Chapter 848: Solar Transformation (1+2/2)

Pure white radiance shot forth from within the snow, rolling with vast lunar light. It appeared like a vortex in the sky and continuously spread across the heavens, gradually enveloping the massive complex of palaces standing amidst the ethereal mists.

The next moment, pure, golden-red morning light shimmered in the east, while the hazy, silver-white moonlight fell in the west. This world within the mirror, where the sky had always been dim and hazy, and dark behind the clouds, finally disappeared, replaced by crystal-clear, radiant sunlight and moonlight.

This independently created grotto-heaven presented the extraordinary sight of the sun and moon shining simultaneously. The sky and earth were vast, enveloped in swirling mists. It touched neither the heavens above nor the earth below, with only layers upon layers of clouds.

Lu Jiangxian manifested his form within it. He estimated the size of this realm to be about a hundred *li* in circumference, similar to the Li clan's Lake Isle. However, it had a distinct vertical dimension, and the entire realm was nearly circular, making it feel much larger in use.

This realm was currently far from its limits. The 'Hunyi Golden Core Marvelous Method' relied on the divine position, forming a realm with spiritual power. As spiritual power was continuously supplied, this realm would gradually expand until the divine position could no longer bear it.

'Like all grotto-heavens, this realm lacks the Great Void, nor will it naturally generate fire or water veins. Furthermore, it only contains things similar to my divine position, and therefore cannot be considered a true realm...'

'More importantly, spiritual artifacts will not naturally form within the grotto-heaven. If it doesn't connect with the real world, it's even difficult to acquire spiritual energy, only able to draw meager amounts from the Great Void.'

Lu Jiangxian's grotto-heaven was even more isolated from the Great Void. This meant that if he didn't constantly supply it with spiritual power and lunar essence, this realm would barely have any spiritual energy at all.

"Currently, the spiritual power emerging from the Immortal Mirror is continuous. In a year, it could expand to another Lake Isle's size; in ten years, it could rival Moon-Gazing Lake; and in a hundred years, it could compare to Qingchi Sect's territory..."

"It's not slow at all. As long as the Heavenly Palace is the size of Moon-Gazing Lake and forbids flight, with its pavilions sprawling, no one will be able to discern its true extent."

Lu Jiangxian had once entered Anhuai Heaven, a grotto-heaven of the True Qi path. This grotto-heaven was left by the renowned Heavenly Martial True Qi Demonic Star True Monarch. He estimated its territory to be less than half the size of Qingchi Sect.

He gently waved his sleeve, and wisps of lunar radiance gushed forth, condensing within the mists beneath his feet. They quickly transformed into a boundless, pale white platform. Osmanthus trees rose from the ground, and in the center stood a moon-white round table with enigmatic patterns.

He strolled to the side of the round table, swept his sleeve, and a collection of various-sized items appeared on its surface.

First to catch the eye were two small gourds: one formed from the demon body and spiritual power of Shaohui, and the other from the spiritual body and soul of the male peacock. Both contained the essence of Purple Mansion level demonic beasts.

In fact, both gourds could be used to expand the grotto-heaven, saving two or three years of effort. However, spiritual power was continuously supplied, and these Purple Mansion level essences were not easily acquired. It would be even more troublesome to obtain them after Luxi returned.

Beside them were a golden pearl and a green talisman. The golden pearl was Li Xuanfeng's karmic fate, left behind. Currently, it was difficult to use while in his possession. The green talisman was intended to help Li Zhouwei directly achieve his second spiritual ability after breaking through to the Purple Mansion realm.

What remained was a faint, finger-sized silver light. This silver light was the power of deduction obtained from Liu Changdie back then. Essentially, it was an extension of the Great Evolution Heavenly Profound Talisman. Lu Jiangxian had benefited greatly from this technique in his early years. He gradually used it up, with only this thumb-sized remnant left as a reference.

"The Great Evolution Heavenly Profound Talisman also leaves no trace..."

After years of progress, Lu Jiangxian now had some guesses about the location of this talismanic energy: "It should be like the Hunyi Immortal Wall, located within a grotto-heaven or a secret realm. This would explain why Liu Changdie encountered this talisman but left no trace; he actually stumbled upon a grotto-heaven by chance..."

