Chapter 754: Opening

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“Shao Hui.”

Lu Jiangxian fashioned this Shaoyin Immortal Maiden. Although her memories were purged, the Shaoyin lineage of Fu Yu remained within the immortal maiden’s consciousness. Her immortal title and even her name were self-assigned based on this lineage, indeed sounding very much like Shaoyin.

Unlike the demonic creature Fu Yu, she wore a set of tea-white clothes, appearing much more dignified. The pipa in her hand was also a treasure, comparable to an ancient spirit artifact if found outside. Lu Jiangxian could fashion as many of these as he wished, purely for his enjoyment.

He looked at the immortal maiden, who was the second living being created within his mirror. The stone spirits and heavenly soldiers he had previously fashioned mostly possessed only instincts, acting on command. Though they filled the courtyard, appearing bustling, they were merely exceptionally powerful puppets.

‘The matter with Chi Buzi was urgent at the time, but I hadn't expected it to continue evolving. Perhaps it's not a bad thing. In the future, whether for investigating past events or recruiting subordinates, I must at least create a sufficiently impressive background to support the methods of reception and sacrifice.’

‘Slowly filling it... perhaps it will have greater uses in the future, and I won't have to endure the silence alone within the mirror.’

Seeing the white-robed immortal maiden respectfully bow in the courtyard, Lu Jiangxian softly said:

“Shaoyin has not yet returned to her official position or established her residence. By chance, you have returned to your immortal post early... For now, take up a position under Zhen Gao and temporarily follow the orders of the Taiyin Prefecture.”

Shao Hui immediately bowed again. Although the individual above was not her direct superior, he was a first-tier figure among the prefects. Naturally, she respectfully obeyed the command and withdrew, holding her pipa.

She exited the great hall and descended the misty white jade steps. Immortal officials on both sides bowed their heads in greeting. Although Shao Hui was a Shaoyin immortal maiden, she had visited the Taiyin Prefecture many times. She nodded, signaling them to withdraw, and skillfully made her way to a high platform adorned with moon patterns.

This high platform was verdant and bright, with cold snow falling. Spirit waters surrounded it on both sides, and several mighty heavenly soldiers guarded the riverbanks. She stepped in and ascended the platform, indeed finding a handsome immortal general reading there.

“Fellow Daoist Zhen Gao!”

Shao Hui asked quite respectfully. The handsome man before her looked up, slightly surprised, and replied:

“Long time no see! Have you returned after reincarnation, Fellow Daoist? Congratulations!”

Although Shao Hui's immortal rank was equal to his, she was not as formidable with her immortal sword, nor did she wield as much authority. Moreover, she was essentially living under another's patronage. She courteously replied:

“It wasn't through reincarnation and cultivation, but rather an early return. My memory is unclear; it should be due to a Wu-Gui transformation in the Shaoyin lineage. Since my Prefect hasn't returned to his position, I am even less aware.”

Zhen Gao nodded, his armored attire as cold as ice, and replied:

“Shaoyin has not yet recovered. It seems His Lordship has commanded you to serve Taiyin first.”

“Fellow Daoist, your insight is sharp. I am here to receive my orders.”

Shao Hui, not a reserved person, smiled brightly. Zhen Gao took out a scroll, looked at it, and nodded:

“After all, you hold the Shaoyin position, and it wouldn't be easy for you to integrate into the Taiyin Prefecture. I won't make things difficult for you. I'll simply select a small pavilion for you at the edge of the sky, where you can study and revise Shaoyin texts, and manage nearby immortal officials.”

Shao Hui smiled gratefully, thanking him repeatedly. Zhen Gao said:

“There aren't many immortal officials nearby to manage; it's mostly a nominal position. There's only a minor deity promoted from the mortal realm, and you just need to hand over some work to him.”

He paused, then said with some helplessness:

“That fellow is quite talkative. He's currently agonizing over those three branches and two leaves in the heart of the Eastern Three Prefectures. You can just bring him back with you; consider it a way to get acquainted.”

