Li Ximing offered a few words of comfort, and then casually asked, "Has Senior made arrangements for the Gen Earth spirit artifact, the Mountain-Charging Sea-Pacing Tiger? If not, you could gift it to Daoist Master Sumian, or failing that, to Daoist Master Xuan Yi."
Changxi sighed. Clearly, he had planned for this matter long ago, yet he had not found a solution. He answered, "I already have another gift prepared for Sumian. As for Xuan Yi, other arrangements have also been made. Now, those who dare to ask for it would not help me, while those willing to help refuse to accept it. So I still keep it in hand. When my lifespan runs out, I will deliver it to Zhaojing."
Li Ximing understood that the chance of exchanging this spirit artifact for assistance from the Purple Mansion Realm was almost gone. In the end, it would likely be given to his own family for peace of mind. So he said, "Senior, take care. The Profound Peak Gate territories are vast. It would be best to recall the Island Master guarding Yuezhou Island."
Changxi knew that his family had no one left, and that Fu Yuezi was the only one capable of managing affairs. He said hoarsely, "I have already sent him out and ceded Yuezhou to Jingyi Mountain. Once the matter is settled, he will return. Zhaojing need not worry."
Li Ximing sighed inwardly for him but said no more. He nodded, turned, and departed, leaving Profound Peak Gate through the great void. He stepped into the Eastern Sea, where his gaze met lights of Converging Water shining in every direction.
As he traveled stealthily through the great void, he occasionally encountered towering places, which surely harbored spirit items or spirit water. He broke through their boundaries, casually gathered them, and continued on. Along the way, he obtained six Qi Cultivation Realm spirit items and one spirit water, the Earth Fiend Cold Spring.
A Hooked Serpent was guarding the area by the Earth Fiend Cold Spring, likely using it for cultivation. When Li Ximing appeared, the demonic creature stiffened in terror, not daring to make a sound. Out of respect for the Dragon Clan’s territory, Li Ximing spared its life, took the spirit item, and left.
In less than a night’s journey through the great void, he had already reached the Chongzhou Island void. At a glance, he saw rippling Bright Yang radiance transforming into a milky-white light dome that enveloped the area in dazzling brilliance. Li Ximing was somewhat surprised, A lean camel is still bigger than a horse... The Cui Family of Chongzhou actually has a Purple Mansion Realm formation... remarkable, truly remarkable.
With hands clasped behind his back, he broke through the great void and descended on heavenly light to the island’s shore. Immediately, colorful clouds converged, interwoven with purple and gold, as bright weather spread. Li Ximing released his spiritual sense, swept it across the area, located a cultivator dressed as a direct descendant, and stepped forward.
A moment later, his figure appeared behind the patrolling cultivator, and a burst of intense heavenly light radiated outward, casting a field of white all around.
The man turned sharply and his pupils dilated in alarm. Clearly stunned for an instant, he immediately dropped to his knees. His limbs trembled, and his face drained of color in terror. His eyelids fluttered, and he rasped hoarsely, "Chongzhou... Cui... Xinzhan greets the honored Daoist Master!"
It was no wonder Cui Xinzhan reacted this way. He was only at the mid-stage of the Qi Cultivation Realm, where even encountering a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator was already an awe-inspiring event. To suddenly see the great void before him shatter and a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator emerge, merely managing to speak was already proof of his courage.
Li Ximing had not expected to frighten him so badly and said casually, "Go and inform your elders that Daoist Master Zhaojing of Moongaze Lake has arrived."
Cui Xinzhan immediately answered in the affirmative, stood up drenched in sweat, and nearly collapsed from exhaustion. He hurried toward the formation and called out at its edge. A streak of flowing light descended at once and manifested into a woman holding a golden ring in her hands.
She lowered her head respectfully and asked, "Cui Wanqing of Chongzhou pays respects to the honored Daoist Master! Years ago, a senior from Moongaze Marsh once visited. To behold Daoist Master’s immortal bearing again is a great honor for all of Chongzhou!"
