His tone was resolute, and his eyes were sharp. His sword was lifted high, and shed sword essence bright as frost, exuding an ethereal air. No longer the coward from before, white mist rose beneath his feet as he flew into the hall.
Li Xuanfeng naturally followed close behind, golden bow glowing as he sped forward. The round grand hall was somewhat empty, with a few square cauldrons placed about. A jade platform, radiating brilliant white light, stood at the center. The jade platform had eight corners and was shaped like a blooming lotus. A jade box, etched with intricate golden patterns, gently floated in the air above the platform.
The hall alternated between light and shadow. Golden light lit up the ceiling, where talismans hung from red threads at varying heights, swaying and colliding in the gust stirred by the two intruders.
The highest seat of law glowed dimly. Its armrests were shaped like phoenixes, and the large screen behind bore complex patterns, converging brightly at the center to form one large word, Sima.
Not Si... It’s Sima...
Si Yuanli didn’t even glance at the jade platform. He rode the wind straight past it and reached for the tall desk. Sure enough, a scroll lay upon it. It was seemingly ordinary, without a trace of dharma light.
What a lavish grand hall...
He stepped right up to it in two strides. Li Xuanfeng, as expected, reached for the gold-patterned jade box atop the jade platform. The platform had no real protective measures, only a thin light film covering its aura. Li Xuanfeng simply reached out and grasped it.
The gold-patterned jade box was scorching hot. It radiated searing heat as it landed in his hand, a warm breeze brushing across his face. A single gesture allowed Li Xuanfeng to pull down most of the golden talismans in the hall and stuff them into his pouch in one breath.
Meanwhile, his spiritual sense slipped into the jade box, where a streak of red-golden brilliance darted back and forth. It scorched his spiritual sense, causing his heart to thump as he wondered, This looks like...
Si Yuanli had already retrieved the scroll and was fleeing the hall. Li Xuanfeng, neither careless nor greedy, swiftly followed him back to the entrance. There, he spotted a letter and an incense burner on a small table. He grabbed them just in time and stored them away.
His spiritual sense was still checking the gold-patterned jade box when a sudden thought struck like lightning, Fiery red like gold, darting like light... It must be the Supreme Yang Sun Essence...
The joy stayed in his mind for only a moment before shock struck his heart, and the item in his hand suddenly felt even more scalding. He quickly reviewed everything, Si Yuanli made it sound nice, saying, 'take whatever you want'... but a spirit item like the Supreme Yang Sun Essence isn't something ordinary cultivators can keep... Now we took the jade box, those Purple Mansion Realm cultivators may very well have seen it. If I walk out of Great Ning Palace with this in hand, they’ll surely suspect me. Am I not walking into death?
His heart was clear, When he said 'take freely,' it was likely only referring to those golden talismans and common items. As for the rest, how could one justify keeping them to oneself...
He kept the gold-patterned jade box in hand, since he dared not place it in his storage pouch. Doing so would surely raise suspicion upon exit. Though scalding hot, Li Xuanfeng calmly raised the spirit item and handed it to Si Yuanli, speaking in a steady tone, "This rightfully belongs to your esteemed family. I, Xuanfeng, dare not keep it for myself."
Si Yuanli rode the wind at full speed, scanning both sides carefully. He paused in surprise when he heard these words. As he reached out to take it back, the scorching heat met his hand, and his spiritual sense jolted. He immediately understood.
He quickly stowed it away, asking no questions. Instead, he solemnly said, "Once we are out of Great Ning Palace, I will explain everything in detail."
The implications of his words only struck Si Yuanli once they left his lips. He considered explaining further but felt it would only make matters worse. Li Xuanfeng, however, instantly understood, Ah... so it really is the Sima Family.
Si Yuanli had moved with practiced ease the whole time, and Li Xuanfeng had already harbored suspicions. His doubts had only increased once Si Yuanli had produced the exact two talismans needed.
Though Si Boxiu was a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator, the sky was filled with many others of that realm, especially Maha and the Merciful One. Who among them couldn’t see through Si Boxiu’s plans? Why, then, was Si Yuanli the only one to have come all this way in disguise?
Putting it all together with the Sima character in the hall, Li Xuanfeng realized this grand hall belonged to the Si Family. When he asked casually, Si Yuanli wasn’t paying attention and responded without thought, effectively confirming it.
So the Si Family really does hail from Ning State... or at least has a branch there... In any case, Si Yuanli played dumb the whole way just to achieve his goal.
They split up the moment they entered the grotto heaven. It seems even Si Boxiu might be wary of the Chi Family.
If Li Xuanfeng could see this much, how could the Purple Mansion Realm cultivators high above, let alone the Mahas, miss it?
Now that Si Yuanli had retrieved the item, he no longer bothered to conceal anything and said solemnly, "Though I feigned ignorance all the way, many northern cultivators are already aware of the southern situation. They are guarding against my clan; it will come sooner than expected."
Just as he finished speaking, black demonic mist rose from the lake beneath them and chased after the two. These devil cultivators had seemingly intended to enter the hall but suddenly changed direction and veered toward them instead.
Li Xuanfeng turned with bow in hand, firing two arrows in rapid succession like shooting stars. They streaked into the demonic mist, and golden light burst beneath his feet, forcing several of the devils back.
While Li Xuanfeng blocked the pursuing devil cultivators, Si Yuanli also drew his sword and soared into the sky. His stance was entirely different from before. Though he was not widely known, he had cultivated at the peak of the Foundation Establishment Realm for years. His longsword was elegant and powerful, its light gathering into true sword essence.
A flick of his sword in midair struck down a crimson blade with a sudden bang. He reversed his grip and flung out a burst of bright sword essence, speaking in a low voice, "Brother Xuanfeng, be careful."
Li Xuanfeng remained composed. The golden string in his hand quivered, releasing a burst of golden light that shot down a demon in the mist.
Si Yuanli muffled a grunt as he muttered, "Brother Xuanfeng!"
Just as he spoke, four gold-robed master monks appeared around them, each taking a position at one of the cardinal directions. Their expressions were calm, and their chests half-bared.
They each had a different weapon—saber, spear, staff, and cudgel—and they spoke in unison, "You two benefactors have grown far too greedy!"
The massive cauldron floated beside Si Yuanli, glowing with a mesmerizing blue radiance. The two of them had taken the most precious items from the cave dwelling, and the two sky-reaching talismans had caused such a stir that all of Great Ning Palace had noticed. They were now obvious targets.
Li Xuanfeng’s gaze swept across the four identical monks. In the distance, several more clouds of demonic mist were rushing toward them. Sensing danger, he raised his golden bow again, a crimson-gold arrow leaping into place.
Si Yuanli also knew they couldn’t afford to be surrounded by these four. He activated his Immortal Foundation mana and his green robe turned white.
Snowflakes fell around him as he flicked his sword and said coldly, "North!"
Sword light burst from his blade, transforming into ethereal mist that fell like white snow. Though it appeared otherworldly and light, each flake was deadly. It was the Si Family's Pinewhite Full Essence Sword Art.
The crimson-gold glow also vanished from Li Xuanfeng's bowstring. A piercing whine echoed through the air as the northern Buddhist cultivator’s expression darkened. He raised his long staff high while the other three slowly closed their eyes, channeling their golden light toward him.
"Haah!"
Just as he shouted, he was immediately shredded by the blizzard of sword light. The monk had only just opened his eyes when a massive gash was torn through his throat. Astral Qi mixed with crimson-gold light sprayed forth, nearly ripping his body apart.