Chapter 837: Rising Chaos

Li Zhouwei remained unruffled, his tone calm. Yet, what kind of person was Wen Wu? The other party neither accepted the tea nor exchanged pleasantries, immediately launching into "it's not peaceful." This clearly indicated displeasure; how could Wen Wu not recognize it?

This person before him was no mild-tempered master. Back when Wen Wu was stationed in the East Sea, he had seen Situ Mo and secretly considered him a contemporary hero, a Purple Manor seed. Yet, Situ Mo had been like a chick in the hands of this White Qilin (referring to Li Zhouwei). How could Wen Wu not be terrified?

This wasn't merely about offending a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator; it was unequivocally offending a future Purple Manor expert!

It was clearly the misdeeds of Purple Qi Peak, yet Wen Wu was being made to take the blame. As the intermediary, he did have some obligations to oversee the situation. Now, with a bitter taste in his mouth, he urgently searched for a solution while stalling for time.

"Purple Qi Peak... was once very prominent. However, after some incidents, it fell on hard times and lost much of its standing within the sect. They've grown accustomed to hardship, and there's no peace on the peak... Alas! Those fellow disciples are quite unstable; it's indeed chaotic there..."

After finishing his sentence, he immediately tried to mend the situation, replying, "However, overseas training is a sect task. Your esteemed Li Quexi is my junior sister from Shepherd's Seat Peak. She is currently in seclusion for a breakthrough. In a few years, she will also emerge to experience the atmosphere of the East Sea, lest she become too sheltered. Queyi should first complete these two years of cultivation; afterward, she won't need to venture out."

He adjusted his robes. The two spirit talismans, white above and gold below, rested gently on his lap, radiating a soft glow. Li Zhouwei glanced at the downcast Li Queyi and understood.

'Wen Wu's Shepherd's Seat Peak specifically took on a disciple to foster goodwill between the Li Clan and Ziyan. Purple Qi Peak is no longer the key issue. The fact that Ziyan's resources are being tilted towards a direct descendant of the Li family is already a significant gesture; any more would not benefit Ziyan's future, and Queyi isn't one to contend...'

'Furthermore, if I were Ziyan, I'd also be more inclined to give more freedom to cultivators highly valued by their families... It might not be intentional, but with Quexi already ahead, and Queyi being gentle and unassertive, they are content with the situation.'

He put down his hand and replied, "Queyi is the daughter of my elder brother, Li Zhoufang, and a direct descendant of the Yuandu lineage. Senior Lingyanzi is a friend of my family, so naturally, he will provide ample care. But as one ages, it's normal to sometimes lose oversight. I'm simply concerned that these fellow disciples might stir up trouble and disturb Ziyan's tranquility."

Wen Wu felt awkward and uneasy. He knew that the person before him was already speaking so tactfully out of consideration for Ziyan's background. Now, there was no more room for evasion, so he could only say:

"Indeed... There has been a lack of oversight on those few peaks within the sect, and the atmosphere is genuinely poor. It requires rectification..."

Li Zhouwei chuckled and shook his head, saying, "Fellow Daoist Wen, perhaps you're not in a good position to manage this? I'm not familiar with the internal affairs of this peak, so it's not at the point of needing rectification, nor is there a need to make a big fuss. Queyi dislikes commotion; she's doing quite well overseas. Let things proceed as they may..."

As for "rectifying the atmosphere," Li Zhouwei had no intention of making Li Queyi a public target. This junior had never mentioned it to the clan, precisely fearing it would sour relationships within the peak. He didn't want to embarrass Li Queyi, so he casually added:

"Besides, Ziyan follows the Solar Dao lineage; how could there be any ill atmosphere? Even cultivators from Jiangnan dare not slight this blessed land. My family's True Person also has strong ties with Ziyan. Queyi is best off in the East Sea, and with the True Person nearby, everything can be taken care of."

Upon hearing this, Wen Wu genuinely broke out in a sweat. He realized Li Zhouwei's unspoken message:

'Today, it's I, Li Zhouwei, who has come, and I can afford you some courtesy. True Person Zhaojing is also overseas. If, on a whim, True Person Zhaojing were to stumble upon this... wouldn't you, Wen Wu, be thoroughly flayed?'

True Person Zhaojing, Li Ximing, certainly possessed a good temperament, but that was an attitude reserved for other Purple Manor True Persons of equal standing. If Li Ximing had come today and personally witnessed his direct descendant performing qi-gathering tasks, and if Li Queyi were to cry and kneel before the True Person, Wen Wu would have to remove his crown, bind himself, and kneel before Tinglan!

But was today any better? Li Zhouwei's golden eyes were fixed upon him, and the chill in them was palpable!

Wen Wu wasn't simply in a bind; he felt a chill deep in his heart. He immediately said, "This matter isn't about the sect disciples' conduct; it's my oversight. Being preoccupied, I've caused Fellow Daoist to come all this way to inquire... it's truly..."

Li Zhouwei still showed no displeasure, replying, "Fellow Daoist Wen, your words are mistaken. I merely came to visit a junior, offer some guidance, and perhaps look around the market..."

