Chapter 947: Gratitude (1+1/2)

Li Ximing weighed the Myriad Wisdom Beard in his hand. Luo Zhenren let out a dry chuckle and replied, "Currently... there aren't any Solar spiritual items..."

This demonic cultivator found it hard to maintain any pretense. In the Witch Kingdom, he was an absolute demonic king, but outside, he was nothing remarkable compared to those renowned in alchemy and artifact refining like Li Ximing and Ding Yangzi, or immortal cultivators from the Solar Orthodoxy who possessed many treasures. He merely chuckled, "I exchanged cultivation methods with Fellow Daoist Ning Wan, so I don't have much to offer... Fortunately... fortunately, I have a few Solar spells..."

Li Ximing wasn't interested; these were exactly what he didn't lack. Moreover, the other party was a Southern Border demonic cultivator—what good Solar orthodoxy could he produce? He asked casually, and sure enough, they were all common goods, at most of the Bright Sky Wave level.

He smilingly declined. Luo Zhenren didn't dare offer any of his own demonic cultivation methods, so he pondered for a long time, then gritted his teeth and took out a white pearl that shimmered with a watery light, a Purple Mansion-level resource, wanting to exchange it.

Li Ximing didn't need every spiritual resource, so he shook his head and replied, "Fellow Daoist, this won't do. Fortunately, it's not of much use, and I'm not in a hurry right now. My family needs to refine a set of armor, so I'll entrust this item to Fellow Daoist Ding Yangzi for safekeeping. When you need it someday, or have better spiritual resources, you can come to Fellow Daoist Ding Yangzi again. Failing that, you can find me on the lake!"

After he finished speaking, he looked at Ding Yangzi, who had a calm expression and replied, "That would be good... The world is unstable now... It's inconvenient to travel back and forth, so I will manage it."

Li Ximing assumed his "instability" referred to the North-South conflict. He spoke politely, but secretly made arrangements, then bid farewell to Ding Yangzi. Estimating the time, Liu Changdie was probably still in Boroduo, so he rode the wind and headed north.

As soon as Li Ximing left, Ding Yangzi's cold expression softened, and he became more polite to Luo Zhenren. Frowning, he said, "I've told you several times... that item was entrusted by Southern Shun Luozha, meaning it belongs to Dilu Tiansanglin! Now, as for Southern witchcraft, he is probably the foremost. But you, you just had to ask to be convinced."

Luo Zhenren chuckled, "Dilu Tiansanglin... his reputation is great, but isn't he also someone who betrayed friends for glory? I just asked. If he wasn't thinking of converting to Buddhist lands now, why bother with so much trouble..."

"What nonsense is that?"

Ding Yangzi frowned, but Luo Zhenren said, "If these words are false, I'll let you chop off my head!"

This crude language made Ding Yangzi frown. He replied, "It's not my business anyway. Your friend on the sea... that precious elephant, didn't it obtain a gold and stone essence? You might as well go ask, so this item doesn't sit idle in my hands."

Luo Zhenren laughed twice, shaking his head. "You're in a hurry. One more scale armor won't make much difference... it's just to ease some pressure for your master's long-cherished Solar Orthodoxy..."

"Have you considered? Wei Xuan'an is already a Jueyin Grand True Monarch, and in Zhao Emperor's Palace, there's another Jueyin, Zong Chang, and a Xiqi General, Gongsun Bei. Can you really hope for the Li clan to alleviate pressure on the Solar Orthodoxy? Murong Yan alone is enough to give them a headache."

Ding Yangzi's expression was calm; he didn't deny it, but said in a deep voice, "It's better to make White Lin more conspicuous and attract more attention. Amidst all this chaos, the Solar Orthodoxy truly needs to stay out of it and bide its time..."

***

Baihaixi.

The Xuanmiao Sect's territory was now shrouded in gloom, appearing lifeless. Ever since Grand Master Sumin left with the carefully nurtured Qi Qiuxin, the morale of the people here immediately dissipated, and the former joyous laughter and carefree atmosphere were nowhere to be seen.

Two streaks of light arrived one after another, revealing a man in black cloud and dark robes with white-and-gold-edged attire, and a woman in Xiangyi robes. Qi Lan'yan smiled, "This is Xuanmiao Sect... Across the river is Shanji!"

Kong Tingyun's gaze swept across Jiangnan in the night. In just a few days, she had learned about the years she had spent in seclusion. Her eyes swept westward, and she couldn't help but feel, "True Monarch Zhaojing, Li Ximing, he truly succeeded!"

