This man was clad in green robes tied with golden tassels, his figure slender and tall, long blue-black hair fluttering in the snowy wind, appearing remarkably ethereal amidst the frozen snowfall—bearing the exact likeness of the figure in the painting!
His smiling eyes gleamed with blue-violet light, harboring the vitality and spirit of divine abilities that suffused his entire being; it was truly the final, defining touch, adding ten thousand measures of demonic eccentricity and otherworldly grace.
[Sui Guan].
Li Wushao stood quietly and respectfully where he was without the slightest abnormality, as though the one who had taken the scroll from his hands was Li Zhouwei or Li Ximing, silently awaiting instructions.
'This!'
Li Ximing had already risen in the pavilion, on high alert as if facing a mortal enemy. His lips were pressed tightly together, looking exceedingly tense as he sensed the nearly terrifying Lushui divine ability emanating from the man, the heavenly light between his brows dimming slightly.
'Speak of him, and here he is! Was he lurking nearby earlier? Did he hear everything that was said?'
'Did he come for Minghuang... or did he notice something unusual?'
Li Zhouwei was not as surprised as his granduncle, seemingly having anticipated this to some degree. He rose now to show respect, gave a slight nod, and lowered his gaze:
"Li Zhouwei, Minghuang of the Li clan of Lake Wangyue, greets the Grand Real Person."
Only then did Sui Guan shift his gaze from the painting, wearing a playful expression as he casually placed the scroll back into Li Wushao's hands, his blue-violet pupils slowly drifting over.
"Oh?"
His handsome face turned toward the golden-eyed young man, and he asked:
"To this day, there are still families keeping hook snakes? It seems it was for the hook upon the tail."
Only then did the shock in Li Ximing's heart slowly recede, his expression swiftly softening as he said courteously:
"Wushao was a spirit beast of our forebears. Back when our clan was weak and fragile, he rendered many meritorious services and is now a guest elder of our clan; it cannot be called 'keeping' by any means."
Most hook snakes had no impressive origins, let alone hook snakes of the Fushui path. Sui Guan shook his head and remarked:
"Remarkable! I wondered why those little fellows from Jiutian Pavilion were so enthusiastic. It turns out to be a trusted demon beast of the inner circle, so that explains it... It is rare indeed for a Fushui hook snake to possess such innate talent... and 'Chaohanyu' at that."
The two understood his words with crystal clarity—this man had been listening right beside them while Quan Yuduan and his junior brother were talking. A chill quietly gripped their hearts:
'...All these Lushui cultivators share the same disposition... Not only are they sharp-witted, but they are also masters of concealment... It\'s just that the bastard Chi Buzi is more sinister and unscrupulous, whereas this fellow has a bit more overbearing arrogance...'
Sui Guan's face showed little expression, but he stepped forward, sat down by the round table in the pavilion, and said with a smile:
"No need to stand on ceremony. Be seated, both of you."
The moment he sat down, Li Wushao stepped forward naturally to pour tea, filling the cups for all three Real Persons. Li Ximing stole a glance at him and found his expression natural and his eyes clear, showing no sign whatsoever of being bewitched by divine abilities.
'What a formidable destiny divine ability... Though it would be improper to probe with divine abilities right in front of him, this expression and these actions seem entirely genuine, without the slightest flaw!'
While he quietly observed Li Wushao, Li Zhouwei looked at this renowned Grand Real Person of Luyu Heaven. Resting a hand on his teacup, he silently pondered:
'His cultivation is not concealed in the least, displayed openly for all to see; he is a great adept who commands all five methods. Yet he wears no luxurious adornments, quite unlike the one from Mount Luoxia...'
In cultivation alone, Sui Guan was nearly on par with the one from Mount Luoxia. But battles were seldom determined by cultivation alone; divine abilities, pedigree, spells, and spiritual implements mattered just as much. Though Sui Guan made no outward display, judging by his ageless visage and rumors linking him to the Golden Core, even the one from Mount Luoxia would have to think twice.
