Chapter 936: Doubt of Xuanming

As the two finished their discussion, the silver gate shimmered, and a figure in blue descended from it. It was a middle-aged man, appearing to be around thirty-five or thirty-six. He had a broad face, large eyes, thick eyebrows, and a heavy beard. His eyebrows seemed carved, deep and blunt, and his entire face was hard and taut, with his clenched jaw faintly visible beneath his beard.

He carried an axe on his back, as large as a door panel. His eyes were like sharp swords, exuding a fierce and stubborn air. His back was exceptionally broad, making him seem like a giant bear pulling back a curtain as he entered, instantly making the entire pavilion feel cramped.

“Fellow Daoist Qingyan!” Upon seeing him, Liu Changdie's expression immediately turned serious. He said solemnly, “You’ve arrived just in time!”

With just a glance, Li Ximing perceived the man's formidable spiritual power. The Qingxuan path was already exceptional; Yuan Chendun of the Yuan family, who had been a renowned figure in Jiangnan, was the last commendable prodigy of the Yuan family! This new arrival not only had an excellent lineage as a noble descendant but also possessed the Qingxuan divine ability, making him first-rate in both combat and the subtleties of spiritual power. Naturally, he was not to be easily offended. Li Ximing straightened up and said, “Greetings, fellow Daoist... I am Zhaojing of Moon-Gazing Lake.”

“You two have waited long enough!” His voice was like a grand bell, deep and resonant. His eyes fixed on Li Ximing for a moment, then he replied, “Long time no see, Wei Yi.”

Li Ximing cupped his hands and responded, “The rumors from the four realms have amused you, fellow Daoist.”

The man took a seat at the table, his imposing presence occupying more than half of it and casting a deep shadow over the surface. He said in a deep voice, “Years ago, when I was seeking the secret of Fuyuanta, I traveled north through Dashi to Dayuan, and then passed through the West Sea. There, I met a fellow Daoist whose Daoist name was Yangya. He was from the Cui clan, though not as orthodox as your lineage, fellow Daoist.”

Li Ximing had heard of True Master Yangya, a True Master from the Cui family who had moved to the West Sea and since then had little connection to the main clan. Liu Changdie poured him some tea and chuckled, “I’ve heard of him too... he’s a handsome man, quite well-known in the West Sea, and there are some interesting anecdotes about him...”

Hearing this, Qingyan chuckled twice, gripping the miniature teacup with his large hands. Liu Changdie immediately turned to Li Ximing and chuckled, “He was living his own life, built a palace for himself, and settled some descendants there. But the local barbarians, being uneducated, saw him act a few times, began to prostrate themselves, and called him the 'Sun God'.”

Li Ximing was speechless. Liu Changdie continued teasingly, “It was a dreadful situation! It scared him so much that he broke through his seclusion overnight and left. But the barbarians below were so ignorant they couldn't be taught, so he had no choice but to take in a few barbarian princes, train them in his palace, and then send them back to civilize their people. What a commotion that was! I heard that at the time... even cultivators from the Solar Daoist Lineage went to question him.”

Li Ximing remained silent, then, somewhat intrigued, asked, “Who was it, I wonder?”

Liu Changdie had not long ago broken through to the Violet Palace realm, and many of these anecdotes he had simply heard. He looked towards Qingyan, who somewhat stiffly set down his cup, stroked his beard, and said, “It was Yuanwu.”

“So it was him!” Both Liu Changdie and Li Ximing felt a sense of realization. Liu Changdie even chuckled, “Yuanwu has a terrible temper, so it's no wonder he'd bother to go. He was even worse when he was younger; by then, he was older and should have been much easier to deal with.”

Li Ximing nodded secretly. After a few more exchanges, they grew more familiar, and Liu Changdie asked, “Fellow Daoist Fuxun's Wangjin Xuanyan Pill needs Zhaojing to refine it, and we'd also like to request your assistance, fellow Daoist Qingyan.”