To be precise, Kong Tingyun was the only one who had personally warned Li Qinghong that the Bright Square Heavenly Stone must absolutely not be given to Li Ximing. Although Kong Tingyun believed it was out of good intentions, seeing this outcome, her heart inevitably felt dim:

'It seems Li Ximing ultimately used the Bright Square Heavenly Stone, otherwise, where would such speed have come from... My well-intentioned reminder has become an obstacle to his path... How can this be explained? Li Ximing must bear a grudge against me!'

She was filled with myriad emotions, also mixed with the apprehension of seeing her family members. But Qi Lan'yan, who cultivated a life-fate divine ability, was extremely sensitive. When he looked over, Kong Tingyun quickly spoke, with a faint sigh, "Senior Xiao Chuting has already left Jiangnan..."

"Xiao Chuting..."

Qi Lan'yan heard the name, folded his arms, and smiled slightly, replying, "He rose to prominence by orchestrating the demise of Duanmu Kui, gaining much favor since then. It's normal for him to move to the North Sea now; how could he still cause trouble in Jiangnan?"

Kong Tingyun remained silent. The two headed south together and soon arrived before Shanji Commandery. They saw the commandery was gloomy and in disarray, no longer resembling its former self. They then reached the sect gate, where the formation shimmered transparently, revealing that the mountains inside were missing a piece here and a peak there, with red and green banners hung everywhere, looking like another sect entirely.

Kong Tingyun lowered her gaze. When Qi Lan'yan stood before the formation, a woman in purple robes indeed arrived on the wind, stopping nearby with a polite smile. She said, "Greetings, Fellow Daoists... Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Kong!"

Kong Tingyun didn't recognize her much, but she recognized the Ziyan Gate attire she wore and responded politely. Qi Lan'yan, however, was warm, saying, "Tingyun is my Tongxuan disciple, and she achieved Dao in Jiangbei. She's here to bring her family back."

Tinglan listened to him repeatedly refer to her as "Tongxuan disciple" and felt extremely embarrassed, but still smiled, "Zhu Gong is in seclusion, but fortunately, arrangements were made early."

She was tormented inside and simply ordered someone forward. A guest elder soared on the wind, accompanied by four people behind him. In front was an old man with sunken eyes, dressed in new and luxurious clothes, his hands nervously clasped in front of him.

He seemed to have taken some good spiritual medicine, as his skin glowed with a healthy ruddiness, but his eyes were still wide and sunken, showing an unerasable panic. His figure was uncontrollably hunched, appearing very small, his neck tilted forward, peering up timidly and anxiously, his hands trembling continuously.

Kong Tingyun stared at him blankly, "Guxi?"

The old man seemed to be dreaming, unable to speak, his lips pale.

When Kong Tingyun left the sect, Kong Guxi was merely a young man, a well-known prodigal son of the sect. Even today, he was by no means old, but the years of immense pressure had completely broken him, leaving him powerless and vulnerable, so much so that she couldn't recognize him face-to-face.

Behind Kong Guxi were two middle-aged people. The woman held a half-grown boy by the hand; her face was sallow and she looked dazed. She was Kong Qiuyan, once youthful, beautiful, and gentle.

The man was emaciated, his eyes full of tears. He was Kong Xiachang, known for his impulsiveness and courage. In his hands, he held a folded golden armor, with a majestic mask resting on it, its eye-holes dark and empty.

The torment of time inflicted upon the three was far less than the marks of mental and physical pressure. In just over a decade, their expressions were utterly different, huddled together as if seeking warmth, looking at her across a veil of clouds, terrified yet disbelieving.

Kong Tingyun's expression gradually changed. Her gentle eyes quickly filled with tears, and her voice was hoarse, "Only you three are left."

She looked at Kong Qiuyan, now like a middle-aged woman, and quietly asked, "What is the child's surname?"

Compared to the two beside her, Kong Qiuyan didn't show much despair, only deep fatigue and confusion. "Reporting to True Monarch, the surname is Dai."

Qi Lan'yan stood silently beside them, his gaze calmly fixed on the downcast Tinglan. His eyes were like cold iron, conveying a silent yet powerful sarcasm:

'Look at the good work you've done!'

