Chapter 1056: Arrival One After Another

The dazzling silver light was blinding, filling his heart with a chill.

In Li Ximing's view, though the Li family had many capable members, the situation with their successors was not good. Li Zhouwei pursued the Dao, and the various sons of Mingyang each had their own agendas. If the situation deteriorated, the fate of the Mingyang lineage was uncertain, and he knew clearly they couldn't be relied upon.

Li Quewan and Li Jiangqian both possessed the qualifications for the Purple Mansion realm. Li Ximing especially regarded Li Quewan as the Li clan's retreat route to the East Sea should the Mingyang Dao fail. Li Jiangchun, being a Zifu seed with Yang family blood, was perfectly positioned to follow, serving as another hidden trump card.

But when it came to the younger generations beyond them, Li Ximing had a strong sense of foreboding.

The reason was simple: if the Mingyang sons could not be preserved, their descendants would be mediocre. Li Jiangchun's renowned sword-heart meant the family was counting on him to achieve sword intent, with no intention of distracting him; thus, he was 99% unlikely to have descendants. Though both were at Foundation Establishment, it was more realistic to rely on Li Zhouluo than him. As for Li Quewan, she was entirely devoted to the Dao and was already preparing for Zifu, making it even less likely. The Zhong and Ji branches had no outstanding descendants, and the Shu branch had already split off. Only the Bo branch flourished.

Li Zhouming was originally the best choice, but Li Ximing had privately discussed it with Li Xuanxuan. After all, Li Zhouming had cultivated the Mingyang Dao... The elder thought long and hard and concluded that a Mingyang cultivator should no longer be in charge.

Li Suining's arrival was very timely. He was just one generation younger, highly talented, and showed great promise in formation arts. Most importantly, he was steady, intelligent, and calm. Li Ximing liked him at first sight, hoping to continue his bloodline... purely for future considerations.

But with Li Jianglong nearby, and this silver light catching his eye today, Li Ximing instinctively felt he was the work of some powerful being. How could Li Ximing not be horrified, thinking that a candidate destined to bear the family's burdens might turn out to be a spy for another family?

At that instant, he forced his gaze to remain on the furnace, his face outwardly calm. But his heart had turned to cold water. He activated the immortal artifact's detection ability, firmly locking onto Li Suining.

He then saw the silver light on Li Suining's body change strangely, contracting and expanding like breathing. Li Ximing looked closely and saw the silver light gradually fade, revealing a somewhat familiar aura.

'It seems to be... the scent of the Fox Clan's orthodox Sitian cultivation... and somewhat like the mystical fluctuations from when Wanling Heaven first opened.'

Although Li Suining also cultivated Sitian, his mere Qi Cultivation realm certainly couldn't appear so dazzling under the immortal artifact's scrutiny. Li Ximing made a swift judgment, growing increasingly suspicious and pondering:

'Could this be an arrangement by the Fox Clan...?'

This slightly reduced the chill in his heart.

After all, his clan had a considerable friendship with the Fox Clan. When the Grand True Lord of Luoxia came to the lake, even a Fox Clan Demon King came to respond... In a way, they still had common interests.

'However, though this silver light seemed somewhat noble, it didn't appear to possess any substantial power. Instead, it looked like the immortal mirror had detected some special characteristic... After all, if there truly was an act of reincarnation, it wouldn't be a recent event.'

He slightly closed his eyes, pondering for a long time. He already had an initial judgment in his mind:

'Most likely, the Yang family back then didn't understand the situation on the lake. A martial star, as mighty as a True Lord, also met his end on the lake. Whatever the reason, there were certainly many secrets on the lake... Rather than an inside agent, could it be... a reincarnation or some kind of fortuitous encounter?'

Li Suining left few flaws. In fact, even his displayed traits weren't really flaws. It was just that by changing his perspective and entertaining a little suspicion, many things appeared completely different.

