Chapter 1142: Mistaken Encounter

Radiant light, crimson as blood.

Yin and Yang energies surged continuously. Inside the pavilion, a man sat cross-legged, with red lips and white teeth. His eyes pulsed with a mix of grey and white, and his hands, clasped in a lotus mudra, rested on his knees.

Li Ximing looked at the man before him with a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

It was his Divided Spirit Incarnation!

Li Ximing had acquired the wondrous Great Hidden Reincarnation Spring Water. Through the False Female Incarnation Raising Method, he had finally refined this spring into his incarnation. Now, the Divided Spirit Incarnation was lifelike; besides its red lips and white teeth, its colors were even more vibrant, making it almost identical to Li Ximing himself.

He stepped forward, activating a spell that made the Divided Spirit Incarnation raise its hand. When its jade-like fingers gently pinched, the skin and flesh parted, and blood welled up.

‘The Reincarnation Spring has permeated every bone, transforming into skin, flesh, and marrow—it is complete!’

This signified that an external body had, with difficulty, surpassed the limitations of a mere clay sculpture, reaching a state capable of avoiding disaster and warding off evil!

He slightly closed his eyes, sat cross-legged, and steadied his mind. The light of the Six Harmonies ascended, like brilliant clouds mixed with dense celestial radiance, pouring into the glabella of the Divided Spirit Incarnation before him.

The incarnation instantly vibrated. Its nostrils twitched, and the color drained from its eyes, leaving them completely blank. It then stood up, took a few stiff steps, but quickly moved with natural fluidity.

‘Studying, refining elixirs, meditating... this is like imparting the unique divine ability of the "Illumination of All Under Heaven" technique, even allowing it to engage in combat... it would struggle against a Zifu cultivator, but could perhaps contend with some compassionate Sado...’

Li Ximing tested each function, truly broadening his understanding and discerning some profound implications.

‘This Reincarnation Spring is truly remarkable. It appears to possess not only the essence of disaster avoidance and evil warding but also bears a striking resemblance to a living, mobile body.’

In Li Ximing’s view, the Divided Spirit Incarnation was still essentially a clay sculpture,

—yet it had acquired a touch of both refined essence and disaster avoidance. To an ancient cultivator, it might appear an oddity, flashy but impractical. However, in the present context, combined with the 'Illumination of All Under Heaven' technique, it was far from lacking!

‘Although the 'Illumination of All Under Heaven' technique consumes the Six Harmonies light of this divine ability, it's truly not cost-effective for confronting those Sado-affiliated entities, and this incarnation is too valuable to risk in battle... But there's still a long journey ahead, isn't there? With the False Female Incarnation Raising Method, this creation still has significant room for growth.’

‘For now, its true purpose lies in avoiding disaster and warding off evil!’

With a retraction of his hand, the incarnation, which bore his exact likeness, shimmered into light, then settled into a small statue. It was neither wood nor porcelain, yet it glowed with vibrant, exquisite beauty.

Yet, in that very instant, two jade talismans, one large and one small, hanging from his waist, almost simultaneously flared with light, growing abruptly hot.

Both Li Zhouwei and Tingzhou simultaneously issued warnings!

Li Ximing froze for a moment, his heart filled with dread. He stepped out of the pavilion door, only to hear the surging roar of flames. The crimson-clad man, startled awake, looked at Li Ximing with a grave expression.

Without hesitation, Li Ximing commanded:

“Exit the grotto-heaven and wait within the formation. I will go out first.”

Thus, the sun and moon receded, and light shimmered. The True Master Zhaojing dissipated his internal energies, and his form appeared above the vast lake surface.

The lake water was now a dark, somber expanse, shrouded by gloomy, pitch-black clouds rolling in from the north. The myriad streaks of light that had filled the sky had vanished. Li Ximing’s appearance as a streak of celestial light in the heavens was like a calming tonic, instantly easing the tense atmosphere.

Li Ximing’s expression, however, grew more subtle.

In the northern sky, rolling Jade Truth radiance formed a barrier, obstructing various streaks of light. Yet, immense torrents of blazing fire descended, clashing like colossal waterfalls of flame reaching the heavens. Li Ximing’s heart jolted:

“Northern cultivators are coming south… Zhusheng is in Baijiang!”

Ever since the greater part of Jianghuai fell into the hands of the Great Song, Wangyue Lake no longer needed to directly confront northern disturbances. However, if northern cultivators breached Baijiang, Li Ximing could not simply stand by:

‘Where is Minghuang? Where is Yang Ruiyi? If Zhusheng is in Baijiang, who will guard Tangdao?’

