Chapter 767: Gradually Entering the Mist

Moon-Gazing Lake.

A black shadow flashed by. A man in black robes sped through the wind, his feather-light black attire leaving a chilling trail in the air and a ground covered in gray mist.

The garment was adorned with numerous streaming banners, each over a foot long. The long black hairs at their ends shimmered with colorful light, subtly shifting hues. Empowered by these, the man's speed increased rapidly.

Frankly speaking, the Feathered Night Robe was the finest magical garment the Li clan had ever seen. Li Xizhi had painstakingly acquired it, and it would be difficult to find a better one among cultivators below the Violet Manor realm in Jiangnan.

The two-finger-long black jade he held in his hand was inconspicuous, appearing to be just a common piece of jade. However, Li Chenghuai knew that this Night Ghost Sigil was far more extraordinary.

The Li family only knew that the Night Ghost Sigil could summon a Foundation Establishment-level combatant. But Li Chenghuai understood that it was a genuine ancient magical artifact, with capabilities extending far beyond merely summoning a night ghost. He simply lacked the cultivation to fully utilize it.

Soon, various scenes of Funan appeared before him. The sky was ablaze with intertwined red and white flames. Li Chenghuai increased his speed, rode the wind, and his figure blurred like water.

Li Minggong stood in the air, holding a lamp, spiritual flames surging to block Guan Lingdie. Miaoshui, White Ape, and even Qu Bushi were locked in fierce combat in the air. Outnumbered, they fought with pale faces, finding themselves in a difficult situation.

"My elder brother is not here..."

Li Chenghuai pondered for a moment, realizing Li Cheng must have gone to rescue Ding Weizeng. He then took out the black jade from his sleeve, held it in his hand, and gently tossed it.

Instantly, strong winds raged in the air. Wisps of negative energy swirled, and blackness danced in the sky. From it emerged a formidable yaksha with a horn on its forehead, wielding a long black energy trident as it charged into the Duxian Dao ranks.

This yaksha was not weak. It transformed into black mist and descended among the cultivators, first unleashing a wave of chilling energy that disrupted their spells. Then, it swung its long trident, instantly causing chaos in the Duxian Dao formation.

He himself emerged from the shadows beside Guan Lingdie, drew his sword, and unleashed a brilliant, sail-sized flash of white sword light.

Guan Lingdie was slightly startled, and her figure immediately dissipated like smoke. Li Chenghuai shook his robe, and his figure flickered out of existence, but then he heard a soft sound in his ear:

"Little brother, don't be too fierce!"

Li Chenghuai naturally recognized the voice of his elder sister, Li Minggong. Although his heart was filled with both surprise and alarm, his hands reacted swiftly. He immediately slowed by half a beat, his sword light striking nothing but air, and then transmitted his voice, saying:

"This is..."

Li Minggong had already had a suspicion and replied concisely:

"The Duxian Dao is merely putting on a show. Their true purpose is to destroy Xianyue's foundation. At this point, there's no need to clash violently with them; just handle the situation calmly."

Li Chenghuai immediately understood. He unleashed his sword fighting techniques; his spells and swordsmanship were both solid, and he attacked relentlessly. Guan Lingdie, fighting two against one, retreated accordingly, not pressing too hard.

Guan Lingdie was more powerful. Even with the intention of sparring, she had been pressuring Li Minggong just moments ago. Now that Li Minggong finally had an opening, the Duxian Dao's attitude, combined with True Person Tinglan's words, surged into her mind. She finally had the mental space to ponder:

‘Since... in the end, it's not the Duxian Dao, but Changxiao who wants to harm my family... Is pursuing our True Person all the way into the sea truly this True Person's only plan?’

She poured her magic power into the Six-Cornered Scarlet Flame Lamp in her hand. The red and white feathers of Pure Feather Leaving Fire swirled with the flames:

‘According to True Person Tinglan... it seems Changxiao hasn't returned either... But if he had planned something long ago, aiming for our family's assets... wouldn't it become apparent now?’

‘If that's the case, the True Person impersonating Sumian is very likely another Violet Manor of Changxiao Sect, True Person Chengyan!’

For some reason, True Person Chengyan had always remained in seclusion. But now, it wasn't unreasonable for him to appear. Li Minggong's heart slowly tensed:

"What did True Person Changxiao instruct Chengyan to do... This True Person came to gather information; he must be making a move now!"

She felt as if she was in a fog; everything was unclear:

"Is defending Funan the right or wrong choice? Even if we abandon this place and retreat to the North Bank, will there be a single day of peace as long as our True Person doesn't return? It would just mean inviting schemes on the North Bank instead!"

Funan.

The sky was gloomy, strong winds arose, golden light swirled, and thunder rumbled.

Li Cheng's robes fluttered as he stood upon a bolt of lightning, holding his long spear horizontally. Thunderbolts descended from the sky, striking one after another before him, converging into a torrential downpour of thunder and rain that cascaded downwards.

