Chapter 648: Longtuo

Ink and brush literature, the Immortal Clan of Profound Insight!

"Dongfang You."

Li Zhouwei had specifically learned about this name before coming to the East Sea, so he naturally recognized it. Dongfang You was a Dragon King at the peak of the Violet Palace realm who had failed in his attempt to break through to the Golden Core stage and subsequently perished. This event was also the origin of the current 'Water Descends, Thunder Ascends' phenomenon.

Having achieved Foundation Establishment, he possessed a photographic memory and quickly recalled:

“Huiyao once mentioned that the original owner of the Zhunan Dragon Palace was Dragon Scion Dingyuan. Due to Dongfang You's failed breakthrough, Dingyuan lost his support and, consequently, his position, returning to the Heshui Sea...”

He then showed a hint of surprise, offered a compliment, and changed the subject to ask:

“May I ask who Dragon Scion Dingyuan is...?”

“Oh,” Dingjiao said, sipping his spirit wine. A woman in pink robes behind him was massaging his back. The young man swayed his pair of white horns, raising an eyebrow with a smile:

“He’s my second brother. He was sent back to Xianshan as punishment, so I had no choice but to return from the North Sea to guard this place for him.”

Hearing Dingjiao’s casual 'had no choice,' Li Zhouwei surmised that Dingjiao and Dingyuan were likely on the same side, both being sons of Dongfang You. Losing the Zhunan Dragon Palace was a punishment for Dingyuan, but for Crown Prince Dingjiao, it probably wasn't a particularly desirable assignment. He set down his cyan-green ritual cup and softly said:

“What a pity.”

Dingjiao’s gaze lingered on the dancing girls below as he softly said:

“Minghuang, I invited you here for two reasons: firstly, our ancestors had connections, and now we can rekindle that relationship; secondly… I have some matters to inquire about.”

Holding his cup, he quietly asked:

“I hear your clan once had considerable ties with the Great Lishan Demon Cavern. Is that true?”

Li Zhouwei, unsure of the relationship between the dragon lineage and the fox clan of Great Lishan, paused slightly before relaxing his brows and saying:

“My ancestors indeed had a friendship with a direct descendant of a demon fox from Great Lishan. Now, with the changing generations, that contact has gradually dwindled...”

“Good.” Dingjiao continued to watch the women in the hall, his light blue eyes moving beneath his prominent brow bones. He replied:

“I ask Minghuang to please help me find a fox from Lishan, preferably to arrange a meeting. If this matter succeeds, Dingjiao will surely repay you.”

Li Zhouwei hesitated for a moment. His clan's connection with the Great Lishan Demon Cavern was solely through White Banyan Fox, essentially an old friendship of Li Tongya. Although the Li family sent spirit rice into the mountains every year and White Banyan Fox readily accepted it, they rarely met anymore.

‘After all, friendships tend to fade when people drift apart...’

Seeing that Dingjiao held no malice towards Great Lishan, he didn't immediately agree but replied instead:

“If it's convenient, could you perhaps disclose a little more? Without a good reason, it would be difficult for Minghuang to make such an invitation on behalf of the Dragon Scion.”

“Just call me Dingjiao.” Dingjiao pedantically corrected him, then softly said:

“Minghuang, you are of the same kind as us, so there’s no harm in telling you. Dingjiao wishes to borrow the Lishan fox's listening ability to eavesdrop on a certain sea abyss. However, we cannot enter the depths of the sea, and ordinary demons cannot meet the Lishan foxes.”

“I see.” Although Dingjiao appeared forthright, Li Zhouwei wasn't sure how much truth there was to his words. He could leave that judgment to the Lishan fox. So, he nodded and said:

“Alright, I will convey this message to Brother Dingjiao!”

“Haha,” Dingjiao chuckled twice as music began to play in the hall. The Dragon Scion embraced the pink-robed woman and began to fondle her, casually remarking:

“Brother Minghuang, since you are a White Qilin, your progeny must surely be abundant. Among all the celestial dynasties, only the Wei reign flourished the most. Do you have any techniques you could teach me?”

