Chapter 1114: Spring Frozen Blood (2)

The Lingshui River wound its way through rolling mountain peaks. Amidst swirling clouds, a table and platform were faintly visible. A golden formation was embedded in the ground, and a woman draped in white gauze was pouring fine wine at the table. A point of light shone in the reflection of the wine.

A True Man in a blue robe strode over, smiling:

“Fellow Daoist Zhaojing, you’ve arrived just in time!”

Li Ximing smiled and nodded, his gaze sweeping over the woman beside him before he spoke:

“I’ve often heard that your esteemed sect upholds the balance of Yin and Yang, cultivating the immortal path of male and female synthesis. Seeing it now, it is indeed as I’ve heard!”

The smiling True Man approaching them was none other than Liao Luo from Mount Quyi. Hearing Li Ximing’s words, and knowing he was referring to the many female cultivators practicing the ‘yin cauldron’ method, Liao Luo chuckled and said:

“Our Quyi lineage has always researched the paths of male and female. In ancient times, there was even the Great Dao of Yin-Yang Complementarity. Later, we also gained the Zhaoyuan Immortal Manor’s inheritance from the Yin family—Mingyang, which I presume you, True Man, are also familiar with.”

Li Ximing found it awkward to respond, merely giving a dry chuckle. Liao Luo shook his head and smiled, saying:

“If you had come a few years earlier, True Man, the atmosphere on the mountain would have been much more unreserved. In recent years, the Jingyi lineage split off, and Kuang Yu went to Hengzhu when she was young. There aren't many people left on the mountain, and I've also cultivated the Water Affinity technique... so this atmosphere has somewhat faded.”

Li Ximing nodded, changing the subject. He said:

“That treasure pagoda…”

Li Ximing had already discussed mundane affairs with Li Zhouwei, arranging for Guo Nanwu to bring the items out and hand them to Liao Luo. Nearly a year had passed since then. Having received updates and made his own calculations, he had specifically come for this visit.

Hearing this, Liao Luo smiled and casually said:

“Someone!”

Immediately, several maidservants came forward, each holding a tray. On one tray was a stone, about two fingers in size, resting on white jade. It was filled with celestial light and intertwined with flames, making the surrounding clouds glow orange-red.

A Mingfang Celestial Stone.

This Mingfang Celestial Stone was about twice the size of the one Li Ximing used during his breakthrough. Its vibrant colors, as it rested on the jade, slightly moved him.

However, upon closer inspection, he noticed that this Mingfang Celestial Stone was somewhat different: its light and flames burned brightly, with faint traces of ‘Li Fire’ flickering within. True Man Liao Luo then said, seriously:

“The treasure pagoda was made with expensive materials, specifically Mingfang Celestial Stone and Chongming Gold Essence. I have already extracted them, but the two spirit materials have completely fused. To separate them, you would need to find a Full Core cultivator.”

Li Ximing nodded in praise, saying:

“Fellow Daoist, you possess remarkable skill!”

Li Ximing had good reason to seek out True Man Liao Luo. This man was a master at artifact refining and also cultivated the Water Affinity technique, making him exceptionally skilled at combining and consolidating. In just a year, Liao Luo had completed the task without even delaying his own cultivation.

As for Li Ximing, he didn't need to find a cultivator to separate them. The fusion of the two spirit materials was harmless for his own use. He simply nodded with a smile, asking no further questions.

According to the rules of Mount Quyi, apart from the due compensation for refining artifacts, any Purple Mansion spirit materials or resources below one-tenth of a Purple Mansion-grade that were added would be kept by the sect—just like how Li Ximing would secretly keep some of the pills he refined. These were unspoken agreements. Since they hadn't charged Li Ximing any compensation to begin with, he naturally wouldn't demand these scraps back.

Liao Luo waved his hand and led him to a golden platform nearby. In the center was a fist-sized hole leading underground, from which fierce flames raged. Faintly, a golden embryo was visible, about an arm's length and finger-thick. Liao Luo said:

“Fellow Daoist mentioned that time was of the essence. For Guangchan's Li Fire spear, I invited Nanwu to help refine it. My intention was to remove most of its impurities and all its original enchantments, forming this embryo. It can be reforged according to your ideas. However, since the materials are now fused, the Heavenly Sun Iridescent Copper that was originally only in the spearhead has now merged throughout the entire body, making it suitable for crafting a spirit artifact that is unified in its entirety!”

