Chapter 780: Inquiries

Funan Territory.

The arrays on the various mountain peaks were already being repaired. The territory, once billowing with black smoke, now appeared orderly. Tangjin Gate had come out of necessity this time, with no intention of burning, killing, or looting. The commoners below had suffered little damage and were now gathered at the foot of the mountains, rebuilding the razed villages and towns.

In mid-air, a golden streak of light flashed past, transforming into a scholarly-looking young man. He traveled by light, a worried expression on his face, and soon stopped at the edge of Funan Territory.

Cui Jueyin had been searching for over half a year. Since Ding Weizeng's disappearance, he had scoured the entire territory by light. The jade pendant at his waist showed no reaction. He searched westwards to the desert, eastwards to the East Sea, and even secretly ventured north through Tangjin and Duxian Dao, but found no trace.

He had no choice but to fly back, his heart heavy. Cui Jueyin knew Ding Weizeng well; he was indeed an excellent individual. More importantly, both were personally promoted by Li Ximing, trusted confidantes of the True Man, and stood on the same side. For such a pillar-like Foundation Establishment cultivator, Cui Jueyin naturally wouldn't slack off or refuse to help; he had given his all this time.

He returned to Funan Territory in low spirits. Unable to immediately go back to the lake, he decided to stay at Funan's main mountain. Although the cultivators below weren't familiar with him, they recognized his appearance and approached him, saying:"Sir Cui, Sir Qu was sent from the lake to manage things. He just finished sorting out the spirit fields and is currently free, in the main hall."

Hearing this, Cui Jueyin went to the hall. Soon, he saw an old man sitting there, draped in a rather splendid robe, holding a box of earth, examining it carefully."Senior Qu!"Cui Jueyin greeted him. Qu Bushi immediately rose and quickly walked to him. The old man sighed:"Sir Cui, I've been waiting for you. Things have been quite busy at the lake... Have you found Weizeng?"

Qu Bushi was actually very close to Ding Weizeng, often calling him "Weizeng" like a junior. He was very anxious about the situation, asking for news immediately. Seeing Cui Jueyin shake his head, the old man's expression turned grim, and he murmured:"He should be fine... After all, though the life-jade at the lake is dim, it hasn't changed. Unless a Violet Palace cultivator attacked him, Weizeng must be in secluded cultivation somewhere."

Cui Jueyin pondered:"I have another idea... That King of Beijinjiang... Is there any news of him now? Demons are spread throughout the Three Rivers; perhaps we can ask him to inquire."

Speaking of the demon, old man Qu sighed repeatedly and replied:"I thought of him long ago. This old demon, whether cunning or unintentional... went to congratulate some Xuishui Demon King on his birthday nearly two years ago and hasn't been seen since. The people who went to contact him... their messages piled up in the river palace with no reply."

"Xuishui Demon King?"Cui Jueyin, being from overseas, caught the implication immediately and frowned:"I know this Xuishui Demon King. It's said he once visited Chongzhou Island with the Dragon King, and I never heard he was extravagant. A banquet lasting a year and a half should be over by now. I'll go inquire."

He had a feeling about it. Taking the message token from Qu Bushi, he immediately rushed towards Baijiang Stream. After traveling most of the way, he submerged himself to the riverbed, thinking:'Even an important figure like the Xuishui Demon King is cooperating, using a birthday celebration as an excuse to move people away. They must be afraid of dragging the King of Beijinjiang down in the end. The Dragon Clan ultimately hasn't acted directly in the internal sea affairs...'

Cui Jueyin clearly saw that while the Dragon Clan had shown a willingness to concede, it didn't mean the rumored connections were illusory. On the contrary, it was precisely because of these connections that a Violet Palace demon like the Xuishui Demon King would cooperate...'If the rumors were completely baseless, then the King of Beijinjiang would simply stay here openly, and even if someone came seeking help, he wouldn't meet them. Why go through this extra trouble?''To inquire about the True Man and the Head of the Family... I'll have to rely on this water dragon!'

He had a plan and acted confidently. Upon reaching the river palace, a fish demon emerged. Cui Jueyin had some experience dealing with demons and quickly explained his purpose. The demon said:"Our Great King just returned this morning and was about to respond. Please come in, sir."

Cui Jueyin boldly entered the palace. Everywhere was truly resplendent with gold and jade. Demons had few taboos; the grand staircase leading to the high hall was lavishly crafted from a combination of gold and spiritual materials. He proceeded all the way to the main hall.

There he saw a tall, imposing man wearing a stone-blue brocade jacket with carved silk patterns and a white velvet cloak embroidered with a blue sea motif. If not for the shimmering azure scales on his neck, he would truly resemble a Sect Master or Clan Head."This humble cultivator, Cui Jueyin, greets the King of Beijinjiang!"He lowered his gaze and stated his name. The man swept his robes, descended the steps, and smiled:"Chongzhou Island?""Precisely!""Precisely!"

