Chapter 927: Red Pheasant Charges Out

The Great Brahma King's eyes twinkled with a smile, his joy evident on his face. As an experienced demon king, he easily recognized that the two individuals before him were certainly from families with a long-standing friendship. His heart swelled with delight:

‘My divine ability is indeed infallible. How could they be enemies? I saw early on that Brother Liu possessed deep good fortune, and by gently guiding him, I forged a good relationship. I never expected to see such a quick return! Perhaps I don't even need to use my ability to examine that tiger demon and learn about his master, who would surely be helpful to me. If I just wait another year or two, Brother Liu would still bring Li Ximing before me, and the elixir would still be refined!’

He chuckled inwardly, marveling at his own divine ability:

‘Now, those suspicions and the process of building trust can all be bypassed! With Brother Liu vouching for him, how could I fear any harm from him?’

He then burst into laughter, quickly summoning his demon attendants to prepare a grand banquet. He hastily brought out wine, filled their cups, and spoke with an air of grand ambition:

“How many old friends can one meet at the Purple Mansion realm? Let the past flow away like water; let us celebrate and drink a cup!”

His words were fitting. Li Ximing and Liu Changdie drank together. Li Ximing offered a polite smile, while Liu Changdie sighed with a touch of emotion, then turned and said seriously:

“Senior Fuxun has shown me immense kindness and is a person I trust deeply. Ximing, you need not have any doubts.”

With that one sentence, Liu Changdie made things clear. Li Ximing nodded silently, indicating his understanding. The demon king then urged his musicians to play, and said with a smile:

“Now, fellow Daoist, you needn't worry about me breaking my word, nor do I need to worry about you exaggerating. With fellow Daoist Yuanbian here, how could there be any harm between us?”

This was true; Li Ximing nodded, as Liu Changdie's trustworthiness was unparalleled. Yet, the demon king proceeded to meticulously recount their previous plan, then awkwardly grasped Liu Changdie's hand and said:

“You two are our own people, so I won't speak in formalities. Currently, my coffers are empty, and I lack the necessary Lihuo materials. I'm hoping to make up for that.”

Liu Changdie nodded, smiling:

“Good!”

He pondered for a moment, pressing on his storage pouch. With a light flick of his wrist, he revealed a stone box and flipped it open.

Inside, resting on a brilliant blue stone, was a red lotus, no larger than a palm, yet plump and on the verge of blooming. A soaring Lihuo energy, like a flock of birds, circled the red lotus.

Liu Changdie softly said:

“This is the Scarlet Petrel Conjoined Heart Flower, found beneath the nest of the Feather-Shedding Ground-Smoothing Sparrow. I acquired it during my Foundation Establishment travels, and it has been with me for years. It's perfectly suited to repay your kindness, Senior.”

Fuxun was overjoyed. He carefully took the stone box and handed it to Li Ximing. Liu Changdie, however, frowned with a hint of difficulty and reminded them:

“If there's only one portion of Purple Mansion spiritual materials, no matter how skilled Ximing is, the elixirs produced will ultimately be limited in quality. Giving them to the King of the Zhu Luo Kingdom... that might seem a bit too exploitative.”

This was true. Even if Li Ximing could produce six or seven elixirs from one batch, they would at most be refined from two portions of spiritual materials. To exchange such a small amount for spiritual fire, even if Fuxun was to provide protection for a while, the disparity in value would be far too great...

Li Ximing wasn't afraid of other consequences. His main concern was that the other party might genuinely possess some mettle, and could simply abandon the Zhu Luo Kingdom and flee. The three of them wouldn't dare do anything to her ancestral foundation, but Li Ximing's own Moon-Gazing Lake would then be in trouble.

Seeing their difficulty, Li Ximing smiled, deferring to Liu Changdie. He also took out a stone box from his sleeve, revealing the Chongli Precious Leaf, and softly said:

“The Chongli Precious Leaf, a Lihuo Purple Mansion material, fell from a spiritual flower in the Eastern Fire Grotto-Heaven.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Changdie secretly fretted, hesitating greatly, while Fuxun exclaimed with delight:

“Fellow Daoist, you truly are straightforward!”

