Chapter 1209: Great Divine Ability (I)

Peacock Sea.

The seawater of the Peacock Sea was unusually distinctive; its deep brown hue shimmered with green light, and much of the surface gleamed with interwoven shades of purple and bronze. It was as brilliant and multicolored as a living gem.

Above this expanse of rippling waves, a cultivator clad in a white-gold Daoist robe emerged from the great void, his form gradually taking shape.

Judging that he had arrived at the Peacock Sea, Li Ximing stepped lightly over the waves, a sigh escaping his heart,

The end of the sea is truly far beyond reach...

He had traversed the great void to get here, originally planning to travel through the manifested world and collect some spirit items along the way. Yet despite flying for several days at Purple Mansion Realm speed, he was still at the end of the sea. It seemed that beyond the waters belonging to Qingxu Temple stretched a boundless mundane sea devoid of spiritual energy.

These regions were unconnected to the great void, existing as specks so small as to be nearly nonexistent. A single flash of flight would glide past them. For ordinary cultivators, traversing such a distance might take months or even years, which explained why no one wished to venture toward the end of the sea.

He found a place with the faintest trace of spiritual energy before entering the great void again. This time, he reached the Peacock Sea swiftly. Gazing back at the endless waters behind him, he sighed once more,

What a barren place. If a cultivator ever rises from here, that person would truly be a peerless genius.

He flew along the Peacock Sea until the spiritual energy grew richer. Several desolate islands showed power on par with Qingxu Temple. As he flew and paused along the way, he saw great peacocks with radiant wings soaring through the air, bringing waves of scorching winds with them.

Some of these peacocks were as large as courtyards, their backs broad enough to bear towers. Even the smaller ones were impressive; they were larger than a bedboard, with feathers gleaming purple, crimson, and emerald while blazing with fire and magnificence.

Li Ximing caught a glimpse of what seemed to be human figures on the backs of those peacocks, so he set aside the thought of acting rashly. Shifting back through the great void, he soon emerged above a vast island bustling with life beneath his feet.

This place was unlike the remote end of the sea, so it was still necessary to conceal his presence. Li Ximing casually changed his face, withdrew the heavenly light from his robe, and erased all traces of his Bright Yang divine ability.

He closed his hand and a jade pearl-like artifact, the Mountain-Charging, Sea-Pacing Tiger, manifested in his palm. Using the inherent rank of this spiritual artifact, he transformed his aura into that of the Stable Earth Dao and suppressed his cultivation to the late Foundation Establishment Realm.

He then took a step forward, transforming into a middle-aged cultivator in brown robes. Li Ximing was almost completely unskilled in the Dao of transformation. His disguises could hardly deceive a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator, and perhaps not even one proficient in the art at the Foundation Establishment Realm. Fortunately, the island was filled with practitioners at the Embryonic Breathing and Qi Cultivation Realms, and all of them immediately bowed upon seeing him.

They were led by the island's master, poor as ever but still better off than those at Qingxu Temple. At least he carried a Qi Cultivation Realm dharma sword at his side. Bowing deeply, he said respectfully, "I do not know where the honored one comes from. This humble place is crude and unworthy of your presence..."

Though this island's customs were not as ancient as those of the end of the sea, they still preserved the old address of Daoist courtesy.

Li Ximing asked, "What place is this, and who holds dominion over these seas?"

The island master bowed once more in reply. "Daoist, this place is called Gaoxuan Island. It lies within the territory of the Supreme Tao[1] Nine Mounds Great Dao of the Peacock Sea. About one thousand kilometers to the east stands the Nine Mounds Immortal Mountain, where the Daoists reside."

It was indeed easiest to gather information after reaching the Peacock Sea. This statement was far clearer than the vague rumors Xia Shouyu had given him.

Li Ximing asked quietly, "I have heard that someone of great divine ability resides upon the Peacock Sea. May I know which Daoist Master cultivates here?"

The man hurriedly bowed again and said, "Daoist, there is a Daoist Master Yuandao upon the Nine Mounds Immortal Mountain, a cultivator of great divine ability. The Peacock Sea venerates only him. He is benevolent and generous; cultivators from the surrounding seas often come to study under him, and even distant Daoist Masters from Jiangnan visit from time to time."

