Chapter 1130: New Rain

The rain poured down.

A chill permeated the Qiuyi Mountains. Li Ximing arrived on the wind, finding the mountains much emptier than usual. The icy, snow-laden rain clattered against the trees. The True Lord sat cross-legged on the mountaintop, drawing sustenance from the mists and dew, then suddenly opened his eyes and smiled:

“Fellow Daoist, you’ve arrived!”

Li Ximing held a long halberd, its crescent-like arc shimmering brightly. It was Great Ascension. He presented it to Liao Luo, who nodded slightly, then examined it closely and praised:

“What a magnificent ancient artifact!”

Great Ascension had been obtained from the Grotto-Heaven of Qing Song Temple. Although merely an ancient magic artifact, it possessed a unique charm. It had accompanied Li Zhouwei for many years, and now, refined into a spirit embryo, its wonders were even more profound. Liao Luo couldn’t tear his eyes away, saying:

“Such a treasure… such a treasure…”

Li Ximing then smiled:

“It was originally set for three hundred days, but I didn’t expect to visit the West Sea and get delayed.”

The gains Li Zhouwei had made from Guangchan were all in Qiuyi’s possession. Besides two items combined to form Li Zhouwei's weapon, there was also an extremely potent Vixen Water Lotus, which required three hundred days to refine. Li Ximing had come partly for the weapon, and partly to eagerly inspect that portion of Vixen Water!

Liao Luo reluctantly averted his gaze and smiled:

“It’s all ready for you, Fellow Daoist.”

He then instructed the women nearby to withdraw, and in the interim, said solemnly:

“This spirit embryo is formidable, but it has disrupted my original plans…”

Li Ximing was momentarily stunned, raising an eyebrow at him. Liao Luo sighed:

“The golden embryo formed from that spiritual material, I had already forged it into a halberd shape, preparing to refine it for King Wei, and had drafted five or six types of halberd blades. The Grand True Lord was never satisfied. Now, having seen this spirit embryo, I realize I almost ruined a treasure!”

Normally easygoing and composed, the man’s eyes were now bright and filled with a hint of excitement as he said:

“This treasure is in the ancient Wei style, and having been used by King Wei for many years, it is the most suitable. The Grand True Lord’s Kongyan Pure Treasure Furnace has a ‘Leather Setting’ refinement method, which is perfect for utilizing this spirit embryo! It surpasses my own painstaking efforts a hundredfold!”

The weapon Li Zhouwei was about to refine was no ordinary item, and a great deal of spiritual materials and resources had been invested. Li Ximing regarded it highly, his expression becoming serious as he asked:

“Please elaborate.”

Liao Luo explained:

“The Grand True Lord’s treasure furnace is an artifact of ancient cultivation, a heritage of the Douxuan Hengyan Sand Protection lineage. It’s forged from two types of spiritual materials, Geng and Hong, containing three streams of Hong fire and three streams of true fire. The ‘Leather Setting’ method can remove a specific spiritual material from a spirit artifact without liquefying the artifact itself… It was originally used by those half-immortal, half-Buddhist cultivators to refine Buddhist artifacts…”

‘I thought my sect was quite wealthy now… but compared to these people, we still fall short; we don’t have such deep foundations…’

Upon first hearing about this treasure, Li Ximing sighed inwardly, his heart stirred as he understood Liao Luo’s meaning. He said:

“I see… so it’s about taking the form of Great Ascension, removing its impurities, and refining spiritual materials into it.”

Liao Luo shook his head and explained:

“That would be a lesser approach. This method is about preserving Great Ascension itself, especially the talismans and imageries left by the former Wei State’s artifact masters, and even the aura nurtured by King Wei’s long use of the artifact…

“The method you described can be achieved with ordinary artifact refinement, but fundamentally, the resulting weapon would no longer be the same as the original. If it’s a spirit artifact with sentience, such refinement would invariably cause it to lose its spiritual essence. But with our method, that essence can be preserved.”