One was a demon, a subordinate of the Dragon Clan; the other was an overseas aristocratic family, a descendant of Chongzhou. Both individuals had broad perspectives and knew many secrets, even serving as subordinates of the Dragon Clan. As the man and the demon looked at each other, much was understood without words.

The King of Beijinjiang, Ying Heibai, welcomed him to a seat and said in a low voice:"Chongzhou is also a kin of the White Dragon Lineage. Back then, the Dragon King brought the Great King to agree to this matter, forming a karmic connection. Our Xuishui has a close relationship with you; we are all family."

"That is natural."Cui Jueyin replied with a smile, realizing that Ying Heibai knew a great deal, and secretly nodded. Ying Heibai's voice was deep as he responded:"I only learned of Brother Cheng's demise after returning to the sea. Even if I had been here at the time, I couldn't have done anything... For this, I ask Sir Cui to put in a good word for me.""After all, I am a minor figure. I can offer a little assistance and relay messages, but nothing more. I was waiting for you... From now on, everything can only be accounted for based on our private friendship."

Cui Jueyin naturally nodded. He replied:"Those at the lake see clearly that this matter was bound to happen eventually. In the past, even Situ Tang, a Violet Palace cultivator, faced the calamity of his mountain being besieged. Xiao Chuting, upon achieving divine abilities, was still confined to the East Sea. Wangyue Lake could hardly be an exception. For the True Man to escape overseas now is already a very fortunate outcome."

Seeing Ying Heibai nod, he responded in a low voice:"Recently, we've been targeted, and I am particularly worried about Bailin entering the sea. I wonder if Your Majesty has heard any news regarding this?"

Ying Heibai shook his head and replied:"There's no need to worry. Since he used the Sword Gate's adherence to morals to save his life, striking down Situ Mo and escaping to the East Sea, it's unlikely anything else will happen to him. The one in an awkward position now is Chengyan. My demon king says that fellow has an extremely poor reputation, disliked by everyone. With Changxiao gone, he wouldn't dare go to the East Sea either."

Cui Jueyin immediately understood, feeling much relieved. He then asked:"How is the True Man?"

Ying Heibai immediately replied:"I was in the Hetian Sea at the time and don't know the details."

Whether Ying Heibai knew or not, he had at least heard something, avoiding the topic so clearly. Cui Jueyin wisely kept silent, then cupped his hands and asked:"I also wish to ask Your Majesty, on behalf of the lake, to look for a fellow Daoist..."

Ying Heibai finally smiled and replied:"I have good news for you: Fellow Daoist Ding is currently cultivating and healing in my river palace!"

Although Cui Jueyin had guessed that the other party might know Ding Weizeng's whereabouts, he never imagined he would be right there in the palace. No wonder he had found no trace despite his extensive search. He was immediately overjoyed and replied:"Thank you truly, Your Majesty!"

Ying Heibai led him down, passing through layers of coral, and soon arrived before a palace of green bronze. Cui Jueyin waited for a moment and indeed saw the man with a swallow's jaw and tiger's whiskers rushing out of the hall.

Ding Weizeng's aura hadn't changed significantly, but his eyes were filled with anxiety. The burly man came up and immediately seized his hand, murmuring:"Is there any news of the True Man?!"

Cui Jueyin hadn't expected this to be the first question and shook his head hesitantly. Ying Heibai smiled:"Fellow Daoist Ding fell into the stream. My younger sister brought him back and settled him in the Lushuichi pond in my river palace, where she healed all his injuries... Had she been a moment slower, he would have suffered internal injuries that only a Violet Palace cultivator could fully cure."

Cui Jueyin nodded slightly. Ding Weizeng whispered:"Tangjin Gate besieged me alone. I used my Immortal Foundation to escape, but I was severely wounded. I initially fled to the desert, but I was worried about Cheng and intended to return. However, I delayed too long, my injuries became too severe, and I ended up falling further west.""I had held my breath for a long time before being awakened by some commoners who had crossed the mountains from Tangjin Gate's territory to seek refuge. Once I woke, I cultivated in seclusion for half a day, then continued flying back east. Along the way, I encountered demonic cultivators. My injuries flared up after killing them, and I fell into this river..."

Ding Weizeng spoke of it lightly, but repeatedly losing consciousness like that was no easy feat. Foundation Establishment cultivators' injuries rarely cause them to lose their wits unless they are truly life-threatening. If not for his tenacious Immortal Foundation, he might have perished long ago.

Cui Jueyin sighed deeply and asked:"Since you were healing at the river bottom, why didn't you send a letter back? I had such a hard time finding you."

To his surprise, Ding Weizeng whispered:"I was brought back by Miss Ying and didn't know the situation at the time. But after inquiring about the current circumstances, I learned the lake was fine. I only wanted to quickly heal using this precious place, then go to the East Sea to inquire about the True Man..."

