Li Ximing likewise stood bathed in the setting sun. Shifting the brocade box from his left hand into his right, he weighed it a couple of times. He could hardly hold it steady, yet felt reluctant to stow it back into his sleeve. Lowering his brows, he muttered, "How could it be in Jiangbei? To think it would actually be in Jiangbei."
His white-gold Daoist robes fluttered in the dying sunlight, appearing somewhat dim. Pondering those words, he mumbled, "What if... what if she actually succeeds?"
The two watched for a while before Li Zhouwei turned his head slightly toward Shanji Commandery. All within Muquan Gate lay shrouded in gloom, and alongside it, Ziyan Gate was entirely quiet and soundless. No cultivators could be seen ascending into the air, nor was anyone traveling west.
The sky darkened rapidly. The two silently settled back down by the table. A brisk river breeze blew past. Li Ximing set down the brocade box first and met Li Zhouwei's gaze, merely sipping his tea.
Back then, there were three candidates from the Kong clan attempting the breakthrough. After all the twists and turns, only Kong Tingyun remained. Everyone had speculated that she was in secluded cultivation in the East Sea, or even suspected she was doing so under Xuanyi's protection, with no news for so long... Now, it had finally become clear.
Now Li Ximing could only let out a breath and reply, "It is indeed in Jiangbei..."
Li Zhouwei stared at the brocade box on the table without speaking, yet the unsaid implication had already served as a reminder. Real Person Zhaojing set down his teacup in exasperation. "We've already gotten too close."
Once upon a time, Li Ximing had hoped that Kong Tingyun would break through in time, become a Real Person, and settle the affairs of Xuanyue Gate... Yet after lingering on its last legs for all those years, Xuanyue Gate had already collapsed with a crash, filling the stomachs of several factions. In fact, to put it bluntly, though the Li clan primarily protected the bloodline of the Kong clan, they had also claimed no small share of the spoils. If nothing else, even the grand array on the islet belonged to the Kong clan!
Now that old acquaintances had withered away and the world had completely changed... Kong Tingyun was hardly someone of shallow scheming. How could they ever explain themselves cleanly?
Seeing Li Zhouwei staring at the brocade box, Li Ximing's earlier joy had completely evaporated. He looked upon the box as a scorching hot potato, feeling conflicted to the extreme.
'The matter with Zhugong... comes right at this critical juncture...'
Li Zhouwei glanced at him, poured him some tea, and said in a low voice, "The place is in Jiangbei. Neither Granduncle nor I can go, nor can Tinglan and Zhugong... What is happening exactly is also unclear. By Granduncle's judgment, what are her chances?"
Li Ximing shook his head and sighed. "Not low... That old man Changxi had his schemes. To sacrifice Kong Haiying and leave a backup plan in Jiangbei, he must have planned carefully!"
Li Zhouwei asked softly, "And on Master Zhugong's end...?"
Seeing Li Ximing's bitter expression and silent shake of his head, Li Zhouwei said in a slightly deeper tone, "We have no choice but to save her!"
Li Ximing felt a jolt in his heart and composed himself. Li Zhouwei said with a solemn expression, "If Kong Tingyun succeeds, matters will be far from simple. It is true that the Violet Palace cultivators sat down together that day to carve up Xuanyue, but the villain who took the blame was Ye Gui! As long as the truth isn't exposed, Granduncle was, after all, ambushed while trying to protect the Kong clan, and she fled far to the East Sea—so on the surface, courtesy and appearances can at least be maintained... We can ask about the grand array, and consult Tinglan in all things. To put it bluntly, compared to Kong Tingyun, we still cannot afford to offend the Taiyang orthodox lineage.
"Behind Zhugong stand Tinglan and Houfu. No one is blind; the Xuanyue lineage has already been divided among the Taiyang lineage for all to see, so they will certainly deduce that it is her... Were it not for this phenomenon, refusing to lend my blood wouldn't have been a major issue, and Tinglan could understand. But with this happening right now, refusing to lend my blood would instead make things suspicious.
"Our family has always had close ties with the Kong clan, which easily invites suspicion. Master Zhugong would likely only think our family has shifted allegiance and wishes for her early death!"
Li Zhouwei's golden pupils were reflected in the tea, appearing deep and somber. "In truth, if she died, then so be it—it might even be better. But Violet Palace cultivators are stubborn and resilient; she likely won't even die, at most losing her physical body and fleeing back to the East Sea... If she ends up harboring resentment toward our family, it would send chills down one's spine."
