Chapter 946: Baiyang Mountain

Upon his question, Kong Tingyun could no longer remain silent. She bowed and replied, "Thank you for your concern, my lord... It's just that when our patriarch fell years ago, no one in the sect could take up the mantle. We don't know how many contingencies were put in place. This matter of the mountain gate might have been promised to another family long ago. We need to consider it more carefully... It would be best to ask old acquaintances."

Wei Xuanyin turned his head and smiled, "Naturally. First, bring the person back. Nephew Qi will arrange your territory."

Qi Lanyan nodded with a smile and invited Kong Tingyun to follow him, saying, "Fellow Daoist, please... go to my side pavilion first and review the sect's records. Many things have happened in Jiangbei over the years. Once you've seen them, I will accompany you."

Kong Tingyun could only nod in agreement and quietly withdrew. Qi Lanyan then turned around and sighed, "This Master Chang Xi was originally very cunning, but he was held back by that person. In his later years, he had a change of heart and managed to establish a Purple Mansion cultivator using his accumulated resources. It was my miscalculation; if I had known Kong Tingyun would be so useful then, I should have met with Chang Xi earlier."

"It's not your fault," Wei Xuanyin said quietly, spreading open a scroll and picking up a brush and ink. "We can only go with the flow. Fortunately, it's not a major issue. If anyone is to blame, it should be me. That year, I also visited Maha Liangli of the Sea of Desire to check on his injuries, and I did hear about Chang Xi then. Who would have thought that a destitute rogue cultivator could have such a contingency plan?"

"Whether by chance or true foresight, the fact remains that she's given us leverage. Kong Tingyun is intelligent, and we possess her complete set of matching divine abilities, along with the prevailing trends in the North and South..."

"If she aligns with us, she can ascend to the Immortal Dao Observation Pavilion, continue her lineage, acquire numerous resources, and reclaim her mountain gate. Otherwise, she'll have to betray her origins, ruin her future, and then either wander in exile or humble herself before the Sun Dao Lineage, becoming a demonic cultivator who must consume others to continue her practice. She will see this clearly."

It was clear that the master of Zhixuan Pavilion knew Master Chang Xi all along; he had merely been playing along with his nephew. Qi Lanyan then bowed his head and respectfully said, "Actually, there are many excuses, and she's not the only option. However, her arrival is the most suitable, and this excuse is the most righteous and grand, making it hardest for the Sun Dao Lineage to maintain its standing and causing internal disunity."

Wei Xuanyin frowned and asked, "Wasn't Bai Ziyu... involved back then too?"

Qi Lanyan nodded silently, then looked at his uncle, who was seated above him, and said, "It's also good to have more people to employ, so Jiangbei doesn't have only his voice. As for the matters between the two of them, they won't get along well, which provides a balance, making it easier for you to manage."

Qi Lanyan quickly assented, offered his thanks, and withdrew.

East Sea. Blazing sunlight and a hazy green light approached from the west. Demon King Qingyan's gaze was deep and thoughtful, while Li Ximing remained silent, secretly troubled.

After leaving Zhu Palace, Li Ximing knew that the current situation had largely become a problem for the Sun Dao Lineage. As soon as Zhu Palace consumed the pill, he began to plan: 'In any case, with no news whatsoever, I can't just wait around idly. It's better to deal with the pill matter as soon as possible and then make a trip to Qize.'

So he retrieved Yuan'e from the lake, along with some valuable spiritual artifacts and magical tools. Then he went to Huyu and brought Qingyan out.

Soon after, a man in white ascended with the wind and approached them, asking with slight unease, "Fellow Daoists... how did things go?"

As soon as Liu Changdie saw the expression on Demon King Qingyan's face, he secretly understood. However, seeing Li Ximing still appeared troubled, he was puzzled and asked cautiously. Only then did Li Ximing force a smile and reply, "The pill is complete!"

A great weight immediately lifted from Liu Changdie's mind. If the pill had failed, he truly wouldn't have known how to explain it to Fuxun. Not only would he have felt terribly guilty, but it would likely have created awkwardness between Fuxun and Li Ximing.

Now that Liu Changdie was relieved, Li Ximing also adjusted his mindset: 'At least the troubles are theirs to bear. My own crisis is still in the North. I should focus on my own affairs first...'

So he offered his congratulations twice, and then he, along with the man and the demon, ascended on the wind. After flying for a while, Li Ximing's thoughts stirred, and he solemnly stated, "I have many affairs within the sea. Since this pill is complete, I won't make another trip with you. I only ask that both of you deliver the pill for me."

After all, he had already obtained the Lihuo and refined the necessary pills, so there was no need to travel thousands of miles to Boliuduo again. He took out the jade bottle containing the sealed divine ability, handed it to Liu Changdie, and said earnestly, "Be careful on your journey!"

Liu Changdie had long noticed that Li Ximing's expression was off. Although he felt that for such a favor in alchemy, it would be better for Li Ximing to deliver it in person, he ultimately did not press the matter further. He sighed and replied, "You've worked hard... And don't forget the matter of the nurturing spiritual resources that I mentioned earlier."

