Chapter 552: 拓跋重原

Li Xizhi gazed intently. The mist gradually rose, swiftly crossing the snow-white mountain ridge. Behind it, dark gray clouds billowed, interweaving clear and murky energies, revealing faint glimpses of escape lights.

A colorful light emanated from his eyes, floating in his pupils and subtly spreading from the corners. The gray faded considerably, revealing a leading white aura, followed by seven gray trails, with the rest being minor demonic forces hidden within the clouds.

The "Morning Glow Dew Gathering Art" was one of the most complete and refined cultivation methods within the sect. Its only drawback was the difficulty in gathering energy; there was no information about subsequent cultivation techniques in the Jiangnan region, and fellow practitioners had long since ceased their studies, leading to few people cultivating it. However, the eye technique was corroborated by the cultivation method, and Li Xizhi was the first among the three to see clearly, sighing inwardly.

Quan Yi counted them one by one, his face pale, and replied, "There are so many of them!"

Yu Yuwei watched with a grave expression, then carefully observed Quan Yi, softly reassuring him, "Fellow Daoist Quan, the Purple Mansion Mahayana in the Grand Void is watching. One army facing one pass, like opposing pieces in a game, they certainly won't allow him to combine forces to attack our valley..."

Yu Yuwei, being an experienced cultivator, initially didn't want to speak such plain words that could invite trouble. However, seeing the enemy at their doorstep and Quan Yi still wavering, he had no choice but to explain the stakes to steady him.

Indeed, after a few breaths, the seven black smokes each descended to the surrounding passes, each leading a group of demons to fight independently. Quan Yi calmed down slightly. Within that swath of demonic energy, only a single white escape light flew towards them on the wind.

This escape light carried no followers and exuded no demonic energy. It flew out from the billowing black smoke of the other demonic cultivators, completely unstained.

Li Xizhi watched this sight, his heart growing vigilant. He thought to himself, "This must be a direct descendant of the Tuoba clan!"

Yu Yuwei's expression also soured, and he voiced the thought, "I've heard that the Tuoba family's Liang Dynasty practiced orthodox demonic cultivation. When Tuoba Xuan Tan established the Great Liang, he revered the immortal path as the foremost truth and wonder, adopting attire and rituals entirely from the Wei Dynasty..."

Each of them held their magic artifacts and ascended into the air. Outside the formation, white energy surged. The white light gradually took shape, revealing a white jade chariot, gleaming with bursts of magical light. Billowing white mist streamed ahead, pulled by two illusionary horned beasts with faintly red eyes. It stopped before the formation.

Seated on the chariot was a person with a perfectly upright demeanor. His face was square, his eyebrows thick, and his eyes astonishingly black. Slightly open, they gazed coldly, exuding an inherent aura of power and majesty.

He wore a well-fitting white robe. The collar was as pristine as jade, and below it, white-gold patterns were embroidered. With a tall hat and broad sash, his feathered attire was utterly grand, possessing the aura of a true immortal ceremony. He stepped gracefully and nobly upon the clouds.

The Tuoba clan had descended from the northern barbarians. Over several centuries, their attire had surprisingly gained more legitimacy than that of the cultivators in Jiangnan. Arriving at the formation, he dismounted from the chariot, his voice slightly lowered, "Fellow Daoists from the South, step out and meet me."

The formation beneath them was merely at the Qi Refining stage, a symbolic gesture. Even the Li family found it challenging to set up Foundation Establishment formations, so why would the Azure Pond Sect deploy a grand Foundation Establishment formation here? This formation would last only half a cup of tea against a Foundation Establishment cultivator. The group looked at each other, then collectively rode the wind out of the formation.

Seeing five Foundation Establishment cultivators emerge, the white-robed man merely raised an eyebrow slightly. He completely ignored Yu Yuwei's two newly advanced Foundation Establishment disciples, as if they were invisible, his gaze only lingering on Yu Yuwei and Li Xizhi.

