Chapter 865: Zhaoguang Xuanzi

Time passed quickly on the lake. Li Ximing had only just finished refining his divine abilities when, in the blink of an eye, Li Jiangqian arrived in the mountains. He respectfully announced, "Reporting to the Venerable Master, the esteemed sirs have arrived together and are already settled on the island. They request your presence..." Li Ximing immediately knew that Kuiqi and the others had returned.

Ning Wan, who was beside him, also opened her eyes, her expression gentle. She said to Li Ximing, "Your family's upbringing is quite good. The 'righteous path,' as it's called... truly begins with upright conduct, leading to an upright heart." Li Ximing then recalled that Venerable Master Qiuhu's practiced divine ability was 'Clear Hearing,' a vital ability of Cold Qi. She must not have heard any disrespectful words from Li Jiangqian, which prompted her remark. But who knew if the talisman seed had played a role? He dared not mention it, quickly smiling and saying, "Oh, it's nothing. We shouldn't keep the two seniors waiting..."

The two transformed into bright light and cold qi, appearing in the grand hall on the island in the blink of an eye. They saw two people standing in the formerly empty hall, both Purple Mansions! The one leading them was naturally Ling Mei, with his half-white beard and hair. He carefully cradled the snow-white spiritual sword in his arms, a smile on his face, his breathing steady, his daoist robe fluttering as he spoke. Behind him stood Venerable Master Kuiqi, dressed in black, nodding slightly. The black rope from earlier was now tied around his waist; had one not seen this spiritual artifact manifest, no one would have guessed it was a treasure. By the time Li Ximing and Ning Wan landed on the island, the small lake island had momentarily gathered four Venerable Masters.

Upon seeing Li Ximing, Ling Mei smiled and softly said, "Zhaojing, long time no see!" Li Ximing quickly bowed, respectfully saying, "Greetings, Senior. I just rushed back from the East Sea and haven't yet gone to the Sword Gate to express my gratitude... Regarding my family's Zhou Wei, it's all thanks to your esteemed sect's timely assistance! Zhaojing is immensely grateful. If there's anything I can do for you in the future, or any elixirs you need refined, please don't hesitate to ask..."

"You're too kind," Ling Mei said, waving his hand dismissively. Li Ximing guided him to a seat. Kuiqi expressed regret, replying, "It's a pity. Zhelu ultimately gained an advantage, and his divine abilities have become increasingly refined over the years. This time, we couldn't severely wound him, only injuring a few of his eyes..." Ling Mei stroked his beard and continued, "Although I possess the 'Great Snow Absolute Edge,' fighting him at the mid-Purple Mansion stage is quite difficult. Only if Senior Lou Xing were here, with his sword intent empowering me and wielding the Great Snow Absolute Edge, could we truly inflict severe damage on him." The swordsman raised an eyebrow and asked, "Qiuhu... how is Tinglan?" Ning Wan gave a brief summary, which made Ling Mei nod. Li Ximing, with some reluctance, clutched the 'Chongyang Star Control Treasure Disk' in his sleeve. Such a valuable item would, of course, not be directly demanded by others, as that would be unseemly. He simply held it in his hand and smiled, "Since everything is settled, this spiritual artifact should return to its rightful owner."

When the golden disk was taken out, Kuiqi smiled and nodded, accepting it while praising, "Zhaojing is truly formidable! No wonder you could calmly depart from Changxiao's grasp. Now that I've seen Zhaojing's Bright Yang True Fire and your control over killing the 'Pity' demons... I realize just how extraordinary you are." Li Ximing humbly replied, "I merely took advantage of the Heaven's Gate suppressing the 'Pity' demons; I cannot compare to the two seniors." Kuiqi shook his head, clearly having formed his own judgment, and said in a deep voice, "Tinglan will not be able to act for a while, but the matters in the north still need to be resolved. Since that's the case, let's all go to my Xiukui Tiger Barbarian Mountain together to settle these affairs first..." After saying this, he slightly turned his head and said to Li Ximing, "And I'll hand over the elixirs from my treasury to you on the way."