'Now, it's precisely because he's a reincarnated high-level cultivator that he's so calm and collected at such a young age, and inexplicably possesses such high attainment in formation arts... This isn't something that can simply be explained away by talent alone.'

'But he genuinely cares for the clan members; it doesn't seem fake... Could it be that he hasn't fully cleared his past life's memories?'

Li Ximing pondered deeply. Although he didn't think Li Suining possessed great strength, his inner vigilance had silently risen to its peak. He didn't want to alert the suspect, so he merely waved his hand slightly and instructed:

"Go back to Jiangjun first. Lest someone accuse you of abandoning your post."

Li Jianglong said nothing more, immediately bowed, and took his leave. Only Li Suining remained standing in the mountain. Li Ximing didn't speak for a moment, then saw Li Minggong ascend from the mountain path and hand him two letters.

"True Lord... letters from Zhentao Prefecture."

Li Ximing had no choice but to temporarily suppress his emotions. He took out the letters and read them. Liu Changdie's letter eloquently described the situation in hundreds of words, with a tone full of entreaty, making Li Ximing's expression solemn.

'Qingyan is in trouble, Fuxun is heavily injured...'

A premonition of ill omen arose in his heart. He put down this letter and took out Li Quewan's letter to read. Reading it from beginning to end, he noticed that the letter addressed him as "Lord."

'Something is amiss on the island...'

Li Ximing's premonition grew stronger. Li Quewan usually addressed him as "True Lord." Before her departure, she had agreed with two Zifu cultivators that if anything unusual happened on the island, she wouldn't write it explicitly in a letter but would simply change "True Lord" to "Lord." He naturally didn't believe Li Quewan had made a mistake.

'Fortunately, only one place was changed, and the tone wasn't urgent, so it should be possible to wait a bit longer.'

But his anxiety suddenly escalated. A chill instantly seeped into his heart, and Li Ximing cursed inwardly:

'Everything is happening at once!'

If Li Suining involved the future pillar of the Li family's governance, Li Quewan was undoubtedly a critical force that absolutely could not be lost. Li Ximing had no choice but to make this trip.

Although True Lord Yan had agreed with Li Ximing to act on his behalf once he achieved 'Tianxia Ming,' and Li Jiangchun's matter also required a trip to Jiuqiu... compared to having to go to Zhentao Prefecture, these were far less pressing. Li Ximing's mood instantly soured. He casually put down the letters in his hand, his face still relatively calm. He composed himself and spoke cautiously.

Li Suining had waited for so long. Finally, he heard the True Lord ask with a smile:

"Have you come to retrieve a pill for your breakthrough?"

Li Suining was respectful and courteous. He never met Li Ximing's gaze and, unaware of his host's unusual demeanor, nodded politely. He replied:

"My aura is complete, and I am about to break through... It's just that spiritual resources and demonic beasts for the Sitian Dao are scarce in this world, and even rarer are the Suiyuan Pills of this path. So the Elder Lord dispatched this junior to pay his respects to you, Lord."

Li Ximing slowly nodded and replied:

"The Sitian Dao generally doesn't have many taboos... However... if you can find a good pill, not only will it offer greater assurance, but it could also save you a year or two."

He smiled:

"I don't have these things on hand either. I happen to be going to the East Sea soon. I'll procure some from True Lord Yuanbian for you."

Li Suining seemed reluctant for him to go to such trouble. He thanked him with some hesitation, wanting to say more but holding back, feeling bitter in his heart:

'If only I hadn't brought this up! Although there might be no battles for a year or two... but what if something happens out there?'

Li Ximing, however, was observing his expression. He raised a hand, invited him to sit, casually prepared a cup of tea, and smiled:

"How are your formation arts cultivation... progressing?"

Li Suining merely bowed. He found an appropriate level of detail and spoke briefly. Li Ximing listened in silence, secretly noting everything, preparing to discuss it in detail with Liu Changdie.

