Lin'an Commandery.
The domain of Great Xiukui Abbey leaned against the mountains and bordered the sea, an expanse of rolling hills nearly cut off from the outside world. Abbeys blanketed the peaks, and temples dotted the ground. Even if the cultivators within these sanctuaries could not set foot outside Lin'an Commandery, the lineage still adhered to ancient systems, allowing a hundred flowers to bloom, each governing its own affairs.
In the pitch-black night, a ray of bright light arrived from the north, drifting toward the central mountain range. Beneath it stood dense, towering forests—the mountain gate of Great Xiukui Abbey.
The bright light seemed slow yet moved with great speed, soon coalescing before the mountain gate into a man robed in white and gold, his expression leisurely and poised. At his side stood a polite, scholarly young man, poised with deference.
Li Ximing glanced over and saw a stone stele standing before the mountain gate, inscribed in bold, sprawling black strokes with two large characters:
[Huyi]
The inscription bore no signature and even appeared somewhat dim and lackluster. Waiting beneath the stele was a young man in black robes. The moment he caught sight of them, he bowed respectfully and said:
"Might you be Real Person Zhaojing of Lake Wangyue? My master instructed me to wait at the mountain gate to welcome your immortal presence."
Li Ximing gave a slight nod. Cui Jueyin stepped forward with a smile.
"Lead the way, please!"
The youth led them further back, and only then did the grand characters at the center of the mountain gate come into view:
[Taihang Calming the Sea]
To either side remained plinths and stone pillars like those of an ancient grand gateway, but the vertical plaques that should have hung on the left and right were nowhere to be seen. Only two stone pedestals of extraordinary material remained, hung with two lanterns of deep, dusky gold.
Li Ximing took in the sight, contemplating inwardly.
He had visited Mount Jiuqiu, where the mountain gate bore the inscription [Nine Paths of Taiqiu]. Seeing this [Taihang Calming the Sea], he had a good idea:
'Perhaps it is just like the Tongxuan lineage, where everything tends to lead with the character Xuan. Since Taiyang and Taiyin share a root, taking the character Tai is only natural.'
'Yet the Qingchi Sect... I've never heard of them having such a gate inscription... How strange.'
As for where the vertical plaques on either side had gone, asking would only invite embarrassment, so he simply pretended not to notice. Walking inward, the ancient stone pavers beneath their feet held a distinct air of antiquity, and Daoist banners fluttered in the breeze. Snow gradually began to fall. Upon reaching the very summit, he was astonished to see several Foundation Establishment cultivators chopping firewood, sweeping snow, and tending to the fields.
On the peak of a sect of this stature, space was never enough; lineages typically scrambled to carve out every scrap of land for disciples to enter secluded cultivation. Here, however, grew several tea trees—entirely devoid of spiritual qi, completely mundane plants.
Upon seeing Li Ximing, the Foundation Establishment cultivators paused and bowed, only to turn right back to their chores. Firewood spilled across the ground, and two Foundation Establishment cultivators dressed as menial laborers hurried over to gather it.
Cui Jueyin kept his eyes lowered as he followed, and seeing this, hastened forward to clear the path. In just a few paces, they reached the hall, where a black-robed Real Person was brewing tea amidst the snow. Smiling, he said:
"Zhaojing, you arrive right on time!"
Li Ximing had always known Xiukui Abbey held itself aloof, but had not realized their haughty detachment went to such lengths. Cui Jueyin brushed the snow from a seat for him, and Li Ximing accepted a cup of tea, sat down, and smiled:
"You must be Senior Kuiqi. Your great reputation precedes you; I hope to receive much guidance."
Kuiqi waved his hand in dismissal and replied:
"Zhaojing, you have come to lend your aid; it is our Xiukui Abbey who must thank you. Guidance is out of the question..."
Seeing Li Ximing nod, the Real Person finally brushed the snow from his robe and smiled gently:
"Years ago, when Donghuo Grotto-Heaven fell, our abbey had its share of gains. From it we obtained a precious pill—a treasure of Mingyang. Our lineage does not pursue this path, so in a few days I will have it delivered to you, Zhaojing, as a modest token of gratitude."
