The jade bottle stood quietly upon the desk, its three vertical striations faintly glowing. The swirling white mist coalesced into pale white halos of light. Li Zhouwei watched it in silence, a subtle stir in his heart as he slowly took a step forward.
Yet with merely this single step, the jade bottle atop the desk began to tremble slightly. As if provoked, the white mist surged toward the mouth of the bottle all at once. In an instant, it transformed into an undulating streak of white light that slowly rose, darting forth like a shooting star!
Li Zhouwei's pupils dilated slightly. Instinctively, he was about to leap back, but he held back with raw willpower, remaining planted where he stood.
Within his Shengyang, a boil of churning radiance erupted. The divine ability's dharmic power on either side parted like an ebbing tide. A speck of white light emerged from within, shimmering faintly, and as though guided by some pulling force, swiftly descended through his twelve-tiered tower and plunged into his qi sea.
The dharmic power within his qi sea parted to both sides as well. Jun Daowei radiated sheets of dark gold light, soaring abruptly upward like the morning sun piercing the clouds to receive it!
The swirling white mist whirled around Jun Daowei, rapidly condensing into a span of brilliant white light about the length of a finger. Like a miniature talisman, it fluttered down and affixed itself lightly to the dark gold brilliance.
Had this happened before, Li Zhouwei might have hesitated and pondered for a time. But having only just received Manifesting Sun and Moon, how could he fail to recognize it?
'Register qi?!'
Li Zhouwei's mind went momentarily blank, his heart jolting with shock:
'There is register qi as well?! Even the second immortal base receives it?!'
In that brief instant, he first offered a deep bow, then quietly stepped aside from the spot facing the head seat and slipped out the doorway. Only then did he gradually calm his wildly pounding heart.
Turning his spiritual sense inward, he carefully examined his qi sea.
Inside the qi sea, the Jun Daowei immortal base was faintly shimmering with luster. Yet as his spiritual sense sank into it, the register qi did not respond, nor did any wondrous phenomena or transformations occur.
He inspected it for a good while until understanding gradually dawned on him, and joy arose in his heart.
This talismanic register differed from those received through normal ancestral offerings. It did not seem to resonate with his very life essence. Instead, it merely nestled within the immortal base, exercising the inherent function of register qi to drive divine abilities and dharmic power—continually resonating with the immortal base beneath it, nourishing and harmonizing his dharmic power.
'Its most prominent trait... is accelerating the rate at which the immortal base reaches perfection! And it tempers dharmic power unceasingly, day and night!'
According to Li Zhouwei's sensations over this brief period, the speed at which it operated seemed considerably slower than if he cultivated it himself, yet this was already an extraordinary boon.
For an ordinary Violet Palace cultivator, bringing an immortal base to perfection took five to ten years. Li Zhouwei's own cultivation speed was faster, and coupled with the natural boost provided by Jun Daowei, he had originally estimated it would take around three years. Adding the time previously spent shaping the immortal base, he could attempt to condense a divine ability every five years at the earliest—already halving the ten or more years required by normal cultivators.
Although Violet Palace cultivators rarely succeeded on their first attempt at elevating an immortal base into a divine ability—taking three to five tries was hardly unusual—it still required over a decade to form a second divine ability. Among Violet Palace cultivators, this was already considered blindingly fast.
This was also why Li Ximing had been in no hurry to cultivate over the past two or three years. After all, such an interval was negligible on the lifespan scale of a Violet Palace cultivator, and still far from achieving a divine ability.
Yet now, even if Li Zhouwei did not cultivate at all and instead devoted himself to studying spells, the immortal base would still be catalyzed by the register qi, maturing on its own. He estimated it would take only five to six years. And if he entered secluded cultivation himself, the speed of perfection would be even faster—perhaps under two years!
In the time it took others to make a single attempt, he would have enough time to budget for three failures. Although cultivating at the Violet Palace realm grew progressively harder the further one advanced, the time saved by this self-cultivating effect yielded tangible improvements to his cultivation and magical arts. After all, not everyone possessed an innate nature capable of shattering bottlenecks with miraculous swiftness—not everyone was Chi Buzi or Real Person Zimu!
'Whether it is the Murong family, the Tuoba family, or even the Taiyang Daoist lineage, each has their own methods to aid in attaining divine abilities, saving a bit of time here and there, perhaps even boosting the success rate. But to match the domineering efficacy of our clan's register qi, one would likely need to be on the level of Mount Luoxia, the Nether Office, or dragonkind!'
