Chapter 678: Dark Plot (Part 1)

East Sea.

Under the deepening night, Evergreen Isle was brightly lit. On the Immortal Peak where the Azure Pool outpost was located, the vegetation had thinned, and iron pillars stood tall. Dark red bloodstains, scattered like stars, flowed from them, slowly turning into mist. It was unclear what kind of demonic creature's blood it was.

A middle-aged man emerged from the forest of iron pillars, his treasures clinking and clanking as he moved. His expression was grim. Seeing him exit the woods, a group of cultivators immediately called out obsequiously.

“Greetings, Lord Wei!”

This man was indeed Wei Luoya, a disciple of Mount Wu from years ago. He had visited the Li family several times, seeking only a way out of his predicament. Later, Li Xuanfeng captured him and sent him to serve the Ning family. Decades had passed since then.

Wei Luoya merely glanced sideways with his slightly reddened eyes, offering no reply. Several guest cultivators eagerly rushed forward, fawning over him, ready to serve his every need.

Wei Luoya was ruthless and cunning, having climbed the ranks by any means necessary over the years. Hailing from Mount Wu, he possessed many insidious techniques from their sorcery, which proved highly effective in the Southern Border. Thus, he rose steadily through the ranks.

A few years prior, he finally caught the attention of the Ning family's direct lineage and earned the trust of Ning Hejing. He had reached a position where, no matter how much the Azure Pool guest cultivators secretly disdained him, they had to respectfully address him as 'Lord.'

Wei Luoya unfastened a jade bead from his waist and illuminated the area around him, creating a barrier to prevent eavesdropping. Only then did he lower his voice and say:

“Have you used your artifacts to investigate? Is there any activity in the Abyss?”

“Reporting, Lord, there is none.”

One person stepped forward to answer, offering a palm-sized azure mirror with both hands, and whispered:

“Li Xizhi hasn't emerged in years. I fear his life may be in peril.”

“Not even the Flowing Light Inquiry can detect him.”

Wei Luoya put away the mirror-like ancient artifact. Back then, he was dirt poor, a mere mountain dweller, but now he wielded ancient artifacts, their many clinking and clanking as he walked.

‘He's still a mountain dweller; he can't shake that annoying habit of hanging everything on himself, no matter where he goes...’

The guest cultivator smiled outwardly, but cursed inwardly. Wei Luoya glanced at him, dismissed him without a word, then flicked his sleeve to dismiss everyone else before turning and re-entering the forest.

Ning Hejing, clad in soft red armor, sat upright in complete darkness. Across from him, a plump monk had his hands pressed together, smiling with narrowed eyes. On the stone table lay a small letter.

Ning Hejing sat with a solemn expression. When Wei Luoya approached, he opened the letter again to read it.

“This is a letter from the sect.”

The letter appeared to have been folded and unfolded dozens of times, its creases growing deeper. Ning Hejing said in a deep voice:

“Chi Fubo's people have already left the sect…”

The two malevolent forces and one light in the Abyss had gradually subsided. Li Xizhi was not yet dead; his emergence from the earth veins was only a matter of time. After a moment of thought, Ning Hejing asked:

“Master Liaokong, what did Chi Zhiru say?”

Master Liaokong, with his auspicious and endearingly naive appearance, smiled broadly at him and said softly:

“Chi Zhiru intends to move against Li Xizhi. The ambush will be set up above Reef Sea, and the grand formation is already prepared! As soon as he passes through that area, the formation will be activated immediately to eliminate him.”

“Good…”

Ning Hejing's tone was calm as he whispered:

“With you as his backing, Chi Zhiru will have no problem killing this person. Even if Si Yuanli pretends to be dead, he won't be able to remain indifferent then!”

Ning Hejing clearly regarded both as his trusted confidants, speaking without reservation and in a deep, composed voice:

“We owe it to your intervention, Master, that this matter can be settled.”

