Chapter 1126: The Prominent Shore Immortal Plant

Descending from Mount Guangxiao, they entered the West Sea. Though the earth veins here were robust, the spiritual energy was sparse. The seabed undulated, and demonic creatures were few, presenting a landscape vastly different from the East Sea.

The three cultivators, employing their divine abilities, followed the earth veins deeper into the ominous energy. The terrain grew increasingly treacherous. Although Li Ximing possessed an immortal artifact, having this person lead the way naturally meant he wouldn't draw undue suspicion. He casually remarked,

"It's well hidden, indeed... Fellow Daoist, you're quite capable to find this place."

Yin Qin Sanren smiled and said, "Although I cultivate in the West Sea, I have spent a long time traversing the Abyss of Weak Waters. My divine ability also has some unique qualities. I discovered that Fellow Daoist Zang Tiaozi of Shiqi enters and exits it every few years. I stumbled upon him twice, which made me pay more attention. Later, after much inquiry, I learned that Fellow Daoist Zang Tiaozi possessed a kind of Xianshan White Flower, which he supplied to many fellow Daoists for cultivation."

The man's gaze was quite chilling as he said indifferently, "This item shouldn't be so abundant, and there's no need to come here every year. At that time, I suspected Zang Tiaozi possessed a spiritual root. It couldn't be moved from the Abyss of Weak Waters, and though I searched and observed, I could never find a flaw."

"However, it wasn't without gain. I saw this Lynx-Crane sneaking back from the Abyss of Weak Waters. After much thought, I shifted my focus to him. Only then did I realize he was simply choosing a place to conduct transactions."

Li Ximing raised an eyebrow. "Fellow Daoist, your divine ability is impressive, to be able to find such detailed information."

Yin Qin Sanren smiled. Although his expression was polite, combined with his eerie demeanor, it still sent a shiver down one's spine. He replied, "I cultivate Gen Soil, which is the upright principle of stopping mysterious movements. My divine ability is called True Source Valley. I merely observed him descend to a certain spot in the sea, noted it down, and by communicating with the earth veins and calculating, I knew where it was."

He chuckled, "Any spiritual root must always connect with the earth veins. This demonic creature is stingy and timid, never having the chance to set up a Purple Mansion Array to protect its spiritual root. That makes it even easier to calculate."

"This item is very likely a Solitary White Bodhi Bush, which frequently bears Xianshan White Flowers. Since it's a living spiritual root, once it's in our hands, with careful nurturing, it will certainly be better than in that demonic creature's possession!"

There were many cultivators of Gen Soil, but those with an established lineage were extremely rare. Li Ximing couldn't help but glance at him again and sighed, "We also have cultivators in Jiangnan who cultivate Gen Soil. It's 'Foolish Mountain Mover'..."

Yin Qin Sanren scoffed and said, "'Foolish Mountain Mover'... that's a divine ability used in the Tongxuan Immortal Palace to replenish communal soil. From where did he get such a minor lineage? To be honest, it can only barely be considered Gen Soil... But this profound mystery..."

He was just short of adding a remark to disgrace Gen Soil. Given his words, he likely possessed a very high lineage background, used to deter them and prevent the two from having other ideas.

Listening, Li Ximing secretly took note, realizing this person likely harbored arrogance deep down. He deliberately provoked him, saying, "Oh? But the lineage of my senior was acknowledged by Zhixuan. The Five Earths, as part of the Five Elements, also have ranks. And the path of 'Heavenly Haze' is probably the most effective."

Yin Qin Sanren heard these words and indeed fell silent for a moment. He replied, "That is a matter for the immortals of the Tongxuan lineage. It is not for minor cultivators like us to presumptuously discuss."

'His mouth is sealed tight...' Although he didn't say much, Li Ximing still gleaned a lot and secretly chuckled to himself, 'So, he's not a Tongxuan cultivator! Wonder where he got this Earth Virtue legacy from...'

As they spoke, they had reached the depths of an oceanic trench. The sea was deep and heavy, enveloped in darkness. Li Zhouwei's golden eyes swept across, immediately seeing through the illusion. The formation, thin as a cicada's wing, shattered with a flick of his finger. Indeed, there was another realm within!

Inside the cave, the light was dim. A vast hall, with countless palace ruins standing amidst dark rivers, surrounded a central purple lake. On the lake stood an ancient tree.

