Chapter 1131: A Cup Of Tea To Divide The Peak

Xuanmiao Temple.

A steady spring drizzle fell in sheets, as several disciples within the temple busied themselves with gathering qi on the wind. Their bodies glided through the rain like fish in the sea, the pale green light in their hands continuously collecting and condensing into streams of qi.

A middle-aged layman with a square face and plain robes lifted the hem of his garment as he walked along the slick stone steps in wooden clogs. His movements resembled those of an ordinary mortal without cultivation.

Upon reaching the courtyard, he pushed open the door and called out with a smile, "Zhaojing, please come in!"

A Daoist Master in white robes embroidered with golden patterns entered. His features were refined, his face youthful, and though his eyes held no malice, the calm sweep of his gaze was enough to make the surrounding disciples lower their heads in unison.

Li Ximing followed him up the steps and replied, "This spring rain is rare. I see your disciples are all gathering qi; it seems they look forward to this day each year. No wonder I haven't seen Qiuxin around."

Sumian greeted him with a light smile and said, "Qiuxin left long ago. Matters at the Eastern Sea are troublesome, and he must stay there to oversee them. As for this spring rain, we gather it every year, yet it's never enough. Sometimes, I even have to refine it myself with divine arts."

He chuckled softly and continued, "Your family has quite a number of cultivators. If you're willing, perhaps they could help me collect some from the lake as well?"

This old fox never misses a chance to pluck a feather from a passing goose,

thought Li Ximing.

He smiled and replied, "That's easily done. As long as you show us the qi-gathering method, my family's cultivators can gather some as well and exchange it at your temple for spirit items."

"I'll have it sent to your esteemed family later." Sumian spoke with complete ease, showing no fear of the qi-gathering method being leaked.

Li Ximing, for his part, was equally unbothered. The Li Family lacked many things, but cultivators were not one of them. There were always idle ones to spare, and picking up a side trade was no loss.

Li Ximing let out a quiet sigh. "In just a few short days, they've already erected formations atop Senior Changxi's old mountain. The old Daoist Master truly works quickly... it seems this spirit mountain will prove quite useful indeed."

Sumian smiled without answering as they entered the courtyard together. There, a woman in a yellow silk robe sat sipping tea. A faint touch of blue adorned the corner of her eyes; it was Daoist Master Tinglan of the Purple Smoke lineage. Unsurprised, Li Ximing greeted her politely and took a seat.

Earlier that morning, Li Ximing had received word from Sumian that they would be discussing the matter of the Profound Peak Gate. He knew then that Sumian would not be alone in Xuanmiao Temple. At least Tinglan or Ling Mei would be present, or perhaps even Ye Hui himself.

Taking the offered cup, Li Ximing chose not to speak in circles and asked directly, "How does Fellow Daoist Sumian propose to handle this matter?"

Sumian nodded with a smile and replied, "This matter should have been resolved long ago. We delayed it only to preserve a bit of face for Profound Peak Gate. Now that Tinglan has come to visit and raised the issue, I invited you over to settle it together."

Li Ximing smiled and said, "Has Fellow Daoist Ye Hui been here already?"

Sumian hesitated slightly, and Tinglan took over the conversation, replying, "He came once, stated his terms clearly, and then asked for your presence."

She glanced at Li Ximing gently and said softly, "It is better to resolve enmity than deepen it. We are all Purple Mansion Realm cultivators. The juniors beneath us may bicker over this treasure or that, and perhaps some pride gets involved, but there's no need for real hatred. It's fine to play a game of chess; just don't let the fire ignite."

Regardless of whether the Li Family and the Capital Immortal Dao were truly at odds, Tinglan was clearly mediating on her gate's behalf. She was likely the one managing the affair from start to end. Li Ximing understood her goodwill and naturally had to show respect to this Daoist Master of the Purple Smoke Gate.

He said solemnly, "Fellow Daoist Tinglan is absolutely right. I crossed hands with Senior Ye Hui once or twice, contending a little between Jiangnan and Jiangbei, but it never reached the point of true enmity. This will be easy to resolve."

Sumian's influence was clearly not as great as Tinglan's, but the old Daoist Master cared little about that. So long as he could calm these two who kept clashing and avoid getting dragged into trouble himself, that would be success enough.