“Estimating the time, it should be completed by the end of the year!”

Li Ximing had not expected such incredible speed. He was overjoyed, realizing that the entire sect must have been preoccupied with this matter. He replied:

“This… thank you, True Man!”

He had the intention of promptly forging this item into a spirit artifact for Li Jiangqian. However, spirit artifacts typically take an astonishingly long time to craft, and Li Ximing did not want Li Jiangqian to have to wait another decade or more after coming out of seclusion!

With this embryo, he wondered how much time could be saved.

The True Man merely smiled and replied:

“These are merely minor skills of mine. The Grand True Man possesses true immortal abilities. You sent that Feminine Water treasure here, and it's only been 160 days. By 300 days, all its enchantments will be dissolved, and its core principles separated, resulting in a new rebirth!”

“Hm?”

Hearing this, Li Ximing’s eyes immediately lit up with joy:

“I heard that the Feminine Water Glazed Throne had completely fused, to the point of being irremovable. I never imagined that in the Grand True Man’s hands, all its various spirit materials could be extracted in less than a year!”

Liao Luo glanced at him meaningfully and said:

“The Grand True Man’s abilities are rare in this world! Even when our Patriarch was alive, he praised his artifact refining techniques as having reached a state of divine mastery!”

Dingyangzi was currently in Qize, making a meeting difficult. Li Ximing had made this trip specifically for artifact refining, so how could he not understand the implication? He solemnly pushed forward the Mingfang Celestial Stone, now fused with Li Fire, and said:

“I implore the esteemed True Man… to forge an artifact for my family!”

The Li clan possessed a considerable amount of spiritual resources and materials, but few were readily available for use. Although they had four Purple Mansion spirit items, one for 'Shangyi' had no current use and was initially used for gathering Qi. The 'Fulue Gold' and 'Changyue Zhibian Gold' were used for casting spells, while 'Six-Phase Ritual Colors' had to be reserved for Li Quewan. Still, with some effort, they could free up some for use.

Spiritual resources, however, were quite abundant. Thanks to Zhengtan Mansion, the 'Neck-Under Feathers' over the years had covered most of their expenditure gaps, allowing spiritual resources to accumulate gradually. Apart from 'Listening Soul Mulberry Wood,' which was hard to quantify, two portions of 'Crimson Light Li Po' were reserved for Li Jiangqian and couldn't be easily used.

What remained were two Neck-Under Feathers, one 'Heart-Taste Malice', one 'Cangzhou Serpent Scale', one 'Shangxiang Silver', one 'Late-Ear Golden Branch', and one 'Choumou Heart Ice', plus the newly acquired 'Yasha Spirit Grass' and the 'Yuxin Armor' from their hidden stash, totaling nine items.

‘That’s enough for one spirit artifact!’

The first thing Li Ximing thought of was not something else, but Li Jiangqian’s spirit armor!

Li Jiangqian had no particular preference for weapons. With the 'Heavy Fire Twin Luminaries,' he could both attack and defend effectively. If he had a 'Li Fire Armor' and received another 'Azure Talisman' to condense a divine ability, he could become a formidable force capable of holding back three divine abilities in combat!

‘What's more, there’s also a golden embryo…’

As for this golden embryo, Li Ximing was thinking of their own King Wei. Although Li Zhouwei’s remark, ‘You use it better than I do,’ was only a joke, he had taken it to heart:

“He’s a figure who commands awe in the north, after all. It’s truly improper for him to still be fighting with a mere spirit embryo.”

So, when he stated his request, True Man Liao Luo immediately considered it carefully, but then shook his head and asked:

“A golden embryo… since it is to be forged for King Wei, how can it be merely achieved from Guangchan's leftover artifact? That would diminish his status. It should use the golden embryo as its foundation, with the fused Mingfang Celestial Stone and Chongming Gold Essence as its blade. Only then, with our Grand True Man personally crafting it into a weapon, can it contend with the spirit treasures in the hands of others!”

Hearing this, Li Ximing had a sudden realization, and a subtle light flickered in his eyes:

‘This is indeed a good idea. If these two materials are fused, it might directly rival Chu Yi, the reincarnation of Emperor Wei from back then!’

