Chapter 1062: Heavy Mountain Evil Sacrifice

The island's light breeze stirred, and the fiercely hot sunlight bleached the reefs white. A man dressed in white stood silently for a while amidst the clouds by the sea, appearing very calm.

An Siwei was old. After his father, An Zheyan, passed away, he became the most senior elder in the An clan. The southward advance of the Great Desire Dao led to the complete annihilation of An Xuanxin and many direct descendants and supporters of the An family. While not a crippling blow to the Li clan, it was a devastating shock to An Siwei.

The impact of this event was incredibly heavy for him. An Xuantong's letter, sent from across the lake, was a lengthy scroll. An Siwei read it, tears streaming down his face, and repeatedly sighed with regret. It took him three attempts to finish the letter, and he found himself at a loss for how to reply.

"To suffer such a disaster!"

His heart was filled with boundless trepidation. He clearly understood that while the An clan's status still appeared stable, An Xuantong had no sons. In the next hundred years, the An clan would undoubtedly lack successors. The conflict between the North and South was also intensifying, and if luck were against them and An Xuantong were to perish, the An clan would suffer the same fate as the Tian clan.

A cultivator's appearance is linked to their lifespan, but even more so to their inner spirit. With his spirit depleted, this loyal An clan guest elder suddenly looked decades older, appearing as an old man. He stood blankly by the sea, and a flicker of hope surprisingly arose in his heart:

"Though I am old and useless, I do not value my life more than his. Could I implore the elder lord to send me to the riverside... to somehow save Xuantong's life..."

He had privately discussed this idea with his children, but An Xuantong vehemently opposed it, vowing to avenge his brother's death, just as An Siwei himself had done in his youth. Yet, An Siwei, being a man of experience, knew in his heart that this revenge was unattainable, not in a hundred generations, nor in a thousand.

This thought made him feel a momentary daze, and he suddenly recalled his father:

"When my brother died, did Father ever consider such a plan? Probably not. He had only one son in his heart, only Jingming, just as he called out before his death. We were merely the offspring he had out of obedience to a will."

All the various clan and family matters weighed heavily on his mind, leaving him standing there blankly, utterly at a loss.

After waiting by the sea for some time, he suddenly observed the waves churning, as if a dark mass was surfacing from the seabed. His thoughts immediately scattered, and he became alert, gripping a talisman in his hand.

"What kind of demon... dares to venture to my Lulai Island?"

Lulai Island was guarded by a Purple Mansion cultivator, so there was no need to fear any attacks. Moreover, the Li family shared close ties with the Dragon kin. An Siwei merely suspected some demon had wandered in by mistake, but then he saw ripples on the water, and a white figure leaped out from them.

It was a man clad in a blue carved-silk short jacket with a brocade cape, his neck faintly adorned with fine jade-green scales. His cultivation was immensely profound, emanating a suffocating aura of power.

Behind him, the water shimmered, and from the seabed, a demon carried forth a jade-green palanquin-pavilion. Adorned with gold and jewels, it featured seven stories and six grand halls, further embellished with pearls, emeralds, and tassels, appearing like a grand, floating platform. An Siwei, in shock, immediately dropped to his knees.

Who else in the sea could command such power... but the Dragon kin! Having spent many years in the East Sea, he naturally understood the formidable nature of the Dragon clan.

Yet, the man's expression was very courteous. He took a step forward, and from beyond the grand formation, he bowed respectfully, saying:

"Are you a member of the Li clan? Please inform your master that the Xushui Demon King is here to visit."

An Siwei was startled. He promptly sent someone forward, giving detailed instructions to report to Liu Changdie within the formation. He himself waited nearby with humble deference, casting a fearful glance at the visitor before cautiously asking:

"Is this... is this indeed Lord Ying?"

The young man in brocade lowered his brows, revealing a hint of gratitude, and nodded, saying:

"Indeed, this humble demon... an old acquaintance from the great river."

An Siwei's heart settled slightly, and he quickly responded:

"Does Your Lordship recall the Wei King's Northern Campaign from Floating Cloud Cave? This humble one was serving under him then..."

