Five Lianmin—that was a force meant to counter the late Purple Mansion realm. So long as they coordinated well, they were more than capable of stalling a Great Real Person for a brief period, let alone an insignificant cultivator like her at early Purple Mansion.
She had no choice but to rely on her divine ability. Two points of brownish-yellow light surfaced beneath her feet. Bringing her palms together a fist's width from her chest, she raised her head and chanted urgently in her heart:
*Earth of lofty scorch, turn toward the Wutu radiance; let the utmost soil reveal its countenance, birthing metal into yang!*
In the span of a single thought, a hazy deep-brown glow rippled outward from her body, thick and steady as the earth itself, spreading to both flanks to envelop her within.
The instant the incantation concluded in her mind, the five magical artifacts of the surrounding Lianmin struck the Wutu radiance simultaneously. A violent, muffled boom echoed through the cloud banks. Real Person Zhugong's complexion shifted slightly; she was clearly under immense strain.
Though the Earth Virtue nature was formidable, Wutu was not like Xuantu, which was indestructible as diamond and impervious to thunder. Worse yet, Zhugong's origins were unrighteous to begin with; her Wutu was impure, tainted by the methods of demonic cultivators!
Under the combined assault of the five Buddhist cultivators, the protective light instantly grew unstable, faintly leaking murky black qi. Two of the Lianmin glared with wide, furious eyes—one spewing golden sand while the other unleashed gushing flames, pouring their attacks down onto the radiance.
*Dammit!*
Lacking experience in fighting Northern Buddhists, she was forced to push her divine ability further. Colorful light blazed in her eyes. Holding one hand before her chest and covering her mouth with the back of the other, she drew a quick breath and shouted:
"Halt!"
The fire-spewing Lianmin beside her had no time to react. Crying out in agony, he collapsed while clutching his face like a mortal. A gap opened in the five-man encirclement, allowing her to seize the opening. Channelling her divine ability once more, her form dissolved into scattering streaks of light, breaking free from their grasp.
The afflicted Lianmin remained kneeling, hunched over as golden blood poured ceaselessly from his lips. He was genuinely panic-stricken. Yet the Lianmin spewing golden sand appeared steady and composed, clearly possessing ample combat experience. Drawing his sword, he surged upward and warned:
"It is the Wutu divine ability, Receiving the Crown Stroke! Ride the wind and take to the air—do not touch the ground! We are Buddhist cultivators, so the pain will bite deeper, but so long as your heart remains calm, it is hardly a severe injury!"
The sand-spewing monk was evidently their leader and held higher status. Enduring the agony, the afflicted Lianmin rode the wind upward, and sure enough, he felt somewhat better. Not far away, Real Person Zhugong's face darkened. Even as she cast her spells, she cursed inwardly:
*That bald donkey has sharp eyes...*
Real Person Zhugong had attained the Dao by chancing upon an inheritance of Tongxuan, and what she cultivated was indeed Receiving the Crown Stroke. Yet in her early years, she had been ignorant, leaving her cultivation impure and mixed. Although she had switched to another method before Foundation Establishment, numerous hidden perils remained. The ability to triumph repeatedly against formidable foes had largely owed to Receiving the Crown Stroke. Having it exposed in a single breath felt as though an arm had been severed. Raising a spell in her hands, she shouted:
"Bald donkey! Try this!"
She coughed up blood violently. From her parted vermilion lips, a streak of Wutu radiance trailing specks of multi-hued mist shot forth, followed closely behind by another, hurling directly toward the face of the fire-spitting Lianmin who had just been struck. It tore through the air with a piercing shriek. The Lianmin on both flanks sensed disaster and hurriedly closed in to assist.
Yet none had anticipated that Real Person Zhugong's roar was a deliberate feint to distract them. The moment the Wutu radiance reached his front, it instantly transformed into harmless rosy mist. Instead, the Great Void quivered, and a true gem-yellow Wutu radiance darted out like a venomous serpent, snapping straight toward the back of the leading Lianmin's head.
*Target this one first! If I cannot sever one of their fingers, I will surely fall beneath their siege!*
She knew full well she was no match for their united strength. Her present initiative stemmed only from having an extra divine ability compared to her foes, granting her a fleeting upper hand. Thus, her strikes were ruthlessly lethal, driven by a life-or-death resolve. A tiny silver bell also rose into the sky, crashing down behind the Wutu radiance.
With three Lianmin temporarily pinned, the leading Lianmin had no choice but to raise the golden sword in his hand. Bracing himself, he faced the gem-yellow Wutu radiance and shouted:
"Uphold!"
Splendid multi-hued light filled the sky, faintly revealing the image of a Buddhist land. Treasure radiance drifted down like overlapping layers of gauze, falling layer upon layer onto the Wutu light with a sizzling hiss.
