Chapter 1139: The Spring of Rebirth

"Chang Li."

Li Ximing listened and nodded with a smile, but Li Zhouwei turned around, shook his head, and said, "Since you've decided, let it be Chang Li. Our family prioritizes the clan system, and unlike Jin Yu, we don't have two cultivation paths. Since we have generational names, there's no need to introduce Daoist titles or ranks; it would only confuse the rules."

Li Jiangqian smiled slightly and said, "It's just that a few of my younger brothers all have the potential for the Purple Mansion stage. If they could be on equal footing as brothers, it would lessen any estrangement..."

Hearing them discuss matters concerning their brothers, Li Ximing simply turned his face away, pretending not to hear. Li Zhouwei glanced at him and said, "Since he has attained the Profound, that's a matter for the Yang clan; we won't interfere."

Upon hearing this, Li Jiangqian naturally clasped his hands and said, "This junior has noted it."

He took his seat, and Li Ximing first placed a jade slip in his hand for him to read carefully. Li Jiangqian memorized everything, and without needing any instruction from his elder, he shattered the jade slip with a single palm strike. Only then did Li Ximing nod and meticulously recount the events of recent years to him.

Li Jiangqian held his cup, listening for a while. Hearing his elder casually mention that the Fifth Generation Mahā was utterly annihilated, body and soul, by one of Li Zhouwei's battle-axes, he couldn't help but swallow his tea and say, "Since Guang Chan was the cherished treasure of an important figure in the Grand Worship Dharma Realm, how could this matter simply conclude? From a practical standpoint, they no longer need to contend with our family for benefits, and they've withdrawn from the northern coalition. However, these monks are most concerned with karma, and the failures of these important figures carry even greater significance... we should be most wary of them instead."

Li Zhouwei was not surprised, but Li Ximing pondered his words, nodding profoundly, and said, "What you've said is correct..."

Silence fell upon the hall for a moment. Li Jiangqian wished to see the Sun and Moon Illuminating Heaven and Earth he had long yearned for, but since the two True Persons remained still, he waited patiently.

Li Zhouwei stood in the main hall with his hands behind his back, slowly walked out, and stood before the hall door, quietly gazing at the sky.

Li Jiangqian felt a slight doubt, but Li Ximing's expression subtly changed, and he motioned for Li Jiangqian to remain calm. He then rose and stood at the front of the hall, also waiting.

The setting sun in the distance was rapidly descending, sinking into the darkness. As the last crimson ray dissipated, the two familiar figures still failed to appear. A flicker of understanding passed through Li Ximing's eyes as he lowered his gaze in contemplation.

The golden-eyed youth patiently waited until well past midnight, then finally chuckled with amusement: "Indeed, they couldn't clearly perceive Jiangqian?"

Li Ximing hesitated for a breath and said, "It is... quite interesting."

The two were not waiting for anyone else, but for emissaries from the Netherworld Bureau!

The two underworld emissaries, one named Zhang Gui and the other Wang Long, were specifically responsible for monitoring Purple Mansion breakthroughs in this region!

The Netherworld Bureau's underworld is terrifying and all-seeing; no one who achieved a Purple Mansion breakthrough in Jiangnan could escape their notice. Li Zhouwei had specifically asked Ding Jiao, the Dragon Prince, about this back then, and he had said, "Everyone in the world is on the Netherworld Registry. If one cultivates the path of the Purple Mansion Golden Core, the Netherworld Bureau can even discern each person's cultivation level and techniques!"

It was highly probable that the Netherworld Bureau also used this registry to record Purple Mansion cultivators and manage matters related to seeking advancement.

"When Grand-uncle achieved his breakthrough, Zhang Gui and Wang Long came here. From their demeanor, these two emissaries were very likely confidantes of the Yang clan and revealed two pieces of information..."

"First, concerning Yang Tianya—they knew there would definitely be turmoil in the future, and that Green Pond was also on the verge of decline. The purpose of revealing the existence of a Yang clan Purple Mansion cultivator was to prevent any discord from arising between the Yang and Li clans, to avoid further complications in the ensuing upheaval..."

