Li Ximing rode a beam of light through the great void, emerging high above the Wilderness. He lifted his sleeve to reveal the back of his hand, where a mote of violet radiance lingered, emanating a dull glow.
Ye Hui had managed to leave an injury on him during their earlier pursuit and clashes. It was a minor one that hardly affected his Dharma Body. An ordinary Purple Mansion Realm cultivator would likely need half a month to recover, but his Heaven-Venerating Gate excelled at grinding down and erasing foreign mana. It would likely be gone within two or three days.
He examined it closely, then raised his other hand and lightly stroked the back of his hand, slicing away that patch of flesh. After lifting it up and studying it in thought, he placed it back.
For most Purple Mansion Realm cultivators, if a part of the Dharma Body suffers excessive damage, it can simply be discarded and remade. It's merely a matter of which takes more time. Since I can suppress and grind it down, direct healing is usually faster... If it were another Purple Mansion Realm cultivator, they would likely have their own ways.
He then stepped down from the air. Many cultivators were still passing beneath him, and Li Ximing did not wish to cause another round of kneeling and bowing. A casual wave clouded their eyes with a spell and he walked straight past them.
He ran into Kong Guxi at the hall entrance. Fu Yuezi followed obediently behind him, carrying a golden spear and a golden axe.
Of the other Profound Peak Gate guest cultivators, only Sun Bai bothered to step forward and offer a few polite words, "Please wait a moment, gate master. Let me examine your injuries first."
Sun Bai formed a spell seal and began treating Kong Guxi's wounds. Li Ximing glanced over; among the cultivators of Profound Peak Gate, only Fu Yuezi and Sun Bai were truly noteworthy.
Sun Bai belonged to the Grave Verdant Grove, a lineage specializing in healing and nurturing. Thus, the protection he received throughout the battle was no less than that of the Li Family members. As for Fu Yuezi, his Immortal Foundation was the Heavenly Gilded Helm, and he possessed considerable ability himself. He was on par with Ding Weizeng within the Li Family.
Kong Guxi had performed admirably in this great battle, advancing and retreating with precision, though he had also sustained heavy injuries. Naturally, Li Ximing wished to see him.
When he revealed his presence, Kong Guxi, who had been speaking politely with Sun Bai, looked up to see heavenly light gathering and was so startled that he immediately fell to his knees, "Greetings, Daoist Master!"
The entire group dropped to their knees in an instant. The Jade Court Guards on both sides laid down their weapons and knelt as well, producing a chorus of crisp sounds.
Li Ximing responded, "Rise."
All the unease in Kong Guxi's heart vanished and a surge of joy rose as he loosened his furrowed brow. Yet along with that joy came a hint of fear, and his face showed reverence and submission.
Li Ximing had only just advanced into the Purple Mansion Realm, while Ye Hui was already in the mid-stage. Though he knew that Purple Mansion Realm cultivators found it difficult to harm one another, Kong Guxi could not help but worry. Seeing Li Ximing composed and unscathed brought him greater joy than even holding the Wilderness, yet the unresolved matter of Jingyi Mountain still weighed on him, leaving a trace of anxiety.
Li Ximing swept his spiritual sense over him and immediately saw his condition clearly. The man's lower body had turned into nothing but a skeletal frame. It had clearly been injured by some sharp, baleful techniques from the Capital Guard Dao lineage.
It must have been the Western Sky Plateau.
Kong Guxi cultivated the Fool's Mountain Chase, and his body was not particularly extraordinary. Li Ximing flicked his sleeve, sending the life-giving energy of Bright Yang into Kong Guxi. The man felt his wounds grow itchy as his whole body warmed. Flesh and skin regenerated and allowed him to stand firmly on the ground again.
The regenerative power of Bright Yang could restore flesh and skin but not cultivation. Even so, it spared Kong Guxi the trouble of taking medicine.
The Profound Peak Gate's gate master knelt down and said respectfully, "Thank you, Daoist Master!"
The wounds on Fu Yuezi behind him also healed, though his Immortal Foundation had forged a Dharma Body and his fierce fighting style made injuries harder to mend. This treatment restored only his skin and flesh; he would still need to return and reforge himself. He bowed his head and knelt beside Kong Guxi.
This man is truly loyal, thought Li Ximing.
He had already taken note of him earlier. Fu Yuezi had fought with ruthless ferocity and risked his life to save Profound Peak Gate cultivators.
After a slight pause, and though he no longer held much hope, Li Ximing still asked, "How is Jingyi Mountain?"
Kong Guxi could only recount everything that had happened. Li Ximing shook his head and thought to himself, Shanji Prefecture is beyond saving.