Before either of them could speak, the Grand Real Person gazed into the clear tea, his look turning somewhat intriguing as his voice deepened:
"I hear... the Li clan has a divine ability cultivator serving under the dragonkin... I wonder if there is still contact between you?"
Though no one spoke openly of the relationship between Du Qing and the dragonkin, the incident of the True Chi swallowing the Feathered Snake back then was known to all under heaven. Heshui's aggressive drive to annex Lushui went without saying. Ever since this Lushui True Monarch attained his Dao Fruit, rumors persisted that he dared not step outside Jiangnan. Naturally, their relations could not possibly be cordial!
Hearing this, Li Ximing inwardly cried out in dismay, but Li Zhouwei answered:
"Back then, the dragonkin disseminated the Cloud-Moored Lightning Strategy Method Dao. An elder of our family obtained it by chance and had no choice but to venture deep into the East Sea, where she transformed into lightning. Since then, there has been no news or correspondence whatsoever!"
Sui Guan smiled:
"That is fine indeed. Li Qinghong—one rainbow, one cloud. Beijia is truly enjoying good days, but what a pity there are no great figures under heaven, allowing one or two vile dragons to have smooth sailing in the East Sea!"
Li Ximing was originally going to respond, but at these words he clamped his mouth shut, staring straight ahead and acting as if he had heard nothing. Sui Guan, however, remarked with a touch of dry humor:
"You need not fear that I'll go make trouble for her. Given the current situation, not to mention me going to the East Sea, even Du Qing wouldn't run off to the East Sea, nor could he be bothered to.
"Others care about face, but Beijia is the most shameless of all. Back then, he had the gall to shamelessly ask the Immortals for an honorary title; lying in wait in the inner sea for Du Qing is something he might very well do."
After these words, not only did Li Ximing quietly lower his head, but even Li Zhouwei found it awkward to respond, and could only change the subject rather stiffly.
"May I ask what guidance the Grand Real Person has in gracing us with your presence?"
Li Zhouwei inquired, and Sui Guan took a sip of tea before replying:
"Naturally, I came looking for you!"
He said with an amused smile:
"When I emerged from Luyu Heaven, what an enormous turmoil it was. It wasn't easy getting people to order around, yet now they've all been squandered away, and that pack of pigs and dogs in the north is pressing aggressively. It is thoroughly displeasing."
The smile in his eyes finally began to fade, revealing a sharp, cutting chill. The falling snow outside the pavilion was not granted a single moment to drift, held frozen outside a certain boundary—clearly enveloped by his divine ability, undetectable to ordinary mortals.
"Now, I wish to cross the river to attend to some business and clean up the scenery a little."
As these words left his mouth, a shiver ran through both men's hearts.
Though Sui Guan casually dropped Du Qing's name and tossed around words like Beijia and vile dragons, for so many years everyone had viewed him as the extension of the Lushui True Monarch's will, seeing his actions as carrying Du Qing's bidding. The implications of this were profound indeed.
'Could this Lushui True Monarch truly be intending to take up the banner of the Taiyang lineage once more?'
"May I ask... what arrangements the Grand Real Person has in mind?"
Sui Guan looked at the small cup in his hand and smiled:
"I want your Li clan to cross the river.
"Not only your Li clan, but the Taiyang lineage must cross the river, and the Qingchi Sect must cross the river as well."
Though his face was full of smiles, those blue-violet eyes were dark and fathomless, like a clear pond that seemed transparent yet possessed no bottom, swallowing all light.
Li Zhouwei remained silent for a moment before asking in a low voice:
"Does the Grand Real Person intend to engage the north in a contest of arts?"
Sui Guan chuckled:
"What contest of arts or no contest of arts!"