Ning Wan seized the opportunity and said, "Speaking of which, Sister Tinglan originally promised the Li clan to construct a Purple Mansion grand array. The array foundation had just been built, but then this matter delayed it. Before returning to her sect, she entrusted it to me. Moon-Gazing Lake is near Jiangbei, so this is an urgent matter... I'm unable to do it alone... and would like to ask Senior to take a look..." "Oh?" Kuiqi chuckled upon hearing this, shaking his head. "That's only natural. Having just traveled to the north and returned to the lake, it's only right to lend a hand." Normally, inviting Kuiqi to act would certainly not be a small expense. However, the Solar Daoist Lineage held itself with pride, and Xiukui was arrogant; having just returned from providing assistance, they naturally wouldn't mention any fees. Ning Wan simply took out a jade slip, sketched the terrain in the air, and discussed it in detail.

"Zhaojing, wait a moment, and have a chat with Senior." Both had very high attainments in array formations; one had profound daoist heritage, the other exceptional talent. As their conversation grew animated, they both gained insights, no longer content with just sketching on a diagram. They nodded to Li Ximing, then rode the wind to conduct an on-site inspection, as if Li Ximing's presence was entirely irrelevant. This left him flattered and bewildered, somewhere between delight and exasperation. Ling Mei observed it all, sighing with a smile, "Kuiqi sees you as one of their own... The Solar Daoist Lineage was initially very welcoming internally. If it weren't for the various sects failing to uphold righteousness and hurting the hearts of Xiukui and Hengzhu... they wouldn't have become as distant as they are today..."

Li Ximing nodded secretly. He had witnessed Kuiqi's attitude; he showed no kindness even to Venerable Master Luo, who had refined humans, let alone the Qingchi of yesteryear... No wonder people's hearts had become so scattered. At this point, Li Ximing already had some conjectures. He quietly asked, "Hengzhu... was it because of Murong Xia's southern expedition back then... but why did it escalate to such a state?" Ling Mei's expression was complex as he shook his head. "Zhaojing, you've reached such a height now, so there's no harm in telling you. Regarding Murong Xia's matter... although Luoxia didn't issue a direct decree, Jin Yu and Qingchi had already approved it, and the division of Jiangbei was settled... There was no reason to go back on it... Hengzhu... alas..."

This matter clearly unsettled Ling Mei, even causing him some pain. He stroked his beard, not wanting to discuss it further, and instead sighed, "Now, everyone in the north is guessing Lou Xing's whereabouts, so turmoil is inevitable. Although we didn't succeed this time, we've almost seen the full combat strength the Solar Lineage can muster in one go, and their losses were only a few 'Pity' demons. Such incidents won't be rare. Your family's foundation isn't as deep as theirs, so always keep a contingency plan to ensure your family's safety when the time comes."

As a cultivator of the Solar Daoist Lineage, Ling Mei's words already showed great favoritism. Li Ximing nodded in thanks and sighed, "Senior's painstaking efforts, this junior will bear them in mind. I wonder if any of my family's disciples might have the destiny to cultivate in your mountains..." The swordsman stroked his beard and softly replied, "Ultimately, my Sword Gate's customs are unchangeable. We can make some minor adjustments, but not to fundamental principles. If your esteemed family sends disciples to learn the sword, my Sword Gate would welcome them warmly. However... these children must be sent at six years old, sever all worldly ties... and prioritize the practice of virtue."

This would likely mean his family's disciples would leave and never return, perhaps even failing to receive better resources due to various customs, and even if their family sent spiritual items to the sect, it would invite gossip. Li Ximing naturally wouldn't agree. He paused for a moment, then nodded with a smile, just as Ning Wan descended.

