Chapter 1239: Great Peacock Karma (II)

That featherless bird had been fierce outwardly but weak at heart. He was thoroughly cowed by Houfu's Supreme Yang Dao Lineage spirit artifact. Li Ximing hadn't even used his Heaven-Venerating Gate, so he bore no real blame, perhaps only some suspicion. Now that he had obtained the Purple Mansion Realm spiritual flames, the gains were already considerable. How could that be considered suffering?

He cupped his hands and said, "I should be the one thanking you, Daoist Friend Houfu."

He spoke with genuine sincerity. Though Houfu's spirit artifact had been exposed, he hadn't even needed to unleash its Supreme Yang radiance. Since Li Ximing had been designated to act, Houfu could easily have let Yuguang continue and let Li Ximing bear the blame entirely. Without the deterrence of that Supreme Yang light and Houfu's presence, Yuguang might never have backed down.

Houfu waved his hand and said gravely, "Yuguang brought the Peacock Birth-Giving Disk, which was unexpected. Were his cultivation not insufficient, even we might have struggled to deal with the artifact's recognition."

"So it was the monk who was lacking, not that the treasure was all show." Li Ximing nodded slightly and seized the chance to ask, "I rarely see the treasure artifacts of Buddhist cultivators. Do they all have sentience? Why does one need to earn their recognition?"

Houfu sneered, "A spirit artifact is a tool, and a Daoist Master is a person; a treasure artifact is a tool, yet the Merciful Ones are hardly worthy of being called people. They even serve as slaves to the Maha in the Buddhist land. When a rich man buys a carriage, is the coachman more valuable than the cart? When a landlord hires tenants, are they more esteemed than the oxen? It's the same principle. Recognition or not, it depends on whether the master chooses to give the tenant an ox."

His tone carried thick mockery as he continued, "The 'Peacock Birth-Giving Disk' belongs to the peacock's offspring; it should correspond to our level of spirit treasures. It has its own distinct name, in fact..."

Li Ximing frowned. "That's exactly what puzzles me. Why don't Buddhist cultivators distinguish their tools? Master Monks use treasure artifacts, Merciful Ones use treasure artifacts, and even the Maha use treasure artifacts. Doesn't that make for an awkward hierarchy?"

Houfu's sneer deepened. He stowed his bulging pouch-shaped spirit artifact and replied, "If they truly drew such clear lines, letting the Immortal and Buddhist Daos match artifact for artifact, what grand act would the Buddhist land have left to perform? How many spirit treasures has the Immortal Dao produced since the Human Emperor's founding? And how many treasure artifacts of that same level has the Buddhist land forged? The Immortal Dao surpasses them tenfold! When compared instead by Dharma relics, can the Seven Daos even muster ten relics between them? My Supreme Yang Dao Lineage alone can count seven by name! And that's not even counting those lost across the ages.

"The fools of the Seven Daos can hardly accept that. So in the Buddhist land, only the Maha's treasures are called Buddhist artifacts. If a Merciful One wishes to use one, they must first ask permission."

Li Ximing nodded, understanding dawning in his heart. He started to pay even more attention to the Peacock Birth-Giving Disk.

If what he says is true, then treasure artifacts of spirit treasure grade are exceedingly rare and even more revered. The peacock clan's status must be far higher than rumors suggest...

The two exchanged a few more words when suddenly, Lingdu's aged voice echoed in their ears, "Fellow Daoists, the matter is settled. Hold fast to the Tiger-Mouth Lotus Seed, take the long route through the great void, conceal your traces, and make your way to Nine Mounds!"

Delight flickered in Li Ximing's heart. He exchanged a glance with Houfu, and the two parted ways without another word, vanishing in one breath into the boundless great void.

As soon as Li Ximing entered the great void, a cool sensation spread from his tiger's mouth[1]. Using the vast emptiness as his path, he flew eastward in one breath to the end of the sea, then circled halfway around its edge, nearly reaching Shiqi, before finally heading toward Nine Mounds Immortal Mountain.

Two days had passed by the time he reached the mountain. The sky hung dim and gray. Houfu sat in the courtyard before the mountain gate, sipping tea; it was clear he had been waiting. When he finally saw Li Ximing, he remarked, "Zhaojing, you are cautious indeed."