*Rumble!*
Yet the Wutu radiance was like a burning coal dropped into cotton. Piercing through the layers of resistance, it crashed down onto the Lianmin's Dharma Body, drawing from him a heart-wrenching shriek. The silver bell followed right behind, about to smash him to pieces, yet the Lianmin forced his eyes open. Even as the Wutu light gouged several gaping holes through his Dharma Body, he clamped his steel teeth together and actually trapped the silver bell inside his mouth.
What good end could come from taking a spirit artifact into one's mouth? Not even a Lianmin's Dharma Body—not even a cultivator who cultivated a physical divine ability—would dare possess such recklessness! Sure enough, both of his eyes instantly exploded into golden powder, and countless dark-gold fractures spread across his Dharma Body.
Seeing this, Zhugong felt not the slightest joy, but only shock and fury.
The last Lianmin, who had vanished earlier, had already traversed the Great Void. Brandishing two golden war hammers, he smashed them toward the back of her head. His three-headed, six-armed Dharma Body produced two mirrors and a pair of wooden fish, locking down her left and right flanks.
"So fast! What a formidable Dharma Body!"
Only then did the female Real Person realize that the one who had charged in silently was the most skilled combatant among the five. Yet her spirit artifact had already been cast out and could not be recalled in time. She had no choice but to draw her magical sword and flick two spirit shields from her sleeve to parry.
*Clang!*
Real Person Zhugong's magical arts were passable, but the rest fell short. The two spirit shields struggled in the air, venting billowing black qi—clearly blood-refined artifacts suppressed by the sacred Buddhist light. In the end, they failed to block the assault completely. The two mirrors unleashed brilliant golden rays, shining directly into her eyes.
Receiving the Crown Stroke was a purely art-based divine ability, unlike Audience at the Heaven Gate, which also augmented the physical Dharma Body. How could Real Person Zhugong's eyes withstand such radiance? Sparks erupted in an instant, and in the next breath, her eyes were reduced to pitch-black, charred hollows, streaming with two lines of scorched, bloody tears.
At the same moment, the silver bell burst out from the belly of the first Lianmin, blowing the monk who spewed golden sand into scattered fragments that rained down across the sky as golden dust.
*Boom!*
Imprisoning a spirit artifact within one's flesh caused far worse agony than what Zhugong suffered! Just like that, he had returned to the Buddhist land!
The remaining four Lianmin were not angered, but rather overjoyed. Treading through the Great Void, they encircled her at once.
Real Person Zhugong had rarely clashed with Northern Buddhists, but these five Lianmin knew full well how to handle immortal cultivators. From the very start of the battle, they had shared an unspoken consensus: trade lives for wounds!
Their status as Lianmin resided in the Buddhist land; death meant nothing to them. They were expending themselves for Daixi, and even in death, their Dharma Bodies would be restored. But what about Zhugong? How much leeway did she have? While an immortal cultivator's physical body in the Purple Mansion realm was not as vital as during Foundation Establishment, a severe wound suffered in battle would take at least half a year to heal!
The four monks had only just formed their encirclement when their hands resumed moving. Chanting scriptures in unison, they resonated with the lingering injuries in her eye sockets. Bursts of golden fire popped forth, relentlessly exploiting the weakness of her frail body.
Zhugong had come to her senses by now, her heart turning icy cold. Trapped by the four Lianmin, the searing pain in her eyes faintly hindered her spellcasting, warning her of a harsh truth:
*If I do not leave now, I may soon be unable to leave at all!*
Her hands continued forming incantations, manifesting a corona of light to envelop herself and barely hold off the four monks' assault. Releasing her spiritual sense, she looked toward the sky at Mohe Daixi and Real Person Kuiqi.
The Real Person of Xiukui Abbey remained clad in black, one hand behind his back. The Dahe Kui Bronze Sword before him danced and flickered, drifting in and out of sight, transforming into diverse phantoms that wove through the infinite multi-hued light. Meanwhile, Mohe Daixi's famed Kongxi Demon-Subduing Bowl was pinned in midair by a black chain. Though it repeatedly sought to break free, it was always half a step too slow, held firmly in check.
Kuiqi's free hand pinched a speck of dark light, from which beam upon beam of radiance flew, descending upon Daixi in overlapping waves. Besieged by both the Dahe Kui Bronze Sword and the dark light, the horse-faced Mohe was merely holding his ground through the resilience of his Dharma Body.
Evidently, unlike Zhugong's battered state, Real Person Kuiqi found fighting Daixi far from difficult. Anxiety gnawed at Zhugong's heart. The longer she held on, the less confidence she had. As the magic power within her ebbed and wounds piled upon her Dharma Body, she finally drew Real Person Kuiqi's gaze.
Seeing her struggling, the Real Person was not surprised. Three divine abilities circulated across his hands, his spells growing ever fiercer, gradually making Daixi's expression turn ugly.
