Chapter 1340: The Might Of The Supreme Yang (I)

Li Jiangqian stepped back, bowed, and said, "By the Immortal Decree of the honored Upper Sect, we will immediately convey this to the Daoist Master."

There was no reason not to. Now that Kuiqi had spoken to this extent, there was no longer any room to stay uninvolved. Even if the matter were to be refused, Li Ximing would have to appear to personally refuse it.

Moreover, the Daoist Master had said that if assistance were given, the Supreme Yang Dao lineage would remember it. At the same time, if they stood by and did nothing, the other side would remember it just the same.

Li Jiangqian commanded, "Go invite the elder and take out the family's jade talisman for use."

The aloofness of the Great Xiukui Temple was well known, and its Dao lineage was also peculiar. Whether it was Houfu a few years ago or the present Kuiqi, neither was gentle by nature.

Li Jiangqian deliberately lowered his own standing by using the phrase 'honored,' which made the Daoist Master chuckle as he replied, "You are being too polite."

Though he said so, he was clearly quite satisfied. He took a sip of tea and continued, "This matter will not shortchange Moongaze and Zhaojing. Zhaojing has only just achieved the Purple Mansion Realm, and his divine ability is difficult to cultivate. He is one of our own, and this time, he will not be acting alone."

Li Jiangqian bowed again. "Thank you, Daoist Master. The Supreme Yang Dao lineage shelters Jiangnan. We rely on its radiance and are deeply humbled. I will carefully convey your intentions and await the ancestor's decree."

Kuiqi responded with a quiet sound, and Li Jiangqian took advantage of his good mood to ask, "However, the matter in Jiangbei involves many parties, and Daoist Master Zhugong has withdrawn after taking injuries. If there is no Daoist Master presiding, I fear it may delay matters... Jiangbei..."

Moongaze Lake lay by the river and was not as far south as the Great Xiukui Temple, so concern over Jiangbei was only natural.

Kuiqi thought briefly before speaking, "There is no need to worry about that. They will not be able to cross the river. At most, a few fate bearers will be drawn out. If they had been born in the south, they would have caused you trouble. Earlier, when Zhaojing was not around, you might indeed have needed to worry. But once he returns, at worst he can tear open the great void and crush them to death with a single finger.

"Although the south also covets those few fate bearers, Tinglan and Ning Wan have both gone north. Who could possibly discover them faster than your family?"

Li Jiangqian immediately felt much more at ease as he saluted. Kuiqi rose to his feet, gazing thoughtfully at the rain clouds as he pondered inwardly,

Since this group of Buddhist cultivators has begun to stir things up, there is no need to show mercy. I will return to the temple, take out another spirit artifact and head to Tongmo and Yuyang Prefectures. Then, I’ll pay a visit to Daoist Friend Ling Mei.

The Supreme Yang Dao lineage possessed such deep reserves and such extensive connections that even the Emptiness Dao only dared to hold back their two Daoist Masters and did not dare to truly strike to kill. Kuiqi had nothing to fear as he glanced down and said, "When Daoist Friend Zhaojing returns, have him wait on the lake for a while. If he grows impatient, he may also come to Xiukui to find me."

Kuiqi drifted into the air. Chen Yang and Li Jiangqian prostrated themselves in a deep bow and only rose after a long while. Li Jiangqian shook out his robes, returned to the hall, and waved his hand, whereupon Chen Yang withdrew tactfully.

"So it really was a Buddhist cultivator..."

He fell silent for a moment as footsteps gradually came from both sides. Li Xuanxuan had received the news earlier and had already been waiting in the side hall.

He stepped into the hall, and Li Jiangqian frowned and said, "Old elder, Daoist Master Kuiqi said... that the one who killed Lord Xuanfeng was Maha Daisi. Have you ever heard of this person?"

The old man was first taken aback at the mention of Li Xuanfeng, then stroked his beard and said quietly, "I have only heard... that it was a purple black treasure bowl."

Li Jiangqian let out a breath and finally relaxed. After giving the old elder a brief explanation, he sank into the main seat and shook his head. "At least, if the Daoist Master can return, we will no longer need to be constantly on edge, nor use the minds of those at the Foundation Establishment Realm to plan matters of the Purple Mansion Realm. All arrangements will then have someone to take charge..."