'I wonder whether this catalytic speed is tied to my own cultivation speed, or to the difficulty of cultivating the immortal base or divine ability itself...'
Thrilled by his calculations, he savored the sensation once more. A thrill of excitement welled in his chest. Slowly opening his eyes, he hurried down the stairs.
Li Ximing was in secluded cultivation below, his breathing steady and calm. Li Zhouwei could not worry about disturbing him and knocked gently on the door. Moments later, golden light flowed out like water.
Seeing his slight urgency, Li Ximing was taken aback and asked, "Has the fighting in the north reached the lake?"
Li Zhouwei chuckled heartily. Inviting him upstairs, he explained everything in detail.
"Perhaps entering this place, obtaining the method of ascending to immortality, and acquiring a second immortal base allows one to draw register qi from the bottle... Though I don't know the exact requirements yet, one might need to make their breakthrough right before the pavilion at the summit, facing this treasure..."
"Seeing that Uncle-Grandfather is also cultivating a Dao base, I dared not delay. Even if it cannot be achieved every five years, once every ten years would still be wonderful—an opportunity not to be missed. So I came down to invite you!"
Li Ximing was dumbfounded. He turned the words over carefully in his mind for a long while before saying with some regret, "Then I truly miscalculated! I should have cultivated this immortal base earlier. That way, I wouldn't have had to envy Tinglan's Duqian Command!"
Li Zhouwei smiled and said, "Having it is all the better; you can accelerate your cultivation while practicing magical arts... Uncle-Grandfather, how is your cultivation progressing now?"
Regretful though he was, Li Ximing's eyes were now filled with hope and anticipation. The once seemingly distant second divine ability suddenly felt much closer. Shaking his head, he said, "It has only been little more than half a year. Naturally, I cannot compare to you. But having ingested a Violet Palace spiritual pill, the effect is immense. It is still in my qi sea, not yet fully refined... I estimate it will take less than a year."
"I was eager to practice the Dali Baixi Light. I never expected to succeed on the first try anyway, but now things are even better. I only need to condense this immortal base as soon as possible, and then wait quietly."
Li Zhouwei nodded repeatedly, his spirits considerably lifted. Reaching for his waist, he produced a jade talisman. It gave off a warm, clear light—a sign that a core direct descendant of the Li clan outside had something to report. Since the talisman had not shattered, it was likely not urgent, meaning he was not strictly required to exit seclusion.
He smiled, light swirling in his eyes. Cupping his hands slightly, he said, "I shouldn't linger here too long anyway, lest others become restless. Now that my cultivation is complete, I'll exit seclusion to take a look. Perhaps there will be good news."
With that, he transformed into a streak of light and vanished. When he opened his eyes again, he was inside the Xiaoyuan Glazed Pagoda, beneath his feet a continuous stream of silver lightning flowing like rippling water.
The moment he stepped out of the great hall, his golden pupils shifted. His spiritual sense swept across the surroundings, and a smile surfaced on his face. Stepping briskly forward, he soon appeared in a side hall within the inner array.
The hall doors were left slightly ajar, faintly revealing specks of magical light. A handsome young boy sat bent over a desk, peering intently at its surface. A wooden slip lay open in the center, bearing delicate, graceful brushwork.
The child had fair skin and delicate features, his tender youth lending him an almost androgynous appearance. Though his features were not yet fully developed, one could already glimpse his future elegance.
Li Zhouwei pushed the door open and entered. The boy immediately looked up, covered the wooden slip, and clambered down from the platform somewhat clumsily, greeting him in a childish voice, "Chun'er pays respects to the Real Person!"
Li Zhouwei had never met him before. The boy lacked spiritual sense and, by all rights, could not discern a person's cultivation level. Clearly, he was a bright child. Walking over casually, Li Zhouwei narrowed his golden eyes and said with a smile, "You recognize me?"
Though young, Li Jiangchun's manners were impeccable. He bowed and said, "Mother often taught me that those with golden eyes belong to the Real Person's bloodline. I have already met all my elder brothers. When I saw someone I didn't recognize, even though your attire differs from the portrait, you had to be the Real Person."
Li Zhouwei's Yuane had been sent to Qize, and having uncharacteristically changed into white clothes, he was naturally difficult to recognize. Chuckling, he sat beside the boy and asked, "What cultivation method did you receive?"
