Chapter 835: Curtain Rise

After Li Jiangqian finished speaking, Ning Wan calmly said, "By indulging demons, aren't these Jiangbei Daoist traditions afraid that True Monarchs will also consider them evil?"

Li Jiangqian quickly responded, "In the northern region, ever since the fall of Tangjin Gate's Sect Master Situ Mo, the sect's last vestiges of power have dissipated. The sect is in disarray, showing signs of fracturing, and is utterly incapable of governing the various forces under its jurisdiction."

Hearing this, Ning Wan showed a hint of regret and added, "If Xuanfeng had been able to hold on until today, his opportunity would have arrived."

The Tangjin Gate possessed a scripture called the "Tianxu Zengjin Classic," which was precisely the Violet Mansion cultivation method for the carved golden stone that Li Xuanfeng practiced. If Li Xuanfeng hadn't needed to take pills and had continued cultivating until now, he might have had the chance to obtain this scripture.

However, Li Jiangqian was uncertain of the Ning family's stance toward the Si family, so he merely nodded respectfully without engaging in further conversation, and instead replied, "The True Person of Chengyun Gate has had some conflicts with the Lotus Temple in the north, and their forces have all moved northward. Taking advantage of Chengyun Gate's preoccupation, the monks under their rule, particularly Yaosa Chengmi, have incited unrest and are spreading Buddhist cultivation methods…"

Jiangbei had been occupied by Buddhist cultivators multiple times, and Buddhist teachings already had a strong foundation there, widely revered by the populace, and thus spread with extreme speed. Such rebellions were already common. Tinglan smiled and added, "It seems this True Person Changyun is quite capable. He emerged from the East Sea, has a knack for reorganizing sects, and has now entangled himself with the Lotus Temple. They're all playing a game of push and pull here. That Yaosa Chengmi is probably still patting himself on the back, believing Minghui is holding back the True Person for him."

Ning Wan appeared thoughtful. Seeing that she had not spoken, Li Jiangqian continued, "As for Xuanmiao Temple... it's said that their True Person is embarking on a long journey, and the temple has sealed itself off from the world in response to an impending calamity, sending away all their outer disciples and remaining behind closed doors."

"Further south, there's Duxian Dao, whose True Person has gone missing. Now, various prefectures show signs of self-governance, and Baijiang Creek is experiencing intense turmoil. My family has already withdrawn from there and is now confronting Duxian Dao in Jiangbei."

Both were True Persons, so naturally, there was no need to explain things in such minute detail; they understood simply by listening. Ning Wan commented, "They are truly each displaying their unique powers!"

Tinglan said, "It's quite a commotion your family is caught up in. The Mipang Tri-Family lands in Baijiang Creek are indeed well-suited for a True Monarch to rise. How are things there now?"

The Mipang Tri-Family lands she referred to were Funan of the Li family, Midong of Duxian, and the sole surviving Fanyun Cave — all areas of critical importance that she would naturally be well-informed about. Li Jiangqian responded, "Ever since my family's dispute with Duxian began, these Tri-Family lands have fallen into chaos. While the established aristocratic families have shown some restraint, individuals from the East Sea and South Sea have emerged. A Daoist Huang and a Daoist Bai have both arrived with their followers, ostensibly to 'collect spiritual energy' in Jiangbei, but in reality, they are seizing this opportunity to search for and plunder spiritual treasures everywhere, amassing great wealth."

"On another front, I've heard they are also searching for a token... one related to the Mipang Daoist tradition."

He chose his words carefully as he replied, but then saw Tinglan smile. "That token you mentioned... it truly exists."

"It truly exists." How could Li Jiangqian not know whether this was true or not? At Tinglan's signal, a woman in purple robes approached, carrying a jade tray. She stopped before Li Jiangqian and bowed slightly, allowing the black-robed man to see the objects on the tray.

