Chapter 658: Pushing the Wave

After a brief conversation, a dull thud echoed through the air, and a woman entered the hall. Everyone rose to their feet. Shen Yanqing hurried forward and said softly, "It's been many years, Senior!"

Shen Yanqing was already aware of the grotto-heaven matter, so there was no warm smile on her face. Li Qinghong, however, smiled and nodded, "It has been quite some time."

They invited her to be seated. Shen Yanqing gently stated, "I should have come to see you sooner, but various matters delayed me. The chaos in Jiangbei made it impossible for my family to remain aloof. Now that the situation has stabilized, I have come to meet you, Senior."

She took a jade box from her sleeve and placed it gently on the table. "I have brought the Heavenly Thunder Sacrificial Method I mentioned to you back then. My family's thunder method originates from the Northern Palace Profound Thunder Dao, one of the twelve prominent traditions of the Zhou era."

Li Qinghong listened carefully and asked, "I presume the Thunder Manipulation Cloud Docking Method is not among them?"

Her own Thunder Manipulation Cloud Docking Method was no longer a secret, and since this lineage was passed down from the Yan Yang Temple, it was likely not from the Zhou era. As Li Qinghong had surmised, Shen Yanqing nodded, "It is not. The Thunder Manipulation Cloud Docking Method was established in later generations. The Twelve Thunder Palaces were originally lineages responsible for overseeing the righteousness and evil of the world, but they have all been annihilated now. Even their full traditions are untraceable, with only a few methods remaining."

Wei Dan'ying, who was nearby, sighed softly and replied, "If the Twelve Thunder Palaces were still present, the world would not have fallen into such a state."

After her sigh, Li Qinghong remained expressionless, but Shen Yanqing's face showed a hint of peculiarity. After a moment of hesitation, she replied, "Our sect's lineage highly regards the Thunder Palaces... but in truth, according to the information our family has gathered, it might not have been quite like that."

Noticing their puzzled looks, Shen Yanqing whispered, "According to the descriptions in the remaining texts, the Thunder Palaces acted with great tyranny. Their thunder chariots patrolled the lands, and wherever their envoys passed, thunderbolts shook the earth, causing countless casualties..."

She paused, then continued, "Moreover, the Thunder Palaces controlled the 'human calamity,' seeking out people everywhere to strike with lightning. Cultivators who were progressing well, nearing a breakthrough, would suddenly find a Thunder Palace envoy appearing. Profound Thunder would strike down; suffering excruciating pain was one thing, but those with great sins would even lose their lives... The world suffered under them for a long time."

"Later, when the one from the Northern Palace departed to the outer heavens, the entire realm erupted in outrage. From high-level Purple Mansion cultivators to ordinary citizens, everyone was unwilling to endure the oppression of the Thunder Palaces. Nine of the Twelve Palaces were abandoned... Cultivators stormed the palaces, retrieved the thunder methods, and burned them collectively. The lineage soon vanished without a trace."

Li Qinghong listened in silence. Wei Dan'ying, who had heard completely different accounts within her sect, was visibly shaken. Shen Yanqing sighed, "This cultivation method of mine was secretly left behind by a rogue cultivator from those days. He recorded that when the Thunder Palaces fell, the entire world rejoiced, calling the Twelve Thunder Palaces the 'Twelve Thunder Edicts of Control' that had shackled the world's people and cultivators. From then on, they could think what they wished, imagine what they pleased, write what they desired, and speak what they wanted."

After she finished speaking, no one in the hall uttered a word. The Li family, having no prior knowledge of the Thunder Palaces, were somewhat unaffected, but Wei Dan'ying's deeply ingrained beliefs made her struggle for words. She whispered, "How could that be? I only heard that the Thunder Palaces patrolled the world, ensuring no one dared to cultivate demonic arts... How could it have escalated to shackling the entire world?"

Shen Yanqing had not come to discuss the good and evil of the Thunder Palaces, nor did she intend to explain it in detail. Her purpose was simply to give Li Qinghong some understanding. She gently reassured Wei Dan'ying, "Just treat it as a rumor."

