Chapter 882: Tianxu (1+1/2)

Li Ximing raised his eyebrows and looked. The autumn dew to the north was still dripping. He exchanged a glance with Ning Wan and hesitated, "Shall we go and take a look?"

Ning Wan nodded, replying, "Yes, with such a commotion, Jianmen and Xiukui will certainly notice. They'll arrive sooner or later, so there's no need to worry about encountering anything unexpected."

The Grand Void was now violently shaking, with ripples spreading due to the thick, sky-piercing golden aura. This was clearly not a good path. Since Mount Tangdao wasn't far, the two simply used their divine abilities, arriving within a few steps at a distance from which they could clearly see the mountain.

Mount Tangdao, with its undulating terrain and peak reaching skyward, was completely enveloped by the golden aura. Above, the zenith was a dense white, not quite like clouds or mist, but rather like rolling smoke and sand, swirling and echoing around the mountain without dispersing.

The clouds in the sky above had long been dissipated, unable to transform the golden aura into dripping autumn dew. The rate of its dispersion was also far slower than its eruption. This white golden aura grew increasingly dense, occasionally emitting rumbling sounds.

Faint colored lights were visible in the sky, and giant golden figures flickered in and out of sight amidst the white aura and autumn dew. Occasionally, glows rose from the ground, ascending towards the Buddhist Land.

Li Ximing watched intently, a troubled expression on his face. He murmured, "It's undoubtedly Buddhist cultivators. Jin Yu... are they really ignoring this?"

Jin Yu couldn't possibly be unaware of Tangjin's destruction. Given Jin Yu's current formidable influence, unless it was an order from Luoxia, Buddhist cultivators would never have dismantled the Tangjin Sect without a word. How could Li Ximing not know this? It was likely sold for a good price.

Ning Wan remained silent for a long time before speaking. "Situ Huo once promised to give the Mountain Mist-Moving Mountain Rope to Jin Yu, but my elders prevented it. Later, when you fought with Chang Xiao, I don't know what conditions they secretly agreed upon, but that spirit artifact ultimately went to Jin Yu... Judging by Jin Yu's attitude, the Tangjin Sect hasn't been of much use since then."

"Now they've given this entire mountain to the Buddhist cultivators, abandoning a perfectly good Purple Mansion formation, leaving it for these monks to shatter... These Buddhist cultivators too, Purple Mansion formations are precious things no matter what. Even if they're not useful, couldn't they sell them to someone else? Why insist on this..."

As Ning Wan spoke, her meaning became clear. Li Ximing secretly understood: 'What other intention could there be? Golden aura soaring to the sky, covering Jiangbei, what they seek is nothing but spiritual essence.'

The Jin Yu Sect rarely interfered with spiritual essence matters. After all, they had their own Grotto-Heaven, with a True Monarch of Dui Gold within the Golden Virtue system presiding. Any cultivator practicing their orthodox Golden Virtue lineage could simply break through within the Grotto-Heaven; why would they need to cause such a commotion in the outside world?

This current situation might very well be for the Jin Yu Sect's True Person Qiushui.

While Li Ximing pondered, Ning Wan's gaze was complex. She softly said, "But... the 'Dwelling Heart and Rushing Xuan' technique is inherently beneficial and ancient, quite good. Such a commotion at Mount Tangdao is not a good thing."

Li Ximing frowned and looked at her. Ning Wan, however, was gradually approaching through the snow, with Li Ximing close behind. When they were about ten miles from the mountain, clearly seeing the colorful light and Buddhist Land, Ning Wan finally stopped.

Li Ximing's gaze swept over, and only then did he realize something was wrong.

He saw a rolling black malevolent aura emerging from the mountain range, surging over the hills like waves. The golden aura in the sky, with nowhere else to go, seemed to be drawn downwards, falling drop by drop. Instantly, the white aura, like silk and satin, was pulled from the sky into the ground.