He then joyfully said:

“Fellow Daoist speaks truly! Please do your utmost. If there are any deficiencies in the spiritual resources needed, I hope to exchange for them!”

Liao Luo said earnestly:

“This is my duty. Our mountain has plenty of Mingyang and Li Fire spiritual resources, and the Grand True Man has even more. Just leave it to us!”

Li Ximing nodded repeatedly. He had intentions of extracting spiritual water from the Neck-Under Feathers, so he had not used them. Amidst Liao Luo's repeated refusals, he left behind the Yasha Spirit Grass and Choumou Heart Ice.

He did not plan to stay overseas for long and soon rose to take his leave. Before departing, he couldn’t help but ask one more question:

“If that Feminine Water Glazed Pagoda is refined… what kind of spirit item can be obtained?”

The True Man replied:

“At least one Feminine Water and one gold item.”

‘Feminine Water and a gold item…’

Li Ximing entered the Great Void, contemplating:

‘It seems I can only give them to Quewan. As a Full Core cultivator, she casts many spells. If I can use the Six-Phase Ritual Colors to refine a spell-sword for her, that would be perfect. It's good, too, so Jiangqian doesn't get a spirit treasure while her hands are empty.’

He had arranged everything properly, but after pondering for a while, he felt a sense of unease:

‘Mount Quyi is an ally and a mutual helper. Yet, in this way, I’ve clearly taken advantage of others. This is not the way of an alliance, nor is it a principle one should live by. I might even become burdened by favors.’

He thought it over and over, then sighed:

‘I can only find a way to make it up to them in the future!’

Wangyue Lake, usually clear, was now murky. Shattered ice collided violently, creating fractured sounds. A faint red hue blossomed within the ripples, like blood-red silk unfurling, appearing exceptionally serene amidst the dark wind and rain.

Purple-gold Profound Pillars lay submerged in the lake, their fractured sections jagged and uneven, piled with shattered ice and radiating light.

The entire mountain was strewn with corpses.

Above the lake, thunder rumbled and dark clouds gathered, emanating a dangerous aura. A woman in a vermilion dress stood silently amidst the gloomy colorful light.

Traces of blood faintly marred her beautiful face. Her slender, snow-white hand tightly clutched the profound spell-sword, her gaze icy as she stood in the clouds amidst the booming thunder.

“Boom!”

A shadowy figure faintly appeared in the heavy clouds. A middle-aged Daoist stood at the horizon, with sword-like brows and starry eyes, a broad face and thick shoulders, dressed in a white and yellow Daoist robe. He appeared calm and self-possessed, quietly watching the woman below.

“Lord Xuanan truly possesses remarkable divine abilities. Even with no strength left, he still suppressed the immortal artifact to release a wisp of 'Sky Overseer power,' causing all the Lords to misjudge his condition. He has struggled until now, leading to heavy losses for our North…”

‘Li Quewan…’

The Daoist’s gaze was calm but filled with murderous intent, his tone tinged with a smile:

“Three divine abilities—that counts as capability. Had you not been born into an imperial family, you would also be a figure seeking gold. What a pity.”

As he spoke, all the winds in heaven and earth swept south, making the woman’s red dress flutter. Her slightly pale face harbored deep hatred, and her vermilion lips parted slightly:

“The immortal mountains advocate secluded cultivation, untainted by the mundane world. Yet, Lord Yao has descended the mountain to subjugate, and moreover, breached my Song territory. Is this not… utterly unreasonable?”

The middle-aged Daoist took a step forward, effortlessly drawing a divine spear from the clouds. One cloud-fan after another began to gather behind him, and the clanking sound of metal resounded again. He gently stroked the long spear, his gaze lowered, and said indifferently:

“Ever since King Wei slew Xuanlou, this matter ceased to be a mundane affair. There is no longer any reason to speak of between me and the imperial clan.”

Li Quewan still refused to retreat even half a step, simply staring fixedly at the long blade, watching the spirit treasure slowly brighten. The Daoist chuckled and replied:

“As for the mountain, Guanyi will naturally provide an explanation. At worst… this head will be offered to the Underworld, in exchange for their fulfillment.”

Yao Guanyi’s perfect divine ability shone like a full moon, illuminating the earth. A trace of a smile flickered in his brows. The glittering blade in his sleeve retracted, and the surprise in his pupils vanished as he said:

“So it’s the 'No-Harm Stone,' fully restored by a Full Core cultivator. It was originally unafraid of water and fire. It seems that even though Sujun fell to the Water Affinity technique, and despite its recent wounds, this spirit treasure is still formidable.”

