Chapter 513: Eastern Heyun

"This must be where the Azure Pond Purple Mansion and the dragon kin held discussions and made some promises. A Foundation Establishment cultivator searching here has surely violated a taboo."

Li Xizhi quickly formed a hypothesis. This was clearly not the time to dwell on it. He nodded silently and said softly, "There are always conflicts of interest within the sect; it's unavoidable. My master's life is at stake, and I cannot stand idly by."

The Purple Mansion cultivator stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes seemingly smiling, as he held the two heads. He spoke, "Oh, really? How bold! How very bold!"

Li Xizhi lowered his gaze and composed himself, watching as the Purple Mansion cultivator spoke coldly: "Do you know my name?"

Li Xizhi knew this was the final hurdle. He had already made a deduction: "A prominent nose and narrow eyes, flowing hair and beard, covered in golden scales, and a voice like a roar—it must be a dragon! Its divine abilities are deep blue, appearing harmonious with water, yet it doesn't match the dragon depictions in Azure Pond. It should be a newly ascended great demon, having benefited from the fall of the Eastern Wanderer..."

He bowed slightly and replied, "This junior greets Great Demon Mu Hai."

The Purple Mansion cultivator suddenly burst into laughter, revealing eerie, pure white, long, thin fangs that looked exceptionally crystalline in the water. He chuckled, "You've mistakenly entered this place, so you cannot escape punishment. Now, run for your life!"

"Thank you, Senior!" Li Xizhi clasped his hands, bowed, and swiftly flew south on a streak of rainbow light. The demonic dragon waited for a moment, then moved its lips and tongue, releasing a burst of chilling air from between its fangs.

This chilling air swirled in the sky, transforming into a deep blue water droplet that bobbed and pulsed. He picked up one of the heads and flicked it gently. The water droplet fell into the corpse's mouth. Immediately, the flesh boiled, stretching and transforming like yellow mud, quickly taking on the appearance of a young boy. Mu Hai chuckled twice, his pure white fangs gleaming, and released his grip: "Heyun, you have only one hour."

As soon as he finished speaking, the young boy immediately came to life. His eyes were lively, his demeanor elegant and natural. He adjusted his clothes, bowed slightly, and vanished southward like lightning.

Mu Hai stood with his hands behind his back. The void beside him split open, and a figure emerged, asking, "Dongfang Changmu, what happened?"

Mu Hai blinked his teal eyes and said softly, "Azure Pond wants to use me as a proxy killer. They intentionally sent a Foundation Establishment cultivator here. But I believe this person has a powerful background. Father said he doesn't appear entirely human, so it's better to be cautious."

The figure nodded, slowly transforming to reveal its true form: a narrow-eyed woman, quite dignified, with flowing robes. She said softly, "Father and Dragon Lord Xiyang will arrive shortly. Be prepared."

Mu Hai nodded and chuckled, "With two Dragon Lords acting together, we should be able to conquer Thundercloud Temple and complete the 'Thunder and Lightning Control' described in the Azure Profound Prophecy Book."

The Dragon Maiden shook her head slightly, seemingly filled with melancholy, and simply said, "We're just taking advantage of the Shangyuan breakthrough and human infighting to seize this secret realm... Besides, that Azure Profound Master is a figure from countless millennia ago. What was useful then might not be useful now."

Mu Hai, however, smiled broadly, touching the red whiskers on his lip, and replied, "He is an immortal; there's no mistake."

Li Xizhi sped away on his rainbow light, leaving a deep trail of iridescent light across the sea surface. He clutched talismans in his hand, his back drenched in cold sweat.

'Punishment.'

Before he could thoroughly consider the implications, he felt a chill creep up his spine. He fixed his gaze on the water and saw tiny ice flakes rising to the surface.

Li Xizhi perceptively noticed the seawater before him surge, forming a human figure. Its face was young, its hair neatly tied back, with delicate brows and large eyes, elegant and natural. It adjusted its cuffs and smiled: "I am Dongfang Heyun. Greetings, fellow Daoist."

