Chapter 1015: Sima Family

Si Yuanli held up the jade bottle and handed it to Li Zhouwei, inviting the golden-eyed youth to examine it closely. Inside, Li Zhouwei saw a clear, brownish-yellow energy swirling, seemingly eager to escape.

Li Zhouwei had once acquired a "Six Harmonies Treasure Bottle Treatise" in the Wanling Heaven, which described methods for refining treasure bottles. It contained detailed requirements for high-grade spiritual resources, making recognition not difficult. He raised an eyebrow and said:

"This item is 'Spiritual Vessel Brilliance.' Although called a spiritual resource, it's not entirely pure. It's a refined essence blended from Purple Mansion-level spiritual resources, needing to be stored in a bottle or urn. It can awaken the spirit and maintain unique properties, often used in cultivating mystic arts. There are two portions here... As for whether it can extract energy, that depends on the lineage."

This was clearly not the answer Si Yuanli wanted. He withdrew his gaze with a hint of disappointment and suspicion.

*He's surprisingly familiar with this item... yet he just asked me about the path of High Ritual. He must be testing me!*

So he smiled and said:

"So, Fellow Daoist, you also possess some inheritance of the High Ritual lineage. My own superficial insights must have amused you."

Li Zhouwei turned his hand to put away the spiritual resources, meticulously scrutinizing the grotto-mansion. He casually remarked:

"Each family's lineage is different. I merely have a treatise or two that allows me to discern a few things, unlike the comprehensive traditions of noble families."

He was speaking the truth; whether Si Yuanli believed him or not was another matter. As they spoke, the sound of a formation breaking echoed again. Billowing white mist poured out, but there was nothing there, only flashes of lightning. Si Yuanli had to raise his divine ability to resolve the disruption, explaining somewhat awkwardly:

"The 'Thunderbolt Formation-Breaking Wedge' is too violent for breaching formations. It's fast, but it often leaves behind disruptions, requiring extra effort."

This place was proving to be very troublesome. Liu Changdie was unwilling to come to the interior of the sea, making it difficult to find someone to handle it. Si Yuanli, being capable of such manipulations, saved considerable time. Li Zhouwei simply sat by, watching Li Minggong stride in and whisper:

"Reporting, True Person, the Changxiao mountain gate is now stable. All lineages have been gathered, deciphered one by one, and brought into the grotto-mansion... Numerous spiritual objects have already been loaded into the boat. Everything is in order!"

The Li family's efficiency was extremely high, and with Wu Fan leading the way at Changxiao Sect, these resources were quickly plundered. Li Zhouwei nodded and said:

"Let True Person Qinghu also listen." Then, Li Minggong said:

"The Changxiao Sect possesses three Purple Mansion lineages, all Fourth Grade. They are: the 'Earthly Vast Mountain Scripture,' which achieves 'Wutu' Immortal Imperviousness; the 'Responding Stone Glaze Light Scripture,' which achieves 'True Qi' Embracing Stone Slumber; and the 'Cold Snow Solitary Peak Scripture,' which achieves 'Cold Qi' Pine Peak Snow."

"As for Fourth Grade mystic arts, there are two: 'Mountain Sacrificing Stone Division Art,' a Wutu attack method, and 'Cold Light Prophecy Incantation,' a Cold Qi mystic art."

She raised her hand, revealing five glistening golden jade slips in her palm, and answered in a low voice:

"The remaining one or two dozen methods have not yet had their activation methods discovered; we are still interrogating. Based on the observations of various cultivators, none are of Purple Mansion design, so the yield is likely sparse."

Hearing these things, Si Yuanli was quite moved. Fourth Grade mystic arts were already valuable enough for ordinary Purple Mansion direct descendants. However, for the Li family, cultivation methods and mystic arts were not rare. Li Zhouwei was clearly somewhat disappointed, frowning as he said:

"It's impossible to find the High Ritual lineage among these peaks. Changxiao possesses no shortage of Fifth, or even Sixth Grade, spells, but they clearly haven't bestowed them upon their sect disciples. No wonder the Changxiao Sect, despite its great reputation, has few exceptionally talented individuals... There's only Wang Fu... who even cultivated a dead-end path."