Although Li Ximing wasn't skilled in artifact refinement, he could still discern the difference between good and bad. He nodded repeatedly and said:

“Let’s proceed with your method, Fellow Daoist!”

As the two discussed, a person came forward, carrying a jade tray covered with a red cloth. When the cloth was lifted, a bottle and a piece of gold, both brilliantly shining, were revealed.

The gold had a deep, subdued base color with a dazzling luster. Li Ximing recognized it—he had once acquired a piece himself, a Sinking Wild-Aged Gold of Combined Water, which he later presented as a tribute to Prince Bai Longtao of the Dragon Clan.

Liao Luo, however, pointed to the bottle and smiled:

“This bottle holds something excellent! It’s one of the Vixen Waters, called Guixi Vixen Water. This water adheres to the transfer of Vixen Water and is governed by the Dao of Profound Heavens. It cannot be consumed or used in alchemy, hence it’s called Vixen Water, not Pure Origin… However, with many Dao lineages now extinct, it can also be used broadly, and its efficacy is no less. Fellow Daoist, you should certainly try it!”

Li Ximing’s heart immediately filled with joy. Taking it into his hands, he saw the light gray liquid within the bottle ceaselessly surging, and he inwardly sighed with emotion:

‘The Cave Heron Primal Water is too precious; I haven’t used it yet. This Vixen Water can truly be considered the second spiritual water I can clearly hold in my hands!’

He examined it carefully, finding it impossible to put down. Liao Luo, meanwhile, smiled:

“I recall you also possess a Longyue Transmuting Gold, which is highly compatible with this Guixi Vixen Water. You could try refining a treasure that preserves life and averts calamities!”

Li Ximing nodded repeatedly. Without waiting for the other party to introduce the Combined Water Gold placed on the table, he had already passed the jade tray over, saying earnestly:

“You’ve labored over all matters, both before and now, and refining a spirit artifact is a truly taxing endeavor for both mind and body. How could I let you act without recompense? Please accept this Sinking Wild-Aged Gold!”

As a Combined Water cultivator, how could Liao Luo not covet this spiritual material? He showed hesitation, replying:

“I was ordered to help you solve a few problems, how could I claim credit?”

Li Ximing’s expression became stern. He said:

“If you don’t accept it, I will never dare to seek your help again!”

Li Ximing’s reasoning was sound: Combined Water items were least suitable for his own lineage. Neither Jiangqian nor Quehuan Dao traditions disliked Combined Water, making it perfect for repaying favors. Otherwise, he would have had to exchange it with others after acquiring it. Thus, his attitude was exceptionally firm, practically forcing True Lord Liao Luo to accept it.

Then, he pressed two fingers onto the Juque, lightly lifted, and drew forth that gleaming golden object.

Longyue Transmuting Gold!

This item had always been stored in his Juque, used for cultivating the Imperial Qi Light. However, Li Ximing’s cultivation level was genuinely not high compared to Li Zhouwei’s; he hadn’t diligently practiced even a few of the Li Fire spells, let alone this Imperial Qi Light. Thus, he decisively and straightforwardly retrieved it.

Despite the initial refusal, Liao Luo’s demeanor became noticeably more cordial, even displaying a hint of awkwardness from receiving a favor. After all, even without the connection to Diyang, the acquisition of a Combined Water spiritual item was undoubtedly a substantial gain!

He hastily put away the Guixi Vixen Water and the Longyue Transmuting Gold, then said earnestly:

“Leave this matter to me; I will definitely handle it well for you, Fellow Daoist!”

Li Ximing smiled:

“The Vixen Water isn’t urgent, but the weapon should be sooner. It wouldn’t do for King Wei to be empty-handed.”

Liao Luo nodded solemnly, about to speak, when a disciple hurried up to report:

“Reporting to True Lord, a powerful cultivator has arrived at the foot of the mountain, claiming to be Xie Hu, a reclusive cultivator from the West Sea, seeking… True Lord Zhaojing.”

Xie Hu?!

