Chapter 945: Mystical Radiance and Feet

Golden furnace, white mist, true fire burning low; three days of flames extinguished, and the elixir's fragrance wafted forth.

Li Ximing clicked the lid shut on the jade box in his hand, then put away the alchemy furnace. He nodded to Senior Shanyuan before him and entered the cave dwelling. He carried the jade box directly to the bed and politely addressed the woman: "Daoist Friend Zhu Gong?"

The female Senior, who appeared to be sixteen or seventeen, was flushed and coughing incessantly. Her expression was unreadable as she took the jade box from him. "Thank you, Zhaojing!" she replied.

She placed the jade box by the bed and, instead of dwelling on it, said, "I see Kong Xiuxiang is still kneeling outside the cave. He must be terrified and seeking a way to secure himself."

Her eyes turned cold as she continued, "I know what he's afraid of. During the few years I was away, some scoundrels within the sect were up to no good. Now there's activity in the North, and they're scared too. They probably thought that with Kong Xiuxiang dead, first, he couldn't complain, and second, if something truly went wrong, it would force a full confrontation between Purple Mansion cultivators, preventing them from being handed over to appease others."

Li Ximing sighed inwardly, while Zhu Gong showed considerable irritation. She quietly stated, "Regarding the Kong family matter... back then, for the sake of your esteemed clan, my methods were particularly lenient compared to the usual practices of the East Sea. Several members of the Kong family... I married them into direct lineages within the sect. Kong Guxi... I didn't harm him in the slightest; instead, I sent him overseas for protection..."

"However, never before has a direct lineage disciple, after going into seclusion overseas, returned as a Purple Mansion cultivator. Now... I suppose I should thank your esteemed clan."

Noticing her veiled words, Li Ximing replied, "The matter back then was Ye Hui seizing the mountain, which Daoist Friend reclaimed. That act itself prepared us for today's response..."

Zhu Gong silently shook her head.

Truth be told, Zhu Gong would never fear a Senior who achieved the Dao through "Foolish Man Moving Mountains" and had only recently broken through to Purple Mansion. Even two or three years earlier, if the Sun Dao Sect had been reconciled, this matter would have been nothing.

But the current situation was absolutely different!

Her voice was somewhat hoarse as she asked, "Does Daoist Friend know the Kong clan's origins?"

Li Ximing nodded. "The Kong clan was once a prominent noble family in Xu State. They suffered a calamity during a Northern Tour back then, so the entire family migrated south and established a sect in Shanji. Senior Changxi claimed the 'Profound Light Moving Mountains Dao' under the 'Profound Enlightenment Dao Sect'..."

His voice trailed off as he seemed to grasp something. Zhu Gong, with a complex expression, whispered, "A cultivator of the Profound Light Moving Mountains Dao and the Profound Enlightenment Dao Sect breaking through to Purple Mansion in Jiangbei, in Xu State territory—and they have a legitimate, deep-seated grudge against my Muquan Sect, and even the Sun Dao Sect, tied to restoring their tradition!"

"Qi Lanyan is coming down from the North, eager to seize any opportunity to act. If he can't grasp this chance, he shouldn't even call himself a Guanxie successor."

Li Ximing's pupils widened slightly as he watched the woman struggle to stand, her voice weary: "Now... it's been over three days since the breakthrough, and there's not a single sound. We have no standing to go, but the Sword Gate must have gone, and since there's still no news, it means they found nothing..."

"The Sword Gate?" Li Ximing paused, slightly stunned.

Zhu Gong, reaching a point of utter helplessness, actually chuckled. "The Sword Gate borrowed the Listening Wind White Stone Mountain. Zhaojing, do you remember? Listening Wind White Stone Mountain is an excellent treasure of the Gen Earth Dao. Changxi must have used some method, perhaps through Su Mian's intervention, to keep the Listening Wind White Stone Mountain from moving!"

"What?!" Li Ximing blurted out in shock.

Zhu Gong, observing his expression to confirm his genuine surprise, gritted her teeth and explained, "Listening Wind White Stone Mountain is a treasure from beneath the Douxuan Dao Sect's first mountain. Its various divine properties that aid her breakthrough are secondary; its most basic function is to regulate earth veins, keeping them stable. If our guess is correct, Kong Tingyun is in seclusion within the earth veins of the Profound Marvel Temple!"

"He secretly used Listening Wind White Stone Mountain to stabilize the earth veins, converting his lifelong cultivation into spiritual energy of the same Dao tradition, secretly assisting her breakthrough!"

Zhu Gong's brows grew increasingly complex. "Daoist Friend also knows... that earth veins anywhere can be shattered, but not in Jiangbei. Cultivators won't fight major battles in Jiangbei... and even if they did, the seniors would be watching."

"This way, Kong Tingyun would absolutely not be harmed! Since the earth veins wouldn't be shattered, and Listening Wind White Stone Mountain protected Kong Tingyun amidst the tremors of his demise, its effects could no longer be detected by anyone..."

Li Ximing exclaimed in alarm, "At that time, Su Mian and I were both in the sky, and who knows how many Purple Mansion cultivators were hidden in the shadows, yet we detected nothing."

