Chapter 1113: Persimmon

A pure essence drifted gracefully.

Inside the pavilion, a white mist gently drifted. On the bronze-like jade platform, light shimmered brightly. The man in black robes stood by the platform, his pupils reflecting mystical runes.

A hint of a smile appeared in his eyes.

Back then, when the clan exchanged cultivation techniques, their immortal merits were almost entirely depleted, with only twelve remaining. Before he went into seclusion, he had incapacitated Daixi and eliminated Chiluo, bringing the total to seventy-seven.

But now, he saw that the total was a staggering two hundred and ninety-six!

While he was in seclusion, Li Ximing hadn't gained much, which meant that the Battle of Baixiang this time yielded two hundred and nineteen immortal merits!

This was an astonishingly high number!

‘Immortal merits are primarily gained through slaying. Back then, slaying Chengyan yielded only fifty-seven, and Nvxiao thirty-five... while Daixi and Chiluo, whom I couldn't slay, combined for merely sixty-five...’

‘This allows for a rough estimation of the value of a Purple Mansion divine ability and Lianmin. Guangchan was a fifth-generation Mahā and a Buddhist cultivator, so her value should far exceed that of an ordinary mid-Purple Mansion practitioner. But even so... it might not necessarily reach over two hundred.’

‘It seems that, as someone favored by the Golden Land of Baoya, he possesses some of the essence of a minor Buddhist Land master, which added a significant bonus!’

Li Zhouwei pondered for a moment, quite satisfied, and smirked inwardly:

‘I wonder how many immortal merits Que Liyu and Chief Jiang gained!’

The Crimson Broken Arrow compensated for his lack of agility. In this great battle, by slaying Guangchan, Li Zhouwei also gained a great deal, and he already had a plan in mind:

“For charging, there's Lord Daowei; for maneuvering, the Crimson Broken Arrow; for suppression, the Gate to Heaven's Altar. All aspects have been accounted for. Apart from a few Grand True Masters and Grand Mahās, no one can claim to reliably overpower me. However, it is not without flaws.”

“There's ample defense, but insufficient lethal force.”

Li Zhouwei was able to slay Guangchan primarily because the spiritual treasures in Yang Ruizao and Tinglan's hands played a major role. If he had faced the enemy alone and wished to suppress and slay them, he still couldn't have overcome the clumsy and slow drawbacks of the Gate to Heaven's Altar and the Huayang Royal Axe.

‘As of today, the Fourth-Grade Supreme Luminary Hidden Light can no longer keep up with my divine abilities. The Emperor's Radiant Light, boosted by the Crimson Broken Arrow, has decent power and can suppress mid-Purple Mansion cultivators like Tuoba Ci. But it is ultimately a light of extreme yang, excelling at winning through surprise rather than direct confrontation, and it lacks the power to grandly vanquish an enemy head-on.’

‘I need a magic technique for direct confrontation!’

But Li Zhouwei searched and searched, his brows tightly furrowed, and he couldn't find anything that fully satisfied him:

The magic techniques available were generally divided into two categories. One category was the Dao of the Bright Yang Emperor, which suppressed opponents with majestic imperial might, mostly embodied by the Gate to Heaven's Altar and Lord Daowei. But ultimately, they couldn't escape the character "heavy." If there was no control on all sides and the enemy dispersed into smaller units, becoming like scattered individuals among the common folk, they would be difficult to restrain.

The second category was embodied by the Long Bright Steps and the Clear Heart, which were paths of cultivating immortality by balancing Yin and Yang and illuminating truth. While flexible and adaptable, with many variations, and even seeming somewhat unlike the profound mysteries of Bright Yang, they lacked the domineering power to slay.

As he looked through them, the prices of the techniques kept rising. He could only slightly relax his criteria, including 'Li Fire' in his search, and considering what would complement his own divine abilities. Only then did he find a few satisfactory techniques.

The Southern Emperor's Profound Cauldron Art of Li Fire Bright Yang, and the Sun-Summoning Manifest Yang Scripture of Solar Bright Yang.

The Southern Emperor's Profound Cauldron Art is essentially a Li Fire technique. It resonates one's life force with the Grand Void to construct a cauldron, and its power is considerable. Its more wondrous aspect is that the technique originates from the Grand Void; once summoned, it appears out of nowhere and descends upon the enemy's head, making it extremely difficult to guard against. Furthermore, after striking, it also has binding capabilities.