At this, Li Ximing raised an eyebrow, first in disbelief, then a flicker of suspicion immediately crossed his eyes:

‘He actually found this place… It seems he’s been to the lake… Could it be that he’s here to settle scores with me?!’

Liao Luo mused silently, then raised an eyebrow and looked at him. Li Ximing sipped his tea and smiled:

“Are those his exact words?”

The disciple quickly bowed sideways and replied:

“Yes.”

“Then please invite him up.”

The rain in the mountains intensified, forming a continuous curtain outside the courtyard, painting everything in shades of gray and white. Amidst the downpour, a crisp clinking of jade was heard. A man wearing a bamboo hat and a straw rain cape had already arrived at the front of the hall, followed by a silent, downcast boy. The man planted a long staff, adorned with many jade swords, onto the ground and spoke in a low voice:

“Are you True Lord Li?”

Li Ximing performed a divination technique. From afar, he could sense a sharp aura amidst the rain. He descended from the hall and said:

“That would be me!”

Xie Hu raised his head, his face finally emerging from the shadow of the bamboo hat. He scrutinized Li Ximing for a moment, then took a jade box from his bosom and said indifferently:

“Senior Yan’s lifespan has concluded; he passed away in the West Curtain Sea, nourishing his ancestral land. I was entrusted by him to come and meet you, Fellow Daoist—this is his descendant, Yan Ruzhe.”

‘Yan Dushui has fallen!’

A hint of melancholy touched Li Ximing. He looked over; the young man wasn’t handsome, but he was tall and had a resolute face. With great discernment, he immediately knelt and kowtowed several times to Li Ximing, respectfully saying:

“This junior greets True Lord!”

“I’ve noted you.”

Though Yan Dushui had died, he had burned the last embers of his life to the fullest. These five simple words represented the True Lord’s favor, and the young man was immediately overwhelmed with gratitude, kowtowing repeatedly. Li Ximing then took out some spiritual items to reward him and helped him up.

He then calculated with his fingers, recalling what he had seen that day, and replied:

“This… is a bit early.”

Xie Hu nodded and said:

“Before his death, he crafted three talismans as a foundation, then passed away on the spot, asking me to deliver a message to you, Fellow Daoist.”

“The Zhaoyan clan, having long resided in seclusion in Xilian, no longer recognizes their past clan ties or the wealth of Yongjing. Fearing the annihilation of their entire clan, they only wish that their descendants never return… We hope Zhaojing, for the sake of your personal acquaintance, will be lenient… Lin Yi is overwhelmed with dread and gratitude.”

Li Ximing remained silent for a moment, understanding the old True Lord’s intention:

‘The Wei and Yan families, after all, have a destined connection. His family can no longer produce a single Purple Palace cultivator… and truly doesn’t wish for their descendants to get involved in the affairs of Jiangnan.’

He let out a long sigh, took the jade box from the other’s hand, and opened it gently. He faintly saw a jade slip lying inside, likely related to the secret realm, and tucked it into his robes, raising his hand to say:

“Please!”

However, the middle-aged man before him, with a serious expression, returned the bow and replied:

“No need. I, Xie, still have important matters to attend to.”

Without another word, he walked straight down the mountain and vanished into the void.

Li Ximing watched him depart, another concern lifted from his mind. Only then did he turn back into the hall, hearing Liao Luo commend:

“He’s a decisive man.”

After they finished their tea, Liao Luo paused, listening as Li Ximing said in a deep voice:

“Fellow Daoist, do you happen to have Green Water?”

This made Liao Luo slightly pause, and he asked:

“This is for…?”

Li Ximing smiled:

“No need for exchange; I simply promised a fellow Daoist to refine a pill that requires Green Water for transition. I just need to use it for a moment!”

The pill he spoke of was naturally for True Lord Daomian of the West Sea. This pill first required Green Water for transformation, then Mansion Water for assistance, before it could be completed. He already possessed Mansion Water, lacking only this one ingredient, Green Water.