“He spoke with me about it earlier,” the man replied, but then frowned. A formidable and unapproachable aura instantly appeared on his fierce and stubborn face. His large palm pressed against the table as he said in a deep voice, “As I've said, I find this method too extreme and violent, contrary to the path of continuous cultivation and nurturing of blessings. How can it be used so lightly? We noble descendants are not to be compared with ordinary demons and ghosts, yet this acts like a demonic practice! What he cultivates is auspicious qi, not bright...” He might have wanted to say 'Mingyang', but considering Li Ximing's presence, he left the rest unspoken. His eyes slightly lowered, and he whispered, “If this pill succeeds, it will be a neutral outcome at best, requiring him to cultivate his accumulated blessings for decades. But if it fails, I fear he will suffer greatly.”

Although the man appeared fierce and rugged, it was clear he genuinely regarded Fuxun as a close friend. Li Ximing listened from the side, nodding inwardly. *'Dragonkind has always considered itself a distinct race, separate from other demonic beings. I suppose most of these noble descendants share this view: their ancestors held esteemed positions, incomparable to ordinary demons, much like the White Qilin or the Phoenix. But why mention Mingyang...'*

Liu Changdie, however, remained silent, then whispered, “Perhaps fellow Daoist doesn't often return to Boruoduo. Now that the Xiangxiong Kingdom has been established on the Great Western Plateau, and the Right Eastern Pole Star of the Western Lesser Sun is shining brightly... he has no choice but to advance further!” His expression complex, he continued in a low voice, “Furthermore, with his divine ability now active, earthly matters tend to align with his considerations. For such a Wangjin Xuanyan Pill to be refined, and specifically by Zhaojing, who cultivates Mingyang, isn't that a sign of Heaven's will aligning? The first moment Senior Fuxun saw Zhaojing... he was delighted by his own divine ability.”

Qingyan's expression flickered with complexity for a moment upon hearing this. “I understand!” he said. Qingyan said no more, slowly nodding, and then departed with Li Ximing. Liu Changdie escorted them to the nearby sea, handed the items to Qingyan, and bid farewell to both.

Upon arriving at the majestic Tiger Barbarian Mountain, the demon king not only showed no suspicion but even expressed a degree of reverence and constant admiration. As they reached the exterior of the Kuishang Hall, they saw Houfu approaching, treading on snow. Li Ximing introduced the two, and Houfu's eyes practically lit up. He even hurried down, saying politely, “It's the descendant of the Qingyi Ram-form! My apologies for the oversight.” Qingyan, rarely showing a smile, replied, “Tiger Barbarian's treasured land is a fine immortal sect; the Solar Daoist Lineage truly lives up to its name.” The two were quite enthusiastic, with Houfu particularly expressive, but understanding that the visitors had important business, he did not linger.

Li Ximing observed them and mused inwardly: *'This isn't bad... Xiukui's cultivation of Bingxiu is one of the Three Witches and Two Priests, heavily involving the path of witchcraft and blessings. I suppose a noble descendant of the Qingxuan path would be considered a guest as well...'* Thus, they entered from outside the hall and proceeded to the Xiuxuan Dujing Furnace.

Qingyan surveyed the surroundings, then retrieved a silver basin from his sleeve. It was the size of a large bowl, shining brightly as if filled with clear water, and emitting a soft, moon-like glow. He said solemnly, “Fellow Daoist Zhaojing, I cultivate the Qingxuan divine ability, and the art of blessings must be kept close. This is the East Fate Flowing Water; it has been consecrated with eighty-one forbidden texts and blessed a thousand times with divine power. Please keep it with you.”

“When it's time to refine the elixir, you will channel this water into the Juque, immersing it with your spiritual consciousness. This water will then disperse with the refining process, and I will assist from the side with the divine power of Shangyan!” The process itself was not complicated. As for being cautious, Li Ximing had a potent true fire suppressing his Juque Palace. If necessary, the flames in his Sea of Qi could also be unleashed, burning away even Violet Palace spiritual water, so he wasn't afraid of the demon acting maliciously.

“Rest assured, fellow Daoist, please wait while I refine the auxiliary ingredients first.” With a gentle tap on the furnace body, the lid immediately flew open, and various auxiliary ingredients surged out from his sleeve, pouring into the furnace like a flowing river or waterfall. The true fire instantly flared. The Wangjin Xuanyan Pill, after all, was an elixir requiring two great medicinal ingredients, making its refinement extremely difficult. Just the preliminary auxiliary ingredients alone numbered over three hundred and seventy types. They were burned until only a pale golden elixir liquid remained inside the furnace, at which point the two golden caskets appeared in his palm. The lid of one was immediately opened, and the first thing to meet his eye was a box of golden clouds.

