Si Yuanli smiled wryly in his heart. Pausing briefly, an emotional sigh surfaced on his face.
"How could I ever look down on you, Fellow Daoist? Back then, the prestige of your ten-year Violet Palace ascension already filled me with immense envy. Knowing you are an extraordinary talent, how could I still harbor past prejudices?"
This middle-aged man had attained Violet Palace relatively late in life. He looked older than Li Ximing, bearing a touch more weariness from the passage of time. Stroking his beard, he said:
"It is only that I am not like you, able to enter the fray early through Mingyangzi. My current situation is awkward, and I merely wished to test the waters..."
Li Ximing knew that the 'Mingyangzi' he mentioned referred to Li Jiangliang, who was currently at Yang Zhuo’s side. Understanding that Si Yuanli suspected his family had boarded the Yinsi ship long ago, he merely sipped his tea in silence. Si Yuanli continued:
"As for Qingchi... regardless of what it is churned into, it remains right at your esteemed clan’s doorstep. Resolving it properly will both stabilize the realm and prevent pointless slaughter—a matter of immense importance for bringing peace to the common people."
Li Ximing shook his head inwardly.
*I am not part of the Yang clan... What use is there in asking me?*
He sighed deeply and said in a low voice:
"Fellow Daoist, who can truly control the tides of the times? Could my Lake Wangyue do so? My clan's predicament is even more awkward than yours, and we harbor no ambition to balance the State of Yue."
These words plunged Si Yuanli into deep thought. He took a sip of tea, secretly bewildered, and asked:
"Then... we simply leave it be? I only fear that doing so will draw the fire onto ourselves..."
Li Ximing raised his brows and said solemnly:
"Do you intend to leave the realm within the seas, Fellow Daoist? If you truly plan to weigh your options carefully, why not speak frankly and discuss what clues Senior Yuanxiu left behind, rather than beating around the bush?"
At these words, Si Yuanli choked for a moment before shaking his head decisively. He answered:
"I have no such intention..."
He paused briefly, his tone laced with melancholy:
"Since you have asked, Fellow Daoist, I shall speak plainly."
"Over sixty years ago, right after Anhuai Heaven descended, my family’s ancestor once issued an order: any promising youth cultivating True Qi within Qingchi’s domain had to be reported immediately... That order held the highest level of priority, and specific offices were tasked with overseeing it. It was only set aside after his demise..."
Li Ximing nodded silently as he listened to Si Yuanli sigh:
"Looking back now, our Lord Ancestor must have foreseen it early on and made quiet surmises; only then would he have issued such an order..."
His expression turned remote:
"Since ancient times, nine out of ten who attain Fruit Positions do so by borrowing the worldly tides of heaven and earth. Even those with world-spanning calculations or the genius to formulate methods and establish paths cannot escape this rule. When our Lord Ancestor attained the mysterious seat, the truth and illusions of the 'Yuzhen' position were clarified. Once 'True Qi' descended, he knew this day would come..."
"He often taught me: 'Entering the Dao is like choosing a master; cultivation must ride the times.' This was precisely the directive left behind by my elder: to preserve myself within the seas and refrain from antagonizing the Yang clan!"
His expression turned grave, revealing a resolute determination:
"My Sima family migrated from north to south, residing in various lands, yet we rarely left the realm within the seas. That we have continuously produced prominent figures who stirred winds and clouds is entirely thanks to this family motto. Fellow Daoist, you spoke truly—Violet Palace cultivators can serve as pawns. Even a True Monarch will not slaughter a Real Person without cause. A Violet Palace cultivator has the standing to choose a side; the worst outcome is merely backing the wrong side!"
"Even if one backs the wrong side, one will not easily lose one's life! But if one chooses neither side and silently leads one's clan away from Qingchi—what does my Si family amount to? Whichever side decides to hold a grudge, would I still have a life to live?"
Li Ximing wore a look of profound contemplation, watching him quietly. Si Yuanli continued in a heavy voice:
"Did the Gao family, the Helian family, or even my Sima family during the era of the State of Ning back the right side back then? Not at all. Yet when the dust settled, they still did not lose their status as princes, lords, or immortal sects..."