Li Ximing sighed gloomily and replied, "Things have truly come to such a pass!"
Li Zhouwei turned his cup, his expression rather grave. "I only fear that once Kong Tingyun emerges from seclusion and finds both sect and clan destroyed, the hatred in her heart will be monstrous. She may not dare challenge the Taiyang lineage, but holding Zhugong accountable would be a simple matter. If they clash, it will be hard for us to find a place to stand."
Li Ximing pondered for a couple of breaths before answering, "The way I see it, we certainly cannot stay out of this. Striving to ease and delay the escalation of conflict between the two sides is the only thing we can do, and it is also what Tinglan and Houfu wish to see..."
His expression gradually grew calm, and he whispered, "We must protect Kong Guxi and Kong Xiaxiang. Only when the words come from their mouths will they carry weight."
Li Zhouwei gave a slight nod and answered, "I leave the weighing of this matter to Granduncle."
With a flick of his finger, he splashed away the tea in the cup, leaving behind an empty jade vessel. He then turned his hand over, revealing a fingertip as white as jade that faintly gleamed with the luster of white stone.
At a thought, a slit split open on his fingertip, revealing a glimpse of pale bone. After waiting a few breaths, a single drop of pale-golden blood tinged with red dripped from it.
The moment this blood left his body, it solidified round as a pill and hard as stone, landing in the jade cup with the crisp clink of porcelain on stone. It spun two revolutions before settling motionless.
The brilliance of Mingyang divine ability surged forth, quickly pouring in to dye the jade cup in white-gold hues. All the divine ability's mana was sealed within. Examined closely, it truly had the look of a fine treasure.
Li Ximing sighed repeatedly and asked with concern, "Is there any harm to you?"
Li Zhouwei smiled and shook his head, showing no apparent change on his face, only saying, "It is merely a drop of blood. Replenishing it with a Linguang Zhaoyi Pill and taking a bit of time will set it right. The essence blood drawn by the dragonkind back then was the truly vital portion, and even then there were Violet Palace spiritual materials to make up for it. Now, one or two pills will suffice."
Li Ximing felt truly embarrassed. He pushed the brocade box into Li Zhouwei's hands, took out several healing pills to give him, and said, "I always hoped not to burden you, but looking at the situation, it truly cannot be avoided..."
"Granduncle jests."
Li Zhouwei shook his head, brought out a jade box, and pushed it across along with the brocade box, answering, "Within this box is the Linguang Huiyang Divine Scroll, gifted by Real Person Tianhuo and obtained by the Jinyu Sect from the Donghuo Grotto-Heaven. It is what the Taiyang lineage calls the Illumined Qilin Refinement Method. The item is useless in my hands; Granduncle should take it."
Li Zhouwei's words referred to both items at once. Hearing this, Li Ximing was momentarily taken aback and hesitated, but Li Zhouwei rose with a smile, brought out the Huayang King Battleax, and answered, "This cannot compare to a spiritual weapon."
Li Ximing chuckled helplessly and had no choice but to open the jade box. Inside, the golden scroll bore patterns woven at all four corners like gold brocade, covered densely with profound characters. As soon as it rested in his hand, its texture was delicate and soft. Unable to pull his eyes away, he said in slight astonishment, "This is truly a fine treasure!"
Li Zhouwei was not versed in alchemy and did not know the value of the Linguang Huiyang Divine Scroll. Li Ximing only skimmed it briefly, and everything became clear in his mind.
The author of the Linguang Huiyang Divine Scroll was named Cui E, though it was unknown which era he belonged to. He was truly extraordinarily gifted with astounding alchemy skills, also cultivating the Mingyang orthodox lineage and commanding superb methods of profound pill refinement.
This scroll was the culmination of his life's insights, recording three pill-refining methods in total: Illumined Qilin, Phoenix Spreading Wings, and Emptiness-Nature Shared Form.
Among them, Illumined Qilin and Phoenix Spreading Wings were both extremely profound pill methods. The former utilized the Mingyang authority of growth and genesis to aid pill formation, detailing six Mingyang pills and three Lihuo pills! They covered everything from healing and cultivation to preservation... and even pills for escape.
The other, Phoenix Spreading Wings, formed pills through the Mingyang principles of father and son. In essence, its principles were quite similar to the Feather-Embracing Heart-Harmonizing Pill Li Ximing had once refined for Huoyang in the Hall of Limian in the Kingdom of Zhuluo.