"Second, there was... no name!"

Li Jiangqian listened quietly from the side, while Li Ximing raised an eyebrow and said, "Are you saying... it's highly probable there's no name on the registry either?"

The young man paced two steps, then lowered his voice, "This so-called registry, even the Way of Witchcraft Talismans and the Way of Qi Absorption and Cultivation can avoid it. It definitely doesn't contain the names of True Monarchs. The symbol-seed's status is extremely high; even that elder from the Yang clan couldn't perceive it when face-to-face, so it's normal that you and I wouldn't be recorded..."

"There's another reason... it might be due to the Qingyi Yuan Heart-Inclined!"

Upon hearing this, Li Jiangqian raised his eyebrows, and Li Zhouwei said with a solemn expression, "Whether it's the former, the latter, or a combination of both, in Tingzhou, where even the martial cultivation stars dare not shine, the Netherworld Bureau likely has little control. Given this... the Netherworld Bureau, which is usually unstoppable throughout the world, can only rely on anomalies to determine if someone has achieved a breakthrough!"

Li Jiangqian listened for a while, then fell into deep thought, and after a long time, he said, "If that's the case, then it's good news. I'm afraid the moment I step half a pace away from this lake, the Netherworld Bureau will have news!"

The three waited until dawn, but still no figures from the Netherworld Bureau appeared. Leaving Li Zhouwei to continue cultivating in the hall and guarding the present world, Li Ximing then led Li Jiangqian into the inner realm.

Even after cultivating in this place for many years, Li Ximing, upon re-entering, was still moved by the richness of the spiritual energy, let alone Li Jiangqian, who was visiting for the first time. His expression subtly changed, and with just a pinch of his fingers, he exclaimed in surprise, "Yin and Yang in perfect balance?"

Li Ximing had experienced the Xuánpíng Zhōngfēn state and did not feel this deeply, but for Li Jiangqian, experiencing Yin and Yang in perfect balance for the first time in his life felt extraordinarily unusual. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he reopened them, two faint red lights flickered within them.

"Grand-uncle... after entering this place, my Li Fire divine ability has become much more vibrant and gentle..."

"Oh?" Li Ximing raised an eyebrow. He watched Li Jiangqian, whose eyes, unusually bright, darted around as he ascended the steps and entered the Shanghuan Pavilion. He lightly touched the jade platform, and his body trembled.

He didn't know how long passed before he opened his eyes again, a profound sense of shock flashing within them. He remained silent for a long time, then suddenly turned his head. Li Ximing was standing quietly behind him, gazing at him with calm and deep eyes.

Li Jiangqian was silent for a moment, then heard him chuckle, "I've checked for you. The family already possesses the Dali Scroll and the Ninefold Touch. The other three paths—Wei Congluo, Zhetian Jin, and Shunping Zheng—are all complete in the pavilion!"

Li Jiangqian nodded, a little surprised, "Wei Congluo, Shunping Zheng... Li Fire doesn't have a reputation for influencing situations... yet it has two Life-bound Divine Abilities!"

Li Ximing had indeed never noticed this crucial point. Now, as he pondered, he mused, "That's right... when your father gave me the Southern Emperor Profound Acquisition Method, he mentioned that Dui, Zhen, Kan, Li, and Gen are unified as primary positions. Now that you bring it up, Kan Water is also famously abundant in Life-bound Divine Abilities..."

Li Jiangqian listened thoughtfully, nodded in acknowledgment, and without further doubt, proceeded to the pavilion. He sat cross-legged, took out the Collecting Beams Concealing Profundity Invocation Method, and read it carefully. Within an hour or two, he gained insight. He then held up the Heaven-Nurturing Urn, held a flame in his mouth, and lightly exhaled.

Ancient, apricot-yellow Southern Brightness Heart Fire surged forth, lifting the spiritual treasure into the air. It suppressed the Li Fire within the treasure one by one, aiding in its refinement. Meanwhile, Li Jiangqian independently took out the Golden Core-like spiritual treasure and began to skillfully operate it.