Ning Wan first bowed to Ling Mei, then smiled and said, "Zhaojing, the thirty-two Purple Gen Wide Valley Earth-Piercing Mystic Nails have been set. Come take a look." Li Ximing was overjoyed. He immediately rose with a flash of light, looking around. He saw numerous long, purplish-gold pillars erected on the lake island. Each was as thick as a house, reaching straight towards the sky, radiating interwoven purple and yellow hues.

It was morning, and white mist rose all around. The Purple Gen Wide Valley Earth-Piercing Mystic Nails, near and far, crisscrossed, appearing indistinctly in the hazy morning fog. The cultivators of the Li family stood on the island, all with expressions of awe. One or two bolder ones had already flown up on the wind, circling around these massive, scattered purplish-gold pillars. The complex purplish-gold patterns shimmered in the air, casting light onto the tops of the immortal pavilions below, making the pavilions seem tiny in comparison. The originally serene Pingya Island now appeared mysterious and magnificent, set against these numerous mystic pillars. Its former immortal aura had been transformed into an atmosphere of solemn dignity and mystery.

The mere sight of the thirty-two erected Purple Gen Wide Valleys, even before they formed an array, had Li Ximing clicking his tongue in admiration. Ning Wan softly explained, "Of these thirty-two Purple Gen Wide Valleys, sixteen are on the island, and sixteen are in the lake surrounding the island. Currently, those on the island stand on flat ground, each 180 ren tall. After being driven into the ground, their heights will vary, with the tallest in the center of the island and those 160 ren on the periphery... The pillars surrounding them will gradually decrease in height, also varying based on the earth's meridians. The overall array light should form a dome shape."

"The remaining sixteen are in the surrounding lake, covering a significant portion of the water surface; most will still protrude above the water. These thirty-two mystic nails are focal points for the spiritual energy of the Purple Mansion Grand Array. In the future, pavilions and towers can also be built upon these pillars..." "Since your esteemed family is located on an island rather than in the mountains, Sister Tinglan's design for this grand array is exceptionally precise. Such a standard dome shape is rare... and it's also a type that her sect, Purple Smoke, excels at..." Purple Smoke Blessed Land itself wasn't built around a particular mountain, making it quite similar to the Lake Island. Li Ximing had clearly chosen correctly by seeking out Tinglan. However, his own family's area was certainly not comparable to a blessed land, especially in terms of height. The Lake Island was very flat, with a slight rise in the center. Adding the height of these 160 ren pillars should allow it to reach a height of 120 zhang.

This height could only be described as moderate, roughly one-fifth the height of Xiao Shi Mountain in the north. Although Li Ximing felt it was slightly low, his family never had an immortal mountain to begin with, so a lower height was normal. He nodded repeatedly.

Ning Wan then said, "The lake-side pillars have already been driven in, and the earth's meridians on the lake have also been surveyed. Currently, Senior Kuiqi is holding them in place with his immense magical power. As soon as Zhaojing nods and the people on the island evacuate, the array can be set!" Li Ximing hadn't expected the two Purple Mansions to be so efficient. He quickly called Li Jiangqian over and instructed him to move everyone out. He secretly nodded to himself, 'Fortunately, the array on the lake was just a hastily arranged one from before, offering little defensive power. That's why my family members are all in seclusion in Qingdu; otherwise, they would likely be affected once this array is activated...'

Watching the Li family members withdraw with a mixture of joy and apprehension, and after Li Jiangqian reported back, Ning Wan chuckled, "The previous array will simply be shattered into pieces." Li Ximing no longer cared about such trivial matters. Besides, there was no reason to make Kuiqi hold it indefinitely or for his own people to dismantle it. He waved his hands repeatedly. Ning Wan then flicked her sleeve, and a surge of cold qi shot towards the sky.

Kuiqi, high above, released his hand seal, and the thirty-two Purple Gen Wide Valleys instantly blazed with interwoven purple and yellow light. The earth's meridians also opened up, and black streams of subterranean fiendish qi surged skyward. But after only a moment's suspension, these thirty-two colossal objects crashed down.

