Chapter 958: Qiguang

Li Zhouwei smiled and replied, "That should be it."

Immediately, a hint of regret appeared as he added, "It's a pity that these days I've been racing against time, either in secluded cultivation or practicing spells, so I haven't regularly observed the trends and don't know which occasions yielded these gains!"

Li Ximing nodded subtly, then quickly smiled. "That's fine. Just pay more attention next time. We don't need them urgently right now; as long as we can acquire them, that's what matters!"

Li Zhouwei nodded and continued, "I was incredibly surprised and delighted at the time. I performed the Immortal Ascension ritual on the highest cushion in the Upper Firmament Pavilion, wrote down the talisman for 'Di Qiguang,' and put it into the bronze furnace. I haven't received any news yet."

"Excellent!" Li Ximing knew he would have everything properly arranged and laughed. "It's a good thing I have you... I'm always alone at home, constantly stretched thin with alchemy and cultivation, so it's inevitable that I overlook things."

He glanced at Li Zhouwei and whispered, "There's just one more thing I want to ask you... You received 'Bright Manifestation of Sun and Moon.' After these few combat encounters, has it helped your cultivation level?"

Li Zhouwei pondered for a moment and replied, "Although these few fights were fierce, they weren't life-threatening, and I didn't sustain any significant injuries, so it wasn't entirely satisfying. However, there was indeed a slight feedback to my cultivation level... As for how it helps... I couldn't tell at the time."

He simply sat down and spoke with remarkable clarity, "But now, having seen so many divine abilities, I've gained a better understanding of cultivation levels. The day I returned with True Immortal Chen, he was grateful for my generous help and also had designs on the 'Neck Plumes,' so we chatted for a while. I took the opportunity to specifically ask him some questions, both to discreetly gather information and to categorize things a bit."

Chen's strength was considerable, and his ancestors were connected to the Golden Plumes, so he possessed some insight. Li Ximing listened attentively as Li Zhouwei said, "Regarding cultivation levels, everyone in Jiangnan speaks of the 'Two Zis.' True Immortal Zimu Wen Qingzhou is even considered the foremost. But from my current perspective... there's another person—if he can be counted as a person."

Li Ximing mused, "Sui Guan?"

"Precisely!" Li Zhouwei said earnestly, "While cultivation level doesn't necessarily increase with age, ample time allows one's cultivation to gradually improve. Furthermore, he is intimately connected with the True Monarch... that's the truly terrifying aspect."

"Regarding cultivation, figures like Sui Guan and Dongfang Heyun are likely considered paramount among those below True Monarchs. Their achievements stem from their innate foundations, unreachable by ordinary people, so we won't discuss them further."

"Below these two is True Immortal Zimu. Although I haven't seen her in person, it's widely known that Zimu is a cut above Zipei, a prominent figure among those with perfected divine abilities."

A hint of astonishment appeared in his expression as he replied, "True Immortal Chen holds her in extremely high regard. He only said one thing: 'Cultivation to this extent can be called ultimate perfection!'"

Li Ximing sighed with emotion, "I've heard about him for a long time!"

Li Zhouwei actually still remembered the Grand True Immortal from Luoxia Mountain but didn't know his name, so he didn't elaborate or mention him much. He placed this individual and Zimu above Zipei before continuing, "True Immortal Zipei is not adept at combat but is renowned for her cultivation. The Pure Unity sect also once had a highly cultivated True Immortal Yuanshang, and the now-fallen Grand True Immortal Qing from Changhuai Mountain. These can be considered first-tier, representing the pinnacle that a Purple Mansion cultivator can reach in their lifetime."

Li Ximing gasped in amazement, simply saying, "True Immortal Zipei can still fall so far back... ninety-nine percent of the Purple Mansion cultivators in the world would be ashamed!"

Li Zhouwei shook his head. "It's already exceptionally good. Below them are either Grand True Immortals whose own traditions are inherently auspicious for promoting cultivation, such as Changxiao or Chibuzi, or mid-stage Purple Mansion cultivators who have inherited some Golden Core legacies, like True Immortal Puyu from Penglai. These are second-tier, having cultivated their techniques and spells to a very profound level."

