Chapter 764: The Immortal's Choice

The moment these words were spoken, the entire hall fell silent.

“The Venerable Sumin just now was an imposter!”

Li Minggong’s heart trembled, and a chill shot through his mind. Both siblings stood rooted at the side of the hall, a suffocating chill spreading, making their limbs cold. Behind them, Li Cheng’s doubts were resolved, replaced by a growing dread:

“That person came to gather information… they asked about Zhou Wei… they were here specifically about Zhou Wei…”

How could a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator comprehend the mystical transformations of a Purple Mansion Venerable? If that wasn't Sumin just now, then who was it? Ye Hui? Chang Xiao?

That thought flashed away instantly, and Li Cheng’s second realization surged forth:

“If the previous Sumin could have been fake… then is this Venerable Tinglan truly real?!”

Tinglan lowered her brows in thought. Noticing that both siblings were too shocked and suspicious to speak, the Venerable in the satin robe tapped the table, her voice laced with doubt:

“He shouldn’t be Chang Xiao… While Chang Xiao’s innate mystical ability isn’t primarily focused on deceiving minds, it’s certainly more than enough to bewitch both of you. Impersonating Sumin… logically, it must have been someone whose innate mystical ability is not yet complete.”

The Venerable’s voice was gentle, allowing them to digest the information. She seemed to have reached her own conclusion and then asked again:

“Where is your family head currently cultivating in seclusion?”

A momentary stillness fell over the hall, and Li Minggong suddenly choked.

While the entire clan knew of Li Zhouwei’s seclusion, the exact location remained unknown. However, it wasn’t difficult to surmise… A place where spiritual essence converged and the bright sun gathered, it had to be Zhijing Mountain.

When the Venerable before them asked again, Li Cheng stepped forward and answered truthfully, bowing his hands:

“The matter of his seclusion was discussed between the Venerable and our family head. It should be by the lake, but as for the specific mountain, we are also unaware.”

Upon hearing this, Tinglan shook her head and said gravely:

“Alright, I just have one question for you: how is Zhaojing’s soul lamp?”

Without hesitation, Li Cheng bowed and replied:

“The soul lamp is perfectly fine, Venerable, please be assured… If anything were to happen to our Venerable, the rising Mingyang would be enough to illuminate an entire region. The current lack of unusual phenomena in the East Sea also serves as proof.”

“I know.”

Tinglan nodded heavily and replied:

“There are no unusual phenomena in the East Sea; otherwise, your family wouldn’t be in this state. As long as Zhaojing remains, Li Zhouwei’s seclusion will be safe, though the days might be a little difficult.”

She rose from the head seat and slowly paced down, speaking softly:

“I heard… your family possesses a token from my Sacred Land, left by Lingyanzi back then. Coincidentally, my Sacred Land is currently accepting disciples, and there are still available spots. Lingyanzi doesn't have much lifespan left and is eager to pass on his legacy, so send a few individuals to visit.”

After she finished speaking, she departed from the hall like a gust of wind. Both siblings bowed respectfully to see her off. It was only after the Venerable had been gone for some time that Li Minggong stood up, feeling a chill run down his spine, and whispered:

“Brother, Foundation Establishment cultivators cannot discern mystical abilities. Never mind transforming into another Venerable, even if they took the form of our own ancestor… how many of us could truly see through it?”

Li Cheng, however, looked grim. He picked up a spear from the side and said:

“Even if we could see clearly, we’d feign ignorance. It’s best to say little. Venerable Tinglan spoke of the tale and clarified the path to the Ziyan Blessed Land, so she likely wasn't an imposter.”

He remained silent for a moment, avoiding any mention of Li Ximing or Li Zhouwei, and simply asked:

“Among the Jiangque, who else is suitable to go to Ziyan?”

Li Minggong noted the weariness in his eyes, understood why he avoided the topic, and replied:

“Ziyan primarily consists of female cultivators, and their disciple recruitment is strict. I believe Queyi is the most suitable, but a few of the children can try. Ultimately, whoever remains will become a disciple of Ziyan.”

