Chapter 1358: Viewing Pavilion (I)

As Li Ximing pondered many matters, the black-robed Daoist stepped up from the side. This time, a circular ink-black stone pillar, no larger than a palm, rested upon the jade tray. Its center was concave, revealing a dazzling expanse of radiant light.

This was the primary compensation the Great Xiukui Temple was providing for taking Fei Qingya away.

Kuiqi nodded at the item. "This was something I personally obtained earlier in the Southern Sea. It was originally a spirit stone called Guarding Toward the White Yang. However, during the struggle to seize it, the spirit stone suffered some damage. One corner broke off, and its essence began to rapidly leak away...

"I brought it back then, but seeing its condition worsen by the day, I asked others to refine it, supplementing it with many spirit items to regulate it. In the end, I obtained a pool of spiritual essence. This is one portion of it. It counts as a form of spiritual resource and retains many of the effects of that spirit stone. Aside from standard Bright Yang divine abilities, it is a rare Bright Yang spirit item capable of inscribing talismans. Among Bright Yang spirit items, only the Radiant Sky Stone would likely have effects surpassing it."

He paused slightly and deliberately reminded, "Zhaojing will need to refine a spirit embryo upon returning, and Bright Yang provisions will naturally be indispensable. This item can be used along the way."

Li Ximing naturally had no objections. Since it was in substantial quantities, he nodded repeatedly and flipped his hand to store it away. The three then discussed esoteric matters for a while, and after finishing a pot of tea, they prepared to depart.

Li Ximing called Cui Jueyin over. The man bowed to the four Daoist Masters and then stood behind Li Ximing. Ling Mei, who held the highest status in their company, said in a steady voice, "Qiuhu has only just escaped danger, and Zhaojing has only recently returned. Both should remain to stabilize their respective areas. Our Sword Gate also cannot be away for long. If there is any news in the future, everyone may gather again at Huyi Mountain."

Kuiqi returned the salute with a smile and saw the three off. As he watched them disappear into the vast white snow, he finally relaxed somewhat, then turned to look at the black-robed Daoist, his voice low, "The black qi is spreading through the Profound Spider Cave. Although it is being suppressed by Unfixed Mountain, it is visible across the various caves. Has there been any reaction?"

The Daoist replied softly, "None so far... However, there was news today. The Lingu Family came to inquire about Lingu Lanying and Lingu Rao after hearing word..."

Kuiqi sighed, speaking with some regret, "I told Lingu Rao back then that the coming decades would not be suitable for a breakthrough. He insisted on acting alone, and there was nothing to be done... Send his remains back to the Lingu Family.

"Now it depends on Lingu Lanying. One may look down on the individual Northern Buddhist, but not the Northern Buddhist forces. If she succeeds, it will add another trump card..."

"Yes!" The black-robed Daoist Huiyu lowered his gaze and said, "Lingu Lanying has a close bloodline and greatly resembles that lady from back then, which is why the Grand Daoist Master favored her. At the time, he even bestowed a spirit item upon her. I also heard that the Grand Daoist Master once held her hand and taught her the subtleties of various spirit artifacts. As for the painting he created during the northern and southern conflict, it has been continuously nurtured and was also given to her."

"I understand." Kuiqi seemed somewhat melancholic. He paced a few steps in the snow and said with a sigh, "Master is a man of deep sentiment. Otherwise, he would not have cared for them over centuries and raised the Lingu Family to its current state. He even worries that his lifespan is running short and thinks it best to help the Lingu Family produce a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator...

"When Lingu Rao entered the grotto heaven back then, death was inevitable. It was Master who intervened to save him. In the end, it still proved insufficient, leaving only Lingu Lanying."

As the foremost figure of the Great Xiukui Temple, Louxing had traveled thousands of kilometers to reach the grotto heaven, all to rescue a mere Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator of Mount Yue bloodline. The favoritism was obvious. The two exchanged a glance and fell silent, with the rest of their thoughts left unspoken.

The Lin Family has no shortage of Purple Mansion Realm cultivators, yet there are only few chances to meet them. The Lingu Family, on the other hand, has had one cultivator elevated after another and is finally about to produce a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator. But will this Purple Mansion Realm cultivator belong to the Azure Pond Sect or to the Great Xiukui Temple?

The Supreme Yang Dao lineage was of one breath and one branch, and the Great Xiukui Temple was brimming with talent as it stood at its peak. Kuiqi stood upright and feared no shadows, and he did not particularly mind this Purple Mansion Realm cultivator ending up with the Azure Pond Sect. It might even turn out to be a good thing. Yet judging from Louxing's intentions, this Grand Daoist Master who had comprehended sword intent would likely have to allocate many spirit artifacts to the Lingu Family.

This would be a grievous blow for the Great Xiukui Temple. With Kuiqi's conservative and stubborn temperament, it was even harder for him to watch such a thing happen without reacting.

Kuiqi not only had to worry about Louxing's lifespan and secretly search for all manner of life-extending items, but also had to contend with the favoritism of this Grand Daoist Master who had grown more willful with age and more inclined to act according to his heart. None of these grievances could be spoken aloud, leaving Kuiqi with a heavy sense of bitterness.

If Kuiqi were truly ruthless, then Lingu Lanying would certainly have no chance of breaking through successfully once Louxing died. Yet out of respect for his master and his own pride, he kept all such thoughts buried in his heart, leaving only a sigh.

An elder's favoritism is common enough... it is just that... Lingu Lanying has no feelings toward Huyi Mountain. Once she receives her share of spirit artifacts, she will be even more guarded against us and will surely remain with the Azure Pond Sect. Even if Ning Wan were willing, whether it is the Lingu Family or Lanying herself, how could they give up the rich benefits of Simin Prefecture and the Azure Pond Sect and willingly submit themselves in humility?

