Chapter 922: Xuanhu Yiqi Cave Origin

The Qunyi Strait.

Qunyi is densely dotted with reefs and experiences turbulent waves. Beyond the scattered, smaller reefs, one can see larger, continuous islands. From time to time, cultivators are seen landing and taking off, making stops on these islands.

Li Ximing met Li Zhouwei on the north shore, entrusting him with several matters. He quickly transcended the Void and departed, feigning a search for traces of spirit fire and wandering the East Sea for quite some time. After ensuring he was unobserved, he then followed a map directly to this location.

The pair of islands before him consisted of one small and one large, resembling a deer's head and body respectively. Peculiarly, they had grown somewhat, with strange, craggy rocks making them appear as if they wore helmets. The smaller island was named Lulai, and the larger, Changzhou. While their combined area was not small among the Qunyi islands, their remote location and lack of spiritual energy meant they were completely unknown to outsiders. However, the Li family was not unfamiliar with them; their names had been mentioned in the clan's history, and Li Xuanfeng and Li Qinghong had previously visited this place.

However, when Li Ximing observed the islands from within the Void, a hint of surprise rose in his heart: 'There are actually quite a few human traces here.' He turned his head to look. There were numerous temples on the islands, with monks walking about. Although their cultivation was weak, they appeared quite vibrant. They called themselves the Earth Abode Palace, but unfortunately, the spiritual energy was sparse, and only one Embryonic Breath cultivator presided over them.

These people were clearly isolated from the world. They claimed the title of a 'Palace' yet only had Embryonic Breath cultivators. Li Ximing glanced at them, then descended through the air, discovering that the Earth Abode Palace possessed only three cultivation manuals in total. When stacked, these manuals were not even as thick as a quilt, and their quality was so poor they wouldn't even make stable shims for a wobbly table leg.

What was even stranger was that the Earth Abode Palace worshipped a peculiar monk. Although he clearly cultivated a Violet-Gold method, he called himself a Buddhist practitioner and referred to those at the Embryonic Breath stage as 'Dharma Protectors'. Not wishing to expose his presence, Li Ximing quickly glanced around, picked up a scripture, and after casually scanning two pages, he understood the reason.

'My aunt and grand-uncle came here years ago. Grand-uncle once shot and killed a Dharma Master named Ewu. The local people at the time worshipped monks, and this tradition was passed down, resulting in the current situation,' Li Ximing thought. 'Originally, there were mostly "Earth-Raised Sons" who trained mortals in cultivation. However, after several disturbances, most of them died out. Spiritual resources became scarcer, and gradually, mortal cultivators took over.' It didn't seem like Buddhist cultivators had established themselves here; it was merely a coincidence. He quietly breathed a sigh of relief, then stepped into the Void, traversing the earth veins, and continued deeper.

After penetrating a short distance underground, where water veins and earth veins intertwined, Li Ximing suddenly felt a fluctuation within the Void. He probed both forward and backward, sensing that something was amiss. He then understood: "The spiritual energy here must be unusual; I cannot remain within the Void!"

So, after a brief estimation, he broke out of the Void and manifested himself within the earth vein. Around him, celestial light flickered, and the dark rock immediately vanished, melting away to form a small cavity just large enough for him to stand in. This spot was directly facing the earth vein, and for a moment, a dense, malevolent energy surged. Li Ximing focused his gaze, seeing black rock all around him—above, below, left, and right. He immediately formed a hand seal, transforming into a streak of bright light, and continuously descended along the earth vein. Soon, the space suddenly opened up, revealing a dark, lightless karstic cave.

The cave was vast and spacious, with countless black stalactites hanging from its ceiling like canine teeth. On the ground was a vast expanse of black water, from which slender stone tips emerged. Countless stalagmites were hidden beneath the lake's surface. The place was filled with an extremely dense malevolent energy, and there wasn't a trace of spiritual energy in the air. The subterranean malevolent energy within the entire cave formed a complete cycle, and the sound of dripping water echoed occasionally.

