Zhijing Mountain.
Li Zhouwei returned to the family on heavenly light. He dismissed his companions, handed Mang Huazi over to the white ape for safekeeping, and seized Wenhu to meet with Li Ximing.
When he reached the mountain’s base, a report told him Li Ximing was already at the summit. Relieved, he dragged Wenhu up, flung him onto the radiant square stone, and said respectfully, "This villain dared to offend the Daoist Master with deceitful words. Now that Hongfu Mountain has been taken, I have captured him and brought him here!"
Li Ximing had been waiting atop the mountain and rose with a cheerful laugh. Though the matter had long been planned, and he had blocked the Purple Mansion Realm cultivator from within the great void beforehand, how much they gained still depended on Li Zhouwei’s strength.
He smiled and said, "Good, very good. Lock him away first. You and I will talk in detail, and we will interrogate him later."
Li Ximing had little desire to control the Li Family directly, which was why he was greatly satisfied with Li Zhouwei. Though the Purple Mansion Realm’s divine abilities were formidable, the value of a top-tier Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator could not be understated. Why else had Ning Tiaoxiao once gone to such lengths to elevate Li Xuanfeng? If the Li Family did not have Li Zhouwei now, how could they ever press into Hidden East? If they only had Li Chenghui and Li Minggong’s strength, they would be fortunate just to hold Floating South across the river.
He helped his White Qilin up and explained everything about Changxi. Li Zhouwei considered it carefully, and Li Ximing said, "I believe Ye Hui must have another scheme. Otherwise, he would not have been the first to stand against our family. That is the first point. The second is... while Changxi still lives and can act as a shield, I wish to visit the Cui Family to inquire about their Dao lineage."
Li Zhouwei replied, "The affairs of the Purple Mansion Realm are not too hard to untangle, especially since the Chengyun and Capital Immortal Dao families behind the Mifan three sects lack a Life Divine Ability. Much can be guessed with keen intelligence. Changxi may not be ignorant, but rather unwilling to speak, for it touches on interests. If we do not ask, he will not say. Failing that, we could form ties with Sumian instead."
What he said matched Li Ximing’s own thoughts. Li Ximing responded, "Changxi is a family cultivator who achieved the Dao in the Eastern Sea. He was never a good man. Even as he lies dying, his body stiff, he still guards himself with suspicion. If I were in his place, I might not fully trust our family either. From his perspective, if Profound Peak Gate declines, our family stands to gain the most."
These words carried truth. Should Profound Peak Gate collapse and abandon its mountain, its talents, spirit items, and Dao lineage would surely flow into Moongaze Lake. Li Zhouwei answered at once, "As for the Cui Family, behind them stands the lineage of Dongfang You, who are staunch supporters of Dingjiao. If you seek some information, they should not refuse the Daoist Master. This journey will surely bring great gain."
"Good!"
That was exactly what Li Ximing wanted to confirm. His confidence rose once he heard that it was tied to Dingjiao. They chatted about matters of the White River Stream territory, and when he heard the name White River Dispatch Office, he could not help but laugh, "How domineering, its very name carries the taste of Bright Yang’s autocracy."
Li Zhouwei smiled calmly. Li Ximing only jested for a moment before his expression turned solemn, asking, "Do you still have any channels within the Dragon Clan? Do not forget to inquire about matters concerning the elder..."
Li Zhouwei knew this referred to Li Qinghong. He sighed inwardly. The matter was too sensitive to ask casually, yet he nodded silently in agreement.
Sensing his hesitation, Li Ximing let his Bright Yang divine ability shimmer from his sleeve, piercing through the great void. He left behind one final message, "I have left a Profound Patterned Bottle in the Purple Flame Earth Fiend Spring at Zhijing Mountain for tempering. If there is a need, take it freely."
The Profound Patterned Bottle could absorb fire veins, drawing on the powers of Radiant Fire and Bright Yang to refine heavenly light within, thus enhancing its might. After his breakthrough, Li Ximing had left it behind on the mountain.
With that reminder, he rose on heavenly light to traverse the great void. Delight stirred in his heart as he anticipated the journey to the Cui Family. Before long, the Purple Mansion Realm grand formation of Profound Peak Gate appeared in the great void. Black and yellow currents sank below while dark blue radiance floated above. It looked even more formidable than the grand formation of Xianyou Peak.
As soon as he arrived before the formation, an entrance opened up on its own, and Changxi’s voice echoed forth, "Each art has its specialty. Gen Earth excels at defense, so a sect’s formations will naturally be more stable. Fellow Daoist Zhaojing, please enter."
He stepped through the formation, and the space opened up before him. In the distance shimmered the dazzling white waters of Lake Xian, with wisps of mist drifting over. Li Ximing turned around to find the cave dwelling filled with rolling blue stones.
On the central dharma seat sat a stone statue, its beard and brows like carved jade as they stiffly protruded from its cheeks. The eyes were patterned stone that were dark green and black in color. It was staring blankly forward, a chilling sight.
Li Ximing paused as he heard a muffled rumble from within the stone man’s chest, "Wait a moment, Zhaojing."
The stone man rose with difficulty, scooping a handful of sand and pressing it against his face. His features and neck took shape, and the rest of his body was cloaked with robes. Sitting by the table, he forced a smile, though his eyes remained of stone, cold and expressionless.
"Such an unsightly appearance..."
Changxi laughed, and the stony eyes slowly grew flesh until his usual features emerged, gentle and amiable. Li Ximing let out a breath of relief and asked, "How is your health, Senior?"
"Less than three years remain." Changxi shook his head. His condition was truly dire. He said wearily, "Since you have come seeking me, Zhaojing, you must have business. Speak."
Li Ximing felt as though Changxi might collapse at any moment. Not daring to linger, he asked quickly, "A great war will break out within a few years and this junior wishes to refine a spirit embryo. In truth, it is not only for those years ahead, if I refine it earlier, it will grant me greater strength in advance."
" Oh! "
Changxi looked suddenly enlightened.
So he has come to ask me for the method of refining a spirit embryo!
At this stage, what excuse could Changxi possibly use to refuse? To be blunt, if he died overnight, would not everything of Profound Peak Gate fall into Li Ximing’s hands should he so desire? Which of Profound Peak Gate’s secret techniques or spirit items would the Li Family not claim?
Besides, Changxi had never truly believed in sentimental ties. The Kong Family, once a renowned family, had been scattered without anyone remembering bonds enough to care for their descendants. If the Li Family was willing to step in, then Profound Peak Gate’s inheritance was only rightfully due to Li Ximing as well.
The old man coughed, suppressing his thoughts, and forced a smile as he answered, "It was my failing. I promised you earlier that I would give it to you for study. Instead, I’ve made you come in person. I truly apologize."
He drew out a jade slip from his sleeve, coughing as he said, "This text is called Divine Technique of Pavilion View: Refining Within Fire. I obtained it long ago from the Eastern Sea. It is clean and without taint. I have practiced this very refining art myself, so rest assured, Zhaojing."
"My thanks, Senior!"
Li Ximing received it and immediately swept it with his spiritual sense. The jade slip was of exceptional quality, and seemingly reinforced by Earth Virtue divine abilities. Heavy and solid, it rivaled a Foundation Establishment Realm dharma artifact. Though small, it contained millions of words, with numerous illustrations as aids. It clearly came from a formal and complete Dao lineage.