Chapter 948: Scroll Painting

The man was dressed in a green robe with golden tassels. He was tall and slender, his dark, long hair fluttering in the snowy wind, appearing exceptionally ethereal amidst the frozen snow. He looked exactly like the person in the painting!

His eyes, brimming with a smile, shone with a purplish-blue light and held the essence, spirit, and vitality of his profound magical abilities. It truly was the finishing touch, adding an immense aura of both strangeness and transcendence.

Sui Guan.

Li Wushao stood still and respectfully, showing no change, as if it were Li Zhouwei or Li Ximing who had taken the painting from his hand, and silently awaited instructions.

"This!" Li Ximing had already risen in the pavilion, as if facing a formidable enemy, ready for battle. His lips were tightly pressed, showing extreme tension, as he sensed the other party's almost terrifying Greenwater divine ability. The celestial light between his brows dimmed slightly.

"'He arrived just as we spoke of him! Was he ambushed nearby earlier? Did he hear our previous words?'"

"'Is he here for Ming Huang... or has he detected something unusual?'"

Li Zhouwei, however, was not as surprised as his grand-uncle, seemingly having some prior intuition. He rose out of respect, gave a slight nod, and spoke with lowered gaze:

"“Li Zhouwei of the Li Clan of Moon-Gazing Lake, Ming Huang, greets the Great True Immortal.”"

Sui Guan then shifted his gaze from the painting, with a hint of playfulness. He casually placed the painting into Li Wushao's hand, his purplish-blue pupils slowly moving.

"“Oh?”"

His handsome face turned to look at the golden-eyed man, and he asked:

"“Even today, some still keep Hook Snakes? It seems they're waiting for the bait to be taken.”"

The horror in Li Ximing's heart slowly receded. His expression quickly softened, and he politely said:

"“Wushao is an ancestral spirit beast who rendered many services when our clan was weak. He is a guest elder of the clan, certainly not 'kept' by us.”"

Most Hook Snakes don't have noble origins, especially not those from the domain of river waters. Sui Guan shook his head and said:

"“Rare indeed! I wondered why those youngsters from the Sky Inquiry Pavilion were so interested. It turns out he's a type of confidant demon, so it's not surprising... It's just rare for a River Water Hook Snake to possess such talent... and also to be a 'Facing Cold Rain' type.”"

Both understood his words clearly, realizing that this fellow had been listening in when Quan Yuduan and his martial brothers were talking. A chill secretly ran down their spines:

"'...Those who cultivate the Greenwater path all have a similar temperament... Not only are they quick-witted, but they're also skilled at concealment... It's just that that bastard Chi Buzi is more sinister and unscrupulous; this fellow, on the other hand, is a bit more domineering...'"

Sui Guan's face remained largely expressionless, but he took a step, sat down at the round table in the pavilion, and smiled:

"“No need to be polite, please sit.”"

As soon as he sat down, Li Wushao naturally came forward to pour tea, filling the cups for all three True Immortals. Li Ximing secretly observed him, finding his expression natural, his eyes clear, and even no trace of being swayed by divine ability.

"'What a powerful Life Divine Ability... It's not good to use divine ability to probe in front of others, but his expression and actions seem to stem from his true self, showing no abnormality whatsoever!'"

While he silently observed Li Wushao, Li Zhouwei was watching the renowned Great True Immortal of Greenwater Heaven before him, one hand resting on his cup, pondering silently:

"'His cultivation is not concealed at all, fully apparent externally. He is a Great Divine Ability practitioner complete in all five methods. He wears no noble or extravagant decorations, quite different from that one from Luoxia...'"

At least in terms of cultivation, Sui Guan was almost on par with the one from Luoxia Mountain. However, duels are often not just about cultivation level, but also about divine abilities, origins, spell techniques, and spiritual artifacts. Although Sui Guan showed no outward display, considering his ageless appearance and the rumors linking him to the Golden Core stage, even that one from Luoxia would likely have to weigh things carefully.