Liu Changdie could only transmit a silent message with his spiritual power, saying:

“I will certainly compensate Ximing!”

Once the three had finalized their arrangements, they wasted no time. They pierced through the void and ascended from their current location. Fuxun led the way, speaking as they went:

“This demon actually has some ability. Her name is Huoyang, and she's a pheasant bird who cultivates Lihuo. Her divine ability lies in her beak. Ordinarily, she's not much in a fight, but the move she learned from her elder — suddenly spitting out a mouthful of fire — even I would have to retreat three paces. However, once that fire is gone, she's not much of a threat!”

He seemed imposing and very confident, but his tone shifted, adding a touch of reverence:

“But her elder was formidable. He gave birth to True Fire sons and Lihuo daughters. When her elder was alive, even my grandfather had to pay him a visit. The Zhu Luo Kingdom once dominated most of the Brahma Realm. How proud was the Vermilion Bird of Bailia Country? It's said she shamelessly called him 'uncle' every time... If he had successfully broken through, the Brahma Realm would likely have re-established the ancient Pheasant-Sparrow Kingdom!”

Li Ximing stroked his beard, and Liu Changdie chuckled:

“This land beneath our feet, which we in Jiangnan call the Southwest Frontier, is truly vast. From the Pyu Kingdom northward, the region below the Great Western Ridge is broad at the top and narrow at the bottom, almost dividing the North and South Seas in half, and it is known as the Brahma Realm.”

Li Ximing nodded, and Fuxun continued:

“Back then, he sought to attain True Fire. Even the master of Tongxinli came to observe. Unfortunately, he failed at the brink of success, perished, and with his demise, the demons scattered, dividing his flames. The Zhu Luo Kingdom has nearly shrunk to an island.”

In the span of a couple of sentences, they had already arrived at the Zhu Luo Kingdom. This place was teeming with birds, red oxen draped in cloaks, fires burning everywhere, and tall, crimson jungles. Fuxun, tearing through the void the entire way, led the two to a colossal crimson palace and called out:

“Fellow Daoist Huoyang! Come out quickly!”

As expected of a place that once boasted ancestral grandeur, this palace was actually far more magnificent than his own pagoda. More importantly, Li Ximing carefully sensed that he could perceive the aura of a grand Purple Mansion formation above the palace, and he nodded inwardly:

‘Ordinary demons naturally wouldn't come across such formations. After all, with a great demon as an ancestor, inviting a few formation masters to construct one or two would certainly be no problem.’

Li Ximing was relatively fine, but Liu Changdie's eyes lit up the moment he saw the palace, and he couldn't move. He stroked his chin, tilted his head, and meticulously pondered it.

After a short while, indeed, a red-haired girl in white robes emerged from the crimson expanse. Her pupils were black with a reddish tint, flame-like runes adorned her cheeks, and her collar was covered in dense True Fire patterns. Her sleeves resembled feathered wings, and she was unexpectedly beautiful. A crimson whip coiled around her waist. Seeing such a grand display, she cautiously stopped before the formation, softened her stance, and softly said:

“So it's Senior Fuxun... What's the matter?”

Fuxun smiled:

“What could be the matter...? I've heard from some fellow Daoists that that foolish bird keeps bothering you... Well, I've brought you some business now, and it should also help resolve your current issues.”

“Oh?”

Fuxun had always been at odds with the Vermilion Bird of Bailia Country, so his words naturally carried considerable credibility. The girl returned a smile, knowing it would be unwise to offend him now, and said meekly:

“Then please come in.”

She emerged from the formation and guided the three to seats in an adjacent side hall. Immediately, several young girls came forward to serve wine. These demons were not given to elaborate speech, so Fuxun cut straight to the chase, smiling:

“Without further ado, this is Fellow Daoist Zhaojing from Jiangnan, a supreme alchemist unparalleled throughout the land, whom even the Sun Dao Lineage must concede a third of their prestige to!”