Li Ximing naturally wouldn't forget; the Neck Plume was an excellent item. Seizing the opportunity, he immediately asked, "After arriving at Boliuduo... will senior still be busy with important matters?"

Liu Changdie stroked his beard and smiled, replying, "I'm just an idle person; what could I be busy with? If your schedule allows, I'll still wait for you at Fenkuai. I happen to be discussing a formation repair business there. I have plenty of time. Whenever you are free, just come find me at the old spot."

Liu Changdie was truly sincere and benevolent. Of all the Purple Mansion cultivators Li Ximing had befriended, none had ever offered to help his family and then waited so patiently. Li Ximing was momentarily moved and sighed, "Thank you, senior!"

Liu Changdie smiled and shook his head. Together with Qingyan, he stepped into the void and departed. Li Ximing, meanwhile, traveled by light, speeding along until he quickly arrived in the state of Wu.

It wasn't Li Ximing's first time in Wu, but he had never before visited Qize, its southernmost region. There, he saw a vast expanse of lush, dark marshland. The morning sun was rising, reflecting golden patches in the fragmented wetlands beneath his feet.

He flew for a while and finally saw Mount Baiyang. It was not particularly tall, barely a hill in the Jiangnan region. There were few pavilions, scattered sparsely on the bare slopes, lacking any grand immortal aura.

Upon his descent, someone immediately came to greet him and led him up to the mountaintop. Indeed, a wave of intense heat assailed him, with fierce flames blazing. A large cauldron stood on the summit, emitting a crimson glow.

Dingyangzi greeted him with a face full of surprise, saying, "Fellow Daoist Zhaojing! What a rare guest!"

He then extended his hand, tossed the item he was holding to several cultivators on either side for safekeeping, and led Li Ximing down to a small building nearby.

The building was truly simple, appearing to have been scorched by fire twice, making it rather unappealing. It contained only a few tables and chairs. Dingyangzi poured tea and asked, "Fellow Daoist, is the pill complete?"

The old man's spoken words were naturally not as fluid and eloquent as his written ones, appearing quite formal. Li Ximing, without much ado, took a jade box from his sleeve and gently pushed it towards him.

Dingyangzi opened the jade box, examined it carefully, and finally smiled, repeatedly exclaiming, "Fellow Daoist, your alchemy is truly impressive!"

Li Ximing replied with a smile, understanding that the Master before him had little for casual conversation and was not one for flattery. Acting promptly, he presented a shimmering scaled armor from his hand, cupped his fists, and said, "Senior, please take a look!"

Dingyangzi, looking quite satisfied, put away the pill from the box. He then took Yuan'e, first running a divine ability over it, then activating it with his magical power, causing each scale to stand erect.

He frowned and said, "Dark Profound Celestial Iron, Brilliant Primordial Stone Wolf Scale Bone, Brilliant White Plume. True fire was used."

With just a glance, he completely discerned the materials used to refine the scaled armor. He examined it twice, turning it over and over, then stated bluntly, "Aside from the Dark Profound Celestial Iron, none of the materials are particularly impressive... The refining technique, however, is decent enough."

Li Ximing wasn't surprised, only secretly bitter.

When the Li family acquired this magical garment back then, it was considered a treasure. However, from his current perspective, unless it was an ancient artifact, other items were ultimately inferior. Furthermore, this item was originally modified from the helmet of Murong family's Dark Profound Armor... When the cultivators of Green Pond were ordered to refine it, why would they use good materials other than the inherent Dark Profound Celestial Iron?

He couldn't help but shake his head and ask, "According to your assessment, how should this item be modified?"

Dingyangzi examined it repeatedly and replied, "This item... is barely suitable for refining even a spiritual embryo. Except for the Dark Profound Celestial Iron, the other parts cannot be kept. It would be better to melt it down, extract the Dark Profound Celestial Iron, and refine it anew..."

Li Ximing pondered for a moment, then reached into his storage pouch at his waist, scattering several items onto the table, making it gleam with gold. Dingyangzi swept his sleeve, picking out only a few of them.

Among these, two were gifts from other families during Li Zhouwei's Purple Mansion breakthrough, specifically chosen from those sent by the Sun Dao Lineage: the Bright Savage Scale and the Splendid Stone Bone. The remaining two were ancient artifacts—a saber and a spear—namely, the Yuan Cha and the Ming Zhu, which were obtained from Bai Yinzi and belonged to the Mifan Dao Lineage.

'Only these items are presentable...'

Dingyangzi took the Ming Zhu to examine it, praised it, and then turned to say, "If these few items are disassembled, we can gather some materials. As for other materials, that would depend on your esteemed clan. As they are now, without Purple Mansion-grade components, these items definitely won't reach the level of a spiritual artifact. At most, they could be crafted into a good magical tool, and then handed over to you for refining a spiritual embryo."