Yet, watching the other party speak eloquently, Li Ximing's suspicion gradually grew:

'But since he hasn't attained divine abilities and has no talisman seeds... how could he withstand my "Mandate Divine Ability"? If I were to control him with my Mandate Divine Ability, wouldn't he fall into my grasp?'

Moreover, at this moment, he still harbored doubts. And he had to rush to the East Sea. Before leaving, he naturally had to leave some measures in place. So he smiled:

"I am going to the East Sea to procure spiritual resources for you... but my alchemy furnace is still on the mountain. How about you watch over the furnace for me while studying your formation arts classics?"

Li Suining had no thought of refusing. He quickly nodded and solemnly agreed. Li Ximing, reaching into his sleeve, conjured a Dharma fan with his divine ability and handed it to him, speaking earnestly:

"I need you to act as my medicine boy. Just use your magical power to fan this fan, watch over the furnace fire for me, and wait for my return."

"Yes!"

Li Suining took it as an extremely important task and nodded solemnly. As his "Yes!" left his lips, a subtle light flickered in Li Ximing's eyes, and while his hand was concealed in his sleeve, he subtly made a hand seal, causing the Light of Six Harmonies to appear.

It was none other than Tianxia Ming (All Under Heaven's Brilliance)!

The two exchanged questions and answers, seemingly just going through the motions. But this subordinate relationship, once solidified by Tianxia Ming, immediately evoked a mystical response, falling under the supervision of the Mandate Divine Ability!

If Li Suining harbored even a trace of resentment or disloyalty, Li Ximing would detect it! The golden fan in his hand would instantly react, reducing him to dust.

The colorless Light of Six Harmonies flickered faintly at his fingertips. Li Ximing's heart eased slightly:

'Tianxia Ming's feedback... he genuinely respects me, and it seems he has true affection for the family, with no pretense... It appears... this child must have received some fortuitous encounter.'

If it truly was the latter, and Li Suining had gained some fortuitous encounter related to the Sitian Dao, Li Ximing, while relieved, would then have to consider if there was something wrong with this encounter. Regardless, with Tianxia Ming's influence, Li Ximing could temporarily set his mind at ease.

'He seems like a good child right now... I shouldn't wrong him; I can only deal with him this way for now. When I return, I'll send him into seclusion and wait for Zhouwei to emerge, then we can discuss it in detail.'

He then stepped out of the mountain. He instructed Li Minggong to seal off the great formation of Zhijing Mountain, allowing no one to enter, and added:

"Go and invite True Lord Nanwu here. Ask him to oversee the mountain in my stead... Something has happened in the East Sea; I'll go and return quickly."

With that, he hurriedly rode the wind and entered the Grand Void.

The night was dim.

The sky above Chenyun Gate was overcast with dark clouds, devoid of any vibrant colors. A young man stood upon a high platform, his face slightly pale, gazing at the night sky. His long robe, adorned with white feathers and dark mystical patterns, fluttered faintly in the air, giving off an oppressive aura.

It was none other than True Lord Changyun, the master of Chenyun Gate.

He stood silently on the high platform. The raging winds only caused his hair to stir slightly. His eyes held an extremely profound expression.

Beside him, a black-clad young man also stood in the fierce wind. He was a head taller than True Lord Changyun. His long spear was planted on the ground, and his divine abilities surged forth, giving him an imposing presence.

After an unknown period, the spear-wielding youth lowered his brows and reminded him:

"Lord, that person instructed that when cultivating such secret techniques, it's best not to let others see your form..."

Changyun calmly shook his head and replied:

"Zhonggong, there will be no more opportunities from now on."

This spear-wielding True Lord was none other than Zhong Qian, the Sect Master of Chenyun Gate!

He had not been in the Purple Mansion realm for long, but his divine abilities were abundant and his presence formidable, with sharp features. When he met Li Xuanfeng back then, he still had a youthful innocence, which had now completely vanished, replaced by the majesty and serenity befitting a Purple Mansion cultivator.

