Chapter 884: Made

Li Ximing finalized the cauldron. The three individuals present nodded in agreement, took the elixir, and gave it to Li Jiangqian. He then instructed Li Jianglong and Li Jiangxia to choose magic tools.

The Bladeloom Gate had various metal-attribute magic tools, including those of the Dui-Metal and Geng-Metal types. These metal-aligned artifacts, at the very least, did not conflict with Mingyang's cultivation. Li Jianglong picked up a golden ring, thanked them, and accepted it. Li Jiangxia, however, was less reserved. He picked up and weighed several items, eventually settling on two golden spears of similar shape and weight.

"You may all leave... Que Wan, stay for a moment." Li Ximing waved his sleeve, and the three brothers departed. Li Quewan then walked from behind him to the front, standing cautiously.

"Sit," Li Ximing instructed softly. "There's something I couldn't mention to Jiangqian just now. Wang Quwan is under our family's patronage. If he reaches the Purple Mansion realm, many of our clan's secrets would be impossible to hide. As for sending him north of the river, that's his own destiny."

"It's just that these brothers of his... I'd appreciate it if you could mediate a bit more for them in your daily interactions." Li Quewan quickly replied, "All the young masters are very sensible and possess far greater foresight than I... It is I who should be seeking their guidance."

Li Ximing said seriously, "What do you think of the two brothers, Jiangliang and Jiangnian?" Li Quewan hesitated slightly before answering, "Jiangliang, under the tutelage of Senior Jueyin, is actually quite intelligent. However, he's always had a desire to travel outside. From what I've seen, he's also made friends abroad, and his heart isn't truly in Lakeside. As for Jiangnian, I've met him a few times. He's genuinely kind and gentle, unlike his brothers."

"Never mind," Li Ximing shook his head and replied. "The Li family has many daughters, but none yet like my aunt. Although Minggong is well-behaved, she lacks determination and decisiveness. When Chengnian fell years ago, I knew we were in trouble."

"Among Zhou Xing's generation, the elder statesman discussed it with me. Zhou Ming is not very capable. Zhou Luo has a Yang family background and isn't too fixated on Lakeside matters; our family never forces anyone. Zhou Da is still in seclusion and might not succeed. While Xinghan has a slightly higher talent, her parents are minor figures in the clan who don't know how to guide her, and will instead hold her back. Her children won't fare much better either."

Li Ximing sighed, "It's often said that the North-South conflict broke the backbone of aristocratic families, and this is true. Our family is considered fortunate, yet we still suffer the consequences from back then. Isn't it the same for Ziyan's two children?"

He sighed again. "As for Jiangqian's brothers, they all have their own agendas, and perhaps too many. Zhou Wei and I have to keep them in check. And what about outside? Whether in the North or the South, there are many eyes closely watching them!"

After sighing, Li Ximing's thoughts drifted to the matter of unsettling Emperor Taizu Li Qianyuan's position, his mood darkening slightly. He instructed, "Take that copy of the 'Grand Profound Magnetic Light Marvelous Method' and study it thoroughly. Prepare yourself so you know both yourself and your enemy. Don't worry too much about these other matters. Shichuan will soon be refined, and the elder still has over a year's time."

He said no more, stepped into the void, and traveled to Zhijing Mountain.

"Only one year..." Li Ximing calculated on his fingers. A year truly wasn't enough for much cultivation. He could refine the Six Cycles of Embryonic Breath, at most absorbing one current of Qi for his second divine ability.

"However, Bai Yinzi's location is troublesome; it's across the river. The Buddhist cultivators might interfere. If a fight breaks out and I get severely injured, this year would have been wasted cultivation."

As soon as Li Ximing finished pondering, he quickly realized another matter: "If that's the case... I'd also waste a stream of Profound Gateway Red Fire Qi in the end, and then I'd have to make a trip to the Cui Clan's Chongzhou Island."

Considering everything, Li Ximing changed his decision: "This year will be perfect for practicing magical arts. Although it might seem like last-minute preparation, it won't be a mistake. After all, Jiangqian is in seclusion for his breakthrough, and there are fewer people at home to watch over things..."

He sat quietly.

Magical arts had always been Li Ximing's weakness, though he was absolutely confident in alchemy. In combat, he lacked the spear techniques of Li Zhouwei. His early cultivation days were spent practicing skills and refining elixirs, so it was no wonder his magical arts were lacking. But now that he had reached the Purple Mansion realm, he had to make up for it.

"I don't possess such profound cultivation, capable of turning decay into wonder. Any magical art useful for a Purple Mansion cultivator would need to be at least rank four. The most powerful magical arts in Jiangnan wouldn't exceed rank six. Currently, I have some foundation in two: the rank four 'Supreme Luminary Subdued Light' and the rank five 'Sun Responsive Fire Art'."

The 'Supreme Luminary Subdued Light' is an orthodox Mingyang cultivation method, resonating with the Celestial Light between his brows. Its power is not bad; it can be used against enemies in daily encounters, but it's difficult to inflict lethal damage, and further breakthroughs in its power are already challenging. The 'Sun Responsive Fire Art' is of a higher rank and was also the quickest magical art for Li Ximing to pick up. After practicing it by the sea for several years, he can now barely wield it effectively.

