Chapter 1363: Yanhu (II)

Li Ximing felt enlightened and nodded repeatedly, "Truly ingenious. It is the southern border after all. No matter whom I send, none would move as conveniently as a demonic creature. Being native-born, they understand the customs and even the demon kings."

"Exactly." Tinglan said casually, "Especially in these years. The northern part of the southern border borders Jiangnan and is influenced by the spiritual aura of Dwelling Heart that Charges Profundity and the Twelve Essences. Fire Virtue has surged greatly. Whether it is spiritual materials or spiritual flames, this is their most abundant period. As for the southern part of the southern border, its spiritual aura is influenced by Stone Pond and forms the Orthodox Wood spiritual aura of Jia-Yi Form Pair. Spiritual herbs will not be lacking!"

Tinglan reminded him, "Such spiritual aura only lasts for a limited number of years. This is precisely the best time for your needs. Send someone as soon as possible. Each day you delay is a day less for gathering!"

Li Ximing nodded repeatedly and thought to himself,

It is fortunate that I asked. If I waited until something changed with the True Monarch, or if the Grand Daoist Master of the Great Xiukui Temple fell, or someone else broke through and altered the spiritual aura, the opportunity would have been lost.

He indicated his understanding. Tinglan escorted him out with visible worry, clearly still concerned about affairs in Jiangbei.

Li Ximing wasted no time. He traveled by light, passed beyond the Purple Smoke Blessed Land, and after calculating the distance, reached Mount Quanwu in the central region of Yue State in only a short span.

Mount Quanwu had gained many demonic creatures in recent years, most of them refugees from the southern border. Though generally only at Foundation Establishment Realm, many possessed notable abilities. It had once been the backyard for the Azure Pond Sect's demon-slaying efforts. Now, neglected, it was filled with billowing demonic smoke when viewed from above.

Most demonic creatures of the Eastern Sea had backing, and those in the outer-sea kept their heads low. Only the Azure Pond Sect possessed such a treasure basin. Li Ximing did not have many Essence Gathering Pills and still had rituals to conduct, so he descended in a streak of light and landed among the upper mountain ridges.

Black light flickered in the highest demon den as two demonic creatures were locked in fierce combat amid rolling black smoke. A dog demon with bristling fur fought intensely against a wolf-like demon that had taken human form.

Li Ximing glanced over them. The dog demon was at a disadvantage. The wolf-demon held the upper hand and retained human form, its aura thick with bloodlust from countless devoured humans. Li Ximing manifested in heavenly light and stood firm within the rolling black wind.

The two demons turned pale. Li Ximing did not bother with words. He simply raised his hand and lightly lifted. In an instant, the wolf-demon was forced back into its original form and fell into his grasp, unable to move. The dog demon immediately grew meek and cried out, "My lord! We have followed Tiger King's teachings and have not eaten humans!"

Li Ximing paid no mind to talk of Tiger Kings and asked casually, "

Oh?

This senior demon you speak of, did he flee from the southern border?"

The dog demon hurriedly replied, "My lord's divine ability knows all. Tiger King indeed fled from the southern border. He received guidance from a great figure at Moongaze Lake and turned over a new leaf. He occupies a peak in the mountains, accumulating merit and protecting the people..."

He even flies my banner!

This was no small matter. Li Ximing paused, intrigued, and replied with a faint smile, "Very well. On which peak is he?"

The dog demon had little confidence. Few demons on Mount Quanwu truly believed Tiger King's claims. He only wished to escape quickly. Hearing the question, he immediately sold out his king and pointed in the direction of his peak. In the next moment, the world spun before his eyes and they were in front of the indicated peak.

Pitch darkness stretched before them, with only two faint points of light. They had not merely reached the peak, but had already arrived deep within the demon den.

Divine ability... so this is the Purple Mansion Realm...

Li Ximing glanced at the cave dwelling's door and lifted his chin. The demonic creature rushed forward in a cold sweat, pushed open the door, and dropped to his knees at the side.

A cold voice rang out from within, "Why do you enter without announcing yourself!"

Seated upon the central throne was a broad-faced, black-haired middle-aged man. His features bore a domineering air. He wore a dark robe, and beside him stood a pure white long spear. His pupils were jet black as he cast a sharp glance at the door.

The radiant colors of divine ability were instantly reflected in his black pupils.

In the next instant, the middle-aged man tumbled from the throne with a thud, rolling several times across the ground. His robe slipped loose, and the white spear fell aside.

He scrambled forward with a fawning tone and cried out, "This lesser demon... this lesser demon Yanhu greets the Daoist Master! Greetings to the one with divine ability! I failed to welcome you from afar. I am ashamed and dare not rise!"

Yanhu recognized the demonic creature dangling from the Daoist Master's grasp in one glance. They had fought for decades yet Yanhu had never been able to subdue him. He had been bearing increasing pressure. Now, he was doomed beyond hope.

The Daoist Master cast him a single glance, and Yanhu felt a faint pain course through him. His life lay at another’s whim. Trembling, he forced himself to speak, "This lesser demon has had dealings with a great figure at Moongaze Lake... I have never eaten humans. I beg the Daoist Master to spare my humble life for that connection..."

The Daoist Master in white-gold Daoist robes smiled. "Go on. I was not aware that anyone at my lake had dealings with you."

Those words silenced the chamber. The demonic creature suddenly understood,

This is Daoist Master Zhaojing.