Li Ximing glanced at it, intrigued, "What method is this?"

Li Jiangqian opened his eyes then and said with a smile, "To answer Grand-uncle, the Southern Brightness Heart Fire is connected to my very being; it is one with me. Not only can it refine spiritual artifacts and perform techniques for me, but its aura is also identical to mine!"

Although Li Ximing's Valley Wind Fire Incantation possessed fire control abilities, it could not imbue Li Fire with life as Li Jiangqian's could; he could only supervise the alchemy furnace with its simple spiritual essence. At this moment, he felt a touch of envy and said, "It's a pity Li Fire is neither a pill nor a tool; otherwise, alchemy and artifact crafting would be like one person doing the work of three... What Heaven bestows, it must also take away... this must be the manifestation of that principle!"

After sighing, he simply said, "I won't disturb you further, but remember that among the Two Illuminations of Heavy Fire, there is a Southern Li Ingestion Method, a unique Qi absorption and cultivation method for Li Fire. Since you already possess a divine ability, you might as well read it."

Li Jiangqian acknowledged with a reply, watched his elder depart, and then sat cross-legged, seemingly contemplating the profound mysteries.

However, from the few words exchanged, he realized that the world's situation was far more complex than he had imagined, and his own family's background was even more mysterious. His thoughts wavered, yet he felt a growing sense of complexity:*The grand currents of the world sweep along even Mingyang... but even Dharma Manifestations can falter. Have they not seen the capabilities of the master of the Sun and Moon Illuminating Heaven and Earth? Though Falling Radiance is formidable, one must compete to truly know its might!*

His resolve was firm, but his expression turned slightly cold:*As for those brothers... Li Jiangxia, Li Jianglong, and their ilk are merely pawns in the north and south, adornments for the royal banner, idly clinging to mysteries, waiting only to be calculated. Should circumstances change, they will vanish like morning dew, unworthy of concern.*

Li Suining had waited in the hall for three days, initially feeling confident. By the fourth day, seeing the main seat empty and no one present, his heart began to pound with unease and secret doubt: "There shouldn't be any change... I haven't done anything, and there have been no changes in the spiritual energy on the lake!"

This was understandable for Li Suining. In his second life, he had dedicated himself fully, exhausting all his means to make the Li clan's strength far surpass what it had been, only for the outcome to be an even swifter annihilation. How could his heart not pound? After waiting for over half an hour, seeing that he could no longer bear it, he finally decided to enter the formation.

Just then, faint footsteps sounded outside the hall. A man entered with imposing strides. Upon seeing Li Suining, a look of warmth appeared on his face as he said, "Elder Brother!"

Li Suining quickly bowed and replied, "Ah, it's Fourth Brother!"

The newcomer was Li Suihuan. He seemed quite eager, but seeing it wasn't the time for conversation, the eldest royal grandson of the main line politely said, "I have an urgent report: True Person Nanwu has arrived... Where is King Wei?"

Guo Nanwu was now considered close to the Li family for many years. Not only did the two True Persons know him, but even the direct descendants below them were aware of this True Person who cultivated Shaoyang... let alone Li Suining.

During the incident on the lake in his second life, Guo Nanwu was already in the mid-stage of the Purple Mansion. Although he ultimately couldn't offer much help, he played a significant role throughout the north and south. As for whether he managed to escape in the end, Li Suining had no way of knowing.

What left an even deeper impression on Li Suining, however, was another True Person: Yin Juexi, a direct descendant of the Yin family and a direct heir of Qusi Mountain!

Truthfully, even though Li Suining was deeply grateful to him, he still couldn't understand why this True Person had traveled thousands of miles, braved fire and water, and protected their family at all costs...

*This True Person Nanwu... although he offered assistance from afar, he certainly acted with utmost benevolence and righteousness. But at this time... why has he come to the lake?*

Li Suining raised a hand and said tactfully, "I visited King Wei a few days ago; he left for some minor matters and asked me to wait here. He should be back soon."