Li Jiangchun shook his head instead and answered, "I don't know what the Real Person is talking about."
Li Zhouwei was taken aback for an instant, then chuckled and shook his head. Faint golden light flickered behind him as he asked about the boy's birthday and interests. After just a few words, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door. Dressed in crimson-purple robes, Li Jiangqian pushed the door open and entered briskly. Bowing in the courtyard, he said respectfully, "Congratulations to Father on exiting seclusion!"
Li Zhouwei nodded, still looking at the boy before him with a smile. Yet Li Jiangchun scrambled down once more and bowed, "Eldest Brother said that secrets must never be told to anyone. Once spoken, the listener dies, and the speaker dies as well... I have heard that Real Persons possess many forms of transformation. This junior has offended Your Eminence."
"Hahaha!"
Li Jiangqian was shrewd and calculating; fearing the child might act thoughtlessly, he had resorted to intimidation. Yet Li Zhouwei had no intention of correcting him. Chuckling with great amusement and in high spirits, he turned to Li Jiangqian and pointed at the kneeling boy below, saying, "Pang Yunqing truly comes from a distinguished family; she has taught him exceedingly well."
Li Jiangqian understood clearly just from hearing this exchange. Drawing a jade slip from his sleeve, he stepped forward quickly, presenting it with both hands as he said respectfully, "Reporting to Father: we have obtained a copy of the Shaoyin Xuanjun Water-Fire Record and the Taiyin Breath Exhalation Wheel Cultivation Scripture... The former is an exceptionally profound spell! The latter... cannot be transcribed..."
"Oh?"
A flicker of understanding flashed in Li Zhouwei's pupils. Taking the slip to examine it, he immediately voiced his praise, "What a fine spell!"
Although Shaoyin did not conflict with Mingyang, he clearly would not cultivate such a magical art himself. Li Zhouwei merely scanned it before casually handing it back, saying with a smile, "When we return this time, retrieve the Wugui Suoyin Divine Scroll for him to read."
The more he looked at Li Jiangchun, the broader his smile grew. Taking the boy's hand, he said, "The path of Shaoyin is rare in our family and rare in Jiangnan, yet its power is formidable. Having obtained it today, cultivate it diligently."
Li Jiangchun respectfully complied. When he looked up again, his golden-eyed uncle had already vanished. Etching the words into his heart, he walked out with his elder brother, passing through layers of grand arrays until he finally met his father.
Li Zhouluo appeared rather nervous, seated in a secondary spot within the vast hall, his hands rubbing the hilt of his sword from time to time. When he finally saw the two emerge, he asked with a mix of delight and anxiety, "How was it?"
Li Jiangqian had taken the boy away under the guise of meeting the two Real Persons to seek the Dao, but based on this pivotal milestone, Li Zhouluo seemed to recall something.
As a core direct descendant of the Li clan, he knew that every child had to visit the hall once at age six, and understood that this was an established procedure in the family. On the other hand, he had received similar treatment back then. He only vaguely remembered kneeling before something; perhaps he had lacked the affinity and missed out. Now, feeling apprehensive, he secretly surmised:
'It isn't merely about talent and bestowing arts. Aside from Quewan, whom the Lord personally selected back then, perhaps everyone else must pay respects to the ancestor's dharma sword to invoke its spirituality.'
Just as he was pondering this, Li Jiangqian smiled and said, "Congratulations... Congratulations!"
This gave Li Zhouluo a sudden jolt. He looked over in startled joy. Li Jiangqian gave him a meaningful glance, and Li Zhouluo beamed, "I'll go pick out some sword manuals for your little brother right away!"
...
Li Zhouwei stepped forward and reappeared above the shimmering lake surface. Riding his light, he landed on Guanxie Terrace. A red-robed elder was stroking his beard while tending the fire, while Li Jiangzong leaned forward beside him, listening intently to the old man's explanation.
Cultivating True Fire, Li Jiangzong had always been groomed as the Li clan's next generation of artifact refiners, and he had naturally not neglected his studies in recent days. He enjoyed a good reputation within the clan, and when facing Chu Minglian, he was exceedingly courteous, humbly seeking guidance.
Such scenes were common, which was why Li Zhouwei happened to catch sight of it. As he landed on the terrace, everyone bowed. Li Jiangzong stepped forward to greet him, his face brimming with delight.
"Not bad!" Li Zhouwei praised him. Chu Minglian also turned around hastily, bowing respectfully, "Greetings, Real Person!"