Shao Hui was quite pleased to hear this. If there were truly a few Taiyin immortal officials, their ranks might not align, making them difficult to manage. But with someone promoted from the mortal realm, there were fewer concerns. She took the token and thanked him:

“Many thanks, Fellow Daoist! In the past, I only heard of your renowned might, but I didn't know you were so amiable.”

Zhen Gao took out a jade box from his desk and smiled:

“Don't be so quick to thank me. This box contains all the Shaoyin lineage's techniques and cultivation methods, which you'll need to revise.”

Shao Hui readily agreed, listening as the other party said:

“There's just one thing: the Heavenly Gate is not yet open, so you cannot enter or exit freely. If you wish to enter from outside the heavens, you must first detour to my Taiyin Prefecture and only enter with explicit permission.”

She laughed:

“Since the Shaoyin Prefecture isn't open, I have no intention of detouring to wander around. I prefer to spend my days writing and cultivating in my pavilion, increasing my dao cultivation. Not needing to go out and waste time is precisely what I desire.”

Shao Hui was not as lively or restless as Tang Jiang. After settling her affairs, she left the high platform and went to find Tang Jiang.

She found a spot and descended. Indeed, she saw a young man standing beside a maidservant, inquiring about something. Upon seeing her descend, the maidservant immediately bowed in respectful fear, not daring to speak.

Tang Jiang, after claiming his achievements, was still inquiring about the golden osmanthus branch. He saw the maidservant prostrate herself, motionless and quieter than death itself, and felt a sudden trepidation. He looked up to see an immortal maiden in tea-white clothes, holding a pipa. Her appearance was still somewhat youthful, and judging by her attire, she held an extremely high status.

How could Tang Jiang not realize he had encountered an important figure? He quickly followed suit and bowed, respectfully saying:

“Your subordinate greets the Immortal Maiden!”

Tang Jiang was currently in a terrible predicament; even bowing on the ground felt awkward for him.

He had casually taken something from the heavens to give Chi Buzi. Although this was within Lu Jiangxian's calculations, if this fellow wasn't taught a lesson, one instance would lead to another. Eventually, he'd be taking down all sorts of random things that weren't Taiyin spirit objects, which Lu Jiangxian couldn't conjure!

Currently, Tang Jiang was penniless. He had carelessly taken a spirit object, and there was no concept of credit in the heavens. As soon as the maidservant returned to the prefecture to report, someone immediately came to find him. Tang Jiang hadn't even warmed his seat before he might lose his position. How could he possibly endure this?

When Shao Hui was in the mortal realm, she was a playful bird spirit. Now, although her memories were purged, her personality remained unchanged. She immediately asked:

“What's all the fuss about? Let me hear it too?”

Tang Jiang immediately recounted the entire story. Shao Hui smiled:

“A golden osmanthus branch? You certainly pick well. There are only a few most expensive days for Taiyin and Shaoyin in a year, and you picked precisely the right one.”

Tang Jiang grew even more embarrassed, then saw Shao Hui say:

“Immortal Official Liu is away. From now on, I will be in charge of you. I can't leave you floundering here. I'll note it down on my account, and you can repay me when you accumulate enough.”

Tang Jiang was startled, then immediately moved, and simply bowed, saying:

“Thank you, Esteemed One! May I know your honored name?”

Shao Hui laughed:

“I am not from your Taiyin Prefecture. I hold the Shaoyin Wu-Gui position, and my Daoist title is Shao Hui.”

Only then did he realize that the other party was on the same level as Zhen Gao. He stammered as he rose, his heart still heavy:

‘Chi Gou, oh Chi Gou... quickly slay some Purple Mansion cultivators so I can get a share of the benefits! If this continues... how many cultivation methods will I have to write to make up for this!’

Tang Jiang silently followed behind the immortal maiden in tea-white clothes. His overwhelming worry and reverence for his superior kept him quiet for the moment. He merely felt a dizzying blur before realizing he had been dropped off in his own courtyard.

