Chapter 768: Shidu

Glistening white lights flickered, rapidly expanding and transforming. Lightning, like a waterfall, poured down, blocking the gray rope. Only then did the violent sound of thunder erupt:“Boom!”

The Purple Talisman Primal Light Secret Art was, after all, a lineage of Cerei Boyun. Intense lightning and violent impacts spread simultaneously. Its power surpassed the previous magical artifact, clearly reducing the gray rope's speed, even sending it flying backward.

However, this lightning waterfall did not last long. The mountain and river patterns on the gray rope lit up one by one. The center of the lightning seemed to have a hole, shriveling instantly. All the purple lightning essence surged into the gray rope like a whale drinking water, disappearing completely in an instant.

"It's a spirit artifact of the Earth and Metal Virtues! Earth extinguishes powerful lightning, and metal dissolves residual electricity; it's the perfect counter to my lightning!" Li Cheng immediately recognized it. For years, his lightning had suppressed enemies with its domineering speed and demon-slaying power. Now, he had finally fallen to the point of being suppressed by others. He pulled his spear back, turned, and retreated with thunderous steps.

Ding Weizeng had already rushed over to provide urgent assistance. He struck the gray rope twice with his staff. However, the gray rope calmly vanished into the void. Situ Biao and others advanced together, intercepting him. Meanwhile, Situ Mo, with a cold expression, rode the wind to pursue Li Cheng.

Two streaks of escape light, one golden and one purple, shot up into the sky. Without a second thought, Li Cheng headed east. A dark greenish-blue light rose above his head. Screens unfolded one by one, and the brilliance of Chongyuan surged out, rushing towards Situ Mo.

However, Situ Mo's escape light was cultivated by himself, not dependent on any magical artifact, making it difficult to disrupt. He had long understood the function of the Chongming Cave Profound Screen in the sky. His golden needles and golden blades were already retracted into his sleeves. Facing the incoming greenish-blue light, he merely paused for a brief moment.

Fortunately, Li Cheng's escape light was a step faster than his, giving him a temporary lead. The light from the Chongming Cave Profound Screen rotated back. However, a golden expanse appeared before him, captured right in front of his eyes. It turned out to be the opponent's spell secretly circling around to face him.

Li Cheng gathered lightning in his palm, pushed with both hands, and dispersed the spell. As he rode the lightning, a thought flashed through his mind: "Situ Mo has a spirit artifact; the Purple Mansion must be involved!"

Li Cheng felt little panic, but rather a heavy sense of gravity. 'Who is behind this? Situ Huo? Jin Yu? Duxian? Changxiao... or even more than one person, the collective will of several Purple Mansions...'

"It's for my young master... I'm just a lightning cultivator whose path has been cut off; why would such a grand scheme be necessary for me?"

"It's to force Minghuang to appear, and it's not just Changxiao's doing. I've long known that probably no one in the Purple Mansions wants to see Minghuang break through to the Purple Mansion realm, but I never imagined their actions would be so ruthless!"

Li Cheng had always been deeply astonished by Changxiao's sudden attacks and actions that provoked mortal offense. Now, he finally understood: "I had long suspected Changxiao's repeated attempts against the Son of Destiny and his schemes against Minghuang, but I didn't expect them to come so decisively and swiftly. It seems I underestimated the malice of the various families towards mine. Changxiao is simply conforming to the collective will! Regardless of whether the cultivators want Minghuang to fall into Changxiao's hands, at least on the point of forcing my young master to appear... there are far too many converging interests..."

As for what happens after he appears, some hope to capture him, while others wish him dead... Changxiao has precisely seized this point: as long as he forces Li Ximing into the sea, leaving him unable to act, even if Ye Hui is unwilling to intervene, too many Purple Mansions will fan the flames. Not to mention Jin Yu and Chijiao—even the Qingchi Situ family behind the Li family, don't they harbor thoughts of pushing the Li family to desperation?! To make the Li clan submit to Qingchi, now is the perfect moment!

Although Li Cheng was unaware of the Luo Xia Mountain incident, he saw these persecutions as a result of fear towards his own clan leader. His conclusions were no different, and he slowly sorted everything out.

Thoughts flashed through his mind. Behind him, Situ Mo, with a ferocious expression, gripped the air, catching a gray rope from mid-air. The bright mountain and river patterns flickered, and his voice thundered as he roared: "Li Cheng! Die!"

This shout startled him awake: What kind of situation was Situ Mo in?

Situ Mo, as recorded clearly in clan history, was a cunning and vicious individual. His elder sister had also interacted with him and confirmed he was indeed a ruthless figure. Such a person, even when using spells or deploying magical artifacts, would naturally remain silent and keep a calm expression to prevent his opponent from becoming wary. How could he now be making such a ferocious expression, roaring like thunder, as if afraid Li Cheng wouldn't know!

In that instant, a realization dawned on Li Cheng: "Even if he's fiercely trying to kill me, only by continuing my escape and making a bigger commotion will it serve his interests! He wants to force Minghuang out... he wants chaos, for everyone's attention to fall on the clan leader, and only by satisfying the Purple Mansions will he have a slim chance of survival!"