Hearing only the surname "Dongfang," Li Xizhi understood this was a tactic of the Dragon Kin Purple Mansion. He returned the greeting, and the gentle youth said softly, "By my lord's immortal decree, I am here to execute you, fellow Daoist. My apologies for the offense..."

Li Xizhi's hand was already on his sword. Hearing this, Green Edge leaped from its scabbard, emitting a flash of white light. He first unleashed the Moon Rift Sword Arc. In terms of sword talent, Li Xizhi was no worse than Li Xijun, and was even a bit older. However, he cultivated many different spells, which divided his focus, so his current sword arc was not as potent as his cousin's.

Dongfang Heyun was still adjusting his cuffs. He freed a hand and, with a single finger, pinched the sword light, instantly crushing it. Then he looked up and stepped forward. With just this one move, Li Xizhi had already discerned much:

'I cannot fight him head-on!'

The talismans he clutched leaped forth from his hand, transforming into several golden rays in the air. A full three Foundation Establishment talismans simultaneously emitted radiance, cascading downwards like flowing light, intertwining to form a barrier. Among other things, Azure Sprout Peak possessed the most talismans. Patriarch Sima Yuanbai was originally one of Azure Pond Sect's foremost talisman masters, and he had left many talismans before fleeing to the West. Yuan Tuan also left a batch before his departure, and most of these were now in Li Xizhi's possession.

He immediately cast three talismans, his body dispersing like a colorful mist, leaving behind three dazzling streaks of iridescent light in the air. He reappeared over ten zhang away, flicking his sleeve to release a burst of rainbow light, which slowly dispersed in the air like smoke and catkins, forming a small circle. Li Xizhi was originally a first-rate talent and mind among the current generation of the Li family. He had also cultivated for many years on Azure Sprout Peak, studying daily without slackening. This technique of "Colorful Cloud Evasion Step Amidst Golden Mist" fully demonstrated his skill. The "Colorful Cloud Evasion Step Amidst Golden Mist" was not comparable to the "Crossing River Torrent Step"; being able to create a distance of over ten zhang in a single breath, it could already determine the outcome of a battle.

Dongfang Heyun, however, drifted gracefully in the wind. With a flick and joining of his fingers, the golden formation formed by the three talismans shifted a foot sideways. He then lightly stepped forward, casually striding past it. He continued forward, leaving the golden formation still shimmering in place. Li Xizhi had already traveled several miles, disappearing into the distance. Dongfang Heyun transformed into a wisp of misty rain and pursued him.

As Li Xizhi sped away on his rainbow light, he could vaguely sense the movements of the three golden talismans. His heart trembled slightly, and he quickly began to deduce.

'This person did not use the spell that just appeared before him; there must be some restrictions.''If this person were a Purple Mansion cultivator, I would have died long ago. Yet, he doesn't seem entirely like a Foundation Establishment cultivator, nor entirely like a Purple Mansion cultivator. It's more like... like... he's been empowered by Mu Hai's divine ability!'

The distant expanse of sea and sky was reflected in his pupils. He recalled the scene of Dongfang Heyun appearing and thought to himself: 'This person shouldn't be dragon kin, nor human... but rather like a spirit demon of natural phenomena such as wind or rain... How strange!'

To be able to perceive something amiss with Dongfang Heyun, he had to thank Yu Su, the Brocade Crow Shrew of Yuanwu Peak. Ever since he realized his family would sooner or later confront Yuanwu Peak, Li Xizhi had been paying close attention. He had learned from his father the strategy of planning before acting, and had thoroughly investigated everyone from Yuanwu Peak, from their magical artifacts and cultivation methods to their temperaments and preferences. Coincidentally, Yu Su, the Brocade Crow Shrew, possessed a golden cage called the "Long Wind Cage," a treasured heirloom of the Yu family. Inside it were five wind spirits, all at the peak of Qi Condensation, capable of obeying commands. What was particularly miraculous was that they could even combine to form a Foundation Establishment demonic wind. This artifact was considered a "celestial grade" among Foundation Establishment artifacts. Li Xizhi had specifically studied it, and now, looking at Dongfang Heyun, he felt a sense of familiarity.

