Chapter 700: Floating Cloud Cave Cultivators

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Li Cheng showed no regret that this pair of White Shadow Gold Clasps was unsuited for him. He spoke, "Thunder-attribute magical artifacts are rare in the Jiangnan region. Even after cultivating for centuries, the elders in my family have barely seen a few. My Six Thunders Profound Punishment Edict is sufficient. This item suits Zhou Luo well, so it can be left for him."

Li Zhouwei had no choice but to put away the pair of White Shadow Gold Clasps. The lights in the hall were dim as he stated solemnly, "Bring up those cultivators from Floating Cloud Cave so we can examine them. Our own people are short-staffed, and we need to guard the north side of the river beyond the lake. We can promote a few of them to assist us."

Wen Hu and Ping Wangzi had brought a group of key figures from Floating Cloud Cave. They had already been escorted to Qingdu Cave Manor but, due to being busy with the Dharma Assembly recently, they had not yet been dealt with.

"I'll go now." Li Mingguo nodded and left. Li Zhouwei looked at Li Cheng and simply said, "Bai Yuan and An Siwei are watching the north bank. I'll trouble you, Uncle, to take some people to the Floating Cloud Cave territory and take control of it first, to prevent any unforeseen incidents."

Li Cheng also withdrew. Li Zhouwei waited for a moment in the main seat. Li Ximing manifested from mid-air, standing at the head of the hall. The entire hall immediately brightened considerably.

"Greetings, True Immortal." Li Zhouwei rose and stepped aside. Li Mingguo was bringing forward a group of people from Floating Cloud Cave, each one cowering and looking terrified.

There were about eighteen or nineteen people in this group. Most were cultivators from the late Qi Condensation stage to Foundation Establishment. They were all in a sorry state, utterly destitute. Many had injuries, and their faces were ashen.

Li Mingguo respectfully reported: "Reporting to True Immortal, all the culprits from Floating Cloud Cave are here: thirteen Qi Condensation cultivators, five Foundation Establishment cultivators, three demonic cultivators, and two immortal cultivators."

Li Ximing raised an eyebrow and looked. The Qi Condensation cultivators were relatively better off, their cultivation simply sealed. The Foundation Establishment cultivators were even more miserable. Their hands were locked behind their backs with heavy gray shackles, and their necks were locked tight with white iron collars covered in formation patterns. They couldn't turn their heads, only stare straight ahead.

Li Zhouwei glanced over and saw that nearly half of the five Foundation Establishment cultivators had a murky aura about them, indicating they hadn't committed many good deeds in their lives. A particularly tall man in the center, with a relatively handsome face, had his eyes gouged out and iron nails driven through his shoulder blades. He was prostrate on the ground, clearly unable to stand.

"Who are these people?" Li Ximing sat down casually. Having been in seclusion for many years, he naturally didn't recognize this group. However, Li Mingguo, having dealt with Floating Cloud Cave for so many years, naturally knew them well. He first ordered the release of one person's magical restraints.

This person was a tall, thin old man with a youthful complexion and white hair. However, his chest bore a palm print, with half of his chest sunken in, revealing his rapidly beating heart. Ignoring his injuries, he merely smiled fawningly and said, "This humble cultivator greets True Immortal! My name is Qu Bushi. I am originally a cultivator from the East Sea. A few years ago, I was invited to cultivate in Floating Cloud Cave. I never expected Fu Dou to be so heartless and offend your esteemed clan. This old man has truly been wronged..."

His words were quite fluent, but inwardly, he was scared out of his wits. How could he, in the East Sea, have ever had an experience like standing before a Violet Palace cultivator? He only kept his head down, not daring to look.

Li Mingguo scoffed and introduced him: "This man is an East Sea cultivator who practices the Earth Virtue Hidden Palace technique. He is incredibly vicious, yet cunning. In the past, he came up with one scheme after another but never dared to fight our clan personally."

Upon hearing this, a subtle light flickered between Li Ximing's brows. He sensed that this person practiced demonic cultivation and was an East Sea cultivator. However, the turbid aura around him was the lightest among the five. He then said: "We will not dwell much on past matters, but our clan has always upheld the righteous path for generations. We cannot tolerate demonic cultivators."

