The sky was brilliant, while the peaks below lay in deep gloom.
A veil of mist drifted as mountain ranges linked heaven and earth, blanketed from top to bottom in gold. Ten thousand streams of glazed celestial auroras cascaded down like golden mist, falling by the thousands like a rain of stars and illuminating the wide terrace of glazed stone in dazzling brilliance.
Bathed within these celestial auroras, Li Zhouwei stood with his long halberd resting lightly on the ground. Raising his head slightly, he saw the colorful lights in the sky gradually dispersing, descending toward various regions. The Wanling Heaven, dormant for countless ages, had already grown bustling.
"What a grand revelry..."
The moment he entered this place, Li Zhouwei clearly sensed a difference. Certain formations and treasures in this cave heaven were evidently still functioning. The most pronounced effect was the severing of his connection to the Great Void—everything from his Shengyang Mansion to his true body was confined within this cave heaven.
This was similar to the Heaven of Sun and Moon in Mutual Splendor. He was not surprised, however, and like any Violet Palace cultivator newly arriving in Wanling Heaven, his first thought was of a path of retreat.
"Unable to link with the Great Void... means one cannot enter or leave at will. Entering was easy, but getting out likely has only two ways: one is the cave heaven's exit to the outside world... and the other would probably require a Great Void traversal method."
Just as he raised his hand to test his divine ability, his gaze suddenly focused.
Wisps of golden dharmic power, resembling smoke and vapor, were drifting away from his palm, attempting to fly toward the dome of the cave heaven. With a shift in Li Zhouwei's intent, his divine ability swiftly reeled them back.
Closing his eyes to perceive it closely, a conjecture immediately formed in his mind:
"The cave heaven holds a mystical effect of binding and drawing in, seemingly the aftershock of some grand formation or treasure. Stretched on endlessly to the supreme number of nine times nine, it constantly attempts to harvest the divine abilities and dharmic power from my body... If a Foundation Establishment cultivator entered, they would likely perish from dharmic exhaustion within six hours..."
Fortunately, this force of binding and absorption was not particularly dense here, and his dharma body was robust. Even before forming his corporeal divine ability, such interference would not have been enough to drive him away, let alone now. His movements were merely less fluid than in the outside world, and his spiritual sense was restricted to within thirty feet.
At present, in peak condition, he naturally had nothing to fear. But should any Violet Palace cultivator suffer heavy wounds while being continually plagued by this binding and absorbing wonder, their dharmic power and divine abilities would surely suffer catastrophic loss... More terrifying still, the Shengyang Mansions of the Violet Palace cultivators inside the cave heaven were entirely contained within their dharma bodies. If their dharma bodies were broken, their Shengyang would have no Great Void to escape to! They would be laid bare before this binding and drawing power, unable to execute any escape arts...
‘Endless opportunities it may hold, but it is also a death trap in disguise. Even if an opponent does not pursue them relentlessly... one could very well perish from wounds alone!’
‘As for spiritual sense... that poses little problem!’
Looking down, he saw the colors of divine abilities scattered across the expanse below.
The cave heaven was vast, and the various Violet Palace cultivators in the sky shared a tacit understanding: upon landing, each would release the radiance of their divine abilities, blazing like lotus blossoms blooming upon the earth. This signaled that the area was claimed, preventing them from colliding with one another due to the restriction on spiritual sense.
After all, at this moment opportunities were everywhere; none of these wielders of divine abilities would deliberately descend upon the same location and waste their efforts.
Li Zhouwei had not chosen blindly, either. Just as he broke into this realm, he had swept his golden eyes about, the power of Inspecting the Obscure flashing across the surroundings, and chosen the nearest peak whose formation aura was the most formidable. It shone with magnificent luster, clearly a grand palace of the Auspicious Qi lineage.
Yet as the various hues of light bathed his face and he drew closer to the ground, he was in no hurry to land. Instead, he brought two fingers to his lips and blew gently, exhaling a dense gust of heavenly light.
This heavenly light split into three and plummeted from the sky. With a thundering boom, each beam landed squarely upon three peaks flanking the palace, staking claim to them in advance by feigning an occupant's presence for later exploration. Only then did he leisurely descend toward the palace.
Tap.
He stepped lightly onto the broad terrace at the mountain's summit. Twelve lampstands instantly flared to life in unison, barring the glazed brilliance falling from the sky outside the terrace. Before him rose a towering, opulent palace, enveloping him in rippling, water-like hues.
Raising his brow, Li Zhouwei saw a stele standing upon the terrace, inscribed with dancing golden characters:
Xinhu Palace.
The palace possessed an imposing aura. The elevated terrace was vast, upon which stood a golden palace, dazzling and radiant. Below the terrace, along the slope of the mountain, stood eight smaller palaces, all glistening with splendor.
As Li Zhouwei took a step forward, a pale-white barrier of light sprang up immediately, within which various strands of Auspicious Qi swirled, persistently sealing off internal and external auras. Taking a brief measure of it with his spiritual sense, he nodded to himself:
"Formidable indeed!"