"Cough... cough..." Zhu Gong couldn't help but cough. "Su Mian cultivates the Divine Power of Treasure Earth—Hidden Palace. The spiritual item Kong Tingyun consumed was also 'Treasure Earth of Wandering Pass,' which could resonate with his divine power... it was all prepared long ago... hidden deep underground, the two of them conspired to protect her..."

A flash of enlightenment struck Li Ximing, and all memories flooded his mind, clear as day: *Su Mian didn't act... the place where his power was exerted wasn't here... it was at Gehu Peak!*

With that thought, Li Ximing raised his brows, his heart trembling. *If that's the case, there's no way Listening Wind White Stone Mountain could have changed hands. It was borrowed, which means the Sword Gate absolutely knew about this!*

*This matter is likely known to another party as well... the Sword Gate!*

Indeed, he wasn't the only one to immediately think of this. Zhu Gong's gaze was complex. "Perhaps Changxi didn't even consult with the Sword Gate. He merely calculated that the Sword Gate, being proud and aloof, would certainly not forcibly seize the spiritual artifact and cause her breakthrough to fail. And as it turns out, he was right! Even as the situation worsened step by step, knowing that once this person broke through, it would arm the North, the Sword Gate remained indifferent..."

Li Ximing seemed not to hear, a dark thought forming in his mind: *When someone came to my family to ask for Listening Wind White Stone Mountain back then, on one hand, Ling Mai used the opportunity to carve out the territory along Xuanyue Lake, quietly making moves within the sect and arrangements outside. On the other hand... perhaps they were warning me!*

A cold glint flashed in Zhu Gong's eyes as her lips parted slightly. "Daoist Friend Zhaojing, guess... did Wei Xuanyin, by personally summoning Ye Hui back to the capital, have such a move planned? This move... he'd been concerned about it for a long time, but he just didn't expect it to happen so quickly!"

"It's true that our several families have private agreements, but Ye Hui is crystal clear. If Wei Xuanyin were to subtly obscure or distort the details when explaining them to Kong Tingyun... how would this situation be resolved? Would you and I even have a chance to debate?"

As her emotions intensified, the warm air in the cave dwelling grew stronger, making the nearby lamp flicker and dim as if about to extinguish. The woman gritted her teeth. "Once Kong Tingyun... aligns herself with Zhixuan Hall... what need would there be for her to listen to our arguments! What good would it do whether she believes a one-sided story or not? Even if it's false... it will become true!"

***

**Great Zhao Dynasty, Capital.**

The brilliant morning sun was rising from the horizon, piercing through the clouds and casting golden rays that shimmered in the distance, passing through countless celestial platforms and pavilions.

The dim steps reflected a bronze sheen in the bright light. One thousand eight hundred long steps stretched across the ethereal clouds, exuding a sense of solemn and cold majesty.

Inch by inch, the sunlight crept up, climbing onto the platform, illuminating the vast celestial terrace with its eight gates, and finally lighting up the plaque of the grand hall on the platform, revealing three stark white characters:

**Zhixuan Hall**

The hall was vast. In the center stood a bright silver cauldron, its clear water as still as a mirror, emitting a faint, ethereal glow that reflected the calm eyes of the long-haired man on the elevated main seat.

This man wore a feathery silver robe, each piece like a plume. His eyes were long and narrow, possessing a somewhat androgynous grace. On the table before him sat a silver incense burner, and a hairpin he had removed lay beside it.

This was none other than the current Imperial Preceptor of Great Zhao, the leader of the Guanxie sect — Wei Xuanyin.

He sat quietly before his table, his expression quite different from that day in Luoxia. He appeared more dignified, and a closer look at his features revealed a more masculine appearance, less delicate than when he suppressed the Sun Dao Sect.

Beside the main seat, a light silver table was placed, about ten paces away, appearing remarkably close within the expansive hall. There were no spiritual items or fine wines on the table, only a simple copper plate containing various sand powders, emitting a faint shimmer.

Seated beside this table was a woman in a dark green robe. She had a beautiful face and a refined demeanor. Her Gen Earth divine power fluctuated, indicating she had seemingly just broken through to Purple Mansion.

However, her willow brows were slightly furrowed, showing a hint of confusion and unease. Yet, the host had not spoken, and she waited patiently.

"Martial Uncle!"

A clear laugh echoed from outside the hall as a young man, clad in a black cloud-patterned, white daoist robe with gold trim and a purple silk sash, strode in. Wei Xuanyin raised his brows and said gently, "My nephew has returned."

Qi Lanyan entered with a smile, turning slightly to reveal the people behind him.

It was two junior cultivators in black caps, holding jade plates. On the plates lay several thick golden scrolls. Qi Lanyan said earnestly, "I asked my junior sister, and we've brought the lineage scrolls of Zhaoyao Mountain's Profound Immortal Manual. We were delayed by bathing and burning incense, please forgive us!"

"I wouldn't dare!" the woman in green quickly replied.

Wei Xuanyin smiled at her, showing no arrogance, and simply said, "Please begin!"