"Even the Chen clan of Lingyu—had they been willing to lower their heads back then instead of proving their loyalty through death—would still be active in the State of Yue today. But as for the Su family and the Lin family, who withdrew beyond the seas, does even a peep remain of them now?"
He chuckled, his face showing a few more degrees of decisiveness:
"Now Fellow Daoist Ning Wan is trapped high atop Qingchi, unable to step down, having shielded me from a disaster. If I still dare not take a gamble, I would be betraying the earnest entrustment of my forebears! If the Yinsi wishes to claim the State of Yue, how could they do without assistance? My lineage is complete, its transmission orderly, which makes us all the more favored in their eyes!"
*Preserve oneself within the seas...*
Li Ximing pondered silently, having essentially grasped Si Yuanli’s chain of thought.
*It seems that ever since Sui Guan uttered 'What does that have to do with me?', every single one of them realized Qingchi was merely an instrument. The Yinsi’s moves must be a transaction, not an earthly manifestation of a clash between Golden Cores...*
*In this ever-shifting situation, 'preserving oneself within the seas' undoubtedly means throwing his lot in with the Yang clan. No wonder he has been hurrying back and forth, desperate to board this ship...*
*Ning Wan took the brunt of the storm on his behalf and has entered Luyu Heaven; she probably has no chance of switching allegiances. But he is in an excellent position!*
Looking at Si Yuanli sipping his tea, Li Ximing reflected:
*Yuanxiu fell, yet the opportunities and connections he left behind for Si Yuanli were not meager in the slightest. If that old Real Person could be so certain the Si family would profit by remaining within the seas, he must have had something to rely upon... Cultivating good ties with him in advance... might not be a bad thing...*
Thus intending to test the waters, Li Ximing first nodded in apparent agreement, then smiled:
"I almost forgot... Even if some unforeseen calamity strikes, relying on Senior Yuanxiu's favor with the Dantai family of Mount Jiuqiu, the Sima family will have an avenue of retreat no matter what... You have nothing to fear after all!"
Si Yuanli naturally had arrangements. Though slightly surprised, he still nodded. Li Ximing glanced at him and asked:
"Under that personage's banner, how many people have you sent over, Fellow Daoist?"
Si Yuanli replied with a touch of bitterness:
"The appointments for the conquered market towns were specially arranged, and there are several Si family juniors among them... However, my clan’s talents are scarce, and none have caught that personage’s eye. We could only secure a few positions by relying on connections from Mount Diyun."
His eyes lit up, and he whispered:
"A few direct-line members of my Si family have come out into the world. If they could serve under Jiangliang, that would naturally be the best!"
Li Ximing wore a peculiar expression and replied:
"You may rely on your own abilities for that, Fellow Daoist."
In comparison, he was more concerned with Qingchi's upcoming decisions. He inquired:
"As for Qingchi, how do you intend to handle it, Fellow Daoist?"
Si Yuanli clearly had a plan in mind already. Lowering his eyes, he said:
"Qin Xian will lead men to guard Simin. After this battle, Qingchi will close its gates and seal the mountain, dispersing the disciples of the thirty-six peaks to be placed entirely at that lord's disposal and command. Our only request is to seal our mountain gate, cut off our lineage from the world, and ask of nothing else."
"As for what decision that lord makes... that will have nothing to do with me..."
Li Ximing nodded and sighed:
"We shall see how the situation unfolds!"
Changing the subject, he brought up Real Person Luo. Si Yuanli merely shook his head helplessly:
"His people did bring a request. My own eyebrows are singed with trouble right now; how could I have the mind to care about him? While my elder was alive, he didn’t even dare show his head. Now that the situation has changed drastically, his ambitions are stirring once more."
Li Ximing smiled:
"He obtained a treasure within the grotto-heaven. At a time like this, it might just prove useful."