"He is already the Wei King..."

An Siwei didn't need to explain the title "Wei King." The mere mention of "Wei" was enough for Ying He Bai to understand perfectly. His heart surged with emotion, leaving him overwhelmed:

"The grace of saving my clan—how can I ever repay it!"

That year, as the situation within the sea drastically changed, Ying He Bai dared not linger and hastily retreated. Though he saved his life, abandoning his post without awaiting news from the sea was ultimately a dereliction of duty, which angered his superior and made his life difficult ever since.

Since his return from within the sea, his clan's situation had simultaneously taken a sharp turn for the worse. When the Xushui Demon King attended the Divine Power banquet of the Jiao Hai Dragon King, Ying He Bai's aunt impetuously offended the Baitao Demon King during the feast. Although she was protected by the Xushui Demon King, she fell from favor. Ying He Bai's own assigned tasks became increasingly perilous, and his clan faced a sudden decline, teetering on the brink of annihilation.

Fortunately, the Wei King mentioned the matter to the Beihai Dragon King, and the supreme superior of his own superior personally intervened. Even the Baitao Demon King came to offer an apology, which greatly honored Xushui.

"With but a single word, he saved my clan's lives and honor!"

Perhaps in earlier years, Ying He Bai's respect for him was solely due to Oriental Ding Jiao, but now he was genuinely convinced and utterly humbled:

"This Wei King's standing, I fear, commands respect even from the Beihai Dragon King, let alone the Xushui Demon King. To promote me here today, as a vanguard for the King, serves not only as a demonstration to the Li clan but also as an expression of loyalty from the Xushui Demon King to Beihai..."

He composed himself and waited quietly. In but a breath, a man stepped out into the air, his form radiant with brilliant silver divine power. He bowed respectfully and hastily declared:

"This humble outer cultivator, Yuanbian, greets Your Majesty!"

Upon hearing that the Dragon kin had arrived, Liu Changdie fully understood. Li Ximing was pressed for time, having no leisure even to meet him, and had hastily departed with Li Quewan. He must have been rushing to forge connections with the Dragon kin to return to the inner sea in time... This realization evoked a slight sigh from Liu Changdie:

"Indeed, the Wei Li's position is a demanding one; he doesn't dare linger anywhere..."

Just then, a man descended from the pavilion, clad in dark black armor, his face obscured by a helmet. A longbow was strapped to his back. He stepped inside, his voice deep and powerful:

"I am Lu Xu, sent to this island by command. I apologize for any disturbance."

"You needn't apologize..."

Liu Changdie simply led him further in. The two did not enter the cave dwelling but sat instead in a courtyard on the island. The Demon King, with a calm expression, stated indifferently:

"Your great name precedes you."

As these four words reached his ears, Liu Changdie realized that the other party had not come solely for Fu Xun. His heart grew cautious, and he replied:

"I never imagined my humble name could have reached Your Excellency's esteemed ears!"

The Xushui Demon King directly lifted his teacup and replied:

"I am a crude individual, unaccustomed to your human customs, and I won't mince words with you. I will speak directly about what matters. There was a Great True Man named Chang Xiao who intended to kill you. It was my clan's Dark Pool Thunder Maiden who saved you. Had it not been for her, you would have lost your life long ago."

Liu Changdie's lingering doubts were suddenly confirmed. He promptly rose from his seat, bowing deeply in thanks, feigning profound gratitude as he spoke:

"Yuanbian had already sensed it... Truly, my deepest thanks to this esteemed lord..."

Lu Xu offered him no pleasant expression, maintaining a calm demeanor as he continued:

"While it was indeed an arrangement of fate, and the various barbarians, in the eyes of Lady Xuan Nü, could not bear to witness your downfall, you being a favored one of the Celestial Bureau, it is also true that this Dark Pool Thunder Maiden shares a karmic connection with you..."

Liu Changdie was momentarily dumbfounded, and asked doubtfully:

"This Xuan Nü..."

