Chapter 1067: Baoya

The lake water surged. Li Ximing’s gaze deepened slightly as he looked at the colorful clouds to the north. Figures stood unevenly on the clouds, and the purple flames, originally from Mingyang, now held a touch of pink, unfurling grandly like a waterfall suspended in the clouds.

“Guangchan.”

Li Zhouwei’s armor had been sent to Zhijing Mountain for tempering and repair, and he had entrusted it to Li Ximing. Li Ximing retrieved it to examine, but unfortunately, Li Zhouwei was in seclusion, and the armor did not recognize him. Fortunately, after a thorough search, he managed to find the Demon-Slaying Abdominal Flail and the Qi Feng of the Jiangguang Camp, which had been stored within the clan.

Both of these items were useful. However, the Huayang Royal Axe and the Qianyuan Bracelet, which Li Zhouwei always carried and never let out of his sight, could not be found.

He held his sleeves together, appearing as steady as a mountain as he waited silently. In reality, his sleeve twitched slightly, and the little finger of his left hand detached at the root, rolling into the mouth of the wooden carving.

Life Sealed!

In that very instant, something rose from the clouds, layered within the dense clouds. It was a temple as massive as a mountain. Ancient temple bells chimed, and the halls were majestic. Golden-robed monks sat within in various poses, somewhat resembling the golden-armored, golden-robed figures of Yetian Gate. A golden plaque on the temple displayed three large characters: Baoya Temple.

In front of the temple, a lotus platform was in full bloom. A young monk, with a smooth forehead, pointed chin, and dark pupils, wore a light brown monastic robe and a golden-patterned kasaya. A long spear stood beside him, emitting rolling Li Fire light.

His gaze was calm as he stared directly at Li Ximing: "Fellow Daoist Zhaojing, meeting you in person truly lives up to your reputation."

When Changxiao made his move back then, chasing him all the way to the East Sea like a cat playing with a mouse, it was more of a probing attempt and hardly counted. Aside from Changxiao, Guangchan was almost the most formidable opponent Li Ximing had ever encountered. He possessed the Wei-Li bloodline, cultivating as an Immortal first, then as a Buddhist — far surpassing Helian Wujiang! Moreover, Li Ximing had the Chongyang Astral Plate in his possession back then!

It was impossible not to be nervous. Li Ximing immediately opened his hand, his palm a mix of green and yellow, and a jade ruler sprang out — it was Shichuan.

The green-yellow patterns of mountains and rivers rippled, catching Guangchan's eye. The young monk pressed his palms together, seemingly recognizing the item's extraordinary origin at a glance. He spoke softly: "What a treasure. The Li clan truly lives up to its reputation as descendants of Wei-Li... It seems I haven't come to the wrong place."

He didn't waste time. With just this gesture, a long, resonant bell chime echoed in the air. The temple in the clouds suddenly magnified, and the ground formed by the colorful clouds rapidly expanded and spread. Li Ximing felt as if he were on an boundless platform in front of the temple; the lake scenery beneath his feet vanished, and all that reflected in his pupils was the bright, glowing red light descending from the sky.

"How fast!"

Along with this, a slightly youthful boy's voice resonated, lingering faintly in his ears: "Offense intended!"

This remark seemed directed at Sima Yuanli, who was on the side. Li Ximing couldn't pay too much attention. He formed a hand seal before his chest, his eyes suddenly blazing with light. The Shangyao Fuguan erupted, swaying as it resisted the red light. His other hand, hidden in his sleeve, conjured flames.

Li Ximing had cultivated Shangyao Fuguan for many years; although it couldn't compare to Li Zhouwei's various divine enhancements, it was still considered proficient. Yet, under the opponent's red light, it melted away like ice and snow, disintegrating inch by inch, only slightly slowing the red light's advance.

Li Ximing immediately felt a bad premonition. He realized the man on the golden lotus seat had already drawn his spear and vanished! With a decisive thought, he immediately activated his spiritual sense!

"Boom!"

Dark clouds suddenly appeared within the dense colorful clouds. The Demon-Slaying Abdominal Flail suddenly appeared, and silver lightning, like a waterfall, descended forcefully, suppressing the red light with lightning speed.

Li Ximing immediately lifted his sleeve, and from it, an object appeared, its color a deep azure. It grew in size against the wind, blocking his front. It was precisely the Bitian Qingyuan Mystic Cauldron!

