Chapter 997: Crossing the River

Mirrored Forest Commandery.

Li Suining emerged from the pavilion. After a brief wait, he saw an ordinary-looking man descend on the wind, accompanied by two others. They seemed to be discussing something, and he faintly caught a few snippets:“The Pu family has produced a genius. Has the Protector heard?”“Indeed… he’s already in the mountains. I saw him a while ago…”

Li Suining waited quietly beside the palace. When the three arrived at the palace entrance, the man in the center glanced at him, frowned, and quickly recognized him. He stopped, turned around, and asked, “Suining?”

Li Suining immediately bowed and respectfully greeted, “Junior pays respects to Great-Uncle!”

The man before him was Li Zhoufang, the eldest brother of the Li family’s Zhou-generation. He had gradually emerged from the shadow of his uncles’ and brothers’ deaths and now held the status of an elder. Stroking his beard, he looked at Li Suining fixedly, then asked in surprise, “Is that really Suining? You’re quite different now…”

Li Suining’s heart tightened.

This great-uncle was not highly regarded among the older generation. In earlier years, he had worked with his second great-uncle, Li Zhouyang, on matters of protection and patronage. After Li Zhouyang’s demise, Great-Uncle Li Zhoufang remained a reliance for many young disciples and was extremely popular among the juniors throughout the continent. Behind him, of course, was the Elder Master, Li Xuanxuan.

It was precisely because of this that Li Zhoufang remembered every child, and had clearly met Li Suining before!

Li Suining’s temperament was now quite different, which naturally surprised Li Zhoufang. However, the middle-aged man’s heart was filled with affection. He immediately put his two subordinates out of his mind and chuckled, “You’ve grown up! You’re very unlike your former self!”

Li Suining smiled and respectfully replied, “I’ve now reached the fifth level of Embryonic Breathing, so I immediately came to pay my respects, sir.”

“I heard! You’ve brought honor to the East Manor! The True Lord values you greatly; you absolutely must not disappoint him!”

Li Zhoufang dismissed his two companions, then eagerly led Li Suining into the courtyard, chatting cheerfully about recent events. Soon, he asked, “What’s the matter?”

Li Zhoufang had helped many clansmen and knew that juniors who sought him out always had a request, so he didn’t mind. He immediately inquired. Li Suining’s eyes reddened, and he said in a low voice, “It’s about my father… He died in the wilderness, and I’ve always kept it in my heart, but I don’t know who the killer is… My mother mentioned before that Guest Elder Ding and the Third Young Master had greatly supported him. I only wanted to, first, see you, sir, and second… to inquire about the killer… with thoughts of seeking revenge.”

Li Zhoufang immediately froze, his face flushed, and his eyes instantly welled up.

His own brothers had perished in the wilderness, which had even caused him to become dejected for a time. Hearing these words now, how could he not feel sorrow and anger?!

Li Suining’s words precisely struck his painful spot, making him stand up abruptly. He paced back and forth twice in the room, then lowered his gaze, closed his eyes, and sighed, “Good child!”

These three words made Li Suining lower his head, a faint guilt stirring within him for exploiting Li Zhoufang’s pain.

To be honest, the turmoil in the wilderness was almost insignificant among the Li clan’s grudges, and it wasn’t even taken to heart by some of the elders. Even for Li Suining, whose father had died—first, the killer couldn’t be found amidst the chaos, and second, he had never met his father and had more important, urgent matters to attend to, so he wasn’t fixated on it…

But for Li Zhoufang, with brothers and nephews dying in the preceding and subsequent turmoil, it was a raw, bloody hatred!

Seeing that he, Li Zhoufang, was the only one in the entire Li family who truly cared, this great-uncle must have felt awful, though he didn’t say it aloud. Hearing Li Suining’s words now, he was filled with profound emotion. He turned his head and said in a deep voice, “Although my cultivation isn’t high, fortunately I’ve accumulated some merit over the years, and I jointly manage the wilderness affairs with Guest Elder Ding. I will definitely invite him here for you! I will certainly help you get to the bottom of this!”

