Chapter 1336: Old Enemies (I)

Back then, when Eastern Fire Grotto Heaven had been thrown into turmoil by Chu Yi, it had fallen straight down from the great void. Countless spirit items and dharma artifacts had plummeted into the mountains, causing spiritual energy to surge throughout Mount Dongli, with all kinds of spiritual qi drifting about, nourishing who knew how many cultivators.

Among the three sects and seven gates of Jiangnan, the stronger ones made enormous gains, while even the weaker ones managed to get a share. As for the two Daoist Masters, Qiushui and Yuansu, who presided over the matter, no one knew how many treasures they obtained.

Now that another grotto heaven was about to descend, the dharma sword the Li Family was determined to obtain lay right before their eyes and absolutely could not be lost. If such a major event truly occurred, they might have to cross the river to seize it.

This will not be easy...

If Daoist Master Tinglan failed to return for a long time, and there was no Daoist Master to preside over the overall situation, how could Jiangbei allow people from the three sects and seven gates to come and go freely? Even if Daoist Master Tinglan did return, she could not be compared to Qiushui and Yuansu of the past. Those two were figures from the era of Li Jiangqun, and Qiushui even had a Golden Core Realm power backing her. At that time, the Supreme Yang Dao Lineage could enter in an orderly fashion, divide up territories, and freely plunder the grotto heaven.

Instead, Li Jiangqian grew worried again.

If Daoist Master Tinglan could act as Yuansu and Qiushui once did, then while the chance of the sword falling into the Li Family's hands was extremely slim, it might still be possible to exchange for it later. But if Tinglan lost control over Jiangbei, then who the grotto heaven would ultimately belong to, and how it would be handled, would become a complete mystery.

Li Jiangqian picked up several jade slips and had them copied and sent back to the clan. Li Quewan reminded him, "With both Daoist Masters Tinglan and Qiuhu absent, we still need to reply to Li Quantao. He has always been well intentioned toward our family, so we should try... try to help him as much as possible."

Li Jiangqian glanced at Li Minggong beside him. Seeing her nod in agreement, he nodded as well, "That makes sense. After all, it is a friendship of many years. We can reply this way... Tell him to let the people pass, inform him that the Daoist Master is currently missing and that there may be changes in Jiangbei, and advise him to watch his words and actions and proceed with utmost caution."

Naturally, Li Jiangqian would not reveal too much. Before the two could respond, he asked doubtfully, "Did Li Quantao mention his offspring?"

"No." Li Quewan replied, "After entering Jiangbei, that one was like a stone thrown into the sea, failing to stir up even the slightest ripple. There has been no letter sent back either. We only know that his life jade is intact."

Li Jiangqian wrote the letter as he listened and replied, "Then there is even less reason to say more. Let it be like this... Tell him clearly that with the reputation of the Azure Pond Sect, the forces in Jiangbei would not dare do anything to his child. He can rest assured."

Li Minggong finally interjected, "I did hear something. The so-called supreme ruler of Northern Mount Yue, named Dili Youjie, came to the lake recently to pay respects. He said he was preparing to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm and hoped to receive some favor from the lake."

"Dili Youjie?" Li Jiangqian frowned. The name sounded somewhat familiar to him, but it took a moment. "I remember him. He has held the throne of Northern Mount Yue for so many years and has only just endured to this stage. His junior, Dili Guang, is still serving at Uncle Zhouluo's side and counts as a loyal retainer. I wonder what cultivation method he practices?"

"Geng Metal." Li Minggong responded with a smile, "He did make preparations for that method. Although it is rather unsightly, there are others within the family of the same qi that can replace it, which shows he did put some thought into it. I plan to take him back to the family, switch his cultivation method, and send him into seclusion..."

Li Jiangqian agreed, which counted as approval. Li Minggong then said softly, "Also, I heard that the family's Thirty-Two Mansions Purple Radiant Spirit Pins are nearing completion, so I came to ask you about it."

"I know." Li Jiangqian shook his head. He had been overseeing this matter all along and knew it best. He said, "It truly is about to be completed. The scale of resources consumed by this Purple Mansion Realm formation is unprecedented in the past hundred years. It nearly drained all the relevant spirit resources in our family's possession and even drove up the price of such resources across the entire Northern Yue region by half a point. In the later stages, we even supplied the Purple Smoke Gate with a large amount of spirit paddies."

The Li Family's system differed from that of other houses, so its output of spirit paddies ranked among the top few among the Purple Mansion Realm powers of Yue State. When there were too many spirit paddies, it naturally lost value, and the Purple Smoke Gate was clearly doing them a favor as well.

"The next step requires Purple Mansion Realm cultivators to set up the formation. But Daoist Master Tinglan has gone missing... Even if she were not missing and had yet to return, we would not dare let another family's Purple Mansion Realm cultivator handle the formation alone... It will probably take two more years."

Li Minggong nodded. "The formation is not urgent. What matters is settling things properly and sending the people of the Purple Smoke Gate away first... With the north and south in turmoil right now, the matter of Daoist Cao has set a precedent. If more people come to the lake to take disciples later, it will only create further trouble."

Li Minggong then drifted away. Only then did Li Jiangqian sigh and said, "Our elder has cultivated some fine flames over these years, fighting her way through the conflicts between north and south, and has grown ever more formidable."

Although Li Minggong was not as outstanding as Li Chenghui, her cultivation had steadily deepened as the years passed. She was now qualified to serve as a peak master among the three sects and seven gates.

Li Quewan reminded him again, "Jiangliang is getting on in years. You can let him return to take a look at Qingdu and Jade Court. It is time for him to go around and test his mettle."

Li Jiangqian nodded thoughtfully but did not issue any orders right away. He let her leave, then walked around the great hall, looking toward the north. The heavy rain still had not stopped, and dark clouds filled the sky.

If the Gui Dusk Profound Token was truly a scheme by Daoist Master Tinglan... then which family does not want the Supreme Yang Dao Lineage to benefit?

He quickened his steps when he noticed the dense rain clouds overhead. A streak of light approached from afar and descended onto the island. The sound of footsteps soon drew near.

Chen Yang, clad in black armor, stopped before him and bowed as he reported, "Family head, news has come from the Azure Pond Sect in the south. A lord of Hengzhu Dao Gate has broken through to the Purple Mansion Realm, attained the Dao and divine ability, and taken the Dao title Nanzun."

"The Hengzhu Dao?" Li Jiangqian paused slightly, feeling some regret, and asked, "Which generation is he from?"

Chen Yang hesitated briefly before replying, "It is said that this Daoist Master spent nearly thirty years to succeed in breaking through. His seniority is actually quite high, close to that of Daoist Master Hengxing. His secular name is Bi Chengjuan."

"Bi Chengjuan... I have never heard of him." Li Jiangqian nodded silently. It truly was a name he had never heard before, and he could only sigh as he said, "I do not know whether it is the strength of their blessed land or some exceptional method they possess, but the Hengzhu Dao Gate truly has great fortune. Another Purple Mansion Realm cultivator has been added, and they are now poised to become the leading great Dao lineage of Yue State.

"It is just a pity that this Dao lineage... has a strange temperament, does not get along with others, and has even formed enmity with the Golden Feather Sect. It is hard to say whether this is good or bad."

He pondered for a moment and then said, "By both sentiment and reason, we must send people to offer congratulations. Reply to the Azure Pond Sect as well and say that the Daoist Master has not displayed divine ability for a long time. Ask whether contact can be made and give Tantai Jin a warning or two."