This tree was about forty zhang tall, its canopy like a cloud, sparsely covered with countless ice and snow. Its branches and leaves were all white, with several white flowers adorning its branches. Each flower was as large as a human face, with golden and silver pistils, its fragrance assailing the nostrils.

The water in the pool was still, calm as a mirror, reflecting bits of branches and leaves. Faintly, a mournful yet infinitely moving music could be heard.

Li Zhouwei, however, glanced around and chuckled, "What a trickery."

Li Ximing was carefully observing. The Six Harmonies Light in his hand was already gathered like a wisp of flame. He raised it to his lips and gently blew.

Everything before them shattered like a reflection in a lake, fragmented. All the dilapidated palaces and layers of scenery vanished. The grotto before them was merely the size of a small hall. Faint silvery-white array patterns shimmered on the ground, filled with dim white light. In the center, a small spiritual bush, resembling a tea tree, stood gracefully, with sparse branches and leaves.

Yin Qin Sanren stood dumbfounded and mumbled, "It's not a Solitary White Bodhi Bush?"

The trunk of the tea tree-like spiritual root before them was golden, its leaves like white snow, with white flowers dotting the branches. This made the true master take an incredulous step back, immediately putting distance between himself and the other two!

Li Ximing felt a burst of Minor Yang light rush towards his face, gleaming like moonlight on white snow, yet without any chill. Knowing there was a change, he immediately pressed down on the spiritual treasure in his hand and looked over cautiously.

The atmosphere throughout the grotto instantly grew strange. Li Zhouwei, however, showed little reaction. His golden eyes swept around, examining thoroughly, and he said quietly, "The spiritual energy here is unusual. Untouched by sun or moon, all energies are harmonious, infused with the perfecting energy of Minor Yang. This confirms that the preservation of this spiritual object isn't because the demonic creature didn't set up a formation, but rather, he simply lacked the ability to deploy a Purple Mansion Array without damaging the spiritual energy."

These words cut off the possibility of them making a move here. Yin Qin Sanren seemed completely unfazed. He made calculations with his fingers and whispered with some uncertainty, "This is a Small-Leaf Xianshan Immortal Plant, a Minor Yang Purple Mansion Spiritual Root. So the Xianshan White Flowers actually came from here... This Lynx-Crane is truly good at hiding!"

"Since the division of Minor Yang into three parts, this spiritual root has been fundamentally cut off. Its leaves turn from white to pale yellow, and its twelve branches become four, turning into a Solitary White Bodhi Bush... This plant's origin is probably extremely ancient!"

Li Ximing glanced at it and mused inwardly, 'If that's the case, it can't be moved. If moved outside, it would encounter the mundane spiritual aura of the world, daily degenerating and gradually becoming a lesser spiritual root...'

However, the golden-eyed youth's eyes were sharp. He carefully observed for a while, finding the realm before him almost frighteningly perfect. He began to pace, his gaze sweeping over the shimmering ground, remaining silent for a long time. A cloud of suspicion suddenly rose in his heart, and he grew doubtful: 'Such an exquisite realm... is it truly a natural wonder?'

Li Zhouwei pondered for a long time, employing his immortal mirror, and carefully investigated again. Still, there was nothing unusual around.

'Only this place... no other traces. But if it was created by a cultivator... how many people in this world possess such profound cultivation? How could it be merely a Lynx-Crane? Is it truly a natural creation?'

A hint of coldness entered his gaze. He slightly closed his eyes, recalling the demonic creature's earlier plea for mercy: 'Since you are from Jiangnan, you must know of my past karma. I am willing to offer this spiritual root to you two sirs...'

'The spiritual root is tied to past karma... Perhaps he obtained clues about this spiritual root from past karma... That would explain it... Let's observe further.'

So he turned around, glanced at the Small-Leaf Xianshan Immortal Plant, and said, "Since it's been mentioned that we'll divide it among ourselves, this spiritual root has four mature Xianshan White Flowers. Let's take them first."

Hearing this, Yin Qin Sanren immediately spoke, seeming somewhat afraid the two would damage the spiritual root. He said, "This item is among the most delicate of Minor Yang spiritual resources. It fears fire and ominous energy. It's best to collect it in a wooden box."

