Chapter 736: Fish bait

"Minghui... so familiar..."

This name, upon reaching Li Ximing's ears, brought forth a look of recollection. After all, a Purple Palace cultivator, having heard even a tiny bit about it before, would immediately recall. He suddenly realized: "So it's from Murong Xia's side!"

Back then, when Murong Xia went south to achieve enlightenment, he didn't dare take the Jianmen Xiukui path, likely fearing he would provoke the Spirit Pine True Man. He also didn't dare go via Xuanyue Ziyan, afraid of being killed by True Man Zipai. Instead, he took the Green Pond road, and after crossing the river, he would arrive at his own territory first.

At that time, Murong Xia had some minor conflicts with Li's family. Li Tongya had also intervened but was stopped by a Buddhist master from Lotus Temple. This master was named Minghui, who was likely the one from the rumors.

'Even if it was just a minor dispute, my family's animosity towards Buddhist cultivators has only deepened. It's better not to meet him!' He took a step, preparing to enter the void, when he saw someone ascend into the air above the market. The person was white-haired, dressed in black, and didn't look like a good sort. However, their expression was respectful as they approached and bowed, saying:

"By my ancestor's command, I respectfully await you here. He has been waiting for a long time at Yebai Pavilion. Please, True Man, follow me."

Li Ximing glanced at him, a slight strangeness in his heart. 'A Foundation Establishment cultivator can also see my tracks? It must have been Chang Yun's guidance... What mysterious art did he use to let him perceive me?' 'Yet, I've never heard that True Man Chang Yun possessed divination abilities... How could he know I was coming? Even if he didn't pinpoint a Purple Palace cultivator's exact whereabouts, to deduce my arrival and intention related to him, this divination has reached an astonishing level.'

He withdrew his gaze, letting it linger on the black-clad old man's face for a moment, and asked: "Fellow Daoist Chang Yun possesses excellent divination skills, to know that it was I who intended to visit."

The old man was still a bit nervous and quickly replied: "To answer True Man, my ancestor issued a command stating that a True Man would be visiting today, but did not specify who..."

Li Ximing then found this much more reasonable. Since Chang Yun had sent someone, he was too lazy to run back and forth again, simply saying: "Lead the way."

The black-robed old man immediately bowed and led the way. Li Ximing glanced at him, the celestial light between his brows subtly shifting, and casually remarked: "I see that the Chenshui Marsh is abundant in spiritual energy and resources, a good place to nurture people. There should have been quite a few notable figures emerging in recent years!"

When a True Man spoke, the old man dared not be negligent and hastily replied: "To answer True Man, in recent years, several aristocratic families have emerged north of the river, and many rogue cultivators have achieved immortal foundations, scattering north and south. Also, quite a few Northern orthodox sects have sent people to Chenshui Marsh to gather spiritual energy."

"Oh?" Li Ximing asked: "Since the spiritual energy is so abundant and talents are constantly emerging here, I presume the blood qi cultivation methods of the Eastern Sea are no longer in use?"

The old man nodded quickly: "Precisely. The Sect Master and the True Man issued orders long ago. It is no longer the time of the Eastern Sea. Our sect is a truly Orthodox Sect. Not only have all those who practiced blood qi cultivation been dispatched to guard the Eastern Sea, but even those whose demonic arts were not so severe have restrained themselves. On a daily basis, our disciples go out to eliminate demons and subdue devils, keeping the Chenshui Marsh area thoroughly clean, with demonic cultivators almost eradicated."

"Currently, all common folk are migrating to our Chenshui, and we have quite a reputation north of the river. Our Chenyun Sect is the most famous for eradicating evil and defending righteousness!"

The old man's face showed a fawning smile: "True Man, feel free to ask anyone here – be they rogue cultivators, clan cultivators, common folk, or our disciples – everyone knows that our Chenyun Sect is the foremost Orthodox Sect north of the river!"

Li Ximing felt a complexity in his heart. This person dared to guarantee it in front of him, so the atmosphere of the Chenyun Sect was probably genuinely clean.

