Chapter 187: Locust Tree Spirit

Chi Zhiyun watched Duanmu Kui bow towards the clouds with a very respectful expression, yet no one was visible. Surprised and doubtful, he hesitated for a moment before asking Chi Wei, "Old Ancestor, what is this...? Could it be a Core Formation cultivator from another nation?"

"No," Chi Wei replied, shaking his head. He activated his divine ability, casting a quick glance at the two blurry figures in the clouds, not daring to linger. Then he turned and explained, "The key to a Purple Mansion breakthrough to Core Formation lies in forging that indestructible 'golden nature'. This golden nature then catalyzes divine abilities, allowing one to achieve Core Formation. Duanmu Kui excels in witchcraft, so even if he doesn't achieve Core Formation, he can still forge his golden nature. Those two figures are custodians of the netherworld; they are there to prevent that golden nature from coalescing into some kind of monster should Duanmu Kui's breakthrough fail and his soul escape."

Having read the classics within the sect, Chi Zhiyun naturally knew that the 'golden nature' of the Core Formation referred not to the element of metal, but to the concept of gold's indestructibility. Greatly puzzled, he asked curiously, "Such benevolent people exist?"

"It's merely out of necessity," Chi Wei sighed, lowering his voice. "You young ones don't know how many famous mountains and spiritual ley lines were severed during the ancient wars between immortals and devils, or how many Core Formation cultivators, even mighty beings above that realm, perished. All these individuals had attained their golden nature, transforming into various evil creatures. Their devastation of living beings was secondary; the real issue was that these evil creatures unjustly occupied a portion of that golden nature... Naturally, some coveted it."

"So, an immortal established a high sect, capturing these monsters and specializing in this task. Today, it is one of the few high sects that has not withdrawn from the world, and it has always been shrouded in mystery."

As Chi Wei spoke, Duanmu Kui's five divine abilities converged into a single stream of colorful light in the air, emitting bursts of invisible fire. Seeing this, all the Purple Mansion cultivators grew wary and retreated a few steps. Duanmu Kui, meanwhile, continued to activate his abilities, repeatedly refining something within the invisible fire.

"This is Duanmu Kui's method of harmonizing water and fire, which is quite rare nowadays," Chi Wei observed. "He received a cultivation method from an immortal, so he is more confident using these ancient techniques." Chi Zhiyun didn't quite understand, but he stared mesmerized at the colorful light of the divine ability. Chi Wei, however, nodded thoughtfully and watched intently.

For several hundred years, no one in the land of Wu and Yue had achieved Core Formation. The few circulating methods for achieving Core Formation had led to the deaths of countless Purple Mansion cultivators. As a result, the Purple Mansion cultivators had agreed to invite their juniors to observe when attempting breakthroughs, hoping to mutually benefit and discover a successful method.

Everyone watched with rapt attention. However, one of the two figures in the clouds shook their head and said in a reedy, low voice, "He named his divine ability 'Sophora Ghost', but he shouldn't be cultivating the 'Foolish Old Man Moving Mountains' technique. It should be 'Emperor Ying'."

"Indeed," the other replied. "Duanmu Kui likely has no hope left. Prepare to act." The two conversed above, unheard by anyone below. The invisible fire in the air burned ever more fiercely, fueled by the divine ability, faintly condensing into a brilliant point of light. All the Purple Mansion cultivators stared wide-eyed, enviously gazing at the spiritual light. Duanmu Kui pushed out a palm, and the essence of the sun and moon surged forth, crashing into the spiritual light.

Above the spiritual light, a faint, illusory dewdrop slowly emerged, shimmering brightly and translucently. A few drops fell downwards, making the spiritual light even brighter, but then the dewdrop suddenly stopped, unmoving. After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the five divine abilities had been completely burned away, and not another drop of dew fell.

"Alas..." Chi Zhiyun watched, not understanding why. Chi Wei, however, had already lowered his head in disappointment. All the Purple Mansion cultivators exchanged uneasy glances, looking at Duanmu Kui with trepidation.

Duanmu Kui froze for a moment, then suddenly took a whale-like gulp, swallowing the point of spiritual light. His expression complex, he let out a hearty laugh, his voice abruptly becoming reedy and sharp, filled with exhilaration and satisfaction.

"I've succeeded!" Duanmu Kui exclaimed. Chi Zhiyun looked up and saw faint lines appearing on Duanmu Kui's face, making him look like a broken porcelain doll, quite horrifying. He stood in place, laughing heartily. Seeing this, Chi Wei's expression changed to one of great horror, and he pulled Chi Zhiyun back several li.

