Chapter 1049: Guanghong Xuanyu

Li Ximing pondered to himself, and Sima Yuanli was also somewhat quiet. He didn't know much about this Mingyang divine ability, but when it came to its sinister nature, Tianxia Ming was no less dangerous than the Seven Phases of Beishi.

"Whether it's Heavy Turbidity or Washed Lead Bloom, there's always a method of activation; divine abilities always leave traces when used. But Tianxia Ming subtly controls the mind, making it hard to detect."

When observing qi with a divine ability, Heavy Turbidity manifests as a murky aura on the face, and Washed Lead Bloom as a red cluster between the eyebrows, both very easy to identify. However, just now, when Li Ximing's voice seized the Zhao general's mind, he vaguely saw a light sweep across the man's face. Yet, once the man was controlled, even if he stared intently, he couldn't discern any significant abnormality. Only after a careful assessment did he detect a faint trace of Mingyang qi.

"This is a significant problem."

Sima Yuanli hadn't personally attempted it and wasn't certain if he could awaken this person. However, since he didn't possess a 'Fate' divine ability, the chances of success were likely very low.

"I would need to acquire a 'Fate' divine ability to easily discern Tianxia Ming, much like observing Washed Lead Bloom. But I've heard that Tianxia Ming 'grows increasingly severe, leading to complete self-forgetfulness.' Even if the divine ability eventually fades, the mind remains irreversibly twisted. Ultimately, it's not easy to observe."

Sima Yuanli wasn't particularly concerned about Li Ximing's actions, but he was wary of King Wei, Li Zhouwei. This man was blessed by destiny, and if his divine ability reached perfection, there was no telling how strange it could become.

"No matter what... he couldn't possibly ensnare me, could he..."

He lowered his gaze and drank tea. Li Ximing, noticing his hesitation, waved his sleeve and said, "You may all leave."

At once, everyone bowed and withdrew. The Zhao general, Li Jie, naturally departed with them, even opening the palace door for Li Jiangzong and respectfully waiting outside. This made Li Jiangzong's expression peculiar, even somewhat awkward.

Sima Yuanli waited for a moment, then sighed, "I wonder... how is King Wei?"

Li Ximing's expression became solemn as he replied, "He was severely injured this time. His grotto-heaven is locked... I haven't been able to see him even once..."

Sima Yuanli sighed softly.

Li Ximing observed him closely and realized that this True Man very easily, even confidently, believed his words, which struck him as peculiar.

"Was he really... that severely injured back then? Looking at his reaction, if I were to tell him his injuries had completely healed, he would probably think I was just putting on a brave face..."

Li Ximing felt nothing of the sort. When his divine ability was perfected, Li Zhouwei was also within the 'Sun and Moon Shining Together' realm, his body engulfed in towering dark flames, radiating blinding heavenly light. His divine ability was refined to an earth-shattering degree, and 'Jun Dao Wei' was already complete, now solidifying his immortal foundation. Forget severe injuries; Li Ximing believed he could now stand up and effortlessly strike down a Nv Xiao.

"It seems that the Xuan Hong Art, which elevates Clear Qi, is truly formidable. I should practice it when I get the chance..."

Though he felt strange internally, Li Ximing displayed an expression of concern and sympathy. Sima Yuanli sighed, "Daoist friend, you might not know this, but last year, a grotto-heaven descended into the North Sea. The forces involved were unknown, but the battle was earth-shattering. I heard Senior Tu Long also appeared there, and he has now reached the mid-Purple Mansion stage!"

Li Ximing's eyes lit up as he listened to Sima Yuanli continue, "This was truly a battle where heroes converged. Originally, a Sword Immortal of the Sun lineage had gained the upper hand, but then an unknown Great True Man suddenly emerged. Senior Tu Long, the Beihuan Sect, and even the Purple Mansion cultivators from the Xiangxiong Kingdom in Daxi Yuan all suffered considerable injuries, and some even perished."