Ning Wan caught a drop of autumn dew and said, "Golden Virtue cultivators have a mantra called 'Sinking upon encountering Malevolence.' When golden aura is above a mountain, without clouds or mist, it cannot serve as the austere essence of autumn and winter. Thus, it sinks, pulled by the terrestrial malevolence, and this sinking transforms the terrestrial malevolence into primal magnetism."

"Now, the grand formation of Mount Tangdao has shattered, torn up by the roots, losing even the qualification to become a forbidden zone. Only a scarred and riddled earth vein remains, precisely when terrestrial malevolence is gushing forth. A single night's encounter with gold transforms it into primal magnetism."

Her expression slightly confused, she turned to Li Ximing. "It's one of the current three Thunders: Primal Thunder."

Li Ximing was momentarily stunned.

His junior, Li Que Wan, cultivated the Complete Core. He had received news long ago that the Complete Core path feared three things: first, merging with water; second, combining with fire; and third, primal magnetism!

'This sinking golden aura, the accumulation of Tangjin over three hundred years, is probably enough to turn this mountain into a primal magnetic treasure land... The entire earth veins and spiritual essence of Jiangbei will be transformed!'

'If it were True Person Qiushui breaking through, why would the Jin Yu Sect bother with such a commotion? Wouldn't that just invite trouble for themselves?'

He quickly understood Ning Wan's dilemma and confusion, replying, "If... it's not the Jin Yu Immortal Sect... and we don't see any True Persons from the Jin Yu Immortal Sect coming out to stop it..."

The golden aura to the north had begun to sink on a large scale, transforming from the earlier threads and fine ropes connecting heaven and earth. It was as if a hole had been poked in the white aura in the sky, which now poured down like a waterfall, all of it burrowing into the earth veins.

Even at such a distance, Li Ximing could still feel a shimmering of intertwined dark and silver colors within the mountain range. An unfamiliar aura rose, the mountains beneath their feet rumbled, and metal and stone vibrated.

"This is the power of primal magnetism..."

Just as this aura began to rise, the entire golden aura floating in the sky shattered with a roar, collapsing as if pulled by something, turning the entire Mount Tangdao a brilliant white.

Ning Wan still saw no cultivators from the Jin Yu Sect, but beside her, True Person Kui Qi, clad in a dark Daoist robe with an ominous black aura, descended using his divine ability. His expression was grim. "Even if Qiushui himself came now, it would be useless. Unless a True Monarch intervenes, no one can move it."

After saying this, his gaze slowly moved downwards to the mountain range within the white aura. He said, "It doesn't matter if the Tangjin Sect is destroyed. Situ Tang acquired the lineage of the ancient Heavenly Whisker Sect back then, and it shouldn't be lost casually. Even if the Buddhist cultivators obtain the jade slips, it won't be difficult to activate them, but it will probably be hard to keep it a secret. Still, it should be retrieved."

With Kui Qi's appearance here, the colorful light to the north finally became restless. A stream of shimmering light descended, coalescing into a golden figure nearby.

This golden figure had six arms and four legs, with three faces on its head: one grimacing, one weeping in sorrow, both adorned with beautiful patterns. Four of its arms held staffs, clubs, knives, or swords, while the remaining two hands were pressed together at its chest. Its voice was benevolent. "Nuzi greets the three fellow Daoists!"

Li Ximing secretly frowned. Kui Qi had already sneered. "That old geezer dragged his feet for so many years, and now the Great Desire Path has a place for you. We just saw Pijia, and now you're here too... The Great Desire Path and the Emptiness Path... they've certainly come together these past few years."

'The Great Desire Path again...'

When Li Ximing and Kui Qi rescued Ning Wan and the others, they had fought against Zhelu and Daixi of the Emptiness Path. That faction wanted him dead, and it was Pijia of the Great Desire Path who intervened back then. Now Nuzi had appeared, which was the context for Kui Qi's words.