Without a moment’s hesitation, he clasped his hands and, with a slight twist, broke off his index finger. Tossing it into his sleeve, he sealed his life force. Only then did he ride the wind, traversing the Great Void. As the brilliant light of Jade Truth grew ever brighter, he faced the encroaching dark clouds, taking a half-step forward. Even as he advanced, his spiritual sense was already connected to the Immortal Mirror!

Scrying!

The scenery of Baijiang instantly revealed itself in stark clarity. The figure within the surging true flames brightened at once, clad in golden robes, seated upon a hexagonal pavilion formed from concentrated true fire. His fine beard fluttered, and his eyes gleamed with sharp light.

‘That’s Louyingge.’

Another streak of Jade Truth light, belonging to Liu Bai, though bright, inevitably flickered. Fortunately, surges of exiled qi poured forth, and a colossal cauldron hung across the sky, dissolving various light energies, causing Li Ximing’s heart to tremble.

‘But this Protector… his injuries must not be fully healed yet…’

Liu Bai was a great hero in pacifying the South Sea, yet he had paid a grievous price. Although the Yang clan had bestowed many healing spiritual items, Liu Bai lacked the natural resilience of Jun Daowei. Moreover, Jade Truth cultivation, being a path of refined purity, always demands time for recovery, regardless of the assistance!

Apprehension rose in Li Ximing’s heart, but as the scrying deepened, the landscape of the Great Void vividly sprang into view before him!

To his left stood a dignified figure, wearing a tall crown and broad belt, his black robes fluttering. His eyes were tightly closed, and in one hand, he held a brilliantly gleaming long halberd, its solidified colors intertwined with profound black and yellow. His other hand held a resplendent great seal, poised to strike!

To his right stood a tall figure with a fierce, scar-ridden face. In his hand, a heavy blood-axe seemed perpetually on the verge of dripping gore. More dangerously, this individual held a small, elevated platform, intensely colored, from which emanated a terrifying accumulation of Xī Qì energy!

‘Tuoba Ci, Gongsun Bei!’

The Xīguang Divided Measure Platform!

A chill shot up Li Ximing’s spine.

‘Is this aimed at me? Or at Minghuang?!’

The Xīguang Divided Measure Platform was a renowned spiritual treasure, and with Gongsun Bei wielding it while Tuoba Ci lay in ambush, falling into their trap would undoubtedly mean a gruesome death for Li Ximing!

His heart grew cold. The ethereal light beneath his feet subtly slowed, and for an instant, hesitation gripped him.

‘This…’

But after that brief moment of hesitation, Li Ximing’s heart instantly settled. The celestial light beneath his feet continued to advance steadily, moving directly towards the Jade Truth radiance.

The current battlefield situation was utterly unknown. Had Li Ximing not scried, and knowing there were two mid-stage Zifu cultivators with spiritual treasures lying in ambush, he would surely not have dared to advance. But precisely because the scrying had revealed everything so clearly, he now dared to press forward!

Thus, he rode the light, drawing ever closer. Before he even entered the spiritual awareness range of an ordinary Zifu cultivator, the gorgeously robed Daoist in the Great Void had already opened his eyes. A flicker of profound black and yellow light appeared, and his five fingers tightened on the halberd as he turned his gaze sideways!

This action stirred Gongsun Bei’s heart. The spiritual treasure in his hand shimmered with ethereal light as he whispered:

“Your Highness?”

Tuoba Ci scrutinized him for a moment, then narrowed his eyes and shook his head:

“It’s Li Ximing.”

The general pondered, then raised an eyebrow and said:

“Since it isn’t Li Zhouwei, perhaps we should wait a little longer.”

Tuoba Ci’s eyes reflected myriad scenes, but he did not reply. Yet, the True Master within his line of sight had already halted, observing in silence, causing the Liang descendant to frown.

However, to their surprise, the Jade Truth cultivator, who had appeared completely absorbed and stern-faced within the surging true flames, suddenly spoke. His voice was like the clear, bright chime of striking jade:

“Is that True Master Zhaojing? There is no need to advance!”

‘Damn it!’

Gongsun Bei’s expression instantly changed, a look of regret flashing across his face. His heart pounded. Without time to ponder whether it was the Jade Truth’s divine ability, the sensing of martial true qi, or the effect of the jade wheel behind the opponent, he immediately activated his spiritual treasure!

But faster than his reaction was Tuoba Ci’s long halberd!

