Chapter 598: Red Reef

The Literary Arts, the Xuanjian Immortal Clan!

Within the Mirror-World.

Heavy mist dispersed, and soft rays of light penetrated through, landing on the grey mountaintop. Lu Jiangxian stopped, holding Dangjiang. The immortal official he had conjured was suppressed, his spiritual consciousness muddled, and he fell numbly into Lu Jiangxian's hand.

He moved his divine sense, dispelling the various magical light projections that clung to his body, and his clothes also dimmed. Only then did he quietly sit under a tree, carefully recalling:

“I used the hidden move within Bu Zi’s soul to pull him into an illusion beforehand… With my current power level and the integration of Gold Essence, even a Golden Core cultivator would be momentarily stunned. This fellow definitely wouldn't be able to discern it… No traces should have been left behind…”

Lu Jiangxian now possessed the ability to roam the void. Bu Zi had also confessed his ambitions, so there was no longer any use for Dangjiang to remain in his body. As it was part of Jinlian Mohe, retrieving it might serve other purposes.

“The only risk is if Bu Zi’s actions were peculiar and he didn't conceal the traces well, leading to a soul search… Fortunately, that restriction is still in place.”

Having now read immortal texts, the Fa Jian itself was more complete. This time, he had specifically reinforced the seal, making it disappear without a trace and placing it within Bu Zi’s body, to prevent him from falling into the hands of a True Monarch.

After much thought, there seemed to be no impropriety. He mused inwardly:

“Although this person once played humble, he is not easy to deal with. Merely relying on my status to intimidate him wouldn't allow me to freely command him; it would only arouse his suspicion. I can only string him along with this method of extending his cultivation path.”

How could Lu Jiangxian have any immortal cultivation methods or techniques to give him? Giving him ordinary items would expose the truth. He only carefully modified the 'Ritual Extraction and Spirit Seizing Method' from the Immortal Jian itself and handed it to him:

“If the Li family can't find a Purple Mansion demon beast, then let Bu Zi find it. As for whether I give him feedback after he finds and sacrifices a Purple Mansion demon beast to me, that's another matter. At most, I simply won't respond, and he'll only suspect the sacrifice wasn't grand enough.”

He wasn't afraid that Bu Zi wouldn't take the bait. Although this person was cunning and treacherous, his innate talent was excellent, and his heart for cultivation was supremely steadfast. Precisely because he was cunning and treacherous, and deeply understood various taboos, Lu Jiangxian dared to let him try.

However, Purple Mansion demon beasts weren't so easy to kill, especially unbacked Purple Mansion demon beasts. It was merely a casual hook. Lu Jiangxian quickly shifted his attention, musing with interest about something else:

“He believes I am Yingze…”

This deduction was not difficult to understand. Lu Jiangxian himself had suspected it, but listening to Bu Zi's meaning, Yingze had achieved the Sun Dao Fruit, which didn't quite align.

“According to Li Jiangqun’s memories, I should be the master of the Moonfall Palace, endowed with the Lunar Dao Fruit, which also corresponds to the current abilities of the Fa Jian. But no matter how I look at it, these two shouldn't be the same person…”

What was even harder to reconcile was the relationship between Yuehua Yuanfu and Qingxong Temple. The Kong family said Yingze was from Yuanfu, yet he was also the master of Qingxong Temple's Mirage Grotto-Heaven… And on the Yang Ring, it was written: Qingxong Temple's Lu Jiangxian…

Unable to sort out his thoughts, he gave up. He rose to his feet on the peak, gazed at the moon-white buildings arrayed like fish scales below, and with a gentle flick of his sleeve, he waved it.

In an instant, an elegant moon-white pavilion rose from the mountainside, unleashing a burst of brilliant light. Eighty-one jade steps unfurled one by one, winding downwards. Dense masses of jade slips emerged together, pouring down like mountains and seas, yet moving flexibly in mid-air, each one settling into its corresponding cabinet.