She turned to Li Qinghong and smiled, "Senior, please take a look."

Li Qinghong accepted the jade box and took out the jade slip. It indeed contained a Heavenly Thunder Sacrificial Method, which was quite different from her own. Li Qinghong, in turn, handed over her Purple Thunder Secret Elemental Art.

The thunder method obtained from the Qingsong Temple grotto-heaven was naturally not from any specific lineage. The Cloud-Piercing Thunder Inquiry Method only contained the cultivation technique, and it was all Li Qinghong had to offer. Shen Yanqing accepted it and softly said, "I hope to discuss the secrets of these cultivation methods with you, Senior."

Li Zhouwei immediately understood, and he invited a few people to the side hall. The main hall became empty. Shen Yanqing lowered her voice, "Senior, I've heard that several thunder-cultivating aristocratic families from the North Sea, the Miao family from the South Sea, and those two Daoists from the East Sea... are all preparing to depart for the East Sea. Do you have any arrangements?"

"I am aware, and I will be heading there soon," Li Qinghong replied solemnly. "The Dragon Kin disseminated the cultivation method, and a single seed has been awaited for a hundred years. They attach great importance to this matter, so I naturally wouldn't miss it."

Hearing this, Shen Yanqing sighed inwardly and responded, "Senior... the Dragon Kin casts a wide net, and many who cultivated the Thunder Manipulation Cloud Docking Method perished prematurely. There hasn't been much activity regarding this, which is why at first, no one from the various families could guess. It was only when traces of the grotto-heaven began to appear that speculations slowly emerged."

"But now, Senior, you are a leader in this path, and you must go."

Seeing Li Qinghong calm and composed, she continued, "My family's True Monarch said... there will be another struggle within the grotto-heaven. Senior, do not hold back..."

Li Qinghong was surprised. "Of course, I know that. In life-or-death situations, why would I hold back?"

Shen Yanqing said, "That includes Xi Zikang from the North Sea."

Li Qinghong raised an eyebrow. Her affairs truly seemed to be no secret before these Purple Mansion cultivators. Shen Yanqing softly explained, "His thunder cultivation is extremely high, among the best of those entering the grotto-heaven. If he can be dealt with, it would eliminate a major problem."

Li Qinghong had only recently formed an acquaintance with Xi Zikang. Though straightforward, she could hardly fail to understand the implication from the Shen family, or rather, the Ziyan Sect. After a moment of silence, she said, "We're all entering the Dragon's Abode anyway, why bother with this? I am not a pedantic person; I've also engaged in killing for treasures. But those were enemies. At least from what I've seen, this young Xi Zikang is upright and treats me with warmth. I cannot bring myself to do it."

Shen Yanqing also fell silent, then gritted her teeth and said, "What if, after entering the Dragon's Abode, life and death are uncertain?"

Li Qinghong slowly turned her head, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, and became even more silent. She spoke softly, "So, I must choose."

Shen Yanqing merely said she wouldn't dare. A soft smile appeared on Li Qinghong's face, and she shook her head, "Then if I cannot bring myself to do it, I deserve to face that fatal tribulation."

Shen Yanqing pursed her lips and replied, "This junior understands..."

She paused, then quickly changed the subject, "My master has already reincarnated. If there is any news from the lake or your noble family's territory, please inform us. We will reward you handsomely!"

Li Qinghong already knew she would mention this and nodded in assent. Shen Yanqing then bid farewell and went to find her companions in the side hall. Only then did Li Qinghong lean back in her chair, lost in thought.

When she first heard Shen Yanqing's words, she thought the Ziyan Sect meant for her to ambush Xi Zikang before entering the grotto-heaven. But upon closer thought, it was probably not before.

"After all, many Thunder Manipulation Cloud Docking Methods have circulated. If everyone feared being harmed in the grotto-heaven and started harming others first, how could the Dragon Kin stand by idly? If it were permissible, the Miao family and other Purple Mansion immortal families would have likely acted long ago."

"It's a reminder that if I ally with Xi Zikang... even if I don't ambush him, I should still be wary. It's likely we'll have to fight in the end..."