*Fellow Daoist Zhugong! Hold out for just one more quarter of an hour until my divine ability is unleashed!*
Zhugong's heart sank instantly. Before she could answer Kuiqi, the light surrounding her grew dimmer. The Lianmin who had wounded her with the mirror light spread his six arms, his eyes blazing gold and red; he had already employed some secret technique.
Sure enough, after lasting only a few more exchanges, the golden fire in her eyes blazed hotter. With a dull boom, the barrier before her shattered completely. Drawing a breath once more, Zhugong channeled her divine ability:
"Halt!"
This time, the distance was close. The four around her shuddered simultaneously, their breath catching. Golden blood gushed from the nostrils of the six-armed Lianmin nearest to her. His eyes bulging with fury, he resumed his pursuit. Zhugong deployed her silver bell to defend, but the other three had already arrived before her.
Golden light still blazed in her eye sockets, laying bare the fragility of her physical body. Receiving the Crown Stroke was clearly a divine ability suited for single combat rather than group melees. Flustered and pressed from all sides, she coughed up another mouthful of blood and dissolved into scattering golden light.
Yet what Zhugong never anticipated was that at this dire moment, a demon-subduing lotus densely etched with patterns burst out of the Great Void wrapped in radiant gold, striking straight into her undefended back!
*Boom!*
A vast cloud bank erupted in the sky. The sound of earth collapsing echoed loudly. Rain dispersed into a deluge of shattered stones and windblown sand. Pale-faced, Zhugong reassembled her form nearby in a swirl of golden light. A hollow hole had been gouged through her chest, allowing one to see right through to the scenery behind—an opening shaped precisely like a lotus.
*Daixi! How could that be!*
The demon-subduing lotus did not let her go. This radiant golden treasure was far more formidable than the Kongxi Demon-Subduing Bowl. In an instant, it turned into razor-sharp lotus petals that rained down upon her Dharma Body.
"Alas!"
Finally, a black chain tore through the Great Void, deflecting most of the lotus fragments and unleashing dense dark light to bind the sacred brilliance lurking within the void. Even so, three to five petals struck Zhugong, making her dizzy as she vomited a mouthful of blood.
Boundless white mist descended over Daixi's head, trapping him within. Real Person Kuiqi had clearly been forced to trigger his art ahead of time to manifest before Zhugong. Pointing his Dahe Kui Bronze Sword forward, he frightened the Lianmin into backing away.
His somber gaze lingered on that dark-gold demon-subduing lotus, and a name surfaced in his heart:
*Zhelu! This is the Three Retributions Mortal Descent Lotus...*
Beside him, Zhugong finally gained a moment of respite. Flesh and skin rapidly regenerated across the gaping wound in her chest. Forgetting all else, she fled into the Great Void in a single breath, vanishing without a trace.
Left behind in the sky, Daixi beamed broadly, clearly in high spirits. He remarked:
"Fellow Daoist Kuiqi! You are still a cut below this venerable one!"
Real Person Kuiqi's expression was grim. Sweeping his gaze over the assembled monks and nuns, he said nothing more. His expression cooled, and he stepped into the Great Void in disappointment, likewise vanishing.
"Haha!"
The horse-faced Mohe descended from the sky in high triumph. The remaining four Lianmin dropped to their knees with a thud, shouting in unison:
"Congratulations, My Lord! Heartiest congratulations, My Lord!"
Daixi's triumphant expression gradually cooled into venom. Seeing that one Lianmin had perished—and an experienced veteran at that—he felt a twinge of regret, murmuring under his breath:
"A grudge of many years has finally seen a small measure of vengeance today... Were it not for considering that missing old thing from Ziyan Gate, and fearing that pushing too far might prompt the Grand Sun lineage to unleash some hidden trump card in retaliation... there would be no need for such trouble!"
Slowly retracting the hatred in his eyes, he lowered his head to gaze at the patterned, dark-gold lotus in his palm, feeling both greed and regret:
*A pity... that such a fine treasure is not mine.*
"Let us go! Return with me!"
***
Within the Great Void.
Real Person Kuiqi rode his divine ability, treading empty space with a grim expression.
Having suffered such grave wounds, Zhugong would certainly not show herself. He held no personal ties with Zhugong, and she would never expose her heavily injured self before anyone—not even Kuiqi, who had just saved her.
This meant that even trying to persuade this Real Person from the East Sea was impossible, plunging Real Person Kuiqi into deeper gloom. He ground his teeth in frustration:
"Receiving the Crown Stroke is in no way inferior to other Purple Mansion abilities, but its various powers are tailored against single targets, making it exceptionally strong in duels. She simply failed to cultivate it thoroughly, leading to this miserable state when facing a crowd of Lianmin... That Three Retributions Mortal Descent Lotus came too abruptly as well!"
