Chapter 697: White Ye Capital Immortal Path

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“There’s no need for such formalities.”

Li Ximing found Gao Xuanzi’s tone inexplicably familiar. He could tell that Gao Xuanzi’s congratulations were genuine, and his joy seemed much more sincere than that of the other families. Presumably, Tu Longjian considered himself a junior to Li Yuanjiao, so the cultivators of Tujun Gate were naturally delighted by Li Ximing’s achievement of the Purple Mansion realm.

Gao Xuanzi picked up a jade box from the table. Li Minggong, standing nearby, quickly stepped forward to receive it from him. Gao Xuanzi then respectfully announced:

“Our True Man has prepared this ‘Art of Myriad Transformations’ as a congratulatory gift for you.”

The spell didn’t sound particularly profound, and for a congratulatory gift, the thought was what mattered, not the material benefit. Li Ximing replied:

“Please convey my thanks to Senior Junjian. Zhaojing keeps the kindness shown with the Bright Square Heavenly Stone in mind. Without Senior’s assistance, Zhaojing would not be where he is today.”

Gao Xuanzi returned the courtesy and quickly retreated, unwilling to say another word in front of everyone.

Li Ximing took a step. A person approached, carrying a cup. With bright eyes, a spear on his back, clear features, and a neat attire, he smiled and said:

“Zhong Qian, representing the Yun Gate, congratulates the True Man! We present a pair of White Shadow Gold Clasps!”

This was indeed Zhong Qian, whom Li Xuanfeng had befriended years ago. Li Ximing, of course, recognized him, and knew he was no ordinary person. So he waved his hand and said:

“So it’s Sect Leader Zhong.”

“I wouldn’t dare!”

Zhong Qian, now older, appeared even more composed. He returned the bow and said:

“This humble cultivator was in seclusion some years ago, and my disciples were rather ignorant. Fortunately, they understood what was important and didn’t do anything excessive. This time, I’ve come to apologize to the True Man.”

Although Fanyun Cave might have harbored malicious intentions, their actions ultimately didn’t cross any lines. As Zhong Qian was the Sect Leader, a familiar face, and had come personally to apologize, Li Ximing naturally said little, simply instructing Li Minggong to accept the gift. He then added:

“My late grand-uncle once mentioned you, saying you possessed extraordinary talent, and that the Purple Mansion realm could be expected for you in the future.”

Zhong Qian nodded repeatedly in response. At the same time, Li Zhouwei, seated at the banquet, heard An Siwei’s voice:

“Patriarch, Gao Xuanzi has taken his leave.”

Although their True Man did not attend and Gao Xuanzi left early, Gao Xuanzi himself, or rather Tujun Gate’s conduct, was not considered impolite. Tujun Gate was located at the border of Wu, Southern Barbarian Lands, and Yue, and was not originally considered a sect of Yue. Their presence at the celebration was not even necessary; it was solely out of personal friendship with Tu Longjian.

In Wu, all sects paid homage to Changhuai Mountain, whose dominance in Wu was several times greater than that of Jinyu in Yue. Wu sects generally did not maintain much contact with Yue sects. Tujun Gate, situated amidst them, remained aloof and never aligned itself with any faction.

Therefore, Gao Xuanzi’s arrival was already a significant gesture of respect. Li Zhouwei specifically rose from the banquet and escorted him out of the courtyard. Gao Xuanzi adjusted his robes and smiled, asking him a few questions.

Li Zhouwei subtly observed Gao Xuanzi. As they left Mi Lin Mountain and arrived at Changxi Gate, the warmth of the banquet dissipated, and the cool air hit their faces. The young man immediately spoke:

“It’s troublesome for the Patriarch to see me off. Our True Man does not wish to cause further complications, so please stop here. Seeing me off to Changxi Gate is sufficient.”

Li Zhouwei heard this, and his heart gradually understood:

‘True Man Junjian doesn’t want to get too entangled in our family’s karma, or rather... he doesn’t want his own karma to affect our family too much...’

He took a deep look at Gao Xuanzi, then nodded and replied:

“Though the True Man is not present, if Tujun Immortal Gate ever faces difficulties, please come to Yue and inform us. Our family will spare no effort to assist.”

