The black-robed cultivators had already fetched the items. As soon as Kong Guxi gave the word, the guest cultivators carried in a stand lined with two neat rows of soul lamps. The base was crafted from a dark-colored wood, and the faint blue flames danced gently.
The bottom row held only life jades; they clearly belonged to disciple-level guest cultivators and were therefore not very important. A tier higher were the lamps of Kong Qiuyan and the others; most had already gone out. Above that were those of Kong Guxi’s generation; the lamps were larger, with more intricate patterns, and only three of the ten remained lit.
The next tier was almost completely extinguished, with only a single lamp still burning, which Li Ximing could tell belonged to Kong Tingyun. One level higher stood another single lamp on a gilded base, which should correspond to Kong Haiying.
At the very top rested an extinguished soul lamp with gold-and-silver patterns and a jade base; it was Changxi’s lamp. That single piece alone made the stand incredibly heavy, though the guest cultivators, being Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators, held it steady with ease.
Kong Guxi was being obsequious now. The ancestral soul lamps were normally placed in the ancestral hall where no one dared to even touch them, yet they were being carried up as if serving dishes. The few from Profound Peak Gate all felt humiliated and lowered their heads in shame.
But no one paid them any attention. Everyone stared curiously and in awe at the lamps. Only a young man in crimson robes stood behind Li Zhouwei with his hands clasped, his golden eyes fixed on the Profound Peak Gate cultivators.
Sun Bai tugged gently at Kong Guli’s sleeve to calm him. Kong Qiuyan lowered her head and closed her eyes, while Profound Peak Gate’s gate master Kong Guxi stood at the front, bowing respectfully. When he sensed the young man’s gaze, he lowered his head even more.
Li Jiangqian withdrew his gaze and gestured to Li Quewan, who was dressed in a cloud-silk gown. She too looked at Kong Guxi and spoke through secret techniques, “That man is the Profound Peak Gate gate master? The Daoist Master wishes to investigate thoroughly. He had better cooperate.”
Li Jiangqian replied, “If not for Kong Guxi, the Profound Peak Gate Dao lineage would have fallen long ago. I’ve long heard Granduncle Chenghui speak of him. Let’s see how he handles this.”
The crowd remained outwardly silent, though many were already whispering their private thoughts.
Li Ximing was aware of this and simply instructed, “Speak, gate master.”
Kong Guxi quickly obeyed, stepping forward and pointing to the brightest soul lamp, the one on a gilded base, placed one tier above Kong Tingyun’s, as he explained, “This is the soul lamp of my granduncle, Kong Haiying.”
Everyone looked upward. Li Ximing said nothing, while Li Zhouwei beside him spoke, “Bring the portraits.”
Before Kong Guxi could respond, someone below had already brought them up. Li Wen received the portraits and unfurled one, revealing a broad-foreheaded, square-faced middle-aged man. Beneath it lay more than a dozen similar paintings, all nearly identical.
Kong Guxi did not need to offer an explanation; it was clear the portraits had been drawn separately for his disciples and guest cultivators. He lowered his head without speaking.
When one of the black-robed cultivators came forward to examine the soul lamp, he bowed respectfully and said, “Reporting to the Daoist Master, although Lord Haiying often secluded himself in cultivation, he did appear once before his breakthrough. I have met him and the aura matches that of this soul lamp exactly. This is without doubt his lamp.”
The aura within a soul lamp always matched that of its owner. Several others came forward to verify as well, including a few rogue cultivators who had seen him before. All confirmed the identification beyond question.
Only then did Li Ximing sweep the lamp with his spiritual sense, memorizing the aura within.
Li Ximing could easily summon the Immortal Mirror to identify the cultivators currently in seclusion within the secret chamber. Yet this matter could not be made public, and the only Profound Peak Gate cultivator he had met in person was Kong Tingyun.
That meant even if Li Ximing used the Immortal Mirror to determine who was inside, he still would not recognize them. He could only rely on their appearance, and appearances were easily disguised. Those of the Purple Mansion Realm could even alter their features entirely. Only aura could not be faked.
