Chapter 581: Six Thunderous Mystic Punishment Order

Li Ximing and Li Xuanxuan were slightly surprised when Ning Heyuan pulled out a long jade box from his sleeve and softly explained, "As for this item, it is a gift from our Moon Lake Peak to your esteemed clan, and it also represents the sincerity of my Ning family."

He opened the jade box to reveal six neatly arranged tokens, each emanating a silvery-white glow. The moment the box was opened, a series of sharp crackles echoed through the air.

Li Xuanxuan examined them closely. Each of the six tokens was engraved with unique patterns and pulsed with silver-white lightning. A potent aura of punitive thunder surged forth, accompanied by dazzling flashes of silvery-white lightning that stung the eyes.

Ning Heyuan explained softly, "This item was originally a cherished treasure of our clan's Elemental True Person, acquired from the East Sea. It's called the Six Thunder Profound Punishment Edicts, a rare complete set of magical artifacts suitable for Foundation Establishment cultivators. Since Qinghong cultivates lightning arts, we decided this set would be most fitting."

Li Ximing understood that these artifacts were far from ordinary; the Ning family had clearly gone to great lengths. Ning Heyuan then added with solemnity, "It's said this set of artifacts is several centuries old. Our True Person believed it was crafted to emulate the Six Shock Profound Thunder Edicts, which were acquired through the Celestial Lightning and Cloud Dao, and it possesses numerous remarkable abilities."

"The artisan who crafted these artifacts likely studied the original Six Shock Profound Thunder Edicts, grasping some of their profound essence. However, limited by their own skill, they repeatedly failed to complete them, attempting the process six times in total. Eventually, these six edicts were re-engineered by the crafter, resulting in this set of Six Thunder Profound Punishment Edicts."

After Li Ximing observed the artifacts for a moment, Ning Heyuan spoke with a hint of hesitation, "I'm just unsure how Qinghong is faring these days. Our peak doesn't have any 'Bright Yang' artifacts readily available for Ximing either. After much searching, we concluded that only this set of Six Thunder Profound Punishment Edicts is truly fitting."

Ning Heyuan then clearly articulated the advantages, further urging, "Moreover, your esteemed clan is located in Yuebei. Should the Great River fail to hold, the next area downriver is Wangyue Lake. Therefore, taking up this defense is not solely for the benefit of our Moon Lake Peak and Qingchi, but also for your own clan's security."

The Li family was already in no position to refuse. With Ning Heyuan offering tangible benefits and clearly outlining both the advantages and disadvantages, Li Xuanxuan found himself with no words left to object. He could only look up at Li Ximing.

Li Ximing simply nodded gravely and replied, "Ximing accepts the mission."

"Excellent, excellent," Ning Heyuan nodded, speaking softly. "Ximing, you should depart within three days. Bring five cultivators at the late-stage Qi Cultivation level and six at the mid-stage Qi Cultivation level from your clan. As for those in the Fetal Breath and early Qi Cultivation stages, your clan may deploy them as you see fit. My duties are extensive, and I must proceed to the next family, so I won't delay any further."

He bowed, then quickly departed, riding the wind. Two jade boxes remained on display in the hall. Li Ximing picked up the one containing the Suiyuan Pills, examined it, and remarked, "The patterns don't resemble human alchemy, nor do they seem to be Qingchi's technique. Instead, several demonic beast ingredients were used. Qingchi likely acquired these from elsewhere; they feel surprisingly familiar..."

Li Xuanxuan looked up. Li Ximing, after identifying it carefully for a long time, quietly exhaled and whispered, "The Xiao family's technique..."

Determining the origin of elixirs from their refining technique is extremely difficult, and Li Ximing wouldn't ordinarily possess such a skill. However, having been trained directly by Xiao Yuansi, he was intimately familiar with all these methods.

"If I'm not mistaken, this batch of Suiyuan Pills was likely refined by my Master, or even True Person Chuting himself."

Li Xuanxuan put away the jade box containing the Six Thunder Profound Punishment Edicts and muttered, "They're certainly being generous now..."