It was unmistakably a token with a black background and golden patterns, intricately carved with images of fleeting clouds and bowing goblins! The token shone with a pristine luster, appearing exceedingly valuable, making its material and grade difficult to discern. Faint wisps of black wind and white qi subtly drifted above it. Even Li Jiangqian, who had seen many rare treasures, felt at first glance that this item seemed to be a Violet Mansion artifact! What was even more remarkable was that although its purpose was unknown, a single glance was enough to recognize its esteemed status. It made one's heart pound, stirring up greed, and a fervent desire to possess it.

'So, the Violet Mansion indeed moved to facilitate this... This item is incredibly realistic. If I didn't know I'd fabricated it myself, even if it were placed right before me, I'd simply assume it was a secret treasure belonging to a major power, destined to unleash its brilliance once the conditions were right. I'd never guess what it truly was...'

Tinglan cast a glance at him and softly said, "This is the token. Examine it carefully, and then have Duxian Dao identify it as well."

Li Jiangqian bowed and responded, "This humble cultivator obeys your command!"

As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he committed it to memory with just one look. The purple-robed female cultivator then took the jade tray back, and Tinglan casually remarked, "This item possesses numerous wondrous uses. Should any cultivator from the East Sea acquire it, it would be quite remarkable."

Tinglan didn't say much more to him, but looked at Ning Wan and said, "Wan'er, do you... have any other arrangements now?"

Ning Wan naturally shook her head. Such arrangements were best handled by Tinglan, who had achieved the Violet Mansion realm and was older. Tinglan's question was merely a courtesy. Ning Wan gently said, "Xueji Gate has been sealed for many years; is there any news of it now?"

Ning Wan cultivated Cold Qi, so it was clear she was immediately making plans for her subsequent cultivation. Tinglan shook her head and replied, "After all, Xueji has its own history. Since it has sealed its mountain, it's not advisable to go there again." She offered Ning Wan a reminder, to which Ning Wan assented. However, Tinglan then suggested another path, saying, "Since you, fellow Daoist, have achieved True Person status, the matter of Hongxue naturally falls into your hands. Wasn't Li Encheng saved back then precisely for the Hongxue Daoist tradition? Currently, there's only Li Quantao, whom Senior Yuanxiu sent to guard the Hongxue ruins, but there hasn't been much progress."

"As soon as word of your breakthrough emerged, Senior Yuanxiu, who is also preparing to attempt the True Monarch realm, hastily recalled Li Quantao specifically to secure this path for you."

Ning Wan nodded in surprise as Tinglan continued, "Now that the True Monarch is observing the mortal realm, and the Hongxue ruins are located in the wilderness — specifically the Xianhu area — it's an opportune moment to uncover its Daoist tradition. You can let him try; if he truly has a stroke of luck, he could acquire at least two Violet Mansion Daoist traditions, namely Fusui and Hanqi. That would be a significant gain regardless."

"My decision to involve you in this matter specifically had this consideration in mind."

Ning Wan felt a slight stir in her heart.

Among the many Violet Mansion cultivators in Jiangnan, Tinglan was undoubtedly one of the most trustworthy for the Ning family. Her master, True Person Zipei, and her martial uncle, True Person Zimou, were both close friends of Elemental True Person. As True Person Zimou was still alive, it was only natural for them to receive some consideration. Therefore, she replied, "I will send Li Quantao and his son back to guard their ancestral lands, and then dispatch his son to investigate the Jiangbei token and try their luck. However, as I'm not familiar with the specifics here, I'll have to trouble you, Senior."

"That goes without saying." Tinglan nodded slightly and replied, "I will send Qianli there to observe the situation and act accordingly. Should anything go awry, I will simply take the two of them and leave. Regardless, Hongxue's descendants must be protected."

Li Jiangqian, listening from the side, felt increasingly uneasy. True Person Tinglan's act of producing the item and discussing it here made her intentions quite clear. Sure enough, he saw the True Person look over with a smile and instruct, "Let no one else know of this."

Li Jiangqian knew perfectly well that the words were meant for him. He bowed and replied, "This humble cultivator obeys your command."

