Chapter 1240: Nine Mounds’ Goodwill (I)

Daoist Master Yuandao pointed lightly at the vermilion ceramic bowl on the small table. His reddish pupils flickered as he spoke, "I know that Zhaojing is troubled over the matter of the peacock. The Little Peacock Karma is exceedingly rare in this world, and flaunting it in public will only bring misfortune. Not only does the Great Boon Bronze-Color Temple covet this fire, but at least five of the Seven Northern Dao Sects' Buddhist cultivators could achieve enlightenment through this Karmic Fire; holding it will only invite endless trouble..."

"I will give Zhaojing three choices." He shifted his cup slightly, extended his hand, and said, "Although the Little Peacock Karma is a Karmic Fire born from the Buddhist land, its nature is still bound to the Desire-Origin Merging Fire. It is not like the Great Peacock Karma, which was personally refined by a great divine ability cultivator. I am familiar with the Peacock Dao Lineage and can help you convert it into another type of Merging Fire called Returning Flame to Completion. It is likewise connected to Bright Yang and is one of the few gentle Merging Fires; it can refine pills, but not forge artifacts, nor is it compatible with Converging Water or stir Geng Metal.

"Though the transformation process is tedious, time-consuming, and costly, and Returning Flame to Completion is far less valuable than the Little Peacock Karma, there happens to be a portion in the mountain that you can retrieve first... This is the first choice."

Li Ximing was slightly moved and nodded respectfully, though doubt arose in his heart,

Most likely, even the Nine Mounds Dao Lineage can only turn the Little Peacock Karma into Returning Flame to Completion, but not reverse it back... Daoist Master Yuandao's words clearly show that he has no intention of letting go of the Little Peacock Karma...

As he pondered silently, Daoist Master Yuandao continued, "Second, hand the Little Peacock Karma to my Nine Mounds Dao Lineage, and I will exchange it for a spiritual flame. This fire is a True Fire known as the Profound Fire of the Three Phases' Guard.

"In ancient times, when the Supreme Yang and Bright Yang grew stronger while the Supreme Yin and Veiled Yin weakened, True Fire became fiercer while Mansion Water grew gentler. True Fire usually leaned toward artifact refinement, but the Profound Fire of the Three Phases' Guard is an exception. It still resonates with the Surplus Position of ancient True Fire and retains the characteristics of that bygone era; it excels particularly in alchemy.

"However, it is inferior to Returning Flame to Completion in terms of spell combat. No matter how gentle that one is, it remains a Merging Fire, whereas the Profound Fire of the Three Phases' Guard lacks the ferocity of True Fire in this current age, making it a step weaker."

He sipped his tea and finally said, "Third, I can also compensate you with another spirit item. Water and Fire flourish here, with no other Dao that can compare. I do not intend to take advantage of you. Aside from the Profound Fire of the Three Phases' Guard, there is also a portion of Pristine Water on Nine Mounds Mountain."

Li Ximing suddenly found himself torn as Daoist Master Yuandao finished,

Without the Radiant Fire, I wonder if the Profound Fire of the Three Phases' Guard could be converted into Radiant Fire... The Returning Flame to Completion can refine pills and be used in spell combat, and it harmonizes with Bright Yang. It's not a bad choice either.

The spiritual flames offered by Daoist Master Yuandao were far too tempting. The Profound Fire of the Three Phases' Guard was clearly something only these ancient Dao lineages would possess. Converting it into Radiant Fire would be nothing short of wasteful. Even if Li Ximing were to obtain it, he knew he would cherish it dearly and could never bring himself to convert it into Radiant Fire...

Aside from his indecision over the two fires, Li Ximing harbored a deeper, more private concern,

This Grand Daoist Master and I are neither kin nor old acquaintances, so why such generosity? I merely lent a hand this time, yet he offers such a weighty compensation... could this be tying me into a great karmic entanglement?

The realization made him hesitate belatedly,

Alas... I act rashly at the sight of immediate gain too often. I should have been like Brother Xijun, who always thinks things through and makes careful arrangements before acting. I seem to have walked into another thicket of trouble; but fortunately, the Nine Mounds bear no true malice. This may yet be mended...

Out of this concern, Li Ximing rose from his seat and bowed respectfully. "Zhaojing has long been content at heart to be able to form a connection with Nine Mounds and offer but a meager effort; moreover, to meet the Grand Daoist Master face to face. I harbor no greed, only the wish to remove the imprint. Now, fearing the peacock's malignant might and unable to calm my dread, I dare not accept the Grand Daoist Master's spirit items. I only beg a bit of shelter to avoid its venomous beak."

