Chapter 1385: Turning Glows Into Mountain (II)

Li Xizhi hesitated for a moment before speaking, "I know... Heavenly Glow pervades the skies. There is nowhere that is not someone else's territory. Earlier, I worried about the family and could not leave. There were no great wars in the Eastern Sea and Daoist Master Qiuhu kept me behind to prepare for the Southern Sea. Now the Southern Sea has been divided among the various houses, and the Buddhist cultivators have withdrawn. I am no longer greatly needed. If I do not go now, there may not be another opportunity in the future... My status, after all, is far from ordinary.”

Li Ximing fell silent. His elder brother was right. No matter what, he was still a cultivator of the Supreme Yang Dao lineage, and clearly could not arrange his own affairs at will. Ning Wan allowing him to attempt a breakthrough was already out of regard for Li Ximing's face. If anything were to arise in the future, Li Xizhi, who lacked a Purple Mansion Realm cultivation technique, would have to continue running about for the Supreme Yang Dao lineage without end. He would never know peace.

Li Xizhi was not like Li Queyi and the others. His ties with the Supreme Yang Dao lineage and with Ning Wan were not especially strong. Should there be any change in the future, or perhaps even without any change at all, this single chess piece named Li Xizhi could unwittingly drag Li Ximing into the mire...

Seeing that his brother had grasped the implication, Li Xizhi nodded subtly and changed the subject. "As for the Rainbow Mist Dao, it stands apart from Yin and Yang and the Five Virtues. It is not the Twelve Essences or the ancient classifications. Prime Magnetism and thunder cannot stir it. Suoma[1] blood fiend cannot invade it. It abides at the height of the world, between water and fire. Even the Bright Yang heavenly light cannot behold where it stands, and even the Supreme Shaman Awakened Star cannot hear it. Its power is immense and its marvels beyond restraint. Why, then, are there so few who cultivate it?”

Li Ximing remained silent and listened as his brother continued, "First, the cultivation technique is rarely seen, and rogue cultivators cannot obtain it. Second, even a power such as the Azure Pond Sect that acquires it will not cultivate it themselves. At most, they would cast it off to some minor outsider. Even then, they must worry that once a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator falls, it will become difficult to control...

"At that time, not a single one of the four great houses of the Azure Pond Sect touched it. Even earlier figures such as Yuan, Yu, Yang, Xiao, and Lingu of Mount Yue, none cultivated it. When I originally sought this Dao lineage from my master, it was precisely for absolute security. Now... this is the price of that security.

"After all, my master never expected that I could ever make it to the Purple Mansion Realm. Without the ambitions I hold now, Rainbow Mist would indeed have been the safest choice.”

The middle-aged man's expression grew complicated as he set down the jade cup.

"Majestic Earth manifests as mountains upon the land and as rosy glows in the heavens. What is called Heavenly Glow is none other than Majestic Light. Majestic Light once stood alongside heavenly light, magnetic light, and treasure light among the lights of the world. Now it stretches across the sky without end, unbroken throughout the year...”

At this point, Li Xizhi dared not continue. He took out a jade slip from his sleeve, placed it gently upon the table, and said softly, "These many years at the Azure Pond Sect and Splitreed, I have read so many volumes of the Dao Collection. None were particularly precious, but after reading hundreds and thousands of them, there are always some gains.

"I gained many marvelous methods and refined several spell arts beyond my predecessors, yet none are of great use to the family. Only one spell remains of value. It is called the Merging and Dividing Art of Majestic Glows. It was an ancient art obtained together with the Glazed Pagoda of Unrestrained Boundary.

"After obtaining this art, I realized it was as profound as transforming separation into union. Yet its limitations were great. Over the years, I gradually improved it until it took its present form...

"This art... intends to refine light into Majestic Earth, descending from heaven to earth, turning glows into mountains.”

Li Ximing was faintly shaken and asked, "Does this offer a chance at liberation?”

Li Xizhi laughed softly and shook his head. He replied, "I do not possess that much ability. If I had that level of attainment, I would not be troubled here. This art, however, will be of use to you. It can transform glows into Majestic Earth. Heavenly Glow is abundant across the world. There are many spirit items of that type, yet their uses are limited. If you hold this art, you may attempt to convert them into Majestic Earth spirit items.”

Li Ximing showed little joy. Instead, his expression was complicated. His brother clearly harbored ambitions toward the Purple Mansion Realm. Being confined to Splitreed Island for so many years had bound him for far too long. They met each other's gaze.

After a moment of silence, Li Ximing lowered his head and asked, "If you go to Xia Mountain, do not act rashly. Without a cultivation technique... be cautious when attempting to break into the Purple Mansion Realm.”

"I understand.” Li Xizhi smiled and shook his head as he said, "There is one more matter... The Glazed Pagoda of Unrestrained Boundary that I obtained from various cultivators was not merely to add to the family's foundations. There is something even more important within...”

Li Ximing immediately cast him a questioning look. His brother continued, "Daoist Master Yuanxiu had seen this item. At that time, he already knew he would certainly die, and he no longer hoped you would join the Azure Pond Sect. He wished instead to accumulate merit. Unable to find your whereabouts, he secretly bestowed his favor upon me.

"He left one instruction. The Glazed Pagoda of Unrestrained Boundary itself is not important. The key lies in the spirit items within. On the surface, they appear to be only Foundation Establishment Realm objects, but at the very bottom, there is a Purple Mansion Realm spirit item!

"That spirit item is the Sky Unrestrained Boundary Stone. It has long since vanished from the world. If the family ever reaches dire straits, this dharma artifact can be shattered to extract that Purple Mansion Realm spirit item.”

Li Ximing suddenly understood. He let out a long sigh. "Brother...”

Li Xizhi shook his head and said softly, "Senior Yuanxiu hoped that... one day, if Si Yuanli were to break through and face hardship from someone, we might lend a hand.

"This matter left no written record, no oath, and no binding agreement. Purple Mansion Realm items are, after all, precious. I feared mishap along the way and did not lightly tell others. Daoist Master, you may simply hear it for yourself.”

Li Ximing nodded. Li Xizhi took a sip of tea and looked up. "The Yang Family's ambitions are vast, not confined to a single sect or gate... Who knows what the future will hold? Chenghuai and his mother are safest and most suited to remain at Splitreed. As for Zhouluo... he can serve as a minor pillar, but he is not one to shoulder the cauldron. Let him live his life in peace.”

He set down his teacup. Li Ximing hesitated, but he ultimately explained the matter of the dharma sword. Li Xizhi sighed and said, "These matters have burdened the family.”

He rose to his feet with a smile. "These cultivation techniques and spell arts that I have researched myself, I leave to the family as a safeguard. May our descendants no longer need to cultivate Heavenly Glow from this day forward.”

1. 梭摩 (Suō mó) A mythic ritual substance from ancient Indian Vedic tradition, regarded as a divine elixir associated with the moon, vitality, and sacred power. ☜