“Anhuaitian’s Daoist scriptures are all here!”

He landed atop the exquisite and elegant immortal pavilion, which boasted countless corridors and was truly magnificent. Countless jade slips surged from the mountaintop, pouring into this white jade pavilion through windows, hall doors, and corridors, stirring up a storm.

“A century of collections: Anhuaitian’s Daoist scriptures, from Jiangnan and Jiangbei, and minor clans from the East Sea, totaling over 16,500 Daoist methods and over 51,000 spells…”

He stood before the white jade pavilion. With a gentle flip of his hand, several immortal jade slips of various colors instantly appeared.

“Twelve Purple Mansion cultivation methods: one 'Li Huo', one 'Quan Dan', two 'Zi Qi', one 'Ming Yang', one 'Yu Zhen', one 'Qing Xuan', and five 'Zhen Qi'.”

Among these twelve, except for Ming Yang, Yu Zhen, and Qing Xuan, the rest were obtained from Anhuaitian’s Daoist scriptures. That ‘Wen Dao Palace’ might not have contained all of Ningguo’s cultivation methods; some might have been moved in advance, but this number was already astonishing enough.

Lu Jiangxian placed them into the highest part of the pavilion, then suddenly paused. With a gentle wave, six green jade slips flew back out, returning to his hand.

These six were the cultivation lineage of the Yuan family's Yanyang Temple. They were also extremely ancient immortal methods. Lu Jiangxian read them carefully and gradually realized something was wrong.

Among these six, only 'Xuan Yang Zi' was a Purple Mansion cultivation method; the rest were for Foundation Establishment. The entire set, when combined, was called 'Six Yan Azure Cloud Essentials'.

When Lu Jiangxian first obtained this cultivation method, he didn't fully understand it and read it cursorily. Now, having read so many Purple Mansion cultivation methods, he looked back at this essential technique and finally realized what was wrong.

“The 'Six Yan Azure Cloud Essentials' once stated that when Xuan Yang Zi was cultivated to the Purple Mansion realm, and the other four Foundation Establishment cultivation methods were successfully cultivated one by one, one could then achieve divine abilities…”

“How is that possible…”

Although Lu Jiangxian had never cultivated it, he had written a Purple Mansion cultivation method himself and understood the path of Purple Mansion cultivation. If one doesn't devour others and can only cultivate oneself, five Purple Mansion cultivation methods should be required! If not, why would Yuan Su be trapped in the Southern Border?

He finally took out this cultivation method, condensed a human body using moon essence before him, and carefully deduced it. Within a dozen breaths, he saw what was wrong:

“This ancient method states… that after the other five paths condense an immortal foundation within the body, by interacting with the external world, one can transform them into divine abilities…”

“But now it is an era of cataclysm, where the Heavenly Dao has vanished without a trace! What is there to interact with? Even this Purple Mansion cultivation method that can achieve Xuan Yang Zi also contains content about interaction. Without this part, how difficult it is to break through to Purple Mansion!”

Lu Jiangxian silently put away the jade slip, gradually understanding in his heart:

“So there was a reason why the Yuan family, despite being prominent for a time after migrating from the north, couldn't produce a Purple Mansion cultivator… Their gradual decline was also predetermined early on… The Yuan family might not have lacked the spiritual energy to cultivate Xuan Yang Zi; it’s just that the Yuan family's old ancestor finally understood, which is why he went to cultivate Water Virtue…”

He returned these cultivation methods to the white jade pavilion, sighing inwardly. He glanced up at the sky; the battles within Anhuaitian were growing fiercer. All the Purple Mansion cultivators who wished to enter had already done so, and the Great Ning Palace, serving as an entrance, was crumbling.

“Li Xuanfeng is still inside.”

Li Xuanfeng had gained much within the Great Ning Palace. That screen was an ancient magical artifact, not to mention; the mercury droplet where Helian Changguang resided was also no ordinary item, and even the incense burner he casually picked up was extraordinary.

