Chapter 881: Golden Energy Soars

The sky was bright. On the Observation Platform, a fire blazed fiercely. Clad in red, Chu Minglian stood at the center, his expression focused as he controlled the Lihuo flame.

Chu Minglian had refined many magical artifacts in his life. Li Xuanfeng's famous artifact, Shenbai, was originally crafted by him. Although its subsequent enhancements largely depended on the 'Summoning Golden Talisman,' it still brought him great renown.

This particular spirit embryo was unprecedented, transcending the scope of ordinary magical artifacts. For a skilled refiner, this was an immense honor, allowing no room for relaxation.

After seeing his elder brother off from Wangyue, Li Ximing landed on the platform bathed in light. Chu Minglian immediately bowed and began, "Congratulations..."

Li Ximing waved his hand, interrupting him. While examining the spirit embryo in the fire, he asked, "How is Shichuan progressing?"

Chu Minglian quickly offered his congratulations, saying, "Congratulations, True Immortal! Everything is proceeding normally. Although my humble skills are insufficient to effortlessly refine this item, your spirit essence is remarkably effective. It not only compensates for my shortcomings but also elevates the spirit embryo's core to a higher level."

Li Ximing nodded in acknowledgment. Although he was not proficient in artifact refinement, he possessed the "Observation Platform Divine Ability of Fiery Refinement," which allowed him to discern the nature of artifacts with a glance. Seeing the vibrant, majestic red glow within, he nodded and said, "You've worked hard."

Chu Minglian humbly protested. Li Ximing glanced over as a female cultivator in white, with a sword on her back, descended from the tower.

Though her appearance wasn't exceptional, her elegant demeanor was striking. Her skin was like polished jade, and without makeup, she exuded a fresh, graceful beauty. She bowed to Li Ximing, her voice clear as melting snow, and chuckled, "Greetings, True Immortal!"

Li Ximing was slightly surprised. After a brief look, he nodded and said, "Excellent! Your breakthrough was quite swift!"

This person was precisely Li Xinghan, who had been in seclusion for her breakthrough.

Li Xinghan had entered seclusion at the beginning of the establishment of the Sophora Soul Palace, over four years ago. Her speed was indeed impressive. Li Ximing pondered for a moment and understood the reason: "Xinghan cultivates Jade Truth, and with the True Monarch's return, it's a time of great prosperity for jade throughout the land. Coupled with her profound aspirations and the benefits from both ancient and immortal cultivation paths, her rapid breakthrough is not surprising!"

She was likely there to take over the shift at the Observation Platform. With a joyful expression, Li Ximing beckoned her closer, observed the precious sword on her back, and then rose into the light, sighing, "Excellent, excellent. The elder had mentioned long ago that with the return of Jade Truth, among the children undergoing secluded breakthroughs, you were the least concerning. But seeing you now truly puts my mind at ease!"

Among his generation, besides Li Zhouwei, there was truly no one capable of shouldering such responsibility; even a single individual of outstanding strength would have been welcome. Li Xinghan smiled and bowed, explaining, "I cultivate the 'Jade Dao Integration Art,' achieving integration with the Dao. A point of white brilliance in my Qi sea allows me to grasp the essence of techniques and pursue the pinnacle of skill. This benefits all arts, be it talismans, elixirs, or weaponry, including swords and blades. When cultivating spells, as long as the spell is an escape technique or cast through a magical artifact, I find it even more effortless." She continued, "With the blessing of the immortal foundation, integration is achieved. Once I engage in combat, I gradually enter a superior state, and the clarity of my eyes can pierce illusions and perceive the subtle..."

Now that the True Monarch of Shangyuan had achieved fruition, the Dao integration was greatly enhanced, making it entirely different from the Yu family's situation back then. She suddenly revealed a hint of confusion and said, "There is just one point I haven't quite understood, and I'd like to ask for your guidance, sir. This immortal foundation also has a minor mystical aspect: if I undergo a transformation technique, not only is the duration of the transformation significantly extended, but it also becomes much harder for others to discern... It sounds rather like... the path of shamanic talismans."

