Chapter 1562: Southern Reach (I)

Ever since Li Zhouwei revealed himself publicly, the Golden Feather Sect's attitude had improved considerably. Daoist Master Tianhuo had visited the Li Family several times, always courteous and clearly inclined to build ties. The Li Family had benefited greatly, and the [Qilin Radiant Yang Scripture] had even been delivered by Golden Feather Sect.

As long as the Li Family sent over [Under-Neck Feathers], the Golden Feather Sect would exchange them for [Profound Intermediary Flower Leaf] regardless of whether they needed them, making their intent to assist quite clear. Now that Tianhuo had come personally to ask, his stance was even more obvious.

Li Ximing looked at the smiling young man before him and began to weigh things in his mind, This is not a bad option... There are too many Dao lineages in the north. Who knows how many might have schemes against my family? Not to mention there will certainly be Buddhist cultivators involved. If the Golden Feather Sect can lend us some support, that would only help...

He smiled and said, "I fear we might only become a burden to your Immortal Sect!"

"Ah..." A hint of amusement appeared in Tianhuo's eyes, making him seem all the more at ease as he replied, "That is not quite right. Your esteemed family is rich in talent, so how could you speak of being a burden? Our two families have been allies for six generations and maintained good relations for a hundred years. We have shared deep ties with our Golden Feather Sect's disciples since the time of Senior Tongya. It is only natural that the younger generation should interact more now."

Li Ximing nodded with a faint smile at the veiled mention of Zhang Yun's past. At the Purple Mansion Realm, both sides understood the truth. Everything back then had been the result of scheming. The so-called friendship between the two families was little more than a show for those who did not know better.

He could not help but think to himself, When they need us, we are six generations of allies with a century of goodwill. When they do not, we are just a minor lakeside family to be summoned at will... The Golden Feather Sect bears the surname Zhang, yet few of them truly wish the Li Family well...

Still, this venture into the secret realm did not involve any core interests. It was only a matter concerning a few Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators. No matter what, the Golden Feather Sect would not stoop to tricks over something like this.

So he smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist, what you say makes perfect sense!"

He reached into his sleeve and took out a round bead etched with the pattern of a spirit tiger. With a subtle transformation, it instantly became a palm-sized spirit tiger.

With a thought, Li Ximing named a few individuals. "Li Jiangxia, Ding Weizeng, Li Jianglong, Li Wushao, Chen Yang..."

These were either individuals with stronger cultivation or those with particularly formidable methods. There were no more suitable candidates. However, when it came to the crucial Li Jiangqian and Li Quewan, Li Ximing hesitated.

Li Quewan had gone to the Eastern Sea more than half a year ago and was already at the late stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm. It was unclear whether she had come out of seclusion. As for Li Jiangqian, though he remained at the lake, he had been in seclusion for a long time, having taken pills to perfect his cultivation.

Li Ximing had no intention of disturbing him to leave seclusion for the secret realm. Unlike Li Zhouwei, who had already revealed himself to the world, Li Jiangqian and Li Quewan were the Li Family's Purple Mansion Realm seeds. For years, they had been deliberately kept low-profile. At most, outsiders only knew they cultivated strong techniques, and many barely knew anything about Li Quewan at all.

If they were to shine brilliantly within the secret realm, it would certainly bring glory, but it would also draw attention. Their names would be remembered, and if Li Ximing were ever restrained, there was no telling how many enemies might act against them in secret.

The ones he chose to send in were not particularly high in cultivation. Even the strongest among them, Ding Weizeng, was not a Li by surname. That, too, was a form of quiet protection.

These are only matters at the Foundation Establishment Realm... There is no need to risk our Purple Mansion Realm seeds. The most suitable people for this are outsiders like Ding Weizeng, guest cultivators without the Li name!

Since this area was very close to the lake, he simply had the [Mountain-Charging Sea-Pacing Tiger] transform into its Stable Tiger form and carry the message over.

His gaze swept through the great void, taking the opportunity to identify each presence. Aside from a few Purple Mansion Realm cultivators already stationed along the shore, the major powers had all arrived. There were also several unfamiliar figures, likely from northern families. However, Si Yuanli, who had only recently advanced, was nowhere to be seen. It was unclear where he had gone, as he had yet to arrive.