Si Yuanli raised an eyebrow and chuckled:

"How could it be as close-knit as your noble family! So-called sects are burdened by in-laws, and guests are cunning and disruptive. Even a sincere master... teaches while holding back a trick to earn their disciples' respect, let alone a malicious and cunning sect like Changxiao."

"There are always drawbacks when human involvement is involved."

Li Zhouwei shook his head. Li Minggong waited for their conversation to cease before speaking:

"The Sima Merit Bureau has brought people to the mountains."

This mountain was to be handed over to the Sima family. Leaving this interval was intentionally giving the Li family time to plunder resources. Li Zhouwei immediately looked at Li Minggong:

"Bind Cheng Yan's in-laws, guests, disciples, and grand-disciples all together, and let him decide their fate."

The north was watching covetously, and the Li family couldn't linger here. His words clearly meant transferring control of the mountain. Li Minggong nodded and withdrew. Si Yuanli smiled faintly, and another shattering sound arose. This spot seemed to have unblocked a vital point; the already precarious inner formation began to tremble, as if it could shatter at any moment. Si Yuanli hastily pulled an item from his robe.

The item was palm-sized, a piece of cyan-colored spiritual wood. When placed within the spiritual formation, the previously shaking grand formation immediately stabilized. Si Yuanli gently hooked his finger, and the contents flowed out like water, arranging themselves one by one on the table.

There were items of silver and white, scattered openly, with mysterious patterns shimmering: one scroll, one jade slip, one jade box, two talismans, and four jade bottles.

Li Zhouwei nodded and smiled, "Thank you for your trouble, Fellow Daoist!" "No trouble at all!"

Si Yuanli hesitated, then smiled and shook his head. Li Zhouwei paid him no further mind, scanning the scroll and spell book.

The scroll was silver-white, its texture and form quite different from the "Qilin Light Radiant Sun Divine Scroll" of old. It was an ancient item. A gentle shake opened it, revealing six large silver characters:

"Subduing Nether Mountain Art Book"

Li Zhouwei's glance immediately told him it was a Wutu art, the source of Cheng Yan's "Subduing Light Wutu Radiance" spell. That radiance was extremely powerful, appearing to be Fifth Grade, truly from an extraordinary origin.

*Cheng Yan didn't carry this on him, so I don't have to share it with Si Yuanli...*

The jade slips, of course, couldn't be activated, which was a headache. The two talismans were "Mind-Shifting Form-Scattering Talismans" used by Cheng Yan. Among the four pills in the jade bottles, only one "Nangong Xuansui Pill" was noteworthy; the other three were Wutu pills, difficult to sell.

The jade box contained a "Prepared Heart Ice," a Cold Qi spiritual resource. It wasn't particularly valuable but was quite rare. It could dispel heart demons and sever fire toxins, and when thrown into a spring, it would yield the Foundation Establishment spiritual resource "Unforecast Cold Water." This was considered the most valuable gain among them.

He casually put them away, taking a quick inventory:

*It's truly been emptied out, but at least Cheng Yan wasn't too shabby.* Si Yuanli, beside him, looked wistful and shook his head, saying:

"Cheng Yan used a treasure called the 'Yongjing Mystic Ring'... it wasn't seen during the fight. I still held some hope that it was stored in the treasury, but it seems Changxiao took it. There was also an 'Earthly Soul Tempering Stone,' a treasure that could refine an outer body; that's not here either..."

Only then did Li Zhouwei realize what he was looking for. He shook his head with a slight smile, his gaze falling upon the green wood maintaining the inner formation, a hint of doubt in his eyes as he asked:

"This is..."

