Chapter 649: Purple Qi Disperses

Li Qinghong picked up the jade slip. She found it wasn't sealed and could be read immediately. Though she desired it greatly, she still frowned and said, "This is too precious."

Kong Tingyun shook her head, whispering, "Sister, just take it for now. There's something else I need to discuss with you."

Li Qinghong noticed Kong Tingyun's serious expression, so she put down the jade slip and softly said, "Please speak, Sister."

Kong Tingyun looked at her earnestly, holding her hand, and whispered, "Qinghong! Does Ximing have the heart for the Violet Palace realm?"

Li Qinghong's heart tightened, and she looked at Kong Tingyun with a touch of confusion. Kong Tingyun hesitated for a moment, then spoke solemnly, "I know your noble clan has a talented junior, comparable to Chi Buzi, a resurgence of the Mingyang bloodline, extremely distinguished. It's difficult for prominent clans in Jiangnan to keep secrets. Even Xiao Chuting back then could only make overt moves, not hidden ones. All the various sects and schools are well aware of this."

"The State of Wei maintains good relations with Qing Song Dao and Jin Yu Sect, and Emperor Wei Gong is a wise and sagely elder. This is why the Li clan in Jiangnan has remained safe. The Tan Shan Li clan in Wu State, though they don't cultivate Mingyang and claim no relation, still share some distant bloodline. It's for this very reason that they've consistently been able to reside in Jiangnan, and their family even has a Violet Palace cultivator. This demonstrates that such an aspiration is not impossible."

"All the Violet Palace cultivators know that the Mingfang Heavenly Stone is reserved for the Crown Prince, and that time is still far off. However, being close to your family, I've observed... Ximing seems to harbor a desire for the Violet Palace realm and appears somewhat covetous of that Mingfang Heavenly Stone?"

Her eyes filled with worry as she sincerely advised, "Sister, you should be able to clearly understand this matter. Does Ximing even have a half-chance of breaking through? The Mingfang Heavenly Stone doesn't simply add percentages to success. If one lacks numerous secret techniques, its efficacy will be minimal. To be blunt, you simply cannot indulge his whims!"

Li Qinghong's heart eased. Looking at the round-faced woman's sincere eyes, she suddenly understood.

'No wonder the Mingfang Heavenly Stone matter concluded this way! All the Violet Palace cultivators calculated that my family would place our hopes on Minghuang!'

'Everything I've concealed for Minghuang since childhood was not in vain. The Violet Palace cultivators only believe he possesses the Mingyang bloodline, not that he carries a special destiny!'

Li Qinghong was uncertain about the exact probability of Li Zhouwei breaking through to the Violet Palace realm when the time came. However, having witnessed the paths of Guo Shentong, Chang Xiao, and Tu Longjian, she felt the chances were extremely high. After a thoughtful pause, she spoke, "During the process of condensing divine abilities, what precise role does the Mingfang Heavenly Stone play? I hope Sister can offer some explanation."

Kong Tingyun softly said, "This matter is difficult to explain clearly. The number of secret techniques varies. I wonder how many secret techniques your family possesses, Sister?"

Li Qinghong's heart clenched. A thought flashed through her mind: 'Say only how many Ximing cultivates...' So she replied, "Only one..."

Kong Tingyun nodded, responding, "That's quite normal. If one has successfully cultivated a single secret technique, taking this Mingfang Heavenly Stone might only increase the chances by half a percentage point."

Li Qinghong nodded regretfully. Kong Tingyun felt her words had been heeded, so she softly added, "This item's efficacy also depends on the individual. However, Ximing simply cannot be indulged. Ancient cultivators could commune with heaven and earth, making breakthroughs significantly easier, and items like the Mingfang Heavenly Stone had a much greater impact then. Nowadays, there are no precise probabilities to speak of."

Li Qinghong nodded gently and replied, "I have noted your words, Sister."

Kong Tingyun smiled and nodded, but Li Qinghong shook her head inwardly.

Whether the Mingfang Heavenly Stone went to Ximing or was reserved for Zhouwei, she no longer had the ability or authority to decide.