This Nuzi was clearly a Maha who had risen through the Northern-Southern conflict. Although from the same group as Daixi, he appeared much older and had waited many years. Hearing the remark, he did not get angry, but calmly said, "I merely lived a few more years, fortunate enough to be promoted by our Lord. Now I cultivate under Lord Pijia, and he sent me because he heard I have frequent contact with cultivators from the south."

"Our Great Desire and Emptiness Paths, acting under the mandate of the Dharma Aspect, have eradicated the Tangjin Demonic Sect, which practiced blood refinement and cannibalism. May I inquire if the True Persons have any instructions?"

He spoke righteously, assuming the posture of an orthodox cultivator, completely unlike the usual demeanor of the Emptiness and Great Desire Paths. Li Ximing knew Kui Qi would not tolerate such words, and indeed, the black-robed man's expression grew colder. He said, "How shameless. When Situ Tang was at his peak, you all kept silent. Now that Tangjin has only one or two people left, you cause a commotion with golden aura soaring to the sky, autumn dew everywhere, and needlessly damage the climate, all while claiming to eliminate demons."

Nuzi pressed his hands together and replied, "At least we are eliminating harm for the people."

Although Ning Wan still harbored resentment towards the Great Desire and Emptiness Paths, seeing that a fight might break out, she immediately hesitated.

This matter affected the Jin Yu Sect's interests. If Jin Yu were willing to take the lead, Ning Wan and the others would certainly be willing to help. However, given the current silence and the mystery surrounding any potential dealings, the Solar Dao Lineage had no legitimate reason to intervene...

Ning Wan could only say coldly, "Our Lord has already gone north, yet the Buddhist sect still has thoughts of causing trouble in the south... No matter what, the Tangjin Sect was once an immortal Dao lineage. How can it be simply destroyed without a word?"

"It is, after all, an immortal sect lineage, and Situ Tang also obtained an ancient cultivation legacy. There is no reason for it to be lost to outsiders."

Unexpectedly, Nuzi burst out laughing and responded, "We have thought things through for the immortal Dao!"

He gently waved his sleeve, and from the north, a group of cultivators led by Lian Min flew forth on colorful light. They used their magic to suspend groups of nearly naked men and women, with infants clutched in their arms and under their armpits.

As they approached, the leader, Lian Min, was broad-shouldered and powerfully built, his armored robe gleaming golden. His face was stern, and his four eyes were fierce. He bowed and announced, "Reporting to Your Lord, the entire Situ clan has been brought!"

Li Ximing looked down and saw a group of people from the Situ clan below. Their cultivation levels varied from high to low, but most were mortals. As they approached and saw the three True Persons, hope suddenly surged in their eyes. They cried and wailed, begging for mercy, kneeling and kowtowing within the colorful light.

Ning Wan sighed deeply. Kui Qi, however, frowned heavily, barely concealing his anger. No matter what, the Situ clan were descendants of the Purple Mansion. Being captured was one thing, but to be stripped naked and humiliated like livestock... If not for the fact that few good individuals had emerged from the Situ clan for generations, Kui Qi would likely have erupted.

Nuzi then raised his sleeve. Instantly, the cuff billowed in the wind, rapidly expanding, and from it poured out jade slips and magical artifacts of various sizes, piling up like a mountain before the group of people. Nuzi Maha chuckled, "We didn't take much; we've handed everything over to the Solar Dao Lineage!"

He then said earnestly, "After all, this is a command from the Dharma Aspect, and it cannot fail. We sincerely hope the Solar Dao Lineage does not interfere. If this becomes a dispute, we cannot back down!"

In truth, even with the True Monarch gone north, it would be difficult for the Solar Dao Lineage to cross the river and engage in a major battle with the Buddhist cultivators allied with the Great Desire and Emptiness Paths on the mountain. Unless Lou Xing of Xiukui intervened, they would absolutely not do something so impulsive...