Profit was ever the most persuasive tongue. Kuiqi offered a pill right from the start, and Li Ximing did not decline, smiling:
"Then I truly thank you, Senior!"
When the two spoke of Donghuo Grotto-Heaven's fall, the one hurting most was undoubtedly Cui Jueyin. His ancestors' grotto-heaven had been carved up, and the Cui clan had not even been permitted to speak a single word. One could well imagine the desolation in his heart. Now, he could only keep his head bowed and eyes lowered, not daring to utter a sound.
Li Ximing discerned what was happening and waved a hand to dismiss him first.
"Ah," Kuiqi said, his tone turning solemn. "This pill was once inspected by Real Person Yuandao himself. A Mingyang Purple Mansion spiritual pill. Once swallowed, it can nurse the dharma body and suppress curse wounds. If taken during cultivation and convalescence, it can likely boost your divine abilities substantially... truly remarkable. Only certain ancient pills could surpass it."
Clearly, Kuiqi brought up such a pill to assure Li Ximing that whatever injuries he sustained in the upcoming clash could be mended with it, without hindering his cultivation.
'Substantially...'
Had Li Ximing heard this in earlier years, he would have been overjoyed. But he had grown accustomed to fine things overseas and had just consumed a pill to advance his cultivation, making it unsuitable to ingest another anytime soon. Thus, he felt a twinge of disappointment:
'Still, it's quite good. The other two spiritual pills I have weren't meant for advancing cultivation anyway; having this as a substitute saves me from squandering treasures. As for treating wounds... I have my own means.'
He sighed inwardly. Though he smiled, there was little visible wonder on his face. Seeing his demeanor, Kuiqi took note:
'It seems Li Ximing is no amateur in the Dao of alchemy... far from the half-baked dabblers common among the Purple Mansion. Ordinary spiritual pills won't easily impress him.'
Yet whether it could impress Li Ximing was one matter; with the bearing of Great Xiukui Abbey, having invited him to do battle, such a pill was the bare minimum courtesy. He stroked his beard and said:
"Divine abilities of the Purple Mansion are difficult to cultivate... Zhaojing, take a look at this."
With that, he drew a golden box from his sleeve and casually unlatched it. Inside lay a disk-shaped treasure, golden-yellow overall, inscribed with eight-directional talismans. A ring of delicate, pale-white incantations encircled the rim of the front, pulsing with a breathing cadence, while the center gleamed dazzlingly gold, as if a sun had tumbled into the box.
'A Mingyang spiritual artifact!'
This was something Li Ximing could not remain indifferent to. His gaze heated up immediately, and he cursed inwardly:
'What a Great Xiukui Abbey! I couldn't find a trace of a Mingyang spiritual artifact anywhere, yet he keeps one tucked in his sleeve like a common cabbage... Those whose ancestors were wealthy truly are cut from a different cloth.'
Covet it though he might, a spiritual artifact was exceedingly precious; the Real Person could not possibly be giving it to him for nothing. His eyes starved for it, yet Li Ximing merely exclaimed:
"What a fine treasure!"
Kuiqi tilted his head slightly and smiled:
"This is the Chongyang Star-Governing Treasure Plate, a spiritual artifact registered among Xiukui's treasuries. It is a superb artifact adept in both offense and defense. In this upcoming battle against the Buddhist cultivators, Zhaojing, take it with you first."
Li Ximing could hardly tear his eyes away. He listened as Kuiqi chuckled:
"Look at the front—it is the Chongyang Star-Governing Chart. It can release devastating Mingyang light, led by the Shangyao Star at its head. Held upright, its power is boundless. If rotated so that the Shangyao Star lies below and the Yangji Star above, holding the plate in reverse grants the power of stirring disordered stars to neutralize perils and escape entrapment."
He could not help sighing with feeling as he added:
"Back in the day, the ones who forged this plate were Su Jun and Chen Xuanli, fashioned as a symbol of the State of Ning acknowledging the legitimate rule of the Wei and recording time by the Wei calendar. For a time, it was the heirloom treasure of the Jiangbei Su clan. Later, when the Su clan fell, it passed from hand to hand until it came into our Xiukui Abbey."
