Chapter 1129: Market Site Designation (I)

Tantai Jin was also a direct descendant of a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator. Since the Si Family were few in number, Si Yuanli had appointed him to handle sect affairs after entering seclusion, as a way to conceal the traces of their usurpation. Although it appeared as if he had been chosen for his talent, he was, in truth, another member of the Si Family.

Li Xizhi invited him to sit. Tantai Jin accepted the tea, took a sip, savored it for a moment, and smiled. "Excellent tea."

As the elder brother of the Purple Mansion Realm Daoist Master, Li Xizhi was qualified to sit and share tea with a direct descendant of a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator like Tantai Jin. Though Si Tongyi's cultivation was modest, he was the most outstanding among the younger generation of the Si Family and likewise had the right to sit. Yet, he was modest and respectful by nature, so he chose to stand aside and observe proper junior etiquette.

After exchanging a few polite words, Li Xizhi asked, "My lord, what instructions do you bring to Jiutian Pavilion today?"

Tantai Jin quickly waved his hand and shook his head several times. "I wouldn't dare call it an instruction. There are merely one or two matters that trouble the pavilion master."

Setting down his teacup, he spoke earnestly, "There is a promising youth in the Si Family who has only just entered the Qi Cultivation Realm. His innate ability is extraordinary, and his understanding of the spell arts far surpasses his peers. Tongyi has observed him closely and fears that our own guidance might dull such a gem, so he hopes to place the boy under your tutelage. If you would not find it a burden, we ask that you grant him an audience."

As soon as Tantai Jin finished speaking, Si Tongyi stepped forward, producing a small wooden box which he respectfully presented with both hands. "The pavilion master's mastery of the spell arts is divine. Our family dares not presume to seek your Dao lineage. This Heavenly Glow Dao Lineage technique, the Five-Colored Boundless Sword Art, is a fourth grade ancient spell art acquired by one of our Daoist Masters in the northern regions long ago. No one has succeeded in cultivating it for a hundred years. Only you are worthy of wielding it."

Li Wushao, standing nearby, froze for a moment at Si Tongyi's words, "The pavilion master's mastery of the spell arts is divine. Our family dares not presume to seek your Dao lineage," and almost missed the rest. Inwardly, he could not help but sigh,

This damn Si Family's direct descendant... things go smoothly when you have a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator standing behind you.

Li Xizhi, however, found the situation somewhat strange.

They actually wish to place themselves under my mountain gate.

Still, the Five-Colored Boundless Sword Art was deeply tempting. Though its name suggested a sword art, it was in truth a spell art closely tied to sword cultivation. The Li Family also possessed a similar manual, the Armor Cycle Soul-Refining Halberd Art, which leaned even more purely toward spell arts.

Li Xizhi had long been searching for a spell art of this type. His Rainbow Pierce Skyway directly enhanced spell art mastery, and with his innate ability in sword cultivation, this spell art would yield entirely different results in his hands.

Yet no matter how tempted he felt, his expression betrayed little desire. Accepting this disciple would undeniably deepen his ties with the Si Family, and he was uncertain of his younger brother's position.

Thus, he could not give an immediate answer and merely replied, "Tongyi, you are too courteous. The matter of accepting a disciple depends on the bond between master and pupil. I would not wish to misguide your family's prodigy. Such things cannot be settled with a simple nod. We must first choose an auspicious day, meet the candidate, and test his aptitude."

Tantai Jin nodded, understanding that Li Xizhi intended to consult Li Ximing first. He then asked, "What arrangements does the pavilion master propose?"

Li Xizhi replied, "Send the child here first so I can see if our fates align. I will select two Daoist texts and test him on a few points to see whether his fate with me truly exists."

Both men knew perfectly well what fate implied. After a brief exchange, they set the matter aside, and Tantai Jin said, "Chaos has erupted across Profound Peak Gate's territory since Senior Changxi's death. Shanji Prefecture now faces enemies on all sides, and demonic cultivators have multiplied. I've heard that the Profound Peak Gate's disciples have fled into the Wilderness. Without their protection, the riverlands in that region are open to be infiltrated by the Eastern Sea's devil cultivators.

