Chapter 1407: Tianhuo (II)

Inner formation of lake island.

After waiting briefly, everything before Li Ximing turned into a curtain of purple-yellow light. He materialized within a dimly lit great hall, where long drapes on either side swayed gently in the breeze, casting faint shadows.

His spiritual sense swept outward, finding Li Quewan waiting outside the inner formation hall. She appeared neither hurried nor anxious, and he let out a quiet breath of relief.

It seems nothing serious has happened. Most likely a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator has come calling.

The timing was awkward. The north was still in the midst of fierce conflict. Had Li Ximing not possessed valuable treasures, he too would have been roaming about in search of opportunities rather than returning early to lie low. Everything before him was no different from when he had left, yet his state of mind had changed completely. Feeling at ease and in good spirits, he allowed the girl to enter.

Li Quewan stepped before the hall, performed a proper salute, and said respectfully, "Daoist Master, Daoist Master Tianhuo of the Golden Feather Immortal Sect has come to pay a visit. He is currently upon the lake, accompanied by a cultivator from Jiangbei. I informed him that you were recuperating from your injuries. He said... there is no rush..."

"Tianhuo?"

Upon hearing it was someone from the Golden Feather Sect, Li Ximing felt a flicker of a complicated emotion. Still, if a figure of that rank had come in person, there was no reason to keep him waiting. The Golden Feather Sect had always kept an eye on Master Baiyin. They surely knew what injuries he had sustained and how severe they were.

"I will go receive him."

After a moment's thought, Li Ximing walked outward. As if suddenly recalling something, he gave instructions, "Our family possesses the Glazed Pagoda Of Unrestrained Boundary. There is enough space within it to house people. Move it here from Mount Qingdu. Have this hall refurbished and install the pagoda within it!"

Li Quewan had no time to ask further and simply nodded in agreement. She left the hall, passed through the formation, and arrived upon the lake. As expected, she saw a Daoist Master clad in a golden Daoist robe.

His robe was embroidered with golden flames, and the cuffs bore patterns of golden stone and swirling sand. The entirety of his attire was resplendent. He was just over two meters in height, with refined brows and handsome eyes, his bearing elegant and poised. A small, gleaming silver sword-shaped ornament swayed at his waist as he stood upon the water's surface, gazing into the distance.

Beside him stood a respectful and restrained young man in blue robes whose forehead was covered in sweat. Judging by his appearance, he must be Su Yan, the one who had stirred great turmoil within the Capital Immortal Dao and forced Guan Gongxiao to repeatedly seek aid.

When he saw Li Ximing approach, the Daoist Master in golden robes turned around. His eyes shone brightly as he smiled. "Greetings, Zhaojing. I am Tianhuo of the Golden Feather Sect."

Li Ximing returned the salute and said softly, "Let us speak upon the mountain."

If the Azure Pond Sect had always been the greedy jackal pressing down upon the Li Family in their history, seeking to drain them dry, then the Golden Feather Sect was undoubtedly the smiling tiger at the side, licking its fur while watching. Though rumors claimed amicable ties with the Li Family, in truth it had been more indifference than goodwill.

If it were only that, it would not be so bad.

Yet Li Chenghui of the Chengming generation had perished in vain in the affair of Situ Mo of the Golden Tang Gate years ago. It was a matter Li Ximing deeply lamented. More than one Purple Mansion Realm cultivator had schemed against the Li Family in that incident. Fearing retaliation from such a young Purple Mansion Realm as himself, they had taken the opportunity to fan the flames and strike a few opportunistic blows. The Golden Feather Sect's indifference had amounted to allowing others to wield the Situ Family as a blade...

As for whether they had offered support... who can say.

Li Ximing could not lay all the blame upon the Golden Feather Sect. It was not even clear exactly how many Purple Mansion Realm cultivators had acted back then. The more one speculated, the more dangerous it became. He could only sigh inwardly,

It has always been like this... How could it ever be made clear? So long as Zhouwei remains unharmed.

Thus, bearing such a past, Li Ximing led him up the mountain. Daoist Master Tianhuo seemed to bear no particular sentiment and simply said with a smile, "Zhaojing must have gained much this time. I heard the Buddhist cultivator returned empty-handed. As for me, I arrived halfway through. Wang Xiaoxiao has been taken in by the Chengyun Gate."

This outcome differed little from Li Ximing's expectations. If he had intended to take Master Baiyin, then Wang Xiaoxiao could not possibly remain there waiting for him. She would certainly have been taken away. As expected, she had fallen into the hands of Chengyun Gate...

Tianhuo took his seat and waved for Su Yan to wait outside. Only then did he smile and say, "I just exchanged blows with one of the Five Bright Ones of the Pure Victory Dao. After that, I encountered members of the Helian Family and learned that they have been growing close to the Emptiness Dao of late. They insisted on competing over that Yaosa Chengmi and nearly came to blows with Lotus Temple."

Li Ximing regarded them all as troublemakers. It would be best if they truly fought. His thoughts began to turn inward,

The kasaya that enveloped Master Baiyin is still in my hands. Anything specifically meant to protect Master Baiyin should not be ordinary. But I have no use for a Buddhist cultivator's item... I should find a way to sell it.