Before either of them could speak, the Great True Immortal looked at the clear tea, his gaze becoming somewhat thought-provoking, and his voice gradually deepened:

"“I heard... the Li Clan has a divine ability practitioner who serves under the Dragon Faction... I wonder if there is still contact?”"

Although no one would openly discuss the relationship between Du Qing and the Dragon Faction, the incident of the True Chi devouring the Feather Snake was known throughout the world back then. The ambition of the Combined Water faction to annex Greenwater and dominate is self-evident, and this Greenwater True Monarch, who attained his position, is still rumored to not dare leave Jiangnan. Their relationship could naturally not be good!

Upon hearing this, Li Ximing inwardly felt a bad premonition, while Li Zhouwei replied:

"“Back then, the Dragon Faction spread the 'Cloud-Gathering Lightning-Guiding' magical path. An elder of our family happened to acquire it and was forced to venture deep into the East Sea. He then transformed into lightning, and since then, we have had no further contact!”"

Sui Guan chuckled:

"“That's not bad. Li Qinghong—one rainbow, one cloud. Beijia is also living a good life now. It's just a pity that there are no figures of true stature in the world, allowing one or two rogue dragons to have such smooth sailing in the East Sea!”"

Li Ximing was about to respond to him, but upon hearing these words, he immediately shut his mouth, keeping his gaze lowered as if he heard nothing. Sui Guan, however, said with a touch of humor:

"“You don't need to fear me troubling her. Given the current situation, not only would I not go to the East Sea, Du Qing himself wouldn't bother, and is too lazy to go to the East Sea.”"

"“Others have their pride, but Beijia is the most shameless. Back then, he dared to shamelessly demand a title from an Immortal. Waiting for Du Qing in the inner sea like that—he might just do it.”"

After these two remarks, not only did Li Ximing quietly lower his head, but Li Zhouwei also found it difficult to respond and could only awkwardly change the subject.

"“May I ask, Great True Immortal, what brings you here and what instructions you have for us?”"

Li Zhouwei asked, and Sui Guan took a sip of tea and said:

"“Naturally, I came to find you!”"

He said with amusement:

"“When I came out of Greenwater Heaven, there was quite a commotion. I finally had some people to command, but now they're all gone. And that bunch of pigs and dogs from the north are so aggressive, it's very vexing.”"

The smile in his eyes slowly faded, revealing a sharp chill. The falling snow outside the pavilion had no chance to move, remaining frozen outside a certain boundary, clearly enveloped by his divine ability, undetectable by ordinary people.

"“Now, I intend to cross the river to attend to some matters, and tidy up the scenery as well.”"

As these words left his mouth, a shiver ran down both their spines.

Although Sui Guan casually referred to Du Qing, Beijia, and the rogue dragons, for many years, everyone had viewed him as an extension of the Greenwater True Monarch's will and his actions as Du Qing's instructions. The implications were undoubtedly profound.

"'Could it be that this Greenwater True Monarch truly intends to once again raise the banner of the Sun Daoist sect?'"

"“May I ask... what arrangements the Great True Immortal has in mind?”"

Sui Guan glanced at the small cup in his hand and smiled:

"“I want your Li Clan to cross the river.”"

"“Not only your Li Clan, but the Sun Daoist sect must cross the river, and the Azure Pond Sect must also cross the river.”"

Although his expression was full of smiles, his purplish-blue eyes held a deep, profound quality, like a clear pond that, despite appearing transparent, was bottomless and swallowed all light.

Li Zhouwei was silent for a moment, then whispered:

"“Does the Great True Immortal intend to contend with the North?”"

Sui Guan laughed:

"“What is there to contend with?!”"

As soon as these words were uttered, the pavilion became utterly silent. The Great True Immortal slowly rose, paced two steps within the pavilion, and gazing at the frozen snow filling the sky outside, he quietly said:

"“Within a year and a half, Qi Lanyan will inevitably stir up trouble. I want him to crash head-first into Shanjin's iron wall, and then be pushed back, losing even the profound insights...”"