'No wonder the Void does not perceive this place,' he thought. This lake of malevolent energy surrounded a stone platform, over which a deep blue halo shimmered. The entrance to the cave dwelling was tightly shut, appearing exceptionally profound amidst the gloomy malevolent energy.

Li Ximing retracted his divine abilities, lowered his gaze to examine closely, and joy immediately appeared in his eyes: 'This lake contains Serene Sigil Malevolent Fluid... which is a secondary spiritual material formed when the Subterranean Malevolent Cold Spring encounters Kan Water energy, becoming diluted and transformed. This means there must be a spring eye of the Subterranean Malevolent Cold Spring at the bottom of this lake...'

The Subterranean Malevolent Cold Spring itself was a Foundation Establishment-grade spiritual water. However, a spring eye was unlike other resources; as long as the spring eye here remained undamaged, it would continuously produce the Subterranean Malevolent Cold Spring. Even if it took a long time to produce a single portion, it was still an excellent discovery!

He did not rush to descend into the lake; instead, he stepped through the air. He extended a hand and gently touched the deep blue radiance on the lake, observing a murky black aura emerge, clearly indicating fluctuations from a formation.

'A Violet Palace Spirit Formation!' This spirit formation was unlike the Radiant Vast Violet Grand Formation on the Li family lake. It was not originally designed as a mountain-guarding grand formation, appearing instead delicate, compact, and brimming with ancient intent. "It's still here, as expected..." he murmured.

A surge of joy filled his heart. He extended a finger and gently hooked out a wisp of deep blue radiance. As he pondered it in his hand, he nodded secretly: "A spirit formation of the Manor Water path; it's quite peculiar. Manor Water is usually said to be black and white, yet this has a deep blue luster. There must be something unusual about it."

Activating this formation would certainly not be an easy task. Yet Li Ximing showed no panic. He closed his eyes, and with one hand held in a specific posture, his figure vanished into thin air, only to reappear in an instant, an jade box now in his hand.

From the jade box, he took out a small bead, the size of a fingernail, and quietly placed it before him. The small bead suddenly melted, and streaks of stark white radiance surged forth from it. These lights resonated with the radiance of the grand formation, causing its colors to gradually fade and tremble slightly.

This small bead had its own wondrous use, condensed from a wisp of aura. Lu Jiangxian's divine sense had long since passed through the grand formation, and with its overwhelming power, he had inscribed a wisp of the same aura onto the formation disk. Now that it was taken out, the grand formation's radiance faded as if it had recognized its master, allowing Li Ximing to calmly float into the formation. Witnessing this, he was even more certain: 'This cave dwelling was indeed left by an extraordinary figure!'

As he stepped before the entrance, he saw a plaque above, bearing three characters: 'Quelling Waves Manor'. The tightly shut stone door burst open with a rumble, revealing an expanse of white mist within. Spiritual energy was abundant, and the spiritual qi was exquisitely pure, yet it was contained by a semi-transparent light barrier just inside the entrance, preventing it from surging outward.

With the formation now dispelled, the cave dwelling was practically undefended. Li Ximing stepped inside. His gaze fell upon a spacious circular hall. In the dimly lit heights, a table was set, behind which a massive mural was painted with extremely bizarre patterns.

This circular mural seemed to project across the entire cave dwelling, extending all the way to the ceiling. It depicted a magnificent scene of primordial turtles embracing, intertwined in black and white. Intense colors converged into a circle, focusing the hall's entire palette onto the main seat. The remaining wisps of black and white converged above, casting light onto the ground in the form of varying sized specks.

On both the left and right sides were three tables each, descending in sequence. All the tables and wine vessels were deep blue with golden patterns, possessing a strong sense of depth, emitting a faint cold light, and appearing utterly luxurious. Li Ximing reined in his slight shock. He glanced around and immediately recognized that the tables were crafted from Azure Manor Blue Gold. Nowadays, such spiritual materials were typically used to forge daggers and blades; for the cave dwelling's owner to use them for furniture demonstrated immense wealth.

The center of the main hall was excavated into a circular pool, paved with exquisite jade. Streams of spiritual liquid, shimmering with white light, undulated within the pool, constantly rising as wisps of white mist, filling the cave dwelling with spiritual qi.