As a Real Person of Xiukui Abbey, Kuiqi naturally understood what sort of lineage Receiving the Crown Stroke belonged to. In fact, Xiukui Abbey possessed immortal foundations related to it. He might very well understand the divine ability better than Zhugong herself!
"A perfectly fine immortal divine ability, cultivated into such an unsightly, half-baked shape... It seems she obtained an incomplete lineage... How could an inheritance of Wutu be so easily acquired?"
After observing her for just that brief while, Kuiqi could already deduce where her divine ability had come from. He sighed inwardly:
"It looks like a mere substitute path, not the orthodox line. It is only because the Tongxuan lineage is so formidable that even a narrow path remains a grand avenue leading to heaven in this era, allowing her to attain Purple Mansion."
His expression soon darkened. Pinching his fingers to divine the omens, he narrowed his eyes and murmured:
"Zhelu is still probing; he may not dare push Tinglan and Ning Wan to the brink... But leaving the two trapped in the north without sufficient hands to inflict real pain on the Buddhists and reclaim our honor... would severely damage the Grand Sun lineage's prestige and embolden the Northern Buddhists even further..."
Tinglan and Ning Wan held no shortage of trump cards, but Buddhist cultivators were adept at using formations to trap foes. Once one fell into their traps, extricating oneself was no easy task. Real Person Kuiqi was not genuinely afraid of the two suffering mortal harm; rather, he feared this matter was orchestrated precisely to make the Grand Sun lineage lose face.
*We absolutely cannot let this drop! The cultivators here are unwilling to intervene in Jiangbei, but that does not mean you Buddhists can plot against us as you please...*
*A pity that Hengzhu grew bitter over what happened back then, adopting an air of discouragement and refusing to take part in such affairs ever again... Otherwise, why would we suffer such indignation!*
*The Chen clan is ever amicable, so persuading them will not be hard. Old Real Person Yuming is easy to talk to, and Real Person Shanbai by the coast is on good terms with my abbey—both are figures of consequence. Fellow Daoist Lingmei is also very likely to act. So long as he moves, half the matter will essentially be settled. As long as we can break past Daixi's blockade, Zhelu may be formidable, but he cannot withstand an assault from inside and out.*
With the prestige of the Grand Sun lineage and its centuries of accumulated goodwill, and with the target being the notoriously reviled Zhelu, raising an arm in a call to arms would naturally summon many a Real Person.
"Yet there is one snag. Both Real Persons Yuming and Shanbai reside near Mount Xiuyue, and both once fell under the Northern Sect's rule. The dynamic has been awkward for a long time. With the Master having departed for the realms beyond and Mount Xiuyue sealing its gates, the two of them likely find it inconvenient to travel outside."
When Kuiqi mentioned Xiuyue, his tone grew remarkably complex, tinged with intimacy yet laced with awkwardness. When mentioning that True Monarch of the Xiuyue Sect, however, his use of 'the Master' carried profound respect.
Yet the Great Void was dead silent. Passing over the matter with that single sentence, Real Person Kuiqi thought of that Real Person Zhaojing upon the lake:
"It had to be that this man is absent as well... Every divine ability has its own virtue. Perhaps in a duel, this Zhaojing falls short of Zhugong... but against Lianmin, Audience at the Heaven Gate is far more useful than Receiving the Crown Stroke!"
"Tinglan thought well. Li Ximing is named Li after all, and though the entire Li family could hardly stir a single wave beneath the rosy dawn... avoiding suspicion is always wise... Alas, meeting with this current crisis, fighting the Buddhists... the Li clan will surely be glad to lend a hand, giving them all the more pretext to recall him..."
"Lake Wangyue..."
Riding the wind from that spot, he traversed the Great Void without pausing for even an instant, journeying straight south. Soon, he emerged into reality, greeted by the lake lashed by torrential rains.
Under such tempestuous weather, the Li clan was evidently on edge. Lights of magic power flickered across the lake one after another, and one could even spot numerous cultivators clad in the robes of Ziyan Gate. Real Person Kuiqi observed for a short while before descending with his divine ability.
His gaze fell upon a black-robed man with gray eyes and long brows. Seeing him, the man's eyes filled with shock. Riding the wind upward, he bowed deeply with utmost reverence and greeted:
"Greetings, My Lord. I am Chen Yang of Wangyue, currently patrolling the lake. I never expected to cross paths with your immortal presence. If My Lord has an immortal decree, pray speak; your humble servant will gladly hold the reins and stirrup, doing everything in my power to convey it."
Kuiqi swept his sleeve and said casually:
"Take me to your family head."
Speaking these words was a sign of respect. Naturally, the Real Person would not waste time flying slowly. Chen Yang only felt the colors before him invert, and in the next moment, he found himself before the main hall. Without Kuiqi uttering another word, Chen Yang tactfully entered to announce him.