Li Zhouwei exchanged glances with him and softly remarked, "It's simply because there are too few Foundation Establishment cultivators in Jiangnan. They urgently need to supply each clan with Suiyuan Pills so that the veteran elders and junior Qi Cultivators can use them to break through to Foundation Establishment. Only then can the situation be stabilized."

"However, what about the Qi Cultivation personnel?" Li Xuanxuan inquired. Indeed, their clan's current number of Qi Cultivators was not as abundant as before. Counting their available cultivators, particularly those at the late-stage Qi Cultivation level, revealed a severe shortage.

"Shamoli is already late-stage, and Donghe must also go. With me, we're still short two. Ah! Cheng is still in the East Sea, and he's now at late-stage Qi Cultivation too..."

"Let Chenghuai and Chengliao go," Li Ximing whispered, exhaling deeply. "Chenghuai's cultivation is still a bit lacking, but a talisman pill should be enough to get him to the late-stage."

Among the prominent members of the Chengming generation were Chengliao, Minggong, Chenghuai, and Cheng. With Minggong's whereabouts currently unknown, this arrangement left only Cheng, who was in the East Sea.

Li Zhouwei observed for a moment, then dispatched someone to arrange the personnel, carefully reviewing the roster. He mused inwardly, "This truly means... exhausting an entire generation."

***

**East Sea.**

Li Xizhi and his companions propelled themselves forward along the water current, weaving through the turbulent depths. Li Quantao's Wall Water Pearl proved exceptionally effective; the converging white water formed a colossal sturgeon within the current, allowing them to traverse at immense speed.

Despite Li Quantao's severe injuries, the artifact's radiance showed no diminution. It even autonomously sustained the spell, maintaining its remarkably swift flight, thus demonstrating the unique mystical power of this ancient relic.

"Yu Yuwei is most likely dead..." Even though Yu Yuwei didn't have many years left to live, Li Xizhi hadn't expected him to stay behind and cover their retreat. Regardless of the old man's considerations, they now owed him a debt of gratitude.

Li Quantao, currently before them, appeared inexplicably distraught. Although his complexion improved slightly after ingesting a few pills, an uneasy expression lingered on his face.

The group continued through the seawater, gradually drawing closer to the coast. Faintly, they could discern distant, violent rumbling, indicating that cultivators were engaged in battle above.

From time to time, a sharp, fierce sword light would pierce the water, causing the entire current to ripple violently. This area was close to the Wanyu Sword Sect, so these might be their disciples.

In their current dire state, the group had no desire to cause any disturbance. They rode the water current at immense speed, having initially planned to land at the Xianhu Ferry of the Xuanyue Sect. However, due to the ongoing conflict between North and South, over half of Xianhu had fallen into the hands of demonic cultivators, forcing them to proceed further south.

No sooner had the group emerged from the water current than they discovered the surrounding waters were already tightly encircled. Not only was the path from the East Sea back inland blocked, but figures immediately descended on the wind, coldly shouting, "Which cultivators are you? State your names! This is the Wanyu Sword Sect's Taijian Ferry."

Upon hearing this, Li Xizhi felt considerably more at ease. After all, the Sword Sect was a righteous sect known for its strict adherence to principles, and since they were not demonic cultivators, there was naturally nothing to fear.

He had previously encountered Sword Sect disciples who harbored a strong dislike for Qingchi but, conversely, held a favorable impression of his own Li family. Therefore, already prepared, he cupped his hands and replied, "We are cultivators of the Li family from Wangyue Lake. We request passage through the Sword Sect's ferry!"

"The Li family?" As expected, the opposing cultivator's voice softened slightly, though considerable caution remained as he spoke in a deep tone, "Do you have any identification? Recently, Chunyi and Chijiao have repeatedly attacked our Immortal Island, so our sect has been enforcing stricter checks. Please forgive our vigilance..."

"Proof..." Li Xizhi immediately felt a touch of awkwardness. After all, his clan's reputation was somewhat limited, and showing their jade talisman would likely not be recognized by the other party. He could only quietly ask, "I once had some acquaintance with Daoist Friend Cheng Jinzhu... I wonder where he is now?"