Chapter 967: Is Right and Wrong Changing

"Snap."

The sound of shattering ice echoed in the cavernous underground. Li Zhouwei landed there, and the endlessly dark underground immediately became bright.

Two cultivators from Mingyang Dao touched down here, only then realizing how dense the spiritual energy constantly resonating in this place was. Although continuously suppressed and absorbed by divine abilities, it still faintly stirred up a storm.

More importantly, this spiritual energy seemed to surge from the earth and water veins, and if one was not careful, it could very likely erupt violently.

‘I wonder how long it has been suppressed... If left unchecked, the spiritual veins would likely have long surfaced everywhere, and the ground would be covered in drifting snow, creating a snowfield.’

The radiance emanating from their bodies immediately showed signs of melting the thick frost, further disrupting the hard-won balance. However, the white light divine abilities swirling around them rapidly converged, freezing all fluctuations in place.

Tian Wan stood inside the cave dwelling, watching the two of them with a faint gaze.

Li Ximing deeply disliked her, even harboring considerable resentment. Leaving aside the animosity from Red Reef Island, the matter of the Mingfang Heavenly Stone back then, while an exchange, had led to the death of his younger brother, Jun. Although Li Ximing knew his family had come to seize the spiritual item and thus wasn't entirely in the right, having little thought of revenge, emotional aversion was inevitable when facing the direct perpetrator.

If it weren't for Tian Wan's superior divine abilities, her lack of significant provocation over the years, and her falling out with Chang Xiao – making it unwise to offend both at once out of logical consideration – Li Ximing would truly not have a single good word to say to her.

Now that Li Zhouwei had arrived, he could only stand behind with a cold expression, not looking at her, listening as the younger generation in front of him coldly stated, "Senior... coming to my wilderness without reason is hardly in line with the rules!"

But Tian Wan stepped down from the ice and snow in the center, quietly asking, "Are the two of you here for Li Quantao?"

As soon as these words were uttered, Li Zhouwei's heart secretly settled, his divine ability connecting with his grand-uncle:‘It truly is the Grand Snow Gate!’The former site of the Grand Snow Gate was in the wilderness area. Li Zhouwei had already made a guess when he saw the Great Master earlier, and now hearing Li Quantao's name, he understood completely.

Li Ximing's perpetually cold face also softened slightly, and he thought to himself:‘It is Li Quantao after all... He is Zhige's good friend, and the elder has always been concerned about him... So he's here...’

And amidst the flickering white light, someone else arrived from afar, quickly appearing. Dressed in a dark-patterned Daoist robe with a green base, he had a bitter expression: "Fellow Daoists!"

This person was none other than Master Xuanyi from Jingyi Mountain! He and Li Ximing had met once before, and their relationship was quite decent. Li Ximing never expected to encounter him here! He must have been stabilizing the earth veins in the vicinity. Li Ximing was slightly startled, thinking to himself:‘Chunyi is powerful, and he's not on good terms with Chunyi Dao. It's normal for him to seek help from Red Reef Island...’

Li Ximing's expression softened slightly, and he nodded to him. The ice and snow beauty before them spoke softly:

"Ning Wan is in charge of Qingchi and is overwhelmed. Li Quantao then fell into my possession at Chenshui Marsh. I have been searching for Grand Snow's whereabouts for years and found this place long ago. She missed a step and even lost Li Quantao, so Xuanyi and I came to open this secret treasury."

"Since the two of you have found this place, if you are sincere, we can avoid conflict. Once my business is concluded, I will hand Li Quantao over to your esteemed clan. I only want the Grand Snow orthodoxy."

She smiled slightly, causing the cold snow in the underground to float upwards:

"This is, after all, the host's territory. Once everything is done, I can let your esteemed clan choose one spiritual resource."

Li Ximing remained silent, but saw Li Zhouwei slowly pacing around, admiring the surrounding frosty scenery, and quietly remarked, "Senior Zhang must have sent many letters to Qingchi."