The entire Changxiao Mountain was given to Si Yuanli, but the Purple Mansion grand formation was not so generously handed over. Li Zhouwei wouldn't give him a chance to manipulate the situation, so he directly asked. Si Yuanli shook his head and replied:

"The core of this Purple Mansion grand formation is hidden within. We don't have the master's command token, so we can't easily move it. I shattered the inner formation and used this 'Displacing Mulberry Wood' to conceal the core; otherwise, the formation would malfunction."

Li Zhouwei smiled slightly and asked:

"It seems this formation isn't so easy to acquire."

This Purple Mansion grand formation was valuable, even superior to the formation on the lake. However, the Li family had no intention of using it themselves. Firstly, they simply lacked the energy to undertake such an endeavor again. Secondly, this was Changxiao Zi's grand formation... who would dare to use it without a complete overhaul? Cultivating within it without a thorough modification would not be peaceful. But with such a modification, who knew how much power would remain?

*If the grand formation on my family's lake ever needs to be replaced... it would also be by building a new one ourselves, abandoning the old, and then relocating this new one... How much difference would there be?*

Si Yuanli also considered this. Although "High Ritual" did not conflict with "True Wood," he was wealthy. Instead of wasting materials on repeated modifications, it would be more peaceful and comfortable to build his own. Hearing this, he understood with pleasure:

"I will dismantle it for you, Fellow Daoist!"

A Purple Mansion grand formation required immense resources and was a troublesome undertaking. Even with Xuan Yue's formation core, the Li family had spent untold spiritual materials in the past. Li Zhouwei nodded, stepping out with him and saying softly:

"As we are here, I will leave people behind. Just give the orders, Fellow Daoist. However, the formation core is valuable, so once the grand formation is dismantled, I must trouble you to send it over!"

Si Yuanli himself would also use this mountain gate, so he didn't mind the trouble and nodded with a smile. Li Zhouwei, unusually, gave him a few more smiles, then shifted his gaze and asked:

"Now that you have a mountain gate to settle in, the Sima family also has a different aura."

Si Yuanli began to cast a spell, seemingly coordinating the outer formation. For a moment, white mist flowed horizontally, though the sky above was empty. He paid no attention, continuing to hold the spell and asking in a low voice:

"At that time, when I asked Fellow Daoist Zhaojing about the mountain gate on Zhijing Mountain, it was merely a prelude. I planned to wait for things to settle, draw in the Chen family, and then ask Fellow Daoist Zhaojing again."

"I originally thought the Li clan always kept to themselves on the lake, never taking charge of external affairs... but I didn't expect Your Highness to be so decisive, crossing Mushroom Forest Plain overnight and slaying Cheng Yan. Wuyue must be in an uproar."

While securing the Changxiao mountain gate was certainly cause for celebration, Si Yuanli also felt considerable regret. This matter was too abrupt for all the Purple Mansions. Not only Cheng Yan, but also he, Si Yuanli, had been caught off guard.

The Changxiao Sect was definitely going to be targeted. According to Si Yuanli's plan, once the overall situation stabilized, his Sima family would naturally lead the effort, uniting with the Chen and Li clans to destroy Changxiao...

This way, it would be Si Yuanli who broke Changxiao, the mountain gate would certainly be his, and if the Purple Mansion grand formation could be preserved, all the better. The remaining spiritual objects could be distributed a bit more to the two families, forming good connections...

Now, although the outcome was the same, the leading party was different, making it even more awkward for Si Yuanli. The Li clan had indeed granted him the mountain gate, but a dignified Purple Mansion grand formation would certainly not be given to him for free!

Therefore, when the Li family urgently sought him out, Si Yuanli was utterly shocked. Who could have imagined the Li family would suddenly be so aggressive? After a brief moment of shock came hesitation, and then he immediately understood the crucial point!

But no matter how subtly he tried to scheme, the two families now appeared so enthusiastic that there was no room for him to refuse. Even if he had refused, would Li Zhouwei have been unable to break Changxiao? At most, Cheng Yan would have escaped! Once Changxiao was broken, Si Yuanli would have achieved nothing, losing all benefits, let alone the mountain gate!