Li Zhouwei immediately stiffened. Dragons were notoriously lustful, and this white flood dragon was naturally no exception. After discussing business, his first question was about techniques of the bedchamber. Li Zhouwei then smiled and said:

“Most of my clan’s inheritances have been lost, and such techniques are even rarer. After all, they are not really needed.”

He used this sentence to deflect, having already discerned much from Dingjiao’s tone. He mused inwardly:

‘This white flood dragon never truly regarded me as human. Although he invited the Li family's scion, he sees me as a White Qilin who has taken human form. Otherwise... with his noble bloodline, why would he be so courteous?’

Dingjiao didn't say much more. After a moment of laughter, he used the topic to discuss a few anecdotes about ancient Wei emperors, then nodded and said:

“Minghuang, if you have any Bright Yang spiritual objects that promote abundant progeny, please keep me in mind... I dare not boast about other things, but my dragon clan has plenty of spiritual items and artifacts. I can certainly satisfy my brother!”

The red-feathered woman, Wupian, covered her mouth with a soft laugh, glanced at Li Zhouwei, and sweetly said:

“I’m not as bound by rules as Brother Dingjiao. When I fly over Jiangnan and stop for a rest at Moonlight Marsh, Brother Minghuang, please don’t send me away.”

Li Zhouwei was originally a natural anomaly, and the three of them chatted and laughed for most of the night, becoming much more familiar. Dingjiao observed Li Zhouwei for a moment, then turned and pointed at the man with the large mouth and long beard, ordering:

“Go, fetch my Qianyuan Bracelets!”

The man with the large mouth and long beard quickly went down and soon returned with a jade box. Dingjiao placed it on the table with a thump, opened the lid, and revealed two gleaming small circular rings inside. He smiled and said:

“Brother Zhouwei! These are treasures of Bright Yang. If this matter is completed, they will be yours!”

Li Zhouwei subtly raised an eyebrow and looked. He noticed that the two golden rings had a slight thickness, suggesting they weren't artifacts for throwing to capture others, but rather items to be worn on the wrists. He wondered what their mysterious properties were.

With one hand, Dingjiao subtly applied force, picking up the two golden rings and handing them to Li Zhouwei.

Li Zhouwei felt a warmth upon touching them. The two golden rings were as light as walnuts. He picked them up with two fingers, rotated them twice, and examined them thoroughly from all sides, then praised:

“Indeed, they are fine treasures.”

Dingjiao withdrew his gaze and turned to look at the Fire Phoenix Wupian. The two demons exchanged glances, and Dingjiao thought to himself:

‘To be able to lift the Qianyuan Bracelets, he is indeed a true White Qilin.’

Although Dingjiao and Wupian had guessed he was a White Qilin, they wanted to confirm it to avoid any misunderstandings, which was why they deliberately brought out the treasure. Now, having confirmed it, their expressions became even more amiable towards him.

Li Zhouwei glanced at them, then casually placed them back into the jade box. He raised his eyes and softly said:

“Brother Dingjiao, you are too kind. There’s no need for this. Whether this matter succeeds depends on Great Lishan. We’ve had a pleasant conversation, and it’s merely about relaying a message; there’s no need to send any artifacts.”

He pushed the jade box back. Dingjiao pressed down on the box, looked up, and, his smile fading, softly said:

“Things should still be clear.”

Li Zhouwei set down his cup and shook his head, saying:

“If Brother Dingjiao wishes to be clear about accounts, this one Azure Water Qilin Beast carrying a palace into the sea has already settled the matter of conveying the message.”

Li Zhouwei had long been wary. The grand display of Dingjiao using his personal conveyance to carry him into the sea was astonishing. He had initially worried about the trouble of returning from overseas, but now, after such a commotion, who would dare to act against him before the various Violet Palace cultivators had investigated the matter?

This matter only involved delivering a single message, and Dingjiao hadn't even asked him to persuade anyone. Although Li Zhouwei understood his own unusual nature, weren't Xu Xiao, Tu Longjian, and Chang Xiao also unusual?