The moment Liu Bai’s divine ability activated, Tuoba Ci sensed it. His long halberd, swift as lightning, tore through the Great Void, projecting surging, interwoven black and yellow light that spanned the emptiness and rushed forth with malevolent power!

Before the ethereal light even arrived, a sense of crisis surged within Li Ximing. The False Female Incarnation Raising Method, constantly in operation, activated its disaster-avoidance and evil-warding effects, causing his chest to feel numb and hot.

“Chì!”

In a single thought, a wave of azure-yellow light rippled outwards. Li Ximing’s form, blazing with Lí Fire, shifted one step sideways, and a ray of Sun Responding to Lí light manifested in his palm.

Although two more spiritual treasures remained with the Li family, the Twin Blazing Fire Bright Instruments had long been given to Li Jiangqian, and the Heavenly Nurturing Urn was not a defensive artifact. He could only rely on this relatively rudimentary defensive spell. Fortunately, with his mysterious premonition and adept movement technique, he stepped forth amidst the Lí Fire, narrowly dodging the halberd’s strike!

The surging black and yellow light shattered a small hill. The True Master, already prepared, immediately soared south. His reaction was remarkably swift; Gongsun Bei, who clearly intended to unleash his spiritual treasure, was instead forced to give chase on a beam of light.

Tuoba Ci’s expression shifted, his gaze turning severe:

“Gongsun Bei!”

Gongsun Bei abruptly turned, seeing the warning etched on Tuoba Ci’s face.

Li Ximing knew nothing of the northern cultivators’ plans, but how much did those three know of the Great Song’s arrangements? They only knew to press south and pin down Li Zhouwei, yet upon entering Baijiang, they encountered Liu Bai, and now Li Ximing had also appeared!

Where was Li Zhouwei?

To pursue or not to pursue?

A shadow of doubt flickered across Gongsun Bei’s face, yet he wasted little time in thought, his voice low and deep:

“Your Highness means… kill Liu Bai first? Can he be killed? With his exiled qi spiritual treasure, I fear it won’t be easy.”

Tuoba Ci cast a cold glance at him and said:

“And will chasing him resolve anything?”

Gongsun Bei’s gaze deepened as he swept his eyes across the far side of the lake, then softly said:

“Master Qi’s intention is… to force out those Wei descendants. Now that Li Ximing has appeared, where is Li Zhouwei? Liu Bai, though injured and with his exiled qi, is a tough nut to crack—strong in defense, weak in offense. Relying on Louyingge should suffice against him. If you and I pursue relentlessly, Li Zhouwei will be forced to reveal himself!”

Tuoba Ci was rather displeased to hear Qi Lanyan’s name invoked, but Gongsun Bei was no longer willing to waste time. He was already soaring away on a stream of Xī Qì, a low voice, imbued with spiritual power, carrying back to Tuoba Ci:

‘If Wangyue Lake remains calm and Li Zhouwei escapes, the three of us will surely face severe consequences! However, if we attack Tingzhou and he is not there, we can still attribute it to the Song court’s faulty arrangements!’

Gongsun Bei, accustomed to navigating among various factions for years, had perfectly orchestrated this strategy. Tuoba Ci, having long been accustomed to dominance, wouldn’t immediately grasp such complexities when forced to yield. However, he understood one simple truth: without Gongsun Bei, remaining there alone would be utterly pointless.

He rose on profound qi, his face grim, and muttered coldly:

That fool Qi Lanyan, who knows nothing of delegating authority! I’ll just wait and see what schemes he manages to concoct!

Baiye.

Clouds and mist billowed. The four cardinal directions shimmered with refined light, and the grand array within the mountains continuously rippled under the suppression of various divine abilities. A golden radiance illuminated the earth, revealing colossal golden figures.

The central figure was a thousand-eyed entity, glowing pink, its overlapping lights most wondrous. To its left stood a figure entwined with patterns and floating clouds, while to its right was one astride a fierce tiger, wielding a long staff. The varied lights illuminated the old man’s face, causing him to squint slightly.

Though massive and terrifying, the two figures flanking the central one were Nuzi and the newly elevated Mountain-Pulling Maha of the Great Desire Path. Situ Huo paid them little mind. His gaze swept past these two golden bodies, settling instead on the thousand-eyed golden statue in the background and the young monk with a mortal body standing before it.

“Zhelu, Mingxiang…”

These two… one a Maha of Measure, and the other a disciple of the Lotus Temple Master, were the true main force of the Buddhist cultivators attacking Baiye!

But even so, the intensity and vigilance in Situ Huo’s eyes were not pronounced.