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Li Ximing and Ning Wan traveled north together, with Cui Jueyin quietly following them. After crossing the territory of the Azure Pond Sect, this foremost beauty of the Azure Pond Sect, now having cultivated a divine ability, was breathtaking with every glance. She sighed and said, "The spiritual aura along the shore is somewhat strange... I only hope that nothing has happened to the Grand Daoist Master."

Li Ximing had heard mention of the Grand Daoist Master Louxing many times, and even Yuandao had shown concern back then, so he naturally offered reassurance. "If something had truly happened to the Grand Daoist Master, Zhelu would not dare to provoke him. It is precisely because the Grand Daoist Master is unharmed and racing against time to cultivate a divine ability, unable to risk injury, that Zhelu dares to act..."

There was logic in his words. A Grand Daoist Master on the verge of falling was the most terrifying of all. Li Ximing had sensed no great urgency from Yuandao's tone at the time, making it the most reliable information.

Ning Wan nodded and smiled as she said, "Senior Kuiqi is warm-hearted and actually very attentive. Although Zhaojing's talisman arts are not profound, the spiritual essence of Guarding Toward the White Yang can be used to temper a spirit embryo. Whether one seeks out a Daoist Master skilled in artifact refinement or refines it personally, it will still prove useful."

At this point, her expression shifted slightly as she added, "After all, the sooner it is refined, the better."

Li Ximing immediately understood her meaning. At present, he stood on the side of the Supreme Yang Dao lineage. Kuiqi's repeated displays of enthusiasm, even to the point of sharing all information about Bright Yang spirit artifacts, were clearly intended to raise Li Ximing's strength as much as possible within a short time.

This spirit embryo was one such measure. The Great Xiukui Temple might lack Bright Yang Purple Mansion Realm spirit items, but there was certainly no shortage of Bright Yang Purple Mansion Realm provisions among the remnants of the Eastern Fire Grotto Heaven. So why choose the spiritual essence of Guarding Toward the White Yang in particular? Was it for talisman inscription?

If it were for talisman work, was the Great Xiukui Temple not already adept at it? Things one excels at were naturally treasured more. Why would they instead give it to Li Ximing?

It had been given precisely because the spiritual essence of Guarding Toward the White Yang was more suitable for enhancing a spirit embryo. The earlier Li Ximing refined his spirit embryo, the sooner he would grow immediately stronger. By contrast, spirit items meant to aid long-term cultivation would take at least ten or twenty years to show results.

Li Ximing indicated that he understood. Although he was not skilled in artifact refinement, he had the Divine Technique of Pavilion View: Refining Within Fire in hand. Adding the spiritual essence of Guarding Toward the White Yang did not require a trip to the Golden Feather Sect or Hengzhu Dao Gate, making matters much easier.

He smiled and said, "I have heard that the Ning Family has a guest cultivator named Chu Minglian who also cultivates Radiant Fire. I have constructed a ritual platform to refine the spirit embryo, and when I am not present, I will still need a master skilled in artifact refinement to oversee it."

Ning Wan immediately understood and said gently, "I will send him."

Li Ximing offered his thanks. It was rare for so many good things to occur at once since reaching the Purple Mansion Realm, leaving him smiling all the way. After crossing the wilderness, he and Ning Wan exchanged jade talismans so they could warn and aid each other at any time, after which she headed toward Lake Xian.

Li Ximing rode upon heavenly light and returned with Cui Jueyin, flying all the way back over the lake. Below them, the cultivators were still immersed in joy and admiration, whispering among themselves, while nearby small families sent people to curry favor, their eyes filled with envy and awe.

The crowd gathered in small groups of three to five, and in an instant, streaks of escaping light filled the lake. Li Ximing traversed the great void in silence and landed beside a formation platform at a higher elevation. He finally had the chance to examine the formation plate before him.

Vast Valley Purple Rite Light.

He gently raised his hand, and thin wisps of purple-yellow light descended from the sky, most no larger than willow leaves. They circled and gathered in Li Ximing's hand. Behind him, Cui Jueyin felt a suffocating pressure, as if even a light touch from those willow-leaf-sized rays could reduce him to ashes.

The power is decent, carrying some qualities of entanglement and imprisonment, and an unending flow. Although it cannot compare to the Bright Yang killing light, it still surpasses the vast majority of dharma lights. If a Merciful One were caught off guard by this move, he would be injured. As for dealing with a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator, it can only serve to restrain... One cannot expect it to inflict lethal damage.

Unfortunately, it is ultimately a Purple Mansion Realm grand formation. A group of Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators can rely on the formation to resist other Purple Mansion Realm cultivators when I am absent, but without the ability to traverse the great void, they naturally cannot use this profound light to harm others. Even whether Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators can properly control such profundity is questionable.

The gulf between the Purple Mansion Realm and Foundation Establishment Realm was like a natural chasm. Li Ximing casually dispersed the light and turned as he said, "Have the Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators on the lake come to the Viewing Pavilion to see me."

After speaking, he transformed into heavenly light and vanished.

The Viewing Pavilion stood beneath Chengqing Gate. It consisted of one main platform and twelve subsidiary towers and formed the foundation of the Divine Technique of Pavilion View: Refining Within Fire. It was originally a project of immense cost and had long since been completed. It was now guarded by heavy forces and reinforced by formations. No one had ever ascended it.

Li Ximing traversed the great void and appeared atop the main platform of the Viewing Pavilion. It was dawn, with cold winds blowing in gusts. Black and red banners fluttered atop the twelve surrounding subsidiary towers. A celestial altar stood tall in the center of the main platform. As Li Ximing strolled upward, he could see the pavilions on the distant lake.

Viewing Pavilion... The name is not inaccurate.