Li Ximing nodded secretly. Kuiqi smiled nonchalantly, dropping a hint:
"I have heard that this spiritual artifact takes its forms from [Chiduan Arrowhead] and [Lord Treads the Precipice]. Not only are its divine abilities formidable, but it also offers great aid to one's cultivation. Once battle breaks out with the north, Zhaojing, you may experience it for yourself."
He continued with a smile:
"'Lihuo converges in perils, never exhausting and never overflowing; grasping fire at the cardinal throne, it forms neither elixirs nor vessels.' Formidable as Donghuo was, its paths of alchemy and artifact crafting were inferior to others after all. Leaving spirit treasures aside, the spiritual artifacts that tumbled from the grotto-heaven back then were actually not as fine as this one of mine."
Li Ximing picked up the disc-shaped spiritual artifact, admiring it fondly. Turning it over, he found the reverse side was smooth as a mirror, reflecting the heavy snow swirling across the sky.
'If I could study it...'
Li Ximing was still a long way from [Lord Treads the Precipice] and [Chiduan Arrowhead], but how could he not covet a Mingyang spiritual artifact? Still, since the man had stated it was a registered treasure of their abbey, it was awkward to ask for outright. He smiled:
"Truly extraordinary! Listening to Senior Kuiqi's words is worth ten years of reading the Daoist Canon."
This was no mere flattery. That single verse describing Lihuo laid bare the man's profound attainment. Li Ximing imbued the spiritual artifact with his divine ability, turning thoughts over in his mind:
'Once we fight, I'll see the artifact's might and test his intentions. If the price is too high for my clan to bear, I can always negotiate for an artifact from Donghuo Grotto-Heaven. Having an artifact in hand is far better than having none at all.'
Just as he was contemplating this, an old man walked out of the snow—clad in gray robes, carrying a sword on his back, his expression gentle and his features plain. Landing on the terrace, he cupped his hands:
"Fellow Daoist Kuiqi!"
His countenance was remarkably unassuming; were it not for the aura of his accomplished divine abilities, one might never suspect he was someone of consequence. He first greeted Kuiqi, then turned:
"Real Person Zhaojing! At last, we meet!"
This man was none other than the Real Person of the Yuyang Chen clan—one of the three immortal clans of the State of Yue—bearing the Daoist title Real Person Yushui: Chen Yin!
This Real Person was even older than Xiao Chuting, had mastered two divine abilities, and was well known for his swordsmanship. Li Ximing rose hurriedly and bowed in greeting:
"Greetings, Senior!"
When Chen Yin attained Purple Mansion, the Li clan had likely been little more than small rural landlords; this address of "Senior" was well earned. Chen Yin stepped aside, smiling meaningfully:
"We should have met long ago!"
Li Ximing sighed softly with emotion and nodded:
"Indeed... Back when I was striving to attain Purple Mansion, Chen Xuanyu of your esteemed clan provided help. I still remember that debt. Our two houses have always walked the same path..."
Li Ximing's Mingfang Sky Stone had been obtained from Wang Fu, and Chen Yin had dispatched Chen Xuanyu to assist at the time. Though it had only been a competition of interests rather than pure goodwill toward the Li family, the Chen clan was currently on poor terms with Changxiao Gate, making them an unquestionable potential ally for the Li family.
Hearing this, Chen Yin sighed:
"Xuanyu is an exceptional talent in our family. He is currently in secluded cultivation and has yet to break through; who knows how many years it will take!"
Kuiqi waited with a smile until the two finished catching up, then withdrew his gaze and rose to his feet. Chen Yin said in a deep voice:
"I have already inquired. Real Person Zhusheng of the Southern Border is away from his estate, but Fellow Daoist Luo was quite eager and has already gone ahead to Jiangbei."
Kuiqi was somewhat surprised and replied:
"Real Person Zhusheng is indeed in an awkward position, likely because of that clan on Beidan. But that man surnamed Luo actually dares to come? So be it. It's just as well that he has the nerve. Those demonic cultivators only trim their sails to the wind anyway—they're of no real use."
By referring to him so casually, it was evident the man did not follow an orthodox path, falling into the same category of those he held in lowest regard, much like Zhugong. After all, tracing their roots upward, the Li clan were imperial scions of an immortal dynasty, and today they were an acclaimed orthodox lineage whose ancestors had died battling Buddhist cultivators for generations. Only that earned them Kuiqi's gentle regard. How could some obscure demonic cultivator ever find favor in his eyes?
