Chapter 564: 牡火道

Pen and Ink Literature, Xuanjian Immortal Clan!

Li Ximing had been in seclusion on the peak for several months, comprehending the contents of the *Minghua Huangyuan Scripture*. This scripture contained a total of nine secret techniques, which were to be seeded into one's immortal foundation to cultivate divine abilities.

"Currently, I've only mastered one..."

Upon mastering the first secret technique, Yangyuan, a golden Mingyang imprint appeared on his Huangyuan Gate. His spiritual power circulated half a degree stronger than before, slightly enhancing his strength. The nine secret techniques were slightly different but had no particular order; any one could be practiced first. Yangyuan could consolidate spiritual power and was useful in all aspects, so Li Ximing began cultivating this technique first.

Mastering a secret technique was naturally good, but Li Ximing didn't stop. As he began cultivating the second secret technique, his expression gradually soured. The reason was that when the second secret technique was condensing within his immortal foundation, it unexpectedly repelled the first technique, Yangyuan, increasing the difficulty by a full fifty percent!

"I originally thought these nine would take over a hundred years... but given how it is now, this is clearly not a matter of just a hundred years." His heart sank. He finally understood why a powerful sect like Qingchi had so few Violet Palace cultivators, and why cultivators like Li Encheng from Qingchi waited until they were almost on their deathbeds to attempt breakthroughs.

"What's more, as more secret techniques are cultivated, the repulsive forces will superimpose, making it impossible to cultivate even one more! I'll have to rely on a mere half-percent or one-percent chance to break through..."

He stopped his cultivation and rose from the jade seat in his cave dwelling. This dwelling boasted the most concentrated spiritual energy of the entire clan, and the jade seat, brought back from Wushan, was the finest cultivation artifact. It shimmered with light within the dwelling, illuminating his face. The radiance made Li Ximing squint slightly. Time had flown by; he was almost sixty, yet his face, illuminated by the lustrous jade, still retained a youthful appearance.

Li Ximing organized his thoughts twice, then took out a jade slip. This jade slip recorded his insights from cultivating the Yangyuan secret technique, nearly a hundred thousand characters. Li Ximing had originally held grand ambitions, intending to master at least seven or eight techniques, recording each one and compiling them into a volume, hoping that even if his own breakthrough failed, he could leave something for future generations.

But looking at the length of the jade slip, only one thought surfaced in his mind: "The Violet Palace isn't achieved in a single lifetime. My family's rise began too late; even after generations of effort, we've only reached the starting point of the Xiao family from back then..."

Li Ximing understood without much thought. Scriptures like Qingchi Sect's *Dark Floating Xiyun Scripture* and *Green Pool Cave Profound Scripture* must contain countless volumes of accumulated secret technique cultivation experience. Chi Wei, Chi Buzi, and even earlier members of the Chi family must have long ago documented the key points of various secret techniques. As for figures like Zhang Yun and Qing Jifang, they certainly wouldn't be far behind. For Xiao Chuting to break through to the Violet Palace, Xiao Xianyou must have had a plan, perhaps even gaining achievements from legacies obtained from the Lingyu Gate.

"But time waits for no one! Now is a good opportunity..." Li Ximing wasn't blind to the situation. The Golden Core cultivators of the three major sects were currently absent; whether due to the end of a conflict or not, they were certainly injured and wouldn't appear. Qingchi, moreover, had been exploited by Chi Wei to the point where its talent had withered, and it had no capable people, a situation unseen in five hundred years. What was even rarer was that the Chi family's Violet Palace cultivators were almost extinct, and Sui Guan, who seemed neither human nor demon, never cared about the Chi family's interests. This was an excellent opportunity to advance to the Violet Palace realm. Once the three sects recovered, would they still offer such a chance?

He considered himself lacking Xiao Chuting's strategic prowess, who could ascend to the Violet Palace realm amidst conflict, using various contradictions and sacrifices to force Qingchi's approval, and who had now grown into one of the most outstanding Violet Palace cultivators. Li Ximing believed he couldn't compare to even a fraction of that elder's capability.

