Chapter 694: Purple Mansion Dharma Assembly (Part 1)

Wangyue Lake was cloudless, its waters rippling. A dark blue pavilion stood on the lake, connected to an island by a long pathway, where several stone lotus lamps glowed with a shimmering light. The octagonal pavilion was adorned with eight different runes, etched in cinnabar as decorative accents. It faced Xiping Mountain to the west. A jade plaque hung on the pavilion, inscribed with the large characters: "Zhuya Pavilion."

A woman in a pale red cloud-satin dress sat within the pavilion, a silvery necklace adorning her neck. She held an ancient book. This was Li Quewan. Zhuya Pavilion was Li Quewan's place of cultivation. She practiced the Way of Complete Elixir, where cultivation methods depended not on the abundance of spiritual energy, but on observing the transformation of matter. Therefore, Li Zhouwei had searched the entire lake for the place most conducive to transformation, building Zhuya Pavilion for her there. The lake itself had little direct connection to Complete Elixir. Zhuya Pavilion's location was where a formation had once been laid, Shenbai had been sacrificed, and a grand restrictive formation on the island had been dispelled. Thus, it could barely be considered a place of "transformation." Originally, Wushan would have been the most suitable place, as it was once the cultivation ground of Duanmu Kui, a high-ranking shaman. However, Li Ximing had achieved divine abilities there, transforming the entire mountain into a Bright Sun treasure land, rendering it unsuitable for Li Quewan's practice.

"The clan still needs to rename Wushan, and I'm not sure how they'll manage that," she mused. The emergence of a Purple Mansion cultivator was a great cause for celebration, yet Li Quewan felt a hint of worry. While family matters were stable, she had unresolved personal issues. Her father, Li Baotuo, had moved to the island and was happily spending his days walking dogs and fighting birds. However, her elder brothers were running a shipping business between the two banks of the lake. Her brothers were skilled, and with her influence, their business naturally prospered. But this interfered with another family's business. Enraged, the family reported them to the Clan Justice Hall, accusing her brothers of exploiting their influence for profit. Her brothers were summoned to Qingdu Mountain that very night. Li Quewan was familiar with clan affairs and knew her brothers wouldn't be in immediate danger. However, her father, Li Baotuo, was so anxious that several cold sores had erupted around his mouth, and he had sought her out multiple times. She was fortunate that it coincided with the Purple Mansion breakthrough, so the clan's attention was elsewhere. Li Zhouluo, the clan uncle from Qingdu, also hadn't made a swift judgment; otherwise, she couldn't imagine the uproar it would cause! She sighed, put down her ancient book, calculated the time, and mused, "Three months will pass in a flash. All the sects will arrive at Wangyue Lake soon. We must go to greet them."

Li Quewan and Li Jiangqian were now the Li family's new generation of prodigies. With Li Ximing achieving the Purple Mansion realm and the Li clan ascending to a Purple Mansion Immortal Clan, their status and position immediately changed. While not a difference of heaven and earth, they had certainly climbed several ranks. Li Quewan pressed her hand on the book, feeling both joy and worry. "I fear that in the eyes of the various sects, Jiangqian and I now hold a status similar to Chi Fupo and Si Tongyi back then. We definitely have to go and greet them." Things had always been this way. The clan's major and minor affairs had probably already reached the ears of the other sects. Li Quewan estimated that in the eyes of other families, Clan Head Li Zhouwei was now likely being compared to Tuoba Chongyuan. "Fame brings many troubles..." She flew up from the pavilion, soaring towards the clouds. She happened to see Li Minggong, dressed in a red ritual robe, standing in the sky on a cloud of fire. Li Minggong cultivated the Way of True Fire, and her Pheasant Exodus lineage had an affinity with the Fire Phoenix. Against the backdrop of her red ritual robe, she appeared even more dignified and graceful, standing openly in the sky.