At first, Dingjiao's pretense held some credibility, but the moment the Qianyuan Bracelets touched his hand, Li Zhouwei recognized them with a mere stir of his spiritual sense:

“A Violet Palace spirit artifact! And an ancient one at that!”

Even Violet Palace cultivators would fight over such an item. No matter how wealthy the dragon lineage, how could they possibly bestow it upon him for such a trivial matter? His suspicions instantly peaked. How could he dare accept?

His words were purely factual. Dingjiao, on the other hand, stopped his actions, appearing thoughtful, and softly said:

“Alright...”

He put away the jade box and hesitated for a while, seeming somewhat distracted, speaking less. After another half hour, Li Zhouwei stood up to take his leave. The white-horned Dragon Scion accompanied him out of the hall, his expression serious, his voice low:

“My apologies for the inadequate hospitality on this trip, Minghuang. Please do not take offense.”

Li Zhouwei pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said:

“Brother Dingjiao, why would you say that? Once I have news, I will come to the sea and have Huiyao deliver it.”

Two demons on either side escorted him out. The white flood dragon then turned and re-entered the hall, frowning with a hint of regret, saying:

“Wupian, this White Qilin is likely sincerely befriending me, yet I tried to deceive him with a spiritual artifact... His clan has fallen from prominence, making him wary. My actions this time were not graceful.”

The Fire Phoenix also ceased smiling. Dingjiao sat down, sipped his wine, and soon relaxed his brow, softly saying:

“Uncle Heyun mentioned this Li family, and coincidentally, there's Li Qinghong from the Thunder-Controlling Cloud-Stopping Dao. Who’s to say it wasn’t his reminder? If possible, it wouldn’t hurt to cultivate a good relationship with this White Qilin.”

“Dongfang Heyun...” Wupian shook her head and smiled, opening her mouth with some curiosity:

“What exactly is Dongfang Heyun’s role in your noble clan? I heard he has a terrible temper, yet I also heard he is gentle and refined. How can there be two such vastly different descriptions?”

“Heyun...” Dingjiao organized his thoughts, then shook his head and said:

“His status with the Dragon Sovereign is not low, and because he is connected to the True Lord’s birth, he possesses many extraordinary mystical abilities. Yet, a few of us Dragon Scions can summon him at any time...”

He softly said:

“But my mother said that once the Dragon Sovereign devours the thunder, Uncle Heyun will gain unimaginable great benefits, far beyond merely achieving divine abilities instantly. We should use this time to truly cultivate a good relationship with him.”

Li Qinghong traveled eastward. Just as she left the Moonlight Lake region and entered the wilderness along the riverbank, she suddenly noticed that the sky had turned purple.

A patch of floating clouds transformed into a light purple hue. The setting sun was rising from afar, casting a brilliant golden light that painted these clouds golden on top and purple underneath, as they drifted across a purplish-red sky.

She rarely witnessed such a wondrous sight. Guessing that some Violet Palace cultivator had either broken through or perished, she flew considerably lower, rushing through the wilderness, heading eastward.

The territory of the Grand Profound Sect was around Salt Lake. Li Qinghong arrived by thunder, and after she inquired at the formation's front, the guard, hearing she was from the Moonlight Li family, quickly entered the sect to report.

After waiting only a moment, a woman in Xiangyi robes emerged on the wind and landed nearby. She hurried to look at Li Qinghong, and seeing that her expression was relatively good, though with a slight hint of unease, she stepped forward to greet her, whispering:

“Sister Qinghong…”

“Sister Tingyun.” Li Qinghong politely responded. Kong Tingyun knew this wasn't the place for conversation, so she quickly led her into the formation and flew towards the main peak.

Li Qinghong rarely entered the inner parts of the Grand Profound Sect's mountain gate, and had never ventured deep within. As they ascended towards the main peak, she saw strangely shaped mountains on both sides, each with a distinct aura. Some had fiery veins rising, while just a mile or two further, there was a stretch of lakes, clearly indicating that most of these features had been relocated.

