Chapter 809: Fate Turns into Elixir (1+1/2)

Li Ximing nodded in response. The three Purple Mansion cultivators immediately began discussing profound topics. Ling Du initiated the conversation, bringing up the topic of 'Wutu without leaks, and the Dao it embodies.' Hou Fu then recounted stories of his family's True Immortals battling Wutu cultivators, comparing them one by one. He suspected that a certain divine ability within the True Wood divine powers was most effective at subduing Wutu, and they spoke with great pleasure.

Li Ximing naturally had little to contribute. The only person he had interacted with extensively was Chang Xi from Gen Tu, followed by Su Mian from Bao Tu. As for Wutu, he had only heard of a cultivator named Chengyan, but had never met him. So he simply listened intently, occasionally interjecting some perfunctory remarks to play along.

Taking advantage of a pause in their conversation, Li Ximing asked Ling Du: "Senior... do you know of the Rosy Cloud orthodoxy?"

Hou Fu's expression became somewhat playful, his gaze deepening. Ling Du, meanwhile, frowned and said: "Is Zhaojing referring to... Mount Luoxia, where the Rosy Clouds of Wuguang are gathered?"

Li Ximing had asked this question on behalf of his elder brother, taking the opportunity, but he didn't expect his very first query to lead to Mount Luoxia. He, too, was hearing that name for the first time, and after a brief moment of stunned silence, he quickly said: "No... I meant the Rosy Cloud Purple Mansion orthodoxy..."

Ling Du was momentarily startled, then visibly relaxed, and chuckled helplessly: "Across the world, rosy clouds emerge from two places: Mount Luoxia and Mount Zhan. Though seemingly distinct, they are both exclusively controlled by that one individual. If you're talking about the Rosy Cloud Purple Mansion orthodoxy... that too is someone else's private possession. Most orthodoxies do not possess such a thing."

Li Ximing flattered him, saying: "This junior understands that it's impossible to inquire about this elsewhere, and naturally, most orthodoxies wouldn't have it. However, a venerable and unfathomable orthodoxy like yours certainly surpasses others... so I thought to ask."

Hou Fu, however, sighed, his gaze profound, and replied: "Zhaojing is taking things for granted... there's nothing related to rosy clouds here." His words were vague, and Li Ximing looked up in surprise, but neither of them elaborated. Then, another person arrived in the woods. Tantai Muming quickly approached, and after Hou Fu finished speaking, the three looked at her. She respectfully announced: "I have already guided Fellow Daoist Xia to recognize her clan lineage, had her read Senior Brother Yu's biography, and she has now changed her clothes and is waiting quietly in the woods."

"Good." Ling Du replied with a smile: "Fellow Daoist Zhaojing probably has more instructions, let her come up."

Li Ximing understood that it was probably not appropriate to stay much longer, and he mused inwardly: 'Indeed, I've stayed long enough, and I've received the benefits. The Nine Hills orthodoxy has been very good to me. Staying longer would be impolite; it's best to leave soon.'

Soon, Xia Shouyu ascended, dressed in white robes with a grey skirt, adorned with rattling seashells, like a cultivator from the East Sea. Li Ximing had her approach, then took out two scrolls from his sleeve, one red and one gold, and said: "Take these two scrolls back with you. The red scroll is for your betrothal, and the gold scroll is my personal letter. Just deliver them both to Elder Xuanxuan in the lake."

Xia Shouyu's thoughts were unknown, but she respectfully thanked him, saying: "Thank you, True Immortal, for bestowing this marriage! This junior will surely deliver them to the Elder!"

He then turned to Hou Fu and bowed: "Thank you for the trouble, Senior!"

Hou Fu nodded slightly. Li Ximing gestured for Xia Shouyu to stand behind him, then heard Hou Fu reply: "Zhaojing, you're too polite. Just call me Hou Fu... In recent years, the Sheng Bai Sect has been battling the Da Kang Zhao Temple, causing unrest in the Great Western Plain. The Sword Gate has requested assistance from my Great Xiukuang Monastery. I am also heading to the Great Western Plain in the west, so I can pass by; it's no trouble at all."