Yet, the Buddhist side still delivered the lineage and the people, showing how eager they were to avoid any mistakes in this matter, and how resolute their decision was to hold Mount Tangdao...

'The Dharma Aspect's intention? Is this directed at the Jin Yu Sect?'

Kui Qi did not answer him. He simply placed two fingers before his lips and blew gently, and a gray wind descended from the air. It swept over the heads of the Situ clan cultivators, transforming into pure black Daoist robes that draped over their naked bodies.

Seeing that the three ignored him, Nuzi prudently waved his hand. The group of cultivators beside him, led by Lian Min, rose with the wind and, together with him, transformed into colorful light, retreating northward.

Li Ximing then used his divine ability to descend slightly. Among the Situ clan members below, those with backbone had probably long since died. The remaining ones became increasingly terrified upon seeing him, kowtowing incessantly, and pulling their female relatives forward, shouting, "True Person... True Person, spare our lives!"

"In former years, it was all Situ Mo's doing; it has nothing to do with us!"

Li Ximing watched silently, feeling something inexpressible: 'The Situ clan of old... a clan whose direct descendant could wipe out ten thousand families just by passing by a lake... has now come to this.'

He stood there quietly. The Situ clan women before him, with beautiful faces tear-streaked, crawled forward, kowtowing. They tried to grasp the hem of his robe like a lifeline, but their hands, trembling with fear, only extended halfway, hovering in vain in the air.

Soon, she failed to seize the fleeting opportunity and was quickly pulled down by her clan members behind her, kicked backward, and replaced by others who knelt forward, weeping and kowtowing.

"Zhaojing?"

Ning Wan's gentle voice sounded in his ear. Li Ximing looked up, shaking his head with a self-deprecating chuckle as if nothing had happened, and asked, "How should we deal with these members of the Situ clan?"

Kui Qi, who had descended using his divine ability, glanced lightly and softly said, "The Situ clan originally had few elites. Now, they've either been slaughtered or taken into the Buddhist Land. This remaining group is mostly collateral branches or illegitimate offspring; even if there are one or two direct descendants, they are not highly valued. Zhaojing, do you have any thoughts?"

Situ Mo and the Li clan had a considerable feud. As a cultivator from the Great Xiukui Temple, Kui Qi clearly did not want to see Li Ximing go on a killing spree, which was why he rarely spoke so many veiled words. Li Ximing sighed, "I don't have many thoughts on this. The monks from the north are cunning. If they truly had a grudge against my family, how could they let them go? They would have taken them to the Buddhist Land long ago. They deliberately sent them here, hoping I would go on a killing spree, eradicating the roots, so as to gain karmic connections for the Situ family members they have in the Buddhist Land."

"Indeed."

Ning Wan smiled, took a jade slip from her sleeve, and handed it to Li Ximing, explaining, "This is the Situ clan's secret unsealing technique. Most of them can be opened. I heard Situ Mo secretly modified it over the past two years, but their direct descendants probably know it."

Ning Wan handed this item to Li Ximing, clearly due to Situ Ku being held by Li Ximing. This old man had been imprisoned by the Li clan for many years, and now, being in Li Ximing's control, he proved to be very convenient.

Li Ximing nodded and replied, "Once I've sorted out these methods, I'll send a copy to both families."

Kui Qi lifted his sleeves, sweeping them left and right, and divided the people and items into three portions. He took one portion, and softly said, "Our Lord has already gone north, and there isn't much time left. Each sect can make their moves in advance; as long as those few individuals aren't harmed, it won't be a major issue."

Li Ximing nodded slightly, then hesitated briefly and asked, "I wish to refine a spirit embryo of a High Shaman. Might I trouble senior for some guidance..."

He did not underestimate the Solar Dao Lineage's connections. Kui Qi was not overly surprised and calmly waved his hand, replying, "If Zhaojing is interested, once our Lord has departed, you may simply come to Tiger Barbarian."