She glanced around and noticed that the sky above the Grand Profound Sect was also purplish-red, with purple-gold clouds drifting. Li Qinghong quietly said:

“Judging by this celestial phenomenon, which True Lord is it?”

Kong Tingyun, hearing her softened tone, breathed a sigh of relief and softly said:

“It's True Lord Zipei of the Purple Mist Sect. My True Lord went to witness the ceremony a few days ago. Now, seeing this celestial phenomenon, it’s highly probable that she failed in her breakthrough and perished.”

‘True Lord Zipei!’ Li Qinghong naturally remembered this True Lord. Since her breakthrough in Shangyuan, she had been considered the most highly cultivated True Lord in Jiangnan and Jiangbei. Now, after several years, she ultimately failed to achieve the Golden Core stage like True Lord Shangyuan.

Kong Tingyun hesitated for a breath, then whispered:

“My True Lord also spoke with me about her for a while. It is said that this True Lord once… almost became cultivation partners with True Lord Donghua, but fate intervened, and they ended up becoming estranged...”

“Hmm…” Although this True Lord had likely perished, Li Qinghong dared not say much in response. Kong Tingyun was equally discreet, casually mentioning it before changing the subject:

“With the Purple Mist Sect now weakened, there’s no one in the Yue Kingdom who can truly dominate everyone.”

She entered her cave abode, then apologized:

“Qinghong… regarding the Mingfang Celestial Stone incident, I originally wanted to help, but I didn’t expect the situation to change so quickly, and the information I provided ended up being problematic. I am truly sorry.”

Li Qinghong hadn't thought of blaming her. She shook her head and said:

“Sister, your intentions were good. Qinghong understands.”

Kong Tingyun gently shook her head and replied:

“Some matters are indeed beyond my control, but both the battle on the riverbank and the Mingfang Celestial Stone incident involved information I conveyed. Ultimately, it was my fault.”

She pointed to a stone table where two jade boxes rested. Kong Tingyun softly said:

“I truly feel bad about it, so I brought two cultivation techniques. Although they cannot fully compensate for what happened to Xijun, they are a small token of my sincerity…”

Li Qinghong naturally refused to accept, declining for a while, until Kong Tingyun whispered:

“If you refuse, it means you hold a grudge.”

Li Qinghong had always had a good relationship with her and understood it wasn't her fault. She reluctantly nodded. Kong Tingyun immediately smiled a little, took the jade boxes, and opened one, introducing:

“This is a Rank Three cultivation method, the 'Mystic Essence Observing Departure Art.' The immortal foundation cultivated by it is the 'Everbright Tier'!”

She took out the rather old jade slip and softly said:

“This was obtained from the East Fire Grotto-Heaven. This immortal foundation is very difficult to cultivate, but once achieved, it can transform light into fire, manifest into various forms – human or beast – to protect oneself, or even cast written talismans to summon fire and seize spirits…”

“This cultivation method’s rank isn't very high. It’s called this name now, but it's said that the ancient Wei-Li direct lineage possessed a higher-ranked cultivation method that wasn't called this name, but rather: 'Emperor's Contemplation of Primordiality.'”

“Emperor's Contemplation of Primordiality” Li Qinghong noted all of it, finding the ancient name much more fitting, as the Wei-Li True Lord was an emperor back then, and the immortal foundation would have corresponding changes. So, she replied:

“Thank you, Sister!”

Kong Tingyun, however, shook her head and softly said:

“It's merely a Rank Three cultivation method. Although it came from a grotto-heaven, it’s extremely difficult to cultivate, and gathering Qi is also very challenging. To be honest, it’s quite a chicken rib – I wouldn't use something like this to fob you off.”

She picked up the other box and smiled:

“But this item, obtained from my True Lord, is truly a good thing worth talking about! It's one of the best Rank Four magical techniques, which my True Lord acquired from Xu State in her early years. It's only right that it returns to its original owner!”

Li Qinghong took the jade slip and noticed it was a pale gold color with small characters carved into its edges:

“The Upper Radiance Subduing Light.”