Gao Xuanzi smiled and shook his head:

“I am also a sword cultivator. If your noble family has any outstanding junior sword cultivators, you are welcome to send them to Tujun Gate to meet me. Although Gao Xuan cannot be considered a Sword Immortal, I do possess some cultivation...”

Li Zhouwei was slightly surprised. Everyone knew the Li family was a lineage of Sword Immortals, so for Gao Xuanzi to say this indicated considerable confidence in his own sword cultivation.

“Thank you, Senior!”

Li Zhouwei thanked him, and Gao Xuanzi returned the courtesy, then observed Changxi Gate. He saw that the foundation stones on both sides of the gate were crafted from Bright Square Stone, appearing ancient and grand, solid and robust. They were adorned with patterns of lakes and seas, while the beams depicted flying snow and ancient pines, long sunset glows and rainbow mists. Furthermore, the seventy-two ridges were dyed with the vibrant power of the Bright Sun Flame, making them exceptionally brilliant.

He smiled and said:

“This Changxi Gate is impressive.”

With that, he rose into the air, riding frost and snow, heading southwest. Li Zhouwei watched him depart, lost in thought. After a long while, he too ascended and returned to the courtyard. Most of the families, with the banquet concluding, were preparing to leave.

Only the various rogue cultivators, who rarely encountered such resources and spiritual energy, were reluctant to leave. They quietly bowed their heads in the courtyard, some drinking wine, others eating fruit, determined to fill themselves before departing.

Some even began to absorb spiritual energy, taking advantage of the dense spiritual aura. A few older rogue cultivators, not daring to be too conspicuous, secretly formed hand seals under the table with their fingers pressed together. Their eyes remained open, their conversations uninterrupted, as if nothing unusual was happening. It was unclear how effective their efforts were.

Rogue cultivators inherently lived difficult lives, and those who did not consume blood-nourishing foods found it even harder. Since it was a rare grand banquet, the Li family naturally wouldn't be stingy. Li Zhouwei simply called Li Minggong over and quietly instructed him:

“For those at the lower tables who are reluctant to leave, provide each with a pot of spirit tea. Don’t let them sit there awkwardly.”

Li Minggong acknowledged the order and promptly left. Soon, several attendants came forward, gracefully carrying spirit tea. On jade trays, they held spirit pots, delivering them one by one. The lower courtyard instantly filled with expressions of gratitude.

Li Zhouwei had been observant, possessing keen ocular techniques. From a distance, he saw those old cultivators quickly pour out the tea, wrap the tea leaves in paper to save for later, and then get up to ask for spiritual water with their empty pots.

“Patriarch Li!”

As Li Zhouwei watched, a clear voice sounded in his ear. He saw a long-bearded man leading others forward. From their attire, they were clearly members of the Xiao family.

Li Zhouwei found his face somewhat familiar. The middle-aged man had already begun to speak with a smile:

“I am Xiao Muyun. Does the Patriarch perhaps recognize me?”

Li Zhouwei immediately realized that this person was Li Qingxiao’s son, and the head of the Yushan branch of the Xiao family, thus considered an elder of his own clan. However, since he was a Xiao family member and Li Zhouwei was the Patriarch, he naturally wouldn’t address him by generational seniority. Instead, he simply rose and bowed:

“So it is the Lord of Yushan... Has your elder arrived?”

Xiao Muyun replied gently:

“My mother is with Maternal Uncle Xuanxuan. She is also very pleased! Upon hearing that True Man Zhaojing achieved the Purple Mansion realm, she was overjoyed. She packed her bags early this morning and hurried back to her maiden home.”

Before Li Zhouwei could ask further, Xiao Muyun continued:

“To inform the Patriarch, I am currently the steward of the Xiao clan’s thirteen outer branches, overseeing all foreign surnames large and small. Our Xiao family has come today and prepared a modest gift.”

“Oh?”

Li Zhouwei had some inkling of what was to come. He asked politely, and Xiao Muyun took a parchment scroll from his sleeve, smiling as he said:

“From the east bank of Moon-Gazing Lake to the border of Lixia Commandery... there are a total of 127 clans and sects. Now, the territory twenty li west of Guanyun Peak, comprising 79 families in total, has all been gifted to your esteemed clan!”

