Led by Changxi, they flew into the mountain. The great formation had already been lifted, and was rippling with clear light. At the forefront stood a tall young man, clad in simple white robes. He had a faint glow emanating from his Daoist crown. His features were deep-set and were distinctly different from the cultivators of the South.
"Greetings to Daoist Master Changxi and Daoist Master Zhaojing." He bowed, performing a full courtesy, and said, "This humble Daoist welcomes the two Daoist Masters! My elder has awaited you for quite some time."
"It has been a long time, Qiuxin, and your cultivation has advanced again!" Changxi chuckled warmly. His tone even carried the affection of one toward a younger member of his own family. He landed at the Daoist temple and made his way toward the main hall.
The main hall appeared plain and unadorned from the outside, but its colors were rich yet subdued inside. Incense smoke curled faintly through the air as Li Ximing swept his gaze across the chamber, noting a white cloth upon which was painted a Daoist figure riding a donkey with its face left blank.
"Daoist Friend Changxi! It has been a long time!"
A middle-aged Daoist came out from the hall. His face was somewhat square, and his attire simple and unremarkable. This was naturally Daoist Master Sumian, the head of Xuanmiao Temple.
He offered a bow, then looked closely at Changxi's face. Clearly possessing some skill in reading qi, his expression changed as he asked, "Daoist Friend, what has happened to you... why do you look in such poor condition?"
It was clear Sumian and Changxi were old acquaintances. Both were cultivators of Earth Virtue, and seeing one of his own kind in decline filled Sumian with sorrow.
Changxi returned the courtesy and explained, "A few years ago, some trouble arose at Jingyi Mountain. Daoist Master Xuan Yi requested my aid. I suffered a minor injury there, and afterward encountered a shift in the spiritual aura. As a result, my appearance has grown unsightly."
Li Ximing observed carefully. When Daoist Master Xuan Yi was mentioned, Sumian's brows furrowed slightly, though he said nothing further.
With a sigh, he remarked, "Destiny and karmic law are ever-changing. The Upper Evil Spirit Storage can no longer endure... but such matters are beyond what either of us can control. So be it, so be it!"
Sumian cultivated Earth Virtue as well. The current spiritual aura, the Dwelling Heart that Charges Profundity, was damaging the earth attribute. It was a troubling sign.
He lifted his gaze to scan Li Ximing and asked, "This must be Zhaojing?"
"Yes, it is I... I greet you, senior!"
"Good." Daoist Master Sumian smiled. "Zhaojing, there’s no need for such formality. Please, come inside."
The group entered together, offered incense, and then moved toward the rear courtyard. Sumian said leisurely, "My Xuanmiao Temple carries on the inheritance of the ancient Tongxuan Palace Dao lineage. The figure depicted just now was the True Monarch Xu Xiang of Tongxuan Palace, who attained Fruition in the Treasure Earth Dao..."
"So it was a True Monarch."
Li Ximing had already formed a suspicion when he noticed that the portrait bore no face. Inwardly, he thought, Though the Dao lineage claims a grand origin, it possesses only a single Purple Mansion Realm divine ability. It’s most likely not orthodox, and likely that they had risen by stumbling upon a chance inheritance.
Sumian led the two into the rear courtyard, where an ancient bronze pill furnace of excellence stood. Other than that, there were only a few meditation cushions. The three took their seats while Ding Weizeng remained standing respectfully at the side.
Sumian then resumed the conversation, saying, "Changxi, have you come this time to introduce Zhaojing?"
"Indeed." Changxi steadied his breath, his features returning to that of a middle-aged man. He gestured as he gave a brief introduction. Yet Li Ximing had long since inquired about Daoist Master Sumian[1], and Sumian already knew something of this newly advanced Purple Mansion Realm cultivator, so the three exchanged only polite courtesies.
Sumian's attitude toward him was cordial. With a smile, he joked, "I have heard that Zhaojing is an alchemist. In the future, I am sure there will be no shortage of matters requiring your help. It seems I must be sure to cultivate good relations with you."
