Chapter 407: 曦治 Leaving the Sect

"Senior, follow me," Bi Chengjuan said, glancing at Li Xuanxuan and estimating him to be over a hundred years old. He then led the three downwards.

The mountain gate of the Hengzhu Dao sect was located underground, accessed through a cliff-like chasm in the county. Hengzhu cultivators, unlike those who now rode the wind, used an ancient levitation technique, which allowed for extremely agile movement up and down.

The Hengzhu mountain gate, known as the Hengzhu Blessed Land, was established by ancient cultivators. Bi Chengjuan did not lead the three inside the main gate, but instead found a small cave entrance in the cliff face, leading to a tiny secret chamber.

"Since it involves cutting flesh, some pain is unavoidable. Please bear with it, Senior," Bi Chengjuan said. He then produced a jade knife. Li Xuanxuan braced himself; having endured much hardship in his life, this pain was easily bearable. He removed his clothing, and incisions were made on his face, chest, and upper back. Acupoints were sealed to stop the bleeding before the golden pills were inserted.

Li Xuanxuan let out a muffled groan. Bi Chengjuan then gently stroked him, and the six incisions, resembling tiny baby mouths, closed. Bi Chengjuan led him to the secret chamber, opened the door, and softly instructed, "Senior, please go inside, sit cross-legged, and quietly await the formation's activation."

Li Xuanxuan nodded and stepped inside. As the heavy door boomed shut, Bi Chengjuan turned to the other two and softly advised, "The two of you should wait here for three days. Do not go out. Our sect is currently in a delicate situation... If the mage wanders around, it might stir up trouble."

Kong Heng nodded, watching Bi Chengjuan depart, then let out a soft sigh. "The Murong clan... how could they do such a thing!"

Li Xijun glanced at him and quietly remarked, "Isn't it always like this? They enjoy the bliss within, and then demand your overflowing gratitude for it."

Kong Heng fell silent, as if he had a flood of words he wanted to utter. After a long pause, he finally said, "When I was eight, the abbot was friends with a Yan Buddhist master. He once used his divine abilities to take me inside his belly to see."

"Inside, there were glowing treasure pools and flowing merit. Golden sands paved the ground, and glazed tiles formed the stairs. Lotus flowers, large as carriage wheels, bloomed in blue, red, white, and azure. Hundreds of thousands of birds and beasts chanted the Buddha's name, recited the Dharma, and sought truth. The people lived in joy, free from suffering, hardship, disaster, or evil; it was a pure and solemn realm."

The monk appeared deeply confused. "The Daoist sects view this path as demonic cultivation... but I truly cannot discern right from wrong. The Zhao Buddhists seek truth, establishing an earthly Buddhist kingdom. The Yan Buddhists resolve calamities, opening paradises within themselves. They are actively doing these things, while we ancient cultivators merely ring bells in our temples."

"The Yan Buddhists allow thousands to ascend to paradise after death, and the Zhao Cultivators ensure people experience no pain during their lives. Meanwhile, we ancient cultivators merely lecture on scriptures in our temples."

"Whenever Yan and Zhao Buddhist cultivators arrive, the people of Liaohe flock to them; every household is empty, and everyone wears a smile, radiating happiness. Only we ancient cultivators are still planting vegetables in our temples."

"The abbot said: To use divine powers to delude and gather people is a heterodox path; one cannot become a World-Honored One through such means."

"But I clearly cultivate Buddhism for the sake of the common people. As long as they embrace it, I will act. I could use divine powers to make them perceive bland steamed buns as gourmet feasts and simple clothing as luxurious attire. If I only ponder whether I can become a World-Honored One, ignoring the desperate pleas of the people—how could that be the conduct of a truly virtuous person!"

He then asked, "Fellow Daoist, if a mortal is suffering excruciating pain, should one use magic to alleviate it?"

Li Xijun frowned and replied, "Naturally, one should..."

A hint of fear crept onto Kong Heng's usually gentle face. He murmured, "If the belly is truly paradise... and the earth is also a joyful Buddhist land... why must the people of Liaohe be consigned to a sea of suffering!"