The golden-eyed youth nodded genially, seemingly unsurprised that his second brother could always be present before the True Persons. Just as he was about to speak, a brilliant radiance suddenly scattered, bringing joy to his eyes. He profoundly bowed and said, "Greetings, Great King!"

Li Zhouwei casually waved his hand, without asking for the reason, and replied, "Please, let the person enter!"

As he answered, he turned to Li Suining and nodded subtly. This gesture filled Li Suining with delight:*Indeed, it's good news! The traces of True Person Chang Li's breakthrough have been concealed!*

Li Suining's cultivation itself endowed him with extraordinary perception of spiritual energy. Seeing that there had not been the slightest change in the world or spiritual energy throughout the entire process, he was overjoyed. He bowed deeply to Li Zhouwei, then sensibly retreated with his clan brother.

A True Person then ascended from outside the hall. His robes were neat, and he appeared very composed. Upon seeing Li Zhouwei, he immediately lowered his gaze and respectfully said, "Greetings, King Wei!"

Li Zhouwei's impression of him was quite good. He nodded politely and said, "True Person Nanwu, are you here to see Grand-uncle?"

Guo Nanwu nodded, appearing somewhat dispirited, and replied, "I was entrusted by someone to deliver something to Tingzhou!"

He then produced a pure white jade bottle, elegant and luminous, and a dark, intricately patterned jade slip. The True Person lowered his gaze and said, "Daoist Friend Cangtiaozi of Shiqi, by Senior Zhaojing's request, has sent the Profound Great Repository Rebirth Spring Water and the False Female Upholding Other-Body Method!"

No sooner had he spoken than a ray of celestial light drifted down and stopped before them, transforming into a man in white and gold Daoist robes. He smiled, his gaze falling on Guo Nanwu, and nodded, "Thank you, Nanwu."

"It's nothing!" Guo Nanwu quickly replied, then said earnestly, "The Profound Great Repository Rebirth Spring Water is stored in a spiritual artifact. Cangtiaozi originally intended to deliver it to the lake himself, but he cast a divination and the divining cup shattered. Considering that the seas were a place where all gold (or True Monarchs) manifested, he dared not come, so he entrusted this junior to deliver it."

Li Ximing listened to this, not knowing whether it was good or bad, and shook his head with a wry smile. He took the items casually and said, "You've come at a good time. If you had been a few days later, you wouldn't have found me!"

Guo Nanwu bowed, a hint of bitterness in his expression, and replied, "In recent years, the South Sea has become increasingly restless. Although this junior possesses one or two profound abilities, I am not skilled in combat. I have only managed to navigate through it by relying on Qusi's influence, and it has been quite trying."

Li Ximing's smile faded, and he said seriously, "Do you need my assistance?"

Guo Nanwu quickly shook his head, saying, "I wouldn't dare trouble your esteemed presence. Qusi is already sufficient to handle it... I just cannot stay long..."

Seeing his difficulty, Li Ximing immediately said, "No matter!"

He had also long ago set a time with Minghui, having cultivated in Xinyu for over half a year. Coming and going, the time limit had arrived, and he had no intention of delaying. So, as he escorted Guo Nanwu out, with a shift of his spiritual sense, he began to engrave the many mysteries of the False Female Upholding Other-Body Method into his mind one by one.

*False female upholding, borrowing a body for concealment, responding to nature, avoiding disaster and calamity...*

But as he read this, his heart trembled slightly, and a surge of surprise rushed into his mind.

The False Female Upholding Other-Body Method was indeed a technique for using an other-body to avoid disaster and calamity. More importantly, this method had no strict requirements for the other-body; it merely needed to be nurtured with a mouthful of this spiritual water, and from then on, the other-body would be completely different!

He was secretly delighted. Seeing that he possessed all the types of spiritual materials required by the technique, he confidently put the technique away and turned to Li Zhouwei, saying, "I will first make a trip to Yinzhou. If all goes well, I will also return this bottle of domain water that holds the Profound Great Repository Rebirth Spring Water!"