His heart still ached:

‘I'll go urge him in a few months!’

Moon-Gazing Lake.

White flowers fluttered down from Zhijing Mountain. A True Man in a white-gold Daoist robe sat by a table. Dense white light flowed like water along the ground, sweeping over several jade pillars and emitting ripples of radiance.

Li Ximing cultivated for a while, and half a year flowed by like water. His cultivation had slightly advanced, and his divine abilities had become a bit more refined. After all, Li Ximing's cultivation talent was not poor, so his efforts were not in vain.

The sky was bright and clear, a perfect time for cultivation. Yet, he suddenly opened his eyes, took a step forward, and appeared in the sky above Moon-Gazing Lake, gazing eastward.

Above Shanjian Commandery, ink-like purple was gradually gathering, staining the entire sky gloomy. With his Purple Mansion-level eyesight, he could even see streaks of escape light rapidly rising on the horizon, speeding towards Moon-Gazing Lake.

“Ye Gui has made his move.”

Sure enough, a streak of escape light swiftly ascended from below. Li Jiangqian stopped before him, his expression solemn, and respectfully said:

“Reporting, True Man. True Man Ye Gui has appeared at the Xuanyue Mountain Gate in Shanjian Commandery. He is suppressing the grand formation with his divine abilities. The East Bank is shaking, and several locations have sent people to report.”

Li Cheng, a step slower, arrived with several people, riding thunder. His expression was also grave. Compared to the unease and battle-readiness of the crowd by the lake, Li Ximing was much calmer. He replied:

“Have the people inside the mountain gate been moved out already?”

“Reporting, True Man. Half a year ago, as per your instructions, everyone was evacuated. Only a few elderly Xuanyue cultivators remained inside the mountain gate, refusing to leave.”

Li Ximing had not discussed the matters of the Profound Enigma Temple in detail with his family. Firstly, Li Minggong and Li Cheng did not possess talisman seeds, and hearing certain things could lead to complications.

Secondly, these matters didn't require much participation from his own cultivators. Some things were calculations of the Purple Mansion realm; Li Ximing thought it best to keep them to himself. If any problems arose later, at least it wouldn't make things too difficult for the Li family.

The horizon was already glowing with deep purple divine multi-colored light, yet Li Ximing remained unhurried. The Hundred Mountains Concealing Spirit Array of the Xuanyue Mountain Gate was not something Ye Gui could breach in a short while, and the Xuanyue cultivators had long lost the ability to activate the array. He simply asked:

“What about Xuanyue's spiritual resources, provisions, and other items?”

Li Jiangqian respectfully said:

“Over the past half-year, Kong Guxi moved three mountains to the wilderness, ceasing only when the ley lines in that part of the wilderness could no longer be disturbed for a short period. Most of the treasure vault was moved, all cultivation method inheritances were relocated, and most of what could or couldn't be moved was moved. Most low-grade resources needed to be sealed within the grand array, and as the wilderness was rudimentary, they were not moved out.”

“Good.”

Li Ximing knew the situation. The Li clan didn't lack spirit rice or spirit herbs, so leaving them in Xuanyue was acceptable regarding spirit objects. Any other losses in the treasure vault were insignificant. He then instructed:

“Withdraw all people from Shanjian Commandery.”

As soon as he finished speaking, his figure vanished from the lake. Stepping through the void, he instantly appeared above Shanjian Commandery.

Black-purple qi rolled over Shanjian Commandery, engulfing the entire commandery city in darkness. Below, a group of Duxian Dao disciples surrounded the mountain. These mountains, shaped by True Man Chang Xi's lifelong efforts, were protected by a pale yellow light shield. This aura had just brightened but was quickly suppressed by the dark purple divine abilities.

Li Ximing raised an eyebrow.

Above the Xuanyue Mountain Gate, a peak condensed from white qi pressed down, towering into the clouds, appearing majestic and magnificent amidst the surrounding black and purple. Several Xuanyue disciples, like ants, fled on the wind amidst the black qi.