At this moment, Li Cheng was like a dark moth fluttering its wings on a spiderweb, struggling for survival. And wasn't his opponent, the golden-skinned venomous spider, also trembling, caught in the same web, striving to survive?

"Boom!" A torrent of purple lightning surged out, crashing down behind him. It created a burst of lightning, forcing the golden needles to retreat in all directions. Yet, from within, a venomous snake-like gray rope flew out.

Although Situ Mo appeared desperate and agitated, with a harsh tone that subtly hinted, he understood even more clearly what should be done and what should not. He did not relax his grip at all, and the spirit artifact, which suppressed lightning, continued to bind Li Cheng.

Li Cheng seized the opportunity to take a pill. A red light simultaneously illuminated his body, as his cultivation and lifespan diminished together. He rushed eastward.

The other end of the Funan territory was where Li Minggong and others were clashing with Duxian Dao. Although the situation there was also not optimistic, it now appeared to be his only turning point!

'It's quite ironic... Duxian is overtly my family's primary enemy since we advanced to the Purple Mansion realm. The other families are polite and smiling, yet now... I must rely on Duxian Dao's goodwill!'

Such were the mysteries of the world, everything reversed overnight. Li Cheng shot through the air, just as he activated his lightning. But then he heard Situ Mo behind him let out a frenzied roar: "Run! Can you escape?!"

This shout, propelled by magical power, echoed through the sky. It entered Li Cheng's ears in an instant. The young man's expression showed a moment of hesitation, and thoughts raced through his mind: *Can I escape?*

Just using Situ Mo to chase Li Cheng to force Li Zhouwei to appear—this small Funan territory, only about the size of the northern shore of Moonlit Lake, would it be too short? Lightning is swift; if there's any oversight, and Duxian decides to help, wouldn't it be a complete waste of time and opportunity?

'It's not just a chase... it's my life... Situ Mo probably means he has more than one spirit artifact... even more... if I push him too hard, he'll make the first move.'

As Li Cheng's lightning dissipated, the gray rope descended, blocking the path ahead. He struggled to take a step, feeling his entire body grow heavier. He changed direction, heading towards the river.

Beyond the river lay Moonlit Lake, Li Zhouwei's secluded cultivation retreat! This change in direction immediately made Situ Mo realize that the other party had more or less understood. He was utterly relieved, yet still broke out in a cold sweat. 'Fortunately, the Li family members are clever!'

He would never have imagined such a thought appearing in his mind, but now it had truly surfaced.

'Head south, force Li Zhouwei out onto the lake, and both of us will have a path to survival. Otherwise, you die... and I'll be cooked!'

Situ Mo's face remained fierce and agitated, the anxious look in his eyes undiminished. Yet, the spell in his hand paused for an instant, clearly a sigh of relief, and even the gray rope slowed down.

Li Cheng, meanwhile, rode the lightning for several steps. Situ Mo used the spirit artifact to pressure him, pushing him across the river.

"Boom!" Just as the wide river appeared before him, the Master of the Golden-Boring Gate slowly raised his eyebrows. The gray rope shone brightly, and streams of runes flowed out from its mountain and river patterns. They converged in the air into pale golden lights that descended, clearly indicating a marvelous operation.

It wasn't uncommon for Foundation Establishment cultivators to wield spirit artifacts against enemies. Ning Heyuan, back then, was one such example, even holding an ancient spirit artifact. But in terms of cultivation, combat ability, or even the compatibility between the spirit artifact and his Dao lineage, Ning Heyuan clearly couldn't compare to Situ Mo.

As soon as this marvel appeared, Li Cheng distinctly felt obscurity on all sides, as if he were in a landscape of mountains and valleys. The gray rope continuously expanded and spread, sending down pale golden light from the sky, locking onto him through the void.

Situ Mo was not an easy opponent, and now there was only one way forward. The Master of the Golden-Boring Gate gradually gained confidence and began to ponder his next move: 'I absolutely cannot hold onto the Mountain Shadow Moving Peak Rope. Once we reach the lake, Li Zhouwei absolutely cannot stand by idly. Even if he's truly in seclusion, Li Xuanxuan will be so anxious that he'll forcibly summon him out.'

'The moment he appears, I'll immediately hurl the Mountain Shadow Moving Peak Rope at Li Zhouwei, strike Li Cheng with a Purple Mansion Talisman, abandon the spirit artifact, and flee!'

Situ Mo was confident that as long as the Mountain Shadow Moving Peak Rope was not in his hands, ninety percent of the Purple Mansion gazes on him would diminish!

"As long as I don't flee with the spirit artifact, and don't hide in the Purple Mansion Grand Array of Mount Tangdao to the north, but instead head straight for the East Sea, I will definitely survive!"

"Because—I can still be used to lure out Li Ximing!"

"As long as I'm useful, I can live!"

Situ Mo was truly a figure who had climbed step by step from the son of a concubine to the position of sect master. In such a seemingly inescapable deadly situation, he actually managed to find a path to survival in one go!

