Li Ximing waved his hand. "Weizeng, I have important matters to discuss with the Daoist Master. Wait at the foot of the mountain."
Naturally, Ding Weizeng agreed and followed Xiao Ruyu down. Though the man was formidable, his reputation was limited to Jiangbei. He had never seen much of the greater world and behaved very cautiously in front of the Xiao Family.
Li Ximing ascended to the main peak of Xianyou, arriving once more at the deep pool. This time, no snow covered the summit. The stones were clear and well-defined, with a serene and delightful scenery. By the poolside, the old man was not fishing but seated and drinking tea.
"Zhaojing greets the Daoist Master!" Li Ximing paid his respects and stood before the table.
Xiao Chuting still carried that same unhurried air as he said, "There is no need for formality."
This formal visit was unlike his previous attempt to build ties. A pot of pale yellow high grade tea rested on Xiao Chuting's table, rippling with spiritual energy. Li Ximing took a small sip. Though it offered little benefit to a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator, its fragrance was rich and lingering.
Li Ximing paused slightly and spoke in a quiet voice, "Senior... this Jiangbei cultivator who practices the Hengzhu Dao lineage, does he harbor any hidden schemes?"
When Xiao Chuting refused to let Ding Weizeng ascend the mountain, Li Ximing's first thought was that something was amiss.
Doubt stirred in his heart, yet the old man shook his head and said hoarsely, "Was this man pushed forward by Si Boxiu?"
Li Ximing seemed to grasp something and immediately recounted what had just happened.
Xiao Chuting chuckled softly and replied, "He doubts my mastery of divine abilities and wants to test whether I have truly cultivated the art of Holding the Ridge. So he first put Daoist Xiangchun forward, knowing you would avoid trouble, then mentioned me afterward. That way, it would not seem deliberate.
"The Pit Water Dao teaches that Holding the Ridge is Pit Water dwelling within the ridge. Water depends on its source; so long as there is a source, it can be drawn endlessly. Thus, it possesses the ability to heal and restore injuries, and it can be used to treat your guest cultivators.
"He only needs to see your guest cultivator recover from their injuries and walk out of Xianyou Peak. Then, it would most certainly prove that I, Xiao Chuting, have indeed mastered Holding the Ridge."
"I lack knowledge of divine abilities and nearly spoiled matters," Li Ximing offered an apologetic remark and thanked him for the guidance.
Xiao Chuting had no need to explain so much; a single excuse would have sufficed. By clarifying all this, it was evident that he was intentionally teaching him.
Li Ximing's heart sank, and he frowned as he said, "I wonder if Daoist Master Yuan Xiu acted according to circumstances, or... could Ding Weizeng have been driven by his Life Divine Ability? Would he truly spare the effort for such a thing?"
Xiao Chuting answered casually, "Merely going along with the flow... trying it out in his leisure. Though Wood Forms Square is a Life Divine Ability, it is not meant to manipulate situations. That man is arrogant and has no mind for such things."
Clearly, he had dealt with such minor tricks countless times over the years, so they were hardly worth mentioning. He continued, "As for Changxi's matter, I see you’ve agreed to it. Do you know the general outline of the Radiant Sky Stone affair back then?"
When he brought up the Kong Family, Li Ximing replied, "I know a little, but I ask for your guidance."
Li Ximing knew the general outline of the Radiant Sky Stone affair. The Kong Family had merely provided information without taking action, but he listened as Xiao Chuting slowly explained, "Tulong Jian refused to take sides for many years. Then, after breaking through to the Purple Mansion Realm, he secluded himself for an extended period, seeing no one. Clearly, he meant to remain aloof. Since he had made his name in Yue State, such conduct naturally drew many cold looks."
"The Radiant Sky Stone affair was meant to force Tulong Jian to step into the game. Li Xijun was lured to Crimson Reef Island to compel Tulong Jian to choose between returning a spirit artifact to Crimson Reef or siding with Hengzhu Dao Gate. He refused to choose, and Li Xijun died as a result."
When Li Ximing remained silent, Xiao Chuting continued, "As for what role the Kong Family played in this... it is hard to say. Changxi was shunned in Jiangnan. He naturally would not have let a chance to stir the waters and curry favor with various sects slip. Moreover... given Tulong Jian's temperament, even if he could not save Li Xijun, the Radiant Sky Stone might still have fallen into your family's hands.