Li Suining felt a wave of relief, knowing the matter was settled.

The reason he sought out Li Zhoufang was twofold: first, this great-uncle would certainly help him, and second, he valued Li Zhoufang’s status and position!

It wasn’t that he couldn’t meet Ding Weizeng—but given his current cultivation level and the people he knew, even if he could arrange a meeting, it would most likely be at the wilderness front lines to pay respects to Ding Weizeng. That would carry an entirely opposite meaning; instead of saving someone, he might end up putting himself in danger.

‘While Great-Uncle’s cultivation isn't high, he is the legitimate eldest of the Yuan-Du generation and the eldest son of the Zhou-Xing generation. He also presides over the wilderness’s political affairs. Therefore, in terms of both status and identity, he has the means to summon Guest Elder Ding!’

Even if Li Zhoufang truly could drop everything and fly to the wilderness front lines, Li Suining also had ways to persuade him—after all, many direct descendants had died in the wilderness, Li Zhoufang was only at the Qi Cultivation stage, and the riverside was not a particularly safe place to begin with.

Now that the matter was settled, he thanked Li Zhoufang sincerely. Li Zhoufang simply waved his hand, instructed someone to leave, and asked in a low voice, “Guest Elder Ding is an upright man. This matter might inevitably appear a bit like seeking patronage. You mustn’t say he was specifically invited for you. Remember to say that I had affairs to discuss with Guest Elder Ding, and your matter just happened to coincide…”

Li Zhoufang had managed affairs by the lake for many years, so he naturally had his methods. Li Suining understood perfectly and nodded in agreement, but then saw the middle-aged man sigh, “Life by the lake might not be easy. They don’t know how to live, so don’t hold grudges against them, and get along well with Suikuan…”

“Yes!”

Li Suining had actually anticipated him saying something like that.

This was where Li Zhoufang differed from Li Xuanxuan. Even if his descendants or brothers were useless or behaved disgracefully, Li Zhoufang would still show favoritism, believing they were, after all, his clan members. The Elder Master, however, would truly scold and punish. With similar individuals, in his previous life, the Elder Master had gotten to the bottom of matters, and he certainly didn’t smooth things over by saying, “don’t hold grudges.”

But Li Zhoufang had always been this kind of person; taught by Li Cheng to be utterly selfless, no matter how soft-hearted he might be, he was still far better than that beast who betrayed their family to the Buddhist sect!

Remembering this, Li Suining’s breathing quickened slightly, and a trembling anger still simmered within him: ‘Li Chengpan…’

He was very cautious. Buddhist cultivators always had karmic perception, and even if the opponent’s cultivation was likely low now, he quickly dismissed the thought. He began to wait anxiously, a dilemma in his heart: “It’s almost noon… it shouldn’t be…”

With his past life’s experience, Li Suining knew there were countless powerful figures eyeing Moon-Gazing Lake, so he dared not act out of line, nor speak his thoughts aloud. He could only do his best within his capabilities, inevitably hesitating and distractedly responding to the elder before him. Suddenly, he heard a sound: “Boom!”

A red-golden light descended from the sky, and a man appeared within the pavilion.

This man had a swallow’s jaw and tiger whiskers, a handsome face, and eyes like daggers that unconsciously revealed a murderous aura, a dazzling display of deadly power. He wore brilliant red armor, and two short staves, faintly shimmering with spiritual light, were tucked into his waist.

Simply standing there, without uttering a word, he exuded the fierce and authoritative demeanor of a great general. He lowered his brows slightly and spoke in a hoarse, deep voice, “Young Master seeks me?”

Li Zhoufang smiled and replied, “Precisely! I apologize for troubling Guest Elder with this trip!”

‘This is the Fiery Tiger!’

Li Suining’s heart pounded, a mix of joy and alarm, as he suppressed the elation threatening to overflow: ‘It’s true… I really made it in time!’

