Chapter 1132: Entrustment (I)

After Tinglan and her companion conversed, Li Ximing remained silent. Neither of them cared whether the one occupying the mountain was Fu En or Kong Haiying. As long as they followed the arrangement, everything about Profound Peak Gate was already settled.

Tinglan saw the situation clearly. The Purple Smoke Gate was weak at the moment, and taking over the Profound Peak Gate's territory would bloat their domain. Drawing in a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator, however, was a far better strategy. It was the scheme Tinglan had long been putting together.

With a charming smile, Tinglan had mediated on behalf of the Purple Smoke Gate with only a few effortless words. Empty-handed, she had managed to secure Profound Peak Gate's mountain gate for free, while Li Ximing even had to thank her for it.

Li Ximing understood her plan perfectly well. Yet this Purple Smoke Gate Daoist Master had come personally under the guise of offering advice; what room did he truly have to refuse?

As a Daoist Master of the Green Pine Supreme Yang Dao lineage, Tinglan had taken the initiative to mediate this matter. Her tone seemed amicable, and the favor she extended was considerable. Sumian, meanwhile, either echoed her words or nodded in agreement. His flattery nearly reached the heavens, and his stance was obvious beyond doubt.

Regardless of the Li Family's own interests, the Purple Smoke Gate intended to support Daoist Master Zhugong. If Li Ximing voiced any objection, he would not only offend Tinglan but also obstruct the Purple Smoke Gate's agenda. Even the peace-seeking Xuanmiao Temple would take issue with him, while Ye Hui would probably burst out laughing.

The spirit items within Profound Peak Gate are already scarce. Even how much my family takes and how much Ye Hui takes remains ambiguous. Since Kong Haiying is absent from the mountain, Ye Hui is actually the one losing the most in this plan. It is very likely that he only agreed under pressure.

It should be noted that when Tinglan mentioned the Capital Immortal Dao earlier, she only remarked, ‘it'll be enough face to save!' Clearly, she did not think much of that sect.

My family bears the name of a righteous Jiangnan family, with the Xiao Family watching from the side and the Azure Pond Sect left as a fallback. Tinglan is willing to give me some face, but if it were Ye Hui in my place... even with his higher cultivation, he would have little to say.

Since the Purple Smoke Gate wanted Profound Peak Gate while also needing to account to Ye Hui, Fu En was doomed. Li Ximing could only say, "This matter is easy to settle, but what about the Sword Gate to the east? How will they respond?"

After all, the Profound Peak Gate bordered the Sword Gate. Though the Sword Gate had already taken the lands by Lake Xian, and Sumian had even gone to apologize, the matter still required a statement from them.

Li Ximing's question was not unexpected, and Tinglan replied, "It's fine. Daoist Master Ling Mei has already said that the Sword Gate will no longer interfere in the affairs of the Profound Peak Gate."

Li Ximing had nothing more to say. He sipped his tea and said, "The grand formation of the Purple Mansion Realm will be troublesome to relocate. Daoist Master, I must trouble you with this matter."

Tinglan knew that he had agreed, yet she still lowered her head in thought. What Li Ximing meant by retrieving the grand formation was for her, Tinglan, to act within the great void and take it away herself. Yet to outsiders unaware of the arrangement behind Profound Peak Gate's division, it might appear as though she had seized the formation amidst the chaos.

Li Ximing had no knowledge of formations whatsoever, so such a request was reasonable. Tinglan thought to herself,

So be it... those in the great void are only watching. Thinking it through, this is understandable.

She nodded, and with that, the matter was settled. Li Ximing took out the secret incantation for the Profound Peak Gate's formation plate, along with a jade pendant, and handed them over.

Tinglan said, "In that case, let me make the arrangements first. The matter will resolve itself within a few months. Once it is concluded, I shall go to the lake and rearrange the grand formation."

It was inconvenient to bring up anything about pill refinement before Sumian, so she only mentioned formations. The elder Daoist beside her listened with a smile and said, "Now that this matter has been settled, I can finally enter seclusion. Many of my affairs have been delayed because of the Profound Peak Gate."

Spring rain continued to patter outside as the three of them drank tea and conversed pleasantly. Sumian lifted his chin and said, "I have a friend cultivating in Yan State who mentioned an interesting rumor. It was said that the tribes of Mobei have grown increasingly active in recent years. Several great families have united, commanding a hundred thousand bowmen, and even produced cultivators of the Purple Mansion Realm."

Tinglan showed little surprise and said, "The Zhao Emperor has lost his influence, and is unable to even leave his own palace. It is no wonder he has little control over his northern homeland. After a hundred years, unrest was inevitable. I have a friend who has long struggled to acquire Unified Qi and required a contest of national fate. Upon hearing this news a few months ago, he was overjoyed and went there at once. It's said many ancient ruins have emerged, and there may even be a fate bearer among them."

Li Ximing quietly sipped his tea as he thought,

So it's only the two of you who have all these friends... I've only just become a Daoist Master, and I've barely left Jiangnan a few times.

The other two were unaware of his thoughts. Sumian had not raised the topic without reason and continued, "Since there is said to be a fate bearer, have you gone to see for yourself? Could it be the reincarnation of a Saintly Daoist Master?"

He was, of course, referring to Zipei, his words carrying a hint of probing. Daoist Master Tinglan, however, responded without hesitation, smiling as she said, "How could she end up in that place as another's pawn? Senior, you worry too much! Besides, my Purple Smoke Gate still has an elder at the peak of the Purple Mansion Realm. Though his whereabouts are uncertain, he has gone to take a look. If it truly were so, he would have brought them back long ago."

Her tone was smooth and natural, showing no hint of hesitation. It sounded as though the missing Purple Mansion Realm cultivator of the Purple Smoke Gate truly was merely wandering as she claimed, and would occasionally return to the sect to cultivate in seclusion. Tinglan spoke as though she had personally met him recently.

Daoist Master Sumian nodded repeatedly, and Tinglan went on, "After all, the elder is advanced in age and has been busy settling his own affairs. He is rarely seen nowadays... in the end, such matters will fall to us juniors."

Daoist Master Sumian quickly said, "I once cultivated near the Eastern Sea and met that elder around Qunyi. We exchanged a few words, and I received his guidance. The insights I gained were immeasurable, and my gratitude boundless. If someday fate allows, I hope you will summon me to pay my respects."

Daoist Master Tinglan remained calm, simply nodding in acknowledgment. She and Li Ximing took their leave soon after, as Sumian escorted them out of Xuanmiao Temple. The courtyard was left with nothing but the soft patter of spring rain.

Fifteen minutes later, Sumian returned by tearing through the great void. He had a pensive look as he sat down on his meditation cushion and murmured, "If Elder When[1] truly returned to the sect often, he would have made his stance clear the moment he heard of my sect's founding. The Qunyi incident is something Tinglan could not possibly be unaware of... meaning she hasn't seen him for at least sixteen or seventeen years. Whether he has perished or vanished... as long as he is not present, using the Essence Stone Devil Fetus will be much safer."

1. The original surname should be Wen (闻), but the surname clashes with Wen Yi (温遗) so it has been changed to When. ☜