"This item was obtained by Xijun. He must have trusted Ximing and been certain that Zhouwei could achieve success independently. That child believed Zhouwei might at most be harmed prematurely, rendering the Mingfang Heavenly Stone of little use either way..."

As for her, Li Qinghong, she estimated she didn't have much time before going to Thunder Law Grotto-Heaven. Li Zhouwei was in charge of the household; would he really touch Li Ximing's Mingfang Heavenly Stone?

Before Xijun's death, Li Qinghong had thought it possible that Li Ximing might relinquish the Mingfang Heavenly Stone. Now, she noticed Li Ximing's exceptionally calm gaze, indicating an unyielding resolve.

"As for the matter of the Thunder Law Grotto-Heaven, she seems entirely unaware. It appears Chang Xi is very hesitant to intervene and hasn't mentioned it to her at all. If I were to bring it up, it would undoubtedly damage our relationship and displease the Violet Palace cultivators."

Kong Tingyun then gently pressed the jade slip into her hand. Only then did Li Qinghong have the presence of mind to examine the spell: "...Gather heavenly light, absorb its brilliant essence, and store it within the Juque point. Refine it into a single entity, which is the Supreme Radiance Suppressing Light. Suppress it with your spiritual consciousness, and release it from between your eyebrows. It can capture malevolent spirits, sever spiritual vitality, and discern good from evil..."

She glanced at it briefly, then thanked Kong Tingyun and accepted it. After a short conversation, Li Qinghong mentioned her plan to go to the East Sea. Kong Tingyun readily agreed, and the two left Xianhu, heading south.

Meanwhile, Li Zhouwei left the Zhu Nanjiao residence and proceeded towards Weixia Kingdom. The demon generals on either side adopted a much humbler posture. The black-armored demon with bulging cheeks lowered its head, while the long-bearded demon with a gaping mouth grinned obsequiously, saying, "My Lord... My Lord truly possesses great integrity. Such a treasure... our eyes burned and our hearts yearned for it, yet My Lord actually refused..."

The Violet Palace ancient spiritual artifact had been presented by those two, so they naturally understood what an astonishing treasure Li Zhouwei had refused. Observing Ding Jiao's remarkably favorable attitude towards him, and knowing that humans are often snobbish, how could demons be an exception? They began praising him effusively, one after another.

The journey was long, and Li Zhouwei engaged in desultory conversation. Then, the black-faced demon general with bulging cheeks grumbled, "My Lord truly possesses admirable composure. It was also a Violet Palace ancient spiritual artifact, but that Guo Shentong was so captivated he couldn't move..."

Upon hearing this, Li Zhouwei suddenly became alert, thinking coldly: 'Guo Shentong?!' 'Also a Violet Palace ancient spiritual artifact?'

He gently paused, observed the distant scenery, and casually slowed his pace, smiling, "I have heard of him; he is the master of Scarlet Reef Island."

The two demons, whose flattery had been rather dry, were overjoyed to see his interest finally open up the conversation. The long-bearded demon with the gaping mouth exclaimed, "My Lord! In our early years, we both served the Crown Prince when he had not yet left the palace, accompanying the Dragon King of Jin Hai... That Guo Shentong came back then, arrived at the Dragon King's residence, and left with a token, which was also an ancient spiritual artifact."

‘Ancient spiritual artifact... the Six Ding Fire Confluence Token! Guo Shentong might have an agreement with the dragon clan!’

He pondered for a moment. The two demons had spoken for a long time but couldn't explain why Guo Shentong had received the reward; they likely weren't privy to the details of the main hall at the time, only offering these vague remarks. Li Zhouwei softly said, "I wonder how he fares now."

The bulging-cheeked, black-armored fellow grunted and replied, "That man, he possesses a fire confluence destiny. Jingwu are short-lived and not very clever, although they improve somewhat after breaking through to the Violet Palace realm. Still, he's always been prone to risky ventures. No news for such a long time... he must be dead..."

