Chapter 1294: The Curtain Rises (I)

After Li Jiangqian finished speaking, Ning Wan said quietly, "By indulging demons and monsters, are these Jiangbei Dao lineages not afraid that the True Monarchs will also count them among the wicked?"

Li Jiangqian hurriedly replied, "Ever since Gate Master Situ Mo of the Golden Tang Gate fell in the northern region, its last breath has dissipated as well. The gate fell into complete chaos and showed signs of splitting apart, so it was already incapable of controlling the large and small forces under its rule."

A trace of regret appeared on Ning Wan's face, and she added, "If Xuanfeng could have held on until today, it would have been his opportunity."

The Golden Tang Gate possessed the Heavenly Lustrous Gold Sutra, which was precisely the Purple Mansion Realm cultivation method of the Engraved Stone that Li Xuanfeng practiced. If Li Xuanfeng had not relied on pills and had cultivated until today, it would not have been impossible for him to obtain that technique.

However, Li Jiangqian could not gauge the Ning Family's attitude toward the Si Family. He nodded respectfully, did not pursue the topic, and answered, "The Daoist Master of Chengyun Gate had some conflicts with the Lotus Temple in the north, and all their forces were drawn northward. Taking advantage of Chengyun Gate being unable to spare a hand, the monk Yaosa Chengmi stirred up unrest and spread the methods of Buddhist cultivation."

Jiangbei had been seized several times by Buddhist cultivators. Buddhist teachings already had a foundation there and were highly esteemed by the common people, so they spread extremely quickly. Such rebellions were not uncommon to begin with.

Tinglan added with a smile, "In my view, this Daoist Master Changyun truly has considerable ability. He emerged from the Eastern Sea, proved adept at putting his sect in order, and then grew entangled with the Lotus Temple. Now they are shoving each other around here. That Yaosa Chengmi is probably still congratulating himself, thinking Minghui has tied down the Daoist Master for him."

Ning Wan seemed deep in thought. Seeing that she did not speak, Li Jiangqian picked up the conversation. "As for the remaining Xuanmiao Temple, they claim that their Daoist Master will travel far away, that the temple must seal the mountain in response to a calamity, send away all outer disciples, and close its gates.

"Finally, there is also the Capital Immortal Dao. Its Daoist Master has gone missing, and various prefectures now show signs of autonomy. The turmoil at White River Stream is intense. My family has already withdrawn and now stands in opposition to the Capital Immortal Dao in Jiangbei."

Both were Daoist Masters, so there was no need to spell everything out. Simply listening was enough to understand.

Ning Wan mused, "Truly, each is displaying their own divine abilities."

Tinglan said, "After all this trouble your family has gone through, the lands of the three Mifan families at White River Stream are indeed suitable for a True Monarch to rise. How are things there now?"

By the lands of the three Mifan families, she meant the Li Family's Floating South, the Capital Immortal Dao's Hidden East, and the sole surviving Brahma Cloud Cave. These were key areas under close watch, so there could be no lack of information.

Li Jiangqian replied, "The lands of those three families have fallen into complete chaos since my family came into conflict with the Capital Immortal Dao. The various families have remained relatively restrained, but people from the Eastern Sea and Southern Sea have stepped forward instead. One Daoist Huang and one Daoist Bai both brought followers. On the surface, they claim to be gathering qi in Jiangbei, but in truth they are using this opportunity to search everywhere for spirit items, seizing them and making enormous profits.

"On another front, it is said they are also searching for a command token connected to the Mifan Dao lineage."

He answered in a measured manner, only to see Tinglan smile mysteriously. "That command token you mentioned does indeed exist."

It does indeed exist.

How could Li Jiangqian not know whether this matter truly existed? At Tinglan's signal, a woman in purple brought over a jade tray, walked up to Li Jiangqian, and bent slightly, allowing the man in black robes to see what lay upon it.