These clouds were wispy and ethereal, seemingly unremarkable, yet as soon as Li Ximing's eyes fell upon them, a jolt rushed through his heart, stirring an impulsive feeling of a great opportunity before him. Looking further into the golden clouds, various illusions flickered within them—one moment, a dazzling golden Bright Square Celestial Stone; the next, a myriad of shimmering Water and Fire of Infinite Radiance. *'What a magnificent spiritual item!'*

Li Ximing, using his divine ability, directed these undying golden clouds into the furnace. As the flames continuously roasted them, the spiritual item grew more agitated, and the illusions within became more numerous and precious. But Li Ximing did not spare them another glance. He opened the other golden casket, which contained a tiny, golden, chicken-heart-sized speck of light. The various streams of magical energy flowing above it were remarkably similar to those on Fuxun!

With this single glance, Li Ximing's last piece of doubt was immediately resolved. Li Zhouwei had indeed told him about the events at Dali Mountain, and his understanding of Mingyang was not shallow. Now, everything became clear: *'The Profound Coffer Golden-winged Bat... must be Fuxun's kin. This heart was dug from his father's body! He was delighted when he saw me, because the manifestation of Mingyang on my person was precisely aligned with his act of a son devouring his father!'* For a Violet Palace cultivator, imagery is extremely important, especially for a fate-altering divine ability like Fuxun's, which amplifies luck.

Indeed, as the heart was produced, Qingyan, standing nearby, lowered his brow. Li Ximing sighed inwardly and placed the heart, heavy as a mountain, into the furnace. The East Fate Flowing Water in his Sea of Qi immediately began to ascend, as if blessings had flowed into his spirit. Li Ximing channeled his divine ability, commencing the refinement of the elixir. The Wangjin Xuanyan Pill differed from other elixirs he had previously refined. This heart was as stubborn as iron and stone; even with the divine ability's enhancement and the scorching true fire, it was difficult to melt and combine with other medicinal liquids. Li Ximing's divine abilities cascaded, and all his magical power flowed into the mixture, rising and falling like tides.

The Golden Wing Sect, Purple Smoke Cave. Wisps of purple smoke drifted, flowing over the black jade-like steps. On the mountain peak, a talisman rumored to contain six streaks of Solar Essence glowed brightly, casting a golden-white light.

It was said that this talisman transcended the Violet Palace realm; the six streaks of Solar Essence were merely sealed within it, being nurtured by it, while its true form remained even more mysterious and elusive. As for the profoundness of the inscribed incantations, only a Golden Core cultivator could truly comprehend them.

A man with golden sleeves, adorned with illustrations of flying sand and spiritual fire, sat on the lowest step, allowing the purple smoke to waft through his sleeves. He gazed into the distant horizon, appearing somewhat melancholic. On the other side stood a broad-shouldered strongman, his eyebrows highly arched, his eyes subtly glinting with anger beneath them, standing with his hands behind his back.

“Have you seen anything?” The man sitting looked up, revealing a rather dashing and elegant face—it was True Master Tianhuo. Before him lay a thin, white, round porcelain plate, the size of a washbasin, covered with a thin layer of liquid-like golden sand. At the very center of the plate was a small Daoist temple. This temple was highly unusual; beyond its main hall, there were nine other structures—corridors, sleeping quarters, halls, pavilions, storerooms, and terraces—all with yellow tiles and vermillion ridges, surrounded by a forest of stone tablets, entirely submerged in the sand, resembling an immortal temple in the desert. True Master Tianhuo, using his divine ability, waited for a while before saying, “There are no traces at present, nor any special anomalies... Uncle-Master, you worry too much.”

The strongman on the other side was, naturally, True Master Tianque, renowned for his fiery temper and his long-standing post guarding the State of Wu for the Golden Wing Sect. His brows furrowed, and he blurted out, “Xue Yang came and went as he pleased. How long must we live in fear? A Grand True Master at the peak of the Violet Palace realm, with perfected divine abilities, strolling through Jiangnan—how many people are on edge because of him!”

