Chapter 686: Elder's Words

Li Ximing had only just glanced over when Wang Long was already busy packing up the books. Zhang Gui took two quick steps, quietly picked up the books, and together they stacked the thick, large volumes. Only then did Zhang Gui whisper, "There really isn't..."

The two exchanged a glance, a silent understanding passing between them, and said nothing further. Wang Long opened a purple-gold booklet that was underneath. Zhang Gui took out a brush and wrote in the booklet for a moment, purple-gold light flowing from the script. Zhang Gui then said, "...Hmm... Jingzhou's Wangyue Marsh, now the Wangyue Lake region..."

He paused, then whispered, "Ximing, you haven't cultivated elsewhere for many years, have you? This matter is of great importance; you must not conceal anything from me."

Li Ximing surmised that this information should have already been recorded, and since the two couldn't find his name, they intended to add it privately. Having nothing to conceal, he replied straightforwardly, "That's right."

Zhang Gui wrote two more characters and asked, "And your Daoist name?"

Li Ximing considered for a moment, then replied, "Zhaojing."

Zhang Gui bent his head to write. Li Ximing, with one hand on his storage pouch, rummaged through it and then produced two jade boxes from his sleeve, saying softly, "Thank you for making this trip. Please accept this small token of my appreciation."

"You are too kind, Fellow Daoist."

Zhang Gui's hand continued to write as he looked up to offer a word of thanks, then lowered his head to continue sketching. Wang Long, meanwhile, promptly took the boxes, gave a slight nod, and replied, "This is merely our duty. You are too polite, Fellow Daoist."

Li Ximing observed that the two were clearly well-versed in these customary procedures. The jade boxes, unable to block spiritual sense, contained a Dry Rock Bright Fruit, gifted by Lu Ken years ago, and a portion of Earth Fiend Cold Spring.

One of the two treasures possessed Earth Virtue, and the other, fiendish energy; both were somewhat connected to the Underworld. These were the best items he could produce immediately after a long search through his storage pouch.

"No one ever mentioned the Underworld registering names in person back then," he thought. "Fortunately, judging by Wang Long's expression, these two items are just about acceptable, so I won't offend them."

As he pondered, Zhang Gui had already completed the sketching. He put away the massive, pestle-like brush, cupped his hands, and said, "The registration is complete; I apologize for disturbing you, Fellow Daoist. Your divine power is now established, granting you five hundred years of freedom. When your lifespan draws to an end and you seek to ascend to the Fruit Position, I will return, and we can converse further then."

Wang Long picked up the books, and the two tore through the Great Void, disappearing into the boundless, dark expanse as they returned to the Underworld.

Li Ximing waited for a moment, then used the celestial light from his brow to scan the surroundings, ensuring no one was present. He felt uncertain, pondering, "Yang Tianya has connections to the Underworld, and his breakthrough was kept secret, which clearly indicates some scheme. Yet, sending these two emissaries for me to see also seems like a gesture of goodwill."

"On the other hand," he continued, "my name wasn't on the roster, and the two emissaries added it themselves. Was this instructed by someone connected to the Yang family? Given his significant status, he might be helping me."

In comparison, the two precious medicinal herbs he had just given seemed insignificant. Li Ximing set his doubts aside, secretly contemplating, "Now that I've attained the Purple Mansion realm, custom dictates that I should inform all the major families. It will likely be impossible to keep it a secret..."

"However, for someone like me, who attained Purple Mansion with the collective strength of an entire clan, it's different. I'm not a lone individual like Tu Longjian, relying purely on himself, nor am I like a typical immortal sect that already has a Purple Mansion cultivator backing it. This announcement to all families will likely involve more than just a simple declaration."

After a moment's contemplation, he decided: "First, I'll visit Seniors Chang Xi, Chuting, and Jun Jian to express my gratitude. Only then will I proceed with informing the various sects. This will, firstly, demonstrate my respect, and secondly, allow me to learn of any taboos or customs."

With that, Li Ximing summoned a cloud, entered the Great Void, and set off towards the Xiao family.