Li Quewan respectfully bowed, "Greetings, Senior!" Li Minggong usually guarded the northern bank and the river's edge, so she hadn't met Li Quewan many times. However, as the eldest sister of the uncle's lineage and one of the rare female Foundation Establishment cultivators, Li Quewan naturally felt very close to her. Li Minggong was also generous and dignified, having received praise from Li Xijun early on. She naturally possessed a charming radiance that made her very likable. Li Quewan warmly greeted her. Li Minggong stood gracefully, her tone light: "Wan'er, you're here. Just follow behind me. Jiangqian is with Cheng over there, greeting guests on the other side." "Auntie is truly beautiful," Li Quewan said, covering her mouth with a laugh. Li Minggong, however, was unfazed. She simply glanced at her and chuckled, "I'm getting old; I can't compare to your youth."

As they conversed, Li Zhouluo arrived, leading a group of people, riding on golden spiritual energy. He wore a luxurious robe, blue on the outside and white within, with vibrant golden energy swirling around him. As a sixth-level Qi Refining cultivator and the head of the Season lineage, his status within the Li clan was already quite high. For him to personally lead the way, the people behind him must certainly be of extraordinary status. Li Minggong looked at him with satisfaction. Li Quewan glanced at this uncle, her heart tightening. "Uncle Zhouluo handles all matters in Qingdu for the clan. My brothers' affairs will definitely pass through his hands..." she thought. Unaware of her thoughts, Li Minggong smiled and welcomed them, "It's the Xuanyue Immortal Sect! I am Li Minggong..." "Congratulations!" The man in front of her, dressed in the golden robes of Xuanyue, was clearly a sect master-level figure. He was fair-faced and beardless. After exchanging polite greetings and offering congratulations, he said, "I am Kong Guxi of Xuanyue. It's a pleasure to meet you, fellow Daoist!" While the man was polite, an old man beside him was beaming with joy, his beard bristling high. He tugged at his sleeve and laughed, "I am Kong Yu! Fellow Daoist, do you know? Li Xuanxuan is my good friend, we've been close for many years. I wonder where my old friend is now?" Old man Kong Yu was a lively and sentimental character, beaming with delight and appearing quite excited, as if he himself had achieved the Purple Mansion realm. Li Minggong chuckled and replied, "I have heard of your esteemed name, venerable elder; my seniors have mentioned you several times. He is already waiting on the mountain. Please, come in!" These words honored Kong Yu, and the old man immediately lifted his chin, extremely pleased. Kong Guxi, standing by, chuckled and added, "I've brought a few humble gifts on my journey here. Please, Minggong, accept them!" These items were considered Xuanyue's congratulatory gifts to the Li family, mostly precious medicines and magic artifacts. The relationship between True Monarch Chang Xi and Li Ximing's Purple Mansion breakthrough was a separate matter; there should be further interactions. The cultivators beside Kong Guxi promptly handed over the jade boxes. Li Quewan thanked them repeatedly and respectfully accepted them. Li Zhouluo then invited the Xuanyue cultivators into the Secret Forest Mountain Range, while Li Minggong and Li Quewan remained in the clouds. Li Minggong watched the receding figures of the Xuanyue group, pondering silently, "I've heard True Monarch Chang Xi of Xuanyue doesn't have much lifespan left, though I don't know if that's true or false. Xuanyue Sect coming here this time... perhaps they have something in mind." When Li Ximing broke through to the Purple Mansion realm, True Monarch Chang Xi was the first to rush over to congratulate him. Although it was due to geographical proximity, his words clearly showed his sincere intentions. Li Minggong glanced at Li Quewan, seeing that the young girl was somewhat distracted. She understood what Li Quewan was thinking; the matter with Li Baotuo's children, though minor, concerned Li Quewan, and Li Minggong had long known about it. This matter was actually not significant; it simply depended on how Li Quewan would handle it. Li Minggong said sternly, "Quewan, there's no need to worry. The clan will handle it fairly." Li Quewan was startled, quickly thanked her, and then saw Li Minggong smile: "Jiangqian doesn't know yet, otherwise someone would be in trouble."