Ning Hejing now heavily relied on Wei Luoya simply because he possessed certain tactics and had his territory seized by the Li family, making him relatively trustworthy. However, the one he truly valued was only Master Liaokong, who sat before him.

“After all, it is only wise to trust the mortal enemy of your enemy.”

Setting aside the past entanglements between the Li family and Buddhist cultivators, the eighteen Buddhist cultivators Li Xuanfeng killed on the river alone were enough. Ning Hejing had personally witnessed Master Liaokong's genuine intention to harm the Li clan, and he had exerted great effort in this matter.

“True Person Suiguan, after all, bears the Chi surname, and Bu Zi is currently away. It seems Yuan Xiu genuinely has no interest in the Azure Pool's leadership. However, the Si family will not be easily bullied. As soon as Li Xizhi dies, Si Yuanli will certainly retaliate.”

Master Liaokong desired to eliminate the Buddhist enemy, while Ning Hejing wanted Chi Fubo and the Si family to turn against each other and fight. They instantly found common ground. Master Liaokong immediately began devising a plan to approach Chi Zhiru. This old man was inherently reckless, constantly seeking people to harm Li Xizhi, and Master Liaokong perfectly suited his intentions.

Ning Hejing considered all angles and was indeed convinced. He spoke in a muffled voice:

“That serpent demon is unremarkable; surviving in the Abyss is already a miracle. Even if he and Li Xizhi are incredibly fortunate, with one man and one demon against Chi Zhiru's three, plus the Master and the grand formation covering them, how could they possibly escape?!”

“Once Chi Zhiru kills Li Xizhi, you will immediately reincarnate and return to the north. We will then be completely absolved…”

Wei Luoya listened for a moment, then frowned and said:

“But… Lord, although the Abyss has many exits and extends in all directions, if Li Xizhi returns to Evergreen Isle from the Abyss to recuperate on site, and doesn't go to Reef Sea, wouldn't our efforts be in vain?”

Ning Hejing laughed heartily, shaking his head as he replied:

“That's where you're mistaken.”

The plump monk beside him gave Wei Luoya a meaningful look, then shook his head and said:

“Benefactor… this is what this humble monk divined a few days ago. Originally, I needed something he carried, but unfortunately, Celestial Peak is inaccessible…”

“Fortunately, Li Xizhi once lived on Azure Grain Peak. By using an item of Li Xizhi's obtained from Peak Master Yuan of Azure Grain Peak, I was able to divine that Li Xizhi has already reached Reef Sea.”

“In fact, that fellow arrived there long ago and is secretly recuperating! I am now ready to bid farewell to you two and proceed to that location!”

Ning Hejing then smiled at Wei Luoya and said:

“I also just learned of this, and haven't had a chance to tell you!”

Wei Luoya suddenly understood, exclaiming how brilliant it was, causing both men to laugh heartily. But the mountain dweller's heart turned cold:

‘He actually doesn't trust me…’

How could Wei Luoya believe that Ning Hejing 'just learned' of it! He realized that being sent to diligently search and investigate with artifacts across the Abyss's various veins was merely a deception to mislead, even tricking him.

The mountain dweller stood silently, his mind racing with thoughts, yet his expression remained calm.

Reef Sea.

Reef Sea was located at the edge of the Sky-Uniting Sea, where the waters were shallow and reefs stood densely. Li Xizhi had just emerged from the nearby seabed and arrived at this location.

After hiding in the Abyss for so long, his condition was still good. However, Li Wushao remained listless and had not recovered. The old demon had only just transformed into human form, but his face was pale, and movement was difficult, so he stayed in a temporarily opened cave dwelling near the exit to recuperate.

The Rosy Ray, Li Qiyun, had recuperated, its orange, feathered fins on its cheeks now much brighter. It had transformed back to its true form and accompanied Li Xizhi northward. Man and ray became a single streak of rosy light, moving at an astonishing speed.

