Chapter 1160: The Choice Of Capital Immortal Dao (II)

During their last encounter with the Capital Immortal Dao, Miaoshui had nearly perished and had been saved only by the Daoist Master's intervention. The brush with death had changed her temperament greatly and refined her cultivation.

When she saw Li Minggong's grave expression, she said solemnly, "Minggong, you've arrived. I just received word from the North Brocade River King that Guan Lingdie has come with a group of Capital Immortal Dao cultivators. Gongsun Baifan, Song Yunbai, and several others follow behind. There are six in total."

While Li Chenghui and Ding Weizeng held back the Golden Tang Gate's forces, this location had four defenders: Li Minggong, Qu Buzhi, Miaoshui, and the white ape. One guest cultivator from Profound Peak Gate, Sun Bai, stayed within the mountain. Their strength was slightly inferior overall.

However, when Li Minggong learned that Guan Gongxiao was absent, she understood that he had led his forces toward the Wilderness. Relief washed over her. In the current Li Family, aside from Li Zhouwei, no one could contend with the Capital Immortal Dao's young master. His presence at their location would have spelled disaster.

"Daoist Friend Miaoshui."

Li Minggong was well-prepared. She sent a signal through her jade pendant for reinforcements while simultaneously drawing a string of cold-iron rings etched with Pit Water patterns from her sleeve. There were eighteen in total, each the size of a fist and gleaming silver.

She handed them to Miaoshui and spoke softly, "These are fine dharma artifacts of the Capital Immortal Dao, the Pit Metal Chain Rings. Use them for now. They specialize in entanglement and imprisonment; you've tested them before. Leave Gongsun Baifan to me."

Though their side was short by two, Li Chenghuai stood ready on the northern bank. It would take him but moments to cross the river. Equipped with the Upper Feather Night Robe and the Yang Family's Night Ghost Secret Talisman, he could summon Foundation Establishment Realm Yin qi puppets to hold off two opponents with ease.

Since Guan Gongxiao was absent and Guan Kan long slain by Li Zhouwei, holding off Guan Lingdie and Gongsun Baifan would be enough to secure Floating South. They wouldn't even need Cui Jueyin's reinforcements and could later link up with Profound Peak Gate.

Miaoshui accepted the dharma artifact with a nod and gestured. The string of cold-iron rings flowed around her wrist, gliding through a sheen of Converging Water. Meanwhile, Li Minggong soared skyward, summoning the Six-Cornered Scarlet Flame Lamp and Purefeather Radiant Fire. Red and white plumes erupted into the heavens in a blazing storm.

Sure enough, a tall woman in a colorful dress and azure ribbons approached swiftly from the north. She was accompanied by Gongsun Baifan, still in his rain cloak and holding a blade, while a crowd of Foundation Establishment Realm and Qi Cultivation Realm cultivators followed behind. None of them were any figures of note.

Li Minggong recalled Li Chenghui's earlier words. As the figures approached, she clasped her hands slightly and greeted them, "Daoist Friend Lingdie."

When Guan Lingdie had first come here to confront the Li Family, her attitude had been openly hostile. Now, however, the sharpness between her brows had softened. When she saw Li Minggong clasp her hands together, she almost raised her own hand in return out of habit, but stopped herself halfway, remembering she had come to make trouble.

Drawing her hand back, she said, "Ming... Li Minggong..."

Guan Lingdie quickly regained her composure and continued smoothly, "In that battle upon the river years ago, our Capital Immortal Dao suffered a narrow defeat. Now that an opportunity presents itself, I have come merely to exchange pointers with a few Daoist friends."

𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Her words not only surprised Li Minggong but also left the Capital Immortal Dao guest cultivators momentarily stunned. Only Gongsun Baifan gripped his blade thoughtfully, his calm eyes sweeping over the assembled group.

Li Minggong summoned her Feather Fire, nodding slightly as she replied, "Please."