"Boom!" The tallest Purple Gen Wide Valley Mystic Nail in the center of the lake emanated a purplish-yellow glow. Purple light spread along the horizon, diffusing outwards from the center in all directions, forming a purple dome that descended with a thunderous roar. Yellow light, like the veins of a leaf, rapidly spread across the inner surface of this purple dome, illuminating each node corresponding to a mystic nail. The connection between the Grand Void and the current world was gradually severed. The Purple Mansion Grand Array operated miraculously, dividing the inner and outer Grand Void into two distinct areas. This profound heavenly light, with its purple base and yellow veins, shone to its utmost brilliance before finally fading into transparency.

"Clatter, clatter..." Due to the changes in the earth's meridians, all independent arrays within the pavilions and towers ceased to function. The houses and courtyards on the island shattered like paper windows before the tremor, leaving only the sky-reaching mystic pillars standing erect on the island, emitting a dim yellow glow.

'The Purple Mansion Grand Array is complete!' Li Ximing's heart surged with emotion, full of admiration. Ning Wan listened to the exclamations and cheers coming from both shores, revealing a gentle smile as she bowed and said, "Congratulations, Zhaojing!" "Congratulations, Zhaojing!" Kuiqi laughed heartily as he descended from the sky. The ethereal colors of his magical power were slightly dimmed, clearly indicating a significant expenditure. Seeing how much effort the two had put in, Li Ximing quickly returned the bow and said with a smile, "Thanks to both of you, fellow Daoists!"

Ning Wan smiled in response, saying, "This array... Sister Tinglan didn't give it a specific name. Please, Zhaojing, name it yourself." Li Ximing, in excellent spirits, pondered for a moment, then looked around and stroked his beard, saying, "Let it be called... the 'Vast Profound Purple Spirit Array of Zhaojing'." Li Ximing hadn't chosen this name arbitrarily. All Purple Mansion Grand Arrays of the Solar Daoist Lineage had four-character names, followed by the two characters "灵阵" (Spirit Array). He didn't add more. He rose in a flash of light and landed on the tallest pillar, where a small platform was indeed set.

The platform was covered with dense, grayish-gold patterns, clearly indicating that the array disk had transformed into these runes, embedded within. Only a Purple Mansion cultivator could retrieve it. Li Ximing subtly flicked his sleeve, refined it with his divine ability, and thus claimed the grand array for his own use.

Ning Wan softly said, "The grand array's control disk is on this tallest mystic pillar. If you need any entry/exit tokens, Zhaojing, you can engrave them yourself. This grand array possesses the fundamental Grand Void isolation ability of a Purple Mansion array. Also, following the Solar Daoist Lineage's custom, it's divided into two layers: an inner array and an outer array, which are not connected. The inner array is only about the size of a chamber, suitable for storing treasures, while the outer array allows disciples to enter and exit."

"The grand array itself has two layers of mystic power. The first is 'Mountain Queller,' which stabilizes the earth's meridians and gathers spiritual energy. Precisely because of its extremely strong control over the earth's meridians, the thirty-two pillars, separated from each other, can create thirty-two types of blessed grounds for cultivating disciples." Li Ximing, of course, knew where the mystic power of 'Mountain Queller,' which was quite inconsistent with Purple Qi and Bright Yang, came from. He sighed inwardly. Ning Wan continued, "The second aspect is 'Purple Regalia.' The thirty-two mystic pillars each release spiritual light, converging together to draw upon the reserves within the treasury and the island's spiritual energy, forming the 'Wide Valley Purple Regalia Light' for defending against enemies... As for its power... it's considered moderate."

Ning Wan said thoughtfully, "This particular aspect was modified by Sister Tinglan. Following her intentions... she had many ideas for various nodes. Although it now possesses the 'Wide Valley Purple Regalia Light,' these modifications have also resulted in the loss of quite a few mystic abilities for resisting external enemies..."