She sat quietly for a while. Li Zhouwei had already entered from outside the hall. He didn't rush to ask about Shen Yanqing's words, but instead said solemnly, "The time for the Jiangque generation to receive their first talisman seeds is also approaching. Since you, honored one, have come out of seclusion, perhaps we can observe it together."

"Good," Li Qinghong replied concisely, speaking little these days.

Qingchi Sect.

In the main hall of Azure Pond Peak, with its magnificent green bricks and mist-shrouded air, a young man reclined beside an immortal's seat. His green robes, adorned with golden patterns, shimmered brightly, and the sword at his waist glowed with infused power.

His appearance was not remarkable, but his spirit was full of youthful vigor. Beside the desk, a woman in a colorful flowing dress watched him with beautiful eyes.

"Sect Master..."

This was Chi Xuxiao, the young Sect Master of Qingchi. He looked down at the documents on the table. When the woman finally spoke, he gently asked, "Has my little uncle responded to the recommendation I sent him?"

At the mention of Chi Fubo, a hint of resentment flashed in the woman's eyes. She simply whispered, "Lord Chi did not approve."

As the Sect Master of a sect, Chi Xuxiao could not even recommend a talent without Chi Fubo pushing it back, which was undoubtedly a humiliation. Yet, he smiled slightly and replied, "Alright... it seems I was inconsiderate. Please bring that jade slip back. I'll review what Little Uncle said and ponder it carefully before seeking his guidance again."

The woman sighed and replied, "Yes, yes, yes..."

Chi Xuxiao glanced at her closely, his eyes full of amusement. "What's wrong with you now?" he asked.

"It's not even an important position for Lord Chi! Just a few minor roles... how could Chi Fubo not allow it? Why? Who exactly is the Sect Master?" she grumbled.

Chi Xuxiao shook his head. "I am still too young, and many things I consider are unclear. How can I blame an elder? I understand Ning Hejing suffered overseas, but you cannot speak out of personal sentiment."

The woman immediately fell silent, muttering inwardly, "Does he really not understand, or is he pretending not to?"

Just as they finished speaking, someone reported that Chi Fubo had arrived. Chi Xuxiao immediately rose to greet him, walking all the way to the front of the hall. He respectfully said, "Little Uncle has arrived!"

Chi Fubo slowly entered.

Over the years, Chi Fubo had held great power, gradually shedding his youthful naivety, and his demeanor had become calmer. Chi Xuxiao led him to a side seat, personally tidying it for him, and said respectfully, "It's been many days since I last saw Little Uncle!"

This series of actions showed Chi Fubo immense respect, and he could not maintain a stern face. He merely smiled and said, "The plan from a few days ago has progressed. My people at Fuchen Peak reported that Li Quantao is growing increasingly uneasy and making more frequent trips outside... The news from the Li family must have reached them."

Chi Xuxiao nodded and replied, "Little Uncle's insights are sharp... There's been no news from the Si family's side. Either the Li family couldn't contact the Si family, or they tried privately but failed."

"Si Yuanli would never abandon the Li family," Chi Fubo said with great certainty, his voice calm. "Don't let his cunning and forbearance fool you. He merely rides the general trend. His previous tactics show that he possesses quite a bit of 'womanly compassion' at heart. After all, he cultivates the sword, he cannot be utterly ruthless."

"Otherwise, Li Xuanfeng and the others could never have persuaded him back then. Either you do something, or you don't; who would act on such a significant matter simply by listening to others? And he certainly wouldn't be uneasy about the Li family."

Chi Xuxiao looked more pleased. "Could it be... that True Monarch Si is indeed in seclusion, and he's acting privately?"

"Whether he's in seclusion or not probably makes no difference... It's more likely he's wary of our family's True Monarch."

Chi Fubo took a deep breath, looked at him thoughtfully for a few moments, then waved his hand in dismissal. Chi Xuxiao escorted him out of the hall. Chi Fubo bid farewell with a smile, but his expression grew more solemn.

Walking with his hands behind his back, he was troubled. "He's so intelligent... and so polite... I'm starting to feel a little reluctant myself..."