Si Yuanli naturally would not brush aside his suggestion and nodded repeatedly. Li Ximing then took out the spirit jade and inquired about Zhusheng, but at the mention of him, the Real Person’s expression darkened:
"In the battle of Zhuoshaling, Ning Wan deceived him. Even though it was out of sheer necessity, it caused that Real Person to fling his sleeves and depart in anger, squandering all their past friendship and goodwill. Now Ning Wan remains in seclusion, and he keeps his doors shut as well, paying no heed to any Great Yang lineage. My only option is to use my ancestor's old favor to pay him a visit... and mention it on your behalf, Fellow Daoist..."
His words made it abundantly clear: what could grant an audience with Zhusheng and facilitate this transaction was not status, but rather Si Yuanli spending his own personal favor. Li Ximing poured some tea and said casually:
"Then I truly must thank you, Fellow Daoist!"
In truth, Si Yuanli could not help feeling a sense of fortunate relief in his heart. Back then, his cultivation had been sufficient, yet Real Person Yuanxiu had repeatedly held him back, delaying the timing of his Violet Palace breakthrough under the pretext of refining his Dao attainment. While that certainly increased his chances of success, looking back now, it may well have held a deeper meaning...
*If I had broken through a few years earlier, I would have had to suffer this ordeal alongside them! And had I broken through a few years later, who knows what the circumstances would have been!*
Thinking of Ning Wan taking the heat ahead of him, Si Yuanli felt somewhat better. Remembering his own affairs, he assumed a solemn expression:
"Coming to see you this time, I actually have another matter... I have a spiritual item in hand called Hollow Heart Dark Mulberry, and I wish to refine a medicine. It is a fine medicine for elevating spirit and refining soul named Empty Sleeve Dark Dao Powder, used to elevate a Violet Palace cultivator's cultivation and rapidly form immortal foundations... I hope it can yield six pills, and I entrust this to you, Fellow Daoist."
With that, he drew a jade slip from his sleeve and said earnestly:
"Please take a look!"
"Oh?"
Li Ximing was now someone who had seen the world. Taking it casually, he read through it; indeed, the difficulty was not low. Styled as a powder, it was classified as loose pills, yielding a large count. For him, such difficulty was truly nothing. He raised his brows and teased playfully:
"Even you Qingchi cultivators have taken to using this kind of pill."
Si Yuanli naturally knew what he meant. Strictly speaking, this pill was extravagant beyond measure, consuming precious spiritual items yet yielding modest effects—it could not compare to even a ten-thousandth of taking someone else’s immortal foundation.
In the past, the Yinsi might not have cared, but True Monarch Tianwu back then was no ordinary figure, and the present one also cultivated True Qi; there might well be commonalities between them. Eager to raise his strength, uncertain of the future Yinsi's methods, yet still clinging to the illusion of self-cultivation and self-nature, he chose to refine this pill. He sighed:
"Fellow Daoist, please spare me your mockery!"
Li Ximing reined in the mockery in his eyes and put away the spiritual materials with satisfaction. Remembering something, he asked seriously:
"Fellow Daoist, do you know of Li Quantao?"
Si Yuanli naturally knew. Not only did he know Li Quantao, but he even knew Li Quantao had two sons! Being quick-witted, he smiled and nodded, answering:
"Aside from Xizhi’s few disciples... he is the main one, isn’t he?"
After all, a great upheaval was imminent, and the loss of lives would surely not be small. The stationing locations were of paramount importance. There were only a few members of their own clan in Qingchi; Li Xizhi and Yang Xiao'er would certainly be unharmed, but the others might not fare so well.
Li Ximing nodded. Si Yuanli smiled:
"Rest assured, he will be transferred overseas afterward and will not return during this period..."
Between a few casual remarks, the two had already secured the man's life. Yet another name had surfaced early in Li Ximing’s mind, though he could never bring himself to speak it aloud.
Li Yuanqin.
This younger uncle was also a member of Qingchi, currently in seclusion, and faced no immediate danger. However, he was also tied to the Ning family. Although he had acted prudently to protect himself within his power, he could in no way hold back the overarching trend of the times... His future was shrouded in mist.
