Chapter 389: Provocation

In the darkness, snowflakes fell silently like glittering white petals.

Jiang Ning took the battle challenge. She looked at Li Weiyi’s tall, straight figure and his incredibly resolute eyes, which were like a sharp sword unsheathed, ready to cut through all difficulties and hardships.

Taishi Yu lowered his head in thought. A moment later, he clapped his hands and exclaimed, "I think this is feasible! The battle between Xie Chucai and Li Weiyi has immense appeal. It's a showdown between the top talents of Firmament City's Living Realm and Due'e Monastery, a peak contest between a Nian Master and a martial cultivator, and even a life-and-death duel between love rivals, involving our most beautiful Fairy Yu."

"As long as we create enough momentum to draw all the martial cultivators in the city to the Six Nian Zen Temple to watch the battle, the temple's secrets will have no place to hide."

"Where the transcendent ones dare not enter, the people of the world can."

"We absolutely cannot publicize the dangers of the Six Nian Zen Temple beforehand, or many people will be scared off, and the momentum will greatly diminish."

"We'll fan the flames, building such an overwhelming surge that the imperial court will be forced to act. I'll handle the publicity..."

Jiang Ning frowned, finding it too dangerous. "What kind of momentum? This is a life-and-death battle. Doesn't the Commander know the gap between Li Weiyi's current cultivation and combat power and Xie Chucai's? This is a matter for our imperial court. Even if we're to issue a challenge, we should select someone of sufficient standing from within the court."

Ge Xiantong immediately volunteered, raising his hand and saying, "Let me do it! My master brought back the Mother-Child Spring. As his disciple, I have a responsibility to atone for the mistake and not let Li Weiyi look down on everyone in our imperial court!"

Taishi Yu shook his head. "You're still only at the fifth realm of cultivation, aren't you? If you challenge him, Xie Chucai won't even accept the fight; he'll mock you for overestimating yourself. Moreover, the imperial court's grandees will surely restrain you beforehand, preventing you from going to the Six Nian Zen Temple."

"No need to argue further! The chosen battleground is the Six Nian Zen Temple; how could Xie Chucai not know our intentions? It has to be me; only then will he have no reason to avoid the fight. As long as our goal is unified, we can work towards it from different directions." Li Weiyi, of course, knew that there was an insurmountable gap between his current combat power and Xie Chucai's.

The opponent could severely injure a Dao Seed Realm seventh-heaven expert in three moves.

Li Weiyi, on the other hand, only possessed the strength to fight a Dao Seed Realm seventh-heaven martial cultivator by forming a combined attack formation with seven Phoenix-wing Moth Emperors.

The combined attack formation had many weaknesses: its movement speed was severely restricted, and if attacked by the opponent's heavy weapons, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Furthermore, Xie Chucai was by no means foolish; how could he possibly agree to Li Weiyi using a swarm of insects?

In a life-and-death contest, everyone would undoubtedly be extremely cautious.

Jiang Ning's fairy eyes were filled with worry as she looked at Li Weiyi. "He won't give you another chance to use a 'binding talisman,' nor will he agree to you acquiring formations or talismans. This is a life-and-death duel, not child's play, is it?"

"What we are doing is also not child's play."

Li Weiyi looked at her with an apologetic gaze and softly added, "Jiang Ning, I had a selfish reason for asking you to deliver this battle challenge. This action will undoubtedly embed the mark of a loser deep within him, leaving him no possibility of avoiding the fight."

Seeing that she couldn't dissuade him, Jiang Ning asked, "Where do you plan to hide for the next few days? Give me an address; I'll come find you."

"No need! I'll be in seclusion before New Year's Eve."

Li Weiyi was preparing to activate the Time Cocoon to strive for a breakthrough in his Nian power, leaving him no spare time.

Jiang Ning's eyes were deep. "Perhaps I can lend you a hand with your cultivation."

"Stop being so sentimental; let's get moving. His main cultivation is Nian power. I'll help him get two sets of formations and runes; escaping will absolutely not be a problem."

Taishi Yu, being the most senior in cultivation and age among them, spoke in a highly rational tone: "Do you really think he's going for a duel? He can't possibly win! Our objective is to draw everyone to the Six Nian Zen Temple, not to determine victory or defeat, or life or death."

After discussing some more details, the four successively left the Grand Temple.

A moment later.

Taishi Qingshi emerged from the darkness, hands clasped behind his back, his eyes flickering. "A group of juniors wanting to accomplish something significant—what wishful thinking."

