Li Zhouwei smiled and replied, "It should be."
A hint of regret quickly surfaced as he added, "It is just a pity that lately... racing against time, I have been either in secluded cultivation or practicing spells, without constantly monitoring the changes. I cannot tell which battles earned them!"
Li Ximing nodded inwardly and soon smiled. "No matter. Just pay a bit more attention next time. There is no rush to use them right now—as long as we do not miss out on what we can obtain, that is fine!"
Li Zhouwei nodded and continued, "At the time, this junior was overjoyed. At the highest prayer mat in the Shanghuan Pavilion, I performed the rites with the [Immortal Ascension Method], inscribed the talisman requesting [Imperial Divergent Light], and cast it into the bronze furnace. There is no news yet."
"Good, good, good!"
Knowing that Zhouwei would have arranged things properly, Li Ximing smiled. "Thank goodness for you... When it was just me running the family, I was always stretched thin. Having to concoct pills and cultivate, it was inevitable that I overlooked things."
He glanced at Li Zhouwei and asked in a low voice, "There is just one more matter I wanted to ask you... You received [Bright Manifestation of the Sun and Moon]. After these past few battles, has it aided your Dao attainment?"
Li Zhouwei pondered slightly and replied, "Though these battles were fierce, they were not life-threatening, nor did I suffer any injuries—it was not thrilling enough. Yet there was indeed a shred of Dao attainment fed back to me... As for how it helps... I could not tell at the time."
He simply sat down and said with great clarity of thought, "Yet now that I have witnessed so many divine abilities, I have gained some understanding of this Dao attainment. That day when I returned with Real Person Chen Yin, he was grateful for my generous assistance and was also eyeing the [Plumage Beneath the Neck]. We chatted for a while, so I took the opportunity to inquire about it specifically—both to secretly gather intelligence and to categorize where people stand."
Chen Yin possessed formidable strength, and his ancestors were connected to Jinyu, so he had considerable insight. Li Ximing listened intently as Zhouwei said, "Speaking of Dao attainment, south of the Jiang River people always speak of the 'Two Zis,' with Real Person Zimu, Wen Qingzhou, standing supreme. But as I see it now... there is one more person—if he can still be counted as human."
Li Ximing said thoughtfully, "Sui Guan?"
"Indeed!"
Li Zhouwei said solemnly, "Although Dao attainment does not strictly increase with age, with ample time, one will inevitably grind it up bit by bit. What is more, he is intimately tied to a True Monarch... That is the truly terrifying part.
"In terms of Dao attainment, figures like Sui Guan and Dongfang Heyun can likely be called foremost beneath the True Monarchs. That is the product of their unique origins, something ordinary mortals cannot match, so let us set them aside for now.
"Beneath those two is Real Person Zimu. Though I have never seen the Real Person with my own eyes, it is said that Zimu is renowned for being a cut above Zipei, truly an exceptional figure among those with perfected divine abilities."
With a hint of amazement in his expression, he added, "Real Person Chen holds him in the highest reverence, offering only a single remark: '[To cultivate reality to this stage may be called the utmost pinnacle]!'"
Li Ximing sighed with emotion. "I have long heard of him!"
Li Zhouwei actually still remembered the Great Real Person of Mount Luoxia, but since he did not know his title, it was inconvenient to speak of him, so he did not mention him, merely ranking that figure alongside Zimu above Zipei before continuing, "Real Person Zipei is not adept at combat, yet his Dao attainment is renowned as well. Chunyi Dao once had the high-attainment Real Person [Yuanshang], and Mount Changhuai had the fallen Great Real Person Qing. They can be counted as the first tier, the pinnacle a Violet Palace cultivator can reach in a lifetime."
Li Ximing clicked his tongue in wonder and said, "Even Real Person Zipei falls that far down... Ninety-nine percent of the world's Violet Palace cultivators would hang their heads in shame!"
Li Zhouwei shook his head. "That is already extraordinary. Further down are either Great Real Persons whose orthodox lineages are inherently radiant and manifest in the world, making it easier to elevate their Dao attainment—such as Changxiao and Chi Buzi—or mid-stage Violet Palace cultivators who have received parts of a Golden Core inheritance, such as Real Person Puyu of Penglai. This is the second tier, where one has cultivated Dao attainment and spells to an exceptionally profound realm.