Standing with his hands behind his back, Kuiqi examined the man's physiognomy. His divine ability possessed certain mystical insights into such matters, prompting him to evaluate inwardly:
*This man bears a sinister, predatory look. Bowing low, he makes a fine hound; standing tall, he would be a figure of note. For the Li clan to gain such a retainer is no less advantageous than obtaining a fine magical artifact. Lake Wangyue harbors talent and gathers brilliance; its atmosphere and fortune far surpass the southern commanderies.*
Just as that thought crossed his mind, a figure in crimson robes hurried out of the hall, lowering his brow in respectful deference:
"I know not which lineage's Real Person graces us with his presence. I failed to welcome you from afar and am gripped by panic. I beg your forgiveness."
With robes fluttering, the Real Person strode inside, admired the hall's furnishings, and took the seat of honor. Raising his brows, he said:
"Xiukui Abbey, Kuiqi."
Li Jiangqian had already guessed eight or nine tenths of the truth, deducing that matters in the north had taken a turn for the worse. He bowed respectfully within the hall. Kuiqi, however, observed him closely, frowning in private thought:
*Li Zhouwei truly has substance, and this eldest son cannot be easily seen through either. Still, hardly anyone of the Wei-Li direct line is a good sort...*
He quickly pulled his thoughts back. Looking at the untouched teacup on the table, he asked:
"Where is Fellow Daoist Zhaojing?"
Unsure of his intentions and not knowing whether this person had been brought here by Qianlizi, Li Jiangqian kept silent on everything else, replying respectfully:
"To report to the Real Person, the ancestor should still be in the East Sea."
As for the plea for reinforcements or returning that Qianlizi had raised, he did not breathe a single word.
Kuiqi merely ran the jade lid around the rim of his teacup, his pale gray eyes deepening as he murmured softly:
"You must have felt it as well: trouble has broken out north of the river. The Buddhists took the lead to retaliate against Qingchi and Ziyan... Ziyan's grudges with the Buddhists have been tangled in recent years, and Ning Tiaoxiao left behind no small amount of trouble back then."
"As for the situation in the north today, Zhugong has been severely injured and will not show herself. The one who wounded her was Daixi, who was also the one who ambushed Tinglan. Do you know of Daixi?"
Li Jiangqian shook his head. Kuiqi simply stated:
"Li Xuanfeng—he was the one who killed him."
"Presently, Tinglan has been ambushed. From what I see, her life is in no danger; they likely only wish to keep her from interfering in Jiangbei's affairs. This Real Person hopes Fellow Daoist Zhaojing will return. This matter is not something your family can avoid."
Gazing at the tea, the Real Person's tone toward the two seemed even gentler than Zhugong's as he continued:
"I understand your concerns. I will not ask you to meddle in Jiangbei's affairs. Quite the contrary—having Zhaojing act against the Buddhists is precisely to spare him from being forced to intervene later when Jiangbei spirals out of control. What is needed right now is to deal a harsh blow to the Buddhists, and on this point, the Li clan must have hated them for a long time as well."
Kuiqi looked quietly at the two men and spoke:
"Whether viewed from personal ties or the broader situation, rescuing Tinglan ahead of time is the choice that best aligns with Wangyue's interests, and the choice that keeps Wangyue from having to touch Jiangbei's mess. If Zhaojing extends a helping hand at this juncture, the Grand Sun lineage will naturally keep it in mind."
Having said his piece, he set down the jade cup in his hand and said softly:
"Wangyue will naturally weigh the gravity of the matter for itself."
Clearly, though both sought Li Ximing's return to Jiangnan, Kuiqi stood far above Qianlizi in both status and rhetoric. His words laid bare the interests at stake, making them far more compelling.
More importantly, Real Person Kuiqi was the de facto master of the Grand Sun lineage's Xiukui Abbey and a mid Purple Mansion cultivator. When he spoke so gravely, who would dare utter a word of dissent?
After hearing this, Li Jiangqian took a step back and bowed:
"Honoring the immortal decree of the exalted sect, we shall convey this to the Real Person at once."
Simply put, with Kuiqi's words reaching this point, there was no longer any room to remain aloof. Even if they were to refuse, Li Ximing would have to come out in person to refuse.
What was more, the Real Person had said that if they lent aid, the Grand Sun lineage would remember the favor, but if they stood by with folded arms, the other party would remember it just as well.
Having spoken, Li Jiangqian instructed:
"Go invite the old master, and bring out the jade talisman from the clan."
Xiukui Abbey was renowned for its lofty arrogance, and its lineage was eccentric. Whether it was Master Houfu of years past or Kuiqi before him, neither was inherently gentle by nature. Li Jiangqian placed his clan in a humble stance, using the phrasing of honoring an immortal decree, which drew a slight chuckle from the Real Person. He replied:
"You are far too polite."
