Chapter 1563: Southern Reach (II)

The great void suddenly began to churn violently. Brilliant colors descended from the sky, shimmering in dazzling shades of white and purple that reflected off one another. A continuous line of Daoist temples emerged from afar, their silhouettes gradually taking form within the great void.

The temple complex bore a circular boundary, scraping against everything in the great void at tremendous speed and bursting into radiant golden sparks. Like scattered embers, they were cast out by the void itself, falling like rain onto the [Turbid Slaughter Mausoleum] of the manifested world.

Golden rain began to fall across the bone-strewn hills, drifting down in shimmering waves of beauty. Li Ximing glanced at it casually and recognized it as [Spirit Mausoleum Metal] of the [Xiao Metal] Dao, a Qi Cultivation Realm resource that was extremely valuable to rogue cultivators. Below, chaos immediately broke out as people scrambled to seize it.

As he watched, several streaks of light sped toward them. Li Ximing glanced at the descending heavenly light, gave a few brief instructions, and Tianhuo nodded with a smile. Sure enough, a group of Golden Feather Sect cultivators approached from the other side to receive them. Li Ximing paid special attention and spotted Su Yan among them.

Though this was merely a game between a few Purple Mansion Realm figures, Li Ximing remained cautious. With a light touch at his waist, he removed the green and yellow [Ruler of Manifested Mountains and Rivers], attached a few instructions, and sent it slipping away through the great void.

His voice echoed in Ding Weizeng’s ear. "Weizeng, if you encounter trouble within the secret realm, bring out the spirit embryo to suppress it."

Ding Weizeng stood amid rolling white smoke, speaking seriously with a Golden Feather Sect cultivator before him.

Upon hearing this, he immediately turned and bowed toward the sky. "I received the Daoist Master's immortal decree!"

At those words, whether Li Family or Golden Feather Sect, all the core members nearby lowered their heads and bowed in respect.

Watching this, Tianhuo smiled. "Zhaojing truly dotes on the younger generation."

Li Ximing turned his head slightly and replied calmly, "For a hundred years, my family has only ever watched others' trump cards and feared their backing. Now things are different. Achieving divine ability was for this very day. Our juniors now have their own trump cards and their own backing. They can stand openly alongside the immortal descendants, no longer forced to survive by reckless struggle."

Tianhuo's smile faded as though recalling something. A trace of complexity crossed his expression as he said softly, "At this level, even the chance to survive through struggle becomes rare..."

The two of them wordlessly let the topic drop and turned their attention to the secret realm before them.

Li Ximing activated his divine ability, reinforcing the heavenly light between his brows. Taking advantage of the realm's instability and its brief connection with the outside world, he looked within. The hazy colors faded, revealing countless elegant immortal platforms and pavilions. At the highest point stood a grand purple hall, inscribed with golden words, [Southern Reach Hall].

Though they were only glimpsing the scenery, all those with divine ability saw it clearly and began whispering among themselves.

Tianhuo spoke softly, "As expected, it is one of the Southern Reach Dao lineages."

Li Ximing glanced at him, and he continued, "The Three Profundities are all the same. Their direct transmissions are limited in number. Douxuan has declined and is no longer prominent. Many lineages were famous in ancient times, but among those still known, in order, are the [Northern Palace Divine Thunder], [Cross-Dam Earthwarding], and the [Southern Reach Four Mi’s]...

"The Thunder Palace needs no explanation. It is the pinnacle of Douxuan, known throughout the world, though it is not present here. [Cross-Dam Earthwarding] cultivates Azure Manifestation, and [Yanyang Temple] belongs to them. As for the Four Mi’s Dao lineage that we often mention, they are the [Southern Reach Four Mi’s]."

With this explanation, Li Ximing finally connected the pieces. Having recently heard of the Hongxue Dao lineage, he began counting on his fingers.

"[Mifan], [Mifann], [Miyan]... One more is missing."

Tianhuo nodded slightly, seemingly surprised that he knew of [Miyan]. But upon hearing the last part, he could not help but laugh. "You are overlooking what lies right before you..."

Li Ximing's interest was piqued. As Tianhuo continued scanning the secret realm with his divine ability, he said leisurely, "This final lineage once had a branch that was active along the riverbanks for years. In ancient times, they even lived in Moongaze Marsh! Though the Dao lineage has long since moved away, some names and places remain... right within your territory!"

