Chapter 1131: Practice (1+1/2)

"Oh…"

Li Ximing's heart skipped a beat. Only after he had finished three cups did the woman cease, setting down the long-necked jade pot. She glanced at him and smiled, "How does it taste?" The True Immortal exhaled and replied, "The flavor isn't strong, but the alcohol is potent."

Kuang Yu sat down beside him and chuckled again. "It's a spiritual resource, originally meant to bewilder the mind and banish worries. It's not truly wine, which is why it's refined, not brewed. In the past, many Qingxuan cultivators enjoyed this drink; even a single cup would make a lower-level cultivator collapse instantly, lost in a dream, unaware of when they might awaken."

Li Ximing took another sip, feeling the immense magical power rapidly mobilizing his divine abilities. He slightly closed his eyes and smiled, "Fellow Daoist Yin, if something is on your mind, perhaps you could share it."

Kuang Yu tugged at her sleeves, the color in her eyes gradually fading, replaced by a touch more decisiveness. She smiled, "Do you understand... the origin and development of the Cultivation of Transgression?"

Li Ximing sipped his wine and said, "Please enlighten me."

The woman rose from her seat, her hands clasped behind her back, and began to pace silently. She said, "Cultivators of Transgression were originally called Handlers of Perversity. Like a 'bo' star (a wandering star, comet) moving across the heavens, they emerge when the celestial order is chaotic. In the mortal world, those who question transgression transform at the boundary of yin and yang. This path delights in perversity and instigation; should there be dynastic change, popular uprisings, or the assassination of generals, this star will surely be drawn to it."

Li Ximing seemed thoughtful, but the woman continued softly, "Before the ancient Zhou Dynasty, there was another era, named Xia, which adopted wind and thunder as its totems. It belonged to the Thunder Palace. When the Xia collapsed and the Zhou rose, nations fell into strife. With the Thunder Palace overthrown, this path found its chaotic era. Untamed and unruly, many practitioners spread among the populace. These Cultivators of Transgression incited various states, causing the world to tremble, and thereby ascended to their golden peak."

"However, at that time, ancient cultivators universally considered this path inauspicious, for it brought excessive conflict. They either followed Geng or Xuan, refusing to seek rectification, and gradually withered away. This continued until the True Monarch at their head was besieged and suddenly fell. In the same year, King Zhou received the 'Upper Rites' and gained a third True Monarch, who then established rituals, enfeoffed the world, and thus ended the era of chaos."

Although the other party didn't explicitly state it, the meaning was clear. Li Ximing, holding his cup, a flicker of clarity in his eyes, raised his brows and said, "So, it was the Upper Rites."

Kuang Yu understood his meaning and chuckled, "Precisely. At that time, the Upper Rites were the bane of the Handlers of Perversity. But when this path declined to its extreme, a True Monarch from the Qingxuan lineage seized the initiative... He was known as 'Handler of Crossing.' He cultivated neither perversity nor the Five Elements, but rather Yin and Yang. He achieved enlightenment through a method of 'seeking gold' that was incomprehensible to the world, taking the title 'Handler of Yang Crossing Yin,' and thus achieving transgression."

"From then on, this path gradually became docile and integrated into the immortal way, changing its name to 'Cultivation of Transgression.' It also became much more amenable to the Upper Rites. This True Monarch lived in seclusion; it's only known that he rebuilt the Qingsong Temple. As for when he passed away... that is also unknown."

At this point, she raised an eyebrow, seemingly pondering something, and said softly, "This True Monarch... you should not be unfamiliar with him, should you?"

Li Ximing frowned and shook his head.

Kuang Yu hesitated for a moment before replying, "He... is the earliest traceable lineage of the Yuanfu branch. Today's King of Wei, I'm afraid, also has a close connection to him!"

Li Ximing's heart suddenly jolted. He asked, "Why do you say that?"