'It is you, Solar Orthodoxy, you, Tinglan, who created this evil! You resent my Guanxie for interfering and following orders to disrupt the world's situation, but now do you understand why? Look at your Solar Orthodoxy bringing demonic cultivators into Jiangnan—is that anything good?'

Tinglan's face was expressionless, her mind a turmoil, unsure how to respond: Should she say that Xuan Yue, under Changxi's rule, wasn't good either? Should she say that Zhu Gong had already shown mercy? Or should she say that if Zhu Gong hadn't been invited into Jiangnan, this place would have been occupied by the Duxian Dao, and their methods would surely have been even crueler? But everything was hypothetical in the end; she simply couldn't speak, so she could only say, "Duxian Dao was too aggressive... Zhu Gong rashly took in your sect's remnants. She's from the East Sea, reckless in her actions, so inevitably a bit rough."

The relatives met, choked with emotion, and Kong Tingyun was silent for a long time before asking, "How many Xuan Yue disciples are left?"

Kong Xiachang was about to speak, but Kong Guxi interrupted him, his voice hoarse, "The sect was overthrown, fortunately protected by True Monarch Zhaojing. This junior personally disbanded the disciples, seeking a livelihood under the Muquan Immortal Sect. As of today, there is no more Xuan Yue."

The coldness in Kong Tingyun's eyes didn't cease, but she still very politely bowed to Tinglan and replied, "Senior Zhu Gong's years of protection, this junior will bear in mind. After this junior clarifies things with the disciples and Senior comes out of seclusion, I will personally visit."

Tinglan felt a mouthful of bitterness and sighed. Qi Lan'yan, however, didn't give her much opportunity. He and Kong Tingyun turned and flew away on the wind, leaving Tinglan standing alone in the moonlight.

'How unpredictable life is!'

After leaving Shanji, Kong Tingyun's polite smile finally vanished. She quietly glanced at Kong Guxi, who stood like one in a dream, afraid to move lest he wake up, and said with a slight choke, "After Grand Master's demise, were we truly protected by anyone?"

Kong Guxi's feet dared not touch the ground firmly. Two turbid tears rolled from the corners of his eyes. A mournful expression, finally able to breathe, appeared on his old face. Amidst the sobbing of the two behind him, he gritted his teeth and choked, "After True Monarch's demise, the four realms were like jackals, eager to devour us. The Jingyi clan, we couldn't even glimpse them. Xuanmiao's fellow practitioners rejoiced in the mountains. All those Xuan Yue had befriended turned a cold shoulder! Only True Monarch Zhaojing alone showed compassion, affection, and willingness to offer shelter!"

"His kindness... our Kong clan could not repay in nine generations!"

***

North Shore.

Mountain winds howled, and white snow flew. Snow fell again in the mountains without reason, collecting in thick white clumps on the pavilion, making it appear lively and pure white.

But at the foot of this mountain, around the river, large numbers of cultivators were battling monks. The roar of battle shook the heavens, like a bloody painting in white snow, staining the rocks on both sides black-red.

The North had only been peaceful for half a year when large numbers of monks once again crossed the river, like fearless locusts, crashing into the large formation built by the lake cultivators. The fighting escalated continuously, and within three days, there had already been successive battles involving Foundation Establishment and Dharma Master cultivators.

Li Zhouwei, rarely wearing white robes, stood quietly in the pavilion. Li Ximing had just stepped out of the Tai Xu Realm, holding a teapot and pouring tea. Just as he was about to speak, he saw someone fly through the heavy snow and kneel in the white snow.

Li Ximing immediately stopped speaking. He glanced over; kneeling in the snow was a restrained man in a long robe, his forehead touching the ground, his expression complex.

"Jueyin? What's wrong!"

This person was none other than Cui Jueyin!

Li Ximing frowned slightly, telling him to get up, but the man dared not rise, remaining on his knees, his voice low, "This subordinate... has come to confess a sin!"

Li Zhouwei looked on with some surprise, seeing his tone was low and uneasy. "Some time ago, I encountered the True Monarch inspecting Jiangbei. The East Sea had already sent a message to this junior, hoping that once my Foundation Establishment cultivation was stable and I had hope for the Purple Mansion realm, I could return to the East Sea for a visit..."

"Unexpectedly, the elder in my family was harmed while out, and my grandfather's seclusion has shown no progress for a long time. There was unrest in the prefecture, and True Monarch Yangya returned to the ancestral land, asked about recent events, and sent back a Purple Mansion cultivation method of the Everbright tier. It also meant... hoping this subordinate would return to the East Sea for seclusion, to hone my cultivation and prepare for a breakthrough to the Purple Mansion."