"Senior flatters me!" replied Li Ximing.
Of course, those words could not be taken at face value. Judging from the pill furnace in this courtyard, Sumian's attainments in alchemy might well surpass his own.
It was known that the requirements for alchemy included balance of Yin and Yang within the Shenyang Mansion, with radiance of the dantian rising fourfold within the qihai, and the harmonizing of water and fire. These conditions were rare, yet they were not difficult for a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator.
Those in the Purple Mansion Realm could even shape their qihai. Never mind making radiance of dantian rising fourfold within the qihai and harmonizing water and fire, they could even mold the mixed Yin and Yang clouds required by artifact smiths. Save for a few special Dao lineages, most Purple Mansion cultivators could fashion such things however they wished.
Balancing Yin and Yang within the Shenyang Mansion was somewhat more difficult, but so long as one's Dao lineage drew from the Twelve Essences or was not overly entangled with Yin and Yang, it could still be adjusted over time.
Li Ximing had been born with such a balance, so he never needed to concern himself with it. Yet as Purple Mansion Realm cultivators, if Changxi and others wished, they too could refine pills. The only difference lay in proficiency, they would simply be less at ease when compared to Li Ximing.
Changxi grew worried that Li Ximing might ask something awkward. He quickly interjected with a reminder, speaking on his behalf, "Daoist Friend Sumian has shown great interest in alchemy in recent years. Cultivating Treasure Earth and hailing from the North, he differs much from the Jiangnan cultivators. You might let him examine your Dharma Protector."
"Then I must trouble you, senior!" Li Ximing replied with a smile and a courteous bow.
Sumian, who had already noticed Ding Weizeng standing by, beckoned him forward. He examined him with a simple hand seal and, without hesitation, nodded. "The Palace Sun Tiger, what a fine Immortal Foundation! Yours is identical to that of Daoist Master Yanque of the Hengzhu Dao Gate two hundred years ago. He was a great cultivator in his time."
Releasing his hand, he formed another seal, lightly guiding a handful of ash from the pill furnace into a jade bowl. Breaking off a willow branch from the courtyard, he dipped it into clean water with practiced ease and said gently, "Do you know alchemy or artifact forging? Your dantian has been damaged, and its Yin and Yang are leaking away. I will mend it for you now, but hereafter you must not attempt pill refinement or artifact forging."
Ding Weizeng responded respectfully, "In reply to Daoist Master, this humble one was never blessed with such fortune to begin with."
Sumian handed him the jade bowl, then flicked the willow branch dipped in water twice across his lower abdomen, calling out in a clear voice, "Close your eyes!"
Ding Weizeng quickly obeyed, closing his eyes. Multicolored light of divine ability sprayed from Sumian's mouth and flowed across the man's body. The heavenly light between Li Ximing's brows stirred faintly; he realized that Ding Weizeng's injuries were now healed.
It’s healed just like that! thought Li Ximing.
For among all those steps just now, only that handful of ash had been burned from a spiritual item and carried any true wonder. The rest were ordinary things. An ailment that Foundation Establishment Realm and Qi Cultivation Realm cultivators could scarcely endure, an illness that only a few rare spiritual herbs could cure, had been healed so easily!
Seeing the astonishment on both their faces, Sumian smiled and shook his head, "No, not at all. One side had Bright Yang, and the other Gen Mountain. I simply used Treasure Earth as the medium to create the pattern of Heavenly Yang shining, all vegetation flourishing, and life brimming. I merely borrowed from the inherent rank of the two Purple Mansion Realm cultivators present and made use of it."
"Even so, it is proof enough of Daoist Master's cultivation!" Li Ximing offered his praise. From what he had seen so far, Sumian's conduct was forthright and decent. Whatever his inner thoughts might be, if his dealings were consistent with what was shown here, he truly seemed reliable and worth befriending. Smiling, he said, "Weizeng, quickly thank the Daoist Master!"
1. The raw is using Qilao but I changed it to Sumian for consistency. ☜