Now that he had recorded the soul lamp’s aura, Li Ximing sent for Fu En’s records; his aura, cultivation level, and physical features. Though Kong Guxi didn’t understand the purpose, he complied with every request.
Fu En was rumored to be dead and thus had no soul lamp, but after some searching they found a dharma artifact he had once refined with his own blood. The portrait showed a man with a scarred face who seemed far from pleasant.
Li Ximing was now confident he could distinguish the cultivators in seclusion. But this grand display was not simply for identifying auras; it also served to justify his future judgments and actions, whether through divination or shamanic spell arts, all to avoid raising suspicion.
Kong Guxi knelt firmly on the ground and finally heard the Daoist Master speak from above, “Do you have any personal belongings of these individuals?”
Kong Guxi respectfully replied quickly, “After so many decades, most can no longer be found. Apart from one weapon of Fu En’s, the rest of the dharma artifacts have changed hands and lost their connection. Fortunately, Lord Haiying still has living descendants, though Lady Tingyun...”
“No matter. Bring whatever you can find.” Li Ximing nodded. This was, after all, merely for appearances; it did no harm. Having items belonging to Kong Haiying and Fu En was sufficient. Attendants quickly moved to make the arrangements.
At that point, the demonstration had served its purpose. The vague mention of personal belongings left ample room for speculation among the gathered families, making any subsequent action appear reasonable. Li Ximing waved his hand to dismiss everyone, leaving only Kong Guxi behind.
Li Ximing said, “I visited Purple Smoke Gate and spoke with Daoist Master Tinglan. Shanji Prefecture cannot be held, and your mountain gate will likely fall as well.”
Kong Guxi felt a chill spread through his heart, but Li Ximing quickly reassured, “Don’t overthink it. The old Daoist Master understood this clearly. The two may not even be within the gate. I’m seeking a Daoist Master skilled in the arts of divination to determine exactly where Kong Haiying is. If neither is within the mountain gate, it’s best to make preparations early.”
The words poured over him like scalding water, melting away every trace of a chill in his heart. His eyes reddened instantly as he thought, Yes... Ancestor has always been far-sighted. He must have foreseen this. No need to worry! No need to worry!
Seeing that he understood, Li Ximing’s figure vanished into the great void. Kong Guxi kowtowed deeply, then hurried out of the courtyard. Tear marks still streaked his face, but his steps were now noticeably lighter.
Outside the courtyard, Li Chenghui was waiting. He spoke a few perfunctory words about confidentiality, though with so many eyes around earlier, secrecy was merely for show. Still, Kong Guxi responded with utmost respect, swearing his loyalty with conviction.
When Li Chenghui departed, the mountain fell silent at once. The bustle of moments ago vanished like the passing wind. A weary Kong Guxi stepped out of the hall and saw the table bearing the soul lamps placed in the courtyard. Kong Guli sat on the steps before it, staring blankly.
He started toward him, but Kong Qiuyan was nowhere to be seen. In the distance, he noticed Kong Yu kneeling outside the courtyard, bowing repeatedly before the table full of soul lamps.
Kong Guxi quickly stopped, not daring to approach or to command him, and called out softly, “Granduncle...”
Kong Yu continued bowing, heedless of everything, his forehead striking the ground with dull thuds nine times in succession. Then the old man exhaled deeply and remained motionless against the floor. Kong Guxi waited a moment, but when his spiritual sense detected something amiss, his expression changed drastically.
He rushed forward, shouting, “Granduncle!”
He lifted Kong Yu up, only to see dark blood flowing steadily from the old man’s nose. The dark blood trailed down his nose and neck like a thin brook. The once-smiling face had dimmed and stiffened, frozen in a lifeless expression.
The old man’s upper eyelids had risen to a horrifying degree, exposing the whites of his eyes. His mouth was twisted into a semblance of a smile from repeated struggle, yet the look was neither smile nor grimace. Overwhelming terror had been buried deep within his expression.
Kong Guxi jolted in horror as he realized that the old man was utterly dead. His head felt as though it had been struck by a hammer, as gold stars burst in his vision. Frozen in disbelief and terror, he stood motionless for several seconds before hearing Kong Guli’s frantic cry behind him.
Dazed, Kong Guxi murmured, “Why?”