“Then we should go…”

Li Cheng hesitated for a moment, then added:

“However, with the current turmoil, it’s not advisable for our direct lineage to travel, and we lack spare personnel for escort. Let’s first write a letter inviting Senior Lingyanzi to visit, and then have him escort them back to avoid any complications.”

The young man set the brush down by the table and said:

“It’s just… while Queyi is an obedient and well-behaved child, she lacks assertiveness. With our family currently facing difficulties, I worry she might be bullied if she goes to another family’s territory…”

Li Minggong stepped forward, placed the lamp by the table, and offered comfort:

“The future is uncertain. Once she enters Ziyan, she will at least have a life-preserving talisman, and her character won't remain unchanged. The clan once said that elder brother was capable, that I was too lenient, and you too reserved, but now haven’t we all taken on significant responsibilities?”

Li Cheng finally nodded. Mentioning his elder brother, Li Chengliao, the young man looked weary and replied:

“Liao-ge’er… if he were here, the family would be much more stable. Nowadays, the younger generation is not as capable, having lost proper guidance. You and I took on these responsibilities halfway through, and we have even less energy to manage them.”

He finished writing the letter for Ziyan and handed it to Li Minggong, just as he heard someone urgently approaching from outside the hall: an old man with white hair, a face full of wrinkles, and a hunched back – it was Qu Bushi.

The old man’s attire and living standards had improved considerably; at first glance, one might have mistaken him for a family patriarch. However, his anxious expression betrayed his usual composure as he reported:

“Sirs! Situ Mo has made his move, and Duxian forces have reached the river. Cries for help are already coming from the northern territories!”

Li Cheng instantly transformed into a streak of lightning and shot out of the hall. Li Minggong, accompanied by Qu Bushi, exited the main hall. The old man was in a state of panic, and Li Minggong softly comforted him:

“Elder, there’s no need to worry. Funan is heavily guarded. Those who came this time are merely trying to delay us; the main forces have gone to the wilderness.”

Qu Bushi didn’t know much, but Li Ximing’s disappearance alone was enough to fill him with apprehension. The old man had spent a century in the East Sea, and in his heart, he understood only one truth:

‘No matter what one covets, from east to west, it matters not what a Purple Mansion cultivator loses; if a Purple Mansion cultivator is lost, nothing gained holds any meaning…’

The two galloped along, and indeed saw golden energy churning on the other side, already engaged in battle to the west. Li Minggong cast a glance into the distance, but Li Cheng’s ocular technique was superior; he discerned the distant figures first, decisively turned, and said in a deep voice:

“Duxian’s stance is ambiguous, and they haven’t sent many people. You all are capable of holding them off. I’m going to support Ding Weizeng now. Situ Mo has been coming too easily year after year; if we don’t hit him hard and kill a few Tangjin sect members, that old fellow won’t learn restraint…”

Li Minggong handed the Chongming Dongxuan Screen to him, and Li Cheng immediately vanished like a bolt of lightning. After hearing his words, Li Minggong’s pounding heart slowly calmed:

‘Duxian Dao… why has their demeanor suddenly softened…’

A streak of light in the sky rapidly approached. Directly in front, a figure rode the wind—a Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivator with a somewhat alluring appearance, though dressed plainly. She held a sword and approached, walking on water; it was Miaoshui.

Miaoshui had once been a cultivator from Miyun Cave and held some past grievances with Li Minggong. However, when Miaoshui surrendered, Li Minggong had personally interceded for her. Li Minggong was also magnanimous and willing to humble herself, so after a few calls of “sister” in their daily interactions, those past grievances were naturally never mentioned again.