He remained still, and the others did not make a move. They listened as he flicked his white sleeve and said in a deep voice, "Shengletian, Tuoba Zhongyuan."

As he spoke, he drew a large gold-and-jade seal, mottled with white and yellow, from his sleeve. Seeing that Li Xizhi and the others didn't recognize his technique and offered no response, he chuckled, "Zhongyuan is often in the North. Let me witness the methods of the Southern Demonic Sect!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than five streaks of light burst forth before them. Li Xizhi, with one hand on his fan and the other forming a spell, released colorful light. Yu Yuwei and his two disciples simultaneously formed hand seals, jointly sweeping out white light.

Quan Yi, who had just spoken of fleeing, now fought with all his might. Understanding his slightly weaker combat power among the three, he immediately revealed his immortal foundation, his entire body radiating brilliant light.

His immortal foundation belonged to the "Mian Jin" (Silk Advancement) of the Twelve Qi, also known as "Rui Qi" (Auspicious Qi). The clouds beneath his feet exuded a noble golden aura. He drew out a golden chain with each hand, wrapping them around his fingers without casting them out.

Li Xizhi noticed this and thought to himself, "This Quan Yi... he just had to make us test the waters first... all bark and no bite."

In an instant, Tuoba Zhongyuan reacted. With a sweep of his long sleeve, he launched an attack towards the two, conjuring a white gust of wind that transformed into a mythical beast in the air. In a flash, their spells were shattered.

Tuoba Zhongyuan's brows relaxed, and he chuckled, "Fellow Daoists, you truly underestimate me... Why bother testing me with such spells? Though my Tuoba clan has long resided in a grotto-heaven, we still possess this much foundation."

Li Xizhi listened carefully to his words, still pondering. The spell cast by Yu Yuwei, a combined effort of three people, was extinguished by Tuoba Zhongyuan as easily as swatting a fly. The elder's face immediately darkened, and he sighed, "Whether it's fortune or misfortune... we can't escape it after all."

He formed hand seals and cast a spell, shaking a small, intricately patterned, reddish-purple cauldron with two ears and three legs from his sleeve. No sooner had it dropped than its lid flew open, unleashing fierce purple-red flames.

Li Xizhi reached for the treasured sword at his waist, stepped forward, and drew forth an arc of sword light that streaked across the sky towards Tuoba Zhongyuan, emitting a whistling sound.

Li Xizhi focused on cultivating spells, so he couldn't concentrate his energy on swordsmanship. His swordsmanship cultivation was already inferior to his younger brother's, but his talent and sword techniques were still decent, making his drawn sword presentable.

Seeing the two's probing attacks, Quan Yi finally used his true ability. He activated his immortal foundation, and auspicious energy surged. With his hands forming an upward and downward circle, and his thumbs pressed against his middle fingers, he unleashed a gust of yellow wind.

This yellow wind billowed and expanded in the air, creating a hazy expanse. It vaguely possessed the ability to obscure spiritual senses, causing mountain snow to drift and everything around to darken. Yet, Li Xizhi silently tightened his grip on his sword, thinking, "This spell is indeed good. It would certainly have a miraculous effect against ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators. But against someone like Tuoba Zhongyuan, not to mention whatever eye techniques he cultivates... it probably only serves as a minor distraction."

As for Yu Yuwei's two disciples, they were even worse. For them to reach Foundation Establishment at sixty was already their utmost effort; how many true spells could they possess? They conjured two spells that floated languidly through the air, and Tuoba Zhongyuan didn't even bother to lift an eyelid.

Tuoba Zhongyuan merely formed two seals in the air, leaving behind golden patterns. With a casual flick of his sleeve as he withdrew his hands, he pulverized the two spells. Li Xizhi took the opportunity to observe clearly, secretly musing, "The magical robe on this person is extraordinary... His sleeves definitely hold some profound mystery..."