It was unmistakably a command token with a black base and golden patterns, carved with drifting clouds dissolving into illusion and demons bowing their heads. The command token shone with a clear radiance and appeared exceedingly precious. Its material and grade were difficult to discern, while faint black winds and white vapors drifted across its surface. Li Jiangqian had seen many fine items before, yet he felt from a glance that this thing resembled a Purple Mansion Realm item.

What was even rarer was that although its use was unknown, a single glance revealed the nobility of its inherent rank, stirring the heart and giving rise to greed, making one wish to take it for oneself.

So the Purple Mansion Realm cultivators truly took action to bring this about. This thing is astonishingly convincing. If I did not know that I fabricated it myself and it was placed before me, I would only think it a secret treasure of some great power. Given the right conditions, it would soon shine brilliantly, and I would never recognize it for what it actually is.

Tinglan glanced at him and said softly, "This is the command token. Take a good look and let the Capital Immortal Dao recognize it as well."

Li Jiangqian saluted. "This junior obeys."

He was a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator, and a single glance was enough for him to memorize it. The woman in purple carried the jade tray away, and Tinglan said casually, "This item has many wondrous uses. If some Eastern Sea cultivator were to obtain it, the consequences would be tremendous."

Tinglan did not say more to him and instead looked at Ning Wan. "Wan'er, do you have any plans now?"

Ning Wan naturally shook her head. Such arrangements were better handled by Tinglan, who had achieved the Purple Mansion Realm earlier and was older. Tinglan's question was merely polite, and Ning Wan said gently, "The Snow Ji Gate has sealed its mountain for many years. Is there any news now?"

Ning Wan cultivated Cold Essence, and it was clear she was already making arrangements for her future cultivation. Tinglan shook her head and replied, "The Snow Ji Gate has deep roots. Since it sealed the mountain, it is not appropriate to go there again."

She offered Ning Wan a reminder, which Ning Wan accepted. Tinglan then pointed out another path. "Since you have become a Daoist Master, matters concerning Hongxue Gate should naturally be entrusted to you. Was Li Encheng not preserved back then precisely for the sake of the Hongxue Dao lineage? Now there is Li Quantao. Senior Yuanxiu sent him to guard the Hongxue ruins, yet there has been no major development.

"Once news of you spread, Senior Yuanxiu also prepared to break through to become a True Monarch and urgently recalled Li Quantao, precisely to preserve this path for you."

Ning Wan nodded in surprise, and Tinglan continued, "Now that the True Monarchs are observing the mortal world, the Hongxue ruins are also in the wilderness around Lake Xian. This is the perfect opportunity to search for the Dao lineage. He can give it a try. If fortune truly favors him, obtaining at least two Purple Mansion Realm Dao lineages, Mansion Water and Cold Essence, would be a gain no matter what. The reason I deliberately involved you in this matter is also because of this consideration."

Ning Wan felt somewhat tempted. Among the many Purple Mansion Realm Daoist Masters in Jiangnan, Tinglan was certainly one of the most trustworthy for the Ning Family. Her master Zipei and her martial uncle Zimu were both close friends of Daoist Master Yuansu, and Daoist Master Zimu was even still alive, so she naturally took care of them.

She replied, "I will send Li Quantao and his son back to their old territory to guard it, then dispatch his son to investigate the command token in Jiangbei and try their luck. I am not familiar with the details here, so I will have to trouble you, senior."

"Of course." Tinglan nodded slightly as she replied, "I will send Qianli on a trip to observe the situation and act accordingly. If anything is amiss, I will take the two of them and leave. No matter what, the descendants of Hongxue must be preserved."

Li Jiangqian felt more uneasy the more he listened. Daoist Master Tinglan bringing this matter up here made her intent obvious. Sure enough, she smiled warmly at him and instructed, "Do not let anyone know."

How could Li Jiangqian not know this was meant for him? He bowed and said, "This junior receives the command."

The Moongaze Li Family had close ties with Li Quantao. If Li Quantao were to come to Lake Xian, he might contact the Li Family and learn of northern affairs, which could lead him to suspect the Ning Family. Although this would not threaten Li Quantao's life and might even benefit him, it was best that Li Quantao remained unaware when it came to touching the Hongxue Dao lineage.