Behind him, Eunuch Chen's voice was heard: "Why didn't you stop their nonsense? If something truly goes wrong, no one can bear the responsibility."

Taishi Qingshi remained silent for a long time before saying, "Perhaps living too long does indeed dull one's sharpness, eroding the youthful spirit and ambitious fighting will of yesteryear. Their actions are a bit reckless, but given the current situation, if we continue to prioritize stability, we will surely lose everything. This time, I will lend them a hand!"

Li Weiyi and Taishi Yu shared a carriage.

Taishi Yu took out three talismans and handed them over: "A protection talisman, a lightning escape talisman, and a swift movement talisman. I crafted all of them myself; they are priceless. There's no need to truly fight him to the death. You're a five-star Spirit Nian Master facing a peak sixth-heaven expert of the Dao Seed Realm. If you can't win, escape—there's no shame in that."

"I'll gather some people and use this opportunity to investigate the entire Six Nian Zen Temple. As for your cultivation, do you lack any resources?"

Li Weiyi said, "Those twenty Star-Day Pills..."

"No need to say more about that; I've already prepared them for you."

Taishi Yu took a box containing Star-Day Pills from his interspatial pouch and handed it over.

Li Weiyi opened it, glanced inside, and immediately closed it, secretly marveling that Taishi Yu could casually produce treasures worth millions of Spring Coins.

A nine-star Spirit Nian Master and the Commander of the Taishi family were both synonymous with immense wealth.

If one could rob him, the potential gains would be unimaginable.

Thinking of this, Li Weiyi no longer stood on ceremony with him: "Commander, could you pass on to me the two formations that can be prepared in advance, which you used at the West Sea Royal Manor?"

The Mirroring Heaven-Earth Grand Formation and the Morning Sun True Spirit Grand Formation.

Such formations were naturally priceless treasures, secret techniques never to be passed down by the Taishi family.

Taishi Yu waved his hand. "It's not that I won't pass them on to you, but with your current cultivation, it's impossible for you to set them up. You'd need to be at least a seven-star Spirit Nian Master. Furthermore, there isn't enough time. Even with my nine-star Spirit Nian Master's Nian power mastery, it would take several days to draw them in the Spirit Realm beforehand."

"Pass me one; I want to try it, and I guarantee I won't leak it." After his Spirit Master left, Li Weiyi had no access to top-tier runes and formations.

The 'binding talisman' and 'swift movement talisman' were merely auxiliary runes, lacking offensive capability.

Taishi Yu, being generous, pulled out a thick book and tossed it to him. "Consider this the Taishi family making a friend in the Jiuli Divine Hermit."

The book cover read "Morning Sun True Spirit Grand Formation."

Li Weiyi then asked Taishi Yu for some millennium spirit herbs, talisman-making materials, and high-grade blood crystals, before disguising himself, alighting from the carriage, and quickly disappearing into the snowy night.

For the next few days, he had to remain hidden, or he might become a target for powerful individuals within the imperial court who dared not provoke the Demon Kingdom, risking assassination or expulsion from Firmament City.

Taishi Yu lifted the carriage curtain, watching his solitary retreating figure, and mused, "If his ancestral field hadn't been crippled, how astonishing would he have been?"

That night, the Heavenly Pavilion in Danyue District was exceptionally lively, having been fully reserved by Song Lin of the West Sea Royal Manor for a grand banquet.

Not only were young elites from various clans in Firmament City invited, but even unknown Dao Seed Realm martial cultivators could enter and attend the feast.

The multiple pavilions and halls, seven or eight stories high, were lavishly decorated. Immortal officials floated up and down, lights twinkled brightly, and musical instruments interwove, presenting a scene of prosperous grandeur.

Song Qingli had recovered, and Song Lin intended to use this opportunity to inform the entire city that all previous rumors about her were baseless, thereby salvaging the West Sea Royal Manor's reputation.

A group of over ten martial cultivators from Licheng, Zhizhou, arrived, carrying three boxes of gifts.

The leader was the young city lord of Licheng, youthful, dressed in vibrant and neat attire. Upon entering, he politely clasped his hands and loudly laughed, "Congratulations, congratulations on Miss Song's recovery! We have specially prepared a few boxes of Zhizhou's specialty tonics as gifts. Please do not disdain them; do accept them."