Although the woman in the clouds was unharmed, her expression grew even more solemn, even showing a hint of despair. The divine ability in her hand shone, and colorful light rotated.

“Boom!”

Thunder and torrential rain resounded throughout heaven and earth. Successive waves of purple lightning once again submerged the land, and the few profound pillars standing isolated on the ground toppled, emitting deafening roars.

Figures on the isle had become sparse. After an unknown period, amidst the collapsed ruins, a man in copper armor laboriously stood up. His cracked and shattered eyes slid down his cheeks, and his empty eye sockets stared blankly at the horizon.

“Thud!”

The woman was already kneeling in the clouds, her profound sword now in the Daoist’s hands.

“Pfft…”

The profound sword, adorned with vermilion runes for casting spells, pierced through her. With a light flick of the man’s finger, it shot out, passing through the woman’s chest and tearing through her feathered robe from behind, radiating a burst of colorful light.

“Ugh…”

Viscous, mercury-like blood welled up along the sword's blade, stubbornly attempting to retract back into her body. Li Quewan's lips were pale, and she trembled for a moment, yet an earth-shattering shriek suddenly pierced the air!

“Aoo—”

A loud bird cry appeared for only an instant before quickly fading into the thunder. A red and white profound bird soared into the sky, but it only made the Daoist nod slightly:

“A Full Core, after all.”

He raised a hand and drew a wooden urn from his sleeve, lightly tossing it into the air. Instantly, profound connections manifested, and a furious gale erupted, ensnaring the profound bird that had attempted to escape. No matter how it struggled, it found it impossible to break free!

Upon seeing the urn, the bird's cry became even more shrill and desperate.

“Thump!”

Rolling torrents of pure spiritual energy, accompanied by silver light, poured down and emerged from the ruins. A silver-robed youth stepped through the Great Void, steadying himself amidst the blood and flesh strewn across the ground. As far as his eyes could see, no one remained standing.

‘Why? Why so fast…?’

The most terrifying scene unfolded before him, filling his gaze with boundless horror and stupefaction.

‘King Wei… he had just arrived in Weidu… why?’

Almost all of the Li clan’s direct lineage and cultivators had died fighting on the shore. Those in the state were mostly elderly and children; how could they withstand profound lightning?

‘How is this possible… they endured for so many years after King Wei’s demise… how is this possible?’

Li Suining knelt down blankly, his eyes blurred with tears as he stared at the ground. Suddenly, he spotted a familiar face.

Old Du.

He appeared to have fallen from a height, his face a bloody mess. Yet, due to the cold weather, his upturned eyeballs were half-frozen in their sockets, half-soft and half-hard. Li Suining wanted to reach out but recoiled, not daring to look, and helplessly raised his head.

In the pervasive darkness, lightning illuminated the earth. Atop the mountain stood a man whose armor was shattered, his body covered in wounds, his gaze calm.

‘It’s Ding Weizeng…’

Ding Weizeng seemed about to roar, but the incessant flow of blood in his throat made him cough uncontrollably. As if triggering a heavenly mechanism, the rage brewing in the swirling dark clouds found an outlet, and a silver bolt of lightning immediately descended!

“Boom!”

The powerful man couldn't utter a sound. The flesh and skin all over his body instantly exploded, and his stark white bones shattered into fragments, scattering down like a landslide, rolling into the ruins, staining everything crimson.

His charred skull tumbled down the steps, clattering sharply against shattered jade, then rolling with dull thuds amidst scorched timber, finally coming to rest softly and silently amidst the blood and flesh, until it stopped before the silver-robed man kneeling on the ground.

The silver-robed man stared blankly. His ears were filled with the sound of thunder, rumbling and engulfing his mind, blocking out all other sounds. Cold raindrops pelted his face; the rain, generated by magic, could not freeze, yet it brought an even more biting chill.

His mystical connection to his grotto-heaven meant he could still rise and flee at this moment, but he knew that nothing mattered anymore, that everything had already been settled.

The youth-like man lowered his head, kneeling in the torrential rain, staring blankly at the charred skull.

“Clack.”