This aspect alone greatly appealed to Li Zhouwei.

The Sun-Summoning Manifest Yang Scripture, on the other hand, is based on the sun. It also possesses binding and dividing capabilities. Based on the ancient solar divine ability, Heavenly Dominion Vision, and the current Sun-Splitting Hairpin, it can shatter divine abilities and lock down physical forms, making escape impossible and concealment ineffective.

Both could be said to have their merits. The Southern Emperor's Profound Cauldron Art had a wider range of application, but the Sun-Summoning Manifest Yang Scripture had stronger killing intent. After long comparison, Li Zhouwei ultimately chose the former.

‘Li Fire Bright Yang is ultimately more akin to me. Though the sun is not far off, its cultivation difficulty is much higher. Furthermore, the Southern Emperor's Profound Cauldron Art resonates one's life force with the Grand Void, and as my destiny is extraordinary, it will be more convenient for me to cultivate.’

Besides this, there was also a minor consideration.

The Sun-Summoning Manifest Yang Scripture is related to the sun, and anything involving Yin and Yang sees its value skyrocket; it was a full seventy immortal merits more expensive than the former!

‘Uncle-Grandmaster still has several magic techniques accumulated, enough for him to cultivate for one or two hundred years, so they aren't needed in the short term. But two juniors are about to emerge from seclusion, and I need to acquire cultivation techniques for them... I should save where I can.’

So he burned incense and prayed, waiting for a reply from above. After spending one hundred and ten immortal merits, he finally turned back, made his way to his cultivation chamber, and quietly entered meditation.

The courtyard was grand.

A massive profound tree stood in the center of the courtyard. Its yellowish-green leaves covered the sky, and clusters of pale red flower buds were hidden among the treetops, appearing particularly delightful. The grand formation glowed with purple and gold light, scattering in fragmented patterns onto the ground through the treetops.

The Wanling Flower had bloomed for generations over Moon-Gazing Lake, and the Li clan had never neglected this spiritual root. In just two hundred years, it had grown so thick that it would take several people to encircle it, flourishing immensely.

The normally flat and clean ground was now piled high with spirit rice, undulating like small hills. It shimmered golden under the light as a small profound light urn floated in mid-air, swallowing the spirit rice one by one, like a great whale drawing water.

Li Xuanxuan stood by the steps for a moment, praising it, half in admiration and half with a pang of regret:

“A Purple Mansion spiritual artifact is truly extraordinary!”

As soon as he said this, the green-robed True Master nearby immediately spoke, politely smiling:

“Esteemed elder! After all, it's a spiritual treasure; ordinary True Masters can't even dream of acquiring one. It makes Qinghu green with envy!”

Although Li Xuanxuan's cultivation was low, his status was now extraordinarily high. Sima Yuanli, upon hearing the news of Li Zhouwei slaying Guangchan, couldn't even feel jealousy anymore. He was quite eager to curry favor, adopting an extremely humble attitude.

Li Xuanxuan repeatedly shook his head:

“Sir, you speak too highly...”

Sima Yuanli was there to guard the lake, but Li Ximing had other intentions and had specifically called him over. Now, with his hands clasped behind his back, he smiled, watching the last wisp of spirit rice pour into the urn, and said:

“Come!”

As soon as he spoke, the small urn immediately dropped into his palm, casting a dim, dark light. The True Master said:

“Although this spiritual soil has been refined, it still needs spiritual resources to nourish it. Let it feast first; for several decades, there will be no need to tend to it.”

This profound wonder truly surpassed the imagination of minor cultivators. Li Xuanxuan let out a long sigh, gazing at the treasure for a long time, and replied:

“It's almost like a living creature.”

Li Ximing had already stepped towards the persimmon tree.

This spiritual root was now as thick as a bucket, with lush branches and vibrant green leaves. Pale green fruits swayed, hidden among the branches. Seeing Li Ximing approach, it immediately began to sway and tremble, making a rustling sound like rain.

At the same time, Li Ximing's activated Life Divine Ability also sensed the spiritual essence of this spiritual root. With just a thought, he could cause its consciousness to dissipate, turning it into an ordinary object.

The True Master raised the treasure and laughed:

“You have been connected with my Li clan for many years. Today, it shall be perfected!”