Tian Wan's smile slowly vanished. She watched the golden-eyed man, listening to the White Qilin's deep voice echo underground: "Since Li Quantao fell into your hands early on, and you can open this place yourself, why have you always insisted on cooperating with Senior Ning Wan?"

He turned his head, his illusion-breaking golden eyes piercing straight into her eyes:

"Because this place is in the wilderness, the commotion from opening the secret realm might not be large, nor would it attract too many cultivators. However, it absolutely couldn't be hidden from the master of the wilderness, and at that time, Master Ning was stationed there... Senior, you knew it couldn't be hidden, which is why you chose to cooperate with Master Ning."

Tian Wan did not answer him, but Li Zhouwei continued:

"Then... there must be more than just one or two individuals coveting the Grand Snow orthodoxy. Not only are the stakes so high that you find it difficult to deter minor parties, but there are even presences that give you a great headache who are willing to interfere... That's why you had to keep it secret."

Li Zhouwei quietly stated, "Senior, there's no need to try and fool me. Our two families have no friendship to speak of, and it's not simply that my family is the host of the wilderness. As soon as my family speaks, you will surely fail to achieve your goals."

Tian Wan's face finally showed a cold expression. She said lightly, "Qingchi is riddled with holes after all; not a single piece of news can be hidden."

Her words were laced with a chill:

"Must you and I become mortal enemies? It seems neither of you cares about Li Quantao's life."

The relationship between the two parties was not good to begin with. Tian Wan's strength was sufficient to suppress both, and the matter at hand was extremely important, so she spoke quietly:

"Does the White Qilin still not see the path ahead? Chang Xiao is biding his time, only fearing you... I do not wish to offend your esteemed clan, but now you insist on ruining my plans. Will Zhaojing still go to the East Sea in the future? And how will the Li clan's path unfold a hundred years from now?"

The atmosphere between the two sides gradually solidified to a freezing point. Xuanyi felt extremely awkward; he had been invited to assist, not to offend the Li clan, and instantly felt an urge to vanish.

"Fellow Daoists, you are welcome to try... Red Reef Island is just a burden to me, but once the Li clan is shaken, who knows how many clansmen will die because of you!"

No sooner had her voice fallen than she saw the young man before her begin to smile.

His brows and eyes were somewhat distorted and sunken. Dense, white-gold scales emerged around the young man's neck. He smiled slightly, revealing fine, sharp white teeth, his voice hoarse and magnetic, like the low growl of a beast:

"To die for me, is that not right?"

His pupils had transformed into round, golden-white small rings. He chuckled, "Red Reef is a burden, but isn't Wangyue? If you dare to eat alone in front of me, I will definitely make you regret it."

As soon as these words were spoken, silence fell all around. Xuanyi's expression froze, looking at him with some disbelief:‘It truly is the White Qilin!’

Tian Wan was unceremoniously rebuked by him, yet there was no anger on her face; she only frowned secretly, annoyed in her heart, but understanding that the person before her could not be killed, she sighed:‘He is the White Qilin after all... He cannot be viewed as a human, only as a tyrant.’

She truly harbored some fear. Li Zhouwei's identity was special, and his speed in achieving divine abilities would surely be very fast. Although he was ultimately destined to die, there would still be times when he would shine brilliantly. Such individuals always followed through on their words. Tian Wan had betrayed the Golden Feather, had no significant background, and still had a long life ahead. She needed to scheme for the position of True Monarch in her remaining days and could not afford any mistakes — hadn't Chang Xiao gone into hiding already?

Not to mention him, even Li Ximing was secretly startled. Xuanyi quickly stepped forward, playing the peacemaker, and whispered, "After all, Wanling Heaven is nearby. Fighting and getting injured at this time... it's truly unsuitable..."

