Chapter 1026: The Demon Cave

Guo Nanwu bowed, then entered the Great Void with Sima Yuanli and departed. Li Ximing, still a little surprised, invited Kuang Yu to sit at the table and poured her some tea, asking, "Daoist friend, is this...?"

Kuang Yu shook her head, smiled slightly, and replied, "Just now, the Sima family's True Person was present, so there were some things I couldn't say much about... After all, he's closely associated with Tantai and we have no particular ties, so it's better to be cautious."

She took the tea, smiled faintly, seemingly unafraid of how good Li Ximing's relationship with the Sima family might be, and quietly said, "Now that he calls himself Sima, he must bear the karma of the Sima family... Furthermore, Elder Yuan Xiu has established connections for him in the Southeast Sea. If the Yue Kingdom wants to exert influence over the two seas, he and True Person Zhusheng will both be unavoidable. At that time... there will be plenty of dealings!"

"At that time, one will be called True Person Sima, and the other Prefect Liu."

Li Ximing wasn't surprised to hear Zhusheng Zhenren's name. He sighed, and only then did Kuang Yu continue, "It wasn't easy to speak just now, but I still need to clarify these things for you. While the Guo family did leave during the late Liang Dynasty, that chaotic period lasted over three hundred years, and there were one hundred and twenty-seven states in the Central Plains. The Guo clan was actually a local lord, with the state name Yong."

"A lord?" Li Ximing paused slightly, his expression becoming somewhat complex. "I had heard long ago that a thousand years ago, the Hu Jie tribes entered the passes in the north, and there was an era when many states coexisted. I didn't realize it lasted for three hundred years..."

Kuang Yu whispered, "A centipede dies but never falls stiff. The Great Liang was, after all, a colossal entity. Its control over the north was lost after Emperor Liang drowned and various military governors rebelled. Yet, it still held authority; every governor had to use him as a seal to prolong their existence. We refer to this era as 'Liang's Demise and Zhao's Rise'—first came the military chaos, then Emperor Liang lost his prestige, followed by the Jie rebellion, and Great Liang was completely overthrown. Only then did Zhao rise... It all began with Emperor Liang's drowning."

Li Ximing's expression became somewhat unusual. He had already heard about Emperor Liang's drowning once from Kong Heng, and simply asked, "The Great Liang emulated the Great Wei. No matter what, Emperor Liang was a high-level cultivator... Drowned? Does that imply... Water Virtue?"

Kuang Yu's expression held a hint of fear as she replied, "That is not something we are privy to... No Water Virtue radiance was seen, but a comet shone in the sky, marking Xiu Yue's return to position, and the collapse of the Great Liang Astronomical Bureau—this also marked the beginning of the chaotic era of the late Liang Dynasty. It was also at this time that the speed of traversal through the Great Void made a qualitative leap, and formation plates became widely used..."

"Xiu Yue's return to position..." Li Ximing lowered his gaze and sipped his tea, hiding his surprise. Calculating with his fingers, if this was the case, that True Monarch had held their position for over a thousand years.

Kuang Yu was clearly reluctant to discuss True Monarch Taiyue. She forced a smile and replied, "That King of Yong was named Guo Wusi, and he was killed by Qi Wang, the ancestor of the Qi family... His withdrawal from the realm signified the Guo family's complete exit from the stage of chaos. Daoist friend, you need not worry about his connection with the north... You don't need to trouble him with these matters; he has no thoughts of revenge and wouldn't dare to touch them!"

Li Ximing nodded silently, lost in thought, then raised his eyebrows and said, "I still have one question... Since that True Person recognized the peculiarity of the Changyue Changing Gold, would they be willing to tell me a thing or two?"

Kuang Yu sighed and replied, "This matter is no secret; Nanwu also asked about it when he achieved Purple Mansion. It's just that he dislikes the Sima family, so he wouldn't speak... This is still because he's unwilling to continue the Guo family's past karma, and he also has a favor to ask of them, which is why he was so roundabout."