"The Great Void."

This was Li Ximing's first time traversing the Great Void. With his divine power shrouding him, he suppressed his luminous aura and flew silently. Looking around, it was a vast, inky blackness, yet it undulated, rising and falling in unpredictable currents.

The Great Void, being pure Qi, is intimately linked with spiritual energy. It is not a flat expanse but possesses varying altitudes and distances. Where spiritual energy is dense, the Great Void manifests as a towering mountain; conversely, where spiritual energy is sparse for a thousand *li*, traversing that distance within the Great Void is but a single step.

Having just cultivated his divine power, Li Ximing looked into the Great Void and instantly understood.

The reason Purple Mansion cultivators can traverse thousands of miles in an instant is precisely by following these narrow paths of sparse spiritual energy within the Great Void, allowing them to cross a thousand *li* in a single stride. Conversely, if an entire region is extremely rich in spiritual energy, it is more efficient to exit the Great Void and travel by conventional divine flight.

Of course, if one encounters a place entirely devoid of spiritual energy, that location simply cannot be found within the Great Void, making any attempt to land there impossible.

Li Ximing traversed the Great Void for a short while, following several shortcuts. In mere dozens of breaths, he arrived at the boundary of Mount Xianyou. Here, the pervasive darkness gave way to shimmering circles of deep blue, like rippling water, spreading across the sky.

He halted his divine power, and a faint golden light shimmered in his pupils as he activated an ocular technique to observe closely. "So, it's a formation," he mused. "The Xiao family now possesses a Grand Purple Mansion Formation that severs the Great Void. Its clear manifestation within the Great Void is clearly a display of power, unlike the old story of Bu Zi covertly penetrating the formation to threaten Xiao Guitu..."

His own clan had received similar treatment back then, though Bu Zi had carelessly glimpsed the Immortal Mirror and gained no advantage. Li Ximing was intrigued by the sight and quietly began to weigh the potential cost.

"If the opportunity arises, I must ask Senior Chuting about this. If our clan could possess such a formation, it would significantly enhance our security."

He finally halted, just as a white light emerged from the formation and settled nearby. From within its hazy luminescence, an elder's voice, imbued with inherent authority, resonated: "Which Fellow Daoist has arrived? Please enter the formation for a discussion."

Li Ximing did not wish to reveal his identity, having suppressed his divine radiance throughout his journey. He merely gave a slight nod and followed the white light into the formation, whereupon his surroundings instantly brightened.

He saw cold mist swirling amidst towering peaks and two opposing, rugged cliffs adorned with pines and cypresses. Below, a clear, frigid pond held a small boat, upon which an old man was faintly visible, quietly fishing.

Snow was still falling, crunching softly as it accumulated on the ground. Li Ximing stood on the shore, bowed respectfully, and replied softly, "Junior Zhaojing Li Ximing greets the True Immortal!"

With a soft "creak," the white jade fishing rod dipped, startling whatever was beneath. The creature cunningly swished its tail and darted away, leaving ripples across the water and the faint clinking of broken ice.

The old man quietly set down his fishing rod and said softly, "So it is True Immortal Zhaojing. This old man thought it was Chengyan; I apologize for my oversight. Please, step onto the boat."

Li Ximing stepped lightly, his form shimmering with light, and he instantly appeared on the boat. Xiao Chuting then set up a small table, placing two jade cups and an emerald-green jade pot upon it.

As Li Ximing settled down, Xiao Chuting put away the first jade pot and took out another. He poured a cup for Li Ximing and smiled, "Have a taste."

Li Ximing then took a sip of the tea.

The tea was light in flavor, and its spiritual energy was merely adequate, certainly not befitting Xiao Chuting's status. Li Ximing felt a slight puzzlement, but the elder spoke, "Years ago, when Li Tongya visited Guanyun Peak, I offered him this very cup of Lucid Fruit Leaf Tea. He considered it too precious and dared not drink much."

"Today, this tea is quite common even among your esteemed clan."