Tian Wan narrowed her eyes and whispered:

"Since Ning Wan is in hiding, only your esteemed clan can guard the wilderness. It's better for your clan to cover the commotion for me than for the people from the North to find us, in which case none of us would get anything!"

"As for the Grand Snow orthodoxy, you and I can divide it..."

She displayed a somewhat forbearing posture, but the look in her eyes was calm as she replied:

"I want the cultivation methods and spells... and among the remaining items, there are things I'm determined to obtain!"

Li Ximing hesitated to speak, but then saw her quietly say:

"I don't just lack a complete orthodoxy; if fellow Daoist insists on pressing too hard, it would be better to simply open it up and let the Northern orthodoxy come... One Grand Snow orthodoxy in exchange for my allegiance would surely be an extremely worthwhile deal."

"I must have this, even if it means getting entangled in the northern and southern conflicts, I won't hesitate!"

She answered resolutely. Li Zhouwei coldly scoffed, flicked his sleeves, and departed, leaving behind chilling words:

"However you two divide it, my family will take a share for ourselves!"

With his departure as the "bad cop," the atmosphere immediately eased considerably. Li Ximing, unwilling to speak further with the woman, calmly said to Xuanyi:

"If fellow Daoist agrees, we will guard from above and also conceal the spiritual energy fluctuations."

Xuanyi, constantly playing the mediator, quickly said, "Good... good... Then we'll trouble your esteemed clan! It's still early... we can discuss the rest slowly later!"

Tian Wan gazed at his face, her eyes shining brilliantly, seemingly understanding the source of his hostility. She spoke softly:

"While the matter of that year was indeed about calculating Tu Longjian, didn't your esteemed clan also take advantage of the human connection to enhance your prestige? Sacrificing a Foundation Establishment cultivator in exchange for a piece of Mingfang Heavenly Stone... in reality, it was just an exchange of interests. Must you blame it all on me alone? This very Mingfang Heavenly Stone also contributed to your success, Li Ximing, why be so fixated on right and wrong!"

It was better she hadn't mentioned it. As soon as she finished speaking, Li Ximing had already taken a step, unable to resist turning back:

"It wasn't a divine ability that caused it; Guo Hongyao attacked and injured someone, and you intervened. How could there be a subsequent incident? Didn't your schemes fail, Tian Wan, which is why you had to compensate with the Mingfang Heavenly Stone! How dare you speak of accomplishments!"

He coldly threw down these words, stepped through the void, and departed. He vaguely noticed Tian Wan frowning, a thoughtful expression on her face, seemingly having gleaned some information from his words.

Li Ximing stepped into the mountain on a beam of light. Li Zhouwei was already seated within, quietly sipping tea. Seeing him, he smiled: "Just to scare Tian Wan a bit, to prevent her from manipulating us. This matter is crucial to her. We, who have nothing to lose, don't fear those who do. Since the item is on our territory, we naturally deserve a share!"

Li Ximing's mood wasn't particularly good after those last few sentences, but he quickly composed himself, smiled, and said:

"Don't mind her unpleasant expression. As long as she gets the crucial items, what does she care about the rest? She was already prepared to share with us; it was just a strategy of retreating to advance, fearing we'd push for more! Otherwise, why would she give in so easily?"

Li Zhouwei nodded in agreement. Seeing Li Ximing change the subject, he asked:

"What transformation art was that of yours? With your destiny embodied, it was truly imposing."

In truth, Tian Wan found it unsettling to watch, and Li Ximing also felt uneasy, despite using the word "imposing." Li Zhouwei, however, lowered his brows and waved his hand, replying:

"It looks intimidating, but 'Lord Daowei' isn't fully refined; it's nothing significant. To truly compare it with ancient White Qilins, one would need perfect divine abilities. If 'Lord Daowei' were complete, it could borrow a small fraction of power, gaining a clever mystique."

"So that's how it is."

