Chapter 1377: Brilliant Yang King's Axe (II)

Jiao Zhongzi smiled in satisfaction and was about to continue, but Tian Sanglin said first in a hoarse voice, "If Fellow Daoist agrees, then the matter is settled thus. If not, you may return. A spirit artifact is not something to be lent out."

𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Li Ximing rose and bowed. "Thank you for your understanding, senior. However, the Nine-Colored Profound Mercury is at the lake, and I am unfamiliar with the Bright Truth Harmonizing Divine Pill. I must consult a friend before making a final decision."

Tian Sanglin frowned slightly, but Jiao Zhongzi stood up with a smile and replied, "As it should be!"

He turned to Tian Sanglin and said respectfully, "There is no need to trouble my king. I can accompany Fellow Daoist Zhaojing with the dharma artifact and spirit artifact. If all is feasible, we can exchange the spirit artifact and bring the Nine-Colored Profound Mercury back to you at once. With the Supreme Yang Dao lineage as witness, subsequent matters will be easier to arrange."

Li Ximing understood inwardly,

So the Southern Shun Raksha King is quite tempted by the Nine-Colored Profound Mercury as well...

These words suited Li Ximing perfectly and eased Tian Sanglin's furrowed brow. He nodded, signaled briefly to Li Ximing, and transformed into black smoke before dispersing.

Li Ximing thanked the young man and stepped with him into the great void. He felt a trace of emotion and probed cautiously, "I had thought there were still misunderstandings between us. This time, I must thank you for your assistance."

"Assistance?" Jiao Zhongzi laughed softly as he turned and replied, "It hardly counts... If I missed this opportunity with you, who knows how long it would take before my king found another spirit embryo for me? I am naturally the most anxious. Xiukui and I have never been on good terms, and it would not be easy to seek one elsewhere.

"Once that spirit embryo ends up in my hands, whether its effects are wondrous or not, and which kind suits me best, those are what truly concern me!"

Since he was being so frank, Li Ximing immediately nodded. Half convinced, half doubtful, he traveled inland with him and asked with a smile, "How is Baoqing?"

"Him?" The Mount Yue native showed a trace of schadenfreude and replied, "The Temple Master of Great Konghai Temple did not budge at all. He obediently discarded his Dharma Body and returned to the Buddhist land. Stone Pond has now been divided among the various families. One could say everyone is satisfied."

He had spoken with Tuodu at sea for some time. It had been the most perfunctory battle Li Ximing had fought since reaching the Purple Mansion Realm. Agreeing inwardly, he began to harbor doubts about Great Konghai Temple's arrangement and probed, "Baoqing seized Stone Pond and caught the Azure Pond Sect off guard, but it cannot last without the prestige of the Supreme Yang Dao lineage."

Jiao Zhongzi clasped his hands behind his back and smiled, shaking his head. "Not so. Zhaojing, you must know that the Temple Master Jinghai has not reincarnated for a hundred years. Not only has he not reincarnated, he cannot even leave the Buddhist land!

"But why has the Temple Master of Great Konghai Temple not reincarnated for so many years? Is it because he does not wish to? No, it is because there is no Dharma Master presiding above him, and his position is unstable. Someone must sit upon the Heavenly Rain Mandarava Flower to preside over that Buddhist land.

"So Jinghai has been in an extremely awkward position for all these years, patching one side while tearing down another. He finally endured long enough to secure a seat. After much thought, he gave it to no one else but Baoqing, who bears a blood feud with the Azure Pond Sect. It was nothing more than caution...

"Once he leaves, he must relinquish the position of presiding over the Buddhist land. He fears that someone might seize it afterward, so he needs a Maha who cannot help but rely on him."

Jiao Zhongzi let out a cold laugh as he finished, "Now it is perfect. Baoqing returned severely wounded and unable to move. He can barely maintain the Buddhist land while making mortal enemies of nearly every surrounding force. What can he dare to do? He can only remain Jinghai's dog."

Li Ximing immediately understood. His doubts about Stone Pond vanished at once. With that settled, another inference arose in his mind.

Since Jinghai has achieved his objective, it is the Azure Pond Sect that suffered the most. In the end, the various families carved up the Azure Pond Sect's Stone Pond.