Ch'i Lanyan stood in the western clouds . Slightly ahead of him was Daoist Master Yehui, riding that crow of his as always. It was hard to tell whether it was a spirit artifact or a spirit embryo. When he noticed Li Ximing looking over, he smiled and gave a nod.

Yehui was a man of deep scheming. When he had chosen to wade into these troubled waters and defect to the north, he had even visited the Li Family beforehand. At the time, Li Ximing had not fully understood his intentions. Looking back now, it was likely that Yehui had used that conversation to make clear he bore no hostility, settling old grievances in advance so as to avoid becoming a casualty of future conflict between north and south.

Not far away, a woman in Xiang-style[1] robes stood quietly, saying nothing. Her gaze drifted toward him from afar, her eyes filled with complicated emotion.

When her eyes met Li Ximing's, her lips parted slightly before she lowered her gaze with a faint sigh.

"Fellow Daoist Zhaojing..."

Li Ximing's thoughts were interrupted by Tianhuo. The young man carried an air of quiet mystery as he said softly, "Look to the north."

Li Ximing followed his gaze and saw two streams of divine ability drifting in the northern sky, radiating light. One was a murky white, while the other was hazy like mist. Merely looking at them stirred a sense of unease within him.

Tianhuo said softly, "That is Gongsun Bei, who cultivates [Radiant Essence], and Zong Chang of the Great Zhao court, who cultivates [Veiled Yin]. Your esteemed family should keep an eye on these two."

Li Ximing's expression turned serious. As the two figures coalesced, he saw Gongsun Bei standing tall in armor, a crimson axe in hand. His gaze was sharp as a blade and he had a scar running across his face. He looked like someone not to be provoked.

"Radiant Essence..."

From the very beginning of his cultivation, Li Ximing had heard that his own Dao lineage was wary of Radiant Essence and had always taken note of it. He had only ever heard that the Golden Feather Sect possessed a powerful [Radiant Essence] Dao lineage. Now that he was finally seeing a [Radiant Essence] Purple Mansion Realm cultivator in person, he could not help but frown inwardly.

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Zong Chang, on the other hand, wore a python-patterned robe. She was short in stature, with a face that was dignified at first glance, yet her aura carried a hint of sly malice that altered her entire appearance. She was staring intently at him.

Though she cultivated the same [Veiled Yin] as Wei Xuanyin, she lacked that ethereal grace. Instead, she exuded a heavy, unsettling aura of dark malevolence. Her long robe, tailored in a man's style, trailed down to her feet. Beneath it, pale skin showed faintly, while several glossy black venomous bees flitted and crawled within the shadows of her garments.

Tianhuo frowned and said in a hushed tone, "Those who cultivate [Veiled Yin] tend to gather in groups, reveling in wanton coupling and unchecked proliferation. Like shrews, they cultivate their vital nature within the body, like bees and ants below, multiplying into countless vile forms... This one has cultivated to the point that there are hardly any normal people left in the Zhao court..."

He continued quietly, "Do you know of Maha Daisi? Before turning to the Buddhist path, he also cultivated [Veiled Yin]. If one were to trace his history, he would be this woman's martial uncle in the sect."

Li Ximing nodded faintly. Tianhuo shook his head and said, "Her cultivation method is peculiar. In the end, she too will turn to the Buddhist Dao. It has always been this way, using everything to its fullest and devouring the fate of their kin to transform into the Buddhist Dao... Thus, though she cultivates the Immortal Dao now, she is essentially already one of the Buddhist cultivators.

"As for Gongsun Bei... he is a hound raised by great clans."

At this point, Li Ximing had pieced things together and replied, "The north is truly chaotic."

"Isn't it?" Tianhuo shook his head slightly as he said, "Great Zhao may be little more than a framework, but it is a very useful one. Many forces are mixed within this empty shell, each entangled with the other. It is nothing like the south."

He added with a hint of meaning, "But Yue State is no hollow showpiece."

1. 湘 (Xiāng) refers to Hunan (Xiang) regional aesthetics, often associated with flowing garments, elegant yet slightly melancholic temperament, and refined southern cultural grace. ☜

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