How could I not be cautious? I was the one who struck, and the Bright Yang Dao Lineage is hardly adept at concealment. It's not like Xiukui, who appears and vanishes without a trace...

He cupped his hands with a smile and said, "My apologies for keeping you waiting, senior."

Time had already been long spent. Houfu did not bother pouring him tea; instead, he cleared the entire tea set from the table in one motion, leaving Li Ximing no chance for idle words. The two entered together.

They found Lingdu standing among crimson leaves in a grove of maples, leaning on his staff. Before him stood another figure, dressed in a dark robe with a white-green sash at his waist. He was tall and straight, with bound black hair falling down his back.

Hearing their approach, the man turned. He appeared young, and was strikingly handsome with his faintly red pupils. There was something eerie and inhuman about his gaze; he did not seem of the kindly sort.

Seeing that even Lingdu stood deferentially before him, Li Ximing could already guess the man's identity. Houfu too lowered his head for the first time, bowing before the man and saying solemnly, "Junior Houfu greets Daoist Master Yuandao!"

Li Ximing hurriedly followed suit, bowing deeply as he said, "Junior Zhaojing pays respects to the Grand Daoist Master."

Li Ximing had long heard of the Tantai Family's Grand Daoist Master, Tantai Lingtong, famed throughout the realm. Daoist Master Yuandao had already cultivated his fifth divine ability, and his cultivation surpassed even that of Si Boxiu. He stood at the pinnacle of the Purple Mansion Realm. Though none could say how close he was to forming a Golden Core, there were few in this world who would dare offend him.

Even a Maha would not dare display arrogance before this Grand Daoist Master; they would have to speak politely to him and respectfully discuss the Dao.

After the two paid their respects, the Grand Daoist Master's demeanor proved utterly unlike his intimidating appearance. His tone was gentle and courteous, calm as still water, without the slightest trace of arrogance, "Both of you, please sit!"

Li Ximing sat down obediently, while Houfu looked slightly uneasy. Only Lingdu moved naturally, brewing tea for the three of them. Daoist Master Yuandao watched with a faint smile, "How fares Fellow Daoist Louxing these days? It has been some time since I last saw him."

The question was clearly directed at Houfu. Li Ximing lowered his eyes and remained silent, while Houfu answered in a steady voice, "The ancestor lingered at the Purple Mansion Threshold for a hundred years, his spirit worn thin... Though he has now broken through, his time grows short. He often speaks of your divine abilities, and misses the days he conversed with you."

Daoist Master Yuandao placed one hand on the table and accepted the small cup Lingdu handed over. Li Ximing caught a glimpse of a slender strand of sandalwood beads looped around his wrist. The Grand Daoist Master nodded, turned toward them, and said, "Truly, the younger generation is formidable. I had thought Houfu achieved divine ability early enough, yet to see Zhaojing also attain the Purple Mansion Realm as a rogue cultivator in under a century; remarkable indeed."

After all, the meager heritage of the Li Family was nothing before someone like him. To call Li Ximing a rogue cultivator was not inaccurate, and Li Ximing saw no need to correct him. He merely replied, "This junior merely had some luck; it's far beneath your divine ability, Daoist Master."

Daoist Master Yuandao chuckled lightly and said, "My thanks for your efforts this time. Lingdu indeed obtained the spiritual flames within that temple... Lingdu!"

Lingdu quickly reached into his robe and took out a small vermilion ceramic bowl, placing it gently on the table. The tiny bowl was exquisite. It was smooth, spotless, and no larger than a child's fist, fitting perfectly in the palm. Darkness pooled like ink inside, and within that void flickered a single ember of grayish red flame, ringed faintly with five-colored halos. It was no bigger than a grain of rice.

Daoist Master Yuandao took a sip of tea, noticing that Li Ximing could not recognize the item, and spoke, "This is the Little Peacock Karma Merging Fire, commonly referred to as the Little Peacock Karma. Though it appears no larger than a grain of rice within the bowl, if released, it could expand to the size of a mountain.