These rogue cultivators and common folk might not know it, but the Chenyun Sect was truly a sect founded by demonic cultivators gathering together. Now, after a few decades, with a new batch of disciples, and local Jiangbei talents taught qi cultivation to stabilize their power, it has actually become such an Orthodox Sect!

"If another fifty years pass, how many will remember that the ancestors of the Chenyun Sect were a group of evil, man-eating demonic cultivators?"

"Their disciples, grand-disciples, and descendants will henceforth act righteously, eradicating evil and defending righteousness, and will not remember the past... So what about the Chenyun Sect? The Chenyun Sect, which eradicates evil and defends righteousness, will be an irreproachable Orthodox Sect."

His gaze deepened: "Then who will remember the sins of the ancestors who rose to power through demonic arts? Who will dwell on them? Are the good deeds done by these descendants not good deeds? Yet, these good deeds are based on the capital gained from their ancestors' murders and cannibalism..."

No matter what Li Ximing thought, he understood that with Zhong Qian's rectification, the Chenyun Sect would, more likely than not, become the foremost Orthodox Sect north of the river, comparable to Jianmen and Hengzhu. All those stories of demonic cultivation, of killing and taking blood to refine elixirs, would be buried in the endless piles of dead bodies they had created.

"These demonic cultivators, who had eaten people their entire lives, now absorb spiritual energy in the peaks for a hundred years, change their appearance, and become orthodox elders. Who cares? The grateful common folk under their rule? The rogue cultivators they rescued? Even the future generations of Chenyun Sect themselves will no longer remember."

"The clarity and muddiness of worldly affairs become one; there is no point in calculating, and nothing exemplifies this more."

Yebai Mountain.

Yebai Mountain is the highest point in the Chenshui Marsh. The Chenshui Marsh was once the imperial mausoleum of Ning Kingdom, and Yebai Mountain was at the very center of this mausoleum. The Chenyun Sect occupied this area and built a pavilion on the summit, naming it Yebai Pavilion after the location.

Though called a pavilion, this structure was quite extensive, winding and turning, with the main hall surprisingly large. A young man sat within, of ordinary appearance, draped in a long robe of white feathers and dark mystical patterns, lined with a light-collared white soft armor. A saber was at his waist, and he held a jade gourd in his hand.

Across from him, a kind-faced, slightly portly monk sat upright, clad in a brownish-yellow robe, examining a jade cup and smiling:

"Fellow Daoist Chang Yun! If my calculations are correct, this fellow Daoist will arrive here within the hour."

True Man Chang Yun's gaze lingered on the jade pot in his hand. After a few breaths, as if sensing something, he said:

"Fellow Daoist Minghui possesses excellent divination skills."

Monk Minghui chuckled and replied: "Although this old monk hasn't ascended to the Mahāsattva position, I haven't gained nothing. I've achieved the irreversible stage of enlightenment under the Lotus Seat of Mahā-śakti, with a vacant position above. With some time and perseverance, the Mahāsattva realm is within reach!"

True Man Chang Yun paused slightly before responding: "Fellow Daoist truly has good fortune. How could an ordinary Buddhist master cultivate such a prosperous destiny? You are both the chief disciple of Lotus and an envoy to the south. Back then, when Xiuyue advanced north, and Shangyuan made a move, Jinlian Mahāsattva risked his reputation and even used the lives of other Bodhisattvas to block, just to give you the title of 'Pacifier of Troubles and Settler of Dangers Master.' Naturally, the Mahāsattva realm is within sight!"

Minghui chuckled: "That's because my master has completed his eighth reincarnation of cultivation, already an eight-reincarnation Mahāsattva. The Path of Good Joy is flourishing, and the Mahā-śakti seats are vacant, which is why I have this opportunity..."

"Fellow Daoist, look at the Illusory Master from the North-South Conflict. The Path of Emptiness has no vacant seats for him, so he stubbornly refuses to become a Bodhisattva. Only after Biantan Mountain eradicated all the Green Pond cultivators did he achieve the irreversible stage of enlightenment, but only under the Golden Lotus Seat, sharing the same rank as me..."