The Li Fire coiled around the spear, its brilliant light pure and bright, yet it was sucked into the wide-open mouth of the cauldron, one by one. The golden spear tip flicked, striking precisely against the cauldron's body.

"Clang!"

A loud sound emerged. The Bitian Qingyuan Mystic Cauldron was thrown high, almost losing its mystical power. Li Ximing's face flushed slightly; he knew then: "What a powerful spear..."

Guangchan before him was not like Helian Wujiang, who focused solely on Daoist arts. His profound magical power merged with his spear techniques, and brilliant light and Li Fire intertwined, making him extremely threatening!

But the monk merely glanced at him. Seizing the moment the Bitian Qingyuan Mystic Cauldron was lifted and shaken, he activated a wondrous technique. From his mouth, a golden light, scorching like blades and spears, erupted, temporarily immobilizing the Mystic Cauldron. With a thrust of his spear tip, he had already exploited the opening.

Li Ximing was not one to sit idly and await death. In just an instant, the invisible Light of Six Harmonies already flickered at his fingertips. This light pulsed and leaped before him, landing on the spear tip, and he rebuked: "Emperor repels villainy, Emperor commands reversal."

These words activated a Fated Divine Ability. The eight characters were uttered as a single sound, driven by the divine ability to vibrate through the Great Void. This was precisely the function of the Light of Six Harmonies in dispelling disasters and overcoming difficulties!

Instantly, the purple-pink Li Fire on the spear coalesced, transforming into nimble, adorable birds with round bellies, flitting everywhere. The golden brilliance fell away, scattering into lotus flowers and colored glaze, clattering down from the air. Even the sharp spear tip became indistinct: "Tianxia Ming!"

Guangchan had not expected him to master a Fated Divine Ability so easily and was unprepared. For a moment, he miscalculated, and his expression subtly changed. The hand he had kept behind his back finally emerged, and he lightly clapped his hands in front of him, as if dispelling something.

But his sweeping long spear was simultaneously struck heavily by something, knocking it aside by an inch. Li Ximing casually lifted his sleeve, calmly dodging. Instead of retreating, he advanced, parting his lips slightly to spit out flames!

Heavenly Crow Conjoined Fire!

The conjoined fire, so bright it hurt the eyes, surged out. Pale gray, accompanying invisible flames shimmered and rippled like water. Mixed within were two more types of flames, golden-red and crimson, intermingling and emitting terrifying fluctuations.

Li Ximing's breath of fire borrowed the power of Valley Wind Ignition, and the Heavenly Crow Conjoined Fire itself was renowned. Even Guangchan was startled, his heart pounding, as a patch of fine white scales erupted on his face, as if bristling. He immediately opened his lips.

Between his jade-white teeth, there was no tongue. Connected to his throat was a slender, elongated old cicada. Its entire body was pale white; its two scaled wings had a pale white base and pure white veins. Its pair of crimson compound eyes stared fixedly and greedily at the outside world, but upon discovering a surge of conjoined fire pouring in, it flapped its scaled wings as if startled.

As its wings moved, a pale red, hazy, heavy wind blew from their tips. This red-eyed white cicada detached from his mouth, drifting away, leaving only the inert body standing in place. Above its bright, clean bald head, a patch of colorful clouds suddenly opened, showering down golden light.

"Boom!"

That body stiffly took the full force of the flames. Yet, illuminated by the hazy golden light, it didn't retreat an inch. Its iron-hard skin and muscles melted away before the flames, revealing pale golden bones. Li Ximing sensed something was wrong and cautiously shifted his gaze.

The red-eyed white cicada in the distance trembled, and the body then dissolved like water, leaving patches of flame with nothing to cling to, fruitlessly emitting black smoke. The red-eyed white cicada in the distance transformed back into Guangchan. The fierce-looking youth touched his face, and his jade-white skin reappeared, his expression filled with admiration: "Truly a descendant of Wei!"

The opponent's escape technique was truly formidable, completely dissolving the flames that had not yet penetrated deep into the bones. But in this swift exchange, Li Ximing was not one to merely watch. Seizing the opponent's miscalculation, he brought both hands together at his chest, and the Yetian Gate, no less massive than the heavenly temple, descended to suppress, landing squarely on the youth's head!

Guangchan, however, showed no fear. Instead, he laughed heartily and shook his head: "Fellow Daoist Li, this venerable one also cultivated Mingyang in a previous life! Under Yetian Gate, the False Purple is easily avoided, but the True Purple cannot be escaped!"