His own aunt had indeed visited Chongzhou Island, so Li Ximing naturally understood her words. He merely gave a slight nod and said, "This time I came only to reaffirm ties of friendship. There is no need for excessive formality."
Upon hearing that he was a Daoist Master from Moongaze, and recognizing that he cultivated the Bright Yang Dao with the surname Li, Cui Wanqing felt an immediate closeness.
That was why she came out personally to greet him, speaking gently, "Daoist Master, this way please..."
She led Li Ximing into the formation. However, this was only the outer Foundation Establishment Realm formation of the island. The Cui Family had indeed declined; though they possessed a Purple Mansion Realm formation, it was only enough to shield the core mountain at the center. The rest was guarded by Foundation Establishment Realm and Qi Cultivation Realm formations. Although the Cui and Li Families were close, it would not do to expose their heartland to outsiders at the very first step.
Li Ximing looked around. Mortals bustled about below his feet. They did not appear overly frightened, most simply lowering their heads and dispersing. The population was remarkably dense, and he gave a word of praise, "Chongzhou governs its people with great diligence."
Cui Wanqing hid her mouth as she smiled, looking faintly joyous as she replied, "Replying to Daoist Master, the Bright Yang Dao is one of engagement with the mortal world. Many of my family’s cultivation methods and secret arts emphasize ordering the world while aiding oneself. That is why our numbers are so great. Each year, more than a few cultivators leave, taking family members with them.
"In fact, most Cui cultivators and families of the Eastern and Southern Seas can trace their roots back to Chongzhou. Every ten years, Cui Families from all across the world return here, which is truly a grand event."
Cui Wanqing was making Chongzhou’s status clear. Backed by the White Dragon lineage, no one would dare move against them. For Cui Families scattered across the lands, returning here to pay respects to their ancestral mountain was always a blessing.
He had just stepped onto the stairs and had yet to enter the main hall when a middle-aged man hurried over. His expression was solemn, with a long mustache hanging down. When he came close, he turned slightly to the side and bowed respectfully to the ground, "This junior, Cui Xianye, greets the honored Daoist Master!"
Cui Xianye was somewhat older, yet far less at ease than Cui Wanqing. He seemed to be about the same age as Li Ximing’s, but he was extremely restrained, pressing his head against the floor without daring to rise, and said, "My father is currently in seclusion and cannot personally greet you. As the one entrusted with managing the state’s affairs, I, Xianye, offer the Cui Family’s greetings to the honored Daoist Master."
"Rise."
Li Ximing smiled as he entered the hall. Cui Xianye guided him to a seat and personally served tea, respectfully saying, "Years ago, the Li Family of Moongaze Marsh exchanged letters with my Cui Family of Chongzhou regarding a senior said to cultivate thunder. Our elders did not know whether it was true, so they did not dare to trust it. Now, seeing Daoist Master in person, we know it is indeed the true Bright Yang Dao lineage."
Li Ximing did not hold the past against him. At that time, the Li Family had indeed been obscure and struggling, and even though their situation had slightly improved now, they had only just gained a place at the table. They had not yet secured a Dao lineage back then, so the Cui Family had been kind to even share information.
He nodded and said, "Indeed. Travel was inconvenient back then, so our contact was limited. From now on, we can correspond more often."
Those words made it clear that past grievances were forgiven. Cui Xianye let out a quiet breath of relief and bowed again, "Daoist Master, thank you for your understanding."
Li Ximing said no more on the matter and instead asked, "How many divine ability cultivators does the Cui Family have at present?"
Cui Xianye quickly replied, "To answer Daoist Master, Chongzhou Island once had Daoist Master Mingzan, who was my respected great-grandfather, but he passed away a century ago. Several elders of his generation suffered backlash from spiritual aura while in seclusion, and in recent years one after another showed signs of falling. A few years ago, my father also entered seclusion. As of now, there are no divine ability cultivators left on this island.
"Among the branches that left, a descendant of my great-grandfather’s ninth line attained the Purple Mansion Realm, with the Dao title Yangya. He has established himself in the far west, in the Western Sea, and seldom returns except for major events."