Kuang Yu said softly, "I've heard a legend that this True Monarch, while cultivating in Qingsong Temple, once had a disciple who descended the mountain for experience. The disciple reported to him that the world was currently unbalanced in Yin and Yang, and the Great Dao was in chaos. He suggested that their path, which balanced Yin and Yang, should have a plan."

"The True Monarch then said, 'Last year, when this Venerable One passed Mount Xiao, I saw a brilliant aura like a canopy and auspicious energy swirling. A king, the Enlightened Yang Monarch, is about to emerge.'"

"The disciple requested a method to balance Yin and Yang, but the True Monarch remained silent for a long time, calculating with his fingers. The disciples prostrated themselves, pleading for several days. Finally, the True Monarch took out a treasure from his sleeve, examined it repeatedly, and lamented that this precious artifact of the Ancestral Master would flow among the common folk. He then gently cast it down the mountain, where it disappeared into the endless sea. He then opened his mouth again and said:"

"The Enlightened Yang Emperor shall be struck down by it."

Li Ximing felt a surge of coldness rush to his mind. He stood up incredulously and said, "Qingxuan? How is that possible?"

Kuang Yu's expression was somewhat somber. She replied, "This legend is widely circulated. Even my family, being of the Wei royal clan, has heard it clearly. However, no one was willing to believe it, nor did anyone know what the treasure was. In truth, this treasure was once obtained by the Wei Emperor, suppressed within the palace, and then lost among the common folk during the fall of Wei. After many twists and turns, it eventually returned to Qingxuan's hands."

However, the man before her no longer seemed to hear her words. The fall of Wei that year, and all its details before and after, pointed entirely to Tongxuan. How could Li Ximing possibly believe it was the work of a Qingxuan cultivator? He remained silent for a long time, but the woman gave him no chance to rest. She stepped forward, looked him in the eyes, and said, "But Mount Quyi has a record of this treasure... Do you know what kind of treasure it is?"

Li Ximing hesitated and shook his head.

She said, "The Sun-Gazing Ring."

The True Immortal's pupils dilated. He stared fixedly at the woman, his mind reeling. 'The Sun-Gazing Ring... How could it be the Sun-Gazing Ring... My family obtained this personally... although I was in seclusion at the time...'

His heart felt like a landslide. He suddenly recalled the woman's earlier words about a close relationship with Li Zhouwei, and Li Xijun's face resurfaced in his mind: 'When the Sun-Gazing Ring encountered the immortal artifact, its radiance was infinite, like the sun illuminating the earth. Ten thousand rays of bright light, yellow sands everywhere, orioles singing, deer calling, green mountains and vegetation all sprouting... as if Enlightened Yang had manifested in the world! When I formed my immortal foundation, there were many golden light illusions, and the immortal foundation coalesced spontaneously, dozens of times faster than my own efforts...'

'The Sun-Gazing Ring had characters inscribed on it: "Qingsong Temple, Lu Jiangxian..."'

Li Ximing looked up and murmured, "The Wei Emperor has not yet fallen..."

"Yes."

"His prophecy wasn't about the year Wei fell, but about the near future..."

The woman poured some wine with a touch of melancholy and said softly, "Precisely. Our elders believe that the fall of Wei was indeed the work of Tongxuan, and that True Monarch had long predicted it. And the Sun-Gazing Ring, which can guide the favor of Enlightened Yang and give birth to destiny, indicates that the Enlightened Yang Emperor shall be struck down by it... referring to the current King of Wei."

"And the one who truly strikes him down will only be the King of Wei himself."

Li Ximing lowered his brows, silent and pensive. He replied, "So that's how it is... The Sun-Gazing Ring... was destined to fall into my family's hands. Only with this artifact could there be a King of Wei. The world's situation isn't merely Enlightened Yang and True Qi coincidentally colliding; rather, it's been arranged in layers to ensure they will collide..."

"The Underworld needs to break the order in Jiangbei and even the northern regions to reconstruct True Qi. And the enlightenment of Enlightened Yang is the key for Luoxia to willingly relinquish order for the State of Song to break... Both sides get what they need... a chain reaction..."