"The third tier consists of ordinary Great Real Persons and certain mid-stage Violet Palace cultivators whose Dao attainment surpasses their peers, such as Chi Wei and Real Person [Fuxuan] of [Chunyi Dao]...
"A tier lower are Great Real Persons whose divine abilities have innate deficiencies or restrictions, as well as mid-stage Violet Palace cultivators who diligently apply themselves to Dao attainment, such as Helian Wujiang... As for the Great Real Persons in this bracket, he could not speak imprudently, conveying it to me only through hints."
"Oh?"
Li Ximing's eyes lit up. Rarely having the chance to hear such gossip, he immediately listened with rapt attention.
Li Zhouwei lowered his voice. "Chen Yin stated... that among the Twelve Qi, the 'Xi Qi' and 'Han Qi' correspond to each other. It seems that in ancient times, both suffered unimaginable methods from a certain Immortal Lord, forcing them into submission and altering their cultivation. From then on, their divine abilities became a fraction weaker, and their Dao attainment became difficult to master deeply... When the State of Wei collapsed, 'Xi Qi' was freed from this burden and no longer troubled by it, leaving only 'Han Qi'."
Though no full name was spoken, this pointed directly to one person.
"[Tianwan] of Chijiao Island!"
Li Ximing did not cultivate Han Qi himself, so he took it merely as light amusement and chuckled it away.
Li Zhouwei continued, "Further down, the fifth tier can be called having achieved competence. There are finally some numbers here. Typically, once one has cultivated two or three divine abilities, one can touch its periphery."
"Heh!"
Li Ximing was naturally optimistic. He rested his hand on his teacup and laughed, "And here I was wondering whether I might cross the threshold of competence, only to find I am still standing at the foot of the mountain."
Li Zhouwei gave a slightly embarrassed smile. "For a hundred years, Granduncle has worked conscientiously, devoting your time to concocting pills... Naturally, you should not compare yourself with them..."
Only then did Li Ximing ponder carefully, replying, "Changxiao is formidable indeed. I still remember that spell of his vividly even now... Where do you place yourself?"
Li Zhouwei nodded solemnly and responded, "In my earlier years, this junior read many spell manuals and benefited greatly from those secret techniques. By my estimate, my Dao attainment has entered the realm of competence.
"Now that I have gained this shred of progress, I have weighed it inwardly. If I could gain ten such parts, I should be able to try my hand against Helian Wujiang."
Li Ximing calculated inwardly and replied with a hint of envy, "That is quite fast! And you have not even fought to your heart's content yet."
Li Zhouwei bowed slightly. Li Ximing then smiled, walked out, and rode his light toward the East Sea. Li Zhouwei saw him off, reminding him, "Since Granduncle is going to Poluoduo, you should ask Demon King [Qingyan] for news about spiritual items. He cultivates 'Qingxuan.' Remember that our family possesses a [Nine Weirs Green Goat Mountain]? Its grade is exceptionally high and its requirements are harsh, making it ill-suited for our cultivation, but it can fetch a handsome price."
Li Ximing immediately found this reasonable. With Qingyan's clumsy, rough-hewn manner, his fighting style was likely bold and sweeping—it would suit him perfectly. Thus, Li Ximing happily agreed.
Having seen him off, Li Zhouwei returned inside the [Xiaoyuan Glazed Pagoda], communing with the talisman seed to advance his Dao cultivation.
Cultivation knows no passage of time. After meditating and cultivating within the Heaven of Sun and Moon in Mutual Splendor for a long while, he finally sensed a warm heat spreading from the jade pendant at his waist. Exhaling deeply, he rose to his feet. In no rush to leave, he strolled through layers of mist and clouds until he reached Shanghuan Pavilion.
The stone terrace shone exceptionally bright under the radiance. Pale gold characters surfaced one after another upon the purplish-black wooden slips:
"Observing the Primordial Sovereign Position to become Emperor, light spreads to the corners of the seas, all beholding its majesty, yet like the sun coursing through the mortal realm, it occupies the second manifestation—thus forming the foundation of this art... The Emperor said: When the sovereign occupies the principal throne in the palace, divine radiance fills the chamber, which is the Upper Radiance; when taking the guest position in the hall, divergent light flows and scatters, which is the extreme of yang. Thus is formed [Imperial Divergent Light]! Its Dao is vast indeed..."
This spell was meant for Li Ximing to cultivate in the future as well. Reading through these golden characters one by one, he quickly condensed them into a golden slip in his hand. As he comprehended and annotated the text, he lightly turned around, descending into the lightning-laced pagoda.