Polite words aside, he was visibly quite pleased. Taking a sip of tea, he continued:
"Wangyue and Zhaojing will not be mistreated in this affair. Zhaojing has only just attained Purple Mansion, and this divine ability is not easy to cultivate. He is one of our own; asking him to act this time does not mean sending him in alone."
Hearing this, Li Jiangqian bowed:
"We thank the Real Person. The Grand Sun lineage protects Jiangnan, and we bask in its brilliance with utmost reverence. Your humble servant will faithfully convey the Real Person's intent, awaiting only our ancestor's decree."
Kuiqi acknowledged this. Taking advantage of the man's excellent mood, Li Jiangqian asked again:
"However, affairs in Jiangbei involve many factions, and Real Person Zhugong has retreated due to her wounds. If no Real Person oversees the situation, I fear matters may be delayed..."
"Jiangbei..."
Lake Wangyue sat right beside the river, unlike Xiukui Abbey which lay far to the south, so they naturally worried about Jiangbei. Pausing briefly, Kuiqi answered:
"There is no need to worry about that. They cannot cross the river. It has merely drawn out a few children of fate. If they were born in the south, they would cause you trouble. Earlier, when Zhaojing was absent, you had reason to worry, but once he returns, he can simply tear open the Great Void and crush them with a single finger."
"Although the south also covets these children of fate, Tinglan and Ning Wan have both gone north. Who could discover them faster than your family..."
Li Jiangqian felt considerably reassured. Once the courtesies concluded, Kuiqi stood up, his gaze turning thoughtfully toward the rain clouds as he mused:
*Since this bunch of Buddhists has stirred up trouble, there is no need for mercy. I shall return to the abbey to request another spirit artifact, head to Tongmo and Yuyang, and then pay a visit to Fellow Daoist Lingmei.*
With the Grand Sun lineage's profound foundations and extensive connections, even Kongwu Path only dared stall the two Real Persons without truly striking to kill. Kuiqi had nothing to fear. Lowering his gaze, he said:
"When Fellow Daoist Zhaojing returns, ask him to wait briefly upon the lake. If he grows impatient, he may also come to Xiukui to seek me out."
With those words, Kuiqi dissolved into mist. The two bowed low to the ground, rising only after a long silence. Straightening his robes, Li Jiangqian returned to the hall and waved his hand, prompting Chen Yang to withdraw tactfully.
"It truly is the Buddhists..."
He fell silent for a moment. Soon, footsteps echoed from the flanks. Having received word earlier, Li Xuanxuan had been waiting in the side hall. Stepping forward now, he looked on as Li Jiangqian frowned and asked:
"Old Master, Real Person Kuiqi said... the one who killed Master Xuanfeng was Mohe Daixi. Have you ever heard of him?"
At the mention of Li Xuanfeng, the old man froze briefly, then stroked his beard and murmured:
"I only heard... it was a purplish-black treasure bowl."
Li Jiangqian let out a breath, finally relaxing. Briefly summarizing the situation, he took his seat in the main chair and shook his head:
"In any case, if the Real Person can return, we will no longer need to live on edge, calculating Purple Mansion affairs with Foundation Establishment heads. Our various arrangements will have a master..."
Li Xuanxuan looked somewhat worried, but Li Jiangqian was visibly much more at ease, speaking softly:
"The Great Void is vast. Returning from the East Sea will take half a day to a full day at fastest, and even if slow, it will not differ by many hours. Summon our sisters and elders back, and prepare to kneel in the hall to welcome the venerable master."
"As it should be."
Li Xuanxuan had also come around. Setting all else aside, being able to see Li Ximing after so many years brought genuine joy to the old man's heart. He shook his head helplessly and said:
"Zhouming has been confined for so long, and it has tormented him thoroughly. Once arrangements are made, we can release him."
"Indeed."
Li Jiangqian chuckled along, pondering inwardly:
*The time for the sacrifice draws near as well. If the Real Person returns and can erect the great formation, we will not need to go through such ordeal this time.*
Yet no sooner had the orders been issued than Qu Bushi arrived in the hall ahead of the others. Saluting Li Xuanxuan, he reported respectfully:
"Reporting to the Family Head, the Duxian Dao market has been raided. Its formation shattered and collapsed. The Guan clan lost three direct-line members, suffering grievous casualties. Cultivators great and small were wounded, and the guarding cultivator, Song Yunbai, was severely injured and has gone missing."
Li Jiangqian raised his brows and asked:
"Such heavy losses? Whom did they clash with?"
Qu Bushi answered respectfully:
"It was a group of demonic cultivators... connected to the demonic disciples from earlier, and those disciples were among them as well. The north reported that their leader possessed exceptionally high cultivation, having reached the absolute pinnacle of Foundation Establishment. Even Guan Gongxiao was slightly disadvantaged when clashing with him... It was a sudden ambush, and by the time Duxian Dao arrived, the demonic cultivators were already retreating..."
