Chapter 1105: Different Paths, Same Destination

As Tao Jieping departed on the wind, Qi Lanyan’s expression grew increasingly troubled. Anger and hatred welled up within him, with nowhere to vent. He paced back and forth in the great hall, hands clasped behind his back, remaining silent for three or four steps.

Below, the Daoist-robed man Fan Kang waited for a while, raising his eyebrows several times to observe his master's changing expression. Feeling he could no longer remain silent, and not daring to bring up the matter of Guang Chan, he finally raised his eyebrows and said:

"Master... since Baixiang Valley has fallen... we likely won't be able to keep the enemy out of the Central Plains. And Buddhist cultivators are known for their shifting allegiances. Fortunately... Baiye Duxian is still in our hands."

"It's useless even if we have it!"

This sharp retort startled Fan Kang into silence. His brow furrowed with worry, he could only change tack and say hesitantly:

"If they take Baixiang and then attack north... beyond Baixiang lies the Central Plains, with weak defenses... if someone could become the first cultivator in centuries to push into the north... surely that would..."

This, however, made the young man at the head of the hall laugh out of anger. "Yang Ruiyi cannot possibly attack Luoxia... to provoke the Northern Kings and numerous aristocratic families! The Great Song's wings are not yet fully grown; isn't killing Guang Chan enough? Does he want to stir up turmoil across the northern court and populace? Li Zhouwei certainly won't walk into a trap!"

He started to speak, then stopped, sighing. "I'd actually hope he continues north, then we wouldn't have this headache. But I see... he's most likely coming for Baiye!"

Fan Kang understood his meaning and quickly said, "We should quickly send people..."

Qi Lanyan cast a cold glance at him. "If the people from my side go to Baiye, and Yang Ruiyi attacks Shanji, what then?"

Fan Kang fell silent once more. Qi Lanyan ground his teeth and said, "The great defeat at Baixiang Valley, and Guang Chan's death—though we've lost a major general, there's still room for recovery... The problem is that all the forces in Baixiang were completely scattered. Not one of these True Lords is simple-minded, and the Zheqi of the South is terrifying. Each one is nursing their injuries and won't show themselves anytime soon... Will Tuobasi listen to me? No need to even think about Cheng Yun; at most, we can rely on Murong Yan and the Helian family..."

This was always Qi Lanyan's headache. While the various True Lords of the South, despite their different Dao traditions, were at least ostensibly united under the suppression of imperial power and True Qi, Northern cultivators were almost all summoned; without benefit, who would sacrifice themselves?

Moreover, Violet Palace cultivators do have some say and cannot be ordered about like servants. In the same vein of defeat, the Great Zhao side reacts much slower. The forces he currently commanded were even at a slight disadvantage against the South.

This immediately put Qi Lanyan in an awkward position. Zheqi and True Qi were formidable; Li Zhouwei, Liu Bai... even Situ Huo were all outstanding individuals. If the North could not suppress the South in overall strength, a second defeat was highly probable!

This filled Qi Lanyan's heart with dread. "Once Baiye is also taken, the entire Jiangbei Western Two Rivers region will merge into a single entity, making it much harder to reclaim... Shanji will be the next to fall!"

Cold sweat began to form on his forehead. Fan Kang had been feigning ignorance and subtly guiding the conversation for a long time, finally seeing his chance. He stepped forward, revealing his true thoughts, saying, "I think... why not attack Baixiang?"

Qi Lanyan parted his lips, then stopped abruptly, saying thoughtfully, "Continue."

Fan Kang quickly gathered his thoughts, speaking in a low voice. "Master... Yang Ruiyi's focus is definitely still on Shanji; Baixiang is certainly not his first choice. But if he attacks Duxian, Baixiang will most likely be undefended. If we negotiate with Commander Jiang, telling him we'll help him contain the enemy to the west, he'll very likely be tempted. Reclaiming Baixiang would also save some face for his Dayang Mountain faction..."

"The key is... we wouldn't have to provide these forces ourselves."

Qi Lanyan nodded. Fan Kang continued, "As for Duxian... in your disciple's opinion, the South is determined to take it; it cannot be defended..."

Qi Lanyan's expression darkened further. Just as he was about to speak, Fan Kang quickly interjected. "But if Baixiang is taken, and Duxian is lost... Master, what kind of situation would that look like?"

Qi Lanyan was slightly silent. Fan Kang then said, "In the previous life..."

He had barely uttered two words when the True Lord before him glared fiercely, cutting him off. Fan Kang immediately corrected himself, saying quickly, "The Heavenly Record... the scene shown in the Heavenly Record."