Xiao Muyun’s explanation was lengthy, but everyone present understood his meaning. Before Li Zhouwei could speak, Li Minggong exhaled slightly, his heart filled with emotion and a touch of moving sentiment:

“It’s finally been reclaimed!”

Although the Li family had occupied Moon-Gazing Lake over a decade ago, it had never been complete, primarily due to the south and east banks.

The south bank was densely forested, especially in the Shanyue region, where farming was impossible due to the involvement of the Great Li Mountain. However, the Li family had connections with demonic caves, and this area could produce a large number of spiritual resources, so it wasn’t necessary to develop it into spirit fields, making it still valuable.

During the Jiang family’s era, there were over ninety families on the east bank. When the Jiang family split, the Xiao clan took advantage of the chaos, and many families became their vassals. By the time the Yu family ruled the east bank, there were thirty-nine families on the east bank outside Milin Commandery, and further east, almost all territory was assigned to Lixia Commandery.

After that, neither the Yu family nor the Li family had the authority to reclaim these seventy-nine families. The Xiao family even prohibited the establishment of markets around Moon-Gazing Lake, causing the Li family to lose almost eighty percent of its commercial income.

Now, with the return of these seventy-nine outer families, totaling one hundred and eighteen families (which is more than the original ninety-plus families under the Jiang family), the entire map of Moon-Gazing Lake became complete. This not only meant regaining thirteen spirit mines but also signified the Li family’s influence extending further, granting them the ability to intervene in the Riverside Wasteland.

‘The Xiao family is giving too much; there must be a catch.’

Li Zhouwei looked at the unfurled parchment scroll. With a quick calculation, he soon began to ponder:

“This is laying the groundwork for the matter concerning Xuanyue.”

Between the Li clan and Xuanyue lay the desolate mountains and wild temples along the riverbanks, commonly known as the wilderness, dotted with numerous small temples, most of which were likely vassals of the Kong family. The Xiao family originally stood between them, but by retreating this one step further, the Li clan would now directly border Xuanyue’s rear.

Li Zhouwei raised an eyebrow to look at the main table, but Li Ximing’s figure was already nowhere to be seen. The golden-eyed youth sipped his tea. For over a decade, he had managed the family, constantly putting out fires. Just from this map, he formulated a plan, musing inwardly:

“It seems Grand-uncle has already agreed to Xuanyue’s proposal. The Xiao family has no intention of interfering, so our family must go all out on this matter.”

He then folded the scroll, and said with a smile:

“Such a generous gift... our family is truly unworthy of it!”

Xiao Muyun smiled and, after a few polite words, retreated. Music continued to resound at the banquet, but Li Zhouwei’s thoughts were no longer there. He rose from his seat, called Li Jiangqian over, and transmitted a secret message:

“Go investigate whether the Xiao family and Xuanyue have recently made any territorial compromises.”

The expression in Li Jiangqian’s eyes was identical to his father’s. The young man immediately and keenly understood his family’s decision. Music was still playing in the courtyard, and his brows furrowed:

‘The True Man has decided to take over the mess that is Xuanyue... It seems Changxi either had a trump card or offered significant benefits, making refusal impossible.’

He respectfully assented and left the banquet as if nothing had happened. Having decided to take over Xuanyue overnight, he immediately stopped thinking about what a terrible mess it was, and instead began to ponder in secret:

“Kong Yu is unreliable in his words and weak in character, making him easy to manipulate. We’ll start with him.”

The night was serene and secluded. Gardenia blossoms on Zhijing Mountain drifted their faint fragrance on the night breeze, subtly shedding sparks. At the foot of the mountain, the fire veins surged incessantly, emitting wisps of purple smoke.

On the mountain peak, celestial light flickered, and Li Ximing reappeared on Zhijing Mountain, his complexion slightly somber.

By this hour, all who were meant to come had arrived, and all gifts had been presented. The Purple Mansion Dharma Assembly could now be declared concluded. The remaining rogue cultivators in the courtyard were lingering, likely waiting until dawn tomorrow.

Li Ximing sat down at the stone table, silently sipping his tea. After a moment, he saw An Siwei land in the mountains with a hint of unease. An Siwei bowed respectfully and announced:

“True Man... someone from Baiye Immortal Dao has arrived...”