Lu Xu, however, seemed stung by his words. His previously calm expression suddenly changed drastically, and he reminded him in a low voice:

"How can you address a Xuan Nü in such a manner...? There is only one Xuan Nü in the world: the Daughter of Xuanpin, whom you cultivators refer to as the True Monarch of Wondrous Dao Transformation, the Empress of Nine Heavens Xuanpin..."

Only then did Liu Changdie realize that the "Xuan Nü" the other party referred to was Empress Pinshui. Cultivators indeed used "Empress" more frequently when speaking of her. He broke out in a cold sweat. Then, with his deepest secret exposed by the phrase "favored by the Celestial Bureau," he lost his composure, quickly slapped himself a few times, apologized profusely, and used a question to mask his panic:

"I wonder about this... Thunder Maiden..."

"Favored by the Celestial Bureau... Empress Pinshui... Could the Celestial Bureau have had a connection with Empress Pinshui? But hasn't this Empress long ceased to appear in the world...?"

His mind swirled with countless thoughts. As he profusely apologized, the Xushui Demon King's expression softened slightly, and he continued:

"When this great being was in human form, her common name was Li Qinghong."

Liu Changdie finally had a moment of profound realization. All his past doubts seemed to be answered. A pang of sorrow pierced his heart, leaving him at a loss for how to respond, while Lu Xu watched him silently:

"You should guard this place and refrain from wandering about. If you ever venture into the inner sea or other waters and lose your life to someone, we will not be able to intervene..."

Lu Xu's expression was grave, as if assessing whether his words had convinced the other man. Liu Changdie, meanwhile, sighed repeatedly, almost on the verge of tears:

"It was indeed a favor from the Li clan... Given this, my remaining here is akin to resuming my role as a guest elder of the Li clan... The karmic connections of the world are truly wondrous!"

The Xushui Demon King then commanded:

"Summon that demon!"

Liu Changdie promptly excused himself. After a brief wait, the white-clad, red-eyed youth hastily entered the hall, bowing low as he quickly said:

"Greetings, Your Lordship!"

As he bowed, outside the trio's perception, a pale yellow light already flowed. The multiple eyes at the back of Fu Xun's head opened once more, their pale pupils staring blankly at the sky.

The Xushui Demon King, however, remained entirely unaware. He regarded Fu Xun with some curiosity, secretly praising him:

"He is actually an auspicious beast, how rare! Once the matter of Mingyang is concluded, the Dragon King might very well find a use for him..."

"However, for now, I should keep him hidden... lest the other kings see him. Otherwise, they will contend for him, which would disrupt important affairs."

He then assumed a dignified posture and asked:

"Since this is the Wei King's request, he is certainly of great use. Where would he prefer to be stationed?"

The eyes at the back of Fu Xun's head shifted, and his lips hummed as if in mutual discussion. Then he whispered:

"Dongfang Weixi... and Zhongli Bailu... cannot see us..."

"All the barbarians are well... the World Navel is also well... In this place, in a state of yin absorption, they wouldn't look favorably upon us."

Fu Xun was already weeping as he replied:

"I have no one to rely on but this brother. I hope to remain close to True Man Yuanbian..."

Lu Xu had long anticipated his thoughts. Fearing that his wandering might attract the attention of other Dragon Kings, he smiled and said:

"Between these reefs and the World Navel, there is a Danping Reef. You may guard it, but you must not leave your post without cause. If you delay the Lord's affairs, I will not spare you!"

Fu Xun was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly. The Xushui Demon King then lifted him, turned to Ying He Bai, and commanded:

"From now on, I shall send you to patrol these seas. Bring all your clansmen here. If the Wei King has any instructions, go directly to the palace to seek the Jiaohai Dragon King!"

His own territory was not here; he was currently entrusting Ying He Bai to Oriental Ding Jiao, the Jiaohai Dragon King, who was close to the Wei King. The Xushui Demon King was not an easy master to please, so Ying He Bai nodded and bowed repeatedly in thanks, overjoyed to the point of tears. He escorted the colossal palanquin-pavilion out before returning on the wind, specifically to find An Siwei.