"If there were no accidents, Wei Nie should have possessed the second divine ability. Originally, Yang Ruiyi should have personally defended Tangdao, Guang Chan's ambush party would have failed, Baiye would have been taken by Li Zhouwei, and Liu Bai and others would have defended the Shanji area..."

"It was precisely because we calculated the arrangements of the previous life that we somewhat trusted the Zheqi of Tangdao Mountain, thinking to avoid changing the overall situation... but we never expected it to be exploited by those with ulterior motives, making the situation worse. However, if everything proceeds as your disciple suggests..."

Qi Lanyan understood, raising his eyebrows. "If we trade Duxian for Baixiang, it will actually be identical to the overall situation in the previous life!"

Fan Kang quickly stepped forward. "Exactly! As long as we can stabilize Shanji, the Great Mu Dharma Realm cannot sit idly by, nor can it allow the 'Precious Tooth' to fall into others' hands. Whether they send someone else, or whoever they dispatch south, it won't make much difference in the short term."

"What we need to do is maintain the general situation as is... only then can we maximize the use of the Heavenly Record's foresight!"

Qi Lanyan listened intently, looking up thoughtfully. "What truly changed was Guang Chan's death... and his inexplicable breakthrough to the Mid Violet Palace realm..."

"If the overall situation remains unchanged... we can maintain our advantage..."

Even as he discussed the shifting situation, the words "Li Zhouwei, Mid Violet Palace realm" still filled his heart with disbelief. "It completely defies logic!"

In Qi Lanyan's view, the matter was truly inexplicable. It was clearly more perfect than the Heavenly Record's prediction, and they had even borrowed a spiritual treasure to severely injure this person. Even if he healed his injuries, his cultivation should have stagnated — yet he broke through instead?

*Could it be that the more severely injured you are, Li Zhouwei, the faster you cultivate!*

This was an extremely bad situation. Li Zhouwei's Scarlet Arrow Shatter was one of the most disgusting divine abilities of the Bright Sun path. Once this divine ability was perfected, the difficulty of besieging and killing him could be said to have doubled!

*Not to mention Li Ximing gained another 'All-Under-Heaven Clarity' ability!*

Although he now knew the best way to salvage the current situation, his heart remained gloomy. He suddenly said sharply, "I ask you—Li Zhouwei... why did he suddenly reach the Mid Violet Palace realm?!"

Qi Lanyan's change of mind was as sudden as turning a page. Fan Kang was still immersed in the joy of having persuaded him and never expected the other party to suddenly ask so sharply, startling him and making him tremble. He quickly replied, "Your disciple... your disciple doesn't know!"

Qi Lanyan's eyes narrowed slightly, seemingly on guard. "You said you... were quite clear about his 'seeking gold' incident, and were involved in the final great battle, cut down by that General Chen... yet you would mishear his cultivation progress?"

Fan Kang was momentarily speechless, murmuring, "Your disciple doesn't know... your disciple... your disciple..."

Fan Kang murmured for a long time, then a flash of inspiration struck him. He suddenly understood, clapped his hands and said, "Your disciple understands!"

Qi Lanyan looked at him coldly, listening as Fan Kang said eagerly, "Your disciple understands... The Great Song... and even Moon-Gazing Lake... likely also possess a Heavenly Record! Li Ximing never left Tingzhou for the West Sea, not because your disciple's plans were disrupted—it was the interference of the Heavenly Record Master!"

He suddenly understood and clapped his hands in approval. Qi Lanyan, however, looked at him indifferently and sneered, "Tingzhou? A Heavenly Record? What are you dreaming of!"

Fan Kang became even more anxious. "Master... I..."

Qi Lanyan interrupted, "There won't be a Heavenly Record in Tingzhou! The renowned Azure Zenith Prime Orb resides on the lake! Do you know how that troublemaker was eliminated back then? It was precisely with this supreme immortal artifact! The Heavenly Record can go to any corner of the world, but it cannot go to Tingzhou!"

"If some of the Li family's direct descendants had premonitions of the future, would they be in this state now? Moreover... moreover, this matter is no secret to the Lords above; are the many eyes in the heavens blind?"

Fan Kang found it hard to speak. Qi Lanyan chuckled, "It's even less likely to fall upon Li Zhouwei."

His words came to an abrupt halt. Fan Kang said unwillingly, "Then it's on... on a high-ranking official of the Great Song... or a high-ranking official who favors the Li clan, who then intervened!"

Qi Lanyan turned, hands clasped behind his back. "Ignorant boy... Do you think the Great Song truly lacks a Heavenly Record? Don't even imagine it; they are, after all, the Underworld Bureau! Do you think you're safe hiding under me? The Lords above have already seen you... the Underworld Bureau knows you too! It's just that none of the Lords wish to personally intervene, or get involved in the karma of the Heavenly Record, so they've all remained silent!"