Daoist Master Yuandao...

Li Ximing had never heard that name before. Frowning slightly, he asked, "Do you know what Dao lineage the Supreme Tao Nine Mounds Great Dao belongs to? What surname do its direct descendants bear?"

The man was merely a Qi Cultivation Realm cultivator. He had no idea what Dao lineages were, and fearful of offending the visitor, he broke out in a sweat as he racked his brain. "This humble one lives in such a remote place that I know nothing of Dao lineages or direct descendants, nor have I ever had the chance to ask..."

Just as he was sweating profusely, his eyes suddenly brightened as he recalled something. He said, "However... when I was young, I once accompanied my father to a market near the Peacock Sea. The official there had descended from the mountain, and all the cultivators addressed him as... Lord Tantai."

Tantai?!

Li Ximing suddenly realized,

The Tantai Family! Tantai Jin of the Azure Pond Sect is one of them. Then this Daoist Master Yuandao must be a friend of Si Boxiu!

Well now, so the Tantai Family resides here in the Peacock Sea, and with such renown! Yuan Xiu truly found a powerful patron for his descendants.

Having pieced things together, he felt pleasantly surprised. He raised his brows as he asked, "I understand now. These peacocks in the sea, do they all belong to the Nine Mounds Immortal Mountain? Under whose authority are the local demonic creatures governed?"

The man did not understand why the conversation had shifted to demonic creatures, but still replied, "The honored one may not know; Nine Mounds Immortal Mountain lies in the southwestern part of the Peacock Sea, where most of the land and islands cluster. The peacock lords dwell in the northeast, stretching northward to a temple called Great Boon Bronze-Color Temple. It is their place of cultivation. They chant scriptures and strike wooden fish, carrying blessed lands within their bodies and living for countless years."

Li Ximing's interest was immediately piqued, and he asked, "The Peacock Sea once housed great demonic beasts, and now their descendants study Buddhist arts? If the Nine Mounds Immortal Mountain are tolerating them, there must indeed be someone backing them."

Naturally, the man knew nothing of such details and could only reply, "They are indeed descendants of that very being. It is said that their bodies shine with five-colored light and that they are connected with many Dao lineages from the inland regions, often sharing life and death with those great ones."

Li Ximing realized that the Merciful One from inland often came here to seek mounts, and thought to himself,

If I were to capture a demonic creature, taking one of these scripture-reciting peacocks would be most satisfying. Unfortunately, I am not at my best, and it would be unwise to act without knowing who supports them. Still, I should remember their location...

In the future, should I need materials for offerings or alchemy, I can come here to pluck a few from this flock. After all, demonic creatures without backing are hard to find, while the temple's peacocks are both plentiful and well-fed.

He then asked, "Which region is in greater turmoil? Where are the demonic creatures running rampant?"

The man replied, "To the south lies the Dong'a King Sea. The dragon kin have withdrawn from there and no longer govern those waters. It is in chaos now... many are planning to go there to make some profit."

Li Ximing nodded, casually tossed him two pills, and vanished into the great void. Since this region was near the end of the sea, traveling through the great void was highly efficient. It didn’t take long to arrive at the Dong'e King Sea. He peered through the void and sensed the spiritual fluctuations before tearing through the barrier and seeing the truth. Chaotic battles raged everywhere; the entire sea was engulfed in disorder.

Not far away, a great black-feathered bird was flying with blazing eyes and roaring flames. Two groups of cultivators fled in panic beneath it. The monstrous bird spewed fire that turned the air white and scorched the waves; it craned its neck and swallowed people whole, one after another, leisurely chasing the terrified cultivators.

Well now! I couldn't have come at a better moment.

Just as the demonic creature was displaying its might, a cultivator in a white-gold robe suddenly appeared beside it. He seized the creature by the neck and lifted it effortlessly with one hand. In an instant, all its flames vanished, and under the suppressing power of his divine ability, the great bird reverted to its true form. It was a common wild goose, now immobilized.

The sea fell silent, save for the anguished cries of the lesser demons below, "The Great Demonic Beast King of the Yuanli Pagoda Burning Heaven has been captured!"

1. 洮 (táo) means clear, pure water; limpid flow. ☜