Li Zhouwei, however, secretly observed him and continued, "As for this spiritual root..."

These words made Yin Qin Sanren's heart leap to his throat. His expression grew hesitant. The youth before him, however, casually said, "Let's cut it down here, and our two families will share it!"

As soon as these words were uttered, even Li Ximing's eyes flashed with a hint of pain, let alone Yin Qin Sanren's. His face immediately changed dramatically, and he anxiously said, "Absolutely not! How can such a fine spiritual root be turned into firewood!"

He could no longer restrain himself at this moment. He took a step forward and urged, "I understand that your esteemed family is far away, and it's inconvenient to manage this spiritual root. But this matter is easy to handle. The Small-Leaf Xianshan Immortal Plant flowers much faster than the Solitary White Bodhi Bush. I cultivate Earth Virtue and have some methods for tending to spiritual roots. Just leave it to me. From now on, no matter when it flowers or when leaves are trimmed, all will be divided in half and sent to your esteemed family!"

He bowed repeatedly and sighed, "This way, we will all be happy. Wouldn't that be a good thing?"

His words weren't wrong. Li Ximing already showed signs of being swayed. But Li Zhouwei's golden eyes showed little wavering. He chuckled, "Fellow Daoist, you certainly consider my family well. But this item is so precious, why share it between two when one can have it all? Are you not afraid that this king will return and invite some helpers, and deal with you as well, with no need to share with anyone?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Yin Qin Sanren's expression abruptly changed, and he raised an eyebrow, saying, "King Wei is honorable..."

The youth before him, however, didn't let him say more. His eyes gleamed brightly, appearing sinister and sharp. He chuckled, "Honorable? This king dares to say, do you dare to believe it?"

Yin Qin Sanren pondered for a moment, clearly unwilling to offend him. He finally sighed, unable to utter anything more, and said, "Since King Wei insists on cutting it down, then please proceed!"

Li Zhouwei turned around, first plucking the four white flowers and putting them away. He then lightly flipped his palm.

In his palm appeared an invisible object. Though it had no form, a potent energy assailed them, as if standing under a blazing sun, intensely scorching, leaving one's mouth and tongue dry.

It was Prostrating Gold!

This item was a gift from the White Dragon Crown Prince, formed from the essence of the sun falling into the East Sea. It was an authentic solar spiritual object!

He joined two fingers, clamped the object between them, and slashed it towards the Minor Yang spiritual root before them.

In an instant, a burst of light, all the leaves fluttered down as if a jade vase had fallen, shattering into pieces. From the white, green light sprang forth, tiny beads rolled, scattering everywhere, like the setting sun piercing through tree shadows, casting a mottled pattern.

Only then did they hear a thudding sound, indicating the sea was overflowing. Amidst the light, three colors scattered. Li Ximing lowered his head, realizing that light-blue water was surging forth, already covering the tops of his boots.

He praised aloud and casually scooped up the rolling white beads from the ground. These beads, large and small, melted into a liquid once in his sleeve. Li Ximing's eyes lit up and he said, "A Minor Yang Purple Mansion spiritual object, Taiyanhua!"

Li Zhouwei slightly closed his eyes, retrieving the Prostrating Gold into his Jue Que. In his hand appeared six pale white objects, like scales. The youth openly displayed them and said, "A Xi Qi spiritual resource, Dao-gazing Scales."

The Small-Leaf Xianshan Immortal Plant had transformed into a fist-sized piece of deadwood, submerged in the shallow water. Yin Qin Sanren's expression was somewhat dim. He picked it up and said, "This is what the Solitary White Bodhi Bush transformed into, Solitary White Bodhi Wood. It's also a Minor Yang resource. King Wei is truly skilled! Using a solar spiritual object to divide this item is not a waste!"

His words were not incorrect. Not to mention the rarity of solar spiritual objects, Li Zhouwei's gentle stroke contained a great deal of his own cultivation and Dao practice. It was not an easy feat.

Li Ximing and Li Zhouwei exchanged glances and subtly nodded. Li Zhouwei then separated three Dao-gazing Scales and placed them into Yin Qin Sanren's hand, settling the matter. Only then did Li Ximing speak, "Since Fellow Daoist is already here, let's divide the items from the Lynx-Crane together."