The woman took a sip of tea and replied, "Since this item carries the meaning of light and is also the Gold of Change, it naturally has an undeniable connection to Lord Taiyu of old!"

Li Ximing was silent for a moment, then asked, "To be frank, I have some understanding of the Solar Dao Lineage. This matter... is very peculiar... There is only one Dui Jin Fruit Position... I've never heard of it being divided into 'old year' and 'this current year.' If it's divided, what purpose does that serve?"

Kuang Yu seemed a little anxious. After much consideration, she finally replied, "Let me put it this way, Daoist friend... That one on the Golden Mountain of the Great Desert is truly the Evergreen Tree of Metal Virtue, an unsurpassable peak. From ancient times to the present, while there have certainly been figures more powerful than Him, and He has met them all, it's hard to find another figure like Him who can change the very fabric of heaven and earth..."

"His path to becoming a True Monarch might not compare to the ancient enlightened great powers, but it is enough to surpass over sixty percent of True Monarchs. Even a Fruit Position was renamed because of Him... Naturally, there is this distinction of 'this current year' and 'old year'!"

She was full of praise, but the more she praised, the more uneasy Li Ximing felt. Li Ximing's heart pounded as he replied, "I have also heard of His abilities..."

Kuang Yu shook her head, almost gasping, clearly not believing his expression suggested he had truly heard of them. She merely replied, "This Changyue Changing Gold is 'Old Year's Gold.' The best way to handle it is to refine and polish it into a small mirror to illuminate light malevolence—this is what the old True Person said himself. He has spent his entire life refining artifacts, so his words are worth listening to."

"As for other uses..." Kuang Yu paused, then said somewhat strangely, "It can be given to Golden Feather or Sword Gate... but it would greatly offend one of the parties."

Li Ximing silently pressed the jade box, deep in thought, and after a long time, said, "May I ask the name of the Fruit Position?"

Kuang Yu was silent for a moment, then quickly replied, "Back when I was studying the Dao at Hengzhu, I found an extremely ancient book called 'Five Lectures on Dui Jin.' It contained some errors, describing the path of Dui Jin as the 'Path of Shen Bai Dui Jin in You,' claiming it was the 'True Position of Shen You Gold.'"

"True Position." Li Ximing was somewhat distracted, murmuring, "The True Position of Shen You Gold... You asked me to hold the gold... what I'm holding is this True Position Dui Jin..."

"Daoist friend Zhaojing?" Kuang Yu raised an eyebrow, while Li Ximing shook his head slightly, smiling, "I was just thinking of a treasure belonging to the Sima family."

Kuang Yu nodded, smiling, "Aside from Nanwu's matter, I actually have some good news for you, Daoist friend. The Cold Cloud Heart Iron you asked me about years ago has been found. True Person Xuan Yi obtained it by chance, and I've brought it for you."

She placed a silver iron box from her sleeve onto the table. Inside, a layer of frost had condensed, and thick white mist flowed out. Within the mist was a palm-sized piece of cold iron, permeated with white light.

Li Ximing's eyes lit up. He said, "Daoist friend, do you have a request?"

The woman looked at him with some hesitation, straightened up, and nodded, "I happened to hear that Daoist friend Xuan Yi once had some Shangxiang Silver, which I could really use, and I wished to exchange it with you... But this matter... is a bit inappropriate..."

"Shangxiang Silver has been unavailable for a long time, while Cold Qi Spiritual Resources are common. It would be taking advantage of you, Daoist friend."

Li Ximing smiled and asked, "You've put effort into Queyi's cultivation methods, and I've seen the care you've provided over the years. No need to be polite!" Li Queyi had been cultivating on her island, and her current cultivation method was quite advanced, which was also thanks to Kuang Yu's efforts. Although she had never mentioned this, Li Ximing kept it in mind, unwilling to owe her a favor for nothing. He simply took out the treasure, placed it in her hand, and said earnestly, "I actually think it's not enough."