Fan Kang stared blankly at him. Qi Lanyan, however, understood even more clearly, and sneered, "However, your reminder has made me understand... Whether Yang Ruiyi can foresee the future is unknown, but the Underworld Bureau *does* have the desire to make the overall situation align with the Heavenly Record's predictions. Otherwise, you and I wouldn't have this opportunity to trade Baixiang for Duxian! Do you think it's 'all roads lead to Rome'? Wrong! They don't want it to change!"

"The world's situation is not in their hands, but it is in their sight..."

He swallowed the latter half of his sentence. His mind became clear; it seemed he had connected all the clues, and he sneered inwardly. *If the world's situation changes dramatically, becoming completely different, how would these Heavenly Record holders exploit opportunities? How would they unearth all the legacies of Douxuan? How would Douxuan's Chuyi Grotto-heaven open? How would treasures continuously emerge from beneath Mount Yichong? Guang Chan's death must have been an accident, and it must have displeased the Lords above!*

*What we change... must absolutely not be the current overall situation!*

With this realization, Qi Lanyan's mind cleared instantly. He clapped his hands together and replied, "I understand! Have Gongsun Bei and the others return and go to Shanji. I and the Helian family will go to Duxian; we mustn't let him attack too quickly, lest Baixiang cannot be recovered... As for... the spiritual treasure... I'll find an opportunity to borrow it for Gongsun Bei in the future."

He felt relieved, but Fan Kang was still covered in cold sweat, too shocked to speak, and whispered, "What about Nuzi and the others in Duxian...?"

Qi Lanyan sneered and replied, "Do we even need to think about it? Even Tao Jieping has left; can those Buddhist cultivators still obediently remain in Duxian?"

However, upon mentioning Tao Jieping, Qi Lanyan said regretfully, "It's a pity; the Tao family's connections are hard to disturb, and that spiritual energy cannot be obtained anymore..."

His words pulled Fan Kang back to reality. He was silent for a moment, only feeling that Qi Lanyan before him was utterly fanatical... even terrifying. His rebirth had given Qi Lanyan a complete advantage, yet this True Lord's resolve showed no sign of yielding; it was even more stubborn.

*What is he thinking?! Is he truly on a path to survival?!*

This filled Fan Kang with torment. He was not foolish; even someone who knows the future intimately could make their own predictions to some extent. He raised his eyebrows and said, "I understand... True Lord, you are wholeheartedly considering Lord Wei. But if you truly want to consider him, you should lean towards Lord Xue, or at the very least, seek out and appeal to the Chunyi Dao..."

But as he spoke, he seemed to have stepped on Qi Lanyan's tail. The True Lord showed a momentary fear, then his gaze turned cold, and he replied, "Wuguang and Guanhua are considered parallel Dao paths. The Bu Yi Temple was established much earlier than the Tongxuan Palace... Even True Lord Xuxiang must acknowledge those younger. Although my Guanhua Heavenly Tower Dao was built later, it inherited a portion of its Dao tradition and thus has its own nobility. Though it is desolate now, and under its protection, there's no notion of relying on them... If you dare mention this again, don't blame me for purging the sect."

This immediately jolted Fan Kang awake. He realized that the person before him was a Violet Palace True Lord, who could make him vanish into thin air with a mere breath. His anxiety was instantly replaced by fear. He stepped back, trembling as he said, "Your disciple misspoke!!"

Qi Lanyan watched him intently. "You are simply too impatient. Go back and cultivate."

Fan Kang bowed quickly and stumbled away. Qi Lanyan stood alone in the great hall, his expression stern.

*Tao Jieping is inexperienced and easy to probe. From his hesitant demeanor, the Tao family must possess the Wulou Queyin, but are unwilling to bring it out.*

*Tao Jieping grew up under my martial uncle's eye; even Guang Chan called him an elder. Given the Tao family's relationship with our Zhixuan, they absolutely should not refuse to lend it... It seems someone genuinely doesn't want my martial uncle to seek the Dao, and everything now seems to be working in their favor!*

He walked to the doorway, where the cold moonlight shone on the steps. Qi Lanyan felt a profound complexity in his heart. "Without power, one cannot achieve the Dao. Those who do not seek the Dao are forced to achieve it, while those who do seek it face myriad obstacles."

After much thought, he remained uneasy. He turned back and sat before his desk, a new idea forming in his mind. *Simply asking the Chunyi Dao won't be enough. Among the Sun Dao traditions, only the Cheng clan feigns reclusion, being the least principled. I must find a way to meet them again.*

The True Lord pondered for a long time. Fan Kang, however, retreated in a daze, his heart filled with dread.