Si Yuanli was exceedingly sharp and clearly thought of this matter immediately as well. Yet it concerned the Ning family. Who knew if the True Monarch shifting the blame carried deeper implications? It even subtly touched upon Real Person Sui Guan’s intentions. How could he dare make any promises? He could only pretend not to notice and swiftly divert the topic.
While Li Ximing was lost in thought, the man before him smiled:
"Xunhui mentioned to me that he gets along quite well with Queyi. That is rather good news... Moreover... I hear Real Person Kuangyu of the Xinyu Reefs thinks quite highly of her as well. She appears to be a blessed child."
Li Ximing nodded. Li Queyi frequently wrote letters home, so he was naturally aware of this.
*Si Xunhui has good looks, a pleasant temperament, and is clever and tactful. Wandering the State of Yue all these years, he has frequently taken action against demonic cultivators and corrected the ways of Qingchi cultivators... While there is suspicion of cultivating a reputation, he remains an uncommon, fine match...*
He smiled and offered a few congratulations. Si Yuanli, however, said with a solemn air:
"Since that is the case, I believe it would be best to settle this matter early... After all, as both children's cultivation grows higher, bearing offspring later will become difficult..."
Since both parties were willing, once Si Yuanli brought it up, there was little reason to decline. Li Ximing pondered briefly and spoke frankly:
"What you say makes great sense, Fellow Daoist! Just have the two juniors return home so the clan elders can meet them, and this matter can be settled!"
Going back and forth would not take much time. Suspecting nothing amiss, Si Yuanli smiled and nodded.
Li Ximing saw Si Yuanli off the entire way before putting away his smile and returning to the mountain with a grave countenance.
"Someone come!"
He called out and instructed:
"I am heading to the North Sea, for as short as a dozen days or as long as several months. Go tell Jiangzong to pay no heed to any matters in the south. If there is a truly pressing matter, he may seek guidance from Real Person Minghuang. On no account should he act on his own authority!"
***
The Xinyu Reefs.
The sea winds howled and the waves rolled endlessly. A woman in pink robes arrived riding the wind. Seeing her, the cultivators on both sides retreated respectfully, greeting her with deference. Beside them, a woman in purple robes called out:
"Junior Sister Queyi has returned!"
This woman had a round face and dainty, delicate ears. Her features had matured with age, gaining a touch of dashing grace. It was none other than Li Queyi!
She halted the wind and first nodded to the cultivators on both sides who had come to welcome her, then glanced at the purple-robed woman, replying:
"So it is Protector Yang. You seem quite free today."
As if blind to her coldness, the woman stepped forward and smiled:
"Hearing that you were returning, I was overjoyed and came immediately to welcome you."
Li Queyi smiled without speaking and rode the wind forward. Only then did she see a man arriving on the wind, handsome and full of poise. Stopping before her, he asked with concern:
"Why did it take so long this time? I was worried something had happened to you."
Only then did Li Queyi reveal a genuine smile, replying:
"Elder Sister Quewan was in Qunyi as well! We haven't seen each other in years, so naturally we had to catch up... She has truly matured a lot. In planning and handling affairs, she already possesses the demeanor of an elder."
She showed a hint of astonishment:
"I have only just reached Foundation Establishment... yet Sister has already attained late Foundation Establishment!"
Si Xunhui nodded with considerable appreciation. The guest protector Yang paid little attention to that; having heard that Li Quewan's bloodline was not particularly noble and that she had been posted out to Qunyi, she assumed Quewan was out of favor. She hurriedly chimed in with a smile:
"Truly, both are remarkable figures! Yet no matter how high one's cultivation is, she probably cannot compare to Junior Sister's noble bloodline, favored by the Real Person and blessed with such a fine husband..."
The sister Li Queyi was closest to was Li Quewan. Hearing these words was particularly grating to her ears—flattery gone completely awry. Her face turned icy, and she turned around with a scowl, saying coldly:
"Protector Yang, is it your place to sow discord in my family's affairs?!"
The purple-robed woman was taken aback, stammering and mumbling a few words. The woman before her sneered:
"The Real Person issued an order: the disciples of the former Ziyan Gate are all assigned to positions of protectors and instructors. Protector Yang has only just emerged from seclusion and cannot clearly read the situation. Speaking thus before me is fine, but if the Real Person were to hear it, I wonder if you could bear the consequences! Watch your mouth!"