The scales on the demon's neck opened and closed, his face covered in crystal-clear tears that clattered against his armor. He bowed on the deserted beach, sobbing:

"Please inform the Wei King that this great kindness is difficult to repay. Even if one day he wishes to consume my heart and lungs, or take my life, He Bai will readily accept!"

The Southern Borders.

Dark clouds gathered in the sky. A large azure-purple banner fluttered amidst the swirling winds. Below the mountain, swarms of barbarians, like ants, were vaguely visible, led by ropes as if they were cattle or sheep.

On the mountain peak, the golden-eyed man stood with his hands behind his back, his cloak billowing. The purple pattern on his brow glowed faintly, as if breathing, and his golden eyes brimmed with thoughts.

"This is divine power."

He raised his hand, and a vibrant azure flame flared at his fingertips, causing the Tai Xu to constantly ripple. As the true qi fire subtly transformed, it remarkably bore a resemblance to the formless water and fire.

This flame permeated downwards into his sea of qi, clearly revealing everything within. Like a handful of sweet dew, it descended upon his immortal foundation, continuously nourishing the Yantian Gate, subtly connecting it with the Tai Xu, preparing it for the future Purple Mansion.

Li Jiangxia pondered faintly to himself:

"Jiangliang spoke of the Golden Lotus Throne, but I disagree... At best, he's a Bodhisattva. This Xuan-holding power is tied to authority; it seems I don't know if it's the blessing from his founding peerage or the enhancement from being chief of all officials... He's slightly more powerful than I am."

But these matters were not important. What Li Jiangxia truly valued was the enhancement of his own divine power. Changes in authority were determined by others; they could not compare to the freedom that came from his own divine power:

"My cultivation of Bright Yang is far smoother than his cultivation of Li Fire. With this Xuan-holding blessing, I believe... I will be able to seek divine power within ten years..."

As he pondered, An Xuantong hastily ascended the mountain. He, too, was now clad in military attire, looking majestic. The shadow of his brother's death had not yet fully lifted from his brow, yet from the miracle of Li Jiangxia's sudden surge in divine power, he seemed to find hope for revenge. Appearing ambitious, he bowed and said:

"All cultivators of Fang State have been bound, and all their people and horses have been rounded up by us... May I ask, Your Lordship... how shall we dispose of them...?"

Li Jiangxia's expression turned thoughtful.

This region, once pacified, was destined to become a cultivator's fiefdom. Before his departure, Li Jiangliang had mentioned that, given Yang Zhuo's customs, this place would most likely become his own territory. Li Jiangxia narrowed his eyes slightly, seemingly recalling something:

"Heavy mountains and evil sacrifices, bound and brought to Wei."

He took a step, murmuring:

"This is the seventh state. There are not many cultivators left in the realm now. Bind all these shamans and send them to the capital for His Majesty to deal with... As for the people and their horses..."

The golden-eyed youth's expression turned somber as he replied:

"When I came... His Majesty had given instructions: 'The light of Heavenly Martial might does not illuminate barbarian peoples. Those of Baekje, Jiaozhi, and Piao are base, servile kinds, prone to provocation and ingratitude. Their clans shall be annihilated, and the lands settled by the Huaxia people.'"

Before and after Yang Zhuo's ascension to emperor, he had never engaged in mass slaughter, consistently treating his people with benevolence. However, his definition of "his people" clearly had boundaries. These words exuded a chilling coldness. Li Jiangxia lowered his brows and gazed at the people and horses, like ants, at the foot of the mountain:

"The true decree is before us; it cannot be violated or altered. Convey my order: All belonging to the barbarians shall have their faces tattooed, be driven into servitude to build a great palace for the Emperor, and their women shall be brought back to the state as maids."

The Li clan had always cherished their people and treated the Mountain Yue under their rule with leniency. An Xuantong was visibly uneasy with such commands, but with an immortal decree before him, he could only descend nervously. Li Jiangxia seemed entirely unaffected. After standing quietly for a while, he heard hasty footsteps. A person emerged from the mountains, prostrated on the ground, and urgently reported:

"Urgent report, General... The Great General has reached the wilderness and is about to attack Sanjiang!"