"He was active in the area from Lixia Commandery to Yuebei and Jiangbei... There are only a few grotto-heavens. Eastern Fire Heaven and Anhuai Heaven can already be ruled out. What remains are Wanling Heaven of the Wanling Superior Sect and Donghua Heaven of the Moon Splendor Prime Manor."

Although Wanling Heaven was not connected to the current world, it interacted with the Great Void to draw spiritual energy. Lu Jiangxian clearly knew it was located in Jiangbei. But Donghua Heaven of the Moon Splendor Prime Manor was intriguing. Perhaps it was disconnected from the Great Void, as Lu Jiangxian had found no trace of it.

'Moreover, there's another, more terrifying possibility... According to Li Jiangqun's thoughts... his previous life was the master of the Moon Splendor Prime Manor... then could the so-called Donghua Heaven be this world within the mirror!'

If this deduction was true, then the Great Evolution Heavenly Profound Talisman might be in Wanling Heaven or some secret realm hidden in Jiangbei.

He pondered for a moment, then his divine consciousness flew out of this realm, passed through the Great Void, and landed before the Hunyi Immortal Wall.

Chi Buzhi was quietly bowing his head, eyes tightly closed, seemingly unaware of the faintly glowing formation before him. Dazzling light spilled from the sea surface, draping over the green-robed man.

Lu Jiangxian's gaze swept across, landing on this expanse of ocean.

Although Chi Buzhi had flown into the deepest part of the sea, this place was no longer truly at the bottom of the East Sea. Within the layers of buried forbidden formations, there was still an immortal formation of a forbidden level. And this place was a secret realm opened by a high-level cultivator above the immortal formation.

'Whether it's Chi Buzhi or the cultivators from the Three Sects and Seven Gates, they all believe they've passed through layers of restrictions and entered the immortal formation. But that's not true... In fact, they've already entered a different territory... an independent space.'

'This secret realm is merely connected to the current world within the immortal formation...'

It was precisely because of this that this realm lacked the Great Void. That was why Li Jiangqun dared to bring his friends here for pleasant conversations back then, and even dared to claim that no True Monarchs could see it!

And this particular secret realm was different from all others Lu Jiangxian had seen.

This secret realm dared to hang a sun.

Above the thin seabed were terrifyingly powerful Golden Crow Transmogrification Profound Lights. And piercing through these vast, layered Profound Lights, reaching a thousand *zhang* high, one could see the highest point of this immortal formation's secret realm—a blazing sun star emitting myriad rays of light.

The stars in the sky were not without their omens; in ancient texts, every star was linked to positions of attainment, surplus, or intercalation. Even the Bei star, which wasn't among the ancient governing stars, signified a sign of cultivation transcendence. Although heaven and earth were now in ruin and the stellar instruments in chaos, when a True Monarch acted, these stars would still respond in kind.

When True Monarch Taiyuan made his move back then, the Grand White Star (Venus) moved in the sky. Today, there are still famous examples like the Fiery Planet (Mars) of the Departing Fire and the Jupiter of the Upright Wood...

As for the Sun and Moon, they were known to everyone, hanging openly in the sky. The Sun's position pointed to the waxing and waning of power; unless one was a True Monarch under that immortal, no one would or could hang a sun in their grotto-heaven... That would be no different from acting under the very eyes of that immortal...

Lu Jiangxian knew quite a few grotto-heavens, and this secret realm was the only one that dared to hang a sun high above. This indicated that even if this immortal formation wasn't the work of Yingze, it was certainly related to the path of the sun.

What also led him to this set of deductions was the thousand-zhang Golden Crow Transmogrification Profound Light.

The Golden Crow Transmogrification Profound Light was a Golden Core-level profound light. It was the radiance released from the entanglement of the Sun's position of attainment with a surplus position. This radiance typically only existed for a fleeting moment before transforming into eighty-one types of spiritual light. Each one was a treasure on par with 'Desire and United Fire'.

'Let alone Chi Buzhi; even if Luxi himself came, if these thousand *zhang* of Golden Crow Transmogrification Profound Light poured down... Du Qing could just go to bed.'

'This was Li Jiangqun's true confidence in claiming that True Monarchs dared not look, or even dared not approach!'

Although the external immortal formation's restrictions were formidable, they could not completely deter a True Monarch. Someone like Xiu Yue had probably reached a point where they could bypass the immortal formation's restrictions. But this Golden Crow Transmogrification Profound Light was the true sharp sword hanging overhead.