Even if he somehow managed to regain the Changxiao mountain gate later, with Cheng Yan having escaped, what would he do with all the orphans on the mountain? Should he kill them or not?

Sometimes, in changing situations, who is the master and who is the guest is merely a matter of timing. This single difference meant losing at least one Purple Mansion grand formation... enough to trouble an ordinary Purple Mansion for decades. Even with Si Yuanli's excessive wealth, he couldn't help but inwardly wince in pain.

Ultimately, his thoughts ran deep. He appeared completely natural from beginning to end, only suggesting an even split of Changxiao's treasures. But he harbored regret and wanted to ask a few more questions.

Li Zhouwei glanced at him, neither confirming nor denying, and replied openly:

"The Li clan seeks revenge, and I also seek revenge. The Li clan seeks self-preservation, and I seek the Dao. He was right; if it wasn't my family, it would have been another. It's just a pity that it was me who came."

Si Yuanli hesitated, remaining silent, seemingly still pondering the weight of "seeking the Dao" in Li Zhouwei's words and how the Sima family should position itself in the future. After a long time, he finally raised his eyebrows to look at him.

*The great tree of the White Qilin has grown to a point where it can be relied upon. Though there might be a day it falls, for now, it is very sturdy.*

This was the Li clan's challenge. Si Yuanli did not worry about it, simply walked forward step by step, gradually raising his head.

A faint sound of dripping blood could be heard. Si Yuanli placed his hand on his waist, unfastened his green outer robe, and draped it over his arm. The golden tassels immediately fell, revealing his pristine white inner lining.

"My family should establish a clan."

True Person Qinghu, Sima Yuanli, exhaled deeply, his expression undergoing a distinct change.

Li Zhouwei glanced at him again, his gaze somewhat distant as he stared at the ground beneath his feet. He said softly:

"When I arrived, I noticed that the rice in Helin Commandery is already half-ripe. With the disturbance to the earth's meridians and the changes in fertility, the harvests for the next few years won't be good. I shouldn't interfere with the affairs of this commandery, but ultimately, the responsibility lies with me. My family will send grain and rice; I must trouble your noble family to handle the distribution."

The golden-eyed youth lowered his brows, and the fierce aura lingering between them faded.

"When Changxiao was here, they never starved. I cannot leave this place and abandon them to famine."

In their conversation, there was no longer the air of the former Azure Pond Immortal Sect. It was distinctly a dialogue between two immortal clans. Sima Yuanli, being a person of keen perception, raised an eyebrow:

*A warning... or a reminder?*

But he smiled broadly and said earnestly:

"We will certainly handle this matter completely and thoroughly!"

The two True Persons stood in the light. Sima Xunhui had already led his people up from the mountainside. He was naturally handsome and clad in spiritual armor, cutting a magnificent and imposing figure. Behind him followed the triumphant Wu Fan. Together, they bowed respectfully to Sima Yuanli and Li Zhouwei, saying reverently:

"Two True Persons... divine powers have fallen, and the various peak masters have responded to the light, working together to eradicate the evil path. All have rendered meritorious service. Inside and outside the mountain gate, there is reverence, goodness, and harmony, a scene of clarity!"

"Good!"

Sima Yuanli stroked his beard, his eyes slightly red. He closed them for a moment, trembling slightly. The youth on the steps below raised an eyebrow and declared loudly:

"This junior congratulates the True Persons!"

The golden threshold of the grotto-mansion gleamed, shining even brighter under the illumination of the two True Persons' divine abilities. Blood dripped steadily from the forest on the mountainside, spreading into small reddish-black stains on the ground.

Several pale white Daoist robes with cloud patterns were discarded in the forest. It was unclear who had shed them so hastily. They lay twisted in puddles of blood, mottled and uneven, with jade crowns inverted on top, filled with blood.

Numerous cultivators throughout the mountain had already knelt in the widespread pools of blood, as Wu Fan's respectful voice resounded:

"Your subordinate congratulates the True Persons!"