"Now you dare sow discord among the direct line of a Violet Palace house—take care of your life!"
Turning her head, she left the woman stranded where she stood and headed straight into the island. Beside her, Si Xunhui cast the woman a meaningful glance, stepped forward to catch up, and chuckled:
"To think there is someone so lacking in discernment."
Li Queyi shook her head and sighed:
"Back then, her cultivation was higher than mine, and she was of the senior sister generation, so I showed her some respect. Yet she actually took it as something to rely on... Now is not like the past. If I let her cling to me, in the end she will lose her own life and drag me down with her."
Si Xunhui said with a beaming smile:
"Rest assured, she won't come bother you in the future."
Li Queyi glanced at him and said gently:
"Discuss everything with me first..."
Just then, a woman came forward to report. She too was a former fellow disciple from the Ziyan Gate, yet her attitude was exceedingly respectful.
"My Lords!"
Having endured years of hardship overseas, these cultivators had long been thoroughly tamed. Stripped of the veneer of an immortal sect, the gap in status between them and Li Queyi had abruptly expanded into a chasm between clouds and mud, leaving them to address her respectfully as 'My Lord.'
She said deferentially:
"The Real Person is waiting for you in the palace, My Lord!"
Si Xunhui's expression turned solemn, and he immediately withdrew. Li Queyi swiftly turned, proceeding all the way to the great hall. After bowing in thanks and entering, she discovered more than one person seated within. Beside Real Person Kuangyu, who presided over Xinyu, there was also a beauty clad entirely in white, her aura tinged with melancholy.
"Greetings, Real Persons!"
Just as Li Queyi bowed, Kuangyu smiled and beckoned her forward, introducing her warmly:
"Sister Wan'er, this is Queyi, my favorite junior."
This person was indeed Ning Wan, who had not been seen for a long time!
In terms of age, Ning Wan was actually a generation older than Kuangyu.
Kuangyu had pursued her studies in the Hengzhu Blessed Land, coinciding with the era when the previous generation of Real Persons had fallen, Master Hengli had attained ascension, and the blessed land was short on hands. Her father was also a Real Person, allowing her to fully partake of the resources of both paths, so her breakthrough had naturally been extraordinarily swift.
On the other hand, the most pivotal figure of the Ning family back then, Real Person Yuan Su, had died without issue, leaving the family truly withered. Ning Wan, who had been chosen with difficulty, was inferior in talent to the likes of Kuangyu, and the time she spent dispelling her ignorance had been unusually long, which was why she had broken through so much later. Strictly speaking, Kuangyu naturally called her 'Sister.'
Ning Wan nodded slightly and asked:
"Queyi... which branch do you hail from?"
Li Queyi bowed respectfully and answered:
"Junior is a great-granddaughter of the Yuandu line. My great-great-grandfather was of the Xuan generation, named Xuan."
"Li Xuanxuan..."
Ning Wan clearly knew of him and said softly:
"So you are a descendant of that elder."
In low spirits, she spoke only this sentence and had nothing else to say. Kuangyu, however, grew curious and asked:
"Oh? Is Zhaojing your direct senior? How are his descendants?"
Li Queyi dared not claim that casually and hurriedly answered:
"Reporting to the Real Person, Real Person Zhaojing is of the Yuanping line... The Real Person... has a grandson of the Zhou generation, named Ming, and no other descendants."
Ning Wan felt somewhat helpless and sent via divine transmission:
"Xinyu... the Si family's future is uncertain as well; how could a direct-line daughter be betrothed to them?"
Kuangyu merely smiled, bade Li Queyi rise, and said regretfully:
"It is only a pity you have already entered the Ziyan lineage and established your foundation early on. The lineage you cultivate is not one I am familiar with; otherwise, I would have been quite tempted."
"Still, working under me, I cannot mistreat you. Ziyan's set of techniques is not bad, but I know of a better clan—crucially, one that possesses a path to the Violet Palace..."
