Chapter 1008: Mystical Fragrance

Zhijing Mountain.

The celestial light flickered. A True Man in a white-gold Daoist robe sat upright, amidst rolling white flowers, facing a middle-aged man in green clothes who silently held his cup.

“Daoist Friend Qinghu, you are quite at leisure.”

Li Ximing sat in the host’s seat, smiling as he looked at him, sighing inwardly. Unlike his hurried departure from Wangyue a few days ago, he now appeared calm and composed. He must have found support from the Underworld.

Li Zhouwei had just left Wangyue Lake, and within an hour, Sima Yuanli arrived. It was quite a coincidence, so Li Ximing naturally waited for him to speak. Sima Yuanli looked at him with a smile, clearly in good spirits, yet he chuckled self-deprecatingly:

“Zhaojing, you're too polite. This isn't leisure or elegance. I don't even have a sect now; I have nowhere to go, so I just came for a stroll by the lake...”

This made Li Ximing put down his cup and laugh:

“A sect... why would a Daoist friend with your abilities worry about a sect?”

Sima Yuanli's sect had always been the Qingchi Sect; where else could it be? His current claim of having no sect was, in fact, an implication that he had already pledged allegiance to the Yang clan and no longer needed to enter the Lu Kui Pond! This was clearly good news, and Li Ximing's jest perfectly matched his thoughts. Sima Yuanli immediately stroked his beard and laughed, replying:

“Thank you for your kind words, Daoist friend. As for ability...” He sighed faintly and replied: “This isn't ability; it's the legacy of our predecessors. Every blessing and misfortune was decided long ago.”

Li Ximing raised an eyebrow and asked: “How is Daoist Friend Ning?”

At the mention of Ning Wan, a hint of admiration flashed across Sima Yuanli's face as he replied: “She also has a way out. Senior Yuansu made arrangements for her. While it might not guarantee her life, if she can survive until the new dynasty is established, she will immediately be safe.”

Although Li Ximing was somewhat surprised, he also felt relieved. Sima Yuanli then changed the topic and smiled:

“A few days ago, I met Xunhui and asked about his recent situation. Now that Jiangnan is gradually stabilizing, he intends to return to Yue State to serve. I wonder... how will Queyi be arranged?”

This was perfectly natural. The Sima clan's talents were dwindling; although Sima Tongyi could manage affairs, his talent was not exceptional. The only truly capable person was Sima Xunhui, who not only came from a prominent background but also had a stepmother from the Yang family. Naturally, there was no reason for him not to return. However, the Li clan was quite different. At the very least, Li Ximing currently had a good relationship with Kuang Yu and intended to approach the Zifu circles of the Southeast Seas. The Li clan's status was also different from the Sima clan, so naturally, he had no intention of calling her back. He sighed and said:

“Xunhui is a blessed child; it's good for him to return. But Queyi is highly valued by Kuang Yu, and if she returned, there would be no suitable place for her. As elders, we wouldn't want to put her in a difficult position.”

Sima Yuanli understood perfectly: "Not putting her in a difficult position actually means not putting you, Zhaojing, in a difficult position.” He nodded: “Although they will live separately, it's best for them to develop independently. The Yang clan extends its benevolence widely, especially valuing the Southeast Seas, so there will be opportunities for them to connect.”

“Oh?” Li Ximing smiled: “How do they value it?”

Sima Yuanli paused, mentally reviewed the information, deciding it wasn't a secret, and shook his head: “It concerns Shitang... Qingchi still has a glimmer of hope; it's been delayed from closing its doors precisely because of Shitang. Once Daoist Friend Zhusheng's matter is settled, there will definitely be changes in the South Sea.”

He mentioned True Man Zhusheng of the South Sea, and Li Ximing's mind immediately became clear—during the struggle at Zhuosha Mausoleum, True Man Suiguan had specifically arranged for Ning Wan to lure him to Jiangbei to deeply involve him in the matter... As long as the Underworld secured this combat power, the matter of Shitang would be easily handled!