He arrived on lightning, catching them by surprise. He descended from the sky with the Six Thunder Mystic Punishment Tokens, and nine consecutive bolts of lightning struck down a guest elder of the Tangjin Sect, freeing Ding Weizeng. Now, excluding Situ Mo, three of the remaining five Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Tangjin Sect were still present, surrounding Situ Biao and resisting Ding Weizeng.

This was Li Cheng's first time fighting Situ Mo. Although he didn't have an advantage in terms of cultivation lineage, his magical artifacts countered the Tangjin Sect's techniques. Together with Ding Weizeng, he managed to suppress their opponents.

With a wave of his hand, the six Thunder Punishment Tokens immediately began to spin around his wrist. Silver-white light pulsed and surged forth:

"Yang reaches the void, giving birth to six thunders!"

Immediately, a blinding expanse of bright white light appeared as six long, elegant tokens flashed in unison, their runes lighting up one by one. Situ Mo, before him, casually threw out a golden shield:

"Boom!"

Billowing black smoke surged up. Fortunately, the golden shield was not made of vital blood and held firm. Situ Mo, however, immediately drew his saber and clanged it against the thunder spear in the black smoke.

"Clang, clang, clang..."

Li Cheng's thunder spear danced in his hand, each move suppressing the Tangjin Sect Master before him. His expression was not relaxed.

"What... what does this Situ Mo mean by this..."

It was too strange... The Situ Mo before him was simply not performing at the level of the Tangjin Sect Master!

One must know that Situ Mo had been a Foundation Establishment cultivator for many years, having begun cultivating secret arts early on. Even if the Chongming Cave Profound Screen in the sky suppressed his golden needles and golden sabers, he was by no means an easy opponent!

Li Cheng's gaze was solemn as he looked over. The Tangjin Sect Master opposite him seemed somewhat dazed. His elder sister had described Situ Mo as 'suspiciously cunning, malicious, and venomous', yet he now seemed to be merely a silent cultivator.

Ding Weizeng, who was nearby, had already grown uneasy. He had encountered Situ Mo many times and fought with him, knowing him very well. Now, Situ Mo's eyes, which should have been filled with malice and cunning, had completely changed; they now showed a silent calm, which greatly disturbed Ding Weizeng.

He secretly transmitted his voice:

‘Lord Cheng, this person might have a plan...’

Li Cheng questioned:

"Since you all say he is cunning, fickle, and unpredictable, if he has a scheme, why would he show such a demeanor, only increasing suspicion?"

In contrast to the Li family duo's private suspicions, Situ Mo merely rode a golden light, moved through the wind, facing the sky full of lightning. As he circulated his magic power, the bronze-green screen in the sky shone down, fixing his two magical artifacts in mid-air, rendering them unable to move.

Situ Mo could only form hand seals, releasing radiance to meet the lightning. He fought frustratingly and without zest. Yet, there was not much expression on his face as he silently resisted.

Situ Mo had already fought with the Li family during Li Yuanjiao's time. He had been a Foundation Establishment cultivator for a longer period, even considered an elder of Li Xuanxuan's generation. To be suppressed by Li Cheng, a junior among juniors, using magical artifacts, should have been a lamentable and shameful matter, yet he merely watched in silence.

When Situ Mo set out today, he received three urgent letters, all sent from the Grand Void. Two ordered him to kill Li Cheng, and one ordered him to kill Ding Weizeng, thereby forcing Li Zhouwei to appear.

Along with the letters came a gray rope, adorned with patterns of mountains and rivers, with golden edges and a white halo. There was also a purple talisman, its divine power obscure, manifesting as shimmering purple water. It felt icy cold in his hand, a chill that pierced him to his core.

The Mountain Dimming Earth Shaking Rope!

He couldn't decipher the purple talisman. But Situ Mo was exceedingly familiar with the gray rope; he had read about it countless times in books. This item was the prized treasure of his own True Person, Situ Huo, a Violet Manor-level spirit artifact. His own True Person, Situ Huo, was exiled overseas, his fate unknown. Rumor had it he was gravely wounded by elemental forces, losing an arm, and since then, he had not dared to return inland. Why would he get involved in this mess? What necessity was there for him to wade into these troubled waters?

Situ Mo had clashed with the Li clan for many years, always hesitating on the edge of the rules. Back then, on Jindou Island, Li Xuanfeng waited in the sea with his bow, and Situ Mo was stuck on the island, unable to move. Frankly, the panic then was still not as great as it was today.

Since the third generation, countless Tangjin Sect Masters had died violent deaths, committed suicide, or been murdered by their own brothers. Situ Mo, a native of the Tangjin Sect, had himself risen to power by killing his elder brother. Having survived by navigating perilous situations to this day, his discernment was not weak, and he understood clearly in his heart.

‘Now, within the rules, I am the only one who can kill a direct descendant of the Li family.’

The Li family relied on Li Ximing, who was outside. The Situ family's survival also depended on Situ Huo, who was outside. At this moment, no one was more suitable for this task than Situ Mo.

In terms of grudges, Situ Mo had no shallow enmity with the Li clan. In terms of background, he was also a descendant of a Violet Manor cultivator, a hot potato—difficult to handle and difficult to discard. The only difference was that Situ Huo did not value Tangjin.