"Although Duxian Dao's overall losses were not catastrophic, their morale has plummeted, and the entire sect is shrouded in anxiety."
"Demonic cultivators."
Li Jiangqian frowned in puzzlement, listening as Qu Bushi whispered:
"It is said that the demonic cultivator has bound his life to a blood-light treasure mirror of astonishing power, suspected to be an ancient magical artifact. The masters in the north warned us to beware of the Wilderness."
Guan Gongxiao was naturally not acting out of kindness; his words were merely a reminder that if the lips perish, the teeth freeze. But once Li Ximing returned, the Li clan would sit secure. Li Jiangqian replied casually:
"Go reply and express our thanks for the reminder, saying that we will certainly keep watch over the Wilderness."
Qu Bushi nodded hurriedly and withdrew. As the hall doors opened, people gradually filled the chamber.
Li Ximing's return had not been publicized; only a few core direct-line members were present in the hall. Had Li Ximing failed to return as agreed, it would have signaled an even more terrifying catastrophe, which was why not even Li Zhouming had been brought in advance to welcome him.
As dusk deepened, the magical lamps were lit, and everyone waited in silence. Li Minggong stood solemnly before the hall, the lamplight casting shifting shadows across her face.
They waited until deep into the night, when a gentle gleam finally surfaced upon the lake shrouded in darkness. In the dead of night, this illusory radiance shifted and coalesced into a man in white-and-gold Daoist robes.
The man possessed regular features and medium stature. A brilliant spark of heavenly light flickered at the center of his brow, and his hands were clasped behind his back. He displayed no overwhelming aura; instead, as he descended before the hall, he let out a slight breath of relief.
The crowd bowed in unison, greeting him with one voice:
"Greetings, Real Person!"
Only then did the Real Person stroll upward. He first supported Li Xuanxuan and helped the old man sit down before taking his place on the main seat. Glancing around to see if any faces were missing, he looked at Li Jiangqian and then examined Li Quewan, remarking with emotion:
"You brother and sister have achieved Foundation Establishment. The days of your Qi Refining seem like yesterday, yet today you are already pillars of the family."
The two bowed to him. As the brilliant light of Mingyang shone down, everyone felt as though the very ground beneath their feet had grown firm.
As a Purple Mansion immortal clan, the Li clan was only truly an immortal clan when Li Ximing was on the lake; only then did everyone from top to bottom possess true confidence. Though anxiety had plagued them just yesterday, the moment Li Ximing returned—even if he merely asked a single question—it brought immense peace of mind, transforming the entire atmosphere.
Then Li Ximing asked:
"Have you run into some trouble?"
Back then, Li Ximing had agreed with Li Zhouwei to leave behind several jade talismans, each carrying a different meaning. Although this one was merely to summon him back, Li Ximing's worry and tension had been considerable.
The moment he received word, he had traveled without pause, rushing back through the Great Void day and night. Before reaching the lake, he had first surveyed the situation with the Immortal Mirror. Only upon seeing everyone waiting peacefully did he breathe a sigh of relief and manifest.
At this question, Li Jiangqian stepped forward from the crowd and bowed:
"Real Persons Tinglan and Qiuhu have gone missing, and the Northern Buddhists have made their move. It was the Real Person of Xiukui Abbey from the Grand Sun lineage who asked My Lord to return and assist."
"Ning Wan has attained Purple Mansion!"
Li Ximing was slightly surprised at first, then frowned in doubt:
"Tinglan is missing..."
Tinglan's conduct toward him overseas had been quite fair, and during the period he was missing, she had also shown intent to shelter the Li family. While this favor was not exceptionally grand, Li Ximing still kept in mind the Clear Illumination Heart in her possession. For now, he merely asked:
"The Grand Sun lineage is so exalted, yet they have need of me? They actually invited me back? Which enemy are we to face?"
Li Jiangqian recounted the matter in detail. Li Ximing stroked his beard in silence, sighing:
"Tinglan and Qiuhu are both friends of our family. Since Kuiqi has spoken, what reason do I have to refuse? Our clan faces Jiangbei while backed by Jiangnan; we cannot afford to offend the Grand Sun lineage... It is no wonder you summoned me back."