The distinct sound of profound boots stepping on flesh and blood was clear. A pair of golden and white boots stopped before him. The man remained motionless, his head bowed, and after a long silence, he finally heard the Daoist’s voice:

“Li Suining.”

Only then did he stir slightly, his voice low and hoarse:

“Why?”

The Daoist raised his hand and gently flattened it. The Sky-Nourishing Urn in the sky immediately descended, falling into his hand. The urn seemed to contain something fierce, shaking violently.

As the spirit treasure shook, various mercury-like liquids accompanied by cinnabar began to appear around it. The man chuckled and replied:

“Why? Naturally, it’s because your abilities were too great, to the extent that they necessitated my involvement.”

Li Suining lifted his chin, his gaze now remarkably calm. He said in a low voice:

“Lord Yao, you’ve brought slaughter to the lake, enacting such widespread destruction. Where does this leave Emperor Song?”

The Daoist casually tossed the spirit treasure into his sleeve, and all the strange phenomena vanished. He quietly gazed at the sky, his expression seemingly one of emotion, yet also regret:

“No one really cared about King Wei's collusion with Yang Zhuo before; their paths were different, after all. But now, it can be considered their fulfillment.”

Li Suining’s expression gradually darkened. He blankly followed the other’s gaze, turning his head. Roaring water and fire were rising from the south, and beneath the deep darkness, a wisp of white mist soared into the sky, endlessly swirling.

‘Southern True Qi Manifestation.’

He felt a chill run through his entire body, unable to comprehend:

‘Emperor Song achieved Dao? At this moment? Why? How could he?’

‘Too early… everything’s too early… How could they do this… Do they just achieve Dao whenever they wish?!’

The thoughts in his mind seemed to be shattered by thunder. He frantically turned his head again, looking towards the northern sky. Finally, under the cover of heavy dark clouds, he saw a glimmer of falling golden light, wavering like the setting sun, faintly obscured in the distant horizon.

‘Northern Mingyang Manifestation.’

Li Suining instantly closed his eyes, tears streaming down. He felt a boiling heat in his chest and abdomen. Finally unable to suppress his sorrow, he cried:

“We only asked for a path to survival. You demanded King Wei seek gold, and he had already reached Weidu…”

“Why? Why couldn’t you wait even a moment longer?!”

“Boom!”

Flickering lightning illuminated his face. The torrential rain grew fiercer, and the thunder in the sky continuously roamed, greedily watching the earth. The Daoist in the robe stood his long spear upright, planting it in the blood-soaked ground, quietly observing him:

“It is already done, Li Suining.”

The furious rain caused the blood-soaked water to ripple and surge, flowing rapidly. Yet, upon encountering the golden boots, it parted on its own, leaving a clean space. Yao Guanyi said softly:

“The fall of Mingyang and the decline of imperial authority are indeed what the Lords desire. But how can there be only one Lord on the mountain? Who among them doesn't have a disciple or beloved student? In the eyes of certain individuals, it's naturally best for King Wei to achieve gold and then perish.”

“While I certainly didn’t wish to ruin my own future, the vengeance for Xuanlou had to be exacted. This also happened to fulfill their intentions.”

Li Suining said hoarsely:

“What about the Underworld? And Emperor Song?”

Yao Guanyi chuckled, not answering him. He paced in silence, seemingly unwilling to reply, but seeing that his clan was annihilated, his family dead, and his end imminent, Yao Guanyi finally hesitated and spoke, out of either pity or respect:

“Li Suining, what is ‘righteous nature curbing excess’?”

Li Suining knelt in the torrential rain, his bloodshot eyes fixed on him.

Yao Guanyi looked back at him, saying indifferently:

“Righteousness means preserving eternal prosperity, it means rectifying and governing, correcting and stabilizing, upholding what is honorable. Excess, however, means evil emerging from flat ground, it means treachery and indulgence, desire and chaos, usurpation.”

“Regicide, is it righteous or excessive?”

“Righteous nature… does it belong to King Wei, or Emperor Wei?”

Li Suining’s eyebrows suddenly shot up, and bloody tears streamed down his cheeks as he said bitterly:

“If that’s the case, why pretend?! Yang Zhuo broke his vows, how dare he call himself genuine!”