He then departed on the wind, transforming into a grey gust. Once he had left, Ning Wan's expression turned serious as she asked Li Ximing,

"Zhaojing, did you notice the four-eyed Lian Min next to Nuzi?"

Li Ximing was somewhat surprised and replied, "I merely glanced at him."

Ning Wan said seriously, "My family has known about this person, Baxuan, for a long time. My elders mentioned him to me. Back when Nuzi was still a Lian Min, Baxuan was his subordinate Arhat. Due to his natural divine strength and extraordinary talent, he was promoted all the way up. Now, with Nuzi becoming a Maha, he is also a Lian Min!"

She said gravely, "This person should not be underestimated. His divine strength is likely similar to Xuan Feng's. In terms of future prospects alone, Nuzi might even be inferior to him. Back then, Nuzi even wanted to target Xuan Feng to complete a pair, but then Da Ning Palace suddenly conspired with An Huai, and Jin Xianlu was revealed, so they gave up..."

Li Ximing frowned and nodded. Ning Wan, however, worriedly said, "The Jin Yu Sect isn't acting... we can't reach Jiangbei. The Northern-Southern conflict has largely destroyed the lines pushed to the north back then. Now that Tangjin, a crucial point, is lost, the Buddhist cultivators can bypass the east side. This doesn't look good no matter how you slice it..."

Li Ximing sighed inwardly. Ning Wan continued, "I know you still have Situ Ku. The Situ clan now has few direct descendants, but many enemies. As for Situ Huo, who is outside, some even see him as a thorn in their eye, a thorn in their flesh..."

She said candidly, "That naturally includes me... Therefore, I still hope you keep him. After the northern affairs are settled, if there's an opportunity, using his bloodline for divination, eliminating him would be best."

Li Ximing nodded, parting ways with her. Behind them, the Situ clan members, held up by the heavenly light, could only embrace and sob silently, watching Li Ximing descend with his light onto the lake.

After more than a year, the buildings within the grand formation had been completed. Most were built around the profound pillars, with various cultivation pavilions winding upwards and clinging between the pillars.

He glanced around and landed on a platform, seeing the Wanling Flower Tree in the center, towering like a canopy, with red flowers in full bloom. It was heavily guarded, and a white ape was resting at its base.

Upon seeing Li Ximing, the ape rose and bowed. Li Ximing put the people down, greeted him, and then used his spiritual sense to search for someone.

Soon, Li Jiangqian and Li Que Wan arrived in the courtyard, one after the other, both bowing to him. Li Ximing's expression turned grave as he ordered, "Go bring Situ Ku up."

Li Jiangqian immediately sent someone down. After a moment, Ding Weizeng, clad in red armor, came up holding an old man. The burly man's eyes were fervent, and he immediately prostrated himself before the hall.

Ding Weizeng had once been a cultivator under the Tangjin Sect and had some acquaintance with the old man; it seemed he had come to bid farewell. Li Ximing nodded at him, signaling for him to stay, and then turned to look at the old man on the ground.

Situ Ku had actually fared well in the Li family over the years. Although his cultivation was sealed, he was at least well-fed and cared for in the dungeon. Upon raising his eyebrows and seeing Li Ximing, he trembled with fear and cried out, "Greetings, True Person!"

Li Ximing casually stated, "The Tangjin Sect was wiped out by Buddhist cultivators. The Situ clan is completely gone, with only a few branches remaining, and I brought a group of them back."

Situ Ku was stunned for a moment, then first shed tears, kowtowing and saying, "I will do as True Person commands!"

The Li family had kept him for so long precisely because of his pliable nature. Li Ximing was not surprised. He gently waved his sleeve, revealing several rows of neatly stacked jade slips. Li Ximing pointed, "Unseal them all."

Situ Ku hesitated to speak, but Li Ximing had already thrown Ning Wan's jade slip in front of him. The old man quickly picked it up. Li Ximing turned to Ding Weizeng, smiling, "Your cultivation has advanced quickly."