When these words were spoken, the pavilion became so silent that not a shred of noise remained. The Grand Real Person slowly rose to his feet, paced two steps within the pavilion, and gazed at the frozen snowfall filling the sky outside, saying calmly:
"Within a year or half a year, Qi Lanyan will inevitably stir up conflict. I want him to slam headfirst into the iron wall of Shanji, only to be thrown back, losing Xuanmiao in the process..."
Though a smile lingered on his face, one could not tell how much truth lay in his words. Even as he spoke, he took the scroll from Li Wushao's hands and answered:
"I only need your participation, and for the Li family to field a few more capable cultivators."
By "capable cultivators," he clearly did not mean Embryonic Breathing or Qi Refining; it would have to be Foundation Establishment at the very least.
The two pondered in silence. Sui Guan turned his head on his own, taking up the scroll once again.
Then, plucking an ink brush out of thin air, he dipped its tip lightly into the tea within his cup, unrolled the painting, and lightly dotted twice upon the empty pupils.
*Drip!*
Instantly, the sound of Lushui stirred, dripping incessantly as though cavern springs were gushing forth and clouds and rain were rising and falling. A humid vapor spread outward, forming overlapping layers of pale green mist in the air.
Within the two empty eye sockets, blue-violet pupils suddenly appeared. The dab of green originally added to the garments to indicate color spread rapidly, completing every shade. The entire painting sprang to life in an instant, as if Sui Guan himself stood inside it.
"Ning Wan will arrive first. When the time comes, the Li clan and Qingchi will cross the river to pin them down along the way, and those rogue Violet Palace cultivators will all be arranged together."
Holding the upper rod with one hand, he gently and meticulously rolled the painting back up, binding it with the silk ribbon once more to make it neat and elegant before setting it on the table.
Li Zhouwei watched silently, the light in his eyes flickering as he faintly sensed the surging power of Lushui upon the scroll. Meanwhile, Sui Guan had already turned away, slowly sauntering down the steps, his voice laced with playful amusement:
"Has your family... been pressed against the riverbank by those figures from the north... without developing any temper at all? Count them off one by one. If there's anyone you find an eyesore, invite him to look at the painting when the time comes."
Before his voice finished echoing, the green-robed man had already vanished. The frozen snowfall between heaven and earth resumed its flow, and the howling chill wind blew into the pavilion, causing tiny ripples across the tea.
*Caw!*
From afar, the long, drawn-out cry of a winter crow embellished the snowfall as it regained its vitality. The cacophony of the world resurfaced, and all was no longer held in stillness and silence.
"Phew..."
Li Ximing let out a heavy breath. Seeing that Li Wushao still noticed nothing amiss and stood quietly by his side, he said:
"Withdraw for now."
Li Wushao bowed and quickly stepped down. Only the two Real Persons remained in the snowy pavilion. As faint heavenly light descended over them, the courtyard was instantly empty.
Riding the light, the two quickly materialized within the Cloud-Gathering Tiannan Array on Hanyun Peak, causing the lanterns on both sides to glow slightly brighter. Li Ximing glanced at the scroll in his hand; naturally, he did not open it, casually passing it over. Li Zhouwei found a separate secret vault to hang it for now, and the two vanished once more in silence.
With a flash of their figures, they emerged inside the inner sanctum of their own Violet Palace array. Li Ximing lowered his eyes slightly, only now daring to speak, shaking his head with a sigh:
"This world... truly has few safe places left!
"Sui Guan's command... Tinglan and Master Houfu will surely find it hard to refuse... What is more, Qi Lanyan's business was originally their headache; how could they possibly not agree? This matter is practically set in stone."
Li Zhouwei nodded and pondered:
"Though we do not know what his true motive is, as long as Sui Guan is willing to make a move, the situation will be entirely different... We must make our preparations."
His golden eyes were filled with contemplation. Li Ximing said in a low voice:
"His visit this time was most likely for the sake of this trump-card scroll. First, taking advantage of how difficult you are to divine, he can catch the north off guard; second... only secondarily did he come to meet you.