“It's just a pity that the Solar Essence couldn't be taken away; otherwise, he would truly have made a fortune…”

Si Yuanli, being unobservant, couldn't tell, but Lu Jiangxian's divine sense clearly discerned that the mercury droplet where Helian Changguang resided was clearly a treasure of Quan Dan's singularity! In the hands of an ordinary cultivator, it would naturally be useless, but in the hands of someone cultivating this method, its uses would be infinite.

“Among Anhuaitian’s Daoist scriptures, there is a sixth-grade Quan Dan singular treasure called 'Hou Shu Jin Shu'. While waiting for Ming Yang to succeed, this book can be bestowed. Quan Dan's singularity is renowned for its miraculous transformations and is of great use.”

After organizing the cultivation methods, he leaped out again, pausing in the void, watching the countless divine ability lights gradually illuminating Anhuaitian. He checked for any opportune moments while pondering inwardly:

“That is the Gold Essence of the Zhen Qi path…”

Although these Purple Mansion cultivators lacked immortal methods, their mastery of Gold Essence techniques certainly couldn't compare to his. Nevertheless, with divine abilities and Gold Essence in hand, there was simply too much they could do…

The power of Gold Essence was undeniable. When Duanmu Kui failed to break through to Golden Core, the evil entity formed by the Gold Essence required two Yin Division figures to borrow magical treasures to suppress it…

When Dongfang You of the Dragon Clan failed his breakthrough that year, it caused chaos with the East Sea waters rising and thunder descending. The fallen Gold Essence naturally belonged to the Dragon Lord; the Purple Mansion cultivators dared not, nor had any interest in, seizing it.

“After all, someone holds the Water Dao Fruit, but Zhen Qi is different…”

This Zhen Qi Gold Essence originally came from a True Monarch. Once seized, even a Purple Mansion Mohe cultivator wouldn't be able to trace its origins. There would be no repercussions after obtaining the treasure. With Gold Essence in hand, reincarnating anywhere to cultivate Zhen Qi and living for another five hundred years would be just an added bonus… That offered the hope of achieving Golden Core!

For Purple Mansion cultivators whose death was truly nearing and whose cultivation path was cut off, some even went into battle intending to die while seizing the Gold Essence, making full use of it and conveniently proceeding to reincarnation…

“As for Heng Xing, Zhang Yun, and this batch of newly emerging Purple Mansion cultivators… they adopted a cautious stance, more inclined to fish in troubled waters, while also aiming to divide the legacies left behind by those desperate Purple Mansion cultivators…”

“Boom!”

Purple thunder rolled and exploded in the clouds. Li Qinghong, clad in long azure feathers, held a long spear crackling with condensed lightning. She descended upon a dark mountain peak and gazed gravely northward.

As she had come all this way, few dared to engage her in battle. Most merely probed her strength. Most demonic cultivators were cautious; occasionally, a few, overcome by greed, would engage for a few moves before retreating. Thus, her magical energy consumption was not high.

The look of worry on the woman's face was not due to being amidst the demonic mist, but rather the entire north-south situation:

“Chaos…”

Li Qinghong had a deep understanding of the situation as she traveled; the entire Xu Kingdom was in disarray. Although demonic clouds rolled, the situation was completely different from before.

“Previously, though chaotic, there was order within the chaos. One could faintly discern traces of Purple Mansion cultivators making choices, and at least the demonic cultivators in the north still maintained some rules…”

Now, the chaos among demonic cultivators had reached the point of headless flies. Demonic cultivators from various sects and factions could be seen flying to and fro in all directions—east, west, north, and south—primarily Purple Mansion and Golden Core cultivators, fighting independently.

And demonic cultivators and Buddhist cultivators from outside the Xu Kingdom were still rapidly gathering. Her location was near Xian Lake, and she could even see large numbers of cultivators from the East Sea swarming ashore, sweeping southwards, revealing a strange and unusual trend.