"Zhou Wei is currently at the middle stage of Qi Refinement. Even if his talent is exceptional, he's not a true monarch reincarnated like Chu Yi. He'll need at least another twenty to thirty years to reach the late stage of Foundation Establishment... How much time is left before the Battle of Bianyanshan? The situation might not be favorable by then..."

"I originally thought that if I cultivated diligently, ignoring worldly affairs, I would have at least a fifty percent chance of reaching the Violet Palace. But now, it's different... Unless... unless I can acquire a Mingyang spirit item... then I might still have a chance."

Li Ximing's gaze was downcast, and his expression lacked the usual single-minded focus of his cultivation. His mindset changed, and his posture and demeanor shifted, revealing deep worry. "If I could refine some pills..." He was now considered a master in alchemy. Although he focused on cultivation and rarely refined pills for others, he had seen and studied many pill formulas, including numerous rare ones.

Li Ximing quietly gazed at the wooden slip for a moment. Then, the door of his cave dwelling slowly knocked. He stood up as if waking from a dream. A servant came to report that Li Zhouwei sought an audience.

He exited the cave dwelling and saw the young man, clad in a black cloak, standing before the hall. With deep-set, tiger-like eyes and an imposing demeanor, he couldn't help but admire him, thinking: "My other sons should be adults by now. I've been cultivating against the clock and have only seen them three times in over ten years. I'm afraid they've become dissolute wastrels."

Li Ximing listened to Li Zhouwei's account and inquired about certain details. Xu Peiyu had already been brought before the hall. He carefully observed the woman, then scanned her twice with his spiritual sense, frowning as he said: "The damage is severe."

Having refined pills for many years and being a disciple of Xiao Yuansi, he had a certain foundation in this art. After a careful examination, he found no abnormalities, so he merely gave Xu Peiyu two pills, which significantly improved her spirits. "This Huanyang Powder and Dingzu Ming Pill must be taken daily. Also, bring some spiritual items from home so I can formulate a prescription, treating it as if it were a constitution with congenital deficiencies..." Li Ximing saw the woman's anxious expression, her small eyes furtively glancing at him, and reassured her: "Our family possesses many spiritual pills and herbs, so naturally, we can ensure the safety of you and your child."

Li Ximing dismissed Xu Peiyu, then raised an eyebrow and spoke softly to Li Zhouwei: "I can't quite make sense of this myself; this matter isn't simple. I'll probably need to consult Kong Heng. Firstly, regarding this matter of the unborn child, both the Demonic and Buddhist paths are more proficient... Kong Heng has traveled in the north for many years, so he likely has relevant insights. Secondly... his temple once enshrined the Victorious Name King of Enlightenment, who also followed the Mingyang lineage. There are many records related to this, so I need to inquire."

Li Zhouwei listened to his explanation, then thoughtfully glanced at him before solemnly agreeing. Li Ximing continued to ask: "Are there any other family updates?"

Li Zhouwei naturally understood what Li Ximing was concerned about. He took out a letter from his sleeve and replied: "A letter from the North, Uncle. Please have a look."

Li Ximing took the letter and merely glanced at it twice before his eyes immediately lit up. He repeatedly said: "Good, good, good... Finally, there's news! Though it's a bit difficult, it's better than no trace at all!" This letter was, of course, written by Li Qinghong, conveying the news that the Mingfang Heavenly Stone had fallen into the hands of Yu Fuzi of the Changxiao Gate, which greatly delighted Li Ximing.

Li Zhouwei had read the letter earlier and now said in a deep voice: "Exactly. This Mingfang Heavenly Stone was obtained by Yu Fuzi in the Dongning Palace. The spiritual energy in Xuguo is chaotic, making it difficult to pinpoint accurately, so even Violet Palace Maha cultivators would struggle to interfere, making it even safer in some ways."