Houfu was slightly taken aback, while Daoist Master Yuandao merely raised an eyebrow, his lips curving faintly as he said, "You are quite the cautious one. Since that's the case, I may as well make it clear to you... but what you hear must never be spoken again."

Li Ximing nodded at once, and the Grand Daoist Master said with a smile, "You guessed right. Something extraordinary was indeed taken from this Dao Collection, something vital to the peacock. If a treasure of this level were known to exist, it would shake all the Buddhist land, startling the Maha above, and even Pi Jia and Xipo themselves would come to claim it."

Li Ximing's heart sank, but he felt oddly relieved when the other spoke so openly. Daoist Master Yuandao's faintly crimson eyes stayed on him as he said, "But this matter was not something my Nine Mounds Dao Lineage did in secret, do you understand? Pi Jia has strictly ordered Yukuan to personally report it to the Buddhist land. This treasure must not fall into the peacock's hands, nor can even its trail be discovered by them! The peacocks may not be worth much themselves... but their voice carries far."

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Yuandao's expression had darkened by the final words. Li Ximing nodded in understanding, and Yuandao spoke softly, "No matter how Yukuan later reports the loss of the Peacock Dao Collection to Pi Jia and Xipo, the two Maha will not act in earnest. They will dawdle, handle the matter lightly, and rather not see you fall into the peacocks' hands, lest they gain even the slightest inkling.

"The only ones you have truly offended are a few peacocks within this temple. Even if the secret were to be exposed overnight, it would merely cause an uproar and internal chaos across the Buddhist land; no one would regard you as the true culprit."

"As for the spiritual flames." Yuandao glanced at him with a faint smile and said softly, "Whether it be the Returning Flame to Completion or the Profound Fire of the Three Phases' Guard, both are tied to Nine Mounds. This means my Dao Lineage has already taken you under its protection, signaling to the Buddhist land that the Immortal Dao will not sacrifice even a single Purple Mansion Realm cultivator over this affair."

Li Ximing suddenly understood and nodded repeatedly. He bowed once more toward Yuandao and said, "Many thanks, Grand Daoist Master! This junior..."

Yuandao waved his hand dismissively and said casually, "No need for thanks. My Nine Mounds cannot assist with great matters, but we can lend a hand in small affairs. When your family truly faces trouble in the future, do not blame my Dao Lineage for standing aside."

The words came suddenly, even bordering on impolite. Li Ximing was momentarily taken aback, but Houfu nodded slightly and followed up, "The Grand Daoist Master has always been charitable; Nine Mounds Immortal Mountain has aided many, so such matters are inevitable. Zhaojing is a man of integrity and has a fine reputation in Jiangnan. His great-uncle... is one of Daoist Master Yuansu's most capable men."

Yuandao smiled faintly and gestured toward Lingdu as he said, "Bring the fire."

Lingdu immediately went below, while Yuandao began to speak leisurely, "It's a long story... In those years, Yuansu and Yuanxiu both visited Nine Mounds. I was of the same generation as them. Those two brothers quarreled often and once had such a fierce argument that they parted on bad terms, never to grow close again.

"But some days ago, Yuanxiu came to see me. When he mentioned Yuansu, his eyes lowered and his brow tensed, like a man sitting on needles. It seems... he still bears some affection after all."

Li Ximing nodded respectfully on the surface, though a faint doubt arose in his heart,

If that's the case... even Yuanxiu, the youngest of the three Yuans of the Azure Pond Sect, has little lifespan left. How much better could this Daoist Master Yuandao be? Yet judging by his appearance, his essence, qi, and spirit remain at their peak. He even looks like a young man, and his tone carries no trace of old age... Unless he's using some divine ability to conceal it, this must be an extraordinary longevity cultivation method...

Just as he finished his thought, Lingdu returned from the side, carrying two small bowls in his hands. One appeared to be forged from Geng Metal, coated with some unknown substance that gave it a dull sheen; the other was the same vermilion ceramic bowl, both about the size of a child's fist.

Lingdu presented them before him, first uncovering the Geng Metal one to reveal a faintly golden-gray speck the size of a grain of rice, and explained, "This is Returning Flame to Completion, a type of Merging Fire. A portion of it is stored within the mountain. This fire can damage tools, so it must be contained within seamless Geng Metal."

Then he revealed the other, a bright red speck no larger than a grain of rice. Nine Mounds must have possessed an extraordinary sealing method; for no matter how fierce a flame, once captured in the bowl, it became as small as a grain of rice.