Changyun turned his head and said lightly:

"A great war is about to break out in the south, and they will certainly come to dispatch me. They are pretending to be ignorant, wanting us to suffer in silence, unable to voice our grievances."

His words were highly sarcastic, yet his expression showed no trace of despondency. It was as if his secret being exposed was no big deal.

After a while, a golden-white light emerged from afar, descending to reveal a spirited Daoist. However, the auspicious cloud he rode seemed somewhat out of place.

"Brother Changyun!"

The monk called out and landed on the platform. He wasn't surprised to find that Changyun already knew he was coming. He saluted, his expression somewhat awkward, and replied:

"I received orders to come and invite you to head south, to guard the riverbanks."

These words made Zhong Qian's expression subtly change. Changyun, however, smiled and invited him in, then looked at his face and shook his head, saying:

"Fellow Daoist Minghui... you haven't had it easy these past few years, have you?"

Minghui's awkward expression gradually faded. He let out a deep sigh and replied:

"True Lord, your wisdom is like a torch. I've been walking on thin ice guarding these riverbanks. Asking you to go south today is an offensive task, and naturally, it fell to me..."

After the War of Nation Establishment, the Li family gained a chance to recuperate. But Minghui truly had a hard time these past few years... He was transferred to Shanji, and every year's probes required his presence! He had tasted the immeasurable water and fire in Tinglan's hands more than once!

Minghui complained for a while. He secretly glanced at Zhong Qian. With just that brief glance, he felt a surging radiance from Zhong Qian, instantly marveling at him as if he were a divine being, and secretly exclaimed:

'What a powerful destiny! If this person were to convert to Buddhism, he would surely achieve great things!'

While he was still secretly observing, Changyun's heart was already filled with a cold sneer:

'Qi Lanyan... Qi Lanyan, I've been in seclusion for so long, yet you insist on calling me out! Alright, alright, a minor cultivator from the Qi family, with Zhixuan's backing, actually stirring up trouble and commanding wind and rain. Truly too foolish for words! Are there few influential figures in the world who know about this? Yet each one plays it smart, feigning ignorance. Only this fool is pushed to the forefront, thinking he's gained some secrets, daring to scheme against my Golden Dao orthodox sect! The Golden Dao orthodox sect must indeed be enraged, just as Qi Lanyan predicted. But I, Changyun—or rather, Zhang Yun of Jinyu Sect—regard Qi Lanyan's audacity as sheer ignorance: it's usually my Dao that schemes against others and controls the four directions. Now, it's his turn to scheme against me!'

His thoughts were gloomy. The Minghui before him could no longer restrain himself. He looked at Changyun with eyes full of envy and said:

"True Lord, you have already achieved three divine abilities! What incredible speed! Even those immortal descendants at the Golden Core level are no more than this!"

No matter how much flattery and politeness Minghui's words contained, Changyun felt sensitive upon hearing them. After all, he, Changyun, was a secret agent of the Jinyu Sect, so it sounded more like sarcasm. His somewhat gloomy eyes darted back and forth over the monk.

'Does this monk truly know...? His words are so sharp. Has Lotus Temple also learned of Jinlian's identity and status...? Normally, they shouldn't have access to such information...'

So he said faintly:

"Just luck."

Minghui shook his head and sighed:

"I hear the Yang family's Purple Gold Hall has opened. Something will happen on the river sooner or later. This time I've come, besides doing this offensive task, I also have a couple of questions for you."

"Oh?"

Changyun raised an eyebrow. Listening to the monk's distress, who pondered for quite some time, and only after seeing the great formation sealed, did he stealthily say:

"You and I have been friends for many years... Is there any way to seek death... teach me..."

As these words came out, Zhong Qian, who stood by, serious and worried, couldn't help but twitch his lips. Changyun stared at him blankly for a moment, then said somewhat oddly:

"How truly strange! This world is so vast, and there are already few paths to life, so how could there be fewer paths to death?!"