Li Xizhi glanced at the map in his hand and said softly:

“The nearest market town is straight ahead. After spending so many years inside, my elixirs are all depleted. It's a good opportunity to buy some to help Wushao heal…”

He appeared unguarded, yet his gaze subtly swept over the sea reefs beneath his feet, seemingly searching for something. After flying for a while, he indeed saw the seawater beneath him boil, and several white lights shot skyward, converging into a dazzling white barrier.

“Li Xizhi!”

A thunderous shout boomed. Li Xizhi halted the Rosy Ray and looked up, seeing several figures flying above the sea. The leader, with a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivation and a rough, triumphant appearance, could be none other than Chi Zhiru.

Behind this man stood three guest cultivators: two red-robed middle-aged men at mid-Foundation Establishment, and one white-robed elder at late-Foundation Establishment. All looked familiar, clearly trusted confidants of the Chi family whom Li Xizhi recognized.

“Guest Cultivator Zhao, who cultivates the Bright Sun art; Xia Yun, who cultivates the Scarlet Fire art; and Wu Weibai, the mountain dweller stationed overseas…”

Li Xizhi glanced at them, unafraid, and chuckled softly:

“Who else is there? Come out all at once!”

“You!”

Chi Zhiru had disliked Li Xizhi for a long time. Now, seeing the youth utterly fearless and riding a large Rosy Ray, his triumph quickly turned to caution, and he remained silent.

He first used his spiritual sense to probe and discovered that the Rosy Ray was merely at mid-Foundation Establishment. His heart immediately relaxed. Giving Li Xizhi no chance to speak, he said with a grave and composed voice:

“Attack!”

Instantly, three beams of Dharma light swept towards him: one bright as sunlight and incredibly fast, one hot as fire engulfing his surroundings, and the last, clear and pure, slithering through the air, watching like a venomous snake.

The three individuals behind Chi Zhiru were not just guest cultivators of the Azure Pool Sect, but also trusted confidants of the Chi family. Their three beams of Dharma light, once unleashed, were dazzling and extraordinary. Chi Zhiru himself was on high alert, constantly forming hand seals, converging powerful spiritual energy fluctuations.

“Good…”

Li Xizhi praised them, lightly patting the Rosy Ray, which instantly vanished from beneath his feet. A cauldron-shaped rosy light appeared in his hand. He lifted his sleeve and flicked it gently.

“Heart Cauldron Dispels Calamity!”

The Dharma light, bright as sunlight, had just reached him when it was instantly absorbed into his hand as if swallowed by a giant whale, vanishing completely. With another flick of Li Xizhi's hand, a brilliant light was released, colliding with the fiery red Dharma light and shattering it into fragmented sparks.

As soon as the trio's probing attacks concluded, Li Xizhi had already transformed into several streaks of rosy light and dispersed, leaving the remaining Dharma light to blunder around like a headless fly.

“What excellent magic…”

Wu Weibai, the only late-Foundation Establishment elder among the four, sighed. His Dharma sword flew up, and in mid-air, it seemed to strike something incredibly fast, rebounding erratically before returning to his hand.

Two streaks of rosy light then emerged from the opposite direction. Li Xizhi's shadow flickered in the air. He sheathed his sword, then vanished from mid-air once more.

‘His movement technique has also reached an exceedingly refined state!’

The four men gasped. Elder Wu Weibai, who had seen the Neighboring Valley Haze in his younger years, deeply understood how troublesome these elusive, high-level cultivators of rosy light could be. He said in a deep voice:

“Your Highness!”

Chi Zhiru was slightly reluctant, but still took out a mirror from his sleeve. The fact that he had to activate something he thought he wouldn't even need after just one exchange made him lose some face.

“Buzz!”

But the mirror was indeed no ordinary object. The moment it was taken out, a wandering point of rosy light immediately appeared within the entire grand formation. Moreover, a beam of sun radiance rose from the mirror, slashing towards this rosy light.