Li Ximing nodded with a normal expression, but Sima Yuanli felt fortunate inwardly: *It's a good thing I was decisive and settled Xunhui's matter early. I feel much more at ease now. Once the news from Simin Commandery gets out, Chen will definitely try to forge connections.* *And the Li clan has always valued their bloodline closely; they clearly intend to keep Li Quewan. If they had to choose an influential figure within the Li clan, they might even choose a son of Mingyang to marry off their daughter... That would be a headache for him!*

Although Li Zhouwei was formidable, his future was unpredictable. Marrying off his daughter to Mingyang's son might not necessarily be a good thing. Thinking of this, Sima Yuanli felt secretly pleased and smiled:

“A new dynasty will be established, and there should be a new political structure... This dynasty will certainly be founded on True Qi... The path of True Qi will see advanced cultivation and enhanced divine abilities. Securing one or two official positions for our younger generation would likely greatly benefit their cultivation!”

“Daoist friend... what are your thoughts?”

Li Ximing naturally understood his meaning, but while he was interested, he wasn't overly enthusiastic: *Our family's core descendants all possess Talisman Seeds. Firstly, there's no need to send them to court, and secondly, I don't know what the consequences would be if they were sent. At most, three to five talented disciples who haven't received talismans might enter Simin to seek opportunities.* He deliberately didn't take the initiative to speak, chuckling as he replied:

“Each has their own situation. We are, after all, one family. With the Zifu Lords in harmony, how could there be any major disputes among those below?”

Sima Yuanli shook his head and sighed: “That's hard to say. Things are harmonious now, but what about the future? Even if the Zifu Lords are harmonious, it's not wrong for the younger generation to compete for benefits... It's just that my clan members aren't very ambitious. I sent so many children in, yet only Tongyi managed to contribute within the sect through his connections... I can't compare to you, Daoist friend... But if assistance is needed later, I'll have to ask for your help again...”

Li Ximing did not want to get involved in Sima clan affairs. With Li Zhouwei not yet returned, he couldn't discern his family's position in the new dynasty. He simply shook his head and sighed, replying:

“That's hard to say... Jiang Liang isn't one to think of family. Given the current situation, Daoist friend, who else would he dare side with? Only he went from my family; there isn't much support, and I can't speak on it now.”

“Furthermore...” He smiled and asked in return: “His subordinates are all your people now, aren't they!”

Sima Yuanli gave an awkward laugh and immediately changed the subject: “This time I came... I have another matter to ask you about, Daoist friend...”

Li Ximing raised an eyebrow, listening as Sima Yuanli laughed: “An elder in my family has an old friend named Pingyan, who cultivates in Yinzhou. Recently, I received a request or two, heard it was from a senior at Lotus Temple, asking me to help facilitate an exchange for your esteemed clan's treasures.”

Li Ximing was a bit surprised, feeling a hint of joy, and asked: “Is it Grand Master Minghui?”

This Minghui fellow was someone whose expression changed like turning a page. Lotus Temple was also the sect most severely colluding with Immortal cultivators, mediating several times in the collaboration between Immortals and Buddhists. Li Ximing had met him once, precisely to exchange for many Buddhist artifacts captured by the Li family! However, as the North-South conflict intensified, Chengyun Gate, the only path connected to Minghui, was relocated to the northern hinterlands, cutting off all contact. He hadn't expected this monk to still have some capability, finding his way to Sima Yuanli.

Indeed, Sima Yuanli nodded and smiled: “Precisely! I imagine Daoist friend had already anticipated this!”

Li Ximing nodded slightly, but his expression became thought-provoking as he asked: “I hear Yinzhou is the heartland of the Dragon race. True Man Pingyan must have a close relationship with the Dragon race to be able to connect with Buddhist cultivators?”