Li Ximing nodded. Ling Du, however, seemed very surprised, his eyes widening as he asked: "Sheng Bai Sect? One of the three from Fenkuai Island? That's extraordinary! That's extraordinary..."

Li Ximing knew quite a bit about ancient matters, and Fenkuai Island was hardly a great secret. Back then, when Ying Ze divided the Shaoyang Demonic Lord into three, one was the demon Xiyan, who resided in the Great Western Plain... Although he didn't know why Ling Du brought up Demon Lord Xiyan upon hearing of the Sheng Bai Sect, it didn't stop Li Ximing from realizing the significance of the matter. He whispered: "Senior, are you implying... Shaoyang..."

Hou Fu merely shook his head. Even though Li Ximing spoke so cautiously, Hou Fu still raised a finger to his lips, his expression very solemn, and replied: "Not necessarily. It's the rise of the Sheng Bai Sect. First, over a decade ago, the Sheng Bai Sect Master attained an anomalous mansion. Then, a year ago, one of the Five Luminaries cultivated a divine ability. With two consecutive Purple Mansion attainments, the situation reversed, and the several 'Compassion' cultivators of the Da Kang Zhao Temple couldn't bear it... Although there's no trace of that one individual, as a Shaoyang orthodoxy, it could be the work of the Great One."

Ling Du's expression wasn't good. He also extended a finger, this time pointing towards the sky, and replied: "Don't forget, there's also a Shaoyang beyond the heavens... If he was injured, it's possible it affected the other two."

The three looked at each other in silence. Those two dared to speak, but Li Ximing dared not listen further. After all, one was from the Solar orthodoxy and a Lunar Immortal affiliate, while the other was from the Nine Hills orthodoxy, a dominant power overseas... Li Ximing, a down-and-out individual with no one protecting him, felt a chill down his spine when he saw them fall silent. He waved his hand and said: "I won't trouble you any longer. Thank you, Nine Hills Immortal Mountain, for this spiritual fire. I will remember your kindness..."

He exchanged a few more pleasantries, and Ling Du only offered a few words of retention before escorting him out of the mountain. The elder was clearly somewhat distracted; each of the three had their own thoughts, making the farewell seem rather perfunctory. Only Hou Fu added one more point: "This trip to escort Xia Shouyu back to the lake will certainly make people think I've met Zhaojing. I'm not afraid of Ye Gui or Chang Xiao... but if Tinglan asks, I won't know how to answer her."

Clearly, as fellow Solar orthodoxies, Ziyan and Xiukuang still shared some affinity, and it would be difficult for Hou Fu to directly deceive her.

Li Ximing pondered for a moment. He still needed to construct the grand formation, and indeed, he shouldn't leave this True Immortal waiting. However, exposing his whereabouts would be troublesome, and he shouldn't give too precise a location to prevent Chang Xiao from exploiting it. After careful consideration, he took a jade pendant from his sleeve, handed it to Hou Fu, and said: "I am currently traveling near the East Ahwang Sea. If Fellow Daoist Tinglan wishes to find me, tell her to go to the border of the East Ahwang Sea and the Peacock Sea, crush this talisman, and I will go to her."

Hou Fu understood and accepted the pendant. Li Ximing bid farewell to the two and sped across the sea, arriving at the nearby East Ahwang Sea. The chaos there had somewhat subsided; several demon generals had divided territories, and smaller factions had emerged. The sea region appeared to be peaceful.

He carefully checked his Dharma body, confirming there was no Shaoyang radiance, and muttered: "Caught off guard! Suddenly discussing such terrifying things... talking about one leads to three, and then seven or eight more can be pulled in..."