In his previous life, he had naturally never met Ding Weizeng. After all, Ding Weizeng had been burned to death by the Concurrent Fire while Li Suining was still in the Embryonic Breathing stage. He had only heard that there was once such a ‘Fiery Tiger’ in their family… a formidable and capable subordinate of the True Lord, a great regret.

Now, seeing him with his own eyes, his heart was filled with countless surprises!

‘He is indeed a fierce general… and I really did save him!’

His ecstasy knew no bounds—previously, he had been filled with a burning desire to change his past life, but there was always the underlying concern that fate was unchangeable, a subtle worry. Now, everything was truly happening, and he was certain he possessed the ability to alter the future, even feeling as if he were dreaming.

The boiling ecstasy and complex emotions were incomprehensible to others. Li Suining merely lowered his brows, feeling the hot waves of spiritual light emanating from the other man. His heart was fervent, and his throat choked up: ‘Guest Elder Ding is the first, and he will certainly not be the last!’

Ding Weizeng, however, turned his dagger-like gaze toward him, looking at him with slight doubt.

The Fiery Tiger Immortal Foundation was a lineage with exceptional mastery in ocular techniques, and his gaze exerted immense pressure. Seeing the young man lower his head, he wasn’t surprised and asked, “Is this concerning the families on the East Shore?”

Li Zhoufang began to elaborate, but Li Suining quietly lowered his brows, his gaze drifting to the setting sun outside the window, counting slowly. ‘Three, two, one…’

As the numbers in his mind slowly concluded, his tension abruptly peaked. A gentle breeze swept in, and Ding Weizeng suddenly looked up, a fierce expression on his face, gazing at the sky—in that instant, a surging Concurrent Fire erupted with a roar from the north, sweeping across heaven and earth, turning the entire sky to a grey-black hue!

“This is bad!”

The man didn’t hesitate for a second. Amidst Li Zhoufang’s shocked and bewildered expression, he stood up, his form blazing crimson, transforming into a streak of light, and hurtled towards the sky!

‘He avoided the initial Concurrent Fire and ambush… he’s probably just going to take a look, so he should be safe…’

Li Suining also stood up, suppressing the urge to follow. His face showed shock, his eyes held hope, and he slowly raised his head.

Over the western lake, a blazing celestial light was rising, stirring rolling colorful clouds and rapidly dispersing the grey-black from the sky. A dull yet majestic sense of suppression quickly spread: ‘The True Lord has made his move!’

“Moon-Gazing Lake…”

In the sky, karmic flames surged, swirling like black mist. Numerous golden bodies appeared one after another, casting brilliant colorful lights into the air.

A Mahakala with a horse’s head and dark eyes stood in the air, his lotus pedestal radiating brilliant colors. The golden figure raised its head, looking towards the nearby lake, and a Sanskrit chant emerged: “Nüsiao!”

The nun beside him stood up, bowed respectfully, and saw Taisi slowly say, “Go and give it a try.”

‘Why don’t you go yourself, you bastard? You want me to fight the White Qilin?’

The nun rose with a smile, her face filled with peace and serenity, her delicate features like porcelain, shimmering with light. Though inwardly furious, she still could not disobey his command and cautiously ascended on the wind.

Nüsiao was also quite unlucky. She possessed some karmic connections, being a protégé of the Sparrow-Carp Fish and a strong contender among his disciples. Her status was originally not low, and despite previous derelictions of duty, she could still maintain a stable position due to this relationship.

She had recommended Lingci, thinking she could gain some merit, but unexpectedly, Lingci outperformed everyone and won the Sparrow-Carp Fish’s favor, causing Nüsiao to lose her value instead. Her previous derelictions of duty immediately became glaring, and sure enough, when Taisi’s side was short on hands, she was immediately dispatched.

Since she wasn’t from their faction, how could she get a good assignment? It was only because Taisi wasn’t her direct superior and her fate wasn’t in his hands that she dared to curse him inwardly, but that was all she dared to do… She had no ability to resist whatsoever, and flew over with trepidation.

No sooner had she crossed the river than she saw a brightly patterned, gleaming white celestial gate rise from the colorful clouds, casting down countless rays of heavenly light. Frightened, she immediately recoiled, but then realized that a man in white and gold robes was seated atop the celestial gate, which startled her.