Li Ximing was momentarily stunned. Recalling the names around the lake, he said in disbelief, "Milin Prefecture... [Milin]?!"

Tianhuo laughed. "Exactly!"

Tianhuo was well known for his playful nature. He clearly enjoyed seeing that look of sudden realization, and now that his curiosity was satisfied, his mood lifted as he smiled. "You still have the empty shell of the [Six Xin Unified Metal Token] in your possession, don't you?"

That single remark laid the Golden Feather Sect's all-encompassing reach bare. A chill crept through Li Ximing's heart as he replied in surprise, "That is correct."

The [Six Xin Unified Metal Token] held by the Li Family had already had its essence stripped away, leaving only a patterned shell behind. Though the material might still retain some unique qualities, it no longer possessed any real power.

Li Zhouwei had mentioned this matter to him before. The greatest value of the token's shell did not lie in the scraps of spirit material that remained, but in the intricate patterns engraved upon it that once manifested its power. This was why it had always been kept hidden within the family.

In the future, if a promising junior arose or if their artifact forging reached a sufficient level, the shell could be studied and used to create imitations like the [Sixfold Profound Thunder Punishment Tokens].

Tianhuo continued with a smile, "The [Twelve Profound Tokens] belong to Douxuan. The Jiang Family traces its roots to Ning State and once inherited the Milin Dao lineage. That is why the [Six Xin Unified Metal Token] eventually made its way into the hands of the Milin Jiang Family. Do you understand now?"

The mention of the [Twelve Profound Tokens] struck Li Ximing like a sudden awakening, and everything fell into place in his mind.

Of course! No wonder... The clues were there all along. Our [Sixfold Profound Thunder Punishment Tokens] were modeled after the [Sixfold Quaking Profound Thunder Tokens] of the [Dao of Thunder Steering and Cloud Dwelling]. That Dao lineage originates from [Yanyang Temple], which is part of Douxuan!

That must also be why the [Six Ding Merging Fire Token] from Crimson Reef Island, later obtained by Senior Tulong, was given by the Dragon Clan to Guo Shentong, who emerged from a Douxuan grotto heaven. It was a return of something belonging to that Dao lineage...

Li Ximing would never have imagined that these threads would lead back to his own family. He stood there in a daze for several breaths, but as he pieced it together, everything gradually formed a coherent whole.

The [Chongming Profound Insight Screen] from Great Ning Palace bears the names Jiang Bing and Chen Xuanli, proving the Jiang Family originated from Jiangbei. When Ning State fell, the Jiang, Chen, Li, and even the Si Family of the Azure Pond Sect all were displaced and scattered... all deeply tied to Douxuan...

"Many thanks for your guidance, Fellow Daoist!"

Li Ximing thanked him sincerely, only to see purple mists rising within the [Turbid Slaughter Mausoleum] as golden clouds gathered. The secret realm settled into place, unleashing boundless spiritual energy.

"The secret realm has stabilized!"

At that moment, Daoist Master Tiangui, who had remained silent all this time, quietly raised his head. The mirror in his hand reflected a faint trace of purple, casting its light into the great void.

Seeing this, Tianhuo smiled slightly and said, "Fellow Daoists! There is a treasure within this [Southern Reach Hall]. Let us take it as a prize and see who claims it!"

Some of the divine ability cultivators sneered while others nodded. One after another, they sent their juniors into the realm.

Tianhuo also raised his hand, glancing at Li Ximing with a smile. "We may help each other, but there is no need to send them to the same place. Better to maximize the gains."

Li Ximing naturally understood. Though the two sides would cooperate, once inside they would separate to maximize their benefits. He responded softly and watched as Tianhuo gently sent several juniors into the realm.

Yet inwardly, Li Ximing smiled to himself. Outwardly, he closed his eyes and casually parted the great void, appearing utterly unconcerned with the treasures within. In truth, he had already begun focusing his mind in secret.

I, Ximing of the Li Family, humbly invokes the mirror. Survey the hidden, probe the subtle, discern the mysteries, illuminate the eight directions, seize ghosts and examine spirits...

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