"This matter has been delayed for too long, too long. Now that True Monarch has spoken... I'm afraid... I can't avoid it."

Li Ximing was stunned, then shook his head and gritted his teeth, "A good Yangya indeed!"

Li Zhouwei understood in his heart:

'The situation is becoming increasingly fierce, and the Cui family ancestors have less and less hope of breaking through. Chongzhou still has no Purple Mansion cultivator. Yangya doesn't want Cui Jueyin, this Purple Mansion seed, to get caught in the chaos of the North-South conflict! And he doesn't want the Cui family to get involved in my affairs.'

He spoke softly, but just by observing Yangya's actions, it was clear he was inherently inclined to sever ties between the Cui family and the Li family. Now, returning specially and suddenly discovering this matter, it's possible that many people in Chongzhou were thoroughly reprimanded by him, leading him to immediately retrieve the Purple Mansion cultivation method, unequivocally intending for Cui Jueyin to return to the prefecture.

At his words, Cui Jueyin immediately became frantic, choking, "Please, my lord, do not blame me! True Monarch also has his own considerations! It is absolutely not for other reasons! If a rift were to form because of this junior... I would die ten thousand deaths to atone!"

"I had originally planned to wait for True Monarch to return and confess to you, but True Monarch's whereabouts remained unknown for a long time, and the command from the prefecture was True Monarch Yangya's... it couldn't be delayed. It's rare to meet today..."

Cui Jueyin had been on the lake for many years, long since considered one of their own. Li Ximing's trust in him surpassed that of ordinary direct descendants. But now he had to leave, tears streaming down his face, leaving Li Zhouwei silent. Li Ximing said after a long time, "Since it is your True Monarch's command, we cannot force you to stay. But you are highly meritorious, how can you leave empty-handed?"

Cui Jueyin was about to speak, but Li Ximing shook his head, took out several jade slips from his sleeve, placed them in a jade box, and said softly, "Take these few spells and use them. As for elixirs and resources, no matter how Chongzhou arranges things, the lake will have them ready for you! You will certainly not be shortchanged!"

Cui Jueyin said in dismay, "I dare not accept True Monarch's resources!"

Li Ximing sneered, "Dare not accept... Yangya in Chongzhou wouldn't dare demand them either. Just keep them in your storage bag. If Yangya asks, just say it's compensation for cutting ties, alright!"

Li Ximing was not only pained but also held powerless anger, his voice becoming much softer. "We had originally discussed exchanging family disciples, but my two cultivation partners of the Solar Orthodoxy have sensitive identities and are not suitable to go there. You've been on the continent for so many years, I've long considered you one of my own. Looking at Yangya's attitude now, it's probably good that they didn't go... I just hope you achieve divine ability soon and don't let down your years of cultivation."

Cui Jueyin repeatedly kowtowed, and finally, rolling up his robes, he departed. Li Zhouwei turned away, feeling guilty, while Li Ximing calmly drank several cups, showing no emotion.

Then, someone came to report, "Guest Elder Wushao has returned, saying he has important matters to report!"

The snow between heaven and earth grew heavier. The man in black ascended with a somber expression, his shadows at his feet seeming to writhe like snake tails. It was Li Wushao, who had rushed back from Qingchi.

Quanyudan and his senior brothers had deliberately revealed information, not avoiding him, leaking all the news they had gathered within the sect and what the Si family had obtained through connections and background. This demonic creature dared not delay for a moment, nor show any abnormality, and quickly rushed back to the lake according to his travel schedule.

Although Li Wushao was just a demonic creature, the father and son he followed were highly respected figures on the lake, and his status on the lake was by no means low. At this moment, a mere report to the lake immediately granted him unimpeded access to the two True Monarchs with the highest cultivation.

He knelt on the ground, his voice low and sinister, meticulously narrating.

'...According to what they said... it must be True Monarch Sui Guan...'

'Sui Guan!'

Li Ximing had initially paid little attention to him, silently observing whether the few Foundation Establishment cultivators fighting by the lake needed rescue, but upon hearing this, his gloomy mood immediately dissipated, replaced by a deep sense of unease. He paused, then whispered, "How could it be him!"

