Chapter 1375: Tian Sanglin (II)

As a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator, close to the peak of manifested power in this world, it was common to carve out a small domain and rule it. As Li Ximing descended, he saw black forests, low mountains, vast tracts divided and deserted. Only in the central region did he find dense black palaces.

This faction did not appear benevolent. Li Ximing descended cautiously. His gaze swept over the palace roofs built around the hills and saw layers of chains and black qi everywhere.

It was said that the Southern Shun Raksha King was at mid stage Purple Mansion Realm and cultivated the Shamanic Talisman Dao. He was not to be provoked. Halting in midair, Li Ximing transmitted his voice through divine ability.

"I am Li Ximing, named Zhaojing, here to visit Southern Shun Raksha. I ask for the presence of the king!"

One Purple Mansion Realm cultivator should have departed for the battle against Buddhist cultivators, leaving another on the island. Regardless of which it was, Li Ximing addressed him as king.

After a moment, a black armored cultivator rose on the wind and said, "Daoist Master, please come inside!"

Li Ximing descended in a streak of light, passing through layers of enveloping black qi. A massive ritual seat the size of a courtyard rested on the mountaintop. Seated upon it was a Dharma Body, one hand holding a flower, the other forming a seal. It towered like a mountain, its eyes as large as chariots. It resembled a world-ravaging fiend within the black qi. Black-robed cultivators sat cross-legged in scattered clusters upon its knees, palms, and fingertips, cultivating in silent stillness.

Though Li Ximing's heavenly light shone brilliantly, it seemed small before this Dharma Body.

Such a formidable Purple Mansion Realm Dharma Body.

The other party did not cultivate the Purple Mansion Golden Core Daos, so his strength could not be measured by divine ability. Ling Mei had once mentioned that the person was at mid stage Purple Mansion Realm, and likely more than half his strength lay in this Dharma Body.

With one glance, Li Ximing suspected this Dharma Body might not be inferior to any Maha. He gave a slight salute. A streak of black light coalesced before him into a white bearded elder in black robes, who nodded and said, "Please!"

This was a body condensed by the other party through divine ability. As Li Ximing had something to request, he nodded with a smile and followed in the manner of a junior. Upon entering the palace, the old shaman said, "I am presently urging my Dharma Body to observe Northern Dan from within the great void, in case a great battle erupts in the west. I have neglected you, Fellow Daoist."

"I would not dare!"

Passing through the gloomy, pitch black palace, Li Ximing saw high backed jade thrones everywhere. Li Ximing took his seat. The old man said quietly, "My surname is Dilutian. My given name is Sanglin. I was originally a person of Mount Yue of Yue State. Later, while wandering abroad, it proved inconvenient, so I took the character Tian from my surname. You may call me Tian Sanglin.

"As for the reputation of your family, I heard of it long ago... Whether Jiao Zhongzi or Huo Luo'e, both have cultivated on my island. I came to know your Li Family from that time on..."

Li Ximing was momentarily stunned. The two names felt extremely familiar. He quickly understood.

Back when Duanmu Kui had died, the people of Mount Wu scattered. The strongest among them was Jiao Zhongzi. When the Li Family campaigned west against Mount Yue, Jiao Zhongzi had disappeared to attempt a breakthrough to the Purple Mansion Realm. By the time they reached the westernmost part of Mount Yue, the only remaining Mount Wu Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator, Huo Luo'e, had also fled and vanished.

Over the years, the Li Family had encountered many factions and traveled to many places, yet there had never been any news of the two. They had thought they were hiding somewhere at the ends of the earth, living freely and arrogantly. They had not expected them to be here in Southern Shun Raksha.

So they were people of Yue State!

After thinking this through, Li Ximing hesitated slightly and asked, "Senior Duanmu... was..."

Tian Sanglin replied calmly, "I once received favor from Senior Duanmu. Though he cultivated the Purple Mansion Golden Core Daos, his shamanic arts could be called unparalleled in all ages. In my early years, I often visited the mountain. Jiao Zhongzi and Huo Luo'e were older, and did not even know of my existence at the time.

"However, I had a junior named Dilutian Fu[1] who cultivated at Mount Wu and was close with them. He informed them of this retreat. Thus when something happened at Mount Wu, the two of them came to seek me out one after the other. My junior fell during his breakthrough at Mount Wu."

"So that is how it was!"

Li Ximing nodded inwardly as realization dawned,

Master once went to Mount Wu to retrieve Dilutian Fu's belongings. It must not have been due to friendship with Xiao Chuchou, but because this man found it inconvenient to go himself and entrusted Daoist Master Xiao to bring the relics back.

Thus, the Bone Carving Skin Exchange obtained then must also have belonged to Southern Shun Raksha...

Just as his doubts were resolved, a chill rose in his heart. He asked, "The one at Southern Shun Raksha who recently broke through to the Purple Mansion Realm... was it Jiao Zhongzi?"

The old shaman let out two unpleasant chuckles and slightly raised his head, "Indeed!"

Li Ximing's heart immediately sank,

What one fears truly comes to pass...

The Li Family had not been on good terms with Mount Yue in their early years. Seizing Mount Yue's territory might mean little to a Purple Mansion cultivator, yet Jiao Zhongzi had once left behind a subordinate and a mount at Mount Wu. There might have been some sentiment involved. That would not look good at all.

Li Ximing's brows tightened at once, but Tian Sanglin gave a low cough and said softly, "He has already severed his former ties. The affairs of Mount Wu have long ceased to concern Jiao Zhongzi. He cannot take on that karma, nor does he dare to."

Li Ximing understood. The one thing a dignified Purple Mansion Realm cultivator would not dare touch was that immortal text from back then... Duanmu Kui had received it directly from an immortal and could act without restraint, but who afterward would dare touch such a thing? Who would dare involve themselves with the Dao lineage of Mount Wu?

Li Ximing sighed as he said, "One matter is one matter. My family did offend him in the past. When the time comes, I will offer two spirit pills as compensation to show some sincerity."

As they were speaking, an old man approached carrying a jade tray and bowed respectfully. "My king, the treasure has been retrieved from the palace!"

A flicker of joy rose in Li Ximing's heart. He looked over and saw that the jade tray was as large as a table and entirely green in hue. A golden axe had been carefully placed on it.

The golden axe had a long haft about a meter in length. The two corners of its blade curved like crescents. It did not appear crude, but rather delicate and compact. Beast scale patterns rippled across its surface, showing a heavy brown gold sheen that faintly reflected a soft silver light.

A spirit artifact!

Those of the outer-sea were less ceremonious than those of Jiangnan. In the mainland, there would certainly have been lengthy pleasantries before such an item was brought forth. Li Ximing had only just stated his purpose, yet the Southern Shun Raksha King had already had it delivered while chatting casually!

Li Ximing examined it carefully. Aside from the carved beast scale motifs, there were no other patterns across its body. Small, simple star diagrams were etched on both faces, their lines shallow, as if not wishing to disturb the weighty texture of the surface.

He was very familiar with this diagram. It was the Surging Yang Star Command Diagram. The two sides were front and back, clearly meant for hanging, with a defined facing side.

Li Ximing's heart stirred as he asked, "Senior, may I ask the name of this spirit artifact?"

Leaning against the throne, Tian Sanglin replied in a hoarse voice, "It is the Brilliant Yang King's Axe, an item of the Eastern Fire Grotto Heaven. It shatters corruption and punishes the disloyal, bringing light to mountains and rivers and illuminating the people. Its divine ability is Crimson Severing Cluster. It can bear the weight of ten thousand chariots and sweep away all calamities."

1. This name appeared once in Chapter 687. ☜