Li Ximing stepped forward and took a glance: 'The pool contains Mural Submergence Water, also a spiritual material of the Manor Water path. It's usually used by high-level cultivators for quenching during artifact refining... The owner of this cave dwelling is likely not simple. Could they be an artifact refiner...?'

'However... I've only heard of the Mizan Orthodoxy's Manor Water alchemy method, by which Li Encheng gained considerable renown back then. I never considered Manor Water for artifact refining...' The central table was raised slightly. Li Ximing, not pausing to think too much, descended through the air, his gaze sweeping over the table.

Neatly placed on the table was a jade box. Li Ximing merely glanced at it, and with a touch of his finger, understood its contents. A Violet Palace Spiritual Water! A Violet Palace Spiritual Water of the Manor Water path! Only a cave dwelling of this caliber could so easily possess such an item!

Li Ximing exhaled with excitement. He gently picked up the jade box, first enveloping it with his divine ability. Only then did he slowly lift the lid, revealing a dark blue expanse within—a tiny lake.

The lake's colors varied in depth, with blooming lotus flowers and swaying reeds. Furthermore, egrets the size of rice grains soared back and forth over the lake, their bodies pure white, each feather distinct, appearing as if truly alive. As his gaze fell upon it, a reflection of the morning sun immediately rose on the lake's surface. Immediately, all the anomalies vanished, transforming into clear, deep blue ripples, revealing the true form of the spiritual water.

With just one look, Li Ximing immediately recognized it: Grotto Egret Primeval Water! Although the Li family lived by the lake and lacked a Manor Water inheritance, Moon-Gazing Lake was once one of the most renowned great lakes in the world, with numerous records and legends. Thus, items related to Manor Water were relatively easy to identify!

The most detailed record of Grotto Egret Primeval Water was found in "Two Hundred Years of Customs in Linghai Commandery," a book gifted by the Xiao family. Grotto Egret Primeval Water was also known as Profound Lake One Qi Grotto Source. The Snowwing Sect once experienced turmoil because of this item, which is why the book, besides its description, states: 'A species of Profound Turtle, commands lake demons. White at birth, red at ten years, green at a hundred years. Produces once every three hundred years, spitting out Profound Lake One Qi Grotto Source. It can stabilize lakes and observe transformations. Consuming it on the new moon night greatly benefits lesser Yin malevolent energy, and one may gain eyes on the cheeks.'

Although "Two Hundred Years of Customs in Linghai Commandery" was a Xiao family heirloom, it was not specifically a record of spiritual items. At most, it mentioned these few sentences, but that was already enough for the Li family to deeply remember this item. 'Grotto Egret Primeval Water... there are already few profound Manor Water orthodoxies in the world. This item is even more precious, not to mention... it's probably something certain orthodoxies desperately crave,' Li Ximing mused.

Overwhelmed with excitement, he quietly put the item into his sleeve. He sighed deeply with emotion: "Only opportunities like this allow one to obtain items of this caliber! Normally, those cultivators who venture out hide their cultivation methods and spiritual items within formations. If one can't even defeat them, how could one hope to acquire such things?"

It was important to note that this cave dwelling was completely shrouded by a Violet Palace formation. Although this formation was not as vast and expansive as a mountain-guarding grand formation, its quality was extremely high, small yet potent. By himself, he might not even have been able to break through it! Even if the formation were broken, the treasures within this blessed land and cave dwelling might not be secured. Without the bead provided by the heavenly entity, he would likely just be staring helplessly at this formation right now.

He suppressed his excitement, transformed into light, and dispersed. His spiritual sense swept through, quickly examining each entrance beside the main hall. However, he found them all tightly shut and immediately began to scan his surroundings more broadly. 'Where is the formation disk?!' he thought.

The cave dwelling was so neat and showed no signs of disorder. It was highly probable that the owner had not suddenly perished elsewhere, but had departed in an organized manner. Frankly, in such cave dwellings, the most valuable item was often, nine times out of ten, the formation disk.