Li Ximing looked around to investigate, then dived into the sea, landing on the seabed. He immediately activated his Mountain-Shifting Sea-Going Tiger, traveling through the earth enveloped in a pure Gen Tu radiance. Riding the Gen Tiger like a shuttle, he burrowed deep underground and found a fire vein to settle in.

Using the Mountain-Shifting Sea-Going Tiger, he created a cave, drew the fire vein into it, and placed his alchemy cauldron above. Only then did Li Ximing sit down.

Before he could do anything, he suddenly felt a chill in his Ascending Yang, as if a blast of icy power struck him directly, causing sparks to erupt in his mind, his vision blurring. A sudden cold surge rushed to his face, bringing tears to his eyes: "This..."'It's over!'

It was as if a giant hand suddenly seized his spiritual consciousness, pulling him instantly into the infinitely high expanse beyond the heavens.

Suddenly, he saw the stars of tomorrow, white jade immortal palaces arrayed like fish scales, clouds circling the moon, golden crow divine light like phoenixes soaring, twelve golden lake bridges lying gracefully, hundreds of halls and thousands of chambers, resplendent and magnificent... This scene flashed by quickly, and before Li Ximing could see clearly, he plunged back into darkness, as if in a deep underground palace. Points of light appeared before him, and a stone bridge spanned across. A man in grey clothes, stained with blood, stood on the bridge. Upon closer inspection, Li Ximing realized it was a steady, calm middle-aged face.

Wang Quban.

In the dim darkness, there seemed to be only a stone bridge, suspended empty in a void. Wang Quban was looking up, tightly gripping a blue-gold treasured sword in his hand. Above, wisps of white light descended like threads, seemingly connected to some profound Daoist scripture.

Li Ximing's vision rapidly zoomed in on the white light. Before his eyes, countless wondrous treasures, Daoist texts, and magical artifacts flashed by like fleeting glimpses—colorful and resplendent—finally settling on the deepest point: a spirit sword suspended in mid-air.

This spirit sword was simple and elegant, light grey in color with no patterns, unlike the luxurious and intricate forging styles of today. The guard near the hilt was almost as wide as the blade, making the entire sword appear straight and unadorned. What truly attracted Li Ximing was the sword's only ornament: a bright white spirit stone at the tail of the blade.

The familiar aura emanating from this spirit stone made the talisman seed in his Ascending Yang Mansion restless, almost causing Li Ximing to tremble. This wasn't the first time he'd felt this way. Years ago, when Yu Muxian arrived by boat from the lake, the young Li Ximing had been touched by a fragment and fainted, experiencing a similar sensation.

A word exploded in Li Ximing's mind like a flash of lightning: 'Immortal Mirror Shard!'

The white light quickly receded, followed by the rapid dissipation of the ensuing darkness. Li Ximing felt a dizzying sensation, slowly opened his eyes, and saw the dark stone walls of the cave, the dark alchemy cauldron standing before him, and the crackling sounds of the fire vein in his ears. He was clearly in the underground chamber.

He first bowed deeply, then stood up, his face pale. He slowly exhaled a cold breath from his lips, suppressing his discomfort, and pulled a jade box from his storage bag: "Cough! Cough!"

The moment Li Ximing opened his mouth, several pale white vines rapidly grew out, instantly clinging to his chin. Several branches hung down, blooming into clusters of pure white flowers in mid-air, like spider plants.

The cave was filled with a rich fragrance and a chilling cold.

He reached out, seized the spiritual plant, and pulled it out completely. Without a second glance, he placed it into the jade box and hastily checked his body.

'I haven't been impacted by any Grand Yin divine abilities... just a slight chill... So it was the Immortal Mirror... I thought I had spoken ill of a True Lord and angered someone nearby, about to be overwhelmed by their fruit status...'

Breathing a sigh of relief, the chill in Li Ximing's heart receded, replaced by a mixture of shock and ecstasy.