Qu Bushi felt as if he had received a great pardon. He hurriedly knelt and replied: "Reporting to True Immortal! Although my Hidden Palace technique is a demonic art, I usually use the bodies of those who died of old age and were buried for a century as supplements. For the past several hundred years, I've at most done some immoral things like digging up ancestral graves... but I haven't done anything truly heinous..." He continued, "This old man's Dao foundation isn't good for combat, nor does he crave living beings. Although his Yin virtue isn't preserved... his Yang virtue is untainted!"

His wailing was loud. Li Ximing frowned at this. Demonic arts are diverse, and such methods might indeed exist. Li Mingguo glanced at old man Qu and asked, "Why haven't you recited the cultivation method yet?!"

Old man Qu hurriedly took a jade slip from his robes. Although he never carried his cultivation technique with him, Foundation Establishment cultivators can engrave with their spiritual sense extremely quickly. He swiftly presented the jade slip.

Li Ximing read it briefly. This cultivation method was called the 'Hidden Earth Nurturing Palace Art.' He wasn't sure which Earth Virtue lineage it belonged to. It was indeed a technique that consumed Yin virtue and couldn't involve too much blood aura. He secretly realized something was off: "If that's the case, is this still considered a demonic art? It's too similar to the Violet Palace Golden Core path."

The earliest demonic art the Li family encountered was the 'Blood Demon Grimoire.' It was also one of the few high-grade demonic arts widely spread in Jiangnan. Its harmful influence was extensive, with traces even found in Jiangbei, Central Plains, and Southern Xinjiang.

Demonic arts are also known as the 'Other Manor Same Furnace Path.' The 'Blood Demon Grimoire' is a prime example: during the Qi Condensation stage, it first merges the three vital points—Rising Yang, Juque, and Qi Sea—into an 'Other Manor.' The physical body then becomes a boat on the sea of suffering, and cultivation thereafter proceeds within this Other Manor.

Having achieved divine abilities, Li Ximing's perspective on cultivation techniques had already become entirely different. He now possessed a profound understanding that despite myriad changes, the core principles remain the same.

When he first looked at the cultivation techniques years ago, he didn't feel much. He only knew that the 'Blood Demon Grimoire' stated one should cultivate the Suomo Ridge within the Other Manor to achieve demonic Foundation Establishment. But now, combining that with his current observations, he gained some insight: "The 'Blood Demon Grimoire' went to great lengths to disassociate itself, but once cultivation reaches a certain level, it's clear that, by the standards of the Violet Palace Golden Core, it merely cultivates a Dao foundation called Suomo Ridge."

The 'Hidden Earth Nurturing Palace Art' was ancient, making it even more obvious, almost undisguised. Although it also required merging the three vital points first, the subsequent path was no different. Li Ximing speculated that if a Violet Palace cultivator specializing in Earth Virtue were to come, they might even be able to manually transform this cultivation method into an immortal art.

"No wonder the North refers to the Violet Palace Golden Core path as the 'Violet Gold Demonic Path' and the Other Manor Same Furnace Path as the 'Heavenly Embryo Demonic Path,' classifying them as the same type of thing... they truly aren't that different!"

"If I were willing to delve deeply into the art of merging the three vital points, I might even be able to transform the 'Bright Splendor Grand Origin Scripture' into a demonic cultivation method!"

He suddenly had an epiphany and frowned: "So, for demonic cultivators, breaking through to the Violet Palace means pushing the Other Manor into the Grand Void. Furthermore, since the Dao foundation is already within the Other Manor, they don't need to first push the Dao foundation into the Rising Yang like immortal cultivators... Is it possible that breaking through to the Violet Palace is simpler for them?"

"If demonic cultivation has no other obstacles, then currently, only my Rising Yang is in the Grand Void, and all other aspects can be discarded... This is actually equivalent to a demonic Violet Palace... one is called Rising Yang, the other is called Other Manor."

"In other words... if not for the fact that the methods of merging the three vital points require blood aura, after the Heavenly Transformation, the Other Manor Same Furnace technique is actually a more advanced... and superior cultivation method... It greatly saves the resources consumed by pushing the immortal foundation into Rising Yang."