Li Xijun was dumbfounded. He saw Kong Heng sweating profusely, his fair face a mix of shock and terror, and his cross-legged posture trembling slightly. The golden light that usually enveloped him had dissipated, replaced by faint rings of colorful light radiating from behind his head.

Sensing trouble, Li Xijun worried that Kong Heng might suddenly exclaim, "I understand!" and immediately manifest a paradise from within himself, thus becoming a Yan Buddhist. Without hesitation, he struck Kong Heng squarely on the back with his palm and roared, "Shi Kong Heng!"

He channeled his Pine-Snow True Essence, striking Kong Heng so that a chill spread through his body, and he coughed up a mouthful of black blood. The colorful light behind his head vanished as if startled, and his eyes instantly cleared.

The monk closed his eyelids and, trembling, began to chant scriptures. After a long moment, he said, "Thank you, Fellow Daoist... Thank you, Fellow Daoist..."

However, after speaking, the monk gasped for a long time, then narrowed his slender eyes and murmured, "Our Liaohe clearly enjoys bountiful harvests every year, and its people live better than those in Yan and Zhao. Yet, both the wealthy and the impoverished are unhappy. The abbot said one must see through it..."

His expression was downcast; the tendency to change his doctrine had vanished, but the profound disappointment on his face was impossible to conceal.

"But the wails of Liaohe shake the heavens, and I cannot see through it."

Qingchi Sect, General Affairs Hall.

Li Xizhi arrived, descending onto the peak amidst colorful light. He was already a Qi Condensation cultivator, obliged to undertake an external general affairs mission once every ten years. In the past decade, Li Xizhi had come seven times, yet he had never found a mission that truly suited his preferences.

'If there's nothing suitable this time, I won't have many more years to wait.'

The Qingchi Sect actually had few true peak disciples, and one rarely encountered fellow sect members in the vast mountain ranges. Only in this General Affairs Hall did a bustling crowd gather. Li Xizhi stepped inside, observing numerous green-robed cultivators chatting and laughing amongst themselves.

Qingsui Peak lacked much activity, and Li Xizhi, who rarely ventured out of the mountains, had few close friends. He scanned the board, immediately noticing that the top entries were all missions involving capture and assassination.

Although these missions offered substantial rewards, Li Xizhi never undertook them. His family's roots were in Wangyue Lake, and with numerous clan members, he dared not provoke unnecessary trouble.

Skimming past missions involving demon extermination, journeys to the four seas, and expeditions to the northern and southern frontiers, Li Xizhi searched for a considerable time. He finally found a few missions focused on discovering spiritual items within Yue Kingdom itself. The first prominent one listed was: "Taiyin Moon Essence... Finder receives thirty great merits, three Suiyuan Pills..."

"Tianyi Chunyuan... Finder..." A long list of rewards followed. Li Xizhi clicked his tongue, noting that such missions were often fruitless, so he quickly passed them over. At the very bottom, he finally found a few missions that involved long-term stationed cultivation.

"Libu Commandery Market... stationed cultivation... along with qi gathering, approximately ten years in duration."

Others considered this mission bothersome due to its outdoor nature and the time consumed by qi gathering, but Li Xizhi was thoroughly pleased. His heart swelled with joy as he quickly retrieved a jade tablet from the side, thinking, "This is perfect! I can return home, receive my ordination, and take the pills! I can assist my family for a bit; what does a little wasted time matter?"

He quickly took it down, but upon closer inspection, he saw a name already inscribed on the back of the jade tablet. It had hung unclaimed for so long that it had already been assigned to Lingdou Peak.

Lingdou Peak was even weaker than his own Qingsui Peak; its peak master was merely at the peak of Qi Condensation. Li Xizhi sighed regretfully, then, looking at the jade tablet in his hand, an idea struck him.

So he rose on a rainbow, traveling through the mountains amidst colorful light. He quickly located the low and unassuming Lingdou Peak. Upon making an inquiry at the mountain's base, the peak master promptly emerged to greet him.