Li Ximing nodded upon hearing this, then saw golden light swirling in Li Zhouwei's eyes as he continued: "The Changxiao Gate has a Violet Palace cultivator in residence, so we naturally cannot easily offend them. We fear falling into a Violet Palace cultivator's scheme, so we can only attach ourselves to other Violet Palace cultivators and secretly plot from there. Furthermore, the Changxiao Gate and the Hengzhu Dao are currently locked in continuous conflict. There's much animosity between the two factions, and they frequently kill each other. Our family can start from this point... whether by allying with Hengzhu Dao or trading with them, we should seek an opportunity to acquire this treasure."

Li Ximing listened for a moment and nodded. Li Zhouwei then stated firmly: "Regardless, we must first gather information about Yu Fuzi—investigate his cultivation level and treasures, then inquire about his temperament and preferences. As long as this person isn't hiding within his sect, never stepping out, there will definitely be an opportunity. The only issue is that the elders are stationed in the North and cannot act freely. Subsequent movements would be difficult to calculate..."

Li Zhouwei analyzed the situation. Li Ximing stroked his beard and nodded, then dispatched someone to investigate. Only then did he smile at the younger man and softly say: "I've encountered a bottleneck in my cultivation these past few days and happened to come out of seclusion. I was thinking of refining some pills, partly to enhance our cultivation, and partly to clear my mind and try something different, perhaps leading to another breakthrough."

Upon hearing this, Li Zhouwei asked: "Uncle, you mean..."

"I wonder if there are any Mingyang demonic beasts in the East Sea? We could capture one and try... refining it into a supplement..."

Li Zhouwei was slightly surprised and replied: "That kind is very rare in the East Sea. I'll go check, but there might not have been any news for several years." He carefully observed Li Ximing, feeling that his uncle today was different from usual. Li Ximing, unaware, nodded in agreement.

Li Zhouwei poured tea and suddenly spoke: "Uncle, there's something I'd like to try."

Li Ximing looked at him in confusion, then saw Li Zhouwei softly say: "Uncle, do you still remember the *White-Headed Court-Knocking Scripture*?"

Li Ximing naturally knew it. This cultivation method was practiced by the Jiang family in earlier years. Its rank was unknown, but it was very powerful. Unfortunately, its Qi-gathering method had become ineffective. The old ancestor of the Yu family, Yu Yufeng, once cultivated a surviving copy of it, gaining great renown and being called "White Jade Hand." He had suffered severe injuries for many years that never fully healed, yet it still took three Foundation Establishment cultivators and a grand formation to finally slay him, signaling the Yu family's decline.

Seeing Li Ximing nod, Li Zhouwei said seriously: "I've a hunch that this cultivation method is, more likely than not, from before the Heavenly Change, and only now became ineffective. With the True Jade returning to its place, perhaps we can try it. If the Qi-gathering method works, our family will have an additional Violet Palace cultivation method! This cultivation method is of no low rank; it would be perfect to bestow upon our clan's disciples!"

Thanks to the Qingxiao Cave Heaven's Mirage Mirror Heaven, the Li family's current embryonic breathing methods could be said to be among the best of all families. Two rank-four methods, *Six Chapters of Seeking Immortals* and *Scaly Beast Inquiry Method*, and one rank-five method, *Insights from Contemplating the Taihua Scripture*, were all quite remarkable. However, their Qi Refinement and Foundation Establishment methods were far inferior. The rank-five *Minghua Huangyuan Scripture* was fundamental and could not be easily bestowed upon others. Aside from the rank-four *Pheasant Fire Long Journey Art*, the remaining cultivation methods dropped to rank three.

Hearing this, Li Ximing nodded repeatedly. The family had already allowed this junior to make decisions. Li Zhouwei wasn't speaking without reason, so he asked: "What needs to be done?"

Li Zhouwei replied: "It requires collecting 'red dust' from a court. A grand white jade court is needed, preferably with jade stones radiating spiritual light. It must be bathed in brilliance, guarded by a thousand people, and surrounded by ten thousand residents... One wisp can be extracted annually, yielding one portion every ten years."