"As for this matter... I suspect I needn't get involved..."
The two of them were of the same mind. Li Zhouwei's expression turned grave as he said in a low voice:
"Granduncle's words make eminent sense. It has long been said that his behavior is eccentric and that he is likely not human; how much of his words can be trusted? If this Lushui figure is dissatisfied with Mount Luoxia's maneuvers and making petty moves in secret, he was never one to care for his subordinates anyway. Serving as pawns in the game between these two sides, how many among them right now will meet a good end? Granduncle must by no means get involved.
"In his words, he mainly wants me, since I am the one least subject to divination. At most, Granduncle can guard the lake to prepare for contingencies."
Li Zhouwei calculated slightly and continued:
"Fortunately, according to his arrangements, there is still a year or half a year, which is barely enough time to attempt touching the immortal base... More importantly, Dasheng should be about ready to come out of the furnace. At least I won't have to fight them bare-handed."
Li Zhouwei had clashed with the north once or twice, and though he had not suffered much of a loss, fighting bare-handed was truly suffocating. Facing an even fiercer battle in the near future, having a weapon was naturally best.
Li Ximing quietly recounted the matter of Qize. Li Zhouwei merely said:
"A year and more is also enough time for Granduncle to finish handling affairs in the East Sea and return to cultivate. Furthermore, our methods now far surpass the past; even if something happens within the realm, we can know it from thousands of li away."
Seeing Li Ximing looking over thoughtfully, Li Zhouwei lowered his voice:
"Our family possesses the Sun and Moon Shining Together Heavenly Domain, which is more miraculous than anyone else's grotto-heaven. No matter where one is, as long as it is safe, one can ascend to the heavenly domain. Once something happens inland and I gain a moment's respite, I can crush a jade talisman as a signal, enter the heavenly domain, meet with Granduncle thousands of li away, and discuss things thoroughly."
Though they could not transmit voice across thousands of li, doing so through the grotto-heaven ingeniously solved the problem. Li Ximing smiled:
"This method is wonderful! During this year or half a year, if you enter seclusion within the heavenly domain, no matter whether I am far away among the Barbarian Lands or have traveled to the State of Wu, as long as I fly into the grotto-heaven, I will be right by your side anytime and anywhere, ready to confer at once."
"Precisely."
Li Zhouwei smiled, though he added with a hint of regret:
"A pity only that I am under surveillance, unable to enter the heavenly domain whenever and wherever I please like Granduncle can. Only when Ning Wan and the others arrive to relieve me can I cultivate a bit under the pretext of seclusion... Yet if the north stirs up trouble, there might not even be peace."
"For now, the attention of Qi Lanyan and his bunch is entirely on Shanji... Things should be somewhat quieter."
Li Ximing offered words of comfort, his expression growing solemn as he replied:
"Now that the Guangzhao Qilin Refining Method is in our hands, why not trade the Throat Feathers to Jinyu for the spiritual flowers first? Once I return from the Feather Transformation Pool, I shall immediately fire up the furnace! What good will relying on just one or two spirit pills from the Taiyang lineage do?
"In times like these, it is not the moment to be stingy with spiritual resources. You should refine the immortal base early and consume the Green Talisman so that you can complete your corporeal divine ability."
Li Ximing's words were not without reason. The Taiyang lineage had limited reserves on hand; no matter what, they would only give one or two, and that would leave them owing a favor. With Li Ximing's current alchemy skills, who knew how many pills a single furnace of Mingyang elixirs could yield!
Yet regarding the Green Talisman, Li Zhouwei held a different view. Though he said nothing aloud, he pondered silently in his heart:
'No matter how the situation unfolds in the future, if I am to achieve my goals, the more variables I possess, the better. The Green Talisman is a variable that neither side can calculate; once used, it will be gone for nothing... I would rather take a few more pills than consume it. Keeping it within my Ascending Sun... it will surely be of great use at a crucial juncture!'
Chapter 945