'After all, no one knew the criteria for this profound light's judgment—whether it instantly killed intruders or judged their moral merit... No Golden Core cultivator would come to their death...'

'Then Li Jiangqun's intention in inviting various families inside was probably clear: he wasn't an undefended fool... Perhaps it also served as a deterrent...'

Lu Jiangxian slowly withdrew his gaze and did not disturb the Golden Crow Transmogrification Profound Light in the sky. He had his own Lunar Profound Light, and wouldn't need to use this on anyone. He simply followed the path downwards, landing beside a stone table.

The stone table was covered with bronze wine vessels, some standing, some overturned. The vessels were already empty. Some were neatly arranged, even revealing the original owner's character... He surveyed the table, his divine consciousness settling on a white outer robe.

The outer robe was as white as snow, with faint silver lunar patterns on its edges, not very noticeable. Its design was extremely simple, and a small crescent-shaped jade stone at the collar emitted a soft glow.

This was a Dharma robe, a very peculiar one. Although it showed no spiritual energy fluctuations, it exuded an imperceptible nobility.

With just a sweep of his divine consciousness, Lu Jiangxian knew this was likely Li Jiangqun's possession. He had left this treasure here and had not taken it with him.

'Li Jiangqun's death... was too strange...'

The remaining jade pot on the table appeared unremarkable. Yet Lu Jiangxian understood that this was why Chi Buzhi dared not approach this place.

The pot looked ordinary, but it was filled with sword intent as vast as the ocean. Like a sea of condensed sword intent, ready to erupt at any moment and turn any cultivator who dared to approach into dust.

This was undoubtedly Li Jiangqun's sword intent. As one of the top figures in the Purple Mansion realm, this pot of sword intent naturally made Chi Buzhi deeply wary. Although Chi Buzhi was powerful and possessed many spiritual artifacts, he naturally couldn't compare to individuals like Li Jiangqun or Duanmu Kui.

Lu Jiangxian observed for a moment, then exited the area. At the same time, the radiance of the formation before Chi Buzhi finally slowly receded. The blue-eyed man opened his eyes half a beat later, letting out a long breath.

With lowered eyelids, he gently waved his sleeve, erasing the formation drawn on the sandy ground. Only then did he stand up, perform a deep bow, and transform into a green light, dispersing.

The Dong'e Wang Sea covers a vast area with numerous islands. The most famous of these is White Sand Island, located at the easternmost point. The island is densely forested, with boiling hot springs and interweaving water and fire veins, making it a local marvel.

This scenery would only be considered average within the inner sea, but on the edge of the outer sea, it was an excellent treasure land. It was once the mountain gate of the Kailing Sect, the foremost immortal sect in the region, but now it appeared bustling with people coming and going.

Passing through various cultivation sites, some half-new, some half-old, the main hall at the highest point finally had an imposing appearance. Spiritual formations shimmered with light, and the grotto-heaven's door was tightly shut. A cultivator in a white-gold Daoist robe was meditating with closed eyes.

After an unknown period, he finally exhaled deeply. The divine light between his brows flickered slightly, illuminating the entire hall.

'After consuming that spiritual pill, my cultivation indeed advanced greatly!'

Li Ximing used two portions of highly coveted grand medicines, enough to make many Purple Mansion cultivators envious, to refine this spiritual pill of the Lunar path. He obtained a total of three pills, consuming one before entering seclusion to cultivate and advance.

This spiritual pill originated from him and was used on him, not only was its absorption extremely fast, but its effect was also excellent. It greatly reduced the time he needed to cultivate his spiritual abilities. With focused cultivation, the 'Heaven-Greeting Gate' finally reached about 40% completion, which could already be called a minor success.

The first spiritual ability of the Purple Mansion realm was simpler; after all, it was already a divine ability and didn't need to be cultivated from the immortal foundation. However, Li Ximing had stumbled along, either getting injured or fleeing for his life. Consuming this pill was like making up for lost time, and even significantly faster.

'It would be best to have some Bright Yang treasure... Alas, ancient spiritual artifacts are too precious. If Yuan Xiu were willing to lend me the Huaijiang Map, I would surely advance by leaps and bounds...'

He estimated the contents of his storage bag. Although he was in excellent condition, the 'Profound Que Sutra Heart Medicine' was used up, and without any Purple Mansion-level healing pills, he felt uneasy.

