Chapter 976: 参疑室

Li Zhouwei collected the items. After reading the jade slip, he learned that the jade pot in his hand contained the Supreme Ritual's Xuan Yan Hong Qiong. The Xuan Xin Cui Qi, necessary for the Bright Heart Feast of the Essence-Gathering Profound Yuan cultivation method, could be drawn from the pot.

This was also an opportunity to revitalize a Daoist lineage.

This made him suspicious.

"The Bottle... Canjiu... When Changxiao pursued his grand-uncle years ago, he left extremely potent techniques on him, known as the Sangyu Canjiu Profound Method and the Bottle Convergence Profound Method. Changxiao originated from a certain Duxuan Daoist lineage in the East Sea. Since it's also Duxuan, it’s highly probable it's inextricably linked to the Daoist lineage before him. If I could find some clues here, things might be easier later."

At this thought, he secretly became vigilant.

"Since Changxiao is from Duxuan, he would be like a fish in water in Wanling Heaven and certainly wouldn't miss it. He's within this Grotto-Heaven, and given his insidious nature, he must be guarded against..."

As he exited the cave dwelling, he glanced around, secretly feeling it was a pity. Every item in Qingyi Peak was a good treasure. Although he didn't care for them, if he took them out and arranged them, they would be enough to furnish a high-standard cultivation area for himself. So he quickly scanned the area, dismantled the golden-scripted screen artifacts on both sides of the cave dwelling, and with a flick of his finger, removed the spirit cabinets. He hurriedly collected them without delay and swiftly left the dwelling.

The world within this Grotto-Heaven was bathed in gold. He changed direction and headed east, speeding for a hundred li. However, his gains became progressively smaller. Everywhere was in disarray, with many Purple Mansions having seized items, smashing all the cave dwellings inscribed with Daoist theories and cultivation methods. The once magnificent immortal palaces and pavilions were now widespread ruins, spiritual smoke billowing, with only streaks of colorful light darting through the air.

He pretended to search, but in reality, he was secretly using his Investigate Obscurity ability. Everything before his eyes continually blurred, revealing the miraculous containment and confinement within the world, like a thin veil draped over the ground, yet one area was gradually fading in color.

*This...*

He observed carefully for a while, then continued forward, activating his Celestial Light to appear as if he was searching. As he gradually approached the area, he saw a high platform made of silver. On this platform stood a dilapidated Hengmen (Balance Gate), faintly showing the appearance of three bays and four pillars. It was intricately carved with bas-reliefs, and its patterns, from top to bottom, incorporated elements of water, fire, earth, and wood. The central gate was the tallest, yet it seemed to have undergone some divine ability's baptism, completely destroyed from top to bottom, its patterns indiscernible, covered instead in sharp sword marks.

These sword marks were ancient and weathered, clearly not caused by the Purple Mansions who had entered. Each mark still emanated a startling power. Li Zhouwei paused briefly, and his spiritual sense also detected something:

*The miraculous confinement and containment within this world... seemed to weaken upon reaching this spot, even diminishing to a point where it was almost imperceptible beneath this Hengmen...*

Li Zhouwei took a step forward, closing his eyes slightly. As the suppressive force weakened, the range of his spiritual sense significantly expanded. Sensing more carefully, he could vaguely connect with the vast, dark, infinite, and reassuring Grand Void.

*It really is an exit!*

Before this Grotto-Heaven opened, the suppressive force sealing this place must have been much stronger. Only now was entry and exit possible. He secretly committed this place to memory, so he could escape through it in the future. Without lingering, he continued to fly, increasing his speed, his gaze constantly sweeping the ground. He secretly activated his Investigate Obscurity ability, detected an anomaly ahead, and approached silently.