He then took out the storage bag, showed it to Yin Qin Sanren, and only then used his divine ability to open it. Although the spiritual items poured out into a small mountain, the truly valuable items, with a single sweep of his divine ability, were divided into six categories.

Two categories were cultivation techniques: the 'Scripture of Mountains Gazing South' for True Wood's 'Back-to-South' path, and the 'Dao Fire Uniting Heart Scripture' for Coalescing Fire, enabling divine abilities and perilous acquisition.

Both of these were excellent and rare Purple Mansion cultivation techniques, especially the 'Dao Fire Uniting Heart Scripture,' which was an ancient method. Its rank was indeterminable, but written on an entirely crimson golden scroll, it was clearly no ordinary item.

'What an unexpected bonus!'

Of the remaining four categories, one was decayed wood, black as ink and hard as iron, which should be 'Wood Sacrificial Iron', a spiritual wood of the True Wood path. Another was a blue ripple like water, dark green in color; this was precisely the 'Clear Profound Coffin' that Li Ximing had long coveted!

Two categories were spiritual resources, including the 'Rising Warmth Stone,' a lantern-fire spiritual resource Li Ximing had once obtained, and 'Neck-Down Feathers,' an item most familiar to him.

The former was needed for cultivating the 'Back-to-South' path, which was understandable. But upon seeing the latter, Li Ximing felt a pang of guilt. "I've used quite a lot of Neck-Down Feathers over the years. It's hard to say if he traded for these from someone else..."

This wealth was not small for a Purple Mansion cultivator, but for a demonic creature that had possessed a spiritual root for many years, it was truly not much. Li Zhouwei's suspicions deepened. He did not speak. Li Ximing, however, stepped forward with a smile and said, "I heard Fellow Daoist possesses a Clear Profound Coffin. I am willing to exchange for it with one of the spiritual resources I acquired and two Dao-gazing Scales. Are you interested?"

These words immediately made the true master ponder, and he said, "The Lynx-Crane had one on its person... Since Fellow Daoist is still asking me, it seems you need quite a bit, and you also want the Clear Profound Coffin..."

This was something that couldn't be concealed. Li Ximing nodded with a smile. Yin Qin Sanren appeared hesitant, but the Clear Profound Coffin was truly useless to him. He finally nodded and took out a jade box from his sleeve. "Alright!"

With two Clear Profound Coffins in hand, Li Ximing's mind was at ease. He also copied the cultivation techniques once. Only then did they leave together. Who would have thought that a wisp of smoke would appear beneath their feet, and this treasure ground would thus collapse.

'It's a Gen Soil divine ability.' Li Ximing felt slightly odd. Li Zhouwei, however, immediately raised his eyes, staring directly at Yin Qin Sanren. The true master, however, waved his hand and said, "Neither you nor I have any use for this place. Yet there is still residual spiritual root aura. No need to keep it, lest some true masters find it, discover something, and deduce our whereabouts."

His divine ability merely fluctuated for an instant, instantly destroying this subtly constructed treasure land, rare to behold in a thousand years. At this moment, he didn't meet Li Zhouwei's gaze. He turned around, cupped his hands, and said, "Fellow Daoists, we shall meet again if fate allows!"

As his figure faded, Li Ximing finally turned his head and sighed, "Collaborating with him might not be a bad thing. The Small-Leaf Xianshan Immortal Plant is much better than the Solitary White Bodhi Bush. It's a treasure trove. If we can get one flower every two years, it would be comparable to Zhen Tao Mansion!"

A heavy cloud of suspicion lingered in Li Zhouwei's heart, yet a relaxed smile played on his face, and he said, "This person is treacherous and cunning. I don't trust him. If the North and South truly go to war and he casually makes excuses, could we still cross the sea and confront him one by one? It's better to resolve it once and for all."

Li Ximing could only nod. Li Zhouwei then said nonchalantly, "Uncle-Grandfather still needs to collect spiritual items here and tie up loose ends. How about I take the Heaven-Nourishing Urn back first, to prevent any unforeseen changes."

Although Li Ximing didn't feel there would be any mishaps, he still handed the spiritual treasure to him. Li Zhouwei held it, bid farewell, and left, disappearing into the void. His heart grew increasingly cold: 'Let me take a good look... at what kind of trickery he's hiding!'