The woman respectfully stated, "The patriarch of the Profound Light Moving Mountains Dao is named Luoyuan, a disciple of Grand Senior Lu Bai of Tongxuan Palace. He originated from the Shu region and spread the Dao in Luoxia."

"Zhou Zhaozhi received it, passing it to Li Bi. Three generations after Li Bi, the tradition entered Ning, passed to Zhao Yan. Zhao Yan passed it to Kong Xia, transforming the sect into a clan for ten generations, until ancestor Senior Changxi, Kong Yanxi, achieved divine power."

This woman was none other than Kong Tingyun, who had disappeared after the northern anomaly!

Qi Lanyan picked up the scrolls, glanced at them, and replied, "Grand Senior Lu Bai indeed fell while attempting to ascend to a higher rank, and he had a disciple named Luoyuan. Although not part of the Guanxie mainstream, he certainly has a legitimate lineage."

Kong Tingyun lowered her brows, silent.

After her breakthrough and emergence from seclusion, Senior Qi had appeared in the earth veins, claiming to be of the same Profound Enlightenment Dao Sect lineage, and insisted she return north to acknowledge her ancestors.

Kong Tingyun could tell at a glance that Senior Qi's cultivation was exceptionally high and his divine powers formidable. Her initial joy from the breakthrough was immediately doused with cold water. Her wish to visit her sect was flatly refused—Xuanyue Sect, it turned out, had already been divided!

This news nearly made her spit blood, but the Senior before her displayed undeniable divine powers. Kong Tingyun had no chance to hesitate and was immediately brought, half-coerced, half-escorted, to Zhixuan Hall.

And then an even more formidable Grand Senior appeared!

Kong Tingyun was not without discernment. Not to mention the peak divine powers of the person before her, even the numerous spiritual artifacts on the table were beyond her reach. Her heart was filled with alarm and suspicion.

Her ancestor Changxi had spent half his life seeking confirmation, asking various sects, but none would admit to being truly of Profound Enlightenment lineage, nor acknowledge Profound Light Moving Mountains Dao as an ancient tradition. Yet now, having just broken through, she was found by people from Zhixuan Hall!

*They probably want to use me!*

For now, she could only stand silently to the side, uttering no words, listening as the Grand Senior casually said, "Unfortunately, there are no paintings or detailed lineage records, so everything remains in doubt... But ultimately, she is from the former Xu State and broke through to Purple Mansion in Jiangbei. She should naturally be recorded within Zhixuan Hall, especially since she cultivates the Profound Enlightenment Dao?"

Wei Xuanyin was indeed strict, and with this rule set, Qi Lanyan nodded and respectfully said, "According to my understanding, Senior Changxi was affected by a True Monarch's Northern Tour in the past, and his entire clan suffered a great calamity, leading to their decline. That's why he rose."

Wei Xuanyin showed a flicker of interest, nodding. "So he was a fated talent. What was his cultivation level? The Gen Earth inheritance is strict; I imagine his cultivation wasn't very high!"

Qi Lanyan quickly bowed and replied, "Martial Uncle is right, he was at the early Purple Mansion stage, and he cultivated the 'Foolish Man Moving Mountains' method. He was eager for the Dao and used some methods early on, but unknowingly involved himself with Maha, which was detected by the Nian clan."

"So they reported it to that person. That person was already displeased with those who boasted about True Monarchs and secretly sought credit. How could this be tolerated? Fortunately, *He* didn't appear personally, but probably sent someone to warn him privately once. From then on, he became hesitant and dared not do much more."

Upon hearing this, Wei Xuanyin raised his brows, while Kong Tingyun's mind felt like it was collapsing, gradually going blank. "What?"

"How is that possible?!"

Kong Tingyun knew her ancestor was far from an upright person, using many underhanded methods. She only knew he never succeeded and ended up being confined to the sect, which was why he died at the early Purple Mansion stage. She never imagined such a deep connection!

Connected to the Xiuyue Nian clan, and referred to as "that person" by these two—who else could it be?! She was intelligent enough to immediately guess, and a chill spread through her heart.

*These two brought me here from a thousand li away... They shouldn't be fabricating such empty words to deceive me... Many things from back then did have suspicious points... Could it be that the ancestor was waiting for *that person* to fail their breakthrough... which is why he kept cultivating one after another, only to waste his remaining years?*

Wei Xuanyin seemed to notice something, closed the book in his hand, and asked with interest, "What's wrong?"

Qi Lanyan was equally perceptive, smiling. "My junior sister noticed it. Logically, that person isn't overbearing, and Changxi was old, so he could have earned some respect. But when Changxi met *that person*, he was too terrified to even look up, and overly respectful. We later investigated specifically and found he had some connection to Maha of the Great Desire Dao. Maha was slain by *that person* and has since not dared to go south. Changxi must have also received a verbal warning."

Kong Tingyun's pupils widened slightly, but she heard Wei Xuanyin chuckle and shake his head, saying indifferently, "Enough... let's not dwell on the past. Take her down and discuss the situation... At least, first help her reclaim her clan members."

He smiled faintly, with a gentle, androgynous beauty, and his entire face suddenly brightened. "Afterward... we'll reclaim the sect's main gate too, won't we?"