He waved his hand and led Li Queyi out. The tea on the table remained untouched, not a single sip consumed. Wen Wu hurried out after them, asking:

"What about Queyi's future arrangements...?"

Li Zhouwei smiled, "The True Person will surely want to see her. She should remain here in the reef cluster; there's no need to transfer her."

Wen Wu could only nod, escorting him all the way to the main hall. Li Zhouwei politely declined his offer of accompaniment, leaving Wen Wu to walk back, feeling bitter and exhausted. He cursed inwardly:

'Those fools at Purple Qi Peak... I've just been assigned here, and a massive scapegoat burden has immediately fallen on my shoulders! If it weren't for the sake of Senior Lingyanzi's reputation... I'd have to give those rascals a good slapping!'

He still felt a lingering unease, secretly pondering:

'I still need to send a letter to my master... and inform the True Person in advance... These sorts of matters are often unreasonable; when it comes to accountability, I won't even have a chance to explain myself...'

Wen Wu returned to his abode. Li Zhouwei, accompanied by his junior, headed towards the market, using a spiritual light to shroud their surroundings, separating them from the bustling crowd. Only then did Li Zhouwei speak, in a low voice:

"Queyi, you didn't handle these matters correctly."

Li Queyi had been uneasy the entire journey. Hearing this, she bowed in apology. Before she could even voice her regret, Li Zhouwei waved his hand, stopping her. The man in white and gold armor said:

"You are the direct daughter of a Purple Manor immortal clan, yet you are too benevolent. Not to mention in immortal sects, even in other realms, merely being polite and kind, gentle without authority, will always make people doubt you... If you concede a step, they'll perceive you as easy to bully and will press further, certain you won't bare your fangs. At most, you'll scold them. Then they'll kneel and beg; if that fails, they'll weep bitterly. As long as they see you are soft-hearted, the benefits they can extract from you extend far beyond mere courtesy."

Li Zhouwei surveyed the myriad spiritual items in the market and casually remarked, "You need to exude authority, to furrow your brow. This group of cultivators, given their status that you might care about, hopes to bleed you dry. Even if they can't, they'll resort to petty schemes. Today they'll claim urgency, asking you to help gather qi. Tomorrow, they might enter seclusion and not emerge. By the time you seek her out, she'll be nowhere to be found."

Li Queyi understood he was referring to the senior sister on the island. She nodded silently and whispered, "They are all fellow disciples. Some even knelt and cried, begging... With elders and children at home, they depend on one person's breakthrough. So I thought I could help as much as I could, just to ease my conscience."

Li Zhouwei glanced at her, knowing that despite her intelligence, she was inherently gentle, easily exploited, and completely lacked any airs of superiority. He replied:

"Don't imagine that by offering spiritual items, these senior and junior disciples will remember your kindness. And don't think them important figures. They might be scoundrels, or they might harbor ambitions... So what? What concern is it of yours? Why should you lend them spiritual items to support them?"

He took a brocade pouch from his sleeve, converted Situ Mo's cultivation resources, selected a batch suitable for her cultivation level, and placed them in her hand, saying softly:

"Although I intervened for you today, it was due to the friendship between our two families. Ziyan inherently has the duty to guide you and should not witness your distress. But once you leave this blessed land and Moonlight Lake, no one will constantly follow you. If you are harmed somewhere, Moonlight Lake will only be able to seek revenge afterward."

"These resources should suffice for you. Cultivate diligently, for true cultivation is paramount."

Li Queyi nodded in agreement, respectfully saying, "I will bear your teachings in mind, Sir."

This was all Li Zhouwei could say. By Li Queyi's generation, most of the Li clan members hailed from privileged backgrounds and experienced little fierce struggle during their upbringing. Such sentiments were, therefore, inevitable:

'It's not that it's inherently wrong, merely ill-suited to the times.'

He put away the spiritual items; the things he had seized were almost fully exchanged. Wen Wu, accompanied by others, came to invite him again. Li Zhouwei sent the junior away and suddenly asked:

"Fellow Daoist Wen, you mentioned earlier that Purple Qi Peak was once glorious... How did it decline to this state?"

Wen Wu's expression immediately turned awkward, as if it was difficult to speak. But having just had an unpleasant encounter, and now being here to resolve it, withholding information would only diminish his sincerity. So, he had no choice but to explain in a low voice:

"Fellow Daoist Li... Purple Qi Peak once had a peak master who committed a rather disgraceful act and later died... The lineage declined even further. Senior Lingyanzi himself knows why and has never voiced resentment over the sect's favoritism. Many cultivators within the sect are also aware of this..."

Li Zhouwei nodded thoughtfully, clearly indicating he wished to hear more. Wen Wu shook his head with difficulty, dismissed those nearby, and whispered:

"This person... whose Daoist name was Tingqian, once incited an internal rebellion and was later suppressed and killed by the Spirit Book... This matter was confined within the blessed land, so the various families don't actually know much about it, though they are aware of that period of turmoil... Purple Qi Peak is his lineage. Senior Lingyanzi... is not only his grand-disciple but also his great-grandson."