Li Zhouwei could tell he didn't know much. As they journeyed onward and reached Weixia Kingdom, he found it strikingly different from their arrival. Lights glowed faintly, and the sand was covered with large and small pure white clams. Several clam spirits, transformed into human form and dressed in white and pink garments, were opening clams in search of pearls.

A woman in pink approached, carrying a basket filled with large, perfectly round, plump, and shimmering white pearls. The long-bearded demon with the gaping mouth took it, whispering, "This is a token of Weixia Kingdom's goodwill. Please take it back with you, My Lord..."

Only then did he bring the basket over, looking nervously at Li Zhouwei. The clam spirit immediately knelt before them, prostrating herself completely, and lamented, "This humble demon stakes her life that she truly was pregnant with pearls and thus immobilized earlier... I implore Your Excellency to investigate thoroughly..."

The demon generals on either side seemed familiar with her and quickly spoke up on her behalf. Li Zhouwei had no mind to care whether the sea tribe's previous absence was true or false; he merely waved his hand and said, "It's fine."

He strode forward, and the two demons escorted him into the palace on the beast's back. Huiyao had been waiting at the front of the hall, looking dazed. Seeing them approach, and observing the two demons' attitudes, he already understood most of the situation. With lowered gaze, he replied, "My Lord has returned!"

Once Li Zhouwei entered the hall, he quietly tugged at the two demons' robes and whispered, "About the sixty thousand fangs..."

"It's off!"

The two demons replied perfunctorily and turned to leave. Huiyao, relieved, entered the hall, only to meet Li Zhouwei's piercing gaze. The young man stood in the hall and asked, "What is it?"

Huiyao's demeanor became even more humble. He respectfully explained, "His Royal Highness the Dragon Prince's eighth consort requires a magical robe... It needs long sea viper fangs... an estimated sixty thousand. This task was originally assigned to my tribe. Thanks to Your Royal Highness, you saved the lives of thirty thousand of my children..."

Li Zhouwei knew the rules of the East Sea. Having come all this way, he truly understood just how lowly even Foundation Establishment level demons like Huiyao and the King of Weixia Kingdom were. He softly said, "You have always been like this."

"Always."

Huiyao just stood there, puzzled, stating, "It has been this way for millions of years. Could it be any different? It was like this even before we transformed. My Hui tribe also consumes the vital essence of thousands of spirit crabs every year... It is simply the natural order of things."

Li Zhouwei did not respond to him. He watched Huiyao retreat, then focused on the wine in his cup.

"Ding Jiao doesn't consider me human... What about Lingshui? Is a True Monarch human? True Monarchs are like dragons, Foundation Establishment cultivators are like vipers, and mortals are like crabs. The world above the surface is no different from this undersea realm."

He quietly contemplated, staring at the wine. Ding Jiao's Dragon Palace was utterly luxurious, filled with joyous songs and laughter, yet it did not relax Li Zhouwei's mood. Instead, the demeanor of Weixia Kingdom and Huiyao kept replaying in his mind.

Li Zhouwei had been mature beyond his years since childhood. Having observed many humans, and now seeing demons, he found little difference—they all enjoyed consuming others. He couldn't help but question, "It's often said that the Heavenly Dao has collapsed, leading to the world's current state. But who knows whether the world became this way due to collapse, or if it was always inherently thus? As for the Heavenly Dao's collapse... Is it better for everyone to be free, or better for something to impose order from above...?"

"Blood food, blood food... Those who don't eat people lose a third of their strength. Can they truly contend with those who do?"

He was born unusual, and his thoughts lingered. He mused, "Regardless of right or wrong, those esteemed seniors are wholeheartedly for me. How can I let them down?"

Li Zhouwei briefly re-evaluated his fundamental principles, then casually set the thought aside. Outside the hall, the seawater undulated to a halt; they must have arrived at the Hui tribe's territory. A group of shadows followed. Huiyao, that scoundrel, lowered his voice, shooing away the eager juniors who were approaching to greet them warmly, "Go on, go on... all of you, go back..."

Violet Smoke Blessed Land.

