"I see."
Chang Yun was like a man fishing by the riverbank; he knew the situation better than anyone. Li Ximing understood that these Purple Mansion Realm cultivators would only reveal what was asked, nothing more. If there was anything he failed to consider, then he simply wasn’t qualified to claim a share.
So he said, "The Hurricane Ghost Yin Dao lineage of Wenhu has fallen into my hands. Fellow Daoist raised that Ping Wangzi to prepare for opening the formation. I suppose I should cultivate someone of my own as well."
Chang Yun burst into laughter. "That’s an easy matter. The Wenhu in your hands... once searched for the Mifan Dao lineage on behalf of the Capital Immortal Dao in the Southern Sea. The Capital Immortal Dao hadn’t even entered Jiangbei back then, yet they had already begun searching! Clearly, they had long been plotting this."
Li Ximing narrowed his eyes slightly and looked up. " Oh? And what was the result?"
"They found another one, the Floating Cloud Body! Capital Immortal Dao kept it under a tight veil, so very few people even know about it. I only learned of it through a friend's idle chatter. However, in the end, they didn’t gain much. The one who inherited that Dao lineage was deceived completely by Wenhu and died with their Dao extinguished. Whatever secret techniques they possessed were likely all swindled away."
Li Ximing knew Wenhu was anything but simple. Thinking through it carefully, he realized that the original Floating Cloud Cave had been an ally of the Golden Tang Gate, which meant that portion belonged to the Golden Feather Sect. Now the sect had been wiped out, making the matter awkward to explain.
He asked, "These three Dao lineages... how many factions are involved in dividing them?"
Chang Yun seemed to immediately understand his concern. "The Floating Cloud Body Dao lineage has long been claimed by the Golden Feather Sect, as it was their disciples who practiced it. Empty Response Dispersion is Ping Wangzi’s technique, and that portion belongs to me. Hurricane Ghost Yin belongs to the Capital Immortal Dao, and they also possess the Floating Cloud Body. Several other factions are quietly waiting, so nothing is certain anymore."
He glanced at Li Ximing and smiled. "It’s not that a Dao lineage can only be divided among one person. The Xiaoshi Spirit Storage was prepared by the former Mifan Temple for future generations. Any Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator who inherits a Dao lineage can claim a share. How much they gain depends on their own ability. A single formidable direct descendant is worth more than ten useless fools.
"Fortunately, this opportunity has fallen into our hands and benefits our own people. It’s practically a money tree for us."
That clarified Li Ximing’s thoughts perfectly, So many opportunities... so many schemes. The Mifan Xiaoshi Spirit Storage can only be accessed through a proper Dao lineage, and so several factions have turned it into their shared treasure trove...
After sorting through the cause and effects, Li Ximing finally asked, "I’ve often heard that Mifan Temple has a powerful background behind it. Which Dao does it belong to?"
That didn’t seem to be a secret, and Chang Yun answered, "Mifan is the legacy of Wanglin Upper Sect, a third-rank immortal sect. To this day, they have a grotto heaven hidden within the great void."
" Oh! " Li Ximing immediately understood and said, "Mifan does have powerful backing after all. Won’t stirring up trouble like this lead to disaster?"
Chang Yun shook his head slightly, while Minghui laughed and said, "Fellow Daoist Zhaojing! How do you know this isn’t the very means Mifan Temple left behind to preserve its Dao lineage? If any among these people truly attains the Purple Mansion Realm or if some unforeseen event frees them from a Daoist Master’s control... then they will have every rightful reason to claim exclusive control over the Xiaoshi Spirit Storage! With such a venerable golden background, a name that carries such weight, and a legitimate sect lineage... once they achieve the Purple Mansion Realm, do you think they won’t desire it? Can they truly ignore the Mifan Dao lineage?"
Li Ximing fell into a thoughtful silence, and Chang Yun added with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Minghui is right. Though gathering all five Dao lineages yields great gains, the spirit storage cannot truly be opened without the Purple Mansion Realm divine abilities of the Mifan lineage. We’ve divided the spirit storage several times and collected what we could, but the Purple Mansion Realm portion that remains requires careful planning. It won’t be so easily touched."