'It's a good time to emerge from seclusion and also refine some pills. Moreover, the island has been shaking occasionally these past few days, perhaps something has happened outside. I should go out and see.'

Li Ximing stepped out of his grotto-heaven; the hall was quiet and empty. Several cultivators stood guard outside the main hall; even when Li Ximing walked directly past them, they remained unaware, standing silently.

When Tinglan left back then, Li Ximing found this area suitable and immediately entered seclusion for cultivation. He casually grabbed a few cultivators and had them watch over the island, preventing another group of demonic cultivators from coming to cultivate blood qi.

He was also afraid these people would misuse his authority, but he had given instructions. Now, seeing that he didn't recognize any of them, his expression subtly chilled, and he stepped into the Great Void.

His figure immediately dissolved into light and soon reappeared on another high platform. Indeed, he saw a group of Qi Condensation cultivators gathered, discussing something with serious expressions.

This group of Qi Condensation cultivators was quite respectful; the fine jade table was set spaciously, with various cultivators seated on both sides, while the highest immortal seat remained empty, clearly symbolizing Li Ximing.

Even if Li Ximing didn't emerge from seclusion, his presence was still worth displaying as a symbol.

He regarded the formation on the high platform as nothing, stepping right into it. He appeared beside the majestic and imposing immortal seat on the high platform, frowning as he observed.

When this white-gold figure appeared, the entire high platform instantly fell silent. The leader was first stunned, then his face turned to horror, falling backward as if he had seen a ghost. He prostrated himself, kowtowing and crying out:

"Greetings, True Person!"

As this cry rang out, chaos erupted. The sound of chairs moving, wine spilling, and hurried footsteps all sounded at once. Finally, only the thudding sounds of kowtows remained. When Li Ximing turned around, there were only trembling cultivators prostrated on the ground.

Li Ximing said softly: "Where are those few? I told them not to abuse my name. Didn't they understand?"

The cultivator at the very front, with a head full of white hair, was so terrified that he kept kowtowing, respectfully saying: "Reporting, True Person... These are cultivators from Dong'e Wang Sea... They all heard that a True Person was in seclusion on White Sand Island... and spontaneously came here to trade. Now... White Sand Island has become the largest market in Dong'e Wang Sea... No sect has been established here..."

Li Ximing raised an eyebrow, glanced downwards slightly, and indeed saw mostly half-new, half-old buildings. An unknown immortal sect had left a large formation here long ago, which was utilized by a group of cultivators from Dong'e Wang Sea, truly allowing them to survive here.

"With the Kailing Sect destroyed, the few Foundation Establishment cultivators in Dong'e Wang Sea are gone, and demonic beasts are rampant... Everyone looks to White Sand Island for safety and has settled nearby..."

Li Ximing then understood.

A True Person like him was someone everyone knelt before in the inner sea, let alone in the desolate and barren outer sea? Dong'e Wang Sea was already barren; when the cultivators saw such an important figure, they no longer fought amongst themselves. They were united, clinging to him like ants, hoping to borrow a shred of his protection.

'It turns out this is the aftermath left by the destruction of the Kailing Sect...'

Li Ximing frowned, quickly hearing a cacophony of sounds. An old man was carried up from below; at last, a Foundation Establishment cultivator had appeared. Unfortunately, he had been bitten off below the abdomen, and with a pale face, he looked up, speaking intermittently: "True Person... demonic beasts are rampant... we are truly helpless..."

Clearly, this old man also knew that borrowing Li Ximing's authority was a dangerous matter, and even knew he would emerge from seclusion sooner or later, but he had simply been drinking poison to quench his thirst.

All around, people trembled, not daring to speak. Li Ximing could tell at a glance that this person was afflicted with cold poison and didn't have long to live. If he hadn't consumed some blood qi, he wouldn't have lasted this long. He sighed inwardly, his expression remaining cold. He glanced at the old man, frowned, and said:

"Stand up and speak."

As soon as he spoke, the Bright Yang divine ability manifested, and legs instantly sprouted from the old man's lower body. The cold poison vanished into thin air, and the dark cloud that had covered his face dispersed. He covered his face and wept, then fell to his knees with a thud.

Li Ximing asked: "Since you've borrowed my prestige, where do these demonic beasts get their audacity?"

The old man trembled and said: "They... were somewhat wary at first, but later they inquired, captured a few cultivators to question, and then asked noble descendants from other seas, and then they stopped believing..."