Kong Guxi still looked uneasy. Although the matter could not be blamed on him, he was nevertheless visibly anxious.
Li Ximing said casually, "When the time is right, I will visit Jingyi Mountain myself. As for your Wood Virtue guest cultivator, I will need to borrow him for a task at the lake first."
Sun Bai was capable, and his Immortal Foundation was useful. Li Ximing's own Floating South territory was also in shambles, with everyone injured. Since there were things Li Zhouwei was not in a position to say, Li Ximing spoke of bringing Sun Bai into service.
He showed no sign of pursuing the matter of Jingyi Mountain, and Kong Guxi finally felt relieved.
The moment those words left Li Ximing's mouth, Kong Guxi pressed his forehead to the ground and said respectfully, "Daoist Master jests. Our ancestor instructed us before his passing to follow your every command. Let alone Guest Cultivator Sun, all matters of Profound Peak Gate, great and small, are to be guided by your will. This junior has no right to speak out of turn, nor any thought of overstepping. I await your immortal decree."
Li Ximing had long known he was obedient and useful, so this did not surprise him. He swept his gaze around and said, "Now that the battle is over, all of you should visit Xuanmiao Temple. Do not be overly formal with Sumian."
He transformed into heavenly light and departed, leaving the Kong Family members staring at one another. Kong Guxi had scoffed when Changxi died and did not actually wish to go to Xuanmiao Temple, but with his people's injuries so severe, he had no choice but to ride the wind and follow.
Li Ximing stepped into the hall, and Li Zhouwei's eyes lit up as he descended from the main seat. Before he could speak, Li Ximing was already laughing heartily, "How impressive."
Li Zhouwei knew he was referring to the matter of Guan Kan. He chuckled in agreement, then summoned someone forward and instructed, "Bring Miaoshui here."
Only then did he speak, "That Ye Hui truly could do nothing to the Daoist Master. The old elder sent me three letters in succession, and now I can finally reply."
Li Xuanxuan remained in the lake, his thoughts still lingering on the river. Li Ximing answered with a smile, but Li Zhouwei had not brought this up without reason.
Li Zhouwei continued with a sigh, "Unfortunately... Elder An Siwei was captured. I had sent people to intercept them midway, but Situ Mo withdrew into his sect grounds the moment he left the territory and refused to move again. When I sent men to inquire, Golden Tang Gate did not respond at all... The old lord mentioned this repeatedly in his letters. I do not know how to reply."
An Siwei was captured...
Li Ximing felt a headache coming on as well. Although An Siwei's strength was lacking and he possessed no extraordinary Dao lineage or mystical ability, he had been a loyal retainer for many years. The An Family had been tied to the Li Family by marriage for a century. In truth, An Siwei's status was little different from that of a Li Family Foundation Establishment cultivator.
He understood what Li Zhouwei meant and said gravely, "This matter... we must first investigate thoroughly. If An Siwei is still at Golden Tang Gate, or has been sent westward, there may still be a chance if we turn to the Golden Feather Sect. But if he has been taken to Baiye Capital Immortal Dao... then things will not be so easy."
Li Zhouwei nodded. A thoughtful expression crossed his face as he replied, "When I crossed spells with Guan Kan, the White Qilin manifestation appeared at the most critical moment. Although it broke the siege, I did not intend to kill Guan Kan, yet I have no idea what his standing is within the Capital Immortal Dao."
Li Ximing hesitated slightly, but Li Zhouwei continued seriously, "In the matter of Profound Peak Gate, our house certainly acted out of regard for our ties. But from another perspective, to all the forces surrounding Profound Peak Gate, this is nothing more than a feast for the carving.
"As the Capital Immortal Dao pushes south, whether they gain much or little, they still profit. Xuanmiao Temple, which aided Profound Peak Gate, and my Moongaze Lake, in a sense, too are taking a share. In this great war, no one has truly suffered losses, save Profound Peak Gate itself, whose centuries-old foundation has been placed on the table."
He shook his head, a hint of unease showing on his face as he continued, "From Guan Gongxiao's attitude, the battle on the river was about flexing strength, showing power, and seeing who would get the bigger share. But now that a Guan Family member has died, I fear Guan Kan may have some bloodline background. If our two sides truly come to blows, that will spell real trouble."
Li Ximing nodded slightly. He too had sensed something from Ye Hui's attitude and calculated inwardly, Compared to his harshness toward Changxi, Ye Hui seemed to maintain a certain ambiguity in his actions, as if unwilling to become entirely hostile toward me... It seems that, to these Purple Mansion Realm cultivators, certain Foundation Establishment Realm figures are not even worth a furrowed brow.