He held the cup, silent for a long time, seemingly deep in thought. He murmured, "There was no accident... With the thin bloodline of my ancestors, how could we have produced a Son of Enlightened Yang like Zhouwei without the Sun-Gazing Ring! My family's existence was originally meant to nurture him."

Kuang Yu silently sipped her wine. After he had processed his thoughts and regained his composure, she said, "The Cultivation of Transgression has manifested once again, in the current individual who achieved enlightenment during the fall of Liang... There's no need for me to explain which path he took..."

Ancient cultivators could be addressed freely, but it was not convenient to say too much about contemporary ones. Kuang Yu pursed her lips and stared at him. Li Ximing sighed faintly. How could he not understand? He replied, "Fellow Daoist's meaning is... the current situation with the King of Wei is quite beneficial to you."

Kuang Yu looked at him, quite frankly, and said, "Yes, and not just me."

"The imagery of the Cultivation of Transgression is complex, and its lineage is obscure. Even Master Yingze's personal disciples had to achieve enlightenment by riding the fall of Liang. Although our path has nearly four complete divine ability lineages, we lack the True Monarch's teachings like the Cultivation of Transgression Sect. If we don't seize this opportunity, it will be difficult to cultivate even a few divine abilities in our lifetime, let alone transcend to the Purple Palace realm!"

Her gaze was firm, and she gritted her teeth. "My brother, who is currently in seclusion breaking through... also cultivates Transgression. This matter doesn't benefit me alone. Cultivators of Transgression act as a strong arm, extremely useful for usurpation!"

Li Ximing remained silent for a long time, realizing that the True Immortal of Mount Quyi had laid more than just one chess piece. Or rather, while fulfilling his own wish for enlightenment, he wasn't neglecting Mount Quyi either. If he could simultaneously nurture two cultivators nearing the mid-stage Purple Palace realm, or even with potential to reach it... with True Immortal Liaoluo assisting in the transition, Mount Quyi and the Yin family would be secure for five hundred years!

He silently poured the liquid from the jade pot, filling a cup exactly to the brim. He then murmured, "How might I be able to help Fellow Daoist?"

He then saw the woman's hand, which had been clasped behind her back for a long time, move. A jade talisman, held within her sleeve, was presented before him. With a loosening of her fingers, it clinked as it fell onto the table.

Li Ximing gently picked it up, his hand clenching the talisman tightly. As his spiritual consciousness infused it, a vast amount of information surged into his mind, swirling and converging to form several large characters: "Yin-Yang Inter-Refinement, Crimson Harmony Method."

He froze for a moment, then his eyebrows shot up like lightning.

Kuang Yu pursed her lips, then suddenly leaned closer. Her face was so near that he could faintly see the blue-purple reflections in her eyes and vaguely smell a delicate fragrance.

She gritted her teeth and said, "I'd like to borrow your imagery for a moment."

These words exploded in his mind, connecting all the previous information. Li Ximing's emotions instantly became complex, and he stared blankly at the True Immortal before him.

'So this is how the borrowing works... the path of Yin-Yang correspondence...'

Li Ximing was indeed no stranger to it. A portion of his earliest cultivation was based on this path. However, as his cultivation advanced, the Li family at that time could not find any Foundation Establishment cultivators to cultivate alongside him, and once he reached the Purple Palace realm, it became even more impossible!

Although Enlightened Yang offered this benefit, he had cast it aside. As a Purple Palace cultivator, he had overcome boundless illusions and long ago abandoned desires. From beginning to end, he had no improper thoughts towards Kuang Yu before him...

He stood stunned. Kuang Yu's pupils before him were clear, but after saying those words, only a hint of bewilderment remained.

The atmosphere in the cave dwelling froze for a moment. Yin Xinyu seemed to have misunderstood his meaning, her face paling slightly. Just as she was about to speak, she saw the man before her pick up the jade talisman, place it in her hand, and smile, "We can simply each take what we need."

