It was said the cunning rabbit had three burrows. Clearly, Changxi had made many careful preparations. Now, thinking it over, Li Ximing realized why Profound Peak Gate Sect had so few late-stage Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators left. It was all because Changxi had been urging them into breakthroughs year after year.
After a moment’s thought, Li Ximing felt a weight lift from his heart. If Kong Haiying could succeed, then the Li Family’s timely support would be flawless. A sudden realization made him chuckle inwardly, What an old fox... he likely did not reveal this out of gratitude but calculation! Even if I had refused, he would still have told me of Kong Haiying... to stir my heart.
He answered with a solemn expression while Changxi offered his thanks again and again. Suddenly, Li Ximing’s ears twitched, and he said apologetically, "Senior, the various families have already arrived at Milin Mountain. It would not be proper to keep them waiting."
The two rose on the wind, conversing in detail as they made their way toward Milin Mountain.
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"Purple Smoke Immortal Gate! Kong Yuzi has arrived!"
Li Jiangqian’s gaze wandered across the seats. Beside him, Si Tongyi had already raised his head. They saw a woman in a yellow feathered robe descend into the gathering, but before they could look closely, another name was called.
"Slaughter Jun Immortal Gate, Gao Xuanzhi has arrived!"
Si Tongyi’s eyes narrowed slightly at this Dao title. The crowd jolted as they all lifted their heads to look. There, amid drifting white snow and frost condensed in the high sky, a young man appeared in the seat of the Slaughter Jun Gate.
The youth wore a dark-blue pleated robe embroidered with frost motifs. He had draped a heavy brocade cloak over it. The tassel of a sword peeked out from within the cloak. A ring of fine, snow-white fur around his collar framed the clean line of his jaw.
His lips were pressed faintly together, and his skin somewhat pale. It was only accented by his sharp brows. Compared with the Li Family, his eyes were tinged with a grayer hue. They flickered with a strange, almost demonic allure, but it was quickly masked beneath a smile.
Li Zhouwei sipped his tea, his golden pupils shifting slightly. The entire courtyard bustled with lively chatter, as though everyone was absorbed in conversation, yet every gaze lingered on Gao Xuanzhi.
They had never seen this man before...
Did the Slaughter Jun Gate’s direct lineage have such a figure?
He even seemed to be a sword cultivator...
Gao Xuanzhi took his seat. He was the sole representative of the Slaughter Jun Gate, with dozens of spots left empty around him. Sitting alone in the center, he stood out among the many sects and gates.
But he paid it no mind. He rubbed the jade cup in his hand, as if savoring its texture, his gaze lifting to meet that of Li Zhouwei from afar. Both seemed like young men, one with golden eyes, solemn in platinum armor and imposing in presence; the other with gray eyes and skin like snow, dressed in plain fur robes, cold and calm as winter. Their gazes locked for an instant across the air.
Li Zhouwei tightened his grip on the jade cup. Since the other was of the Slaughter Jun Gate’s direct lineage, he offered a rare smile. Gao Xuanzhi smiled as well, his eyes carrying a look of approval.
"Daoist Master Zhaojing... has arrived..."
Now that the three sects and seven gates were now all present, Li Ximing finally appeared. The Purple Mansion Realm cultivators all raised their cups in salute. The direct lineages bowed low, while the rogue cultivators in the lowest seats prostrated in unison, creating a dark sea of heads.
"Congratulations to the Daoist Master on achieving divine ability!"
The shout shook the skies, scattering the floating clouds. Auspicious colors surged and faded above. Li Ximing returned their courtesy with gratitude, and the spirit banquet began as music swelled through the courtyard.
Changxi had already returned to the Profound Peak Gate seats. Li Ximing cast a quick glance as Tianque of the Golden Feather Sect, hot-tempered as ever, stepped forward with the female cultivator Zhang Duanyan at his side, presenting a blue stone box.
The Golden Feather Sect now reigned supreme over Yue State. Li Ximing rose to greet them with the courtesy of a junior, while Zhang Duanyan bowed respectfully and said, "Golden Feather Sect presents the Six-Cornered Scarlet Flame Lamp, in congratulations to the Daoist Master!"
The Scarlet Flame Lamp was surely within the stone box she held. Li Minggong accepted it with a bow, while Tianque laughed and said, "Zhaojing, you are an alchemist after all. In the future, should you require any spirit herbs, you must come to me. My Golden Feather Sect has rich resources, we will certainly satisfy you."
Li Ximing responded warmly, and Tianque went on, "Our Golden Feather Sect also has two Bright Yang spirit artifacts. If you have a need, send someone to us instead of troubling yourself to refine them."
"This junior will remember." Li Ximing answered cautiously, and Tianque took his leave. Hardly had he stepped away when Hengli, clad in his robe of Li Fire, strode through the air, presenting a jade bottle.
Bi Yuzhuang smiled and announced, "Hengzhu Dao Gate offers his congratulations to the Daoist Master, presenting a portion of Purefeather Li Fire!"
Li Ximing felt a trace of embarrassment. It was well known that Tianque and Hengli did not get along. The two of them meeting here made the air bristle with gunpowder.
Hengli’s voice was rough as he said, "Daoist Friend Zhaojing, there is no need for many words between our two families. My family also studies the Bright Yang artifact methods. If you should ever need one, I will personally forge a dharma artifact for you!"
They’re roasting me over the fire with this... Li Ximing shook his head inwardly. Tianque had deliberately raised his voice earlier so that most of those present had heard it. Now Hengli had followed with such pointed words...
Hengli spoke warmly, even generously, but once offended he was the sort to pursue grudges with ruthless stubbornness. Li Ximing smoothed things over with polite words, and Hengli, clearly disinclined to linger, soon departed.
With those two gone, the rest were far easier to deal with. Changxi had already briefed him in detail that the Sword Gate, the Xiukui Dao Gate, and the Purple Smoke Gate had all sent only Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators. The Purple Smoke Gate was the first to step forward.
"Purple Smoke Gate presents the Burning Flame Pill Manual, in congratulations to the Daoist Master!"
Li Ximing nodded slightly and raised his cup. The female cultivator Kong Yuzi poured wine for her master, bowing from the side to avoid a direct exchange.
Once Kong Yuzi had withdrawn, Li Ximing finally had the chance to observe the Slaughter Jun Gate youth more closely. He found it reasonable enough that he cultivated Cold Essence and thought, Though Tu Longjian trained in Molten Fire, Slaughter Jun Gate itself belongs to the Cold Essence Lesser Yin Dao lineage... no wonder. Still, this young man has a fine bearing indeed...
Gao Xuanzhi was smiling faintly, his eyes fixed on another seat. Following his gaze, Li Ximing saw Li Xuanxuan surrounded by a lively throng, music and laughter rising around him. The old man threw back cup after cup, laughing heartily, a sight of ease and joy he had not shown in a hundred years.
Li Ximing could not help but smile. He stepped forward, his figure manifesting in the empty seat. Gao Xuanzhi hurriedly rose, cupping his hands in salute, eyes glimmering with some unspoken meaning.
His voice was respectful and tinged with a smile as he said, "Greetings to Daoist Master Zhaojing!"