It was Li Ximing!

“Hoo!”

Her back immediately straightened, and her brows relaxed, revealing a sense of ease. She chuckled, “So it’s Fellow Daoist Zhaojing!”

How could Nüsiao not know Li Ximing’s true capabilities? They had just competed a few years ago when he seized the White Tiger Child: Li Ximing was indeed skilled at suppressing protégés, and the Huayang Royal Axe was truly formidable, but she hadn’t come alone!

‘What’s more… upon seeing the White Qilin, how could the Huayang Royal Axe possibly follow him? The White Qilin is tyrannical; it never spits out what it devours. How could it leave him the Qianyang Bracelet?’

It wasn’t just Nüsiao who felt confident; the several protégés behind her also quietly exhaled in relief. Taisi, whose eyes flickered with uncertainty, also grinned, but the cunning old man remained vigilant: ‘Li Ximing is nothing, but the White Qilin is likely still over the lake. Lord is leading his forces in the wilderness. If he were hit by a few bracelets from the White Qilin and sustained injuries, it wouldn’t be worth it… Although Louying Pavilion returned due to injury… from what he said, this Qianyang Bracelet is still quite capable.’

Li Ximing merely watched them with a cold gaze, his heart boiling with indignation.

‘Good… they attacked the lake without a sound… If I hadn’t yet departed for the West Sea, perhaps only Zhou Wei would have been guarding the lake!’

These individuals were already troublesome, and what’s more, there was more than one powerful aura in the wilderness—the peace between north and south was torn to shreds like gauze. A single move from the north resulted in a death trap with vastly disparate power levels, causing a mix of lingering fear and rage within him, making his gaze even colder.

He showed no slackness. Celestial light flickered between his brows, and a perfectly spherical, crimson orb, like a golden core, had already appeared on his forehead. Five layers of golden threads encircled it, and fiery red birds hovered, emitting bursts of misty, colorful light.

Dual Luminous Instruments of Heavy Fire!

A majestic blaze of fiery light surged forth from it, chaotic and dazzling. The crimson hue, trailing fragmented and intertwined colorful light, instantly engulfed the entire sky, drawing the three appearing protégés and one Mahakala into it!

The chaotic fiery light darted everywhere, instantly scattering all spiritual senses and freezing Nüsiao, who was caught first. Yet, light emerged from within, as if creating a Buddhist realm, and solemn Sanskrit tones resonated: “Evil outsiders, mere parlor tricks!”

Taisi’s figure had already vanished from the lotus seat. Dense golden light enveloped his side, its radiance repelling the chaotic colors one by one, revealing the Mahakala’s golden body. His eyes flickered, already fixed on Li Ximing’s position!

Yet, the True Lord in white and gold robes showed no hint of retreat. He simply stood still, his eyes slightly closed, his hands pressed together at his chest, and three blazing beams of light flickered at his sides.

On his left, a fiery red blaze of Lihuo surged and roved ceaselessly, containing the profound essence of the Void-Piercing Caverns. On his right, a Zhenhuo with a white core, golden exterior, and crimson mystical patterns, its golden flames furiously blooming, absorbed the profound subtleties of cultivation artifacts for enlightenment. These were, astonishingly, two Spiritual Fires of the Purple Mansion.

But what truly made the Mahakala’s pupils dilate was the fiercely bright, central radiance embraced by these two Spiritual Fires, enveloping a faint grey, almost invisible flame that exuded a terrifying, menacing aura!

‘This is… the Concurrent Fire of the Solar path!’

Taisi’s pupils were instantly filled with countless incomprehensible thoughts, his mind momentarily blank: ‘Early Purple Mansion stage? A Purple Mansion with one divine ability… three Spiritual Fires of the Purple Mansion?’

But the raging firelight was already reflected in his eyes. These three Spiritual Fires, docile as lambs in the opponent’s hands, intertwined and merged without interference, already descending at a terrifying speed, heading straight for his face!