Licheng, Zhizhou, had been one of the hot topics among Firmament City's martial cultivators in the past month.

This was because all parties had received news that the transcendent Old Ancestor of the Li Clan, who cultivated in the Demon Kingdom, had returned to Firmament's Living Realm. Coupled with the Li Clan martial cultivators' recent extreme activity in Firmament City, many speculated that the transcendent one might indeed be within the city.

This was no small matter!

Rumor had it that the Li Clan's Old Ancestor was a prominent figure in the Demon Kingdom, with incredibly formidable cultivation.

Song Lin found it hard to maintain his composure, but wary of the power behind the other party, he had to step forward to greet them: "Qingli is perfectly well; thank you, Young City Lord, for your concern."

"How could she be fine? A month ago, everyone saw her transform into a ghost mother, going on a rampage in Danyue District. If it weren't for Zuo Ning... no... Li Weiyi from our Southern Realm, if it weren't for his righteous intervention, who knows how much disaster would have been caused," the Young City Lord of Licheng said.

Song Qingli gracefully flew down from upstairs.

Today, she was dressed exquisitely, in brocade robes with colorful ribbons, her features picturesque. She softly asked, "Does the Young City Lord think I look like a ghost mother?"

The Young City Lord of Licheng quickly bowed and saluted, smiling, "Miss Qingli doesn't look like one today, which proves the rumors are true. Li Weiyi is indeed a prodigious talent of our Firmament's Living Realm, possessing extraordinary skills, and he has completely cured you. Is it true that Miss Qingli drank from the Mother-Child Spring, causing her to mutate like a ghost?"

All floors of the Heavenly Pavilion fell silent; it was clear that an unwelcome guest had arrived.

They just didn't know his true intentions.

Song Lin's eyes turned cold, and the magical energy within him circulated. This junior before him was utterly presumptuous. With such provocation, if he didn't retaliate, wouldn't everyone in the world think that the Li Clan could lord over the West Sea Royal Manor?

Outside the gate, footsteps sounded.

Xie Chucai, in a vibrant red robe, and Li Shentong, in dark black attire, both tall, upright, and heroic figures, walked into the Heavenly Pavilion side by side.

Countless gazes were drawn to them.

In terms of appearance, few men could rival Xie Chucai. He had broad shoulders and a well-built physique, neither overly delicate nor overly stern, possessing an extraordinary bearing. The immortal officials in the Heavenly Pavilion all brightened up, highly interested in this remarkable man.

Li Shentong said, "Xiao Qi, don't be presumptuous in front of the West Sea Royal Manor. Miss Qingli, Young Master Song, you two have a deep friendship with Li Weiyi. Could you please convey a message for us? Senior Brother Xie of Due'e Monastery genuinely wishes to have another sparring match with him; he absolutely has no intention of seeking revenge."

"Li Weiyi has hidden himself, clearly fearing Senior Brother Xie, which is why he dares not show his face. We had no other choice but to come find you here."

Song Qingli stopped the enraged Song Lin and spoke softly, "I heard that a month ago at the West Sea Royal Manor, Young Master Xie was already defeated by Mr. Zuo Ning, and Mr. Zuo Ning is the Li Weiyi you speak of, isn't he? What does he have to fear from a loser? Perhaps he hasn't accepted the challenge out of disdain."

Xie Chucai sat on a chair three *zhang* away, maintaining his composure, and smiled, "Indeed, at the West Sea Royal Manor, I, Xie, was defeated, having made the grave mistake of underestimating my opponent. I initially thought Zuo Ning was merely an unknown, only to later learn he is the foremost talent of Firmament's Living Realm's new generation. It would be a lifelong regret if I couldn't have a proper rematch with such a figure."

Li Shentong interjected, "At that time, Brother Xie fought one against three, simultaneously facing Fairy Yu, Commander Taishi's Second-in-Command, and Firmament's Foremost Talent. He believed it to be an honorable sparring match, a proper exchange to befriend martial artists. He just didn't expect his opponent's methods to be so insidious; it was a treacherous person who ambushed him."

"Foremost talent of Firmament? He has completely disgraced Firmament's Living Realm!"

The Young City Lord of Licheng sneered and added, "Clearly, he knows very well that he would be defeated again, which is why he can only hide like a coward. Everyone says Fairy Yu is his confidante; does he deserve her? He's just a man without even a shred of courage, a good-for-nothing who wallowed in self-pity and even attempted suicide because his cultivation was crippled."