Li Ximing frowned upon hearing this, feeling somewhat worried about Tu Longjian. He nodded silently. Sima Yuanli observed him for a moment before changing the topic: "I came today... also to ask a favor of you, Daoist friend. These shores are fraught with danger and malice. I've finally awaited your emergence from seclusion, so we can finally resume the supply of Kongxiu Xuandao Powder."

During Li Ximing's seclusion, Sima Yuanli had indeed sought out others to refine elixirs. Leveraging his connections, he even met an old True Man on Lingfeng Peak. This old True Man had pounded his chest and made guarantees. But who knew that when the elder went to retrieve the medicine, he cheerfully produced it, and upon inspection, there was one less than Li Ximing had refined! Sima Yuanli maintained a smiling facade, but whether the elder was more avaricious or simply less skilled in alchemy than Li Ximing, he absolutely refused to mention a second attempt. He had eagerly awaited Li Ximing's emergence from seclusion, unable to wait even a moment longer.

Li Ximing readily agreed. Kongxiu Xuandao Powder was made from precious ingredients and was highly effective. Now that he no longer had to worry about his divine ability, there was no reason to refuse, so he naturally accepted.

Unexpectedly, Li Ximing paused, his eyebrows raising thoughtfully. Suddenly, a purple wind swept into the great hall, materializing into a woman clad in an autumn-yellow robe. She stood before the entrance, offering a slightly pale smile.

Li Ximing visibly trembled, quickly rose to his feet, took a step forward, and murmured, "Daoist friend Tinglan!"

This woman was none other than True Man Tinglan, who was supposed to be confined within the Ziyan Blessed Land!

When Li Ximing had first visited Ziyan to see her, he had been struck by her meticulous grooming and great beauty. Now, she still wore the same autumn-yellow satin robe, but the butterfly pattern at the corner of her eye was no longer present, and her slightly pale lips made her appear somewhat frail. Her eyes, however, appeared much softer. As one of the few surviving True Men of the Sun Dao Lineage, her demeanor seemed bewildered, even a little awkward.

Seeing Li Ximing approach, she quickly stepped forward and said, "Zhaojing! Long time no see..."

Li Ximing actually trusted her more than the Sima family, and their relationship was also better. He looked at her with a complex expression and simply said, "After the battle on the river, I was constantly worried about the situation of my fellow Daoists, but the Blessed Land remained sealed, and no news at all circulated. I wonder what has brought you out today, Daoist friend..."

Li Ximing was quite polite to her, and his tone was gentle. Tinglan offered a smile in return and replied, "The Sovereign has established the nation, martial cultivation is flourishing, and the struggle between north and south concerns millions of lives. We, who cultivate the Dao of Purple Qi, naturally cannot aloofly escape the world. From now on... we will have to trouble you for your care, Daoist friend..."

Although Li Ximing had already guessed the reason, hearing her speak it aloud still filled him with a sense of things having changed irrevocably.

"The status of the Sun Dao Lineage has collapsed, and its dignity is lost along with it. Kui Qi preferred to sacrifice himself for the Dao rather than witness this day... And now... to leave her in this predicament where the sun has lost its brilliance, what a hardship..."

Their conversation was entirely unconcealed. Sima Yuanli, standing nearby, turned his head uncomfortably, raising and lowering the cup in his hand, restraining himself from speaking. Tinglan happened to look at him as well, bowed slightly, and politely said, "Greetings, Daoist friend Qinghu."

Sima Yuanli had long ago distanced himself from the Sun Dao Lineage, and the Sima family had now also parted ways with Qingchi. Her tone was unfamiliar and flat, utterly devoid of the warmth one might expect when meeting a descendant of a former Sun Dao Lineage elder. Sima Yuanli quickly stood up and returned the greeting somewhat awkwardly.

"It seems... the Sima family's relationship with these remnants of the Sun Dao Lineage is clearly not very cordial... or perhaps, they dare not be too cordial..."

Li Ximing saw this clearly. However, putting aside the Sun Dao Lineage's predicament, seeing Tinglan brought him a certain sense of relief. After all, Tinglan was one of the few Purple Mansion figures he knew well, with whom he shared a good relationship, and who possessed formidable skills. Having her as an ally was a definite advantage.