Unaware of his thoughts, Tianhuo paused briefly. His eyes flicked toward him as he smiled and said, "The Helian Family was once illustrious, though they have struggled for many years. Now that they have a chance to breathe, they are resented by both the Gao Family and White Horse Temple, just like the Emptiness Dao. Whether for circumstances or alliances, they have little choice but to draw close to the Emptiness Dao. Yet the Emptiness Dao's two journeys to Jiangbei, stirring the conflict between north and south, were merely the acts of those driven by desperation. It is not a good vessel to board.

"Now they hope to rely on Mifan to gain some respite. That is why they pulled others into ambushing the Purple Smoke Gate. And look at it now... how much have they truly gained?"

What is he implying?! Only gained how much?

Li Ximing was taken aback by the veiled insinuation and probed softly, "I cannot judge this clearly. The Helian Family may have their own reasons for standing with the Emptiness Dao. I have heard their lands lie along the river bend and that they must contend with northern tribes and demonic creatures. Their surroundings are hardly peaceful."

"Indeed..." Tianhuo lowered his gaze slightly. Li Ximing felt a faint unease rise within as Tianhuo continued, "I have heard that you have recently grown close with the Supreme Yang Dao lineage. That is no small matter. Zhaojing is of imperial descent and carries himself uprightly, so such destiny follows naturally. Though our two houses are separated by but a single mountain, if there is any assistance we can offer, it would be best to maintain frequent contact..."

Li Ximing quickly replied, "I would not dare trouble the Immortal Sect without cause.

"I have a matter to request of you!" Tianhuo smiled and said, "Matters have mostly been divided now. I brought Su Yan back and suddenly thought of the River Mountain Sutra. I came seeking to borrow it for a while."

He continued with a trace of regret, "The River Mountain Sutra has not encountered its true destined bearer and has remained unused all these years. Duanyan[1] came once before, hoping to open it, but no suitable candidate appeared. Now that we have Su Yan, I have made this trip."

Li Ximing had long since understood the meaning of bringing Su Yan along. He sent a silent instruction and said with a smile, "This is a good matter. The River Mountain Sutra has merely been stored in our family treasury. If the Immortal Sect has use for it, you may take it. When the opportunity arises in the future, simply send a portion to the lake. That will suffice as acknowledgement."

To his surprise, Tianhuo immediately rose to his feet and said in a deeper tone, "What reasoning is this?! Golden Feather will never shirk any favor that should be acknowledged. There is no principle of taking from the lake without return. This matter should count as a debt owed by me instead."

Li Ximing met his smiling expression, unease now churning within him, and saw the other sigh, "It is only a cultivation technique...

Ah

... the Situ Family also possessed but a single cultivation technique, yet it still required the cultivators of the Supreme Yang lineage to make a trip..."

After a brief hesitation, Li Ximing finally asked, "The Golden Tang Gate... its end was truly tragic. Though my family has always been its enemy, we could not bear to see immortal descendants humiliated in such a manner. A few collateral branches remained at the time, and they were sent to my family."

When this matter was raised, Tianhuo's smile did not diminish. He avoided Li Ximing's gaze and deftly sidestepped the topic. "

Oh

... The Emptiness Dao has built a temple upon Mount Tangdao. I hear it is called the Great Primordial Hidden Radiance Temple. Quite an imposing name!"

As he spoke, he shook his head with a faint laugh. Yet his hand rested upon the teacup without moving. At last, Ding Weizeng hurried in, carrying a jade box. He placed the jade box upon the table and opened the lid. He carefully removed the golden cloth cover, revealing the River Mountain Sutra resting at the center.

"Good..."

Li Ximing handed it to Tianhuo. The Daoist Master accepted it with a smile and said in a serious tone, "I shall keep the righteousness of your esteemed family firmly in mind. In recent years, Clan Sister Qiushui has entered seclusion, cultivating the great method of splitting spirit and refining mercury to preserve essence. She has no mind to manage the sect. The sect is presently overseen by Tianque and myself. Simply send word to the Golden Feather Sect."

After a few more words, he flicked his sleeve and rose. As if recalling something, he asked, "Your family's Auspicious Child... must also have entered seclusion by now, I presume!"

Li Ximing met his gaze briefly and did not answer. The young man understood regardless, smiled, and transformed into a streak of radiant light that fled into the great void.

Ding Weizeng kept his head lowered as Li Ximing's expression froze in place. He remained silent for a long time, one hand still pressed against the table without moving.

Sensing the mood, the man clumsily began to clear the table. He gathered the jade box, the tea, and the cloth one by one. Just as he reached for Tianhuo's jade cup, Li Ximing shook his head.

"Daoist Master..."

Li Ximing raised a hand to stop him and said softly, "You may leave."

Ding Weizeng hastily bowed and withdrew. Li Ximing stepped forward slowly, gazing at his own eyes reflected in the tea within the cup.

When a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator feels joy or anger, their divine ability manifests outwardly and resonates with surrounding things. When Changxi died, the letter he left behind was so heavy that only cultivators could lift it. When the matter of Golden Tang Gate was mentioned, his rage flared skyward, with hatred grinding at his teeth. Yet he dared not voice it, suppressing both emotion and divine ability to this extent...

This cup had borne Tianhuo's suppressed fury and now weighed more than a thousand kilograms. Had Li Ximing not been present, the jade table would have toppled over and shattered at once!

1. Referring to Zhang Duanyan who first appeared in Chapter 757. ☜