Two demonic creatures and one man emerged from the Grave Abyss and back into the sea. They passed over numerous shattered, barren and uninhabited islands that were truly devoid of any sign of life.
Moongaze Lake’s Mount Xiping also lacked spiritual energy. Though it rose into the clouds and had no spiritual items, it at least had a few mundane plants. This place had no vegetation at all; there was only bare sand and stone.
Li Zhouwei, however, was not just looking at the surface. Inwardly, he calculated, This place is unimaginably barren, but it is not part of the great void. It’s an ideal location to avoid the prying eyes of Purple Mansion Realm cultivators. The only pity is that it’s unfit for cultivation.
The long-bearded demonic creature waited to the side. Dingjiao was in a foul mood and said little to him as he drove his spirit artifact forward. The Bicolor Scaled Beast lay silently on the seabed like a glittering underwater mountain range. As Dingjiao arrived, the black-armored demonic creature eagerly scampered over to greet him.
"Honored lords!"
Clearly, Dingjiao had no interest in conversation. The black-armored demonic creature instantly read his bad mood and became as docile as a sheep. At a mere wave from Dingjiao, he dashed off, raising his whip to drive the beast.
When he arrived before the palace, Dingjiao flicked his robe and finally let out a breath, a smile appearing on his face as he softly said, "Please."
The two demonic creatures and the man entered, only to find someone already standing inside the hall. His sleeves were neatly arranged and he had a graceful smile on his face. Waiting off to the side, he bowed as the trio entered.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince! Greetings, fellow Daoists!" said the man.
"Uncle Heyun!" Dingjiao quickly stepped to the side and respectfully saluted. The dragon crown prince smiled warmly and said courteously, "Uncle, you manage countless affairs each day. It is truly rare and fortunate to have you visit my hall for a chat!"
Dongfang Heyun returned the gesture politely and said warmly, "When I heard the Crown Prince had come to such a perilous place, I came here early to wait. I also followed along just now, but feared disturbing your mood, so I refrained from making my presence known..."
He remained half a step behind Dingjiao, escorted him to the main seat, and waited until both host and guest were seated.
He then gracefully sat to the side, smoothing his sleeves as he softly said, "Li Xunquan, after all, is still an ancient demon who’s over a thousand years old. His mind may be muddled, and it’s hard to say he won’t lash out even if he is bound by the Fuxi Binding Lin Cord. There are many dangers underground. Though Your Highness commands overwhelming dragon might, i worried about disturbing your dignity or offending your guests."
"Thank you, Uncle!" Dingjiao was all smiles, while White Banyan carefully examined Dongfang Heyun, inwardly startled, So this is Dongfang Heyun? Aside from lacking divine abilities, he’s no different from a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator. No wonder he shattered Tuoba Chongyuan. He might really be able to protect himself against Purple Mansion Realm cultivators...
After a few more glances, he grew even more suspicious, Is he really not at the Purple Mansion Realm? In all the world, there’s only this one Dragon Cloud [1] . Who can truly grasp his strength? Could it be that he has already reached the Purple Mansion Realm, and the Dragon Monarch has merely concealed his divine abilities?
Dingjiao paused slightly and asked softly, "Uncle, I am unfamiliar with the Fuxi Binding Lin Cord. Could you explain it to me?"
"Oh?" Dongfang Heyun spoke gently, "The Fuxi Binding Lin Cord is a dharma artifact of Yao Chenlin. This spirit cord uses the most excruciating pain in the world to wear down one’s will. You young ones wouldn’t know."
"Pain is no trivial matter; it is the foremost enemy of the mind. When torment continues long enough, one cannot stop weeping. Hatred, love, and the pursuit of the Dao, all are forgotten. Only pain remains, and with it the desperate longing for a moment’s rest. That is the purpose of the Fuxi Binding Lin Cord."
His tone remained calm and elegant, yet his words carried a cruel edge, "That thing delights in hearing pleas for mercy. The more one resists, the tighter it binds. The pain splits bones and pierces the soul. Only by howling for mercy can it slightly loosen. Should one stop, the pain multiplies a hundredfold. It’s merely a method to grind down the will.
"After centuries, the only thought left in the mind is that begging earns a moment’s reprieve. That Li Xunquan can still respond at all shows the sheer strength of his mind. What a vicious treasure..."
Dingjiao's brow never relaxed as Dongfang Heyun spoke. Being one of the branches closest to Wei and Li, he fell into silence.
After finishing his conversation with Dingjiao, Dongfang Heyun sipped his wine, glanced at Li Zhouwei, and said with a smile, "This must be the White Qilin!"
"Minghuang greets Senior..." Li Zhouwei replied politely.
Dongfang Heyun only nodded and didn’t say more to him. Instead, he turned to the fox and said, "Give my regards to your master."
After a few polite words, he quickly withdrew, offering a bow at the hall entrance and fixing Li Zhouwei with a meaningful look before vanishing.
Dingjiao, now in a much better mood, raised a cup toward the other two, then glanced in the direction Dongfang Heyun had departed, quietly pleased.
The Dragon Sons were one of the Eastern Sea’s most prized individuals, and they rarely spared a glance for Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators. Dingjiao had always been mild-mannered, and respectful, if not overtly courteous toward these Foundation Establishment Realm figures, even Dongfang Heyun.
Those few brothers of mine... their intent to command Uncle Heyun has always been strong. They’ve been constantly issuing instructions both big and small... now they’ll be in a bind! thought Dingjiao.
Dongfang Heyun had naturally treated him well. Had it been any other Dragon Son, they would have considered escorting him this far as a courtesy. They certainly wouldn’t have appeared in person or shared a drink so politely.
Dongfang Heyun is only the beginning. In the future, there will be Minghuang, White Banyan... thought Dingjiao.
He quietly stared into the distance for a long while, then turned toward Li Zhouwei with a pleased expression and said softly, "Since Minghuang is unwilling to accept the ancient spirit artifact, how can I let the two of you make this trip in vain? That would be my fault."
Dingjiao clapped softly, and two demonic creatures entered from outside the hall, each holding a stone box as they approached reverently. Dingjiao spoke solemnly, "My two brothers, this gift must not be refused. As the host, this is just a small token of my goodwill."
Li Zhouwei watched the stone boxes being presented, already mentally prepared, and thought to himself, This is what the White Banyan Fox meant by building ties with the two of us...
Dingjiao might not know exactly who was in the abyss, but as the one who extended the invitation, he most likely knew that the person below had been harmed by Mount Luoxia. He also surely knew this person was connected to both the Dragon Clan and the Wei's Li lineage.
If that weren’t the case, why insist on calling me here? How else could this serve as a means to forge ties? thought Li Zhouwei.
There was more at play. It was very likely a part of the ongoing struggle between the Dragon Clan and Mount Luoxia. Dingjiao had laid all of this bare, almost openly declaring that Mount Luoxia harbored ill intentions.
Dongfang Heyun even made a special trip here, and appeared in person just to tell me how painful the Fuxi Binding Lin Cord is. If Mount Luoxia treated the late Wei's Li crown prince that way, can they possibly bear any goodwill toward the Li Family, or toward me, Li Zhouwei?
The Dragon Clan had long been close to the Wei's Li lineage. I’ve only just reached the Foundation Establishment Realm and they’re already inviting me into the sea. Their stance is clear... But what role is the Dali Mountain fox tribe playing in all this? pondered Li Zhouwei.
1. This should be referring to Dongfang Heyun as his name 'Heyun' (合云) means 'Converging Cloud'. ☜