Sumian asked, "I heard that you went to investigate the site. Were you able to discover anything?"

Li Ximing nodded. "I had a Daoist Master divine the matter. Guest Cultivator Fu En is inside the mountain gate. The one who died earlier was Kong Haiying, but his soul lamp had been tampered with by Daoist Master Changxi, so it hadn't truly been his for quite some time. As for Kong Tingyun... it's uncertain where she is attempting her breakthrough."

Hearing that he had consulted a Daoist Master, Sumian couldn't help but take a sip of tea, while Tinglan smiled and said, "That makes things simple. I have a friend cultivating in the vicinity of Shiqi, named Zhugong. She happens to be interested in settling there. With that, the whole matter will be resolved."

Sumian raised an eyebrow and asked, "Tinglan, if your friend takes this place, aren't you afraid that Kong Tingyun might succeed in her breakthrough and return seeking revenge?"

"Listen to me first." Tinglan blinked playfully. This Daoist Master from the Qi region possessed a charm distinct from the graceful refinement of Jiangnan beauty. She said with a smile, "I'll make things clear with Ye Hui. Zhaojing is willing to yield Profound Peak Gate and allow him to enter the mountain gate to conduct his own search and raid. After he's done searching and taking whatever he wants, he may move a few mountains if he likes, but the gate itself must be returned to me.

"When Ye Hui brings people to attack the mountain, Zhaojing will resist a few times, collect the Hundred Mountains Spirit-Containing Formation, then feign defeat, suffer minor injuries, and retreat, leaving the mountain gate behind along with a few prepared spirit items. Once Ye Hui finishes searching and taking what he desires, I'll have my friend come seize the mountain, forcing Ye Hui to give it up naturally."

She extended her hand and pressed her fingers down one by one as she counted, "You, Moongaze, will gain the formation, the Dao lineage of Profound Peak Gate, and the people's loyalty. Isn't that far better than guarding one patch of land and inviting jealousy from all sides? Even if in the one in ten thousand chance someone truly succeeds in a breakthrough, Zhaojing will have every justification and even a debt of gratitude owed to him.

"As for the Capital Immortal Dao, they'll have seized the spirit items and cultivation methods, moved away the mountains Ye Hui desires, and eliminated a long-standing enemy. Though he won't gain Shanji Prefecture or Profound Peak Gate, it'll be enough face to save! As for where Kong Tingyun has gone, that will be his own problem. Things have come this far; would he still fear offending Profound Peak Gate?"

She sipped her tea unhurriedly and said calmly, "Ye Hui values the spirit lands of the mountains in Profound Peak Gate, not its geographical location. If he really devours the entire area, he'll end up controlling an enormous territory across the river. It'll be hard to manage from end to end, and far too ostentatious. It wouldn't necessarily bring him good fortune.

"As for Daoist Master Zhugong, she'll have rightfully taken this mountain from the hands of the enemy and won't bear a grudge from the Profound Peak Gate. On the contrary, she can extend grace by welcoming its cultivators and making use of them. She can build bonds of gratitude and kinship. Even if someone truly returns after a breakthrough, what could they say against her? There might even be a chance to turn foes into friends. As for me and Daoist Master Qilao, we won't need to trouble ourselves with your disputes anymore."

By the time she finished speaking, her cup of tea was empty and the game board before her was complete. Every Purple Mansion Realm cultivator present had received their share of benefit.

The courtyard fell into a brief silence as Sumian stared in mild astonishment before sighing, "I have long heard that the orthodox Dao excel at the art of maneuvering and that the Purple Mansion Realm cultivators of the mainland can profit and avoid danger unseen... it is indeed true! Daoist Master, your stratagem is truly breathtaking!"

𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

As Sumian began to heap on the flattery, Tinglan shook her head, her expression carrying a trace of complexity and unease as she smiled faintly, "You flatter me, old Daoist Master. I've merely observed a few Purple Mansion Realm contests over the past few years. Compared to the likes of Chuting, Qiushui, Yuan Xiu, Changxiao, Tianyuan or even Chi Wei; my methods are nothing but petty tricks."