"I care for this child, but not to exchange it for personal favors with your family." Kuang Yu shook her head, smiling, but Li Ximing didn't quite believe her. He simply went along with it, escorting her out of the mountain, and as he handed the Cold Cloud Heart Iron back to her, he smiled and said, "Then please ask Nanwu to make a trip, deliver this to Ding Yangzi, and while he's there, ask for me... about the progress of that set of armor for my family."

"Alright!" Kuang Yu bowed and replied, "When the good news from your esteemed family arrives, we will certainly come to congratulate you!"

Li Ximing knew she was referring to his enfeoffment as a king. He shook his head and sighed, returning to the mountain, pondering to himself, "I'll condense my immortal foundation for another year and then try to achieve 'Enlightenment of the World.'"

***

Hetian Sea, Yinzhou.

Yinzhou was vast, with undulating mountain ranges, filled with a dense aura of blood. Bones lay scattered in the mountains, and monsters were everywhere. Though isolated from the world, masters of supernatural powers and Buddhist cultivators frequently traversed the Great Void to land on the isle.

The seawater on the island's edge rippled, reflecting blue and white light. In the Great Void, lotus flowers bloomed, and a golden-robed monk appeared, his head glistening with the shimmering light of the sea.

His face was calm as still water, and his demeanor was extraordinary. With a transformation, he turned into a black-haired, long-bearded Daoist. As he landed in the mountains, a green-scaled beast immediately came over the mountain, thrusting its long spear into the ground as it asked, "Has Great Master Minghui arrived?"

Minghui Moha's expression was serene as he calmly said, "I have indeed been invited by Ping Yanzi. Please, Demon General, lead the way."

The green-scaled beast then led him forward, saying, "Great Master, please hasten; don't make the Great King wait too long."

In any other place, if Minghui Moha encountered such a demon, he would surely capture it as a mount; how could he allow it to speak to him this way? But this time was different. Not only did he not get angry, he even quickened his pace.

On the mountain peak stood a pavilion, and two people sat in the center: an old man and a young man. The old man had a sallow complexion, drooping eyebrows, and a flowing white beard, which he stroked as he spoke. The young man, in a long robe embroidered with gold patterns on the sleeves, nodded as he listened.

The moment Minghui stepped onto the mountaintop and saw the young man, his eyes burned brightly. Looking closely, he saw a blazing aura of light surrounding the man, a sign of his destiny reaching its apex. Scales faintly appeared on his neck, with indistinct white patterns, causing Minghui's heart to tremble.

"Minghui of Lotus Temple greets both Daoist friends!"

Li Zhouwei raised an eyebrow at the words, but saw a Daoist. With a flick of his golden eyes, he saw through the Daoist's true form, then heard Ping Yanzi laugh and say, "Please!"

The monk took his seat, first lifted his sleeves, and congratulated, "Daoist friend, you have achieved Purple Mansion... I had heard of it in the north. Congratulations on your 'Wangyue'!"

Li Zhouwei didn't have much fondness for Buddhist cultivators. If not for Lotus Temple's consistent closeness with immortal cultivators, and if Minghui were not the only one capable of handling the items he possessed, he wouldn't have been suitable for sitting down and conversing with a Buddhist cultivator. He merely replied, "You're too kind."

As Li Zhouwei observed Yinzhou during his journey, a strange feeling arose within him. Yinzhou, called an immortal mountain and immortal isle by outsiders, was in reality rampant with demons, with bones scattered everywhere. Rice and meat were piled high into banquets, and crimson blood gathered into pools. Human resources from the Hetian Sea were continuously transported to the isle, allowing the creatures in the mountains to feast joyfully. They would bare their fangs, laugh boisterously, and after eating and drinking their fill, would leave the isle, obeying orders to patrol the sea, some even lingering.