"And back then, Jiangqian received far more than just those awarded techniques. He also gained the rank five movement technique 'Treading Flame Stride,' the rank five evasion technique 'Crimson Illumination Heavenly Escape,' the rank six spell 'Great Separation White Radiance,' and the rank five spell 'Separation Origin Wall'."

Frankly speaking, this inheritance, if released, could establish a lineage comparable to Red Reef Island. However, these are all Separation Fire techniques, which are extremely difficult to master. While they would be better suited if paired with the corresponding cultivation method, it would inevitably be troublesome for someone of the Mingyang lineage to cultivate them.

Li Ximing had read these techniques before. Aside from the 'Great Separation White Radiance' requiring Purple Mansion Separation Fire, only the 'Sun Responsive Fire Art' felt natural to him. Now, with his divine abilities perfected, he reread them, scrutinizing them for a long time, torn between choices, before finally selecting 'Treading Flame Stride.'

Compared to the other techniques, 'Treading Flame Stride' used the least amount of Separation Light and had less demanding cultivation requirements. Similar to the 'Sun Responsive Fire Art,' it placed a higher emphasis on fire itself, which undoubtedly made it easier for Li Ximing to grasp.

"With the Huayang Royal Axe... my movements are inevitably a bit clunky. While the Gate of Heaven's Worship can bless the Dharma body, it's still better to diligently cultivate movement techniques."

Li Ximing had recently acquired a new palm technique. Though it didn't involve much Daoist theory, it utilized talismanic energy and possessed considerable power. 'Treading Flame Stride' was a rank five movement technique he could somewhat grasp. While it couldn't counter Changxiao, it would be perfect for close-quarters combat against the less cultivated Lianzai.

He then took out both techniques and read them: 'Separation Fire in the sky, arrayed as a rushing star, brilliant and glorious; thus, when in its proper position, it meets with ill omens, and evasion techniques are difficult, making only the Treading Flame movement technique suitable...' The 'Sun Responsive Fire Art' and 'Treading Flame Stride' originated from the same source, complementing each other when studied. They allowed him to identify and fill gaps in his understanding. Aided by the talismanic energy's ability to draw and manipulate fire, he managed to make decent progress.

And so, light and shadow intertwined, time flowed like water, flames surged forth, crows cawed, rustling sounds emanated from all directions, and purple flames ascended.

"Ding-a-ling..." The wind chimes hanging on a nearby jade pillar began to ring softly, without any breeze, and Li Ximing awoke as if from a dream.

He felt as if he had only been quietly pondering for a short while, practicing the two magical arts by controlling flames, when someone had already come to report. Only then did he notice that gardenia petals had carpeted the ground nearly three feet deep, with a few sparks flickering on them, slowly extinguishing as he fully regained his senses. Calculating the time, more than half a year had passed.

'No wonder Purple Mansion cultivators are mostly detached and distant... half a year felt like less than a month... If one truly goes into seclusion, how could they remember anyone?'

"Come up!" Li Ximing still lingered on the feeling he had just experienced, silently deepening his understanding. He then saw an old man ascending the steps, a simple red robe draped over his upper body. He was robust and, naturally, it was Chu Minglian.

When he reached the steps, seeing the ground covered with gardenia petals and the glistening jade pillars, he hesitated, not daring to step over them. Li Ximing, seeing him, felt a surge of joy and instantly appeared before him.

"Congratulations, True Lord! The Spirit Embryo is complete!" "Haha!" Li Ximing's face lit up with joy. With a raised brow and a sweep of celestial light, he lifted the old man, traversed the void, and reappeared on the Observation Terrace. Below, a large crowd knelt, and Chu Minglian bowed along with them, congratulating, "Congratulations, True Lord!" A thunderous cheer rose from below. Li Ximing's refinement of the Spirit Embryo required many Foundation Establishment cultivators and involved rotational shifts. He hadn't deliberately sealed off the news, so many people around knew. For a time, congratulatory sounds filled the air.

Li Ximing gently waved his hand, and from within, a dense, greenish-yellow radiance ascended. The green light wavered and twisted, while the yellow appeared solemn and heavy, interweaving like fine sand of two colors spilled and mixed together.

"Clang!" To the left and right of the Observation Terrace, patterns of greenish-yellow mountains and rivers emerged. A mountain-like roar and sea-like tide, layered one upon another, swept over the cultivators, causing them to stumble continuously. Celestial light, like a prison, followed closely behind.

Li Ximing smiled and waved his sleeve. All the unusual phenomena instantly retracted into the artifact's true form and vanished, revealing the Shichuan's actual appearance.

This ruler's main body was bright yellow, interspersed with shimmering silver sand. Large sections of its patterns were jade green, depicting mountains and rivers. It was one foot and four inches long, seven fen thick, and one inch and two fen wide.

At this moment, the treasure still held an elegant posture, less weighty and more slenderly beautiful. It floated quietly amidst the green and yellow hues, with small, palm-sized rolling mountains and waves reflected beneath it, as if resting on a magnificent jade stand, presenting the treasure in mid-air.

