Chapter 1158: 伏虎(1+1/2)

Li Ximing's heart jolted. He swallowed a pill, and the fleeting joy in his heart quickly receded. He rose into the wind, abruptly raising the wooden spirit urn in his hand. A quick glance at its profound accumulation of power revealed the words: "Accumulate and Combine."

In an instant, a brilliant light shone from the urn, falling upon the two golden bodies. Like a long whale drawing in water, it utterly drained them of all radiance, golden essence, Pure Land blessings, and Buddhist/Daoist anointments!

The two Reverends, engulfed in the raging Li Fire, were suffering unspeakably. Unable to withstand the profound power of such a spirit treasure, their expressions changed simultaneously.

‘Li Ximing is here!’ The two didn't even have time to exchange a glance. They immediately activated their divine abilities, abandoning their radiant forms, and attempted to return to the Buddhist Land!

Frankly, their abilities were not poor. One hailed from the Lotus Seat, and the other was of the Wisdom Seat. Working together, they were sufficient to hold back most cultivators at the One-Divine-Ability level, and even with reinforcements arriving, they still had a chance to escape.

But Li Jiangqian was protected by a spiritual treasure, and his Southern Bright Heart Fire was truly formidable!

This flame was inherently a type of Li Fire, its power fluctuating with the life essence of its wielder. When it first coalesced, its might already surpassed Li Ximing's Vermilion Pheasant Striking Fire. Subsequently, fortified by talismanic energy, its power doubled. Only the exceedingly rare Heavenly Crow Blended Fire in Li Ximing's hands could definitively suppress this flame!

This flame, resonating with the Li Fire divine ability and operating at will, burned not just in one place. Moreover, the Reverends' weapons were inferior. After dozens of rounds, their hands were already burning into golden liquid.

Fighting empty-handed for the remainder of the battle, they became even more disoriented and dizzy from the burning.

But in contrast to the two's predicament, Li Jiangqian became increasingly at ease with each strike, his eyes gleaming as he nodded subtly.

It was rather embarrassing to admit, but Li Jiangqian had just achieved the Purple Mansion realm when his opponent turned out to be Tuoba Ci, a mid-Purple Mansion cultivator and a dignified imperial descendant of Daliang! Though brimming with ambition, he was utterly helpless against this foe. If Li Zhouwei hadn't arrived promptly, he would have been severely injured within a few rounds, leaving him with a deep sense of frustration.

Fighting these two, he finally understood what kind of opponent a One-Divine-Ability cultivator should face. It was utterly invigorating; the more he fought, the more he integrated and mastered his techniques, becoming increasingly aggressive. ‘This is more like it!

Seeing the two about to self-immolate, Li Jiangqian reacted even faster. The Li Fire spirit treasure he had prepared in the Great Void earlier suddenly descended. Countless golden threads surged forth, ignoring the Reverend from the Lotus Seat, and all fell upon the Reverend from the Wisdom Seat!

Li Ximing naturally understood. Activating his divine ability, he formed a hand seal and chanted a spell: "By Decree!"

The Six Harmonies Light of Tianxia Ming spanned the Great Void and suddenly descended. The divine ability to decree confinement and dispel misfortune immediately took effect, causing him to choke as the divine power within his body instantly dissipated.

In that brief instant, his companion beside him had already exploded into pieces!

However, the fluttering pink light offered him no aid. It was entirely enveloped by the dense, unyielding Li light, and the vast accumulated power of 'Accumulation and Combination' converged, seizing the Reverend, who found himself unable to escape.

Then, the bright white Heavenly Crow Blended Fire poured down from above! The Reverend let out an incredibly tragic shriek, yet was simultaneously locked by another Li Fire spirit treasure, unable to move. Like a small boat adrift, he was effortlessly drawn into the urn.

"Grand-uncle... what a formidable divine ability!"

Li Jiangqian immediately approached, riding the Li Fire. Li Ximing had just aggravated his injuries again, his face a little pale. He coughed twice, and his attendant quickly appeared, taking the spirit treasure from his hand to suppress it. Only then did Li Ximing manage a smile, saying, "This Heaven-Nourishing Urn is truly formidable! Against Buddhist cultivators... especially those lacking significant power... it truly strikes their weak point."

Only then did Li Jiangqian notice Li Ximing's injuries and whisper, "How are you?"