"Third-tier includes ordinary Grand True Immortals and some mid-stage Purple Mansion cultivators whose cultivation surpasses their peers, such as Chi Wei or True Immortal Fuxuan from the Pure Unity sect..."

"The next tier down consists of Grand True Immortals with inherently limited divine abilities and mid-stage Purple Mansion cultivators who focus diligently on cultivation, such as Helian Wujiang... As for Grand True Immortals, he couldn't speak freely about them and only hinted to me."

"Oh?" Li Ximing's eyes lit up. Rarely encountering gossip, he immediately became focused. Li Zhouwei then whispered, "Chen said... that among the Twelve Qi, 'Xi Qi' and 'Han Qi' correspond to each other. It seems that in ancient times, they were subjected to some unimaginable method by an Immortal Lord and had to submit, making cultivation easier but weakening their divine abilities by a degree, and making it difficult to achieve profound cultivation. When the Wei kingdom collapsed, Xi Qi gained liberation and was no longer troubled, leaving only Han Qi."

Although not explicitly named, it clearly pointed to: "Tianwan of Scarlet Reef Island!"

Since Li Ximing didn't cultivate Han Qi himself, he merely listened for amusement and chuckled it off. Li Zhouwei continued, "Below that, the fifth tier, can be called 'entering the hall and room' (reaching an advanced level). There are finally a good number of these; usually, cultivating two or three divine abilities allows one to reach this threshold."

"Heh!" Li Ximing, always optimistic, simply pressed for tea and laughed, "I was wondering if I could cross the threshold of 'entering the hall and room,' but it turns out I'm still standing at the foot of the mountain."

Li Zhouwei smiled awkwardly, "Uncle, you've diligently spent the last hundred years on alchemy... naturally, you shouldn't compare yourself to them..."

Only then did Li Ximing ponder carefully and reply, "Changxiao is still formidable; his one spell remains vivid in my memory... Where do you place yourself?"

Li Zhouwei nodded earnestly and replied, "In my younger years, I studied more spells and benefited greatly from those secret arts. I estimate that my cultivation level can reach the 'entering the hall and room' stage."

"Now that I've gained this bit of progress, I'm secretly weighing it. If I could gain another ten parts, I should be able to contend with Helian Wujiang."

Li Ximing mentally calculated, then replied with a hint of envy, "That's quite fast! You're still not satisfied with fighting."

Li Zhouwei bowed slightly. Li Ximing then smiled and departed, riding light towards the East Sea. Li Zhouwei escorted him for a distance, reminding him, "Uncle, since you're going to Pura, you'll need to ask Demon King Qingyan about spiritual treasures. He cultivates the 'Azure Proclamation.' Do you remember we have a 'Nine Weir Azure Ram Mountain' at home? It's of extremely high grade and has strict requirements, making it difficult for us to cultivate, but it could fetch a good price."

Li Ximing immediately saw the sense in this. Given Qingyan's rough-and-tumble appearance, his fighting style was likely direct and unrestrained, making it a suitable match. He happily agreed.

After seeing him off, Li Zhouwei returned to the Sky-Roaming Glazed Pagoda, communicated with the talisman seeds, and continued to elevate his cultivation.

Time seemed to cease during cultivation. He had meditated and cultivated for a long time within the World of Sun and Moon's Brilliance when he finally felt a warmth emanating from the jade pendant at his waist. He exhaled deeply and stood up. Instead of rushing out, he leisurely stepped through layers of clouds, arriving at the Upper Firmament Pavilion.

The stone platform shone exceptionally bright under the radiance. Pale golden characters appeared one by one on the purplish-black wooden slip: "Observing the Venerable Primordial position to become an Emperor, light spreads across all corners, everyone beholds its might, yet it is like the sun moving through the world, secondary in manifestation, thus forming the foundation of this art... The Emperor states: when the revered master enters the hall, divine light fills the room, known as 'Superior Radiance.' When a guest enters the hall, 'Qi Guang' flows and disperses, known as 'Yang Ji.' Thus, 'Di Qiguang' is formed! Its principles are immeasurable..."

This spell was intended for Li Ximing's future cultivation. He read each of the golden characters, quickly forming them into a golden slip in his hand. As he comprehended it, he added annotations. Gently turning, he had already appeared within the lightning-streaked pagoda.