The Dragon race's relationship with Luoxia was tense, and not good with Qixiang either. Various Buddhist sects often converted demonic beings, thus frequently offending the Dragon race, and some even coveted the descendants of the Demon Emperor, which further incensed the Dragons. Li Ximing's question didn't surprise Sima Yuanli, who smiled:

“While the Dragon race is indeed overbearing, they also need mediators. Some matters cannot be accomplished through brute force, but require tact. True Man Pingyan cultivates in Yinzhou, has extensive connections, and maintains ties with various paths.” A hint of emotion, even envy, appeared on his face: “Relying on the Dragon's prestige, this senior has certainly profited handsomely...”

Li Ximing understood clearly, but ultimately, he didn't trust Buddhist cultivators. He paused slightly, frowning as he said: “Did they mention anything specific?”

Sima Yuanli quickly said: “I'm not clear on the specifics... I'm not the best person to mediate this directly now. I'm merely relaying this message: I heard that True Man Minghuang has a connection with a certain Dragon Prince, so finding someone to arrange this matter shouldn't be difficult!”

His concerns were not unfounded. Li Ximing acknowledged this, and then Sima Yuanli smiled, took a jade box from his sleeve, placed it down gently, and said:

“I heard you possess a piece of Rising Kindle Stone, Daoist friend?”

Li Ximing nodded. When Wanling Heaven manifested back then, Li clan disciples entered and gained considerable treasures, including a few elixirs, the "Heart-Taste Bane" of the Conjoining Fire and the "Rising Kindle Stone" of the Lantern Flame. Sima Yuanli then laughed:

“Lantern Flame can regulate dampness, clear rain, and rectify wood energy. I wish to cultivate a divine ability, 'Southward Journey in Reverse.' Lantern Flame's ability to regulate dampness and clear rain is greatly beneficial to it, and since the master of the 'Concentric List' is in the North, it offers significant advantages. So, I would like to use your Rising Kindle Stone.”

Traces of Lantern Flame were scarce. Sima Yuanli, as expected of someone with profound family knowledge, understood it extremely well. Li Ximing secretly nodded: “Indeed. Lantern Flame is in the North, fitting 'Southward Journey in Reverse.' Daoist friend has truly grasped the essence of Daoist calculations.”

Sima Yuanli chuckled heartily, pushed the jade box forward, and laughed: “The... True Brilliance Harmonizing Spirit Elixir you mentioned last time!”

Li Ximing's eyes lit up. He casually took it and indeed saw the miraculous radiance within, guiding divine abilities and emanating the profound essence of True Qi. He smiled and said: “Wouldn't that be shortchanging you, Daoist friend?”

The True Brilliance Harmonizing Spirit Elixir and the Nangong Profound Decay Elixir were both renowned spirit elixirs from ancient Four Secrets Daoist traditions. However, the former, being an enhancer of divine abilities, held greater value. Yet Sima Yuanli feigned reluctance and replied: “You're too kind, Daoist friend.”

He then took the Rising Kindle Stone from Li Ximing, looked at it contentedly for a moment, took a small sip of tea, and prepared to stand up to take his leave, saying:

“About that spirit incense...”

“Oh!” Li Zhouwei had obtained eight golden-veined profound incenses from a grotto-heaven but didn't know their use. Li Ximing had long ago asked Sima Yuanli to inquire about them. Now that he had news, he naturally looked up with great interest, listening as Sima Yuanli laughed:

“I asked around for you, Daoist friend, and ultimately, it was only in Peacock Sea that I found information! A senior also has a piece of that item, slightly different from yours; it's a Four Secrets Altar Profound Incense.” He said earnestly: “The Douxuan Path calls itself 'Controller of Heaven,' regularly managing incense and sacrificial rites. Although this kind of item isn't widely circulated, traces of it exist. Your piece should have its own name within the Douxuan tradition, but its origin is the same: it's a profound incense condensed from incense offerings.”