Li Ximing waved a hand, referencing the situation in the west, but his gaze was fixed with dread on the riverbank, where the forces of gold and fire were growing increasingly immense. He asked, "Where is Old True Man Chen?"

Li Jiangqian hesitated for a moment before replying, "He's crossed the river!"

"Crossed the river!"

Li Ximing looked at the chaotic situation on the White River and murmured, "We shouldn't interfere with this!"

Li Jiangqian silently shook his head. "The Golden Feathers didn't arrive that early. Senior Chen and the Shilouying Pavilion were already engaged in fierce combat, and injuries were evident. The chaos only erupted behind them. That senior didn't realize it was the Golden Feathers; he calculated it was Liu Bai and others retreating south from Tangdao Mountain. He told me to guard the riverbank while he crossed to provide support."

Li Ximing paused, slightly stunned, then couldn't help but exclaim, "What courage!"

Li Jiangqian shook his head noncommittally but said no more. Under their slightly anxious gazes, the golden forces from the north had overwhelmingly gained the upper hand, and an intense cold caused countless shards of ice to erupt from the great river.

Just then, a swath of azure blue light traversed the Great Void, halting unsteadily before them. True Man Yu Shui, Chen, manifested his form. Li Ximing coughed twice, then stepped forward and asked, "Senior... how fare you?"

The old man, with a sword on his back, had a gloomy expression and an imposing presence. Blood stained the corners of his lips. His gaze only softened slightly upon seeing Li Ximing. He said, "I am fine..."

Even as he spoke, more blood spurted from his mouth, dissipating into raging flames in mid-air. His 'Mansion Water' corresponded to 'True Fire,' yet his cultivation was clearly inferior to that of Shilouying Pavilion. He simply stated, "The Golden Feathers are holding them back..."

Li Ximing's heart settled slightly, but he noticed Chen pause, his gaze somewhat complex, as he looked at Li Ximing and hesitated. He said, "I met the True Men of the Jin Yi Dao lineage... among them was True Man Tian Huo, who asked me to convey a message to Zhaojing."

"Please speak."

Li Ximing's pale face registered a hint of surprise as he turned his head. Chen's voice was low: "He said... the favor from back then... has been repaid to Fellow Daoist Zhaojing today."

Xuanmiao Monastery.

Dark clouds hung low over the mountains. Cold, dense rain pattered on the eaves. The disciples, jostling each other, huddled between the palace buildings, looking at the dark blue-black hue to the south and exchanging uneasy glances.

"Something significant... has happened on the lake..."

"Where are they? Where are the venerated ones?"

Just earlier, a prominent figure had descended the mountain to pacify Baidu, leading these disciples to have confidence in the Northern Cultivators' forces. However, the celestial phenomena were truly bizarre. The disciples gathered and spontaneously went to search for Qi Lanyan's disciples, but despite searching everywhere, they found no one.

"Where else could they be?"

"Who knows?"

The rain grew denser, driven by the wind into the hall, lashing against the vermilion wooden beams and flowing coldly. Everyone looked up and finally discerned a sliver of white amidst the dark blue-black.

The next instant, this speck of white had already traversed the sky, shining brilliantly. It was none other than the majestic and domineering massive Heavenly Gate!

In an instant, the entire Xuanmiao Monastery erupted in pandemonium. Despite the protection of a grand formation, everyone scattered as if pounced upon by hungry tigers, falling like reaped wheat. They bumped and pushed each other, sprawling to the ground, yet the silence was terrifying, broken only by chattering teeth and the rustle of robes.

However, this stream of light sped past, continuing northward without a backward glance, until it plunged into the northernmost clouds. Only then did a burst of light erupt, and a golden body traversed out of the Great Void, filling the air with a purple aura.

The Purple Mansion True Man of the Baiye Immortal Dao manifested, his voice thundering: "Greetings, King Wei — Ye Hui has arrived as promised!"

"Bai Ziyu!"

Buddhist chants boomed like thunder. The golden body in mid-air abruptly coalesced, revealing a solemn and majestic visage. Dressed in a kasaya and holding a jade pestle, with lotus-like phenomena constantly rising and falling behind him, it was none other than the Bright Aspect of Lotus Temple!

However, at this moment, he was utterly disheveled. His jade-like face was etched with shame, and although his kasaya glowed brightly, innumerable faint fissures were subtly visible beneath it.

His voice was fraught with unease and ferocity: "After the defeat at Xianhu, you dared to rebel immediately!"