The two traveled through the great void for a time and soon arrived at Lake Xian. Jiao Zhongzi halted cautiously, a faint flame flickering at his brow, and said softly, "Fellow Daoist, please retrieve the Nine-Colored Profound Mercury."

Li Ximing nodded and rose on a beam of light, moving some distance away. He was slightly uneasy as he used the jade talisman at his waist to contact Ning Wan. After a brief wait, light shimmered within the great void.

Moments later, wind and snow gathered as Ning Wan arrived riding upon drifting frost. Seeing Li Ximing, she smiled and said gently, "Congratulations, Zhaojing. All is well. The lord sent a sword and has already taken Fei Qingya away. Her affairs henceforth will be entrusted to Xiukui."

Li Ximing let out a soft breath of relief and began to express his thanks. Ning Wan smiled politely and asked, "As for Southern Shun Raksha... were the negotiations successful?"

Li Ximing replied, "We have more or less reached an agreement. They only require a Bright Truth Harmonizing Divine Pill, said to be held in portions by the Supreme Yang Dao lineage... I do not know what it is. Is it considered precious?"

Ning Wan pondered briefly and said, "That item should originate from the Great Ning Palace. It is a spirit pill of the True Essence Dao and has been lost for many years. Back then, three pills were stored in each great cauldron, with four cauldrons totaling twelve pills. The Si Family obtained one cauldron, which was recovered by Xuanfeng.

"In ancient times, the Bright Truth Harmonizing Divine Pill was highly sought after. It was a treasured asset of Ning State for uniting the various families. It was said to support the nine qis, harmonize past and present, refine pill talismans, and enhance divine abilities. I do not know how the heterodox Daos use it, but for our Purple Mansion Golden Core Daos, it can somewhat assist Purple Mansion Realm cultivators in catalyzing their Immortal Foundation into divine abilities!"

Li Ximing nodded, and Ning Wan continued, "Of the Si Family's three pills, Senior Yuanxiu has certainly used one. The remaining two are in Si Yuanli's possession, but he is currently in seclusion. If he succeeds, you may exchange for one from him. Failing that, the Gao Family or Xiukui are options. With your alchemical art, obtaining one should not be too difficult."

Li Ximing now had a clear idea. If he were a bit shameless, he could delay matters while Si Yuanli remained in seclusion. Once the spirit artifact was in his hands, claiming he was waiting to exchange with the Si Family would be a reasonable excuse.

After all, my reputation precedes me. If I take their item, it is best to do my utmost to secure the exchange for Southern Shun Raksha. It is better to make friends than enemies.

"Many thanks, fairy!"

He bowed in farewell and headed toward the lake. Passing through layers of formations and activating hidden mechanisms, he retrieved the small silver-white box from within the formation and returned to Lake Xian.

Jiao Zhongzi waited patiently at Lake Xian. When he saw Li Ximing arrive on a beam of light, he said with anticipation, "Fellow Daoist Zhaojing?"

Li Ximing lifted the lid of the silver-white box, revealing a one-inch streak of brilliant white radiance within. He sealed it with his divine ability to prevent it from transforming away and replied with equal anticipation, "Please take a look."

Jiao Zhongzi paused for a breath and smiled. "It is indeed Nine-Colored Profound Mercury! The quality is excellent. Many thanks, Fellow Daoist."

At this point, Jiao Zhongzi visibly relaxed and said with a sigh, "Our Southern Shun Raksha has long lacked this Whole Pill... We searched with great difficulty. Daoist Master Qiushui's divine abilities have grown ever more complete, and most Whole Pill Purple Mansion Realm spirit items in the past decades were bought up at high prices by the Golden Feather Sect. We could not find one anywhere. It was only because Hengzhu Dao Gate and the Golden Feather Sect were at odds and failed to reach an agreement did Hengzhu Dao Gate preserve this portion for your esteemed family without using it."

Li Ximing had already discerned this. The other spirit pills and assistance in refining a spirit embryo were merely additions. They had long coveted the Nine-Colored Profound Mercury. Otherwise, why hand over the spirit artifact first? The values were not equal, and they feared he might raise the price on the spot while also being eager to secure this spirit item.