“Let him come up.”

The envoy from Baiye Immortal Dao had never dared to join the banquet, waiting instead on Zhijing Mountain for him, which was why he hadn’t been found among the guests. Li Ximing, not wishing to make enemies immediately after reaching the Purple Mansion realm, spoke without anger.

An Siwei hurried back. Soon, a red-robed cultivator, head bowed, approached. His legs trembled, and he knelt down with a thud before Li Ximing, kowtowing repeatedly, his voice frantic and urgent:

“This humble cultivator Duzhe, from Baiye Immortal Dao... greets the True Man.”

Li Ximing’s expression gradually grew cold. He immediately understood why the envoy from Baiye Immortal Dao dared not join the banquet, nor even meet him... to the point of becoming a kowtowing insect in front of him! Three months ago, Daoist Wenhu had come to apologize, claiming that Daoist Chidu of Baiye Immortal Dao would personally come to make amends!

After all, the three sects of Xiaoshi Mountain and Mifan had openly declared hostility towards the Li family back then!

Even today, Zhong Qian, whose Fanyun Cave had done nothing truly egregious, still came personally as the Sect Leader. For other families, aside from Xuanyue, who had a favor to ask, which one sent their Sect Leader?

Seeing no sign of Chidu, Li Ximing coldly asked:

“Where is Chidu?”

Duzhe hesitated for a breath, fear practically overflowing from him, and he stammered:

“Upon hearing that the True Man had achieved divine abilities, Master Chidu was utterly terrified. He rushed from the East Sea, but unexpectedly, he was ambushed by demonic cultivators midway and almost perished. He is truly too severely injured to travel and has been recuperating on an island... So... so he sent me.”

After saying this, he dared not look at the True Man’s expression. He continued to plead and apologize, clutching the jade box, which was meant as a congratulatory gift, tightly in his hands, his face pale with anxiety.

Even with Duzhe’s endless pleas and apologies, it did not signify the sincerity of Baiye Immortal Dao’s attitude. Ninety-nine percent of it was fear that Li Ximing would kill him with a single palm strike. He was drenched in sweat, trembling uncontrollably.

‘Whether this is true or false depends entirely on what he says...’

Li Ximing did not get angry; he simply said:

“Oh? Put the item down then.”

Duzhe could only present the jade box with both hands. Li Ximing didn’t need to look closely; just by observing Duzhe’s demeanor, where he didn’t even dare to speak aloud, it was clear there wouldn’t be anything good in the jade box.

“Creak.”

The jade box suddenly opened. The jade slip in the center was dull and unremarkable. Li Ximing glanced at it; inside was an unknown spell, the ‘Sweeping Light Art,’ belonging to the Bright Sun lineage. Its grade wasn’t marked, and it was exceedingly brief.

Duzhe’s lips trembled:

“My path is not connected to Bright Sun, but Master searched through everything to find this spell. Although not profound, it has a rather ancient charm, so he... sent it to congratulate the True Man...”

The matter concerning Chidu might have been a setup by others, but this congratulatory gift truly reflected the intent of Baiye Immortal Dao, identical to Changxiao Gate! Both were inferior Bright Sun spells without any marked grade!

For Purple Mansion congratulations, unless relations were completely severed, everyone would make an appearance; it was merely a matter of how close or distant the relationship was. These two families offered inferior spells, yet specifically chose Bright Sun spells that had no grade, only a “rather ancient charm”...

‘They are subtly and overtly mocking me... showing complete disregard for my opinion, merely going through the motions so I can’t easily react... With no grade or clear designation... I naturally can’t find an excuse to reprimand them.’

‘The True Man of Baiye Immortal Dao is in the mid-stage of Purple Mansion... I wonder what their background is!’

Combined with this gift, Baiye Immortal Dao’s malice was obvious. The claim of Chidu’s severe injury was merely a lie... perhaps even fabricated by this very person to save his own life!

“Thud.”

Li Ximing casually tossed the jade box onto the table, making a muffled sound that scared Duzhe out of his wits. Li Ximing, however, no longer looked stern; he merely smiled and said:

“You may withdraw!”