Kuang Yu nodded grumpily, but her expression visibly relaxed. She turned on her tiptoes, still not quite looking at him, as she heard Li Ximing say with a smile, "It's merely cultivation; why hesitate? It would make it seem as though I'm not supportive."

These words visibly eased her tension. Kuang Yu turned back, gritting her teeth. "Do you think it's easy for me? I don't know your thoughts. I've always heard you're on good terms with everyone, and Ting Lan also speaks well of you. If you were inclined towards someone else, or had any reservations, and I just blurted this out, wouldn't I be humiliating myself? Matters of Daoist lineage cannot be freely publicized. If some words were twisted and spoken outside, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to explain myself even if I had a hundred mouths."

Li Ximing just shook his head and said, "No wonder you brought up those matters of purple yin."

Kuang Yu was already embarrassed. Hearing him bring it up again, she immediately snatched the jade talisman and threw it into his arms, saying, "You just focus on your cultivation!"

Li Ximing chuckled, picked up the talisman with one hand, then raised the wine pot and filled both jade cups. Holding a cup, he said with bright eyes, "There's no need for formalities. After this cup, you won't owe me a favor, and I won't owe you gratitude. We'll simply go our own ways, focusing only on cultivation."

Kuang Yu stared at him, her gaze a little complex. The smile on her face faded. She solemnly raised her cup and said softly, "Thank you, Fellow Daoist."

They exchanged glances and drank together, falling silent for a long time. Li Ximing, possessing a vital divine ability, assimilated the effects extremely quickly; only now did he feel a faint warmth. He chuckled, "I originally came to ask for some Green Water from you; I almost forgot my purpose!"

Kuang Yu listened carefully to his purpose, then immediately took out a jade box from her sleeve. It was enveloped in white mist, looking quite mystical. The woman said softly, "This is Tangyi Green Water, a precious gift my elder sister Hengxing gave me when I achieved enlightenment. You may take it and use it, but this item must not be near fire. Be careful when storing it; if it flies away... it will be very difficult to find."

Li Ximing nodded repeatedly, put it away, and smiled, "Thank you, Fellow Daoist."

"Don't be so polite."

The spiritual resource's effect wasn't strong. Kuang Yu had already regained her composure and escorted him to the hall. The heavy rain outside still hadn't stopped. She heard the man politely say, "I will study it carefully and return in three months."

"Oh, alright."

Kuang Yu closed the hall door and rushed back to her cave dwelling. Pushing open the stone door, she went all the way to the innermost part. The magical lamps extinguished one by one. She lay down on her couch, quietly watching the faint light flickering at the edge of the bed.

After an unknown period, she suddenly sat up, looked at her fair, tender face in the mirror, and her gaze was calm. "Not bad, I suppose."

The heavy rain pattered down. Li Ximing took a few steps on the temple's outdoor staircase, his mind filled with further contemplation. He mused inwardly: 'Di Yan once mentioned that Kuang Yu was a figure from the Quyi lineage... which means he actually wanted to preserve this woman. The implications of Yin Juexi cultivating Transgression and Kuang Yu cultivating Transgression are completely different...'

'Yin Juexi cultivated Transgression to rapidly increase his strength under Zhouwei's influence, while also being able to assist Zhouwei. As for whether he could be preserved, that True Immortal didn't care...'

'But Kuang Yu... she is the true pillar he left for the Yin family, who would coexist peacefully with Tingzhou while... seeking the greatest benefit...'

Each family had its own calculations, and Li Ximing felt no aversion to this. It was precisely because he discerned this that their recent agreement was made.

But as he straightened out each calculation, his heart wavered somewhat. He lowered his gaze, watching the rain pour down, and stood silently for a while with his hands clasped behind his back.

'Dao Sheng's pills require both Green Water and Palace Water. It would be perfect to use the Vast Lake Array Furnace from the Town-Tide Palace, which specializes in pill formation with Palace Water. I can spend some time here initially refining these pills, and then return to Xinyu on the way back.'