Precisely because of this, even when coming to assist, that man did not dare visit the mountain gate of Great Xiukui Abbey. Instead, he had hurried off to Jiangbei to wait, clearly harboring no small amount of fear and vigilance.
After Kuiqi finished speaking, Chen Yin shook his head:
"He merely wants to curry favor with Real Person Qiuhu, being in desperate need of the Si family's lineage. A barefoot man has nothing to lose against those wearing shoes. When the time comes, if he ducks into the south, even the Kongwu Path won't be able to touch him."
Kuiqi nodded, indicating his understanding. Li Ximing could not resist asking:
"What about Senior Houfu...?"
Kuiqi shook his head:
"When True Monarchs clash, the mortal realm suffers. The lands of Shu are stricken by severe drought, and the demonic cultivators of the Western Plateau are pushing east again. Strictly speaking, the matter isn't our responsibility, but those demonic cultivators are descendants of Shaoyang. Our Taiyang lineage branched from Shaoyang, and by ancestral rule we take turns guarding the Western Plateau. It has fallen to Xiukui, and since our sect still has strength to spare, Houfu had to go. He cannot be lightly moved."
He was visibly pressed for time. As soon as he finished explaining, his expression turned stern:
"Time is short, so I will not say much more. This time, I have asked Fellow Daoist Ling Mei to hold the rear for us, and several Real Persons in Jiangbei will also judge the situation and join the fray. Now, bearing my Xiukui's spiritual artifact... we must slaughter a few Lianmin to consecrate our banners!"
His expression gradually turned cold, his voice dropping low:
"Back when the Buddhist cultivators entered Xu, we fought a battle against them. Xiuyue beat them until they cried for their mothers and fathers, laying an ambush that eliminated Jingzhan, the one most aggressive in pushing southward. Only then did they restrain themselves for several decades. In the dispute between north and south, several Mohe suffered setbacks, yet no blood was spilled, and now they dare push their luck!
"If we don't beat the brains out of those Buddhist dogs, they'll end up walking all over the lineages of Jiangnan!"
With a dark scowl, he stepped into the Great Void, the other two following close behind. Li Ximing glanced quietly toward Real Person Yushui, Chen Yin. The old man kept his eyelids drooped, letting out an almost imperceptible sigh.
......
Jiangbei.
Dark clouds hung heavy as torrential rain continued to pour without pause. The deluge grew increasingly terrifying. While Baijiang Creek fared somewhat better, downstream, Baiye Creek and Baihai Creek had breached their dykes and shifted course multiple times, claiming the lives of an untold number of commoners.
Only because the Great River flowed eastward and the Salt Lake connected to the East Sea did water levels fluctuate little, leaving Jiangnan largely unaffected. The Purple Mansion cultivators traveled north all the way. Seeing the land around Baiye Creek strewn with floating corpses, Kuiqi's face darkened, his mood souring even further. After staring for a long while, he spat out:
"What a sin! How densely populated Jiangbei once was, yet in this impoverished wasteland not a single household remains. Aside from a few prominent clans, there are practically no common folk left to speak of!"
Naturally, neither man dared take up his words. Upon reaching the territory of Mount Xiaoshi, they did not reveal their forms. Kuiqi drew several ink-black jade talismans, pinched his fingers to divine their course, and signaled with his eyes. Chen Yin then crushed a talisman, evidently summoning the Real Person who had come to reinforce them.
While deducing with his divine ability and quietly observing, Kuiqi let out a breath and turned his head to murmur:
"We are bound to encounter Daixi first. Leave him to Senior Yushui; a sword cultivator can always handle him more cleanly. As for those Lianmin, leave them to Zhaojing. Zhugong eliminated one, so four should remain.
"There's no need to count on that man surnamed Luo. Zhelu will certainly dispatch reinforcements, but unless he personally intervenes, none are to be feared!"
He warned them with utmost gravity:
"Our only true concern is the Three Retributions World-Entering Lotus. That treasure artifact is no longer what it used to be. After years of refinement, even I might fall victim to it if caught unaware. Whatever happens, hold back ten or twenty percent of your strength!"
Chapter 888