The monk chuckled once more, saying: "All in all, I owe it to my Mahāsattva for valuing me!"

True Man Chang Yun privately disapproved, having no particular fondness for monks. However, Jinlian, behind Minghui, was an eight-reincarnation Mahāsattva, and Minghui himself was destined for the Mahāsattva position, so he could not afford to slight him. He responded with a smile, just as a voice came from outside the hall:

"True Man, please enter!" Both raised their eyebrows simultaneously, seeing someone enter from outside the hall.

The person appeared as a young man, wearing a white Daoist robe with golden patterns. His appearance was dignified, possessing a gentle and humble demeanor, with a faint celestial light flickering between his brows.

True Man Chang Yun was slightly startled. Feeling the Solar Brilliance divine ability on him, he asked somewhat tentatively: "Fellow Daoist Zhaojing?"

Li Ximing cupped his hands in return, smiling: "Greetings, True Man Chang Yun!"

Upon hearing this, Chang Yun immediately rose from the main seat, pacing down with a smile, saying: "That young fellow Zhong Qian said Fellow Daoist would pay a visit. I've been waiting and waiting, and finally, I've welcomed Fellow Daoist!"

Zhong Qian not only shared a certain destiny with Li Xuanfeng but was also very polite to the Li family, giving them considerable respect during his Purple Palace establishment. Naturally, Li Ximing was courteous and responded with a smile. Chang Yun gestured for him to sit at a side table, then extended a hand towards Minghui, saying:

"This is True Man Zhaojing of the Wangyue Li clan."

Minghui merely lifted his head, glanced, and sat lazily to the side. Li Ximing's aura clearly indicated he was a newly advanced Purple Palace cultivator, so Minghui felt he didn't need to show much deference. He thought to himself:

'Oh... which immortal clan... Wangyue Li...' 'Wangyue Li?!' The monk's pupils dilated.

Chang Yun turned to look at Li Ximing, introducing him: "This is Minghui Bodhisattva of Lotus Temple. He has attained the irreversible stage of enlightenment on the Path of Good Joy, sitting under the Golden Lotus, with the Mahāsattva realm within reach."

Although among the Seven Buddhist Sects, the Path of Good Joy was considered a tradition with not much enmity towards the Li family, Li Ximing harbored no goodwill towards Northern Buddhism. He anticipated no warm reception from the other party and merely showed a polite expression.

Minghui, across from him, suppressed the urge to turn and flee. The terror in his heart was unknown to anyone, a chill racing up to his brow bone as he mused:

'By the heavens... Benevolent World-Honored One... it's *that* Li family!'

Years ago, Minghui had gone to Wangyue Lake and merely performed a calculation, almost leading to his own death. He only managed to escape by sacrificing his most precious magical artifact, and even caused Jinlian to suffer implications!

Minghui felt that no one in the world understood the full story better than him. Jinlian himself had no memory, having only vaguely heard Minghui recount it, and already found it terrifying. But Minghui had personally witnessed how fragile Jinlian, the Seven-Reincarnation Mahāsattva at the time, was like a mortal in the opponent's hands!

This incident not only left an indelible shadow on Minghui but also caused trauma to Jinlian that severely impacted his subsequent plans, ultimately leading to Minghui's failure to ascend to Mahāsattva...

For a master of the Seven Manifestations to advance, they either docilely become a Bodhisattva or take a giant leap to Mahāsattva. The former is already exceedingly difficult; if one can curry favor with a Mahāsattva, there's a slim chance to first attain Bodhisattva under the lowest Sādhu seat. For the remaining time, one can only grovel, hoping for favor from above to gradually elevate their irreversible stage of enlightenment and perhaps secure a vacant position.

The latter is even more incredibly difficult: one must receive various blessings of destiny and make significant contributions to Buddhist law; secondly, there must be a vacant seat in one's own Pure Land and the support of a Mahāsattva. Only then is it possible to walk the path to Mahāsattva.