“Condensed from incense offerings?” Li Ximing immediately felt a strange sense of confusion inside, yet maintained a thoughtful expression on his face as he sighed: “Incense offerings are not prominent now, and the path of sacrifice has fallen into disuse, serving only as rituals for mourning predecessors. But does it still have any other use?”

“Yes!” Sima Yuanli said emphatically: “Ordinary people definitely won't need it, but Daoist friend, don't forget the North! Don't underestimate this item; in the eyes of the monks, it's a treasure, invaluable and unobtainable, not even for spiritual resources!”

Li Ximing nodded, and Sima Yuanli laughed: “Furthermore... some ancient incense artifacts, or some lost secret techniques, or one or two Douxuan Daoist traditions... can all make use of this item. The more complete the set from the same source, the better. If you have enough, acquiring one or two hundred pieces could even be used to bribe affairs of the Underworld.” He smiled with a somewhat cryptic meaning: “Affairs of the Underworld should never be neglected, but that doesn't mean they cannot be influenced.” The "affairs of the Underworld" he referred to were, of course, the Underworld itself.

It is difficult for cultivators to reincarnate, but theoretically, if a person's divine abilities are complete, with all five laws mastered, and possessing the ability to condense golden essence, the threshold for reincarnation would significantly decrease. The main consideration then would be the Underworld—after all, it would undermine their interests. Jiang Boqing, who caused trouble back and forth in Yue State back then, was a figure of extremely high Daoist cultivation. He bribed the Underworld and enjoyed freedom in Yue State for a period, but was eventually executed due to his involvement with immortal scriptures.

*Incense offerings...* Li Ximing finished his thoughts, rose to see him out, and casually laughed: “One or two hundred pieces? You'd likely empty Wanling Heaven and still not find a hundred, let alone a complete set...”

Sima Yuanli, being quite familiar with Wanling Heaven, nodded naturally: “Each sacrificial site yields a maximum of eight pieces. There were significant losses during the chaos. If you have two or three pieces... you might still find an opportunity to trade.”

Li Ximing saw him off all the way, and only upon returning to the mountain did he reopen the jade box to examine its contents. Seeing the True Qi brimming within and the interweaving colors, he felt a slight stirring in his heart: *There are few spirit elixirs that can perfect divine abilities. It's a pity it went to someone from the South Sea. Otherwise, with this elixir, I would have a great chance of achieving 'World's Brilliance'!"*

His first attempt at "World's Brilliance" failed. Fortunately, the Li family's expenditure on improving divine abilities was extravagant; elixirs were supplied in full every year. Now, he had also cultivated an Immortal Foundation, waiting for it to gradually perfect.

“There's also a high-grade shamanic spirit embryo, which has been in progress for over a decade. More importantly, there's the spirit armor; I need to inquire about it promptly.” Refining a spirit embryo was originally troublesome; ten or twenty years was common. The Li family had the Guanshe refining method and spared no expense, which made it quicker. He immediately summoned someone to go to Qize.

He returned to his seat, closed his eyes slightly to cultivate. In just a moment, light flickered and gathered on the mountain, revealing the golden-eyed young man.

“Minghuang!” Li Ximing was practically bursting with anticipation. He quickly descended and asked: “How did it go?”

Li Zhouwei smiled reassuringly at him: “Things aren't bad... Uncle-Grandfather, rest assured!”

At his words, Li Ximing immediately felt a great sense of relief. He pulled him to sit at the table and sighed: “Sima Yuanli came to see me earlier. He spoke in riddles, implying he wanted our family to promise to help him... I think... given the treatment the Yang family provided, our family should be valued more highly...”

Li Zhouwei nodded: “A peerage as a King.” His eyes seemed to hold somber thoughts. He carefully recounted the discussions with the Yang clan, though omitting many details, and walked with Li Ximing towards the continent, sighing softly:

“Senior Tianya greatly admires our Old Ancestor, remarking that to achieve three out of four is truly rare!”