation and hold the line in Jiangbei."
*Something truly has happened in Jiangbei!*
Qianli Zi could be said to have lowered her stance to the utmost. Below only one person and above ten thousand within the Blessed Land of a dignified Great Sun lineage, for her to swallow her pride and personally come here to ask was proof of how dire the situation had become.
Yet as Li Jiangqian finished listening in a daze, a chilling dread crept into his heart. Stepping down two paces from the master seat, he asked:
"This... they... the matter of the True Lord, this was Luoxia's command!"
Qianli Zi kept her head down in silence, as if she had not heard the words he uttered. Li Jiangqian reined in his expression at once. The doubts that had plagued his mind instantly found their explanation, crashing like thunder:
*Chijiao Island... Was Chijiao Island's move meant to test whether our master has returned, or to test whether Master Zimu has gone missing?!*
He then asked:
"What instructions did Master Qiuhu give?"
Compared to Qianli Zi's reports, Li Jiangqian was clearly far more interested in news from the Violet Palace level. At this question, Qianli Zi bowed her head slightly and sighed:
"We have received no word from her."
The implications behind these words were even greater. Ning Wan did not have a confidante like Qianli Zi within the Qingchi Sect; Sect Master Dantai Jin might very well still be kept in the dark at this moment!
Once Tinglan and Ning Wan departed from the Salt Lake, it meant that all affairs on both banks of the river would plunge into total darkness. The Luoxia Mountain True Lord's business would naturally not suffer the slightest delay, but without masters of divine ability overseeing from above, there was no guaranteeing that the powers along the river would not be dragged into the vortex! And with Ning Wan gone, Li Quantao upon the Salt Lake would be like a skiff caught in a storm, left entirely at the mercy of the raging waves.
Li Jiangqian could only ask:
"What of the Wanyu Sword Sect? What of Hengzhu Dao?!"
A trace of helplessness flitted across Qianli Zi's exquisite face as she shook her head:
"The Wanyu Sword Sect... Lord Lingmei gave instructions long ago that the Sword Sect would never take part in any Jiangbei affairs. As for Hengzhu Dao... better left unmentioned!"
Mentioning Hengzhu brought a complex look to her face—both disappointed and anxious. Evidently, she had suffered a mortifying grievance in that matter, and even now, speaking of it left her with lingering indignation.
Li Jiangqian fell silent for a moment. Watching Qianli Zi's expression shift gradually from anxiety to suspicion, and seeing that he could delay no longer, he heard the woman say in a plaintive, mournful tone:
"Regarding Jiangbei, our venerable master issued orders long ago to protect your esteemed clan at all costs and prevent any immortal carriages from crossing the river. Now that Master is missing under such bizarre circumstances, we are not asking your clan's master to attempt a rescue, but merely pleading with him to return early to preside over the situation!
"This matter does not concern my family alone. Crossing the river leads directly to Lake Wangyue. Now that we cannot reach either of the two masters, all our deployments in Jiangbei are empty words without a Violet Palace cultivator to back them! How can this be allowed to stand?!"
Li Jiangqian reacted with great swiftness, refusing to let her barrage of questions disrupt his footing. Sighing inwardly, deep suspicion arose within him:
*Qingsong's Great Sun lineages... With so many Violet Palace cultivators south of the river, even if Hengzhu refuses to act, could they not appoint a single one to stand up and preside over Jiangbei? Why must they insist on inviting our master back?*
How domineering were the Great Sun lineages? Any random master sent forth could easily take control of the riverbanks. Yet she had come to invite Li Ximing; no matter how one looked at it, something was amiss. Looking at her intently, he spoke solemnly:
"Senior Han... can the esteemed masters of the Great Sun lineages not preside over the situation? If it is merely a disappearance, does it truly require all those lords to go together? Answer this junior with all sincerity—is Master Tinglan... truly just missing?"
Qianli Zi was momentarily taken aback, stumped by his single question. Reevaluating the man before her, she gritted her teeth and answered:
"This... should not have been spoken of, but since you ask, Fellow Daoist, I must answer.
"Within our Blessed Land... the soul lamp has grown dim. A great battle must have erupted in the north. Masters Zhugong and Kuiqi may well have to engage, and who knows what their condition will be in the end... They cannot return here to guard the region. Master Houfu is tied down in the Long lands and unable to pull away... If your esteemed clan's master does not return, there will be no one above to hold the ground."
For such an event to occur at this critical juncture, it was impossible that Mount Luoxia remained unaware. Li Jiangqian's expression turned grim as he asked:
"Which power dares act so brazenly? A master of a Great Sun lineage actually... ambushed outside by others..."
Qianli Zi's expression grew even more convoluted. Lowering her voice, she answered:
"I suspect it is the lingering calamity left by the Qiwang Profound Sky Auscultation back then... Back then, it was precisely Qingchi and Ziyan who joined hands in calculation, and your clan's elder took part in it as well... Now that the two Great Masters have fallen one after another, the north has begun to harbor designs!"
Hearing this, Li Jiangqian exhaled a heavy breath. The woman before him continued:
"Furthermore, with no Violet Palace in the sky, can your clan truly rest easy regarding the Fei family?"
Li Jiangqian remained silent.
As a dignified immortal clan, possessing no means of contacting Li Ximing was impossible; there was no way he could fool an experienced disciple of Ziyan Gate. He could only say gravely:
"This junior harbored no other intentions. It is merely that I am young, and such matters are not mine to decide. We must still invite the elders to confer together!"
Qianli Zi choked on her words, took a step back, and gritted her teeth:
"Then please make your decision swiftly!"
Li Jiangqian had only taken a single step when both of them looked up simultaneously, catching the faint tremors of a distant vibration. Both being Foundation Establishment cultivators, how could they fail to notice such subtle sounds? Exchanging a glance, they hurried out of the hall.
Sure enough, torrential rain was already pouring over the lake. Amid storm clouds that blotted out the sky stood cultivator after cultivator, with Li Quewan and the others looking toward the north with anxious faces.
A blaze of golden light soared straight into the sky in the north, accompanied by drifting plumes of hazy smoke and dust. Dark clouds faintly gathered as rain drifted through the air, ominously somber and terrifying.
*The direction of Locust Soul Hall... A Foundation Establishment 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 entire body trembling as if from fear or excitement. Her beautiful eyes were locked onto the north, her lips silently murmuring.
Witnessing this, Li Jiangqian felt a chill throughout his body. He had long suspected that this woman was deeply entangled with a True Lord, though he did not know whether it was the same one. Now, taking a swift step backward and avoiding her eyes, he shouted:
"Senior!"
Chapter 882