*If I keep following him, will I even have a way out...?*

Fan Kang wasn't a significant figure in his previous life. He was fortunate to gain an opportunity, almost falling into the hands of Buddhist cultivators. It was Qi Lanyan who single-handedly rescued him and took him, a minor cultivator with no background or foundation, as a disciple... He knew that Qi Lanyan had selfish motives, but hadn't he also enjoyed the various benefits brought by the Guanhua Dao tradition? If Qi Lanyan simply wanted to use him, there was no need to take him as a disciple.

But seeing how stubborn the other was, he truly became fearful, a vague sense of confusion settling over him.

*With my Heavenly Record fate... to devote myself to the Buddhist path... wouldn't that also be a grand destiny?*

His original commitment as a commoner to the Buddhist path was already valuable enough; now, with the identity of a Guanhua Dao disciple, it was icing on the cake. It was just a matter of conscience.

*Let's take it one step at a time. If things become unmanageable... I still have a way out.*

Grey clouds shrouded the four directions in darkness.

A tall general holding a red axe stood in the air. After standing for a while in the deep darkness of the night, he looked at the woman beside him, raising his eyebrows. "Both Zheqi and High Shaman are Dao traditions skilled in defense, not offense; they are proficient in transformations and delaying tactics, unable to powerfully cut down enemies. Although Yang Ruiyi possesses many treasures, he hasn't yet reached the Violet Palace realm. Fellow Daoist, rest assured."

This remark, however, sent a chill through Kong Tingyun's heart. Gongsun Bei, leading Ming Xiang and others, came south to attack the Great Song. Kong Tingyun had actually long seen that Qi Lanyan had no intention of achieving actual victories—this combat strength would be formidable elsewhere, but to covet the meticulously defended Jiangnan region of the Great Song was clearly a fool's dream.

*It's just meant to tie up their forces, preventing the Great Song from diverting attention.*

Indeed, Gongsun Bei had no spiritual treasure, and even with the combined efforts of several, they could only move freely within the Zheqi. Now that these words were spoken, it was clear the situation was about to reverse.

She replied, "I'm only worried about the North."

Gongsun Bei sighed. "This is beyond our capabilities; simply follow orders."

This was meant as comfort, but it only made Kong Tingyun feel more helpless. Her heart skipped a beat as she judged, *There will likely be a great defeat.*

To put it nicely, Kong Tingyun was a puppet; to put it bluntly, merely a figurehead. But it was precisely because she understood her position that this intelligent woman possessed an unusual keenness. Qi Lanyan used to be very composed, or rather, maintained the dignity of the Guanhua Dao tradition, at least pretending to be her fellow Daoist, consulting with her on many matters. But now there was no news at all, indicating the panic, or perhaps caution, at the Xuanniao Temple. He had no time for other concerns, no time to pretend.

This was Kong Tingyun's sorrow. Her puppet facade was shattered, and she could only gaze silently at the black clouds in the sky. Gongsun Bei beside her glanced at her indifferently and asked, "Where is the great formation's array plate?"

Kong Tingyun returned the courtesy, sneering inwardly, but replied calmly, "Naturally, that is not for me to know."

Kong Xiaxiang, beside them, knelt silently at the foot of the steps like a stone statue.

Gongsun Bei let out an awkward laugh, the worry in his eyes unconcealed as he gazed deeply at the night sky. A silvery-red hue, like mixed mercury, was rapidly rising. As if to relieve his awkwardness, Gongsun Bei frowned and said, "Unexpectedly, there's another Chengqian... his mystical abilities are not low, fortunately, his cultivation isn't high, otherwise, he would be too troublesome."

Kong Tingyun said indifferently, "General, after all, cultivates Xiqi. This Dao tradition inherently has an unstable primary position, with strong collateral branches, and one-third transforming into Xiqi. When encountering a master of change who has achieved a complete elixir, he naturally has various means to resolve it."

Gongsun Bei clearly hadn't expected her to say such a thing. He replied, "Fellow Daoist has good insight!"

Kong Tingyun said unhurriedly, "After all, I am recognized within the Zhaoyao Mountain lineage; truly, I can be considered a Tongxuan disciple, having read a Daoist text or two, incomparable to the General's extensive experience from campaigning everywhere."

