Chapter 624: West Coast

The Ink and Brush Literary Arts, Profound Mirror Immortal Clan!

The west bank was dotted with Taoist temples and families, their populations quite robust. However, the cultivators there lived truly miserable lives. Across the vast west bank, not to mention Foundation Establishment cultivators, even Qi Condensation cultivators numbered less than ten.

Qingchi paid no mind to Daoist He, but these smaller families had no such privileges. They had to pay tribute to Daoist He and also to Qingchi. After five years, the spiritual rice they painstakingly cultivated wasn't even enough to cover the tributes for both sides.

Therefore, they were forced to scrape together spirit stones by any means necessary: either by venturing into the Dali Mountains for dangerous quests, or by taking up positions in the Li or Yu families, or even by crossing the lake into the wilderness to become bandits and then sending money back home.

Under this heavy burden, the cultivators on the west bank had no time whatsoever for cultivation. If by some rare chance a Qi Condensation cultivator emerged, they would still be sent to Daoist He's temple to refine magical artifacts. Consequently, there hadn't been a single Foundation Establishment cultivator in nearly two centuries—not even one with the potential to break through.

As Li Xizhi and his companions observed their journey, they truly found the place utterly lifeless. Some cultivation families had their only cultivator risking their lives elsewhere, leaving mundane affairs to mortals. The Li family members were accustomed to the hardships of the lower classes. Li Qinghong praised: "At least the mortals here live quite comfortably. After all, every family is eager to have a cultivator, and Daoist He doesn't take blood sacrifices. He only hopes to raise more people and produce more spiritual apertures, thereby gaining more labor."

Only Yang Ruizao, who had lived a life of comfort since childhood, after careful observation, furrowed his brows and kept them so, sighing: "Moon-Gazing Lake truly is a desperate land, yet a fertile ground for talent."

As they continued to fly towards Nine Gates Mountain on the west bank, an elderly cultivator, riding the wind, came to greet them. He wore a Taoist robe, and his expression was initially calm. But upon seeing them, his pupils suddenly dilated: "Four Foundation Establishment cultivators?! And two of them are late-stage Foundation Establishment?"

"Oh no! The Li family has come!" His legs gave way, and he bowed deeply, trembling as he said: "Greetings, esteemed sirs!"

Yang Ruizao, acting as mediator this time, stepped forward and stated directly: "No need for formalities. Just inform your Daoist that Yang Ruizao has come to visit."

The old Daoist hurried back to the formation as if fleeing. After a few dozen breaths, a white-haired elder indeed emerged from the formation, riding the wind. He had rather long cheeks, and his eyes were bright and full of spirit. His expression was one of surprise: "Yang family's third child? What a rare guest! What brings you to my humble abode?"

Yang Ruizao responded warmly and courteously. The four of them entered together. Nine Gates Peak was entirely crimson, with fire veins gushing incessantly, creating a scorching heat. They flew inside the cave dwelling and took their seats one by one.

He Ting, being nearly three hundred years old, simply by looking at their appearance, had already deduced Yang Ruizao's intentions quite accurately. He had the old Daoist serve tea. Yang Ruizao introduced: "This is Li Xizhi, the Peak Master of Changtian Peak..."

"I know! I know!" The elder responded cheerfully and began: "Your ancestor, Li Mutian, accompanied Brother Tianya in his campaign against the Shanyue tribe back then. His bearing was truly exceptional. Although I wasn't there myself, I heard Tianya praise his swordsmanship..."

The Li family members fell silent for a moment. Li Xizhi responded mildly. Yang Ruizao exchanged a few words with him. He Ting laughed: "At that time, Tianya found it quite difficult to refine the Yue Sealing Seal. I had him lead troops to quell the rebellion, living and eating alongside the soldiers. Only then was that treasure fully refined. Ultimately, I also played a part in its fate."

"Ancestor." Yang Ruizao began to ask, but He Ting cut him off. He answered in a weary voice: "If you've come to ask for my help, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you." He pulled open the Taoist robe at his chest, revealing an empty space beneath. He Ting, who had conversed with them for so long, was, in fact, just a head suspended beneath a magical robe.

He Ting, however, appeared perfectly at ease, and said gently: "To refine that spiritual embryo for the True Immortal, my Dao foundation completely disintegrated, and this very body was offered up as well. The True Immortal's grace is vast; he bestowed a spirit pill, so this head can still last for another three to five years."

For a moment, everyone fell silent. Yang Ruizao paused for a full three breaths before saying: "This time, we've also come to invite Ancestor... to return to Qingchi, to meet with your brothers and uncles..."

"As it should be!" He Ting smiled gently, turning to the Li family members and saying kindly: "I have no children, and I am as close as brothers with Yang Tianya. I've long held this thought. As for this vast west bank and its hundreds of thousands of people, I entrust them to your noble clan!"

"Rest assured, Daoist!" Li Xizhi replied. He Ting then beckoned the old Daoist closer and said softly: "This is my adopted son, He Jiumen. He has received some of my true teachings and will serve under your esteemed clan from now on." He turned to look around, sighing: "The spiritual energy of Nine Gates Mountain is not dense, and its formations are not outstanding. However, for Qi Condensation, I won't elaborate further. But the fiendish energy from the fire veins here is the most vigorous in the entire Moon-Gazing Lake region—it's the only thing truly worth noting."

"Yang's third child, stay and chat with me. The rest of you, please return!" The Li family members had no objections and left the mountain together. Li Xijun quietly let out a breath and replied: "Now we owe the Yang family a favor."

Li Xizhi traveled on a rainbow, nodding silently as he gazed at the lightning-flashing forbidden formation in the lake. Suddenly, he recalled something and said: "I've examined the formation patterns in the letter; I couldn't find any record of them. However, I did find the origin of that stack of golden talismans."

"Oh?" Li Qinghong and the other quickly looked over. Li Xizhi extended his hand, and Li Xijun immediately took out the stack of twelve golden talismans and placed them in Li Xizhi's hand. As he carefully observed them, he said softly: "Si Yuanli specifically sent someone to explain to me in detail. These are ancient shamanic talismans, totaling three types, each possessing the abilities of transformation, concealment, and incantation arts."

Li Xizhi counted out three stacks and replied: "In this stack, there are two transformation talismans, five concealment talismans, and five incantation talismans... It's said that the transformation talismans can change one's appearance into that of another person using blood, but a Foundation Establishment cultivator who has cultivated Eye Techniques can see through it, so its use is limited... The concealment talismans can temporarily evade divination, which is a good thing... As for the incantation talismans, they are quite complex and cannot be explained in a short time."

He took out a small booklet and, along with the stack of golden talismans, handed them to Li Xijun, saying: "The Si family gave this to me. Jun-di, you can take a look; sometimes using these might have a great effect."

Seeing Li Xijun nod, he continued: "As for the mercury droplet, it should be a treasure with the properties of a complete elixir, and its grade is not low. Most cultivation methods of this type are very difficult to cultivate but extremely powerful. I once sent a copy home; you can try having the juniors cultivate it."

Li Xijun kept these words in mind. Then he saw Li Xizhi looking at the distant lightning and asking: "Is the Central Island in the lake ready?"

Li Xijun replied: "We originally sent people to look for Senior Liu Changdie, but they searched several places and still couldn't find any trace of him. Even the boys guarding his cave dwelling haven't seen him. It will be difficult to find him anytime soon. Fortunately, the patterns within the formation provide some reference, and the difficulty of breaking this forbidden formation is not too high. I have already invited formation masters from various prefectures, and with many Foundation Establishment cultivators in our clan, it will only take about six months to a year to break this grand formation."