"It turns out to be an extreme yang art of inverted Mingyang..."
"[Shangyao Subduing Light] is said to embody 'The sovereign treads into peril, hence there is a submission.' This bears quite a complementary flavor to it; they truly complement each other..."
He appeared upon Mount Zhijing, sitting down amidst the drifting gardenia blossoms. Having read through the doctrinal exposition, he examined the even more crucial mnemonic formulas:
"Within the Great Palace Court, baleful fire is harbored, light and lightning coalescing to form a chamber. Various divine abilities enter in the guest position to manifest the portent of divergent light; it is best aided by Mingyang spiritual items during cultivation in the guest position."
Li Zhouwei did not possess a Mingyang spiritual item, but he held a Great Sun spiritual item. Because the imagery and symbolism of this spell were too pronounced, it naturally could not substitute for it. Yet he estimated inwardly:
"[Fu Plunder Gold] not only strengthens spiritual light; once my Dao attainment deepens, I should also be able to let [Fu Plunder Gold] become the master of the chamber. A Great Sun rank would be seamless, could not be more suitable... When that time comes, not only will its upper limit of power far surpass [Shangyao Subduing Light], but it might even break past the fifth rank."
He scrutinized it closely and felt a quiet joy. With a gentle wave of his hand, he summoned an object from the Purple Baleful Mingyang Spring on Mount Zhijing—it was none other than the [Mystic Pattern Bottle].
"It requires baleful fire and coalesced light and lightning... The [Mystic Pattern Bottle] has been refined in this fire vein for decades; there is no purer fire fiend than this!"
As for light and lightning, thunder and lightning were exceedingly rare south of the Jiang River, which would normally take some time to gather. Yet while scarce for other clans, the Li family had plenty! In her years of diligence and lifelong toil, Li Qinghong had taken advantage of her cultivation technique to store more than a dozen bolts of lightning in the family's vaults, refusing to expend a single one... To gather such an amount of lightning, even a Violet Palace cultivator would require considerable time.
"The blessings left by predecessors must not be consumed without replenishment. Zhouda has also achieved his Immortal Foundation; I should tell him to put the altar to use..."
After arranging these matters, Li Zhouwei saw Li Quewan ascending the mountain path, speaking with slight unease: "Reporting to the Real Person... trouble has struck the Yuan family!"
"What happened?" Li Zhouwei looked up with a hint of surprise and asked.
Li Quewan said respectfully, "Yuan Chengzhao has been missing for many years, and the Yuan family has long been managed by Yuan Zibin. This man was tyrannical and unrestrained, flogging elders and violating patriarchal rites, yet ruthless to the core. He purged the clan several times, and with no one in the Yuan family able to rein him in, it came to this pass.
"However, word just arrived from the Xunlin Plain. While Yuan Zibin was out making merry on the plain, he was slain by a cultivator along with quite a few others. The Yuan clan was thrown into utter chaos, and their clan governance completely collapsed."
Li Zhouwei frowned immediately. Li Quewan continued, "Yet this cultivator did not leave... He fought his way straight into the Yuan residence, threw open the treasuries, took out everything inside, and distributed it all among the smaller clans and families across the entire Xunlin Plain..."
The Yuan family possessed an ancient heritage. Though they had lacked a Violet Palace cultivator for many years, they had never truly declined. Their rule over the Xunlin Plain spanned nearly as long as the history of the Qingchi Sect. Their methods were harsh; even the Embryonic Breathing cultivation methods distributed to subordinates were split into six portions according to the six chakras... With this sudden turn of events, those small clans were bound to be moved to tears of gratitude.
Li Zhouwei pondered and remarked, "In recent years... the Yuan family has rarely cultivated 'Qingxuan,' haven't they?"
At these words, Li Quewan understood, nodding. "Precisely. This junior specifically looked into it—for decades, the Yuan clan... has favored cultivating the paths of 'Fushui' and 'Kanshui.'"
"No wonder."
Li Zhouwei asked, "And which member of the Yuan family did that cultivator support?"
Knowing full well what he meant, Li Quewan replied, "The Real Person is perceptive. Though few members of the Yuan clan remain, this cultivator still supported a direct descendant of the Yuan family, handing the clan back to him and bidding him reconstruct their clan governance, honor their ancestral ways, and revive the name of Qingxuan. Only, they are no longer the masters of the Xunlin Plain, but merely reside within the plain's commandery."