However, the True Lord before him seemed troubled, furrowing his brow in thought, but soon his expression cleared, and he smiled:

“I don’t have this item on hand, but Kuang Yu possesses a portion of Tangyi Green Water, also known as Qingtan Yishui Pond Origin. It is exceptionally wondrous, and you can certainly borrow it from her!”

Li Ximing’s eyes immediately lit up. He nodded subtly, his mind already making plans:

‘It’s a good opportunity to visit Xinyu… That child Que Yi has also been guarding overseas for several years; I can see them while I’m there.’

The sea waters sparkled, and eagles and sparrows circled.

Rain drifted over the island. A woman in a purple dress strolled atop a large formation, her face slightly pale. She looked down at the scenery beneath her feet and spoke in a calm tone:

“This is the fourth time… If I had been even a step late, there’s no telling what might have burst out, and the entire Xinyu Archipelago could have instantly turned into sludge and sunk, with no one able to stop it.”

She had a delicate beauty, her brow furrowed with worry. This was True Lord Tinglan.

Tinglan wasn’t particularly tall. The woman beside her was a bit taller, dressed in a pale green Daoist robe, with gentle features and blue-violet eyes. Her brow also held a faint worry as she said:

“It’s good that there’s been no further movement. If anything truly happened, this place wouldn’t be under our jurisdiction anyway.”

Kuang Yu’s concern wasn’t unfounded. Tinglan simply frowned and said:

“Have you reported this matter to True Lord Diyang?”

Kuang Yu sighed deeply and said:

“Both you and Sister Hengxing have mentioned that this is a private matter for the Solar Dao Lineage. I am only half a Hengzhuo cultivator, here merely to assist. How could I question it?”

Tinglan was clearly somewhat surprised. She remained silent for a moment, then said:

“Then let’s wait a bit longer. If one day we truly can’t hold it, then we’ll bring it up… Your divine ability… has it made any progress? If you could achieve a breakthrough, it might buy us more time.”

Kuang Yu hesitated, saying:

“It’s been slow to materialize. I failed again a few years ago. Although my immortal foundation has now recovered, I still lack confidence… The Xiuyue Dao, though manifest in the world, is difficult to cultivate to completion.”

The two immortal ladies rode the wind back into the palace. Rain still dripped steadily within the hall. Seeing that they were alone, Kuang Yu whispered:

“Fellow Daoist Zhugong… how are they?”

At the mention of Zhugong, Tinglan’s expression immediately became complicated, even showing a hint of guilt.

Putting aside personal ethics, during this period of the Solar Dao's decline, her close overseas friend had done more than enough, yet gained no benefits. Instead, Tinglan herself had somewhat exploited her, using her as a pawn...

She took a seat, simply looking down and saying:

“I also visited her a few days ago. Her injuries have slightly improved, but she still suffers from immense depletion… It won’t be decades; it might take over a hundred years… Let’s discuss other matters once her condition is a little better…”

Kuang Yu raised a jade pot, poured out a clear, bright spiritual liquid, and said solemnly:

“That’s true. No matter what, she’s still a Purple Palace cultivator. As long as she endures and doesn’t reveal herself, enduring until a major turning point in the North-South conflict, and Kong Tingyun loses her support, then she can escape this deadlock!”

Tinglan did not reply immediately. She raised her cup, took a sip, and raised an eyebrow, saying:

“Wine?”

Kuang Yu still smiled and said:

“It’s wine refined from the Banquet Lantern Flowers that Nanwu recently acquired. He guarded it like a treasure, but I managed to get some for you, Sister, to try.”

“This substance is originally poisonous, unusable by anyone other than Lampfire cultivators. It’s a method from our Dao lineage to refine it into wine; the two properties balance each other out. Though the wine is potent, it can stabilize cultivation and enhance magical power.”

Hearing this, Tinglan finished the remaining half of her cup. When Kuang Yu mentioned Guo Nanwu, Tinglan’s expression grew serious, and she asked:

“I’ve seen Nanwu frequently entering and leaving Tingzhou, and he was present at the West Sea battle a year ago. That boy Nuanming also often runs to Qiuyi. What are the Grand True Lord’s thoughts on this?”