These demonic beasts didn't understand the situation well and naturally didn't know Li Ximing was cultivating here. Unless they asked someone of dragon lineage, asking anyone else would be useless. He didn't bother to move around and turned his head to say:

"Pass down the order: tell those demon generals to come see me."

He hadn't even finished speaking when outside, dark clouds already gathered, waves surged, and sharp, piercing roars echoed through the air. Everyone looked up and saw the sky was gloomy, with monstrous waves.

Looking out from the high platform, one could see a host of shrimp soldiers and crab generals standing on the waves, surrounding an eerie young man in dark green robes with whiskers growing from his forehead.

"You, Wu!"

The demon's voice was like thunder, its two whiskers proudly curled in the air as it stood on the waves. But then, the Great Void in mid-air suddenly tore open, and a golden radiance emerged.

"Slap!"

Before the demons could clearly see, a palm had already struck the demon general's face. The young man in dark green robes instantly spun his head several times, breaking it backward. Only the dark back of his head faced the island, while his blood-streaked face stared blankly at the demons behind him, his eyelids still twitching mechanically.

Only then did everyone clearly see that standing before him was a grim-faced man in a white-gold Daoist robe.

The divine light between the man's brows shone brightly. With a single glance, the demonic beasts on the waves immediately fell like rain. He withdrew his gaze, then stepped into the Great Void and disappeared.

"Thud!"

Li Ximing appeared on the immortal seat of the high platform, casually tossing the demon general onto the ground like trash. The demon's life force was tenacious, so the man was naturally not dead. He dared not twist his head back, keeping his chest to the ground, his face pale, and his lips trembling.

The cultivators showed little joy, but rather fear and dared not speak.

'A formidable demon general in the late Foundation Establishment stage, defeated with just one slap...'

Li Ximing had been disturbed several times during his cultivation for no reason. Although it was just the earth trembling, and he wasn't at a critical stage of breakthrough, disturbing a Purple Mansion cultivator's practice—this demon wouldn't die enough times even if it died a hundred times over.

What's more, he originally only intended to cultivate in seclusion. Although exposing his whereabouts wasn't as dangerous now, and others might not know which True Person was here, yet, this demon forced the cultivators of Dong'e Wang Sea to rely on his reputation, which was ultimately an unpleasant matter.

Within the inner sea, Foundation Establishment cultivators could only be demon generals, but in this desolate place, they were considered demon kings. It's just that this demon cultivated in murky waters, giving it the appearance of a shrimp-dragon. Li Ximing suppressed his impatience, smiled, and asked:

"What's your origin, daring to disturb my cultivation?"

Seeing the demon only begging for mercy, unable to explain itself, Li Ximing knew what kind of creature this was. He casually kicked the demon in the chest, sealing its cultivation, feeling very cold inside:

'Murky water and shrimp-dragon types again. It's your bad luck to run into me.'

He picked up the demon, ready to go back and refine pills, but he noticed people all around were trembling. Li Ximing glanced at them silently, and even more people began to tremble.

Then the old man with a pale face came forward—this time from fright, not cold poison—bowing at his feet, trembling like chaff, and whispered: "Reporting... reporting, True Person... Thirty-six days ago, the superior sect of the Western Curtain Sea to the west, Quan Jing Immortal Gate, sent someone to seek you, saying they came to... visit the True Person..."

Li Ximing was slightly surprised and asked: "Such well-informed news indeed."

As soon as he said this, the other party began to kowtow in terror. Li Ximing casually said: "Did they say why they were looking for me? What's the background of this sect?"

The old man shook his head repeatedly, bowed again and again, and only then said: "They only said... only said someone recommended them..."

As soon as these words were spoken, Li Ximing's expression became intriguing. He released the demon in his hand, sat down on the seat, and the expression on his face as he looked at the demon-dragon also eased considerably.

'Someone recommended them... I wonder who it was. It's clear they know my identity... yet they still approach with friendly intentions... wishing to meet me.'

'Considering this, perhaps this foolish demon wasn't truly bold and reckless. Maybe the other party had an urgent matter, using life-force divine abilities to stir up trouble, hoping to make me emerge from seclusion...'

Li Ximing pondered for a few breaths, looking at the demon on the ground, and secretly shook his head: "It must be that the demons from overseas are brainless, otherwise this would be far too rude."