The purple qi in the sky continuously gathered. On large and small mountain peaks, purple smoke drifted back and forth, like threads and wisps, spiraling upwards. Pavilions and towers stood, exquisitely beautiful.

Perched atop the vast expanse of purple smoke was a small pavilion. A woman in green stood nearby, while a female cultivator in a purple robe leaned against the stone steps. Her skirt, billowing like purple qi, draped down from the high cliff, and halfway down, it dissipated into purple smoke.

Her eyebrows were slightly flat, and her face habitually held a calm expression. Her eyes were, unusually, somewhat lost as she gazed into the distance. The purple qi of the entire blessed land surged with her breathing, yet Kan Xuyu remained silent.

Shen Yanqing stood beside her, somewhat sorrowful. Kan Xuyu, enveloped in rising purple qi, raised a finger to calculate, pondering inwardly: 'The item has been sent to the dragon clan. Dongfang Changmu is trustworthy and won't break his word. That scoundrel Yuansu has already promoted Li Xuanfeng, so I cannot interfere further. By leveraging the dragon clan's connections, I've at least done my part.'

She softly said, "Yanqing, when I die, go home... Your father is in seclusion, and the Shen family needs someone to take charge."

Shen Yanqing assented with a soft hum. The small pavilion was protected by a formation, so there was no fear of being overheard by the Violet Palace cultivators in the sky. She whispered, "If Master were to reincarnate and have any requests, simply send a letter to my Shen family... Yanqing will always be waiting..."

"No need."

Kan Xuyu let out a small laugh, gently shaking her head. Her voice was barely audible.

She secretly compared the faces of the Li family members with the one etched in her heart, yet found no commonalities. Her thoughts drifted, and she muttered to herself, "It must be a descendant of a clan brother... Hmph... He wouldn't have any illegitimate children behind my back, would he...?"

Her eyes brightened for an instant, and her expression immediately shifted from serene to a suppressed joy. But this radiance quickly vanished, and Kan Xuyu gazed far into the sky.

A fair number of people had come to observe the ceremony. Although most believed that Zi Pei would rely on that golden nature for reincarnation and wouldn't achieve any significant proof, Zi Pei was, after all, one of the few who had received Li Jiangqun's favor, and thus, all the Violet Palace cultivators held considerable expectations.

The purple qi around Kan Xuyu soared into the sky, gathering all the purplish-red hues from the entire firmament. The clouds also turned pure purple, all descending upon her. A touch of purple appeared between her eyebrows. She brought two fingers together, placed them on her lips, and exhaled a breath of purple qi.

This purple qi was entirely different from the purple in the sky; it was more ethereal, mixed with a hint of pale white. It was just a thin wisp, which slowly stopped in front of her, condensing into a pill shape.

In an instant, throughout heaven and earth, the sounds of Daoist scriptures boomed. The scent of burning incense wafted everywhere, the mountains of the entire Violet Smoke Blessed Land rustled, deer raised their heads, and birds fell silent.

Heavenly Cultivation of Violet Qi Immortal Essence!

The entire mountain range pulsed with intense purple qi. Dense scriptures appeared on every falling leaf. The incense sticks planted in censers across the mountain extinguished themselves, quivering as if alive, and the incense ash crawled back up the pillars, bit by bit returning to its unlit state.

The woman in the sky was like a celestial maiden riding on qi, yet sparkling tears rolled down her face. Kan Xuyu's heart swelled with immense joy.

‘Jiangqun, after four hundred years, I've finally endured it!’

The Violet Qi, condensed into ultimate brilliance, shot towards the sky. Every wisp of purple qi she had previously dispersed across the entire firmament with her divine ability now rushed back, bringing with it the sounds of scriptures being chanted from all over Yue State, all converging into the purple qi before her.

Yet, Kan Xuyu paused, letting out a soft sigh.

While the cultivators marveled at Zi Pei's profound cultivation, two shadows in the sky exchanged glances, both showing surprise. A sharp voice exclaimed, "She... fortunately brought the Nine Luo Attainment Cloth!"

(End of chapter)