Cui Jueyin understood clearly that Ding Weizeng was genuinely worried about Li Ximing. This man had little sense of belonging to Wangyue Lake and no interest in its power or status; he was simply fiercely loyal to Li Ximing and filled with concern.

"Alas... What a few Violet Palace cultivators couldn't find, what could you, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, do... Even if you found him, how could you help? It's better to quickly return to the lake with me and stabilize things there first."

Hearing Cui Jueyin's words, Ding Weizeng shook his head and said:"That might not be true. If the True Man is injured and has no one to attend to him, there will certainly be risks. As for whether I can find him... even if I search all the way out there, just being able to divert the attention of those with malicious intent would be good for the True Man!"

'Attract the attention of Violet Palace cultivators... he's throwing his life away!'Although Cui Jueyin was dutiful, he believed he couldn't sacrifice his own life like that. He secretly sighed. Seeing that Ding Weizeng had recovered seventy to eighty percent, and considering Ding Weizeng's previous severe injuries, with only half a year having passed, he immediately understood that Ying Heibai must have used exceptionally good spiritual artifacts. He had already incurred a debt of gratitude and thus cupped his hands, saying:"On behalf of the lake, I thank Your Majesty!"

Ying Heibai laughed and waved his hand, escorting them all the way out. Only at the palace entrance did he nod and say:"I heard that True Man Zhugong from overseas has recently been a frequent guest at Ziyan Gate. There might be some changes, so it would be best for the lake to be careful."

Wangyue Lake, Scarlet Bud Pavilion.

The lake water rippled, and the sky was clear. The light from the bluestone lamp stand had extinguished. In the pavilion, a woman in a dress had several talismans affixed to her cuffs. One hand covered a cloth covered in markings on the table, while the other pressed down on a green jade mortar.

"Dàizhě three qian, golden essence three qian, white essence five fen, fried golden silkworm one and a half qian... There's no major problem, it's truly strange. Why can't it be produced?"She observed the half-gold, half-black powder at the bottom of the jade mortar. After a long time, it didn't turn white-gold. She had no choice but to cease her magical power, put down the jade pestle, and mused:"Could it be due to the spiritual essence affecting the Xuan Aperture? Gold is the 'son' of earth. This spiritual essence harms the earth, causing insufficient pregnancy energy, and thus preventing birth. Adding half a qian of dàizhě might allow another try."

She took a jade box from her sleeve, revealing pieces of reddish dàizhě spirit stones within. As she was taking one, a cultivator reported from outside the pavilion:"My Lady, the Third Young Master has arrived."

"Please come in!"Li Quewan quickly put down what she was holding and first put away the cloth on the table. Indeed, she saw the tall Li Jiangxia striding rapidly along the corridor. He approached, cupped his hands, and smiled:"Greetings, Sister!""Third Young Master has arrived."

Li Quewan invited him to sit. The young man raised an eyebrow, glanced at the jade mortar on the table, and said casually:"I don't often come to your place, Sister. It's rare to see you, and I apologize for disturbing you."

Li Quewan picked up the jade mortar and said gently:"It's not really anything urgent. A branch of our family acquired a cultivation method, a Golden Virtue lineage. The spirit material needed for qi collection isn't produced in Yuebei; it's found in the Western Highlands. So they came to the family for help. I considered it a Qi Refining spirit material, not particularly precious, and thought of compounding materials to create a batch."

Li Jiangxia nodded. After a moment's hesitation, he took out a box from under his sleeve and said in a low voice:"I came this time because I also have something in hand I'd like you to see, Sister."He took out the stone box and gently placed it on the table. Li Quewan watched as he opened it, revealing a dark golden stone inside. Light flowed from it, and its cross-section was like a mirror, reflecting faces.

She picked up the golden stone, weighed it, and examined it carefully. She seemed surprised and asked:"Where did you get this? It's neither Dui nor Geng, likely Xiaojin... This material is extremely rare in Jiangnan, more common in the north. Although I can't name it specifically, it's undoubtedly a Foundation Establishment-grade Xiaojin spirit material."

"North..."Li Jiangxia secretly made a mental note:'It seems Brother Pei's inheritance is definitely left behind by a Northern cultivator...'

He was about to ask more when he saw someone rushing up from below, respectfully saying:"My Ladies! A message from the continent requests both of you to proceed to the continent at once!"

Li Quewan quickly stood up, handed back the golden stone, and asked:"Did they mention what it was about?"The person bowed and said:"Many people have arrived on the continent, with purple qi swirling. They came on a spirit boat, a very luxurious one, and it has now docked by the shore."

Li Quewan heard just that sentence and understood, thinking:"It must be my sisters returning from Ziyan Blessed Land!"