Si Boxiu stood firm upon the clouds, and Li Ximing immediately cupped his hands in return and said softly, "My family has cultivated for a hundred years under the protection of the upper sect, with much aid from your esteemed family. The kindness still lingers, and my elder brother still serves within the sect. I must trouble Senior to look after me in the days to come."
Si Boxiu's gaze remained complicated, yet his expression had softened. Li Ximing's breakthrough to the Purple Mansion Realm was now already a foregone conclusion, so there was nothing left for him to say. He could only sigh and speak gently, "In the turmoil of the Chi Family years ago, you suffered much harsh treatment. For that, I offer you my apology."
Li Ximing did not comment either way, but his tone remained respectful as he replied, "Senior, there's no need for you to say such things. I am unworthy of it."
As their exchange ended, a scarlet rune of departing light shot forth from the great void, manifesting in the sky. Radiance pulsed as streaks of light condensed, and a man with thick brows appeared.
He wore a long robe adorned with countless tiny scarlet talismans. It had narrow sleeves whose hem was embroidered with runes of departing light. His face was open and hearty, his brows thick, and his eyes large. With fists slightly clasped, he spoke in a ringing voice, "I am Hengli of the Hengzhu Immortal Dao Gate, offering congratulations on behalf of my gate. I wish Fellow Daoist affinity with the five laws, the golden lotus with ease, success in comprehending the Purple Mansion Realm, and that all your endeavors may bear fruit."
This man was none other than Daoist Master Hengli of the Hengzhu Dao Gate, one of Jiangnan's foremost artifact smiths. Coming in person showed Hengzhu Dao Gate's sincerity. Li Ximing, long familiar with his reputation, did not dare show carelessness and returned the greeting, "I have long heard of Senior's great name. Today I see it is no empty reputation."
Hengli chuckled quietly and said with a nod, "The Nine-Colored Profound Mercury that Fellow Daoist entrusted to my sect has been well kept. Now that you have achieved the Purple Mansion Realm, we have already sent it over. It is on the way."
Li Ximing understood that the Nine-Colored Profound Mercury he spoke of was the Purple Mansion Realm spirit item once obtained from Wang Fu. He acknowledged the man amiably.
Just then, a golden light appeared from the west, revealing a broad-shouldered man. He glared coldly at Hengli before turning toward Li Ximing, "I am Tianque of the Golden Feather Immortal Sect, here on behalf of my sect to congratulate Daoist Master Zhaojing. May Fellow Daoist's divine abilities be tempered a hundred times over, your true arts remain unshaken, your brilliance illuminate the heavens, and may you grasp your true nature."
Both of these Daoist Masters were skilled in combat arts, yet they were far from harmonious. Li Ximing quickly shifted the conversation and replied softly, "The Immortal Sect has long been on good terms with my forebears. For Daoist Master to grace us with your presence brings radiance to this humble place."
After Daoist Master Tianque nodded, a tall, thin man appeared amidst the clouds. Dressed in a shaman's robe, his gaze indifferent, he clasped his hands casually and said, "Hou Fu of the Great Xiukui Temple, here to congratulate Daoist Master."
Although the Great Xiukui Temple could still be counted among the orthodox Daos, its Dao lineage leaned toward the strange and sinister, and they seldom interacted with others. Hou Fu's attendance was only out of regard for the upright conduct of the Li Family. Li Ximing responded politely, after which Hou Fu dissolved into black smoke and vanished.
On the other side, a middle-aged man with a sword on his back also stepped forward to pay his respects, his tone gentle as he spoke in a low voice, "I am Cheng Jiuwen, here on behalf of my Sword Gate[1] to offer congratulations. Should Fellow Daoist have the opportunity, you are welcome to visit our Sword Gate."
The Sword Gate and Xiukui Temple were both known for their aloof pride. This middle-aged man from Sword Gate seemed particularly disdainful of such gatherings. Li Ximing gave a courteous reply, and the man returned the salute before flying back into the great void.
Once the Sword Gate cultivator departed, another man in a Daoist robe appeared. His features were kind and mild, his eyes shaped like willow leaves, and he spoke with a smile, "I am Changxiao, here to congratulate Daoist Master Zhaojing!"
Li Ximing raised his brows to look at him. The man's face bore no trace of hostility, only a warm, smiling expression. Yet Li Ximing could hardly trust him. This man was notorious for being difficult, and besides, the Radiant Sky Stone that enabled his breakthrough had come from Changxiao Gate's hands!