Jinlian's injury affected his soul and divine abilities, directly shaking his Mahāsattva position. Fortunately, Minghui's foundation was deep, and Jinlian in the Pure Land fully supported him, allowing him to settle for the next best thing: first attaining Bodhisattva under the highest Golden Lotus Seat. Had it not been for this, Minghui would likely have wasted much preparation and added several hundred years to his cultivation time for nothing!

Minghui and Jinlian had long reached a consensus not to dwell on this matter. Minghui even had a faint feeling that Jinlian's full support also implied a desire to bring an ally aboard. Now, facing Li Ximing, his attitude was neither daring to be good nor daring to be bad.

Li Ximing had prepared for a cold reception, but to his surprise, the monk in front of him straightened up, revealing a smile full of sincerity, and said:

"So it is True Man Zhaojing! This humble monk is Minghui! I've long admired you!"

Li Ximing raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised. Minghui immediately continued, saying:

"In my earlier years, I was not in the north. I once traveled south and engaged in several exchanges with an elder of your esteemed clan. I was deeply moved by his distinguished demeanor and held him in the highest admiration!"

Li Ximing's expression was strange, while Chang Yun found it amusing internally and explained:

"This Bodhisattva's Path of Good Joy gained significant benefits after the fall of the Wrathful Manifestation. The Mahā-śakti lands expanded, but there were some disagreements with the Path of Emptiness, which were already disputes from the North-South Conflict."

Li Ximing understood. This person was an enemy of Wrathful and Emptiness. He suddenly realized: "Although most Buddhist cultivators are despicable, this one is clearly not as odious as the others, and he has the potential for Mahāsattva. No wonder Chang Yun still sees him."

He nodded slightly. Minghui smiled: "I calculated this long ago, that a fellow Daoist would surely visit Fellow Daoist Chang Yun today. He was still half-skeptical..."

True Man Chang Yun nodded. He clearly didn't want to bring up what he had originally discussed with Minghui, so he immediately interrupted: "I underestimated Bodhisattva's divination skills. I merely wonder... Fellow Daoist, do you have something to discuss?"

Li Ximing naturally wanted to ask about Xiaoshi Mountain, but feared Minghui might not know, thus revealing information unnecessarily. So he said: "It concerns the lineage of Fanyun Cave."

Minghui, standing by, chuckled heartily, bolstering his courage, and said: "So it's for Xiaoshi Mountain!"

Chang Yun now smiled, poured tea, and explained: "The matter of Xiaoshi Mountain is open to all who are involved; there are benefits within the formation. Zhaojing, having mastered the Fuyun Cave lineage, naturally has a share. Xiaoshi Mountain was breached by the Path of Emptiness and was originally where Xiuyue concealed himself. It was a result of our indulgence, so this matter... Northern Buddhism also knows about it."

Li Ximing's mind gradually cleared. He asked: "If that's the case, how does one activate this formation?"

"Xiaoshi Mountain is now desolate, its inheritors scattered. We also do not wish for this lineage to be rebuilt. Thus, the Three Secret Universal Sects were formed, and the activation of this formation lies within them."

Chang Yun sipped his tea and said: "Xiaoshi Mountain's Secret Universal teachings comprise five lineages. Three of them are the current Three Secret Universal Sects: Fuyun Shen Juyinyu, and Kong Yingsan. If the remaining two lineages can be gathered, then the treasures of Xiaoshi Mountain can be activated."

Li Ximing pondered for a moment, then pointedly asked: "Are there many lineages of Xiaoshi Mountain scattered elsewhere?"

"Precisely!" Chang Yun smiled casually, yet his words were chilling: "Zhaojing's guess is correct. The Three Secret Universal Sects are merely bait. The remaining two lineages of Xiaoshi Mountain are scattered in all directions, their whereabouts unknown, but it's highly likely they are in the Eastern Sea."

"As long as these three sects maintain their reputation north of the river, bearing the name of Xiaoshi Mountain's Secret Universal teachings, those descendants who have obtained the lineages and achieved success will surely return to seek them out... Whether it's to complete their lineage, find relatives, when they have nowhere else to go, or even just to find a background, they will, by all reason and sentiment, come back for a meeting."

"This is bait thrown into the river, just waiting for them to take the hook!"