#1092 - One after another

The scorching silver light was blinding, filling his heart with icy dread.

In Li Ximing's view, although the Li family had many capable individuals, the situation with successors wasn't good. Li Zhouwei sought the Dao, and the various sons of Mingyang each had their own agendas. If the situation deteriorated, who knew what fate awaited the Mingyang bloodline? He was very clear that he couldn't count on them.

Li Quewan and Li Jiangqian both possessed the potential for the Violet Palace stage, especially Li Quewan. Li Ximing regarded her as the Li clan's escape route to the East Sea should the Mingyang Dao fail. Li Jiangchun was a Violet Palace seed and also had Yang clan blood, perfectly suited to continue the lineage, and was also a trump card.

But looking at the younger generation after them, Li Ximing felt a sense of foreboding.

Without them, the sons of Mingyang, if they couldn't be preserved, the descendants would be mediocre… Li Jiangchun's sword heart was evident, and the family all hoped for him to break through to sword intent, not wanting to distract him. Ninety-nine percent of the time, it would be difficult for him to have offspring. Although he was also at the Foundation Establishment stage, relying on him was not as good as relying on Li Zhoulu. Li Quewan was wholeheartedly devoted to the Dao and was now preparing for the Violet Palace stage, making it even more impossible. The Zhong and Ji branches had no outstanding descendants, and the Shu branch had already separated, leaving only the Bo branch thriving.

Li Zhouming would have been the best choice, but Li Ximing had spoken with Li Xuanxuan in private. Li Zhouming had, after all, cultivated Mingyang… The old man thought it over and over, deciding that he shouldn't let a Mingyang cultivator be in charge again.

Li Suining's arrival was timely, belonging to the younger generation, with high talent, and great promise in the Dao of Arrays. Most importantly, he was stable, intelligent, and calm. Li Ximing liked him at first sight, hoping to continue his bloodline… all for the sake of the future…

But Li Jianglong's appearance was beside the point. Today, this sliver of silver light entered his eyes, and Li Ximing subconsciously felt that he was the work of some great power. The candidate who would shoulder the heavy responsibility of the clan in the future might very well be an internal spy from some other family. How could Li Ximing not be alarmed!

In that instant, he forced his gaze to remain on the furnace, his face still calm, but his heart had already turned into a pool of cold water. He activated the Immortal artifact's ability to investigate, firmly locking onto Li Suining.

He saw the silver light on his body changing in a wondrous way, contracting and expanding like breathing. Li Ximing focused his eyes and saw that the silver light gradually faded, revealing a few familiar auras.

'It seems to be… the aura of that Fox Clan lineage, 'Controller of the Heavens'… and somewhat like the mysterious fluctuations when Wanling Heaven was first opened.'

Although Li Suining also cultivated 'Controller of the Heavens', his mere Qi Refining cultivation level would naturally not be so dazzling under the Immortal artifact's investigation. Li Ximing judged very quickly, becoming suspicious and thinking:

'Could it be an arrangement by the Fox Clan…'

This slightly reduced the chill in his heart.

After all, his family and the Fox Clan could be considered to have a not shallow friendship. Back then, the Great Perfected Being of Luoxia came to the lake, and even a Fox Clan Demon King came to respond… In a sense, they even had common interests.

'It's just that although this silver light has some nobility, it doesn't seem to have any substantial power. Instead, it seems like the Immortal artifact has detected some special characteristic… After all, if there really was a reincarnation, it wouldn't have been just a day or two…'

He closed his eyes slightly, pondered for a long time, and had a preliminary judgment in his heart:

'Back then, the Yang Clan most likely didn't understand the situation on the lake. A martial star as high as a True Lord still met his end on the lake. No matter what the reason, at least the lake has many secrets… Rather than an internal spy, could it be… reincarnation? Or some kind of opportunity?'

The flaws Li Suining left behind were not many, and even those performances couldn't be considered flaws. It was just that changing the perspective made him seem somewhat suspicious, and many things became completely different:

'Now that I think about it, it's precisely because he's a reincarnation of a high-level cultivator that he's so calm and collected at such a young age, and that he inexplicably obtained such high attainments in the Dao of Arrays… It's not something that mere talent can explain…'

'It's just that he cares about his clansmen, and it doesn't seem fake… Could it be that he hasn't cleared his previous life's memories?'

Li Ximing pondered deeply. Although he didn't think Li Suining had much strength, the vigilance in his heart had already been silently raised to the highest level. He didn't make a rash move, but waved his hand slightly and ordered:

“Go back to your Jiangjun. Lest they say you're neglecting your duties.”

Li Jianglong didn't say much and immediately saluted and withdrew, leaving only Li Suining standing in the mountains. Li Ximing didn't open his mouth for a while, and then Li Minggong came up from the mountains and handed two letters to him.

“Real Person… a letter from Zhentao Prefecture.”

Li Ximing had to temporarily suppress his mood, took out the letter, and read it. Liu Changdie wrote a long and detailed account of the situation, with many requests in his tone, causing Li Ximing's expression to become solemn.