Although there was a smile on his face, it was unclear how much truth lay in his words. As he spoke, he took the painting from Li Wushao's hand and replied:

"“I only need your participation, and for the Li family to send out some more cultivators.”"

Those with cultivation whom he spoke of were clearly not at the Embryonic Breath or Qi Refinement stages, but likely at the Foundation Establishment stage at least.

The two men pondered in silence. Sui Guan, meanwhile, turned his head and retrieved the painting again.

He then conjured an ink brush from thin air, lightly touched it to the tea in the cup, then unrolled the painting, and lightly dabbed twice into the empty eye sockets.

"“Drip-drop!”"

Immediately, the sound of Greenwater resonated, a ceaseless dripping, as if a spring gushed forth from a cave, and clouds and rain drifted. A humid mist spread out, forming layers of light blue water vapor in the air.

Within the two empty eye sockets, purplish-blue pupils instantly appeared. The faint blue that had merely touched the clothing to indicate color quickly expanded, fully imbuing the entire painting with all its hues. The entire painting immediately came alive, as if Sui Guan himself stood within it.

"“Ning Wan will come first. At that time, the Li Clan and Azure Pond Sect will cross the river, creating a distraction along the way. Those several Purple Mansion rogue cultivators will all be arranged together.”"

He held the upper edge with one hand, gently and carefully rolled up the painting, bundling the silk cord back as well, tidying everything simply and elegantly, before placing it on the table.

Li Zhouwei watched silently, a flicker of light in his eyes. He could vaguely sense the surging Greenwater power on the painting, while Sui Guan, already turning away, slowly strolled down the steps, his voice imbued with a playful chuckle:

"“Your clan... being pressured by those from the North by the river... Do you not have any temper at all? Count out one, two, three, four, anyone you find disagreeable, and then just ask them to take a look at the painting.”"

Before he had finished speaking, the man in green had vanished. The frozen snow in the world resumed its movement, and the howling cold wind blew into the pavilion, causing ripples to spread across the tea.

"“Caw!”"

In the distance, the long, drawn-out cry of a winter crow resonated, dotting the scene as the falling snow regained its liveliness. All sorts of noises reappeared, and everything was no longer silent.

"“Hoo...”"

Li Ximing let out a deep breath, realizing that Li Wushao still hadn't noticed anything amiss, standing quietly beside him, he said:

"“You may go now.”"

Li Wushao bowed and quickly withdrew, leaving only the two True Immortals in the snowy pavilion. As the faint celestial light descended, the courtyard was already empty.

The two departed by light and soon reappeared within the Cloud-Gathering South Sky Grand Array of Cold Cloud Peak, causing the lanterns on either side to brighten slightly. Li Ximing looked at the painting in his hand, naturally not opening it, and casually handed it over. Li Zhouwei found a separate secret vault and hung it there. Both then silently disappeared.

Their figures flickered, and they reappeared within the inner formation of their own Purple Mansion Grand Array. Li Ximing lowered his gaze slightly, and only then dared to speak, shaking his head with a sigh:

"“In this world... there are truly few safe places!”"

"“Sui Guan's orders... Tinglan and Houfu would surely find it hard to refuse... Moreover, Qi Lanyan's matter was already their problem to begin with. How could they possibly refuse? This matter is surely set in stone.”"

Li Zhouwei nodded, pondering:

"“Although I don't know his true purpose, as long as Sui Guan is willing to act, the situation will definitely be different... We still need to be prepared.”"

His golden eyes were filled with contemplation. Li Ximing whispered:

"“His visit here was likely for this trump card painting. Firstly, to leverage your unmeasurable nature to catch the North off guard, and secondly... was to meet you.”"

"“This matter... I probably don't need to get involved...”"