"With the turmoil in Shanji Prefecture, devil cultivators and demonic creatures might pass through our Azure Pond Sect territory. We intend to strengthen our defenses and may dispatch several teams to the area. Pavilion master, if any of your disciples need experience, they could accompany the expedition."

Li Xizhi responded casually, and they shared another cup of tea. Both were preparing to take their leave when Li Xizhi, lost in thought, suddenly asked, "I wonder, what is the child's name and age, and what Dao lineage or cultivation method does he practice?"

"

Ah

, I nearly forgot to mention that!" Si Tongyi’s expression grew solemn as he replied, "The child is of the Xunzi generation, with the given name Hui. He is only eighteen this year and cultivates the Empty Response Dispersion. His Immortal Foundation is naturally attuned to spell arts, and once he reaches Foundation Establishment Realm, his mastery of spell arts will advance even further."

Li Xizhi nodded thoughtfully, then instructed Li Wushao to escort the guests out. Though the old serpent's bloodline was humble, his current position and late Foundation Establishment Realm cultivation commanded respect, and even Si Tongyi greeted him with a smile.

Once outside Jiutian Pavilion, Tantai Jin sighed and said, "Tongyi, Li Xizhi doesn't seem very moved. We'll have to wait for Daoist Master Zhaojing's reply."

Si Tongyi nodded silently, his expression complicated. Things were no longer as they had been when he and Li Xizhi called each other brother. He sighed and said, "In the old days, when Yuan Tuan went to Moongaze Lake, I had just begun cultivating at the peak. The entire Li Family came out to greet him, and Li Xizhi was still a nameless figure. Back then, Yuan Tuan would smile and even bow when he saw me.

"But now that Zhaojing has achieved greatness, even I must speak politely to the youngest of the Li Family juniors... this Li Jiangqian, or whatever his name is. Who could have predicted such a turn?"

Tantai Jin merely shook his head in reply. "Such is the way of the world. Forget Yuan Tuan, think of the mighty Yuan Family in its prime, lords of the Yanyang Dao Lineage. What have they become now? Even Yuan Chengzhao must live under our shadow. Does his bitterness matter? What difference would it make?"

Silence reigned as they rode the wind away. Finally, Tantai Jin sighed in regret. "Our family's Daoist Master once had intentions for the Shanji Prefecture lands as well. Unfortunately, Changxi died too early, leaving many unprepared. Daoist Master Ye Hui ended up seizing the advantage. From the looks of it now, the nearby factions will soon divide that territory completely."

————

Moongaze Lake.

Bright decorations adorned the hall inside the island's small pavilion, and many plum trees had been planted. Yet the season had not come, leaving only a few bare branches stretching across the courtyard as cultivators moved about in all directions.

A cultivator clad in a crimson robe descended from the main hall. He had a tiger's beard, a square jaw, and a sturdy frame. His piercing eyes radiated such power that one could hardly look away.

Ding Weizeng's injuries were now nearly healed. Since he had been personally mentioned by the Daoist Master, he had been granted a True Profound Heart-Cleansing Pill, a medicine capable of overcoming karma. It harmonized perfectly with his Immortal Foundation, the Palace Sun Tiger, which specialized in overcoming Yin and karma. Together, they complemented each other, unleashing the pill's full potential.

Thus, while most of those around him were still nursing their wounds, Ding Weizeng, who had been among the most seriously injured, had already left the mountains and regained nearly eighty percent of his strength. Even Li Chenghui, whose strength had remained largely intact during the battle, was still in seclusion to recuperate

As he entered the hall, a servant came forward to report, "My lord, Wang Quwan of the Floating South requests an audience."

Ding Weizeng showed no surprise. Taking his seat at the head of the hall, he said, "Let him in."