Chapter 1409: Signs Of A Southward Advance (II)

Li Ximing did not harbor much goodwill. But even if Yehui did not return to provide aid, the Capital Immortal Dao could not be moved or abandoned. It stood in the same situation as the Li Family. The entire Capital Immortal Dao would become allies sharing the same hatred. If a real battle broke out, a group of Master Monks heading south could also stand to one side and share the pressure. At the very least, the monks could not be allowed to break through freely. Otherwise the Wilderness would suffer as well.

Guan Gongxiao and the others can still fight. One must prepare for the worst in everything.

As Brahma Cloud, no one knew how dangerous it had become. Li Ximing certainly had no desire to go there alone. If he looked into the great void, who knew how many Maha or Merciful Ones might appear. He would also risk exposing his own abnormalities. It would be better to do the opposite and make a trip to the Capital Immortal Dao.

Ning Wan understood his thoughts. Even if Li Ximing did not go, she would have to go there to coordinate matters. Thus she simply nodded. "That is right. Even if Yehui does not return, the cultivators of our Immortal Dao cannot die in vain. Fellow Daoist Kuiqi and I will come together."

Her expression carried a trace of helplessness as she changed the topic. "As for Xuanmiao Temple, I have already met Senior Sumian. He appeared and took Fei Qingfei away... I had thought it would be Chengyan[1], yet it turned out to be him. Old Qi[2] used his divine ability to confuse others, and though it was skillful, it could not deceive my Clear Hearing."

Ning Wan had cultivated a Fate Divine Ability, and her own Dao lineage and spirit artifact were both formidable. Although Sumian had inherited a portion of the Tongxuan Dao lineage, he ultimately could not compare with Ning Wan and had left a few traces.

Perhaps Daoist Master Xuan Yi had mentioned something earlier, or perhaps the Li Family's relationship with them was far better than with Xuanmiao Temple. Now that they were in the same boat, she spoke plainly, which caused Li Ximing to sigh softly.

Fei Qingfei is only a mortal... What could Sumian possibly want by taking her away...

————

Baiye Mountain Gate.

Brilliant golden light flashed across the sky as a golden figure with a crimson face and protruding fangs rode a red tiger across the heavens. It was as large as a mountain and its blue and crimson eyes burned with raging flames. Its voice thundered like rolling thunder, enough to stop a child's crying.

"May I ask where Senior Yehui is? I am Chilu, and I wish to meet the senior!"

The voice scattered the clouds, and caused the purple water radiance over the mountain gate to spread outward in rippling waves. Clearly the Purple Mansion Realm grand formation had already been fully activated, cutting off the great void with immense force.

Naturally, Chilu could not break the Purple Mansion Realm grand formation. Yet he delighted in seeing the people inside panic and shout in fear. He burst into booming laughter that shook the sky.

Still, though he appeared to be enjoying himself, the flames burning behind him kept flickering and formed a spinning wheel that pulsed without pause. It seemed to be calculating the changes between the great void and the manifest world. He was ready to depart at any moment. After all, Yehui was also a mid-stage Purple Mansion Realm cultivator who possessed three divine abilities.

Inside the formation, the black-robed gate master's expression was so dark that it seemed as if blood might drip from it. He burned with rage when he saw the giant outside striking the formation like a gong while the cultivators below staggered and bled from their ears. Yet he knew their Daoist Master would not appear.

It is not just Chilu. Reports say there are at least three or even more Merciful Ones within the territory of the Capital Immortal Dao...

Over the past few years Guan Gongxiao had practically worried himself gray. Devil cultivators rampaged freely within the territory and chaos reigned everywhere. He also had to worry about the concerns of his superior and dared not act freely. After finally enduring until the superior left, a Daoist Master from the Golden Feather Sect descended from the sky and took Su Yan away.

Boom!

When he saw golden light rushing in from two more directions, he grew even more terrified. One Merciful One held a sword, another held a blade. Their massive bodies looked equally formidable, though they were less flamboyant than the tiger rider.

The purple water rippled more and more violently and Guan Gongxiao began to panic inwardly,

Two on this side and two on that side. Even the Purple Mansion Realm grand formation cannot withstand this kind of assault!

Yet colored clouds rose in the sky and radiance spread in all directions. Chilu suddenly looked up with a wary expression. The patterns on his face flickered and twisted with fury as he cursed, "Li Ximing! You still dare to show yourself?!"

Boom!