Both men were thinking the same thing. Li Zhouwei's expression was grave, and he whispered:

"“Grand-uncle, your words are very reasonable. We've said before that his strange behavior suggests he might not be human. How credible are his words? If this Greenwater figure is dissatisfied with Luoxia Mountain's actions and is secretly making moves, he is not someone who shows consideration for his subordinates to begin with. As pawns in a game between two factions, how many of these people can expect a good end? Grand-uncle, you absolutely must not get involved.”"

"“His words primarily demand my involvement. After all, I am the most unpredictable. Grand-uncle, you can at most guard the lake to prepare for changes.”"

Li Zhouwei made a quick calculation and continued:

"“Fortunately, according to his arrangements, there's still a year and a half, which is barely enough time to try for the Immortal Foundation... More importantly, the Great Ascension should also be ready by then. At least we won't have to fight them empty-handed.”"

Li Zhouwei had contended with the North once or twice, and although he hadn't suffered much loss, fighting bare-handed was truly frustrating. Now that they were about to face more intense combat, it was naturally best to have weapons.

Li Ximing silently explained the matter of Qize. Li Zhouwei simply said:

"“Over a year's time is enough for grand-uncle to handle affairs in the East Sea and return to cultivate. Moreover, your methods are far superior to before now. Even if something happens within the seas, you'll know it from a thousand miles away.”"

Seeing Li Ximing look at him thoughtfully, Li Zhouwei whispered:

"“My family possesses the 'Sun and Moon Radiance Heaven and Earth,' which is more wondrous than any other Grotto-heaven. No matter where one is, as long as it's safe, one can ascend into the Grotto-heaven. If anything happens within the seas, and I get a moment to breathe, I can crush a jade talisman to send an alert and enter the Heaven and Earth, meeting with grand-uncle from a thousand miles away to discuss details.”"

Although one cannot transmit sound across a thousand miles, this problem can be cleverly resolved through the Grotto-heaven. Li Ximing smiled:

"“This method is excellent! During this year and a half, if you cultivate in seclusion within the Heaven and Earth, no matter if I am far away in Qunyi or have traveled to Wu State, as long as I fly into the Grotto-heaven, I will be right by your side, ready to discuss things instantly.”"

"“Exactly.”"

Li Zhouwei smiled and said with a slight hint of regret:

"“It's just a pity that I'm under surveillance and cannot enter the Heaven and Earth as conveniently as grand-uncle, anytime and anywhere. Only when Ning Wan and others come to take over can I use the excuse of seclusion to cultivate a bit... If the North stirs up trouble, I might not even have peace.”"

"“Currently, Qi Lanyan and his group are focused on Shanjin... They should be more restrained.”"

Li Ximing offered a word of comfort, his expression gradually turning serious, and replied:

"“Since we've obtained the Blazing Qilin Refinement Method, why not first use the neck feathers to exchange for spirit flowers from Jin Yu, and when I return from the Feather Transformation Pool, we can immediately start the furnace! What good are just one or two spirit pills from the Sun Daoist sect?”"

"“Now is not the time to be stingy with spiritual resources. You should refine the Immortal Foundation as soon as possible, and once the Azure Scroll is used, you will gain divine abilities. That's what truly matters.”"

Li Ximing's words were not without reason. The Sun Daoist sect had limited stock and could only provide one or two pills at most, which would also incur an obligation. With Li Ximing's current alchemy skills, when refining the Bright Yang elixirs, one furnace could produce an unknown quantity!

However, regarding the Azure Scroll, Li Zhouwei had a different opinion. Though he didn't voice it, he secretly pondered:

"'No matter how the situation develops in the future, to achieve my goals, the more variables I have, the better. The Azure Scroll is a variable that multiple parties cannot account for. Once used, it would be wasted... I'd rather take a few more elixirs than use it up. It must be kept within my Ascending Yang... It will surely be of great use in extraordinary times!'"

Characters Appearing in This Chapter:Sui Guan: Peak Purple MansionLi Ximing: Early Purple Mansion, Purple Mansion AlchemistLi Zhouwei: Early Purple Mansion