Chapter 1408: Signs Of A Southward Advance (I)

Although the Golden Tang Gate has declined for many years, the Azure Pond Sect has relied on Golden Feather Sect to mediate ever since it has weakened. Later, when the Situ Family obtained that spirit cord, the Golden Feather Sect stopped paying any attention to it.

Everyone knows of Qiushui's attempt to achieve Fruition Attainment, as well as that Prime Magnetism counters Whole Pill. Tianhuo's anger is understandable. Perhaps Golden Tang’s destruction was tacitly permitted by the Golden Feather Sect, or they were powerless to stop it. Yet the transformation of Mount Tangdao into a treasured land of Prime Magnetism may have been beyond Golden Feather Sect's expectations.

The northern powers are tangled and complicated. Is this a warning from Mount Luoxia, a small move by the Dharma Master of the Emptiness Dao and the Dharma Master of the Great Desire Dao, or perhaps both?

Li Ximing quietly stared at the jade cup. He had once held some doubts, but from Tianhuo's perspective, the Golden Feather Sect had truly lost face this time. The minor cultivators below might not understand, yet which Purple Mansion Realm cultivator lacked experience? Even if they did not know the transformation of golden qi, the Prime Magnetism that appeared at the end and its influence on spiritual aura had been witnessed by all.

Perhaps an immortal sent a servant down the mountain, and after a few careless steps, the fellow stepped on a tiger's tail. Yet since the tiger is acting under orders, he could not bite back, and now must even wonder whether the immortal is unwilling to let the tiger cub grow up.

Li Ximing sighed inwardly. The Golden Feather Sect stood behind a Golden Core power, yet they could only remain silent in the face of such a matter. One reason was the limits of the current situation. Taiyuan was most likely still in the Outer Heavens. But another reason lay in the fact that although the Golden Feather Sect had many Purple Mansion Realm cultivators, unless Daoist Master Qiushui personally acted, they probably could not force Emptiness Dao, Great Desire Dao, and the Helian Family to retreat.

But with True Monarch Taiyuan absent, could the Golden Feather Sect truly allow Qiushui to act? And if she did act, how would they handle the situation afterward?

Tianhuo had left with a heart full of anger, yet Li Ximing's own expression gradually grew grim.

Mount Tangdao has a temple established upon it. However, the Golden Feather Sect has implied that they will not interfere.

The implications were far from trivial!

After Emptiness Dao broke the gate, they had not left. Instead they built a temple on Mount Tangdao. If the Golden Feather Sect still refused to step forward, then this would no longer be a mere act of plunder. But would the Buddhist cultivators stop there? The balance between the north and south was already fragile. If the Buddhist cultivators continued moving south, then the fall of the Golden Tang Gate would mean the collapse of the western gateway of Xu State. Brahma Cloud lay just beyond the mountains, and beyond Brahma Cloud stood the gates of his Moongaze Lake.

Although the Golden Tang Gate was hardly a righteous force, its long survival had its reasons. Now that it had been destroyed, the Golden Feather Sect's refusal to act was humiliating, yet the Li Family also felt a thorn pressing against their back.

No wonder they came looking for me...

Li Ximing had long known that the situation of the Supreme Yang Dao lineage was uncertain. Yet with his family standing by the riverbank, was there any other path to take? Sighing inwardly, he dispersed the divine ability lingering on the cup with his mana. At that moment, Ding Weizeng reported that Li Jiangxia and Li Quewan had come to request an audience.

Li Ximing waved his hand to allow them to come up, still somewhat distracted.

Li Quewan soon appeared in the lead, with Li Jiangxia striding behind in bold steps. When they arrived before him and bowed, Li Ximing asked the question he cared about most, "How is Jiangbei?"

The woman replied respectfully, even though her face was filled with worry, "The Buddhist cultivators do not dare move against Chengyun Gate. Instead they have crossed the mountains through the territory of the Golden Tang Gate. They have taken back all the lands once belonging to the Golden Tang Gate and established the Great Primordial Hidden Radiance Temple. Now they have crossed the stream and entered the lands of Brahma Cloud. Large and small forces alike are terrified, and many are showing signs of surrendering at the mere sight of them.

"As for the east, Su Yan has joined the Golden Feather Sect. The devil cultivators within the territory of Capital Immortal Dao have fled in all directions, yet the Dao lineage has suffered severe damage to its vital qi. It is said that there are Merciful Ones still present in that territory and are extremely arrogant, yet Daoist Master Yehui has not been seen anywhere."