The Wangyue Li clan had an excellent relationship with Li Quantao. If Li Quantao were to come to Xianhu, he might contact the Li family, learn about the northern affairs, and consequently grow suspicious of the Ning clan. While this situation wouldn't threaten Li Quantao's life and might even benefit him, it was preferable that he remained unaware if the Hongxue Daoist tradition was to be claimed.

After the two True Persons settled the arrangements, they departed together for Taixu, leaving behind only Li Ximing's letter, which stated that the family wanted Li Jiangqian and the other individual to take charge of affairs.

Li Jiangqian politely saw the two off until they disappeared, then he turned to look at Li Xuanxuan, who stood nearby. The old man stroked his beard, sighed, and frowned.

Li Xuanxuan couldn't possibly have failed to grasp the intentions of the two True Persons. The old man still held Li Quantao in high regard. He stood up and said, "You should carefully consider your actions... Quantao once saved Zhi'er... Although... he is powerless in this matter now, it would be better if Ximing were here, as he could at least interject a word or two. But since he's absent, we have no right to interfere."

Li Jiangqian replied, "My lord, you worry too much. The two True Persons specifically explained to our family that they had already considered Li Quantao's partial Wei-Li lineage. But he is also a cultivator from Qingchi. With these two identities, what the Ning family bestows upon him will be substantial; it's truly a blessing for him."

Li Xuanxuan was unsure whether Li Jiangqian was speaking this way deliberately, perhaps suspecting Ning Wan hadn't truly departed, or if he genuinely held that belief. He merely nodded and excused himself. Li Jiangqian, however, remained deep in thought, secretly summoning his Immortal Mirror. Only after confirming that Taixu was empty did he dare to let his thoughts run free.

'With the talisman seed within me, even if wicked thoughts arise, Ning Wan's Clear Hearing ability shouldn't be triggered. But if she were to concentrate fully on listening, I wonder what she might perceive...'

He pondered for a long time, his heart troubled. Just then, Li Minggong entered from outside the hall, her brows also tightly furrowed. Evidently, she had already learned of the troublesome matters her father, Li Xixuan, had caused while she was in seclusion healing.

Li Minggong saw Li Jiangqian, inquired about the True Persons who had just left, and softly said, "Someone just reported that the Daoist from Jingyi Mountain has emerged from seclusion. He read the letter sent to Jingyi Mountain and wishes to see me, so I directed him here for us to speak with him together."

Li Jiangqian already harbored suspicions. Since Shouding had finally emerged from seclusion, he quickly nodded and invited him inside.

Sure enough, a narrow-eyed Daoist appeared before them. His face was no longer gaunt from his injury at that time, but still somewhat pale. He bowed upon seeing the two: "Many thanks for Wangyue's gracious hospitality! Shouding will certainly repay your kindness upon returning to my mountain!"

"There's no need for repayment." Li Minggong was quite polite to him, responding with that brief remark before remaining silent in her seat of honor. Li Jiangqian chuckled, helped him to his feet, and whispered, "Back then, True Person Changxi entrusted Kong Gumo to Jingyi Mountain. How is he now? True Person Changxi's profound calculations surely ensured the preservation of that 'spark'... My family had a deep connection with the old True Person, and I wonder what earnest advice he imparted to your esteemed sect... It must have been quite persuasive, alas!"

His eyes were filled with sorrow, and with one hand resting on Shouding's back, he shook his head, a slight catch in his voice. Shouding, moved by his tone, listened to his words and sighed, "Indeed! So the old True Person also made it clear to your esteemed clan that preserving this 'spark' was the foremost priority, with everything else in the realm being secondary. Our sect should certainly do its part, but we had to withdraw when faced with a major war."

'Just as I thought...' Li Jiangqian sneered inwardly: 'True Person Changxi's intention was exactly this: telling my family that Jingyi Mountain would help, but being deliberately vague about the extent of that help! True Person Xuanyi clearly only agreed to protect Kong Gumo!'

'And then there's Sumin, acting all hypocritical, repeatedly blaming Jingyi in secret. How could that old fox not be aware? He's adding fuel to the fire from within, and who knows what his true intentions are. Fine... not a single one of these fellows is any good.'