'Wang Quban... that was Wang Quban! That place must be the Mifan Daoist Treasury, and it actually contains an Immortal Mirror shard!''This place is tens of thousands of miles from Jiangbei, yet I could still glimpse the Mifan landscape... How incredible... And where was that place like an immortal palace and pavilion... Could it be beyond the heavens...'

He estimated that it must have first connected to a certain place beyond the heavens, then, following the relationship between that place and the Immortal Mirror, approached Jiangbei, observed the Mifan inheritance, and then traversed into the Mifan Daoist Treasury, detecting the fragment's location...

'Truly miraculous...'

Suppressing his inner shock, Li Ximing quickly realized he had missed the opportunity.

'The Mifan orthodoxy must open at intervals. This time, it seems the Chengyun Sect and several others gathered the inheritance and opened the Mifan orthodoxy for the first time... Although I missed it this time, there will be another chance if I wait a while...''If that's the case, cultivating a Mifan successor myself is completely out of the question. It's impossible to let that treasured sword remain inside for ten or twenty years... The only option is to fully support Wang Quban...'

He sat silently in place, his eyes deep with thought: 'Wang Quban... Wang Quban... Is this destiny, or a matter of karmic affinity?'

Li Ximing slowly withdrew his gaze. Li Jiangqian, who was also affected by talismans at home, must have sensed this event. With him overseeing matters at home, arrangements would surely be made, so Li Ximing didn't need to rush.

He then turned his gaze to the jade box. Inside, a branch of Moon Orchid was still vibrant, eight small flowers blooming and emitting a faint white halo.

'What excellent Purple Mansion-grade material.'

Li Ximing's perception was now far superior to before. With the celestial light residing in his glabella, he could discern many grades of items. Although he couldn't identify the exact nature of the Grand Yin spiritual object before him, he could still recognize it as Purple Mansion-grade material, similar to the Hornwood Golden Spike.

'Perfect time to start the alchemy furnace. And there's another great medicine... right on me.'

Settling his mind slightly, he then began to probe his own body. He precisely located his Dantian, then used his index finger and thumb to make a gesture, pressing his two fingers apart.

"Whoosh!" The flesh of his lower abdomen immediately split open, revealing his Dantian Qi Sea within. Golden radiance shone forth from it, illuminating the entire cave.

Li Ximing quickly rolled up his sleeve. His other hand entered the opening in his abdomen, fumbled for a moment, and slowly drew something out.

It was a glistening white, perfectly round bead, smooth and crystalline in texture, about the size of a grain of rice. The moment it left his abdomen, it immediately expanded to the size of a fist, emitting an intoxicating fragrance.

Li Ximing almost couldn't hold it. His divine abilities circulated throughout his body, and he used the suppressive power of the Veneration Gate to finally stabilize the bead and prevent it from expanding further.

"Hoo!" This was the spiritual energy refined by the Valley Wind Igniter beside the Fangyin Pool... For a Foundation Establishment cultivator, it would be impossible to fully utilize or even access it while stored in the Qi Sea. Even for a Purple Mansion cultivator, it would normally take a long time to extract it through cultivation.

Fortunately, Li Ximing was resourceful; digging it out of his Qi Sea with his hand was the fastest method. The hand that had been propping open the wound relaxed and smoothed over it, and the skin instantly healed cleanly, leaving no scar.

'It's just that without the augmentation of the Valley Wind Igniter, my divine ability suppression is far inferior.'

Looking at the bead in his hand, Li Ximing immediately began to ponder it with the perspective of his old profession: 'Pure Clear Qi, divine power from the Lesser Yin path, having resided in my Qi Sea for some time and touched by Bright Yang. If this were to be made into a pill... it should yield a spiritual elixir capable of enhancing divine abilities and possessing remarkable uses.''After all, this Qi pill constantly requires my divine ability to suppress it. If I let go, it would likely burst forth, transforming into a mountain of spiritual energy. If I don't refine it, holding it in my hand indefinitely isn't a solution.'