In an instant, a fierce wind roared as limitless dark clouds gathered in the sky. The earth faintly trembled. This spiritual root, locked by the Bright Yang divine ability, saw every single root detach completely from the earth, and it astonishingly floated into the air.

The spiritual root was scared out of its wits and immediately let out a faint plea for mercy, causing the old ape nearby to anxiously step forward, its old eyes filled with worry.

The True Master then cast the spiritual treasure. The urn's mouth, no bigger than a fist, immediately expanded, pulling in with a strong gravitational force. Within it, fertile soil seemed to appear, surrounded by mist, and a profound light shimmered!

Mingqi!

This massive spiritual root instantly disappeared. Instead, the profound urn spun around, its shimmering colors growing more dazzling, and the vertical golden patterns on its surface brightened, making it even more resemble a wooden urn.

Amidst the brilliant green light, several tender branches, as thin as needles, emerged from the urn's mouth, coiling around and blooming into tiny yellow flowers. They swayed joyfully as a clear fragrance immediately spread. Li Ximing took the spiritual treasure, and Sima Yuanli praised:

“What great spirituality!”

Li Ximing turned the urn's mouth, and a piece of fertile soil was projected out. The swaying persimmon tree stood in the colorful light. Although its branches and leaves showed no change, its aura was now indistinct and utterly different.

Sima Yuanli saw clearly and exclaimed:

“The spiritual root's life essence has merged with the spiritual treasure, making it vastly different now. The design of ancient cultivators is truly astonishing!”

As the owner of the spiritual treasure, Li Ximing felt it more clearly. The persimmon tree lent its life essence, and the Heaven-Nourishing Urn provided its inherent power. When the two merged, the nourishment the persimmon tree received was incredibly potent, and the Heaven-Nourishing Urn became highly spiritual, even possessing some autonomous defensive capabilities against enemies.

‘They mutually complete each other. It's just a pity that if this spiritual persimmon were to leave the Heaven-Nourishing Urn in the future, the spiritual root probably wouldn't survive. Not only that, but it would also require great divine abilities to nurture the spiritual treasure... However... Purple Mansion spiritual roots are hard to find, and a spiritual persimmon is already good enough.’

Li Ximing was still not satisfied. With a slight flick of his hand, he saw colorful light swirl, transforming into a pair of scissors that cut a branch from the persimmon tree. He then took out a finger-sized piece of ebony from his sleeve, turned his head, and smiled:

“Fellow Daoist Qinghu — please lend me some Maiden Water.”

Sima Yuanli immediately understood, summoning forth a gourd. With a thought, the Azure Radiance Pure Essence, renowned for curing ailments, restoring life, and recreating bodies, immediately surged out, pouring down. Li Ximing gathered his sleeve and issued a command:

“Today, I transmit a proper method to teach you to create an anomalous body.”

Then, his fingertip glowed, and the light of the Six Harmonies suddenly illuminated:

‘This light governs the Six Harmonies, balances heaven and earth, corresponds with deities, and inquires of the universe!’

Correspond with deities!

In an instant, brilliant clear light shone as the Soul-Listening Mulberry Wood melted in the Maiden Water. A form emerged, and a child appeared out of thin air.

This girl had a graceful frame and a beautiful face, with vermilion lips and a jade-like complexion. Her hair was tied with feather-like ribbons, and her sleeves fluttered, stirring the wind. Colorful makeup on her cheeks enhanced her sparkling eyes. She glanced around, slightly bewildered, then quickly knelt down and said in a clear voice:

“Greetings, Master!”

Li Ximing withdrew his hand with satisfaction, smiling. Sima Yuanli, on the other hand, was stunned for a while, and said dumbfounded:

“Zhaojing... what a divine ability!”

Li Ximing, meanwhile, swept his sleeve, and as if plucking the bright moon from the water, he took down the profound urn, had the child collect it, and said with a laugh:

“It's just a minor skill!”

One truly had to praise Li Ximing's ability. The "Illumination of the World" and the "Split Soul Anomalous Body" were inherently highly compatible, otherwise he wouldn't have achieved the Split Soul Anomalous Body so quickly. And with the "Illumination of the World" turning outward, even more aligned with the 'correspond' in "corresponds with deities," he actually managed to concoct this thing successfully.