At the mention of Ziyan, Ning Wan frowned and asked:
"I took a few looks; the Ziyan disciples in your territory are living in absolute misery... That is hardly an honorable sight."
Kuangyu said solemnly:
"This was not my arrangement, but a reminder from Senior Tinglan... I cannot compare to the Ziyan Gate, nor to the lavish days of the past. If I do not temper their tempers, and cannot step forward for every matter, it will only bring fatal disaster upon them in the future..."
"Suppressing them a bit also spares them from causing trouble outside..."
She smiled, turned her head to look at Li Queyi, and said:
"The one accompanying you is from the Sima family, someone with quite a pedigree. Back then, they moved south to join the Great Yang Qingxuan lineage, and Real Person Yuanxiu was the last Real Person to hold the title of the Great Yang lineage... What is more..."
Kuangyu asked:
"He possesses Dantai blood, does he not?"
This question was naturally directed at Ning Wan. Seeing Ning Wan nod, Kuangyu remarked casually:
"It is indeed the Dantai family; after all, their ancestors formed ties."
As Kuangyu spoke, she drew something from her sleeve—several bright, lustrous round pearls resting in her palm, exuding an icy chill and appearing of exquisite quality. She smiled:
"They are familiar to me as well. Since there is a joyous occasion, take these first."
Li Queyi's face blushed slightly, and she repeatedly claimed she dared not accept. Yet Kuangyu pointed at them, insisting she take them, and dismissed her with a smile.
Ning Wan only sighed. With Li Yuanqin entering seclusion, the two or three remaining members left in the Ning family lacked all capability to manage such matters; they might not even send congratulatory gifts! As Ning Wan was nominally in seclusion, she naturally could not say much.
"Speaking of which, Sister Wan'er... your situation..."
Hearing this, Ning Wan looked weary and said faintly:
"It does not matter. I must return sooner or later. By remaining in seclusion, I can temporarily evade the Yang family's affairs. As for the final outcome... it depends on Qingchi."
"As long as the Lukui Pool shows the slightest reaction, I can preserve my life..."
Kuangyu naturally understood her meaning, yet the situation was truly far from optimistic. That Lord of Lushui had never played by ordinary rules, making him one of the most difficult to serve among all the True Monarchs...
*Moreover, pinning the great crime of Zhuoshaling onto her... one cannot help but harbor deep suspicions...*
Kuangyu felt a touch of worry and replied:
"No matter what, it is still that lord's lineage. This mountain, this formation, this pool—so much effort was poured into them. Wouldn't it be a pity to let it all be razed to the ground?"
Ning Wan said remotely:
"Why would it need to be? Once he deals with this place, offers sacrifices to Lushui, and rebuilds the lineage for the lord, he can calmly withdraw. Even if everything is torn down, whichever year or month another Great Real Person of Lushui steps out of the pool and chooses a few clans to enlighten, won't it all be reestablished anew?"
Kuangyu's expression froze, and she asked:
"Isn't there... still Chi Buzi? He entered the pool as well!"
Ning Wan lowered her gaze and said:
"But he is useful."
Her voice was flat, yet it drifted quietly throughout the great hall.
Kuangyu was slightly stunned, looking at her with a hint of bewilderment. The beauty before her raised her eyes, revealing calm and melancholy in their depths, her voice airy:
"He saw through it; he calculated it clearly. Cultivating atop the pool, even if one possesses thousands of divine abilities, their sole purpose is to cultivate a single use. Cultivate that use, and one can hold that key, that seal."
"Qingchi is a tightening pouch that will ultimately be stuffed into a pocket. The divine abilities of Qingchi are not Violet Palaces; they are that lord's private property and scapegoats. Only one person can survive... there is only enough for one person to live. Once that person walks out and seizes that opportunity, everyone else must remain inside the pouch."
"For all these years, I never understood why he refused to cultivate divine abilities. Thinking of it now, he had seen through it as well. It was just that he lacked Chi Buzi's ambition and refused to walk outward, clutching that key in solitude—all the way until his death."
Chapter 982