While forming hand seals and casting his spell, he watched as Tuoba Zhongyuan projected an aura from the golden patterns, effortlessly deflecting the sword light which grazed his sleeve and flew past. With his other hand, Tuoba Zhongyuan similarly cast out a guishen stone.

This guishen stone appeared ordinary, with faint white patterns, emitting a soft glow as it suppressed the cauldron. The purple-red flames immediately died down, flickered twice, and then receded weakly.

At that very moment, the light in Li Xizhi's hand suddenly pulsed, and a solid ray of rainbow light shot through the sky with extreme speed, leaping towards Tuoba Zhongyuan's face. Simultaneously, Yu Yuwei erupted, his whiskers bristling, his eyes fierce, and he shouted, "Halt!"

Before his words fully left his lips, a handful of golden light burst from between his teeth, flashing for a moment before transforming into a streak of light and racing forward. Quan Yi also gritted his teeth, finally willing to unleash the two golden ropes he held. They shot out like snakes, one after another.

Seeing such a formidable display, the smile on Tuoba Zhongyuan's face softened slightly. He concentrated fully as Li Xizhi's rainbow light came directly at him.

This particular spell, called "Morning-Attracting Rainbow," was one of the few offensive techniques in the "Morning Glow Dew Gathering Art." Although Li Xizhi didn't practice many offensive spells, he frequently practiced this one, and its execution now was exceedingly swift.

"A Morning Glow type of spell!" Tuoba Zhongyuan's eyes flickered. He raised his hand, intending to use his old trick of sweeping his sleeve to disperse it.

But the rainbow light, with an extremely swift leap, quickly diffused into eight rays of colorful mist. Following his movement, they converged behind him. Tuoba Zhongyuan struck empty air, his brows furrowing. This delay allowed Quan Yi's golden ropes to reach him.

Tuoba Zhongyuan clearly didn't consider him a threat. He simply pushed out two white lights with his bare hands, aiming to separate the golden ropes. However, Quan Yi activated his immortal foundation, a surge of energy rising to his face, and the golden ropes actually passed through the white light, hooking onto Tuoba Zhongyuan's robe.

"Why are all these just minor, unorthodox techniques!" "Bang!" Tuoba Zhongyuan finally grew impatient. He fiercely flicked his sleeve, shattering the golden ropes into sparkling bits of light. He cleanly withdrew his hand, white demonic patterns appearing on his face, and punched into the empty air.

With a resounding boom, a golden light was shaken from its form. Tuoba Zhongyuan backhanded a grab, then somewhat awkwardly tossed out a ray of colorful light, saying in a deep voice, "Old Daoist! That's not how you use 'Sand Swallowing Sword Cultivation'!"

No sooner had he spoken than he seized a bright, slender long-handled spear, its form flowing elegantly like water. With both hands clasped around it, white patterns appeared on his face, as if he had activated a secret technique. His voice lowered, "Behold!"

His body moved like a nimble ape dancing. The long-handled spear spun in a fluid, illusory circle, simultaneously bursting the rainbow light and golden light, creating two dazzling explosions. Tuoba Zhongyuan laughed heartily, exhaling a puff of white air.

The next moment, the others' spells flew past, only to strike an illusion. The Tuoba family's movement technique was clearly a cut above everyone else present; he vanished into thin air, leaving no trace.

"Golden Fall in the Clouds!" Li Xizhi reacted first, his body already transforming into a pulsating rainbow light, reappearing several zhang away. However, he saw that the golden afterimage had already ripped through the air, crashing towards Yu Yuwei.

The old man was greatly startled. Having lived many years, at this critical moment, his body vanished like a startled rabbit, leaving only his two disciples frantically fleeing for their lives. The long-handled spear, with just a gentle flick, shattered their protective spiritual energy, leaving them pale-faced.