'Wind follows the tiger, clouds follow the dragon.'

Combining this with the demon's name, he understood that it was most likely a spirit cloud.

'Just as a sorcerer relies on a Maha, thus surpassing a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he is a vassal of Great Demon Mu Hai, thereby receiving the blessing of divine power... He can move spiritual energy, activate talismans, and gather and disperse at will.'

Having made his deduction, Li Xizhi made an immediate decision, remaining calm as he thought to himself: 'How can I get entangled with mist in the air? I should get into the water! To make my plans!'

Dongfang Heyun behind him narrowed his eyes slightly, watching Li Xizhi enter the water, and nodded slightly: 'Ordinary people would only think I am dragon kin and wouldn't dare to fight me in the water. I hadn't expected this practitioner of Colorful Aura to be so quick-witted.'

He seemed to be concerned about his robes, frowning slightly. He released spiritual power to separate the seawater, only then descending into the water, bringing forth a string of bubbles as he rapidly dropped. Indeed, as soon as Li Xizhi entered the water, Dongfang Heyun's speed slowed by a fraction, though it wasn't very noticeable. Li Xizhi plunged headfirst into the water, and the light before him quickly dimmed.

Dongfang Heyun followed behind. He took a shimmering blue pearl from his sleeve, placed it between his palms, and gently exhaled.

"Poof!"

On Li Xizhi, who was ahead, the light from his feathered robe surged, and a few points of gray light emerged. His face turned pale, and he immediately spat out blood. The magic seal he had been holding in his hand for a long time—he joined two fingers and said softly: "Engage." His figure immediately transformed into several forms; they did not disperse but rather overlapped, layer upon layer.

"An illusion technique? How could that deceive me?" Dongfang Heyun frowned slightly. Another jade pearl reappeared in his hand, and he flicked it with a finger.

Li Xizhi suddenly turned around, a magic seal appearing in his hand. His middle and ring fingers curled into his palm, while the others stood upright, forming a cauldron shape. The layered illusory figures enveloped it, transforming into a vaguely discernible large cauldron. The jade pearl fell into it, and a roaring sound erupted. The illusory figures surrounding Li Xizhi shattered simultaneously. He gasped for breath, then the rebounded force surged outwards, flying towards Dongfang Heyun's face.

This rainbow shadow clone was originally meant to confuse enemies, but Li Xizhi knew that Dongfang Heyun was a master of transformation techniques and would absolutely not be deceived. Meanwhile, he himself rode a streak of rainbow light away. However, methods are not fixed. Although this clone could not confuse Dongfang Heyun, it could serve as a vessel for the "Heart Cauldron Dissolution Technique," neutralizing some of the backlash and resisting Dongfang Heyun's spell.

Dongfang Heyun smiled gently and politely, watching Li Xizhi rebound the spell. His figure blurred, transforming into a sky full of clouds, and vanished.

Li Xizhi had only flown a few miles when inches of frost suddenly appeared beside him. He observed carefully and immediately understood he had to stop. White mist gathered before his eyes, and Dongfang Heyun's face reappeared.

'Less than half an hour...'

This thought flashed through Li Xizhi's mind. A round shield leaped from his sleeve, rapidly flying forward to strike Dongfang Heyun. Li Xizhi's sword arts and spell cultivation advanced equally, both considered excellent. He only lacked magical artifacts. While cultivating on the peak, he had never asked his family for any wealth or items, apart from the unique Morning Glow Aura. Azure Sprout Peak was inherently impoverished, and the artifact he currently shook from his sleeve was merely a mid-grade Qi Condensation artifact. Seeing this, Dongfang Heyun raised an eyebrow and chuckled: "I thought he was a Purple Mansion immortal descendant!"