Chi Xuxiao's actions had surprised everyone in the sect. This young Sect Master not only actively supported Chi Fubo and strove to mediate conflicts between the Chi and Ning factions, but also proved to be an empathetic, generous, and wise leader. Over the past few years, his reputation within the sect had soared.

Chi Fubo witnessed this, feeling awkward about his own position. The appearance of Chi Buzhi in the East Sea also brought him both joy and worry. Chi Buzhi, to put it nicely, was a Purple Mansion cultivator from their own branch; to put it less nicely, he was an elder from the senior branch...

His heart grew exceedingly dark. He maintained a smiling facade as he returned to his own hall, where he met a black-clad young man approaching.

"Yuanqin."

The idea of making Chi Xuxiao the Sect Master had gradually deviated from its original intent, showing faint signs of being a bad idea. But Chi Fubo was a sensible person. He showed no displeasure towards Li Yuanqin, who had proposed this plan. He said cordially, "Have those few given you any trouble?"

While Chi Fubo understood, not all Chi family members were as discerning. The higher Chi Xuxiao's popularity rose, the more subtle and overt displeasure Li Yuanqin received from the Chi family. But he calmly stated, "Brother Fubo, I've confirmed it."

Chi Fubo nodded in understanding. They entered, and the two sat by a table. Li Yuanqin whispered, "Ning Hejing has indeed colluded with a Buddhist cultivator, a Master Kongwu Dao. He intends to scheme against Li Xizhi and Si Yuanli. The light-sha in the Earth Abyss has grown denser these past few days. Li Xizhi will likely find it hard to remain hidden. As soon as he emerges from the Earth Abyss, Ning Hejing's people will be waiting."

"The information is sparse, so I can't discern everything, but he likely has some means to frame us. Lord Tiger Monarch is still in the East Sea, and I suspect he's the one most likely to be implicated."

Chi Fubo fell silent for a moment, then whispered, "Your meaning is..."

"His calculations, left and right, are merely to provoke us and the Si family into an open conflict, so he can reap the benefits. What's at stake is merely human lives, after all? Even if we can't guess how he'll do it, either Li Xizhi, Si Yuanli, or Lord Tiger Monarch must die."

Chi Fubo's silence deepened, and his heart grew cold. "How could Ning Hejing alone stir up such a massive storm? I fear some Purple Mansion cultivators, unwilling to see True Monarchs Chi and Si remain uninvolved, are quietly pushing from behind, hoping to worsen the relationship between the two True Monarchs."

Li Yuanqin fixed his gaze on him and whispered, "Yuanqin thinks the same. But precisely because a Purple Mansion cultivator is providing cover, even if Si Boxiu isn't in seclusion, he might very well be unable to deduce this matter!"

Chi Fubo narrowed his eyes and asked, "How do you plan to respond?"

"Li Xizhi is difficult to kill, and Si Yuanli is highly likely to detect it. They will probably try to kill Lord Tiger Monarch first..."

Chi Fubo remained expressionless. "Oh? So, should I call him back first?"

Li Yuanqin shook his head and calmly stated, "In my opinion, it might be beneficial to let Lord Tiger Monarch die. We will wait quietly on the sidelines. As soon as Lord Tiger Monarch dies, we immediately act to apprehend Li Xizhi and bring him back to the sect!"

His voice was cold as he continued, "As long as we frame everything precisely, even the True Monarch there won't be able to say anything! This will compel Si Yuanli to hand over those positions he's been withholding, and then we can release him from the sect!"

Chi Fubo, hearing his proposal to kill his own grand-uncle, even showed a hint of a smile. He asked, "What if he refuses?"

Li Yuanqin respectfully said, "Then the Li family will have no choice but to rely on us to preserve Li Xizhi's life. And the remaining Ning family members will be easy to catch, won't they?"

"Good, good, good," Chi Fubo's smile deepened. He stared intently at Li Yuanqin and asked, "Since this matter could even deceive Si Boxiu, who is in seclusion... there must have been a Purple Mansion cultivator involved..."

"How did you know?!"