Seeing her mention Diyang, Kuang Yu immediately lowered her gaze and replied:

“Qiuyi is situated amidst a pack of wolves, and the elder’s life is severely weakened, so they are leveraging Wei’s power.”

Tinglan hesitated for a moment, then sighed:

“I dare not say much more, but you must understand clearly: although Ning Wan’s life is no longer her own, she has, by consequence, managed to somewhat don a tiger’s skin, intending to preserve a branch of the Li clan. In truth, she has little confidence and doesn’t wish for you to get involved as well.”

Ning Wan and the Li clan could be considered old acquaintances, with several generations of friendship, from Li Chijing to Li Xuanfeng, and then from Li Xuanfeng to Li Ximing. Li Yuanqin was Ning Hemian’s own son. Tinglan could see that Ning Wan now wished to preserve them but was extremely pessimistic and uneasy in her heart.

Kuang Yu merely smiled and said:

“You worry too much, Sister.”

Tinglan, who disliked speaking much, remained silent. Kuang Yu quietly picked up the celadon jade pot from the table, refilled Tinglan’s cup, and then said:

“The True and Purple Two Paths are two sides of one coin. Sister, residing in the Purple Mist Blessed Land, you are certainly safe, especially with Lord Zimu there, aren’t you?”

A hint of surprise flickered across Tinglan’s brow. She raised her cup and asked:

“You… who taught you that?”

Kuang Yu smiled:

“The arrangements of the True and Purple Two Paths are clear to those above. The prolonged failure of Purple Qi is merely awaiting the ascent to True Immortal. How could the Grand True Lord not understand? The elders always understand more than you and I.”

Tinglan silently put down her cup after hearing this. Kuang Yu, filling her own cup and her eyes slightly reddened, said:

“Sister, you’ve also experienced discomfort. The decline of the Solar Dao involved so much bloodshed and tears. It was only because Lord Zilin was present during the change at Zhuosha Mausoleum… that they allowed you to return…”

“Now, we’ve finally passed through it. No matter how much the two sides squabble, they won’t do anything to Purple Mist. But Qiuyi still has a calamity to overcome; being in its midst is still uneasy, fearing disaster is imminent… The Grand True Lord… only has this one chance.”

Tinglan saw her filled with worries, her thoughts growing heavier, yet dared not ask. She remained silent for a long time. After three rounds of drinks, her face, too, had become slightly flushed, and she said:

“The world is in turmoil, how many places are truly at peace? Look at the Song Kingdom: Xianyao is on the brink of death, Chengqian is anxious after losing support, Chen Xi has gone prematurely gray, Ning Wan is struggling in Jiangnan, Chensheng’s family has declined, and Tingyun is on pins and needles.”

“Sima Yuanli, without fief or reward, seems free and unconstrained, yet in reality, he is a mere pawn and subject, tied to the nation’s fate, fearing that once True Qi cultivation is complete, the Great Song will become useless and be overthrown. Linggu Lanying’s background is flawed, her divine abilities insufficient, no one regards her highly, and she has two masters above her, fearing that Xiukui will seize her treasures, constantly worried about gains and losses…”

“Li Zhouwei and Li Ximing may be glorious today, but they too walk a perilous path, a road without clear end, counting the days with anxiety and unease…”

Hearing this, Kuang Yu took a sip of wine. The color in her blue-violet eyes dimmed, and she replied:

“I understand what you mean, Sister.”

Tinglan sighed faintly, drank a few more cups with her, then stood up and said:

“Since the crisis here has been resolved, I shall return to the Blessed Land.”

She paused, then said with some lingering concern:

“This wine is too strong; you should drink less.”

Kuang Yu was troubled and drank rather hastily. Watching Tinglan leave, she was still a bit muddled. She frowned at the wine pot before her and chided playfully:

“Oh, Sister, truly! This pot of wine is a spiritual resource. Since a dozen cups have already been poured, wouldn’t it be a waste not to finish it?… Now it’s all on me!”