Originating from the Auspicious Qi lineage, this formation far surpassed his family's Zhaoguang Xuanzi Spirit Array on the lake! Having never seen the Xuanyuan Zhenfu Spirit Array, he had no means of comparison, but relying solely on dismantling the formation himself would not only cause a massive commotion, but would also take an eternity!
Yet Li Zhouwei had already inspected it before descending. Facing no great difficulty, he pinched a hand seal and channeled his divine ability.
Because it was set within a cave heaven, the palace's master had never envisioned defending against external foes from the start. The formation's primary purpose was to aid cultivation and provide seclusion from the outside. Thus, its formation platforms were the eight smaller palaces scattered across the mountain, designed to cover a broader area and envelop the entire mountain in greater wonders to assist disciples in their cultivation...
A golden hue seeped into his eyes, and from between his brows, the Shangyao Subduing Light surged forth like a golden pillar of light piercing the mountains. With a deafening crash, it blasted the formation of the nearest small palace into shattered fragments.
Without hesitation, he turned his head slightly. The brilliant golden beam swept across the mountains, accompanied by shattering sounds, while his figure shifted into a crisscrossing streak of golden light, flitting back and forth across the mountain range. In mere moments, he reappeared at his original spot.
By now, all the smaller palaces among the mountains lay broken and in ruins, thoroughly plundered. Mingyang shimmering hues manifested in his hand, cradling eight long incense sticks of golden base with silver patterns.
‘These eight small palaces appear to be places of sacrificial worship... Though the carvings and architecture of each palace differ, every one of them housed a gold-patterned profound incense stick...’
Unaware of their exact use, Li Zhouwei examined them closely and judged them to be profound incense of the Violet Palace tier. Casually storing them in a golden box, he turned his attention back to the formation.
The formation's light had dimmed considerably, its divine power obscured, yet it still remained linked to the divine power deep beneath the ground, retaining a trace of its might. He made a brief calculation:
"When ancient cultivators constructed cave heavens, they often used great divine abilities to engrave array foundations into the depths of the realm, known as Xuantao. Formations later erected upon the peaks could directly connect to the Xuantao of Wanling Heaven, thereby gaining its augmentation... That must be the case here.
"Wanling Heaven's foundation is truly profound. Even with the master having little intention to fend off outside enemies and the formation platforms destroyed, merely tapping into the Xuantao still preserves power on par with the Violet Palace..."
Taking a step forward, he flicked his wrist slightly. He neither employed his dharma body nor drew Dasheng; instead, he unfastened the Huayang Royal Battleaxe from his waist.
At this moment, what spiritual weapon could be more fitting than the Huayang Royal Battleaxe?
Tightening his grip slightly, the Split Light wonder engaged in an instant. Though the light was constrained within three feet by the cave heaven's power, it slammed with a roar against the white light. The formation flared faintly, revealing a white gouge where the blow had struck.
Li Zhouwei's eyes lit up immediately.
‘As expected, it merely borrows power from the cave heaven's Xuantao. With the cave heaven's compromised state, it has become rootless water!’
Before the mark could fade, the next blow of the battleaxe came crashing down on the same spot. Flashes of light burst in quick succession. While the Huayang Royal Battleaxe was dreadfully unwieldy, it was Li Zhouwei's most powerful spiritual weapon; even a cultivator with an accomplished corporeal divine ability would spit blood from a single strike, to say nothing of taking dozens of blows while remaining stationary.
The formation flickered faster and faster until it finally let out an overwhelmed creak. Countless white fragments fluttered down, dissolving into a floor of flowing light.
"Impressive... to be durable to such an extent, withstanding dozens of strikes from the battleaxe without any replenishment!"
Stowing the spiritual weapon, Li Zhouwei saw the palace gates before him sway under the strain. Jarred by the residual ripples of the mystical force, they collapsed with a crash, revealing the interior of the palace.
Arranged on either side were sixteen Zhenxuan Spirit Statues of staggering height, their heads touching the beams and their feet planted firmly on the floor. Some held battle-axes and hoisted yak-tail banners; others gripped halberds and girded swords. Further inside stood sixteen massive pillars, each requiring ten men to encircle, painted with patterns of raging flames consuming bodies and illustrations of Weak Water drowning victims.
Carved into the beams were red-eyed, curling-feathered crows; roosting around the pillars were thousands of folded-wing sparrows; the plinths beneath were feathered-necked turtles; and crouched before the steps were Three-Eyed Tiaoshan Beasts. All the spirit beasts kept their eyes lowered and heads bowed, not daring to look up. The grand hall in the center was circular, exuding supreme nobility.
‘What magnificent grandeur!’
Brilliance flared repeatedly in Li Zhouwei's eyes.
‘The power of Inspecting the Obscure does not deceive. This place must be the most precious site among the surrounding continuous peaks—perhaps even a sacred ground of pilgrimage and sacrifice for the lineage! No wonder the formation was so sturdy!’
Not only that, but under the observation of Inspecting the Obscure, these sixteen Zhenxuan Spirit Statues gathered concentrated divine power and brimmed with spirituality. They were subtly connected to the Xuantao deep in the cave heaven; should they erupt, their might would certainly be extraordinary!