True Master Tianhuo seemed a bit embarrassed and tried to reassure him, “Xue Yang doesn't seem like a schemer, and Yao Guanyi wouldn't exert pressure on our family. He's more likely afraid of our True Monarch's calculations against them... Uncle-Master, you worry too much.”

These long-established Golden Core powers often had significant age differences within the same generation. Tianque was clearly much older than Tianhuo and his cultivation was higher, yet their seniority within the clan was similar; though referred to as "Uncle-Master," they were practically peers, both having been granted Daoist names beginning with "Tian." Tianque now sighed, “Worry too much? How can I not worry? That one from Changhuai has already returned, and if my guess is correct, Sui Guan has also emerged from his Grotto-Heaven, yet our True Monarch remains missing... In such times of change, it's impossible not to worry.”

His expression troubled, he replied, “The matter of reform and revolution—how can we be certain it won't happen again? Many covet the position of Gengjin; I only fear an opportunistic intrusion.”

Tianhuo shook his head and chuckled, “With the Treasury locked, the world's power is concentrated in Geng and Dui. Although True Monarch Xiaojin is formidable, and one of the rare ancient True Monarchs whose fruit of Dao still exists... he ultimately refuses to enter the mundane world, and he and our True Monarch each take what they need... Who would scheme for the Geng position then?”

Though Tianhuo was optimistic, Tianque clearly disagreed. Just as he was about to speak, Tianhuo interjected, “What's more, the Nine-Gate Temple has already been refined into a spiritual artifact, and the Heart-Sands of Chronology are formidable. But if Xue Yang truly wishes to hide, he cannot be found. If he isn't someone who hides to plot, then what's the point of seeking him? Uncle-Master, instead of worrying about him, you should consider the matter of the Xuanming Qi.”

Tianque shook his head, “A portion of Xuanming Qi was taken by Sui Guan and ended up with Lushui, different from what was supposed to be delivered. Xue Yang said nothing, so it's highly likely to be an unspoken agreement between Luoxia and Lushui.”

Tianhuo, however, smiled, finally shifting his gaze from the Daoist temple on the plate to his Uncle-Master's face, his expression somewhat unsettled. “Uncle-Master, do you remember... about a hundred years ago, there was an unusual disturbance in the Purple Smoke Cave? Those fragments surged, showing signs of breaking free?”

Tianque frowned. “Of course, I remember... I was there at the time... Wasn't that matter already concluded by multiple parties? It was Liu Changdie! That lucky fellow received a summons from the Grand Void, and was considered touched by destiny.”

Tianhuo's expression grew serious. “Indeed... Our True Monarch said it was a summons from the Grand Divination Heavenly Pure Scripture in Wanling Heaven, bestowing blessings upon him, which caused the fragments of the monitoring immortal artifact to react. Subsequent events also proved that both these items were indeed masterless.”

“But if we consider it differently, if the fragments in our hands could be stimulated, doesn't that also mean that the damaged main body of the immortal artifact in Donghua Heaven must have reacted?”

Tianque fell into thought, then looked at the young man and said, “But don't forget, the Xuanming Qi extracted from these fragments is the only thing that can resonate with the immortal artifact. If there was some connection with the outside world this time, and given the close relationship between the Lord of the Moon Essence Prime Mansion and the Radiant Immortal of the Solar Sovereign position, both originating from Qingxuan, wouldn't those individuals desire the items within the mansion?”

Tianque fell silent. Although he was also a Violet Palace cultivator, when it came to status, he was far inferior to Tianhuo before him, and naturally, his knowledge couldn't compare. After a long hesitation, he asked, “Are you implying...”

Tianhuo whispered, “Don't be fooled by the commotion over Li Qianyuan's affair; the hearts of all True Monarchs are still set on the Prime Mansion. Although our Senior doesn't speak of it, the fact that the items could be taken indicates a desire to investigate thoroughly.”

“Now, with the Jade True's authentication complete, it means that individual truly chose to abandon their Dao fruit and depart, not employing any deceptive tricks or schemes. Another obstacle in our path has been removed...” His expression became somber, revealing a mix of shock and fear, his tone both stunned and cold: “But who is leading this matter? Who dares to lead it? This could lead to a drawn-out struggle! Luoxia isn't foolish; the Mansion Lord back then was suspected to be an immortal monarch's reincarnation...”

“Just imagine... how much fear must those up in the heavens be feeling!”