Though that affair back then had many forces in the mix, Changxiao Gate shed much blood. Unable to keep Chengyan[2] within their sect, they used the Radiant Sky Stone as bait and even schemed against Hengzhu Dao Gate, preventing Tu Longjian from siding with them. My family merely reaped the benefit... but who can know what this old fox truly thinks?
Caution filled his heart, though he remained courteous and cordial. Changxiao's voice was deep as he said, "Daoist Master Zimu of the Purple Smoke Gate is in seclusion. The other, who is of your generation, has gone to search for the reincarnation of Zipei and could not come to see you. Do not take offense."
His words suggested an unusual closeness with the Purple Smoke Gate, leaving Li Ximing momentarily stunned. Still, he maintained courtesy and returned the salute. The remaining few in the great void did not appear, nor did Xiao Chuting. Each of the Daoist Masters gave their greetings before fading away.
Si Boxiu lingered until the very end, his eyes fixed upon the heavenly gate in the sky. Hands clasped behind his back, he seemed to gradually sort out his thoughts. At last, he gave Li Ximing a slight smile and finally departed.
The heavenly light behind Li Ximing retracted back into the center of his brow. The colorful clouds in the sky dimmed, and the radiant heavenly gate among the clouds slowly vanished. He descended onto the lake, where over a million pairs of eyes rose to gaze upon him.
"Greetings to Daoist Master!"
Li Chenghui was the first to step forward, his excitement and joy so great that his eyes were red with emotion. He bowed respectfully before him. An Siwei and the others all lowered their heads, not daring to look directly at him, while Zai Xingzi's attendants stood quietly to the side.
Li Ximing stopped Li Chenghui with a gesture, bringing his two joined fingers an inch before his lips. His pale golden eyes flickered as he gently blew.
Hu...!
Radiant Light rained down, suppressing the unending purple flames burning atop Mount Wu. They writhed and burrowed one by one into the mountain's geomantic veins like living creatures.
The Earth Fiend's Spring was filled with purple flames, with faint purple baleful qi rising from it. From time to time, it spat out spurts of purple fire, clearly undergoing a new transformation.
Having subdued the flames upon Mount Wu, Li Ximing smiled and said, "When I broke through to the Purple Mansion Realm, I did not know how the situation might unfold. I dared not let others know, fearing that if I told you first, some divine ability might overhear it. Thus, I first went to see Daoist Master Chuting before hurrying back here. It may not quite count as luring the snake from its hole, but at least I managed to catch one or two."
Li Chenghui responded respectfully, but the excitement in the young man's heart refused to settle. Even now he felt a dizzying sensation, My family has a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator now? My family is now a Purple Mansion Realm immortal family?!
The crowd looked upon them in uncontrollable excitement. Li Ximing's gaze lingered on the few cultivators from the Mifan three sects of Mount Xiaoshi. Their faces had gone pale with terror, some having fainted several times already. None dared to meet his eyes, afraid that his very gaze might kill them.
The jade box still floated in the air as Li Ximing sneered, "Chenghui, take out the congratulatory gift from the Mifan three sects and let us have a look."
Li Chenghui immediately understood. He carefully opened the jade box to reveal a round, smooth, pearl-white spirit item that resembled an eyeball, radiating streams of chilling air.
Li Chenghui's voice was not loud, but it carried force and coldness, "The Floating Cloud Cave of the Mifan three sects presents the Veiled Yin spirit item, the Falcon Yin Pearl."
At this, the few representatives collapsed weakly once again, only to be lifted by Foundation Establishment Realm mana. All eyes on the lake turned toward them, sharp as blades.
A Bright Yang cultivator breaks through to the Purple Mansion Realm, attains a divine ability, and becomes a Daoist Master, yet they dare to use a Veiled Yin spirit item as a congratulatory gift? The intent could not be clearer. Zai Xingzi’s death will hardly be without reason!
An Siwei's anger had not abated, so he was applauding inwardly. Li Ximing gave a faint smile and spoke calmly, "Chenghui, return the item to them and let them go back."
He turned toward them, and the Qi Cultivation Realm cultivators trembled, lowering their eyes in terror as if their souls were about to scatter. They vaguely felt the heavenly light from the center of Li Ximing's brow shining upon them. It felt as though they were standing beneath a blazing sun as sweat poured from their bodies like rain.
1. This should be referring to Wanyu Sword Gate. ☜
2. A Daoist Master. ☜