‘Something is amiss…’

It wasn’t that the opponents were too strong or too weak; rather, their combined strength felt… uncomfortably in-between.

Mingxiang possesses considerable skill, and Zhelu is a Maha of Measure. While they may not compare to some of the more flourishing Buddhist sects, they do possess enhancements, perhaps only slightly weaker than a typical late-stage Zifu cultivator… Even if they are not exerting their full strength, their combined power should be enough to threaten my life…’

Yet, I am not alone in Baiye. Tinglan is here as well, and we are bolstered by the grand array… Yang Ruiyi would not entirely trust me, so someone must be en route… How could they possibly subdue me swiftly?’

Situ Huo possesses more than just the Blood Fiend Tower! He also has the spiritual treasure ‘Lord Lost Lamb,’ which has allowed him to escape numerous perilous situations. Simply relying on numerical superiority would make it very difficult to gain an advantage against him!

He could only conclude that Qi Lanyan’s main focus wasn’t Baiye, feeling a mix of relief and schadenfreude at this 'sitting on the mountain watching tigers fight' scenario. He stepped into the air, the Blood Fiend Tower in his hand radiating a deep crimson, as if drawn from the depths of Naraka, staining the sky a bloody red!

Situ Huo’s figure had already soared forth from another position, his long saber spanning the sky, transforming into a colossal, blood-red blade descending from above, striking towards Nuzi.

Simultaneously, a surge of chaotic Shēnbái light burst forth, neutralizing the power of all other radiances. It shattered the brilliant glow before the Maha, causing Nuzi’s expression to change instantly!

Annihilation!

This Maha was clearly engaging Situ Huo for the first time and had not anticipated him daring to launch a close-quarters attack despite being heavily surrounded. However, as a trusted subordinate of the Peacock, his abilities were formidable. From his large mouth, he spewed forth a hazy, golden spiritual land, seemingly brewing various infinitely beautiful illusions within.

Confronting the menacing blood blade, this hazy golden light shattered with a roar. An intensely concentrated, brilliant glow erupted, shaking heaven and earth and repelling all surrounding blood qi.

However, the intertwining of brilliant light and blood qi did not last long. Tens of millions of pink ethereal lights merged into a single, colossal pink beam, like a pillar of light piercing heaven and earth, which abruptly descended!

“Boom!”

Zhelu, ultimately a Maha of Measure of the Empty Path, though wavering in the north-south conflict, possessed considerable skill. The radiance unleashed by Situ Huo wielding the Blood Fiend Tower was instantly pinned beneath this pillar of light, unable to move!

‘A perfect opportunity!’

What followed were dazzling treasured bracelets, treasure swords plummeting from the sky, and emerald-like jade pestles—each having accumulated power for a long time. The numerous golden figures had already launched their combined attack!

Yet, in that fleeting instant, the figure blurred slightly, and the numerous spells and Buddhist artifacts that had locked onto his aura simultaneously faltered.

“Boom!”

The numerous spells missed their target, exploding into a dense burst of brilliant light. But the old man’s figure was nowhere to be seen. Situ Huo had already reappeared in the distance, grinning broadly, and shouted:

“King Wei has arrived!”

These four words, like a clap of rolling thunder, caused a wave of panic among the many compassionate beings below who were jointly besieging the array and Purple Seat Mu Lingge. Zhelu felt a pang of guilt, Nuzi was struck with terror, and all the brilliant lights in the sky froze for a moment. Only Mingxiang displayed a degree of calm, though he too raised an eyebrow and swept his gaze around.

A subtle, brief quiet descended.

The golden figure did not appear. Nuzi, who had just taken a hit and been startled, became enraged and embarrassed, shouting:

“Fool! That Qilin can’t even leave the lake!”

This declaration, brimming with confidence, instantly settled the hearts of the many compassionate beings, who then burst into a resounding chorus of Sanskrit chants:

“Boundless Desire!”

“First Gain, Then Loss!”

But then, the colossal, mountain-like, thousand-eyed golden figure suddenly began to tremble, letting out an earth-shattering roar. Nuzi’s face, covered in golden script, abruptly froze, and he snapped his gaze upwards.

A pair of golden eyes were already reflected in the pupils of the golden figure.

All the sun, moon, and stars in the sky began to fade with terrifying speed. A vast darkness enveloped the scene, and a colossal setting sun descended from the horizon, stripping the golden figures of their brilliance. Wind and sand billowed, revealing remnants of bloodied armor, as the splendid light was utterly dispersed.