Then he looked her up and down and said:

“Since you were born from the urn... and are a persimmon tree...”

These words inexplicably made Li Xuanxuan raise his head, looking at him with doubt. But Li Ximing hesitated:

“'Urn Persimmon' doesn't seem to sound right. You... just call yourself Shier.”

Li Xuanxuan closed his eyes slightly upon hearing this, wanting to speak but refraining, pondering inwardly:

‘Urn Persimmon... and that Zhao Guangxuan Purple Spirit Formation... they were actually named by this child. 'Shier' sounds much better now...’

Li Ximing, however, didn't pay much attention, listening to the child say crisply:

“Master, Shier understands!”

Li Ximing asked a few casual questions, then turned around. Shier immediately lowered her head and made a face at the white ape at her feet, startling the old ape, who repeatedly shook its head, but with a hint of tears in its eyes.

This old ape had been tending to the flowers and trees in the courtyard for a hundred years, developing a parent's heart. Seeing her achieve proper cultivation, how could it not be joyful?

Li Ximing's mind had mostly grasped it:

‘Her mind is like that of a twelve or thirteen-year-old... She does have memories... at least she recognizes people.’

This was already an excellent outcome. He hadn't used any particularly good materials for Shier's body; it would be as fragile as paper in Purple Mansion battles, but it would be fine if stored in the spiritual treasure. However, other matters would be much more convenient:

‘In battle, she can't compare to Xuanyi's White Tiger Child, but she has her own advantages. Her body is sustained by my divine ability, with no lifespan limitations. Passed down for several generations, who knows what she might become.’

He turned his head, smiling as he looked at Sima Yuanli. The True Master Qinghu seemed lost in thought, remaining silent, but upon seeing his gaze, he finally came to his senses and said:

“I have already found the Spiritual Exuviae from a broken branch that Zhaojing requires.”

Then he saw him take out a jade box from his sleeve and open it gently. Inside were five or six short wings, clustered together like fallen petals. Li Ximing was immediately delighted and said:

“Excellent!”

This item was an ingredient for the Sunset Broken Armor Pill. Earlier, Li Ximing had never been able to fully comprehend this pill formula, but later, with Li Zhouwei's guidance, he finally understood it. Now that Sima Yuanli had found the spiritual material, he said happily:

“As per our agreement, after the pill is complete, I will give Qinghu four pills!”

Sima Yuanli nodded with a smile, though he was actually somewhat distracted. In truth, he didn't need this item; he merely wanted to return the favor of long-standing alchemy connections and foster more connections...

But before he could say more, Li Ximing laughed:

“I have something that I need to trouble Fellow Daoist Qinghu with.”

Sima Yuanli smiled, listening as Li Ximing said:

“Since Fellow Daoist has seen the Heaven-Nourishing Urn, I might as well explain it clearly. Within the Heaven-Nourishing Urn, there is a 'Grand Nurturing' that possesses the ability to imprison and strip away.”

Sima Yuanli raised an eyebrow, seemingly puzzled. But the True Master in golden-white daoist robes smiled coldly and said faintly:

“If one could imprison a divine ability, strip away its wonders, and nourish it abundantly... wouldn't that be truly liberating?”

Sima Yuanli stood frozen. It took him a while to react, as if he was seeing the True Master before him in a new light. A chill ran down his spine, and only after a long silence did he say:

“That's truly quite difficult!”

Li Ximing looked at him with a smile and said unhurriedly:

“I, Li Ximing, naturally wouldn't capture just anyone to refine. But certain abominable demonic beasts... there will always be opportunities—and if not, then some spiritual beasts or mounts from Buddhist Lands could also be used!”

Sima Yuanli then lowered his head slightly, lost in thought. Li Ximing stood with his hands clasped behind his back, smiling as he gazed at the shimmering lake.

He invited Sima Yuanli not just to use the Azure Radiance Pure Essence, but also to say these words in front of him, to provide a footnote for his future actions—of course, 'Grand Nurturing' was not Li Ximing's true objective.

Even without 'Grand Nurturing,' there would still be grudges and resentments, and a need for spiritual items. Li Ximing's trip to the Southern Border years ago was precisely to lay the groundwork for such matters. It was simply a matter of finding good or bad excuses.

‘Before Jiang Qian emerges from seclusion, the matter of the Azure Scroll needs to be settled!’