He simply invited her to take a seat, then hesitantly poured her some tea and asked, "I wonder about Daoist friend Wenqing..."

Since the Ziyan Sect had chosen to engage with the world, it was naturally impossible for her to be the only one to emerge. Tinglan said softly, "I have been ordered to join the Immortal Ritual Bureau, where I continue to serve as the mountain master of Ziyan Blessed Land, tasked with guarding the four directions alongside Ning Wan. As for Wenqing... her cultivation is somewhat shallower, so she is currently stationed at Zhenzi Pavilion in the imperial capital, awaiting the Emperor's commands."

This was similar to what Li Ximing had expected. He nodded inwardly: "Although Tinglan is also at the early Purple Mansion stage, her combat skills are far superior to Ning Wan's. With her spiritual treasure, she can even withstand a mid-Purple Mansion cultivator."

Li Ximing hesitated briefly, his questions lingering in his mind. Finally, he spoke with some hesitation, "I wonder... how did the True Men fare in that great battle back then..."

Tinglan shook her head and said, "Qi Lanyan led the attack. He wielded the Qingya Huazhi. I was already exhausted, and the Purple Throne Mu Lingge was heavily sealed. I couldn't abandon this spiritual treasure, so I had to intervene to rescue it. After being struck by his spiritual treasure, I was severely injured..."

The Purple Throne Mu Lingge was the Ziyan Sect's spiritual treasure, and Tinglan likely valued it more than her own life, which was not surprising. However, her gaze was complex as she shook her head and said, "True Man Houfo was also heavily besieged, but he faced even more opponents and wasn't as fortunate as I was. He was shattered to pieces by a spiritual treasure, nearly perishing on the spot. He later escaped back to his temple, but by then... it was already too late."

"What!"

Li Ximing took a deep breath, listening to Tinglan say, "The Qingya Huazhi is an extremely potent Wutu spiritual treasure. Once it strikes a person, both their soul and body suffer the tribulation of Qingya Wutu. I was able to escape that fate... thanks to the protection of a Purple Qi treasure, but the Wutu still injured my body, and it has not healed for years. His body, however, was completely shattered, leaving only a fragment of his true spirit. I heard the disciples in his temple took some Jianyun Sang, carved it into a fist-sized wooden sculpture, and now he dwells within it..."

"Although his life was saved, no one besides Penglai can heal his injuries. And if the Qingya Wutu tribulation isn't resolved, he will endure the agony of being flayed and having his bones ground every day, utterly powerless. Who knows how long he can endure..."

Li Ximing fell silent for a moment.

The cultivators of Great Xiukui Temple always valued integrity and reputation, and Houfo was a preeminent figure among them, deeply concerned with his prestige. Yet, such a proud Purple Mansion True Man was now reduced to living within a wooden sculpture, enduring daily humiliation.

"That's likely more painful for him than death itself!"

He sighed repeatedly, then silently turned to look at Sima Yuanli, who, as True Man Qinghu, kept his gaze lowered, remaining silent, and merely continued to drink his tea.

Li Ximing was no longer the naive Purple Mansion cultivator he once was. He understood that Tinglan's words might not have been truly meant for him. More likely, they were intended for True Man Qinghu beside him, or perhaps for the Song court far to the south.

"The Sun Dao Lineage has fallen into extreme decline. Great Xiukui Temple is barely clinging to existence, and the Linggu True Man they fostered has already joined the Song court. Ziyan and Tinglan can come out and dedicate themselves to the Song court, if only the Song Emperor would spare Great Xiukui Temple... and cease his persecution..."

Tinglan's emphasis on Houfo's injuries also highlighted his helplessness. Li Ximing understood this, and there was no way Sima Yuanli wouldn't. He still held a degree of camaraderie for his former fellow disciples and, ultimately unable to bear it, secretly gritted his teeth: "What can I possibly do? Don't they realize... this is merely a matter of a great figure's whim? She's overestimating my freedom and influence!"