Tuoba Zhongyuan smiled faintly, seemingly speaking something. His lips parted and closed, and everyone felt their hair stand on end, retreating separately. They heard a sharp shriek, and golden dust hung heavy in the air, radiating brilliant light.

"Ohm..." Li Xizhi felt the colors before him dim. He vaguely saw golden dust suspended in the air, gathering into a bright trajectory that rapidly descended from his vision, flickered once, and then vanished again.

"Pfft!" The disciple behind Yu Yuwei spat out a mouthful of blood, his face a mix of gold and white. His body crackled like a shattered egg, exploding into a rain of blood that slowly descended.

Flesh and blood flew, but upon reaching the air, they transformed into golden falling leaves, scattering everywhere, accompanied by a fragrant osmanthus scent. The other disciple was terrified out of his wits and continued to retreat. Only then did Tuoba Zhongyuan's voice echo through the air: "Old Daoist! This is 'Sand Swallowing Sword Cultivation'!"

The disciple killed by Yu Yuwei had transformed into an omen in the heavens. Rustling falling leaves descended from behind Tuoba Zhongyuan, gradually covering the snow-white mountain range. Everyone was momentarily speechless.

The old man's eyes gradually reddened, and he cried out in sorrow, "Ye'er! ... Oh, dear!"

After only a few exchanges, Tuoba Zhongyuan had found his opportunity, killing one person within two moves. How could this not be a severe blow to everyone's morale? The strength displayed by Tuoba Zhongyuan was probably only comparable to Li Xuanfeng, who guarded the mountain...

After a brief silence in the air, the surging radiant mist once again rushed towards Tuoba Zhongyuan. Yu Yuwei became even more ferocious, throwing out the large reddish-purple cauldron, while simultaneously taking a red pill and activating his immortal foundation. Foaming water vapor, a deep blue, emanated from his body.

Li Xizhi's immortal foundation, the Long Haze Mist, operated at full power. Streaks of radiant light emanated from his feathered robe, swirling around its edges. The hazy rainbow mist rapidly spread with the water vapor, and streams of colorful light permeated the air, continuously coiling around Tuoba Zhongyuan.

Tuoba Zhongyuan danced his spear in defense, effortlessly fending off the two as if strolling in a leisurely garden. He softly said, "Fellow Daoists, you've finally revealed your immortal foundations."

With the situation having reached this point, Tuoba Zhongyuan was free to speak as he pleased. With a slight raise of his eyebrow, he replied, "Good, good, good. The Purple Mansion Golden Core Dao... indeed has quite a connection with my path... This sight is truly interesting!"

Yu Yuwei's remaining disciple gritted his teeth and rode the wind, casting spells from the side. Quan Yi, however, truly froze, staring blankly for a moment at the golden leaves falling from the Foundation Establishment death phenomenon. Only then did he catch up to the two and launch his attack.

Tuoba Zhongyuan narrowed his eyes, chuckled twice, and finally revealed the seal he had shown earlier, softly saying, "Everyone, pay attention!"

Tuoba Zhongyuan tossed the large seal high into the air. Interwoven yellow and white colors continuously ascended, instantly filling the entire valley. The golden seal rose high, dazzling brightly, and in a blink, transformed into several large characters: "Sheng Le Tuoba."

These four ancient seal script characters shimmered with magical light, interweaving intensely vibrant colors in the air. Li Xizhi felt a sense of familiarity in the strokes, but before he could ponder further, Yu Yuwei launched a jade-scissor spell that struck the large seal.

"Boom!" The collision only caused the seal to tremble slightly. The interwoven yellow and white colors descended from the sky, transforming into a profound black barrier. This barrier was densely colored, with yellow and white lights continuously flowing like ink wash, enveloping an area of several miles.

"Rumble!" The barrier snapped shut with a resounding boom. Yu Yuwei's face darkened, and Quan Yi's expression showed deep regret. He cried out in alarm, "It's over! We should have left earlier!"