Li Ximing was just raising his cup when Fuxun's words almost made him jump up. Yet, he couldn't undermine him, so he silently gritted his teeth, rose, and bowed. The girl, upon hearing this, parted her red lips in extreme surprise and repeatedly said:

“How rude of me!”

To the demons of the Southwest Frontier, alchemy was a rare art, let alone one mastered to such an extent throughout Jiangnan. Huoyang clearly felt a sense of closeness and said with a smile:

“If I could be so fortunate as to receive assistance from a True Person in alchemy, it would be my great fortune.”

No sooner had she spoken than Fuxun, not waiting for her words to finish, smiled and said:

“Exactly my thought... Fellow Daoist Zhaojing urgently needs a portion of spiritual fire and wishes to trade with you. The elixirs are negotiable... they can resolve your cultivation barriers, fellow Daoist.”

Huoyang's smile faltered for a moment as she understood their purpose. Her smile unwavering, she softly said:

“When my late father was alive, there were indeed many materials. But after his death, my elder brother injured me and took the materials, then left... Senior, you know this.”

Fuxun's expression remained unchanged as he smiled and said:

“There must be spiritual fire. The Heavenly Pheasant Profound Attachment Formation is here. Even if the formation's core was taken, isn't there still a portion of spiritual fire? I have cultivated a good merit record, so some things... I needn't say more.”

The atmosphere immediately turned awkward. Li Ximing was secretly astonished, thinking to himself:

‘What a strange divine ability! It must undoubtedly be a destiny-related ability! It doesn't manipulate people's minds but genuinely guides one toward cultivating their destiny. I wonder what its true marvels are!’

Liu Changdie, standing by, wasn't surprised, but Huoyang's expression had stiffened. Li Ximing, having noted her cultivation of Lihuo earlier, immediately spoke up:

“You misunderstand. This is merely a matter of exchange; there are no other intentions. If fellow Daoist is willing, I will provide excellent elixirs in return. Both the quantity and quality will not disappoint you.”

Fuxun turned to sip his wine, saying softly:

“I will handle the matter of the Vermilion Bird. Furthermore, I owe fellow Daoist a favor.”

Huoyang's eyes visibly brightened, and a lively smile returned to her face. She chuckled:

“I am grateful to all of you for considering my situation. Although the materials in the palace were taken, and the spiritual fire formed from my late father's demise was also divided, I still have one portion remaining.”

“It’s just that these elixirs...”

Li Ximing smiled slightly and said very straightforwardly:

“They can be refined immediately!”

Ultimately, they were all pragmatic types who wouldn't act without assured benefit. With benefits ensured, her memory became clear, and she immediately recalled possessing spiritual fire. Huoyang clearly had thoughts of forming an alliance and said with a smile:

“When my late father was alive, there was a Lihuo Sleeping Palace, where the True Fire spiritual vein was considered one of the world's most exceptional. Three esteemed guests... please come this way!”

Demons rarely conducted affairs with the convoluted fussiness common in Jiangnan. With the agreement settled in just a few words, they immediately entered the palace within the formation, ascended seventy-two golden steps, and arrived in a crystal-like grand hall.

Li Ximing raised an eyebrow slightly, then saw that the place was incredibly grand, with feathers scattered everywhere. The central throne was as large as a small mountain, adorned throughout with True Fire and golden patterns. The very center was a perfectly symmetrical hexagon, and the golden light of the formation shimmered above, reflecting off everything.

Having witnessed the wondrous sight of a world where sun and moon shone together, this place, while grand, inevitably lacked profound mystery. What truly captivated him were the large characters on the pillars on either side. Written with flowing strokes like dragons, they emitted a crimson hue. Though seemingly casual, they appeared entirely natural, making it impossible to avert one's gaze.

‘True Fire bends the pillars, yet implores departure; Four Laws question nature—how can one attain ultimate perfection!’

Li Ximing glanced over them, silently committing them to memory. He then turned to the grand formation and smiled:

“I wonder about the feathers in the hall...”