His confidence was not unfounded! Before Guangchan entered the Buddhist path, he was named Li Jieyi. He was an Immortal cultivator with three Mingyang divine abilities, at the Mid-Purple Mansion stage. He cultivated to maximize his benefits, only becoming a Buddhist after encountering an immortal threshold!

The monk raised his palm, his left hand pressed under his right, forming a lotus seal. Divine power converged, and he commanded: "Borrowing the Pinyi Brightness Art!"

Instantly, Pinyi light and brilliant radiance flickered. The cumbersome Yetian Gate, which had already closed, was revealed under the scorching brilliance to be Guangchan's seemingly useless lotus platform, which had been placed nearby!

Guangchan originally did not comprehend Pinyi Water. But this technique was of no low rank, and he was extremely familiar with this divine ability. This item was clearly a superb Buddhist artifact, meticulously refined with numerous Pinyi Water spiritual materials through Buddhist means, allowing him to walk out calmly!

Instantly, the situation changed dramatically. Li Ximing was already at a disadvantage, and his divine ability was now depleted. The youth's eyes had turned golden, sensing the Buddhist land. The temple gates suddenly swung open, and Li Ximing was no longer outside the temple, but had entered its inner halls, stepping into the sanctuary!

From all four sides, five massive golden figures suddenly emerged. All appeared as malevolent demons or evil spirits, their faces dark, hideous, and repulsive. Each wielded a spear, halberd, staff, or lance, moving in unison to attack.

Guangchan, meanwhile, sat high above, his palms pressed together, deep in meditation and chanting scriptures.

Li Ximing had no choice but to activate his jade ruler to block the incoming spears and halberds, immediately raising a cloud of dust. He was still somewhat incredulous — under the scrutiny of his Fated Divine Ability, this place was unequivocally real, not an illusion! His Demon-Slaying Abdominal Flail hovered in the dark clouds outside the temple, and various lightning strikes were continuously striking a mystic drum that the opponent had previously conjured!

This was his first time battling such an uncanny Buddhist cultivator, and his heart was already seized with dread: "Guangchan's reputation isn't unfounded... I'm afraid I'm deeply trapped and won't be able to escape easily!"

So, as the five weapons struck simultaneously, he parried them in one breath, his face paling. He opened his mouth and spat out flames, pouting his lips and turning his head to sweep the flames out in waves in all directions!

These five golden figures were not particularly strong; the power of the Heavenly Crow Conjoined Fire was far more formidable. The bright white flames clung to the golden figures, the hall beams, and the jade seats like a persistent disease, burning fiercely. Like countless crawling demons, they grew increasingly violent.

"Unfortunately, it's a conjoined fire! If it weren't for this conjoined fire, I'd be ninety percent sure I could trap and kill him instantly!"

Conjoined fire harms one's nature and life; everywhere it went, it caused a vexing malaise. No matter how perfect Guangchan's temple was, it couldn't escape this. He absolutely couldn't let him run rampant. So, he had no choice but to pause his chanting slightly, shake his sleeve, and drop out a small, exquisite pagoda.

The item grew in size against the wind, and the sixteen runes at its base flickered in unison. Li Ximing gained a moment to breathe. He activated the Light of Six Harmonies to dispel disasters and overcome difficulties. Seeing the opponent aggressively trying to suppress him, he commanded: "The four seas despair, how can it bear such a burden?"

But the monk above laughed: "The Xiangru Pagoda is mighty and enduring. Now, treading in mystic peril, it is precisely the time to bear such a burden."

The suppressing pagoda then glowed with platinum light. The rolling golden mist, instead of slowing the pagoda, made it move even faster. Li Ximing watched, astonished and horrified. How could he not recognize the divine mystery within, cursing inwardly: "It's the Mingyang Peril-Treading Light!"

The pagoda descended with a rumble. Li Ximing now experienced the predicament that the various True Persons faced when confronting Li Zhouwei. In that instant, he couldn't afford to hold back his trump cards. He could only grit his teeth and resist, raising the Yetian Gate.

Platinum-white heavenly light shone down. The bright Heavenly Gate rose from the ground, but the five golden figures simultaneously reached out, each holding a chain, tugging the pagoda tightly to prevent the Heavenly Gate from further expanding.