Li Ximing, naturally taking his words to heart, replied respectfully, "Senior's immense kindness is etched in the hearts of my entire clan; we would never dare to forget it. Now that I have fortunately achieved a breakthrough, you are the first I sought. I had thought Senior was in the Northern Sea, but it's fortunate you are here."

"Good," Xiao Chuting praised. "The matter in the Northern Sea was concluded long ago."

Xiao Chuting praised him, nodding with a smile, "I've accepted your good intentions. However, it would be best to visit Si Boxiu first. He is a stickler for rules and values appearances. If you don't show him proper deference, the old traditionalist, though he might not say it, will be displeased."

Li Ximing had originally planned to visit Tu Longjian second and Chang Xi third, effectively placing Si Boxiu at the very end of his list. Hearing this, his heart tightened, and he whispered, "Thankfully, Senior's guidance!"

Xiao Chuting said gently, "Your ability to quickly achieve the Purple Mansion realm indicates a commendable character. However, Si Boxiu's lifespan is drawing to an end, and he is at his most anxious. You should prioritize appeasing him. If you neglect to visit him and instead come to me, an outsider, what will he think?"

"Fortunately, you haven't yet announced your breakthrough to all the families, so it's not widely known. You also arrived here by suppressing your divine power. Si Boxiu is likely still trying to ascertain whether your ascension was successful. Although he possesses the Eastern Separation Secret Scrolls, you consumed the Heavenly Stone, and he has never personally cultivated the Bright Yang path, making it difficult for him to accurately assess your situation."

Li Ximing nodded thoughtfully and whispered, "The Eastern Separation Secret Scrolls?"

"Precisely," Xiao Chuting affirmed.

Xiao Chuting took a sip of tea and said softly, "The Grotto-heaven of the Eastern Separation Sect was divided among three sects, and their secret methods similarly distributed. The Eastern Separation Secret Scrolls record various anomalies of the Bright Yang paths. As early as when you established your foundation, Si Boxiu had already recognized your Dao foundation and cultivation method."

Hearing this, Li Ximing's heart sank, and his perception of Si Boxiu, previously held as stern and venerable, underwent a significant shift. After thanking him, Xiao Chuting continued, "Your breakthrough and emergence from seclusion cannot be concealed for long; it's only a matter of time before it's discovered. It would be better to announce it to all families soon and formally ascend to the rank of an Immortal Clan."

"Once news of your divine power spreads, all the families will come to offer congratulations. You should hold a Divine Power Dharma Assembly, and then visit them one by one. The first three True Immortals you choose to visit are especially important, so pay close attention to that."

Li Ximing noted each point, nodding solemnly. Xiao Chuting continued, "Tu Longjian has gone to the Southern Sea. You don't need to rush to see him. He is currently avoiding everyone, clearly intending to remain outside of worldly affairs. If you hastily go to visit him, you might inadvertently disrupt his plans. There's no need to reserve a formal slot for him; a private visit will suffice."

"You can visit Chang Xi, but his lifespan is even shorter than Si Boxiu's. XuanYue Sect has only one Purple Mansion cultivator, and its decline is likely to occur within a few years; they might not even be able to preserve their mountain gate."

He paused here, seemingly observing Li Ximing's expression, then said softly, "You should decide as you see fit. If your relationship isn't particularly deep, it would be better to sever ties sooner rather than later. There's no need for you to rush to see him; it should be him hurrying to see you."

Li Ximing had a sudden epiphany. He realized how utterly ignorant he was about Purple Mansion affairs; Xiao Chuting truly possessed profound knowledge in this domain. Had it not been for the elder's guidance, he would have undoubtedly mishandled many crucial matters.

"Without knowing these crucial details, I would have been easily manipulated by others."

His expression solemn, he bowed respectfully and stated in a deep voice, "Zhaojing thanks you for your guidance, honored sir!"

Xiao Chuting chuckled, a gentle warmth entering his expression. "With you as you are now, my junior's wish has finally been fulfilled! He endured a lifetime of hardship, treated others with sincerity, yet was often taken advantage of. To gain a disciple like you, it truly marks the end of his suffering and the beginning of good fortune!"