However, this divine scroll expounded extensively across hundreds of thousands of words, far more intricate than what Li Ximing had hastily derived on the fly based on the Heavenly Mind Unified Intent method. It sought to refine genuine spiritual pills that could take center stage, rather than merely duping that Boruoduo monster.
As for the so-called Emptiness-Nature Shared Form, it was a step further upon that foundation, resembling a simplified Mingyang version of Heavenly Mind Unified Intent. Li Ximing glanced over it twice; had he not previously obtained Heavenly Mind Unified Intent, Emptiness-Nature Shared Form would undoubtedly have been of immense value, but now it seemed of little use.
When writing this divine scroll, Cui E clearly had little lifespan remaining, yet he had still lamented:
'Among the Three Profound, alchemy belongs to Douxuan. I once heard that beneath Wanling stood four palaces, known as the Four Secret Pill Arts, yet they have long faded into obscurity. If I could obtain but one to study thoroughly, I would have no regrets in this life!'
Clearly, Cui E had also known that predecessors had researched pill methods like Heavenly Mind Unified Intent, and he had harbored quiet regret.
'Senior Cui E was clearly seeking a higher breakthrough in the Dao of Alchemy, but in the end, it still falls short of the Mifan Sect's Heavenly Mind Unified Intent.'
'The Four Secret Alchemy Daos should be the inheritance of Douxuan pill methods... Jiangnan has the two secrets of Mipan and Mifan; the remaining ones must be elsewhere.'
Li Ximing read it closely, then turned the Linguang Huiyang Divine Scroll over in his hands. He found it fine and soft, its material exceptional—likely refined with Violet Palace spiritual materials so that it would remain unchanged for centuries.
"With this scroll, most of the Mingyang resources we obtain can be targeted to form pills!"
He stored it away with great satisfaction. Li Zhouwei looked at him a few times and reminded him, "Granduncle, how is your divine ability cultivation progressing now?"
Li Ximing started slightly and replied, "These past days I haven't been troubled by injuries or battles, only rather busy. With the Monarch's Scrutiny Illuminating Heart Scripture, I've only just ingested the qi; there are still several years before foundation establishment... let alone refining the immortal foundation to perfection."
Li Zhouwei was slightly puzzled. After hesitating, he said, "Granduncle's cultivation speed was originally extremely fast. Could it be that battling Helian Wujiang injured your qi sea? The diverse arts are important, but completing your life divine ability early to protect your life cannot be neglected either."
From his sleeve, he took out the Linguang Zhaoyi Pills sent over by Xiukui Abbey some days ago. Keeping one for himself, he handed the rest over and said solemnly, "The Linguang Zhaoyi Pill is meant for daily cultivation. Saving these pills is not as good as using them."
Li Ximing sighed and answered, "Matters have truly been strained on all fronts. When things were needed, I sought to earn some resources first, yet I also feared getting injured in battle and wasting my cultivation, so I kept putting it off... Once the matters at hand are settled, I shall enter seclusion for a few years!"
He smiled, and was just about to ride his light away when he saw Li Zhouwei stop him with a slight motion, issuing a command in a low voice, "Go invite my clan brother up!"
Li Ximing raised an eyebrow. A handsome man in red robes flew up the mountain, bowed to both sides, and smiled, "Greetings to Grandfather and Elder Brother!"
"Oh?"
Li Ximing's face now showed visible joy. Sipping his tea with a smile, he merely said, "So our Fifth Young Master has made something of himself."
"Grandfather flatters me too much!"
Li Zhouming had never actually seen Li Ximing joke before. For a moment, not only was he at a loss, but he even felt embarrassed to death. He answered stiffly, but Li Zhouwei chuckled, "Fifth Brother broke through and emerged from seclusion, punting a boat and singing aloud—quite making a name for himself."
Having his little vanity teased by two Real Persons, Li Zhouming uncharacteristically blushed. After offering several greetings and insisting he could not match ten-thousandth of the Real Persons, Li Ximing was quietly pleased and laughed, "I still have a few matters unresolved. Once I settle them, I will return to test your progress."
Although pleased, Li Ximing feared something might happen to the Kong family after all, so he dared not delay and departed early. Li Zhouming hesitated to speak; having rarely seen him, he felt a bit forlorn and stood woodenly to the side.
