Chapter 1403: Realm Of Sun And Moon Radiance (II)

After examining the cushion for a while, Li Ximing seemed to reach a realization. He returned to the first level of the Upper Firmament Pavilion, stepped out, and soon came back holding the purple black wooden slip.

He unfolded it. It was indeed a perfectly shaped rectangle. After a moment of comparison, he nodded and placed it into the recess on the stone platform. It fit seamlessly.

The stone platform and wooden slip, once mundane to spiritual sense, finally changed. This time, when his spiritual sense touched them, streams of information flowed into him. Li Ximing closed his eyes as countless texts appeared in his mind.

Snow Washing Path, Floating Cloud Heart Sutra, Profound Geng Sword Art... Azure River Source Seeking Technique, Pheasant Flame's Long March Technique.

Li Ximing suddenly understood in his mind,

These are all Foundation Establishment Realm techniques.

Countless techniques appeared in his mind one after another in astonishing numbers. After looking through them, Li Ximing noticed something and thought,

Some names are bright while others are dim... There must be a distinction.

He chose at random and first focused on the dim Snow Washing Path, which produced no response. He then shifted to the shining Profound Geng Sword Art. The wooden slip embedded in the stone platform immediately displayed lines of bright golden text. Numerous sword principles emerged and flowed across it like water.

Li Ximing did not linger. Slightly excited, he removed the wooden slip and took two steps to the stone platform on the second level. He inserted the purple black slip again and let his spiritual sense sink into it.

Buzz!

An equally vast number of techniques appeared, though far fewer were bright. Li Ximing almost instantly spotted the Radiant Essence Scripture he cultivated!

"So it truly came from here! Whether immortal arts or cultivation techniques, all originate from this Upper Firmament Pavilion!"

Li Jiangqian’s Heavenly Scripture of the Dimming Li Day and Li Quewan’s Golden Book of Singular Attunement also appeared among the many names. Though most names were dim, aside from the three Li Family techniques, there were many Purple Mansion Realm techniques as well.

The Heavenly Cultivation Purple Qi Immortal Essence of the Purple Essence, Jade True Void of Jade True, the Huai[1] River Spirit Transformation Book of True Essence...

Li Ximing glanced through them and even found several techniques beyond the Purple Mansion Realm techniques.

They are fifth grade techniques... It seems only techniques of the fifth grade and above are considered Purple Mansion Realm, which matches Jiangnan,

thought Li Ximing.

Outer-sea Purple Mansion Realm cultivators used only fourth grade techniques. Only certain Supreme Yang Dao lineages possessed fifth grade ones. It was unknown whether seventh grade techniques existed, though the highest in Jiangnan was said to be sixth grade.

He let out a long breath as he continued to examine them. These standalone techniques would not easily conflict with other Dao lineages. One even belonged to the rare Pure Essences Dao.

Li Ximing pondered inwardly,

Fifth grade techniques are too difficult. I lack the depth and talent to master them all. When the chance arises, I will focus on one or two and supplement the rest with fourth grade techniques. It is best to have something usable first. Even outer-sea Purple Mansion Realm cultivators do not possess only fourth grade techniques.

He did not linger on these techniques. After a brief pause, he exited the first level of the Upper Firmament Pavilion and walked into the corridor. Passing it, he indeed saw a path leading downward.

He descended the steps. The mist was thinner now, and he realized he stood upon a mountain peak. Moonlight and sunlight shone together. When he saw the terrifying sight of the sun and moon hanging in the sky, Li Ximing quickly lowered his head.

Beneath the pavilion lay an immortal courtyard. Four side rooms surrounded an open central space. Faint formation patterns spread everywhere, as though a formation operated silently. It was only when he reached the courtyard gate that Li Ximing sensed a trace of danger.

He suddenly halted and sensed carefully. The dangerous aura felt strangely familiar. A moment later, he understood. "A forbidden formation! A forbidden formation above the Purple Mansion Realm!"

Li Ximing stepped back at once and looked upward. He glanced at the sight of sun and moon hanging together in the sky and the faint patterns upon the immortal pavilion.

Understanding dawned upon him as he muttered, "This entire world is under the aegis of a forbidden formation. The reason I felt no danger earlier is because the formation of this pavilion has been operating, allowing movement within it!"

Though the danger beyond the gate was heavy yet not lethal, Li Ximing knew what kind of place this was and withdrew quickly.

This place is vast and the spiritual energy is incredibly dense... The spiritual qi of Pingya Island is already decent, yet it is nothing compared to here. Cultivating here would bring twice the result with half the effort!

The Heaven mentioned in the jade cushion was not where the Upper Firmament Pavilion stood. One had to be in this Realm of Sun and Moon Radiance to reach Heaven!

The Upper Firmament Pavilion was empty. It was likely a grotto heaven. With a forbidden formation sealing it from outside, could it not be used by his own family?

A world exists within the Mirror. It would allow family members to come and go... It would greatly ease the storage of secrets...

Hope arose in Li Ximing's heart, yet hope was only hope. As the joy faded, the unease hidden deep within grew ever stronger.

There was no other reason. Although the spiritual energy here was abundant, it could not connect to the great void in the slightest. It felt as though he were trapped within a cage. Having been drawn into this place, Li Ximing had no way to leave, yet the world outside was far from stable. Was he to remain here forever?

After searching several times and closing his eyes to attempt contact with the Immortal Mirror without success, he returned to the Upper Firmament Pavilion, bowed before the jade cushion, and looked at it once more.

Open the profound clarity, ascend to the heavens, and present one's merits according to ritual in pursuit of the Dao.

Currently... the only path left is to perform the Immortal Ascension Method...

He steadied his mind, lifted his sleeve and took out three sticks of incense. He placed them into the bronze burner before him, lit them with a wave of his hand, and sat cross legged upon the jade cushion.

As he chanted and formed seals, the jade cushion beneath him gradually lit with golden radiance. The light flowed across the inscriptions and transformed into streams of golden runes that drifted along his body, emitting a soft and elegant glow.

Compared to the dizzying chill when he first entered this Realm of Sun and Moon Radiance, Li Ximing felt little this time. As the incense burned out, more and more golden runes gathered around him and poured into his Shenyang Mansion. When the final chant ended, his vision brightened, and his soul rose into the boundless heights before gently descending.

Darkness faded into light as clouds swirled around him.

"This..."

This time, Li Ximing truly stood upon thick clouds. There was no pavilion, no sun or moon, let alone mountains. Endless whiteness stretched beneath his feet. He looked down and saw his legs submerged within the clouds, faint and half transparent. All divine abilities, mana, and even the solidity of flesh had vanished. Only his soul remained standing within the mist.

My soul has been taken while bypassing the Shenyang Mansion... If a mere Qi Cultivation Realm cultivator appeared now, a single technique could kill me... In this world, aside from the Underworld's judiciary, who else could seize souls...

He forcibly suppressed the fear in his heart and looked into the distance. A pavilion appeared faintly within the clouds. Farther still, he saw a familiar soaring golden radiance.

So those immortal landscapes... are truly this Heaven!

1. Huai refers to the Huai River, one of the major rivers in China. ☜