He smiled faintly. "It is simply the turning of fate. It is your opportunity as well as mine."

"Excellent!" Jiao Zhongzi clapped his hands in satisfaction. Reaching into his sleeve, he produced a short blade with an ivory edge and a jade hilt and said with a smile, "This is the Silken Bond Blade. It is an ancient dharma artifact of excellent quality that I obtained by chance. I entrust it to you. When there is news, simply send a jade slip to Southern Shun Raksha."

Li Ximing received it solemnly. Only then did the other take out a jade box from his sleeve and casually flip it open with a divine ability, revealing the Brilliant Yang King's Axe within. A dense golden radiance burst forth. Li Ximing accepted it with both hands, feeling the weight sink into his palms. His eyes burned with longing, and the fatigue from all his rushing about finally dissipated.

"It truly was not easy!"

It was a heartfelt sigh. Li Ximing's fixation on spirit artifacts ran deep. Whether fighting Yehui or Changxiao, he had always been suppressed by their spirit artifacts and suffered greatly. Later, when the Surging Yang Star Command Treasure Disk rested in his hands, he had been reluctant to let it go.

From that moment on, his obsession had only deepened. He had traveled to the Southern Sea, running about everywhere, even parting with the spirit item he had kept in reserve. Now, holding the weighty Brilliant Yang King's Axe in his hands, though it was only the length of an arm, its heavy golden sheen mingled with faint silver sandlight brought him a sense of reassurance.

As Jiao Zhongzi released his spiritual sense and erased its mark, ownership of the spirit artifact shifted. A surging Bright Yang divine ability climbed along the long, rounded haft of the axe, quickly dyeing the scale-like patterns gold. The hidden runes beneath lit up one by one. The spirit artifact seemed to come alive, casting down waves of light.

After several hundred years, the Brilliant Yang King's Axe was finally infused once more with a Bright Yang divine ability. It trembled with spirit and emitted crisp metallic chimes.

Clang, clang, clang.

Boom!

Heavenly light blazed brilliantly. Li Ximing loosened his grip slightly, and the Brilliant Yang King's Axe immediately rose, assuming a posture as if upheld by Heavenly Radiance itself. It hovered quietly before him. A heavy aura spread at once, clouding the great void and stirring the spiritual energy into waves.

Infused with the Heaven-Venerating Gate divine ability, the spirit artifact released an intense pressure. Jiao Zhongzi's body sank slightly under its weight, and the chirping of cicadas seemed to echo faintly through the great void.

Li Ximing could not help but close his eyes briefly and commune with the spirit artifact.

The Mount Yue Purple Mansion Realm cultivator stepped back calmly and watched. When Li Ximing exhaled a wisp of pale purple flame, the Brilliant Yang King's Axe descended like a falling star and was drawn into the heavenly light at the center of his brow.

A faint golden axe-shaped pattern flashed behind Li Ximing. Stimulated by his divine ability, twin sparks flared at Jiao Zhongzi's brow before quickly being suppressed. It was clearly his first time witnessing such wonder from this spirit artifact.

He sighed deeply and said, "Congratulations, Zhaojing. The Brilliant Yang King's Axe has finally found its rightful wielder."

Li Ximing felt an urge to stop and test the spirit artifact at once. In high spirits, everyone now seemed agreeable to him. He smiled at the Mount Yue cultivator before him, "Many thanks, Fellow Daoist."

Though the flame at Jiao Zhongzi's brow had only flickered briefly, Li Ximing, ever sensitive to fire, immediately sensed its formidable nature and praised, "I did not expect Fellow Daoist to be such a master of flame."

"Oh?" Jiao Zhongzi raised a brow with a smile. Layer upon layer of reddish-brown flames surged from beneath his feet, climbing along his Daoist robe as he said, "I have heard of your Profound Fire of the Three Phases' Guard. Mine is the Lesser Yang Fire of the Lesser Yang Dao. When there is an opportunity in the future, we should exchange pointers!"

He cupped his hands in salute and transformed into flame, rising and departing southward, leaving behind a faint streak of light, "Fellow Daoist Zhaojing, the days ahead are long. We will have many chances to meet again."