This scene, hidden in the forests and secluded within palaces, was seen clearly by him. The Dragon Clan's title as 'Shepherds of the Sea' was not for naught. Even the Cui family had to obediently hand over spiritual treasures; it was just that their status was higher, so they didn't have to offer their clansmen for demons to enjoy. But the Dragon Clan was not so courteous to the cultivators of the East Sea!

And within this entire Daoist sect, demons came and went, with disciples riding on demonic winds. Although Ping Yanzi, who was before him, seemed to possess an immortal aura, a glance downwards revealed a skeletal frame draped in skin. He had already refined a bloodless, fleshless bone of law. If one lifted his robes, beneath would be surging demonic energy and hazy blood-red light! The Daoist before him was not truly a Daoist, but a chubby monk, his body radiating a bright light of benevolence and joy. However, the path of benevolence and joy was not necessarily good. To call Ping Yanzi's mountain and the Dragon Clan's isle a den of demons was no exaggeration at all!

His expression remained unchanged, his demeanor cold. Minghui, completely unperturbed, smiled and sat calmly to the side. It was then that Ping Yanzi spoke, his voice deep and resonant, like an enlightened high-level cultivator. "My apologies for making Great King wait so long!"

What reflected in Li Zhouwei's golden eyes, however, was merely a skull opening and closing. Li Zhouwei said nothing more, instead pouring out a clattering pile of golden artifacts from his sleeve—rings, cassocks, cups, lotus seats—which accumulated on the ground, emitting a dazzling radiance.

Minghui stood up with some surprise, his gaze sweeping around, examining each item. Ping Yanzi, however, turned his gaze towards Li Zhouwei. "Great King, you've come from afar, which was unexpected for us... My mountain dwelling is humble, I fear it might seem disrespectful to Great King."

"No matter." Li Zhouwei shook his head. Ping Yanzi's gaze flickered slightly. Feeling the surging bright yang energy, his demonic cultivation felt a slight discomfort, and his pupils turned a deep, dark color. "Great King... I heard... that you possess a treasure called Qianyang, gifted by the White Dragon Crown Prince. Is this true?"

"Oh?" Li Zhouwei raised an eyebrow, his gaze towards Ping Yanzi suddenly sharpening. He asked, "It is... Daoist friend Ping Yanzi, what is your business?"

"Hoh." Ping Yanzi raised his eyebrows and smiled, his sallow face appearing somewhat stiff. He whispered, "A few days ago, at the great feast in the sea, a demon brought this matter up and challenged the Crown Prince, which greatly angered the Beihai Dragon King. Although I wasn't present, I received several instructions... a lord from the Black Dragon Tiao lineage... also wishes to meet the Great King!"

Li Zhouwei's gaze, filled with scrutiny, swept back and forth across Ping Yanzi's face, trying to determine which Dragon King he served. But before he could reply, he faintly heard soft footsteps. Li Zhouwei's body, however, relaxed further. Leaning against the table, he casually said, "Go ahead."

But before his words had fully faded, a cold wind suddenly swept through the pavilion, and a man in black was already standing just outside. This man was tall and robust, with a face like it had been carved by knife and axe, exuding a fierce and imposing presence. His expression was both menacing and cold. Two strands of black hair fell across his smooth forehead, gently swaying in the wind. A long saber was tied at his waist, its scabbard adorned with white bone and precious gems, emanating a deep demonic aura.

The man grinned, his eyes cold. Strands of mane began to emerge from his neck, releasing surging demonic energy into the air, forming a black, malevolent wind that coiled around his body. "Black Dragon Tiao, Guang Fou."

Li Zhouwei raised his gaze, watching him. Those dragon eyes were filled with surging demonic energy and killing intent, causing Li Zhouwei to coldly sneer with vigilance almost instantly.

Ping Yanzi was already bowing respectfully, having left his seat. Minghui was terrified, torn between choices, sweat beading on his forehead. Only the golden-eyed youth stood calmly in the pavilion, coldly stating, "Minghuang, Li Zhouwei."