"Go!" Chi Wei urged. All the Purple Mansion cultivators, without a word or a backward glance, tacitly fled far away. The two figures in the sky emerged clearly. One of them, with a reedy and sinister voice, shouted, "Duanmu Kui!"

Duanmu Kui seemed completely oblivious. He rubbed his own face, and pieces of his skin flaked off, a truly horrifying sight. The spiritual glow of his cultivation was gone, replaced by ascending wisps of ghostly light.

"Duanmu Kui!" The person shouted three more times. He then exchanged a look with his companion, sighed softly, and called out, "Who are you?!"

Only then did Duanmu Kui raise his head. The skin on his face had been torn into fragments, revealing the ghastly white bones beneath. He cackled, then shrieked, "I am—" "Sophora Ghost!"

Li Tongya sat upright in a cold secret chamber, holding a warm, smooth jade stone in his hand. He had been stationed in Mulu City for the past few days, waiting to return home once the arrangements were complete. His spiritual sense occasionally swept across several locations, guarding against any trouble.

The Li family had scoured the entire Eastern Mountain Yue and obtained three Qi Condensation-level treasures. One of them was the jade stone in his hand, which had the effect of calming qi, focusing the mind, and accelerating cultivation. Since it was also effective for Qi Condensation cultivators, it was immediately sent to Li Tongya. The other two items were a Qi Condensation-level long saber and a small shield, which Li Tongya gave to Li Xuanxuan and Li Xuanfeng, respectively, ensuring Li Xuanxuan also had a Qi Condensation-level magic artifact to use.

"Putting aside the spiritual fields and manpower of Eastern Mountain Yue," Li Tongya mused, "the accumulation of spiritual items and magic artifacts over the years has been considerable, bringing pleasant surprises to the younger generations of the family." Li Tongya's spiritual sense sank into his Qi Sea. His ninth-level Qi Condensation cultivation gathered in his Qi Sea acupoint as smoky, misty white qi. Beneath it was a calm, vast lake, entirely formed from condensed true essence. Under the blessing of the Heavy Sea Long Whale Record and the Rivers and Qi One Art, it was immeasurably vast, like rivers and seas.

Li Tongya had yet to show any signs of condensing a Celestial Foundation. He had reread the Rivers and Qi One Art more than a dozen times, understanding all its key points, and estimated it would take about another ten years. As he was cultivating with focused attention, a sudden sound exploded in his ear.

"I am— Sophora Ghost!" The sharp shriek that exploded in Li Tongya's ear forcibly jolted him out of his inner vision state. His face turned pale, he exhaled a breath of stale qi, and was greatly alarmed, thinking to himself, "Who is that?!"

After a slight adjustment of his breathing, Li Tongya pushed open the stone door and rose into the air. He saw several younger Qi Condensation cultivators from the Li family also rising, their faces grim. Chen Donghe, Li Xuanfeng, and others were already standing in the sky, gazing westward without a word.

Li Tongya looked up. The west was already shrouded in dark clouds, with intense thunder. Vast, bright spiritual energy constantly flickered, accompanied by rumbling explosions. Li Tongya's heart sank, and he murmured, "It came quickly. It's probably a Purple Mansion cultivator from the Mountain Yue breaking through to Core Formation. I wonder if this phenomenon means success or failure..."

Li Xuanfeng rode the wind to his side, his expression grave. The Golden Geng longbow on his back gleamed in the sunlight. He cupped his hands towards Li Tongya and said softly, "Calculating the days, it's likely a Mountain Yue Purple Mansion cultivator attempting to break through to Core Formation. But I don't know why, it looks like there's someone fighting up there..."

"That's right," Li Tongya paused, then whispered. "Mount Wu will soon disperse, and the Mountain Yue lands will all fall into the hands of the Azure Pond Sect. As for why there's a fight, or if the Mountain Yue Purple Mansion cultivator has enemies coming for them, these kinds of things aren't unusual. Purple Mansion cultivators are high above us; it's not our place to worry. However, this news should be conveyed to the Xiao family..."

"Donghe," Li Tongya instructed, "ride the wind to the prefecture and inform the Xiao family." "Understood," Chen Donghe replied, nodding gently. He rose on the wind and headed east along the Ancient Li Path. Li Xuanxuan landed nearby, nodded upon hearing this, and replied with some worry in his expression, "According to news from the Xiao family, the Mountain Yue lands will be divided among the Mountain Yue Foundation Establishment cultivators who pledge allegiance to the Azure Pond Sect. We just don't know which Mountain Yue Foundation Establishment cultivator will be our neighbor, and the situation on the lake is about to change again..."