"All thanks to the True Person's blessing!"

Ding Weizeng bowed his head and respectfully said, "This humble one also had a child a few years ago, a baby girl named Ding Yujing..."

"Good."

Li Ximing turned his head and asked, "Is there someone named Ding Mu who is still cultivating in Ziyan?"

Li Jiangqian quickly replied, "Reporting to True Person, yes, that's correct. Our family has been providing spiritual resources for all these years. A few years ago, he came back with his mother to visit relatives and was very cordial, thanking us repeatedly..."

Li Ximing nodded in satisfaction. On the other side, Li Que Wan had already approached, holding a pale golden jade slip, and bowed.

"Reporting to True Person, the 'Heavenly Whisker Gleaming Gold Scripture' is here."

Among all of the Tangjin Sect's inheritances, this item was undoubtedly the most valuable. While Situ Tang's lineage produced three Purple Mansion cultivators, influenced by talent, the utility of the 'Heavenly Whisker Gleaming Gold Scripture' was also significant!

Li Ximing picked it up and scanned it.

This cultivation method was indeed excellent. As the foundation of the Tangjin Sect, it was a fifth-grade technique with two secret methods. It cultivated the "Carved Gold Stone," anciently known as "Golden Beast Feather." The method itself claimed to be the Heavenly Whisker Dao Lineage, with its patriarch being True Person Heavenly Whisker, a cultivator from the Xu kingdom.

As for its extensive origins, the cultivation method did not elaborate. After reading the entire text, only the end advised cultivators of this method to be cautious with their sharp edge. However, a cultivator had added a note: 'The Carved Gold Stone, diligent and unyielding, sharp and without regret, like the Golden Feathered Beast, can ascend but not descend. If it descends, it falls to the earth, often trapped and killed by terrestrial malevolence. If cultivation leads to stagnant qi forming knots, how is that different from being trapped and killed by terrestrial malevolence?'

To have such confidence to annotate a Purple Mansion cultivation method, it was likely Situ Tang himself from back then. Li Ximing secretly shook his head. "He only sought to cultivate divine abilities, doing as he pleased without scruple. In truth, he didn't care what happened to the Tangjin Sect afterward."

Although this item was valuable, the Si, Ning, and Jin Yu families certainly possessed it already. It was just right for junior cultivators. Li Ximing flipped his hand to put it away and took out other cultivation methods to examine. Most of them didn't particularly impress him, so he added them to his family's collection.

Only one, the 'Grand Profound Magnetic Light Marvelous Method,' was much more peculiar. Although it was only a third-grade magical art, it was a cultivation method of the Primal Thunder lineage, capable of achieving the Immortal Foundation's Primary Malevolence Ceremony.

Li Ximing took two more glances at it before instructing, "The Tangjin Sect has been wiped out... Que Wan, please calculate if there are any direct descendants of the Purple Mansion among them."

Li Que Wan nodded, took Situ Ku's blood, and, holding a jade token, formed hand seals. Li Ximing looked at Li Jiangqian and asked, "How do you plan to deal with them..."

'It would be cleaner if they all died at the hands of the Buddhist cultivators...'

Li Jiangqian didn't particularly want to deal with the Situ clan, but their bloodline was indeed good. He simply replied, "If junior is to handle it, they will naturally be integrated into the Seven Families of Xizhang, changing their family names. That would resolve any past ties, and from then on, they would have no connection to the Situ surname."

Li Ximing glanced at Situ Ku, who was kneeling and trembling at his feet, and then at the mournful Ding Weizeng. He lightly flicked his finger, and a speck of divine ability flew into the old man's brow, entering his Ascending Yang point. He instructed, "As for you, Situ Ku, if I release you, you'll sooner or later be captured by the monks and used as resources. For Weizeng's sake, from now on, you'll simply perform odd jobs around Weizeng and patrol the shore; that will count as contributing."