Li Ximing gently took it; it felt surprisingly heavy. After refinement, Shichuan was one fen thinner and two inches longer than before, about the length of six fingers.

'In my hand, it looks more like a thick-backed short knife.'

With the newly acquired spirit ruler, he couldn't help but cherish it. He gently loosened his grip, and the ruler obediently turned over, attaching itself to his waist. Li Ximing glanced at the crowd, who couldn't take their eyes off it, and smilingly instructed, "You may all disperse!"

Celestial light then rose, enveloping Chu Minglian, and descended towards Zhijing Mountain. The old man's gaze also remained fixed. As an artifact refiner, how could he not be moved by a spirit embryo in which he had participated? He even felt a faint welling of emotional tears.

Li Ximing sat by the table, the gardenia petals on the surface obediently scattering on their own. He held Shichuan in his hands, suffusing it with his Mingyang divine ability.

'The tail engraved with Yang Extremity, the head engraved with Supreme Luminary. Adorned with mountains and rivers, but no deities inscribed.' Kui Qi had once mentioned that Shichuan's material was Stork River Green Jade, long extinct. Although the True Jade had returned and jade was thriving, no one had yet been heard to acquire this specific type. Jade was inherently beautiful, and with the addition of Mingyang's spiritual essence, it became even more captivating. As the Mingyang divine ability infused it, he gradually became familiar with controlling the object.

Shichuan's primary function was to "display rivers and mountains." Once activated, it would conjure patterns of mountains and rivers, covering an area of forty-nine zhang, roughly the size of a palace and a hall. It could push and entangle enemies within these summoned landscapes; the closer the enemy, the more effective it would be.

The second function was "Monarch's Balance." Shichuan contained a hint of power. If an enemy's magical art entered the summoned mountains and rivers, Shichuan would pause to measure it, allowing its user to discern its power and dispel confusion.

The patterns of mountains and rivers also served other purposes: following them was a shortcut, going against them a long detour, aiding cultivation, and perceiving enemies. While its power wasn't immense and its marvels slightly overlapped with the Celestial Light between his brows, one could never have too many good marvels.

'Compared to the Huayang Royal Axe, Shichuan is naturally far inferior. Kui Qi was right: it has ample marvels but insufficient power. This is not a primary artifact of the imperial clan; it's more like something to display the imperial clan's prestige, with elegance and marvelousness prioritized above all else.'

Although Shichuan fell within the broad category of spirit artifacts, it was ultimately a spirit embryo, so one couldn't have excessively high expectations. The current result already satisfied Li Ximing: 'After all, it was imbued with Purple Mansion spiritual essence, so it won't be too mediocre.'

He carefully examined it, calculating with his fingers. A spirit embryo needed to be constantly nurtured with divine abilities and mental power. If it left the Purple Mansion cultivator's presence and did not receive the nourishment of divine abilities for an extended period, it would gradually lose its marvels and revert to being a mere magic tool.

Li Ximing had suspected this long ago, believing that many exceptionally wondrous ancient artifacts were degenerated spirit embryos from ancient cultivators. Now, calculating on his fingers, with the blessings of the Purple Mansion Mingyang spiritual essence, if Shichuan were suddenly taken away and deprived of Mingyang divine ability nourishment, its power would slowly diminish over five years before it fully reverted to a mere magic tool—though still much more wondrous than when it was originally just a magic tool.

This would be a tremendous loss. If Li Ximing were to reclaim it later and try to refine it on the Observation Terrace, it would take ten or twenty years to reach its current power, unless he had another stream of Mingyang spiritual essence.

"Now the spirit embryo is complete. I've leveraged others' connections, incurred debts, spent precious Purple Mansion spiritual treasures accumulated over years, ran errands, and paid the price of being unable to intervene when the True Monarch comes to the lake... Finally, my strength has advanced another level."

Li Ximing's ability to achieve such a significant leap in strength in a short time was partly due to his own luck and partly due to the deliberate assistance of the Solar Daoist Lineage, led by Kui Qi. In fact, viewed this way, during the urgent turmoil north of the river caused by the Buddhist cultivators' ambush on the Solar Daoist Lineage, Li Ximing secretly gained the most.

Shichuan could not be stored within the Celestial Light like the Huayang Royal Axe. As soon as he released his grip, this spirit embryo, woven with jade green and bright yellow, would automatically hang at his waist. Li Ximing felt a sense of satisfaction and raised his brows to say:

"Senior Chu, you've worked hard these past few years. Putting aside the reward, Qiu Hu and you have truly helped Wangyue a great deal!" Chu Minglian was even more emotional than him, with tears streaming down his face: "To achieve such a feat in this life, I owe it all to the True Lord's completion! How dare I speak of reward!" Li Ximing chuckled, exchanged a few pleasantries, and only after hearing that Li Jiangqian had already prepared the reward did he feel at ease sending the man down. He sat back down contentedly, still not forgetting the matter in the north.

'There's less than a year left. I must continue my secluded cultivation of magical arts! The northern fragment must not be lost. No matter who tries to seize it, no matter how severe the injuries or what price I have to pay, I must obtain that item!'