'A white horse gallops over the western ridges; the descendant waits to ascend to immortality...'
Li Zhouwei savored the thought for a moment, bade his clan brother sit down, and understood clearly in his heart: 'He does indeed possess karmic fortune. As soon as Uncle Chengzhi passed away, he entered seclusion and broke through, subtly conforming to the Mingyang Dao of the son advancing upon the father's death. Furthermore, with an elder brother and grandfather possessing divine abilities, who can decide the livelihood of ten thousand people with a single word... all of this adds to his momentum...'
***
Muquan Gate.
The night was thick, the mountain forest pitch-black.
Li Ximing journeyed toward Shanji Commandery and soon entered the mountain gate. Finding the surroundings quiet, he descended all the way to the mountain summit. Before the cave abode, the trees rustled in silence.
Yet on this dim mountain summit, a middle-aged man knelt on the steps below, his figure almost completely engulfed by the dense woods and appearing dark and shadowy. Fortunately, the dharma lamps nearby had already lit of their own accord, casting fragmented, dappled light through the gaps in the trees onto his face, illuminating his burning eyes.
Li Ximing had seen this man a few times before. Although he looked somewhat different now, Li Ximing recognized him instantly. Pausing slightly in his stride, he turned half around and looked down.
'Clever enough.'
That single glance prompted the middle-aged man to raise his head immediately, yet he softened his motion just as quickly, daring not let his gaze rise above Li Ximing's knees. His voice trembled slightly, "Xiaxiang pays respects to the Real Person!"
This man was the youngest generation of Foundation Establishment in the Kong clan—Kong Xiaxiang.
The ends of his once-arrogant, upturned brows now drooped, and the corners of his eyes wore an air of dejection. The spirited, easily angered, impetuous, and resolute face of his youth had completely lost its luster, turned pale and gaunt with deeply sunken eyes.
In a mere dozen or so years, life in Muquan Gate had thoroughly smoothed away his sharp edges. The vitality of his youth was gone beyond recovery, leaving only a sorrowful skin draped over frightened flesh and bone.
As a young direct descendant of the Kong clan, he had naturally taken on a marriage alliance, wedding a direct daughter of Muquan Gate. For all these years, Kong Guxi had been sent abroad overseas for most of the time, leaving him as the representative of the Kong clan's direct line; every friction and bump ended up falling upon his shoulders.
Now, seeing the towering phenomenon surging into the sky from the north, he felt both shocked and suspicious. Kneeling before the steps, he trembled so much he could hardly speak.
Li Ximing looked at him. From his complexion alone, Li Ximing could tell that during the years Zhugong had been missing and in seclusion, she had lacked the energy to keep order, and the guest elders of Muquan Gate had given him endless torment. He asked, "How is Kong Guxi?"
A flush of crimson abruptly rushed across Kong Xiaxiang's face. He replied in a low voice, "This humble one... this humble one does not know."
"Why did you come up here?"
The man pressed his head against the ground, seemingly both gnashing his teeth and weeping. He kowtowed with immense force and answered, "This humble one... is afraid..."
Li Ximing paused for only an instant before continuing his stride into the cave abode. As he stepped into the vacant dwelling, the dharma lamps on both sides flickered instantly, casting bright light down beneath the steps. The mountaintop remained quiet, save for a faint, distant voice echoing in the air, "Then keep kneeling here. Once you endure through it, you won't be afraid anymore."
Li Ximing made his way inside and found that Tinglan was nowhere to be seen. Within the cave abode, only the leisurely figure of Real Person Shanbai compounding spiritual medicines remained; staying detached from the matter, he looked calm and utterly composed.
From the empty inner chamber faintly came Zhugong's violent coughing and the sound of spitting blood. Vivid red petals rushed out of the cave along with a warm breeze, whistling ceaselessly.
The old Real Person beside him stilled the wind with his divine ability. His eyes beneath white brows quietly regarded Li Ximing. Evidently aware as well, he said in an aged voice, "Tinglan went to Xiukui to discuss an urgent matter... as Zhaojing must have expected. She only instructed me... once you arrived, to cooperate with you fully."
Li Ximing smiled faintly. The old man said quietly, "In the end, amid the vicissitudes and rises and falls of the world, everyone has their difficulties."
Li Ximing shook his head in silence, retrieved the jade cup from his sleeve, placed it on the old man's table, and replied, "I entrust this to Senior... Let us settle this as soon as possible."
Chapter 941