He had now obtained a supremely rare Grotto Egret Primeval Water. Although the rarity of a Violet Palace Grand Formation was not as high as the Primeval Water, its value was only slightly less. Even if he were to continue exploring deeper, he would first need to refine the formation disk and imprint it with his mark, Li Ximing's, to avoid encountering obstacles everywhere.

Yet, he scanned the surroundings, finding the grand hall ethereal with white mist and extremely spacious. There was no sign of a formation platform whatsoever. Li Ximing could only close his eyes slightly and summon his immortal artifact.

The moment he closed his eyes, he had a sudden realization and quickly stepped forward. He returned to the table, not lingering, and passed it, immediately looking towards the massive mural behind it and gently extended his hand. The back of the Profound Turtle was pure white, with extremely complex patterns. As his divine ability slowly made contact with the turtle's back, the misty white surface gradually lit up, revealing a deep blue disk intricately covered with mysterious patterns.

This was precisely the formation disk of the grand formation within the cave dwelling, embedded right into the wall! 'How cautious... what a clever method!' Li Ximing thought. 'It seems the original owner didn't even trust those who managed to enter the formation, going to the trouble of embedding the formation disk within the formation's protective concealment...'

Li Ximing looked thoughtful. He placed a hand on the formation disk and activated his divine ability. Streaks of celestial light poured into it, dyeing it a faint golden hue. After a quarter of an hour, the radiance within the cave subtly flickered, and the Violet Palace Grand Formation had changed ownership! 'It's mine!' he exclaimed silently.

Now that he controlled the formation disk, the name and mystical properties of the grand formation gradually emerged: Profound Turtle Quelling Manor Spirit Formation! This formation was also a Violet Palace Spirit Formation, but its mystical properties and power were entirely different from his own Radiant Vast Violet Spirit Formation. This formation possessed three mystical properties: Trial of Kan, Spirit Preservation, and Profound Manor.

The Trial of Kan method was extremely peculiar. It involved a Kan Water aperture deep underground within the formation, which could continuously produce a certain kind of Kan Water energy. From Li Ximing's observation, this was most likely the source of the transformation of the Subterranean Malevolent Cold Spring found outside.

The Spirit Preservation method concerned the use of the central pool. Mural Submergence Water would continuously gather within it over time. Once the Mural Submergence Water filled the pool over a hundred years, it would condense into a portion of White Feather Spiritual Resource.

The last mystical property, Profound Manor, would ordinarily gather the surrounding earth veins, water veins, and spirit veins, twisting them into a single current to form the foundation of the Profound Manor, thereby increasing spiritual energy. Should an invader appear, all attacks received by the formation could be transferred to the Profound Manor's foundation.

This meant that all three mystical properties had no active offensive capabilities whatsoever. Even the last defensive property appeared rather perfunctory, as if it were an afterthought. This caused Li Ximing to be secretly astonished: 'The mystical properties of this cave dwelling are too obvious. Each one was created according to the owner's wishes and for a specific purpose. If the owner truly could dictate what mystical properties they desired and have them manifest, then the formation caster was certainly no ordinary formation master!'

"Condensing Violet Palace spiritual resources... such things are incredibly desirable... and beyond the comprehension of people nowadays!" he exclaimed. Precisely because these mystical properties were so specific, even he, someone unfamiliar with formations, could see that both the Trial of Kan and Spirit Preservation were entirely built upon the last property, Profound Manor. All transformations were derived from the interactions between the earth veins, water veins, and spirit veins. It was possible that if the location changed, the first two mystical properties would become ineffective.

Compared to his own Radiant Vast Violet Spirit Formation, Li Ximing gained an even deeper understanding. He quietly looked at the formation disk before him, filled with countless emotions: 'The family's Radiant Vast Violet Spirit Formation is the Li clan's Violet Palace Spirit Formation. This, however, is a Violet Palace Spirit Formation designed for a Violet Palace cultivator themselves. They serve different people; how could they be the same?'

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**Characters Appearing in This Chapter**Li Ximing: Early Violet Palace Stage, Violet Palace Alchemist