Li Ximing sat down, refilled his tea, and while instructing Li Jianglong to come up, he sighed, "I understand... if the situation weren't so turbulent, we wouldn't need to play along with her. I also don't know how much of what she says is true or false. If she really does compromise with the North, it wouldn't be good for us either."

Li Zhouwei remained noncommittal, but there was clearly much thought in his eyes. He replied, "She did make one good point: Grand-uncle has been traveling the four seas in recent years, and Zhengtang Mansion is becoming increasingly important. Tian Wan is still alright, but Chang Xiao is the truly fatal one. Once our family's strength grows, we must deal with him first."

Li Ximing replied, "There's also Chengyan."

"Chengyan is not to be feared."

Li Zhouwei pondered, "If we weren't afraid of alerting others, with his limited abilities, my family could have acted long ago..."

"As for now..."

While he was pondering, Li Jianglong had already ascended from the foot of the mountain and bowed to both of them. Li Ximing instructed, "There's something beneath the wilderness. Go and tell people to adjust and update the grand formation, move the mountain ranges, properly organize things, and create some spiritual energy fluctuations to cover it up."

"Remember, do it slowly and carefully, drag it out as long as possible. There must always be some spiritual energy disturbances to keep it continuously covered."

"Yes!"

Since Li Zhouwei's last conversation, Li Jiangqian had gone into seclusion to refine his cultivation and had not yet emerged. Both individuals who had received talismans were secretly seizing the time, but Li Jianglong's methods were also quite capable, more than sufficient to handle this matter.

No sooner had the two finished their arrangements than they suddenly looked up, as if sensing something. Li Zhouwei asked doubtfully:

"Who?"

But then, someone reported from the foot of the mountain: "Reporting, sirs, a representative from Qingchi Sect's Sijun Hall has arrived at the foot of the mountain, saying... saying... Master Qinghu has come to pay his respects."

Li Ximing first paused, then immediately stood up and exchanged glances with Li Zhouwei. A name surfaced in both their minds:

"Sima Yuanli!"

Both had already detected the sudden descent of an aura from outside the mountain. The Sijun Hall was also a direct lineage of the Sima family, and calculating the time, the person outside the mountain could only be Sima Yuanli, who had been in seclusion for many years!

Li Zhouwei showed a thoughtful expression, looked at Li Ximing, and said softly:

"Grand-uncle, you meet him. I'll go watch over the wilderness."

Li Zhouwei had always avoided extensive contact with the Sun Orthodoxy and didn't know what Sima Yuanli's purpose was for coming. Naturally, he let Li Ximing, who always played the good guy, go and probe. Li Zhouwei immediately dispersed into light, while Li Ximing was secretly surprised, putting on a big smile, and joyfully rode the wind out:

"Is that Fellow Daoist Sima here to visit! Congratulations... congratulations!"

Outside the mountain, amidst clusters of clouds, stood a middle-aged man with a sword on his back and a scroll tied to his waist. He, too, was all smiles, replying, "Indeed!"

Li Ximing scanned him up and down, guessing that the scroll at his waist was the Huaijiang Map, which made his heart even more eager.

These two cultivators, who had barely met a few times, were truly warm and eager, as if they were long-lost friends. Li Ximing smilingly welcomed him inside, saying, "It truly is Fellow Daoist! Senior mentioned you to me several times back then. I estimated that your divine ability would surely come to fruition naturally... I'm genuinely happy for that elder... Why haven't I heard news of it from Qingchi?"

At the mention of Yuanxiu, a touch of genuine emotion appeared in Sima Yuanli's feigned smile. He said seriously, "It was precisely due to a reminder left by my ancestor that I came to see fellow Daoist immediately, without even announcing it within the sect!"

‘This old fox... The Xiaoyuan Glazed Pagoda truly wasn't given away for nothing!’

Li Ximing cursed inwardly, his expression moved:

"To think that when I broke through to Violet Palace back then, the first person I met was Senior Sima. And now, Fellow Daoist has also rushed to see me... This shows... the profound connection between our two families..."