'Qingyan is in trouble, and Fuxun is seriously injured…'

A bad premonition appeared in his heart. He put the letter down and took out Li Quewan's letter to read. From beginning to end, he noticed that the letter addressed him as 'Lord'.

'Something is wrong on the island…'

Li Ximing's premonition grew stronger. Li Quewan usually addressed him as 'Real Person'. Before leaving, he had agreed with the two Violet Palace cultivators that if there were any abnormalities on the island, they wouldn't write it explicitly in the letter, but would simply change 'Real Person' to 'Lord'. He naturally didn't believe that Li Quewan had made a mistake.

'Fortunately, only one place was changed, and the tone isn't urgent, so I should be able to wait a little longer.'

But the worry in his heart suddenly escalated. For a moment, coldness entered his heart, and Li Ximing cursed inwardly:

'It's all coming together!'

If Li Suining was involved with the mainstay of the Li family's future leadership, Li Quewan was undoubtedly an important combat force that must not be lost. This trip was inevitable for Li Ximing.

Li Suining was respectful and courteous, never looking directly at him, and didn't notice his strangeness. He politely nodded and replied:

“This junior's aura is complete and is about to break through… It's just that there are few spiritual resources and demons for the 'Controller of the Heavens' path, and even fewer 'Suiyuan Pills' for this path. The old senior sent this junior to pay respects to you, Lord.”

Li Ximing slowly nodded and replied:

“The 'Controller of the Heavens' path has no particular taboos… However… if you can find good pills, not only will it be more guaranteed, but it will also save you a year or two…”

He smiled and said:

“I don't have these things on hand. I happen to be going to the East Sea soon, and I'll ask Real Person Yuanbian for some for you.”

Li Suining seemed unwilling to have him travel back and forth and thanked him hesitantly, wanting to say something but stopping, feeling bitter in his heart:

'If I had known, I wouldn't have mentioned this! Although there won't be any war in a year or two… what if something happens outside…'

Li Ximing was observing his expression and raised his hand to let him come over and sit down. He casually poured a cup of tea and smiled:

“How is your Array Dao cultivation…?”

Li Suining only saluted and found a suitable place to sit, briefly talking about it. Li Ximing didn't say a word, secretly remembering it in his heart, preparing to discuss it in detail with Liu Changdie.

But looking at the way he spoke eloquently, Li Ximing gradually became suspicious:

'But since he hasn't achieved supernatural powers, and he doesn't have a talisman seed in his body… how can he resist my Fate Supernatural Power? If I use my Fate Supernatural Power to drive him, wouldn't he fall into my hands?'

Moreover, at this moment, he still had doubts and had to rush to the East Sea. Before that, he naturally had to leave some means behind, so he smiled and said:

“I’m going to the East Sea to get spiritual resources for you… but my pill furnace is still on the mountain. How about you read your array classics and keep an eye on it for me?”

How could Li Suining refuse? He nodded quickly and solemnly agreed. Li Ximing then reached into his sleeve and conjured a fan with his divine power, handing it to him with a serious expression:

“I need you to be my medicine boy for a while. Just use your magic power to fan the flames for me while I'm gone.”

“Yes!”

Li Suining treated it as an extremely important task, nodding solemnly. As he spoke, a subtle light flickered in Li Ximing's eyes, and he secretly performed a hand seal in his sleeve, releasing the Light of Six Harmonies.

It was precisely the 『All-Seeing Eye』!

Their exchange seemed like a mere formality, but when this subordinate relationship fell into the 『All-Seeing Eye』, it immediately triggered a miraculous response, already under the supervision of the Destiny Divine Power!

As long as Li Suining harbored a hint of resentment or dissent, Li Ximing would detect it! The golden fan in his hand would immediately respond, crushing him to dust.

The colorless Light of Six Harmonies flickered slightly at his fingertips, and Li Ximing felt a slight relief in his heart:

‘The feedback from the 『All-Seeing Eye』… he genuinely respects me. It seems he also has real feelings for his family, without any pretense… It seems… this child has obtained some kind of opportunity…’

If it were truly the latter, and Li Suining had obtained some opportunity related to the Heavenly Calculation Dao, Li Ximing, while happy, would have to consider whether there was a problem with this opportunity. In any case, with the 『All-Seeing Eye』 influencing him, Li Ximing could temporarily relax.

‘I think he's a good kid right now… I can't wrong him. I can only deal with it like this for now. When I return, I'll send him to seclusion and discuss it in detail with Zhou Wei when he comes out of seclusion.’

Immediately, he stepped out of the mountain, ordering Li Minggong to seal off the Zhijing Mountain Array, forbidding anyone from entering, and instructed:

“Go and invite True Man Nan Wu to come and sit in the mountain for me… Something happened in the East Sea, I'll be back soon.”

Only then did he hurriedly ride the wind and rise, stepping into the Void.

… …

The night was gloomy.

The sky above Chengyun Gate was covered in dark clouds, without a trace of illusionary colors. A young man stood on a high platform, his face slightly pale, gazing at the night sky. His long robe, with white feathers and black mysterious patterns, fluttered slightly in the air, revealing a sense of oppression.