————

Shanji Prefecture.

The Profound Peak Mountains of Profound Peak Gate still stretched majestically across the land, yet chaos reigned across its slopes. Palaces, pavilions, and cliffside courtyards lay in disarray, with scattered belongings littering the steps. It was evidence that the place had been thoroughly plundered.

Within the mountain gate, figures in black robes from the Capital Immortal Dao scurried busily about. Some were copying formation scripts with brushes, while others were collecting spiritual flames and waters from the mountain's treasured sites into jade bottles. After harvesting, they did not destroy the spirit formation but left it intact, departing calmly to deliver the gathered spirit items at the summit.

Though they were invaders, their movements carried a strange sense of order. The Capital Immortal Dao's disciples showed discipline and restraint, working silently and efficiently. Occasionally, one would slip a few spirit stones or trinkets into a sleeve, yet no one argued or fought.

Once one ascended the stone steps, one would reach the great cavern atop the main peak, where spiritual qi surged like mist. A young man in a deep-blue Daoist robe sat upon the jade throne, where Changxi had once sat for centuries. His pointed chin lent him a handsome air, though his complexion was far from pleasant.

The Daoist Master idly tossed a brownish-yellow command token into the air, letting it fall and catching it over and over again. Before him knelt a man in black robes, his face marked with streaks of dark ink. A white silk sash hung from his waist to the floor as he bowed with deep reverence.

"Greetings, Daoist Master!"

Ye Hui’s eyes strayed down toward Guan Gongxiao. The young master possessed excellent innate ability and an attitude of impeccable deference. Ye Hui had always found him reliable.

After studying him briefly, he remarked, "Still obedient enough."

Guan Gongxiao replied respectfully, "Daoist Master's insight towers like Mount Taishi, spanning thousands of kilometers, while this junior's vision is but that of a mole, narrow and shallow. I would never dare harbor defiance."

Ye Hui ignored his flattery and said softly, "Clearly this is when the Li Family is at its weakest. Do you know... why I asked you to remain seated here?"

Guan Gongxiao hesitated, but eventually asked, "Daoist Master Zhaojing?"

Ye Hui looked at him gravely. "If you cannot see this clearly, then you should not be the young master. Whoever moves against the Li Family now will be doing Changxiao's bidding to force Li Zhouwei out. That would bring no benefit to the Capital Immortal Dao. You must understand, Li Ximing is a cultivator who cares deeply for his family. If you severely wound him, he might slink away with his tail between his legs and still nod to you when you meet. But if you kill Li Minggong and force Li Zhouwei to reveal himself..."

Ye Hui paused briefly and said quietly, "Then you, Lingdie, and all of Capital Immortal Dao must be ready to face the heavenly light in the great void at any moment..."

Guan Gongxiao nodded hesitantly and said softly, "But my family is already enemies with the Li Family... doing nothing now and letting them go easily..."

The Daoist Master said quietly, "Do you think our several clashes with the Li Family mean that we are now their enemies? Not at all. As long as you and Lingdie are not dead, and Li Zhouwei and Li Chenghui remain alive, I can make this work to bolster their reputation. It is merely part of the process of dividing up Profound Peak Gate.

"The only thing worth debating is that I had him driven out of the Eastern Sea. That too could be something I was used for... do you understand?"

Guan Gongxiao looked somewhat confused. The Daoist Master continued, "In this world, the question is rarely what the truth is, but what it can be and what each side wants. Changxiao is strong and he has coerced me. That is sufficient. Allying with someone like Changxiao means a single misstep could leave you taking the blame for him. I have been subtle enough about this matter."

Ye Hui rose, passed the brownish-yellow jade pendant from his left hand to his right, raised an eyebrow and asked, "Since Li Ximing is willing to yield the mountain gate, and now that Kong Haiying has died by my hand, what grudges remain that cannot be resolved between him and me? If Changxiao still asks me to take the fall for him, what kind of favor is that?"