He took a step forward, appearing nearby. More than half the sky above the mountain gate suddenly brightened. Auspicious clouds rose, black qi retreated, creating a clear demarcation. Those disciples, as if grasping at straws, fled on blood-red light into the sky's light.

The Duxian Dao cultivators, who had been laughing wildly behind them like cats toying with mice, immediately sobered their expressions and turned to leave. Those who had been at the forefront respectfully called him “True Man,” bowed, and retreated.

Li Ximing didn't spare them another glance. Alone, he faced the colossal Dongyu Mountain and the multitude of Duxian Dao cultivators in the sky, his aura not diminished in the slightest. The celestial light shone through, occupying a good portion of the sky.

Regardless of how many Duxian Dao cultivators were present, at this moment, it was effectively just Ye Gui and Li Ximing. They were, after all, disciples of renowned sects; which cultivator wouldn't know this? One by one, they fell silent as if struck by cold, saying nothing.

Li Ximing looked at Ye Gui atop the divine Dongyu Mountain. The Mingyang Purple Flames behind him subtly flared up, and he asked:

“Senior Chang Xi only recently passed away, and you are already rushing to annex Xuanyue... Isn't this too impatient? Have you consulted Senior Su Mian?”

Ye Gui, from above, chuckled and replied:

“Fellow Daoist, you misunderstand. I know of a demonic disciple hidden in these mountains, and I am here to eliminate this menace. If I harbored any ill intent towards the Xuanyue lineage, wouldn't it be more convenient to go directly to the wilderness? I am not here for this mountain gate; I will withdraw once my search is complete.”

‘What a good excuse...’

Li Ximing understood what was truly happening in his heart, but he hadn't expected Ye Gui to turn the tables and assume such a righteous demeanor. He sighed:

“Fellow Daoist, if you are merely eliminating a future problem, why bother with such grave accusations? I shall, therefore, seek your guidance!”

“Please!”

Ye Gui's tone showed little shame or anger. Their voices were as calm as friends conversing. As that word fell, both, accompanied by their divine abilities, vanished into the void.

The purple qi and colored clouds that permeated the entire sky immediately vanished. The towering peak of white qi also dispersed like smoke. A clean and bright sky reappeared, causing the trembling, anxious common people of Shanjian Commandery to kowtow.

All this happened too quickly, leaving only a bare sky. In the heavens, only the Duxian Dao cultivators stood, riding qi. The leader, dressed in a black Daoist robe with a silk sash tied around his waist and two silver-white collars, had high eyebrows and deep-set eyes. He was precisely Guan Gongxiao, the chief disciple of Duxian Dao.

His eyelids twitched; he was clearly extremely surprised. He stood silently before the enormous Purple Mansion formation. Cultivators on both sides looked at him, and Guan Gongxiao, of course, knew what that meant. He, too, stared blankly at the Purple Mansion grand array before him.

‘Leave us here? To attack a Purple Mansion grand array?’

Ye Gui and Li Ximing had nonchalantly flown into the void to fight, seemingly having completely disregarded that their own cultivators were there to assault the mountain. What could a group of Foundation Establishment cultivators do against a Purple Mansion grand array? Even if Xuanyue Gate's Purple Mansion grand array wasn't adept at offense, only a handful of people would dare to withstand its counterattacks!

Guan Gongxiao could almost imagine Li Zhouwei, with a contingent of people, leaping out from within the array and what a mess they would make of his group. He almost failed to maintain his composure and forced himself to say:

“Calmly besiege the array and wear it down! The True Man has already made arrangements!”

That's what he said, but Ye Gui seemed to always act on impulse. As soon as he emerged from seclusion, he brought people over. Not only was Guan Gongxiao completely unaware, but he also had no means of breaching the array.

“How difficult it is to guess the True Man's thoughts... What is the point of us guarding this place? Wouldn't it merely expose our weaknesses? Could it be that if we keep attacking, this grand array will somehow unlock itself and collapse on its own?”

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