Li Ximing led her up the mountain, nodding slightly. He had indeed learned much about this from Zhusheng and began to explain, "While Jade Truth has become closer to the immortal path due to the elder's breakthrough, it is fundamentally still the Six-Nine Jade Truth, one of the three shamanic paths. Transformations are naturally part of it."

He smiled and replied, "Que Wan still knows some transformation techniques, and they are not useless. Moreover, the former Shanyue Kingdom excelled in shamanic arts and was exceptionally fierce. Although they have been nurtured for a century and are now docile as sheep, their shamanic techniques are all preserved in the archives. If you have time to look through them, it might prove beneficial."

"I will remember your teachings, True Immortal!"

Li Xinghan acknowledged. Since Li Ximing had met her, he took the opportunity to ask, "I've been in seclusion for over a year. How is the family?"

Li Xinghan quickly replied, "Not only did I achieve a breakthrough, but Jianglong's breakthrough was even quicker. He began his seclusion later than me, yet just as I emerged, he too broke through. However, he recently went to the East Shore with Protector Chen."

"The East Shore..." As Li Xinghan spoke, she dutifully poured him tea. Li Ximing immediately drew a conclusion in his mind: *'This is not surprising. That elder in the north is undergoing a worldly experience and even took a tour around the lake. Perhaps it provided considerable assistance.'*

Li Jianglong was actually less familiar to him than Li Xinghan. Among Li Zhouwei's children, only Li Jiangqian had the opportunity to meet him a few times. Li Ximing quickly changed the topic and asked, "My family still bears the name of a sword immortal lineage. We had renown years ago, but in the past decade or two, few mention it. Few of the younger generation even use swords; you are a unique exception. This legacy must not be broken; we must watch it closely."

Li Xinghan assented. Li Ximing continued, "I asked you a few years ago: have you mastered the 'Three-Part Moon Streamer'?"

Li Xinghan quickly replied, "The sword immortal's legacy is profound and unpredictable. After years of study, I have finally made some progress and mastered it a few years ago."

Li Xinghan took the Cold Edge from her back and gently drew the sword. Immediately, a chilling light surged forth, revealing a clear, snow-bright sword glow as large as a ship's sail. It shimmered briefly in the air before dissipating. Following closely were three agile streamers, like stars, which merely lingered on the blade, as there was no enemy present.

Although her swordsmanship already surpassed that of most sword cultivators, it still appeared somewhat unrefined compared to Li Ximing's two brothers. This manifestation of the "Three-Part Moon Streamer" was graceful but overly technical.

Li Ximing quietly watched the sword light vanish. He then looked at the Cold Grain in her hand, lowered his head, sipped his tea, and sighed, "Good... After so many years, Cold Grain has finally witnessed the 'Three-Part Moon Streamer' again."

He then changed the subject, "However, I once promised you that if you mastered the 'Three-Part Moon Streamer,' I would forge you a magical sword aligned with the Jade Truth path. Naturally, I cannot go back on my word. While Cold Grain is extraordinary, it is not sufficiently compatible with Jade Truth..."

Li Xinghan quickly bowed in thanks. Li Ximing then took out a jade box from his sleeve and instructed, "Chu Minglian happens to be by the lake, and the spirit embryo is nearly complete. This is a Bright Essence Flower, a foundation-building spiritual item. Take it to the clan and exchange it for a treasure of Jade Truth. Then, ask the elder to retrieve the broken sword that Yu Mujian cast away back then, and it can be refined."

Without waiting for Li Xinghan to say more, he took a sip of tea and suddenly asked, "I heard... Zhuang Cheng has a legitimate son... who seems to have some interest in you. How is that progressing?"