Soon, he saw a divine ability crisscrossing, a rolling brown-yellow light rushing through the air, leaving a trail of dust behind it—it was a Zhenxuan Spirit Image. This Purple Mansion cultivator was clad in black robes and appeared young. It was unknown where he hailed from, but judging by his attire, he was likely a True Man from the outer seas, who had come to Jiangnan for this Grotto-Heaven. What made Li Zhouwei focus was the Zhenxuan Spirit Image. It was considerably larger and much stronger than the one at Xinhu Palace, appearing extremely ferocious. He merely bypassed it, not bothering to meddle. With a sweep of his golden eyes, he took advantage of the cultivator distracting the Zhenxuan Spirit Image and headed directly towards the cultivator's origin. After flying for a while, he indeed began to feel the fluctuating spiritual energy in the air, secretly pleased:

*As expected... just like Xinhu Palace, key locations must be guarded by spirit images. This True Man must have obtained something, which is why he fled from this direction!*

*Most of the smaller places have been searched... the good stuff still needs to be fought for!*

He sped away. As he drew closer to the location, he indeed felt the miraculous containment and confinement within the world suddenly increase in intensity, reaching the strength he had experienced at Xinhu Palace. Soon, thick black light and clouds appeared in the distance.

Unlike Xinhu Palace, this place was engulfed in a terrifying downpour. The sky above was dark and lacked any light. Every raindrop was a deep greenish-blue, striking his dharma body with a harsh sizzling sound. The surging rain made him look up. With a flicker of his spiritual sense, he understood:

"The Verdant Water Rising Evening Rain... this place most likely contains Verdant Water treasures!"

The endless emerald rain almost obscured all light, and the ground beneath his feet was already a vast expanse of water. Broken walls and ruins could be faintly seen appearing and disappearing on the surface, emitting a faint glow. He didn't need to use his Investigate Obscurity ability; a mere sweep of his golden eyes was enough to see through the Evening Rain and take in the entire situation.

"Hmm?"

Li Zhouwei raised an eyebrow slightly, pondering:

*There’s an old acquaintance here!*

Within the swirling verdant light, a figure was unmistakably moving, fighting and retreating. This person wore deep blue dharma robes, had a short face with a slightly pointed chin, exuded handsome spiritual energy, and was imbued with surging divine abilities, interwoven with purple light. It was none other than Zhenren Ye Hui! This True Man had defected to the North and seemed to have fared quite well over the years. At this moment, he stood in the rain, controlling purple water, holding a perfectly round, bright luminous pearl. Although he was fighting one against three, he appeared relaxed and natural, without a hint of haste. In contrast, the other three Purple Mansions, though they had pursued him all the way, now hesitated and showed signs of retreating.

Just as Li Zhouwei gripped his Great Ascension Halberd, a powerful white light surged from the distant rain. From within the swirling emerald ruins, a streak of light burst forth, soaring into the sky! The white light glowed, flowing like a waterfall. Even with the Evening Rain obscuring the area, it couldn't hide the dazzling white light. Merely appearing in the air, it caused various brilliant rays to descend, dispersing the water mist and scattering the verdant light.

"A Spirit Artifact!"

Close behind, another figure emerged from the swirling verdant water. Dressed in a python robe and short in stature, he emanated surging white light. With a triumphant smile, he raised his hand and firmly seized the dazzling white light in his palm!

Da Zhao, Zong Chang!

The appearance of this person made Li Zhouwei silently raise an eyebrow:

*A Jueyin cultivator, a Buddhist practitioner... Tai Yu's martial nephew... naturally, an enemy!*

He silently added this person to his list of enemies. Raising an eyebrow, he gazed at the white light. With a blink of his golden eyes, its brilliance slowly faded, revealing dense patterns. He understood:

*It's a restriction, likely holding various treasures. I should use Investigate Obscurity to check.*

Although Zong Chang's face showed joy, she showed no hesitation. She immediately activated her Yin Qi and sped away, leaving a shining white contrail. As she moved, she turned and fiercely waved her sleeve at her pursuers. Instantly, a surge of white energy poured down, transforming into various colorful, prismatic white lights that carried a chilling cold. The man behind her, with a grim expression, wearing a black feathered robe and a jade gourd at his waist, stepping on golden misty fog, sneered:

"Zong Chang! How undisciplined!"