Li Zhouwei frowned, sighing inwardly, and replied, "Senior Lingyanzi has no direct descendants, and almost all he recruited were rogue cultivators. No matter how much resentment lingers from that rebellion, it must surely be over by now, right?"

Wen Wu nodded repeatedly, implying, "The sect allowing Queyi to join also carries this intention. After all, his other disciples, raised from childhood, don't possess high talent and aren't suitable successors. Queyi can simply take over the position and, incidentally, change the peak's name, and then it can all be considered past."

Li Zhouwei nodded slightly inwardly, musing, 'This Purple Qi Peak is rather intriguing...'

Wen Wu declined to say more. Li Zhouwei offered a couple of perfunctory replies, then ascended from the market and headed to the Ancestral Spring for secluded cultivation of secret arts.

His Imperial Edict had reached perfection. Along the way, the Great Fissure had also been refined to sixty percent, and combined with thirty percent of the Hundred Soldiers Manor, he estimated he could master these two arts within two to three years.

As for the remaining secret arts, their progress was not as swift as these two. Yang Yuan would likely require another two to three years. Li Zhouwei mused that mastering four secret arts would take at least five or six years.

"Four secret arts only increase the probability by twenty percent; time is a bit tight."

On one hand, time was not ideal. Li Zhouwei also lacked any available Bright Heavens Stones. Although he was renowned as a Purple Manor seed, cultivation was a personal endeavor; naturally, it was always better to cultivate an additional secret art if possible.

'I fear the clan might not cope, so I must also consider breaking through as soon as possible.'

South Sea, Beidan.

After True Person Yuan Xiu, Si Boxiu, failed his breakthrough here, the sky over Stone Pond remained overcast for three days. The wind direction became unpredictable, shifting north then south, with fierce winds varying greatly from place to place, at times raging, at others ceasing. Sometimes, even cultivators with lower cultivation levels couldn't withstand the wind, let alone the fishermen at sea.

Meanwhile, gloomy thunder occasionally rumbled within the clouds, yet it was distinctly different from the "water descending, thunder rising" phenomenon observed in the East Sea in previous years. Not a single drop of rain fell, and the entire sea region remained hot and humid, deterring all who approached.

The Canshen wood on the various islands ceased sprouting. Its leaves had fallen, leaving it bare, and its hard bark was exposed, from which drops of water continuously condensed.

Amidst the fierce winds in the clouds, a speck of rainbow light hovered in the air, gazing from afar at the nearly condensing water vapor. He sighed deeply, yet remained rooted before the formation, unable to depart.

These days, while cultivators' spiritual resources had become plentiful, the lives of the common people below grew difficult. The damp heat permeated their bodies, leading to countless deaths and injuries.

Li Xizhi had been occupied with this matter for a long time. All the cultivators under him had been dispatched, yet each was distracted, their eyes fixed on the emerging spiritual items.

Furthermore, with Yuan Xiu's death, Li Xizhi lost his protection and had to remain constantly vigilant. Although the Purple Manor cultivators of Thunder-Listening Island still harbored apprehension toward Li Ximing and might not personally act against him, a sense of caution was undeniably necessary.

Qingchi had finally gained Ning Wan, a talent capable of reaching the Purple Manor, but she was preoccupied with matters in Jiangbei and naturally couldn't remain in the South Sea. She merely sent a letter, instructing him not to leave the island.

Li Xizhi could only sigh helplessly, understanding in his heart that all his years of effort to salvage Stone Pond had been rendered futile with True Person Yuan Xiu's demise.

'Tantai Jin also visited Beidan, likely to observe Yuan Xiu's breakthrough. He was deeply saddened but would soon return to Qingchi Mountain. Judging by the messages he's sent me these past few days, he intends to transfer me back...'

As the Qingchi Sect had suffered multiple severe setbacks, Li Xizhi was currently one of the few competent figures Qingchi possessed. He was not surprised by this transfer. He could have remained indifferent to matters outside the island, but he ultimately resolved to save whatever he could before departing, exhausting himself over this endeavor.

"Grandfather!"

Li Xizhi was deep in thought when he saw a black-clothed youth approach from the side, respectfully bowing to him. Just as the youth was about to speak, Li Wushao hurried up beside him, his face filled with horror. Before Li Wushao could utter a word, Li Xizhi immediately looked up, his expression grave.

From within the clouds at the zenith, layers of golden light radiated. Mages with bare arms stood in the air, hands clasped, their faces filled with piety. In the very center sat a mountain-like golden figure!

"Compassion?!"

The entire Beidan had been surrounded by Buddhist cultivators. In the sky, at least a dozen mages indistinctly stood amidst the clouds, while in the sea, an inestimable number of monks stood, seemingly supported by unknown Dharma artifacts, floating in serene clusters. A profound tranquility pervaded the area, making the scene exceptionally solemn.

Quan Yudan gritted his teeth, staring at the golden expanse above, and whispered, "Master! It's the Buddhist practitioners from the Great Void Sea Temple on Songzhou to the south, entering the sea!"