His golden eyes scanned across the sixteen Zhenxuan Spirit Statues, yet doubt welled in his heart. He pondered inwardly:
"What lineage is this? Why is the divine power and dharmic force manifesting upon these spirit statues so unfamiliar... Unquestionably of the Binggu branch, yet never seen before..."
Cautious in his heart, he took a step forward into the hall. He looked toward the seat of honor, only to see a standing screen placed in the center, completely concealing the view behind it.
Painted on this screen was a red-eyed crow with rolling feathers, having a small head and short neck, a long hooked beak, and a back hunched as if lying in wait. Its disordered feathers rolled eerily, resembling dancing flames.
The crow held its long beak high, gaping wide toward the zenith, where a raging, bright-white flame burned fiercely right above its beak.
‘A Piwu... or at least of the Piwu kind, an offspring of a Piwu.’
This speck of bright-white flame was remarkably vibrant, leaping continually as if struggling, yet also like dancing with joyful abandon. A potent, daunting sensation of scorching heat washed over him, making his entire body feel scalding hot.
‘As expected of the Douxuan lineage! How generous!’
Joyful smiles appeared across Li Zhouwei's face, and he chuckled inwardly:
‘Grand-uncle is in luck! A spirit fire in hand already!’
Enshrined upon this screen was none other than a Violet Palace spirit fire!
He reached out and held the screen, inspecting it closely, and vaguely sensed something amiss.
The screen consisted of three panels in total. The first depicted the Piwu raising its head and crying with an open beak; the second was positioned much lower, with beaks firmly closed in a posture of mating; the final panel had its head tucked beneath its wing, seemingly asleep.
Yet each panel bore a corresponding groove, prompting Li Zhouwei to reflect:
"Originally, there should have been three kinds of spirit fires..."
Even as he pondered, the red-eyed, rolling-feathered crow on the panel suddenly shifted its eyes, staring straight at him!
In an instant, the flames atop the screen flared violently, and the white spirit fire cascaded down drenched in killing intent. Far from being alarmed, Li Zhouwei laughed with great amusement:
"Impudent beast!"
Though not loud, this shout struck like a sudden clap of thunder bearing murderous intent, scattering the white spirit fire in an instant. Yet it also brought all the sculptures throughout the hall to life!
The thousands of folded-wing sparrows took flight, the Three-Eyed Tiaoshan Beasts turned their heads, the feathered-necked turtles roared, and the red-eyed, rolling-feathered crows upon the beams spewed fire, all converging down upon him. Without even drawing Dasheng, Li Zhouwei laughed:
"Begone!"
With a single kick, he shattered the stone turtle to pieces, then reached up to rip down the red-eyed, rolling-feathered crow from the beam, twisting its wings and tossing it aside with a scolding laugh:
"You merely captured a few traces of their likeness and took on a sliver of wonder, then steeped in spiritual energy for thousands of years to borrow a fraction of the spirit fire's status—yet you couldn't even bother to see who has come!"
At this, the Three-Eyed Tiaoshan Beasts crouching before the steps froze, as if turning back into stone statues. Li Zhouwei could not be bothered to strike them; he plucked the Violet Palace spirit fire from the painted screen, and sweeping his spiritual sense over it, instantly comprehended its nature.
It was naturally a Combined Fire, but unlike ordinary Combined Fires, this flame blazed with a faint aura of radiance. Having obtained solar spiritual items in the past, Li Zhouwei was very familiar with this trace of luminous energy, which was the power of the Great Sun lineage. Joy swelled in his heart:
‘It is definitely a Combined Fire associated with the Great Sun! Any spiritual material tied to the sun sees its value multiply, let alone a spirit fire!’
The spirit fire was scalding hot upon touching his hand and immediately attempted to flee. Although Li Zhouwei could not refine it in an instant, his surging Mingyang divine ability bore down heavily, promptly suppressing it into a tiny speck of light that rested in his palm, immobilized.
Deprived of its power source, the painted screen collapsed with a rumble, spilling gold and stone across the floor and revealing the scene behind it.
Amidst drifting glazed colors, a cyan square cauldron stood in the hall.
The cauldron had a rigid design with sharp, straight corners and was modest in size. The profound patterns upon it were exceedingly intricate, mostly depicting flying birds, while its belly bore turtle patterns carved atop designs of lakes.
The square lid of this cauldron, however, was trembling faintly as though resting over boiling water. Its corners and edges rattled ceaselessly, emitting blinding white light. One could faintly see patterns of lightning arcing out from the gaps before being swiftly dragged back by the mystical forces, exuding a stinging, prickling aura.
With just a single glance, realization struck Li Zhouwei:
‘A Xuan Thunder object of the Douxuan lineage!’
Yet he did not advance rashly. As his gaze drifted downward, he spotted the surging formation patterns subtly suppressed beneath the cauldron, putting him on guard:
‘Having penetrated this hall, the sixteen Zhenxuan Spirit Statues showed no reaction—it seems their true purpose lies tied to this object! Once this cauldron is moved, the Zhenxuan Spirit Statues guarding Xinhu Palace will almost certainly stir...’
Characters appearing in this chapter:
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Li Zhouwei [Early Violet Palace]
Chapter 968