Then he heard a joyful voice say, "Greetings, True Immortal!"

He saw a woman already bowing at the foot of the steps. Dressed in white, with a round face, she looked up at him. She wore no overly dazzling adornments, just a single hairpin, yet she exuded an air of both majesty and grace. Li Ximing complimented her, smiling, "Queyi is looking more and more refined!"

Li Quyi smiled politely, straightened up, and respectfully said, "This junior is often traveling at sea and cannot contribute to the clan; I feel deeply ashamed!"

"Ah."

Li Ximing waved his hand and said, "I hear you send things home every year and even advise your brother Jiang Zong on trade matters. Your thoughtfulness is more than enough. It's certainly better than those who are in Jiangnan and don't return even for a decade or more."

Clearly, as they were once a pair of delicate daughters who left Moon-Gazing Lake at the same time, whenever Li Ximing saw Li Quyi, he naturally thought of Li Quxi. His faint smile, however, made Li Quyi break into a cold sweat. She bowed and said, "Quxi, as a Purple Mist cultivator and a personal disciple, is probably very busy... I heard... she also sends letters home frequently..."

Li Quyi had been through decades of trials and tribulations overseas, completely transformed into a decisive and capable person. Perhaps as a young girl, she had envied Li Quxi, but now that feeling had turned into a deep wistfulness. Still, she hoped her sister would align herself with Tingzhou.

Li Ximing waved his hand, signaling her not to say more. With his hands clasped behind his back, he took a step and asked, "I recently heard that nearly half of Jianghuai has been recovered and that someone is to be appointed as the 'Controller of the Profound.' How will Sima Xunhui respond?"

Li Quyi deliberated before replying, "My husband declined the matter and deferred it to the Chen clan."

Everyone knew well that the Chen clan was the most anxious at the moment and had likely conceded benefits. Though it didn't work out this time, it would probably be Sima Xunhui's turn next. Li Ximing asked, "Is Sima Xunhui good to you? Do you have any trouble on the island? If any woman of my family is bullied, I won't let him off."

Upon hearing this, a flicker of gratitude crossed Li Quyi's brows. She smiled and said, "My husband has been devoted to me for many years, showering me with affection. As for the island... occasionally there are extremely violent earth vein disturbances, always requiring me to leave seclusion to deal with them, but other times are very peaceful."

Only then did Li Ximing feel relieved. He nodded in response, then his form transformed into light and dispersed, traversing the void. He left the place, heading eastward, gazing at the vast sea, his expression slowly turning contemplative.

The earth veins of Xinyu haven't been stable for just a day or two. Ting Lan mentioned it several times... saying there were cultivators breaking through... and something about 'Shexian' (Earth Shrine Immortal).

Thinking of this, he immediately stopped, raised his brows, and looked at the ocean beneath his feet. After a moment's thought, his escape light shifted, and he plunged into the depths.

The spiritual energy in this sea area was not abundant, mostly concentrated on the islands. In just a moment, he traversed to the seabed. Li Ximing carefully scanned the area, then drew upon the light of the six directions and made a quick calculation, but found nothing unusual.

However, this very calculation made him, who had been feeling somewhat casual, suddenly become alert.

'Since it was just mentioned that there are earth vein changes on the island, there should at least be some tell-tale signs of earth fiend energy or leakage of underground fire. How could there be nothing unusual? No unusual signs *is* the most unusual sign!'

He feigned nonchalance, shaking his head with a wry smile, but his spiritual consciousness stirred: 'Investigate the Obscure!'

His vision instantly expanded. Layers upon layers of rock formations vanished in an instant, and array foundations radiating purple light first appeared before his eyes, quickly disappearing as his view advanced.

But beneath these shimmering purple array foundations, there was surprisingly a void of light!

At the bottom of this grand array, there were no earth veins, no fiendish fires, only another world-like void, with a speck of light resting within boundless illumination!