During the last skirmish with Duxian Dao, Miaoshui nearly perished. It was only through the Venerable’s intervention that she was saved. After hovering between life and death, Miaoshui’s disposition had changed considerably, and her cultivation had also advanced. Seeing Li Minggong, she wore a solemn expression and said:

“Minggong has arrived… I just received news from the King of Beijinjiang. Guan Lingdie is leading a group of Duxian Dao cultivators, with Gongsun Baifan, Song Yunbai, and a few others following behind… a total of six individuals.”

While Li Cheng and Ding Weizeng were resisting the Tangjin cultivators, here there were Li Minggong, Qu Bushi, Miaoshui, and Bai Yuan—four individuals. Additionally, Sun Bo, who was originally a guest elder of Xuanyue, was also in the mountains. Their combined strength was clearly a step behind.

However, the moment Li Minggong heard that Guan Gongxiao was absent, she realized he had led his forces to attack the wilderness. She breathed a genuine sigh of relief, for besides Li Zhouwei, no one in the Li family could currently contend with the Duxian Dao Young Master. If he had personally arrived here, it would have been an immense problem.

“Fellow Daoist Miaoshui.”

Li Minggong was well-prepared. While pinching a jade pendant to signal her family to send reinforcements, she withdrew a string of eighteen fist-sized, silver cold iron rings from her sleeve, each adorned with Kan water patterns.

She handed them to Miaoshui and whispered:

“These are the Duxian Dao’s excellent Dharma artifacts, the Kan Jin Weilian Rings. Use them for now… These artifacts excel at entanglement and imprisonment; I’ve let you try them a few times before. Leave Gongsun Baifan to me, your sister…”

Although their side was outnumbered by two, Li Chenghuai was on the north bank, capable of crossing the river in mere moments. He wore the Shangyu Night Robe and possessed the Yang family’s Night Ghost Talisman, which could summon Foundation Establishment-level Yin energy puppets. These could easily hold off two opponents.

Guan Gongxiao hadn’t come, and Guan Kan had already been killed by Li Zhouwei. As long as Guan Lingdie and Gongsun Baifan were held back, defending Funan wouldn’t be difficult. Even Cui Jueyin wouldn’t need to come as reinforcement and could instead assist Xuanyue.

Miaoshui received the Dharma artifacts, nodded in agreement, and gently waved her hand. The string of cold iron rings then wove through the coalesced water on her wrist. Li Minggong, meanwhile, soared on a current of fire, simultaneously activating her Hexagonal Crimson Flame Lamp and Pure Feather Lihuo. They transformed into countless red and white downy feathers that shot skyward, accompanied by flames.

Indeed, from the north flew a tall woman in a vibrant skirt and flowing green ribbons. Gongsun Baifan, still in his straw cape, stood beside her, his hand on his blade. Behind them, the bustling group of Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining cultivators were not renowned figures.

Li Minggong glanced from afar, recalling Li Cheng’s words. As the figures flew closer, she slightly cupped her hands and said:

“Fellow Daoist Lingdie.”

Guan Lingdie, who had been quite impolite during her first encounter with the Li family here, now showed little aggression in her demeanor. Seeing Li Minggong bow, the woman even raised her own hand, instinctively almost returning the gesture. It was only when her hand reached her chest that she remembered she was there to cause trouble, and she quickly withdrew it, saying:

“Ming… Li Minggong…”

Guan Lingdie reacted quickly, immediately adjusting her demeanor, and said calmly:

“In the battle on the river years ago, our Duxian Dao narrowly lost. Now that I’ve found an opportunity, I’d like to have a friendly spar with a few fellow Daoists!”

These words not only surprised Li Minggong but also left even the guest elders of Duxian Dao somewhat stunned. Only Gongsun Baifan thoughtfully gripped his blade, calmly observing everyone.

Li Minggong merely manifested her feather-fire, then nodded and said:

“Proceed!”

Shanji County.

The Xuanyue mountain gate was, as always, surrounded by rolling mountains, yet everywhere lay in ruins. Palaces, towers, and even the mountain courtyards were in utter disarray, with various items strewn across the steps, clearly having been thoroughly plundered.

