Chapter 1444: Illuminating Sun And Moon (I)

"Not at all, not at all!"

The two exchanged a glance and quickly cupped their fists in greeting. Wang Long simply said, "Fellow Daoist, you are too modest. When you were born... auspicious clouds drifted like a canopy, white cicadas covered the ground, and qilin bore the child. We all received orders.

"Judge Yang sent the two of us to the corresponding location in the underworld. One of us sounded the conch, the other stirred the winds. Then we rose from the Shiqi and rang the Morning Mist Bell for three quarters of an hour. It was all done according to ancient rites, to celebrate your birth. We always knew this day would come, so waiting a little while means nothing."

Li Zhouwei naturally knew that nothing about him had ever been hidden from the moment he was born. Perhaps some Purple Mansion Realm cultivators in a distant coastal or northern region might not know, but when it came to those figures above the heavens, playing their game and holding the seas within their grasp, how could they fail to see the board? Of course they knew everything clearly.

Taking the opportunity, he asked, "I've troubled you, Fellow Daoist. The world is vast. In this age, there are countless people with such signs. You praise me too highly."

"That is not correct." Wang Long shook his head and replied, "You possess more than a single destiny. Your nobility lies in being a descendant of the Golden Core, and that noble lineage matches your fate, making it all the more exalted. There are many gifted individuals in this world who are fate bearers, but once they break through to the Purple Mansion Realm, their Fate Divine Ability can be cultivated by others as well. What they are born with can be learned by others. Even if there are some peculiarities, it is hard to say they surpass other divine abilities by much.

"I have heard of the affairs of the world. Setting aside reincarnation and innate talents such as the sword path, if we speak only of fate and bloodline, aside from that one of the Tuoba Family, anyone who can compare to you has only just been born. Moreover..."

He hesitated slightly, as if weighing whether he should continue. After another glance, he finally said, "I believe you understand your own identity. You can determine, in full view of all, the future of those with great destiny and great divine ability. Who could say your destiny is not vast? Is that not itself a kind of divine ability? Naturally, it gives rise to all manner of wonders. And when a domineering Fruition Attainment like Bright Yang no longer favors a single person alone, an exception like you—does that not deserve to be called a destiny beyond measure?"

Li Zhouwei's situation was part of a game among the heavens. What the Dragon Clan knew, the Underworld's judiciary would not know any less. The two before him were courteous, and Zhang Gui said in a simple, earnest tone, "Your fate aligns with Bright Yang, and your bloodline descends from the Wei Emperor. In ancient times, you would surely have been called a Dao Body."

But he was not good with words and stopped abruptly. His companion immediately picked up the thread, "In the past, the Dao Bodies of the Wei State all had different names, and they were always quite long. Emperor Wu, for instance, was called the [Heaven-Exalted Radiant Light, Ten-Directions Revered Imperial Body]. It's nothing unusual...

haha...

emperors of the Celestial Dynasty always cared about such things."

Li Zhouwei fell into thought. The two emissaries of the Underworld's judiciary did not seem to have much time. Wang Long nodded repeatedly and moved straight to the main matter, cupping his hands in greeting. "Though we are already familiar with your great name, the formalities must still be observed..."

He straightened his posture and asked with a solemn air, "What is your name?"

Li Zhouwei nodded and replied, "I am Zhouwei of the Li Family. Zhou as in renewal, Wei as in towering."

As his words rang out, ink began to gather in the large brush in Wang Long's hand. Zhang Gui, standing to the side, said, "Do we still need to look it up?"

His pink lips moved as he started flipping through the thick book in his hands. Wang Long urged him impatiently, "What's there to look for? Just write it!"

Clearly, not only Li Ximing, but even Li Zhouwei would likely not have their names recorded in the book. Wang Long had served in the mortal branch of the Underworld's judiciary for years. How could he not know this?

He grumbled inwardly,

No wonder he's been an errand-runner longer than I have. With such poor judgment, how could he ever be promoted? Li Ximing's name can't even be found anymore. Who knows whose doing that is. Li Zhouwei is clearly even more important, a major piece in the world's shifting game. It would be strange if his name were recorded at all!

The two fussed about for quite a while before finally putting brush to paper. After listening, Li Zhouwei brushed his hand over the storage pouch at his waist and took out a jade box, only to see Wang Long smile and say, "That won't do, that won't do!"

Ordinary gifts could be accepted, but this one he could not. He pushed the jade box back, still wearing an awkward smile, and said, "How could we possibly take something from you, Fellow Daoist? If not for the rules, the two of us should be the ones offering you gifts. After all, matters of great figures are not for us to discuss. In the future, when you have the chance to break through to the Golden Core Realm, if it does not interfere with greater affairs, you may choose any place in this region as you wish... perhaps consider selecting somewhere closer to the area under our jurisdiction..."

So they are after Metallic Essence...

Li Zhouwei understood and gave a slight nod. Wang Long waved his hands repeatedly, disclaiming responsibility as he said, "Do not let this delay the matters above! If it is inconvenient, that is fine. We will have many chances to meet in the future. If we could just have the chance to witness your divine ability and see your future achievements... that would be more than enough!"

Even the slow-moving Zhang Gui put on a flattering smile. He set down the large book and said respectfully, "This can certainly be discussed... we only fear we may be too presumptuous. For now, we still have matters to handle in the north, so we will not trouble you further."

The two exchanged a few more words with smiles, then transformed into two gusts of Yin wind and dispersed.

It seems the methods of the Underworld's judiciary are no less formidable...

Yang Tianya[1] achieved divine ability even earlier than Houfu, yet no one knows his current cultivation. He had stayed hidden behind the scenes... the north and south have fought to such a state, and yet the entire Yang Family appears harmless, without a single move from him.

Compared to the faintly domineering force in the north, with its iron control over the entire world's situation, the methods of the Underworld's judiciary were far more subtle, working unseen like moisture soaking into things. If the Li Family had not been informed early about Yang Tianya, they might still regard the Yang Family as nothing more than a group of fallen royals secluded in the mountains.

But on closer thought, the key connection between the Yang Family and the Li Family lay in the marriage of Li Xizhi. Could it be seen as the Yang Family placing an early bet on the Li Family? If so, what other arrangements had Yang Tianya made?

As a mixed bloodline of the Yang and Li Families... what role does Zhouluo's lineage play under the Azure Pond Sect...?

Li Zhouwei pondered for quite some time, then shook his head and stopped thinking about it. After confirming the two had truly left, his figure transformed into light and vanished. There was no time to visit anyone. He stepped through the great void and descended toward the lake.

He flew into the grand formation, passed through rows of towering profound pillars, and entered the inner hall. There, in the dim hall, stood a single pagoda.

It was the [Glazed Pagoda Of Unrestrained Boundary].

He stepped onto the top of the pagoda, sat cross-legged, and closed his eyes as he silently recited an incantation,

I, Zhouwei of the Li Family, ascend through divine ability, seeking perfection in virtue... I pray to rise within the Mandate of Heaven, to be inscribed upon the profound register... to open the profound clarity and continue the Dao!

Dong!

A faint sense of weightlessness came at once. He felt the white orb within his Shenyang Mansion tremble, and his body seemed to shrink instantly. Before his eyes, a misty, cloud-filled world appeared, and a chill spread across the back of his head.

1. Also known as Daoist Master Guanxuan. First appeared in Chapter 44 ☜