“Hiss…”

While the mirror's detection ability was formidable, its Dharma light was clearly much inferior. It vanished without a trace upon hitting the rosy light. Instead, a bright streak of rosy light was casually flung back, evidently consumed once more by Heart Cauldron Dispels Calamity.

Before arriving, the four had specifically studied Li Xizhi's 'Morning Haze Dew Gathering Art' and understood many of its spells, instantly recognizing 'Heart Cauldron Dispels Calamity.'

‘Heart Cauldron Dispels Calamity is not an easy spell to cultivate… He must have put in a great deal of effort.’

Chi Zhiru also raised an eyebrow. He quickly parried the returning light, and a white light sprang from his hand as he said coldly:

“Don't delay! Finish this quickly!”

Chi Zhiru prided himself on his ample preparations. Four people were enough to steadily suppress Li Xizhi, not to mention a Master hidden in the shadows. His only fear was reinforcements arriving. Thus, he immediately shouted:

“Do not be hesitant!”

“Clang…”

The white light in his hand, like a bean, struck squarely in mid-air. Li Xizhi, unable to dodge, manifested from the rosy light, his expression turning somewhat solemn. He brought his hands together to form a seal:

“Disperse.”

A burst of rosy light erupted from his hand, temporarily pushing aside the bean-sized white light. He then drew out a fan to block the incoming Dharma sword, and his next spell was already fully prepared:

“Rainbow Shadow Clone.”

Immediately, vibrant light surged, splitting into dozens of Li Xizhis. Rosy light filled the sky, stunning the four men. They instantly activated their ocular techniques but couldn't discern a single true body. Not only did the Dharma lights and Dharma swords waver aimlessly, even the bean-sized white light hesitated.

“Bang!”

However, in that brief instant, a violent collision sound erupted near the trio's ears. A dazzling streak of rosy light flashed by, slamming fiercely into Guest Cultivator Zhao, who was casting a spell.

“Puff!”

Completely unaware, he spurted a mouthful of blood, and before his protective artifact could even respond, he plunged headfirst into the sea.

“What?!”

The rosy light transformed into a youth clad in colorful robes with feathers on his face, who, smiling, pursued Guest Cultivator Zhao into the water. Chi Zhiru cursed under his breath and abruptly pulled out a talisman.

“Protect me while I cast!”

He infused it with his magical power. Seeing the two men behind him still busy trying to eliminate the clones, he cursed them furiously. Yet, several streaks of rosy light rose before him, and a small, orange-yellow light flickered twice, stinging his eyes.

‘Not good…’

He felt his hand suddenly empty; the talisman had vanished instantly. His eyes stung and teared up. When he finally managed to see clearly, he found that the remaining dozen or so Li Xizhis each held a talisman in their hands simultaneously!

The next moment, these dozen or so Li Xizhis simultaneously cast their spells, transforming into a dozen points of orange illusory light, and vanished, leaving only the rosy light wandering within the formation.

The first spell Li Xizhi cultivated was the Floating Light Item Seizing art. Not only was it the Rosy Light clan's specialty, but it was also his own most proficient spell. Now, after years of enhancement by 'Talisman Qi,' it had reached an unparalleled level of mastery.

“You!”

The two guest cultivators behind him quickly shielded him. Wu Weibai sighed inwardly and transmitted a message softly using his magical power:

‘Your Highness, this person's Floating Light Item Seizing art is quite terrifying. If you intend to use talismans, you must inform us beforehand.’

Although Chi Zhiru had been warned earlier, the blame could not truly be placed on the two men. Knowing that the opponent possessed an item-seizing technique, he should have retreated behind them before taking out the talisman, not taken it out first and then spoken.

Wu Weibai was sufficiently tactful, but Chi Zhiru, unaware that his own combat experience was lacking, secretly resented the two men behind him. He felt a surge of frustration in his chest, yet also a secret dread at the profundity of Li Xizhi's spells.

‘I've never heard of Li Xizhi having such high talent in magic! He hides it so well!’