Secret Forest Mountain. Secret Forest Mountain wasn't particularly high, but its range was vast, continuous, and abundant with spiritual energy everywhere. After the demise of the Yu family, chaos reigned, with their original palaces and pavilions shattered and scattered. These palaces and pavilions were not ordinary structures; they were built by cultivators, requiring more than just manipulating earth and stone to erect them. They needed array patterns inscribed and spiritual materials and objects filled in, which was no simple task. When the Li family took over, they consecutively faced major events, then the North-South conflict, and lacked the resources to repair the numerous pavilions and towers. They only renovated the courtyards for forest fields and medicinal herbs, using them for resource gathering and cultivation. Only after the North-South conflict, when the Li family had ten years to recuperate and accumulate strength, did they have time to gradually reconstruct Secret Forest Mountain. Over the past three months, it had become a grand clan undertaking, completely transforming the mountain range's appearance. Pavilions and towers were stacked all over Secret Forest Mountain, standing amidst the clouds. Green steps were abundant, and spiritual energy wafted. Five spiritual springs on the mountain gushed forth, flowing down along the patterns beside the steps, diverting into various courtyards, all the way to the foot of the mountain. Bright lamps stood by the paths, all adorned with Bright Sun and Departing Fire patterns. The steps were decorated with dragon and sea patterns. Cultivators moved to and fro, ascending and descending within the courtyards. Not only was Secret Forest Mountain completely renovated, but all sixteen prefectures, two peaks, and one mountain around the lake also adopted new styles, looking completely renewed. Along the lake, six grand gatehouses were erected, all modeled after Huangyuan Pass. These gatehouses were built with white bricks, featuring intricate carvings on their corner towers and seventy-two distinct ridges. Each stood twelve *zhang* high, positioned according to the terrain, with minor variations. Their names were Four Symbols, Xuanye, Tingyuan, Changxi, Chengqing, and Zhouwu. Among them, the Four Symbols Gate, located in Lijing Prefecture on the south bank, was the most magnificent, towering above the other five. The Changxi Gate stood at the foot of Secret Forest Mountain, connected to the formations. All cultivators ascending or descending had to pass through the Changxi Gate. Li Zhouluo, leading Kong Yu, descended through the Changxi Gate, where the Li Zhoufang brothers were guarding the entrance.

The two brothers were older than Li Zhouwei and already had grandchildren. Their talent wasn't high, and they had started Qi Refining late, appearing much older and unremarkable. Kong Guxi glanced at them briefly and praised, "What a fine Changxi Gate..." The six gatehouses on the lake were all personally designed by Li Ximing and empowered by his divine abilities. Not only did their patterns embody the essence of Bright Sun, but they also contained profound mysteries that made it difficult to look away. Although the two of them did not understand the Way of Bright Sun, they could discern the profound mystery. As soon as they entered the Changxi Gate, they saw a man in white and gold armor standing within. He had broad shoulders and sharp, golden eyes. Kong Yu still hesitated, but Kong Guxi was already marveling in his heart, "The Li Clan's White Qilin... Li Zhouwei!" Back when Li Ximing was in seclusion, only Li Zhouwei and Li Cheng were holding the fort for the Li family. All the other families were watching them. Kong Guxi, having just taken over Xuanyue Sect from Kong Tingyun, was particularly clear about these matters... When a demonic cultivator rampaged on the northern bank of Wangyue Lake, and the Mifan Three Sects established themselves north of the river overnight, the Fei family sought help. Li Zhouwei, with his White Ape, guarded the northern bank, and he and Li Cheng intercepted the river, using the ancient Cloud Gathering Southern Heaven formation to slay the demonic cultivator. In less than half a night, before the Mifan Three Sects' forces had even reached halfway, Li Zhouwei had already slain the demonic cultivator and sent its head to Qingchi. Everyone knew that the demonic cultivator was most likely from the Mifan Three Sects, but with the head delivered to Qingchi, the Mifan Three Sects could only accept their loss. The northern bank conflict began then. Over the next ten years, from covert harassment to open disputes over spiritual fields, Li Zhouwei, waving his banner, and with the full support of Li Xizhi—who even returned personally on two or three occasions—managed to force the Mifan Three Sects, despite having several times more Foundation Establishment cultivators, to only reduce their interests in the lake, never shaking the Li clan's foundation. As Li Zhouwei's cultivation and techniques grew, and Li Cheng became proficient with the Six Thunder Profound Punishment Edict, Floating Cloud Cave had no way to deal with the Li clan unless its own master acted. Eventually, Floating Cloud Cave Master Fudou personally intervened, but Li Zhouwei still managed to escape. The Li clan then used the Cloud Gathering Southern Heaven Grand Formation to guard the northern bank. They consolidated their power at the cost of the northern bank yielding nothing, but this also meant Li Zhouwei didn't need to constantly stand guard. Although Li Ximing had now broken through and Floating Cloud Cave had collapsed on its own, in Kong Guxi's view, with Li Zhouwei having turned the tide several times, Floating Cloud Cave had long ceased to pose a real threat to the Li clan. Now, upon seeing Li Zhouwei, he only noticed the unusual glint in his eyes and his imposing aura, making him seem difficult to contend with, but nothing else out of the ordinary. He respectfully cupped his fists, "Greetings, Clan Head!" The golden-eyed young man nodded to him and said, "So it is the Xuanyue Sect Master! Zhouwei greets the Sect Master." Kong Guxi's cultivation wasn't high, and the Earth-attribute cultivation methods within his sect weren't suited for combat, so he was likely no match for Li Zhouwei. He quickly responded politely.