Yao Guanyi remained silent for a long time, then said faintly:

“If a king can depose an emperor, it is seen as righteous action to execute a tyrant. If one assassinates a monarch and perishes, it is deemed an excessive act punished by Heaven. To become a righteous king or to be defeated as a depraved villain – it has always been so. Emperor Song was confident, and he also believed King Wei could succeed, so he was naturally not pretending.”

Li Suining said hoarsely:

“So you wanted King Wei to fail. Whether it was killing Wei Xuanyin or executing Prince Yan, those were pretexts. It was because King Wei's aura was too potent, so you had to besiege him prematurely, forcing him to seek gold amidst the chaos of a broken nation, and then immediately execute his royal clan to diminish his aura.”

Yao Guanyi turned his head and said:

“Not just that. This matter… I wasn’t the primary instigator.”

Li Suining no longer cared. He gazed into the boundless darkness and said quietly:

“Even if you made timely amends, if King Wei cannot ascend to power, Emperor Song's support for him will ultimately remain an undeniable fact.”

Yao Guanyi stood in the rain for a moment, his lips slowly curving into a smile. He raised the long spear again, weighed it in his palm, and chuckled:

“Li Suining, you are mistaken… both you and King Wei are clouded by your positions.”

“Standing here in Jiangnan, looking north at the Seven Prime Ministers and aristocratic families, how foolish! You knew full well that the mountain would undoubtedly force King Wei to seek gold—the only difference being success or failure—yet you always thought you could seize fate, rushing forward one after another, only to end in a sea of blood…”

“But standing in the North, looking at your Jiangnan, it's the same story.”

“Do you think the Underworld truly needed Yang Zhuo to seek authenticity, to beg him to ascend? Do you think the Underworld couldn't accomplish anything without Yang Zhuo? That idea… is just like those monks in the North who thought Luoxia truly didn't care about King Wei!”

“Li Suining, you are mistaken!”

Bright lightning once again illuminated the night sky. Yao Guanyi’s brows were filled with self-mockery. The spear in his hand had turned, pointing down at the youth on the ground, following the line of his arm:

“How can the schemes of great figures place such crucial matters in the hands of lower cultivators?!”

He spoke indifferently, yet his words were like a wisp of sinister wind, terrifying and profound:

“Yang Zhuo is King Wei, the King Wei under the Underworld’s command.”

“They wanted him to seek, but not necessarily to succeed. Luoxia saw King Wei as a tool, and how much more highly did the Underworld regard Yang Zhuo? As long as he sought gold, the matter was settled.”

Li Suining’s pupils dilated. He stared at the Daoist in disbelief, then slowly lowered his head. The long spear was now piercing through his chest, pinning him to the bloody water behind him. A strong sense of emptiness followed.

“Pfft.”

His life was tied to his grotto-heaven, and he originally possessed countless abilities to escape. However, before this Grand True Man, who had perfected his divine abilities, all such notions were futile. The Sky Overseer's divine power and magic gradually vanished as the spirit treasure was withdrawn, and the silver-robed man vomited mouthfuls of dazzling, ethereal light.

These colors transformed into a chaotic cluster of starlight, shifting and traversing the Great Void, pulsing, floating, rising and falling without cease, interspersed amidst the bloody water and torrential rain, before quickly dissipating like smoke. His body drifted away like the wind, while Yao Guanyi stood silently in the downpour, staring absently at the ground.

In the last moments of his life, Li Suining's head slowly drooped. The torrential rain grew increasingly terrifying, mixed with snow and ice. The bones and blood beneath his knees gradually submerged in the rushing deluge.

For a moment, the Great Void trembled, and shimmering objects flickered. A colossal, eggshell-like light curtain appeared over the shattered isle, as if a paradise from another world were falling.

“Boom!”

After an unknown period, the world became alternately hot and cold. From within the surging waves of spiritual energy, tiny specks of colorful light began to flow out. The middle-aged man stood silently in the flowing blood, the six small short swords at his waist swaying and clinking crisply.

His phoenix eyes gently gazed at the blood-soaked water beneath his feet, watching as the rushing currents, carrying fine ice, snaked into the depths of darkness. The waves near the shore were dark red, clashing luminously, while those farther away still retained a greenish hue, like a river half-green and half-red, bathed in the setting sun.

This Grand True Man of Luoxia lowered his brows and said mournfully:

“Today is the start of spring. You… certainly know how to pick a day.”

Yao Guanyi seemed to understand what he meant, chuckling as he replied:

“Since it was Senior Brother who spoke such esteemed words, how could Guanyi disappoint?”