This thunderous roar finally laid to rest the lingering doubt. The sky seemed to dim for an instant, the earth trembled, and purple-black royal banners rose from the ground. Countless streams of light had already traversed the lake!

"The Song army has arrived!"

Silver-white lightning exploded in the air. Thousands upon thousands of silver lightning cones now blanketed the night sky, illuminating the mountains. Nearly half of the candles in the main hall were extinguished, and the patriarch's portrait, hanging prominently, swayed violently in the fierce wind, its face shifting between light and shadow, appearing exceptionally terrifying.

"Where is Lord Qi?"

A low, trembling voice echoed through the mountains. Unexpectedly, in the distance, colorful light was already raining down before the formation. A chorus of cheers erupted, and a bold male voice resounded through the night sky: "Qi Lanyan has been slain by King Wei, the Zhao army is utterly defeated! Quickly open the formation to welcome the King's army!"

Silver lightning crawled across the sky, illuminating the man's face high above, deepening the hues of the colorful cracks upon it. Li Zhouwei's gaze did not linger on the lotus Buddhist light entangled in purple water but turned towards the other end.

Another pink Buddhist light continuously tumbled within the purple water, struggling against the heavy peaks of Ascent. At this moment, it finally broke free from Ye Hui's divine ability!

It was none other than Zhelu, the Liangli Mahakala of Kongwu Dao!

This Mahakala was injured by him on the lake but had not even considered that Qi Lanyan might fall. He immediately turned to ambush Wen Qing of the Purple Smoke Gate. Only when the situation drastically changed did he retreat, not expecting to be intercepted by Ye Hui at Xuanmiao, along with Bright Aspect!

Although Ye Hui often concealed his abilities, his divine ability cultivation was far from low. All three of his Capital Guard divine abilities possessed the power to suppress and obstruct, and the Western Heavenly Plateau was an excellent ability capable of severing spiritual energy and sealing the Great Void. Having arrived with deliberate intent, it was originally not difficult for him to briefly hold back the two injured individuals.

But the Capital Guard was notoriously vulnerable to pervasive brilliance. Though Bright Aspect's Buddhist vessel was shattered, his inherent strength remained largely intact. His desperate struggles consumed most of Ye Hui's energy, allowing Zhelu to escape.

"How audacious!"

Situ Huo, having been robbed of his credit, had been regretting it all the way. Upon seeing this sight, his eyes immediately lit up. The Junshiyang pattern glowed brightly, and his golden-red saber twitched. He swiftly gave chase to intercept!

In contrast, Cheng Jiuwen was far more composed. He stood quietly behind the Heavenly Gate, occasionally glancing to the northwest, his face etched with worry.

Li Zhouwei seemed to sense something. His colorful eyes flickered, and he did not intervene.

Although his current condition was much improved, confronting Zhelu would undoubtedly be extremely challenging. The danger posed by a Mahakala Liangli, fighting to the death and potentially escaping by abandoning his dharma body, was truly no less than at his peak!

His eyes, instead, swept through the dense purple aura, settling on Bright Aspect.

This Mahakala of Lotus Temple was locked in a fierce battle with Ye Hui. Seeing Li Zhouwei look up, his gaze flickered. Ye Hui, meanwhile, rode the purple water, glancing at Li Zhouwei, his eyes flickering towards the distant blue-black, and whispered, "King Wei!"

Li Zhouwei's heart was suddenly seized by doubt.

‘Bright Aspect is responsible for guarding Shanjie. Besides him, other Northern Cultivators should be standing guard... But Yang Ruiyi is personally here, and under the cover of his Decadent Qi, there's no way he could have escaped so easily!’

His mind suddenly brought forth the image of the Netherworld Treasure Palace from Xianhu, which had single-handedly blocked Wang Ziya for over ten rounds. His spiritual consciousness, linking with his 'Investigative Nether' ability, abruptly cast its gaze towards the Baiye territory in the west.

He saw a swath of Decadent Qi, utterly peaceful, with no further signs of combat!

A realization dawned on Li Zhouwei.

‘Shanjie possesses a formidable grand formation, meticulously laid out by the North, making it exceedingly difficult to conquer. Yang Ruiyi was merely putting on a show; in reality, he only trapped it with Decadent Qi, intervened at Xianhu, and seeing the overall situation stable, immediately bypassed Shanjie, entered Jianghuai, and seized Baiye first!’

