Chapter 1257: White Blood Sap (II)

The Li Family was indeed no stranger to the name White Blood Sap. Years ago, Li Ximing, when preparing to break through to the Purple Mansion Realm, had listed it among the Bright Yang spirit items needed for that stage. No wonder its trace had never been found, for how could White Blood Sap still exist when White Qilins themselves were extinct? Though spirit items could be refined by more than one method, this one clearly had deep ties to the White Qilin.

Li Zhouwei, however, had something more pressing on his mind. Taking the chance, he looked up and asked, "You all call me White Qilin; may I ask, how does that differ from Shengming?"

Dongfang Heyun let out a soft laugh and replied, "You possess the fate of a White Qilin, so full and abundant that it seems as though you are its reincarnation. What you lack is the White Qilin's nature. By cultivating the Purple-Gold Devil Dao, you complete that nature. Once you break through the Golden Core Realm, you'll be no different from the Shengming Qilin. When the next solar eclipse comes, that same Shuyang Shengming Qilin Light will fall upon your body.

"It is because your fate as a White Qilin is already so complete that the Fate Divine Ability[1] within the Purple-Gold Devil Dao comes naturally to you. Were you to enter the Buddhist Dao, you would instantly gain your station just as the ancient Undefeated King of Brightness once did."

It was rare to hear such revelations, and Li Zhouwei quickly asked, "Is the Fate Divine Ability itself considered fate?"

Dongfang Heyun, patient and composed, replied, "The Fate Divine Ability is still a divine ability. Fate aids in cultivating it, but the ability itself cannot create fate. Once you ascend to Fruition Attainment, the Purple-Gold Devil Dao naturally grants its cultivators such divine abilities. Metallic Essence is not the key, the seat itself is. Only in ancient times were there great divine ability cultivators, Immortal Lord–level beings, who could generate fate through Metallic Essence alone."

How keen was Li Zhouwei's perception? He immediately grasped the meaning,

So the true key lies in pursuing Fruition Attainment. To seek fate through nature, perhaps it truly means to seek Fruition Attainment through nature, and from Fruition Attainment, attain fate itself... completing both in one stroke.

Since the Bei Sea Dragon King was still waiting, Li Zhouwei spoke no more, and Dongfang Heyun continued, "It is always best to be prepared. Taking this portion of White Qilin Blood from you is not only for Lady Xiangchun's use; his excellency also wishes to examine it. After all, it is mainly to observe your bloodline, not to use it as a spirit item. Acting before you reach the Purple Mansion Realm may harm your foundation, but waiting until after that stage would make it extremely difficult to remedy."

Dongfang Heyun had been unfailingly courteous to him, even taking the trouble to explain. At last, Li Zhouwei understood,

So that's how it is. How cautious they are; even at this point, they still wish to verify my bloodline. Lady Xiangchun's need for a spirit item is merely an excuse. The Dragon Clan, acting as intermediaries, draw my blood to confirm that I am indeed the Wei's Li White Qilin, then hand the remainder to Xiangchun as a token. The real purpose lies in this inspection!

Dongfang Heyun then took up the pastry-sized porcelain dish, and said, "You need only refine this White Blood Sap. When I extract your blood essence from the outside, it will not harm your foundation; it will even strengthen and solidify your cultivation."

The young man was ever polite, even adding a light jest, "Of course, I cannot let you use all of this. A mere touch between the center of your brows will be more than enough. If you were to attempt this after forming your Purple Mansion Realm, an entire portion would be required."

Apparently reluctant to touch the spirit item himself, he extended it forward. Li Zhouwei raised his forefinger and lightly touched the center of his brows. His fingertip burned with searing heat. No liquid remained upon his hand, but a surge of radiant brilliance rose from his brow.

He then sat cross-legged upon the jade platform. At his side, Dongfang Heyun formed a seal with one hand, studying intently, while tiny drops of golden liquid began to gather at the tip of his other hand. All the while, the Bei Sea Dragon King watched quietly from above. As time passed, Dongfang Heyun finally withdrew his hand, revealing a golden droplet the size of a fingernail within his palm.

Li Zhouwei's eyes remained tightly shut, but his face had paled. The heavenly light at his brow covered his entire body, swiftly replenishing his vital qi. It was clear that the process would take some time. Dongfang Heyun raised his hand, and a sea of clouds surged up, wrapping him in protection and concealment.

He then stepped quickly forward, offering the golden droplet with both hands, and said respectfully, "Please, your excellency, examine it."

Seated upon the main throne, Dongfang Lieyun received it gently, studying it in his palm for some time. At last, the red-eyed demon king murmured, "Though I have not examined it in detail... at the very least, it is unmistakably of Bright Yang's true line..."

He pondered in silence for a long moment before speaking again, his voice calm, "Heyun, I find his temperament lacking in dominance and ferocity. It's not quite like that of the White Qilin. Yet neither does he bear the White Cicada's treacherous fickleness. If I must compare, he more closely resembles Wei Emperor Gong himself."

Dongfang Heyun smiled slightly and bowed. "In my humble opinion... this seems entirely natural. The Wei Great Ancestor's state was already unusual, and Bright Yang itself was affected. Signs of this appeared even during Wei Emperor Gong's reign. That he resembles Wei Emperor Gong now is only logical. The fact that he is not overly domineering or tyrannical is for the best; there's no need to fear he'll act rashly or charge headlong toward Fruition Attainment. That is indeed most ideal."

"Indeed." The Bei Sea Dragon King could not help but nod in agreement and said, "No matter how the Bright Yang Fruition Attainment is affected, it shouldn't lead to multiple strands of fate descending. By my count, Mount Luoxia should soon be moving to summon Bright Yang's descent again. We must prepare to safeguard this side; as for the rest, how much can they truly manage? This one Li Zhouwei is the utmost they can attempt, and he remains safe under our watchful eyes."

Dongfang Heyun nodded respectfully and replied, "The Surplus Position of Bright Yang is exceedingly difficult to attain. The Dongli Sect has done research into the Intercalary Position of Radiant Fire, yet even that is no simple task. Not to mention, cultivating a divine ability under Mount Luoxia's very nose... I wonder what the north will make of it."

The demon creature seated above hesitated at the mention, then spoke in a low voice, "It is still early, but he must be warned in advance to instill vigilance and wariness toward Luoxia, lest he grow complacent and find himself at a disadvantage later."

He stored away the golden droplet in his hand, stood up, and said, "I will make a trip to Yinzhou. If he breaks through and emerges, explain everything clearly to him and see him safely sent off."

1. Previously known as Life Divine Ability. ☜