He flipped through the 'Hidden Earth Nurturing Palace Art.' He could almost certainly confirm that this was a cultivation technique from the time of the Heavenly Transformation. It bore clear traces of the Heavenly Embryo Demonic Path emerging from the Violet Gold Demonic Path and going their separate ways.

"It would be even better if there were a Violet Palace cultivation technique from the Heavenly Embryo Demonic Path..."

This gain was significant. Li Ximing felt as if a veil had been lifted from his mind, and his understanding gradually became clear: "Therefore, when seeking complementary cultivation methods, there's no need to be confined to immortal or demonic paths. As long as it's a Bright Yang demonic art... I can also cultivate it and develop another divine ability."

Other Violet Palace cultivation techniques were still a distant prospect. Li Ximing merely held a faint hope in his heart. He then said: "Although the 'Hidden Earth Nurturing Palace Art' is ancient, it cannot be entirely classified as a demonic art; you simply haven't seen it clearly... Mingguo, release him for now."

Old man Qu was stunned at first. This was a cultivation method he obtained in the East Sea, and the Other Manor was indeed a demonic art. He had never heard of anything that couldn't be 'completely' classified as a demonic art. However, a Violet Palace cultivator's words were absolute. He prostrated himself in ecstasy, crying out: "Thank you, True Immortal! I've been unjustly accused for over a century! If not for your guidance, I would have died with this injustice!"

This was purely a courtesy. Li Ximing couldn't be bothered with him. Upon closer inspection, the other two who practiced demonic arts indeed used the 'Blood Demon Grimoire.' Their turbid aura soared to the heavens, indicating their blood aura cultivation had likely never ceased. They merely knelt on the ground, trembling.

Li Ximing merely cast his gaze upon them, not yet speaking. The one with a rather honest face was already in tears, lamenting: "True Immortal, please hear me out." He kowtowed and said: "This humble one is Wen Yi, and this is my younger brother Wen Shan. My two brothers and I were born in the East Sea. Our parents cultivated demonic arts, and we began practicing them at six years old, consuming meat and rice, and our blood aura filled basins... It wasn't until we were older and achieved Qi Condensation that we realized what these things were. But living in a demonic land and being taught by our parents, we never felt anything was amiss."

"It was only when we entered the inner lands that we realized not everyone in the world cultivated this way."

Wen Yi, seeing death imminent, was drenched in sweat, his thick eyebrows wet, and tears streaming down his face: "It's not that this humble one didn't wish to do good, but rather that I never knew of the righteous path. Nor is it that I have an evil heart; I supported my parents above and cared for my brothers below, never considering myself a wicked person. Instead... living in a demonic land, without proper guidance, how could I know I was committing a crime? I humbly implore you, sir, to be discerning and grant this humble one a chance to reform."

Li Mingguo frowned at these words. The other demonic cultivator, Wen Shan, was also dumbfounded, never expecting his elder brother to say such a thing. Upon careful thought, he realized it was indeed true, and immediately kowtowed: "We only hope True Immortal will grant us a path to survival!"

Li Mingguo paused, then hesitated: "Whether one knows their guilt is one thing... whether one is guilty is another..."

Li Ximing listened carefully, seeming to recall some heavy memories. He pondered for a few breaths, then looked at their cultivation levels. Both were barely at Foundation Establishment, unsuitable for significant use. He then joined two fingers, and a golden, brilliant divine ability shimmer emerged.

"Go." He drew out two strands of Bright Yang divine power, which flew like swimming snakes into their Other Manors, locking their immortal foundations. Li Ximing then said: "Nine Gates Mountain, where artifacts are forged on the west bank, is often short of cultivators. I will spare your lives. Go to the mountain and sort out the fire veins and provide spiritual power for now."

Both strands of divine power possessed the suppressive and corrosive force of the Heaven-Seeking Gate. They could not only disperse the two men's spells but also shatter their Other Manors at any time, causing them to die instantly. They were precisely limited to outputting spiritual power and using spiritual sense, which was perfect for providing the spiritual power needed for forging flames. Furthermore, Nine Gates Mountain had abundant fire veins, which were difficult for Qi Condensation cultivators to manage. The two could also regularly manage the fire veins, saving a considerable amount of effort.