For a moment, the clashing brilliance of Mingyang continuously emerged. Intense purple flames rippled everywhere, and light within the pagoda flickered in and out of sight. Guangchan pressed his palms together and praised: "Within the pagoda, there are infinite streams of light that kill lives. Yet, Zhaojing has good fortune; this place has specifically kept someone for you — whoever enters my Baoya will surely be a great figure."

While speaking words of invitation, his expression held little hope. The speed of his hand seals grew faster and faster, and his eyelids twitched slightly.

Beneath the pagoda, countless bright white lights were already rippling. The True Person inside also emitted a hazy white light through the golden pagoda walls, causing his magical power to deplete increasingly rapidly. A hint of decisiveness appeared in his eyes.

"Must not delay... Li Ximing is nothing special, but the Heavenly Crow Conjoined Fire is more disgusting than anything. If this thing harms it for too long, it will surely destroy my pagoda!"

By now, Guangchan believed he had the situation under control. He only feared one thing: the fire. The light in his eyes grew even more dazzling, and he chanted: "Gather your external ways, and enter my triple chamber!"

As these words were uttered, the bricks beneath his feet shifted again. The massive screen behind Guangchan suddenly split to both sides, faintly revealing a deeper inner chamber. There was no colossal Dharma body or magnificent patterns, but a simple golden statue.

The flames beneath the pagoda seemed to be stimulated, growing even more intense. Guangchan suddenly looked up as a long, lingering chant echoed in his ears: "Om..."

The rolling, moving ground abruptly stopped. The golden pagoda thundered, and the five golden figures began to stumble uncontrollably. Guangchan's expression suddenly turned doubtful, and he was momentarily horrified: "A True Person of the Xuantu Dao!"

In the instant he lost his composure, cracking sounds continuously came from the five chains, which clattered and scattered across the ground. A brown-red radiance forcefully lifted the pagoda, revealing the True Person beneath.

Li Ximing's entire body was covered in eye-sized holes. Both of his eyes had turned into pools of crimson water, and rolling brilliant light surged through the holes, appearing savage and terrifying. Yet, he was completely lost in a trance, sitting cross-legged within the pagoda, his hands forming a lotus-holding gesture.

In his palm, he cupped a thumb-sized golden phantom light. It was covered with dense runes, rotating and dancing, extremely agile and brightly ascending. Three points of crimson bright light, like satellite stars, circled around him.

Great Li Golden Radiance.

Guangchan was indeed a high-level cultivator who had transitioned from Immortal to Buddhist. In an instant, he had calmed his mind. He pressed his palms together again, concentrating for a long time on the pagoda's tip. The phantom light, originally meant to kill Li Ximing, suddenly descended prematurely!

Li Ximing, however, lifted his head with even greater speed. Bright colors appeared in his empty eye sockets. His lips parted slightly, and aided by the Light of Six Harmonies, all incantations rang out as one: "Calamity engulfs the heavens, I shall punish your evil!"

The heavenly light at his brow instantly transformed into a dark color, and hundreds and thousands of streaks of light, golden in front and black behind, flowed out. In an instant, they submerged all the scenery above his head — Diqi Light!

Aided by the Changyue Zhibian Gold obtained from Guo Nanwu, he had cultivated this art!

"Boom!"

The pitch-black light, guided by the Fated Divine Ability, completely submerged the torrential white light. It only blocked for an instant, but that was entirely enough time!

"Thump!"

The Great Li Golden Radiance, like esoteric runes, had transformed into an intense, pure golden light, causing the Great Void to reverberate. The surging Li Light, like a rising hurricane, ripped through the temple body, passing through the dense colorful clouds and staining the sky a deep crimson!

The entire Baoya Temple was like a torn painting, ripped in half by this light. It scattered a shower of glittering light, and the lake, reflecting the crimson sky, reappeared.

"Baoya Temple is destroyed!"

Li Ximing knew well that his opponent was far from finished. He spat blood and turned his head. His hollow eyes distantly saw Sima Yuanli manipulating Pinyi Water on the lake, and a heavy roar echoed in the air: "Sima Yuanli! Spiritual Treasure!"

His coughing blood echoed in the air. Sima Yuanli was startled and alarmed, seemingly not having expected Guangchan to possess such ability. He hastily unfastened a pale white, gold-glowing scroll from his waist, and enduring the surrounding attacks, he threw out the Spiritual Treasure!

"I can make a mistake with King Wei... he's not someone who holds grudges. But if I harm Li Ximing, King Wei will surely make me pay with my life!"