"This old man, Yu Fuyu... greets Fellow Daoist," he said. "I am Li Xizhi of Qingsui," came the reply.

Yu Fuyu was short and stout. Li Xizhi had heard rumors that he was a cultivator from the Yu family, but due to extensive internal strife within the clan, his branch had long become extinct because of these unsavory matters. Consequently, he had severed ties with the Yu family and led a very difficult life.

"Ah, so it's the Li family of Qingdu... I've long admired you!" Yu Fuyu said humbly. When Li Xizhi explained his purpose, Yu Fuyu immediately responded, "No problem at all! By all means!"

He then retrieved the jade tablet and handed it to Li Xizhi. Li Xizhi nodded politely in acknowledgment, not engaging in prolonged conversation. He proceeded to the General Affairs Hall to claim the mission, only then returning to Qingsui Peak.

As he landed and stepped forward, Yang Xiaoer came to greet him, cradling a swaddled infant. Li Xizhi gently embraced her and softly said, "I've accepted the mission. Now I'll take Huai'er home."

Yang Xiaoer simply held the child, speechless. Li Xizhi, feeling a pang of guilt, softly said, "No matter what, Huai'er absolutely cannot remain in the sect... He is a member of my Li family, not of the Qingchi Sect."

Yang Xiaoer choked out, "I understand... but he's only one year old, and he has to leave us. I can't bear it, and I'm worried."

Despite her words, Yang Xiaoer was even more reluctant to leave him at Qingchi. She placed Li Chenghuai into Li Xizhi's arms, then removed a jade pendant from her neck and tied it around the child's neck. Only then did she say, "Husband, please take good care of yourself while you're away."

Li Xizhi nodded, kissed her smooth forehead, and softly advised, "You take extra care while in the sect."

The couple had already discussed their plans. After exchanging a few intimate words, Li Xizhi packed his belongings and immediately departed on a rainbow, leaving Yang Xiaoer in silent sorrow, unable to part from her son.

Traversing through layers of clouds and mist, Li Xizhi activated his jade token, passing through a Tianyuan spirit formation. After flying for a short distance, Simin Commandery, located beyond the mountains, appeared before him.

Simin Commandery, the largest commandery in Yue Kingdom, was the very foundation of Qingchi Sect. As soon as Li Xizhi exited Qingchi, he felt the spiritual energy dramatically decrease, by a factor of two or three. Nevertheless, he flew even faster on his rainbow, his heart light and free, finally savoring a sense of liberation.

"Twenty years... I'm finally out..."

The landscape beneath him receded like a fleeting shadow. Li Xizhi, filled with anticipation to see his clan members, accelerated his journey even further.

Qingdu Peak.

Li Qinghong landed on Qingdu Peak, where Li Wushao was already waiting. The black-clad youth bowed swiftly and reported, "My lord, your subordinate has already investigated the north. There is indeed a group of demonic cultivators residing in that temple. They appear to be setting up a formation and have been cultivating there for some time."

"Among them, two are at the late-stage of Qi Condensation, six at the mid-stage, and three at the early-stage. They work very well together."

Li Wushao paused, then continued, "Your subordinate feared alerting them, so I did not investigate closely. I only observed dark clouds gathering there, suggesting some unusual activity."

Li Qinghong nodded, pondered for a moment, then said, "I'll go take a look from a distance."

Li Wushao quickly followed. The two ascended, riding the wind, with Li Wushao leading the way.

Unexpectedly, just as they exited their territory, a middle-aged man flying at an incredible speed on the wind appeared directly in front of them, blocking their path.

Li Qinghong drew his Du Ruo Spear, eyed the man cautiously, and frowned. "Senior... may I ask why you have stopped us?"

The middle-aged man before them had an unremarkable appearance. He wore golden robes adorned with bright white cloud patterns, and a knife was fastened at his waist. His magical attire was clearly exceptional, so much so that his cultivation level could not be immediately discerned.

He swept a glance over Li Wushao, causing a chill to run through him, as if his true form had been completely revealed and meticulously examined by the man.