"This is the Profound Fire of the Three Phases' Guard, a True Fire. As True Fire refines metal, it is therefore stored in a glazed ceramic dharma artifact tempered with Converging Water."

Knowing that the two were meant for his choice, Li Ximing hesitated briefly, then picked up the vermilion ceramic bowl and said respectfully, "This junior follows the Grand Daoist Master's will and shall remember this great kindness, never to forget it."

The Returning Flame to Completion and the Profound Fire of the Three Phases' Guard were nearly equal in rarity, though in terms of value, the latter was likely superior. On the other hand, Returning Flame to Completion was slightly stronger and could also refine pills, with the added benefit of harmonizing with Bright Yang. Yet Li Ximing reasoned that, with his talisman qi from the Valley Wind Leading Fire, he lacked little in such harmony.

Moreover, the Profound Fire of the Three Phases' Guard was a True Fire, and very likely compatible with the transformations in the Yang Nourishing Technique. Even though Li Ximing had no intention of converting such a precious flame, having another path open was certainly not a bad thing.

The Great Li White Radiance requires Radiant Fire to cultivate and perform. It cannot be achieved without that fire, but if I could convert it temporarily, complete my cultivation, then change it back later... that would be ideal.

The subtle mysteries of Returning Flame to Completion and Profound Fire of the Three Phases' Guard were far beyond what Yuandao and the others could sum up in a few words. Each had its own unique applications under different circumstances, and even if Li Ximing were to regret his choice in the future, he could only make his decision here and now.

"Congratulations, Zhaojing!"

Houfu offered his congratulations, and Lingdu nodded slightly with a smile. "The Profound Fire of the Three Phases' Guard is not easy to refine. Take this glazed bowl with it. Even if Zhaojing does not refine it here on Nine Mounds Immortal Mountain, it will be convenient to carry."

Li Ximing had already been eyeing the item with desire, nearly wishing to grab the golden bowl as well and polish it against his sleeve before tucking it into his robe. Yet he spoke modestly, "How could I dare accept such generosity..."

In truth, Li Ximing had no real use for the bowl. With his Valley Wind Leading Fire, any flame he touched, even the Profound Fire of the Three Phases' Guard, could be refined in an instant. He accepted it merely to keep a low profile, and since it cost him nothing, why refuse a free treasure?

He happily stored away the bowl and Lingdu said gently, "There is still the Hidden Refinement Pool that must be inspected... this... please, Grand Daoist Master, take a look..."

It was unclear whether his hesitation was toward Yuandao or Li Ximing, for probing another's Dharma body was often a taboo act, one that could easily leave hidden means behind. But Li Ximing, protected by his treasures, felt no fear. He merely feigned a brief moment of hesitation before extending his hand.

Yuandao glanced sideways, lightly placed his hand upon his, and withdrew at once. The Grand Daoist Master's pupils flickered as his gaze swept over Li Ximing's body, saying with slight surprise, "I detect none of the traces of the Douxuan Dao Lineage and the marks left by that silver bottle Lingdu mentioned. The karmic tie of the Peacock Birth-Giving Disk has also been dissolved by the Seven Abandonment Lotus Seed. Zhaojing's Dharma body and cultivation... apart from a few minor injuries, bear nothing else unusual."

That old fox Changxiao... as expected, he's been playing those tricks again!

Li Ximing cursed inwardly, while Yuandao continued, "Still... since you are here, you may as well take a round through the place. These small wounds can be healed along the way, and it may even slightly advance your cultivation.

"Please remain in the cave residence for a while, Zhaojing. The Hidden Refinement Pool in the mountains will not thaw until midnight. When the time approaches, I will send disciples to escort you."

Li Ximing understood that he was being dismissed. He offered his thanks, bowed slightly, and left quickly. Once he had departed, Yuandao asked, "What do you think?"

Houfu thought for a moment and replied, "His innate ability is decent, and his temperament kind. Unfortunately, his background is too shallow; he hasn't seen true treasures, so he's easily swayed and not good at refusing others. However, reaching the Purple Mansion Realm shows that his heart is not lacking; he's first-rate among ordinary family cultivators, but merely average among Purple Mansion Realm peers. Still, one thing stands out; the incident at Profound Peak Gate shows his stubborn, promise-keeping nature. He's fit for friendship, but poses little danger as an enemy."

Yuandao laughed quietly. He looked even younger than Houfu and said simply, "Stubborn loyalty, perhaps, or maybe he just values sentiment. Or it could simply be that he doesn't know how to back down gracefully."