His expression suddenly turned strange.

'It's not that there's no way to carry it... I could always cut myself open again and stuff it back into my Qi Sea for the Valley Wind Igniter to manage...'

This was, of course, a joke. Although the Valley Wind Igniter could effortlessly suppress this item, it had now expanded to the size of a fist and could not be forced back into the Qi Sea.

Although the Three Hou Xu Xuan Fire hadn't been refined yet, with the Valley Wind Igniter present, Li Ximing thought he needn't worry about using one hand. He immediately took out the Vermilion Bowl with one hand and flicked his finger.

"Poof!" The Three Hou Xu Xuan Fire gushed forth again, its bright red radiance instantly illuminating the entire cave. Li Ximing inhaled lightly.

"Whoosh!" The entire mass of flame immediately rushed out of the bowl, swarming into his nostrils with his breath. In just an instant, the bright red light vanished from the cave, leaving only an empty vermilion glazed bowl clutched in his palm.

The moment the Three Hou Xu Xuan Fire entered, it tried to escape, but the Valley Wind Igniter immediately blazed forth, like a ravenous beast, binding the fire with an extremely strong gravitational force. The flame glowed faintly, now completely under Li Ximing's control.

He casually guided the flame down, making it settle in his Juque Courtyard. The Bright Yang Purple Flame not only didn't conflict with the true fire but actively moved aside, guarding the true fire within.

Only then did Li Ximing open his eyes. His pupils first turned bright red, fleetingly, then light gold emerged, before slowly receding back to their normal color.

"Good!" Looking at the Fangyin Qi Pill and the Moon Orchid in his hands, Li Ximing felt a great sense of comfort, and began to consider the method of refinement.

'I don't have a corresponding pill recipe. If I refine these two separately, I'd have to concoct them myself, and they likely wouldn't yield anything particularly valuable... It would be best to refine them together. Clear Qi, Lesser Yin, Grand Yin, Bright Yang—there's no conflict. I could make a grand elixir!''However, alchemy emphasizes the roles of 'monarch, minister, assistant, and envoy.' This Moon Orchid is a powerful medicine, and the Fangyin Qi Pill is also a powerful medicine. They are equally potent. If one is the monarch medicine, the other would be a powerful minister, yet they are different, so it cannot be refined. Even if forcibly refined, it would be a waste of precious medicine.'

The Xiao family's alchemy method was a traditional Jiangnan technique. Li Ximing had long since surpassed Xiao Yuansi's alchemical path. The notable refinement methods Li Ximing possessed were limited to a few: Xuanque Jingxin and Tianyi Cuiyuan, which differed in recipes but had similar refinement techniques. There was also the Tianxin Yiyi, obtained from the Cape, which was a complete system of alchemy, making it unique.

'Tianxin Yiyi requires a high cultivation base, which isn't difficult. But to use life-essence as the primary medicine for alchemy... *hiss*...'

Li Ximing was considered a master in alchemy, with a deeper understanding than most Purple Mansion cultivators in Jiangnan. With the Tianxin Yiyi alchemy method, his alchemical insight and techniques had ascended to a new level.

In Jiangnan, alchemy involved using various spiritual objects as supplementary ingredients to form pills. The alchemist's skill was judged by their magical power, cultivation, and divine abilities. However, the Tianxin Yiyi alchemy method used life-essence in alchemy, meaning it used the fates and positions of various spiritual objects as supplementary ingredients to form pills. The alchemist's skill was judged by their Dao cultivation, destiny, and spiritual rank.