Li Qinghong also grew alert and silently backed away, only to see the man say nothing, nor draw his knife. He simply reached directly for Li Qinghong.

This hand, white as jade, magnified instantly before their eyes. A faint, alluring suction emanated from it, mesmerizing their spiritual senses and making it difficult to look away.

"Boom!" Li Qinghong, who had already been on guard and accumulated power in her hand, immediately unleashed a purple lightning bolt that struck down directly. Beneath Li Wushao's black robe, two shadows also subtly emerged, silently spreading outwards.

"A lightning cultivator," the middle-aged man remarked casually. He joined two fingers, instantly dispelling the purple lightning into dust. His cultivation level was undeniably revealed: he was at the peak of Foundation Establishment. The fact that he hadn't even used his Immortal Foundation already struck great fear into the hearts of the two.

Though Li Wushao's two hooks were insidious, the middle-aged man's eyes glinted with golden light, clearly indicating he had cultivated pupil techniques. He saw through the hidden tail hooks in the shadows with a single glance, and with a flick of his golden sleeve, he struck Li Wushao, leaving his face pale.

"Chì!" Li Qinghong, capitalizing on the brief moment Li Wushao had bought her, had her eyes suffused with purple light. The jade armor on her body also glowed with purple electricity. Her crimson lips parted slightly, her jade teeth moving as she expelled a tiny purple light dot. This perfectly round dot instantly expanded to the size of a fist, shimmering with white light.

"Crack!" Suddenly, complex purple patterns crackled into existence in the air, and a suppressed aura of destruction spread. The middle-aged man's expression finally shifted slightly, and he remarked with some admiration, "Li Tongya has a worthy successor."

Li Qinghong felt a flicker of puzzlement, but at that moment, she couldn't afford to dwell on it. She simply unleashed the profound thunder, while she and Li Wushao simultaneously widened their distance, retreating several miles on purple lightning.

The golden-robed middle-aged man neither dodged nor pursued them. Instead, he stared with considerable curiosity at the thunder talisman before him. Finally, he reached for the long knife at his waist, let out a soft cry, and drew his blade from its sheath.

"Boom!!" A circular white light exploded in the sky. This thunderclap was like a mountain collapsing and the earth tearing apart, causing the lake waters to surge wildly and rocks to tumble down the shoreline mountains. The white lightning then drifted down, transforming into a dense, waterfall-like cascade of purple electricity, bearing down with immense power.

"Clang!" A bright white saber light flashed, and the lightning waterfall was forcibly split into two halves. The middle-aged man leisurely stepped out, formed a hand seal, and chuckled, "Still."

The thunder in the sky and the surging lake waters all dissipated as if they were mere clouds. Li Qinghong and her companion had already reached the mountain entrance. The middle-aged man's hand seal changed, and he softly commanded, "Come."

The two instantly felt their bodies freeze, and the magical winds around them ceased to obey. Li Qinghong had already activated a blood escape technique, barely stopping just one step before the mountain gate.

The golden-robed middle-aged man, however, used a swift escape technique, reaching them in two strides, and intently scrutinized Li Qinghong.

'This is no ordinary peak Foundation Establishment cultivator! This person is likely not far from the Purple Mansion realm! He must be a direct descendant of one of the Three Sects... his techniques are definitely not third or fourth rank... This person... has a very significant background!'

The image of Fei Wangbai, whose head had fallen after merely twenty or thirty moves in their presence, flashed through Li Qinghong's mind. She quickly calmed herself and softly inquired, "May I ask which immortal sect Senior hails from? Your junior, Li Qinghong of Qingdu, greets Senior."

He raised an eyebrow and smiled, softly remarking, "Li Tongya certainly teaches his juniors well! What a potent thunder talisman! If I were new to Foundation Establishment and caught off guard by that move, I would also sustain some minor injuries."

The middle-aged man's gaze lingered on Li Qinghong with interest as he calmly stated, "As for me? I am Zhang Yun! Merely a bladesman from Jiangnan... Today, I was overseeing some juniors nearby, so I took the opportunity to visit the Li family."