"It is a 'Yang Ji' art of inverted brilliant sun..."

"'Superior Radiance, Suppressed Light' is said to embody the lord treading through danger, hence the suppression. It clearly has a corresponding flavor and indeed complements it somewhat..."

He materialized on Zhijing Mountain and sat among the floating gardenias. After reading the theoretical section, he looked at the more crucial spell incantation: "Within the Grand Palace courtyard, malevolent fire is contained, and light and electricity gather, forming a chamber. Through various divine abilities, one enters as a guest, creating the omen of 'Qi Guang.' It is best to use 'Bright Yang' spiritual treasures to assist the guest's cultivation."

Li Zhouwei did not possess a 'Bright Yang' spiritual treasure, but he had a 'Solar' spiritual treasure. The imagery associated with this spell was too strong for it to be a direct substitute, but he secretly estimated, "The 'Golden Subduer' doesn't just enhance spiritual light. When my cultivation deepens, it should also be able to transform into the master of a chamber. The solar position would fit perfectly, without any flaws... At that point, its power limit will not only far exceed 'Superior Radiance, Suppressed Light,' but it might even transcend fifth-grade!"

He took a careful look, secretly delighted. With a gentle wave of his hand, he summoned an item from the Purple Malevolent Bright Yang Spring on Zhijing Mountain: it was the Mysterious-Patterned Bottle.

"It requires malevolent fire and concentrated light and electricity... The Mysterious-Patterned Bottle has been tempered in this fire vein for decades; there's no purer fire malevolence than this!"

As for light and electricity, lightning is rare in Jiangnan, which would normally take some time to acquire. However, while other families might have little, the Li family had plenty! Li Qinghong was diligent in her younger years, busy her entire life, and thanks to the convenience of her cultivation methods, she accumulated over a dozen bolts of lightning at home, unwilling to use even one... Such a quantity of lightning would take even a Purple Mansion cultivator a considerable amount of time to gather.

"The legacy of our ancestors should not be left unused. Zhouda has also achieved an immortal foundation; he should be told to start using the altar..."

Li Zhouwei finished arranging everything. Just then, Li Quewan ascended the mountain, saying with a hint of unease, "Reporting, True Immortal... Something has happened to the Yuan family!"

"What?" Li Zhouwei looked up, slightly surprised, and asked. Li Quewan respectfully replied, "Yuan Chengzhao has been missing for many years, and the Yuan family has always been managed by Yuan Zibin. This man was excessively tyrannical, whipped elders, defied clan laws, and was also vicious, purging the clan several times. No one in the Yuan family restrained him, leading to their current state."

"However, news came from Mushroom Forest Plain: Yuan Zibin was strolling on the plain and was killed by a cultivator, along with several other people. The Yuan clan fell into chaos, and their clan system completely collapsed."

Li Zhouwei immediately frowned. Li Quewan continued, "But this cultivator did not leave... He fought his way into the Yuan family, opened their treasury, took out everything inside, and even distributed it among the smaller families and clans across the entire Mushroom Forest Plain..."

The Yuan family had an ancient origin. Although they hadn't produced a Purple Mansion cultivator for many years, they had never truly declined. Their governance of Mushroom Forest Plain almost rivaled the history of the Azure Pond Sect. Their methods were strict; even the Fetal Breath cultivation techniques they distributed were divided into six parts according to six cycles... Now, this incident would likely make the smaller clans profoundly grateful.

Li Zhouwei mused, "The Yuan family has cultivated 'Azure Proclamation' less in recent years, haven't they?"

At these words, Li Quewan understood and nodded, "Precisely. I specifically checked; for decades, the Yuan clan... has preferred cultivating 'Manor Water' and 'Kanshui Thoroughfare.'"

"No wonder." Li Zhouwei asked, "Which member of the Yuan family did that cultivator then support?"

Li Quewan knew perfectly well and replied, "True Immortal, you are insightful. Although there aren't many Yuan clan members left, this cultivator still supported a direct descendant of the Yuan family, returned the clan to him, and instructed him to re-establish the clan system, adhere to ancestral ways, and revive the name of 'Azure Proclamation.' However, they are no longer the masters of Mushroom Forest Plain but have settled in the county on the plain."