Li Quewan's gaze grew conflicted. "This junior believes... when the Yuan family's ancestor failed his breakthrough to the Violet Palace back then, it exposed the Yuan clan's scheme to seek their own way out. That was why Yuan Zibin arose, and why today came to pass."
Li Zhouwei nodded, but his focus was elsewhere. His expression gradually turned peculiar. "You mean to say, if the Yuan clan is no longer the master of the Xunlin Plain, then... this person has openly and flagrantly... claimed the Xunlin Plain, which belongs to the Qingchi Sect, for himself!"
No matter what, the Xunlin Plain was Qingchi territory... No matter what, the Yuan clan was a vassal family of Qingchi. To put it bluntly, both were Qingchi's private property. If this person had merely played the chivalric rogue, brushing off his sleeves and departing once the deed was done, Qingchi—currently lacking the leeway to mind its own affairs—would hardly have bothered with him. But now, this carried an entirely different meaning!
Li Quewan bowed her head. "Precisely! And as of now, the mountain has made no response."
Li Zhouwei's gaze sharpened bit by bit, and he asked, "Does this cultivator have a name?"
The woman before him wore a bitter expression and replied, "His surname is Yang, his given name Zhuo, with a cultivation base at peak Foundation Establishment."
***
The Great Void was pitch-black, across which radiant light galloped. A white-robed scholar stood smiling broadly, his face filled with gratitude.
"Fellow Daoist Zhaojing... if you ever have need of me in the future, speak freely. I possess 'Ruiqi' divine abilities, after all, and can be of use in many matters!"
The Daoist in white-gold robes agreed repeatedly. The scholar escorted him a great distance before finally turning back, leaving the bright light to speed eastward.
'He has become far too enthusiastic now...'
Li Ximing had just returned from Xipo Country. Only after escorting him out over the sea did Fuxun reluctantly take his leave.
After all, that grand pill had resolved the Demon King's greatest anxiety, and the quality of the [Wangjin Xuanyan Pill] was exceptionally splendid. Fuxun's desire to forge ties practically spilled from his face. Last time, Qingyan and the others had delivered the goods, so they had not met; this time, he had been thoroughly caught by the Demon King.
Li Ximing had passed along word regarding his search for spiritual items, but his primary purpose in coming had been to inquire about the Qingyan spell matter. After lingering for several months, he finally received word from Qingyan.
That Demon King was skilled in blessings and possessed considerable savings. Forthright and decisive, he merely skimmed the outline of the spell before readily agreeing, and even offered to produce Fushui spiritual items to trade for it.
Yet Li Ximing was not lacking in Fushui spiritual items in the slightest right now, and he was swamped with his own affairs, so he politely stated a few of his needs, asked Qingyan to exchange for them first, and took his leave.
'After all, [Nine Weirs Green Goat Mountain] is of the fifth rank, and 'Qingxuan' methods are rare. It is rare to see that fellow so eager, so our family does not need to rush.'
Li Ximing had not anticipated earlier that the other party would be generous enough to offer spiritual items. In high spirits, he departed Poluoduo, crossed Piaoren Country, and flew straight north.
While he was a guest in Poluoduo, the token he had given to Dingyangzi had begun to turn faintly warm—the artifact master was sending word according to their agreement.
Word regarding the [Astral Red Gold] had already been relayed once, so there was clearly no need to inform him via jade talisman again. Nine times out of ten, the old man had finally found another buyer.
Li Ximing's heart immediately grew concerned. He had intended to cross the Southern Border, pass through Shu, check on the influence of the Sword Sect and Xiukui in Longshu along the way, and then head south toward Qize to finalize the matter. Who could have known that the further he flew, the more amiss things seemed? Midway through his journey, his expression completely changed.
Surveying the entire State of Wu, fires burned everywhere beneath his feet. Dense clusters of glowing specks covered nearly every commandery city below. Everywhere, cultivators took to the air, clashing in midair; from time to time, severed limbs fell from the sky along with all manner of spiritual items, inciting chaotic scrambles!
Within the commanderies, mortals slaughtered one another, cultivators fought pitched battles, and the four borders were devastated. The several commanderies before his eyes—Mount Changhuai's unchanging backyard for hundreds of years—had actually turned into a storm of blood and gore!
"What happened to Mount Changhuai?!"
Chapter 955