Blazing Radiant Light flashed across the sky as dark clouds split apart, revealing two brilliant pillars of the heavenly gate. Banners fluttered while golden phoenixes accompanied it, descending from the heavens with dazzling trails of flame.

That thing again!

None of the three Merciful Ones dared meet it, nor did anyone dare reach out to receive it. Each transformed into qi and fled in different directions. Heavenly light rolled across the sky, stirring wind and dust as cultivators scattered in retreat.

A Daoist Master clad in a white golden Daoist robe stepped down upon the heavenly gate with a cold expression and said without courtesy, "Fellow Daoist, you come to stir trouble within the territory of our Immortal Dao and leave the people suffering. Are you planning to return to the Buddhist land already?"

Chilu truly felt wary and had no desire to fight Li Ximing in such dangerous territory. After all, he still didn’t know whether Yehui was present or not. If he were to be suppressed by the Heaven-Venerating Gate and Yehui suddenly appeared, then Chilu might as well close his eyes and wait for death.

He quickly calculated,

I came only to test Yehui's whereabouts and observe the reactions of the surrounding Dao lineages. That is why I made such a grand display. I must not lose this dharma body here.

Thus he dared not approach. He summoned the light of the Buddhist land from afar, laughed loudly, and shouted, "What is this? Fellow Daoist Li has come to play the champion of justice? We spread the true path and promote the sacred way. What business is it of yours in the south? This is not your concern!"

The Buddhist land was not far from here, and the cultivators of the Supreme Yang Dao lineage had not yet all arrived. Although Li Ximing knew there were only three opponents before him, he did not rush into battle. He suspended the heavenly gate above the Capital Immortal Dao mountain gate and faced the three calmly.

𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

He said, "Then come up and promote your true path."

Since Li Ximing remained unmoved, Chilu did not advance. The Buddhist land had an excellent intelligence network; everyone was already aware that Li Ximing now possessed both a spirit embryo and a spirit artifact. He was far different from before. Chilu would not test the mettle of his dharma body recklessly.

Moreover, since Li Ximing had arrived, Ning Wan and Kuiqi were likely not far away. So Chilu merely rode his tiger away, secretly observing and assessing their strength. On the other hand, Li Ximing did not fear his delaying tactics. He knew the surrounding great void like the back of his hand.

Soon Guan Gongxiao rose on the wind and passed through the formation, crying out, "Daoist Master's righteousness is boundless. This humble one receives your grace with reverence... I am endlessly grateful!"

Whether his emotions were complicated or not was unclear, but shared interests had always bound people together. The same principle applied to the Golden Feather Sect and to the Capital Immortal Dao. In truth, the Capital Immortal Dao's ambiguous attitude had always stemmed from this.

Li Ximing kept his expression cold and asked calmly, "I simply cannot stand Buddhist cultivators. Where has Yehui gone?"

Guan Gongxiao hurriedly bowed and replied respectfully, "Daoist Master, our Daoist Master obtained an opportunity and set out to travel across the outer-sea. No one knows where he has gone, nor when he will return..."

By mentioning opportunity, Guan Gongxiao implied two things. First, that Yehui could return, though whether it was worth returning was another matter. Second, that Yehui was not in secluded recovery from injury but remained a mid-stage Purple Mansion Realm cultivator with three divine abilities.

He quickly added, "Our Daoist Master spoke with me several times in past years. He said that Moongaze Lake and our gate were natural allies, yet he was constrained by Daoist Master Changxiao and had no choice but to trouble you over the matter of Profound Peak Gate. He felt deeply ashamed. Now... now everyone in the Capital Immortal Dao owes Daoist Master Zhaojing a portion of gratitude!"

He began to cry in his agitation. Li Ximing glanced at him, unconcerned whether the words were true or false, and simply frowned as he said, "Send word for him to return at once. The Buddhist cultivators have reached your very gate. If he does nothing, then he will see only your corpses when he finally returns!"

While giving orders aloud, his thoughts sank,

Xuanyi once mentioned that Yehui struggled when fighting Buddhist cultivators. Yet it should not have reached this extent!

Li Ximing slowly examined Guan Gongxiao before him.

Even if the Daoist Master is absent, there should still be a direct disciple remaining. He must cultivate the same method. One can judge the whole from a part.

He looked at him calmly and asked quietly, "Have you fought Buddhist cultivators before? What impressions did you gain?"

1. Referring to Daoist Master Chengyan of Changxiao Gate. ☜

2. This is referring to Sumian. Sumian is also known as Old Daoist Master Qi. ☜