"Indeed, indeed."

Sima Yuanli was keen to form an alliance and intervene in the situation. Li Ximing, seeing the spiritual treasure, had hopes of borrowing it. Both shamelessly flattered each other for a while, ensuring that neither had any reservations about their two families forming a connection. They immediately sat down at the table, and Sima Yuanli sighed:

"The winds and clouds shift, truly unpredictable!"

He then asked in detail, and Li Ximing revealed some information. Sima Yuanli indeed asked:

"The White River forming the Murky Kill Tomb, was that truly Qiu Hu's doing?"

Li Ximing chuckled inwardly, but on his face, he shook his head gravely, extending a hand, his index finger pointing slightly upwards.

"Hiss..."

Sima Yuanli's expression changed. Li Ximing, intending to scare him, thought to himself: 'Qingchi has just managed to be in chaos for a while; I can't let this guy think he's above it all and start building things up!'

He said gravely:

"Does fellow Daoist recall a painting you once made?"

Sima Yuanli was clearly stunned, hesitating as he couldn't recall. Throughout his life, he had only loved those few strokes of painting, so how could he remember which specific painting he had made? But then Li Ximing said in a deep voice, "The Lord you painted!"

At this reminder, Sima Yuanli's heart trembled, and he finally remembered, replying, "This..."

Li Ximing's gaze was complex, and he frowned, "Do you know... your every move is in the Lord's eyes... The Lord appeared by borrowing your painting, and even... even coldly asked... saying you painted him with a fierce expression!"

"Ah?"

Sima Yuanli's face instantly went pale, and he subconsciously shook his head, but then Li Ximing added, "You didn't add color... but what good is that when the Lord sees it!"

Li Ximing's words were so detailed that Sima Yuanli could almost recall when he had painted it. His heart sank slightly as he replied:

"How... how could I have known..."

Sima Yuanli's reaction was extremely swift. After the initial panic subsided, he secretly became suspicious and asked, "Although painting the Lord might be somewhat disrespectful... it was still helping the Lord act in Jiangbei... It shouldn't... it shouldn't be too bad..."

Li Ximing, however, said with a worried expression:

"That would be for the best, but seeing how Fellow Daoist Ning still hasn't dared to show up... I'm afraid something has happened!"

Sima Yuanli was originally a suspicious and cautious person. Now, with this mention, he inevitably felt uneasy and nodded silently. Li Ximing, however, took the opportunity to ask:

"How will fellow Daoist arrange things afterward?"

Sima Yuanli stroked his beard, pondering, "Wanling Heaven is about to descend... The fall of a Grotto-Heaven has always been a grand event, and I naturally have some longing for it, especially seeing it now... Afterwards, I also need to meet some old acquaintances of my Sima family."

"And I also came here for some private matters this time."

He smiled slightly, seeming to hesitate for a moment with some reservations, then brought up the Sijun Hall member by his side and chuckled, "Sijun... Fellow Daoist must know, he is your esteemed brother's disciple, a direct descendant of my family. This time, I came... primarily to strengthen our ties, to arrange his marriage."

"Oh?"

Li Ximing hadn't expected him to be so direct and was momentarily a bit troubled. Sijun Hall was indeed talented, so he asked:

"So it's about this! May I ask which young lady has caught your eye?"

Sima Yuanli stroked his beard, seemingly deliberating: "I've heard that Wangyue has several direct descendants whose ages match Sijun. I wonder... does fellow Daoist have anyone in mind?"

Li Ximing most feared that Li Quewan's name would pop out of his mouth; no matter what, she wouldn't be married off, and Sijun Hall couldn't possibly marry into their family. He secretly breathed a sigh of relief and frowned, "My direct descendants aren't many, and excellent ones are even fewer. Quewan's ambitions lie in all directions, and Quexi is confined to the blessed land. There is one girl now, named Queyi, in the New Rain Archipelago."