He wasn't afraid of what Li Cheng might do; he merely stared distantly at the other's back: 'In any case, Li Zhouwei will appear sooner or later. His appearance might not necessarily mean anything, but it can save your own life. No one in the world doesn't cherish their life, let alone when it doesn't even require Li Zhouwei's life in exchange!'

Situ Mo's eyes fixated on Li Cheng. Even though there was a spirit artifact suppressing him and talismans ensuring his safety, and Li Cheng knew stopping meant certain death, his suspicion surged again, and he pondered:

'But the Li family uses clan lineage and ancient morality to restrain its disciples, and Li Zhouwei is the clan leader. How can I be sure Li Cheng isn't a stubborn, suicidal fool?'

So, the next moment, he silently hid a handful of golden needles in his sleeve. As he poured magical power into them, a chilling voice suddenly emerged: "Li Cheng! If you dare to die, I'll turn around and kill Li Minggong!"

Li Cheng's figure flickered like lightning over the river for a moment, then abruptly stopped. Situ Mo's cold voice followed: "Don't think I can't do it. The True Lords will only think I'm sensible!"

Li Cheng's eyes slightly opened, his pitch-black gaze fixed intently on his opponent. One hand, with fingers joined, hovered two inches in front of his chest. His other hand extended backward, pressing against his back, also with fingers joined. Both sets of joined fingers held a gleaming golden talisman.

The talisman in front of Li Cheng suddenly lit up, unleashing a series of deep greenish-blue lights. Heavy as rock, solemn as an ancestral temple, it was precisely the Earth Virtue Qingxuan's prayer spell!

Meanwhile, the talisman behind him glowed with an intense black light. Hidden like a forest's shade, eerie as a witch's temple, it was the concealment spell of the Ancient Witch Talismans.

Witch Talisman Golden Seals! This stack of Witch Talisman Golden Seals that Li Xuanfeng brought back from Daning Palace was considered a valuable treasure of the Li family. Several direct descendants of the Li family carried them; Li Xijun once used a transformation witch talisman to transform into Guo Hongyao. Now, the remaining two types finally found their use.

As soon as this Earth Virtue Qingxuan prayer spell was activated, it immediately transformed into a heavy golden current flowing over his body. The change wasn't significant, but with the activation of the Ancient Witch Talisman's concealment, black light surged around Li Cheng, causing the gray rope in the sky to freeze.

A spirit artifact locking onto a Foundation Establishment cultivator through the void meant absolute inescapable pursuit until death. Yet, at this moment, Li Cheng seemed secluded and cut off from the world, breaking free from the golden expanse and ascending with thunder.

'Good! I've broken free indeed!' Li Cheng clearly remembered the purpose of the witch talismans. Li Xizhi had explained when he brought them back that the concealment seemed to be a condensed Purple Mansion divine ability that could not be investigated, its greater function being to evade Purple Mansion divination.

'They can't calculate my whereabouts either!' Li Cheng understood perfectly that the current situation was a result of the various families pushing and encouraging each other. In other words, no Purple Mansion would personally use their divine abilities to divine Situ Mo or himself!

'My family's Purple Mansion is currently outside, and under everyone's watchful eyes, no one wants their own Dao lineage to be troubled for four hundred years! If they can't calculate my next move, I'll have room to maneuver!'

His figure had just emerged from the golden light. Situ Mo was startled, but his eyes had already turned golden. He took a step. The golden needle flew out from his sleeve, and countless golden rays shot out in all directions like beams of light.

His reaction speed was astonishing. He had already hidden the magical artifact in his sleeve, and began casting the spell the instant Li Cheng retrieved his talisman. It was so fast that it was almost simultaneous with his opponent!

Li Cheng's move was unexpected. Any other Foundation Establishment cultivator might have lost an instant, creating an opportunity for escape. But Situ Mo, the blade chosen by the various Purple Mansions, forged through trials and consumed by hatred and resentment, was too sharp and too fast!

"Clang!" The thousands of lights released by the golden needle instantly extended several miles away. A crisp clanging sound came from the east.

The sound did not echo back. Situ Mo had already perceived it through the connection between his artifacts. Before his body could move, his head suddenly spun. His sinister eyes were bloodshot, and golden light converged, piercing towards Li Cheng like two arrows shot from a bowstring.

A chill ran down Li Cheng's spine.

He suddenly recalled the time when he was cultivating Qi and guarding that small island in the East Sea. The sea surged, the sunset was a pale yellow, and he held the clan history, reading it; he could recite every passage clearly:

"Later, when Jingeng approached the East Sea, Mo remained on the island. When Situ Chen arrived, Chen was lured and killed, thus unable to return. A letter reached the family, and Cheng looked at it, saying: 'When my uncle was alive, he often worried about this person, but couldn't get rid of him. He once told me something, which I keep deeply in mind.'"

"Liao asked: 'I wish to hear the details.'"

"Answered: 'Observing his ambition and conduct, he will surely become a future menace!'"