The prismatic white light rushed towards him, causing him to immediately raise his hand. Surging golden energy rippled forth, engulfing all the white light and continuously dissolving it. Yet, the woman laughed charmingly:

"Undisciplined? So what! You're an overseas demonic cultivator, establishing yourself in Jiangbei by relying on the Jinyu Sect, and you dare to talk about rules with me!"

Golden energy and Yin Qi clashed, exploding into a burst of light in the air. Yet another figure soared forth, clad in a veil, with a pure face, stepping on surgingly rising Yin Water, causing Li Zhouwei to slightly stiffen.

It was Daoist Nun Xiangchun! She was one of the first Purple Mansions Li Zhouwei had ever seen, the master of Changliu Mountain, and the woman of the Beiha Dragon King Dongfang Lieyun—certainly no simple character! Daoist Nun Xiangchun stood in the air, a precious pearl manifesting behind her, scattering Yin Water light. She finally spoke, her voice clear and cold:

"Fellow Daoist, you should also consider whether you have the ability to monopolize everything!"

Zong Chang's expression subtly changed. She didn't react to the threat but gave her a rather dismissive glance, saying:

"So it's Madam Beiha."

Indeed, women are adept at provoking other women. This remark caused Zhenren Changyun's expression to subtly shift, the surrounding observing Purple Mansions secretly gasped, and Daoist Nun Xiangchun's face changed color, as she quietly said:

"You..."

Cultivators who ascend to the Purple Mansion realm and refine divine abilities have dharma bodies that are condensed manifestations of these powers, capable of appearing as male or female. Aside from those Mahas in the North who enjoy shifting back and forth between genders, claiming to have transcended carnal forms, most Purple Mansion cultivators typically retain their original gender and appearance. However, Daoist companions at the Purple Mansion level are still rare, with most unions occurring within sects. As for human-demon relationships like this, while not openly discussed, people generally hold some reservations. Furthermore, the Beiha Dragon King's legitimate wife was also of the dragon race; though she had no personal fiefdom, she was a true, dignified dragon. This single phrase, "Madam Beiha," was both an apt taunt and profoundly embarrassing for Xiangchun!

Instantly, numerous divine lights intertwined. Zong Chang, however, was already prepared. She revealed her sleeve, unleashing thousands of illusory colors: Yin Guang San Gong Maze Light! This light was dark, murky, and malevolent, like a crescent moon obscured by clouds, filled with thousands of chilling malevolent energies. It vaguely hinted at scenes of premature decay of plants and trees, and the mass copulation of birds and beasts. It was a bewildering divine ability that blocked magical power, causing the two individuals before her to simultaneously halt.

But how could Changyun be ordinary? His eyes shone brightly, and the gourd at his waist lightly leaped up, taking on a blowing posture. From it emerged a bone-crushing, ashes-scattering, boiling golden wind, which dispersed the Yin Guang San Gong Maze Light. Daoist Nun Xiangchun also possessed profound foundations. The precious pearl behind her spun, emitting a clear radiant light that swept away the illusion. Zong Chang understood the strength of the two and never imagined that a single Yin Guang San Gong Maze Light could stop them. Taking advantage of this momentary delay, she abruptly activated another divine ability: The Doubt Chamber!

Behind Zong Chang, chilling Yin energy surged, giving birth to a mysterious palace from nothingness. It had two halls, complete with wings and side chambers, East and West chambers, with seats arranged between the doors and windows. A courtyard lay before the main hall, and surprisingly, a sundial was enshrined in the very center. The woman plunged into the depths of the palace, as if falling into infinite darkness, and vanished. She dissipated along with the Doubt Chamber, disappearing completely into the swirling verdant water.

Changyun, however, sneered. With a slight flick of his hand, a profound mirror slipped from his sleeve:

"Where do you think you're going!"