If Situ Mo were to kill Li Cheng, who would Li Ximing seek revenge upon? Would he seek revenge on the Tangjin Sect, a few small cats and kittens who could at any time close their doors and pretend to be dead within their mountain gate? Or Changxiao? Or Ye Gui? Could the one who sent this spirit artifact and talisman not have thought of this?

But what about Situ Mo? Could he retreat safely to the Tangjin Sect for secluded cultivation and breakthrough? Impossible!

The man in golden armor simply stood coldly. On the surface, he was being suppressed and couldn't break free, but in his heart, it was as if he held an ice-cold, bone-piercing dagger, hesitating motionlessly.

Yes, his Tangjin Sect had a Violet Manor-level formation, but what good was this grand formation? The formation disk was sealed by divine abilities, unable to move. Not only did the Jinyu Sect possess a jade talisman to open the formation, but Qingchi and Xiuyue Sects also had them. No matter how good this Violet Manor formation was, it couldn't protect Situ Mo!

Once this Violet Manor spirit artifact was used to kill Li Cheng, True Persons from the Jinyu Sect would likely hear of it and arrive. First, they would kill Situ Mo to appease the Li clan, and second, they would seize the Mountain Dimming Earth Shaking Rope for their own use. They would have no mercy!

"But if I don't kill this person, and accept items from two Violet Manor cultivators, defying the orders of three Violet Manor cultivators, who in the world would tolerate me?"

Situ Mo had once thought of sending the Mountain Dimming Earth Shaking Rope to Jinyu to seek survival in a narrow gap. But he understood that at this moment, the entire situation on Mount Tangdao would fall into the Jinyu Sect's eyes. Their silence was already a clear attitude:

"True Person Qiushui has been in seclusion in recent years. True Person Tianhuo has emerged from seclusion to handle Jinyu's affairs... This True Person has already assented... In fact... one of the letters might even be his decree!"

No matter what, Situ Mo was Jinyu's dog. If Jinyu hadn't tacitly approved, who would dare to act recklessly!

Situ Mo tightly clutched the spirit artifact in his sleeve. Time passed, second by second, as if his life was also slowly ebbing away towards its end. The man finally raised his sleeve and whispered:

"Li Cheng!"

The man opposite him glanced over, his eyes striking like dots of ink. Thunder rumbled and coursed along his robes. Situ Mo watched him with a somewhat lost expression, his teeth grinding audibly.

‘There is only one way out... only one way out...’

Li Cheng also looked at the man before him. Situ Mo's golden robes fluttered in the wind, emitting various shades of gold. The man's emotions were overly agitated; his teeth were white and sharp, and his entire body seemed to shrink into a hunched posture as he let out strange sounds, one after another.

‘Metal in Gengxin, high reputation and great might; earth forms mountains, upright and unyielding; a fierce object, bound by this...’

Li Cheng realized something was wrong. He took a step back and saw the man before him suddenly raise his head and let out a roaring cry:

"Hah!"

Time seemed to slow down before his eyes. Li Cheng clearly saw a gray rope cautiously emerge from the man's sleeve. It was adorned with overlapping mountain and river patterns, edged in gold, and surrounded by a white halo. Everything before him suddenly darkened.

"Boom!"

The Chongming Cave Profound Screen in the sky seemed to suffer a violent impact, letting out a dull roar. It shot out like an arrow released from a bow. Large clusters of golden needles pressed down, and darting, fish-like daggers also shot out. His ears were filled with shrill screams.

The next instant, the Six Thunder Mystic Punishment Tokens, suspended in the air and releasing lightning, exploded with a deafening roar. They were scattered and sent flying in all directions. All the lightning instantly hindered the gray rope for a fleeting moment, then was instantly and completely extinguished.

"Spirit artifact!"

A great warning flared in Li Cheng's mind, but this spirit artifact had already swept towards him like a gust of wind. It seemed to have transformed into a nimble snake and swiftly leaped onto the long spear in his hand.

Although Li Cheng was one of the foremost figures in the Li family, and his spear was a Foundation Establishment-level magical artifact, it was merely an ordinary artifact, far inferior to Li Qinghong's Du Ruo. Even if he held Du Ruo, he wouldn't fare much better against a spirit artifact.

With a clatter, the lightning and magic power on the spear dissipated. It was tightly entangled by the gray rope, and with a flick and a sweep, it was also swept to the ground.

But in that single instant, Li Cheng had already summoned a bronze mirror artifact from his sleeve. It was palm-sized, and its two rings were engraved with several galloping beasts, with ornate patterns.

Bright White Bronze Wings!

This mirror artifact was obtained from the Duxian Dao. Although its appearance was ornate, its grade was not high; it was slightly more powerful than the long spear. With a gentle leap, it struck the gray rope, and with a crisp, loud 'clang,' the mirror flew backward, emitting painful creaking sounds.

The hindrance provided by these magical artifacts was not useless. Ding Weizeng was close at hand and had already swung his staff. Li Cheng had also gained enough time. He immediately opened his mouth and drew a speck of white light from the Thunder Pond.

"Violet Talisman Primordial Light Secret Art!"