Li Ximing had not forgotten Xiao Yuansi's Purple Brilliance Pill and nodded slightly. Xiao Chuting then said softly, "Go now. Settle your family's affairs. When you inform the various families, Yuansi will accompany me."

The elder's gaze remained fixed on Li Ximing. He observed the young man's eyes visibly flicker upon hearing "settle your family's affairs." The youth immediately nodded, whispered his farewell, and entered the Great Void, departing.

Xiao Chuting, left alone, quietly put away the jade cup and pondered, "He understood to come see me first, which indicates he is unaware of the prominent figure behind him..."

He picked up his jade fishing rod once more and began to fish in the cold pond. As the frigid snow continued to fall, Xiao Chuting fell into deep contemplation, staring silently into the water.

As Li Ximing departed the mountain, the Wushan Purple Flame had already dimmed slightly, and the inherently fragile grand formation began to rumble. A young man descended amidst thunder, holding a command token. Clad in armor, with eyes as dark as lacquer and stepping on bolts of lightning, it was Li Cheng.

Following him was another middle-aged man, dressed in white with a spear strapped to his back. A cultivator at the early Foundation Establishment stage, he maintained a cautious expression as they both landed within the formation. The intense purple flames scorched their faces with painful heat.

"Uncle Siwei."

Li Cheng glanced around and whispered, "The purple flames here are scorching hot; it might not be suitable for the elder to enter. Please wait outside and look after him. I will search for my uncle's whereabouts."

This white-clad man was none other than An Siwei! Over a decade had passed, and he had now achieved Foundation Establishment. His expression remained as composed as ever; he nodded, withdrew, and departed, riding the wind.

Li Cheng proceeded directly to the mountaintop. The jade pillar had collapsed, leaving cracks everywhere. Surprisingly, the entire area was now covered in gardenia trees, their white blossoms rolling across the ground and fluttering up to his boots.

He thoroughly searched the area but found no trace of Li Ximing, not even a single Daoist robe. Beneath the ground, there were only two piles of melted jade powder.

Li Cheng used lightning light to fend off the purple flames as he drew closer, observing carefully. He secretly mused, "The Patriarch once instructed me that if the Elder manifests any unusual phenomena and cannot be found on the mountain, whether it signifies success or failure, it must be kept strictly confidential... Since he is not currently at home, I must take charge of this."

"In recent years," he thought, "the harassment and conspiracies from the three sects of Xiaoshi Mountain, the Tangjin Gate, and the demonic cultivators from Jiangbei have become increasingly blatant. Now, with such astonishing celestial phenomena, there will be no peaceful days ahead. We must plan meticulously."

He plucked a gardenia flower, placed it into a jade box, and put it away. He then immediately flew out, riding the wind, until he reached the outside of the formation where Li Xuanxuan was anxiously waiting. Seeing Li Cheng approach, Li Xuanxuan whispered, "Well?"

Li Cheng paused, then replied softly, "The purple flames were too intense; I couldn't see clearly and was quickly forced back out."

Li Xuanxuan, in truth, harbored little belief that Li Ximing could achieve the Purple Mansion realm, yet a faint hope lingered in his heart, which he could not bear to extinguish. He silently lowered his head and asked in a strained voice, "What did Minggong and Baiyuan say?"

Li Cheng replied respectfully, "My sister sent word that the demonic cultivators around Cold Cloud Peak, bewildered by the celestial anomaly, have largely dispersed."

"For the next few days, there should be no cause for concern. However, since the Patriarch is still in the East Sea eliminating demons, we must maintain a vigilant watch. The sects from Xiaoshi Mountain are not mere rogue cultivators; they are likely still making their way toward the lake."

"Good," Li Xuanxuan affirmed.

Li Xuanxuan, seeing Li Cheng's confidence, quickly stepped back. Li Cheng then looked up at the sky and whispered, "More than half of Wangyue Lake is already obscured by colorful clouds. The Three Sects and Seven Gates cannot possibly be unaware of this. There's already news circulating within our own sect as well; we should just wait for their correspondence."