With everything now clear in his mind, Li Ximing quietly resolved to return and begin preparations. After he offered a few words of thanks, Daoist Master Chang Yun said, "No need for that! I value Zhong Qian highly. Because of Ning Tiaoxiao, he has formed a bond with your esteemed family. There will be many opportunities for mutual support in the future."
Li Ximing continued to chat for a bit more, listening to them discuss who had broken through to the Purple Mansion Realm and who had accumulated enough merit to become the Merciful One.
Just as he was about to take his leave, Minghui spoke eagerly, "Across the river lies my Lotus Temple! If you ever have need of anything in the north, please come seek me!"
Chang Yun watched this and covered his teacup, saying, "I say, Fellow Daoist Minghui, you are the Merciful One well-versed in the arts of divination. Why not perform a calculation for our friend here and offer him some real assistance?"
The words made Minghui grit his teeth, his chest tightening with irritation, Calculate? Calculate your mother’s fate... must I gamble my life away calculating again and again... you really do talk too much!
He nearly wanted to slap Chang Yun across the face, but managed only a dry laugh and replied, "I dare not directly divine for Fellow Daoist, and I fear he himself might not feel at ease letting me do so..."
That was reasonable enough. Li Ximing held no fondness for any of his ilk and had already intended to refuse. After a few more cups of wine, he had no desire to keep exchanging polite words and took his leave.
As soon as he stepped out of the pavilion, he saw Minghui follow him out as well. Li Ximing had no interest in entangling himself with him and stepped into the great void, but Minghui chased after him, calling out once they were in the great void, "Fellow Daoist Zhaojing! May I speak one more word?"
Since the other had gone so far as to pursue him here, it would have been inappropriate to keep avoiding him. Li Ximing could only reply, "Great Master Minghui, what business do you have with me?"
Minghui said, "Only one matter... A friend of this humble monk has inherited a Dao lineage and seeks to ascend as the Merciful One. He wishes to forge a grand temple spirit artifact, but is missing one material, the Soul-Tuning Mulberry Wood which is found in the southern borderlands of Azure Pond Sect. Si Boxiu harbors hatred for Buddhist cultivators, so I cannot go there myself. Since you have connections in the Azure Pond Sect, if the chance arises, would you keep an eye out for me?"
Li Ximing wanted to test whether he could cross the river with him, so he continued drifting through the great void at his side and responded casually.
Minghui then added, "My Lotus Temple is, after all, in the north. There is a Bright Yang spirit embryo there. If you can obtain it, I am willing to offer it in exchange."
Even now, Li Ximing did not trust the monk. Even if there truly was a Bright Yang spirit embryo, he only responded perfunctorily.
As they neared the borders of Floating South, Minghui suddenly shifted the topic and said, "I did say earlier that I would perform a divination, and it was not my intention to slight you, Fellow Daoist. I simply feared you might not allow me to. How about this, instead of choosing a disciple or blood relative, pick a guest cultivator with no deep ties. It will make the calculation easier and more precise, and you won’t feel too troubled about it."
Li Ximing glanced down. There were many people in the Floating South territory, all still within Jiangbei. Whether he agreed or not, Minghui could probably make his calculations regardless.
Cautiously, he said, "If that is the case, and you insist on performing the divination yourself, then I have no reason to stop you."
He dared not let him divine anything related to An Siwei, who was currently of utmost importance. Instead, he chose someone of little consequence and said, "There is an old guest cultivator in my household... his name is Qu Buzhi."
Minghui’s gaze pierced through the great void, sweeping once over the land. He identified the man with just the name. He first calculated based on the man’s dharma artifact, ensuring that divining him would not bring serious repercussions. Only then did he begin divining the man himself, and after a moment’s thought, said, "He nourishes life and guards longevity, growing sturdier with age. Yet his fate clashes with Pit Water, so he cannot be a leader. Still, he is a very useful guest cultivator."
Li Ximing, however, paid closer attention to Minghui’s position. The monk had indeed stopped as they reached the riverbank.
"This is as far as I will escort you."
Minghui departed along the great void, and only then did Li Ximing begin pondering his words.
This monk was unexpectedly polite. Qu Buzhi, after all, is merely a guest cultivator, and the Concealed Containment Palace excels in life-preservation. With so many years still ahead of him, he may well become an old figure like An Zheyan in the future.