Li Xinghan seemed slightly uneasy and replied, "Actually, when I broke through, he sent a very valuable Jade Truth spiritual item, which I politely declined. He is still on the East Shore now, often seeking me out to discuss sword techniques. I haven't accepted anything else significant from him..."

Li Ximing raised an eyebrow and asked, "What are your thoughts on him? Do you like him?"

Li Xinghan didn't seem particularly concerned about marriage itself. She simply replied, "He seems to have a deep affection for me, and my family also considers him suitable. As for whether I like him, I can't really say, but he treats me exceptionally well, making it hard not to develop a favorable impression. If I can't say I dislike him, then at this point, proceeding further seems quite natural. After all... it's not good to keep someone waiting indefinitely."

Li Ximing sipped his tea and looked at her with a hint of surprise, unsure how to advise her at that moment. He had heard from Li Xuanxuan that Zhuang Pingye possessed top-tier looks and decent talent. He mused, "This isn't a matter of great consequence. Over time, if it doesn't work out, we can always discuss it again."

He poured some tea and said, "Since you've made up your mind, I will have Jiangqian hint to them."

As a Purple Mansion True Immortal, Li Ximing naturally didn't need to consider Zhuang Cheng's agreement or disagreement. With a single command from him, and a word from the Li family, Zhuang Cheng, even as a renowned figure in the great desert, would still have to personally travel from the west to the foot of Zhijing Mountain and bow down to express his gratitude to Li Ximing.

Li Xinghan quietly thanked him. Li Ximing then said, "Cultivate well; there's no need to worry too much."

He picked up a brush and personally wrote a few lines of characters, instructing Chu Minglian to prepare the spirit embryo for Li Xinghan's artifact refinement. Only then did he dismiss the junior. Li Jiangqian, who had been waiting at the foot of the mountain, then ascended.

Li Jiangqian bowed again and respectfully reported, "Reporting to True Immortal, since you entered seclusion over a year ago, the Elder has successfully consolidated the northern region. Nearly all cultivators of the Sophora Soul Palace have been eliminated one by one. For the past year, there have been anomalies almost every month... they have been completely eradicated and wiped out."

Li Ximing was not surprised. He merely replied, "Indeed, both sides arranged things well. So many cultivators tried to flee but couldn't escape, forced to remain and be killed by the Elder."

Li Jiangqian respectfully said, "You are right, True Immortal. The last few leaders are all dead, and the Elder has sufficiently vented his anger. The remaining cultivators finally conceived the idea of escaping and dispersed into the East Sea. The Elder did not establish a new force but elevated several noble families... and also enfeoffed some mountains to his capable subordinates."

"The Elder announced himself as the true successor of Mi Fan, distributing countless magical artifacts and spiritual items. Among them, Song Yunbai and Xiao Yuan, along with a few others, each gained benefits. Recently, there's another individual under Xiao Yuan... using an alias, privately rumored to be connected to Li Quantao."

Li Ximing raised an eyebrow. Li Jiangqian continued to report, "As for the forces on both sides... many have died in the Immortal Dao. Guan Gongxiao is almost on the verge of falling, and the Xuanniao Temple's territory has been nearly destroyed by Yaosa Chengmi... By the time the Elder arrived, Yaosa Chengmi had already fled north. I hear the Elder now intends to go north himself..."

"It is also said that the Situ family of the Tongjin Gate now lacks leadership, leaving behind only a group of low-level cultivators who repeatedly cause chaos. They've even been flirting with a few monks recently, and I hear they've invited them into their mountain gate."

Hearing this, Li Ximing shook his head and sneered, "Now that all the various families are ignoring him, it's just a group of ignorant low-level cultivators causing trouble. We'll just have to see if Jinyu intervenes."

He then asked his most pressing question, "How is Bai Yinzi?"