This was undoubtedly a very astute calculation. Shanjie's formation was ingenious and a tough nut to crack, but Jianghuai on the opposite bank was a prize. With Guan Hua gone, every faction coveted it; perhaps Western Shu had already reached the White River! If Yang Ruiyi had stubbornly committed to fighting here, it would have been tantamount to ceding vital interests across the river!

It must be understood that once Xuanmiao fell, Shanjie would be isolated and helpless. No matter how resilient it was, it would become like fish on a chopping block. Just as Li Zhouwei had ordered to bypass the Baiye Immortal Dao mountain gate, Yang Ruiyi also bypassed Shanjie, prioritizing the capture of the land across the river!

‘On another front, it also allows me to gather Lin Chensheng and others I dispatched, to reinforce Tangdao Mountain!’

The great defeat at Xianhu was surely known to the Desire Dao. In this opportune moment, with Jianghuai leaderless, the embryonic form of the White Sea had already been established. Tianlangzhi would undoubtedly ally with Dayang Mountain to continue their rapid assault on Tangdao Mountain, seizing this vital bridgehead. Yang Ruiyi would also certainly contend for this territory!

Li Zhouwei almost instantly deduced the strategic moves of the Yang Clan and the Desire Dao: ‘Taking one step, considering three, Jianghuai is already a sure prize. The Song Kingdom aims to secure this region as a springboard for future northern ambitions and as the final piece to complete Jianghuai. Western Shu requires the White River and Tangdao to intervene in Jianghuai, while Dayang Mountain, and even the Seven Aspects, seek to reclaim this territory as a strategic stronghold to recover their losses and control Jianghuai!’

‘The next great battle will undoubtedly take place on Tangdao Mountain, the foremost mountain of Jianghuai!’

Li Zhouwei received news of Li Ximing's safety on the lake, and his thoughts had finally cleared. For him, this was a rare piece of good news! With three forces now vying for control at Tangdao Mountain in the west, the remaining White Sea forces, the intercepted divine abilities, and the Buddhist cultivators no longer possessed the means to resist him.

The King Wei then put away his 'Investigative Nether' ability, merely casting a faint glance around. He ascended into the air without hesitation, treading on heavenly light, crossed Xuanmiao, and continued northward. Only a faint voice lingered in the air: "General Situ, this place is entrusted to you!"

Situ Huo was delighted. He let out a hearty laugh and immediately accepted. A thick golden aura instantly soared, locking down the horizon!

The heavenly light, meanwhile, sped rapidly northward, traversing vast lands, until a scene abruptly leaped into view.

A gigantic demonic body stood between heaven and earth, its long halberd, imbued with profound qi, spanned the sky and suddenly plunged down, smashing into the towering golden peak. A white-robed man, tiny as an ant, held a precious saber, his gaze calm.

True Man Chang Yun had actually intercepted Tuoba Ci at this very location!

But under the illumination of the golden aura, a spiritual treasure hung suspended in mid-air. This object, about a palm's length, was entirely jade-white; it was, in fact, an ivory hu tablet. It cast down a halo of light, and like a collapsing dike, a torrent spanning the sky emerged from the Great Void. Rolling white mist flowed from north to south, isolating the Great Void and blocking several streaks of light one by one.

Within this white mist, a young man stood holding a spear, his black robe fluttering. A vertical mark was slowly appearing on his forehead. His spear was sharp, yet he was at a disadvantage, suppressed by a Mahakala who had leaped forth from the brilliant light!

At this moment, the sky brightened for an instant. The Buddhist cultivators raised their eyebrows, seeing the Heavenly Gate traverse the sky. The sky then darkened, causing the Mahakala to suddenly raise his eyebrows. Even though his divine abilities were severely weakened, unconcealed hatred surged in his eyes: ‘He's here!’

This Mahakala was indeed Ba Shan!

This man was Nuzi's trusted confidant for many years, a talent blessed with natural divine strength. The Desire Dao had initially been reluctant to involve him in the Xianhu battle, using an excuse to keep him in the rear, but he was called to the front by Qi Lanyan. When the battle deteriorated, he was immediately ordered to retreat. However, Chang Yun, being exceptionally familiar with the northern layout, deliberately trapped him here.

And Ba Shan had ascended from an Arhat under Nuzi to a Mahakala. Nuzi's kindness to him was