The two exchanged glances, both seeing unease in the other's eyes – back when Li Qinghong passed through Xuanyue, Kong Tingyun had revealed a secret to Li Qinghong:

'If True Monarch travels beyond the heavens, Sui Guan must reside in Qingchi Luyu Heaven, daring not enter the present realm, much less Jiangnan.'

'This means... the several True Monarchs outside the heavens have already finished their battles! That one has likely returned to Luyu Heaven!'

Li Jiangqian and Li Queyuan, who had just arrived, were on the side. The man in crimson robes had a somber expression, his tone full of coldness: "It is rumored that this one is a Grand True Monarch, not only having reached the pinnacle of cultivation among Purple Mansion cultivators, but also of extraordinary origins... True Monarch Qiuhu... has lost his autonomy!"

'No wonder Ning Wan hasn't been seen for months... The Solar Orthodoxy probably thought she was recovering from injuries!'

Li Queyuan pondered for a moment, then whispered, "If True Monarch Sui Guan returns... he is still a figure of the Solar Orthodoxy, no matter what... Now is the period of North-South confrontation, and the Kong family's matter is unclear, so his stance becomes even more important."

Li Zhouwei was noncommittal. He simply listened to Li Wushao finish his narration and replied, "You've truly worked hard... such a dangerous matter... rushing all the way back."

Li Wushao shook his head solemnly. Only then did Li Zhouwei's eyes flash with a hint of doubt, and he replied, "There were early speculations that this True Monarch Sui Guan is similar to He Yun from the East. If not some divine ability transformation or Dharma treasure avatar, he is at least a Luyushui transformation, and it's unknown how many years it's been since he achieved divine ability... He's also unique among divine abilities. He has the power to stop the North-South conflict, but hoping for him is less reliable than considering Chi Buzhi."

"Now it seems that we've probably lost a useful Ning Wan, and even the Qingchi Sect may not be willing to stand with the Solar Orthodoxy."

Everyone was silent. Li Ximing said, "I just wonder if the other families know."

A hint of fatigue flashed across Li Zhouwei's brow. Discussing Luyushui and Sui Guan was truly dangerous, and the younger generation should not be involved. He exchanged a glance with his grand-uncle, first dismissing Li Jiangqian and Li Queyuan, then said, "I heard early on about Qingchi withdrawing personnel and reducing disciples. I originally thought it was True Monarch Qiuhu shifting people in preparation for Si Yuanli's breakthrough. Now it seems it should be Sui Guan's intention..."

The two couldn't fathom Sui Guan's intentions and fell silent for a moment. Li Wushao, however, was very careful and whispered, "This subordinate searched the sect and found nothing, but while passing through the market, I obtained a portrait of True Monarch Sui Guan left by the Chi family back then... I've brought it now."

'Obtained from the market?'

This point was as obvious as could be; it was probably the same group of people who had secretly revealed Sui Guan's return. Li Ximing sighed inwardly and nodded, "This place has no formation after all, let's go to the prefecture to see."

Li Zhouwei, however, held him back, thoughtfully saying, "Let's look here."

The demonic creature immediately stood up, lifted his sleeve, and took out a scroll, raising it to his own height, then pulled open the silk to reveal a portrait.

The person in the painting stood quietly, tall and slender, with long, narrow eyes. Only he was depicted on the white paper, but his pupils were not drawn, appearing blank.

Most divine abilities and mighty figures were somewhat strange; the True Monarchs of Chongming Dongxuan Screen back then had no faces, and immortals were represented by a golden circle. It was normal for Purple Mansion cultivators not to have pupils drawn.

But the artist was extremely cautious; the figure's form was only outlined, without even color. Only a touch of green was added to the corner of the robe, indicating it was green, suggesting customary Qingchi Sect Purple Mansion attire with green robes and golden tassels.

And the words "Sui Guan" dared not be written; both sides were empty, mentioning nothing.

'The skill is indeed superb; even through the painting, there's an ominous aura.'

Li Wushao was not tall. Holding it up like this, with arms straightened, he appeared slightly constrained. Fortunately, a sensitive, fair hand gently took the painting from his grasp, turned it around, and carefully examined it.

The man stared at the painting in his hand, a slight smile on his lips. The heavy snow filling the sky instantly paused, frozen in mid-air, becoming his backdrop.

Li Wushao remained seemingly unaware, standing respectfully in place. His grayish-black pupils reflected the other's eerie purplish-blue eyes and smiling face.

Then, a soft laugh was heard amidst the heavy snow:

"Si Yuanli wasn't careful enough; I'm not that fierce!"