They really have crossed the mountains!

Li Ximing felt a headache brewing as he said, "Damn this Yehui. You still refuse to show yourself at a time like this. His own territory lies beyond Hidden East[1], yet he does not even want his Dao lineage anymore!"

Li Ximing might curse him, yet ruthless indifference had its advantages. After all, Li Ximing himself could not act that way. South of the Brahma Cloud territory lay Floating South[2] and Hidden East, lands the Li Family had always watched closely. The two juniors had clearly come to ask about those places.

Li Jiangxia stepped forward and said firmly, "If Daoist Master gives the order, we will lead a force of troops and advance together with the Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators. In less than an hour, Floating South and Hidden East will both fall into our family's hands!"

Floating South lay directly across the northern shore and had long served as a buffer between the Li Family and the north. Naturally it could not be abandoned lightly. Yet the current situation had grown increasingly severe and could not be ignored. Li Ximing rose to his feet and flicked his sleeve.

Colored light flashed, and four dharma artifacts appeared upon the table.

Each of these dharma artifacts carried an ancient air. They were a saber, a spear, a feather fan, and a treasure pearl. They were simple in design, yet were all fine items. Among them, the Purple Radiant White Li Pearl[3] was the best. It belonged to the path of Purple Essence and shone like a star. Its quality surpassed Li Minggong's Six-Cornered Scarlet Flame Lamp and nearly matched Li Zhouwei's Da Sheng[4]. Even Li Ximing looked at it twice and praised it.

"This Purple Radiant White Li Pearl is undoubtedly a dharma artifact forged with ancient techniques. Unfortunately our family's Purple Essence has not flourished, so it will remain with me for now."

After all, his own cultivation method still depended on Purple Smoke Gate, so keeping such an item would not be wrong. The remaining artifacts, the spear Astonishing Ring Spear, the feather fan Intercloud Clear Radiance Fan, and the long saber Bright Candle Saber, were all comparable in quality to the Six-Cornered Scarlet Flame Lamp. They were all fine items for members of the Li Family.

Li Ximing gave his orders gravely, "Times are not what they once were. The ones coming are Buddhist cultivators from the north. Divide these items and go to the northern shore to wait. Await my command."

"Yes."

The two responded together, bowed, and withdrew. Li Ximing did not bother with further arrangements as he transformed into Radiant Light and sped away.

After leaving Moongaze Lake, he saw bright radiance shining in the distant great void. The Prime Magnetism energy in the north was still undergoing transformation and silently influencing the great void. Clearly the effects caused by Mount Tangdao were still intensifying. He soon encountered Ning Wan within the great void.

Fairy Qiuhu[5] had returned as though stepping upon snow. When she saw him, she said softly, "Greetings, Zhaojing. Your arrival is timely. I was just about to come look for you."

Li Ximing's expression was grave as he said in a straightforward but soft tone, "The Buddhist cultivators still show signs of moving south... Qiuhu, do you have any plans?"

The territories of the Supreme Yang Dao lineage were concentrated along the coast. In the eastern half of Jiangbei stood Chengyun Gate, Capital Immortal Dao, and Xuanmiao Temple, forming a barrier in the north. The Golden Tang Gate once guarded the western approach, while only Moongaze Lake guarded the south. Ning Wan naturally understood the gravity of the matter. She could not allow him to feel abandoned at such a time.

𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

She answered in a deep voice, "Rest assured, Zhaojing. I have already sent people to invite Xiukui Dao Gate and Sword Gate. If the Golden Feather Sect refuses to act, we cannot simply stand by."

She was clearly here for this very matter and said gravely, "Did you know that Helian Wumeng of the Helian Family has also arrived from the north and joined forces with the Emptiness Dao? That man is undoubtedly a devil cultivator. Such aggressive momentum suggests this situation is truly not simple."

Li Ximing did not know whether people from the Golden Feather Sect had contacted her, but he secretly let out a breath of relief and replied, "Whether this ends in battle or negotiation, we must draw a boundary with the Buddhist cultivators. We will need the help of our fellow cultivators. I will go to the Capital Immortal Dao first. If the seniors arrive, come there directly to find me."

1. Also known as Hidden Cloud (old name). ☜

2. Also known as Floating Cloud (old name). ☜

3. "Li" (澧, Lǐ) refers to the Li River in Hunan, China. ☜

4. The halberd of Li Zhouwei. ☜

5. Previously known as Autumn Lake Fairy. ☜