Within the mountain gate, black-robed Duxian disciples could be vaguely seen moving about. Some held brushes, transcribing array formations, while others used jade bottles to absorb spiritual fire and water from the treasure grounds. Once finished, they didn't even bother to shatter the spiritual arrays; they simply departed to deliver the spiritual treasures to the mountaintop.

Despite clearly invading another’s mountain gate, there was an underlying sense of order. The Duxian Dao disciples were not uncivilized; they silently went about their respective tasks, occasionally tucking a spiritual item or spirit stone into their sleeves, without causing any disturbance or quarrels.

Ascending the steps, spiritual energy surged from a large cave on Xuanyue’s main peak. On the jade throne where Chang Xi had sat for hundreds of years, a young man in a deep blue Daoist robe now sat. His chin was slightly pointed, giving him a somewhat handsome appearance, though his complexion was rather poor.

The Venerable was toying with a brown-yellow token in his hand, tossing it gently up and catching it. Before him knelt a man in black Daoist robes, with several black markings on his face. A white silk sash tied around his waist lay draped on the ground, and his head was respectfully bowed to the floor.

“Greetings, Venerable!”

Ye Hui, seated at the head, heard this and finally turned towards Guan Gongxiao. This young Young Master possessed great talent and an exceptionally respectful demeanor, making him very easy for Ye Hui to utilize. He cast another glance at him and said:

“Still quite obedient.”

Guan Gongxiao respectfully said:

“Venerable, your stature is as grand as Mount Taishi, your vision spans countless miles. This junior is merely shortsighted and has never harbored any rebellious thoughts.”

Ye Hui ignored his flattery and merely whispered:

“It is clearly the Li family’s weakest moment, yet do you know… why I insist you remain here motionless?”

Guan Gongxiao said with some hesitation:

“Venerable Zhaojing?”

Ye Hui gave him a profound glance and replied:

“If you cannot grasp this point, then you are unfit to be Young Master. Whoever moves against the Li family now is merely a pawn for Chang Xiao, forcing Li Zhouwei into the open. This matter brings no benefit whatsoever to my Duxian Dao… You must understand, Li Ximing is a cultivator deeply devoted to his family. If you severely injure him, he might just slink away and still greet you should you meet again. But if you were to kill Li Minggong, thereby forcing Li Zhouwei to appear…”

Ye Hui paused slightly, then whispered:

“Then you, Lingdie, and everyone in Duxian Dao, from top to bottom, must always be prepared to face the celestial light of the Great Void…”

Guan Gongxiao nodded hesitantly and whispered:

“But my family has already formed an enmity with the Li family… to do nothing… to simply let them off…”

But the Venerable said softly:

“Do you believe our few conflicts with the Li family constitute a deep enmity? Not at all… As long as you and Lingdie remain alive… as long as Li Zhouwei and Li Cheng remain alive… this entire affair can be attributed to me helping to build his reputation… it’s merely part of the process of dividing Xuanyue.”

“And the only thing truly worth discussing is merely my expulsion of him from the East Sea. In this matter, I can also be seen as having been exploited… Do you understand?”

Guan Gongxiao listened to his words, a hint of confusion in his eyes, as he saw the Venerable continue:

“In this world, it’s never about what the truth is, but what it *can* be, and what both parties *want* it to be for their own interests. Chang Xiao is powerful, and I am being coerced by him—that is sufficient.”

“Aligning with someone like Chang Xiao, one misstep, and I’ll have to take the blame for him… I’ve already handled this matter subtly enough…”

Ye Hui stood up, transferred the brown-yellow jade pendant from his left hand to his right, and raising an eyebrow, asked:

“Since Li Ximing is willing to yield the mountain gate, and Kong Haiying is now also dead by my hand, what unresolved hatred could I still have with him? Chang Xiao still expects me to take the blame for him; how could such a good thing exist?”