Li Ximing lowered his gaze and replied: "This would indeed be costly in terms of labor and resources... And where would we find so much spiritual jade? Although jade is abundant now, gathering enough for a grand court would probably require the amount of a small mountain... By then, I'm afraid we'll have to trouble Uncle..."

Li Zhouwei was about to speak when he suddenly sensed something. He abruptly lifted his head and looked to the west, where he saw a fiery cloud about ten thousand *li* away. A hazy reddish glow floated on the horizon, as if a star had risen. A brilliant light swept across, dispersing the distant white clouds. Only that hazy, bright color remained, flickering in the far-off sky, as a solemn young voice emerged.

"Tu Jun, Tu Longjian, has today attained the Violet Palace realm, gaining the Scarlet Fire divine ability! I shall re-establish the Tujun Immortal Sect on Kuijun Mountain! In three months, I will consolidate Wuguo and establish a commandery city. All fellow Daoists are welcome to attend the ceremony! All cultivators of my Tujun lineage are welcome to Kuijun Mountain to help rebuild the sect!"

The voice had faded considerably by the time it reached here, but a spirited enthusiasm could still be heard. The fiery light in the sky flickered and dimmed, fluctuating with his words.

"Tu Longjian has achieved a divine ability... How awe-inspiring..." Li Ximing suddenly looked up, gazing at the hazy, scarlet-fire brilliance of virtue on the horizon. Tu Longjian's words could reach this far, meaning Kuijun Mountain must not be far from Wangyue Lake, perhaps even on the border of Yue Kingdom. His heart stirred, and he said in a deep voice: "And it's the rare Scarlet Fire, unique in Yue Kingdom and even the East Sea... I'm afraid it will be a distinct presence throughout Jiangnan. From now on, whenever Scarlet Fire is mentioned, everyone will know of the Tujun Gate..."

Li Zhouwei found this quite interesting. The Li family had also obtained a lineage from the Tujun Gate, and the White Ape had even pounded medicine there. The Tujun Gate's cultivation methods were typically cold and Yin in nature, mostly involving cold Qi, Jueyin, and Shaoyin. Now, after destruction, it had been re-established, and Tu Longjian possessed the Six Ding Harmonized Fire Command, turning it into a sect specializing in Scarlet Fire and Harmonized Fire.

"We still need to send someone to offer congratulations!" Li Ximing reacted, his expression delighted. After all, this was a True Monarch who had formed a connection with the Li family during his Foundation Establishment and even Qi Refinement stages, and who deeply respected Li Yuanjiao. He was, in effect, a natural backer.

Li Zhouwei simply gestured for An Siwei to step forward. Li Ximing quickly said: "Go to the treasury and select a few precious spiritual items... Oh, dear... A Violet Palace breakthrough, and from such a close True Monarch, we should really send some precious medicines! What else do we have in the treasury?"

"Please wait, Uncle." Li Ximing had just spoken when Li Zhouwei interrupted him. The Heir's eyes were golden, and he smiled slightly: "From my junior's perspective, whether we send a grand gift or not, we should have the White Ape make the trip."

Li Ximing was slightly stunned by these words, then immediately understood, his face breaking into a wide smile. He repeatedly said: "Precisely! Precisely! You truly think thoroughly. This congratulatory gesture is perfect! If the True Monarch recognizes the White Ape, it's an even better outcome... If not for you, Heir, I almost messed up!"

Li Zhouwei had long heard the White Ape speak of this person and understood that the White Ape knew Tu Longjian, hence his suggestion. He then shook his black cloak, bowed in return, and nodded, saying: "I'll arrange it right away."

After Li Zhouwei finished speaking, he departed on the wind. Li Ximing sat in his cave dwelling for a moment, secretly pondering: "Yu Fuzi, Mingyang demonic beasts, and Lingyu Mountain... It's just that the timing isn't right. Otherwise, going out to the East Sea to inquire about news would be the most convenient." He took out his alchemy furnace and thought to himself: 'Xijun's recovery is still a long way off. After the White Ape returns from offering congratulations, I'll have him make a trip... The old demon is reliable after all.'