Xue Yang, however, did not smile. He stood quietly there, his back to Yao Guanyi. He felt no joy, but rather a greater sorrow and bewilderment that kept him silent for a long time, unable to speak.

Yao Guanyi then discarded the profound spear in his hand, took off his robe, removed his immortal crown, letting his hair fall loose, and a look of carefree abandon appeared on his face.

He chuckled:

“Senior Brother… is here to cleanse the sect!”

The grotto-mansion was exceptionally quiet. Faint light shimmered on the white jade table, and a layer of dust had settled on the thick sheepskin map. The great river depicted on it was drawn with bold strokes, winding and soaring, its colors bright.

The youth sleeping by the main seat trembled slightly, as if trapped in a nightmare. The silver light at his brow flickered intensely, overlapping and pulsating like rapid breathing. After an unknown period, he suddenly opened his eyes.

“Pfft!”

Li Suining spat out a mouthful of fresh blood onto the ground beside him. However, this blood was not crimson at all; it bounced like a solid, glittering with faint, bright silver flowers. His gaze was icy as he stared fixedly at the ground, his face rapidly turning pale and ashen.

“Cough, cough, cough…”

The penetrating, deathly suffocating sensation in his chest still lingered. Li Suining’s pupils rapidly filled with blood. He propped himself up with one hand on the ground, while the other covered his forehead. His vision spun, a chaotic blur of colors.

After an unknown period, the youth finally let out a long breath, his expression dazed as he looked around. The intense pain still lingered in his mind, but it could not stop the terror rising in his eyes.

He sat blankly for a while, then incredulously flipped over to look at the main seat behind him.

After this glance, the youth began to laugh:

“Hahahahaha…”

Initially, it was faint as a mosquito's buzz, but it quickly grew louder. He laughed, doubling over, his eyes red, tears streaming down his face. He collapsed onto the ground, unconcerned with his image, his face pale and ashen, yet he could not stop laughing.

‘Yao Guanyi… so that’s it… Yao Guanyi… so that’s the reason!’

‘So—you’ve been watching all along!’

After an unknown period, Li Suining, as if returning from another life, stood up. He reluctantly looked around, confirming that his life was still within him, and the Heavenly Overseer’s Lightning Manor still resided in his Sea of Qi.

Wave after wave of dizziness assailed his ascending Yang. He remained speechless for a long time, then quickly knelt back down and closed his eyes.

After a long while, Li Suining wiped away the two streaks of tears from the corners of his eyes, his expression once again resolute. He extended two fingers and pinched a speck of silver powder, which was what his blood had transformed into, from the ground.

‘This was formed from the Sky Overseer’s divine mystery.’

In his previous life, Li Suining had already surpassed Foundation Establishment, gaining a completely different level of cultivation and experience. Combining the piercing pain in his mind with the intense dizziness in his ascending Yang, a flicker of understanding arose within him with just a glance.

‘This is the price of Heavenly Simplicity… My life force has likely—already suffered damage.’

But he paid it no mind. As if dusting off incense ash, he scattered the silver luminescence from his fingertips. Li Suining stood up again, pushed open the grotto-mansion door. The moonlight was brilliant, a clear radiance, and a chill swept over him.

He hurriedly stepped over the threshold, pulled up the old man who was leaning against the steps, and whispered:

“How much time has passed?”

The old man exclaimed “Oh!” and said:

“Young Master Ning, you’re finally out of seclusion! Many people came asking… they all said… they all…”

Li Suining's eyes suddenly met the old man's face, but then the bloody scene flashed before his eyes, rushing at him like a hungry wolf, making him turn his head away in distress, his face turning pale and ashen.

Old Du was good at reading expressions. Before he could finish his sentence, he noticed Li Suining's strange gaze and quickly changed his words, saying:

“Young Master Ning… today—it’s the eleventh year of Xiuwu, only three days into the first month… You… you’ve been in seclusion for a year!”

Li Suining closed his eyes, forcing back the tears in his eye sockets, and said hoarsely:

“Start of Spring?”

“Yes, it is the Start of Spring.”

He suppressed the hatred and fear in his heart, murmuring as if in a nightmare:

“The lake has frozen?”

“Yes, Young Master… the cold spell has lingered late these past two years, so it’s all frozen over.”