"Thank you, True Immortal!" The two rose, drenched in sweat. Although they would lose their freedom from then on, living was better than dying after all. They obediently knelt to the side.

Of the two remaining cultivators who practiced the Violet Palace Golden Core path, Li Ximing's gaze first fell on the one closest to him, an old woman with a rather ugly appearance, tightly wrapped in her clothes, surrounded by golden qi. She spoke in a hoarse voice: "This old woman is Jiang Huzi. Greetings, True Immortal..."

Li Mingguo hesitated slightly, then said: "Reporting to True Immortal, this person is also a Floating Cloud Cave cultivator. However, she stays in the sect all day and is never seen leaving, so there's no information about her."

Jiang Huzi's voice was ancient, and she spoke softly: "This old woman is merely a talismansmith from the State of Zhao. I settled in Jiangbei over two hundred years ago and am nearing the end of my life..." She smiled, revealing her yellowish, decaying teeth: "The two sects wouldn't leave anything good for your esteemed clan. All the young and talented ones were killed off. They left us few remaining... those with some status... all of us are old, weak, sick, and disabled..."

This old woman was somewhat unusual; she possessed a clear qi, was from the State of Zhao, and even appeared quite dignified. Li Ximing paused slightly, not wanting to invite trouble, and said softly: "Since you are a righteous cultivator from the North, please do as you wish. You may stay in my clan and draw talismans, or stroll around the lake... or you may leave on your own."

Jiang Huzi acknowledged. Li Ximing's gaze naturally fell upon the burly man with the back of a tiger and waist of a bear, a handsome face, but with gouged-out eyes and pierced shoulder blades. Li Mingguo immediately understood and explained: "This is Ding Weizeng from Floating Cloud Cave. Although he achieved Foundation Establishment in recent years, his strength is not weak. His immortal foundation is the rare Hall Yang Tiger, originating from the Hengzhuo lineage."

"Hengzhuo lineage?" Li Ximing immediately frowned. Hengzhuo lineages in the world were exceedingly rare. It was understandable in the North, but in the South, they were entirely concentrated in the hands of the Hengzhuo Dao... This immortal path even possessed all five elemental cultivation methods, daring to bear the name Hengzhuo.

Now that a Hengzhuo lineage had appeared, and its strength was not weak, it was impossible for him not to be suspicious. Li Ximing looked him up and down and asked: "How did he end up like this?"

Old man Qu immediately interjected, respectfully saying: "Reporting to True Immortal, this man cultivates the Hall Yang Tiger. This immortal foundation is skilled in combat, capable of escaping confinement, breaking through cages, purifying negative karma, and using his gaze to assault others... Initially, he was also locked up like us, but he was stubbornly unyielding and repeatedly tried to escape..." He continued, "He also had some conflict with Wen Hu, so his eyes were gouged out, and his shoulder blades were locked. His Qi Sea was almost completely shattered... He's practically a cripple."

Li Ximing listened to his detailed explanation, his heart stirring slightly. With a gentle flick of his divine ability, the iron nails in Ding Weizeng's shoulder blades clattered to the ground, and all his other restraints were also released.

The man, half-dead, mumbled a greeting to True Immortal. Li Zhouwei, who had stood by for a long time, finally spoke: "True Immortal, this man is a valiant fellow."

Li Zhouwei had previously fought Ding Weizeng. For Li Zhouwei to give such an evaluation, the man was naturally exceptional. Li Ximing looked at him with some fondness. However, Ding Weizeng, mustering his spiritual power, said with some stiffness: "This humble one's Qi Sea is damaged, and my death is approaching. I only hope True Immortal will allow me to return to the mountain and die in my Jiangbei homeland."

Li Ximing stroked his beard, not responding to him. The Bright Yang divine ability circulated in his hand, flying into the man's lower back, regenerating his flesh and skin with its miraculous power. He then sealed his Qi Sea, preventing his cultivation from draining away.

Ding Weizeng was still somewhat dazed. Li Mingguo had already taken out a medicinal pill from his sleeve and fed it to him. The man stood there, slightly bewildered. Qu Bushi, seeing which way the wind blew, the old man laughed: "Weizeng, quickly thank our master!"

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