The tiger demon broke into a torrent of sweat, racked his mind, and kowtowed repeatedly, "Back then... Daoist Qinghong from the lake came to Quanwu and instructed this lesser demon in combat arts. I benefited greatly and was deeply grateful, so I offered a Blood Sun Fruit in return. The great one did not leave a name, only saying that she had come from the north and that we might meet again. This lesser demon longed for that day, yet never knew the origin...

"Later, when the great one's name shook the rivers and thunder resounded above the waters, I heard the news and learned she was a Daoist from the lake. Since then, I have remained diligent day and night, waiting for the great one's arrival..."

Blood Sun Fruit...

Li Ximing indeed remembered that spiritual fruit. Back when the Li Family had not yet risen and was in decline, they had sought to befriend Li Encheng, father of Li Quantao of the same Wei's Li line. They had used this rare Jiangnan Blood Sun Fruit!

The Blood Sun Fruit had been obtained by Li Qinghong from Yanhu, handed to Li Xizhi, and ultimately exchanged for an Essence Gathering Pill...

So the thread of fate was tied at that time.

Li Ximing knew very well that the demonic creature was skirting the details and speaking vaguely. He had only dared to speak of this connection after Li Ximing had attained the Purple Mansion Realm. Yet the spirit item had indeed been taken from this fellow back then, which had been a calamity fallen from the sky for him.

He asked amusedly, "Do you still regret losing the Blood Sun Fruit?"

The demonic creature glanced at his expression and hurriedly kowtowed, nearly in tears as he said, "Had I not offered that fruit and brushed against a trace of immortal radiance, this lesser demon would have been taken for pill refinement ten years ago. How could I have lived to see this day..."

Li Ximing had rarely encountered such a smooth-tongued demonic creature. He took a seat on the throne and considered as he said, "What offense did you commit to hide here at Mount Zuiliu?"

The tiger demon hurriedly said, "This lesser demon was once part of a mountain patrol in a region of the southern border. On one occasion I mistakenly delivered provisions, causing General White Langur to dine unpleasantly. Knowing I had erred, I happened to encounter a great battle among the kings above, in which White Langur was slain. I escaped disaster and gained spirituality. Yet the one who took his place was his younger brother Black Langur. I hardened my heart, seized the spirit items I had been transporting, and fled overnight to Mount Zuiliu..."

"Now... seventy years have passed." He lowered his head as he said, "The matter is long past, yet I dare not return. The spirit items I seized back then were either used for cultivation or taken by passing cultivators. They have long been exhausted over the years."

Li Ximing found it trivial and said casually, "It has been seventy years. Are you still familiar with the southern border?"

Yanhu's eyes lit up, as if sensing opportunity. He nodded repeatedly and said, "Though I left, I remain familiar with the Five Ridges north of Shahuang. With some spirit items in hand, forging connections would be extremely simple..."

"That is enough." Li Ximing nodded and said, "I once said I would grant you some benefits, and my family does not break its word. I require a demonic creature to carry messages to the southern border. Follow me."

Yanhu was overwhelmed with ecstasy. He crawled forward and kowtowed respectfully, saying, "I am willing to serve the Daoist Master unto death!"

Yanhu had lived a precarious life for decades. Passing cultivators had attempted to kill him more than once. Had it not been for his own strength, his willingness to humble himself, the dispersal of his wealth, and even borrowing the names of others for protection, he would not have survived to this day. How many days could he expect to live otherwise?

Yet once he attached himself to a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator, even a peak Foundation Establishment Realm demon general would address him respectfully as lord. If he bore orders, he could stride through the southern border with his head held high. He had seen how those demonic creatures who served Purple Mansion Realm figures carried themselves in the southern border!

He was nearly moved to tears with joy. Li Ximing lifted him with a sweep of light. The dog demon at the side stared dumbfounded as he thought to himself,

This... this... so there truly was a connection. Then why remain here suffering all this time?

Yanhu trembled with joy behind him and paid the other demon no heed, only hoping he would not try to cling to him. Li Ximing, however, had his own considerations. It was true that there was a strand of fate between him and Yanhu, yet that alone was not enough reason to take this demon in.

First, this demonic creature carried little murky qi; he had clearly refrained from devouring humans all these years. Second, he was quick-witted and experienced, making it more convenient in handling affairs.

There was another crucial point. This demonic creature was of the Hurricane Ghost Yin.

He had obtained many Mifan Dao lineages, whether in spell arts or escape spells, yet he currently had no cultivators of the Hurricane Ghost Yin. Though demonic creatures of common bloodlines were generally considered inferior, this demon's cultivation was not weak. He had already reached the late Foundation Establishment Realm. With some training in these arts, he could prove useful.

𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

As they flew into the great void, Li Ximing raised his brows slightly and said quietly, "When I send you to the southern border, you will carry my divine ability imprint and visit the various demons. You are to gather news for me regarding spirit items and spiritual flames... Do you understand?"

Yanhu nodded repeatedly and answered with utmost respect, "Daoist Master, I have seen such matters before and understand them fairly well. I will not disappoint you!"

"Good." Li Ximing glanced at him and finished, "You will represent my house. Once we return to the lake, you will receive the Six Dams Secret Art of my island, learn one or two escape spells and footwork techniques, and have someone fit you with proper garments and armor. Then you will be sent to the southern border."