'Spiritual objects also possess destiny. The Moon Orchid spiritual object has an astonishingly high rank. However, the Fangyin Qi Pill is essentially magical power, without destiny. Although it has circulated through me, it is definitely far inferior to the Moon Orchid!''If I were to use Tianxin Yiyi for refinement, with the Moon Orchid spiritual object as the monarch medicine, the Fangyin Qi Pill would be a steadfast minister and assistant. Lesser Yin, assisting Grand Yin, is an excellent match! Furthermore, the Moon Orchid sprouted from my mouth, and the Qi pill was born in my abdomen; they are fundamentally one, their destinies intertwined, a natural blessing. Who else but me could form this elixir?'

Li Ximing suddenly had an epiphany. Through his own explorations, he subtly caught a glimpse of a higher realm in alchemy!

Now highly enthusiastic, he struck the cauldron with a palm. Bright red Three Hou Xu Xuan Fire erupted, gathering and swirling along the sides of the alchemy cauldron, flowing towards the bottom, where it converged into a crimson profound flame.

He was focused as never before. He specifically took out a piece of white jadeite spiritual wood, a gift from his Purple Mansion breakthrough, which he had long treasured, and cast it into the true fire first.

His storage bag at his waist gently swayed, and long or short caskets, large or small jade bottles, were all brought out by his divine power. Serpent Essence Spiritual Water, Wuxi Sand, Primordial Yang Spirit Essence... various spiritual materials flowed out, leaping into the cauldron one after another.

At the bottom of the cauldron, a layer of viscous, bright purple elixir liquid gradually gathered. The Fangyin Qi Pill dropped into it, immediately threatening to transform into a surging spiritual energy storm and burst out of the cauldron. Li Ximing's celestial light in his glabella blazed forth, and white divine power suppressed it, binding all the spiritual energy within the cauldron.

The last Moon Orchid fell in. Li Ximing immediately sealed the cauldron lid, placed his hands on its rim, and his Bright Yang divine ability enveloped it. With eyes closed, he exerted his full power.

'This elixir has utilized all my accumulated knowledge; it will surely be the pinnacle of my alchemical path in the first half of my life!'

***

The South Sea.

The Shiyang Sea is the South Sea's most land-scarce ocean, known as the "Myriad Miles Stone Reefs." It backs onto Southern Jiang, borders Songzhou to the east, and connects to Lüfang in the south. Apart from Beidan Island of the Azure Pool, it consists only of scattered small islands, connecting several major continents. In recent years, it has become peaceful and orderly, and trade has flourished even more.

Beidan Island boasts beautiful scenery. In its center stands Elephant Mountain, towering over six hundred zhang. At its peak is a courtyard, bustling with cultivators hurrying in and out. Beyond this courtyard, in the backyard, there was another pavilion, where a man in white robes stood.

He possessed a dignified and refined appearance, with a rather long face and closely set eyebrows and eyes, exuding a generous handsomeness. In his hand, he held a plain sword, entirely brilliant white, yet interwoven with multi-colored light.

Surging sword energy brewed along the sword's spine. He frowned slightly, his eyes closed, his face pale. After several breaths, the sword's light pulsed erratically, on the verge of bursting forth, and then he suddenly opened his eyes.

"Cough." He coughed twice, and osmanthus petals rolled down his robes, scattering a golden circle of light on the ground.

Despite having just been lost in thought, the sword light on his blade merely pulsed erratically, without bursting forth, demonstrating his profound mastery of both magical arts and swordsmanship.

This person was none other than the Master of the Pavilion of Heaven's Inquiry, a direct descendant of the Wangyue Immortal Clan, and the current Lord of Shiyang's Beidan Island—Li Xizhi of the Heavenly Pavilion and Rosy Clouds!

Li Xizhi composed himself slightly, and the radiance on his sword immediately stabilized. With a gentle flick of his other sleeve, all the osmanthus petals on the ground were swept into his sleeve. A jade box sprang from his waist, was instantly taken in, and then stored in his storage bag, leaving no trace behind.

He raised his eyebrows, his eyes flickering with a mix of surprise and uncertainty: 'An Immortal Mirror shard... which disciple of my family has stumbled upon such a fortuitous encounter...'