Beside Li Zhouwei stood another person, with half-white hair and beard, a benevolent face, and a ruddy complexion. Two strings of medicine pouches dangled from his waist. His profound cultivation was evident, seemingly practicing Wood-attribute virtue. Kong Guxi had never met this person, but seeing his Xiao family attire, he knew it must be Xiao Yuansi! Kong Guxi realized, "In the current Li family, only Xiao Yuansi is worthy of Li Zhouwei personally greeting him! That one elixir of his... previously everyone laughed at him for being foolish, but now everyone praises him for his foresight!" Xiao Yuansi had known about this matter for three months, and it had left him stunned for a long time. Now, he was still filled with joy and relief. The old man looked as if he had taken a precious elixir, his complexion brightening instantly, his eyes sparkling. Kong Yu watched with extreme envy, thinking sentimentally, "Having a Purple Mansion disciple, and having contributed greatly to that disciple's breakthrough... this senior... he'll have no worries for the rest of his life..."

More figures began to gather under the Changxi Gate. Cultivators from various families stepped forward to greet the Li Clan's White Qilin. Though Li Zhouwei was powerful, his tone was very polite, and he responded to each greeting without a hint of indifference. Kong Guxi was about to ascend the mountain when a brilliant ray of heavenly light descended, settling on the steps and transforming into a man in golden-white Daoist robes. The man had regular features, nothing extraordinary, except for his pale golden eyes and a dazzling point of heavenly light on his brow. Needless to say, this man was certainly Li Ximing. Kong Guxi dared not stare, his gaze quickly flitting away. Behind the man stood a middle-aged individual with an ordinary appearance, wearing a jade pendant on his chest and a brown robe with mountain patterns. Kong Guxi's pupils constricted, and he immediately dropped to his knees, exclaiming, "Greetings, Old Ancestor! Greetings, True Monarch!" As Kong Guxi's cry rang out, all the Xuanyue Sect cultivators froze for a moment, then quickly followed suit, falling to their knees with a rustle. In an instant, all the Xuanyue Sect cultivators prostrated themselves in worship. Kong Yu and the others were now considered high-ranking members of Xuanyue. How could they not recognize that the person next to Li Ximing was their own Old Ancestor, True Monarch Chang Xi? Although some of those nearby had never met Chang Xi, their Ancestor Master's portrait had always hung in the sect, so they naturally understood quickly. The Xuanyue Sect cultivators were the first to fall prostrate. The other cultivators were momentarily stunned, but most then bowed down. Even the direct disciples of Purple Mansion cultivators cupped their hands and bowed their heads, respectfully greeting in unison, "Greetings, True Monarch Zhaojing!" Xiao Yuansi immediately looked up, meeting Li Ximing's gaze. A smile appeared on the old man's face. Li Ximing, amidst the respectful greetings of the crowd, bowed slightly and softly said, "Greetings, Master!"