Dongfang Heyun was still as elegant and composed as ever. As the first wisp of cloud exhaled at the moment of a Dragon Monarch’s Fruition Attainment, his conduct was often unexpected. He had a deep obsession with personal appearance and was always immaculately groomed.
He stood properly as he smiled and said, “You’ve truly improved, fellow cultivator. When we first met, you had to form seals for several seconds just to cast a single spell art. Now, it only takes a single thought.”
“You flatter me, Senior!” Li Xizhi replied respectfully. Dongfang Heyun flicked his sleeve, stepped forward, and reached the Dawn Rayfish in a few strides . He picked it up with one hand and flipped it over, revealing its belly. The belly of the Dawn Rayfish was bloodied and torn, its eyes wide open.
Dongfang Heyun gave a slight bow and said softly, “This beast came from the north and crashed into Xia Mountain at the Converging Sea. A few serpent dragon beasts were playing in the water, chasing and frolicking with it. I happened to be passing by, and it ended up in my hands.
“You played a part in the matter with Tuoba Chongyuan, and were even injured. I brought this over casually, so consider it a form of compensation.”
He chuckled lightly and continued, “I made a round and realized you were here...”
Dongfang Heyun paused slightly, and Li Xizhi hurriedly demurred, “I was merely following deployment orders for garrison duty and doing what I could to stay alive... It was thanks to your assistance, Senior, that I avoided many troubles afterward.”
Dongfang Heyun shook his head and stepped closer, saying, “Just accept it.”
His voice suddenly lowered and a hint of doubt flashed across his face. He paced twice in place and asked softly, “There’s something I wish to ask, fellow cultivator.”
“Please speak, Senior!” Li Xizhi quickly responded.
Dongfang Heyun spoke slowly, “In this Abyss, the two qi and one light—namely the Baleful Qi, the Radiant Essence, and the Lesser Yang Light—saturate the area. They invade the spell-formed body and roam through the meridians. Ordinary people could never endure it. Even those monks from the north cannot stay here for long.”
He paused, then slowly locked eyes with Li Xizhi and said softly, “Yet fellow cultivator Xizhi seems completely unaffected?”
Li Xizhi realized halfway what Dongfang Heyun was about to ask, and a strong sense of alarm flared in his heart.
Li Xizhi understood that a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator was watching him. But the Abyss had been transformed by the Lesser Yang Devil Monarch himself. At most, the Purple Mansion Realm cultivators could divine his general location, but they couldn’t see the specifics, and there was no reason for them to constantly monitor him.
He had calculated every possibility, yet not even he could’ve foreseen that Dongfang Heyun would be waiting here. Worse, Dongfang had clearly been watching him for quite some time, and upon noticing his lack of reaction to the environment, had exposed his anomaly.
How could I explain this...? A cultivation technique? A spell art? A spirit item...? His thoughts raced for a moment, then he spoke in a low voice, “Replying to Senior, the rainbow light of my Immortal Foundation within my qi sea has the effect of dispelling invading Baleful Qi. Though it has limited use against the two qi and one light of this place, it does offer some relief.
“And nearby, there’s a cave dwelling untouched by the light and qi. I often take shelter there, circulate my mana, and manage to endure.”
Li Xizhi spoke fluidly in one breath, his tone steady and respectful. Dongfang Heyun listened carefully, but gave no reply for a moment. Though Immortal Foundations had different effects, their nuances varied from person to person. Li Xizhi could only obscure the details under the general claim of his Immortal Foundation, but anxiety slowly crept into his heart.
Dongfang Heyun paused for quite a while before chuckling and replying, “Fellow Daoist Xizhi, if that’s your explanation, then it must be thanks to that one from Mount Luoxia, who gathered the northern Dao lineage, embraced all Daos, and preserved most of the northern Immortal Dao. Thus, your Heavenly Glow is able to counter foreign influences.”
Dongfang Heyun always spoke with such grace that Li Xizhi couldn’t tell what he truly meant. He couldn't tell if he was mocking, or seriously elaborating? He could only reply softly, “I’ve learned something, Senior.”
That answer, too, was ambiguous, it could be interpreted either way. Dongfang Heyun chuckled twice, then used two fingers to tap the Dawn Rayfish’s head.
Layers of cloud mist suddenly appeared within the thick light and qi. Faint light shadows flickered through them. Dongfang Heyun only uttered a few incantations before producing a small shimmering object and simply said, “Take it.”
This item was, of course, the spirituality of the demonic creature. As a demonic spirit himself, Dongfang Heyun found capturing such a thing quite easy. He didn’t even need a spirit item or formation; he could just effortlessly extract it and hand it off. That was surely beyond what a mere Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator could do.
Li Xizhi took in the whole scene, raising his estimation of Dongfang Heyun’s strength yet again. He stored the object between his eyebrows. Dongfang Heyun then turned back to the Dawn Rayfish with a cheerful smile and said, “Did you understand that? Just follow him. I know you’re skilled in various arts and your spirituality may not be easily bound. But if you don’t behave, a Dragon Monarch would be more than happy to serve up a rayfish feast.”
The Dawn Rayfish nodded, flipped itself upright, and answered in a clear voice, “This little one understands.”
Dongfang Heyun tidied his sleeves and gave a courteous nod before finally looking at Li Xizhi as he said with a smile, “If there’s a chance, send my regards to fellow cultivator Qinghong. I’ll be waiting for her in the grotto heaven.”
Li Xizhi’s brows rose sharply at that. He was just about to ask a question when Dongfang Heyun vanished before his eyes, leaving only a few scattered clouds that were swiftly cleansed by the bright Lesser Yang light.
When Dongfang Heyun disappeared, the Dawn Rayfish who had been playing dead on the ground suddenly leaped up and transformed into a young man in a multicolored feathered robe. His face was small and slightly round, eyes bright and clear, with orange plume-feathers densely lining his temples.
He declared loudly, “Seventh greets the lord!”
Li Xizhi was weighed down with thoughts, and felt no joy at subduing the Foundation Establishment Realm Dawn Rayfish. He simply nodded silently and spoke gently, “You’re wounded. Don’t linger here for long. Come back with me quickly. Rest for a while in the spot free of the qi and light. Heal up properly.”
“Yes,” replied the Dawn Rayfish.
The young man followed behind him, summoning all his mana of Heavenly Glow to ward off the streaking Lesser Yang Light and Baleful Qi. Li Xizhi's face remained calm, but his heart surged with waves of unease, shadowed by hidden worry.
Dongfang Heyun was giving me a way out... It was quite a reasonable explanation. But what exactly... is he thinking...
He traveled silently through the earth veins while he pondered. To this day, Li Xizhi still hadn’t discerned what status Dongfang Heyun held within the Dragon Clan. He flew in silence, sorting out his emotions, and finally returned to his cave dwelling.
“Young Master.” Li Wushao was clearly surprised, but refrained from asking questions. He simply offered a greeting.
Li Xizhi nodded, gestured for the colorful-robed youth to sit, handed him a healing pill, and asked gently, “It’s inconvenient to talk outside, but this place is more secure. Are your injuries severe? If not, why not share your background with me?”
The youth nodded and answered respectfully, “I was born in the Northern Sea. I practiced Qi Ingestion alongside my brothers, feeding on the mist. When the heavens poured down in torrents, a great upheaval occurred, and I gained the chance to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm.
“Our clan has always been sparse. Reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm is a one in ten thousand chance. But the flood came from the heavens, and with the tide, nine of us managed to ascend after circling the pillar of falling water in the sky. Most were captured, though. There were nine brothers that broke through to the Foundation Establishment Realm. I am the seventh.”