Fortunately, Li Ximing had come precisely to discuss this in advance. He solemnly stated, "I'm showing you a design now because I envision crafting something similar to this scaled armor. After all, the spiritual artifact in your hands isn't finished yet, and there's still a long way to go... If you happen to have any suitable materials, or come across anything suitable during your dealings with other cultivators, please acquire it for my family first. This is for long-term planning!"

Dingyangzi stroked his beard, nodded thoughtfully, and replied, "I do have a small amount of Lesser Heavenly Li Gold left over from crafting sword ornaments for a sword immortal. It's barely suitable, but it's rather precious... As for Bright Yang spiritual items or resources... I don't have any on hand."

"There's no hurry."

The Li family originally possessed a Purple Mansion resource given by the Kong family, also scales, but unfortunately, they were incompatible with Kan Water. Li Ximing took out a brocade box from his sleeve, revealing pearl-like white stones inside, and whispered, "These are Six-Phase Spirit Stones of the True Qi path, suitable for all True Qi paths. They should also be useful and can serve as an alternative."

Only then did Dingyangzi show some consideration. Li Ximing, after showing him, put them away and took out another box. Inside were three metallic-looking white long feathers. Li Ximing stated earnestly, "This item is a Neck Plume. I entrust it to you, firstly to show my sincerity, and secondly... if anyone comes to you for treasure forging, and you see suitable spiritual resources, please exchange them for me!"

Li Ximing understood that just as he, an alchemist, had seen many Purple Mansion spiritual resources for consumption, the materials for artifact refining that Dingyangzi could access would certainly be far more numerous than his own. It was better to exchange with him than to search far and wide! Since the other party had already agreed to design for his family, he decided to set aside a bit of pride and simply entrust the matter to Dingyangzi.

Dingyangzi, discerning his intention, took the jade box from his hand, stroked his beard, and said, "I understand..."

Li Ximing smiled and whispered, "If there's anything you need my help with, feel free to ask..."

Changing the subject, he solemnly asked, "However, regarding the High Shaman spiritual embryo you promised me back then... is there any news of it now?"

Dingyangzi shook his head and said, "Not that quickly!"

Li Ximing himself had used the accelerated refining method of the Observation Pavilion lineage and accelerated it further with the spiritual essence of the Xiukui path. Dingyangzi's lineage was different, and it was certainly impossible for him to spend spiritual essence for Li Ximing, so it naturally took much, much longer. Li Ximing reflected on this, feeling a pang of regret: 'For my two consecutive major undertakings, I had to produce the spiritual embryos ahead of schedule, which cost me two portions of spiritual essence from Baiyang Shou... If I hadn't been so urgent back then, it would have been right to save those two portions for refining armor now...'

But before he could think further, a sound came from outside the pavilion. Dingyangzi excused himself and quickly welcomed someone in. The old man's expression immediately changed, showing a stern, disapproving look as he coldly stated, "The person is right here... go ask him yourself!"

Li Ximing saw the newcomer with gray hair, wearing a black robe covered in brown circular holes, and recognized him instantly, smiling, "Fellow Daoist Luo, how have you been lately!"

"So it's Brother Zhaojing!" The newcomer was none other than Master Luo, the demonic cultivator from the Southern Border. He looked delighted to see Li Ximing, then examined him with some surprise, "Indeed, it's the Way of Growth. Your physical body has actually completely recovered!"

The other party likely assumed he wouldn't be willing to take the medicine, though Li Ximing had actually taken the pill. Keeping his wealth hidden, he chuckled dismissively. As expected, Master Luo indeed turned his attention to the spiritual embryo: "Several times I passed by here and saw the treasure on that altar... I was truly envious..."

Li Ximing, however, suddenly remembered something. He smilingly refused him, giving no time for further questions, and simply said, "Fellow Daoist, take a look!"

He produced an item from his hand: a dense, flowing cloud contained within a box, subtly emitting a yellowish-white radiance. It was precisely the Wonderful Wisdom Beard gifted by Liu Changdie!

The Wonderful Wisdom Beard was a spiritual item of the Wood Gathering path, and in Jiangnan, he was the only practitioner of the Wood Gathering Dao Lineage known to Li Ximing.

As expected, upon seeing the spiritual item, Master Luo's smiling eyes widened in surprise. He examined it carefully for a moment, then exclaimed with astonishment, "A Wonderful Wisdom Beard... Fellow Daoist, have you been to the West Sea?"

These Purple Mansion cultivators were all quite knowledgeable about the origins of their own Dao Lineages, immediately recognizing it. Li Ximing, unwilling to name Liu Changdie, simply said, "I acquired it by chance. Can you make use of it, fellow Daoist?"

"To say I can't use it, that's impossible," Master Luo said distractedly after a moment, seemingly studying its quality, his eyes never leaving the spiritual resource. "Fellow Daoist, put yourself in my shoes. If you came across a Bright Yang spiritual resource, even if it had no immediate use, wouldn't you try to acquire it? It's just a matter of price..."

Li Ximing knew this person was cunning and chuckled inwardly. He merely closed the jade box, sighing, "So that's how it is... I thought it was a rare encounter with a fellow Daoist, and I happened to have a spiritual resource of the same path! It turns out it has no immediate use."