As his gaze fell into that light, Li Ximing felt as if endless lava was churning before him; he could see nothing but light. The cool sensation from his Ascendant Yang Palace promptly emerged and surged through him, gradually dispelling the numbness and soreness, allowing him to finally discern that speck of light!

This speck of light was extraordinarily strange, entirely brownish-yellow, like a flame emanating from a small aperture. It became blurrier towards the edges, while the aperture itself was incredibly bright, illuminating myriad forms and appearances!

At times it was the deformation of earth and rock, the separation of fiendish magnetism; at times it was the superimposition of five colors, merging into divinity. Observing these varied colors, he saw ghosts and gods again, holding knives and gripping halberds, displaying infinite ferocity. There were also kings offering sacrifices, slaying cattle and sheep, with heaven and earth as one...

This speck of light seemed as vast as heaven and earth, yet as fine as dust. One could vaguely perceive infinite deities pressed beneath the light, all in a posture of upholding, their eyes like bolts of lightning, their immortal might awe-inspiring.

It was this ordinary, seemingly palm-sized speck of light that stirred up tumultuous waves in Li Ximing's heart, his mind forcibly going blank.

Li Ximing's heart felt as if it had been seized by an unprecedented, intense urge.

'This...'

Endless, boundless craving and awe rose from the void. A single instant felt like eternity. He saw the sun and moon fall, mountains and seas inverted, as if infinite pasts plummeted from beside him, sinking into the dark void.

The yearning surged like an overwhelming tide, transcending all desires. It continuously gathered in his mind, needing no one to tell him, no comparisons whatsoever, like a cat seeing a tiger, or a snake seeing a dragon.

These desires ultimately coalesced into a single thought.

Profound Earth Golden Nature.

This constantly shifting light seemed to speak, pouring forth the Great Dao without reservation, and eloquently recounting the mysteries of heaven and earth:

'Take it... you can reincarnate in another life... become invincible in the mortal world... dominate all living beings... establish deities...'

But he only felt a chill creeping up to the back of his head.

'What cultivator breakthrough, what earth vein tremors... everything is because there's a Golden Nature here! A Golden Nature capable of moving the hearts of every Purple Palace cultivator in the world!'

'Whose Golden Nature is this? It's terrifying enough to require a specific array formation to seal it! Did none of the numerous True Immortals of the Sun Dao lineage, who succeeded one another, manage to utilize it? What is its relationship with the Sun Dao lineage?'

However, the cooling sensation from his Ascendant Yang Palace, transforming from a trickle into a surging river, left his expression and movements utterly unchanged. He feigned a wry smile, shook his head, and stepped into the void.

'Most importantly... this isn't just anything; it's Profound Earth! The 'She' (Altar) earth, one of the two Earths of ancient society and grain... the 'She' earth that few dare to cultivate even now. What incredible audacity... what formidable ability!'

He stepped out of the void, how far he traveled was unknown. He soared eastward for what felt like thousands of miles, until he saw a cluster of islands emerge from the sea, their forms rugged and irregular, with various cultivators arriving and departing.

It was precisely the Lulai Islands, where the Town-Tide Palace was located!

But by this point, there was nothing calm within the True Immortal's heart. He was struck with terror: 'No wonder... no wonder...'

It was Li Ximing's first time witnessing this object firsthand. Beyond the rational allure of a Golden Nature, merely gazing upon it evoked a sensation of directly observing the boundless mysteries of heaven and earth, of witnessing endless methods of seeking gold!

'No wonder, when the Golden Nature appeared in Anhuai Heaven that year, all the celestial beings, demons, and great immortals paled in comparison. They abandoned all power and distinctions, and recklessly fled into the grotto-heavens... Golden Nature... this is the Golden Nature...'

Excluding those of demonic affiliation, Purple Palace cultivators had all passed the trial of boundless illusions and possessed extraordinary willpower, yet they could still be overcome by such impulses...

'If this Profound Earth Golden Nature were to openly fall into the mortal world — I fear it could instantly refine an entire divine realm or immortal kingdom!'