His expression remained unchanged. Not entirely trusting Shouding's one-sided account, he cautiously sighed, "Your esteemed sect's ability to single-handedly offer protection surely indicates a good relationship with Xuanyue. To the east..."

He had only spoken half a sentence when Shouding waved his hands as if he had seen a plague deity, shaking his head and saying, "Patriarch, you misunderstand! While our Daoist tradition does hold some wistful regard for the old True Person, our actual relationship was never deep, and we weren't particularly familiar with him earlier..." He paused briefly, then added an explanation: "There's no particular similarity in our Daoist traditions either. It was simply a casual acquaintance from before. That Yuezhou Island is also quite close to our sect's mountain gate, and there was an urgent need for such a market to attract talent and replenish spiritual resources... that's why things unfolded as they did."

His words, both overt and implied, effectively conveyed, "Don't let Xuanyue come near me." Li Minggong, seated above, inwardly sighed for Kong Gumo and softly said, "So that's how it is. What does your Immortal Mountain say regarding this? And how can my family cooperate?"

This was clearly an inquiry about his next steps, perhaps even a hint for him to leave. Shouding immediately grew uncomfortable and vaguely stated, "The mountain... hopes I can temporarily reside within the realm..." Having said that, Shouding immediately began to explain, responding, "This... it won't trouble your esteemed clan. I've already been presumptuous enough these past years. Our True Person has some acquaintance with the Chen family, so I'll head south now, to Tongmo Commandery."

Upon hearing this, Li Jiangqian knew the man was clumsy with words. He merely needed to feign having some business with the Chen family, yet he insisted on elaborating. Seeing his utterly oblivious demeanor, Li Jiangqian secretly sighed to himself: 'If you dare head south, the Yuyang Chen clan wouldn't dare take you in... It would practically force their True Person to come out of seclusion, causing considerable awkwardness then.' This was a courtesy that would yield no benefit. The Yuyang Chen clan and the Li family already shared a past acquaintance; they had even worked together to eliminate Wang Fu during the pursuit of the Mingfang Heavenly Stone. Li Jiangqian immediately sensed an advantage and chuckled, "I see that your injuries haven't fully recovered, fellow Daoist, and there's no rush. Why not let our family's guest elder examine your wounds first, while I write a letter to inquire with the Chen clan? Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"

Shouding was somewhat at a loss, but Li Jiangqian's insistent hospitality was difficult to decline. He could only nod and depart to find Sun Bai. Li Minggong looked over thoughtfully as Li Jiangqian proceeded to write two letters. One was addressed to Jingyi Mountain, stating that Daoist Shouding intended to visit the Chen clan but had been temporarily detained by the Li family. The other was sent to the Chen clan, bearing a similar message, saying, "Suspecting inconvenience, we specifically inquire." He had the letters dispatched swiftly, then turned to Li Minggong and chuckled, "It's a courtesy that costs us nothing, and it's always beneficial to foster good relations with more Violet Mansion powers. It saves us from future awkwardness, preventing the Chen clan from feeling resentful and thinking our family didn't intervene, thus avoiding an uncomfortable situation for both sides."

The two discussed the matters of Jiangbei, waiting until late into the night. Suddenly, they noticed the northern sky subtly brightening as a black and white intertwined beam of light shot into the heavens with considerable might. Although the light was too distant to discern any specific aura, its intertwined black and white colors were identical to those within the token they had just seen. Without needing to ponder much, they knew a treasure had manifested.

'Violet Mansion True Persons are truly different; their efficiency in handling matters is remarkable!'

Li Jiangqian stepped out of the hall, gazed for a moment, then listened intently. He tightened his black outer robe, chuckled twice, and instructed, "Someone, prepare good gifts, let's go meet this 'Mipang Successor'!"

Qu Bushi quickly approached from the side, carrying a jade tray with several spiritual items upon it, and followed closely beside him. The old man felt a slight chill in his heart: 'Oh no... so there really is some heaven-defying token. The overseas lands are rife with bloody storms and rampant demonic paths, truly brutal... And this interior realm, though seemingly bright on the surface, will inevitably be tainted...'