"Progress has been quite swift."
Li Zhouwei scanned the area and noticed that all twelve positions on the terrace were filled, including several unfamiliar cultivators in green robes. Understanding dawned in his mind, and sure enough, Chu Minglian answered, "Ever since Real Person Ning arrived here and heard that Your Eminence was perfecting a spiritual embryo, she invited several people over to assist. Dasheng has reached the nurturing stage, only a hair's breadth from completion. May Your Eminence please take a look!"
Guanxie Divine Ability Refined in Fire could accommodate up to twelve Foundation Establishment cultivators assisting simultaneously. However, the Li clan lacked the necessary personnel, so six people had been rotating in shifts. Since Ning Wan commanded many cultivators, she had dispatched people to help.
'Had I not exited seclusion early, it would have been finished in three to five days anyway. Now, it only lacks the final push.'
After speaking, Chu Minglian deliberated for a moment before whispering, "This humble one has discovered another matter that ought to be reported to the Real Person... This treasure accepts fire and spiritual essences with exceptional ease. The internal grain is clear, flowing naturally into form... This humble one suspects... suspects this item has quite a history."
He was clearly unsure and dared not say too much. Li Zhouwei, however, reacted swiftly, raising an eyebrow, "It degraded from a spiritual embryo of an ancient cultivator?"
Chu Minglian whispered, "Highly probable..."
Li Zhouwei nodded slightly. Dasheng had been retrieved from the Qingsong Grotto-Heaven, so this deduction was not without reason. Perhaps it had originally been a spiritual embryo locked onto the altar through some secret art, which had developed flaws due to the immense passage of time or the shifting of the Mingyang fruit status.
During their conversation, the Mingyang divine ability swept upward along the radiance, gradually dyeing the spiritual embryo hovering above the terrace. The divine ability's dharmic power within his body drained rapidly.
Buzz!
As his divine ability's dharmic power poured in from head to toe, the final step of the refinement process was at last complete. Guanxie Terrace shone with resplendent golden light. The long halberd rapidly shrank into a speck of gold and settled gently into his palm.
This golden speck extended outward to both sides along his palm, manifesting the deep golden halberd. The crescent-shaped blade curved at the end was so vast it nearly obscured Chu Minglian's entire upper body.
The shaft extended down to the terrace, its blunt, rounded golden butt resting against the pavilion floor with a crisp clatter. For a time, respectful words of congratulations echoed from all sides.
Dasheng!
Obtained from the Qingsong Abbey Grotto-Heaven, this magical weapon possessed an extraordinarily high pedigree, certainly ranking among the very best of spiritual embryos. Back then, it could empower its wielder with radiant light and project blazing solar rays from within to disorient enemies. Now that it was fully refined, its wondrous properties revealed themselves one by one.
The first was Attuned Adherence.
This property had clearly evolved from the earlier radiant light empowerment. When he wielded the weapon, the Mingyang light granted an enhancement, coalescing into a phantasmal halberd projection along the weapon that could split off as radiant beams to repel foes.
Meanwhile, the dazzling light that previously affected enemies had ascended to a new level. Through divine ability refinement and the nourishment of spiritual essences, the blazing solar light within the halberd converged into a single beam, becoming the Embracing Radiance property nurtured at the halberd's core.
Though it also targeted opponents with light, this property was quite different. Each time it was unleashed, it projected a beam of Embracing Radiance White Light. The emitted light was tangible; if it missed, it would not dissipate, but would instead follow the weapon's movements.
Similar to many Mingyang spiritual tools, the number of Embracing Radiance White Lights was tied to the master's divine abilities: the more Mingyang divine abilities one had mastered, the more white light beams could be released with each strike.
'It favors the strong and disdains the weak, after all.'
Yet Li Zhouwei was already well pleased. In his current circumstances, having a weapon tailored to his hands was an immense enhancement, let alone one endowed with two such outstanding properties.
Flicking his fingers lightly, Dasheng transformed into a streak of golden light that sank into his palm. Rising upon his light, he arrived at the northern shore in the blink of an eye.
White snow drifted along the shore, while the sky above raged with noise. Radiance intertwined as divine ability surges rolled incessantly—a fierce battle was clearly underway. The snow halted at the river's edge, while on the opposite bank, billows of demonic smoke swirled around a standing figure. Li Zhouwei recognized the face with a single glance.
'Helian Wumeng.'
Chapter 947