The profound mirror emitted a brilliant light, unfolding into sixteen layers that rapidly swept through the downpour like chains of white light, searching everywhere. Suddenly, a distant tremor revealed a Jueyin white light. Before the two could act, Zong Chang suddenly looked up and sharply cried out:

"Who's there!"

The Verdant Water Evening Rain abruptly parted to either side, and a golden long halberd burst forth, tearing through the air, stirring up celestial light and colorful clouds, and smashing directly onto the Jueyin white light.

"Boom!"

Zong Chang reacted incredibly fast. A pair of long shuttles, about a foot long, slender and narrow like two silver daggers, appeared in her hands and were brought together to block. Jueyin and Mingyang inherently complement and harm each other. Instantly, purity and turbidity separated, the verdant water rippled, and dazzling radiance spread across Zong Chang's face, making her grit her teeth:

"Li... Zhou... Wei!"

"Clang!"

The Great Ascension Halberd rotated abruptly, causing white smoke to billow from Zong Chang's long shuttles. This woman, having been nourished by years of tribute from the Zhao court, possessed formidable cultivation methods and immense strength; she actually managed to block the Great Ascension Halberd, exhaling a puff of white energy. Before the white energy could change, the "Attachment Effect" ability suddenly activated. The golden light leaped up, sweeping through the white energy with a single halberd thrust, aiming for her eyes!

"Hah!"

Zong Chang let out a soft cry. The skin and flesh on her face split open, forming hundreds of hollows, from which surging white energy rushed out, revealing the skeletal form beneath her beautiful flesh. Her entire body of flesh then transformed into countless white bees, scattering like the wind. As surging golden sand blew in, Changyun had already arrived before her!

Changyun now possessed two divine abilities, and Xiangchun was a mid-stage Purple Mansion. Although Xiangchun's Daoist lineage wasn't skilled in combat, they were already trouble enough! Earlier, she had entertained the thought of monopolizing the treasure, relying on her divine ability for subtle movement, but with too many enemies, it felt like playing with fire. Now, with the addition of Li Zhouwei, the White Qilin who also possessed two divine abilities, Zong Chang knew that even if she managed to secure the treasure, it would only result in a pyrrhic victory. Without the slightest hesitation, she immediately concentrated her divine ability, gently raised her hand, and flung the cluster of white light towards the charging Changyun!

Changyun's expression was stern. Among the three, his cultivation was only slightly higher than Li Zhouwei's. Yet, if it came down to a fight, he wasn't truly confident he could decisively defeat the White Qilin before him. In fact, he secretly estimated:

*He is the White Qilin of the human realm; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to estimate him as having three divine abilities... Xiangchun isn't skilled in combat, and in a one-on-one fight, without using the trump cards given by the dragon clan... she might truly be unable to deal with him!*

While Changyun certainly had trump cards, wouldn't others? His strength might even be the lowest among them. Facing the valuable treasure thrown by his enemy, he showed no hesitation or greed. The surging golden wind swept over it mercilessly. A hint of regret flashed in Zong Chang's eyes.

*How cautious. It seems there's no chance of monopolizing it now!*

"Boom!"

Dazzling white light burst forth, so powerful that even the pervasive Verdant Water Evening Rain around them couldn't withstand it, causing the mist to dissipate. People nearby turned their heads, and hidden Purple Mansions silently revealed themselves, casting greedy glances.

"Clang!"

Indeed, several streaks of colorful light, full of spiritual essence, shot out from it, leaving trails of colored contrails as they darted in different directions. The four closest individuals all changed expression, simultaneously rising and darting towards a different streak.

Li Zhouwei seemed to choose randomly, but as he flew on celestial light, his gaze had already locked onto one particular streak. This object shimmered with illusory colors, like water and like gold, swirling like a rainbow. It constantly changed form in the air, faintly revealing cinnabar and mercury intertwined, seemingly containing the philosophy of various transformations, making it difficult to look away—it was precisely a complete Dan Spirit Treasure, a rarity in the current era!