The atmosphere in the great hall suddenly became tense. Li Ximing, displaying a slightly concerned expression, asked, "Are your current injuries still serious? Let me take a look for you..."

The injuries of recent years had severely hindered her cultivation. Tinglan, looking unwell, did not refuse his kind offer. When Li Ximing invoked his divine ability and placed his hand on her wrist, she murmured, "Tianxia Ming... you have already mastered it."

Li Ximing did not reply. He merely lowered his gaze slightly and said thoughtfully, "I haven't personally witnessed the Qingya Wutu tribulation. It appears to have been resolved by the medicine you consumed, but it has damaged the foundation of your divine ability... It needs replenishment." He mused, "When suppressing Changxiao, I obtained some Three-branched Qiuxin Leaves. This, combined with some Purple Qi, would be most suitable for your healing. Allow me to formulate the medicine..."

Sima Yuanli watched from the side, saying somewhat weakly, "Zhaojing's skill in concocting elixirs is, of course, beyond doubt... My duties are in the east, so I shall not impose further..."

He bid farewell to the two and departed the hall. The woman watched his retreating back, a faint smile appearing on her face. She then turned to Li Ximing and shook her head, saying, "Sima Yuanli has a gentle disposition. My words actually made him so awkward he couldn't compose himself. If Yuan Xiu were here, he would undoubtedly be calm and composed, drinking tea and chatting, which clearly shows a difference in temperament. Zhengmu is a Dao Lineage as rigid and proud as gold; how will he manage its nature?"

Only at this moment did the woman regain some of her former grace, prompting Li Ximing to shake his head with a smile and reply, "There's no 'managing' or 'not managing'... I often see people in the world who don't have the destiny for prominence, yet harbor the ambition for it. If he truly possessed a rigid and proud nature, would his current situation be any better?"

Tinglan nodded, let out a long sigh, and her gaze, when it met his, held a hint of playful mockery as she said, "I just returned from the Xinyu Qun Jiao. Kuangyu, it turns out, is already quite familiar with you. She mentioned she came looking for you twice but couldn't find anyone. If she knew you had emerged from seclusion, she would most likely have accompanied me."

Li Ximing offered an awkward smile. Tinglan then became serious, lowering her gaze, and said, "Daoist friend Zhaojing... the grand scheme of True Qi has been achieved. All True Qi-infused objects across the land are revitalized. The power of the Immeasurable Water and Fire in my possession has significantly increased, and several True Qi treasure sites within the blessed land have also undergone changes. Even the Purple Qi itself is radiating with renewed vibrancy. They resonate with each other, indicating a flourishing of Clear Qi, and the spiritual aura is now stable..."

Li Ximing, having just emerged from seclusion, had missed the years of spiritual aura changes. He only now registered this, frowning slightly. He quickly performed a divination, activating his Fate divine ability, and nodded, saying, "Indeed... True Qi is revitalized, purple light reflects, seeking truth and immortality. The twelve Qis are flourishing, and Yin and Yang are more balanced..."

It was truly remarkable that Li Ximing, having only recently mastered his Fate divine ability, could discern these things. Tinglan nodded admiringly and replied, "This is 'Vast Profound Suspension,' dispelling demons and stopping evil, an endeavor for ascending immortals. All twelve Qis, except for Sui Qi, have increased, and it is a great boon for True Qi!" She paused briefly, then said solemnly, "The elevation of Clear Qi is beneficial for enlightenment and cultivation. Spiritual apertures across the world are expanding, and spiritual objects and resources are proliferating. Most importantly, 'Vast Profound Suspension' and 'Profound Brilliance' mean grotto-heavens and dharma realms are flourishing, and everyone is now building immortal realms and opening grotto-heavens!"

"Back then, Great Ning established a new system, abandoning old names and calling it 'Conquest, Peace, Celebration, and Martial Might.' The old names... were secrets passed down in my Sun Dao Lineage. Throughout Jiangnan, probably only a handful of families knew them!"