He pondered the situation. Amidst his helplessness, his eyes gleamed slightly, his mind turning clear:
*This is a fine opportunity to obtain the Clear Illumination Heart... The key lies not in Kuiqi, but in Tinglan and Qiuhu. This will likely be a case of claiming favors from three sides at once.*
*No matter what, the Grand Sun lineage possesses countless trump cards. Would an inheritance left by a True Monarch lack one or two Golden Core-grade methods? Immortal cultivators are not like Buddhist monks; so long as I ensure I can withdraw at any time without inviting major trouble, the gains from this trip will be bountiful...*
Glancing at Li Xuanxuan, he said:
"The debts of our forebears must be remembered. Daixi is already a mortal enemy of our house. Having forged the karma of the Eighteen Buddhists, it can never be erased. Either our family beats him back into the north and eliminates him one day, or he brings about my death—of this there is no doubt. With our ties to Tinglan and Qiuhu on top of that, it is hardly surprising he would target me."
As he mused silently, Li Jiangqian bowed and said softly:
"Precisely so. In this junior's view, this matter is no bad thing..."
"Daixi is our family's enemy. With our clan's strength alone, we can neither endure his targeting nor eradicate him. Nor is he alone in the paradise of Kongwu Path; behind him stands Zhelu. The loss of the Eighteen Buddhists was a blow to Kongwu Path. Though Zhelu's hatred for our house is not as deep as Daixi's, the karmic connection remains tied to us."
"Kongwu Path is not Wrath Path! They may keep this matter concealed for now, but should they strike abruptly one day, persecuting our clan to claim what Buddhist cultivators call karmic retribution and ultimately giving rise to another Lianmin... that is entirely possible..."
"And what is happening in the north today is a golden opportunity—a chance to tie our family's enmity with Kongwu Path to the great tree of the Grand Sun lineage!"
At these words, several people nodded in contemplation. Li Quewan remarked thoughtfully:
"Brother means... so long as we can heavily wound Daixi this time, new hatred will eclipse old grudges, intensifying the conflict between the Grand Sun lineage and Kongwu Path while solidifying our ties with Ziyan and the Ning clan. That would be immensely advantageous."
"Exactly!"
Li Jiangqian bowed and said:
"If the Real Person had not returned this time, with Kongwu Path menacing from the north and the Grand Sun lineage offended in the south, we would have squandered goodwill on multiple fronts. How could our family maintain an independent foothold in Jiangnan thereafter?"
"Furthermore, the Grand Sun lineage is proud, and Xiukui Abbey is aloof. Once this matter concludes, should we face retaliation from Kongwu Path, our house will possess a legitimate reason to seek aid from the Grand Sun lineage! When Father breaks through, our standing will become even more secure!"
Qianlizi had pleaded earnestly for a long time without swaying Li Jiangqian in the slightest, yet with merely a few words from Kuiqi, Li Jiangqian had dared to summon Li Ximing back. He had his own calculations all along.
Li Ximing merely stroked his chin and nodded, musing inwardly:
*In this matter, I do not fear a disparity in numbers, only formations and ambushes. Fortunately, I have the Immortal Mirror. Once I arrive in the north and inspect the area with the mirror, many of the Buddhists' trump cards and ambushes will be laid bare.*
"Well said."
He chuckled and asked:
"How much impact have these events in Jiangbei had on the family?"
Seeing his demeanor, Li Jiangqian knew Li Ximing had taken his words to heart. He answered respectfully:
"Fortunately, nothing serious..."
He reported the events in full. Listening, Li Ximing nodded repeatedly and laughed:
"You see? The cultivators of Duxian Dao are simply inferior to our Wangyue; they have made such a mess of themselves!"
He praised Li Jiangqian, then swept his gaze over the clan members present.
Li Quewan had just broken through to Foundation Establishment, so her cultivation would see no changes in the short term. Li Jiangqian had clearly made significant progress and could attempt an assault on the mid stage, while Li Minggong had reached mid Foundation Establishment not long ago.
The key point was that none of them appeared to have ingested a talisman pill!
Li Jiangqian was not far from mid Foundation Establishment. If he could break through and then consume the pill, he should soon approach the threshold of late Foundation Establishment without arousing suspicion.
Moreover... Li Ximing had returned with the Tianyi Exuding Essence Pill.
*What an unfortunate coincidence—Minggong has already broken through to mid Foundation Establishment, and I do not know how this pill should be taken after breaking through... I will have to consult Tinglan later... If medicine meant for the Purple Mansion is given to a Foundation Establishment cultivator, their cultivation will surely surge. Paired with a talisman pill, we can at least push forward a direct-line late Foundation Establishment cultivator of our own first!*
Had Li Chengdao not died, he would certainly be at late Foundation Establishment by now. But under the circumstances, he could only push Li Minggong forward. She had only recently attained mid Foundation Establishment, so taking such pills would normally carry immense danger. Fortunately, talisman pills had no adverse side effects and could even stabilize one's cultivation. Consuming one first would make such rapid progress possible.
Tapping on the table, he settled the matter and spoke:
"Then it is decided. Have Cui Jueyin come over and accompany me on a trip to Xiukui Abbey to see how many people Kuiqi can muster. You need not spread word of my return; for now, simply watch and wait."
Chapter 887