“Jiangnan is now a haven for malevolent spirits, where all evil is unleashed. Demonic cultivators grow stronger by a degree when they reach the riverbank. How could they stop there and not continue sweeping downwards…”

Li Qinghong worried deeply, reining in the lightning on her long spear. Suddenly, she felt a powerful demonic wind, roaring from the east, stirring up smoke from the ground.

She lightly furrowed her brows, drawing her spear. With the spear slanted towards the ground, purple lightning spread out once more, rumbling. The spear suddenly lunged, bringing forth fiery lightning that flashed brilliantly in the air.

“Boom!”

From within the demonic mist, a grey flame flew out. It was directly shattered in mid-air. The flame burst into several rays of light, still clinging reluctantly to her spear, only to be pulverized by the rippling lightning, scattering into countless fragments that floated across the sky and sizzled upon landing.

“Whoosh…”

Li Qinghong withdrew her spear, defending herself. Fiery purple lightning leaped along her hand and the spear. A hazy purple glow rose in her almond-shaped eyes as she looked into the grey mist.

From the demonic wind before her, a somewhat tall and slender man in a red robe descended. His brown boots touched the ground, causing grey flames to ripple forth. Beside him, a grey token with red patterns floated.

With his arms crossed, he stared at Li Qinghong with considerable curiosity, though a hint of coldness lingered in his eyes. He spoke:

“Fellow Daoist, you possess excellent bearing.”

Li Qinghong's divine sense lightly swept over him, discerning that this person's cultivation was immense and his magical robe exceptionally opulent. Realizing he was no ordinary individual, she focused her mind to observe him while simultaneously calculating the distance:

“This location is only five hundred li from the Xian Lake stronghold. All three Mysterious Thunders are still with me. If things go awry… retreating won't be difficult…”

As she considered her escape route, the red-robed man spoke again. His voice was somewhat stiff, aggressively pressing her as his red robe gradually floated up amidst the demonic mist. He murmured:

“Fellow Daoist… cultivators of lightning are rare these days… and female cultivators even rarer. Coincidentally, I have heard your name.”

Li Qinghong maintained her confrontational stance, but her divine sense rapidly scanned the surroundings for any of his companions. The cultivator before her, however, continued to speak:

“My younger sister went to Jiangnan, but was hindered by Fellow Daoist. She failed to protect that person and even lost her 'Bing Huo Token', and has since been exiled from the island, unable to return…”

“I still haven't settled that score with Fellow Daoist!”

The red-robed man's face turned grim, but Li Qinghong immediately understood that he meant ill. She spun her spear, chuckling lightly:

“Oh? So that foolish woman is your sister. No wonder she carried such an aggressive aura. She was arrogant, coming all the way to seize a sword and kill my family. Giving her a Mysterious Thunder was still a light punishment!”

From the man’s words, it was clear he was the elder brother of Guo Hongyao, who had come to retrieve Xu Xiao that year. Li Qinghong immediately understood that things could not end amicably. Her long spear, without hesitation, pierced through with lightning.

“Boom!”

Grey flames swirled around the red-robed man. As he performed hand seals, they attached to the token and surged forth, clashing with the lightning in mid-air and exploding into a sky full of thunder-fire.

His tone was chilling as he roared:

“How could I not know my own sister? And how could she target your family without reason? If you had let her go safely, would it have escalated to this point?!”

Li Qinghong wielded lightning to intercept the grey flames he spewed. Her black hair gently fluttered in the wind. Too lazy to argue further with him, she only said coldly:

“What more is there to say now? I'd like to experience the might of the Chijiao Binghuo!”

Bright purple light gathered on her feathered robe. The red-robed man, enraged, laughed instead. With two fingers joined, his token leaped, and a grey flame shot out, twisting the air. He merely hissed with hatred:

“Such big words! Perhaps you've killed too many demonic cultivators and assume everyone's magical energy will dissipate by a third when encountering lightning!”