Chapter 1401: Heaven And Earth (II)

Daoist Master Xuan Yi departed in haste as the disturbances in the north subsided. Ning Wan turned with a smile and said, "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist... Seeing you unharmed is worth celebrating. After all, the five-eyed one went with many of the Merciful Ones, which was no small trouble...

"As for Nuyan, he was a senior brother of Nuzi, who has now become a Maha. His status was not low, yet you still sent him back to the Buddhist land. Whether Nuxiao or Nuyan, they were far more formidable than those under Daisi who could barely cast any spells. I saw at least three treasure artifacts and four spell arts in my battle. Those earlier figures could not match that even combined. It seems the Great Desire Dao has a far deeper foundation than the Emptiness Dao."

Li Ximing's gaze grew troubled as Ning Wan shook her head with a sigh. "Indeed. Bai Yinzi's situation was still manageable. When I went to Xiao Yuan's side, not only did several under the Golden Lotus Throne arrive, but Pi Jia and Nuzi also acted. Even the Lord of the Pure Victory Dao from the Western Plateau came..."

She hesitated before speaking further, but finally sighed again. "Houfu and Kuiqi were both in Jiangbei. If not for the overwhelming number of Buddhist cultivators, a great battle would surely have taken place."

They continued speaking for some time until Ning Wan finally said, "Fei Qingya has already been taken away. The fighting in Jiangbei has not yet ceased, though most of us have withdrawn. I came back to check on your injuries. There may still be an opportunity, so I will be heading toward the riverbank to observe the situation. Will you come along?"

Li Ximing had no thoughts of accompanying her and declined on the grounds of his injuries. Ning Wan still had matters to attend to in the north and departed riding the wind.

With Bright Light and the Mountain-Charging Profound Veil, the injuries left by Nuxiao were not serious and would heal within a month. Yet he could not wait. Feigning composure, he neither examined the dharma artifacts nor even the Consecration Silver he had taken into his robes. He returned straight to his Zhaoguang Profound Purple Spirit Formation.

The palace complex had long been constructed within the inner formation. It was simple in layout with layered depths. The highest main pavilion was naturally reserved for Li Ximing. Now that most personnel had withdrawn, few remained.

He summoned Li Quewan and instructed her, "Seal the grand formation and guard outside. If anyone comes, say I am in seclusion recovering and cannot receive guests. If there is something truly urgent, crush the jade pendant."

Li Quewan knew clearly what her Daoist Master had gone out to do. She had been worried for a long time and quickly withdrew in understanding.

As the grand formation sealed shut, Li Ximing entered the pavilion and closed its doors tightly. All lights were extinguished, leaving only the purple-gold patterns atop the inner formation swirling above. Li Ximing took out the white spirit stone from his sleeve.

The spirit stone did not have a special radiance in the dim light. It appeared dull, like an ordinary object with nothing remarkable about it. Li Ximing closed his eyes and murmured softly, "Li Ximing of the Li Family respectfully invites the mirror to survey the hidden and probe the subtle, to perceive the profound, illuminate all directions, and investigate spirits and gods..."

A low hum rang out as he spoke. Layers of bright white patterns spread through the air. Traces of the pitch black great void appeared within them, as if a small tear had been opened, allowing a glimmer of clear light to shine through.

The light fell upon the spirit stone, refracting into multicolored brilliance. It shifted from pure white to crystal clarity. In an instant, the translucent Spirit Stone vanished, leaving only darkness behind.

A hush fell over the pavilion. Li Ximing let out a quiet breath, feeling a faint sense of loss. Then, a sharp hum suddenly rang out. Li Ximing’s expression shifted dramatically as a coolness spread through his Shenyang Mansion. A white glow rose from beneath the layered brilliance of the Bright Yang divine ability, forcing the divine ability aside and revealing a solid white orb.

The Profound Pearl Talisman Seed!

The white orb blossomed outward, expanding endlessly and filling the entire Shenyang. It then leapt outward, enveloping the Shenyang Mansion.

"Here stands a descendant of the Li Family who harmonizes spirit and nature, ascends through divine ability, fulfills virtue throughout his life, rises to the Mandate of Heaven, inscribe upon the profound talisman, ascend to the true name... journeys through the five nether realms, walks the great void, opens the profound clarity, and advances further upon the Dao..."

Dong!

Li Ximing felt himself become infinitely small. A bronze ancient mirror spanning the great void appeared before him. Within its surface was reflected an entire world of rising clouds like a celestial realm.

𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

A chill spread across the back of his head as if he had fallen into an icy cavern. His spiritual sense blurred, as though sinking deep into the boundless great void. His mind and form rose endlessly until he no longer knew where he was.

Then the dual lights of Yin and Yang surged forth. A vast world appeared before him. Snow covered the land and clouds rose high. White jade immortal palaces stood in rows. A massive golden lake shimmered with flowing waters, like liquid gold drifting within the clouds. Layers of spirit light supported twelve long bridges arching proudly across the lake.

The world spun and everything faded as his feet finally touched solid ground. Li Ximing looked down to see a white jade floor beneath him. He was standing within a bright pavilion.

He was no longer at Moongaze Lake.

What kind of technique is this?

Li Ximing was startled and did not dare think further. He quickly surveyed his surroundings.

The pavilion stretched around thirty-three meters in both directions and was considered spacious. Built of gray stone and white jade, its surfaces were smooth and unadorned. A stone pillar lamp stood beside him, casting a gentle glow.

Everything here was orderly. Tables, chairs, tea stands, and cushions were neatly arranged. The space was simply adorned and seemed long abandoned.

The pavilion was silent as soft light filled the air. Standing by the open window, Li Ximing saw an endless sea of clouds beyond, along with the sun and moon hanging together in the sky, one on each side. Distant pavilions rose and fell among the clouds, appearing and vanishing within them.

As the cloud sea shifted, an overwhelming spiritual qi surged toward him. Li Ximing stopped breathing for a moment. He watched his surroundings cautiously without moving, his heart pounding as he thought,

This is... this is!

He had clearly heard mention of rising to the Mandate of Heaven and opening profound clarity. Aside from the immortal artifact passed down through his family, could a True Monarch be playing such a trick?

Recalling what he had seen, realization stirred within him,

To move someone with divine ability without warning. Could this be the world within the Immortal Mirror?

The Li Family's talisman seeds ultimately returned to the mirror. In ancient times, grotto heavens were attached to spirit artifacts and Dharma relics. Li Ximing was not certain whether the Immortal Mirror contained such a realm.

Yet years ago, when the talisman seed stirred the outer-sea, he had glimpsed such a realm. Since then he had suspected the truth, and now it was nearly confirmed. He hesitated, but ultimately approached the central jade table. Its surface shone with a gentle brilliance. On either side were patterns of osmanthus and moonlight. A porcelain white bottle and a purple black wooden slip of unusual texture rested in the center.

These items appeared casually placed, but suspicion rose within him. He circled the pavilion and found a command token resting upon a cushion.

The command token was the length of a forearm, pure white and adorned with silver Supreme Yin patterns. At its center was a circular surface bearing a simple ancient seal character. Upon seeing it, Li Ximing understood.

Li.