Clearly, Dongfang Heyun finally discerned Li Xizhi's origins from this. Though he spoke thus, his hand movements were not slow in the slightest. He drew out his palm, and the seawater instantly transformed into a steel wall, surging endlessly, scattering the spell in Li Xizhi's hand. Then he transformed his palm into a blade, smooth as jade, and it cut through the air. Li Xizhi only had time to execute half of the "Cloud Amidst Golden Mist" technique, his body shifting sideways, dodging by a few feet.

"Clang!"

The feathered robe on Li Xizhi emitted an extremely piercing wail. A deep crimson bloody light instantly burst open in the deep sea, and his left arm was immediately severed at the root, exploding into a burst of colorful light. This feathered robe, given by Yang Xiao'er, was no ordinary item. Golden light shimmered on it, and numerous patterns immediately responded, erupting into several dazzling golden lights that spread out, covering Dongfang Heyun.

A hint of surprise flashed in Dongfang Heyun's eyes. He raised a hand to shield his eyes, avoiding the dazzling light, and tiny, dense holes appeared on his palm. He recovered his senses. Before him, only seawater swirling with colorful light remained, and blood that was continuously transforming into rainbow mist. Li Xizhi had already fled far away, and the arm was also gone.

The streak of rainbow light Li Xizhi left behind carried specks of red, clearly indicating he had used a secret technique. A cloud of doubt appeared on Dongfang Heyun's face, and he murmured, "Just what kind of person is he..."

Dongfang Heyun naturally understood his master's intentions. If Li Xizhi truly were a Purple Mansion immortal descendant, he should have been able to last an hour against him, regardless of any magical treasures, talismans, or hidden trump cards. But the person before him was quite peculiar. He clearly possessed top-tier intellect and methods, yet used second-rate spells. His feathered robe was clearly unusual, yet the artifact in his hand was like trash. This made Dongfang Heyun slightly stunned. He paused for a moment to think, then a smile soon appeared on his face. He adjusted his sleeves, immediately flew up, transformed into a streak of white light, and sped off in pursuit.

Ahead, Li Xizhi's face was pale, and blood overflowing from his wound was continuously transforming into rainbow mist, adding power to the escape technique behind him. His mastery of spells was beyond that of ordinary cultivators. This blood escape technique did not truly consume his vital essence but rather utilized the fresh wound and flowing blood energy to execute the spell. Only when the leaking vital essence slowly gathered did he pick up the arm he held in his embrace and reattach it to the wound.

'If it truly came to a critical moment, I could only transform this arm into a spell.'

The seawater here had gradually turned a reddish-green hue. Li Xizhi calculated the distance; he was not far from Zongquan Island. For some unknown reason, Dongfang Heyun had paused in the water for several breaths, which gave him an opportunity to increase his speed. He could already faintly see the formations on Zongquan Island.

'No... this isn't right...'

His face grew paler, and his thoughts raced. His ideas pounded in his chest, yet his direction deviated further and further, moving him increasingly away from Zongquan Island. Although he was in crisis, Li Xizhi's mind remained clear, repeatedly pondering the Purple Mansion demonic dragon's words: 'Punishment... punishment... A Purple Mansion cultivator's words are golden and jade. If I were to hide within another's formation, wouldn't this punishment be reduced to a child's game?'

He tried his best to fathom the demonic dragon Mu Hai's thoughts, and made a lightning-fast deduction in his mind: 'Mu Hai definitely despises Azure Pond's act of using him as a tool! Yet I mistakenly entered the dragon kin's territory, which is tantamount to provocation, and he cannot easily let me off... Dongfang Heyun's strength far surpasses mine; once pursued, I will surely die... If he doesn't intend to kill me... then there must be a time limit... or I must pay a sufficient price to compensate for his dignity!''No matter what, I absolutely cannot hide in my own family's formations!'

He clenched his teeth, and his escape light gradually shifted away from the south, as he thought to himself: 'If I damage Mu Hai's reputation, Dongfang Heyun will unleash a massacre. I absolutely cannot implicate Aunt!'