Although he understood this was the best candidate, he feigned difficulty, shaking his head and saying, "It's just a pity that she is a disciple of the Purple Smoke Sect. Her marriage is no longer up to the clan; it's entirely up to her own wishes."

"Hm?"

But upon hearing this news, a look of satisfaction indeed appeared on Sima Yuanli's face.

He also regarded Sijun Hall as a precious treasure. The main reason for bringing this up was to show closeness. Whether it succeeded or not would simply come down to whether they liked each other or were suitable. But upon hearing she was a Purple Smoke Sect woman, he genuinely became interested and replied:

"This is an excellent match. Just let Sijun make contact himself. If it works out, it works out. There's no need to say it was the clan's idea; it can simply be two sect disciples falling in love. Neither needs to join the other's lineage. If any trouble arises later, there's no need to cause a stir."

Li Ximing was actually satisfied as well. He had visited the New Rain Archipelago once and had an excellent impression of Li Queyi. Sijun Hall was already half an insider, with outstanding looks and exceptional talent. It was only the Sima family's awkward position currently that made it hard to say who would accommodate whom...

‘She has a gentle nature but is very docile and obedient. Sijun Hall is very thoughtful. If this truly works out, it will be a great opportunity for her in the latter half of her life...’

‘The Sima family has many connections... it's hard to say how deep an alliance can be formed, but maintaining some goodwill is always good.’

Both were quite satisfied, and Sijun Hall, standing nearby, was even more surprised and delighted. The two discussed recent events and exchanged auspicious words. Li Ximing then took the opportunity to ask, "Does Fellow Daoist Sima know about the Mingzhen Unity Divine Pill?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Sima Yuanli was slightly taken aback, feeling strange in his heart. He replied, "Of course, I know. Back then... in the Great Ning Palace, it was precisely your esteemed clan's elder and I who seized it together..."

The elder Sima Yuanli referred to was naturally Li Xuanfeng. He had always addressed Li Xuanfeng as "fellow Daoist," but as Li Xuanfeng was an elder, he spoke a bit more tactfully. Seeing Li Ximing shake his head and sigh, Sima Yuanli said, "I heard about this, which is why I assumed fellow Daoist had the Mingzhen Unity Divine Pill in hand, and thought I'd just ask..."

"I see!"

At Li Ximing's question, Sima Yuanli said with some hesitation, "It's easy enough to discuss... but this pill is valuable. Does fellow Daoist wish to exchange it with me?"

Li Ximing quickly realized that Sima Yuanli was suspicious, having just broken through to Violet Palace, and was highly cautious, fearing he might inadvertently exchange something valuable. This was definitely not the right time for an exchange, and it could easily lead to misunderstanding. As the High Witch spirit embryo was not yet complete, there was no urgent need for the exchange, so he smiled slightly and replied:

"Fellow Daoist must also know Dingyangzi. If you go to Qize, you can inquire about the items I've entrusted to him. If anything interests you, you can send me a message."

"Good!"

This suggestion was clearly more acceptable. Sima Yuanli smiled and nodded. Soon after, he rose on the wind, bid farewell, and led his junior through the formation and away from the great lake. Only then did he chuckle, "How was it? Are you satisfied?"

Sijun Hall bowed with a smile, replying, "It's all as Master arranges!"

Sima Yuanli withdrew his gaze, the smile in his eyes slowly fading. Li Ximing's words replayed in his mind, casting a shadow over his eyes:

‘The painting... he borrowed my painting to act... Sui Guan is also a cunning and treacherous fellow. What is the meaning of this painting...?’

**Characters in this chapter:**Li Ximing: Early Violet Palace, Violet Palace AlchemistLi Zhouwei: Early Violet PalaceLi Quewan: Mid-Foundation EstablishmentXuanyi: Early Violet PalaceSima Yuanli: Early Violet PalaceTian Wan: Late Violet Palace