As the purple-robed True Lord departed, the spacious grotto-mansion suddenly felt empty. Kuang Yu propped her chin with one hand and poured wine into the jade cup before her with the other.

The clear, bright wine gathered, tinged with a delicate red. Her fair, tender hands put down the wine pot, then with a gentle flip, revealed a jade talisman.

The talisman was about half a palm long and two fingers wide, smooth and lustrous. It was tied with a red cord that wound down to her slender, delicate fingertips, swaying at her wrist with her subtle movements.

As the spell lamp flickered, the blue-violet hue in Kuang Yu’s eyes deepened. She still looked hesitant when she heard footsteps outside, followed by a joyful female voice:

“True Lord… True Lord Zhaojing has arrived!”

“Ah.”

Kuang Yu, who had been staring in a daze, gasped as if waking from a dream. Whether from drunkenness or panic, the jade talisman immediately slipped from her grasp, clinking onto the table.

Immediately, a man’s voice, tinged with laughter, was heard:

“Fellow Daoist Kuang Yu!”

Kuang Yu quickly rose from her seat, stepped hurriedly forward, and reached the entrance of the grotto-mansion. She saw a man in white and gold Daoist robes already inside. He was as courteous and proper as ever, saying:

“My sudden visit might disturb your cultivation, Fellow Daoist!”

“Not at all…”

Kuang Yu, originally of a warm and generous nature, had now composed herself. She glanced at him, then turned around and smiled:

“You’ve come at just the right time… I’ve opened a good pot of wine, and I’m afraid of getting too tipsy by myself. Let me share some for you to try.”

As Li Ximing had just entered, he noticed the True Lord’s face was slightly flushed. He then realized she had been drinking and found it quite amusing. He clasped his hands repeatedly and said:

“Well, then…”

Kuang Yu smiled:

“Wine refined from spiritual resources!”

Li Ximing raised an eyebrow, his tone changing sharply, and nodded, saying:

“I might as well have a taste.”

The two entered the grotto-mansion, where they saw the jade table in a slight disarray. A jade pot with a long, emerald-like neck sat upon it, with two jade cups, one empty and one full. Next to the cups lay an overturned jade talisman.

Kuang Yu’s face flushed. She quickly stepped forward, swiftly tucking the talisman into her sleeve. Li Ximing, meanwhile, stared at the empty cup and asked with suspicion:

“This is…?”

The woman before him turned around, raised an eyebrow, and smiled:

“Sister Tinglan was just here. She had a few cups and then ran off like she was scared.”

Kuang Yu’s personality was indeed rare among Purple Palace cultivators. Hearing her tease, Li Ximing smiled helplessly and replied:

“I only fear my arrival… has disrupted something.”

“Oh?”

Kuang Yu invited him to sit, specifically put away the empty cup, replaced it with a new one, and smiled:

“I’m more afraid of disrupting *your* matters! You and Sister Tinglan have been friends for many years. True Yang and Purple Yin, celestial cultivators mediating between light and dark, and in ancient times, the Three Yin assisted… such a small matter for your Mingyang…”

Li Ximing then picked up the delicate red wine. He took a small sip, and a potent kick rushed up to his nose. Hearing her speak such strange, ancient words, he almost coughed, and blankly said:

“Huh?”

But Kuang Yu, having just spoken nonsense, saw him put down his cup and look at her with a raised eyebrow. Even with her generous nature, she couldn't bear it. She immediately lowered her head, hurriedly refilled his cup, and gritted her teeth, saying:

“Please!”

After one cup, Li Ximing felt warmth spread throughout his body. Knowing it was a good thing and that he wouldn’t lose out by drinking it, he smiled and toasted her. Who would have thought that as soon as he finished that cup, Kuang Yu immediately refilled it?

The woman had moved closer, her face near his. The blue-violet in her round eyes shone even brighter. Holding the pot in her hand, she gritted her teeth and said with feigned fierceness:

“Sister Tinglan tricked me into drinking quite a lot… I can’t drink any more. Don’t waste it!”