Li Jiangqian whispered, "I inquired for a long time without finding any trace. Finally, after repeatedly asking the Zhuang family and investigating several rogue cultivators, mapping out several mountain ranges and searching them one by one, I finally pinpointed a mountain range. Rogue cultivators there recognized him from the description; he should be west of Tongdao Mountain, about a hundred miles north of the riverbank. Ten to one, he's there!"

Li Ximing nodded with satisfaction. This had nothing to do with divine abilities or magic power; it was purely a matter of inferring from information and conducting human-led searches, which saved him a lot of effort. Li Jiangqian added, "Such a large-scale mobilization would have been observed by anyone paying attention, but fortunately, he possesses a magical sword, which gives him legitimate standing."

He offered a jade slip with both hands, "His current location, and for good measure, several suspected but ruled out locations, are all recorded here."

Li Ximing gently took it, listened as he spoke about family matters, then returned to the jade pillar, preparing to cultivate.

However, no sooner had Li Ximing settled down than the spiritual energy of the entire Zhijing Mountain began to fluctuate like tides. He abruptly opened his eyes, a look of shock on his face.

The Great Void in his spiritual consciousness was connected to the spiritual energy in reality. It was usually calm and peaceful, with few major changes. Even an occasional Foundation Establishment breakthrough would only cause the Great Void to subtly shift, unless it occurred too close.

Yet, at this moment, the Great Void seemed to be under successive impacts, transforming into ocean waves, surging south in successive swells, forming towering peaks only to then plunge into valleys...

"What is this... a terrestrial ley line upheaval?"

Perhaps the change in spiritual energy within the mountains was not obvious, but to Li Ximing, observing through the Great Void, it was extraordinary!

"Boom!"

A thunderous roar echoed through the sky. Li Ximing instantly traversed the Great Void, appearing on the north bank, gazing northward.

The next moment, a pure golden radiance shot skyward, as thick as a mountain, extending straight into the heavens. The entire sky was instantly covered by pure golden energy.

"Boom!"

A terrifying tremor and roar erupted in the north. The golden energy lasted only for an instant, colliding with the clouds in the sky and turning into a deluge of autumn dew, falling in drips. Yet, the golden energy surging from the north did not cease. The earth shook, mountains swayed, and the Great Void vibrated, like monstrous waves, arriving in successive surges from the north.

Li Ximing, riding the heavenly light, felt a sense of disbelief: *'A Purple Mansion cultivator has fallen? But it doesn't quite seem like it...' *

He took a step forward and gently crushed the jade talisman in his hand. Soon, he found Ning Wan not far away, also looking north with astonished eyes, subtly hinting at shock.

Seeing Li Ximing, Ning Wan's eyes lit up. She said, "Congratulations, Zhaojing!"

Li Ximing waved his hand, asking doubtfully, "What is this...?"

Ning Wan's expression was complex. She replied, "This sight is unusual. The sky-reaching golden energy is incredibly pure, certainly related to a Purple Mansion. And with the terrestrial ley line trembling, I fear... something has happened to the Tongjin Gate."

"Tongjin Gate?" Li Ximing had never considered that sect. At this moment, he finally connected the terrestrial ley line tremors with the surging golden energy and, with a dawning realization, exclaimed in shock:

"The Tongjin Purple Mansion Grand Formation?!"

"Precisely!"

Ning Wan was somewhat flustered at that moment. Gazing at the scattered autumn rain in the north, she seemed a bit at a loss, clearly indicating that the turn of events had exceeded her expectations. She murmured, "This is the collapse of the Tongjin Gate's Purple Mansion Grand Formation. The spirit array set up by Situ Tang back then to guard the gate, along with the one or two excellent treasures within its core... all sublimated together. First, they shook the terrestrial ley lines, severing the formation's foundation, then entirely transformed into golden energy soaring to the heavens... Three generations of the Situ family, father and son Purple Mansion cultivators, once hailed as the illustrious sect of Xu State, the dominant and peerless Tongjin lineage... is to be extinguished today..."