Li Quewan's gaze was somewhat complex: "I believe... that perhaps when the Yuan clan's old ancestor failed to break through to the Purple Mansion, it exposed the Yuan clan's scheme to find their own path, which led to Yuan Zibin and ultimately to today's events."

Li Zhouwei nodded, but his focus was elsewhere, and his expression slowly grew strange: "You mean, the Yuan clan is no longer the master of Mushroom Forest Plain, which means... this person brazenly... appropriated Mushroom Forest Plain, which belongs to the Azure Pond Sect... for himself!"

No matter what, Mushroom Forest Plain is Azure Pond territory... and the Yuan clan, no matter what, is an Azure Pond family. To put it bluntly, they are all private property of Azure Pond. If this person had acted like a wandering hero, leaving after the deed was done, the Azure Pond, being preoccupied with its own affairs, would find it difficult to deal with him. But now, this has an entirely different implication!

Li Quewan lowered her head and said, "Exactly! There has been no reaction from the sect yet."

Li Zhouwei's gaze sharpened gradually as he asked, "Does this cultivator have a name?"

The woman in front of him showed a bitter expression and replied, "His surname is Yang, given name Zhuo, and he is at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage."

The Great Void was dark, yet brilliant light streaked across it. A white-robed scholar stood smiling, his face filled with gratitude.

"Fellow Daoist Zhaojing... if there's anything I can help with in the future, please don't hesitate to say. After all, I possess the 'Auspicious Qi' divine ability, which can be useful for many things!"

The Daoist in white and gold robes nodded repeatedly. The scholar escorted him for a considerable distance before turning back, leaving the brilliant light to continue eastward.

"He's certainly much more enthusiastic now..."

Li Ximing had just returned from the Western Po Kingdom, and Fu Xun reluctantly departed only after seeing him off at sea.

After all, that grand elixir had resolved the demon king's greatest concern. The 'Wangjin Xuanyan Pill' also had an exceptionally beautiful color. Fu Xun's desire to forge a connection was practically overflowing from his face. Last time, Qingyan and others had delivered it, so they hadn't met. This time, the demon king had managed to catch him.

Li Ximing conveyed the news about seeking spiritual treasures, but his main purpose was to inquire about Qingyan's spells. After staying for several months, he finally received news from Qingyan.

The demon king himself was skilled at blessings and had accumulated a fair amount. He was straightforward; after simply glancing at the spell's outline, he decisively agreed, and wanted to take out 'Manor Water' spiritual treasures to exchange with him.

However, Li Ximing was not lacking in 'Manor Water' at all and was extremely busy himself. So, he tactfully stated his few needs, asking Qingyan to acquire them first, and then took his leave.

'The 'Nine Weir Azure Ram Mountain' is fifth-grade after all, and the 'Azure Proclamation' method is rare. It's unusual to see this fellow so eager, so my family isn't in a hurry anymore.'

Li Ximing hadn't actually anticipated earlier that the other party would be generous enough to offer spiritual treasures. His mood instantly brightened. He left Pura, crossed the Pyu Kingdom, and headed north.

While he was a guest in Pura, the token he had given Ding Yangzi began to subtly warm. It was the artifact craftsman signaling him as per their agreement.

The matter of the 'Sky Star Red Gold' had already been communicated once, so there was clearly no need to use a jade talisman again. Most likely, the old man had finally found another buyer.

Li Ximing immediately felt a pang of concern. He had originally planned to cross Southern Jiang, pass through Shu, and on the way, check the influence of Jianmen and Xiukui in Longshu, then continue south to Qize to settle matters. However, the further he flew, the more something felt wrong. By mid-journey, his expression had completely changed.

Looking across the entire Wu Kingdom, flames flickered everywhere beneath him. Dense points of light virtually covered every commandery city below. Cultivators soared everywhere, clashing in mid-air. Occasionally, severed limbs and broken weapons fell from above, along with various spiritual treasures, sparking a frenzy of snatching!

Mortals in the commanderies were fighting, cultivators were dueling, and the four borders were in disarray. The several commanderies before his eyes, Changhuai Mountain's unchanging backyard for hundreds of years, had astonishingly become a scene of bloodshed and chaos!

"What happened to Changhuai Mountain?!"