"This flame evolved from the Desire-Origin Merging Fire. That fire arises from the Bin Crow during its mating, the second flame that leaks from between its beak and teeth. It is the essence of passion beyond mere lust. When the Bin Crow mates, its beak points at the sun; the first fire corresponds to the Supreme Yang, while the second corresponds to Bright Yang, possessing the effect of harmonizing male and female essence. Hence, in ancient times, the Bin Crow was said to display its passion even beneath the daylight sky."

𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Such a level of Daoist discourse was enough to shake Li Ximing to his core. Even Houfu, beside him, stared at the bowl in absorbed focus. The Grand Daoist Master, however, suddenly paused and flicked his finger. Instantly, the toll of celestial bells echoed across the entire immortal mountain.

Lingdu, standing nearby, explained, "When the Daoist Master discusses mysteries involving ancient True Monarchs or Demon Lords, disciples must be warned to raise defenses; lest the Merging Fire respond to his words and fall, burning the woods."

Daoist Master Yuandao paused briefly, then continued, "This flame was acquired by the Great Peacock and passed to his eldest son. That son entered the Buddhist Dao, his name cannot be spoken, and refined this fire into the Great Peacock Karma. The Little Peacock Karma, the one before us, was born from his lineage."

Li Ximing listened as though hearing a celestial myth. The divine abilities of these ancient cultivators were too terrifying to fathom. Even hearing about them stirred awe within him. He swallowed hard as Yuandao continued, "The Little Peacock Karma can be considered a Merging Fire. In the hands of a Buddhist cultivator, it becomes Karmic Fire, a rare and potent fire. Its power ranks at least above the median among the Purple Mansion Realm spiritual flames."

Li Ximing felt both joy and a tinge of regret.

He had long anticipated that the spiritual flame obtained might not be the Radiant Fire he desired. There were countless types of flames under heaven, and no single inheritance could guarantee the exact one sought. Still, he had chosen to take part decisively, largely because of the Yang Nourishing Technique.

The Yang Nourishing Technique had once been Tulong Jian's fortuitous encounter. It allowed transformation between several fire Daos, primarily among the Radiant, True, and Virile Fires. Since Lingdu had already excluded Virile or Dry Fire, Li Ximing's chances of converting his flame into Radiant Fire were very high.

Yet the Yang Nourishing Technique did not encompass every variation within the three fire Daos, and there was also the Merging Fire to consider. Thus, Li Ximing had mentally been prepared for the possibility that conversion might fail. He was not greedy, and any Purple Mansion spiritual flame was a treasure worth having.

Though it turned out to be a Merging Fire, the Grand Daoist Master's words made clear that its might was formidable. Li Ximing still felt it was a fair trade, yet doubts arose in his heart,

I merely deflected some suspicion; am I truly worthy of such a reward? This Merging Fire practically bears the word Peacock on its face! If I were to use it in battle, wouldn't I be carrying the blame squarely on my back?

Had Yuandao not explained it so clearly, Li Ximing might have accepted politely and left it at that. But with the Grand Daoist Master himself seated before him, speaking so directly, Li Ximing could only bow and say respectfully, "This junior is unworthy of a flame of such might. I beg the Grand Daoist Master to reclaim it!"

Daoist Master Yuandao raised an eyebrow slightly and shook his head, "There's no need for such courtesy. You are, after all, a power under Origin Mansion's domain. My Supreme Mound Dao Lineage shares close ties with the Origin Mansion; offering aid where due is only natural. It's merely one spiritual flame."

Li Ximing's heart jolted in shock,

So this Dao Lineage has deep ties with the Origin Mansion... If they stand on equal footing, this Daoist Master Tantai would be on the same level as Daoist Master Donghua in his prime! That's incredible... Even if slightly lower, it's still a lineage ranked among the three sects. No wonder he's so formidable, the Tantai Family truly has immense backing!

He quickly bowed once again and said, "Senior, merit should match the reward. This junior dares not overreach, especially since this Little Peacock Karma is a treasure of the Peacock Clan. To hold it would be like grasping a burning coal; I truly dare not make use of it!"

Daoist Master Yuandao did not rise. He waited until Li Ximing finished his first bow, then reached out to lift him gently, halting any further obeisance. His voice was calm as he said, "Zhaojing, you are too polite. Rest assured, since I've spoken of this matter with you, I have no ill intent."

1. The web of flesh between the thumb and index finger. ☜