Li Xuanxuan still looked somewhat worried, but Li Jiangqian was clearly much more relaxed as he said softly, "The great void is vast. Returning from the Eastern Sea would take half a day to a full day at the quickest, and even at the slowest it would not differ by many hours. Invite the sisters and elders back and prepare to kneel in the hall to receive him."

"As it should be." Li Xuanxuan also came to terms with it. Setting other matters aside, being able to see Li Ximing after so many years truly pleased him. He shook his head helplessly and said, "Zhouming has been confined for so long and has suffered enough. Once matters are properly arranged, it will be just right to release him."

"Indeed." Li Jiangqian smiled in agreement, secretly weighing things in his mind as he thought,

The day of the sacrificial rites is also drawing near. If the Daoist Master returns and the grand formation can be set up, there will be no need for such turmoil this time.

Unexpectedly, just as the orders had been passed on, Qu Buzhi arrived at the hall ahead of everyone else. He saluted Li Xuanxuan and then reported respectfully, "Family head, the Capital Immortal Dao marketplace has been attacked. The formation was shattered and collapsed. Three direct descendants of the Guan Family have died, and the losses are severe. Cultivators of all levels have been injured, and the guarding cultivator Song Yunbai has been seriously wounded and gone missing."

Li Jiangqian raised an eyebrow and asked, "Such heavy losses? Who did they clash with?"

Qu Buzhi replied respectfully, "It was a group of devil cultivators. They are connected to the earlier devil disciple, who was also among them. The north reported that the leader has an extremely high cultivation, having already reached the pinnacle of the Foundation Establishment Realm. Even Guan Gongxiao was at a slight disadvantage when exchanging blows with him. Moreover, it was a sudden attack. By the time the reinforcements from the Capital Immortal Dao arrived, the devil cultivators were already retreating... Although the Capital Immortal Dao did not suffer catastrophic losses, its morale is extremely low, with the entire gate filled with anxiety."

Li Jiangqian frowned in confusion. "Devil cultivators?"

Qu Buzhi continued softly, "It is said that the devil cultivator has a life bound cultivation with a blood light treasure mirror of astonishing power. It is suspected to be an ancient dharma artifact. The northern lord warned that the Wilderness should be watched closely."

Guan Gongxiao was naturally not acting out of kindness. He simply meant to remind them that teeth grow cold when the lips were gone. However, once Li Ximing returned, the Li Family would be firmly settled.

Li Jiangqian replied casually, "Go back and reply, saying that we thank them for the reminder and will certainly pay attention to the Wilderness."

Qu Buzhi quickly nodded and withdrew. As the hall doors opened, more people gathered inside.

The matter of Li Ximing's return had not been publicized. In truth, only a few core direct descendants came to the hall. If Li Ximing failed to return as agreed, it would be an even more terrifying matter. Thus, even Li Zhouming did not come to the hall in advance to welcome him.

The ritual lamps were lit as the sky gradually darkened. Everyone waited quietly. Li Minggong stood solemnly before the hall, the lamplight casting shifting light and shadow across her features.

They waited until deep into the night, when at last a faint, gentle glow emerged from the dark lake. All sounds fell away as this illusory radiance transformed into a man wearing a white golden Daoist robe.

The man had well proportioned features and a medium build. A point of heavenly light shone brilliantly between his eyebrows. His hands were clasped behind his back and there was no overwhelming aura about him. Instead, as he landed before the hall, he seemed to let out a slight breath of relief.

Everyone immediately bowed down together and greeted him in unison, "Greetings, Daoist Master!"

Only then did the Daoist Master stroll forward. He first went to support Li Xuanxuan and helped the elder sit down, then took his seat at the main position. He glanced around, as if checking which faces were missing.

He looked at Li Jiangqian, then examined Li Quewan, and sighed with emotion as he said, "You siblings have now reached the Foundation Establishment Realm. The days of Qi Cultivation Realm from back then still seem vivid before my eyes, yet now you have already become pillars."

The two bowed to him. As the brilliant Bright Yang radiance shone down, everyone felt as though the ground beneath their feet had become solid.