It was none other than True Man Changyun, the master of Chengyun Gate.

He stood silently on the high platform, without saying a word. The raging wind that surged towards him only made his hair flutter slightly, and his eyes were extremely deep.

Beside him, a young man in black also stood in the wind. He was a head taller than True Man Changyun, and the long spear in his hand stood on the ground, his entire body brimming with divine power, showing an extremely imposing aura.

After an unknown amount of time, the spear-wielding young man lowered his eyebrows and reminded:

“Lord, that person instructed that one should avoid being seen when practicing this kind of secret technique…”

Changyun calmly shook his head and replied:

“Chong Gong, there will be no more opportunities in the future.”

This spear-wielding True Man was none other than Zhong Qian, the headmaster of Chengyun Gate!

He hadn't reached the Zifu stage for long, but his divine power and aura were extremely strong. His eyebrows and eyes were sharp. When he saw Li Xuanfeng back then, there was still childishness on his face, but now it had completely dissipated, replaced by the majesty and calmness belonging to the Zifu stage.

Changyun turned his head and said indifferently:

“A great battle is about to begin in the south, and they will inevitably come to dispatch me—they are pretending to be fools, wanting us to suffer in silence, unable to speak of our suffering.”

His words were very sarcastic, but his expression did not show any sign of decadence, as if the exposure of his secret was not a big deal.

After a while, a golden-white light came from afar, landing a spirited Daoist, but the auspicious clouds he was riding on looked somewhat incongruous.

“Brother Changyun!”

The monk called out and landed on the platform, finding that Changyun had known he was coming long ago, and was not surprised. He bowed and said with a somewhat awkward expression:

“I received orders to invite you to go south to guard the riverbank.”

These words made Zhong Qian's expression change slightly, but Changyun smiled and invited him in, looked at his face, and shook his head:

“Daoist Minghui… these years have not been easy for you either!”

Minghui's awkward expression gradually dissipated, and he sighed deeply, replying:

“True Man has keen eyes. I have been walking on thin ice on this shore. Asking you to go down this time is an offensive matter, so naturally it has been handed over to me…”

After the founding war, the Li family gained the opportunity to recuperate, but these years have been really difficult for Minghui… He was transferred to Shanji, and he had to go for every annual test! He had tasted the taste of Tinglan's boundless water and fire more than once!

Minghui complained for a while, secretly looking at Zhong Qian. After only glancing at him, he felt that his body was full of light, and he was immediately shocked, secretly exclaiming:

‘What a strong destiny! If this person converts to Buddhism, he will definitely achieve something!’

While he was secretly observing, Changyun's heart was already filled with sneers:

‘Qi Lanyan… Qi Lanyan, I have been in seclusion for a long time, but you just had to call me out! Very good, Qi's family is a small cultivator, and has gained Zhi Xuan's support, and is now calling the wind and rain, it's simply incredibly stupid!’

‘Could it be that there are few great figures in the world who know about this? But each of them has learned to be good, pretending to be fools, and this idiot is being pushed to the front, thinking he has gained some secrets, daring to plot against my Golden Unity lineage…’

As Qi Lanyan had predicted back then, the Golden Unity lineage must be angry, but Changyun—or rather, Zhang Yun of the Golden Feather Sect—regarded Qi Lanyan's boldness as ignorance:

‘It is often my Dao that plots against others, controlling all directions, but now it is his turn to plot against me!’

His thoughts were gloomy. The Minghui in front of him could no longer restrain himself, looking at him with envy, and said:

“True Man has already achieved three Divine Powers! What a fast speed, even those immortal descendants at the Jindan level are nothing more than this!”

No matter how much flattery and politeness his words contained, Changyun only felt sensitive when he heard them. After all, he, Changyun, was a hidden pawn of the Golden Feather Sect, and it sounded like sarcasm. His somewhat gloomy eyes swept over the other party:

‘Does this monk know… why is his tone so sharp, could it be that the Lotus Temple also knows? Jinlian's status… it is impossible for ordinary people to contact her…’

So he said lightly:

“Just luck.”

Minghui shook his head and sighed:

“I heard that the Yang family's Zijing Palace has already opened, and something will happen on the river sooner or later. This time I came, in addition to doing this offensive thing, I also have one or two questions to ask you.”

“Oh?”

Changyun raised his eyebrows, listening to the monk's distress, thinking for a long time, and seeing that the great array was closed, he secretly said:

“You and I have been friends for many years… is there any way to seek death… teach me…”

As soon as these words came out, Zhong Qian, who was serious and worried, couldn't help but twitch his lips. Changyun looked at him blankly, and said somewhat strangely:

“It’s really strange, the world is so big, there are not many ways to live, how can there be few ways to die!”

Main characters in this chapter

—

Li Ximing [Early Zifu]

Li Jianglong 『Yemen』 [Late Foundation Establishment] [Zijin Palace]

Li Suining [Ninth Level Qi Training]