"He had some ties with Crimson Reef Island. It would not be impossible for him to attempt a solution that satisfied both sides."
Though Xiao Chuting said it was hard to say, his meaning was clear. Changxi's interference was a crucial push. On one hand, he had helped Crimson Reef draw Tulong Jian in; on the other, he let the Li Family obtain the Radiant Sky Stone.
It may well be... that the Radiant Sky Stone was the reward Crimson Reef promised Profound Peak Gate for drawing Tulong Jian into action. Changxi meddled in it, and in the end, it became the reward given to my family.
Li Ximing understood in his heart that the Li Family might never have acted to seize the Radiant Sky Stone without the information from Profound Peak Gate. It was precisely because of the ties between the two families that they, following Changxi's suggestion, had persuaded Si Yuanli first, believing the Radiant Sky Stone to be a reward. Only then had they decided to make the attempt!
Looking back now, the entire matter had been exceedingly complex. Their own family had merely killed someone, yet the contest of several Purple Mansion Realm cultivators had been just beneath the surface.
As for Changxiao Gate, who seemed to have gained nothing... what were they truly up to?
As he pondered, Xiao Chuting sipped his tea and said softly, "Zhaojing, have you received anything from Changxi? Now that you know of this matter, how will you deal with it in the future?"
Li Ximing remained silent for a while. Changxi's actions back then could not be considered harming his family. At most, he had simply made decisions on their behalf. After all, no matter how one looked at it, exchanging a Foundation Establishment cultivator with no hope of reaching Purple Mansion Realm for a Radiant Sky Stone was a great bargain...
But my family was only a mortal family back then. How could we have had the right to make our own decisions...
Li Xijun's death was something Li Ximing could hardly pursue to the end. At most, he could resent Crimson Reef. Thus, he could not lay much blame in front of Xiao Chuting and could only answer, "Crimson Reef wanted to plot against Tulong Jian. My family could not have avoided it regardless. Without Profound Peak Gate, harsher methods would have been used. Their enmity with my family meant that my brother Xijun might not have been the only one...
"This matter was like someone holding a blade to kill me in order to force my elders to act. Daoist Master Changxi only tugged at his sleeve and asked for some compensation. What benefits he gained is one matter. Back then, my family was just a clan. We had no right to pick and choose when Purple Mansion Realm cultivators offered support."
Whatever he truly thought of Changxi, these words gave him considerable face. And they did not refer only to Changxi alone.
It had to be acknowledged that Profound Peak Gate had indeed fanned the flames, yet the Xiao Family had remained unmoved. They had even controlled the eastern shore before, depriving the Li Family of the right to build a marketplace. They had stood aside without any gesture throughout many upheavals, and now even seemed intent on continuing to stand aside... If Li Ximing spoke ill of Changxi, how would Xiao Chuting think of it?
Li Ximing kept only one thing in mind; Xianyou Peak was not the Li Family. Though he carried a knot of grief over Li Xijun's death, who would truly care? At most, what he needed was just a show of acknowledgment.
When he finished speaking, Xiao Chuting showed little change in expression. He only gave a slight nod and said in a deep voice, "Zhaojing, your ability to see things with such openness is truly rare."
His words carried a note of emotion. To achieve the Purple Mansion Realm was a glorious feat, and even those with the firmest Dao hearts could not help but feel pride. All the more so now, with Changxi in old age and forced to beg so bitterly...
Changing the topic, Xiao Chuting smiled and said, "As for your guest cultivator, you may ask Changxi. He has a method."
Li Ximing expressed his thanks twice. Their conversation grew more superficial, and it seemed this visit was about to end.
Thinking of Si Boxiu's parting words before his departure, Li Ximing asked, "Senior, you alone have supported the Xiao Family in Jiangnan. Surely you must have offended the interests of some Purple Mansion Realm cultivators. Might there be a Daoist Master with whom you have enmity...?"
He was asking about Xiao Chuting's enemies. The old man naturally understood, but he answered lightly, "In Jiangnan, I entangle myself with no one. They would never believe you to be allied with me. There is no need to worry. Go on your way."