Although Kong Tingyun was generally kind and gentle, she was certainly not one to suffer losses for nothing. These words were a velvet glove with a hidden needle, subtly carrying a warning. Although Gongsun Bei possessed exceptional talent and forged a great name for himself alone, he was truly nothing compared to the numerous True Lord bloodlines and direct lineages of the Three Profundities in the North. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been reduced to being ordered around everywhere... If it had been a thousand years earlier, as long as Kong Tingyun had Violet Palace cultivation and her Zhaoyao Mountain lineage, Gongsun Bei would still have had to address her as 'My Lady'!

He started to speak, then stopped, a hint of apprehension in his eyes, and said, "My apologies... my apologies!"

After a long moment, a stream of light descended. It was a monk holding a treasure, his face pale, his body riddled with wounds, falling silently. It was Ming Xiang.

Gongsun Bei immediately stepped into the air and took his position in the formation. Ming Xiang, however, brushed off the Zheqi on his body, spat out a mouthful of black blood, but showed no worry in his expression, smiling as he looked at Kong Tingyun and said, "Thank you, fellow Daoist, for your protection."

Kong Tingyun was not a rigid person to begin with. Moreover, having achieved the Violet Palace realm, she gradually came to understand True Lord Changxi's lesser-known side from back then, even knowing that Changxi once had ties with Tianlang Zhi. The Great Desire Path was much crueler than the Lotus Temple. So she clasped her hands and said, "Your Eminence speaks too highly."

Ming Xiang chuckled. "The Gate Master worries too much."

Kong Tingyun sighed, "With Zheqi filling the sky, how can one not worry?"

Ming Xiang waved his hand, changing his address. "Benefactor, rest assured. The great formation here is not much worse than the one Yang Ruiyi set up at Tangdao Mountain. Although the South can break it, it won't be easy."

The monk chuckled and said, "Benefactor, don't look at these Northern cultivators with their deep cultivation levels, or these Buddhist cultivators strutting proudly. In truth, their situation is not as good as yours. If anything truly happens, they die, and that's that... But you, Benefactor? At least you have the entire Zhixuan, and even greater figures, protecting you."

Kong Tingyun looked at the monk, listening to him say, "What you need to do now, Benefactor, is not to worry so much, but to cultivate and break through as much as possible. If you can reach the Violet Palace realm, even Tongxuan will look at you with high regard!"

"Thank you, fellow Daoist, for the reminder!" Kong Tingyun was extremely intelligent and was not unaware of this principle. But among the many cultivators coming and going, it was Ming Xiang, this monk, who set aside sectarian differences to tell her these things. She felt a bit more acceptance in her heart, but also a touch of bitterness.

*But how much time can I be given? Fifty years? A hundred years? To reach the Violet Palace realm? My talent is mediocre; breaking through to the Violet Palace realm was already extremely difficult. How could I cultivate faster than people like Qi Lanyan?*

She lowered her brows.

*Even... if I use the Succession Path wondrous technique, it's still just as slim.*

Kong Tingyun remained silent. She didn't know how long passed, but then she saw grey winds swirling in the sky, the light receding, and various mystical phenomena suddenly withdrawing, like a whale sucking in water, returning to the dark great hall. The sky became peaceful for a time.

Both were stunned. Kong Tingyun immediately formed a hand seal and cast a spell. Suddenly, she heard overwhelming cheers from the foot of the mountain, like wave after wave, each louder than the last:

"Great victory at Baixiang!"

These words, seemingly reaching for the heavens, left Kong Tingyun momentarily silent. She noticed Ming Xiang beside her clapping his hands, his face full of amusement, and saying, "Oh!"

And then again:

"Guang Chan has been executed!"

The monk seemed even happier, his mouth agape, murmuring silently. Kong Tingyun, however, detected that he was faintly saying, "Wonderful!"

But she no longer cared about the disputes between these monks; she only vaguely saw the southern sky ablaze with various colors. In that part of the sky, kaleidoscopic colors appeared in turn; it seemed an overwhelming rain of blood was falling. Within the rolling blood clouds, a great tomb was sealed, and countless sacrificial objects tumbled down. Kong Tingyun whispered, "Who has fallen?"

Ming Xiang frowned, stretching out his hand to make calculations with his fingers. But various fates were already entangled, and he could only rely on rough deductions, shaking his head and saying, "Not a fall... someone from the Great Song has broken through to the Violet Palace realm."

Kong Tingyun gazed intently, first falling silent, then murmuring, "In Linhai Commandery."

Ming Xiang looked thoughtful and said, "That... the Nanjia King Linggu clan?"

"No... the Linggu clan is not capable. One Linggu Lanying was already an anomoly; how could there be a second? Such a heaven-shaking phenomenon, the Dao tradition and foundation must be astonishing..." Kong Tingyun closed her eyes, stating with a chill, "It's Daxiukui Temple."